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5 Lowest Seeds to Make the NCAA Final Four

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There was a time in college basketball when the best teams in the country would almost always make the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. However, in the mid-2000s, more upsets started to happen as the talent gap between the top and bottom began to shrink thanks to the best players only sticking around for a year before heading to the NBA.

As a result, there have been some lower seeds to make the Final Four, including a long list of eight seeds that have even reached the championship game. Then there are those who were ranked even lower, stunning the sports world by claiming a Final Four spot as a double-digit seed. Here are those teams that had remarkable runs, but all of which ended just short of a championship.

LSU (1986)

Louisiana State University isn’t some rinky-dink school in the middle of nowhere, but they were ranked like one when they made it into the 1986 NCAA Tournament as an 11 seed. In their first game, LSU pulled off the minor upset over Purdue by defeating the Boilermakers 94-87 in double-overtime. They then pulled off a trio of major upsets, all of which were also incredibly close games.

They defeated third-seeded Memphis in the second round (83-81), second-seeded Georgia Tech in the Sweet 16 (70-64), and top-seeded Kentucky in the Elite 8 (59-57). LSU didn’t fare so well in the Final Four when they met up with western regional-winning Louisville, however. The eventual-champion Cardinals defeated LSU 88-77, then defeated Duke 72-69 to claim their title.

George Mason (2006)

It would be another 20 years before another double-digit seed made it to the Final Four, and it came from the unlikeliest of teams. George Mason was a mid-major, but they didn’t win their conference tournament. Instead, that honor went to UNC Wilmington, but the Patriots were still given a chance by the NCAA Tournament Committee to show what they could do in 2006.

George Mason didn’t disappoint, and they started off by taking down a pair of blue bloods in the first two rounds in the form of Michigan State and North Carolina. After beating upstart Wichita State in the Sweet 16, George Mason pulled off their biggest upset in their tourney run by taking down top seed Connecticut. The run would end in the Final Four, however, as Florida defeated them 73-58, then dispatched UCLA by a nearly identical score in the championship game.

VCU (2011)

Virginia Commonwealth’s story was almost identical to George Mason’s. The team was considered a strong mid-major, but many felt that they should have been left out of the tournament since they didn’t win their conference tournament. VCU was brought in for the new “First Four” which meant they had to play USC to declare who the #11 seed would be in the southwest region.

VCU took down the Trojans to claim the spot then blew out their next two opponents (#6 Georgetown and #3 Purdue). The only real close game that VCU played on their way to the Final Four was against 10th-seeded Florida State, with VCU prevailing 72-71 in overtime. They took down #1 Kansas before losing to eighth-seeded Butler in the Final Four.

Loyola-Chicago (2018)

Nobody will ever forget the story of Sister Jean and the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers of the Missouri Valley Conference. After finishing 28-5 and winning the MVC, Loyola won their first three games in the tournament by a combined four points. The Ramblers took down Miami, Tennessee, and Nevada during that stretch then took on Kansas State in the Elite 8.

Kansas State came in as a nine-seed, so it was going to be a cinderella team in the Final Four, either way. Loyola ran away with the game, defeating the Wildcats 78-62. Many thought they were a team of destiny, but when they reached the Final Four, they ran into a buzzsaw in the form of the Michigan Wolverines. The Ramblers’ season came to an end with a 69-57 loss.

UCLA (2021)

When you think of underdogs, you probably don’t think much about the NCAA team that has more championships than anybody else. However, that was the case in 2021 when the UCLA Bruins were given an at-large bid and entered into the First Four against fellow low-seeded blue blood Michigan State.

UCLA prevailed over the Spartans and went on to upset BYU in the first round. They then got an easy opponent in Abilene Christian when they upset Texas. UCLA showed they weren’t a fluke, though, as they toppled the top two seeds (Alabama and Michigan) to make it into the Final Four. UCLA nearly made the championship game, too, but lost to Gonzaga in overtime.

5 Timeless Classics From 50s Hollywood

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Some say that the Golden Age of Hollywood was the best and that the 1950s marked the “Fall of the Studio System.” Life Magazine even called the 1950s the “horrible decade” at the time, which seems silly now that we look back at the era. There were many timeless classics that were released between 1950 and 1959, many of which we still quote to this day. Here are five timeless classics from 1950s Hollywood that, if you haven’t seen, you’ll be sure to love.

