The month of July is over, August is now in full swing, and for many people, that means summer is coming to an end. People’s focus shifts from days at the lake and fun summer nights to schoolbooks and work deadlines. While August does signify the beginning of the end for a lot of people, it also signifies the beginning of the beginning for sports fans. Since LeBron James and the Cavaliers defeated the reigning MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, major sports fans have only had baseball to hold their attention. While baseball is the National Pastime, many sports fans have been itching for more, and that is exactly what August holds.
Traditionally, August is a big month for sports because it sees the return of football along with baseball division races coming to a head. However, this August is a special one, and potentially historic at that. With new faces arriving, legends retiring, curses lifting and the Olympics captivating, this August is the start of a potentially historic time for sports.
It is finally football season again, and fans of the pigskin have been eagerly awaiting its return since four zeroes hit the clock on Super Bowl 50. The first preseason game is on Sunday, Aug. 7: The Green Bay Packers will face off against the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game. About a month after that the regular season begins, and the NFL will look a bit different than it did a year ago. The kickoff of the 2016 season will be the first in a long time that does not have a guy named Brady or Manning at the starting quarterback position, with the former serving a four game suspension and the latter retiring after his second Super Bowl win. Other notable retirements from the game include Jared Allen, Calvin Johnson and Marshawn Lynch, leaving holes that their respective teams are hoping to fill. Despite talent leaving, and notable suspensions and free agent signings also affecting teams, there is certainly not a lack of talent in the NFL. The early part of the season will be crucial, and will reveal who is affected the most by these changes and who will establish themselves early as powerhouses in the 2016 season.
Not to be out-shined by the NFL, Major League Baseball also is poised for some history making of their own. The Chicago Cubs currently have the best record in baseball, and are the current odds on favorite to win the World Series. This would end the 100+ year title drought that has plagued the Cubs since 1908, the longest in baseball history. While the Cubs looked unstoppable at the beginning of the season, they have been brought down to more mortal terms as of late, so the pennant race should heat up nicely just in time for the fall.
For the casual fan that gets more excited for the American flag than for their hometown team, August brings us the 2016 Rio Olympics. Every four years, athletes from countries all around the world travel to compete for national pride and for a stake at being the top athlete in the world at their respective sport. world records are broken every time the games come around, and returning athletes like Michael Phelps. Usain Bolt and Gabby Douglas are poised to capture our attention with their freakish athletic abilities. And with this year’s Olympic taking place in Rio, a location which has had its fair share of problems, it seems that more than just the athletes could capture our attention during this year’s summer games.
Finally, though the NBA season does not begin until August, players still are able to make headlines. The U.S. Olympic basketball team is hoping to bring home their third straight gold medal, with veterans Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant leading the way. Also important to note regarding the NBA: despite his continual assurances to the team, LeBron James has yet to sign a long term deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As of the writing of this article, LeBron James is still a free agent.
Hardcore followers and casual fans alike, grab your American flags and lucky jerseys, and get ready for an exciting month of sports that August is sure to bring.
