Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast — Hour 3: Fraud Friday Continues

Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca (A), Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (B)

Episode Overview

This episode, part of the weekly “Fraud Friday” series, dives into the concept of "fraudulence" in sports fandom and culture. The hosts debate which sports behaviors, allegiances, and fan actions should be considered fraudulent — from switching teams and wearing rival jerseys, to the ever-contentious "only real New York football team" banter. Aside from fan fraudulence, the hosts also touch on the NFL Hall of Fame’s disregard for special teams players, share some personal and caller stories about sports loyalties, and close with a brief discussion on preseason baseball expectations in New York.

Key Segments & Discussions

1. Arch Manning, the Jets, and Family Hypocrisy

[01:30 – 07:35]

• Don calls out the Manning family’s inconsistent logic:
  Don references reported comments that Arch Manning wouldn’t avoid the Jets in the draft, despite the family’s previous refusal to let Eli Manning go to the Chargers in 2004 for reasons that (by Don’s logic) now describe the Jets.
  • Quote (Don, 03:04):
    “You wouldn’t let Eli go to the Chargers … the Jets are everything the Chargers were in 2004. And you’re gonna let Arch go?”
• Hosts weigh the fairness of expectations around the Jets:
  Acknowledging fan frustration, Don contends criticism of the Jets is earned:
  • Quote (Don, 04:15):
    “The Jets deserve to be beat up. … Fifteen straight years of missing the playoffs. Enough said.”
• Debate if Manning’s stance is really “fraudulent”
  Both hosts appreciate the possible nuance (e.g., proximity to family support, organizational changes), but Don stands by the inconsistency.

2. Is Wearing Another Team’s Gear Fraudulent for a Fan?

[08:41 – 13:59]

• Caller Darren challenges Don:
  • Quote (Darren, 09:00):
    “If I see a cute Marlins hat... I’m a lifelong Jet fan. Do you think I’m going to put that on? ... That’s fraudulent.”
• Don and Peter’s take:
  Don admits to having worn other teams’ jerseys for aesthetics, drawing the line at wearing rival or division opponents’ gear. Peter frames it as slightly “fraudulent,” but harmless:
  • Quote (Peter, 11:52):
    “I do think it’s slightly fraudulent, but I have no issue with it. How about that?”
• Discussion extends to fashion and intent:
  Many wear hats or jerseys as a style choice, not necessarily as a fandom statement. The hosts note Yankee hats as a fashion item among those with little baseball knowledge.

3. Are the Jets/Giants Truly “New York” Teams? A Tri-State Semantics War

[14:10 – 22:13]

• Long-running debate about team geography reignites:
  Caller Mike claims only the Buffalo Bills are a true New York team; Don rolls out a spirited defense of the Tri-State identity.
  • Quote (Don, 16:32):
    “In this particular area... southern Connecticut, New York and northern New Jersey are considered a New York suburb.”
  • Don points out media, cultural, and economic ties between NJ/NY and how distinctions of state lines miss the real lived reality.
• Peter and Don try to put the debate to rest:
  Don, increasingly exasperated, likens the “Buffalo is the real NY team” crowd to flat earthers.
  • Quote (Don, 19:56):
    “They won’t stop. It’s like flat Earthers. It really is. It’s at that level.”

4. The Value of Special Teams and Returners in Football Legacy

[27:03 – 31:43]

• NFL Hall of Fame snubbing returners:
  Peter laments, by the numbers, the underappreciation of great return men like Brian Mitchell and Devin Hester.
  • Quote (Peter, 30:37):
    “He finished his career with 4,999 punt yards ... and no hall of Fame. Those are insane numbers. 13 return touchdowns—nothing, not a sniff.”
  • Don and Peter agree that changes to the game (like rule changes affecting returns) make this even more disappointing.

