Saturday, January 17th, 2009

The NFL’s conference championship games feature three bird-teams out of four: the Eagles, Cardinals, Ravens, and the Steelers. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King calls in to help choose which bird or birds will be playing come February 1^st in Super Bowl XLIII and which won’t.

What happens to NFL players once they’ve retired and are hit hard by medical and financial issues? Former player and Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka assists these players with his non-profit organization, Gridiron Greats. Bobbie O’Brien catches up with the group in Tampa as it plans for several fund-raising events leading up to the Super Bowl.

Ron Chambers is a Vietnam vet who recently returned after 40 years; just to play golf. Michael Walker Jr. wrote about Ron’s trip back and the several rounds of golf the two of them played. Michael and Ron join Bill to talk about their return to Vietnam, the country’s thriving golf industry, and their article written for Golf Magazine.

University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky is breaking the boundaries on college wrestling, with a women’s wrestling team. Ron Schachter explores the Patriots program and how they’ve come to dismiss the norm in the sport.

Only A Game listeners have written letters and now Bill responds.

Bill and Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce discuss the NFL conference championship games, a record of sharpshooting 3-point proportions, and the Brooklyn Cyclones team name change.

Years ago athletes like Bill Russell, Paul Robeson, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and many more were challenged by the media for taking positions on cultural issues. Nowadays they’re remembered as courageous heroes. Bill talks with the editors of Reconstructing Fame: Sport, Race, and Evolving Reputations, a book that chronicles many of these figures who have only recently been recognized for their contributions outside of their sport.