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UNGUARDED WITH RACHEL NICHOLS
Interview with Steve Carell; Interview with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
Aired November 14, 2014 - 22:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RACHEL NICHOLS, UNGUARDED SHOW HOST: Welcome to Unguarded. There are sports movies that make you laugh like Caddyshack, sport movies that make you cry like, Field of Dreams. After Steve Carell's new sports movie, Foxcatcher is one that will make you think. It's opening in theaters tonight and it's already getting major Oscar buzz. Foxcatcher tells the story of millionaire John Du Pont ultimately tragic involvement with the group of Olympic wrestlers. And on the film is very somber, until you see in this Unguarded interview, its leading man, is anything but.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE CARELL, ACTOR: I do the cha-cha. I don't know what we're yelling about.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That' what she said.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Well, we normally interview athletes for the show. We've had LeBron James, Tiger Woods. And I'm so happy to have an elite level hockey player here right now.
CARELL: Thank you.
NICHOLS: Go with that same pantheon.
CARELL: Yeah. I am the LeBron James of rec league hockey.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARELL: Pretty much skating the whole life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: I learned that you played every week and that you played growing up. Which I don't think is a fun fact most people know about. You were serious about it?
CARELL: Yeah, yeah. I was -- there was a period of time I thought, "Wow, maybe I could play this professionally." And it turned out...
NICHOLS: How did that go? CARELL: I didn't well, clearly. I just -- you know, you reach a point
in your life when you have to get honest, and that wasn't going to happen. But I enjoyed it, I played through college.
NICHOLS: Not we've not seen you play an athlete on TV, maybe Michael Scott free throws, sort of, all of that but that doesn't really qualify.
CARELL: Not at all.
NICHOLS: I mean, look at that clip. But, your new movie, Foxcatcher, you do play this eccentric millionaire John Du Pont.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARELL: But do you hope that she is mine.
CHANNING TATUM, ACTOR: I want to be the best in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: You basically lure some elite level Olympian's wrestlers in, and it ends very badly. But, before that, that there's real instance that your character, his struggling for credibility and that he thinks being associated with these Olympians, the glory of the sport, that's going to give him the identity that he was looking for.
CARELL: I think that's exactly right. He wanted to define himself through these athletes, because he -- he wanted some of their greatness to rub off on him. And it's absurd because, he set himself up as a coach to these premier athletes and he wasn't, and he didn't really know much about it at all. And when we were shooting, I, I honestly tried to learn as little as I could about wrestling, because they did show me a few moves and I learned them and our coach said, no, no, you're already better than du Pont was.
(CROSSTALK)
NICHOLS: Seeing were the scenes from your most popular movies that would not really sync up with this film, is so different.
CARELL: Yeah.
NICHOLS: In the world where you use to. Why is that (inaudible)
CARELL: Because it was a change of pace, and worked with Bennett Miller, he is a great, great director. He did "Compendium," (ph) Moneyball, and now this time I want to work with him.
NICHOLS: Plus, you got to wear that really snazzy sweat suit, go about a half a million plus...
CARELL: Snazzy sweat suit? Singlet?
NICHOLS: Yeah. That's in the picture. CARELL: Who doesn't look good in a Singlet? And I really got in great shape for the singlet shop. It was an all carb diet, for the Singlet shot. It was all carb, it was mostly a steady diet of Chinese food, as Chinese food and French fries.
NICHOLS: Now, would you see a guy like John du Pont try to use sports in the wrong way. But it's not -- at least unfair, its people are causes could sometimes harms in sports. For a good thing I know that you grew up in Boston, you're a Red Sox fan, can you describe just what it was like around Boston in the summer that the Red Sox for winning were after the Boston marathon bombings in sort of how they experienced the city, could you experienced that, right?
CARELL; I did. There was that Boston strong that permeated the city, and I think that, you know I think that happened in New Orleans, I think it happens in cities that have had tough times and when a sports team can give people something to rally around and focus on and enjoy, it's sort -- it's kind of lightens the load.
NICHOLS: You may have no Boston accent, but can you do an impression of a Boston sports fan, can you show us now?
CARELL: Not so much.
NICHOLS: Steve you're good at impressions, as sports impressions, we have seen them. You do a good impression of Herman Edwards, you gave that famous speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN EDWARDS, AMERICAN FOOTBALL ANALYST: You play to win the game.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: And then we had your version of it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARELL: You play to win the game.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: I mean, how time did it take you to study and really now?
CARELL: That was about 13 seconds. They said, which one do you want to do? And I said I'll do that one and I watched it once and then we tape it.
