Episode 496: Claude Davis (Knight Hawks)

The boys are back after an impromptu (and much needed) "bye week", but are making up for it with another BANGER of an episode! After trying ALL. SEASON. LONG. to get him, Richard and Malc finally catch up with the "Old Man" himself, Claude Davis. Plus, the best storylines headed into the post season, possible head coaching changes, AND pick em'!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:13):
Show.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Hello everyone, and welcome once again to the One, the Only,
the Fan Show. I am your host, Zoeways, the team Man,
Richard Teman, and the man in the other Box. Well,
normally this is the portion of the show where I'd
have a snide comment or a fun fact about the
man in the other box. But you, the Confetti Father,
Malk Malcolm McCoy has survived an entire regular season here

(00:57):
with me on The Fans Show. No, no confetti. No,
it was not in our budget. Okay, we can add
that and post hey, hey, I take it.

Speaker 3 (01:11):
I'll take it.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
It only dawned on me as I was like doing
the notes for the show episode four hundred and ninety six.
But here we are, Malcolm and me, and we're a
whole season through this on the Fans Show, him being
co hosts. So applause for him if you're sitting stand
stand ovation right now.

Speaker 3 (01:34):
I don't know what I want to get.

Speaker 4 (01:37):
Look, it's not.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
Easy one doing this too, working with me. I know
I can be difficult to work with. But the thing is,
you know, we may not get the clicks or the
views or the likes that we we feel that we deserve,
let alone that we want but I have taken some time,
especially the time that we take off, to go around

(01:59):
and kind of see what everybody else is doing.

Speaker 4 (02:02):
Nobody is having nearly as.

Speaker 2 (02:04):
Much fun as me and Malk is, Like, it's just
it's not even close. Like the amount of fun that
we have with the punishments, the pick coms, the jokes,
the good, bad and funny. Put it to bed, like
everything that we do here is strictly for entertainment value,
and then there happens to be something like, you know,
football stuff, indoor football stuff.

Speaker 4 (02:23):
Thrown in there as well.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
But we we have had fun with this, and I
think having Malk has been such a boost just for
me alone, because doing this alone for as long as
I did was a challenge, and to have somebody that
I can just kick it over to every now and
then has been great. So I'm so pleased to have

(02:45):
him along for this portion of the journey, and so
thank you Malk for being with us through a whole
season of indoor football leagu football regular season. We've still
got postseason to talk about.

Speaker 3 (02:57):
So that's so Brian.

Speaker 5 (02:58):
I gotta say, Rich, there's been nothing but fun on
my side too, man. I mean, obviously as an indoor
football fan, a football fan period. You know, I'm already
watching the games, but this adds a whole different dynamic
to it. Man, I'm watching with the ads of an
analyst instead of just a fan, and you know, I'm
like breaking down the.

Speaker 3 (03:18):
Games and you know, having fun doing it.

Speaker 6 (03:20):
Man.

Speaker 5 (03:20):
So hoping this is the first of many, you know,
I'm hoping I will get fired as co host. We'll see,
We'll see, for sure, Man, I've definitely enjoyed it, for sure.

Speaker 2 (03:33):
I will say this that if Malcolm continues to accept
my tutelage, because we have gone over a few things
like hey, if you want to do this, try this
and things like that, if he continues to be as
open to that as he has been so far, then
I say look out, because he could very well, you know,
take this thing over once I'm good and done with it,
or he could start his own thing, and then we'd

(03:55):
have to compete with each other. Nobody wants that, because
I don't want to smear the pavement with him every week.
But it's you know, it's it's neither here nor there.
He has the potential to be another great voice for
not just indoor football, but really whatever sport or team
he chooses, as far as the kind of experience he's
getting with the fan show, So awesome on you for

(04:16):
being a good padawan and.

Speaker 4 (04:19):
Student so to speak.

Speaker 5 (04:21):
Or some would say Batman, but you know, thanks man,
I appreciate it means elever.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
So we were off last week impromptu. It wasn't planned,
but I think all things considered, it was just me
and Milk were trying to make it work. He had
stuff going on hisn't. I had stuff going on my end.
So first the big monkey in the room or the
monkey monkey on my back elephant in the room was
that my wife and I went to a concert at

(04:49):
the Gorge in Washington. For those that don't know or
don't know you know the maps or the US, it's
a nine hour drive from where we are currently in Montana.
So we made the drive and we camped. First time
we've ever camped at the Gorge. It was a lot
of fun. The neighbors we had to the left and
right of us were fantastic people, so shout out to them.

(05:11):
And then it was one hundred degrees both days that
we were there, both nights, and so it was at
a certain point, you know, camping. You just can't really
do camping stuff because it's one hundred degrees out. And
of course this wasn't normal camping where you're by a
lake or whatever, like you're in a parking lot. You're

(05:32):
in a field, and so we did that. The concert
was Blink twenty eighty two, my favorite band at my
favorite venue, and it was just so awesome. So that
was Sunday, and then of course Monday, we made the
drive back and Malcolm's just like, hey, we're gonna have
to move this thing over to Tuesday because I've got

(05:53):
some stuff going on with my church tonight. I said, no,
that's cool, we're making the drive. I'm going to be exhausted. Well,
then as we're driving, I get the text that they
want me to come back and be an extra again
for that TV series here in Montana. And I can't
pass up, you know, an easy payday like that, especially
when we're trying to go to the championship. So I said, yeah, okay,
And that was Tuesday, and I don't know what the
call time is. Last time it was ten am. This

(06:15):
time it was three in the afternoon. So I said, look,
we might end up doing this Wednesday. And I have
to do a turnaround Thursday, and it turned out there
was a game Friday, and so when I saw that,
I was like, dude, let's just you know, all the
teams get two bye weeks anyway, we might as well.
We can get our second by weekend now all we can.
But that was that was the weekend. I mean, my good, bad,

(06:39):
and funny. If we were going to do one was
going to be the concert because it was a great concert,
and that was the good. The bad was the heat
and there was some issue where all the security had
to go and be present for somebody. I think they
had a heart attack, but nobody told this. So the
gates were supposed.

Speaker 4 (06:55):
To open at five.

Speaker 2 (06:57):
They didn't open until six thirty, a half hour before
the concert starts. And people are pissed man like, because
four dropped because of heat exhaustion, and they're still trying
to charge just like six fifty for a water and
it's like, at this point, just give it away for free,
man like. So that was bad, and then the funny

(07:17):
nothing to do with the concert. The arena bowl was
in a freaking mall. So wow, well what did you
did you watch any of that? Like what did you
think of man?

Speaker 3 (07:32):
So I watched a bit of it on. I want
to say, like I turned it on.

Speaker 5 (07:38):
I was actually on the road when it was you know, Aaron,
So I caught it like the last bit of the
first half and then a good part of the end
of it because I got I got gas up there
in Albany, who you know, I played with when the
Albany was the Empire, So you know, I'm trying to
sow love and support them. I mean, it's just I

(07:59):
didn't know that they were to.

Speaker 3 (08:00):
Be in the mall. So I mean, like I'm just
looking at.

Speaker 5 (08:03):
The venue, and I mean I'm trying to stay locked
in and tune into the game, but it's hard to ignore,
just like, you.

Speaker 3 (08:10):
Know, all the.

Speaker 5 (08:13):
Scenery around it. I'm just like, of all places, you know,
why choose them all? I mean I'm sure I'm sure
those guys would have loved to play like a kind
of more scenic view. I mean, it's different, for sure.
I Mean, if you if you're going for uniqueness, I
mean you definitely wanted that category. But I personally wasn't

(08:33):
a big fan of you know. I mean I need
to check the comments and see how good of a
reception they get from the fans, but me personally, I'll
be the first to say I would have liked to
see it.

Speaker 3 (08:45):
Somewhere other than you know, just kind of playing to me.

