Your “The Holiday’s Over” Tuesday Evening Open Thread

NFL Nuggets:

• Because there are no rest days, Tom Brady began working out with teammates today. 
  • Granted, it was his center, his backups & a few receivers, but it looks like he’s already trying to get a feel for the new guys.
    • It must help not having a grumbling control freak in your ear constantly asking about banging your mom & ordering more drills when he doesn’t like the answer.

• Weekend Crimebeat! roundup:
  • Pleading not guilty:
    • Deandre Baker – to eight armed robbery & associated assault charges.
      • Released on $200,000 bail
    • Quinton Dunbar – to four armed robbery charges. 
      • Released on $100,000 bail.
    • Cody Latimer – to charges relating to assault & discharging a firearm.
      • There are allegations that one of the assault victims may have assaulted Latimer’s four-year-old son prior to the incident.
    • Ed Oliver – to DWI & unlawful firearm possession charges.
      • Who does he think he is – the Cardinals GM?

Finally, as refugees from the site formerly known as Kissing Suzy Kolber, we at [DFO] would be remiss if we didn’t note the passing of one of the OG female sportscasters, Phyllis George.

She was a pioneer in many ways. She was Miss Texas 1970, which led to her becoming Miss America 1971.

She turned those plaudits & scholarships into a journalism career, starting out by hosting the Miss America pageant, and then a stint co-hosting “Candid Camera”. This exposure led CBS to hire her in 1974 on a 13-week tryout, and the positive reception pushed them to create a position for her to co-host “The NFL Today”.

She worked there from 1975-78 & 1980-83, She interviewed many of the stars of the day, using her charm to get them to open up & then using her skills as a journalist to get them to answer questions.

before leaving to co-host “The CBS Morning News”, a job she only held for eight months before quitting.

In her personal life she was married twice – a short 1970s marriage to the Robert Evans, and then a longer relationship with John Y. Brown Jr. from 1979-98. Brown, along with Jack Massey, owned Kentucky Fried Chicken after buying the rights from Harland Sanders for $2 million; he sold his percentage in 1971 for $284 million. He used his money to invest in basketball franchises – owning the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels from 1973-76, and the NBA’s Boston Celtics from 1977-79. He served as the governor of Kentucky from 1979-83. He also partnered with Phyllis to create “Chicken By George”, an eight-item line of fresh, marinated chicken breast entrees that was eventually bought by Hormel, and with Kenny Rogers to create “Kenny Roger’s Roasters”.

George was a lifelong friend & devotee of Norman Vincent Peale, and created a quote out of his philosophy that she used to persevere as she moved from career to career:

Saying yes to yourself opens up opportunities that can take you anywhere.

Of course, she was also, on behalf of the Muppet Academy of Arts and Sciences, the first host of the first annual Muppet Awards!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ikoxm

Truly, she was a trailblazer, and her influence will be long-lasting.

Rest In Peace Phyllis George 🙏🏻. A true pioneer who approached her job with enthusiasm, empathy and humour. She was herself-charming and funny ..helped her audiences connect with some of the great sports figures of the day. Condolences to her family & all who loved her. ❤️

— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) May 16, 2020

RIP Phyllis George. She came to my house to interview me before Super Bowl 16. My son still remembers that day. We will never forget that moment when she showed up in our driveway . #kentucky

— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) May 16, 2020

Today’s good internet dog is Millie, a Husky who clearly likes her family’s baby & tolerates being posed beside it.

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1261472614058352640

Tonight’s … entertainment?:

• NASCAR XFINITY Series – 8:00 PM | FS1 / TSN
  • The Xfinity Series returns to action with a 200-mile race from Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
• After the Dance With Stephen A. Smith: A SportsCenter Special – 8:00PM | ABC
  • Stephen A. Smith sits down with Magic Johnson and other NBA legends to discuss their takeaways from The Last Dance.
• American Experience: “Mr. Tornado” – 9:00 PM | PBS
  • Pioneering meteorologist Ted Fujita transformed people’s understanding of tornados.
• The Story of Soaps – 9:00 PM | ABC
  • An examination of how soap operas became a dominant force in the TV landscape for more than three decades, and its impact on the cultural consciousness.
• Korea Baseball Organization:
  • NC Dinos at Doosan Bears – 2:30 AM | ESPN2

A whole bunch of not much. Tune in tomorrow for the premiere of JJ Watt’s new show, “Ultimate Tag”.