Tag: TODAY show

Rose Zhang joins ‘Today’ and ‘SportsCenter’ in New York City after historic LPGA debut victory

“I would describe it as a fairy tale so far,” said Zhang on ESPN.

Rose Zhang put off studying for a bit to take a media tour of New York City, stopping first at NBC’s Today Show Plaza to talk about her historic victory at the Mizuho Americas Open. The 20-year-old beat major champion and fellow NCAA and Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Jennifer Kupcho in a two-hole playoff at Liberty National to clinch an LPGA title in her professional debut.

Zhang, who has won 10 of her last 12 stroke-play events, told “Today” hosts she had more than 500 messages on her cell phone when she finally took a break from the madness to look.

“I would describe it as a fairy tale so far,” said Zhang, while making an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Monday afternoon. “It’s just been such an incredible week. I couldn’t have imagined, scripted this week in any better fashion.”

Zhang said she came into the week simply wanting to learn what the “real pros” do inside the ropes. The former Stanford superstar moved up 420 places in the Rolex Rankings to No. 62 in the world.

Zhang accepted LPGA membership after her victory, which means she’s now a tour rookie. Her next start will be the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol followed by the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach.

“I came into the week with a lot of media attention,” said Zhang. “There was a lot happening. The fact that I was able to prevail and full on execute what I needed to do on the golf course and come out on top – it really is just an incredible feeling.”

After a tour of Manhattan, Zhang prepared for her toughest assignment of the week: a final in CS-106A.

“Currently still trying to grind in that class. It’s been a little unfortunate for me,” said the communications major last week with a laugh. “I’m not a CS (computer science) major. Will never code again after this class.”

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Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Ciara author ‘Why Not You?’ book for kids

Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara just released a new book for children, named after their “Why Not You?” foundation.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara, can now add one more accolade to their already-impressive resumes.

The super couple teamed together to write a book for children called “Why Not You?” The book carries the same name as their charitable foundation – by no coincidence. The picture book, which was released on March 1, was illustrated by Jessica Gibson.

Here’s what Amazon has to say about the new release:

Why not you? Amazing you! You’re a winner! You’re so strong! You are perfect and important—you and all your gifts belong!

We all have big dreams! Sometimes it’s hard to imagine our big dreams coming true. But what if someone saw all the amazing and spectacular parts of us—our winning smiles, our fancy feet, our warm hearts—and asked, “Why not you?”

Whether it’s becoming a football player or a pop star or the president or a scientist: Why not you?

In this picture book debut, superstars Ciara and Russell Wilson encourage readers to see themselves achieving their dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. It’s a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and daring to shoot for the stars.

The Wilsons appeared live on the Today show on Tuesday to do a little self-promotion.

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Watch: Pro Football Hall of Famer just another college student these days

Favorite Notre Dame memory of The Bus?

If you walk around Notre Dame’s campus this semester you might have a chance encounter with a student who stands out just a little bit compared to his classmates.  On a campus full of Jeffs, Taras, Henrys, and Dawns, there is only one student named “The Bus”.

Well, nicknamed, anyway.

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and former Notre Dame standout Jerome Bettis is back on campus this semester to fulfill a promise he made to his mother long ago: earn his degree from the University of Notre Dame.

NBC’s “Today” caught up with Bettis and followed “The Bus” around campus in a feature that aired on Friday morning.  Watch it below:

The wheels on this bus certainly go full-circle.

Related:

Jerome Bettis through the years

Bettis remains grateful for time at Notre Dame

Why Notre Dame thinks they can pull football off in 2020

Notre Dame has had very few positive COVID-19 tests in the last two months and thinks football is still possible. Find out why, here.

With roughly 40% of FBS college football pulling the plug on the 2020 fall season, Notre Dame and the ACC remain scheduled to start games a month from today.

On the day Notre Dame opens fall training camp, the morning kicked off with Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly and start outside linebacker Daelin Hayes appearing on NBC’s Today Show.

The entire interview between Craig Melvin and both Kelly and Hayes can be seen in full below.

The biggest quotes from both were Kelly strongly sharing that “we believe we can play” as he detailed how thorough Notre Dame has been in using precaution to try and keep COVID-19 as far away from campus as possible.

Hayes shares his belief that essentially, if there is added risk in anything we do anymore, why not at least do what what we enjoy while being exposed to those risks, especially if players are under constant supervision and given weekly tests, like he says.

Full video of interview:

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I get both sides of the argument as to whether or not there should be games played and practices held.

