The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: “The Rude Tennis Fan”

Date: September 1, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Hosts (subbing in): Steve Covino & Rich Davis (Covino & Rich), Danny G
Main Theme:
Examining sports fan etiquette after a viral “rude tennis fan” moment at the US Open, reflecting on viral sports moments, overreactions in social media culture, and the legacy of “Linsanity” as Jeremy Lin officially retires.

Episode Overview

This hour centers on a viral US Open incident involving an adult who aggressively grabbed a signed hat seemingly intended for a child, sparking outrage online. The hosts debate whether public vilification was deserved, explore how social media twists narratives, and use this as a springboard into broader discussions about sportsmanship, collectibles, and judging moments out of context. The hour also features a game segment (“Covino or Belichick”), pop culture riffs, and a homage to Jeremy Lin as he retires from basketball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Viral Tennis Fan Incident at the US Open

[08:27–14:41]

• Incident Recap:
  A wealthy Polish businessman, Petor Cesare, snatched an autographed hat at the US Open that appeared to be meant for a child. The moment, caught on video, quickly painted him as the quintessential "rude adult" sports fan.

• Initial Outrage:
  “Look at this D bag. Look at this guy.” — Steve Covino [08:43]
  Reaction was swift and fierce as social media sleuths identified him.

• The Apology & Context:
  Cesare publicly apologized, claiming he thought the player, Kamil Majek, was handing the hat to him for his own children, who are also fans.

• Changing Perspectives:
  “He says I would like to unequivocally apologize to the boy…in the emotions, in the crowd's joy...I was convinced that the tennis player was handing the cap in my direction for my sons who had earlier asked for autographs.” — Steve Covino reading Cesare’s statement [11:12]

  • Upon learning this context, both hosts soften their stance.
  • “I forgive the guy then. Right.” — Rich Davis [11:34]

• On Jumping to Conclusions:
  “It’s almost our general instinct to just jump to conclusions.” — Rich Davis [11:40]

• Media/Social Media Commentary:
  “One sentence could be taken completely out of context… I also don’t believe the culture we live in now is awesome where someone makes a mistake, they track him down and try to ruin his life.” — Rich Davis [12:17]
  The hosts bemoan internet mob justice and demand for someone's “life to be ruined” over moments that lack context.

Notable Quote

“It's like a sound bite. You have to hear the whole thing to make a true assessment.”
— Steve Covino [12:04]

2. Extreme Sports Fan Behavior & Collectibles

[14:34–21:58]:

• The conversation shifts to adults seeking souvenirs at sporting events, discussing the etiquette of catching/keeping balls or merch when kids are nearby.
• Covino’s Confession:
  “I'll never push a kid out of the way for a ball. But... If I finally got a home run ball… and there's some nose picking kid next to me—you're not giving it to him… my moment.” — Steve Covino [16:33–17:02]
• Kids vs. Grown-ups:
  • Hosts admit most adults “give it to the kid because the cameras are on them,” but also relate to wanting a rare memento themselves [19:47].

Notable Quotes

“Go boo yourself. My thought is this: If it’s a ball of significance…if it’s something of value, keep it. But if it's just a random play, maybe give it to the kid.”
— Rich Davis & Steve Covino [20:01]

3. Broader Reflections: Context, Memory, and Judgment

[21:59–23:28]:

• “Does the story change now that you know he thought it was for him? ...Does that change your thought on it or not?” — Steve Covino [21:59]
• Both hosts agree: knowing the fuller backstory, they’re more forgiving.

4. Game Segment: "Covino or Belichick"

[22:35–36:33]:

• The recurring game compares facts about Steve Covino and Bill Belichick, including their much-younger girlfriends both named Jordan—a running joke.
• Sample Fact Exchange:
  • “His Jordan simultaneously enrolled in cosmetology school…” — Rich Davis [33:38]
  • Incorrect guess: “Covino?” “No, that's Belichick’s Jordan.”
• Lighthearted, showcasing the hosts’ banter.
• “My dog Theo brings home more money than anybody in the house.” — Steve Covino [35:00]

5. Jeremy Lin’s Retirement & "Linsanity" Retrospective

[37:45–45:48]:

• The hosts mark Jeremy Lin’s official retirement, recalling the global phenomenon of “Linsanity”—his unexpected, electrifying run with the Knicks.
• Impact:
  “It was excitement at the Garden like we hadn’t seen in years. All your friends were talking about it. You couldn’t escape the highlights on SportsCenter.” — Steve Covino [41:18]
  • Emphasizes how Lin's two-week “zone” created lasting memories in New York and basketball at large.

