The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - GBF: March Madness!

Episode Date: March 21, 2024

Austin Ekeler joins the guys fresh off of signing with the Commanders to preview his charity's March Madness tournament and give a candid look at what his free agency looked like, which team he was su...rprised didn't show interest, how close he came to retiring and what his bachelor party was like. To join Austin's tournament visit EkelerFoundation.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 You're listening to Giraffe King's Network. God bless football, Billy Gill. God bless football, Billy Gill. God bless football, Billy Gill. Hey, it's Billy. Welcome. I know you're thinking today is not the day that we normally listen to God bless football. Well, here's the thing.
Starting point is 00:00:40 We're gonna have a little mini God bless football episode that we're putting out right now for a specific reason. So we caught up with our friend, Austin Eckler. I say that because I have this thing where I don't know if people consider me their friends. We've gone over this. It's a weird thing that I have. So I don't wanna say, hey, I'm friends with this person,
Starting point is 00:01:03 and then this person doesn't think that they're friends with me. It's like, anyway. So we caught up with Austin Eckler, who as you may or may not know is now a Washington commander. He signed last week with them in like a free agent frenzy. We were gonna talk to him last week, but he was on his bachelor party.
Starting point is 00:01:22 So we said, you know what, let's leave him alone and not bother him while he's on his bachelor party. So we said, you know what, let's leave him alone and not bother him while he's on his bachelor party, which we're gonna talk to him about in this episode. And we're also gonna talk to him about going to Washington. And he's pretty candid about that and what went into that. And we're gonna talk to him about his March Madness Bracket Tournament for a cause. So if you go to ecwrafoundation.org you can sign up and donate to his and we're gonna talk to him about his March Madness Bracket Tournament for a cause. So if you go to eclai-foundation.org you can sign up and donate to his foundation and participate in a March Madness Bracket, which is why you're getting this today because obviously March
Starting point is 00:01:55 Madness starts before Friday. So Austin wanted to promote this. We wanted to kind of do right by him since he's been good to us over the years and get this out before your typical Friday episode, so hopefully you can go to eclafoundation.org and register there and kind of help him out and all the good stuff that he does. So you're also probably wondering, Billy, why are you talking to yourself?
Starting point is 00:02:15 It's a great question. So Stu gots had to go to like a sales call and Mike EA, you know, has a family and it's a little bit late, so I said, you know what, I got this. Anyways, here's our friend Austin Eckler talking about changes in his life, his bachelor party, his new team, how free agency played out, who was interested in him, who was not interested in him, what went down with the Chargers and more so enjoy God bless football.
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Starting point is 00:03:23 strips away everything you don't need and holds on to what matters most. The Original Light Beer since 1975. Times change, but you can always enjoy the great taste of Miller Lite. Tastes like Miller time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash gbf, or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Lite Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 96 calories per 12 ounces. What's going on, gang? Congrats on the deal. I appreciate it, man.
Starting point is 00:03:55 Thank you, thank you. It's something new, but I'm looking forward to the new. Welcome to the East Coast. Yeah, what happened there? I remember talking to you when you said that. That to the East Coast. Yeah, what happened there? I remember that was the one thing you said. That's not. Yeah, I know, man. I know. Austin, is there anything about the new that makes you nervous
Starting point is 00:04:14 because people don't like change? Does does something new make you nervous? I'm nervous. Not nervous. No, I'm not nervous for anything. I know there's gonna be an adjustment and I'm looking forward to the adjustment of just trying something new in my life because I've been on the West Coast with the Chargers
Starting point is 00:04:34 obviously for the last seven years and now kind of going into year eight, hey, there's something new that's on the table and kind of taking it on with like a lot of just forward-looking I guess affirmations for myself where it's like it's a new opportunity right to be back on the field new organization new coaches new culture let's try to immerse myself in this and take it on as a what it is it's a new challenge for me and
Starting point is 00:04:57 see if I can see if I can make as much as I can with this one as I did with my other well there's a lot of new there. Is there a comfort level there going and playing for, I guess, Anthony Lynn again? Ooh, comfort is a, you know, you gotta be careful with that word. And in sports, you never really wanna be true, too comfortable.
