Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS
Hot In Here
Break out the champagne because we’re headed to another Super Bowl. You’re not going to be able to avoid the football conversation today so you might as well join them. If you don’t like football, we have a little something for you too.
Break out the champagne because we’re headed to another Super Bowl. You’re not going to be able to avoid the football conversation today so you might as well join them. If you don’t like football, we have a little something for you too.
Show ‘em who’s the boss,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
If you don’t have a problem with wearing a costume outside of Halloween. In front of a home crowd of fans donning “underdog” dog masks, the Philadelphia Eagles soared to a big victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Police in Philadelphia were worried about celebrating (or rioting) in the streets afterward, so they used Crisco on the light poles so no one could climb them. A great plan by the "Crisco Cops" but apparently it didn't work.
When you have that moment of déjà vu. Tom Brady and his New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl. Even with his hand injury that required stitches, Brady led his team to a come-from-behind win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If this lineup looks familiar, the Eagles and the Patriots played each other in the 2005 Super Bowl where the Patriots were victorious.
Overtime
This is the eighth-time Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been to the Super Bowl together. While Belichick is arguably one of the best coaches in history, he’s certainly not a fashion icon, especially in yesterday's postgame press conference outfit. You be the judge. PIC
Sideline stat
The only person to have a better day than the Eagles and Patriots is Suni Strong. He hit a shot from half-court at the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA – National Basketball Association) game to win $100,000. Strong is a composite technician at SpaceX with a side gig as a bounty hunter.
Coaches’ corner
It’s been a tough Australian Open for American women without Serena Williams. Madison Keys is the remaining American woman in the field and she has advanced to the quarterfinals. Williams on the other hand seems to be battling with her toughest opponent yet, a baby stroller.
Stay tuned for the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 4 in Minneapolis. We’ll make sure you’re party ready with a special Super Bowl edition Five Things To Know, coming your way January 31.