Hour 3 – Conspiracy Theory Gaining Traction in San Francisco, Sam Fortier, Remembering Kobe’s 81-pt Game

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: Conspiracy Theory Gaining Traction in San Francisco, Sam Fortier, Remembering Kobe’s 81-Point Game

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Sam Fortier (Washington Post), Callers
Main Topics: San Francisco 49ers injury conspiracy theory, Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game anniversary, NFL talk, audience interaction

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show explores a quirky but increasingly discussed conspiracy theory involving the San Francisco 49ers’ rash of injuries and an alleged link to an electrical substation near their practice facility. Washington Post writer Sam Fortier joins to talk about his reporting on the viral theory, the science behind it, and how it’s playing within NFL circles. The show also marks the 20th anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game, revisiting it with clips from Jalen Rose, Chris Bosh, and Kobe himself. The hour has Dan’s trademark mix of humor, sports analysis, and lively debates, with callers chiming in throughout.

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1. The San Francisco 49ers "Substation Injury" Conspiracy

Background and Theory (Starts ~[00:35])

• Dan Patrick introduces the story: Reports are surfacing online tying the 49ers’ long run of injuries to electromagnetic fields from a nearby electrical substation.
• It’s picked up not just online (notably viral TikToks and tweets layered with "Stranger Things" music), but within NFL circles and media.

Dan and the Danettes React

• Paulie and Dan joke about alternatives, with Dan saying, “Other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means. That’s what we know exists.” ([01:48])
• They debate how credible the theory is, noting the Niners’ own acknowledgement (via GM John Lynch) that “you have to look into everything.” ([01:40])

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2. Interview with Sam Fortier – Debunking and Locker Room Buzz

How the Story Broke ([02:21])

• Sam Fortier tells Dan, “My girlfriend came over to me and showed me a TikTok and was like, hey, have you heard about this?... it was very ominous...Conspiracy theories go viral all the time. But then during Niners Eagles, one of my co-workers...texted our group chat and was like, hey, this is really picking up momentum.”
• Sam reached out to dozens of agents and found “players are talking about this.”

Is There Any Science? ([03:20])

• Sam and co-author contacted experts in electromagnetic fields:
  • “Basically they explained that there’s no scientific evidence to say this is possible.”
  • Two of three experts said “it wouldn’t hurt to study it more,” though the field is not well-studied.

Was the Article a Debunk? ([03:55])

• “One of the experts we talked to said this is nonsense, it’s ridiculous. One of them said it’s quite unlikely, but we could study it more. And one of them said it’s theoretically possible…”
• Even the viral theory’s creator (a software engineer/alt-science health coach) admits there are “no studies that show a direct relationship between EMF and damage to tendons and ligaments...”

The Niners' (and NFL’s) Ongoing Worries ([04:18])

• Sam: “The Niners have been the most injured team in the NFL over the last decade...At some point you gotta be frustrated and say, okay, let's look at everything.”
• Agents representing Niners players voiced real concern; Niners organization declined to comment but concern exists in the building.

Notable Quote:

“When you have the general manager of the Niners acknowledging this, it just keeps the story alive.” – Dan Patrick ([04:10])

Sam Fortier’s Take on Reporting:

• Sam’s editor only green-lit the story after multiple agents confirmed locker room traction and after experts had weighed in. In short, the “debunk” was light: science says it’s almost certainly not a cause, but the story lives on because players and agents talk about it.

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3. Panel Reactions and Humor

Debunking, Theories, and "Bunk Beds" ([06:34] – [10:40])

• Dan and the crew riff on how conspiracy theories get viral legs, the link between “debunk” and “bunk,” and similar sports urban legends.
• They joke about whether the Chargers would make a more appropriate team for the electric theory.
• Paulie: “If I saw a house that was for sale and had a big power station next to it, I think I’d lean away from it.” ([07:49])

Memorable Moment:

• Paulie and Dan investigate the root of the word “debunk,” settling that nobody ever “bunks.” ([10:00])

Poll Question Suggestion

• Should fans believe there’s any possible connection between the substation and 49ers injuries? ([10:05]–[10:16])

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4. Callers & NFL Roundup ([10:58]–[15:26])

• Callers weigh in on the Bengals’ coaching situation, Buffalo Bills, and ownership practices.
• A Rams fan asks for postseason picks—Dan and team offer predictions and set up a friendly back-row bet for the crew.

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5. Remembering Kobe Bryant’s 81-Point Game

Segment starts: [18:41]

Setting the Scene

• Dan honors the 20th anniversary with clips, stats, and a mix of awe and nostalgia.
• Kobe’s 81 is cemented as “the second greatest scoring performance in NBA history.”

Audio Clip of the Game: ([20:09])

Jalen Rose Reflects ([20:09])

• Jalen: “Of course, if and when people think they’re trying to clown me, they’ll bring that up. But at the same time, I respect the game. I love and miss Kobe Bryant. And news flash, it ain’t 100. The record is 100, everybody.”
• He admits his own stat line: “He actually scored 18 points on me…That happens to players on a nightly basis, literally…”

Chris Bosh Adds His Perspective ([22:21])

• Bosh: “Oh, yeah, I was in that. I was a young fella in that game taking my beatings, man…It was surreal…You find yourself watching even though you’re in the game.”

