5 Athletes Who Turned Their Fame Into A Career In Politics
Exactly what you need to redirect from a dreaded political conversation.
(Podcast length 3:25 mins - the transcript is below)
These athletes quit their day job and big paychecks for a job in civil service which is just the armor you need to redirect the political conversation you'll undoubtedly face.
Transcript
1. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao went from the boxing ring to the Senate floor in the Philippines. This career move was the logical move for him to start working on his singing career. He has released two music albums in his home country. He ran for president of his native Philippines in 2022 but lost. JOIN THE CELEBRITY TRAIN
2. Jesse "The Body" Ventura dominated the ring during his WWE (Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment) career. But tiny speedos, knee-high boots and baby oil had nothing on politics in the Midwest. Ventura served as the governor of Minnesota, where he won spending $250,000 to his competitor's $4.3M. He raised funds by selling $22 t-shirts and accepting $50 donations from his supporters. IN IT TO WIN IT
3. There are a handful of U.S. Presidents who played college sports. Most notably Gerald Ford. Ford had quite the football career at Michigan. He played on consecutive undefeated national championship teams in 1932 and 1933. His jersey number, No. 48, is retired by the university. Ford turned down offers to play in the NFL. Instead, he went to Yale to become an assistant football and boxing coach, hoping it would help him get accepted into Yale Law School. THE REST IS HISTORY
4. We all love Kate McKinnon as Jeff Sessions on "Saturday Night Live," but did you know that former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville defeated Sessions in the Republican primary? Tuberville is now serving in the U.S. Senate. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE
5. Steve Largent went from the University of Tulsa to an NFL (National Football League) Hall of Fame career to Congress. The Seattle Seahawks legend left a lasting impression in the Emerald City; then he won his seat in Congress in his home state of Oklahoma. After running on a conservative agenda as a Republican, he lost his bid for governor in the general election to a Democrat. YOU LIVE, YOU LEARN
HONORABLE MENTION: You can't have this list without the Mr. Universe, the California Governator himself - Arnold Schwarzenegger. But that seemed like a too obvious choice, and we wanted to bring you some outside-the-box thinking, hence the honorable mention.
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkwardness out of the conversation and help you join the sports chatter, 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 World Series
What do you get when you combine Miles Teller, the invention of the high five and cheating scandals? The 2022 World Series.
Photo: Unsplash
(Podcast length 4:17 mins)
What do you get when you combine Miles Teller, the invention of the high five and cheating scandals? The 2022 World Series. The Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros will take to the field for the 118th World Series starting Friday, October 28. Here's what you need to know.
1. Fans in Philly are amped for their team's first World Series appearance in 13 years. They set a 24-hour record for merchandise sales. Why the extra excitement? Well, the Phillies season looked like it was over in June when the team fired manager Joe Girardi, but first-time manager Rob Thomson took over and look where they are now. NEVER SAY NEVER
2. The Astros are undefeated throughout the playoffs, which landed them their fourth World Series appearance in the past six years. Leading the Astros is veteran manager Dusty Baker. Baker is not only a World Series-winning player but also half of the duo credited with inventing the high five in 1977 alongside his Dodgers teammate Glenn Burke. THE MORE YOU KNOW
3. It turns out famous people like sports too. Cheering on the Phillies is their biggest fan, actor Miles Teller, who has been front and center in all of the celebrations. Then there's singer Calum Scott who is ready to perform the Phillies’ rally song "Dancing On My Own" live. Not to be outdone, there's a campaign from fans for Taylor Swift to relieve her 2008 World Series appearance and sing the national anthem before a game. Don't forget about swimsuit model Kate Upton, who will cheer on her husband, Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander. MUSIC TO MY EARS
4. Due to their past cheating scandal, the Astros roll into the series as a foe to many. Here to help guard against cheating is PitchCom, a small device used by the catchers. The device helps to stop pitch stealing. It is an electronic device that allows catchers to press buttons to signal the pitch to a pitcher and select defenders through a headset (typically shortstop/centerfield). This device also speeds up the game as you don't have to wait for pitches to be called. FULL SPEED AHEAD
5. Throwing some facts out there. With the Astros’ 106 regular season wins taking on the 87-win Phillies, this World Series will have the second-largest win disparity of all time between Fall Classic opponents. The Yankees have the most World Series wins, and the Seattle Mariners are the only MLB team to never appear in the Fall Classic. PLACE YOUR BETS
PS: Steal a base, get a taco is back. When a player on either team records the first stolen base during the World Series, Taco Bell will give away a free Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco. Unlike previous years, you don't have to wait and can get your taco the same night, but you have to join the rewards program.
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 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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Behind The Scenes Of Being An NFL Cheerleader
Moving and shaking do not bring home the bacon.
Photo: Instagram.com/denverbroncoscheer
(Podcast length 4:43 mins)
Like most jobs, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
1. If you become an NFL (National Football League) cheerleader, you're not doing it for the money. On average, they make the same amount as the lifeguard at the community pool. They put in 30-40 hour weeks during the season with practices, appearances and games. For the most part, they do not receive reimbursement for money spent maintaining their team-defined appearance. (Think coloring their hair, uniforms, makeup, etc.).
