Deshaun Watson Press Conference
This is tough and I don’t know where to begin. The Cleveland Browns introduced Deshaun Watson as their new quarterback on Friday, and frankly, the whole thing was difficult to watch. The owners of the team, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, were not there, which is unacceptable. They were available on a Zoom later, but it’s not the same.
General Manager Andrew Berry said that, on the advice of legal counsel, the team did not talk to any of the 22 women suing Watson for sexual misconduct during the team’s “extensive” investigation into Watson. Watson denied any wrongdoing, and also said he has no regrets, which is quite a statement.
As a woman in sports, the whole thing made me sick. When will protecting and believing and respecting women be more important than winning? Sadly, I do not have an answer.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16
Thursday saw the start of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Sweet 16, and two No. 1 seeds are out, with Gonzaga losing to Arkansas and Arizona losing to Houston. Villanova beat Michigan (shed a tear), and Duke beat Texas Tech, taking Coach K’s farewell tour to the Elite 8.
On Friday, St. Peter’s will try to keep Cinderella at the ball when the Peacocks take on Purdue at 7:09 pm ET/4:09 pm PT on CBS. Providence takes on Kansas at 7:29 pm ET/4:29 pm PT on TBS, while North Carolina takes on UCLA at 9:39 pm ET/6:39 pm PT on CBS. The final game of the night will be Iowa State vs. Miami at 9:59 pm ET/6:59 pm PT on TBS.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Sweet 16
The women’s Sweet 16 tips off on Friday and it begins with the Battle of the Carolinas as the No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels take on the No. 1 seeded South Carolina Gamecocks at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT pm ESPN. The rest of the schedule is below.
Friday
No.6 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Texas at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT on ESPN2
No. 10 Creighton vs. No. 3 Iowa State at 9:30 ET/6:30 PT on ESPN2
No. 4 Maryland vs. No. 1 Stanford at 9:30 ET/6:30 PT on ESPN
Saturday
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 North Carolina State at 11:30 am ET/8:30 am PT on ESPN
No. 3 Indiana University vs. No. 2 Connecticut at 2 pm ET/11 am PT on ESPN
No. 4 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Louisville at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT on ESPN2
No. 10 South Dakota vs. No. 3 Michigan at 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT on ESPN2
Star Starters in LA
The reigning American League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, will be the Los Angeles Angels’ Opening Day starter. He will also serve as the team’s designated hitter. Due to a new rule in Major League Baseball, Ohtani can stay in the lineup after he is relieved of his pitching duties. The Angels open at home against the Houston Astros on April 7. We all know how I feel about the Astros, even without Carlos Correa.
Meanwhile, Dave Roberts said that Walker Buehler will start Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as they face the Colorado Rockies on the road April 8. It will be Buehler’s first start to open the season. Roberts also guaranteed a Dodgers’ World Series victory this week, and I think we all know, I co-sign this.
Kobe Bryant’s Estate and Nike Reach a New Deal
Nike and Kobe Bryant’s estate have reached a long-term deal that will produce shoes and apparel from Bryant’s Zoom Kobe series.
“We’re excited to announce our partnership with Nike is going to continue!” Vanessa Bryant wrote on Instagram. “I am so proud that my husband’s shoes are still the most worn by players on NBA courts and that the demand for his shoes remain so desired by his fans around the world.”
Nike will also be releasing a Gigi Bryant series of shoes that will include a charity component.