Kobe on Choosing Between 81 and 60 ([24:08])

• Dan: “If I said you could only have one…you could get the 81, or you could get the 60 in your last game…”
• Kobe: “Oh, man, I’d probably go with the 81 because we were, like, one game out of making the playoffs that year, so we literally needed every single game to get into the postseason…” ([24:08])

Dan’s Reflection:

“Still a jolt when you hear his voice. Yeah, it just is.” ([25:00])

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6. Stats and Legacy ([27:06]–[29:10])

• Dan and Paulie sift through historical box scores:
  • Kobe: 42 mins, 81 points, 28-46 FG, 7-13 3pt, 18-20 FT; had 41 after 3 quarters, then put up another 40.
  • Second-leading scorer on Lakers: Smush Parker (13 points).
  • Wilt’s 100-point game: Knicks’ Richie Guerin had a “quiet 39.”

Modern Context

• Dan observes how the context of televised/streamed games changed the lore—Kobe’s 81 was only on local TV, unlike his well-publicized 60-point farewell.

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7. More Callers: Legends and Regrets ([31:16])

• Kevin in LA tells of selling his ticket to Kobe’s last game (“Biggest regret ever”). ([32:09])
• Eric in Minnesota draws an analogy to Derek Jeter’s final at-bat as a walk-off.
• The show lightly debates whether Kobe’s 60-point finale or 81-point game would be the better experience in person.
• Paulie and Dan debate the impressiveness of Derek Jeter’s baseball and dating careers with plenty of playful banter.

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8. Odds & Ends, Sports History, and Final Calls ([35:26] – End)

• Dan reads out Derek Jeter’s “dating lineup,” callers joke about Jeter’s stats vs. other Yankees, and the show dips into classic storytelling about sports lore and quirky stats.
• Historical notes: On this date, Joel Embiid scored 70 in a game (2024); Fidel Castro ejected from a winter league baseball game (1951).
• Wraps with the usual “what did we learn,” teasers for tomorrow’s show, and send-off.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick ([04:10]):
  “When you have the general manager of the Niners acknowledging this, it just keeps the story alive.”
• Sam Fortier ([03:55]):
  “One of the experts we talked to said this is nonsense, it’s ridiculous. One of them said it’s quite unlikely, but we could study it more.”
• Paulie ([07:49]):
  “If I saw a house that was for sale and had a big power station next to it, I think I’d lean away from it.”
• Jalen Rose ([20:09]):
  “Of course, if and when people think they’re trying to clown me, they’ll bring that up. But at the same time, I respect the game...The record is 100, everybody.”
• Chris Bosh ([22:21]):
  “You find yourself watching even though you’re in the game.”
• Kobe Bryant ([24:08]):
  “I’d probably go with the 81 because...we literally needed every single game to get into the postseason.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 49ers conspiracy theory discussion:
  [00:35] – [08:56]
• Sam Fortier interview:
  [02:21] – [06:32]
• Panel debate, humor, calls:
  [06:34] – [15:21]
• Kobe Bryant’s 81-point anniversary:
  [18:41] – [31:00]
• Caller stories, Kobe vs. Jeter, fun banter:
  [31:16] – [35:56]
• Sports history and wrap-up:
  [41:24] – End

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Episode Takeaways

• The Niners injury conspiracy, while not grounded in science, underscores how deep sports folklore runs, especially in an era of viral social media.
• Kobe’s 81-point game remains a cultural touchstone; those present—or even those watching local TV—witnessed history.
• Dan and crew’s blend of skepticism, fun, and sports nerdiness keeps the hour lively for both die-hard and casual fans.
• The show closes with the typical playful mix of serious sports insight and lighthearted “stat of the day” riffs.

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For Those Who Haven’t Listened:
This episode is both a case study in how sports myths are born and sustained, and a celebration of one of the NBA’s greatest feats. It’s also a strong example of Dan Patrick’s ability to blend humor, reporting, and fan engagement into energetic, informed sports radio.

Transcript

[Caller]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Dan Patrick]

Guaranteed Human.

[Covino]

This is an ad for the active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. That's a mouthful, but that's because it packs a lot in. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with it, big or small. So whether it's buying tickets to the game or grabbing a morning coffee, it earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Now, everybody say it with me. The active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. Be a 2 percenter. Learn more at Wells Fargo.com forward/activecash Terms apply.

[Dan Patrick]

You are listening to the Dan Patrick show on FOX Sports Radio. Final hour in this Thursday Dan and the Danette Dan Patrick Show, Stat of the day brought to you by Panini America. The official trading cards of the program. Next month, experience the majesty of the Winter Olympics from Milan beginning Friday, February 6th on NBC. And Peacock, good morning. If you're watching on Peacock, that's our streaming partner. Or if you're listening on our Radio affiliates Over 400 cities in America that carry the program. More Phone calls coming up. 877-3-DP-SHOW. We'll also add another poll question to the final hour of this show. I saw this article and it has to do with the 49ers looking into everything that's gone wrong with all of the injuries. This includes an investigation into a viral conspiracy theory that the electrical substation near the training facility and the 49ers stadium is contributing to those injuries. John lynch, the general manager, spoke yesterday.

[Paulie]

You have to look into everything. And, and so our guys have been.

[Dan Patrick]

We'Ve been reaching out to anyone and.

[Paulie]

Everyone to see does a study exist.

[Dan Patrick]

Other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with.

[Paulie]

A, a number that I have no.

[Dan Patrick]

Idea what that means. That's what we know exists.

[Paulie]

We've heard that debunked, you know. So, yes, we will look into it.

[Dan Patrick]

We have. And we'll always be cognizant of things.

[Paulie]

I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility, you.

[Dan Patrick]

Know, since it opened.

[Paulie]

But, yeah, we aren't going to turn a blind eye.

[Dan Patrick]

We'll look into everything. Well, the Washington Post has a writer who's been covering this, Sam Fortier, who joins us on the program. Sam, how'd you get connected with this story?

