Resilience, Grit, Determination. Those are just a few words to describe this week's Dude of the Week. In the works of possibly completing the greatest sports comeback by any single player, this week's Dude of the Week is Sam Darnold. If you would’ve read this 3-4 years ago you would probably think we are joking. But the truth is Darnold has revived his career that was killed by the shitty New York Jets. Darnold went from the 3rd overall pick to a journey man trying to find his purpose in just 3 years from draft night. SD14 has the chance to beat a divisional rival and former Superbowl champion QB in Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Now I am a fan of the city of Seattle and always a fan of a comeback story, even though Darnold has “The Dark Side” to back him up on defense. I believe most of the country will be rooting for Seattle in the NFC Championship. Oh I also didn’t mention that Sam Darnold played through an oblique injury last week that forced him to not throw a ball basically until the second snap. 

- Carter

These NFL playoff games have been awesome and I am not by any means saying that I will not watch and enjoy the final 3 games of the season. But you have to look towards the future and in this case dread it like every other year. But this year I am changing and picking up a new sport. Now this was a tough decision. Basketball has always been one of my favorite sports to play and watch, but the new NBA has been very disappointing. I sort of got into soccer but the schedule and different leagues just confuses me way too much. Baseball won’t start until like April and there for sure will be a lockout in 2027 to stop the Dodgers from basically owning every All Star in the MLB. So that is why I am taking my talents to… THE NHL. Fast paced, international brutes just going at it for 3 periods. Electric hits that get the crowds rowdy and the only sport that allows for fighting. I mean for Christ sake we had a goalie fight a few days ago. In recent years I have watched more and more hockey, but this year I am really committing to becoming a puckhead. Being from Ohio it is disappointing we have one of the worst if not the worst franchises in the NHL. But nevertheless, FIRE THE CANNONS. NHL fans please welcome me with open arms, you have gained a new soldier. 

- Carter

Welcome to the show Carter, we’re happy to have you.

- Chuck

Last week I was able to witness Marty Supreme in the theatres. I am a huge proponent of still going to see movies in the theatre, or as a sophisticated person like myself would say, “seeing a film in its proper state”. Now we wrote an article about a month ago before it was released, but I have now seen it and am ready to rate. Timmy C does it again in this movie. He just played the role so well and it was so convincing that this was a real story when it was only loosely based on a real person. I have heard some talk about how this is 5 movies in one and that could not be more true. A24 has yet another hit on their hands and really put Uncut Gems to the test of best movie from the studio in my opinion. If you haven’t heard about this movie yet you have to be living under a rock, but now you have heard of it so go see it. Just an overall good, fast paced movie. 

Rating: 4.2/5

- Carter

Where do you even begin? As an Indiana graduate, it almost doesn’t feel real. There is so much to say about this Indiana Hoosiers football team, yet words still fall short. What unfolded this season may be the greatest story in the history of the sport. This was a program that had been laughed at for nearly 100 years, a program where attending games over the last two decades rarely even crossed anyone’s mind. And yet, here we are.

Curt Cignetti arrived and changed everything. He brought pieces of his James Madison squad, paired them with key players who stayed at IU, and together they built something truly unstoppable. A 16–0 season didn’t just exceed expectations — it obliterated them. This team opened the year at 150–1 to win it all, despite being a playoff team the year prior. That alone tells you how Vegas and the so-called experts viewed Indiana heading into the season.

Fernando Mendoza was nothing short of a joy to watch, and perhaps the most likable player the sport has seen in years. The job Curt Cignetti has done cannot be overstated. This team didn’t win because of talent or hype or history — it won because of togetherness, selflessness, and an unwavering belief that they could line up and compete with anyone in the country.

And that belief changed everything. Indiana football is no longer a punchline — it’s a standard. This season wasn’t just a run; it was a reset. It changed the landscape of football and college sports completely. Proving to everyone it is possible. A reminder that with the right leader, the right culture, and the right people, even the most overlooked program can rise to the very top.

- Jack

Jeanie Buss (controlling owner of Lakers) reportedly had some pointed and revealing thoughts about her relationship with LeBron James. According to multiple accounts, she privately complained to people close to the organization, using phrases like “outsized ego” and “overt control” to describe LeBron’s influence within the franchise. The tension reportedly came to a head following the 2021 decision to acquire Russell Westbrook — a move widely believed to have been made at LeBron’s urging.

That decision proved disastrous. The Lakers finished 33–49 and missed the playoffs entirely, a stunning collapse for a team with championship aspirations. What seemed to further frustrate Buss was the perception that LeBron distanced himself from responsibility for the Westbrook trade once it clearly failed, despite his reported role in pushing for the move.

Behind the scenes, Buss allegedly even discussed the possibility of trading LeBron, with rumors at one point linking him to the Clippers — an unthinkable scenario given his stature and the Lakers’ brand. Ultimately, Buss felt boxed in. Re-signing LeBron appeared less about basketball and more about avoiding an overwhelming PR backlash that could come with moving on from one of the league’s most powerful figures.

Fair or not, the situation underscored a growing belief that LeBron’s influence extended beyond the court in ways that complicated roster-building and long-term planning. For some fans, that’s where the line gets drawn. Greatness is undeniable — but leadership, accountability, and organizational balance still matter.

Not my GOAT.

- Jack

The UFC is finally back this weekend for the first time in 2026 and NOT ONLY THAT, the first time it is for FREE on Paramount plus. Not having to find a UFC bar is so awesome and I can watch without a $90 PPV in my living room. This card is absolutely stacked but were looking at the main event here, Gaethje Vs Paddy is going to be an all out brawl, but I think it’s gonna be a long one. Give me over 2.5 rounds at -110.

- Burns

Solid week for $DDNK. Instagram drove strong growth, and YouTube continued trending upward. Sales pulled back from last week’s spike but stayed healthy. TikTok was mixed—carried by a few high-performers while the rest underdelivered. Consistency is the next catalyst.

Cautiously bullish.
If TikTok stabilizes and sales bounce back next week, DDNK can keep climbing. The team meeting + direction shift is a sneaky catalyst.

A new high is always great, BUT in all honesty it feels anything but that. Performance inconsistencies have created an emotional rollercoaster within the company. This past week, we held a meeting to discuss more comprehensive content expectations, which should help mitigate these issues. This will lead to higher output within the company and allow for growth in other areas of the business ($$$).

Daydrink Stock ($DDNK) is entirely fictional and created for entertainment purposes only. Daydrink LLC is not a publicly traded company — at least not yet. Any references to “investors,” “market activity,” or “analysts” are made in good fun and should not be interpreted as financial advice. Please don’t actually try to buy shares in $DDNK (but we do sell hats).