Starting point is 00:05:19 And I think what Coach Lynn did a lot was to keep pressure on us as players when he was our head coach. And now it's going to be a little bit different because now he's in the room with me, and he's not the head coach anymore. We just caught up briefly when I was out there, just catching up on everything that's gone on for the past seven years up to now, and just how you kind of turn over, but he still has the same demeanor, still has that same seriousness about him.
Starting point is 00:05:45 Um, when he's, when he's talking about the sport. So I'm looking forward to being in his room, not necessarily being comfortable, but being, being pushed, like I want to be coached. I want, and I know who's going to do that. So it's gonna be good. You're going to have Cliff Kingsbury is your offensive coordinator. Was there anything you saw in his system that you really like that, that made you want to go there?
Starting point is 00:06:04 His eyes. Well, I mean, he was, he was with USC, right? So I didn't watch, I didn't watch any of USC's tape or anything last year. Um, and obviously he was with the, maybe it's not obvious, but he was with the Cardinals as well. Um, and you know, I was having a discussion with him, you know, we can't talk football or anything like that, but seems like he's, he's ready to, to push ready to push forward and try to put us in the best position he possibly can, which is what I'm asking for.
Starting point is 00:06:31 And so we'll see what that looks like. And you know, with Dan, with DQ is what they call him, Dan Quinn over there, you know, coming from Dallas and me playing with Kellen last year. I know there was a lot of hurry up stuff going in. So maybe I can anticipate a little bit of that going in, but just I'm excited because even I got, you know, Brian Robinson in the room with me over there too, or I guess I'm joining his room,
Starting point is 00:06:57 depending on how you look at it. It's your room Austin, I mean. Well, here's the thing, it's all of our room. It's all of our room, but he's been there longer than me. So, and we'll see what the culture is like over there. But we're different. We're very different types of runners, right? He's like 6'1", you know, 220 or whatever he is.
Starting point is 00:07:17 And you know, I'm not on my little scat speed, you know? So kind of going back to almost like me and the Melvin Gordon punch. So I'm looking forward to see how that dynamic plays out as well It's interesting and by the way, we have a lot to get to here with Austin because Austin's Eklers madness is going on a charity March madness tournament. I'll be doing a live stream with Austin. I'm very excited about this I'm getting Billy involved as well. Billy is a college basketball expert
Starting point is 00:07:41 So I'm looking forward to that and we have a bachelor party to cover that true. So, I'm looking forward to that. And we have a bachelor party to cover. That's true. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do. I bury the lead. Let's Austin, we'll get back to football. How was the bachelor party? It was great. It was great. So, you guys know me and I'm not,
Starting point is 00:07:57 well, maybe you don't know this about me, but I'm not like a big like, mm, mm, like go to the club. Like let's get rowdy and let's, you know, just get bottle service and do that. So I was out jumping trucks, I was racing Ferraris. Wow. We were playing golf.
