Dak's Boot Scootin'

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Vikings rookie CB Khyree Jackson was tragically killed in a car accident, Dak was spotted in a walking boot, you can expect plenty of Taylor Swift coverage this season 🫶, we found out why Jets' QB Aaron Rodgers missed minicamp, and Jon Gruden is down big in his lawsuit against the NFL.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Vikings rookie CB Khyree Jackson among 3 killed in crash (ESPN)

• Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott managing foot sprain after photo revealed walking boot (SI.com)

• Taylor Swift plans to attend as many Chiefs games this upcoming season to support Travis Kelce (Newsweek)

• Packers CEO Mark Murphy addresses massive Sunday Ticket verdict (PFT)

• Sunday Ticket verdict could impact NFL's credit rating (Sportico)

• NFL shockingly ends the ‘Around the NFL’ podcast (Yahoo Sports)

• Miami Dolphins not offering Tua Tagovailoa “market value” contract, per report (CBS Sports)

• Mike Florio foresees 'problems' for Dallas Cowboys unless contract extensions are agreed upon (on3.com)

• Giants GM Joe Schoen says "This is the year" for Daniel Jones to show if he is Giants' guy for next decade (NFL.com)

• Jets QB Aaron Rodgers missed mandatory minicamp due to pre-planned trip to Egypt (SNY)

• NFL cancels supplemental draft for 2024 (Yahoo Sports)

• Marshawn Lynch, Gavin Newsom join forces for new ‘Politickin’ podcast (Awful Announcing)

• Matt Eberflus is the betting favorite to win Coach of the Year (PFT)

• Jon Gruden lost a bid Monday to move his lawsuit against the league out of arbitration and back into court (FOS)

• Former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Kelce and wife Kylie raised nearly $1 million for autism research (Athlon Sports)

• Jets logo creator sues team, seeks payment for use of design (PFT)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
Steve Gleason. Former NFL safety Steve Gleason will receive the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2024 ESPYS in recognition of his inspirational fight against ALS. Gleason, who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2000-2008, was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease in 2011 at age 34. Rather than succumbing to the devastating illness, he confronted it head-on.

Gleason established the Team Gleason foundation to provide vital technology, equipment and support services for ALS patients. His advocacy efforts led to the passing of the Steve Gleason Act in 2018, ensuring availability of life-sustaining communication devices. Gleason's courage and perseverance in the face of such daunting adversity embodies the spirit of the award's namesake.

"Being recognized at The 2024 ESPYS is not just an honor, but a powerful platform to further help and serve others," Gleason said. The former special teams standout is most famous for his blocked punt in the Saints' reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina - an iconic play symbolizing New Orleans' resilience.

Gleason continues inspiring others through his memoir and documentary chronicling his battle with ALS. At 47, his determination to live life to the fullest while fighting to ultimately cure the disease makes him a deserving Arthur Ashe Award recipient.

Who’s down?
Jon Gruden. The former Raiders head coach lost his bid for the Nevada Supreme Court to reconsider sending his lawsuit to private arbitration. Monday's ruling is the latest setback for Gruden in his quest to have his case heard in open court rather than the league's secretive arbitration process.

The 3-0 decision upheld a May ruling that sided with the NFL's ability to force Gruden's lawsuit into arbitration, which could potentially be overseen by commissioner Roger Goodell himself - one of the named defendants. Gruden's attorneys argued it would be "outrageous" to allow Goodell to arbitrate a case in which he's directly involved.

Gruden's $60 million lawsuit alleges the league intentionally leaked racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay emails he wrote while at ESPN from 2011-2018 in order to force his resignation as Raiders coach in 2021. The emails were uncovered during the NFL's investigation into workplace misconduct with the Washington Commanders.

While Gruden could still seek a hearing before the full seven-justice Nevada Supreme Court, the odds are increasingly stacked against him avoiding the NFL's arbitration system. The league's vast resources and track record of legal victories make it an uphill battle for the 59-year-old to get his day in open court.

Unless Gruden's legal team can pull off a miracle, this latest ruling seems to foreshadow an eventual arbitration showdown overseen by one of the central figures he's accusing of a malicious campaign to end his coaching career.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

Obv not NFL, but these new App State unis are 🔥 

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