This stupid podcast was born December 8. 2013. It was Week 14 of that disastrous season, the final one of the Leslie “But” Frazier era. Joe Flacco and the Ravens drove 80 yards in 45 seconds (in a SNOWSTORM), threw a touchdown to something-called Marlon Brown with :04 to play, and the Vikings lost 29-26. I recorded my frustration and had no idea where it was going to lead. Frankly I didn’t even know what a podcast was. The plan was to post and share this “audio recording” to a few friends and family who would get a kick out of it as we drowned our sorrows of that eventual 5-10-1 campaign. But then people started listening. Now Friday’s episode is going to be number 300. We’ve come a long way, baby.
I’m happy to announce that the Purple FTW! Podcast is joining 1500 ESPN and PodcastOne.
1500 ESPN is the bastion for smart sports talk in the Twin Cities with some of the best broadcasters and writers in the market. And then me… For some reason. PodcastOne is the premier podcast network in the world and I’m glad to be the “Hey, What the hell is that guy’s show doing next to Adam Carrolla and Dan Patrick?” every time a listener scrolls through. It’s an insanely humbling proposition and a challenge that I’m up for. Major gratitude to Derek Wetmore and Phil Mackey for giving me the green light to chuck it all over the yard like I’m Josh Freeman after a week of practice. (YO F LO)
But we didn’t get here alone. No one ever does.
I cannot thank Vikings Territory enough. Adam Warwas and Brett Anderson showed some love to a start up podcast that featured $20 worth of audio equipment and 0 minutes worth of preparation. Adam needed something to listen to while doing the dishes (we need to get you a dishwasher, homeboy) and for some reason he enjoyed me ranting about Jamarca Sanford for 30+ minutes. It’s a partnership that has been and will continue to be one I truly cherish in this industry.
Guest wise, there’s way too many to thank but I wanted to hit a few of the regulars: Lindsey Young (everyone’s little sister), Di Murphy (the older sister I never had), Ted Glover (the great uncle I never wanted), Eric Thompson (I can out drink you), Daniel House (the future head of Vikings PR), Sam Ekstrom (resident Joe Buck apologist), Austin Belisle (MOVE to Minnesota already, dammit), Julie DiCaro (my favorite Bears fan & voice of reason), Alex Gelhar (one of the few Packers fans I actually like), Shea in Irving (our most bleeped episode ever), and everyone else who has appeared on the show so listeners heard less of me for a while — Rockstars. All of you.
Then there’s Luke Inman and Arif Hasan. These friggin’ guys. Both were long time Purple FTW! guests before we teamed up to do The Andy Luke & Arif Football Machine. Every week they push me to be half as good a host as they are analysts, and I think that shows in the end product of ALAFM and PFTW. (Producer Zach Bennett is also a person.) The Cold Omaha Crew is a team on the rise.
This all began as a hobby, then it became a passion, and now it’s an obsession. I take the business of ‘not taking myself or sports too seriously’ very seriously. Teaming up with 1500 ESPN and PodcastOne is a gigantic step. But still plenty more to go before we finish our climb up this mountain.
Thank you to all who’ve been with Purple FTW! since the beginning and I heartily welcome new guests to the adventure. Hope you brought comfortable shoes. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.
-Andy Carlson
Dedicated to the Pain AND Pleasure that is the Minnesota Vikings.
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