Starting point is 00:08:13 We were doing some different types of experiences like this thing called like blackout dining where you literally can't see a hand in front of your face and you like have a dinner, went to the sphere. And so it was like a bunch of events like that, that we were indulging in. So that was my weekend, or my week. We were joking last week saying that,
Starting point is 00:08:34 we knew you were on your bachelor party, and we're like, you know what he's doing, is he's in the gym doing supersets and trying to hit PRs with all his friends. Like that's what's going on. Hey, that would be cool, you know, let's get the game together. Let's see how much weight we can lift. What did, what did though for him? Yeah, I think so. I think so. Wait, but your crew, your brother, everyone took good care of you. You had a
Starting point is 00:08:55 good time. Yeah. I had a great time. Had a great time. It was my little brother and then one of my best friends, the name's Mark. So it was just the trio and we were enjoying ourselves out in, out in Vegas. Um, it's crazy. There's the trio and we were enjoying ourselves out in Vegas. It's crazy, there's so much stuff to do out here right in the backyard. So I think jumping the trucks was the most unique thing. Like every time I go, like you see this ramp and you're in this truck, I mean, it's like a mid-sized truck that's got like really big suspensions on it and stuff like that. But when you're going over these ramps you're flooring it pedal to the ground and you can't see like the other side like you go into a big dip and you can't see going out and so every time you get off the ground like my butthole
Starting point is 00:09:34 is like puckering like oh and then boom you'd hit and then have to like correct it and so that was that was very intense I would recommend it if you haven't tried out in Vegas. Inc was dried on the contract before we went on this adventure though, correct? No, it wasn't actually. What's going on? That's your poor planning. Look, they drop these things every day, you know, clearly, you know, there's some risk in living. But, you know, you got to go out there a little bit and try some things, you
Starting point is 00:10:04 know, not with 11 million on the line. I mean, wait till that ink dries, you know? I mean, what's the matter with you? Well, we made it through. Made it through. That's all that matters. You did make it through. How many teams, Austin, do you know, are you aware of how many teams were actually interested in you, in signing you? Yeah, there was like, there was like six that were like genuinely like interested on the first day. Some threw out a number, some were like, yes,
Starting point is 00:10:31 we wanna talk, but we're going after this person first. And so it's a huge shuffle, man. And the first day that we were able to actually have that conversation with teams, we saw it, you guys saw it like, bang, bang, the running backs are going like crazy. And so it was like a frenzy of who can snag, you know, some of our guys going into our second
Starting point is 00:10:50 and third contracts. And so there was, yeah, I guess that probably five or six, some that did throw out a number, some that didn't, but the ones that we felt were most interested and the kind of like the best fit for as far as, hey, Austin, what you want out of your career at this point was Washington. And so ended up working out for herself as well.
Starting point is 00:11:13 And then, you know, we ended up plugging the gap over there for him. Austin, we wanna get back to Washington, but first you mentioned how all the money was being thrown out to all these running backs. And for years, you know, the past few seasons we've been talking about the running back market is dead. Nobody's paying running backs. What did you make of all the money getting thrown out to all you guys?
Starting point is 00:11:32 Yeah, there was some encouraging stuff out there. You know, I like to say Quan Deal, him getting himself in there. I forgot what Josh signed for. But it's tough. It really is tough because like how do you quantify, you know, the impact on the field? I think it's almost skewed a little bit just because of, I'm really not sure why. Maybe it's because quarterbacks get paid a lot of money and we need something that can actually catch them, catch the ball for these guys and get open and so maybe that there's a little bit more emphasis on you know the receiver spot as far as talking skill
Starting point is 00:12:10 positions on offense getting paid obviously you know the the running backs are the least of the amount I guess tight ends to tight ends are still I don't know that'd be it'd be curious to compare the running backs in the tight ends but in my in my experience tight ends have been a little bit more impactful to, I mean, running backs have been more impactful to the offense with the ball in their hands than tight ends have. And then same even with receivers. Like you can have receivers,
Starting point is 00:12:36 it's crazy because you can have a receiver, go and catch 60 balls a year, have 600 yards, two, three, four touchdowns and get paid $10 million a year. It just seems skewed when you have your starting running back who's going to touch the ball 300 times a year, not able to even get close to that or get around that. So obviously you got to put product on the field. I think Christian has been an advocate of what the position can be, like what the cap is right now anyway in sports.
Starting point is 00:13:10 We're all chasing to make as big of an impact as he has. But I think he's underpaid too. He should be getting paid $25 million a year. I think he's getting like $17 million right now. So these are just my opinions. So it really just comes down to what your value. I'm clearly biased because I played running back, but just coming out of the lens of trying to see
Starting point is 00:13:32 why the justification is. You're paying a lot of these quarterbacks a lot of money. You want to try to get people that, hey, you know they can get open that these quarterbacks can throw to. But I don't know. I don't know. It's more than I could try to figure out here
Starting point is 00:13:44 on this call by myself. Awesome. Well, understanding it is a business, right? You're also a human. So when you say there was a, you know, five or six teams that are interested in you, but some of them are like, but we're also interested in this other person. Does any part of you say like, okay, well, like I want to be with someone who wants me, not someone who's kind of waiting around to see if they have to settle for me.
