Hour 2: Jason Stidham, Pablo Pascal, and a Muppet (feat. Brad Williams and Amin Elhassan)

Summary

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The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 2: Jason Stidham, Pablo Pascal, and a Muppet

Date: January 20, 2026
From the Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

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Episode Overview

This episode blends sports heartbreak, coaching controversies, and the show’s signature comedic riffing. Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and company reminisce on the Miami Hurricanes’ devastating football loss, dissect the Dolphins’ unheralded new coaching hire, and run the emotional gamut from despair to absurdity, all while welcoming comedian Brad Williams and analyst Amin Elhassan. Notable moments include arguments over “short kings,” Broncos optimism in the face of Bo Nix’s injury, and several running jokes targeting both hosts and guests.

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Key Discussions and Insights

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1. Miami Hurricanes’ Heartbreaking Championship Loss

Context:
The Hurricanes suffered one of the most crushing losses in South Florida sports history—falling just short of a football national championship.

Breakdown:

• Immediate Reactions:
  • The group laments the loss, comparing its heartbreak to past Miami sporting tragedies (20:15).
  • The pain is amplified by how close the Hurricanes were—drawing parallels to Dan Marino’s lone Super Bowl loss (20:15–21:04).
• Historical Context:
  • Greg Cody: “It would have hurt less if Miami had lost by four touchdowns. It hurts less than that because you're right there… there's something cruel about that.” (21:04)
  • Mike Ryan: “If they lose a lopsided game, it's easier to rationalize... But the way they lost last night, that's going to honk Mario forever, I guarantee you.” (21:55)
  • The group collectively places this loss among the worst in Miami sports history, second only to the infamous 2002 Fiesta Bowl defeat (25:39).
• Shame or No Shame?
  • The mood is somber but not shameful—no one blames Mario Cristobal or the team:
    • Mike Ryan: “I think it would be cruel, literally cruel to blame the Hurricanes... I would feel a trust in Mario Cristobal to work the portal again. And I would feel like the U is back.” (25:02–25:39)

Notable Quote:

• Dan Le Batard: “You could feel a city a bit hungover, a bit sad from wanting to believe... daring to hope and then coming up, forgive the expression, that short.” (19:05)

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2. The Miami Dolphins’ New Head Coach: The Non-Event

Context:
The Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley as head coach in a manner that the crew finds particularly uninspiring and “buried.”

Breakdown:

• Fan Reaction:
  • Dan Le Batard calls it the least-celebrated coaching hire in Dolphins history, upstaged by the simultaneous major football game (00:56–02:28).
• Behind the Scenes:
  • Mike Ryan explains the Dolphins’ hand was forced due to the Rooney Rule and a leak from another candidate; the announcement dropped during the game’s first quarter (02:28–03:37).
  • Zaz describes fan confusion: “It came off like a fart... my wife got the alert… dolphins hire Jeff How? Is that a coach? ...nobody really cares.” (03:47)
• PR over Performance:
  • Dave Damashek: “The thing that carries the day is who’s good at PR, who’s good in an interview. Belichick is not that... It’s loco that that would be the case.” (04:14)
• “Name Value” and Expectations:
  • Greg Cody and Mike Ryan debate whether Chris Shula would’ve been the more popular hire, noting Hafley’s greater experience but the Dolphins’ long history of whiffs (05:05–06:01).

Notable Quote:

• Greg Cody: “You absolutely win the offseason if you do the popular thing of going with the defensive coordinator who has a name that people have heard of.” (05:05)

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3. The “Short King” Riff with Brad Williams

Context:
Comedian Brad Williams joins, sparking escalating (and good-natured) jokes about short men and football leadership.

Breakdown:

• Transition from Head Coaches to Height:
  • Discussion about Hafley’s stature morphs into Brad taking issue (06:05–07:09).
  • Brad Williams: “Every time I try to bring a little flavor, you guys just—oh, you guys with the short bit. If that joke was any deader, it’d be related to Dan.” (07:19)
• Ongoing Teasing:
  • Audio quality becomes a target—“you sound like you’re in a submarine” (07:55).
  • Brad plugs his podcast “Heightened Babble,” which is then mocked for possibly being called “Jesus Christ” per Mike Ryan (08:02–08:13).

Notable Quotes:

• Brad Williams: “You have me on your show, presumably for my great football analysis, and then you immediately go to short jokes!” (13:32)
• Brad Williams (riffing with Greg Cody): “He does not have me right next to him telling me the short joke. You have me, and you go right to the short joke. Lame comedy.” (14:17)

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4. Broncos’ Quarterback Woes and Brad Williams' Hope

Context:
Williams, as honorary Broncos correspondent, reacts to losing QB Bo Nix and being saddled with backup Jared Stidham.

Breakdown:

• Personal Anecdote:
  • Brad describes euphorically doing a show after a Broncos win, only to find out about Nix’s injury immediately after (08:47–09:18).
  • Brad: “I thought someone died… and then I get off, and it’s much worse than that.” (09:19–09:20)
• Hopeful Spin:
  • Williams positions Stidham as a “comparable backup,” drawing parallels to Osweiler's sub-in for Peyton Manning in 2015 (10:02).
  • Room is skeptical; Dave Damashek calls Stidham “the worst starting quarterback in the Super Bowl era,” using historic comps (11:42).
• Level of Optimism:
  • Brad: “We’ve seen this before with Jeff Hostetler... with Nick Foles beating the Patriots... It wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world, but yeah. Hope is not...” (13:02)
• Audience Interplay:
  • Brad’s plea for Tebow to “Mr. Miyagi” Bo Nix’s ankle (11:06).

Notable Quotes:

• Greg Cody: “Do you believe in Stitty?” (10:40)
• Brad Williams (on the immediate postgame emotional swing): “I don’t know anyone that’s gone that high to that low that quickly.” (11:06)

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5. South Florida’s Most Painful Sports Moments: Ranking the Heartbreaks

Context:
Debate unfolds over the worst sports losses in Miami’s history.

