For the first episode, Chris Long breaks down Super Bowl Champion & All-Pro DT Aaron Donald's football journey; from the days in the dungeon with his dad, to being a breakout DT at Pittsburgh, to playing with the Rams and creating the top defensive moves in his arsenal, and more. 

Listen to new episodes of American Prodigy: Becoming Great every Thursday. Listen and subscribe here. 

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One of the toughest wide receivers in the history of the NFL and one of the most electric is without a doubt Steve Smith Sr.

Cris makes it abundantly clear that Steve is bound for the Hall Of Fame in his opinion, but Cris starts off by getting into his legacy off the field, with The Steve Smith Family Foundation.

They then discuss what it means to be a good teammate and who Steve believes embodies that. Smith drops some truth bombs on how he was in the league, and what he has been working on since to repair some relationships off of the field.

To finish off the show, Cris and Steve talk about the wonderful feeling of being recognized and just being nominated for the Hall.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

(00:00) INTRO: Steve Smith Sr.

(02:10) The Steve Smith Family Foundation

(08:45) Favorite Teammates and What Makes A Good Teammate

(18:20) Trying Your Absolute Best And Working On Self

(22:10) Housing In Charlotte

(25:09) Cris’ Mother

(26:28) Hall Of Fame Finalist

(31:44) OUTRO

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Keenan Allen Is one of the most consistent and efficient players in both his output as an NFL wide receiver and in his ability to stay regimented.

Keenan was not always a wide receiver. Cris walks us through how Nick Saban wanted Keenan to join Alabama as a Safety and how his brother, a QB, led him to the decision to go to Cal and make the switch to Wide Receiver.

Cris also dives deep into Keenan’s family life and how losing his father could’ve been a massive detriment to his development as a man and player, but something beautiful came from tragedy.

Keenan was disrespected in the NFL draft, going in round 3. Cris talks about how that can be a great motivator and Allen describes just that in how he has developed as a player with a “chip on his shoulder.”

Cris takes it to the NFL today. Who are Keenan’s WR role models and what having a gun slinger like Justin Herbert and a leader like Brandon Staley.

Cris loves Keenan’s mindset. They discuss how you stay consistent and become a journeyman in the NFL.

Cris finishes off the show by getting into Keenan’s music prowess and endeavors outside of football and how the Chargers are going to put it together the rest of the season.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

(00:00) INTRO: Keenan Allen

(02:20) Not always a WR

(03:55) Going To Cal

(04:55) Family Tragedy

(07:23) Round 3 Draft Pick, But Pro Ready Receiver

(08:40) WR role models

(11:45) Paying It Forward

(12:55) The Confidence In Justin Herbert

(14:30) The Leadership Of Staley

(15:13) Endeavors Outside Of Football

(16:30) Staying Healthy

(17:01) Respecting The Game And Staying Focused

(19:37) Cooper Kupp Is On Fire

(20:47) Philip Rivers Vs. Justin Herbert

(21:51) Video Games And Music

(23:40) Producing Music After Football

(24:40) Keenan Allen R & B

(25:35) How Will The Chargers Fair The Rest Of The Season

(26:30) Props To Mike Williams

(27:23) OUTRO

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Cris is joined by arguably the best return man of all time, Devin Hester. He may have never wanted to play Wide Receiver, but he quickly blossomed into one of the greatest kick and punt returners we'll ever see.

Cris brings Devin back to his humble beginnings to talk about his upbringing in football and how his family life wasn't easy.

He then brings us to his fight to get his scholarship at the University of Miami.

Devin recaps his infamous opening kickoff return in Super Bowl 41, recounts his years with the Chicago Bears, and his love for the game of football.

Devin's career is outrageous. Cris brings us through the accolades and Devin fills in the gaps with some fantastic anecdotes leading him to being on the ballot for the hall of fame this year.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

0:00 INTRO: Devin Hester

2:40 Devin’s Upbringing In Football

5:11 Mental Health Battles

11:05 Fighting For His Scholarship

19:25 Hester’s Illustrious NFL Career

25:53 Devin’s Favorite Plays In The NFL

28:57 Devin’s Mentors

31:48 NFL Hall Of Fame Ballot Excitement

39:31 The Eye Test On Devin Hester

42:00 Giving Back And Having An Impact

45:46 What Football Means To Devin

47:23 OUTRO

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Cris Carter is LIVE from the Blue Wire Studios for a solo episode of WR1.

