Athletes Giving Back - The 5 Most Charitable Sports Stars

If volunteering reduces depression and early mortality rates, these athletes are going to be the happiest centenarians around.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

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[Transcript]

1. International soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his cover model looks, supreme soccer skills and the big payday those bring in. While he’s not afraid to write a significant check, he’s also been known to roll up his sleeves, literally, as a frequent blood donor. The father of four has made a huge impact on his young fans all over the world. In one instance, he invited a Syrian orphan, who lost both his parents in the war, to a game and spent time with him. He has also paid for numerous children’s lifesaving medical treatments. His signature move is auctioning off coveted trophies he’s been awarded with the proceeds going to charity. INTERNATIONAL MAN OF GOOD

2. John Cena’s heart is bigger than his biceps. The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) wrestler’s mantra is “Never Give Up” and that’s what he’s told the countless Make-A-Wish kids he’s met with. There are so many moments to make you smile like the time he had a tea party with one Make-A-Wish visitor, while decked out in his full wrestling regalia. Because of the orchestrated nature of his sport, he’s even gone as far as to weave certain moves requested by the kids into his “performance” during a matchup. TINY UNIFORM, BIG HEART

3. Love him or hate him, LeBron James (NBA -National Basketball Association) has left the community better than he found it. His big project is the I Promise School in Akron, OH. The school serves 204 at-risk third and fourth graders and even though it’s only been open one year, they’re seeing positive results. The year-round school has seen growth among the 90% of students – who started the school year at least one year behind grade level – met or exceeded their expected growth in math and reading. CHANGING THE FUTURE

4. Newly engaged couple P.K. Subban (New Jersey Devils, NHL – National Hockey League) and Lindsey Vonn (former U.S. Olympic skier) have charity work in common. Both are a force for good on their own but together they just might change the world. She hosts an annual Strong Girls Camp, where she works to increase confidence in young girls.

Subban has left a mark for good in every community he’s touched. He gave $10 million to the Montreal Children's Hospital but his most impactful work might be his Blueline Buddies program. He provided tickets to each Nashville Predators game (his former team), one for an officer and one for a young person and their guests. He did this in hopes of creating unity between law enforcement and the community. We’ll see what he has in store for New Jersey when the season starts next month. POWER COUPLE

5. No act goes unnoticed and Virginia’s head men’s basketball coach made a selfless choice that will benefit so many others. After winning the first ever national championship for the school, coach Tony Bennett recently turned down a raise. In an unprecedented move, he asked that the money be given to his assistant coaches and the school. He also pledged $500,000 toward a career development program for current and former UVA basketball players. GOOD GUY

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The 5 Wackiest People To Own A Sports Team

And you thought the words eccentric and slightly crazy were only reserved for your family reunion. These guys take the cake.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com and make sure to leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. James Dolan is frequently referred to as the worst owner in sports. While his New York Knicks (NBA – National Basketball Association) are amongst the most valuable sports franchises, they haven’t made the playoffs in six years. Dolan is known for his hatred of the media, tossing fans and banning former players for criticizing him. He’s the head of the family business, Madison Square Garden Company, which owns, to name a few, the Knicks and New York Rangers (NHL – National Hockey League). He was recently sued by his shareholders for spending too much time out of the office with his band where he’s the lead singer, guitarist and kazoo player. JUGGLING A LOT OF BALLS 

2. Mark Davis took over the Oakland Raiders (NFL - National Football League) from his controversial owner father Al Davis. The younger Davis is worth $500 million (the lowest net worth of any NFL owner), drives a 1997 Dodge Caravan, travels 400 miles to Palm Springs to get his hair cut (which resembles Jim Carrey in “Dumb and Dumber”) and eats at P.F. Chang’s every day. Luckily for him, there are plenty of Chang’s in Las Vegas where the team will be relocating in 2020. SO YOU‘RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE?

