Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Covino & Rich – Old Guys in Sports Rule!

Date: October 18, 2025

Episode Overview

The theme for this episode is celebrating “old guys” in sports defying expectations and dominating headlines. Covino & Rich dive deep into the recent NFL and MLB showdowns where veteran athletes like Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and Max Scherzer proved age is just a number. Balancing humor, lively sports analysis, and personal reflection, the hosts discuss how the success of these seasoned players challenges perceptions about age in athletics, and relate these moments to broader fan experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Glorious Friday Energy & Show Lineup

[03:01-03:49]

• Covino and Rich open with the excitement of Friday, previewing their segments: weekend sports to watch, a new trivia game ("Brainwave"), and streaming live on YouTube.
• Emphasize their “Best Of” episode featuring a Dan Patrick guest spot.

2. Old Guys Shine: NFL & MLB Round-Up

[04:24-06:58]

• NFL: Bengals’ Joe Flacco outdueling Aaron Rodgers (Bengals over Steelers 33–31). Flacco receives overdue respect for his game, especially considering his unlikely matchup against Rodgers.
• MLB: Max Scherzer’s remarkable night for the Blue Jays, displaying intensity and leadership—showing that experience still counts.

Notable Quote:

"I feel like every old guy stepped up last night, from Max Scherzer to Aaron Rodgers... of course, Joey Flacco showing you that he deserves more respect."
— Steve Covino [04:24]

3. Joe Flacco: Respect for a Wily Veteran

[06:09-09:09; 13:12–14:19]

• Flacco’s surprising competence—throwing for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• The crew agrees Flacco is often underrated, with his latest performance adding to a quietly impressive legacy.
• Discussion about Flacco’s previous underappreciated stops (Jets, Broncos) and how he’s matured into a reliable backup and team leader.

Notable Quote:

"He’s one of those guys that don’t get the respect that I think he deserves... even Joey Flacco has a Super Bowl win. It’s like, hey, Flacco has a pretty sweet career when you think about it."
— Steve Covino [13:30]

[15:31–16:26]

• The team jokes about Flacco’s jersey number (now 16) and his motivations for sticking around—primarily to let his kids see him play.

4. Aaron Rodgers: Still Got It, But Showing His Age

[15:31–16:26; 18:19–20:24]

• Rodgers threw for 4 touchdowns in a loss and launched a nearly 70-yard Hail Mary—proving his arm strength remains.
• Visual discussion: Rodgers looked visibly older and more irritable, shown especially after a bizarre celebration where teammate Broderick Jones tackled him.
• Rodgers’s competitive fire hasn't dulled, but his physical appearance prompts some reflection.

Notable Quotes:

"Aaron Rodgers looks old as hell."
— Rich Davis (quoting his dad) [15:53]

"When he threw that Hail Mary…another reminder that this dude still got it."
— Steve Covino [16:09]

5. Schedule Watching & Division Outlooks

[09:09–13:12]

• Rich breaks down the next few weeks for the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens, finding renewed optimism for the Bengals if they can win upcoming winnable games.
• Discussion on power rankings: questioning if rankings should factor in upcoming strength of schedule, and contrasting popular media rankings vs. Vegas odds.

Notable Point:
“It’s really like, hey, who do you think is good right now? …Wouldn’t they be the favorites in Vegas? And they’re certainly not.”
— Rich Davis [12:15, 12:28]

6. The Age Paradox in Sports Fandom

[21:14–24:48]

• Personal anecdotes: Covino and Rich marvel at how, as fans in their 40s, many pro athletes are now younger than them, yet still appear as “the adults.”
• The ongoing illusion of viewing older athletes as giants, even when they're actually younger than returning fans.

Notable Quote:

"There’s something about professional sports where I still feel they’re older than me. Maybe that’s just my own immaturity."
— Steve Covino [21:43]

7. “Old Guy” Play and Cultural Reflections

[24:48–25:28]

• Nostalgia: Watching coaching and broadcast legends age is a recurring theme.
• Light banter about shrinking with age and the evolving looks of sports stars with time.
• Allusions to transitions in pop culture, using Ken Griffey Jr. as an example.

8. Baseball: Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Christian Yelich

[32:50–36:28]

• The Dodgers look unbeatable, while the Blue Jays and Mariners keep things interesting.
• Christian Yelich is called out by media for underperforming, though the hosts defend his character and credit Dodgers pitching.

Notable Points:

"Sometimes the answer isn’t someone stunk. The answer just might be someone else is really good."
— Rich Davis [34:42]

• Praise for Mookie Betts as a versatile all-star and positive role model.

9. Patented Moves in Sports

[38:13–49:06]

• Jeter’s patented “jump throw” in baseball: Mookie Betts executed the move, but Jeter critiques the “bounce.”
• Discussion about athletes who “own” certain moves (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook, James Harden’s Stepback, LeBron’s chase-down block, Mayweather’s shoulder roll).
• Listeners are invited to call in with their favorite signature sports moves.

Memorable Moments & Humor

• Joke Segment: “What do you call an Italian ghost?” — “Gabagool!” [30:44–31:00]
• On Flacco’s age and size: “When Joe Flacco goes from 6’6 to 5’6, I’ll finally be like, man, he’s old.” [24:55]
• On “old man bowl”: Reflecting how athletes with white hair and beards (like Flacco) play into visual stereotypes.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:42: [Ads & Intros]
• 03:01–03:49: Welcoming the audience, show structure preview.
• 04:24–06:58: NFL and MLB—Old guys excel.
• 06:09–09:09: Joey Flacco narratives.
• 09:09–13:12: AFC North schedule watch and power rankings.
• 15:31–16:26: Stat breakdown for Flacco & Rodgers.
• 18:19–20:24: Rodgers' sideline anger and celebration mishap.
• 21:14–24:48: Fan perception vs. athlete age; coming-of-age insights.
• 32:50–36:28: Dodgers/Postseason; Christian Yelich discussion.
• 38:13–49:06: Jeter jump throw & signature sports moves conversation.

Notable Quotes

• "Old guys put on a show." — Rich Davis [04:46]
• "The more [Flacco] sticks around, the more moments he adds up like this, that add to his legacy." — Steve Covino [13:51]
• "You put these gunslingers in their early 40s, put some weapons around them, and they can still get it done." — Sam [15:27]
• "There’s something about professional sports where I still feel they’re older than me. Maybe that’s just my own immaturity." — Steve Covino [21:43]
• "Sometimes the answer isn’t someone stunk. The answer just might be someone else is really good." — Rich Davis [34:42]

Overall Tone and Style

Covino and Rich weave together enthusiastic sports talk, nostalgic and humorous reflections, and fan-friendly engagement. The banter is playful, energetic, and relatable, especially for listeners navigating the shifting landscape of sports generations.

Conclusion

This episode celebrates the enduring talent and relevance of veteran athletes, reminding fans that age is often superseded by heart, instincts, and skill. Through stats, personal stories, and trademark humor, Covino & Rich urge listeners to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of sports’ elder statesmen—and to rethink what “old” means in a game that’s always refreshing itself.