August 23, 2023 • 44 mins
Will Selva and MJ Acosta-Ruiz are back for another episode of El Huddle! We talk about the Hurra-quake that hit Southern California and discuss MJ's surprise figurine!
Next, we are visited by Washington Commanders Head Coach, Ron Rivera! We discuss the teams outlook for the upcoming season , we find out how Coach Rivera balances his busy schedule and learn about his upbringing. Finally, we play some Puras Macanas and end it with an Y Punto!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
And Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
What's good, everybody, you have reached Amilia.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
This is the l Huddle podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
I am merely will Selva, but I am with my Prima,
my Mana, my Brima, Edna, MJ cas Luise.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
What I feel like the weeks go by fast, but
like the longer I'm waiting for us to do the pod,
Like it just seems like it takes way too long.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Okay, there's man say, yes, we definitely need that.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
God we have the group chat, but yes we need
to really let it out here in the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yeah, yeah, no, this is this is it.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
So I don't know if you saw that we underwent
the quake unless you were if you were back you
know your parents are or okay, so you were here here.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I didn't end up going to I stayed. I hunkered down,
you know, as a Miami girl. I was like, oh,
I'm totally prepared for this, Like not only South California,
there's several through several hurricanes, none that have been too
major thankfully in Florida. But the earthquake part was not
on my Bengo card.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
No.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I said, wait a minute, wait a minute, now, I thought,
I'm at my house. We've got water, We've got all
all of these things ready to go. Yeah, and then
earthquake kis and I was like, nope, I don't How
do you prepare for the earth moving spontaneously? I don't
like it?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Well, you know what you need to do? Do what
my mom?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Did?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
You grab your rosary bees?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Be it hanging, madda, be it hang may clutching them
right and over and over.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
But the thing is like with earth quakes, I.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Just feeling though, did you you know what? Like, uh,
my wife and daughter did, and we were all in
the house, but but my son and I didn't because
we were playing baseball in the house, so no.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Baseball in the house.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
We were, yeah, we were just because he was like
going crazy, so you know, you got a whiffle ball
bat and I was like throwing him, okay, wells of
paper yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
No way, no, no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
And I think we I and I literally thought like
we stuffed the whiffle ball back like underneath the sofa
so she wouldn't see. But you know, it's like it's
like the earthquakes, you know, the the earthquakes, you know,
I guess growing up, you know, in San Francisco, I
just was used to it. I was, you know, there
when that earthquake hit back in nineteen eighty nine, and
(02:42):
you know, all the clocks were stopped at five oh
four and that books you know, on the ground, and
you know, no traffic lights to speak of. There were
actually pedestrians and just ordinary people acting as traffic control people.
And so I've kind of been used to it, you know,
(03:04):
and as been like the I haven't really been any
bad ones, but if you're new.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
To it, it's.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
A little it's a little alarming.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Right.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
The first time I ever felt an earthquake was when
I would live. I was living in the Bay and
it woke me up out of my sleep and I
was like, nope, we're out. Grab the bags because at
least of the hurricane you have time to prepare day. Yes,
like there is a real long on ramp before you
get there. You can get supplies. If you've got to evacuate,
you get out. But not with an earthquake. It happened
(03:33):
right now, Yeah, well cold it didn't. But you know
what I'm saying, like you at any moment, and that
like I've had to learn to not think about it
living in California. But it's yeah, it's wild. It's wild.
The hurricane side, though, is totally different, because even when
it's not terrible, you can still get a lot of
(03:54):
things that we were so productive, thankfully, and here towards
where we are right it wasn't as bad. But I
know that Inland are you know, our neighbors over in
the Inland Empire and in like Palm Springs, Indio, they
were they did not bear as easily as we did.
So they're dealing with a lot of flooding and a
lot of mud, and I mean, it's it's devastating, it
really is over there. So I know that we're on
(04:15):
this side, like, oh, I wasn't anything, but not the
case for everybody. But I just remember being in Miami
and even when it was just a ton of rain.
The ingenuity of latinas of Latina Mom, specifically Jesus to
amaze me because my mom's like, it's raining, this is
(04:36):
an excellent chance to be resourceabul So out she goes
with the on all of the patio furniture. She takes
a broom boom, starts cleaning everything. She's like well, it's
already raining, we might as well take advantage of the water, which,
if you think about it, she's upcycling, right, She's not
using any more water than she normally would. It's coming
from this guy. So she's I'm like, where is mom.
(04:58):
She's outside with rubber gloves. I don't know why she
has rubber gloves on when it's already rainy. Michaelson clean
the whole patio, like scrubbing the floor. I'm like, is
there one day, mom where you can't, like we don't clean,
just leave it alone. Yeah, come inside, watch the movies
with us. It's unbelievable. They're gonna find a way. Yeah,
(05:20):
I guess that is easier than taking a hose out
there and like cleaning all the patio furniture.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
But yeah, yeah, See. For for me, my mom was
just in denial about it. No cosa gay, big d
los angolo, big deal, you know. That's that's what That's
what the mentality was. For my parents.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
There's definitely a lot of the denials because they lived
in South Florida for a little bit as well, so
they experienced it. But thankfully my brother was there to
you know, kind of ease their concerns to speak. But
my mom definitely is like gay, big deal, no novel
novel like Cosa, you know, so you know my mom.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Here's the thing. You always think that you're, oh, well,
we've been through this so many times, like we're fine,
we have perishable goods. Meantime, it's been a couple of years,
you haven't checked the expiration date. All of the stuff
you have on reserve is actually expired. You realize, oh crap,
we drank the water that we had for the emergency purposes.
So all of a sudden you start to scramble and think, okay,
(06:20):
maybe I should reap. So those are the stages of
a hurricane, at least from like my perspective living in Miami.
It's fine, it's going to debate. Okay, it will hit us,
but it won't be that bad. Oh crap, it's coming
right at us. What do we have? And then the
shelves go missing. Everybody's at home.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Deep.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It's a lot, but thankfully where we were it wasn't
It wasn't so bad. Hoping that everybody who did get
affected pretty badly can get back on their feet quickly.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
But so you guys were good in the Yeah, yeah,
all good, and just we're inside lots of you know,
board games, you know, watching fall.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I went back to the office yesterday, will And oh.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I thought you said you went back to the office
during the whole hurricane.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
It was like, wow, look at you just going in there.
Mom's Approachah, okay.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
So I had one of our cps, was like, hey,
I have something for you. Something came in the mail.
So Fisher Price sent over some stuff. It's like collectibles.
There are little people collectible. So let's start with how
cute this is little dolphins. Can you see it?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Okay, see the little dolphins.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Dolphins like little bobbles. Okay, cool, this is adorable. I
think it's so cute. I'm gonna keep it forever.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
They also personalized one just for your car.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Do you got?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
What do you got?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
And I don't know that it looks like me? Well,
and attempt was made, but I'm not sure. I got
to take her out of this thing. It's like very
delicate there. Okay, so you have your own, like, I
don't know that this is me?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Uh that that does not look like you. So you're
holding it up right now that actually looks like that
was maybe like your hairdoo from.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Like someone asked if it was Oprah.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Several years ago, knowing like you first started the business.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Maybe they had an old picture. Look, thank you so much,
Bishop Price. I think, yeah, so, I love to be included.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
It does look like Oprah. It does look like they.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Know that about me. And look, if the comparison is Oprah,
we'll take it. But this is now, I'm over too.
On like bobbleheads and or collectible figurines that are supposed
to look like me. My wonderful husband sent one to
get made for me. It doesn't look like me at all.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
But I don't think these things ever do. But I
saw our friend Adam Ranks his.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Pretty Yeah, but his I mean it's just like.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
It's kind of easy.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, yeah, so there, yeah, you know, but.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Just needed to understand if it was just me, am
I being over because it's supposed to be my image.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
No, it's like the let Oprah Winfrey King.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
I don't know if you can see this. I feel
like this one looks more like me than the does
look more like you.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Who was that? Who's that?
Speaker 5 (09:11):
That's it's just a fan.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Dolphins fan you know what our producer Randy said that
it's not Tundo haircut.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I think, wait, Randy, did they pull this from my
news days?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
That's what That's what I'm telling you that that's where
I came from.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
That's where it looks like it came from.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Maybe exactly where this where the source material.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Wait, I can't I can't help but see it though,
when I see that hairstyle, you know kid watching the
news of my dad.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yeah, well, like I was set to be fair. This
photo probably my first.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
Oh my god, I found it well because they had
to have used the reference photo.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
Now we figured it out. You don't know this right now.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
She fell the photo of herself. She was working so how.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Many years ago?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
My statement this was like you one with wow, wow,
like twenty eighteen, so.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
Private.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
You nailed it, baby, and you nailed it.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
You nailed it.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
Wow o good.
Speaker 6 (10:32):
Oh my god god, that's literally wow. Every detail that
like print.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
I'm gonna have to print this photo.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah, put it next to the top of the that's.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Also it was twenty nineteen. Twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
We don't have nineteen.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
My instagram is open to all that is fantasy, many
many photos. It's so funny. But yeah, that's hilarious.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, put the photo up there and now I told
you and I thought that it reminded me of when
you first started in the business.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
I'm gonna.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
That is so that's awesome. You know what, this is awesome.
You know what else is awesome?
Speaker 2 (11:16):
After this discovery, We've got a pretty big time guest.