5. Callers’ Fraud Stories: Sports Allegiance & Relationship Dilemmas

[31:46 – 38:28]

• Dan’s Giants–Cowboys cross-loyalty love story:
  Dan worries he’s a “fraud” after criticizing Giants fans dating Cowboys fans, then falling for a woman who wears Cowboys gear (but can’t name three players).
  • Quote (Don, 34:34):
    “You did make the statement you would never do it, and now you’re going to do it, so that makes you a fool. But you gotta do it, man. This is the love of your life.”
  • Peter questions whether the family would actually care. Both conclude romance should win out unless it genuinely threatens family peace.
  • Banter about whether Rothenberg would let his kid marry a Cowboys fan leads to classic show self-mockery.

6. Can You Switch Sports Allegiances? (And Should You?)

[46:00 – 49:49]

• Inspired by a caller’s failed “Giants fan conversion test” on Rothenberg’s morning show:
  The hosts discuss whether you can ever really change the team you root for—or whether it’s fraudulent in essence.
  • Quote (Peter, 47:49):
    “You can’t do it… Even if I end up pulling for [the Knicks] forever... I’ll never be able to go like, yeah, I’m a Knicks guy now. … I am more comfortable being a fraud who says my team has always been the Celtics... than saying, no, I’m making an official change.”
  • Don adds sports fandom is more like falling in love: it can cool, but it can’t be forced anew out of convenience.

7. Rapid Hits & Fun Moments

• Valentine’s Day sidetrack: The hosts joke about Valentine’s Day, side piece day (when is it?) and Goodfellas references.
  [41:28 – 43:06]
• Olympic Figure Skating Appreciation:
  Don praises Johnny Weir's commentary for making the sport enjoyable and understandable for non-fans.
  • Quote (Don, 27:17):
    “Johnny Weir, to me, is one of the best color commentators out there … he does a terrific job explaining what’s going on.”
• Upcoming MLB Win Projections:
  Don surprises Peter with news that ESPN’s projections have the Mets with more wins than the Yankees. Both express cautious hope for a normal, competitive season.
  [43:11 – 45:55]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Don (on Jets futility, 04:15):
  “15 straight years of missing the playoffs. Enough said. … Stop being picked on. Stop being somebody that can be picked on.”

• Peter (on fan fashion fraudulence, 11:52):
  “I do think it’s slightly fraudulent, but I have no issue with it.”

• Don (flat earth analogy for Buffalo debate, 19:56):
  “They won’t stop. It’s like flat Earthers. It really is. It’s at that level.”

• Peter (sports allegiance, 47:49):
  “I am more comfortable being a fraud who says my team has always been the Celtics, [but] I live in New York though, so I kind of root for the Knicks now, than saying, no, I’m making an official change.”

• Don (on switching teams, 48:53):
  “Some people might think they chose a team, but the team kind of chooses you … You can’t create that. It’s just something … magical and mystical about it.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Arch Manning/Jets “fraud” discussion: 01:30 – 07:35
• Is wearing rival gear fraudulent?: 08:41 – 13:59
• Buffalo Bills “true NY team” debate: 14:10 – 22:13
• Olympics & Johnny Weir commentary: 27:03 – 28:27
• NFL Hall of Fame neglects returners: 28:27 – 31:43
• Callers’ fraud stories & love across team lines: 31:46 – 38:28
• Valentine’s Day/side piece banter: 41:28 – 43:06
• Mets/Yankees win projections debates: 43:11 – 45:55
• On switching team allegiances: 46:00 – 49:49

Tone and Style Reflections

• The hosts keep the tone playful but passionate, mixing genuine sports insight and cultural commentary with classic New York banter, occasional exasperation, and a lot of self-deprecating humor.
• Listener calls provide both heartfelt confessions and spirited debate, with the hosts showing empathy, occasional tough love, and always sharp wit.

For those who missed it:
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the soul of sports fandom—its quirks, contradictions, agonies, and absurdities. Whether you’ve ever debated the meaning of “real” team loyalty or just want to hear three New Yorkers rag on each other (and the Jets), it’s a classic hour of sports radio.