C&R - Most Tortured Fanbases in Sports - The Dan Patrick Show

Transcript

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Summary

The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich)

Episode: C&R - Most Tortured Fanbases in Sports
Date: April 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively installment of Covino & Rich, the hosts dive deep into the concept of "tortured fanbases" in sports. Using recent examples—including the ongoing struggles of the Cleveland Browns and the Colorado Rockies—they spark an interactive discussion on which teams and cities have truly suffered the most heartbreak. The show blends humor, banter, and debate, with a healthy dose of pop culture and personal anecdotes, while fielding calls from listeners who share their own agonizing fandom stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Head Coach Photo Controversy (00:56–16:15)

The episode opens with banter about George Springer's on-field antics before pivoting to the story of Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken, who missed the annual NFL head coaches' photo due to a haircut appointment.
Monken’s humorous and candid reaction is highlighted, including frustration at missing a milestone moment and joking about the use of AI to fix it:

"You'd think with AI, they could have done that quickly and got me in there, but no, it's the way it is. It'll be under the bridge. And what will matter most is whether we... do we win or not. That ultimately none of that will matter." – Todd Monken (05:53)
The group discusses the etiquette and emotional impact of being left out, with comparisons to personal stories about missing significant group pictures.
- Danny G shares a family tale where his sister was photoshopped into a group photo after missing a milestone birthday.
The differing feelings about Photoshopping someone in versus out of images is debated:
- Rich observes, "There is something really different about photoshopping. Somebody in because it is a little misleading, but sometimes maybe appropriate. And Photoshopping somebody out." (12:47)
The broader link is made between organizational missteps and franchise “curse” narratives—the Browns, for example, can’t even get a photo op right.

Notable Quote:

“It sets a bad precedence for an already quote, unquote cursed franchise. Right? It's like you couldn't even get this right and you're expecting to have a winning season. It just adds insult to injury.” – Steve Covino (15:11)

2. Photo Manipulation: Etiquette in Sports and Life (16:10–26:34)

The crew debates where the lines should be drawn with Photoshopping and AI image manipulation—when is it okay? Is it misleading for future generations to see group photos that never happened?
The discussion carries over to the world of dating apps and professional headshots:
- Rich: “To what level could you use filters in Photoshop?... It was a very popular video a few weeks back where some girls like, would you believe this guy met me for drinks?... And she showed her profile picture and her in real life and it really was very different.” (23:06)
- Covino weighs in: “Yeah, it's misleading. False advertising.” (23:51)
Personal anecdotes are used to illustrate the subject, such as Rich’s old radio colleague using a 20-year-old headshot.

3. Listener Engagement & Personal Experiences (32:00–34:55)

The hosts recall one of their biggest on-air fights—about being left out of a David Hasselhoff interview photo. Covino wanted a cardboard cutout of himself used for such occasions:

“I felt excluded. Even though it's the show I'm on, right? So I was like, just do me that solid, man. I'm out here trying to be a dad. I'm in a tough situation...” – Steve Covino (33:28)
The story is used to reinforce the emotional significance attached to group photos and inclusivity.

4. The Colorado Rockies’ Latest Heartbreak (35:25–44:30)

The show transitions to a discussion of the Colorado Rockies and their most recent letdown—falling short of a .500 record yet again after a walk-off Padres grand slam.

“[If the Rockies had won,] they would have been above .500 for the first time since 2022... they intentionally walked two batters to get to Bogarts... Not gonna happen. Not gonna happen. In fact, it's gonna be a walk-off grand slam.” – Steve Covino (36:18; 36:49)
The crew contextualizes the moment in the larger tapestry of suffering fanbases.

5. What is the Most Tortured Fanbase? (44:37–46:34)

The hosts open the lines for listeners to make the case for the most tortured sports fans in North America, bringing in callers:
- Mike from Minnesota (Vikings): “Ten NFC title game appearances, winning four of them, losing all four of the Super Bowls the Vikings have been in.” (44:44)
  - Rich: “Is it worse to get there and constantly just fall short, or is it worse to not even get close, like the Browns? What's worse?” (44:57)
- Tom from Kentucky (Bills): “I have watched the Bills lose four Super Bowls, get Josh Allen... even this last year, was it a catch? Every time something happens, they either change a rule, give it a name... It's gotta be the worst.” (45:55)
The panel agrees there’s a unique kind of agony in coming oh-so-close without ever claiming victory—while never sniffing contention is another brand of pain.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On AI and photos:

“There's rules to this. If they're not really in the family, they're on the outside of the photo. So they're easy to cut off.” – Steve Covino (14:05)
On Browns organizational futility:

“Can they do anything right, as an organization?” – Steve Covino (15:11)
On fan pain:

“Is it worse to get there and constantly just fall short, or is it worse to not even get close, like the Browns? What's worse?” – Rich Davis (44:57)
On group photos:

“You know, when a celebrity gets done doing an interview... their publicist is like, ‘All right, we gotta run.’ I didn't have time in that moment to grab Covino's cardboard cutout.” – Rich Davis (34:21)

Important Timestamps

Todd Monken’s team photo mishap: 04:42–16:15
AI/Photoshop ethics debate: 12:47–26:34
Covino’s exclusion from celebrity photos: 32:00–34:55
Rockies’ walk-off loss and fan suffering: 35:25–44:30
Listener calls—bills and Vikings hardship: 44:37–46:34

Conclusion

This episode of Covino & Rich masterfully weaves recent sports news with humor and broader cultural commentary, using the Browns’ and Rockies’ woes as springboards for a deeper discussion on fan suffering and the authenticity of group memories. Whether joking about “sweet haircuts,” arguing Photoshop etiquette, or commiserating with lifelong fans of cursed franchises, the hosts deliver a fun, interactive, and ultimately relatable episode for anyone who’s ever felt the sting of sports heartbreak—or been the odd one left out of a group photo.

C&R - Most Tortured Fanbases in Sports