The Rundown: 5 Things to Know About Championship Celebrations at The White House
Earlier this week the World Champion Chicago Cubs brought their victory parade to the White House. President Obama took a break from his packing duties to show the team around. It’s tradition for the nation’s champions to be celebrated at the White House but why?
Curious like a cat,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five Things to Know About Championship Celebrations at The White House
- The tradition of sports teams visiting the White House began in 1865 but it wasn’t until 1924 that the World Series Champion Washington Senators (baseball) were celebrated by President Calvin Coolidge. Although the NBA (National Basketball Association) champs didn’t make their first visit until 1963, NFL (National Football League) in 1980 and NHL (National Hockey League) 1991.
- Since you never show up to a party empty handed, teams typically bring along their winning trophy and a gift for the president, usually a team jersey. Not sure he has enough wall space for all of those.
- It’s not all pomp and circumstance. When the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) visited the White House, the team and the president packed over 3,000 care packages for troops serving overseas. During their time in the capital, the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) visited wounded veterans and the U.S.A. Women’s Soccer Team put on a youth soccer clinic.
- It’s not always warm and fuzzy as some players boycott the visit and use it as an opportunity to speak out against the president’s policies or the government. Others simply can’t make it. President George W. Bush said "I guess his grandmother died again" about the absence of Boston Red Sox (MLB) player Manny Ramirez.
- When the New York Giants (NFL) visited in 1987, the team dumped a cooler full of popcorn on President Reagan to honor the traditional merriment of pouring Gatorade on the head coach to celebrate a victory.
- Extra credit: It’s not only the professional athletes who visit, college champions and Olympic athletes have graced the Rose Garden with their presence.
Overtime
- Pittsburgh Steelers’ (NFL) Antonio Brown violated the sacred space of the locker room after the team’s big playoff win this weekend. Brown streamed postgame locker room talk of head coach Mike Tomlin making not so nice comments about the Patriots, their next opponent.
Sideline stat
- When Brown took to Facebook, he violated the NFL’s social media policy. The policy prohibits social media activity 90 minutes before kickoff as well as after game through the postgame press conferences. Brown is certainly going to be fined by the league for that one.
Coaches’ corner
- College football is a year-round grind and that became apparent when three players on the University of Oregon Ducks football team were hospitalized after an off-season workout. The Ducks’ strength and conditioning coach has been suspended. Phew and we thought working out with Jane Fonda was tough.
The Rundown: Gridiron Goals
For some of you today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, might be an extension of your weekend and for others it’s simply Monday. In the world of football, today is the first day of the off-season for a few more teams.
If you can’t wait for football season to be over (or you’re simply counting the days until the Lady Gaga halftime show) there’s only one more set of playoff games until the Super Bowl.
On the edge of glory,
The Last Night’s Game Team
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NFL (National Football League)
- Next! The New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons were too much for their opponents. They both took home significant wins against their playoff rivals, the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.
- Kickers save the day. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers put on a masterful display against the Dallas Cowboys. Kicker Mason Crosby hit a game winning field goal with time running out to give the Packers the win.
The Pittsburgh Steelers leaned on kicker Chris Boswell to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. He kicked a postseason record six field goals en route to the Steelers win.
- One more game until the Super Bowl. The Packers will play the Falcons and the Steelers will face the Patriots on Sunday.
NCAA basketball (College)
- Record breaking. As we reported on Friday, the University of Connecticut (UConn) women’s basketball team was looking to beat the all-time win record for college basketball, men or women, this weekend. They set their minds to their goal and achieved it, winning their 91st consecutive game. The record breaking team hasn’t lost a game since 2014.
- Undefeated. The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team is the only remaining undefeated team in the nation.
Overtime
- Ringling Brothers announced they will be shutting down their circus operations but what do clowns, elephants and acrobats have to do with sports? When the circus comes to town it forces many NBA (National Basketball Association) teams to take extended road trips while the circus uses the arena. This will allow teams to take shorter road trips to help with the brutal NBA travel schedule. It’ll also help with the circus smell left behind.
Sideline stat
- The price of Super Bowl tickets dropped 20% after the Dallas Cowboys loss yesterday.
Coaches’ corner
- Someone hire a new graphic designer. STAT. The San Diego Chargers (NFL) announced their relocation to Los Angeles last week and they haven’t exactly been met with open arms. Their first attempt at a logo didn't go over well and the second was mocked for ripping off L.A. Dodgers logo (MLB team – Major League Baseball). The Chargers admit it was a mistake and are reevaluating the logo. There’s a reason they say the third time’s a charm.
The Rundown: One Tough Cookie
A reoccurring theme in today’s Rundown is head trauma. No we haven’t started covering people who head bang at a rock show but athletes who are worried about what’s going on upstairs.
It’s what’s on the inside that counts,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NFL (National Football League)
- Bo knows. Bo Jackson was an athlete for the ages. He made playing in the NFL look easy and then did the same in MLB (Major League Baseball). (Yes he played in two professional sports - a rarity). As head trauma from football continues to take center stage, Jackson spoke out saying, “If I knew back then what I know now (about head injuries), I would have never played football. Never.”
- Pack your bags. After 55 years in San Diego the Chargers announced they will be moving to Los Angeles starting next season. Disputes over funding for a new stadium led to the move. The Chargers join an already saturated L.A. market with the L.A. Rams (NFL), multiple college teams, teams in all other professional sports, the beach and Hollywood.
Divisional Playoffs
- Saturday games
Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons
Battle of the birds. The Seahawks beat the Falcons in a nail-biter earlier in the season.
Houston Texans vs New England Patriots
Texas-sized underdog. The Patriots are virtually unbeatable at home in the playoffs and the Texans head into the game as one of the biggest underdogs in playoff history (15.5 points).
- Sunday games
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs
Icing on the cake. The game in Kansas City will involve the two teams battling it out with each other and mother nature, who is dishing out an ice storm. (Anyone else singing Frozen’s "Let It Go" in their head? You are now).
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
Unbiased opinion. Green Bay fans have started a petition to prevent announcers Joe Buck and former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman from calling the game on TV. The petition has 24,000 signatures. Packers fans claim the duo are biased and too negative toward the Packers. (Here’s our unbiased five things to know about Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in case you need a refresher for the game).
Overtime
- Carl Edwards (37) announced that he will be driving off into the sunset. Edwards has been a NASCAR driver since 2002 and is known for his backflips off the car when he’d win a race. He cited walking away with his health as one of the reasons for retirement, especially after seeing Dale Earnhardt Jr. struggle with concussions.
Daniel Suarez is poised to take his place on the circuit, becoming the first Mexican born full-time NASCAR driver.
Sideline stat
- University of Connecticut women’s basketball is a dynasty. They’ve won four national championships in a row and have tied their own winning streak at 90 games. Tomorrow they will look to win their 91st game in a row which would be an all-time record for men and women’s college basketball. The UConn women have not lost since November 17, 2014.
Coaches’ corner
- Have you ever read a game listing, such as Houston Texas vs New England Patriots and wondered where the game will be played? In most major American sports, the home team is listed last. Now you’re in the know.