The Fandom of the Opera: A Linebacker, a White Whale... and a Secret

The Fandom of the Opera: A Linebacker, a White Whale... and a Secret

From Pablo Torre Finds Out by The Athletic

April 14, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

The episode explores the unexpected connections between opera and sports through the story of former college linebacker Brandon Jovanovich.

We get it: As Timothée Chalamet said, "no one cares" about opera. But you should listen, instead, to former college linebacker Brandon Jovanovich — whose impossible rise from cater waiter to Captain Ahab proves that the artform that used to rule the world has way more in common with sports than you realize. (And that's even before you realize what he's been playing through, onstage.) Also: what a castrato is, Bugs Bunny, actual divas, Modell's and monster trucks. Further content: • "Inhabiting Ahab" (Patrick J. Sauer) • Vote for PTFO at The Webby Awards: Best Sports Podcast + Experimental & Innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Pablo Torre

Guest: Brandon Jovanovich

Topics covered

  • opera
  • sports
  • college football
  • performing arts
  • cultural comparisons
  • Brandon Jovanovich

Keywords

  • opera
  • sports
  • Brandon Jovanovich
  • Timothée Chalamet
  • performing arts
  • cater waiter
  • Captain Ahab
  • cultural comparisons

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Webby Awards, Acast

Books & works: Inhabiting Ahab

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