The What If Sports Pod

What If... Barry Sanders didn‘t retire so early?

Barry Sanders is known as one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL, known for his elusive jukes and snaking runs that cut through defenses for years. Unfortunately for football fans, his career was cut short because of injury and other reasons. What if he played longer? Would he be considered the greatest running back ever?

What If… Freddy Adu became a world class player?

Few athletes in history have had as much pressure and expectations on their shoulders than soccer player, Freddy Adu. Many considered him the next Pelé, but his career unfortunately didn’t reach those lofty heights. In this episode, we look at what if he did become one of the best soccer players in the world, and what it would have meant for America to have a world-class men's soccer player.

What If... The U.S. Men‘s National Team was able to replicate the success of the U.S. Women‘s National Team?

With 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer matches ramping up for the U.S. Men's national team (USMNT), one may be left to ponder; why hasn't the USMNT done better on the international stage? In contrast, the U.S. Women's national team (USWNT) has reached utter dominance on the  international stage. In this episode, we dive into the differences between the USMNT and the USWNT, how the USMNT can aim to replicate the success of the USWNT, and talk about other reasons there is such a divide and what if this actually happened. Let's take a listen.

What If…Teams acquired players matching the characteristics of a city?

Inspired by an episode of the Netflix series “The Playbook: A Coach’s Rule for Life,” we thought it’d be neat to talk about which players would be an ideal characteristic fit for some of the teams we support. What kind of player would fit the humble chilled vibe of Welsh city, Swansea and their soccer team, Swansea City? What kind of player would fit the charm yet rugged individualism of Oklahoma City and their basketball team, the Thunder? What kind of player fits the glitz and glamour of Madrid and their famous soccer team, Real Madrid? 🤔 🤔

What If… Jeet didn’t select Adrian Peterson in our 2012 fantasy football draft?

The Premier League fantasy football league has been running strong since our senior year of high school. It’s grown from 6 teams to 12, seen every single member of this podcast win a championship, and been the center of many arguments in the friend group. But the event in question today goes back to its first season, where Jeet picked Adrian Peterson, fresh off an ACL tear a few months earlier, in the last round of the draft. Had I, Cameron, picked him instead, would it have changed the course of fantasy history?

What If... Catalonia Seceded from Spain in 2006?

The separation between sports and politics has always been cloudy. Perhaps the best example of that is Spain, a country where one of its biggest regions tried to secede. We take a look at what if Catalonia was not part of Spain, and how that would have affected their 2010 World Cup triumph.

What If... College Football Transfers Weren't Allowed

Transfers in college athletics have become commonplace in today's world. But what would happen if transfers were not allowed? Or what if specific athletes never decided to transfer in the first place? We dive into those questions by talking about three consecutive Heisman trophy winners and number one NFL draft picks, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Joe Burrow, and how their careers, and history books, would have been affected if they never transferred.

What If... Bo Jackson was never injured in 1991?

Bo Jackson was at the peak of the sport world when the 90s began. He was the most incredible athlete on Earth, making all star appearances in both the NFL and MLB. He was a unicorn in professional sports. But after an awkward tackle in the 1991 NFL playoffs led to a career-altering hip injury, his time was cut short on his limitless potential. What would have happened if that injury never happened and shortened his career?

What If… Magic Johnson never contracted or continued playing after contracting HIV?

Magic Johnson, from his time in college to the showtime Lakers, was an NBA super-star and one of the greatest ever to grace the basketball court. But amidst an epidemic, the legend contracted HIV and initially retired from the NBA in 1991 still at the peak of his powers, shocking the world in the process. But what if Magic never contracted HIV or continued playing after contracting HIV until his eventual retirement in 1996? How would his illustrious career have differed, in personal and team accolades, and what would the public health significance have been? Listen and find out.

What If... Lolo Jones didn't clip that hurdle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lolo Jones was the favorite to win the 100 meters hurdles. She was in the lead and ready to claim gold until she clipped the penultimate hurdle, finishing 7th. Dawn Harper of the USA claimed gold. Following this loss, Lolo Jones attained several lucrative endorsement deals and media appearances. Dawn Harper received little attention in comparison. To this day, Lolo Jones has never medaled in an Olympics whereas Dawn Harper has medaled twice. Yet, many Americans recall Jones’ mishap rather than Harper’s victory. What if Lolo Jones didn’t clip that hurdle? Would she still have the same level of fame she has today?