Live from San Francisco, celebrating 10 years of high-tech coverage, it's theCUBE. Covering VMworld 2019, brought to you by VMware and its ecosystem partners. Welcome back, everyone, to theCUBE live coverage here in San Francisco, California. We're in the Moscone North Lobby for VMworld 2019. Dave's our 10th year covering with some great guests. Three days of wall-to-wall coverage. Got an amazing segment right here. Rob Stamman, who's the president's COO of Cohesity. Dave Solo, president and CEO of the Special Olympics Northern California. Thanks for coming on, thanks for spending the time. Thanks for doing this. Thank you for having us. Thanks for having us, Tom. It's amazing. So set the table, why are we here? What are we talking about? What's the purpose here? I know why. Why don't we need to set it up for us? Yeah, absolutely. I've been involved with Special Olympics for several years now, one of my former company, NetApp. Matt Thompson over at Adobe called me and said we got this high-tech challenge, Rob. We've never sold it out and we wanted, we want to get more companies involved. Will you help out? And the answer was absolutely. And that led to David asking me to be on the board. So I've been involved with David and the team for an awful long time. Cohesity, when I joined the company, some of the folks there knew of my involvement. It said we'd like to start participating as well, which has led to what we're doing here at VMworld. David, talk about Special Olympics, quick mission. For sure.  Might not give an update. For sure, John. So Special Olympics enriches the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. And so in our footprint in Northern California, we serve over 23,000 athletes, ages eight and above. And it's interesting, there's a lot of misconceptions. People will say to me, that's a great event that you do every four years. And they're referring to world games, the Special Olympics world games, where athletes from all over the world get to come and compete. But locally through the state programs, hundreds of competitions happen each and every year. And in Northern California, we have over 400 competitions per year and 14 different sports. Provides a wonderful array of opportunities for athletes to demonstrate what they can do when given the opportunity to do so. Talk about the community aspect of it, because I think what's interesting is, you know, obviously what's on TV and what's in the mainstream press, it's more reach people that can be known for that. But it's deeper than as you pointed out. But talk about the community aspect. You got volunteers, people, individuals involved. Yeah. Talk about the makeup of the network. No, it's an incredible network. I think we've really broadened and expanded our reach over the last 10 years. It used to be we were known primarily for our sports programming. So now we have inclusive education and health programs and we're able to bring together people with and without intellectual disabilities through those mediums. So we provide resources to schools in education and they run Special Olympics programming during the school day. So educators want to have us because we're improving school campuses, reducing bullying, enhancing social emotional learning, and so the work that we're doing is so critical with that community. And then in the area of health, we have inclusive health. So now we've got health and medical professionals that are now providing health screenings for our athletes. So some of the younger volunteers that we get that they're wanting to make a career in the medical field, they're exposed to our population, right? And so they learn more about their specific health needs. So it's really about changing people's attitudes. And so this community of supporters, volunteers, health professionals, education, really our goal is to change people's attitudes fundamentally worldwide about people with intellectual disabilities and really kind of produce inclusive mindsets, we call it, really promote understanding. If I may, I just have to add that I really think what David and his team does and folks that support Special Olympics around the world, they're not changing attitudes, they're changing lives, lives of the athletes, lives of the people that work with the athletes, lives of the families. You go to these events and they're something special. They are a lot of fun and when you get involved and you see it, it definitely touches your heart and you realize we could be doing so much more. We could be doing so much more. I'm struck by, clearly there's a passion thread here and then David, your background is really interesting to me because you were an accomplished student athlete, played football and then you started a career in nonprofit right away. And now, Rob, he was somebody you would have hired, right? It was like the perfect profile.  How did you get into this and describe the background of that? No, for sure, so with nonprofit work, I kind of started out, I was working for Boys and Girls Clubs of America, raising money to go to grad school to be a history professor of all things and so I got involved with the Boys and Girls Club. With Special Olympics, when the opportunity came, what was unique about it is really about how sports changes people's lives. Growing up, my father left me when I was 10 years old and so it was my coaches, they were the ones that really, if it wasn't for them, I don't know that I would be here today so they really took an active role in my life. So I've been very passionate. I believe sports is a catalyst for social change. It changed my life and provided an opportunity for me to be successful and so that's what I want to help give back to our athletes. So it's interesting, it proves it takes a village and these experiences change its lives. I think this is the big story and it points to that the sports is one element of other things, healthcare. So you start getting connected in, this is where the magic happens. This is the key. Yeah, some of the stories that were ever just phenomenal. I think society focuses on what our athletes can't do and dwells on the disability. We don't do that. So we're passionate about showcasing what they can do and having our volunteer certified trained coaches work with our athletes to really help them get to the next level so they can be successful not only on the field, but off the field.  Talk about the, first of all, you're in Northern California so that's your territory, your area. But people, how do they get involved? They want to be, share some points of touch. Yeah, for sure. So a couple of key points of touch would be, number one, we have over 20,000 volunteers in our footprint. We have a tremendous need for volunteers, both globally and here locally with Special Olympics Northern California. Number two is from a donor standpoint. So everything that we do for our athletes is completely free and we're able to do that because of the support of our community partners, our corporate partners like Cohesity, individual supporters, foundations, we're able to do that because of them. So either someone could go to the global website SpecialOlympics.org or come to www.sonc.org for Northern California and we're always looking for volunteers, donors, community supporters and we're also looking for board members, particularly from the tech sector, senior executives in the tech sector. It's just when you say change lives for the people involved, that also includes the people who volunteer. I'm sure the people that want to make a difference whether you're taking a senior approach rather than you're in, or your employees who want to give back. So talk about the lives changing impact there because there's a corporate angle here that's not a for profit thing, it's a for good thing. Oh this is for a good thing and the other thing I'd add to that is we touched briefly on Boys and Girls Clubs of America. These are all great organizations. I know Pat and his keynote this morning touched on giving back. This is an opportunity, we are all blessed we should give back. But the whole notion of getting more involved in touching lives, I'll start with my two boys. They went to Summer Games in UC Davis three or four years ago now. Both of them are good runners and they had some other kids on the high school team go with them. They were incredibly impressed. They had a lot of fun.  