Hour 2: Schedule Watching (feat. Shaquille Leonard)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 2: Schedule Watching (feat. Shaquille Leonard)
Date: October 7, 2025

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Overview

Broadcast live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this hour blends in-depth sports discussion, pop culture talk, and the show’s signature humor and irreverence. The central focus is a candid conversation with former NFL linebacker Shaquille Leonard, exploring the realities of injuries, early retirement, and his transition to coaching. The hour also touches on the Mark Sanchez incident, cultural perspectives on "selling out," and the joys (and absurdities) of sports fandom.

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Key Segments & Discussions

1. The Mark Sanchez Incident & Reckless Speculation

Timestamps: 01:10–04:32

• Discussion:
  Dan and the crew dive into the bizarre altercation involving former NFL QB and broadcaster Mark Sanchez, who clashed with a 69-year-old truck driver in an alley.

  • Reckless speculation about what substances (if any) Sanchez was on and the unusual details (pepper spray, knife, cooking oil).
  • Commentary on the media and political response, including a tongue-in-cheek reaction from "the President":

    “Even the President of the United States said, quote, 'That was too bad. He's a nice guy. I don't know what happened. Something bad happened. Something a little crazy happened.'" — Stugotz (03:45)

• Notable Tone:
  Wry, speculative, and gleefully dismissive of "journalistic credibility" for comedic effect.

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2. Shaquille Leonard Interview: Retirement, Injuries, & Coaching

Timestamps: 04:32–22:10

• Physical Toll & Decision to Retire ([04:58–07:29]):

  • Leonard gives a frank, moving account of battling through injuries and surgeries, detailing season after season of physical suffering:

    “My rookie year, I sprained my ankle week four and played the whole season through... in year three I tear my pectaneous... in 2022, man, I couldn’t do a calf raise. I couldn’t jump. I had no power in my left leg, and I was still out there trying to do it. Shouldn’t even... no way I should have been on the field.” — Shaquille Leonard (07:11)

  • His description of losing function, painkiller use, stress, and never feeling fully healthy in-season.
  • On the ultimate decision:

    “It probably took me over a year... it took a toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally... The safest and the smartest move was to walk away and just be there for the family.” — Shaquille Leonard (05:30)

• Comeback Possibility? ([06:20–06:49]):

  • Right now, the “door is closed.”
  • He maintains workouts but is dedicated to his current life and coaching, not looking back.

• Day-to-Day Pain Management ([10:33–11:52]):

  • Used painkillers and blood pressure medication just to get through games.
  • The raw cycle of enduring pain Monday-Thursday, managing for gameday:

    “...Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... I be in pain... then Sunday, man, once that game hit, I'm giving it everything I got... That cycle of hurt just rolls over, man.” — Shaquille Leonard (11:08)

• Superstition and Playing Style ([19:12–20:59]):

  • Retains the same shirt under his pads for years as a lucky charm, always washed.

    “Once you find that good mojo, man, you want to keep that good mojo.” — Shaquille Leonard (19:44)

  • On his infamous forced fumbles and nickname “Maniac”:

    “That’s like telling the offensive lineman don’t use his hands. I mean, that ball is out there... you punch at the ball...” — Shaquille Leonard (18:49)
    “Once [the nickname] was said, I embraced that role... one of the nicest guy... But once we step between those lines and we’ve got to compete... that’s when that Maniac mindset...” — Shaquille Leonard (20:33)

• Coaching & Mentoring Young Players ([13:33, 17:17–18:18]):

  • Now coaching the Lakeview Gators, Leonard emphasizes effort and heart over size.

    “It's never the size of the dog that's in the fight, it's the size of the fight that's in that dog. We always will bring that fight.” — Shaquille Leonard (21:30)

  • Finds joy in seeing young athletes grow and believes patience is vital given “this generation is a whole lot different.”
  • Honest about the challenges:

    "If it was perfect, man, that's not really coaching." — Shaquille Leonard (17:55)

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3. Schedule Talk, Sports Superstition & Rules Debates

Timestamps: 21:25–22:04

• Fun banter about upcoming Lakeview Gators games; humorous focus on size and spirit vs. talent.
• Debate on whether "punching the ball out" as a forced fumble technique should be banned.
• Reflections on pregame rituals and personal superstitions in sports.

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4. Show Banter: Pop Culture, “Selling Out,” and AI Absurdity

Timestamps: 31:45–44:50

• LeBron James’ “Second Decision” & Cultural Selling Out ([31:45–36:30]):

  • LeBron teases a "major announcement" that turns out to be a Hennessy ad.
  • Dan wonders aloud when athletes or celebrities are seen as "sellouts," using LeBron and Kevin Hart as reference points for insatiable branding:

    “I do always wonder why it is... some folks... are so insatiable that they simply cannot stop... I do wonder how much of this you do before people call you a sellout.” — Dan Le Batard (32:43)

  • Stugotz and others contend that, for top-tier stars with instant notoriety, "selling out" isn't even really a thing anymore.

• AI Comedy Segment ([37:28–41:00]):

  • The crew reacts to a slew of AI-generated sports videos: George Washington “hitting a walk-off grand slam,” Elvis Presley “winning at Daytona,” and wild WWE matches featuring historical or pop culture figures.
  • They riff on the weirdness and entertainment value, moving from AI skepticism to reluctant acceptance, highlighting the show’s playful tone.