According to NBC, on average, NFL cheerleaders earn about $150 per game or $22,500 per year. Meanwhile, NFL waterboys usually make $53,000 annually, and NFL mascots make $25,000 per season. TIME FOR A SIDE HUSTLE
2. There are seven NFL teams without cheerleaders - Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, LA Chargers, New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Los Angeles Rams broke down barriers in 2019 with the first male cheerleaders at Super Bowl. The Panthers TopCats, the name of the Panthers cheerleading squad, made history by hiring Justine Lindsay, the NFL's first openly trans cheerleader, in 2022. SHARING THE SIDELINE
3. The NFL's most famous pom-pom-wielding gals, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, have a vigorous application process that includes a written test. Past questions have included "who won the Super Bowl last year," "name five former U.S. presidents," or "how many yards are assessed for a personal foul penalty?" A few years back, ESPN talked 12 Cowboys players into taking the test and…they failed. BRAINS AND BEAUTY
4. The cheerleaders must maintain a particular look (see above) because if they don't, they can be benched without pay for violating their contract. Some team cheer coaches conduct "jiggle tests" to assess the firmness of the cheerleader's bodies during the season, and if they don't pass the test, they're benched. Others have a height-to-weight ratio requirement to ensure the cheerleaders do not become too skinny. (NOT) BODY POSITIVE
5. In 2021, teams like the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to name a few, were sued by their cheerleaders for wage theft, unsafe working conditions, sexual harassment and discrimination. Ten out of 26 teams were sued by their cheerleaders, who are deemed independent contractors. Some teams have settled, but in the case of the Buffalo Bills, they disbanded their cheer squad altogether.
The Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers are an anomaly, with both teams paying their cheerleaders around $75,000 a year. STEP IT UP
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 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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5 Things To Know About The NBA Season
The season tips off on October 18.
Photo: Unsplash
(Podcast length 4:30 mins)
Here’s what you need to know to be in the know.
1. The San Antonio Spurs are a team to watch if for no reason other than they like to hire female coaches. The head coach of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) Champion Las Vegas Aces, Becky Hammond, came from the Spurs where she was an assistant coach. Following in her footsteps with the team is former WNBA player Candace Dupree who is part of the player development team and an assistant coach. Dupree is one of the few female coaches but not the only former WNBA player turned coach you’ll see on the bench this season. LOVE TO SEE IT
2. In 2017 the league began to allow sponsorship patches on team jerseys, and since then, those sponsorships have generated $150 million in revenue per year. The Phoenix Suns patch sponsor, PayPal, may have put their money where their mouth is after claiming they would not renew their sponsorship if controversial team owner Robert Sarver stayed at the helm. The team is currently for sale by Sarver. BIG MONEY
3. Christmas Day is usually the biggest day of the year for NBA games, but the league is rallying around Election Day this year. New this season, all 30 teams will play on Monday, November 7, the day before Election Day. The league will use that day to promote voter participation. Then there will be no NBA games on Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, encouraging everyone to vote instead. GET OUT AND VOTE
4. LeBron James is THIS close to breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record. If he stays healthy, LeBron will likely pass his record this season, possibly in January. There’s no sign of LeBron, 38, slowing down. He’s hoping to play into his 40s to play in the NBA with both of his sons. FAMILY AFFAIR
5. The Brooklyn Nets are combustible, and Russell Westbrook is untradeable. Who knows what the season will bring for the Brooklyn Nets after adding Ben Simmons to their roster that already features superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving? Irving says he lost $100M by not getting the vaccine last year. Then there’s Russell Westbrook, who the Lakers have tried to trade to regain the positive chemistry on the team. Westbrook is the second-highest player in the league after Stephen Curry at $47M, and no team wants to take that on. OFFICE POLITICS
The 82-game season begins on Tuesday, October 18.
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 networking event switches to sports.
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Our Favorite College Football Traditions
Creative, quirky and, dare we say, kind?
(Podcast length 4:07 mins)
They're weird, fun and a little heartwarming - after all, what is college for?
1. Iowa Hawkeye fans have started a tradition, the Iowa Wave. When the first quarter ends, fans wave to the patients at Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital, which overlooks the stadium. MOST IMPORTANT PLAY OF THE GAME
2. Florida State University began a “sod cemetery” in 1962. The team would bring back grass from their opponent's field after a win. But now, there are new rules in place. The Seminoles must be underdogs, or the victory must be in a championship or bowl game to warrant a sod funeral. REST IN PEACE
3. After their rival Georgia Tech discontinued their annual game, Clemson Tigers fans hit back with their wallets. They spent $2 bills stamped with the team’s signature orange tiger paw logo all over Atlanta. This 40-year tradition remains, with Clemson fans paying with said $2 bills when traveling to away games. WAIT, SOMEONE CARRIES CASH?
4. Remember when toilet papering a house was something you did to your worse enemy? Not at Auburn University. After a win, fans toilet paper the oaks on Toomer's Corner on campus. This tradition, which started in 1972, was stopped for three years after an Alabama fan poisoned the trees, but now it’s back. After 2020’s TP shortage, this tradition seems sinful. TWO-PLY PARTY
5. At the University of Wisconsin – Madison (aka Wisconsin), Badgers fans work off their tailgate treats at the end of the third quarter. When the song “Jump Around” by House of Pain is played, the entire stadium literally jumps. THAT’S ONE WAY TO BRING DOWN THE HOUSE
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 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 Strangest Mascots In College Sports
They rally the crowd and scare the children (and sometimes adults).
Photo: Instagram/goshockers.wushock
(Podcast length 4:07 mins)
Add these mascots to the list of things that make you go hmm.
Scan to the bottom for images of these gems.
