The Dan Patrick Show

Covino & Rich: Puca & Luka, Retiring Young

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich (with Danny G, Ryan, DB)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into shifting generational perspectives on career longevity, motivation, and work ethic—especially through the lens of sports. Covino & Rich examine the attitudes of emerging superstar athletes Luka Doncic and Puka Nacua, both of whom have expressed a desire to retire early and focus on life beyond their playing days. The show reflects (often with humor) on changing American work values, the impact of massive sports contracts, and debates whether we're witnessing the end of playing "for the love of the game." The episode also touches on fun baseball trends, including home run celebrations, and local broadcaster rivalries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin of "Tiger Blood" and Pop Culture Trends

• Quick Segue: The show begins with a humorous detour about Charlie Sheen, "tiger blood," and "winning." Listeners learn the phrase originated during a conversation between Sheen and Giants pitcher Brian Wilson, not the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson.
  • Quote: “Brian Wilson says to Charlie Sheen, 'You know, guys like us, you know, Charlie, I’m glad you called. Guys like us have tiger blood. We don’t know what it’s like to lose.'” — Covino, [05:29]
• Beard Revolution: Brian Wilson credited for re-popularizing beards among younger generations and starting eccentric closer culture in MLB.
  • Quote: “He started the explosion of the beard. I give him the credit... For us in our generation, it really wasn’t that much of a thing.” — Covino, [07:15]
• Memorable: The hosts riff on other pop culture "machines" (like Bert Kreischer and Andre the Giant), adding the show's signature humor.

2. Generational Work Ethic and Retirement Aspirations

Old vs. New Mentality

• Grandparents’ Model: The hosts reminisce about older generations working the same job for 50+ years, comparing it to today’s changing values.
  • Quote: “Grandpappy who worked at the same company for 60 years at the mill.” — Rich, [11:27]
• Modern Athletes’ Mindset: Today’s athletes, like Luka and Puka, want shorter careers, citing having enough money, concern over long-term health, and desire to explore business or family life.
• Luka Doncic:
  • Expressed no interest in a “LeBron length career” and aspires to become an owner/investor post-basketball.
  • Quote: “Yeah, I’m sure he loves basketball, but it’s not the be all, end all. He wants to be a businessman. This is just part of the journey.” — Covino, [12:54]
• Puka Nacua:
  • Wants to retire around 30 ("like Aaron Donald"), citing family and health.
  • Hosts recall meeting him at Super Bowl Radio Row, where he discussed these priorities.
  • Quote: “He wants to have a big family...long-term effects of football injuries...play a factor.” — Rich, [14:21]
• Shaq Example: Shaq illustrates how athletes leverage long careers and transition to massive business enterprises (Papa John’s, Icy Hot, Reebok, Fatburger).

3. Are We Losing “Passion for the Game”?

• Financial Security as a Game-Changer:
  • Debate erupts over whether young athletes are less passionate or just smarter because of historic contract sizes.
  • Covino contends these changes might mean less “hunger” for records or legacy—athletes can walk away after one lucrative deal.
  • Quote: “You’re cutting their career short. Their priority's not creating that legacy, breaking records, it’s like getting out because they don’t need to play.” — Covino, [15:01]
• Generational Positioning:
  • The hosts see their own generation as a “middle ground” between workaholic grandparents and live-in-the-moment Gen Z.
  • Quote: “I think a 20 year old may have it wrong where they’re like who cares about work? I just want to see the pyramids and swim in a cenote in Mexico…” — Rich, [16:47]
• Work-Life Balance vs. Legacy:
  • Arguments for both sides. Covino: "Don’t love your job. Job your love.”
  • Rich: “There’s a balance, but good for them.”
• Potential Pitfall: Younger people may model athlete mindsets about retirement without the big contracts and end up financially insecure.
  • Quote: “A lot of these young people have that same mentality without the fundage behind them…that’s the problem.” — Covino, [18:32]

4. When Did Athletes Become 'Investments'?

• Turning Point:
  • The show tracks when players became multimillion-dollar investments, noting the impact on both player and team mentalities.
  • Kevin Brown’s $100M MLB deal (with private jet) [circa 1999] cited as a historical shift.
    • Quote: “He was the first $100 million man in baseball. That seems like a small contract now when you think about…” — DB, [22:47]
  • Comparison to 1980s, when a million-dollar deal was shocking.
• Escalating Salaries:
  • Modern star contracts are “mega million, Powerball money”—one deal provides generational wealth.
  • Quote: “A middle reliever makes like $8 million. Your star player makes 25, 30, 40 million dollars.” — Rich, [20:25]

5. Fan Frustration vs. Player Reality

• Selfish (Fan) Perspective:
  • Hosts admit disappointment seeing athletic primes cut short, but concede it’s rational for athletes to prioritize health, family, and post-career prosperity.
  • “It hurts as fans to see, because you want to see them play.” — Covino, [23:09]
• Notable Analogy: Comparing this to housing or cost-of-living: athlete salaries have far outpaced inflation and normal income growth, making retirements younger and easier.
• Final Take: Ultimately, hosts agree athletes have “got it right”—but only because the system allows it.

