Ep 9. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Ep 270 (September 2019)

Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel is a long-running sports journalism show that often dives deep and takes an investigative look at sports stories that are often overlooked or underreported. In season 25 episode 9, which aired in September 2019, the show covers a range of stories across different sports.

The first segment is a focus on the rising popularity of eSports - a type of competitive gaming. The segment dives into the world of professional eSports athletes and the rigorous training and preparation that they undergo in order to compete. It also looks at the infrastructure around the gaming industry, with mentions of the large global events being held to celebrate the rise of eSports. There are also interviews with gamers and fans alike, discussing the impact of this new type of sport and what it means for the future of competitive events.

The second segment is about a former NFL player, Mike Golic, who is now transitioning into a career as a broadcaster. Golic had a long career as a defensive lineman in the NFL, playing for three teams (the Eagles, the Browns and the Dolphins) over a period of nine years. After he retired from playing, he became a sportscaster for ESPN Radio and ESPN television. The segment follows his journey as he moves away from his former career and finds himself navigating the world of broadcasting.

The third segment focuses on the intersection of basketball and hip hop culture. The segment looks at the many ways that hip hop has influenced the sport and vice versa. It explores the ways that NBA players have become celebrities in their own right, with many having personal fashion lines and other business ventures. The segment also dives into the history of hip hop music and how it has been intertwined with basketball culture for decades.

In the fourth segment, Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel takes a look at a unique way of training for martial arts. The segment focuses on the use of goats as a form of training for kyokushin karate. The idea behind the training is that by sparring with the goats, the karate students can gain strength and agility. The segment features interviews with both trainers and students, as well as footage of the goats in action.

The final segment is about a former Olympic swimmer, Allison Schmitt. Schmitt won multiple medals at the 2012 Olympics in London, and went on to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However, behind the scenes things were not going well for her - she was struggling with depression and anxiety, and had suffered the loss of her cousin to suicide. The segment follows her journey to get back on track and become a mental health advocate.

Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel season 25 episode 9 covers a wide range of sports stories, from the rise of eSports to the use of goats in martial arts training. With a mix of investigative journalism and human interest stories, the episode highlights the many ways that sports intersect with other aspects of culture and society.