The sports weeks come, the sports weeks go. When the latter occurs, Sunday State of Mind shows up to remind you of the former.
Cam Newton is back in the blue black and gray Signed earlier this week, scored twice on Sunday A quick turnaround for the big quarterback Announced to the league “I’m back, I’m back”
More NFL moves, Rams did it again Signed Odell Beckham, they’re still all in OBJ in LA, it just sounds right Rams O has no reds, only green lights
The Detroit Lions did not lose! They didn’t win either, don’t get confused A tie with the Steelers, score was 16-16 No victory or loss, something in between
This week we tipped off college basketball Really getting into the sports schedule of fall Field seems wide open, blue bloods and mid majors Plenty of action out there for some wagers
Cam Newton has made his last fashion statement in New England.
The quarterback, one of the best dressed in football, was released by the Patriots Tuesday. The move coincides with rookie first rounder Mac Jones impressing during training camp, on top of the seemingly-unvaccinated Newton recently missing time due to NFL COVID protocol’s rules on leaving team facilities and needing to quarantine.
The 2015 NFL MVP is now a free agent and clear to sign wherever he pleases, and the market is seemingly unknown. Is he still a starter? Does he think he’s still a starter? How many years does he have left after looking dreadful most of last year?
All is well in Camland, however. Shortly after his release was announced, Newton went to Instagram to assure us he’s all good:
In case you’re worried the device you’re reading this on has a virus; yes that font is correct. As confident as Newton is in his style, he’s as confident in using Wingdings on social media. You honestly have to appreciate the fearless font usage.
NFL team’s love a self-assured quarterback, and Newton’s brave clothing and font selections may just help him land his next gig.
Tuesday was a historic day in college sports. The NCAA officially enacted a name, image, and likeness (NIL) policy that allows “student” athletes to earn money off of their…name, image, and likeness. This finally allows any college athlete to (legally) earn income that they rightfully deserve.
We’ve already seen Fresno State basketball/TikTok stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder signed deals with Boost Mobile and Six Star Nutrition, Miami quarterback D’Eriq King is the new spokesman for the moving company College Hunks Hauling Junk, LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne could crack a million dollars from her NIL, and Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz straight up released his own logo.
An NIL approval plan was looooong overdue. Of course, as most things with the NCAA, it wasn’t handled correctly. But you can’t have sunshine without rain, right? We’ll see our fair share of car dealerships, autograph deals, and card signing gigs after today’s announcement. But what kind of player endorsements could we have missed out on in years past?
College football seems to benefit huge from the NIL agreement. Can you imagine if we could have seen Reggie Bush RE/MAX Real Estate ads? Andrew Luck working with the Palo Alto Mathnasium? Tim Tebow could have been taking a cut of Sunday tithe in any of the churches in the greater Gainsville area; Cam Newton missed an opportunity with the local Edward Jones Financial branch in Auburn, Alabama.
College basketball has had plenty of stars who could have cashed in back in their day. You can’t tell me a Joakim Noah/Gainesville CBD Store partnership wouldn’t have slapped. Greg Oden linking up with the ATI Physical Therapy in Columbus? Get out of here. Tyler Hansbrough toting Off! Bug Spray? Cha-ching. It’s not just the fellas who missed out on securing the bag. Diana Taurasi and Rebecca Lobo, two of the most dominant UConn Huskies of all time, could’ve crushed it with an ad campaign for the Humane Society. Sabrina Ionescu, the 2020 number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft, played her college ball at Oregon. How great would it have been to have a (paid) cameo appearance on “Portlandia?”
Just scratching the surface here, but don’t want to get too deep and depress all of us even more on what could’ve been. We’ll just have to grin and bear it and accept the fact that that these kids who give an incredible amount to their universities will now be duly paid whatever they can get out there and earn on the free market.
Sunday evening: a time to sit back, reflect on your weekend, and read this week’s SSM.
