Last Night's Game

In some ways, 2021 might have felt a bit like a reboot of 2020, but there were so many moments to be excited about. Let's look back before diving headfirst into 2022.1. The college sports landscape changed forever with the July ruling that allowed athletes to be paid for their name, image and likeness (NIL). Athletes like the Cavinder twins who play women's basketball at Fresno State were the first to take advantage of the ruling. Some athletes like Michigan running back Blake Corum and Iowa lineman Tyler Linderbaum used their NIL money to benefit a good cause, not just their wallets. 2. Mental health became a dinner table topic thanks to athletes like Simone Biles (gymnastics), Naomi Osaka (tennis) and Lane Johnson (NFL). Johnson took a leave from the Philadelphia Eagles to face his battle with depression head-on. Osaka withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon to focus on her well-being. But the world saw just how the pressure impacted an athlete when Simone Biles battled the "twisties" in the Summer Olympics. She put her safety and her team first, withdrawing from the women's gymnastics all-around competition. 3. Sports fans continued to realize what so many already knew, women's sports are the place to be. Not only did viewer ratings soar for the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association), women's college basketball championship game and the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League), but we saw the first college softball game on a major national network. The NFL and MLB (Major League Baseball) added more female coaches and front-office executives. In 2022, look for the women's college basketball tournament to use the coveted "March Madness" title for the first time. 4. The year brought us athletes who seem to get better with age. Tom Brady won the Super Bowl with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL – National Football League), in February at age 43. (And then celebrated with maybe one too many shots at the championship boat parade). At 46, Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500, and Phil Mickelson showed off his impressive 50-year-old calves on his way to a PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Championship win.   5. The delayed 2020 Summer Olympics gave the world the positivity and excitement we'd all been missing. COVID precautions meant athletes' families had to watch from the comfort of their couches, too, but the stories of athletes like Caeleb Dressel, Suni Lee and Katie Ledecky all brought us to our feet. The US topped the medal count with 113 total medals, 39 gold, including one from the US Men's Basketball Team, who continued their medal streak. Bonus: If you’re a fan of F1 (Formula One) Racing, then you likely caught the race of the century when Max Verstappen beat out seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 championship. But did you know that Hamilton, the only Black F1 driver, is also a fan of fashion? He purchased a table at the Met Gala, which runs around $275,000, and filled it with three emerging Black designers to grow their reach.

We all have this idyllic vision of our family holiday with chestnuts roasting on an open fire while drinking eggnog and laughing in our Christmas sweaters. Now let’s be real, that only happens in the movies. Inevitably someone says something offensive about politics, insults the meal or gives a present that’s wholly inappropriate. When things take an awkward turn, here are a few ways to redirect the conversation to safer ground. AT YOUR OFFICE POTLUCK, YOU’RE STUCK IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE MOST BORING PERSON IN THE OFFICE WITH NO RESCUE IN SIGHT They have to be passionate about something – pets, travel, their stamp collection or a good cause. Like John Cena, whose heart is bigger than his biceps. The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) wrestler’s mantra is “Never Give Up” and that’s what he’s told the countless Make-A-Wish kids he’s met with. There are so many moments to make you smile like the time he had a tea party with one Make-A-Wish visitor, while decked out in his full wrestling regalia. Because of the orchestrated nature of his sport, he’s even gone as far as to weave certain moves requested by the kids into his “performance” during a matchup. TINY UNIFORM, BIG HEART The holidays are a time of year to give, and no one gives more than these five athletes who give back to their community in a big way. WHEN YOUR GRANDPA TALKS POLITICS, SENDING YOUR FAMILY INTO A TIZZY You know what’s not controversial? Getting someone a gift they love. Athletes might be known for their moves on the field, but their gift giving abilities are their hidden talent. How about a parka that dispenses Skittles, an Audi A7 or a handwritten note? HERE’S HOW ATHLETES SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER IN THE LOCKER ROOM YOU WERE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY BUT NOW THERE’S NOT ENOUGH ADVIL IN THE WORLD TO STOP YOUR HANGOVER. Keep yourself in the game by trying this recovery routine. Former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Amare Stoudemire was known for bathing in red wine to help his post-game recovery so it’s no surprise that the former member of the Phoenix Suns and Israeli citizen created his own kosher wine. WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR BIG FAKE SMILE BECAUSE YOU RECEIVED YET ANOTHER PAIR OF UNDERWEAR Be a good sport because it’s time for college football bowl game season. If you’re not one of the four teams playing for a chance at the National Championship (Cincinnati, Michigan, Alabama and Georgia), a bowl game is like a participation trophy but with great TV exposure and gifts. The most memorable bowl game names this season roll off the tongue like the Cheez-It Bowl, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel Bowl LA Bowl. And yes, there used to be a game called the Salad Bowl. Want to know more about the topics addressed above or simply avoid awkward conversations year-round? Subscribe to Last Night’s Game where we break down the trending topics in sports in an easy-to-understand, conversation way so even a novice can talk sports with the best of them. Don’t want to read? Check out our short and sweet weekly podcast. Links: lastnightsgame.com/podcast - Athletes to thank for your next hangover: https://lastnightsgame.com/therundown/2021/4/13/athletes-to-thank-for-your-next-hangover - Athletes who give back: https://lastnightsgame.com/podcast/2020-holidaygiftideas-r2etw - Amare Stoudemire's red wine recovery: https://lastnightsgame.com/therundown/2021/4/13/athletes-to-thank-for-your-next-hangover - The 5 things you need to know to survive college bowl game season: https://lastnightsgame.com/podcast/2021-bowl-game-season

