Rich Take On Sports

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Sports & Recreation
**Rich Take On Sports**

Host Richmond Weaver explores the influence and impact of sports through conversations with personalities and luminaries who have been impacted, built, and inspired by the role of sports in their lives as they share their personal stories.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 70: Vic Beasley Jr. | Atlanta Falcons All-Pro Defensive End Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

Episode 70: Vic Beasley Jr. | Atlanta Falcons All-Pro Defensive End

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Vic Beasley Jr.
- Vic jokingly would love to have free items from Home Depot included in future contracts with the Atlanta Falcons but doesn’t think Arthur Blank would be willing
- Very surreal for him when he thinks about playing for the Atlanta Falcons the team he grew up loving as a kid in Adairsville, GA
- Fondly remembers former Falcons’ greats like Jamal Anderson, Chris Chandler, and his favorite was Michael Vick
- Still loves playing basketball but had to make the hard decision in high school to focus solely on football
- Another hard decision was selecting Clemson over Alabama to play collegiately but Clemson felt like home with head coach Dabo Swinney
- Playing in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots was everything he thought it would be but the loss will always haunt him even if he gets a chance to win a Super Bowl
- Faith has been a cornerstone of his life and was instrumental in helping him deal with the deaths of his dad, brother, and uncle
- Training with Tony Villani, a Clemson grad and owner of XPE Sports, was a tremendous experience as it helped prepare him for the NFL Combine
- He and Grady Jarrett never dreamed about the possibility of playing for the same team in the NFL because it didn’t seem remotely possible but he knew that the Falcons got a steal when they selected Grady in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft
- Competition within in sports is what drives and motivates Vic and one of the reasons why sports has played such a big part in his life
- Words of Wisdom from Vic Beasley Jr.: “I CAN ACCEPT FAILURE, EVERYONE FAILS AT SOMETHING. BUT I CAN’T ACCEPT NOT TRYING.” – Michael Jordan

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Vic Beasley Jr. on Twitter: @VicBeasley3

To Follow Vic Beasley Jr. on Instagram: @vicbeasley3

To Learn More Information about Vic Beasley Jr. Vic Beasley Jr

Featured Image Photo Credit: Jason Getz | USA TODAY Sports

Episode 69: Rhein Gibson | PGA and Web.com Tour Pro Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

Episode 69: Rhein Gibson | PGA and Web.com Tour Pro

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Rhein Gibson
- Sports has always been a part of his life growing up in Australia with 2 brothers
- Fell in love with Golf because it was a sport he could play on his own and didn’t need a team of people to play
- Became intrigued with American colleges because of a neighborhood friend was playing golf at the University of Colorado
- After using a scouting service, he decided to attend Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, OK
- Transition to America was tough as an 18-year old due to cultural changes but eventually would love his time at Oklahoma Christian University
- Would turn pro and travel extensively trying to earn his PGA Tour Card
- Life as a professional golfer is almost like a gambler where you are betting on yourself each week and many weeks the expenses are more than what you earn
- A special memory for Rhein was being paired with Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth in the British Open
- In 2012, he would earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records by scoring a 55 which is the lowest score ever recorded
- Words of Wisdom from Rhein Gibson: “Keyword not only on the tour but also in life is perseverance.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Rhein Gibson on Twitter: @RheinGibson55

To Follow Rhein Gibson on Instagram: @rheingibson

Featured Image Photo Credit: Rhein Gibson

Episode 68: Travis Blanks | Former Clemson All-ACC Defensive Back Jun 22, 2018

Show notes

Episode 68: Travis Blanks | Former Clemson All-ACC Defensive Back

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Travis Blanks
- Travis has remained in Clemson, SC now working with the Block C Club because Clemson feels like home
- Grew up in Fort Myers, FL before moving to Tallahassee, FL and played on the same Pop Warner football team with Sammy Watkins
- Football and track were his two primary sports and was ranked 3rd in the state of Florida for the hurdles
- A pivotal moment in life was being able to attend North Florida Christian School
- He was not a fan of one particular NFL team, however, Sean Taylor was a player that he would strive to be like on the field
- As he looks back on his recruitment, it is sometimes surreal to think that coaches like Les Miles, Nick Saban, Jim Tressel, and Dabo Swinney were calling him
- Some of the toughest games at Clemson were against Notre Dame, Louisville and even NC State
- Would have been content with a loss to LSU in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl in 2012 because he knew they gave it everything they had
- Still thinks about the loss to Alabama in the national championship game because of breakdowns in the game but does not dwell on the loss
- Knows God has a plan for his life and has been able to move forward even though he wasn’t able to fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL due to 2 ACL tears while at Clemson
- Believes that sports can help shape your perspective in life and so many traits can be instilled in each person from sports that are applicable in life
- Words of Wisdom from Travis Blanks: “Be the best version of you.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Travis Blanks on Instagram: @travandchan