• Absurdist Sports & Music Talk ([41:06–44:50]):

  • Extended riff on rumors, tabloid culture (including a passionate Elvis Presley quote about false stories).
  • Quick hits on hockey traditions and game schedules, more quirks of fandom.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Shaquille Leonard, pain, and perseverance:

  “It sucks when you playing a game and you can't push off your left leg... What was missing was the splash plays, and I knew I couldn't get to the splash plays...”
  (11:08)

• On coaching:

  “I enjoyed the frustrating parts of it, the good parts, the bad parts and everything about it.”
  (17:55)

• On “Maniac” nickname:

  “Once we step between those lines and we've got to compete against each other, that's when that Maniac mindset...”
  (20:33)

• Dan, on selling out:

  “That kind of greed confuses me. Once you've arrived at a point that you've already conquered and you still need more and more...”
  (33:59)

• AI and pop culture zaniness:

  “Here's George Washington hitting a walk off grand slam against the Yankees in the World Series.” — Stugotz (37:35)

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Additional Segments & Tonal Notes

• Frequent meta-humor about the show itself, self-aware repetition of Greg Cody’s columns, and sports dad birth stories.
• The crew is deft at blending the serious (Leonard’s health/human cost of football) with the ridiculous (AI-generated wrestling matches and pop culture non sequiturs).
• Running inside jokes about sponsors, Florida sports oddities, and show lore.

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Key Timestamps & Sections

• 01:10–04:32: Mark Sanchez story & reckless speculation
• 04:32–22:10: Shaquille Leonard interview (retirement, injuries, coaching)
  • 07:11: Leonard’s detailed injury rundown
  • 11:08: Pain management, missing explosiveness
  • 13:33: Coaching at Lakeview Gators, reflections
  • 18:49: Defensive tactics, forced fumbles
  • 19:44/20:33: Superstitions, "Maniac" persona
  • 21:30: Underdog mentality, coaching mantras
• 31:45–36:30: LeBron/Hennessy, celebrity selling out
• 37:28–41:00: AI sports absurdity
• 41:06–44:50: Riffing on rumors, sports cultural quirks

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In Summary

This episode exemplifies what makes The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz unique: blending deeply human conversations about the realities behind sports headlines (via Shaquille Leonard’s raw honesty) with wild speculation, pop culture riffs, and self-deprecating show lore. It's a rollercoaster from heartfelt (the physical price of professional football) to the hilarious (fake AI sports moments), providing both sports insight and comic relief for any listener.

Transcript

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[A]

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stag.

[C]

Shaq Leonard is going to join us here. Three time All Pro linebacker, retired after only six seasons in the NFL, most of them with the Colts. They're seeing more NFL players do that at around 30 when they make their money. So I want to talk to him a little bit about this Colts season and in general what went on with him physically that made him big. Basically put down his identity at 30 years old.

[B]

It was cool to see the Colts do his trademark celebration during that game that he was honored, spoke to the crowd at halftime. Weird game that one. Given that it was on Fox. And the whole Mark Sanchez thing.

[C]

Well, I want to talk about that for a second because the details, we had some of them yesterday. But for all of the things that are unknown there, I think most of the people are doing time to throw away dull journalistic credibility and get reckless.

[E]

Here is something we like to call reckless speculation.

[A]

You're good.

[C]

He was on something, right? We're all assuming that it wasn't just drunkenness that makes you wipe the pepper spray from your eyes and continue to attack somebody who has a knife and pepper spray. And no matter how much the 69 year old truck driver has lived, that was a bad situation that Mark Sanchez ran up into where the 69 year old guy is prepared to defend himself in an alley. With pepper spray. With a knife. With a knife. And the man handles cooking oil after midnight for a living. Like the man is the truck driver is somebody who, while you're not quite prepared to defend yourself in this instance, didn't just take the beating, fought back in a way that that leaves Mark Sanchez in a public swirl that will end his broadcasting career. These charges, these felonious charges. It's going to cost him a ton of money. A ton of money when this truck driver retires from having to handle cooking oil. But that's bad luck to be so on something. And again, I'm speculating here, obviously, but I think it's speculation. We're all doing that. The guy that you run into in your reckless disarray, while I've read that he was running sprints after midnight in the alleys, too, that that guy has both a knife and pepper spray. And. And we don't know what condition he's in. Stable condition, but we don't know how much damage was actually done to Mark Sanchez. He's ended his broadcasting career.

[B]

Yeah, it's. It's over. But a lot of people are weighing in, Dan. Even the President of the United States said, quote, that was too bad. He's a nice guy. I don't know what happened. Something bad happened. Something a little crazy happened.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Fair commentary.

[E]

You think?

[C]

Yeah. People.

[B]

Consensus.

[C]

People were ready to politicize that. You were right. I read. I went back and read some of the immediate takes, and it was interesting to watch. Mark Sanchez turned immediately into a victim in a situation.

[A]

The reports did lead that.

[C]

No, but not. Not the politics of it. Not. Not when we're in. Living in violent cities now where people aren't safe in alleys. Not what happened. People ran right, right to there. But not just him.

[B]

He hasn't walked it back, though. He's like, my point stands.

[C]

Let me talk to Shaq Leonard here because as I said, it was cool to watch the way that he was celebrated and the Colts have the best team that they've had in a while, even though he was excellent for the Colts for a good long time, but not as long as I would have liked to see. So I have some questions for him. Nice to see you, Shaq. Thank you for being on with us. What. What did make you leave early when you were so excellent at this?

