Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts (some sports-related, some not) and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.
1. The Underwear Olympics
The NFL Combine just wrapped on Sunday, and it really is one of the more fascinating phenomena in all of sports. Because at its core, these are just glorified tryout drills. Guys running 40s, jumping, lifting weights, doing cone drills. And yet every single year, many football fans in America tune in, suddenly caring about tenths of a second, shuttle times, and bench press reps.
The modern combine dates back to 1982 when it started as the National Invitational Camp in Tampa. It was originally just a medical and scouting event with about 160 players and no cameras. It continued to expand and by 1987 it had moved to Indianapolis, where it has been ever since.
For its first couple decades, it was closed to the public. Then the NFL Network launched in the early 2000s, and the league capitalized on its marketing savvy to make this a daily televised event. Since then, it has become part of the NFL’s 365 day content machine.
For all you junkies out there who might be wondering who crushed it this year, here are the top performers from each of the major drills:
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40-yard dash: Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State (4.26)
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3-cone drill: Germie Bernard, Alabama
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Short shuttle (20-yard): Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin
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10-yard split: Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati
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Tallest: Travis Burke, Memphis (6'9")
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Heaviest: Kadyn Proctor, Alabama (350+ lbs)
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Bench press: David Gusta, Kentucky (37 reps)
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Vertical jump: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt (45.5")
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Broad jump: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
Also, Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon, tested at an elite level across multiple drills, and gained a ton of overall buzz.
The interesting thing is that right now, Sadiq is the only one from this group consistently showing up in the first round of mock drafts. Of course, we still have six weeks until the NFL Draft, so a lot can change, and maybe some of these guys did enough last week to push themselves into that range.
That said, I am begging my Bengals to not overreact to this week. We have seen plenty of combine stars who were never able to translate that success to Sundays. Bengals fans know this all too well with John Ross, who set the 40 record at 4.22 and rocketed into the top 10, only to finish his career with just 38 games and 963 receiving yards.
And it is not just Ross. Vernon Gholston absolutely shredded the combine and went No. 6 overall to the Jets, then never recorded a single sack for them. Darrius Heyward-Bey flew up boards after a 4.30 and never became a true No. 1 receiver. WR Matt Jones vaulted into the first round by excelling in several drills and impressing with his 6'6", 242-pound frame, and yet lasted only four uninspiring seasons in the league.
So here is the cautionary tale for teams and fans. Yes, the combine is one piece of the puzzle and gives all teams an opportunity to evaluate dozens of NFL-potential players. But in the end, very little of this will matter until these guys actually crack the pads. So let’s not get too excited by what a guy did in one or two drills.
All that said, I once again have to give the NFL credit. We are talking football in late February and early March, which is exactly what they want. So yes, they know what they are doing, and it is no coincidence they are the biggest player in American sports.
Now, when is that schedule release?!
2. Let That Sun Shine
Last year while I was down in Florida visiting my in-laws, it was pouring nonstop back in Cincinnati, even causing some flooding. That inspired a Top 5 of my favorite songs with “rain” in the title. Well, Jamie and I are back down here again this week, and with all this sunshine, I’m going the opposite direction. So today, here are my Top 5 favorite songs with “sun” somewhere in the title.
5. Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden)
Widely regarded as Soundgarden’s signature song, this one hit #2 on the Billboard Top 100 back in 1994. I was never fully into the grunge scene, but there is something psychedelic and darker about this song that I just like so it kicks off this list nicely.
4. Steal My Sunshine (Len)
The first of two one-hit wonders to make this list, and staying in the 90s, this one reached the Billboard Top 10 back in June of 1999. A feel-good, sing-along summer song with a unique sound and beat, it might not be on my regular playlist, but when it comes on I am not changing the station.
3. Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset (Luke Bryan)
It’s an upbeat country song about two teens falling in love during the summer, and you can’t help but sing along. What’s not to love?
2. Sunshine on My Shoulders (John Denver)
The oldest song on this list and the only one to reach #1 on the Billboard charts, John Denver’s hit went mainstream in 1974. He may not be for everyone, but he is a guilty pleasure for me. The song is calm, reflective, and an easy listen, so it checks in at #2.
1. Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves)
One-hit wonders don’t get catchier or more feel-good than this one, and of course I had to have an 80s song on here somewhere. And bonus points for it being used in one of my favorite underrated 80s flicks, The Secret of My Success. Give it a listen and just try not to smile.
What say you Sandman Nation, did I miss any good or big “sunshine” songs? Throw 'em in the comments.
3. The Bison Are Ready
Last week on the podcast I ranted about the news that Sacramento State will be moving up from FCS to FBS and joining the Mid American Conference. Yes, the MAC will now join the ACC and Big Ten in stretching from the Atlantic (UMass) to the Pacific (Sacramento State), which is yet another proof point of how absurd things have gotten in college football.
But today I want to give a shout out to a move that actually makes sense, and to a program that has been phenomenal for years. North Dakota State will be joining the Mountain West in 2026 on a football only basis, reportedly paying around $25 million for the opportunity.