1. Replacing its Indian mascot in the 2000s, a student vote led to Dartmouth's unofficial mascot, "Keggy the Keg." The barrel of booze may be a fan favorite, but the Dartmouth administration also isn't very fond of Keggy. Sadly the school isn't very good at sports, so the rest of the world doesn't get to join in on the fun that is Keggy in the stands. TAP THAT
2. Wake Forest is known as the Demon Deacons. The odd mascot is an older man in a top hat and tails and is a byproduct of a frat boy facing a challenge from his peers. The aforementioned frat brother accepted the challenge of creating and becoming a mascot as a dare from a fellow frat brother. No one expected the joke to become a reality, much less that it would stick around as a vital piece of the institution. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
3. Wichita State University is known as the shockers. (Yes, you read that correctly). The nickname was created because many of the players worked in the off-season harvesting (aka shocking) wheat in the fields. LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY
4. Kernel Cobb is the mascot for the Concordia College Cobbers. The liberal arts school based in Minnesota describes its mascot as a "snarly, though friendly" ear of corn. Long story short, in the 1890s, the term 'corncobs’ was initially used as a slur by their urbanite rival and was later adopted as the school's mascot. WE'RE ALL EARS
5. Stop us if you’ve heard this one about Speedy the Geoduck. The mascot of Evergreen State College, an experimental and non-traditional college in Washington State, is a symbol of environmental sustainability. Geoducks, a kind of mollusk, filter 30 gallons of water daily and are integral to the pacific northwest ecosystem. SOUNDS LIKE DINNER
Honorable mention: Artie the Artichoke, the official mascot of Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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 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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NFL Players And Their Secret Talents
You know those people who are good at everything? Well, here are five more to add to the list.
Photo: Instagram/jtuck9
(Podcast length 4:15 mins)
A danseur, an accomplished harmonica player and an opera singer, sounds like a start of a bad joke, but they’re the subjects of this week’s podcast.
1. Christian McCaffrey is not only a GQ cover model and the guy you want on your fantasy football team but also a coveted musician. McCaffrey, who is dating model Olivia Culpo, is a master of the harmonica and a skilled pianist. MAN OF MANY TALENTS
2. Kyler Murray is one of the few athletes who could have gone pro in more than one sport. While has was drafted in the MLB Draft (Major League Baseball), he chose football. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback is a chess guru and a professional gamer. When renewing his contract in 2022, the Cardinals built in an ‘independent study’ clause, requiring Murray to “perform at least four hours of independent study of Arizona's opponent in a non-bye week.” After the media caught wind of it, the team removed the clause, calling it a ‘distraction.’ ABOVE AVERAGE
3. Jon Dorenbos retired after having open heart surgery. During and after his career he spent time impressing TV viewers worldwide on shows like “Ellen” with his hidden talent, magic. The long snapper appeared on “America’s Got Talent” where he didn’t win, but fans rallied hard for his own magic show in Vegas. (It never happened). A GUY CAN DREAM
4. Placekicker Justin Tucker has a voice of an angel and a leg of a giraffe (they can decapitate a lion with a kick). Tucker is a remarkable opera singer. He has been asked to perform at the Baltimore Symphony and the New York Opera and has performed as part of an NFL commercial. MUSIC TO OUR EARS
5. Herschel Walker is one of the biggest names in football. The retired running back credits his ballet training in his fitness routine as part of his success. He made his ballet debut with the Fort Worth ballet in 1988. If that’s not impressive enough, Walker went to the 1992 Olympics as a bobsledder and is a martial artist. WHAT CAN’T HE DO?
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 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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Women Leading The NFL
These trailblazing women represent over 47% of women who call themselves NFL fans.
Photo: Instagram/agentnicolelynn
(Podcast length 5:45 mins)
Like many other professional sports leagues, the NFL has seen an increase in women in leadership roles, but there's still plenty of room to grow. In the 2021 season, women made up 38.8% of the NFL league office, 25.3% of teams' senior administration, 3.1% of team CEOs and presidents and 1.5% of team assistant coaches (TIDES report card).
1. Amy Trask became the Oakland Raiders' chief executive and the first woman of that rank in the NFL in 1997. After nearly 30 years with the team, Trask now serves as an analyst for CBS. In an interview, Trask recalled a story about a reporter asking her Hall of Fame offensive lineman Gene Upshaw what it's like to have a girl on the team. Upshaw replied, "She's not a girl. She's a Raider." TRUTH
2. For Sarah Thomas landing the role as the first female referee in the NFL in 2015 wasn't easy. In 2021, Thomas became the first woman to officiate at the Super Bowl. Thomas paved the way for other women like Maia Chaka, who, in 2021, became the first Black female official in the NFL. Having women referees drove the league to change the name of one of the officiating positions from Head Linesman to a gender-neutral title of Down Judge. GAME ON
3. Move over, Jerry Maguire; Nicole Lynn is here. Lynn, 33, became the first Black woman to represent a top-five NFL draft pick. Before the draft, she took to the internet to figure out what other women agents had worn. She found no inspiration because only two women have ever previously represented players in the draft. Lynn continues to grow her roster of clients and has even written a book to inspire women to become their most effective advocates. In addition, Lynn serves as the President of Football Operations for Klutch Sports Group, led by basketball agent Rich Paul (aka singer Adele's beau). TAKE YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE
4. Jen Welter, a former women's pro player and two-time Team USA Olympic medalist, became the first female to coach in the NFL when the Arizona Cardinals hired her in 2015. Following in the path Welter blazed, Jennifer King made history in 2021 as the first Black woman to become a full-time coach in the NFL. King said, "I never ever, literally never, thought about being a first. I just wanted to coach football." DREAM JOB
5. These women are also making history in the Super Bowl. Katie Sowers became the first openly gay female full-time NFL coach in 2021 and the first to coach in the Super Bowl. Sowers was in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers and now coaches for the Kansas City Chiefs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar were the first female NFL coaches to win a Super Bowl. CHAMPIONS
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 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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What You Need To Know To Shine This NFL Season
Giving you the tools to survive and thrive in America's favorite season
Photo: Unsplash
(Podcast length 4:39 mins)
The NFL (National Football League) is back, and just like that, there goes your Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and sometimes Saturdays.
