Episodes

  • Aaron Donald

    Aaron Donald
    Oct 27 2022
    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • WR1: Steve Smith Sr.

    WR1: Steve Smith Sr.
    Dec 23 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • WR1: Keenan Allen

    WR1: Keenan Allen
    Nov 18 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • WR1: Devin Hester

    WR1: Devin Hester
    Nov 11 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • WR1: Cris Ranks His Top WRs

    WR1: Cris Ranks His Top WRs
    Oct 28 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • WR1: Adam Thielen & Justin Jefferson

    WR1: Adam Thielen & Justin Jefferson
    Oct 14 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • WR1: DeSean Jackson

    WR1: DeSean Jackson
    Oct 7 2021
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • WR1: Mike Evans

    WR1: Mike Evans
    Sep 30 2021
    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 🔊 LISTEN ON 🔊 ► iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ► Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w5hhHR... #WR1Podcast #BlueWire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    33 mins