The Dan Patrick Show (C&R) – Forever the Face of the City

Date: September 5, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich segment)
Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode revolves around a lively, humor-filled debate: What celebrity, athlete, or public figure is forever the “face” of a particular city? Prompted by the coinciding birthdays of Beyoncé (synonymous with Houston) and Mike Piazza (linked with New York and LA), hosts Covino & Rich invite listeners to reminisce, argue, and advocate for who truly represents various cities.

Packed with sports nostalgia, pop culture riffs, and caller opinions, the conversation dives into generational differences, the meaning of "representing" a city, and what it really takes to embody the spirit of a hometown.
(Note: This episode is largely ad-libbed, high-paced, loaded with banter.)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining the "Face of the City"

• The hosts distinguish between people born in a city and those who, by impact or charisma, have come to represent it—whether or not they have local roots.
• Rich: "Just because a guy played in that city doesn’t mean he’s synonymous with it...No one was a greater Yankee than Don Mattingly. But he’s an Indiana guy. He’s not a New York City guy. New Yorkers loved him, but he wouldn’t be a good answer." [16:15]

2. Debates and Examples: City “Faces” Across the Country

Miami

• Covino: "That’s Pitbull territory, man. Mr. 305." [08:20]
• Rich: "I think Dwyane Wade… I think Gloria Estefan."

Chicago

• Rich: "Michael Jordan would be an answer, but I don’t go basketball first. I think Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson…But also Bill Murray as far as just representing Chicago." [10:40]
• Spot: "The first thing that came to mind for me was Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago!" [10:55]

Boston

• Covino: "Mark Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, New Edition… Someone who’s really Boston."
• Rich: "When you say Philly, I think Boys II Men. The Roots. Will Smith." [13:00]

Detroit

• Covino: "Say Detroit, I think Eminem ‘cause he represents it so hard." [15:05]
• Rich: "Barry Sanders. Alan Trammell. Tom Selleck…Just did Tom Selleck Day at the stadium!" [15:40]

Las Vegas

• Covino: "Elvis could be Memphis and Las Vegas—how many people can claim two?" [18:10]
• Tripp (caller): "Probably Floyd Mayweather, because he’s just known for gambling." [19:10]
• Danny G (producer): "Old school Sammy Davis Jr., the Rat Pack."

Ohio

• Rich: "Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason. But LeBron James, him screaming ‘Cleveland’ at the top of his lungs."
• Covino: "I think Jack Nicklaus—and sometimes, even fictional characters like Wild Thing Rick Vaughn come to mind." [21:45]

Atlanta

• Danny G: "Dale Murphy, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Outkast… It depends which generation you live in." [24:20]

New Orleans

• Covino: "Drew Brees."
• Rich: "Harry Connick Jr., he was always there in the city’s time of need."
• Danny G: "Chef Emeril. Welcomed Brees to the city by cooking for him!" [26:00]

New York

• Brian (caller): "The ultimate has got to be Broadway Joe…his nickname is Broadway Joe." [28:13]
• Rich: "Since Jeter left, I don’t know if there’s a clear number one for New York right now—Lindor, Aaron Judge, Brunson?"
• Covino: "Spike Lee—maybe as a superfan. But Biggie, Jay-Z, Rakim—who’s the king?" [34:50]

Seattle

• Rory (caller): "Always Griffey kept baseball in Seattle." [31:58]

San Francisco

• Rich: "I think Montana and Bonds…and Steph Curry. You see a lot of Steph Curry jerseys now." [33:10]

Los Angeles

• Danny G: "I think Ice Cube because the Dodgers bring him out as the face of L.A. sports." [36:40]
• Covino: "LeBron James is the biggest name, but not really the 'face' of LA; maybe Ohtani, but there’s a language barrier."
• Discussion: Importance of being "from" a place versus just achieving fame there.

Minneapolis

• Notable Segment: The Countdown Game [40:20]
  • Group tries to say their answer at once—some say “Prince,” others “Kirby Puckett,” leading to a fun culture-vs-sports generational divide.
  • Rich: "Prince is a great answer. But Puckett—forever synonymous with the Twins."
  • Spot (producer): (laughing) "I’m embarrassed for them, actually. I thought I knew you guys!"