1. We're used to seeing players change teams, but the broadcaster shuffle in the off-season was unprecedented. The top duo at FOX, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, bolted for ESPN and “Monday Night Football.” College GameDay mainstay Kirk Herbstreit ventures into the NFL with Amazon Prime on Thursday nights. He joins longtime “Sunday Night Football” broadcaster Al Michaels. Lastly, Cris Collinsworth gets new teammates on “Sunday Night Football” on NBC with Mike Tirico (you might also recognize him from NBC's Olympics coverage) and Melissa Stark. COMING TO A TV NEAR YOU
2. The Washington Commanders (formerly known as the Washington Football Team) have one of the worst stadiums in the NFL, but they also hold the record for the highest-priced "cheapest" beer at $14. The team ownership has been in hot water in the off-season, with the owner subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee. COLD BEER & COLD SHOULDER
3. The NFL will play its first-ever game in Germany. The league is bringing Tom Brady to rally fans when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Seattle Seahawks in Munich. There will be five international games this season, with the other games in London and Mexico City. AMERICAN FOOTBALL IS ON THE MOVE
4. Regarding on-field performance, the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the favorites to reach Super Bowl. The oldest player in the league is leading the Bucs, Tom Brady, who signed a one-year extension with the team. Could this be his last season, as he's already signed a record-setting broadcast deal with FOX? Speaking of QBs, Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers is the back-to-back league MVP. Still, will his off-the-field activities (like ayahuasca consumption) distract him from the ultimate victory, a Super Bowl? GAME FACE
5. There are an unprecedented number of new head coaches this season - 10. The most notable change is Todd Bowles. Bowles spent years at the New York Jets in his first head coaching job going 24-40 before joining the Bucs under head coach Bruce Arians. Now he's leading the charge at the Buccaneers, taking over for Arians. Luckily having Tom Brady at quarterback and Arians' staff still on board should make for a winning (dare we say Super Bowl winning) combination. FAMILIAR FACE
Don't think we forgot about the women of the NFL. We dedicated next week's podcast to these talented women.
How to watch
How to watch an NFL game became a little more confusing this year with more platforms joining the lineup. "Thursday Night Football" can be seen exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, Sunday's games on FOX and CBS with "Sunday Night Football" on NBC and Peacock. "Monday Night Football" will remain on ESPN. TUNE IN
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 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 College Football Season
Sayanora summer and hello to fall, football and pumpkin spice lattes
Photo: Instagram/ndfootball
(Podcast length 3:28 mins)
Saturdays are for football, friends and food. This week's podcast covers everything you need to survive college football season
Transcript
1. Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) has changed the landscape of college sports since being announced last year. Restaurant chain Hooters signed 51 offensive linemen. Plenty of players are making money but none like Alabama quarterback and defending Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young who is bringing home an estimated $3.2M. GETTING PAID
2. The Saturday morning staple, ESPN's "College GameDay," has a new addition - Peloton instructor Jess Sims. She will join the familiar faces of Gameday Rece Davis, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit. NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
3. Here are three storylines to follow on the field. Look for leading Heisman Trophy candidates Ohio State's quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama's quarterback Bryce Young to lead their team on the field. Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley made a hasty exit from Oklahoma last year and is now living the California life as the head coach of USC Football. The Georgia Bulldogs are the reigning champions. FAST AND FURIOUS
4. Well, this is awkward. Major programs like Oklahoma, Texas, USC and UCLA have announced they are leaving their conferences, but not for a few years. HELLO, GOODBYE
5. You can't talk football without talking about tailgating. Unsurprisingly, the average tailgater is a male between 25-44 years old who spends over $500 a year on tailgating food by attending or hosting 6-10 parties a season. But that number may rise this year as beer prices have gone up 5% and groceries up 13%. MORE BEER, LESS FOOD
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 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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Celebrities You'd Never Guess Own Sports Teams
Forget the red carpet, on the field (or court) is the place to be.
Photo: Instagram/jlo
(Podcast length 4:47 mins)
Being an owner of a sports team - this could be the longest relationship some of these celebs have ever had.
Transcript
1. The Miami Dolphins are a tough NFL (National Football League) franchise to be a fan of, as they've had some rough seasons over the past few years, but that hasn't scared away big names from buying into the ownership group. Fergie, Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffet, Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Venus and Serena Williams. Lopez lost the team ownership in her divorce from Anthony. Venus and Serena became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins, thus making them the first African American females to own part of an NFL team. SO THERE'S THAT
2. Buying a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) team has been all the rage lately, with Michael Jordan, Pitbull and boxer Floyd Mayweather joining the ranks of team owners. But the OG was David Letterman, who bought into what is now Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 1996. The team competes in the IndyCar and SportsCar Championship Series and previously won the Indianapolis 500 in 2004 and 2020. START YOUR ENGINES
3. Forget the red carpet; the soccer sidelines are where it's at. Will Ferrell played an athlete in "Blades of Glory" and "Talladega Nights," but in real life, the Los Angeles native is a part-owner of LAFC – Los Angeles Football Club (MLS – Major League Soccer). Ferrell bought into the team in 2016, two years before its MLS debut. Other celebs who also have a stake in a professional soccer team include Angel City FC (NWSL – National Women's Soccer League) owners Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Uzo Aduba, Eva Longoria, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Garner, Christina Aguilera, tennis legends Billie Jean King and Serena Williams, to name a few. Also an NWSL team, the Washington Spirit, boasts Jenna Bush Hager, Chelsea Clinton and Dominique Dawes as investors. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL
4. Usher had no ties to Cleveland, Ohio, until he bought into the Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association). He bought in shortly after the team drafted a young LeBron James, who took the team to five NBA Finals and one championship in 2016. According to Forbes, Usher paid $9M for his share of an ownership group that spent $375M to become minority owners. CLEVELAND ROCKS
5. Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Justin Timberlake and Destiny Child's Michelle Williams also own a piece of a basketball team. Williams is a minority owner of her hometown team, the Chicago Sky (Women's National Basketball Association). Besides Usher, she is also the only professional basketball team owner in this piece who can boast a championship ring. Memphis native Timberlake is a 2.8% owner of the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA). Will and Jada round out our list as minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers. The two are part of an ownership group that, as a whole, paid $280 million for the franchise. IN WEST PHILADELPHIA BORN AND RAISED
Honorable mention goes to the inspiration for this post, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who purchased soccer team Wrexham FC in 2020. A new documentary, "Welcome To Wrexham," on FX starting August 24, 2022, highlights the actors' purchase of the third oldest professional soccer club in the world.
