Athletes And Their COVID Acts Of Kindness

Instagram: Shaun White

(Podcast length 4:41 - summary is below)

In times of crisis, so many people have stepped up to do what they can to help. Even the smallest acts of kindness have a lasting impact.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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Transcript

1. Fanatics founder and Philadelphia 76ers (NBA -National Basketball Association) minority owner Michael Rubin started the All-In Challenge to provide food to those in need – kids, elderly and frontline heroes. So far they have raised over $51 million for COVID relief efforts. Rubin tapped into his famous friends like author and speaker Gary Vaynerchuk and actor Kevin Hart who then challenged their famous friends by donating once in a lifetime raffle and auction items. Some examples include a double date with Ciara and Seattle Seahawks (NFL – National Football league) Russell Wilson, which went for $240,000, New England Patriots (NFL) owner Robert Kraft’s Super Bowl ring (sold for $1.025M) or you could be eaten by a dinosaur in the next Jurassic Park movie (sold for $250k). The list is long and includes something for everyone. SHOPPING FOR GOOD

2. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) joined together to provide meals to first responders and help local small businesses at the same time. Players took turns purchasing meals from local restaurants to feed first responders in hospitals, clinics and on the road like paramedics. Mavs owner Mark Cuban took it a step further, reimbursing Mavs staff who purchased meals from local establishments as well as reimbursing the Mavs’ nonprofit partners who fed their volunteers and staff when they chose local. HELPING WHERE IT HURTS

3. Olympic snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White drove by some kids who were out in their yard skateboarding. The kids had made him a sign asking if he would skateboard with them. Donning a mask, he hopped out and did a little safe distance skateboarding with the neighborhood crew. MAKING MEMORIES

4. With the Summer Olympics postponed, Team USA no longer had to feed its athletes but what to do with the 18,000 pounds of food they already had? They donated the pallets of food to the food bank in Colorado Springs, CO which is home of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITIES

5. Many of us don’t think about the challenges of online schooling as we have access to a computer or a tablet. For so many students, this was one of the big hurdles to overcome when it came to successful home schooling. Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets (NBA) donated laptops to Houston area students for online classes. He also delivered meals to nurses in a Los Angeles hospital and provided masks and PPE to hospital workers in hard hit communities. MAKING AN IMPACT

Honorable mentions for athletes like Lionel Messi (soccer), Novak Djokovic (tennis) and Drew Brees (NFL) who along with their colleagues and their leagues, teams and team owners donated millions of dollars to relief efforts.  WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER

5 Reasons Everyone Will Be Watching "The Match: Champions For Charity" This Weekend

(Podcast length 3:40 - summary is below)

Pants not required. No, seriously.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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1. Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will team up against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in “The Match: Champions for Charity” on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. The goal is of course to raise money for COVID relief efforts and the players have contributed $10 million total to four charities - DirectRelief.org, the American Red Cross, Save Small Business and the All-In Challenge. There will also be on-course challenges for the players to raise additional charitable funds. A HELPING HAND

2. Things are going to be getting a little wild at the Medalist Golf Club, Tiger Woods’ home course, as the players are allowed to wear shorts (a big no-no in the PGA – Professional Golfers Association). You might remember Phil Mickelson’s calves nearly broke the internet in a previous tournament. Speaking of chatter, the players will be mic’d up so you’ll have a front row seat to the trash talking, which has already started. BARING IT ALL

3. As if shorts weren’t spicy enough, NBA (National Basketball Association) Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and one of the top golfers in the world, Justin Thomas, will be providing commentary for the match. Barkley is known for his terrible golf swing, so his critique of the match should be top notch. BRINGING IN THE BIG GUNS

4. If this setup looks familiar, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson played each other back in 2018 with Mickelson taking home the $9 million prize. Not to be outdone, Manning and Brady have hit the links together and Manning said, “The last time we played, we got beat by an 84-year-old and a 77-year old." WELL THIS COULD BE ENTERTAINING

5. Due to social distancing, players will have to carry their own clubs and the teammates will act as each other’s caddy, talking through each shot on the course. In case you’re wondering, Manning has a better handicap (6.4 handicap) than Brady (8.1 handicap). Brady joked since Manning is retired he should have a better handicap. TOUCHÉ

(For the record, the lower the handicap the better the golfer. To have a single digit handicap means you’re darn good. To get technical on you, a handicap is a way to level the playing field. It’s an average of golf scores to determine how many shots players are over par. For more golf lingo and further explanation, click here). 

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Five Of The Weirdest Things Athletes Have Autographed

(Podcast length 2:40 - summary is below)

Never a dull moment in the life of an athlete. 

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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1. Let’s just say this one is 50 shades of shady. Hockey player Karl Alzner penned his name on a woman’s leather whip at an autograph signing. Why a whip? He didn't ask and she didn't say. WE HOPE HE HAD HAND SANITIZER

2. David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB – Major League Baseball) once signed a Twinkie. Rumor has it the sweet treat will survive the apocalypse, so why not? Said Twinkie then went for $56 on eBay. A NEW TAKE ON “SIGNATURE DESSERT”

3. Where would we be without our furry friends? Without an autograph apparently. NASCAR (National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing) driver Kasey Kahne signed a fan’s dog. The pup didn’t have much hair so its owner thought it would be the perfect place for Kahne to leave his mark. No word if the dog agreed.  THERE BETTER HAVE BEEN TREATS INVOLVED

