The Rundown: 5 Things To Know About The NFL Draft
If you thought being drafted for fifth grade kickball was bad, try being a candidate for the NFL Draft where millions of people are watching and there's a boatload of cash on the line.
On second thought, kickball sounds like child’s play,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Five things to know about the NFL (National Football League) Draft
- The NFL Draft takes place over the course of three days, beginning tomorrow evening. This year’s draft is in Philadelphia, PA and will draw roughly 200,000 visitors with an expected economic impact of about $80 million for the City of Brotherly Love.
- The draft was held exclusively in New York from 1956 – 2014. The NFL felt the need to expand their horizons and in 2015 and 2016 hosted the draft in Chicago. Moving forward the location will rotate annually.
- Draft candidates must be three years removed from high school. The Cleveland Browns have the first pick of the aforementioned candidates because they were the worst team in football last year.
- In an unprecedented move, projected #1 draft pick from Texas A&M, Myles Garrett, will not be attending the actual draft ceremony. He chose to stay home to celebrate with family and friends.
- This year the Baltimore Ravens will grant the wish of a Make-A-Wish child. Instead of commissioner Roger Goodell making the announcement, TJ Onwuanibe will read the name of the Ravens first round pick.
- Curious when and where you can catch the draft? Here you go.
Overtime
- Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., 42, announced he will retire at the completion of the NASCAR season (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). He cited health concerns after missing the majority of last season with concussion-like symptoms.
Sideline stat
- A group spearheaded by former New York Yankee Derek Jeter (MLB - Major League Baseball) and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush won the bid to buy the Miami Marlins (MLB) for a reported $1.3 billion. Jeb isn't the first Bush to own a baseball team. Find out more.
Coaches’ corner
- The State of Oklahoma passed a bill to “allow its universities to sue sports boosters and agents who expose the schools to NCAA sanctions.” A sanction is a penalty divvied out by the governing body of college sports (NCAA) when their rules are broken. Sanctions can range from loss of scholarships to the “death penalty” – the cancellation of the sporting program (like SMU football – Southern Methodist University).
The Rundown: Short and Sweet
May your Monday start off how you like your coffee, strong and balanced.
With a side of sugar,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
- Back it up. Steph Curry and his Golden State Warriors are up 3-0 in their playoff series vs. Portland Trail Blazers. Although the playoffs may have already swept Warriors' head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr was unable to coach game three and will not coach game four (and may be out for the entire playoffs) due to chronic back pain which caused him to miss half of last season.
- Sweep you off your feet. The Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Indiana Pacers to become the first team to advance to second round of the playoffs. This marks LeBron James’ record-breaking 10th sweep in a playoff series. Curious what’s happening in the playoffs? We have you covered.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Rain delay. Just when you tried to impress your racing fan boss and watch yesterday’s NASCAR race from Bristol, it never happened. The race was postponed until today due to weather. You can catch it at 1 pm EST here.
Overtime
- In the epic playoff battle between his team, the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), and the Houston Rockets, MVP candidate Russell Westbrook hasn’t let his reputation of fashion guru suffer. After yesterday’s loss, he continued to bring his A game at the postgame press conference. We’ll let you determine if his avant-garde outfit is on point or should be pointed toward the exit.
Sideline stat
- “El Classico” is a matchup between Spain's Real Madrid and Barcelona. Yesterday’s game featured two of soccer’s best, Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona). Barcelona beat Real Madrid on a goal from Messi in the last 12 seconds of the game..
Coaches’ corner
- The Chicago Cubs won the World Series (MLB – Major League Baseball) last year and broke their championship curse. That win comes with a lot of new fans. Their rival, Cincinnati Reds, took advantage of that situation with the “Bandwagon Fan Cam,” displaying Cubs fans throughout the stadium. Bandwagon fans are fans who start to like a team only when they win. Convenient.
The Rundown - How ‘Bout Them Apples?
Dinner parties, a hot date, vacation getaway, farmer’s market…whatever your weekend has in store for you, we have what everyone’s talking about so you can enjoy a blissful, awkward moment-free weekend.
How ‘bout them apples?
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association)
- Sad kitty. Tiger Woods announced he recently had his fourth back surgery to alleviate ongoing pain. With his last victory in 2013, it’s doubtful that we will ever see him dominate again but here’s to hoping.
NFL (National Football League)
- Fancy some international travel? The 2017 regular season schedule was released on Thursday. The regular season will kick off on Thursday, September 7th at the home of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. As part of the NFL’s strategy to develop an international fan base, 10 teams will play regular season games in London or Mexico City.
Tennis
- Acing pregnancy. Tennis star Serena Williams will soon have another title, Mom. She announced via snapchat that she is 20 weeks pregnant, meaning she won the Australian Open while roughly nine weeks pregnant. The record-breaking tennis player is taking the rest of the season off. Williams is engaged to the co-founder of the website Reddit.
Overtime
- Time Magazine released its list of the “Top 100 Most Influential People” but the list isn’t simply for tech company presidents and world leaders. There are quite a few athletes on the list including gold medal winning gymnast, Simone Biles, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback (NFL), Colin Kaepernick and UFC Champion (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Conor McGregor. For a complete list and to find out why they made the cut, click here.
Sideline stat
- Yet another country crooner sings the national anthem before the Nashville Predators playoff game and yet another win for the Predators. Luke Bryan sang the Predators (#8) to a win over the Chicago Blackhawks (#1). Now they will advance to the next round of the playoffs.
For the first time in NHL history, a No. 8 seed swept a No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs. (FYI - Carrie Underwood’s husband Mike Fisher plays for the Predators).
Coaches’ corner
- What does it mean for a team to “sweep” a series? Sadly no, that doesn’t mean the team learned how to clean. A sweep means one team won every game in the series. Fans are known to bring brooms to the game when their team is on the verge of a sweep. Finally a good use for that thing!