Living The Dream
If you thought today’s Monday motivation was going to come in the form of a coffee cup, think again.
#Inspired,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
- Bling ring. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft knew his quarterback, Tom Brady, and his family had been through a lot during the team’s championship run last season. His mom, Galynn, was undergoing chemotherapy and for the first time ever, she missed all but one of Brady’s games. In honor of the sacrifice and challenges she faced, Kraft gave her a Super Bowl ring. Mama Brady’s cancer is now in remission.
- Enshrined. Saturday night the Pro Football Hall of Fame gained seven new members. One of the inductees, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, proved that everything is bigger in Texas. He threw himself one heck of a party, costing a reported $16 million, that boasted a special performance by Justin Timberlake.
- Determined. In case you missed it, the night featured memorable speeches from the inductees. The always well-spoken San Diego Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson, made sure his final words were unforgettable by sharing a moving story about his last name and its origin. If you need some Monday motivation, here are the highlights from each inductee’s speech.
Overtime
- Injured New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (MLB - Major League Baseball) can now add actor to his resume. Living up to his nickname Thor, it was fitting that he made a cameo in last night’s Game of Thrones as a spear throwing warrior in a battle. Luckily his cameo was well received by fans, unlike Ed Sheeran’s appearance.
Sideline stat
- Usain Bolt is the most decorated sprinter of this generation. Saturday in the world championships, he raced in his final solo race and it didn’t go as planned. He finished third in his first-ever loss in the Olympics or a world championship semifinal, a 45-race winning streak.
Coaches’ corner
- Longtime Chicago Bears quarterback (NFL) Jay Cutler, retired after last season and accepted a job as a commentator with FOX for the upcoming football season. Apparently, retirement wasn’t for him. This weekend he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins to replace their injured quarterback. (In case you’re wondering, Cutler is married to fashion designer and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari).
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
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.
