Tommy Cutlets

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In today's email:

• Tommy Cutlets: the celebrity just wants to be Tommy DeVito the quarterback.

• Andy Murray: will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open.

• Nigerian Tennis Trio: Suspended for Match-Fixing Scandal.

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TOMMY “CUTLETS”

Tommy Cutlets the celebrity just wants to be Tommy DeVito the quarterback.

Tommy DeVito, the charismatic quarterback who captured attention in 2023 with his blend of local charm and on-field promise, is ready to focus solely on football in his second act with the New York Giants.

Dubbed "Tommy Cutlets" due to his Italian-American roots and love of chicken cutlets, DeVito made waves last season, becoming the first Giants rookie quarterback to win three consecutive games since Phil Simms in 1979.

Yet this year, the fanfare surrounding his personal story takes a backseat to his drive for performance. DeVito will make his 2024 debut as a starter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, replacing Daniel Jones amid a disappointing 2-8 season for the Giants.

"It means a lot," DeVito said about his starting opportunity. "It’s another chance to showcase my abilities and play for my teammates and the organization."

In 2023, DeVito brought energy to the Giants during his six starts, boasting a 3-3 record and delivering exciting moments, including an NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

His stats—95 completions on 149 attempts (63.8%), 581 passing yards, eight total touchdowns, and three interceptions—show promise but also room for growth.

COACH MURRAY

“If you can’t beat him, join him.”

Andy Murray, who recently retired from professional tennis, is stepping into a new role as coach for his longtime rival Novak Djokovic, the two announced on Saturday.

The unexpected collaboration is set to begin during the offseason and continue through the Australian Open in January, marking a significant moment in tennis history as two members of the legendary "Big Four" join forces.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and the player with the most weeks at No. 1 in ATP rankings history, will look to Murray’s insight as he aims to reclaim his dominant form in 2024.

Meanwhile, Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, retired earlier this year following the Paris Summer Games.

Despite their competitive past, the two 37-year-olds, born just a week apart in May 1987, are embracing this new chapter.

“We played each other since we were boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport,” Djokovic wrote on social media, reflecting on their storied rivalry, which spanned 36 matches and saw Djokovic leading 25-11.

“I thought our story may be over. Turns out, it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome on board, Coach — Andy Murray.”

Murray, for his part, expressed his excitement about joining Djokovic's team, stating, “I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.”

MATCH FIXING

Three Nigerian tennis players, linked to a Belgian match-fixing syndicate, have been suspended and fined by the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

In a significant crackdown, the International Tennis Integrity Agency has suspended three Nigerian players for their involvement in a match-fixing scheme linked to a syndicate in Belgium.

The players, all ranked outside the top 1,000, received fines of $10,000 each.

Henry Atseye, who is 35, admitted to multiple anti-corruption violations, including fixing match outcomes and facilitating betting, resulting in a 2 1/2-year ban.

Sylvester Emmanuel and Christian Paul, aged 26 and 29 respectively, failed to respond to the charges, essentially admitting guilt.

They were each banned for three years. This trio is part of a bigger crackdown that includes 20 others tied to the syndicate run by Grigor Sargsyan, already serving a five-year sentence.

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