Sports News
 | Powered by  Edition #878 September 13 |
From The Gist Team |
Happy Wednesday!
Or should we say hoopy Wednesday? The WNBA playoffs tip off tonight (!!!), so we'll be celebrating with a special edition in your inbox later today. First things first, though — a full-court press of sports news. Let's ball.
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Quote of the Day |
 | Hate that, man. |
 | — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback (QB) Patrick Mahomes, who learned an important grammar lesson on Monday. Mahomes originally tweeted "Hate that man" after four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on his fourth play as a NY Jet. Commas matter. |
The Latest |
🏈 Over before it started
The GIST: Monday Night Football ended the same way it started — with football fans in shock. Following the Jets' stunning 22–16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, both teams have been the subject of headlines of the sad and SMH variety.
Aaron Rodgers: With a record 22.6M watching, the QB, who left the Green Bay Packers in a massive blockbuster trade this offseason, had to be helped off the field minutes into his Jets debut, and was later diagnosed with a torn left Achilles. Rodgers' foot appeared to get stuck in MetLife Stadium's brand new turf, causing his leg to twist unnaturally.
- Rodgers' season-ending (and perhaps career-ending) injury has renewed the ongoing turf vs. grass debate, with many players expressing their dismay that some stadiums use artificial surfaces, which are stickier and have less give than traditional grass.
- While the Green Machine have reportedly started to reach out to veteran QBs (and some are apparently tossing their own hats in the ring), head coach (HC) Robert Saleh made a bold statement yesterday, declaring former starting QB Zach Wilson as QB1 once again. Here goes nothing.
Buffalo Bills: A lawsuit filed yesterday claims that Bills owner Terry Pegula made a "highly offensive and racist" comment about Black NFL players in 2020 while speaking about the league's social justice initiatives.
- The lawsuit, which was filed by former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter, names the NFL and the NFL Network as defendants, alleging that Trotter was fired from the outlet because he challenged Commissioner Roger Goodell and others regarding the NFL's "record of race discrimination and lack of diversity."
- Speaking of, Trotter is represented by the same law firm as former Miami Dolphins HC Brian Flores, who submitted a game-changing lawsuit last year alleging racism in the league's hiring practices. No amount of endzone paint can cover this sh!t up.
🎓😡 An HC WTF
Content warning: This section contains mention of sexual harassment.
The GIST: On Monday, Michigan State University (MSU) football HC Mel Tucker issued a scathing rebuttal to allegations that he sexually harassed a sexual assault prevention consultant last year. The survivor's public report of the claims late Saturday led to Tucker's unpaid suspension on Sunday.
Tucker's response: In his statement, Tucker vehemently denied the accusations, claiming the pair instead shared an "intimate, adult relationship." He also called the upcoming October 5th hearing to decide his fate "a sham" and "unfair." Never heard that one before…
- The consultant (whose name was leaked against her wishes) fired back on X, accusing Tucker of victim-blaming and trying to halt the investigation, which was initiated with a Title IX complaint in December 2022 and has since been helmed by a third-party law firm.
What's next: Don't expect any major moves until after the October 5th hearing because firing Tucker before the investigation ends could risk a wrongful termination suit à la Northwestern and their ex-football HC Pat Fitzgerald. However, it's hard to imagine Tucker keeping his job — let alone his reputation — once the investigation concludes. See ya.
P.S. For more on the latest from college sports, subscribe to our three-times weekly NCAA newsletter.
⚽ Let's get ready to rumble
Welcome to Ally's "What to Watch Wednesday!" With just over a month left in the NWSL regular season, competition's heating up, and there's a whole slate of spicy matchups brewing this weekend. Here's what's not-to-miss:
- Houston Dash vs. Racing Louisville FC, Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+): The Kentuckians just made it all the way to the Challenge Cup final, and a win over the Dash would keep them in the hunt for the six-team single-elimination playoff.
- Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+): If you miss watching the USWNT kick it, this match will scratch that itch: Each squad boasts three stars from that stacked roster.
- OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC, Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+): Reign forward and overall boss Megan Rapinoe's last regular-season match against Seattle's bitter Cascadia rival? Say less.
Through their NWSL sponsorship and other initiatives, Ally's on a mission to change the game for women's sports — but they can't do it alone. Check out their "Change the Game" campaign to learn more about how you can help, just by tuning in.
Buzzer Beaters |
Content warning: This section contains mention of assault and sexual harassment.
🎾 Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has been banned for four years over two separate anti-doping violations. The two-time Grand Slam champion intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
🏀 Houston Rocket Kevin Porter Jr. was charged with felony assault and strangulation yesterday after allegedly attacking his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, leaving her with a fractured vertebrae. Absolutely horrifying.
🇪🇸 Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was summoned to testify at the country's National Court after forcibly kissing Spanish women's national team star Jenni Hermoso at the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy presentation. The saga continues.
🇺🇲 The USWNT announced the 27-player roster for their upcoming September friendlies, featuring notable first-timers, Chelsea's Mia Fishel and San Diego Wave FC's Jaedyn Shaw.
☄️ Phoenix Mercury veterans Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi both plan to play again next year. Legends.
Struggling to reach inbox zero? Don't worry. Athena and their world-class remote executive assistants are here to, well, assist. Through their one-of-a-kind philosophy, they'll help you by managing things like your inbox and calendar. A true game-changer.
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The GIST's Picks |
Hi. It's us. We're the recommenders, it's us.
☀️ How to bottle sunshine
You don't have to — Corona Premier already did. The final days of summer are upon us, but this light, smooth cerveza will keep the vibes high deep into fall.*
💻 What to read
This article about Carl Nassib's retirement. After making queer history in the NFL as the first active player to come out as gay, Nassib recently decided to step away from football. Always a hero.
🎾 Who's coming back
Naomi Osaka. The tennis phenom and new mom chatted about her plans for next year, and she's booked and busy.
📚 What to join
The GIST Book Club. We are breezing through All In by Billie Jean King and the conversations on Fable have been stellar. Join us on Instagram Live on October 4th for a barrier-breaking chat.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Cheers to that.
Fun & Games |
Question of the Day
Week 1 of the NFL season brought more drama than the summer of 2023, so we're here to lighten the mood. We want to know: Who would you like to see take the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show? Vote from the options below or reply to this email with your dream performer. No wrong answers.
On Monday, we asked who you thought would win the Monday Night Football battle between the Buffalo Bills and the NY Jets. 32% of you voted for the winning Jets while 68% went with the Bills.
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Today's email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula, Alessandra Puccio, Marga Sison, Lisa Minutillo, and Briana Ekanem. Editing by Janine Kiefer, Emma Leishman, Lisa Minutillo, Rachel Fuenzalida, and Lindsay Jost. Fact-checking by Parul Kanwar. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alexis Allison, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
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