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Hour 1 – Early Heisman Candidates, The NFL Kicks Tom Brady Can Down the Road

The Dan Patrick Show

Wed Sep 17 2025

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Episode: Early Heisman Candidates, The NFL Kicks Tom Brady Can Down the Road
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

Dan Patrick and the Danettes gather for a lively first hour focusing on early Heisman Trophy candidates, MVP races in Major League Baseball, and a deep dive into the controversy surrounding Tom Brady’s involvement as a broadcaster and minority owner in the Raiders’ coaches’ booth. The episode is colored by classic Dan Patrick humor, playful banter, interactive games, and informed commentary on recent sports news.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Baseball Pennant Races & MVP Update (02:46–09:17)

Significant Achievements:
- Cal Raleigh hits his 55th and 56th home runs.
- Shohei Ohtani smacks his 50th, pitching five no-hit innings.
- Dodgers bullpen woes, losing to the Phillies.
MVP Odds:
- Shohei Ohtani: Overwhelming favorite for AL MVP.
- Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber are contenders, but Ohtani’s two-way dominance makes him almost untouchable.
- Discussion about the value of home run milestones (see next section).
“Shohei Ohtani, overwhelming favorite to win the MVP. He’s minus 10,000.”
—Dan Patrick (08:02)

2. Home Run Milestones: 50, 60, or 500? (09:17–14:41)

Historical Perspective:
- The panel debates the prestige of 60 home runs in a season versus 500 in a career.
- 60 HR in a year is rare (“only six people have done it”)—Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Judge, Maris, Ruth.
- 500+ HRs in a career almost guarantees Hall of Fame status.
Value Judgment:
- Most would rather have the longevity and consistency implied by 500 HRs over the flash of a single monster season.
“Six, 60 in a year is more special.”
—Fritzi Seaton (11:51)

“But I would rather have—if I’m hitting 500 home runs, I’m going to be a Hall of Famer.”
—Dan Patrick (11:48)
- Discussion of “random” big homer hitters and steroid-era suspicions—or lack thereof for this year’s leaders.

3. 3,000 Hits and Baseball Longevity (14:00–15:11)

3,000 Hits as a Milestone:
- Less flashy than home run records, but still revered for demonstrating career longevity and consistency.
- It’s becoming increasingly rare in the modern game, as is the 300-win pitcher.
“But we’re not going to have very many of those guys anymore. We’re going to have guys who hit 60 home runs. But if you look at the number of guys in recent memory who have eclipsed 3,000 hits…very, very few.”
—Dan Patrick (14:18)

4. Game: Closest to 3,000 MLB Hits (Active Players) (15:11–17:01)

The Danettes play “Guess the Active Player Closest to 3,000 Hits.”
- Clues and guesses lead to Freddie Freeman (currently at 2,420).
- Discussion of other top hitters: Jose Altuve, Paul Goldschmidt, Manny Machado.

5. NFL & Tom Brady Conflict of Interest Debate (22:53–27:44)

Background:
- Tom Brady, now a minority Raiders owner and future broadcaster, was spotted in the coaches’ booth with a headset during a loss to the Chargers.
Dan’s Concern:
- Is there a real or perceived conflict of interest when a broadcasting figure with team ownership is given access to coaching operations and potentially privileged information?
- The NFL’s response to an inquiry from the show sidestepped the “broadcaster” aspect, focusing on his role as an owner.
“There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches booth. Now, once again we ask about a broadcaster, not a coach, or not an owner, and nothing that prohibits him from wearing a headset during the game.”
—Dan Patrick (24:04)

“If I’m the Bears… the last thing I’m doing is sharing. I’m not currying favor here.”
—Dan Patrick (26:07)
- Media and fan skepticism persists, while the NFL hopes the story fades.

