The Program

As summer fades and the crisp air of autumn arrives, one sport dominates the American landscape: football. On this episode of The Adrian Moment, host Ocean Murff and guest Jim Pullen explore the pervasive influence of football on their lives and the broader culture. For Ocean, the season is deeply personal, intertwined with his son's high school football career and his own work as a college football official. Jim, however, offers a contrasting perspective, describing football as a seasonal placeholder during baseball's off-season. This difference sets the stage for a nuanced conversation about the role of sports in American life.

The discussion then turns to the 1993 film "The Program," a cinematic exploration of the complexities of college football. Ocean shares a personal connection with the character of Steve Latimer, portrayed by Andrew Bryniarski, a player who uses steroids in pursuit of athletic success. This prompts a thoughtful examination of the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes under pressure, the temptations of performance-enhancing drugs, and the often-unseen pressures within the college sports system. Ocean and Jim dissect Latimer's motivations, questioning whether his choices are driven by team loyalty or personal ambition. They also discuss a controversial deleted scene, depicting players lying in traffic, and its real-life consequences, raising questions about the influence of media on behavior. Join Ocean and Jim for a thought-provoking conversation about the enduring appeal of football and the ethical challenges it presents.

This episode includes an extended bonus section normally reserved for supporting members of the show dissecting the final play. If you want more bonus content just like it, please support The Adrian Moment with your own subscription at TruStory.fm/join today!

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What is The Adrian Moment?

The crowd roars. The impossible shot sinks through the net as the buzzer sounds. We live for these epic sports moments on the big screen—even if we've never laced up cleats or set foot on a field.

Why do sports films captivate us? How do they speak to the competitor deep inside? Can a great sports flick make you fall in love with a game you never cared for?

Join lifelong friends and film fanatics Ocean Murff and Jim Pullen as they go deep into the psychology, storytelling, and raw emotional power of the greatest sports movies ever made.

Laugh and cry with them as they re-live the agonizing defeats, underdog triumphs, coaching miracles, and adrenaline-soaked championship glory only the big screen can deliver. From tales of individual perseverance to the bonds of teamwork, Ocean and Jim break down just how sports films distill the human experience like no other genre.

Strap in for a cinematic thrill ride covering everything from boxing to baseball, hockey to horse racing. You'll never see sports—or sports movies—the same way again. The whistle blows on The Adrian Moment.