Vertigo

Jimmy Stewart was perhaps the biggest name in Hollywood during this era and he starred in many classic films that are still heralded to this day. Among his best work was “Vertigo”, one of his team-ups with director Alfred Hitchcock. The two collaborated on four films together, and most critics are split on whether it was “Vertigo” or “Rear Window” that ended up being the best of the best.

“Vertigo” does have a lot of memorable moments and follows the story of Stewart’s character John ‘Scottie’ Ferguson, a police officer who develops a fear of heights after seeing one of his fellow officers fall off of a building. The story taps into the psyche of fear and is played beautifully by Stewart with an ending that won’t soon be forgotten thanks to actress Kim Novak.

Singin’ in the Rain

Musicals are still popular today, but back in the 1950s, they were all the rage. Out of the many musicals from the era, the one that has withstood the test of time more than any other is “Singin’ in the Rain” starring the legendary Gene Kelly. The rest of the cast is amazing, as well, including Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor.

Despite not making as much money as you might think, “Singin’ in the Rain” became a classic over the years thanks to television airings and eventually VHS releases. Many started to memorize the words from the soundtrack, including the titular song as well as “Good Morning”, “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Moses Supposes”. Almost everyone in real life, too, has had their own little parody of ‘Singin’ in the Rain” when the weather allows it.

12 Angry Men

“12 Angry Men” was originally written for television, but the story ended up being so good that Henry Fonda and Reginald Rose adapted it to the big screen, too. Fonda also stars in the film where a jury is trying to decide the fate of a teenage boy who was charged with murder. If you enjoy intense dramas where the scene doesn’t change, then “12 Angry Men” is the one for you. There are a lot of memorable lines and moments with amazing pacing throughout.

Fonda’s character is the only one at the beginning who votes ‘not guilty’ in the jury and spends almost the entire film convincing everyone else to vote alongside him. Eventually, everyone starts to see things his way as there is a lot of reasonable doubt surrounding the crime. The movie brilliantly captures tha ability of one calm person being able to hold back an entire group of people with a mob mentality.

Sunset Boulevard

Billy Wilder’s 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard” is one of those films that Hollywood loves because it gives a good glimpse into the inner workings of the film industry. What most people will remember about “Sunset Boulevard” is the performance of Gloria Swanson, who plays former silent-film actress Norma Desmond.

Norma is trying to make her return to the big screen after vocals have been introduced to films, and won’t accept that her 15 minutes of fame have expired. She tries to get in touch with famous director Cecil B. DeMille, which helps to create the intensely famous final line from Norma, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

The Bridge on the River Kwai

Like musicals, war films were extremely popular during the 1950s, and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” may have been the best of the bunch. Directed by David Lean, this film stars A-lister William Holden alongside Jack Hawkins and Alec Guinness. Guinness, of course, would go on to play Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original “Star Wars” films.

The three men play prisoners of World War II in the early 1940s and the film shows the helplessness that one can feel during that time. “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was a massive hit when it was first released, costing nearly $3 million to make while pulling in well over $30 million in box office sales. For context, that would be a $30 million budget and $325 million revenue in modern times.

5 Household Items You Didn’t Know Were Deadly

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Some say that there’s danger lurking around every corner, and they aren’t only talking about the outdoors. In your own home, there are a lot of things that aren’t only dangerous, but can also be deadly. Some are deadly in the sense that they can cause a tragic accident instantaneously, while others are dangerous because they cause chronic illnesses.

At some point, you’ve probably thought about the potential dangers that some of the items in your house can bring. We don’t want to cause any alarm as all of these items have their purpose, but you have to be careful when using them. On the other hand, you may want to consider alternatives for a few of these items. Without further adieu, here are five household items that you probably didn’t know could be deadly.

Space Heater

Often used in the dead of winter to warm up a small area inside your home, space heaters are extremely convenient and come in handy on those especially frigid winter days. Well, like any corded appliance, there’s always a risk of an electrical fire when using a space heater. 

That risk is increased when the appliance is producing a lot of heat. Annually, about 45,000 house fires are caused by electrical problems. Always keep your space heater plugged into a functioning wall outlet, with no extension cords. Keep flammable items far from the space heater. Educate yourself on space heater etiquette to keep your home safe. 

Chemical Cleaners

Odds are you’ll find at least a few harsh chemical-based cleaners in any household. Bleach, window cleaner, ammonia, drain cleaner, and toilet bowl cleaner all contain harsh ingredients that can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs, and possibly damage items they come into contact with. 