[D]

Oh, man, it just surgeries after surgeries, man, and just fighting back and trying to get back to being the absolute best that I could be. And then the body was just wearing down. And, you know, I just decided, you know what I mean? Just instead of just putting my body through so much, you know, just walk away and be there. Be there with my family and know, be there for the community. That gave me a lot. And that was basically, it came out to my decision, man.

[C]

How hard was it for you? How much did you wrestle with it?

[D]

Man, it was extremely hard, man. It Was difficult. And it probably took me, it took me over a year to kind of, you know, to make the decision because, I mean, you don't want to give it up. You don't want to, you know, walk away from something that you enjoy doing. So no, it is, it took a. It took a toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally just trying to figure out which way to go. So I just figured that the safest and the smartest move was to walk away and just be there for the family.

[C]

Did you talk to Andrew Luck at all about it?

[D]

Nah, not by retiring. But Andrew and I, you know, we'll text each other every once in a while just trying to catch up or whatnot. But normally never, never talked to him about retiring or nothing like that. It was just more so a self conscious thing that I felt like I was, you know, I had to do to make a decision for me and my family.

[E]

Shaq, occasionally players who retire young and are very good change their mind. We've just seen it down here with Darren Waller, the tight end for the Dolphins. Is the door ajar? Is there a chance in a year or two you make a comeback as.

[D]

A, as of right now, today, that that door is closed. Do I still work out, stuff like that? Yes. But right now, today, tomorrow, that door, that door is shut. Is just enjoying what I'm doing right now.

[C]

You're glancing over it when you say, well, it was hard. You're a second round pick, okay? You fight all your life to get there. You overcome odds. You're at the top 1% of the top 1% of doing what it is that you do. You must have been in a great deal of physical pain. So what is, what are you talking about there when you tell us that you were finished?

[D]

Oh, man. Shoot, where do I start? I mean, my rookie year, rookie year, I sprained my ankle week four and played the whole season through with, with a sprained ankle and then end up having surgery after year one. And then I got the back and cut in year two. And then year three. I tear my pectaneous, had another anchor surgery year four. I mean that's a 2021 season, man, I literally was out there just running around at about 75%, just had my ankles taped, just being in pain every single day of every single day of the year. Honestly, just trying to do what's best to, you know, get out there on the field. And then in 2022, man, I was out there. I couldn't, I couldn't do a calf raise. I couldn't jump. I had no power in my left leg and I was still out there trying to do. I shouldn't even, no way I should have been on the field. But just being out there, man, and then my, my final year is basically the same thing. Absolutely no leg power, not can't even jump rope off the left leg. And then, you know, battling with that, getting cut from the Colts, I go to go to the Eagles. And then after the Eagles year, man, I had five bone spurs in the front of my ankle. So I didn't have no, no flexion in my ankle. And then after that, man, I had two hip surgeries. Then 2021 and 2022, of course the two back surgery. So just surgery after surgery. Man, it was tough. It was tough. And there's not have been a season where I felt good during the season or during the game. I just, always just played through the pain.

[C]

What hurt the most if you had to identify one thing?

[D]

Well, I'm not going to say that it hurt because whenever I had, I had a back injury like I was working out one day and I was fine. I went to OTAs and the first day of OTAs, we got there running sprints and then all of a sudden I feel no power in my left leg. And it took us maybe two months to kind of get to get down to it and see what it was. And it was just, I had my vertebrae impinged on the nerve. And then with that, man, I just lost all power. So it wasn't more so that I was in pain, it was just more so I couldn't, I couldn't, I didn't have no force off my left side. And then with that having the two back surgery, I couldn't bend, lift, twist for six weeks. And then going to go my first day of training camp, I was only two weeks out from running and that was probably maybe six to nine months. So I started the season my final year with the coach, my. And I probably when the season started, that's probably my fourth or fifth week just getting back to running full speed and it was just constantly just trying to build up off that. I know I didn't have the time to rest. I didn't have the time to go out and you know, get it back as strong as I needed to without having to get back on the field. And ultimately I, you know, I paid the price for it, but I wouldn't, I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't change absolutely any, anything about it because that's who I am. And I want to play. I mean that sometimes you think that maybe people should have protected me from myself, but they knew the competitive nature. I didn't want to sit on that sideline, and I just went out and tried to put my best foot forward.

[C]

How much did you have to medicate in order to do all of that? Didn't you have to go to some extremes in order to even be out there when you can't do calf raises, man?

[D]

Not. Not more so medication besides, you know, just, you know, pain. Pain pills trying to get me, you know, through the game. But besides that, it wasn't nothing. I mean, I got stressed. I mean, man, I got. I got really stressed out whenever I was going through all of this bananas. Having to put me on blood pressure medicine to kind of get my blood pressure down, man. So that's the only medication that I really had to be on day in and day out. And then night before the game, I take something for pain. And then day of the game, I take something for the pain. I be in pain on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then Friday, more so it feels good. Saturday, I'm resting, and then Sunday, man, once that game hit, I'm giving it everything I got. And then that cycle of hurt just. Just rolls over, man, because it's. It sucks when you playing a game and you can't push off your left leg. Then when you watch my tape from my final couple years, it was. What was missing was the splash plays, and I knew that I couldn't get to the splash plays because it's more so coming off of more so effort and speed. So I just had to do my job. And then I started looking bad when I was trying to do more than my job.

