Cut Traded Fired Retired

Susie Wargin
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Cut Traded Fired Retired

We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them. Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30-year Radio & TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightul upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisom on how to keep moving forward. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit CTFRPodcast.com. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit SusieWargin.com. Thank you for listening!

  1. NOV 6

    Corey Nelson

    He’s one of just over 30 players who can say he played for the Broncos twice. Corey Nelson grew up in Dallas and was the 5A player of the year in high school as well as a 5-star recruit by Scout.com. He had numerous colleges offering scholarships and chose Oklahoma because of the connection he felt with the linebacker’s coach.   Corey started playing as a true freshman and gathered accolades as both an athlete and student. His senior season started strong with a pick-6 and a plethora of tackles… until he tore his pec muscle and required surgery. At that point, Corey wasn’t sure if he had a future in the NFL, so he picked up more classes and wrapped up his degree in four years.   Turns out he did have an NFL future and in 2014, the Broncos drafted him in the 7th round. He worked his way on to the roster through special teams and became a Super Bowl Champion. Then another injury came and the Broncos didn’t sign him back in the offseason.   Corey then traveled from team to team trying out for any openings. The Broncos brought him back in 2019, but in October that year, another injury put him out for the season and eventually out of the league.   These days he’s a husband, dad and business owner in Texas.   Listen to Corey’s story and conversation with @susiewargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast. Links to listen on your favorite podcast platforms in the @ctfrpodcast bio!

    52 min

  2. OCT 23

    Chris Harris Jr.

    The chip on Chris Harris Jr’s shoulder began to form in high school. He’d lettered in three sports, been All-State in football and basketball and was honored for his academics. Yet he hadn’t been offered a scholarship after his senior year of football. Finally during the basketball season, the University of Kansas gave him an offer. Once other schools head of KU’s scholarship, they jumped on the band wagon and started calling Chris. The chip started.   After his career with the Jayhawks where he played 50 games and racked up nearly 300 tackles, there was no invite to the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine game or the Combine. Instead, he had a Pro Day which went well, but he still went undrafted. Then the 2011 NFL lockout started. The chip deepened.   When the lockout lifted, Chris was with the Broncos, trying to make a team with some top-notch defensive backs. He balled out on special teams, got the attention of coaches and made the roster. Eventually he’d be a starter and a key component of the “No Fly Zone” which helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.   In 2020, his contract was up with the Broncos and despite thinking he would be resigned, he wasn’t and instead went to the Chargers and later to the Saints. In 2023, teams stopped calling and Chris knew it was time to retire, which he did in October of 2024. Today he’s embarking on some new adventures and trying to ensure he and his wife don’t get overthrown by their 5 young daughters. Listen to Chris’s story and conversation with @susiewargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast. Links to listen on your favorite podcast platforms in the @ctfrpodcast bio!

    47 min

  3. OCT 9

    Jim Ryan

    Even though he was making tackles left and right at William & Mary, Jim Ryan never thought about going to the NFL after college. He was getting his Business Management degree and heading into the real world. That is until a scout from the Broncos contacted him.   The scout knew Jim wasn’t going to be drafted but saw his talent and wanted to be on the linebacker’s radar when he was picking out a team to sign with as an undrafted free agent. Turns out the Broncos were the only ones who called, and the kid from New Jersey went west for the first time.   That was 1979. The year before, the Broncos had played in their first Super Bowl and the Orange Crush Defense was in full force. Jim figured he had no shot of making the team, so he played relaxed and had fun. That method worked well as he made the team and stayed for 10 seasons.   After football, Jim tried a variety of jobs including stints with the media and coaching at the high school and NFL levels. After 3 firings in 5 years with coaching, Jim went into the business world. Today, he consults as a trainer for sales teams, spends time with his family and stays in touch with his former teammates.   Listen to Jim’s story and conversation with Susie Wargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast.

    47 min

  4. SEP 25

    David Anderson

    He set receiving records at Colorado State University and eventually landed in their Athletics Hall of Fame. Not bad for a guy who didn’t have the size of a “typical” wide receiver in the early 2000’s. These days, David Anderson would fit right in.   David grew up in California and played at Thousand Oaks High School, a hot bed for college recruiting. Despite having numerous D1 scouts and coaches at his games and dominating at wide receiver, David’s first scholarship offer came in the late fall of his senior year. During his visit to Fort Collins, he committed to play for Sonny Lubick.   After a stellar career at CSU, he was selected by the Houston Texans with the 4th to last pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Like Sonny Lubick, Gary Kubiak had an eye for hidden talent. David played 9 games as a rookie and stayed with the Texans until he was cut in the summer of 2011. He got picked up by the Broncos for training camp, then cut again. From there he bounced back to Houston, had a short stop with Mike Shanahan in Washington, another quick stint in Seattle and called it a career.   After his playing days, David went back to school to get his MBA and venture into the business world. Eventually, his love for math and communications led to a startup called Breakaway Data where he is currently the CEO. David is also a husband and father to three young children who keep him plenty busy.   Listen to David’s story and conversation with Susie Wargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

