The Dan Patrick Show – "Best Of" | August 22, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick (DP)
Special Guests: Ed Werder (Cowboys Insider), Steve Young (Hall of Fame QB), John Fogerty (Rock & Roll Hall of Famer)
Episode Overview
On this lively "Best Of" Friday episode, Dan Patrick welcomes prominent sports journalist Ed Werder to dissect the state and legacy of the Dallas Cowboys, Hall of Famer Steve Young for insight on quarterback paths and NFL trends, and music legend John Fogerty to discuss the baseball classic "Center Field" and his creative process. The show also features authentic locker-room banter among Dan and the crew, with memorable stories, listener calls, and a diverse mix of sports and culture.
Key Segments & Highlights
1. Dallas Cowboys Legacy & Drama with Ed Werder
Timestamps: [02:36] – [14:43]
Main Topics:
- Jerry Jones’ impact and lasting drama since 1989.
- The forthcoming Cowboys documentary: motivation, timing, and what sets the Cowboys apart.
- Fan and media sentiment toward Jerry Jones as owner.
- The continued pattern of contract disputes with Cowboys’ stars (Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott).
- The team's competitive outlook in the NFC East.
Insights & Notable Quotes:
- On Jerry Jones as an owner:
"He was somebody who could not embrace criticism, but he could withstand it... he was going to be a very prominent personality in the league for as long as he owned the franchise."
— Ed Werder [03:08] - Why a documentary now?
"I think Jerry wanted something that documented his place in the NFL... and wanted to take credit for certain things for which he has not yet been given credit."
— Ed Werder [03:56] - On Cowboys fans voting Jerry out:
"Jerry would win the three votes of his family members... might lose all of the remaining votes."
— Ed Werder [05:09] - Cowboys on-field prospects:
"When Dak Prescott has been healthy... the Cowboys have been in the playoffs. But entering the season, they're probably the third-best team in their own division."
— Ed Werder [08:12] - Dak Prescott’s contract dynamic:
"It's really just leverage... they forced the Cowboys to franchise-tag Dak twice and ultimately Jerry feared losing him."
— Ed Werder [10:08] - Eagles vs. Cowboys:
"Their front office takes a completely different approach to being proactive and signing their best players. You’d think maybe Jerry Jones would study that… he’s chosen to do just the opposite."
— Ed Werder [11:52] - Most “Cowboys” story ever:
Describes Michael Irvin’s drug, trial, and murder-for-hire saga:
"It's all played out very publicly... I don't know that there's something that we have that we're not aware of that I could share with you."
— Ed Werder [12:15]
2. Behind the Scenes: Proposals, Baggage Claims & Office Banter
Timestamps: [14:43] – [20:31]
Recurring Cast: Todd, Devin, Ed Werder, Dan Patrick
- Listener advice segment for a proposal—Ellen from Wisconsin’s "old lady advice":
"...reach out to her best friend or her sister. This buys him goodwill... and absolves him of all guilt if her mother doesn’t like the way it went down."
— Ellen [15:16] - The crew shares their own proposal stories; Todd’s airport/secret Miami getaway highlights the classic DP Show camaraderie and humor.
- Dan teases about Hollywood-style proposal ideas:
"You get a piece of luggage, her luggage, and then you have it come off the chute and it says, 'Will you marry me?' Oh, I’m writing scripts here."
— Dan Patrick [17:05]
3. Steve Young: Nontraditional Paths to Sports Greatness, Quarterback Insight, and the NFL Today
Timestamps: [31:23] – [46:45]
Main Topics:
- Steve Young on the unique journey to NFL stardom (starting USFL, Tampa Bay, backup to Joe Montana).
- Rivalry perspectives—49ers vs. Cowboys in the ‘90s.
- The "wonkiest NFL QB career" poll: Steve Young, Kurt Warner, Nick Foles.
- Cowherd and Niners talent evolution, the modern QB's learning curve.
- NFL rule changes and how they’ve altered the game, rookie QBs, and the preseason’s new role.
- Veteran QB longevity (Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady) in today's less-punishing, sophisticated NFL.
Insights & Notable Quotes:
- On the Cowboys’ mystique:
"It feels like there’s something that’s special about you. But it’s not. You have to go earn it."
— Steve Young [32:22] - On what made the ‘90s Cowboys dominant:
"They were amazing. Beating them was monumental... hall of Famers everywhere... that’s just the fact."
— Steve Young [32:50] - Why Dallas has a perennial ceiling:
"The owner has not empowered anybody else to go in the locker room and threaten to fire anyone ... Without real authority, you lose something, and every coach would tell you it’s a big piece of getting a great team together."
