August 7, 2025 • 48 mins
Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer preview what to watch as the Bears gear up for their first preseason matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Plus, sportscaster Terry Gannon shares his insights on Bears training camp and what’s stood out to him so far.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Gout open that Dj Moore episode Touchdown Touchdown Pairs. I
am Jeff Joniac.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Blitz is on.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Dottie got what was like playing for Coche?
Speaker 4 (00:13):
Goodgo.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I don't want to answer any questions like that pressure
coming is a big trouble. Dottie goes.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Mottest Sweat Bears et Cetera brought to you by Miller
Lighte with the voices of the Bears Jeff Joniac and
Tom Thayer.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Well as far as training camp practices, go, Tom and
I and the rest of the Bears media and fans
who attended. It was a hard hitting practice, one of
the best I've seen in a very very long time.
That will kick off the podcast today, Episode one of
the Bears et cetera podcast brought to you by Middle
Night with Super Bowl winning Bears guard Tom Payer. I'm
Jeff Joniac. We also visit in this week's podcast with
(00:53):
one of Tom's famous friends is a grade school in
high school buddy and nationally acclaimed sports broadcaster Terry Gannon.
But first time we break down what was, by all accounts,
a benchmark practice for the Chicago Bears, a tone setter
for what the Bears want to be under head coach
Ben Johnson. I can't put it any simpler than that,
would you concur.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Oh, one hundred percent?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
You know you think about you listening back to the
bend at the podium, and one of his initial visits
to the podium when he got hired is I want
the players to be get comfortable being uncomfortable, and I
think that's exactly what we saw at the last padded
practice because when you take this into account that the
family fests the soldier field, they ran ninety five plays.
(01:33):
That's more than a game on average for the most part.
So then they have a little time to recover. Then
he brings them back to another padded practice, they run
seventy five plays. So you're thinking about the callousness that
we've always hoped and wish that would be developed during
training camp, it's happening. I liken the fact that the
(01:54):
practices are very antagonistic, whether it's a big play by
the offense and they kind of get the defense's blood
boiling or vice versa. So I'm telling you, man, I
don't want to get out over my skis, as they say,
but I'm really enjoying what this coaching staff is bringing
to this team on an everyday basis.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Honestly, it was a treat. I texted you that this
practice was a treat for me. And you know, no
better way to set your job a little bit than
short yardage and goal line full contact. And that's how
it really got going. That's where that's where the intensity
started and developed. And you knew right then, you know,
nasehn Wright said they didn't have this off scripted in
the practice. They thought they were going to have one
(02:37):
period of live and it just took on a life
of its own.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Time get comfortable being uncomfortable. And one thing about live
goal line, live short yardage, so the collisions aren't coming
from a significant distance where you can really risk injury.
The collisions and the power and the movement and the
formations are in close quarters because then you start getting
(03:03):
strength on display. You start seeing the development of great
combination blocks by the offensive line, including the tight ends,
and then you see about what defenders can disengage with
immediacy and getting the path of the play and make
the play.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You know, the defense has been playing with a lot
of intensity over the course of camp under Dennis Allen.
But a tip of the camp to the offense because
they matched the intensity in that practice. How significant of
a development is.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That, Oh, listen, man, this is a football team that's
run by an offensive minded head coach. That's his pride
and joy, that's his newborn baby in every single day
it's grown up and getting a little older, and all
of a sudden you start seeing that recognition of a
baby that realizes that you're his mom and dad. It's
that type of kind of analogy of developing this offense,
(03:54):
and Ben is just doing a fantastic job. All the coaches,
all the coaches are doing a fantastic job of requiring
their players to fulfill their obligations.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
It was so euphoric for a football guy like myself,
and I love the passion of the game, and I
liked the idea of this being a violent, physical football
team within the rules and framework. Of course, that you
kind of lose sight of the past, and you know,
being here for a long time, I know there have
been some tough practices. I know there have been some
live drills. I know I've seen it and you lived
(04:26):
it obviously with did get and with my eyes I
watched it, But I just can't remember one being like
this on the heels of what was a Soldier Field
for FanFest, and so I was euphoric about it. But
in the big picture, what does it all mean.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Well, if ben Jonson not only scripting the practice, could
also script the weather conditions that's needed in order to
judge a lot of these players, first two days of
pads unbearably hot, then they have a day off and
they come back for another day of pads, super comfortable temperature,
Soldier Field for Family Fest, a perfect Sunday to get
(05:02):
acclimated to what Soldier Field is going to offer you
for noon starts. Then you have a little bit time
of recover in another perfect conditions for a full padded
really exhaustive practice. So I mean it is perfectly scripted.
But listen, pay attention to your weather charts. Because Miami
(05:22):
wanted to come north for these practices to have a
little bit of a cool down. It's not going to
be a cool down. It is going to be in
the high eighties and low nineties for these Dolphin practices.
So you better get acclimated asap.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Kick off your game day with Blue Moon. Every sip
of Blue Moon's Belgian style wheat alecrafted with Valencia, Orange,
Peel and Coriander is a winning drive for your taste buds.
Welcome to the Bears, Etc. Podcast. Okay, I asked you
to take some notations anything stick out of significance. I
thought that one wrote Shawn Johnson ran hard at the
(05:58):
goal line and he was delivering some shots while taking
some as well in the midst of some of the
scuffles that occurred, and I like seeing that hard nose
when given the opportunity in short yardage.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Well, again referencing Ben Johnson, the dirty yards and the
dirty yards are those yards that the whole isn't significant,
But as a running back, you got to use your power,
athleticism and willingness to lower your shoulder pads in order
to create contact. And after you create that contact, you're
able to move in a positive direction. And yeah, I
did see that out of Rochean. The guy that's really
(06:29):
exciting me is Jakwan Brisker. Yeah, because you always use
the word deployable, and we think about that in terms
of Kyler Gordon, but Jakwon Brisker is showing he's equally
as deployable as anybody else in the defensive backfield. And
so I'm super excited about what I see out of him.
A guy that you've been bringing up major burns.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Wow, Yeah, he was lit up yesterday. He was fiery.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
And listen, he's coming from distance and he's not hesitating.
So he's going to get into a full speed and
he's going to bring it until he gets to his responsibility.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Another guy that I can't say enough about is the
veteran leadership of Grady Jarrett because as an offensive lineman,
the thing that makes me so insecure about any defensive
lineman I play against as after the contact is their
ability to disengage and stay in a real athletic position.
(07:28):
If you look at Grady Jarrett, whether it's a double
team or single block, he's able to take on that
blocker or blockers, disengage and get in position to make
the play. And you think of the other guys that
are benefiting from that, whether it's a linebacker or a
fellow defensive lineman. Grady Jarrett is legit man, and he
can really advance this defensive lineman to move forward to
(07:51):
see where we need it to go. And so you know,
and guys like Dominique Robinson excited to see him Luke Newman.
I'm excited to see what he's doing. TJ Edwards listen,
Master reliable. This guy's nothing but a linebacker that's in
Chicago Bear history that we can all be proud of.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
How do you tell a cashier you're a Bears fan
without telling him you're a Bears fan? With the Chicago
Bears PNC Bank visa debit card, which got you exclusive
discounts on Bears merchandise. Find out more at PNC dot
com slash Bears card. I thought that Caleb throw to
Romadunza that was for a touchdown. Rome put it in
the end. That was a nice play offensively, so one
(08:31):
of those explosives. It's a forty yarder. Ben's chasing and
you've been looking.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
For exactly and I listen, I don't want to discount
the offense because I can see that trickle up effect
where they're starting to get timing. They're starting to understand
the benefits of play action passing. They're starting to understand
that if they can come off the ball aggressively and
make it look like a run play, they can get
those defenders enough out of position where they can make
that big play to Rome. Big play to DJ Big,
(08:57):
play to any of the tight ends or the running
back group. So listen, I know that we you know,
I've been preaching patients because I know the difficulty and
having a full group of guys master the timing and terminology.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
But it's coming.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
All right, let's listen in to Tyreek Stevens and he
took the podium on Tuesday to reflect on what was
a very physical practice.
Speaker 6 (09:17):
That's what we should practice like every day.
Speaker 7 (09:18):
That's the message the team shot to us, the coaching
staff and everybody. That's what we need to see out
there every day to be a championship defense and the
championship offense. So moving forward, that's what we want to
see our practice always.
Speaker 6 (09:29):
Ben's message at the end when you guys all circle out.
Speaker 7 (09:32):
Uh, we're working. Were putting money in the bank every day.
This lead don't know what's coming for him because we
were putting in daily deposits every day. He kept it
short as simple because that's what it is. Everybody show
up at a work work day in and day out.
Speaker 6 (09:43):
You guys looked the defense looked specifically.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Really the amount of man you guys are playing, like,
do you think that's setting a tone out there, especially
with kind of pushing the offense back a little bit,
like getting them up against the wall.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
Of course, we want to let you know we better
to you. We want to let you know every time
you line it up, we're going to rock and roll
with you.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Also in the interview with Tyreek, they discussed, you know,
the depth chart. The first depth chart came out. That's
always your big one, hey, first depth charts out. It's like,
you know, you get your name in the paper, so
to speak. Tyreek still listed as a starting corner opposite
Jalen Johnson, but understands that no job is given, job's
got to be taken. He understands that he's got that
mindset right now to continue to compete, and that's critical here,
(10:21):
critical listen.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
I always thought Tyrek Stevenson was one of the more
physical defensive backs on the Bears, but I think he's
one of the more physical defensive backs in the league.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
And if he can continue to.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Learn and develop through Al Harris, the defensive back coach,
and the defensive requirements of Dennis Allen, I think that
Tyreek Stevenson has got a lot of positives ahead of
him for this football team and he never shies away
from contact and he never will.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
How significant will the Dolphin practice, not necessarily the game
because we don't know who's going to play, and how
long will determine, help determine help put another brick in
the road. Defining the starting left tackle, Braxton Jones is
listed first team with the rookie Azzie Trpillow second.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
It's going to be significant because you know, Braxton Jones
has already been there, He's already been through joint practices,
He's already played NFL competition now for a couple of years,
so he knows the task at hand from the left
tackle position and how much of a premium that position
is to the success of an offense.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
But Ozzi Trabillo is a different character man.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
He's got a lot of power, He's got a lot
of willingness to create contact and continue to push afterwards.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
So I think the deciding line is.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Maybe in the past protection ability and the athleticism of
Ozzy because that's where he's going to have to be
successful in some individual battles. So Ozzy's he's not afraid
of play in football, but Braxton has the experience.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
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physical therapy partner of the Chicago Bears. All right, let's
switch gears and sit down with Terry Gan and Tom
(12:17):
give everybody a heads up on who this young man is.
