The Dan Patrick Show: C&R - Von Raider & 'Chucky’s NFL Trivia!'

Date: April 2, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Steve Covino & Rich Davis (Covino & Rich), with Dan Beyer, Danny G, Iowa Sam
Special Guests: “John Gruden” (impression by Frank Caliendo), Tony from Oregon (caller/contestant)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Covino & Rich on The Dan Patrick Show dives into sports fandom, April Fool’s culture, and the blurring lines between loyalty and rivalry in modern sports. The crew explores whether fans can truly “hate” a player once they join their favorite team, referencing famous cross-rival moves throughout sports history. The fun peaks with a football trivia segment featuring a brilliant “John Gruden” (Frank Caliendo), plenty of laughs, and calls from listeners sharing their passionate sports stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Decline of April Fool’s Day in the Age of Social Media

(03:06 - 07:04)

• April Fool's Fatigue: Covino & Rich reflect humorously on how April Fool’s has "lost its luster" because fake news and AI memes are now everyday occurrences.
  • Rich Davis [03:27]: “We live in one big April Fool's with AI and social media...all these stupid fake jokes and AI memes.”
  • Steve Covino [03:51]: “It’s like social media ruined reunions...add April Fools to the list.”
• Brand Pranks: They roast the cringeworthy, increasingly obvious April Fool’s stunts by big brands (e.g. Ikea’s “meatball lollipops”).
• Von Miller’s Prank: Von Miller’s fake “I’m a Raider” social post (complete with official graphics and tags) fools many fans and sparks debate about player loyalty and sports fandom.

Notable Quote

• Steve Covino, on April Fool’s in a world full of fakes [07:53]:
  “Can you really play games like that? That’s—you’re spreading fake news.”

The ‘Laundry Theory’ of Sports Fandom

(08:49 - 14:34)

• Are There Players You Could Never Accept?: The guys discuss whether fans can ever truly despise a player if that player moves to their favorite team.
  • Steve Covino [09:59]: “I think we have this thought, like, ‘I’ll never like that guy’—until he's on your team. Which proves we root for laundry.”
• Examples:
  • Yankee fans learning to love Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens after years of rivalry
  • Red Sox fans eventually embracing Johnny Damon, and Vikings fans rooting for Brett Favre after despising him as a Packer
  • The transformation in attitude toward Bryce Harper if he were ever to join the Mets

Notable Quote

• Steve Covino [10:58]: “Bryce Harper would come to New York and say all the right things…next thing you know, you're like, ‘Bryce Harper is the coolest.’ It's just in our nature!”

Are There Any True Exceptions?

(12:07 - 14:34)

• Possible Exceptions: Some players, like Manny Machado or the Astros’ Altuve, elicit so much emotion (due to cheating scandals or personal dislike) that fandom might not be swayed, even if they joined your team.
• Danny G [12:34]: “No, he [Machado] was one of those guys. You just couldn't get past his face.”
• Moral Lines: The Astros’ cheating controversy is cited as a sticking point for Dodgers fans.

The Changing Nature of Rivalries—Fans Today vs. Yesterday

(13:28 - 16:54)

• Free Agency’s Impact: Movement between teams is so normalized that even old-school rivalries aren’t what they used to be.
• College Sports: Dan Beyer brings up how the transfer portal and NIL deals are breaking down even “unbreakable” college rivalries.
  • Dan Beyer [16:22]: "Now even that wall has kind of been broken down."

Listener Calls: Real Life Sports Loyalty

(25:03 - 29:34)

• Ron (Detroit): Hated Chris Chelios, but loved him as a Red Wing. Still could never accept Claude Lemieux or Patrick Roy.
• Chris (Englewood): Letting Mookie Betts go was hard but now loves him as a Dodger.
• Evan (Los Angeles): Shares a personal LeBron nightclub story and admits personal opinions can soften when meeting players.
• Dodger Fan Caller: States he could never embrace any of the cheating Astros.

Notable Quote

• Steve Covino [26:03]: "I'll never root for that guy. I hate him...And then he's on your team, you're like, come on, let's go. It's just something that we say. But we, deep down...root for laundry."

