Simmons Says: Let’s Talk Sports

I am a sports guy. Anybody who has known me in my life can vouch for that.

Some of my earliest memories - and maybe because I’ve been hit in the head a few times playing sports I don’t remember a ton as a toddler - are playing T-ball as a kid. I remember the first (actually the only) time I turned a triple play and making sure every kid knew I made the final out right in front of the dugout.

Even when I broke my leg and my arm in back-to-back years, I didn’t leave the parks. I was still there trying to play, watching games or talking about sports. From about age 4 on, that’s basically been my life. Now that I’m 40, nothing has really changed.

So with most of this community knowing that about me by now, my bosses proposed something back in January that probably seems pretty obvious to anybody reading this: Why not turn Jeff’s daily radio show into a sports talk show?

We kicked off the new programming this week, though it’s really been a transition over the last few weeks that I hope has felt pretty seamless for our listeners and followers.

Do I expect pushback? Sure. In fact, I’ve already heard some.

And honestly, I appreciate everybody who reaches out about my show, the WCSA show or my writing. Contrary to my gruff nature, I’m usually willing to hear criticism - as long as it falls under the category of “constructive.”

I’m keenly aware we built a strong following over the last year at 9 a.m. by being occasionally smart, mostly funny and always reliable for current news. Some days that meant interviewing people about missing zebras or debating whether my producer Connor and I could gather 100 people to beat a gorilla in hand-to-hand combat.

Other days we pivoted to serious conversations, like interviewing Mayor Ryle Chastain about the Meals on Wheels debate or bringing in police chief Nichole Mosley to talk about crime in the community.

I liked the randomness. Honestly, my brain is probably wired that way.

Why is that? Because of sports.

I can frame almost any topic as good guys vs. bad guys or find a way to keep score even when there’s no need for one. If you’re still scoring at home, Coke Zero dominated Diet Coke - much to my chagrin - in one of our earliest Simmons Says debates.

So instead of forcing every topic into the debate arena, my bosses decided maybe I should just live in the sports world.

Fine by me.

After all, I dubbed myself the Warren County Sports Authority back in 2010 and I haven’t found any reason to hand over that moniker yet.

Now let me assure you - this isn’t my attempt to become one of those national talking heads who just fires off hot takes they don’t even believe.

That’s shock radio. That’s not me.

Sure, I’m going to get fired up about some topics. Some people who disagree may think I’m trying to be controversial, but that’s where I want the audience involved.

I don’t do this just to hear myself talk. I do this because there are people like you reading this right now who seem to value my opinion and enjoy bantering back and forth about it. So please, jump on the message boards, share the Simmons Says Facebook page and give me feedback on the new segments.

I’m here for all of it.

One important note: Nothing is changing about Fridays. If you’ve enjoyed Father and Son Fridays - along with Justin Reed and Camdyn Porter jumping in for dramatic lyric readings and rapid-fire one-liners - you’ll still get all of that to end the week.

Lastly, I just want to thank everybody who has taken this radio journey with me.

I honestly didn’t think we’d gather nearly 2,000 followers in the first year. I definitely didn’t expect people to be so invested in me touring ISHA, “running” 5Ks, getting birthday cupcakes smashed in my face or having heart-to-heart conversations with my dad. But you’ve supported the show - and supported me - in a way that leaves me both humbled and grateful.

And now we’re heading into Year 2 with something that probably could’ve happened a long time ago: A sports guy finally hosting a sports show. Hopefully you’ll stick around for the ride.