Dinerpod 44: Jed Collins-Former NFL Fullback

In this high-octane episode, Red Velvet welcomes former NFL fullback Jedidiah Collins to the studio via satellite from Bellevue, Washington. The conversation bridges the gap between the gridiron and the "real world," exploring how a "great failure" mentality and the grit of a fullback can lead to a successful life as an entrepreneur.

• The "Million Dollar" Wake-Up Call: Jedidiah opens with a powerful perspective on gratitude: if someone offered you a million dollars but told you that you wouldn't wake up tomorrow, you’d turn it down. Therefore, every day you wake up is already worth a million bucks.

• The Mission Viejo Dynasty: Jedidiah reflects on his legendary high school career in Southern California under the late Bob Johnson. He discusses the 41-1 record and the "small college" atmosphere of a program that produced NFL stars like Mark Sanchez and Jordan Palmer.

• The "Slow" Overachiever: Despite being a top-rated linebacker, Jedidiah’s recruiting slowed down due to his 5.03 forty-yard dash. He shares how he leveraged "basketball fluidity" and mental processing to lead the nation in receptions as a tight end at Washington State, proving that being a step ahead is better than being a step fast.

• 13 Times Cut: A raw look at the brutal reality of the NFL. Jedidiah details the mental toll of being cut 13 times in three years before finding his home with Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints.

• The Birth of "Jedzilla": To survive the "crash test dummy" life of a fullback, Jedidiah had to create an alter-ego. He explains the psychological shift required to become the "scary monster" on the field who could go head-to-head with legends like Brian Dawkins.

"I lost every day growing up... I consider myself a great failure that extended into my NFL career. As an entrepreneur, you've got to be comfortable knowing you're going to get kicked in the teeth a lot." — Jedidiah Collins

The Lead-Off: Finance & Fullbacks

• Main Event: Red teases a high-profile interview with Jed Collins, former NFL Fullback.

• The Story: Jed played seven years in the league despite being cut 13 times. He’s now the founder of Money Vehicle, a financial literacy company.

  
  

• Release Info: This episode drops Wednesday at noon.

The "Dinerverse" alumni are making waves on the professional stage:

• Craig Porter Jr. (Cleveland Cavaliers): A massive week for the rookie. He posted 11 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Memphis and steady minutes (7pts/7reb/4ast) in the regular-season finale win over Washington.

• Jalen Moore (Cloverdale Alumni): Finishing the regular season in Hungary for Ingus Corman with a near double-double (9 points, 10 assists).

• Timmy Heron (Terre Haute South Alumni): Holding it down in the MLB bullpen for the Cleveland Guardians, throwing scoreless innings in a tight 2-1 win over the Royals.

It was a monster week for spring sports, headlined by hardware coming home to Montezuma.

• Riverton Parke: Your 2026 Banks of the Wabash Champions! They dominated South Vermillion 10-0 in the semis and crushed Parke Heritage 13-2 in the final. Bruce Landis was electric on the mound with 10 Ks in the tourney.

  
  

• Terre Haute North: Colton Moore had a career day, going 4-for-4 with 7 RBIs and a home run against Shakamack.

• Greencastle: The Tiger Cubs are red-hot, including a 12-8 win over Northview where Sam Gooch racked up 4 hits.

• North Putnam: Sitting at a perfect 4-0 after absolute blowouts over Crawfordsville (23-0) and a no-hitter from Kirsten Connor.

• Riverton Parke: Double champions! The Lady Panthers also secured the Banks of the Wabash title this weekend.

• Clay City: Rebounded from an early loss to beat Linton-Stockton and put up 21 runs on Bloomfield.

• 9U Knights: Took the dub over the Linton Stars (8-6) and Sullivan Sluggers (13-7), led by Houston Dyer’s multi-hit weekend.

• Mambas (9U): Went 2-2 at the Ricky Vaughn Major League Bash. Emerson Sinclair was the MVP of the weekend, tallying 4 hits and 2 doubles in a 24-4 win over the Groove.

• Blue Jays (Putnam County): Tournament runners-up in Greenwood, finishing 3-1. Gavin and Cole combined for a home run derby, including Gavin’s 2 HR game against TBD.

• EV Baseball Academy & Riley 9U: Congratulations to both squads for bringing home tournament trophies this weekend!

• Facebook Subscribers: A huge shoutout to the "99-cent" club. Red reminded listeners they can support the pod for less than a buck a month.

Red’s Final Word: "I know I rumbled and bumbled... I'm going to get better at that, I promise."

Pro-Tip: Don't sweat the stumbles, Red—the passion for the local kids is what keeps the Dinerverse growing. Maybe just swap the ninth Monster for a Gatorade!

🏀 Next Level Athletes: NBA & Beyond⚾ The Varsity Special: High School HighlightsBaseball StandoutsSoftball Standouts🍼 The Rookie Report: Future Stars📢 Community Notes & Shoutouts

Dinerpod 43: Nick Wheeler-North Central Football Coach

Host Red Velvet is back in the studio for a deep dive into the rising football program at North Central (Farmersburg). Joining the show for his third visit is T-Bird Head Coach Nick Wheeler, but first, we sit down with a rising star on the offensive line—his son, Eli Wheeler.

We kick things off with Eli to discuss the high-stakes life of a Left Tackle (the "blindside" protector), the perks of being a coach's kid on the sidelines, and the ultimate family rivalry: who is actually better at Fortnite?

Then, Coach Wheeler joins the desk to pull back the curtain on the T-Birds' massive Year 2 turnaround. After a culture-building first season, North Central exploded for a 6-game win streak and their first sectional victory in years. Coach breaks down the "Red Velvet" play—a trick reverse flea-flicker he promised (and delivered) on game day—and explains why he wants his quarterback rocking an old-school cowboy collar.

We also get real about the mental side of coaching. From the "Energy Bus" leadership philosophy to the challenges of running a program with a small roster, Coach Wheeler shares his journey of building a "tough kids on the block" identity in one of the state's most competitive 1A sectionals.

What’s Inside the Episode:

The "Blindside" Life: Eli Wheeler on protecting the QB and out-gaming his dad.X's & O's: The mechanics of the "Red Velvet" trick play.

The Streak: How a 7-4 season changed the expectations in Farmersburg.

Culture Shock: Adding fireworks, PA antics, and "college-level" energy to Friday nights.

Looking Ahead: Spring break lifting, roster growth (42 and counting!), and the 2026 outlook.

Thank you to our sponsors:Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Varsity House Outfitters Ever Haute Co.