Mickey Togs

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Now it’s time for the XFL, which kicked off its third iteration at Choctaw Stadium (former home of MLB’s Texas Rangers) in Arlington, Texas.

The first of 10 regular-season four-game slates opened with the Arlington Renegades rallying for a 22-20 win over the Vegas Vipers on Saturday and concluded with the DC Defenders’ 22-18 win over the Seattle Sea Dragons on Sunday night. 

The league co-owned by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a number of rule differences from those in the NFL, and those changes added intrigue to the XFL’s opening weekend.

Not only do football fans have the treat of spring football, but the XFL is treating them to an entirely new TV viewing experience.

The live feeds of both teams’ offensive and defensive coordinators calling plays — and then having announcers break down the terminology — adds a unique dimension for those who monitor the dueling strategies during a game.

It was also interesting to act like a fly on the wall inside the XFL Command Center where Dean Blandino, the league’s VP of officiating, relayed a review ruling to the on-field referee.

The New York Jets are going shopping, seeking to purchase or trade for a starting quarterback to add to a roster they see as missing that most critical ingredient. They will bring in free agent Derek Carr for a visit, although it is believed the Jets have their sights set on landing the biggest fish in the sea: Aaron Rodgers. 

Carr, 31, is certainly an option, given his track record during his nine-year stay with the Raiders, the only NFL team he has played for. 

The Raiders released Carr after he declined to waive his no-trade clause. The timing of the release allowed the Raiders to avoid paying Carr more than $40 million on his contract, which would have become guaranteed if he had remained on the roster. 

The Jets have no plans to go into the 2023 season with Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as their first option at quarterback after his disastrous 2022 showing. Rodgers remains under contract with the Packers, but most likely not for long. If he becomes available, he instantly would be one of the most heralded players to ever hit the trade market and the Jets would be there with an offer. 

Burger King is planning to invest more than $400 million over two years in advertising, restaurant enhancements, and modernization.

The chain’s owner, Restaurant Brands International, shared details of a plan it calls “Reclaim the Flame” aimed at accelerating sales growth and driving franchisee profitability. 

The investment is intended to modernize the Burger King restaurant portfolio and improve the customer experience, attracting more traffic to the brand.

Burger King said it would invest in premium branding to “reaffirm the elevated position of its flame-grilled Whopper,” in addition to building a chicken sandwich portfolio with the launch of the Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich.

It noted that, as the cost of food at home continues to face pressures from inflation, it will continue to provide “a strong everyday value offering in its menu.”

Pete Alonso, fresh off another standout season with the Mets, will be getting a sizable raise this year, as the first baseman and the team avoided arbitration and settled on a contract worth $14.5 million.

Alonso made $7.4 million a year ago in his first year of arbitration and isn’t due to hit free agency until after the 2024 season.

He led the team in most offensive categories, including homers (40), RBIs (131) and OPS (.869).

Luis Guillorme and Tomas Nido also agreed to deals to avoid arbitration, as did right-handers Drew Smith, Elieser Hernandez and Jeff Brigham.

Jeff McNeil did not agree to a deal, though the team and McNeil can continue to negotiate before a hearing.

For the second time in the last four seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions. Coming back from 10 points down at halftime, the Chiefs scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions in the second half to claim a 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

In doing so, the Chiefs became the second team in NFL history to come back from a double-digit halftime deficit to win the Super Bowl. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes also became the first player since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win NFL MVP and lead his team to a victory in the Super Bowl.

Mahomes was simply spectacular in the second half, completing 13 of 15 passes for 93 yards and two scores while adding a crucial 26-yard scramble on what would eventually become the game-winning drive. The newly-crowned NFL MVP completed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and rushed six times for 44 additional yards.

Each of Mahomes’ touchdown passes went to different receivers with tight end Travis Kelce grabbing an 18-yard score on the Chiefs’ first possession of the game. Wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore found the end zone in the second half with a first-half fumble return touchdown serving as Kansas City’s other entry into the end zone. 

For the Eagles, QB Jalen Hurts was nearly as marvelous as Mahomes throughout the game. He became just the second player in NFL history to rush for three or more touchdowns in the Super Bowl, and he added a fourth score through the air. On the evening, he completed 27 of 38 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown while taking 15 carries for 70 yards plus the three scores. 

The Brooklyn Nets traded Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster move. The Suns will send forward Jae Crowder  to the Nets, and Brooklyn will also receive Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and four unprotected first-round draft picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2028.

After the Nets traded Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks, Durant reportedly met with Brooklyn’s front office to discuss “the direction of the franchise and its ability to be a championship contender.” Apparently, those conversations were not fruitful.

Durant previously requested a trade with a strong preference to join the Suns with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Neither Paul nor Booker have won an NBA title, and the addition of Durant could have vaulted them to championship favorites.

Durant is in the first year of a four-year, $194 million extension he signed in August 2021 when the Nets had a Big 3 of Durant, Irving and James Harden. None of them no longer wear a Nets uniform.

The Kyrie Irving melodrama is finally over, the Nets shipping him to Dallas in the end of an era. 

Brooklyn traded Irving and veteran forward Markieff Morris to the Mavericks in return for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round selection and 2027 and 2029 second-rounders. 

Talented but troubled, Irving arrived in 2019 along with star Kevin Durant, whose status with the Nets will now be thrown into question. Irving was averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds, the eight-time All-Star brilliant when he plays. 

In the end, Irving’s unavailability outweighed his ability, suiting up for just 143 out of a possible 278 games in Brooklyn and seeing his relationship with the organization break down over the past two years.

Oakland may be out of professional sports teams sooner rather than later.

The future of the Athletics in Oakland has been in limbo for several years, but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred thinks a new destination is on the horizon.

Manfred told Sirius XM that he’s no longer optimistic they will remain in Oakland, and a move to Las Vegas is likely.

The A’s and Oakland officials had been in discussions regarding a new stadium as part of the Howard Terminal project, but deadlines passed without progress. Because of this, negotiations for the project have been pushed to next year, which A’s president Dave Kaval said would “all but doom our efforts” to stay in Oakland.

Quiznos combines the seasonal flavor of BBQ with premium burnt end cuts for the debut of the new Hickory Smoked Burnt Ends sandwich.

The Hickory Smoked Burnt Ends sandwich features carefully selected prime rib cuts smoked with hickory wood chips that offer a tender, juicy and flavorful bite with crispy bark, plus pickles, red onions, melted cheddar cheese, and Blue Ribbon BBQ sauce on a choice of bread, including Italian White, Whole Wheat, Jalapeno Cheddar, and Rosemary Parmesan.

You can enjoy the new Hickory Smoked Burnt Ends sandwich now at US Quiznos locations nationwide starting at $8.50.