[Sam Fortier]

Funny, my girlfriend came over to me and showed me a TikTok and was like, hey, have you heard about this? And it was a tweet that had gone viral. You know, Google Maps had a big circle and it had the Stranger Things music. It was very ominous. And I was like, come on. Like that. You know, conspiracy theories go viral on the Internet all the time. But then during Niners Eagles, one of my co workers, Albert Samaha, who I worked on the story with, texted our group chat and was like, hey guys, this is really picking up momentum. And then I just thought to myself, hey, it is not news that, you know, someone has a conspiracy theory, but let's see if people are interested in this. So I, you know, I'm used to being an NFLB writer. So I texted, you know, three dozen agents and like, as much as anything that I've ever reached out to them about, people were hitting me back like, yeah, I have heard of this. Players are talking about this. And to me, the news was whether or not this is real. Some players might be buying in.

[Dan Patrick]

What experts did you talk to?

[Sam Fortier]

We talked to several experts in EMF electromagnetic fields, and basically they explained that there's no scientific evidence to say this is possible. But two of them, two of the three that we talked to said it wouldn't hurt to study it more. This is a field that hasn't really been studied. People have been studying cell phone towers more, but the people that we talk to are experts in this specific thing. The EMF electromagnetic fields that go from the substation allegedly to the practice field.

[Dan Patrick]

Did your article debunk this?

[Sam Fortier]

That the science was that there's no clear evidence for this? One of the experts we talked to said this is nonsense, it's ridiculous. One of them said it's quite unlikely, but we could study it more. And one of them said it's theoretically possible that, but we can study it more.

[Dan Patrick]

But Sam, it feels like when you have the general manager of the Niners acknowledging this, it just keeps the story alive.

[Sam Fortier]

When you have had the injuries that they have had, according to, you know, that metric that Aaron shots does, adjusted games lost. The Niners have been the most injured team in the NFL over the last decade. And you can talk about luck, you can talk about turf off season programs. Is the training staff incompetent? Does Kyle Shanahan practice too hard? There's a lot of theories here and I think when it, you know, it's been going on for a decade. I think John lynch, you know, at some point you gotta be frustrated and say, okay, let's look at everything.

[Dan Patrick]

The Niners led the league and adjusted games lost just over 141. So that dwarfs the other teams in the league. Did you talk to Niner players?

[Sam Fortier]

We talked to some agents who represent Niner players. We Talked to the Niners. They declined to comment. But certainly this is a concern even in the building.

[Dan Patrick]

This is pretty wild. What did, what did your, how did your boss react when you said, hey, I want to cover this story about the Niners and it has nothing to do with their games this year?

[Sam Fortier]

He was a little skeptical at first, but when I said to him, hey, I've heard back from five agents in the 20 minutes I've been working on this that have said, hey, yes, like this is of concern. We are hearing about this. He was like, oh, definitely keep pursuing that then. And we. The science was going to be murkier than it was. The science ended up being pretty clear that there's no. And even, you know, the guy who went viral for establishing this theory, Peter's his name, he's a software engineer and alternative science, alternative medicine, health coach even. He said there is no studies that show a direct relationship between EMF and damage to tendons and ligaments and the soft tissue stuff that we're talking about. But, you know, he said, hey, like this, this is how I came up with my theory. It was my own work, but my editor was like, once we had that, once the science is pretty clear and we had people believing in it, players who they say it could affect free agency, he was like, I love that. Get it to me as soon as you can.

[Dan Patrick]

Sam, if you're a great reporter, you would sleep next to this power substation for a month and see how it affects your body.

[Sam Fortier]

I, you know, that is something. I don't know if they want first person gonzo journalism, but I'm willing, I'm willing to.

[Dan Patrick]

Thanks for joining us. We appreciate it, Sam.

[Sam Fortier]

Thanks for having me, Dan. I appreciate it.

[Dan Patrick]

And Washington Post writer Sam Fortier. I saw it on the Internet and they attached the stranger things feel to it, and it made it feel like it was really something. But the fact that the theory has been shot down by various scientists and medical professionals. So you have professed, you know, you got people from England who are weighing in on this, and they told the Washington Post the theory is nonsense, but, man, they've had a lot of injuries. Yes. Todd, would it make sense if this.

[Covino]

Happened to the Chargers instead?

[Dan Patrick]

Oh, I see what you did. Okay. Charge, charger, nothing electric, electrical. Yeah. But the theory's been making the rounds on the Internet and, you know, Kendrick Bourne alluded to it after George Kittle tore his Achilles in the playoff game. They had a lot of injuries, but they've been training in Santa Clara since the late 80s the substation was built a few years later. The substation is operated by Silicon Valley power, expanded in 2014 in conjunction with the opening of Levi's Stadium. All right.

[Paulie]

Yeah, Paul, when you guys saw this story we were talking about before the show, don't you a little bit believe it's possible? Like, if I saw a house that was for sale and had a big power station next to it, I think I'd lean away from it.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, I would do accurate. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Paulie]

So, like, how did the Niners give the thumbs up next door? Hey, let's build a power plant.

[Dan Patrick]

I don't know.

[Paulie]

If they knew it was coming, I.

[Dan Patrick]

Would have thought that there would be something in the. The ground in the Meadowlands, aside from Jimmy Hoffa, but, you know, is it built on a garbage dump? And we've seen, you know, some of those sites where, you know, people. Their cancer. I mean, there's a lot of things that are attached to some of these places. But, I mean, I wouldn't rule it out. I would just need a little bit more information on this. And it feels like the experts are debunking that right away. Yes, Todd. So will the Niners get sent to.

[Covino]

Clarity about this, or is we.

[Dan Patrick]

What are we going. You gave me that about three hours ago, and I react the same way that I'm reacting now two times in a row of not lie to you, not appreciate the delivery was better this time around than the first time you told me.

