Now What?
Olympic wrap-up, there’s a dance party in Toronto and hall of fame speeches that’ll inspire you this morning.
Now that the Olympics are over guess it’s time to binge-watch “Mare of Eastown” or one of the 20 other shows everyone is talking about.
So many choices, so little time,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
The last weekend of the Summer Olympics wrapped up with a few huge wins for Team USA, which finished one gold medal ahead of second-place China in the medal count. Adding to that Team USA tally were the women’s basketball team (their seventh straight gold medal), men’s basketball team (fourth consecutive gold) and women’s volleyball (first gold ever). Also, for the first time, 93 Olympic organizing committees won a medal - the most to ever win a medal at a single Olympic Games. SEE YOU IN PARIS
Overtime
The NFL (National Football League) Hall of Fame speeches are always inspirational, and this weekend’s induction lived up to the hype. We had high hopes for Peyton Manning’s speech. After all, he has been the host of “Saturday Night Live.” He had the audience laughing especially as he took a jab or two at his longtime rival Tom Brady, who attended the ceremony as Manning’s guest.
The thought-provoking speech came from former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, 78, who talked about QTL – quality time left. "Think about that," Johnson said. "I'm 78 years old and I think about QTL all the time." BE IN THE MOMENT
Sideline stat
Arguably the world’s best soccer player, Lionel Messi, is moving on. During an emotional press conference, he said farewell to his team, FC Barcelona, that he had played for since he signed with them at age 13. (He’s 34-years-old). Messi is leaving because of team financial constraints and has agreed to a two-year deal with PSG (Paris Saint-Germain). PASS THE TISSUES
Coaches’ corner
The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB – Major League Baseball) finally returned to their home stadium after being banned from traveling across the border all season due to COVID protocols. (They split their time between Buffalo and Florida). It's clear they like being home, judging by the dance party that ensues after each home win. The clubhouse turns into a club, complete with strobe lights. RAVING JAYS
So Easy A Caveman Could Do It
It may be Monday, but you’re one step closer to the start of football season. If you’re not into football, that means the stores will be less crowded on Sundays and all you have to do is read The Rundown to stay in the loop.
Easy peasy,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Soccer
- Took it a step too far. It was quite the day for Cristiano Ronaldo. In Sunday’s El Clasico game between Real Madrid and Barcelona, he scored a goal and celebrated by removing his shirt to mock rival player Lionel Messi. Then it all went downhill. Ronaldo shoved a referee and was subsequently ejected. He could receive a 12-game suspension for the shove. He should’ve stopped at the shirtless celebration.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- A first. For the first time ever, a graduate from West Point played in an MLB game. Chris Rowley was the starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday and he not only brought home a win for his team but paved the way for other Army grads to take the field.
- Slippery little suckers. Baseball’s most recognized current player, Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, slipped on a wet base in a game this weekend and suffered a knee bone bruise. He’s out of the game until it heals.
Overtime
- In the final major of the season, 24-year-old Justin Thomas pulled off a win at the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Championship. Thomas is a third-generation PGA member. Justin’s grandfather and father are longtime PGA professionals. (A PGA membership is one that you have to qualify for by being a great golfer).
Sideline stat
- Gavin and Joe Maloof know sports. The wealthy entrepreneurs owned the Sacramento Kings (NBA – National Basketball Association) but now they’re jumping into the ring. The Las Vegas based brothers bet a whopping $880,000 on their neighbor Floyd Mayweather in the upcoming fight between Mayweather and Conor McGregor. If they win, they’ll give their $160,000 in profits to charity.
Coaches’ corner
- The last race in runner Usain Bolt’s career did not have a Disney-style ending. In the relay at the World Championships, he pulled a hamstring and did not finish. It may have not been the ending he wanted but he had a stellar career that speaks for itself.
Old Guys Rule
As we dance into another weekend, we’re celebrating the start of football season, the fountain of youth and of course “The Ocho.”
Doing our touchdown dance,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
- Standing in the Hall of Fame. The NFL will induct the newest members of its Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. The list of worthy inductees includes Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has been instrumental in getting the NFL to where it is today.
- The road less traveled. Also being honored is former quarterback Kurt Warner, who had an indirect path to the NFL. The Super Bowl winner has an incredible story that includes working at a grocery store to fund his family and his dream of playing in the NFL. Warner has chosen his wife to be his presenter. She’s only the second wife ever to present her husband at the famed induction ceremony.
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
- Co-ed. EA SPORTS announced yesterday that WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) players will be featured on the video game NBA Live 18. The game, which will be released in September, is the first video game to feature the WNBA’s full roster of teams and players.
Overtime
- Inspired by the movie Dodgeball, ESPNU will become ESPN8: “The Ocho” on Tuesday, August 8th. The network will only be live for one day but will stick to its mantra of showcasing seldom seen sports such as ultimate trampoline dodgeball, the Firefighters World Challenge and the 2017 Championship of Bags (i.e. the backyard game cornhole).
Sideline stat
- Celebrating his 40th birthday yesterday, quarterback Tom Brady (NFL) proved that 40 is the new 30. He’s the oldest non-kicker in professional football and he's not slowing down thanks to yoga and his mostly vegan diet.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Harrison has also tapped into the fountain of youth. The 39-year-old credits his career longevity to spending $300,000 a year in care for his body with massage therapists, acupuncturists and chiropractors.
Coaches’ corner
- There was big soccer news yesterday. Superstar Neymar left Barcelona to sign with Paris Saint - Germain (PSG). The signing triggered a €222m transfer fee, the largest ever. What’s a transfer fee? PSG must pay Barcelona for the rights to acquire Neymar. Essentially, Barcelona owns Neymar and this is a fee to transfer him to PSG. This fee does not include his hefty salary.
