The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 3 (Sept 5, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show focuses on the fallout from the previous night’s Cowboys-Eagles game, especially the absence of Micah Parsons, criticism of key players, and the headline-making spitting incident involving Jalen Carter and Dak Prescott. Dan discusses gambling woes, drops pivotal game moments, takes listener calls, and is joined for a raw conversation by NFL legend Steve Smith Sr., who offers both personal and professional insight into the Carter-Prescott incident and other NFL topics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys-Eagles Recap & Impact of Micah Parsons’ Absence

• Dan opens the hour breaking down the Eagles’ tight win over the Cowboys and the pivotal role Micah Parsons’ absence played in the outcome.
  • "[The Cowboys] needed somebody who was going to be able to chase, monitor, track down Jalen Hurts. And they did not have that." (03:27, Dan)
• While the Dallas secondary limited Eagles’ receivers, Hurts’ ability to make plays with his feet proved the difference.
• CeeDee Lamb’s up-and-down performance was highlighted as crucial in the result; his drops cost the Cowboys key opportunities.

2. Game-Changing Moments & Player Analysis

• Discussion of Miles Sanders’ near-touchdown run where he was chased down by linebacker Zack Baun, marking a turning point after Sanders immediately fumbled.
  • "He ran as if nobody was behind him. ... and then they fumbled. And then Dak makes that shoestring tackle." (07:47, Dan)
• Praise for Zack Baun’s unlikely hustle play, comparing it to Buddha Baker’s famous rundown by DK Metcalf.
  • "It was ... in the neighborhood as a middle linebacker to chase down a running back who's broken away." (09:05, Paulie)

3. Dan’s Philosophy on Gambling

• Anecdotes about betting and why Dan avoids it, despite strong instincts.
  • "There's always reminders every weekend of why I don't bet, and I'm looking for these reminders." (05:45, Dan)

4. Watch Party Antics & Inside Show Jokes

• Recap of a recent show viewing party featuring Shay, Irving, and others; Dan explains why the group can’t stream these events live due to unpredictable remarks.
• Lighthearted stories about sports fandom, including why it’s tough to watch games with passionate fans and the effect of stressful sports moments.
  • "I thought I would have matured over the years. I'm just as bad as I was when I was like a teenager screaming at the TV." (18:44, Fritzi)

5. The Baby “Honesty” Segment

• Humorous, candid conversation among the crew about ugly babies and parents’ reactions, replete with confessions and old stories.

6. Listener Calls: T-shirt Ideas, Carter-Prescott Opinions, and More

• Pete from Virginia coins “Roll, Todd” as a rallying cry in support of Fritzi.
• Aaron in Texas criticizes both Carter and Prescott, emphasizing player accountability.
  • "You're the defensive leader. You need to be over there with your team ... Dak Prescott... gotta have more accountability, too." (27:30, Aaron)
• Kenny in LA draws a wild parallel from Jalen Carter to Cal Ripken, referencing infamous sports outbursts.
• Duke in Boise brings up an uncalled punch from Cowboys left tackle Tyler Guyton and the NFL’s inconsistency in policing sportsmanship.

Featured Guest: Steve Smith Sr. (Former NFL WR, NFL Network Analyst)

Interview Segment: (38:15–55:20)

On the Jalen Carter–Dak Prescott Spitting Incident

• Dan frames the conversation, referencing Smith’s own infamous Super Bowl experience where he was spit on by Tyrone Poole.
• Smith expresses strong disapproval of spitting, regardless of provocation:
  • "Man, when I saw that ... if you break it down, he's a damn good football player and is about to get paid. ... but spitting is not on my list of a thousand of my natural reaction[s] when someone says something to me that I dislike." (41:20, Steve Smith Sr.)
• Smith acknowledges the “baiting” dynamic but insists Carter’s actions are unacceptable and difficult to justify, no matter the intensity.
• Dan contends Dak “baited” Carter by spitting first; Smith pushes back, clarifying the limits of acceptable reactions.
• Smith raises awareness about Carter’s reputation for personal fouls and empathizes with the inevitable public and media blowback:
  • "He is going to be the butt end of people's jokes for maybe six months. But for that individual ... it's going to feel like eternity." (45:26, Steve Smith Sr.)

Should the NFL Discipline Carter Further?