Starting point is 00:14:07 Yeah, absolutely. And it comes down to the situation that they're trying to fill. You know, the Chargers came to me and kind of told me what they were looking at and they're running back, you know, position. And it wasn't it wasn't what I can offer as a player. There was so there was a misalignment. So it's like, yeah, they're interested. But are you really? Is it like, if all else fails, we'll bring Austin back in type of thing? Because I don't want to be in that scenario. And if that's your philosophy of what you're telling me and I don't fit that,
Starting point is 00:14:32 I got to go look somewhere else, which is totally fine. Like, no hard feelings. Like, you want to go a different direction. But I need to find someone where it's like, hey, we need someone that is going to be able to fit our role of what we want Austin to be in and what we need right now in our room. And so that's what I was looking for. I was looking for someone who had a back that's like someone that's solid that's there. Then I can come in and also compliment and we can really bounce this thing off of each other as far as hey our production. Because that's what I felt best and that's what I was looking for and it ended up being with Washington and so that's why
Starting point is 00:15:02 it kind of played itself out because that's what I was looking for and that's what they were also looking for out of me as well. Austin, at this stage of your career, of your life, two years seems about right for you just the way we've kind of gotten to know you. Like you weren't looking for many more years than that, were you? No, no. Right now in my mindset, I take this year, I take it one at a time right now. Like I'm going to give it, if I'm committed, I'm committed to this year, I'm gonna give it everything I could potentially give it in this year and then I can't even see as far out as next year yet. Like when that time comes, we'll deal with that beast. That's a whole different beast. Let me maximize what I can right now. And you know, I'm going into year eight and I've loved playing this game. You know,
Starting point is 00:15:42 do I think I'm gonna Frank Gore it and get out to 16? I don't know. I don't know, cause I was talking to one of my old teammates, Antonio Gates, and he was like, yep, about your time. You know, I was like, ah, I'm gonna go like two more years,
Starting point is 00:15:56 two more years. He ended up playing like 16 years, you know, after, I mean, eight more years after that. Of two more years, two more years. So like I said, I can't make any decisions as far as how long my career is going to be.
Starting point is 00:16:08 But I just know I'm locked in for this year as it's upon us. And that's what matters the most. And then we'll deal with next year, next year. Austin, we also know that you are interested in life after football and kind of like the business side. So we were kind of looking when you signed with Washington and said, you know, who's a part owner in Washington? Magic Johnson seems like a good contact for Austin to have. Oh, Billy started poking around. Have you spoken to him yet? Or like, is any of that adding up here? Or am I crazy? Look, I'm always looking to build myself and the team around me and the team's knowledge and my knowledge. So if we have any connections that can help build what we're already doing, then I'm all for that connection to be made. And so I'm sure I'll get
Starting point is 00:16:48 to meet him. I have not met him yet. I was literally there from when we were recording this yesterday, flew in and out, day in, day out, just to go sign. So I haven't spent a lot of time out there, but I'm sure I'll get that opportunity. But yeah, my business side is still up and very much alive. And we have some big things coming here in the future. How much of this did you discuss with your soon to be wife? All of it kind of set some parameters with her. I was like, look, if I can't get above this number, which I'll keep hidden, that's probably it.
Starting point is 00:17:21 If there's no value for Austin there, then I'm willing to walk away because I can create more value for myself outside of the field. And it was- You almost retired? I didn't necessarily almost retire, but I had a number where, hey, if there was not enough interest
Starting point is 00:17:36 to get me to this type of contract, then I would walk away from the game because regardless, yeah, you get paid, it's still good money, but your body still has to go through it. Like I'm still gonna to go through a whole nother year of playing running back in the NFL, which is going to be getting beat down. And it's like, okay, how much is this actually worth? And can I create more value for myself outside of the field? And luckily I wasn't even close to that number. So, I mean, it wasn't really a question, but we had that conversation.
