Monday No Funday

Like it or not, it’s Monday so let’s get this party started.

But do we have to get out of bed?

The Last Night’s Game Team

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Tour de France

Talk about perseverance. Only five years ago Geraint Thomas broke his pelvis in the opening stage of the Tour de France but still managed to finish the race. Yesterday, he became the first Welshman to ever win the Tour. He beat out the race favorite and his teammate Chris Froome, who has won the previous three years. SPORTING THE YELLOW JERSEY

Overtime

The Atlanta Braves (MLB – Major League Baseball) announcers ripped their weekend opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for their batting practice attire. Players are not mandated by MLB to wear certain attire to batting practice, which happens hours before a game, but these two broadcasters lost their minds for the “lack of respect” presented. The reaction from the Dodgers coaches and players (including suggested attire – speedos anyone)? is worth the price of admission. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Sideline stat

American Lawson Craddock fell early in the Tour de France, fractured his scapula and cut his eye so badly it needed stitches but he carried on saying he trained to hard not to finish. (He finished in last place). As if that determination wasn’t enough, he raised over $224,000 (as of Monday morning), more than doubling his goal, to help rebuild the track he trained at in Houston that was destroyed in Hurricane Harvey. FUNDING A DREAM

Coaches’ corner

It’s back to school today for LeBron James and he has the first day jitters. His I Promise School for at-risk third and fourth graders opens today in Akron, Ohio. James has spent his career giving back to education, specifically helping children with difficult backgrounds. He said today’s opening will be one of the greatest moments of his life. BEST DAY EVER  

What to watch

Whether this causes you to rejoice or groan, the last weekend this year without football is behind us. With the NFL (National Football League) season around the corner, there is still controversy around the national anthem along with a new rule to prevent unnecessary head contact, which is making players’ heads hurt with frustration and confusion. SOMEONE HAS SOME ‘SPLAININ’ TO DO

5 Things You Need To Know About Sports, America And The Anthem

Whitney’s is the most popular, Billy Joel’s is the shortest and Fergie’s is the weirdest. Here are five things to share with your fellow patriots today over burgers and beer.

We can toast to that,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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5 Things You Need To Know About Sports, America And The Anthem

1. Singing the anthem before a sporting event wasn’t always a thing. The tradition started in baseball where the song would be sung on opening day of a season or for special occasions/holidays. It wasn’t sung every game because the powers that be didn’t want to “cheapen it.” That eventually changed to the tradition we know now. HISTORY

2. College bands were originally called upon to play the Star-Spangled Banner before the Super Bowl. Diana Ross was the first pop star to sing the anthem before the big game in 1982. The longest rendition of the anthem at the Super Bowl? Alicia Keys at 156.4 seconds. Shortest? Billy Joel at 90 seconds. THAT WAS QUICK

3. Whitney Houston’s rendition of the anthem is undoubtedly the fan favorite. The not so fan favorites? Before Fergie’s “outside the box" rendition at last year’s NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game, there was Roseanne Barr’s performance at a San Diego Padres (MLB – Major League Baseball) game. Her shrieking of the anthem (and classy crotch grab afterward) reminded us how not to represent our country. LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK

4. Singing the Star-Spangled Banner is a lot of pressure especially when it’s before a game you could play in. Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) pitcher Steven Brault sang the national anthem before a game this season, fulfilling a promise to his grandma that he would sing before an MLB game as an MLB player. NOW THAT'S TALENT

5. As if the singing part wasn’t hard enough, try doing it on ice skates. Mark Donnelly found this out the hard way while singing the Canadian anthem, O Canada, before a hockey game. Nothing like hitting the high note with a belly flop. VIDEO

BUT WAIT There's more

You didn’t think we’d leave you without a little something extra to bring up poolside? Today the sports world is talking about the famed hot dog eating contest, the stars and stripes take the field and Japanese fashion takes over Wimbledon. READ

Working The Room

Good looking and interesting? You’re bound to be the party favorite after reading today’s weekend preview edition.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it,

The Last Night’s Game Team

PS - Need something to bring to a holiday party? This week's Tailgate Treat won't help you fit into your clothes but we're sure it'll get everyone talking. 

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College football

Saturday = couch surfing all day. It’s championship weekend in college football. That means the top two teams in a conference play each other for the conference championship. These games determine the postseason of college football (i.e all of those bowl games) and the national championship contenders. SCHEDULE

Golf

He's baack. Tiger Woods is in the Bahamas, but not for vacation. He’s hitting the green to play competitively for the first time in 300 days. Woods recently underwent spinal fusion surgery but is playing well in his comeback in the Hero World Classic. If this story sounds familiar, Woods has had quite a few “comebacks” over the past few years. So feel free to get excited, just not too excited. Yet.

 

Overtime

Carrie Bradshaw would be so proud because it’s all about the shoes this weekend in the NFL (National Football League). The “My Cause My Cleats” initiative allows players to wear customized cleats that represent a cause meaningful to them. The shoes will then be auctioned off to benefit their individual causes. Browse the shoe rack here. #mycausemycleats

Sideline stat

As part of the NFL’s plan to combat social injustice and address the causes players are kneeling for, they announced a proposal for an $89 million, seven-year initiative. The proposal funds projects dealing with criminal justice reform, law enforcement/community relations and education. Although not all players are happy with the proposal that was negotiated by their fellow athletes, many believe this is the first step. Will less players kneel during the anthem because of this milestone agreement? We’ll find out come Sunday.  

Coaches’ corner

Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB - Major League Baseball) player Andrew McCutchen took his love for his city to another level. He and his wife welcomed a new son this week and it seemed only fitting when playing in the "Steel City" that they name him Steel. Let's hope McCutchen isn't traded anytime soon. 

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook for today’s big 2018 World Cup announcement.