Speaker 2 (08:48):
You know, I'm seeing the highlights come through social media
and Facebook, Instagram, whatnot. When they finally had their champion,
the Billions Outlaws, congratulations in Montown. Obviously, let's pick for
the state. And there's a long history with Billions Outlaws
too in the endoor world. But anyway, so when they
shared the photo of them and the trophy and the
on field like we're the champions, I was looking and

(09:11):
you could see certain logos of the stores behind them
in the mall, and I'm like, oh my god, if
there was a Victorious Secret and Forever twenty one logo
in the background.

Speaker 4 (09:21):
I would die.

Speaker 2 (09:22):
I would absolutely die, because that is you cannot make
that stuff up.

Speaker 4 (09:28):
You just can't.

Speaker 2 (09:29):
And that is like free marketing, free advertising, like the
whole shebang. So it was different. I heard the camera
angles on the broadcast were not great, So that was
the funny Congrats to your grandfather. Is that what the
documentary was?

Speaker 5 (09:45):
Yeah, yeah, for sure, So he I want to say
it was sometime last week he reached his fortieth anniversary
being the pastor of my church. Know, yeah, forty years
is a long time any where you slice it. So,
you know, one of my one of the church members,

(10:08):
had some videography experience and he's making a surprise documentary
to present to him when we actually have that you know,
celebration on I want to say it's the twenty eighth,
so a few.

Speaker 3 (10:20):
Days from now.

Speaker 5 (10:21):
And you know, knowing him the showman he is, he'll
try to, you know, just make it help everybody have
a good time. But it's it's cool to do something
for him for one. I mean, he's always looking to
do things for everybody else. So you know, my brother
and now we made an appearance to you know, have
a small segment on a documentary. I think he'll like it. So,

(10:43):
like you said, that's where I was Monday. But yeah, yeah,
that's that's with with my earlier early week consisted of
last week. But I gotta I gotta give it to
you man hat song for sticking it out and had
one hundred degrees.

Speaker 3 (11:02):
You know, one hundred degrees during the day is like,
you know, that's.

Speaker 5 (11:06):
A hot summer day. Obviously, but even at night, that's
just a bit excessive. I feel like, you know that
the state at that point is just is you know,
beating you guys now, because one hundred degrees at night,
I would just get mad. I can't do it. I'll
probably just leave. At that point, well, man, you start
to get out, so I mean, hey, hey.

Speaker 2 (11:25):
I mean thankfully the hottest part had hit by the
time the gates had opened, right, so it doesn't get
any hotter past four o'clock. Now, that's what people were
dropping in line because we didn't know what was going on.
But you know, you get down there and it's shaded

(11:46):
because the venue, the Amphitheater, shades you, and so you're like, okay,
this is nice. But then when the main band starts,
like it's still probably mid eighties, when the main band
starts and as people start to push together, like Game
of Thrones fans, they'll appreciate this. There was that episode
the Battle of the Bastards where John Snow is like
about to suffocate under dead bodies, Like that's what it
feels like when you're in your mid thirties in a

(12:07):
pit with a bunch of overweight, out of shape people.
But yes, I do know how to concert. Like, if
anybody needs to know how to concert, hit me up.
I will tell you the tips and tricks. So yeah,
that is what today's fit is. Brought to you by Blink.
This was the show shirt for the Gorge.

Speaker 4 (12:27):
I like it.

Speaker 2 (12:28):
And then it is Deadpool Wolverine Week. Oh man, I
got my Wolverine Best Buds half of the necklace. Danja
has the Deadpool Best half. Yes, finally, man, Deadpool Wolverine Week. Oh,
I'm so excited. We were seeing it three to ten o'clock.
So anyway, all right, what what's the show about?

Speaker 4 (12:48):
Indoor football?

Speaker 2 (12:50):
Okay, all right, So that was our quick recap of
where we've been ifl the regular season has officially concluded.
Who's in who's out there? We knew a lot of
the playoff picture going into the last couple of weeks,
but now it is all solidified. No more questions, no
more scenarios. Thank god, Hall of Fame finalists for this

(13:13):
year have been announced, so we will talk about that.
But let's go ahead and recap the final week of action.
Oh and you can check out the latest power rankings
see how the league finished through our eyes. As far
as the conclusion of the twenty twenty four seasons. So
let's run down the scores from the final week of
IFL action in the twenty twenty four season. Tulsa over

(13:36):
Mass on Friday, forty four to twenty four.

Speaker 4 (13:38):
Oof.

Speaker 2 (13:39):
If your Mass, man, I don't know what that says
about your postseason. If you kind of already knew that
you weren't going to be higher than a three seed,
you know, maybe just kind of mailed it in. But
props to Tulsa for finishing strong. It was a home game,
so they finished their regular season at home on a
high note with a victory over a playoff team, so

(14:01):
they got to feel good about that. I think coach
Jones will be back next year, third year with the team.
I think they'd be foolish to part ways with a
guy who's got good history behind him as far as
like he knows how to win. He just has to
build the right team, and I think we've seen strides
for that. So it's really more about Tulsa really than

(14:22):
it is about Mass. But oof, Mass, They're in it,
but not the way that you'd want to be. Arizona
over San Antonio forty one, thirty four props to San Antonio.
They really exceeded I think a lot of people's expectations,
especially when their counterpart was the reigning champion from another league,

(14:42):
right the Jacksonville Sharks. So for them to come in
and not only perform as well as they did, but
to outperform the champion from the league they were both
coming from, is huge. Sam Castronova I think has to
be a lock for Offensive Player of the Year, but
we won't know until the night before the Champiionship when
they do their awards and their presentation. But hell of

(15:03):
a season for him. Hope he comes back next year.
It was so much fun to watch him play. So
forty one thirty four year final there Jack's over Quad
City ouch forty three to thirty seven Quad City. You
just I really wanted them. They got back to back wins.
This would have been their third in a row, strong
finish into you know, the postseason, and just didn't happen.

(15:27):
So two teams half of the playoff picture for the
East lost and against teams that are not in it.

Speaker 4 (15:36):
Whatever you make of that.

Speaker 2 (15:38):
But you know, Jacks did have a really strong finish
to the season, So props to them. Probably wish they
would have had the season San Antonio did, but that's
just not how the cards were dealt to them. Frisco
over Iowa, So this one made sense. Fifty nine forty
seven Frisco a very strong home stretch of the season.
We talked with Roy c on the last episode that

(15:59):
we had. They're very confident and they should be. But
now postseason Frisco, what does the twenty twenty four version
of the Fighters look like? That could potentially be one
of the headlines that we talk about. Green Bay over SSAF.
So there's the other East team, fifty one thirty Sioux Falls.
I think they stick with Andre Fields. I don't know

(16:20):
why you would make a coaching change after just one season.

Speaker 4 (16:22):
You knew it wasn't going to be easy. You knew
it wasn't going to be seamless.

Speaker 2 (16:26):
So those are two teams that will potentially have to
keep an eye on. Maybe Jacks.

Speaker 4 (16:32):
There's been a.

Speaker 2 (16:32):
Lot like I think the expectation was too high. If
you were a fan of Jack's and you're calling for
the head coach, I think you need to remember that
you were in the NAL, which the competition in that
league is not up to par with the competition.

Speaker 4 (16:46):
At the IFL level.

Speaker 2 (16:48):
There, I said it. They can't block me anymore than
they've already blocked me. NAAL is obsolete to IFL. Sorry
not sorry, but you know those are a couple of places.
Tulsa saf and Jack's that the head coaching job will
be closely monitored throughout the off season. And then bay
Area over San Diego thirty to twenty. So bay Area

(17:12):
already locked up the number one seed the week prior.
SD could have been anywhere between two and four, so
it really didn't matter as much for either team. But
Panthers clearly with a strong finish going into now hopefully
successfully defend their title from a year ago. They'll have
that opportunity now. Vegas over Tucson forty nine to twenty five,

(17:36):
so another score that makes perfect sense or Tucson. I
believe Billy Back will return with Tucson. He's a journeyman,
he's he's a hired gun. But I think Tucson is
just too good of an opportunity. This was probably a
healthy serving of some humble pie for not only him
but the Tucson organization, and so I think that it

(17:56):
would be wise of them to stick with Billy and
really just overhaul the roster, figure out what his vision
is for the team, and bring him back. But that's
another spot that will be closely monitored. According to sources
close to Tucson, they believe Billy will be back, So
I guess we'll see what happens there. And then the
week nineteen finale, DC over naz Man. Something in the

(18:20):
water with your boys, the Gladiators sixty nine forty eight.
DC clearly has their head coach. They were the first
ones to make a change. So I think there's one
or two teams that could make a head coaching change,
But really, I just I don't see it.

