MLS All-Star week, D.J.Wonnum and Rev. Jerry McAfee

·39 min·3 clips

Reverend Jerry McAfee describes witnessing a shooting on Nicollet Mall that left a young woman paralyzed.

The episode opens with Mike Max introducing the MLS All-Star game held in St. Paul, featuring an interview with Chris Wright, former Minnesota United executive. Wright reflects on achieving the goal of hosting the event, details the diverse crowd including international travelers, and highlights local players like Dayne St. Clair and Emanuel Reynoso. He connects the team's 17 nationalities to the 251 languages spoken in the Twin Cities, emphasizing community resonance. The second segment shifts to the Minnesota Vikings, with defensive end D.J. Wonnum discussing training camp, mentorship from Danielle Hunter, and the new defensive philosophy under Ed Donatell that emphasizes playing fast and having fun. Max briefly touches on other sports like the Twins' struggles and a personal anecdote about baseball terminology. The third and longest segment features Reverend Jerry McAfee, who describes witnessing a shooting on Nicollet Mall where a young woman was paralyzed. He explains the incident's context, the suspect turning herself in, and broader issues of crime, drugs like fentanyl, and community intervention. McAfee advocates for self-reliance in crime reduction, critiques defund-the-police movements, and shares strategies for building relationships to prevent violence. Max concludes with reflections on the emotional complexity of engaging with at-risk individuals, blending sports analysis with social commentary.

As heard by us

A local sports hour moves from Allianz Field's big night to baseball frustration and a Hiawatha Golf Club vote.

Sports to the Max builds this episode around a big night at Allianz Field, with Chris Wright looking back on five years with Minnesota United and the ambitions attached to the stadium.

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Why you'd press play

You get Allianz Field's All-Star glow, a Twins lead slipping away, and a Hiawatha Golf Club vote with real heat behind it.

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