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SALT LAKE CITY — Four more stories from the world of sports in today’s From Left Field
1. Kingston Bolles steals the show at the NFL Draft
Utah offensive lineman Garett Bolles was the first offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft that began Thursday night. When the Denver Broncos made the selection with the No. 20 overall pick, Bolles walked on stage with young Kingston Bolles in his arms — and the internet loved it.
I believe we all know who just won the entire draft, Kingston Bolles pic.twitter.com/GfsnsJJ8Dr
— Cody Stark (@TVcody) April 28, 2017
Some likened the moment to a scene in the movie “Lion King.”
SIMBA pic.twitter.com/6UpaLmIdwY
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 28, 2017
Garett Bolles at the #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/CusugaOI9e
— Joe (@CleSoldier2011) April 28, 2017
Of course, Thursday was “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” and some were quick to point that out.
Garett Bolles wins #takeyourkidtoworkday.#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/YLGVrObx3p
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 28, 2017
People also pointed out Kingston’s impeccable suit game.
Jamal Adams had the night's best suit. Second-best suit belongs to Garett Bolles' Draft Baby. pic.twitter.com/24FBPQmClD
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) April 28, 2017
As for Garett, he said he was happy to head to Denver, close to where he served an LDS mission.
2. “Fine me later”
The other moment of the first round that got people talking was UCLA linebacker Takkarist McKinley, who was drafted by Atlanta with the No. 26 overall pick. McKinley got on stage holding a framed photo of his grandmother, whose last words to McKinley, he said, were to follow his NFL dream.
"She means everything to me. I wouldn't be here without her." -Takkarist McKinley on his grandmother pic.twitter.com/fOn9ikqZhC
— ESPN (@espn) April 28, 2017
While the moment was sweet, McKinley got a little too over the top in his interview with Deion Sanders. In the interview, a pumped up McKinley accidentally slips an F-bomb on live TV and immediately realizes it by saying, “you can fine me later, man. Fine me later.”
That moment got people talking right away.
This kid drops the f-bomb live on air, says "Fine me later." Epic. #NFLDraft
— Mitch Axness (@MitchAxness) April 28, 2017
But people also seemed fired up about it.
Takkarist McKinley is Ray Lewis-level hype. I'm here for it.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 28, 2017
Takk is ready to play football. Give the dude a helmet! #NFLDraft
— Brooke Cersosimo (@BCersosimo) April 28, 2017
I would go into war for Takkarist McKinley
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 28, 2017
3. A’s pitcher turns unassisted double play in a matter of seconds
Unassisted double plays are pretty rare for pitchers, who are obviously the only infield position isolated from the base pads. So some come once in a blue moon — sometimes literally.
On Thursday, the Oakland Athletics' pitcher Kendall Graveman made an incredible play to nab two Los Angeles Angels players at third base after snagging a chopper back to the mound.
A's pitcher Kendall Graveman with one of the best unassisted double plays you'll ever see! pic.twitter.com/nsRL4Jpw26
— LeadingMLB ™ (@LeadingMLB) April 28, 2017
Here’s a look from another angle:
Just your typical 1-unassisted double play: pic.twitter.com/b8wecNSstZ
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) April 28, 2017
According to the Elias Bureau, the last A’s pitcher to turn an unassisted double play was Johnny “Blue Moon” Odom in 1971 against the then-called California Angels. And more incredibly in this rarer than blue moon occurrence— he was at the game Thursday!
Despite a solid outing and an incredible play by Graveman, who had just been reinstated off the disabled list, the pitcher picked up his first loss of the season as the A’s fell to Los Angeles, 2-1.
4. Mascot’s stunt fails
It was a rough night for the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday as the team was eliminated by San Antonio in the NBA Playoffs. It was also rough for the team’s mascot who attempted to bodyslam a Spurs fan through two tables. Spoiler: It didn’t work as planned.
Super Grizz is here to help @JerryLawler take down Buff Bagwell! #BelieveMemphispic.twitter.com/cMadnAWAoi
— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) April 28, 2017
The table didn't break ... pic.twitter.com/aWhgsYlRJy
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) April 28, 2017
According to Sports Illustrated, the Grizzlies invited a pair of wrestling legends to the game to increase off-court theatrics. The on-court theatrics were equally entertaining, but not enough to force a Game 7 as the Spurs won, 103-96.