Bryan Flynn

Once, Wrestling Beat the NFL

On Sunday night, I watched Wrestle-Mania 30 from home as 75,000 folks watched from inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Slate

This week one of golf's major tournaments misses one of the sport's biggest stars. Tiger Woods will miss The Masters for the first time since 1994.

Braves fans will get a special treat on opening night as Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Minor starts the season for the M-Braves. Minor has been with the Double A squad due to tendonitis in his left shoulder.

Bye Bye, College Sports

Last week, the Northwestern football players won the right to unionize when regional director of the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago, Peter Sung Ohr, ruled that players are employees, not just students.

The Slate

It is time for one of the best sporting weekends of the year, featuring the men's Final Four and WrestleMania. This time, the showcase of immortals is in New Orleans.

Jimmy Graham

New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham is the target of a new rule after one of his earth-shaking dunks following a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome tilted the goal posts.

The Slate

Somewhere in the world, Warren Buffett is laughing that no one was able to win his billion-dollar bracket challenge. I, myself, busted out at ESPN, Yahoo, Sports Illustrated, Fox and other places.

My Lost Billion

Waited until the first four play-in games of the NCAA Men's Tournament were complete before filling out brackets on various websites late into the night. I felt confident that some were good brackets, and went to sleep excited about the tournament starting late in the morning the next day.

Devin Booker and Victoria Vivians

This Friday, the top senior boys and girls of Mississippi will face off against the top senior boys and girls from Alabama in the 24th annual Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Basketball games.

Breaking Down the Madness

Since the NCAA Tournament bracket came out at 5 p.m. Sunday, I have been studying it trying to figure out how to fill it out. I keep track of a lot of college basketball, but it is just about impossible to keep track of every team.

The Slate

Mississippi has six Division I basketball teams, but none made the field of 68 NCAA Tournament. Southern Miss did receive a bid to the NIT.

Jairus Byrd

Former Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd's first stop was New Orleans, and the Saints didn't let him out the door. Byrd signed with New Orleans after five seasons with the Bills.

Saints Cuts

This offseason has seen the New Orleans Saints make cuts left and right, some of which were obvious—but last week, the team made cuts that were a bit of a shock.

The Slate

Only one team is left undefeated in the nation in men's college basketball: The Wichita State Shockers have a perfect 34-0 record.

Tournament of the Day: SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament

A few men's basketball conference tournaments have already started, but the majority of them won't begin until next week, including the SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament in Houston, Texas.

Look Beyond the Combine

Some call it the underwear Olympics because it involves guys running around in tight-fitting clothing, getting timed, measured and analyzed. The NFL Combine is the first chance to see the future draft class of 2014.

The Slate

A Mississippi team in the NCAA Tournament might be a long shot. Every team would pretty much have to win its conference tournament to go dancing.

Gillom and Howell Trophy Finalists

C Spire and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced the finalists for the 2014 C Spire Howell and Gillom Trophies this week.

From Sochi to Starkville

These Winter Olympics are over and were a success for Russia. The host nation finished with the most medals (33), and nearly everything went off without much of a hitch for the entire time.

The Slate

We are knocking on the door of March. It is almost time for the madness to begin. Get ready to win that $1 billion from Warren Buffett.

Flawaan Flaggs

In just the team's second year in existence, the Jackson Showboats have nominated a player for the American Basketball Association All-Star Game, Jim Hill High School graduate Flawaan Flaggs.

Can He Play?

Unless you live under a rock or in a cave, you have heard by now about Missouri Tigers defensive star Michael Sam. Last Sunday, Sam told the world he is gay.

The Slate

One of the most exciting moments of the Olympics so far has been the United States' shootout win over Russia in men's ice hockey. It didn't have the impact of the 1980 Miracle on Ice, but it was a great game.

Mississippi State Baseball

One of the best stories of 2013 had to be the Mississippi State University baseball team's magical run to Omaha to play in the College World Series.

The Slate

Football is gone, and the weather might be cold, but the sports world is heating up. Plenty of action around the globe and at home should keep you entertained.

Sports Embarrassments and Agreements

The Super Bowl proved to be a dud after the Seattle Seahawks took the Denver Broncos behind the woodshed in a 43-8 rout.

The Journey of JSU Basketball Coach Wayne Brent

In his first season as head coach, Jackson State University head basketball coach Wayne Brent has guided the Tigers to a 7-14 overall record and 3-6 SWAC record so far.

Jackson State's Football Signing Class

Wednesday, Feb. 5, marked the first day that the new Jackson State head football coach, Harold Jackson, could begin to put his mark on the Tigers program.

Honoring Great Athletes

It took way too long, but it finally happened. Southern Miss and Oakland Raider punter Ray Guy is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Slate

I hope the Jamaican bobsled team is mic'd up during their runs, and that one of them at some point says: "Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time. Cool runnings!"

Bill of the Day: Mississippi Youth Concussion Law

During the Super Bowl this Sunday, the topic of concussions is bound to come up at some point. Contact sports have come under fire in the last few years over head injuries, but none so much as football.

The Slate

Are you planning a Super Bowl menu? If you are a Broncos fan, pot roast should be on the table. If you're a Seahawks fans, you should invest in a bowl of Skittles—but avoid going beast mode on party guests.

Bryan’s Super Rant, XLVIII Style

The last time we saw the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, John Elway (now the team's executive vice president of football operations) was walking into the sunset with his second-straight Super Bowl win. The last time the Seattle Seahawks were in the Super Bowl, they were getting jobbed in one of the worst-officiated Super Bowls ever.

Stories by Bryan