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
Expand Your Horizons
It's Int'l Yoga Day so why is Carrie Underwood being sued, who’s working out a custody agreement of a team and who’s headed out to pasture?
On this International Yoga Day, stretch your mind into the world of sports and be one with great conversation.
Namaste,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Just when you think you’ve heard it all, think again. In an unusual scenario, the Tampa Bay Rays received permission from MLB to explore the idea of playing their first half of the season in Florida and the second half in Montreal. Montreal used to have a team before it moved to Washington, D.C. Why? Weather, lack of attendance in Tampa Bay, a need for a new stadium in FL. It's far from happening but is not inconceivable. BUT WILL THERE BE DIRECT FLIGHTS?
Overtime
Carrie Underwood, NBC and the NFL (National Football League) are being sued over the “Sunday Night Football” theme song. Underwood has been singing the intro tune since 2018, but another singer alleges Underwood flat out stole the song from her. YOU BE THE JUDGE
Sideline stat
The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team had another dominant win yesterday, beating Sweden and winning their group in the group stage. They advance to the next round of 16 and will play Spain on Monday (Noon EST). WORLD CUP TROPHY OR BUST
Coaches’ Corner
Golfer Clement Berardo was disqualified but not because he did something heinous. But because he ran out of balls. He had a rough round and ran out of golf balls at the 15th hole and therefore was DQ’d. (He needed enough to play to the 18th hole). CAN’T HE FISH ONE OUT OF THE POND?
What To Watch
WWE’s (World Wrestling Entertainment) Nikki Bella, 35, is calling it quits. Neck and brain injuries are forcing her to retire. Her last match was against former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter Ronda Rousey in WWE's all-women's pay-per-view Evolution in October. THROWING IN THE TOWEL
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