[Covino]

And it was better off the actual interview with someone that was covering it.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Covino]

It's more apropos than to just throw.

[Dan Patrick]

It out there randomly, but thank you, Todd. You're welcome. We get more phone calls coming up. Also, we'll revisit Kobe's 81 point performance, and we'll bring back an interview that I did with Kobe asking him which game would he pick. The final game where he scores 16 or the game where he scores 81. Also, we'll hear from Chris Bosch and Jalen Rose, member members of the Raptors. All right, poll question for the final hour of the program is going to be what Seaton do I do one off the substation? I don't think so. You don't? Well, maybe we had a guest on it. I know, but he debunked it. And the experts are debunking it. But the experts said that they need to look into it more, but they don't think so. Felt like layman. Hold on, I got. The theory has been shot down by various scientists and medical professionals. Yes, Paul.

[Paulie]

Dan, as an expert in debunking, I think that was a light debunking, not a full.

[Dan Patrick]

Does anybody bunk?

[Paulie]

Checking.

[Dan Patrick]

Nobody bunks, but they fully bunked this. Oh, you're bunking. It feels a little chemtrailish, doesn't it? Yes, Todd, I am in favor of.

[Covino]

A quick poll on this. I would be very interested to know if people think, if we word it properly, is it at all possible that.

[Dan Patrick]

There'S a correlation between this substation and.

[Covino]

The increase in injuries on the 49ers?

[Dan Patrick]

Go ahead.

[Paulie]

According to the dictionary, debunk means to expose a scam or a sham. I can't find bunk as a word, but back in the day, bunk was a synonym, synonym for political origins. Like if someone was trying to push something out there as a fact, it was a bunk. That's. Debunk became a word.

[Dan Patrick]

I just know bunk from bunk beds with my brother. That was it. But I don't know about. That's the only bunking I know. I know a lot about debunking. A couple more phone calls in here. Final hour. Aiden in Utah. Hi, Aiden. What's on your mind, adp?

[Caller]

Little something out of left field here, but what's wrong with the Bengals? Two days before Black Monday, they released a statement. So this is before all the coaches got fired.

[Dan Patrick]

Right.

[Caller]

They released a statement saying they're not firing Zach Taylor, which kind of puts him into a corner when John Harbo is available, when Stefanski is available, when McDermott's available, when the list goes on and on. All those coaches are better than Zach Taylor. He got them to the street and then doesn't get him ready until week eight.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, I think you got to factor in who we're talking about. It's the Bengals, and they don't like the fire coaches and pay them. I don't know what Zach Taylor's contract situation is, but there'd be a lot of people, I would think, a lot of candidates, who would say, oh, I get Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, T. Higgins, sign me up. I mean, we. We have. We're looking at Buffalo saying, man, you got Josh Allen. Okay, if you said I could go in and coach Josh Allen, or I could coach Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, and T. Higgins. Now we got a conversation. Now, do I want to coach for the Bengals ownership? No. But if you're talking about. When I walk in, I see those three guys, I feel a whole lot better than I do in a lot of these places. Dave in Cincinnati. Hi, Dave. Yeah.

[Caller]

As I, as a Brown stand, I could tell you that the ownership in Buffalo doesn't know what they're doing. You gotta wait till a coach wins coach of the year twice and then you fire him.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, Kevin Stefanski landed in Atlanta and we find out that there is still bad blood between Baker Mayfield Jr. III and Kevin Stefanski. Apparently, Kevin Stefanski did not stay in touch with Baker and he shipped him out. And apparently it was a dumpster fire in Cleveland. You know, Baker played pretty well, but he was supposed to. He's the number one pick in the draft. I think we feel like he was a third round pick. He was the number one pick in the draft. Yeah, Marv, the whole chip.

[Covino]

When you show the story is over. You were the Heisman Trophy winner and the number one overall pick in the draft.

[Dan Patrick]

Dave in Virginia. Hi, Dave.

[Caller]

Hey, Pat.

[Dan Patrick]

Or Dan.

[Caller]

You know, my take up. Hey, my take on this whole thing is that McDermott was really not doing well in the defense of the, of the Bills. It cost, it cost the Bills the home field advantage and.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, Dave. Thank you, Dave. I think it, it went wrong from the beginning. Hey, Pat. Stephen Burbank. Hi, Steve. What's on your mind?

[Caller]

Thank you. Thanks for taking my call. Love the show. I'm a big Ram fan and seeing how the winner of the Ram Seahawks will be favored to win the Super Bowl. It's going to be a big game this weekend. I wanted to ask Fritzy who, who he has in that game and why.

[Dan Patrick]

Do you think that would happen?

[Covino]

That game for the AFC and NFC title games.

[Dan Patrick]

No, you didn't hear it.

[Covino]

I did not.

[Dan Patrick]

Now the Rams, Seahawks. I like the Rams and the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Okay, but everybody wants to know. But what does Todd think? Yeah, they don't care what I think. They, they want to know. Quiet today. They want to know what you. You think. Rams by 4, Broncos by 2. Rams by 4, Broncos by two. They're like 27, 23 Rams and like a 29, 27 Denver early super bowl odds. If the Broncos face the Rams, the Broncos would be eight and a half point underdogs. Todd, by the way, back row. Seaton, Patriot fan. Todd, Bronco fan. Tomorrow, set the stakes. Something at stake. Back row on who wins.

[Paulie]

Get ready.

[Dan Patrick]

The AFC title game. Seaton told me this yesterday, and I was like, okay, all right. He goes, I think I got something. Change things up a little bit. Yeah, I know. No pie to the face. It was something different. I go, all right. Something a little more interactive for the, for the fans. All right, we'll see how the audience. The audience is going to participate in this. Chuck in Chicago. Hi, Chuck. What's on your mind?

