What You Missed Last Night: NWSL players stop mid-game to link arms, show solidarity
In the sixth minute of the Washington Spirit’s game against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Wednesday night, play came to a halt, and reserve players from both teams jogged on the field.
They all met at the center circle on the field and locked arms for a moment, making a powerful statement as National Women’s Soccer League games started again.
Weekend matches were postponed following a story in The Athletic that outlined allegations of sexual coercion by Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly against former North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley.
After play restarted, one of the games broadcasters read a statement from the players:
“The NWSL players reclaim their place on the field to honor victims and inspire strength in others of abuse and silence. This is not business as usual, we will not be silent. Teams will stop play in each of tonight’s games at the sixth minute.
“Players are joining together in solidarity for one minute in recognition of the six years it took for Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly and all those who fought far too long to be heard.”
Play also stopped at the North Carolina Courage-Racing Louisville FC and Portland Thorns-Houston Dash games.
Davante Adams’ phone
For a few hours on Wednesday morning, fans of many NFL teams were dreaming about the possibility of having cornerback Stephon Gilmore join their team.
One NFL player did too.
After Gilmore was told he’d be released by the Patriots, he shared a farewell message for New England fans and teammates on Instagram. Packers wide receiver Davante Adams responded with two words: “Call me.”
Instead of releasing Gilmore, the Patriots traded him to the Carolina Panthers. That led Adams to share a three-word tweet on Wednesday night: “He never called...”
Without expression
It was hard to miss one spectator in particular at Wednesday night’s National League Wild Card Game.
This Twitter user helpfully highlighted the person in case you couldn’t see him or her:
Is Mr. Baseball Head a Dodgers fan? Cardinals fan? We may never know because his expression never changed ever after LA won 3-1.
It was a funny thing to see at a game unless...
A Chance encounter
Candace Parker had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and helped the Chicago Sky book a spot in the WNBA finals with a 79-69 win over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 of their best-of-five series.
Afterward, Parker was met by fans, including Chicagoan Chance the Rapper.
“That was so raw, I can’t believe I just watched that (stuff) happen,” Chance the Rapper said.
Here is the meeting, and be warned he curses:
