Let's Be Honest
All good fights end with pepperoni pizza, QB Alex Smith faces another challenge, and it was a two-championship kind of weekend.
The week ahead of the Independence Day holiday is a wash on the productivity scale. It is the perfect time to work on your poolside conversation and BBQ brilliance.
Patriotic AF,
The Last Night's Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
The tension between the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners came to a head in yesterday's game after Jesse Winker of the Seattle Mariners was hit by a pitch. After a bench-clearing brawl, Raisel Iglesias of the Angels threw a tantrum that would rival one of an overtired toddler. Iglesias smashed things in the dugout and threw the sunflower seats and bubble gum on the field. Six players and two coaches were ejected from the game.
But the part of this story that captivated fans was the Mariners fan who had a pepperoni pizza delivered to Winker. Fans were on the edge of their seats as the DoorDash driver delivered the pizza to the visiting clubhouse. Winker reached out to the fan to say thank you. EMOTIONAL EATING
Short and Sweet
The House passed a bipartisan resolution pushing Russia to release WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) player Brittney Griner, who is scheduled for a hearing in Russia today.
A die-hard Colorado Avalanche (NHL - National Hockey League) fan had been banned from home games after spreading his friend's ashes on the ice during the Stanley Cup Finals. Maybe it was lucky as the Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup since 2001 last night.
Wimbledon starts today, but it's not without its controversy. Serena Williams is back and chasing major win No. 24.
Congratulations to the Ole Miss Rebels, who won the Jell-O shot challenge and their first Men's College World Series championship yesterday, beating Oklahoma in the best-of-three series.
Before We Go
You might remember quarterback Alex Smith, formerly of the Washington Commanders, who had a tragic in-game leg injury that almost caused him to lose his leg. He has since recovered, but his family had another battle to fight - a rare malignant tumor in their daughter. Sloane, 6, was rushed to the ER in May with stroke-like symptoms. She has since "bounced back" after doctors removed 100% of her tumor. PRAYERS UP
Photo: Unsplash
YUM YUM
Need ideas for your three-day weekend? Find your new favorite recipes in our Tailgate Treats. YES PLEASE
GAME CHANGER
The biggest tournament on grass is serving up plenty of champs with a side of tradition. Check out "Why Players Wear White And All About Rufus The Hawk - Behind The Scenes Of Wimbledon 2022" with Wimbledon starting play today. GAME ON
Hit Me Baby One More Time
Banning transgender athletes in women’s sports, new babies and the Jello shot challenge.
Monday morning is here yet again.
Coming in hot,
The Last Night's Game Team
Competitive Swimming
Over the weekend, FINA, the world swimming's governing body, effectively banned transgender athletes from competing in women's events. The new "gender inclusion policy" only permits swimmers who transitioned before age 12 to compete in women's events. JUST THE BEGINNING
Short and Sweet
Rafael Nadal (tennis) confirmed the rumors that he and his wife are expecting their first child.
Matthew Fitzpatrick won the US Open (golf), his first major win. His caddie, Billy Foster, finally gets a major victory after 40 years.
In the Stanley Cup finals (NHL - National Hockey League), the Tampa Bay Lightning have learned there's no place like home, losing handily to the Colorado Avalanche in the first two games on their home ice. Game three is tonight in Tampa Bay.
The Golden State Warriors (NBA - National Basketball Association) championship parade will be taking over the streets today. Here's what you need to know.
Before We Go
The Oklahoma Sooners are within one win of reaching the Men's College World Series finals after beating the Cinderella story of the tournament, Notre Dame.
While the action on the field is heating up, the Jello Shot Challenge happening at a local Omaha pizza joint could be the most competitive sport in town. STEP UP TO THE PLATE
Photo: AdWeek
YUM YUM
Need dinner ideas for your week ahead? Find your new favorite recipes in our Tailgate Treats. YES PLEASE
GAME CHANGER
While they might be professional athletes, their wives kick some serious butt. Here are five athletes' wives who bring home the bacon. YES GIRL
Photo: Shutterstock
Unstoppable
The Special Olympics USA Games begin, women who hit the long ball and even the pros learn something new every day.
Another week and another chance to make an impact. Need more inspiration? Check out the "before you go" section below.
Look out world,
The Last Night's Game Team
WCWS (Women’s College World Series)
Two of the most storied teams in college softball will meet up today to battle it out for a spot in the finals. UCLA has the most softball championships in history, and Oklahoma has had the most dominant season thus far. The Oklahoma Sooners have won 35 games during the regular season by run rule. The UCLA Bruins must knock off the Sooners twice Monday to make it into the best-of-three finals on Wednesday. CHICKS DIG HIT THE LONG BALL
*The run rule in college softball is the "eight-run rule" that can end a game if one "team leads the other after at least five equal innings."
Short and Sweet
There were no surprises in the French Open Finals (tennis) as Iga Swiatek sailed to her 35th straight win, ousting Coco Gauff and earning her second French Open title. And even with a foot that was asleep, Rafael Nadal beat Casper Rudd in the men's finals to set a men's record of 22 major wins. (Serena has 23).
Ukraine lost to Wales and failed to qualify for the World Cup (soccer).
Dodgers (MLB - Major League Baseball) learned alongside the rest of us a position player cannot pitch unless the other team is up by six runs. Learn something new every day.
Canada will play in its first World Cup (soccer) since 1986 but decided to skip a friendly match amid a pay dispute.
Before We Go
If you need a little dose of inspiration heading into your Monday, look no further than the Special Olympics. Last night the USA Games Opening Ceremony kicked off a celebration of more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean. ESPN will feature nightly coverage of the Games on Tuesday and Wednesday, and ESPN3 will provide 68 hours of live coverage, including Track & Field, Powerlifting, Esports and Tennis during the week. TRUE STRENGTH
Photo: AdWeek
YUM YUM
Need dinner ideas for your week ahead? Find your new favorite recipes in our Tailgate Treats. YES PLEASE
GAME CHANGER
These five athletes top our list for the most awkward product endorsements, from fish sticks to childhood constipation. ALWAYS BE CLOSING