4. Los Angeles Kings (NHL – National Hockey League) goalie Jonathan Quick’s oddest item is a little cheesy. He once signed a fan’s grilled cheese sandwich. What’s worse? The sandwich already had two bites out of it and was “oozing with saliva.” SLOPPY SECONDS

5. Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (NBA - National Basketball Association) once signed a toaster. Apparently, the fan was memorable because Thompson later invited the gadget guy to the Warriors’ championship parade. TOAST OF THE TOWN

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These Athlete Mamas Are Making Things Happen

(Podcast length 4:31 - summary is below)

Need proof moms are superheros? Look no further than these athletes.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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1. We’re seeing the progress in women’s sports in adopting maternity policies for their players. Before these policies were put into place you had stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, who played an entire WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) season while pregnant and didn’t tell anyone. In fact, was such a great season for her that she was named to the all-star team. After the birth of her son, she was criticized for taking two months off from the season due to postpartum depression. CUT THE GAL SOME SLACK

2. Olympic track star Allyson Felix made an impact on the track, winning six Olympic gold medals but it’s what she did off the track that has shaped her legacy. The NIKE sponsored athlete took on the company saying per her contract, she would be financially penalized for having a child. (Her daughter was born via emergency c-section in 2018). She was so fed up with their lack of support for female athletes that she left NIKE for Athleta. NIKE has since changed their polices and they will not apply any performance-related reductions for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant. CHANGE MAKER 

3. When Candace Parker was drafted, everyone thought she’d be the Michael Jordan of the WNBA, and she was, winning attention from big sponsors like Gatorade and Adidas. After her rookie season where she was named rookie of the year and MVP, she returned to the court just 53 days after having her daughter. She did whatever it took to make the best of fitting her new role as a mom in with her career, including nursing at halftime. Parker played 12 seasons in the WNBA. Like many of her peers, during that time she played basketball overseas in the off-season where she earned a bigger paycheck. BRINGING HOME THE BACON

Side note – Parker was the first female to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game. What can’t she do?

4. Serena Williams hasn’t let a life shift like motherhood slow her down. You might remember when she won her 23rd Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open while pregnant. (The record is 24 wins). After serious medical complications resulting from a c-section birth of her daughter, she’s continued to be a force to be reckoned with on the court. She has launched a clothing line and stays active as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, with Serena Ventures where she invests in businesses with diverse founders and doing charity work that benefits causes around the world. GIRL ON FIRE

5. U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team co-captain Alex Morgan is ready to give birth any minute but don’t think that has stopped her from sneaking in impressive workouts to keep her skills game day ready. She was prepared to represent her country in the Tokyo Olympics just three months after having her baby. But with the Olympics being rescheduled it’s a silver lining for Morgan who will have a chance to recover from childbirth and spend some time adjusting to her new role as mom. Although there’s no rest for the weary as she and her teammates continue to fight U.S. Soccer in a legal battle over fair pay. THE GOOD WORK IS NEVER DONE

5 Athletes You Can Thank For Your Next Hangover

(Podcast length 3:18- summary is below)

These athletes are getting you through life one glass of wine (or bottle, we’re not judging) at a time.

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Transcript

1. Like a fine wine, Danica Patrick only gets better. The retired race car driver has gone from breaking the glass ceiling in racing to wine. One might say her career drove her to drink, but she's accomplishing a dream in retirement. No, really. Her Napa Valley vineyard Somnium means "dream" in Latin.  FROM THE FINISH LINE TO THE GRAPEVINE

2. Former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Amare Stoudemire was known for bathing in red wine to help his post-game recovery, so it's no surprise that the former member of the Phoenix Suns and Israeli citizen created his own kosher wine. MAZEL TOV

3. A fine wine and announcer Jim Nantz have something in common. They're both smooth and are likely to put you to sleep (in a good way in Nantz's case) after consuming for an hour or two. Nantz, the soothing voice of the Masters and NFL on CBS, is behind the Healdsburg, CA winery The Calling. Also known for their time on the golf course and in the wine world are veteran golfers Ernie Els (Ernie Els Wines) and Greg Norman (Greg Norman Estates). SOMETHING TO TIE YOU OVER UNTIL GOLF RETURNS

4. LeBron James doesn't shy away from his admiration for wine, and neither do retired NBA players Dwyane Wade and Yao Ming. Ming is one of the tallest ever to play the game, and the Shanghai native is fully invested in his St. Helena, California vineyard. However, Yao Family Wines aren't your daily drinkers at around $100+ a bottle. Dwyane Wade's brand, Wade Cellars, resides in Napa Valley. Wade knew he always wanted to be in the wine industry, so here's the chance to toast him with the fruit of his labor. WE'LL DRINK TO THAT

5. Venturing a bit further north than Napa Valley is "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky. With grapes grown in Niagara and Okanagan, Wayne Gretzky Estates brings the best wine to his fellow Canadian citizens. Not into wine? The Great One has you covered by offering wine, beer and whiskey. A MAN OF MANY TALENTS

Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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The 5 Things You Need To Know About The NFL Draft

(Podcast length 4:41- summary is below)

Just because it’s one of the few events not cancelled doesn’t mean it’s going to be “normal” and that’s why it’s something you’ll want to watch.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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1. Months after the most invasive job interview in sports (the NFL Combine) comes the draft. As anyone who has been on a zoom call knows, anything can happen on a live stream, so let’s see what happens when a bunch of “old football guys” use modern day technology. Keep an eye out for last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Joe Burrows from LSU to be the No. 1 pick. The worst team in the league last season gets the first pick (unless they’ve negotiated otherwise). All signs point that he’ll go to the Cincinnati Bengals at the No. 1 spot. TIGER KING

