C&R - Sing the Praises of Fernando!

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – "C&R: Sing the Praises of Fernando!"

Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Covino & Rich, with Dan Byer, Danny G, and Iowa Sam
Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

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Overview

This high-energy episode dives into the wild aftermath of the College Football National Championship, celebrating "Fernando Mania" led by Indiana's Fernando Mendoza—the Heisman-winning, underdog quarterback who powered Indiana to an unbelievable title. Covino and Rich unpack why Mendoza’s story has captivated the nation, likening it to monocultural moments that rarely unite America. The cast also discusses viral moments from the game (including that Dr. Pepper TikTok commercial and the surprise Abella Danger cameo), explores the narrative power of sports, and delivers their signature humor and pop-culture savvy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fernando Mendoza—A New Folk Hero

• Lightning in a Bottle Storyline:

  • The hosts gush about Mendoza’s journey—from being a Miami reject, humble beginnings with a young mother, to engineering an iconic championship win against his hometown team.
  • Quote (A, 03:41): "He's a really special guy. He's really authentic, really genuine and he took the world by storm."

• Signature Moment:

  • The now-iconic quarterback sneak where Mendoza dove over the goal line to seal the win—hosts predict this will become a statue in Indiana.
  • Quote (B, 02:54): "...that still image of him diving over the goal line, mark my words, within a decade will be a statue in Indiana."

• Human Side:

  • Mendoza’s relationship with his mom, her moving letter, and their faith-filled, grateful approach touched a national chord.
  • Quote (A, 05:02): "His connection with his mom. How he praises Jesus. How he's so grateful? His likability."

• The Miami “FU Revenge” Narrative:

  • Overlooked by Miami, Mendoza returned to defeat them in their own stadium—hosts revel in the poetic, yet classy, "revenge."
  • Quote (A, 09:11): "He comes back to his hometown, his home school that he rooted for to beat them on their field... full circle fu revenge was handled so masterfully and classy."

2. Pop-Culture Parallels: Monoculture Moments

• Rare Unifying Stories:

  • The episode compares "Fernando Mania" to rare sports moments that break through America's fragmented media landscape—Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, Linsanity, Caitlin Clark.
  • Quote (A, 21:56): "There are stories that just... swept the nation. And everybody took note. Like Rich said, we live in a world where monoculture is no longer a thing... But everybody was tuned in last night."

• Personal Impact:

  • Even non-college football fans—and their parents—got pulled in.
  • Quote (A, 04:36): "My parents were tuned in, my daughter and all her friends are tuned in, everybody was tuned in to see if this dude came through."

3. Broader Cultural & Community Connections

• Cuban-American Angle:

  • Mendoza’s Cuban heritage and Miami’s Cuban community created deep-rooted, divided loyalties.
  • Quote (A, 10:27): "...how conflicted Miami itself must have felt when there's such a large Cuban community... rooting for Miami but also pulling for their kid..."

• Underdog to Hunted:

  • The hosts reflect on Indiana’s lack of football history and what it means to go from "punching bag" to national powerhouse.
  • Quote (C, 13:25): "Indiana has no history. They have a history of losing... So for them to go 16-0, it's like impossible."

4. Authenticity, Likability & Leadership

• Keeping Cool Under Pressure:

  • Mendoza endures a late-game dirty hit but keeps his composure, endearing him further to fans and hosts alike.
  • Quote (B, 07:12): “He kept his cool... He’s a tough SOB, this kid... you don't realize he's 6'5."

• Faith & Flaws:

  • Mendoza’s genuine faith, but also a human moment—caught on air cursing out of emotion.
  • Quote (A, 07:36): “Dude used the swear word last night. He was asked about it too."
  • Quote (B, 07:53): “He dropped a curse word there at the end... Where'd that come from?"
  • Quote (A, 07:57): "Yeah, I would say overwhelmed by emotion."

5. Community Reaction—Who Wasn't Cheering for Indiana?

• Haters and Outliers:

  • Not everyone was swept up—rival fans (Ohio State, Miami) and the small minority of resistors.
  • Quote (B, 14:44): "...there's always gonna be some people that are the outliers. Like, yeah, I'm not really about this."

• Cultural Events and Social Pull:

  • Even casual observers and non-fans found themselves invested, highlighting the power of sports narratives.

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Viral and Pop Culture Moments from Championship Night

1. Dr. Pepper Girl (Romeo) Goes Mainstream

• The TikTok Jingle that Made the Airwaves:

  • Viral sensation Romeo’s “Dr. Pepper baby, it’s good and nice” jingle made the National Championship broadcast as an official commercial, blending internet culture with prime-time TV.
  • Quote (A, 28:11): “Dr. Pepper baby is good and nice.”
  • Discussion: The hosts debate how much she got paid, with estimates ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.

• Timestamp: Segment starts at [27:24]

  • Quote (A, 29:25): "...when millions were watching the championship last night, they snuck that in and everybody started trending on it again."

2. Abella Danger—Adult Star in the Stands

• Surprise Sideline Celebrity:

  • Viral buzz as cameras catch adult film star Abella Danger at the game—host reactions range from amused recognition to proud oblivion.
  • Quote (B, 34:03): "...her face is on national television last night."
  • Quote (A, 34:44): "I don't know who she is. I never heard of her ever in my life. This is not the first time she's been spotted in a call of prison (college football setting)."

