EPISODE · Jan 24, 2026 · 52 MIN
Far from an average Joe
from Not by the Playbook · host BBC World Service
A record breaking NFL star, the woman who won bronze in only her third ever marathon and the swimmer who took on the drug cheats and won! This week all our guest have outstanding tales to tell, and they all come from the same US state! The great state of WisconsinEven before his NFL career was over Joe Thomas had bought up land in his native Wisconsin ready for what came after football. Joe's return came after a record breaking stint with the Cleveland Browns. Over 10 years he never missed a play, becoming the first, and only player to play ten thousand consecutive snaps! Ten Thousand! In a row! Well since retiring about ten years ago Joe has put that kind of dedication into his new career rearing beef.. And considering his status in the game, it's no surprise his business is called Hall of Fame Beef!Whilst it was common to see runner Molly Siedel in and around the village of Hartland on the banks of the Bark River in Wisconsin, no one expected to see her on the podium at the Olympics in Tokyo. Not least Molly! But that's exactly what happened in 2021 where seemingly out of nowhere she won a bronze medal. it was the culmination of a long journey for Molly after having to seek help for mental health issues and disordered eating. Coming up against someone you know is cheating, but can't prove it is intensely frustrating. Well that's what faced swimmer Wendy Boglioli at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. This was a time when some countries invested in state sponsored cheating. In this case the swimmers and athletes of East Germany. So how do you fight on, and win when the odds are not only stacked against you, but they are deliberately designed to see you lose? Well, somehow Wendy and her US team mates did just that and grabbed gold in a relay that no one thought they had a chance of winningThe amazing story of how a wounded Vietnam war veteran became an NFL Super Bowl champion. born and raised in Wisconsin Rocky Bleier was a with the Pittsburgh Steelers when in 1968 he was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Vietnam war. He was injured in combat and his career appeared over. But Rocky fought his way back to become a member of the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers team that won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. Not by the Playbook's Alex Last spoke to Rocky Bleier about his remarkable comeback.PHOTO: The uncle of Joe Thomas waits outside before the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (CREDIT: Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images)
What this episode covers
A record breaking NFL star, the woman who won bronze in only her third ever marathon and the swimmer who took on the drug cheats and won! This week all our guest have outstanding tales to tell, and they all come from the same US state! The great state of WisconsinEven before his NFL career was over Joe Thomas had bought up land in his native Wisconsin ready for what came after football. Joe's return came after a record breaking stint with the Cleveland Browns. Over 10 years he never missed a play, becoming the first, and only player to play ten thousand consecutive snaps! Ten Thousand! In a row! Well since retiring about ten years ago Joe has put that kind of dedication into his new career rearing beef.. And considering his status in the game, it's no surprise his business is called Hall of Fame Beef!Whilst it was common to see runner Molly Siedel in and around the village of Hartland on the banks of the Bark River in Wisconsin, no one expected to see her on the podium at the Olympics in Tokyo. Not least Molly! But that's exactly what happened in 2021 where seemingly out of nowhere she won a bronze medal. it was the culmination of a long journey for Molly after having to seek help for mental health issues and disordered eating. Coming up against someone you know is cheating, but can't prove it is intensely frustrating. Well that's what faced swimmer Wendy Boglioli at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. This was a time when some countries invested in state sponsored cheating. In this case the swimmers and athletes of East Germany. So how do you fight on, and win when the odds are not only stacked against you, but they are deliberately designed to see you lose? Well, somehow Wendy and her US team mates did just that and grabbed gold in a relay that no one thought they had a chance of winningThe amazing story of how a wounded Vietnam war veteran became an NFL Super Bowl champion. born and raised in Wisconsin Rocky Bleier was a with the Pittsburgh Steelers when in 1968 he was drafted into the US Army to serve in the Vietnam war. He was injured in combat and his career appeared over. But Rocky fought his way back to become a member of the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers team that won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. Not by the Playbook's Alex Last spoke to Rocky Bleier about his remarkable comeback.PHOTO: The uncle of Joe Thomas waits outside before the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (CREDIT: Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images)
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Far from an average Joe
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