2. Up until a few years ago, the draft had always been in New York. Since then the draft has moved to a different city each year. This year the draft was poised to take place in the newest home to an NFL team, Las Vegas. The city had pulled out all of the stops for the week, including a red carpet event on the famed Bellagio fountains. The glitz and glamour of Vegas won’t hold a candle to the dark and dingy basements people will now be conducting the draft from. VIVA LAS BASEMENT

3. It’s tradition for the fans at the draft to boo NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell every time he walks out on the stage to announce a first round draft pick’s name. Since he’s doing the picks from his basement perhaps his family will jump on board the bandwagon? WHEN IN ROME

4. Since live streams are tough to control, the NFL has released guidelines on what the players can wear and what can be in view of the camera. Players are not expected to wear suits like they would if it was live but there’s certainly no room for any alcohol, nutrition or gambling references. Also a big no? Clothing with derogatory language toward the NFL (why would you bite the hand that feeds you?), references to movies that “contain or promote objectionable material or subject matter” or any logos outside of the NFL’s Official Licensed Partners; Nike, Adidas, UnderArmour, and New Era. BUT YOU CAN STILL WEAR YOGA PANTS

5. The NFL is doing everything it can to make sure there are no technology failures. Ideally teams will submit their picks via Microsoft Teams, the preferred method. As a backup, teams will also have access to a leaguewide conference call to submit their picks. As a backup to the backup plan, each team will have three individuals from each team that can submit picks. The NFL has learned its lesson when running the draft live – teams have missed their picks. Yes, it may be their team’s future on the line, but sometimes you have to pee. YOU HAVE ONE JOB

Bonus - The NFL sent 32 different team’s hats to the top 58 prospects because you never know which team is going to select them. Along with the hats, they sent out camera kits since everyone is in charge of their home TV studio. The kits include lighting along with two iPhones, one for an interview camera and one for the wide shot of their family. They’ve even labeled all of the cords to set them up for video success.

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5 Sports Teams That Are Saving The Planet

Transcript is below.

Superheroes aren’t the only ones to save the world. Here are five teams who are doing their part to save Mother Earth through innovation and one is even adopting a vegan diet.

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 Cleveland Indians (MLB – Major League Baseball) were the first MLB team to install a wind turbine to power their stadium. Their stadium is now 100 percent powered by renewable energy from wind power. BLOWN AWAY

2. The Forest Green Rovers, a soccer team from Western England, are leading the charge to go green. They claim the title as the only vegan football (i.e. soccer) club in the world. Since 2015, there have been no animal products for sale in the stadium. Some of the players eat non-vegan outside of the stadium (and there are paparazzi photos to prove it), but some have adopted the vegan lifestyle. The team is also the world’s first U.N. certified carbon-neutral sports club. NO MEAT PIES FOR YOU

3. Pocono Motor Speedway’s (NASCAR - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) green efforts not only benefit the earth but you. The raceway runs completely on solar power and has sheep for lawn mowers but has an industry specific problem – what to do with as many as 600 used tires after a race? Answer – recycle. The recycled residue from old tires is used in everyday items such as portable speed bumps, the anti-fatigue mat in your kitchen or playgrounds. WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD

4. The Boston Red Sox (MLB) home field advantage is an urban farm. The rooftop farm generates 5,900 pounds of produce annually to be used in the stadium. BATTING FOR BROCCOLI

5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons (NFL – National Football League) and Atlanta United (MLS – Major League Soccer), boasts 4,000 solar panels and features a 680,000 gallon cistern that collects rainwater to irrigate vegetation and helps prevent flooding. GREEN WITH ENVY

The Perfect Shot - Behind The Scenes Of “Jump Shot” The Movie

Executive producer Steph Curry

(Podcast length 17:20 - summary is below)

We have the best excuse for dinner and a movie since “Netflix and chill.” Here’s the next movie that you need to add to your list and the dinner recipes to complete a perfect night in. *Pours a giant glass of wine and settles onto the couch.*

Make sure to tag us on Instagram @lastnightsgame and @jumpshotmovie in your pics from your dinner and a movie night.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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"Jump Shot" is an award-winning film that celebrates the true story of Kenny Sailors. Sailors is a forgotten basketball legend who changed the game of basketball as we know it by introducing the jump shot. But he was so much more than an NBA (National Basketball Association) pioneer. He revolutionized the sport for women, served as a U.S. marine in WWII and then faded into history.

 
We were lucky enough to catch an advance screening of the film. (Spoiler alert – you’ll laugh out loud and you’ll cry – it’s that good). We caught up with director Jacob Hamilton who proudly shared his labor of love that is “Jump Shot.” Here’s what we learned from our chat. Check out this week’s podcast for the full interview.
 

1. This movie has unbelievable star power. From interviews with executive producer Steph Curry to Kevin Durant to the hot-headed hall of fame basketball head coach himself Bobby Knight (who is hilarious by the way). It’s the who’s who of the sports world coming together to celebrate the OG legend, Kenny Sailors. Sailors is not yet in the hall of fame, but hopefully after hearing these hall of famers and future hall of famers talk about him, it creates a movement to give him the honor he deserves.
 

2. Hamilton had the idea for the film in 2011 after listening to a two-minute audio clip of Sailors talking about how he developed the jump shot because he was shorter than his brother. Going over him that was the only way Sailors could make a shot. It took Hamilton and his team, which included an archival producer to dig up nearly 90-year-old audio clips and 600+ archival assets (videos, etc), until 2019 when the final film premiered at SXSW. One factor of Sailors’ life that isn’t included? Interviews with his teammates from a Senior Olympics 3-on-3 basketball tournament that Sailors played in at the age of 87. There just wasn’t enough supporting video footage to include it.

