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How the Big 12 reached its decision to have a football season this fall Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

The lineup is in for college football, at least at the moment.

Moving toward a season are the Big 12, SEC and ACC. Not having a season are the Big Ten and Pac-12. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted college sports in a major way in March with the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament.

Now it’s playing havoc with college football.

On this episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, K-State beat writer Kellis Robinett chats with SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff about the news of the past few days. How did we come to this, when it appeared all major conferences were on course to play games as scheduled this fall? After a break, you’ll hear from Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, who says the league is taking its cues from medical professionals.

Also revealed Wednesday: the Big 12 football schedules for each team.

Story links:

How and why the Big 12 is giving it a go with enhanced testing, other protocols

Here’s everything you need to know about K-State’s 2020 football schedule

KU has a new football schedule: “We continue to prepare for our season cautiously”

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Watkins on his deal; Mahomes on the Royals; Andy Reid on managing camp Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

As the Chiefs put together their offseason financial puzzle, some top priorities were established: Take care of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones. Mission accomplished on both fronts.

But the Chiefs were also intent on bringing back nearly every starter from their Super Bowl championship team, even if that meant restructuring some players’ contracts.

So it was with wide receiver Sammy Watkins. He could have been released to sign with another team and earn a bigger pay day. But the veteran wideout who led the Chiefs with 288 postseason receiving yards and turned in a huge play on their go-ahead touchdown drive in the Super Bowl wanted to stay in Kansas City. “This is my happy place,” he said this week.

Hear more from Watkins on this episode of The Star’s daily podcast, SportsBeat KC, along with Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. Each man met with the media earlier this week as training camp got into full swing at the Chiefs’ training facility. For the first time, Mahomes spoke publicly about purchasing a stake in the Kansas City Royals ... and what he thought of the recent Tyreek Hill vs. Mecole Hardman footrace.

Story links:

“This is my happy place,” Watkins fine with less money, output to stay in Kansas City

Mahomes’ Royals investment could lead to buying a team one day. But first things first

Watch the footrace between Chiefs receivers Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman

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College football asks, how’s your day going? Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

By late Monday afternoon, nobody knew if there would be a college football season or how much of one there would be. One newspaper reported the Big Ten was ready to opt out on a fall, 2020 season. The Pac-12 might not be far behind. Where would that leave the Big 12, SEC and ACC?

Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger discuss the state of college football on SportsBeat KC with host Blair Kerkhoff. How did the sport reach this pivotal juncture? What happens if there is no college football season? And my, don’t think things get political?

The sport should know soon about its immediate future. But the circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic could bring changes to the sport, like a commissioner of college football.

Story links:

Report: Big Ten out of college football for 2020: Some players say #WeWantToPlay

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/article244847667.html

What’s next for Big 12 football if Big Ten cancels its football games in the fall?

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/article244853542.html

With college football in flux, some Mizzou players say they want to play despite COVID

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article244853597.html

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Young starters, Nick Heath bright spots in rough Royals week Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

The Royals ended their week-long skid on Thursday with a 13-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs, which means they’ve won every game they’ve played with outfielder Nick Heath in the starting lineup. Heath, who grew up in Junction City, made his first major league start in the game, collected his first hit and ended the game with a catch that resulted in him crashing into the wall.

You’ll hear from Heath, Royals manager Mike Matheny, and beat writer Lynn Worthy talks about the team’s week. What went right, like young starting pitching, and what didn’t. The season continues with a weekend series against another playoff team from last season, the Minnesota Twins. But at least the Royals won’t go 0-for-Chicago this season. The six-game skid came against the White Sox and Cubs.

Story links:

Royals jump all over Cubs as Merrifield, Franco, Soler homer in 13-run outburst

Royals’ roster decision sends Erick Mejia back down but opens a door for Nick Heath

Here’s how Kauffman Stadium looked with virtual fans in stands during Fox’s broadcast

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Opt-outs on Chiefs offensive line clearing path for Keleche Osemele Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

On Thursday, Chiefs’ offensive lineman Lucas Niang became the first rookie to opt out of this season. Niang figured to compete for playing time with veteran guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif having already opted out. Instead, the door is open for veteran Keleche Osemele to step into a starting role.

On SportsBeat KC, we hear from Osemele, who met the media earlier this week. He talks about his previous stops in the NFL and his reaction to getting the news that the Chiefs wanted to sign him. After a break, Frank Clark speaks publicly for the first time since the Super Bowl. Clark played a big role in the team’s success last season in his first year with the team.

