The Jackson State Tigers are preparing to face the FAMU Rattlers on Sept. 4, in Miami. The game dubbed theOrange Blossom Classic will go a long way in determining who wins the SWAC Eastern division crown.
Last season, in a rain-soaked affair, the Tigers outlasted the Rattlers 7-6. The one-point victory being the difference in JSU playing for and winning the SWAC championship.
Led by Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders the reigning Eddie Robinson Award winner and his son Shedeur the reigning Jerry Rice Award winner (top freshman in FCS), the Tigers have their leader on the sidelines and on the field as they prepare to began an historic 2022 campaign.
But Coach Prime wants to make sure that his offense doesn’t miss a beat if something sidelines Shedeur. Prime is seeking a more than formidable insurance policy and is surveying his choices. A player who seems to have a leg up on the others is former three-star recruit J.P. Andrade, an Ohio State transfer. But here’s the kicker, Andrade is Caucasian, and out of high school turned down scholarship offers from South Alabama, Fordham and Morehead State. Instead, he opted to walk on at Ohio State.
Lord, let them see more of you and less of me. Committed to Jackson State University. Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/ZR5kek003S
— JP Andrade (@JPAndrade12) February 2, 2022
Andrade Is The Favorite, Although Coach Prime Is Trying To Keep The Intrigue
Andrade is a pro-style quarterback much like JSU starter Sanders, and while Coach Prime makes it sound like an open competition, Andrade will have to fall flat on his face to not land the gig. And he transferred to JSU for this exact opportunity.
“It’s a heck of a fight to see who’s the two. It’s going to continue for another couple of weeks,” Coach Prime said. “We have to find a quality backup quarterback. We have them on campus. We have them here. We just have to see who’s going to take that next step and separate themselves from the others.”
Andrade has the physical makeup that Sanders wants, standing 6 feet 5 and 215 pounds. He also possesses a very good arm, which is needed to make all the throws in new offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone’s uptempo, pro-style spread attack.
Welcome John Paul Andrade to #TheeILove
6-2, 210 pound quarterback#IBelieveJSU22 x #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/4C0HEX0Beh
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) February 2, 2022
Andrade Played In A Similar System At Ohio State
The system Andrade spent three seasons in at Ohio State is very similar to what the Tigers are gonna be running this year under offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone. The offense will look to stretch the defense using the entire length and width of the field in an effort to get the football into the hands of their playmakers with as much space to operate as possible. Sort of like what we saw the Buckeyes do last year with Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud and his talented wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, two 2022 NFL draft first-round picks.
The Tigers will look to do the same thing with Sanders and his weaponry: Malachi Wideman (12 TD catches), impact freshmen in Kevin Coleman (No. 44-ranked recruit in the 2022 class) and two-way sensation Travis Hunter, the nation’s No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2022 class. Hunter is the prize of the group, as he will play both ways. The Florida State decommit possesses elite deep, ball skills and a feel for the cornerback and wide receiver position.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
2022 the goal is: 🏆 and more!#IBelieve pic.twitter.com/g1nbN0srTC
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) January 12, 2022
Concepts matter, and Andrade should know the verbiage and nuances of the scheme, having been under Ryan Day for three seasons. It’s his job to lose, even if Coach Prime wants to try and make us believe something different. JSU might be an historically Black college/university, but Coach Prime is not afraid to bring in non-Black talent if needed.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the most talented players we’ve ever seen at the quarterback position. And from most reports he’s a really likable guy, unless you’re in a fan base of a team that he continuously torches on the field.
But if there’s one thing that plenty of folks aren’t feeling about “Mr Ketchup On Errthang” it’s his younger brother Jackson Mahomes.
The TikTok star has had his share of incidents with fans at games, in clubs and of course on his bold and sometimes controversial social media posts. He was listed as one of the most disliked people associated with the NFL, which is probably unfair, but his craving for the camera compared to his brother’s humility, often makes him look like a privileged blowhard. None of that is stopping Mahomes from “coming outside.”