Speaker 4 (18:35):
I think DC was.

Speaker 2 (18:36):
The one that made the most sense. But I think
Tulsa you got to give coach Jones a third year.
I think Jacks you gotta temper your expectations being in
a new league. And SF you you kind of knew
who was gonna you kind of knew who was going
to take over for Riggs going into his final couple seasons.

(18:57):
Last season whatever with Andre Fields, and I think he
per formed admirably. As far as that's a lot to
live up to in Sioux Falls, it really is Iowa,
though I think that's the one that could potentially change.
It would be his third season with the team next year.
But man, it was really all over the place with Iowa.

(19:18):
I couldn't tell you what their identity was. So that
is Week nineteen final scores a couple of head scratchers.
Some make perfect sense and then others are like, oh, okay,
you know, so who is in your four teams from
the East? Number four the Quad City steam Wheelers, Number
three the Massachusetts Pirates, Number two the Frisco Fighters, and

(19:41):
number one the Green Bay Blizzard. The road to the
twenty twenty four championship for the Eastern Conference does in
fact go through the cold tundra that is Tidle Town,
even though it's going to probably be in the hundreds
during that playoff stretch. But man, the rec Center is
going to be rocking. They're gonna love having home playoff games.

(20:02):
I think it's gonna be crazy environment. Good for them.
And then in the West, number four, San Diego and
the Strike Force. They could have been as high as
number one, they fall to four. Arizona sneaks in at three.
How crazy is that? Number two is the Vegas Nighthawks.
And number one, your reigning defending champions, the Bay Area Panthers.

(20:26):
So your matchups for this first round you have Quad
City at Green Bay. That's gonna be a really good matchup,
and then mass at Frisco. That's your Eastern. Your Western
is San Diego at Bay Area, and then the Rattlers
at the Nighthawks. So Malcolm, let's go ahead and see
what kind of juicy headlines we have going into the postseason.

(20:49):
Now that it's official with the teams that we've got participating,
there's the Quad City.

Speaker 4 (20:56):
Would you call it a revenge tour?

Speaker 3 (20:57):
Maybe?

Speaker 2 (20:57):
I mean they got to the championship two seasons ago,
they lost against nas and a heartbreaker, and then this
year they've kind of been quite literally back and forth.
There was a stretch of time where it was win loss,
win loss, win loss, win loss, and they lose but
still get into the postseason. I mean, you win three
in a row your champions, right, and they have not

(21:19):
really been I don't think they won three in a
row all season, So they'd have to win three in
a row for the first time to be crowned champions.

Speaker 4 (21:27):
So that's interesting.

Speaker 2 (21:29):
They're trying to get back there and make up for
losing to NAS who was not in it, so it
would be a different matchup no matter how.

Speaker 4 (21:36):
You slice it. Vegas the Nighthawks.

Speaker 2 (21:39):
They could be the first team to host the championship
since the league went with that neutral site three year
deal to put the championship in Vegas. Last time a
team hosted was the Rattlers when they played the Massachusetts Pirates.
So that's a very interesting storyline for people that are
new to following the league becau as it used to

(22:00):
not be a neutral site. It used to be the
team that had the best record got to host the championship,
which was a massive home field advantage. Vegas could be
looking at a home field advantage when the site for
the championship was or determined, so that's an interesting one.
This is also their first winning season. They win the
last game of the season, which was at home, they

(22:23):
sweep the Rattlers.

Speaker 4 (22:24):
I mean, this is a huge season for.

Speaker 2 (22:25):
Vegas right now, and it could be capped off by
them playing the championship at home.

Speaker 4 (22:30):
Which is crazy to think about. So that's a good one.

Speaker 2 (22:33):
Arizona sneaks in and I know they're three, but seriously,
like we didn't know until the last week. If the
Arizona Rattlers with head coach Kevin Guy, we're going to
be participating in the postseason, so they have a tough
task of taking on that Vegas Nighthawks team. And I
don't know if it's a first round exit. Could we

(22:55):
be seeing the start of the exit for coach Kevin Guy.
It's crazy to think about, but there are high standards
in Arizona. Coach Guy obviously has a lot of different things.
You know, He's got his hands and a lot of
different cookie jars as far as you know, his involvement
with the league and the expansion efforts with Tucson and

(23:15):
the Sugar Skulls. So it could be one of those
things where he starts to think about his exit plan.
Because this was the first time in a long time
since they've joined the IFL that we did not know
if Arizona was going to be in the playoff picture
Bay Area. They have the chance to repeat as champions
for the first time since the Sioux Falls Storm did it,

(23:36):
and they did it six times in a row.

Speaker 4 (23:39):
That is crazy.

Speaker 2 (23:40):
In fact, the last time that Sue Falls lost before
that six championship run was to the Billions Outlaws who
just won the AFL Championship. So fun fact, a little
bit of history for you there. So since then, though,
a lot of parody, a lot of parody that fans
have loved in the IFL, which is a different champion

(24:00):
every year for the last seven years.

Speaker 4 (24:02):
Now, I think so this could.

Speaker 2 (24:04):
Be a time where we see a repeat champion for
the first time. And I don't know if that means
start of a dynasty, but certainly if anybody can do it,
it's Rob Keith and Dixie Wooten.

Speaker 4 (24:16):
And that squad. But they'll have a chance.

Speaker 2 (24:17):
Now they're the number one seed, the Fighters. They're in
as the number two seed. The elephant in the room
is that they need to get the postseason monkey off
their back. So they need to get through to the championship.
You have great seasons every year, nobody thinks that you're
gonna have a dud of a season. Now you need
to show just how good you are in the postseason

(24:39):
and get to that championship game.

Speaker 4 (24:40):
Can they do it?

Speaker 2 (24:42):
And finally Green Bay they have a chance to appear
in their first IFL championship in team history. And Malcolm,
I think you had some thoughts on Green Bay and
that storyline as we get ready for the postseason.

Speaker 3 (24:56):
Yeah, dude, for sure. Man.

Speaker 5 (24:58):
It's, like you said, be their first appearance in the
championship game, which kind of seems poetic for them. You know,
I hate to say that any team deserves to make
it to the championship, because you know, football is not
that kind of game. But if I did have to
choose a team to actually say that they deserve it,

(25:19):
it would certainly be Green Bay because I mean, you know,
we've talked to coach Coach Robertson.

Speaker 3 (25:24):
Earlier, however, many weeks ago that was you got him
on the show. He's one of the few coaches that
I can think.

Speaker 5 (25:31):
Of in the IFL who's doing it the quote unquote
right way, you know, And by that, I mean he's
he's super big on you know, the chemistry, the team
chemistry and choosing.

Speaker 4 (25:43):
The right guys.

Speaker 5 (25:44):
And that's something I could certainly respect as a player myself,
because all too often you see coaches just bringing in
guys and you know, it's almost like a carousel. You know,
they're just cycling guys and trying guys out. They're not
really too interested in developing and guys more so trying
to find a star in the or diamond in the

(26:05):
rough and just running with that.

Speaker 3 (26:07):
You know, you look at.

