Sports Roundup Oct. 1 – Oct. 12
Here is the top sports news from Houston and the world of sports Oct. 1 – Oct. 12.
Houston Texans
Week 4 – The Texans rebounded from their three point loss to the Patriots in Week 3 to blow out the division-rival Tennessee Titans, 57-14. The Texans were led by star rookie QB Deshaun Watson, who accounted for 5 total touchdowns (TDs) and tied an NFL record for most TDs by a rookie quarterback. Receiver Will Fuller, Houston’s 2016 first round pick, made his season debut after missing the first three games with injury and caught two TDs. Houston’s defense also came up with four interceptions on the game.
Week 5 – The Texans fell behind early to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and fell short, 42-34, despite a late comeback attempt in the 4th quarter. The Texans lost two of their best defenders, J.J. Watt (broken leg) and Whitney Mercilus (torn pectoral), in the first quarter and both have been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Watt played in five games this season after playing in three games last season. The Texans defense had no answer for Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who continued his career season by picking apart the defense in the short and intermediate passing game. Watson continued his excellent play by throwing for five TDs and no interceptions. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught a career high three TDs and Fuller once again caught two.
J.J. Watt – Per Watt’s Twitter and Facebook: “I can’t sugarcoat it, I am devastated. All I want to do is be out there on that field for my teammates and this city. I’m sorry.”
Houston Astros – The Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series (round 1 of 3 total in the postseason), three games to one. The Astros were led in game 1 by 2B Jose Altuve, who joined Babe Ruth as one of just nine players to ever hit three home runs in a postseason game, as they picked up the win, 8-2. The Astros also won game 2 by a score of 8-2 behind a solid start from Dallas Keuchel. The Astros’ bullpen could not hold up as they dropped game 3, 10-3. They bounced back, however, the next day by coming from behind to defeat Boston, 5-4, and win their first playoff series since 2005. 3B Alex Bregman tied the game in the eighth inning with a solo home run off All-Star Chris Sale. OF Josh Reddick soon followed by driving in the go-ahead run off of Boston’s best reliever, Craig Kimbrel. Closer Ken Giles closed the game for the Astros in the ninth inning as the Astros celebrated together on the field. The Astros will face the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series; Keuchel will start game 1 in Houston Oct. 13.
Houston Rockets –The Rockets acquired 9x All-Star Point Guard Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers June 28 in exchange for Patrick Beverley and four other players from last season. The Rockets enter the 2017-18 season with a lot more attention and hype than last off-season. The Rockets also attempted to improve their defense by signing two highly touted defensive players to come off the bench in P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. The Rockets are off to a 4-0 start in the preseason as they prepare for their first regular season game Oct. 17 against the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Other News
NFL National Anthem Protests –
Jerry Jones – After an increasing number of players have kneeled during the national anthem this season in support of civil rights, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that he expects all of his players to stand for the national anthem. Jones said that those who disrespect the flag will not play.
Roger Goodell – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to all NFL teams in which he stated that he believes that all of the players need to stand for the national anthem because of the importance of honoring the U.S. flag. The NFL is also considering a proposal that would require players to stand for the national anthem. Per the NFL Game Operations Manual’s current regualtions: “During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking…Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses.”
White House – Vice President Mike Pence exited early from an Indianapolis Colts game he attended because he said that he would “not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our flag, or our national anthem.” This came after President Trump said that NFL owners should say “get that son of a bitch off the field right now, he’s fired,” regarding players who don’t stand during the national anthem.
Also published on Medium.