NICHOLS: You, pretty good mimic then...
CARELL: Really?
NICHOLS: For 13 seconds.
CARELL: Yeah.
NICHOLS: That is impressive.
CARELL: I think your being kind.
NICHOLS: And you also spoofed LeBron James, which is decision.
CARELL: Yes, the decision.
NICHOLS: Your friend Paul Rudd for an award show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL RUDD, ACTOR: Who have you already told about your decision?
CARELL: Everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Were you worried LeBron would be in the audience? You know he's six foot eight right?
CARELL: I know, I could take LeBron James, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I even said that. But yeah, he's not so tough. I'm really sorry, totally get it. He's still fantastic. Lots of definitely have it, I'm going to be in trouble.
NICHOLLS: Just a little bit. Six foot eight, I just want to put that out there.
CARELL: Six foot eight? I'm actually 6 foot nine.
NICHOLS: It's a no, the chair, this guy.
CARELL: I wear flats.
(LAUGHTER)
NICHOLS: Well, it's the end I have to ask you about your political reporting career, since you have an extensive one, five years on the daily show.
CARELL: Yeah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARELL: It's every reporter's dream to spend a day on the campaign trail with a front running candidate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: What was that like?
CARELL: We were under the radar first, and which is good. Because, we can be stealthy, we could arrive -- I remember we went to the New Hampshire primary set first year and nobody knew who we were, and we were asking questions of the candidate from trivial pursuit. We just had the cards in front of us and we were asking trivial pursuit questions and got a lot of perplexed looks, but no one caught on that plan that we look...
NICHOLS: People try answering you?
CARELL: They did.
NICHOLS: Did you learn anything about politicians or politics through all that?
CARELL: Not at all.
NICHOLS: So fix (ph) you watch CNN.
(LAUGHTER)
CARELL: Definitely. You know what? Learn about it and then go to the daily show to laugh about it. (END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Nice thumbs up there, it was amazing watching some of that video is that Steve Carell almost didn't even become an actor. He initially intended to go to law school. But when was filling out his application, he got to the question, why do you want to be an attorney and he couldn't answer it, lucky for all of us.
Alright, you heard Steve talking hockey earlier and coming up on Unguarded, we're going to get a visit from the sport's top man. That man, right over there, an NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, stick around.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NICHOLS: Welcome back to Unguarded where I am thrilled to be joined now by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Gary, welcome.
GARY BETTMAN, NHL COMMISSIONER: Great to be with you.
NICHOLS: The longest tenured commissioner of all the North Americans sports and the -- pretty soon when Bud Seligs retires in January, I understand you will now be the oldest as well.
BETTMAN: Well, thank you for that. Thank you.
NICHOLS: But only 62. We got to point that out. I mention it because it's a real accomplishment to be the senior man among these groups of men. Is this how you always envisioned yourself?
BETTMAN: If you had these visions when you were younger, they would institutionalize you. There was no way to predict where we would be today, but it's been a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the fact that I think even the best for the NHL is ahead.
NICHOLS: Do you and Selig and the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the NFL Roger Goodell, do you have secret meetings? Do you have secret hand shake? Is there anything we should...
BETTMAN: No, nothing like that. We periodically talk to each other, say hi, see how are doing? And either particularly good or stressful times, but there's no regular structure, there's no secret clubhouse.
NICHOLS: Now NBA Commissioner Adam Silver did make a little bit of the splash this week, he wrote an op-ed in the New York Times talking about legalizing sports gambling, he advocated for that pretty strongly, what do you think?
BETTMAN: I think there needs some attention to be paid to what sport is going to represent to young people, should it be viewed in the competitive team oriented sense that it is now, or does it become a vehicle for betting, which may in effect change the atmosphere in the stadiums and in the arenas.
NICHOLS: Do you think that it would change the nature of sports?
BETTMAN: I think it could, do you want people at football and basketball games rooting for the spread or rooting for their favorite team?
NICHOLS: And there are some folks building an arena in Las Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, and they've talked about wanting NHL team there.
BETTMAN: So I've heard.
NICHOLS: Yes. So what do you think about that?
BETTMAN: The good news for us is the NHL's has never been stronger, never been more popular, and that I guess has led to a lot of interest being expressed from a number of places, an interest in getting an expansion team -- Las Vegas happens to be one of those places.
NICHOLS: Alright. I mentioned Roger Goodell, certainly he has the mis- subject of much scrutiny, since things exploded in the NFL over the summer. Have you spoke on to him since that time?
BETTMAN: Briefly we were at a conference together.
NICHOLS: What did you guys talked about when you did meet up?
