Kevin Butler is a former Super Bowl champion kicker who played for the Chicago Bears from 1985 to 1995. He is recognized as the first kicker to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and is ranked among the 100 greatest Bears of all time. In this episode, hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola discuss past events that Butler encountered towards college football, the '85 Super Bowl Chicago Bears, and the financial management skills of young athletes and the potential consequences they may face with NIL deals. Butler reflects on his favorite moments from his career. He emphasizes the importance of the friendships and relationships he developed with his teammates, mentors, and legends of the game. He recalls the experience of being on the field for significant games, particularly highlighting a memorable win against the San Francisco 49ers early in his career. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Lincoln Coleman Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas, and excelled as a running back during his playing years at Baylor University, The Arena Football League, and the NFL. His professional career kicked off with the Dallas Cowboys, where he joined their roster as a running back. Although primarily serving as a backup, Coleman's versatility and determination quickly made an impact. In this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk with Lincoln about his experience being coached under Jimmy Johnson with The Dallas Cowboys, he shares some infamous White House Stories and his transition from the NFL to coaching high school football in Michigan. Coleman's standout moment came during Super Bowl XXVIII in 1994 when he contributed significantly to the Cowboys' victory with crucial rushing plays and strong blocking. Coleman's performance solidified his place in Cowboys history and earned him recognition as a valuable asset to the franchise. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Ryan Chiaverini is an Emmy Award-winning television personality, actor, musician, and a southern California native. He’s a sports anchor and host of Windy City Weekend on ABC-7 Chicago. Since 2006, Ryan has covered all of Chicago’s major sports and interviewed a number of celebrities. In this episode, hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk with Ryan about his football career playing with his brother at the University of Colorado Boulder, his broadcast journey leading him to Chicago, and more. Chiaverini has interviewed some of the biggest names across a multitude of industries such as entertainment, sports, and music. His family has a deep impact in the sports world, including his younger twin brother, Darrin Chiaverini, who played in the NFL with three different organizations, and is now an Offensive Analyst for the UCLA Bruins football team. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Jack Sanborn, current linebacker for the Chicago Bears, joins the show today. Growing up in Deer Park, IL, Jack attended Lake Zurich High School where he recorded 296 tackles, and 13 sacks in the three years he played varsity. He was rated as a four-star recruit and went on to further his football career at the University of Wisconsin. In this episode, hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk with Sanborn about his football career growing up in Illinois to now playing for his hometown favorite team, the Chicago Bears. The three also discuss the major differences Sanborn's experiencing from college football to the pros, and more. Sanborn signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following the start of the 2022-23 NFL season. In his first career start against the Detroit Lions, Sanborn recorded 2 sacks and 12 tackles. Pro Football Focus named Sanborn to their 2022 All-Rookie Team following the regular season. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Tony Boselli joins the show today, a former USC Trojan Offensive Tackle from 1991 – 1994. In 1995 he was the first player ever to be drafted by the new Jacksonville Jaguars franchise in the first round, second pick overall. In the episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, chat with Tony about the moment he found out that he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, debating whether there’s enough room for the XFL and USFL in the football world, and more. Tony was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2022, with an impressive number of accolades being a Three-time First-team All-Pro, Five-time Pro-Bowler, and College Football Hall of Famer. He only missed 1 game throughout his whole NFL career playing 90 out of 91 games. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Danny Amendola grew up in Woodlands, Texas, and went on to further his football career at Texas Tech University. Being an undrafted free agent in 2008, he was signed on to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, then made a powerful impact by starting at wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams in 2009. In this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, talk to Danny about his experience being coached by the legendary Mike Leach, reliving past memories in New England, and recapping his experience on “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.” From 2013 to 2017, Danny made a run with the New England Patriots winning two Super Bowls with the franchise (XLIX & LI). He played for 7 different NFL organizations throughout his career, tallying over 6,000 receiving yards, 24 receiving touchdowns, and over 5,000 return yards. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Richard Dent grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and went on to pursue his football career at Tennessee State University. After being drafted by the Bears in 1983, he accelerated at his position, defensive end, and had a list of accolades throughout his career. In 2011, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his efforts. In the episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola sit down with Richard to talk about his experience as a rookie once he joined the Chicago Bears, Richard being awarded MVP in the 1985 Super Bowl, and his current thoughts and opinions on what the Chicago Bears need to do this off-season. When the Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, Richard was selected as the game’s MVP. He recorded 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked pass in that game. He was also a featured soloist of the “Shuffling Crew” in the Super Bowl Shuffle Video in 1985. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Alan May is a former professional hockey player and current NHL analyst for NBC Sports Washington covering everything Washington Capitals. He played for 5 different NHL organizations between 1988 to 1995. In this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk with Alan about his playing career being undrafted, his early life growing up in the Canadian hockey culture, and his broadcast career with the Washington Capitals. May started his playing career in the NHL with the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers, but had a more significant role with the Washington Capitals. In the 1989-90 NHL season, May still remains the Capitals’ single-season leader in penalty minutes with 339. His career total is 1,348 penalty minutes throughout his professional career. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Chris Zorich grew up on the south side of Chicago where he attended Chicago Vocational High School. The same high school that, “The Maestro of Mayhem”, Dick Butkus also attended in his early days. Chris went on to play football at the University of Notre Dame, where he won a National Championship and eventually went on to play for the Chicago Bears for six seasons (1991 – 1997). In this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, talk with Chris about the truth behind college athletes going into the transfer portal, Chris’s journey playing football and being recruited by Dick Butkus himself, and Notre Dame’s culture change for football when he was coached by the legend Lou Holtz. In 1989, Chris won the Lombardi Award as a senior in college. The award is given out to college football players that embody the spirit and values of the NFL’s legendary coach Vince Lombardi. In Chris’s last college game ever, he won Defensive MVP in the Orange Bowl against the University of Colorado. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Dylan Strome grew up in Mississauga, Ontario playing hockey at an early age. In 2015, Strome was drafted first-round third overall in the 2015 NHL draft by the Arizona Coyotes. After playing three seasons with the Yotes, Strome went on to play for the Chicago Blackhawks for 4 seasons, tallying up 225 points. In this episode, our hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk to Dylan about his career with the Blackhawks, playing superstars of the likes of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, his experience playing in the 2019 Winter Classic against the Boston Bruins, and his life outside of hockey. Dylan currently plays for the Washington Capitals and has two brothers that are also in the National Hockey League. Ryan Strome playing for the Anaheim Ducks, and Matthew Strome playing for the Washington Capitals AHL team, the Hershey Bears. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Gary Fencik grew up just outside of Chicago in Barrington, Illinois. He played college football at Yale University in the wide receiver position, catching 86 passes for 1,436 yards and 7 touchdowns from 1973 to 1975. In this episode, our host, Matt Butkus, talks with Gary about his unique journey to the NFL being drafted by the Miami Dolphins originally, how the idea of the Iconic Super Bowl Shuffle came to fruition, and Gary’s advice he gives to former athletes looking for their next career path after football from the NFL. Gary Fencik was drafted in the 10th round in the 1976 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. With Miami transitioning him to defensive back, Gary faced a ruptured lung and was released from the Dolphins and sent back to Chicago where the Bears would eventually pick him up on the roster. Two-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time All-Pro selection, and an 85’ Super Bowl Champion later. Gary is on the list of the 100 Greatest Bears of All-Time. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