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 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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5 Tips To Avoid The Intimidation That Is Fantasy Football
Here’s how to talk shop. Athletic ability (or football knowledge) is not required.
(Podcast length - 5:13 mins)
Being a fantasy football pro doesn’t have to be a fantasy at all. So much of it is luck and knowing a few key strategies. There’s nothing wrong with embracing the way you want to pick your team and enjoying the game.
Transcript
1. The “sport” of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962, but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps and make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKings, although sports betting sites are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL
2. It’s a male-dominated sport, with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. Just because some men want to debate the 1982 Super Bowl champions doesn’t mean that means that’s required to enjoy a fantasy football league. Women have to remember their mother-in-law’s birthday and the neighbor’s cat’s name, so there is no need to use those brain cells up with useless football factoids. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping female football fans (like our women’s only league) join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS
3. Fantasy football is usually fun, but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously, and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include spending 24 hours at a Waffle House (seriously), buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK
4. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Unicorn Underdogs.” Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Blitz Creek, Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Drinkers with a Kicking Problem, Teddy Throwsevelt and Real Housewife Who Fantasizes. CLEVER EH?
5. Our biggest pointer for first-time fantasy football players is: don’t forget to set your lineups once a week. You have up until your first player’s game starts to adjust. Remember, some teams play on Thursday night. With the average person spending $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes, you want to put your best foot(ball) forward. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
Bonus: If you play, you may hear the word PPR or points per reception. Some leagues use it and some don’t. It means every time your player catches the ball you are rewarded with a point.
Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions.
Links:
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. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at amy@lastnightsgame.com.
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The Messiest Divorces In Sports
Don’t forget to fasten your prenup.
Photo: Instagram/marilynmonroe
(Podcast length 5:25 mins)
We've been binging "Loot" starring Maya Rudolph (Apple TV+). The story shares similarities with the Jeff Bezos divorce and many other celebrity divorces. That got us thinking, what were the messiest divorces in the world of sports? Well, here we go.
Transcript
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren
The marriage between Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren was riddled with numerous affairs with a side of prescription drugs. But it all culminated in 2009 when Tiger Woods crashed his SUV. You might remember Nordegren used a golf club to smash the back window to get Woods out of the car. Nordegren's divorce filing came shortly after that. Woods admitted he was in the wrong, and she walked away with a rumored $100M settlement. Woods has only won one major since his divorce. KARMA?
Marylin Monroe and Joe DiMaggio
While Marylin Monroe and baseball's Joe DiMaggio were married in a quiet ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco, the quiet didn't last long. The couple's level of fame may have been their demise. Monroe tearfully told reporters that she was seeking a divorce from DiMaggio on the grounds of "mental cruelty." Initially drawn to her goddess-like ways, he was not okay with her flaunting it. Even after the divorce and her tragic death, DiMaggio still held onto their love. According to a Vanity Fair article, DiMaggio spoke about his ex-wife in his final words on his deathbed in 1999, "I'll finally get to see Marilyn." NO END TO LOVE
Hulk and Linda Hogan
Hulk Hogan and his wife Linda appeared to be a happy family on their TV show "Hogan Knows Best." After 24 years of marriage and allegations he cheated with their daughter's friend, the divorce came along with a lengthy, nasty court battle. It became messy again after that, with Linda dating Charley Hill, who was 19 at the time. Hill proposed to Linda on an episode of "Celebrity Therapy." They broke up, but he sued her for treating him like a laborer during their relationship. Hulk remarried, but they parted ways in early 2022. HULKMANIA
Scottie and Larsa Pippen
The bitter divorce of Larsa and former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Scottie Pippen spent a better part of the last few years in the headlines. Larsa filed for divorce again in November 2018 amid rumors the "Real Housewives of Miami" and former “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” guest star had an affair with rapper Future. The drama escalated when Larsa was pictured with another NBA player, Malik Beasley, who was married with a child. The divorce between the Pippens was finalized in December 2021. ONWARD AND UPWARD
Frank and Jamie McCourt
The divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt was something out of a movie. Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt separated from his wife of 30 years, Jamie, but it was a little awkward. You see, Jamie was the CEO of the team, and she was fired one week after the couple's separation was announced. So she filed for divorce. The public battle ensued. Long, bitter story short, she walked away with $131M and real estate assets, a far cry from half of what Frank sold the Dodgers for in 2012 - $2.5B. The two signed their divorce agreement in 2011 when the team was bankrupt. TAKE ME OUT TO THE COURTHOUSE
Honorable mention goes to three dissolutions of marriage. The first is Michael Jordan's divorce from his wife Juanita, one of the most expensive celebrity divorces of all time. Then in a story too weird that we had to mention it: New York Yankees Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich held separate press conferences during spring training in 1973, announcing they had traded wives. Entire families, actually, including dogs.