• Timestamp: Segment begins at [33:04]

3. World’s Most Interesting Man Returns

• A brief but fun appearance by the iconic ad character adds nostalgic pop-culture flair to the night.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mendoza's Impact:
  • “It’s like lightning in a bottle. Once in a while, there’s a story that sweeps the nation like Linsanity. And this is that moment.” (A, 03:41)
• The ‘Movie’ Angle:
  • “It’s a movie. You and I discussed before the show—what comes first, the Fernando movie or the statue in Indiana?” (B, 05:56)
• On Faith and Culture:
  • “How such a good religious boy is about to go to Sin City... That’s another funny-ass story.” (B, 05:16)
• Relating to Tom Brady:
  • “And then when they moved back to Miami, the one thing that Fernando took with him was his admiration of Tom Brady. And to think Tom Brady’s right there. It’s going to be his future boss.” (B, 05:25)
• On being pulled into the story:
  • “When was the last time you got pulled into something you were a casual viewer of?... Was it Tim Tebow? Was it Johnny Manziel?... Probably Caitlin Clark...” (B, 21:21)

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Important Timestamps

• [00:29] Celebrating Fernando “Heisman Doza” Mendoza’s legendary championship performance
• [02:54] The hosts predict a statue for Mendoza’s goal-line dive
• [05:02] Reflecting on Mendoza’s family, faith, and Tom Brady connection
• [07:36] On Mendoza’s composure after a rough hit and the rare curse word
• [09:11] “Full circle FU revenge”—Mendoza conquers Miami
• [14:42] Comparing this to other monoculture events—everybody’s talking
• [21:21] “When was the last time you got pulled in as a casual fan?”
• [27:24] Dr. Pepper TikTok girl’s jingle goes from viral to TV ad
• [33:04] Abella Danger spotted in the crowd—pop culture meets sports TV

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Tone and Style

Full of humor, rapid-fire banter, and cultural references, the episode balances earnest sports admiration with irreverent asides, making it as much about shared experience and community as analysis. The hosts revel in Mendoza's likability, the unpredictability of sports, and how viral moments (both wholesome and risqué) color the way we experience championship nights.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is the ultimate celebration of how one athlete and one game can sweep up even cynical or casual fans, creating national unity and endless storytelling fodder. It’s also a snapshot of how sports, memes, and mainstream TV now create cultural moments in real-time—whether that’s a Cinderella run, a viral soft drink jingle, or a celebrity cameo nobody saw coming.

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Want more?

Tune in for C&R’s signature conversational style, plenty of pop-culture tangents, and a genuine appreciation for what makes sports great: the stories, the personalities, and the way the unlikeliest events turn into legends.

Transcript

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human new year.

[B]

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[A]

So now get two snack wraps plus fries and a medium soft drink for just $8 for a limited time only.

[C]

Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher in Hawaii, Alaska and California.

[B]

And for delivery.

[A]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast.

[B]

Be sure to catch us live every.

[A]

Weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio.

[B]

Find your local station for Cavito enrich@fox sp radio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR. Yo, you gotta give a slow clap. Fernando, baby.

[A]

Are you kidding me? I'll give a booty clap for Fernando. Clap them cheeks, Fernando. It's Cavino and Rich, and we're here to say there's a new Fernando Mania in town. And we're talking Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Doza winner, the college football champion. Congrats to Indiana. Congrats to Miami for making it close. It was a nail biter at the end, but what a game, what a night, what a country, what a show at CNR on fsr. Thanks for being here live. Covino Enrich with super producer Danny G on standby 87799 on Fox. Danny G. You gotta be feeling sweet. So hyped. So hyped. Raiders fans are super hyped. Just as hyped as Indiana fans. Iowa Sam is here on the ones and twos. He's our sound architect. He brings the fire every day. Spotty's on the videos we're streaming live. You could see I'm wearing silver and black, bro. Ready for Raiders next year, bro. I could pick a team. Look at me wearing Raiders colors in celebration.

[B]

Most people don't wait till their 40s.

[A]

But hey, hey, I might choose a team. Who knows? And the great Dan Byers here with his great insight and thank you for being part of our CNR on FSR family. Broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. If you miss any of the show ever, search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. Follow rate and review. 5 stars. Covino and Rich. And most importantly, like I said, not only are we streaming live, you could see our prizes that we're giving away. Our turbo football. Covino and Rich, fsr. You could join the live chat. Live chat is already popping with Fernando Mania. Yo, Valenzuela was sweet. We saw what he did for the Dodgers in the franchise. But Fernando Mania is going to do big things not only for college football, but for Danny G's Raiders.

[B]

Well, you got to look at it this way. The Raiders, unless you are a Miami fan, the world had to just feel really good for this kid last night. Like it's a feel good story.

[A]

In fact, Rich is a Miami Sound Machine fan.

[B]

I love Gloria Esteban. I just really do think that it's hard to say you didn't enjoy last night. Who on earth other than Miami fans were saying like, yeah, I really want this story to end poorly. It was a great story. His mom, his family there. Like the dive on the quarterback sneak that should have been stopped at the 5 and he, he dives. And I have a theory that that still image of him diving over the goal line, mark my words, within a decade will be a statue in Indiana. Why would it not be?

[A]

The still images are masterful, but the fight in the fury, the fortitude to just knock people over and get to the end zone could be like, could be a logo for him coming up. Could be, yeah. Oh yeah, that could be a logo.

[B]

If he went into the merch world.

[A]

But he's a really special guy. He's really authentic, really genuine and he took the world by storm. So I agree with Rich. Unless you're a Miami fan, I don't know how you were rooting against this dude because he's so damn likable. And what a great storyline. It's like lightning in a bottle. Once in the. Once in a while, there's a story that, that sweeps the nation like a, like a linsanity. And this is that moment. Look, I'm not faking the funk. I'm not a big college football fan. I'm just not. I grew up in New Jersey and it wasn't a lot of college football influence. We had the jets, we had the Giants, the Yankees, Mets, Islanders, Devils. You know, we didn't have college football to really care about. So I didn't grow up caring that much about college football.

