The Most Invasive Job Interview In Sports
There’s a reason they call it the “Underwear Olympics.”
Ever had the dream where you end up in public nearly naked, feeling oh so exposed? Welcome to the NFL Combine (National Football League) where that is real life. They don’t call it the Underwear Olympics for nothing.
Only just a dream,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The NFL Combine (pronounced kɒmbaɪn– like a harvesting tractor) is known as the “Underwear Olympics” because prospects compete in different challenges in small, tight-fitting workout gear all while being scrutinized. It wasn’t long ago that prospects stripped down to their underwear for the “eyeball test” where coaches would make notes about their stature, muscle build, etc. IT’S LIKE PRIZED CATTLE GOING TO MARKET
2. Unlike in the presidential election, hand size matters in the combine. Quarterbacks are especially scrutinized for their grip, which is judged by the distance from the thumb to their pinkie. A previous victim to the ruler is Heisman Trophy winner, national champion and Super Bowl runner-up, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. Burrow measured in at nine inches and joked that “maybe he should just retire from the NFL now.” Burrow was the No. 1 pick in the draft despite his palm size. BUT HE WEARS BIG SOCKS?
3. As if being in your undies isn’t bad enough, teams are known for asking really weird and intrusive questions. The players who have been invited to the tryout will be asked interrogation-style questions in an attempt to evoke the player’s vices (drinking, drugs), ethics, failures, sexual orientation (even though technically this is illegal) or anything to get a rise out of the player. WHERE’S THE HR DEPARTMENT?
4. If you think any dumb jock can make it to the NFL, then you’ve never taken the Wonderlic Test. This year is the first year the NFL will not use the test that challenges players’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. Only one player has ever had a perfect score. Think you can beat it? HARDER THAN IT LOOKS
5. The “sexiest” event in the combine is the 40-yard dash. In the past, the fastest runner has won prizes such as a private island or $1 million. Tom Brady was remarkably slow but he turned out alright. Since 2005 sports reporter Rich Eisen has participated in the dash, while wearing a suit with cleats, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. RUN RICH RUN
The Combine runs March 1-7 and the NFL Draft begins on April 28 in Las Vegas
5 Bachelor Athletes Who Searched For Love On TV
Looking for love with home field advantage.
Photo: Instagram/Colton Underwood
What do these five athlete bachelors have in common? They put it all out there for the world to see.
Dating is a sport,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The first professional athlete on "The Bachelor" was former New York Giants (NFL - National Football League) quarterback Jesse Palmer. He picked a woman at the end of the show, but instead of giving her a ring, he offered her a ticket to New York. You guessed it - it didn't work out. He continued his zest for love, hosting the show based on first impressions, "The Proposal." He is a college football analyst for ESPN, "The Bachelor" host and is married to model Emely Fardo. AND HE HAS GREAT HAIR
2. Former race car driver and Bachelorette alum turned Bachelor Arie Luyendyk may go down in history as the least favorite bachelor. He proposed to one contestant (Becca) and then had buyer's remorse before the finale aired and wanted to be with the other (Lauren). Now he and Lauren are married and have a daughter. SADLY HER NAME ISN'T ROSE
3. Former professional snowboarder Jessie Csincak may have been chosen as "the one" on DeAnna Pappas' season, but sadly it didn't work out for the two. Although he did find love, marrying Ann Lueders, who was on Jason Mesnick's season of "The Bachelor." He continued to further his five minutes of fame by hosting a net series called "Bachelorette Beatdown with Jesse Csincsak." MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY
4. Jordan Rodgers has lived his life in the shadow of his brother, Green Bay Packers (NFL) quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While Jordan "won" the show and is getting ready to walk down the aisle with the bachelorette JoJo Fletcher this year, his brother is dating actress Shailene Woodley. The two brothers do not have a good relationship, as Jordan calls out occasionally on his social media. Jordan, a former quarterback, is currently holding down a job as an SEC (a college sports conference) Saturday Sports Commentator. SIBLING RIVALRY
5. Who could forget Colton Underwood's infamous fence jump? When his lady love Cassie quit the show, the former football player put his skills to the test, hurdling the compound fence in Portugal where cameras and everyone's wingman, Chris Harrison, chased him through the dark. It didn't work out with Cassie, but it did in the end. Underwood came out as gay and is now happily dating. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Five Athletes You Can Thank For Your Next Hangover
Drinking wine is our favorite sport too.
These athletes are getting you through life one glass of wine (or bottle, we’re not judging) at a time.
Transcript
1. Like a fine wine, Danica Patrick only gets better. The retired race car driver has gone from breaking the glass ceiling in racing to wine. One might say her career drove her to drink, but she's accomplishing a dream in retirement. No, really. Her Napa Valley vineyard Somnium means "dream" in Latin. FROM THE FINISH LINE TO THE GRAPEVINE
2. Former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Amare Stoudemire was known for bathing in red wine to help his post-game recovery, so it's no surprise that the former member of the Phoenix Suns and Israeli citizen created his own kosher wine. MAZEL TOV
3. A fine wine and announcer Jim Nantz have something in common. They're both smooth and are likely to put you to sleep (in a good way in Nantz's case) after consuming for an hour or two. Nantz, the soothing voice of the Masters and NFL on CBS, is behind the Healdsburg, CA winery The Calling. Also known for their time on the golf course and in the wine world are veteran golfers Ernie Els (Ernie Els Wines) and Greg Norman (Greg Norman Estates). SOMETHING TO TIE YOU OVER UNTIL GOLF RETURNS
4. LeBron James doesn't shy away from his admiration for wine, and neither do retired NBA players Dwyane Wade and Yao Ming. Ming is one of the tallest ever to play the game, and the Shanghai native is fully invested in his St. Helena, California vineyard. However, Yao Family Wines aren't your daily drinkers at around $100+ a bottle. Dwyane Wade's brand, Wade Cellars, resides in Napa Valley. Wade knew he always wanted to be in the wine industry, so here's the chance to toast him with the fruit of his labor. WE'LL DRINK TO THAT
5. Venturing a bit further north than Napa Valley is "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky. With grapes grown in Niagara and Okanagan, Wayne Gretzky Estates brings the best wine to his fellow Canadian citizens. Not into wine? The Great One has you covered by offering wine, beer and whiskey. A MAN OF MANY TALENTS
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
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