Speaker 5 (26:08):
The transactions page, you see guys coming in and out
almost weekly. That's not the case. That hasn't been the
case with Green Bay. You know, you see some transactions
here and there on a knee to basis. But Jose
Robertson is one of the few who who values values
quality over quantity, you know, and it shows because you know,

(26:30):
he doesn't let the the enticement of the you know,
the hoisting that championship trophy kind of take him away
from his his morals and his main goal, which was
always to build a team full of good people and
good players and sell that ship to the championship.

Speaker 3 (26:50):
So, I mean, I would love to see those guys
make it there.

Speaker 5 (26:54):
Like you said, it's just, uh, it would be it
would be super cool to see not on them making
it to their first championship apparents, but also taking them home.
So no, I yeah, throwing that Green Bay T shirt
again because once again I'm a I'm a Green Bay fan.

Speaker 2 (27:13):
So I was I was thinking about what our picks
could have potentially been that last week and I'm just like, well,
Malco would have picked against green Bay because ever since
he got the T shirt, he's picked against green Bay
every freaking time. So I don't even have words for
you sometimes, man, I'm just like this freaking guy, like,
I gotta I gotta associate with him who gets free

(27:34):
stub teams, Like, I'm gonna return my gratitude by saying
you're gonna lose this.

Speaker 5 (27:41):
See if any if anybody asks from Green Bay, I'm
gonna tell them that it was the same way you
did with Quad City and be like, look, my picks
a curse, so I'm picking against you so that you
can win again.

Speaker 2 (27:54):
Wow.

Speaker 5 (27:55):
Wow, I mean that's gonna be my excuse of anybody.

Speaker 2 (28:01):
That is I think probably probably my favorite headline personally,
just because I have a long history with with Green Bay.
You know, they were one of the first teams that
I got to know outside of Spokane, and they welcomed
me with open arms. And I know that there have
been people calling for coach Roberson to be replaced for
probably the last two seasons before this one, and it

(28:24):
for him to stick it out and have the season
that they've had to just just like you know, say, oh, yeah, well,
here's this, and to be the number one seed and
to host not one, but two playoff games if they
make it past the first round, obviously, but you know,
it's it's just so good for them. I'm so happy

(28:45):
that their ownership has entrusted him to do his job
because I think that's any other team, he probably would
have been gone. I knew the coach before him, great guy.
It was tough to see him part ways with the team.
But I've gotten to know coach Roberson. He's a great
guy too. Whoever the next coach would have been probably

(29:06):
a great guy. But it's you want to see them succeed,
I think is the point. And so to see them
succeed knowing that it's been a long time coming for
green Bay, very happy for them. Couldn't ask for a
better first round matchup than them in Quad City. That's
going to be such a fun game. The other headlines,
I think, other than Vegas potentially being the first team

(29:29):
to host a championship since they made it a neutral
site with that three year deal, is really just the fighters.
You know, Will they get over that hump that is
the postseason? That's a good one. San Diego doesn't really
have a storyline, but I did hear from a reliable

(29:50):
source that apparently their broadcast team, which I have boasted
about all season long, has been, hands down, head and
shoulders above the rest, the best broadcast of any IFL team.
Has been tapped to do the championship game, which, oh,
you know, huge sigh relief props to them. But San
Diego they're a team that has flashes of greatness and
it usually lasts like three games. And so for them

(30:13):
to lose to get into the postseason, granted it was
against bay Area, but I did say they had to
win at least one of those. So they split that
series with bay Area, and so now you know they're
in the postseason and they're gonna have to play bay
Area again. And so this is another team that's having
its first winning season, having a phenomenal season, and they
have a chance to upset and dethrown the champs in

(30:36):
the first round, and that is a tall task. They
go three and ohero they're champions. So that's a really
good one and then the rest of these, you know,
bay Area having the chance to repeat. It's a good
one and all, but I think the reason that people
love this league and the sport as much as they
do is because you don't see dynasties like that anymore.

(30:57):
Soup falls to go six peat was ridiculous, and that's
not counting the championships they were in that they lost,
because they played against Iowa when Iowa got its first championship,
and they played Arizona when Arizona came into the league
the first time, and Arizona beat them at home for
their first IFL championship. So that's you know, eight championship

(31:18):
appearances in a row, and then they got another one
the year after when they played against Arizona in Arizona.
So it's just ridiculous to see a team, a single
team in a league like this, have that kind of
run of success. And so I think people have been
very much like, you know, who's it going to be
this year? You know, there's excitement, right you have San

(31:39):
Diego first winning season, Green Bays finally in the mix.

Speaker 4 (31:43):
And all this stuff.

Speaker 2 (31:43):
And so for bay Area, I almost feel like the
people if you're not a bay Area fan, then you're
a fan of any team but bay Area, because you've
liked that there's been a different team every year, so
that could be a challenge for them as far as
trying to repeat, but they'll get a chance to. Any
of these matchups that we have in this first round

(32:07):
really stand out to you as far as, like you know,
this is kind of the game of the first round
of the playoffs.

Speaker 5 (32:14):
M that's a great question right there, Rich, I gotta
I gotta say, man, it's hard to really. I mean,
they're all such great matchups and I mean it's gonna
be an exciting first round to say the least. But
just to kind of circle back to Green Bay, man,

(32:36):
I think Den versus Squad City is gonna say a lot.
It's gonna speak volumes for for both teams really, and
that's that's the one I have marked on my candar
for sure, because I mean, I just I can't, I
can't help, but just it's ringing in my head. How
Coach Roverson he kind of laid the plan out, and
I mean it's going exactly as he said, you know,

(32:59):
finishing strong and just making it so that the road
to the championship has to go through Green Bay and
that's the balls in their court right now.

Speaker 6 (33:08):
Man.

Speaker 5 (33:09):
So if they can play as well as he knows
they can and as well as the fans and we
know they can, and that's gonna be that's gonna be
some trouble for Quad City and you know whoever they
have next down the line.

Speaker 2 (33:24):
Yeah, that matchup stands out San Diego Bay Area I
think would be a really good matchup, just because it's
back to back games, you know, for those two teams,
and that's always tough. But Arizona Vegas I think has
a real I think has real potential to be that
game just because you know, what version of the Arizona

(33:47):
Rattlers are you getting now that it's the postseason. You know,
if they're a first round exit, what does that say
about the state of head coach Kevin Guy and Arizona
you know for the next year, three, five years even.
And then for Vegas it's like, Okay, you've beat them twice,
this is the third time and it's the most important one.

(34:07):
You know, can you do it a third time to
get one step closer to potentially hosting the championship in
your own arena. So I think that one has a
lot of really you know, under the radar storylines to it,
as far as just the outcome of that could could
say a lot for both teams, but I think there's
more on the line for Vegas just because they.

Speaker 4 (34:31):
Have that chance.

Speaker 2 (34:32):
They're at home, they have the chance to host the championship,
and so there's probably a bit more pressure on them
than Arizona because Arizona hasn't been great in the postseason lately,
so this is a chance for them to turn that around.
But either way, you've got four really great matchups. Frisco
and Mass could quietly be the sleeper of the week.

(34:53):
I know it seems obvious that Frisco should just like
walk all over them, but this is postseason Frisco. That's
the glaring elephant in the room is is you know
what does twenty twenty four postseason Risco Fighters look like?
And does Mass like? Should they be in the postseason?

(35:13):
You know, it's it's crazy to think about. Props to NAZ.
I know they wanted to be in the postseason. They
had a really rough ending to their season with the
passing of coach Moran, but you know they've hoisted a championship.
They wanted to get back there. But I think they've
got a real bright future ahead of them. They've got
some studs. You know, mccorpor who we talked to, should

(35:37):
be a candidate definitely for a Rookie of the Year.
But you know, we'll see who wins the awards in
the eyes of the powers that be in the IFL,
and you know that should be good.

Speaker 4 (35:48):
But we'll do.

Speaker 2 (35:49):
Our picks for the first round of the IFL playoffs
after our interview. And so now that leads us to
everybody's favorite portion of the show, and we talk to
one of the proud members of the Indoor Football League.

Speaker 4 (36:04):
And this one is no exception.

