Folarin Balogun Cleared to Play! Trump's FIFA Call, CJ2K ALS Tribute & World Cup

Folarin Balogun Cleared to Play! Trump's FIFA Call, CJ2K ALS Tribute & World Cup

We are back! After a two-week summer break, Pacman Jones and Drew Butler return to the saddle for an emotional and action-packed episode of Politely Raw. The show opens with a heartfelt tribute to former NFL superstar running back Chris Johnson following his devastating ALS diagnosis. Pacman and Drew share their personal stories playing alongside "CJ2K," discuss the incredible rally of support from the sports and entertainment community, and announce Politely Raw's $25,000 donation to help him fight ALS. Next, the guys say "we told you so" regarding Serena Williams bowing out of Wimbledon, proving that Father Time remains undefeated. Then, soccer expert Matty Lawrence joins the show to break down a thrilling knockout stage of the World Cup. The crew reacts to the tight Golden Boot race between Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé, before diving into one of the wildest controversies of the tournament: Folarin Balogun’s red card being mysteriously waived under FIFA's "Article 27" after a rumored phone call from Donald Trump. Matty also analyzes Jordan Henderson's viral fence-climbing injury, the historic rise of underdog teams like DR Congo and Cape Verde, and previews the highly anticipated USMNT vs. Belgium match at Seattle's famously loud Lumen Field. Finally, they react to the rumors surrounding Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding and question why rules analyst Dean Blandino scored an invite over Pacman. Timestamps (MM:SS) * 00:00 - Welcome back! Pacman and Drew catch up after a two-week summer hiatus. * 03:32 - Fighting for CJ2K: A heartfelt tribute and support for former teammate and NFL legend Chris Johnson following his ALS diagnosis. * 06:37 - Announcement of Politely Raw’s $25,000 donation to Chris Johnson's ALS battle. * 07:04 - Father Time is Undefeated: Reacting to Serena Williams bowing out of Wimbledon. * 08:36 - Premier League pro Matty Lawrence joins the show to talk World Cup and his own hilarious athletic struggles. * 10:38 - Golden Boot Heat: Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé dominate the goalscoring charts. * 11:56 - Dark Arts of Defending: How Paraguay’s physical "Pistons-style" tactics almost upset France. * 15:03 - Pure Goalscorer vs. Playmaker: Comparing Erling Haaland's lethal conversion rate to Messi's all-around play. * 18:10 - The Viral Fail: Reacting to England veteran Jordan Henderson's brutal fence-climbing shoulder injury. * 19:37 - Soccer Atmosphere: Drew shares his incredible experience taking his daughter to see England vs. Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. * 22:23 - Rise of the Underdogs: How FIFA funding and tactical coaching are leveling the playing field for countries like DR Congo and Cape Verde. * 24:35 - Trump Saves USMNT? The controversy behind Folarin Balogun's red card being waived for the Belgium match. * 26:54 - Transparency Issues: The lack of an official appeals process in the World Cup and FIFA's "Article 27." * 29:03 - The Ronaldo Precedent: How FIFA previously cleared Cristiano Ronaldo using the exact same rule. * 30:36 - USMNT vs. Belgium Preview: Preparing for a rocking "12th Man" atmosphere at Seattle's Lumen Field. * 32:38 - Argentina vs. Egypt Match Preview: Managing Christian Pulisic’s grade-one calf strain. * 34:38 - Wedding Crashers: Reacting to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's marriage rumors and Dean Blandino's invite. * 35:26 - Show wrap-up and final words of strength for Chris Johnson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

