Can't Hardly Wait
A big pay day, a fashion faux pas and the Underwear Olympics.
Giving you something to talk about at happy hour, which is only a few hours away.
The future is bright,
The Last Night’s Game
MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
Sending the sports world into a tizzy, baseball's biggest free agent, Bryce Harper, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies (MLB – Major League Baseball) for a cool 13 years, $330 million. His contract is the most lucrative free agent contract signed in American professional sports history. The contract locks him in with the team until 2031, about the time the Jetsons start flying cars. AT LEAST HE’LL BE ABLE TO AFFORD ONE
OVERTIME
We’ve all had that moment where we felt like we forgot to pack something. Well the equipment managers for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s basketball team did. They forgot to pack their team’s uniforms for an away game and the team was forced to wear the other team’s jerseys. BET THAT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN
SIDELINE STAT
The Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten (NFL - National Football League) retired to the broadcast booth last season, covering Monday Night Football. Apparently, the 11-time Pro Bowler had enough of the criticism about his on-air talent (or lack thereof according to some folks), so he signed back with the Cowboys at age 36 to play another season. EITHER WAY YOU’LL GET THE CRAP BEAT OUT OF YOU
COACHES’ CORNER
The nation’s toughest job interview, the NFL Combine, continues this weekend with the fan favorite 40-yard dash. The NFL prospects will take the field but keep an eye out for Rich Eisen, a sportscaster who is competing in the run for the 15th year in a row. He’ll race in his suit and a pair of cleats all to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. FAST FEET
For more on the “Underwear Olympics” aka the combine, check out our Five Things To Know.
The Toughest Job Interview Around - 5 Things To Know About The NFL Combine
Why is it called the Underwear Olympics?
The ultimate job interview could lead to a big paycheck. One of the ways to become an NFL player is to participate in the combine where players are judged on their speed, strength, brain and size of their body parts.
We’re guessing that doesn’t include beer bellies?
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The 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. As if being in your undies isn’t bad enough, teams are known for asking really weird and intrusive questions. The 338 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?
3. Unlike in the last election, hand size matters in the combine. Expect that to be a challenge for last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Kyler Murray, who is notably small for the NFL. (You may remember that Murray originally signed a professional baseball contract and then chose to try out professional football). What are teams looking for? According to an NFL (National Football League) executive, there’s not a quarterback in the NFL that has a smaller hand than a 9-inch hand, the span from the thumb to the pinkie. THE FUTURE IS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
4. 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. For the 15th year in a row, sports reporter Rich Eisen will participate in the dash, while wearing a suit with cleats, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. RUN RICH RUN
5. If you think any dumb jock can make it to the NFL, you’ve never taken the Wonderlic Test. This challenge tests players’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. Only one player has ever had a perfect score. Think you can beat it? GIVE IT A SHOT
THAT’S NOT ALL FOLKS
No test here, just knowledge for networking. Here’s are the top three stories from today including a new Will Ferrell sports movie, an elevator nightmare and one athlete’s Marie Kondo moment. READ