Podcast Summary: The Tony Kornheiser Show – “D player” (November 10, 2025)

Overview

This episode, hosted by Tony Kornheiser with frequent collaborators Michael Wilbon and Paul Finebaum, weaves together sports banter, personal anecdotes, and insightful commentary on recent events in the sports world. The show’s main themes include reflections on the passings of former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NBA legend Lenny Wilkens, a collegiate and pro football roundup, and Tony’s light-hearted griping over his “D player” status at a golf outing. The camaraderie, wit, and deep-rooted knowledge among the hosts create a familiar and engaging listening experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Behind-the-Scenes Tech Glitches and Show Opener

Timestamp: 01:25 – 02:01

• The team experienced major technical difficulties pre-show, requiring improvisation with backup equipment and help from producer Sean.
• Tony expresses gratitude to the team for making the episode happen:“Sean’s a genius, yes, and so we’re very grateful for that.” (02:04, Tony)

2. Personal Stories: The “Turkey Shoot” Golf Outing

Timestamp: 03:13 – 09:26

• Tony and Michael Wilbon exchange stories from the annual “Turkey Shoot” at Columbia Country Club – the season’s last major golf event.
• Tony playfully embraces being assigned as the “D player” (“Hello, Tony. D player. I’m a 20. I’m a D player.” – 03:47, Tony).
• Wilbon gently teases Tony, remarking, “I don’t think you’re a traditional D player because you are a consistent driver of the golf ball.” (04:01, Wilbon)
• The golf talk is filled with camaraderie and self-deprecation; Tony describes how he occasionally came through for his team, making “like four putts, big time. They were birdies.” (07:10, Tony)
• They discuss the culture and friendships formed at the club and the thrill of winning “shop credit.”

Notable Quote

“I didn’t play well, but I had a good time and... a good sandwich is all nice.”
— Tony Kornheiser (09:16)

3. DC Winters & Routine Chatter

Timestamp: 09:26 – 09:59

• Tony and Wilbon share thoughts on bracing for the season’s first cold snap:

“Tomorrow facing it’s going to be 28. 28. When Chessy and I go out, it’s going to be 28 degrees and if it’s blowing it’s going to feel like 15.”
— Tony Kornheiser (09:55)

4. “Flush the Mouse” – A Phrase Lives On

Timestamp: 10:01 – 11:48

• Tony recounts how the show’s in-joke phrase “flush the mouse” made an appearance on the Ryan Russillo Show and was featured in Urban Dictionary.
• The team has a good-natured laugh about its origin—“an actual mouse,” not a euphemism.

5. In Memoriam: Paul Tagliabue & Lenny Wilkens

Timestamp: 13:13 – 22:40 (with Paul Finebaum and Michael Wilbon)

Paul Tagliabue (“Tagliabu”) – Former NFL Commissioner

• Wilbon reminisces about covering Tagliabue’s unexpected ascension to commissioner after Pete Rozelle, noting, “no labor stoppage during Paul’s tenure... he had a personal relationship with Gene Upshaw.” (17:28, Tony)
• Tagliabue is praised for labor peace, his principled demeanor, and for saving the New Orleans Saints from relocation post-Katrina.
• “He was not officious in any way, but an incredibly generous soul, brilliant man.” (15:57, Wilbon)
• Both sides (owners and players) often criticized Tagliabue and Upshaw, which Wilbon asserts meant, “there must be something in the middle. We’re reaching here because both sides are critical in the same ways.” (18:34, Wilbon)

Lenny Wilkens – NBA Hall of Famer (Coach & Player)

• Lenny Wilkens’ impact on the Pacific Northwest is highlighted—“He put a face on the Pacific Northwest…playing in both those cities and coaching.” (20:00, Wilbon)
• Tony recalls Wilkens at Providence College: “He was the first great guard at Providence College.”
• Wilkens remembered as calm, urbane, and approachable—“You could go to shoot around and talk to Lenny Wilkens, which to me...he was just so calm.” (21:46, Wilbon)
• Both men are warmly remembered as “giants” in their fields.

