The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1 – The AFC South Group Chat (feat. Spero Dedes)
Date: October 15, 2025

Overview

In this lively hour from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan, Stugotz, and the regular crew welcome play-by-play legend Spero Dedes, unofficial voice of the AFC South, for a free-ranging, hilarious conversation. The group dives deep into AFC South football lore, the unique joys of calling those games, production meeting stories, college reminiscing, culinary debates about Greek food, and even a love letter to the simple magic of Spero calling a "Mo Alie-Cox!" touchdown. Along for the ride: musings on sports broadcasting, awkward movie picks, and an epic rant on why "Europe sucks."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spero Dedes: The Voice of the AFC South

[03:34]–[06:30]

• The hosts celebrate Spero Dedes as "the unofficial voice of the AFC South," associating his calls with cult-favorite players (Mo Alie-Cox!) and classic Colts/Jaguars/Titans/Texans showdowns.

  • Dan Le Batard: "When I close my eyes and I think of an AFC South game, the soundtrack of it is Spiro Dede saying, touchdown Mo Alie Cox." [04:13]
  • Spero affectionately describes his group chat with his CBS AFC South broadcast crew, reflecting on their many shared journeys in Indianapolis and Jacksonville.
  • He notes his pride in witnessing the Colts' success: "It's almost like seeing one of your children grow up…" [05:37]

• The group jokes about Spero’s identity being tied to the region: "You should have investment properties in Indianapolis. They must know you." [05:29]

• Discussion of Spero's signature broadcast moments, particularly how the cadence of “Mo Alie-Cox” has become a meme among the crew.

2. Inside the Broadcast Booth: Trust, Access & Coaching Stories

[08:49]–[11:48]

• Spero offers candid insights into how NFL coaches handle production meetings:
  • Veterans are "looser and more kind of open," while new coaches tend to be guarded—“they don't know who they can trust yet.” [10:52]
  • Interesting discussion on the balance between access and competitive secrecy, especially in the context of Tom Brady’s new role as a part-owner: “...gaining access to guys who are potential free agents...could give him...an unfair advantage.” [09:01]

3. The Cam Ward Question and the Titans Crossroads

[11:48]–[13:51]

• Spero assesses quarterback Cam Ward’s NFL future and the turbulence of young QBs enduring coaching changes:
  • “The NFL, professional football is so different... In football everything changes.” [11:57]
  • He notes the importance of organizational stability for developing talent, highlighting the Titans' current crossroads.
  • Insights into how quickly a visiting broadcaster can spot a dysfunctional or successful culture in a team facility.

4. Fordham Days & Broadcasting Lineage

[14:26]–[15:31]

• Dan quizzes Spero on his Fordham years, revealing that he and Tony Reali (of ESPN’s “Around the Horn”) were student broadcasters together.
• Spero reflects warmly: “Tony was probably crazier when we were at Fordham...We did a lot of games together... never in my wildest dreams did I think...Tony’s on ESPN!” [14:41]

5. Greek Food: Culinary King of the Mountain

[17:25]–[18:49]

• Dan challenges Spero (proudly Greek) to a “King of the Mountain” tournament-style debate of classic Greek dishes.

  • Spero ultimately crowns spanakopita the champion, after much agonizing between souvlaki, saganaki, and musaka.

  • Notable culinary debate excerpt:

    • Dan: “Souvlaki vs. Spanakopita.”
    • Spero: "Spanakopita." [18:48]

6. Spero's Start in Broadcasting and "Big Moments"

[19:27]–[23:01]

• Spero recounts his early, lucky break (“I was very lucky...my college professor at Fordham...got my gig doing the XFL”), with nods to the legacy of Fordham’s radio program. [19:37]

• Discusses the mental and physical intensity of covering March Madness—especially the “taxing” first weekend, with eight games in three days. [20:19]

• Asked about career highlights:

  • “When I’m at the end of my career...it's probably gonna be...the run with the Lakers," specifically Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals, bus-rocking fans and postgame champagne scenes—but ranks “Mo Alie-Cox in the end zone” a comedic no. 3. [22:12]

