The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the significance of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Weekend, highlighting the achievements of the five players inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the lasting impact they have had on the sport. They also reflect on Roger Craig’s decision to speak publicly about his vascular dementia diagnosis and how his experience brings attention to the serious, long-term effects that concussions can have on former NFL players.

Reese, K-Mac and Pam discuss the Poll question, Jaylen Brown and Ty Simpson.

Did last night's pre-season game get you excited about the Carolina Panthers this season?... Yes, No, or I need to see Bryce 1st

Reese, K-Mac and Pam speak with Joel Bryant.

Joel Bryant is the Senior Content & Football Recruiting Editor for HighSchoolOT. The first HighSchoolOT Jamboree of 2026 will be played at the 10,000-seat First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Saturday, August 8. Varsity matchups will start at 5:00 p.m. For the first time, JV matchups will be conducted an hour before. The JV scrimmages will be played in the stadium adjacent to First Horizon Stadium.

Admission to the event is $15 per person. Concessions will be available during the event. Parking is free. Fans are welcome to tailgate after the parking lot opens at 3:00 p.m.

To buy tickets visit: https://www.highschoolot.com/news/football/tickets-2026-hsot-jamboree-august-8-wakemed/ 

Reese, K-Mac and Pam discuss Carson Beck, Mike LaFleur, Haynes King, Bryce Young and the Hall of Fame Game last night.

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game took place last night Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The matchup featured the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers took the win 33-30.

Reese and Pam discuss the Kawhi Leonard scandal.

Yet another branch of the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap circumvention saga emerged Thursday. Leonard had a multi-million hidden sponsorship deal with Daktronics, the company which made the Los Angeles Clippers' halo scoreboard at Intuit Dome. It's the third questionable arrangement that has come to light over the past year, beginning with Leonard's alleged no-show deal with environmental bank Aspiration, which sparked an NBA investigation that remains ongoing into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to sign the two-time Finals MVP.

Reese and Pam speak with Jatovi McDuffie.

Jatovi McDuffie is a native of Durham, NC, and has been the on-field announcer at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park since 2004. In 2017 he brought to fruition the award nominated DBAP Gaming Challenge. It was Durham's first major dive into the world of esports. That push continues with building the Future Fest Connect gaming/tech convention. His event Future Fest Connect is a gaming and technology expo designed to introduce school-aged students, college students, and early-career professionals to the world of game development and emerging technology. Through hands-on experiences, industry speakers, and interactive learning opportunities, attendees can explore career pathways in gaming, technology, and creative innovation. The event takes place at the Durham Convention Center from August 8 at 9:00 am through August 9 at 6:00 pm.

To buy tickets visit: https://www.futurefestconnect.com/ 

Reese, Pam and Houston discuss the Hall of Fame Game last night.

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game took place last night Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The matchup featured the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers took the win 33-30.

Reese, K-Mac and Pam discuss the Poll Question, and the Hall of Fame Game tonight.

Seems like we ask this question almost every year but, who should the Cleveland Browns starting QB be?... Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel.

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game takes place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The matchup features the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Reese, K-Mac and Pam speak with Dr. Deborah Stroman. They also speak with Ryan Davis. 

Dr. Stroman discusses WNBA player Caitlin Clark and how she wants to "shut up and dribble". She also discussed the topic of trans athletes and the science behind being a woman or a man. Even to the point of right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh, calling her "the bigggest coward in the history of sports" after she declined to take a public side on the debate over transgender athletes. Should it be a Pro-Athlethe's responsibility/obligation to respond to societal issues?

Ryan Davis is a North Carolina-born comedian, actor, host, writer,
producer, and digital creator who has built a multi-platform career at the
intersection of stand-up, television, viral media, and independent content
distribution. 

Reese and Pam discuss the Hall of Fame Game tonight.

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game takes place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The matchup features the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.