Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fox Across America game ball presentation ceremony where we honor one guest per week who, you know, inspired us or educated us or made us laugh.

In this case, the winner did all three of those.

And I don't doubt it's his first game ball because he's a former NFL superstar for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chicago Bears, and the author of a fascinating new book called Find Away.

Three words that changed my life.

I am talking about retired NFL running back and NFL analyst Merrill Hodge, who joined us for a great chat about

his book, some of our shared experiences out in the great state of Idaho.

But most importantly, the importance of self-reliance.

I love sharing this message with you because it's essentially my story, not to steal

his thunder, but I'm just here because I was

one of the Merrill Hodges of the world. Although he had talent and he had intellect, I had the same

belief he did, which is if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen for yourself

because you live in this country where, you know, persistence does ultimately pay off with a little

help from low-level extortion and blackmail in my case.

But the point is we did it and you did it.

So without further ado, Merrill Hodge, come get your game ball.

Well, I will, you're going to laugh.

So we're on, we're broadcasting.

We're on 160 stations across the country right now.

And I would say 99% of our listeners are obviously blown away by your acumen with the Steelers and later the Bears.

But there's a couple of stations in Idaho Falls that are more impressed.

Yeah, down the road in Pocatello where you played for Idaho State and the Bengals.

Yeah, there you go.

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