[A]

How about when you went right, though?

[D]

When I went right, I was there. I was good. I was good. I mean, listen, if I knew what depth I could shoot, I knew what play was coming, I was great. But then that came down with, you know, the coaches and everybody trusting me to do that because I had a new coaching staff in Indianapolis, and everybody knew that I had instincts until I get out there. I line up in the wrong gap, and then I knew at the snap of the ball where to go, because I knew. I knew the blocking scheme, but they wasn't comfortable with me doing that. So it slowed my game down a little bit to make sure that, you know, I was doing what I was told and just trying to fit into that scheme. And I go back to, you know, when I played my last start, my last start with the Eagles. It was just downhill football, man, playing against Saquon on Christmas night, and I looked good, you know, just running straight downhill. But it is what it is, man. I feel great now. So it is what it is.

[A]

I know that you said you, like, you couldn't get that explosiveness on your leg. You had all the surgeries, all that stuff, but, like, do you ever consider just taking Mark Jackson's advice and just tell your body, not now. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

[C]

That's not how he said it.

[D]

Nah, I just more so. Taking it one day at a time, man. Just being where my feet are as of right now. So right now it's just more so. Continue to work out, continue to get work done on your body and just, you know, be here for my family and be here for the high school kids that I'm coaching down here because I want to see them succeed. And I can't have that door opened right now or today or tomorrow, because if I even inch towards going back, I can't be all in as a coach. And I don't think the kids, they don't deserve that either. I'm in or I'm out.

[A]

How are the Gators looking, by the way? Lakeview Gators?

[D]

Well, we're young, man. We're young, but right now we're three and two. We lost. We lost two games, and we got a big one coming up. We got a big one coming up here against an undefeated team. They're bigger, they're faster, they're stronger, but we're known for, you know, our relentless effort, being the smallest team and just playing full speed and playing with a lot of heart and a lot of fight. And I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys match up and see how they compete against the guys, because I think that, you know, they're ready for the opportunity.

[B]

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[C]

Don Lebatard.

[E]

He has been great. He's made great hires.

[B]

I said all.

[C]

We've said all.

[A]

He said all. Now we've said all. The first time I heard any of this.

[C]

Greg, everything you're saying, it's all been said.

[E]

Okay? You gotta understand one thing stugats me maximum.

[A]

That's right.

[E]

I say it, it hasn't been said. Boom. Okay. Understand that you're the mayor until I say it as a success.

[D]

Be Maximum be, Maximum be, maximal be, maxim.

[A]

Our show with the stugats.

[E]

What's the thing you like the most about coaching high school and what is the patience involved? Because I would imagine that some of that is involved as well.

[D]

The one thing I love about it, man, is seeing them grow, seeing them grow week in, week out and seeing them make plays that they didn't think they can make. But you knew as a coach that you knew that they had it in them. And once they, you know, go out and show their, you know, full potential that you seen, seeing the smiles on their face and seeing how the team comes together is a beautiful thing to see. And patience, yes. You got to have a lot of patience, man, because for one, this generation is a whole lot different from when I played, when you guys played. The mentality is different. So they're not as locked in as it was back in the day. So there's going to be a lot of mental mistakes and it's more so frustrating there. But you know, that's what coaching is, man. If it was perfect, man, that's not really coaching. It just actually just being there. So I enjoyed the frustrating parts of it, the good parts, the bad parts and everything about it.

[A]

Big one coming up against Lasalle and then Logan's port.

[D]

Say it again.

[A]

Big one coming up against Lasalle on the 10th.

[B]

What we were going to run through the schedule. Mr. Maniac, you were really good at punching the ball out from opposing players. We have a cast member on our show, his name is Jonathan Zaslow and he's on a campaign to eradicate that from the NFL saying that players shouldn't be allowed to punch opposing players to try to cause a fumble because if they miss, it could cause a boo boo on the forearm. What is your stance on this?

[D]

That's like telling the offensive linemen don't use his hands. So I mean, I just feel like, man, that ball is out there and it's a. If you watch the tape, man, it's a lot of bad ball security. And as a defense, you. You think about the ball all the time. You punch at the ball. So I don't like it. I don't think that you take it out the ball game because it's really good for the defense. And you see, I see more people of it now, so I love it.

[C]

16 force fumbles in his career because he was very good at punching the football. He also wore the same T shirt for several years under his pads. Can you tell us a little bit about that T shirt? Is that still available. How bad does that thing smell? What kind of shape is that in?

[D]

Oh, man. Nah, man. Doesn't smell, man. I get it washed every week. But, yes, I do have that shirt, man. It's just. It's all about just feeling good, man. Just feeling that peace feeling at home. And my first win, my first big game was against Washington Redskins, and I wore the white shirt underneath. And once you find that good mojo, man, you want to keep that good mojo. So I wore the same shirt, the same socks, but yes, they. They were clean. Each. Each week they were. They were washed. But I'm very superstitious, man, and I just love it, man. I just love the small details of how to make somebody go about their day.

[C]

You wore a cowboy hat at your retirement ceremony. How many cowboy hats do you have?

[D]

As of right now, I think I probably have seven cowboy hats. I normally wear them all the time, especially. Especially here at home, working out on the farm and stuff. So, yeah, man, I love. I love to look, man. I love to be, you know, my country self, and I love the cowboy look.

[B]

Who gave you the nickname Maniac? And did you embrace it immediately?

