Gridiron Japan: Recent Episodes
Gridiron Japan Radio
A podcast devoted to the coverage of the latest happenings and news in the world of Japanese gridiron football, from the amateur level to the professional game.
When the 2021 X-League season kicked off, during our first season, the crew at Gridiron Japan wanted to get a player's perspective. Look no further than now retired Obic Seagulls LB, 10-year X-League veteran, current Fujitsu Frontier defensive coach, and our former Gridiron Japan cohost, BJ Beatty! He discussed with us the player experience in the X-League, the season ahead in what was his final season as a player, and the various issues and tidbits surrounding the game in the Land of the Rising Sun!
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and on X (Twitter)! Learn more at www.gridironjapan.jp or www.gridironjapan.net.
Four years ago friendships were formed as Zach Keilman, Greg St. James, and John Gunning of Inside Sport Japan, sat down for the first episode of our podcast, which has now expanded to a website and livestream providing original coverage of the gridiron game in Japan. Since the first episode we have grown as a team with B.J. and then Aaron joining, and through it all the six of us have enjoyed plenty of laughs, smiles and candid opinions about Japan, gridiron football, and of course, the Chicago Bears! For the reason why we do this and enjoy doing it is simply this- because of the friendship and comradery that football brings :-).
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and on X (Twitter)! Learn more at www.gridironjapan.jp or www.gridironjapan.net.
On a late night in Japan, John, Greg and Aaron do a deep dive on the games played in spite of the obstacles faced by a typhoon that brought lightening storms and heavy rain.
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch! Learn more at www.gridironjapan.jp or www.gridironjapan.net.
On the eve of week one in X-League play in Japan, Greg and John sit down with Mike Phair, the head coach of IBM Big Blue to talk about his team and the upcoming season. Coach Phair talks about his coaching philosophy and the lessons he learned from coaching in the NFL and CFL. In addition we learn how John almost was a movie star!
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch! Learn more at www.gridironjapan.jp or www.gridironjapan.net.
On a night where earthquakes were the topic of discussion all over the local news, Greg and John take a time out and focus on the upcoming X-League season, starting with the top three teams- Fujitsu, Obic and Panasonic.
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch!
Summer break is over for the Gridiron Japan podcast hosts as Greg and John welcome back quarterback Aaron Ellis, of Japan's X-League's Dentsu Caterpillars, to talk about his experiences in playing in Japan, Europe, and Mexico. He compares the X-League with the European League of Football and Mexico's Liga-de Fútbol Americano, where has played, and in doing so holds the distinction of being the only professional football player to have played in all three major international leagues outside of Canada and the United States.
Gridiron Japan livestreams over at Gridiron Japan Television on YouTube at www.gridironjapantv.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GridironJapan.jp, and soon over on Twitch!
As we await the start of the autumn gridiron season here in Japan, Greg and his co-host of the From the 55 Yardline Podcast, Dave Cieslinski talk with Don and Heath of The Third Down Gamble Podcast to preview the upcoming 2024 CFL season. From the 55 Yardline is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.EPISODE SUMMARYGreg and Dave are joined by Don and Heath of the Third Down Gamble podcast for the second year in a row to preview, here in the third week of the preseason, the upcoming CFL season. We start in the far east with defending Grey Cup champion Montreal and move our way west, team by team, and end with this year's Grey Cup host, the British Columbia Lions. The Third Down Gamble is going on five years and truly is "audio worth watching!"FROM THE 55 YARD LINE BACKGROUNDFrom the 55 Yardline is anchored by former rugby player and sports executive David Cieslinski, who resides near the Canadian border, and retired naval intelligence and information warfare officer Greg St. James, who resides in Japan (he is also the co-host of the Gridiron Japan podcast). Both are avid armchair sports historians and sports simulation enthusiasts, who, despite the vastness of geography, have found a way to leverage technology to help keep the games they love truly alive, both on the screen and on the internet airwaves. In addition to Dave and Greg, From the 55 Yardline also features veteran journalist and contributor Fran Stuchbury, of https://OurSportsCentral.com, where he writes extensively on the happenings in minor league sports.The show was previously co-hosted by retired sports journalist Scott Adamson, whose continued writings. sports coverage and articles can be found at https://www.Adamsonmedia.com. David, Greg, and Fran can be contacted directly via the podcast's Twitter account at https://www.twitter.com/Fromthe55.
