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šŸ¦… Before he was Coach Sirianni... | Morning Newsletter

And more about Central Bucksā€™ contentious library policy.

Nick Sirianni
Nick SirianniRead moreJon Stich for The Inquirer

    The Morning Newsletter

    Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Expect your Friday to be mostly sunny with a high of 42.

Before Nick Sirianni was just one win away from coaching the Eagles in the Super Bowl, he started out as a wide receiver in an indoor league.

It wasnā€™t glamorous. Players were barely paid (if the checks cleared) and there wasnā€™t adequate equipment.

Our lead story follows Sirianniā€™s introduction into professional football. šŸ”‘

If you see this šŸ”‘ in todayā€™s newsletter, that means weā€™re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.

ā€” Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

In 2005, Nick Sirianni was a wide receiver for the Canton Legends during the inaugural season of the Atlantic Indoor Football League.

It was the only professional season of his playing career and it started with a spring football league that didnā€™t even have enough equipment.

The players made $300 if they won and $200 if they didnā€™t.

The season was a mess.

  1. The starting quarterback quit during the fourth quarter of the season opener.

  2. The coaches walked out after their checks bounced.

  3. The players had to play on turf so thin that it felt like concrete and regularly had to run into brick wall sidelines.

Notable quote: ā€œCalling it ā€˜professionalā€™ is using that term very loosely,ā€ said Dan Larlham, who became the quarterback for the Canton Legends when the starter said he had had enough.

Keep reading to get a full retelling featuring his former teammates. šŸ”‘

The Central Bucks School District is seeking outside guidance to carry out its new policy prohibiting ā€œsexualized contentā€ in school libraries.

It chose the Independence Law Center, a Harrisburg group that has opposed rights to transgender students and bills itself as defending religious freedom.

Reminders: The district is facing a federal investigation into allegations it created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students. In 2021, the Independence Law Center helped craft a policy for the Hempfield School District barring transgender students from playing on sports teams in line with their gender identity.

The books Central Bucks is considering to remove include This Book is Gay; Me, Earl and the Dying Girl; Gender Queer; Lawn Boy; and Beyond Magenta.

Keep reading for more on the law centerā€™s history related to LGBTQ students. šŸ”‘

What you should know today

  1. Central Bucks librarian said he was directed to remove a Holocaust survivorā€™s quote from a window for violating the districtā€™s advocacy policy.

  2. Eagles linemen share their best Jason Kelce stories, from schooling rookies to losing his trunks in Lake Lanier. šŸ”‘

  3. More Philly tenants who are facing eviction will be able to get free legal representation.

  4. Two years ago, his clothing store was on fire. Now, Nick Sirianni wears his shirts. šŸ”‘

  5. Pa. House Republicans say theyā€™ll appeal a Commonwealth Court ruling that described the effort to remove Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner as legally unsound.

šŸ§  Philly Trivia Time šŸ§ 

Which Philly-based sports apparel company is partnering with Rihanna for a limited edition Super Bowl collection?

A) Mitchell & Ness

B) Underdog Philadelphia

C) Art History 101

D) None of the above

Find out if you know the answer.

What weā€™re...

šŸ“¢ Trash-talking: The San Francisco 49ers, of course. Hereā€™s your guide to perfect your insults before Sundayā€™s NFC Championship game.

šŸŽ§ Listening to: Dodieā€™s Tiny Desk Concert.

šŸŽ‰ Wishing: A happy belated birthday to Sage, the oldest goat at the Philadelphia Zoo. She turned 17 yesterday.

šŸ§© Unscramble the Anagram šŸ§©

Hint: A M. Night Shyamalan thriller

ANNA BOCK THICKET

Weā€™ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if youā€™d like. Cheers to John McGregor, who correctly guessed Thursdayā€™s answer: Jigar Desai. Email us if you know the answer.

Photo of the Day

And thatā€™s it from me. Enjoy the day and the rest of your weekend. Ashley has you covered on Sunday šŸ“§.