Jackson went to the locker room with a 34-20 lead in the early fourth quarter with what the Ravens eventually told ESPN’s Lisa Salters was a cramping issue. However, the way he trotted through the tunnel to the locker room made many wonder if this was, instead, a digestive issue and he was having a lengthy visit to the bathroom.
This led to a tremendous number of poop jokes on social media, with many referencing the infamous Paul Pierce incident in the 2008 NBA Finals in which the Celtics star left in a wheelchair only to return later to play. Many have posited Pierce actually had to poop, and Pierce himself even said as much last year — although he would later insist that was a joke.
Jackson was asked after the game about what happened and was very much aware of the speculation he was having intestinal issues, and firmly denied it, saying he did not “pull a Paul Pierce.”
“I didn’t pull a Paul Pierce. I was cramping.” @Lj_era8
It’s an incredible quote and given the length of time Jackson was in the locker room the cramping issue seems very much like the real thing that happened. That said, even this firm denial will not stop the speculation on social media, and we’ll have to see if 11 years in the future Jackson offers a similar revelation to Pierce.
Early in the second half on Monday evening, it appeared as if the Baltimore Ravens may cruise to a win over the Cleveland Browns. Lamar Jackson and company took a 28-14 lead with 12:47 to go in the third quarter but, from there, chaos ensured. In fact, the Ravens and Browns came together for what may have been the game of the year, with Jackson coming out of the locker room to throw an immediate touchdown pass and lead the eventual game-winning drive in the final seconds.
The Ravens secured the victory when Justin Tucker nailed a 55-yard field goal but, because Tucker’s kick went through the uprights with two seconds remaining, the Browns had the chance to attempt a miracle. Instead, however, Cleveland delivered a horrendous bad beat to many individuals nationwide, as the Browns… inadvertently took a safety.
To be somewhat fair, the consensus closing line was Ravens -3, so this went from a push to a loss for most individuals. In fact, Baltimore was less than a field goal favorite early in the week, so many may have lost on Cleveland before the safety even happened. Unfortunately, some shops were dealing Ravens -3.5 by kickoff, though, and those people got the worst of this one when the score went from 45-42 to 47-42 in mesmerizing fashion.
Observers of the point spread knew what transpired in real time and, in case anyone didn’t know, ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt took to the air immediately with a shrug while his producer Stanford Steve cackled knowingly in the background.
Bad beats are a staple of Van Pelt’s show but, in this case, it would be difficult to overstate how ugly this really was. That is especially true for anyone holding a Browns +3.5 ticket, because that was an all-timer. Regardless, the Ravens winning the game by five points forced a lot of money to change hands, both off-shore and in the desert, and this will go down in the annals of bad beat history.
Christopher Osburn has spent the past fifteen years in search of “the best” — or at least his very favorite — sips of whisk(e)y on earth. He’s enjoyed more drams than his doctor would dare feel comfortable with, traveled to over 20 countries testing local spirits, visited more than 50 distilleries around the globe, and amassed a collection of bottles that occupies his entire basement.
In this series, he cracks open his worn “tasting diary” and shares its contents with the masses.
But while we represent hard for bourbon, there’s another style that our team loves with a similar (if not even greater) passion. That is single malt Scotch.
A mini-primer before we dive too deep: To be called a single malt scotch whisky, the juice must be produced at a single distillery, made using only malted barley in the mash bill (hence the phrase “single malt”), distilled in pot stills, and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. Those are the basics, but from there the nuances and permutations are endless.
Scotland is currently home to over 130 distilleries. And while there are scores of well-known blended scotch whiskies like Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s, and Famous Grouse on the market, there are actually more single malts (with new expressions launching weekly). More even than I could have ever sampled.
Though, God knows I’ve tried my best.
Below you’ll find a list of the 30 best single malt scotch whiskies I’ve ever tasted. I even ranked them for you. If I missed one of your favorite expressions, instead of roasting me into oblivion on Twitter, just assume I haven’t tried it yet. I also didn’t include ridiculously expensive bottles, though I’ve been privileged to sip a fair few. Drop a comment to tell me where I messed up and which expressions I have to try before 2021’s list rolls around.
Old Pulteney 12 is aged in air-dried, hand-picked ex-bourbon barrels for over a decade. The result is a unique, slightly salty, mildly spicy, well-rounded bargain bottle of scotch that belongs in your liquor cabinet.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find hints of sweet honey, salted caramel, and subtle cinnamon. The first sip is full of sweet cream, rich brown sugar, salty ocean brine, and just a hint of baking spices. The fish is long, warming, and ends with more sugary sweetness.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a beginner or someone looking to restock your bar on the cheap, you can’t do much better than Old Pulteney 12.
One of the best whiskies for scotch novices, Aberfeldy 12 is well known as the base for many of Dewar’s blended whiskies. Made in limited quantities, this whisky was aged for 12 years in oak casks. The result is a remarkably smooth whisky with hints of clover honey, vanilla, and charred oak.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find hints of creamy vanilla, dried fruits, and rich coffee. The first sip yields flavors of floral heather, sweet honey, caramelized sugar, and just a wisp of smoke. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice hint of candied orange peel.
