The Reinvention of Rex Chapman

from Sports In America with David Greene · host WHYY | PRX

This year, the Buffalo Sabres have made a complete 180, ending a 14-year playoff drought and now contending to be NHL champions. To celebrate their historic turnaround, we sit down with Sabres mega-fan Scott Lee, who went viral hoisting his 40-lb welded-steel Stanley Cup replica on social media with other fans. Then we’ll talk to an NBA first-round draft pick turned Twitter star. These days, most people recognize Rex Chapman for sharing heartwarming videos online, but during his prime, he went up against some of the best to ever play and won. This week, we ask Rex about the game in 1996 when he put up 39 points against Michael Jordan. We’ll also hear how the pressure he felt coming into the league led to depression and a devastating battle with addiction, and why he now uses his platform online to advocate for social change. Show Notes Fan shows off stainless steel Stanley Cup Replica | WGRZ Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls 1996 | Highlights How Social Media Helped Rex Chapman | ESPN Check Out Rex Chapman’s Twitter It’s Hard to Live With Me | Rex Chapman and Seth Davis Show CreditsHost: David GreeneExecutive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom GrahslerSenior Producer: Michael OlcottProducer: Michaela WinbergAssociate Producer: Bibiana CorreaTalent Booker: Britt KahnEngineer: Mike VillersTile Art: Bea WallingTheme Song: Emma MungerSports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

What this episode covers

This year, the Buffalo Sabres have made a complete 180, ending a 14-year playoff drought and now contending to be NHL champions. To celebrate their historic turnaround, we sit down with Sabres mega-fan Scott Lee, who went viral hoisting his 40-lb welded-steel Stanley Cup replica on social media with other fans. Then we’ll talk to an NBA first-round draft pick turned Twitter star. These days, most people recognize Rex Chapman for sharing heartwarming videos online, but during his prime, he went up against some of the best to ever play and won. This week, we ask Rex about the game in 1996 when he put up 39 points against Michael Jordan. We’ll also hear how the pressure he felt coming into the league led to depression and a devastating battle with addiction, and why he now uses his platform online to advocate for social change. Show Notes Fan shows off stainless steel Stanley Cup Replica | WGRZ Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls 1996 | Highlights How Social Media Helped Rex Chapman | ESPN Check Out Rex Chapman’s Twitter It’s Hard to Live With Me | Rex Chapman and Seth Davis Show Credits Host: David Greene Executive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom Grahsler Senior Producer: Michael Olcott Producer: Michaela Winberg Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa Talent Booker: Britt Kahn Engineer: Mike Villers Tile Art: Bea Walling Theme Song: Emma Munger Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.

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The Reinvention of Rex Chapman

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This episode is 50 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 14, 2026.

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