Easy On Me
Was Aaron Rodgers Halloween costume worth the hair, why the discussion around mental health is more important than ever in sports and when moms text?
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
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
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.
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
Better Than Advertised
Remembering 9/11, how much would you pay for a ‘sure’ win and the brilliant and strategic reason the Saints-Packers game is being played in Florida.
The NFL season kicked off last night with an Ed Sheeran concert. Oh, and a football game. Sheeran's NFL merch may not have lived up to expectations but the game exceeded them. Here’s to hoping your weekend does the same.
Thinking out loud,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Remembering 9/11
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the weeks following 9/11, it seemed like sports was the sense of normalcy so many craved. This weekend, teams across the country will be honoring those who were lost. The NFL (National Football League), MLB (Major League Baseball) and numerous college football teams have added pregame tributes, with some wearing special uniforms.
Select NFL teams are partnering with Tuesday’s Children, an organization that aids “families who have suffered losses due to the events of 9/11, post-9/11 military service or other acts of mass violence and terrorism,” to host and recognize a family during their home game. WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Overtime
The New Orleans Saints (NFL) were forced to move their home opener against the Green Bay Packers due to Hurricane Ida, but how they finally landed on the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium as their home away from home is interesting. First, Aaron Rodgers’ (Packers QB) numbers show he struggles when playing in Florida. Florida also gave the Saints the humidity advantage as their players are used to it. Then out of the three available stadiums in Florida - Miami, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville - they picked the one that would be the most expensive for Packers fans to travel to, so they might still have home field advantage. BRILLIANT
Sideline stat
LSU (Lousiana State) is looking to bounce back after their first game that ended in a disappointing loss. But they’ll have to do it against a familiar foe - the son of LSU head coach Ed Orgeron. Orgeron’s son is the quarterback for LSU’s Saturday opponent, McNeese State. The mismatched game will likely be a blowout, but it’s common practice for college teams to pay opponents from smaller schools for an easy win. In fact, LSU is paying McNeese $600,000 to play them this weekend. NO SUCH THING AS BAD PR
Coaches’ corner
The final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season, the US Open, comes to a close on Sunday. We know that the youth movement of Leylah Fernandez, 19, and Emma Raducanu, 18, will play on Saturday in the all-teenage women’s singles finals. The men’s final will be determined later today, but we may be witnessing history if Novak Djokovic wins in the semifinals today. If he makes it to the finals and wins on Sunday, he will be the first tennis player since Steffi Graff in 1988 to win all four majors in a calendar year. FINISH STRONG
Most Of The Time
Why someone spent 15 hours in a Waffle House, the superwoman who is headed to the Olympics and a sweet Father’s Day victory for Jon Rahm.
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
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