The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Big Suey: Keep Up, Dad (feat. Dianna Russini)

Date: September 23, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Episode Overview

In this high-spirited episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their rotating cast are joined by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini for a wild mix of sports debate, NFL inside info, and the kind of real-life, offbeat tangents that make the Big Suey a fan favorite. Dianna shares a recent real-life encounter with crime and seamlessly transitions into a deep dive on NFL storylines, team tiers, controversial plays, and an extended bit about avoiding being cornered by fans at daycare pickup. The show then devolves—delightfully—into riffing on wild animal algorithms, Gatorade nostalgia, and parenthood mishaps.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Dianna Russini’s Suburban Crime Story

[02:36–07:05]

• Dianna recounts witnessing a Walgreens robbery in suburban NJ, humorously describing her reaction and the subsequent indifference of a football-obsessed bystander who immediately changed the topic to Giants quarterback drama.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Are the Giants going to start Jackson Dart?” [03:07, Dianna recounting]
• Dan jokes that Dianna’s fame could be used as an accomplice distraction in crime scenes, since everyone would focus on her NFL knowledge rather than the unfolding crime.
• Dianna describes (tongue-in-cheek) her “fame problem”—constantly getting cornered for NFL advice, including by parents at daycare pickup:
  • Quote:
    “They know my car and their kids already buckled in. Like there’s no reason for them to get out… They look so die, you know? What do you think?” [06:54, Dianna]

2. Giant’s QB Situation & Insider NFL Logic

[04:19–05:18, 19:39–21:03]

• Dianna explains the organization’s hesitancy to start Jackson Dart against the red-hot Chargers, weighing whether it’s smarter to wait for a less intimidating matchup.
• On Dart’s readiness:
  • “Everything that we've been reporting has been—they think he's ready. They like him. …It was just that Russell was doing a better job with the offense.” [19:59, Dianna]

3. The NFL’s ‘Good Teams’ Tier & The Math Game

[11:27–26:43]

• Dan grills Dianna to put a number to how many “good” teams exist; she lands at eight, with lots of playful wrangling over who makes the cut.

  • Chiefs and Colts both discussed as “good”—with much pushback and recategorizing.
  • Quote:
    “I’m buying the Colts more than I’m buying Daniel Jones.” [14:35, Dianna]
  • The list shifts as Dan and Co. confront Dianna with their expanded group, which she revises down sharply to her truest top eight (Eagles, Bills, Chargers, Ravens, Packers, Lions, Rams, Colts).

• The criteria for “good” keeps moving (is it “good now” or “can win the Super Bowl?”), fueling comic confusion.

  • Quote:
    “The game is ‘Who’s capable of winning the Super Bowl.’ What is the game was good—that’s not the game until you answer, then we’ll change the question.” [25:31, Dan]

4. NFL Hot Topics:

a. Tom Brady’s Many Jobs & Conflict of Interest

[09:49–11:27]

• Dianna’s column on Tom Brady’s simultaneous roles (minority owner, commentator, etc.) touched a major nerve.
  • “People have very strong opinions, Dan, about Tom Brady’s conflict of interest…” [09:55, Dianna]

b. Tush Push Likely on the Chopping Block

[13:24–14:27]

• Dianna expects the much-debated “tush push” play to be banned after coming just two votes from removal. Jason Kelce’s prior impassioned speech saved it temporarily.

c. QB Carousel & Updates

[26:43–28:43]

• Vikings: Dianna details the surprising enthusiasm for Carson Wentz, but cautions on the true test when JJ McCarthy returns.
• Travis Hunter (Jaguars): She suggests Hunter needs a more defined offensive role for maximum impact.

