How You Doin'?
Tiger Woods' victory, the Paralympics begin with notable absences, when your dad acts like a rodeo clown and this week's Tailgate Treat.
A successful conversation is one where both parties can connect over common ground. Today's post has you covered.
Paving the way,
The Last Night's Game Team
WINTER PARALYMPICS
The Paralympics kicked off this morning in Beijing with the Opening Ceremonies but athletes from Russia and Belarus were noticeably absent. After initially saying they would not ban the athletes, the International Paralympic Committee changed their minds. The committee cited boycott threats and safety concerns as the reason for the change of heart.
Paralympians are nothing short of amazing and inspiring. For more on the Paralympics, check out this all-inclusive guide.
Short and Sweet
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina is donating all the prize money she wins at the Monterrey Open to the Ukrainian army.
This weekend's ticket prices for longtime Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski's last game vs. rival North Carolina are through the roof. We're talking more expensive than a Super Bowl ticket. Every player he's coached since 1980 (and there are some big names) has been invited to attend.
This rodeo dad took on an angry bull to protect his son.
Before We Go
Tiger Woods hasn't played in a PGA (Professional Golfers Association) event since his car crash in February 2021, but he scored a significant victory this week. Woods won the inaugural Player Impact Program, which is based on a player's appeal and popularity on social media. The Player Impact Program uses Nielsen ratings, Google searches, MVP Index, Meltwater Mentions and Q-Rating to select a winner. At No. 1, Woods took home an $8M bonus and the No. 2 on the list, Phil Mickelson, $6M. AND THEY SAY SOCIAL MEDIA IS BAD...
SHIRT NOT REQUIRED
This week's NFL Combine could be the most invasive job interview around. It's called the "Underwear Olympics" for a reason. Here's why a business suit won't cut it. HELP WANTED
Comfort Food
Get a taste of Mardi Gras at your dinner table with this week's Tailgate Treat, instant pot jambalaya. BEADS NOT REQUIRED
The Most Invasive Job Interview In Sports
There’s a reason they call it the “Underwear Olympics.”
Ever had the dream where you end up in public nearly naked, feeling oh so exposed? Welcome to the NFL Combine (National Football League) where that is real life. They don’t call it the Underwear Olympics for nothing.
Only just a dream,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The NFL Combine (pronounced kɒmbaɪn– like a harvesting tractor) is known as the “Underwear Olympics” because prospects compete in different challenges in small, tight-fitting workout gear all while being scrutinized. It wasn’t long ago that prospects stripped down to their underwear for the “eyeball test” where coaches would make notes about their stature, muscle build, etc. IT’S LIKE PRIZED CATTLE GOING TO MARKET
2. Unlike in the presidential election, hand size matters in the combine. Quarterbacks are especially scrutinized for their grip, which is judged by the distance from the thumb to their pinkie. A previous victim to the ruler is Heisman Trophy winner, national champion and Super Bowl runner-up, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. Burrow measured in at nine inches and joked that “maybe he should just retire from the NFL now.” Burrow was the No. 1 pick in the draft despite his palm size. BUT HE WEARS BIG SOCKS?
3. As if being in your undies isn’t bad enough, teams are known for asking really weird and intrusive questions. The players who have been invited to the tryout will be asked interrogation-style 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. WHERE’S THE HR DEPARTMENT?
4. If you think any dumb jock can make it to the NFL, then you’ve never taken the Wonderlic Test. This year is the first year the NFL will not use the test that challenges players’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. Only one player has ever had a perfect score. Think you can beat it? HARDER THAN IT LOOKS
5. The “sexiest” event in the combine is the 40-yard dash. In the past, the fastest runner has won prizes such as a private island or $1 million. Tom Brady was remarkably slow but he turned out alright. Since 2005 sports reporter Rich Eisen has participated in the dash, while wearing a suit with cleats, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. RUN RICH RUN
The Combine runs March 1-7 and the NFL Draft begins on April 28 in Las Vegas
Think About It
The royals public disagreement, who cleaned up at the SAG Awards and today's the day that the baseball season could get the boot.
Head into the week firing on all cylinders - prepared for any small talk topic thrown your way.
The best of the best,
The Last Night's Game Team
MLB (MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
Don't look now, but baseball season may not happen as planned. After months of negotiations between the Players Association and owners, it all comes down to today. If the two sides, who are said to be far apart, can't agree by today, opening day will be pushed back, and regular season games will be canceled. Spring training was already canceled. PLAY BALL??
Short and Sweet
"Ted Lasso" cleans up at the SAG Awards, and Will Smith lands his first-ever Actor® for his role as tennis dad Richard Williams in "King Richard."
FIFA may have refused to oust Russia from the World Cup, but they are sticking it to them by not allowing their team to fly the country's flag or play the Russian National Anthem during this winter's World Cup. The Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden all spoke out, refusing to play Russia in games leading to the World Cup.
March Madness could be extra spicy this year.
It's not polite for the royals to have a public disagreement, but rugby has made Kate and William a house divided.
Before We Go
Olympic gymnastic sensation Suni Lee does it again - performing a nabieva, which has never been seen before in collegiate gymnastics. She also scored her first perfect ten on the beam during her competition as a member of the Auburn gymnastics team. BEAST MODE
PS: In case you're wondering, according to Yahoo Sports, the nabieva consists of laying out vertically over the high bar, swinging around, then passing over the bar backward before grabbing it again. It carries the highest difficulty rating.
SALUD!
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, which means it's dinner time. Check out our Tailgate Treats for some inspiration for dinner time (or happy hour). LIKE A BOSS
HELP WANTED
The Winter Olympics is over, which means it's back to work for many Olympians. But what do they do for their day jobs? BACK TO REALITY