Colorado's favorite son couldn't get anybody out. During a rough 2019 season on the mound, Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland admits, "I'd be lying to say that my mind never went there to think: 'This (stinks) in general. And I (stink).' " Freeland shares how he bounced off the bottom with Mark Kiszla in this edition of the Kickin' It pod. Plus, in the "Just One More Thing" segment, Kiz stands up to cheer the Olympics for postponing the Summer Games until 2021.

Kickin' It With Kiz

How Colorado-strong Kyle Freeland bounced off bottom and beat toughest foe — self-doubt

What's wrong with this picture? While the NFL conducts the big business of NFL free agency, shuttered sports bars in Denver do zero business. "Our income is 0.0; we're talking Bluto's grade-point average," said Jim Armstrong, owner of Bender's in Westminster and The Kentucky Inn in Denver. For years, Mark Kiszla worked with Armstrong at The Denver Post. In the latest Kickin' It pod, two old friends talk about the impact of coronavirus in the sports world where hard-working, everyday people live. Plus, in the "Just One More Thing" segment, a sports fan asks: In a time of national crisis, is the NFL tone deaf?

While Broncos give Graham Glasgow $44 million contract, shuttered Denver sports bars battered

"Be mad. I understand you're mad," said Altitude broadcaster Vic Lombardi, who shares fans' frustration with the TV dispute that has blacked out Avalanche and Nuggets games all season long for much of the Denver audience. In this edition of the Kickin' It pod, Mark Kiszla and Lombardi sat in his mother's kitchen, sharing a dinner of lasagna, chicken and sausage, as well as reasons why this could be a prolonged fight between Comcast and Altitude. Plus, in the "Just One More Thing" segment, a fan wonders if pro sports franchises have the real concern about coronavirus all wrong.

How badly has Altitude dispute hurt relationship of Nuggets, Avs with fans?

The question has dogged pro wrestling champs from Gorgeous George in the 1950s to Ric Flair in the 1980s and Jon Moxley to this very day. Is this stuff real sport? "Pro wrestling is blood and guts," Moxley told Mark Kiszla in the new Kickin' It podcast. "You're always hurt in this business." And Moxley has the stitches in his face to prove it, as he prepares to climb in the ring Wednesday for All Elite Wrestling's "Dynamite" show at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield. Plus, in the "Just One More Thing" segment: How much havoc could the coronavirus wreak on the sports world?

Getting stabbed in eye with metal spike and other ways it's real pain to be pro wrestler Jon Moxley

After nearly 10 years of service to the Avalanche and surviving the tough times, Erik Johnson is no longer the team's No. 1 defenseman, but his desire to bring the Stanley Cup back to Colorado has never been greater. In this edition of the Kickin' It Pod, Johnson explains how he became happier living inside the glass of NHL rinks by learning the subtle art of not giving a (bleep) about what his critics think. Plus: In the "Just One More Thing" segment, Kiz asks fans about general manager Joe Sakic's moves at the trade deadline ... and hears two widely varying opinions.

Avs' Erik Johnson on his relentless quest for the Cup and the subtle art of not giving a (bleep)

Happy anniversary, Miracle on Ice. A bunch of American college boys staged one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history on Feb. 22, 1980, when Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning goal to beat the mighty Soviet Union hockey team. Forty years later, the Miracle might still be the best thing on ice since Scotch. Mike Moran, who served as the official voice of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1979-2003, shared behind-the-scenes stories of the Miracle in this edition of the Kickin' It Podcast. Plus: In the "Just One More Thing" segment, a Colorado football fan tells Mark Kiszla the program is better off without coach Mel Tucker, who shocked the Buffs by leaving for Michigan State.

The Miracle on Ice, now 40 years old, was born in a Colorado bar

After more than 40 years of covering sports for a living, Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla still gets questioned on his dubious choice of a profession by his mother. "I thought you wanted to be a lawyer," said Bonnie Kiszla, who recently celebrated her 88th birthday by sitting down with her son to remind him where he got his writing ability and scold him for being a bad influence on his two younger brothers. Plus: In the "Just One More Thing" segment, a Chiefs fan serves Kiz a little crow after Kansas City's first Super Bowl victory in 50 years.

You think Kiz is salty? You should meet his 88-year-old mother. She's feisty one in the family.

