Football Is Back - 5 Things You Need To Know About The NFL Season
What do whistles, vacuum cleaners and lots of laundry have to do with the season?
We weren’t sure it was going to happen but the NFL (National Football League) is kicking off its season and we’re here for it.
Are you ready for some football?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Let’s recap last year for a moment:
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl. The biggest move of the off-season was Tom Brady flying south for the season to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1. If it feels like the season snuck up on you, you’re right. There were no preseason games this year to help combat the spread of COVID. Fans of fantasy football weren’t happy about the absence of the preseason because they didn’t have a chance to scout players for their fantasy teams. Now the season will begin on Thursday night with the Chiefs, and their recently engaged quarterback Patrick Mahomes, taking on J.J. Watt and his Houston Texans. HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS
2. The sidelines will look a little empty as cheerleaders, mascots and sideline reporters will not be allowed on the field. It won't matter that there won't be a mascot to throw out t-shirts, because some stadiums will be empty for games with a handful of teams opting not to have fans present. The lack of fan noise won't be an issue because the NFL has approved for stadiums to use artificial fan noise in-stadium, but have set very strict rules on how loud that can be. The limit is 75 decibels – about the same as a vacuum cleaner. CHEER FROM THE COUCH
3. Just like college football, the referees will have electronic whistles to prevent their spittle from going everywhere like it would with a regular whistle. And you can also bet, just like college football, the NFL equipment managers will be busy making sure everything is sanitized and that includes laundry. One college team reported already doing 2.1 million pounds of laundry before the season even started. That number is significant because they did 3 million pounds of laundry total last season. AT LEAST THEY’LL SMELL GOOD?
4. Unlike may other professional sports, the NFL will not have a “bubble.” The bubble concept is unrealistic for football as teams have massive rosters and more coaches than any of other professional sport. Case in point - teams are limited to only traveling with 70 people including coaches, medical personnel and support staff. (For comparison sake, when the season began, basketball was limited to 37 people including players). No bubble doesn’t mean there aren’t a long list of rules to follow and protocol for anyone testing positive. Interestingly, any player who has tested positive and recovered (or who have tested positive for antibodies) will undergo additional cardiac screening. SAFETY FIRST
5. The Las Vegas Raiders will make their debut in their new home city this season. Their new stadium is pretty cool with a prime view of the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Too bad there will be no fans in the stands to take in the view. VIVA LAS RAIDERS
The Only 5 Things You Need To Know About Fantasy Football
Here’s how to talk shop and take home a win. Athletic ability need not apply.
The new hobby in your life to overtake your quarantine baking obsession.
Let’s get drafty,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The sport of fantasy football was originally developed in 1962 but modern fantasy football started in 1999 when Yahoo! offered an online league. Now players can create teams using ESPN or other sports apps as well as make some dough with online betting sites like DraftKing and FanDuel, although they are still illegal in a few states. BETTING IT ALL
2. It’s a male dominated “sport,” with men making up over 80% of the 60 million participants. But don’t look now because women are whipping up teams of their own. There are whole leagues and even businesses dedicated to helping the female football fan join in on the fun. YOU GOT THIS
3. Picking a team name is the best part but remember no one is intimidated by the “Glitter Gridiron” team. Luckily for you, there are massive lists of names out there for inspiration. Some of our favorites? Sacks and the City, Game of Throws, Teddy Throwsevelt and Hot Chubb Time Machine (referencing Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns). CLEVER EH?
4. Women only leagues are popular where everyone can enjoy themselves without having to worry about the bro culture (see next). Fantasy football is usually fun but some leagues aren’t for the faint of heart. They take it very seriously and there’s a punishment for coming in last. The penalties include piercings, buying drinks for the entire next football season, doing standup at a local open mic night or waxing of the nether regions (by a professional, of course, because what are we animals)? THAT’S GOING TO LEAVE A MARK
5. Drafts, trades and researching game day opponents are all part of the game, hence why U.S. employers suffer a $17 billion (yes with a 'b') loss in productivity due to fantasy football. (Let’s see what happens with everyone working from home without a boss over their shoulder). It hurts the employee’s pockets too, spending an average of $556 on entry fees, materials and prizes. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
Who is the commish, why do I care about bye weeks and what's the recipe for success? Check out our fantasy football 101 for the answers to all your questions. And remember, this year with COVID it’s going to be a little more challenging, but you can still dominate.
What You Need To Know About The "Greatest Spectacle in Racing”
From the traditional kiss to the victory milk (yes, milk) this race will give you plenty to talk about.
The “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500, traditionally runs on Memorial Day weekend but like everything in 2020, things have changed. Just because there won’t be fans in the stands doesn’t mean that this weekend’s race won’t be a spectacle worth talking about.
Fast and curious,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The Indy 500, called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway aka the Brickyard. It’s called the Brickyard because the track used to be made of bricks, which are still exposed under the asphalt at the start-finish line. It’s a tradition to kiss these bricks. We can confirm that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention did not come up with that idea. MASK UP
2. Move over Gatorade, milk is the drink of the winners at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The tradition that involves the winner swigging milk began in 1936 with Louis Meyer, whose go to drink after a win was a refreshing glass of milk. The act was spotted by an overjoyed milk executive and the rest is history. MILK…IT QUENCHES YOUR THIRST. SAID NO ONE EVER.
3. With no fans in the stands to boost the revenues, the prize money for the race has been slashed from $15 million to $7.5 million. Ticket sales equate for at least $20 million in revenue which leaves a huge hole for new track owner, businessman turned race team owner Roger Penske, who bought the speedway in late 2019. Penske purchased the track from the Hulman family who owned it since 1945. BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR?
4. This is the first race in 20 years that there will be no female drivers in the race. The most notable female driver in the sport, Danica Patrick, will be joined in the broadcast booth by veteran announcer Mike Tirico (you might recognize him from the Olympics). Now retired from driving, Patrick holds the title of being the first woman to ever lead a lap at the Indy 500 and has driven on the track both in IndyCar and NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). ON THE FAST TRACK
5. The Andretti name has been a mainstay in IndyCar for decades. This year another member of the famous racing family will start the race in pole position, the first family member to do that in 33 years. (Pole position is the ideal place to start the race. You could almost say it’s like starting the race in first place, but not quite). A FAMILY AFFAIR