Love the conversation comparing notes in our broadcast careers, but
also a significant part of history in college basketball.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Just to give you a little background of Terry and I,
we grew up together in Jolia. We both went to
Saint Rays. We both went to Jolia Catholic. His dad
was the basketball coach when I was growing up. Terry
was just absolutely a fantastic basketball player himself growing up,
and he went on to the North Carolina State National
championship basketball team led by Jim Valvano. But then making
(12:49):
that decision do I become a coach like my dad
or do I become a broadcaster, And he's succeeded beyond
anybody's dreams of being a broadcaster. He's been around the
world many at times. He's done every sport that you
can offer him. Like he said, accept hockey, all.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Right, So enjoy the conversation. It goes many different ways,
as you might expect with Tom and I one of
the most versatile sportscasters in America. Terry Gannon, Joliet born
and bred. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Terry, great to be with you. And you can't take
the Juliette out of the kid.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Tell me, I think we still have our pictures, like
underneath the Viadects somewhere in downtown heading to the east side.
It doesn't look great these days. It's been around for
a while, but I think they're still.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Up there, you know, Terry.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
The other day I was in Saint Rays, the grade
school we went to to watch my great nephews basketball game,
and in there they have a booklet of every student
that's ever gone to Jolia Catholic our Joliet or Saint Rays.
Every year and you always you have to go back
there and gravitate towards you and look through the names
of the guys and the girls you went to school with,
(13:54):
and you know, you a lot of a lot of them,
I can, you know, saying right off the top of
my head.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
But like you said, you never.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Leave Joliet, and going back there and seeing the schools
that we went to and grew up in, it's kind
of fun to see.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Hey, we all stay in touch to Mark Grant, who's
an announcer, great announcer for the Padres. Now we talk
all the time, and he comes to LA We get
together and tell Joliet stories and you'll be happy to
know your name comes up often in a good way.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
Time.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Well, I think about you and Mark Grant because you know,
you think of Saint Rais and Jola Catholic, and you
think of the history that you've had in broadcasting, one
of the best, like Jeff said, in the history of broadcasters,
Mark Grant a lifelong broadcaster with the San Diego Padres,
and me with the Bears. And when you get three
guys basically from the same neighborhood, same high school, but
(14:44):
Mark went to Saint Jude's. You know, we're super fortunate
to be where we are now, but really where we
came from.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Oh, there's no question, and we talk about all the time.
I mean we kind of laugh every time we get
to you can you believe two kids.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
And will include you three if I'm Joliet are able
to do this for a living.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
And I do feel blessed.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
And but I met what I said it was joking,
but I met, you can't take the Jolie out of
the kid, and it will always be home. I've lived
in La now for like twenty five years. But it's
I mean, I'm a Bears fan, I'm a Bulls fan.
I'm a White Sox fan. Yes, my kids grew up
going to Dodgers games. And last year my wife who
watches every pitch of every inning.
Speaker 6 (15:25):
I don't know who else does this in these days
of the Dodgers games.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Just admit you're a Dodgers fan. Also, I'm like, I can't.
I just I can't.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
I do go to the games.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'll wear a hat, but I can't admit it. I'm
a white Sox guy.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
What does Joliet mean You say you can't take the
Joliet out of the kid. What is it you can't
take out?
Speaker 5 (15:44):
You know?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Growing up, especially at that time, I mean it was
it was a blue collar steel mill city caterpillar. You
had the steel mill plant, which eventually closed down, but
it was that kind of mindset, you know, get up
every day, work as hard as you can, and have
your dream go after it.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
And I remember.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
At NC State, so I played basketball in NC State
for Jim Valvano, but my first year of college I
also played Baseball's on the baseball team. Sammy Esposito was
the head coach who was part of the Go Go
Socks fifty nine who've lost the Dodgers out here in
one of the great Chicago athletes of all time.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
You know, you go back and research him.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
He was a great, great athlete, and he helped recruit
me along with Jim Valvano, and he talked about Joliet
and exactly that he said, I look for kids from
Joliet because they are tough. Now I don't know, Tommy,
if we are, I don't know, But to me, that's
a mindset and I've always had that along the way
because of juliett.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I think a lot of us are products of our parents.
They're blue collar workers and they want to work every day.
But so your dad's the basketball coach of our high
school and you're a little kid growing up and you
go to North Carolina State, part of the national championship
team with Jim Valvano.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Why podcasting and not coaching.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Oh god, I fell into it, Tommy, I hate to
admit that, but that's I was going to coach. I
was a grad assistant. I always wanted to coach son
of a coach.
Speaker 6 (17:11):
That was my plan. I was on the bench for
Jim Valmano, and at that time I had offers to
go play in Europe.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And Jefferson Pilot, who broadcast the ACC basketball games at
that time, came to me and said, you know you're
pretty good on TV.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
We've interviewed your a lot. You want to try TV.
So I went in and talked to coach v and
he said, yeah, go go give it a show.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I forget the basketball. You're not gonna be Walt Frasier.
All right, you're good, but you're not.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Move on.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
So he said, but try TV. If you don't like it,
you're not any good. You come back. You got a
job here as a coach. And so I tried it,
and I was a color analyst in basketball to start,
little by little started to do other sports. I reached
out to everybody in North Carolina. The Charlotte Knights were
(17:58):
the Triple A team for the Indians. I said, you
don't have an extra play by play guy, let me
do middle innings.
Speaker 6 (18:06):
Pay me fifty bucks a game. Okay, give me a shot.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
I went to the Morning Zoo and said, you don't
do sports. I said, no, we don't. I said, well
you should. It's a sports time. Come on, Raley, you
got big time teams here. Let me do sports for you.
Pay me fifty bucks a day.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Boo. So every job I had.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
Basically was fifty bucks a day to start out, and
it just kind of morphed into a career, and you
know you eventually I signed with ABC. You get a
call he needed to go do figure skating next week
in Tokyo.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
Excuse me, you know. And it's that Jim Valvano thing
of why not.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
It's that moment where you go, you're crazy, you know
how badly this could go?
Speaker 6 (18:44):
Or you go why not? And the same thing with college.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Football and gymnastics and the Olympics. And now I'm with
our NBC for a number of years, and you know,
you just keep saying why not?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And why not? Back with the NBA and NBC. Congratulations
on that. You know, we all grew up around it.
I was doing pre and post game for the Bulls
during Jordan era when NBC was Loraeni and King of NBA.
And you'll be joining Mike Arrika, Noah Egles play by
play guys. Great group right there. How how significant is
this for you?
Speaker 6 (19:16):
Well, it's my roots. It's back to my roots.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
You know. I did college hoops and then the NBA
when I was at ESPN, and now to have this
opportunity to do the NBA again, I can't wait for
the season to start. And it's back on NBC. Yeah,
with the John Tesh music and everything else. And so
we've got our seminar coming up right after the Ryder Cup.
(19:39):
Get everybody together at NBC and kick off the season.
I you know, Reggie Miller, Jamul Crawford, Brant Hill, Austin
River's got a great.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
Lineup of analysts, goes on and on.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Robbie almost gonna work with us as well, and it's
gonna be cool.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
How do you keep it all together? Because you're on
the golf channel, you're covering golf tournaments, You're doing all
these other things that come across your desk. Never saying no,
just say yes to everything. I adopted the same philosophy
just say yes. Sometimes it was a testament to your
own guts to do it in my case and yours.
I mean, how do you keep it all together though,
(20:14):
because it takes it takes a ton of preparation, first
and foremost, as.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
You know, first and foremost, we're fans. Yeah, we're sports fans,
you know, for for good or better. Otherwise, if we're
not working, we're watching sports for the most part. So
you stay on top of it that way, and you
do stay on topic. It's not like you crammed for
a test right before. Yes, certain games you get ready
for a game, you're cramming for a test, But overall
(20:40):
you stay in touch with it and the other aspect too.
And I think part of it that I think has
really helped me is I did experience playing for a
national championship on a Monday night with you know, fifty
million people watching crunch time, having to come through down
the stretch, and that translates to every sport, no matter
(21:02):
what it is, football, basketball, baseball, golf, gymnastics, figure skating, whatever.
Having some understanding of what these athletes are going through
down the stretch and to perform under pressure, and so
it doesn't matter the sport.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
Do you get that moment when you get an instinctual
feeling of rising to the moment is about to happen.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
No question.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
And I also never prepare like a winning call or
what because I wanted to hit me. I want to
feel it. In golf sixteen seventeen eighteen Major Championship, I
don't want to manufacture anything. I wanted to hit me
(21:49):
and react in a moment. And then you get done
with that and you go have dinner and you think, yeah,
that was good, that worked, or could have done this better?
That we all have regrets, right, oh, and please you
ever regrets on how the game turned out.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
The first thing I do is get on the bloor
with Tommy. Damn, I should have said this instead, you know.
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Exactly. I mean, it's it's just like being a player.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
And look, I still kind of think of myself as
a player, even after all these years, even though I
didn't play in the NBA, didn't play the highest level,
I got a taste and so I think of it
that way.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
That's that's how I approach every.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Broadcast, no terry, you know, knowing you your whole life.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Sometimes I see you on TV, and it just blows
my mind some of the dignitaries you sit on the
stage with and you're interviewing them on TV, whether it's
the best of the best in pro golf or political
figures or whatever.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
All right, two questions. Have you ever asked for an autograph?
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Number one? Number two? Is there the most famous you've
ever met?
Speaker 6 (22:50):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (22:51):
God, the only reason I'm asking this, Terry. Yesterday I
asked to get a picture with Simone Biles. It's the
first it's the first time ever, and I was kind
of weird about it. But she's such a famous, you know, athlete,
and that's what kind of made me think of you.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Yeah, oh god, what a thrill calling her Olympics, two
of them, Tokyo, you know, the whole thing she went
through and with the twisties. We all learned that word
in Tokyo and then coming through in Paris. It was
honored to call her action at the Olympics. But answer
your question, I haven't asked for autograph since Tom Clements
in the locker room at Notre Dame back in the
(23:28):
nineteen seventies. Okay, that's the last time we're an autograph
by the way from the time I was five years
old till the time I left for college when I
was eighteen, going to Nancy State.
Speaker 6 (23:41):
My family was at every Notre Dame home football game.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Got to know the players from Tommy Clements, the Frank
palm Rico to the Larry and Jerry DeNardo and down
the list.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
And it started with Pat Mudron. From Tommy, Joey Catholic,
Jilly Catholic.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
There you go.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
So but I do take. I'm with you.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I do take. I do take some pictures with athletes
these days, but most famous.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
Would have to be presidents.
Speaker 4 (24:06):
You know, Barack Obama, President Clinton. President Clinton used to
be his his foundation used to be a sponsor of
one of the tournaments on the PGA Tour, so we
not only would come on the air with us, he
would spend the entire weekend. So it was great to
be able to meet and spend time with him and
President Obama. We were robbed of the opportunity in nineteen
(24:29):
eighty three President Reagan invited us to the White House.
We had an athletic director who did not want to
pay for the bus fare in the hotels to send
us to.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
The White House. After Yould championship.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So years later, President Obama, who you know was our
era there as a sports fan, invited us to the White.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
House and we got to go as a team, which
was a great thrill.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Noted that's so weird because of the reason that the
eighty five Bears ended up going to the White House
is because of the invitation from obab about years after,
because they had the Space Shuttle disaster of the day
after the Super Bowl and that kind of derailed our
opportunity to go there immediately after the game.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
You know what, I kind of remember that, yeah, exactly.