Starting point is 00:18:03 So how much less than 12 million? Like I'm trying to figure out what the number is. You're not gonna go there, are you? Look, look, so this is what happened with me. When I went to my second contract, it was all, it was all, okay, Austin isn't a powerhouse back. You know, I got the whole charge organization telling me, okay, like he's not gonna be our workhorse because he hasn't done that before. We're going to bring in another
Starting point is 00:18:28 back to compliment him. Kind of like what I'm going into right now. And I'm like, yep, that sounds great. That's what I've done for the first three years. And I go over there and start crushing it. And they're trying to find someone to come in and kind of be that complimentary back. But I was able to, you know, earn myself basically all the reps, you know, and so it was, it was a situation where now I'm getting compensated as a, as a kind of tandem back with no tandem. So that's where I was really conflicted over there. And that's why over the last few years, it's like, yeah, I definitely should be making more on 1600 yards a season for whatever it was, two season, three seasons, and then all the touchdowns that came with it. Now I'm 1600 yards a season for whatever it was, two season, three seasons, and then all the
Starting point is 00:19:05 touchdowns that came with it. Now I'm back on the open field, open road, now I get to choose. I get to see what's out there. I know where I want to be. I know who I am as a player. Now I get to choose. Now I'm like, okay, Washington looks like a great fit for what I'm trying to be as a player and how I can be at my best and how I've been at my best in the past.
Starting point is 00:19:23 And so that's where, you know, kind of fell into this situation too. And the money was there as well. And they were looking for the same type of, same type of role for me, which makes sense because they have Anthony Lynn there who's seen me in that role, you know, in that, in that space as well. So kind of all fell into how I was expecting it to. Austin, it looks like you're going to be working with another rookie quarterback this year and you could tell us who that is in a minute.
Starting point is 00:19:48 But what did you learn? You could I mean, we're assuming Caleb goes number one. So you could tell us who you guys are going to take it to but you could tell us what what did you learn from working with Justin when he was a rookie that you could sort of bring to whoever they bring in which you'll tell us who that is. Ooh, it's'll tell us who that is. Ooh, it's, I think it's so different.
Starting point is 00:20:07 All the, like, just working with rookies in general, they're all so different. Not even just the quarterback position. Quarterbacks are different in their own way too, because they have to, you know, run and step into a leadership role immediately. And everyone's looking at you to make the plays and lead us on the field, even though you got guys that are sometimes 10 years older than you, you know, that you're playing and have been playing for a long time. And now you got to go tell these guys, hey, I need you to line up here and run this route.
Starting point is 00:20:33 And hey, I need you to be shorter. And you're almost coaching them in a way. And so that's going to be a bridge that whoever our quarterback is going to have to come in. And depending on what they've done in the past, they're going to have to step into that and get comfortable in that. And I think it's important as a player, especially as a vet, is to invite that, like ask for that, help pull it out of them. Hey, did you like me on that route? Even if it was a good route,
Starting point is 00:20:54 like just having that conversation so he gets used to that dialogue of, oh, I can talk to these guys, I can be open with them. Like, they're not gonna feel offended if I'm like, hey, now I actually want you a little bit further over or shorter or whatever it is. So, um, that's going to be important. And you know, I'll, I'll continue to, to lead by example and be that person who's, who's trying to help whoever's in that role, uh, you know, just be the best version of themselves because it's
Starting point is 00:21:16 going to help the entire team. So yeah, looking forward to seeing whoever it is. Austin, it's laugh out loud. Funny that Fowler is now a teammate of yours. I mean, the guy who punched you in the helmet on Monday Night Football. Oh, I didn't even know. You didn't know who your teammate is. See, people remember that stuff. I forget that stuff. Right. Yes. Yes. That is hilarious. That's who it was. You have to know that I would introduce yourself to him. I'm not to go see what's going on. See if we're good. If he's still got bad blood or what. So bad blood for me.
