Podcasts by The Football Girl Podcast
Finally, a podcast celebrating all the women who know and love football. TFG Managing Editor Melissa Jacobs talks to the most prominent female voices from all avenues of the NFL (with some men thrown in occasionally) and shares a weekly musing on the intersection of football, society and feminism.
Further podcasts by The Football Girl
Podcast on the topic Sport
All episodes
Super Bowl 56: Catching Up with Rams Legend Jim Everett from 2022-02-10T06:51:17
Happy Super Bowl Week! Melissa is thrilled to preview Bengals-Rams with the career leader in passing yards for the Rams, Jim Everett.
Everett delves into what makes Matthew Stafford so sp...
Welcome To The Bengals Bandwagon! from 2022-01-29T01:28:18
Melissa is joined this week by Bengals reporter Lindsay Patterson to preview the AFC Championship!
Are Joe Burrow and co. ready for the biggest Bengals moment in 33 years? How will Burrow ...
The NFL's Disturbing Lack of Black Head Coaches from 2022-01-20T23:15:25
Melissa is joined by Yahoo! Sports columnist Shalise Manza Young to take a deep dive into the NFL's horrible track record hiring and retaining Black head coaches. (13:45).
- Has the Roone...
Football Date Night: 49ers' Magical Playoff Berth from 2022-01-10T02:55:20
The 49ers are in the playoffs! The 49ers are in the playoffs! Melissa Jacobs is joined by fellow 49ers fan Stephania Bell of ESPN to soak in the glory of San Francisco's dramatic 27-24 OT win over ...
Listen
Chargers on the Brink from 2022-01-07T04:51:59
Week 18. Chargers at Raiders. Winner goes to the postseason, loser heads home. NO PRESSURE.
On this episode, Melissa is joined by Los Angeles Chargers Team Reporter Hayley Elwood to look a...
Laura Okmin's Greatest Act: GALvanize from 2021-12-31T03:08:52
For over 30 years, Laura Okmin of FOX, Westwood One and GALvanize has carved an incredible career as an elite NFL storyteller. This week Okmin joins host Melissa Jacobs for an honest conversation a...
Listen
A Convo with Former NFL Exec Scott Pioli, the Ultimate Ally from 2021-12-14T18:30:28
Melissa is thrilled to be joined by former Chiefs GM and Falcons asst GM Scott Pioli who has been a champion of women in football long before it was in style. Scott talks about why he is so passion...
Listen
NFL Week 14 Watchability Index + Picks! from 2021-12-10T01:32:21
Melissa rates a Week 14 slate of NFL matchups that includes everything from the Falcons-Panthers to the Ram-Cardinals. She also makes a pick in each with much confidence.
Please leave Th...
The 49ers' Golden Turnaround from 2021-12-01T20:19:59
Melissa is joined this week by ESPN Injury Analyst and co-host of the Fantasy Focus Podcast, Stephania Bell to gloat all about San Francisco's three-game winning streak! (7:50). Among the many gold...
Listen
Football Date Night: Thanksgiving Hangover from 2021-11-26T05:36:07
On a TFG Podcast special, Melissa is joined by her husband, Dave the Bears fan for a Football Date Night Reunion.
Melissa lets Dave rejoin over the Bears win over the mighty Lions. He also...
Are the Vikings Poised for a Playoff Run? from 2021-11-17T22:36:17
Melissa is joined by ESPN's Courtney Cronin to examine the 4-5 Vikings who are coming off a massive win over the Chargers but face a tall task against Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. Among the topics d...
Listen
Where Packers and Aaron Rodgers Go From Here from 2021-11-10T20:43:31
This week Melissa is joined by rising media stars Maggie Loney and Perri Goldstein of the Pack's What She Said podcast on Cheesehead TV to talk all things Aaron Rodgers in the wake of his unvaccina...
Listen
Inside Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League from 2021-11-03T05:06:32
Did you know there was a professional women's football league in the 1970's that sparked so much of the progress for women in football we see today?
(12:02) This week Melissa welcomes Brit...
Bengals Bandwagon Time! from 2021-10-27T05:38:31
Melissa opens the show by explaining why she's throwing this 49ers season in the dumpster. She also runs through the other currently miserable fanbases like the Bears and Chiefs before collectively...
Listen
Sorry NFL, Your Snyder-Gruden Problem Isn't Disappearing from 2021-10-20T19:48:38
Melissa is joined this week by The Athletic's Lindsay Jones, fresh off covering Raiders-Broncos, to discuss lingering questions about Gruden's resignation, the 650,000 emails, and the WFT workplace...
Listen
Gruden Fallout + Connie Carberg, the NFL's First-Ever Female Scout from 2021-10-13T03:03:15
Melissa is joined by the NFL's first-ever female scout, Connie Carberg, who was hired by the Jets in 1976 (yes, 1976!) Connie reflects on her career, shares her thoughts on the NFL's current cultur...
Listen
The 4-0 Cards + Meet Broncos coach Emily Zaler from 2021-10-06T00:40:15
This week Melissa dotes on the 4-0 Arizona Cardinals, shares her lingering thoughts from last Sunday's "Return to New England," and tries to unpack Urban Meyer's disastrous early tenure.
T...
Welcome Back, Tom Brady! from 2021-09-28T22:25:31
Tommy Brady is returning to New England and Melissa is joined by Nicole Yang of The Boston Globe to break it all out. Is this a "revenge" game? Do pieces of Brady's aura remain at Gillette Stadium?...
Listen
Fields of(Fantasy)Dreams from 2021-09-22T00:50:03
Melissa is joined by TFG Pod fave, Liz Loza of Yahoo Sports to discuss many of the NFL's hottest topics, both fantasy and reality:
- Early contender for MVP?
- Kliff Kingsbury's powe...
