Sports stories you *want* to see: Joe Buck could save the sports shutdown
All eyes were on the NFL this week, and thankfully, the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE gave us plenty to talk about with its free agency period, most notably with...
AHOY! TOM BRADY IS A BUCCANEER?! Tom Brady is no longer a New England Patriot. That's so weird. What Brady accomplished in New England, though, is ASTOUNDING. But this is the end of the Pats' dynasty. Owner Robert Kraft said goodbye to Brady with a full-page ad, and Gisele Bundchen posted a heartfelt thank you to Boston on Instagram.
Oh, also, meet Jarrett Stidham! He's next in line for the Patriots' throne. Well, maybe.
And here are the sports stories that lifted our spirits this week or made us say 'what?!?':
- LET JOE BUCK CALL YOUR LIFE: Like the rest of the sports world, the veteran Fox Sports broadcaster doesn't have a ton going on right now, so he's ready to do play-by-play for your days.
- DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME! Without sports, this rugby announcer has been going viral for narrating everyday events -- like dogs chasing each other.
- QUARANTINE BASKETBALL? Quarantine Basketball!
- TEE TIMES AVAILABLE: In the age of social distancing, can we still play golf?
- BABY TALK! Dale Jr. and his wife are expecting, and the video announcement is TOO CUTE.
- FEED US NFL: We got a fresh mock draft following the first wave of free agency.
- MISSING THE MADNESS: The first-round upsets that made us fall in love with March Madness.
- ROOKIE PITCHER: Braves All-Star Freddie Freeman absolutely mashed off his 3-year-old son.
- BUTLER STAR'S LEGACY GROWS HALF-CENTURY AFTER TRAGIC DEATH: Ted Guzek, a Butler basketball All-American in 1957, died at 39 in a car accident. But his legacy has grown since, thanks to his son's dedication to see his father inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Gregg Doyel tells the story, as only he can.
- RIVALS CONNECT AT WORST OF TIMES: Two Alabama high school baseball coaches have long been good friends. But since *both* are currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer, they've grown even closer. The story of Glenwood's Tim Fanning and Autauga Academy's Scott Tubbs is yet another example of hope and community.
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SHUTDOWN CAN'T STOP GOOD SPORTS: Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss the stories that highlight the coronavirus pandemic's impact on sports.
- Out-of-work writer thought emailed money was fake. Then teared up over 'incredible gesture'.
- Kevin Love discussed the importance of virtual interactions while we're social distancing.
- Scott Van Pelt discusses 'SportsCenter' without sports.
- If Johnny Football can handle social distancing, you can handle social distancing.
- LSU coach Ed Orgeron is taking the lead on coronavirus awareness. As we all expected.
- Spurs' Marco Belinelli helps his native Italy during coronavirus pandemic with family, financial support.
- With school closed, Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler stays sharp during workouts with high school quarterbacks in Arizona.
*STILL* MISS SPORTS? US TOO, BUT HERE'S HOW YOU CAN FILL VOID: While we practice social distancing to #FlattenTheCurve, sports fans figure to have a little extra free time on their hands in the coming weeks with no live sports to occupy them.
To help fill your sports fix, the Paste BN Sports staff has compiled some of our favorite sports movies (the ones you haven't all already seen) and sports books (50 of our favorites!). Enjoy!
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