We have the head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera,
will be joining us on the other side of the
break here on the L Huddle Podcast that you dare
go anywhere. Welcome back to the L Huddle Podcast and
(11:42):
m J. We have a massive guest. I would dare
say this guest is a guest and a half, such
a big absolutely familia.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Without further ado, let's give a nice L Huddle.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Welcome to the head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
Yes, yeah, thank you, it's nice to be on. Thank
you very much.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Listen, coach, it's even so good to to I say
to MJ and I and whenever you've come on, Good
Morning Football, You've been so good to us.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
So thank you for being generous with your time today.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
No, I appreciate it. Guys.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
You know, people want information, people want to know, and
you know, we have a great platform now. It's something
I've learned and realized and come to appreciate. You know,
back in the day as a player, you know, you
really didn't feel like you should do what we're doing
now on these platforms, and that's informing people.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
And I think it's important that we do the things
the right way.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I mean, it's such a huge touch point between the franchises,
the players themselves, the coaches, and the fans, right outside
of game day, outside of even just social media. Everyone
who loves the NFL, who loves these teams, what they
want is to feel like they know you a little
bit more, like they know the day to day. We
were just discussing this before you jumped on Coach and
we're like, wow, he's coming on the pod, Like I
(13:03):
can't believe he made time for us. Can you give
us a peek at what a day in the life is? Like,
I mean when do you sleep? How do you have
time to come on the All Huddle podcast?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Like?
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Who is there? Are there snacks readily available in case
you have lunch? Like how does this go?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
We want to know, We want to know everything.
Speaker 7 (13:20):
I got lunch with me right now, just so you know, man,
that's really what you look for, is you look for
those breaks in the day that you can say, hey,
you know what, you can pile some stuff on me
right now. So a lot of times I do try
to eat lunch while I'm doing certain things like this,
just because again, as you said, m Jay, it's important
because this is a touch point. You know, we have
a fan base that we're trying to re energize, reintroduce
(13:41):
them to our team, and so to make myself available
is important for us going forward. So I try to
make sure I have that time and I create those
opportunities so we can talk about our football team.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Now, you just came.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Up with a really big decision when you named Sam
Howel as your quarterback.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
One.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
We'll get into what went into the decision and making,
but again just out of curiosity for ourselves, because you
are a coach, you're regimented. When do you do your
best thinking in the shower, in the commute, during lunchtime,
when you're working out. Because I know for myself, MJ.
I don't know about you, but yeah, the car I
(14:24):
mean for me, it's in the shower, so this is
a big decision you had to make. What was your
thought process.
Speaker 7 (14:32):
Well, you know, in coming up with some parameters, you know,
thinking about when was the right opportunity to felt like
we really knew well last year I would say probably
when we when we got at the Combine and you know,
I had to speak about Sam and I talked about,
you know, give me Sam the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I really thought about a lot.
Speaker 7 (14:51):
Of things that we were hoping to do this off season,
you know, as far as uh getting prepared for OTAs
and and going through mini camp and then you know,
getting ready for training camp, going through training camp, practicing
with another team, because at the time we didn't it
was bald where we were still trying to make arrangements.
And so that's when I thought, you know what, that
would be a really good time to make a decision,
(15:12):
is after our first preseason game, after practice sessions with
another team, we should have a pretty good definition as
to who our quarterback is going to be. And so
that was one of the things that we really thought about.
And for me, that in that moment was really just
you know, in the hotel room at the Combine in Indianapolis,
(15:34):
just sitting there thinking about, you know, what was what
we were we going to do, how were we going
to do it, what the parameters were, what were the objectives?
And and really I spent a lot of time that
evening jotting down a bunch of notes about, you know,
what would it take for me to feel confident that
I really truly believe Sam was ready to go.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
You know, you mentioned this fan base that you're trying
to re energize, coach, and it's not lost on us
that you know, there's a lot of work being done
in Washington with you guys. You're not just restructuring from
an x's and O standpoint, re energizing the fan base,
but also from an front office standpoint too. I had
the opportunity to do to host a panel with Jason Wright,
who is one of the most brilliant minds in this game,
(16:13):
the president of the Washington Commanders. You guys can look
him up. I highly suggested it so so impressive, but
just from a coaching standpoint, right and focusing in on
the x's and o's on making sure the team is
ready to go, and that the fans, especially now in
preseasons when they get to come out to practices and
things like that really focus on the game. How do
you keep yourself square in the midst of all of that.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
Comes Well, you know what was interesting was was, you know,
last year I made a move with our offensive coordinator
and brought Eric v Endemy in And one thing that
Eric said that really made a lot of difference in
my thought process this year was, you know, we have
to learn to be uncomfortable.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Be comfortable, and we're uncomfortable, and that's what he wanted
to create.
Speaker 7 (16:52):
And so in talking with him about those things, it
really kind of led me to think, you know, I've
been comfortable for the last several years as a head coach,
you know, coming back to my time in Carolina to
where I am now.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I think a little shakeup would be good.
Speaker 7 (17:03):
So one thing we talked to Eric about, you know,
I sat down, we talked and had a great discussion
about Listen, I'm going to give you the opportunity to
do all the scheduling. Part of learning how to be
a head coach is, you know, being given certain tasks.
He's the assistant head coaches. Why don't you just scheduling?
Why don't you do the planning for training camp and
so he went right to work. He grabbed a lot
of his notes from from his time with Coach Reid
(17:23):
and basically fashioned what our training camp was going to
look like in terms of resembling what he was used to,
the things that he did. And I looked at it.
This was right out of Coach Reid's book. It was
from when, you know, when I was with coach Read
for five years. So we went back and we did
a lot of these basic things. Different things got us
out of our comfort zone, things that we've been used to.
(17:45):
You know, some of us have been here the whole time,
so this was a big change, and so thinking outside
the box and changing.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
The way we did things.
Speaker 7 (17:54):
I think it has been very good for our football players,
for the organization, for our team, and really it's been
very good for me because I'm looking at it differently
from than I had in the last twelve seasons as
a head coach.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Well, coach, it was two or three weeks ago where
it seemed that people were raising their eyebrows when you
talked about players coming to you, about Eric the enemy
and his style, et cetera. And then you came back
and you said, hey, this is how things are you
were very open and honest with the process. And with
(18:26):
you being as open and honest, as straightforward as you are,
you seem to not let any sort of hiccup in
the messaging or any of those sorts of things to
stop you from telling it like it is, and that
I imagine probably was not an easy thing for you to
(18:49):
navigate around.
Speaker 7 (18:51):
Honestly, it really wasn't because I didn't what the uphall was.
I really white people felt the way, you know, basically
me telling you know the truth.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I mean, our guys were a little concerned they didn't.
Speaker 7 (19:03):
Know Coach, and I said, go talk to him, get
a chance to really find out who he is, understand
what he's trying to accomplish, and get a feel for
what he's trying to get you guys to do. And so,
you know, individually, and these were a bunch of individuals.
They went out and they met with coach, and they
talked to Coach individually, and he was really straightforward with them,
to the point where I had a few of them
company said wow, Coach, I get it.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
I get it. Well.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
That day when I did that press conference, that was
also one of the best practices we had. I mean,
we talked about as a coaching staff, and everybody was, God,
they're getting it, They're seeing it. They understand what the
temple is about. They understand why we're doing these things
this way, understanding why we're demanding certain things. And you
really saw the players I think have those aha moments.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Was Oh, I see it now, and I think it's
made a difference.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
I mean, I thought, you know, the the two scrimmage
practices we had against Baltimore and the game we had
against Baltimore was indicative of the way our guys are
approaching things. It's a completely different thing. We are outside
of our box. I mean, we're beyond our comfort zone.
So to me, it's accomplished several things that I've wanted
to do in bringing Erica board, and I couldn't be happier.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
I love that you mentioned that because we know, especially
football players, they're creatures of habit, right Like I love
the routine. This is how it's always been done. This
is where I go at nine am. So chang Change
is hard, but sometimes it's really necessary to reach that
next point. Coaches, we're talking to you here and for
all of you listening to the El Huddle podcast, like
coach has one of the most striking setups in his office.
(20:29):
It's very very cool. But one thing that keeps jumping
out of me, Coach is seeing that that jersey that's
framed behind you with your last name on it Trivena right,
which for us, of course, and especially for the Latino
community that carries so much weight and so much pride
to know that.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Thing isn't a head.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coaching position, right and you, I fink it's so interesting
with your cultural background Puerto Rican, Mexican, Filipino, Like, the
tapestry of the Latino community is very wide. It's very broad,
and it's mixed with a lot of different things for
you in in just grow up? What were the things
the key points for you from your culture that you've
(21:09):
carried over. Somebody asked me the other day, like what
are the what are the skills that you've learned from
being Latina. It's like, well, I don't have enough room
in this like little box that you gave me to answer,
because that's a lot it is. How does it resonate
for you?
Speaker 7 (21:22):
Well, for me, it's really everything started with family first
and foremost. I mean it really is. It revolves around
family and hard work. One of the really neat things
that my dad's family done in Puerto Rico is whenever
you go back, there's about forty five acres of the
family as it has owned.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
It's been in the family for a long time, and
it's in.
Speaker 7 (21:42):
A little bit of a bowl, and at the top
there's this hills and on these hills there's like four
houses that have been built and those houses have all
been built by my aunts and uncles and their families.
