R-E-S-P-E-C-T
What a staring contest has to do with football, a new level of gratitude and proof dance is a contact sport.
As you venture into your Monday, may these stories of respect (or lack thereof) help you carry on a conversation with a client or colleague.
In awe,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
While “Saturday Night Live” took shots at the newest member of the Philadelphia Phillies because of his massive contract, Bryce Harper showed off his sensitive side. Harper has worn the number 34 since breaking into the big leagues, but will wear No. 3 for his 13-year contract with the team. Why? The last person to wear the No. 34 for the Phillies was former pitcher Roy Halladay, who died in a plane crash. Harper felt Halladay should be the last player to wear that jersey number for the team. RESPECT
OVERTIME
Who says dancing isn’t a contact sport? After a big win, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter Johnny Walker broke out his celebration dance in the octagon. He showed off his skills by doing the worm and as a result he dislocated his shoulder. SHOW OFF
SIDELINE STAT
ESPN’s Rich Eisen did it again, running the 40-yard dash at the NFL (National Football League) Combine to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For the second year in a row, Eisen, who has raised over $1 million for the children's hospital, received a surprise donation from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. GOOD GUYS FINISH FIRST
COACHES’ CORNER
Last week we shared with you why the NFL Combine is one tough interview. Besides the physical tests, the mental ones are just as strenuous. This weekend, the Seattle Seahawks asked one prospect to participate in a staring contest. WHATEVER IT TAKES
WHAT TO WATCH
Rocker Kid Rock celebrated his first hole-in-one with none other than golf legend Jack Nicklaus. FORE!
The Envelope Please
Your reward for making it to Friday? Oscar award winning conversation starters.
Your reward for making it to Friday? Oscar award winning conversation starters.
It's just an honor to be nominated,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you know you’re not getting your security deposit back. Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry has won two league MVP awards but his golf game might need a little work. He was practicing his swing inside his hotel room which resulted in broken glass everywhere. Guess he’s the reason they charge for incidentals when checking in.
If all you need in life is the perfect cheer. NBA legend Charles Barkley is hosting Saturday Night Live this week. This is Barkley’s fourth time hosting the show and you can expect some parodies around his famous “I am not a role model” quote. Let’s see if he can one up the best athlete skit ever - Peyton Manning as a United Way youth volunteer.
Overtime
A balmy 50 degrees is like summer weather if you’re a NHL (National Hockey League) fan. The largest crowd ever at the Naval Academy is expected to brave the weather to catch the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals play outdoors in Annapolis, MD.
Sideline stat
Whoever said 50 years old was over the hill was full of crap. Meet George Corones the 99-year-old Australian swimmer who broke the record for the 50m swim for his age category by a whole 35 seconds. Somewhere Michael Phelps is envisioning his comeback.
Coaches’ corner
Not really into sports but love Hollywood? The two worlds collide at the Oscars, which are this Sunday. Former NBA player Kobe Bryant is nominated for his animated short Dear Basketball. Check out our Top Five Oscar Winning Sports Movies so you can be a part of the conversation or at least have an excuse to watch movies all weekend.
The Rundown: Ugly Sweater Not Included
While you were busy this weekend rocking that ugly sweater and singing holiday karaoke, there was plenty of excitement happening in the world of sports. We have what everyone is talking about, besides that video of your co-worker’s impression of the boss.
Darn you vodka,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLS (MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER)
- Winner winner. The Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC (Football Club) battled Saturday for the MLS Cup but neither of them scored a goal in regulation time or overtime. Therefore, the quest for the title came down to penalty kicks. Seattle won, securing the club’s first ever MLS Championship. Seattle did not have a shot on goal until the penalty kicks. (That means they didn’t even come close to scoring a goal until the penalty kicks).
NCAA Football (College)
- Pat on the back. The presentation of the award for the best player in college football, the Heisman Trophy, was on Saturday. It was no surprise that University of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson was named the winner. Jackson is the first Heisman winner from Louisville and the youngest recipient ever. He also claimed the award while rocking a red velvet sport coat.
- Good vs Bad. The Heisman Trophy presentation brings together all of the former winners. A photo from the award presentation of Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel together set the internet on fire as they are literally different ends of the moral spectrum. Read the funny tweets here.
- At last. Army ended a 14-year winless drought to the Naval Academy, winning in front of a crowd of 71,000+ that included President-Elect Donald Trump.
NFL (National Football League)
- Brr. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills game in New York was exactly how you'd imagine, freezing cold with heavy snowfall. Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell wasn’t bothered as he set the franchise record for rushing yards and secured a Steelers win.
- You had one job. The Buffalo ground crew didn’t have quite the same luck in the snow. While removing snow from the field they also removed the black rubber pellets from the artificial turf causing a delay in the game to fix the field. The pellets make the turf soft (i.e. safe), otherwise it’s basically concrete.
Overtime
- Wrestler and occasional Today Show co-host John Cena hosted Saturday Night Live this weekend. He spared no expense poking fun at student athletes with this skit about a football player at Alabama. He struck gold with a game show skit entitled “Where’d Your Money Go?” featuring "athletes." Key takeaway - don't buy a cheetah.
Sideline stat
- The Dallas Cowboys (NFL) were on an 11-game winning streak after losing their only game this season to the New York Giants. Last night the Giants once again beat the Cowboys to break their winning streak. No word yet on whether or not the state of Texas has outlawed Green Giant products.
Coaches’ corner
- Jägermeister and the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) are in the headlines but not for a new collaborative cocktail. Jägermeister has filed an appeal with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over the redesigned Bucks logo featuring a deer. The appeal states that the new Bucks logo is very similar to the German liquor company's logo. See for yourself.