Let’s Try This Again
A reboot on the start of 2021 with tonight’s college football championship, a great #girldad moment and why the NBA is regretting skipping the bubble.
May this week be the restart to 2021 that we all need.
Diet starts tomorrow,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Football
Tonight’s the night, and no, we’re not talking about the second episode of Matt James’ season on “The Bachelor.” (Although yes, that’s still on, and yes, you need to make sure you set your bracket picks). Alabama and Ohio State face off in the College Football National Championship Game tonight. Alabama is the favorite, but that doesn’t mean anything when everything is on the line. From payouts to all the controversy, listen to this week’s podcast (or check out the transcript if you don’t want to listen) for everything you need to know about tonight’s big game. GIVE ‘EM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
Overtime
Sports gave us a great #girldad moment over the weekend when we had our first-ever father-daughter coaching matchup. Maureen Margarity and her College of Holy Cross women’s basketball team defeated her dad’s Army team to claim the first of its kind victory. The two will coach against each other three more times this season. PROUD DAD
Sideline stat
The matchups from the first weekend of the NFL (National Football League) Playoffs brought us slime, televised f-bombs and great victories. Nickelodeon aired the Saints triumph over the Bears, but the censors missed out on an obvious sideline f-bomb that then graced the ears of their young viewers. There were historic wins for the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills. Both won their first playoff game in 25 years. Also as a result of this weekend, two of the oldest players in the league – Tom Brady and Drew Brees - will faceoff next weekend. F-BOMBS AND OLD GUYS = WILD TIMES
Coaches’ corner
The NBA (National Basketball Association) opted to start their season without a bubble, and now it’s starting to become a problem. Basketball teams already have a small roster to begin with so there’s not a lot of room for error. Games are now being postponed because teams don’t have enough players to take the court. THANKS COVID
What to watch
The puck drops to start the NHL (National Hockey League) season on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know.
Like A Good Neighbor
Here for you as you start off your first work week of 2021. The $100k bonus, the best comeback story and the Heisman Trophy is on deck.
We've got your back day in and day out by bringing you plenty to talk about, but we won't take up your trash cans when you're out of town.
Can't win them all,
The Last Night's Game Team
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
The College Football National Championship Game is set. The Crimson Tide of Alabama will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 11 in Miami. As if that excitement wasn't enough for this week, tomorrow college football will (virtually) crown the Heisman Trophy Winner. The trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football. The finalists include two Alabama players Mac Jones (QB) and DeVonta Smith (WR), Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask. Smith is the current favorite to win. THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING US
OVERTIME
Alex Smith of Washington Football Team (NFL - National Football League) is the best comeback story of the season. After a horrific broken leg that resulted in an infection that almost cost him his leg, Smith returned to start for his team. In the coolest public display of affection, Alex's wife Elizabeth posted a photo for inspiration before yesterday's game. It was of the Lombardi Trophy (that the Super Bowl Champions receive) made of Smith’s former leg brace. She talked about how proud she was of Smith and how far he's come. It must have worked because with yesterday's win Washington locked down their division title and a spot in the playoffs, even though they have a losing record. A LONG WAY BACK
SIDELINE STAT
The Seattle Seahawks (NFL) were THIS close to wrapping up the season and heading into the playoffs, but instead of taking a knee to close out the game, the Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson called an audible and threw a pass to David Moore. Why? Moore was one catch away from a $100,000 bonus. Moore had an incentive built into his contract that stated that he would receive $100,000 if he had 35 catches this season, and that last-minute catch was Moore’s 35th of the season. In a postgame interview, Wilson said he knew of the incentive and made sure he changed the call, so his teammate received his bonus. A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND
COACHES' CORNER
Today is referred to as Black Monday in the NFL. It's the Monday after the regular season that coaches get fired. So far, Adam Gase of the New York Jets and Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars have lost their jobs, but no telling who will be next. DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU..
In It To Win It
JJ Watt’s compelling rant, some post-holiday good news and white glove delivery from a Super Bowl Champion.
We’re counting down the days until we say sayonara to 2020.
Make the last few days count,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
The NFL regular season is coming to an end next weekend and JJ Watt has had enough. His Houston Texans (NFL) are closing out the season with an abysmal 4-11 record. In his postgame press conference yesterday, he got on his soapbox talking about the "lack of professionalism on the team" and how he "feels bad for fans." Watt stated, "If you can't come in and put work in, in the building, go out to the practice field and work hard, do your lifts and do what you're supposed to do, you should not be here. This is a job. We are getting paid a whole lot of money." CALLING IT LIKE IT IS
Wondering which teams are in and which teams are out of the playoffs? HERE'S WHERE YOUR TEAM STANDS
Overtime
JuJu Smith-Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) paid it forward this holiday season by clearing $25,000 worth of layaway for Christmas gifts and essentials for 170 families. He also purchased Christmas gifts for 250 children in need. This comes on the heels of a post from Smith-Schuster's mom saying she received death threats over her son's pregame TikTok dances. Death threats over dancing. Seriously? What is this, "Footloose?" TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD
Sideline Stat
The New York Knicks (NBA - National Basketball Association) had fans shaking their heads in disbelief. They sent two players into a game with the same jersey numbers. Reggie Bullock and Mitchell Robinson both entered the game with No. 23 on their jerseys. (Bullock usually wears No. 25). This comes to you from a Knicks team with an owner who plays the kazoo in a band and is known for his short fuse and throwing former players and celebrities out of Madison Square Garden (home of the Knicks). C’MON MAN
Coaches’ corner
Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning (NFL - National Football League) went all-in on his charity commitment. Manning donated his Super Bowl MVP 2011 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible to the All-In Challenge that raised money for families with food insecurities due to COVID. He hand-delivered the car to the winner, who bid $140,000. The All-In Challenge was created by Fanatics founder Michael Rubin and raised over $60M by auctioning off experiences and items from professional athletes and celebrities. WHITE GLOVE DELIVERY