by Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. I don’t know how to feel after the Giants drew for the second time in my life.
In today’s SI:AM:
đ “The boos rained down…”
đșđž Where the USMNT goes from here
đ GeorgiaâOhio State and MichiganâTCU
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Watson’s return
Deshaun Watson on the field yesterday for the first time in two years in an NFL regular-season game â 700 days to be exact. Aside from the three series he spent under center during the preseason, Watson hadn’t seen any action since charged with sexual harassment and sexual assault by more than two dozen women.
And the layoff could have been longer had a letter written on behalf of the NFLPA not been received from sports illustrated‘s Gary Gramling and Alex Prewitt, who shed some light on why the league settled with Watson pushing harder for the desired one-year suspension. The exclusive coverage details the union’s tactics in defending Watson, including the launch of a potential lawsuit. Because this was the first time the collective bargaining agreement’s new policy process for personal conduct had been applied, the NFLPA viewed the situation as a way to “curb [commissioner Roger] Goodell previously held essentially the powers of judge, jury and executioner in all matters of personal conduct,â write Gramling and Prewitt.
But if you want to focus solely on football, Watson was amazing. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 131 yards and threw an interception against a lousy Texan defense. The Browns’ offense only managed two field goals Cleveland won 27-14 thanks to three touchdowns on defense and special teams. As Conor Orr writes, he was rusty:
Most of Watson’s 22 throws were scatter shots. He looked visibly uncomfortable, a step too slow and somehow unwilling to run in the open field. The Browns, as predicted, relied heavily on a running game and defense to beat the NFL’s worst team, the 1-10-1 Texans. They did not score an offensive touchdown. Watson completed just 12 passes for 131 yards. He was picked up in the end zone and Nick Chubb was dropped for safety. The cheap, simple glee to the many people rooting against the Browns was as easy to buy as a homemade, unlicensed shirt sold in the parking lot.
But there’s more to consider than just the game on the field, Naturally. Albert Breer was in Houston, where he expected a tense atmosphere, not only because of Watson’s controversial return to the field, but also given his return to the city where he began his career. There were no major protests, but Breer did witness a notable interaction between Texas owner Cal McNair and his wife:
There stood McNair’s wife Hannah. She wore purple shoes adorned with the logos of the Houston Area Women’s Center, a facility that cares for local victims of sexual and domestic violence, as part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats campaign. She also wore a purple dress as a sign of solidarity with these women.
As Watson approached her husband, she subtly turned her back on the quarterback. My understanding is that it wasn’t a coincidence.
(Breer’s report from Houston is today’s Daily Cover and focuses on the scenes around the stadium when Watson returned and his teammates’ reactions to his debut.)
Watson won’t be able to escape the allegations against him but with his debut in the past the discussion will eventually turn to football. The contract the Browns gave him, designed specifically to limit the financial impact of an inevitable suspension, was shameful. The question arises whether there is also a poor decision on the field to give up six draft picks and sign him for $230m fully guaranteed. One wonders, writes Orr, whether Watson’s play will end up being worth the backlash associated with his takeover. It didn’t look like it yesterday afternoon in Houston.
The best of sports illustrated
Richard Johnson previews the playoff match between TCU and Michigan and Ross Dellenger previews the match between Georgia and Ohio State. … Pat Forde is glad the CFP committee didn’t bow to the SEC’s bias and knock the Horned Frogs out of the playoffs. … However, there’s a lot to look forward to in this year’s bowl season beyond the playoffs. … With the USMNT now eliminated from the World Cup, Brian Straus looks ahead to 2026. … Jonathan Wilson was most impressed with 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham after England’s win over Senegal.
Jim Harbaugh says he’ll be back in Michigan next season amid rumors NFL teams were interested in hiring him. … Colorado’s athletic director said the school doesn’t yet have the money to pay Deion Sanders as the new football coach. … Jimmy Garoppolo is done for the year after breaking his foot. … Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is said to be making a move. … Cincinnati is reportedly hiring Louisville coach Scott Satterfield. (An odd wrinkle: These schools play each other in the Fenway Bowl.)
Top 5…
⊠things I saw yesterday:
5. The Stars’ four third-half goals to force overtime against the Wild. (Minnesota won in a shootout.)
4. Jose Alvarado’s Pelicans teammates showered him after he posted a career-high with 38 points on the bench.
3. Kylian MbappĂ©’s two goals for France against Poland.
2. Donovan Peoples-Jones’ 76-yard punt return touchdown.
1. This crazy game that earned a Washington high school football team a state championship.
SIQ
Which of the following legendary NHL trophies was Not stolen from the hockey hall of fame 52 years ago this week?
- Vezina Trophy
- Stanley cup
- Bill Masterton Trophy
- Conn Smythe Trophy
SIQ from Friday: Which team did Patrick Roy shine with nine goals in his last game for the Canadiens, prompting him to call for a trade during the game?
- whaler
- maple leaves
- ranger
- red wings
Answers: Red wings. Roy allowed five goals in the first half and couldn’t believe he wasn’t being drawn when the second half started. During this time, Roy routinely saved a long-range shot and received sarcastic cheers from Montreal viewers. He allowed a further four goals in the second half before coach Mario Tremblay mercifully benched him. Here’s how SI’s Michael Farber described what happened next:
As Roy ran away, he removed his mask and walked past Tremblay to the substitute goalkeeper’s stool at the other end of the bench. Tremblay glared at him. Roy glared at him. If looks could kill, it would have been double homicide. Roy then turned, looked at Tremblay again and walked past him [team president Ronald] Corey, seated behind the bench in the traditional and intrusive Section 105 seat of Canadian bosses. “This is my last game for Montreal,” Roy told Corey. Then Roy stomped back to the stool, turned to Tremblay and said, ‘T’as compris, ‘stie [Didâya understand, dammit]?â Roy and Tremblay had a screaming match in the dressing room after the period. The next day, the Canadiens announced that Roy was suspended and would be traded.
Roy was a Montreal icon, having led the Habs to two Stanley Cups (1986 and 1993) and winning three Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender. But he didn’t like Tremblay, who had been teammates with Roy and was in his first season as Montreal head coach. The Detroit game was the last straw.
Roy was quickly traded to Avalanche just four days after the Red Wings game.
“Three days ago was a sad time for me,” Roy said immediately after the deal. “Today is a happy moment. Colorado was my first choice for many reasons.â
Roy, who grew up a fan of the Quebec Nordiques (who moved to Denver and became Avalanche), was right about going to Colorado. After upgrading their goaltender, the Avs won the Stanley Cup that season.
Check out more from SIs archives and historical images at vault.si.com.
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