[D]

Oh, man, I forgot who gave me the name the Maniac. It was a kid on South Carolina State campus when I played out, played against Clemson. I came back on campus and he was like, man, you play like a straight Maniac, man. And then once he said that, man, I embraced that role because, you know, if you see me out in public, man, I'm one of the nicest guy, most humble guy that you probably ever meet. But once we step between those lines and we got to compete against each other, that's when that Maniac mindset.

[C]

So Maniac's not hit. He's not here right now. Maniac's not here. I can't ask for him. He's not. He. No, he's not here.

[D]

Man. I just see myself on the sideline now, coaching wise, and it'll come out sometimes and ask. I mean, I can't control it, man. I just get in that zone and it's. It's competing time.

[B]

You don't ask to. He's not.

[D]

No.

[C]

I should ask about the Lakeview gators upcoming schedule.

[A]

7L is the next one. Yes. That's a big one.

[C]

They're under sized.

[B]

Got this.

[D]

As we always. That's great. We're always undersized, man. And it's never the size of the dog that's in the fight. It's size of the fight that's in that dog. We always will bring that fight.

[C]

Hello.

[D]

And that's what we live for.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Lakeview Lotta. What do we think about that one shot, man?

[D]

That's. That's one of our rivals, man. Yeah, well, we. We looking. We're looking forward to it, man, Each. Each year, man. It's always a good game. And we definitely, you know, looking forward, but we got to take care of Carver's Bay first, man. And then following we will. We'll see ladder at their house and.

[A]

Then the Green Sea Floyd come out.

[D]

And play our best football there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Shaq, good seeing you. Thank you for spending this time with us. We appreciate it, sir.

[D]

Of course, man. Thank y' all so much.

[C]

So you've got a guy who goes by Maniac, and he's telling you it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight and the dog. And then Greg Cody shows up, slides into the room and says the most menacing thing that can be said.

[D]

Hello.

[E]

I'm affirming what he just said. Hello, Maniac Dog thing.

[B]

Hello, Maniac.

[A]

Hello.

[D]

That's the better way.

[E]

Hello.

[B]

Who needs me and you know it.

[D]

There it is.

[C]

Just going to the recycled hits. He's been done since he recycled all of his column work. I asked Billy before we did the Taylor Swift lyrics, I said, is there any more in Greg Cody's paywall column that can be read? And he says to me, he's done the whole thing already. He repeated everything he said in his column. He just repeated it on air?

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

How is that not embarrassing to you to say it all the same way that you wrote it?

[E]

Okay, first of all, it's obviously not true. It was about a 950 word column. So I'm just. I'm just repeating some of the. Some of the many great hits in that column. You know, I encourage people to go read it themselves.

[C]

Do you encourage them to go listen to the Greg Cody show featuring Greg Cody?

[E]

I would love. Yeah, it's with. Of course. Please get that straight. I would love it if they did. It's opening night for the Florida Panthers, the best team in town. The best team in hockey. And we have Gustav Forsling on our podcast. Surprisingly good chat. And when I say surprisingly good, he's a Swedish guy. Some Swedish hockey players are a little, you know, not known for effusive personality. But we, we got a lot out of Gustav. Talk to him about cooking and other off ice stuff, fishing, abba. So it was fun.

[A]

He did bring up abba.

[E]

Yeah, I did bring up abba. I felt like I needed to put.

[C]

It on the poll at Lebitage show. Did Greg Cody need to bring up ABBA when talking to Gustav Forsyth?

[E]

I did, yeah. It's question probably better posed to Gustav's parents, but still, you know, you gotta love Dancing Queen Waterloo. I mean, they got some bangers right there.

[A]

Greg, I saw you admit you're wrong also on this episode.

[E]

I did admit I was wrong. Yeah. Thank you.

[A]

It's because in the episode previously he said that he said to me when I was asking about the day I was born, he's like, you know, I didn't actually see you for 20 minutes. You were like, I was in a different room. You got brought in and 20 minutes went by and then my mom came on the next week and said you were in the room.

[E]

Well, you know, I mean, your mother's always right.

[A]

The idea is wrong because I was in the room when my daughter was born. The idea that when you were born too. The idea that 30 years from now I won't remember to my daughter that I was in the room is wild to me.

[E]

Okay. It's 38 years ago. I'm off by 20 minutes.

[A]

Yeah, you were in the room. In fairness, your mom was probably also drugged up. Like, who knows what she remembers exactly from that day.

[C]

Greg still has not forgiven our former sports editor, Paul Anger, who he called Paul anchor on his career. Because that, that sports editor called Greg while he was in the hospital room for one of these births and asked him to report on George Myra Jr. S steroid suspension.

[E]

That was Christopher's birth. That was the. My first child is being born.

[A]

That you remember. Well, there we go. He was talking to Anchor on the phone in another room. There was no cell phones at the time. He had to step out to take the call.

[E]

That's right.

[A]

Case closed.

[E]

Exactly. See, Billy brings up a message.

[C]

Is that what happened?

[A]

So work. You know, you were like, I'll work right now.

[C]

But angry at his boss for asking him to work when he was waiting for your birth.

[E]

Yes, that was before the birth. So I bum rushed Anger off the phone and said, no, I'm going to graciously decline not to go chase George.

[C]

Myra Jr. Got his ass kicked on a story. That's what welcomed you into the world, Chris.

[A]

All right?

