Author: Running It Back

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The NFL’s Black Head Coach Problem

Mike Tomlin

As of the release of this episode, Mike Tomlin is the lone Black Head Coach remaining in the NFL. Tarlin and Mike run it back to our ongoing conversation about the Rooney Rule and soft affirmative action in the NFL referencing Tomlin, Art Shell, and Jim Caldwell. We talk Eric Bieniemy and Byron Leftwich. We reminisce and look for lessons from the careers and legacies of Tony Dungy and Bill Belichick. And ultimately, we celebrate Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s recent hiring as GM of the Minnesota Vikings.

Then Tarlin talks about the work of Guy Primus and The Board Challenge to effect the long, slow turnaround of institutions like the NFL. We admit that we can’t quit the NFL even though we know we probably should as we say goodbye to a friend of the show and talk about how we can give black head coaches more chances than they’re getting to turn the institution of the NFL around.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more lessons learned from sports.

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Antonio Brown’s Walkoff, The NFL and TMZ Culture

Antonio Brown

Tarlin and Mike are back to find lessons learned from sports. This time we look at the spectacle surrounding Antonio Brown’s exit from the Tampa Bay Bucs game versus the New York Jets during the 3rd quarter of the game last weekend.

Why did Tarlin not want to cover the AB story? How does this situation compare to the broader challenges of working with divas and other selfish personalities on teams and in the workplace? What must it have been like to be Bruce Arians trying to talk to AB while recovering from Covid and a partially torn Achilles? And how might this relate to Mike Tomlin and lessons from other diva wide receivers like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, and Chad Ocho Cinco over the years?

We cover all of this while kicking off 2022 with our inimitable style. Thank you for listening.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you pod. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more amazing lessons learned from sports.

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Running It Back 2021 Year in Review

2021

Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer are back to look for lessons learned from a year’s worth of podcast episodes in 2021. We think back on the 20 episodes we released and break down the topics, themes, and human stories that made for an incredible year of programming.

Whether it’s Simone Biles, the Rooney Rule, Sports Parenting, or Kyrie and the Vaccine, we talk through our conversations about what bubbled up in the collective consciousness from the world of sports and try to make sense of it all while having some fun along the way.

We thank each other and most importantly our listeners as we begin to look ahead to build on what’s now a strong foundation heading into 2022. Thanks to everyone who is listening and supporting us. We couldn’t have gotten here without you!

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more amazing lessons learned from sports.

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Name, Image, Likeness, and Ed O’Bannon vs the NCAA

Ed O'Bannon

Tarlin and Mike return to talk about the recent changes to the NCAA regulations about college players’ ability to monetize their Name, Image, and Likenesses. We run it back to the case of Ed O’Bannon who was the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA on violation of antitrust regulations based on the use of his image in an EA Sports Video Game in 2009.

In addition to Easy Ed, we reflect on what we’ve seen since the temporary measure was put in place by the NCAA in July as we think about what this means for college athletes, the NCAA, and elitist notions of amateurism. We also talk Azzi Fudd, brainstorm ideas for Space Jam 3, recall Gavin Newsome’s appearance on The Shop with LeBron James and much more.

It’s a fun romp through a significant change to college sports that is opening up opportunities for players and also for sports like women’s volleyball and other women’s sports that may not have traditionally garnered broader support and attention.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.com for more amazing lessons learned from sports.

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Scottie Pippen’s Last Dance Memoir Unguarded

Bulls Jordan and Pippen

Tarlin and Mike are back, this time to run it back to a new perspective on the legacy of the 1990s Bulls. This time it’s from Scottie Pippen’s perspective based on his recent memoir, Unguarded. What was it like to be Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman? How did Scottie demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability that are critical to being an effective teammate and collaborator? And where did he go too far and come across as hurt and a little bit petty in his portrayal of the Bulls Dynasty from the perspective of its “Second Banana?”

We explore all of this and learn the importance of good nutrition while cycling in a whirlwind conversation that even includes some of Scotties deep and soulful DJ voice before concluding.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more amazing Lessons Learned from Sports.

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Aaron Rodgers Lies about His COVID Vaccination Status

Aaron Rodgers

Tarlin Ray and Mike Palmer are back looking to find lessons learned from the Aaron Rodgers situation in Green Bay. Now that it is confirmed that Rodgers is not vaccinated against Covid-19 and that he was referring to alternative treatments when he told the media he was immunized, what wisdom and leadership lessons can be found in all of this?

