Postgame Show: Peyton Hillis

Summary

Title: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Postgame Show: Peyton Hillis
Release Date: August 6, 2025

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Episode Summary

In this engaging episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," hosts Dan Le Batard and Stugotz delve into the significance of athletes being featured on video game covers, with a particular focus on South Florida's representation in major sports franchises. The discussion primarily revolves around Matthew Tkachuk's recent appearance on the cover of a COVID video game, exploring its implications for both the athlete and the Florida Panthers franchise.

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Key Discussions and Insights

1. The Prestige of Being a Cover Athlete ([00:02] - [02:13])

The conversation kicks off with Mike questioning the hype surrounding players being featured on video game covers. He contrasts current covers, such as Matthew Tkachuk and Jazz Chisholm, with past instances, suggesting that these appearances might be more commonplace than perceived.

Mike:
"I don't understand what the big deal is being on a cover. Matthew Tkachuk is on the COVID Jazz Chisholm was on a cover at people..."
[00:02]

In response, David emphasizes the rarity and honor associated with being a cover athlete, especially for South Florida teams, which have historically had limited representation.

David:
"It's a huge deal to be a cover athlete. And down here in South Florida historically haven't had many cover athletes on video games for your teams..."
[00:14]

2. Historical Context of Cover Athletes ([00:30] - [02:20])

The hosts reminisce about past cover athletes across various sports games. Tim recalls Ricky Williams on "NFL Street 2," while Jazz mentions Dwayne Wade on an edition of "NBA Live." Fritz brings up Antoine Walker's cover but notes the limitation based on team affiliations.

Tim:
"Jazz had one. Why do I remember Ricky Williams on a cover? Is that right?"
[00:31]

David:
"By then the franchise was dying."
[01:05]

Mike:
"The math is, I think that there's 30 franchises. There'd be one every 30 years."
[02:13]

3. Matthew Tkachuk's Role and Impact ([02:21] - [04:22])

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Matthew Tkachuk's prominence as a cover athlete. David argues that Tkachuk is currently the most famous American hockey player, highlighting his role in revitalizing the Florida Panthers' franchise.

David:
"He brought a new attitude, a new direction for the franchise. He welcomed being the face of Panthers hockey. And there's a really cool moment for South Florida hockey..."
[04:11]

Antoine adds that Tkachuk has become the face of American hockey, especially within the Panthers organization, despite there being other talented players on the team.

Antoine:
"He's the face of American hockey after MC Overrated. That's. He's Canadian, though."
[03:47]

4. The Rise of Florida Hockey and Its Legitimization ([04:23] - [06:23])

The hosts discuss the broader implications of Florida hockey's success, asserting that the state has become a powerhouse in the sport. Mike proudly claims Florida is the best state for hockey in the hemisphere, citing the Florida Panthers' dynasty as evidence.

Mike:
"Florida hockey is undoubtedly, it is the best state for hockey in the entire country. I would argue in the entire hemisphere..."
[05:36]

David highlights the Panthers' participation in prestigious events like the Winter Classic, signaling their acceptance and prominence in the national hockey scene.

David:
"Florida's been good now for a few years. They're finally participating in their first Winter Classic this upcoming December or January..."
[05:54]

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Notable Quotes

• Mike:
  "It seems like a lot."
  [01:16]

• David:
  "It's a huge deal to be a cover athlete... we've had John Van Beesbrook in the 90s."
  [00:14]

• Antoine:
  "If one of your Marlin players were on it, you would have."
  [03:05]

• David:
  "...there isn't a more important player in the history of the franchise in terms of turning its fortunes around."
  [04:11]

• Mike:
  "Florida hockey is undoubtedly... the best state for hockey... the entire hemisphere."
  [05:36]

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Conclusions

The episode underscores the importance of representation in sports media, particularly for regions like South Florida that have historically been underrepresented in major sports franchises' media portrayals. Matthew Tkachuk's feature on a video game cover is not just a personal accolade but also a milestone for the Florida Panthers and the broader South Florida sports community. His role has been pivotal in elevating the franchise's status, fostering regional pride, and legitimizing hockey in an area often perceived as a non-traditional market for the sport.

The hosts collectively agree that such milestones are indicative of the Florida Panthers' sustained success and increasing recognition in the national sports arena. This elevation is further cemented by the team's participation in prominent events like the Winter Classic, signaling their established presence and ongoing contribution to the sport's growth in the region.

Overall, the episode highlights the symbiotic relationship between individual athlete achievements and their impact on team dynamics and regional sports culture, celebrating Matthew Tkachuk's contributions as a defining moment for Florida hockey.

Transcript

[Mike]

I don't understand what the big deal is being on a cover. Matthew Tkachuk is on the COVID Jazz Chisholm was on a cover at people. They do like a release party for the COVID Did I miss something? That it's a big nod to the Panthers.

[David]

It's a huge deal to be a cover athlete. And down here in South Florida historically haven't had many cover athletes on video games for your teams. We've had John Van beesbrook in the 90s. The Jazz aforementioned.

[Tim]

Jazz had one.

[Fritz]

Why do I remember Ricky Williams on a cover? Is that right?

[Tim]

That was NFL Street 2, but it was like an. An animated Ricky Williams, I think.

[David]

Which one did Dwayne Wade.

[Tim]

I think he was on an NBA Live.

[Jazz]

He was back in the day, Tim.

[David]

Hardway had an NBA Live that was like a 2k.

[Jazz]

I like D. Wade was also on the COVID of NBA Live like two years ago, like Legends Edition where he was in like the.

[Tim]

LeBron was to have been on a cover. LeBron was on the COVID of.

