The Pivot Podcast features a trio of retired NFL stars—Fred Taylor, 47; Ryan Clark, 43; Channing Crowder Jr., 39—in varying stages of middle age. The demographic makeup of the hosts is part of what makes the show’s tenor so compelling. They’re giving viewers an inside look at athletes and locker rooms. But while guests address playing careers, games and every other typical element of sports lives, there’s also a distinct, ahem, pivot into what happens afterward.
Many segments turn naturally toward parents and children, whether guests are speaking of their own parents or their own parenting. Like when Chris Paul addressed how his daughter had been bullied at school over his NBA career. Paul even brought his son, Chris Paul Jr., with him to the taping, and he told the group their willingness to discuss fatherhood, transitions, fears and the rest attracted him to The Pivot in the first place. Perhaps the vibe helped him to open up (quite eloquently) about the bullying and the importance of strong, Black fathers in his life. Same for Ken Griffey Jr., who addressed both sides of the father-son dynamic for professional athletes who follow their fathers into the same sport.
Since the show’s tenor adds to its relatability, an idea formed. Why not ask these hosts about Father’s Day and let them play off each other, forming a roundtable of sorts. The result is a hilarious exchange, edited only for length and clarity.