Bottom Line:
If you’re new to scotch, you should definitely pick up a bottle of Aberfeldy 12. It’s one of the best gateway bottles I can imagine.
Another great entry-level bottle, Caol Ila 12 was first launched back in 2002. It’s known for its soft, mellow, light nature with just a kiss of smoke. A great bottle for both Scotch novices and Islay beginners.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find hints of herbaceous mint, dried orange peels, tobacco, and a nice smoky backbone. The first sip is filled with sugary vanilla, charred oak, sweet caramel, and more subtle peat smoke. The finish is long, spicy, and smoky.
Bottom Line:
While this is a great gateway into Islay single malts, it’s also a bottle you’ll want to keep on your shelf for years to come.
This is definitely not a scotch for peat-smoked novices. It’s like a campfire in a glass and certainly isn’t for everyone. Named for the town of Port Charlotte on the island of Islay, this 10-year-old single malt is sure to be beloved by fans of smoky whiskies.
Tasting Notes:
This supremely complex whisky starts with a nose of ocean brine, peat smoke, cinnamon, and chocolate fudge. The first sip is filled with sweet honey, subtle citrus, buttery vanilla, and a rich, smoky backbone. The finish is long, full of pleasing heat, and ends in a final flourish of peat smoke.
Bottom Line:
This super smoky whisky should be enjoyed slowly in a Glencairn glass. Take time with it to pick out all the various flavors as they comingle with the smoke.
Glenfiddich 12 is a special bottle. Not only is it one of the best beginner bottles of scotch, but it’s also one of the best always have on hand. (There’s a reason it’s one of the most popular bottles in the world.)
Though it’s not reaching for the same heights as a high-end pick, this is a fairly complex, perfectly-balanced, and relatively nuanced expression. It matures in American oak and European oak sherry casks for 12 years before being rested in oak marrying tuns.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is full of dried fruits, sweet vanilla, and crème brulee. The first sip is full of toasted oak, brown sugar, buttery cream, and shortbread cookies. The finish is long, mellow, and ends with a final hint of caramelized sugar.
Bottom Line:
While this isn’t a crazily expensive bottle, it’s definitely worthy of praise. It’s supremely mellow, soft, and perfect for sharing drams with close friends.
The Macallan is one of the biggest names in the world of Scotch. Its Double Cask 12 Year was aged for over a decade in sherry seasoned American as well as European oak casks. The result is a highly complex, unique whisky you won’t soon forget.
Tasting Notes:
Give this whisky a nice nosing before you take your first sip and you’ll be treated to the scents of fudge, sweet sherry, and dried cherries. The first sip is filled with almond cookies, candied orange peel, sweet sugary, vanilla, and lemon zest. The finish is medium, warm, and ends with sweet chocolate and cinnamon spice.
Bottom Line:
This whisky was painstakingly produced and should be enjoyed with the same respect. Drink it neat or open up the flavors with a few drops of water.
If you’ve never heard of AnCnoc, that’s likely because Knockdhu Distillery changed its whiskies to this moniker to avoid confusion with Knockando Distillery. Name aside, this 12-year-old whisky has won numerous awards for its sherried, rich flavor.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is filled with sweet clover honey, dried orange peels, and rich vanilla. The first sip brings you hints of dried fruits, brown sugar, toffee, and subtle spicy cinnamon. The finish is long, pleasingly warm, and ends with a nice hint of spice.
Bottom Line:
AnCnoc 12 is the kind of whiskey you tell your friends about. Grab two bottles and share one with a pal over the holiday. They’ll be pretty happy you did.
This highly complex lowland single malt was made using three different kinds of wood for aging (hence the name). First is Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks to give the whisky extra sweetness. The next is ex-bourbon casks to add some bold, rich flavor notes. The last is Oloroso sherry butts for sweetness to round it all out.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find obvious aromas of sweet sherry, sticky toffee, and dried cherries. The first sip is full of cocoa, subtle cinnamon, creamy vanilla, and caramelized sugar. The finish is long, warming, and well balanced with a nice combination of dark chocolate and sweet fruits.
Bottom Line:
This unique offering from Auchentoshan should be sipped neat out of a Glencairn glass while you sit in front of a warming fireplace. Let the heat from the fire and the flavors of the whiskey warm you up inside and out.
While Bruichladdich is known for its heavily peat-smoked whiskies, The Classic Laddie isn’t peaty at all and that’s the point. Aged in a combination of American and French oak barrels, it’s mellow, rich, and filled with flavors like honey, vanilla, and caramel.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, this whisky is full of hints of toasted wood, chocolate, dried fruits, and sweet honey. The first sip is heavy on raisins, more chocolate, caramelized sugar, and sweet cinnamon. The finish is long, warming, and ends with the flavor of shortbread cookies.
Bottom Line:
When you’re done drinking smoke bombs like Octomore, crack open a bottle of this very reasonably priced whisky and enjoy the nuanced, smoke-free flavors.
Sometimes GlenDronach gets overlooked in favor of some of the more well-known Highland distilleries. But you’d be missing out if you didn’t give this award-winning whisky a try. Instead of finishing in sherry butts, GlenDronach 12 ages for 12 years in sherry casks before finishing in American oak barrels.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is full of hints of spicy cinnamon, sweet sherry, dried fruits, and caramel. Sipping it yields flavors of buttery caramel, dried orange peel, sweet chocolate, and almond cookies. The finish is medium in length, warm, and ends with hints of molasses and toffee.
Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of the flavors of whisky and sherry melding together in perfect harmony then this is the single malt for you.
There’s a reason The Balvenie has been releasing its 12-year-old Doublewood for the last twenty-seven years. The whisky first spends 12 years in a combination of ex-bourbon oak casks and hogsheads before being aged for nine more months in Oloroso sherry butts.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is filled with hints of raisins, dried apricots, sherry, and clover honey. The first sip keys in on almonds, spicy cinnamon, more sherry sweetness, and buttery caramel. The finish is long, filled with pleasing warmth, and ends with a final sweet, sugary flourish.
Bottom Line:
Take a look around your local liquor store and you’ll see a few brands touting “double oak” or “triple oak.” This is one of the best among them.
This double casked whisky was aged for sixteen years in a combination of American oak casks and sherry butts. The result is a mature, easy sipping whisky that’s perfectly balanced between spicy and sweet.
Tasting Notes:
A nose of almond cookies, nutty sweetness, and caramel starts your journey. Your palate is immersed in hints of spicy cinnamon, charred oak, buttery vanilla, and various holiday spices. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a nice hint of caramel sweetness at the very end.
Bottom Line:
The warming, subtly spicy whisky is well-suited for cold-weather sipping. Pour yourself a dram and warm up on the cold days yet to come.
A favorite of drinkers and bartenders alike, this limited-edition expression is aged for fourteen years in oak casks before finishing in rum casks. The result is a very unique, well-balanced whisky that appeals to both rum and Scotch fans.
Tasting Notes:
Unsurprisingly, the first aromas you’re treated to are those of tropical fruits, dried apricots, and sweet caramel. The first sip yields hints of buttery vanilla, candy apples, orange zest, and just a flicker of cinnamon spice. The finish is long, filled with heat, and ends with sweet, toasted vanilla beans.
Bottom Line:
If you can find a bottle of this limited-edition expression, buy it. You’ll get to enjoy a truly special bottle. Enjoy it neat and imagine sitting with your feet in the sand in a tropical paradise instead of waiting out what is likely to be a long winter.
If you’re going to take your first dip into the Scotch world, you should definitely grab a bottle of Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year. After you’ve tried that, work your way up to the indulgent Nectar d’Or. First aged for ten years in ex-bourbon barrels, it’s finished for two more years in Sauternes wine casks.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, this whisky is full of pleasing aromas like buttery vanilla, maple syrup, and citrus. Take a sip and you’ll be treated to candied orange peel, sticky toffee pudding, and rich vanilla. The finish is medium, warming, and ends with a nice mix of sweet and baking spice.
Bottom Line:
While you can enjoy this whisky any time, It’s best enjoyed after a heavy meal or accompanying a rich dessert. Basically, it’s perfect for the holidays.
This Highland whisky is well known for its well-rounded, soft, sweet, honeyed flavor. Highly awarded, it was aged for 15 years in oak casks. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better sipping Scotch for the price.
Tasting Notes:
You’ll find aromas of sticky toffee, caramel apples, sweet vanilla custard, and just a hint of smoke. On the palate, you’ll find nutty sweetness followed by velvety vanilla and clover honey. The finish is medium, warming, and ends with hints of almond cookies and subtle smoke.
Bottom Line:
Savor this bottle. It’s exceptional and should be enjoyed neat in a Glencairn glass. Maybe buy an extra bottle to ensure you don’t run out.
This highly regarded whisky was aged in three different types of wood (hence the triple wood moniker). The three casks are American oak, 19th-century quarter casks, and Oloroso sherry butts.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is complex with hints of brown sugar, charred oak, sweet vanilla, and walnuts. The first sip is full of the medicinal qualities Laphroaig drinkers know and love. This is followed by hints of sticky toffee pudding, sweet sherry, dried fruits, and a nice kick of peat smoke. The finish is long, warm, and filled with smoke.
Bottom Line:
You better enjoy smoky whisky if you crack open a bottle of this. But on top of peat smoke, this is a great whisky for fans of sherried Scotches (of which I am clearly one).
Glenlivet is one of the biggest names in the Scotch world for a reason. If you’ve already tried the less mature offerings, make sure to purchase a bottle of Glenlivet 18. This complex, unique whisky is made with a combination of American as well as European oak casks.
Tasting Notes:
When nosing, you’ll be met with scents of charred oak, walnuts, clover honey, and caramelized sugar. The first sip is filled with mint, brown sugar, candied orange peel, and licorice. The finish is long, full of warmth, and ends in a subtle hint of cinnamon spice.
Bottom Line:
This whisky isn’t cheap and should be treated with care. It’s a special bottle to be enjoyed on special occasions, neat.
This 18-year-old single malt from Oban has won numerous awards over the years and for good reason. It’s a perfect balance of pleasing peat smoke, charred oak, and sweet vanilla flavors.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is filled with classic peat smoke, bananas foster, and brown sugar. The first sip yields smoky malts, salted caramel, and subtle cooking spices. The finish is long, warm, and ends with hints of brown sugar, cocoa, and more smoke.
Bottom Line:
If you’re not yet ready for the smoke bombs of Islay, Oban 18 is for you. It’s a great combination of sweet and smoky and deserves to be enjoyed neat.
There’s a reason The Dalmore is such a popular whisky brand. It’s constantly cranking out award-winning expressions. This includes Cigar Malt, a 10-year-old single malt that was designed to be enjoyed with a rich cigar. It was matured in ex-bourbon barrels, 10-year-old Matusalem sherry butts, and then cabernet sauvignon casks.
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of spicy cinnamon, sweet vanilla, and dried fruit fill your nostrils. The palate is loaded to the tipping point with hints of sticky toffee, creamy vanilla, brown sugar, and dried orange peels. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a final puff of caramelized sugar.
Bottom Line:
Like the name suggests, enjoy a dram of this special whisky with a fine cigar. If you don’t smoke, that’s okay. It’s still tasty as hell.
This Speyside single malt was matured for 18 full years in sherry seasoned oak barrels. The result is a truly indulgent, rich, sweet, complex whisky that’s well worth its price tag. It’s highly awarded and just as highly sippable.
Tasting Notes:
Nosing this whisky will bring you aromas of dried orange peel, shortbread, and brown sugar. One the sip, you’ll find flavors of caramel apples, candied fruits, sweet vanilla, and charred oak. The finish is long, warm, and ends with a nice kick of cracked black pepper.
Bottom Line:
Chances are, you paid a lot for a bottle of The Glenrothes 18. It’s a really great whisky and should be enjoyed on a special occasion or holiday. I can think of a great one coming up!
You might not be able to pronounce it and that’s okay. You only need to be able to point at the bottle and then pour yourself a dram of this whisky made by blending Ardbeg aged in ex-bourbon casks and sherry butts.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is filled with dried fruit, ocean brine, creamy vanilla, and nice peat smoke. The first sip is filled with hints of clover honey, caramelized sugar, almonds, and even richer woodsmoke. The finish is long, full of warmth, and ends with a final note of salty peat smoke.
Bottom Line:
Even if you’re nowhere near a large body of body, taking a sip of this unique whisky will make you feel like you’re standing on the shores of Islay, skin kissed by the salty sea mist.
This is a whisky for fans of sherry rested or matured Scotch as well as high proof whisky. This non-chill filtered cask strength whisky is aged in first-fill Oloroso sherry bitters from Jerez, Spain (and an area where most Scotch distilleries get their sherry casks).
Tasting Notes:
The first aromas you’ll be met with are those of dried cherries, sweet cinnamon, and rich caramel. The first sip is filled with dried orange peels, cocoa powers, clover honey, dried apricots, and creamy vanilla. The finish is long, full of pleasing heat, and ends with a final flourish of sweet, dried fruits.
Bottom Line:
The way you might sip a well-made sherry after a heavy meal, so should The Glenlivet Nàdurra Oloroso be enjoyed as an after-dinner digestif.
When it comes to Islay malts, sometimes Bunnahabhain doesn’t get talked about as much as Bruichladdich, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg. But it’s non-chill filtered 18-year-old offering is unpeated and a perfect respite for the smoke bombs that call the island home.
Tasting Notes:
Scents of subtle brine, caramelized sugar, and holiday spices will fill your nostrils. When you take a sip, the flavors of salted caramel, rich walnuts, cinnamon, and creamy vanilla are prevalent. The finish is very long, warm, and ends with a nice balance of sweetness and salt.
Bottom Line:
If you’re already a fan of the other Islay malts, grab a bottle of Bunnahabhain 18 to temper the smoky flavors of those other whiskies. You’ll be happy you did.
Winner of the world’s best single malt back in 2010, this briny, subtly salty, peat-smoked offering is pretty much the epitome of Islay in a glass. It’s definitely not for drinkers who prefer their whisky un-peated though, as the smoke and brine are fairly prevalent.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find subtle herbal notes along with sweet vanilla, charred oak, and a nice dose of smoke. On the palate, you’ll be met with candied orange peels, honey, buttery caramel, sticky toffee pudding, and even more peaty smoke. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a mix of salted caramel and pure campfire flavors.
Bottom Line:
This is the perfect whisky for fans of Islay malts. It’s filled with medicinal, salty, and smoky notes that will definitely check all of the important “peated scotch” boxes.
