They not like us
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Hey there!
From the first NFL Sunday of the season to a pair of Grand Slam finals to a GOAT’s farewell, sports fans were truly spoiled this weekend. No time to waste — let’s dig into all of it and more.
— Two-time World Cup winner, Olympic gold medalist, and San Diego Wave star Alex Morgan, ahead of playing her final career match last night. Morgan retires as one of the sport's greats, leaving the game better than she found it on and off the pitch. Not not crying.
NFL
🏈 They not like us
The GIST: Sunday scaries couldn’t kill the vibe during Week 1 of the NFL season — here are a few standout moments from a thrilling opening weekend.
New kickoff rule takes the gridiron: Arizona Cardinal DeeJay Dallas turned on the jets yesterday, returning a kickoff 96 yards for the first touchdown (TD) return under the new dynamic kickoff rules. After last year saw the league’s lowest-ever kickoff return rate, the NFL switched things up to encourage more kick returns and help keep players safe. Watch this space.
Rookies shine in pro debuts: Washington Commanders quarterback (QB) and 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels recorded two rushing TDs, not to mention 184 passing yards in a season-opening loss.
- And the kids continued to ball out with three wide receivers (WRs) — LA Charger Ladd McConkey, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jalen McMillan, and Jacksonville Jaguar Brian Thomas Jr. — hauling in their first career NFL TDs. Future is looking oh so bright.
Defense on full display in Week 1: The Denver Broncos recorded two first-half safeties (aka when an offensive player is tackled in their own end zone) in their 26–20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, becoming just the second team since 1960 to record two safeties in a season opener.
- Elsewhere, Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson notched a game-changing pick-six to seal No. 1 overall 2024 draft pick QB Caleb Williams’ first NFL win — a 24–17 dub over the Tennessee Titans. It’s a new era in the Windy City.
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill detained pre-game: Hill was detained for a traffic incident ahead of his team’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, but went on to record 130 yards and a TD in the Fins’ 20–17 win. The Miami-Dade police department placed an officer on administrative leave and will conduct an investigation into the matter.
Paralympics
🇨🇦 From a world brought together as one
The GIST: And just like that, the 2024 Paris Paralympics have come to an end. Team Canada finished with 29 total medals (10 gold, 9 silver, 10 bronze) and were carried out of the City of Light by canoeist Brianna Hennessy and swimmer Nicholas Bennett during yesterday’s Closing Ceremony. Let’s recap a magnifique final weekend.
Women’s sitting volleyball secures bronze, first-ever medal in the sport: The Canadians took home a team sport medal for the first time since 2012 after Jennifer Oakes and the red and white’s sitting volleyball squad recorded a straight-set victory over Brazil on Saturday. Diggin’ it.
Hennessy paddles to silver, Massabie swims to gold: Hailing from Ottawa, 39-year-old Hennessy made a splash with her silver in the women’s va’a single-200m VL2 on Saturday, Canada’s maiden medal in para canoe. Making mama and country proud.
- Over in the pool, 19-year-old Sebastian Massabie smashed the men’s S4 50m freestyle world record by 1.5 seconds to capture his first career Paralympic medal. Trés bien, indeed.
🎾 No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 1 Jannik Sinner win respective US Open finals in straight sets
Both Sabalenka and Sinner cruised to their first career US Open titles over the weekend, with Sabalenka outlasting American No. 6 Jess Pegula on Saturday while Sinner rallied against No. 12 American Taylor Fritz yesterday.
- The Grand Slam finale victories capped off banner years for the winners — Sabalenka and Sinner both won the Slam-opening Australian Open in January, giving them each two hard-court major victories on the season.
🏀 WNBA stars Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) and A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) suffer injuries
Sky standout Reese is unfortunately out for the season after sustaining a wrist injury on Friday, cutting short a Rookie of the Year campaign that included 26 double-doubles (the second most in a season in WNBA history), an All-Star nod, and the league record for most rebounds in a season.
- Meanwhile, MVP frontrunner Wilson sat out yesterday’s narrow 75–71 Aces loss to the NY Liberty after wearing a walking boot pregame, but head coach Becky Hammon assured that the superstar’s absence was only precautionary. Phew.
🎓🏈 Upsets aplenty across Week 2 of NCAA football
Not one, not two, but three previously unranked teams beat top-25 squads over the weekend, none bigger than Northern Illinois stunning then–No. 5 Notre Dame 16–14 on Saturday, a dub that earned them the No. 25 spot in yesterday’s rankings drop along with their sweet payday.
- Elsewhere, the most anticipated game of the weekend turned out to be a snoozer as then–No. 3 Texas routed then–No. 10 Michigan 31–12, lifting the Longhorns to No. 2 and tumbling the reigning national champion Wolverines to No. 17.
- As a reminder, 12 teams will make this year’s College Football Playoff, compared to four in previous years, making each weekly rankings release extra spicy. Just getting started.
Together With Canadian Tire
There was mind-blowing history made for Team Canada at these Paralympic Games, which is why we partnered with Canadian Tire to highlight Team Canada’s barrier-breaking women in Paris, like the women’s sitting volleyball team winning the country’s first-ever medal in the sport with their bronze victory over Brazil. Aces.
Even after this weekend’s Paralympic Closing Ceremony, Canadian Tire will continue to champion advancing gender equity in sport, from playground to podium to professional arena.
- Click here to learn more about Canadian Tire’s Women’s Sport Initiative and how they are leveling the playing field for professional women’s athletes in Canada.
Here’s what passed The GIST squad’s vibe check this week:
🏒 What to snag
Canadian hockey player Danielle Serdachny’s merch. Celly-worthy.
🏈 Who to know
Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia Eagles QB is on a mission of greatness, both on the field and in life. Learn what drives his relentless quest for perfection.
⚽ What to watch
Ted Lasso. Three of the hit show's stars are officially in talks to return, fueling hopes for a fourth season of feel-good footy. You gotta believe.
Take Your Pick
NY Jets
San Francisco 49ers
Week 1 of the NFL season comes to a close with tonight’s 8:15 p.m. ET Monday Night Football showdown between QB Aaron Rodgers’ NY Jets and the defending National Football Conference (NFC) champion San Francisco 49ers. Can Rodgers lead the Jets to a road win or will the Niners start the season on a golden note? Pick your winner below.
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