Heisman Trophy winner. Super Bowl MVP. ESPN College GameDay staple.

In this episode of Inside the Boca Raton Bowl Podcast, Paige Kornblue sits down with Desmond Howard to talk about the moments, mentors, and mindset that shaped his remarkable journey from Cleveland to Michigan, from NFL Sundays to ESPN Saturdays.

Desmond also shares his memories of being part of the Boca Raton Bowl, his passion for college football, and his thoughts on where the game is headed. He also discusses discipline, sacrifice, fatherhood, and why kindness remains his ultimate game plan.

In this episode:

Memories of calling the Boca Raton Bowl and living in Boca Raton
Early Sports Journey: Baseball, basketball, track, and football beginnings
Recruitment & Michigan Decision: Why he chose Ann Arbor - and stayed.
Legendary Mentors: Bo Schembechler, Bill Gutbrod, and the impact of Greg Harden
Position switch that led to a Heisman Trophy as a wide receiver
11 NFL seasons and Super Bowl XXXI MVP with the Packers
Behind the scenes of ESPN College GameDay — 20 years in the chair
State of college football: NIL, transfer portal & playoff expansion
Fatherhood: lessons learned and advice to dads
Life Perspective: Complain less, work hard and the power of kindness
@desmondhoward
www.DesmondHoward.com
www.ESPN.com

@BocaBowl
www.BocaRatonBowl.com

From mentoring Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech to guiding Bailey Zappe and Western Kentucky through a record-shattering performance under the lights of the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl, Coach Zach Kittley has been at the center of some of college football’s biggest moments.
Now the youngest head coach in Division I FBS, Kittley joins Inside the Boca Raton Bowl to reflect on:
The night Bailey Zappe broke Joe Burrow’s NCAA passing record in Boca Raton

Leadership lessons learned coaching Mahomes, Zappe, and other stars

Building a culture rooted in family, toughness, and fun

How NIL, the transfer portal, and new challenges are shaping today’s game

Balancing life as a play-caller, leader, and father of three

Relive the night records fell — and hear what’s next from one of football’s brightest young minds only on Inside the Boca Raton Bowl with Paige Kornblue!
www.BocaRatonBowl.com

Inside the Boca Raton Bowl huddles up with some of the biggest names in sports to talk about the title that matters most: Dad. Host Paige Kornblue shares powerful highlights from past conversations with athletes and coaches who open up about fatherhood, family, and the lessons learned along the way.

You’ll hear from two-time Super Bowl MVP and former New York Giants star Eli Manning and NFL legend Emmitt Smith to Heisman Trophy/Super Bowl MVP/ESPN College Gameday’s Desmond Howard and University of Michigan Head Basketball Coach Dusty May as well as Florida Atlantic University Athletic Director Brian White and On the Ball training and development program’s Marc Nudelberg — all reflecting on what it means to lead at home just as much as on the field.

Because being a champion dad? That’s the real win.

www.BocaRatonBowl.com

@bocabowl

Bowl Season is evolving — and thriving. In this episode, Paige Kornblue sits down with Nick Carparelli, Executive Director of Bowl Season, to talk the College Football Playoff expansion, the impact of NIL and the transfer portal, and how 45 bowl games continue to fuel local economies and create unforgettable moments for student-athletes nationwide from the Rose Bowl to the Boca Raton Bowl. It’s a fresh take on why Bowl Season really matters.

Nick also shares his advice for breaking into the sports industry, shaped by a career across every level of the game… and a few memorable lessons from his time around Bill Belichick. Plus, an inside look at the business and behind-the-scenes work that keeps Bowl Season running strong all year long. From long-range logistics to community sponsorships and partnerships, Nick breaks down what it really takes to plan a bowl game, the organization that connects them all, and why the work doesn’t stop after the final whistle.

www.BowlSeason.com
@bowlseason
www.BocaRatonBowl.com
@bocabowl

Get ready for a knockout episode of Inside the Boca Raton Bowl, where we sit down with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard! In host Paige Kornblue’s conversation with Sugar Ray, it’s easy to see how the same resilience, self-belief, and teamwork that helped Sugar Ray dominate the boxing ring can also be applied to football and life itself. Recorded live following the YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s Inspiration Breakfast, Sugar Ray explained how it’s all about getting back up when you're knocked down and how mindset is what makes a true champion.
www.BocaRatonBowl.com
www.YMCASPBC.org

Unsportsmanlike host and ESPN Radio and television veteran Evan Cohen joins Inside the Boca Raton Bowl for an exclusive look at the Boca Raton Bowl, the broadcast, and the energy that makes this event so special. Host Paige Kornblue chats with Evan about his journey in sports media, his work on Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle and what it takes to cover the action from the field to the broadcast booth. Plus, they dive into the impact of sports sponsorships, the excitement of gameday, and insider insights on football for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of college football’s most exciting bowl games, television news and ESPN Radio!

https://www.espn.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=29552520

@unsportslike
@evcoradio

www.BocaRatonBowl.com

@bocabowl

In this episode of Inside the Boca Raton Bowl, we bring the fire from the gridiron straight to your ears! We’re joined by the dynamic and passionate Chad Lunsford, Auburn’s new Special Teams Coordinator, and former head coach at Georgia Southern and Interim Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator at Florida Atlantic University. Chad brings energy, heart, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in college football as we dive into the rollercoaster moments that come with leading young student-athletes, the personal highs and emotional lows from the locker room, and the true meaning of resilience. Chad talks about his coaching philosophy (W-I-N), his coaching journey, parenthood, and of course, the power of post-season play and bowl games!

@chadlunsford
@bocabowl
www.BocaRatonBowl.com

In this episode of Inside the Boca Raton Bowl, we take you inside the seventh annual Women Changing the Game event, presented by Delta Air Lines. Listen in to the inspiring panel discussion featuring sports industry leaders including Miami Dolphins CMO Pri Shumate, Walk Swiftly Productions Founder and Emmy-winning broadcaster Bonnie Bernstein and Maria Marino, Mayor of Palm Beach County and a former LPGA professional. Moderated by ESPN’s Paige Kornblue, the event provided key insights, stories and leadership tips and techniques from these trailblazing women who are changing the game in sports and in life.

www.BocaRatonBowl.com