Starting point is 00:21:54 I was trying to get my guy out of there. I don't know what the hell happened. Listen, he's the kind of guy you want your side. He's on your side. He's on your team. Now you're good. Tell me to punch someone else. Billy was thinking business with Magic Johnson. I actually heard Washington. And I don't think this is where you want to go post-playing career, but I was actually thinking politics, perhaps.
Starting point is 00:22:15 I don't know. Is that an avenue you would explore or no? Like Aaron Rodgers? Don't do it, Austin. Yeah. Yeah. That's going to break for him. You're too good a person. Don't do it. Don't do it, Austin. Yeah. Yeah, that's going to break for him. Don't do it.
Starting point is 00:22:25 Don't do it, Austin. Don't do it. You're too good. Look, I like to build things. And when I'm in politics, I almost have too much restriction on my back because I have to do as I'm representing. It's not just how I'm feeling in the time.
Starting point is 00:22:43 And so, yeah, I think I'm going to stay away from the politics and stay kind of in the open world where I can build, you know, whatever I please. All right, we're very happy for you. We'll get to March Madness in just a second. We'll get you out of here in just a second. Could I ask you, like, if I name a team, will you tell me if that team was interested or no?
Starting point is 00:23:00 Yeah. I mean, I don't think it's... Yeah, as far as those details that's fine. Ravens? Yes. Chiefs? I don't get any word from them I don't remember. The Jets? No I don't think so. Okay Packers? Yes. Raiders? No, interesting. Wow. Interesting. Really? You seem bitter.
Starting point is 00:23:30 Ah! It was a little bit there, but it was like, okay, look, they lost Jacobs and then they kind of went silent. Did they, I don't think they even brought it, they haven't brought anyone else yet, have they? I don't think so. Maybe they like someone in the draft, I don't know. So I don't think that's just an Austin Eklund thing.
Starting point is 00:23:44 I think that's just an in general thing. How about the Eagles? No. No. I think they signed, they signed right away. I would say. Raiders brought in Madison. Oh yeah. Oh did they?
Starting point is 00:23:55 Yeah. Lamar Jackson with Derrick Henry doesn't seem fair. I mean. You seem to agree. It's going to be exciting for football. I'm glad it happened. I'm glad I don't play defense and don't play against them in the division. But hey, someone's going to have to stop them. They're still human. Right.
Starting point is 00:24:14 Though they might be dynamic and do really good at what they're able to do, they're still human. All right. So it's all good. Eckler's Madness, a charity March Madness tournament. I think it's a $50 buy-in. All the proceeds are going to Austin's Foundation, which is fantastic. We are doing a live stream after the Sweet 16 or the Elite 8 together.
Starting point is 00:24:32 I'm very excited for that. But tell people about the NCAA tournament, and then I have a quick follow-up for you after you're done promoting this. Yeah, absolutely. So if you guys want to get involved, as we know, March Madness is a wild time, just all the brackets and everyone's watching and kind of like the pinnacle, you know, moment for college basketball. You know why we don't have fancy football going on right now is like the next best thing you know for for a brief moment anyway.
Starting point is 00:24:57 And so we thought a great idea would be to do a charity event for for my foundation. Quick blurb on my foundation, we put tangible resources back into the community, washes and dryers, weight rooms, backpacks, things that people can actually use that are gonna help better their lives in the future. So would love to have you involved. First place gets two tickets to the 2025 Men's Basketball Championship in San Antonio. You get hotel accommodations as well for two nights.
Starting point is 00:25:22 You get a signed game worn Austin Echler Jersey. Very cool. Two tickets to an Austin Echler event, a personalized video shout out from Tik Tok influencer and boxer Bryce Hall and second place gets custom shoes designed by Michael J kicks. There's also a prize for the biggest loser, which I love. So we have some amazing prizes in my prizes in my opinion. First place is obviously the juiciest, but also there's a signed jersey up for grabs if you have the worst bracket.