BETTMAN: I asked how he was doing, and he said fine, but we didn't get substantive on the issues of the day. With respect to the issue of domestic violence, we have been providing counseling and education, both through our security department and our behavioral health counselors for over a decade.
NICHOLS: You did have a player though, for the L.A kings, arrested just last month.
BETTMAN: Yes.
NICHOLS: But he hasn't played since.
BETTMAN: Correct.
NICHOLS: What went into your decision to keep him off the ice? BETTMAN: Well, we, we decided that with everything that was pending,
the most prudent, sensible, appropriate course of conduct was to suspend him until things could be sorted out through the judicial process.
NICHOLS: It does seem you're also evolving on the Olympic Games. What is your biggest concern with having NHL players in the Olympics?
BETTMAN: Well, actually the issues aren't new, and that is to stop the season, footballs gone, there's no baseball yet, it's just us and basketball. We're getting things ready for the stretch drive and then we stop. The other issue as well, some NHL teams will send 10 players to the Olympics, some will send two and those teams will come back in different condition.
(CROSSTALK)
NICHOLS: Injuries, (inaudible) or not.
BETTMAN: There's a competitive aspect as well, and it's something that is not all good, it's not all bad, but it's a balancing act.
NICHOLS: Do you have a sense yet whether NHL players will in the next winner in Olympics...
BETTMAN: No. We haven't focused on.
NICHOLS: Alright. So what are your goals for the NHL going forward?
BETTMAN: We want to continue to grow the game on all levels, particularly at the grassroots level. And internationally, whether or not we do another Olympics, we are focused on bringing back a world cup and that's something we're working on for the players association.
NICHOLS: What about you? How much longer do you want to do this?
BETTMAN: Long as the owners are happy and I continue to be energize, will keep doing it.
NICHOLS: We're glad you're sticking around. Thanks for coming here today.
BETTMAN: Great to be with you, thank you.
NICHOLS: Alright, coming up next on Unguarded, we're going to switch gears to the NFL, the league leading Arizona Cardinal took a major hit this week when a knee injury, announce their quarterback out for the season. The football wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald isn't panicking, He joins us to explain how his life outside of football, a lesson to keep his perspective.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY FITZGERALD, AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYER: When you're in Mumbai and you're walking through the slums, some may come on now, I mean, there's a real issue in life and there's real problems. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NICHOLS: I'm Rachel Nichols, welcome back to Unguarded. Arizona Cardinal wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, one of the NFL best players, he also probably be NFL's most worldly player, having traveled to nearly 100 countries. He's hiked glaciers in Antarctica, scaled volcanoes in Nicaragua, and this year, well, another big climb. His eight in one cargos are at the very top of the NFL standings. But this journey has a catch. On Sunday, the Cardinal starting quarterback Carson Palmer tore his ACL, knocking him out for the season. Earlier, I check in with Fitzgerald to find out exactly how his team intends to keep their purge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Larry welcome, we have to start unfortunately with pretty devastating news this week for Quarterback Carson Palmer, that of course means that Drew Stanton is the next man up. And I know that you guys genuinely respect Drew, you like Drew, but the number two quarterback is usually the number two quarterback for a reason. So, how do you maintain the same confidence out there with the different guy?
FITZGERALD: Well, losing Carson was a devastating blow. You know, this is really devastating losing the starting quarterbacks and often as the captain but, you know, we're confident Drew is going to be able to get it done for us, he won a lot of games for CE, won a lot of game for us, you know are already in the season. So, he's got a lot of confidence in himself and I know he (inaudible) and they authorize this season.
NICHOLS: When you have a team that's playing this well, do you let your hopes get up at all, especially, a guy like you? You know, five years ago, less than a minute away from winning a super bowl before the stealers went snatched it from you guys, I know you've been trying to get back there ever since.
FITZGERALD: I mean, there's a lot of excitement in town, when see a lot of cars driving, taking my son to school, you know, flash flying, but, we want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to sustain that. You know, we have to make sure that we continue to play a high level, and you know, hopefully our fans will stay behind us.
NICHOLS: There's been some a little bit of controversy, at times of season about your role with the team. Whether they using you right, how many times you've been targeted, we have heard from your dad, from your old quarterback Kurt Warner, but what do you think?
FITZGERALD: Well, there's time I'm happy, I've never been anyone in my career. You know, it's interesting you ask me that question, because I hear a lot of talk, from other people, you never hear it from me. If I have some issues or complaints I will voice my opinion but, I don't have any, it's hard to complain about eight on one record, that's win for us is all about.
