The Rock Chalkboard

Self Perspective Episode 9: KU-Oklahoma reaches triple overtime
It was only a matter of time until Self Perspective covered what may have been the best regular-season game — accounting for quality of play and teams, plus the closeness of the contest — in the Bill Self-era, if not the last several decades at KU.

Notebook: Three tidbits from the NCAA's latest response to KU
At the crux of this matter, the NCAA is arguing that Adidas figures acted in the direct interest of KU and fit the definition of boosters, and thus KU should have done more to keep them from their alleged illicit activity. (The enforcement staff even argued that KU "actually expected" Adidas to help in recruiting.)

Enforcement staff responds to KU regarding alleged violations
The original NOA alleged five Level I violations against the KU men's basketball program, as well as other Level II and Level III violations against the KU football program. The University issued its response in March, disputing the idea that Adidas was acting as a booster in the interest of the KU men's basketball program — among other sticking points.

Reuniting with Les Miles at KU 'phenomenal' for Eargle family
While a student-athlete at the University of Memphis, Eargle met his wife Kristen by happenstance. Kristen, a journalism student at the time, was looking for a football player to interview for a story meant for a media writing class. She called a football player she knew, looking to do an interview, but he wasn't around. Eargle was home and answered the phone. He agreed to do the interview and the two hit it off.

Les Miles: 'We're going to play college football in the fall'
“We’re going to play college football in the fall," Miles responded in the interview. "That’s what’s been said. OK? That’s the key piece. The schedule, now we’ve got to make sure that we’re safe with our kids. Our players, when they take the field, it’s got to be done with the idea that we’re doing it with them in mind. Yeah, I think you’ll find that will be the ultimate piece."

Bits o Chalk

Bryce Harper - MLB 'dumb' to keep major leaguers from playing in Olympics
"It is such a travesty to me," Harper said on a Barstool Sports podcast. "The 2020 Olympics, in Japan. And you're not sending big league guys? Are you kidding me? You want to grow the game as much as possible and you're not going to let us play in the Olympics because you don't want to [lose] out on money for a two-week period? OK, that's dumb."

2020 NFL schedule - Record predictions, analysis for all 32 teams
The regular season kicks off with the Houston Texans visiting the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 10 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). The opening doubleheader for Monday Night Football will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers at the New York Giants (7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN) and the Tennessee Titans at the Denver Broncos (10:20 p.m. ET) on Monday, Sept. 14. Check out the full week-by-week schedule here.

Sources - Super Bowl LV could provide the NFL a pandemic scheduling solution
There are not many trapdoors or hidden tricks in the 2020 NFL schedule released Thursday night, which is in line with how the league has conducted business -- much of it virtual -- this offseason.

Tom Brady's streak as favorite in danger as Buccaneers open as Week 1 underdogs
After the NFL schedule was released Thursday, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened as 6.5-point underdogs in their Week 1 road game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Caesars Sportsbook. Brady has been favored in his past 74 regular-season starts. It's the longest such streak in the Super Bowl era, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, and it appears to be in jeopardy.

Eraser Dust

GBI arrests father, son for murder of Ahmaud Arbery
The pair reportedly said they were trying to make a citizen's arrest because they suspected Arbery was a burglar.

Trump's personal valet tests positive for coronavirus - POLITICO
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that both he and Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for coronavirus after they were informed that a member of the U.S. military who works at the White House had tested positive.

Liam Gallagher shares new release date for 'MTV Unplugged' live album
The acoustic session, which was recorded at Hull’s City Hall last August, will now arrive on June 12th – featuring tracks from his debut ‘As You Were’ and follow-up ‘Why Me? Why Not’ along with Oasis classics ‘Some Might Say’, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘Cast No Shadow’.

Protests after Indianapolis police kill three people within hours | US news | The Guardian
Indianapolis police faced protests on Thursday after officers fatally shot two men and killed a pregnant pedestrian in three separate incidents just hours apart.

VE Day: How is it being celebrated differently this year? - CNN
"There is a very important day coming for us, VE Day, and I would like to commend those governments who have made the brave decision to postpone parades, to put health at the center," he said at a briefing Thursday, the UK's PA Media news agency reported.

'His head wasn't in the world of reality': how the plot to invade Venezuela fell apart | World news | The Guardian
The flaws in his plan were laid bare as two bedraggled ex-US special forces soldiers were paraded alongside other members of the ragged invasion force. Airan Berry and Luke Denman were captured at sea before they even set foot on Venezuelan soil.

Anti-vaxxer physician roils Flathead County Health Board, response to COVID-19 ~ Missoula Current
A Flathead County health board member who led a movement to disparage the protective safety orders and downplay the virus is now the subject of two competing petitions — one to expel her from office and another to keep her.

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