NBA Draft Shakeups, Sorsby's Gambling Draft Drama & World Cup Preview

Welcome back to a jam-packed, Father's Day weekend edition of Politely Raw! Pacman Jones and Drew Butler are gearing up for the summer with an episode loaded with massive sports headlines. First, NBA Legend Antoine Walker joins the show to break down the upcoming NBA Draft. The guys debate whether Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick despite his recent cramping struggles, and look at his bold strategy of only working out for the Washington Wizards. Antoine also weighs in on the prospect of AJ Dybantsa going to Utah, a potential blockbuster trade involving Trey Young, a wild rumor connecting Giannis Antetokounmpo to Oklahoma City, and why Ja Morant needs a fresh start out of Memphis. Then, the crew tackles the absolute chaos in college football. Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has officially entered the NFL supplemental draft following a massive NCAA gambling scandal. Pacman and Drew debate if the juice is worth the squeeze for NFL teams and share raw stories about how strictly locker room gambling policies are enforced. Next, soccer expert Matty Lawrence joins the show to preview the World Cup! The guys break down Folarin Balogun's Golden Boot odds, Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles with Portugal, Christian Pulisic’s calf injury ahead of the USA vs. Australia matchup, and the legendary Scottish fans currently drinking Boston dry. Finally, we have a very special segment with Hamilton County (Ohio) Special Olympics Director Chris and two-time gold medalist swimmer Lauren Guy. Lauren shares her inspirational journey to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota, and the Politely Raw team surprises her with a $25,000 donation to support her championship trip! Timestamps (MM:SS) * 00:00 - Episode intro: Pacman and Drew welcome everyone to Father's Day weekend and look ahead to a well-deserved summer break. * 00:34 - World Cup atmosphere: The wild news about Scottish fans drinking Boston dry. * 00:56 - NBA Draft Breakdown: NBA legend Antoine Walker joins the show to debate whether Kansas guard Darryn Peterson's injury and cramping history will hurt his No. 1 pick status. * 04:45 - Evaluating Darryn Peterson vs. AJ Dybantsa: Analyzing Peterson's decision to shutdown workouts for every team except the Washington Wizards. * 06:57 - Trade Block Rumors: Will the Wizards trade Trey Young, and how does landing the top pick alter their rebuilding plans? * 08:52 - OKC Blockbuster: Why the Oklahoma City Thunder might be the perfect trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo. * 10:46 - Fresh Start: Debating if Ja Morant should force a trade out of Memphis and how he would fit with the Chicago Bulls. * 12:59 - Jaylen Brown Trade Rumors: Discussing the Atlanta Hawks' interest in landing the Marietta native and how a new Celtics ownership group affects their cap sheet. * 15:35 - College Football Chaos: Pacman and Drew react to Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby entering the NFL supplemental draft after his NCAA gambling suspension. * 18:05 - "Is the juice worth the squeeze?": Debating whether an NFL franchise will actually burn a future draft pick on Sorsby, and how players handle locker room gambling rules. * 19:23 - Shedeur Sanders Comparison: Discussing how Sorsby's off-field narrative compares to other highly criticized quarterback prospects. * 21:10 - World Cup Preview: Soccer analyst Matty Lawrence joins to break down early tournament performances. * 21:49 - Golden Boot Race: Evaluating Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Cristiano Ronaldo's growing struggles with Portugal. * 24:30 - Team USA Breakdown: Assessing the USMNT's dominant 4-1 opening victory over Paraguay and Folarin Balogun's scoring impact. * 26:30 - Pulisic Injury Concern: How serious is Christian Pulisic's grade one calf strain, and should the US team bench him against Australia? * 30:17 - Match Predictions: Previewing Brazil vs. Haiti, Morocco vs. Scotland, and the Tartan Army's takeover of Fenway Park. * 33:47 - Special Olympics Ohio: Chris and two-time gold medal-winning swimmer Lauren Guy join to share their journey to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota. * 36:06 - Champion Mentality: Lauren Guy breaks down how she prepares for the 50m and 100m breaststroke under pressure. * 38:25 - Big Surprise: The Politely Raw crew donates $25,000 to fund Lauren's championship trip to Minnesota. * 39:10 - Show outro: Pacman and Drew head out for summer vacation and preview Lauren's upcoming race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Knicks Win Championship, Jalen Brunson HOF Debate & UFC White House Drama

