When you play college football for UCLA, one of LA's two big college football programs, you are certainly not guaranteed a part in a popular TV show.
DONOVAN CARTER is the exception. His hard work, good fortune and persistence landed him the part of Vernon Littlefield on HBO's hugely successful "Ballers" (starring Dwayne Johnson).
Still humble, funny and grateful for his success, Donovan is a terrific young man, still hungry and feeling blessed. Our conversation reveals how much Donovan is in Vernon. It's a terrific listen!

When you turn on Fox 26's Morning show, you will see our buddy Nate Griffin, but doing what? Who knows? He is the sportscaster for the show, but has also been the general assignments reporter. That means he could be talking with politicians, city officials, sports stars or business owners. So he is a man of the people and you can tell listening to him, that he loves what he does.
He's also done color commentary for Rice Football for decades, and is just one of those lucky people that has love for his city, and is loved by his city.
And boy, does he love this golf (and sadly, mayonnaise).
So come take a trip to Houston with us and talk to one of the city's favorite sons.
Nate "The Great" Griffin is insightful, smooth and hilarious and we are delighted that he stopped by to share his tales with us on this week's episode of The Approach Shot.

He was a first round draft pick of the Denver Broncos. He went to the Super Bowl as a rookie and played with guys like Peyton Manning and Von Miller. But the Broncos lost that game, and it was humbling for Sylvester Williams. Two years later, the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.
Not bad for a guy who only started ONE high school football game, after which he was a walk-on at Coffeyyville Community College, then transferred to North Carolina and was named All-ACC and then an All-American as senior.
That seemed to be the way things go for Sylvester Williams (known as "Sly"). He has spent most of his life overcoming long odds to enjoy success through hard work and perseverance. After all, one doesn't live like a champion by taking short cuts.
This is an amazing story of a life that could have easily gone in the wrong direction, but didn't and because of his personal make-up, couldn't.

To a baseball purist, Pete LaCock was a dangerous hitter. His eye, his plate discpline and his ability to come through in the clutch allowed him to have a terrific 9 year MLB career before playing in Japan. But it's his love for the game, his rivalry with Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, and his famous family (and their friends) that make this such an endearing conversation with a great storyteller.

If you're a Cubs fan, Royals fan, fan of Hollywood Squares, My Three Sons, The Dick Van Dyke Show or just of great stories, this episode is a must listen with Pete LaCock. (listen closely and you can hear his wife "helping" Pete with his stories. We got a 2-1!!)

He pitches, he golfs and he helps others through his charity SABES WINGS. Bret Saberhagen tells stories of his career, being a 21 year old kid dominating MLB, especially during the 1985 season (in which his Royals won the World Series).
Bret tells stories of George Brett. of his search for his birth family, and his love for golf, which carries over into his annual SABES WINGS golf tournament.
Go to sabeswings.org for details and to contribute to his incredible charity which helps provide everyday living expenses for patients fighting cancer. Can you imagine a better reason to donate to a cause?

A 12 year veteran of the NFL? CHECK!
A member of the fan-chosen 40th anniversary Vikings team? YEP!
A member of the Florida A & M Football HOF? YOU BETCHA
A member of the State of Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame? MMM HMMM
The first exclusively black punter in NFL History? YES SIR

But none of those things define Greg Coleman. His smooth, witty, selfless personality does, though. Having accomplished so much, he is heavily invested in giving back, in staying involved and making sure that people that he touches understand that he is all about helping build character, developing skills and enjoying life.

You have to listen to this inspiring and fun episode of The Approach Shot.

He hit 50 HR's in one season and over 300 for his career and was considered one of the most dangerous sluggers in baseball. So much so, that one of baseball's most colorful owners changed a long-standing rule just for him. GREG VAUGHN talks about baseball, his Vaughn's Valley Foundation Golf Tournament, which helps raise money to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and of course his personal golf game on this episode of The Approach Shot.

Want to know what it was like to run in a touchdown in a huge Notre Dame/Michigan game while unconscious?

How about what is was like sharing a backfield with the likes of Jérôme Bettis?

Want to hear the story of catching the 2 point conversion that helped Notre Dame beat Penn State in the '92 Snow Bowl? How about some golf stories from this same amazing athlete?

Then, this is your episode. REGGIE BROOKS is our guest with incredible stories galore on this episode of THE APPROACH SHOT.