Breakdown:

• The panel compares the Canes’ loss to other Miami heartbreaks:
  • 2002 Fiesta Bowl
  • Dan Marino’s Super Bowl
  • The Heat’s loss to the Mavericks
  • The divisional-round Dolphins loss to Kellen Winslow Sr.'s Chargers (26:34)
• Significance of “losing when you’re that close” versus being blown out (21:04–22:09).
• Mike Ryan separates championship losses from other hurtful defeats: “Last night was for everything. Last night was for history. And to be that close and denied, I think is a whole different level than anything that precedes it.” (26:59)

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6. Amin Elhassan’s Weekend Observations and Muppet Moment

Context:
Amin delivers his “Weekend Observations”—a satirical, rapid-fire segment covering NFL oddities, NBA, and pop culture.

Breakdown:

• Amin laments having to move his segment: “Weekend Observations will be moved to another day… Only to find out about, oh, 20 minutes before.” (30:32)
• Observations range from the NFL playoffs (“Nothing says NFL playoffs like Jason Statham–Stidham”) (33:34–33:36) to Mims Jr.’s catch and the Hurricanes’ heartbreak.
• Sudden left-turn:
  • “Dave Damashek was born to be a Muppet.” (34:26)
  • Playful back-and-forth: “What in hell? What? ... I thought were enjoyable, and now this.” (34:31–35:00)
• Shout-outs and asides—African Nations Cup, Jesse Williams’ MLK basketball doc, “Who would win in a one-on-one: Obama or Castro?” (35:04–36:11)
• Adult-tinged jokes about a sideline cameraman zoom (“Pure Taboo, Kink University, and anal destruction 4”) (37:11); ribbing about not knowing adult actress Abella Danger (37:11–37:17).

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7. Miami Sports History Deep Dives and ‘Back in My Day’

Context:
Greg Cody, as the resident historian, and Dave Damashek revisit 80s playoff formats, lost Dolphins odds, and bizarre trivia.

Breakdown:

• Greg Cody: “There’s actually a Back in My Day” (30:08).
• Banter over the 1982 “Super Playoffs” amid an NFL strike—why “Super Bowl tournament” made no sense (38:44–39:03).
• Damashek details Dolphins-Patriots and Dolphins-Chargers playoff lore—Mike Ryan and Greg challenge and add trivia (“Richard Todd. No one called him Dick Todd”) (40:04–40:13).
• Ralph Bancherska once hosted Wheel of Fortune (40:30)—trivia leads to giggles and inside jokes.

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Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Dan Le Batard on fan pain:
  “You could feel a city a bit hungover… and then coming up, forgive the expression, that short.” (19:05)
• Zaz on Dolphins coaching hire:
  “It came off like a fart… my wife got the alert… dolphins hire Jeff How? …nobody really cares.” (03:47)
• Brad Williams, on the “short joke” riff:
  “If that joke was any deader, it’d be related to Dan.” (07:19)
• Greg Cody, on what stings the most:
  “It hurts less if Miami had lost by four touchdowns. It hurts less than that because you’re right there… there’s something cruel about that.” (21:04)
• Amin Elhassan, on Dave Damashek:
  “Dave Damashek was born to be a Muppet.” (34:26)

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Memorable Moments

• Brad Williams embraces his Broncos hope—and his new podcast “Heightened Babble”—despite short jokes and technical struggles. (06:41–15:17)
• Show-wide riff comparing sports heartbreaks, with everyone offering up their most soul-crushing Miami moment. (19:05–27:24)
• Amin Elhassan’s “Weekend Observations” derails into sports-adult star crossover confusion and the quick-crowning of Dave Damashek as a real-life Muppet. (33:34–36:11)

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Segment and Discussion Timestamps

• Miami coaching hire news & fallout: 00:56–06:01
• Brad Williams & “short kings” segment: 06:41–15:19
• Ranking Miami sports heartbreaks: 19:05–27:24
• Amin’s Weekend Observations, “Muppet” moment: 30:39–36:11
• Deep Miami sports playoff history: 38:44–40:51

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Summary

This episode blends humor, raw fan agony, and meta banter in a way only The Dan Le Batard Show can. From Miami’s devastating near-miss in the college football championship to the Dolphins’ muted head coaching hire, the crew processes heartbreak the only way they know how: with layered sports references, running inside jokes (especially at Brad Williams’ expense), and a willingness to both satirize and celebrate the absurdity of being a sports fan in South Florida.

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Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

[Greg Cody]

Beck steps up, delivers downfield, intercepted. Jamari Sharp and the Hoosiers of Indiana are your national champions in football. We were still alive on the final drive the Hurricanes had managed to survive then in our own stadium, we just fell flat still, it can't be denied.

[Amin Elhassan]

That the you is back oh.

[Tony]

It'S.

[Greg Cody]

A bitch that we lost but the you still back can't be argued It's a matter of fact you can bitch all you want we're still better than you and everyone but the Hoosiers from.

[Dave Damashek]

Iuo Come on, Carson.

[Greg Cody]

Going deep here. We These guys won 13 games this year. The you, the you, you still back Got to the playoffs for the first time in Miami history the you, the you, the you still back Won the Cotton bowl the you, the you, the you still back Won the Fiesta bowl the you, the you, the you still back they're the best thing that's happened to Miami in over two decades. Mike, you should know that. I would have won back in just a few minutes, all of those, UM fans, because the rant was written. The rant was going to make its return and it was written and it was going to slay. And now it is dead, never to be seen because an interception got thrown at the end. Brad Williams is going to be here in a second. And I wanted to wonder with Greg Cody, because I think I can say this. Since football became popular, I don't believe there has ever been a Miami Dolphin head coaching hire with less fanfare than what it is that I saw yesterday because of the timing of it. You're talking about the biggest football game in 20, 25 years played in Miami, and the Dolphins are announcing their head coach then. I don't think that it matters, but it is weird that you usually want the hope of. And now we got the new answer and it just was buried yesterday.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, it wasn't voluntary. The Dolphins didn't want it that way. I was speaking with a Dolphin official in the press box last night, and what happened was, first of all, they had to fulfill the Rooney rule. They had to interview two minority candidates.

[Tony]

They done that.

