ESPN Daily

University of Oregon senior guard Sabrina Ionescu is a generational college basketball talent. She is the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, the projected No. 1 pick in April's WNBA Draft, and last week, became just the second player in NCAA basketball history - male or female - to record over 2,000 points and 1,000 assists. ESPN Senior Writer Liz Merrill joins us to discuss Ionescu's run of triple-doubles, her relationship with Kobe Bryant, and her ultimate quest to deliver the Ducks their first-ever NCAA women's basketball championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tua Tagovailoa came into the college football season with Alabama as "most likely to be the next number one overall pick" in the NFL draft. Then came a season-ending hip injury. With reports that his recovery is on track, Tua enters the draft as a game-changing wild card. Ahead of this weekend's NFL combine, ESPN's Todd McShay breaks down Tua's history and weighs where he'll end up in April's draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sat down with Mina Kimes for an interview first broadcast on ESPN's "Outside the Lines." Speaking the day after he had been reinstated by the NFL, following indefinite suspension, it was the first time Garrett spoke publicly since his on-field altercation with Mason Rudolph. In November, Garrett struck the Steelers QB in the head with Rudolph's own helmet. Today, ESPN Daily offers an extended version of Garrett's interview. Then, Adam Schefter discusses the response to Garrett's remarks from Mason Rudolph, his coach Mike Tomlin, and the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is having a breakout season. And it's happening quicker than most expected, just his third year in the NBA. ESPN's Zach Lowe explains what makes the first-time All-Star a remarkable talent on the court, and what's behind his incredible motivation off of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL defensive end Michael Bennett has been to three pro bowls and he's a Super Bowl champion. But after the wear and tear of 11 seasons in the league, the free agent is undecided on whether he wants to play again. Bennett and his wife, Pele, host the new podcast, "Mouthpeace." They join us to talk about how the physical realities of Michael's career have affected them, and how they and their daughters have navigated life in the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As pitchers and catchers assemble for spring training, the MLB continues to see fallout from the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, from "Codebreaker" revelations to new hires. ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan tells us how the 2020 baseball season will be affected, and also weighs in on other storylines around the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Philip Rivers is officially ending his run with the Chargers and entering free agency. Fellow veteran QBs Tom Brady and Drew Brees are considering their options. The NFL quarterback market is filled with possibility, as the golden era of pocket passers may be ending - and the era of mobile quarterbacks just beginning. ESPN's Dan Graziano runs down the different destinies the elder statesmen of the NFL might be headed for this offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Capitals' Alex Ovechkin is close to joining an elite club in hockey, as just the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 goals. Ovi's had his stumbles, but he's on track to beat none other than Wayne Gretzky for the all-time scoring record. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski tells Mina Kimes how Ovechkin's durability, longevity, and high-scoring power have dazzled over time, and what it'll take for him to best The Great One's legendary record of 894 goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the XFL kicks off, this 2.0 incarnation hopes to stand in stark contrast to the 2001 football league that failed. ESPN's Kevin Seifert dives into the thinking behind the XFL. Before, it leaned on wacky theatrics. But the new version aims for much more serious fans. Plus, the XFL Tampa Bay Vipers' Aaron Murray breaks down the appeal of the league for players like him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After being named a captain in this year's Pro Bowl, Michael Vick faced a new wave of criticism. Animal advocates and football fans alike point to Vick being sent to federal prison for his involvement in dogfighting. Between Vick's initial NFL run, his time served and his return to football following that sentence, he has a complicated story. Ahead of tonight's "30 for 30" documentary, ESPN's Bomani Jones explores the context of Vick's career, his ongoing path to redemption and what his legacy will be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ja Morant is in the news for trading Twitter barbs as the NBA trade rumor mill runs amok. A shoe-in for Rookie of the Year, he's a growing presence in the league. And he's leading the surprisingly successful Memphis Grizzlies in a promising rebuild. ESPN's Tim MacMahon tells us how Morant almost got overlooked as a young player, and how his electrifying presence is lighting up Memphis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, rumors swirl about some of basketball's biggest names, causing fans and NBA Twitter to lose their minds. ESPN NBA senior writer Zach Lowe breaks down the buyers, sellers, and targets as the February 6 deadline draws near. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Chiefs are Super Bowl LIV champions! NFL insider Bill Barnwell joins Mina Kimes to discuss how a pair of Damien Williams touchdowns and a fourth quarter defensive stand contributed to Kansas City's comeback Super Bowl win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of Super Bowl weekend, Mina Kimes takes you to the local Miami neighborhood that has given rise to some of the most famous NFL players in recent history: Chad Johnson, TY Hilton, Antonio Brown and Teddy Bridgewater, just to name a few. Hometown heroes Bridgewater, Hilton and Johnson give their insights into this Florida football hotbed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Super Bowl looming, Mina Kimes and Domonique Foxworth are in South Beach tackling important questions about Sunday's game: Will Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense pick apart the Niners stalwart defense? Can Jimmy Garoppolo be trusted to lead San Francisco? And who will end up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy? Find these answers and more in ESPN Daily's Super Bowl Preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been an NFL fixture for 20 years, and his homespun personality has inspired countless stories. There's the iconic punt-pass kick video from Andy's childhood, his legendary appetite, and the obsessive journals and coaching binders he keeps. ESPN's Dave Fleming chronicled legends of Big Red from around the league, and shares them with host Mina Kimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 49ers' Kyle Shanahan is making his first Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. But he's been to the big game before, as the Falcons offensive coordinator when Atlanta infamously lost a 28-3 lead to a Patriots comeback. ESPN's Seth Wickersham explains how Shanahan can shake the ghosts of his football past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kobe Bryant's death shocked the world on Sunday. In the wake of the news, ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne traveled to the site of the tragic helicopter crash, and to Kobe's Mamba Sports Academy. She joins Mina Kimes to reflect on the life, career, and legacy of this five-time NBA champion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JamesOn Curry holds a dubious record: shortest NBA career, ever. Just 3.9 seconds. And he didn't even touch the ball. How did Curry go from legendary high school superstar, to twists and turns and criminal setbacks, to his one shot on the court for the L.A. Clippers? The tale of his remarkably brief career holds bigger truths about life and basketball. ESPN basketball writer Royce Young shares the fascinating story of JamesOn Curry with host Mina Kimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UConn Huskies have long reigned supreme in women's college basketball. But where they once seemed invincible, cracks have started to show. The Huskies have exited the tournament in the semi-finals the past three seasons, and recently suffered their first double-digit loss in years. ESPN basketball analyst LaChina Robinson explores the legacy of UConn, and whether the Huskies' dynasty is near its end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was not first pick for the job. Or second. Even as he landed the top spot with "The Lake Show" and LeBron, questions swirled over how long he would last. Now, with the team leading the Western Conference, NBA insider Kevin Arnovitz breaks down the understated success of Vogel's leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been two years since Larry Nassar was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and women. We are still learning more about how gymnastics organizations and officials enabled his abuse. ESPN investigative reporter John Barr is co-author of the book "Start By Believing," about the culture of gymnastics and Nassar's survivors. He joins Mina Kimes to reveal new findings from his reporting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super Bowl LIV is set! The 49ers sent Aaron Rodgers and the Packers...packing. Then, the Chiefs engineered another comeback victory to steal away the Titans' championship dreams. ESPN NFL insider Bill Barnwell breaks down how we wound up with the teams that will meet in Miami. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday two UFC legends collide on ESPN+ as Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone faces Irishman Conor McGregor, perhaps the most notorious fighter in mixed martial arts. ESPN Senior Writer Kevin Van Valkenburg visited Ireland to see how years of controversy, troubling behavior, and criminal allegations have affected McGregor's folk hero status at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Sox manager Alex Cora is out on sign-stealing allegations from the MLB. The charges date back to 2017, when he was the bench coach for the Houston Astros. It's a stunning downfall for a man considered one of the most talented young managers in the game. ESPN baseball insider Buster Olney joins Mina Kimes to explore Cora's career, and his role in this huge baseball scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since Zion Williamson was drafted first overall in 2019, NBA fans - well, New Orleans Pelicans fans, in particular - couldn't wait to see their new superstar's talent. But then, the unthinkable happened, and Williamson went down with a meniscus injury during the preseason. Now, as he's recovered and ready to take the court, ESPN NBA insider Andrew Lopez joins Mina Kimes to discuss what Zion's return means for basketball in New Orleans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College football has a new champion: the LSU Tigers. ESPN's Mike Golic Jr. joins Mina Kimes from New Orleans to break down the big game. Then, the Houston Astros face unprecedented consequences after the 2017 sign stealing scandal. Baseball insider Jeff Passan joins to discuss the fallout...and what happens next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This weekend's NFL action was full of shock and awe. On Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers' defense stymied Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings. In Baltimore, the Ravens were upset by a stout Tennessee Titans defense and ferocious rushing attack. And on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs engineered a breathtaking comeback over the Houston Texans, and Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers held on to defeat the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN insider Bill Barnwell and Mina Kimes break down the highs and lows of the divisional weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bring up LSU Coach Ed Orgeron, and someone is bound to say "Geaux Tigers!" in his often-imitated, never duplicated voice, all gravel and grit. It seems like destiny that Coach O would lead the purple and gold, but his career has been full of twists and turns. Ahead of the National Championship Game, ESPN's David Hale tells us the legend of this bayou man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, the NBA style of play was dominated by "big men," players who stand 6-foot-10 or more and who go to the post to score. Now, the biggest players shoot more from the outside. And it's all by design. ESPN's NBA insider Jackie MacMullan joins Mina Kimes to discuss why simply posting up is going the way of the dodo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lamar Jackson has stymied NFL defenses with his speed and creativity. To prepare to take down this year's MVP frontrunner, teams are practicing against Jackson impersonators. How do you find a Lamar Jackson imitator who has his speed, accuracy, and athleticism? ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley went around the league to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All eyes are on Clemson as the National Championship draws near, and the team has proven itself to be a powerhouse. But head coach Dabo Swinney always seems to be fighting to get the respect he thinks the Tigers deserve. ESPN's Andrea Adelson joins Mina Kimes to discuss where the program has been...and what's next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL's wild-card games delivered nonstop action. In the AFC, the Titans upset the Patriots in what might have been Tom Brady's last game in Foxborough, while Buffalo fell to Houston in overtime. The NFC games saw overtime heroics from the Vikings to beat the Saints. And Seattle bested an injury-hampered Philadelphia team. ESPN insider Bill Barnwell joins Mina Kimes to break down the slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson gets many labels: positive, good-natured, nice, wholesome. For some, it's hard to believe Wilson could maintain this attitude in today's NFL and have it be authentic. As Seattle prepares for the playoffs, guest host Domonique Foxworth delves into Wilson's personality and style of play with ESPN reporter Dotun Akintoye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As you watch the Chiefs play, look for running backs coach Deland McCullough. He has an incredible story, one that he shared with ESPN's Sarah Spain. After decades of not knowing his birth parents, McCullough's search for the truth led him to an incredible revelation - and reunion - with football at the center. Also, Jeremy Schaap offers a remembrance of legendary NBA Commissioner David Stern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reche Caldwell made his NFL name with the Patriots. Today, his name is in the news around a federal lawsuit involving medical fraud. ESPN's David Fleming covered Caldwell in 2016, when the former player was incarcerated for buying illegal drugs online. Fleming re-tells the story of how Caldwell Googled his way from the Patriots to prison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN broadcast its first game 40 years ago - but it wasn't the NFL or a big fight. It was a pro softball game, of all things. ESPN's Jeremy Schaap set out to find the tapes...and discovered that they'd been missing for decades. Schaap joins Mina Kimes to share the mystery of the lost tapes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL's 2019 regular season came to a close, and several teams in both conferences sealed their destinies. With an upset in Foxborough, Philadelphia claiming the NFC East, and a game of inches in Seattle, the playoff picture is in focus. ESPN insider Bill Barnwell breaks down the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Rudy" is a sports movie classic. And it defined the life of the actual man who inspired the story: Rudy Ruettiger, who is now in his 70s. Revered by many Notre Dame fans, Ruettiger is also plagued by critics over whether the movie exaggerated a plot point or two. ESPN's Ryan McGee spent time with the real Rudy to find out more, and he joins Mina Kimes to distinguish fact and fiction, from Rudy's point of view. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a dramatic college football career, Jalen Hurts has divided football insiders about his potential upside. From Alabama to Oklahoma, Hurts has always been a serious player and hoped for a future in the NFL. ESPN's Ivan Maisel got insider access to Jalen Hurts, his family, coaches and colleagues. He joins Mina Kimes to discuss the college QB, known as a man of few words. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's one of the most infamous fan stories in sports history: when Eagles fans booed Santa at halftime of a game played at Franklin Field. But who was the Santa in question, and why was he booed and pelted with snowballs? Outside the Lines' Jeremy Schaap joins Mina Kimes to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Philadelphia Santa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for the gift of basketball on Christmas Day, as the NBA settles in under the tree. We tear open five matchups with ESPN NBA Analyst Kirk Goldsberry as he reveals who has been naughty and who has been nice this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Eagles upset Dallas, but can they stay on the path to the playoffs? NFL insider Bill Barnwell joins Mina Kimes to break down how they did it, and whether they can keep the success going. Then, the Bengals have lost their way to first draft pick. And what does that mean for the other teams at the bottom of the league? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Monday, the day after the final Sunday in the NFL's regular season, is when head coaches often transition from the hot seat to the unemployment line. And it's approaching quickly. But what lands coaches on the hot seat in the first place? ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano joins Mina Kimes to discuss how coaches wind up with job insecurity, and how they can avoid the chopping block. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Milwaukee Bucks could be the NBA's best team. But after last season's disappointing playoff exit, many thought the squad couldn't repeat its success. NBA writer Chris Herring joins Mina Kimes to explain what the small market Bucks' continued dominance means for basketball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chess grandmasters need incredible amounts of brain power, but also extreme physical endurance. Major tournaments can run for six hours a day, 10 to 12 days in a row. Players might burn up to 6,000 calories and lose two pounds a day during these grueling matches. To prepare, today's chess world champions endure physical training that would tire out any pro athlete: hours a day of running, swimming or playing tennis while maintaining a strict diet. ESPN's Aishwarya Kumar joins Mina Kimes to break down how top chess players meld mind and body training in more sophisticated and extreme ways, all to best their fierce rivals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NFL fullbacks are some of the hardest-working and most beloved players in the sport, but they've struggled to find success in the spotlight. This season, things are different. FiveThirtyEight's Josh Hermsmeyer joins Mina Kimes to explore how fullbacks are having their best year ever, and why they've been the key to success for football offenses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff spot for the second time in three years. How did they get here, and does their turnaround story hold lessons for other NFL teams? ESPN NFL insider Bill Barnwell joins Mina Kimes to explain the Bills' surprising success. Then, in light of new video evidence, Bill and Mina break down the Patriots "Spygate II" video taping scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LeBron James has turned basketball on its head, from the moment he first stepped onto the court. His son, Bronny, is currently a high school NBA prospect. But how much has basketball changed since LeBron got his start - and how much has he paved the way for his son to succeed...or to fail? ESPN's Brian Windhorst joins Mina Kimes to get an inside look at the lives and careers of LeBron and Bronny James, the nature of fame, and the impact of sports on family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968, two statues were made: one for Simpson, and one for his alma mater, USC. However, following Simpson's infamous murder trial, both trophies went missing. What happened to O.J.'s Heismans? ESPN's Ryan McGee joins Mina Kimes to share the true story that involves a heist gone wrong, an auction gone right, nameplate switches, legal battles and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices