Abilene Reporter-News ❚ WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 ❚ 1B SPORTS

NFL NOT THEIR FIRST RODEO What to watch for as HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ returns to Dallas

Nate Davis USA TODAY

Unsurprising as the selection of the to participate – for a record third time – in this summer’s installment of “Hard Knocks” was, the decision by HBO and NFL Films to feature “America’s Team” once again is also wholly justifiable. For starters, plenty of metrics suggest the Cowboys are America’s most popular – and maybe least popular – sports team. With so much organic interest, why try to generate artificial buzz by forcing the spotlight onto one of this year’s other “meh” alternatives – the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants? (League rules exempt teams from appearing on “Hard Knocks” if they have a first-year head coach, reached the playoffs in either of the previous two seasons or Dallas quarterback Dak participated in the show in the previous 10 years.) Prescott celebrates a Yet Dallas, previously featured on “Hard Knocks” in 2002 and touchdown reception against 2008, should provide more intrigue in 2021 than past the New York Giants on protagonists like quarterback , coach Dave Campo October 11, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Prescott would leave or then-unknown receiver Danny Amendola. that game with a dislocated So why should you tune into HBO on Tuesday nights this ankle and did not return to August? Here’s seven reasons: action for the rest of the season. GETTY IMAGES See COWBOYS, Page 2B

Mahomes joins effort to Going the extra half-mile: support youth football Bolt trains for 800 event

Dave Skretta Pat Graham ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs’ Usain Bolt: 800-meter sprinter. Patrick Mahomes is teaming with USA That’s right, the now-retired world’s Football to host three youth football fastest man is not only changing dia- coaching clinics across Missouri this pers these days but also distances as he summer while his 15 and the Mahomies makes a brief comeback for a promo- Foundation has provided grants to 15 tional race. youth football leagues. The new father of twins selected the The collaboration between the 800 meters, a two-lap endeavor mea- three-time Pro Bowl quarterback and sured in minutes, not seconds, like he’s USA Football was announced Monday. more accustomed. The training has Webb City (Missouri) High School been grueling for the 100- and 200-me- coach John Roderique, who has led the ter world record-holder but has made Cardinals to a state-record 12 champi- him miss the action. jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates onships, and longtime Rockwood (Mis- Sort of. winning the gold medal in the souri) Summit High School coach Mike Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes “When I go to the track and start 200-meter final during the 2016 Bellars will lead the clinics. throws during minicamp on June 16 in training, then I don’t miss it that much,” Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Their purpose is to prepare other Kansas City, Mo. CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP cracked the 34-year-old Bolt, whose Brazil. DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP coaches to teach youth athletes based nearly 13-year reign as Olympic cham- on their age, skill level and the type of ple of the investment that Mahomes pion in the 100 and 200 will come to an Bolt is undertaking the new distance football games they are playing. and his wife, Brittany Matthews, are end at the Tokyo Games. “I’m excited to in part for a promotion – and to simply The first of the clinics, which are free making in their adopted community. be training and just running and seeing put on those spikes again. His oppo- to youth football coaches, will take Mahomes recently purchased a mi- what I can do.” nent won’t be on the track, either. He is place July 27 in the Kansas City suburb nority interest in the Kansas City Roy- Since his retirement in 2017, Bolt’s going up against a CarMax customer of Olathe, Kansas. The second will take als while Matthews, who played profes- life has involved making records ( he’s a who is getting an instant online offer for place July 31 in Web City, Missouri, and sional soccer in Iceland, is part owner music producer ) and raising a family. a vehicle on their phone as Bolt speeds the third on Aug. 7 in Kansas City, Mis- of the Kansas City franchise in the Na- He and his partner, Kasi Bennett, re- around his home track. The July 13 souri. tional Women’s Soccer League. cently welcomed twins, Saint Leo and “race” will be streamed on his Facebook Along with the clinics, the 15 and the Meanwhile, the 15 and the Maho- Thunder, to their family (they also have page. Mahomies Foundation announced that mies Foundation have donated hun- a young daughter named Olympia It may even be punctuated by his $2,000 operating grants will be distrib- dreds of thousands of dollars to local Lightning ). He also enjoys a good soc- signature “ Lightning Bolt ” pose at the uted to 15 area youth leagues across the causes. cer match (he wants to meet French finish. region. That includes funding the renova- soccer standout Kylian Mbappé be- “I definitely miss it a little bit,” Bolt They will be awarded through an on- tion of Martin Luther King Jr. Park, not cause “he’s fast”) and of course a well- said of the adrenaline rush from com- line grant application. far from Arrowhead Stadium, which run race – especially a distance event peting. “I’m excited to be training and “Smart coaching can make a lasting will feature an all-inclusive play site such as the 800. just running and seeing what I can do.” and positive impact on kids and their along with opportunities to learn about Bolt’s best time over two trips To prepare, he has been riding his sports development,” said Mahomes, and commemorate King’s work. around the track is 2 minutes, 5 sec- Peloton bike and in training doing who has led the Chiefs to three consec- “Patrick’s commitment to kids onds, he said. But he quickly added: “I something he rarely used to do – circle utive AFC tile games and back-to-back through his 15 and the Mahomies Foun- did that in my track shoes. If I put the the bend of the track and just keep on Super Bowl appearances. “I’m happy to dation is immense and uncommon,” spikes on, I can make it under 2 min- going. He is running lap after lap. partner with USA Football to support USA Football chief executive Scott Hal- utes.” “Just to get my legs ready for the lac- healthy football practices for coaches lenbeck said. “We value Patrick’s FYI, because he’s all about world tic acid and my lungs for the air that I and youth athletes across the KC re- friendship and love of the game to de- records: The top 800 time is 1:40.91, set need,” he explained. gion.” by David Rudisha of Kenya at the 2012 The collaboration is another exam- See MAHOMES, Page 2B London Games. See BOLT, Page 2B