 

3. After watching this movie, you’ll wish you could have adopted Sailors as your grandpa. He was a humble guy who loved a good dad joke as much as he loved his family. He felt his service to his country in WWII was one of the most important pieces of his storied life. But most of all he loved having breakfast with Hamilton when he would visit. Hamilton tells a story of when Sailors was watching March Madness with a friend and the friend asked who Sailors had in his final four (bracket). Sailors said “god, husband, father and Marine.”
 

4. Sailors played in the NBA before it was cool. It’s true, the league was subpar to college basketball with teams folding and other professional leagues disbanding. While playing in the NBA, Sailors, who was one of the most popular players in the league, landed an endorsement deal for…prune juice. As Kevin Durant put it in the film, “It must have been the Gatorade of the time.”
 

5. The movie is a love story intertwined with a story about a man who continues to reinvent himself. Kenny Sailors might have been the greatest basketball player in his time but he left two weeks after his team won the college basketball national championship to fight in WWII. He left behind his wife and child, not knowing if he’d return. He came back and proceeded to set records in the NBA. After his career, he retired to Alaska with his family because of his wife’s health. But he wasn’t done evolving yet. He became a hunting guide all the while changing the sport of women’s basketball as well. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of this story. We could go on for days.
 
The film is out for limited release on April 16 – 18. Here’s how to you can watch.

Dinner is served

Since “Jump Shot” is executive produced by Steph Curry, here are a few of our favorite recipes from his wife, chef and restaurateur Ayesha Curry, to try on your night in. YUM

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The late, great Kenny Sailors

Athletes And The Stupid Crimes They've Committed

(Podcast length 4:53 - transcript is below)

Common sense isn’t so common in this week’s episode.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Picture this. You’re out with your friends enjoying a night at the club when a gun goes off. Then you realize it was your gun and you’ve accidentally shot yourself in the leg. That’s exactly what happened to Plaxico Burress (NFL – National Football League). We forgot to mention that the club was in New York City, known for tough gun laws. Oh, and the gun wasn’t registered. Yep, that landed Burress in the slammer. NOT SHOOTING BLANKS

2. It’s definitely against the rules for a player to bet on the professional sport they play in. Enter Pete Rose. He’s MLB’s (Major League Baseball) all-time leader in hits and is banned for life from baseball (and from the hall of fame) for doing just that. Rose bet on Cincinnati Reds games while playing for and managing the team. While betting isn’t illegal in the eyes of the law, tax evasion is. Rose served five months in a minimum-security prison for federal income-tax evasion. You can find Rose most weekends signing autographs for a fee in a Las Vegas casino. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME…WOULD STILL BET ON BASEBALL

3. Dallas Cowboys (NFL) player Nate Newton was arrested for being in possession of 213 pounds of marijuana. While he was out on bond, he was caught with another 175 pounds of marijuana. Newton served 2.5 years where he hopefully gained a little common sense. CAN’T MAKE THIS UP

4. Lenny Dykstra went from the top of the world as World Series winner with the New York Mets (MLB) in 1986 to prison. Long story short, post-baseball he claimed to have a 100% hit rate at picking winning stocks and convinced people to jump on board his bandwagon, including the money man himself - Jim Cramer. Then he failed at starting a magazine, meanwhile pissing a lot of people off. Eventually he filed for bankruptcy, owing an obscene amount of money to creditors. Life finally caught up with him when he was arrested and served time in prison for bankruptcy fraud. He hid a bunch of assets during his bankruptcy filing and decided to sell them afterward for cash. Shocking, he got caught. THEY KNOW EVERYTHING

5. We saved the best for last. You’ve probably seen the movie and know the story of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. When Kerrigan stood in her way of her Olympic dreams, Harding and her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on Kerrigan at 1994 Olympic Trials. A hit to the knee by a hitman with a collapsible baton might have taken Kerrigan out, but she still went on to win a silver medal at the Winter Olympics. Harding was eventually banned from skating but ultimately avoided jail time by pleading guilty to hindering the investigation of the attack. THE ORIGINAL DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE

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How Esports Saved The Day

(Podcast length 4:35 - transcript is below)

Even with a massive fan base, this sport requires no social distancing. Prepare to have your mind blown.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Esports are based on multiplayer video games. The profession as we know it started off in a league of their own, but traditional sports leagues have jumped on the bandwagon (see below). Professional gamers play in tournaments and online. Online play will attract over 100,000 viewers who watch through Twitch, owned by Amazon, or YouTube. If you think that’s odd, on Sundays we all gather around to watch guys play football on TV. SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT

2. Last year, people watched 6.6 billion hours of esports videos worldwide. The best part is that competition often doesn’t require hand washing or social distancing. Tournaments are often dictated by the game (i.e. Call of Duty) or esports gaming leagues (i.e. NBA 2K or Major League Gaming). Games are categorized by PC (computer) or console (i.e. Xbox).  THESE GROWTH NUMBERS ARE CRAZY

3. Everyone wants a piece of the sport. Players resemble race car drivers with sponsor logos all over their tournament clothes. Coke and Nissan are on board and Red Bull has a massive portfolio of esports teams. And these players are making a ton of money, with the top three players in the world pulling in $3.16M in prize earnings last year. If that's not enough, universities are now offering esports scholarships. THIS AIN’T YOUR MAMA’S MARIO KART