    58 min

  5. SEP 11

    Nate Jackson

    Growing up in California, Nate Jackson spent all his time in the swimming pool… because he wasn’t allowed to play football until high school. He excelled in the pool and figured out how to compete. Once he started high school, his football experience began as a running back. Nate had to catch up quickly with guys who had been playing for a while… and had hit puberty.   He caught up and moved to wide receiver, however in a run-first offense, Nate didn’t get enough exposure to earn a college football scholarship. He decided he would try to walk on somewhere and settled on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The football coach told him all the walk-on spots were full and he should come back in the spring. When he came back in the spring, Nate and the other walk-ons were put aside. So, he transferred to Division III Menlo College.   At Menlo, Nate set records at wide receiver, earned NCAA Division III Offensive Player of the Year his senior year and is now in their Hall of Fame. He went undrafted after graduation and was able to catch on with the 49er’s. From there the ups and downs of pro football started: injury, cut, resigned, traded to the Broncos, NFL Europe, cut by Josh McDaniels, more injuries and a final try with the Las Vegas Locomotives.   Nate’s body had enough. He retired, started a family and embarked on many missions: published a book, wrote numerous articles and became a radio talk show host. Today, he’s working with Guerrilla Sports and is the NFL’s Uniform Inspector on the Broncos sidelines during home games.   Listen to Nate’s story and conversation with @susiewargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast. Links to listen on your favorite podcast platforms in the @ctfrpodcast bio!

    1h 6m

  6. SEP 4

    Jay Leeuwenburg

    He grew up in St Louis and played a number of sports, except football. Jay Leeuwenburg’s dad wanted to make sure he was coached properly, so he had to wait until high school to hit the gridiron. In the meantime, Jay dealt with a setback: being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in middle school.   The diabetes diagnosis meant one thing: how to manage it and play sports. Jay figured it out with the proper nutrition and became stronger… real strong. He excelled on the offensive line at his high school and got noticed by Gary Barnett, who was recruiting for the University of Colorado under Bill McCartney.   Jay took a scholarship at CU and found himself once again making a name for himself on the offensive line as a center. He helped the Buffs win a National Championship in 1990 and was a unanimous First Team All American the following season. There was talk about being a high draft pick, but that ended when he was chosen by the Chiefs in the 9th round of the 1992 draft.   The Chiefs didn’t keep him after training camp his rookie season, but the Bears claimed him off wires and he thrived in Chicago, starting every game from 1993-1995. He was a free agent in 1996 and signed with the Colts and eventually became Peyton Manning’s center. After stops in Cincinnati, Washington and Denver (very briefly), Jay retired and settled in Colorado with his family.   He dabbled in radio and TV and also got his teaching license. He’s been teaching 3rd grade at Colorado Academy now for 23 years.

    51 min

  7. AUG 28

    Travis Kirschke

    Growing up in California, he wanted to be like his favorite Raider’s player, Howie Long. Coincidentally, Travis Kirschke paralleled Howie’s NFL position (defensive end) and longevity in the league (13 years). Howie stayed with the same team and won one Super Bowl. Travis made 3 stops in the NFL, with the final one providing him two Super Bowl rings.   Travis was a standout high school player in The Golden State, earning a California Player of the Year Award and the Glenn Davis Award for the best high school player in the Los Angeles area. His career at UCLA wasn’t nearly as illustrious as he endured a few coaching changes and injuries. The result was being undrafted in 1997.   He stuck with his goal, however, and got on with the Detroit Lions where he became a starter his 3rd year and stayed for 6 seasons. From there he moved on (by choice) to the 49’ers and had one of his best seasons, starting nearly every game and racking up 43 tackles. After San Fransisco, he was courted by the Saints and Steelers and felt Pittsburgh was the best fit. Smart move. Travis helped build a solid defense with names like Polamalu and Porter and won two Super Bowls.   After 13 seasons, Travis knew his time had come. He had moved to Colorado during his NFL career with his wife and three kids and returned there to start the next chapter. In retirement, he has stayed busy as an assistant football coach at Valor High School and being dad to three athletes. Currently his two youngest sons are college student athletes with Gabe playing football at Colorado State and Blake playing lacrosse at the University of Denver.

    38 min

  8. AUG 21

    SPECIAL EDITION: Justin Dodge

    It was the event Nuggets fans had been waiting for since pro basketball came to Denver: a Championship Parade. On June 13, 2023, an estimated 750,000 people flocked to downtown Denver to celebrate their team who had just beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.   The parade was like previous parades for the Broncos and the Avalanche with players and coaches on top of fire trucks, traveling slowly through the streets of Denver. The final truck was the main attraction, carrying fan favorites Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The crowds got closer and closer to the truck as items were being tossed up, autographed and tossed back down.   Denver Police and SWAT team members initially had a comfortable security perimeter around the truck but began to lose their space as the crowd swelled.  SWAT Sergeant Justin Dodge was on the passenger side of the 80,000-pound truck and next to a wheel well as he worked to keep parade goers safe while the truck turned at 13th & Cherokee.   But when the truck turned, the wheel came out of the well 3 feet, catching Justin off guard and finding himself pinned by his leg under the wheel. His story about those vital seconds and what followed is incredible. Even more amazing: he returned to his SWAT team less than a year after losing his lower leg.

    1 hr
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
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About

We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them. Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30-year Radio & TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightul upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisom on how to keep moving forward. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit CTFRPodcast.com. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit SusieWargin.com. Thank you for listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Susie Wargin
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM
  • Show Website
    Cut Traded Fired Retired

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