In 1982, Stanford band trombonist Gary Tyrrell became part of football history when Cal’s Kevin Moen toppled him at the end of a five-lateral kickoff return that became known as The Play. Later in life, he would suffer the misfortune of befriending--and sharing postgame beers with--a certain obnoxious Cal fan who attended the ‘82 Big Game, and who now co-hosts a podcast with his Cal-alum daughter. As all parties concerned prepare for the 123rd meeting between the arch-rivals, they revisit college football’s most famous finish (and other Big Game memories), the legendary Stanford band exploits that occurred before, during and after Gary’s era and some of the face-melting Grateful Dead shows Mike and Gary attended in one another’s backyards. Oh, and Gary has to answer for his infamously flaccid fan base.
As the trombonist who got run over by Cal’s Kevin Moen at the end of The Play--the epic, five-lateral kickoff return that decided the 1982 Big Game--Gary Tyrrell has spent decades recalling his place in football history. He does that here, expansively and hilariously, and so much more. From Stanford band transgressions to over-the-top pranks to killer Grateful Dead shows to an unmatched case of the Sunday Scaries, Gary hits all the right notes.