Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show (C&R - Mad Dog Sniper & Mid Weak Major)

Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Steve Covino, Rich Davis (Covino & Rich), with appearances by Dan Beyer, Spot (Video Producer), and Danny G
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show, featuring Covino & Rich (C&R), serves up a lively blend of sports talk, pop culture banter, and signature humor. Main topics include the buzz about Philip Rivers' potential NFL return, a viral video featuring Chris "Mad Dog" Russo's basketball mishap, debates on social media “exposure”, and their regular “Midweek Major” segment analyzing the hottest sports and entertainment headlines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Covino’s Santa Expert Cameo

• Covino excitedly shares his surprise appearance in The Toys that Built America on Disney+ (S3, Ep. 8, "The Santa That Built America").
  • [04:17] “Yeah, I'm talking about Santa. And I give you the history and evolution of Christmas…” — Steve Covino

2. Mike’s Wednesday Words of Wisdom Segment

• The recurring contest where listeners must repeat Big Mike’s “words of wisdom” verbatim to win a C&R-branded Nerf football.
  • [08:01] “When making dinner for your children, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just edible and not on fire.” — Big Mike (via Covino & Rich)
• Contestants struggle to get it right (hilarity ensues).
• [20:25] “You just need to repeat back what Big Mike’s words of wisdom were verbatim.” — Danny G

3. Philip Rivers’ NFL Comeback

• In-depth discussion of Rivers’ possible return, physical readiness, and impact for the Colts.
  • [06:00] “The last time he played we were talking about COVID … That's the last time they made the playoffs with Philip Rivers.” — Steve Covino
  • Emphasis on how he's stayed close to football by coaching his kid’s high school, running similar offensive schemes as the Colts.
  • [07:05] “Apparently Rivers ran the same exact offense as the Colts for his kid’s high school team... now we see him in the NFL.” — Steve Covino
• Reflect on the years and NFL “experiments” since Rivers last played.
  • [09:49] “There’s been so many NFL player experiments … storylines that have started and finished since he played. So five years in the league is a long time.” — Rich Davis

4. Viral Mad Dog Russo Basketball Blunder

• The crew reacts to the viral ASU basketball clip showing Chris "Mad Dog" Russo’s awkward shot, leading to debates about public vulnerability and whether sports media types should expose their lack of athleticism.
  • [12:08] “Airball.” — Steve Covino
  • [14:16] “I don't even want to let anyone know how bad I am … I want to magnify and lean into the things that show me in a good light…” — Steve Covino
  • [13:25] “I think this makes Mad Dog look like a good sport, but it also makes him look very lame...” — Steve Covino
• Rich and Spot chime in with personal stories about embarrassing sports moments caught on video and the perils of sharing them.
  • [16:20] “You took your, like, one lowlight out of 49 highlights…” — Spot

5. Authenticity vs. Highlight Reels on Social Media

• Engaging dialogue on whether people should post real, imperfect moments versus carefully curated highlights.
  • [16:56] “The sentiment, Covino, is that, hey, listen, don't take social media seriously. It’s all BS. In fact, what do you tell younger kids?... They're only posting the good moments.” — Rich Davis
• Reference to infamous “fail” moments by public figures (e.g., Baba Booey’s first pitch).

6. Midweek Major Segment

Spot presents recent headlines; Covino & Rich rate them as "Mid" (overhyped) or "Major" (worth the buzz):

• Philip Rivers’ Press Conference ([31:00])
  • Concerns from Rivers’ family and reflected on the risk/reward of a comeback.
  • [31:49] “I think everything about this story interesting and major for sure because we're all going to be tuned in to see what he still has…” — Steve Covino
• Chiefs and Travis Kelce’s Frustration
  • Kelce’s candid comments about the team's struggles. [34:10] “He said we're gonna keep effin’ rolling…” — Spot
  • Both agree it’s “major,” given the team and celebrity interest.
• Giants’ Cam Scatterboo’s Comeback from Injury
  • Impressed with Cam’s recovery after a severe injury; considered “major” for overcoming adversity.
• NFL Waterboys’ Salaries
  • (Some debate) Fun fact: NFL “waterboys” make $50-60K/year; hire based on athletic backgrounds, sign non-competes, and act as real training staff.
  • [38:12] “I, I think it's, I think it's major and I'll tell you why. I never knew that water boys had non-competes.” — Rich Davis

7. News Updates with Dan Beyer

• Michigan football coach Sharon Moore fired after inappropriate relationship, interim coach named for the bowl game. [39:15]
• Philip Rivers’ practice squad deal finalized with the Colts; debate on Hall of Fame eligibility and comeback risks continues. [39:50]
• NFL injury and scheduling updates: Jaden Daniels & Geno Smith out; Week 17 scheduling notes. [40:12]
• Major MLB news: Pete Alonso leaves Mets for Orioles, fueling a segment on whether teams really can “let” players go. [41:09]
  • [41:38] “I get it. But nobody let them go. Maybe they misstepped a little bit, but you can't control what other people do…” — Steve Covino

8. Who Else Might Come Back to Sports?

• Prompted by Rivers’ return, speculation on which former stars — players or coaches — could realistically return.
  • Jon Gruden as a likely coaching candidate; debate about possible player comebacks.
  • [48:41] “Everybody has their opinions… Who else could you really see returning… Because one answer comes to mind, and it's not a player, it's a coach.” — Steve Covino

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Social Media Authenticity:
  • [15:31] “It looks like a sniper shot him.” — Danny G, joking about Mad Dog Russo’s fall
  • [16:58] “They’re only posting the good moments. They're not picturing them having a fight with their boyfriend in pajamas.” — Rich Davis
• On Career and Pride:
  • [14:16] “I want to magnify and lean into the things that show me in a good light, not things that make me look lame.” — Steve Covino
• On Old Sports Failures:
  • [18:02] “His listeners still torture him over this … the ax that Mallard throws bounces and ricochets all over the place. It almost kills a listener.” — Danny G

Timestamps of Major Segments

• [04:17] Covino’s holiday TV appearance as a “Santa expert”
• [08:01] Mike’s Wisdom: “When making dinner for your children, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just edible and not on fire.”
• [09:49] Reviewing Rivers’ potential and the time passed since his last NFL action
• [10:46] Mad Dog Russo’s viral basketball fail video discussed
• [16:58] Philosophical discussion on social media exposure and authenticity
• [31:00] Midweek Major segment begins: Rivers, Kelce, Giants updates, and more
• [39:15] News update: Michigan coach fired, NFL and MLB news
• [48:41] Who else could plausibly return to sports post-retirement?

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, playful, and candid, grounded in sports radio tradition but quick to rabbit-trail into everyday authenticity and pop culture references. Covino & Rich thrive on quick-witted jabs, honest self-deprecation, and the ability to pivot seamlessly between breaking news and the lighter side of fandom.

Summary

This episode delivers everything fans expect: inside takes on NFL player moves, especially the intriguing case of Philip Rivers' return; viral moment breakdowns with Mad Dog Russo in the crosshairs; real talk about social media “highlight reels” vs. authenticity; and the always-entertaining “Midweek Major” lightning round. Listeners walk away entertained, informed, and with plenty of fodder for water cooler debates about sports comebacks (or their own embarrassing moments!).