6. Week’s Big NFL Betting Line: Dolphins vs. Bills (28:38–30:41)

An interactive segment "Guess the spread" for the coming Dolphins–Bills game.
- The spread opens at a surprising 12.5 points in favor of Buffalo, far higher than typical divisional games.
- The hosts discuss when a spread this big is warranted and how rare such large lines are in the NFL.
“12 and a half against Miami, divisional rival. Surprised at that.”
—Dan Patrick (31:08)

7. Callers and Interactive Moments (31:28–52:24)

Fan Questions:
- Ryder Cup advice (arrive early for the first tee, says Dan—32:07).
- Ken Griffey Jr.’s legacy in the “juicing era” and the impact of injuries (33:05–34:38).
Scenic Baseball Commentary:
- Discussion about why left-handed swings and shooters are aesthetically more pleasing.
- Appreciation for Ken Griffey Jr., Darryl Strawberry, Paul Molitor, Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and others legendary for their style at the plate.

8. College Football Coaching Under Scrutiny (35:52–41:50)

Brian Kelly’s Press Conference Blow-Up and Apology:
- Kelly bristles at questions about his offense after a win—deflects, then apologizes (37:07).
- Dan’s critique: Coaches demand composure from players but lose theirs in the media room.
Dabo Swinney’s Defense of His Record:
- Swinney defends his legacy at Clemson amid mounting pressure and fan unrest (39:40).
“If they tired of winning, they can send me on the way, because that’s all we’ve done is win.”
—Dabo Swinney (39:40)

“I got a long way to go. Y’all gonna have to deal with me for a while.”
—Dabo Swinney (40:16)
Dan’s Advice:
- “Be careful what you ask for. …You may not like his approach, but he would get a job by later today.” —Dan Patrick (41:50)

9. Baseball’s Future: Will the Game Re-Emphasize Hits Over HRs? (50:25–52:24)

A caller wonders if baseball, like the NBA’s potential three-point correction, will see a return to valuing contact and average over exit velocity and home runs.
Dan predicts someone will exploit market inefficiency with speed and contact hitting, likening it to Whitey Herzog’s 1980s Cardinals.
Marvin cites the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA parallels for a shift in offensive focus.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Dan on Heisman Race:

“You can’t win it in September, you can lose it in September, but somebody’s going to stand out.” (04:45)
Fritzi Seaton on Milestones:

“3,000 hits is still—a hell of a milestone, longevity wise. But it’s not flashy at all.” (14:00)
On Tom Brady’s NFL Role:

“If Tom was there, but he wasn’t in the coaching booth, I don’t know if we would be, you know, have a problem with it. …It’s the perceived conflict of interest here. But the NFL is just trying to kick this down the can, down the road.” (25:11)
Brian Kelly’s Press Conference (audio replay): (37:07)
“We played the game to win the game.” —Brian Kelly
Dabo Swinney, defending his career: (39:40)
“If they tired of winning, they can send me on the way, because that’s all we’ve done is win.”
Dan on Coaching Hires:

“Be careful what you ask. …You want to run him out of town, who you bringing in?” (41:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

02:46: Baseball highlights, Cal Raleigh/Ohtani, MVP odds
09:22: Value of 50 vs. 60 vs. 500 home runs
15:11: Game: Closest active player to 3,000 hits
22:53: Tom Brady booth controversy and NFL non-answer
28:38: Guess the Dolphins vs. Bills betting line
31:28–34:38: Callers on Ryder Cup, Ken Griffey Jr., left-handed swings
35:52: Brian Kelly’s postgame meltdown & media handling
39:40: Dabo Swinney’s passionate defense of his time at Clemson
50:25: Will baseball ever shift back toward valuing hits/contact?

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, irreverent, smart, and always includes good-natured teasing and inside jokes among the Danettes. Even while discussing serious subjects (like conflicts of interest in the NFL or criticism of college coaches), Dan keeps the tone engaging and relatable, directly involving the audience with games, trivia, and phone calls.

For a deep-dive into sports’ biggest storylines and insider commentary delivered with a blend of wisdom and wit, Hour 1 of this Dan Patrick Show episode is essential listening.

