The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers will face one another during the 2021 NFL season, so it makes sense that the league hyped Aaron Rodgers vs. Patrick Mahomes as one of the biggest matchups of the year. However, it appears the NFL is no longer comfortable promoting that particular showdown.
The NFL will release its complete 2021 schedule on Wednesday. A promo for the release that aired roughly a week ago highlighted several matchups we will see this year, and “Rodgers vs. Mahomes” was the first one mentioned. You can see the commercial below:
Brad Callas of Complex Sports noted on Sunday that the NFL has released a new version of the ad. The part that said “Rodgers vs. Mahomes” in the original has been replaced with “Jackson vs. Mahomes,” referencing when Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will take on the Chiefs.
In all likelihood, that is the NFL’s way of quietly admitting they are unsure about a Rodgers vs. Mahomes matchup taking place this season. Rodgers wants out of Green Bay and does not appear to be backing down. You can read the latest on the situation here.
Billy Joe Saunders’ injury suffered in his loss against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night was no joke.
Saunders suffered against Canelo what’s known as a quadripod fracture. Following the eighth round of their fight at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saunders’ corner decided he could no longer continue. Saunders did not appear to be doing too badly in the fight even though all three judges had it scored in Alvarez’s favor.
But Saunders’ trainer stopped the fight because of the injuries sustained by his fighter.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said Sunday that Saunders was going to undergo surgery for multiple fractures on his orbital bone. The injury is known as a quadripod fracture.
Bumped into @EddieHearn in the lobby on his way to see Billy Joe Saunders at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Saunders set to have surgery today on multiple fractures to his orbital bone, a complete blowout, known as a quadripod fracture. Brutal injury #CaneloSaunders
Saunders was undefeated entering his fight with Alvarez but is now 30-1 with 14 KOs. Alvarez is 56-1-2 with 38 KOs. Canelo said after the fight that he knew Saunders was done because he could feel himself break Saunders’ orbital bone.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf tried his hand at the 100 meter sprint on Sunday, the first step in qualifying for the Olympics.
Metcalf participated in the USATF Golden Games and Distance Open on Sunday. Had he posted a sufficiently fast time, he would have been able to advance to another event that would serve as an Olympic qualifier. That didn’t happen, as Metcalf finished last in a field of nine, posting a time of 10.37 seconds.
DK Metcalf officially finishes in 9th Place of his heat, with a time of 10.37! Incredible race for a 6’3 235 pound @NFL receiver!!! pic.twitter.com/5i8uR8hEoP
There are two ways to look at this. First, it is impressive for an NFL wide receiver to post a time like that with limited training and no track experience since high school. That said, it’s a reminder that even the NFL’s fastest players are going to lag behind sprinters who dedicate themselves to the craft full-time.
Several MLB players wore gear acknowledging Mother’s Day on Sunday, and veteran catcher Yadier Molina had one of the best looks.
Molina wore a pink mask and custom chest plate for the St. Louis Cardinals’ game against the Colorado Rockies. The chest protector was particularly awesome.
Molina has been in the majors since 2004, so he can get away with wearing anything he wants. The pink alphabet swag was a great way to celebrate moms everywhere.
Mother’s Day is a day of celebration for many families across the country, but Sunday was a difficult day for Jalen Rose. The former NBA star lost his mother earlier this year, and he made it clear to ESPN viewers how much she meant to him.
Rose broke down in tears during an NBA segment while discussing the impact his mother, Jeanne, had on his life.
“This is the first time in my life that I didn’t have my mother and grandmother on Mother’s Day, and it’s really been tough for me and my family. … We fell in love with basketball together,” Rose said while fighting back tears. “My father played in the (NBA), and to not know him, she was like, ‘You’re gonna make it. You’re gonna get us out of the ‘hood. I promise you.’ And I was like, ‘I’m gonna do it, mom.’ And I did it. And we did it.”
Rose grew up in a bad part of Detroit. He now does a ton of charity work in the city. He made reference to his father, a former first overall NBA Draft pick whom Jalen never knew. That is one of the reasons he and his mother were so close.
Jeanne Rose died of lung cancer in February. She was 79.
David Griffin was furious with the NBA over the injury Zion Williamson suffered on Friday, and the way the New Orleans Pelicans executive voiced his frustration has cost him a large sum of money.
The NBA announced on Sunday that Griffin has been fined $50,000 for “public criticism of the officiating and comments detrimental to the NBA.”
Williamson suffered a fractured finger on his left hand during the Pelicans’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. The team said he will be sidelined indefinitely, which is going to make it much more difficult for New Orleans to qualify for the play-in tournament.
Griffin was obviously upset by the news, and he decided to lash out at NBA officials for not doing enough to protect Williamson. You can read Griffin’s comments here.
The Pelicans entered Sunday in 11th place in the Western Conference. They’re two games back of the No. 10 seed San Antonio Spurs with just five games remaining in the regular season.
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned substance following the race last weekend, and the horse’s trainer will not be welcome at Churchill Downs for the time being.