[Mike Ryan]

They hadn't done it until the last one was at like 4pm yesterday. Okay. So they were late doing that. And before they did that, they couldn't hire anyone else.

[Stugats]

The Halfley News came out, like, right after that, I think.

[Mike Ryan]

Exactly. And what else happened was somebody, I'm told somebody who didn't get the job leaked the news that it seemed like Halfley was going to get the job. Okay. So when it was then leaked to the media, then all the, you know, Schefter and all these reports come out and then the Dolphins, they have no choice but to confirm it. At 8:12pm like in the middle of the first quarter, they're confirming. So it was a weird circumstance that forced their hand.

[Stugats]

Oh, I didn't even, I didn't even see that the Dolphins actually confirmed it, which would make sense because, you know, I was watching the football game.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, so were, so were most people. So it, it, it did not work out the way they wanted. Believe me, they would have liked to have announced it and introduced him later in the week for sure.

[Zaz]

It kind of came off like a fart, right? Because my wife got the alert on, on ESPN and she's like, dolphins hire Jeff How? And I'm like, I'm like, she.

[Tony]

He's like.

[Zaz]

She's like, is that a coach? I'm like, yeah, he's a Green Bay packers defensive. She's like, okay, I lost interest. But like everybody's asking me like, who is this guy? And I'm like trying to like, I, to explain the nuance of. Yeah, he's a first time head coach defensive coordinator. You know, the packers defense has been kind of good. They got Michael Parson, but it's like nobody really cares.

[Dave Damashek]

It's loco. Dan, like you and Diana were talking about a little while ago, that the thing that seems to carry the day is who's good at pr, who's good in an interview. Belichick is not that. And more recently, Liam Cohen was a laughingstock in his introductory press conference, and so was Nick Sirianni a couple of years ago. So, yeah, it's a, it, it's, it's loco that that would be the case. But you made the most important part, what I thought was a striking point yesterday, which is if they're going after a defensive coordinator in Miami, there's a more obvious name.

[Greg Cody]

I mean, Chris Shula. To me, you hire that, you immediately create something that would have made a noise even during the championship game.

[Mike Ryan]

It would have been a more popular hire. I'm not sure it would have been a better hire because we can't know how good Halfley's.

[Greg Cody]

Well, we can't, we can't know. But all things being equal, as I think they are with young defensive coordinator whiz kids, like in terms of us not knowing how to do the analysis on the Mike McDonald's of the world before they get hired, where I only hear Mina Kimes and no one else celebrating that, like, as far as those things go, you absolutely win the off season if you do the popular thing of going with the defensive coordinator who has a name that people have heard of.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah. I also think it's fair to note Chris Shula has had fewer head coach interviews than Halfley. I mean, there's a reason for that. Hafley's a little bit older, I believe, a little bit more experienced at what he's doing, and there's a reason the Dolphins like him. My only hesitation with this hire is that I don't trust the Dolphins. It's that I. Nobody can know whether Halfley's going to be good or not. But you have almost 20 years of track record that the Dolphins aren't very good at. Hiring a head coach.

[Dave Damashek]

I got to meet him at ACC media days a few years ago.

[Tony]

Nice.

[Dave Damashek]

Here's my take. Certified, sweetie pie. Super nice guy. Not very tall.

[Zaz]

Ooh, I don't like that short king.

[Tony]

I need.

[Zaz]

No, I need a. I need a. I need a lot of solid walking. I need a guy who's six, five and a half.

[Greg Cody]

You can't tell on zoom.

[Dave Damashek]

Although Joe Philbin was tall.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, that's true.

[Greg Cody]

Cam Cameron was as well.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, he was.

[Zaz]

Sorry, Brad.

[Greg Cody]

Put it on the pole at Lebatar. Is Halfly a certified cutie pie?

[Brad Williams]

Sweetie pie, Sweetie pie.

[Greg Cody]

Where'd you get cutie pie Transition, Sweetie pie. Speaking of short, last time Brad Williams was on with us. What? You were mad. Last time you were upset. Last time you were on with us.

[Brad Williams]

Well, yeah, because you said, keep it short. Now I'm about to come on with you again to finally talk about a meaningful NFL team. You know, an NFL team that plays football in January and into February. And then you guys are like, ah, yeah, short guys. Don't trust them. Hate short guys. They can't coach. They can't be a leader of men who. What do you know, Tony? You threw invisible footballs. That's your bona fides, right?

[Zaz]

If I would have thrown real ones, I would have made the team, buddy.

[Brad Williams]

I'm sorry, is there not a pro athlete that you could tell that you could be better than in the studio right now? Tell that you could back down. Holy God.

[Amin Elhassan]

I can't.

[Brad Williams]

I can't win on this show. It's just. I try to. Come on, I try to bring a little flavor, and then you guys just. Oh, you guys with the short bit. If that joke was any deader, it'd be related to Dan.

[Tony]

Brad, you Have a new podcast. Jesus Christ.

[Zaz]

That's on the podcast.

[Tony]

You're gonna want to have to select the right microphone for when you're recording.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Tony]

All right. This is. Take it from an industry vet.

[Greg Cody]

All right. Don't be short with him again.

[Brad Williams]

What is this Not. Is it not picking up? It's got a green light on it. It's working.

[Greg Cody]

It just sounds tinny. You sound tinny. You sound like you're in a submarine.

[Brad Williams]

Where, you know, check out height and babble. New podcast.

[Dave Damashek]

Brad started.

[Greg Cody]

I thought it was Jesus Christ. I thought the name of the podcast was Jesus Christ from the way Mike Ryan described it.

[Mike Ryan]

Jesus Christ.

[Brad Williams]

I. I think you should have Mark Norman on the show to have him talk about sports. I think that would be better than Tony down the Miami game.

[Greg Cody]

You are our Broncos correspondent. You finally been elevated. Congratulations on that. Stidham hasn't started a game in 750 days and has started all four games his entire life. How do you feel about the good news, bad news of you beat the Bills, but now you've got a problem in it that you're not going to win the Super Bowl? There is no circumstance under which you're going to win the Super Bowl.