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Transcript

Dan Patrick (0:00)

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Dan Patrick (2:46)

If you played pickleball in regular sneakers, you know you can pay the price they don't cut it. And and Todd found this out the hard way. We have this great sponsor, Tyrell. They make the best pickleball shoes. So one day Todd is playing pickleball and he forgot his Tyrell pickleball shoes. Well, you know what happened? He got hurt. He was playing in some fancy different shoes that aren't meant for pickleball. And he learned a lesson. Tyrell has everything you need to keep your feet cool. They're tough, they're lightweight. They're so solid on your feet and you're going to wear and tear on the court and they're ready to go. Every detail is built to help you play better. Tyrell Pickleball shoes. If you want to play longer, feel better and stop sliding around in those old sneakers, go to Tyrell pickleball.com you can look like a pro, you can play like a pro. It's Tyrell Pickleball shoes. You spell it. T Y R O L Tyrell Pickleball shoes. The best pickleball shoes purpose built for pickleball. You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on Fox Sports Radio. It's hour one on this Wednesday. Dan and the Danets Dan Patrick show assembled. Fritzi Seaton, Marv Poly yours truly merchandise store. It's open and it's been a big hit. New gear. You can go to danpatrick.com to do a drive by if you'd like. Stat of the day brought to you by Panini America. The official trading cards of the program. First hour brought to you by Rapid Radios, the official walkie talkie of the program. Push to talk nationwide LTE network and that means no subscriptions required. Business owners stay connected with your employees anywhere. Visit rapidradios.com up to 60% off free shipping. Good morning. If you're watching on Peacock, our streaming partner, thank you for allowing us into your lives and those listening on our radio affiliates around the country including iHeartradio, Fox Sports Radio. Baseball the home stretch. Cal Raleigh hit number 55 and number 56. Last night Shohei Otani hit his 50th five no hit innings. But the Dodgers bullpen blew another game against the Phillies. 8773-DP-SHoM Email Address dpdanpatrick.com Twitter Handle @ DP Show we'll have a poll question. We got our play of the day. All of that coming up early. Heisman Favorites announced. This is one of those years where nobody has really stood out. It is wide open. John Matier of Oklahoma right now is your clubhouse leader, followed by Carson Beck, Dante Moore, Garrett Nussmeier, Jeremiah Smith, Gunner Stockton, Marcel Reed, Julian Saiyan, Joey Aguilar. And then you get down to Arch Manning and Lenora Sellers. Right now, nobody has really stood out. But what you need, it feels like it's formulaic. You got to have at least one of those nationally televised games, almost a standalone game, where you stand out, and all of a sudden people go, did you see that last night? That's what happens. I mean, Doug Flutie won the Heisman. He won the Heisman with one throw. He beat Miami. Jimmy Johnson, last second in the Orange Bowl. He had a standalone moment, and that's what you're looking for if you're. You can't win it in September, you can lose it in September, but somebody's going to stand out. And feels like every year when we start and we have the early favorites, I say, I'll. I'll give you the top two and I'll take everybody else. Because Arch Manning. Arch Manning was the big favorite there, and I thought that's way too much pressure. Is he going to stand out? How good is Texas? They're going to lose their first game on the road, and then here we are with Arch Manning and we're still not sure how good he is. But I'm. I'm saying that we should be patient with him. Do I think he's the second coming of Peyton and Eli or even his grandfather? No. But he does have talent. The bloodlines are there, but the pressure is enormous on him. There's very few quarterbacks, college and pros, who have more pressure on them than Arch Manning does. And we heap that praise on him. We expect him to be great. John Matiere at Oklahoma, he looks great. Oklahoma looks like they're going to be a surprise contender this year. You usually get a couple of guys that come out of nowhere. That's the beauty of it. Although with Travis Hunter, we expected him to be great, and he proved to be great. Ashton Genty, he was a curiosity until you realized he was going to get 2,000 yards and they were going to make the playoffs. That's how this works out. That's how this plays out. And you may have, you know, one of these players who are. Who's down the list, who comes out of nowhere because his team comes out of nowhere, and then he plays big in a big game. All right, poll question. Seaton, what are we going to go with today? Ross Tucker, our good buddy, will join us a little bit later on in the program. Poll question for hour one.