That is well, we got another thing in common there
you go.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
And I'll maintain that you guys appreciated it more then
than you maybe would have in eighty five because you
guys matured, you know, we're in the Rose Guard, I
got to go, and you know, there's these great memories
of that. You just we get in, we get out,
we go home. But you're in the Rose Garden meeting
(25:38):
President Obama, no matter what your politics are, you're meeting
the President of the United States on his home turf.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Exactly, just exactly, and you know what, we talked hoops
the entire time.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
Which was great yeah, he loves that.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Before we continue, good news Chicago United Airlines is getting
brand new planes with all the bells and whistles, like
Bluetooth connectivity screens at every seat in the room for
everyone's roller bag. United Proud to fly the Chicago Bears.
And you too. You didn't know that you were going
to be a broadcaster, certainly a play by play broadcaster
or an event broadcaster. I would like to say that's
what you are. You do events, tons of them. Do
(26:11):
you think you drew inadvertently osmosis transistor under the pillow?
Anything from broadcasters that you enjoyed listening to or watching
over the course of your life.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
I mean the sounds of sports, yeah, have been with
me since I have a memory, you know, three four
or five years old and.
Speaker 6 (26:34):
On the couch, you know, sitting next to my dad
watching it was twenty four to seven sports.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
I mean, whether it's the White Sox, the Cubs, the Bears,
the Bulls, golf, Lee, Trevino Jack, Nicholas, Arnold Palmer, whatever,
and you know we were the Harry Carey era and
for me as a White Sox for Harry was ours.
Speaker 6 (26:52):
Sorry Cubs fans before and.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
What stayed with me from Harry, go back to it,
first and foremost, we're fans.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Yeah, yes, you got to be objective in what you're doing.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
You've got to give the moment it's due.
Speaker 6 (27:13):
You've got to meet the moment. You've got to tell
the story.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
But don't lose sight of the fact that you're a
fan and you're talking to fans. You're describing the action
for fans, and so you can talk to greats who
I've learned from from the al Michaels and the Brent
Musburgers who have had a chance to work with and
certainly learn so much about the business.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
But at its core, I'll go back to Harry.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
You know, you got to match and surpass the passion
of the fan base. It's got to be organic. You
can't fake it. They know it here in Chicago.
Speaker 6 (27:44):
Well, you're not going to pull the public.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
And we appreciate the listener every single one and we
keep that in mind first and foremost when we call
the game. Won you agree Tommy.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
One hundred percent?
Speaker 2 (27:54):
You know a lot of respect for the fans because,
like Terry said, whether you're in Chicago or wherever you
are around the world, fans are smart because they have
so much more access to either the sport they pay
attention to or the topics that are being discussed around
the world about the events that Terry's doing or the
bears that you and I get to do. So I
(28:14):
think they're a lot more educated. And you know, there's
and you know, a lot more women are involved in
the sports now than when we are kids. You talk
about from the w NBA to girls flag football to
all their you know, access into the sport, and they're
as passionate of fans as anybody we met as little kids.
(28:35):
When we are talking about a lot of the guys
that we're talking about, which is cool to see that
if that evolution of it.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
Tommy, let me give you guys your due because I'm
on the road and I and I listen to you
guys and what you are and what I try to
do I hope to do in the way I view
broadcasting is I want to bring the fans along as
we're all sitting there in the living room watching this
(29:04):
and experiencing this together and it's real and it's raw
and it's authentic and there's nothing manufactured, and let's experience
this together.
Speaker 6 (29:13):
And hopefully as a broadcaster, I've.
Speaker 4 (29:16):
Done my homework enough or have enough now today that
I can bring forth some information that makes it more
interesting and entertaining to the fan.
Speaker 6 (29:26):
But I want to experience it with them, and that's
what you guys do.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
You're real Well me ask me about your background.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
So you're still hold the highest percentage of three point
shooting at North Carolina State? Correct, well, technically okay, but
this is my Questionnically, yeah, the line was a little shorter.
So are you surprised though, what the three point shot
is becoming basketball? Because that's kind of like, you know,
talk about the evolution of something that has, you know,
(29:55):
come new and do a sport, whether it's the kickoff
kickoff return of football or the three point shot? Are
you like surprised of what's become of that.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
I didn't foresee it when it first came in, whether
it be college or the NBA, but it totally makes sense.
I'm not shocked at how it developed because you had,
in my estimation, Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of
all time. I don't I hate when people, you know,
the latest and greatest is they're the goat now whatever,
But he and the Warriors. They changed the game how
(30:27):
they played and and and you see the NBA especially
go in peaks and valleys and other teams adopt what's
working for the best team, and there are trends. This
trend obviously is here to stay. They they've changed the
game entirely, and the three point shot has so I
(30:52):
didn't see it initially.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
But it's it's.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Here to stay. And I'm not I'm not a fan
who laments that. I mean, I know some are. I
know some don't like that it's developed that way, but
it is what it is. This is the game, and
it is more spread out these days.
Speaker 6 (31:07):
And yes, you have the high.
Speaker 4 (31:08):
Screen of role and everybody's trying to figure out how
to run that, all the options off of it, how
to defend it. And some say, well, it's the same
for every team, but if you really pay attention, there
are nuances with every team and every coach off of
those options that make it different.
Speaker 6 (31:25):
So I enjoy it. I like what's happening.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
What would Jim valvanl think of today's game, both in
college and the NBA. Jim valvena, which is adapt, adapted, overcome,
that's it.
Speaker 6 (31:37):
Survive in advance, baby. Yeah. And by the way, that
was his slogan.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
He came up with that in nineteen eighty three, as
we one ridiculous buzzer beater after buzzer beater, just survive
in advance. It's like Al Davis, you know, just win baby.
He what people don't understand about Jimmy V. They know
the motivator, they know the sp speech. I mean, it's
a whole you know, several generations now since then. I'm
(32:03):
still amazed at his legacy and what it is because
of the V Foundation and how remembered he is in
our team.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
I'm shocked at that.
Speaker 4 (32:15):
But he was after he stepped away from college basketball,
he eventually planned to coach in the NBA and he
was going to take a couple of years being assistant coach,
learned the NBA, and then go.
Speaker 6 (32:26):
He was a realist. He never told.
Speaker 4 (32:30):
You anything that you got the sense that, Nah, I
don't think he really believes it. He was real and
we told us we were going to win a national
championship well before we had any thought of doing that.
Speaker 6 (32:42):
You brought into it, and he would have brought that
to the NBA.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
It wasn't just a raw raw locker room college type
thing with Jim Valman.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
You know, Tommy, the little things would make a difference
in championships, So let's not minimize taking Clyde Drexlauran taking
that fourth file to seal it baby to Terry Gannon
as a sophomore wearing number twenty four.
Speaker 6 (33:04):
Correct, it was a Buckiss like tackle.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
I really this years later and he's still mad about it,
by the ways.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I bet hey, listen, you mentioned buck Is, so I
want you to go. You just named all the teams
you rooted for as a kid, your first fall in
love with player as a kid, for each of those
sports here in Chicago. What were they? Who were they?
Speaker 6 (33:26):
Norm Van Lear?
Speaker 4 (33:27):
All Right, that feeling when you walked in as a kid,
I'll never forget it when you walked into the Chicago
Stadium and he went through the concourse and those tight
and crowded and smoky and hot, and then that first
glimpse of the floor.
Speaker 6 (33:46):
It's magic.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (33:47):
And Wrigley as well.
Speaker 4 (33:49):
You know, I say, I'm a socc span and am,
but my grandparents would take me and my cousin to
Wriggly all the time. And that first glimpse when you
turned the corner and saw the flags up top. He
got tingles, he got chills, and that's a feeling that's
never left me. But I mean, you know from Ernie Pinks,
(34:13):
Dick Allen, I was a big Dick Kalent fan back
in the day. Loves him and a little young for
Gail Sayers. So I say, sweetness and Tommy Thayer.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Here you go.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Can you believe seriously as much as you've done? And
I throw flowers at Tom all the time.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
He hates it.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
He gets real nervous. He starts laughing, giggling like a
little kid. He I want to hear it. But what
he's done is amazing. I brought it up to a
group the other day and he accepted. I mean, you're
talking about four decades of impact on the Bears organization
as a player and a broadcaster, beloved in both categories,
part of the best offensive line ever, a champion. But
(34:52):
you know, you grew up with a kid. And he
goes in the huddle in nineteen eighty five at training
camp and he's looking at Walter Peyton like you know,
he's like a little kid. But not only that yet. Yeah,
all was one game at Joliet Catholic. In his football life,
he goes to Notre Dame. He's coached at the professional
level by George Allen, Mike Ditka, and Don Shula.
Speaker 5 (35:14):
What what yep, I mean think right now who he was.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
I transferred to the Arizona team when Marvel Levy came
over and a coach who I think turned off one yeah,
one hundred legend that guy is as well.
Speaker 4 (35:34):
We went to some of those games. I came up
and saw you with the Pats number at time.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
That was great. Now, can I just just one thing
we'll talk.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
About a time like he's not Yeah, that'd be great.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Here's the thing with with with all of that impact
as a player as a broadcaster through the years, this
man's never changed.
Speaker 6 (35:51):
He's the same today as as when we were growing
up in Joliet at the Saint Race.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Absolutely the same, which is not many people can say,
but that is absolutely the true.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Yeah. He's a very compassionate person. He'll give you the
shirt off his back, but he has some certain demands
that must be met. You got to be on time.
If you're late, he's going to be angry. He doesn't
want to sit in traffic if you'd make the wrong turn.
You're in big trouble, and you know, don't lie to him.
I'm watching practice. We're at Soldier Field on Sunday for
fan Fest. It was awesome, but he notices everything. Nothing
(36:25):
gets by. Tom asks some why you limping, And there's
this meek grin on the face of the individual, like
how would you even know this? But you know the
slightest thing, I don't know. You got eyes for an analyst,
that's for sure. You really know where to take your eyes. Tommy,
you are trained that way. I don't know how, I
don't know why, but you were trained.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Well, I've been around one sport my whole life. Terry's
been around one thousand sports. And I'm ask you one
more question because I asked you to this years ago
and you said that the Tour de France is one
of your favorite events to do.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Is that still this same?
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Has something come up that has taken that place or
is Tour de front still in one of your favorites?
Speaker 4 (37:08):
Well, it's just the most amazing event I've ever been around.
It's like setting up you guys know what it's like
for a Super Bowl. You know, the compound in all
the TV trucks and all the media and everything else.
Speaker 6 (37:20):
They do this for three weeks straight and move it
every day. There's a start.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Line, huge compound and party the Village des part where
you can go in and get chrissans and espresso and cappuccinos,
and the writers come in on their bike and they
sit there and they'll have an espresso with you and talk,
and then you drive the route ahead of the peloton.
