Call Me Maybe?

While some might argue that it’s too early to listen to holiday music, there’s one thing we can all agree on. A great conversation leads to valuable connections.

Now back to our regularly scheduled holiday music…

The Last Night’s Game Team 

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NFL (National football league)

This weekend you're likely to hear about the return of Antonio Brown to the NFL, a return that's not without controversy. Brown has had many run-ins with the law and many teams have tried and failed to keep him out of trouble. Enter in Tom Brady. Brady's team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed Brown and he's been crashing at Brady's house until his NFL suspension (for violating the league's personal conduct policy) is over this weekend. Brady introduced Brown to Tony Robbins and Brown says he's been "working on myself within" and staying positive and not letting his frustration get the best of him. Robbins "helped me to see the light in regards to my future." HERE'S TO HOPING

Overtime

Unless you’ve been under a rock, you know Pennsylvania poll workers are in the spotlight as the country waits for election results. While the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL - National Football League) prepare to play the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, they recognized the poll workers efforts by sending over meals for everyone at work in one ballot counting in Allegheny County site. (Pittsburgh is located in Allegheny County). DOING THE HARD WORK

Sideline stat

Finally, we get to say welcome back to the PAC-12. The conference that halted their football season earlier in the year is returning to the field tomorrow, sans fans that aren’t related to a player. (PAC-12 is home to teams like USC, Oregon and Arizona). On the flipside, missing from this weekend is top college quarterback Trevor Lawrence who is out for a second week after testing positive for COVID. His absence might be just what No. 4 ranked Notre Dame needs to get past No. 1 ranked Clemson. IN IT TO WIN IT

Coaches’ corner

Patrick Mahomes is paying it forward in Kansas City by splitting the six-figure cost to host voters at Arrowhead Stadium, home of his Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes and his team paired up to not only to provide a really cool polling place for thousands of voters but to buy new voting machines that will benefit the community for years to come. TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD

What to watch

The final race of the NASCAR (National Association For Stock Car Auto Racing) season is this Sunday. NASCAR playoffs are a little different in that all the drivers still drive in the final race in Phoenix, but only four are eligible to win the championship title at the end of it. You won’t see driver Kevin Harvick in that final four as he failed to qualify even though he dominated the regular season. These are the final four who are hoping to drive off into the sunset victoriously. EAT MY DUST

• Joey Logano, No. 22 - Team Penske Ford

• Chase Elliott, No. 9 - Hendrick Motorsports Ford

• Brad Keselowski, No. 2 - Team Penske Ford

• Denny Hamlin, No. 11 - Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Only Human

Just because you’re not a huge sports fan doesn’t mean you can’t use it to open the doors to great conversations and new relationships.

We have your back,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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College football

We wish we could write one Weekend Preview without talking about COVID, but alas here we are. Clemson’s quarterback and the projected No. 1 NFL (National Football League) Draft pick Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID. He has mild symptoms and per conference rules will have to sit out for at least 10 days.

Then there’s the Nebraska-Wisconsin game which has been cancelled due to a plethora of positive tests on Wisconsin’s team. Because the Big 10 packed their schedule so tight when they started last week, the game will be cancelled, not rescheduled. Nebraska tried to bring on a new opponent but was denied by the conference. WORTH A SHOT

Overtime

The Drake Curse is well known in the sports world and that is, every time Drake supports a team or an athlete, they seem to flounder. Enter in the “Jonas Blessing.” As every member of the Jonatics knows, attending their concerts are a blessing and that clearly translates to professional athletes as well. Nick Jonas took to Twitter to point out that champions Patrick Mahomes (NFL), Cody Belinger (Los Angeles Dodgers - Major League Baseball) and Lewis Hamilton (Formula One driver) have all been to a Jonas Brother concert and all have won the highest honor in their sport. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Sideline stat

Ciara and Seattle Seahawks (NFL) quarterback Russell Wilson are continuing their legacy of giving back. They’re donating almost $2M to cash-strapped Cascade Midway Academy in Washington. The school ran into financial trouble with COVID. The couple have partnered with the founders to further the school’s good work and the school will be renamed the “Why Not You Academy” (the name of Wilson’s foundation) to reflect the gift. The couple said, "We’ve always held the belief that life’s successes start with a good education, but recognize that access isn’t always created equally for all." INVEST IN THE BEST

Coaches’ corner

The Chicago White Sox (MLB) made an interesting hire for head coach by coaxing 76-year-old Hall Of Fame coach Tony La Russa out of retirement. But the big hiring announcement wasn’t without a flub. The graphic they made for his announcement on social media featured the signature of disgraced former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch. (He’s the one who was fired for his team’s sign stealing cheating scandal). Proof that the team was close to hiring Hinch instead of La Russa? We’ll never know. SOMEONE IS IN BIG TROUBLEl

(Pumpkin) Spice Up Your Life

As the weather cools down, the conversation doesn’t have to.

You’re on fire,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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College Football

Football fans everywhere are rejoicing as Big Ten football is back this weekend. This is the conference that’s home to teams like Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska. They originally cancelled their season in August but after parent protests, lawsuits and a “presidential push” the conference is back. It’s a short eight-week season with no room for rescheduling games - they’ll be cancelled instead. We’ve seen COVID outbreaks reschedule games in college and the NFL (National Football League). GIVE IT A GO

Overtime

Shout out to Jessica Mendoza who has been a trailblazer in baseball (MLB – Major League Baseball) and has yet again made the history books. The former Olympian is now the first woman to ever call a World Series game on a national broadcast. The series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers is tied at one game apiece heading into game three tonight. Watch out for the Dodgers’ starting pitcher Walker Buehler and his conversation evoking, Twitter-trending tight pants. GAME ON

Sideline stat

Secret spends their days helping you smell better but they’re also a huge supporter of women’s sports. This week, the deodorant company donated $1 million to help Professional Women's Hockey Players Association stay afloat, the largest corporate commitment ever made for professional women’s hockey in North America. They previously made a significant donation to the U.S. Women’s National Team to help close the pay gap between the men’s and women’s soccer teams. SMELLS LIKE TEAM SPIRIT

Coaches’ corner

LSU (Louisiana State University) won the 2020 National Championship but it may have come at a price. After a two-year internal investigation that uncovered illegal bribery, they have opted for self-imposed sanctions (before the NCAA comes down on them). Part of the sanctions include a ban on Tiger alum and Cleveland Browns (NFL) receiver Odell Beckham Jr from the locker room. Why? Beckham handed out $2,000 in cash on the field to players after the National Championship Game. (Cash for college players a big no-no). They’ll also drop eight football scholarships over a two-year period as part of the sanctions. YOU GET A $100, YOU GET $100

What to watch

UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) returns to Fight Island for UFC 254 on Saturday. Typically, UFC keeps their Pay-Per-View cards in line with times in the U.S. to show on Saturday nights, but due to popularity of champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Middle East and Europe, the fight will take place in the afternoon in the U.S. Nurmagomedov will fight American Justin Gaethje for title on Saturday. LET THE DAY DRINKING BEGIN