[C]

I mean, it was reported by others that the star linebacker for the University of Miami had been suspended. You got mad at our boss for calling you and telling you that you should do your job.

[E]

Too busy creating a human life. Apologize.

[A]

Did you guys have any janitor sources like Diana? Like what's the weirdest profession source that you guys have? You have to tell us who the person is.

[C]

Restaurant owners are good for me.

[E]

Really?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

I had a cop at um, met him in front of the floor shop.

[C]

I meant to speak about this, actually not the cop that you had at um, but I meant to say this the other day when we were talking about University of Miami royalty and the idea of Michael Irvin as the new mascot. To see Ed Hudak still running out with the coaches when he's run out with every coach as we don't really have state troopers the way that run out with the Bobby Bowden's the way that some other places have to see one singular police officer be the one who keeps all of the University of Miami coaches secrets and is trusted by Mario Cristobal. Back from the time that Mario Cristobal was a player at the University of Miami.

[B]

Reveal Greg Soares.

[D]

No, that's not the source. No.

[B]

But it was just a weird thought to pop in your head immediately after.

[C]

No, because it's because I thought when I saw him running out with Mario Cristobal, I was like, my God. Ed Hudak's been doing that for 40 years. He's been running out singularly to protect a University of Miami coach ever since back when Dennis Erickson needed rides home from the local bars because he was drinking too much.

[B]

Hey, Jeremy, old buddy, old pal.

[C]

Hey, Mike.

[B]

I want to talk to you about Miller Lite. You and I have bonded over these last few weeks talking about our shared love of Miller Light.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

A great partner of our show for practically its entire existence.

[A]

It's been a partner of this show since I was 10 years old.

[B]

And it's been around for 50 years. And they've been a part of our show for almost 20. We're approaching incredible partner status with Miller Lite.

[A]

I mean, to think that people were celebrating at my bar mitzvah with Miller Lite as they were a partner of this show is pretty incredible.

[B]

You're talking about the moments that are made better by making those times, those special times. Miller time. Jeremy, there's nothing like cracking open Miller Lite with your crew this football season. It's especially true whether it's a touchdown you didn't see coming or just arguing about fantasy lineups you already know you're gonna lose. Miller Lite has been the taste you can depend on for 50 years. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients, rich toffee notes that iconic golden color and here's a kicker. Jeremy.

[E]

What's that?

[B]

It's just 96 calories.

[A]

I still can't believe that we say it every week. I can't believe it.

[B]

It's just 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. It's the original light beer since 1975 and still hitting different five decades later. 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.

[A]

When did making plans get this complicated?

[D]

It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send.

[C]

Event invites and pin messages so no.

[D]

One forgets mom's 60th. And never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[A]

Learn more at WhatsApp.com Limu and Doug.

[C]

Limu and I always tell you to.

[A]

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[B]

But now we want you to feel it.

[C]

Cue the emu music. Limu.

[A]

Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth.

[C]

Customize and save.

[A]

We say that may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty.

[C]

Liberty.

[F]

Liberty Savings.

[A]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Affiliates.

[B]

Excludes Massachusetts.

[C]

Don Le Batard.

[A]

You have some hot takes today, Joe Chestnuts. Oh, he's on fire. He calls Connor McDavid overrated before the show.

[C]

What the hell was that, Greg?

[E]

Yeah. No, I love it.

[D]

Stugach.

[E]

Roy, let me explain it to you. And not that you need, you know, more about hockey.

[A]

And this is coming from a guy that's watched Conor play six times, right?

[E]

If that.

[A]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats. The other big news in this week's episode was Gustav Forsling confirming with what with us Panther fans that we need to stop saying night during the National Anthem.

[B]

Oh, absolutely.

[A]

He was just like, yeah, I don't know why they do that.

[B]

That's a.

[A]

It's a good point by you.

[B]

Tonight it's tricky. All right.

[A]

They got to do it. I know tonight night is starting for Chicago, so they're probably going to do it. I'm okay with it. Tonight.

[C]

It's a 5pm start. Tonight is.

[A]

Yes. I know this is selfish and People who work nine to fives may hate this. Give me, Sign me up for the 5:00pm start.

[E]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

For our schedule. Oh, done by eight.

[E]

Love it.

[C]

Oh, put it on the poll at LeBatard show. Would you prefer a 5:00pm start for your nighttime sporting event?

[B]

The PrimeTime game on ESPN is Rangers, Penguins. Neither one of those scenes made the playoffs.

[A]

They're doing that just to mess with you, Roy.

[E]

Yes, they are.

[B]

They're pissing me off, man. It is a little insulting. Back to back champs against a team that is from the central time zone kicks things off at five o' clock Eastern when the non playoff teams granted original six franchises. Pittsburgh and. Well, is Pittsburgh an original? No, no, no, no. Well, blue blood franchises in that sport that miss the playoffs just because Sidney Crosby's there gets the prime time slot. I'm not a fan of it.

[C]

Can you guys give me some information on what LeBron James did with his second division decision? Was it all marketing? What did he announce here moments ago while we were talking about it? That are the details that I need to have here on. LeBron James was teasing something. He was doing it commercially, he was doing it as an advertisement. And I don't think this stuff ends up enduring in any meaningful way. But I do always wonder why it is and how it is. Some folks, like Kevin Hart, for example, are so insatiable that they simply cannot stop at the making of money. They cannot stop selling the things they are about. And I don't think it actually costs him anything. But I do wonder how much of this you do before people call you a sellout. What is the. What is the announcement?

