Welcome to Sports Hoard, your weekly run-down of highlights, news and pop culture in sports.
Football this week needs no introduction. We (most of us) witnessed the youth vs experience showdown at Super Bowl 50. Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers loss the big game to Payton Manning and the Denver Broncos. This was Manning’s second Super Bowl win as a quarterback with as many teams; making him the only quarterback with this record. Manning also walks away from Super Bowl 50 as the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl; and with a pressing question, will he return to football? During press after the big game Payton just wanted to enjoy his victory and leave the decision for later, now the Broncos are asking for an answer by March 9th and understandably so. Manning has one year left in his original $19 million contract from 2012; which counts $21.5 million against the salary cap. The 2016 part of Payton’s contract was left alone, and Manning and the Broncos worked out a $4 million pay cut, don’t worry, Payton made the $4 million back in bonuses for the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl.
Johnny Manziel was reported by a source to have been hung-over on “some sort of substance” at a team meeting. This means double trouble for the Browns as they reported Johnny was suffering symptoms of a concussion prior to the season finale. Their story is in jeopardy; while it is true that Johnny was evaluated and diagnosed by an independent neurologist with a concussion four days before the 2015 season finale, he was reportedly seen in Las Vegas the week of the finale and missed an assessment on January 3rd. He was cleared from concussion protocol on January 12th. Manziel was hit in the head twice in the loss to Kansas City on December 27th. Due to the seriousness of concussions, the NFL responded accordingly to Johnny’s complaints and trouble with lights and vomiting. Let’s keep Manziel and his family in our prayers for a speedy and whole recovery.
Atlanta Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank was diagnosed with a treatable form of prostate cancer in December. Being Arthur Blank, he and his fiance have crossed the country seeking advice from the best specialist and have decided on an aggressive course of treatment, which include surgery and are leaving Blank with a good prognosis. Blank is looking forward to continuing his active lifestyle, his business and philanthropic ventures, and of course his upcoming wedding.
Fantasy Baseball preparations are already underway. While the Super Bowl stench is still fresh on social media the Top 250 rankings for the 2016 MLB season by Tristan H. Cockcroft, ESPN senior writer, have been listed. You can view them at www.espn.go.com
After devastating leg injuries late last season, MLB made progress in changing the rules about slides into second base. The union and MLB have collaborated to make changes in time for the upcoming season. Among the projected changes, sliding players actually touch the base, or make an attempt to touch the base. Players contention is they have been taught to slide into second with the intent to break up any double-play attempts. The league has the dilemma of protecting their basemen and the intensity of the game.
Stephen Curry had 35 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the Warriors’ 123-110 win against the Rockets. Curry was not thoroughly pleased with the win stating the Warriors have to play better and remain consistent over the entire game time. Bogut scored 13 points, 11 rebounds, Igoudala and Barnes hit consecutive 3-pointers at the start of the fourth quarter to jump start after a tie at 93. This is Golden States’ 42nd straight regular season home game.
Until next Wednesday!