[Brad Williams]

So when the Broncos beat the Bills, I immediately had to go on stage in Greeley, Colorado, and the news had not broken yet, literally, about Bo Nick's ankle. So I walk on stage in Greeley, Colorado, 1800 people. Everyone's going crazy. Everyone's happy. And then when I got off stage, I literally had my tour manager and my opening act on the side of the stage going, you should look at your phone. And I thought someone died. I literally thought, like, oh, God, what happened? My wife. What happened?

[Tony]

My mother.

[Brad Williams]

What happened?

[Mike Ryan]

My kid?

[Brad Williams]

And then I get off, and it's much worse than that.

[Greg Cody]

So explain to us the level of crestfallen. My guess is you've probably not had something that felt exactly like that, where you've won the game against Josh Allen in. In dramatic and spectacular fashion. And then that is the worst news you can get.

[Amin Elhassan]

Correct. That's.

[Greg Cody]

There's no worse news than that.

[Brad Williams]

That is the worst news. The only other way it could have been worse is if they said, like, well, we've gone back, and since Bo Nicks broke his ankle, now we're going to make the Bills win so they can move on, so there can be a team with a good quarterback. But I have hope in Stitty. I have hope in Jared Stidham. He's been in that.

[Greg Cody]

Stop it. Years.

[Brad Williams]

He's been in the system for three years. He's the highest paid backup quarterback in the league. There's a reason why Sean Payton likes him. He is not Bo Nix. Let's be honest. He is not Bo Nicks, but I believe he is a comparable backup. And this is very similar to the 2015 Denver Broncos that won the super bowl because Peyton Manning had the plantar fasciitis and we had to win some games with Brock Osweiler that year to actually move on and get to the playoffs. So eerily similar, defensive centered team, not focused so much on the quarterback. So it's not great news, but I have some hope.

[Greg Cody]

Put it on the poll, please. Do you believe in Stitty? Because I really am having a hard time finding a comp for what happened with Sean Payton where he's coming at the press conference. His players have left. He doesn't want them to learn from someone other than him that Bo Nix is out. So he feels the need to have the press conference that wrecks Brad Williams night as soon as he gets off stage. Can we.

[Brad Williams]

Can we have Tim Tebow, like, do a little Mr. Miyagi over Bo Nick's ankle? Just something. Give me a couple of throws. I don't know. It was truly heartbreaking. And I don't have a comp for it either, Dan. I don't know anyone that's gone that high to that low that quickly.

[Greg Cody]

I remember Magic Johnson one time they made it to the finals and he had torn his hamstring and so he couldn't play in the finals and then they got swept. But Bo Nicks isn't that. Obviously. But if you're enthused about the Broncos, your chances of winning the super bowl are now over. Like, you can have your hope about this weekend in a home game. You're not beating the NFC team with this as your quarterback.

[Dave Damashek]

Well, at minimum, Brad, I think that Jared Stidham. Sorry for the pessimism. If you were to win this game, I do think Jared Stidham stands as the worst starting quarterback in the super bowl era. And I'm sincerely David Woodley. The late David Woodley from LSU and Super Bowl 17 Trent Dilfer is off is often volunteered. He's the wrong answer. Rex Grossman deserved Caleb Haney. The comp would be Caleb Haney would have had to start that super bowl. Super Bowl 45 against Pittsburgh 15 or so years ago because Jay Cutler tore his knee. And it would have been had had BJ Rajji not pick sixth. Caleb Haney towards The end of that game, it would have been Roethlisberger Co. Versus Caleb Haney. Yikes. I feel deprived as a football fan, too. Drake vs. Bo would have been great rambling. That was good info, though. I agree.

[Zaz]

He said Super Bowl 17.

[Mike Ryan]

Caleb Haney.

[Brad Williams]

The people are fighting back. They want me to stay.

[Dave Damashek]

Dave should.

[Dan Le Batard]

Now, you still got to go.

[Greg Cody]

You can be hopeful, but my guess is you're faking it.

[Brad Williams]

I mean, we've seen this before with Jeff Hostetler. He won a Super bowl with the Giants. We've seen it with Nick Foles beating the Patriots. Nick Foles had a great tweet, by the way, about how the Patriots notoriously come up short against backup quarterbacks. So I love that by Nick Foles. So we've seen it before. It wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world, but, yeah, Hope is not.

[Greg Cody]

Wait a minute.

[Stugats]

You're good with Foles saying that.

[Greg Cody]

You're good with Foles saying come up short, but I say it and you get mad at me, boy.

[Brad Williams]

He's not talking to me. I'm not standing next to Nick Foles, and he's holding me up like a prop. He's not doing that. Dan Lebatard, you have me on your show, presumably for my great football analysis, not for my microphone, but for my great football analysis. And then you immediately go to short jokes. It's ridiculous. And we've broken bread together. Dan Lebatar, you coming out.

[Dan Le Batard]

You.

[Brad Williams]

You come out to Los Angeles. I met your wife. Your. Your wife is impossibly more attractive than you. I don't understand that. I don't understand how you guys have gotten two $50 million deals from DraftKings and she can't afford Lasik surgery. I don't get this. But at the same time, I like.

[Tony]

He doesn't.

[Brad Williams]

He does not have me right next to him telling me the short joke. You have me, and you go right to the short joke. Lame comedy.

[Zaz]

Hey, Brad, does your beanie have a horse's mane on the back?

[Brad Williams]

Yes, and it's fabulous.

[Mike Ryan]

It is fabulous.

[Zaz]

I kept seeing orange hair in the back. I was like, I know he doesn't have orange hair. What's going on back there?

[Brad Williams]

This is my announcement that I am part of the Brony community. I'm now joining the Bronies.

[Stugats]

You knew he didn't have orange hair, Tony. You knew that.

[Zaz]

I knew you didn't have orange or Brad Williams.

[Dave Damashek]

Tour dates go to bradwilliamscomedy.com Zaz, my.

[Brad Williams]

Dad and myself Saw his show a couple weeks ago. Great show. He's also got a new podcast. Podcast. Heightened Babble. Check it out.