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 networking event switches to sports.
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The Kardashian's Love Affair With Sports
The Kardashians have a long history with the world of sports.
Photo: Instagram/kimkardashian
(Podcast length 4:00 mins)
It's not all basketball and breakups; they also have their eye on the business of sports.
Transcript
1. First, we have to acknowledge the elephant in the room – there has been a fair share of relationships with athletes, primarily with the players of the NBA (National Basketball Association). We were all sad to see Devin Booker and Kendall Jenner break up, although rumors are they are back together. Then there was Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. Kim also dated international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and don't forget about NFL (National Football League) player Reggie Bush. The Khloe Kardashian-Lamar Odom drama seemed intense until we met Tristian Thompson. HEARTBREAK HOTEL
2. Kim's underwear, shapewear and loungewear company SKIMS outfitted all of Team USA in its loungewear and undergarments at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. They continued their collaboration into the Winter Games, equipping all female members of Team USA in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games with lounge and sleepwear to wear in their downtime. TEAM SPIRIT
3. Let's not forget about Caitlyn Jenner and the patriarch Robert Kardashian. Robert became a household name after being a part of NFL player O.J. Simpson's defense team. He passed away in 2003. Jenner graced the cover of the coveted Wheaties box after winning a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics. LEGENDS
4. After the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in November 2021, Kim Kardashian partnered with a New York Rabbi and a U.K soccer club to evacuate members of the Afghanistan's women's youth development soccer team and their families to Britain. A plane charted by Kim carried 130 people to an airport near London where the English Premier League club, Leeds United, offered support to the teenage athletes. FORCE FOR GOOD
5. As daughters of an Olympian, Kendall and Kylie have dabbled in athletic contests. Kylie revealed she played on a boy's football team. Kendall certainly has the athletic spirit in her blood, saying, "Every blood test I have ever done has said that I am, like, over the normal limit of athleticness." Kim has left her mark on the sports world, serving as a cover model for this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. And it was so fast you may have missed it, but Kim’s face appeared on the hood of a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) car promoting her fragrance line. BRANDING AT ITS BEST
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 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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Hilarious and Ridiculous Reasons Athletes Have Used When Failing A Drug Test
It wasn’t me.
(Podcast length 5:16 mins)
Failing a test is never fun, but athletes will say about anything to prove their innocence with their careers on the line. Here are the true stories of real, funny lies.
Transcript
1. New York Jets (NFL) player Jeremy Kerley blamed ghosts for his failed drug test. He stated that “There’s a lot of ghosts around here. Ghost put it in there. You know, the ghost of Christmas past? … I don’t know.” That didn’t work and he was suspended for four games. BOO
2. Passionate kisses from bad women. Yes, more than one athlete has used this excuse. A Canadian pole vaulter (he tested positive for cocaine, not steroids – totally different) and an American track and field athlete were both allowed to compete after using this excuse. IF IT WORKS
3. French runner Fatima Yvelain, a 2000 Olympian, said a positive drug test at a half-marathon was due to heavy rainfall. Specifically, the rain washed "unidentified medical waste" onto the course, then to her shoes and then splashed and soaked her shorts. The substance from the soaked shorts tainted the test, she claimed. The French federation rejected her reasoning. UM, WHAT?
4. Cyclist Tyler Hamilton blamed his failed drug test on his vanishing twin. He said he absorbed the blood of his twin, who died in the womb, which caused him to fail the test. We can’t make this up. JUST NO
5. In the ultimate test of chivalry, Olympic champion Dennis Mitchell blamed his high testosterone levels on his wife. More specifically on “five bottles of beer and sex with his wife at least four times…it was her birthday, the lady deserved a treat.” No one bought this Rico Suave’s story and he was banned for two years. YOU WISH
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 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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Pickleball - The Sport That's Taking Over The Nation
From Vanity Fair articles to a comedic primetime special, Pickleball has gone mainstream.
(Podcast length 5:16 mins)
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We've seen your notes asking us about the sport, and if we're being honest, we knew nothing about pickleball until doing this research. So here we go, diving in head first to Pickleball 101.
PS: We checked this info with actual pickleball players; therefore, you're in good hands.
Transcript
Before we get started, the basics:
It's a sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.
It's played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.
The game is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, similar to a Wiffle ball.
It can be played as doubles or singles, and your opponent doesn't have to be the same gender.
1. Pickleball has gone mainstream - major sports brands are selling pickleball gear, sponsoring pickleball players, and networks like CBS broadcast games. The New York Times declared pickleball "ready for prime time," Vanity Fair has covered the sport, and the sport will be the focus of a comedic primetime special called Pickled, set to air on CBS and Paramount+ later this year. USA Pickleball Membership had over 53,000 members at the end of 2021, a 43% increase from the previous year and the organization's largest single growth year. PICKLEDOME
2. Everybody is playing it. They're all picking up a racket from the Kardashians to Melinda Gates, Michael Phelps, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Owen Wilson, Russell Wilson to Drew Brees. Leonardo DiCaprio plays every day—by his own rules, naturally. His game is "like a free-for-all," one L.A.-based showrunner confided to Vanity Fair. The best pickleball story is about an unsuspecting Pittsburgh mom who ended up playing with members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. BIG FANS
3. The genesis of pickleball dates back to 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle). Joel Pritchard, a congressman from Washington State and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum came up with the sport because their kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules to the sport it is today, where it's played by official university pickleball teams, to the National Senior Games to the Pickleball National Championships with 2,300 registered players. OLYMPICS NEXT?
