The Dan Patrick Show: C&R – Swagger Jackin' & Politics in the Locker Room
Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich with contributions from Danny G, Iowa Sam, Spot, and callers
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
In this lively episode of Covino and Rich (C&R), the guys blend sports news with social commentary, bouncing between the latest drama in baseball free agency, the Knicks’ NBA Cup win, and a larger conversation about how political differences are seeping into locker rooms and relationships alike. With energetic banter, analogies drawn from pop culture, and listener call-ins, Covino & Rich explore whether athletes (and the rest of us) can still unite behind a common goal when politics are front and center.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. “Swagger Jackin’”: Mets Copying the Yankees?
(06:14 – 10:12)
- Rich is frustrated the New York Mets are acquiring a string of former Yankees (e.g., Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Devin Williams, Juan Soto) and now even pursuing Cody Bellinger.
- The duo riff on the idea of “copycat” behavior in sports free agency:
- Covino: “Get off our jock, bruh. What are you doing?” (07:25)
- Rich likens the Mets’ approach to someone obsessed, chasing “sloppy seconds,” with playful and self-aware sexism thrown in for flavor.
- The segment turns humorous as they riff on the idea of a team’s identity being diluted when it’s full of former rivals.
2. Free Agency Imitation vs. Swagger
(09:59 – 10:12)
- Covino disagrees that picking up ex-Yankees is “swagger jackin’,” emphasizing this is just how free agency works.
- Quote:
- Covino: “Swaggers don’t work that way. Really, dude, you’re acquiring free agents.”
3. Politics in the Locker Room: Nimmo & Lindor Rift
(10:23 – 21:06)
- Rich introduces a reported rift between Mets players Brandon Nimmo (described as pro-Trump) and Francisco Lindor (not), citing this as the reason for Nimmo’s departure.
- This leads into a wider conversation about the increasing difficulty of separating sports (and relationships) from political identity.
- Key Idea:
- Sports are supposed to unify people from all backgrounds around a single goal: winning.
- Rich and Covino reminisce about a time when personal politics didn’t penetrate team chemistry.
- Memorable exchange:
- Rich: “You could be friends if you have different political beliefs... Now, it’s, ‘If you disagree with me on these big issues, I don’t know how I could be your pal.’” (12:40)
- They joke about whether politics would have ever entered the dating scene when they were young, comparing then vs. now.
4. Fanaticism: Sports vs. Politics
(16:50 – 18:29)
- Covino references Barstool’s KFC:
- Covino: “The biggest problem we ever did when it comes to politics is… we started treating politics the way we treat sports.”
- They discuss how blind allegiance to political ‘teams’ now mirrors sports fandom, emphasizing how counterproductive this is for relationships and team camaraderie.
- Gary Vee and Charles Barkley are cited as examples of sports fan enthusiasm, making the point that politics shouldn’t occupy that tribal level.
5. Listener Call-Ins & Societal Reflection
(33:11 – 38:04)
- Multiple callers share stories of relationships and friendships ending over politics—including a 20-year-old kicked out after revealing who he voted for.
- Bruno from Brooklyn points to social media as the accelerant, giving everyone a visible platform for their beliefs and thus more points of conflict.
- Hosts and callers agree:
- “It’s impossible to line up politically with everybody, especially on a team.” (30:34)
- “50% of the people you meet could likely be people you don’t necessarily agree with. That means you’re not gonna be friends with 50% of the people? That’s crazy.” (35:00)
6. Coaching Implications & The Future of Political Division
(35:27 – 35:55; 21:33 – 22:24)
- Rich wonders how coaches and GMs are supposed to manage these divides.
- Danny G believes the current political passion may be a historical ebb and flow but is unsure if it’s here to stay, recalling past eras of division (Vietnam, the 60s) but noting differences in cause and context.
7. Chemistry Killers: Social & Political Divides
(43:44 – 44:17; 32:26 – 32:47)
- The hosts agree politics is now just another element—like age, background, or relationship status—that threatens locker room chemistry.
- Rich: “Chemistry killer. Can’t do it.” (30:09)
- They compare modern politics to the old East LA mentality of choosing “colors”—politics now being treated like gang allegiance.
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
- Rich (on sports and politics): “When you’re a professional, you have to put [differences] aside... It’s as simple as that. Not everyone’s gonna love each other and get along... I think it’s a shame they couldn’t put those differences aside.” (21:01)
- Covino: “The biggest problem we ever did when it comes to politics is we started treating politics the way we treat sports... You just hate them, you hate them.” (16:50 – 17:47)
- Rich: “No politics at the holiday table. No politics in the locker room. Chemistry killer. Can’t do it.” (30:09)
- Bruno, Brooklyn caller: “Now everybody has a platform and they're posting every day, every night, and it's starting fires.” (34:19-34:50)
- Cody, Fresno caller: “Great date... Went back to her place, they're hanging out. She goes, 'Oh, I forgot to ask, who did you vote for?' ... She goes, 'I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.'” (33:26-33:49)
NBA Cup & Knicks Coverage
8. NBA Cup – Excitement or Sarcasm?
(44:13 – 47:40)
- The guys recap the Knicks’ win in the inaugural NBA Cup, questioning whether anyone, even diehard fans, truly cares.
- Clip of Stephen A. Smith exuberantly (and perhaps sarcastically) celebrating the Knicks’ victory.
- Nicole, a friend’s wife, doesn’t even know what the NBA Cup is despite being married to a Knicks fan, underscoring the segment’s point.
- Rich: “I don't think they even know. I'm like, they know, but I don't think anyone cares.” (47:04)
- Reference to Charles Barkley calling the Cup “embarrassing.”
Listener Responses & Ongoing Debate
9. Team Dynamics & Personal Stories
- Listeners call in to share frustrations with political divides hurting friendships and dating opportunities.
- Hosts urge teams—and society—to get back to finding common goals and putting differences aside, especially in sports and family settings.
- Recurring message: Politics in the locker room is a “chemistry killer,” and both sports and relationships suffer when polarization trumps camaraderie.
Conclusion & Episode Takeaways
- The episode artfully blends sports free agency drama with social commentary, using humor and real stories to dissect growing political polarization in both locker rooms and everyday life.
- The major takeaway: Whether you’re a pro athlete, a coach, or just out dating, the rising trend of “all or nothing” political identity is making everything from team chemistry to relationships more fragile.
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Swagger Jackin’ Mets: 06:14 – 10:12
- Politics in the Locker Room: 10:23 – 21:06
- Treating Politics like Sports Fandom: 16:50 – 18:29
- Listener Call-Ins on Political Divides: 33:11 – 38:04
- NBA Cup/Knicks Victory React: 44:13 – 47:40
Final Thoughts:
Covino & Rich close out the episode urging listeners to keep politics out of places meant for unity—be it the locker room or the holiday table—and to strive for chemistry based on mutual goals and respect, not party lines.