And then there's too far out to the out to
the front of the property, so there's six houses in total,
but there's a seventh one that sits in the middle
of the property, okay, on a little bit of the
(22:03):
floor of this little this little valley, and it's the
original house. And originally it started as a one room
house and it had dirt floors, and then eventually they
put a they put a concrete floor down and made
a bedroom for my grandparents. And what they've done is
they've refurbished that little place. They keep it kept up
(22:27):
now and it's supposed to be a reminder for the
for the grandkids, the great grandkids and the great great
grandkids where they're from. And I can remember taking my
kids there and showing it to them, and it is
a really stark reminder of where they're from.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
You know.
Speaker 7 (22:43):
I have a daughter that was fortunate enough to play
on the Puerto Rican national softball team and in the
panem Games when it was played in Puerto Rico. A
Courtney got to go and she got to see my
dad's family again, and you know, and she talks about
the history of it, and it's really kind of neat
because it all is intertwined about family.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
I mean, the family pride.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
When she came and got to play, and my aunts
and uncles and cousins all went to the game.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
I couldn't go because we were in training camp.
Speaker 7 (23:11):
But seeing how the family structure is so involved, that's
where a lot of it comes from for me. I mean,
the work ethic, the pride in the work where you're
from is a really big deal. And so I think
that's really kind of what has helped me through life
and really has kind of set me on that path,
is that, you know, it is about being family oriented.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Family is extremely important to you.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
You've obviously tried to build that with the cultures of
your different teams as well.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
You know, coach for you.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Were there ever any specific cultural experiences that resonated with
you when you were younger? For example, MJ and I
always talk about, you know, the food that we ate,
or the music that we listened to, or the shows
like novellas that we would watch. Were there ever any
sort of cultural experiences that really hit you when when
(24:06):
you were young.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
Yes, Christmas, because Christmas, yes, but it's celebrated, you know
in the Latino communities, especially in Puerto Rico, it's celebrated
on Three Kings Day.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yes, yes, in January, yes, yes.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Because but people don't realize it's the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The song the Twelve Days of Christmas is that's how
long it took for the three Kings to get to
the baby Jesus. So during that process, and when we
went to Puerto Rico a couple of times for Christmas,
my brother and I we were getting a presence, you.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
Know, on on on on.
Speaker 7 (24:39):
Christmas, but then we got presence on the twenty sixth,
twenty seventh, and twenty then also going okay, so what's
going on, Well they explained this was my cousin's explained us, Well,
it's three kings, you know, and they were trying to
explain to us that this is this is the truth.
So that's how I learned the whole tradition of the
twelve Days of Christmas is that it's the celebration until
the three kings get to the Baby Jesus to present themselves.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
So that was one of the things that I always
thought was really cool.
Speaker 7 (25:02):
But the biggest thing was that each one of those
days too, you went to somebody else's house and you
had to eat and oh yeah, all the traditional Puerto
Rican I mean everything from low I mean on and
on and on, and if you're not careful, it's real
easy to gain about, you know, in a two week visit.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
So it was fun and a Harvey.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Here's the great thing though, usually when you're on these visits,
there's music, you're dancing, so you can sort of offset
a little bit of the calories. For my family is
the big thing states that right, like for us in
the US, the ones in Dominican Republic so very much,
very very end, the tree does not come down so after,
but for us was like the huge thing we have.
(25:50):
Everybody would fly in from Puerto Rico, from Dominican Republic
from New York to my Madarina's house in in Miami.
This is stops since the pandemic, unfortunately, but it was
the family event of the year, like everyone planned around
Inchbuyna and and on Christmas Day we're back to my
mother INA's house and it was that cooking up the leftovers,
making I was making mangou and it's like those moments
(26:13):
that were now in August, in the middle of summer.
But I can, like, I can feel, I can remember
what it felt like being there. I can taste the
food as I'm talking, like, those are the things that
just stay with you forever, right even if we haven't
done it in several years. So thank you for bringing
up that memory, because it like took me right back
there immediately.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And you know, it's very similar too, is in the
Mexican culture.
Speaker 7 (26:35):
You know, on my mom's side, during the holiday season,
the family would come together and go into my mom's garage,
my mom and dad's garage, and they would make the
tamalais and it was like an assembly line. Everybody had
a specistic job and they they would wrap up a
few hundred and then they would divvy, oh hundreds, I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
Seriously, Well we're your favorite coach.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
Oh gosh, I just I just loved I just loved them.
I mean, you know, it's like it's like, you know,
it's a cultural thing. And and and when friends would
come over that you know, weren't of of Hispanic descent
or Latina, they would come in and they would even say, wow,
this is really cool. I said, well, it EXPI a
little bit to them, and and they go, wow, that
that's a that's a neat tradition. It really was, it was,
(27:20):
and it really you know, I think a lot of
these things really helped, you know, mold me into who
I am today. And I think a lot of it
is also what drives me to believe in culture so
much that when you know, I went to Carolina, when
I came here, it was trying to you know, develop
a sustainable, winning culture, you know, and that that it
is family oriented. You know, I encourage our players to
(27:41):
have family come by once in a while. I encourage
you know, my wife and daughter to be around so
people can see how I treat my family, to help
set the example. You know, we did a Halloween thing
last year, we did a Christmas thing last year, and
so it's it's really just trying to g everyone understanding.
Let's celebrate together because because we worked together, let's be
more than just co workers. Let's let's be more than teammates.
(28:03):
Let's be let's really be family. So I do believe
in culture.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
It's it's you know, hearing both of you talk about
your Christmas experiences. So for me growing up, it's a
Nicaraguin thing. We would go to midnight Mass, then we
would eat, yes, then we would eat, so we would
load up on all the carbs, and then we would
open up all the presents, you know, a Christmas even
(28:27):
a Christmas morning, and we'd be up until seven or
eight in the morning.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Yeah, yeah, it pleu people's minds.
Speaker 7 (28:35):
No, it does because like for my wife, my wife's
one hundred percent Filipino. I'm twenty five percent on my
mom's side. So we do the midnight Mass, then we
do come home and we have basically a seafood feast
and then well and then we get to open one present, okay,
and then the next morning we get them open the rest.
But that's how you know, her family did the tradition,
(28:56):
and so we carry it on for our kids to
see how we do it, which.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Is really cool. I didn't realize you were from Nicaragua.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Yeah, yeah, Nicaraguan.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Both of my parents they immigrated this country when they
were in their late twenties early thirties, so the only
language we spoke in the house was Spanish. But the
thing is that they told me that the best looking
guy in Nicaragua was was William. So that's why I'm
not That's why I'm not Bethro. That's why I'm not
Gorlos because I would say why not Gorlos? He's like no,
(29:27):
you know, muha diego. You know he was a womanizer.
Oh you know, why not? Why not this name? And
then they would say no, no, no Elton. So you know,
he was the drunk you know in Nicaragua. So I'm like, oh, okay.
So that's why it's very interesting because we all come
and this is always the message that we would say
on the podcast. It's like we are all different shapes,
(29:50):
colors and sizes.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
That that's who and what we are as a culture.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
You know.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
What's really interesting is my father was in the military
career Army. We were stationed in Panama. Yeah, spent almost
four years there, and when when my dad tried entered
back to the United States.
Speaker 4 (30:06):
My parents thought it would be very educational for the boys. Okay,
there were.
Speaker 7 (30:09):
Four boys to drive back along the ung the Pan
American Highway. So we drove from Panama all the way
back to California, no Wow, and we spent it was
during the Christmas season. How long we spent it took
about twelve days, and but it was planned out.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
They mapped out where we would stop.
Speaker 7 (30:32):
We stopped in Nicaragua, spent some time in Managua because
my dad was an engineer and he had helped when
the earthquake hit Monagua, Nicaragua, when Roberto Clementi was.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
You know that's he passed through in that in that
plane accent.
Speaker 7 (30:45):
But my dad was sent there to help clean it up,
you know, because he was an engineer and you know,
they used all the heavy machinery to help move things around.
So he knew people there. So we stayed in the
Naga Nicaraga for a couple of days. We stayed in
in in uh Guatemala City for Christmas and celebrated Christmas
there as a family. So we got to see what
what Central America looked like during the holiday season. And
(31:09):
went through Mexico. That was Costa Rica was fabulous. So
they mapped out where we would stay for a couple
of days in each one of these spots so we
would get to get get a sense for what it
was like to see those cultures and those traditions. And
it was fabulous, it really was, and it was good idea,
it really was.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
It was a mean thing to do.
Speaker 7 (31:29):
And one other thing too, I got to play baseball
because baseball is a huge sport, and we were on
a little league team and we went and we played
in Bluefield, Nicaragua.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Yes, there's some Nicaragua's stars came from there. Marvin Bernard
he played there. David Green also he it was from there.
Bag Now yeah, no, no, coach.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
You're in you're in my wheelhouse.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
But what was really cool, though, it was was how
baseball connected us because like when we were in Panama,
we would play against the Panamanian kids. Then we go
up we play in this tournament in Nicaragua. I mean,
you know, it's sports has opened up a lot of doors,
and football starting to open up more doors for the
Latino community. And I think it's important that we understand
(32:19):
just how important sports has become in culture today in society,
and there's a way for us to do it the
right way. That's the important things. We do it the
right way for these for these young people coming up.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
That's why the visibility and the representation is so important.
And for kids to know, oh, wait, I can clay
more than just baseball, I can play more than just
football with a U soccer as we call it here
in the States. Right. And now we see the new
crop of kids coming in Christian Gonzales and the Fred
Warners who's absolutely crushing it. He's Panamanian and Mexican and
(32:50):
it's it's just it's for us. We talk about it
all the time on the podcast because for us it's like, wait,
we know him, he's one of us. And like we
know that there are younger kids looking at that and saying, Okay,
now I can do it too because he made it.