John and Greg are joined by star wide receiver Devin Phelps of the OrientalBio Silver Star to talk about his life and career in football, which has stretched from his childhood in Baltimore, to the Arizona desert and to the shores of Japan. They talk about Devin, John and Greg's favorite Chicago Bears' quarterback (who makes an unscheduled appearance during the livestream), how many touchdowns Devin will score on the BJ Beatty coached Fujitsu Frontier's defense, and much much more. You can catch the livestream of this broadcast over at our YouTube page at www.gridironjapantv.net and our homepage at www.gridironjapan.jp. As for Devin, you can see more by following him on Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), and TikTok.
Gridiron Japan returns, broadcasting live to the internet airwaves, on YouTube, Facebook and X (Twitter)! John and Greg kickoff season 4 of the podcast, and season 1 of the livestreaming videocast to talk about all that has happened since Team Japan's upset over the Ivy League in January, including the promotion by one of our cohosts to the X-League coaching ranks!
You can connect to Gridiron Japan via our main pages at www.gridironjapan.jp | www.gridironjapantv.net and www.gridironjapanradio.net
Greg and BJ sit down with Boogie Knight of the Asahi Soft Drink Challengers, and talk about his career in Japan and the 2023 season in which he was named rookie of the year and led the Super X-League in receiving and won the triple crown of touchdowns made, number of receptions and yards. As highlighted by the Challengers, Boogie is an exciting and dynamic player who reminds many older fans of NFL Hall of Famers like Steve Largent and Fred Biletnikoff. They also talk about his upcoming game in the Dream Japan Bowl, in which he will be playing for Team Japan, and also about his life in his first year in Japan as he looks toward a second season, as well as his interests outside of football.
You can find Boogie's 2023 season highlights on Youtube, and also find him on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Boogie also sells his own line and brand of Zeal clothing on Bonfire.
To learn more about the gridiron American football game in Japan, check out our home page www.gridironjapan.jp, and also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
On a Sunday night, John, BJ and Greg are joined by Rice Bowl and X-League champion, as well as the most famous American playing football in Japan, Al-Rilwan Adeyemi of the Fujitsu Frontiers. They discuss with him the key moments of the game that led to the Frontiers' big win and also talk about his recent NFL360 spotlight on the NFL Network. Lastly, they discuss with him the upcoming Dream Japan Bowl that is taking place in Tokyo on January 21, 2024.
To learn more about American football in Japan, please visit www.gridironjapan.jp
In the first part of the podcast John, BJ and Greg preview the upcoming matchup of Japan's championship game, which will be played on January 3rd, 2024 at the Tokyo Dome and feature a battle of two unbeaten teams, the Fujitsu Frontiers and Panasonic Impulse. During the second part the guys talk about the recent NFL360 episode, entitled "Ikigai", in which NFL Films puts a spotlight on the inspiring story of the Fujitsu Frontiers' Al-Rilwan Adeyemi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsO0SNgVe6w
John, BJ and Greg sit down and dissect the victories by Panasonic and Fujitsu in X-League semi-final action, including notes on attendance for the matches. They then discuss the victory by the KG Fighters over the Hosei Orange in the Koshien Bowl, Japan's collegiate gridiron championship. Lastly, they talk about what it is going to take, in their opinions, for American football to be grown at the grass roots and become more popular and widely known and followed in Japan.
On the eve of the X-League semi-finals, Greg and John sit down to talk about the weekend's matchups (Fujitsu v. Obic and Panasonic v. IBM) to see who will square off in January's Rice Bowl, as well as the league's promotion/relegation games. After which they turn their attention to the college game and talk about the postseason changes coming in 2024, as well as the decision by administrators at Nihon University to disband the school's legendary gridiron program.
