A Guide To The NFL Season - The 5 Things You Need To Know
Football is back and we have yours when it comes to the gameday conversation.
Football is back and just like that, there goes your Sundays (and Mondays…and Thursdays)…
Put me in coach,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The 100th NFL (National Football League) season starts on Thursday and culminates with the Super Bowl in Miami on February 2. Performances by Meek Mill, Meghan Trainor and Rapsody will kickoff the first game of the season that happens to be between two of the the league’s oldest rivals, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The league is so excited about their 100th year that they’ve coined the phrase “fantennial” to celebrate fans along the way. DON’T LAUGH – YOU DIDN’T USE THE WORD GOOGLE UNTIL 20 YEARS AGO
2. While everyone expects the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots, to do well this season, it’s the Cleveland Browns who are raising eyebrows. The team that went winless two seasons ago has set the bar high this season and could be one to beat, thanks to second year quarterback Baker Mayfield. THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
3. After some controversy around her Sunday Night Football song, Carrie Underwood has teamed up with Joan Jett to sing the show’s opener. For the first time in 14 years, the video for the opening song was shot inside an NFL stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. P!nk and Faith Hill sang previous versions of the theme song. LADIES OF THE EVENING
4. While you might think the most important people on the field are the guys in the helmets, it’s a little more black and white than that. With the team’s futures in their hands, the referees, and their game changing decision making minds, are only part-time employees. As part of a labor dispute between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association, all refs will be considered part-time until further notice. After some notable controversial calls last season, we’ll see if this status affects the game. PLACE YOUR BETS
5. Did you know the NFL used to be 501 (c)(6) non-profit? They voluntary gave up their tax-exempt status, which means they no longer have to disclose commissioner Roger Goodell’s salary, which has been upward of $31 million. MAKING BANK
Want to know more about your team? Here is the top story line for each team. BE IN THE KNOW
Wednesday Wisdom
It’s all happening today including why beer and football are worth celebrating, a classic tale of a cheerleader and quarterback, who's baring it all and Serena’s U.S. Open domination. READ
Hello Old Friend
How a male athlete found out he was pregnant, why the Biebs was enshrined on a baseball card and Tom Brady is going to be around for awhile?
Monday, we meet again.
Fresh start,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
He may be the oldest quarterback and third oldest player in the NFL, but Tom Brady is showing no sign of slowing down. The QB, who turned 42 last week, signed a two-year, $70 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. He may be “old” but the six-time Super Bowl champion has been relatively healthy besides an ACL tear in 2008. FITNESS GOALS
Overtime
Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians (MLB - Major League Baseball) has spent much of his life in the shadow of pop star Justin Bieber. The pitcher made a name for himself, becoming the American League MVP in last month’s all-star game and one of the best in the game. That didn’t stop Topps baseball cards from a misprint on his baseball card, calling him Justin. The baseball playing Bieber thought it was hilarious and according to their Twitter conversation, the other Bieber did too. TOO LATE TO SAY SORRY?
Sideline stat
The NFL regular season kicks off in 31 days but that’s not stopping Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield from continuing the tradition of NFL players chugging beer on the big screen. Hyping up fans at a Cleveland Indians game (MLB), he joined his fellow football players and shotgunned a beer once he was put on the big screen. SURELY IT’S PART OF HIS TRAINING REGIMEN
Coaches’ corner
Well this is awkward. A European basketball player, D.J. Cooper, was suspended by FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) after his drug test revealed he was pregnant. Cooper is not some freak of nature but used his girlfriend’s urine to pass a drug test. It was likely she had no idea that she was pregnant when he tried to pass her sample for his own. ALL IN THE FAMILY
What to watch
On Wednesday, ESPN2 will yet again transform into ESPN8: The Ocho. The channel, inspired by “Dodgeball: The Movie,” will feature obscure sporting events (think Stupid Robot League and lawn mower racing). We’ll cover the big day in Wednesday’s Five Things To Know but if you want a head start on all the action, check out the special edition of the Sports Curious Podcast. LISTEN UP
Goodbye, Work Week
Anyone else ready to tell the office goodbye for a couple days?
Anyone else ready to tell the office goodbye for a couple days?
Working for the weekend,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS: Today’s quick and easy Tailgate Treat is for all our gluten-free friends out there. Your guests will never know these brownies aren’t the real thing.
NFL (NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE)
Let there be beer. Bud Light sympathized with the fans of the Cleveland Browns and their 635-day losing streak. At the beginning of the season, they placed fridges filled with beer throughout the city that would open when the Browns finally won a game. Last night, that dream became a reality when the Browns beat the New York Jets. Not sure who was more excited, the fans, the rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield or the Cleveland Police Department. NOT SORRY FOR CALLING IN SICK TODAY
OVERTIME
Supermodel Chrissy Teigen is full of hysterical sass, and now her words are catching up with her. After a recent tweet claiming she could “absolutely be a hockey goalie,” the Los Angeles Kings (NHL- National Hockey League) invited her to try out to become their emergency backup goalie. And it sounds like she’s taking them up on their offer. SWAPPING STILETTOS FOR SKATES
SIDELINE STAT
It’s been 22 years since Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny graced the big screen in Space Jam. If you’re a fan of the flick, then you’re in luck because a reboot is coming. It will star LeBron James and be directed by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. They will start filming next summer. Guess King James’ move to Hollywood paid off? GRAB THE POPCORN
COACHES’ CORNER
The Los Angeles Angels (MLB- Major League Baseball) player Francisco Arcia made history by becoming the first player ever to play catcher and pitcher and hit a home run- all in the same game. PLAYING THE FIELD
WHAT TO WATCH
Thirty golfers are fixing their eyes on the $10 million prize as the FedExCup wraps up this weekend. Golf legend Tiger Woods is leading the tour championship so far. If he wins, it’ll be his third FedExCup victory. MAKE ROOM IN THE TROPHY CASE