Welcome back to a championship edition of Politely Raw! Pacman Jones is on the road, but he is joined by Drew Butler and NBA legend Antoine Walker to break down one of the wildest weeks in sports history. First, the guys react to the New York Knicks winning their first NBA Championship since 1973! They break down the San Antonio Spurs' painful Finals collapse, debate whether Jalen Brunson has officially cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer, and discuss the major off-season adjustments Victor Wembanyama must make to get closer to the basket. Antoine also weighs in on the Spurs' future, De'Aaron Fox's contract, and what's next for Keldon Johnson. Then, the crew turns their attention to the historic UFC Freedom 250 card on the South Lawn of the White House. While they loved the setup, Pacman doesn't hold back his thoughts on the controversial and classless post-fight press conference comments. Plus, Team USA kicks off the World Cup in style with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The guys discuss their expectations for the national team, explain the Golden Boot race, and Pacman shares a hilarious story about a flight packed with soccer fans. Finally, they look ahead to the US Open at Shinnecock Hills, lock in their tournament winning picks, and count down the 75 days until football season returns. Timestamps * 00:00 - Episode intro: Pacman is on the road and welcomes NBA Champion Antoine Walker to the show. * 00:18 - The Knicks are Champions! Reacting to New York capturing their first NBA title in 53 years. * 00:39 - World Cup kickoff: Team USA's massive opening win and their 80% chance of advancing. * 00:49 - UFC Freedom 250: Initial thoughts on the historic fight card at the White House. * 01:03 - Stanley Cup Heartbreak: The Carolina Hurricanes defeat Pacman’s Vegas Golden Knights to win the Cup. * 01:24 - Show theme song and commercial break. * 02:25 - Back from break: Analyzing how the young Spurs blew multiple leads to lose the Finals. * 03:40 - The veteran factor: Drew and Antoine break down the Knicks' historic chemistry and resilience. * 05:18 - Giving head coach Mike Brown his flowers for implementing a masterclass defensive strategy. * 05:52 - Critical timeout blunders: Why the Spurs failed to stop New York's momentum when they went on runs. * 06:55 - Offseason Outlook: What do the Spurs do next with De'Aaron Fox’s contract and Keldon Johnson? * 07:42 - Adjusting Wemby: Why Victor Wembanyama needs to stop settling for perimeter threes and dominate the paint. * 09:18 - Jalen Brunson’s legacy: Cementing himself as an absolute legend in New York sports history. * 10:19 - Hall of Fame Debate: Is Jalen Brunson officially on a Hall of Fame trajectory after this championship? * 11:56 - Looking ahead to 2026-27: Early championship odds and Eastern Conference threats. * 13:29 - UFC White House Outrage: Pacman, Antoine, and Drew react to the disrespectful political comments made after the fight. * 15:38 - USA Soccer Dominance: Discussing Team USA's electric 4-1 victory over Paraguay and their knockout stage goals. * 17:24 - Deciphering soccer awards: What is the Golden Boot and how does home-field advantage help Team USA? * 18:26 - World Cup Fever: Pacman’s hilarious flight story about Cincinnati fans heading to Atlanta. * 20:43 - Vents and Sweeps: Pacman expresses his frustration with the Vegas Golden Knights' Stanley Cup defeat. * 22:31 - US Open Preview: Predicting the major field at Shinnecock Hills and locking in picks for Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. * 23:51 - Countdown to Football: Surviving the offseason lull and celebrating Chicago's baseball rivalry. * 25:14 - Episode wrap-up. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Knicks Historic 29-Point Comeback, Mahomes' $504M Contract & UFC White House Preview

Welcome back to Politely Raw with Pacman Jones and Drew Butler. This week, the guys break down the New York Knicks' unbelievable 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, highlighting Jalen Brunson's clutch execution and a costly late-game turnover by De'Aaron Fox. They debate the Finals MVP race between Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns, dive into the timeless Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James GOAT debate, and question how this collapse impacts Victor Wembanyama's legacy. Plus, the crew reacts to Patrick Mahomes' historic contract extension, leading Pacman to share stories about locker room Christmas gifts from former teammates Domata Peko and Leon Hall. Finally, former MMA fighter and analyst Eric Apple joins the show to preview UFC 250 live from the White House South Lawn, breaking down Alex Pereira's historic three-division title quest against Ciryl Gane, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, and Sean O'Malley's return. Timestamps * 00:00 - Episode intro and reactions to the New York Knicks' historic 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs. * 02:02 - Analyzing the final seconds of Game 4: De'Aaron Fox's costly turnover, OG Anunoby's lockdown defense, and Jalen Brunson's clutch shooting. * 03:40 - Madison Square Garden atmosphere: Taylor Swift and Donald Trump on Celebrity Row. * 04:44 - Shifting expectations in the NBA Finals MVP race between Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. * 05:32 - The ultimate GOAT debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James. * 06:52 - Does blowing a 29-point Finals lead hurt Victor Wembanyama's case as the future face of the NBA? * 08:00 - Breaking down Patrick Mahomes' massive contract extension and the best holiday gifts in NFL locker rooms (featuring Domata Peko and Leon Hall). * 10:06 - 2026 FIFA World Cup kickoff: Massive Atlanta crowds and Team USA's big upcoming match against Paraguay in Los Angeles. * 12:00 - Show transition and upcoming fight card introduction. * 13:25 - UFC 250 at the White House: Eric Apple joins to discuss how fighting outdoors in the summer humidity will affect the athletes on the South Lawn. * 14:27 - Main Event: Alex Pereira chases a historic third-division championship against Ciryl Gane. * 16:55 - Previewing Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Bo Nickal's main card status. * 17:32 - Analyzing Sean O'Malley's matchup and his path to bounce back. * 18:04 - Eric Apple reacts to the controversy surrounding the White House venue. * 18:45 - Show wrap-up and final weekend sports predictions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Is Jalen Hurts Elite? Gillie Da Kid Fires Back at Cam Newton & Predicts NBA Finals | Politely Raw

