Talk Sporty To Me
How players are opting out of the football season, busy weekend at the maternity ward and a crappy day of golf.
Talking about something other than politics has never been so easy.
And way less controversial,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
It may seem like NFL players are dropping like ahead of the 2020-2021 season, even though the season doesn’t start until September, but why? Players have until Thursday, August 6 to make a decision if they’re going to stay or go for the upcoming season. If they opt out of the season for a COVID-related medical reason, they will receive a salary advance of $350,000. If it’s a non-medical reason, they’ll receive $150,000. A PERSONAL DECISION
Overtime
We’ve all had those days where your job simply stinks. Enter in European golfer Joel Sjöholm who was forced to take a boat to get to his poorly hit ball. He hit his ball onto an island covered with metal signs, trees and debris but he opted to jump in a little boat to get there and forage through the obstacles to get to his ball. Luckily for us, a camera captured the whole thing. THAT'S COMMITMENT
Sideline stat
It was a busy weekend at the maternity ward for your favorite sports figures. Former wrestlers (WWE – World Wrestling Entertainment) the Bella Twins, each welcomed a baby boy one day apart. Then MLB’s (Major League Baseball’s) MVP Mike Trout and his wife also welcomed a baby boy, Beckham Aaron Trout. Is it a coincidence that the baby’s initials spell BAT? Probably not. WELCOME TO THE WORLD
Coaches’ corner
LSU (Louisiana State University) players had a chance to try out the new “splash shields” that college football players will wear on their helmets to help prevent the spread of COVID. Needless to say, they were not fans with one player describing it as “playing in a Ziplock bag.” Regardless, it seems as these shields will be an integral part the sport this fall. ALTHOUGH BREATHING ALSO SEEMS ESSENTIAL
What to watch
A group of PAC-12 (a college athletic conference) football players are threatening to boycott the season if their concerns around player safety and racial injustice are addressed. Key points include eligibility if they opt out due to COVID concerns, a social justice task force and keeping existing sports by cutting pay to coaches and administrators. STAY TUNED
Happening this week
August 5-6: MLS (Major League Soccer) Semifinals
August 6-9: PGA Championship - the first of three majors this season for the PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
August 7: Deadline for NFL players to opt out of upcoming season.
The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition
The always perfect date, Last Night’s Game, brings you all you need to know to impress your valentine (or the pizza delivery man) this weekend.
Pepperoni with cheese,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Give me a break. Signifying the end of the first half of the NBA season, the All-Star break started today and the All-Star Game is this weekend. The second half of the season will resume with games on Thursday.
- In the lead. Cleveland Cavaliers are in first place in the East and the Golden State Warriors in the West.
- Recipe for success. Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry is the reigning MVP and arguably the best player in the league. This was not always the case. When first came into the league had extreme ankle problems and the outlook on his career was dismal. He became the player he is today through hard work and dedication.
- A whole new world. The NBA is taking voting for the MVP of this Sunday’s All-Star Game to the next level. NBA has created emojis for the different players in the game and fans can vote via twitter using the emojis. The TNT broadcasters also have their own emojis, which includes a dig at former player turned TNT broadcaster, Charles Barkley, whose emoji is a donut. Nom nom.
- You can catch All-Star Saturday, which includes the skills competition, three-point contest and slam dunk competition on Saturday at 8:30 pm (EST) on TNT.
- The All-Star Game is on Sunday at 8:30 pm (EST) on TNT.
NCAA BASKETBALL (COLLEGE)
- Practicing some self-restraint. University of Louisville announced a self-imposed post season ban this year. This ban is in hopes of avoiding further penalties from the NCAA. The possible NCAA smackdown stems from an escort scandal which took place from 2010-2014 involving potential recruits.
NFL (National Football League)
- Bad boys need not apply. In an attempt to clean up their image, the NFL announced that prospects with convictions involving weapons, domestic violence and/or sexual offense/sexual assault will not be allowed to participate in the predraft combine. The NFL combine takes place February 26 - 29th.
- Fast wins cash. Adidas is offering any prospect player at the combine $1 million if they break the 40-yard dash record. The current record is 4.24 seconds. Included in the fine print – the athlete must be wearing Adidas shoes.
- Insert foot in mouth. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was on the Jimmy Fallon Show, where he told an amazing and hilarious story of how he first met a kid from Memphis named Justin (Timberlake).
- Three’s Company? Oakland Raiders announced they have signed a one-year lease agreement to stay in Oakland. The whole NFL relocation-stadium saga is about as intertwined as a telenovela so let's recap. Oakland is third in line for a possible relocation to Los Angeles. The Rams have already committed to move to L.A. and the San Diego Chargers have a year to decide if they too want to move to L.A. and share a stadium with the Rams. If not, the Raiders can make a move. Although according to reports, they really just want to stay in Oakland but need some love (i.e. money) from the City of Oakland.
Soccer
- Victory for the people. Liverpool has announced they will put a price freeze on tickets after an uproar from fans and a staged walkout last week.
- Fancy a date with a soccer player? You can start your Valentine’s Day with one of two big Premier League games this Sunday.
- Arsenal vs Leicester City at 7 am (EST) on NBCSN
- Aston Villa vs Liverpool at 9 am (EST) on NBCSN
- Money isn’t everything. Leicester City is a true Cinderella story. Last year they finished in 14th place and this year they are in first place in the league where they’re beating all the teams with much higher payrolls.
Overtime
- Wrestler Daniel Bryan of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has announced he is stepping away from the ring at the age 34 due to concussions. Bryan, who is married to reality TV star and fellow wrestler Brie Bella (one of the Bella Twins and star of the show “Total Divas”), has had a documented 10 concussions thought his career and suffered post-concussion seizures.
Sideline Stat
- Golden State Warriors hold the best record of any NBA team in history for the first half of the season (48-4). They are on pace to set the record for wins in a season. The record is held by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was a player on that Bulls team. .
Coaches’ Corner
- What is the NFL combine? The NFL combine is a platform for prospective NFL prospects to participate in various drills and interviews with NFL scouts to improve their visibility and draftability. Prospects can only participate if they’re invited. The NFL Network will be covering the combine live February 26-29th.