Clashing of the Rams from 2021-09-14T23:33:50
This week Melissa is thrilled to be joined by The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue (12:24) to dive into her deeply layered and reported feature on Sean McVay's decision last season to sleep with the ene...
Listen
Melissa's NFL Divisional Picks from 2021-09-08T22:20:05
Happy New NFL Season!!!! Host Melissa Jacobs previews the 2021 season by running through a number of storylines that may have a big impact, including the new 17th game.
Then she runs thro...
Previewing Steelers and AFC North SZN from 2021-09-01T19:07:01
WE ARE BACK!!! Melissa kicks off the new season with TFG Pod fave Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network and CBS Sports fame. Aditi and Melissa discuss the fierce AFC North and deeply examine the Steeler...
Listen
Mocking the Top 10 from 2021-04-28T23:49:12
It's NFL Draft Eve and Melissa is unveiling the top 10 picks early, just for you!
Plus the NFL's Director of Community Relations Melissa Schiller joins to talk about the Draftathon and the...
NFL Draft Special with ESPN's Laura Rutledge from 2021-04-27T17:12:41
Melissa is joined by ESPN's Laura Rutledge...and breaking news....Laura LOVES Mac Jones and thinks he will quiet any doubters.
Also in this episode, Laura talks about her early days as a b...
Thank You, Alex Smith! from 2021-04-20T21:11:17
EMERGENCY POD!!! Melissa is joined by ESPN's Stephania Bell to reminiscent about Alex Smith's unimaginable career. Stephania also goes deep into her time with Alex and his wife Elizabeth as they do...
Listen
How Women Are 'Sidelined' in Sports And Society from 2021-03-25T19:37:39
Melissa is joined by Julie DiCaro to discuss her new book, 'Sidelined: Sports Culture, and Bring a Woman in America.' Julie talks about her experiences being deeply harassed on social media, why wo...
Listen
Maia Chaka Makes History! from 2021-03-10T19:08:57
Melissa is thrilled to be joined this week by Maia Chaka, who was just named the NFL's first Black female official.
Maia opens with her quite enthusiastic reaction to getting the news of ...
Super Bowl Champion Coach Lo Locust! from 2021-02-24T06:40:53
Melissa opens up by talking about this week's important virtual events, an inspiring Women in the NFL happy hour and the 5th Annual Women's Careers in Football forum which has sparked a litany of N...
Listen
Black History Month: The NFL's Deep History of Racism and Protest from 2021-02-18T13:00:45
Melissa is joined by Dr. Louis Moore, a sports and race history professor at Grand Valley State University for a powerful lesson on the NFL's history of integration, segregation, and reintegration....
Listen
Super Bowl LV Spectacular with Lindsay Jones from 2021-02-04T19:47:38
Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Senior NFL Writer Lindsay Jones (from Tampa!!) to discuss all aspects of Super Bowl.
Lindsay explains why she's picking the Chiefs while noting the Buc...
Bills on the Brink from 2021-01-21T17:53:18
Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, a lifelong Bills fan, to the discuss the Bills' rise, what's like to be part of Bills Mafia, and Buffalo's chances in the AFC Championship.<...
Listen
NFL on CBS's Suzanne Smith Talks Legendary Career, Directing Nickelodeon Game from 2021-01-14T22:25:30
This week Melissa is thrilled to be joined by a legend! CBS's Suzanne Smith reflects on an inspiring career in which she is the only woman directing NFL broadcasts. Suzanne talks about how the land...
Listen
Inside the Washington Football Team + Wild Card Picks! from 2021-01-08T18:44:52
Melissa is joined by Rhiannon Walker of The Athletic to talk about Washington's chances against Tampa Bay, plus all the adversity they've faced this season.
Plus, Melissa's sure-to-be accu...
Football Date Night: Eagles' Epic Tank + Wild Card Preview from 2021-01-04T06:38:23
Melissa is again joined by her husband Dave who is less than ecstatic over the Bears' very lucky path to the playoffs. The two talk about the many ways the Bears will likely lose to the Saints, plu...
Listen
A Football Date Night Special! Bears on the Brink from 2020-12-28T06:07
Melissa is joined by her husband Dave, a Bears fan, who has come out of hibernation to help recap all the Week 16.
As is Football Date Night tradition, Melissa and Dave focus on the Bears...
Phoebe Schecter's Magical Football Journey from 2020-12-16T18:38:14
Melissa is joined this week by UK-based Phoebe Schecter, former Buffalo Bills coach, to chat about her rapid rise in football.
In this episode, Phoebe discusses:
- Her entryway ...
AFC North Craziness with NFLN's Aditi Kinkhabwala from 2020-12-09T23:06:34
Melissa is joined by NFLN's Aditi Kinkhabwala to chat about the compelling AFC North.
- Will the Steelers rebound from their first loss?
- How far can Baker Mayfield take the Brown...
Meet Fantasy Football's Rising BallBlasters from 2020-11-25T16:51:05
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Melissa Jacobs is thrilled to welcome in Kate and Michelle Magdziuk of BallBlast Football to dissect the rest of the fantasy football season and discuss the BallBlast rise....
Listen
THIS IS (a pod episode about) JEOPARDY from 2020-11-18T23:30:01
This week Melissa welcomes in The Ringer's Claire McNear, author of the new book, Answers In The Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy!
Claire explains al...
Inside the 8-0 Pittsburgh Steelers from 2020-11-13T18:28:51
Melissa gushes about the NFL young quarterbacks, then welcomes Brooke Pryor of ESPN to dissect the 8-0 Steelers. Among the many topics:
How much of 8-0 is a credit to Mike Tomlin?
Will...
49ers-Seahawks Week! from 2020-10-29T06:35:19
Melissa opens by discussing the sad case of Jags RB Ryquell Armstead who has suffered complications from COVID-19 and will miss the season. He's just 23.
Then Melissa welcomes her pal Tra...