With the NFL season now upon us, Jackson didn’t waste any time announcing his return for the season with an Instagram picture of himself and brother Patrick captioned …
Many probably missed Jackson’s superstar QB brother, but it’s highly unlikely they missed Jackson. The sarcasm dripped from that tweet with extra sauce.
Jackson then posted his best friend and sister-in-law, Brittney and niece Sterling, on another Instagram saying this:
“The trio you guys have missed.”
Again, not many have missed Jackson or Brittney, and it’s for good reason. The two had their fair share of run-ins with fans last season and even some social media spats. As for the cutie Sterling, who wouldn’t have missed that cute, innocent face. They shouldn’t be using her to deflect the animosity that some followers and fans have developed toward their actions.
Brittany was in good graces until she sprayed champagne on fans from a luxury box while celebrating one of her husband’s many wins. Jackson’s biggest indiscretion was TikToking on the memorial of deceased Washington Commanders legend Sean Taylor on the day they were celebrating his career.
Fans Recently Laid Into Mahomes When He Announced He’s In A Weird Place Following College Graduation
Jackson Mahomes graduated from college in the spring of this year. Like many college grads, the next step of what to do in life can be difficult. When he posted on Twitter a question asking what he should do next, he received a ton of backlash.
One person commented, “Get a life.”
Another commented, “Delete your Tik Tok account. Get a job. Never step foot in an NFL stadium again.”
Someone else commented, “Smuggle marijuana oil into Russia.”
Ouch!
Mahomes Rubbed Folks The Wrong Way Often Last Season
Whatever Mahomes has done, it’s worked, as the quirky, outspoken younger sibling of Patrick has built his TikTok following to over 1 million followers. It’s littered with dancing videos, many from him gyrating at Chiefs games. He’s also ticked off fans on occasion, like last season when he danced on the “21” logo of Sean Taylor during a game.
Jackson Mahomes was seen here dancing on the Sean Taylor “21” logo which was chained off to begin with.
This should infuriate everyone, this is disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/7puweqqOuM
— Owen Kidd (@OKiddVT) October 17, 2021
While he did apologize, many didn’t buy it, and he still receives criticism for his behavior behind the keyboard.
Mahomes even wrote this on his TikTok page in response to his bevy of critics.
“Sup I get bullied a lot but I’m still here.”
Jackson also poured water on a Baltimore Ravens fan following a regular season loss in Baltimore. Maybe somebody should’ve told the youngin’ Charm City ain’t the place you want smoke.
This could’ve ended ugly for the TikTok star for sure, but the fan was more interested in taunting a visibly upset Mahomes following his team’s big win.
Jackson Mahomes pours water on Ravens fan after the chiefs loss! pic.twitter.com/KLpvSor5XH
— DREski🟤⭐️ (@BCS_godres) September 20, 2021
Some have suggested that his brother needs to speak to him, but Patrick is going to let his baby bro rock. Now he’s announcing his return to Chiefs games for the 2022-23 season.
YIKES!
Kevin Durant is staying in Brooklyn with the Nets, according to Shams Charania. So the last seven weeks of drama was all for naught. Utah Jazz guard Patrick Beverley was not pleased that the drama with KD’s trade request caused the rest of the league to pause while the destination of arguably the league’s best player was decided. Beverley took to Twitter to voice his displeasure, and naturally KD fired back.
Yal can sit and don’t say nothing but that ain’t cool. It’s dudes with families out here who haven’t got a job because of this KD shit. And to be on and off ain’t cool. Blessing Gang🙏🏾🏀
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 23, 2022
You knew KD was going to see the tweet from Beverley.
#BLAMEKD https://t.co/BiRhf4nFyr
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 23, 2022
The assertion from Beverley that it wasn’t about KD is hilarious, considering he referenced the seven footer directly.