Notable Quotes

“Tagliabue was a huge presence in the history of the NFL. He’s not Pete Rozelle, no, nobody is Pete Rozelle, but Paul Tagliabue did a tremendous job.”
— Tony Kornheiser (19:02)

“He was, you know, quiet and kind, it seemed to me, and classy all the time and still has coached more games in the NBA than anyone else.”
— Tony Kornheiser (21:34)

6. NFL & Local Talent: The Bears, Caleb Williams, and DC’s Relationship to Its Stars

Timestamp: 22:40 – 27:21

• The Bears perform a comeback win; Caleb Williams (DC native) leads his fourth fourth-quarter comeback.
• Wilbon muses on DC’s lukewarm embrace of hometown stars: “I don’t get the sense here that people pay that much attention to Caleb Williams, even though he is wholly of Washington D.C. not of the DMV, Washington D.C.” (24:00, Wilbon)
• Tony concurs and theorizes it might be due to Williams’ college choices (Oklahoma, USC) and lack of connection to local schools.
• Brief reflection on other DC athletes who similarly lack local hero status, e.g., James Wood, Dominique Dawes.

7. Washington’s NFL Woes

Timestamp: 27:55 – 29:25

• DC’s football team struggles, notably with defensive woes, and star receiver Terry McLaurin’s wasted potential:

“Terry McLaurin’s a rumor. He’s not even out there.” (28:41, Wilbon)

• Speculation about the future of their QB and frustration reminiscent of Robert Griffin III’s career trajectory.

8. College Football Playoff Rankings & Landscape Analysis (with Paul Finebaum)

Timestamp: 31:16 – 43:13

• Discussion on the irrelevance of AP and Coaches Polls—“Only thing that matters is the committee.” (31:29, Tony)
• Debate over order for top three: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Indiana.
  • Finebaum: “I would probably lean more and more toward Texas A&M because of their schedule.” (32:17, Finebaum)
  • Finebaum tempers drama: “This is a television show benefiting ESPN...It is going to change.” (32:17, Finebaum)
• Indiana’s dramatic comeback win is praised; discussion of Heisman moments for Mendoza.
• SEC depth and unpredictability celebrated—“There’s like seven teams that can beat anybody in the country at any given time.” (35:03, Tony)
• Special attention to underdogs: Vanderbilt and Indiana possibly meeting in the playoffs described as “truly one of the most remarkable things in my lifetime.” (36:24, Finebaum)
• Oregon gets a cautious pass for a rain-soaked win.
• Notre Dame’s strengths and weaknesses dissected.
• Alabama’s revival after early doubts:

“They beat LSU by 11 points...and now [DeBoer has] pretty much already cinched a playoff for us.” (38:39, Finebaum)

• Tony and Finebaum joke about SEC dominance in a hypothetical 10-team playoff.
• Finebaum reflects on the unique culture and drama of college football—“Week to week is the most unpredictable and inherently exciting event that we have in football.” (41:47, Finebaum)
• Tony expresses his affection for Southern tailgating culture:

“‘If we can’t win the game, we can certainly win the party.’” (42:44, Tony)

Notable Quotes

“The china would blow Tiffany’s away on Fifth Avenue. If you walk around the Grove... nothing else matters but who has the best food.”
— Paul Finebaum (42:53)

9. Listener Mailbag & Community Moments

Timestamp: 44:04 – 51:18

• Show closes with a charming mailbag segment full of anecdotes from listeners, about everything from their own “greatest game” stories to a call for love for York Peppermint Patties (“We love them!”).
• Nostalgia for Sports Illustrated and stories of lost or found mail, candy debates, and fleeting personal glories abound.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “I’m just bad in the middle, which I will.” (04:07, Tony Kornheiser)
• “I know what’s going to happen is...doesn’t matter how good I hit a drive. We’re not using my drive.” (05:57, Tony Kornheiser)
• “He was not officious in any way, but an incredibly generous soul, brilliant man.” (15:57, Michael Wilbon on Tagliabue)
• “I don’t get that sense here [of DC pride]...even though [Caleb Williams] is wholly of Washington D.C.” (24:00, Wilbon)
• “College football week to week is the most unpredictable and inherently exciting event that we have in football.” (41:47, Finebaum)
• “If we can’t win the game, we can certainly win the party.” (42:44, Tony quoting Ole Miss)

Episode Structure (Timestamps for Key Segments)

• [03:13] – Golf “Turkey Shoot” stories
• [13:13] – Wilbon on the legacy of Paul Tagliabue and Lenny Wilkens
• [22:40] – Bears’ win, Caleb Williams, and DC sports culture
• [27:55] – Washington’s NFL struggles
• [31:16] – College Football Playoff rankings discussion (Finebaum joins)
• [44:04+] – Listener mailbag

Final Thoughts

“D player” mixes fond memories, humor, and clear-eyed analysis—whether Tony is owning his D player status at the country club, Wilbon is acknowledging both the gravitas and warmth of sports legends, or Finebaum is dissecting the chaos of college football. The episode is a testament to Tony Kornheiser’s enduring gift for conversation: blending personal storytelling, sports expertise, and a relatable sense of fun.