Speaker 2 (36:05):
He's been a get a long time in the making,
but we finally henned him down. That's right, ladies and gentlemen,
after a season worth of effort, we finally got him.
The old man, the big dog, the legend himself, Hall
of Famer in the making, so many accolades. Is Claude

(36:26):
Davis of now the Vegas nine Hawks.

Speaker 6 (36:28):
How you doing, my man?

Speaker 2 (36:31):
Doing great now that we're finally talking to you. Been
an amazing season for you and now you've found a
new home in Vegas. You're in the postseason now, I mean,
talk to us about how this season has gone. And
then obviously there were surprises some surprises, curveballs, but you
found a home that, according to you and some posts

(36:53):
on social you feel very happy to be a part
of and comfortable to be on that defense.

Speaker 6 (37:00):
Oh yeah, well you just started off good man.

Speaker 7 (37:03):
I can't complain hit the ground rolling, you know, God
and blessed it. That's all I can say. I set
out to do some stuff and I accomplished it. You know,
So now is you know, keep going? You can't stop?

Speaker 6 (37:17):
Man. Vegas is great, man, great, great, great group of
young guys. Dude.

Speaker 7 (37:26):
I've been watching them for two weeks and it's amazing
me to see the group of guys they got, you know,
young cat that they got. Man, they got balls over here, bro,
and it's for you know, I'm enjoying it.

Speaker 2 (37:39):
Yeah, for you. Obviously. I've seen you play with the Storm,
and I think this is a two fer. I think
we we finally got a Storm player, which we I
don't think me and Max thought we would get going
into the season, and now a Vegas player, which we
haven't gotten all season. But seeing you with the Storm,
I know you're long history there with Susiti Bandits Malcolm
played you know, against you a couple of times and

(38:01):
then now you're with Vegas, which is probably the biggest market, uh,
one of the highest production teams as far as just
like that that city and what they're about. Like how
different has it been for you since you got to
Vegas in your history with indoor football?

Speaker 6 (38:17):
Besides the heat, bro, man is hot out here.

Speaker 7 (38:23):
But besides that, Man, top tier facility, you know, train
established great. I don't got nothing praise Man likes whay
you're supposed to be out here, you know, And like
I said, I'm thankful, brother, That's all I can say. Dude,
God put me in the right situation.

Speaker 3 (38:43):
All right.

Speaker 2 (38:43):
Well he is on extended vacation and Man Transtull the
vacation card on me, like like he told me before
he told everybody else. But as a friend, I respect that. Hey,
this keep this hush. I will always respect that for
guys like you, So Malcol you've played against him, you
know the position, you know the world of indoor football,

(39:05):
and you know the different markets. So I'll kick it
over to you for some questions for our guest today,
Claude Davis.

Speaker 5 (39:13):
For sure, for sure, Like I'm gonna say it, just
like you said, Rich, I played against him, Man I got,
I got, Claude, I got. I appreciate it, man, I
appreciate it man for sure. Man, real recognized real Man.
I gotta tell you a funny story real quick. How
I first like became familiar with your play man. We
was like saying, back in twenty one, you were with

(39:34):
the bandits. I was in all I want to say,
like two drives and we on defense and you know
you and my d N at the time, Gibson Za
shout out, give y'all going back and forth. Man, Yeah,
that's my dog. Man, y'all just going back and forth.
I'm like, man, they ain't never gonna stop. I mean, yeah,
the ref over there he just between y'all while y'all

(39:56):
jawing and stuff.

Speaker 3 (39:57):
I can't remember who it was. I think it was.
It was at cornerback, probably Taylor Hawkins.

Speaker 5 (40:02):
He was like, yeah, raph, we've been called for about
two or three sportsman like conduct.

Speaker 3 (40:07):
Now you ain't gonna say nothing to club.

Speaker 5 (40:09):
And uh CP came down. He was like, bro, about
the same age as the reps. You know what?

Speaker 3 (40:19):
You know?

Speaker 6 (40:20):
That was?

Speaker 3 (40:20):
That was my introduction to og Claude Davis. Man.

Speaker 5 (40:23):
Since then, I've been following you Bro, Man, you're doing
at a high level.

Speaker 3 (40:26):
What's good to see you.

Speaker 5 (40:27):
Still, you know, added in playing at such a high level,
bro Son, I got congratulate.

Speaker 3 (40:31):
You on that.

Speaker 5 (40:32):
Ireate that so much, Man, I mean, for sure, bro,
for sure. But nah, I gotta ask, Man, that's kind
of like a question that I want to know personally,
you know.

Speaker 3 (40:43):
But such a decorated career.

Speaker 5 (40:45):
You know, you got the accolades, like Rich said, you
then played in like the big the high profile places Vegas,
you know, just like you know, close to home back
in Sioux City and all that.

Speaker 6 (40:56):
Uh.

Speaker 3 (40:56):
A lot of.

Speaker 5 (40:57):
Guys who who've had the career that you have, they
have a problem finding with the like motivation to keep going.
You know, what do you what exactly do you play
for or like what kind of gets you out of
bed to you know, still chase those those championships when
you already have as much of you as you have already.

Speaker 7 (41:18):
Man, just just my story, Bro, I made it to
the NFL twenty twelve coming off of.

Speaker 6 (41:25):
ACL no plot, they no comeby. You know.

Speaker 7 (41:27):
At that time, I was you know what I'm saying,
I was a young cat, bro and I got caught
up with the wrong people and it cost me my career.
So once I knew I wasn't going back to the league,
indoor football became my league.

Speaker 6 (41:41):
Bro.

Speaker 7 (41:42):
So I told my step before I lay it all down,
I'm gonna I'm gonna leave.

Speaker 6 (41:46):
It all out there, you know. And yeah, that's what
I'm doing. Bro. I'm trying to be a Hall of Famer.
You know what I'm saying. That's the only thing I
ain't done, you know, So I I you know what
I mean.

Speaker 3 (41:57):
So that's my process.

Speaker 7 (41:59):
I'm just thankful brother, you know, be from Florida and
the stuff that go on back home, you know, to
beat all that, bro, you know what I mean, why
not keep going, you know, because you never know who
you're gonna reach back home. I get a lot of love, bro,
and I thank God for that because it wasn't always.

Speaker 6 (42:16):
Like that for me, you know.

Speaker 3 (42:18):
So definitely I hear that, man, I hear that. That's
that's all right, man.

Speaker 5 (42:22):
I love to hear that, you know, Like, uh, it's
not too many guys, like I said, who played as
long as you have, But you know, you you're putting
on for.

Speaker 3 (42:30):
The guys back home back and I got something. I
got something.

Speaker 5 (42:33):
I got some men back there Florida too, man, So
I know I know they proud.

Speaker 3 (42:37):
Of you right now for sure.

Speaker 5 (42:39):
But also I definitely got to ask what's like being
around as long as you have what's your what's your
favorite part of like, you know, going into East season,
do you have like a specific thing, cause I know
some guys look forward to camp. Other guys, you know,
they're looking just like they're trying to the trophy is
the main goal and that's it and that's all.

Speaker 3 (42:58):
Like what is it for you?

Speaker 6 (43:00):
Just the development of the game, bro.

Speaker 7 (43:01):
You know I played back with the you know when
everybody was shoot up, you know what I mean.

Speaker 6 (43:07):
Everybody has you know what I mean.

Speaker 7 (43:09):
So to see how it comes full a circle and
see how the young cats development and then the player
gives them it's blessing, bro, because I hear this all
the time. Oh you for me, I'm like, okay, wait
till we get on that field now. So talk has

(43:31):
evolved the game.

Speaker 6 (43:32):
But just to see.

Speaker 7 (43:35):
Everybody fast out here, you know what I'm saying, the
linement fast, you know, the wide receive the running back.

Speaker 6 (43:41):
So just to see it come back for a circle, man,
and still to be a part of it, it's great.
You know how. I enjoy that part because I know
they're like, man, this old dude on my ear like
that many boss, you know, So.

