Up And At ‘Em

A Monday by any other name would still not make us want to get out of bed.

To snooze or not to snooze,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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PGA (Professional Golfers Association)

When you’ve still got it. Tiger Woods was grrrreat yesterday at the PGA Championship, dominating the TV coverage and captivating the crowd. Although he couldn’t quite seal the deal and ended up in second place to winner Brooks Koepka. Koepka had an epic day, joining Woods as one of five players in history to win the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same year. ON THE PROWL

 

Overtime

If you’ve ever watched a sporting event and thought “I could do better.” One Pittsburgh Steelers fan (NFL – National Football League) took matters into his own hands. Dressed in a Steelers uniform, he somehow made it past security and onto the practice field with the team. The imposter finally raised red flags because he was wearing the number #43, which hasn’t been worn for a long time. THAT’S WHAT GAVE IT AWAY?

Sideline stat

The Los Angeles Lakers (NBA – National Basketball Association) are already reaping the benefits of the LeBron James effect. The team has missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons but by simply by adding James to their roster, the team will have more than half of their season (43 games to be exact) nationally televised. MONEY IN THE BANK

Coaches’ corner

While he may never make it to the MLB (Major League Baseball) Hall of Fame, the all-time home run leader Barry Bonds had his jersey number (#25) retired by the San Francisco Giants, his longtime team. His dad also wore the same number for the Giants during his career. (You may remember Bonds admitted to unknowingly using steroids during his career, hence the controversy on whether or not he’ll ever be enshrined in the hall of fame). WHAT A DOPE HONOR

Monday Motivation

Weekends…they’re all fun and games until they turn into a Monday.

It's yours for the taking, 

The Last Night's Game Team

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MLB (Major League Baseball)

Who said nice guys finish last? While the Baltimore Orioles might be in last place in their division, their outfielder Adam Jones is still a champion. When news spread that the D.C. area Mamie Johnson Little League team was headed to the Little League World Series (LLWS) Regionals, Jones stepped up and donated $8,500 to cover their transportation. The team is the first predominantly black squad to advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament, the last step before making it to the LLWS. GOOD GUY ALERT

Overtime

Hall of fame speeches are typically filled with gratitude and inspirational messages of overcoming adversity but former NFL (National Football League) player and NFL Hall of Fame inductee Brian Dawkins’ speech on Saturday was that and so much more. He used his platform to talk about his struggle with depression, where he contemplated suicide in the height of his career, to provide hope to those who might also be battling the disease. BRILLIANT PASSION

Sideline stat

New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady turned an elderly 41 (by NFL standards – he’s the fourth oldest player in the league) on Friday. To celebrate, the team had a giant 900 lb. cake that fed 5,000 people. Seriously. The bummer for Brady? He sticks to a very strict diet and since it wasn’t made out of avocados or another TB12 Method (his diet book) approved food, he couldn’t enjoy it. CAKE > CAREER LONGEVITY & ABS

Coaches’ corner

Teamwork makes the dream work. A surreal moment in NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) this weekend when Chase Elliott took home his first win ever, after starting in 99 races. He ran out of gas just after passing the finish line, leaving him stranded for his virgin victory lap. His teammate, veteran racer Jimmie Johnson, had his back. Johnson used his own car to push Elliott’s victory vehicle around the track for his celebratory lap. HIGH FIVE

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