“Games with Names”: Stevan Ridley Revisits the Letterman Jacket Game—and So Much More

Games with Names has quickly become a go-to for sports fans who crave both deep-dive nostalgia and no-holds-barred, behind-the-scenes storytelling. Hosted by former Super Bowl MVP and New England Patriots icon Julian Edelman, each episode embarks on a hunt for the greatest games ever, offering listeners front-row access to candid player tales and the kind of gridiron lore you can’t find on highlight reels. The episode featuring Stevan Ridley more than lives up to that promise, with the two delving into football’s wild, unpredictable, and at times deeply human side—from the infamous “Letterman Jacket Game” to life in Bill Belichick’s system, and even a chilling locker room confession.

Setting the Stage: The Impact of Iconic Games (0:00 – 2:24)

The episode kicks off in classic Games with Names fashion—a fast-paced introduction usual to Edelman’s unique style. Almost immediately, Stevan Ridley joins to reminisce about the infamous “Letterman Jacket Game”—a regular season duel between the 2012 New England Patriots and the Houston Texans that’s since become NFL folklore. Ridley, a centerpiece of the Patriots’ running attack at the time, is the perfect guest to offer a player’s-eye view of both the stakes and the spectacle.

Early Days: LSU Lessons and “Life in Belichick’s Doghouse” (6:41 – 26:07)

Ridley reflects on his formative years at LSU, a storied football powerhouse known for a gladiatorial culture and unrelenting expectations. For NFL prospects, the lessons often come as much off the field as on it. Ridley shares how that environment prepared him—and how it sometimes clashed with the “doghouse mentality” he encountered under Bill Belichick in New England. In Belichick’s system, one mistake could mean bench time or worse. Both host and guest swap stories of high-pressure moments, showing how the Patriot Way tests—and molds—its talent.

Coaching Trees and NFL Connections (30:07 – 46:51)

The conversation expands to the wider coaching universe, zooming in on Ohio State’s famous pipeline and its tentacles in the NFL. This segment isn’t just trivia; it’s a look at how relationships, opportunity, and alumni networks shape pro football careers. Ridley and Edelman compare notes on coaches who either inspired or frustrated them, referencing tough practice regimens and personal relationships that defined their time in the league.

The “I’m a Murderer” Story—Locker Room Grit and Laughs (46:51 – 57:01)

One particularly memorable moment—both jaw-dropping and hilarious—comes from Ridley’s recounting of a teammate’s brazen (if figurative) “I’m a murderer” declaration in the locker room. With the intensity and dark humor only NFL veterans can bring, the story offers insight into the psychological warfare and camaraderie coursing through an NFL team, especially as the postseason looms.

Robert Kraft, Culture, and The Fallout of the Viral Video (57:01 – 1:05:03)

No deep Patriots dive is complete without discussing owner Robert Kraft. Ridley shares a moment where Kraft intervened to reinforce the values that have made New England a modern dynasty. The conversation shifts to “the video”—a now-infamous media eruption that threatened to destabilize the team. The hosts break down the fallout and how Belichick, Kraft, and the team culture weathered the storm, reasserting “The Patriot Way” in the face of adversity.

On This Date: December 10, 2012—A Night to Remember (1:05:03 – 1:18:32)

The episode’s heartbeat is the day it all went down—December 10, 2012. The Texans, riding high and clad in custom letterman jackets intended to symbolize team unity, arrived at Gillette Stadium as heavy favorites. What followed was a Patriots masterclass in preparation, intimidation, and execution—a 42-14 rout that has become legend. Edelman and Ridley relive the intensity: the pregame tension, the palpable disrespect from the Texans’ wardrobe stunt, and the unstoppable force the Patriots became once the whistle blew.

Deep Dives: Locker Room Personalities and Tom Brady Stories (1:31:01 – 1:52:47)

Every great team is powered by outsized personalities, and the Patriots’ dynastic run is no different. Ridley describes locker room life, highlighting cutthroat competition for roles, ongoing pranks, and the ever-present guidance (and occasional chirping) from superstars. No Patriots episode would be complete without some Tom Brady lore—Ridley and Edelman revisit stories of Brady’s ferocious preparation, locker room speeches, and his sometimes icy, always demanding leadership style.

The Aftermath—Scoring the Game and Cultural Fallout (1:52:47 – 2:00:38)

The immediate result of the Letterman Jacket Game was a statement win. But its lasting impact, as the conversation highlights, was the way it cemented New England’s reputation for dismantling the ambitions of pretenders. For Ridley personally, it marked both a peak and a challenge—every win heightened the target on their backs. Edelman guides Ridley through a scoring of the game, weighing not just the on-field action but the echoes across league culture.

The Chill Zone and Wrap-up: Lighter Moments and Life After Football (2:00:38 – Close)

The episode closes in the “Chill Zone,” a Games with Names tradition blending relaxed camaraderie and post-career perspective. Edelman and Ridley reflect on the bonds forged in football, future hopes, and how life has changed since the shoulder pads came off.

Why This Episode Resonates

This is more than an oral history of a single, memorable NFL game. Through Ridley and Edelman’s banter, listeners get:

A vivid picture of what it feels like to be inside a championship locker room,
A raw look at mistakes, pressure, and resilience in Bill Belichick’s unforgiving system,
An appreciation for the subtle—often invisible—codes that turn talented teams into dynasties: respect, discipline, unity, and an ability to laugh in the face of chaos.

Final Thoughts

In true Games with Names fashion, this episode captures what makes football—and sports in general—worth losing yourself in: the chance to revisit the peaks and valleys, to savor the lessons of both agony and ecstasy, and, above all, to connect with the personalities that shape the games we love. With Stevan Ridley as their guide, listeners are treated to a full-contact walk down memory lane—letterman jackets optional, but passion and a strong sense of humor required.

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