Speaker 3 (44:01):
That's food.

Speaker 5 (44:02):
Man, I got one more question for you before a
swinging back to rich. So I think I wanted to say,
I can't remember what week it was, but I know
it was uh he was with souper balls. I want
to say, you scored a touchdown? They had you on offense.

Speaker 3 (44:15):
Yeah, I'm okay, okay, I gotta know, but like what,
who whose idea was it?

Speaker 5 (44:23):
Did you did you tell the coaches like, look, I
could play some offense or did they just kind of like,
you know, throw you out there based on your skill set?

Speaker 6 (44:31):
A little bit of both. So when I first got
with the Storm, you know, I was athlete.

Speaker 7 (44:36):
Still it is, but we ain't gonna get that. I
played old line two Storm for a little bit full back,
you know, so it was always a part of you know,
even when I went to City.

Speaker 6 (44:49):
I played a little bit of the but at two
seventy five. But I'm a free bro, I could do
a lot to be able to show that means a lot,
you know what I mean.

Speaker 7 (45:00):
Because a lot of guys don't get that opportunity, you know,
to be alignment and get your touchdown pass the backfield.

Speaker 6 (45:05):
That's huge, you know.

Speaker 5 (45:08):
Yeah for so Man, that's smooth. Bro.

Speaker 3 (45:10):
Like I said, Bro, I mean, I'm definitely a fan.
I mean.

Speaker 7 (45:18):
Football so fast. But I don't know you were talking
about that another day.

Speaker 3 (45:22):
But man, so I'm still at it.

Speaker 5 (45:25):
I had a little injury that kind of derailed me
a little bit this past season, but you know, still
at it. Still looking at Bro. Don't give you know,
but so Man, So I appreciate you, Bro. But yeah,
like I said, you talking man, Richie, go ahead.

Speaker 2 (45:43):
Bro Claus just a completing side quest at this point
in his career. I mean to get the offensive touchdown
and and all that. It's just like, what haven't I done?
Hey put me in for this? Why because I haven't
done it yet? Like she said.

Speaker 4 (46:00):
There we go.

Speaker 2 (46:01):
Okay, Now we're going to see that in the postseason.
But before we talk about postseason, the IFL released its
finalists for Hall of Fame, and we wanted to save
this segment for you because you are working on what
we believe is a Hall of Fame career. So we've
got Alan Chapman from the Arizona Rattlers. We got Mike Tatum,
who you know very well, who I believe probably has

(46:22):
a rightful place there. There's Houston Lillard from the Tri
City Fever. Not familiar with him, or Kyle Kaiser, I
know the name. He was a wide receiver from Colorado.
Frankie Solomon Junior from the Allan Wranglers in Texas Revolution
that was before my time. Brady Roland, who I just
shared a video today of at the time that he

(46:43):
went through the wall, hit the sweet spot, put the
door off its hinges, and I believe that's the one
time that somebody has defeated the Wall, though people will
argue with me on that.

Speaker 4 (46:53):
Then we got.

Speaker 2 (46:54):
Michael Baysmore and then Clinton Solomon, Wichita wild Swu Fall Store,
both suit fall Storm guys. And then Todd Tryon, who's
the commissioner now but for his time as the Soup
fall Storm owner.

Speaker 4 (47:07):
What names jump out to.

Speaker 2 (47:09):
You as far as like just easy choices that you
know off that list.

Speaker 7 (47:14):
You know the try To Tatum, you know Roll Brady,
Rolling base More. I know of Basemore just through me
being a lineman, and you know guys talking about him
and dealings and they're soup ball.

Speaker 6 (47:27):
But uh uh, the.

Speaker 7 (47:29):
Guys I still you know, I played against you know,
Brady roll like complete with see you know, great route runner,
great hands, an't scared to take a hit. Tatum, you
know you gotta call him the weapon, that's his name. Dude,
can do it all, kick your time, touchdowns, oh and
then try on you know, just the stuff that he's

(47:52):
doing with the league man and the way he's taking the
league is.

Speaker 6 (47:55):
You know, it's fascinating to see, you know.

Speaker 7 (47:58):
The process of it, you know, being around almost ten
years and see all the partnership that's coming along and
the dda's partnership. Now, you know, it's great for the
cat that's coming up and trying to excel and go
XFL CFL UFL.

Speaker 6 (48:13):
You know, so them guys right now I'm familiar with.

Speaker 7 (48:17):
Sorry for the guys I don't know, you know, I
ain't saying y'all don't deserve it, but them just my guys,
you know, the guys I know a physically be seen
with my own eyes.

Speaker 2 (48:26):
You know, it's always a great list every year. There's
a lot of variety. I know that for me and
what I do. Joe Stacey should definitely be on that
list one day. From the Barnstormers, hoping one day I
can have done this long enough and have enough of
an impact where maybe my name ends up on there.
But for you personally, for you personally, like what moment

(48:48):
or season stands out to you, to you and your
career even though it's not done yet, that says like
this is Hall of Fame worthy stuff that you've seen
right here in the Indoor Football League.

Speaker 4 (48:57):
From Claude Davis.

Speaker 7 (48:59):
You want to be honest with you, I will say
last year when I went to Duke City, Bro, like.

Speaker 6 (49:06):
A as soon as the CIF season started.

Speaker 7 (49:11):
I'm like, dude, I need to you know, I need
to get back in the IMBL and for it to
take all season.

Speaker 6 (49:18):
Bro, it started me back up, you know.

Speaker 7 (49:20):
And then to go to Duke City and have the
steps I had out there, I'm like, oh, yeah, it's
up now, you know, y'all woke me back up. It's time,
you know, it's time to hand a business. So I
would say the five games I played in Duke City,
you know.

Speaker 2 (49:38):
That's that's an awesome answer, man. I was not expecting that,
but I totally get the reason.

Speaker 6 (49:43):
Why.

Speaker 2 (49:43):
And I think Malk respects that he's played for DC
and they had a great finish to their season. So
it's not an easy gig by any means to play
in Duke City. And for you to do what you
didn't have the impact you did was definitely. Yeah, I'd agree.
I mean, you've done so much more, but I thank Yeah,
that's it. It's definitely. The defining moments may not be

(50:03):
where you think that they are, so that's that's good
for you. And last question that I've got for you is,
you know you've been there, done it all. You know,
you've had, like we said, a Hall of Fame career
and you're not done yet.

Speaker 4 (50:16):
But now you're with Vegas.

Speaker 2 (50:17):
You and I talked, you know, when the storm thing happened,
and I was like, well, you know, you could hit
up these guys.

Speaker 4 (50:23):
They need help on d This team's doing really well.

Speaker 2 (50:25):
If if you're looking to ride into the postseason, you're like, yeah,
Vegas hit me up. And I was like, okay, you know,
like that's another landing spot too. So for you to
have gone through entire seasons with the same team win championships,
like what would winning the championship with Vegas. Mean to
you that that's different from the other championships you've won, Like,

(50:45):
what what would it signify in your career?

Speaker 6 (50:49):
And I love a question, but I hate the question
because of answer.

Speaker 7 (50:54):
You mean, personally, I feel like I get overlooked, you
know what I'm saying, no matter what I do for
the game or whatever, you know, because of the situation
that happened to me, you know, in two fall. So
to me, that's you can't I'm a big dog. You

(51:15):
can't try me if I get away. You know, I'm
top five all time and all time sacks right now.
You know, top five is storm history and tackles for
a loss of field goal blocks of course, swimmble sacks,
you know. So I was three tacks away from being
top ten and tackles out the b Lineman and storm history.

Speaker 6 (51:33):
So to get a rain, bro, it's like, you know
what I'm saying, respect.

Speaker 7 (51:38):
Me, bro, you know, because I respect everybody else and
I apply myself to the land too, So give me
the same respect, bro.