To Follow Travis Blanks on Facebook: @tblanks

Featured Image Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale | USA TODAY Sports

Episode 67: Amin Elhassan | ESPN NBA Analyst and Front Office Insider Jun 15, 2018

Show notes

Episode 67: Amin Elhassan | ESPN NBA Analyst and Front Office Insider

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Amin Elhassan
- Moved back to Sudan at 8-years old and remembers his first time starting to understand sports was watching his dad play in a soccer league
- Became a basketball fan through watching videos of NBA bloopers and Michael Jordan
- Returned to the US at 14-years old and eventually enrolled at Georgia Tech to become an engineer and escape the cold NY winters
- Simply choose Georgia Tech because it was in the south and Stephon Marbury and Kenny Anderson had made it there from NY
- Early on Amin was NY Knicks fan until he interned with Knicks and saw the dysfunction of the organization
- Worked for the Atlanta Hawks while at Georgia Tech and eventually transferred to Arizona State
- Eventually was hired by the Phoenix Suns and promoted to Assistant Director of Basketball Operations before leaving to be an NBA Analyst for ESPN
- Currently is on multiple shows at ESPN… The Jump, Sportsnation, Sportscenter and on ESPN radio with The Dan Le Batard Show
- The biggest change that he’s seen in the NBA is the advent of analytics and how certain teams understand how to use analytics properly
- Believes that Charles Barkley is the preeminent NBA Analyst right now
- He owes everything to sports

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Amin Elhassan on Twitter: @DarthAmin

Featured Image Photo Credit: ESPN

Episode 66: Jon Gordon | Best-Selling Author and Leadership Consultant Jun 08, 2018

Show notes

Episode 66: Jon Gordon | Best-Selling Author and Leadership Consultant

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Jon Gordon
- Felt that he was meant to write the story of former Cornell University Lacrosse player George Boiardi outlined in the book, “The Hard Hat”, who was tragically killed during a lacrosse game
- Played multiple sports in high school focusing on basketball and football but eventually focused on lacrosse his senior season and was then recruited to play at Cornell
- Considered playing both football and lacrosse at Cornell but realized quickly that he might not get any playing time in either sport if he tried to play both
- Thought he wanted to be a politician but after losing the Atlanta City Council election he realized that his path would be different
- While many people know him as Mr. Positivity, he is by nature not a truly positive person and has to work daily to be positive
- The only time he has been star struck when speaking to sports teams and athletes was his first speaking opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Grew up admiring the New York Yankees and players like Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Thurman Munson
- He’s a big fan of Herschel Walker, who made a big impression on him after getting his autograph but was very disappointed when Tony Dorsett didn’t give him an autograph
- Hard for him to decide who is basketball’s greatest player of all-time and likes appreciating each great player from specific eras but if he has to pick he thinks LeBron James is the greatest
- Understands that God is control of his path and never imagined that his journey would be like his now
- Learned through sports to not let the opinions of others define you, not to let rejection define you but let it refine you
- Words of Wisdom from Jon Gordon: “Love. Serve. Care.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Jon Gordon on Twitter: @JonGordon11

To Follow Jon Gordon on Instagram: @jongordon11

To Follow Jon Gordon on Facebook: Jon Gordon

To Learn More About Jon Gordon, His Books and Podcast: Jon Gordon Website

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas | USA TODAY Sports

Episode 65: Brandon Boykin | NFL Veteran & Former UGA All-SEC Defensive Back Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

