Second thoughts

Man of his word

A mic’d up Carson Wentz promised to give kicker Jake Elliott his game check if the rookie made a 61-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 27-24 victory over the Giants. Elliott nailed it, and the video of Wentz making that vow on the sideline before rushing onto the field to mob Elliott was released two days later. Wentz kept his word and plans to donate money to a charity of Elliott’s choice. Wentz earns about $31,764 before taxes for each game.

“It was really cool how we captured that whole moment,” Wentz said. “You don’t see 61-yard game-winners very often, and I just happened to be mic’d up and saying some random things, but it was all funny. I talked to Jake afterward, and I kind of wanted to donate some of it to a charity of his choice, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

The lion’s share

A Welsh rugby player had an unusual reason for missing a big game in South Africa: A lion bit his hand.

Scott Baldwin was taken to the hospital to receive stitches and treatment against infection after ignoring instructions about not touching a lion during the trip to a game park in South Africa.

His coach was not sympathetic. “When you put your hand in a fence where there is a lion, then you will get bitten,” Ospreys Coach Steve Tandy said. “It was pretty stupid on Scott’s behalf, and he is pretty lucky. It was a good environment, and we were told how far back to stand.

“I don’t know what sort of wildlife show Scott has been watching where you can pat a lion on the head as if it’s a kitten.”

The 29-year-old Baldwin also plays as a hooker for Wales’ national team. He was with Welsh club Ospreys in Bloemfontein for a PRO14 league game against a South African franchise ironically called the Cheetahs on Friday.

Without Baldwin, the Ospreys lost 44-25.

Table manners

From RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com:

“Remember Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino’s restaurant scandal involving sex on a table? From what the FBI now tells us, there’s been way more going on under the table.”

AP/THOMAS GRANING The University of Mississippi may soon have a new sideline mascot after its student body voted overwhelmingly in favor of replacing the current black bear with the landshark.