This week: foretelling the NBA and NHL Playoffs

We are very, very right this episode. Or very wrong. Who knows? It’s the Playoffs! In the final episode of Season 1, the Out of Bounds team recaps the first round of the NBA and NHL Playoffs and peers into their crystal ball to see the inevitable champions. Ben tips off with some social justice initiatives that are happening around the NBA (that maybe the NFL could take note of), Kat evaluates the teams still left in the NHL bracket, and Aidan talks up his New York Knicks. Unfortunately, we may have jinxed a team or two...

In light of the recent and disturbing allegations against Deshaun Watson, quarterback for the Houston Texans, Out of Bounds asked themselves about the reputation of football as a source of violence and toxic masculinity, even outside the play of field. Every passing year seems to add to the list of football superstars who have been accused of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other public physical altercation. This week Ben, Kat, and Aidan talk about the history of the NFL as an institution that is performative when it comes to player and public safety, and the complicity that fans partake in when we also choose to ignore the violence of the sport. Specific athletes and events referenced: Greg Hardy, Andrew Luck’s retirement, the new 2020 NFL CBA, and the correlation between gameday college partying and on-campus rape.

Kat discusses Artemi Panarin’s social position as a Russian player in the NHL, Aidan gives a crash course lesson on MMA Russian Fighters, and Ben sits on the sidelines making dumb bear comments.

Kat, Aidan, and Ben throw down in a round-robin tournament to declare the best jersey in the history of the NHL, NFL, NBA, and MLB. It’s a bloodbath.

This week our bond grows deeper as we learn about each other’s favorite teams — Aidan reveals the purest way to be a sports fan, Ben shares an unfortunate winter wear experience, and Kat recruits us to the cult of Gritty.

Ben solves the mystery of the missing San Diego Chargers, Kat discovers the secret formula of the Las Vegas Golden Knights' success, and Aidan laments the loss of the Montreal Expos