San Diego

• All Together: "Tony Gwynn."
• Covino: "I said Steve Garvey," but concedes Tony Gwynn is the right answer. [47:40]

San Antonio/Dallas

• Covino: "San Antonio—Coach Pop more than any of the guys who played for him?"
• Rich: "Tim Duncan—he’s the guy I would think of."
• Dallas, in a group countdown:
  • Rich: "Dirk."
  • Spot: "J.R. Ewing from Dallas!" [50:10]

Other Cities (Callers and Hosts’ Picks)

• Baltimore: Ray Lewis, Cal Ripken Jr.
• Tennessee: Peyton Manning, T. Martin (from a 45-year-old caller: "T. Martin won the national championship for us the year I graduated—never been a Peyton fan." [58:20])
• Milwaukee: Robin Yount, Giannis, Bob Uecker, Henry Winkler (“the Fonz” statue gets a mention!) [1:01:45]
• New Jersey: Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra—but more in the outsider’s perception.
  • Covino: "I'm from Jersey and I don't even feel that way, to be honest." [56:00]
  • Rich: "I feel Tony Soprano more than Sinatra!"

3. How do YOU determine the Face of the City?

• Is it who has a street or statue?
  • Caller (Mouser): "If you go into that city, who has a street named after them... Those are usually the people that represented the hardest." [1:07:10]
• Generational differences: Childhood heroes vs. current icons.
• Local vs. outside perception—locals may not pick the same face as outsiders.
• Fictional vs. real people: "Sometimes I think of fictional Cleveland Indians before real ones!" [21:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On generational difference:
  Rich: "You can go to your football party tonight and see if you match with your friends. It's almost like a game show—if you were partners, who would they say for Cincinnati? Is it Ickey Woods, Joe Burrow, or Chris Sabo’s goggles?" [44:55]

• On the power of being “from” a city:
  Covino: "If you could make the city forget you're not from there, that means you must be a megastar..." [1:12:29]

• On New York:
  Covino: "I think Rakim, Run DMC, Biggie, Jay Z… who's the king? I think Spike Lee is a superfan. But that King of New York photo—Biggie Smalls with the crown—that's iconic." [34:20]

• On reservation about newcomers being ‘the face’:
  Covino (about Ohtani): "There's a language barrier, and I'm not getting in that conversation. Like, how could he be...face of the game?" [36:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening banter & setup: 06:25–10:00
• Miami/Chicago/Boston/Philly debate: 10:00–15:00
• Detroit/Las Vegas/Ohio: 15:00–24:00
• Atlanta/New Orleans/New York: 24:00–34:30
• Seattle/San Francisco/LA: 31:58–36:40
• Face-of-the-city group countdown game (Minneapolis): 40:20–42:10
• San Diego/other city rapid-fire: 47:00–50:30
• Callers: Baltimore/Tennessee/Milwaukee: 54:00–1:04:00
• Statues, street names, generational/outsider-insider divide: 1:07:10–1:12:50

Wrap-Up: How to Play the “Face of the City” Game

• The hosts propose: At your next party, shout out a city, count to three, and see if everyone yells the same name. ("It can almost be like a game show!") [44:55]
• Rich: "I love the game too—name a city. One, two, three!"

Closing Notes & Podcast Tone

• The show is loose, humorous, nostalgia-driven, and interactive with callers.
• Tone is good-natured, with light ribbing between hosts and listeners.
• Frequent return to the importance of not just sports, but also pop culture and local flavor in defining a city’s representative.

For Listeners Who Missed It...

• You’ll enjoy: Tons of city/sports/pop culture trivia, some passionate and offbeat opinions, and a playful, energetic vibe throughout.
• Core question: Who is the one person (athlete, artist, local legend, etc.) who “runs” or most represents your city—and why does that matter?
• Try the group game! Next party or tailgate: Name a city, count down, and say with friends who pops in your mind first. See if you match.

Memorable sign-off quote:
Covino: "If you could make the city forget you're not from there, that means you must be a megastar…That’s why it’s cool to put your city or state on the map!" [1:12:29]

[End of Detailed Summary]