Dan Patrick (22:53)

A little bit of time, maybe too much time yesterday talking about the conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest with Tom Brady in the booth in the coach's booth and having a headset on, helping with the offense with Chip Kelly during the Raiders loss to the Chargers. So I said to Todd, would you reach out to the NFL and ask about broadcasters being in the coaching booth, not owner because Tom is minority owner and Todd sent this to the NFL. Our broadcasters allowed in coaching booths. Is there any statement from the league on Tom being in the Raiders booth? Thank you very much Todd. Then we heard back from the NFL. There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches booth. Now once again we ask about a broadcaster, not a coach or not an owner and nothing that prohibits him from wearing a headset during the game. Brady was sitting in the booth in his capacity as a limited partner. All personnel sitting in the booth must abide by Policies that prohibit the use of electronic devices other than the league issued equipment, such as Microsoft Surface tablet for the sideline viewing system. Also, Tom continues to be prohibited from going into a team facility for practices or production meetings. He may attend production meetings remotely, but may not attend in person at the teen facility or hotel. He can conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple of times, including for the Super Bowl. Of course, as with any production meeting with broadcast teams, it's up to the club, coach or players to determine what they will say in those sessions. Once again, we ask about a broadcaster sitting in the coaching booth, not about an owner there. Tom is a minority owner. He's allowed to be in the coaching booth. Is a broadcaster allowed to be there? That was what we wanted to know. Still want to know. But Todd reaching out to the NFL and, you know, I, if I'm the Bears and Tom comes in or we're doing an interview, I mean, I'm instructing if, if I'm Ben Johnson, I'm instructing my entire staff. Let's be very limited. Let's be polite, be professional, be gracious, but let's not share much and it's going to hurt the broadcast. But if I'm the Bears and you're in desperate need of a win, the last thing I'm doing is sharing. I'm not currying favor here. I want to make sure that we're going to win a game. I don't want to tell you anything. I don't want to tell you anything that you're going to be able to tell the Raiders, which. Why wouldn't Tom do that? Is there a separation of church and state where Tom's going to go, hey, Chip Kelly, I can't tell you because I, you know, in my other job, I was told this. I can't tell you about, you know, what the defense is going to do or what they like to do or who's banged up on the other side line of scrimmage. Like there's. Once again, it's the perceived conflict of interest here. But the NFL is just trying to kick this down the can, down the road. Now, hey, once we get to Thursday and then it's not going to be a big deal. Well, it's going to be a big deal when the Raiders play the Bears. Then it becomes a big deal again. But the NFL survives all of this and they don't have to answer anything. You know, if I'm Commissioner Goodell, all he has to say is, hey, the owners don't have a problem with this. I don't have a problem with this. It's you guys in the media, okay? And maybe that's the case. Maybe fans don't care. But it's a conflict of interest that Tom is in. And if you're. If you're going to help the Raiders, let's not be blatant about it because that's how this happened. If Tom was there, but he wasn't in the coaching booth, I don't know if we would be, you know, have a problem with it. Be like, all right, we get it. I still don't like it because I want him to be. If you're going to do the game as a fan, I want you to do the game, do it correctly. Be able to talk to the people you know. What did Ben Johnson tell you? What did he tell you about Caleb Williams, whatever it might be? Why does he hold on to the ball so long? Why did you think Caleb got sacked 68 times late? Like, I don't know. These are questions. Am I going to answer those? How forthcoming are you going to be? But we thought we would at least ask the NFL just so we had them on record. But they didn't say anything about a broadcaster. They said the owner can be there. Yeah.