The gun goes off for the start and they're already got the arms up curing away and there's others. They're incredibly talented athletes as well.  The other thing I touched on is self esteem matters for every one of us. Whether you have a disability or not whether you're young or my age, it matters. For someone to tell you that you are good you are really worthy. Your hard work is paying off. You see these athletes when they finish a race or accomplish something, they couldn't be more proud. Going to these events, it will want, you will want to get involved, John. That's what typically happens. It sounds like cube coverage is going to be making its way to these events. Yeah. Eventually. Yeah, what's the next venue? We would love to have you guys. We would love to have you. People that got this from the NHL, MLB, NFL, Masters, golf tournaments. We have to get a pro circuit going on here. We'd love to have you guys there. We'd love to have you. No, it'd be wonderful, yeah. This is a really great cause. Any final thoughts, again, back for people who want to get involved in the North, Northern California, your group. What can you offer people? No, I think we offer people a tangible way, especially when we think of the tech sector and we think of the employees and the millennials and a hands-on way for people to come out to our regional competitions and actually engage with our athletes and to volunteer and be hands-on and actually see where your money goes. See that it's something tangible and you're helping provide that venue for our athletes to be successful. One of the things I didn't mention that we're really proud of, so we have athletes that are college students, we have athletes that are full-time employees, married couples, and then we have a published poet, but in the last couple months, we have an athlete that passed the bar exam, who is now going to be a practicing attorney. And so that really shows the...  You guys are even donating one of your tech sessions for a survey that John Troyer's team did around tech burnout. You know, people get, and even my kids, they go to Palo Alto High School and a lot of high schools will like this now where people get stressed out of the weirdest things. This is the kind of thing that getting involved in these community events like this really could help everybody. Chill out a little bit, really take a load off, work with people, see the connection, see the impact. It's a burnout tactic option. It's also a way to relieve some stress, feel good about it. The employers of Cohesity, when they came to me and said they wanted to get more involved, they didn't do it because of me. They did it because they're excited about working with Special Olympics, and they're beaming, meeting some of the athletes tonight. We'll spend some time with a bunch of athletes going in the baseball game tonight, Hamilton tomorrow night, their families as well. We couldn't be more excited, but I agree with you. You look at all the stresses in our lives, and I think this notion of what you do, who you deal with, and how you give back is really, really important. I think that give back piece. I think more of us allowing employees to do that, helping our children in school understand it's really important. The value is just absolutely incredible. Well, I think you guys are making a great point because we've both been involved in youth sports all our lives, and it's kind of become twisted where you've got kids' needs and parents' needs, and the parents trying to meet them in the middle, and that's not the way it should be.  Self-esteem, having fun, supporting your teammates and the broader community. Yeah, but they want to compete and win, too, that they're in there.  No doubt, but how old do they start? So, eight years old, we started at eight, and we have an athlete that's 81 that participates in Bochi. Yeah, so, okay, so that's awesome. It's appropriate. How you guys? I know, I know, yeah. But so the reason I mentioned, because having studied this a lot, it's like 12 years old is the crossover point where people start to get crazy, and if you start before then, in other words, oh, this kid is nine, but he's not that good. I mean, who can tell about a nine-year-old? Michael Jordan got cut from his freshman basketball team, so it just goes to show you. So I think that, again, the values that you guys are promoting are worthy, so thank you. It makes me feel better about what we're doing at Cohesity. It really does. Thanks for doing this. Being able to put two things I'm really passionate about together. This is pretty special for me. I think my head, Aaron, our founder, and the rest of the company, and Dave and the team, they just do a fantastic job. I just want to make sure we keep building on it. Congratulations. Great to get the word out. Congratulations on all your hard work. It's awesome. Cube coverage, live in San Francisco. We'll be back with more after this short break.


to love God with all our strength number number one thing the first thing in our lives in a Christian walk is we must love God our priority before we do anything for God before we go even witness before we even go invite people to church before we go do any good deed before we behave the way we're supposed to behave or follow the Ten Commandments Bible says that we should love God we should love him with all of our heart and everything that we have in ourselves the main our main priority in our life is to maintain the relationship with God and everything else in our life will come out of the relationship with God you say how do I love God I'll give you couple quick points in order to love God the more you have to realize how much God loves you first you have to understand that we as human beings we only take we have no ability to give only God is a giver and if we receive his love if we realize how much God loves us if we realize how much he cares for us if we realize we if we get the revelation of how much we mean to God and how much God loves us we will be able to in return respond to his love we're like the moon and he is like the Sun the moon in itself has no light it has nothing to offer to us in the night but what moon has to offer is just a reflection of the light that comes from the Sun and so in our in our lives in a Christian walk the first thing that we have to realize the first thing that we have to recognize and the first thing that we have to live by is the love that comes from my heavenly Father Bible says that for God so loved the world that he gave his only son he given everything that he had under the Sun and well anywhere anything he gave his best he gave his son for us and so our love for God needs to be founded on a revelation of how much he loves us because outside of that revelation we that we cannot master up enough love to love him we have nothing to offer him and so I know in my personal life every time every time I when I feel like God is not near anytime I try to pray and I don't feel God's presence or I don't feel like I love God enough and as I used to be younger I used to try to do things to show God that I love him more to stir up that feeling of love in my heart but as I grew older I began to understand and realize that by doing all these things I I did not love God more but by realizing how but just coming to God coming to the cross coming to a realization how much God loves me it helped me to love God more and more and more and the more that I realized how much he loves me the more I was able to respond back to his love and so number one thing if you want to love God more you have to come to realization and meditate and contemplate on the fact how much God