If he made it, I know that I can do so.
To your point, coach, we see the future is very
very bright for our young Latino stars. And like the
representation is the fan base alone. I know you feel
(33:13):
it because you interact regularly.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Yeah, you know it's crazy.
Speaker 7 (33:17):
And I'll say this, one of my I don't want
to call it a regret or disappointment, was I never
got the opportunity to have any involvement with the Raiders,
And that might have been because it has such a
strong and passionate uh Latino following, you know, especially in
the California area, you know, and me being from California,
(33:37):
that that would have probably put a lot of people
over the top, you know, because I know, I know, begrudgingly,
they cheered for the Bears, they cheered for the Panthers,
they cheered for for DC.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
Now and it's it's been really cool, it really has. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
We had Tom Flores on the podcast, one of our
first guests, and so I know for you, you know,
growing up in California and seeing the Raiders up close,
essentially in your backyard, he's somebody to look up to,
right he was somebody who is a role model.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
Yes he wasn't.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
And you know, and I've had the great fortune of
being able to visit with coach and talk with Coach
about things, and he most certainly has been an inspiration.
Him and Jim Plunkett were two of my bigger inspirations
and influences in football as I was getting older in
my teen years and right into college, and even when
I was in the NFL, I looked up to Coach
and I looked up to Jim and just you know,
those are two guys that I really wanted a pattern
(34:28):
myself after because of who they are. Growing up, I
knew who they were, and that's probably one of the
more important things as well. So when Coach got into
the Hall of Fame, and hopefully Jim Plunket will get
into it as well, it was a tremendous source of
pride for me. It really was because, as you both
have said, that's the representation that we need a validation
(34:50):
we can be successful in this league and we do
have a place, and so that was really cool for
me to see when Coach got in.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
Well, Coach, you're now part of that blueprint. You're the
next one up, you're the current one doing it, setting
the example, and we could not be prouder. Thank you
so much for your time. Thank you open and handed
with us. We always appreciate you, Always rooting for you.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Coach. Thanks will appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Guys, appreciate you, Coach, take care, good luck.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Well, if it was up to us, we just we'd
just hang with coach. I feel like you wanted to
keep chatting.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
With us, though I think so too.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
Okay, I know, but he had to go, which is
why we spared him our first macanas, which does have
to do with his Commanders. Yes, the Baltimore Bravens. They
had a twenty four game preseason win streak and that
ended on Monday with their loss to the Washington Commanders. Now,
(35:53):
a lot of the players were asked about this particular
matchup and what it could mean right in the preseason,
and some of the answers, including this one from Sam
cos Me, sounded a little bit like what else, Mac,
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Is that Raven's wind streak even enter your brain? The
preseason win streak?
Speaker 8 (36:11):
I think it's a stupid record. I mean, who gives
about preseason games? I agree, Yeah, I mean if we
beat it, great, well we're gonna beat it, so there
we go.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
But wasn't he the same one doing the gritty or
something on that?
Speaker 8 (36:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (36:31):
Yeah, so you're thinking it's what they have to like, Yeah, yeah,
it's a big deal.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
This is what I will say about.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
The Commanders is that they have managed to stop winning streaks.
They beat May winning streak by the Eagles, remember that,
and then they also had stopped another streak.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
I think of the Steelers at one point in time.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
I mean, coach Rivera has been able to stop streaks before,
and this is one that they clearly cared about.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
And Harbaugh clearly cared about it as well.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
Because he was on the defensive when he was talking
about it, trying to call out different media members saying
that they were calling this thing meaningless.
Speaker 3 (37:12):
So there was more that people cared about.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
There was double mcconaughs, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Yeah, yeah, there's double Jeffard, and there's double macondas. All right,
So all right, this one's for you.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
This is from Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Kill, who he
was asked about how he scouts the other members of
the defense and opposing teams like cornerbacks, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
This is what he had to say.
Speaker 9 (37:44):
So I feel like Madden has a good tale of
how good players are. So I just played Madden the
night before and I go look at all A ratings.
So let's say, for instance, they had Steve Nelson and
Derrick Stingley over the two phenomenal players. By the way,
I just go get on Madden. I go to the
EA rostis and then I scrolled on and see what
they awareness is. They speed is and they sprint and
(38:06):
that's how I get a good tale on.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
What we think.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
Okay, look, I do I think he's playing madd in
the night before. Yeah, I think he's absolutely playing mad.
But he's also watching film. So my coach McDaniel is
very chill. He ain't got chill. Everybody's in film study,
everybody's watching film.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
Yes, I think it is funny that.
Speaker 1 (38:29):
But every year there's like a preseason quote from Tyreeth
that I'm like, broez, Yeah, he's just calmed down because
later on if things are not going well. And this
is where I'm like, as a Dolphins fan, always like
cautiously optimistic. I'm like, they're gonna use this against us
at some point. How's that Madden going? Bro I can
already hear it. I can see the tweets, the drafts
are already in the fold. But I just think it
(38:52):
was kind of fun.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
I think it was funny.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
I would like to get his take on Super Mario Kart,
Like does he play that before a game?
Speaker 3 (39:00):
He's like, yeah, I'm Laudio, What do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (39:02):
You know, I mean I I wanted to give a
scouting report of Super Mario Kart. That would be funny,
But that was for you, that was for you. So
so Pudman's right there. As we always do, we've approached
that time in the pod where we put a little
bow on everything, where we dono, where we give.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Our parting thoughts and can I go first?
Speaker 5 (39:27):
Can I go first?
Speaker 7 (39:27):
All?
Speaker 4 (39:28):
Let's see?
Speaker 2 (39:29):
So makeuno is that experience playing the position of quarterback
in college matters? Because we had seen it with a
couple of these quarterbacks. And I'm talking about Dorian Thompson
Robinson for the Browns and also Aidan O'Connell of the Raiders.
(39:50):
Both of those guys played in college for a long
long time, had played a lot of games, and it's
clear that they've got the poise when they've been out
there and they're able to make the throws. And I
bet you, I bet you if you as somebody, hey,
what do you think of Deshaun Watson? What do you
think of DTR? I think a lot of people would
(40:11):
think that DTR is definitely a more let's call it
what it is, a likable personality for different reasons. Because
we've had him mons Good Morning Football and he is
all about ball and he's a pretty humble guy, and
watching him out here when he's playing at UCLA and
an O'Connell again, I mean, was a guy that clearly
McDaniel saw something in and experience matters, and the same
(40:33):
that that went for for those guys went for brock Purty.
You know, he had a bunch of arts as well
for Iowa State in college. So for may Punto, is
the college experience matters if you play under center one.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
No, it's it's very valid. That's why some of the
scout and reports lean heavily on the guys who have had,
you know, four years of starting as opposed to those
who had maybe just a handful. May punto is, we're
going a little bit of outside of American football.
Speaker 5 (41:05):
One.
Speaker 1 (41:05):
I'd be remiss if I did not shout out the
Spain women's national team for winning the World Cup. There
were so many, yeah, so many storylines that were just
really emotional, but a team who played well.
Speaker 5 (41:18):
We have.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
Latinez who won, so I think it's it's great, great
for them. Well, Fox was a rough one for USA.
But you know what, that's the whole point. Other teams
are supposed to up the Annie, to push us to
continue to be better. And two, if you guys have
not gone to see Blue Beetle Run, don't walk, because
I went to the premiere last week. It is a
(41:43):
superhero movie made by us. The writer is Latino. He
obviously couldn't be there to talk about it. The cast
couldn't be there, which gutted me, of course, but they're
finding a good fight on the other side of the
strike for the future of the industry. But man, the director,
I'm Hendmnoi Soto, which we hope we can get on
the pod soon on a apologetically bar Puerto Ricano and
(42:07):
everything in this movie, the references, the ties they spoke
in Spanish, the elevating of the abola in the movie.
I don't want to give anything away, but it was.
It hits you so so deeply because you see yourself
reflected and I've never seen that in a superhero movie before.
And I hope if you have kids, like well, if
you need something to do this weekend, I'll let the
her Quake is gone, go watch Compido like it is
(42:31):
a movie by us for us, and I couldnot be
proud of that. This is out there and we got
to support it, right like we got to support our creatives.
Our stories are important, our stories matter, and if we're
not out there putting our dollars behind it, then they
don't get made. So that's my soapbox on that. But
I genuinely truly enjoyed the movie. Warner Brothers invited me
(42:52):
to go to the to the screening. Look, I had
a blast. I had a blast. It was really really great.
So yeah, highly recommend ten out of ten go see it.
Support will Yeah, I'm all about it.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I think that is a movie we are definitely going
to see anyway. Looked entertaining, So the storyline obviously speaks
to me. It's too bad that the actors and the
writers can't talk about because of the concurrent strikes. But
that's why promotion is important. And speaking of promotion, we
have to promote this podcast and tell you please make
sure like subscribe, download this podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (43:30):
This is the l Huddle podcast. I'm will She's MJ Costa.