We watched the Pat McAfee Show Appearance where Rodgers rails against the “woke mob” and “cancel culture” as he defends his decision to break the unjust rule of having to be masked during interviews with the press. We explore the impact on team culture when the leader lies and how it’s different when he’s truthful within the team while obscuring the truth with the media. And we make some connections to the political arena and how the “Big Lie” can galvanize the group and perhaps set up Green Bay for a deep playoff run. How does Aaron compare to Alex Rodriguez, Lance Armstrong, and other famous liars in sports? Does he suffer from “affluenza” and is a bit too quick to take on a narrative of victimization? We answer all of this and more in a free-wheeling conversation that you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more great shows like this.

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Ben Simmons, Disgruntlement, and The Process

Tarlin and Mike look for lessons learned from the acrimony surrounding Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers as we head into the 2021-2022 NBA Season. After another disappointing finish for the Sixers in the NBA Playoffs in the Summer of 2021, neither Joel Embiid nor Doc Rivers gave Ben Simmons the support he was looking for. Then after Ben asked for a trade, the drama increased as his request has not yet been granted. Simmons eventually appeared at practice but was so disengaged that Doc ended up sending him home. Ben’s since spoken with the team and is choosing to take time away as he is not mentally ready to play at this time.

What lessons can we find in this developing sports soap opera? What does it tell us about leadership? What can we learn by Running It Back to Sam Henkie and The Process? Who should take the reins and how will this resolve? Will Philly Persevere, Pivot, or Kill at this point? How much can teams cater to delicate stars and at what point does it become toxic?

We cover all of this and even get Tarlin’s lightning round run through a cavalcade of disgruntlement before we wrap up a relevant and insightful dive into the psyches and mindsets of the modern NBA.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more great content.

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Kyrie, The Vaccine, and the NBA

Kyrie Irving

Tarlin and Mike are back. This time it’s to talk about vaccines and the NBA with the spotlight on Andrew Wiggins, Bradley Beal, and the mercurial Kyrie Irving as we head into the 2021-2022 season. We touch on the comments by LeBron James and Draymond Green in response to the decisions of several players to opt-out of the Covid-19 vaccine despite its impact on their ability to suit up regularly.

What lessons can this teach us about leadership? How does this tie back to Sandy Koufax, Joe Montana, and the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls? Is Kyrie a latter day heyoka as understood by the Sioux people–one who walks backward much in the way that Phil Jackson famously described Dennis Rodman? And what can be learned by the example of Wiggins who ultimately opted into the vaccine?

We cover all of this and hope to tease out lessons learned from the challenge of vaccine protocols to team dynamics in the world of sports and in our everyday lives.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more great shows like this.

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That’s My Quarterback – TO and Tony

NFL QB Controversy 2021 Kickoff Edition

To kick off our second year of Running It Back, Tarlin and Mike are back to talk NFL, beginning by returning to 2008 and Terrell Owens’ legendarily tearful “That’s My Quarterback” press conference. We recall how Owens defended his quarterback, Tony Romo, who was taking heat from the press for vacationing in Cabo with Jessica Simpson during the Cowboys’ bye week prior to losing to the future Superbowl Champion New York Giants.

We look for lessons to be learned from this and other QB controversies across the league in 2021 as we get amped up listening to The Mad Fanatic’s hype track for Drew Lock,That’s My Quarterback.

From there, we’re off to the races, tracking the controversies emerging everywhere while looking for lessons for our professional lives based on controversies with the “CEOs on the field.” Whether it’s Mac Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones, or Justin Fields, Mike and Tarlin bring hot takes and sharp connections to QB conversations present and past.

We’re excited to be back for another year of Running It Back. Thanks for joining us for the ride.

Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at RunningItBack.fm for more great shows like this!

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Simone Biles and the Tokyo Olympics

Simone Biles

Tarlin and Mike are back to talk about the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. What initially may have touched on the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat across the full span of athletic competition has become a global conversation about lessons to be learned from Simone Biles’ decision to opt-out of the Finals of the Team All-Around, the Individual All-Around, and several of the individual events in Women’s Gymnastics.

What lessons can be learned about empathy, grace, and psychological well-being based on what has happened in Tokyo and how the conversation has reverberated around the world. Does it make sense for us to equate Simone’s decision with taking a “Mental Health Day” or is there more going on here? And what are the ramifications of using elite athletes performing at or close to perfection as models for us to learn from in our day-to-day lives?

It’s a zeitgeisty conversation that we’re happy to lean into. We hope you enjoy listening!

For more great shows like this Subscribe to Running It Back wherever you get your podcasts. And check us out at RunningItBack.fm.