We sit down with Eric Crouch, Nebraska legend, Heisman Trophy winner, and College Football Hall of Famer, for a candid, funny, and deeply human conversation about legacy, toughness, and what stays with you long after the final whistle. We relive his overtime winner at Notre Dame—yes, with Touchdown Jesus in the background—and why that night still gives him chills. We unpack the infamous Kansas State facemask “no-call” that became a Sports Illustrated-level photo and how Eric later used it to break the ice in a boardroom. And in a perfect slice of real life, he tells the story of going from hoisting the Heisman to hauling a training pelvis for medical device demos—and getting stopped at airport security with the trophy in a steel case. It’s football history with heart, humor, and perspective. Stick around to the end for rapid-fire memories that Husker fans will love.

⏰ Timestamps:
(00:30:07) – Concussions, surgeries, and real toughness in the option era
(00:31:44) – “Honey-do” list vs. a missing bursa sac (aging like an athlete)
(00:32:14) – The famous K-State facemask photo and why it still stings
(00:33:00) – Using that photo to break the ice in a Kansas boardroom
(00:50:21) – Broadcasting vs. studio work: chasing game-day energy
(00:50:57) – From waiting tables to “Heisman winner” to medical sales
(00:51:25) – The “rubber pelvis” training kit story (humbling real world)
(00:53:24) – Airport security stops him—because the Heisman looks like a bomb case
(00:54:14) – Loudest road venue: A&M’s 12th Man and how it rattles you
(00:54:44) – Running into a “sea of red” at Memorial Stadium
(00:55:16) – Surreal: still seeing his jersey on fans, decades later
(00:56:22) – The Notre Dame overtime winner: why it still hits different
(00:57:19) – Realizing Touchdown Jesus was in the poster behind him
(00:57:38) – Getting pelted near the student section after the score
(00:57:57) – The real perk of the Heisman: the brotherhood and the tag
(00:58:45) – A road named after him, and why that one hits home

💡 Key Topics:
📌 Notre Dame overtime winner, Touchdown Jesus, and Husker lore
📌 Kansas State facemask “no-call” and an SI-level photo
📌 Option-era toughness, concussions, surgeries, and perspective
📌 Life after football: broadcasting, medical sales, humility
📌 Heisman “perks,” brotherhood, and lasting identity

🏈 About Eric Crouch:
Eric Crouch is a Nebraska Cornhuskers legend, Heisman Trophy winner, and College Football Hall of Famer. After the Huskers, he transitioned into broadcasting and later medical device sales—bringing the same poise and competitiveness into every chapter of life.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:
The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#EricCrouch #NebraskaFootball #HeismanTrophy #CollegeFootball #TheJustInTimePodcast #NotreDame #Big12

Mark Schlereth’s path is as blue-collar as it gets. A 3x Super Bowl champion, 2x Pro Bowler, and longtime NFL on FOX analyst, Schlereth went from hauling hay in Anchorage to the Hogs in Washington and back-to-back titles in Denver. In this conversation, we revisit the moments that shaped him: the teammate (Marvin Washington) who kept inviting him to workouts until teams finally noticed; Joe Gibbs’ leadership that centered faith, family, and football; and the reality of playing through 29 surgeries while blocking for legends like John Elway and Terrell Davis. We get into film study, pre-snap tells, why great backs “bring the linebacker to you,” and why old-school locker-room bonds still matter in a changing college/NFL landscape. It’s toughness, loyalty, and championship detail from a guard who lived it—and still carries those lessons today. If you love NFL history and the craft of line play, this one delivers.

🎙️The full episode with Mark Schlereth is available now!

⏰ Timestamps:(00:00:01) Welcome + Anchorage origins and “country strong” foundation

(00:02:42) Chores, the Schwinn Scrambler, and unexpected strength payoff
(00:07:26) Marvin Washington invites: the workouts that opened NFL doors
(00:08:52) Brotherhood first: “Vandal alert,” paying it forward in Denver
(00:10:42) On NIL: what today’s college game risks losing
(00:18:03) “Poolside” at 80: Schlereth’s legendary dad and work ethic
(00:21:16) Dennis Erickson at Idaho: intensity, standards, and reality checks
(00:26:39) 10th-round pick: early camp moments and belief he could play
(00:29:57) The mirror promise: discipline vs. regret and obsessive prep
(00:35:10) Sustained excellence: Patriots/Brady mindset and human nature
(00:37:01) Joe Gibbs’ three priorities and quiet leadership
(00:43:29) Super Bowl XXVI: Thursday pads, Madden’s sideline prediction
(00:46:51) Why preseason “doesn’t count but matters”
(00:56:42) To Denver: passing the physical, Alex Gibbs, and the right fit
(00:57:30) Blocking for TD: how elite backs set up blocks for the OL
(00:59:26) Today’s great backs: Saquon, Derrick Henry, and vision
(01:04:42) Pre-snap eyes: safety rotation, shifts, and instant processing
(01:07:59) Elway’s calm in the huddle and leadership under pressure
(01:12:24) Playing injured vs. hurt: the badge of honor and 29 surgeries
(01:14:56) Toughest assignment: Lawrence Taylor and a who’s-who of terror
(01:17:38) Childhood heroes: the ’70s Steelers and Mike Webster
(01:18:47) Worst surgery: the back (L5-S1)
(01:19:57) Closing thanks and season ahead