NICHOLS: Yeah, I've heard you refer to people wearing about your number of catches is quote, "Champagne problems" I mean, is it easier to have perspective on this kind of stuff when you've had the off the field experiences that you've had? You're one of the most well traveled players in the NFL, you've been exposed to people in very different circumstances than your own.
FITZGERALD: Well, you completely right, I was the one, when you're in Mumbai and you're walking through the slums, you know, people are living on top of each other, no clean water, no sanitation, you may think I'm getting through four targets a game, I mean come on now, I mean, there's a real issue in life and there's champagne problems and that's definitely one of them.
NICHOLS: You take a lot of pictures when you travel, we're showing some of them on the screen right now, and they're incredible, you've got the pyramids, the Great Wall of China. It looks like you're about four feet here from a gorilla, there's an elephant that's right there in your path, I mean, what's more intimidating in a posing player looking attacking over the middle of that elephant, because I don't know, you're pretty close there.
FITZGERALD: No, it definitely more intimidating you know, going against one of the NFC west division opponent's defenses than standing there in front of one of those gorilla's and elephants.
NICHOLS: Pretty amazing though, I mean, what was it like to take those photos?
FITZGERALD: Well, you know I really love wildlife photography, something I've been passionate about for a long time, is you will be able to see animals in the natural environment, it's really a peaceful experience for me to be able to photograph them.
NICHOLS: Alright, Larry. Elephants, gorillas, now you've got the Detroit lions coming this weekends, it's a whole other kind of animal problem. But we wish you the best with it. Good luck in the game and thank you for joining us.
FITZGERALD: Thank you, Rachel, it's always a pleasure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: I don't know that elephant looks serious. If the cards run into trouble this season, Fitzgerald might have to give him a call.
Alright, coming up after this break, a college football player with a very special story of perseverance, you're not going to want to miss this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUAI JEFFERSON, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE FOOTBALL FRESHMAN: You can do anything you put your mind to it. The (inaudible) is a brighter day tomorrow.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) NICHOLS: Welcome back to Unguarded, I'm Rachel Nichols. We talk all the time about how sports like football, build character. But what happens when it's the other way around. What happens when hard circumstances shape a boy into such a strong young man that he becomes a better football player? And that in turn earns him a college education. Meet Quai Jefferson and his mother, you're not going to soon forget them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The University of Delaware's football team is six and four this season, by no means, a gridiron power house, but for freshman Wide Receiver Quay Jefferson, football is about so much more than just winning and losing.
JEFFERSON: Football is my love, there's nothing like when I'm catching passes.
VAIDA JEFFERSON, MOTHER OF QUAI JEFFERSON: When he's on the field doing something for football, all the spectators on the side is feeling good and getting their heart filled up and that's amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Quai's mother Vaida has multiple sclerosis, she was diagnosed in 2002. And with Quai's father Seth, out of the picture, a lot of was thrust on the boy's shoulders.
V.JEFFERSON: Quai was 6-years old when I first started using him for strength and balance. I would have to walk down the street and hold on to Quai to stand up. This one is straight now, to you have come in now.
JEFFERSON: Multiple sclerosis is all immune deficiency that attacks the central nervous system. I start to see the changes and have to I have to admit, that I was kind of when I got the sense of authority that it was time for me to grow up and become a man.
V.JEFFERSON: Because Quai knew he was gone all day, he would line my bed up with food and fruits and water. And he would make sure I had everything I needed lying down my bed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was hard, but their brave spot was football. For Vaida, it was a chance to get out of the house, be a normal mom.
V.JEFFERSON: I would tell Quai, let mommy rest up before I have to drive you to practice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For Quai, football was even more, every time someone would praise his character, leadership and work ethic on the field, he would point to his mother. And know that's something good could come out of all that pain they endured.
JEFFERSON: I absolutely believe in things I have face sculpted me into the person I am today. It showed me that you can do anything you put your mind to. As tough as things get, there's a brighter day tomorrow.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That brighter day came this fall, when Quai began at Delaware on a full athletic scholarship, his only concern was leaving Vaida, but his father Seth been gone for so long has stepped back in to help, both parents wanting to lift up the son who carried the load himself for so long.
JEFFERSON: My father said he would do anything he needs to do to help take care of my mother.
V.JEFFERSON: I'm looking forward to my Delaware game. I'm going to be out there crying. And it's going to be fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Vaida certainly has a lot to cheer for, just very inspiring. Alright, that is it for our show tonight, but you can follow me on twitter and Facebook or on the web at cnn.com/Unguarded. And of course we'll be back here next Friday night for more Unguarded, where the end of the game is just the start of the story. Good night.