Trainer Bob Baffert revealed on Sunday morning that Medina Spirit tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone. Churchill Downs issued a statement shortly after the announcement saying Baffert has been suspended from entering any horses into events at the racetrack. The track also confirmed that Medina Spirit will be disqualified and runner-up Mandaloun will be declared the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby if the results of Medina Spirit’s failed test are upheld.
You can read the full statement below:
“It is our understanding that Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s post-race blood sample indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s equine medication protocols. The connections of Medina Spirit have the right to request a test of a split sample and we understand they intend to do so. To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.
“Failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of the horses and jockeys, the integrity of our sport and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby and all who participate. Churchill Downs will not tolerate it. Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack. We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions’ investigation before taking further steps.”
Baffert insists he had no knowledge of Medina Spirit being given a banned substance.
The corticosteroid is the same one another Baffert horse, Gamine, tested positive for after winning the Kentucky Oaks last year. Other Baffert horses have also had issues with failed drug tests. Justify reportedly failed a drug test before winning the Triple Crown in 2018, but the inquiry was quietly dropped under the guise that the horse could have eaten contaminated food. Two other Baffert horses tested positive for lidocaine last year and Baffert complained about confidentiality.
It is unclear if Deshaun Watson will play at all in 2021 after he was accused of sexual assault by multiple women. And even if he does, it may not be for the Houston Texans.
During an appearance on “SportsCenter” Sunday morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that there is a belief around the NFL that the Texans have begun “slowly moving on” from Watson. Fowler said Houston is very high on rookie quarterback Davis Mills, according to Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway.
The Texans drafted Mills in the third round, so it would be a surprise if he is not on their roster in 2021. They also signed veteran Tyrod Taylor earlier in the offseason and are likely planning to go into Week 1 with him as their starter.
“A couple of months ago, the Texans were turning down everybody who was calling them about Deshaun Watson. Carolina was willing to give them the world; they said no,” Fowler reported. “They’ve been far less committal recently. They don’t know when Watson’s even going to be cleared to play. The league will consider putting Watson on the Commissioner’s Exempt List later this summer if his case is still going on.”
Watson is facing sexual assault lawsuits from 22 women who say they provided massage therapy for him in the past. The NFL is conducting its own investigation of the allegations, and Watson will almost certainly be suspended if not placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list. It is unlikely that any team will be willing to trade for him without more clarity.
The Green Bay Packers still have several weeks to find a way to change Aaron Rodgers’ mind about wanting a trade, but as of now it does not sound like that is going to happen.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday’s edition of “SportsCenter” that Rodgers is “dug in” with his trade demand. The Packers are still trying smooth things over with the star quarterback, but they have not made any progress.
“The Packers are still actively looking for solutions here; they’re trying to keep an open line of communication with Aaron Rodgers and his agent, Dave Dunn,” Fowler said. “So, no traction in the short term. But many people around the league believe Aaron Rodgers is indeed ‘dug in,’ and there’s a belief by some that he wants to be out West.”
The Denver Broncos have consistently been mentioned as the most logical suitor for Rodgers. Fowler said they are keeping an eye on the situation but preparing as if they will not pull off a blockbuster trade.
“Denver is a team that’s buzzing in league circles. I was told by a source that Denver is ‘monitoring’ that situation right now,” Fowler added. “But they’re also coming out of the draft days, and they’re in the team-building mode. They really like Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, so they’re not committed or tied to anything.”
Fowler also said he believes there is a 60-40 chance the Packers will trade Rodgers based on conversations he has had with NFL sources.
If the Packers refuse to trade Rodgers, some believe he will retire. There was another hint over the weekend that the 37-year-old could be setting himself up to launch a new career.
The horse that won the Kentucky Derby last Saturday has tested positive for an illegal substance.
Medina Spirit trainer Bob Baffert revealed on Sunday morning that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has informed assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes that the horse tested positive for betamethasone. All horses are tested after the Kentucky Derby, and the results take a week to come back.
The corticosteroid is the same one another Baffert horse, Gamine, tested positive for after winning the Kentucky Oaks last year. Other Baffert horses have also had issues with failed drug tests. Justify reportedly failed a drug test before winning the Triple Crown in 2018, but the inquiry was quietly dropped under the guise that the horse could have eaten contaminated food. Two other Baffert horses tested positive for lidocaine last year and Baffert complained about confidentiality.
Baffert called Medina Spirit’s failed test “the biggest gut punch in racing” and said the horse was not given any drug.
“I don’t know what’s going on in racing right now, but there’s something right now,” Baffert said, via Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. “It just seems odd, why am I the only trainer with these positives?”
That is a question fans and the Racing Commission would probably prefer that Baffert answer, though he insists he has no idea.
Baffert seemed to imply that someone might be tampering with his horses. He has won seven Kentucky Derby races, which is more than any other trainer. He even had a funny moment with Bill Belichick during the latest win, but the mood surrounding Baffert’s success has once again taken a dark turn.