In today's show, the Hall of Famer talks about some of the top WRs the NFL has seen over the years and how the position has evolved over time.

Beginning with rookie standouts like Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle, Cris breaks down some of the 2nd year youngsters as well. CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and DK Metcalf are identified as some of his top WRs currently.

Then, Cris RANKS his top 5 WRs of all-time.

He closes the show with his thoughts on today's WRs and how the game and the position have evolved as a whole.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

(0:00) Welcome From Blue Wire Studios

(2:53) The 2021 Las Vegas Raiders

(4:20) Top Rookies WRs

(6:07) 2nd Year WRs

(7:12) Injured WRs

(11:34) Ranking Top 5 WRs of All-time

(14:38) Underappreciated WRs

(17:54) Top Young WRs

(22:38) Old School vs New School WRs

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Cris is joined by Minnesota Vikings dynamic duo wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

They begin the conversation between the two with Adam and Justin dissecting each others NFL journey and what Adam’s thoughts are of the new generation of wide receivers coming into the league.

The conversation continues by diving into Adam mentoring Justin when he first came into the league and what Adam has learned from Vikings legends. Cris then pivots to Justin and gets into Justin’s first experience with Vikings nation and his on-field experience with Malcolm Butler as a rookie.

Adam details his thoughts on Justin's game while he was sidelined by injury last year and the two discuss what it would take for the Vikings to bring a championship home.

Cris then asks both Adam and Justin what they are doing to prolong their NFL careers, their experience in training camp and the chemistry within the wide receivers team.

To finish off, Cris asks Adam and Justin what their message is to Minnesota after a tumultuous year for the state.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

(0:05) Intro

(0:54) Welcome Justin and Adam

(1:34) Adam Dissects Justin’s NFL Journey

(3:25) Adam’s Thoughts on the New Wide Receiver Generation

(4:28) Justin’s Dissects Adam’s NFL Journey

(5:42) Adam Mentoring Justin at Wide Receiver to Become the Dynamic Duo

(7:03) Adam’s Learning from Vikings Legends

(9:03) Justin’s Experience with Vikings Nation

(10:15) Justin’s On-Field Experience Against Malcolm Butler

(11:05) Adam’s View of Justin From the Sideline

(12:55) Justin’s “Chip on his Shoulder” Attitude Coming into the Combine and NFL Draft

(14:55) Adam’s Expectations for a Vikings Championship

(16:22) What Justin Has Learned From Adam

(17:30) Adam and Justin’s Three WR’s They’ve Been Watching

(21:00) Adam’s Off-Season Plan for his NFL Longevity

(24:00) Justin’s Plan for NFL Career Longevity

(25:45) Vikings Training Camp

(26:34) Justin’s Thoughts on Wide Receiver Chemistry

(27:56) Adam and Justin’s Message to Minnesota after a Tumultuous Year

(31:07) Cris Thanks Adam and Justin

(32:44) Outro

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Cris is joined by the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, DeSean Jackson.

Cris and DeSean begin with when DeSean first began his football career in his youth years and his time playing at Long Beach Poly High School.

Cris and DeSean continue the conversation with DeSean’s mentality and his work ethic, which would impact where he would play his college football career.

Cris then throws it back to DeSean’s humbling begins growing up in Los Angeles and his father keeping him busy playing multiple sports in order to keep his mindset on the right path.

DeSean then reflects on his relationship with his late father and how that impacts his game on the field.

Cris then dives into the how some of the LA legends have impacted DeSean’s life and how he began his relationship with Snoop Dogg and Nipsey Nussle.

Cris switches back to talk about DeSean’s NFL career – from advice to the younger generation of football players to DeSean’s career longevity and how he became so dangerous on the field as a WR1.

