The Rock Chalkboard

Kansas football target Kaleb Purdy set to announce commitment
Kaleb Purdy, who is the No. 45-ranked safety and No. 15-ranked Missouri player per the Top247, announced he will be committing to a college on Friday. Purdy, whose Top247 grade is 87, has previously reported offers from KU, K-State and Missouri, as well as Iowa State and Michigan.

Why Texas and Oklahoma want to move to the SEC? Follow the money
The Texas and OU move is the first step to creating super conferences throughout college sports. The SEC, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten have elite football programs that include Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, and Clemson. These conferences would almost emulate a mini-NFL development league by adding more powerhouse programs, with highly touted prospects emerging from the schools annually.

Big 12 Conference sends 'cease and desist' letter to ESPN: media reaction
The Big 12 clearly is not happy that its two biggest brands are leaving for the SEC, and the league is alleging that ESPN may have played a role in that. Additionally, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused ESPN of trying to get another Big 12 school to move to a new conference. It is a fascinating dynamic, especially considering the Big 12 and ESPN are currently broadcast partners.

Big 12 commissioner attacks ESPN over alleged Texas, Oklahoma conspiracy
"I am absolutely certain ESPN employees have discussed and provided incentives for at least one conference to raid 3-5 members from the Big 12," Bowlsby told Dodd. "In doing so, they are prepared to reward them with future television proceeds. If the conference goes away as an entity, Oklahoma and Texas could be relieved from their exit obligations. Those obligations at this time would include the payment of $70M to $80M -- two years full revenue -- per school and leaving their media rights with the Big 12.

Big 12 commissioner alleges ESPN conspired with SEC, American to lure teams from conference - CBSSports.com
"[There are] two documents that govern our members," Bowlsby told CBS Sports. "One is the bylaws, and the other is the grant of rights. The bylaws go for 99 years; the grant of rights go until 2024-25. ESPN has been behind these moves every step of the way."

Bits o Chalk

Swimmer Caeleb Dressel wins men's 100-meter freestyle; Bobby Finke takes gold in 800 free
Dressel claimed the first individual Olympic gold medal of his career with two furious laps of the pool Thursday morning, winning the 100-meter freestyle over defending champion Kyle Chalmers.

Big 12 alleges ESPN trying to 'destabilize' league; network says claims 'have no merit'
"I have absolute certainty that they (ESPN) have been involved in manipulating other conferences to go after our members," Bowlsby told The Associated Press on Wednesday after sending a cease-and-desist letter to the network.

Aaron Rodgers says he mulled retiring, wants more say with Green Bay Packers' decisions
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers admitted he considered retirement, detailed his offseason-long standoff with the Green Bay Packers and said he still isn't sure what -- if anything -- will change.

With support near and far, Simone Biles realizes she's 'more than my accomplishments' following exit
Simone Biles posted on social media Wednesday night that the outpouring of love and support she has received since her withdrawal at the Olympics has made her "realize I'm more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed."

Bits o Chalk

The Secret to ‘I Think You Should Leave’? Old Guys. - The Ringer
After housing Dylan’s burger, Professor Yurabay veers into even stranger territory, threatening to blackmail his upset students. (This is the part when he says “shit.”) And in a final flourish, Wilson delivers a punch line that’s too dirty for him to even explain to his grandkids. For Wilson, who’s had dozens of small parts on television dramas and in commercials, it’s the kind of role that he’s been waiting decades to play. “I was born to do that,” says Wilson, whose wife Marion helped him record his audition at home. “I was voted the most comical in my high school yearbook.”

The 'twisties' mentioned by Simone Biles are gymnasts' worst nightmare - The Washington Post
But then suddenly you’re upside down in midair and your brain feels disconnected from your body. Your limbs that usually control how much you spin have stopped listening, and you feel lost. You hope all the years you spent in this sport will guide your body to a safe landing position.

Some people in Missouri are getting vaccinated against Covid-19 in secret, doctor says. They fear backlash from loved ones who oppose the vaccines - CNN
"They've had some experience that's sort of changed their mind from the viewpoint of those in their family, those in their friendship circles or their work circles. And they came to their own decision that they wanted to get a vaccine," said Dr. Priscilla Frase, a hospitalist and chief medical information officer at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, Missouri.

Senate opens debate on trillion-dollar infrastructure bill - CNNPolitics
Over half of the bill — $550 billion — is new federal funding. It invests $73 billion to rebuild the electric grid, $66 billion in passenger and freight rail, $65 billion to expand broadband Internet access, $55 billion for water infrastructure, $40 billion to fix bridges, $39 billion to modernize public transit like buses and $7.5 billion to create the first federal network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

Reducing Climate Pollution Saves Lives, Study Finds : NPR
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions quickly would save tens of millions of lives worldwide, a new study finds. It's the latest indication that climate change is deadly to humans, and that the benefits of transitioning to a cleaner economy could be profound.

Following Vandalism, Kalispell Bookstore Raises LGBTQ+ Awareness - Flathead Beacon
On the morning of July 5, The Bookshelf in downtown Kalispell received a Facebook message from a nearby business: the store’s window had been shattered overnight. The window facing First Street East is one of several surrounding the shop, but it was the only one that displayed the Progressive Pride flag.

Bob Odenkirk is ‘stable’ after suffering ‘heart-related incident’ on ‘Better Call Saul’ set
Bob Odenkirk is in "stable condition" after collapsing on the set of Better Call Saul.