Starting point is 00:25:53 And like I said, all the proceeds go to the Austin Echler Foundation where we're putting resources back in the community. So if you're already doing March Madness, if you're not, would love for you to join us and come contribute. It's a fun way to give back to the community. In your perspective, yeah, it's 50 bucks, but for us, it actually is a whole new set of equipment that we can give to somebody
Starting point is 00:26:14 else that really needs it. And you get to have fun, potentially win some great prizes with it or not. So it's a win-win situation. You're a good man doing good work. They asked me if I wanted to be involved. I said, anything for Austin. I then asked Billy if he wanted to be involved. His response, anything for Austin. I mean, because we love you. Aw, but guys, guys, I appreciate it. We didn't ask Mackey A.
Starting point is 00:26:32 I also have to give you guys props. I have to give you guys props though, because I was in Washington yesterday walking through the airport, and someone came up to me and they're like, oh, I see you on God Bless Football. Oh my God. And so, they're all over.
Starting point is 00:26:44 You got the fans. They're everywhere. The fans are all over. That's not the first time. That's happened a few times. So I appreciate the respect that you guys and the community has out there. So I appreciate you all listening out there. That's very nice of you to say to share that with us. How does March Madness look for you like Thursday and Friday?
Starting point is 00:26:59 Are you like the rest of us just sitting around, eating food, drinking beers and watching games all day? Yeah, there's so many games so I'm always like I don't keep up with like college football or college basketball during the season so it's like okay like who did I have there I gotta go back and I have like seven different brackets too so and everything is tracked for you so I just go back and I have to click through my links of like okay which one's doing which one's doing well which one's not so that's how yeah my, my couple of weeks will be here. All right, man, well, we appreciate it. I'll be there with you doing a live stream
Starting point is 00:27:30 after the Sweet 16 or Elite 8, so, and I'm happy to do it. I'm looking forward to doing it with you, and Billy is as well. So congratulations on the new team, the new city. A lot of new things happening in your life, man. You're about to get married. What a crazy time for you, Austin Eckler.
Starting point is 00:27:45 It's a wild year, it's gonna be a good one. Hey, we just keep pushing forward and hopefully more to come. All right, well listen, if $11 to $12 million is not there on the next contract, full-time gig right here, God bless football, okay? I appreciate it, man, I appreciate you guys. I don't know what the number is,
Starting point is 00:28:00 but we'll figure it out, okay? All right, I'm still waiting for that best man speech too, by the way, so I'll just put. So yeah. What is the actual wedding date? Hold on a second. What is the wedding date? May 25th. OK. I will deliver it the week of the wedding. OK. Right, right, right. He'll be busy that week.
Starting point is 00:28:18 No, he won't. He'll make time. You guys are the best. Appreciate y'all. All right, man. We appreciate it as well. Check out his March Madness Tournament. Fifty going to a great cause, the Austin Eckler Foundation. We love that guy. A lot's changed over the years. One thing that hasn't? The great taste of Miller Lite. It was the original Lite beer. And to this day, it's still the best. Miller Lite has more of that taste you want, and less of the stuff you don't. Sometimes after a long, hard show, I head over to the studio commissary,
Starting point is 00:28:48 crack open a cold one, take a sip. Ah, look around and say, yeah, this was the right call. Then all my friends from work do the same. We put our Miller Lite's in the middle, do a toast, say hip, hip, hooray. To a great show by all. Miller Lite keeps it simple. Undebatable quality, great taste, only 96 calories. It's the beer that strips away everything you don't need
Starting point is 00:29:10 and holds on to what matters most, the original Lite beer since 1975. Times change, but you can always enjoy the great taste of Miller Lite. Tastes like Miller time. To get Miller Lite delivered right to your door, visit MillerLite.com slash GBF. Or you can find it pretty much anywhere that sells beer.
Starting point is 00:29:26 Celebrate responsibly. Miller Lite Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories per 12 ounces.

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