SalSports....and Stuff

Although he's a life-long native Texan, Ezra Castro grew up a Buffalo Bills fan.  Earlier this year he was diagnosed with stage four cancer.  Known as "Pancho Billa" on social media and to Bills fans everywhere, he continues to fight and root for his football team.  He shares his story of growing up a Bills fan in Texas, sharing his love of football with his family, and being a part of the ultimate draft night experience when former Bills Andre Reed and Fred Jackson called him on stage to announce the team's 3rd round draft pick.  Also included in this podcast are my quick thoughts on what was one of the wildest weekend in Buffalo sports in recent memory, from the Bills trading up to select QB Josh Allen to the Sabres winning the draft lottery and being poised to select defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

What's it like to be on the ground floor reporting to the world about Capitol Hill and The White House?  Ryan Nobles knows.  He's a Washington correspondent for CNN.  He's interviewed sitting presidents, covered election nights, produced and hosted the "RunningMate" podcast, and much more.  He's also an upstate, New York native and avid Buffalo Bills fan.  He shares his experiences in and out of the world of TV and politics in this SalSports....and Stuff podcast.

In late summer 2009, Amilcar Hill (known in Buffalo as DJ Milk) and his now-wife Rahwa Ghirmatzion, experienced the tragedy and heartbreak no parent ever should.  Their 7-year old son Asa was killed in a car accident on the New York State Thruway near downtown Buffalo.  Hill’s father was driving the vehicle, and his 7-year old little brother was also in the car.  Both survived.  It was the incredible outpouring of love and support from the Western New York community, Hill says, that allowed his family to cope with the emotional loss.  Now, eight years later, Hill, his wife, and their 4-year old son Solace are an indelible part of the WNY community.  DJ Milk can be seen - and heard - at local clubs, on TV shows, and spinning tunes for fans at Buffalo Sabres and Bandits games.  This year, he will be playing all the pre-game music inside New Era Field right at the 50-yard line getting Bills fans ready for every game.  This is the story of his life, Asa’s life, and the love of the community DJ Milk adores.

The inaugural episode.  In February 2011, Joseph Lozito was the intended fifth victim of Maksim Gelman, who had already killed four people over a 28-hour killing spree in New York City, stabbing three of them to death.  Lozito, after being stabbed in the face, neck, hands, back, and arms fought off Gelman and took him down, almost losing his own life in the process.  Lozito later found out there were two cops on that same train and did nothing to help until he had subdued Gelman.  He sued for negligence.  This is the amazing, uncut, full story as told by Lozito himself.