[Greg Cody]

Good seeing you, Brad. Thank you for making the time. Always appreciate you enjoying insulting us and being insulted by us. Thank you, sir.

[Brad Williams]

Thank you.

[Greg Cody]

Go, go, Bronx. We did shut him down because everybody wants the Broncos now to go away.

[Brad Williams]

It would be a nightmare if they want.

[Greg Cody]

Nobody. Nobody wants that in the super bowl anymore.

[Brad Williams]

What do you mean they want the Broncos to go away? You want the Patriots? You want the Patriots? Honestly?

[Stugats]

Yes.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. I want a quarterback. That's not Stidham.

[Brad Williams]

You want. You want Bill Simmons to just be talking about how this is the greatest Boston team of all time?

[Stugats]

He makes good points. Fair.

[Zaz]

That is Stidham. Guys, let's.

[Dave Damashek]

All right, I'm back.

[Greg Cody]

Junior, I'm telling you. Everybody listen up.

[Dave Damashek]

Cousin Sile, that's what's going on. Listen, I just want to say that was my.

[Greg Cody]

We got it. We got it.

[Dave Damashek]

We got it.

[Mike Ryan]

We got it.

[Greg Cody]

We got it. We got it.

[Dave Damashek]

We got it. I just wanted to quickly say that I think. And I. I don't bring this up because Brad Williams is on. I just think that was small of you, Dan, to send me off like that after what happened last night. I understand you're bitter, but small.

[Brad Williams]

My guy. What is this? What is this betrayal? Is Lucy gonna get me next? Lucy, do you have any short jokes?

[Dan Le Batard]

No.

[Dave Damashek]

The energy in here is really negative.

[Brad Williams]

Right now and I just need.

[Dave Damashek]

There's a lot going on.

[Greg Cody]

See you later, Brad. It's always nice seeing you. Thank you for making the time, sir.

[Dan Le Batard]

You know, people keep asking me about my 2026 resolutions and. Yeah, I got the usual stuff. You know, watch more games, complain about the power play, and pretend like my team's actually going to stay healthy.

[Zaz]

Haha.

[Dan Le Batard]

But this year, the one at the top of my list is simple. Get comfy. That's where Bombas comes in. They bring serious comfort to my everyday essentials. Bombas just dropped their all new sports socks engineered for running, golf, hiking, skiing, snowboarding. Basically whatever you're pretending you're about to be really into. And I'm trying to stay active this year by playing hockey. I need these socks. It has cushioning where you need it. It's sweat wicking, solid support, no distractions, just comfort. And for the everyday stuff, Bombers footwear has you covered. Sunday slippers for staying in, Friday sandals for quick errands, and the new Saturday suede slip ons for when you want comfort but still need to leave the house. Premium everyday go tos I don't really think about which is kind of the point. And for every item you buy, Bombas donates one to someone facing housing insecurity. One bought one donated over 150 million items so far. Head over to bombas.com dkn and use code dkn for 20% off your first purchase. S B O-M-B-A-S.com dkn code dkn at checkout.

[Tony]

Happy New Year everybody. 2026 is already getting off to an incredible start because you want to know how I rang in the new year? It was with a bunch of friends in a Dallas hotel lobby bar ordering a bunch of Miller Lights. Because that's how you do it. That's how you make special memories. Miller Lite has been by my side at many special football memories this year and hopefully we get to write a few more memories with Miller Lite. Some of my most legendary moments have started that exact same way. A buddy's house, a lobby bar, a game. No big plan. And then you crack open a Miller Lite, you take a sip and you look around and you immediately recognize that you made the right call. Legendary moments start with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Dave Damashek]

Love the night Reach for Zinn After Dark, a limited cocktail inspired series for those who get up when the sun goes down. Try Zinn's Mojito Spiced Cider and Espresso Martini. Nicotine pouches. Find them at select retailers available while supplies last. Zyn After Dark Bring on the night. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Greg Cody]

Don Levator the hoy is Captain Slappy Stugats is this chum bucket. This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Greg Cody I have not heard enough from you today as the legendary sports columnist of the Miami Herald. After I'm trying to think history of Miami sports most debilitating losses because the University of Miami now has two of these and there's not going to ever be anything worse than you have the best roster of all time and you're losing to Ohio State. You think you've won and there are fireworks in the sky and then there's a penalty flag on the field that Happened a couple of times last night, by the way, where there was a flag on the field all of a sudden to sort of neuter what had been enthusiasm. Your thoughts on historically, where to put this in the history of South Florida, where we wake up this morning and you could feel a city a bit hungover, a bit sad from wanting to believe, wanting to hope, daring to hope and then coming up, forgive the expression, that short.

[Mike Ryan]

I think it's probably one of the one or two most heartbreaking defeats and part of the reason is that um, had waited so long. Miami won its five national titles in an 18 year frame. It's been 24 years since. So that puts in perspective how long the wait has been. I, I think an analogy I would use is, is Dan Marino's one and only Super bowl in 84 where they got their ass kicked by San Francisco. We didn't know at the time he'd never go back to another super bowl, but that was crushing because Marino was at the top of his game. He was going to be the guy who made the super, made the Dolphins a Super bowl champion for the first time since the early 70s under Shula. And it didn't happen. And that was at the time very heartbreaking.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, so that, that's an interesting comp, right, Because I do believe it would have hurt less if Miami last night had lost by four touchdowns. It hurts less than that because you're right there and I know that the noise the next day would have been unpleasant, the game would have been less interesting. You wouldn't have been interested in the second half at all. And that was an all time second half. But there's something cruel about that, right? Losing, losing when you're that close, when there are pieces happening at the end that keep giving you this hope and you're watching the last few seconds thinking that the highest paid quarterback in the sport, somebody with seven years of experience, is going to have his faculties about him, isn't going to have his ears ringing from a hit he took, a late hit that he took, or an excessive hit that he took and isn't right on the last throw of the game according to himself, by his own words.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, and if they lose a lopsided game, it's easier to rationalize the loss, it's easier to give Indiana credit, it's easier to say it wasn't our time. But the way they lost last night, that's going to honk Mario forever, I guarantee you.

