The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 1: The Undercover Shough-hold (feat. Tyler Shough)

Date: January 30, 2026
Main Guests: Tyler Shough

Overview

The first hour finds Dan, Stugotz, and the crew broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Miami, riffing through their trademark blend of sports, pop-culture, and irreverent group chemistry. The episode navigates NFL branding, awkward pitchman choices, viral fan moments, hilarious food and soda taste-tests, and gym feats of strength—culminating in an insightful, entertaining conversation with Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. The hour wraps with a poignant segment on Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR heartbreak.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

NFL, Advertising & Authenticity

• Tom Brady’s Pizza Hut Commercial ([00:43–02:23])
  • Dan and Stugotz debate whether fans care that the celebrity pitchman (e.g., Tom Brady for Pizza Hut) doesn't consume the product.
    • "Do you guys think that Tom Brady eats pizza? Because I assume he doesn’t. He’s anti-carbs." — Stugotz ([01:05])
  • Comparisons to LeBron & Sprite, and other celebrity endorsements are made, emphasizing the separation between image and reality.

Viral Sports Fan Moments

• Seattle Celebrations & On-Air Censorship ([02:53–04:51])
  • The show laughs through a segment about raucous Seahawks fans cursing on live local TV.
    • "We just had Al Michaels on yesterday. He’s like, yeah, it used to be a big deal if I said shit on the air." — Dan ([03:31])
  • Amusing play-by-play of drunken, exuberant fan interviews and the impossible task for reporters to keep the crowd 'family friendly'.

Interview Hijinks & Local Sports Media

• Big3 Championship Interviews, Panthers/Avalanche, Fan Fandom ([05:04–07:26])
  • Joking about scrambling to interview Big3 champions.
  • Local radio hosts’ anxieties about the Florida Panthers’ playoff run, and a tangent on Avalanche fans and loyalties:
    • "You hear that? That’s a bunch of people who have chosen to leave a city on purpose." — Chris ([06:46])

Food & Pop Culture: Root Beer Taste-Test and "Undercover Cop" Jokes

Zaslow’s First Soda ([07:30–09:52])

• The crew makes Zaslow, who has never tried root beer or Dr. Pepper, taste both for the first time:
  • "Tastes like toothpaste. Oh, I know which one it is." — Zaslow ([08:37])
  • "Don’t ever put root beer in front of me ever again." — Zaslow ([09:13])
• This blends into everyone roasting his wardrobe with variations of "undercover cop" and "I’ll never be a cuckold":
  • "Two things about me: everybody knows I’m not an undercover cop and I’ll never be a cuckold." — Zaslow ([09:46])

Food Chains and Snack Debates

• White Castle and Convenience Foods ([10:07–11:13])
  • Light-hearted endorsement-like chat about White Castle sliders, the variety pack, and regional access.

Fitness Feats: Fowler, Harbaugh, Deion Sanders ([15:06–19:17])

• Chris Fowler’s and John Harbaugh’s Gym PRs
  • Chris Fowler and John Harbaugh, both in their 60s, impress with their weightlifting feats: Fowler’s deadlifts, Harbaugh’s 405-pound squat.
    • "How impressed were you by him? …John Harbaugh is 63 years old." — Dan ([17:34])
  • Deion Sanders, at 58, bench-presses 245 pounds multiple times.
  • Crew debates which athletic accomplishment is most remarkable at their ages.

QB Movement and College Football Portal

• Miami’s Portal Quarterback Formula ([19:22–21:21])
  • Discussion of Miami’s new transfer QB, Darian Mensah, and the emerging "portal QB every year" formula.
  • Explains the pros and potential risks of building programs around transfers versus development.

Featured Interview: Tyler Shough, Saints Quarterback ([22:56–35:20])

Early Career and Long College Journey ([23:24–24:15])

• Seven years as a college QB (Oregon, Texas Tech, Louisville).
  • "Not by choice, but through Covid and medical…was able to outlast it and yeah, had a blast. Learned a bunch." — Shough ([23:24])

NFL Adjustment and First Start Jitters ([24:15–24:59])

• Shough details his baptism by fire in the NFL: facing top defenses, immediate intensity.
  • "My first start was against the Rams…Vita Vea coming after you…Byron Young came free on the edge and hit me right in the jaw." — Shough ([24:28])

Player Intros and School Allegiances ([25:17–25:59])

• Amused by the idea of which school he would claim as his alma mater on SNF intros.
  • "I'll probably go Louisville…but I have connections, and a lot of love for all three." — Shough ([25:43])

Name Pronunciation Stories ([26:12–26:52])

• The group riffs on how often his last name is mispronounced.
  • "Shug, shoe, shuff, show…I mean, it should be all those things, but shock…in New Orleans you’re kind of shucking oysters." — Shough ([26:31])

On Dodging QB Comparison Questions ([26:52–28:34])