If you don’t have a ton of cash, you can pick up the delicious and recently released Glenmorangie Cake. If you’re willing to spend a little more, grab a bottle of Signet. A combination of the distillery’s oldest and rarest whiskies are aged in specially created casks (up to 40 years old).
Tasting Notes:
Your nostrils will be filled with hints of orange, cocoa powder, and almond cookies. The first sip offers up buttercream, spicy ginger, sweet cinnamon, and brown sugar. The finish is medium in length, lingering, and ends with a final hint of buttery caramel.
Bottom Line:
This is the epitome of a dessert whisky. Pair this with a rich dessert or use it as a digestif after a heavy, wintry meal.
One of the most awarded whiskies in the world, Highland Park 18 is made up of whiskies aged in first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks. The result is a truly unique, memorable flavor profile.
Tasting Notes:
Your nose will be met with aromas of sweet honey, dried cherries, and subtle peat smoke. The first sip is filled with sticky toffee pudding, molasses, chocolate, subtle cinnamon, and more peat. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a healthy combination of caramelized sugar and smoky peat.
Bottom Line:
This is a must-have bottle for Scotch fans who enjoy just the right amount of peat smoke — balanced by brown sugar and vanilla sweetness.
This complex, nuanced whisky was aged for a shade under two decades and was created for the travel retail market. If you can find it, grab a bottle, the liquid inside is worth way more than the price.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find hints of buttercream, dried cherries, subtle peat smoke, and rich toffee. The palate is full of flavors of sweet treacle, wintry spices, sherry, and spicy cinnamon. The finish long, warming, and filled with equal measures of spice and smoke.
Bottom Line:
This is a sought-after bottle that should be enjoyed as such. Crack it open, pour yourself a dram, and take your time with it.
This award-winning single malt is one of the most popular bottles in the world for a reason. Aged for sixteen years, this complex, bold whisky is a magical combination of sherry sweetness and potent peat smoke.
Tasting Notes:
There’s a heavy herbal, tea-like presence on the nose, as well as sweet, dried fruits, vanilla, and a nice dose of peat smoke. The palate is full of sherry sweetness, buttery caramel, and a lot of pleasing campfire smoke. The finish is long, full of rich spices, vanilla, and ends with more smoky peat.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the bottles that every fan of peat-smoked whisky should own. Seriously, you should always have a bottle of Lagavulin 16 on hand. You never know when Nick Offerman might drop by.
This limited-edition offering really shows just what aging in sherry butts can do for a whisky. This superb whisky is aged first in American oak casks before finishing in Spanish sherry butts. It’s a magical combination of peated smoky goodness and sweet sherry.
Tasting Notes:
The nose is a cacophony of peat smoke, sweet sherry, caramelized sugar, and sweet, toasted vanilla. The first sip offers dried orange peels, subtle peat smoke, nutty sweetness, shortbread, and just a hint of peppery spice. The finish is medium, warming, and ends with a final kick of sweet caramel and subtle citrus.
Bottom Line:
If you can manage to find a bottle of this limited-edition bottle, buy one. It’s a great example of non-Islay distilleries peat smoking their malts with great results.
Any whisky from The Dalmore is pretty much a slam dunk. But for the price, you can’t get much better than The Dalmore 18. Aged in American oak cask for fourteen years before being matured for three more years in Spanish sherry butts, this is the epitome of indulgence in a glass.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, you’ll find hints of dried orange peels, sweet cream, subtle spice, and caramelized sugar. The first sip teases out flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruits, sweet sherry, and subtle cracked black pepper. The finish is medium, warm, and ends with a pleasing flavor or almond cookies.
Bottom Line:
If you have the cash, by all means buy a bottle of The Dalmore 30 or 35. But for a lot less money you can sip on the elegance that is The Dalmore 18. Savor it. After all, you’re talking about my personal favorite scotch on earth.
The Browns and Ravens met on Monday Night Football in a critical game for both teams, with Baltimore needing a win to stay in the playoff hunt and the Browns looking to lock down their own Wild Card slot and get as high a seed as possible. While we expected a competitive game, few saw what was to come in Cleveland, as the two teams racked up 40-plus points each in an instant classic.
Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield both put on tremendous performances, but in the fourth quarter Jackson suddenly disappeared during a Cleveland drive with the Ravens up 34-20. The Ravens officially said he was dealing with cramps, but the way he ran to the locker room indicated to many that he was dealing with a different problem, of the intestinal variety.
Trace McSorely entered the game and went 3-and-out on his first drive and then, after the Browns took a 35-34 lead, returned for their next drive. McSorely pushed the Ravens to midfield but on third down he slipped on the slick turf that caused Jackson problems for much of the night and appeared to suffer a significant knee injury. That took things to the two-minute warning, and just at that time Jackson managed to emerge from the locker room.
Lamar Jackson showing up at the two-minute warning with the Ravens facing a fourth down is truly some impeccable timing #Ravens#Brownspic.twitter.com/97NtI1ZV8j
On his first play, a 4th-and-4 that was, effectively, for the game, Jackson ran a sprint out to the right but, rather than running for the first, he found Hollywood Brown over the top for a touchdown.