4. Although a great story, the game is not named after the Pritchard family dog, Pickles. (Pickles wasn't alive in 1965). The sport's name is in reference to the local pickle boat races. Yes, college crew "Pickle Boats" inspired the game's name, but Joel Pritchard confessed he used to confirm the dog story as a funny newspaper interview hoax. LAUGHING WITH YOU, NOT AT YOU, REPORTERS
5. Some terms to throw around if you're picking up a paddle at one of the 8,500 locations on the USA Pickleball's Places2Play map are similar to what you might hear in tennis, like ace and backhand. Then there's the non-volley zone (NVZ or "The Kitchen"), a seven-foot area on either side of the net where players cannot volley the ball. It includes all lines surrounding the zone. At worst, yell "pickle!" before serving, the universal warning the server shouts to alert players that they are about to serve. TALKING SHOP
If you want more on pickleball, this is an excellent resource or here's a five-minute video that goes over the rules.
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 networking event switches to sports.
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Break Out Your Spandex - The 5 Things To Know About The Tour De France
This isn't your mama's spin class.
(Podcast length 4:22 mins)
This isn't your mama's spin class.
Transcript
Overview - The Tour de France is the world's biggest annual sporting event with 3.5 billion television viewers and over 12 million spectators annually. It started on July 1 and runs through July 24. It covers over 2,000 miles and features 22 teams of eight riders. There are 21 stages (i.e., mountain or flat) that make up the race. Out of the 23 days of the Tour, the riders only have two days of rest.
1. Until the 1960s, it was common for participants to drink alcohol to hydrate and numb the pain. Despite its 'healing power,' alcohol was later banned because it's a stimulant. BRAKE FOR BOOZE
2. It's not all about the benjamins. After enduring three weeks of grueling terrain through four countries (Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and France), the winner takes home a check for $502,000. (For comparison sake, the Wimbledon winners each won $2.01 million). The man to beat for the cash prize is two-time winner Tadej Pogačar. CASHING IN
3. While you may fly solo while spinning away on your Peloton at home, in the Tour, a big group of riders grouped together is called the peloton, or French for "group." Other terms you might enjoy dropping into conversation include a musket bag, a shoulder bag containing food and water handed to riders at feeding stations. Then there's a SAG wagon. You and I might know it as an Uber, but it's a vehicle that follows cyclists and picks them up when they can no longer ride, whether from fatigue, injury, equipment failure, etc. OUI
4. Seven Americans are vying for one of the illustrious jerseys, the most American riders in 13 years. Why the different colored jerseys? The overall leader in the Tour wears the yellow jersey, the points leader wears a green jersey, and the red polka dot jersey goes to the best hill climber. SO FASHION-FORWARD
5. A team to watch. Ahead of the start of the race, Team Bahrain Victorious faced their second police raid in a week. This time the raid was from the Danish authorities, which stems from an ongoing doping investigation launched by the French authorities during last year's Tour de France. Europol made several raids across Europe a few days before at key staff and riders' homes. STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
Bonus: When Le Tour is over, the excitement doesn't stop. The Tour de France Femmes, the highly anticipated new stage race for pro-women, runs from July 24-31. The eight-stage race packs in 640 miles starting in Paris, across northeastern France, and into the Vosges mountains.
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 networking event switches to sports.
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True Crimes - Athletes Edition
Serving up championships with a side of murder.
(Podcast length 5:28 mins)
They might be invincible on the field, but not in the eyes of the law.
Transcript
1. During his career, Chicago Bears (NFL – National Football League) wide receiver Sam Hurd was the head of a high-level drug-dealing operation. It appeared he thought he was invincible. How so? Before being arrested, one of his associates was pulled over with $88,000 in cash while driving Hurd's car. Hurd had the guts to ask for the money back. He knew the police were onto him, but he refused to believe that police could wiretap cell phones from Mexico. He's serving out a 15-year sentence in Texas. NEW PHONE, WHO DIS?
2. Currently serving his 25-year sentence in a Moroccan prison is former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter Lee "Lightning" Murray. His former boss UFC President Dana White, once said, "He's a scary son of a b---h, and I don't mean fighter-wise." Murray was charged with being the mastermind of the largest bank heist in history - $100M. While the plan was flawlessly executed – the robbery took place without any injuries or even a bullet being fired. They weren't so bright afterward, where flubs like abandoned guns and cars and snitches were prevalent. Don't think this half-Moroccan citizen has let the downtime in the slammer go to waste. He tried to escape using tiny saws that were snuck inside of biscuits. WHERE THERE'S A WILL
3. The world fell in love with track and field star Oscar Pistorius, who was born with a congenital disability and had his lower legs amputated as an infant. In 2004, the "Blade Runner" won a gold medal at the Athens Paralympics and later competed in the 400-meter run at the 2012 London games. In 2013 he was arrested for shooting his girlfriend Reva Steenkamp multiple times through a bathroom door in his home on Valentine's Day. He was later found guilty of culpable homicide (the South African legal system's equivalent of manslaughter). He was sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison but is now eligible for parole. Although there's one sticking point before that happens. He has to meet with Steenkamp's parents, who have a right to do so under South Africa's victim-offender dialogue policy. Steenkamp’s parents can then make a recommendation to the parole board. NOT SO FAST
4. We've all stepped out of the house in our favorite outfits only to get something on them. The same happened to former NFL player Ray Lewis at a post-Super Bowl party. He and some friends got into a fight that left two people dead. Lewis was a suspect because he had blood on his suit and in his limo. The cream-colored suit became the storyline of the trial. Lewis said his suit was too nice to have committed murder, but the suit disappeared not long after the crime and is still MIA to this day. No one was charged with the murder, and Lewis ended up going to jail for obstruction of justice because he instructed his friends not to speak of the incident. SNITCHES GET STITCHES
5. The story of professional bodybuilders Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan is a little crazy. Titus had a bit of a storied past with drug-related arrests and parole violations. Then he met and married three-time Fitness Olympia runner-up Kelly Ryan, and it was all downhill from there. In 2005 police discovered the burned body of Melissa James, the couple's personal assistant. Ryan and Titus ran from the police for a week and were eventually arrested. They claimed James was stealing from them when she died of a drug overdose; they set her body on fire, abandoned it in a car and left town because they were afraid they would be accused of her death. James had been shot with a stun gun, given morphine, and strangled. In 2008, Titus was sentenced to between 21 and 55 years in prison, while Ryan was given two consecutive terms of 3 to 13 years. Ryan was released on parole in 2017. NOT SO SMART CRIMINALS
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 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 Independence Day Tradition That Makes Us Want To Puke
An American tradition unlike any other.