John and Greg sit down and talk about the road to the Koshien Bowl and how the final team in Japan's college football semi-final playoffs was selected via a method that falls under the heading, "things that make you go...Huh??" The guys also talk about the upcoming Dream Japan Bowl, Mexican college football, and more!
With BJ and John away, Greg is joined by 2022 X-League Area MVP Aaron Ellis, starting quarterback of the Dentsu Caterpillars and Gridiron Japan alumnus, and co-host of the USFL Podcast, sports media wunderkind Zach Keilman.
During a very early morning for poor Zach, the three review the week that was during the first round of the Super X-League post season tournament. After which they discuss, with apologies to former Chunichi Dragon star baseball player Tom Selleck, the dreams of many young players to continue their gridiron careers in Japan, as well as the right and wrong ways to seek out opportunities in the X-League.
Finally, Zach gives an update as to where the rumored merger talks are with the XFL and USFL. He provides insight as to what the ratings comparisons between the two entities really are, and what may happen with the leagues in the short term.
It's a playoff party on the eve of the Super X-League quarterfinals as Greg, BJ and John give their predictions for the upcoming tournament. The guys are joined by Dentsu Caterpillars starting quarterback, Aaron Ellis, who gives his perspective on the 2023 season. They also talk about the Road to the Koshien Bowl in Japan's college playoff tournament.
While the rest of Japan is glued to the TV to watch baseball and the Japan Series, the guys sit down and talk gridiron. They start off with a talk about Japan's very own Hidetora Hanada, who is currently playing for the Colorado State University Rams. They then turn their attention to Japan's recent medal achievements in the Asian flag football tournaments for men and women, with a discussion about the growth of the domestic game. After which, they discuss their predictions for the final week of regular Super X-League play and the playoff scenarios.
On a cool October night, Greg and BJ review the scores from week 3, and preview week 4 of the Super X-League. After which BJ talks about his DARE Sports initiative that is designed to provide gridiron education in Japan for those players who want to excel and reach new heights both on and off the field. You can find out more about BJ and Dare Sports at the program's Instagram page and web site.
https://mosh.jp/daresports/home
https://www.instagram.com/d.a.r.e.sports/
In this episode, with BJ away at team practice, John and Greg sit down with Nojima Sagamihara Rise linebacker Colby Campbell to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From South Carolina to Finland to Germany and to Japan, Colby has had an interesting and varied journey during his young gridiron career! The three discuss not just his life on the field, but also his experiences off the field in Japan.Colby can be found online at his YouTube channel where he is presently publishing videos on his travels, as well as on X and Instagram.
As the X-League teams play every two weeks, the guys are back after the season openers and subsequent games to review the power rankings of the 12 teams that make up the X-League Super, Japan's premier football league. The guys also discuss the planned return of the Ivy League in January 2024 for a rematch with Japan's gridiron all-stars.
John Gunning, BJ Beatty, and Greg James return for the third season of the Gridiron Japan podcast to preview the upcoming 2023 season of the X-League Super. The three discuss the probable and likely results, as well as the possible upsets, along with talk about the new and returning players from America.
Joining BJ, John and Greg in this episode is Dentsu Caterpillar QB, Aaron Ellis. The guys spend time reviewing the scores of the final games of the Spring X-League season and look ahead at the upcoming fall season and schedule. They also talk about the international gridiron game in Europe and Mexico, and Aaron's experience in both Japan and in the European leagues. Unfortunately, no predictions were made by Aaron as to how many fantasy points he is likely to owe BJ at the end of the '23 X-League season ;-).
The guys return this week, and after about an hour of candid blue conversation, in the second hour they hit the record button and talk about the latest scores and news going on in the world of spring Japanese gridiron. Amongst their topics are the unexpected loss by Fujitsu, import quarterbacks, and why NAIA quarterbacks from Illinois, like Aaron Ellis, should never be discounted.
In what is this podcast's first interview with an active head coach, John and Greg sit down with new X3 Hiroshima Hawks head coach A.J. Koikoi to talk about his playing and coaching career in the Chugoku (Okayama & Hiroshima) region of Japan and his work developing local talent. We also talk about his college playing days, his career with the UN, and his commitment and work towards social justice. Lastly, we manage to sneak in some Baltimore football talk, as A.J. is a proud Baltimore Ravens fan and student of Baltimore gridiron history.
