Easy On Me

It's a Monday, the day after Halloween and the first of November - that's enough shock value for today so we're here to make the rest of the day easy.


Highest hopes,
The Last Night's Game Team

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NFL (National Football League)

On the same day that Philadelphia Eagles Lane Johnson spoke out about his crippling battle with anxiety and depression, Calvin Ridley of the Atlanta Falcons announced that he is stepping away from the game to focus on his mental health. Johnson opened up in an interview that he missed three games in October because he was "living in hell for a long time." His battle with his anxiety and depression gave him hand tremors and daily nausea, which resulted in him throwing up blood.

Johnson's interview and Ridley's announcement continue to contribute to the open discussion around mental health, including for athletes. MAY IT CONTINUE

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Short and Sweet

• Aaron Rodgers grew his hair out for his Halloween costume, but was it worth it?

• The sports world mourns the loss of the son of broadcaster Ernie Johnson, who passed at the age of 33.

• It's down to four in NASCAR's (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Championship.

• The Houston Astros (MLB - Major League Baseball) survive elimination by the Atlanta Braves and head back home for Game Six of the World Series tomorrow.

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Before we go

Until yesterday, quarterback Trevor Siemian's career highlight might have been the Skittles-distributing parkas gifted during the holidays. In yesterday's game, he stepped in for an injured Jameis Winston to lead his New Orleans Saints (NFL) to a momentous victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He said he received 200+ congratulatory texts, and joked most were from his mom. LIFE'S MOMENTS

Money Moves

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Like when the conversation turns to sports. Use that to lead into something you know so much more about, like travel or food.

Expert moves,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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The More You Know

And they say chivalry is dead. Former NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Racing) driver and current host of the "Dale Jr. Download" podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr., “saved his wife’s life” after she was stung by a jellyfish. He did exactly what you think. Yep, inspired likely by old wives’ tales and an episode of “Friends,” Dale Jr. shielded himself from other beachgoers and peed on his wife’s foot. To everyone’s surprise, the immense amount of pain stopped, and now he's a hero. NOW YOU KNOW

Overtime

After images of a German modern pentathlon coach punching their Olympic horse surfaced, actress and avid equestrian Kaley Cuoco, who is also married to a horse trainer, took to social media and offered to buy the horse and “give it the life it deserves.” German coach Kim Raisner was disqualified after hitting the horse on TV after it wouldn’t jump in the competition. SHE’S NOT HORSING AROUND

Sideline stat

Haiti was rocked by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake this weekend, leaving over 1,200 people dead as of this morning. The No. 2 tennis player in the world and social activist Naomi Osaka has pledged to donate her prize money from this week’s Western & Southern Open tennis tournament to relief efforts. Osaka's father, Leonard Francois, is a native of Haiti. DOING THE MOST GOOD

Coaches’ corner

Is it a sign of what’s to come? The Barclay’s Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA – National Basketball Association), is requiring all workers and fans in attendance to show proof of vaccination to enter the building. So far, no leagues are requiring players to be vaccinated, but the NBA’s Summer League required all non-vaccinated players to essentially remain in isolation. For the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association), 99 percent of the league is vaccinated, even without a league mandate. SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Most Of The Time

Sometimes we jump out of bed, ready to tackle the day. Other times we begrudgingly roll out and pour a giant cup of coffee to get started. Either way, we have you covered for small talk with today’s news.

Fire up the engines,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Summer Olympics

This weekend swimmer Ryan Lochte did not qualify for the Summer Olympics, but runner Allyson Felix did. Felix's two-year-old cheered her mama on from the stands as she qualified for her fifth Olympics, her first as a mom. You might remember Felix took on Nike for their maternity policy for female athletes. (Nike has since changed its policies, and they do not apply any performance-related reductions for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant). GOLDEN GIRL

Overtime

We’ve officially heard it all when it comes to fantasy football punishment. Lee Sanderlin lost his fantasy league, and instead of getting a funny tattoo or making him wax a body part, he had to spend 24 hours in a Waffle House restaurant. There was a caveat. He could shave off an hour for every waffle he ate. He took to Twitter to pass the time, and his journey went viral. A ‘mere’ 9 waffles, and 15 hours later, Sanderlin went home with a stomachache and said he might never eat another waffle again. PASS THE PEPTO

Sideline stat

Golfer Jon Rahm is calling it karma. Over two weeks ago, he was in the lead at the Memorial Tournament and had to drop out after testing positive for COVID. Yesterday he took home his first major win (there are four major tournaments in the PGA – Professional Golfers Association). He is the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open, and he celebrated his Father’s Day win with his newborn baby boy. The course, Torrey Pines, also holds a special place in Rahm’s heart as that’s where he proposed to his wife. FULL CIRCLE

Coaches’ corner

New Orleans Saints (NFL – National Football League) Alvin Kamara is diversifying his resume from football. The football-playing racing fan has joined NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) in a growth and engagement adviser role. In his role, he will work with the league in its "strategic planning and creative opportunities that support its fan development efforts." KEEPING THE OPTIONS OPEN