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In the midst of a bizarre college football season, some conferences are scrambling to determine which programs will be eligible for championship games, with established minimums needing to be met. The most prominent example is Ohio State in the Big Ten, with the Buckeyes now facing a situation in which any cancellation would keep them from reaching the conference’s six-game threshold for inclusion and, by proxy, might keep one of the best teams in the country from winning its conference and putting itself in the best position for the College Football Playoff.

With that as the backdrop, famous Ohio State alum and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit made controversial comments on ESPN’s air on Tuesday, saying that he thinks “Michigan waves the white flag” and “potentially avoids playing Ohio State.”

As noted above, Michigan missing the game would keep Ohio State out of the Big Ten title game but, in short, Herbstreit didn’t present any evidence for his claim. That drew the ire of many, not just in Big Ten circles, and Herbstreit issued a lengthy apology within a short period of time.

Herbstreit said he had “no business at all saying that” and “no evidence of that,” while also noting that it was “completely unfair” to Michigan. To his credit, Herbstreit didn’t hold back in accepting blame for what he said, though he did indicate that tries to “remain positive and upbeat, and I think sometimes we all have our breaking points.”

While the connection between Herbstreit and Ohio State undoubtedly raised the profile of this story in a hurry, Herbstreit is arguably the most famous analyst in the sport. As such, this kind of sentiment would draw attention under any circumstances and, in putting the apology out, he likely knew that and realized the misstep. Still, this is a talking point that will percolate across the college football landscape, and the response will be interesting on all sides in the coming days.

Royce Da 5’9″ became a Grammy nominee last week when The Allegory, the Detroit rapper’s eighth album, earned a spot in the Best Rap Album category. This isn’t the first time he’s been nominated, having received one at the 2010 awards for his appearance on Eminem’s Recovery. But the version of the album that got released is not exactly the one he wanted. In a recent interview with PSA Hip-Hop’s Threeletterman3, Royce revealed that Cordae was supposed to appear on it but the young rapper’s label, Atlantic Records, blocked him from doing it.

“[Vince Staples] sent his verse last day because originally YBN Cordae was there in that spot,” Royce said. “Atlantic would not clear YBN Cordae, so I had to take him off. They said they wanted to ‘keep him young.’ These labels, they are so caught up young, young, young, young.” He was a bit frustrated by the label’s action, however, and he also pointed out that it put Cordae in a bad position as well.

“Obviously the kid wanted to do it, otherwise, he wouldn’t have done it! So why put him in that position?” he said. “And now the album is nominated for Grammy. You don’t think that in retrospect was a bad move from them?”

Royce’s The Allegory joins D. Smoke’s Black Habits, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist’s Alfredo, Nas’ King Disease, and Jay Electronica’s A Written Testimony as the other nominees in the Best Rap Album category.

You can watch the interview in the video above. Royce’s remarks on Cordae come around the 27-minute mark.

Cordae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Joakim Noah wasn’t a centerpiece of the 2019-20 L.A. Clippers, but the veteran big man provided depth and leadership for a title contender as recently as just a few months ago. However, Noah’s lengthy NBA career could be over, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that 35-year-old was waived by the Clippers and is “likely headed toward retirement” as a result.

Noah was the No. 9 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, navigating a 13-year career that included two All-Star appearances, three All-Defense selections, and the 2013-14 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

“What an illustrious career for Joakim, starting with two national titles at the University of Florida, to becoming an NBA Defensive Player of the Year and ultimately evolving into one of the most passionate, spirited players to ever come through our sport,” Duffy shared with ESPN. “It’s been my honor to represent Joakim through his journey.”

During a five-year peak from 2009-10 through 2013-14 with the Chicago Bulls, Noah averaged 11.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, providing useful offensive contributions and an elite-level defense. In fact, he earned an All-NBA selection in 2013-14, peaking as an offensive player in averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds and a whopping 5.4 assists per game from the center position. He was also the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-NBA selection.

Though his career slowed considerably after Noah signed with the New York Knicks prior to the 2016-17 season, he remained well-regarded and is a highly decorated college player, dominating alongside Al Horford and Corey Brewer at Florida.

