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The Best of the Day: January 20th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from January 20, 2021 including Philip Rivers retirement, Collin Sexton's dominant night, and more!
CBS Sports
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 1/20 here.
Philip Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. Rivers spent his first 16 years in the league with the Chargers before signing with the Colts last offseason. Rivers had one of the greatest statistical careers by a QB of all-time and his HOF candidacy will be heavily controversial considering those amazing achievements combined with a track record of underwhelming playoff success. Also, Cavaliers young star PG Collin Sexton had a career night to help lift Cleveland over Brooklyn in the Nets Big 3 debut, and Cole Anthony drained an epic buzzer beater to down Minesota.
Here is the best of the day from January 20, 2021:
8x Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers retired from the NFL after 17 seasons
Philip Rivers will be retiring from the NFL after 17 seasons in the league. Rivers, 39, played 16 of his 17 seasons with the Chargers, earning eight Pro Bowl nods, before playing his last season with the Colts. He was acquired by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2004 in a draft-day trade that sent Eli Manning, who the Chargers drafted No.1 overall, to the New York Giants. He spent his first two seasons in the league backing up Drew Brees before taking over as the starter once Brees joined the New Orleans Saints in free agency. Rivers never missed another game after that, starting 252 consecutive games, including the playoffs, to close out his career.
Rivers will end his NFL career with 134 wins, eighth all time and the second most by a QB without a Super Bowl. He made the playoffs seven times, finishing with a 5-7 postseason record. Despite not having a ring or even a single Super Bowl appearance, Rivers is still one of the most accomplished QBs to ever play. He finished his career completing 64.9% of his passes for 63,440 YDS with 421 TDs and 209 INTs. His 95.2 career passer rating ranks 12th all time while he is fifth in both yards and touchdown passes. It remains to be seen whether he will get a gold jacket, but there is no doubt he was among the top QBs of his generation.
“It’s just time.”
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) January 20, 2021
Philip Rivers retiring from NFL after 17 seasons.https://t.co/Ht6xSIska9
Philip Rivers is ending his career after playing 252 consecutive games, which is the 2nd most by a QB, behind Brett Favre who had 321
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 20, 2021
Philip Rivers reportedly retires from the NFL ranked FIFTH all time in the following categories:
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 20, 2021
- Completions (5,277)
- Passing Yards (63,440)
- Passing TD (421) pic.twitter.com/phJAEiptbY
Related: Stories of the Day
Collin Sexton is the focal point of a very promising core in Cleveland
After missing the last five games, Collin Sexton was looking forward to his matchup vs. Brooklyn where he’d face off against Kyrie Irving, who missed his last seven games as well. In his ninth game of the season, Collin Sexton put up 20+ points for the ninth straight time as he continues his ascension in the NBA. The ‘Young Bull’ spoiled Brooklyn’s Big 3 debut with an explosive performance in OT that included 20 straight points and multiple heat-check 3’s, reminiscent of LeBron’s legendary 25 straight points for long-time Cleveland fans.
Sexton’s latest performance was the best of his young career and further proves his place as a future All-Star in the NBA. It wouldn’t be surprising if he makes his first ASG this year considering he’s already averaging 27 PPG on 53.4%/50%/77.3% FG/3P/FT shooting. He’s the clear offensive focal point of the Cavs, leading them to a 7-7 record so far as part of a young core that has shown plenty of promise.
While they won’t have Kevin Porter Jr. for much longer, they still have Sexton (22), Darius Garland (21), Isaac Okoro (20), Jarrett Allen (22), and Cedi Osman (25), who are all 25 or younger, and already contributing at the highest level of basketball. Considering Cleveland is likely to trade Kevin Love in the near future for more young assets, the Cavaliers could be a major free agent signing or two away from returning to contention like they were in 2014 when LeBron James returned to the Land and elevated them to the top of the East.
Sexton (42 PTS) TOOK OVER in Cleveland’s 2OT win! 💥 pic.twitter.com/aXRoVS78ae
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 21, 2021
Collin Sexton scored 20 straight pts for the Cavs during OT. He's the 2nd Cavs player to score 20 straight over the last 20 seasons, joining LeBron James. pic.twitter.com/DsLvNbCzNE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 21, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Cole Anthony drained the best GW of the year so far
COLE ANTHONY FOR THE WIN! 😱#Crunchtime pic.twitter.com/hcLK9LP6f8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 21, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | Orlando Magic Highlights
PG Collin Sexton, CLE (W v.BKN): 42 PTS (16-29 FG | 5-11 3P), 5 AST, 5 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (1/20/21) - PG Collin Sexton, CLE
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 21, 2021
THE FACTS:
- 2nd Cavs player w/ 20 straight PTS (LeBron) since 2000
- 15 PTS in 2nd OT almost 2x as Nets whole team (8)
- Career-high 42 PTS including 22 in both OT periods
- Spoiled Kyrie's return to CLE & the Nets Big 3 debut https://t.co/EUKfkbGtFz
Related: Players of the Day
Brooklyn Nets (135) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (147) (2OT)
[Highlights] @CAVALIERS (+437; $11.49) d. NETS (-437; $9.91) 147-135 (2OT) [CLE +10 | o226]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
NBA Game Reviews: January 20, 2021 by Rob Mason
Some of the youngest stars in the game shined brightest during Wednesday night’s NBA action
Collin Sextons' insane takeover, Cole Anthony's epic game-winner, and impressive performances from some young stars are featured in the 1/20/21 NBA Game Reviews ⬇️ https://t.co/hWdaJnBj3c
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 21, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 20th
OTD 1980 Pittsburgh defeated the LA Rams 30-19 to win Super Bowl XIV. That’s four in six years!!!! pic.twitter.com/kevyLDEHJ5
— VintageSteelers (@VintageSteelers) January 20, 2021
YEARS: 1980 & 1985
SIGNIFICANCE: Steelers won their NFL-record 4th Championship in 6 years and the 49ers won their 2nd Super Bowl in 4 years
Related: Significant Sports History
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