Speaker 2 (43:34):
Ruiz Until next time, Primia rmana c.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Let's do this again, nomos, yes.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
And Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
And Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
with iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
What's good, everybody, you have reached Amilia.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
This is the l Huddle podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
I am merely will Selva, but I am with my Prima,
my Mana, my Brima, Edna, MJ cas Luise.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
What I feel like the weeks go by fast, but
like the longer I'm waiting for us to do the pod,
Like it just seems like it takes way too long.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Okay, there's man say, yes, we definitely need that.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
God we have the group chat, but yes we need
to really let it out here in the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yeah, yeah, no, this is this is it.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
So I don't know if you saw that we underwent
the quake unless you were if you were back you
know your parents are or okay, so you were here here.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I didn't end up going to I stayed. I hunkered down,
you know, as a Miami girl. I was like, oh,
I'm totally prepared for this, Like not only South California,
there's several through several hurricanes, none that have been too
major thankfully in Florida. But the earthquake part was not
on my Bengo card.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
No.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I said, wait a minute, wait a minute, now, I thought,
I'm at my house. We've got water, We've got all
all of these things ready to go. Yeah, and then
earthquake kis and I was like, nope, I don't How
do you prepare for the earth moving spontaneously? I don't
like it?
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Well, you know what you need to do? Do what
my mom?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Did?
Speaker 3 (01:43):
You grab your rosary bees?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Be it hanging, madda, be it hang may clutching them
right and over and over.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
But the thing is like with earth quakes, I.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Just feeling though, did you you know what? Like, uh,
my wife and daughter did, and we were all in
the house, but but my son and I didn't because
we were playing baseball in the house, so no.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Baseball in the house.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
We were, yeah, we were just because he was like
going crazy, so you know, you got a whiffle ball
bat and I was like throwing him, okay, wells of
paper yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
No way, no, no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
And I think we I and I literally thought like
we stuffed the whiffle ball back like underneath the sofa
so she wouldn't see. But you know, it's like it's
like the earthquakes, you know, the the earthquakes, you know,
I guess growing up, you know, in San Francisco, I
just was used to it. I was, you know, there
when that earthquake hit back in nineteen eighty nine, and
(02:42):
you know, all the clocks were stopped at five oh
four and that books you know, on the ground, and
you know, no traffic lights to speak of. There were
actually pedestrians and just ordinary people acting as traffic control people.
And so I've kind of been used to it, you know,
(03:04):
and as been like the I haven't really been any
bad ones, but if you're new.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
To it, it's.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
A little it's a little alarming.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Right.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
The first time I ever felt an earthquake was when
I would live. I was living in the Bay and
it woke me up out of my sleep and I
was like, nope, we're out. Grab the bags because at
least of the hurricane you have time to prepare day. Yes,
like there is a real long on ramp before you
get there. You can get supplies. If you've got to evacuate,
you get out. But not with an earthquake. It happened
(03:33):
right now, Yeah, well cold it didn't. But you know
what I'm saying, like you at any moment, and that
like I've had to learn to not think about it
living in California. But it's yeah, it's wild. It's wild.
The hurricane side, though, is totally different, because even when
it's not terrible, you can still get a lot of
(03:54):
things that we were so productive, thankfully, and here towards
where we are right it wasn't as bad. But I
know that Inland are you know, our neighbors over in
the Inland Empire and in like Palm Springs, Indio, they
were they did not bear as easily as we did.
So they're dealing with a lot of flooding and a
lot of mud, and I mean, it's it's devastating, it
really is over there. So I know that we're on
(04:15):
this side, like, oh, I wasn't anything, but not the
case for everybody. But I just remember being in Miami
and even when it was just a ton of rain.
The ingenuity of latinas of Latina Mom, specifically Jesus to
amaze me because my mom's like, it's raining, this is
(04:36):
an excellent chance to be resourceabul So out she goes
with the on all of the patio furniture. She takes
a broom boom, starts cleaning everything. She's like well, it's
already raining, we might as well take advantage of the water, which,
if you think about it, she's upcycling, right, She's not
using any more water than she normally would. It's coming
from this guy. So she's I'm like, where is mom.
(04:58):
She's outside with rubber gloves. I don't know why she
has rubber gloves on when it's already rainy. Michaelson clean
the whole patio, like scrubbing the floor. I'm like, is
there one day, mom where you can't, like we don't clean,
just leave it alone. Yeah, come inside, watch the movies
with us. It's unbelievable. They're gonna find a way. Yeah,
(05:20):
I guess that is easier than taking a hose out
there and like cleaning all the patio furniture.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
But yeah, yeah, See. For for me, my mom was
just in denial about it. No cosa gay, big d
los angolo, big deal, you know. That's that's what That's
what the mentality was. For my parents.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
There's definitely a lot of the denials because they lived
in South Florida for a little bit as well, so
they experienced it. But thankfully my brother was there to
you know, kind of ease their concerns to speak. But
my mom definitely is like gay, big deal, no novel
novel like Cosa, you know, so you know my mom.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Here's the thing. You always think that you're, oh, well,
we've been through this so many times, like we're fine,
we have perishable goods. Meantime, it's been a couple of years,
you haven't checked the expiration date. All of the stuff
you have on reserve is actually expired. You realize, oh crap,
we drank the water that we had for the emergency purposes.
So all of a sudden you start to scramble and think, okay,
(06:20):
maybe I should reap. So those are the stages of
a hurricane, at least from like my perspective living in Miami.
It's fine, it's going to debate. Okay, it will hit us,
but it won't be that bad. Oh crap, it's coming
right at us. What do we have? And then the
shelves go missing. Everybody's at home.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Deep.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It's a lot, but thankfully where we were it wasn't
It wasn't so bad. Hoping that everybody who did get
affected pretty badly can get back on their feet quickly.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
But so you guys were good in the Yeah, yeah,
all good, and just we're inside lots of you know,
board games, you know, watching fall.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
I went back to the office yesterday, will And oh.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I thought you said you went back to the office
during the whole hurricane.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
It was like, wow, look at you just going in there.
Mom's Approachah, okay.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
So I had one of our cps, was like, hey,
I have something for you. Something came in the mail.
So Fisher Price sent over some stuff. It's like collectibles.
There are little people collectible. So let's start with how
cute this is little dolphins. Can you see it?
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Okay, see the little dolphins.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Dolphins like little bobbles. Okay, cool, this is adorable. I
think it's so cute. I'm gonna keep it forever.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
They also personalized one just for your car.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
Do you got?
Speaker 3 (07:40):
What do you got?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
And I don't know that it looks like me? Well,
and attempt was made, but I'm not sure. I got
to take her out of this thing. It's like very
delicate there. Okay, so you have your own, like, I
don't know that this is me?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Uh that that does not look like you. So you're
holding it up right now that actually looks like that
was maybe like your hairdoo from.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Like someone asked if it was Oprah.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Several years ago, knowing like you first started the business.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Maybe they had an old picture. Look, thank you so much,
Bishop Price. I think, yeah, so, I love to be included.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
It does look like Oprah. It does look like they.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Know that about me. And look, if the comparison is Oprah,
we'll take it. But this is now, I'm over too.
On like bobbleheads and or collectible figurines that are supposed
to look like me. My wonderful husband sent one to
get made for me. It doesn't look like me at all.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
But I don't think these things ever do. But I
saw our friend Adam Ranks his.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Pretty Yeah, but his I mean it's just like.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
It's kind of easy.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, yeah, so there, yeah, you know, but.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Just needed to understand if it was just me, am
I being over because it's supposed to be my image.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
No, it's like the let Oprah Winfrey King.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
I don't know if you can see this. I feel
like this one looks more like me than the does
look more like you.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Who was that? Who's that?
Speaker 5 (09:11):
That's it's just a fan.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Dolphins fan you know what our producer Randy said that
it's not Tundo haircut.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
I think, wait, Randy, did they pull this from my
news days?
Speaker 2 (09:28):
That's what That's what I'm telling you that that's where
I came from.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
That's where it looks like it came from.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Maybe exactly where this where the source material.
Speaker 6 (09:37):
Wait, I can't I can't help but see it though,
when I see that hairstyle, you know kid watching the
news of my dad.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
Yeah, well, like I was set to be fair. This
photo probably my first.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
Oh my god, I found it well because they had
to have used the reference photo.
Speaker 5 (09:57):
Now we figured it out. You don't know this right now.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
She fell the photo of herself. She was working so how.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
Many years ago?
Speaker 1 (10:16):
My statement this was like you one with wow, wow,
like twenty eighteen, so.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
Private.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
You nailed it, baby, and you nailed it.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
You nailed it.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
Wow o good.
Speaker 6 (10:32):
Oh my god god, that's literally wow. Every detail that
like print.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
I'm gonna have to print this photo.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Yeah, put it next to the top of the that's.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Also it was twenty nineteen. Twenty nineteen.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
We don't have nineteen.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
My instagram is open to all that is fantasy, many
many photos. It's so funny. But yeah, that's hilarious.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Yeah, put the photo up there and now I told
you and I thought that it reminded me of when
you first started in the business.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
I'm gonna.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
That is so that's awesome. You know what, this is awesome.
You know what else is awesome?
Speaker 2 (11:16):
After this discovery, We've got a pretty big time guest.
We have the head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera,
will be joining us on the other side of the
break here on the L Huddle Podcast that you dare
go anywhere. Welcome back to the L Huddle Podcast and
(11:42):
m J. We have a massive guest. I would dare
say this guest is a guest and a half, such
a big absolutely familia.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Without further ado, let's give a nice L Huddle.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Welcome to the head coach of the Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera.
Speaker 4 (12:04):
Yes, yeah, thank you, it's nice to be on. Thank
you very much.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Listen, coach, it's even so good to to I say
to MJ and I and whenever you've come on, Good
Morning Football, You've been so good to us.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
So thank you for being generous with your time today.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
No, I appreciate it. Guys.
