The 2026 Takie Awards Featuring Celebrity Guest Presenters, Blake Griffin, Blake Bortles, Brooks Koepka And More

Episode of Pardon My Take · July 24, 2026 · 2 h 48 min

Big Cat, PFT Commenter and the Pardon My Take crew hand out the 2026 Takey Awards, with cameo presenters, Jerry O'Connell, a Pittsburgh Zoo CEO and the Blake of the Year race.

Summary

The Pardon My Take hosts, led by Dan Katz (Big Cat) and PFT Commenter, staged their 11th annual Takey Awards, a comedic year-end ceremony of roughly 28 categories. Before the awards, Katz celebrated winning a Chicago Cubs 50-50 raffle for the second time, and the group discussed LeBron James's pending free-agency decision and Patrick Kane's return to the Chicago Blackhawks. PFT Commenter argued that each day without an announcement made a return to Cleveland less likely.

Categories included Take of the Year (won by a LIV Golf-related quote from Yasir Al-Rumayyan), Can't Win the Big One (Cristiano Ronaldo, announced by a Messi impersonator), Lib of the Year (Jersey Jerry, via a video from Hunter and Joe Biden), and Cuck of the Year (Jerry O'Connell). O'Connell called in, declined the award, apologized to his family and to Hank Lockwood for past remarks, and talked about fantasy football. Other winners included Hank Lockwood for Hank Loss of the Year, Fight of the Year and Fart of the Year, Emmanuel Acho for Ratio of the Year, and the hosts' own book for Book of the Year.

Pittsburgh Zoo president Jeremy Goodman accepted Gorilla Trade of the Year for the exchange of Frankie for silverback Little Joe. He explained how zoos cooperate on animal transfers, why a breeding silverback was needed, and how conservation puts zoos in a permanent win-now mode. In the preemptive takes segment, the crew offered predictions: Memes picked the Bengals to win the Super Bowl, Max Delente picked the Wizards to meet the Celtics in the playoffs, Zach said Tiger Woods would play the Masters, and Katz predicted a LeBron golf-injury controversy.

In the Blake of the Year contest, the first Blake to join a Zoom link won. Blake Bortles narrowly beat Blake Griffin, while Brooks Koepka, in Portugal, had earlier started his own FaceTime and declared himself the winner. The award-winning listeners won Podcast Listener of the Year for a 10th straight time, and the hosts closed with reflections on the show's ten years.

Chapters

  1. 2:26

    Opening, 50-50 raffle and LeBron watch

    The hosts debate whether this is the 10th or 11th Takeys, celebrate Big Cat's second Cubs 50-50 win, and discuss LeBron James's decision and Patrick Kane's Blackhawks return.

  2. 18:47

    Take of the Year

    The crew reviews bad takes on the Knicks, college coaches, Sam Darnold and Taylor Swift before awarding the prize to a LIV Golf longevity quote.

  3. 30:51

    Can't Win the Big One, Just Log Off and 14th Best QB

    Cristiano Ronaldo, Bryan Johnson and Dak Prescott win their categories, and the Brad Stevens No of the Year is debated.

  4. 47:10

    Lib of the Year with Jersey Jerry

    Jersey Jerry is lured in under false pretenses and wins a third straight Lib of the Year, presented in a video by Hunter and Joe Biden.

  5. 58:38

    Cuck of the Year and Jerry O'Connell

    Jerry O'Connell wins Cuck of the Year, declines it, apologizes to his family and Hank, and talks fantasy football.

  6. 1:09:46

    Hank Loss, Ratio and Week One Super Bowl of the Year

    Hank sweeps the losses award, Emmanuel Acho wins Ratio of the Year, and the Delente brothers accept for the Sixers' Game 7 win over Boston.

  7. 1:24:36

    Michigan Man, Wedding, Animal and Ball of the Year

    Cameo presenters award Sherrone Moore, Max Delente's wedding, the bison and Tyler Shough.