What's up everybody and welcome to the latest edition of the Falcons in focus podcast. I'm Scott bear. That's Tori McElhaney our feature introduced himself Mike ready. We've done 17 of those. That's a first. I know Congrats, man. You introduced yourself.  I've covered this league a long time. You love playing football Oh, yeah, I love the game. It's a it's a passion of mine I'm pretty sure what we're about to have this interview is it's gonna pretty much It's gonna tell on into what why my passion is so strong So my dad is pretty much my passion behind all of it and then plus like you said on kickoff I'm going down on kickoff the next group to go out there as the defense Why not give those guys energy and you know, we want the other quarterback not to be at a here So yeah, that's my goal is to get it going and that's what fans can see on the field But what we see around the facility is Mike has fun with everything Yeah, and I want to bring up something kind of random to start this we we were in Washington State for like a week, and I think it was on a Tuesday where a bunch of y'all went out to like a military base And there are photos of Mike forward having the time of his life He's shooting machine guns. He's throwing grenades and apparently Avery Williams said collecting pins. Yeah, I mean patches Yeah, we had every on the podcast and he was like, yeah Somehow some way we look over and Mike has all of these patches just like that. He's taken from people We don't know how that happened Was that a real like kid in the candy store sort of moment for you? So it's definitely a kid in the candy store. Like I said, my dad is pretty much he's like that's like my life I'm not gonna lie. So He was in the army, you know, so just like getting to be around those guys, you know I'm I like guns as well. So just seeing like those guys and what they do and actually being up in front in person I was like, man, I know it takes like some work to earn those patches So I was like, let's see what happens if I asked one of them for so literally it was just kind of one of those things where first person I seen I was like, man, I really like that patch. Like can I have it and he took it off and Well, I'm gonna collect all different ones. So I seen a different one I asked the next guy and it just kept going as they asked me for autographs I asked them for their patch and we just trade it off, man, I love it and also Did you get to sit in a helicopter or was it a helicopter? Or was it a fighter jet? I want to say it was one of the fighter jets Avery was in the front I was in the back and like they was just showing us like all the the tools and how everything works inside of the plane It was pretty cool.  I experienced everything Everything that y'all have to everything they had literally have the plane they had whatever they had I got Yeah, so it was just it was really interesting. I love do a lot of I'd do it again. I'd love to do it again Yeah, that's awesome. Is that kind of like your nature just like wanting to experience and do kind of different stuff Is that how you are like away from the field? Yeah, I'm definitely a guy that wants to try new things like I've always been that way like if we like when I was a kid If I seen a guy out there doing a backflip. I'm like, all right. Well, let me try. How do you do it? Yeah, you know, so it's just always how I've been I always, you know, one of those people that's like if you can do it I could do it. So like it was just it's like kind of one of those things, you know So it's just something that I've always been into me as a person and something that I've always loved to do is, you know Try new things. So it just comes naturally. Yeah, and it's I think for as much of that of the of the fun Loving kind of parts like that we're talking about I saw an Instagram post from 493 weeks ago, I think exactly I don't know a long time and it was basically like it showed a picture of people like dancing in a club and it said Y'all want to do this and then it showed a picture of the NFL draft stage and it said I want to do this Yeah, and you're a guy from Southeast Missouri State who is an established NFL veteran. Yep, doing it the right way The journey, right? You know, like we're all having fun here But sometimes right it's about work to get to where you are and to be where you are now after all of the hard work Undrafted guy earned your way. Is there some gratification for how you did it and the way that you worked at it?  That's like I said everything. It's pretty much gonna go back to him I feel like that's my angel. There's been situations I've been in where I just know that it was him putting his hand on me So I just feel like you know, yes, it takes hard work, you know It's not been easy this row has not been easy. But like you said 400 some weeks ago That's yeah, that was my goal and I wasn't no I wasn't gonna accept anything else. Yeah to to that end I mean when you kind of think back and One of my favorite things is to talk to people who did go to smaller schools and Trying to get on the radar of some of these scouts that are you know going to these big schools I mean, do you have a story of kind of a moment where you're like, hey I'm getting on these people's radar and I'm gonna be there one day Okay, so it's crazy because like coming in as a freshman at CMO like I was I was like another guy You know, but then we started doing like summer workouts and I stood out and like a lot of guys were like, man Like you're a little different, you know, so like we do the little drills I compete and it was like we did it all throughout the summer I want to say I lost one rep and I was a I was a red shirt freshman at this time and Like we I tested off the charts. I have a lot of older guys. They're my friends and they were like Mike like You got a chance do like how athletic you are like you have a chance just put this together I put it together on the field that you have a chance and My red shirt sophomore year I come out there and I led the conference with interceptions and like from that moment on I was like just having those guys around me my friends and that support and them telling me that I could do it It was like once I did that and I made all conference. I was like, man I just need a chance to get in the door. I need I just need a team to come to my pro day Hey, it went from you know, I put the film out there now. It's come see me That's all I need is you to come see me because I like they would say I was like I know I'm athletic enough to get inside of this building Once I get there like my work will say stand for itself So that was my goal and I'd say after my red shirt sophomore year Let's say I wear the guy's shirt. I wore it today. Actually, his name is Ryan Moore. That's my guy, man That's like my best friend. He's a roommate of mine He's actually one of my trainers that I trained with and that was the guy that we always tell me like Mike You're athletic enough. Just keep going. Just keep going. He was my starting corner next to me that year too So, you know that guy he helped me get the mindset going back because I after my freshman year college I almost We're kind of thinking Is this it, you know, so he helped me keep my head on keep my head on and keep everything straight forward So, you know, I give a lot of thanks to him and that's one of my best friends to this day And then like once you get here, that's hard staying here is harder Right and you have found a way to stay in there both on defense and special teams and just just being Good being steady, right? I mean like once you get here then like how do you stay here? Like what's your mindset going through cuz so like where you what you're five now?  