Jackson and the Ravens, naturally, went for two and converted to go up 7. That led to the Browns marching down the field, with Baker Mayfield finding Kareem Hunt for a game-tying touchdown — and Cody Parkey hit the extra point despite plenty of nerves from Browns fans.
However, that left a lot of time on the clock for Jackson and the Ravens to set up the best kicker in NFL history. They managed to do just that, hitting Mark Andrews across the middle three times to set Tucker up for the game-winner and he crushed it, as usual.
The Browns final play was a disaster, not just for them but for anyone with the Browns +3, who thought they were at least going to push until the worst thing possible happened in the form of a safety.
During the four years of the Trump administration, Geraldo Rivera has been like the steadfast friend who’s always got your back no matter what but who will occasionally talk some sense into you when you need it most. Or as much as one can talk sense into Donald J. Trump. He’s occasionally tried to pull his friend back (or at least called attorney Rudy Giuliani out on his bull) over the last six weeks as he’s clogged courts with frivolous lawsuits and cried baseless accusations of voter fraud. But, finally, at long last, enough is enough. On Monday night, Rivera went on Fox News and told Trump and his stubborn minions to stop.
Rivera appeared alongside Charlie Kirk, the president’s most fervent (though not always well-dressed) twentysomething cheerleader, to try and talk sense into people who are making none. After incoming president Joe Biden made an acceptance speech after being declared the winner by the Electoral College — the same one that handed Trump his win in 2016 after he lost the popular vote — Rivera didn’t hold back, just because he was on Fox News.
Geraldo to @realDonaldTrump: “I want the President, my friend, and the 45th President to understand — it is over. The Electoral College has voted. The longer we drag this out the more we damage the fabric of our democracy…” pic.twitter.com/UVWBYnGRx0
“He’s absolutely right: It is over,” Rivera told the crowd, including a flabbergasted Kirk. “I want the President — my friend, and the 45th President to understand — it is over. The longer we drag this out, the more we damage the fabric of our democracy.” He added, as if to appease Trump’s fragile ego, “It also damages the legacy of President Trump, who should be taking a victory lap right now celebrating the vaccine that he almost single-handedly forced the scientific community to get ready to save millions of lives.”
But Kirk wasn’t having it. He repeated debunked conspiracy theories, claimed there were still “very good questions” about electoral interference, insisted the dozens of lawsuits that were shot down in various courts — including two in the Republican-leaning Supreme Court — still had validity.
Watch, Geraldo Rivera and Charlie Kirk spar on Fox News over election results. pic.twitter.com/Yk1VpeFgGd
“That is so dishonest,” an exasperated Rivera told Kirk. “Six weeks! We have litigated this for six weeks! Twice the Supreme Court of the United States rejected it!” He finally begged him, saying, “You have to stop this!”
Not that Rivera’s words will likely do much good. Kirk and crew will almost certainly follow Stephen Miller, who earlier in the day said they will contest the election up until Inauguration Day on January 20. There’s also the matter that Trump, as per The Daily Beast, has stopped taking Rivera’s calls.
But who knows? Maybe Trump will realize he’s doing more damage than good by dragging this out — not to the country, which will definitely be hurt by a president refusing to concede, but to his own business. Maybe once he realizes he’ll lose more money by asserting a win that didn’t happen, America will finally be rid of Donald J. Trump. At least for a while.
This year’s final Verzuz battle will take place between Bay Area icons Too Short and E-40. While the two veteran rappers are gearing up to go head-to-head, they’ve also got another exciting project in the pipeline: They recently announced they are forming a supergroup with Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.
The two discussed the supergroup, as well as their upcoming Verzuz battle, in an interview with The Breakfast Club. “Long story short man, we made a lot of songs,” Short said. “And it’s not really definite of what it’s gonna be but it’s gonna be something — it’s just a lot of songs.”
Short went on to say that the group’s motivations are purely for the culture, not for money. “There is no [group] name. We just some OGs; everybody got studios, and facilities and rap beats,” he said. “It’s something I feel we’re doing this for hip-hop. You could be doing it for the bag. Nobody don’t need the bag!”
Elsewhere in the interview, Short and 40 discussed the importance of being close with your hometown rivals. Using Jeezy and Gucci Mane as an example, Short said: “If E-40 and Two Short would have turned on each other, a whole lotta sh*t that would have came with that sh*t. We would have f*cked up the story of The Bay. Jeezy and Gucci didn’t f*ck up Atlanta or nothing, but I think that on the opposite side of what we saw on Verzuz with them, if Jeezy and Gucci would have been 15 years, 20 years of comradery, they would be E-40 and Too Short. We made dozens of records together. We made a project together, that motherf*cker made so much money and I don’t think we even had any singles on it.”
Watch Too Short and E-40’s interview with The Breakfast Club above.
