* I watched the beginning of the USA-Canada hockey game in the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal. No surprise, the backdrop to the Star Spangled Banner was a chorus of boos from Canadian fans. Normally, I’d go all nationalistic and protocol-minded and condemn booing during America’s national anthem. We all would. But the crowd wasn’t booing the America we love and respect. It was booing the Trump iteration of America. It’s arrogant, nativistic, selfish, insulting—and, alas, embarrassingly boo-able.
* “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over.”–That was how President Trump disingenuosly phrased it, after signing an order to ban transgender athletes from participating in female sports. Actually, such a “war” is likely not over—as long as there is a Title IX and legal controversy over transgender athletes.
* NFL parity reminder: Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles (“Iggles” if you’re from Philly) are Super Bowl champions. And, yes, they were hammered, 33-16, by the Bucs during the regular season. They were also outgained by the Bucs, 445 yds. to 227 yds. It’s a long season.
* Changes in college football have resulted in most programs hiring general managers to work with NIL collectives and oversee the revenue-sharing pool.