Crunching Tackles

Crunching Tackles
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Crunching Tackles

Hello and welcome to Crunching Tackles, a podcast where John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie sit down once a week to discuss the biggest cultural issues that affect the sports world. Tune in every Monday to hear our takes on the controversial topics that touch the games we watch every week (and hear us scream at each other about Star Wars). If you enjoy our content, like, follow, subscribe (all the fun stuff), and follow us on Twitter @john_nekrasov and @chadewylie!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Episode 169: The World is Coming to America

    A fog of uncertainty surrounds America as we host two major international tournaments this summer. The Club World Cup and the Gold Cup are intense dress rehearsals for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The question is: are we ready? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 5:30 - The 2025 French Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages, while Aryna Sabalenka imploded against Coco Gauff. 26:15 - The House vs. NCAA settlement, which paves the way for direct compensation for student athletes from their universities. 38:30 - America's soccer summer. We start with a disappointing start for the USMNT, and our increasing concerns about the team. Next, we look at the seeming lack of interest in the 2025 Club World Cup, and discuss why blatant money-grabs don't create good drama. Finally, we preview both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup in the context of the political and social turmoil taking place here at home. What is it going to take for these events to be successful? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 29m

  2. 29 MAY

    Episode 168: Who is the New Bill Belichick?

    For decades, Bill Belichick built his brand on stoicism, silence, and excellence. In recent years, his relationship with Jordan Hudson has seemingly changed his entire persona. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 2:00 - The New York Knicks and their super fan Timothee Chalamet 7:00 - John Haliburton being banned and subsequently reinstated by the NBA following his altercation with Giannis 13:30 - Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have renewed their rivalry in 2025, but the discourse surrounding their latest matchup has been shockingly toxic 29:20 - The French Open pays tribute to their GOAT—Rafael Nadal 35:00 - Bill Belichick is under the spotlight for his relationship with Jordan Hudson. Does anything about this story actually matter? 1:02:40 - We review Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 21m

  3. 14 MAY

    Episode 167: Pope Leo XIV and the Theology of Sports

    The pope is American, he's a certified baseball fan, and the Catholic Church has a detailed and rich theology of sports that we want to talk about! On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 4:00 - NBA Draft Lottery and Playoff check-in. 11:15 - Barcelona and Inter Milan played one of the greatest soccer ties of all time. 16:05 - Major League Baseball unbanned Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, and others. Why is this happening now? Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame? 25:30 - Pope Leo XIV 35:00 - The theology of sports. To read the Holy See's bulletin, click here. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 22m

  4. 30 APR

    166: Shedeur Sanders' Slide

    In one of the most anticipated and widely covered NFL Drafts, Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round. This prompted a flurry of broadcast and social media reactions. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 8:15 - Liverpool win the Premier League and is Mohamed Salah the best player in the world right now? 24:00 - The NBA Playoffs are underway and the Lakers are in serious trouble. Why does LeBron James seem uninterested in winning in his age-40 season? 44:10 - Cam Ward was drafted number one overall; Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round; Mel Kiper and Stephen A. Smith had televised meltdowns. We break down all the biggest headlines from the 2025 NFL draft. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 25m

  5. 21 APR

    Episode 165: Rory Achieves Glory

    In the most dramatic Masters in recent memory, Rory McIlroy exorcized his demons, and wrote his name in the history books. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 0:30 - Arsenal's convincing win over Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Where does John's club sit now in the hierarchy of European soccer? 14:20 - The NCAA Basketball National Championship. All four 1-seeds advanced to the Final Four, the National Championship ended on a strange sequence, and the overall vibe of the tournament was muted. What did we like? What are we hoping changes? 24:20 - We recap the 2025 Masters, focusing on Rory McIlroy and the amazing experience of watching him complete the Grand Slam. This felt like a huge cultural moment in America, so what does it take for golf to break through in the mainstream? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 9m

  6. 26 MAR

    Episode 164: March, but no Madness

    The first two rounds of the 2025 NCAA tournament featured some amazing basketball, but few upsets and even less drama. What is the state of the tournament given the recent changes to the transfer portal and NIL? On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 4:00 - We briefly fill out the list of Stephen A. Smith's potential cabinet secretaries. 13:30 - We recap the disastrous weekend for the U.S. Men's National Team, which saw them place fourth in the Nations League. How concerned should soccer fans be just one year before we host the World Cup? 25:40 - We recap the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, focusing on the important games on the court and the important cultural issues from the first weekend. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 8m

  7. 13 MAR

    Episode 163: President Stephen A. Smith?

    Television and sports personality Stephen A. Smith has been venturing into a new media space: politics. Now, he's one of the most talked about potential candidates for the Democratic nominee for president. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 2:30 - We recap the 2025 Oscars, talking about the success of the show, the biggest winners and losers, and the general state of movies in culture right now. 18:50 - We transition to a conversation about the first episode of the newest season of Drive to Survive, and particularly how the show covered the scandal involving Christian Horner last year. 30:40 - March Madness is just around the corner, and we discuss the quiet of the college basketball season so far, as well as discuss some of the biggest stories on our minds going into the tournament. 52:00 - THE BIG STORY: Stephen A. Smith is now being discussed as a legitimate presidential candidate. How did this happen? What would it mean for politics and sports? Do we think he has a real chance? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 22m

  8. 27 FEB

    Episode 162: The Transgender Sports Ban

    Early into his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender women from competing in women's sports in public schools and under the NCAA. Charlie Baker—president of the NCAA—responded with immediate compliance. On today's show, Chad and John discuss: 2:50 - The remarkable Four Nations NHL tournament, the USA v. Canada hockey rivalry fueled by politics, and the state of All-Star games across sports. 17:50 - Jannik Sinner settles his ongoing charges of PED use, and agrees to serve a 3 month suspension. What does this mean for Sinner and for the future of doping cases? 32:40 - THE BIG STORY: The Transgender Sports ban, the national reaction, and what's next in this hugely significant cultural story. 54:50 - Some brief final thoughts about the state of the Oscars and our frustrations with the voting Academy. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

    1h 6m
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About

Hello and welcome to Crunching Tackles, a podcast where John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie sit down once a week to discuss the biggest cultural issues that affect the sports world. Tune in every Monday to hear our takes on the controversial topics that touch the games we watch every week (and hear us scream at each other about Star Wars). If you enjoy our content, like, follow, subscribe (all the fun stuff), and follow us on Twitter @john_nekrasov and @chadewylie!

Information

  • Creator
    Crunching Tackles
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    172
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Crunching Tackles
  • Show Website
    Crunching Tackles

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