The Dan Patrick Show: Covino & Rich – "Lean Into It"

Date: August 28, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis

Episode Overview

This episode of Covino & Rich, broadcast from the Fox Sports Radio Studio, dives into the power of “leaning into” stereotypes or narratives, celebrity couples making headlines, sports dad life, and ticket-gifting etiquette in relationships. The hosts blend sports talk (especially about MLB and upcoming college football), pop culture, and their comical takes on real-life dilemmas, with the episode's through-line being how to own your narrative, whether you're an NFL coach dating a much younger woman or a guy debating if he should accompany his girlfriend to a Jonas Brothers concert.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Owning Your Narrative: Belichick, Hudson, and the "Gold Digger" Trademark

[17:00 – 32:00]

• The duo discusses headlines about Bill Belichick and his much younger girlfriend, Jordan Hudson, filing to trademark the term "Gold Digger."
• Rich suggests that when faced with an unavoidable label or public narrative, sometimes it’s best to embrace it and take control—what they dub as “leaning into it.”
  • "If the world's going to call her a gold digger, then you know what she's going to say? All right, cool." – Rich [29:50]
• They joke about previous failed celebrities’ trademark attempts (LeBron with “Taco Tuesday”) and discuss the potential business move behind the Gold Digger brand—such as a jewelry line.
• Covino observes: "If you lean into it, you then create and control the whole narrative. Exactly." [31:15]
• Comparisons are made to athletes and personalities who’ve owned their nicknames, like Cal Raleigh with “Big Dumper” and Rob Gronkowski with “Gronk,” showing that embracing a joke or stereotype can turn it from an insult into a brand.

2. Real-Life Examples of “Leaning In”

[23:00 – 32:00]

• Personal stories: Covino describes a friend known as “Hawaiian Brian” who adopted his persona, making it his permanent identity.
• They discuss how Gronkowski has monetized his “big dopey football guy” image instead of resisting it, citing the universal appeal and business benefits.

3. Sports, Dad Life, and Parenting Humor

[07:45 – 14:00]

• Segue into family life and the challenges of parenting, including managing energetic kids and the surprising joys of Little League drafts.
• The hosts poke fun at themselves and each other:
  • Covino recounts his son being moved in class for talking too much:
    "Can I answer that question? Yes, I believe it because his dad is a nimrod that never shuts up. He's a chip off the old blockhead." – Rich [12:50]
• They touch on the social dynamics among parents and poke fun at NFL players known for big families (Cromartie, Rivers, Tyreek Hill).

4. Upcoming Sports Highlights

[63:40 – 67:15]

• College football’s opening week is hyped as possibly the greatest "Week Zero" ever with marquee matchups: Texas/Ohio State, LSU/Clemson, Notre Dame/Miami, etc.
• Iowa Sam warns viewers using YouTubeTV about a possible stand-off with Fox Sports properties—later updating that a short-term extension will keep channels up for now.

5. Ticket-Giving Etiquette: A Relationship Dilemma

[70:00 – 92:30]

• Covino introduces a real-life conundrum: Should you go to a concert with your partner if you buy them tickets—even if it’s not your thing (e.g. Jonas Brothers)?
• They debate whether buying event tickets is meant for the recipient to enjoy with you or with a friend; contrast this with gifts women give men (e.g., sports or wrestling event tickets).
  • "If you get the tickets, is it, hey, honey, I got tickets for you and one of your girlfriends...Or is this for us?" – Rich [73:41]
• Rich points out that as a parent, chances for adult nights out can lead people to attend events they wouldn’t otherwise choose, just for together time.
• Callers add experiences where specificity is key and relationship stage matters—married couples may have different expectations than those dating.

6. Listeners Weigh In

[88:30 – 95:00]

• Nicole from Texas shares: "You gotta be very specific in a marriage... It's easier to buy two tickets and say, hey, here's two tickets to whoever. You and your girl go have fun." [88:50]
• Gill in Virginia and Tony in Minnesota echo her advice: clarity is essential, and the gesture is what matters—even if you end up being the default plus-one.
• Overall, consensus is that communication is key—make it clear who’s invited so expectations aren’t misaligned.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Belichick and Hudson’s PR Game:
  "I think Bill Belichick’s a hell of a lot cooler than we give him credit for. I think he puts his facade up that he’s a grumpy old guy, but Belichick’s way cooler." – Covino [21:17]
• On Social Media Influencer Life:
  "You don't think she likes the attention? Every girl lives for the 'Gram, wants to go viral on TikTok...that's the life they live." – Rich [19:42]
• On Parenting:
  "You have little kids... your teenagers are a pain in the ass to take that thought [of them staying close forever] away from you, so when they go to college, you’re okay with it." – Covino [10:30]
• About Gronk's Self-Awareness:
  "So Gronk’s a great example, because not only the nickname, he leans into the... If the world's going to say he's a bonehead... he's like, all right, if that's what you guys think of me, then I'm gonna do a Gronk beach." – Rich [27:44]
• Ticket Etiquette Wisdom:
  "If you're married, some of that etiquette goes away. Because you're a team. If you're dating someone new, they might think you're sort of a douche if you're like, yeah, I got your tickets, but I'm not going." – Rich [92:05]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:00 – 07:00]: Ad reads, show banter, introductions
• [07:45 – 14:00]: Yankees/Mets talk, family updates, Little League draft excitement
• [14:40 – 17:00]: Belichick & Hudson headline intro
• [17:00 – 32:00]: Gold Digger trademark, media narratives, “lean into it” philosophy, athlete and celebrity comparison, friend stories
• [32:00 – 40:00]: Show identity banter, "two dopes" narrative, teaser for ticket dilemma
• [40:00 – 63:40]: College football preview, YouTubeTV and Fox standoff, transition to ticket-gifting topic
• [63:40 – 73:50]: Ticket dilemma setup, Jonas Brothers concert scenario, parenting put in the mix, etiquette questions
• [73:50 – 84:00]: Listener calls—ticket part two, real cases, marital vs. dating etiquette, impromptu debates
• [84:00 – 95:00]: Practical solutions, communication key, humorous takes about being the default plus-one

Tone & Language

Covino & Rich maintain their signature, energetic, conversational, and humorous style—often self-deprecating and irreverent, but always relatable, with lively back-and-forth, audience call-ins, and pop-culture references. They riff with a blend of sports expertise, “guy talk”, and real-life relationship wisdom. Voice is casual, quick-witted, and interactive.

Summary Takeaways

• Leaning into a public image or running joke—whether as an athlete, celebrity, or in regular life—can be empowering, disarming critics, and yield business or personal benefits.
• When giving tickets or gifts involving shared activities, communication is vital. Clarify who the recipient is ‘supposed’ to enjoy it with to avoid awkward assumptions—especially in new relationships.
• Covino & Rich reinforce that sports and pop-culture aren’t just about the headlines, but the human stories, the laughter, and the navigation of modern life’s little dilemmas.

Episode Highlight:
"If you can't beat them, join them. Own it, control the narrative, and sometimes, that's how you win." – Covino & Rich, encapsulating the show’s core wisdom [31:15].