This Father’s Day, Inside the Boca Raton Bowl takes a time-out from game plans and gridiron action to focus on something even more powerful: fatherhood.

In Episode 12, host Paige Kornblue brings together voices of athletes, coaches and administrators who have won championships, earned accolades, and built legacies… but when it comes to parenting, they’re just like the rest of us: learning, growing, and showing up every day for the ones who matter most.

From NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning to 1991 Heisman Trophy winner/Super Bowl XXXI MVP/ESPN College Gameday’s Desmond Howard, University of Michigan Head Basketball Coach Dusty May, Tennis Legend Jimmy Connors, On the Ball’s Marc Nudelberg, and Florida Atlantic University Athletic Director Brian White, these sports leaders open up about what parenting has taught them, how they lead at home and why the title of “Dad” may just be their proudest one yet.

“Make sure your child always feels protected and supported.”

— Desmond Howard, reflecting on his quiet presence at his sons’ practices, inspired by both his father and a moment from a Mike Tyson podcast

“Go check your library of life.”

— Emmitt Smith, encouraging his kids to draw strength from past obstacles when facing tough times 

“We weren’t groomed to be quarterbacks.”

— Eli Manning, on how his parents raised him and his brothers to explore all sports and life experiences, not just football, and how he now does the same with his own kids, even if he knows nothing about hockey!

“I’m not going to rob those emotions from you.”

— Marc Nudelberg, on letting kids feel pain and failure while always being there to help them through it, not fix it for them

Listen to Episode 12 in full on all podcast platforms and at BocaRatonBowl.com