4. This week the NBA (National Basketball Association) will launch a NBA 2k (a video game) tournament featuring 16 NBA players in a 10-day video game tournament that will air on ESPN. The league is hoping to bring “live basketball” back to your living room since we’re all feeling the void of professional sports. HITTING THE HARDWOOD 

5. F1 (Formula One), MLB (Major League Baseball) and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) are all jumping on board with leagues of their own. NASCAR broke its own viewership records with their new eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series – real drivers racing on real racetracks…virtually. The series is being covered live on Fox Sports. LET’S GO CRAZY

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Five Of The Most Memorable Athlete Movie Cameos

(Podcast length 3:07 - transcript is below)

While you’re immersed in Netflix, here are a few athletes to keep an eye out for.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Lance Armstrong. You might have seen him in his hilarious role in Tour de Pharma but Lance Armstrong’s most notable role was in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. You might remember the cyclist gave a game changing motivational speech to Vince Vaughn’s character after quitting the team. Armstrong’s speech in the movie now seems a bit awkward after the doping scandal, “Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life.” We can think of a few other things he might regret. DODGE, DUCK, DIP, DIVE, DODGE

2. Brett Favre. There was Something About Mary that hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre (NFL – National Football League) managed to figure out. Favre was actually the third choice for the role in the movie behind former quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Steve Young. BUT HE STILL DIDN’T GET THE GIRL

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Not many on this list played such a pivotal role on the big screen as NBA (National Basketball Association) legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980 classic comedy, Airplane. As co-captain Murdock, he spent the movie denying he was actually a basketball player. And don’t call me Shirley. JUST AN AVERAGE JOE

4. Tom Brady. Tom Brady (NFL) might be one of the best to ever play the game but his side hustle is on the big screen. You’ve seen him in Ted 2, Entourage and Stuck on You. TAKE THAT GISELE

5. Cam Neely. While you may not know the NHL (National Hockey League) hall of famer by name, you’d most certainly remember him as his character Sea Bass in Dumb and Dumber. Between spitting into Jeff Daniels’ burger in the diner (“kick his - expletive - Sea Bass”) to the awkward gas station bathroom encounter, Neely’s character was certainly memorable. A LONELY TRUCKER

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5 Things You Need To Know About The Last Great Race on Earth - Iditarod

If you think all sports are cancelled, you’d be wrong. The “Last Great Race on Earth,” the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, is happening now in the treacherous Alaska wilderness.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. The 57 Iditarod teams brave the toughest conditions to travel nearly 1,000 miles through Alaska from Anchorage to Nome. The race, which started in 1973, takes around 15 days and teams battle windy conditions and temps as low as 45 below. For a little comparison (although it’s like comparing apples to oranges), the Tour de France covers 2,200 miles in 23 days with two days of rest. REGARDLESS, WE’RE TIRED ALREADY

2. One musher averages 16 dogs on a team, generally Siberian Huskies, so that means around 1,000 dogs leave the starting line on day one. Much like your quarantine, the dogs consume over 10,000 calories a day during the race. BUT THEY’RE PROBABLY NOT CONSUMING NEARLY AS MUCH WINE

3. A tradition that goes back to the days when dog sled teams were like your local UPS driver, teams relied on a series of roadhouses between their village destinations. The roadhouses would burn a lantern to relay their location to a driver but also to signify to the villagers that a team was out on the trail. The Widow’s Lamp is still lit on the first Sunday of March at the finish line and will stay lit until all the teams cross the finish line. Extinguishing the lamp signifies the end of the race. A BEACON OF LIGHT

4. It’s one of two sporting events still happening in the U.S., and race officials are of course taking coronavirus precautions. These teams often go 200 miles in harsh weather without a refresh in supplies so the checkpoints are critical. Some stops have changed with schools closing and villages taking precautions. One stop was moved and signs were posted saying that mushers can expect veterinarians and supplies, but nowhere inside to sleep and no access to the village. Woof. The fan favorite “Meet the Musher” event was cancelled along with all post-race celebration events. THAT'S RUFF

5. The race runs one direction on the trail in even years (northern trail), and the opposite in odd-numbered years (southern). Why? To share the love with villages along the trail. TOURISM AT ITS BEST 

Since the original recording of the podcast, a winning team has crossed the finish line in Nome, Alaska. Regardless, we are still a long way away from this race being over with 56 teams still out on the trail.

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5 Times Global Sports Have Come To A Halt

(Podcast length 4:08 - transcript is below)

The coronavirus is nothing like we’ve ever seen before but it’s not the first-time sporting events have been cancelled on a global scale. Regardless, there have not been many times in history where we’ve hit the brakes on sports.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. While we’ve never seen cancellations like this from a virus, we’ve seen plenty of examples of entire seasons cancelled due to contract negations between the players and the owners. In 2011, the NBA (National Basketball Association) shorted their season (which the players probably preferred) because they couldn’t come to terms and MLB (Major League Baseball) has missed out on the second half of a season and a World Series in 1994. The NHL (National Hockey League) has done it too in 2004. Keep an eye on the NFL as the hotly contested deal from 2011 expires in 2021. At this point, all signs say we could have another lock out next year. SAY IT ISN’T SO 

2. The Olympics have made it through some rough patches in history but World War I led to a cancellation of the 1916 Summer Games in host country Germany. Germany was awarded the game over bids by Alexandria, Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest and Cleveland. The country ended up hosting the 1936 Summer Olympics while it was under the rule of Adolf Hitler. ON A GLOBAL SCALE

3. The tragic events of 9/11 disrupted the world, including the sports world. The NFL and college football cancelled games. MLB took a week off in the last month of their season, leading to the first ever World Series to be played in November. Many will remember the first game back of the MLB postseason and the iconic moment when President Bush threw out the first pitch or the goosebump evoking home run by New York Mets’ Mike Piazza. A SENSE OF NORMALCY

4. Japan was on board to host the 1940 Summer Olympics but two years before the contest, they excused themselves from their host duties to put all resources toward their military during conflict. The games were then awarded to Finland but the start of World War II in 1939 led to cancellation of the Olympics all together. The 1944 London Summer Olympics were also cancelled because of WWII. Those two Olympics are referred to by historians as the “Lost Olympics.” A PIECE OF HISTORY

5. As of today’s post, we know that March Madness will proceed next week but without fans. The NBA has suspended its season after a player tested positive for the virus. All other major professional sports leagues that are playing right now have closed their locker rooms to media and non-essential personnel. All Italian sporting events are closed to fans, many Olympic qualifying events have been cancelled and the big tennis tournament in Indian Wells is cancelled, leaving $400 million in tourism dollars on the table. BIG DECISIONS ON THE LINE 

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The Most Invasive Job Interview In Sports

Ever had a dream where you end up in public nearly naked, feeling oh so exposed? Welcome to the NFL Combine (National Football League) where that is real life. They call it the Underwear Olympics for a reason.

*Note the transcript has been updated with 2023 draft information.

Transcript

1. The NFL Combine (pronounced kɒmbaɪn– like a harvesting tractor) is known as the “Underwear Olympics” because prospects compete in different challenges in small, tight-fitting workout gear, all while being scrutinized. It wasn’t long ago that prospects stripped down to their underwear for the “eyeball test,” where coaches would make notes about their stature, muscle build, etc. The combine is March 2-5, 2023. IT’S LIKE PRIZED CATTLE GOING TO MARKET

2. Unlike in the last presidential election, hand size matters in the combine. Quarterbacks are especially scrutinized for their grip, which is judged by the distance from the thumb to their pinkie. The chatter around likely No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young from Alabama is about his small stature. Young weighs in at 195 pounds and is 5-foot-10 1/2, which is not ideal to be slammed to the ground by a 315-pound defensive end. Other events include intense interviews and the 40-yard dash. OUCH

3. As if being in your undies isn’t bad enough, teams are known for asking really weird and intrusive questions. Over 300 players who have been invited to the tryout will be asked interrogation-style questions in an attempt to evoke the player’s vices (drinking, drugs), ethics, failures, sexual orientation (even though technically this is illegal) or anything to get a rise out of the player. WHERE’S THE HR DEPARTMENT? 

4. If you think any dumb jock can make it to the NFL, then you’ve never taken the Wonderlic Test. This challenge tests (that has been discontinued in 2023) players’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Only one player has ever had a perfect score. Think you can beat it? HARDER THAN IT LOOKS  

5. The “sexiest” event in the combine is the 40-yard dash. In the past, the fastest runner has won prizes such as a private island or $1 million. Tom Brady was remarkably slow, but he turned out alright. SLOW AND STEADY

The NFL Draft is April 27–29, 2023, in Kansas City.

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The XFL - The Sports League You Never Knew You Needed

What if we told you there’s a new league out that make games faster, more fun and give you, the fan, a behind the scenes look? Well that’s exactly what the XFL is doing for football.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. You’re thinking “haven’t I seen this before?” and the answer is yes. Vince McMahon (WWE – World Wrestling Entertainment) founded the XFL in 2001 and the league only played one season. The focus wasn’t football but entertainment, violence and cheerleaders. McMahon is fronting the cash for the league himself and he’s expecting to lose $375 million over the first three seasons to get the league back off the ground. (In case you're wondering, according to Forbes he is worth $2.1 billion). WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

FYI - The ‘X’ in XFL doesn’t actually stand for anything.

2. Now the league, which features former NFL (National Football League) and college football players, is back and the focus is on giving fans unprecedented access to the game during the broadcast. You'll see on the field interviews with players during the game (who are usually out of breath and known to drop f-bombs). On the broadcast you can listen in to the plays being called down to the players on the field. You can also spy on the referees and their communication with their replay team on questioned calls which is interesting and sometimes hilarious. INVESTING FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

3. They’ve embraced their ability to think outside the box on the field, but also to the benefit of their sponsors. The players celebrate their wins by chugging Bud Light Seltzer. GATORADE SHOWERS ARE FOR BABIES

4. Did you know in the NFL (National Football League) the only offensive player with communication in their helmet is the quarterback? (One defensive player also receives coach communication). In an effort to speed up the game, the majority of the players on the field in the XFL can hear the plays being relayed from their coaches. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

5. And if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That’s what the XFL says about betting on their games. Even though they’ve benefitted from fantasy sports, other professional sports leagues have fought the expansion of betting. The XFL is encouraging it, even asking their broadcasters to bring it up during the game. They consulted bookmakers on the new rules and are “leaning in” to sports betting to give the fans what they want. (For our sports betting 101, click here). GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT

Note - We’re two weeks into the season and all the signs say the league will be around for a while, unlike the AAF (Alliance of American Football) that folded mid-season. You can see the eight XFL teams battle it out every weekend for the next eight weeks, with two weeks of playoffs after that.

