Confidence Boost
Why Team Europe is wearing cheeseheads, the US Olympic Committee is taking a stand on vaccinations, WNBA playoffs are on, and everyone is watching.
No one exudes confidence like you after reading today's weekend preview.
Look out world,
The Last Night's Game Team
WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)
The WNBA playoffs have begun with the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky winning round one of the single-elimination games. The action on the court is must-see, and the viewership numbers prove it. The regular season viewership numbers are up 49% this season over last. The Las Vegas Aces and defending champion Seattle Storm are the favorites to win it all. WATCH THEM SOAR
Overtime
The Summer Olympics just wrapped up, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Team USA announced that they will only consider vaccinated athletes for the 2022 Games. LINE IN THE SAND
Sideline stat
Typically when the City of Chicago celebrates the Irish, they dye the river green but not this weekend. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will take on Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago. It's the first time these two teams have played in 57 years, and tickets are sold out, with the average StubHub resale ticket price running at $400. ESPN College GameDay will also be broadcasting live from the stadium on Saturday morning. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
Coaches' corner
The Ryder Cup (golf) is underway, and Team Europe is deep in enemy territory. Their players are trying to win over the fans in Wisconsin (home of the 2021 Ryder Cup) while defending their title. The fans are expected to be a game-changer for Team USA at this year's tournament. In an attempt to make new friends, the players from the European team showed up wearing cheesehead hats – the unofficial headgear of Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin fans. WORTH A SHOT
The Ryder Cup is a biennial competition between the US and Europe and could be one of the most contentious sporting events around. Check out our five things you need to know to learn a little more about why there's no prize money and who could come to blows over a golf game.
Going The Distance
The smart way one coach is penalizing players for bad behavior, who tied the knot and who is cashing in years later.
Forgo the awkward silence while waiting for a meeting to start or for your dinner to arrive by putting to use the best stories from the always interesting world of sports.
We’ve got your back,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College football
It was an exciting weekend in college football with a huge upset of another top 10 ranked team. Wisconsin (#6) was handed a loss by an unranked Illinois team. Another moment worth noting is the loss of Alabama’s (#1) starting quarterback. The team lost Tua Tagovailoa with an ankle injury. Normally the team would be okay but his talented backup, Jalen Hurts, transferred to Oklahoma this season and is dominating there, so we’ll see if Alabama can pick up the pieces and stay at the front of the pack. IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE LOSES A QUARTERBACK
Overtime
The road to starting a family for female athletes is a tough one. You may recall the criticism Nike faced from their sponsored female athletes that caused them to adopt a progressive maternity policy. Now WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) star Skylar Diggins is shedding some light on her story. She revealed that she played the entire 2018 season while she was pregnant. (She had an amazing season BTW). She spoke out about her critics, the lack of support and the fact that she took only two months off and that was to deal with postpartum depression. RAISE ‘EM UP
Sideline stat
Former University of Texas running back Ricky Williams was the last Heisman Trophy winner to be able to profit from the sale of his famed trophy. On Saturday, his Heisman Trophy sold for a record $504,000 to a Florida sports memorabilia collector. After 1998, any player who wins the Heisman is required to sign an agreement stating they cannot sell the iconic trophy that recognizes the best in college football. CASHING IN
Coaches’ corner
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had a creative way of laying down the law with one of his players. Freshman player Andrew Booth was ejected from this weekend’s game for punching an opposing player. The defending national championship coach made Booth ride home on the bus with the team managers instead of flying home with the team. Swinney said the almost seven hour drive home gave Booth “plenty of time to think about it.” LONGEST TIME-OUT EVER?
What to watch
Game one of the World Series is tomorrow night. The Houston Astros won their first World Series in 2017 and they’re back to try for one more. They’ll play the Washington Nationals who are playing in the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Get the skinny on this major sporting event in Wednesday’s five things to know. FOR ALL THE MARBLES
The Top 5 Most Ridiculous and Hilarious Traditions in College Football
These traditions are way better than the annual pilgrimage to see the Nutcracker.
Skip the customary annual ‘political debate over dinner’ holiday tradition in favor of these fun-filled favorites.
A much safer option,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. Remember when toilet papering a house was something you did to your worse enemy? Not at Auburn University. After a win, fans toilet paper the oaks on Toomer's Corner on campus. This tradition, that started in 1972, was stopped for three years after an Alabama fan poisoned the trees, but now it’s back. Do you think desperate college students clean it up afterward to stock their bathrooms? TWO-PLY PARTY
2. A tradition at Murray State since the late 70s, a horse nicknamed Racer One runs a lap around the field at home games after a touchdown. This tradition also comes to you from the school where after couples DTR, they hang their shoes on the Shoe Tree for luck. SOLE MATES
3. After their rival Georgia Tech discontinued their annual game, Clemson Tigers fans hit back with their wallets. They spent $2 bills stamped with the team’s signature orange tiger paw logo all over Atlanta. This 40-year tradition still remains, with Clemson fans paying with said $2 bills when traveling to away games. WAIT, SOMEONE CARRIES CASH?
4. Florida State University began a “sod cemetery” back in 1962. The team would bring back grass from their opponent’s field after a win. But now there are new rules in place. The Seminoles must be underdogs or the victory must be in a championship or bowl game to warrant a sod funeral. REST IN PEACE
5. A tradition nearly 100 years in the making is arriving via boat for a Washington Huskies football game. Then fans relive their spring break by boatgating. They party on boats and like any other tailgate there are ping pong tables, grills, TVs and of course plenty to drink. BUT WILL THERE BE SKINNY DIPPING?