A crowd of 19,000 came out to Tom Benson HOF Stadium last night for the Ravens' 17-16 "win against the Bears" in the HOF Game (CANTON REPOSITORY, 8/3). There were "no demonstrations by any players during the singing of the national anthem." All players and coaches for both teams "stood as the NFL's preseason began" (AP, 8/2). The Bears "did what they did last year under former coach John Fox" while the Star-Spangled Banner played. They "linked arms." New coach Matt Nagy said, "We did it together. The players decided to talk through this thing. We then as a group talked about it. We decided, 'This is what we're doing'" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/3).

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The Grizzlies have signed a jersey sponsorship deal with FedEx, becoming the 22nd NBA team to have a jersey patch agreement. The deal was announced last night as part of the rollout of new uniforms and a new court design. Financial terms of the patch deal were not disclosed. The deal runs at least through the '20-21 season to coincide with the NBA’s jersey patch pilot program. The team did not use an agency for the deal, which deepens Memphis-based FedEx’ business relationship with the Grizzlies. The company has the team’s arena naming rights and already is the franchise’s longest and most lucrative sponsor.

CBS reported Q2 earnings yesterday afternoon as the company's board is "investigating allegations" of sexual harassment against Chair, CEO & President Les Moonves. But at the "start of the conference call to discuss the earnings, a company official issued an edict that such terrain would be off limits for questioning." The call did include "two questions about legalized sports betting." On Twitter, reporters and "other observers mocked what they said was the cowardice of the analysts for failing to ask about the scandal" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/3).

CNN's Dylan Byers tweeted, "It’s really weird that no one is asking Les Moonves about the fact that six women have accused him of sexual misconduct, and what that means for CBS. It’s also weird that no one is asking Les Moonves about his legal battle with Shari Redstone, and what that means for CBS." NPR's David Folkenflik: "First Q to Moonves a gutsy play by Morgan Stanley analyst: Asking about CBS's streaming offerings." Fox Business' Charlie Gasparino: "CBS earnings call is yet another example of how too many wall street analysts are in the bag for companies they cover. OK Moonves wont answer questions abt the sexual misconduct allegations, but these cowards wont even ask him about succession, which is important to investors." The Hollywood Reporter's Tatiana Siegel: "Ronan Farrow is telling sources that he has another Les Moonves story coming 'in a week or two.'"

The Belle Isle Advisory Committee last night "made a decision to keep" the annual Verizon IndyCar Series race in the Detroit area for the "next three to five years -- but that's only a recommendation." The matter "will now be passed on" to Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, which "will have the final decision" (FOX2DETROIT.com, 8/3). Race Chair Bud Denker said that Team Penske and the Detroit Grand Prix are "seeking state permission for only three more years of racing, with two single-year options to extend." The measure was "adopted during a meeting at the Belle Isle Nature Center attended by 200 people, some of whom spoke for and against continuing to have the event on the island" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/3).

Stewart-Haas Racing has struck a deal that will see Indiana-based engine maker Cummins appear on Clint Bowyer’s No. 14 Ford as a co-primary sponsor for two upcoming races -- Bristol and Talladega. Financial terms were not revealed. SHR will announce the news later this morning. Rush Truck Centers, a primary sponsor on the No. 14 for around five races annually, introduced Cummins to SHR. 

Cummins was a longtime sponsor in NASCAR and IndyCar, and the company’s founder was part of a pit crew during the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. The engine maker has a pre-existing relationship with Rush, whereby Cummins-powered trucks stop at Rush Truck Centers for maintenance service. Cummins also happens to be HQed in the same town from which SHR co-Owner Tony Stewart hails.

The NBA Kings and American Red Cross on Wednesday "linked up for a donation drive to collect relief funds in support of the many families and individuals affected by the recent California wildfires," and yesterday the team said that fans and community members had already "donated a collective $15,000." That amount was then matched 100% by the Kings "for a one-day total of $30,000," all of which was sent to the Red Cross. The Kings "connected with more than 5,000 season ticket holders" and other fans. Donations were "accepted over the phone and on the team’s ticket purchasing website." The team "stopped matching the donations" as of 11:59pm PT Wednesday, but fans who "still want to donate to the relief fund can do so at Kings.com/WildfireRelief" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 8/3).

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Last night's anti-violence march in Chicago "culminated with a peaceful protest beneath Wrigley Field's iconic marquee." With "curious Cubs fans perched on the ballpark ramps" ahead of a home game against the Padres, demonstrators "prayed for peace and an end to the city's troublesome violence." There were "only a couple of hundred protesters marching and chanting," and they were "met with a combination of support, befuddlement, frustration and curiosity from the fans" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/3).

The Ohio State BOT has hired a "six-person special independent working group to investigate" how football coach Urban Meyer "responded to domestic abuse allegations involving fired wide receivers coach Zach Smith" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 8/3).

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship driver Katherine Legge will "make her NASCAR debut in a two-race Xfinity Series deal with JD Motorsports." She will "race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America in Wisconsin" and will "drive the No. 15 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Maryland-based aviation and technology integration company Airtec" (AP, 8/3).

UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois yesterday unveiled a new branding campaign for the athletics department called "Be A Rebel" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 8/2).

"If I can avoid jogging in, then why jog in? ... I figured I'd at least do it once" -- D-backs P Brad Ziegler, on being the team's first reliever to use the bullpen cart last night at Chase Field in the seventh inning against the Giants (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/3).

"The Lakers paid more than that for LeBron James" -- ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, on TSA possibly saving $115M by eliminating security at 150 small and medium sized airports (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 8/2).

“I heard that LeBron James went on the court and showed off his skills before his son's basketball game. All the other parents were like, ‘Cool, but you were supposed to bring orange slices’" -- NBC’s Jimmy Fallon (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 8/2).

The WALL STREET JOURNAL writes under the header, "Urban Meyer And The God Complex In College Sports." With another university "entangled in controversy," it is time to "humanize the leaders" of collegiate athletics. While there is a "lot that needs to be sorted out here," already the Meyer case is "another reminder of a continued cultural blind spot: we spend far too much time deifying college sports coaches." 

Also:

• In 22nd season, WNBA "connects with fans more than in years past."
• How two pro women's lacrosse leagues "thrive in Boston."

Much love brother! Thank you for having my back!✊🏾 https://t.co/yKz3nBMiPb

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 2, 2018

*whispers* the helmet rule has been really fairly enforced so far tonight

— Mike Golic Jr (@MGolicJR57) August 3, 2018

As part of a birthday celebration for Tom Brady today, the Patriots are running a promotion at their Pro Shop. Fans get 12% off their order.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 3, 2018

We have witnessed history in Arizona. #SFGiants reliever Ray Black has completed the relief pitcher no-hitter. From July 10 through tonight, he's gone 9 innings without allowing a hit.

Buster Posey forgot to hug him.

— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) August 3, 2018

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The new USL franchise in Austin will announce its name, brand, coach and several players at Circuit of the Americas.

The "Jarvis Landry-South Florida feud" is "about to bubble over" after the former Dolphin and now Browns WR criticized the organization in recent weeks. Oakland Park-based brewery Funky Buddha has launched "Landry’s Tears, a beer so salty you can taste the sea." The beer also includes "sour" grapes and comes from Funky Buddha co-Founders Ryan and KC Sentz, self-described "huge Dolphins fans" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/3).

Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “The Great Depression.”

“A street-corner occupation that saved many in the Depression was aided by a 1930 tops-in-the-U.S. crop in this state.”

“What is Washington?”