Don't Worry, Be Happy

The Olympics may be over (boo) but the world of sports doesn’t stop turning (yay). Here’s what you missed over the weekend that you can share around the watercooler today.

Did you hear…

The Last Night’s Game

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NFL (National Football League)

When you’re thinking about quitting your day job. The NFL (National Football League) has partnered with the NBA (National Basketball League) to provide their players with an externship to prepare for life after football. If you’re in Manhattan on Tuesday, don’t be surprised to see an NFL player ringing up your purchases at the NBA Store. One player not looking for a job? Retired NFL player Charles “Peanut” Tillman who recently became a full-time FBI agent. What like it’s hard?

Golf

So a tiger and a goose walk into a bar. Tiger Woods finished a tournament in the top 15 for the first time since 2015 but it wasn’t without some sacrifices. He hit an unsuspecting goose with a shot. The goose was okay but it would've been better if it ducked. 

Overtime

The U.S. Curling team won its first ever gold medal in the Winter Olympics, something The Simpsons predicted back in 2010. The team was on top of the world until they tweeted at Delta for possible upgrades on their flights home. Delta promptly denied their request stating that they “didn’t have any upgrades to offer but congratulations.” The answer’s always no if you don’t ask.  

Sideline stat

Norway took home the most medals at the Games, 39, breaking the record for most medals won by a country in the Winter Olympics. The previous record was held by the United States.  

Coaches’ corner

In September, the FBI released the names of four college basketball teams that were part of a pay-to-play scandal. Over the weekend the FBI released additional coaches, players, agents and schools involved in the scandal. The list now includes, but isn’t limited to, Oklahoma State University, Auburn, University of Arizona, Duke, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Michigan State, USC, Kansas and Alabama. FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS

What to watch

No need to go into depression now that the Winter Olympics are over. The inspiring athletic greatness of the Paralympic Games start on March 8.

Problem Solver

Nothing is more uncomfortable than an awkward silence. Solve that this today’s weekend preview.

Party on,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Today's Tailgate Treat will make you feel like fall even if it's 100 degrees in your neck of the woods. Halloween turtleneck not included. 

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MLB (Major League Baseball)

Next episode. The road to a World Series championship runs through L.A. The Los Angeles Dodgers knocked last year’s World Series champion Chicago Cubs out of the playoffs. The Dodgers, who haven’t been to a World Series since 1988, will play the winner of the Astros/Yankees in the World Series.

College Football

We go way back. One of the most storied rivalries in college football is USC (University of Southern California) vs. Notre Dame. Their 89th meeting on Saturday carries some weight this time as both schools are actually ranked in the top 25 for the first time in eight years.

NFL (National Football League)

Look kids…big ben. This week brings us games from across the pond. The Arizona Cardinals and the “home team” Los Angeles Rams will play in London. The NFL is continuing their effort to broaden the international fan base for American football, playing games in London and Mexico City.

Overtime

From the file of “well, that’s awkward.” An Italian soccer player was penalized for urinating toward the away fans’ section. Apparently, that’s frowned upon. He’s now out for five games.  

Sideline stat

Tonight, it’s all in for the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. If the Yankees win, they move on to take on the Dodgers in the World Series.  To reach that goal they’ll have to do the unthinkable and beat Justin Verlander (model Kate Upton’s fiancé), who has won all eight games he’s started since being traded to Astros.

Coaches’ corner

Since 1979, the University of Iowa's visiting locker room has been donning a pink paint job. Intended to intimidate the most manly opposing team, they gave it an extra feminine touch adding pink toilets, sinks and lockers a little over 10 years ago. Barbie would be so jealous. 

5 Things To Know About The Scandal That Rocked College Basketball

As if sports didn’t have enough excitement already this week with the anthem protests, yesterday news broke of an FBI (yes that FBI) investigation into a bribery scandal amongst big-time college basketball programs.  Like a good episode of Law and Order, here’s how it all went down.

These are their stories,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Five things to know about the scandal that rocked college basketball

1. The investigation, which started in 2015, resulted in charges for assistant basketball coaches from four schools who pocked cash in exchange for pointing players toward certain financial advisors and sports agents.

2. The other party in trouble is Adidas. They’re in hot water for paying athletes when they committed to play for Adidas sponsored schools. Coincidence that last week they were named the second most popular shoe in America, passing Jordans? That’s some shady stuff.

3. Four assistant basketball coaches have been charged with violating federal statutes on bribery and wire fraud. They’re from the University of Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State University and USC (University of Southern California). University of Louisville may also be amongst the accused.

4. This is where it’s going hurt even more. The penalties are just beginning. Not only do those involved have to worry about the FBI charges but the NCAA smackdown on the schools could be painful. Louisville could face the NCAA death penalty as this isn’t their first violation. (See the coaches’ corner for more on this).

5. Why is the FBI involved you ask? Well because the institutions are receiving federal funds and this violates the federal statues on bribery and wire fraud (amongst other charges). Besides they have investigation resources the NCAA doesn’t have like wiretapping, subpoenas and threats of prison time. Yowza.

 

Keep the converstion going. 

There's more to sports than scandals. Here's what else is happening in the world of sports including who's having a baby, who danced with MC Hammer and what is the death penalty? Read on.