Getting cut is brutal. Getting cut on Hard Knocks is a whole different kind of pain. Roosevelt “Rosie” Nix sits down with us to tell the parts of his story most fans never hear, from being labeled “too small” out of Ohio to choosing Kent State because the coaches believed in him first, and how that early trust shaped everything that came next.

We talk about Rosie’s roots as a defensive lineman, why sacks were always the goal, and how he trained for the NFL as an “athlete” while teams projected him at linebacker, fullback, or anywhere he could help. Then we get into the hard turn: Atlanta, cameras, learning an entirely new offensive language, and a cut that sent him back home to teach at his high school while he kept training for a second chance that was not guaranteed.

That second chance shows up in Pittsburgh, and it comes with a twist. Rosie breaks down what it’s like to be told by Mike Tomlin, in a quick locker room moment, that you’re switching again and you have seconds to decide. We dig into special teams as a career lifeline, the core four phases, why kickoff coverage became his stage, and how belief plus relentless work can turn a “role player” into someone teams actually game plan for. We also catch up on life after football, mental health, and Rosie’s new chapter in franchising with Playa bowls.

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The Steelers draft weekend gave us a perfect excuse to do two things at once: take you inside what Pittsburgh felt like when the NFL rolled into town, and then go straight into a real Steelers draft breakdown with no sugarcoating. Ben shares the Thursday night scene, the security maze, the green room surprises, and the kind of Terry Bradshaw interaction you only get when football feels like family. From there we get into the picks, the wide receiver twist right before the Steelers were on the clock, and why the offensive line decision is either going to look brilliant or brutal depending on how fast the rookie is ready.

Then Max Starks steps into the basement and the stories go deep fast. We talk the 2004 draft class, the phone call from Bill Cowher, and what it’s like to land in Pittsburgh when you thought you were headed somewhere else. Max takes us back through Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII with the details only an offensive lineman can give, from snow football memories to the final-drive reality of stress, leverage, and trust. If you’ve ever wondered how a quarterback scramble changes protection or why holding calls aren’t always on the blocker, Max explains it in plain language.

We also connect it to today: Steelers team-building priorities, whether trading up makes sense, how the Aaron Rodgers situation could be more than a simple yes or no, and why building the trenches still matters most. We even zoom out into NIL and the transfer portal to talk about how it’s reshaping college football development and what that means for the NFL pipeline. Subscribe, share this with a Steelers fan, and leave a review if you want more conversations like this. Which draft pick or Super Bowl moment do you still argue about?

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Join Ben and Spence as they dive into the career and insights of Willie Parker, a Pittsburgh Steelers legend known for his incredible speed, resilience, and community-focused mindset. This episode covers his rise from small-town North Carolina to Super Bowl glory, offering lessons on perseverance, decision-making, and giving back.

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In this episode Ben and Spence talk Ben's perspective on youth sports as a professional athlete and how his career has impacted the way he parents and coaches his kids. They also dive into upcoming NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

 FOOTBAHLIN MERCH:
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00:00 Introduction and Show Origins
02:03 Beer Tasting and the 'Ball Horn' Story
04:11 Flying Dog Brewery Artwork and Hunter S. Thompson
07:47 The Influence of Sports Culture and Behavior
11:19 Family Sports Moments: Basketball and Baseball
15:22 Parenting Strategies and Developing Young Athletes
20:52 Upcoming NFL Draft and Team Strategies
35:10 Fan Experience and Draft Week Plans
39:35 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

Ben and Spence talk Ben's time as teammates with Deebo and Joe Haden as well as the difference in rooting for player vs rooting for teams. They also touch on the impact of Aaron Rodgers in light of the Steelers recent free agency moves.

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0:00 Intro
1:07 Joining Debo And Joe’s Show
2:20 Joe Haden Stories And Respect
6:42 Playing For A Rival In Division
9:50 The Joe Burrow To Steelers Rumor
15:03 Aaron Rodgers And Steelers Direction
17:40 Maxx Crosby Deal That Collapsed
19:34 Kyler Murray To Vikings Fallout
22:17 Free Agency Chaos And Fantasy Fandom
26:46v Steelers Draft Plan Build The Line
30:43 Draft In Pittsburgh And Fan Pressure

Ben and Spence talk Steelers free agency, which is the best Olympics, the future identity of the Steelers and more!

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00:00 St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
02:48 Merchandise Launch and Updates
05:33 Sports and Off-Season Discussions
11:05 Unique Sports Ideas and Events
15:48 Transitioning to Football and Free Agency
16:15 The Steelers' Free Agency Moves
19:12 Wide Receiver Duo Potential
22:53 Draft Strategy and Team Needs
26:35 Defensive Changes and Future Outlook
29:55 Balancing Tradition and Modernization
34:45 The Mystery of the Steelers' Future

In this episode Ben and Spence talk about life, birthdays, and football. They share personal stories, reflect on team facilities, and discuss the upcoming NFL draft, providing insights into team culture and player experiences. In this episode, we explore NFL draft strategies, team building, and the importance of tape over combine performance, with insights into the Steelers' draft plans and player evaluations.