6. Work Ethic in Broader Culture + Sports

• Anecdotes on Younger Employees:
  • Funny stories about interns leaving at exactly 5pm, regardless of deadlines, highlight shifting expectations.
  • Quote: “He’s in the middle of editing—five o'clock hits, kid grabs his backpack and he’s like, ‘Alright, see you guys.’” — Rich, [34:05]
• Debate: Smarter vs. Lazier:
  • Rich: “I’m a big work smarter, not harder guy.”
  • Covino: “That’s called cutting corners…and it does show.”
• Athletic Application: Seeing these values reflected in athletes—"it’s more about life, less about the job.”

7. Mailbag & Fan Calls

• Concerns for Teams:
  • Listener asks if teams should give long-term deals to players signaling brief careers.
  • Hosts clarify that NFL contracts are rarely MLB-length anyway, but agree guaranteed money can erode "the fight."
  • Quote: “How do you have that same fight, hunger, and desire to fight for your job to break records when you’re...sitting pretty?” — Covino, [37:19]

8. Baseball Trends: Dugout Celebrations

• Dugout Props: The debate moves to whether home run props (tridents, hats) are fun or “hokey.”
  • Michael Kay called it “weak,” but Rich disagrees, arguing broadcasters in their 60s aren’t the arbiters of cool.
  • Quote: “Michael K’s a 60, 70 year old man. He’s not the gauge of cool... The 25-year-old home run hitters in the Mariners dugout...think it’s cool.” — Rich, [52:25]
• Old Guy Energy: Covino confesses, “I sort of do agree with Michael K here…What are we, 12 years old?” [51:35]
• The Ongoing Banter: Segment concludes with playful bickering over which broadcaster is more iconic and whether traditions like the Yankees’ handshake line are better.

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Covino on athlete motivations:
  “They want to get out healthy, invest their money, and start raising families. And that’s great. As fans, I think we’re a little like, ‘Awesome…no.’ Because our work ethic might be a little different.” [33:19]
• Rich on generational compromise:
  “I feel like our generation perfectly sits in the middle—we have the work ethic but understand the importance of living life and leisure...” [16:47]
• Rich, skeptical of older generations:
  “My grandparents went to Hawaii one time, and that was like the thrill of their life…the big vacation!” [17:17]
• Covino’s summary of change:
  “This is the downside of spoiling these athletes. But again, good for them. You would probably do the same.” [24:20]

Key Timestamps (MM:SS)

• 05:29 – Story behind "Tiger Blood" and Charlie Sheen
• 07:15 – The "Beard Revolution" and Brian Wilson’s legacy
• 12:54 – Luka Doncic on not wanting a long NBA career
• 14:21 – Puka Nacua’s early retirement aspirations
• 15:01 – Covino: “You’re cutting their career short…their priorities are different.”
• 16:47 – The middle ground between generations’ work-life values
• 20:25 – When athletes became huge financial investments
• 22:47 – Kevin Brown’s contract as a turning point
• 24:20 – “This is the downside of spoiling these athletes…”
• 34:05 – Internship anecdote highlights changing work ethic
• 51:35 – Michael Kay’s take on home run props: “I’m looking at it and going, I think that’s weak.”
• 52:25 – Rich: “Michael Kay’s…not the gauge of cool…”

Tone & Style

• Humorous & Playful: Frequent jokes and riffs (about beards, "machines," old guy energy)
• Clever Pop References: Charlie Sheen, Bert Kreischer, Tom Brady, Howard Stern
• Respectful, but Critical: Hosts don’t disparage modern athletes or kids, but openly miss the passion of yesteryear

In Summary

Covino & Rich use Luka Doncic’s and Puka Nacua’s comments to launch an entertaining, layered discussion of generational change in work ethic and motivation—both in sports and society. The conversation is rich with anecdotes, analogies, and playful debate. As modern sports contracts make early retirement feasible, the hosts (and their audience) confront what’s gained and lost when players no longer need to play for legacy or love. Whether reminiscing on grandpa’s stubbornness or laughing about dugout antics, Covino & Rich deliver a mix of insight, nostalgia, and irreverence.

“They got it right. The bottom line is they got it right. It just, it hurts as fans to see. Because you want to see them play.” — Covino, [23:09]

For more, find the full show on Fox Sports Radio, iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcasts.