Reintegrating the NFL was only the first step. In this episode, we look at the long arc of the league’s complicated relationship with race, including positional discrepancies, coach hiring, front office representation, and the stark absence of Black owners. And we consider what it will take to effect real change. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville
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4. A Seat at the Table | Blackballed

Nora and Steven return to discuss the news out of the owners meetings, the latest on the contract fiasco between the Ravens and Lamar Jackson, Robert Kraft’s comments on Bill Belichick, and the latest rule changes for the upcoming season.

Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Bill Belichick on the Hot Seat? Plus, the Latest on the Ravens–Lamar Jackson Saga and the Commanders Bids.

By reintegrating pro football, Kenny, Woody, Bill, and Marion achieved what once seemed unthinkable. But the harder part was actually playing in a mostly white league. In this episode, we’ll look at the personal costs of integration for Kenny, Woody, Bill, and Marion. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville
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3. Integration | Blackballed

The Lamarathon continues! Lamar Jackson told his Twitter followers on Monday that he’d requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens after being franchise-tagged and not reaching a long-term deal. Sheil and Ben discuss whether Jackson will be granted his wish or be back with the Ravens. Sheil and Ben also discuss what teams should be pursuing Jackson, and what the fallout will be if a team doesn’t trade for him.
Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Lamar Jackson Asks to Be Traded. Will He Ever Suit Up for the Ravens Again? | Extra Point Taken

In 1946, four men reintegrated pro football. In this episode, we look at how each of them ended up at the precipice of history, as they prepared to cross the sport’s color barrier. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville
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2. Kenny, Woody, Bill, and Marion | Blackballed

Nora and Steven return to discuss the best remaining free agents, but with a twist. From "How Did the Niners Do This Again?" to "Most Likely to Become a Pro-Bowler on the Pats," they give awards for the top talent on the market. Nora concludes the show by speaking with Chelsea Stark-Jones to discuss The Ringer’s new narrative podcast, ‘Blackballed,’ a story about the four men who reintegrated pro football in 1946, after a 13-year span during which Black players were secretly banned from the NFL.

Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz
Guest: Chelsea Stark-Jones
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins

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The Top 10 Remaining FAs

Six years ago, Colin Kaepernick took a knee, and it cost him the rest of his football career. It’s a modern story that hearkens back to the NFL’s original sin: a secret agreement among team owners to stop signing Black players almost a century ago. 

Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Co-reporter: Lex Pryor  

Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel 

Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville
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1. Gentlemen’s Agreement | Blackballed

Sheil and Ben discuss the current winners and losers of the offseason and free agency. The Dolphins have made some key additions that Ben really loves, including Jalen Ramsey, but does this put them at the top of the AFC East? The AFC West was overall disappointing last season and could still trend in that direction with the acquisitions, departures, and spending that the Raiders and Broncos have done so far this offseason. Sheil and Ben also predict the way too early division winners.
Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Addition Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Dolphins Are Winning the Offseason, Raiders and Broncos Fans Should Be Cautious, and Predicting Division Winners | Extra Point Taken

Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Bill Willis, and Marion Motley reintegrated professional football in 1946. They are known as the Forgotten Four. The burying of their story, and the secret ban on Black players that came before, is a critical piece of the history of the NFL’s complicated relationship with race.
Host: Chelsea Stark-Jones
Co-reporter: Lex Pryor
Producers: Isaiah Blakely, Mike Wargon, Justin Sayles, and Vikram Patel
Sound Design and Original Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville
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Introducing ‘Blackballed’

Nora and Steven get together for an emergency pod to react to Aaron Rodgers’s appearance and comments on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ They examine Rodgers’s viability as an effective QB, whether or not the Jets will have the right pieces around him for success, and if his presence will elevate the Jets' contender status. They end the pod by speculating on possible trades the Jets will make going forward (25:01) and where they'll stand vs. other AFC heavyweights next season (34:44).
Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz
Associate Producer: Chris Sutton
Additional Production Supervision: Conor Nevins and Arjuna Ramgopal
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Where Do Aaron Rodgers and the Jets Go From Here?