Speaker 7 (12:22):
You know, people want information, people want to know, and
you know, we have a great platform now. It's something
I've learned and realized and come to appreciate. You know,
back in the day as a player, you know, you
really didn't feel like you should do what we're doing
now on these platforms, and that's informing people.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
And I think it's important that we do the things
the right way.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
I mean, it's such a huge touch point between the franchises,
the players themselves, the coaches, and the fans, right outside
of game day, outside of even just social media. Everyone
who loves the NFL, who loves these teams, what they
want is to feel like they know you a little
bit more, like they know the day to day. We
were just discussing this before you jumped on Coach and
we're like, wow, he's coming on the pod, Like I
(13:03):
can't believe he made time for us. Can you give
us a peek at what a day in the life is? Like,
I mean when do you sleep? How do you have
time to come on the All Huddle podcast?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Like?
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Who is there? Are there snacks readily available in case
you have lunch? Like how does this go?
Speaker 3 (13:17):
We want to know, We want to know everything.
Speaker 7 (13:20):
I got lunch with me right now, just so you know, man,
that's really what you look for, is you look for
those breaks in the day that you can say, hey,
you know what, you can pile some stuff on me
right now. So a lot of times I do try
to eat lunch while I'm doing certain things like this,
just because again, as you said, m Jay, it's important
because this is a touch point. You know, we have
a fan base that we're trying to re energize, reintroduce
(13:41):
them to our team, and so to make myself available
is important for us going forward. So I try to
make sure I have that time and I create those
opportunities so we can talk about our football team.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Now, you just came.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Up with a really big decision when you named Sam
Howel as your quarterback.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
One.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
We'll get into what went into the decision and making,
but again just out of curiosity for ourselves, because you
are a coach, you're regimented. When do you do your
best thinking in the shower, in the commute, during lunchtime,
when you're working out. Because I know for myself, MJ.
I don't know about you, but yeah, the car I
(14:24):
mean for me, it's in the shower, so this is
a big decision you had to make. What was your
thought process.
Speaker 7 (14:32):
Well, you know, in coming up with some parameters, you know,
thinking about when was the right opportunity to felt like
we really knew well last year I would say probably
when we when we got at the Combine and you know,
I had to speak about Sam and I talked about,
you know, give me Sam the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I really thought about a lot.
Speaker 7 (14:51):
Of things that we were hoping to do this off season,
you know, as far as uh getting prepared for OTAs
and and going through mini camp and then you know,
getting ready for training camp, going through training camp, practicing
with another team, because at the time we didn't it
was bald where we were still trying to make arrangements.
And so that's when I thought, you know what, that
would be a really good time to make a decision,
(15:12):
is after our first preseason game, after practice sessions with
another team, we should have a pretty good definition as
to who our quarterback is going to be. And so
that was one of the things that we really thought about.
And for me, that in that moment was really just
you know, in the hotel room at the Combine in Indianapolis,
(15:34):
just sitting there thinking about, you know, what was what
we were we going to do, how were we going
to do it, what the parameters were, what were the objectives?
And and really I spent a lot of time that
evening jotting down a bunch of notes about, you know,
what would it take for me to feel confident that
I really truly believe Sam was ready to go.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
You know, you mentioned this fan base that you're trying
to re energize, coach, and it's not lost on us
that you know, there's a lot of work being done
in Washington with you guys. You're not just restructuring from
an x's and O standpoint, re energizing the fan base,
but also from an front office standpoint too. I had
the opportunity to do to host a panel with Jason Wright,
who is one of the most brilliant minds in this game,
(16:13):
the president of the Washington Commanders. You guys can look
him up. I highly suggested it so so impressive, but
just from a coaching standpoint, right and focusing in on
the x's and o's on making sure the team is
ready to go, and that the fans, especially now in
preseasons when they get to come out to practices and
things like that really focus on the game. How do
you keep yourself square in the midst of all of that.
Speaker 7 (16:34):
Comes Well, you know what was interesting was was, you know,
last year I made a move with our offensive coordinator
and brought Eric v Endemy in And one thing that
Eric said that really made a lot of difference in
my thought process this year was, you know, we have
to learn to be uncomfortable.
Speaker 4 (16:48):
Be comfortable, and we're uncomfortable, and that's what he wanted
to create.
Speaker 7 (16:52):
And so in talking with him about those things, it
really kind of led me to think, you know, I've
been comfortable for the last several years as a head coach,
you know, coming back to my time in Carolina to
where I am now.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I think a little shakeup would be good.
Speaker 7 (17:03):
So one thing we talked to Eric about, you know,
I sat down, we talked and had a great discussion
about Listen, I'm going to give you the opportunity to
do all the scheduling. Part of learning how to be
a head coach is, you know, being given certain tasks.
He's the assistant head coaches. Why don't you just scheduling?
Why don't you do the planning for training camp and
so he went right to work. He grabbed a lot
of his notes from from his time with Coach Reid
(17:23):
and basically fashioned what our training camp was going to
look like in terms of resembling what he was used to,
the things that he did. And I looked at it.
This was right out of Coach Reid's book. It was
from when, you know, when I was with coach Read
for five years. So we went back and we did
a lot of these basic things. Different things got us
out of our comfort zone, things that we've been used to.
(17:45):
You know, some of us have been here the whole time,
so this was a big change, and so thinking outside
the box and changing.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
The way we did things.
Speaker 7 (17:54):
I think it has been very good for our football players,
for the organization, for our team, and really it's been
very good for me because I'm looking at it differently
from than I had in the last twelve seasons as
a head coach.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Well, coach, it was two or three weeks ago where
it seemed that people were raising their eyebrows when you
talked about players coming to you, about Eric the enemy
and his style, et cetera. And then you came back
and you said, hey, this is how things are you
were very open and honest with the process. And with
(18:26):
you being as open and honest, as straightforward as you are,
you seem to not let any sort of hiccup in
the messaging or any of those sorts of things to
stop you from telling it like it is, and that
I imagine probably was not an easy thing for you to
(18:49):
navigate around.
Speaker 7 (18:51):
Honestly, it really wasn't because I didn't what the uphall was.
I really white people felt the way, you know, basically
me telling you know the truth.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I mean, our guys were a little concerned they didn't.
Speaker 7 (19:03):
Know Coach, and I said, go talk to him, get
a chance to really find out who he is, understand
what he's trying to accomplish, and get a feel for
what he's trying to get you guys to do. And so,
you know, individually, and these were a bunch of individuals.
They went out and they met with coach, and they
talked to Coach individually, and he was really straightforward with them,
to the point where I had a few of them
company said wow, Coach, I get it.
Speaker 4 (19:22):
I get it. Well.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
That day when I did that press conference, that was
also one of the best practices we had. I mean,
we talked about as a coaching staff, and everybody was, God,
they're getting it, They're seeing it. They understand what the
temple is about. They understand why we're doing these things
this way, understanding why we're demanding certain things. And you
really saw the players I think have those aha moments.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Was Oh, I see it now, and I think it's
made a difference.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
I mean, I thought, you know, the the two scrimmage
practices we had against Baltimore and the game we had
against Baltimore was indicative of the way our guys are
approaching things. It's a completely different thing. We are outside
of our box. I mean, we're beyond our comfort zone.
So to me, it's accomplished several things that I've wanted
to do in bringing Erica board, and I couldn't be happier.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
I love that you mentioned that because we know, especially
football players, they're creatures of habit, right Like I love
the routine. This is how it's always been done. This
is where I go at nine am. So chang Change
is hard, but sometimes it's really necessary to reach that
next point. Coaches, we're talking to you here and for
all of you listening to the El Huddle podcast, like
coach has one of the most striking setups in his office.
(20:29):
It's very very cool. But one thing that keeps jumping
out of me, Coach is seeing that that jersey that's
framed behind you with your last name on it Trivena right,
which for us, of course, and especially for the Latino
community that carries so much weight and so much pride
to know that.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
Thing isn't a head.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Coaching position, right and you, I fink it's so interesting
with your cultural background Puerto Rican, Mexican, Filipino, Like, the
tapestry of the Latino community is very wide. It's very broad,
and it's mixed with a lot of different things for
you in in just grow up? What were the things
the key points for you from your culture that you've
(21:09):
carried over. Somebody asked me the other day, like what
are the what are the skills that you've learned from
being Latina. It's like, well, I don't have enough room
in this like little box that you gave me to answer,
because that's a lot it is. How does it resonate
for you?
Speaker 7 (21:22):
Well, for me, it's really everything started with family first
and foremost. I mean it really is. It revolves around
family and hard work. One of the really neat things
that my dad's family done in Puerto Rico is whenever
you go back, there's about forty five acres of the
family as it has owned.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
It's been in the family for a long time, and
it's in.
Speaker 7 (21:42):
A little bit of a bowl, and at the top
there's this hills and on these hills there's like four
houses that have been built and those houses have all
been built by my aunts and uncles and their families.
And then there's too far out to the out to
the front of the property, so there's six houses in total,
but there's a seventh one that sits in the middle
of the property, okay, on a little bit of the
(22:03):
floor of this little this little valley, and it's the
original house. And originally it started as a one room
house and it had dirt floors, and then eventually they
put a they put a concrete floor down and made
a bedroom for my grandparents. And what they've done is
they've refurbished that little place. They keep it kept up
(22:27):
now and it's supposed to be a reminder for the
for the grandkids, the great grandkids and the great great
grandkids where they're from. And I can remember taking my
kids there and showing it to them, and it is
a really stark reminder of where they're from.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
You know.