As if that’s not reason enough to ditch the harsh chemicals, if mixed together the chemicals can create noxious gasses that are dangerous and possibly deliver fatal consequences. Opt for more natural cleansers that are gentle, but still tough on stains and filth. Only use these harsh chemicals when absolutely necessary and never mix them together.  

Nonstick Pots and Pans  

The ease of cooking with nonstick pots and pans almost makes you forget that the nonstick surface itself contains Polytetrafluoroethylene. Not only a mouthful, but a fluoropolymer that has been linked to inferiority, obesity, and certain cancers. 

A rather unappetizing danger most people don’t factor into their meal plans. Do as much research as you can to find pots and pans that are safely nonstick, so you’re not ingesting a deadly surprise with your meals. 

Air Fresheners and Plug-ins

Air fresheners come in all different kinds of vessels. Aerosol cans, aroma beads, wax melts, diffusers, potpourri, candles, incense, and plug-ins, just to name a few. Some hidden dangers to using powerful air fresheners are the asthma and lung issues that can develop, or become irritated by the release of scents and mists. 

It’s best to stick to natural and less irritating scent enhancers that freshen up the room without harming your air quality. One more thing to be aware of is the danger of plug-in air fresheners. Plugging the scented packs into your outlets can cause fires and it’s best to stay away from them completely. 

Extension cords 

A seemingly harmless household helper, the extension cord. They’re convenient as ever but can threaten your safety at home. Most house fires are caused by electrical issues, including poor extension cord usage. Never plug space heaters, or other powerful appliances into extension cords and keep them plugged directly into outlets instead. 

Ensure your extension cords are not overcrowded and only have a small number of items plugged in temporarily. Typically they’re not safe to be used as long-term fixtures for your devices. Keep extension cords in sight and never run them underneath rugs or other flammable objects. 

How Did The Ancients Know The World Wasn’t Flat?

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Despite the efforts of some conspiracy theorists around the globe, we know that the Earth is round. It wasn’t just a theory at one point, though, as it was widely accepted by many that the world was flat in various ancient cultures. It wasn’t until the likes of Plato and Aristotle came around and showed that the Earth was round, and since then has been recognized as scientific fact.

There were varying theories about the Earth’s flatness, with some saying that the Earth floated in the ocean as if it were a log. Others said that the Earth was a circle within a large square that sat completely stationary in space while the Sun revolved around us. It’s strange to think about these theories now, especially as humans have not only looked into but have gone into space, seeing the full scope.

During the 4th century, it became more widely accepted that the Earth was round, but how did these ancient cultures finally accept this? For generations, they believed that the Earth was flat and nobody had been into space. Did they just trust those they felt were the smartest people and ran with the idea? 

For many, they didn’t have to simply trust the scientists as they were able to see it for themselves when they were navigating. The curvature of the Earth is seen point blank when you’re traveling by air, but those in that time were typically traveling by sea and were able to see objects that were once close by disappear over the horizon.

To the naked eye of someone that hasn’t traveled by sea or air, it can be easy to see why the Earth could be considered flat. Your vision can only see so far, and it appears that the world simply ends at one point when looking out to the edge. Over time, we proved that this wasn’t the “edge” of the world, though, but rather your eyes being able to see far enough to process curvature from a distance.

There was one man who was instrumental in proving that the Earth was round. Not only did he do this, but he was able to measure the circumference of the Earth in one of the most impressive scientific processes known to mankind. We’re talking about Eratosthenes, whose experiment showed that the Earth was just over 40,000 kilometers in circumference.

Eratosthenes conducted his experiment using shadows and found that at noon during the summer solstice, there was no shadow on his stick in the city of Syene, Libya. He then measured out the distance between Syene and Alexandria by foot and found that at the same time of day, the shadow appeared at a seven-degree angle in Alexandria.

This allowed Eratosthenes to conclude that the Earth was a 360-degree sphere and that the difference in latitude between the two cities was seven degrees. Though this was pretty concrete evidence of a round Earth, it would still take some more time before it became widely accepted. Eventually, as we worked out way toward the AD, a vast majority of people around the world knew that the Earth was round.

It wasn’t until the late 19th century that there were some people who became more vocal about their belief that the Earth is flat. Much of this had to do with religious beliefs and an increase in extremist views. Religious people were becoming more contentious toward those who followed science, which is something that we still see today, perhaps more than ever.

For many modern scientists, it has been very discouraging to see the increase in people who believe that the Earth is flat. It took centuries to not only discover that it was round but to have people find out for themselves and know that it’s true. It doesn’t help that many prominent celebrities have pushed the flat earth narrative, including basketball star Kyrie Irving and reality television star Tila Tequila.

However, we know (and have known) that the Earth is round. The empirical evidence is all around us, from the changing amount of sunlight that we get on a daily basis, to using airplanes to see multiple sunsets in one day. So why are flat earthers so adamant about their belief? Where’s the advantage? For many, it simply comes down to thinking that the “government” or other “powers that be” are lying to them about everything, and the concept of a flat Earth is the easiest straw to grasp in hopes of being a contrarian.

5 Best Recruits in Oregon Ducks History

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Oregon Ducks football has a long history, though it wasn’t until the 2000s that it became a national powerhouse. For decades, Oregon was seen as a regional program that toiled around toward the middle of the Pac 10 Conference at best, but with a larger investment into the athletics programs by Phil Knight, the Ducks are now recruiting around the United States.

As a result, there have been some recruits to make their way to Eugene who are considered to be among the best high school football players in history. Let’s take a look at the five best high school football recruits who signed with Oregon, how they did in their Ducks careers, and how their professional careers fared.

Before we start the list, here are some of the names that just missed the cut: Cameron Colvin, De’Anthony Thomas, Josh Conerly, Arik Armstead, and Canton Kaumatule.

5. Noah Sewell

After his older brother Penei attended Oregon and became a first-round NFL Draft selection, it seemed like a no-brainer for Noah Sewell to head to Eugene, as well. Instead of playing tackle like his brother, though, Noah spent his college days at linebacker and was considered the second-best at the position in his class and 13th overall player in the country.

Sewell’s first year was dragged down by the COVID-19 pandemic but he was still able to see significant playing time. In his second season, Sewell played in all 14 games and picked up four sacks, adding another 56 tackles in his third season. Sewell declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, finishing his Ducks career with 218 tackles and 7.5 sacks over 33 games.

4. Jonathan Stewart

When he was coming out of high school in 2005, Jonathan Stewart was considered the top running back in the country and was the 12th overall recruit in the nation. Stewart didn’t have to wait to show off his skills as Oregon used him quite a bit during his freshman year, rushing for 188 yards and six touchdowns. Things only got better for Stewart, and by his third season, he rushed for 1,722 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding another 145 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Stewart was named an All-American twice during his college days and he won the 2007 Most Valuable Player Award at the Sun Bowl. Stewart then became the 13th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft and had a long career with the Carolina Panthers (and one year with the New York Giants). As a pro, Stewart finished with 7,335 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.

3. Haloti Ngata

Every college team in the United States was vying for the services of Haloti Ngata, who was ranked as the top defensive tackle in the nation and the second-best player behind only Vince Young in 2002. Ngata played for four seasons with Oregon, finishing his career with 151 tackles, 10 sacks, and an impressive seven blocked kicks.

The Baltimore Ravens made Ngata the 12th overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he’d spent much of his career there before playing with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Ngata was a five-time All-Pro and was named to the Ravens Ring of Honor.

2. Justin Flowe

Oregon has seen an increase in skill at the linebacker position in recent years, and that trend continued in 2020 with the signing of Justin Flowe. Flowe was the sixth-highest-rated player in high school football and the top linebacker in the nation. He chose Oregon over the countless other schools that offered him a scholarship, making him the second-best recruit that the Ducks have ever landed.

Flowe didn’t see much playing time in his first two seasons, appearing in just one game each and amassing 15 total tackles. He saw an expanded role in his third year, collecting 35 tackles over 10 games. Injuries didn’t allow Flowe to live up to the hype he had coming out of high school and he would end up transferring to Arizona to continue his football career.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux

Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux was the second-highest-rated recruit in the nation, and surprised some when he chose Oregon over every other school. Many felt he would have an instant impact, and they were right. Thibodeaux had nine sacks in his freshman season, and he’d add another 10 over his final two seasons.

Thibodeaux was an All-American in 2021 and a two-time First-Team All-Pac-12 selection. He entered the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the favorites to be the top pick but was drafted fifth overall by the New York Giants and impressed right away, becoming a member of the All-Rookie Team.

5 Biggest “Final” Tours in Music History

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Whenever a band starts to get fed up with each other or simply wants to go off in their own direction, they call for one final tour. There have been countless incidents of bands or performers who have said that they’re going on one final tour, helping to boost ticket sales, only to go back on tour after one more year.

Then, there have been some cases where a musician truly meant it when they said that the tour was final. Let’s take a look at the biggest tours (in no particular order) which ended up being the true final ones for legendary solo acts and bands, many of which spanned several years before coming to an end.

Genesis

Genesis originally consisted of singer/drummer Phil Collins, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, and keyboardist Tony Banks, but they hadn’t stuck together throughout the entirety of Genesis. After 2007, it seemed that the band was done as an original trio. However, Phil Collins came out of retirement to do one final tour with the original group, and tickets went on sale just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The original dates were all pushed back, but that didn’t seem to be a problem for the band as they were still able to play all but eight of their scheduled shows. On September 20, 2021, in Birmingham, England, The Last Domino Tour kicked off and continued through Europe and North America before coming to an end on March 26, 2022, at London’s O2 Arena.

Slayer

In terms of metal bands, it’s hard to get any bigger than Slayer, who is considered to be among the “Big Four” in the genre. Slayer had been touring for more than 30 years by the time 2018 came around, which was when they started what was officially titled The Final World Tour. On May 10th of that year, Slayer played their opening show at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.

The tour hit just about every continent over the course of 18 months. After spending the beginning of Autumn 2019 in South America, they wrapped up their farewell tour in Inglewood, California on November 29, 2019, at The Forum. All in all, the Final World Tour was able to get all 147 scheduled shows in just before the COVID-19 pandemic and giving fans the proper goodbye.

Bob Seger

Rock and roll icon Bob Seger truly meant it when he said the Travelin’ Man Tour starting in 2018 would be his final one. Seger had been dealing with back issues that caused him to feel a lot of pain and wanted to muster up the energy for a brief final run over the course of six months.

Of course, Seger started his final tour in his home state of Michigan and kept his final tour entirely within the United States. Originally scheduled to end in March 2019, Seger added a few more shows, so the official end came at the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in October 2019.

Kiss

Kiss has had multiple anniversary and farewell tours over the years to the point where not many people take them seriously when they say they’re wrapping up. At the start of 2019, though, it became clear that they were planning on something big as they were dead-set on retiring after one more tour and thus introduced the End of the Road World Tour.

The band decided to start their farewell tour in Vancouver, playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Rogers Arena. They then made their way through the United States, Europe, and Japan before having to put the tour on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, the tour resumed in the United States and continued into 2023 as Gene Simmons celebrated his 70th birthday and scheduled the band’s final show for Tonsberg, Norway.

Elton John

Kiss isn’t the only musical act that has teased retirement over and over, only to come back with another long tour schedule. Elton John had done it multiple times, but after his Wonderful Crazy Night Tour in 2018 wrapped up, he said that the next one would be the last. This one was in the form of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, and it would become the highest-grossing tour ever.

John wanted to go all-out for his final tour, which started in Allentown, Pennsylvania on September 8, 2018. Despite a hiccup due to COVID-19, Elton John continued on with well over 300 shows on the tour. Wanting to wrap things up in Europe, John scheduled his last show for Stockholm, Sweden in a two-night event.

5 Times Britney Spears Broke the Internet

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Ever since the beginning of her music career, Britney Spears has been a lightning rod for public attention, whether it be for better or worse. Spears came onto the scene during the 1990s and instantly became one of the biggest names in pop music. Since then, she has achieved legendary status and to this day is one of the most talked-about people. This doesn’t apply just to music but in general.

Spears has had moments that have cemented her status as an icon, as well as moments that became the headlines for tabloids around the world. Let’s take a look at Spears’s career and remember some of the times when Spears broke the internet, causing a massive reaction (either good or bad).

The Head Shave

2007 was an extremely tough year for Britney Spears, and on February 16, she reached a boiling point. With the paparazzi looking on, Spears shaved her head almost completely bald while sitting inside a hair salon. For Spears, it came at a time when she wasn’t able to see her two sons following her split with Kevin Federline. Years later, we found out the reason why Spears shaved her head.

Tattoo artist Emily Wynee-Hughes was the first one to speak with Spears immediately after it happened. When she asked Spears why, Wynee-Hughes said “It was, you know, ‘I just don’t want anybody touching my head. I don’t want anyone touching my hair. I’m sick of people touching my hair.’” 