You get to the finish line and there's a huge
compound set up there at the finish and then they
(37:46):
pick it up and move every day for twenty one
days all over front. It's just it blows your mind
what they do. But the Olympics are special. I mean
it's it's and Paris was. I thought London was my
favorite Olympics. Paris was even better because we had a
couple of COVID Olympics. We didn't have fans, and then
(38:08):
you know, everybody wants to go to Paris and experience
it and it was incredible. So those the Olympics might
match that in terms of my favorite event to do.
But in terms of golf, we just had it. The
Open Championship is my favorite. It's just it's on land
where they've played for you know, hundreds of years. And
(38:31):
the sheep created the first bunkers to get out of
the wind.
Speaker 6 (38:34):
And the RNA, you.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
Know so many tournaments where they'll they'll give you on
the PGA toil will give you a sheet and the
first cut of rough is so many millimeters, and the
primary cut of rough is so many inches, and the
green speeds or whatever, and you go do the Open Championship,
and the RNA says, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (38:54):
If it rains, it'll be soft. If it doesn't, it'll
be fast. We'll see what God has in mind. And
I love the organic element of the Open.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
When you choose a blue moon, everything becomes brighter, just
like the scoreboard after a Bear's touchdown. Blue moon made
brighter and a proud partner of the Chicago Bears. Here
is the vast array of sports this man has has broadcast,
certainly the big ones. We're talking about pro golf, NBA,
but you know WNBA, horse racing, tennis, beach volleyball, skiing,
(39:27):
super cross, motorcycle racing, mountain biking, college football on ABC,
Little League World Series, the figure skating. I probably missed
a couple I don't see hockey on the list. Have
you ever called a hockey game?
Speaker 6 (39:42):
You're exactly right.
Speaker 4 (39:43):
I have never called a hockey game, and I think
it would be hardest hell, Sean mcconno's of the world.
I have unbelievable respect for what they do. It's I mean,
that's got to be so hard. So I don't think
I'll have that opportunity aime soon.
Speaker 6 (39:58):
You can cross that one.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Off, know because guess what if they ask what, are
you going to say?
Speaker 5 (40:03):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (40:03):
Why not?
Speaker 6 (40:04):
He's got to do it? Why not me?
Speaker 1 (40:06):
First Bears game? Or did you ever go to a
Bears game as a kid?
Speaker 6 (40:11):
Oh? Yeah, sure, I don't remember the first Bears game.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
I mean, you know, Soldier Field look quite a bit
different when I went to put it that way, but
you know, it would have been it would have been
the pre Walter Payton Tommy Thayer years as a little
kid growing up.
Speaker 6 (40:29):
But we went to a handful because we were busy.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
In South min every week once football season got there,
going to those games.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
What if any information do you have on the current
Chicago Bears, Any thoughts, any thoughts defense?
Speaker 6 (40:47):
I want to ask you guys. I'm gonna pick your brain.
So here's the deal.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
Still big Bears fan, my son I've got I've got
a son and the daughter.
Speaker 6 (40:54):
They're in their twenties. They both graduated from USC.
Speaker 4 (40:57):
Sorry about that, Tommy and the Irish, I know, can
you believe it?
Speaker 6 (41:04):
And my son, even though he grew up here in
LA he is a huge Bears fan.
Speaker 4 (41:11):
So he and I communicate about the Bears all the time.
So he listened to your podcast, he listened to every
Bears podcast.
Speaker 6 (41:18):
He's all over it. Whatever. So I understand the defense
nominated right. It is.
Speaker 4 (41:25):
That in part because it takes longer for the offense
and a new system, a new playbook and everything else.
Speaker 6 (41:30):
A new offense. Look, I'm really excited about this year.
Speaker 4 (41:33):
I don't want to get over hyped, but I think
you throw out last year in terms of Caleb and everything.
It's a new coach, it's a new system, got new personnel.
Speaker 6 (41:42):
I'm really excited about this year.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
So to analogize football, Terry, it'd be like me telling
you that you're going to move to France in three months.
You have to speak the language fluently and understand what's
being said to you in order to really master the terminology.
Speaker 5 (41:57):
Of a new NFL offense.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
So I don't think people really understand football patients because
they don't know what it takes to really master the language.
And now every time Caleb goes in the huddle, he's
calling two plays, and now you got to know what
that means to the other ten guys in the huddle.
Then if the defense doesn't do what you're expecting of
them and you have to go to the second play called,
(42:21):
now you've got to make sure you know what exactly
you said, and everybody has to know their job as
Caleb's given the alert. So it's the difficulty of mastering
football terminology is a year's process, not a week's process.
Speaker 4 (42:37):
So you think it'll take by game three or game four?
Do you think that people will stop talking about last year?
Speaker 2 (42:46):
Well, I've already invented about my frustration about talking about
last year. I think it's completely irrelevant to talk about
last year because it has nothing to do with this
year and moving forward. I think by the first regular
Sea game, you're going to start seeing the plan come together,
and then each week you're going to see incremental improvements.
(43:09):
In a little bit more diabolical scheming by Ben Johnson
and then all of a sudden, you're going to see
the fifth week of the season, they have a bye week,
and then you're going to see this thing hit the
ground running.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
So again, you got to have patients.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
Especially nowadays, you get to go to the practices day
to day, especially the media, and they get to report
on every play, whether it's good or bad, and so
sometimes you're not painting the most positive picture. But you
have to understand really what you're learning and what that
learning curve is on an everyday process.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
Are you as excited as I am about this season?
Because I had I had lunch a couple of weeks
ago with Eric Kramer. I said, this is it this season?
Four thousand yards it was mid nineteen ninety five or whatever.
Speaker 1 (43:53):
He's hanging out of that record, isn't.
Speaker 6 (43:55):
He Yeah, exactly, I said, it's going down this year.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Well, I'll tell you this much. If you had the
opportunity to meet Ben Jonson, you'd be completely blown away.
He is all things written said analyzed about. He is
something else. He had his own special team coach Richard
high Tower today talking about some of the great coaches
he's worked with and that this guy is trust me,
I know, I know what a good head coach looks like.
(44:20):
He's just he's got a lot of great qualities. Man,
that that when you add him up, he's going to
lead to good things. When how in what manner that
you have to be determined? That's the beauty of sports,
that's for sure.
Speaker 6 (44:32):
How about the defense, I know, the defensive line change,
how about the secondary? Is that still competitive?
Speaker 1 (44:37):
They get everybody jacked up, They got the juice.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
I think their defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen is a super
creative guy. And when you watch them practice this past
Sunday in Soldier Field against the Bears offense, you kind
of get an understanding why defense is always a snap
ahead a new offense in that process of being put in.
Speaker 5 (44:55):
So I'm excited about.
Speaker 2 (44:57):
The changes that they've made and what were going to
see out of this defense early in the season.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
My getting ahead of myself eight nine. I know the
schedule is really tough. I get it, but eight nine
wins maybe, and I got to get my son. We're
coming to a game maybe the past I think Packers
on December twentye Am I right about that?
Speaker 6 (45:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (45:15):
Late in the season, Yeah, I don't have it memorized.
But yep, that'll be a.
Speaker 6 (45:18):
Big one somewhere in there.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
So look look at how he turned this. See this
is the veteran announcmer. Now he's interviewing us. Yes, this
was awesome pleasure to meet you, number one, and thank
you for taking the time. I know you have very
little of it to spread around, but you're spreading around well.
You're outstanding of what you do. And hats off to
Juliet for the blue collar work ethic for both of
these guys. Tom there and Terry again, and thank you, Terry.
(45:41):
Good luck on NBC with the NBA.
Speaker 5 (45:44):
It's back, It's back.
Speaker 6 (45:45):
Go ahead, do the theme some Hey, guys, thanks for
having me. I really loved being with you guys.
Speaker 4 (45:52):
And I can't wait for the season to start. We'll
be watching from wherever I am around the country or
the globe and cheering for the Bears. Bear down and
go Saint Rays, Go keth Kai.
Speaker 6 (46:03):
Tommy.
Speaker 5 (46:03):
That's right, Terry.
Speaker 2 (46:04):
Thanks, and let us know when you come in for
that Bear game and so we can get together and
get a little FaceTime for sure.
Speaker 1 (46:11):
Tom What strikes me is about your passion for Joliet
and your love of that city. Anybody who comes from
there that I have ever met, that you've introduced me to,
you know, they almost you close your eyes and you
can see the same people. And I think that's cool.
It's a cool angle of the story. So many great
(46:31):
athletes have come out of Joliet. I'm sure many other
walks of life have as well, but the athletes are
what we are talking about, and he was one of
them men and he does a great job on everything
he does. I really appreciate that conversation.
Speaker 2 (46:47):
Yeah, the work ethic from Joliet people is understandable because
you look at the business as that surround our area,
whether it's the prisons or the steel mill, or the brickyards,
or the railroad or the canal, whatever line of work
our families are from, it's a blue collar background. My
dad worked for Commonweal ath Edison for forty three years,
(47:09):
climbing telephone poles and working outdoors every day of his life.
So we all have a little bit of that instilled
in our souls.
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Hey Bears van Steinhoffels, a prod partner the Chicago Bears,
are now opening in Orland Park. Steinhoffels is Chicago Lands
Furniture and mattress leader with the largest selection to fit
every style in budget at as one hundred percent employee
owned shop in store and online at Steinhoffels dot Com.
One last preview before we wrap up of what you're
anticipating with the arrival to Miami Dolphins at practice on
(47:37):
Friday at Hallis Hall, fans are going to get to
enjoy all of that with Tua and Tyreek and the
whole gang, so it'll be fun to watch. What are
you looking for?
Speaker 2 (47:45):
You know, just that the Bears make the Miami Dolphins
come up to their practice effort and don't come down
to what the Dolphins have been doing in their training camp.
And I think that was one of the biggest preach
points ever by Ditka every single time we had a
combined practice.
Speaker 5 (48:01):
You do not go down to their level. You make
them come up to our level.
Speaker 1 (48:05):
All right, that's gonna wrap things up. Thanks again to
our guest sportscaster Terry Gannon for time there. I'm Jeff Joniyank.
Thanks for listening. Everybody, please subscribe now on the Chicago
Bears official app, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get
your podcasts. Bear down, everybody,
Gout open that Dj Moore episode Touchdown Touchdown Pairs. I
am Jeff Joniac.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Blitz is on.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Dottie got what was like playing for Coche?
Speaker 4 (00:13):
Goodgo.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
I don't want to answer any questions like that pressure
coming is a big trouble. Dottie goes.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Mottest Sweat Bears et Cetera brought to you by Miller
Lighte with the voices of the Bears Jeff Joniac and
Tom Thayer.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Well as far as training camp practices, go, Tom and
I and the rest of the Bears media and fans
who attended. It was a hard hitting practice, one of
the best I've seen in a very very long time.