The spring exhibition season has begun for both the X-League and collegiate teams, and the three provide the scores of all the games played. The guys also talk about many of the off season moves of the X-League. In addition, the guys discuss how to watch the upcoming fall X-League and major college season via a revamped joint streaming service.
On the day the Japanese high school baseball tournament has begun and the focus of the nation is on Koshien Stadium, as well as Team Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic, the guys look at the upcoming spring gridiron season and the upcoming changes for the X-League moving into 2023, including the move of one franchise to the western side of Honshu. As the spring season kicks off here in Japan, make sure to check out www.gridironjapan.net to stay abreast of all the scores and how to watch the games (many of which which will be available either on X-League TV or on YouTube). In addition to the game here at home, John, B.J. & Greg also take a look across to the Pacific where the Canadian Football League has been most welcoming of the great talent being found on the gridirons of Japan.
In this episode John, BJ and Greg sit down with X2 Blue Thunder player Antoine Sinclair to talk about his life and journey to Japan. From Georgia to Japan, and from the rugby pitch to the gridiron, Antoine has had an interesting and varied journey! The four also discuss the recent CFL combine in Tokyo where John was present.
The guys in this episode sit down on a cold Thursday night to talk about the upcoming championship game of the Japan Private Football Federation, the "Ocean Bowl.". After which the guys talk about the upcoming Super Bowl, make their predictions, and share the best memories of past games that cemented them forever as fans. Also, they share the news about the signing by the Calgary Stampeders of friend of the show, Toshiki Sato.
Greg sits down with B.J. to review Team Japan's loss to the Ivy League All-Stars and his experiences during the game. They also discuss the current changes happening with the Obic Seagulls, as the X-League looks forward to the new 2023 season.
With BJ at practice for Team Japan, John and Greg sit down to preview the upcoming matchup of Japan's top players versus the Ivy League all-stars. The two review the history of the Ivy League playing in Japan and discuss the possible implications for the game in Japan, with what they both hope is a decisive win by the home team. They also discuss flag football in Japan and how the country is a unique experience for any person wishing to not just play football, but also broaden their cultural horizons.
In this week's Gridiron Japan episode, John, B.J., and Greg review the Super X-League championship game, the Rice Bowl, and break down the performances that led to the Fujitsu Frontier's victory over the Panasonic Impulse. We then discuss the upcoming Dream Bowl game in Tokyo, with our very own B.J. Beatty leading the charge of Team Japan, when they square off against the American Ivy League all-stars.
B.J. and Greg return after the Christmas holiday, with guest and X-League Area MVP Aaron Ellis, the star QB of the Dentsu Caterpillars (in Chicago freezing his butt off and pinch hitting this week for John) to talk about his championship all-pro year in Japan, the prospects for his return, and his upcoming season in Austria with the Telfs Patriots. Greg then talks on his attendance of his first football game in Japan, at the Koshien Bowl, which is the same venue he saw his first Japanese baseball game, and opines about the vintage feel of the setting in comparison to a typical American game. The guys then turn their attention to the Rice Bowl, with all three leaning toward a Panasonic Impulse victory over the Fujitsu Frontiers. Lastly, Greg and B.J. compare notes about Christmas Bowl LIII, the Japanese high school national championship game.
For the first time in many weeks, all three co-hosts (John, BJ, and Greg) sit down to review the past week's action and preview the X-League semi final matchups. In addition, the guys talk about the Dream Bowl, and specifically the selection of BJ to the team in what very well may be the future Hall of Famer's final game. For those new to the show, please give our past episodes a listen to learn more about the gridiron game in Japan!
Greg has finally landed in Japan and has overcome his jet lag to sit down with BJ and review the upcoming slate of quarterfinal matches and a discussion as to who might be relegated to Area play in 2023. They also talk about the upcoming post season championship games, including the Koshien, Rice and Dream Bowls.
