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A World class issue
For the first time in almost a century, the U.S. men’s soccer team is 2-0 and locked into advancing to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
That’s a great thing.
It’s also a foreign thing.
And with that comes new and uncertain decisions.
Yes, Spy, we are talking kickball this morning, but the World Cup bug has bitten me, so there we are.
I am 100% in support of sitting everyone. And I mean everyone.
The Group Stage goal is advancing. Goal accomplished.
Heck, see if Signal Esquire is available for a few minutes in the midfield. (And, let’s be honest, SE, you’re not going to run for more than that, right?)
The trio of Americans already holding a yellow card — if they get another, it would mean missing a game in the knockouts — should be in street clothes.
America star Christian Pulisic should not be straining his injury.
Accept the flowers. Embrace the accomplishment.
And position yourselves this afternoon accordingly.
Sucker for these
So, it’s the summer, right? Allegedly for some.
So the litany of stories that fill the itch — the itch is starting, the itch will grow, the itch will consume — for college football stuff (non-Brendan Sorsby division) also get my attention.
Some are quick clickbait and easily dismissed. Some, however, deserve attention.
And since I am a fan of The Athletic and its work, this one was kinda both.
It’s the top college football players from the 1990s.
Which made me mentally put my list together, and I gotta say, the list kinda stinks.
Danny Wuerffel at 14?
Champ Bailey at 10?
Peyton Flippin Manning at 9?
Charles Woodson was ranked 1, followed by Orlando Pace, Tommie Frazier, Ricky Williams and Randy Moss.
All great players, and not in an effort to split hairs, but how is Frazier not 1?
How is Moss > Manning?
What are we doing here?
Look, lists are lists, and they are deigned to generate this exact type of conversation. I get it, and I try to avoid it, but it would help the TFP business model if I embraced it.
But it’s fraudulent at its core, which makes it hollow.
Charles Woodson as the best college football player of the 1990s?
Lord, Georgia alone had at least four players — Zeier, Hearst, Hines Ward, Bailey — that did not get the ESPN-driven hype for a defensive-player to win the Heisman.
Not sure anyone ever got more traction from a single interception than what Woodson did with that amazing, one-handed pick against THE Ohio State.
A mega-event
So, if you are not a Swifty, I am sure you know one.
Taylor Swift is a mega-tar. A super duper supernova who is reportedly about to get hitched to Kansas City TE Travis Kelce.
And the details are starting to emerge.
Reportedly a large number of Chiefs teammates have booked rooms in NYC around July 3.
Reportedly the event — likely the reception — will be at Madison Square Garden on July 3.
Reportedly streets have been closed around MSG around that day.
Wow, the weekend of July 4 — in NYC on the America250 celebration — just got a lot more crowded, right?
Side question on an Anything Goes Thursday:
How much could Taylor and Travis earn by streaming this event, considering the popularity and the devotion from the Swiftys?
Another side note: I wish them all the happiness in the world. I also hope this is the last time I write about this.
This and that
> Braves played. Braves lost. Yikes.
> Originally, I thought Kenny Chesney was the face of the Bro-Country transformation that derailed country music. I was wrong. It was actually Garth Brooks, and it has been perpetrated by Luke Bryan. But in truth, Chesney talking about modern artists canceling shows is 100% spot-on.
> Wow, The New York Times dropped a 5,000-word story detailing the background of the Diana Russini fiasco from earlier this year, You know the story. But maybe the biggest detail of the missive was her salary. Russini made $800K to cover the NFL. Wow. This is not the scarlet letter of this career like plagiarism, but man, having that kind of a relationship with a source or someone you cover is close.
> Day 2 of the NBA Draft happened Wednesday. I missed almost all of it. Was running a softball practice. Here are some details, but always remember I love the draft. I just love coaching more.
> Here are the Best of Preps nominees for coach of the year from Hargis. The BoP banquet is tonight. It’s always a cool event.
> Here’s a list (take that for what it’s worth) of the best pizzas in the U.S. of A. I love pizza. Always have. The (Not-so) Lil’ 5-at-10 loves pizza more than anyone I know. Or anyone you know. Trust me. Side note: Chattanooga has a very good pizza scene. Chattanooga has a very subpar Bar-B-Q scene, in my opinion. Thoughts?
> An early look via the podcast on SE16 at the Ole Miss-Louisville season-opener. Enjoy. Watch, click and subscribe, friends.
Today’s questions
It’s the AGT, and we started above.
We’ll continue here.
Will the Braves make the playoffs? What seemed impossible two weeks ago feels imminent at the moment.
Who was the best college football player of the 1990s? Who was your favorite college football player of the 1990s?
As for today, June 25, let’s review.
On this day 150 years ago, Custer’s last stand happened at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
“Purple Rain,” the album, was released on this day in 1984.
George Michael would have been 63 today. Rushmore of “Wham,” and be creative.
Also, remember the mailbag.