Speaker 7 (22:43):
I have a daughter that was fortunate enough to play
on the Puerto Rican national softball team and in the
panem Games when it was played in Puerto Rico. A
Courtney got to go and she got to see my
dad's family again, and you know, and she talks about
the history of it, and it's really kind of neat
because it all is intertwined about family.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
I mean, the family pride.
Speaker 7 (23:05):
When she came and got to play, and my aunts
and uncles and cousins all went to the game.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
I couldn't go because we were in training camp.
Speaker 7 (23:11):
But seeing how the family structure is so involved, that's
where a lot of it comes from for me. I mean,
the work ethic, the pride in the work where you're
from is a really big deal. And so I think
that's really kind of what has helped me through life
and really has kind of set me on that path,
is that, you know, it is about being family oriented.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
Family is extremely important to you.
Speaker 2 (23:36):
You've obviously tried to build that with the cultures of
your different teams as well.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
You know, coach for you.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
Were there ever any specific cultural experiences that resonated with
you when you were younger? For example, MJ and I
always talk about, you know, the food that we ate,
or the music that we listened to, or the shows
like novellas that we would watch. Were there ever any
sort of cultural experiences that really hit you when when
(24:06):
you were young.
Speaker 7 (24:07):
Yes, Christmas, because Christmas, yes, but it's celebrated, you know
in the Latino communities, especially in Puerto Rico, it's celebrated
on Three Kings Day.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
Yes, yes, in January, yes, yes.
Speaker 7 (24:23):
Because but people don't realize it's the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The song the Twelve Days of Christmas is that's how
long it took for the three Kings to get to
the baby Jesus. So during that process, and when we
went to Puerto Rico a couple of times for Christmas,
my brother and I we were getting a presence, you.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
Know, on on on on.
Speaker 7 (24:39):
Christmas, but then we got presence on the twenty sixth,
twenty seventh, and twenty then also going okay, so what's
going on, Well they explained this was my cousin's explained us, Well,
it's three kings, you know, and they were trying to
explain to us that this is this is the truth.
So that's how I learned the whole tradition of the
twelve Days of Christmas is that it's the celebration until
the three kings get to the Baby Jesus to present themselves.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
So that was one of the things that I always
thought was really cool.
Speaker 7 (25:02):
But the biggest thing was that each one of those
days too, you went to somebody else's house and you
had to eat and oh yeah, all the traditional Puerto
Rican I mean everything from low I mean on and
on and on, and if you're not careful, it's real
easy to gain about, you know, in a two week visit.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
So it was fun and a Harvey.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Here's the great thing though, usually when you're on these visits,
there's music, you're dancing, so you can sort of offset
a little bit of the calories. For my family is
the big thing states that right, like for us in
the US, the ones in Dominican Republic so very much,
very very end, the tree does not come down so after,
but for us was like the huge thing we have.
(25:50):
Everybody would fly in from Puerto Rico, from Dominican Republic
from New York to my Madarina's house in in Miami.
This is stops since the pandemic, unfortunately, but it was
the family event of the year, like everyone planned around
Inchbuyna and and on Christmas Day we're back to my
mother INA's house and it was that cooking up the leftovers,
making I was making mangou and it's like those moments
(26:13):
that were now in August, in the middle of summer.
But I can, like, I can feel, I can remember
what it felt like being there. I can taste the
food as I'm talking, like, those are the things that
just stay with you forever, right even if we haven't
done it in several years. So thank you for bringing
up that memory, because it like took me right back
there immediately.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And you know, it's very similar too, is in the
Mexican culture.
Speaker 7 (26:35):
You know, on my mom's side, during the holiday season,
the family would come together and go into my mom's garage,
my mom and dad's garage, and they would make the
tamalais and it was like an assembly line. Everybody had
a specistic job and they they would wrap up a
few hundred and then they would divvy, oh hundreds, I mean.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
Seriously, Well we're your favorite coach.
Speaker 7 (26:58):
Oh gosh, I just I just loved I just loved them.
I mean, you know, it's like it's like, you know,
it's a cultural thing. And and and when friends would
come over that you know, weren't of of Hispanic descent
or Latina, they would come in and they would even say, wow,
this is really cool. I said, well, it EXPI a
little bit to them, and and they go, wow, that
that's a that's a neat tradition. It really was, it was,
(27:20):
and it really you know, I think a lot of
these things really helped, you know, mold me into who
I am today. And I think a lot of it
is also what drives me to believe in culture so
much that when you know, I went to Carolina, when
I came here, it was trying to you know, develop
a sustainable, winning culture, you know, and that that it
is family oriented. You know, I encourage our players to
(27:41):
have family come by once in a while. I encourage
you know, my wife and daughter to be around so
people can see how I treat my family, to help
set the example. You know, we did a Halloween thing
last year, we did a Christmas thing last year, and
so it's it's really just trying to g everyone understanding.
Let's celebrate together because because we worked together, let's be
more than just co workers. Let's let's be more than teammates.
(28:03):
Let's be let's really be family. So I do believe
in culture.
Speaker 2 (28:06):
It's it's you know, hearing both of you talk about
your Christmas experiences. So for me growing up, it's a
Nicaraguin thing. We would go to midnight Mass, then we
would eat, yes, then we would eat, so we would
load up on all the carbs, and then we would
open up all the presents, you know, a Christmas even
(28:27):
a Christmas morning, and we'd be up until seven or
eight in the morning.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
Yeah, yeah, it pleu people's minds.
Speaker 7 (28:35):
No, it does because like for my wife, my wife's
one hundred percent Filipino. I'm twenty five percent on my
mom's side. So we do the midnight Mass, then we
do come home and we have basically a seafood feast
and then well and then we get to open one present, okay,
and then the next morning we get them open the rest.
But that's how you know, her family did the tradition,
(28:56):
and so we carry it on for our kids to
see how we do it, which.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Is really cool. I didn't realize you were from Nicaragua.
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Yeah, yeah, Nicaraguan.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Both of my parents they immigrated this country when they
were in their late twenties early thirties, so the only
language we spoke in the house was Spanish. But the
thing is that they told me that the best looking
guy in Nicaragua was was William. So that's why I'm
not That's why I'm not Bethro. That's why I'm not
Gorlos because I would say why not Gorlos? He's like no,
(29:27):
you know, muha diego. You know he was a womanizer.
Oh you know, why not? Why not this name? And
then they would say no, no, no Elton. So you know,
he was the drunk you know in Nicaragua. So I'm like, oh, okay.
So that's why it's very interesting because we all come
and this is always the message that we would say
on the podcast. It's like we are all different shapes,
(29:50):
colors and sizes.
Speaker 3 (29:52):
That that's who and what we are as a culture.
Speaker 4 (29:54):
You know.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
What's really interesting is my father was in the military
career Army. We were stationed in Panama. Yeah, spent almost
four years there, and when when my dad tried entered
back to the United States.
Speaker 4 (30:06):
My parents thought it would be very educational for the boys. Okay,
there were.
Speaker 7 (30:09):
Four boys to drive back along the ung the Pan
American Highway. So we drove from Panama all the way
back to California, no Wow, and we spent it was
during the Christmas season. How long we spent it took
about twelve days, and but it was planned out.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
They mapped out where we would stop.
Speaker 7 (30:32):
We stopped in Nicaragua, spent some time in Managua because
my dad was an engineer and he had helped when
the earthquake hit Monagua, Nicaragua, when Roberto Clementi was.
Speaker 4 (30:40):
You know that's he passed through in that in that
plane accent.
Speaker 7 (30:45):
But my dad was sent there to help clean it up,
you know, because he was an engineer and you know,
they used all the heavy machinery to help move things around.
So he knew people there. So we stayed in the
Naga Nicaraga for a couple of days. We stayed in
in in uh Guatemala City for Christmas and celebrated Christmas
there as a family. So we got to see what
what Central America looked like during the holiday season. And
(31:09):
went through Mexico. That was Costa Rica was fabulous. So
they mapped out where we would stay for a couple
of days in each one of these spots so we
would get to get get a sense for what it
was like to see those cultures and those traditions. And
it was fabulous, it really was, and it was good idea,
it really was.
Speaker 4 (31:27):
It was a mean thing to do.
Speaker 7 (31:29):
And one other thing too, I got to play baseball
because baseball is a huge sport, and we were on
a little league team and we went and we played
in Bluefield, Nicaragua.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Yes, there's some Nicaragua's stars came from there. Marvin Bernard
he played there. David Green also he it was from there.
Bag Now yeah, no, no, coach.
Speaker 5 (31:55):
You're in you're in my wheelhouse.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
But what was really cool, though, it was was how
baseball connected us because like when we were in Panama,
we would play against the Panamanian kids. Then we go
up we play in this tournament in Nicaragua. I mean,
you know, it's sports has opened up a lot of doors,
and football starting to open up more doors for the
Latino community. And I think it's important that we understand
(32:19):
just how important sports has become in culture today in society,
and there's a way for us to do it the
right way. That's the important things. We do it the
right way for these for these young people coming up.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
That's why the visibility and the representation is so important.
And for kids to know, oh, wait, I can clay
more than just baseball, I can play more than just
football with a U soccer as we call it here
in the States. Right. And now we see the new
crop of kids coming in Christian Gonzales and the Fred
Warners who's absolutely crushing it. He's Panamanian and Mexican and
(32:50):
it's it's just it's for us. We talk about it
all the time on the podcast because for us it's like, wait,
we know him, he's one of us. And like we
know that there are younger kids looking at that and saying, Okay,
now I can do it too because he made it.
If he made it, I know that I can do so.