[Caller]

Hi, Pat. Could I talk to Dan, please? See what I already.

[Dan Patrick]

Hold on, I'll get it.

[Caller]

I apologize.

[Dan Patrick]

Hey, Dan.

[Caller]

So, Dan, you may know me better as Kali McCallan. Yes, it's me, Kali McCallum. And I promised I would not call in unless it was a slow sports day. And after hearing the play of the day, I said, this is my chance. So I am short time, but all the time, because I am representing the podcast folk. I listen to the podcast all the time. Forget about Smart List or any of those things. Dan Patrick podcast is outstanding. And I would like to tell you that after studying this, I see the audience is broken into two parts. Either Dan Patrick wannabes like Chris in Syracuse, you know, very concise and you know he has a set of the day there are DPAbees or the other knuckleheads like myself who are Todd's Fritz wannabes were Tottabees. Exhibit A. It goes like this. A Toddaby went for the win, masquerading as Collie McCauley. Mr. Patrick wasn't amused. And like the Bears, he did lose. But a true Totabi keeps trying again.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, Chuck. Very poetic. Yeah, appreciate the creativity. They do.

[Covino]

I like when people try to come up with limericks.

[Dan Patrick]

All right, we'll take a break. Here you go. This is what you do.

[Covino]

It's very rude.

[Sam Fortier]

See that coming.

[Dan Patrick]

It's very rude.

[Covino]

I'll get social media.

[Dan Patrick]

Why is dad so mean to you? That's one of those examples. When we come back, we will revisit Kobe's 81 point performance. We're back after this. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Dan Patrick show, weekdays at 9am Eastern, 6am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, is Cabino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio. Now, in addition to hearing us live weekdays from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, we're excited to announce a brand new YouTube channel for the show. Yep, that's right. You can now watch Covino enrich live on YouTube every day. All you gotta do, search Covino Enrich FSR on YouTube again. Go to YouTube search Covinoenrich FSR. Check us out on YouTube. Subscribe. Hit that thumbs up icon and comment away.

[Covino]

Be a 2 percenter with the active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. That's a lot of name, but it's also a lot of card. It earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, whether it's buying tickets to the game, grabbing an afternoon coffee or dinner with friends. Purchases big and small. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards. No limits, no categories to track, just straightforward rewards that keep adding up. So you might stumble a bit while saying it, but paying it will make you stumble upon so much more. Now, everybody say it with me. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with the active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. I'm going to say that again just because I have the verbal dexterity to do so. Be a 2 percenter with the active cash credit card from Wells Fargo. That does sound nice. Learn more at Wells Fargo.com/activecash Terms apply.

[Dan Patrick]

We are 24 hours away from the deadline for the Big Ten and SEC to expand next season's college football playoffs. So we're 24 hours less than 24 hours away. My source says the SEC remains firmly in support of 16 teams. The Big Ten will go to 16 teams, but for two or three years before wanting a commitment to go to 24 teams. So right now there's an impasse. And if that's the case, college football playoffs will remain at 12 teams, at least going into next season. All righty. We are looking forward to this. Twenty years ago, Kobe scored 81 against Toronto, and here's how it sounded at the end of the game. This would be 18 for 20 and an 81 point game.55 in the second half. Ladies and gentlemen, you have witnessed the second greatest scoring performance in NBA history. But it was a close game in the second half. Therefore, Kobe was staying in the game. And this wasn't a great Laker team by any stretch. But you have to be able to have a competitive game to stay in there, to be able to score that many points or at least have that opportunity. Jalen Rose, former NBA player, was on the Raptors and he talked about Kobe's performance that game.

[Sam Fortier]

Of course, if and when people think they're trying to clown me, they'll bring that up. But at the same time, I respect the game. I love and miss Kobe Bryant. And news flash, it ain't 100.

[Dan Patrick]

Got the record.

[Sam Fortier]

The record is 100, everybody. So when everybody started talking about who's the greatest scorer and who's the record is 100, do we know who was playing against Will?

[Caller]

No.

[Dan Patrick]

So that's Jalen Rose. And then I asked him about, you know, was he guarding Kobe? How much was he guarding Kobe that night? And once again, here's Jalen Rose.

[Sam Fortier]

Well, one day on get up, they kind of broke down, like, the stats.

[Caller]

Of what happened in the game.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Sam Fortier]

And he actually scored 18 points on me. And the funny thing about an NBA game, that happens to players on a nightly basis, literally, when somebody scores 18 points on them. And so, again, if you're around long enough and you get a chance to compete against greatness, some of the times you're on the wrong side of Brady throwing six or seven touchdowns, or, you know, Michael Jordan putting up a historic game, or Steph Curry making, you know, 10, three pointers in the game. It just is going to happen. And it happened to me. It happened to our Raptors.

[Caller]

And.

[Sam Fortier]

I'm actually glad it was Kobe Bryant, because this is the same Kobe Bryant, by the way, that wouldn't be low managing.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, no.

[Sam Fortier]

Okay. And so that should be the guy that has the second highest scoring game.

[Caller]

In the history of the NBA.

[Dan Patrick]

It's Jalen Rose. That's from February of 2023. And of course, they made a commercial where Jalen and Kobe are sitting in a booth and they order drinks and Kobe orders a martini and he wants 81 olives. And just I thought it was brilliant on Jalen's part because how he accepted that. But Kobe's like, I need 81 olives, please. Yes. Marvin.

[Covino]

The stare down right after Kobe says, I have 81 olives is classic.