Damn gang who said I was talking about u. I’m speaking of how it was done. Both sides need keep that private. But noted📝 https://t.co/5T9ITP2Ka2
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 23, 2022
It’s unclear what Beverley’s real issue is. Is he really putting on for the journeymen and fringe players looking to get signed? The KD trade drama didn’t impact him. He was sent to the Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves months ago.
Whenever a big name player demands a trade the rest of the transactions in the league slow down and get moved to the back burner. Such is life. KD is an all-timer, a once-in-a-generation player. Of course teams are going to figure out what they can do to add him to their roster.
But the idea that there are guys out there who haven’t been signed because KD was holding up the league is laughable and Beverley is wrong.
All of the league’s smart franchises didn’t allow the KD trade demand to derail their free agency or trade plans. The smart teams simply called the Nets and inquired about the disgruntled superstar. Many of them proposed a trade and when it was rejected by the Nets those smart teams moved on with their business.
In a recent story by Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies “emerged” as a possible suitor to acquire KD. Here is an example of a smart team doing their due diligence but continuing on with their plan.
In a potential trade for KD, the Nets would’ve wanted Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, another rotation player and several draft picks. (Ja Morant is not eligible to be traded to the Nets as he just signed his rookie max extension this summer).
The Grizzlies said Jackson Jr. and Bane are off the table and will not be included in any deal. The Nets insisted and the Grizzlies said thanks but no thanks. The Grizzlies are now free to continue on with their plans.
None of this is complicated. Every team in the NBA called the Nets about KD. Nobody was willing to meet their asking price. The trade market was effectively dead.
As far as Brooklyn and what they will do going forward, the statement released today read in part:
“We have agreed to move forward in our partnership.”
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 23, 2022
KD, along with his business partner, Rich Kleiman, met with general manager Sean Marks, head coach Steve Nash, owners Joe Tsai and his wife Clara Wu Tsai in Los Angeles on Monday and they all agreed the best path forward is together. KD is set to begin the first of a four-year, $198 million extension this season.
The art of trolling is an ageless practice that many internet users have mastered, and the most successful trolls usually elicit a response or stir up some viral media drama with their intended target. This is exactly what happened in the case of Magic Johnson, who was trolled by the internet and responded, though his response was rather textbook.
Fact Check: Magic Johnson Did NOT Donate Blood To 'Help Underprivileged Communities Help Fight COVID-19' In This Video https://t.co/hNtLZshtSS
— Lead Stories (@LeadStoriesCom) August 22, 2022
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is denying a “false story” alleging that he donated blood to patients with COVID-19 last week through Red Cross. This allegation is coming from a satirical twitter account that even makes users aware of their false information, and fake news that they spread throughout social media.
The post featured a picture of Magic, who has HIV, sitting in a chair with a needle in his arm that seems to be drawing blood from the former Lakers legend. There was a caption accompanying the picture of Magic that stated:
“Earlier today, NBA legend Magic Johnson donated some of his blood to the Red Cross to help underprivileged communities help fight COVID-19. 🐐🙌.”
Though this post has since been deleted, it didn’t take long for it to go viral, bringing plenty of questions and a bit of scrutiny to Magic.
Magic Johnson took an approach opposite of current NBA superstar Kevin Durant in his rebuttal to the social media banter and trolling. In his response he simply let it be known that he has seen the tweet and is aware of it, and he assured everyone that he did not donate any blood to the Red Cross.
“I’m aware of the false story circling the internet and to be clear, I have never donated blood,” Johnson tweeted on Tuesday in response to that deleted tweet.
I’m aware of the false story circling the internet, and to be clear, I have never donated blood.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 23, 2022
The picture itself of his blood being drawn is apparently from 2012, from PBS Frontline called “Endgame: AIDS In Black America” according to The Associated Press. The photo was taken while Magic was having his blood taken during a doctor’s appointment with his longtime physician, Dr. David Ho, according to the New York Post.
Magic Johnson is 63-years-old, a widely renowned businessman, has plenty of separate ventures going on and still finds time to pop in on sports shows to talk hoops with his sky high basketball IQ. It’s fair to say he would rather not waste time going back and forth on the internet with petty trolls who are looking for clickviews, comments, and reposts. The sheer fact that he did give it the time of day has probably already boosted their social media visibility.
His attention to this tweet was necessary though, because it is imperative that he let the public know that he wasn’t donating his blood to the masses. If he didn’t say anything it would’ve been a nightmare and the media would’ve torn him a new one.
While some would say that his response was very subtle and it may’ve not seemed like he really had any care for sending the tweet out, Magic was clear-cut and straight to the facts. He shot those rumors down so that he could quickly continue his busy week. This was a masterclass in handling the social media trolls that were trying to use his name for attention.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are enjoying life. The power couple is on their #WadeWorldTour2022 and while aboard a yacht, Wade takes a bite out of Union’s booty. When you’re rich and good-looking and you do things like that it becomes news.
The vacation began a few days ago in the Mediterranean off the coast of Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Mallorca is the birthplace and home of tennis great Rafael Nadal.
Union has been posting photos and videos of their exploits, including: a spa day, date night, the couple tossing and catching a football in the sea, and snuggling on the boat.
Many of the couple’s famous friends like Jalen Rose and Aaron Paul have commented on Union’s Instagram posts.
The happiness that we see with Wade and Union wasn’t always guaranteed. In 2013 when the couple was dating, but experiencing trouble and on a break, Wade fathered a child with another woman.
“I had a child with someone else and I had to tell her. Hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is man up and tell Gabrielle Union that I’ve had a child with somebody else,” he says in the ESPN documentary ‘D. Wade: Life Unexpected.’ ET reports. “I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t eating.”
This was a particularly tough moment for Union. She was diagnosed with a condition called adenomyosis in her 20s. It causes the tissue lining the uterus to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus. Because of this, Union has had several miscarriages.
“To say I was devastated is to pick a word on a low shelf for convenience. There are people — strangers who I will never meet — who have been upset that I have not previously talked about that trauma,” Union writes in her memoir, ‘You Got Anything Stronger.’ “I have not had words, and even after untold amounts of therapy I am not sure I have them now. But truth matters.”
The couple welcomed a daughter, Kaavia, born via surrogacy in 2018. But the road to that happy moment wasn’t smooth either. After another miscarriage Wade didn’t want to try again.
“‘You’ve done enough,’ he said. I looked at D with an instantaneous white-hot rage. Astonishment, really. I was fighting with my husband about what was best for my body? Did he really think that surrogacy and a baby was our chance to set it right? To rebalance?” Union recalls in her memoir.
“I said coolly, ‘You’re going to be the voice of reason now? Really? Really? Is that what we’re on today?’ He looked me in the eye. ‘As much as we want this baby, I want you,’ he said slowly. ‘We’ve lost too much in our relationship for me to be okay with encouraging you to do one more thing to your body and your soul.'”
Kaavia turns 4 in November and the Wade family is happy and healthy. In addition to Kaavia Union is stepmother to Wade’s two children from his first marriage to Siohvaughn Funches, and his nephew (sister’s son) whom he also raises.
Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
If he’s not trying to explain climate change, a topic he knows absolutely nothing about, he’s telling lies about his résumé. The former Heisman winner has even lied about the number of children he had. To many, Walker has looked like an incompetent candidate for the Georgia Senate seat, but he’s still here and still putting his foot in his mouth.
On Friday, Walker told 13 WZAZ television that he had no plans to appear for an October 13 debate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, although he previously agreed to it.
Walker cited Sunday NFL football as his reasoning for not participating. But get this: The debate is scheduled for a Thursday in Macon, Georgia.
“I’m not going to respond to anything because you know that’s not a debate, and you know that. You’ve got people that are contributors to his campaign and it’s in this room that only two people gonna see it on a Sunday night I think. NFL football, I am giving you an opportunity to be statewide so everybody can see what it is, see the constraint between the two of us. I don’t know how you can ask for anything better?”
