This week is flying by like a bat at spring training. We’re channeling our inner Rickie Fowler excellence and Erin Andrews superwoman strength to make it to Friday.
For the win,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five things to know about Erin Andrews
- Erin Andrews has been in the news lately for the horrific case of a stalker filming her nude in her hotel room. Her recent lawsuit against a Nashville Marriott and the man who filmed her, Michael Barrett, where the court awarded her $55 million in damages. This incident is just one piece of Andrews’ life therefore we wanted to share with you five things about Erin Andrews reporter, sports fan and super woman that she is.
Andrews attended the University of Florida, where she was on the dance Gators team. Her younger sister, Kendra, is a professional dancer and actress.
Following in her journalist father’s Emmy Award winning footsteps, Andrews' career started in 2000 covering Tampa Lightning for Fox Sports, moved to ESPN in 2004 and then to FOX in 2012. Andrews has covered major sporting events such as the World Series, Daytona 500, Rose Bowl, College Baseball World Series and NFL Playoffs. Clearly a busy lady, she has also been the host of Dancing with the Stars since 2014 and has reported for Good Morning America.
Set up by Live with Kelly and Michael host and former Giants star, Michael Strahan, Andrews has been dating Jarret Stoll of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild for four years. The Canadian has won the Stanley Cup twice (i.e. NHL’s championship). Throwing a wrench in the fairy tale, Stoll was arrested for drug possession in April 2015.
She was the spokesperson for Reebok ZigTech in 2011 until ESPN changed its endorsement guidelines stating that all reporters, anchors, columnist and analysts cannot enter into personal sponsorship agreements. Talk about peeing in her cheerios. (Insert sad face here).
It’s not just for men. Andrews has been a proponent of women as passionate sports fans. Through various partnerships she supported a StubHub initiative, Girls Night Out, which encouraged women to celebrate their love for sporting events. She also partnered with CoverGirl for their #Gameface contest, which encouraged women to upload their spirited game faces to social media.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Watch where you text. Pittsburgh Pirates were playing the Atlanta Braves in a spring training game when the bat flew out of the batter’s hands and into the stands. Fan Shaun Cunningham realized the bat was flying at his son’s face who was texting his Mom when his dad instincts took over. Check out the photo of the close call.
NFL (National Football League)
- Thanks for the memories. Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, 30, announced his retirement after nine seasons. By retiring now he is leaving at least $67 million in contract money on the table. His career highlights include:
- Highest average receiving yards per game in NFL history (86.1)
- Most receiving yards in single season (1,964)
- Since being drafted in 2007, Johnson leads all receivers in receiving yards, touchdowns and 100 yard games.
- Recent retirees are said to have set up the the Hall of Fame class of 2021 to be one of the best. (Players have to be retired for five years before they're eligible for a Hall of Fame nomination).
- Quarterback Peyton Manning
- Wide receiver Calvin Johnson
- Defensive back Charles Woodson
- Running back Marshawn Lynch
Tennis
- Time out. Professional Tennis player Maria Sharapova announced that she tested positive for banned substance “meldonium” during the Australian Open. Sharapova has been taking the drug for 10 years, but the drug just became a banned substance by tennis on January 1st. She admits to not reading the memos about the drug hence the situation. Sharapova is the highest paid female athlete, earning $29 million last year.
Overtime
- Major League Baseball has announced that March 11th will be deemed “Snapchat Day,” allowing players to use phones to Snapchat fans during games. Don’t forget to add “lastnightsgame” on Snapchat for all your sports highlights.
Sideline Stat
- Professional golfer Rickie Fowler hit a hole-in-one on Monday to raise $1 million for Els for Autism foundation. Fowler was the 17th pro golfer to attempt the shot, reportedly borrowing a golf club and teeing off in sneakers.
Ernie Els, also a professional golfer, founded the foundation in 2009 after learning son had autism.
Coaches’ Corner
- The Dancing with the Stars lineup for season 22 has been announced and it includes athletes galore including:
- Denver Broncos linebacker and Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown
- Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie
- UFC fighter Paige VanZant
See who will take home the famed Mirror Ball trophy when the dancing starts March 21st on ABC.
