The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: Caruso's Shoe & Flag Football Apology

Date: March 24, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Hosts: Covino & Rich (guest hosting)

Episode Overview

This hour of The Dan Patrick Show sees Covino and Rich return from vacation, diving into a blend of sports hijinks and genuine sports talk with their trademark humor and banter. The overarching themes center on the unpredictability of sports—from flag football upsets to wild on-court moments—and the humility required when proven wrong by the experts. They discuss Alex Caruso’s shoe-slapping highlight, the revelation of Team USA’s flag football team’s dominance over NFL pros, and the importance of accountability in sports (and sports media). The hosts also address internet-viral oddities, revisit previously doubted stories, and sprinkle in personal anecdotes that highlight the skill gaps between amateurs and professionals in all fields.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome Back & Weekend Recap (02:49–06:04)

• Covino and Rich return from vacation and reintroduce themselves and the crew, including Iowa Sam, Dan Byer, and others.
• Rich recounts his trip to the Dominican Republic, joking about not adopting baseball players and spotting a bartender who looked like Juan Soto in a wig:
  • "There was a bartender. I'm not even joking. It looked like Juan Soto with a wig. It was a woman that had Juan Soto's face." — Rich (04:59)
• Banter about undercover reality shows and vacation antics.

2. Alex Caruso’s Shoe Block Highlight (06:21–08:04)

• Highlight of Alex Caruso using his shoe to block a play during an NBA game:
  • "When Alex Caruso took his shoe, lost his shoe and slapped...made the block? Just when you thought you saw everything..." — Covino (07:37)
• Reflection on the novelty in sports: There's always something new that surprises even veteran fans.

3. Lost Sports Moments & March Madness (06:50–08:04)

• They discuss iconic plays that are forgotten because the team didn’t win, referencing Bryce Harper's lost home run lore:
  • "We're never going to remember that Bryce Harper hit a bomb in the bottom of the eighth to tie it up because they blew it in the top of the ninth." — Rich (07:20)
• WBC's influence is acknowledged, with millions tuning in.

4. International Trash Talk in the NBA (08:04–10:08)

• Orlando Magic vs. OKC & Lakers drama: Discussion of Luka Doncic getting provoked with Serbian trash talk:
  • "On the Magic said in Serbian, 'I’ll F your whole family.'" — Rich (08:28)
• Player temperament psychology: Some get rattled, others like Jordan and Luka level up when provoked.

5. Flag Football Fanatics Classic: Eating Crow and Giving Props (11:01–14:46)

• Recap of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic: Team USA (flag football pros) dominated NFL alumni and celebrities, scoring 106–44 over the weekend.
• Rich pulls a “Fonzie” and admits he was wrong for doubting the flag football team:
  • "I was wrong." — Rich (10:48)
• Discussion on skill sets: Comparing broadcasting and sports—being a pro in one doesn't mean you're a pro in all aspects.
  • "It’s a different skill set...That's why Tom Brady, regardless of how great they are, it's a different skill set." — Covino (15:42)
• Acknowledgment: Everyone, including them, "owes Team USA an apology."
  • "They should be the guys representing [at the Olympics]. Props to them. We were wrong." — Covino (13:47)

6. Cross-sport Skill Gaps and Humility (16:19–19:22)

• Is adding NFL stars to flag football "insulting"?
  • "Would it be the equivalent of giving someone with a name a podcast if they just gave it to the NFL guys?" — Rich (15:54)
• Covino suggests current pros should endorse flag football players to boost legitimacy.

7. Youth Sports, Safety, and the Rise of Flag Football (19:22–20:55)

• Discussing the growth of flag football as a safer alternative for kids and the nuances of the sport.
  • "We’re really seeing how far flag football has come...and it prevents kids from getting hurt, which was the big concern with CTE." — Covino (19:54)

8. Confidence vs. Reality: Lessons Learned (24:07–27:16)

• Personal stories of overestimating one’s abilities (archery, ax throwing, shooting free throws, running a mile), relating it to NFL players trying flag football.
  • "I went in there with all this false confidence, and I had no skill whatsoever. That's what happened with Tom Brady and these guys over the weekend." — Covino (25:21)

9. Cam Skattebo/Scatterboo’s “I Don’t Believe in CTE/Asthma” Comments (36:48–38:06)

• Covino sets up a coming discussion about Cam Skattebo’s controversial comments on the “Bring the Juice” podcast, where Skattebo claimed not to believe in CTE or asthma.
• The hosts tease a broader segment about "things you don't believe in" and promise to take some heat off Skattebo by poking fun at their own skepticism.

10. March Madness, Cinderella Stories & More Banter (34:10–50:08)

• Discussion of the lack of Cinderella teams in this year’s tournament—humor about classic Cinderella and slipper shoes relates back to Caruso’s shoe.
• Bracket challenge updates, shout-outs to listeners Joseph H. and Brian M.
• Women’s NCAA basketball: Debate if fans would rather see their women’s team win or find $20 in their jeans—tongue-in-cheek, but prompts reflection on fan engagement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caruso’s shoe play:
  "Just when you thought you saw it all, no, you go and see that and it changes your life." — Covino (07:37)
• On “trash talk” across cultures:
  "There could be really next-level trash talking if you're a European player who knows someone's native language." — Rich (08:30)
• On being proven wrong about flag football:
  "Everybody was wrong. Anyone that doubted the US flag football team was wrong because they beat everybody convincingly." — Covino (13:06)
• Accountability theme:
  "We all probably come short in taking accountability. And I think that's the problem with sports media...they never come back and admit when they’re wrong." — Covino (22:37)
• Fun moment:
  "Is it really smack talk if you're backing it up? No, it’s just the truth." — Covino (14:29)
• Life lesson:
  "When you do something on the regular, when you have a particular skill...it can't be downplayed." — Covino (25:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:59] – Juan Soto lookalike in the Dominican Republic
• [07:37] – Caruso's shoe block & sports novelty
• [08:28] – NBA in-language trash talking
• [10:48] – Rich admits being wrong about flag football
• [13:06] – Full apology to Team USA flag football
• [15:42] – Pro skills vs. specialist skills in sports/media
• [19:54] – Flag football as a safer alternative for youth
• [25:21] – Personal stories of skill overconfidence
• [36:48] – Cam Skattebo’s controversial “I don’t believe in CTE or asthma” (teased for next segment)
• [34:10] – No Cinderella(s) in March Madness (with Caruso shoe joke callback)
• [48:38] – Tire Rack Play of the Day/Iowa basketball highlight

Tone & Show Dynamics

• Lighthearted and honest. Covino and Rich blend sports talk with self-deprecating humor and plenty of pop culture.
• Emphasis on accountability, humility, and fun. Both hosts admit when they were wrong, use real-life analogies, and make the conversation approachable for the casual listener.
• Banter with the entire team (Iowa Sam, Dan Byer, Danny G), bringing in personal anecdotes and listener engagement.

Summary

This episode is a showcase of how sports can humble even the most confident, on the field and behind the mic. From Caruso’s wild NBA highlight to a deep dive into flag football’s legitimacy and Cam Skattebo's controversial podcast appearance, Covino and Rich blend humor, honest admissions, and fan relatability—reminding listeners that sometimes the experts aren’t always right, but owning it is what makes sports (and media) great.