Episode 65: Brandon Boykin | NFL Veteran & Former UGA All-SEC Defensive Back

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Brandon Boykin
- Given the nickname Bam in high school by Cindy Morley after describing his play on the football field as a QB
- First memories of sports was playing tee ball and wanting to do well for his parents
- Always wanted to please his parents but would also help his older brother sneak out at times growing up
- Basketball is his true love regarding a specific sport
- Created a basketball highlight video that he sent to former University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt and was offered a scholarship to play football because of athleticism
- UGA coaches didn’t know where to play Brandon but knew they needed him on the field
- Former UGA Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez had a huge impact on his football career by teaching him the fundamentals of playing defensive back
- First kick return for UGA he returned the kick 100-yards for a touchdown
- Had made the decision to go pro after his Junior season but a snowstorm caused him to be stranded in Athens and made him rethink his decision which he ultimately decided to return his Senior season
- Had to convince Mark Richt to allow him to play on offense his Senior season at UGA
- Suffered a broken leg at the 2012 Senior Bowl which caused his draft stock to fall from a 1st-round pick ultimately to being picked in the 4th-round by the Philadelphia Eagles
- Injuries have caused him to focus on the next chapter of his life after his playing days are over even though he is still pursuing a playing career in the NFL
- He’s very interested in pursuing a career in TV but doesn’t want to just be a former player transitioning into broadcasting
- Being in sports has allowed him to have a diverse mindset and see people for who they truly are rather than the color of their skin or their ethnicity
- His mom is probably the biggest motivating influence in his life because of the adversity that she’s been able to overcome
- Words of Wisdom from Brandon Boykin: “The journey is the reward.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Brandon Boykin on Twitter: @BrandonBoykin2

To Follow Brandon Boykin on Instagram: @brandonboykin

To Follow Brandon Boykin on Facebook: Bam Boykin

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas | USA TODAY Sports

Episode 64: Manteo Mitchell | Olympic Silver Medalist & World Champion Sprinter May 25, 2018

Show notes

Episode 64: Manteo Mitchell | Olympic Silver Medalist & World Champion Sprinter

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Manteo Mitchell
- Faith, Focus, Finish has become his life mantra as the inspiration came from 2 Timothy
- This mantra and running helped him push through depression
- Track and field was never a sport that he enjoyed
- Football was his first love and wanted to be an NFL player and was highly recruited until he suffered a broken arm during a kick return in high school
- Chose to attend Western Carolina University on a track scholarship after meeting coach Danny Williamson during a high school track meet held at Western Carolina
- Also chose Western Carolina over Clemson because of the music program at WCU
- Making the Olympic team during team trials is one of the hardest things in Track and Field to accomplish
- Being a track and field professional is completely different than so many other sports as you’re an independent contractor
- Never had any doubt that he would finish the race in the 2012 London Olympics after suffering a broken fibula halfway through the race because he knew 3 other teammates counted on him
- Will focus on the next chapter of his professional career after the 2020 Olympics and really enjoys broadcasting
- Sports has allowed him mentally to focus on taking negatives and turning them into positives while staying physically fit and having a better spiritual connection
- Loves sports because you get to be on a team with people that you may have never been able to meet
- Words of Wisdom from Manteo Mitchell: “Faith, Focus, Finish”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Manteo Mitchell on Twitter: @ManteoMitchell

To Follow Manteo Mitchell on Instagram: @manteomitchell

To Follow Manteo Mitchell on Facebook: Manteo Mitchell

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images | Icon Sportswire

Episode 63: Sam Acho | Chicago Bears Linebacker May 18, 2018

Show notes

Episode 63: Sam Acho | Chicago Bears Linebacker

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Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Sam Acho
- Became involved with being a podcast co-host after Willow Creek Church Pastor Steve Carter invited him to participate
- Loved the idea of “Relevant Is Doing A Sports Podcast” and knew he wanted to be involved
- Sam never had a sole dream of playing in the NFL because he never really believed it could become true
- First noticed as a football player after him and his brother Emmanuel attended a camp in Southern California although they didn’t know that it was an invite-only camp
- USC Head Coach Pete Carroll and assistant coach Ken Norton, Jr. quickly noticed him and would offer him a scholarship
- Attended the University of Texas with Head Coach Mack Brown because Texas never pressured him to commit and it was close to his hometown of Dallas, TX
- Still thinks that the National Championship game against Alabama would have been different if Colt McCoy wouldn’t have gotten hurt in the opening minutes of the game
- Thought he would play his whole career in Arizona after being drafted by the Cardinals in the 4th round of the 2011 NFL Draft
- A broken leg changed his path in Arizona and he would eventually sign with the Chicago Bears and then signed a two-year extension with the Bears in March 2018
- Sam’s passionate about encouraging people and helping motivate people which is why he continues to pursue opportunities as a speaker
- Part of what he loves is also being on TV after he had his TV show in Arizona, “The Sam Acho Show”
- CTE is something that he does think about each day as he plays but he will continue to play until he doesn’t have the passion anymore
- He’s been involved with Living Hope Christian Ministries since he was 15-years old with mission trips and continues to give back with annual mission trips to help provide medical care in Nigeria
- Loves sports because you get to be on a team with people that you may have never been able to meet
- Words of Wisdom from Sam Acho: “Seek God whole-heartedly and you will find Him.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Sam Acho on Twitter: @TheSamAcho