  8. 1:34:11

    Gorilla Trade of the Year with the Pittsburgh Zoo

    Mike Francesa presents the award and Pittsburgh Zoo CEO Jeremy Goodman explains the Little Joe for Frankie silverback trade and how zoo trades work.

  9. 1:47:46

    Rapid-fire categories

    Awards for Still Alive Person, Fight, Just Chill Out, Dildo Toss, Apology, Fart, Retirement and Tits of the Year, including a Meow Mix podcast acceptance video.

  10. 2:08:24

    Book of the Year, call to the president and preemptive takes

    The hosts' book wins, Tiger Woods wins Call to the President, and each crew member makes a prediction for the coming year.

  11. 2:17:24

    Blake of the Year

    Blake Bortles narrowly beats Blake Griffin to a Zoom link, while Brooks Koepka's premature FaceTime from Portugal is recounted.

  12. 2:31:37

    Listeners of the Year and closing reflections

    The award-winning listeners win again, the hosts reflect on ten years of the show, and a late call from Brooks Koepka closes the episode.

Key points

What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.

  • PFT Commenter

    PFT Commenter argued that LeBron James's delay in announcing his decision made a return to Cleveland less likely.

    “Every day that goes by without an announcement makes me less inclined to think that it's Cleveland”

    Listen from 17:04 · LeBron James free agency

  • PFT Commenter

    PFT Commenter said the San Francisco Giants' hiring of college coach Tony Vitello made no sense because the jobs are so different.

    “I don't understand why you would make a splash hire still as like a major league baseball manager trying to get a college”

    Listen from 29:34

  • Linked moment · 1:02:30Skip to 1:02:30 using a listen link in the info box.

    Jerry O'Connell

    O'Connell apologized to his wife and children for discussing them publicly in the past.

    “I do want to apologize to my wife and children for saying anything about them in the past. I love them very much”

    Listen from 1:02:30

  • PFT Commenter

    PFT Commenter called Emmanuel Acho one of the dumbest commentators in sports.

    “So Emmanuel Acho truly one of the dumbest to ever do it. Can't wait to see what he has cooked up for us this year”

    Listen from 1:18:35

  • Jeremy Goodman

    Goodman described zoos as cooperative colleagues rather than competitors, each trying to build the best collection.

    “We're more like colleagues than competitors, but everybody's trying to have the best zoo possible, just like the best team possible”

    Listen from 1:36:46 · Pittsburgh Zoo gorilla trade

  • Jeremy Goodman

    Goodman explained that the zoo acquired Little Joe because it lacked a silverback, the most important role in a gorilla troop.

    “silverback is, is the most important position in a gorilla troop or gorilla team, if you will”

    Listen from 1:37:30 · Pittsburgh Zoo gorilla trade

  • Jeremy Goodman

    Goodman argued that all zoos must be in win-now mode because species are becoming endangered and going extinct.

    “I think with the rate of species becoming endangered every day and going extinct, we have to be in win-now mode”

    Listen from 1:44:26 · Wildlife conservation in zoos

  • Jeremy Goodman

    Goodman named Walt Disney as an inspiration for his vision.

    “Walt Disney was a big fan, just how visionary he was”

    Listen from 1:45:58

  • Hank Lockwood

    Lockwood predicted that players would leave the WNBA and a new women's basketball league would form.

    “My preemptive take of the year is that there's going to be a new women's basketball league. The WMA is going to split up”

    Listen from 2:12:40

  • Max DelentePrediction · due May 2027

    Delente predicted that the Washington Wizards would make the playoffs and face the Boston Celtics, likely as a 2-7 matchup.

    “That the Wizards are going to make the playoffs”

    Listen from 2:14:02

  • ZachPrediction · due Apr 2027

    Zach predicted that Tiger Woods would play in the upcoming Masters, though not necessarily win it.

    “We are going to get Tiger Woods at the Masters, at the upcoming Masters”

    Listen from 2:14:53 · Masters Tournament

  • PFT Commenter

    PFT Commenter predicted that Arch Manning's family would refuse to let him play for whichever team finished with the worst record, as Eli Manning did.