[Dan Patrick]

It is wonderful. Chris Bosch, hall of Famer, he was on the Toronto team, and I asked him about Kobe's 81 point performance. What's the most impressive performance that you ever witnessed, whether it was on, you know, with a teammate or the opposition? Kobe scoring 81 points. Oh, yeah, I was in that. I was a young fella in that game taking my beatings, man. But what's that like, though? When do you realize, oh, this is historical? Yeah, it was surreal. I mean, you. Once you realize that, it's too late. And it's. And it's Kobe. And I remember just kind of running down the court and I kept looking up at the screen and it's like his score was multiplying. I was like, how is he scoring five points at a time? Like, this is crazy. And it was. You know, we were a bad defensive team that year, and just, you know, we were trying to. Right. We're trying to figure things out, and it's just like, oh, my God, we're in the Staples Center. They're killing us. And everybody's laughing and everybody except Kobe, he's just got the eye of Tiger right now. And he's unstoppable. It was. It was just an incredible performance. It's one of those things where you find yourself watching even though you're in the game. That's Chris Bosh, hall of Famer. That's from June of 2021. And then we had Kobe on April of 2018. And I asked him the question. Now, you did both of these, but if I said you could only have one on your resume, you could get the 80, 81, or you could get the 60 in your last game. You have to pick between those two. You only get one.

[Caller]

Oh, man, I'd probably go with the 81 because we were, like, one game out of making the playoffs that year, so we needed. Literally needed every single game to get into the postseason. So if we had dropped that one, I think we would have been in serious jeopardy of missing the playoff off that year. So I'll go with the 81.

[Dan Patrick]

Reggie Miller and I got into a heated discussion. Like, he kept saying, you're. You're going to end your career with 60. And then he put exclamation points on his text message. And I said, but 81. Exclamation point. That's. Come on, 81. And Reds goes no, 60 on your last game.

[Caller]

I'm just. I'm enjoying the fact that you guys are actually having that debate. That's pretty cool.

[Dan Patrick]

Still a jolt when you hear his voice. Yeah, it just is. But, yeah, you go out with 60, but you put up 81. I gotta take the 81. I got the second highest scoring game in the history of the game. Now, I don't know how many players have gone out the way Kobe did. Probably nobody. But I remember talking to Mike Tirico. I think Mike and Hubie Brown were doing the game, and I'm like, what do you expect? And he said, oh, you know, maybe, you know, 30 points. And then all of a sudden, Kobe just keeps shooting and keep shooting and keep shooting. And I was like, he wants 50. And then he got to 60. Yeah, Marv.

[Covino]

And they were down in that game. They were playing the Utah Jazz. You know, it had been a long season, and it felt like a playoff atmosphere because they were coming back and they won the game because of Kobe's heroics.

[Dan Patrick]

And a lot of stars came out because they knew what this game signified. But that was one of those where you're kind of defying logic that you're going to put up 60. But the 81. Man, I've been. I've been around this sport since the late 60s and I've seen a lot of incredible performances. But 81, and we got to see 81. Nobody got to see Wilts 100. You got to see what 81 feels like. I mean, if you get 40 in a game, it's like, God, you had a great game. 50. Wow. 60. Incredible. Today is the anniversary, I think, of Joel Embiid scoring 70 in a game. I believe it was today. If that sounds. Let me see if I can check my, my notes here. 20, 24. On this date, Joe Ellen Bead scored 70 in a win against the Spurs. 133. 123. Kobe in the Lakers won that game over Toronto, 122 to 104.

[Paulie]

Yeah, Paulie, add the box score here. KOBE Bryant played 42 minutes, 81 points, 28 of 46 from the field. Good shooting percentage. 7 of 13 from 3, 18 of 20 from the free throw line at the five minute mark of the third quarter. He had 41 points. He scored another 40. I had to double check that.

[Dan Patrick]

And they knew that he was going to shoot. That's the amazing part is they knew that he was going to score. Yes, Marv.

[Covino]

And that was like a local game. I think that was just on like Fox Sports affiliate out West. And I remember SportsCenter later that night. Like, you see the bottom line, it's at 81 and everyone's kind of looking. And this is 2006. So people are imming one another like, wait, instant messenger. That's a Kobe 81.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah.

[Covino]

That's got to be a typo.

[Dan Patrick]

Fox Sports West. Yeah. Paul.

[Paulie]

Kobe hit 28 shots. The other 13 players on the roster hit 14 shots.

[Dan Patrick]

Of the day. Start of the day. Start of the.

[Sam Fortier]

This is the st of the day.

[Dan Patrick]

Brought to you by Panini America. The official trading cards of the Dan Patrick show second leading score for the Lakers that night. Give me the roster, Paulie.

[Paulie]

Okay, I'll try not to give you any hints.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Paulie]

Amongst the luminaries were Luke Walton, Devin George, Slava Medvedenko, Lamar Odom, Chris Mim, Smush Parker, Kwame Brown.

[Dan Patrick]

Now, am I going to be surprised because normally I would say Lamar Odom, but is it a surprise? Name a bit.

[Paulie]

He had a decent career. Not like to shoot a little bit. Lamar Odom had eight. Oh, this gentleman had 13 points to go with Kobe to go Kobe's 81.

[Dan Patrick]

So smush Parker was the second leading scorer.

[Paulie]

Yeah, Ian Kobe combined for 94 points.

[Dan Patrick]

I'll go back to Wilt Chamberlain when he scores a hundred. One of his teammates scores 39, I believe or no. The second leading scorer in the game, Richie Garon, did he get 39 for the Knicks in that game?

[Paulie]

Checking on that.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay.

[Paulie]

Will Chamberlain had a hundred. Four of his teammates had 10 or more points. One of them had 17.

[Dan Patrick]

But I think for some reason Richie Guerin had 39 points for the Knicks. He did.