To Follow Sam Acho on Instagram: @thesamacho

To Learn More Information About Sam Acho: Sam Acho

To Learn More Information About Living Hope Ministries: Living Hope Christian Ministries

To Learn More Information About Relevant Is Doing A Sports Podcast: Relevant Sports Podcast

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images | Icon Sportswire

Episode 62: Kyle Parker | Former Colorado Rockies & Clemson All-ACC 2-Sport Athlete May 11, 2018

Show notes

Episode 62: Kyle Parker | Former Colorado Rockies & Clemson All-ACC 2-Sport Athlete

Subscribe on Apple Podcast | Google Play | Stitcher

Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Kyle Parker
- Remembers meeting Dabo Swinney when Coach Swinney was the WR coach for Clemson
- Coach Swinney believed that Kyle could play both baseball and football at Clemson and convinced Clemson’s baseball coach Jack Leggett to give him an opportunity
- Enrolled early at Clemson in 2008 leaving high school in Jacksonville, FL and played baseball that spring for Clemson
- Started for Clemson as the QB during his redshirt Freshman year in 2009
- Became the first person in Division I history to hit 20 home runs and throw 20 touchdowns in the same academic year
- Had to make the tough decision in 2010 to walk away from football after being drafted in the 1st round of the MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies
- Made his first appearance in the Majors in June 2014
- First game in the Majors was facing Clayton Kershaw who ended up throwing a no-hitter
- Amazed by the talent of Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado
- Sports has allowed Kyle to meet so many good people and develop connections and relationships with a lot of life memories
- Words of Wisdom from Kyle Parker: “You can only control what you can control and don’t be embarrassed about the outcome but be embarrassed about the effort.”

Social Media:

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Twitter: @richtakesports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Twitter: @richmondweaver

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Instagram: @richtakeonsports

To Follow Richmond Weaver on Instagram: @richmondweaver93

To Follow Rich Take On Sports on Facebook: @richtakeonsports

Featured Image Photo Credit: Kyle Parker

Episode 61: Mark Schlereth | 3x Super Bowl Champion & Fox Sports NFL Analyst May 04, 2018

Show notes

Episode 61: Mark Schlereth | 3x Super Bowl Champion & Fox Sports NFL Analyst

Subscribe on Apple Podcast | Google Play | Stitcher

Rich Take On Sports

Show Notes:

Rich Spotlight: Mark Schlereth
- Grew up in Anchorage, AK and became known as “Stink” because of a story he told as a Rookie with the Washington Redskins which was supplanted after urinating in his uniform on the bench
- Only 2 schools to offer him a scholarship was the University of Idaho and the University of Hawaii
- Was almost forced to retire from football while playing at Idaho because of multiple injuries and surgeries
- 10th Round selection by the Washington Redskins in 1989
- Former teammate at Idaho, Marvin Washington, was an integral part of his career in the NFL after Marvin would have Mark attend workouts for scouts with him
- Alex Gibbs at Denver convinced the Broncos to sign Mark even though he couldn’t pass the medical exam
- Would then win 2 Super Bowls with Denver and earn a Pro Bowl appearance in 1998
- Mark also convinced Denver to sign Marvin Washington and the two would win a Super Bowl together
- Has always wanted to broadcast NFL games and so he decided to leave ESPN for Fox Sports with the opportunity to call NFL games
- More nervous to watch his son Daniel play baseball in the Majors than any time playing in his NFL career
- Words of Wisdom from Mark Schlereth: “My big thing as a parent and grandparent is to be involved, it’s quantity time, not quality time.”

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