So I got like five. I got five after that You know, I didn't have a place to live none of that. So, you know, I was really like I got to work Like I had I got to go to work like if they cut me next week. I'm not gonna have anything You know, so it's like I just went in there work funny story, man. My My rookie year I walked to work the whole preseason. You did how long of a walk was that I stayed I stayed literally I want to say it was two minutes. So they have the the Lions facility right here and they have Apartment complex like literally a block. It's a stoplight right there. And that's where apartment complex is I lived right there and like you say what helped me get here is I prided myself in I was gonna be The first person there. I was gonna be the last person to leave part of that was because I didn't want anybody to see me walking So I'm gonna be the first person there because nobody So I prided myself being the first person there and then funny story we're playing Chuck Washington this week He was a guy that was a special teams guy that you know, he taught me a lot He used to just like stick around in the building. He just be there. So then it became a competition for me Like I'm very competitive. It's like I'd see him there. All right. Well, what else can I do? Why he's here and we would just compete and I just stick around that stick around because I knew he was a teamer's guy I mean, that's ultimately my competition, right? So My rookie year. I mean, I just pride myself being the first guy there Then last gotta leave any time somebody wanted to take a playoff I ran out on the field whether it was with the ones twos whatever the coach would have Mike No, no, no, we got this guy. So I just tried to steal every rep I could I tried to make a play like that was my actual goal that I've had it with myself was make a play Every day that way they can't get rid of you because if they see you on film every day How can they let you go if it's something good? and that was just my goal man be the first one there last one to leave make a play a day and I mean so far that's been my that's how I take approach every day I come out here on this field and I'm still here. So and still here and you'd kind of mentioned that that you have your angel, right? That we're sitting you're talking to Mike Ford junior. Let's talk a little bit about Mike Ford senior Just for those who don't know Your father passed when you were about six months old. Yeah in a in a single car accident, correct and I guess Tori and I kind of kept kind of talking about this and When you're that young we kind of thought like how do you learn about your dad? How do you find out about all the good things that he did and we've read and there are a lot of good things? Yeah, right. How did like how do you go about? Finding out about those things. Well, like my my dad he um, he's very diverse with his friends I would say so like he everybody in the city Pretty much knew him, you know, like you said, it's when you're kind of a Crazier guy on the field. It's easy to point that guy out He was one of those guys on the sideline kind of like me riled up He'd bang his head on the bench. He was like one of those guys. So everybody knew him He was a nice guy do anything for anybody. So just his character was, you know Self-explanatory when when you talk about him everybody wants to talk about him So it was it wasn't much for me to growing up, you know My goddad was my dad's best friend. So it didn't take much for me You know pop a question here and there pop a question and everybody wanted to tell me like man Your dad was this way your dad was this way So everybody just feed me stories because of who he was as a person, right? They wanted me to know, you know who he was so everybody just tell me all these stories And then it wasn't until like I did in the last interview until I was 10 When I finally got to meet my dad's mom and my grandma and all of them and then that's when it like really Like I don't I took a deep dive into like who he really was man I got to read like his letters from the army I just got to really understand who he was see all his trophies see everything he he pretty much accomplished And that's when I really like I really understood who he was. Yeah, because I'm sorry Trey He was a high school football player a pretty good one. He was in the army. Yeah, correct, right? So I mean he had accomplished a lot early on When you kind of are in this process of kind of finding out about who Who this person was not just like two people around you, but how he could impact your life I mean, do you have a story that kind of that you heard over the years where you were like that kind of epitomizes who I believe he was I would just say man like a lot of the stories It's just crazy because they're all like it like I mean it's just like a lot of good stories about him like for example like Somebody do something wrong to him like for example my dad. He was a big collector in coins So he collected like half dollars dollar coins. He collected quarters He'd have them all like in binders and stuff. Oh, yeah, I used to when I was a kid I collected a state quarters. It was like anytime there was a state quarter I remember those little binders You'd slot them in I know exactly what he used to do that and then my mom's brother. I guess the story my mom's brother One day he had a lot of like quarters and stuff in his car and my mom's brother like my uncle He stole it from him. You know and except for getting mad like the story is like my dad really just looked at him He's like dude if you needed a couple bucks like I would have gave it to you and pulls out like a $20 Here though you can have this You know, it was just like that just shows his character like man It's never about like he doesn't it's not about the material things man It's more so about you know a respect thing, you know, I'll do anything for you And that's something that I live by like you guys a lot of guys in the locker room like they know I'll do anything for them when they're down. I'm right there for them to pick them up Like it's just it's just you over me type of mindset. Yeah, you know somebody else first Yeah, and I probably should have asked you this before we were on camera, but can we see your right for him? Can you see the tattoo? It's pretty much Okay, well then well then just kind of I describe it to us. I'll show you you want to show it or no sure What the heck no, is that good on camera? I mean Describe it to us and maybe add some photos later on basically I have like on the top of my arm Is pretty much his football number number 42? It has his name above it his numbers are in red because he went to all in red birds Okay, that was his logo his numbers school so his colors I have dog tags because he was in the army one has the year he was born other has the year he died There's a flag coming down for like his American flag because he's an army Have an eye back there, which everybody jokes like you're looking at me But like no, it's like my dad pretty much symbolizing that he's always watching over me. He's always looking out for me I have two clocks with stairs going up there one is the the day died and the day was born in the inside I have the ocean and I'm other than father Family first on my wrist, which is a matching tattoo with my brother my mom's name I kind of have like a Dead tree in a way and I chose to do that because like my foundation It wasn't like it wasn't like a we didn't come from much, you know, we didn't have much But we made use of what what we had so I mean, it's a dead tree, but it's living and it's holding up pretty good Yeah, I'd say so, you know, I say that's like our foundation and then I got this big shark in the middle because that's me I'm willing to Attack for my and always swimming Just keep swimming, you know as as our good friend Dory once said now It's funny too because you're talking about I just kind of how your story just connects and everything You talk about not coming from much. Well, you get into the league and you are able to buy your mama house And yeah, I can't wait to talk about this So I I watched we watched the video that you had put on Instagram and got me man It was first of all, it was funny because My favorite part was you running through the house and you're in the garage And you're kind of just like peeking underneath when when she does pull up But please tell us a little bit about what like that day and and kind of what that day was like for you I would say that was that was like a life goal being accomplished that day Yeah, because from the moment The moment that I picked up a football I told my mom My fault Yeah from the moment that I picked up the football I told my mom that I get her a house because I growing up Me and my brother shared a room and Todd was like 1516 and my little sister stayed in the room with my mom and my stepdad so We ain't have bro. Sorry. No, it's fine. We have nothing man. I Don't want to embarrass myself. But yeah, like we didn't have much bro, right?  