Pros And Cons
The NBA player who is going back to college, football is back and the thief who found out the hard way not to mess with a UFC fighter.
Bad news - the Olympics are over and it’s still really hot.
Good news - football is back and the fall is around the corner. (At least that’s what the Halloween candy in stores tells us).
Filling the void,
The Last Night’s Game Team
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
A warning to all the criminals out there, be careful who you mess with. A thief made the mistake of attempting to steal the car of UFC fighter Jordan Williams and didn’t end well. Williams left his car running at a gas station he frequents, only to come out to find someone backing out in his car. He managed to land some punches and kicks before the would-be thief ran off. Williams posted the security footage on his Instagram in hopes of catching the thief. DON’T MESS WITH ME
Overtime
Another familiar face from the football field is headed morning television. Taking the chair next to Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil on “CBS This Morning" is former NFL player and current “NFL Today” (National Football League) analyst Nate Burleson. If the move sounds familiar, in 2012, Michael Strahan made a move from the field to co-hosting with Kelly Ripa and is now a mainstay on “Good Morning America.” IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY
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When the new name, image, likeness rules were announced, critics were worried it would bring out the worst in college sports. BYU had another plan. They’ve partnered with health food company Built Brands to compensate all 123 players on the Cougars football team, but they’ve taken it one step further. Build Brands will pay BYU’s walk-on players enough to cover their full tuition. Walk-ons are athletes that do not have a scholarship, so this is huge for these student-athletes.
If you’re wondering, NCAA rules say college football teams can have 125 players on their roster but only distribute scholarships to 85 athletes. GOOD GAME
Coaches’ corner
As a high schooler, J.R. Smith had committed to the University of North Carolina to play basketball. However, he went straight to the NBA (National Basketball Association) due to his success and was told he could always go back to school “whenever.” Well, after a 16-year NBA career, a retired Smith decided "whenever" is now. Beginning this semester, Smith will attend North Carolina A&T State University. But that’s not all. Smith wants to play on the school’s golf team and is awaiting the NCAA ruling on his eligibility. SECOND ACT
What to watch
Hold onto your hats - football is back! The NFL preseason is in full swing, with games starting last night through Sunday. The No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Trevor Lawrence, is expected to make his debut on Saturday for the Jacksonville Jaguars. HERE WE GO
Looks Like We Made It
This power couple celebrated moms in a big way, being persistent pays off for one sport and why you should now look forward to Memorial Day.
Friday never felt so good. Maybe it’s because we have our first live sporting event this weekend or because we have the perfect excuse to social distance and chill.
Either way, celebrate,
The Last Night’s Game Team
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) President Dana White is proof that persistence pays off. He has been determined to give the people what they want – UFC fights – and finally UFC 249 will take place on Saturday. The organization is taking extreme precautions, adhering to a 25-page safety plan. Everyone who is working on the event will be tested before they check into the host hotel. The fighters’ teams and staff will be wearing PPE (personal protection equipment) and there will be plenty of social distancing behind the scenes. One thing you can bet on? The fact that Pay-Per-View numbers are going to be through the roof with people are craving live sports content. GAME ON
Overtime
Singer Ciara and her husband Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (National Football League) celebrated military moms-to-be stationed at Fort Hood during a virtual baby shower. The couple have a special place in their hearts for the military as Ciara was born at Fort Hood and grew up on military bases - her father was a member of the armed forces. The couple are expecting a baby boy, the third child for Ciara and second for Wilson. MOTHER’S DAY SURPRISE
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Your Memorial Day weekend just became a little more exciting. The matchup of Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning vs. Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady will take place on Sunday, May 24 at Tiger’s golf course in Florida. There’s sure to be a wealth of trash talking but the players are putting their money where their mouth is, making a collective $10 million donation to COVID relief efforts. GOLF FOR GOOD
Coaches’ corner
The NFL released its schedule for the upcoming season and they’re planning on starting the season on time with a big matchup between veteran quarterbacks Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) and Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) on September 13. The Las Vegas Raiders will open up their new $1.9 billion home stadium on Monday Night Football.
Instead of talking trash to their upcoming opponents, the New York Jets used their Twitter account to say nice things about them and it was glorious. KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS
What to watch
Sunday is Mother’s Day so don’t forget to say thank you to your mom, bonus mom, grandma, single dad, neighbor – whoever it is that helps makes life doable. In honor of Mother’s Day, we highlighted five stellar female athletes who are making it happen in their sport and leaving the world a better place for their children. It’s a less than five-minute listen that’ll go great with your Sunday celebrations. LISTEN
The Only 5 Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football
Here’s why office productivity is about to tank.
The sport heard round the office.
Let’s get drafty,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The sport of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962 but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps as well as make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKing and FanDuel, although they are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL
2. It’s a male dominated “sport,” with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping the female football fan join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS
3. Fantasy football is usually fun but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include piercings, buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK
4. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Glitter Gridiron” team. Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Teddy Throwsevelt and Hot Chubb Time Machine (referencing Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns). CLEVER EH?
5. Drafts, trades and researching game day opponents are all part of the game, hence why U.S. employers suffer a $17 billion (yes with a 'b') loss in productivity due to fantasy football. It hurts the employee’s pockets too, spending an average of $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions.
Wednesday Wisdom
Besides their fantasy football draft, here’s what’s happening in the world of sports today, including a classic Twitter troll clapback, how you can buy a baseball team and why one female athlete is speaking up. READ