1. Ned’s Back!

Back in my grade school days, I watched a show called Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and I’m sure many of you who are about my age did the same. It was a wacky and, sometimes, cheesy show but it was definitely one I enjoyed. Now, about nine years after it ended, the show is getting a web series spin-off thanks to the title character himself. Ned Bigby, also known as Devon Werkheiser in real life, has started a series on YouTube called Devon’s Life Survival Guide. As opposed to talking about school-related stuff, Werkheiser provides viewers with his takes and advice on some great topics. The first two episodes of the series premiered on Monday and a new episode will be released each Monday thereafter. Trust me, they’re worth a watch whether you’re a lifelong Ned fan or not.

Check it out here!

2. Super Bowl Bound

The Carolina Panthers are going to Super Bowl 50! In case you missed it, I wrote a more in-depth post about this on Monday so be sure to check it out. With the Super Bowl berth comes quite the amount of scrutiny. For the Panthers, however, this has been a common theme for the 2015-16 season. From Cam Newton, to the wide receivers and beyond it seems like people pick something to criticize the team for each week, with the brunt of the criticism and, yes, hate tending to go to Cam. Whether it’s because of his talent, celebrations, race or a combination of the three – I could write a post about just this alone – there is no doubt that some just don’t like the “Cam Newton-style” of football. Let me tell you, I love it and I think the criticism I see spewing out of the mouths of haters is quite comical.

Need not look any further than a petition started up by Andrew Tilton, a Seahawks fan, to ban Cam from the team’s home field. Tilton called for the Seahawks to ban Cam because he’s “one of the most unprofessional, unsportsmanlike individuals on the face of the planet.” Tilton went on to say that, “for the 2016-2017 [season] when the Panthers come to play in Seattle he should be banned from entering the stadium. This should teach him to put his arrogance in check!” The craziest part about this whole thing is more than 2,000 people have signed the petition.

Seriously?

See, this is exactly what I’m talking about. So what if Cam is confident or arrogant? He’s a heck of a player and I love what he does. Plus, he continually gives back to the community. No, I’m not talking about giving touchdown footballs to excited kids in the stands. I mean true service to the community. Look it up. I don’t get why people are so bent out of shape about what Cam does on the field. When he celebrates, he never gets in the face of the opponent. He also makes the rest of the team confident with him. Where’s the criticism for Aaron Rodgers doing his “Championship Belt” dance? Where’s the criticism for Rob Gronkowski’s emphatic spiking of the football when he scores a touchdown? I’m loving every minute of what Cam does and still would love it even if I wasn’t a Panthers fan. Homeboy, Tilton, is probably still mad that the Panthers beat his team twice this season. Once, of course, being in the playoffs.

P.S. A new petition, created by Seahawks fan John Murray, calls for a ban of Tilton for creating his disgraceful petition.

3. Montoyo Heads to Hall of Fame

Congrats are in order for former Durham Bulls manager, Charlie Montoyo, for being selected to the International League Hall of Fame this week. Montoyo spent eight seasons with the Bulls and garnered a 633-515 record. His also led the Bulls to seven division titles and six Governor’s Cup appearances, winning two of them. The two-time International League Manager of the Year left the Bulls to take the third base coaching job with parent club, Tampa Bay.

Congrats, Charlie, and thank you for your time here in Durham!

4. Roy Hits 350

Congrats are also in order for UNC Basketball head coach, Roy Williams. The Heels’ 75-70 victory at Virginia Tech on Sunday marked Williams’ 350th victory at the helm in Chapel Hill. But that mark is even more special. Williams has now become the first coach in NCAA history to amass 350 or more wins at two Division I programs – 418 at Kansas and 350 at UNC. Think about all the outstanding coaches in the history of college basketball: Adolf Rupp, Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, John Wooden, the list goes on. Coach Williams is the first coach in history to amass at least 350 victories at two programs? That’s an incredible feat!

5. Paramount Pictures Lawsuit

File this one under gross! A lawsuit filed on behalf of four parking production assistants alleges Paramount Pictures, in addition to not paying them minimum wage nor overtime, did not allow them to leave their posts for meal breaks or to use the restroom, according to the Los Angeles Times. Here comes the gross part, according to the Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit also alleges that many of the assistants were forced to “urinate and defecate into bottles and buckets in their cars.”

Okay, if this is true, that is just putrid. I say “putrid” because “disgusting” is not a strong enough word. I’ve always thought production assistants are kind of like interns, except they get paid. Both production assistants and interns serve almost as gophers and are often not treated well in some cases. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Thanks for Reading