Podcast Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 2: Bryant McKinnie Puts Jeremy In a Headlock
Air Date: January 15, 2026
Featured Guests: Andrew Santino (comedian), Bryant McKinnie (former NFL/UM star)
Location: The Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Episode Overview

This episode is a wild, energetic blend of Miami sports talk, comedic banter, and hijinks, featuring two memorable guests: former University of Miami football and NFL star Bryant McKinnie and stand-up comedian/actor Andrew Santino. The hour jumps between South Florida nostalgia, college and pro sports analysis, and plenty of laughs—culminating in McKinnie putting Jeremy in a playful headlock. Throughout, Dan, Stugotz, and the crew riff on cultural identity, athletic legacy, and the unpredictable nature of sports, all while retaining the show’s uniquely self-deprecating, fast-talking, and irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Miami Nostalgia and Cuban Culture (03:31 – 06:22)

• Tony is live from Havana Collection, describing a setting that's part gallery, part clothing shop, surrounded by classic Cuban cars.
  • Tony: “It’s half museum, half gallery, half guayabera shop…we’re in the back here with all these Cuban classic cars, from the 1960s and 50s.” (01:40)
• Playful banter about Cuba’s laid-back lifestyle and the quirks of Cuban car culture—including lawnmower engines in place of standard car engines.
• The team jokes about Dan’s Miami credibility and connection to Cuban culture, teasing that Tony should buy him a vintage Hurricanes jacket for future live events.

2. Language, Show Culture, and Ja Morant’s Downward Spiral (06:22 – 11:36)

• Jeremy suggests the team’s “Spanish Week” is affecting their English.
  • Jeremy: “I think we’ve been speaking so much Spanish as a show that we’ve forgotten how to speak English.” (06:32)
• Dan reflects on his own aging and declining verbal grace.
  • Dan: “You’ve seen me stumble…my ability to speak English has been contaminated by having to speak it too much every day.” (06:37)
• The crew switches gears to discuss Ja Morant’s latest drama, including near-fights captured on video and a possible permanent rift with Memphis.
  • Dan: “The guy was gonna be the one who replaced Steph Curry. And what’s happened since then is a poison stream of immaturity and social media…he’s sort of a broken, damaged product and possibly body as well.” (07:21)
  • The team speculates that Ja Morant’s trade value has crashed, and that the market for ball-dominant, small guards (like Trae Young) is collapsing.

3. The Grizzlies' Collapse and Trade Market Shifts (09:18 – 10:55)

• Stu: “He’ll never play for them again.”
• Analysis of how previously prized players are now “discount bin” material, and how the era of massive trade packages (five first-round picks, etc.) may be ending.
• Dan: “What a terrible ending for the Grizzlies… they were going to challenge the champions, and this is a proud basketball town… unpleasant at the center of this franchise.” (09:50)

4. Bryant McKinnie Joins – Talking Miami Legacy & Trench Play (16:12 – 18:55)

• McKinnie’s decorated college and NFL career is recounted, with Dan emphasizing his rare feat:
  • Dan: “I don’t think he ever allowed a sack at the University of Miami, I don’t think in practice either…” (16:15)
  • McKinnie confirms: “That seems like that’s true. Nobody’s ever said that—and they won’t.” (20:38)
• Discussion of offensive line’s importance—McKinnie likens O-linemen to an engine for the team, emphasizing physical dominance and time of possession.
  • “The trenches…are like the motor. You can’t go anywhere without the motor. The quarterback is the driver, receiver, tight end, running back, or the wheel. Everything starts out with the motor.” (18:30)
• Dan and Mike reminisce about Miami’s history of great linemen, and how current coach Mario Cristobal is restoring that tradition.

5. McKinnie vs. Jeremy – The Headlock Incident (19:04 – 19:34)

• The show playfully escalates as McKinnie stands up next to Jeremy to highlight their size disparity. Then, McKinnie physically lifts Jeremy in a playful display:
  • Jeremy: “You did ask when you came in here—why is [Jeremy] here?” (19:04)
  • Dan: “You can just go ahead and drop them.” (19:29)
• The crew laughs at Jeremy’s discomfort and inability to match McKinnie’s presence and strength.