The NFL's Coaching and GM Diversity Problem Rages On from 2020-10-20T22:45:08
Melissa is joined by ESPN's Kimberley Martin to shine on a light on the NFL's continue refusal to diversify at the top. Kim explains the double-standards and shorter leashes Black candidates have t...
Listen
Who Needs Practice? from 2020-10-14T06:30:36
In this special episode, Melissa is joined by her husband Dave on their actual anniversary. Now that Chicago is 4-1, Bears fan Dave is out of football hibernation but he's not exactly feeling like ...
Listen
Is the NFL at a COVID Crossorads? from 2020-10-08T20:34:38
Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Lindsay Jones to examine the Titans' COVID-19 outbreak, plus the Pats' situation. Is it time for the NFL to hit the pause button on the season? Plus Lindsay shar...
Listen
A Conversation with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson from 2020-09-30T17:39:48
Melissa opens with football thoughts including Russell Wilson's deep throws, why disillusioned fans should adopt the Bills & the NFL's first COVID-19 outbreak.
Then Melissa welcomes Jocely...
Desert Highs (Examining the 2-0 Arizona Cardinals) from 2020-09-23T21:34:37
Melissa opens this episode by mourning Nick Bosa and the countless number of 49ers players who are now injured.
Then to celebrate the other end of the NFC West spectrum, Katherine Fitzgera...
The Power of NFL Players from 2020-09-16T23:30:15
Melissa shares her thoughts on the surprises of the new season (Gardner Minshew??!!)and diagnoses the 49ers' myriad issues (5:04).
Then Melissa is joined by DAVE ZIRIN of The Nation for a ...
Rammin' Into a Strange NFL Season from 2020-09-04T16:17:11
This week Melissa opens the show with the five NFL storylines she finds most intriguing headed into the 2020 season.
Then Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic joins (12:33) to break down the L...
Inside Alex Smith's Remarkable Return from 2020-08-23T17:29:40
WE ARE BACK! After a summer hiatus, Melissa returns with TFG Pod favorite Stephania Bell of ESPN. Stephania takes us inside the return of Alex Smith from a life-threatening injury she has closely d...
Listen
Meet Alexia Gallagher, the NFL's VP of Philanthropy from 2020-05-15T05:52:23
Melissa opens the show with some trepidation about the NFL season starting on time and the weirdness of on field NFL news these days. But she is fascinated by Cam Newton's landing spot and offers ...
Listen
Post-NFL Draft Wrap; Stacey Dales' Fascinating Career from 2020-05-01T17:33:22
This week Melissa is joined by Stacey Dales of NFL Network to wrap up the NFL Draft and discuss her fascinating career arc. Among topics discussed:
- Will the NFL regular season start on ...
The All-Female 2020 NFL Mock Draft Special from 2020-04-22T21:49:42
On NFL Draft eve, Melissa shares a recording of a first round mock draft with a refreshing twist - all the selections were made by an array of talented women who cover the NFL! This mock draft was ...
Listen
Agent Nicole Lynn Preps for Bizarre NFL Draft from 2020-04-15T06:38:43
Agent Nicole Lynn of Young Money joins Melissa Jacobs to detail the strange NFL draft process for her clients.
Please take a moment to leave a rating for The Football Girl Podcast ?: https...
Inside the NFL's Women's Careers in Football Forum from 2020-02-27T19:05
NFL Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion Sam Rapoport takes us inside the 4th Annual Women's Careers in Football Summit where 40 invitees got to inference with NFL head coaches, GMs and the w...
Listen
NFL Offseason Bonanza with Lindsay Jones from 2020-02-07T02:04:36
Melissa is joined by The Athletic's Lindsay Jones to wrap up Super Bowl 54 and look ahead to the hot button issues that will define the NFL's offseason?
Where will Tom Brady land?
Wh...
Super Bowl LIV Lovefest with Frank Gore and Laura Okmin! from 2020-01-31T22:06:17
Melissa officially gives her Super Bowl prediction and then is joined by her favorite football player of all time, future Hall of Famer Frank Gore!!! Frank talks about his future, mentoring young R...
Listen
Super Bowl Sendoff with KNBR's Bonnie-Jill Laflin from 2020-01-27T18:40:10
Melissa kicks off Super Bowl week with a (slightly homerish) examination of Super Bowl LIV with KNBR reporter Bonnie-Jill Laflin. (6:42) Melissa and Bonnie-Jill reminisce about the Harbaugh era bu...
Listen
Championship Weekend Previewpalooza! from 2020-01-18T16:19:40
Melissa is joined by recurring guest, her husband Dave, to preview the AFC and NFC Championships.
Listen
Rooney Rule, Divisional Picks and 49ers Exec Hannah Gordon from 2020-01-08T23:06:08
Melissa shares her thoughts on the NFL's flawed Rooney Rule (3:25) and the coaching hire cycle. (7:45) Then 49ers Chief Administrative Officer Hannah Gordon joins Melissa IN PERSON to talk about he...
Listen
Merry Football! from 2019-12-25T16:25:40
On a holiday edition of the TFG Pod, Melissa is joined by her husband Dave to discuss all the visions of NFL playoffs dancing in their heads! Why SF should be extra nervous about Seattle in Week 17...
Listen
A Colossal Goodbye to Oakland from 2019-12-19T19:15:35
Melissa is joined by The Violator (aka Wayne Mabry), a 28-year Raiders season ticket holder and integral part of the Black Hole to discuss the future of the Raiders' famed fan base as the team relo...
Listen
Steeler Surprise! (with NFLN's Aditi Kinkhabwala) from 2019-12-12T19:29:15
Melissa is joined by Aditi Kinkhabwala to talk about the revelation that is Devlin Hodges and the 8-5 Pittsburgh Steelers, and discuss Mike Tomlin as the possible NFL Coach of the Year(9:43). Adi...
