EDITOR’S NOTE
Between the NFL draft chaos (more on that below) and the never-ending Bill Belichick/Jordon Hudson saga (looks like Belichick isn’t done playing defense), there’s been too much drama for me these past few days. So today, I’d like to focus on some of the lighthearted stories that made me smile, like:
Seeing Caitlin Clark’s goofy side
This WNBA player’s entire shoe collection at training camp
Luka Dončić’s donation to restore this iconic Kobe mural
The Kelce brothers’ special Mother’s Day podcast guest (a fan favorite)
The (slightly unhinged) competition we didn’t know we needed (wear headphones for this one)
Meanwhile, comedian Phoebe Robinson stopped by Well Played to chat — and shared the unexpected movie that inspired her to take up running. Now, let’s get to some other sports highlights…
— Claudia Rupcich / Writer / Richmond, VA
Let's Discuss
What to look out for in our latest episode.
Who Said the NFL Draft Was Boring?
What’s going on: The preseason hasn’t even started, and the NFL is already serving up Bravo-level drama. Top quarterback prospect Shedeur Sanders — son of Colorado coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders — made headlines for going undrafted round after round. Memes flooded social media, sports journalists called it a nightmare, and then things took a turn: On day two of the draft, someone pretending to be the GM of the New Orleans Saints prank called Sanders, telling him he’d “have to wait a little longer” to get drafted. The call, which was caught on camera, went viral — and the story got even wilder after the 21-year-old son of the Atlanta Falcon’s defensive coordinator admitted he swiped the phone number from his dad’s iPad (and apologized). You can’t script this.
Our take: Most of us retired from prank calling in middle school, but it seems the NFL has a problem — since multiple players claim they received similar calls (though not from the same person). While some said the moment was straight-up mean, others said Sanders needed his ego checked. The QB shrugged it off, calling it “childish.” The Cleveland Browns ultimately drafted him as their second quarterback (and the 144th overall pick). The aftermath? An official NFL investigation, two different fines, and a Falcons PR statement. Looks like in the NFL, even draft day comes with plot twists.
Related story: Are We Entering a New Era of the Manning Football Dynasty? (NBC Sports)
Pick Six
More sports talkers you don't want to miss.
👙 Ilona Maher is back on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and the internet can’t get over the photos.
👫 You’ve heard of the WAGs. Now, the HABs have officially entered the chat… and so have the double standards on the sidelines.
👀 Ben Affleck credits Tom Brady for giving him the “greatest day” of his life, aside from the birth of his children. He didn’t fumble the opportunity.
⚽ Forget love and basketball — it’s all about love and soccer now. Just ask Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
🔬 All it took was star players getting injured — but researchers are finally studying the impacts of periods on women soccer players.
💕 The NHL’s known for its brawls, not for awws — but this may just be the sweetest moment ever captured on the ice.
Timeout...
Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.
The NWSL wants to launch a Division II league in 2026. What would that mean for the future of women's soccer in the US?
The NWSL’s proposed Division II league would provide young athletes a pathway to the professional game. It’s a pipeline that’s a staple in professional sports but does not currently exist in the American women’s soccer landscape. If US Soccer approves the NWSL’s plans, the new DII league would increase the amount of opportunities for young players and better prepare them for the demands of professional sports, though it might not be the only option out there. The WPSL Pro also submitted an application to form a DII league, and US Soccer could approve both applications. Just about everyone in American soccer circles agrees that pathways like this are necessary to improve player development, but how exactly aspiring professional athletes will navigate a landscape with two DII leagues is an open question.
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Pardeep Cattry
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