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The Top 5 Sports Power Couples

Here’s to five stellar athletic duos who share the same craft and we don’t mean beer.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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 or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

[Transcript]

1. Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick became friends first when they met at the 2012 ESPYs but then became a hot item in 2018. They may be one of the best-looking couples around but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Like when a Green Bay Packers (NFL - National Football League) fan posted a video of her professing her love for Rodgers while under anesthesia for tonsil surgery. The couple sent her 400 popsicles to heal her ailment and clearly her broken heart since he’s already taken. CONSOLATION PRIZE  

2. Tennis greats Steffi Graff and Andre Agassi started dating after the French Open in 1999 but their story goes back years before that. In 1992 both Graff and Agassi (who tried to pick up Graff the year before at the French Open) were winners at Wimbledon. It used to be tradition for the two winners of Wimbledon to dance with each other at the Wimbledon Champions’ Ball. But as luck would have it, that was the year they decided to cancel the dance due to “lukewarm receptions from modern players.” It all worked out in the end as the two married in 2001 and are still together. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

3. We’re all for bad pickup lines and they’re even better when they work. After a very public relationship with golfer Tiger Woods, skier Lindsey Vonn was introduced to NHL (National Hockey League) player P.K. Subban at the ESPYs. It was at that event that he told a reporter "It's hotter outside than Lindsey Vonn looks today, which is pretty hot." Well, the line worked. The two, who started dating in 2018, were engaged in the summer of 2019. The couple’s passion for each other and their charitable efforts are something to admire. HEART EMOJI

4. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are the unofficial first couple of women’s sports. The two have been dating since 2016 and are a fixture in the Seattle sports scene. They’ve been featured on the cover of InStyle Magazine and were the first same-sex couple to grace the cover of ESPN’s Body Issue. The outspoken and seriously fashionable duo seem to have it all including a plethora of championships and safety deposit boxes for all their gold medals. They also have each other’s backs. During the Women’s World Cup, Bird, who plays in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), came to Rapinoe’s defense in her battle with President Trump, penning an essay titled “So the President F—ing Hates My Girlfriend.” ROM-COM WRITTEN ALL OVER IT

5. Together Julie and Zach Ertz have a Super Bowl championship, two World Cup victories and what do they have to prove it? A Visa commercial. The Philadelphia Eagles tight end (NFL) and the soccer star met at a Stanford baseball game in 2012 when he offered her sunflower seeds. They had their first date was at Chipotle and the rest is history. Married since 2017, together they too have bared it all for ESPN’s Body Issue. With both of them being at the pinnacles of their careers, they live the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” They say they’re lucky to have three months a year in the same city. WHEN FACETIME IS YOUR FRIEND

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Best In Show - The 5 Things You Need To Know About The Westminster Dog Show

You don’t have to be an animal lover to be entertained because dog show knowledge is always a hit at happy hour. (Okay so maybe not, but regardless this is too good to pass up).

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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. It’s been said that no good story ever started with a salad and neither did the Westminster Dog Show. The story starts with a group of guys who met at the Westminster Hotel to boast about their hunting dogs. In 1877, they named themselves the Westminster Kennel Club after their favorite bar. Now on its 144th show and is the second longest running sporting event after the Kentucky Derby. WHY TRY TO TEACH OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS?

2. Naming your prized show dog isn’t as easy a calling them spot or rover, there are strict rules on how you name your prized pooch. While King the Wire Fox Terrier - show name GCHB CH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home - took the title of best in show last year, he did not get paid for it. There’s no prize money. The handlers make their money by charging more for breeding rights. LUCKY DOG

3. These dogs don’t just show up and take the title, they have to work hard to get there. Like the Boston Marathon, they must qualify by winning lesser competitions to make it to the big show. In case you’re wondering over 204 breeds are welcome to compete for best in show. The newest breed, the Azawakh, will join the competition this year, which is February 10 - 11. If you’re placing a bet on the winner, remember male dogs have won 73 times and the females, 39 times. LADIES NIGHT?

4. There are seven categories of dogs in the show and most were originally bred for hunting or life on the farm. There are also pups from the non-sporting and toy categories that are bred to be your B.F.F. LOYAL COMPANION

5. The event takes place at Madison Square Garden and the winning pup used to score a photo op with Mr. New York himself, pre-president Donald Trump at Trump Tower. Since he became president, that’s no longer an option. PRESIDENTIAL PUPS

Honorable mention – We can’t leave you without a good laugh. Here’s the "Saturday Night Live” parody of the famed pup show featuring Matt Damon. LOL  

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Super Bowl 54 - The Only 5 Things You Need To Know

Super Bowl week is here so let the shenanigans begin. While you map out the junk food you’re going to consume and your cocktail of choice to wash it down with, we have consolidated what you need for the party small talk so you can impress everyone, even the biggest sports fan.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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. If you tend to pick your winning teams based on uniform colors, you’re out of luck this year. Both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers uniforms have red as their primary color, which is a first for the Super Bowl. They’ve never had two teams with a predominantly red color scheme face off in the game. (FYI – the Chiefs will be in red jerseys and the 49ers will be in white for the game). WHO’S WHO?

