What They Don't Tell You About Semi-Pro & Arena Football

Billy Coble on 9/11, Deployments, and the Adrenaline Crash | Beyond The Game Episode 40

This episode is a little different (and personal). I’m joined by my brother, Billy Coble, an Army veteran, to talk about the parallels between athletes leaving the game and service members coming home; losing the brotherhood, losing the mission, and learning how to adjust to “normal” life again. Billy shares: * Why he joined the Army at 18 and started in field artillery * Getting out… then 9/11 happening, and why he felt called to return * Transitioning into medical service and deploying to Afghanistan * What deployment really feels like: the dead stop → full sprint moments * The adrenaline crash after the chaos, and why sleep can be a struggle for many vets * The reality of treating patients in a war zone (including hostile forces) and how you mentally process that This is Part 1; and we’ll be doing Part 2 next, diving deeper into the medical side of Billy’s career, the differences between military vs civilian medicine, and the long-term physical + psychological impact of 20+ years of service. 🙌 Sponsor: Dazzle Sports Big thanks to Dazzle Sports for sponsoring Beyond the Game. Check them out: dazzle-sports.com (collectibles, cards, autographs, and memorabilia)

Penn State’s Reset, the Portal Wild West & the CEO Coach Era | Beyond The Game Ep 39: Cory Giger

Cory Giger returns to Beyond the Game with Justin for a no-fluff conversation about the current state of college football, and the Penn State reset. In this episode, we break down: * The Penn State coaching search aftermath and what the Matt Campbell hire means in context * Why “just coaching football” is basically gone in today’s college game * The CEO vs. ball coach debate (and how it impacts development, recruiting, and culture) * How the transfer portal is changing roster building (older, experienced players vs. chasing stars) * Loyalty, NIL money, and the business decisions programs have to make * Why the NCAA has created a “wild west” with unclear rules—and what could happen next Cory also plugs where you can catch him year-round with daily radio, postgame coverage, and more. Follow Cory Giger * Daily radio show in Central PA: 96.1 FM (Altoona) + online streaming * Postgame Penn State show (seasonal) * Tuesday Steelers show Sponsor: Dazzle Sports Sports memorabilia, collectibles, and autographs: dazzle-sports.com

Jon & Caleb Kolb on Football, Family, and the Mission Behind ATP

On this episode of Beyond the Game, Justin sits down with former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Jon Kolb (4x Super Bowl champion) and his son Caleb Kolb for a wide-ranging conversation about football, family, and life after the game. Jon and Caleb share what makes Pittsburgh different; from the brotherhood inside the locker room to the lifelong bond between the city and its players. The conversation also dives into Adventures in Training with a Purpose (ATP), an organization founded to support veterans, first responders, and individuals living with chronic illness through training, purpose, and community.   🎟️ The Curtain Call (Super Bowl X – 50th Reunion Fundraiser) Tickets & info: curtaincallpgh.com Sponsorship inquiries: curtaincall@adventurestraining.org Learn more about ATP: adventurestraining.org   Special thanks to our sponsor Dazzle Sports for supporting the podcast. Shop sports memorabilia, collectibles, and autographed items at: dazzle-sports.com

What They Don't Tell You About Semi-Pro & Arena Football

What happens when the word “pro” gets thrown on a team… but the reality doesn’t match the label? In this episode, we peel back the curtain on semi-pro, arena, and developmental football—from the glory days of packed practices and ESPN spotlights to today’s grind: players traveling cross-country, chasing a shot, and sometimes walking into situations held together with duct tape. We talk about: * How some “semi-pro” teams built advantages through jobs, sponsors, and housing * The shift in football culture: commitment, practice turnout, and player expectations * The difference between levels of talent (and how background/support changes outcomes) * Arena football’s learning curve: smaller field, faster game, and “the wall is undefeated” * The real meaning of “developmental leagues” and why film + coaching matter * The harsh truth about “fit,” roster politics, and opportunity in football * The ugly side: unpaid staff, unstable teams, housing horror stories, and broken promises * The bigger question: How much pain are you willing to take to chase the dream? This kicks off a mini-series where we’ll bring on players, coaches, and commissioners to explore the wins, the warnings, and the realities behind the dream. Sponsored by: * Nieri Creative – Full-service media studio in Central PA (video production, content creation, real estate photography) Website: niericreative.com * Dazzle Sports – Sports memorabilia, Autographs, collectibles, custom framing and more.Website: dazzle-sports.com 🎧 Subscribe for the upcoming mini-series episodes; and if you’ve lived this life (player, coach, parent, fan), you’ll want to hear what’s coming next.

Unfiltered. Unscripted. Unforgettable. Beyond the Game Year Review.

This season on Beyond the Game, we sat down with athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, creators, and storytellers to uncover the grit, humor, heartbreak, resilience, and real-life lessons behind the moments that shape a career. From chasing dreams and overcoming setbacks to family legacies, unbelievable stories, and hard-earned wisdom. These are the conversations that defined our year. Thank you to everyone who tuned in, supported, shared, and championed these voices. And a huge thank-you to our sponsor, Dazzle Sports Marketing, for fueling the stories that move the sports world forward. Now, here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from the season. Enjoy the recap, and we’ll see you next year.   Sponsored by Dazzle Sports - for all of your sports memorabilia, autographs & collectibles: dazzle-sports.com