MOOD‼️

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!   As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.   Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.   I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.   And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.    OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.   We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.   I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.   I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.   And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.   Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.   Rafa that!   Best always, your fan, Roger

Holy cow. This is University of Wisconsin, Madison, where hundreds of young people are marching to polls with Yung Gravy, a hugely popular rapper among young people. This is huge. Gen Z are alright & turning out like never before. Amazing.

My college football coach shared this poem with me. It changed my perspective and how I approached practices and games. We are our own worst enemy. ------------------ The enemy I had, I didn’t even know. He followed me unseen, wherever I would go. He blocked my plans, he blocked my way, He countered me, even before I could say. Each time I would make the effort to try, He made me afraid, so I’d let things pass by. One night I caught him and grabbed for his mask; I wanted to see, I wanted to ask. But to my amazement as I looked at his face, It was me that I saw, and I prayed for GOD’S GRACE. The enemy who had been hiding inside, I finally let go of, and the enemy died. My new friend inside shares an exciting new way. He says “YES WE CAN” as we start out each day. Our SPIRIT in life is the KEY TO IT ALL. Our BELIEF deep inside picks us up when we fall. I can run LIFE’S RACE with a CALM INNER PEACE. I GO FOR IT NOW WITH TOTAL RELEASE.

When his little sister holds his hand… ❤️❤️❤️ Now don’t be crying folks 😉😁😁

Women’s basketball is about to change forever. The highest salary in WNBA history is $242,000. The minimum salary in the NBA is in $1.1M. Before you rush to the comments to mansplain revenue and viewership, relax. We know. The WNBA’s highest viewership in league history reached 728,000 in the 2023 Finals. Today’s average NBA regular season viewership is 1,620,000. Women’s basketball hasn’t generated enough revenue for higher salaries. But that could finally change because of Caitlin Clark. The NCAA Women’s Tournament reached a historical feat during Iowa’s second-round victory: 4.9 million viewers. You can hate on it or ignore it- but the industry is embracing it. Ice Cube and the Big 3 recognize the opportunity. Not just the viewership potential of Caitlin Clark, but also the generational impact she can have on the sport. After what Sabrina did at NBA All Star Weekend, and seeing Caitlin do what no other WNBA player has ever done… Ice Cube has offered Caitlin Clark more money today than an entire WNBA career would pay her. At least, that’s the case for now. If the WNBA really wants to pay the players what they’re worth, they must change viewership. And before you say it’s impossible, just remember… In 1980, the NBA was facing bankruptcy. Then came along a couple of rookies named Magic Johnson and Larry Bird who changed viewership forever, and helped players get paid. Then Michael Jordan did it. Then LeBron James did it. Then Steph Curry did it. Up next: Caitlin Clark.

Final from #SBLVIII.

CAN'T RAIN ON OUR PARADE! #DoItForTheBay

#Falcons Kicker Younghoe Koo has passed #Ravens legend Justin Tucker as the NFL's all-time leader in FG%.