How to survive college football’s biggest month when the only bowl you care about is a Chipotle burrito bowl. .......................... 1. What’s in a name? Well, for bowl games, it’s big money. The committees will do just about anything to please their title sponsors, including naming the game itself something odd. This season, the most memorable bowl game names roll off the tongue like the Cheez-It Bowl, TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, and the inaugural Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl. And yes, there used to be a game called the Salad Bowl.  2. Name, image, likeness (NIL) has changed how college athletes approach bowl games. While according to NCAA rules, athletes cannot accept gifts of more than $550 (like those coveted bowl game swag bags,) they can earn money off of their name, image and likeness. Take, for instance, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Not only are they offering the winning team $10,000 to the charity of their choice if they douse their coach in mayo instead of Gatorade at the end of the game, but they’re offering individual players $5,000 to be a bowl game ambassador. PS: If you’re wondering, unless players play for one of the final four playoff teams, their families are not eligible for travel compensation to games. 3. Not all teams are invited to a bowl game. A team has to have win six games to be considered bowl eligible. The TV exposure, additional revenue, and chance at a title come with a winning price tag. But this year, there’s a temporary extra bowl game, so now 84 teams will get in on the fun that is bowl game season.  4. The top four teams in the country (in ranking order – Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati) will play each other on New Year’s Eve in either the Orange Bowl in Miami or the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The winner of those two games will play each other in the National Championship Game on Monday, January 10. The other bowl games are for pride and money for the program but will not impact a team’s overall rating.  5. One study estimates that college football bowl season carries a $1.44 billion economic impact. According to USA Today, the big six bowl games - the Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, Peach and Cotton bowls, plus the national championship game, paid out a combined $549 million to conferences and schools in 2018-19. The same documents showed the other bowl games paying out a total of $99 million.

Way better than coal in your stocking...... 1. Von Miller is known for dishing out heart-stopping hits as one of the longest-tenured defensive players in the NFL (National Football League). But he still has a soft spot for his opponents. Before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, Miller gifted an autographed bottle of wine, featuring an image of his signature eyewear and a handcrafted thank you note, to every player in the AFC West. (The NFL has two conferences, with one being the American Football Conference). Miller sent out a total of 289 bottles and made sure to include players on practice squads and the injured reserve list. 2. Truly a gift from the heart. For years Peyton Manning wrote handwritten notes to athletes and sports figures he admired. He spent his off-season writing to the people on this list, usually after they reached a milestone or retired. He would note the person's respect for the game along with his notes of best wishes. 3. Quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Trevor Siemian have a sweet spot for their linemen. Flacco, who was a backup QB at the time, bought his linemen $2,000 slushie machines for the holidays one year, because why not? And the New Orleans Saints Siemian loved Skittles, so he purchased custom parkas for his linemen that dispense Skittles. Yes, the fur-rim hooded parkas have a button on the chest that, when pushed, Skittles arrive in a coat pocket. 4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line is a giving group that put a new spin on gift-giving. Instead of exchanging with each other, they pooled their money to give special bonuses for staff members who might get overlooked. These people take care of them every day like the kitchen staff, trainers and the equipment team. 5. The offensive line is the first line of defense for offensive stars like running backs and quarterbacks. So it makes sense that they're gifted accordingly for taking the big hits. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson gave his linemen each $12,000 in Amazon stock when he signed his new four-year/$140 million contract. Dallas Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott gifted his linemen John Deere UTVs; Tom Brady doled out new Audi A7s and Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry, custom Pac-Man arcade games.