[A]

He said this fall he's bringing his talents to Hennessy.

[D]

Yeah, that's it.

[B]

It's a Hennessy ad.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He looks old.

[A]

He got us. We're talking about it.

[B]

The hair's not great. There's salt and pepper there.

[F]

Wow.

[A]

Another corporate sponsorship for the billionaire.

[B]

So stupid. You pipe down.

[C]

I was watching a documentary I had not seen before last night, American Pain. And it's just about how out of control all of the pain medication selling was specifically in Florida and South Florida. And it was two meatheads, kids who sold half a billion pills basically because they were just. Our state is just replete with corruption. Medicaid has its biggest issues down here in Florida and always has. But this particular documentary that was killing people with opioid addictions. These two meatheads couldn't stop wanting to expand their stupidity because of the greed. When does any of this stuff land on you? Guys in a way where you actually say, that's a sellout that's so wrapped around just grabbing at money that I'm going to like you less because you're someone who sells out. You cannot have enough. You're insatiable. That kind of greed confuses me. Once you've arrived at a point that you've already conquered and you still need.

[E]

More and more, it doesn't bother me because I'm. Because I'm used to it.

[A]

What about Elton John putting it in your lane? That's never ending.

[E]

Like, well, the last tour, the four year farewell tour. Yeah, no, I expect that. You know, they're here to make money, not just play sports. And, you know, I hate the idea that he's teasing it with a big announcement and then it turns out to be his latest sponsor. I think that's tacky. But the idea.

[A]

Oh, you mean like what we did with the Greg Cody show when we had a big guest a couple weeks ago and we misled the audience to trick them to get to watch.

[E]

The idea that he's making money off Hennessy is great. Okay, it's great. More power to it.

[A]

But the tease, like, we do that in podcast, like you tease things. If I got something I want to announce tomorrow, I'm going to make you interested in it.

[E]

Right? And what's the difference between him teasing this and us seeing him in an ad for Hennessy?

[C]

The difference is that he's playing with your feelings and playing with the idea that he's going to retire again and reminding you how he went from popular to unpopular to popular again by, like, the original mistake. I'm going to call it a mistake because he's said it's a mistake. I didn't think it was a mistake, but the original quote, unquote mistake that he made was teasing people with their feelings because he was playing with the suspense and the drama and then making a decision here. He didn't change the way free agencies covered. He didn't change the way power is distributed. He just put his name on something that's a brand in order to make more money because he has more brand sponsorships than just about anyone in American sports. And I do wonder, in the case of, for example, Kevin Hart, Kiss is the most commercially successful band of all time. They will sell anything. There is no pride in the art.

[B]

They will, in terms of licensing, for.

[C]

Selling stuff, just for selling themselves out commercially and brazenly. Kevin Hart, his last goal is he wants to be a billionaire. That's the most important thing to him. And so you see him everywhere. What does it mean to anyone listening to this to have someone they love brazenly sell out?

[E]

I think we're so used to it, we're so numb to it that it almost doesn't affect us anymore. It doesn't affect me. I'm so used to seeing, you know, when Tiger woods is the biggest thing in golf. I'm so used to seeing a Nike swoosh on his. On his hat. I don't even think about it anymore.

[B]

I think it's impossible for a guy like LeBron to sell out and have he. He jumped into our lives immediately at the, like the top tier of fame. It's not like he was an indie band that had all these underground records that you adored and then all of a sudden they become imagined dragons. It's not the same kind of relationship. I get it with music. I get it with like directors that probably change. I don't get it when you're complaining about Michael Jordan or Tiger woods doing it because they're already entering at the top line. You mentioned Kiss. I don't see anybody licensing their name as much as Shaquille o'. Neal. Everything has a Shaquille o' Neal thing on it. And no one like, we all kind of get it. But I will say part of this LeBron story that was interesting was the Internet had it wrong. This is bad for Hennessy. Everyone was saying that this was an Amazon prime thing.

[A]

Good for them.

[B]

You cannot believe the Internet. Unless you want to. Let me tell you about my algorithm right now. Especially on Instagram. It is all these AI generated videos of historical figures doing incredible athletic things.

[A]

Yeah, I'm not sure it's AI.

[B]

Well, we'll see. Yeah, let's play this one for Greg Cody and see what he thinks.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Here's George Washington hitting a walk off grand slam against, against the Yankees in the World Series. Do we have audio for this?

[E]

That's a sweet swing.

[B]

Let's hear this post, post game.

[D]

Well, I was sitting on the 12.

[B]

6 curveball down and inside.

[C]

And that's what that half witted nincompoop gave me.

[B]

That was unbelievable.

[A]

Miller light on himself.

[B]

Do you think that's real?

[E]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

All right, well, here's a great one. Here's a King Elvis Presley post NASCAR race.

[C]

Elvis, 500 miles, a Daytona and you.

[D]

Brought it home first.

[C]

How's that feel?

[F]

Feels like I wrestled a hurricane, man, but it sure feels good. Car was steady, pit crew was lightning.

[D]

And we kept it together when it Counted.

[C]

Fans are going wild.

[B]

Got anything for him? Thank you, Daytona.

[D]

He's gotta go. Thank you very much.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

The.

[B]

The best sub genre of this is the wwe. And when they invoke wrestling and historical figures. Here's a ladder match between Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross. Hit it.

