The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich) Summary

Episode: "I'm 58!" & Parsons/Dart Debates
Date: September 24, 2025

Overview

On this lively episode, Steve Covino and Rich Davis dive humorously and insightfully into sports and pop culture headlines, centering on three major topics:

1. The 18th anniversary and recent firing of coach Mike Gundy
2. The debate over whether Micah Parsons should get a video tribute as he returns to Dallas
3. The dawn of automated strike-calling ('Robot Era') in Major League Baseball
   Lighthearted banter, memorable quotes, and debate dominate, with plenty of fan engagement and running jokes about age, hairlines, and sports nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mike Gundy's “I'm 40!” Quote and Subsequent Firing

Timestamps: 05:02–07:35, recurring

• The hosts reflect on the legendary 2007 Mike Gundy “I'm a man, I'm 40!” press conference outburst, noting its 18th anniversary and the irony of Gundy being fired, now 58, essentially on the date of his famous quote.
• Covino and Rich get tongue-in-cheek about hairlines, comparing Gundy’s “quafftastic” hair to Van Gundy’s baldness.
• They discuss how quotes like Gundy's have become sports folklore, listing other classics:
  • Allen Iverson: “We're talkin' about practice”
  • Bart Scott: “Can't wait”
  • Jim Mora: “Playoffs?”
  • Dennis Green: “They are who we thought they were”
• Quote (Steve Covino, 05:59):
  “Yesterday was the anniversary of that legendary quote, right? And then he goes and gets fired on his day off...Now he has to rearrange it and say, ‘I'm unemployed. I'm 58.’”

Memorable moment:

• Playful debate about memes commemorating "old" pop culture moments (“Can you believe it’s been 20 years since The 40-Year-Old Virgin?”), pondering aging, nostalgia, and how sports personalities stay relevant (07:35).

2. Should Micah Parsons Get a Dallas Tribute Montage?

Timestamps: 12:42–24:13, 48:00–49:45

• With Parsons’ return to Dallas as a Packer, Covino and Rich launch into a spirited debate on the modern trend of teams producing video tributes/montages for returning players.
• Arguments:
  • Against immediate tribute: Too soon after acrimonious departure; Parsons badmouthed Jerry Jones, forcing his exit; only four seasons with the Cowboys; didn’t win major championships.
  • For tribute: Parsons was a dominant force, sold tons of jerseys, a clear fan favorite—maybe the tribute should be "for the fans, not ownership" (Jenny Green, 18:24).
• The guys lampoon overdone farewells, comparing the montage trend to “everyone wanting a farewell tour now.” Covino argues for minimum requirements: minimum five years’ service, championships, lifelong connection.

Notable Quotes:

• Rich Davis (14:05):
  “When enough time passes, you could look back...we just weren’t meant for each other...But you know what? We have great memories.”
• Steve Covino (18:38):
  “Does Jerry Jones put his ego aside and say for the fans he's worthy of a montage? That’s the question.”
• Jenny Green (19:34):
  “When the Cowboys fans reacted though, were they mad at Jerry or were they mad at Parsons?”

Consensus:

• Most agree it’s “too soon,” especially given the bitter recent history. More time must pass (the “body isn’t even cold yet” jokes) or Parsons must achieve more to merit a real tribute.

3. The “Robot Era” in Major League Baseball

Timestamps: 29:51–36:40

• Covino and Rich review MLB’s official approval of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge system, set for league-wide deployment in 2026.
  • Each team gets two ball/strike challenges per game; calls must be immediate and can only be made by pitcher, catcher, or batter.
  • Most on the panel (and guest Dan Beyer) say this is a great move for accuracy and pacing, but like the ADDED “human layer” of umpires—total automation might be too big a leap right now.
• Fun sidebar on how to "brand" the robot umpire decision: could MLB use a mascot, a cartoon judge, or different visual cues for judgments at each ballpark.
• Quote (Steve Covino, 31:08):
  “What is really cool...it's very interactive...You get to be part of the process at the game and on TV, because you're seeing it. They gotta get it right.”
• Panel jokes about the evolution of automation: “It always starts with a pinky...you don’t go for it all at once” (Rich Davis, 36:40).

4. NFL Headlines, Rookie QB Debates, and Fan Reactions

Timestamps: 09:01–12:42, 38:38–50:23

• Monday Night Football recap: Baltimore Ravens’ loss, Derrick Henry’s fumbles, and overall team woes. Consensus: the Ravens are too good to panic at 1-2—“they’ll be just fine” (Rich Davis, 11:41).
• Giants QB drama: Jackson Dart replaces Russell Wilson as starter; debate over when and how soon to throw rookie QBs into the fire, with sympathetic nods to coaches on the hot seat, especially Brian Daboll.
• Host suggests fan reactions and “public pressure” often force coaching hands before it’s wise for player development.
• Quote (Rich Davis, 41:07):
  “They gotta try something. While it might be too soon, Brian Dable's like, yeah, too soon for Jackson Dart. But if I don't do something soon, it's not even gonna matter—because I won't be here.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Gundy Section:
  • “Come after me. I'm unemployed. I’m 58.” (Steve Covino, paraphrasing/updating Gundy, 05:59)
• Tributes/Montage Debate:
  • “It's like your girlfriend dumped you for the mailman and then you're bro-hugging the mailman like, hey, man, all good.” (Rich Davis, 17:21)
  • “I think we’re montage crazy. Not everyone is worthy. You need to check off all the boxes AND you can’t burn the bridge...and expect the montage.” (Steve Covino, 48:00)
• Robot Umpires:
  • “Innovate or die. This is the next step into getting it right and helping the game move along.” (Steve Covino, 31:52)
• On Time and Age:
  • “I was like a 20-something-year-old punk when he said that. And I remember thinking, man, he's old. Remember when you were 20-something and you thought 40-something was old?” (Rich Davis, 05:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 05:02–07:35: Mike Gundy’s viral quote, firing, and sports quote nostalgia
• 12:42–24:13: Should Micah Parsons get a highlight montage in Dallas?
• 29:51–36:40: MLB's "Robot Era"—automated ball/strike challenges
• 38:38–41:28: NFL QB shake-ups, Giants and Jackson Dart, coaching under pressure

Tone and Style

• Casual, snappy, and irreverent banter; mix of sports insight, sarcasm, and pop culture references.
• Listener engagement: encourages calls, debates, and social media participation.
• Occasional playful arguments among hosts and with producer/Jenny Green.
• Frequent self-deprecating humor about age, hairlines, and bitterness over team trades.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed it: Covino & Rich mix sharp sports talk with laughs, digging into why some coaches and athletes get cult-hero status, pondering the etiquette of sports sendoffs (how soon is too soon for tributes?), and welcoming baseball's baby steps into robot officiating—all while running jokes about getting older, holding grudges over team trades, and which famous hairlines will stand the test of time. Perfect for fans who like their sports with a dose of comedy and authentic, kitchen-table debate.