Ball Girl #98: Wait... Pickleball isn’t a type of deli sandwich?

So you may have heard of this sport called pickleball… if not, it's basically like tennis and ping pong had a baby. Well, that baby grew into an apparent smoke show that everyone’s trying to get a piece of, even TOM BRADY! That’s right, TB just bought a portion of a team for the 2023 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season. In the face of divorce, it’s a good idea to diversify your portfolio…

Can I have your number?

1972: The first year of cheerleading in the NFL. This first squad was recruited by the Dallas Cowboys, surprise, surprise.

TLDRs

⛳ After R1 at Zozo, American Brendan Steele sits in first place, finishing 6-under for the day, just one stroke ahead of (also American) Adam Schenk. Meanwhile, the first round of LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah kicks off today.

🎓🏈 Week 7 of college football has me feeling straight SILLY with excitement; biggest game to watch IMO is Alabama vs. Tennessee. Another Alabama game, you say?! ‘Bama has escaped the jaws of upset two times this season already (Texas, Texas A&M) but can they make it a threepeat? A lot of betters say neigh, the Crimson Tide must fall at some point, especially when looking this shaky. Whose side are you taking: statistics or Nick Saban (Bama’s head coach who pulls off more miracles than damn Moses parting the Red Sea)?

🏀 Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors, recent face puncher of teammate Jordan Poole) is officially rejoining the Warriors for their preseason game tonight against the Denver Nuggets. As a reminder: Green’s contract is expiring this year but has not been extended yet. Looks like coaches and teammates are watching to see if that ~ achem ~ fiery spirit can be kept in check.

🏈 You thought MNF was bad? Well well well, last night somehow topped it. The Washington Commanders narrowly beat the Chicago Bears, 12-7. Commanders’ Christian Holmes recovered a bungled punt to set up a 1 yard TD by Brian Robinson to end the Commanders’ 4 game losing streak.

⚾ Playoffs update: we’re about halfway through the divisional round series. Teams play for best out of 5 games. Here are the scorecards so far: Yankees 1 vs. Guardians 0, Astros 2 vs. Mariners 0, Dodgers 1 vs. Padres 1, Phillies 1 vs. Braves 1. This weekend we’ll see some teams move on… Stay tuned!

🏒 May I Introduce you to Dwayne “The Leaf” Johnson! Say whaaat?! That’s right, our favorite WWE star took to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night to basically serve as M.C for fans and players alike. He worked his magic as the Leafs came back from behind to take home their first dub of the season — a much needed win considering they lost to rivals Montreal Canucks in their season opener.

Time out for the (Brady) Tea

Gisele no shame Bünchen

• It’s looking like a done deal, folks… I’m referring to Gisele Bünchen and Tom Brady’s divorce. Gisele recently liked and commented on the below post, giving fans some much-needed clarity (and make it well obvious that she’s might be just a teeny bit bitter).

Tom ditches the wedding ring

• We’ve already seen Gisele without her wedding ring but lacked proof that Tom, too, has ditched his band. Well, here it is. And it's a DOOZY. Tom was recently spotted in FOX Sports’ FIFA World Cup commercial (fast forward to 0:30) without his ring. Intentional? Potentially…

Must Watch This Week

Friday, October 14th

• ⚾ 1:00pm ET, NY Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians

• ⚾ 4:30pm ET, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

• ⚾ 8:30pm ET, San Diego Padres vs. LA Dodgers

Saturday, October 15th

• ⚾ 2:00pm ET, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

• ⚾ 4:00pm ET, Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros

• ⚾ 7:30pm ET, Cleveland Guardians vs. NY Yankees

• ⚾ 9:30pm ET, San Diego Padres vs. LA Dodgers

• 🎓🏈 12:00pm ET, #5 Michigan vs. #10 Penn State

• 🎓🏈 3:30pm ET, #3 Alabama vs. #6 Tennessee

• 🎓🏈 3:30pm ET, #8 OK State vs. #13 TCU

• 🏒 7:00pm ET, Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

• 🏒 10:00pm ET, Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers

Sunday, October 16th

• 🏈 1:00pm ET, NY Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens

• 🏈 1:00pm ET, Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings

• 🏈 4:00pm ET, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

• 🏈 4:30pm ET, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills

• 🏈 8:00pm ET, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

• ⚾ 3:00pm ET, Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros

• ⚾ 4:30pm ET, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

• ⚾ 7:00pm ET, Cleveland Guardians vs. NY Yankees

• ⚾ 9:00pm ET, San Diego Padres vs. LA Dodgers