Speaker 2 (51:45):
Yeah, I think it speaks volumes for you and your
ability at this stage in your career, because a lot
of people would think, you know, oh Claude, he's just
you know, trying to finish out, like go back home
and have you know, a solid career, put up some numbers,
check off some more side clasts on the list or whatever.
But for Vegas to actually be like, you know, hey,
we're in the mix. We could use a Claude Davis.

(52:08):
That's got to be a compliment in itself, you know,
at this phase of your career.

Speaker 7 (52:12):
Man, just when he called me and we talked, you know,
because Mike Davey brought me in the league, you know,
and I was a bone.

Speaker 6 (52:18):
Head still we have, he released me and all that,
you know.

Speaker 7 (52:23):
So for eight years later, nine years later, him to
hit me up and I come home. I was thankful, bro,
because I know you I know edg I know can
why not y'all y'all know the player y'all getting, you know,
y'all might be able to bring a little more out
of me, you know. And that's what these young cats
have done for me. You know, I'm still a dog, bro,

(52:46):
I still got a few more years of me. Y'all
ain't gonna see me nothing yet. So just to be
able to come in and hit the ground running, let's
do it.

Speaker 2 (52:56):
That's awesome, man kind of like a full circle moment.
I know that there was a lot of quarterbacks that
breathed the sigh of relief when Aaron Donald decided to
hang it up. You just basically put every quarterback on
noticing the league saying you're not done yet.

Speaker 4 (53:09):
So that's not going to help.

Speaker 2 (53:17):
Malcolm anything else from you before we wrap it wrap
things up with Claude Davis.

Speaker 5 (53:23):
No, like you said, Man, I'm looking forward to a
few more years of dominance.

Speaker 3 (53:29):
Side of claub Man. I know, yeah, Man, I'm.

Speaker 5 (53:33):
A I'm a stay soned Like I said, I'm a
follow your career for sure, bro, because I mean yeah,
ever since I seen you back in Sioux City when
we played, man, I've been a fan. So respect to
man rich Uh. They do.

Speaker 7 (53:49):
Man, you deserve a lot more than what they give you.
So I'm gonna give you your.

Speaker 8 (53:55):
You know, man, y'all y'all have done such a great
job with the fan show and getting these guys on
hered talking and letting their stories get out and the
coaches and I appreciate that.

Speaker 6 (54:11):
Man.

Speaker 7 (54:11):
You know, when I see y'all got a'll Vegas thing
going on, I hope y'all you know we'll figures some
stuff out.

Speaker 6 (54:18):
Man, you know, for sure, Man.

Speaker 7 (54:22):
Don't don't stop, you know, because y'all got a great
thing going on, bro, And they mean a lot of
the game, for sure.

Speaker 2 (54:27):
It's a lot to us man, like for real, And
I appreciate what You're such a character dude, Like it's
always so much fun to see you live and in person.
Like I'm so glad in those moments that I don't
play the game, especially offense, because that would be terrifying.
But you know, from your perspective, your personal opinion, go
ahead and tell the people why it's important to have

(54:50):
us of the fans show at the championship game in
Vegas next month.

Speaker 7 (54:56):
Look what y'all do for the game, Like there's no
there's no other show around that invites indoor guys to
talk about the indoor game.

Speaker 6 (55:07):
Stuff like that. Y'all part of the lead part of
the game.

Speaker 7 (55:11):
Why what others do you have to you know, whether
because I got a lot of follows on Facebook, they
don't see it, you know, stuff like that, Like there's
no other outlet. You know, you guys are the main
source to get the product out, you know.

Speaker 2 (55:27):
Besides all right, so there's the man selling it for
us as we look to continue our GoFundMe goal to
get to the game, maybe we'll see Claude there. The
Vegas Nighthawks would be the first team to host a
championship in their home arena since the three year deal
to have it at a neutral site. So again a

(55:48):
big storyline going into the postseason. But Claude, man, we
cannot thank you enough for your time. I know it
took some doing, but we finally got you down man,
and it was fun. But we were gonna have you
on whether you were still with the Storm or not.
And I think that speaks volumes to how much we
love Claude because it it would take a lot for

(56:11):
me to be like, oh Storm, okay, yeah, let's go
down that road. But hey, he is he's a fan favorite.
If there ever was a player next to the definition
of fan favorite, you'd see Claude's big ass smile right there.
And he is a future Hall of Famer. He's a
terror in the trenches and he does it all. He's
continuing to check off side quest this phase of his

(56:33):
career and he is not done yet. So again, one
more big round of applause, stand up, good respect, for
the man, Claude Davis, thank you so much for joining
us man, we love you.

Speaker 4 (56:45):
All right.

Speaker 2 (56:45):
And one more huge thank you, can't thank him enough
for Claude Davis for finally joining us here on the show.
Like I said, Malcolm's two fir we got somebody who
was with the Storm and they're now with Vegas, so
we get.

Speaker 4 (56:56):
To check two more teams off the list from the season.

Speaker 2 (57:00):
Yeah, so glad to see him doing well. What a
compliment to be at this phase of your career and
be invited to a playoff caliber team and now he's
got a chance to ring Chase and this one, I do,
I do agree would mean a little a little different.
It's like you got invited to be part of a
team that's like there and and show your stuff.

Speaker 4 (57:19):
So good luck to him. We're pulling for him.

Speaker 2 (57:22):
But now that brings us to our pick them portion,
And though I technically think I was the last one
to win pick him, malcol and I are both like
too deep and owing for for our punishments. So we're
just gonna we're gonna clean slate it. We're gonna start
fresh for the uh for the postseason. But yeah, I
still got to I know I can get a hula hoop,

(57:43):
so that one.

Speaker 4 (57:43):
Will be easy.

Speaker 2 (57:44):
It's that shirt swap or that jersey swap. I'm like,
how am I gonna do this? But Malk still has
his uh Jim hype video and then the karaoke to
for Karaoke for a cause is what we're calling it.
But nonetheless, Okay, we got four games first round to
the playoffs. We start Friday with the Green Bay Blizzard
hosting the Quad City steam Wheelers, who've been talking about

(58:06):
this game all episode long. I am not picking this game,
so I will take that as an L and then
Malcolm can pick, and if he gets it wrong, that'll
be an ellen.

Speaker 4 (58:18):
We'll be tied.

Speaker 2 (58:18):
But I refuse to pick this game because I can't
make everybody happy.

Speaker 4 (58:23):
This is too good of a game.

Speaker 2 (58:24):
There's reasons why I would want both teams to win,
so we're just not gonna do it. So Malk, I
will let you pick and give me the reason why
you think that team will win this game.

Speaker 5 (58:36):
Hey, you can't please everybody, Richie. Know whoever you would
have picked hypothetically, you know the other team would have
been in box and yeah, it's in in all kinds
of death threats and what that.

Speaker 3 (58:49):
Well, this, I'm gonna go with Green Bay.

Speaker 5 (58:50):
Like I said before, Man, I think they're just a
more complete team right now. Not to say that Quad
City is is, you know, bad by any means, but
I feel like they kind of if I had to
choose any of the eight teams to say, they kind
of all snuck in by the skin of their teeth.
I feel like Quad City is that team in Green

(59:14):
Bay at this point. They're just on a different, different level.
Like I said before, as well, coach Roberson, he knows
that he played. He laid out the plan, the game
plan for the rest of the season. They're following it accordingly.
They're on a mission right now and they want to
take home their first championship.

Speaker 4 (59:32):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (59:33):
I mean, you look at the West. We broke it down,
We said, okay, these are the three teams on the bubble,
and yet two of the three ended up making it.

Speaker 4 (59:40):
It wasn't my pick either.