• NFL QBs can't openly compare other QBs; Tyler waxes diplomatic and lists locker room media cliches.
  • "You kind of resort to the miscommunication. I mean, it was just a miscommunication." — Shough ([28:10])
  • "Drawing board’s a good one. Love a drawing board." — Crew ([28:27])

Jeff Brohm’s Influence and XFL ‘Pulse’ Quote ([29:24–30:05])

• Shough on being inspired by Brohm’s fiery attitude and the legendary “Do you have a pulse?” speech.
  • "That was probably the sole reason I committed to Louisville…let’s go. This guy gets after it." — Shough ([29:42])

Rookie Halloween: Dressing as Saints Owner Gail Benson ([30:27–31:55])

• Shough tells a colorful anecdote of dressing as the Saints’ owner for the team rookie event.
  • "I was crapping my pants…but everyone kind of loved it. You can’t take yourself too seriously." — Shough ([31:43])

Processing Play Calls: The Quarterback’s Mental Sprint ([31:55–33:14])

• Shough jokingly attempts a play call:
  • “Motor flop, left stack, you know, F buzz, pop, raptors toss, double post wheel, can hand to duo spot…” — Shough ([32:42])
• Explains how much information must be processed in seconds.

Rapid-Fire Game: “Shuck Yes or Shuck No” ([33:36–34:49])

• The group throws Super Bowl party options at him:
  • Pizza? "Shuck yes."
  • Watching the game on mute? "Shuck no."
  • Chicken wings? "Shuck yes."
  • Super Bowl squares? "Shuck na."
  • Best highlight:
    • "Better quarterback Sam Darnold or Drake May: shuck yes or shuck no?" — Dan
    • "Shuck you, Dan." — Shough ([34:46])

Super Bowl Plans ([34:52–35:11])

• Shough may be celebrating the Super Bowl in the hospital with his wife as they await their first child.

Sports Storytelling: Denny Hamlin’s Loss and Resilience ([37:19–41:40])

• Segment on NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin's devastating failed championship run and the tragic loss of his father in a house fire.
  • Audio from Hamlin: "I've considered all options. I made a promise to Joe, give his family…I think that, you know, once I get in the swing of it, it'll actually be good, you know, to get back to it." ([38:59–39:23])
• Mike Ryan makes the case for Hamlin’s potential comeback as one of sport's great redemptions.
  • "Everybody should be rooting for Denny Hamlin…He has really been buoyed by the NASCAR community here. It’s a face turn." — Mike Ryan ([41:06])

Notable Quotes

• On Tom Brady as pitchman:
  "Do you want as a spokesman someone who would famously not eat that product?" — Dan Le Batard ([01:14])
• On Zaslow's first root beer:
  "Tastes like toothpaste…Don’t ever put root beer in front of me ever again." — Zaslow ([08:37], [09:13])
• On rookie QB mind-meld:
  "You got a path run option, you got your one high, two high, then you can let it ride…you got the play clock clicking down and you gotta snap the ball" — Tyler Shough ([32:42])
• On being media-savvy:
  "You kind of resort to the miscommunication…‘We’ll have to go back to the drawing board.’" — Shough ([28:10])
• On jokingly dodging a direct QB comparison:
  "Shuck you, Dan." — Tyler Shough ([34:46])
• On Denny Hamlin’s loss:
  "You can see a dude that looks broken…if Denny Hamlin finds a way to even win Daytona…it is one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of sport." — Mike Ryan ([41:02])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tom Brady Pizza Hut spot: 00:43–02:23
• Seattle fan chaos/Censoring cursing on air: 02:53–04:51
• Zaslow’s first taste of root beer: 07:30–09:52
• Feats of strength (Fowler, Harbaugh, Sanders): 15:06–19:17
• Miami’s transfer portal QB formula: 19:22–21:21
• Tyler Shough interview:
  • College journey/NFL debut: 23:24–24:59
  • Dodging tough questions/playbook cliches: 26:52–28:34
  • Halloween rookie anecdote: 30:27–31:55
  • “Shuck Yes or Shuck No”: 33:36–34:49
• Denny Hamlin heartbreak: 37:19–41:40

Tone

• Fast-paced, playful, and irreverent, with frequent asides and inside jokes
• Guests and hosts are smart, quick-witted, and game for mutual roasting
• Open embrace of sports fandom and pop culture with no pretensions
• The Tyler Shough conversation blends real insight with the group’s running gags and self-deprecating humor

For New Listeners

This episode is classic Le Batard and Stugotz: rapid-fire, unserious, and rich with sports moments you won’t get on "straight" talk radio. Even the guest spot with Tyler Shough, which brings genuine football insight, never loses the show’s unique mix of goofing, quick pivots, and playful authenticity. The Denny Hamlin segment provides a rare moment of emotional gravity and storytelling, showing the range and heart that makes the show more than just laughs.