Get ready to laugh (and cringe). ---------------------------------- David Beckham for Young Fish Sticks Nothing makes you want to fire up dinner faster than David Beckham's face on the side of a box of fish sticks. Beckham, who modeled Calvin Klein skivvies on billboards and Adidas endorsed Young Fish Sticks in 2010, complete with his picture on the side of the box. ----------------------------------- Wilt Chamberlain for Fletcher's Castoria for Children Wilt the Stilt's endorsement of a children's laxative was undoubtedly more uncomfortable than a stopped-up system. What's better? His mom was in the commercials too. In the commercial, she talked about how when her son was feeling sluggish, Fletcher's made him feel like himself again. ------------------------------- OJ Simpson for Hertz Rental Car Oh, the irony. The man who was part of this century's most notable police chase was the spokesperson for a rental car company. Granted, the partnership was during Simpson's football career, and the high-speed chase was later but still. Simpson graciously offered to be the spokesperson again for the company in 2020 after they filed for bankruptcy. ----------------------------- Brett Favre and Wrangler Jeans The partnership is one you're not likely to forget – cowboy meets NFL quarterback. And nothing says, let's play a game of football like a pair of jeans. The partnership became a little more awkward (and a target for "Saturday Night Live") after Favre got into trouble sending lewd photos to women. ----------------------------------- Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom for Unbreakable Bond Perfume A public breakup is tough when you're a celebrity, but what about when you share a booming business like Unbreakable Bond unisex perfume? The perfume, which features images of the couple all over the packaging, wasn't exactly a best seller like Kylie's lip kits. However, there was a second perfume made just for the holidays – Unbreakable Joy. ------------------------------------ Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports. You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. And if you have feedback or questions, you can email Amy at [email protected].

Steer clear from a flare-up at the Thanksgiving table by avoiding these conversation minefields and diverting to a safer (and dare we say sportier?) one. 1. For any conversation involving politics Plenty of political and Hollywood icons once ran the sidelines. Samuel L. Jackson, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Meryl Streep and four former U.S.A. Presidents (Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Reagan and George W. Bush) all had spirit. We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the marching band. In college, you would've found Halle Berry, Steven Spielberg, Alan Greenspan and Lionel Richie entertaining you in formation at halftime. Much safer than venturing into the political minefield at the dinner table.   2. When grandma asks you why you're not married…for the 10th time—that day. Tell grandma that a long-lasting marriage isn't a sure bet, but you know what is? The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys (NFL - National Football League) taking the field on Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving tradition started for the Lions in 1934 and 1966 for the Cowboys. So regardless of whether you're cheering for the winless Lions or the first-place Cowboys, one thing you can count on is these teams to play while you nap off your meal.   3. Your dog-obsessed aunt joins you for Thanksgiving lunch and brings her dog that she feeds from the table. For the dog who doesn't earn the title of best showing at the table, there's still hope to claim the title of "Best in Show." Thanksgiving also doubles as the date of the National Dog Show. And just like your uncle, who avoids anything with Cheez-Whiz, the judges have high standards too. They're not only looking for a dog with defined features, correct gait and fitness level but a happy dog that enjoys the competition, so each dog's expression and general demeanor receive extra scrutiny. 4. Your little sister keeps taking selfies, and all you can think about is how full you are. Be thankful you don't have to pass a post-meal jiggle test. Some NFL team's cheer coaches conduct "jiggle tests" to assess the firmness of the cheerleaders' bodies during the season, and if they don't pass the test, they're benched. During a regular-season many make, on average less than $10/hour. With practices, appearances and games, they put in 30-40 hour weeks during the season, but most are required to have a full-time job elsewhere. 5. When your sibling throws a dinner roll at you (You know it's going to happen no matter how old you are). Don't get caught up in the heat of the moment, unlike Kelly Stafford. Kelly Stafford and her QB husband, Matt, are new additions to the LA Rams roster this year. Matt and his team took a beating in last week's Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. During the game, Kelly threw a pretzel at a taunting opposing fan. A neighboring Rams fan called her out on it, and she later apologized for her bad behavior on Instagram. Links: Five things you never knew about NFL cheerleaders: https://lastnightsgame.com/podcast/2019/11-nfl-cheerleaders

If you like being the boss, following the rules and look good in black and white stripes, then maybe a career shift is in order? 1. While you’re going to have to work your way up through the system, NBA (National Basketball Association) referees take home anywhere between $150,000-$550,000, depending on experience. NBA referees have the potential to make more than the highest-paid WNBA – Women’s National Basketball Association - player. (Highest annual salary in the WNBA is $221,450). Refs receive bonuses for officiating playoff games and the dollar amount depends on the importance of the game (i.e. you make more money working the finals). 2. Remember Billy Crystal traveling the nation as an NBA referee in the movie Forget Paris? It wasn’t his best flick but like his character, referees travel for work 25 days a month for eight months. That equates to calling 65-70 games in an 82-game season, not including playoffs. 3. Imagine being called out by your boss every time you present in a meeting. That’s what happens to the referees in the NBA’s two minute reports. The public report critiques the referees’ calls within the last two minutes of the game and overtime. The refs also review tape after games to make sure they’re at the top of their game. 4. It's not all mental. They have to be physically fit too because they’re running up and down the court for the entire 48 minutes alongside the players. Referees work on their fitness regimen in the off-season as any athlete would and they train their brains by utilizing virtual reality. And unlike the players, referees have a vaccination mandate. 5. Look out men, the women are taking the court, and technically, they're in charge. Danielle Scott, the daughter of a college basketball official, becomes the sixth full-time female referee this season. That's the most women the NBA has ever had on its officiating staff at one time.

