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What really happens inside the room when Pro Football Hall of Fame decisions are made?

This week on Here's What We Know, we sit down with longtime NFL writer and Hall of Fame voter Jason Cole to pull back the curtain on a process most fans think they understand but usually don’t.

Jason explains how Hall of Fame voting actually works, why the math matters more than people realize, and why some obvious names don’t get in right away. We talk about grit, greatness, coaching versus players, and the thin line between legacy and perception. Along the way, Jason shares old-school football stories that remind us why this game still matters so much to so many people.

If you’ve ever argued about the Hall of Fame at a bar, on the couch, or online, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective.

In This Episode:

• How Pro Football Hall of Fame voting really works
• Why first-ballot decisions are more complicated than fans think
• Coaching impact versus player greatness
• What separates legends from very good players
• Stories that remind us football is still a human game

This episode is sponsored by:

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

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Bio:

Jason Cole has covered or written about pro football since 1992 and has been a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2013. He has worked for publications such as Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, The Miami Herald, and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Cole has authored Elway: a Relentless Life and co-authored six books, including Giant with Plaxico Burress, Heart for the Game with Simon Keith, and Ocho Cinco with Chad Johnson. Prior to covering the NFL, Cole covered the NBA, Major League Baseball, and high school sports in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cole teaches sports writing at the University of Florida and is the father of two Eagle Scouts. He is a graduate of Stanford University, which he attended at the same time as Elway.

X: https://x.com/jasoncole62

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-cole-1330266/

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Now and then, a conversation reminds you why you love sitting down with people in the first place.

This week on Here’s What We Know, Clayton Johnson stopped by, and what unfolded was more than just an interview but a long, winding talk about music, patience, heartbreak, and paying attention while you’re living your life.

We talked about Nashville, classic country, the importance of learning from people who have lasted, and an unforgettable night Clayton spent watching Metallica up close. Not from the cheap seats, but close enough to notice the discipline, the preparation, and the humility that come with real longevity.

This episode is about the long game and about resisting the urge to rush. It's about trusting that if you stay curious and keep showing up, life has a way of teaching you exactly what you need to know. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• Life in Nashville and finding your footing
• A surprising night with Metallica
• Lessons from artists who last
• Growing up on classic country music
• Playing the long game in music
• Heartbreak, timing, and personal growth
• Living and learning along the way

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital

Dignity Memorial

Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!

Bio:

Clayton Johnson is a Nashville-based country music artist originally from the farming town of Modesto, California. Raised in the heart of the Central Valley, his passion for music was sparked through songwriting and performing in church, setting the foundation for his career.

Clayton's rise in the industry began with a modeling campaign for Boot Barn, leading to acting and music opportunities. He has since played guitar for notable artists, including American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter.

Along the way, he continued to perfect his craft, writing songs for himself and other artists. His original music has garnered millions of streams.

Country Central has praised Clayton's infectious hooks, calling them "reminiscent of the best of Thomas Rhett."

Clayton is currently signed to UMPG & Audio Chateau Publishing.

Website: https://claytonjohnsoncountry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claywatch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaytonJohnsonMusic/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1LWP6c2LrW1ofkM3e8kmEA

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Every once in a while, after years around country music, you hear a voice that makes you stop and listen.

On this Once Around the Country Edition of Here’s What We Know, we welcome singer and songwriter Hannah Marie Kelley and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Gabriel Kelley, a real-life country music couple creating music that does more than entertain. It heals.

Hannah shares her powerful story of growing up in poverty, surviving trauma, and finding refuge in music long before she ever imagined a career. What began as survival slowly became purpose, and songwriting became a way to make sense of pain, faith, and resilience.

This is a conversation about music as medicine, finding your voice when life tries to silence it, and recognizing undeniable talent before the rest of the world catches on.

In This Episode:

• Hearing a Voice That Stops You Cold
• Discovering Hannah Marie Kelley
• When Music Becomes Survival
• “Singing Saved Me”
• Music as Medicine
• Faith, Pain, and Finding Purpose
• Learning to Write the Truth
• A Thanksgiving Day Meeting
• Falling in Love Before the Music
• What a Producer Really Does
• Why Simple Singing Matters Most
• The Power of Harmony
• Reimagining a Familiar Song
• Influences That Shape a Voice
• Redefining What Success Means
• Believing in Talent Before It Breaks
• Staying on the Journey
  
  

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

Hannah Marie Kelley is a singer and songwriter whose music blends emotional honesty with a timeless, roots-driven sound. Raised in the Appalachian tradition and shaped by lived experience, her voice carries both vulnerability and quiet strength.

Drawing inspiration from classic folk, country, and Americana, Hannah writes songs that feel intimate and lived-in, often exploring themes of resilience, faith, and healing. Her approach is unforced and sincere, letting melody and storytelling do the heavy lifting.

https://www.instagram.com/hannahmariekelleymusic/

Gabriel Kelley is a singer, songwriter, and producer whose work is guided by a simple belief: find the music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Raised on a family farm in rural Georgia, Gabriel’s journey has taken him from music school in Sweden to songwriting rooms in Nashville and from street corners to concert halls across the country. Along the way, he developed a distinctive voice and a songwriting style rooted in honesty, restraint, and emotional connection.

https://www.gabrielkelley.com/

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Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!