💡Key Topics:📌 From Alaska to the NFL: blue-collar origins, Idaho, and the Hogs
📌 Brotherhood & loyalty: Marvin Washington’s role, paying it forward
📌 Joe Gibbs’ leadership: priorities, faith/family/football, winning culture
📌 Broncos years: Elway’s poise, TD’s vision, back-to-back Super Bowls
📌 Playing through pain: 29 surgeries, preparation, discipline vs. regret
📌 Football IQ: pre-snap processing, safety rotation, scheme chess

🏈 About Mark Schlereth:Mark “Stink” Schlereth is a 3x Super Bowl champion, 2x Pro Bowl offensive lineman, and NFL on FOX analyst. He won titles with Washington (XXVI) and Denver (XXXII, XXXIII), blocking for Hall of Famers John Elway and Terrell Davis and anchoring two iconic offensive lines. His perspective blends elite execution, film-room detail, and old-school toughness.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#MarkSchlereth
#NFLHistory
#DenverBroncos
#WashingtonRedskins
#SuperBowlChampion
#OldSchoolFootball
#TheJustInTimePodcast

On this episode of The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with CJ Nitkowski — a 10-year MLB pitcher, first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 1994, and current TV analyst for the Atlanta Braves. CJ takes us inside some of the most unforgettable moments of his career: from the surreal experience of facing Michael Jordan in Double-A to suiting up at Yankee Stadium as both a boyhood fan and later as a pitcher.

He shares what it was like to be teammates with legends like Deion Sanders, who nicknamed him “Snacks” and gave him the bat for his first career hit, and recalls the leadership of Hall of Famers like Barry Larkin and Derek Jeter. CJ also opens up about the whirlwind of being drafted into a strike-shortened season, the challenges of constant trades, and how his baseball journey eventually led him into the broadcast booth — including calling games alongside Justin Kutcher.

This conversation isn’t just about stats and scores — it’s about the human side of the game: family, resilience, and the behind-the-scenes stories fans rarely get to hear.

⏰ Timestamps

(00:00:00) Justin introduces CJ Nitkowski and career background

(00:03:00) Facing Michael Jordan in AA Birmingham

(00:08:58) Late-bloomer journey: from FAU to St. John’s

(00:14:56) Draft day 1994 and strike impact

(00:19:18) The surreal moment pitching to Michael Jordan

(00:26:37) Life in the minors during Jordan’s baseball stint

(00:33:00) First experiences at Yankee Stadium

(00:37:53) Facing Derek Jeter, Strawberry, and the 1996 Yankees lineup

(00:41:00) ESPN game vs Schilling & welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment

(00:45:29) Trade to Detroit and Kirk Gibson blow-up story

(00:49:53) Playing with Whitaker & Trammell in final years

(00:54:51) Becoming a Yankee in 2004 and Torre/Smoltz/Mariano memories

(01:00:10) Deion Sanders as a teammate & “Snacks” nickname

(01:06:06) Teammates who became Hall of Famers

(01:09:35) Best leaders CJ played with

(01:12:19) Japan, Korea, and food stories from abroad

(01:14:53) Wrapping up with reflections on career and broadcasting

💡 Key Topics

📌 Facing Michael Jordan in professional baseball

📌 Playing with Deion Sanders and MLB legends

📌 Drafted 9th overall in 1994 and strike challenges

📌 Memorable moments at Yankee Stadium

📌 Transition from pitcher to broadcaster

🧢 About CJ Nitkowski:

CJ Nitkowski pitched for 10 years in Major League Baseball, suiting up for eight different teams including the Reds, Tigers, Astros, Rangers, Braves, and Yankees. Drafted 9th overall in 1994, he went on to play internationally in Japan and Korea before transitioning into broadcasting. Today, he serves as a TV analyst for the Atlanta Braves and is recognized for his insight, storytelling, and connection to baseball’s biggest names.

🎙️ About The JustIn Time Podcast

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

#TheJustInTimePodcast

#CJNitkowski

#MichaelJordan

#BaseballLegends

#SportsStories

#MLBHistory

#PressureMoments