It is highly unfortunate that Noah’s prime was cut short by injury, and he also suffered an Achilles injury in 2019 that limited him to just five regular season games and two playoff games during his final NBA season. Still, Noah’s unique blend of defense and style will be remembered well, and he enjoyed a fantastic professional career if this is indeed the end of the line.

Outgoing president Donald J. Trump is in the middle of a pardon frenzy. He’s already dolled one out to convicted former staffer Michael Flynn. Joe Exotic may be next. It’s claimed Rudy Giuliani has asked for a pre-emptive one, though it’s not clear what, specifically, he’s done to break the law. (Though one can imagine.) To add to the swelling pile, The New York Times is reporting that Trump is also looking at extending pardons to his three eldest children, as well as son-in-law Jared Kushner. What for, you may ask? Good question!

According to the Times, Trump concern is more vague. They report that the president “has told others that he is concerned that a Biden Justice Department might seek retribution against the president by targeting the oldest three of his five children — Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump — as well as Ms. Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, a White House senior adviser.” (Rest easy, Tiffany and Barron.)

That said, there are specific actions for which they could be charged. As per the Times:

Donald Trump Jr. had been under investigation by Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, for contacts that the younger Mr. Trump had had with Russians offering damaging information on Hillary Clinton during the 2016 campaign, but he was never charged. Mr. Kushner provided false information to federal authorities about his contacts with foreigners for his security clearance, but was given one anyway by the president.

As for Eric and Ivanka, there aren’t specific known crimes they may have committed, though the latter is under investigation by the Manhattan D.A. over tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees that may have gone her way.

Still, social media found it a touch fishy to hear about potential pardons for people who are supposed to be innocent.

There were jokes, too.

And contrasts with the previous White House family.

And some weren’t so shocked.

Tuesday was a pretty pardon-heavy day. On top of all this, the Department of Justice — which, under William Barr, had long acted as Trump’s personal legal counsel — reportedly began an investigation into one as-yet-unrevealed allegedly taking part in a bribery-for-pardon scheme. That time Trump pardoned an actual turkey seems like a long time ago.

(Via NYT)

The 2020-21 NBA season begins on Dec. 22 and, after the shortest offseason on record, there is a frenzied feel to the proceedings. There is always majesty and hype surrounding the league’s slate of Christmas Day games and, on Tuesday evening, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news of the five matchups that basketball fans will be able to observe on Dec. 25.

The headliner of the day may be the matchup between Luka Doncic and LeBron James in the 8:00 p.m. primetime window, as the reigning champion Lakers take on an up-and-coming Mavericks team. Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving will return to Boston as a headlining member of the Brooklyn Nets, and he will be joined by Kevin Durant, who projects to be healthy after missing the entire 2019-20 season.

To start the day, Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat and, as the NBA established in its pre-bubble hype, Williamson is a significant draw for the league. The league will be banking on the Warriors to bounce back from an ugly 2019-20 season, with Steph Curry and Draymond Green now joined by Kelly Oubre and others as they face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the new-look Bucks.

In the night cap, the Clippers and Nuggets do battle in a rematch of the already infamous 3-1 collapse from the 2020 NBA Playoffs. L.A. will undoubtedly have a measure of revenge on their minds, while Denver is a tremendous squad that should be ready to give the Clippers another fight behind Nikola Jokic.

As always, there will be fan bases decrying the absence of their team on the day of the league’s No. 1 regular season showcase, and a few of them may even have some legs to stand on. However, the NBA put together five highly intriguing matchups, and Christmas should be a smorgasbord for die-hards with plenty to appeal to casual observers.

BTS is having a phenomenal year, with two No. 1 albums and a chart-topping single in “Dynamite.” But the group has long worried that a law in their native South Korea would force its oldest member to enlist for the country’s military when he turns 28. Thankfully, that won’t happen. According to the New York Times, the South Korea National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing the country’s top K-pop stars to delay their military service until they turn 30. The new revision also allows K-pop acts that have been recognized by the government for their cultural impact to request a deferment from the military.

The revision of the Military Service Act comes just in time to save Kim Seok-jin, a.k.a. “Jin,” who turns 28 this Friday. According to Consequence Of Sound, the group was asked about eventually having to join the military back in 2019. “As a Korean, it’s natural,” Jin said. “And some day, when duty calls, we’ll be ready to respond and do our best.”