We are joined today by Keith Van Horne, who played Offensive Tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1993. He’s a Super Bowl Champion playing on the 1985 Bears Team, and he’s a former National Champion, who had played for the USC Trojans back in 1978. In this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk to Keith about some of the craziest stories Keith experienced during his time with the Bears. They discuss the 85’ Super Bowl season, Keith’s experience with Mike Ditka as head coach, and what he currently likes to do in his day-to-day lifestyle. Keith Van Horne was selected 11th overall in the 1981 Draft by the Chicago Bears. In his 13 NFL seasons, Van Horne played 186 games and started 169 of them. Back in 1980 for the USC Trojans, he was named First-Team All-American playing Offensive Tackle. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Jarrett Payton, a Chicago-Land native that grew up in Arlington Heights and South Barrington, Illinois, and son of “Sweetness,” Walter Payton, joins the show! Jarrett is a 2001 National Champion, playing running back for the Miami Hurricanes, sports reporter, and host of CLTV’s Sports Feed. In this episode, host Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk with Jarrett about his career playing for the powerhouse Miami Hurricanes, Jarrett’s foundation that he formed back in 2011, and what he’s currently up to in his day-to-day life. Many football analysts and critics regard the 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team to be the greatest college football team to ever be assembled. Beating Nebraska 37-14 in 2001, that Miami Hurricanes roster would eventually produce 38 NFL draft picks following the next 5 years. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Alex Cavatton, Italian sports author and sports facilitator of the Chicago Bears Italia Fan Base, joins the show today. Hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk to Alex about his book “Chicago Sunday”, which covers the history of the last 100 years of the Chicago Bears franchise. They also talk about his other novels, what inspired him to become involved with the American sports culture, and much more. Alex has studied American sports culture since he was a kid. He grew up in Milan, Italy, and has been reporting on the Chicago Bears Italia Twitter page since 2017. He continues to write for “Huddle Magazine,” an Italian-American Football magazine and is a part of, “The Cutting Edge”, a live-stream sports show that covers American sports news. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Jim "Jimbo" Covert joins the show today. He’s a two-time first-team all-pro offensive tackle, two-time pro bowler, a pro football and college football Hall of Famer, and a Super Bowl champion, playing on the 1985 Chicago Bears team. In Part 2 of this episode, our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, talk to Jim about his current lifestyle and hobbies outside of football. Jim shares his craziest moment on the football field and explains his proudest moment in his football career. In Covert’s sophomore year in the league, he was elected by his teammates to be one of the Bears Offensive captains alongside Walter Payton. That year in 1985, he was named All-Pro by Sports Illustrated and was ranked by many as one of the best tackles in professional football. Click here for part 1 of this conversation. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Jim "Jimbo" Covert joins the show today. He’s a two-time first-team all-pro offensive tackle, two-time pro bowler, a pro football and college football Hall of Famer, and a Super Bowl champion, playing on the 1985 Chicago Bears team. In Part 1 of this episode, our hosts Matt Butkus, and Matt Amendola talk to Jim about growing up in Pennsylvania playing for The University of Pittsburg with Dan Marino, the 1985 Super Bowl season with Mike Ditka as head coach, and sharing a story about playing through injury with a torn rotator cuff in his junior year of high school going into college. Jimbo Covert was drafted sixth overall in the 1983 draft by the Chicago Bears. He immediately impacted his rookie career starting all 16 games, helping the Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards with Walter Payton in the backfield. Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Doug Plank joins the show today, a former NFL Safety that played for the Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1982. He also played for The Ohio State Buckeyes winning three Big Ten Titles and participating in three consecutive Rose Bowls. In this episode, our hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk to Doug about how the Bears used to run their defense when Buddy Ryan was the Defensive Coordinator and how Doug originally had no interest in football at first. Doug shares some memories with old teammate and special guest, Kris Haines. “The 46 Defense” Defensive Coordinator, Buddy Ryan, dubbed the name after his entire defense from Doug’s jersey number, for his hard-hitting aggressive style. Doug Plank is considered one of the hardest-hitting Safeties of all time. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

