Latest news with #NationalPickleballDay
Newsweek
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Chad Johnson Sounds Off on NY Giants Trade Idea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Another strong performance by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has raised many valid questions late in August. The obvious question is whether the Giants will reconsider their stance on keeping Russell Wilson as the guaranteed starter for Big Blue in September. The other question is whether the Giants keep Jameis Winston on the roster or not. When discussing both scenarios, NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and the former superstar wide receiver Chad Johnson made it clear that they don't believe the status of Wilson should be questioned at this time. "They have their mind made up that they are going to allow him to develop and allow him to sit back," Johnson said. "Michael Vick, when he played, he sat back. I think that rookies not being thrown to the wolves—some are good at it." Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson on #Giants QB Jaxson Dart, his great performance vs the #Jets and being listed as QB2 on @NightcapShow_ 'They have their mind made up, they're going to allow him to develop and to sit back. Rookies not thrown to the wolves, some are good at it.' — The Giant Topic (@TheGiantTopic) August 17, 2025 On the second question, there was a lot of thinking. Shannon Sharpe wondered if keeping Winston in the picture was necessary if Jaxson Dart is playing well enough to be the guaranteed backup quarterback behind Wilson. For Chad Johnson, it shouldn't be a question. The Giants have a solid QB room, and they should keep it together. Chad Ochocinco plays Pickleball to celebrate National Pickleball Day and the upcoming 2025 DoorDash Major League Pickleball Finals at Grand Central Terminal on August 08, 2025 in New York City. Chad Ochocinco plays Pickleball to celebrate National Pickleball Day and the upcoming 2025 DoorDash Major League Pickleball Finals at Grand Central Terminal on August 08, 2025 in New York City."He's not going nowhere! He's not going nowhere!" Johnson said regarding Winston. "They are going to keep three quarterbacks. Jaxson Dart will, obviously, be developing, and he would be the practice squad quarterback. I don't think they are throwing young boul out there to the Wolves like that as a rookie. Absolutely [you keep Jameis Winston]. Because the third guy that you're keeping is more valuable than just being on the field." The Giants have plenty of experience at the position beyond Dart. Russell Wilson has been starting in the NFL since 2012. Winston has been in the league since 2015 and started 87 of the 105 games he played. Since the Giants want to compete for a spot in the playoffs this year, they don't want to put massive pressure on the shoulders of the rookie if things go south for Wilson. That's not to say that Winston will be the backup, but the Giants could use the veteran's leadership and presence to help guide Dart through his rookie campaign if he does see the field. New York signed Winston to a two-year deal, not with the intention of flipping him. Unless a quarterback-needy team comes to the table with an offer too good to pass up, many believe that Winston will stay put with the Giants and will help Dart understand the game better from the side. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Time Out
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
You can play free pickleball inside Grand Central Terminal this weekend—yes, really
We've seen plenty of oddball things happen in Grand Central Terminal —flash mobs, pop-up dining, even an indoor light show—but this might just be the first time you can volley a pickleball under its Beaux-Arts arches. From Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, Vanderbilt Hall will swap commuters for court time as Pickleball in the Hall takes over in honor of National Pickleball Day, the sport's 60th birthday and the upcoming 2025 Major League Pickleball Finals. The best part? It's totally free. The pop-up is the work of CityPickle, the NYC-based pickleball pros behind several of the city's most in-demand courts, in partnership with Major League Pickleball and sponsored by DoorDash. They're rolling in the first-ever regulation pickleball court to hit Grand Central, with programming for everyone from seasoned dinks-and-drives veterans to absolute beginners who've only just learned that 'the kitchen' is something you're not supposed to stand in. You can reserve your spot for open play or sign up for clinics (yes, paddles are provided) via CityPickle's site or app. Expect a mix of friendly competition, pro tips and the undeniable bragging rights of saying you've played one of the fastest-growing sports in the country beneath a ceiling painted with constellations. Court hours are generous, too: Friday from 2pm to midnight, Saturday from 8am to midnight, and Sunday from 8am to 8pm. That means you can squeeze in a match before brunch, after happy hour, or during a weekend Midtown wander. It's all part of Grand Central's "Fitness @ Grand Central" series, which has been finding inventive ways to turn one of the city's busiest transit hubs into a playground. This one's also a teaser for the Major League Pickleball Finals later this month, when the best players in the world will descend on NYC to battle for the MLP Championship Trophy. And yes, you're welcome to just come watch. Between the pop of the ball, the polished marble backdrop and the people-watching potential, it's shaping up to be a New York moment you didn't know you needed. Grab a paddle (or borrow one), rally a friend and see if you can keep your serve steady while trains rumble below and tourists snap photos. Pickleball in Grand Central? We'll take that over another rush-hour crowd any day.