[B]

It wasn't until I went to college and I overlapped one year at syracuse with Donovan McNabb and I was like, all right, college football. Got into it for a minute and since have casually followed. But I'm over an NFL guy.

[A]

I always watched the championships in the playoff. But to bring it to everyone's attention, to the point where my parents were tuned in, my daughter and all her friends are tuned in, everybody was tuned in to see if this dude came through.

[B]

And. And you know what?

[A]

It came down to the very end, which made it even more exciting. So props to everybody. It was a Great night, a great game, and Fernando mania is real. And the first question we've already hit on so much. What was your favorite storyline of the whole season? What was your favorite thing that stood out? His connection with his mom. How he praises Jesus. How he's so grateful? His likability.

[B]

How such a good religious boy is about to go to Sin City.

[A]

That's another funny ass story.

[B]

What about in the. If you haven't read the letter, the.

[A]

Fact that they never won.

[B]

If you haven't read the letter that his mom gave to him before the Heisman, when you get a chance, read it. There's a part. The whole thing will make you cry as a grown man. You will cry reading this letter from Fernando's mom to him. But there's a part in the letter where they talk about how she was a young mom and they boldly moved to the northeast, to the Boston area. And. And then when they moved back to Miami, the one thing that Fernando took with him was his admiration of Tom Brady. And to think Tom Brady's right there. It's going to be his future boss.

[A]

It's a movie.

[B]

It's. There is a movie. You and I discussed before the show. What comes first, the Fernando movie or the statue in Indiana?

[A]

It's another question in itself. What up, Danny G. That insane touchdown run.

[D]

He jukes the defenders, two of them. And then when he gets spun around.

[A]

And he puts his arm down on the turf before the dive, that's what seemed like a movie to me.

[D]

Like that whole play was like the.

[A]

End of his movie. Yeah, it really was.

[B]

When you think about the plot line, like young mom, this really could be like a TV movie or a legit movie where like young mom moves to Boston, back to Miami. She comes down with a disease, a terrible disease. She has Ms. The Miami doesn't want him because he's not a big enough recruit that the.

[A]

Whole storyline, he goes, he's overlooked. He beats them back to beat in.

[B]

Miami, like everything about this story.

[A]

While his dad sits by his mom's side and they cheer on. And let's not forget the little brother, also on the team, but he.

[B]

Not anymore.

[A]

Yeah, he entered the transfer portal as of today. And Roberto Mendoza is the side story. He wins, but he's now looking for other opportunities, I guess. And Rich pointed out on yesterday's show that Miami's defense, no joke, that was going to be a big test for him.

[D]

And he got blown. He was bleeding.

[B]

You know that. That cheap hit under the helmet. Little, Little. How do you do after it was clear he didn't have the ball anymore. Very easily. Could have been a personal foul. They didn't call it. But I thought in that moment, the fact that he kept his cool, he didn't try to fight back, didn't go at the refs like, come on, flag. Like, he's a tough sob, this kid. And because he's such an aw, shucks religious boy, you don't realize he's 6 5.

[A]

Dude used the swear word last night. He was asked about it too.

[B]

It's like, my kids, My kids are so scared to say any curse words that I'll say something like, you could say it. Go ahead.

[A]

Yeah, he was asked about, hey, you used some curse words. How do you feel about that?

[B]

He dropped a curse word there at the end. Something you don't do very often. Where'd that come from?

[A]

Yeah, I would say overwhelmed by emotion.

[D]

And it's the pinnacle peak.

[B]

It's like all season we've, you know, sometimes I've had these cookie cutter responses, immediate train response to where it's been, like, oh, onto the next game, onto the next play. And now we did it. We did it. So at that point, I think it.

[D]

Was only fitting to kind of, you.

[B]

Know, open the floodgates, per se.

[C]

Probably break my stereotype.

[B]

He's been around Coach Sig too long.

[A]

X rated mouth. You gotta love this kid's honesty. But it's his authenticity, the fact that he's just such a genuine, wholesome kid that makes him lovable. And his relationship with his mom is really heart tugging. But I think the coolest part of the story.

[B]

Am I the only one that tied that to Tom Brady?

[A]

What's the Tom Brady tie?

[B]

Mendoza goes, let's effing go.

[A]

Oh, well, he also said let's flip and go too before.

[B]

But like, who's this future boss and hero?

[A]

Tom. Tom Brady.

[B]

What's Tom's little segment and whole thing?

[D]

Yeah, I didn't even think about that.

[B]

Yeah, I thought that was like his little subconscious, like, yeah, boss.

[A]

Yeah. But it's also the rally cry of every young person. Young person, let's go. You'd be like, hey, dude, you want to go 7 11, let's go. I mean, that's just the response.

[B]

I'm thinking about going to Chipotle. What do you guys think?

[A]

Let's go.

[B]

Let's effing go.

[A]

Every young kid with broccoli hair says that. So every young alpaca boy says the same thing. But you're right, Rich, that's a good point, but I think the best storyline is the fact that this team never won. They went from worst to first, and they did it with a kid who was overlooked by Miami, and he comes back to his hometown, he. His home school that he rooted for to beat them on their field where he grew up. I think that part of it, the full circle fu revenge was handled so masterfully and. And classy. And I love that about the kid.

[B]

Well, it's not like Carson Beck could have won too. Ugly quarterback face. He does not have.

