Tar Heel Tez, a headbutting punter and Courage receipts in the sports moments of the week
Posted October 17, 2023 6:49 p.m. EDT
Updated October 18, 2023 10:06 p.m. EDT
The internet is a big place. Unless you're 100% plugged in all the time (and let's be clear, that is NOT recommended), you're going to miss some stuff.
Let us do that work. You can be a well-adjusted human being and still catch all the best sports moments of the week, with a quick review ...
1. Tez Walker has arrived
At 6-0, North Carolina football is off to its best start in more than a quarter-century and, by the looks of it, the future may be even brighter.
The Tar Heels took down No. 25 Miami in a nationally televised, primetime game that also served as a coming-out party for star receiver Tez Walker.
In just his second game at UNC (following a long eligibility battle with the NCAA), the Charlotte native delivered on the big stage with 6 catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns.
With Walker now establishing himself as an elite playmaker -- and Drake Maye still being Drake Maye -- the ceiling for this North Carolina season just got a whole lot higher.
The Tar Heels will be heavy favorites in their next three games, then play home against Duke, at Clemson and NC State to finish the season.
If the Maye-to-Walker connection continues to thrive, a berth in the ACC Championship game (presumably against Florida State) is very much in reach for UNC.
Who knows? They may even mess around and enter the playoff race.
2. Panthers show a flicker of hope (for one quarter)
If you turned on the Panthers game at, say, 1:30pm on Sunday, you probably did a double take when you saw the score.
Carolina, the only winless team in the league, led the heavily-favored Miami Dolphins 14-0 after the 1st quarter, leaving NFL fans everywhere questioning reality.
But the Panthers' moment in the sun was short-lived as they quickly gave up 21 straight points in the second quarter, and fell victim to possibly the coolest touchdown celebration of the weekend.
Tyreek Hill scored on a 41-yard pass, then borrowed a cell phone and filmed himself doing a backflip.
Hill was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, and said later that it was "worth it," which is kind of depressing when you think about it.
An opposing player felt so confident that he would score against Carolina that he seemingly planned a celebration in advance, knew it would draw a flag and didn't care because he felt like the Panthers weren't a real threat. (Turns out he was right.)
Speaking of unsportsmanlike penalties, the most entertaining moment of the second half came on a punt in the 4th quarter.
Panthers punter Johnny Hekker headbutted a Dolphins player (who then flopped pretty egregiously) and drew a flag for unnecessary roughness.
You read that right. Unnecessary roughness. On the punter.
Thankfully, play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan was on hand to properly capture the absurdity of the moment.
3. Thomas Brown takes over play-calling
Despite their team's 0-6 start, many Panthers fans did find reason to celebrate on Monday.
Head coach Frank Reich announced that he would be turning over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown during the bye week.
It's probably not wise to expect a massive turnaround from this year's Panthers team. But if Brown can help Bryce Young get comfortable and start looking like a confident, future star at quarterback, this season could be a success after all.
4. The Courage shouts out the preseason haters
The North Carolina Courage played their way into the NWSL playoffs Sunday, scoring a clutch 1-0 win on the road at Washington.
The Courage clinched the No. 3 seed and will host Gotham FC in the first round this coming Sunday -- an accomplishment that few expected from them this season.
In fact, most prognosticators picked the Courage to finish at-or-near the bottom of the standings in the preseason... and the club's social media team didn't forget, posting thread filled with the receipts.
It's easy to see why expectations were low for North Carolina this season. The team has undergone a massive overhaul, losing star players like Debinha, Sam Mewis, Jess McDonald, Abby Erceg and many more in recent years.
Making the playoffs this season certainly puts their rebuild ahead of schedule.
5. Don't mess with Steve Smith
Former Panthers great Steve Smith was known to get in an argument or two during his NFL career. And nothing's changed now that he's a broadcaster.
Smith, who was working sideline coverage for Thursday night's Broncos-Chiefs game, apparently got into a heated off-camera exchange with Denver receiver Jerry Jeudy during pregame warm-ups.
So when it was time to go on-camera, Agent 89 didn't hold back -- at all -- from letting his feelings be known and roasting Jeudy on live TV.
Do yourself a favor and watch the entire clip.
Even though he's retired, it's safe to say Steve Smith remains on the short list of people you should never, under any circumstances, get in a fight with. It's not going to end well for you.
(Jeudy, by the way, finished Thursday's loss to the Chiefs with only 3 catches for 14 yards. Point, Smith.)
6. This Chargers fan is all of us
If you've ever been characterized as the over-the-top sports fan in your friend group, we may have found your new spirit animal.
A Los Angeles Chargers fan (yes, apparently they do exist) went viral and became an instant meme on Monday Night Football for her, uh, enthusiastic reaction to a late game-tying touchdown.
If that doesn't make you chuckle, then I don't know what to tell you.
The same fan got some screen time later in the game, but in a very different emotional state after her Chargers failed to convert a 4th down play and sealed a loss to the Cowboys.
This lady makes me think we should have some extra cameras dedicated to only crowd shots during big sporting events.
There are other super fans like this woman out there -- dozens at every game, probably. They just need the opportunity for camera time so they can truly shine.
TAYLOR SWIFT WATCH
After a one week hiatus, we are back on Taylor Swift Watch!
(I know, I know. You were lost without it last week. Apologies.)
There are big developments this week, because we have confirmed PDA between Taylor and Travis Kelce!
The couple attended, and even made cameos in, the Saturday Night Live season premiere this weekend. Then, paparazzi spotted them walking into the SNL after party holding hands.
Earth-shattering stuff, I know.
Multiple outlets reported and Swift and Kelce (Swelce?) were extra cozy and "kissing" most of the night once they were inside the party.
So I guess that settles it. These two are officially a couple... at least until Taylor leaves for her international tour in a couple weeks.
Long distance relationships are tough, so good luck you crazy kids!
We'll see you next week.
