Hotline Bling

Let’s talk about something other than figgy pudding and what’s on your holiday gift list this year.

Holiday party overload,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

And you thought you had a Sunday Funday. Yesterday, we found out which four college football teams will be playing in the semifinal games on New Year's Day. If you want to sound in the know, the controversy around the playoffs is that Alabama was chosen over Ohio State, even though they had a weaker schedule and didn't win their conference. Here's more on that discussion.
 

When someone asks for your number. A Georgia fan tackled their playoff opponent Oklahoma by sending out the phone number of Oklahoma’s quarterback, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield changed his number and then gave props to the Georgia fans for all their creative text messages. And you thought your Tinder messages were tough to read. 

OVERTIME

HGTV star Chip Gaines is going to need a different type of Fixer Upper after being leveled on the sidelines of a Baylor basketball game. Don't fret because immediately after the tackle, he stood up, waved to the crowd and received a bigger cheer than the basketball team did all night. 

SIDELINE STAT

Who said you have to don a helmet and cleats to be on ESPN? The Southern College Cornhole Championships took place this weekend and the competition was as fierce as a fraternity tailgate party. The team from Arkansas took home the championship, $4,000 in prize money and the bragging rights, because chicks dig throwing bags. Don't know what cornhole is? We'll explain. 

COACHES’ CORNER

Being the head coach of the New York Yankees (MLB - Major League Baseball) is a high-pressure job that requires a stellar coaching resume. Until now. The Yankees hired former player and current broadcaster Aaron Boone as their head coach. It’s back into the pinstripes for the former Yankee player and not the kind that includes handcuffs. Well, maybe not literally.

Old Guys Rule

As we dance into another weekend, we’re celebrating the start of football season, the fountain of youth and of course “The Ocho.”

Doing our touchdown dance,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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NFL (National Football League)

• Standing in the Hall of Fame. The NFL will induct the newest members of its Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. The list of worthy inductees includes Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has been instrumental in getting the NFL to where it is today.
• The road less traveled. Also being honored is former quarterback Kurt Warner, who had an indirect path to the NFL. The Super Bowl winner has an incredible story that includes working at a grocery store to fund his family and his dream of playing in the NFL. Warner has chosen his wife to be his presenter. She’s only the second wife ever to present her husband at the famed induction ceremony.

WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)

• Co-ed. EA SPORTS announced yesterday that WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) players will be featured on the video game NBA Live 18. The game, which will be released in September, is the first video game to feature the WNBA’s full roster of teams and players.

Overtime

• Inspired by the movie Dodgeball, ESPNU will become ESPN8: “The Ocho” on Tuesday, August 8th. The network will only be live for one day but will stick to its mantra of showcasing seldom seen sports such as ultimate trampoline dodgeball, the Firefighters World Challenge and the 2017 Championship of Bags (i.e. the backyard game cornhole).

Sideline stat

• Celebrating his 40th birthday yesterday, quarterback Tom Brady (NFL) proved that 40 is the new 30. He’s the oldest non-kicker in professional football and he's not slowing down thanks to yoga and his mostly vegan diet.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Harrison has also tapped into the fountain of youth. The 39-year-old credits his career longevity to spending $300,000 a year in care for his body with massage therapists, acupuncturists and chiropractors.  

Coaches’ corner

• There was big soccer news yesterday. Superstar Neymar left Barcelona to sign with Paris Saint - Germain (PSG). The signing triggered a €222m transfer fee, the largest ever. What’s a transfer fee? PSG must pay Barcelona for the rights to acquire Neymar. Essentially, Barcelona owns Neymar and this is a fee to transfer him to PSG. This fee does not include his hefty salary.