To your point, coach, we see the future is very
very bright for our young Latino stars. And like the
representation is the fan base alone. I know you feel
(33:13):
it because you interact regularly.
Speaker 4 (33:16):
Yeah, you know it's crazy.
Speaker 7 (33:17):
And I'll say this, one of my I don't want
to call it a regret or disappointment, was I never
got the opportunity to have any involvement with the Raiders,
And that might have been because it has such a
strong and passionate uh Latino following, you know, especially in
the California area, you know, and me being from California,
(33:37):
that that would have probably put a lot of people
over the top, you know, because I know, I know, begrudgingly,
they cheered for the Bears, they cheered for the Panthers,
they cheered for for DC.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
Now and it's it's been really cool, it really has. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
We had Tom Flores on the podcast, one of our
first guests, and so I know for you, you know,
growing up in California and seeing the Raiders up close,
essentially in your backyard, he's somebody to look up to,
right he was somebody who is a role model.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
Yes he wasn't.
Speaker 7 (34:07):
And you know, and I've had the great fortune of
being able to visit with coach and talk with Coach
about things, and he most certainly has been an inspiration.
Him and Jim Plunkett were two of my bigger inspirations
and influences in football as I was getting older in
my teen years and right into college, and even when
I was in the NFL, I looked up to Coach
and I looked up to Jim and just you know,
those are two guys that I really wanted a pattern
(34:28):
myself after because of who they are. Growing up, I
knew who they were, and that's probably one of the
more important things as well. So when Coach got into
the Hall of Fame, and hopefully Jim Plunket will get
into it as well, it was a tremendous source of
pride for me. It really was because, as you both
have said, that's the representation that we need a validation
(34:50):
we can be successful in this league and we do
have a place, and so that was really cool for
me to see when Coach got in.
Speaker 1 (34:58):
Well, Coach, you're now part of that blueprint. You're the
next one up, you're the current one doing it, setting
the example, and we could not be prouder. Thank you
so much for your time. Thank you open and handed
with us. We always appreciate you, Always rooting for you.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
Coach. Thanks will appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Guys, appreciate you, Coach, take care, good luck.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
Well, if it was up to us, we just we'd
just hang with coach. I feel like you wanted to
keep chatting.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
With us, though I think so too.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
Okay, I know, but he had to go, which is
why we spared him our first macanas, which does have
to do with his Commanders. Yes, the Baltimore Bravens. They
had a twenty four game preseason win streak and that
ended on Monday with their loss to the Washington Commanders. Now,
(35:53):
a lot of the players were asked about this particular
matchup and what it could mean right in the preseason,
and some of the answers, including this one from Sam
cos Me, sounded a little bit like what else, Mac,
Let's take a listen.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Is that Raven's wind streak even enter your brain? The
preseason win streak?
Speaker 8 (36:11):
I think it's a stupid record. I mean, who gives
about preseason games? I agree, Yeah, I mean if we
beat it, great, well we're gonna beat it, so there
we go.
Speaker 3 (36:26):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (36:27):
But wasn't he the same one doing the gritty or
something on that?
Speaker 8 (36:30):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (36:31):
Yeah, so you're thinking it's what they have to like, Yeah, yeah,
it's a big deal.
Speaker 3 (36:40):
This is what I will say about.
Speaker 2 (36:41):
The Commanders is that they have managed to stop winning streaks.
They beat May winning streak by the Eagles, remember that,
and then they also had stopped another streak.
Speaker 3 (36:52):
I think of the Steelers at one point in time.
Speaker 2 (36:55):
I mean, coach Rivera has been able to stop streaks before,
and this is one that they clearly cared about.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
And Harbaugh clearly cared about it as well.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
Because he was on the defensive when he was talking
about it, trying to call out different media members saying
that they were calling this thing meaningless.
Speaker 3 (37:12):
So there was more that people cared about.
Speaker 1 (37:16):
There was double mcconaughs, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (37:19):
Yeah, yeah, there's double Jeffard, and there's double macondas. All right,
So all right, this one's for you.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
This is from Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Kill, who he
was asked about how he scouts the other members of
the defense and opposing teams like cornerbacks, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
This is what he had to say.
Speaker 9 (37:44):
So I feel like Madden has a good tale of
how good players are. So I just played Madden the
night before and I go look at all A ratings.
So let's say, for instance, they had Steve Nelson and
Derrick Stingley over the two phenomenal players. By the way,
I just go get on Madden. I go to the
EA rostis and then I scrolled on and see what
they awareness is. They speed is and they sprint and
(38:06):
that's how I get a good tale on.
Speaker 4 (38:13):
What we think.
Speaker 1 (38:14):
Okay, look, I do I think he's playing madd in
the night before. Yeah, I think he's absolutely playing mad.
But he's also watching film. So my coach McDaniel is
very chill. He ain't got chill. Everybody's in film study,
everybody's watching film.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
Yes, I think it is funny that.
Speaker 1 (38:29):
But every year there's like a preseason quote from Tyreeth
that I'm like, broez, Yeah, he's just calmed down because
later on if things are not going well. And this
is where I'm like, as a Dolphins fan, always like
cautiously optimistic. I'm like, they're gonna use this against us
at some point. How's that Madden going? Bro I can
already hear it. I can see the tweets, the drafts
are already in the fold. But I just think it
(38:52):
was kind of fun.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
I think it was funny.
Speaker 2 (38:54):
I would like to get his take on Super Mario Kart,
Like does he play that before a game?
Speaker 3 (39:00):
He's like, yeah, I'm Laudio, What do you think about that?
Speaker 2 (39:02):
You know, I mean I I wanted to give a
scouting report of Super Mario Kart. That would be funny,
But that was for you, that was for you. So
so Pudman's right there. As we always do, we've approached
that time in the pod where we put a little
bow on everything, where we dono, where we give.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
Our parting thoughts and can I go first?
Speaker 5 (39:27):
Can I go first?
Speaker 7 (39:27):
All?
Speaker 4 (39:28):
Let's see?
Speaker 2 (39:29):
So makeuno is that experience playing the position of quarterback
in college matters? Because we had seen it with a
couple of these quarterbacks. And I'm talking about Dorian Thompson
Robinson for the Browns and also Aidan O'Connell of the Raiders.
(39:50):
Both of those guys played in college for a long
long time, had played a lot of games, and it's
clear that they've got the poise when they've been out
there and they're able to make the throws. And I
bet you, I bet you if you as somebody, hey,
what do you think of Deshaun Watson? What do you
think of DTR? I think a lot of people would
(40:11):
think that DTR is definitely a more let's call it
what it is, a likable personality for different reasons. Because
we've had him mons Good Morning Football and he is
all about ball and he's a pretty humble guy, and
watching him out here when he's playing at UCLA and
an O'Connell again, I mean, was a guy that clearly
McDaniel saw something in and experience matters, and the same
(40:33):
that that went for for those guys went for brock Purty.
You know, he had a bunch of arts as well
for Iowa State in college. So for may Punto, is
the college experience matters if you play under center one.
Speaker 1 (40:49):
No, it's it's very valid. That's why some of the
scout and reports lean heavily on the guys who have had,
you know, four years of starting as opposed to those
who had maybe just a handful. May punto is, we're
going a little bit of outside of American football.
Speaker 5 (41:05):
One.
Speaker 1 (41:05):
I'd be remiss if I did not shout out the
Spain women's national team for winning the World Cup. There
were so many, yeah, so many storylines that were just
really emotional, but a team who played well.
Speaker 5 (41:18):
We have.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
Latinez who won, so I think it's it's great, great
for them. Well, Fox was a rough one for USA.
But you know what, that's the whole point. Other teams
are supposed to up the Annie, to push us to
continue to be better. And two, if you guys have
not gone to see Blue Beetle Run, don't walk, because
I went to the premiere last week. It is a
(41:43):
superhero movie made by us. The writer is Latino. He
obviously couldn't be there to talk about it. The cast
couldn't be there, which gutted me, of course, but they're
finding a good fight on the other side of the
strike for the future of the industry. But man, the director,
I'm Hendmnoi Soto, which we hope we can get on
the pod soon on a apologetically bar Puerto Ricano and
(42:07):
everything in this movie, the references, the ties they spoke
in Spanish, the elevating of the abola in the movie.
I don't want to give anything away, but it was.
It hits you so so deeply because you see yourself
reflected and I've never seen that in a superhero movie before.
And I hope if you have kids, like well, if
you need something to do this weekend, I'll let the
her Quake is gone, go watch Compido like it is
(42:31):
a movie by us for us, and I couldnot be
proud of that. This is out there and we got
to support it, right like we got to support our creatives.
Our stories are important, our stories matter, and if we're
not out there putting our dollars behind it, then they
don't get made. So that's my soapbox on that. But
I genuinely truly enjoyed the movie. Warner Brothers invited me
(42:52):
to go to the to the screening. Look, I had
a blast. I had a blast. It was really really great.
So yeah, highly recommend ten out of ten go see it.
Support will Yeah, I'm all about it.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I think that is a movie we are definitely going
to see anyway. Looked entertaining, So the storyline obviously speaks
to me. It's too bad that the actors and the
writers can't talk about because of the concurrent strikes. But
that's why promotion is important. And speaking of promotion, we
have to promote this podcast and tell you please make
sure like subscribe, download this podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 3 (43:30):
This is the l Huddle podcast. I'm will She's MJ Costa.
Speaker 2 (43:34):
Ruiz Until next time, Primia rmana c.
Speaker 3 (43:39):
Let's do this again, nomos, yes.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
And Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership
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