Cris then asks DeSean what was going through his mind during his infamous end zone drops during his early years in his career.

After DeSean spends a majority of his NFL on the east coast, Cris asks DeSean what it means to finally make his way back to his hometown and what it would mean to bring a championship to the City of Los Angeles.

Cris then talks all things Los Angeles Rams – from Matthew Stafford joining the squad, being reunited and his relationship with head coach Sean McVay and the Rams wide receiving core.

Cris continues the conversation with DeSean’s off field ventures with his charitable work within Los Angeles and his new podcast, Fade the Booth.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

(0:00) Intro

(0:53) Welcome DeSean Jackson

(1:56) DeSean’s First Time Playing Football

(2:52) DeSean Multi-Position Football Player

(3:34) DeSean’s Time at Long Beach Poly High School

(5:51) DeSean’s Work Ethic

(7:40) DeSean’s College Football Decision

(10:50) Growing Up In LA & Staying Busy

(11:27) DeSean’s Relationship with His Late Father

(14:40) When DeSean Met Snoop Dogg & His Lasting Impact

(17:35) Nipsy Hussle’s Legacy

(21:35) DeSean’s Advice to the Younger Generation Football Players

(23:38) DeSean’s NFL Career Longevity Advice

(26:05) DeSean’s WR1 Lessons to Becoming Dangerous on the Field

(28:20) DeSean’s Infamous End-Zone Drops in His Early NFL Career

(31:25) DeSean’s Journey Back to Los Angeles & Bringing a Championship to the City

(33:22) Matthew Staffords Impact as a Quarterback

(34:00) DeSean’s Relationship with LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and the Wide Receiving Core

(35:58) DeSean’s Charitable Work

(38:15) DeSean’s New Podcast Venture with Fade the Booth

(40:20) Cris Thanks DeSean

(41:12) Outro

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Mike Evans explains the DM Tom Brady sent him before he arrived in Tampa!

Cris is joined by the Super Bowl Champion, who detailed just about everything in his life in the game of football.

From growing up poor with a single mother and losing his father, to becoming a star on football field, Mike Evans recounts his journey to the NFL.

Cris talks about the technical side of the game with Mike, and what makes him such an impact player. At the age of 28, Mike has already rattled off 7 straight 1,000 yard seasons, breaking the record of Randy Moss.

Through each of his 7 seasons he's matured, and now with Tom Brady as the signal caller and Bruce Arians as the head coach, he already fufilled his childhood dream of winning a Super Bowl. Mike talked about what it was like to be a world champ, and what's it's going to take to get back to that game.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

0:00 Intro

2:00 Mike’s Family Life

4:03 Losing His Father

5:38 Early Playing Career

9:00 Establishing His NFL Legacy

10:33 Charity Work

12:42 When He Found Out Tom Was Coming to Tampa

- Tom Brady Slid Into His IG DM

15:57 Atmosphere in Bucs Locker Room

17:59 Winning The Super Bowl

19:57 Prepping For The Super Bowl

23:09 Expectations for 2021

27:10 Goals For The Rest of His Career

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Cris is joined by the Cleveland Browns standout wide receiver, Jarvis Landry.

Cris and Jarvis begin with Jarvis’s humble beginnings growing up in Louisiana and having the support from his youth coach and how that’s impacted Jarvis to this day.

Cris and Jarvis continue the conversation with how his friendship with Odell Beckham Jr. evolved over the years – from high school, to Louisiana State University (LSU) to being teammates in the NFL on the Cleveland Browns.

While talking about the Cleveland Browns, Cris dives into the leadership role and the calming force Jarvis Landry has become since joining the team in 2018 and how he challenges and inspires his teammates. Cris also dives into the famous Jarvis Landry speech he gave his team and what that leadership role means to him.

Jarvis Landry then dives into the Wide Receivers he’s watching, the growth he sees in his Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, what Ohio football culture means to him and the impact of a championship would mean to the midwestern state.