Umbrella Attack

Shortly after Spears shaved her head, she continued to be a target for the paparazzi, with members of the press trying to catch her on film during her downward spiral. Spears grabbed an umbrella and started swinging it at a car owned by a paparazzo. The attack was caught on camera, and Spears was silent on the topic for months.

It wasn’t until the summer of 2007 that Spears addressed the situation. “I apologize to the pap for a stunt that was done four months ago regarding an umbrella,” she said. “I was preparing my character for a role in a movie where the husband never plays his part so they switch places accidentally. I take all my roles very seriously and got a little carried away. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the part.”

Britney’s Freed

For much of her career, Spears had been in conservatorship with her father having control over her estate. Once this was revealed to the public, there was an outcry that led to a trending hashtag, #FreeBritney. This sparked interest in revisiting the conservatorship, especially following the release of the documentary “Framing Britney Spears”.

2021 saw the big push to have this conservatorship removed  It took several months and a lot of court appearances, but on November 21, Spears’s conservatorship came to an end. Shortly thereafter, Spears went back to releasing music, even teaming up with Elton John to record what would end up being a top-10 hit. While the conservatorship has been debated since then, it was a big moment for Spears.

VMA Appearances

It was hard to pick just one of her performances from the MTV Video Music Awards, so we’ll just include the back-to-back performances from 2000 and 2001. The first of the two featured Spears in her sparkling nude-colored outfit. During the performance, Spears belted out “Oops!…I Did It Again” followed by a cover of the Rolling Stones hit “Satisfaction”.

The next year, Spears was somehow able to kick it up a notch when she performed “I’m A Slave 4 U”. This time around, Spears brought out a live Burmese python. Spears said that she received a pep talk from Justin Timberlake prior to the performance when the two were dating, helping to relieve some of the nerves she was feeling prior to taking the stage. 

Chaotic

In 2004, Spears had a whirlwind year when it came to her love life. Early in the year, she married Jason Alexander (not the one from “Seinfeld”), but the marriage lasted for just 55 hours. Just a few months later, Spears got married to Kevin Federline, and it was the start of people really starting to wonder about Spears’s personal life.

Things really got interesting in 2005 with the release of the reality television show “Britney and Kevin: Chaotic”, which premiered on May 17, 2005. Spears seemed to be erratic throughout the show and left people with a lot of questions. Several years after it happened, Spears looked back at it in a bad light. “I would never do something like that again,” she said. “Actually, that was really bad. That was probably the worst thing I’ve done in my career.”

5 States That Create The Best College Football Recruits

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When we think of high school football, there are certain states that come to mind right away. There have even been movies made about the sport, including “Friday Night Lights”, “Remember the Titans”, “Varsity Blues”, and “The Blind Side”. These movies are all based in states where high school football is taken a bit more seriously, and they’re home to the top talent that winds up playing college ball.

Which states have produced the most five-star recruits throughout the history of recruits receiving rankings? Here are the five that dominate the high school landscape, who the top recruits were, and how their football careers ended up.

Alabama

There have been dynasties throughout college football history that have been because of the college’s destination. Notre Dame was once seen as the Catholica Mecca for football players while Miami and USC offered sunshine and fun to be had year-round. Then there are those schools that have been able to build dynasties because they can build a base of top local talent, and Alabama fits in that category.

Alabama has produced more five-star talent than all but four other states, with most of the players committing to Alabama or Auburn. If you take only their high school evaluations into consideration, the top-rated players in Alabama history include Andre Smith, Kerry Murphy, Brodie Croyle, and Julio Jones, all of whom stayed in-state to attend Alabama.

California

You could probably guess that California would be on the list because it has the largest population for any state by far. However, you’d probably think that the Golden State would be a little higher on the list than fourth. So why is it that the state who has 10 million more people than any other does not produce the most football talent?

It’s simple, really, Californians don’t really get into football as much as states in the American southeast. Children are often getting more into baseball, basketball, or soccer, leaving football slightly lagging behind. That doesn’t mean that California doesn’t produce some top talent, though. Some of the best recruits ever from California include Roland Powell, Korey Foreman, Matt Barkley, and Bryce Young.

Georgia

We mentioned how football in the southeast just means a little more, and that’s the case in the state of Georgia. The state has a higher population than you might think, sitting in the eighth place spot in the country. The University of Georgia has always had a good football program, and a lot of that comes from having the in-state talent to keep them going.

