White House Visits, Tony Romo in game shape, Remembering the XFL and MORE in this week’s edition of Matt Chernoff’s “The Confidential!”
Jefferson: Cavaliers Will Be "Last Team To Visit the White House"
The Cleveland Cavaliers spent Thursday afternoon at the White House for the traditional visit by NBA champions. The way Richard Jefferson sees it, it may mark the last time any team visits the White House to celebrate a title, at least for a few years, presumably due to the election of Donald Trump.
Jefferson, after an Election Day following one of the bitterest, most divisive and controversial campaigns ever, on Wednesday posted a video to Snapchat in which he states the role the Cavaliers may play, saying, “Words cannot express the honor I feel being the last team to visit the White House tomorrow.”
And then there’s this tweet from Sports Illustrated senior writer Lee Jenkins.
While it’s a distinct possibility said player was Jefferson, that may not be the case, either.
Jefferson’s Snapchat echoes comments from NBA analyst Jalen Rose, who believes NBA players won’t ever visit a Trump White House.
A handful of NBA head coaches, including Stan Van Gundy, Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers have made their opinions known as well, with Van Gundy and Kerry blasting Trump’s victory.
In baseball, the Chicago Cubs are considering a visit to the White House before President Barack Obama leaves office in early 2017. But it merits pointing out part of the reason the Cubs may do so is because Obama extended the invitation in the first place, not because of Trump.
In the NFL, Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman indicates that the outcome of the election has created a deepening racial divide in locker rooms.
Terrell Owens to Eagles: 'They call, I ball'
PHILADELPHIA – Terrell Owens is overseas right now, but worry not, coach Doug Pederson. He’s still just a phone call away.
Some Philadelphia Eagles fans desperate for a bump in wide receiver production have been hitting up Owens via social media to save the day, and T.O. has been more than happy to play along. He even has a catchphrase going: “They Call. I Ball.”
T.O tweeted this:
Light workout while in Portugal just in case @Eagles make that call. #TheyCall-iBall ..
While the Eagles could use help — they have just one player (Jordan Matthews) in the top 100 in receiving yards — the 42-year-old Owens hasn’t played since 2010, so he’s probably not the answer. But it would be entertaining.
Owens isn’t the only former Eagle throwing his hat in the ring. Former cornerback Asante Samuel is ready to spring into action as well
Asante Samuel @pick_six22
My Philly fans hasn’t had a great corner, playmaker since I left. Corner back play these days is very suspect.
I can’t take it anymore. Tell Doug to hit me up. I got 3 more years. #thatsit
Report: Tony Romo Won’t Be Active For Sunday’s Game At Pittsburgh
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is back at practice and has been medically cleared to play football again after missing the first nine weeks of the season due to a broken bone in his back.
However, the Cowboys appear set to keep Romo on the sidelined for the time being.
According to Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, Romo is not expected to be active for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Report: Saints Kenny Vaccaro Facing Four-Game Suspension
The already weak New Orleans Saints defense might by without a key cog for four games here soon. According to NFL Media’s Ian
Rapoport, starting strong safety and former first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro is facing a four-game ban under the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Sources: #Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro is facing a 4-game suspension for violating NFL drug policy for use of Adderall.
— Ian Rapoport
Vaccaro, a fourth-year pro, has started 51 of a possible 55 games since being selected No. 15 overall back in 2013. This season, the Texas product has recorded 43 tackles and two forced fumbles. He’s starting on a defensive unit that ranks dead last in the NFL against the pass.
As Rapoport indicated, the suspension stems from the alleged use of Adderall. It remains to be seen when this will take place and whether Vaccaro will appeal the four-game ban.
Report: NFL Investigating Alleged Elliott Incident
The NFL is reportedly seeking information regarding an alleged domestic violence incident that took place involving Ezekiel Elliott in
February, which would be separate from the accusations the Dallas Cowboys running back faced in July.
According to a report from USA Today, an NFL official reached out to authorities in Aventura, Fla., in late September to obtain information about a February incident in which a woman claimed Elliott assaulted her.
“(The woman) claims that Elliott abused her in February of 2016 in Aventura,” NFL security representative Ed DuBois wrote in an email. “She claims that she called the Aventura Police via 911 and that officers arrived but decided not to arrest Elliott.”
The woman called 911 on Feb. 12 and told a dispatcher that Elliott struck her with an open hand on her “upper-left chest.” She also said Elliott “pushed me and shoved me against a wall” and that he had “pushed” and “shoved” her in the past. When asked when the last time Elliott hurt her was, the woman said “a couple months ago.” She added that she did not report the previous incident.
An officer who responded to the call said Elliott was not arrested because it was “her word against his and no independent witnesses” were present.
Since USA Today does not identify alleged victims of domestic assault, it is unclear if the woman who called police in February is the same one who shared some disturbing photos on social media in July and accused Elliott of abusing her for months.
While no charges were filed against Elliott in either incident, the NFL continues to investigate the rookie running back.
ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 “This Was the XFL” To Premiere In February
Three days before Super Bowl LI, ESPN Films will premiere the 30 for 30 documentary “This Was the XFL,” directed by Charlie Ebersol,
chronicling the short-lived, ill-fated pro football league. The documentary, airing on February 2 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, tells the story in fascinating, candid, and often rollicking fashion featuring fellow television legends and close friends – Dick Ebersol and Vince McMahon.
A bold challenge, a fearless experiment and ultimately, a spectacular failure. In 2001, sports entertainment titans Ebersol and McMahon launched the XFL. It was hardly the first time a league had tried to compete with the NFL, but the brash audacity of the bid, combined with the personalities and charisma of Ebersol and McMahon and the marketing behemoths of their respective companies — NBC and WWE — captured headlines and a sense of undeniable anticipation about what was to come.
John Dahl, Vice President and Executive Producer, ESPN Films said: “We felt that the colorful personalities and storylines featured throughout the rise and fall of the XFL deserved a more detailed examination, and as Dick Ebersol’s son, Charlie provided a personal understanding of it all. The XFL was a gamble, and even though the league didn’t ultimately succeed, we think audiences will really enjoy this tale of risk and ambition.”
Hulk Hogan 'There's No Talk of WrestleMania Return'
Hulk Hogan says he’s had NO DISCUSSION with WWE about a WrestleMania return … despite his daughter, Brooke Hogan, telling us
he’d been contacted about a comeback.
Brooke told TMZ Sports over the weekend that “people have been calling [Hulk] about WrestleMania” … sending wrestling fans into a frenzy.
FYI — Hulk was fired by the company in 2015.
But not so fast … ’cause Hulk says it simply ain’t true. Appearing on the “Bischoff on Wrestling” podcast, Hulk shot down Brooke’s claim.
“Brooke running around on TMZ and the statement she made about me and wrestling and WrestleMania. For the record, like I said, she needs the big boot to the head. I haven’t talked to anybody about Wrestlemania.”
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