The Bobby Bones Show – “Lots to Say: Injuries, Power Rankings, and Actor Bill Fagerbakke”

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones, Matt Castle
Special Guest: Bill Fagerbakke (voice of Patrick Star from SpongeBob, Dauber on ‘Coach’)

Episode Overview

This episode brings a lively mix of NFL talk and pop culture, as Bobby, Matt, and crew dive into:

• The emotional minefield of gift-giving and love languages (with Christmas just around the corner)
• Major NFL injury updates and their playoff implications
• Fresh power rankings and candid debate on contenders/pretenders
• Noteworthy divisional races and playoff races
• An engaging, in-depth interview with actor and voice legend Bill Fagerbakke on his career, football origins, and secrets behind Patrick Star
• And the always entertaining game picks and fantasy football banter

Major Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Christmas, Love Languages & Gift-Giving Fails (03:28 – 13:19)

• The guys reflect on gift-giving struggles, especially for spouses and kids.
• Love Languages: Bobby, Kevin, and Matt compare theirs, from physical touch to gift-giving and words of affirmation.
• Notable Quote:
  Bobby Bones (on why gift-giving is his love language):

  “We grew up very poor ... So when someone gave me a gift, I was like, ‘oh, they must really love me.’ ... Therefore, I thought, if I can also get people gifts for the same reason, they’ll love me. ... I am an A-plus gift giver.” (06:24)

• Funny stories about bad gifts, accidental reveal of surprise presents, and the pressure to nail Christmas—even when shopping for babies.

2. Big NFL Injuries & Their Impact (13:25 – 19:00)

• Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending injury and its ripple effect on the league.
  • Comparison to Tom Brady’s historic run (“Double goats” segment, 15:18)
  • Explanation of the challenges in returning from a December ACL tear.
  • Mahomes’ prognosis: MCL wasn’t damaged, which may help recovery, but he’ll miss crucial ramp-up time (16:02)
• Micah Parsons’ injury:
  • "Might be more impactful... for the Green Bay Packers because they're in a position to go to the playoffs and compete" (13:25)
  • Parsons’ loss considered a huge blow for a contending defense.
  • The December timing could derail the Packers’ postseason potential.

3. Power Rankings & Playoff Picture (23:17 – 29:58)

• Bobby reveals his NFL top five teams, betting strategies, and debate ensues over the real Super Bowl contenders.
• Top 5 Teams:
  1. Rams
  2. Seahawks
  3. Broncos
  4. Buffalo
  5. San Francisco
• On the Broncos:
  • “Am I a believer? No. Do I think someone can go into Denver and beat them if they don’t get the 1 seed in the first round? Yes.” (29:58)
• Seattle vs. Rams Thursday Night Game:
  • Both teams analyzed as true contenders.
• Bobby’s Betting Insight:
  • “I’m not a Georgia fan, but... they were like fourth [in NCAA odds].” (24:42)
• Honorable Mentions: Patriots (6), Chicago Bears (7 or 8)

4. Coach of the Year Debate (31:54 – 34:41)

• Several candidates make the cut:
  • Vrabel (Pats), Ben Johnson (Chicago), Sean Payton (Denver), Liam Cohen (Jags), Kyle Shanahan (49ers)
• Bobby’s Pick:
  • “I think you give the coach of the year to the person who's coaching the best this year. And I think a 12–2 Broncos team... I think you give it to them” (34:08)
• Kevin’s Pick:
  • “I'm gonna go with Vrabel. I just think what he's done with a very, very young team... ten straight wins...” (32:55)

5. NFL Player Home Burglaries & Personal Safety (38:59 – 43:19)

• Jeffrey Simmons (Titans) home burglary:
  • Discussion about security risks for athletes—“They know their schedule” (39:09)
  • Personal stories from Kevin and Bobby about being robbed, the violation felt, and precautions.
  • “I always have somebody in my house if I’m not here.” (41:05, Bobby Bones)
  • Reflection on the possibility of inside jobs or acquaintances tipping off criminals.

6. Game Picks & Weekend Preview (46:24 – 49:24)

• Seahawks vs. Rams: Both pick Seattle.
• Packers vs. Bears: Both pick Bears (“Nothing screams split like two really good teams that are playing two times in three weeks.” – Bobby, 48:31)
• Jags vs. Broncos: Kevin with Broncos, Bobby with Jags (“Even worse. Trevor Lawrence for MVP. Let's go.”—49:16)

Interview Spotlight: Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star from SpongeBob, Dauber from Coach)

(54:52 – 77:09) – Highly Recommended Segment

Career Beginnings & Playing Dauber on ‘Coach’ (55:34 – 58:04)

• Bill moved from NY theater to LA sitcoms; “I’d never done TV before” (55:53)
• Dauber’s character based on a real Idaho assistant coach (“Tuna”) who didn’t appreciate being the inspiration, but Bill is unapologetic.

