The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: "Give the 49ers Credit, Kurt Warner"
Date: October 3, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Kurt Warner (NFL Hall of Famer, NFLN Analyst)
Episode Overview
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show dives deep into football talk following the stunning 49ers-Rams overtime finish, broader NFL and college football previews, and a lengthy, insightful interview with Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. There’s a focus on the repercussions of pivotal coaching decisions, quarterback legacies, and how definitive moments shape both games and Hall of Fame careers. Several memorable listener calls reflect on Dan’s impactful interviewing style, and the "must-win" spirit pervading both college and pro games.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. 49ers’ Overtime Win & Rams’ Gamble (03:00-05:00)
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Recap of Thursday’s 49ers-Rams game: Niners upset Rams in OT after a failed Rams 4th-and-1 attempt.
- Dan praises the 49ers:
“Give the Niners credit because that’s a banged up team…a wounded animal…an 8½ point underdog. Surprise, surprise.” [04:17]
- Discussion of Sean McVay’s decision to go for it instead of settling for a tie.
- Dan’s take: “They were playing for the win. I get it. I don’t blame them... But give the Niners credit.” [04:28]
- Dan praises the 49ers:
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Notable Quote:
“That’s a banged up team… and you were an eight and a half point underdog. Surprise, surprise.”
— Dan Patrick [04:17]
2. Weekend Football Preview & Betting Lines (05:00-08:00)
- College football: rundown of big and “interesting” matchups (Vandy/Alabama, Florida State/Miami, Clemson/UNC).
- Vandy is a 10.5 point dog at Alabama, which beat them last year.
- NFL betting lines run-through: Vikings/Browns, Cowboys/Jets, Buccaneers/Seahawks, Patriots/Bills, and more.
- Playful banter among the Danettes on expected passing yardage for Dylan Gabriel in his NFL debut.
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Discussion on the relative appeal of the week’s NFL slate.
> “It’s not a great slate... it’s not one of those ‘oh my gosh’ showdown weekends.” — Dan Patrick [07:09]
3. "Must-Win" Games of the Week (08:10–09:05)
- Each Danette and Dan selects their “most must-win” college or NFL team:
- Marvin: Kaylin DeBoer and Alabama (can’t lose to Vandy two years in a row)
- Paulie: Texas at Florida (peril for Longhorns if upset)
- Todd: Ravens (must win against the Texans to avoid 1-4 start)
- Seton: Cowboys (must win at Jets to keep playoff hopes)
- Dan: Clemson at UNC (pressure on Dabo Sweeney, narrative games)
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“You cannot lose to Vanderbilt two years in a row.”
— Dan Patrick [08:32] -
“People will jump off that [Texas] bandwagon fast if they lose.”
— Paulie [08:45]
4. Dan Patrick’s Interview Approach & Listener Reflections (09:59–12:00)
- Listener Dennis reminisces about Dan’s interviews with Jerry West and Hank Aaron, crediting Dan for “bringing out stuff about these stars that nobody like me knows about... brings them down to a human level.” [10:22]
- Dan reflects on his interview philosophy:
“My goal... to have you relax so it feels like a conversation... If you get to that, you can get some things out of people. Not everybody will allow you to do that... but that’s the challenge.” [11:08]
- Touchingly recalls Jerry West’s “tormented life,” notably the story about a shotgun and his father.
5. Iconic Sports Interviews & Charlie Sheen Calls (12:00-14:37)
- Multiple callers recall the infamous 2011 Charlie Sheen meltdown/interview and its aftermath (media hunt for Charlie, lack of contact between Dan and Sheen).
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“Yeah, he didn’t remember the interview 14 years ago... That’s when you know all these networks were calling my house.”
— Dan Patrick [12:50] - Comments on the “crazy in a good way” experience of having Charlie sound well after decades of public struggles.
6. Quarterbacks Who Change the Game – The Great Debate (15:55–18:48)
- Caller Grant asks Dan to settle a debate: “Which QBs truly changed the game?” (Mahomes, Peyton, Lamar vs. Namath).
- Dan lays out levels of “impact”:
- Joe Namath:
“He helped change the entire league with one game... guaranteed the AFL...” [16:47]
- Johnny Unitas:
“Changed the position. He gave us the two-minute drill.”
- Peyton Manning:
“Changed the game probably more than any other quarterback. Marino was the first to give you five wide... But Peyton... changed how you call a game.” [17:42]
- Joe Namath:
- Previews asking Kurt Warner this same question.
7. In-Depth Interview: Kurt Warner (25:07–38:57)
Dylan Gabriel’s Debut & Young QB Advice
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Would Kurt start Gabriel’s first game in London vs. Vikings?
> “That’s a lot of things going on along with playing against a Brian Flores defense... Not an easy one for Dylan Gabriel.” — Kurt Warner [25:13] - Advice to rookies:
“Biggest thing is, realize you don’t have to do it all on your own... Allow [your teammates] to help you along the way... It’s OK to punt every once in a while.”
— Kurt Warner [25:40] - On learning to get rid of the ball:
“Getting rid of the ball is understanding what you’re seeing, a comfort level with the plays that you’re running...”
