The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: Tony's Top 5 Returns (feat. Mark Kelly)
Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode opens with a heavy national moment: the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and features a thoughtful, urgent conversation with Senator Mark Kelly about political violence, national unity, and the state of American democracy. The show then builds into its usual energetic sports banter, including football talk, Tony’s much-anticipated “Top 5 Returns,” and the signature rapid-fire, irreverent commentary the show is known for.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Violence & Its Fallout

(01:34 – 19:15)

• Reaction to the Shooting of Charlie Kirk

  • Senator Mark Kelly expresses horror, referencing both personal and national tragedies, including the attempt on his wife Gabby Giffords’ life.
    • “Political violence like this has no place in our society. And it really demonstrates kind of the worst of us…” (Senator Mark Kelly, 02:06)
  • He spotlights the pain endured by victims' families, drawing on his own experience.
    • “My wife in 2011, she survived. She's got, you know, serious and significant disability because of it. We shouldn't have, you know, this in our country happen over and over and over again.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 02:34)

• Why Is This Happening & What Can Be Done?

  • Kelly cites deep sociopolitical division and the easy access to firearms as root causes.
    • “We are like no other developed country in the world when it comes to gun violence.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 03:12)
  • He appeals for leadership focused on unity and responsible rhetoric—criticizing both sides for politicizing tragedies.
    • “I've got strong relationships with my Republican colleagues...I think the general public just thinks it's actually more, maybe more contentious and divisive than it actually is in Washington.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 03:51)
  • Stugotz pushes back, challenging the lack of concrete solutions, and Kelly reiterates the need for gun law reform and collective decency.

• The Investigation and Law Enforcement’s Role

  • Mark Kelly draws on his background as the son of police officers to defend investigative practices amid the manhunt for the killer.
    • “These things are challenging…You’re going to see the full force of the FBI and federal law enforcement put on this, and I’m confident that we will apprehend this individual.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 07:02)

• Is This a “Professional Hit”?

  • Tony raises the observed differences in this attack: a potential professional hit with little public trace.
    • “I feel like we crossed that. This is the scary territory…these things are typically messier…this seems like a professional hit.” (Tony, 07:49)

• Presidential Response & Responsibility

  • Stugotz references President Trump’s response, highlighting its partisan nature.
    • “Trump addressed the news from the Oval Office...blaming the radical left.” (Stugotz, 11:53)
  • Kelly critiques the President for missing an opportunity to unite the country.
    • “In our country’s history, every president has looked at when things like this happen, they look at it as an opportunity to unite us...I didn’t see that yesterday from him.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 12:11)

• Bipartisan Mourning and Reflection

  • Kelly underscores the shared human cost, referencing conversations with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and empathy for Kirk’s family.
    • “Forget about the politics for a second. I mean, this was a person who, you know, people loved him...” (Senator Mark Kelly, 13:47)

• Hope vs. Despair in the American Experiment

  • Stugotz asks if the times ever feel hopeless. Kelly remains optimistic:
    • “Hey, I am never a hopeless person. Like I am an optimist...I think we have a bright future. I think we do go through historically...very difficult and challenging times. And I do think we're going to get through this.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 15:27)

• Finger Pointing and Rhetoric

  • Tony points out Republicans’ immediate blame of Democrats. Kelly strikes a conciliatory note.
    • “I think they’re hurting...this isn’t unique to one party or the other...Give this a couple days, and I think people will, you know, calm down and we can really start thinking about some solutions.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 17:40)

Notable Quotes

• “If we don't work to try to fix this, this could get a lot worse. I think we're at a moment in our country's history a lot like it was in the 1960s...” (Senator Mark Kelly, 05:33)
• “We’ve lost our sense of humanity in this landscape.” (Stugotz, 04:34)

Timestamps for Reference

• 01:34 — Senator Kelly Joins, Initial Reaction
• 02:06 — The Human Cost & National Repetition
• 03:12 — Roots of Political Violence & Solutions
• 07:02 — Law Enforcement’s Approach
• 11:53 — Trump’s Reaction
• 13:47 — Bipartisan Mourning
• 15:27 — Hope vs. Despair

2. Transition to Sports: Levity & Football

(19:15 – 26:42)

• The mood shifts as Stugotz asks Senator Kelly to facilitate a transition to sports, specifically football allegiances and predictions.

