meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Lead

The Phone Call That Changed a GM's Life

The Lead

Audible

Sports, Tokyo2020, Nfl, Fifa, Olympics, Daily News, Sports New, Nba, Mlb, Ncaa, News, The Athletic, Cfb, Nhl, Wnba, Mls, Sports News, Cbb, Uefa

3.72.1K Ratings

🗓️ 20 December 2019

⏱️ 22 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Nine years ago, Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard and his wife Kristen Ballard received an unexpected phone call. It challenged them in a way they never could have imagined, and caused their family to grow in size. Warning: This is a heartwarming tale of humanity, just in time for the holidays.

Read Zak Keefer's story about the Ballard family:

https://theathletic.com/1311425/2019/10/29/can-we-handle-this-how-colts-gm-chris-ballard-and-his-wife-saved-four-girls-in-need/?source=theleadpodcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

We're heading into the holidays. We thought we'd do something a little different on the

0:10.9

show today. We have a story that involves a well-known figure in the NFL, the GM of

0:15.4

the Indianapolis Colts, Chris Ballard. But it's a story that's not really about football

0:20.3

or really Chris at all.

0:22.4

Chris's wife, Kristen, received a totally unexpected phone call a few years ago. A call that

0:28.1

changed the family's life in a way they never could have imagined. And it eventually

0:33.3

led to the ballards adding two young girls to their family.

0:37.2

The Athletics Zach Kiefer joins us today to tell their story. From Wondery and the Athletic,

0:42.6

I'm Anders Keltow.

0:43.7

And I'm Kabytha Davidson. It's Friday, December 20th, and this is the lead.

0:49.0

It felt like something great was happening.

0:53.1

There was just something about the emotion and the heart of the game.

0:58.1

The days of the past don't matter because we've got this now.

1:01.1

Are you okay?

1:02.1

I never see anything like that.

1:03.1

That's not good.

1:04.1

This isn't a story where the interview the athlete will hold.

1:08.1

It stays with you.

1:15.1

Hey, prime members. You can listen to the lead ad-free on Amazon Music. Download the app today.

1:24.1

You're what up? This is Rob Markman. Watch Rotation Roundtable Live on Amazon Music's

1:29.1

Twitch channel every Wednesday at 9 p.m. Eastern or listen to the Rotation Roundtable podcast.

1:34.1

Wherever you listen to podcasts, you'll hear us break down the latest in music,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Audible, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Audible and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.