On the field, this is about as FBS ready as an FCS program can be. NDSU has 10 national titles since 2011 and 18 in program history. They are 9-5 against FBS teams over the past 20 years, including victories over Minnesota, Iowa, and Iowa State.
This is also a win for the Mountain West as it tries to stabilize and redefine itself. NDSU brings a proven winner, a strong regional brand, and a natural geographic fit. That last part matters, and it is why this move makes so much more sense to me than Sacramento State going to the MAC.
We have seen a wide range of results from recent FCS to FBS jumps. James Madison, however, is the poster child for instant success, making the 12 team playoff in only its fourth year at the FBS level.
The good news for Bison fans, and for the Mountain West, is that NDSU also checks many of those same boxes. The infrastructure is there, the fan support is immense, and the winning culture is already built. I would not be surprised at all if they are bowl eligible quickly and competing near the top of the Mountain West.
Unlike Sac State, this one feels logical, and I am genuinely excited to see how it plays out. So welcome to the big leagues, Bison.
You may not be adding to that national title trophy case anytime soon, but the same thing was said in Indiana not all that long ago. Things change quickly in this sport, so go ahead and dream a little in Fargo.
4. More Than a Gold Medal
Last week I wrote about both the men’s and women’s Olympic gold medals and how those moments will stay in my memory forever.
But there is one thing I didn’t write about because I planned to cover it on the pod and then we unfortunately ran out of time. But it was truly one of the most heartwarming parts of that Men’s gold medal win, and I feel compelled to write about it today.
That Jack Hughes goal was huge and deserved all of the jubilation that followed, but something occurred during the ensuing celebration that gave me, and millions across the globe, instant chills.
As the team celebrated on the ice, several players immediately grabbed Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey and skated around the rink holding it high above their heads.
As I’m sure many of you know, Gaudreau, known as “Johnny Hockey,” was a star for the Columbus Blue Jackets and tragically lost his life in 2024 in a roadside accident alongside his brother during their sister’s wedding weekend. Just an incredibly sad story on so many levels.
He very likely would have been on this team, and he shared a close bond with many of these players. And you could see just how much he meant to them as they skated around with his jersey held high.
What made it even more special was that his parents, his wife, and two of his three kids were in attendance and got to experience this powerful tribute to the man they all loved. The kids were even part of the team picture on the ice. So cool.
So yes, the goal was incredible and the gold medal will be etched in history forever. But heartwarming stories like this, where the human element shines through, are why I love sports so much. So thank you to the U.S. Olympic men’s team for bringing home the gold. But even more, thank you for honoring this young, talented man gone far too soon and for giving so many smiles and so much pride to his family.
Sports are simply the best.
5. Becoming Our Parents
I’ve always been a commercial guy. My all-time favorite dates back to when I was eight years old: the iconic “Coke and a Smile” spot from 1979 with Mean Joe Greene and the kid who gets thrown his jersey. There have been plenty of other great ones over the years, of course, (“Where’s the Beef?!”), and some brands seem to consistently deliver, like Budweiser and Frito Lay.
But over the past decade or so, commercials feel lazier and not nearly as good. Maybe I’m just getting older and crankier, or maybe I’m watching fewer of them with streaming, but very few grab me the way they used to.
With one major exception.
I absolutely love the Prudential “Becoming Your Parents” commercials. Headlined by Dr. Rick, played by comedian Bill Glass since their inception in 2020, these commercials far too accurately portray the many everyday, sometimes annoying and slightly eccentric things people start to do as they reach middle age. Things like making small talk with strangers in elevators, being obsessed with protecting furniture, using phrases like “we sure needed this rain,” or being oddly fascinated with utility crews and whatever they are working on. While some of it is exaggerated for effect, I can relate to basically all of it.
So well done, Prudential. And kudos to Mr. Glass and the entire cast, who give me a laugh every time I see them and prompt my wife to say, “You probably shouldn’t be laughing that hard…”
6. Pressing Pause (For Now)
This is Issue #58 of Six Pack, and I have written these musings basically every week for more than a year. I take notes on things I observe, laugh at, like, or get irritated by almost daily, and many of those thoughts eventually find their way into this column. It has been a really fun experience for me, and the positive feedback from all of you has been incredibly gratifying.
But the reality is these take a decent amount of time to write. And with Sandman Sports getting very close to launching our revenue streams around legal sports and fantasy gaming contests, along with our ability to host custom contests in all 50 states, things are getting exceptionally busy on the day to day side. Between content, web development, legal and state licensing work, and all of our user acquisition and social media efforts, there are only so many hours in the day.
Thus, after several weeks of reflection, I have decided I need to take a pause on the weekly Six Pack. I do not view this as permanent. I hope to still write these from time to time when I can, and I would love to get back to a weekly cadence at some point. But for now, I need to prioritize the growth of our business.
So thank you, Sandman Nation, for the support, the readership, and all the feedback along the way. I truly appreciate it. I will be back so stay tuned, and as always, take care.
