The Dan Patrick Show: Best of the Week

Episode Date: August 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This “Best of the Week” episode of The Dan Patrick Show brings together the most compelling sports and pop culture discussions from the week. As always, the show balances sharp insights and playful banter, featuring Dan Patrick, Covino and Rich, Doug Gottlieb, and their rotating crew. This week’s highlights include deep-dives into iconic athlete decisions, embarrassing sports injuries, the WNBA's Caitlin Clark conundrum, the Shador Sanders phenomenon, and an entertaining exploration of gym culture and LeBron James’s workout criticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Derek Jeter Skipping Yankees Old Timers Day

[09:36 - 16:53]

• The Situation: Derek Jeter, a Yankees icon, did not attend the Old Timers Day celebration honoring the 2000 World Series team.
• Discussion:
  • Jeter’s absence stirred controversy as he was the face of that championship squad.
  • Covino speculates Jeter may be focusing on family or broadcasting commitments, or possibly “waiting for something bigger.”
  • Rich notes, “If the Patriots did a whole tribute to the dynasty, and Tom Brady said ‘I’m not making it,’ you reschedule. Derek Jeter not being there is that level.” [11:26]
  • Jeter’s reason: his daughter’s birthday party took precedence.
  • Debate on whether Jeter should’ve rescheduled the party or if he’s earned the right to skip the event.
• Notable Quote:
  • Covino: “Maybe he did the right thing because he didn’t want to be remembered as the old guy who can’t play the way he used to... See, now we’ve got this image of Mariano Rivera—like, really, man, he got hurt again. He tore his Achilles. Damn, that sucks.” [15:04]

2. The "What's Worse?" Game: Embarrassing Sports Injuries

[16:53 - 25:27]

• Featured Injuries:
  • Mariano Rivera re-injuring his Achilles at Old Timers Day.
  • NASCAR’s Connor Zillich breaking his collarbone while celebrating in Victory Lane.
  • Historical nods to infamous freak injuries, like Kendrys Morales (MLB) and Don Baylor (MLB).
• Big Question: Which is the more embarrassing or unfortunate injury: being an aging legend injured in front of fans or suffering a painful mishap during a celebratory moment?
• Notable Quotes:
  • Rich: “These are supposed to be your moments of glory… It’s supposed to be your awesome moment and you just totally blew it.” [24:11]
  • Covino: “How embarrassing… you’re viral for that moment. It’s… broadcasted everywhere.” [24:11]
• Segment Highlight: Lively, sympathetic debate about how quickly celebration and nostalgia can turn to embarrassment for athletes, and why stars like Jeter might just prefer to sit out Old Timers Day altogether.

3. WNBA: Caitlin Clark’s Absence and Branding

[31:15 - 36:00]

• Issue: The WNBA has struggled in the offseason due to Caitlin Clark's absence and her Olympic snub.
• Panel’s Take:
  • Doug Gottlieb argues the league missed its promotional window: “Their main attraction is Caitlin Clark. She has not played during the meat of summer, and by the time she comes back… football is being played—and zero people care about the WNBA now.” [33:21]
  • Dan Byer relates the failed effort to manufacture new rivalries and boost storylines.
• Net Positive: For Caitlin Clark, her value has been magnified by her absence, as fans and sponsors realize her importance to the league.
• Notable Quote:
  • Covino: “Maybe a disaster for the other part to it, but net positive for Caitlin Clark...” [35:03]

4. Shador Sanders: Star Power or Distraction?

[37:32 - 45:32]

• Context: As a high-profile rookie, Shador Sanders (son of Deion Sanders) brings “extra,” including a film crew, his own music, and a flashy persona to the Browns as a fourth-string QB.
• Debate:
  • Dan Byer is skeptical: “With the music playing and week one of a preseason game... those were things NFL teams felt there was a lot of extra with Shador... and none of that had changed.” [37:32]
  • Doug Gottlieb connects Sanders’ attitude to wider concerns about entitlement, locker room dynamics, and the risks for teams cutting high-profile players: “Nobody wants entitled on a sports team, especially from a guy who’s not a first round draft pick.” [39:36]
• Big Picture: Discussion on the tension between personal branding and fitting into team culture, especially for rookies.