Listen
Charean Williams on Cowboys' Chaos, Her Hall of Fame Career from 2019-12-05T00:01:31
This week Melissa is joined by Hall of Fame NFL writer Charean Williams (Pro Football Talk)to discuss the Dallas Cowboys and the futures of Jason Garrett and Dak Prescott. Charean also reflects on ...
Listen
Beth Mowins Talks Historic Path, Art of Broadcasting NFL Games from 2019-11-27T17:12:07
Beth Mowins of ESPN and the NFL on CBS joins Melissa for a robust conversation on her journey to become the first women to do play-by-play for a nationally televised NFL game.
Listen
Will the 49ers' Magical Run Continue? from 2019-11-21T22:49:50
ESPN Injury Analyst and resident 49ers fan Stephania Bell joins Melissa to celebrate San Francisco's nine wins, but also ponderhow many more are to come with the Packers, Saints and Ravens on the s...
Listen
The Colin Kaepernick "Tryout" with Dave Zirin from 2019-11-15T02:04:25
This week Melissa is joined by Dave Zirin (The Nation, Edge of Sports Podcast) to try and make sense of the NFL-sanctioned tryout for Colin Kaepernick. (17:01) Why now and with so many parameters? ...
Listen
NFL Power(less) Rankings of Suckitude from 2019-11-07T12:00:32
Melissa is joined by Yahoo Senior NFL Writer Kimberley Martin to dissect the atrocious reality that has befallen too many NFL organizations. In other words, which NFL organization is most embarrass...
Listen
Week 9 Watchability Index + Picks! from 2019-11-01T20:22:47
In this quick-ish primer, Melissa Jacobs serves as your NFL concierge through the twisty schedule that makes up Week 9. From Pats-Ravens to Washington-Bills, Melissa lets you know which games are w...
Listen
Banner Week in Systemic Sports Misogyny with Julie DiCaro from 2019-10-24T22:56:13
Melissa is joined by 670 Chicago host and noted activist Julie DiCaro to discuss the Brandon Taubman incident in Houston and examine the misogyny that permeates front office culture. DiCaro also di...
Listen
The Resurgence of Kirk Cousins? from 2019-10-17T19:33:15
Melissa is joined by ESPN Vikings Reporter Courtney Cronin who takes us inside a team that while 4-2 team isn't sold on Kirk Cousins. Courtney explains that calm for now marriage between Cousins an...
Listen
Bonus: Week 6 Watchability Index + Picks from 2019-10-12T07:29:09
In this inaugural bonus segment, Melissa rates the watchability of each Week 6 game on a scale of Romos. We hate to play spoiler but Washington-Miami is not recommended viewing.
Melissa al...
The Undefeated 49ers; Unfortunate Days at Sports Illustrated from 2019-10-03T20:08:37
In this episode, Melissa is joined by Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area to dissect the 3-0 49ers and look ahead to the rest of the season. A team insider, Chan surveys the injury situation, ...
Listen
Lessons Learned From the AB Saga with Jane McManus from 2019-09-26T18:09:40
This week, Melissa is joined by Jane McManus, Marist’s Director of Sports Communication and columnist for the New York Daily News to take a bird’s eye view to the Antonio Brown saga. From the leagu...
Listen
Inside the NFL's QB Weirdness with The MMQB's Jenny Vrentas from 2019-09-19T07:45:01
Daniel Jones. Mason Rudolph. Luke Falk. What is happening. Melissa is joined by Jenny Vrentas of The MMQB to try and make sense of it all. (8:30)
Jenny and Melissa hop around all the QBi n...
Jane Slater Talks Cowboys, Her Journey to NFL Network from 2019-09-11T20:52:26
Melissa is joined by NFL Network’s Jane Slater who covers the Cowboys and takes us deep into the locker room and culture of a team set up for a deep playoff run. (3:30 mark) Turns out Jerry Jones i...
Listen
Welcome Back, NFL! Season Picks & Inside Three Superteams from 2019-09-04T19:55:02
Good riddance, preseason! The NFL season is really here and Melissa begins this season preview episode by disclosing her division winners, the Super Bowl Champion and a wild prediction for Tom Brad...
Listen
ESPN's Mina Kimes Talks Luck's Retirement, Her Rams Gig, 2019 NFL Season from 2019-08-28T07:47:10
Melissa is delighted to be joined by ESPN's Mina Kimes this week (10:36). The two begin by discussing the biggest NFL story of the week and year - Andrew Luck's retirement (17:13). Mina explains ho...
Listen
Panic in the Bay? with NFLN's MJ Acosta from 2019-08-23T07:25:31
This week, Melissa welcomes NFL Network's MJ Acosta to dissect both the Antonio Brown hamlet situation in Oakland and Jimmy Garoppolo's less than great return to game action for San Francisco (12:1...
Listen
Girls Trip to Fantasyland with Yahoo's Liz Loza from 2019-08-16T18:02:01
This week, Melissa opens the show with a dissection of the Jay Z- NFL social justice partnership and how it only cements the stain on the NFL for denying Colin Kaepernick work. (3:40)
Then...
The Joe Staley Experience, Remembering Don Banks from 2019-08-09T06:39:05
Melissa opens up the show by discussing her relationship with Don Banks (1:10)who passed away unexpectedly at age 57. She then names some early bright spots from training camp and dissects why the ...
Listen
Training Camp Cornucopia with Lindsay Jones from 2019-08-02T19:22:59
Melissa opens up this week's episode by ranking the NFL's just announced and quite strange "experiences of a lifetime." (3:22) Spoiler: Family bbq with Ben Roethlisberger doesn't top the list.
...
"NFL Commissioner" Amy Trask's State of the League from 2019-07-25T20:19:09
This week, Amy Trask of CBS and The Athletic joins Melissa for a robust look at several of the NFL’s burning issues including its inconsistent player conduct policy, treatment of fans & the Raiders...