If someone with COVID-19 plays football against a bunch of healthy young men then it’s inevitable that the between the blood, sweat, spit and whatever else gets passed along, that the virus will spread.

But if the players, coaches and staff have followed through with a plan and things have gone incredibly successful like they have, I have trouble with the thought that they don’t deserve at least a chance to play,until they prove they don’t.

I know we’re talking about a lot of 18-22 year old student-athletes and the mind of someone that age doesn’t always make the best of decisions.  So far protocols appear to have been followed with great success.

It’s easy to understand why the players and coaches believe they can pull this off, even while acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.  Obviously things can change in a moments notice with this like they’ve been doing nationwide for months, but until that time comes I fully see why the players and coaches so badly at least want a chance.

Watch: Brian Kelly and Daelin Hayes discuss Big Ten on the Today Show

Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly and lineman Daelin Hayes joined the Today Show to discuss the future of the 2020 fall football season.

Notre Dame’s Head Coach Brian Kelly and defensive linemen Daelin Hayes joined the Today Show this morning and touched upon many topics including the Big Ten’s decision, the enhanced testing the Irish have done, long-term health risks and more.

 

Notre Dame President Non-Committal About Football in 2020

Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins addressed the school’s plan to open up August 10 and shared his thoughts of football in 2020.

The University of Notre Dame created quite the stir nationwide on Monday when they announced that the school would welcome back students to campus in August.

It didn’t come without plenty of questions, however.  To give more clarity on Notre Dame’s plan to return students to campus, why the adjusted schedule and if there will be football this fall, Notre Dame President, Father John Jenkins appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show Tuesday to help give more clarity.

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Jenkins didn’t have all the answers, something he freely admitted and I’m sure the short “I don’t have all the details yet” won’t fly for a good amount of people but he did give a strong explanation as to why the schedule has been adjusted to have an extended break after Thanksgiving through New Years.

Jenkins non-commitment to football and sports being played in the fall is also somewhat surprising to me.  I wasn’t expecting a full “Games will be played and fans will be in the stands!” but Jenkins came off more reserved than I was thinking he would.

Hopefully it’s just Jenkins being cautious with words and trying to not have anything come back to bite him down the road.  After NCAA President Mark Emmert’s comments that sports wouldn’t be played if students weren’t on campus though, this is a good first step.

Drew Brees discusses coronavirus relief efforts on Good Morning America, Today Show

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees discussed his $5 million donation to coronavirus relief on Good Morning America and the TODAY Show

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees made waves this week by announcing his donation of $5 million towards coronavirus relief in Louisiana, partnering with restaurants for free meal deliveries to needy families while also pledging funds to local hospitals.

Brees made several media appearances in the wake of this announcement, joining noted Saints fan Robyn Roberts on ABC’s “Good Morning America” program. He also spoke with the TODAY Show’s Hoda Kotb, who was moved to tears when discussing Brees’ big gesture.

It goes to show the impact of what Brees is doing to help his community. He also appeared in a public service announcement from the NFL along with several of his Saints teammates and coach Sean Payton, advocating for the need to stay home and avoid spreading coronavirus infections. Here’s hoping others follow their lead.

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Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett shares redemptive story on Today Show

Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett appeared on the Today Show to promote his book and share his redemption story.

If you’re old enough to remember, you know the story of Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett well. Even if you’re not old enough, you probably know it. Clarett exploded on the scene as a dynamic freshman and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship against the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl back in January of 2003.

From there, things got hairy. Clarett challenged the NFL’s rule of early eligibility, lost, then got into some trouble with the NCAA before spiraling out of control and in jail because of some deeper and more serious trouble with the law.

But his story didn’t end there, and it’s one that needs to be shared. Clarett is doing amazing things to write a new chapter to his life. He has a not-for-profit that’s flourishing, uses his life experience to speak on countless engagements to help others as a motivational speaker, and shares inspirational moments on social media that others have found refreshing and raw.

Now he’s shared it all in a book titled “One and Done.” It’s his redemption story as an autobiography, and it’s one you should check out. Not just because you’re an Ohio State fan, but because it’s a gripping story and one that anybody who is going through tough times can relate to.

Clarett appeared on the Today Show Monday to help promote his book and tell his story. And if you didn’t get to see it, there’s no denying how genuine and reborn he is.

So take a moment out of your day and watch the short segment of him sharing some details of where he was and what he made of himself. It’s truly worth it. If Clarett can not let a past define who he is, others can do it too.

Count me as a believer in who Clarett is today, and what he’s doing to make a difference in this crazy world. Hopefully you are in that camp as well.