[A]

I don't think he's that ugly. He looks like. Yeah, he looks like the son of Igor. Yes. My son.

[B]

Well, can I. He played well, but he lost. I'm. I don't mean to be rude, but of course I like the kid. This sounds very rude. When he got hit pretty hard last night, he popped up. I'm like, I don't know if you would know if he had a concussion because his regular face looks dazed. He's not.

[A]

Rich is being mean.

[B]

When he. When he popped up, I'm like, I don't know if he's okay because he looks. He looks. He got punched in the face every second.

[A]

Rich subscribes to the Colin Cowherd. I do monthly and theory.

[B]

I get the newsletter.

[A]

You know, theory that you have to have quarterback face to truly make it stars.

[B]

I also think, how's that doofus gonna lead anyone?

[A]

There's an interesting storyline that wasn't spoken about. I mean, his background and his ethnicity was spoken of a lot. But how conflicted Miami itself must have felt when there's such a large Cuban community and population in Miami, you know, that there's so many Cuban fans wanting to see Miami win but also pulling for their kid who they have to be rooting for personally. Because how do you not love the fact that he has four grandparents from Cuba and he's such a proud Cuban kid?

[B]

It's like you. And there's a Mexican fighter. Yeah, but you like the opponent. You're like, oh.

[A]

But even more so, I think in this case because there's so many conflicted Cuban fans in Miami right now that are like, damn, we wanted Miami to win, but we're so happy for that kid. It's such an unbelievable full circle fu revenge story of fortitude and overcoming and being overlooked. There has to be a movie made. And I say it again, I'm a sports fan, but I'm not the biggest college football fan. And man, was I taken by this whole thing. And that's the beauty of it. He pulled me in, and maybe I'm a fan moving forward, who knows? But that was great. The game was amazing last night. We want to know what storyline stood out to you the most and what stood out to you the most from the season? What's up, db?

[D]

I got a question for you guys, and I want Iowa Sam. It's kind of Iowa Sam related, because is there a border or a line where you can't love Indiana story? So I'm an Ohio State football fan, so I was not wrapped up into Indiana.

[B]

Oh, I get. I was gonna. I was gonna say, unless you go to Miami or if you're a conference guy and you're like, you know, screw Indiana, sure, yeah.

[D]

But this guy, as an Iowa fan, but also, I would say in the same breath, a college football fan. The group text last night was just. It was nonstop with Sam being excited about this and taking up. In. Taking up for this Indiana team. And I just find it interesting because of this team that I root for is a rival. And.

[C]

Yeah, but I mean, like, listen, Indiana has no history. They have a history of losing. Like, they were never a rival.

[B]

Punching bag to everyone in college football.

[C]

Indiana doesn't even have a rivalry with Notre Dame. Notre Dame Is, like Washington, D.C. within the state of Indiana. And then there's everything else, like, Notre Dame. You think of Notre Dame, you're like, where's Notre Dame? Oh, it's in. It's in Indiana. But then you don't think of the state of Indiana. You don't even think of, like, the Hoosiers even existing on the football field. You know, they have no history. So for them to go 16 0, it's like. It's, like, impossible.

[B]

Those images from two years ago where there's, like, 12 people on the stands. You know what? When he filled out our Fox Sports Radio bracket, you know, you might not think of a damn buyer guy, but I picked Ohio State because I was like, you know what? I thought this little fun story would end. And I thought, like, Dan, probably that back to reality, because I remember when they won in the conference championship, you said, all right, relax.

[D]

I felt that that was Indiana Super Bowl. In fact, I am on record of saying that there was a 0.0% chance that Indiana would win the college football national championship because everything had gone right for them. The Mendoza wins their Big Ten champs. They're undefeated. And I did not think that Indiana or any other school would be able to have all of that come to them at this point. And it is an amazing story. And I understand how 98% of America can get behind the story. But to your point about Miami fans weren't behind it last night. You know, as an Ohio State fan, I didn't care who won. They lost. The Buckeyes lost to Miami and Indiana beat them in the Big Ten title game. There wasn't a Big Ten allegiance that I was behind. And I'm just wondering if may. Maybe it only expands to 2. Maybe it's only to that part. I'm not sure.

[B]

There's only in these mass. What would you call them, Kavino, back in the day, the monocultural cultural events. Right. Monoculture events where everyone's sort of locked in. There's always gonna be some people that are the outliers. Like, yeah, I'm not really about this. There could be some. When Game of Thrones, the finale's on, you're always gonna have the one friend that's like, never watched. No.

[A]

But I think Dan has a valid reason.

[B]

But I think there's always gonna be like a. Yeah, I took my daughter to the Taylor Swift eras tour and someone's always gonna be like, guess what? My daughter doesn't like Taylor Swift. But I think someone on the outside looking at like just, you know, allegiance.

[A]

Aside, a great story is a great story, and that's exactly what this is. And Sam sort of touched on that. When you think of Indiana, you don't think of the football team, I think, and all of a sudden they're on top of the world.

[D]

Yeah, I think that there are always going to be haters for some reason. But I just was surprised at how someone like Sam, who lives and dies by Iowa football was also taken up into this whirlwind.

[A]

Sam, what was it about the story that you said, you know what? Screw my allegiance. I really like story.