Mint
08-08-2025
- Health
- Mint
Why National Pickleball Day is celebrated on August 8? All you need to know
National Pickleball Day, marked every August 8, is a celebration of one of America's fastest-growing sports. Since its establishment in 2021, this day has become special for pickleball enthusiasts, highlighting the sport's accessibility and health benefits. National Pickleball Day was founded in 2021 by Deirdre 'Dee' Morris, a certified pickleball instructor and USA Pickleball ambassador based in Lafayette, California. Morris chose August 8, her birthday, to launch this annual event. Her goal was to promote the sport, encourage new players, and celebrate its inclusive nature. Notably, Pickleball began in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum created a game to entertain their families. Using a perforated Wiffle ball, wooden paddles, and a badminton court, they crafted a sport blending tennis, badminton, and table tennis. August 8 honours this legacy while spotlighting pickleball's modern surge. The choice of August 8 is deeply personal, tied to Morris's birthday, symbolizing her commitment to growing the sport. This date has become a focal point for the pickleball community, with events like tournaments, free clinics, and social media campaigns. National Pickleball Day celebrates the sport's universal appeal. Played on a compact court, pickleball is easy to learn, low-impact, and suitable for all ages, from kids to seniors. The day promotes this inclusivity, encouraging people to try pickleball and join its vibrant community. The celebration also highlights pickleball's health benefits. A 2023 study showed that older adults playing pickleball experienced less stress and better mental health. For youth, the sport boosts mood and life satisfaction, while racket sports are linked to reduced dementia risk. August 8 serves as a platform to showcase these benefits, promoting wellness through play. August 8 fuels pickleball's global rise, with over 3.5 million players in the U.S. and growing popularity in countries like Australia and Asia. Professional leagues like the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) draw crowds, and the sport's accessibility supports its Olympic potential. National Pickleball Day amplifies this momentum through community events and social media, inviting everyone to participate. On August 8, players and enthusiasts celebrate by hosting tournaments, joining clinics, or sharing their love for pickleball online. Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, National Pickleball Day is the perfect time to grab a paddle, hit the court, and connect with others.
Forbes
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
National Pickleball Day 2025 With Its Founder Dee Morris
Happy National Pickleball Day! Today, August 8th, 2025 marks the celebration of the 5th annual National Pickleball Day here in the US. When I wrote about the 4th annual National Pickleball Day last year, I did not know the backstory of the day nor much about its founder, Dierdre 'Dee' Morris. However after an email conversation post publishing I promised to do a more proper interview with her for the 2025 event. And here we are. So, let's get to know Ms. Morris a little bit, hear about her backstory, and hear about the creation of the day we now recognize. Morris lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, on the east side of the bay in the suburbs north of Oakland. She is a Certified Pickleball instructor and USA Pickleball ambassador for her area. She works with Pickleball Organized LLC. She teaches at the youth level (elementary and middle school aged kids) and coordinates group events out of her home club, which is called the Walnut Creek Pickleball club based out of Redgear park in Walnut Creek, California. She's also done some tournament direction. She used to do all of this on the side, but she retired last year, so now Pickleball is her 'retirement job.' How did she get introduced to the sport? Morris was an early adopter pickleball, in comparison to the wave of those who (like myself) learned the game in or around Covid in 2020). 'I'm celebrating my 10th year of playing this year; I started in 2015. My sister had started playing and urged my cousin and I to try it, saying this is a fun sport, you have to play. So I went out, played for the first time, and fell in love the minute I started. It's fun, competitive, and was like nothing I'd ever done before. I didn't come from tennis or racquet sports; it was just a totally new experience for me.' Morris' love for the sport led her along a familiar path as she got more involved. Says Morris, 'I've met hundreds of people playing throughout the last ten years. I've furthered my pickleball travels by becoming a USAP ambassador. Eventually I became a certified PPR coach in 2019 and began teaching.' Eventually, Morris noticed that there was no official 'day' designated for the sport. So, I asked the big question: Why August 8th? Here's the real story as told by Morris: 'When you go to apply for an official 'day' for something, it is done through the National Archives. When I went to apply, I had to make sure there's no one else with that day. As it turned out, there was already a 'Pickleball month,' and a 'World Pickleball Day,' so I did some research and the Canadians were set to celebrate on August 8th of that year [in 2020]Indeed Pickleball Canada also has a 'National Pickleball Day,' which is set to be the second Saturday of August annually, so the day moves yearly. This year that falls on 8/9/25. Here in the USA we just designate the August 8th day irrespective of when it falls on the calendar. Why did she create National Pickleball Day? Says Morris, "It's meant to be a day to bring awareness to the sport, to give back by teaching or hosting a party, plan an event, collect equipment for donation to schools or clubs. Do something for the sport on the day; that's the goal." When did Morris notice the day starting to get recognition? 'I had an actual sanctioned tournament in Concord in 2023 to celebrate it, and it was starting to get some growth then. However, it really blew up in 2024 in terms of awareness. This year the Walnut Creek club is having a pizza party to celebrate. We'll have Pizza, socialize, and play some pickleball." This year, to commemorate the event, Morris produced a video celebrating National Pickleball day, filming it with her pickleball playing friends in California. She released the video on August 1st and its available on YouTube. So, there's the story. Thanks to Morris for taking the initiative to create National Pickleball Day, and honor its purpose by playing, teaching, or giving back to the community today.
Axios
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Philly weekender: Katy Perry, pickleball and pierogis
🏓 Pickleballers, the courts at Headhouse Plaza are beckoning for National Pickleball Day. Play your hearts out, sip cocktails and enjoy the DJ from 4-8pm. 📷 Take in the Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Clarence Williams' new exhibition on Hurricane Katrina. The Philly native was living in New Orleans when the tragedy struck and spent more than a decade documenting the city's recovery. Opens Friday at InLiquid in Kensington and runs through Sept. 27. 👷 The Designer Toy Art Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at the 23rd Street Armory with a whole slate of events. Expect exhibits, art, DJs and more. Tickets: $20-$25 adults; $10-$15 children aged 12-17 💥 Liberty Comic Con is Friday-Sunday at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Panels, cosplay performances, gaming tournaments and voice actors from some of your favorite shows, including "The Simpsons." 🍑 Life's a peach when you can pair it with sunny vibes. Linvilla Orchards in Media is hosting a festival dedicated to peaches and sunflowers this weekend. Pick your own peaches, enjoy some of the peachy baked goods and take in the endless row of sunflower fields. Saturday, 8am-6pm. ☠️ You're not dead and gone yet. So take in Laurel Hill cemetery's annual hearse show solidly above ground. 🥟 No one does pierogis like Port Richmond. Check out the neighborhood festival at Campbell Square on Saturday from noon-5pm. Vendors, food, live music.
