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 decided to start a small fundraiser for Hurricane Harvey. Palcic also offers great insight into the modern pr-media relationship and considers how men and women may cover the sport differently. Also in this episode, Melissa shares what is most exciting her about the upcoming NFL season (hint: think robust QB...

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 to take a pay cut? Or perhaps it was because Ferguson felt a ‘little betrayed’ after seeing the movie Concussion? Ferguson clears the air in this wide-ranging conversation. He also speaks honestly about the unique transition from professional athlete to regular human, and his process of...

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 Coalition event in Oakland rooted in criminal justice reform and a particularly poignant statement from 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. Then Howard Bryant, ESPN the Magazine senior writer and author of the prescient new book, The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America and the Politics of...

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 multi-talented Mina Kimes from ESPN joins for a wide-ranging conversation (begins 11:15) that captures her thoughts from why the Baker Mayfield pick could change draft think to the NFL’s big parrot fail to normalizing women talking sports on TV to loving football despite its issues, and so much more. ...

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 and also talk draft with just a bit less analysis. If you like wine, weird QB analysis, Westworld-NFL Draft analogies (8:20), the dissection of Mitch Trubisky’s name (9:27) Melissa’s “drunken draft preview” with her Bears fan husband Dave has you covered. If you are a draft nerd, don’t have much...

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 Bennett. (11:50) Dave explains who exactly should read the book and why Michael is such a prescient voice for our times. (21:42) He also discusses his next book, Jim Brown: Last Man Standing, about perhaps the most complex mega athlete of the last century (24:21), and reveals the under-the-radar...

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 for her and her family. Her husband, a teacher, got a new job in Surrey, England and they found a new rental with the help of House Hunters International! In this wide-ranging conversation, Jane discusses the impetus for the move, takes us behind the scenes of her HHI episode, the emotions of...

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. Lia Reich provides a lens into her close relationship with her father and family and how the values he passed on catapulted her to delightful childhood and fascinating career in robotics. (Starts 15:35) Plus, Melissa Jacobs on what appears to be the blackballing of Eric Reid, how Nate Solder's...

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 trajectory, how exactly Twitter helps sports entities and athletes, efforts to make high profile athletes feel safe on Twitter, and when her New York Jets may reappear in the Super Bowl. (Interview starts 7:50). Plus, Melissa's 6-year-old son invites Jimmy Garoppolo to his upcoming birthday party.(5:37) ...

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 about the fascinating ramifications of her Kendrick Lamar question to Tom Brady.(8:43) Natalie and Melissa also dive into the intricacies of the NFL's misguided Women's Summit (16:15), the uncomfortable sexualized maze women in football have to navigate(23:40)and the real gender issues the NFL should...

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 joined in person by SB Nation's Charlotte Wilder who is on a quest to decipher Tom Brady's fake newspaper. (8:41) Later in the episode Melissa chats with NBC sideline reporter Michele Tafoya about the intricacies of working a Super Bowl and whether she would want to move into the booth. (21:51). And...

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) and other non-Super Bowl news. (Don't worry, we'll have plenty of Super Bowl coverage from Minneapolis next week.) Also, Emily Kaplan, one of the great writers in all of sports, joins the pod (14:48) to talk about her fascinating transition from The MMQB to ESPN NHL reporter. Emily notes some of the...

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. Why are the perils these women will face too similar to those of 20 years ago, and how does it get better for women in the NFL? Also, Melissa on an extra strange week on Twitter + AFC and NFC Championship picks.

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. I can’t feel my legs. “ Vernon joins us and powerfully details that night and the ensuing weeks since, including his frequent visits with Ryan. Vernon Shazier is a pastor and motivational speaker and even he was been overwhelmed by the goodness of humanity in wake of tragedy.(Starts at...

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 and players? And, of course, who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy on February 4th? We also wrap up Black Monday as Lindsay explains how on earth Marvin Lewis is still employed in Cincinnati.

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 prognostications about 2018. (Think Tom Brady's farewell tour) Joining The Football Girl podcast is Yahoo! Fantasy Analyst Liz Loza who offers her biggest fantasy surprise and disappointment of the season, explains her amazing transformation from actress to fantasy analyst, dishes on her big night at Hamilton...

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 the Charlotte Observer gives a tick-tock into the mad, mad world of the Panthers in the wake of the Jerry Richardson allegations. Plus, Melissa Jacobs makes the case for Frank Gore as a first ballot Hall of Fame and offers a ten point plan for the ideal next owner of the Panthers. (No. 1: Be female...

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 heightened bastion of sexualization. It finally has as a disturbing lawsuit alleges mass sexual harassment at NFL Network. This week's guest, noted sports and feminism journalist Julie DiCaro, has some fascinating thoughts on whether the floodgates will really open and the difficulty of being a woman in...

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 lively discussion about the new look 49ers and their upward trajectory as the Jimmy Garoppolo era begins.

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 (1987-2013) and being an executive decades before women were given real opportunities in the NFL. SI's Maggie Gray talks the radio dream job she's about to start (you'll have listen to find out) and tries to diagnose the Buffalo Bills. Finally, Melissa closes out the show with a musing on the NFL's...