[C]

Like my. Me being a fan of Iowa, like, it just, it does, it's just on its own. It exists in its own like, universe. Like, it doesn't. Because like, Iowa and Indiana don't have a rivalry either. Like, there's really no history between the two teams. They play in the same conference. So like, for me, I, I don't let like my rooting interests like, become rose colored glasses or any kind of. Like, it does. I don't want it to change my consciousness and my perception of something. This is a great story no matter who you root for. Like, who is Indiana football's on field rivalry? Like, it'd be Purdue. Like, they're the ones who are probably frustrated right now. But as an Iowa Fan, I'm looking at. I'm looking at this. And Iowa fans, I'm sure frustrated. A lot of teams are frustrated seeing Indiana climb from two years in to the mountain top.

[B]

How much tougher is it to build a college program than an NFL program? You could turn around an NFL program in a couple years. A college program.

[C]

I think the landscape right now, now.

[B]

It'S a little easier. It makes it easier. But historically, like, you really have a hard time.

[C]

Fifteen years ago, it would take three to five years just to get. Maybe get to like a bowl game. But this way, how he's done with the transfer portal guys coming from James Madison and then all the money that's flowed in from like Mark Cuban into the program and into Indiana sports, they're able to make this. That's why this story is possible. Because of the landscape of college football right now.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Pretty amazing. You could say we're prisoners of the moment. But I think it's just an amazing story with so many different levels. And I just love the fu side of it because again, he was overlooked. They looked. They overlooked him as a little kid and. And he came back and won in Miami. To me, it's just like the perfect story. And you will get that movie. What up, Sam?

[C]

Now Indiana has gone the distance. They've won a national championship. They're on top of the world. They're now the hunted. And I'm sure other Big Ten teams are like, all right, we've had enough of you now. Just ready to start beating you.

[B]

Just say, you know, moving forward, I couldn't care less about Indiana.

[C]

If Indiana is like another national champion contender, I'll be like, screw that. Take him down.

[B]

This was an isolated moment.

[A]

We'll be glued to see what he does in the NFL. Cause that's the next storyline there for sure. As Fernando Mania sweeps the nation. So we asked you, Fox Sports Radio, what's The favorite storyline? 8 7, 7, 99 on Fox. And congratulations again. It was a great night. And in total Cavino enrich style. We have a few other observations about last night that I'm certain nobody else is talking about.

[B]

Well, we're going to get to that. But any final thought?

[D]

DB I just wanted to say on this whole thing and to kind of put a bow on it again, how crazy is it that the team that has the Heisman Trophy winner, the Big Ten champion, the only undefeated team, and the number one next to their name, favored by eight and a half is the Cinderella story, right? Like everything. Better record. They beat everybody Then lost anyone. They have the highest trophy winning quarterback and then it's against Miami who we think of as the you. But if we were to really look at Miami, last team in and an at large bid had to play on the road in their first playoff game.

[B]

Some question if they should even be in the playoffs.

[D]

Yes, yes. Knocks off defending national champion wins in dramatic fashion against the other feel good story. Like there was, there was enough. Like if it wasn't Miami, if that was Wake Forest or something like that. Maybe we're feeling different, maybe we're looking at Indiana differently. But just even the brand of Miami up against Indiana, when Indiana had all of these advantages or more successes than the Canes did, I still think going into last night, we're like, man, what a story of those feel good kids from the Hoosier State.

[C]

I think very rarely do we root on people who have that much going for them. But it's because for decades of their existence, they were nothing. They were losers. So it's like they saved up their Heisman winner, their Rose bowl championship, their national championship, all in one year. It's all coming out like a bomb of confetti. And you're like, this doesn't seem real.

[D]

And you guys hit on it like Mendoza, so likable. Signetti for his shocking as his comments were, when he's gotten the job, he's even backed off and explained kind of why he took that tone of Google me. And you know, he said he needed people to recognize. But when you've heard him over the, you know, even throughout this season, when you get to know him more and more, he's more different than the guy that you thought that was the Google me, I win guy. And so you guys talk about likability a lot. And I think that there was a lot to like about Indiana just because of the couple of personalities that they.

[A]

Have and the team first mantra that they lived by. And I believe that and I think that's why it captured us because it's authentic, it's real. Nothing felt forced. I believe everything Fernando says and what the team lives for and stands for. I believe they put team first. And again, props to them. But there's two other observations we got to get to. And let's just say this for now. If you're unaware of the next two observations, it just goes to show you how far out of the loop you really are.

[B]

There's a test coming up. We're gonna do a test here on Fox Sports Radio. It's the. Are you in the Loop or are you lost in reality?

[A]

And to answer your question, Rich, which comes first? I'm going statue first. Because sometimes it takes long to put out a movie, a decent movie.

[B]

I wouldn't be shocked if in the next budgets casting in the next handful of years, if they outside the stadium have that diving statue. It's their greatest moment, their only moment.

[A]

I think you lean into that. Hey, we just won, you know, this is our moment. There's that statue. The image is. Is already iconic. Who said it?

[B]

You?

[A]

Danny G. That could be his logo moving forward. I agree. I think they jump on that statue and ride that burst, ride this wave of awesome. And I think the statue comes before the movie.

[B]

So other observations that are going to be a test of how in or out of the loop you are, we get to that next. But. But one last little question our video guy spot asked us this morning. When was the last time you got pulled into something you were a casual viewer of? Like, if you're a casual football fan. We were like, was it Tim Tebow? Was it Johnny Manziel?

[A]

Was it Clark Swept?

[B]

Was it Caitlin Clark with the wnba? Is a great answer. Probably Caitlin Clark, because I think. I don't think I ever watch a woman's basketball game until Caitlin.

[A]

A lot of people, it would be like Jake Paul fighting Mike Tyson or something like that. If you're not a fight fan. I happen to be a fight fan, but that would be an answer for a lot of people, I'm sure.