Walker is once again at a loss for words, as he tries to give his explanation. This has been his MO the entire campaign. Try to avoid debates by giving these strange and not very well-thought-out excuses.
Walker is still scheduled to debate Warnock on Friday Oct. 14, in Savannah, Georgia, for now.
Walker Likening October 14th Debate To “Rumble In The Jungle?”
In promoting the debate on the 14th, the former Georgia Bulldogs legend had plenty to say, even taking a shot at the highly-educated and well-respected Warnock.
“It is like the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Everyone gets a chance to see he and I go at it. This little country boy that’s not too smart, and I am trying to unseat a Senator who is wrecking things. I’m going to call him Wreck-It Ralph. He ought to get to Savannah, Georgia, to go up against Herschel Walker.”
Georgians have a real clear choice between me and my opponent. How's Herschel Walker going to stand up for Georgians in Washington if he won't even stand on stage to debate me?
— Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) July 27, 2022
Well, Walker seems to admit what many already assumed, that’s he’s not too smart. But why can’t he debate on both nights?? What can he possibly say a day later that he wouldn’t say on the 13th?
Warnock will be there both nights, because he’s confident and well-prepared in what he’s coming to do. While Walker will more than likely try to wing it and avoid the real topics as much as possible.
Walker Says It’s Time To See The Difference: Whatever That Means
Walker who’s been doing his best bob-and-weave imitation as it pertains to debates, attempted to make it sound like Warnock has been avoiding face-to-face combat.
“It is time that people see the difference. So on October 14, I want Senator Warnock to be ready because I’ve accepted a debate. Now he can quit talking and show the people he’s going to stand behind his words and show up for the debate.”
Walker is talking really tough two months out from the debate. And again, he’s the one who’s avoided debating Warnock. Now he’s ready, but still months away. By then Walker may have drummed up another lame excuse to back out again.
If the people in Georgia vote him in, it will be an interesting term and a possible black eye on the U.S. government. But never say never, it could possibly happen.
Tom Hardy is not your regular action-adventure actor; he is really about that life. The man who played everyone from Scarface to Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises,” Hardy is a man not afraid to be the tough guy. However, Hardy is a true-to-life goon, but for good, in his off-screen life.
The 44-year-old showcased his combat athleticism during a charity jiujitsu match, which included a “championship” that Hardy won; twice. The “Venom” actor fetched two gold medals at the REORG Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, dominating his opponents in Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, in the UK.
Tom Hardy is an animal on the BJJ Mat. He’s had two fights, won both by armbar. pic.twitter.com/Ll6mCwU3NO
— Robbie (@RobbiePoirier10) August 20, 2022
Hosted by The REORG Charity, of which Hardy is a trustee, REORG helps veteran, military, and emergency service members dealing with depression, PTSD, and “life-altering physical injuries,” according to their website. Hardy contributes to the charity by teaching jiujitsu to aid people recovering from physical and mental issues hopefully. Hardy rolled on the mat to raise money for the organization; to the surprise of no one, he was outstanding.
Brazilian jiujitsu or BJJ is known as the gentle art, a nonviolent form of combat sport subjecting opponents to holds and vulnerable positioning via using your arms and legs without throwing one punch at the opponent. Hardy reportedly first began training in mixed martial arts, where jiujitsu was a core tenet, when he was preparing for the movie “Warrior” in 2011. He additionally trained in mixed martial arts for his 2018 role in “Venom.”
Hardy was seen on a viral video submitting his opponent with an armbar in the Brazilian jiujitsu tournament. Hardy showed technique when he transitioned from a kimura attempt before the armbar. The video saw Hardy implementing a little wrestling in a dominant performance where he separated his challenger’s arm and got the submission via tap.
“What did you do this weekend?”
“Nothing, just got arm-barred by Bane at a BJJ tournament 🙃”
Tom Hardy 🔥😅pic.twitter.com/39S8Vq5hxi
— Screen Off Script (@ScreenOffScript) August 22, 2022
Taking a page out of Ronda Rousey’s book, Hardy had two matches amid the many active fights on the mat, winning one by armbar and taking home two gold medals. He won one in the gi category or wearing the traditional martial arts uniform, in his belt and weight division, and another one in the no-gi category, also in his weight and belt division, according to PEOPLE.