Kris Haines joins the show today, a former NFL wide receiver that played for the now Washington Commanders, the Chicago Bears, and the Buffalo Bills. He also won a National Championship playing for Notre Dame back in 1977. In this episode, our hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola talk to Haines about his coaching experience winning the Division III Italian Super Bowl, his upbringing from high school sports to the NFL, and his teammate, Joe Montana, and their long-time friendship. In the infamous “Chicken Soup Game” Notre Dame vs Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl, Joe Montana connected with Haines on an eight-yard touchdown pass just as time expired. Haines made a diving catch in the corner of the end zone to tie the score at 34-34. The ensuing PAT finished a remarkable 35-34 comeback victory for the Fighting Irish. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

We are joined on the show today by Ed O'Bradovich, Chicago Bears Defensive End from 1962 to 1971. O'Bradovich was selected as one of the 100 greatest’s Bears of All-Time, played on the 1963 NFL Championship team with the Bears, and spent his whole NFL career in Illinois. In this episode, Dick Butkus is in the studio, alongside our hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, to talk to Ed about his journey from high school to the NFL, Ed’s takes on the current NFL, and he shares some memorable moments playing alongside The Enforcer himself. Ed O’Bradovich, better known as “OB”, has spent his whole NFL career with the Chicago Bears. Perhaps the singular memory of O'Bradovich was when he intercepted a short pass in the 1963 NFL Championship game and ran down the field on a key play to help secure the victory for the Bears. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