The news comes after BTS saw the deluxe version of their album Be top the Billboard album charts, a mere eight months after their first album of the year, Map Of The Soul: 7, did the same.

(via New York Times)

Donald Trump may yet to concede to Joe Biden, but he’s still in the middle of one activity favored by many outgoing presidents: pardoning friends and allies. He sure has a lot of options; a good number of former staff members and confidants have been sent to prison on federal charges, and some current ones are expecting to join them. (One of them, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, has already received his.) But as per ABC News, on his short list (which probably isn’t very short) is a famous jailed TV star, Joe Exotic.

The Tiger King breakout is currently serving a 22-year sentence on 17 charges of animal abuse and two charges of murder for hire, after a plot to kill nemesis Carole Baskin. Over the summer the former private zoo owner, real name Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, reached out to Trump, hoping he’d extend him the presidential pardon he’d given to people like far-right commentator, filmmaker, and former convict Dinesh D’Souza.

It’s unclear how well Trump knows of Joe Exotic, or how sympathetic he is to his plight. They do have some things in common. For one, Joe has run for president one more time than Trump ever has. But the news that he could be sprung by a president who may try to pardon himself became the butt of many a Twitter joke.

Or some people were just exhausted by 2020.

(Via ABC News)

On Tuesday, Elliot Page — the Oscar-nominated star of Juno, who has appeared in films like Hardy Candy and Inception, as well as the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy — came out as transgender and non-binary. He received an outpouring of support, across the entertainment industry and over social media. Among the many who came out in support was his wife, dancer and choreographer Emma Portner, who he married in 2018.

“I am so proud of @elliotpage,” Portner wrote next to the open letter Page wrote when he made the announcement. “Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world. I also ask for patience & privacy but that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day. Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much.”

In the letter, Page wrote, “I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life. I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.”

He also sent out a message of support to those in the community who’ve faced discrimination and violence:

“I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better.”

(Via EW)

Brooklyn rapper Casanova is wanted by the New York FBI after authorities connected him to a gang known as the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.” On their Twitter page, the institution revealed that 18 members of the gang were arrested and charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics, firearms, and fraud offenses. They then called for information on Casanova, who is allegedly a part of their gang, and the only one who has not been taken into police custody.

Assistant Director In Charge William F. Sweeney also shared additional information on the “Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation” gang in a statement posted to their Twitter page.

As the indictment alleges, the violence and drug activity committed by these gang members threatened the safety of our communities and placed innocent lives at risk. Their unabashed criminal behavior, as alleged, included the murder of a 15 year-old and even extended to defrauding programs meant for people suffering economic hardship due to the pandemic. But thanks to the partnership and hard work of all law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, we were able to stop this violent criminal organization — and show that Gorilla Stone is actually not”untouchable.”

You can read the tweets from the New York FBI above.

In just a matter of two years, Lil Nas X has become one of music’s most popular names, thanks to the smash hit “Old Town Road.” The track has currently sold 13X Platinum, and it holds the record for the longest streak at No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart, racking in nineteen weeks. The singer is rolling out his next project, but before it arrives, he took a moment to honor two artists who helped ensure he felt like he belonged in the music world.

During a sit down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Lil Nas X thanked Frank Ocean and Tyler The Creator for allowing him to express his true self to the world. “I think artists like Frank in general and, like, Tyler and whatever, they made it easier for me to be where I am, comfortably,” he said, adding that he hopes his coming out will push other queer artists to do the same.

I was just getting signs, “OK. It’s time we do this thing.” Because it’s like I’m already moving forward and I’m becoming more free with everything I do, so let’s take this to the next level and do this. Because I mean, it was either going to be that or what? Pretend this for the rest of my entire life? … And also being one of those people that was like, “OK, I want to make room for you now.” So everybody who’s coming behind me, “OK. This is going to be cool. It’s going to work out fine.” Yeah. But that’s another reason why I knew that I had to do it. Because the day before I was like, “Damn, should I really do this? Is this what…” And I’m like, “No, this is definitely what I should do.” Especially given my platform, where I am, the communities that I stand in between. It’s like little shit like this shouldn’t be a problem

He also showed love to Billie Eilish, calling her “f*cking amazing and talented,” saying she does “whatever the f*ck she wants” without “apologizing for it.”

You can watch the Lil Nas X interview above.