Athlete/Performer Crossover (58:04 – 59:20)

• Bill on moving from D1 football to theater:

  “That whole thing athletes have... performance focus and attention to detail… when I quit football after my knee got blown out... got in the show and like, three days later, I went, oh, this is my deal. This is my jam.” (58:04)

From Football to Voiceover: Getting the Call for SpongeBob (62:23 – 65:00)

• Booked a cartoon dog gig thanks to Dauber’s voice (“[they] want the dog to sound like Dauber from Coach... I said, oh, well, sounds fun, but what if I don’t get it? That would be depressing.” – 63:34)
• Details his unique audition for SpongeBob (“a conference room, quiet, unassuming Stephen Hillenburg... played me the voice of Spongeboy… perhaps the luckiest day of my life.” – 63:34)

Patrick Star’s Evolution & Relationship with SpongeBob (66:03 – 67:41)

• Patrick “gelled” thanks to chemistry with Tom Kenny (SpongeBob):
  • “Tom's doing a lot of the heavy lifting there.” (67:41)
  • Bobby compares his rise to Steve Urkel’s accidental stardom on Family Matters.

Behind the Scenes: Voice Work & Anonymity (69:00 – 74:40)

• On recording when sick: “For voiceover work, since Patrick lives in the basement anyway, vocally, certain afflictions might not impede my ability...” (69:04)
• The hidden upside: “That's one of the beautiful things about voiceover: the physical anonymity of it.” (73:53)
• Bill’s favorite Patrick Star line:

  “The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma.” (75:06)

  • Describes the visual gag with milk spilling—remains a personal favorite.

Great Moments

• Bill reveals Tom Kenny’s encyclopedic love of music and his band (Tom Kenny and the High Seas, 67:51)
• How performing comedy live is “so invigorating,” and the challenge of making jokes work for a new, uninvested audience (70:44)

Divisional Races, Playoffs, and Conference Strength (81:38 – 91:21)

• NFC West is the wildest race: Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers (81:53)
• AFC South: Jags and Texans still alive
• Bobby’s Conference Power Ranking:
  • “The AFC now is the Big Ten and the NFC is the SEC.” (86:41)
  • Worries about AFC consistency, trusts NFC teams more in playoffs—except the Bills, the only AFC squad he “believes in” (87:18)
• MVP and QB debates: Stafford vs. Allen, who’s more valuable and who would you want? (90:19)

Notable Quotes

• “I think the Broncos are still a contender, yes, but I don’t think the Packers are a contender anymore. I think Micah Parsons was the separator.”
  — Bobby Bones (17:29)
• “When you’re six-six and walking around, you don’t really need people to recognize you because you’re too big anyway.”
  — Bill Fagerbakke (73:53)
• “I love that cartoon… in many ways, I believe it’s a perfect cartoon.”
  — Bill Fagerbakke on the original SpongeBob pilot (65:13)
• “I just like… the quarterback is the biggest game changer.”
  — Bobby Bones (90:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Christmas/Love Languages & Gift Struggles: 03:28 – 13:19
• Injury Impact Discussion: 13:25 – 19:00
• Power Rankings & Playoff Preview: 23:17 – 29:58
• Coach of the Year Discussion: 31:54 – 34:41
• Player Security & Robbery Stories: 38:59 – 43:19
• Game Picks Preview: 46:24 – 49:24
• Bill Fagerbakke Interview: 54:52 – 77:09
• Divisional and Playoff Race Analysis: 81:38 – 91:21

Final Thoughts

This episode blends spirited sports debate, real-life stories, and a delightful celebrity interview. The love language/gift-giving chat brings warmth and humor, while the NFL segments deliver honest, experience-backed insights. The Bill Fagerbakke interview, in particular, is a masterclass for both football and SpongeBob fans—full of anecdotes, laughter, and wisdom.

Next Week: Don't miss Scott Hansen (NFL RedZone) as the featured guest!

For Full Episodes:
Listen to "The Bobby Bones Show – Lots to Say" on iHeart Podcasts or your preferred platform.
Special Thanks: Bill Fagerbakke and all listeners!