I ain't have much. I just So I took it and my brother he was He's he's smart as hell. He he had got a job in Houston and that's a place that like I really wanted to live And my mom like my family were at where all we got bro So my mom was just getting really upset about my brother being so far away from home And like I had a chance. I took it. So I bought her a house. I had enough to get her a house. I got her a house Surprised there I act as if because it was around my sister's birthday I act as if we were going to Galvingston Beach for like her birthday or whatever and then when we got done with that Droll I had them drive out to the house and I told them that we're gonna meet at like the turkey hut factory The turkey leg factory That's a big deal. Yeah, and they were so excited and my brother he was like playing along with he's like man We're late. Mike's already got the table My mom's like going crazy on the phone.  Yeah, like the Nick Nick young So yeah, and then I'm like this is your house. It's like, no, no, it's not I'm like, no, here's your key. This is your house and She went in there. She cried. I mean, it's just it's just a life goal accomplished Yeah, she was she was so cute too because she's like, I can't believe you record me right now She didn't want to be recorded like she did not like like one thing about her She does not want you to record her when she's crying. Yeah, like whether it's a good time or not Oh man, that's such a special story and I mean, I got teary-eyed. No, no, never apologize for that I'm kind of But no, it's it's so It's just so it's just such a good story and I'm I'm emotional about it too.  Because I feel like it it would be really difficult to kind of be like looking for a house For somebody else not just yourself, but for somebody else to kind of be like Congrats, this is yours. Do you know do you get what I'm saying? I feel like I'm not like you Like how did I how did I pick that house to know that it was something that was for her? Yeah, yeah Um, so yeah during the process it was pretty much like it was like a trick So I was more so like going about it as if like I was buying this house for me Yeah, okay, you know, so I went on and I was like showing her like I had like four or five houses I was just like, you know, what do you think about these houses?  So she's looking at it and like there's one house that she really loved And she's like, man, I really like this house for you Crazy like my house that I have for myself now. It's kind of like the similar layout But yeah, so then I um I've seen one and like I was like, you know what out of all like it was not it wasn't the houses I had already shown her but it had like all the same things. So I was like, you know I really like this one. I feel like this is the best one, you know So I was like, you know, I'm gonna take a chance.  He went and checked it out and everything And from there it was just kind of like I told you we don't come from much. So like what she she came Whatever she's not gonna expect that. Yeah So, you know, it was just more so finding some stuff that I feel a bigger enough house for Everybody to be able to come back to if necessary And then just something that I feel like she would love and like when I say like she loves the house Like it's like she never wants to leave houston. Yeah, that's her place now Oh, that's so great.  That is freaking awesome. Yeah, I bought hers first. I bought hers what two years ago and I got mine like at the beginning of this year Gotcha. Okay. That's awesome. I mean some of the stuff that she said on this video And I'm not trying to get all emotional with the thing again, but I she said I can't believe this day has come This is the best day of my life.  Really, I remember it. Yeah, so I could tell you the people that were there I mean like it's set up this moment, right? Yeah, right exactly Yeah, it was there's a park back home. It's called salute park It's pretty much like in the summer we have like a Like a back to school event that they do really well in the city and they hand out like school supplies They play basketball like everybody's out there just having a good time Like that's pretty much what our city does during that time So it was one of those days, you know, and then we were out there We had like a family reunion or whatever So curse some people from the city came out and got with us like, you know city's pretty small So we just hang out So I had a couple people out there and I'll never forget like my my brother's dad resting peace to him Uh, he was he was the one that actually like we did like a little draft and he picked me on his team and It was just like one play. I'll never forget it. I did like a little flat route swing He threw me the ball and my uncle his name Luke Harderman Telling you I knew it like I was running I was running to the sideline and he came out there. I juke them really well Boom and like when I say we're playing with like these guys are probably like 20 years old I'm like 10 years. Okay. I'm out there like playing with older people So I juke them and like I'm I ended up getting a good amount of yards and like everybody's going crazy Like I'm the 10 year old Oh, you just got juke my 10 year old So then next thing I know my mom signs me up for football. I go out there.  That's my position. Wait, a nose tackle. Oh, yeah, it's funny. It's funny So I'm a nose tackle, but mind you All of the practices I'm the fastest kid there. I get done first. So it made no sense Right, so it did it. It's like I was having fun with it. Yeah, of course really enjoying it But my mom was like He's not using you right. So we're not going to play football this year Your mom said that? So like I I didn't play football Like I played like half that season and I didn't come back and play So then the next year like my mom came up to the same coach He's like you're gonna play my son the right way. I come out here watch him every day run He's the fastest person on the team. Give him the ball. Good for her So then I come out there the next year and like I always played with older kids. I was playing with the older kids So I was like the backup running back, but like that year I scored like four or five touchdowns So then I was like, I'm pretty good at this. I'm playing with older kids. I'm scoring touchdowns. So then The year after that I come back and I play for the same coach, but like I'm with my age group I ended up like making the front page of our newspaper and all of this stuff that Long story short, they've retired my jersey this year for that little league Team oh my goodness. That's so yeah, so like it was like my first experience with football.     I have it I have it in so like my grandma When because I met her pretty much when I started playing football um She created me like these booklets and stuff that has like all the newspaper articles I've been in like I have Pretty much all my articles and stuff like that because she keeps up with them. She'll get this cut them out So I have like pretty much all of them. Yeah, I have that one literally I have that that newspaper I have one in my scrapbook. I have one that's the original copy and then I have one at my mom's house So I have like three of them. You have all your prices covered. It's not going anywhere. That's so great Yeah, and there's a it's a on top of your twitter profile.  And uh Mike looks exactly Like I looked I was like he just got bigger, but he looks exactly like you just went like this If you could you were talking about um Your brother's dad your your step dad, I assume Uh, what was he that's my dad. Yeah Your dad. Yeah, 100. What was he How influential was he in your life growing up? Like I said, I mean he picked me on this team at the park Yeah, he gave me a start too. He's pretty much the reason that I started playing football, you know He played running back growing up. So that was kind of like his transition to me is to teach me how to play running back but yeah, like I said like um That's not that's not my dad. You know, like I got a father and I got a dad That's how I that's how I view it, you know, the dad is that's the that's the person who took care of me Yes, you know and my father is who who gave me life. So you know, um, yeah, he pretty much he pretty much is Everything reason why I'm playing like I said he played running back. He taught me everything He knew he brought me to practice every day. He made sure I was there Made sure I had the right equipment like he just he just made sure that I had everything I needed to be successful in football um Raised me all my life. So like I said, man, that's like big ups to him and he's he made me who I am and he I think this year was the first time you've ever hosted a youth football camp Oh, yeah And and if one that seems super awesome and fun because the kids look like they were having a blast But think about everything else that we've talked about so far, right? It's a full circle thing You didn't have a lot now. You're in a position to give back to your family to give back to kids I don't know if you had it back in your hometown or like where you had it back home, right?  And I I could be able to say man, I I played a part in that, you know, so I just I got emotional man. It's just seeing those kids there and For me, it's more so, you know each one teach one. That's something that I've posted on my page Multiple times that's something that I pride myself in is, you know others before yourself Because I mean we're nothing like one man can't do nothing by itself. We got to be together Right, so man, I feel very inspired and I Thank you for kind of opening up and sharing everything with us. I mean, this has been very Uh heartwarming for for uh for I speaking for myself. I feel like I could speak for you Yeah, and it kind of makes sense, right? We we know this positive guy who loves every moment and here's the back story You know and the reason why and why you're so energetic on the football field, right?  I haven't got my black heart yet But my dad my brother's dad name was black. So I'm gonna get a black heart right here But like before every game I access if it's there because I haven't had time to do it But I tap up here. I kiss up to my father Tap my wrist kiss up to my dad I jump up and scream and let it go and then it's and then it's time to play football man Now we're moving on to I don't know. Is it our favorite part? It is our favorite part. I feel like a party is It's it's a rapid fire. All right. Let's go. Everybody gets the same question. Yeah Let's have I haven't watched the show. So I don't okay. All right. Good. Good. Good. Then you we don't want you to This is authentic. Yeah. Let's go. All right. Um number one your favorite play of your career My favorite play of my career has to be my first special team play Um, I went down that gunner Uh, and I downed the ball on a two-yard line against the carolina panthers. Nice. So yeah, that's probably that's probably my favorite play Because it's my introduction. There you go. That's a good one. Yeah, that's a really good one because you you think maybe You know a you know a crazy interception in college You know like something like like that but like that's a good one like special teams at the two It's kind of how you've kind of made your name and you're a good defender, obviously But I mean there's so much that goes into that Um tv show that you're either one of your favorite tv shows or a tv show that you're binging right now Scooby-dooby-dooby Where are you? Oh my gosh. Is it really? Is it like the animated one or the new one? No, the animated one. The old one. Yes. Oh my gosh. That's my favorite. That's my favorite. I freaking love that. I'm a big Scooby-Doo girl. Uh, why I used to watch like Cartoon Network like Girl See mine was Scooby-Doo and my god sister's was SpongeBob. Nice. I mean yeah Velma was my kindred spirits. Yeah, that was my girl back then. Yeah, Velma guy. Exactly. Okay, uh next one. What is your favorite game day fit of the 2022 season? Game day fit. You're saying like one of your arrival fits Outfit? Out of war? Because is this a real question? Yeah, it is. I want to know. The Joker mask, right? Is it the Joker mask? Because we were curious. We were looking at it today and it's scared. I wasn't scared alive and I'm like that's gonna haunt my night. Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's definitely the Joker mask. Okay, I'm glad because that was the one that we looked at quite frequently because he was like. I like that one. Yeah. Yeah, it was funny too because when I do a show for Fox 5 called Rise Up Tonight and we always do like a Falcon's Fits segment and kind of all of y'all's outfits and everything. You've been on there a few times so congratulations. But that one was she was like who is that? I was like it's Mike. I was like Mike has the mask on and she's like okay I need to make sure because we need to say who it is. And the thing that's going to stick with you is that when you get into the dark the eyes go up the dark.  Like find a photo of this or maybe don't if you want to sleep at night. It's kind of scary. Let's see which Falcon do you hang out with the most? Oh, I hang out with D'Angelo Malone. That's my guy. Yeah. That's my guy.   He's an energy guy. You know, he's always positive. Like that's just my guy man. I love that guy. Love it. That's my guy. Cool. Last question. What is your biggest pet peeve? I said this on the last interview. I really just don't like negative people. That's what Grady said. That was a good one. Negative energy. I'm the type of person like if we're sitting here and somebody starts to get too negative, like Mike's going to disappear. Yeah, Mike, I don't really want to be around negative stuff. That's a good one because Scott and I were talking.  He may not have a pet peeve. And I was like, or it could be one of those things that there's just one thing that just completely turns it off. That like negative, like my mom can get negative anybody that's negative. I'm like, I will ghost. I will just get away. Iris, goodbye. Smoke bomb and you're out of there. If I try and make you positive and it doesn't work, then yeah, I'm not. Good night now. Well, wow. This is why we do this podcast. Absolutely. Exactly right here. I came in knowing a little bit about Mike Ford. I feel like we're friends now. Fascinating story. Thank you so much for sharing it. And thanks to everybody for downloading and listening. Please, please, please with sugar on top rate, review, subscribe to the Falcons podcast network. We're coming up to the end of the season here. One more episode left and please be sure to join us for another great guest next week. See you.