— Steve Young [34:34] - On his Tampa Bay years:
"We had good players, we just didn’t have the superstructure to get it done... Who says when they’re first year, when they’re losing, 'No, I'm a Hall of Famer. Yeah, I’m killing it, man.'"
— Steve Young [36:05] - Rule changes and rookie QBs today:
"...the difference between college and pro has really narrowed... the game has gotten more similar, so rookie QBs have a shot."
— Steve Young [37:28] - On Brock Purdy and new challenges:
"That dynamic does change... You get paid, and you have to deal with that. There are people who have failed at that transition ... Brock’s done an amazing job, but this season, you’re going to need new faces to step up big."
— Steve Young [39:46] - Preseason and training camps then vs now:
"Preseason is really just to get in shape. No one wants to hit... September is the real preseason now. The game’s sophistication has really been reduced."
— Steve Young [41:53] - Longevity for QBs in today’s NFL:
"If your arm is still in pretty good shape, you can play for a while."
— Steve Young [46:13]
4. John Fogerty: 'Center Field,' Rock Legacy & Baseball Immortality
Timestamps: [52:15] – [60:33]
Main Topics:
- John Fogerty's "Center Field" inducted—song & iconic bat-shaped guitar—into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Inspiration behind the song and making the bat guitar.
- Ownership of his music and motivations for re-recording classics with his sons (new album: Legacy).
- Woodstock memories and reflections on aging as a singer.
Insights & Notable Quotes:
- On songwriting & 'Center Field':
"I'd sit down and watch that [Saturday] game and be yelling at the screen... sometimes it'd be a phenom... not going well with the team you’re rooting for. I'd be yelling: 'Put me in, coach!'"
— John Fogerty [54:29] - Recognizing Jackie Robinson:
"It's not about DiMaggio... it's about Jackie Robinson. If I'm writing a baseball song, he better be in there."
— John Fogerty [55:57] - Why re-record classics now?
"I decided to give myself a gift and record a lot of the old Credence songs I had written... It would be a gift to my fans."
— John Fogerty [56:51] - Woodstock scheduling, and Jimi Hendrix:
"The man on the phone had promised me the headlining spot Saturday... I believe Credence went on Sunday morning early."
— John Fogerty [58:36], [59:24] - Voice at 80:
"My falsetto’s not quite as pure as it used to be... but I’m certainly as loud as I ever was."
— John Fogerty [59:53]
5. Listener Calls & Life Advice
Timestamps: [29:18] – [30:56]
- Advice for a new college journalism student and her dad:
"Be confident, be proud of her... Volunteer for everything. Outwork everybody else."
— Dan Patrick [29:30] - Lighthearted banter about emotional goodbyes—Dan’s attempts to stay strong for his daughters.
Notable Moments & Quotes
- On Jerry Jones' staying power:
"The media would like to have Jerry around. He’s always been good for our business."
— Ed Werder [05:13] - Dan’s poll question on the “wonkiest QB career":
"(Steve Young's) route to get there was abnormal... he didn’t become a Pro Bowler until 31."
— Dan Patrick [28:53] - Dan Patrick on NFL salary dynamics:
"I've been vocal... I like Dak as a person, but I just wouldn't sign him up for that kind of money."
— Dan Patrick [09:20] - On Tom Brady's enduring talent:
"Brady could still play, couldn't he?"
— Dan Patrick [46:00]
"If his arm is still there, you can play for a while."
— Steve Young [46:13]
Tone and Flow
- Conversational & irreverent: The hosts mix deep-dive sports discussion with laughter and casual storytelling.
- Candid & insightful: Both Ed Werder and Steve Young provide honest behind-the-scenes perspectives seldom heard elsewhere.
- Nostalgic & personal: Fogerty’s music segment and the proposal advice segment blend nostalgia and personal reflection, giving the show extra warmth and color.
Episode Timeline
- [02:36] Cowboys deep dive w/ Ed Werder (On Jerry Jones, team culture, fan sentiment, and division rivalries)
- [14:43] Listener proposal advice & marriage stories (humorous crew stories)
- [29:18] Listener calls for college advice
- [31:23] Steve Young interview (NFL evolution, QBs, Cowboys rivalries, and rule-change impact)
- [52:15] John Fogerty interview (baseball anthem, musical legacy, and life reflections)
For New Listeners
If you missed this episode, you missed smart sports journalism, unique access (with Hall of Fame voices from both sports and music), and a quintessential sampling of Dan Patrick Show camaraderie. Whether you’re a Cowboys fan, a classic rock buff, or just want to hear how Hall of Famers view their own careers and life’s changes, this one is packed with insightful and entertaining content.