Beerguyrob is off tonight, hopefully rollicking in mirth. He deserves nothing less. Me? I’m in a foul mood. Didn’t want to say anything, but 2020 is starting to irk.

After four months of lockdown, in the midst of a tyranny, you start to look for a silver lining to grab onto, and seize to garrote the next person who questions mask wearing. (AK-wielding, or otherwise.) Personally, those who do wear a mask but not cover the nose deserve only a knee to the nuts. Hey, I’ve read the literature: having mercy humanizes us.

Gotta admit, my faith is being tested about there being an NFL season this year. I want the season to start as scheduled, but I do get the heebie jeebies thinking that the league will become the biggest infection pool this side of Jaguars Stadium. On second thought, the NFL gives me mostly heebies, unlike College football—that’s Jeeby-Central. Yeah, open the campuses. University students have spent generations never rubbing against each other.

In what I thought was Antonio Brown’s suspension being overturned, House Organ NFL.com reports “NFL embracing challenge of coexisting with virus in 2020”. It’s about Covid, of course, which explains the yooge letdown (“coexisting”) after the triumphalist “embracing… challenge!” I too love when the inevitable is cast as optional, grist for legendary grit. Here’s a link to the thing and allow me to add, for comparison’s sake, a more intellectually honest piece of #content.

Talons Out! Via @johanstrauss91

Today’s hot take is by Odell Beckham, Jr. The Pauls receiver told the Wall Street Paywall:

We’re not ready for football season. So why are we trying to push forward? It’s obviously for their money. And that bothers me because there’s always been this—and I hate saying it like that—but the owners’ [attitude is], ‘Oh we own you guys,’ and just kind of that unfairness going on that they don’t see us as human. I just feel like the season shouldn’t happen and I’m prepared for it to not happen and I wouldn’t mind not having it. (Via bleacherreport.com).

After the item came out, @MaryKayCabot clarified that Beckham did the interview two weeks ago, and that he “has no plans of opting out”. Today.

Incidentally, ESPN also reported today that the NFL opt out deadline “is now expected to be Thursday or Friday” (no link, for risk of Stephen A. video). 2020 in a nutshell: nothing’s certain.

Of course, this year Tits @ Donks is the second leg of the Opening MNF (The Jurrell Casey Revenge Game!). I still want it, as scheduled, but not at the expense of everybody getting Covid.

Wait—

/checks both rosters

Yeah… I can’t wish disease for anybody. Meh. Sports and politics were more fun when I wanted people to suffer and die.

Also today–on this day, I should say–a football legend was born. His efficiency in the last minutes left opponents awed and demoralized. Even when the defense guessed “Pass 2” correctly, Tecmo Bowl Todd Christensen (1956-2013) would make a 3-yard gain—at least!

Via tecmobowl-vs-rbi.com

Christensen shares a birthday with some Tampa QB who is not able to scramble the 1.2 seconds Super Todd requires for separation.

The Las Vegas Sun reports that the hometown Raiders will host no fans in their first season at Allegiant Stadium. It was in a letter from Mark Davis to season ticket holders.  The report alleges that it’s because of the pandemic. I can only hope investigative reporting gets to the bottom of this news so I can cash my “construction delays” bet.

Via Everybody and their social media account, The Rock bought part of the XFL today.

All respect for The Rock. Wives and GFs in the 35-55 range looove him. Your beautician’s opinion may vary.

Tonight Sprots—listen. I dunno if it’s an issue due to data collection from Safari, Chrome, or the not-pirated (honest!) version of Internet Explorer in La Compu. But I type “espn.com” and automatically get ESPN Deportes. Sucks for TV listings, but it keeps my life free of Stephen A. I owe you one, Universe.

All times Central / DFO Time:

NBA Bubble (via Sports MTV)

Grizzlies vs. Pelicans – 5:30, ESPN

Spurs vs. Sixers – 7:00

Lakers vs. Jazz – 8:00, ESPN

Fútbol – Secsi Mexi (Id.)

Atlas vs. Pumas, 7:00 PM

León vs. Monterrey, 9:00 PM

Based Balls (Via mlb.com)

Tigers @ Cardenales – ¡CANCELADO! Take note, NFL. This is how San Luis coexists:

Phillies (Arrieta, 0-0) @ Y*nk*s (Cole, 2-0)  – 6:05. Like to keep this slur-free. De nada.

Mets (deGrom, 0-0)  @ Bravos (Soroka, 0-0)  – 6:10

Pirates (Holland, 0-0) @ Twines (Thorpe, 0-0)  – 7:10

White Sox (Rodón, 0-1) @ Cerveceros (Anderson, 0-0) – 7:10

Royals (Duffy, 0-1) @ Ositos (Mills, 1-0) – 7:15

Giants (Cueto, 0-0) @ Rockis (González, 0-0) – 7:40

A’s (Montas, 0-1) @ Marineros (Sheffield, 0-1)  – 8:10

Dodgers (Buehler, 0-0) @ Padres (Paddack, 1-0) – 8:10

HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY! (info via nhl.com)

The NHL oUrgy continues! The top-shelf vitriol on last Saturday’s fútbol post moved me to watch most of the CHI@EDM Game 1. A whole day watching the NHL sounds grand.

Tonight’s Action:

Stars vs. Golden Knights (@ Edmonton, 0-0) – 5: 30

Canadiens vs. Penguins (@ Tirana, Montréal leads 1-0) – 7 PM NBCSN

Blackhawks vs.  Oilers (@ Edmonton, Chic*g* leads 1-0) – 9:30 NBCSN

Oof. That is A LOT of sprots.

If you’re still pining for silly, foreign stylings like MXC, may I suggest Vampiros en La Habana (“Vampires in Havana”), a Cuban cartoon movie from the 80s. Fear not, it’s subtitled and 73 minutes of whimsy and sticking it to capitalists pigs. It’s also NSFW (technically), politically incorrect (definitely), and the music is by Arturo Sandoval. In short,

All gifs via giphy.com