[Dave Damashek]

Maybe not viscerally true. In fact, retroactively isn't the Worst loss in Miami sports history. The loss in the Orange bowl to the Patriots in front of Super Bowl 20. Marino and company in the orange bowl had just beaten those Bears. So on the fast track in the Superdome, it stands that they would have had a great shot at taking them.

[Greg Cody]

Down, but it wasn't for the championship. It wasn't for everything. With a minute left. Like, I'm really having a hard time outside of the Ohio State, State Fiesta bowl, which obviously, if you've got fire. Oh, that's a good one.

[Stugats]

Like that was granted first round.

[Greg Cody]

It's first round. But you had. It's your rival. You know the team's going to be broken up. That the ball bouncing on the rim. There's a certain cruelty to the heartbreak by being that close. And there were so many plays yesterday that the. The result is an inch right, a back shoulder throw that's just in bounds, a couple of third and ones. Malachi Toney before the blocked punt, he got to 4th and 1. He needed another yard to that. Not a block punt. There were. There were seven things in that game last night. If they go a different way, we're having a different conversation today.

[Tony]

And all the things worked out for Indiana and that's been their forte all season, which is why they're. They had one of the greatest seasons of all time. I would say, like greatest. Been doing this for 20 years. And the only other time that I felt like today, which was I don't want to go to work and talk to people and have them go at me, was like when the Heat loss of the Mavericks JJ because we were so like it was us against the world. Yeah, it was. We were the Heat show there.

[Stugats]

But they were never really in that game six. You never felt it that night.

[Tony]

You know, I mean, but in the series had that shot go off the back, back iron there and we blew game five like they were shadow boxing. And just like it was a shell shocking experience and it was super embarrassing. This wasn't so embarrassing because Miami had a great.

[Stugats]

Wasn't embarrassing at all.

[Tony]

No, no. But it still hurts.

[Dave Damashek]

It still stings.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Of course I don't want to be here.

[Greg Cody]

It can sting, though. But I think I have it right when I say there's zero shame in it. I don't even know if today there is anywhere that I could tune in even into the most negative parts of Miami and hear people that we need to blame. In situations that feel helpless, that hurt, there's usually just a great need to blame. I don't Think you can fairly blame much of anything that the Hurricanes did last last night. You're quibbling with hair splitting like there's no shame in losing to that team that way.

[Tony]

I mean, we gave up a punt block for a touchdown when the opposing team was in safe coverage.

[Greg Cody]

Okay. And they had a false start on second and one when they could have won the game by quarterback sneaking it won the season.

[Tony]

Yeah. But we lost by six and that was seven.

[Mike Ryan]

I think it would be cruel, literally cruel to blame the Hurricanes as the main emotion coming out of this. To blame Carson Beck even. I think they had a great season and I think that should be prioritized. If I were a Canes fan right now, I would feel really good. I would feel a trust in Mario Cristobal to work the portal again. And I would feel like the U is back. You know, you don't have to win everything to be back. If you get to the college football player for the first time and you plow through three good teams to reach the championship football fixed it. He fixed it.

[Stugats]

It's the second worst loss in Kane's football history. It's not going to top the Fiesta bowl in 2002. It's the second worst Canes loss in their football program's history. It's worse than anything. Any loss from the Marlins.

[Tony]

George Teague.

[Stugats]

Well, that's the other one that I would throw up there, but yeah.

[Dave Damashek]

What about Vinnie versus Penn State? I would think that that would be one.

[Greg Cody]

See, that one's an excellent one. That. That one's excellent for all the same reasons. Except for in that game, everyone knew Miami was better. Jimmy Johnson knew Miami was better. Still haunted by that game because he wouldn't stop throwing the football and it was his fault.

[Dave Damashek]

That's why you're sick. But that's why you're sick about it. When you're supposed to win and you don't. That to me seems like it would hurt.

[Greg Cody]

That's a good one.

[Stugats]

Yeah. Like it's worse than any Marlins loss. It's worse than any Panthers loss. I think it's worse than any Dolphins loss. I do the Heat have a couple that you throw in that range too. So it's. It ranks pretty high among our. Our sports history.

[Greg Cody]

So you say let's go in the way back. Way back. Ben, is it worse than the Dolphins losing to Kellen Winslow Senior's Chargers? Well, that divisional round in the Orange bowl when they convert the hook and lateral and at the like Kellen Winslow blocks a field goal is it is it worse than. Do you remember? We're going back a ways here. Is it worse than that?

[Mike Ryan]

I don't think it. It is because that's not a championship. See, I put the stakes of last night in a whole different category. That's why a first round heat playoff loss that you alluded to earlier, I don't put in that category. Last night was for everything. Last night was for history. And to be that close and denied, I think is a whole different level than anything that precedes it.

[Dave Damashek]

If it matters, Dan, the Dolphins lose in Cincinnati in the Freezer bowl, same as the Pretty boys from SoCal the Chargers did the following week against Ken.

[Stugats]

Anderson and company, the divisional round that the Dolphins lost that game.

[Dave Damashek]

It was. It was in that crazy year. Strike. The strike year where you had the super playoffs or whatever they called them. Very strange, entertaining.

[Mike Ryan]

Yeah, that was the Woodley super bowl.

[Dave Damashek]

That's right. A.J. dewey.

[Zaz]

All right, kicking things off with Smear off, the official vodka sponsor of the NFL and the number W vodka in the world. Chris Cody, you're here.

[Greg Cody]

Smirnoff.

[Zaz]

Wow, you're on the money with Smearoff.

[Brad Williams]

Smear Off.

[Zaz]

Chris, you know what goes great with Smirnoff?

[Dave Damashek]

Sm.

[Zaz]

Yes, but I'm really talking about game day fit. The style's got to match the vibe. All right, here's the deal. Game day is everything. And that's exactly why your fit has to match the occasion. Starting this December, Smirnoff is giving fans 21 and over the chance to score limited edition smearn off commission merchandise from some of today's top creators, including Kayla Jones, Gavin Matthew and Al May. Here's the kicker. One lucky fan will take home the grand prize.

[Dave Damashek]

Prize.