Photo: Instagram/joeychestnut
(Podcast length 5 mins)
After fireworks and listening to Whitney Houston’s rendition of the National Anthem on repeat, this is our favorite 4th of July tradition.
1. In a tradition unlike any other, our nation will celebrate its birthday with the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The contest will be returning to its home at Nathan’s flagship restaurant on Coney Island after two years of being away, thanks to COVID. Why hot dogs? According to Nathan’s legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they competed to see who was the most patriotic. The winner was determined with a hot dog eating contest. BUT OF COURSE
2. Let’s talk about what everyone is thinking about – vomiting. An eater who has "a Roman incident" or “reversal of fortune,” as it is so delightfully called, will be disqualified if the result of that incident touches the plate or table. After the contest, eaters can dispose of the food however they’d like, although some contests have a post-binge wait period. MAKE SURE NOT TO SIT IN THE SPLASH ZONE
3. This isn't college; the competitors don't show up just for the food. The winner out of the dog-downing competitors will take home $10,000. Want to bet on it? That can be done. You can also bet whether PETA will interrupt the contest or not or if there will be a “reversal of fortune.” One thing that’s a sure winner, Nathan’s will continue their annual tradition of donating 100,000 hot dogs to the Food Bank of New York. EATING FOR GOOD
4. The crowd of 35,000 people might be just what 14-time champion Joey Chestnut needs to beat his record 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes set last year. He reveals what happens to his body post-contest, and it’s gross (his sweat smells like hot dogs). He is one of 18 men to compete for the mustard belt. Chestnut has won the champion’s belt every year since 2007, except for 2015. He also holds the record for the most hard-boiled eggs eaten in 10 minutes at 151. IRON STOMACH
5. Don’t worry, this sport isn’t only for the boys. Miki Sudo won seven straight years until last year when she missed the competition because she was pregnant with her first child. But don’t worry, she’s back. Only three women, Sudo, Sonya Thomas and last year’s champ, Michelle Lesco, have won the women’s competition since it started in 2011. STEP UP TO THE PLATE
You can catch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN from 10:45 ET to 1 pm ET on July 4.
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 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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Why Players Wear White And All About Rufus The Hawk - Behind The Scenes Of Wimbledon 2022
The biggest tournament on grass is serving up plenty of champs with a side of tradition.
Photo: Instagram/wimbledon
(Podcast length 4 mins)
The oldest tennis tournament in the world is steeped in history, but that doesn't stop the common folk like us from enjoying a match, traditional Pimm's or donning our Wimbledon whites.
Transcript
1. The prestigious tournament has a strict dress code, requiring players to wear all white. (Rumor has it was that it was because it didn't show sweat like other colors). Now we all know that nothing ruins your summer whites like bird poop. Luckily you don't have to worry about that at Wimbledon. Rufus is a specially trained hawk that keeps those pooping pigeons away from the grounds. Like a good predator, Rufus flies above the grounds for one hour, around 9:00 am most mornings, before the gates open to keep the birds away. EYES LIKE A HAWK
2. The biggest news about Wimbledon is who isn’t going to be there. The tournament banned Russian and Belarusian athletes due to the invasion of Ukraine. Men’s No. 1 ranked player Daniil Medvedev is Russian and therefore will not be in attendance. In turn, the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) have decided not to award points to players in the tournament that will go towards world rankings, leaving some players wondering if it’s worth playing.
If you’re looking for someone to cheer for, Serena Williams, 40, is back playing in her first tournament since 2021. She is striving to tie the record of 24 major titles. (Wimbledon is the third major of the year). Rafael Nadal could tie Williams’ record of 23 majors if he wins at Wimbledon. RECORDS WERE MADE TO BE TIED
3. The tennis balls are replaced every seven to nine games to ensure they’re in perfect shape. It’s no wonder more than 53,000 tennis balls are used during the two-week tournament. But did you know tennis balls used to be white or black, not yellow? Changing them to yellow made it easier for the TV viewer to see the ball, but Wimbledon was a late adopter of the color change, waiting until the 80s. HOLY BALLS
4. Did you know that Wimbledon is the largest single annual sporting event in Europe from a catering perspective? In previous years, spectators consumed over 276,000 glasses of Pimm’s to wash down 18,061 servings of fish and chips. The tournament has served 4,242 servings of sushi and 6,147 servings of pasta to their racket-wielding athletes. WHO’S HUNGRY?
5. Grunting is something no longer left to gremlins and grumpy old men. Even the classiest of tennis players vocalize their play. While you may think this is new, Monica Seles and Jimmy Connors are known as the original creators of the tennis grunt. The loudest one on the court? Russia's Maria Sharapova at 105 decibels – the equivalent of standing next to an accelerating motorcycle. THAT'S NOT AWKWARD AT ALL
Noted: The 135th edition of the Wimbledon Championships begins on Monday, June 27 in London, and will go on till Sunday, July 10.
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