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Archives for September 2020

The Undefeated Presents The Stop: Living, Driving and Dying While Black

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ESPN’s The Undefeated will present The Stop: Living, Driving and Dying While Black on Sunday, October 11 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. The one-hour television special will examine the experiences Black Americans have with law enforcement and the long-lasting impact these interactions have on African American communities. Outside the Lines and E:60 anchor Ryan Smith will host the program, joined by college basketball/WNBA analyst and reporter LaChina Robinson, and The Undefeated senior NBA writer Marc Spears. Trailer.

The post The Undefeated Presents <i>The Stop: Living, Driving and Dying While Black</i> appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

ESPN Goes Between the Hedges in Primetime for No. 7 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia, Big 12 Showdown Set for ABC’s Saturday Night Football in Week 5

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Heading into Week 5 of the college football season, ESPN networks will play host to 14 AP Top 25 ranked teams, highlighted by No. 4 Georgia hosting No. 7 Auburn in primetime on ESPN. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Allison Williams are set to announce the action from Athens on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. In total, 26 games are set for ESPN platforms this weekend, and every matchup is available on the ESPN App.

The post ESPN Goes Between the Hedges in Primetime for No. 7 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia, Big 12 Showdown Set for ABC’s <i>Saturday Night Football</i> in Week 5 appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING WIN THE STANLEY CUP ON NBC

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Notes and Quotes – Stanley Cup Final Game 6 on NBC

Lightning Capture Franchise’s Second Stanley Cup with 2-0 Victory Against Dallas Stars in Game 6

“Incredible theater and incredible entertainment… The Tampa Bay Lightning were on a mission, no doubt about it.” – Eddie Olczyk

“He only played part of one period dating back to February, but there is no one who denies how important he was.”  – Doc Emrick on Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 29, 2020 – NBC Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final culminated tonight in historic fashion on NBC, as the Tampa Bay Lightning won the second Stanley Cup in the franchise’s 27-year history (also won in 2004) by defeating the Dallas Stars in a 2-0 shutout in Game 6 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. All Stanley Cup Final games were played at Rogers Place.

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, and Brian Boucher called the game along with Pierre McGuire providing reports and player interviews. Olczyk, Boucher and McGuire were on site at Rogers Place, while Emrick called the action from a home studio. Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones, Anson Carter and Patrick Sharp provided studio commentary during intermissions and post-game from NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Conn. John Forslund also provided commentary from Rogers Place during pre-game coverage.

Tonight’s NHL Live included a feature on Philip Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Keeper of the Cup. Pre-game coverage also included a feature on Tampa Bay forward Brayden Point.

Following are notes and quotes from the Lightning’s Cup-clinching victory:

POST-GAME

Emrick on 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs: “Concluding a two-month period of tremendous competition, unity among all the players, both in and away from the bubble. Game 130. Day 59. One team will get their names on the trophy, the other disappointed. But deep in the heart of Texas, what a gallant performance from the team in green…after (the Lightning) congratulate each other and get over the glorious shock of having won, they realize there is another noble tradition of all of this – and that is the handshakes.”

Emrick on Lightning captain Steven Stamkos: “He only played part of one period dating back to February, but there is no one who denies how important he was.”

Olczyk on 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs: “A lot of people said that the National Hockey League wouldn’t be able to pull this off – and they did in a big way with a boatload of help from a lot of people. These teams, these coaches, these players, these trainers, the medical professionals – incredible theater and incredible entertainment, with the understanding of what’s going on in the real world. A valiant effort by the Dallas Stars. The Tampa Bay Lightning were on a mission, no doubt about it.”

Olczyk on the Lightning: “No team had more pressure on them at the start of the bubble scenario than the Tampa Bay Lightning…they really changed the makeup of their club, they went out and got a little bigger, got a little tougher, got a little deeper…sometimes you have to have some adversity and sometimes you have to get knocked down, but the true colors of someone or some team aren’t when things are great but when things are tough, and that’s when you show what the hell you’re made of.”

Tappen: “The greatest trophy in all of sports being handed out to the team that deserved it most.”

Sharp on Stamkos: “Steven Stamkos was their inspirational leader…Tampa won the Stanley Cup without their best forward or one of their best forwards. That’s how dangerous this team was.”

Jones on the Lightning: “They put on a very good demonstration of everything they represented tonight. They defended well, they got goals, got goaltending, they were the better team, the best team throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and deserved to hoist the Cup at the end.”

Sharp on Tampa Bay RW Nikita Kucherov: “He’s been through a lot with this Tampa Bay team. A few losses over the years. I thought he was really impressive in this postseason, how he fought through some tough checking in the Boston and Columbus series, and you see by his body language how much it means to him.”

Carter while watching the Lightning’s champagne-drenched locker room celebration: “I go back to the other team celebrations. You watch basketball, you watch baseball, you watch football, and this is once again another example of why hockey players are the toughest players – no ski goggles. (laughter) Guys are in there toughing it out. The champagne’s flowing, the beer is flowing, that stuff stings your eyes, but hockey players are going without the goggles.”

THIRD PERIOD

Emrick: “And the Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Stanley Cup!”

Emrick on the Stanley Cup: “It is glorious, magnificent, the words don’t really describe it, especially when you get to hold it…the sacrifices that you make to somehow or another try to get that Cup in your hands and eventually get your name on it.”

SECOND INTERMISSION

Sharp on Tampa Bay: “They’re right there, 20 minutes away…I can tell you there is no fatigue, no injuries in that Tampa Bay locker room. They’re going to all have legs and be buzzing around…it’s a special time for Tampa Bay.”

SECOND PERIOD

Olczyk on strong play of Lightning: “Tampa can feel it right now. Dallas does not have a lot of energy here and hasn’t had a lot of energy in this second period. Dallas looks like they’re playing uphill and Tampa is playing downhill.”

Boucher on C Blake Coleman’s goal, 2-0 Lightning: “The Dallas Stars fan growing up gets one against his favorite team as a kid and makes it 2-0. Good job by (Patrick) Maroon to pick this off in the neutral zone and drive the center lane which opens up the passing lane…a terrific play executed perfectly by Maroon, (Cedric) Paquette and Coleman.”

Olczyk on Tampa Bay LW Patrick Maroon: “The hand-eye coordination by Patrick Maroon, who won the Stanley Cup last year in St. Louis, comes to Tampa…Maroon had just jumped on the ice, knocks it out of mid-air.”

FIRST INTERMISSION

Carter on Dallas C Joe Pavelski: “As a player in the locker room, you learn more from the guy sitting next to you in the uniform than the guy sitting behind you with the cheap suit on…the coaching staff can tell you what they want to tell you, but you learn from the players around you. You watch Joe Pavelski play the game. It’s not all about scoring goals, he blocks shots, he’s huge in faceoffs, his whole all-around game really talks about what he’s all about – winning hockey games.”

FIRST PERIOD

Boucher on C Brayden Point’s goal, 1-0 Lightning: “(Anton) Khudobin was not able to corral that puck, I think he thought it was in between his arm and his rib. It wasn’t. An easy put away for Brayden Point.”

Boucher on Stars to end first period: “Some positive momentum for the Dallas Stars at the end of this period. They don’t score, but they get some chances.”

PRE-GAME

Sharp on playing in a Cup-clinching game: “Some of the best advice I ever got was to try and stay as relaxed as you can leading up to the game. Trust when that puck drops, adrenaline will be going, energy will be flowing through your body…it’s something that is on your mind the entire game. Every shift you’re on the ice, the play you make could win or lose the game for your team.”

Jones on this year’s Tampa Bay Lightning: “They’ve been really resilient and bouncing back after difficult losses. In previous seasons, I’d be worried about Tampa. I’m not worried about them tonight. I think they find a way to get the job done. It’s a different Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.”

Sharp on pre-game mentality: “Lot of nervous energy, usually you hear that crowd going in whatever building you are in…these guys are manufacturing their own energy, their own intensity and it’s been really impressive to see throughout this entire postseason, the level of hockey we get to watch. It’s an empty building they are playing in, we have to remind everyone about that, looks like playoff hockey from where I’m sitting.”

Sharp on pressure facing the Lightning: “I don’t want to speak for the players in the Tampa Bay locker room, but I would think the pressure falls on their shoulders. The series at 3-1, everyone was counting out the Dallas Stars, planning the parade for the Lightning…they’ve had a full day to digest and understand they have two cracks at this thing.”

–NBC SPORTS–

2020 MLB POSTSEASON-BOUND CHICAGO WHITE SOX POST SIGNIFICANT YEAR-OVER-YEAR AUDIENCE GAINS ON NBC SPORTS CHICAGO

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2020 Final Season Average Increased 89% for Chicago Market Households (up 163% for Adults 25-54) compared to 2019; Highest White Sox Season Average on NBC Sports Chicago in EIGHT YEARS, including Digital Consumption Increases on NBCSportsChicago.com, ‘MyTeams by NBC Sports’ App, and “White Sox Talk” Podcast

NBC Sports Chicago also Announces its AL Wild Card Series Coverage Details including “White Sox Pre/Postgame Live” Surrounding Every Playoff Game,

Monday-Friday Airings of “Baseball Night in Chicago,” along with Expanded Digital/Audio Content and Much More

 

Chicago, IL (September 28, 2020) – NBC Sports Chicago – the exclusive, local home of the 2020 MLB Postseason-bound CHICAGO WHITE SOX – posted significant year-over-year audience increases for its White Sox game telecasts in both traditional television viewership and live streaming consumption, along with across-the-board increases for its White Sox digital/audio content offerings.

NBC Sports Chicago’s 2020 White Sox television ratings finished with a 1.78 Chicago market Household (HH) average, which is the highest White Sox average on record (back to 2012) and up 89% compared to last season’s final average.  In addition, game telecasts also delivered triple-digit growth in all key demographics, including Adults 18-34 (up 208%), Adults 18-49 (up 218%) and Adults 25-54 (up 163%).  Source for all television ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research.

On digital, White Sox live streaming on NBCSportsChicago.com and the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app posted year-over-year audience increases with the 2020 MLB season being the most-streamed season ever for the White Sox with average “Uniques” per game up 274% and average “Minutes Per Game” up 379%.  NOTE: Live streaming/digital data provided by Adobe Analytics.

On audio, the “White Sox Talk” Podcast presented by Wintrust continues to flourish in 2020 with year-over-year download growth up 68% and 2020 downloads to date already surpassing 2019’s year-end totals.  NOTE: Research data provided by Art19.

WHITE SOX vs. OAKLAND/AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES — MULTIPLATFORM COVERAGE DETAILS

“BASEBALL NIGHT IN CHICAGO” – With the #7-seed White Sox set to take on the #2-seed Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Series, NBC Sports Chicago will provide fans with extensive surrounding game coverage all week long starting TONIGHT at 6:00 PM CT with a special Baseball Night in Chicago: Playoff Preview hosted by NBC Sports Chicago White Sox “Insider” Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge), along with the network’s roster of White Sox & Cubs experts (re-air at 10:00 PM).  NOTES: Throughout the duration of the White Sox & Cubs respective playoff runs, NBC Sports Chicago will carry Baseball Night in Chicago presented by Jet’s Pizza every weeknight at 6:00 PM with Pat Boyle (@BoyleNBCS) hosting tomorrow’s show and David Kaplan (@thekapman) returning on Wednesday to host all remaining shows.  On White Sox game days when there is a timing conflict, Baseball Night in Chicago will immediately follow White Sox Postgame Live.

“WHITE SOX PREGAME LIVE & WHITE SOX POSTGAME LIVE” – Beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29) with Game 1, NBC Sports Chicago will carry its signature, surrounding White Sox game programs – White Sox Pregame Live presented by The Village of Bedford Park & Subaru White Sox Postgame – before and after EVERY White Sox postseason game with host Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien), along with featured analysts/White Sox legends Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) and Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35).  Taking place from the network’s new, state-of-the-art 4,100 sq. ft. studio facilities, White Sox Pregame Live will air 30 minutes prior to every AL Wild Card Series game providing a detailed game preview featuring pitching match-up analysis, position players comparisons, interviews with players/coaches, an overview of new playoff format, “Picks to Click” and much more.  Expanded editions of Subaru White Sox Postgame Live will immediately follow games featuring White Sox manager Rick Renteria’s postgame press conference and White Sox player interviews, a complete game breakdown featuring highlights and analysis from the studio’s “demo” area, along with next game previews, a look around the league at other MLB Postseason match-ups and more.  NOTE: Fans can also live stream all editions of White Sox Pre/Postgame Live via the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app (NOTE: fans located anywhere in the U.S. can download MyTeams for free on iOS and Android devices in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store).

NBCSPORTSCHICAGO.COM/”MyTeams by NBC Sports” app – Throughout the playoffs, White Sox fans can also visit the NEW NBCSportsChicago.com and the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app for 24/7 expert digital coverage provided by Adam Hoge and veteran White Sox beat reporter Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) featuring in-depth pre/postgame reports, player/coaches interviews, a special “Postseason Heroes” video series highlighting the biggest October impact players in team history, along with game highlight videos, special features, galleries and much more.  In addition, NBC Sports Chicago will provide White Sox fans with numerous, multi-platform content offerings on Facebook (Facebook.com/NBCSChicago) and Twitter (@NBCSWhiteSox & @NBCSChicago), along with a multitude of team & player facts/photos/quick video offerings via Instagram (‘NBCSChicago’). 

“WHITE SOX TALK” — On audio, fans can look forward to special “playoff” editions of the acclaimed “White Sox Talk PODCAST” presented by Wintrust.  Hosted by Chuck Garfien, along with Adam Hoge and NBC Sports Chicago’s White Sox content producers Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) and Chris Kamka (@ckamka), the “White Sox Talk” podcasts will feature in-depth White Sox discussion on the hottest topics and breaking news throughout the playoffs.  Fans can download all of NBC Sports Chicago’s podcasts at NBCSportsChicago.com/podcasts and simply subscribe to them via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.  The podcasts can be played on any mobile device, laptop, or desktop computer.

Please note the following game day pre/post specifics for NBC Sports Chicago’s surrounding White Sox/AL Wild Card Series coverage:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

1:30 PM – White Sox Pregame Live presented by The Village of Bedford Park – Hosted by Chuck Garfien, featuring analysts Ozzie Guillen and Frank Thomas, this AL Wild Card Series preview edition of White Sox Pregame Live will break down Game 1 in detail with pitching match-up analysis, position-by-position comparisons, along with player/manager interviews and more.

5:00 PM (time approx.) – Subaru White Sox Postgame Live – An expanded edition of Subaru White Sox Postgame Live, hosted by Garfien/Guillen/Thomas, will feature White Sox manager Rick Renteria’s postgame press conference and player interviews, a complete breakdown of the Game 1 from the network studio’s demo area, a preview of Game 2 and more.

6:00 PM (time approx.) – Baseball Night in Chicago presented by Jet’s Pizza – Hosted by Pat Boyle, along with analysis from NBC Sports Chicago’s roster of MLB experts, Baseball Night in Chicago will provide fans with a complete White Sox Game 1 recap, a look ahead to Game 2, along with a detailed preview of the Cubs NL Wild Card Series against the Miami Marlins.  BNIC will re-air later this night at 10:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

1:30 PM – White Sox Pregame Live presented by The Village of Bedford Park – This edition of White Sox Pregame Live will break down and preview Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series featuring a thorough Game 1 recap, Game 2 pitching match-up and position player analysis, along with player/manager interviews and more.

5:00 PM (time approx.) – Subaru White Sox Postgame Live – An expanded edition of White Sox Postgame Live will deliver a complete Game 2 breakdown, along with postgame manager/player interviews, a look ahead to Game 3 (if nec.) and much more.

6:00 PM (time approx.) – Baseball Night in Chicago presented by Jet’s Pizza – Hosted by David Kaplan with featured analysis from NBC Sports Chicago’s roster of baseball experts, this edition of Baseball Night in Chicago will provide a complete ALWC Game 2 White Sox game recap, an NLWC Game 1 Cubs recap, along with game recaps/previews for other MLB Postseason Wild Card match-ups.  BNIC will re-air later this night at 10:00 PM.

NOTE: NBC Sports Chicago’s surrounding pre/post coverage details for GAME 3 (Thu, Oct. 1, if nec.) will be announced directly on NBCSportsChicago.com and via Twitter @NBCSChicago & @NBCSWhiteSox.

NBC Sports Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, NBC Sports Chicago delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs multi-platform coverage, plus – massive cross-platform coverage provided by the network’s growing digital platform, NBCSportsChicago.com, the “MyTeams by NBC Sports” app, and its variety of fan-focused social media outlets. Fans can follow the network on Twitter via @NBCSChicago.  

NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events and original content to more than 35 million homes. Aligned within Eastern and Western Divisions, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia +, NBC Sports Washington, NBC Sports Washington + and SNY; and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago/NBC Sports Chicago+, and NBC Sports Northwest. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit www.NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

 

– NBC SPORTS CHICAGO –

2020 NBA Finals Exclusively on ABC: Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James vs. Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler

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NBA Finals Logo

ESPN will exclusively produce the NBA Finals on ABC for the 18th consecutive season, starting with Game 1 on Wednesday, September 30, at 9 p.m. ET. Three-time NBA Champion LeBron James makes a historic 10th NBA Finals appearance as his Los Angeles Lakers square off with the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler. The NBA Finals are presented by YouTube TV and will air on ABC, ESPN Radio, in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and on several ESPN international platforms. All games will emanate from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The full 2020 NBA Finals schedule is below:

The post 2020 NBA Finals Exclusively on ABC: Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James vs. Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

ESPN to Exclusively Televise Seven of Eight MLB Wild Card Series Starting September 29

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 ESPN will exclusively televise seven of the eight 2020 Major League Baseball Wild Card Series presented by Hankook Tire as part of the expanded MLB Postseason, from Tuesday, September 29 through Friday, October 2. ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise up to 21 games in four days, including seven games on September 30 as part of the first-of-its-kind MLB Postseason event. ESPN platforms will exclusively televise all National League Wild Card Series games and three out of four American League Wild Card Series games. All games will also be available to stream via the ESPN App.

The post ESPN to Exclusively Televise Seven of Eight MLB Wild Card Series Starting September 29 appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

BILLS QB JOSH ALLEN & 49ERS HEAD COACH KYLE SHANAHAN SPEAK WITH PETER KING IN THIS WEEK’S “FMIA” COLUMN

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“Allen has progressed from being a bright prospect with the occasional brain-freeze play to being a top-five NFL quarterback (it’s early, but he’s been that so far) atop a 3-0 team.” – King on Josh Allen

“Make no mistake, we’re happy…Excuse my language: I’m pissed off how we allowed the 28-3 lead to dwindle there.” – Bills QB Josh Allen on Buffalo’s Week 3 win

“People kinda counted us out, and that’s how we felt a lot last year…Our depth and our love of the game – I think those things really helped us through a tough time.” – 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on overcoming injuries

 “I think I’ve never seen better quarterback play in a season, collectively, than we’re seeing this year.” – King on NFL quarterback play through Week 3

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 28, 2020 – Peter King speaks with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan following both teams’ Week 3 victories in this week’s edition of Football Morning in America, available now exclusively on NBCSports.com. King also speaks with former Dallas quarterback and The NFL on CBS analyst Tony Romo, recaps the games and news from Week 3, and hands out his weekly awards.

Across NBC Sports this week, Peacock’s daily NFL programming includes PFT Live featuring Mike Florio and Chris Simms live at 7 a.m. ET, followed by The Dan Patrick Show at 9 a.m. ET, The Rich Eisen Show (Peacock and NBCSN) at Noon ET, Brother From Another, with Michael Holley and Michael Smith, at 3 p.m. ET, and PFT PM at 5 p.m. ET. ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest offseason news, and the Rotoworld Football Podcast and Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast discuss Week 3.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Football Morning in America:

JOSH ALLEN

King on Allen: “Can the pantheon of great young quarterbacks fit another one?…In the first three weeks of this season, Josh Allen, the bucking bronco from Wyoming, is kicking down the damn door to greatness and forcing his way into that pantheon…Allen has progressed from being a bright prospect with the occasional brain-freeze play to being a top-five NFL quarterback (it’s early, but he’s been that so far) atop a 3-0 team.”

King on Allen’s mindset: “He knows what’s important. The wins, of course they’re important. But the zits in the wins? You’d better address those now; if you don’t, they’ll end your season in January. To me, it’s impressive that, at 24, Allen sees the big-picture stuff like that.”

Allen to King on Buffalo’s Week 3 win vs. the Rams: “Make no mistake, we’re happy…Excuse my language: I’m pissed off how we allowed the 28-3 lead to dwindle there. I take that very personal.”

Tony Romo to King on Allen: “He has a very high standard of excellence. That’s the quarterback I want. When we talked this offseason, he forcefully asked me: ‘How can I be better?’ That’s what you want out of the quarterback of your football team.”

King on Allen’s offseason work: “His study started at the Super Bowl, when he asked Romo what he could be doing better, and they began a back-and-forth that continued through the offseason…Allen’s off-season tutor, Jordan Palmer, praised Allen for being coachable, and for working on his control, his deep-ball accuracy, and his touch.”

Allen on his offseason training: “I’ve kind of been tweaking a few things in my mechanics, and allowing myself to throw a better, more catchable ball. As much as I want to pat myself on the back, I had a lot of help along the way.”

Palmer on Allen: “To make drastic changes in your mechanics, you’ve got to be coachable, and you’ve got to be all-in on the right plan. Josh worked it every day.”

Allen on working with Romo and Palmer: “[Romo taught me to] feel your head is on a stake through the ground and you’re just trying to rotate it around and use [the torso] as an axis…With Jordan Palmer, we worked on how to be a more rotational thrower.”

KYLE SHANAHAN & THE 49ERS

King on the 49ers: “So impressed with the Niners. Without nine star-to-above-average starters for NFL Week 3, they had a bizarre week. With consecutive games at the Jets and Giants in the Meadowlands, they decided to decamp in West Virginia for the week to practice and wound-lick…The 49ers’ depth won those two games.”

Kyle Shanahan to King: “Last Sunday night, when we got to our hotel in West Virginia, even though we had the real tough game that day, we always want to enjoy a win… It was a little harder on Monday. That’s when you wake up the next day and it hits you a little bit more. Monday was a little bit of a depressing day. But then the quicker you get to the game plan, the better.”

Shanahan on overcoming injuries: “When the players came in Wednesday, it was just nice because they were totally different than how they were Monday…You start to see some of the guys we have on our team. The depth. The attitude…Everyone’s talking about injuries and how you got no chance with all the guys we’re missing.”

Shanahan on his message to the team this week: “I was like, hey, this NFL’s a tough league. If we don’t change our mindset on this, we’re gonna get embarrassed…A lot of the other guys we lost, we are gonna get back. We need to make sure that we manned up and had a great week of practice. I thought Wednesday was the best practice we’ve had all year.”

Shanahan on San Francisco’s Week 3 win: “It was a good learning experience for everyone. I just learned…our team likes football. People kinda counted us out, and that’s how we felt a lot last year…Our depth and our love of the game – I think those things really helped us through a tough time.”

KING’S WEEK 3 AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Week: Josh Allen, Buffalo, Nick Foles, Chicago, & Russell Wilson, Seattle.

King on Foles: “Foles finished three scoring drives with TD passes to Jimmy Graham, Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller – the Bears’ money men in the receiving game – and staked his claim to the starting job with a 30-26 win.”

Defensive Players of the Week: Shaq Thompson, Carolina, & Aldon Smith, Dallas.

King on Smith: “What’s interesting about Smith’s presence early for the Cowboys is how much he’s playing. Dallas isn’t pacing him – he’s leading the pack of great defensive front players.”

Special Teams Players of the Week: Stephen Gostkowski, Tennessee, Patrick O’Connor, Tampa Bay, & Matt Haack, Miami.

King on Gostkowski: “For the game, Gostkowski was good from 39, 31 30, 51, 54 and 55, and it sure seems a long time ago that he was a liability in the Monday night opener for the Titans.”

Coach of the Week: Matt Nagy, Chicago.

King: “The Bears are 3-0, and I feel quite sure that from Rockford to Carbondale, Bearsville is saying this morning: ‘How on earth are we 3-0?’”

WEEK 3 NOTES

King on NFL QBs: “I think I’ve never seen better quarterback play in a season, collectively, than we’re seeing this year.”

King on tonight’s Ravens-Chiefs game: “Since last Nov. 15, in all games, these two teams are a combined 20-1…Both teams have great and sufficient offensive weapons. Though I trust (Patrick) Mahomes a little more, I do think (Lamar) Jackson’s legs will make the difference when forced out of the pocket…Give me Baltimore.”

King on the Jets and Giants: “Of the NFL’s 32 teams, the Giants are 31 and the Jets 32. Though I’d say the Jets are 32 by a lot.”

King on the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols following Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell’s positive test this weekend: “The system put in place by the league and the players association works. It’s unlikely this will be the only time a player tests positive this year, but the checks negotiated by the league and union worked in this case. For those wondering how Terrell contracted COVID-19, I don’t know.”

Read the full FMIA column here and catch the weekly Peter King Podcast here.

The following are additional highlights of NBC Sports’ NFL coverage:

    • PFT Live with NBC Sports’ Mike Florio and Chris Simms streams live on Peacock from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET on weekdays, followed by The Dan Patrick Show at 9 a.m. ET.
    • The Rich Eisen Show continues on Peacock and NBCSN weekdays at Noon ET, followed by Brother From Another (3 p.m. ET) and PFT PM (5 p.m. ET) on Peacock.
    • ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest news and updates.
    • The Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and Rotoworld Football Podcast discuss Week 3 and look ahead to Week 4.

 

A new “Football Morning in America” posts every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com through the NFL season. It was announced in May 2019 that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

—NBC SPORTS—

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING CAN WIN THE STANLEY CUP TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBC

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Game 6 Pre-Game Coverage Begins with NHL Live at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (If Necessary) – Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC

Tampa Bay Lightning Lead Dallas Stars in Series 3-2

WWE Superstar and Lightning Fan Titus O’Neil Featured on Special Stanley Cup Final Episode of Anson Carter’s Hockey Culture

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 28, 2020 – The 2020 Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning continues with exclusive coverage of Game 6 tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Tonight’s pre-game coverage begins with NHL Live at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. All Stanley Cup Final games are taking place at Rogers Place in the NHL bubble in Edmonton, Alberta.

Eight-time Emmy Award-winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will handle play-by-play duties for Game 6 alongside U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Brian Boucher (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst). Emmy Award-winner Pierre McGuire will provide reports and player interviews throughout the game.

Kathryn Tappen will host tonight’s studio coverage alongside studio analysts Keith Jones, Anson Carter and Patrick Sharp.

Pre-game coverage on NHL Live will include an interview with Philip Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Keeper of the Cup as well as a feature on forward Brayden Point of the Lightning, who currently has the second-most points (32) this postseason, trailing only teammate Nikita Kucherov (33 pts).

With a 3-2 series lead, Tampa Bay can win the franchise’s second Stanley Cup (2004) with a victory tonight, while Dallas will look to force a decisive Game 7 on Wednesday night. Stars forward Corey Perry scored the game-winning goal as Dallas defeated Tampa Bay 3-2 in double overtime to avoid elimination in Game 5 on Saturday.

Highlighted quotes from the matchup are below. Click here for full notes and quotes from Game 5.

Olczyk: “The Dallas Stars a gutsy performance here in Game 5…an incredible hockey game. Theater galore.”

Jones on Dallas RW Corey Perry: “Corey Perry was the best player on the ice in this game. He deserved to score the game-winning goal. He was the most-noticeable and most-effective player.”

Jones on Dallas goaltender Anton Khudobin: “This guy has been one of the biggest stories of the playoffs and he doesn’t want his story to end just yet. The final chapter has not been written and he’s doing his part to keep this thing going.”

Emrick on Khudobin: “So many questions asked about his ability to play back-to-back games. Size, age and all of that. Question mark replaced by an exclamation point thus far.”

Last week, WWE superstar and Tampa Bay Lightning fan Titus O’Neil joined Anson Carter on a special Stanley Cup Final episode of NBC Sports’ Hockey Culture, an initiative led by Carter, dedicated to bringing equality and inclusion to the sport of hockey. O’Neil and Carter discussed a number of topics, including how O’Neil became a fan of the Lightning, his childhood and the impact he has made in the local Tampa community. Below is a highlighted quote from the conversation:

O’Neil on what his work in the local Tampa community means to him: “Being able to have a place where people can grow, learn and have pride in…there should be some sort of culture set…there’s so many elements that can happen with change, but the biggest thing we’ve seen is that there are so many partners in this community that care and want to see the work done.” 

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Senior Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs, Kim Davis, joined Carter for a conversation on diversity and inclusion in hockey last week. For notable quotes from the Hockey Culture episode, click here.

Following is the upcoming Stanley Cup Final schedule:

Date Coverage Network Time (ET) Commentators
Mon., Sept. 28 NHL Live NBCSN 7 p.m. Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones, Anson Carter, Patrick Sharp
  Game 6 – Tampa Bay vs. Dallas NBC 8 p.m. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Pierre McGuire
Wed., Sept. 30 NHL Live* NBCSN 7 p.m. Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones, Anson Carter, Patrick Sharp
  Game 7 – Dallas vs. Tampa Bay* NBC 8 p.m. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Pierre McGuire

* If Necessary

NBC SPORTS RADIO STANLEY CUP FINAL BROADCAST DETAILS

In conjunction with Westwood One, NBC Sports Radio will broadcast every game of the Stanley Cup Final. Kenny Albert and Joe Micheletti will call the Cup Final, while Steve Goldstein will serve as host during pre- and post-game and intermissions.

2020 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

Date Coverage Network Time (ET)
Mon., Sept. 28 Game 6 – Tampa Bay vs. Dallas NBC 8 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 30 Game 7 – Dallas vs. Tampa Bay* NBC 8 p.m.

* If Necessary

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS GROUP BECOMES EXCLUSIVE U.S. MEDIA HOME FOR WORLD CHASE TAG

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NEW YORK, NY (September 28th, 2020) – NBC Sports Group announced today an agreement for exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the rapidly growing sporting competition of World Chase Tag. 

World Chase Tag USA will now take place at The Roxy in Atlanta, Georgia and will be broadcast on NBCSN in an eight-episode series airing between November 5th – December 18th 2020. The competition premiered in the U.S.  on NBCSN’s December 2019 broadcast of the World Chase Tag 2019 event held in London.

World Chase Tag (WCT) combines the dynamic athleticism of Parkour with the age-old game of Tag. Invented by brothers Christian and Damien Devaux in the U.K., the competition began in 2016 and has quickly built a cult following around the world, securing millions of online views.

Two teams of up to six athletes battle it out in a series of 20-second Chases featuring one Chaser and one Evader. All the action takes place on a 40’ x 40’ arena filled with a maze of obstacles and platforms called the ‘Quad’ and features the best Parkour athletes from around the world.  (For more information, please see  NBCSN’s 2019 WCT Intro).

WCT has amassed a global following with more than 350 million organic online views, including 60 WCT related videos with more than 1 million views and 52 million organic views in the last 12 months on the World Chase Tag YouTube channel. WCT has 1.5M+ total subscribers across all social media platforms.

Gray Television’s Tupelo Honey will serve as the production services company of the partnership.  In July, Gray Television made a capital investment in World Chase Tag.

Christian Devaux, CEO of WCT stated, “Partnering with Gray Television and Tupelo allows WCT to tap into a wealth of strategic knowledge and production expertise that will elevate the competition to a new level creating an annual global league rarely seen outside the world of eSports.”  

Cary Glotzer, CEO of Tupelo Honey and WCT President added, “Everyone can relate to WCT since we all played it as young kids.  WCT’s successful model will provide compelling brand opportunities and entertaining digital programming with the best parkour athletes in the world and NBC Sports is the best partner to take WCT to the next level.”

Gary Quinn, Vice President, Programming & Owned Properties, NBC Sports Group said, “We’re excited to partner with WCT and look forward to further exposing the event and its world-class parkour athletes to fans throughout the U.S.”

Tupelo Honey produces and packages over 800 live sports and entertainment shows per year.  It produces coverage of sporting events involving the NFL, MLS, PLL (Premier Lacrosse League), TBT (The Basketball Tournament), ACL (American Cornhole League), College Football, College Basketball, NBC Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports, Turner Sports,  NFL Network, ACC Network, SEC Network, and more.  

In addition, Tupelo creates, develops and produces original programming, including live music concerts for Twitter, You Tube, Facebook and other digital platforms. 

Tupelo is wholly owned by Gray Television (NYSE:GTN), one of the largest television broadcast companies in the country, which also owns production companies Raycom Sports and RTM Studios. 

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP:

 NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com, GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, Rotoworld, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and a direct-to-consumer product NBC Sports Gold. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

NOTES & QUOTES FROM WEEK 3 EDITION OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBC

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“He is insane in the membrane right now.” – Chris Simms on Russell Wilson

“When the Patriots are (successfully) running the football, you cannot beat them.” – Rodney Harrison

“That tells me that Matt Nagy doesn’t really believe he has a franchise quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky.” – Tony Dungy on Nick Foles replacing Trubisky today

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 27, 2020 – NBC Sports’ presentation of Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season began tonight from Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La., with Football Night in America leading into coverage of Packers-Saints on Sunday Night Football on NBC.

Liam McHugh hosted FNIA from NBC Sports Group’s Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn., and was joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms. Due to COVID-19 precautions, two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison and NFL Insider Mike Florio joined Football Night remotely from studios in their respective homes. Jac Collinsworth co-hosted the show on-site from Mercedes-Benz Superdome and was joined by Sunday Night Football analyst and his father Cris Collinsworth.

In addition, FNIA featured the new film Black Boys, which is executive produced by Saints S Malcolm Jenkins. Dungy said of Jenkins, “What I love about him is action. They’re registering voters in New Orleans, feeding the homeless, job programs for young people. I just really commend him for doing things in the community.”

Jac Collinsworth also interviewed Packers RB Aaron Jones, who wore a sombrero.

Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) are calling tonight’s Patriots-Seahawks game. Al Michaels has the night off.

***

Following are highlights from tonight’s edition of Football Night in America on NBC:

ON PACKERS

Simms on QB Aaron Rodgers: “We are not seeing him coach receivers and saying go this way or looking over at the sideline like, what kind of play is that? He is very comfortable there and they are more aggressive. That is the biggest thing I look at. 18-for-30 last week, I love it. It means they are taking shots down the field…he is comfortable, the communication is right and that is allowing him to throw to the first read in the offense a lot. And I think (Matt) LaFleur has added some nice new wrinkles to the offense in general.”

Dungy: “Always a lot to love when you score 40 points a game.”

ON SAINTS

Cris Collinsworth: “You watch Alvin Kamara play the game, he is just one of the most electric players in football, not only as a runner, but as a receiver.”

Harrison on Taysom Hill: “He’s the best athlete on the field…He is a threat…Right now there’s a sense of urgency, you have to play your best players.”

ON SEAHAWKS

Simms on QB Russell Wilson: “He is insane in the membrane right now…Buying time, throwing perfect throws all over the place. Very impressive.”

Dungy: “I have not seen a quarterback play better than this…I am worried about that Seattle defense. Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind and they are winning on the last play of the game every week.”

Simms on Wilson: “He’s amazing, so maybe he can continue to do this, but I would like to see a little run game and defense to help him out.”

ON BEARS

Harrison on QB Nick Foles replacing Mitchell Trubisky and leading the team to a win: “It is Nick Foles. He came in and absolutely broke the Falcons heart. The former Super Bowl MVP came in and played well. He had three touchdowns, and if you are Matt Nagy don’t overthink it, keep it. Keep it Nick Foles.”

Florio: “I spoke to Matt Nagy after the game, he said he made a gut-feel type of decision to go with Nick Foles. And the coaching staff when they get back to Chicago are going to get together and make a decision going forward. Nagy said he doesn’t want to go back and forth on this. He wants to make a decision and stick with it.”

Dungy: “Let me tell you about those gut feelings, I had some gut feelings in Tampa, and I changed quarterbacks a few times. I never had a gut feeling in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning. That tells me that Matt Nagy doesn’t really believe he has a franchise quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky.”

Simms: “How can they not go back to Nick Foles the way he looked? … He has great presence in the pocket. He throws under pressure. He has got to start like Rodney said.”

Harrison: “It has nothing to do with gut feeling, it is the smart thing to do. Nick Foles should be the starting quarterback. He has experience. The guys in that locker room respect the fact that he is a Super Bowl MVP. Mitch Trubisky had three years and three games to prove himself. He is entirely too inconsistent, and I think the most important fact is his teammates lost confidence in him. When Nick Foles came in you saw, and coach talked about, how they rallied around him and they brought a lot of energy and it actually affected the defense as well.”

McHugh: “It’s not a gut feeling, it’s a brain feeling.”

ON BILLS

Simms on QB Josh Allen: “They’re never out of it because of this guy right now.”

ON PATRIOTS

Harrison: “I thought the Patriots did a great job of rebounding from last week, protecting the deep part of the field. When the Patriots are (successfully) running the football, you cannot beat them. As far as Cam (Newton) is concerned, he is talking about the preparation and the confidence that you go into a game with when you know that Coach Belichick has prepared you for that week.”

ON TITANS

Simms: “Ryan Tannehill has injected himself into the conversation for one of the best deep-ball throwers in the game.”

ON WASHINGTON

Simms on QB Dwayne Haskins: “He didn’t have the best day. Made a few plays but made some second year-type mistakes at the quarterback position. He’ll have better days.”

ON BROWNS

Simms on RB Nick Chubb: “They are at their best when Nick Chubb and this offensive run game get going. Nick Chubb is one of the best backs in the game right now. When they feed him the ball, they are a dangerous offense.”

ON CHARGERS

Dungy on playing QB Justin Herbert over Tyrod Taylor: “I say put him in there. He’s got so much talent. He’s going to play better as the season goes on.”

ON BENGALS

Simms on QB Joe Burrow: “They’ve got to do something a little more to protect this guy. It’s a lot of big hits through three games.”

Simms on the Bengals-Eagles tie: “Nobody wanted to win this game. They refused it. I think they were very happy with a tie.”

ON EAGLES

Harrison: “I feel bad for Carson Wentz because I think he is really playing behind a garbage offensive line. He looks scared to death when he is behind the line and it is forcing him to hold on to the ball, trying to force it in between two people. But I also look at some of the veteran players that they have. DeSean Jackson came in, he is old, you can’t depend on him, he stays hurt. I look at a guy like Zach Ertz, he looks like he is still upset about the contract situation. He seems like he is playing like he is pouting or something like that. These guys need to get on the field and become a lot more productive.”

ON JETS

McHugh: “As for the Jets, their fans might be looking ahead to the 2021 Draft.”

Simms: “Worst team in football.”

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–