We are joined today by former linebackers’ coach for the Dallas Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns. He also previously served as the Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator and is now the new head coach for the Chicago Bears. Matt Eberflus joins the show! In this episode, Dick Butkus joins us in studio alongside our hosts, Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola, to talk to Coach Eberflus about his expectations for this upcoming season with the Chicago Bears. They also break down his coaching influences that helped him become the coach that he is today. Before Matt Eberflus was a coach, he was a linebacker when he played at the University of Toledo. He eventually got submersed in the world of coaching for the University of Toledo and the University of Missouri. Prior to Eberflus landing a spot in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns, he also previously served as the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

We are joined today by former collegiate linebacker for the University of Michigan and the 1991 Butkus Award winner. He also played professional football in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins from '93 to '94. Erick Anderson joins the show. In this episode, hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola ask Erick what his life has been like after playing football for many years, how he’s helped develop special-ed programs in Ohio with athletics and social skills, and one of his current roles as the Outside linebacker’s coach for Baldwin Wallace University. Erick Anderson played college football as a linebacker at the University of Michigan from 1988 to 1991. He was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten Conference and was selected as a first-team All-American. He is the only player in Michigan Wolverines football history to lead the team in tackles for four consecutive years, and his 390 tackles at Michigan ranks third in school history. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

In this special episode, we are joined by the fathers of our hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola to celebrate father's day with Dick Butkus and Willie Amendola. Butko and Dola cross interview each other’s dads, to get the perspective of what they were like growing up, how their relationship with their fathers shaped the way they played sports, and they dive into the generation gap between the past and the current high school athletes with the implementation of the NIL. Willie Amendola has been in education for over 40 years. He taught and coached in the Houston, Klein and Aldine school districts. He graduated for Northeastern University in Boston and earned a Master of Administration degree from Sam Houston State University. This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them!

We are joined today by columnist, radio and television personality who currently co-hosts Kap and J. Hood on ESPN 1000, and the host of “Unfiltered” on NBC Sports Chicago, Dave Kaplan. He is the only person in Chicago media history to host a daily TV show, a daily radio show, and write a regular column in a major newspaper, all at the same time. In this episode, hosts Matt Butkus and Matt Amendola dive into Dave’s career as a broadcaster, head basketball coach, and scout for the NBA. They discuss NCAA student athletes getting paid in college, challenges with social media, his favorite broadcasting moments, and his experience interviewing Johnny Cockran after the O.J. Simpson trial. Originally going into law school, Dave changed his career path when he had the opportunity to be an assistant on head coach John McDougal's staff at Northern Illinois University from 1983 to 1986 for NIU's Men's Basketball Team. He then became a scout for the Indiana Pacers and the Seattle Supersonics.

We are joined by former Butkus Award winner, NFL linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, and now serves as the Fellow, Office of the Commissioner for the Big Ten Conference, Noor Davis. In this episode, hosts Pete Hassen, Matt Butkus, and Matt Amendola ask Noor, about his early life in football back in his high school days in Florida winning the Butkus Award, to now working directly under Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren managing special projects and assisting in the day-to-day executive processes of the Conference. After winning the Butkus Award back in 2011 while attending Leesburg High school in Florida, Davis continued his playing career at Stanford. As a senior in 2016, Davis earned Academic All-Pac-12 distinctions. Succeeding his college career, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2017. While his time with the Vikings, Noor talks about how he met Kevin Warren, and the journey of eventually working under him for the Big Ten conference.

We are joined today by former NFL Linebacker, University of Illinois alum, and former Dick Butkus Award winner, Dana Howard. Dana has played for a multitude of teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In this episode, hosts Pete Hassen, Matt Butkus, and Matt Amendola ask Dana about how the linebacker position has changed overtime since his time playing, how it felt to be apart of the top linebacker group in the nation with the University of Illinois, and what he’s currently up to today. Dick Butkus also makes an appearance relating back to his university days in Illinois. He tells an intriguing story of when his former ex-marine/coach made the team do harsh conditioning drills.