Sean Payton and the Broncos made a bevy of moves in the official legal tampering window, agreeing to terms with T Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, and DE Zach Allen; however, Sheil believes these acquisitions aren't a good sign for Russell Wilson. The Chicago Bears also had a big day, signing former Eagles LB T.J. Edwards and former Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds, but did they make a mistake by letting a player who was already in the building go? Plus, Ben thinks the Dolphins are winning the Super Bowl of the legal tampering period so far.
Hosts: Ben Solak and Sheil Kapadia
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Big Day for the Bears, Sean Payton Won’t Let Russ Cook, Dolphins Winning Free Agency So Far, and More Legal Tampering | Extra Point Taken

Sheil and Ben react to the news of the Chicago Bears sending the first overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers for the four picks and D.J. Moore. They discuss what the Panthers should do with the first pick, how the Bears continue building around Justin Fields, and how to build out their roster with the draft compensation.

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Ben Solak
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Bears Trade First Overall Pick to the Panthers | Extra Point Taken

Sheil and Lindsay open by recapping the Ravens’ placement of Lamar Jackson on a nonexclusive franchise tag, why teams are reluctant to sign him, and the best landing spot for the former NFL MVP. They continue by discussing the most interesting teams during free agency, top free agents, and how some teams can get better during the offseason

Hosts: Sheil Kapadia and Lindsay Jones
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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What to Expect During Free Agency

Austin and Steven discuss the Ravens placing Lamar Jackson on a nonexclusive franchise tag, Daniel Jones’s contract extension, running backs being placed on the franchise tag, and Aaron Rodgers meeting with the New York Jets.

Hosts: Austin Gayle and Steven Ruiz
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Lamar’s Nonexclusive Tag, Daniel Jones's Extension, and Rodgers to Meet With the Jets

Derek Carr has agreed to a deal with the Saints for four years and approximately $150 million. Now that Carr has signed, what’s the ripple effect for the Jets, and how does Aaron Rodgers’s future tie into it all? Lamar Jackson and the Ravens still haven’t agreed on a deal, which could possibly lead to the team giving him the non-exclusive franchise tag. Ben doesn’t think Lamar will be a Raven next season if that’s the case. Plus, Sheil wonders what the heck Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is talking about.
Hosts: Ben Solak and Sheil Kapadia
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Derek Carr Has a New Home, Lamar Is Winning the PR Battle, and Mike McCarthy’s Comments | Extra Point Taken

Nora and Steven go through the best quotes from the 2023 NFL combine week and what they mean thus far.

Host: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins 

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The Top Quotes From Combine Week

Sheil and Ben are back and ready to get the offseason rumor mill rolling. The Bears currently hold the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, but should they hold onto the pick and trade Justin Fields? All-Pro Rams CB Jalen Ramsey is likely on the move. Which team would be the best landing spot? Plus, the Giants have some big decisions to make between QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley. Who’s more likely to get a new deal, and who’s more likely to receive the franchise tag?
Hosts: Ben Solak and Sheil Kapadia
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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Should the Bears Take Calls for Justin Fields? Is Jalen Ramsey Heading to Detroit? Will Daniel Jones or Saquon Barkley Be Franchise Tagged? | Extra Point Taken

Ben and Steven go through what they’ve learned in the 2022-23 NFL Season. Ben and Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson talk about Dan Campbell and John Harbaugh and recap Hutchinson’s first season in the NFL.

Host: Ben Solak and Steven Ruiz
Guest: Aidan Hutchinson
Associate Producer: Stefan Anderson
Additional Production Supervision: Arjuna Ramgopal and Conor Nevins
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10 Biggest Lessons from the 2022 Season and Aidan Hutchinson Recaps His Rookie Season

Nora and Steven are ready for the offseason, and what better way to start it than by playing matchmaker for QBs on the move and teams that desperately need a QB? Although Aaron Rodgers is still on the Green Bay Packers, could he possibly end up in the Big Apple or reunite with Davante Adams in Sin City? Tom has officially retired and left Tampa; could his former teammate fill the void that he left? Plus, Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy could be on the move, but should he just remain in Kansas City and wait for a better opportunity?
Hosts: Nora Princiotti and Steven Ruiz
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Conor Nevins, Arjuna Ramgopal, and Stefan Anderson
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Offseason QB Matchmaker Game

The Raiders have released Derek Carr, and he is free to sign anywhere. Could he end up in the Big Apple? Fresh off a Super Bowl loss, the Eagles have lost offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, the new Colts head coach, and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, the new Cardinals head coach. How big are these losses for the Eagles? Plus, the Ravens have a new offensive coordinator, but will this move keep Lamar in Baltimore?
Hosts: Ben Solak and Sheil Kapadia
Producer: Cliff Augustin
Additional Production Supervision: Conor Nevins, Arjuna Ramgopal, and Chris Sutton
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