3. Taking over after his dad moved the Colts (NFL) from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the middle of the night, Jim Irsay has lived an unpredictable and fast life. He’s spent it partying (while picking up a few DUIs) and buying relics that some would admire (like John Lennon’s Sgt. Pepper Piano) and some unusual ones (like the founding documents for Alcoholics Anonymous at the cost of $2.4M). NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD

4. When researching Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), the words “he went bananas” appeared in far too many articles. The former Microsoft CEO and richest owner in the NBA's zest for life recently landed him the first meme of the NBA season during his very, very enthusiastic introduction of his team’s two new players. He’s screamed at games until he’s red in the face, danced at his courtside seats and his overall game day antics are better than watching the game itself. EXCITED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT

5. Rounding out the list is Dallas Cowboys (NFL) owner Jerry Jones. When he bought the team 30 years ago for $140 million (now worth $5B), he promptly fired the only head coach Cowboys fans ever knew, Tom Landry. The team hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 1995 but surely that has nothing to do with the fact that he’s woven himself into personnel and on-the-field decisions, serving as the owner and the general manager. Not to be outdone, there’s his awkward take on contract negation discussions. Now he sails the seas on his new 357-foot-long, $250 Million super yacht. (The yacht is as long as a football field). SAILING TAKES ME AWAY

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5 Times Sports Imitated An Episode Of Real Housewives

You didn’t think Bravo was the only one with all the drama?

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. The “Malice at the Palace” makes the infamous Teresa table flip look like child’s play. A 2004 tussle on the court led to a fan throwing a beer on Detroit Pistons’ Ron Artest (NBA – National Basketball Association). Instead of having security take care of it, Artest charged up into the stands and beat the crap out of said beer thrower. As you can imagine, the league didn’t think highly of this and Artest was suspended for the rest of the season (and the incident was about four weeks into the season). THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM

2. “The Scum Bunch” might be how fans feel about some of the men on the series, but they had nothing on the dastardly deeds of the 1986 New York Mets team. (“The Scum Bunch” was the nicest thing that was said about the team that we could put in print). There were tales of members of the team destroying airplanes by throwing cake and steaks (different flights), doing performance enhancing drugs and massive lines of cocaine, drinking, chasing women, fighting and the list goes on. Somehow they still managed to get their butts on the field, play baseball and win a World Series. HEATHER DUBROW COULD TEACH THEM A THING OR TWO ABOUT CLASS

3. From diva behavior to seriously expensive cars to an extensive sneaker collection that even Lisa Vanderpump would envy, Antonio Brown is in a league of his own. The now member of the Oakland Raiders (NFL – National Football League) his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, had no choice but to trade him. He was benched for one of the most important games of the season last year for his antics. He secretly recorded locker room talk, battled with his quarterback and in the off-season posted puzzling, cryptic Facebook posts like the one asking fans to call him “Mr. Big Chest.” He recently had a run in with the law for throwing furniture out of a high rise condo building balcony. SAVE THE DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA

4. John McEnroe (tennis) was once described as “Pablo Picasso using a tennis racquet instead of a paintbrush.” While talented, he had a short fuse and was known for breaking rackets, massive fights with the umpires and a mouth that spouted obscenities like a fountain. Enter the McEnroe of this generation, Australian Nick Kyrgios, who doesn’t quite have the trophies McEnroe had to back it up. Known for his hot head, he stirred up controversy at Wimbledon by refusing to apologize for nailing his opponent, Rafael Nadal, with a forehand. Kyrgios later admitted he was trying to hit him but wouldn't apologize. (Kyrgios lost to Nadal). FOR BETTER OR WORSE, AT LEAST IT WASN’T A PROSTHETIC LEG

5. The 1985 Chicago Bears team was ahead of their time. They were essentially the love child of an Andy Cohen baby shower and "Animal House." It started a dominant defense, flamboyant and outspoken quarterback, Jim McMahon, a coaching staff with egos the size of Texas and then there was the partying. They were so sure of their Super Bowl win, that they spent the week before the game partying as hard as they could in New Orleans. They wrapped that season up with the infamous Super Bowl Shuffle rap song. (If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you have to watch this). AT LEAST THERE WE’RE NO CELLPHONE VIDEOS THEN

The 5 Most Memorable National Anthem Performances

For better or worse….