Gucci Mane is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Over the weekend, a controversial piece was published in The Wall Street Journal, in which longtime writer Joseph Epstein took surreal umbrage with the fact that Jill Biden, the incoming president’s wife and the future First Lady, uses the academic title of “Dr.” His beef? That she’s not a medical doctor; instead she holds a doctorate in education. Epstein’s plaint was simply incorrect: Anyone who has a doctorate of her level, namely an Ed.D, can be reasonably referred to as a doctor. But there was one person who ran to Epstein’s defense: far right commentator and frequent figure of social media fun Ben Shapiro.
I speak as a “Juris Doctor.” No lawyer should be called doctor. It’s idiotic. In law school, one of the students had a doctorate in a liberal art. When the professor addressed the student but forgot the honorific, another student piped up, and said, “You should say ‘Doctor.'”
“Only people with Ph.D.’s in hard sciences and medical doctors should be called ‘doctor,’” Shapiro demanded. He then spoke in his full capacity as a former Harvard law student. “I speak as a ‘Juris Doctor.’ No lawyer should be called doctor. It’s idiotic. In law school, one of the students had a doctorate in a liberal art. When the professor addressed the student but forgot the honorific, another student piped up, and said, ‘You should say ‘Doctor.’”
Shapiro later laid out a scenario: “If you’re at a dinner and somebody introduces himself as ‘Dr. Smith,’ you’d be rather upset to learn that he had a doctorate in musicology if you were to suffer a stroke at the table.”
He also elaborated on his show, where he bragged about how he went to Harvard while Jill Biden earned her doctorate at the University of Delaware.
Ben Shapiro throws a tantrum about calling Jill Biden “Doctor”: “If you’re not impressed by Harvard Law then you certainly should not be impressed by a degree from University of Delaware in education…When I was at Harvard Law, an actual prestigious law school” pic.twitter.com/NkwoVQJuVk
Shapiro’s pedantic — and often times questionable, to put it mildly — opinions often make him go viral, and not in the way he’d like. This time was no different. Some called him out for his obvious elitism.
Ben Shapiro is having a hissy fit over calling Jill Biden “Dr”. After all, she went to the U of Delaware and he went to Harvard. Well la te da Ben! Aren’t you just the perfect fucking example of a privileged, white, elite, Republican. Can you bend over and kiss your own ass too?
Others pointed out that he’s just plain wrong. What’s more, Shapiro, by his own admission, is only a “Juris Doctor,” and while technically he could refer to himself as “Dr. Ben Shapiro,” that’s not professionally appropriate. (Perhaps the worst thing to come out of all this: You could more accurately refer to him as “Ben Shapiro, Esquire.”)
Dr. Jill Biden earned a doctorate in education and has every right to be called doctor. In fact, anyone with a PhD, DDS, MD, DO, or Ed.D has the right to be called doctor. Ben Shapiro never earned any of those degrees. He may have gone to Harvard Law, but his only title is Clown.
What’s actually happening here is that Shapiro is soaking in envy over the fact that he knows—and I know and every attorney knows—that a “juris doctor” is not a doctorate and that a lawyer can never call themselves “Dr.” (especially because the SJD exists) https://t.co/y4KZgwFQrw
Who was the musicologist who went to a dinner with Ben Shapiro? How upset were you when he introduced himself as “Ben Shapiro”? pic.twitter.com/CvDP693osZ
Last year, HBO released the 4-hour documentary Leaving Neverland, which told the story of two of Michael Jackson’s alleged childhood sexual abuse victims. Shortly after the film’s release, the late singer’s estate filed a $100 million lawsuit claiming the documentary broke a nearly three-decade-old non-disparagement clause. After over a year of legal battles, a court has officially sided with Jackson’s estate.
The clause in question was one HBO signed in order to release a concert film alongside Jackson’s tour for the album Dangerous, which barred the station from making critical statements about him. The judges ruled that they violated that with Leaving Neverland. According to Variety, HBO claimed that the clause was irrelevant and that Jackson’s estate was attempting to “silence victims of sexual abuse,” but a 9th Circuit Court of Appeal still upheld the estate’s win.
The judges agreed that the lawsuit was “frivolous,” but left the final decision up to an arbitrator to settle the dispute. “The contract contained a broad arbitration clause that covers claims that HBO disparaged Jackson in violation of ongoing confidentiality obligations,” the panel ruled. “We may only identify whether the parties agreed to arbitrate such claims; it is for the arbitrator to decide whether those claims are meritorious.”
Jackson’s attorneys Howard Weitzman and Jonathan Steinsapir addressed the legal win in a joint statement, saying, “The trial judge and now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals have unanimously rejected HBO’s arguments. In the court’s own words, HBO ‘agreed that it would not make any disparaging remarks concerning Jackson.’ It’s time for HBO to answer for its violation of its obligations to Michael Jackson.”
While the ruling comes as good news to Jackson’s estate, a recent California law still allows the singer’s alleged Leaving Neverland victims to seek justice. As of January 1 of this year, a new law went into effect that raises the age limit during which victims of childhood sexual abuse can file lawsuits, taking it from age 26 to age 40. The law also extends the statute of limitations on suing a third-party entity who knew about the abuse but failed to take action.
