Dr. Jerry Lee Punch

30+ yrs @ESPN @ABC broadcaster. Motorsports #Nascar #Indycar & CFB, CBB. For inquiries: [email protected]•Rollin w the Punches podcast

[Marty Smith @MartySmithESPN]

I say often: The most underreported part of collegiate athletics is the incredible character of the young people playing the games.
Example:
I spent 15 minutes Monday with @Vol_Football LB Arion Carter, who is leveraging his immense talent to raise money this season for cancer charities.
Following the 2025 season, Carter declared for the 2026 NFL draft, but a foot injury sent him back to UT for another season. Ahead of the combine, he'd taken a $427 flight to a workout, paid for by an agency. He repaid the $427 and self-reported it to the NCAA. The NCAA still suspended him for the first game of the 2026 season.
"I understand that rules are rules," Carter said. "I understood I can't control those circumstances I got put in. But I can control my emotions, how I deal with it, how I address the situation and carry myself. I chose to understand God had a bigger plan for me -- and when I do come back, knowing what I will do."
Rather than sulk, he chose to use the setback for good, in honor of his girlfriend Mariah Bryant, who had been diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.
He donates $427 for every tackle, $500 for every TFL, $1000 for every INT and $5000 for every defensive touchdown.
He tells me folks impacted by cancer contact him, inspired by his initiative to help those in need.
"A lot of people live blue collar lives, that go to work every day and don't make the amount of money that some of these college kids make in NIL, and have to pay for these medical bills and go through these difficult things," Carter said. "A lot of people don't understand that frustration. It impacts people in ways we don't even know -- especially financially. So when they come to me and tell me that they were struggling to pay bills and have to raise three kids, and then do (extra) to make ends meet, and still worry about their own health while taking care of other people, it means the world to me to be able to help and let them know that are people in the world who do care, and want to see people like them, who do go through tragic things, that we have their back."
So far in 2026, Carter has raised $27,193.
An amazing example for us all.
We talk NIL/portal/expansion incessantly, but I talk to players in-person and by phone every week, and invariably leave every conversation so impressed.

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

In 2000 @PackFootball O/C Norm Chow called several NFL QB gurus & asked for advice about the “unusual” throwing motion of his Fr QB @Rivers_17_HOF. One NFL HC asked about his HS record, then told Chow, “don’t change a thing, this kid is a winner”. The rest is history!

[Summitt Mindset @SummittMindset]

Pat Summitt is going on a U.S. postage stamp. 🧡

The United States Postal Service announced that Pat will be honored with her own stamp in 2027.

During her 38 seasons at Tennessee, she won 1,098 games and eight national championships. She also helped change the way women’s basketball was viewed in this country and raised the standard for how female athletes should be supported.

The stamp features a portrait of Pat created by artist Roberto Parada and was designed by USPS art director Ethel Kessler.

There is something really special about knowing her face will soon be carried on letters sent across the country. Pat spent her life investing in people, and this stamp will be another way her story continues to reach them.

She always said, “You win in life with people.” This honor feels like a beautiful reflection of just how many people she reached.

We could not be more proud to see Coach Summitt honored in this way. 🧡

#PatSummitt #LadyVols #WomensBasketball #SummittMindset

[GoVols247 @GoVols247]

🚨 JUST IN: Kick time, TV set for Tennessee’s game against LSU on November 21.
https://t.co/BhSCg442pe

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Absolutely! Good man!

[James Luther @jwlpc]

@DocPunchESPN @John_KernanIND I wonder if you remember my uncle, Bill Luther?

He covered nascar for East Tennessee Dailies, mostly the Knoxville News Sentinal, for almost 40 years.

Caught him in the press box laughing a me in the stands at Bristol.

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Thank you my friend! Is was a pure pleasure to work alongside @John_KernanIND all those years. We had a very special team.

[James Luther @jwlpc]

@DocPunchESPN Thank you sir. You were fantastic on pit road as was John, both true professionals.

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

That is me. My legendary hand held cameraman Corky Corcoran is standing to my left. He was one of the all time best to ever carry a camera!

[James Luther @jwlpc]

Is that @John_KernanIND or @DocPunchESPN

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Manny is class!!

[Cory Smith @RCorySmith]

Shoutout to Duke head coach Manny Diaz for honoring Chuck Amato with "CHUCK" on his headset inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

Diaz was on Amato's staff at NC State from 2000-05.

📸: @s_t_editz

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Well said @rickmast22

[Rick Mast @rickmast22]

Concerning @CarsonHocevar He said “today is an embarrassing day” for him. When and if he ever understands that SUNDAY is the day that’s much more embarrassing, then that’s when he’ll start winning multiple races and contend for championships. His driving talent is unquestioned.

[Allen Mashburn @RealMashburn4NC]

Florida, under a Republican governor, never fully shut down during COVID. Roy Cooper locked North Carolina down, destroying lives and businesses in the process.

When he claims he’s here to help the economy, he’s lying.

[NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK @TheNCSportsNet]

Down 7 to Houston, NC State answered with defense, six straight shots from beyond 20 feet, and one unforgettable finish. The Cardiac Pack turned an impossible night into a championship. #CardiacPack #JimmyV #1983

[FeelGoodThoughts @feelgoodtale]

Arizona Territory, 1883. Seventeen-year-old Catherine “Cat” Dawson watched six rustlers murder her 22-year-old brother, James, and steal 200 head of cattle from their ranch. With the law days away and no one coming to help, she saddled her Appaloosa, took her father’s Winchester, and rode alone into the desert. Her father gave her four days to return. She disappeared into the wilderness, following broken branches, hoofprints and shifting sand, carrying grief that was slowly turning into determination.

On the fourth morning, she found the six men hiding in a box canyon. What followed was a gunfight that would become a forgotten legend of the Arizona frontier. Using the sun, the rocky terrain and her knowledge of the desert, Cat outmanoeuvred the gang, killed several men and wounded their leader. When he begged for mercy, she chose not to kill him. Instead, she took his weapons and water and left him to face the consequences. Three days later, she returned home with all 200 cattle. She was covered in dust, exhausted and no longer quite the girl who had ridden away.

Cat never spoke publicly about those four days. She married, raised daughters, worked the ranch and taught her children to ride, shoot and survive. When asked why, she simply said, “Because the world doesn’t always protect you.” Her obituary in 1932 celebrated her horsemanship and community service, but never mentioned that summer of 1883. Yet the old-timers remembered. History often celebrates lawmen and outlaws, but forgets the ordinary people forced into extraordinary circumstances. What would you have done at seventeen, if justice was four days away and the only person who could fight for your family was you?

[Davis Simpson @readyformarket]

@MadisonHock @PackFootball Everyone actually involved in the team loves coach Doeren. I was frustrated with him too but you can’t deny the man’s respect earned and how he carried himself and the expectations he had for his young men and other coaches

[The Scene Vault Podcast @TheSceneVault]

I started work at Winston Cup Scene 32 years ago today. It was, to that point in my life, the greatest mountaintop experience I’d ever known.

[Jeff Gravley @JGravleySPORTS]

It was great to see how Coach Amato was honored in the game today. The helmet stickers, a standing O with the Jumbotron recognition AND re-running his in-game video from the past. To hear the voice again of the @PackFootball legend.

[Michele Tafoya @Michele_Tafoya]

If not now, then when, Minnesota?

After eight years of disaster under Peggy Flanagan, we have nothing to lose.

I’m running because I love this country and believe everyone here deserves a real shot at a better life.

America just turned 250, and the beauty of this country is that we can look at our imperfections and keep growing.

On Tuesday, let’s build the next 250 years together.

[Madison Hock @MadisonHock]

My favorite part of this job is meeting genuinely kind people. @PackFootball interim head coach Todd Goebbel is one of them. (Side note.. My twin daughters had the flu this week, and he told me multiple times he was praying for them. 🙏🏼)

It’s been an emotional week for this program, but players all told me, Goebbel brought a sense of calm and stability. Rooting for The Pack! @accnetwork @PackAthletics @CoachGoebbel

[Cory Smith @RCorySmith]

Former NC State head coach Dave Doeren:

"Lastly, in my time, I hope my tenure can be something that our fans and alumni are proud of. In my 14 years, we never broke an NCAA rule. Our team GPA went from a 2.1 to a 3.1. We won 98 games. We packed our stadium, produced over 32 active NFL players, created one pack and powered, partnered and fostered Gigi's Playhouse in Raleigh. 321 coffee, and those participants were a part of our victory today with our team. We beat our rival five years in a row."

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Very humble & classy; shows how much he really cares about his players and @PackFootball. His message to his players was so kind, almost like a father talking to his sons. Good man who will “always be a Wolfpacker”

[NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK @TheNCSportsNet]

Just watched the Dave Doeren media availability from the Murphy Center... quick thoughts

CLASSY: that Dave took the time to thank his staff publicly.

NOT CLASSY: a member of the clickbait, cosplay "media" covering the Pack thought it was funny to mock Coach for wearing a light green hoodie on their Zoom open mic.

TRUTH: Doeren called out the obvious truth: NC State did not have the funding to maintain consistency in the roster, losing 5 starters to the SEC and BIG TEN;
Terrell Anderson to USC
Jacarrius Peak to South Carolina
Noah Rogers to Alabama
Hollywood Smothers to Texas
Kenny Soares Jr. to Michigan State

GRATITUDE: Dave thanked the N⭐️C high school coaches for welcoming him 14 years ago—the Wolfpack led the FBS schools in-state with 49 #BoldNorthState natives on the Pack roster.

SCRIPT FLIP: Player development is no longer the job of a CFP-level head coach... It's about who has the checkbook to buy the talent. Doeren and staff were strong at player development, but NC State (and UNC, Duke, Wake) are operating at a AAA level in the second-tier ACC. NC State's budget is wayyyyyyy behind UNC, which is also wayyyyyyy behind the BIG TEN and SEC. Bernie Sanders-level donors to the Wolfpack and Rams Club aren't making much of a difference, and that is why the state's two biggest programs aren't competitive with CFP-level rosters.

More to come later... #NCState #Amedeos #DaveDoeren #CollegeFB #ACC

[Dr. Jerry Lee Punch @DocPunchESPN]

Thank you Tim. 🙏

[Tim Burchett @timburchett]

The fans miss you all.