In honor of Veterans Day, we salute our athlete veterans and say thank you for your service to all our veterans. For the transcript of this podcast or links to any additional information mentioned today visit: http://lastnightsgame.com/podcast/veterans Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We break down what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or networking event switches to sports. You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Fall foliage (oh, and football) for the win. If you've never had a chance to attend a military academy sporting event, it's certainly something a sight to see. Now imagine watching all of that pageantry at Michie Stadium on the campus of West Point (Army) in New York that is nestled along a river amongst the trees. The setting is postcard perfect. It's easy to get confused when we talk about Beaver Stadium that we're not talking about the home of Oregon State Beavers but the home of the Penn State Nittany Lions. The second-largest stadium in college football holds 100,000+ fans who take in the surroundings of fall colors. A white out is typically something reserved for the winter, but when all 100k+ fans wear white at a Penn State game, it is said to be "the best atmosphere in college football" and becomes a tough place for competitors to play. While they may not have the fall colors that the Northeast has, there's nothing like catching a game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. You won't miss the changing leaves (or the cold weather that goes along with it) when you're watching the sunset over the mountains that surround the stadium. The UCLA Bruins have the home-field advantage on sunset views. Husky Stadium in Seattle, home to the University of Washington Huskies, is known for the tailgate tradition of boatgating on Lake Washington outside the stadium. But the venue's other top attributes are the views of Downtown Seattle, Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountain Range to the west. The landscape is a welcome respite from the tension associated with a football game. LaVell Edwards Stadium at BYU in Provo, Utah, may have just started serving caffeinated soda in 2017, but the views have been around since the beginning. Make sure to check out the ice cream made on campus when you're perusing the concourse for snacks at a game. (In case you're wondering, the school's honor code states, students, administration, and staff will "abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse.") Honorable mention goes to Sun Devil Stadium (Arizona State University). Nuzzled up against a mountain, the desert sky provides the perfect background for not too chilly fall football. Just don't make the mistake of going to a game in the summer. If you haven’t already, make sure to select your picks in our Bachelorette Bracket in partnership with I Hate Green Beans. If you want a brilliant recap of the latest episode, make sure to check out Lincee and Some Guy In Austin on the “I Hate Green Beans” podcast recap episode that’s sure to have you laughing. LINKS: Shop the store: lastnightsgame.com use promo code SPORTSCURIOUS

Pearl necklaces, drinking for good and the circle of life. They may be in it for the World Series ring, but for Joc Pederson, it's all about the pearls. The Atlanta Braves outfielder has been wearing a pearl necklace during the playoffs. Why? He hasn't given a straight answer, but his latest answer of "he's a bad b—" is good enough for us. The Houston Astros have home-field advantage, and that means they host four of the games in the best-of-seven series. More games means more alcohol sales. In Houston, sales at Minute Maid Field are on pace to be the most the park has seen in the last five years, with the taxes collected on alcohol alone hitting $1.9 million. The State of Texas, Harris County and the city of Houston thank you for contributing to the $12.8 million of beer, wine and liquor sold so far this season. What were you doing in 1999 - a whopping 22 years ago? That was the last time the Atlanta Braves appeared in the World Series. On Tuesday, they will meet up with the Houston Astros in Game One of the World Series. The Fall Classic is back, and the Astros have a lot to prove. The last time the Astros won a World Series in 2017, they were caught cheating. The team kept their title, but they're trying to prove they don't need to cheat to win it all. Manager (i.e., head coach) for the Houston Astros, Dusty Baker's baseball career has come full circle. He started in the major leagues with the Atlanta Braves at 19 years old. Now at 72, he will face his first team in the World Series in what could be his last season coaching. It's a family affair for Braves manager Brian Snitker who will face his son Troy in the Fall Classic. Troy is the hitting coach for the Astros. Hopefully, the result won't equal an uncomfortable holiday season in the Snitker household. One thing to remember when watching the World Series is that the two leagues in baseball have different rules. In the American League (Astros), pitchers do not hit for themselves and instead, a designated hitter hits for the pitchers. At games in the National League ballpark (Braves), the pitcher will have to hit for himself, changing the strategy significantly.