That will kick off the podcast today, Episode one of
the Bears et cetera podcast brought to you by Middle
Night with Super Bowl winning Bears guard Tom Payer. I'm
Jeff Joniac. We also visit in this week's podcast with
(00:53):
one of Tom's famous friends is a grade school in
high school buddy and nationally acclaimed sports broadcaster Terry Gannon.
But first time we break down what was, by all accounts,
a benchmark practice for the Chicago Bears, a tone setter
for what the Bears want to be under head coach
Ben Johnson. I can't put it any simpler than that,
would you concur.
Speaker 5 (01:10):
Oh, one hundred percent?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
You know you think about you listening back to the
bend at the podium, and one of his initial visits
to the podium when he got hired is I want
the players to be get comfortable being uncomfortable, and I
think that's exactly what we saw at the last padded
practice because when you take this into account that the
family fests the soldier field, they ran ninety five plays.
(01:33):
That's more than a game on average for the most part.
So then they have a little time to recover. Then
he brings them back to another padded practice, they run
seventy five plays. So you're thinking about the callousness that
we've always hoped and wish that would be developed during
training camp, it's happening. I liken the fact that the
(01:54):
practices are very antagonistic, whether it's a big play by
the offense and they kind of get the defense's blood
boiling or vice versa. So I'm telling you, man, I
don't want to get out over my skis, as they say,
but I'm really enjoying what this coaching staff is bringing
to this team on an everyday basis.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Honestly, it was a treat. I texted you that this
practice was a treat for me. And you know, no
better way to set your job a little bit than
short yardage and goal line full contact. And that's how
it really got going. That's where that's where the intensity
started and developed. And you knew right then, you know,
nasehn Wright said they didn't have this off scripted in
the practice. They thought they were going to have one
(02:37):
period of live and it just took on a life
of its own.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Time get comfortable being uncomfortable. And one thing about live
goal line, live short yardage, so the collisions aren't coming
from a significant distance where you can really risk injury.
The collisions and the power and the movement and the
formations are in close quarters because then you start getting
(03:03):
strength on display. You start seeing the development of great
combination blocks by the offensive line, including the tight ends,
and then you see about what defenders can disengage with
immediacy and getting the path of the play and make
the play.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
You know, the defense has been playing with a lot
of intensity over the course of camp under Dennis Allen.
But a tip of the camp to the offense because
they matched the intensity in that practice. How significant of
a development is.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That, Oh, listen, man, this is a football team that's
run by an offensive minded head coach. That's his pride
and joy, that's his newborn baby in every single day
it's grown up and getting a little older, and all
of a sudden you start seeing that recognition of a
baby that realizes that you're his mom and dad. It's
that type of kind of analogy of developing this offense,
(03:54):
and Ben is just doing a fantastic job. All the coaches,
all the coaches are doing a fantastic job of requiring
their players to fulfill their obligations.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
It was so euphoric for a football guy like myself,
and I love the passion of the game, and I
liked the idea of this being a violent, physical football
team within the rules and framework. Of course, that you
kind of lose sight of the past, and you know,
being here for a long time, I know there have
been some tough practices. I know there have been some
live drills. I know I've seen it and you lived
(04:26):
it obviously with did get and with my eyes I
watched it, But I just can't remember one being like
this on the heels of what was a Soldier Field
for FanFest, and so I was euphoric about it. But
in the big picture, what does it all mean.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
Well, if ben Jonson not only scripting the practice, could
also script the weather conditions that's needed in order to
judge a lot of these players, first two days of
pads unbearably hot, then they have a day off and
they come back for another day of pads, super comfortable temperature,
Soldier Field for Family Fest, a perfect Sunday to get
(05:02):
acclimated to what Soldier Field is going to offer you
for noon starts. Then you have a little bit time
of recover in another perfect conditions for a full padded
really exhaustive practice. So I mean it is perfectly scripted.
But listen, pay attention to your weather charts. Because Miami
(05:22):
wanted to come north for these practices to have a
little bit of a cool down. It's not going to
be a cool down. It is going to be in
the high eighties and low nineties for these Dolphin practices.
So you better get acclimated asap.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Kick off your game day with Blue Moon. Every sip
of Blue Moon's Belgian style wheat alecrafted with Valencia, Orange,
Peel and Coriander is a winning drive for your taste buds.
Welcome to the Bears, Etc. Podcast. Okay, I asked you
to take some notations anything stick out of significance. I
thought that one wrote Shawn Johnson ran hard at the
(05:58):
goal line and he was delivering some shots while taking
some as well in the midst of some of the
scuffles that occurred, and I like seeing that hard nose
when given the opportunity in short yardage.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Well, again referencing Ben Johnson, the dirty yards and the
dirty yards are those yards that the whole isn't significant,
But as a running back, you got to use your power,
athleticism and willingness to lower your shoulder pads in order
to create contact. And after you create that contact, you're
able to move in a positive direction. And yeah, I
did see that out of Rochean. The guy that's really
(06:29):
exciting me is Jakwan Brisker. Yeah, because you always use
the word deployable, and we think about that in terms
of Kyler Gordon, but Jakwon Brisker is showing he's equally
as deployable as anybody else in the defensive backfield. And
so I'm super excited about what I see out of him.
A guy that you've been bringing up major burns.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Wow, Yeah, he was lit up yesterday. He was fiery.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
And listen, he's coming from distance and he's not hesitating.
So he's going to get into a full speed and
he's going to bring it until he gets to his responsibility.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
I like that.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Another guy that I can't say enough about is the
veteran leadership of Grady Jarrett because as an offensive lineman,
the thing that makes me so insecure about any defensive
lineman I play against as after the contact is their
ability to disengage and stay in a real athletic position.
(07:28):
If you look at Grady Jarrett, whether it's a double
team or single block, he's able to take on that
blocker or blockers, disengage and get in position to make
the play. And you think of the other guys that
are benefiting from that, whether it's a linebacker or a
fellow defensive lineman. Grady Jarrett is legit man, and he
can really advance this defensive lineman to move forward to
(07:51):
see where we need it to go. And so you know,
and guys like Dominique Robinson excited to see him Luke Newman.
I'm excited to see what he's doing. TJ Edwards listen,
Master reliable. This guy's nothing but a linebacker that's in
Chicago Bear history that we can all be proud of.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
How do you tell a cashier you're a Bears fan
without telling him you're a Bears fan? With the Chicago
Bears PNC Bank visa debit card, which got you exclusive
discounts on Bears merchandise. Find out more at PNC dot
com slash Bears card. I thought that Caleb throw to
Romadunza that was for a touchdown. Rome put it in
the end. That was a nice play offensively, so one
(08:31):
of those explosives. It's a forty yarder. Ben's chasing and
you've been looking.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
For exactly and I listen, I don't want to discount
the offense because I can see that trickle up effect
where they're starting to get timing. They're starting to understand
the benefits of play action passing. They're starting to understand
that if they can come off the ball aggressively and
make it look like a run play, they can get
those defenders enough out of position where they can make
that big play to Rome. Big play to DJ Big,
(08:57):
play to any of the tight ends or the running
back group. So listen, I know that we you know,
I've been preaching patients because I know the difficulty and
having a full group of guys master the timing and terminology.
Speaker 5 (09:10):
But it's coming.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
All right, let's listen in to Tyreek Stevens and he
took the podium on Tuesday to reflect on what was
a very physical practice.
Speaker 6 (09:17):
That's what we should practice like every day.
Speaker 7 (09:18):
That's the message the team shot to us, the coaching
staff and everybody. That's what we need to see out
there every day to be a championship defense and the
championship offense. So moving forward, that's what we want to
see our practice always.
Speaker 6 (09:29):
Ben's message at the end when you guys all circle out.
Speaker 7 (09:32):
Uh, we're working. Were putting money in the bank every day.
This lead don't know what's coming for him because we
were putting in daily deposits every day. He kept it
short as simple because that's what it is. Everybody show
up at a work work day in and day out.
Speaker 6 (09:43):
You guys looked the defense looked specifically.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Really the amount of man you guys are playing, like,
do you think that's setting a tone out there, especially
with kind of pushing the offense back a little bit,
like getting them up against the wall.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
Of course, we want to let you know we better
to you. We want to let you know every time
you line it up, we're going to rock and roll
with you.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Also in the interview with Tyreek, they discussed, you know,
the depth chart. The first depth chart came out. That's
always your big one, hey, first depth charts out. It's like,
you know, you get your name in the paper, so
to speak. Tyreek still listed as a starting corner opposite
Jalen Johnson, but understands that no job is given, job's
got to be taken. He understands that he's got that
mindset right now to continue to compete, and that's critical here,
(10:21):
critical listen.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
I always thought Tyrek Stevenson was one of the more
physical defensive backs on the Bears, but I think he's
one of the more physical defensive backs in the league.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
And if he can continue to.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
Learn and develop through Al Harris, the defensive back coach,
and the defensive requirements of Dennis Allen, I think that
Tyreek Stevenson has got a lot of positives ahead of
him for this football team and he never shies away
from contact and he never will.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
How significant will the Dolphin practice, not necessarily the game
because we don't know who's going to play, and how
long will determine, help determine help put another brick in
the road. Defining the starting left tackle, Braxton Jones is
listed first team with the rookie Azzie Trpillow second.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
It's going to be significant because you know, Braxton Jones
has already been there, He's already been through joint practices,
He's already played NFL competition now for a couple of years,
so he knows the task at hand from the left
tackle position and how much of a premium that position
is to the success of an offense.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
But Ozzi Trabillo is a different character man.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
He's got a lot of power, He's got a lot
of willingness to create contact and continue to push afterwards.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
So I think the deciding line is.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Maybe in the past protection ability and the athleticism of
Ozzy because that's where he's going to have to be
successful in some individual battles. So Ozzy's he's not afraid
of play in football, but Braxton has the experience.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
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physical therapy partner of the Chicago Bears. All right, let's
switch gears and sit down with Terry Gan and Tom
(12:17):
give everybody a heads up on who this young man is.
Love the conversation comparing notes in our broadcast careers, but
also a significant part of history in college basketball.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Just to give you a little background of Terry and I,
we grew up together in Jolia. We both went to
Saint Rays. We both went to Jolia Catholic. His dad
was the basketball coach when I was growing up. Terry
was just absolutely a fantastic basketball player himself growing up,
and he went on to the North Carolina State National
championship basketball team led by Jim Valvano. But then making
(12:49):
that decision do I become a coach like my dad
or do I become a broadcaster, And he's succeeded beyond
anybody's dreams of being a broadcaster. He's been around the
world many at times. He's done every sport that you
can offer him. Like he said, accept hockey, all.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Right, So enjoy the conversation. It goes many different ways,
as you might expect with Tom and I one of
the most versatile sportscasters in America. Terry Gannon, Joliet born
and bred. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Terry, great to be with you. And you can't take
the Juliette out of the kid.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
Tell me, I think we still have our pictures, like
underneath the Viadects somewhere in downtown heading to the east side.
It doesn't look great these days. It's been around for
a while, but I think they're still.
