The Dan Patrick Show (OVERPROMISED): "Off Their ROCKER & Using Our LAST Brain Cell"
Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Covino & Rich (filling in for Dan Patrick)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
Covino & Rich, filling in for Dan Patrick, use their trademark humor and candid style to break down the wildest stories in sports and pop culture. This episode centers on the theme of being "off their rocker"—highlighting out-of-control athletes and bizarre, brain-cell-testing sports. The hosts discuss news and upcoming fights, compile a list of the most "unhinged" athletes, and riff on both real and absurd niche sports that make you question humanity’s decision-making. The episode is packed with playful banter and irreverent, but knowledgeable sports talk.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Upcoming Sports and Weekend Fights
Timestamps: 02:39–03:56
- Covino & Rich hype up major upcoming events: World Baseball Classic, NBA ramp-up, NFL Draft, and a busy fight schedule.
- Highlighted fights include Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night, Floyd Mayweather’s fight, and the return of Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey.
- Covino notes Sean Strickland’s reputation:
"Sean Strickland, just off his rocker, unhinged. Probably the biggest maniac in the fight game ever... This guy can’t speak a sentence without offending somebody." (03:23–04:18)
- The hosts agree Strickland’s press presence is "almost funny... and sad all at the same time." (04:41)
2. "Unhinged" Athletes: Top Out-of-Control Sports Figures
Timestamps: 04:48–10:17
- Covino & Rich compile a list of the wildest, most unhinged athletes, focusing on those whose on- and off-field antics overshadowed logic and decorum:
- Antonio Brown:
- Noted for erratic behavior, including his infamous jersey-stripping exit and current bankruptcy drama while flaunting expensive purchases.
- "I am crazy, baby." – Rich quoting Antonio Brown (06:05)
- John Rocker:
- Recalled for racist and offensive comments about New York and "minorities"; the hosts stress how such behavior would be impossible to ignore today.
- "John Rocker was the most unwelcome dude at then Shea Stadium in New York." – Rich (06:52)
- Dennis Rodman:
- Celebrated for his eccentricity (cross-dressing wedding, wild excuses like women "falling from the ceiling"), unlikely friendships (Kim Jong Un), and unpredictable absences.
- "Dennis Rodman is definitely on the list, especially for the time. He was a wild man. Out of control." – Covino (08:51)
- Tonya Harding:
- Cited for scandal related to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, with winks to the "I, Tonya" film.
- "The fact that someone took a pipe to Nancy Kerrigan’s leg..." – Rich (09:28)
- (Brief reference) O.J. Simpson is purposely excluded from deeper discussion due to the seriousness of his crimes.
- Antonio Brown:
3. "Who Might Be Ass?"—Boxers on the Brink
Timestamps: 10:41–13:44
- Focus shifts to the upcoming Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios title fight, questioning Garcia’s future as a "serious boxer" after lackluster performances and losses to Rolly Romero and Gervonta Davis.
- "If Ryan Garcia loses to Mario Barrios, he might be ass." – Covino (11:24)
- "This might be the end of him as a serious boxer...Barrios, who's got more weapons than Ryan Garcia, but Ryan Garcia has better weapons." – Covino (12:16–12:52)
- Note on Garcia’s social media antics and possible "unhinged" status.
4. Bizarre & "Last Brain Cell" Sports
Timestamps: 17:36–23:37
- The hosts explore some of the world’s dumbest and most dangerous sports, riffing on how absurd human competitions can get:
- Run It:
- New craze in Australasia involving full-speed collisions; labeled as pure "brain damage bait."
- "Two athletes, 20 meters apart, brain damage. Bait." – Covino (17:52)
- "Oh, that guy’s dead." – Rich (18:06)
- Power Slap:
- Dana White’s viral slap competition, criticized for breaking the #1 fighting rule, "protect yourself at all times."
- "Is it our last brain cell? Pretty much." – Covino (20:02)
- Other "last brain cell" sports discussed:
- Dwarf tossing
- Limbo skating ("That’s pretty impressive though.") – Rich (21:04)
- Joggling (jogging and juggling)
- Toe wrestling ("Toe wrestler on a first date... what’s your side hustle dude? Yeah, toe wrestle." – Rich, 22:21)
- LARPing & thumb wrestling—lighthearted references to odd niche hobbies.
- Comedy references to Seinfeld’s bits about the biathlon and involuntary luge, as well as Colin Jost’s harrowing Olympic bobsled experience.
- Run It:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Sean Strickland and unhinged athletes:
"This guy can’t speak a sentence without offending somebody. He’s just out of control." – Covino (04:18)
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On sports fandom and tolerance:
"When athletes are really good at what they do, we’ve tolerated quite a bit over the years..." – Rich (05:12)
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On Power Slap’s questionable premise:
"Of course I’m watching. It’s like watching a train wreck. But is it safe? Is it fun? Is it our last brain cell? Pretty much." – Covino (20:02)
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On odd sports:
"Are you kid involved in any sports? The kid, your kid playing?... I got one kid, he’s a larper. He’s larping. Yeah. And the other kid, he’s a jogger. Yeah, he’s a joggler." – Covino (21:32–21:37)
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On announcing fake tournament:
"Is this the time that I should announce our first ever Kavino Rich toe wrestling tournament?" – Rich (23:43)
Segment Timestamps
- 02:16 – Episode starts, show explanation, and overview of sports calendar
- 03:23 – Sean Strickland’s controversial persona and upcoming UFC fight
- 04:48 – Launch into the list of most out-of-control athletes
- 10:41 – "Who Might Be Ass?" — Ryan Garcia must-win fight and potential career decline
- 13:44 – Ryan Garcia’s career recap and pop culture tangents
- 17:36 – "Are we using our last brain cell?" Introduction to the world’s most bizarre sports
- 20:02 – Critique of Power Slap and similar viral competitions
- 21:04 – Miscellaneous weird sports (limbo skating, joggling, toe wrestling)
- 23:37 – Episode wrap-up, playful consideration of hosting a toe-wrestling championship
Tone and Style
Covino & Rich maintain their signature mix of bro-humor, irreverence, and pop culture references, dishing candid opinions with tongue-in-cheek irony while still offering solid observations about the unpredictability of sports figures and fan culture.
Summary Takeaway
Listeners get a high-energy, fun ride through the most "off their rocker" characters in sports and laugh-out-loud examples of humanity’s strangest competitions. The hosts question what it means to be "unhinged" in the sports world and why, as fans, we continue to be drawn to such madness—reminding us that the line between entertainment and absurdity is often blurry, but always fascinating.
Hashtags: #OverPromised #UnhingedAthletes #LastBrainCellSports #SportsComedy
Next Up: "Kavino Rich Toe-Wrestling Tournament"? Stay tuned…