The Dan Patrick Show
Hour 1 – Week 1 Overreactions
September 1, 2025
iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Guest Hosts: Covino & Rich with Danny G
Episode Overview
The Labor Day edition of The Dan Patrick Show is hosted by Covino & Rich, who fill in for Dan Patrick. The episode centers around the phenomenon of "week one overreactions" in sports, focusing particularly on college football’s opening weekend. The hosts humorously critique how fans and media draw sweeping conclusions from the first games, dissect viral moments and social media trends, and discuss the experience of watching sports as a fan (and parent) during the busy early days of fall. The conversation blends sports insight, cultural commentary, and banter, with discussions ranging from Arch Manning’s first game, to viral memes, to the NFL’s imminent kickoff.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Opening Banter & Show Setup
[04:41 - 06:34]
- Covino and Rich set a relaxed, humorous tone, joking about the freezing "football weather" in the studio and the lack of video for the day.
- They note the privilege of filling in for Dan Patrick and “600+ radio stations.”
- Call to action: promotion of their Covino & Rich podcast and YouTube page.
Early September Sports Landscape & Seasonal Transition
[07:28 - 09:33]
- The hosts reflect on the unique energy of early September:
- September baseball ("a lot of parity this year")
- Onset of college football and NFL
- Anticipation for major boxing matches
- Transition in personal rhythms (kids back in school, hoodie weather)
The Culture of Overreaction:
College and NFL Week 1 Hot Takes [10:17 - 13:52]
- Rich points out it's "a time for overreactions," citing how narratives spiral after just one week.
- NFL examples: Premier teams losing week one provoke panic; surprise victories by underdog teams get over-hyped.
- College football example: "Is Kalen DeBoer just not the answer in Alabama?" The media calls for firing after one poor performance.
- Alabama’s loss to Florida State sparks claims the team is "soft" and calls for a coaching change.
Quote:
"Is Kaylin DeBoer just not the answer in Alabama?...They’re already saying get this guy out of here." – Rich [11:07]
Arch Manning's Debut & Viral Memes
[13:06 - 18:39]
- Dissection of the sharp backlash Arch Manning received during/after his game:
- Viral Barstool Sports headline: “Might be ass.”
- Fans rush to judgment before halftime.
- Hosts ask: Are these overreactions fair, or do we only have "what’s in front of us" to work with?
- Covino recounts trying to watch the game at an LA gym, where local disinterest in college football and gym remote shenanigans become a running joke.
Memorable Moment:
"The game wasn’t even over yet, dude...We’re really jumping the gun." – Covino [13:52]
"Arch Manning ass cheeks, question mark?" – Rich quoting a friend's text [13:16]
The Role of Overreaction in Sports Culture
[18:49 - 22:40]
- Analysis of how narrative-building and tearing down is part of fandom and sports media (especially with big names like “Manning”).
- Are the criticisms of Arch Manning justified, or is Ohio State just that good?
- Discussion on C.J. Daniels’ highlight-reel catch, and the practice of crowning “catch of the year” in week one.
Quote:
"We build the story to tear it down. That’s just the culture we live in...Everyone loves the story." – Covino [20:03]
Overreaction Examples and "Game of the Year" Mentality
[22:31 - 24:43]
- Is it an overreaction to call a week-one catch the play of the year?
- Comparison to Odell Beckham Jr. living off a single catch for years.
- They debate if C.J. Daniels’ catch deserves such early “play of the year” hype.
Parenting, Fan Life, and the Weekend Balance
[24:43 - 27:44]
- Rich and Covino discuss how being a parent changes the sports-watching experience:
- "Dad life" means coaching youth sports and missing big games.
- FOMO and the value of watching games live vs. catching up later.
- Social media ruins the possibility of watching big games on DVR later.
- The struggle is particularly real outside college football towns (they compare LA/NJ/NY perspectives).
Memorable Moment:
"He’s at his kid’s game. And that’s got to be like...damn, I can’t even watch [my team] beat Arch Manning in this way." – Covino [25:51]
The Social Dynamics of Overreaction: Entertainment, AI, and More
[36:23 - 41:26]
- Broader look at overreactions in pop culture and life.