[Zaz]

A trip to the biggest game of the off season. Plus, one fan will win a lay maze one of one game day jacket.

[Greg Cody]

Wow.

[Zaz]

The merch will be dropped on select dates from December to January 21st. And it's all courtesy of what brand? That's right, Chris. Fans 21 and over can head to Smirnoff Socials to learn how to sign up. And don't forget to grab a bottle of smirnoff vodka, number 21 at your local retail. Please drink responsibly. Smear off. Number 21, vodka distilled from grain 40 alcohol by volume. The Smirnoff Company, New York, York. Please do not share with anybody under legal drinking age. No purchase necessary. Must be legal. US resident, 21 or older. Sweepstake starts 12 15, 2025 at 12:00am Eastern and ends 1232026 at 11:59:59pm Eastern see official rules at program website.

[Greg Cody]

The.

[Dave Damashek]

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[Tony]

Up to 20% off select online storage solutions put heavy duty HDX totes to good use, protecting what's important to you. The solid impact resistant design prevents cracking and the clear base and sides make.

[Greg Cody]

Items easy to find even when the totes are stacked.

[Tony]

Find select online shelving and tote storage up to 20% off at the Home Depot.

[Greg Cody]

To organize every room in your home from your garage to your attic, visit.

[Tony]

Homedepot.Com how doers get more Done Done.

[Greg Cody]

Levatar is There Back in My Day there is actually. Actually what?

[Tony]

Were you not gonna tell anyone? Wait a minute you guys. Guys, it's a Tuesday.

[Greg Cody]

Stugats. Here's your guy, Greg Cody with Back in My Day.

[Mike Ryan]

Okay, here it is.

[Dave Damashek]

Sorry, adultery.

[Tony]

For this one.

[Greg Cody]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. Time for Amin's Weekend Observations. It is time for Amin to share his game notes. No one in the media will tell you what happened. Better than my voice.

[Amin Elhassan]

Amin Weekend Observations is brought to you by Miller Light Legendary Moments Start with a light. Weekend Observations is also brought to you by letting Amin know that Weekend Observations will be moved to another day. The morning of off. Got up early on the rare day off because my kids didn't have school. Only to find out about, oh, 20 minutes before. Hey, by the way, we're punting it. Thanks a lot guys.

[Dave Damashek]

Shout out to busy times Daddy.

[Amin Elhassan]

I know. Who could have predicted it would be a busy show yesterday? I wonder if we could have saw this coming from, oh, maybe more than 20 minutes before I was supposed to go on.

[Dave Damashek]

Do you have the right microphone selected?

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't know.

[Greg Cody]

Happy MLK Day.

[Amin Elhassan]

Happy MLK Day indeed. Now. Now Jeremy's got me in my feelings. Is my microphone selected?

[Greg Cody]

You sound better right now. You sound a little bit better. Not much. Dave. We'll have to come back on this playoffs. Oh, that's much better. That's much better.

[Dave Damashek]

So clean.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dan, Full disclosure. I watch nothing but NBA basketball all night until halftime of Heat versus one Warriors. Then I flipped on the Canes game just in time to see the game. Ceiling drive. Chris Cody. How close were we to the prophecy? Kane's down six. Marching down the field less than a minute ago, I sat there saying, holy, it's going to happen. They're going to score to tie the game, and Mario's going to go for two.

[Mike Ryan]

Roy would have said that.

[Greg Cody]

So close.

[Amin Elhassan]

This is all Dan's fault. Broncos Bills, a thriller. How about that Mims Jr. Catch? You guys didn't even talk about that yesterday. Now he knows what housewives and girlfriends all over the world feel when they roll over and get poked in the back. Mims, this is why I'm hot.

[Mike Ryan]

Hey.

[Dave Damashek]

Hey.

[Amin Elhassan]

Zaz looks like a line cook at a Waffle House in the Redlands. That joke was from yesterday.

[Stugats]

Bandana.

[Mike Ryan]

That's great.

[Zaz]

Amin's been done.

[Amin Elhassan]

The Redlands? Yeah, the Redlands.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

Specific kind of Waffle House. You don't get this in metro Miami. Josh Allen channeling his inner Patrick Mahomes with that scoop throw under pressure. Now all he needs is an annoying wife and an even more annoying brother, and he will have come for all of my home stuff. Well, that in the Super Bowl, I guess nothing says NFL playoffs like Jason Statham.

[Greg Cody]

Stidham.

[Amin Elhassan]

No, Jason Statham. I don't know if you saw the not Jerry intros Jason Statham was doing.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, my bad.

[Stugats]

I'm sorry, Beekeeper.

[Tony]

James Mulvaney.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Amin Elhassan]

Missed connection. You are the guy in all white who locked eyes with me. I was Carson Beck. With 44 seconds to go. Niners should have forfeited immediately after the Shaheed kickoff return for a touchdown. Wasted everybody's time. Congrats to the NFL in coming out and taking a stance for genocide. Eagerly awaiting their pay the teachers even less candidates campaign. You guys see that? They find my boy because he had stopped genocide on his face. That's a findable offense. Stopping genocide.

[Zaz]

Personal message.

[Amin Elhassan]

Dave Damoshek was born to be a Muppet. Afcon is over.

[Dave Damashek]

What in hell? What?

[Greg Cody]

What the hell?

[Dave Damashek]

What the hell just happened here? What game?

[Amin Elhassan]

Tell me he's not a monster. Muppets. The way he talks, the way he moves around the voice.

[Greg Cody]

What?

[Dave Damashek]

What's going on here? I don't. I get on an airplane and fly across this country to have a nice conversation with people who I thought were enjoyable, and now this.

[Amin Elhassan]

Hey, Lucy.

[Greg Cody]

Hey.

[Amin Elhassan]

Afcon is over. Gonna miss my dad screaming at people to pass the ball. Congrats to Senegal. Big time win on hostile ground. I don't know if you guys saw this. A lot of shenanigans going on in Morocco. Sadio Mane class act RIP to Danny Benevante. Very funny local comedian who passed away recently. You will be missing actor, activist, filmmaker Jesse Williams has a new documentary on hulu about how Dr. Martin Luther King was an avid basketball player. He's out there getting buckets and the shirt and tie on wearing hard box. Now I want AI to simulate a massive one on one tournament of historical figures. Can you imagine MLK crazy crossing up Trump?

