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

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.

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])

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.

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])

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.

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])

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

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.