[Paulie]

He had a quiet 39.

[Dan Patrick]

A quiet 39. Yes. I don't ever want to hear nobody plays defense anymore. I don't want to hear that anymore. Nobody plays defense anymore. What happened back in the day? No, they weren't. Well, nobody could stop Will anyway. Well, they couldn't stop his teammates either. Yeah. Oh, no, they could because they only had, you know, they were in double digits. But Richie Garon had 39 for the Knicks. I believe he gave up 179 points in that game. Yeah, 169, I think. 169. Yeah, 169. The good old days. Yes.

[Covino]

Todd, at what point do you triple team, quadruple team?

[Dan Patrick]

So I just to say we can't.

[Covino]

Let this guy get 80, 90, 100 points on us. We're just not let them score.

[Dan Patrick]

We're going to lose the game.

[Covino]

But he's not scoring 80. So forever in history that's going to be on us.

[Dan Patrick]

Okay, but if this was for a playoff birth or in the playoff, then you would do that. They might have out of respect of just playing. You know, the game against him is guarding him, you know, show him the respect that we're going to. If you get it, you're. You'll. You'll earn it. But I don't know if you put three guys on him. I mean, I'm glad they didn't, but if this is a playoff game, then Kobe's not going to be squeezing off that many shots. Yeah.

[Paulie]

Paulie, I think it's a great point by you and Marvin that that game was not nationally televised and there weren't NBA packages where everybody could access that 81 game, which. The 60 point game, it was on national TV. Everyone knew it was coming. That was the last five minutes of the 60 point game for Kobe was like a religious experience.

[Dan Patrick]

Kevin in LA. Hi, Kev.

[Caller]

Hey, what's going on? DP 2, 10, 5, 9. I just want to tell you a quick, quick story. I bought a ticket thinking it was going to be Kobe's last year. I bought in like October, the beginning of the season, like fourth row next to like Andy Garcia. It was like phenomenal. Cheap. Like it was. I bought a cheap because it was before Kobe announced his retirement. I get married in March of 2016. I have my own business. And I was like, you know what? I wonder how much I can get this for the tickets sold for thinking that Kobe's gonna put up like 20, like a bad game, you know, whatever. On the day of I sold him, it was just too much money. I'm watching his 60 point game from my house, from like my new apartment. Biggest regret ever. See, I was pulling out my hair during the entire game thinking I had like four throw tickets to that game.

[Dan Patrick]

Arrogant, I thought. I thought he was going to say getting married was the biggest regret. Eric in Minnesota. Eric.

[Caller]

Hey, Dan danettes first time caller 591 6. The first thing that came to mind when I was thinking about the Kobe 60 point final game was Derek Jeter's lasted bat at Yankee Stadium comes up, I believe there was two outs and in traditional Jeter fashion, slaps a seeing eye single to right field to win the game. They didn't make the playoffs that year, so that was his final at bat.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah, but that's a base hit as opposed to scoring 60 a little. And it wasn't like, man, look at that. It was just a Jeter go the other way for a little base knock there. Kobe put up 60 in his last game. That was fun. But still, when you hear Kobe's voice and he was very generous with us, that he was always up early, he would listen. When Reggie Miller came on, he sent me an all star jersey that I still have that he autographed for me to the, the White Mamba. And I, I always appreciated that. I always appreciated that when he came on, it was, it was an interesting interview because he made it interesting, not because of me, because he made it interesting. And there are certain guys, certain athletes, not just guys that they're competitive and they want to be great. They want to be great at everything, including being interviewed. Yes. Just back to Jeter quickly. His final at bat at Yankee Stadium was a walk off single to right in the bottom of the ninth, obviously. Yeah. And his final at bat overall in Major League Baseball was an RVI Insult infield single at Fenway. Like a tee hit a chopper and sort of like dug it out. That's essentially that to do that at Fenway and to have it be. That's exactly what his whole career was.

[Paulie]

Was those kind of choppers.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. You know. Yeah. Pretty good. Came up big. Pretty good. Came up big. Yeah. Jeets. More impressive. His career or his dating career?

[Covino]

Dating.

[Dan Patrick]

Yeah. Unanimous hall of Famer there, right? Yeah. I think if he was like an average Joe and had that lineup, I would be like, dang, dude, you really did something. He's got. He's got like 300 million in the bank and can like pull a bunch of famous hot chicks.

[Covino]

Wow.

[Dan Patrick]

No kidding. How did he manage that? And you get a basket if you go over there. Yeah. I'm less impressed with. Oh, you're grading them on a curve. Wow. Yeah.

[Covino]

If you.

[Dan Patrick]

If you. If you're the starting shortstop for one of the greatest runs the Yankees have ever had and you've got hundreds of millions of dollars and you can't do that. That would be. What if he was on the Guardians and. And he did that. Give him credit for that. A little more credit than being the Yankee shortstop. He's playing for the Guardians or the Rays. Look, if. Does he still have the same salary? Okay, then. Okay, all right, okay. Sorry. Okay. Somebody had to say it. I said it. Okay.

[Paulie]

Sorry.

[Dan Patrick]

But these women have their own money. Yeah. He's dating famous women. Yeah. If he's dating the woman at McDonald's drive thru. All right. Okay. But if he's the guy working McDonald's drives through, then he's not getting. That's. You're right. That is truly impressive. Yes, Marvin.

[Covino]

But I don't know. Bernie Williams resume doesn't look like Derek Jeers. He was a center fielder for the Yankees.

[Dan Patrick]

Burn, baby, burn. Or Passada, you know, Or Paul o'. Neill. Paul o'. Neill.

[Covino]

He wasn't pulling primary care.