[C]

They're both up there. No way.

[D]

No way. Oh, my goodness. Fly off the top of the ladder.

[A]

That table. Table's chargers just went straight to the canvas with fire. Oh, man.

[B]

Believe it or not, that one's actually real. That was from SummerSlam 1987.

[A]

All right, dad. Two are real, one's fake.

[B]

All right, here we go. Here's another one from the wrestling world.

[A]

The roof is coming off for Tupac Shakur.

[C]

He looks like he was born to walk that ramp.

[D]

Yo, anybody back there think they got the heart to step up?

[C]

I'm right here, Big. Oh, I can't believe this.

[D]

You've been running your mouth all week, champ. Talking like the throne's yours. But you standing in my house now.

[A]

This ring, this is west coast territory tonight.

[D]

And I'm setting it off. Biggie, you been shining too long.

[E]

Hiding behind that gold.

[D]

Tonight, I'm kicking the door in.

[A]

That cell's gonna lock behind us.

[C]

And there ain't no bodyguard, no entourage.

[D]

Just you, me and every.

[C]

Billy. How do you feel about Elvis? How do you feel about everything? Elvis that is happening. Keeping Stephen Hawking skateboard.

[D]

You don't want a preview.

[E]

Let's not get that.

[B]

So, like, it's like all Stephen Hawking ones, which I know is, you know, this one's a little dangerous.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But as it's been pointed out, no longer with us. Fake link to the island. Link to the island. So maybe not. Maybe this is the only person we can do this with. But go ahead and fire up the.

[A]

Stephen Run 2.

[E]

Coming up the wall.

[A]

That's realistic sideways.

[D]

Look at Greg. Greg.

[C]

Greg's legitimately shocked. Greg legitimately hurt on behalf of Steph Hawking.

[A]

That was Stephen Hawking trying to do.

[B]

Multiple backflips on BMX ramp show the Formula 1.

[D]

Come on. Come on.

[A]

Driving an F1 car, 327km an hour from a wheelchair. Getting away from the Ferrari of the Mercedes. Absolutely.

[C]

All right, that's enough. That's enough. I was going somewhere with Billy.

[A]

I forgot about that race on Elvis Presley.

[C]

I wanted to talk about Elvis.

[B]

Wait, what's. What's Stephen Hawking doing here? Coming down this ramp.

[D]

Stephen Hawking rolling down the ramp.

[A]

He's on top of the cage.

[E]

On top of the cage. Are you kidding me?

[C]

Up to the roof through the table. He just let.

[E]

I used to hate AI. Now I love it.

[C]

That happened to Billy last week. He said he hated AI and then segment later, loved it again. That's the relationship we have, Tyreek Hill.

[D]

I mean, we.

[A]

Tyree. Kill. You guys got that one.

[C]

All right.

[A]

Drake, did you see that just play.

[C]

Elvis Getting mad at somebody, heckling him.

[D]

Please.

[F]

I don't pay attention to rumors. I don't pay attention to Movie magazine. They don't read them because they're all junk. No, I don't mean to put anybody's job down. I'm talking about they have a job to do and they got. They got to write something. So if they don't know anything, they make it up. You know? So in my case, they make it up. But I hear rumors flying around. I got sick in the hospital. Well, I was. You know, in this day and time, you can't even get sick. You are strung out. Oh, by God. I'll tell you something, friend. I have never been strung out in my life, except on music. When I got sick here in the hotel, I got sick here that one night. I had a 102 temperature. They wouldn't let me perform from three different sources. I heard I was strung out on heroin. I swear to God. Hotel employees, Jack bellboys, freaks. You carry your luggage up to the room. People working around, you know, talking maids. And I was sick. I was, you know, I was getting had. A doctor had the flu, and I got over one day. But all across this town, strung out. So I told them earlier. And don't you get offended, ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking to somebody else. If I find or hear the individual that has said that about me, I'm gonna break your goddamn neck, you son of a. That is dangerous. That is damaging to myself, to my little daughter, to my father, to my friends, my doctor, to everybody. My relationship with you, my relationship with. Up here on the stage. It is dangerous. I will pull your goddamn tongue out by the roof. Thank you very much.

[B]

Hey, Jeremy, old buddy, old pal.

[C]

Hey, Mike.

[B]

I want to talk to you about Miller Lite. You and I have bonded over these last few weeks talking about our shared love of Miller Lite.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

A great partner of our show for practically its entire existence.

[A]

It's been a partner of this show since I was 10 years old and.

[B]

It'S been around for 50 years. And they've been a part of our show for almost 20 years. We're approaching incredible partner status with Miller Lite.

[A]

I mean, to think that people were celebrating at my bar mitzvah with Miller Lite as they were a partner of this show is pretty incredible.

[B]

You're talking about the moments that are made better by making those times, those special times. Miller time. Jeremy, there's nothing like cracking open Miller Lite with your crew this football season. It's especially true whether it's a touchdown you didn't see coming or just arguing about fantasy lineups you already know you're gonna lose. Miller Lite has been the taste you can depend on for 50 years. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients. Rich toffee. Not that iconic golden color. And here's a kicker. Jeremy.

[E]

What's that?

[B]

It's just 96 calories.

[A]

I still can't believe that we say it every week. I can't believe it.

[B]

It's just 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. It's the original light beer since 1975 and still hit indifferent five decades later. 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.