In the name of the law We bring you another of the thrilling stories in this exciting series taken from actual police case file Our story begins outside a Detroit factory. Thanks for the lift Joe. It was a big help. Oh, don't mention it Charlie Hey, how about me waiting for you? Well, I just want to leave these lamb chops my sister. I'll be back right away Oh, say wait a minute Say Charlie, I haven't seen Francis for a long time mind if I say hello She'll be glad to see you. Let's just go on the back way here How's she been? Oh, it's her birthday last Wednesday. Never looked better or felt younger.  Just as she did for Augustine and me father Augustine Francis certainly had a dream come true when her brother became a priest Great pride helps her other pride keeping a clean house and setting a good table We'll kid her a little bit. Now, let's tell her we dropped in to eat these lamb chops in a hurry We are Francis This is your Wednesday special. I like my lamb chop. Well done miss Tom. Oh France Honey doesn't seem to be around She must be here. She was expecting me. No sign of lunch getting ready in the kitchen here Hey, he thinks you could have taken sick. I don't think so George is here. She's a call him Maybe she didn't want to start him. Isn't he still working on that night shift? Yeah, the River Rouge packing plant Must be a heavy sleeper else all the noise we made would have woke him up Hey, maybe Francis is asleep. Well Francis asleep in the daytime say he works from morning all night Well Francis Francis are you sleeping? Francis She's praying She's dead My poor sister I don't know that's blood stains on it.  I think it's John Baumholz room and their brother. Hey, that's so many of these relatives. Yes They may all be innocent, but it sure looks like an inside job to me. How do you think of that inspector? You'll see for yourself Now look read we want photographs and fingerprints taken on this donut. Yes, inspector. You got all those relatives outside Yes, sir by the bomb old telephone. He would be here any minute, too. It must have been a shock to him Yes, her favorite brother. I understand. Let's have another look at miss Bob holds room. I guess the coroner's about finished What's the verdict Jim? Inspector miss mobile was killed sometime between six and seven o'clock this morning He died from these blows on the head. She couldn't have been killed kneeling there by the side of her bed, could she? Well, that's the question inspector. There are no signs of the struggle in this room If there was a struggle here that nephew George should have heard her Hey Let me figure that rosary infected heaven help her. He died in prayer How did you have strength to get her rosary? This way Jim she could have been placed in that kneeling position that rosary put in her hand. I Wonder if someone sent her to eternity and then tried to help her with prayer What's this on the floor? I would just notice another myself. Is it gravel? No Yeah, there's a few specks of it on the palm of my hand looks like coal dust to me Hmm Cold dust another way spotless floor. You're right Jim doesn't make sense from all I hear this poem was a spotless housekeeper Wouldn't go around tracking the place up at coldest Read yes, inspector. Get those relatives relatives together outside in the kitchen. I'll be out there in a minute. Yes, sir Jim it's currently you've had a lot of crimes with me now just let I know George and how you feel. She was the best friend I had in the world. I slept right through everything All right now. I don't think it's all hard George. It wasn't your fault Inspector. He was awfully fond of his and sure Mr. Baumhold, Mr. Charles Baumhold You'll have to straighten me out on this family relationship again Certainly inspector miss Baumhold kept house for your brother John here and your nephew George. Is that right? Yeah, it's inspector. We got my brother here from work as soon as we could John What time did you leave the house this morning right after breakfast around a quarter of six as early as that? I'm doing the office at six o'clock and your sister cooked breakfast for you. Is that right John? Yeah Was anyone at your office when you got there? No I work in the accounting department and open it up a shake First work comes in at seven. Do you punch a time clock? No. Is there any way of proving you at your office at six o'clock? You don't my word. I'll never mind John. Ah, what right is he got to be asking me questions like that John?  Yes, just as plain as the door knob Look inspector none of us killed that good woman in there and your brother John prove you with it was at his office between six And seven o'clock this morning. That's all I want to know.  I'm all alone there between six and seven Let them take my fingerprints compare them with those on the door knobs. They won't be mine. All right, all right You'll have a chance to prove everything. Why don't you go out and look for the murderer? Maybe it was a tramp who came along my sister was always giving poor bums a meal. Yes She was a good woman. Oh, he's helping everybody. Good. Did you see your uncle John leave here this morning? Yes, I saw him leave right after breakfast George you work on the night shift to understand as inspector What time do you go to bed right after breakfast? I went to sleep right after an uncle John left this morning for work Was you're not expecting anybody this morning? Not that I know how how about you John a new Charlie? Do you know of anyone who might have called on your sister? John did your sister have any money in this house? Why ask me never mind why I'm asking you Yes, we thank you as an old woman the front door who wants to come in Who is she? She says she begs bread for the bumbles and wants to leave some now. Oh, oh, yes That's mrs. Becker. She's a poor old lady inspector and my sister bought bread from her to help her out What'll I tell her inspector? Tell her to come back again. Yes We were talking about money John you say miss bomb hold caps on here in the house Yeah, she had about $50. Why don't you keep it in the sugar bowl in the kitchen cabinet there? Will you show it to me? Yeah, right over here Down the top shelf Wait a minute, I'll get it down. Let me have it with this handkerchief. It might be some valuable fingerprints on this sugar bowl Just lift the lid off now No money in here like you had $50. Oh, no, he's been saving it up for a long time Murdered for $50. How do you know what you hurt me? How do you know? I'm sorry? I don't hear so well Well, the money is gone. Isn't this whoever took this money knew exactly where to go for it Whoever killed that good woman on there and you are He was the best friend I had in the world. Oh, don't go on like that George. Ah, cut it out. What is it? That's a myth. I just had a phone call. Could I uh, oh, yes, sir What is it, dude? Inspector we just got a tip outside on this nephew George. What is it? George wanted money to open up a butcher shop. I see Pick it on me. Yes, thank you. Charlie John you mind stepping out in the next room. I want to talk with Georgia. Oh Pay attention now George Yes, sir, how much money do you make a week $15? Did you pay around anything for board? Yes, sir $10 a week. You knew where your aunt kept her money. Didn't you? What'd you think and you hear very well? No, sir. I don't I guess that's why I didn't hear at Francis this morning What was it you asked me you didn't know didn't you or your aunt kept your money? Yes, but you don't think never mind what I think you don't like that night shift at the packing plan. Do you know? Long hours and awful hard work, so you wanted to open a butcher shop. Didn't you George? Why you had the store all picked out didn't you I was just looking at places just dreaming about it Was that right? Yeah, how was I going to get money enough to open a butcher shop?  