6. Andrew Santino Call-in: Bears Fandom and Self-Deprecation (21:34 – 32:32)

• Santino "returns" to apologize for missing Bears duties, analyzes a rare exciting Chicago season, and riffs on suffering through a quarterback drought.
  • Santino: “Before I entered the earth, I think we had a quarterback. Since then, we’ve had 32 schlubs and the Packers have had two Hall of Famers…” (22:49)
• Santino dreams of a playoff upset: “I’m sure the Rams are slotted to win…but I think the Bears have something special going on right now, and I think magic is in the air.” (26:40)
• Multiple jokes about Dan’s “Cuban-ness,” ginger pride, and potential anatomical endowments.
  • Santino (repeatedly, playfully): “You're Cuban the way that I’m Puerto Rican…I want you guys to know that Santino is a Puerto Rican name…so I’m Puerto Rican!” (40:03)

7. Raunchy Banter, Self-Awareness, and Comedy Careers (31:50 – 38:52)

• Santino plugs his podcasts (Whiskey Ginger, Bad Friends, No Bad Lies), discusses the business of comedy, and reflects on how stand-up will survive the digital age.
  • “Live performance will never die…we love performing live. I think we’re going to be okay.” (37:19)
• The show devolves into deep, crass humor about “units” and size, with Santino insisting:
  • “You’re still a better man with a bigger unit. And that’s something Dan’s just got to deal with.” (34:01)
  • Dan: “Cubans do not have this reputation…I don’t know where you gingers come off thinking that you’re thicker, but that is not a thing.” (34:39)

8. Reflections on Friendship, Special Taping, and Final Bears Prediction (38:52 – 39:30)

• Santino articulates pride in Bobby Lee as Lee tapes his special, sharing about the importance of friendship and support:
  • “I am really proud of my friend, man…he’s put together the right puzzle pieces…I’m going to send him a little sweet gift for the night of his taping. It’ll make the night or ruin it—we’ll see.” (38:20)
• Santino ends on an optimistic—if not entirely rational—belief that the Bears are destined to upset the Rams.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Miami Offensive Line Legacy:
  “I feel like I’ve always said this—that the trenches are like the motor…everything starts out with the motor.”
  — Bryant McKinnie (18:30)

• On Ja Morant:
  “The guy was gonna be the one who replaced Steph Curry. And what’s happened since then is a poison stream of immaturity and social media…”
  — Dan Le Batard (07:21)

• Bears Quarterback Suffering:
  “Before I entered the earth, I think we had a quarterback…since then, we’ve had 32 schlubs and the Packers have had two Hall of Famers.”
  — Andrew Santino (22:49)

• On the Fate of Live Standup:
  “Live performance will never die…We love performing live. There’s nothing like that feeling, connecting with people.”
  — Andrew Santino (37:19)

• Headlock Hijinks:
  [After McKinnie picks up Jeremy]
  “You can just go ahead and drop them.”
  — Dan (19:29)

• On Cuban Authenticity:
  “You're Cuban the way that I’m Puerto Rican…Santino is a Puerto Rican name…so I’m Puerto Rican!”
  — Andrew Santino (40:03)

• Signature Show Self-Awareness:
  “People know this week—fake Cuban, fake, fake sports fan. I’m being accused of nothing but grifting off sports this week.”
  — Dan (33:02)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Miami Nostalgia/Live On-Location: 03:31–06:22
• Language/Show Banter; Ja Morant Discussion: 06:22–11:36
• Grizzlies Trade Conversation: 09:18–10:55
• Bryant McKinnie Joins/Offensive Line Talk: 16:12–18:55
• McKinnie Puts Jeremy in a Headlock: 19:04–19:34
• Andrew Santino Interview (Bears, Comedy, Banter): 21:34–39:40
• Comedy Industry & Friendship: 37:19–38:52

Tone and Style

True to the show’s DNA, this episode is fast, irreverent, and a bit chaotic. Dan and Stugotz are both thoughtful and self-deprecating; the atmosphere is loose and genuinely funny, with recurring in-jokes and Miami nostalgia. Sports are discussed with a mix of honesty and comedic detachment—no one’s afraid to call out failures, and the guests (especially Santino) perfectly match the vibe, mixing sports takes with stand-up-worthy barbs.

This recap captures the essential moments, memorable quotes, and natural flow for anyone who missed the episode—delivering both insight and entertainment in classic Le Batard Show fashion.