    “Arch Manning is going to pull an Eli. Whatever team finishes with the worst record this year, Arch and his dad and his grandfather are going to say”

    Listen from 2:15:22

  • Dan KatzPrediction · due Apr 2027

    Katz predicted that Phil Mickelson would make the cut at the Masters.

    “I think Phil's going to make the cut at the Masters this year”

    Listen from 2:16:48 · Masters Tournament

  • Dan Katz

    Katz predicted that LeBron James would be caught golfing while injured, prompting questions about his love for the game.

    “Wherever he goes and plays, he's going to have an injury, and then he's going to be caught golfing with that injury”

    Listen from 2:17:01 · LeBron James free agency

  • Blake Griffin

    Griffin graciously congratulated Bortles, saying a win for one Blake is a win for all.

    “I feel like when one Blake wins, we all win. A rising tide raises all ships”

    Listen from 2:23:54 · Blake of the Year

  • Dan Katz

    Katz credited listeners for the show's long run at number one.

    “we've been number one for a long, long time, and it's all because of you guys”

    Listen from 2:34:53

  • Hank Lockwood

    Lockwood said the podcast has turned out better for him than almost any other path his life could have taken.

    “I think if you ran a simulation of my life before this podcast started, 99.9% of them would not have worked out as good as doing this podcast”

    Listen from 2:35:22

  • PFT Commenter

    PFT Commenter said that seeing the finished book made him realize the podcast is the biggest part of his life.

    “No, without a doubt, the biggest part of my life. is doing this podcast yeah it's what i'm going to be remembered for one day”

    Listen from 2:35:58 · Pardon My Book

People

In the conversation

  • Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
  • PFT CommenterBarstool Sports writer and co-host of Pardon My Take
  • Hank LockwoodPardon My Take contributor and Boston Celtics fan
  • Max DelentePardon My Take producer and Philadelphia 76ers fan whose bachelor party is referenced
  • ZachNewest Pardon My Take staff member, Knicks fan
  • MemesPardon My Take staffer and New York Knicks fan
  • Jersey JerryBarstool Sports personality and Dingers Only participant
  • Jerry O'ConnellAmerican actor and recurring Pardon My Take guest
  • Jeremy GoodmanPresident and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo
  • Blake GriffinRetired American NBA power forward, six-time All-Star best known for his years with the Los Angeles Clippers, now a basketball analyst
  • Blake BortlesFormer NFL quarterback who helped build the playset

Discussed

  • LeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers forward cited as a longevity outlier
  • Patrick KaneNHL forward who returned to the Chicago Blackhawks
  • Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio Spurs center and MVP candidate
  • Cristiano RonaldoPortuguese footballer who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus
  • Emmanuel AchoMedia personality who said the WNBA would be better without Caitlin Clark
  • Brad StevensBoston Celtics president of basketball operations
  • Paul GeorgePhiladelphia 76ers forward returning from injury
  • Jaylen BrownBoston Celtics guard-forward at the center of the hosts' first-team All-NBA case
  • Joe BidenFormer president whose economic approval is compared to Trump's
  • Tiger WoodsAmerican professional golfer and TGL team owner
  • Brooks KoepkaAmerican professional golfer and five-time major champion
  • Sherrone MooreFormer Michigan football head coach named Michigan Man of the Year
  • Dusty MayMichigan men's basketball head coach
  • Bryan JohnsonTech entrepreneur known for anti-aging efforts
  • Jerry JonesDallas Cowboys owner
  • Yasir Al-RumayyanSaudi PIF governor whose LIV Golf quote won Take of the Year

Topics

More from Pardon My Take

From the publisher

Welcome to the 2026 Takie Awards. Over 28 Awards being given out on this years Takies including Take of the Year, Lib of the Year, Fart of the Year, Blake of the Year, Ratio of the year, Hank’s loss of the year, Gorilla Trade of the Year and tons more. You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/pardon-my-take

Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 30, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.

Categories: Comedy·Sports