Georgia has produced some of the best Bulldogs to ever play, but they’ve also created some nationally-recognized talent along the way. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is from Georgia and made his way to Clemson, Robert Nkemdiche went to Ole Miss, Justin Fields wound up at Ohio State, and Eric Berry attended Tennessee.

Texas

After seeing that California wasn’t in the number one position, you probably thought that Texas would be far and away the top blue chip factory. However, Texas comes in at number two on the list, and it’s not really as close as you think. The state that’s most synonymous with high school football has still produced dozens of five-star recruits, and it includes some players that would go on to become some of the greatest in college football history.

The top two recruits of all-time from Texas are legendary, with running back Adrian Peterson coming in at number two while the top spot goes to quarterback Vince Young. Other top Texas recruits include Myles Garrett (Texas A&M – number one pick in the NFL Draft), Matthew Stafford (Georgie – also a number one pick), and Jeff Okudah (Ohio State).

Florida

The third-largest state in the country by population is the most dominant when it comes to producing five-star recruits. While Florida would already be a top three state at worst for producing talent because of this, they’re boosted up to number one thanks to academies that focus on sports above all else. This attracts five-star talent from other states, especially at the IMG Academy.

Ernie Sims is the highest-rated recruit to ever come from Florida, and he would attend Florida State before heading to the NFL. Other recruits toward the top of the list from the Sunshine State include Vernon Hargreaves III, Laremy Tunsil, Derwin James, and Patrick Peterson, all of whom comfortably made it to the NFL as first-round selections.

5 Strange Brain Injuries That Illustrate How Weird All Of Our Brains Are

Posted on by scatty

The human brain is one of the most fascinating things in the world. Sometimes we do things that seem downright stupid and then just minutes later figure out a mathematical formula that has been confusing professionals for years. We use our brains to think, feel, calculate, imagine, and so much more.

Our brains are also capable of handling an intense amount of trauma. Many have suffered a concussion, only to end up being just fine as long as the concussions aren’t repeated. Then, there are those that have suffered a brain injury only to end up better than ever. It’s something that has stumped scientists for ages, but a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has bettered the lives of a handful of people, with these five being the most shocking cases.

Orlando Serrell

When we think of dangerous sports, we probably think of football and hockey first and foremost. In the case of Orlando Serrell, though, the sport was baseball. As a child, Serrell was hit on the left side of his head and was knocked to the ground. Since this was in 1979, far before we took concussions more seriously, Serrell popped back into the game.

Serrell had a headache that eventually subsided, but what didn’t subside was a newfound knowledge of mathematics and photographic memory. Serrell immediately improved in math so much that he was outpacing the other students in his class and could remember almost every detail of his life. Serrell still loves doing mathematical work while also drawing large murals.

Jason Padgett

Alaska native Jason Padgett grew up with a penchant for extreme sports but didn’t care much for academia. In fact, he made it to community college but quickly dropped out to be a furniture salesman. Things would change for Padgett in September 2002, however, as he went out for a few drinks with his friends in Tacoma, Washington. When leaving, Padgett was hit from behind, suffering a brain injury while being robbed.

The severe concussion left Padgett feeling much different, and he instantly developed both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. However, the injury also allowed him to become a savant as he started to see the world in geometric shapes. Padgett would end up getting into mathematics and instantly understanding everything he didn’t know before.

Malcolm Myatt

There are a lot of us that would like to go the rest of our lives without having to feel sad again. For Malcolm Myatt, that became a reality. The late Myatt had retired from his truck driving job when he suffered a stroke in his late 60s, spending nearly five full months in a hospital recovering. When he suffered the stroke, doctors said that the frontal lobe of his brain was the source.

This is the part of the brain that regulates emotions, and Myatt no longer had the ability to feel sadness. He spent the rest of his days smiling and in a generally good mood because of his stroke. “I am never depressed,” Myatt said. “Being sad wouldn’t help anything, anyway. I would definitely rather be happy all the time than the other way round. It’s an advantage really.”

Jon Sarkin

Growing up in New Jersey, Jon Sarkin had almost no aspirations of doing anything with art. He received a degree in environmental science and became a chiropractor during the 1980s. Toward the end of the decade, though, he suffered from tinnitus and underwent an unsuccessful surgery that caused a stroke.

