1. On this week’s SI Media Podcast, ESPN’s Sean McDonough joined me to talk about his memorable performance calling the SMU-Clemson ACC championship game, his upcoming assignment to call the Indiana–Notre Dame playoff game on Dec. 20 and other college football topics.
During the course of the conversation, McDonough’s days calling college basketball with Bill Raftery came up. Naturally, this led to me asking McDonough about Raftery’s famous reputation as someone who likes to go out and have a good time. This discussion led to an outstanding revelation from McDonough.
“I always hesitate slightly when the conversation goes to Raft’s night life because I don’t want anybody to have the impression that we have to carry him out of some place,” explained McDonough. “He’s not that kind of guy. It’s the social part of it. Not that he doesn’t have his fair share of drinks, by his own admission, but he’s not the one-after-another and then he’s a mess and you’re like, ‘Oh, God, here we go with Bill.’
“He never wants to go home. We used to call him ‘Uncle One More’ and people thought that meant one more drink, but it meant he wanted to go to one more place.”
Just when you think you couldn’t love Raftery any more, we find out he has the nickname, “Uncle One More.” Perfection.
McDonough continued, “When we were doing the Big Monday games, Sunday nights I would hang with him, but I would say to him, ‘O.K., Bill. I’m not having a drink before the night anyway. … I’ll just drive us around and we’ll still have a good time, but I’m not staying with you until 1 o’clock in the morning. We’re gonna eat dinner, leave at a responsible time and go back.’ So, there were many times when I left him—not many a few times. You don’t want to leave because it’s always fun.”
McDonough then reiterated what so many of Raftery’s colleagues have said over the years.
“When he called to tell me he was leaving ESPN, I just thought to myself, I was happy for him because it was a great deal, but I’ll continue to have fun doing this because we always do, but you never have as much fun as you can with Bill,” said McDonough. “It’s just such a blessing to be his friend. He’s just the best person.”
You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast with Sean McDonough below or on Apple and Spotify.
You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated‘s YouTube channel.
2. Earlier this week, Aaron Rodgers complained about ESPN becoming more about opinions and talking heads instead of highlights while on the Pat McAfee Show. On Friday’s First Take, Ryan Clark responded to Rodgers’s comments and showed no mercy.
Tone deaf
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) December 13, 2024
Unaware
Arrogant
Hypocritical
Fraud
Ryan Clark unloaded on Aaron Rodgers on today’s First Take. pic.twitter.com/B5aJKgrHYL
3. YouTubeTV announced Thursday that it’s raising its monthly free from $73 a month to $83 a month beginning in January. Someone tell me again why it pays to cut the cord because I don’t get it.
I’m so glad that I made the right financial decision in 2018 and ditched my $89/mo cable package so that I can now pay $83/mo for YouTube TV, $23/mo for Netflix, $16/mo for Disney+, $13/mo for Paramount, $15/mo for Prime, $10/mo for AppleTV, and $21/mo for HBO
— Chris Bakke (@ChrisJBakke) December 12, 2024
4. I find this extremely bizarre and also fascinating. I understand college isn’t the same as the NFL, but how can Bill Belichick, who was all about giving the media nothing during his tenure as a head coach, continue his gigs with the ManningCast and The Pat McAfee Show? I have a feeling things may be different come next September.
One nugget after talking with UNC AD Bubba Cunningham:
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) December 12, 2024
Belichick will continue his regular appearances on McAfee and the Manning Cast while UNC’s head coach.
Very high visibility for UNC football, especially among a younger audience.
5. This is rude, unnecessary and hurtful.
Aaron Judge's dropped fly ball in the World Series is being auctioned off by the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/bhRyjSPfql
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) December 12, 2024
6. People on social media are very upset about this.
Two Players Benched their lineups to forced a tie so they could make the playoffs.
— Dave Heilman NFL (@DynastyDorks) December 13, 2024
Blocked playoffs for another team
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/5nDsZ0rC3c
I gave up on fantasy football many years ago, so maybe I have no credibility here, but I say good for these two. The didn’t break any rules, so good for them.
7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: The WWE brings back Saturday Night’s Main Event this Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC. Here’s one of the all-time most iconic SNME’s moments from the old-school days.
Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as ESPN’s Sean McDonough Explains How Bill Raftery Got the Nickname ‘Uncle One More’.