[B]

College football. I feel like there's been guys that have really captivated us. And I think Johnny Football Linsanity. I mentioned Linsanity in basketball for a second.

[A]

There are stories that just.

[B]

You have to watch.

[A]

Just swept the nation. And everybody took note. Like Rich said, we live in a world where monoculture is no longer a thing. Everybody has their own algorithm. Everybody's in their own lane. But everybody was tuned in last night to see what this team and what this kid did.

[B]

My mom hit me up, Danny.

[A]

Same, same. My mom hit me.

[B]

You know, my mom's a Raiders fan like you. And she's like, richie, can you please take me to a Raiders game next year so I could see Fernando?

[A]

My mom's singing ABBA over the phone. Oh, that's why Mark Davis was standing in the end zone prior to the game watching Fernando work out. And he was drooling, literally.

[B]

It's honestly, it's just a cool story. You gotta love it. And if you don't like the Empire said, it's either because you're a Miami fan. You have a strong conference tie or just like. Yeah, but Fernando himself, he's a likable dude. There's something very special about that kid.

[A]

Yes, agreed.

[B]

So, all right, next we get to the two observations we made that if.

[A]

You didn't observe again, this also happened last night.

[B]

We'll, we'll get to those next. We'll talk a little baseball, little conference championships in NFL action all coming up next right here. Kavino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. Let's go.

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Oh, man, all the secrets. The whole Fox Sports radio nation saw me picking my nose the whole time they saw me doing the pinch and roll. Now I'm embarrassed.

[B]

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[A]

Covino and Rich live from Fox sports radio studios in Los Angeles. What up, Miami? Oh, hey, oh, hey. Miami played tough, but Indiana, you did your thing. Mendoza did his thing. Your next success can begin sooner than you think. Apply now and save with no application fee through February 11th at University of Maryland Global campus this new year, put your goals within reach at an accredited state university. Learn more at UMGC Edu. That's UMGC Edu. And.

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Switch to life changing extra large flushable dude wipes because wetter just cleans better. Available at Amazon and all major retailers. Dude wipes best clean, pants down. Now, there are two things that happened last night in the national championship game that had nothing to do with Fernando, had nothing to do with Miami's tough defense, had nothing to do with signetti or coaches or anyone. It just has nothing to do with the game. Two things, and these will determine how in or out of the loop you are with sort of what's going on, the world of social media and life, pop culture.

[A]

Really what the buzz is with the weenials and anyone living some part of their life on the Internet. Like you said, Rich.

[B]

Now, the first one, there's this lovable Black girl on TikTok.

[A]

Her name is Romeo, and her whole shtick is she makes jingles and she made a jingle for Dr. Pepper and it went viral on TikTok and social media like this to the point where.

[B]

Millions and millions of people were hitting up Dr. Pepper like it was a big deal.

[A]

Yeah, Dr. Pepper baby is good. And yeah, so it went so viral that they were demanding that Dr. Pepper take note and listen and pay this woman.

[B]

Well, here's her original. The original cut.

[C]

Do you want to hear her? The original and then the commercial.

[B]

Yeah, the original. Of course.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Here we go. This is her on TikTok. I have a theme song for Dr. Pepper. And it goes like this.

[A]

Dr. Pepper baby is good and nice.

[D]

Do, do, do.

[A]

And again, she wasn't super popular for this. She did this. And it organically hit and it took social media by storm, where everyone started remixing it, making their own little commercials about it. And my kids were calling her Dr. Pepper Girl. Yeah, it's great. You know it, man. You must live under a rock.

[B]

I found myself.

[A]

Pay attention. And look, I'm not gonna judge you, but I am. But I'm also here to say, well, then that's why you got Covino and Rich to do this research before you.

[B]

Keep you in the loop. But I found myself walking around my house being Dr. Pepper baby. It's good and nice. Like you find yourself singing it and you're like, well, is Dr. Pepper gonna do quote the right thing?

[A]

It became a big time debate of why isn't Dr. Pepper acknowledging this? They're not doing it because of X, Y and Z. And even I was saying, as much as I like this jingle, Dr. Pepper doesn't have to do anything. They don't have to pay anybody. They're already getting all this advertising, free advertising on social media. And maybe they don't want a jingle, maybe they don't like a jingle. They shouldn't be forced to do anything. But if they did, what a cool story.

[B]

And, and you were thinking, maybe it doesn't go along with their new ad campaign. There could be reasons why they do or don't do this. But you're watching the national championship last night. The first commercial break, I'm in earshot and I'm like, oh, my God, what did I just hear? Dr. Pepper baby is good and nice.

[A]

Dr. Pepper baby is good and n.

[B]

Dr. Pepper baby, good and nice too.

[A]

And it took social media by storm. Sure, Fernando, Indiana, Miami, all that was trending. But you know what else is trending? Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pepper Girl. Because everybody who lives a social media life or has even the smallest footprint probably caught wind of this buzz and this story and this girl and everybody else remixing that jingle and. And everybody seemed to like it. And Dr. Pepper did the right thing. They let it simmer, they let it sit. And bam. When millions were watching the championship last night, they snuck that in and everybody started trending on it again. So they capitalized twice, they played it perfect, and they did the right thing. And my guess is they paid this social Media Influence Girl. 250,000.

[B]

No way. I'm better than my guess. My guess is 250,000. My guess is like $25,000? Nah, bro.

[A]

Because she's gonna hit the late night circuits and the morning shows and they' to ask her and she doesn't want to say something that makes Dr. Pepper look like cheapskates. I think it opens up their brand to a whole different demographic and it makes it kind of cool. And I think you'll probably see more ads on super bowl.