In his second bout, the actor rolls with his opponent for about two minutes, then makes it through the round by hugging his opponent and getting his arm raised as the winner from plainly dominating him and stopping him from doing anything to him.
Hardy has had considerable troubles in his life and turned them into a successful acting career. As a troubled youth, he reportedly began experimenting with drugs at the age of 13, was kicked out of boarding school, and did several stints in jail when he was young.
“I’m just a frightened bloke. Everything scares me. Not being in control, not knowing, anticipation, waiting for something to go wrong,” Hardy said to Your Tango in 2018.
Hardy said at his lowest; that he was willing to “sell my mother” for cocaine and went “entirely off the rails” after the movie “Star Trek: Nemesis” flopped at the box office; he said to The Mirror.
“I’m lucky I didn’t have some terrible accident or end up in prison or dead – because that’s where I was going.”
While selling T-shirts at the Cleveland Browns home preseason game this past weekend, a vendor shocked the sports world with his message on the shirts.
“B*tch give me a massage!”
YIKES!!!!! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/gSpGmDY5wr
— BlitzburghUSAVideos (@sdextrasmedia) August 21, 2022
The shirt went viral and caused a stir in the social media world, with fans having a lot to say about this despicable attempt at a bad joke, of course, alluding to QB Deshaun Watson and the various reactions to his recently-settled sexual misconduct drama.
Fans React To T-Shirt Gate
One fan wrote ….
“Somebody ought to whoop his ass.”
Another fan wrote ….
“OH NAH.”
Another fan asked, “have the people of Cleveland lost it?”
The Cleveland Browns traded for and signed quarterback Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed deal of five-years, $230 million, knowing good and well he was set to be suspended at some point this summer. After hearing both sides over a few days, arbitrator Judge Sue Robinson came to the conclusion that Watson adhered to “non-violent sexual conduct.”
She subsequently suspended the former Clemson Tigers signal-caller six games. The NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell immediately appealed and an 11-game suspension, plus a $5 million fine was levied. While that decision seemed to go over well with most who aren’t Cleveland Browns fans, one Browns fan took the opportunity to make money, and he took it to a level of disrespect that shows absolutely no class and very little tact, if any.
The Browns will have to survive for 11 weeks with either journeyman Jacoby Brissett or Josh Dobbs under center. But they do have a great running game with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. And a strong, stout defense led by Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward.
Maybe this fan should be banned from selling his material outside the stadium if he’s going to do insensitive things that stir up negative sentiment.
Deshaun Watson statement: pic.twitter.com/n54aGsYRiy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2022
Watson Apologizes To Alleged Victims
After months of claiming his innocence, Watson decided to apologize to the alleged victims and anyone affected by the situation. In an interview with the Browns broadcast team prior to his first game in 586 days, Watson issued an apology.
“I want to truly say that I am truly sorry to all the women…”
Commissioner Goodell released a statement showing his approval of Watson’s apology.
“Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL.
NFL suspensions:
Deshaun Watson: 11 games, $5 million fine – 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits.
Ridley: Indefinite – Bet for his team to win
Burfict: 12 games – Targeting
Hopkins: 6 games – PED
Martavis: Indefinite – Weed
Josh Gordon: 76 games – Weed
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
Now Watson must go away from the Browns until Oct. 10, when he’s eligible to participate in limited team activities. He’s eligible to return to the field on Nov. 14 to begin practicing nearly three weeks before he’s eligible to play in a game on Dec. 4 at his former team the Houston Texans.
The 2022 NFL draft saw four HBCU players drafted, which is four more than we saw taken in 2021 and three more than we saw in 2020. Of the four, Los Angeles Rams cornerback DeCobie Durant seems to be the one with the highest ceiling and who could see the most playing time this season as a rookie.