- Rich and Covino discuss mixed reactions to a new “Wizard of Oz Experience” at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with many critics blasting the AI-filled event before seeing it.
- Similar themes in reactions to documentaries (esp. the Hurricane Katrina doc), where social media “must-have an extreme take” culture takes over.
Memorable Quote:
"If you’re not reacting enough, no one cares about what you have to say on social media...It’s an oversaturated world we live in." – Covino [40:44]
Fun Side Stories: Gym Remote Control & Family Gatherings
[15:30 - 16:53, 43:38 - 47:02]
- Covino’s encounter with a “gym remote vigilante” who brought his own remote to change the TV at the gym.
- Rich’s story about "hobnobbing" with other sports parents, losing a remote to a toddler at a barbecue, and childhood differences in family habits.
NFL Viewing Experience & Game Attendance
[53:40 - 55:57]
- Brief setup for the next hour: Discussion of NFL ticket prices, and a debate starter on whether watching football at home is superior to the live stadium experience (Rich: "the NFL provides a cool vibe and game itself sort of stinks live compared to other sports").
- Tease for a segment on most expensive NFL stadiums.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 11:07 | Rich | "Is Kaylin DeBoer just not the answer in Alabama?...They’re already saying get this guy out of here." | | 13:16 | Rich | "Arch Manning ass cheeks, question mark?" (quoting friend's text) | | 13:52 | Covino | "The game wasn’t even over yet, dude...We’re really jumping the gun." | | 18:39 | Danny G | "He looked flustered for a lot of the game." (on Arch Manning) | | 20:03 | Covino | "We build the story to tear it down. That’s just the culture we live in..." | | 22:40 | Covino | "Are we overreacting? The other thing: CJ Daniels catch...Are we overreacting?" | | 25:51 | Covino | "He’s at his kid’s game. And that’s got to be like...damn, I can’t even watch [my team] beat Arch Manning in this way." | | 40:44 | Covino | "If you’re not reacting enough, no one cares about what you have to say on social media...It’s an oversaturated world we live in." | | 41:19 | Rich | "If the headline was, 'Yeah. Rough start for Arch Manning. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.' That’s not a fun headline. You gotta declare him cheeks." | | 55:07 | Rich | "…the NFL provides a cool vibe and the game itself sort of stinks live compared to other sports. I really do..." |
Timestamps for Main Segments
- Opening/Setup: 04:41 – 07:30
- September Sports Rundown & Seasons: 07:28 – 09:33
- Overreactions Culture (College/NFL): 10:17 – 13:52
- Arch Manning Debut & Viral Reaction: 13:06 – 18:39
- QB Narrative-Building in Sports Media: 18:49 – 22:40
- Catch of the Year Debate: 22:31 – 24:43
- Parenting and Watching Games: 24:43 – 27:44
- Pop Culture Overreactions (Sphere, Katrina doc): 36:23 – 41:26
- Family Party & Socialization Stories: 43:38 – 47:02
- NFL Viewing/Attendance Tease: 53:40 – 55:57
Takeaways
- Overreaction is the name of the game for week one in both college and pro football; snap judgments are made on coaches (Kalen DeBoer), star players (Arch Manning), and even singular plays (C.J. Daniels catch).
- The Manning Legacy creates extra scrutiny and social media meme-ability for Arch Manning; is criticism fair or just instant-overreaction culture?
- Watching games as an adult, especially a parent, is a balancing act; DVR is hard due to spoilers, and social media expectations for instant takes only reinforce reactionary behavior.
- Sports culture, like pop culture, demands extreme takes for engagement, and much of sports media (and fan emotion) thrives on that cycle.
- A bit of self-awareness and humor runs through the episode, with the hosts recognizing their own participation in—and poking fun at—the overreaction game.
For listeners who missed it:
This episode provides a blend of sports coverage, insightful discussion on fandom and media patterns, plus fun, real-life asides about “dad-life,” gym etiquette, and contemporary entertainment. The main message: Relax! Week one isn’t everything—and in sports and life, a little less overreaction might go a long way.