‘Nightcaps’ is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday-Friday on OutKick.com.
Folks, I am counting my lucky stars over here.
Over the weekend, my husband was pulling his work trailer out of our garage when — unbeknownst to him — the garage door got hooked on a 32-foot ladder tied to the top of the trailer.
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You can probably already guess how this ends. The frame was busted, and the whole garage door was ripped off its tracks and bent all to hell. Disaster.
Of course, home ownership is a constant string of unexpected expenses, but we thought for sure this was going to be a few-thousand-dollar mistake. Not great anytime but especially not great two months before our Costa Rica trip.
We braced our wallets for impact.
But in a remarkable stroke of good fortunate, a technician came out this morning, saved the garage door, put it all back together again and added a new seal … for $175! Consider my flabbers gasted. I thought I was being punked.
Anyway, this isn’t an ad for an overhead door company. But it is an explanation for why I’m in one heck of a good mood today. I feel like I just hit the lottery.
So crack yourself a celebratory beer on my behalf, and let’s get to some Nightcaps.
Pat McAfee saves Josh Allen from potential PR disaster
Man, what an absolute snoozer of a Monday Night Football game that was. Carson Wentz… woof.
You know, in past years, it would make me absolutely sick to see the Bills dominate like that. As a Dolphins fan, I mean. But this year? The tank is on, and my stress is gone.
It’s such a freeing feeling to have zero expectations whatsoever.
Josh Allen took some time for photos after defeating the Vikings on Monday, including one with an opposing player’s kids. (Matt Krohn-Imagn Images)
Besides, at least Josh Allen is likable. So likable, in fact, that the families of opposing players are cheering for him and hounding him for photos.
After last night’s game, the son of Vikings’ long snapper Andrew DePaola took off his dad’s jersey to reveal a Bills shirt underneath.
Unbelievable stuff. If you’re DePaola can you even be mad, though? I mean, he’s a former MVP and, well, you’re a long snapper.
No offense to long snappers, of course.
The kid is one thing. But when DePaola’s WIFE chased Josh down for a selfie… yikes.
Now I’m not a WAG, so I don’t know the etiquette. But is it standard for players’ wives and girlfriends to be out there fan-girling? To me, it feels very — I don’t know — unprofessional? Sort of like media members taking selfies with players or asking for autographs — which does happen sometimes, but it is taboo.
Anyway, while we’re on the topic of Josh Allen, how about Pat McAfee absolutely saving his butt during the pregame show?
In case it wasn’t immediately apparent, Josh approaches McAfee during a live hit, and before Josh can say anything, McAfee lets him know over and over they are live on television.
This is akin to warning your buddy he’s on speakerphone or that you’re talking to him through the Bluetooth in your car.
Of course, that’s not to assume Josh was going to say anything offensive or vulgar. Maybe he was going in with a simple, “Good evening, gentlemen, lovely weather we’re having!”
But more than likely McAfee was anticipating something a little more colorful. So good on him for saving his friend from the hot mic.
The internet has enough to be fake outraged about without Josh Allen dropping an F-bomb or a d-ck joke or something.
Dianna Russini is back doing… whatever this is
Look, we knew Dianna Russini would eventually land on her feet after that whole Mike Vrabel scandal. It was just a matter of which outlet was going to be brave enough to hire her.
Enter BetUS. Whatever the heck that is. I guess one of the 472 options for online sportsbooks we have these days.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini was photographed for 201 Magazine at Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, N.J., on Aug. 24, 2020. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
She’s getting a show called “The Russini Report,” which debuts tomorrow. And I’ve got to be honest with you guys — the production value could be better.
Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so.
I know Bobby Burack wrote a whole column on this yesterday, but the way in which this woman is just blatantly rejecting all accountability for her role in the affair is mind blowing.
PEOPLE did an interview with her, and during the interview, she repeatedly played the victim card. And at one point, she said she hoped her resiliency could be an inspiration to other women.
I think Dustin here says it best.
We can make fun all we want, by the way, but the fact is this show is going to do NUMBERS. At least the first few episodes will. Because we’ll all tune in out of sheer morbid curiosity.
But hey, whatever cashes those checks, I guess.
Let’s open the mailbag.
📩 Email: amber.harding@outkick.com (Send your thoughts, stories, tips, rants and photos of your dog.)
🐦 Twitter/X: @TheAmberHarding
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Meet our Nightcaps good dogs of the week
While all of you were watching election returns last Tuesday, my husband, our dog and I were tucked away in a cozy nature retreat in Sparta, Tennessee — avoiding all forms of email, work and depressing news coverage.
Just a little slice of paradise.
It even had one of those Japanese toilets! IYKYK.
The hiking was a little rainy, but the fall colors were on point.
And since you guys always like to know what Rocky is up to, here’s him living his best life at Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park.
Now let’s check in with the dogs y’all sent me this week.
Drew in Katy, Texas writes: Three dogs won’t leave their buddy behind.
Jon C. writes: Thought you might enjoy this. Not sure if you’ve heard of this magazine but think of it as an up scale version of Southern Living. Every year they have a Good Dog photo contest often with hilarious winners. And each issue has a Good Dog story. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess your favorite will be the Reader’s Choice runner-up.
Bob H. from Cincy writes: Our little pup Lucy has a seat next to my desk so she can see outside but also can see my monitors. She loves Tuesdays and the dog pictures. Please keep ‘em.
Bob’s dog, Lucy. (OutKick Nightcaps / Bob H. in Cincy)
Craig G. writes: My dogs everyday at the office.
Craig G.’s dogs, Duke and Charlie — one of whom has apparently claimed his desk. (OutKick Nightcaps / Craig G.)
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Amber:
Mad respect to Craig’s dog just making himself at home on the desk. Probably the best paperweight ever.
And now, friends, I’ll leave you with this — a parachuting pooch named Ronin.