Today’s Schmidt List looks at the MLB trade deadline deals, debate the NFL’s best receiver, Jon Gruden’s got a problem and Neiron Ball gets some help.
Former teammates and fans come together to help Neiron Ball
Former Florida standout and Raiders fifth round pick Neiron Ball is recovering from a brain aneurysm suffered on Sept. 16, 2018, and was placed in a medically induced coma. His insurance does not cover the mounting medical bills and a Go Fund Me was established to help his medical fight.
What followed was an avalanche of support from Florida football fans, Oakland Raiders fans, his former teammates and people with a heart donating their money for his cause.
Jordan Reed donated $10,000, Khalil Mack donated $7,000, Chaz Green chipped in with $3,500, Keanu Neal added $2,500 to the medical fund. Other former Florida teammates, including Jaylen Watkins, Max Garcia, Justin Trattou, Alex Anzalone, Valdez Showers, Casey Prather, Kyle Christy, among many others, were found in the donations that are approaching $112,000 at the time I write this.
I first heard about Ball’s condition when I saw the above tweet circulating on my timeline. It quickly spread across Gator Nation as more and more fans saw one of their own in need. As much as Twitter and social media can be a toxic place, it’s cases like this that make me rethink humanity and remember that there are plenty of really caring and empathetic people out there. We didn’t have to look too far to see this extraordinary effort by fans, former teammates and perfect strangers trying to help.
Easily the best thing I’ve seen all week and wish the best for Ball in his fight.
Jon Gruden likes what he sees from Nathan Peterman
Jon Gruden has never met a quarterback he didn’t love. That includes Nathan Peterman and his three career touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Raiders head coach said Peterman was growing him after seeing him spin it at training camp. Growing on him like a rash? Growing on him like an arm out of his forehead? My advice is to see a medical professional and have that growth lopped off. It’s not good for his health.
MLB trade deadline goes from six to midnight
Just when it looked like Yasiel Puig trying to fight the entire Pirates team after the Reds traded him to the Indians for Trevor Bauer would be the big takeaway from the MLB trade deadline, there was a flurry of moves announced after the 4 p.m. deadline. The Cubs got Nick Castellanos, the Astros got Zack Greinke and the Yankees got no one of consequence. The party was dying on the vine with the Brewers trading for Drew Pomeranz and his 5.68 era, but then it got lit in a hurry. It reminds me of high school parties when a Kyle or Chad would show up with a handle of Captain Morgan, a case of Busch Light and a funnel.
Who is the best receiver in the NFL?
Michael Thomas inked a $100 million extension with $61 million in guarantees to become the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. But is he the best receiver in the NFL? Thomas is coming off an NFL-high 125 receptions, set a career-high with 1,405 yards and matched his career-high with nine touchdowns to make his first, First-Team All-Pro selection. No wonder they showed him the money. There is really no wrong answer if you say, Deandre Hopkins, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, Jr. or Thomas is the NFL’s best receiver. I wish any of them were on my fantasy team or my reality team. That said, give me Hopkins all day and twice on Sunday as the league’s best right now.