[B]

Aren't you the guy that loves to say, hey, let me ask. AI, you know what jingle singers make? You could sell a national ad campaign.

[A]

And it usually goes, are jingle singers doing the late night circuit?

[B]

No, but that doesn't get paid. You don't get paid.

[A]

This was a bigger story. Nobody knows jingle singers. What jingle singers do you know?

[B]

But why would they just willy nilly just give it.

[A]

I know Pharrell. Did you think Pharrell works for cheap? Pharrell's made some popular jingles. Barry Manilow has made some popular jingles. Look it up. You think he got paid peanuts for that?

[B]

But I don't know.

[D]

They also had to pay for the rights to the jingle rich.

[A]

So yeah, you know what I mean? She's not just being paid for her amazing voice. And it was a big story. And they had the pressures of social media being like, pay this girl. I don't know if they were going to cheap out on her.

[B]

But you and I.

[A]

But it was cool to see you.

[B]

And I are way apart on this. I think one of your feet.

[A]

That's what I say. I think $250,000. We're talking about a multi billion dollar company.

[B]

I say $25,000. I think maybe selling or short, maybe 50. By saying we own the. We own your jingle. Do you think there's some random TikTok girl? Why? What would make you think they'd randomly be like, here's a quarter million dollars.

[A]

For the new jingle moving forward that they could potentially use for the super bowl. I think is a big deal.

[B]

It's ridiculous.

[D]

But hey, maybe somebody almost paid $100,000 for a Cheeto.

[A]

Yeah. On king of collectibles. Ken golden show.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A cheeto sold for $100,000.

[B]

And so that was observation number one. We said there's two tests of whether or not you're in the social media algorithm. Annoyingly.

[A]

And by the way, to really put this in perspective, my mom knew of this story. So if my 70 something year old mom knew of this story and you don't, man, you're out of the loop, bro.

[B]

Dr. Pepper Baby girl number one. The other one I Don't think your mom's on the loop. On in the fourth quarter, they do a close up of a young woman in the crowd, and every guy's like, oh, I know who that is. A lot of wives and girlfriends are, like, getting a side eye, like, whoa, who is that?

[D]

How do you know her?

[B]

She looks familiar. Not that familiar. She has clothes on. Porn actress Abella Danger, who is actually an enrollment. Former.

[A]

Former.

[B]

I'm sorry, Former. Who is actually an enrolled. It's never former if it lives forever, Danny. When a porn star's like, I don't do that anymore. It's like, oh, well, they. I still see it every. People don't click on a clip. That's new. It's timeless. Point is, her face is on national television last night.

[A]

It's on our YouTube page as we speak. Covino and Rich. FSR every.

[B]

Well, I would say every, but Covino's like, never heard of her.

[A]

I gotta be honest. I'm not saying I'm cool or righteous or better than anybody for not knowing.

[B]

You're as righteous as Fernando Mendoza in this moment.

[A]

The only danger I know is Carlo's danger. Shout out to Anthony Wiener. I don't know a Bella Danger. I never heard of her ever in my life. This is not the first time she's.

[D]

Been spotted in a call of prison.

[B]

This is like an ongoing.

[A]

It goes to show me how perverted and demented the mass, the majority of Americans and people are. If you see her and you're like, yeah, I know who she is. I agree with your girlfriend giving you sinai, you pervert.

[B]

She's got, I don't know her from anybody. She's got a distinct look. She's not the most conventionally, like, super hot.

[A]

But I'm not saying that I'm oblivious to porn and I don't know who the stars are next. The stars. But I, I, I stars. I don't know who she is. I, I just have to be honest. So I know who the jingle woman is, and I love that Dr. Pepper story, but I have no idea who Bella Danger is. And I'm kind of proud about it.

[B]

Listen, I'm not saying I'm like some fan of this girl, but I would imagine a lot of men have been like, oh, I know the name, or I've seen her face or more point is, it was trending last night and it was funny how it was such a divisive, like, don't know what you're talking about. So this morning, to just prove my point, when Kavino and I were doing our Patreon where we, you know, get a little more raw. I was like, kavino, right now. Do a search of the most popular adult film stars of 2026. Number one, somehow. And it wasn't a list made after last night. She's there. Might not be your style, but she's there. So that and Dr. Pepper Girl. Oh, and there's a third runner up. The return of the world's most interesting man. He was. He was there.

[A]

Oh, that was a great story.

[B]

All right, let's go to Dan Byer for an update. Db, what's going on, buddy?

[D]

All right, fellas, we've got some news just in from the NFL. The NFL Network is that former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Browns head coaching vacancy. McDaniel still a candidate, possibly in Las Vegas and in Baltimore, but the report says he was set to interview in person with the Browns tomorrow. But that will not be happening as Mike McDaniel doesn't want the Browns job.

[B]

DB, I saw speculation it could be fake Internet stuff because that's half the stuff I see. Anyway, McDaniel something about having a place near Tampa and Tampa's in the mix or some type of position. Have you seen that at all?

[D]

Interesting. Oh, yeah, they're looking forward. Offensive coordinator. Tampa hired Danny Smith to be their special teams coordinator today, but McDaniel's up for head coaching jobs and honestly, with Buffalo being open as well, he could be a candidate for that job.

[B]

Who would that be?

[D]

Yeah, that would be. The thing about McDaniel is they do run the ball like the Kyle Shanahan tree isn't just always about quarterbacks. It's also about running the football. And that could fit well in Buffalo with Allen and Cook.