[Greg Cody]

Oh, Abe Lincoln would be great in the post.

[Mike Ryan]

Oh, yeah, especially with that hat.

[Amin Elhassan]

How about Obama hitting Fidel Castro with the step back. Then he finds Bernie Sanders on the wing for the weather. Tony, would you play against MLK one.

[Brad Williams]

On one I five seven.

[Zaz]

I mean, I'm dominating MLK in the post. Sorry to say that after MLK day, but I'm just saying give me a foot taller Almost.

[Amin Elhassan]

John Morant, 24 and 13 in London. Greatest infomercial possible. Shout out to Jerry from the tire shop at my local Costco. You're a real one. Yeah, tonight's a big game. You guys know how I know tonight's a big game?

[Greg Cody]

How's that?

[Amin Elhassan]

Because Master Test Facion is in studio. Oh, wait, that's from yesterday also. All right, some of these are pre or range. Where's new material? New material. Oh, here we go. Shout out to the cameraman who put a Bella Danger on the screen in the middle of the fourth quarter comeback. No doubt a discerning gentleman who's a fan of great titles like Pure Taboo, Kink University and anal destruction 4. Anyone a fan of lesbian hospital affairs? That's a good one too.

[Stugats]

Who is she?

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah, who is she?

[Tony]

I don't know.

[Mike Ryan]

Morning.

[Stugats]

Who is she?

[Amin Elhassan]

Greg C. Episode 296, Dead man on Campus, starring Mark Paul Gosler, aka Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell. There she is. Who is Allison Hannigan, AKA one time in band camp from American Pie. And a young Jason Siegel miscast as a jock with an anger problem. Did you guys have that rumor in college that if your roommate dies or commits suicide, you get a 4.0? No, I'm sorry.

[Greg Cody]

I was laughing because Greg Cody just said at the mic. Ah. After Chris told him who that was. So, like, what just happened there was.

[Amin Elhassan]

My own private lesbian hospital affairs.

[Mike Ryan]

I went innocent.

[Amin Elhassan]

Keep up. Anyone delighted that Jimmy Butler tore his ACL is going straight to hell.

[Mike Ryan]

I thought you looked.

[Dave Damashek]

Yeah, my Brian.

[Tony]

You, not me.

[Amin Elhassan]

Speaking of hell, Art Briles. Those are the Weekend observations.

[Tony]

Going to hell. I've been in hell.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you, Amin. Nice seeing you. I'm sorry that we did the poor planning thing and insulted you yesterday.

[Dave Damashek]

I was insulted today, minutes ago.

[Greg Cody]

Even Pablo Pascal as a muppet is with us here in the corner.

[Zaz]

Kermit, who's Pablo Pascal?

[Greg Cody]

Pedro. Excuse me. Football America. Football America. Statham thing through me is Monday and Friday. This super playoffs that you were speaking of before confused a whole lot of people here. I don't know what the super play.

[Dave Damashek]

There was a. There was a strike in 82. And so they expanded the playoffs to eight teams a conference and which was, you know, wild stuff. And so just looking at the game, I'm sure you don't care about the matchup.

[Zaz]

So it's just now basically they call.

[Dave Damashek]

It the Super Bowl. They called it the super bowl tournament. I don't know why they attached that name to it, but they did.

[Greg Cody]

Does Greg Cody have any recollection of this? As a local historian, we had a.

[Dave Damashek]

Few instances on our recent episode where Dave was in. And Dave just goes into like the.

[Brad Williams]

Old, like you remember this Miami game.

[Dave Damashek]

And my dad is just nodding along.

[Brad Williams]

And you can tell that he's not.

[Dave Damashek]

Really following the specifics. Well, for you guys, noteworthy is that the Dolphins got the rematch against the Chargers after the Orange Bowl. You know, the, the battle of the Bavarian kickers. Uwe von Shaman losing out to Ralph Banerka in 81. But in, in 82, you guys housed.

[Brad Williams]

He's making this up, right?

[Mike Ryan]

No, no, in 82 they had. There was a strike. They had replacement players for much of the season. It was an eight game season. The Dolphins replacement quarterback was a guy named Kyle Mackey. And somehow they wound up going to the super bowl after an eight game regular season.

[Dave Damashek]

Well, I'll tell you what it was. You know, I think he had five career interceptions. A.J. dewey had three.

[Mike Ryan]

Yes.

[Dave Damashek]

In the rainstorm off of Dick Todd's right arm.

[Amin Elhassan]

That's right.

[Mike Ryan]

I think that was a 14 nothing.

[Greg Cody]

Richard Todd. Richard to no one called him Dick Todd. Also.

[Dave Damashek]

I just did. So I did.

[Greg Cody]

Louis, do me the favor please of just putting up before the end of the segment here Ralph Banerka, because he just mentioned Uwe von Shaman against Ralph Bannerska. And the best fact that I've got for you on Ralph Bannershka, who later went on to host Wheel of Fortune.

[Dave Damashek]

What? You beat me. Do it, Dan.

[Tony]

I'm not getting camera on spell.

[Dave Damashek]

He's like, I can see his mouth like nurse.

[Greg Cody]

But was 5 seconds was Sajak on strike was like, how did Ralph Baner become Wheel of Fortune host?

[Dave Damashek]

He outdid Aaron Rodgers.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah.

[Tony]

Happy new year, everybody. 2026 is already getting off to an incredible start. Because you want to know how I rang in the new year? It was with a bunch of friends. Friends in a Dallas hotel lobby bar ordering a bunch of Miller Lights. Because that's how you do it. That's how you make special memories. Miller Lite has been by my side at many special football memories this year, and hopefully we get to write a few more memories with Miller Light. Some of my most legendary moments have started that exact same way. A buddy's house, a lobby bar, a game. No big plan. And then you crack open a Miller Light, you take a sip and you look around and you immediately recognize that you made the right call. Legendary moments start with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.