Jayden Daniels makes a Christmas Day comment that the NFL isn't going to like
For those out there wondering, this intentional NFL-on-Christmas-Day slate of games is basically new territory. Sure, the league has played games on Christmas in the past, but that's only when the holiday has fallen on an applicable game day.It wasn't scheduled out like it is, now. Us oldheads (yes, me included) remember the days of […]
For those out there wondering, this intentional NFL-on-Christmas-Day slate of games is basically new territory. Sure, the league has played games on Christmas in the past, but that's only when the holiday has fallen on an applicable game day.
It wasn't scheduled out like it is, now. Us oldheads (yes, me included) remember the days of yore when the sport that ruled Christmas Day was NBA basketball. And hell, I guess you can still say that after 24-year-old Washington Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels' latest comment.
"I think I remember around this time waking up tomorrow and watching NBA basketball. I know there's football on tomorrow, but, I mean, I don't think anything could kind of replace what basketball brings to Christmas," Daniels told reporters on Tuesday.
Rodger Godell and co. aren't going to want to hear that. A big reason why the NFL now schedules games on Christmas is to compete with, and eventually beat out, the NBA.
2024 will be the fourth consecutive year in which the NFL has scheduled games on Christmas Day, but never before has it felt like Commissioner Roger Goodell has succeeded in his mission, which is to steal Christmas from the NBA. As a tradition, Thanksgiving Day is dedicated to the NFL, with no NBA games scheduled for that day, while Christmas is dedicated to the NBA and its marathon of games starting with the classic matinee on the East Coast, this year with all eyes on Madison Square Garden in New York where Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs are expected, and ending with a big match out West, between the Phoenix Suns of Kevin Durant and the Denver Nuggets of Nikola Jokic. Even the NBA has left nothing to chance, relying as always on its most representative players, from Luka Doncic to Jason Tatum, from Stephen Curry to LeBron James. Yet there is a feeling that there has been a vibe shift, as if the hype for Christmas now revolves more around the NFL than the NBA. – NSS Sports
With how the NFL is handing out fines these days, it won't be a surprise if Daniels receives something in the mail after this comment. I mean, Goodell must be front and center of all things sports, and detractors will be unequivocally punished to the highest degree.
But in all seriousness, it's still hard to automatically think NFL as opposed to NBA, right now. But I'm sure we will all eventually be conditioned to think that way before too long.
LeBron James threw some gas on the fire himself later Wednesday night that adds to the fun:
Watch the NFL now schedule a six-game slate next Christmas. The rivalry is officially on.