— Kurt Warner [26:22]
Rams’ 4th Down Decision & Play Calling
- On Rams’ OT 4th-down call:
“More disappointed with the play call than the decision to go for it... I thought they’d give more options to Matt Stafford instead of just running it up the gut.”
— Kurt Warner [27:16]
Texans, Ravens: Must Win
- Warner’s “must win” game: Texans-Ravens—both 1-3, both need a turnaround.
“For me, it’s going to be Texans-Ravens, both teams I think high hopes... Neither one playing very good football.”
— Kurt Warner [28:13] - On CJ Stroud’s struggles:
“I wish I could [explain it]... He’s not making the throws and decisions that he did as a rookie. I can’t put a finger on it.”
— Kurt Warner [28:53]
Can You "Play Yourself Out" of the Hall of Fame? (Russell Wilson)
- Dan: Did Russell Wilson play himself out of HOF consideration?
- Warner: Not out, but “you look at him differently” after recent seasons; now people debate “who is the real Russell Wilson?” [30:33]
How Hall of Fame Candidacy Is Built:
- Dan asks if Warner would have made HOF without Arizona stretch.
“Would highly doubt it... I think is what kind of stamped that.” [32:40]
- Discussion about criteria (length of greatness vs. statistical accumulation; Super Bowl wins).
Who Changed the Game Most at QB?
- Warner praises Marino, his own Rams offense, but ultimately says:
“Peyton [Manning] was the best QB we’ve ever seen before the snap... but I wouldn't say that necessarily transformed the game because I don’t know if there’s been anybody anywhere close to Peyton at doing that.”
— Kurt Warner [35:04] - Also mentions the impact of Michael Vick in leading today's mobile-QB era.
- Dan: “I’d probably say Joe [Namath] was the most impactful QB of all time because of that one moment.” [36:21]
Best Thrower of a Football
- Warner’s pick: Dan Marino.
“Just watching him throw... the release... the arm strength but also the touch... I tried to emulate him in my front yard.”
— Kurt Warner [37:35] - Heartwarming story about stocking shelves, dreaming of being like Marino on the Wheaties box.
8. Interviewing Style & On Being "The Dan Patrick" (39:19–40:29)
- Caller David asks if Dan ever realizes he’s the “best interviewer out there.”
- Dan deflects: “If I said, ‘I’m THE Dan Patrick,’ that takes away from my strategy... it’s not about my question, it’s about your answer. I always want your answer to be important.” [40:29]
9. Games, Fun, and Show Wrap (47:07-end)
- “Rhyme Time” segment: rapid-fire wordplay game among the Danettes, showing their signature banter and lighthearted camaraderie.
- Sports trivia and poll results wrap up the show:
- Most infamous interview: Charlie Sheen
- Hall of Fame QB vs. pitcher: most would rather be a QB
- Root for your child or your team? “Gotta root for your kid” [52:59]
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
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On the Rams’ failed gamble in OT:
“They were playing for the win. I get it. I don’t blame them... But give the Niners credit because that’s a banged up team.”
— Dan Patrick [04:28] -
On what makes a great sports interview:
“My goal... to have you relax so it feels like a conversation... If you get to that, you can get some things out of people.”
— Dan Patrick [11:08] -
Kurt Warner on being a young quarterback:
“Allow [your teammates] to help you along the way. It’s OK to punt every once in a while because you got a great defense.”
— Kurt Warner [25:40] -
On Russell Wilson’s legacy:
“Maybe it gives you a different perspective of the kind of player he was... who is the real Russell Wilson here?”
— Kurt Warner [30:33] -
On who changed the NFL quarterback game:
“Peyton was unique and different and the best we’ve ever seen at playing before the snap, where a lot of guys like myself were way better playing after the snap.”
— Kurt Warner [36:21] -
On best pure passer:
“If I was picking a guy, I would probably pick Dan Marino... I tried to emulate him in my front yard.”
— Kurt Warner [37:35]
Key Timestamps
- 49ers-Rams recap & OT stop: 03:00–05:00
- Weekend football/betting line breakdown: 05:00–08:00
- Must-win game roundtable: 08:10–09:05
- Dan on interview style/listener calls: 09:59–12:00
- Charlie Sheen interview reflections: 12:00–14:37
- QB “changed the game” debate: 15:55–18:48
- Kurt Warner interview: 25:07–38:57
- On “being The Dan Patrick” interview approach: 39:19–40:29
- Show wrap/Rhyme Time/game: 47:07–end
Tone and Style
The episode maintains Dan Patrick’s trademark mix of humor, sports wisdom, and candid conversation. Listener calls are respected and woven into insightful commentary. The Warner interview stands out for its depth and honesty—reflective, warm, and full of experience-based wisdom.
For New Listeners
This episode is ideal if you:
- Appreciate honest, fun, and nuanced sports talk, especially about football
- Value insight into what makes a great athlete, coach, and interviewer
- Want to catch up on weekend games, both NFL and college, with a focus on storylines
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes stories about sports legends and pivotal NFL moments
- Like the intersection of stats, emotion, and high-stakes decisions in sports
Listen for:
- The best breakdown of pivotal coaching moments (Rams’ OT call)
- Real advice for young QBs (from a Hall of Famer’s own journey)
- The Hall of Fame quarterback debate, explored from every angle
- A reflective look at Dan Patrick’s interviewing art, including what elicits the best from legends