5. Parenting & Sports: The FAFO (F*** Around and Find Out) Era

[53:10 - 58:33]

• Topic: New “tough love” parenting style—letting kids learn through natural consequences, known as “FAFO.”
• Sports Parallel:
  • Rich and Covino compare FAFO to sports management—letting teams or athletes make bold calls and live with the outcome.
  • “You don’t need to tie everything to sports. But I feel that way—yesterday, the Mets...they took him out, bullpen stinks...F around and find out. Give up the lead. Lose the game.” – Rich [55:54]

6. Criticizing LeBron James’s Workout Form—and the Gym “Experts”

[58:51 - 73:31]

• Incident: A LeBron gym video goes viral, with critics online bashing his form despite his unprecedented longevity and athleticism.
• Central Question: Is it fair to critique someone’s methods when their results are extraordinary?
• Hosts’ View:
  • Covino: “Can you really critique somebody if they look better than you or if it just works for them when it comes to their workout?” [61:29]
  • Rich compares it to broke people giving financial advice and sports fans criticizing world-class athletes.
  • The cast riff on gym culture: “Go play with your five-pound dumbbells. I’m sure the women will lend them to you. The Pee Wee Herman edition.” – Covino [73:00]
• Notable Quotes:
  • Rich: “For anyone criticizing the workout routine of LeBron James, he should give the world the Tom Brady [smirk].” [68:04]
• Key Takeaway: The show pokes fun at armchair critics while praising LeBron’s unprecedented longevity (“23 NBA seasons!” [60:15]) and the results-focused approach.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Jeter skipping Old Timers Day:

  “He wants to be remembered as Derek Jeter diving into the stands. See, now we got this image again of Mariano Rivera...he got hurt again. He tore his Achilles. Damn, that sucks.” – Covino [15:04]

• On freak injuries turning glory to embarrassment:

  “These are supposed to be your moments of glory...and you just totally blew it.” – Rich [24:11]

• On the WNBA’s summer ‘disaster’:

  “By the time she comes back and plays, football is being played—and zero people care about the WNBA now.” – Doug Gottlieb [33:21]

• On the pitfalls of Shador Sanders’ star power:

  “Nobody wants entitled on a sports team, especially from a guy who’s not a first round draft pick.” – Doug Gottlieb [39:36]

• On LeBron’s critics:

  “Can you really critique somebody if they look better than you or if it just works for them?” – Covino [61:29]
  “He should give the world the Tom Brady [smirk].” – Rich [68:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Derek Jeter Old Timers Day Debate: 09:36 – 16:53
• Embarrassing Sports Injuries Game (‘What’s Worse?’): 16:53 – 25:27
• WNBA & Caitlin Clark Discourse: 31:15 – 36:00
• Shador Sanders Branding vs. Team Fit: 37:32 – 45:32
• Parenting & FAFO Era: 53:10 – 58:33
• LeBron James, Gym Culture & Armchair Criticism: 58:51 – 73:31

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Banter about embarrassing injuries seamlessly transitions into deeper reflections about aging, legacy, and pride in sports.
• The “Shut Up, Fatso” mantra becomes the show’s tongue-in-cheek rebuttal to social media critics, especially those mocking LeBron’s gym habits. [74:54]
• Covino and Rich’s playful competition about lifting weights and lifestyle advice adds to the relatable, comedic tone.

Summary

This episode captures The Dan Patrick Show’s essence: witty, self-aware, and unafraid to blend pop culture with smart analysis. Listeners are treated to insightful conversations about sports heroes, the perils of nostalgia, and the paradox of being a critic in the social media era. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual listener, these highlights offer a sharp, funny, and thoughtful look at the week in sports and beyond.