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Up there, you know, Terry.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
The other day I was in Saint Rays, the grade
school we went to to watch my great nephews basketball game,
and in there they have a booklet of every student
that's ever gone to Jolia Catholic our Joliet or Saint Rays.
Every year and you always you have to go back
there and gravitate towards you and look through the names
of the guys and the girls you went to school with,
(13:54):
and you know, you a lot of a lot of them,
I can, you know, saying right off the top of
my head.
Speaker 5 (14:00):
But like you said, you never.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
Leave Joliet, and going back there and seeing the schools
that we went to and grew up in, it's kind
of fun to see.
Speaker 4 (14:08):
Hey, we all stay in touch to Mark Grant, who's
an announcer, great announcer for the Padres. Now we talk
all the time, and he comes to LA We get
together and tell Joliet stories and you'll be happy to
know your name comes up often in a good way.
Speaker 6 (14:21):
Time.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Well, I think about you and Mark Grant because you know,
you think of Saint Rais and Jola Catholic, and you
think of the history that you've had in broadcasting, one
of the best, like Jeff said, in the history of broadcasters,
Mark Grant a lifelong broadcaster with the San Diego Padres,
and me with the Bears. And when you get three
guys basically from the same neighborhood, same high school, but
(14:44):
Mark went to Saint Jude's. You know, we're super fortunate
to be where we are now, but really where we
came from.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Oh, there's no question, and we talk about all the time.
I mean we kind of laugh every time we get
to you can you believe two kids.
Speaker 4 (14:59):
And will include you three if I'm Joliet are able
to do this for a living.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
And I do feel blessed.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
And but I met what I said it was joking,
but I met, you can't take the Jolie out of
the kid, and it will always be home. I've lived
in La now for like twenty five years. But it's
I mean, I'm a Bears fan, I'm a Bulls fan.
I'm a White Sox fan. Yes, my kids grew up
going to Dodgers games. And last year my wife who
watches every pitch of every inning.
Speaker 6 (15:25):
I don't know who else does this in these days
of the Dodgers games.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Just admit you're a Dodgers fan. Also, I'm like, I can't.
I just I can't.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
I do go to the games.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'll wear a hat, but I can't admit it. I'm
a white Sox guy.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
What does Joliet mean You say you can't take the
Joliet out of the kid. What is it you can't
take out?
Speaker 5 (15:44):
You know?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
Growing up, especially at that time, I mean it was
it was a blue collar steel mill city caterpillar. You
had the steel mill plant, which eventually closed down, but
it was that kind of mindset, you know, get up
every day, work as hard as you can, and have
your dream go after it.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
And I remember.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
At NC State, so I played basketball in NC State
for Jim Valvano, but my first year of college I
also played Baseball's on the baseball team. Sammy Esposito was
the head coach who was part of the Go Go
Socks fifty nine who've lost the Dodgers out here in
one of the great Chicago athletes of all time.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
You know, you go back and research him.
Speaker 4 (16:24):
He was a great, great athlete, and he helped recruit
me along with Jim Valvano, and he talked about Joliet
and exactly that he said, I look for kids from
Joliet because they are tough. Now I don't know, Tommy,
if we are, I don't know, But to me, that's
a mindset and I've always had that along the way
because of juliett.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
I think a lot of us are products of our parents.
They're blue collar workers and they want to work every day.
But so your dad's the basketball coach of our high
school and you're a little kid growing up and you
go to North Carolina State, part of the national championship
team with Jim Valvano.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Why podcasting and not coaching.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Oh god, I fell into it, Tommy, I hate to
admit that, but that's I was going to coach. I
was a grad assistant. I always wanted to coach son
of a coach.
Speaker 6 (17:11):
That was my plan. I was on the bench for
Jim Valmano, and at that time I had offers to
go play in Europe.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And Jefferson Pilot, who broadcast the ACC basketball games at
that time, came to me and said, you know you're
pretty good on TV.
Speaker 6 (17:25):
We've interviewed your a lot. You want to try TV.
So I went in and talked to coach v and
he said, yeah, go go give it a show.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I forget the basketball. You're not gonna be Walt Frasier.
All right, you're good, but you're not.
Speaker 6 (17:37):
Move on.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
So he said, but try TV. If you don't like it,
you're not any good. You come back. You got a
job here as a coach. And so I tried it,
and I was a color analyst in basketball to start,
little by little started to do other sports. I reached
out to everybody in North Carolina. The Charlotte Knights were
(17:58):
the Triple A team for the Indians. I said, you
don't have an extra play by play guy, let me
do middle innings.
Speaker 6 (18:06):
Pay me fifty bucks a game. Okay, give me a shot.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
I went to the Morning Zoo and said, you don't
do sports. I said, no, we don't. I said, well
you should. It's a sports time. Come on, Raley, you
got big time teams here. Let me do sports for you.
Pay me fifty bucks a day.
Speaker 6 (18:21):
Boo. So every job I had.
Speaker 4 (18:23):
Basically was fifty bucks a day to start out, and
it just kind of morphed into a career, and you
know you eventually I signed with ABC. You get a
call he needed to go do figure skating next week
in Tokyo.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
Excuse me, you know. And it's that Jim Valvano thing
of why not.
Speaker 4 (18:41):
It's that moment where you go, you're crazy, you know
how badly this could go?
Speaker 6 (18:44):
Or you go why not? And the same thing with college.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Football and gymnastics and the Olympics. And now I'm with
our NBC for a number of years, and you know,
you just keep saying why not?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And why not? Back with the NBA and NBC. Congratulations
on that. You know, we all grew up around it.
I was doing pre and post game for the Bulls
during Jordan era when NBC was Loraeni and King of NBA.
And you'll be joining Mike Arrika, Noah Egles play by
play guys. Great group right there. How how significant is
this for you?
Speaker 6 (19:16):
Well, it's my roots. It's back to my roots.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
You know. I did college hoops and then the NBA
when I was at ESPN, and now to have this
opportunity to do the NBA again, I can't wait for
the season to start. And it's back on NBC. Yeah,
with the John Tesh music and everything else. And so
we've got our seminar coming up right after the Ryder Cup.
(19:39):
Get everybody together at NBC and kick off the season.
I you know, Reggie Miller, Jamul Crawford, Brant Hill, Austin
River's got a great.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
Lineup of analysts, goes on and on.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Robbie almost gonna work with us as well, and it's
gonna be cool.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
How do you keep it all together? Because you're on
the golf channel, you're covering golf tournaments, You're doing all
these other things that come across your desk. Never saying no,
just say yes to everything. I adopted the same philosophy
just say yes. Sometimes it was a testament to your
own guts to do it in my case and yours.
I mean, how do you keep it all together though,
(20:14):
because it takes it takes a ton of preparation, first
and foremost, as.
Speaker 4 (20:17):
You know, first and foremost, we're fans. Yeah, we're sports fans,
you know, for for good or better. Otherwise, if we're
not working, we're watching sports for the most part. So
you stay on top of it that way, and you
do stay on topic. It's not like you crammed for
a test right before. Yes, certain games you get ready
for a game, you're cramming for a test, But overall
(20:40):
you stay in touch with it and the other aspect too.
And I think part of it that I think has
really helped me is I did experience playing for a
national championship on a Monday night with you know, fifty
million people watching crunch time, having to come through down
the stretch, and that translates to every sport, no matter
(21:02):
what it is, football, basketball, baseball, golf, gymnastics, figure skating, whatever.
Having some understanding of what these athletes are going through
down the stretch and to perform under pressure, and so
it doesn't matter the sport.
Speaker 1 (21:19):
Do you get that moment when you get an instinctual
feeling of rising to the moment is about to happen.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
No question.
Speaker 4 (21:28):
And I also never prepare like a winning call or
what because I wanted to hit me. I want to
feel it. In golf sixteen seventeen eighteen Major Championship, I
don't want to manufacture anything. I wanted to hit me
(21:49):
and react in a moment. And then you get done
with that and you go have dinner and you think, yeah,
that was good, that worked, or could have done this better?
That we all have regrets, right, oh, and please you
ever regrets on how the game turned out.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
The first thing I do is get on the bloor
with Tommy. Damn, I should have said this instead, you know.
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Exactly. I mean, it's it's just like being a player.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
And look, I still kind of think of myself as
a player, even after all these years, even though I
didn't play in the NBA, didn't play the highest level,
I got a taste and so I think of it
that way.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
That's that's how I approach every.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Broadcast, no terry, you know, knowing you your whole life.
Speaker 2 (22:29):
Sometimes I see you on TV, and it just blows
my mind some of the dignitaries you sit on the
stage with and you're interviewing them on TV, whether it's
the best of the best in pro golf or political
figures or whatever.
Speaker 5 (22:41):
All right, two questions. Have you ever asked for an autograph?
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Number one? Number two? Is there the most famous you've
ever met?
Speaker 6 (22:50):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (22:51):
God, the only reason I'm asking this, Terry. Yesterday I
asked to get a picture with Simone Biles. It's the
first it's the first time ever, and I was kind
of weird about it. But she's such a famous, you know, athlete,
and that's what kind of made me think of you.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Yeah, oh god, what a thrill calling her Olympics, two
of them, Tokyo, you know, the whole thing she went
through and with the twisties. We all learned that word
in Tokyo and then coming through in Paris. It was
honored to call her action at the Olympics. But answer
your question, I haven't asked for autograph since Tom Clements
in the locker room at Notre Dame back in the
(23:28):
nineteen seventies. Okay, that's the last time we're an autograph
by the way from the time I was five years
old till the time I left for college when I
was eighteen, going to Nancy State.
Speaker 6 (23:41):
My family was at every Notre Dame home football game.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
Got to know the players from Tommy Clements, the Frank
palm Rico to the Larry and Jerry DeNardo and down
the list.
Speaker 6 (23:50):
And it started with Pat Mudron. From Tommy, Joey Catholic,
Jilly Catholic.
Speaker 5 (23:55):
There you go.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
So but I do take. I'm with you.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I do take. I do take some pictures with athletes
these days, but most famous.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
Would have to be presidents.
Speaker 4 (24:06):
You know, Barack Obama, President Clinton. President Clinton used to
be his his foundation used to be a sponsor of
one of the tournaments on the PGA Tour, so we
not only would come on the air with us, he
would spend the entire weekend. So it was great to
be able to meet and spend time with him and
President Obama. We were robbed of the opportunity in nineteen
(24:29):
eighty three President Reagan invited us to the White House.
We had an athletic director who did not want to
pay for the bus fare in the hotels to send
us to.
Speaker 6 (24:37):
The White House. After Yould championship.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
So years later, President Obama, who you know was our
era there as a sports fan, invited us to the White.
Speaker 6 (24:49):
House and we got to go as a team, which
was a great thrill.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
Noted that's so weird because of the reason that the
eighty five Bears ended up going to the White House
is because of the invitation from obab about years after,
because they had the Space Shuttle disaster of the day
after the Super Bowl and that kind of derailed our
opportunity to go there immediately after the game.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
You know what, I kind of remember that, yeah, exactly.