In this episode, BJ and Greg review the results of Week 4 in Super X-League play, from the blowouts to nail bitters, and look ahead to the teams on the bubble for relegation, and also on the rise in the Area division for promotion, including the Dentsu Caterpillars, whose star QB, and friend of the show, Aaron Ellis, did not respond to BJ's on air request. We have to assume he was busy at practice studying the playbook :-). We also talk a bit about the college championship game of Japan, the Koshien Bowl. *Note, this game was recorded on Wednesday Japan time, but due to Greg's moving out of his house in Chicago over the course of the next 3 days, this episode was not able to be edited and published until Saturday morning. SUMIMASEN!
In the second part of this week's podcast, John, B.J. and Greg make their predictions for week four of X-League Super and also talk about the playoff format for the 2022 season.
Joining John, BJ and Greg from the The Great White North, legendary X-League kicker Toshiki Sato (who has kicked the longest field goal in league history with IBM Big Blue), and now a member of the Toronto Argonauts, sits down with the three to talk a football career that has spanned three countries. Toshiki began his kicking career with the Waseda University Big Bears and is part of the CFL's inaugural Global Initiative draft class. From the X-League to The Spring League (now the USFL), and now the CFL, Toshiki is one of small group of Japanese players who has brought attention to the gridiron game in Japan and helping fans see that great players also reside outside of North America.
Toshiki Sato on Twitter
Toshiki Sato on Instagram
In football some of the individuals who make the biggest impact are not just on the field, but just as much on the sidelines and in the boardroom. For the X-League, one of the most impactful individuals to the league has been Tim Goins, whose influence upon the game of Japanese gridiron football has been significant, be it as recruiter of talent, as a coach, and most importantly, as a mentor and humble icon. Since 2015, Tim, or "Sensei" as he is often called, has built and engineered a title winning team with the Panasonic Impulse, created the X-League's most competitive system ever, coached with the the Baltimore Ravens, and helped Nojima Rise recruit top talent. The Sensei, a former standout lineman with UNLV and in the Arena Football League, was very gracious in the giving of his time to us on a night where we again turned down Al Michaels & TNF and turned up the love of gridiron football in Japan, and also reviewed the week that was in Super X-League play. Thank you again Tim for joining us :-)!
With John on assignment, BJ and Greg mute Al Michaels and sit down for long conversation that covers his new English language show that is soon to debut this month over on X-League TV (and hopefully their Youtube channel). BJ's new show will focus on the stories of players and their journeys to Japan, and we hope will make the league more accessible to fans outside of the country. We then segue into a talk about Greg's plan to ramp up a beta X-League fantasy football league utilizing teams and players in both the Super and Area X-League divisions, and technology help provided by the fine folks over at Goal Line Software. After which we review Area week 3 and preview Super week 3. Lastly, BJ and Greg talk about their love of football video games, especially Tecmo Bowl, and how awesome it would be for someone with more programming skills than us to come up with an X-League version for free download over at TecmoBowl.org.
Check out Gridiron Japan Television at www.gridironjapantv.net
In this episode, John, B.J. and Greg sit down with Texan Colton Runyan, a member of Club Bears of X-3 football and former player in Tokyo's Urban Football League. Colton also is a former player in the United Kingdom with Cambridge University and the Cambridgeshire Cats of the British American Football Association. In addition to his football career, Colton is also a trained sumo wrestler whom our own John Gunning has come to know while reporting on his training and career for the Japan Times. Colton is currently pursuing a doctorate from Cambridge University, with his research focus being that of premodern sumo wrestling. The four also review the games of Week 2 in Super X-League play, with B.J. providing the type of insight on the week that was, which only a former player and now college coach can provide.
"Sumo makes its way to Cambridge" From the Japan Times, by John Gunning
A perfect football conversation to kick off the official start of autumn! Aaron Ellis, the starting quarterback of the Dentsu Caterpillars joins John Gunning (of Inside Sport Japan and The Japan Times), X-League legend B.J. Beatty, and football historian Greg James in a freewheeling conversation about his college career at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois; and in the Austrian Football League and European League of Football. We talk about his recent games in which he has passed for a total of five touchdowns and his experiences as a newcomer to Japan. We then talk about the Japanese college game and the dominance of the Kwansei Gakuin University Fighters.