Listen
Meet Annice Canady, First Ever Female NCAA Official from 2019-07-18T23:53:20
This week Melissa welcomes Annice Canady, the first women to officiate an NCAA football game. (16:57) Melissa also shares her conflicting thoughts about the upcoming NFL season (5:11) and spotlight...
Listen
Dean Blandino Enters 'Her Turf' from 2019-06-27T20:51:03
Melissa welcomes former NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino (13:16) who is the executive producer of 'Her Turf,' a documentary about three female officials. Dean chats about why the film subject ...
Listen
What Sarah Spain Said from 2019-06-14T17:12:56
Melissa talks with ESPN's Sarah Spain about carving her unique multi-platform role at ESPN, her comedic beginnings, crushing social media trolls and the Bears' strange obsession with Cody Parkey.(4...
Listen
The Amazing Journey of Bucs Coach Lori Locust from 2019-06-05T10:00:35
In this episode of The Football Girl Podcast, Melissa goes in depth with new Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust (10:59). 'Coach Lo' tells the incredible story that led ...
Listen
The Tyreek Hill Problem Rages On from 2019-05-08T17:07:17
Melissa begins this episode of the TFG pod by questioning the Bears continued obsession with kicker Cody Parkey (5:58).
Then Melissa welcomes Brooke Pryor of the Kansas City Star to discu...
It's Getting Drafty in Here from 2019-04-23T22:05:41
A new NFL rookie class is about to be anointed and Yahoo NFL expert Liz Loza joins the pod to break it all down. Liz and Melissa share skepticism about the top QBs in the draft including Kyler Murr...
Listen
NFL Agent Nicole Lynn's Inspiring Rise from 2019-04-10T16:27:53
Young, black and female NFL agent Nicole Lynn (who reps probable Top 5 pick Quinnen Williams) joins Melissa to discuss her unique journey and successes in the shark-infested waters of player repres...
Listen
Meet the Chef Turning NFL Players onto Plant-Based Diets from 2019-03-28T23:00:20
Melissa opens the show by dissecting the week’s big NFL news – no not Andy Reid’s Hawaiian shirt, the expansion of instant reply! (5:47) Will it bring more integrity to the football? Melissa also p...
Listen
The Authenticity of 49ers Coach Katie Sowers from 2019-03-21T06:37:03
In this episode, which Melissa has been anticipating FOR MONTHS, 49ers Offensive Assistant Katie Sowers (6:06) joins for a wide-ranging conversation full of fascinating anecdotes from her unique jo...
Listen
What's In An Unfortunate Sports Name? from 2019-03-08T09:06:03
Melissa opens by sharing the story of Bruce Arians declaring he would create a full-time coaching position designated for a woman. She also explains why this position is needed.
Then an em...
Scouting Combine Special with NFL's Sam Rapoport and ESPN's Stephania Bell from 2019-03-01T07:15:30
Melissa is back and in Indy straight from the hotel room of ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell who breaks down the most crucial aspect of the NFL combine - the medical evaluations. Bell explains th...
Listen
Diana Moskovitz on Domestic Violence, Assault and the NFL's Role from 2019-02-15T11:00:35
Melissa welcomes Deadspin Senior Editor Diana Moskovitz, a premier sports journalist on cases of assault and violence against women, to talk about how we should be covering these cases and whether ...
Listen
(Football) Girl Power with Sam Gordon and Jen Welter from 2019-02-06T19:52:46
Melissa opens by explaining why Super Bowl LIII was a bore despite the defensive mastery (4:34) + ponders the game's great mystery (Where the hell was Todd Gurley???). (9:45)
Then Melissa ...
Football Date Night: Wrapping up Super Bore 53 from 2019-02-04T06:34
In the final, Super Bowl episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave close down the NFL season by recapping the Patriots’ 13-3 victory over the Rams and all the hoopla that surrounded it. Dav...
Listen
Super Bowl Spectacular with CBS's Tracy Wolfson from 2019-01-30T05:15:56
With the Super Bowl looming, Melissa chats in person with CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson who will man the Rams sideline for Super Bowl 53. Tracy shares fascinating stories of her past Super Bo...
Listen
Football Date Night: Off To Atlanta from 2019-01-28T07:24:32
On this (not so) special episode of Football Date Night, Dave and Melissa break down the Pro Bowl and the upcoming Super Bowl with the help of their special guest (and son), Cyrus. The duo began b...
Listen
Will America Unite Behind the Los Angeles Rams? (ESPN's Lindsey Thiry) from 2019-01-23T10:00:23
The Super Bowl is set and Melissa welcomes ESPN Rams Reporter Lindsey Thiry to dissect the team that may capture America's heart by default. (They're not the Patriots!) Thiry takes us inside the R...
Listen
Football Date Night: Championship Round Officiating Crisis from 2019-01-21T05:36:12
On this episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Date recounted the epic round of championship games and looked forward to the Super Bowl clash between the Rams and Patriots. Both were depresse...
Listen
Valerie Bertinelli, NFL Superfan from 2019-01-16T10:00:15
Melissa opens this episode by relishing in the offenses that are making up the NFL's final four (2:33). She also examines the deep emotional vitriol so many feel toward the New England Patriots. (1...
Listen
Football Date Night: Divisional Round Domination from 2019-01-14T05:11:45
On this episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and a rejuvenated Dave break down the NFL divisional round and look forward to next week’s Championship games. Melissa began (1:00) by explaining wh...
Listen
Ageism and Women in Sports Broadcasting: Laura Okmin from 2019-01-10T07:20:05
In the midst of the NFL playoffs, a familiar topic arose on social media: Why do all the female broadcasters in the NFL have to be young and attractive while the men have no rules? FOX Sports' Laur...
