This post was originally intended to be about March Madness and the five possible upsets to look out for. After all, yesterday was supposed to be Selection Sunday. However, things change quickly in our world, and we have seen that no more than in the last couple of days. As negative as this coronavirus has been on the world of sports and our country in general, though, here are five people in the world of sports who are positively impacting lives in spite of the pandemic.
Zion Williamson
The NBA’s projected Rookie of the Year turned out to also be one of the league's most generous when he announced Saturday that he would foot the bill for every arena worker at the New Orleans Pelicans’ Smoothie King Center for at least the next 30 days, which is the minimum time the NBA will be suspended. Remember, he’s only 19 years old! That shows a lot of maturity, especially because he’s not thinking about himself and the possibility of his rookie year being shortened but of all those who have supported and helped him get to where he is right now.
Williamson said on social media, "The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was Drafted by the [Pelicans] last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at smoothie King Center. These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization.”
George Springer and Alex Bregman
The Houston Astros' stars each pledged donations to help those in Houston affected by the virus this week. Springer donated 100,000 dollars to employees at Minute Maid Park, as the MLB season will be pushed back by at least two weeks, and in turn, result in ballpark employees losing at least two weeks worth of pay. Bregman, on the other hand, donated 1,000 quarantine food kits to the Houston food bank, which will help feed the hundreds of kids who will not receive free lunch at school as a result of the school shutdowns in the Houston area. Each kit will provide for 28 meals per student. Springer and Bregman were reportedly the first two in the MLB to step up to the plate, and help those that have helped them for so long.
“These are the people that help take care of my family when I go to work,” Springer told KRIV-TV as reported by CBS.
Jeremy Lin
Lin, a former NBA player, who now plays for a pro team near the epicenter of the virus in China, donated a total of 300,000 dollars this week to help those affected across the world by the virus. Half went to UNICEF while the other half went to the China Foundation to help slow the spread in China. That 150,000 dollars is equivalent to 1 million in Chinese Yuan. A pro player in the Chinese Basketball Association for the Beijing Ducks, he said that he and his foundation wanted “to get medical equipment to Wuhan”, the center of where this virus broke out.
Mark Cuban
The Dallas Mavericks’ owner wasted no time after his team’s win Wednesday night when the NBA’s suspension was announced. He promptly announced he would pay all employees at the American Airlines Center throughout this hiatus and in addition, reimburse employees who bought breakfast or lunch from Dallas-area restaurants in an effort to help local restaurants during this challenging time.
Here’s five things to look forward to when sports return:
Tom Brady’s new team
Ok, so the NFL more than just a couple of months away, but by September, we will likely see the 42 year old Brady in a different uniform playing for a different team for the first time in his 19 year NFL career. Many experts now have him going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Of course, staying in New England is still an option. The Bucs are without a quarterback after Jameis Winston became a free agent.
The race for NBA Rookie of the Year
This was one of the most talented draft classes ever, so it makes sense that there will be a battle for the coveted honor of Rookie of the Year by the time this season is all wrapped up. Williamson made headlines by becoming the first rookie since Michael “Air” Jordan to score 20+ points in 16 of his first 20 games, but Ja Morant (averaging 17.6 points per game) and R.J Barrett (14.3 points per game) are close behind. However, with talks about the NBA possibly not starting until June, it may take a little while until we find out who will claim this honor.
NFL Draft features quarterback-heavy first round
It is hard to think of another recent NFL draft in which so many different quarterbacks could be considered first round material. This time around, teams will be looking to take advantage of the wealth of talent at the quarterback position, and acquire their franchise signal caller. Joe Burrow (out of LSU), Tua Tagovailoa (out of Alabama) will both look to go as the No. 1 pick while Justin Herbert (out of Oregon), Jake Fromm (out of Georgia) and Jalen Hurts (out of Oklahoma) will most likely be picked by the end of the first round. Other talented QBs include Jordan Love (out of Nevada), Jacob Eason (out of Washington) and Anthony Gordon (out of Washington State). In fact, all three of the 2019 Heisman Trophy Finalists who were quarterbacks will be in this year’s draft. It was supposed to be held April 23-25 in Las Vegas, but reports are surfacing that it will be postponed until May and not be held in Las Vegas.
The stacked NL East
Not only is it the league of the reigning World Series champs in the Washington Nationals, but it also is the division that is home to the Phillies, Braves, and Mets, all teams with positive outlooks for 2020. The Mets will be led by 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso, a home run hitting sensation last year as he became the first Mets player in history to hit 50 or more homers in a single season. The Nationals, who lost Anthony Rendon after last season to free agency, still retain a lethal pitching rotation with 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Stasburg returning, along with Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin. The Braves and Phillies each have stars of their own, in players like Bryce Harper (Phillies) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves).
The 2020 Summer Olympics from Tokyo
Despite the coronavirus’ threats in Asia, multiple people from the International Olympic Committee and Japan have solidified the fact that the Olympics will go on. One of the best events for sports fans across the world, everything from track to basketball to swimming will be on display. It will also be the first time ever that 3 on 3 basketball, a halfcourt style of basketball where teams play to 20 or 10 minutes (whichever comes first), will be in the famed event. Baseball and softball will also be included at the games, marking the first time since 2000 that the sports will be part of it.
コメント