I've seen people murder for less than that But how could I have killed her? I was asleep. You slept all morning right through a murder. I tell you I'm a heavy sleeper I don't hear very well. I didn't hear a thing. Then we won't find your fingerprints on this sugar bowl Well, oh, no. Oh, yeah, sure Of course you'll find my fingerprints Michael John's Michael Charlie. We handle that sugar ball every Sunday whenever we have company All right, all right. You're a heavy sleeper and I don't hear very well That's all George. You've got in the next room now George yes, you don't hear very well, eh The real tragedy father bomb hold all the women in the neighborhood are here weeping for your sister Yes, Inspector Smith My sister was a woman with true charity in her heart She lived a Christian life I'm sure she died a Christian death Even though it was a violent one. Well the bomb holds, huh? I'm in a rather difficult position That's all you pray beside miss Francis just now and I a man of the cloth and you hesitate to say things You might say to someone else is that it inspector? Yes, father Do not let it concern you Do your duty Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God you mean I the law must take its course Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Very well, father You've talked with your brother John and your nephew George. Yes, and they told you that we considered both of them first-class Suspects. Yes, they have oh father. This is pretty hard to say, but Well circumstance of evidence against them is pretty heavy. I don't wish to divert your investigation in any direction But I'm rather sure of one thing Such a deed if it were possible would have caused instant regret and almost immediate confession For my the John or George? Father you certainly have me in a tough spot do your duty my son Vengeance is mine set the Lord. I Asked no vengeance for my sister Only the law under which we live well I'm having those blood stains on the door non-checked against everybody's fingerprints and the fingerprints on the teacup Yes, and the cold us other we're checking on that right now Must have been tracked in from the coach head in the arm. You've talked to all the neighbors. They had nothing I Just want to say a word to me certainly come right in oh, uh, maybe she inspects Mrs. Becker God's will That's a good woman such a kind neighbor. This is a woman who brings bread to the house. This is back. Oh, and I told you about infected Perhaps you could help us mrs. Becker. I would be glad to indeed. I would sit down All right I'm not as young as 60 as I was at 20 sure hailing hearty mrs. Becker put in strong Inspector Smith mrs. Becker has been baking bread for my sister for a great many years. Oh, yes That is the love I beg for her But no more now they are my child mrs. Becker Just how often did you bring bread here every Wednesday and Saturday when you were here today? Yes, I came a while ago, but please wouldn't let me in that's right in Becker mrs. Becker You knew all of mrs. Balmold's family didn't you yes, do you ever hear any quarrels among them speak my child? There was never a harsh word spoken in this house This Francis was a soul of kindness and everyone around here felt her good influence. Thank you mrs. Becker I'm only speaking the truth Everyone in this neighborhood will tell you the same thing. What do you think killed her? I don't know it might have been a Tramp it seems like every hobo on the road knew that mrs. Francis house was the one that wouldn't turn them away For a bite to eat have you ever seen any of these tramps? Oh, yes many times Would you remember any of these tramps if you saw them again? Maybe I would I would try read Another price to pick up all vagrant have them brought up the headquarters. We'll have mrs. Becker look them over This wrong old place. I'm sure of that. You don't deny that to you Morton No, I've been around dampening and then the dude wouldn't that did then why didn't you tell us where you were Wednesday morning? The morning of the murder honest I can't remember all I know is I was in a lot of saloons bum and drink you haven't been bumming drinks Morton You've been paying for them. You spent money and bars all along Michigan Avenue We've checked up on you Morton. You were spending the money you took from that sugar bowl. No, I got that going at ice-games All right read think this man back and lock him up. Yes, sir. Come on Morton Sure, she came in my hand up once in a while, but I wasn't there Wednesday Are you ready mrs. Becker? Yes, inspector. All right, we'll go right over to the church Say that Never been to a funeral mass before yes beautiful and sad enough lifting all in one I Wonder how a brother will feel this morning. What do you mean saying his own sister's funeral mass?  Oh, no, I Was just thinking of poor miss Francis. This is Saturday the morning. I always used to bring her bread Morning mrs. Becker in the morning Wednesdays and Saturday Hatties I mean in the afternoon Well, aren't you sure I get my wit the wool gathering I always brought the bread in the afternoon you remember I came to the house last Wednesday in the afternoon Oh, yes. Yes, I remember Oh By the way, mrs. Becker, do you mind if I sit with you during the mass? No indeed. I wish you would I've never been to a funeral mass It's like a church, but why are you tearing your handkerchief? Think of poor Francis lying there in front of the altar in that casket This is all so new to me the candles and the music Thank you The house of God Blessing the casket going to do now. He's going to preach the funeral sermon You left the church now mrs. Becker people would suspect you of the murder I take this for my text this morning Though I speak to the tunnels of men and angels and have not charity I have a sounding brass I perform this sad duty this morning my dear brethren Not as a brother But as one with the service of the Lord If I speak to the tongues of men and angels and Have not charity. I can't stand this much longer. You killed her. Didn't you miss Becker? Listen to what he's saying Charity was the keynote to the life of this dear department Her life was lived for her family And her friends as a young girl. It was her desire to enter a condom to become a nun This highest wish was foregone when she together with three brothers became an all Can't bear this but something makes you stay in this church and listen, doesn't it? You put it in that car. You killed him. He was always so good to me.  I did not put a clean judge, but to be judge Disturbed the Lord with the pair to go She lived So she died There was never anything but charity in the sweet clean soul My sister who lies before me in debt of simple good to this world she had Shared with us How reward nothing this life, but in the next Will be to hear those words of the eternal comfort well done How good and faithful servant this faithful servant of the law was taken from this world I don't know no, it was your hand. You did it. I was the ascending grass I'm listening symbol if I did not ask for charity or compassion for the one The laws of eternal justice reach beyond this little day of our Bandits will have to take me out of this church.  It doesn't serve a God. Yes Yes, I killed it. Take me out of here. All right. Come on. Let's go as far as we can Shouldn't have come to this funeral. I was all right. Well, I came here Take me out. Take me out. Take me out. And so my dear brethren, if I could only take back what I did Mass over inspector not yet sergeant Here's the murderer of Francis Bromholt.  She gave me money to side and she gave me clothes, but it wasn't enough I asked for more you planned everything for last Wednesday morning, didn't you? Yes? I did all to get off last Wednesday morning around six o'clock. I took bread to miss Francis I can and I would be glad to help you but I can't do any more now. That's right Throw your charity in my face now tell and I know you've been working hard Come in the house now. Let's do a cup of night hot tea. I don't want tea. I want money I'm tired of slaving all my life You have $50 in the kitchen in a sugar bowl You mustn't think those thoughts you mustn't think of that money. It's all we have Look, I will let you have a little of it. I don't want a little of it. I want all of it Now I'm going to get it now Hit her a lot of times when I carried into house She wanted to pray so I got her rosary for and helped it a kneel, but the side of the bed I put blood stains on that door knob. I took the money. Sure. I took it. I killed her for it I'm an old woman, but I'm strong. I killed her. I killed her. This is Carolyn Becker the jury having found you guilty of murder in the first degree It now becomes the duty of this court to pass sentence upon you I hope that the prayers of your victim may follow you I hereby sentence you to state prison for the rest of your natural life