Listen
Football Date Night: Wild Card Woes and Wackiness from 2019-01-07T04:54:04
Wild Card weekend has left Bears fan Dave very dejected. Dave explains why there is never solace when your team loses in the playoffs (4:30). Melissa attempts to pivot and dotes on the Chargers and...
Listen
How Deep is the NFL's Diversity Problem? from 2019-01-02T16:53:37
On Monday, four black NFL head coaches were fired (Vance Joseph, Marvin Lewis, Todd Bowles and Steve Wilks), making five dismissed on the season after Hue Jackson was ousted earlier this season. On...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 17: Playoff Field of Dreams from 2018-12-31T07:08:14
The playoffs are set and Melissa and Dave agree it's the best overall lineup we've had in some time. Of course Dave is beaming about the Bears, but will that be the case in next week's show right a...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 16: Picturing The Playoffs from 2018-12-24T08:11:09
Melissa and Dave spend this week’s playoff picture-focused date night jumping all over the NFL with just a week left in the regular season. They start by agreeing that Russell Wilson was in many w...
Listen
ESPN's Michelle Beisner-Buck Goes Deep from 2018-12-20T10:00:25
This week Melissa is joined by Michelle Beisner-Buck, ESPN’s feature reporter for Monday Night Countdown. In this lively, wide-ranging conversation, Beisner-Buck talks everything from the emotional...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 15: Rivalry Glory from 2018-12-17T07:04:53
On the Week 15 episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave share holiday joy in their beloved teams (49ers and Bears) exercising their demons over hated division rivals (Seahawks and Packers)....
Listen
Patriots Pandemonium and Playoff Projections (Guest: Don Banks) from 2018-12-12T10:00:16
Most are calling it the Miracle in Miami but Don Banks from Patriots.com and The Athletic has coined it the Miami Meltdown. Don breaks down what went wrong for the Patriots, not only on the final p...
Listen
BEAR DOWN Chicago Bears from 2018-12-10T06:51:12
Melissa and Dave are back and can’t stop talking about the Bears’ masterful performance over the Rams. They point out the weaknesses in the Rams (beyond playing in the cold), break down the Bears t...
Listen
The Advice Episode: Women in Football Share Wisdom from 2018-12-06T06:12:28
With Melissa's voice on the mend, we offer a special edition of the TFG Pod, featuring a sampling from our incredible guest list offering their best advice. Whether you are an aspiring journalist o...
Listen
A Conversation with ESPN's Lisa Salters; Reuben Foster Aftermath from 2018-11-29T06:23:37
Melissa opens up this week’s episode with a fiery monologue on Reuben Foster signing with Washington, including how many chances troubled players should get in the league.
Then Monday Nigh...
Football Date Night Week 12: Browns Exact Revenge For Hue Jackson Era from 2018-11-26T06:54:19
On the Week 12 episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave begin by applauding the Browns super fan who committed to naming his kid “Baker” if he was re-tweeted by Baker Mayfield, which actua...
Listen
Football Feastin' with NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala from 2018-11-21T02:54:29
Melissa is joined this week by Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network to chat leftovers from Monday Night's Chiefs-Rams beauty. Aditi wasn't quite as impressed as most by the overall experience.
Football Date Night Week 11: Dissecting Chiefs-Rams Historic Duel For The Ages from 2018-11-20T06:46:40
Was Chiefs-Rams the greatest regular season game ever? Melissa and Dave break down an historical night that featured an array of dazzling plays, two amped up coaches jockeying for victory, endless ...
Listen
Inside Andy Reid’s Offense (Jenny Vrentas); Keepin’ the Niner Faith (Stephania Bell) from 2018-11-14T02:39:43
On a jam-packed episode, SI’s Jenny Vrentas joins to discuss her fascinating cover story of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and the flexibility that defines his brand of explosive and inventive offense...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 10: What the Hell Happened to the Eagles? from 2018-11-12T07:41:54
On this episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave try and diagnose the Eagles' woes. They also try to make sense of a confusing NFC East.
Dave beams about his Chicago Bears and comp...
Calling Joe Horn from 2018-11-07T15:14:30
Last Sunday Saints WR Michael Thomas celebrated a late TD against the Rams in shocking fashion, by emulating Joe Horn’s infamous flip-phone celebration of 15 years ago. Horn joins Melissa this week...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 9: Going on a GOAT Strike from 2018-11-05T07:38:06
On this Week 9 episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave close the barn door on all this GOAT talk and recount an exciting Sunday of football. Here’s a breakdown:
1:00 - Melissa i...
Inside 'Carruth' with Scott Fowler from 2018-10-31T06:33:05
This week Melissa welcomes Charlotte Observer sports columnist and the reporter/host behind "Carruth," Scott Fowler. Fowler details the magnificent reporting that became a seven-part serialized pod...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 8: From Worst to First from 2018-10-29T05:37:18
On the Week 8 episode of Football Date Night, Dave and Melissa rejoice about their son’s first NFL game experience (5:00) and the Chicago Bears’ abrupt turnaround from last to first place in the NF...
Listen
ESPN's Dianna Russini on the Art of Breaking News from 2018-10-24T09:00:13
Melissa opens the show by analyzing a report that Derek Carr has lost the Raiders locker room after he shed some tears in the Raiders-Seahawks game. Whether true or not (Carr denies he cried), the ...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 7: Silver Linings Patsbook from 2018-10-22T06:08
On this episode of Football Date Night, Melissa consoles Dave (again) on (another) Bears loss but offers up a couple silver linings to ease his pain (2:30). Dave gives his thoughts on why the Bear...
Listen
The Worst Kind of Losing; The Athletic's Lindsay Jones from 2018-10-17T03:56:05
Scene: Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field
Date: Monday, duh
Who: Aaron Rodgers
What: Fate
Melissa talks about the 49ers’ dejecting loss on Monday Night Football (1:17) and...