[B]

Right now, if you have Allen and Cook, I. I'm a McDaniel fan. Yes, I am too, admittedly so I think he could work wonders with Allen and Cook. I just don't know if Buffalo takes that chance.

[D]

Yeah, absolutely. We shall see. Speaking of Buffalo, their offensive coordinator right now is Joe Brady. He's interviewing with the Cardinals for their head coaching vacancy today. John Harbaugh, introduced by the Giants. He's getting a five year deal to be their head coach. Titans gave Robert Sala a five year deal to lead the Titans. Coming up at 6:00 Eastern Time, we'll find out who the Class of 2026 will be that will be enshrined into the Baseball hall of Fam. Report from the Athletics is the Dodgers are still interested in acquiring brewers pitcher Freddie Peralta, who's entering the final year of his contract. And ESPN says Knicks guard Jalen Brunson called a players only meeting last night after the loss to the Mavericks on MLK Day. The knicks have lost nine of their last 11 guys. Back to you.

[A]

Thanks.

[B]

Thanks, Dan. You got plenty of fans out there. Dan1, which is just chiming in on our in show chat. Cavino's mom.

[D]

All right.

[B]

I love Dan Byer.

[D]

Love you too. Covino's mom.

[B]

Your mom. Your mom is like Beverly Goldberg.

[A]

Yeah, she's the best.

[B]

If you watch the Goldbergs, that's his mom. All right, we got more Covino and Rich next right here on Fox Sports Radio. Now, are you facing hiring headaches? Staffing. Your business is complex.

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[B]

Stop thinking about tacos and maybe you'd be all first team starting in the NBA All Star game.

[A]

Maybe your streak would be alive, bro. So I'm Pavino, that is Rich, and it's time for our tire rack play of the day. The play of the year in college football happened last night on 4th and 5.

[B]

Mendoza ready to take the snap. He takes it. He looks, he looks. He throws the football and. No, he runs it though. No, he runs it and he ties for the end zone. Does he get it in? Touchdown. Fernando Mendoza Runs the football and scores 12 yard play.

[A]

Fernando Mendoza, tremendous.

[B]

Is fake and then he runs it in, man. That was courtesy of Don Fisher from Learfield. And that was our tire rack play of the day. For over 40 years, Tire Rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free. Free road hazard protection. Convenient installation options like mobile tire installation. Tirerack.com the way tire buying should be.

[A]

All right. Proved how tough he was last night. You doubted him, and it was an unbelievable run.

[B]

You know, to quote, remember gorilla monsoon in wrestling in the 80s.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The intestinal fortitude that Mendoza showed in that moment. Like, I almost felt like, are you.

[A]

Trying to say he's no Hammond Egger?

[B]

He's no Hammond Egger. This is a guy that. He went. It was like end zone or bust for him. He was not getting knocked down. It was.

[A]

Are you saying the cream will rise to the top? And he was the cream. He was the cream last night, bro.

[B]

360, 180.

[A]

So it was a wonderful night. A lot of fun, unless, of course, you're a Miami guy. But they played great too, man. They brought it down to the very end. So props to Miami and props to Fernando and the Hoosiers for pulling so many casual fans into the game last night. Makes me excited to see him as a Raider for sure. And the other two storylines are three because we said the most interesting man in the world came back. He had to come back last night. That was fun. The Dr. Pepper girl got her flowers and got a national campaign, which started as just a viral jingle on social media. She made it to the big time yesterday. And I. I bet she got paid. By the way, I mentioned that Barry Manilow made a few jingles. You know what jingles he wrote?

[B]

Barry Manilow did, like some. Like, honestly, something that says stuck on Band Aid. Yeah, I'm stuck on you.

[A]

Like a good neighbor. Like a good neighbor State farmer. That's Barry Manilow, bro. And Pharrell Williams. I mentioned him too. And people were like, which one did he do? He did. I'm loving it. Da, da da, da da. And I'm telling you, if Dr. Pepper want to continue this great story and this good vibe, they had to pay.

[B]

This girl well, you know, who made a lot of money. And they were a jingle singer. What TV sitcom star was a jingle writer? And he had a beachfront house.

[A]

Two and a Half Men.

[B]

Yeah, Charlie Harper, Charlie Sheen's character winning. Remember he was a jingle writer. He was a jingle writer and had Like a Malibu beach house. So maybe they do pay jingle singers.

[A]

Uncle Joey and Uncle Jesse. Or Joey and Uncle Jesse.

[B]

Yeah. Uncle Jesse was also an exterminator. He dabbled in a lot of things. He was also in Jesse and the Rippers.

[A]

Well, that was this. Yeah. And the other side stories were the porn star that happened to be there, Abella Danger, who went viral. And now she's mad at ESPN because she said she didn't want to be on camera. But it seemed like the world, it seemed like everybody is just filled with smut. Your brains are filled with smut. Because it seemed like the whole world knew who she was. And I was like, I don't know who she is. Who the hell is that?

[B]

Kiss Steve Kavino.

[A]

I really didn't. I didn't know who she was.

[B]

The point has been going to mass with friends.

[A]

Hey, I'm a Fernando Mendoza kind of guy. I bet you he don't know who she is.

[B]

Nice to meet you, young lady.

[A]

If you don't know at least one of those side stories, you are way out of the loop. You should be writing us thank you letters.

[B]

All right. Hey, more. Covino and Rich. We got a little baseball we're going to talk about. Plus, of course, we got Mahomes, Showtime, trivia and Cavino know this weekend. Is there a storyline that just catches you as far as the conference championships? Do we need to start making storylines to make it a little more interesting? Because I'm feeling a little lull more next.

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.