Now What?
Olympic wrap-up, there’s a dance party in Toronto and hall of fame speeches that’ll inspire you this morning.
Now that the Olympics are over guess it’s time to binge-watch “Mare of Eastown” or one of the 20 other shows everyone is talking about.
So many choices, so little time,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
The last weekend of the Summer Olympics wrapped up with a few huge wins for Team USA, which finished one gold medal ahead of second-place China in the medal count. Adding to that Team USA tally were the women’s basketball team (their seventh straight gold medal), men’s basketball team (fourth consecutive gold) and women’s volleyball (first gold ever). Also, for the first time, 93 Olympic organizing committees won a medal - the most to ever win a medal at a single Olympic Games. SEE YOU IN PARIS
Overtime
The NFL (National Football League) Hall of Fame speeches are always inspirational, and this weekend’s induction lived up to the hype. We had high hopes for Peyton Manning’s speech. After all, he has been the host of “Saturday Night Live.” He had the audience laughing especially as he took a jab or two at his longtime rival Tom Brady, who attended the ceremony as Manning’s guest.
The thought-provoking speech came from former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson, 78, who talked about QTL – quality time left. "Think about that," Johnson said. "I'm 78 years old and I think about QTL all the time." BE IN THE MOMENT
Sideline stat
Arguably the world’s best soccer player, Lionel Messi, is moving on. During an emotional press conference, he said farewell to his team, FC Barcelona, that he had played for since he signed with them at age 13. (He’s 34-years-old). Messi is leaving because of team financial constraints and has agreed to a two-year deal with PSG (Paris Saint-Germain). PASS THE TISSUES
Coaches’ corner
The Toronto Blue Jays (MLB – Major League Baseball) finally returned to their home stadium after being banned from traveling across the border all season due to COVID protocols. (They split their time between Buffalo and Florida). It's clear they like being home, judging by the dance party that ensues after each home win. The clubhouse turns into a club, complete with strobe lights. RAVING JAYS
Going The Distance
The stellar examples of sportsmanship in Tokyo, the shady accusations from a hockey wife and why Raven Saunders is our spirit animal.
Anyone else worried about what they’re going to watch when the Olympics are over on Sunday?
Going through table tennis withdrawals,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Olympics
Being a good sport is in the DNA of the Olympics, and we have to look no further than the track and field competition. First, Isaiah Jewett (USA) and Mijel Amous (Botswana) collided during the 800-meter race, falling. The two picked each other up and finished the race together. IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ‘EM, JOIN ‘EM
In the high jump, after tying Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) and Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy), were offered a chance to have a jump off to determine a gold medal winner or share the gold. The two agreed to share the gold. The exclamation mark was Tamberi leaping into Barshim’s arms to celebrate their co-victory. NICE GUYS TIE FOR GOLD
Overtime
As the saying goes, “happy wife, happy life,” but that’s clearly not the case with the wife of San Jose Shark’s (NHL – National Hockey League) player Evander Kane. His soon-to-be ex-wife took to her Instagram stories to make some serious allegations, including that her husband bet on his own hockey games - intentionally losing games and soliciting prostitution. The NHL is investigating these claims. FIGHTING WORDS
Sideline stat
The GOAT is back! The six-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is returning to competition for one last time in Tokyo - on the beam for tomorrow's individual event. Her teammates have dominated in her absence, with Jade Carey the latest, picking up a gold medal on the individual floor event. Not going for gold? The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team suffered a shocking loss to Canada in the semifinals. This is only their fourth loss to Canada in history. The USWNT will play for the bronze medal on Thursday. GIVING IT ALL
Coaches’ corner
Raven Saunders is the spirit animal we all need, expressing her inner self through her multicolor hair and strong mask game. After the anthem was over, the silver medalist in the shot put raised her hands in an ‘X’ on the medal podium. In a post-event interview, she spoke up for those who "don't have a platform to speak up for themselves." Saunders, who is black and queer, has been very open about her battle with depression. THE VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
Fancy Like
The stars come out for the NBA Finals and LeBron sneaks in his own booze, Olympics update and Shohei Ohtani donates Derby money to Angels' staff.
It's a new week with a chance to dazzle new clients and colleagues with your small talk skills.
Dive in headfirst,
The Last Night's Game Team
NBA (NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION)
All of the stars were out for Saturday night’s NBA Finals in Phoenix, including Adele, Vanessa Hudgens, Lil Wayne and LeBron James, who was cheering on his pal Chris Paul. The Milwaukee Bucks beat Paul’s Phoenix Suns, and they are now one win away from their first championship since 1971. But the real winner of the weekend was James, whose “Space Jam – A New Legacy” beat “Black Widow” at the box office. James celebrated courtside with a bottle of his Lobos 1707 tequila that he “snuck” into the basketball game. Game six is Tuesday night. CHEERS TO YOU
Overtime
Coco Gauff is one of the handful of athletes who have tested positive for COVID ahead of the Summer Olympics. The American tennis player will not participate in the Olympics because of her positive test. There have been multiple positive tests within the Olympic Village as well. The Opening Ceremonies are under a week away (July 23). STAY TUNED
Sideline stat
Shohei Ohtani has continued to make a name for himself this summer. Last week, he was the first Japanese-born player and pitcher to participate in the Home Run Derby (MLB - Major League Baseball), and for participating in the event, he earned $150,000. But instead of keeping that all for himself, he donated that money to members of the Los Angeles Angels (MLB – Major League Baseball), including clubhouse staff, trainers and members of the media relations department. PAYING IT FORWARD
Coaches’ corner
On Saturday night, panic erupted in Nationals Park (MLB) as a shooting occurred outside of the stadium during the sixth inning of the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres game. Fans and players ran for cover, and Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. helped his family and a number of fans into the dugout. Police have now revealed that the incident was unrelated to the game. SCARY MOMENT