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. College bands were originally called upon to play the Star-Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl. Diana Ross was the first pop star to sing the anthem before the big game in 1982. The longest rendition of the anthem at the Super Bowl? Alicia Keys at 156.4 seconds. Shortest? Billy Joel at 90 seconds. THAT WAS QUICK

2. Roseanne Barr’s performance at a San Diego Padres (MLB – Major League Baseball) game was not music to your ears. Her shrieking of the anthem (and crotch grab afterward) reminded us that she should never quit her day job. THIS IS WHY A MUTE BUTTON WAS INVENTED

3. Another not so fan favorite? Fergie’s “outside the box" rendition at the NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game that had even the players trying not to laugh. LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK

4. That voice. The headband. The 90s jumpsuit. Whitney Houston’s performance of the anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl goes down as the best in the business. INSTANT CLASSIC

5. At 96-years-old, Pete DuPré dutifully represented the same country he pledged his life to by playing the national anthem on his harmonica. The WWII veteran, “Harmonica Pete,” as he is known, played a stunning rendition of the anthem before a U.S. Women’s Soccer game this year and of course brought the crowd to their feet. LEGENDARY

Thanks to ESPN and YouTube for the clips of these audio gems.

THE 5 BEST ATHLETE DADS AND THEIR EQUALLY ATHLETIC KIDS

It runs in the family.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. Laila Ali had big shoes to fill when she followed in her dad’s footsteps. Her father was the one and only, the “World’s Greatest,” boxer Muhammed Ali. A boxing champion herself, she's also a television personality and fitness guru who has appeared on shows such as American Gladiator and Dancing With The Stars. LIGHT ON THEIR FEET

2. NASCAR’s (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) dynamic duo was Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Earnhardt Jr. Papa Earnhardt died from injuries sustained in a crash at the Daytona 500 at the age of 49. Earnhardt Jr. won that same race three years later in 2004. Earnhardt Jr.'s grandfather was also a NASCAR driver and his nephew races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. ONE FAST FAMILY

3. Basketball greatness runs in the family for the NBA (National Basketball Association) Champion and two-time league MVP, Stephen Curry. His father Dell, is the all-time leader in points and three pointers for the Charlotte Hornets. Steph’s youngest brother Seth plays basketball for the Portland Trail Blazers. They’re the first brothers to face off in the NBA conference finals. ONE OF THEM HAS TO BE YOUR FAVORITE KID

4. Her dad, two-time Hall of Famer Rick Flair, is considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and wrestler Charlotte Flair is living up to his legacy. The college volleyball player turned WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) star has been a trailblazer for women in WWE, with nine championships to her name. “The Queen” was also the first WWE star to grace the pages of ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue. ROYAL FAMILY

5. You can’t have a list of famous fathers and their kids without mentioning the ultimate trio – the Manning crew. Dad, Archie Manning was a NFL (National Football League) quarterback for 15 years. His quarterback sons Peyton and Eli have both won two Super Bowls. Their third brother Cooper, is ‘only’ a partner in a law firm and a TV personality. Cooper’s son, Arch, is keeping the family name alive as an impressive high school football prospect. A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Behind The Whistle - 5 Things To Know About The Life Of An NBA Referee

Do you look good in stripes and are considering a career change? Update your LinkedIn profile because this job’s for you.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.

You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com.

[Transcript]

1. While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, NBA (National Basketball Association) referees take home anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. (That’s more than any WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association - player makes). They receive bonuses for officiating playoff games and the dollar amount depends on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals). NAME YOUR PRICE

2. Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel for work 25 days a month for eight months. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82-game season, not including playoffs. HIT THE ROAD JACK

3. Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The public report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. The refs also review tape after games to make sure they’re at the top of their game. AND YOU THOUGHT YOUR ANNUAL REVIEW WAS TOUGH

4. It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season like any athlete would and they train their brains by utilizing virtual reality.  GAMING THE GAME

5. There are two women referees who take the court. Ashley Moyer-Gleich and Natalie Sago are the fourth and fifth women in NBA history to become a referee.  CLIMBING THE LADDER