Cris switches the playing field to talk about Jarvis’s off the field family legacy Jarvis hopes to create, his charitable ventures with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and his Cleveland Browns Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

Cris continues the conversation with Jarvis’s love for the Wide Receiver position and words of inspiration for the younger generation of Wide Receivers.

To finish off, the Hall of Fame Wide Receiver Cris Carter gives Jarvis Landry a motivational talk on trusting the Wide Receiver coaches and handling the coach criticism moving ahead of Jarvis’s 8th season.

⏰ Chapters ⏰

0:00 Intro

01:00 Welcome Jarvis

1:40 Jarvis Humble Beginnings

2:45 Jarvis’s Family Growing Up

3:50 Jarvis’s Friendship with OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.) and His Time at LSU

6:12 Jarvis’s Impact in Cleveland

8:20 Jarvis’s leadership among Cleveland Browns Personalities

9:55 Cleveland Browns Team Morale

11:30 Jarvis’s Infamous Leadership Speech Challenging His Teammates

13:27 Jarvis’s Wide Receivers to Watch

14:56 Baker Mayfield Growth

16:30 Ohio Football Culture

18:36 Breaking the “Losing” Mentality

20:05 Jarvis Leaving a Family Legacy Behind

21:27 Jarvis’s Charity Work and Being Cleveland Browns Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

23:00 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Work

23:49 Love for the Wide Receiver Position

27:00 Jarvis’s Words of Inspiration for the Younger Generation of Wide Receivers

29:30 Cris Thanks Jarvis

30:10 Cris Carter Advice to Jarvis on Trusting Wide Receiver Coaches, Criticism and Career Longevity

36:38 Outro

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Cris is joined by the man, the myth and the legend, and newly minted Hall of Fame inductee, Calvin Johnson Jr. – yes Megatron himself!

Cris and Megatron begin with a recollection of Cris leaving Calvin Johnson off his top 5 wide receivers list and have a good laugh about it.

Cris and Calvin talk about the Hall of Fame weekend and Calvin’s experience being a first-ballot candidate and newly minted Hall of Famer. They also discuss what the event meant for Calvin and his family.

While reminiscing about the Hall of Fame weekend celebration, Cris and Calvin look back on Calvin’s career with the Detroit Lions, where he spent 9 seasons. Cris and Calvin go through Megatron’s multiple NFL records broken, his injuries and what it meant to play in the traditional Thanksgiving game.

Calvin Johnson also addresses the off-season blockbuster trade of quarterback and former teammate Matthew Stafford and the current status of his relationship with the franchise. Will there be any reconciliation there?

They switch gears and finish the episode with what’s next for the newly minted Hall of Famer. Cris and Calvin talk about his cannabis research company, Primitive, which he founded with his former NFL teammate, Rob Sims. Calvin goes into the science behind medical marijuana usage, the CTE and pain management research his company has funded and working with Harvard University on and how a more holistic approach to pain management can benefit athletes and people alike.

⏰ CHAPTERS ⏰

0:00 Intro -- Calvin Johnson Jr.

1:20 Welcome to the show

1:55 Being Left off Cris Carter's Top 5 WR's

4:03 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend

5:10 Hall of Fame Moments with Family

6:10 Calvin Johnson's Size Defying All WR Odds

8:30 Rookie Season Injuries & Injuries Throughout Career

10:48 Record Breaking Moments

12:00 Calvin Johnson Catch/No Catch Rule

13:01 Megatron's Individual Successes

16:00 Thanksgiving Day Game Tradition

17:08 Megatron Is Just Built Differently From the Rest

19:48 Work Ethic While in Detroit

21:01 Frustrations in Detroit

23:30 Retirement and Relationship With the Franchise

24:45 Detroit Lions Contract Controversy

26:43 Matthew Stafford Leaving Detroit

27:38 Post Retirement Ventures with Primitiv, his cannabis research company

30:03 Harvard Research

32:20 NFL Marijuana Policy

33:20 Battling the Marijuana Stigma

34:40 Dancing with the Stars & Holistic Healing Approach

35:35 Advice on Medical Marijuana Usage

36:53 Pain Management

37:23 What's Next for Primitiv?

39:17 Outro

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