Seattle Seahawk fullback Derrick Coleman is making waves on the field – not only because of his skills, but because he’s the first deaf offensive player in the NFL. Get inspired with this commercial featuring Coleman.
QUIPS FOR THIS WEEK
NFL
Peyton Manning is returning to the Super Bowl. In a hyped AFC Championship, Manning looked calm and cool in a huge Denver Broncos win over the New England Patriots. The Pats tried to rally, but the Broncos got the early lead and never looked back. This year’s Super Bowl happens to be in baby brother Eli’s stadium in New York. Eli Manning had led the New York Giants to a Super Bowl win just two seasons ago in Peyton’s former stadium in Indianapolis. Undoubtedly, Peyton and the Broncos will look to repeat the pattern in New York.
The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers in an incredibly close home game. The game saw two of the league’s top defenses engage in an intense battle. Despite some spectacular plays, both quarterbacks – Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson – struggled with their offenses. In the end, the Seahawks prevailed after a late interception ended a rally by the Niners. There was also a devastating knee injury to the 49er’s NaVorro Bowman, here’s to hoping he’s okay.
Start spreadin’ the news…Super Bowl XLVIII is here! We’ll have a lot more coverage in the coming weeks, including stories on the characters. Get ready for the bright lights when the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks battle in New York on February 2nd.
NBA
The Oklahoma City Thunder might miss Russell Westbrook, but Kevin Durant is giving them everything’s he got. Durant dropped a career high 54 points in a huge win against the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry had 37 points in a strong game for the Warriors, but Durant was nearly flawless and unstoppable. It’s these consistent efficient performances that explain why he’s at the top of the race for league MVP.
Rajon Rondo is back in the lineup for the Boston Celtics, after missing part of the season because of a torn ACL. On Friday, the star point guard had a nice performance in his first game back though they lost against the Los Angeles Lakers. It may take a while to get back in the groove, but the Celtics are sure glad to have their point guard back whether they trade him or not.
Injured Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant might not be able to play but that doesn’t mean he can’t find something to do on the road. Bryant attended an international marketing class at Boston College prior to the Celtics game. Meanwhile, the Lakers would continue with a win against the Toronto Raptors in a 19 point comeback on Sunday.
COLLEGE SPORTS
Superstar freshman, Jabari Parker put on a show as #23 Duke defeated NC State by 35 points at home in a great team effort on Saturday. Jabari wasn’t the only freshman that had a big day. Joel Embiid nearly had a triple double for #15 Kansas in a big win over #9 Oklahoma State. Embiid might be relatively new to hoops but he’s a rising star whose NBA draft stock is skyrocketing.
In all things Big Ten, #3 Wisconsin lost for the second time this week, this time to Michigan. In a nice road win, Michigan State beat Illinois convincingly. Moving forward, #11 Ohio State looks to rebound from a string of three straight losses this week against Nebraska.
In a battle of the new ACC teams, #2 Syracuse improved to 18-0 in a big win at home against #22 Pittsburgh. Point guard Tyler Ennis had another great game for the Orange, proving that he’s another star freshman on the rise. Syracuse will look to extend their undefeated record against Miami on the road next Saturday. The only other undefeated team the college basketball, the #1 Arizona Wildcats will look to defend their streak this Thursday against #21 Colorado.
OTHER
In a big upset at the Australian Open, Ana Ivanovic defeated Serena Williams. Ivanovic took 3 sets to win beat Serena, who had been struggling with back pain coming into the match. This is the first time she has lost since August.
Canada named hometown hero Sydney Crosby captain of their hockey team for the upcoming Olympic Games. Crosby, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, was a star in the last winter Olympics and looks to lead Canada to another gold medal in the games.
JUST FOR FUN
What does Sochi and Game of Thrones have in common?
Don’t miss the BBC Winter Olympics Trailer, narrated by Tywin Lannister of ‘Game of Thrones’
STORIES FOR INSIGHTS, COOL FACTOR + DEBATE
Dance Wars
Why is the NBA hating on the Sam Cassell “Big Balls” Dance?
The fine is as large as the fine for fighting and dangerous fouls… does that really make sense?
In the Name of Charity
When Manning calls “Omaha” in the AFC Championship, it helps the Peyback Foundation
It looks like some big donations are coming their way with 31 calls in Sunday’s game.
Sisterly Love
Twin qualifies for the Olympics and sends her sister in her place
When Lanny Barnes withdrew from the an Olympic qualifier race due to illness, her twin qualifying sister decided she wanted her sister to compete in the upcoming biathlon in Sochi.
FRIENDS WE LOVE WHO’LL MAKE YOU LOVE SPORTS MORE
I am increasingly aware of the extent to which being an effective leader is predicated on a very high level of empathy…Empathy is a learned skill like anything else, and I think that diminishing opportunities for kids to play means that there is a diminishing opportunity for them to learn and practice the skills of empathy. – Jill Vialet, CEO and Founder of Playworks.
Jill Vialet is reclaiming recess and play for kids. She is the CEO and Founder of Playworks, a non-profit that has helped bring safe and healthy playground activities to over 400,000 children and 750 schools and youth-serving organizations in 23 different cities. She has been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 30 social entrepreneurs.
Jill recognizes the power of sports in learning and development and has been committed to helping students use sports to grow and build relationships– read her LifeChats Interview with the Fuqua/Coach K Leadership & Ethics Center at Duke University.
The SportsQuip 