2. You don’t have to know diddly squat about football to place a bet on Sunday’s game, thanks to prop bets. You can bet on anything from which song will be the first song of Jennifer Lopez’s halftime performance, will Mc Hammer say “too legit” in his Cheetos commercial or will Demi Lovato’s rendition of the anthem be under two minutes? YOU CAN BET ON IT

3. Ticket prices are at historic highs for the game but that’s not stopping both teams’ leadership from filling seats. The 49ers are bringing their entire staff, including interns, to the game. Then there’s Norma Hunt, widow of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt. She’s attended every Super Bowl and will host close to 2,000 people at this year’s big game. We bet Mrs. Hunt is wishing tickets were still $12 like the first ever Super Bowl 54 years ago. It’s a monumental occasion to be celebrated for both teams since the Chiefs haven’t won the Super Bowl in 50 years and the 49ers haven’t won in 25 years. FAMILY REUNION

4. This Super Bowl has two historic moments to celebrate on the sideline. First, 49ers offensive assistant coach, Katie Sowers, is the first woman and the first openly gay coach to coach in a Super Bowl. Secondly, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and his father Mike Shanahan are the first father-son duo in NFL history to lead teams in the Super Bowl as head coaches. (Papa Shanahan won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in the late 90s).  

5. No doubt JLo and Shakira will make our jaws drop with their halftime performance (which will likely include some special guests. Enrique Iglesias or DJ Khaled anyone)? Also jaw dropping? What they get paid for the gig. Nothing. That’s not stopping celebrities from lining up to attend the “free” concert. Expect to see some big named stars in the stadium including Sir Paul McCartney, Cardi B and past halftime performers Lady Gaga and Beyoncé (which makes sense because her hubby Jay-Z is an advisor for the NFL). YOU DEFINITELY DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS

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5 Sporting Events You Can Only Dream About During Dry January

If you are the 1 in 5 Americans “celebrating” Dry January consider this your re-entry program. But if you’re not bold enough to go down that path, this one’s still for you.  

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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. You can start your entry back into the world at the Waste Management Open (formerly known as the Phoenix Open). The Open is the most attended tournament on the tour but is also known as the rowdiest/loudest/drunkest tournament on the tour. Think “Happy Gilmore” but in real life. The place to be is the 16th hole, the “Most Exciting Hole in Golf.” The par-3 hole is completely enclosed by a stadium filled with 20,000 fans who forgot their golf etiquette at home. (The Open is 1/27 – 2/2). FORE…MORE BEER

2. This one is a no brainer, Super Bowl Sunday. Not only do we consume more than 1.2 billion chicken wings in this country, we wash down our carbs and commercials overload with 325.5 million gallons of beer. (Super Bowl is February 2). IT FEELS SO GOOD WHEN IT HITS YOUR LIPS

Want to join “The Bachelor” Bracket we mentioned? Here’s how.

3. You may get banned for life for having a cell phone or thrown out for shouting any of the banned phrases (Dilly Dilly anyone?) but don’t be fooled because the Masters (golf) is business in the front and party in the back. Their concession stands are the lowest you’ll see in sports and yes, that includes the $4 beer. (The Masters is April 9-12). I’LL HAVE FORE

4. It may be the fastest two minutes in sports, but if you’ve ever been to the Kentucky Derby you know that it’s a full day of drinking leading up to that one final race. Over 150,000 fans, looking classy in their Sunday best and big hats, enjoy a plethora of mint juleps, champagne and a whole host of cocktails while betting on their favorite horse to win. (The Derby is May 2).  WIN, PLACE, SHOTS

5. Maybe the party scene at Wimbledon is the real reason Meghan and Harry left? The biggest tennis tournament in the world is also home to the Pimm’s Cup and lots and lots of champagne. With over 29,000 bottles consumed over the course of the tournament, it inevitably leads to disruption on the court from flying corks. (Spectators can bring in one bottle of wine/champagne per person). (Wimbledon is June 29 - July 12). YOU COULD LOSE AN EYE

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The 5 Things You Need To Know About The College Football National Championship Game

This will be the biggest spectacle on a Monday night since “The Bachelor” premiere. Game on.

Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and 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. The big College Football National Championship Game will take place on Monday, January 13 between LSU (Louisiana State University - No. 1) vs. Clemson (No. 3). While it’s essentially going to be a home game for LSU (Baton Rouge is an hour and a half drive from the Superdome in New Orleans), don’t count out Clemson who enters the game on a 29-game winning streak. (And no you’re not dreaming, Clemson has won two of the last four national championships). WE’RE GOING STREAKING

2. The national championship game is a week later this year and if you are into conspiracy theories, some are speculating the season premiere of “The Bachelor” played a role in moving the game back. Skeptics think Disney didn’t want to have competing programming (“The Bachelor” is on ABC and the football game is on ESPN). MUST SEE TV

3. The coaches are a story on their own. LSU’s head coach Ed Orgeron is the epitome of Louisiana. From his indistinguishable accent (seriously, we encourage you to watch an interview with him) to his love for crawfish, he ends every interview with “Go Tigers.” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was a walk on for the Alabama football team in college. During that time Swinney lived with his mom and a roommate in a two-bedroom apartment to save money. Now he’s the highest paid college coach in the country. FROM RAGS TO RICHES

4. Both team’s mascots are tigers but the advantage goes to LSU. Their mascot, Mike the Tiger, is a real live tiger. Clemson has a tiger and tiger cub mascot. MOVE OVER TONY

5. If you want to really sound like you know your stuff, this could be the best quarterback matchup we’ve ever seen in the national championship game. Seriously. Joe Burrow from LSU won the Heisman Trophy this year and he’s the likely No. 1 pick for this year’s NFL (National Football League) Draft. Clemson’s QB Trevor Lawrence won the national championship last year as a true freshman (i.e. he didn’t sit out a year – he was an actual freshman) and is projected to be the No. 1 pick for next year’s NFL Draft. And if you haven’t seen this Tik Tok video of his female doppelganger, it’s spot on. MIRRORING GREATNESS

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