Chucky’s ('John Gruden’s) NFL Trivia Game

(35:19 - 44:12)

• Setup: In classic April Fool’s style, “Jon Gruden” (Frank Caliendo) hosts a playful NFL trivia game with the C&R team and listener Tony from Oregon.
• Timestamps & Sample Questions:
  • [39:18] Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl fine (answer: $550,000)
  • [41:08] How many NFL teams are named after animals? (Answer: 15)
  • [43:04] What did Gruden once say about practice? (“Every practice is another day to inch closer to greatness.”)
  • [43:44] How old was Raider HOF George Blanda when he retired? (Answer: 48)
• Best Gruden-isms: Caliendo nails Gruden’s cadence and banter, throwing in plays ("green right slot, albacore, 2Y quesadilla") and playful digs.
  • John Gruden [36:34]: “Give me green right slot. Albacore, 2Y quesadilla.”
  • John Gruden on his haircut [37:12]: “You ever floby? I bring it with me, with me.”
• Winner: Dan Beyer takes the trivia crown.

Quote Highlight

• John Gruden (Frank Caliendo) [41:37]:
  “I’m ready for round one. I love that Danny brings me into the show and then tries to corral me.”

Closing & Memorable Moments

• The group reveals the “Gruden” guest as master comic Frank Caliendo (April Fool’s!) [44:12].
• The episode closes with teases for more games, midweek major, updates, and continued playful banter into the next hour.

Summary Table of Key Segments with Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | Notable Participants/Quotes | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 03:06 | April Fool’s fatigue & pranks in the social era | “We live in one big April Fool's...” - Rich Davis | | 07:53 | Von Miller’s Raiders prank/fake news | “Can you really play games like that?” - Steve Covino | | 09:59 | ‘Laundry Theory’—why fans forgive hated players | “We root for laundry” - Steve Covino | | 12:34 | Machado exception - can some players never be liked | “You just couldn’t get past his face” - Danny G | | 16:22 | College rivalries and transfers (with Dan Beyer) | “Now even that wall has kind of been broken down.” | | 25:03-29:34 | Caller stories—the real emotion of fandom | Ron (Detroit): “Never Claude Lemieux or Patrick Roy!” | | 35:19-44:12 | ‘Chucky’s NFL Trivia’ with Frank Caliendo’s Gruden| “You ever floby?...I bring it with me...” - Gruden/Caliendo | | 44:12 | Reveal: Frank Caliendo as “Gruden” | “April Fools, everybody!” - Rich Davis |

Memorable Quotes

• “You could think that...but I think it’s something we say. I don’t think it’s something we necessarily do.”
  – Steve Covino, on refusing to root for rivals [26:03]

• “You really think you hate these people until you love them...that’s just how it is.”
  – Steve Covino [18:10]

• “Is there a rivalry so strong still till this day that you’d never accept...or they would never accept that player in the fanbase?”
  – Steve Covino [15:20]

In the Show’s Own Words & Tone

The episode is full of playful ribbing, sports nostalgia, and classic morning radio energy. There’s a seamless blend of topical humor (April Fool’s, AI fakes), in-depth sports talk (free agency and fandom), and high-energy games (Gruden/Caliendo’s trivia with running jokes). Even when callers or contestants miss easy answers, the crew keeps the banter light, with Gruden/Caliendo playfully roasting the panel.

“I tell you what, love those ringside bells. Guys know I can talk with the best of them, like Rich Davis.”
- “John Gruden” [42:32]

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for fans of sports talk with a comedic twist, anyone curious about modern fandom, and especially those who love a good sports impression. The Gruden/Caliendo game segment is a highlight, showing off the show’s playful, self-aware style and the chemistry among the cast and callers. Even if you missed the live air, you'll feel the mix of sports insight and locker room laughs.

Further Segments to Check Out

• [20:14] Segment on financial investing (skip for main content)
• [29:38] Game highlights and sports news update
• [33:37] Play of the Day and more banter after Gruden/Caliendo’s game

For full episode: Check “The Dan Patrick Show” feed, April 2, 2026—‘C&R - Von Raider & Chucky’s NFL Trivia!’