[Dan Patrick]

Scott Brocius probably was. Scott Broch. Scotty Brocius. Take a break. Back after this. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our [e-mail] and within the iHeartRadio app. Search FSR to listen live. A current NFL player asked me this question. Now he's not in the playoffs, but he said, who has more pressure on them, Jared Stidham or his teammates? I said, well, I would say Stidham. He goes, I would say his teammates because they may have to elevate their game a little bit more. So the pressure on somebody else. Because you can't ask Jared Stidham to be Bo Nix. And therefore, I think the pressure is on the Broncos and Sean Payton more than Jared Stidham. Stidham just has to go out there and not make mistakes. His teammates are going to have to make plays. Stat of the day brought to you by Panini America. The official trading cards of the Dan Patrick Show. Last call for Phone calls, what we learn, what's in store for tomorrow. Trish in Buffalo. Hi, Trish. What do you have for me?

[Caller]

Hey, Dan, how are you?

[Dan Patrick]

Great.

[Caller]

First time caller 5, 51 2, 5. All right. That's all I got, kids. I just want to calm everybody down about the whole Pegula McDermott thing. It's like it's Armageddon. Everything's cool here. Just want to add some levity. It's all good. We did hit the proverbial playoff window. I agree. And a lot of people here felt that there was time for a change. And a lot of people here feel a lot of it's on Brandon Bean. But it's all going to be good. We're good.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, I'm not surprised that you would be optimistic. You're a Buffalo Bills fan. You know, I know it always feels like there's impending doom, but thank you for the phone call, Trish. Trying to stay positive. Okay. But I. I didn't think the roster was great. I didn't think that, you know, Sean McDermott, after nine years, loses his job because of one game. But if you find somebody who is going to make Josh better, make the team better, and have you advance to an AFC title game, maybe a Super bowl, great. But Sean McDermott, I thought, deserved a little better than what he got there. Richard in la. Hi, Richard.

[Caller]

Hey, Dan. How's it going? Very, very, very long time caller. Okay, just had a quick question. Me and my brother have had this debate since the Kobe game. I was at the Kobe game and he was at game seven of the 2000 championship when the Lakers beat Portland. Which game would you rather have been at? If you had to choose one, I.

[Dan Patrick]

Would want to be there for the 60. I'd want to be there for that, because that was even though that game against Portland, great. But that's not for a title. This was Kobe's last game ever. So I would say the 60. Thank you for the call. Trip in Vegas. Tripp is back. What do you have for me, Tripp?

[Caller]

Hey, good morning, Dan. I just wanted to comment on Derek Jeter. Even though he had over 3,000 hits, I think he got the third base more times at home.

[Dan Patrick]

Thank you, Trip. Yeah, we're grading him on a curve. Yeah. If Seaton was able to pull all these women, that's truly a remarkable feat. That would have been hall of Fame. Word. Yeah. Like, holy crap, you did. Yeah. Derek Jeter. Yeah. That's what you're. He's supposed to be doing that. There is somebody who I don't think is on now. They did a baseball field. So the women had their different positions. Oh, did they ever. So you had catcher, first base, all that from what I'm told. Sources close to me. I think there's another woman who is not on the roster. But I don't know if people know about that. That's why Player to be named later. A a date to be name name later. When we're done with the show. I have to look at the. Can you send me what his. Do you have that? Can you. Okay. Run down the infield and outfield.

[Paulie]

Okay. Minka Kelly, Hannah Davis, Vanessa Manilo, Scarlett Johansson, Mariah Carey, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Adriana Lima, Jordana Brewster and D.H. of Tyra Banks.

[Dan Patrick]

No. Yeah, this. My Lord, this woman is not on the roster.

[Paulie]

Would she be a starter.

[Dan Patrick]

Middle reliever? She. Yeah, she wouldn't have been a closer, but she would have been. Yeah, maybe middle relief. You know, 25 woman roster there. Yeah, this, this woman famous. But. And I have a good source on this, but she, she didn't make the starting lineup. The topics that we get to on the program, I never know how we get to certain topics, but here we are, Paul in Missouri. Hi, Paul.

[Caller]

Hi there. 59250. Maybe the going to the San Francisco issue, maybe they, you know, you get a sign when you're trying to go too fast and you hit all the yellow lights or the red lights and you have to slow down. You try and figure out why. Maybe the 49ers need to figure out maybe why the power went off at the Super Bowl a few years ago that this was going to be an issue today.

[Dan Patrick]

Well, that was in New Orleans, but thank you, Paul. Big wind up there, Paul. E. This day in sports history, this.

[Paulie]

Is a fun one. Gotta follow that. 1951, Fidel Castro ejected from a winter league baseball game after hitting a batter. He later gave up baseball for politics. And you'll like this, Fritzy. 1984, Barry Manilow sang the anthem at the Super Bowl.

[Dan Patrick]

We also had Kobe's game that we talked about. Joel Embiid scored 70 in a game on this date in 2024. Go around the room. What we learned on the program, Todd.

[Covino]

For those who may have missed out.

[Dan Patrick]

On my opinion, late in the first hour, I would take the Ravens job right now over Buffalo Satan. What'd you learn? Sounds like meat. Friday is on with Booger at the Super Bowl. Yeah, Marvin.

[Covino]

No squirrel. No possum for Booger.

[Paulie]

Paul Jeter overrated off the field.

[Dan Patrick]

Todd, what did I learn. Booger MVP Drake.

[Covino]

Drake May.

[Dan Patrick]

Coach of the Year, Mike Vrabel. Thanks for joining us. Our pleasure to serve you. We'll try to do better tomorrow. Have a great day, everybody.

[Caller]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Dan Patrick]

Guaranteed Human.