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
5 Of America’s Best Cities (That Also Happen To Have Great Sports Teams)
Who isn't looking for a reason to get away?
Photo: Instagram/Nashvilletn - FirstBank Amphitheater
We’ve taken out the obvious choice for sports cities in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Chicago and given you a few new places to add to your must-see travel list.
*Books flights,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Denver
With over 300 days of sunshine, Denver is an obvious choice. Sure they have the Denver Broncos (NFL – National Football League), Denver Nuggets (NBA – National Basketball Association), Colorado Avalanche (NHL – National Hockey League) and Colorado Rockies (MLB – Major League Baseball) but did you know they have over 150 breweries in the metro area? You can take in a concert at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre if you’re not into sports or venture into the mountains for some hiking, skiing or our favorite, après-ski. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
Seattle
If the Pike’s Place Market area, the original Starbucks or taking in the views from the top of the Space Needle isn’t enough to drive you to check out Seattle, how about a little sports action? Seattle is the home to the newest NHL team, the Seattle Kraken, that will begin their inaugural season this fall. If hockey isn’t your thing, they have the Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Storm (WNBA - Women's National Basketball Association), Sounders (MLS – Major League Soccer), OL Reign (NWSL – National Women’s Soccer League) and the Mariners (MLB). The Mariners have the longest playoff drought in baseball, so maybe you can bring them some good luck (or at least enjoy the outdoors with a cold beer and some popcorn). HEY BATTER BATTER
Nashville
If Nashville is on your travel list, you’re not the only one. The music city ranks high on the list of most-desired domestic destinations in 2021. If you like football, food and music – you’re in luck. You can catch a Tennessee Titans (NFL) game and then wander over to the Country Music Hall of Fame or to Lower Broadway to take in some of the best live music you’ve ever heard. The city is booming, with over 22 new restaurants opening thus far in 2021, which will be great to grab a bite before a Nashville Predators (NHL) or Nashville SC (MLS) game. VOLUNTEER TO VISIT
Las Vegas
The newest blossoming sports city also happens to be the entertainment capital of the world. So if you’re not into catching a Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) or Aces (WNBA) game or checking out the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) in their brand new stadium, there are plenty of options of things to do. While we all know the Las Vegas Strip is what keeps people coming back to Vegas, did you know that there’s excellent hiking at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and a world-class Mob Museum with a speakeasy in the basement? Oh, and they have 280 non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 152 destinations in nine countries, so it’s easy to get there. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Tampa Bay
While you may think of the beaches, Tampa Bay has cemented its status as an elite sports city over the past few years. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, won the Super Bowl (NFL) in 2021. Not to be outdone, the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships. The Rays (MLB) were World Series runners-up in 2020, and the Toronto Raptors (NBA) called Tampa home during COVID because they were prohibited from traveling in and out of Canada. A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Keep It Simple
The OOTD that you need to see, teeing up tomorrow’s “Match” and the Japanese player who is making all kinds of MLB history.
As you slowly assimilate back to society after what was surely an epic fourth, we’ve covered it all so you don’t even have to think.
Served up on a platter,
The Last Night’s Game Team
The Match
The fourth edition of “The Match,” a golf game that pits golfers and other athletes against each other all in the name of charity, takes place tomorrow in Big Sky, Montana. Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson will compete against Aaron Rodgers and golfer Bryson DeChambeau. Let’s hope Brady wears better pants as he ripped his in the last “Match” and that they have better weather (the last one was played in a downpour). Regardless, the crap talking has already started, it’s for a good cause (The Match II raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief), and it’ll be fun to see. GET YOUR GAME FACE ON
Overtime
The best story you might have missed over the weekend is the story behind Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB - Major League Baseball) pitcher Joe Kelly’s outfit that he wore to the White House. The Dodgers were the first team of the Biden era to visit the White House, and Kelly, whose mother is Mexican-American, wore a mariachi jacket. He acquired the jacket earlier in the week after asking a musician from a mariachi band that played at Dodgers Stadium if he’d trade for a jersey. THE REST IS HISTORY
For more on the tradition of championship teams visiting the White House, click here.
Sideline stat
Is it a holiday if you don’t overindulge? Ask Joey Chestnut, who broke his own record yesterday, eating 76 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. A new champion, Tucson native Michelle Lesco, was crowned after downing 30 and 3/4 hot dogs in 10 minutes on the women's side. FEELING A LITTLE QUEASY
Coaches’ corner
History has been made in the week before the MLB All-Star game. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels became the first player in baseball’s long history to be selected to the all-star game as both a pitcher and a position player. Ohtani, the first Japanese player selected to start the all-star game, will serve as a pitcher and designated hitter. (More on a designated hitter here). BATTER UP
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals start tomorrow between the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns have never won a championship, and the Bucks haven’t won since 1971. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lighting are looking for a sweep in the Stanley Cup Finals (NHL - National Hockey League) against the Montreal Canadiens tonight. GAME ON