Wrapping up the Super Bowl
Nobody needed a newsletter last week. It was hard to curate news stories with everything centering around the tragedy that happened in Kansas City.
It’s a shame that we can’t even celebrate our sports’ highest achievement without someone taking it into their own hands with a mass shooting. Nonetheless, I’m glad the Chiefs have utilized their platform and resources to help. It also looks like charges will get pursued.
Still, that tragedy shouldn’t upstage a successful first Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Minus all the expected traffic and confusion, it seems like the Super Bowl experience went well all week. Parties seemed lit and my media experience was solid.
The game itself went to overtime. It was only the second Super Bowl to do that. And it ended up being the most watched Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers couldn’t pull out the win for the West Coast.
It was hard to not root for them when they have a handful of players with California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington ties. For the 49ers, Sacramento’s Arik Armstead registered a sack and three tackles. Also from California, Tashaun Gipson Sr. and Deommodore Lenoir both chipped in four tackles. Fred Warner led his team with 9 tackles too. Christian McCaffrey added 160 scrimmage yards.
Los Angeles native Trent McDuffie registered a couple of tackles for the Chiefs. Chiefs safety Justin Reid finished with half a sack and four tackles. Ultimately, the Chiefs walked away with it and now we’re stuck in the Taylor Swift X Travis Kelce multiverse.
An All Star Weekend
The All-Star Weekend featured Bucks guard Damian Lillard taking home the 3-point contest. He was still shown up by Warriors Guard Steph Curry who beat WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. Lillard still scored 39 in the East’s 211-186 win over the West in Indiana.
The Oakland native and former Trailblazer took home the MVP. It is Lillard’s first time winning the award. The trophy is named after Kobe Bryant. I wish it was more competitive like USA basketball.
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, who once roamed the Cal hardwood, finished second in the dunk contest. Heat guard and former UCLA hooper Jaime Jaquez also participated in the dunk contest and Rising Stars game.
Kings forward Keegan Murray and Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski appeared in the Rising Stars game too. Texans QB C.J. Stroud, Former Lakers forward Metta World Peace, Inglewood SIR, and Seattle Storm All-Star Jewell Loyd represented the West Coast in the Celebrity Game.
PS From Los Angeles’ Four NBA All-Stars
MLS is Back
The LAFC beat the Sounders on the road to advance to the Western Conference Final last season. The two take each other on each other to open the MLS season on Saturday Feb. 24. Otherwise, Portland takes on Colorado at 7:30 PM PT and FC Dallas takes on San Jose at 5:30 PM PT. The L.A. Galaxy kickoff their season tonight versus Real Salt Lake. They play again Sunday at 5:30 P.M. versus Inter Miami.
MORE: Western Conference MLS Preview
MLB is loading
MLB spring training is underway. Outside of daily Shohei Ohtani updates it seems like the MLB has a jersey problem. Here’s the full Cactus league schedule starting with some Padres and Dodgers action.
MORE HEADLINES
Every week I go through hundreds of sources and pick out the best headlines about West Coast sports.
What’s the best way to organize this section? By sport or by region? Let me know in the replies please.
For now, here’s a big dump of the best links curated from hundreds of sources.
The Program that produced Scoot Henderson might be done
Dodgers on Las Vegas Radio in Spanish
Mariners could sign Matt Chapman
Warriors will convert guard Lester Quiñones’ contract to a standard NBA contract
Rams keep making coaching changes
How the 49ers can make more cap room
Raiders add more head coaching experience to their staff
Pablo Sandoval is fighting for a roster spot in S.F.
Former Seahawks and 49ers RB Mike Davis Retired
Matt Barnes no longer part of Kings’ broadcasts
California Native and son of Rams great Jackie Slater retires after historic special teams career
Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski is getting Austin Reeves comparisons
CA Native Hunter Greene gets ball through his window
Jimmy G. suspended and expected to be released
Antonio Pierce inspired to treat Mahomes like Jordan
Amazon Prime blew a bag on a playoff game
Sparks trade their pick for Julie Allemand and more
Phil Kessel chasing the Canucks
Joe Mixon says he won’t leave the Bengals
That’s all I got this week.
Great to see We Are West Coast Sports up and running.