The NBA Finals is in full swing The Heat are decimated, The Lakers are getting the ring It probably was always going to end this way With only Jimmy Butler for Miami, and LeBron and AD for LA
The MLB playoffs have advanced a round Only half of the playoff teams are left and still taking the mound It is a bit sad, that we won’t have a chance For a Cubs/White Sox World Series, since neither advanced
Russell Wilson continues to be In this blogger’s opinion, NFL MVP He balled out again today, carved Miami with a knife and fork Don’t think we forgot though, he’s still a dork
The big NFL story, another COVID outbreak Cam Newton tested positive, a sad truth to take The cases are clearly rising in the NFL I think we all wish this virus would just go to hell
Football. Is. Back. Enjoy this week’s SSM dedicated solely to the NFL’s return.
Texans and Chiefs, Thursday night Football is back, no need to fright Patrick Mahomes picked up right where he left off So happy to see the NFL kickoff
Bears and Lions, Matt and Mitch Football’s back, our scratch is itched Three fourth quarter Trubisky touchdowns Bears fans quickly changed to smiles from frowns
Seahawks and Falcons, offensive show Both teams came out and let us know Both teams are fine wines, and popped their corks Russell Wilson won it, and is still a dork
Jets and Bills, breaking news Jets fans better start chugging their booze Brand new season, but same results Unfortunate roster, full of football dolts
Packers and Vikings, guess who’s back Aaron Rodgers came on in a full blown attack Dalvin Cook, first game after signing a new deal Low scrimmage yards but two scores, guy’s the real deal
Dolphins and Patriots, no more TB12 But Cam Newton’s talents, did New England delve Fins didn’t look great, have to knock off some grime Sooner rather than later, it will be Tua time
Eagles and Washington, the football team Philly started out hot, it seemed like a dream But Washington came back and got the win Eagles not made of metal, seem more like tin
Raiders and Panthers, down in Charlotte High scoring game, offenses moving a bit Raiders got a tough win on the road Three tuddys for Josh Jacobs, guy was ready to explode
Colts and Jags, AFC South Jacksonville came out and hit the Colts in the mouth Only one incompletion for Gardner Minshew Tough L for Phil Rivers, his first game in Colts blue
Browns and Ravens, the MVP Lamar Looks like he’ll take Baltimore, again pretty far Baltimore said let’s go out and wreck ‘em The end of a shitty week for Odell Beckham
Chargers and Bengals, Joe Burrow time First over all pick, he looked just fine Chargers won though, lead by Tyrod Taylor Plenty of future Burrow wins, guy’s not a failure
Cardinals and 49ers, battle in the Bay DeAndre Hopkins came to play Fourteen catches, 150+ yards Great week one road win for the Arizona Cards
Buccaneers and Saints, Brady and Brees Two future Hall of Famers, yes please The Saints won at home this time around Tom and Drew, round two, week eight, how’s that sound?
Cowboys and Rams on Sunday night The end of a great Sunday, it just felt right New stadium for LA and they started with a win No more Sundays without football, it felt like a sin
Steelers and Giants, Titans and Broncos Two games on Monday night, anything goes These games haven’t happened yet, so here’s a preview There’s nothing better, than a NFL season anew
We hope everyone had a wonderful, safe, socially-distanced holiday weekend. With all of the loud fireworks, long days at the pool and on the boat, and late nights around the bonfire, it’s time to take the foot off of the gas, slow it down, and find your center with this week’s SSM…
The NBA is getting close, to a return to play Positive tests for players and staff, causing some dismay Adam Silver, the commish, says it’s no guarantee That if the virus continues to spread, the season will finish completely
More COVID news effecting sports, this time the NFL Teams are allowing fans to change their season tickets, opt out or sell Bears, Bills, Jets, Texans, Giants and Patriots have so far allowed this plan Who wants to see any of these teams live anyways, not even die hard fans
Speaking of the NFL, Tom Brady at it again Flirting on Instagram, with his boy Julian Edelman Cam Newton is now in town, the new king of Foxborough With Belichick and Cam, Pats might go 16-0
Deron Williams is finally off the books, for The Brooklyn Nets Bobby Bonilla continues to fleece The New York Mets A big week for hilarious contracts, we have to say Good for Deron Williams, and Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!