Football Date Night Week 6: QBs Brock Out from 2018-10-15T06:39:58
Week 6 in the NFL was quote the departure for Melissa and Dave, It was the worst of times for Dave as the Chicago Bears lost in painful fashion. Melissa enjoyed a minor victory as beloved ex-49ers ...
Listen
All Hail Drew Brees; State of the NFL in London from 2018-10-10T15:01:13
Melissa opens the show with a LONG overdue appreciation of Drew Brees (1:00) and ponders where Brees winds up in the pantheon of modern QBs (Because how can you compare him to Y.A. Tittle?) (6:42)<...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 5: A Tale of Two Coaches from 2018-10-08T06:17:08
On this episode of Football Date Night, Melissa and Dave celebrate their anniversary early by breaking down the dominance of the Chiefs and Rams. However, their matrimony hits a bump when Dave ins...
Listen
Hall of Famer Andrea Kremer Continues to Soar with TNF from 2018-10-03T09:00:49
This week’s show features a robust conversation with iconic Hall of Fame broadcaster Andrea Kremer. (Starts at 11:12) Kremer made history last week as part of the first all-female booth, along with...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 4: Mitch Trubisky's Arrival! from 2018-10-01T06:59:57
On this episode of Football Date Night, Dave is so overwhelmed by the Chicago Bears’ 48-10 beatdown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he can barely contain himself. Dave explains why he thinks the ...
Listen
Sam Ponder Gets Real from 2018-09-26T10:00:39
A year ago Sam Ponder was given the biggest of shoes to fill when she replaced Chris Berman as host of Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN. In this wide-ranging convo, Ponder discusses the myriad ways Ye...
Listen
Football Date Night Week 3: Mourning Jimmy G's Injury from 2018-09-24T07:22:10
On this week’s Football Date Night, Melissa mourns the loss of the 2018 49ers season following Jimmy Garoppolo’s devastating knee injury while Dave revels in the Bears’ sudden emergence at the top ...
Listen
Josh Gordon fallout, Jeff Pearlman on his juicy USFL book from 2018-09-19T14:24:56
Think the new NFL rules are too stringent? So does host Melissa Jacobs who contemplates how to even tackle anymore. Melissa also shouts into the void: JOSH GORDON NEEDS HELP, NOT FOOTBALL.
Football Date Night Week 2: Rollin' with Mahomes from 2018-09-17T08:05:33
Melissa and Dave find romance in another Football Date Night by going over their winners and losers on Sunday. Melissa reveals the common heritage that unites all seven 2-0 quarterbacks while Dave...
Listen
A Legendary Conversation with ESPN's Suzy Kolber from 2018-09-12T10:00:36
Melissa opens the show with a quick review of the new MNF football squad, a defense of Jon Gruden taking the long view and has a message for those making a snap judgement about Beth Mowins.
Football Date Night Week 1: The Chicago Bears Blues from 2018-09-10T08:04:38
On the inaugural Sunday Date Night subsidiary of the The Football Girl Podcast, Melissa welcomes her husband, Dave, to exercise his devastation over the Chicago Bears heartbreaking loss to the Gree...
Listen
2018 NFL Season Preview: The Five Most Intriguing Teams from 2018-09-05T11:00:46
Hallelujah! Real live football that actually counts! In this super-sized episode, Melissa picks the five teams she believes are the most intriguing headed into the regular season, and dissects each...
Listen
The Inspiring Rise of NFL Reporter, Kimberley Martin from 2018-08-29T11:00:26
In this 28th episode, veteran NFL writer Kimberley A. Martin, and VERY soon to be Senior Reporter for Yahoo, takes listeners through her unique whirlwind journey covering the Jets, Bills, and Redsk...
Listen
Sweet, Sweet Fantasy Baby with Yahoo's Liz Loza from 2018-08-22T11:45:20
Fantasy draft season is in full swing and this week’s episode features one of the most elite fantasy expert minds out there, Yahoo’s Liz Loza. Liz tackles a number of hot button fantasy topics inc...
Listen
The Ultimate 49ers Show with Joe Staley and Dante Pettis from 2018-08-15T10:00:14
49ers fans and cat lovers, you've come to the right podcast episode! This week Melissa was in Santa Clara to observe one of the most hyped teams in the NFL. Melissa chats with 49ers beat writer Jen...
Listen
NFLN's Aditi Kinkhabwala on Hard Knocks, Le'Veon Bell & Joe Flacco's Face from 2018-08-09T15:56:54
This week we welcome Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network, the brilliant national reporter who specializes in the AFC North, to discuss the Hard Knocks premiere, including the deep philosophical differ...
Listen
Fantasy Football Previewpalooza with Pat Fitzmaurice from 2018-08-01T04:27:38
Training camp battles are in full bloom, which means fantasy football mania is not far behind. To ensure you, wonderful listener, have your most successful fantasy season yet, we welcome the smarte...
Listen
Jimmy G All Day, Jimmy G All Night (Guest: Jenny Vrentas, The MMQB) from 2018-07-25T06:45:23
Disclaimer: We have devoted a lot of time to analyzing Jimmy Garoppolo. We will continue to devote a lot of time to Jimmy Garoppolo. Duh.
Jenny Vrentas, the brilliant senior writer for Sp...
Dissecting the NFL's Hype Season w/Ross Tucker from 2018-07-18T11:00:24
Melissa is joined this week by Ross Tucker of The Ross Tucker Football Podcast, NBC and Sirius for a wide-ranging convo that will get any NFL fan hyped for the upcoming season. Ross shares his view...
Listen
Panthers Coaching Intern Jennifer King on Pounding into the NFL from 2018-07-11T17:21:39
The TFG Pod is back and we're weekly through the NFL season! In the week's episode, Melissa talks to Jennifer King, who will be a coaching intern for the Panthers during training camp after a succe...