Tad Boyle might well have his best team in 10 seasons as CU basketball coach. But if cheaters prosper in the college game, why does Boyle insist on playing it clean in recruiting? Listen to this edition of the Kickin' It Pod to find out. Plus: In the "Just One More Thing" segment, Mark Kiszla worries the Pro Football Hall of Fame might come up with a new excuse to snub Broncos safety Steve Atwater from the Class of 2020.

Why CU Buffs coach Tad Boyle refuses to let cheaters in college basketball get him down

Jack Mills, based in Boulder, is a sports agent who has represented big football stars for 50 years, from Randy Gradishar to Eric Dickerson to Baker Mayfield. He has seen salaries explode and free agency change the landscape. In this edition of the Kickin' It Pod, Mills not only offers an inside look at the business of the NFL, he gives advice the Rockies would be wise to heed in dealing with disgruntled third baseman Nolan Arenado. The solution "doesn't have to be about more money," Mills said. "It could be about a little bit of appreciation." Plus: In the "Just One More Thing" segment, Mark Kiszla offers his own idea for a resolution to the tiff between Arenado and Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich.

What sports agent Jack Mills could teach Rockies about making Nolan Arenado happy

What's one thing captain Gabe Landeskog tries to pack on every road trip with the Avalanche? A book. An old-school, hardback novel. In this edition of the Kickin' It Podcast, Mark Kiszla talks with Landy about literature rather than pucks, and why reading helps make him a better team leader. Plus, in the "Just One More Thing" segment, Kiz asks: The Broncos are getting another new offensive coordinator? Again? Where's the continuity John Elway insisted was so important to improving the Denver offense?

How Avs captain Gabe Landeskog escapes from hectic NHL life and makes himself better leader

With all due respect to Terrell Davis, the real MVP of the Broncos' victory in Super Bowl XXXII was safety Steve Atwater. He's got a ring. Now, Atwater needs a gold jacket. He talks about his wait for that knock from the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Mark Kiszla in this edition of the Kickin' It Pod. And in the "Just One More Thing" segment, Kiz contemplates how handsome Tom Brady would look wearing a powder blue uniform as quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers.

This time, Steve Atwater wants knock on door from Hall of Fame, not the maid.

Broncos president Joe Ellis is at the center of the Bowlen family feud for control of the team. He talks with Mark Kiszla about the looming ownership battle in this edition of the Kickin' It Podcast. And in the "Just One More Thing" segment, this big, bold question is posed: Quarterback Drew Lock for NFL most valuable player in 2020?

Broncos president Joe Ellis says, "The losing grates on you. And it grates on fans"

Ask John Hessler what he wants for Christmas, and the former CU quarterback replies: "I don't need everything; I've got everything." He nearly died in a 2003 car accident. But look at "Hess" now. He's married. He's the father of two two beautiful children. He's eating barbecue with Mark Kiszla in this holiday edition of the Kickin' It Pod. (OK, two out of three ain't bad.) And in the "Just One More Thing" segment, we offer Broncomaniacs a reason to give the Raiders a hug instead of grief.

"I could've died." Why every Christmas since 2003 is a blessing for former Buffs QB John Hessler.

While emerging as the Broncos' No. 1 receiver, Courtland Sutton has made a name for himself with catches that cause us to wonder: "Wait ... what? How did he do that?" Sutton explains the art and science of a one-handed grab for a touchdown in this edition of the Kickin' It Podcast. And in the "Just One More Thing" segment, Mark Kiszla suggests a trade destination for linebacker Von Miller.

How hitting a baseball helped Broncos Courtland Sutton become one of NFL's best receivers

How does a coach handle a teaching moment for a struggling hockey team with championship aspirations? Although the Pioneers are ranked eighth in the country, they have won only one of their last eight games, with an emotional series against bitter rival Colorado College looming. "If you went super negative, things could spiral out of control," DU coach David Carle tells Mark Kiszla in this edition of the Kickin' It Podcast. And in the "Just One More Thing Segment," there's already loose talk of rookie quarterback Drew Lock being enshrined in Canton? Yes .. and we're not kidding. That's why they call it Broncomania.

As DU hockey team hits patch of bad ice, coach David Carle insists: "We're not panicking"

The Denver Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla gives his take on the top stories in Colorado sports and sits down with the biggest names in the landscape on the Kickin' It With Kiz podcast.

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Kickin' It With Kiz

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