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00:00 Introduction and Birthday Reflections
01:06 Celebrating 44 Years of Life
02:04 Family Pie Tradition and Personal Stories
03:25 Thoughtfulness of Kids and Family Gifts
08:05 Birthday Celebrations and Special Moments
10:17 Family Dinner and Kids' Thoughtful Gifts
11:45 Beer Tasting: Linen Kugel's Honey Weiss
14:17 Reflections on Beer and Wisconsin Heritage
15:36 Football Draft and NFL Insights
16:18 NFLPA Report Cards and Organizational Culture
18:36 Team Facilities and Organizational Culture
23:01 Team Building and Facility Improvements
28:36 Draft Strategy and Player Evaluation
36:20 Draft Picks and Building a Contender
40:21 Mock Drafts and Player Selection
45:22 Beer Tasting Continues and Final Thoughts
51:04 Building a Team for the Future
53:08 Upcoming Announcements and Closing Remarks

In this episode, Ben and Spence discuss various topics including updates on the Steelers, the upcoming NFL draft, reflections on the Super Bowl, parenting challenges, and their experience watching the movie 'I Can Only Imagine 2'. They share personal stories about family life, the importance of transformation in their lives, and a fun outing to a bull riding event. The conversation emphasizes the significance of art and storytelling in addressing personal struggles and the shared experiences of life.

00:00 Intro
01:52 Mock Drafts and Player Speculations
04:11 Reflections on the Super Bowl
09:31 Family Life and Parenting Challenges
14:31 Movie Night: I Can Only Imagine 2
19:09 Personal Reflections on Parenting and Health
23:35 The Importance of Transformation
28:10 Bull Riding Experience and Family Outing
37:41 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes

In this episode, Ben and Spence talk family updates, coaching changes, and the dynamics within the team. They delve into the new coaching staff, the implications for the quarterback position, and the importance of developing young players, particularly wide receivers. The conversation also touches on the significance of establishing a strong team culture and the dynamics of the locker room, culminating in a preview of the upcoming Super Bowl.

Footbahlin Cookbook
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00:00 Introduction to the Episode
01:08 Family Updates and Personal Stories
06:50 Transitioning to Football Discussions
08:14 Coaching Changes and Fan Reactions
09:55 Analyzing New Coaching Staff
11:22 Quarterback Dynamics and Future Decisions
14:08 Understanding the Role of Chief of Staff
18:22 Wide Receiver Development and Draft Implications
20:41 Defensive Coordinator Insights
22:42 Offensive Coordinator Speculations
24:28 Establishing Team Culture and Philosophy
29:23 Locker Room Dynamics and Team Bonding
39:36 Super Bowl Preview and Closing Thoughts

In this episode Ben and Spence welcome back Charlie Batch to discuss the latest in NFL news, including the AFC and NFC Championship games, predictions for the Super Bowl, and the hiring of Mike McCarthy. They dive into the importance of weather conditions in games, analyze team strategies, and share insights on the upcoming NFL draft. The conversation also highlights the significance of community engagement through the Best of the Batch Foundation, showcasing the impact of charitable work in the Pittsburgh area.

Learn more about The Best of the Batch Foundation:
https://www.batchfoundation.org/

Footbahlin Cookbook:
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00:00 Intro
02:42 AFC Championship Game Analysis
05:40 Weather's Impact on Game Strategy
08:28 NFC Championship Game Insights
11:19 Coaching Changes and Team Dynamics
14:24 Mike McCarthy's Hiring and Future Prospects
17:04 Quarterback Development and Team Strategy
20:10 Final Thoughts on Super Bowl Predictions
33:15 Quarterback Decisions and Team Dynamics
37:14 Draft Strategies and Team Building
40:20 Offensive Line and Receiver Priorities
47:39 Coaching Changes and Team Philosophy
53:22 NFLPA Leadership and Future Directions

In this episode Ben reflects on the Steelers' season, discusses the upcoming NFL playoffs, and shares his thoughts on the team's future as a hypothetical GM. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong team foundation before focusing on the quarterback position, advocating for a young, offensive-minded head coach to lead the team. Ben also highlights the significance of drafting and retaining key players, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary, while considering the potential impact of free agency on the Steelers' roster. The conversation touches on the recent coaching changes in the NFL, including the surprising firing of Sean McDermott, and the implications for the Steelers as they look to rebuild and reestablish their identity in the league.

00:00 Welcome Back and Season Recap
03:33 National Championship and Playoff Insights
10:16 Quarterback Development and College Players
17:52 Coaching Changes and Their Impact
27:19 Ben's GM Hat: Future of the Steelers
32:44 Draft Strategies and Player Retention
47:00 Final Thoughts and Season Wrap-Up