Pros And Cons
The NBA player who is going back to college, football is back and the thief who found out the hard way not to mess with a UFC fighter.
Bad news - the Olympics are over and it’s still really hot.
Good news - football is back and the fall is around the corner. (At least that’s what the Halloween candy in stores tells us).
Filling the void,
The Last Night’s Game Team
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
A warning to all the criminals out there, be careful who you mess with. A thief made the mistake of attempting to steal the car of UFC fighter Jordan Williams and didn’t end well. Williams left his car running at a gas station he frequents, only to come out to find someone backing out in his car. He managed to land some punches and kicks before the would-be thief ran off. Williams posted the security footage on his Instagram in hopes of catching the thief. DON’T MESS WITH ME
Overtime
Another familiar face from the football field is headed morning television. Taking the chair next to Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil on “CBS This Morning" is former NFL player and current “NFL Today” (National Football League) analyst Nate Burleson. If the move sounds familiar, in 2012, Michael Strahan made a move from the field to co-hosting with Kelly Ripa and is now a mainstay on “Good Morning America.” IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY
Sideline stat
When the new name, image, likeness rules were announced, critics were worried it would bring out the worst in college sports. BYU had another plan. They’ve partnered with health food company Built Brands to compensate all 123 players on the Cougars football team, but they’ve taken it one step further. Build Brands will pay BYU’s walk-on players enough to cover their full tuition. Walk-ons are athletes that do not have a scholarship, so this is huge for these student-athletes.
If you’re wondering, NCAA rules say college football teams can have 125 players on their roster but only distribute scholarships to 85 athletes. GOOD GAME
Coaches’ corner
As a high schooler, J.R. Smith had committed to the University of North Carolina to play basketball. However, he went straight to the NBA (National Basketball Association) due to his success and was told he could always go back to school “whenever.” Well, after a 16-year NBA career, a retired Smith decided "whenever" is now. Beginning this semester, Smith will attend North Carolina A&T State University. But that’s not all. Smith wants to play on the school’s golf team and is awaiting the NCAA ruling on his eligibility. SECOND ACT
What to watch
Hold onto your hats - football is back! The NFL preseason is in full swing, with games starting last night through Sunday. The No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Trevor Lawrence, is expected to make his debut on Saturday for the Jacksonville Jaguars. HERE WE GO
The World’s Greatest
Why a giant sumo wrestler is scaring the Olympic horses, mustard-infused hot dog buns make their debut and the US isn’t closing out the Olympics without a fight.
Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the face. We’re bringing you exactly what you need to be a small talk champion.
You’re such a knockout,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
The Summer Olympics wrap up this weekend but don't think that Team USA will ride off into the sunset without a fight. Tomorrow, the US Men's Basketball Team, baseball team and women's basketball team will all fight for a gold medal. If the men's basketball team beats France on Saturday, they'll secure their fourth consecutive gold. After a 13-year hiatus for baseball, the US Baseball Team will face Japan on Saturday morning in the gold medal game. And saving the best for last, the US Women will take on a yet to be determined team on Saturday night. The US Women have not lost an Olympic basketball game since 1992. GO OUT ON TOP
Overtime
Now you won't have to make a choice when it comes to ketchup or mustard because French's Mustard is rolling out a limited release of mustard-infused buns at seven baseball stadiums across the country tomorrow. If you happen to be hitting a game in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, or Boston, give one a try (and then let us know how it is). NOW THAT'S INNOVATION WE CAN GET BEHIND
Sideline stat
Is a giant sumo wrestler statue to blame for a poor showing in some Olympic equestrian events? According to some riders, yes. The course for the jumping qualifier features 14 jumps, but on the 10th obstacle, there's a unique addition – a life-size sumo wrestler statue. A few pairs have pulled up short of the jump. Apparently, horses don't like surprises. HI, HAVE WE MET?
Coaches' corner
While you were finishing your cup of coffee, US Track and Field legend Allyson Felix won a bronze medal in the 400m. She is the first woman to win 10 Olympic track & field medals and is tied for the most track & field medals among any American athlete. JUST WOW
What to watch
The Olympic Closing Ceremonies will take place on Sunday. The typical parade of athletes will be much smaller than usual due to COVID protocols. Athletes must leave Japan within hours of completing their competition or elimination (whichever is sooner). Watch for host country Japan ceremoniously pass the torch to France for the 2024 Summer Olympics. IT'S BEEN A GOOD RIDE
Golden Hour
Simone Biles - will she or won’t she, why Chicago is waking up heartbroken and the microstate, which you’ve likely never heard of, that won a medal.
While diving deep into sports may not be your thing (ours either), it’s a perfect foray into a conversation and making a connection.
Something for everyone,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
All eyes are again on Simone Biles, with the individual events (uneven bars, vault, floor, etc.) beginning on Sunday. In her Instagram stories, she said she is struggling with the 'twisties' – her "mind and body are simply not in sync." She has been very open about her struggle and even answered questions in her stories from fans about the twisties. There has been no word if she will compete in any of those events. HANG IN THERE
Overtime
Hearts broke all over Chicago last night when news that the Chicago Cubs (MLB – Major League Baseball) traded away fan-favorite Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo and his BFF, Kris Bryant, played together on the Cubs since 2015 and were part of the team that broke the Cubs' championship curse. The two, dubbed Bryzzo, are known for picking up fan's dinner tabs and being all-around good guys. They will now be rivals as Rizzo was traded to the Yankees ahead of the MLB trade deadline. WELCOME TO NEW YORK??
Sideline stat
History continues to be made in Tokyo. This time, San Marino claims the title as the least populated country to win an Olympic medal at the Summer or Winter Games, a record previously held by Lichtenstein. Alessandra Perilli won the bronze medal in women's trap shooting for San Marino, which is in Northern Italy. The microstate has a population of around 34,000. Their entire population wouldn't even fill Wrigley Field. SMALL COUNTRY, BIG DREAMS
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday, with her teammates, including Simone Biles, in the stands, American gymnast Suni Lee, 18, became the fifth straight gold medal winner for the US in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around. Lee has a great story herself. She is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. Her dad, who has since been paralyzed from a freak accident, built her a balance beam in their backyard so she could practice.
FYI, track and field coverage continues to ramp up as swimming and gymnastics start to wrap up.
What to watch
The NBA (National Basketball Association) Draft was last night, and the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rules may have already made an impact as 88 early entry candidates (players who still have eligibility) withdrew from the 2021 draft. Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University was drafted in the No. 1 spot to Detroit Pistons. However, the headlines were the blockbuster trade of veteran Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook, like new teammate LeBron James, is involved in the Hollywood movie scene. The NBA pre-season begins in early October. HOOP DREAMS