Sarkin was seeing things much differently when he finally recovered, and his brain was almost completely rewired. He instantly became obsessed with art and started drawing some of the dark images that his brain was now showing him. Eventually, Sarkin became a professional and was featured in galleries for his work. He said his life following the stroke was akin to “Alice in Wonderland” where “everything is cool, but everything is weird, too.”

Derek Amato

Most of us have dived into a pool that was probably too shallow but thankful came out unscathed. That wasn’t what happened to Derek Amato, though. The Colorado native was visiting his parents in South Dakota when he jumped into a pool while attempting to catch a football. He ended up hitting his head on the pool floor and was immediately bleeding from his ears and suffering from a TBI.

It took Amato several days to recover, and he was still experiencing headaches and partial deafness when he found a new skill. Amato was able to play the piano, which was something he hadn’t done before. He even showcased his skills on television to millions of viewers.

5 Emojis That Mean Totally Different Things To Different People

Posted on by scatty

Emojis have become an effective form of communication, and you even see them used routinely in the business world. While some of us try to reel in our emoji use throughout the day, well over 90 percent of the world’s population uses them on a daily basis. 

Just because you use a particular emoji for your own personal meaning doesn’t mean that’s how others see it, though. Here are five emojis that you might want to think twice about using because they mean totally different things to different people.

Thumbs Up

For a lot of people, the thumbs up is the ultimate sign of approval. Instead of saying “got it” or “understood,” many will send the thumbs-up emoji as a sign that they understand what the person is saying and is on board. However, it turns out that this emoji is a harmless one for older generations while younger ones might see it as a backhanded way of communicating.

Apparently, members of Generation Z have deemed the thumbs-up emoji as one with passive-aggressive connotations. At least, that’s according to one major poll conducted by Emojipedia. Some members of Gen-Z also said that the emoji was seen as “low effort” while some even called it “hostile.” Older emoji users probably have no idea since the thumbs-up has always been a harmless gesture of support in their lives.

Eggplant

While the generation barrier for the thumbs-up emoji really only applies to the very young, it’s typically only the very elderly that aren’t quite sure about the second meaning of the eggplant emoji. When it was introduced in 2007, the eggplant emoji seemed rather harmless and was used very seldom. Maybe there were times when people talked about recipes, but there really weren’t many conversations where it was necessary.

Then, in the early 2010s, more people started to take notice of the emoji. Many felt that it had a much more ‘suggestive’ appearance and was introduced into more ‘adult’ conversations. Since then, the eggplant has been used almost exclusively in that capacity while some of the oldest emoji users innocently still use it to talk about food preparation.

Peace Sign

The peace sign has changed meaning a lot in recent years to the point where it doesn’t even mean peace anymore. Sure, there was a time when those who wanted nothing but love and tranquility in the world could comfortably use the peace sign without any other connotations, at least in the United States. Outside of the country, this symbol could be perceived as obscene, with places like Australia and Ireland essentially using it as the middle finger.

These days, most people use it to sarcastically say goodbye, and it’s even transferred into real life. When you get into a confrontation and want to be snarky when leaving, you throw up “the deuces” and walk away. This has been seen repeatedly in sports, and even made its way into the Super Bowl when wide receiver Tyreek Hill (who had it as a signature celebration when scoring) had it used against him.

Goat

Speaking of sports, the goat emoji means something very different to them than it does to non-sports fans. To those who spend their weekends watching their favorite teams, the goat emoji is an acronym, G.O.A.T., or Greatest of All Time. This has been used for athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Lionel Messi. It can also be used for other professions, though sports are where you see it the most.

Then, there are plenty of people who simply love goats as animals, and who wouldn’t? Sure, they might have a unique look that some consider strange, but they’re fun animals who love to jump around, and watching them for hours can be a great way to pass time. Those who never watch sports probably don’t know its acronym status.

Information Desk Person

The Information Desk Person emoji is one of the most bizarre ones out there because people aren’t really sure what it’s supposed to mean. The emoji shows a person with their left hand extended upward with their palm facing up as if they’re serving a dish that simply isn’t there. The emoji, apparently, is supposed to be a person working at a help desk and silently inquiring “How can I help you?”

That’s not how many people have seen it, however. Instead, it has been used as a way of saying “I have no idea” or in a sarcastic way when you’re tired of someone’s actions. Ask anyone in the world who has used this emoji if they’ve ever done so with its intended meaning, and they’re likely going to say no.