In Thursday's "First Call," Antonio Brown really seems to be struggling with his "injury." The never-ending parallels between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. And perhaps the greatest non-walk-off home run celebration ever.

Gosh, I hope he's OK

For a guy who was too injured to be in the Pro Bowl and to play against the Bengals, Antonio Brown sure looks to be on a speedy road to recovery.

Based on his Instagram posts, anyway.

Sure, he could be rehabbing. Sure, he could be ahead of schedule.

Or he just doesn't want to go to the Pro Bowl.

That makes total sense, by the way. I wouldn't want to play in the Pro Bowl either if I was him.

A.B. probably should've showed up for practice before that Bengals game, though. Especially if he was "injured." That MRI would've gone a long way toward best diagnosing the, uh, injury.

Subtle

Minnesota's Willians Astudillo hit this bomb of a home run in a Venezuelan Winter League game. Think he may have sold it a little bit?

Willians Astudillo may have broken every single one of baseball's unwritten rules on one home run ? pic.twitter.com/LD6e73C1Eh

— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2019

Take a look at the inning. It wasn't even a walk off! What would he do if he hit a walk off? Somersaults down the third-base line?

A toast to Cody

Someone is rushing to the defense of Cody Parkey.

The forlorn Bears kicker is getting support from Goose Island Brewery, in the wake of his game-ending field-goal flub against Philadelphia.

The brewery is having a "Field Goal Challenge" on Saturday to show how hard it is to do what Parkey does for a living.

Visitors to the tap room will attempt a 43-yard field goal to see if anyone can nail the kick.

Goose Island is building goalposts outside its brewery. Those who can make the kick get beer for a year.

I'm a big fan of Goose Island. So, might I suggest that all those competing slam at least two of their Bourbon County Brand Stouts — at 14.6 percent alcohol — before attempting the kick.

Also, the brewery should stack their kegs about seven feet in the air to replicate Penn Hills product and Philadelphia defensive tackle Treyvon Hester's reach and leaping ability, since he got a piece of Parkey's attempt.

The tap room is going to get every ex-high school and D-III Kicker from Carbondale to Rockford lining up to win beer for a year. So now I'm worried about Goose Island going bankrupt.

Good to see you again, Troy

After the news about Troy Polamalu's induction to the College Football Hall of Fame, USC released this video.

He's speaking with Trojan linebacker Juliano Falaniko.

“The best way to earn your respect in this sport is how much you lay it on the line for the guy next to you.”

- College Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu #FightOn | #USCtotheHOF pic.twitter.com/Qh77FZkWTD

— USC Football (@USC_FB) January 8, 2019

I'm infatuated with Polamalu's use of the phrase, "I knew they couldn't be more reckless than me."

That's just so ... Troy. "I knew they couldn't be more reckless than me." That should be on his tombstone.

Sid and Ovi forever

Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin have been linked arm-in-arm since their careers began in October 2006.

They'll retire as the two greatest talents of their generation. And ... maybe the exact same amount of points?

Amazing to me that these two dudes made their respective NHL debuts on the same night and now, 4,844 days later, through ups and downs (mostly ups), injuries and so on, they have the exact same number of regular season points, more than anyone else over that span. Such greatness. pic.twitter.com/nvbhOJpI4K

— Japers' Rink ? (@JapersRink) January 9, 2019

OK, that's wild. Given their different styles of play and approaches to the game and teammates that they've had over the years, it's nuts that they are that neck-and-neck, especially considering Crosby's extended absence with his concussion in 2011.

Postseason? It's 185-117 in favor of Crosby. It's also 3-1 Crosby in terms of Stanley Cups.

But who's counting?

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