Few would argue that there’s any loss more painful than the death of a child, and those who would argue would undoubtedly be wrong. So if anyone might have some words of wisdom about grief worth listening to, it’s a mother who has lost one of her own children.
Author Clare Mackintosh is one of those mothers, and she offered some words of hope on Twitter—promises about what the future holds for those deep in new grief—and her post has resonated with people who have recently lost loved ones around the world.
My son died fourteen years ago today. If you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, I have some promises for you.
“My son died fourteen years ago today. If you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, I have some promises for you.
I promise this will not always be the first thing you think about in the morning.
I promise you won’t always lie awake at night, sobbing until you can’t breathe.
I promise you will not always feel that hard lump in your throat, like grief is a rock that cannot be moved. It can.
I promise those waves of grief that knock you off your feet will become smaller, less violent. You will be able to stand and let them wash around you, not over you.
I promise walking won’t always feel like you’re dragging your legs through treacle; breathing won’t always be something you have to remember to do. You will do both these things effortlessly again.
I promise you won’t always be winded by someone else’s happiness – their social media updates and photographs. You will smile and feel glad that they have something so special, and that you once had it too.
I promise you will be able to say their name without crying. That you will share a memory and feel wistful; sad, but not broken.
I promise you will not always have to take the day off work on anniversaries, because you are unable to function. You will find something special to mark it, or you will treat it like any other day, and either is okay.
I promise it won’t always hurt like this.
Fourteen years ago a woman made me these promises, and I didn’t believe her. I sobbed silently as she told me how the years had healed her, and I thought she was wrong. My grief was different.
You’ll think I’m wrong too, but in fourteen years’ time – or twelve, or five, or nine… – you will realise the rock of grief in your throat has washed away, and you will make these promises to someone else.
Until then, be gentle on yourself. Grief can’t be rushed, and this is a particularly hard year in which to suffer a loss. Much love to you. ❤️”
People flooded the post with messages of gratitude, and some people who are also farther down the road of grief offered some advice of their own.
@claremackint0sh You’re just learning to live alongside your grief instead of having to barrel through it every day… https://t.co/xFk1bT5Vhf
There are hundreds of responses to the thread from people who shared their own experiences, and they are all worth reading. While everyone handles grief differently and in their own time, so many people described how their grief changed over time—or how they changed and grew around it—and their stories offer hope and insight to those who are wading through new, raw grief.
One of the most beautiful things about being human is that no matter what happens, there are always other people who have been where we are, felt what we’re feeling, and experienced what we’re experiencing. And one of the blessings of modern life is that it’s easier than ever to find those people when we need them the most, to help us know that we’re not alone and to reassure us that we won’t be exactly where we are, feeling exactly what we’re feeling, forever.
Ever since Lizzo launched into stardom, she’s been getting hate for simply existing. Whether she’s celebrating her full figure or sharing vegan recipes, there’s always people critcizing her in the comments. But after she recently decided to go on a smoothie diet for health reasons, she’s now experiencing body-shaming from past supporters — and she’s calling out the double standard.
Lizzo took to TikTok to share her 10-day smoothie detox journey, sharing a step-by-step process of the diet and depicting every thing she eats in a day. But the video sparked some surprising backlash when people began hating on her for promoting “diet culture.”
Lizzo responding to the double standard in another TikTok video, saying that “every big girl should do whatever the f*ck they want with their bodies:”
“I did the 10-day smoothie detox diet and as you know, normally I’d be so afraid and ashamed to post things like this online because I feel like as a big girl, people expect if you are doing something for health, you’re doing it for a dramatic weight loss. And that is not the case. In reality, November stressed me the f*ck out. I drank a lot, I ate a lot of spicy things and things that f*cked my stomach up. I wanted to reverse it and get back to where I was. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of my results. My sleep has improved, my hydration, my inner peace, my mental stability, my f*cking body, my f*cking skin, the whites of my eyes, I feel and look like a bad b*tch — and that’s it. I’m a big girl who did a smoothie detox and I wanted to share it with you guys and every big girl should do whatever the f*ck they want with their bodies.”
Fans shared an outpouring of support for the singer following the backlash, telling haters to leave her alone.
Wait people are mad at @lizzo for dieting? Her message is body positivity, no matter the body. I’m a full sized lady who loves her music and feels empowered regardless if she is on a vegan/smoothie kick. She is a musician who doesn’t just exist to be my role model #Lizzopic.twitter.com/nBJwm6bxTR
you all lack basic empathy. imagine your body being the subject of constant critique and conversation. i hope lizzo is doing very well and is having a great day today.
Lizzo says she’s happy with her weight. Y’all = mad. Lizzo says she wants to lose weight and get healthy. Y’all = mad. When will you people leave her alone and let her do what she wants? pic.twitter.com/W4ABmE3eMM
Lizzo is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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(@WillBlackmon) December 15, 2020
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