That is well, we got another thing in common there
you go.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
And I'll maintain that you guys appreciated it more then
than you maybe would have in eighty five because you
guys matured, you know, we're in the Rose Guard, I
got to go, and you know, there's these great memories
of that. You just we get in, we get out,
we go home. But you're in the Rose Garden meeting
(25:38):
President Obama, no matter what your politics are, you're meeting
the President of the United States on his home turf.
Speaker 4 (25:44):
Exactly, just exactly, and you know what, we talked hoops
the entire time.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
Which was great yeah, he loves that.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Before we continue, good news Chicago United Airlines is getting
brand new planes with all the bells and whistles, like
Bluetooth connectivity screens at every seat in the room for
everyone's roller bag. United Proud to fly the Chicago Bears.
And you too. You didn't know that you were going
to be a broadcaster, certainly a play by play broadcaster
or an event broadcaster. I would like to say that's
what you are. You do events, tons of them. Do
(26:11):
you think you drew inadvertently osmosis transistor under the pillow?
Anything from broadcasters that you enjoyed listening to or watching
over the course of your life.
Speaker 4 (26:23):
I mean the sounds of sports, yeah, have been with
me since I have a memory, you know, three four
or five years old and.
Speaker 6 (26:34):
On the couch, you know, sitting next to my dad
watching it was twenty four to seven sports.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
I mean, whether it's the White Sox, the Cubs, the Bears,
the Bulls, golf, Lee, Trevino Jack, Nicholas, Arnold Palmer, whatever,
and you know we were the Harry Carey era and
for me as a White Sox for Harry was ours.
Speaker 6 (26:52):
Sorry Cubs fans before and.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
What stayed with me from Harry, go back to it,
first and foremost, we're fans.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Yeah, yes, you got to be objective in what you're doing.
Speaker 4 (27:09):
You've got to give the moment it's due.
Speaker 6 (27:13):
You've got to meet the moment. You've got to tell
the story.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
But don't lose sight of the fact that you're a
fan and you're talking to fans. You're describing the action
for fans, and so you can talk to greats who
I've learned from from the al Michaels and the Brent
Musburgers who have had a chance to work with and
certainly learn so much about the business.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
But at its core, I'll go back to Harry.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
You know, you got to match and surpass the passion
of the fan base. It's got to be organic. You
can't fake it. They know it here in Chicago.
Speaker 6 (27:44):
Well, you're not going to pull the public.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
And we appreciate the listener every single one and we
keep that in mind first and foremost when we call
the game. Won you agree Tommy.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
One hundred percent?
Speaker 2 (27:54):
You know a lot of respect for the fans because,
like Terry said, whether you're in Chicago or wherever you
are around the world, fans are smart because they have
so much more access to either the sport they pay
attention to or the topics that are being discussed around
the world about the events that Terry's doing or the
bears that you and I get to do. So I
(28:14):
think they're a lot more educated. And you know, there's
and you know, a lot more women are involved in
the sports now than when we are kids. You talk
about from the w NBA to girls flag football to
all their you know, access into the sport, and they're
as passionate of fans as anybody we met as little kids.
(28:35):
When we are talking about a lot of the guys
that we're talking about, which is cool to see that
if that evolution of it.
Speaker 4 (28:44):
Tommy, let me give you guys your due because I'm
on the road and I and I listen to you
guys and what you are and what I try to
do I hope to do in the way I view
broadcasting is I want to bring the fans along as
we're all sitting there in the living room watching this
(29:04):
and experiencing this together and it's real and it's raw
and it's authentic and there's nothing manufactured, and let's experience
this together.
Speaker 6 (29:13):
And hopefully as a broadcaster, I've.
Speaker 4 (29:16):
Done my homework enough or have enough now today that
I can bring forth some information that makes it more
interesting and entertaining to the fan.
Speaker 6 (29:26):
But I want to experience it with them, and that's
what you guys do.
Speaker 5 (29:29):
You're real Well me ask me about your background.
Speaker 2 (29:32):
So you're still hold the highest percentage of three point
shooting at North Carolina State? Correct, well, technically okay, but
this is my Questionnically, yeah, the line was a little shorter.
So are you surprised though, what the three point shot
is becoming basketball? Because that's kind of like, you know,
talk about the evolution of something that has, you know,
(29:55):
come new and do a sport, whether it's the kickoff
kickoff return of football or the three point shot? Are
you like surprised of what's become of that.
Speaker 4 (30:05):
I didn't foresee it when it first came in, whether
it be college or the NBA, but it totally makes sense.
I'm not shocked at how it developed because you had,
in my estimation, Steph Curry is the greatest shooter of
all time. I don't I hate when people, you know,
the latest and greatest is they're the goat now whatever,
But he and the Warriors. They changed the game how
(30:27):
they played and and and you see the NBA especially
go in peaks and valleys and other teams adopt what's
working for the best team, and there are trends. This
trend obviously is here to stay. They they've changed the
game entirely, and the three point shot has so I
(30:52):
didn't see it initially.
Speaker 6 (30:53):
But it's it's.
Speaker 4 (30:55):
Here to stay. And I'm not I'm not a fan
who laments that. I mean, I know some are. I
know some don't like that it's developed that way, but
it is what it is. This is the game, and
it is more spread out these days.
Speaker 6 (31:07):
And yes, you have the high.
Speaker 4 (31:08):
Screen of role and everybody's trying to figure out how
to run that, all the options off of it, how
to defend it. And some say, well, it's the same
for every team, but if you really pay attention, there
are nuances with every team and every coach off of
those options that make it different.
Speaker 6 (31:25):
So I enjoy it. I like what's happening.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
What would Jim valvanl think of today's game, both in
college and the NBA. Jim valvena, which is adapt, adapted, overcome,
that's it.
Speaker 6 (31:37):
Survive in advance, baby. Yeah. And by the way, that
was his slogan.
Speaker 4 (31:41):
He came up with that in nineteen eighty three, as
we one ridiculous buzzer beater after buzzer beater, just survive
in advance. It's like Al Davis, you know, just win baby.
He what people don't understand about Jimmy V. They know
the motivator, they know the sp speech. I mean, it's
a whole you know, several generations now since then. I'm
(32:03):
still amazed at his legacy and what it is because
of the V Foundation and how remembered he is in
our team.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
I'm shocked at that.
Speaker 4 (32:15):
But he was after he stepped away from college basketball,
he eventually planned to coach in the NBA and he
was going to take a couple of years being assistant coach,
learned the NBA, and then go.
Speaker 6 (32:26):
He was a realist. He never told.
Speaker 4 (32:30):
You anything that you got the sense that, Nah, I
don't think he really believes it. He was real and
we told us we were going to win a national
championship well before we had any thought of doing that.
Speaker 6 (32:42):
You brought into it, and he would have brought that
to the NBA.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
It wasn't just a raw raw locker room college type
thing with Jim Valman.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
You know, Tommy, the little things would make a difference
in championships, So let's not minimize taking Clyde Drexlauran taking
that fourth file to seal it baby to Terry Gannon
as a sophomore wearing number twenty four.
Speaker 6 (33:04):
Correct, it was a Buckiss like tackle.
Speaker 4 (33:07):
I really this years later and he's still mad about it,
by the ways.
Speaker 1 (33:12):
I bet hey, listen, you mentioned buck Is, so I
want you to go. You just named all the teams
you rooted for as a kid, your first fall in
love with player as a kid, for each of those
sports here in Chicago. What were they? Who were they?
Speaker 6 (33:26):
Norm Van Lear?
Speaker 4 (33:27):
All Right, that feeling when you walked in as a kid,
I'll never forget it when you walked into the Chicago
Stadium and he went through the concourse and those tight
and crowded and smoky and hot, and then that first
glimpse of the floor.
Speaker 6 (33:46):
It's magic.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (33:47):
And Wrigley as well.
Speaker 4 (33:49):
You know, I say, I'm a socc span and am,
but my grandparents would take me and my cousin to
Wriggly all the time. And that first glimpse when you
turned the corner and saw the flags up top. He
got tingles, he got chills, and that's a feeling that's
never left me. But I mean, you know from Ernie Pinks,
(34:13):
Dick Allen, I was a big Dick Kalent fan back
in the day. Loves him and a little young for
Gail Sayers. So I say, sweetness and Tommy Thayer.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Here you go.
Speaker 1 (34:25):
Can you believe seriously as much as you've done? And
I throw flowers at Tom all the time.
Speaker 5 (34:31):
He hates it.
Speaker 1 (34:31):
He gets real nervous. He starts laughing, giggling like a
little kid. He I want to hear it. But what
he's done is amazing. I brought it up to a
group the other day and he accepted. I mean, you're
talking about four decades of impact on the Bears organization
as a player and a broadcaster, beloved in both categories,
part of the best offensive line ever, a champion. But
(34:52):
you know, you grew up with a kid. And he
goes in the huddle in nineteen eighty five at training
camp and he's looking at Walter Peyton like you know,
he's like a little kid. But not only that yet. Yeah,
all was one game at Joliet Catholic. In his football life,
he goes to Notre Dame. He's coached at the professional
level by George Allen, Mike Ditka, and Don Shula.
Speaker 5 (35:14):
What what yep, I mean think right now who he was.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
I transferred to the Arizona team when Marvel Levy came
over and a coach who I think turned off one yeah,
one hundred legend that guy is as well.
Speaker 4 (35:34):
We went to some of those games. I came up
and saw you with the Pats number at time.
Speaker 6 (35:39):
That was great. Now, can I just just one thing
we'll talk.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
About a time like he's not Yeah, that'd be great.
Speaker 4 (35:44):
Here's the thing with with with all of that impact
as a player as a broadcaster through the years, this
man's never changed.
Speaker 6 (35:51):
He's the same today as as when we were growing
up in Joliet at the Saint Race.
Speaker 4 (35:56):
Absolutely the same, which is not many people can say,
but that is absolutely the true.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Yeah. He's a very compassionate person. He'll give you the
shirt off his back, but he has some certain demands
that must be met. You got to be on time.
If you're late, he's going to be angry. He doesn't
want to sit in traffic if you'd make the wrong turn.
You're in big trouble, and you know, don't lie to him.
I'm watching practice. We're at Soldier Field on Sunday for
fan Fest. It was awesome, but he notices everything. Nothing
(36:25):
gets by. Tom asks some why you limping, And there's
this meek grin on the face of the individual, like
how would you even know this? But you know the
slightest thing, I don't know. You got eyes for an analyst,
that's for sure. You really know where to take your eyes. Tommy,
you are trained that way. I don't know how, I
don't know why, but you were trained.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Well, I've been around one sport my whole life. Terry's
been around one thousand sports. And I'm ask you one
more question because I asked you to this years ago
and you said that the Tour de France is one
of your favorite events to do.
Speaker 5 (36:59):
Is that still this same?
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Has something come up that has taken that place or
is Tour de front still in one of your favorites?