  • Kelly, a Cardinals fan, predicts the Commanders to win over the Packers, and defends Kyler Murray:
    • “Kyler Murray is a very talented and...hardworking quarterback. And I, I think we're gonna win.” (Senator Mark Kelly, 20:30)
  • Banter ensues about Murray’s record and the Cardinals’ playoff prospects.

• Dan & Tony riff on the oddities of sports fandom and begin previewing upcoming football topics.

Timestamps for Reference

• 19:19 — Senator Kelly on Football Fandom
• 20:30 — Kelly’s Cardinals Faith

3. Tony’s Top 5 Returns: Football Week 1 Observations

(26:42 – 39:14)

Intro to the Segment

• Tony’s weekly “Top 5” sports take segment makes its triumphant return, with musical fanfare and mock-serious buildup.

The List (with Discussion and Banter)

1. Geno Smith’s Hot Start (27:00)

   • “Geno can still sling the pill.”
   • Panel discusses Smith’s throws, the Raiders, and dome stats.
   • “The Raiders are going to be in this conversation, mark my words.” (Tony, 27:35)
   • Debate: Are the Raiders actually “for real?”—ever? (27:43)

2. Chargers Hype (29:45)

   • “Funny enough, are the Chargers for real?”
   • Justin Herbert’s strong performance in Brazil gets a nod, and the crew compares the Raiders’ and Chargers’ legitimacy.
   • “Put it on the pole, please. More ‘for real’: Raiders or Chargers?” (Stugotz, 30:09)

3. J.J. McCarthy’s Grit (31:33)

   • “J.J. McCarthy showed me some major cojones on Monday night.”
   • Lively debate over “rookie” definitions, early hype, and comparing stats to Sam Darnold.

4. Packers as a “Unit” (34:51)

   • “Packers seem to be a unit.”
   • Playful mockery of the vagueness of calling an entire team a “unit.” Are they actually cohesive or just appearing to be?

5. Closing Windows for Lions & 49ers (37:22)

   • Dan dramatically announces, “That was the Super Bowl window closing for the Lions and 49ers!”
   • Panel debates whether injuries and tough schedules spell doom for either playoff contender.

Notable Quotes

• “The wonder strike from Cristiano. This has got more curves to it than Jessica Rabbit on steroids.” (Ray Hudson Tribute, 24:49)
• “The point is...they seem to be a unit, but I want to see how that offense gets together because their offense, even though they have a good quarterback, [has only] B pieces.” (Dan Le Batard, 36:41)
• “I want you guys to do some math for me here...If I just made all [Ravens’] double digit leads wins...would they suddenly have a better winning percentage than the best teams in the league?” (Stugotz, 39:14)

Timestamps for Reference

• 26:42 — “Tony’s Top 5” Segment Begins
• 27:00 — #5 Geno Smith Observation
• 29:45 — #4 Chargers “For Real?” Debate
• 31:33 — #3 J.J. McCarthy “Cojones” Discussion
• 34:51 — #2 Packers as a “Unit”
• 37:22 — #1 Closing Window for the Lions & 49ers

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Senator Mark Kelly on Political Violence:
  “If we don’t work to try to fix this, this could get a lot worse. I think we’re at a moment in our country’s history a lot like it was in the 1960s…” (05:33)

• Ray Hudson Sound Clip Tribute:
  “This is not just a dream. It’s a wet dream of orgasmic proportions...” (Ray Hudson via Dan, 24:49)

• Tony Reviving the “Are They For Real?” Question About the Raiders:
  “We’ve been asking that one for 25 years. Not. We’ve asked Rick Springfield that. No, are they for real?” (Stugotz, 27:48)

• Dan on Optimism:
  “The strengths of our country are much more powerful than our shortcomings...” (Senator Mark Kelly, 15:27)

Tone & Style

• The episode oscillates between somber reflection and energetic, irreverent sports debate, maintaining the personality-driven, conversational style the show is known for.
• Political segments are mature, nuanced, and earnest, driven by Senator Kelly's perspective.
• Football and “Top 5” segments are fast-paced, witty, self-aware, and full of inside jokes—classic “Le Batard Show” banter.

Conclusion

This episode deftly balances national gravity with the lightness of sports talk radio. Senator Mark Kelly provides sobering, firsthand insight into the costs of political violence and the constant challenge of fostering civility and unity, while the crew—true to form—restore balance through laughs, friction, and football obsession.

Further Listening:

• For more on the fallout in Washington, listen from (01:34 – 19:15).
• For Tony’s “Top 5” and all football takes, tune in from (26:42 onwards).