Now Trending, Sept. 12: Football is back, and Sergio Dipp is a superstar

In this piece, we’ll take you through the week in sports as told by the users of Twitter and other social media platforms. From the funny to the dramatic, from the outlandish to the bizarre, this is Now Trending.

The NFL regular season is finally back, but it was big week for sports in general. College football has returned, the D-backs are red hot and former Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette found a new job.

But let’s not bury the lede here … If you watched the slate of NFL games over the weekend, you know the big game everyone had their eyes on was the Colts and Rams. Apparently Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano didn’t really have his eyes on it, though, since he thought he was playing the 49ers.

Chuck Pagano credited the 49ers and their staff after today's game.
They played the Rams.

— Jake Query (@jakequery) September 10, 2017

You would have thought Pagano was making his NFL coaching debut or something, but no — that description fit Broncos coach Vance Joseph, and a wonderful report on Joseph was given to viewers at home by ESPN reporter Sergio Dipp.

Sergio Dipp is an ELECTRIC FACTORY pic.twitter.com/Ok4tmjHktS

— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) September 12, 2017

Dipp immediately became an internet sensation.

From now on if someone ask's were I was on 9/11 im going to need them2 specfy if they mean 2001 or when Amerca was introduced to Sergio Dipp

— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) September 12, 2017

Sergio Dipp is basically me at a bar when I try speaking to women

— Luke Bellus (@lukebellus4) September 12, 2017

Thursday Night Football also made its 2017 debut, but the Patriots didn’t look so hot. New England fell to the Chiefs at home, 42-27, and it’s fitting that the home team at Gillette Stadium played like it was shaving points.

Meanwhile, someone took the time to replace Tom Brady on the cover of Madden with Chiefs QB Alex Smith.

Updated Madden cover after last night 😂 pic.twitter.com/ISUM9Mxxaz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 8, 2017

Before the game, fans in New England assembled to troll NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (who was at the game) with “Operation Clown Face:”

We didn't lose the game we just ran out of time #OperationClownFace pic.twitter.com/348QW97H9t

— Gaz (@stoolsalesguy) September 8, 2017

But let’s not forget about the Cardinals, who opened their season with a 35-23 loss to the Lions on the road. In the first half, Detroit’s special teams looked pretty shaky. There was this beauty:

Lions punter gets trucked after bobbling the ball in the end zone 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dKkrERjA3l

— Best NFL Matchups (@BestNFLMatchups) September 10, 2017

And the Lions’ special teams only got even worse with this gem:

Lions’ special teams off to a real strong start… pic.twitter.com/opPlLZvfeB

— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) September 10, 2017

But honestly, probably the most impressive special teams performance during that game belonged this camera operator:

Camera guy took it right to the family jewels and didn't flinch pic.twitter.com/NeaoAui2to

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 10, 2017

It’s not often the kicking unit records a sack.

Oh, and uh, some guy named Ezekiel Elliott was granted a preliminary injunction on his suspension from the NFL.

I wonder what round that Texas judge drafted Ezekiel Elliott in during his fantasy football draft last week #Cowboys

— Jarrett Carlen (@JarrettGC) September 8, 2017

But of course, teams across baseball have been in season for some time. But don’t tell that to Keith Olbermann, who apparently just watched his first baseball game ever. The former ESPN host-turned GQ correspondent took exception to Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds enjoying some sunflower seeds.

I'm seeing this, right? An MLB player, Mark Reynolds of the Rockies, eating, during an inning while playing 1B pic.twitter.com/rPWC62oufo

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) September 6, 2017

The Rockies responded.

Have you watched baseball ever? pic.twitter.com/9DSUvhsW1J

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 6, 2017

As for the D-backs — well, they’ve been awesome, but their 13-game winning streak recently came to an end. But they’re in first place in the NL Wild Card standings and in second place in the NL West. That means that a young man who made a gutsy promise back in January is going to have to put his money where his mouth was:

If the @Dbacks get Third Place or better in the NL West in the 2017 season, than i will buy season tickets for the the next 3 MLB seasons.

— Kole Sawyer (@kole_sawyer) January 17, 2017

Hey @kole_sawyer, excited to have you join the Season Ticket Holder family! Are you thinking lower level for your seats? #OurSeason https://t.co/X9PDf8xgHY

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 11, 2017

In other news, former Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette found a job doing radio color analysis for his old team. The only problem is, when the Coyotes announced it on Twitter, Biz Nasty seemed a bit surprised.

Wait. What? I was told it was to play! https://t.co/D4lRtFL9Ad

— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) September 6, 2017

Hopefully he’s ready for some broadcasting by the time the season starts.

The college football season is now underway, and No. 5 Oklahoma upset No. 2 Ohio State at their place on Saturday. There was some fallout from the fact that Sooners QB and NFL prospect Baker Mayfield literally planted an Oklahoma flag in the middle of the Buckeyes’ home field.

Apologize for this classic? Unnecessary. pic.twitter.com/x7VOrKUW6N

— Jordan James (@JordanGame6) September 11, 2017

Mayfield later apologized, which some folks didn’t think was necessary.

City named Columbus offended by someone planting a flag in a piece of land that wasn't his? Well then.

— Reasonabledoubt (@ReasonableDoubt) September 10, 2017

Finally, how cool is this story? A 7-year-old girl with a 3D-printed hand is on a mission to throw out the first pitch at all 30 MLB ballparks, and teams are welcoming her!

Happy to help Hailey out! As others said, please DM us her info and we'll reach out.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 7, 2017

We are on board! Send her our way!

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 7, 2017

We'd LOVE to have Hailey at CBP!

Can you please DM us her information so we can reach out?

— Phillies (@Phillies) September 7, 2017

Many, many other teams that aren’t shown above have responded.

And that’s pretty much it for this week. If you see something you think is worthy of being in next week’s edition of Now Trending, mention me at the Twitter handle below.

Follow @mattjlayman