• Smith is candid about his disgust:
  • "I got four kids, I wiped all their butts... This is the blow-up diaper... I don't want to deal with it. It's disgusting." (47:03, Steve Smith Sr.)

On Career Fines & Player Mindset

• Smith admits to setting aside money each season for expected NFL fines:
  • "Every year I would set aside a certain amount of money for my fines because I knew I was gonna get them. It's called, you know, financial literacy." (49:09, Steve Smith Sr.)

CeeDee Lamb’s Struggles and Bounce-Back Potential

• Smith empathizes with Lamb’s “can’t get right” night but projects an improved performance, noting the difference between being abandoned by the coaching staff versus being given repeated chances.

NFL Landscape: Super Bowl and Team Outlooks

• Smith declines to make Super Bowl predictions but expresses excitement for the upcoming Ravens vs. Bills matchup, naming Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow as top AFC threats.
• Names the Eagles as the best NFC team "until they're dethroned," noting September’s typical sloppiness due to lighter summer practices.

Life After Football & Perspective

• Smith admits to being “unplugged” from his playing days:
  • "I have so unplugged as far as my career... I'm a paper pusher, man. I'm a stat junkie ... I don't miss football at all." (53:47, Steve Smith Sr.)
• Ends on a playful back-and-forth with Dan about holding grudges and personal growth.

Other Highlights & Memorable Moments

Who Had the Best Week in Sports? (59:13)

Panelists choose their highlights:

• Todd: San Francisco Giants’ winning streak.
• Seaton & Paul: Florida State football’s upset over Alabama.
• Marvin: Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard’s dual Hall of Fame induction.
• Great listener call: "Every NFL team that has played on Brazilian soil has gone on to win the Super Bowl." (Luke, 1:01:32)

Listeners Share Baby Naming Anecdotes (1:04:10)

Hilarious calls about babies looking like Winston Churchill, Buddy Hackett, and Danny DeVito.

Dan’s Thoughtful Farewell & Personal Tribute (1:07:30)

Dan shares sad news about the sudden passing of his longtime accountant, using the moment as a reminder to "seize the day" and to be kind:

“It doesn’t cost you anything. But just be nice if you can, because you can.” (1:09:15, Dan Patrick)

Notable Quotes

• "You needed somebody who was going to be able to chase a monitor, track down Jalen Hurts. And they did not have that." — Dan Patrick (03:27)
• "Man, when I saw that ... he's a damn good football player ... but spitting is not on my list of a thousand of my natural reaction[s] when someone says something to me that I dislike." — Steve Smith Sr. (41:20)
• "This is the blow up diaper ... I don't want to deal with it. It's disgusting." — Steve Smith Sr. on the aftermath of the spitting incident (47:03)
• "Every year I would set aside a certain amount of money for my fines because I knew I was gonna get them. It's called ... financial literacy." — Steve Smith Sr. (49:09)
• “It doesn’t cost you anything. But just be nice if you can, because you can.” — Dan Patrick (1:09:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:27 | Dan on Micah Parsons’ absence & Cowboys-Eagles breakdown | | 07:47 | Sanders’ fumble, Baun’s run down play | | 18:44 | Fritzi on football fandom and Broncos heartbreak | | 27:30 | Caller Aaron on Carter-Prescott spitting accountability | | 38:15 | Start of Steve Smith Sr. interview | | 41:20 | Smith on spitting incident baseline morality | | 45:26 | On Carter’s reputation and the personal impact of public shaming | | 47:03 | “Blow-up diaper” analogy on the league’s handling of Carter | | 49:09 | Smith on budgeting for NFL fines | | 53:47 | Smith’s life after football | | 59:13 | Panel: Who had the best week in sports? | | 1:04:10 | Listeners share “ugly baby” stories | | 1:07:30 | Dan’s personal tribute and advice to listeners | | 1:09:15 | “Be nice” closing statement |

Summary

A rich episode mixing hard-hitting NFL analysis, locker room wisdom, candid humor, and Dan Patrick’s signature warmth. The show provided an in-depth look at both the technical and human side of football—from play breakdowns, discipline, and redemption, to personal anecdotes and life advice. Steve Smith Sr. delivered candid insights on player conduct, emotional recovery, and resilience, standing out in a show as full of personality as it is of analysis.

If you missed this hour, you missed a masterclass in both sports talk and human connection.