For the new season of the Gridiron Japan podcast, Greg James and John Gunning are joined by former Obic Seagull linebacker B.J. Beatty to talk about last year's Rice Bowl championship and review the off season moves of the X-League. We review the first week of the Super X-League and talk about the top players making waves on the field. We then take a look at the current players from Japan playing in Canada and Europe, talk about the expansion of the league, and provide predictions for week two of the Super division of X-League competition.
The Rice Bowl is upon us, and only one can walk away the victor! Zach, John, and Greg come together to break down the 75th Rice Bowl between the Panasonic Impulse and the Fujitsu Frontier. The trio previews key players, strategies, and more to what is going into determining who will be crowned champion.
The Semi-finals are here, and only two teams can advance to the 2021 Rice Bowl. Zach and Greg recap last week's end of regular season action, talk keys to semi-final matchups, discuss the upcoming X1 Area/X2 Promotion contests, and more including our predictions for who will be in the Rice Bowl!
Playoff seedings will be locked after this week as the 4th seed in X1 Super is up for grabs between the Rise, Big Blue, and the Creators. Who will make it out on top to face the Impulse in the Semi-Finals? Zach, John, and Greg break down this playoff race and how it will sort itself out. They also discuss the 4 teams that will be promoted to X1 Super come 2022!
It is do or die time in X1 sections of the XLeague as the pivotal playoff and promotion races are coming down to the wires. Deers Football Club lineman Ian Park joined the show to discuss his team's road ahead to the possibility of being promoted to X1 Super. He and the crew also talk about the bond between players, the neglect of finding quality offensive lineman, and much more. All 4 of the guys also make their X1 Super picks too!
It all comes down to this! With two final X1 Super Promotion positions left, the crew is wondering who between the Suns, Deers, Caterpillars, and Eagles will claim the final spot. Zach and Greg discuss this, recap X1 Super Week 4 and X1 Area Week 5, and how outside football influences have helped the game grow in Japan!
For the first time in some time, the full trio is back to record as Zach, John, and Greg have recaps and international football talk aplenty. From Yoshito Omi's session at the NFL International Combine to the grand scheme of growing the sport globally, this episode had plenty of points of how Japan might be crucial in exposure on a global scale moving forward. Plus, we have your X1 Super Week 3 recap, X1 Area Week 4 recap, and our pick'em for X1 Super Week 4!
X1 Super Week 2 wrapped up with some close calls for top teams that left the crew a tad surprised. Greg James subs in for John Gunning this week as he and Zach cover what made Panasonic and Fujitsu avoid the upsets in Week 2. The duo also give their impressions on X1 Area Week 3 action, and make their X1 Super Week 3 predictions (with some potential surprises) in this loaded new episode of Gridiron Japan!
X1 Super officially wrapped up its first week of action as Zach and John discuss what it means for the division moving forward. The duo especially keyed in on what might be a crucial missed opportunity for the IBM Big Blue in their draw with the Elecom Kobe Finies. They also discuss tidbits of Week 2 of X1 Area that stood out, preview and pick outcomes for Week2 of X1 Super, and much more!
The X-League season is officially under way! Greg, John, and Zach look back at Week 1 of the X1 Area and which teams look like early favorites for promotion. The trio also previews Week 1 of X1 Super and make their scoring predictions. All this and more on Gridiron Japan!
Before the 2021 X-League season kicks off, the crew at Gridiron Japan wanted to get a player's perspective. Look no further than Obic Seagulls LB and 10-year X-League veteran BJ Beatty! The crew discusses the player experience in the X-League, the season ahead, and various issues and tidbits surrounding the game in the Land of the Rising Sun!
Gridiron Japan kicks off with its inaugural episode with hosts Zach Keilman and Greg James looking to cover the lesser-known but still very competitive Japanese football scene! The two kick things off asking the question of what exactly the sport is like in terms of structure, culture, and more. They discuss all these points with Inside Sport: Japan founder and content director John Gunning. All this and more on the first episode!