This weekend, we paused to pay special tribute to September 11th. The NFL put together this video to share how football helped us to stand together as a nation during our darkest hours. We at SQ would like to share this sentiment, and express how we love that sports have the ability to bring us together — that’s why we’re here, writing each Monday.
QUIPS FOR THIS WEEK
Tennis
Last night’s men’s singles final wrapped up the 2016 US Open! Stan Wawrinka won his first US Open title over world #1 Novak Djokovic after 4 sets. Djokovic had built up a 5-2 lead in the first set, but by the second had lost ground to Wawrinka. In the fourth, Djokovic took a medical timeout to have his toe looked at by a trainer, but Wawrinka remained steadfast and dominant throughout the majority of the match.
On Saturday, second seed Angelique Kerber became world #1 in women’s singles after a hard-earned victory over Karolina Pliskova. This is her second Grand Slam title in one year — the first was her win at the Australian Open.
MLB
We’re getting closer to October, which means we’re taking a close look at who might make it to MLB post-season play. Yesterday, Chris Tillman returned from the disabled list to pitch 6 innings and the Baltimore Orioles scored a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Baltimore and the Toronto Blue Jays are now tied in the standings with 78 wins apiece, two games behind American League East first place team, the Boston Red Sox. Boston just scored an 11-8 win against the Blue Jays, during David Ortiz’s last regular season game. The Orioles will begin their three-game series against Boston tonight at 7:10pm EST, so definitely keep your eyes peeled!
The Cleveland Indians are cementing their position in the American League Central, and scored a dominating 7-1 win over the Minnesota Twins last night. The Texas Rangers are still atop the American League West after a 2-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
And, on the National League front, Seth Lugo won his fourth straight start as a rookie pitcher and Yoenis Cespedes scored a grand slam — the New York Mets won 10-3 over the Atlanta Braves. The San Francisco Giants won 5-3 over the Arizona Diamondbacks after Matt Moore struck out 11 in 7 innings, and the top team in the West, the LA Dodgers, lost 0-3 to the Miami Marlins. The leaders of the National League East, the Washington Nationals won 3-2 over the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Chicago Cubs won 9-5 against the Houston Astros. With the win, Chicago now has a 16-win lead in the National League Central.
NFL
On Thursday, the Denver Broncos scored a close 21-20 win over the Carolina Panthers at home. The Broncos’ defense was on point, and in the last 4 seconds, Panthers’ Graham Gano missed a 50-yard field goal.
On Sunday, the New York Giants welcomed back Victor Cruz and won 2o-19 over the Dallas Cowboys after Eli Manning threw for 3 touchdowns. It’s important to note that Dallas star Tony Romo was out due to a back injury, and so Dak Prescott (QB) and Ezekiel Elliott (running back) covered. They were the team’s first rookie QB/RB combo to start at a season opener since the 1960’s. Also of note, the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-35, the Miami Dolphins fell to the Seattle Seahawks 10-12 after Russell Wilson threw a career high 43 passes, and the Green Bay Packers won 27-23 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their young QB Blake Bortles (with the help of two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers).
Last week, Drew Brees received a lucrative $44.25 million contract extension from the New Orleans Saints – his contract was set to expire after this season, but he’ll now be with the team for at least two more. Although the team lost last night’s game against the Oakland Raiders, it’s looking like New Orleans made a good move. Brees scored 4 touchdowns, and after a pass from the QB, Brandin Cooks scored a 98-yard touchdown (the longest in franchise history).
Other
Baylor University former head coach Art Briles (who was fired in May after a sexual assault scandal involving the football team and Baylor Athletics rocked the university) issued an apology to the sexual assault victims during an interview that aired this past Saturday.
In post-Olympic news, American swimmer Ryan Lochte will be suspended from the sport for 10 months following his involvement in a scandal in Rio de Janeiro.
Shaq, Allen Iverson, and Yao Ming were elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Landon Donovan came out of retirement after two years away from the game, and rejoined the LA Galaxy at their home match yesterday.
JUST FOR FUN
STORIES FOR INSIGHTS, COOL FACTOR + DEBATE
Top Seller
After protest, Colin Kaepernick’s jersey has become the #1 seller
The San Francisco 49ers QB stayed seated during the national anthem at two preseason games. At the last preseason game, he kneeled instead. He doesn’t wish to show pride towards a flag or a country “that oppresses black people and people of color.” He will be donating all jersey proceeds, plus $1 million to “various causes.”
The latest on Tim Tebow
He has a minor league contract with the New York Mets
The Mets have insisted this is not a marketing decision, but a baseball decision. Tebow will start in the instructional league next week. Stay tuned!
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The SportsQuip 