Episode 54: Steve Atwater

Great Dane Nation

On the 54th episode of “Great Dane Nation,” Morten is joined by Denver Broncos legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame brother Steve Atwater (05:34 – 42:10). But first, he checks in with TommyFreezePops (Tom Carroll) for this week’s edition of the “Opening Kick” (00:58 – 05:30). Week 1 was full of upsets galore this past weekend. Morten reacts to the games that moved the needle most for him
We then move to our interview with Steve Atwater, where he discusses a wide range of topics: reacting to his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, and how he almost had a massive wine stain on his gold jacket immediately after receiving it (05:59); the impact of his high school football coach on the rest of his football career, and why it was important for him to be in attendance during his induction (12:13); where he got the nickname “Smiling Assassin” (14:48); the backstory behind his legendary hit on Christian Okoye (16:21); how Wade Phillips coming to Denver changed his career (18:09); Steve passing along well-wishes from Brandon McManus (19:14); getting inducted into Canton on the same weekend as two other Broncos legends (20:03); who he thinks will take a majority of the snaps at quarterback for the Broncos in 2021 (22:54); what he thinks the ceiling is for this year’s Broncos team (24:06); the brilliance of Justin Simmons, and why he tries not to give him too much advice (25:11); why he believes in the Patrick Surtain II hype (26:57); why he agrees with Terrell Davis that Von Miller is the second greatest Bronco of all-time (28:17); who he thinks is the best safety in the game today, and who he thinks is the hardest hitter (30:18); and this week’s edition of “The Name Game,” featuring John Elway, Mike Shanahan, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith, Dan Reeves, Ed McCaffery, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Bill Romanowski, Karl Mecklenburg, Pat Bowlen, Jason Elam and Dennis Smith (32:15).
Then we move to this week’s edition of “Morten’s Fast 5,” where our Hall of Famer makes picks for the five biggest games of the football weekend (43:04 – 48:54). Morten gives his picks for Saints at Panthers (43:55), Chiefs at Ravens (45:13), Titans at Seahawks (46:20), Cowboys at Chargers (47:13), and Texans at Browns (47:56).
Finally, “Morten’s Game Winner” returns – a weekly monologue from The Great Dane on his biggest takeaway of the week. This week, Morten welcomes back the NFL after an incredible first week of action (48:54).