Notable Quotes

“That two weeks was the most legitimate, you could say fluke I’ve ever seen. Because it was real. We lived it. The hype was real.”
— Steve Covino [41:08]

“It’s like when people criticize one hit wonders. It’s like yeah, they may have had one hit but they had a great career…and one hit more than you'll ever sniff.”
— Rich Davis & Steve Covino [41:41]

• The conversation broadens to similar sports stories (e.g., Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, Kurt Warner), showing how “brief but magical” runs captivate fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You are deemed the worst adult possible. That and Disney adults, right? They're the worst.” — Steve Covino [12:57]
• “Maybe I wouldn’t push another kid out of the way…but the reality is…you will do anything for your kid.” — Rich Davis [14:34]
• “If you catch it, to me, catching a foul ball—the cool part of that is the action of catching the ball. Once you caught it…what do you want a baseball for?” — Rich Davis [21:18]
• “Linsanity… for those few weeks in New York, nothing was like it… It was electric, it was so fun, everyone loved the story.” — Steve Covino [52:24]

Important Timestamps

• 04:41: Hour begins; tease of Tennis incident, NFL picks, and games
• 08:27: Deep dive into the US Open “rude fan” viral moment
• 11:12: Reading and discussion of the fan’s public apology
• 12:17: Reflections on social media outrage and context
• 14:34: What fans will do for their kids/memorabilia etiquette
• 16:33–17:58: Would adults keep a baseball meant for a kid?
• 22:35–36:33: “Covino or Belichick” trivia game
• 37:45: Transition to Jeremy Lin and “Linsanity”
• 41:08: On Lin’s “legitimate fluke” and career legacy
• 54:06: Call-ins with personal sports “lightning in a bottle” picks

Tone & Style

Relaxed, humorous, irreverent; equal parts genuine sports reflection and tongue-in-cheek banter. Covino and Rich tease each other, offer playful confessions, but also thoughtfully assess sports culture and fan behavior.
Language is colloquial and conversational, with self-deprecating humor.

Summary Table (Key Segments & Topics)

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Point/Notable Quote | |-----------|---------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 08:27 | US Open “rude fan” | "Look at this D bag. Look at this guy." — Covino | | 11:12 | Fan’s apology | “I made a serious mistake in the emotions...I was convinced...” — Covino reading Cesare | | 12:17 | Social media/pile-ons | “One sentence can be taken completely out of context...” — Rich | | 14:34 | Fan memorabilia etiquette | “You will do anything for your kid.” — Rich | | 16:33 | Adults/kids collectibles | “I’ll never push a kid... But if I finally got a home run ball…” — Covino | | 22:35 | “Covino or Belichick” game | “My dog Theo brings home more money than anybody in the house...” — Covino | | 37:45 | Jeremy Lin retrospective | “We lived it. The hype was real.” — Covino | | 41:41 | Linsanity’s legacy/one-hit wonders | “It’s like when people criticize one hit wonders…one hit more than you’ll ever sniff.” — Rich |

Final Takeaways

• Viral outrage can lack the context necessary for fairness; social media vilification is often excessive.
• Sports fan etiquette sparks surprising debate; mementos carry emotional weight for adults and kids alike.
• “Linsanity” remains a touchstone for sports magic—short-lived but unforgettable.
• Humor and empathy go a long way when assessing public blunders and viral moments.

Useful for those who missed the episode:
This summary captures the playful yet insightful style of Covino & Rich, outlining how a single viral sports moment can spark debates about etiquette, forgiveness, and the myth-making power of sports culture.