We have to shout out Torry Holt, Charlie Sanders, Julius Peppers, and the rest of the North Carolinaian NFL alumni for their contributions to the game, but we have to give the North Carolina NFL crown to Bruce Matthews for his uncanny durability. The 6'5, 305lbs, offensive lineman has played every position on the o-line from center to talckle to guard to long snapper, Matthews is a versatile as they come. The Hall of Famer played his collegiate ball at USC before being drafted 9th overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers.
Bruce played his entire nineteen-season career with the Houston Oilers who later relocated to Tennesee and rebranded themselves as the Titans. Of those nineteen seasons, Matthews only missed a total of three starts. Matthews was also a 14x Pro Bowler, 9x NFL All-Pro First Team selection, and included on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. When you stand the test of time playing such a violent sport from 1983 to 2001, you have to give someone like Bruce Matthews their flowers.
Wondering where to go in 2020 for an amazing deal, to beat the crowds, or for a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? These destinations are on travel addicts’ radar for rightfully hyped 2020 events, new offerings, and recent developments that make them a must-visit right now.
On top of the majestic scenery its long been known for, Montana is a newly trendy nature getaway celebrated for its expanding luxury hotel scene, culinary offerings, and shop-local boutiques, according to an American Express study detailing where cardholders are traveling in 2020. But Montana is also about to get more accessible than ever before thanks to emerging flight routes sure to stir up competition. Launching two brand-new seasonal routes to Big Sky country, American Airlines will fly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana, beginning mid-year and continuing through Labor Day. Take advantage of the new direct route before the secret gets out, and so that they’ll continue next year.
One of the cities featured in Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020, Urugay’s capital Montevideo is a stable and LGBT-friendly destination to visit in South America—a continent that’s seen dips in tourism of late thanks to political instability in travel destinations like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Travelers identified the city as a trending travel destination for anyone seeking an immersive, one-stop escape; according to the study, “over half (54 percent) of global travelers say they want to go on one long trip to a place that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.” Montevideo’s offerings include beaches, nightlife, markets, theaters, culinary prowess, and festive Gay Pride Day celebrations in September.
Europe’s intensely overtouristed spots (Venice, Barcelona, Santorini) have new Eastern European hotspots to thank for stealing away some of the spotlight: Romania is making a name for itself as one of the top five most trending Airbnb booking destinations for 2020. The nation that’s home to Transylvania, Dracula’s castle, and well-preserved medieval towns nestled among rolling hills has seen a 298 percent annual increase in Airbnb bookings.