This week on a special edition of Politely Raw, Pacman Jones and Drew Butler are joined by Philly royalty, rapper, and co-host of the mega-podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game, Gillie Da Kid! The guys do not hold back as Gillie fiercely defends his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, explaining why Jalen Hurts is absolutely a top-tier quarterback and going head-to-head with Pacman over Cam Newton’s controversial quarterback rankings. Gillie also reacts to the rumors of Aaron Donald joining Myles Garrett in LA, breaks down the Eagles' stacked young defense featuring rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and explains how his legendary "Blow the Whistle" porch-dancing videos with his 75-year-old neighbor Jake originally went viral. Plus, the crew dives into the NBA Finals, reacting to insane Madison Square Garden ticket prices, debating Victor Wembanyama's future as the face of the league, and naming their dream Philly rap Verzuz matchups. Finally, Gillie shares the origin story of how Million Dollaz Worth of Game became one of the biggest podcasts in the world and gives invaluable advice to young artists about separating street life from the entertainment business. Timestamps * 00:00:00 - Episode intro and welcoming Gillie Da Kid to the show. * 00:02:30 - Philly Eagles outlook: Howie Roseman’s masterclass roster moves and the AJ Brown trade truth. * 00:04:15 - Breaking down the Eagles' offensive identity and adjusting to a new-look coordinator system. * 00:05:46 - Rumor mill: Will Aaron Donald come out of retirement to join Myles Garrett on the Rams' defense? * 00:07:00 - Stem cell therapy secrets of the Eagles' offensive line. * 00:08:00 - Jalen Hurts’ winning record against elite QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Matthew Stafford. * 00:08:50 - Gillie hypes up the Eagles' lock-down secondary featuring top draft picks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. * 00:11:00 - The hilarious, organic origin story behind Gillie's viral "Blow the Whistle" Sunday porch-dancing videos with his 75-year-old neighbor, Jake. * 00:12:00 - Jalen Hurts vs. Cam Newton: A heated debate over Cam leaving Jalen Hurts out of his top-10 NFL quarterback list. * 00:13:30 - Rating Jalen Hurts against the league's best: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, and Joe Burrow. * 00:18:48 - Gillie fires back at Cam Newton’s career accomplishments and winning seasons. * 00:20:15 - "The Black Tony Romo": Gillie's raw thoughts on Dak Prescott and his postseason struggles. * 00:22:00 - Gillie's official Top 5 NFL Quarterbacks list. * 00:22:45 - Why Jalen Hurts' situational discipline makes him a better winner than Josh Allen. * 00:24:10 - NBA Finals preview: Will Victor Wembanyama lead the Spurs past the Knicks, and the absolute insanity of MSG ticket prices. * 00:24:45 - Gillie reacts to New York fans trolling him after the Knicks beat the 76ers. * 00:25:50 - Ultimate Philly Verzuz: Meek Mill vs. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, and why Gillie wants to see Jill Scott vs. Jazmine Sullivan. * 00:27:00 - Dropping wisdom: Why modern rappers need to understand that the music industry is entertainment, not real life. * 00:28:55 - The meteoric rise of Million Dollaz Worth of Game and landing their massive Barstool Sports deal. * 00:30:20 - Episode outro and Pacman's upcoming World Cup tailgating trip. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].