PMT DB
PMT DB
Arian Foster on NFL Career, Atheism, and Why He’s a Big Baller
Midweek in December usually means everyone is mailing it in at the office, but Big Cat and PFT are instead bracing for the end of the world. The show kicks off with a deep dive into the Pentagon's recent admission that aliens are real, a fact that PFT is surprisingly optimistic about.
PFT CommenterAn alien invasion would be a blessing in disguise because it would unify Earth against a common enemy
I actually think that this could be a blessing in disguise for Earth. Because it's like Earth has been in training camp with each other for the last, like, 2,000 years... And now all of a sudden we've got an enemy to play against. It's fun hitting somebody else, right?
Hank, however, has more practical concerns regarding extraterrestrial technology. He’s convinced that the cloud isn't just a server in Silicon Valley, but rather an alien storage unit that's about to be breached.
HankAliens will eventually hack the cloud and release everyone's deleted messages and photos
I've always thought that at some point in the future that every text message, Snapchat, picture message, picture they've ever taken and deleted, that's all going to end up on the internet for everyone... Aliens are about to start that. They're aliens, so they obviously know how to get to the cloud.
Kobe's Retirement and Holiday Debates
With the Lakers retiring both #8 and #24 for Kobe Bryant, the guys had to settle the debate on which version of the Mamba reigned supreme. Big Cat took a stand that likely has Shaq reaching for his phone to call into the show, arguing that the Big Aristotle was actually the sidekick during the first three-peat.
Big CatShaq was the 'Robin' and Kobe was the 'Batman' during their championship runs together
Shaq needed Kobe more than Kobe needed Shaq... Shaq needed the wing scorers to be Shaq. He needed Dwyane Wade to be unbelievable Dwyane Wade. Shaq was Superman, and Kobe was Batman. [But] Batman isn't a superhero... he's just a rich guy with a bunch of gadgets.
They also touched on the sheer absurdity of the 2012-13 Lakers roster. It was a time when a Sports Illustrated cover could convince the entire world that a 40-year-old Steve Nash and a very emotional Dwight Howard were the second coming of the Showtime era.
Big CatThe 2012-13 Lakers with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard was the most stacked team of all time on paper
That team, though, the Steve Nash, Dwight Howard team, that's my favorite Lakers team of all time... When that cover came out, it was like, who the fuck would beat the Lakers? ... When that happened, I was like, oh, my God. This is the most stacked team of all time.
Before moving to the interview, the guys tackled the most pressing issue of the holiday season: the Christmas popcorn tin. While PFT avoids the caramel corn like the plague, Big Cat defended his preference for dry, crunchy snacks over the soggier alternatives found in the office kitchen.
Big CatDry, crisp cookies are better than soft, soggy cookies
I'd rather dry with a crisp than soft, like a wet, soft, soggy cookie in my mouth.
Arian Foster Joins the Show
Former Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster joins the program to discuss his new podcast, *Now What?*, and he doesn't hold back on the realities of being an NFL star. He is incredibly candid about the physical toll of the game and why he wouldn't want his own children following in his footsteps.
Arian FosterI will highly suggest my kids do not play football because it is an extremely dangerous sport
Not a chance. No, no, no way, man... I'm just going to highly suggest that they don't... There's no point for you to do so... This is a, it's an extremely dangerous sport... I took all those hits. I sacrificed. I may develop CTE in my life. There's no telling.
Foster also provided a grim forecast for the sport itself. He believes that as the science around brain injuries becomes clearer and the rules continue to soften to compensate, the very thing that made people fall in love with football—the violence—will disappear, taking the league with it.
Arian FosterFootball will be in danger of disappearing in 50 to 60 years due to safety and science
I would say like 50, 60 years down the road [football is in danger], because if you look at the science and getting more and more clear on it, that this is a, it's an extremely dangerous sport... And the reason why we fell in love with football was because it was very violent in nature. And you love those big hits. And the science keeps coming, and the rules keep digressing.
As one of the most outspoken players regarding the NCAA, Foster explained his stance on the collegiate model. He doesn't see scholarships as a fair trade for the billions generated by student-athletes.
Arian FosterThe NCAA system for athletes is a form of indentured servitude
No, that's indentured servitude. If you go to Google, just look up indentured servitude and you'll find that exact definition... The NCAA is the only establishment where their interns are their product. It's the most ridiculous, backwards, twisted system of in existence.
On a lighter note, the conversation shifted to his time in Houston and his Mount Rushmore of Texans quarterbacks. Despite the pick-sixes, Matt Schaub holds the top spot, though Foster was quick to defend him against the fans who used to show up at Schaub's house to complain.
Arian FosterMatt Schaub was a good quarterback whose career was ruined by a loss of confidence
Matt Schaub is definitely number one [on the Mount Rushmore of Texans QBs]... No, he was a good quarterback. He had a bad season. And I think it ruined his confidence, but he was a good quarterback when he was balling. He had a bad run.
Foster also leaned into his reputation as a thinker, questioning everything from religious intervention in football to the toughness of apex predators. He famously sparred with Billy Football on Twitter over fighting a wolf, and he’s still not convinced the animals are all they’re cracked up to be.
Arian FosterWolves are not as tough as people make them out to be
I don't think wolves are as tough as we make them out to be. I think we just built up this prestige of them in our heads.
Hot Seat, Cool Throne and Lane Kiffin
In a special Holiday edition of Hot Seat/Cool Throne, the guys discussed the friction in New England between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady’s guru, Alex Guerrero. While the media sees a dynasty crumbling, Hank sees a mastermind at work.
HankBelichick rescinding Alex Guerrero's credentials is good because friction causes fire and will motivate Tom Brady
It's not a friction. It's actually a good thing. It means Belichick's lighting a fire under Brady's ass because friction causes fire. So Belichick knows he's got to push Brady's buttons if he wants him to keep playing at this level at such an old age.
The segment also featured Lane Kiffin signing a massive 10-year extension at FAU. Big Cat remains skeptical that Lane can stay in one place for more than a few weeks without getting distracted by the various perks of living in Boca Raton.
Big CatLane Kiffin will likely only last three weeks into his 10-year contract at FAU
Lane Kiffin, coach of FAU... just signed a 10-year contract to stay at FAU. What do you think? He's going to last maybe like three weeks?
Finally, the show wrapped up with a festive edition of Guys on Chicks. When asked what to get a boyfriend of two months for Christmas, Big Cat gave the only honest answer a man can provide.
Big CatCash is the greatest Christmas gift you can ever give
So the real answer here is cash. All boyfriends want cash. They want cold, hard cash... Cash is the greatest gift you could ever give... When you open up a card, you're expecting cash in there. Put the fucking cash in there.
Just remember to keep the receipt if you decide to buy the Big Baller Brand shoes instead.