5. Speed Round: Team & Player Takes

[31:09–36:19]

• Dianna answers rapid-fire questions on:
  • CJ Stroud (“he can play, but the offense is still working out kinks” [19:04–19:39])
  • Shador Sanders (“not ready”—clear difference with Jackson Dart [22:41–23:30])
  • Dolphins (“they’re bad. No, perfect.” [33:14, Diana])
  • Commanders as a sneaky September riser
  • “Two-Minute Mayfield” nickname for Baker Mayfield (“I love it… But is Clint Eastwood the best comp?” [34:51–35:03, Dianna])
  • Most recent amazing defensive game: “Might be the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen in my life.” [33:24, Dianna relaying coach]

6. Comic Tangents & Memorable Bits

a. Crime Accomplice Side Hustle

[05:18–06:23]

• Dan and Dianna escalate the “distraction at crime scenes” joke into a bit about her using NFL talk to aid jewel heists.

b. Parental Life—Gatorade Catastrophes & Daycare Pickup

[40:25–41:48]

• Dianna laments giving her toddler red Gatorade, leading to a ruined couch and carpet:
  • “I did not know that fruit punch red Gatorade will stain your couches and carpet… Joey just dumped it. So now our living room is destroyed.” [40:54, Dianna]
  • Dan reflects on parenting: “There are no bad boys—just bad choices.” [41:56, Dan]

c. Gatorade in Cans: A Panel Discussion

[42:12–43:12]

• The hosts and Dianna debate if Gatorade tastes better from a can due to nostalgia or science.
  • “I think it just feels colder, too. Like it tastes colder, if that makes sense.” [43:12, Dan]

d. Animal Algorithm Rabbit Hole

[39:22–40:15]

• Show riffing on social media “algorithms”:
  • Dan asks Dianna about her feed, which she reveals to be “turftoe surgeries, fitness… hot chicks…”
  • Greg Cody admits a strange fascination with lions hunting: “It excites me, but not sexually.” [38:51, Greg]

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 03:07 | “Are the Giants going to start Jackson Dart?” | (Walgreens bystander to Dianna) | | 05:59 | “The way that you get away with the crimes is… you just start touching everything, so then your DNA and fingerprints are on everything anyways.” | Dan | | 06:54 | “They know my car...They look so die, you know? What do you think?” | Dianna | | 09:55 | “People have very strong opinions, Dan, about Tom Brady’s conflict of interest…” | Dianna | | 14:35 | “I’m buying the Colts more than I’m buying Daniel Jones.” | Dianna | | 19:59 | “Everything that we've been reporting has been—they think he's ready. They like him. …It was just that Russell was doing a better job.” | Dianna, on Jackson Dart | | 25:31 | “The game is ‘Who’s capable of winning the Super Bowl.’ What is the game was good—that’s not the game until you answer, then we’ll change the question.” | Dan | | 33:14 | “They're bad. No, perfect.” | Dianna, on the Dolphins | | 33:24 | “That might be the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen in my life.” | Dianna (quoting a coach) | | 34:51 | “I love it. Someone there was like, isn’t he like Clint Eastwood? I’m like, are you 90?” | Dianna on “Two-Minute Mayfield” | | 40:54 | “I did not know that fruit punch red Gatorade will stain your couches and carpet…” | Dianna |

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:36–07:05] — Dianna’s robbery story & how football talk hijacks her daily life
• [04:19–05:18, 19:39–21:03] — Giants’ QB situation and the logic behind possible moves
• [11:27–26:43] — Extended “how many good NFL teams” debate, culminating in Dianna’s top 8
• [13:24–14:27] — Tush Push rule and league controversy
• [19:04–19:39] — CJ Stroud’s development
• [22:41–23:30] — Why Shador Sanders isn’t ready
• [33:10–34:08] — Dolphins struggles; sneaky “riser” teams
• [40:25–41:48] — Gatorade incident and toddler trouble
• [42:12–43:12] — Gatorade in cans vs bottles—nostalgia or flavor?

Tone & Takeaways

This episode encapsulates the show’s hallmark blend: genuine sports insight, unfiltered NFL reporting, and an irreverent, self-aware humor that veers into parental headaches, nostalgic soft drinks, and algorithm-driven animal violence. Dianna’s earnest reporting (“they really do like Jackson Dart”), open humor about her daily fame, and willingness to play along with the show’s bits made her a perfect fit for an episode that highlights why “The Big Suey” remains a destination for sports fans who want both analysis and absurdity.