Hometown Broadcasting Sports Thursday 1/21/21
21 January 2021 Sports
Sports for January 21st
The Pro Football Writers of America have selected Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the 2020 NFL Most Valuable Player. Voting was conducted by the PFWA, the “official voice of pro football writers.” In his 16th year with the Packers, Rodgers is having one of his best seasons. He’s 372 for 526 in passes for 4,299 yards and 48 touchdown passes. He threw only five interceptions. Rodgers leads the league in passer rating with 121.5. The PFWA says that’s the second-highest rating in NFL history.
This is the third time Rodgers has been named PFWA MVP. He also earned the honor in 2011 and 2014 Two previous Packers greats have been voted PFWA MVP. Bart Starr earned the honor in 1966. Brett Favre was voted PFWA MVP in 1995 and 1996. Rodgers is a front-runner for NFL MVP Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was named PFWA Offensive Player of the Year. Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald was named Defensive Player of the year. Rodgers is also expected to win his third league MVP.
Meanwhile, just days away from his fifth NFC Championship Game — and his fourth since his lone Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago – Aaron Rodgers insisted that he’s not looking at Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a best last-chance scenario. Not even at age 37 and with his possible eventual replacement now on the roster. This according to ESPN.
“I’m always just trying to stay present, especially this year as much as anything, and enjoy the moments,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “I hope there’s more opportunities, but I don’t know. I mean, I really don’t. That stuff is out of my control. My future is a beautiful mystery I think. The present is such a gift to be able to stay in the moment and to have gratitude for being in this situation again, and being with the guys and having fans in our stadium and maybe snow in an NFC Championship Game. I’m going to enjoy these moments for sure, and just not worry about what happens down the line.”
He’s still looking for that second Super Bowl appearance. The Packers were blown out by the San Francisco 49ers in last year’s conference title game. The Packers equaled their 13-3 record from a year ago, but this time they’re the No. 1 seed and have the NFL’s top-scoring offense. Rodgers has said after each of the past two NFC Championship Game losses that he has wanted to have this game at home. Now he has it.
“No more pressure than usual,” Rodgers said when asked if there’s more pressure on him and the Packers this year. “I think a lot of times the storylines, pressure and those kinds of comments are good stuff for you guys to write about, but I think it starts with the mentality and focus. Obviously I put pressure on myself to perform every single week, and I think there’s a lot to be said for being able to harness that pressure and fear of failure and focus into a real positive. That’s something you learn over the years. But I don’t feel any extra pressure going into this one.
The Packers returned practice Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at Lambeau Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers listed 11 players on the injury report and 10 saw limited action in practice and one player, safety Will Redmond (knee) was a full participant. Tampa Bay held a walk-through on Wedneseay.
Krys Barnes, LB Thumb Limited Participation Mason Crosby, K Shoulder Limited Participation AJ Dillon, RB Quadricep Limited Participation Kingsley Keke, DL Concussion Limited Participation Allen Lazard, WR Wrist/Back Limited Participation Marcedes Lewis, TE Knee Limited Participation Will Redmond, S Knee Full Participation Za’Darius Smith, LB Thumb Limited Participation Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Knee/Ankle Limited Participation Rick Wagner, T Knee Limited Participation Jamaal Williams, RB Ankle Limited Participation
Tickets to the Green Bay Packers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field are sold out, according to the team. Tickets went on sale Wednesday morning for season ticket holders who opted in at the beginning of the season. At about 12:50 p.m., the team announced tickets had sold out. Team officials said Wednesday evening tickets were sold out within 40 minutes. The Packers made 6,500 tickets available through Ticketmaster. These tickets cannot be resold or put on a secondary market or transferred. The Packers-Buccaneers NFC Championship game kicks off at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. The winner goes to the Super Bowl. The pregame starts at noon with the kickoff at 2:05 and can be heard on 102.3 FM, WAUH.
As the Green Bay Packers prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game on Sunday, team president and CEO Mark Murphy is addressing some of the concerns raised about the crowd from last weekend’s game. While most fans on Saturday had no trouble obeying the COVID-19 protocols in place at Lambeau Field, team officials there were some exceptions.
“Our ushers are doing their best and I know the majority of our fans are cordial and treat them well, but there were some situations where ushers had some difficult challenges with some of our fans,” said Murphy.
A survey done by the Packers after the game shows most fans felt safe even though some did complain about a few people who sat in the stands and refused to wear a mask. He went on to say those who don’t wear a mask this Sunday could be asked to leave, and while there is an exception for eating and drinking, it isn’t something fans should abuse. He also responded to pictures posted on social media showing packed bars near the stadium.
“For us, trying to do a Titletown, obviously we want to have people there, and we want the businesses there to do well, but you also have to follow the protocols,” said Murphy.
For any long term plans regarding COVID-19, protocols for next season are still up in the air.
“So much is going to depend on the rollout of the vaccine and whether we can achieve herd immunity,” said Murphy.
The Detroit Lions have a new head coach. The team announced Wednesday that it has agreed to terms with former New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell to lead the Lions next season. Before his stint with the Saints, Campbell was the interim head coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and amassed a 4-3 record. Lions President and CEO Rod Wood said team executives were impressed with Campbell’s passion for leading the Lions during the interview process.
“When we began the search for a head coach, it was imperative that we find the right leader who values our commitment to building a winning culture based on organizational alignment and collaboration,” Wood said. “The leadership Dan has exemplified throughout his football career has prepared him for this next step, and we are excited to support him as our new head coach.”
Tyler Wahl paced a balanced attack with 14 points and No. 10 Wisconsin pulled away in the second half for a 68-52 victory over Northwestern on Wednesday night. The Badgers gained control with a 12-0 run midway through the second half. Micah Potter’s 3-pointer put Wisconsin up 56-39. Northwestern went scoreless for almost six minutes until Chase Audige’s 3-pointer made it 56-42 with 10:26 left. D’Mitrik Trice added 12 points, Brad Davison 11 and Potter 10 for Wisconsin (12-3, 6-2 Big Ten). Audige had 16 points and Miller Kopp 10 for Northwestern (6-7, 3-6), which has lost six straight. Wisconsin hosts No. 15 Ohio State on Saturday.
In the NBA tonight, the Milwaukee Bucks host the Los Angeles Lakers. Milwaukee (9-5) is in second place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Philadelphia, while the Lakers (11-4) are tied with the Clippers for first in the Western Conference.
Wisconsin has named Ross Kolodziej defensive line coach after he served as the program’s head strength and conditioning coach over the last six seasons. Badgers coach Paul Chryst announced the move Wednesday. Inoke Breckterfield had been Wisconsin’s defensive line coach for the last six seasons. Breckterfield left to take the same position at Vanderbilt on new Commodores coach Clark Lea’s staff. Kolodziej is a former Wisconsin defensive lineman who made 45 career starts and played on the Badgers’ 1998 and 1999 teams that reached the Rose Bowl. He was in the NFL from 2001-07.
In high school wrestling tonight, Waupun is at Ripon.
Boys Basketball (Thurs.)
Ripon at Waupun
Laconia at Valders
Lomira at North Fond du Lac
Saint Mary’s Springs at Mayville
Omro at Winnebago Lutheran
Hortonville at Oshkosh West
Girls Basketball (Thurs.)
Berlin at Kewaskum
Plymouth at Winneconne
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