Listen
Amy Palcic on Running the World of an NFL PR Department from 2018-06-21T06:29:17
A rare, wide-ranging conversation with Amy Palcic, the first woman to run an NFL PR department.
Palcic takes the listener inside her job including that monumental night when J.J. Watt deci...
The Fascinating NFL Afterlife of D'Brickashaw Ferguson from 2018-06-07T15:07
When former Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson retired two years ago at age 32 in the midst of a storied, injury-free career, the news was stunning for many. Was it because the Jets wanted him ...
Listen
Navigating the NFL's Shameful New Anthem Policy from 2018-05-25T02:19:27
On this special edition of the TFG Pod, Melissa shares her views on the deeply disturbing new anthem policy wrong, and the possible ramifications for the NFL. She also discusses a recent Player’s ...
Listen
ESPN's Mina Kimes on the NFL Draft, Her Rise & How to Market to Female Fans from 2018-05-02T18:50:11
In this special-post draft edition of the TFG Pod, Melissa opens with three players to keep an eye on out of the NFL Draft (1:57) and thoughts on the monstrosity of the weekend.
Then the ...
A Tale of Two NFL Draft Previews from 2018-04-26T03:19:21
Ex-scout, current Dallas Cowboys analyst & draft genius Bryan Broaddus brings a boatload of insight and astute QB dissection. In an earlier segment Melissa and her husband drink a bottle of wine an...
Listen
Past, Present, and Future of the Activist Athlete from 2018-04-12T10:00:14
The Nation's Sports Editor Dave Zirin joins the TFG Pod to discuss the whirlwind process and shocking aftermath of co-writing, Things That Make White People Uncomfortable, with Eagles DE Michael Be...
Listen
Ex-ESPNer Jane McManus on her new life in Europe from 2018-03-29T19:17:46
Highly respected journalist Jane McManus was one of the many stunning casualties during ESPN's massive layoffs in April 2017. Faced with a jolt, Jane turned the news into a life-altering adventure...
Listen
Lia Reich, NFL Daughter Extraordinaire from 2018-03-16T05:19:33
Imagine growing up the daughter of an NFL quarterback, especially one as grounded as Frank Reich. Or experiencing your dad's glory winning the Super Bowl and immediately landing a head coach gig. ...
Listen
Twitter's Laura Froelich on Global Efforts to Enhance Sports Consumption from 2018-02-21T06:49:58
If Global Head of Sports Partnerships for Twitter sounds like a dream job, that's because it is. Laura Froelich, who has held the role for 2.5 years, join the pod to talk about her career trajector...
Listen
Inside the NFL's Tone Deaf Women's Summit from 2018-02-08T06:33:23
In this Super Bowl hangover edition, Melissa opens with some piercing thoughts on Josh McDaniels backing out of the Colts job. (1:01). Bleacher Report's Natalie Weiner then joins the pod to talk ab...
Listen
Super Bowl 52 Extravaganza with Michele Tafoya and Charlotte Wilder from 2018-02-02T06:10:26
Our Super Bowl special from Minneapolis begins with Melissa's explanation of the monstrous Mall of America and its strange yet endearing logistics for the Eagles and Patriots.(2:02)Then Melissa is ...
Listen
Everything But The Super Bowl from 2018-01-27T18:03:55
In this episode, Melissa talks about why the new XFL has little shot at success (4:19), the NFL's new partnership with certain players on social justice (7:36), the hiring of Steve Wilks (11:32) an...
Listen
Laura Okmin is leading the NFL's next generation of female broadcasters from 2018-01-18T15:12:16
This week, Melissa chats with inspirational Fox sideline reporter Laura Okmin who details her personal transformation and why she has dedicated herself to helping aspiring female NFL broadcasters. ...
Listen
Vernon Shazier(Ryan's Father)on his son's injury, prayer, and humanity from 2018-01-10T21:31:38
It was a phone call Vernon Shazier will never forget. His son, Ryan, amid being rushed to a Cincinnati hospital last month with a severe back injury, called his father and said, “Daddy, pray for me...
Listen
NFL Playoff Preview: Will New England Be Dethroned? from 2018-01-04T14:13:23
USA Today National NFL Reporter Lindsay Jones joins the pod to talk all things playoffs. Who can beat New England? Can the Eagles' defense talk them anywhere? Who are the sneaky, dangerous teams an...
Listen
Yahoo's Liz Loza Helps Us Bid Adieu to 2017 from 2017-12-30T00:55:12
Our fifth and last episode of 2017 puts a bow on a tumultuous year in the NFL. Melissa offers some bold predictions about the playoffs, including a James Harrison twist – and adds more prognosticat...
Listen
Beth Mowins shatters glass, Jourdan Rodrigue on the Jerry Richardson fallout from 2017-12-21T00:02:06
The first female to call a nationally televised NFL game talks about her journey, the art of play-by-play, understanding the magnitude of her accomplishments and much more. Plus Jourdan Rodrigue of...
Listen
#MeToo Finally Spills into Sports from 2017-12-14T14:42:36
WARNING: Some language is inappropriate for children.
As the #MeToo movement spread through entertainment and politics, the sports world collectively wondered when it would hit our height...
ESPN's Stephania Bell: Can the NFL Ever Be Safer? from 2017-12-06T20:58:55
ESPN Injury Expert Stephania Bell joins us to talk about brutality of football, where players factor into the concussion issues and how to cover players for fantasy purposes vs. reality. Also, a li...
Listen
Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask, SI's Maggie Gray from 2017-11-30T06:58:42
The Football Girl podcast, hosted by Melissa Jacobs, debuts in splashy fashion with ex-Raiders CEO and current CBS Network NFL Analyst Amy Trask. Amy talks about her years with the Raiders (1987-20...
Listen