With an action packed weekend of sports and Labor Day BBQ’s ahead, we have all you need to know to celebrate the unofficial last weekend of the summer.
Pass the sunscreen please,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Ps - Every Friday during football season we’ll feature a favorite tailgate recipe to try over the weekend. Today’s is one that’ll be nice to your waistline - roasted red pepper hummus. Have a recipe you’d like us to feature? Submit it here.
NCAA Football (College)
- Controversial choice. Penn State is set to honor former head coach Joe Paterno on the 50-year anniversary of his coaching debut - September 17. Paterno's storied career ended because of his part in a vile scandal involving Jerry Sandusky. Paterno, who passed away in 2012, was the winningest coach in FBS (division one) history.
- Inspired for sure. Heading into the fourth quarter the Tennessee Volunteers (#9) were down against an unranked Appalachian State. Known for pulling off upset games, Appalachian State couldn’t hold on and the Vols took home the win. No doubt the team was inspired by the late, great Pat Summitt. The team is honoring the former Vols coach with a sticker on their helmets this season. Summitt, who passed away earlier this year, is the winningest coach in all of division one college basketball, men or women’s.
- For the full weekend schedule, click here.
NFL (National Football League)
- The need for speed. Reminiscent of when Goose and Maverick staged a tower flyby in Top Gun, four pilots buzzed the Carolina Panthers practice field. The pilots are under investigation for being awesome. Okay, not really but they are under investigation.
- Funny guy. Peyton Manning is staying busy in retirement. Manning is a roaster in “The Roast of Rob Lowe” on Comedy Central. You can see him burn Lowe on Monday, September 5th at 10 pm.
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
- Always a silver lining. The qualifying race leading into Sunday’s big race has been cancelled due to Hurricane Hermine. The good news is that the forecast looks clear for the race on Sunday, where the field will be set by points (since there was no qualifying). The even better news is that during the race NBC will be celebrating the 1975-1984 era of racing with old school race cars and the announcers’ will dress accordingly. Bring on the mullets, big mustaches and short shorts.
Overtime
- NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley recently had hip replacement surgery and was ordered not to travel. Barkley ignored those orders when he heard that NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager’s wife came down with the flu and could not be in the hospital during Sager’s third bone marrow transplant in his battle with leukemia. Barkley, not one to care what anyone thinks, flew to Houston to show support for the ailing Sager.
Sideline stat
- Sunday’s F1 race comes to us from the famed Monza racetrack in Italy, where the competition for the top driver has become a two-man race between leader Lewis Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg (who trails in the standings by nine points). Another driver to watch - Like most 18-year-old drivers, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has come under fire for his driving style after a collision on the first lap of last week’s race.
Coaches' corner
- Why are there so many coaches on the sideline during a football game? While it may look like a lot of people in polo shirts standing around watching a game, they all serve a purpose. All teams have a head coach and a coach for offense, defense and special teams. Some have one for every position on the field.
You’ll also see graduate assistants, trainers, analysts and strength coaches who all have a role in helping the team win. If you think there are a lot of people on the field, there are also coaches in the press box coordinating the game from above.