Story links:

Chiefs rookie Lucas Niang elects to opt out of 2020 season

This newcomer is excited to contribute, help the Chiefs continue winning. And he’s needed

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Big 12 football will happen, right? Plus, some Sprint Center memories Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Big 12 schools will play a 10-game football schedule, but precisely when it starts and the one non-conference foe for each school remains uncertain. But these are uncertain times overall for the college sports landscape.

Beat writers Kellis Robinett (Kansas State) and Jesse Newell (Kansas) discuss where things stand in the Big 12 and at the Sunflower State schools.

After a break, the beat writers talk college basketball in Kansas City, specifically the best moments at Sprint Center for the Jayhawks and Wildcats. Thanks to a recent corporate merger, the building is now officially known as T-Mobile Center. Both programs had some great moments when the building was called Sprint.

Story links:

Big 12 football moving forward with plans for 10-game schedule in the fall

K-State once again looking at famous Lockett family for wide receiver recruit

TMobile tweet 0805

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Crafting an NFL preseason without games is Andy Reid’s challenge Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

In any other year, the Chiefs would be counting down the days to their first preseason game.

In 2020, thanks to the pandemic, there are no preseason games. But there are interviews with Chiefs coaches and players. Head coach Andy Reid discusses this unique preseason, carrying on without running back Damien Williams, who has opted out due to COVID-19, and several more topics on this installment of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

After a break, you’ll hear from safety Tyrann Mathieu, the star safety who after one year in a Chiefs uniform has taken on a leadership role with the team. He explains the precautions he and his teammates are taking in the Chiefs’ training camp bubble and how he’s helping to set the tone for another Super Bowl run.

Story links:

Chiefs vets like Mathieu, Kelce will step up as leaders during this unusual training camp

Are Chiefs players worried about COVID-19? Here’s what they say about playing during a pandemic

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Royals’ rough start personified by shortstop Adalberto Mondesi Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Never has the idea of “no time like the present” to make improvements been more true than this baseball season. The Royals have lost seven of their first 10 games, and in a 60-game season, the turnaround time is greatly reduced. That also goes for individuals like Adalberto Mondesi. The promising shortstop is off to slow start, at the plate, in the field and on the base paths.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian break down the team’s and Mondesi’s season and what it will take to get back on track.

After a break, the discussion turns to the opt-out decision by Chiefs running back Damien Williams and why some sports and leagues are doing a better job handling the re-start better than others.

Story links:

Ever real Danny Duffy deals, delivers on doing the right things during the pandemic

Royals crater in seventh as White Sox sweep first series of season at Kauffman Stadium

Chiefs’ Damien Williams reveals he’s opting out because of his mother’s illness

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It’s all about accountability away from facility, Travis Kelce says Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

Travis Kelce says the Chiefs feel safe in their training camp facility at Arrowhead Stadium. The important thing is for players to be responsible when they leave the facility to return home. The Chiefs tight end touched on a range of topics head on SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star’s daily sports podcast.

Also, on the episode, running back Damien Williams tells Sirius XM that opting out this season was based on a family illness. You’ll also hear from Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes who disappointed in himself after Thursday’s elimination loss in the MLS is Back Tournament.

Finally, Kris Bubic tells us how he found out he would make his major league debut as the Royals starting pitcher in tonight’s home opener.

Story links:

Chiefs vets like Mathieu, Kelce will step up leaders during unusual training camp

Sporting KC gets bounced by Philadelphia in MLS is Back Tournament

This Royals pitcher will make his MLB debut in Friday’s opener against the White Sox

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Opting out, Mahomes’ ranking, and Royals home opener starter - Surprise! Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

If only Chiefs running back Damien Williams could return for the playoffs. That’s where he’s done his most damage in a Chiefs uniform with 10 touchdowns in five games over two seasons. But he won’t be in uniform this season, electing to opt-out because of COVID-19. Chiefs beat writer Herbie Teope joins SportsBeat KC host Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down the Williams’ decision and what it means for the Chiefs.

Also, there was a reason why quarterback Patrick Mahomes landed at the No. 4 spot in the NFL’s list of top 100 players for 2019, and Teope explains why.

After a break, you’ll hear from Royals beat writer Lynn Worthy. The Royals are about to conclude their season opening road trip and play the home opener—before no fans—on Friday. What’s going right and wrong for the Royals so far, and how did manager Mike Matheny settle on a second-year pro as his home opener starter.

Story links:

With COVID-19 swirling, Chiefs running back Damien Williams opts out of 2019 season

How could Patrick Mahomes be No. 4 in NFL’s top 100?

Stellar early, KC’s Danny Duffy falters late as Tigers squeeze out 5-4 win over Royals

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