The Rundown: 5 Things to Know About Sport's Toughest Interview - the NFL Combine
The NFL Combine is one of the toughest job interviews in sports – it’s like an amalgamation of a CrossFit Games challenge and a police interrogation. Sounds like fun right?
Challenge not accepted,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - If you haven't taken it already, we've created a short, handy dandy survey to help us meet your needs and you can take it here. Thank you.
Five Things to Know About the NFL Combine
- Roughly 300 prospects will attend the combine (pronounced kɒmbaɪn– like a harvesting tractor) where they audition for teams to select them in the NFL Draft in April.
- The prospects take part in specific position driven drills and six physical events some of which include the bench press (how many times they can press 225 lbs.), three-cone drill and a vertical jump.
- The 40-yard dash has become one of the most scrutinized event. Adidas is offering any player who agrees to wear their cleats and breaks the record (4.24 seconds) either an island or $1 million. In case you’re wondering, Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady holds the record for the slowest 40-yard dash for a quarterback.
- The teams also have a chance to interview players. Many teams interview them ‘interrogation-style’ with hard hitting and inappropriate questions in an attempt to evoke the player’s vices (drinking, drugs), ethics, failures, sexual orientation (even though technically this is illegal) or anything to get a rise out of the player. A little different than your last interview we’re guessing.
- This isn’t all about the brawn, their brains are tested too with the “The Wonderlic Test.” Every player takes the 50 question timed test. Curious how you stack up against the rest? Take the test. (Warning – it’s not as easy as you think).
- Click here for more information on the combine, the schedule and where to watch.
Overtime
- The Minnesota Wild is the second NHL team (National Hockey League) in three days to confirm that at least one of their players has the mumps. This isn’t the first time this contagious illness has spread through hockey. There was an outbreak in 2014 as well.
Sideline stat
- The world’s #1 ranked women’s tennis player Serena Williams was out for an evening stroll this week with her dog and fiancée when she came across two men playing tennis. She challenged the winner to a match. She dominated him but it of course made their night to lose to the best in the world.
Coaches’ corner
- The combine is clearly known for its poking and prodding of the athletes. The hot topic in recent years has been a player’s hand size. (Theoretically bigger hands can handle the football better). Many players have taken up hand massages to increase their hand size. Insert your own jokes here, we’re staying out of this one.
The Rundown: And The Winner Is...
There were winners and losers in the weekend’s sports. Unlike last night’s Oscars, there was no confusion on who took home the win. La La Land…Moonlight…same same but different.
#EnvelopeGate please,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- No looking back. The famed Daytona 500 started the NASCAR season off with a bang. In a race plagued by crashes, Kurt Busch led only one lap, the last lap. His rearview mirror fell off with 30 laps to go so he couldn’t see behind him, but he didn’t need to because he cruised into his first win at Daytona.
NCAA Men’s Basketball (College)
- Cinderella story no more. Gonzaga was the last remaining undefeated men’s college basketball team in the nation. They lost to BYU (Brigham Young University) on Saturday in the last game of the season. You’ll still see them on your March Madness tournament bracket which will be released soon.
Overtime
- ESPN Films won its first ever Oscar with the documentary “O.J.: Made in America” based on Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson. It also took a look into the culture of celebrity, race, media and the criminal justice system in America.
Sideline stat
- In the final game of her college career, University of Washington senior Kelsey Plum set the all-time scoring record for women’s college basketball with 3,397 career points. That would take us 3,397 days to achieve, hence why we write about sports.
Coaches’ corner
- Ever wonder what ESPN stands for? We did. The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (hence ESPN) was started 38 years ago and reporting sports has never been the same.
The Rundown: Red Carpet Worthy
It’s going to be a big Sunday but which channel will you choose? The red carpet coverage of the Oscars or Daytona 500?
Thank goodness for picture-in-picture,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Party time. NASCAR kicks off its season with the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Throwing a watch party with your friends? Get your party menu from chef Gordon Ramsay here.
- Let's roll. Singer Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem to start off the speedway shenanigans. Actor Owen Wilson, who is the voice of Lightning McQueen in the film Cars 3, has a great reason to miss the Oscars because he has the honor of telling the drivers to “start their engines.” (That's the ceremonial declaration that is shouted before each race).
- In case you missed it, here are five fascinating things to know about the Daytona 500.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- Simply disgusting. Baseball players are odd creatures of habit. Minnesota Twins pitcher Ryan O’Rourke revealed his game day tradition of vomiting before he goes in to pitch. There are no words.
Overtime
- Hollywood loves to make movies about sports but there aren’t many athletes taking home an Oscar. They may not have a little gold statue but there are a plethora of retired boxers, race car drivers, motorcycle riders and other athletes in film starring as stunt doubles. The Academy has been lobbied every year since 1991 for a stunt category with no luck. Never say never.
Sideline stat
- Baseball fans will be able to share their appearance on the video scoreboard or the telecast during a game. Fans who download the “15 Seconds of Fame” app will receive a video clip after their moment in the spotlight. Now there will forever be evidence of your appearance on the kiss cam.
Coaches’ corner
- Fashion isn’t only for the red carpet. The votes are in and these are the best shoes of the NBA (National Basketball Association) All-Star Game last weekend. Stilettos not included.