Better Days
Armed robbery ≠ social distancing, there are actual live sports this weekend and how the Jordan documentary almost didn’t make the cut.
The weekend is upon us.
Good to see you old friend,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
NASCAR returns this weekend with the “Real Heroes 400." Through a collaboration with NASCAR, FOX Sports and the teams, each driver’s name will be replaced on the car with the name of an individual healthcare worker who is currently battling COVID. Another fighter hitting the track is Ryan Newman, who was involved in a horrific, fiery crash in February at the Daytona 500. NASCAR has a full dance card this month as this is the first race of five taking place in the month of May. ROAD WARRIORS
Overtime
New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar (NFL - National Football League) were clearly not social distancing since they’re wanted in connection to an armed robbery investigation. They were at a party and allegedly decided to rob the patrons at gunpoint. BUT THEY WERE WEARING A MASK…
Sideline stat
Golf will resume this weekend with PGA (Professional Golfers Association) golfers Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson teeing off against their colleagues Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff. The goal of the match is to raise money for COVID relief with team McIlroy/Johnson playing for the American Nurses Foundation and team Fowler/Wolff, the CDC Foundation. The winning team will have a chance to earn anywhere from $50,000-$500,000 per hole for all 18 holes. GOLF FOR GOOD
Coaches’ corner
Bundesliga is back. (Say that fives times fast). Yes, the German soccer league that Americans fell in love with this spring is back in action this weekend. While we’ll lose the passion and the massive signs the fans bring, Bundesliga games are known for being exciting. They regularly lead Europe in average goals per game. More goals = more excitement. The top teams to watch are Bayern Munich (best described as the German Yankees) and Borussia Dortmund. Here are some more interesting facts about the league and the schedule. A SPORTS SUBSTITUTION
WHAT TO WATCH
Don’t be sad that it’s over, smile because it happened. That’s what the world will be telling itself when the Michael Jordan documentary “Last Dance” comes to an end this Sunday. The documentary was rolled out early due to COVID and the director didn’t finish editing Sunday’s episodes until last week. SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT
Truth Be Told
Who’s shaking what their mama gave them, the unsuspected hero of the “Last Dance” and ingenuity at work?
Sports, because everyone wants to talk about anything besides COVID.
Bring it on,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In last night’s episodes of “Last Dance,” the Michael Jordan documentary on ESPN, we had a chance to see inside Jordan’s relationship with Kobe Bryant. From his trash talking at Bryant’s first all-star game to the big brother and mentor Jordan became to Bryant. After his deadly helicopter crash earlier this year, it was bittersweet for so many fans to watch Bryant’s humble interview when discussing Jordan. WISH YOU WERE HERE
Overtime
Although it seems like the Super Bowl was a year ago, Jennifer Lopez shared behind the scenes footage to celebrate the three-month anniversary of her big halftime performance. Part of the video shows Shakira and JLo practicing their now famous booty-shaking routine. JLo’s word of advice to Shakira? "I do it with my knees, I shake my knees" – a secret she learned from her mama. NOTE TO SELF
Sideline stat
One German soccer fan is getting creative when it comes to using all of the boxes from his Amazon deliveries. With the return of German pro soccer league Bundesliga on the horizon, the fan had an idea to sell cardboard cutouts of a fan’s likeness for $20.60 to help local businesses. It’s a win-win because proceeds will benefit struggling local businesses, the local printer gets the work and the players will have “fans” in the stands when games resume. INGENUITY AT WORK
Coaches’ corner
Last week Baltimore Orioles (MLB - Major League Baseball) player Trey Mancini revealed that he was fighting stage three colon cancer. On a team call his teammates surprised him by holding up signs of support (literally) and pledged to “#F16HT” alongside him. The hashtag incorporates Mancini’s jersey number – 16. Mancini is currently undergoing chemotherapy and wants to see baseball return soon, even though he can’t play, so he can spend time with his teammates. IN IT TO WIN IT
What to watch
The unlikely hero of last night’s “Last Dance” episodes was the security guard at the United Center (home of the Chicago Bulls) who gambled with Michael Jordan in the locker room. With his curly blonde mullet and his victory dance moves, the scene where he takes Jordan’s money over a game of throwing quarters will make you smile. WINNING IS EVERYTHING
Show ‘Em What You Got
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Brains > brawn,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
When all you gave mom was a gift certificate. It was an extra special Mother’s Day for Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers. His parents, who live in the Dominican Republic, flew in to see their son pitch in the minor leagues when he received the call that he was needed on the big club. On Sunday, Peralta started his first major league game with his parents right there in the stands to witness his historic start. WATCH
NHL (National Hockey League)
When you have two good options. Nashville Predators super fan, Carrie Underwood, offered to sing the national anthem at a Vegas Golden Knights playoff game since her team is no longer in the playoffs. (Husband Mike Fisher plays for the Predators). The Golden Knights, like many hockey teams, have a dedicated anthem singer so they politely declined the generous offer. HIT THE HIGH NOTE
Overtime
From the "this really exists file." A Boston University student set the record for joggling - jogging while juggling. He ran a four minute, 43.2 second mile while juggling three lacrosse balls. We can’t even walk and chew gum at the same time. NOW THAT'S TALENT
Sideline stat
Golfer Jason Dufner’s golf ball is too good for its home. Yesterday in the final round of the Players Championship, his poor putting cost him $726,000 in prize money when he missed out on a second place finish. Seems like it would be cheaper to hire a putting coach? READ
Coaches’ corner
Some European soccer leagues have what is called relegation. Relegation is basically keeping the league competitive by demoting the worst teams in the highest division to a lower division and promoting the best in the lower division. (Think sending the Los Angeles Dodgers team down to play in the minor leagues and bringing a minor league team up).
In the German Bundesliga (the German soccer league), Hamburg was relegated and the fans weren’t happy. They weren’t going down without a fight and in protest tried to burn down the stadium. That’ll show them. FEELING HOT HOT HOT