7. The Legendary “Mo Alie-Cox” Call – Live On-Air Replay

[23:01]–[23:47]

• By fan request, Spero gives the crew a dramatic, play-by-play reenactment:
  • “It's gonna be a third and 10. Indianapolis down six, 27 seconds left. Daniel Jones from the gun, takes the snap, drops back, rolls right. He's got a guy back corner of the end zone, fires and it's caught. Mo Alie-Cox!" [23:25]
• The crew erupts in joy and pokes fun at the botched (tie game) scenario, only endearing Spero to them more.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:13] Dan Le Batard:
  “When I close my eyes and I think of an AFC South game, the soundtrack of it is Spiro Dede saying, touchdown Mo Ali Cox.”

• [06:03] Spero Dedes, on the Colts:
  “It’s almost like seeing one of your children grow up to do wonderful and amazing things.”

• [10:52] Spero Dedes, on young coaches:
  “They don’t know who they can trust yet...the CBS crew that’s in here...this is not the local beat writer.”

• [17:59] Dan Le Batard:
  “Spiero, you are famously Greek. We can tell this by your name. I would like to run a culinary king of the mountain with you.”

• [23:25] Spero Dedes (Mo Alie-Cox call):
  “It's gonna be a third and 10. Indianapolis down six, 27 seconds left...fires and it’s caught. Mo Alie-Cox!”

• [31:04-31:50] Billy & Greg Cody, on Europe:

  • Billy: “Europe sucks. ... That’s why everybody’s here in America, because everyone decided, you know what? Europe is terrible.”
  • Greg Cody: “Europe hates the cripples.”
  • Billy: “Nobody was ever walking on the street, said, you know what I'd love right now? Some cobblestone.”

Other Fun Segments

8. Billy’s Epic Rant: Why Europe Sucks

[31:04]–[33:51]

• Billy lambastes everything about Europe from time zones to air conditioning to cobblestone streets, echoing everyone’s vacation woes.
• “If I’m boarding a plane for eight hours, Europe better not be where I’m landing.” [31:50]
• The group riffs on VPNs, differing electrical outlets, and accessibility, with jokes about Benjamin Franklin “inventing electricity.”

9. Anxiety-Inducing Movies Top Five

[36:05]–[38:11]

• Dan’s “Top Five Anxiety-Inducing Movies” features:
  1. The Coffee Table
  2. Uncut Gems – “That movie is just one big panic attack.”
  3. Beau is Afraid
  4. Requiem for a Dream – “Rename that film the Heroin Arm.”
  5. Buried

10. The Show’s Signature Humor

Throughout, the crew mixes sports with inside jokes, irreverent tangents, and running gags—including a bet that if the Mariners don't reach the World Series, a member will “walk from Miami to Seattle. …on my bad knee.” [28:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AFC South Homerism & Mo Alie-Cox Talk: [03:34]–[06:30]
• Production Meeting & Coaching Insights: [08:49]–[11:48]
• Cam Ward/Titans Crossroads: [11:48]–[13:51]
• Fordham & Tony Reali Memories: [14:26]–[15:31]
• Greek Food King of the Mountain: [17:25]–[18:49]
• Spero’s Broadcasting Journey: [19:27]–[20:11]
• March Madness Behind the Scenes: [20:11]–[21:23]
• Highlight Reel Moments (Lakers/Linsanity): [21:23]–[23:01]
• Live Mo Alie-Cox Call: [23:01]–[23:47]
• Epic Europe Rant: [31:04]–[33:51]
• Anxiety-Inducing Movies: [36:05]–[38:11]

Tone & Takeaways

As always, the energy is irreverent, insider, and affectionate—equal parts sports geek-out, playful mockery, and genuine affection for each other's quirks (and for Spero’s legacy voice). For sports fans and casual listeners alike, this episode is a master course in the joy of sports storytelling and the camaraderie it creates—punctuated by loving jabs, ludicrous bets, harsh (but funny) travel takes, and a tribute to the singular thrill of a well-called Mo Alie-Cox touchdown.