Speaker 2 (59:41):
You picked San Diego, they're in it for Arizona is
in it three. Arizona very much one to get in,
you know, and so did San Diego. Where with the
East in Quad City, it was like you look at
mass and Quad City and it's like every other team
lost and they just happened to be the ones in
the position at that time to get in. And I

(01:00:02):
hate saying that because I want to believe in this
Steam Wheelers team, But when you lose your last game
of the season, I just don't know what kind of
message that sends as far as like we need to
be taken seriously because I don't feel like they're going
to be. Green Bay is going to be a tough test.
But again, I'm not picking this game. So Malc likes
green Bay, we'll see if he's right or wrong. So

(01:00:24):
that brings us to We've got two Saturday games. So
our first Saturday game is the Massachusetts Pirates visiting the
Frisco Fighters. I will pick the Frisco Fighters in this one.
I think they get one step closer to getting to
that championship. But I really think that this is a
team where basically there's going to be a lot of

(01:00:48):
the negative stigma around them as far as they fold
in the postseason. I don't see that being the case
this time.

Speaker 5 (01:00:56):
Yeah, yeah, I definitely agree to I'll take Frisco on this. Yeah,
like you said, they have a lot to prove as
a postseason contender in mass I think they're just another
obstacle in a way.

Speaker 3 (01:01:11):
Right now. Frisco's is playing too good right now. Man.
Royce said it the week before last.

Speaker 5 (01:01:20):
You know, they know that they are kind of, you know,
the team, the overlooked team.

Speaker 3 (01:01:27):
If you will, because of it. They play with the.

Speaker 5 (01:01:29):
Chip on their shoulder and it shows. It shows, man,
they bring it every game. So I mean, I think
they're looking to put the league on notice with this game,
and you know, also solidify themselves as a solid postseason present.

Speaker 4 (01:01:44):
All right, So we both like Frisco.

Speaker 2 (01:01:46):
The next Saturday game is the Vegas Nighthawks hosting the
Arizona Rattlers. Vegas winners of two over the Arizona Rattlers,
so they've swept the regular season series. Postseason can be
a different beast. We just talked to Claude Davis talks
about the mentality of the Vegas Nighthawks and how hyped
they are to be at home coming off of this
kind of season and the potential to host the championship

(01:02:07):
in their arena. But Malcool, defer to you to make
the first pick here for this game.

Speaker 5 (01:02:13):
Yeah, for sure, I like Vegas in this one. I
definitely like Vegas. You mentioned just moments ago that they
swept a Z in the regular seasons. I think that'll
have more mental total on the Ratlers than they probably
realized at this point in time. You know, they're already

(01:02:36):
coming into the game as the underdog and they know it.
But not only that, they're coming into their traveling to
Vegas to play.

Speaker 3 (01:02:45):
So not only are you the underdog.

Speaker 5 (01:02:48):
But you're also you know, away from your home, away
from the comfort of your place, and you know, home
field advantage very real things. I like Vegas for sure.
It's not much of a question for me.

Speaker 2 (01:03:00):
I think for me, every game this week, I want
to see the arenas packed like this is postseason football, like,
I want to see this packed because these are really
good matchups.

Speaker 4 (01:03:12):
I know Green Bay will be.

Speaker 2 (01:03:13):
I hope Vegas is because this is the first time
that they're in the postseason.

Speaker 4 (01:03:18):
So I hope Vegas is packed.

Speaker 2 (01:03:20):
Frisco, I really hope, because they deserve it. And then
that brings us to our lone Sunday game. The reigning
defending champions, the Bay Area Panthers, will host the San
Diego strike Force. This one is interesting because nobody holds
the series in this you know, they have otherwise split
and it's been great games, but Bay Area just won

(01:03:41):
to wrap up the season and now they go right
back to it to take on San Diego.

Speaker 4 (01:03:47):
I'll let you pick this one first. See where your
head's at.

Speaker 5 (01:03:51):
I'm scared, rich, I don't know, I don't know. It's
sad from Green Bay. And then again, I will say
this game is probably higher on my totem fold than
the Green Bay at this point. I mean, this is
gonna be a great game. I'll be surprised if you
know that stadium is not packed and even the stream

(01:04:14):
has any less than you know, I think the record
for this paste, I mean this this season in viewership
on the stream has been like I think, close to
like five K. I think this one'll probably top it,
because this is this is the game to watch, you know,
like you said, right now, and their series they're tied up,
and I honestly feel like it can go either way.

(01:04:36):
It's it's really hard to say who's the better team
between the two right now, at least with me.

Speaker 3 (01:04:44):
I gotta go with a.

Speaker 5 (01:04:48):
Man. I'm gonna I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say, San Diego, I.

Speaker 3 (01:04:54):
Smell an upset right now.

Speaker 9 (01:04:56):
I know they're coming in as the underdogs, but they're
anything but man, I mean, the call all of them
underdogs any fast, it is kind of disrespectful to their play,
even though Bay Area has been you know, they proved
themselves as the number one.

Speaker 5 (01:05:09):
See, it's just kind of I'm sorry the Yeah, they
are the number one. So I mean like, it's even
though San Diego is the underdog, it's hard to say that.
You know, they won't come out and show out.

Speaker 3 (01:05:21):
So I'll go with San Diego to see I go.

Speaker 2 (01:05:25):
Oh man, Well, Craig the Leg is back with the
Panthers and proved to be a difference maker. Also shout
out Ernesto Lecio had a phenomenal final game with the Gladiators,
set in all kinds of records and personal best. So
shout out friend of the show, Ernesto.

Speaker 4 (01:05:41):
You're doing that work.

Speaker 2 (01:05:42):
But Craig is back and healthy, and I really believe
that this game will come down to special teams and
it's gonna be whoever can play the more perfect football,
not that you ever can play perfect football, but I
recall that game a few weeks ago where it was
just like it was one team had the lead and
then a turnover and then the other team was chasing points.

(01:06:03):
I think it was San Diego, San Diego Naz if
I remember correctly, and I said, you can't be chasing
points against San Diego. You really can't be chasing points
against Bay Area either, So first turnover I think could
be the difference maker. As far as who comes out
with the win, I will pick bay Area just because
I like that they're at home, they got Craig back.

(01:06:26):
Special teams is way more important than people are giving
credit to. As far as I just think it's an
overlooked aspect. Ernesto talked at Great Legs about it, so
did Craig. It's like you've got to have a reliable kicker,
and bay Area has one of the best, if not
the best, in the league back and he's hungry for
another championships. So I don't think their road to defend

(01:06:47):
their crown stops short. But San Diego is going to
be a tough beat. I can't wait for this game.
So Malco and I differ on one game. It's gonna
be a one and done, but there's only four, so
I mean we'll see what the postseason punishments look like.
That that is your first round of the postseason. Again,

(01:07:07):
thank you everyone who has donated to our GoFundMe. We
continue to get donations each and every day. It seems
like now now that our flights have officially been booked,
took a little out of pocket and a Prime Day deal.
Shout out Amazon Prime for making that happen, man. But
we are gonna be there now.

Speaker 4 (01:07:26):
We just got to cover our hotel and then some food.
You know, it's nice to eat when you're away on
trips like this for business. But you can hit up
the GoFundMe.

Speaker 2 (01:07:35):
The links are all over the place, but we'll make
sure that we reshare them so that they're fresh once
this episode is posted, and then that will do it
for episode four hundred ninety six. You can see us
obviously on YouTube, so hit that subscribe button if you
haven't yet. Tell all your friends and you can hear
us if you're not a visual person, or if you
just like to have it in the background at work
or while you drive in that Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple podcast.

(01:08:00):
Our home that is spreaker dot com. So uh one
more big thank you, Sorry, we took an impromptu bye week,
but it was much needed both for myself and malk
But we are back better than ever. We're ready for
the postseason twenty twenty four IFL playoffs and the Fan
Show to be there with the best coverage that you
can count on.

Speaker 4 (01:08:20):
Per Claude Davis.

Speaker 2 (01:08:21):
Okay, like the man speaks truth in facts, like he
told you right here what it is to be the
Fan Show. So all right, So that'll do it for
Father Malcolm, Malcolm McCoy, I am once again the team man,
Richard Teman. This has been another great episode of the
Fan Show and we will see you next time.