A Madhouse in Missouri

February 6, 2020

By: Jeff Yoder

QUOTE OF THE DAY
Andy Reid

“Next year, we’re coming right back here. One more time, baby!”

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NFL

Party Time in Kansas City

Chiefs Parade Features Car Chase, Epic Speeches, Lots of Beer

Temperatures in the 20s, men falling out of trees, and a car chase through the parade route couldn’t stop this celebration. A wild gathering in downtown Kansas City took over the sports world Wednesday when the Chiefs paraded through town hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after a 50-year drought. QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce were stars of the show, but a few other not-so-law-abiding citizens also made headlines. Here are the pull-quotes from Wednesday’s feature speeches:

“How ‘bout 21 years… That’s how long it’s just been turning for my guy Andy Reid. It’s just been turning, and turning, and what we do? We unleashed a can of whoop-a** on everybody!” — Travis Kelce

“When I became the starter for Kansas City, the first thing I wanted to do was bring the Lamar Hunt Trophy (MVP) back to this organization. And the second most important thing I wanted to do was get the Lombardi Trophy for the greatest coach of all time, Andy Reid.” — Patrick Mahomes

After a pair of epic speeches from two first-time champs, head coach Andy Reid concluded the party by making plans for next year’s parade.

“Next year, we’re coming right back here. One more time, baby! One more time.” — Andy Reid

Additional Reads
FTW: The Best Moments From Chiefs’ Super Bowl Parade
Yahoo! Sports: Police Chase Breaks Out Along Parade Route
Yardbarker: Chiefs Fan Falls Out of Tree at Super Bowl Parade

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NBA

Finally, Iggy Gets Free

Heat Acquire Andre Iguodala From Memphis

Seven months later… The Memphis Grizzlies acquired Andre Iguodala from the Warriors on June 30 and he hasn’t played a game since. The reason? He had one year left on his contract at 35 years old, and he wasn’t risking the long-term for a team not contending for a title. Seven months later on the eve of the NBA Trade Deadline, Iggy is heading to South Florida to join the Miami Heat.

Trade Details

• Heat Get: Andre Iguodala
• Grizzlies Get: Justice Winslow (TBD)

The Heat were one of Iguodala’s preferred destination, and he reportedly agreed a two-year, $30 million extension immediately after the trade. With Jimmy Butler and a loaded roster of young stars, the Heat (currently 4th in the East) just added a veteran who’s been to five NBA Finals, has three rings and one Finals MVP.

Read More (Sports Illustrated)

Other NBA Trades (Wednesday)
CBS Sports: Kings Send Dwayne Dedmon to Hawks for Jabari Parker & Alex Len
USA Today: Warriors Trade Alec Burks & Glenn Robinson III to 76ers for Draft Picks

Trade Deadline: Today (3:00 pm ET)
*Other trades may develop overnight.

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NCAAB

Butler at the Buzzer!

#19 Butler def. #10 Villanova on Kamar Baldwin’s Buzzer-Beater (79-76)

A full night of college hoops centered around historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. The #19 Butler Bulldogs took down Big East rival #10 Villanova (79-76) on a Kamar Baldwin buzzer-beater. Baldwin finished with 17 points and a step-back game-winner he’ll never forget.

Baldwin’s Game-Winner (B/R)

Other College Basketball Highlights

Boiler Up, Way Up: Purdue continued its historic run of destroying ranked teams at home with a 104-68 dismantling of #16 Iowa last night. The Boilers have now beaten three ranked opponents at home this season by a combined 94 points (#5 Virginia, #8 Michigan State, #16 Iowa). (BTN)

Vandy Stuns Tigers: Vanderbilt began Wednesday at 8-13 and 0-8 in the SEC — dead last. They hosted 18th-ranked LSU (8-0 in the SEC) and put up 99 points in a stunning upset (99-90) to end a 26-game SEC losing streak. Junior guard Saben Lee erupted for 33 points, and it was Vandy’s first win since Dec. 30. (SI)

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NCAAF

National Signing Day 2.0

The remaining unsigned prospects in the 2020 class of college football made their decisions on Wednesday after 78 percent already signed their letter of intent back in December. Once the dust settled, Georgia still ranked 1st in 2020 recruiting edging out the latest title winners in Alabama, Clemson, and LSU. Here are the latest Top-10 rankings from Rivals:

Top-10 Recruiting Classes of 2020
1. Georgia (5-Star Commits: 4)
2. Alabama (5-Star Commits: 4)
3. Clemson (5-Star Commits: 5)
4. LSU (5-Star Commits: 3)
5. Ohio State (5-Star Commits: 3)
6. Texas A&M (5-Star Commits: 2)
7. Auburn (5-Star Commits: 0)
8. Florida (5-Star Commits: 1)
9. Texas (5-Star Commits: 1)
10. Tennessee (5-Star Commits: 0)

Additional Reads
ESPN: National Signing Day Tracker
CBS Sports: Georgia Locks Up No. 1 Recruiting Class
NBC Sports: South Carolina Holds Off LSU for 5-Star Recruit Jordan Burch… Maybe

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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

🏀 NBA: Raptors Streak Reaches 12
The defending NBA champs needed a 19-point comeback to defeat the Pacers on Wednesday night (119-118). Kyle Lowry (32 pts) and Serge Ibaka (30 pts) led the way to a franchise-record 12-game win streak. (NBA)

🏀 NBA: Clips Break Franchise 3-Pt Record
The marquee NBA game on Wednesday featured the Clippers and Heat after a massive trade announcement, but it was L.A. who came out scorching. The Clips hit a franchise record 24 3-pointers in a 128-111 win. Even a fan hit the halfcouft shot for $10,000 at halftime. (HoH)

🏒 NHL: Rangers Score Twice in 6 Seconds
We don’t talk much about the New York Rangers in The Sportsletter because they’re rarely doing great things lately, but you can add this to the list. Mike Zibanejad and Chris Kreider lit the lamp twice in six seconds — three total passes off back-to-back face-offs! (NHL)

🏒 NHL: Charlie on the Spot
Boston’s Charlie McAvoy scored his first goal of the season at the perfect moment on Wednesday night. The 22-year-old defenseman smashed home the OT winner to beat the Blackhawks (2-1). (NHL)

⚽️ SOCCER: Superhero Sonny
Tottenham winger Son Heung-min earned a penalty kick in the 86th minute of yesterday’s FA Cup thriller between Spurs and Southampton, and he didn’t miss. The PK strike put Tottenham through (3-2) to the fifth round. (ESPN FC)

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HEADLINES

Back Surgery Sidelines Yankees Pitcher James Paxton 3-4 Months
(ESPN)

Auburn’s Leading Rusher JaTarvious Whitlow Enters NCAA Transfer Portal
(CBS Sports)

U.S. Soccer Reveals New Jerseys for USMNT & USWNT
(Sports Illustrated)

Pete Rose Makes New Case to MLB for Reinstatement
(USA Today)

Derrick Rose Drops Out of 2020 All-Star Skills Challenge With Injury
(Bleacher Report)

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TODAY

What We’re Watching…

– NBA: 76ers at Bucks (8:00 pm ET), Rockets at Lakers (10:30 pm ET)

– PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am (1st Round)

– NHL: Penguins at Lightning (7:00 pm ET)

– NCAAW: #8 Mississippi State at #23 Tennessee (6:30 pm ET, SECN)

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