[David]

Yeah, 14 or 15. Tim Hardaway was on the COVID of NBA Live 98. But what I'm saying is it hasn't happened much.

[Tim]

NBA Live 06 your4, by the way.

[David]

By then the franchise was dying.

[Mike]

You know you've named four of these covers. Mike, he means mba.

[David]

Okay, not the Miami Heat franchise. But that's still not many.

[Mike]

It seems like a lot.

[David]

No, it's really.

[Mike]

You've named like a dozen covers.

[David]

No, it's really not.

[Mike]

How many covers are there per year? They're uncle.

[David]

Across all the major sports.

[Mike]

Yes.

[David]

I can't remember a Dolphin having one. Like there's four major sports, which means four new video games every year over the course of 30 years. I've highlighted.

[Jazz]

Well, there also used to be like NFL Blitz and there used to be like NFL Fever on X and then ESPN had an NFL game for a while. So like there was a time there was like four versions of the same game.

[David]

So gold standards like the EAS and the 2Ks. We've had Tim Hardaway, John Van Biesbrook, Jazz Chisholm on the. On the show. That. That's up there with the name brand.

[Fritz]

Does Antoine Walker count if he was a Celtic?

[David]

No, he doesn't.

[Mike]

You gotta be wearing the uniform.

[David]

So only the second Florida Panther ever to grace a video game cover. Matthew Tkachuk now joining John Van Beesbruck. That's. That's close to 30 years over there. So this was. This is a really cool moment, but.

[Mike]

The math is, I think that there's 30 franchises. There'd be one every 30 years.

[David]

Can we. We're getting bogged down.

[Mike]

The reason I'm bogged down is people act like when Jazz Chisholm got it, it became a thing. Like he, in his mind, became a star.

[Fritz]

I think that's why you're bothered by it, because Jazz is probably, I would say, off the top of my head, maybe the least deserving cover athlete that I could remember. And I think you're just popular with kids, though.

[Jazz]

People were mad, and he's, like, big on social outside of Miami. People were mad that Jazz is on the COVID because they're kind of like.

[Mike]

What is that I'm getting at. Is anyone upset that the COVID athlete.

[Fritz]

There's been some bad ones. There was one year where they went to a vote and who was the white running back who won it? Surprisingly, a white guy.

[David]

That was a big moment. I was a Browns fan at the time. That was super. You get super pumped up when your guy is on the COVID Yeah. Telling you it's a big deal.

[Jazz]

I'm not the Jazz video game just because Jazz was on the COVID David.

[Antoine]

If one of your Marlin players were on it, you would have.

[Mike]

We loved it when they were on the COVID of si. We loved it now.

[Antoine]

So what's the disconnect?

[Mike]

We even framed we. When you're on the COVID of Inside Sports. We'd keep that. That was a magazine that used to.

[Jazz]

Right.

[Antoine]

You thought that was cool. So why is it weird that fans think it's cool when one of their players is on a cover of a game?

[Mike]

I was asking whether he was the most deserving Panther that was.

[Fritz]

Oh, this might be the most deserving cover. I mean, he could have gotten the COVID after getting traded and losing in the Cup Finals. He couldn't. Got the COVID after winning the first one. He got the COVID after winning the second one, which I don't know. I guess that means maybe he wasn't as. People didn't like him as much before, but now he's pretty much the face.

[Antoine]

Of American after Four Nations. He's the face of American hockey after MC Overrated. That's. He's Canadian, though.

[David]

Yes. I. He. You guys were talking at the same time. You didn't hear each other.

[Mike]

Oh, thank you.

[David]

You both made very good points, though. He was correcting himself and it timed out. It happens, guys. Yeah. Back to green dildos.

[Mike]

It shouldn't happen now as we're finishing. What should be happening is we should be talking separately so we can Hear. Are you saying that Tkachuk is the most famous American hockey player who plays today?

[David]

I think so, yeah. I think he's the most famous. Most famous? Yes, I think most famous. It's less of a debate than it is like best.

[Antoine]

Auston Matthews is in there is in.

[David]

That conversation you have Quinn Hughes, too. It's difficult to say. I mean, Austin Matthews is perceived to be the better player quite easily. There's a wide golf there. But in terms of fame. And I think this is another notch for Matthew Tkachuk. Matthew Tkachuk, when he came here to this market, he was excited to come to Florida. Not a lot of people were excited to come to Florida. This was viewed as a place where you would go, retire. And it immediately jumped off the young man how much he wanted this for the market, how much he didn't shy away from being media friendly. He welcomed being the face of Panthers hockey. And there may be better players on this team. In fact, there are better players on this team than Matthew Tkachuk, but there isn't a more important player in the history of the franchise in terms of turning its fortunes around. He brought a new attitude, a new direction for the franchise. And it's cool to just see this as he's adorning this cover with the Stanley cup overhead. You know, that's a really cool moment for South Florida hockey, which is always looking for respect abroad and domestically because we're always considered a joke. Well, this is another thing that kind of legitimizes a franchise.

[Mike]

I think we've passed that. You've got the Lightning dynasty now. You're in the Panthers dynasty. Florida hockey is undoubtedly, it is the best state for hockey in the entire country. I would argue in the entire hemisphere, because Canadian, they haven't won anything. Last time, the Canadian. Last time a Canadian team won the Stanley cup was a couple decades ago.

[David]

This franchise has forced the issue with their success. Typically, if they made it to a Stanley cup final, they'd be asked, hey, do the Winter Classic. Florida's been good now for a few years. They're finally participating in their first Winter Classic this upcoming December or January. I mean, so they've become so undeniable that you can't keep them out of these things anymore. Covers Winter Classics.

[Mike]

Where is the Winter Classic?