Speaker 4 (37:08):
Well, it's just the most amazing event I've ever been around.
It's like setting up you guys know what it's like
for a Super Bowl. You know, the compound in all
the TV trucks and all the media and everything else.
Speaker 6 (37:20):
They do this for three weeks straight and move it
every day. There's a start.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Line, huge compound and party the Village des part where
you can go in and get chrissans and espresso and cappuccinos,
and the writers come in on their bike and they
sit there and they'll have an espresso with you and talk,
and then you drive the route ahead of the peloton.
You get to the finish line and there's a huge
compound set up there at the finish and then they
(37:46):
pick it up and move every day for twenty one
days all over front. It's just it blows your mind
what they do. But the Olympics are special. I mean
it's it's and Paris was. I thought London was my
favorite Olympics. Paris was even better because we had a
couple of COVID Olympics. We didn't have fans, and then
(38:08):
you know, everybody wants to go to Paris and experience
it and it was incredible. So those the Olympics might
match that in terms of my favorite event to do.
But in terms of golf, we just had it. The
Open Championship is my favorite. It's just it's on land
where they've played for you know, hundreds of years. And
(38:31):
the sheep created the first bunkers to get out of
the wind.
Speaker 6 (38:34):
And the RNA, you.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
Know so many tournaments where they'll they'll give you on
the PGA toil will give you a sheet and the
first cut of rough is so many millimeters, and the
primary cut of rough is so many inches, and the
green speeds or whatever, and you go do the Open Championship,
and the RNA says, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (38:54):
If it rains, it'll be soft. If it doesn't, it'll
be fast. We'll see what God has in mind. And
I love the organic element of the Open.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
When you choose a blue moon, everything becomes brighter, just
like the scoreboard after a Bear's touchdown. Blue moon made
brighter and a proud partner of the Chicago Bears. Here
is the vast array of sports this man has has broadcast,
certainly the big ones. We're talking about pro golf, NBA,
but you know WNBA, horse racing, tennis, beach volleyball, skiing,
(39:27):
super cross, motorcycle racing, mountain biking, college football on ABC,
Little League World Series, the figure skating. I probably missed
a couple I don't see hockey on the list. Have
you ever called a hockey game?
Speaker 6 (39:42):
You're exactly right.
Speaker 4 (39:43):
I have never called a hockey game, and I think
it would be hardest hell, Sean mcconno's of the world.
I have unbelievable respect for what they do. It's I mean,
that's got to be so hard. So I don't think
I'll have that opportunity aime soon.
Speaker 6 (39:58):
You can cross that one.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Off, know because guess what if they ask what, are
you going to say?
Speaker 5 (40:03):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (40:03):
Why not?
Speaker 6 (40:04):
He's got to do it? Why not me?
Speaker 1 (40:06):
First Bears game? Or did you ever go to a
Bears game as a kid?
Speaker 6 (40:11):
Oh? Yeah, sure, I don't remember the first Bears game.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
I mean, you know, Soldier Field look quite a bit
different when I went to put it that way, but
you know, it would have been it would have been
the pre Walter Payton Tommy Thayer years as a little
kid growing up.
Speaker 6 (40:29):
But we went to a handful because we were busy.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
In South min every week once football season got there,
going to those games.
Speaker 1 (40:39):
What if any information do you have on the current
Chicago Bears, Any thoughts, any thoughts defense?
Speaker 6 (40:47):
I want to ask you guys. I'm gonna pick your brain.
So here's the deal.
Speaker 4 (40:51):
Still big Bears fan, my son I've got I've got
a son and the daughter.
Speaker 6 (40:54):
They're in their twenties. They both graduated from USC.
Speaker 4 (40:57):
Sorry about that, Tommy and the Irish, I know, can
you believe it?
Speaker 6 (41:04):
And my son, even though he grew up here in
LA he is a huge Bears fan.
Speaker 4 (41:11):
So he and I communicate about the Bears all the time.
So he listened to your podcast, he listened to every
Bears podcast.
Speaker 6 (41:18):
He's all over it. Whatever. So I understand the defense
nominated right. It is.
Speaker 4 (41:25):
That in part because it takes longer for the offense
and a new system, a new playbook and everything else.
Speaker 6 (41:30):
A new offense. Look, I'm really excited about this year.
Speaker 4 (41:33):
I don't want to get over hyped, but I think
you throw out last year in terms of Caleb and everything.
It's a new coach, it's a new system, got new personnel.
Speaker 6 (41:42):
I'm really excited about this year.
Speaker 2 (41:43):
So to analogize football, Terry, it'd be like me telling
you that you're going to move to France in three months.
You have to speak the language fluently and understand what's
being said to you in order to really master the terminology.
Speaker 5 (41:57):
Of a new NFL offense.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
So I don't think people really understand football patients because
they don't know what it takes to really master the language.
And now every time Caleb goes in the huddle, he's
calling two plays, and now you got to know what
that means to the other ten guys in the huddle.
Then if the defense doesn't do what you're expecting of
them and you have to go to the second play called,
(42:21):
now you've got to make sure you know what exactly
you said, and everybody has to know their job as
Caleb's given the alert. So it's the difficulty of mastering
football terminology is a year's process, not a week's process.
Speaker 4 (42:37):
So you think it'll take by game three or game four?
Do you think that people will stop talking about last year?
Speaker 2 (42:46):
Well, I've already invented about my frustration about talking about
last year. I think it's completely irrelevant to talk about
last year because it has nothing to do with this
year and moving forward. I think by the first regular
Sea game, you're going to start seeing the plan come together,
and then each week you're going to see incremental improvements.
(43:09):
In a little bit more diabolical scheming by Ben Johnson
and then all of a sudden, you're going to see
the fifth week of the season, they have a bye week,
and then you're going to see this thing hit the
ground running.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
So again, you got to have patients.
Speaker 2 (43:22):
Especially nowadays, you get to go to the practices day
to day, especially the media, and they get to report
on every play, whether it's good or bad, and so
sometimes you're not painting the most positive picture. But you
have to understand really what you're learning and what that
learning curve is on an everyday process.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
Are you as excited as I am about this season?
Because I had I had lunch a couple of weeks
ago with Eric Kramer. I said, this is it this season?
Four thousand yards it was mid nineteen ninety five or whatever.
Speaker 1 (43:53):
He's hanging out of that record, isn't.
Speaker 6 (43:55):
He Yeah, exactly, I said, it's going down this year.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
Well, I'll tell you this much. If you had the
opportunity to meet Ben Jonson, you'd be completely blown away.
He is all things written said analyzed about. He is
something else. He had his own special team coach Richard
high Tower today talking about some of the great coaches
he's worked with and that this guy is trust me,
I know, I know what a good head coach looks like.
(44:20):
He's just he's got a lot of great qualities. Man,
that that when you add him up, he's going to
lead to good things. When how in what manner that
you have to be determined? That's the beauty of sports,
that's for sure.
Speaker 6 (44:32):
How about the defense, I know, the defensive line change,
how about the secondary? Is that still competitive?
Speaker 1 (44:37):
They get everybody jacked up, They got the juice.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
I think their defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen is a super
creative guy. And when you watch them practice this past
Sunday in Soldier Field against the Bears offense, you kind
of get an understanding why defense is always a snap
ahead a new offense in that process of being put in.
Speaker 5 (44:55):
So I'm excited about.
Speaker 2 (44:57):
The changes that they've made and what were going to
see out of this defense early in the season.
Speaker 4 (45:03):
My getting ahead of myself eight nine. I know the
schedule is really tough. I get it, but eight nine
wins maybe, and I got to get my son. We're
coming to a game maybe the past I think Packers
on December twentye Am I right about that?
Speaker 6 (45:15):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (45:15):
Late in the season, Yeah, I don't have it memorized.
But yep, that'll be a.
Speaker 6 (45:18):
Big one somewhere in there.
Speaker 1 (45:20):
So look look at how he turned this. See this
is the veteran announcmer. Now he's interviewing us. Yes, this
was awesome pleasure to meet you, number one, and thank
you for taking the time. I know you have very
little of it to spread around, but you're spreading around well.
You're outstanding of what you do. And hats off to
Juliet for the blue collar work ethic for both of
these guys. Tom there and Terry again, and thank you, Terry.
(45:41):
Good luck on NBC with the NBA.
Speaker 5 (45:44):
It's back, It's back.
Speaker 6 (45:45):
Go ahead, do the theme some Hey, guys, thanks for
having me. I really loved being with you guys.
Speaker 4 (45:52):
And I can't wait for the season to start. We'll
be watching from wherever I am around the country or
the globe and cheering for the Bears. Bear down and
go Saint Rays, Go keth Kai.
Speaker 6 (46:03):
Tommy.
Speaker 5 (46:03):
That's right, Terry.
Speaker 2 (46:04):
Thanks, and let us know when you come in for
that Bear game and so we can get together and
get a little FaceTime for sure.
Speaker 1 (46:11):
Tom What strikes me is about your passion for Joliet
and your love of that city. Anybody who comes from
there that I have ever met, that you've introduced me to,
you know, they almost you close your eyes and you
can see the same people. And I think that's cool.
It's a cool angle of the story. So many great
(46:31):
athletes have come out of Joliet. I'm sure many other
walks of life have as well, but the athletes are
what we are talking about, and he was one of
them men and he does a great job on everything
he does. I really appreciate that conversation.
Speaker 2 (46:47):
Yeah, the work ethic from Joliet people is understandable because
you look at the business as that surround our area,
whether it's the prisons or the steel mill, or the brickyards,
or the railroad or the canal, whatever line of work
our families are from, it's a blue collar background. My
dad worked for Commonweal ath Edison for forty three years,
(47:09):
climbing telephone poles and working outdoors every day of his life.
So we all have a little bit of that instilled
in our souls.
Speaker 1 (47:16):
Hey Bears van Steinhoffels, a prod partner the Chicago Bears,
are now opening in Orland Park. Steinhoffels is Chicago Lands
Furniture and mattress leader with the largest selection to fit
every style in budget at as one hundred percent employee
owned shop in store and online at Steinhoffels dot Com.
One last preview before we wrap up of what you're
anticipating with the arrival to Miami Dolphins at practice on
(47:37):
Friday at Hallis Hall, fans are going to get to
enjoy all of that with Tua and Tyreek and the
whole gang, so it'll be fun to watch. What are
you looking for?
Speaker 2 (47:45):
You know, just that the Bears make the Miami Dolphins
come up to their practice effort and don't come down
to what the Dolphins have been doing in their training camp.
And I think that was one of the biggest preach
points ever by Ditka every single time we had a
combined practice.
Speaker 5 (48:01):
You do not go down to their level. You make
them come up to our level.
Speaker 1 (48:05):
All right, that's gonna wrap things up. Thanks again to
our guest sportscaster Terry Gannon for time there. I'm Jeff Joniyank.
Thanks for listening. Everybody, please subscribe now on the Chicago
Bears official app, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get
your podcasts. Bear down, everybody,
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