No Rest For The Wicked

While some of you might actually be working today, many of you are likely working on floating in the pool without spilling your drink.

#nodaysoff,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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College Football

• See the future. The sports world is buzzing about the long snapper from USC (University of Southern California). On Saturday, Jake Olson made his collegiate debut, snapping the ball successfully and his team earned the extra point. Why is this different than any other game? Olson is blind and has been since he was 12.

• Win some, lose some. In the game of the week, Alabama (1) dominated FSU (Florida State University- 3). The good news? Fans were able to enjoy Chick-fil-A at the game in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The painful news? FSU’s quarterback is out for the season with a knee injury.

• Did you hear about the great comeback by UCLA (University of California - Los Angeles) to beat Texas A&M last night? Click here for more and here to see how your college team did this week.

World Cup Soccer

• It’s in your hands. The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team is THIS close to being shut out of the 2018 World Cup. They lost this weekend to Costa Rica and will play Honduras tomorrow. They have to win or achieve a win and a tie in two of the remaining three games to qualify. Nothing like controlling your own destiny.

Overtime

• The Houston native Stacy Lewis hadn’t won an LPGA’s (Ladies Professional Golfers Association) tournament in three years. Regardless, she pledged that if she won yesterday, she would donate her $195,000 in prize money to the flood relief efforts. Not only did she win and donate her earnings, but her sponsor KPMG matched her donation.

Sideline stat

• Houston Texans’ (NFL - National Football League) JJ Watt’s flood relief fund, that started with a goal of $200,000, is on its way toward $20 million. Watt and his teammates delivered supplies this weekend to some of Houston’s most devastated residents.

Speaking of the NFL, the season starts this Thursday.

Coaches’ corner

• What is a long snapper in football? A long snapper snaps the ball to the kicker for field goals/punts. A snap (a.k.a hike) means they crouch over the ball and then pass the ball backwards to another player through their legs, like this.

The Rundown: Weekend Preview Edition - Sack 'em Sunday

It’s the first weekend of NFL football. Whether you’re cheering for the Bears or Eagles or simply here for the beer, we have everything you need to know to show them who’s boss. Oh and don’t forget to set your fantasy football team.

I’ll take a cold one,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS – It’s our new football Friday tradition and today’s tailgate treat is courtesy of super fan Lindsay. Here's her recipe for slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches with slaw.

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NFL (National Football League)

• Rematch. Last night marked the first game of the NFL season and it happened to be a rematch of last season's Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos and their new quarterback Trevor Siemian proved they still have what it takes to win without Peyton Manning, taking home a win against the Carolina Panthers.  
• You asked and we delivered the answers to those stubborn football questions that stump you. Click here for our football FAQ. 

NCAA Football (College)

• He’s got wheels. ESPN’s College GameDay is heading to Bristol Motor Speedway for Saturday’s broadcast…of a NASCAR race? No, the NASCAR track has been transformed into a football field to host Tennessee vs Virginia Tech. Crews had 19 days to turn the track infield into a quality football field. At the game they’re expecting to host the biggest college football crowd ever - 150,000 people.
• When is your team playing? Find out here.  

Soccer

• On Saturday, two crosstown rivals battle in the English Premier League - Manchester City vs Manchester United. This is slated to be the most expensive game in soccer history with player values topping £685 million ($912 million USD). 

NBA (National Basketball Association)

• Welcome. 2016 NBA Hall of Fame class will be inducted today. This year’s class is led by Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming and Allen Iverson.

Olympics

• The sentencing. The penalties for the swimmers involved in the infamous gas station incident in Rio have been decided. Ryan Lochte has been suspended for 10 months and the other three swimmers have been suspended for four months. It may not sound like a long time considering the Summer Olympics are four years away but here is what they won’t be able to do:
  • Not allowed to attend the White House visit with Team U.S.A.
  • They will not receive their monthly stipend
  • No access to Olympic training centers
  • Lochte will forfeit his $100,000 bonus money from winning gold

Tennis

• So long Serena. Serena Williams was hoping to win her 23rd career Grand Slam Championship at the U.S. Open. Those dreams were crushed when Williams was defeated by Karolina Pliskova in the semifinals. Pliskova also knocked out Serena’s sister Venus, becoming just the fourth person to defeat both sisters in the same Grand Slam event.  Pliskova will face Angelique Kerber in the finals.

Overtime

• Many said it was a long shot when former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow tried out in front of MLB (Major League Baseball) scouts, but it seems that his hard work has paid off. Tebow signed a minor league deal to play for the New York Mets. Don’t expect him on the Mets roster yet, he’ll start his career off in their instructional league in September.

Sideline stat

• This will be the first time since 1997 that the NFL has a kickoff weekend without Tom Brady or Peyton Manning playing. Manning retired after last season and Brady is suspended for four games for “deflategate.”

Coaches’ corner

• There’s a lot of talk about quarterbacks and wide receivers but there are many players who make up a football team. Today’s unsung hero goes to the long snapper. You may only hear about this position when something goes wrong on a field goal, extra point or punt. This is a specialized player comes in to hike the ball for any kind of kick that requires longer distance snaps. Check out all the backward action here.