The smooth, ballhawking corner has been very good in training camp and his play has caught the eyes of fellow cornerback Jalen Ramsey, head coach Sean McVay and GM Les “F Them Picks” Snead.
In late July, the organization raved about Durant, the 142nd overall pick. They praised his effort and swagger. Ramsey, arguably the league’s best corner, is a great measuring stick for Durant and speaks highly of the rook.
“He’s a competitor,” Ramsey, a five-time Pro Bowl selection said. “He’s sneaky, sneaky, super athletic. He’s very smart. He wants to soak up a lot of knowledge.”
McVay talked about the South Carolina State star jumping off the screen in the spring, and how it’s carried over to training camp.
“He made some plays even in the spring that stood out where you can see he’s a great competitor, even when you watch his film the way he played against Clemson. Similar to what I was mentioning about DK the other day. McVay said of Durant’s playmaking in camp.
“He’s just got a great play swagger. He’s getting more and more comfortable. He is playing outside and inside, but he’s getting a lot of work inside. And you can see there’s a lot of nuances that we ask of the star position, and he’s getting more and more comfortable every day and making a lot of plays.”
GM Les Snead who infamously wore a T-shirt that said “F-ck Those Picks” as a blatant reference to all the picks the Rams have given up in acquiring win-now talent, is happy to have hit on a draft pick.
“South Carolina State, a very respected program. A lot of players come out of there and make it to the league, and they do play a lot of power five schools here or there. You go to a combine or pro day, and you check some boxes there.”
“You take another look, and another look … and DeCobie’s a Ram.”
Decobie Durant CB from South Carolina State University taking Reps with First Team Wowed the LA Rams Fans at Training Camp with two early interceptions pic.twitter.com/5Le0d4EH6I
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) July 31, 2022
Durant has been a surprise to an extent. The Rams knew he could play but didn’t expect him to immediately grasp the nuances of playing slot and boundary corner. He’s handled it, and the team’s brass loves it. Even as the young defensive backs struggled a bit in a 24-20 preseason loss to the Cowboys, McVay was quick to point out Durant’s play deserved an applause.
“I like the way that our young DBs continue to play. I thought Durant had another strong performance,” said McVay, who is gunning for a second straight Super Bowl.
Durant is currently in a tight battle to be Ramsey’s backup at right cornerback. He’ll dabble in the slot as well.
Durant Isn’t The Only HBCU Player Showing Well In Camp
Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams was the first HBCU player drafted in the 2022 NFL draft, and his play has earned him the backup spot to starter L’Jarius Sneed at right cornerback as well.
Sneed has taken Williams under his wing, and it’s paying dividends for the rangy and inquisitive cornerback by way of Division II Fayetteville State.
Sneed even said he’s learning from Williams as well. During a post-practice presser last week, Sneed had this to say.
“Joshua Williams man, I try to steal some things from him as in using his hands, he’s very good with his hands, he’s very patient at the line. I learn from him as a rookie, and I’m still learning myself,” raved Sneed.
Williams appreciated the gesture and had this to say about Sneed, who’s known for his physical style of play.
“First off, it’s a blessing for LJ to say that, because I look up to LJ. That’s somebody that’s a vet, that I really do try to model myself after and take little things after.”
Looks like Deion Sanders was right about the deep, untapped, pro-level HBCU talent pool. These two defensive dynamos are adjusting quickly.
The Lamar Jackson offseason chronicles have just taken a turn for the worse for the Ravens front office. Jackson, who previously set a deadline for a contract agreement, reportedly is now upping his asking price for a contract, and this new contract request will be a huge decision for Baltimore to make.
Jackson recently told the Ravens that they have until the end of preseason for them to come to an agreement, or he will not be making any decisions until the offseason. The Ravens need to think fast and make a move regarding the 2019 MVP or they just might lose him.
Jackson, who is represented in negotiations by himself, reportedly has already been offered a contract worth more than the massive contract Kyler Murray received from the Arizona Cardinals. But even that amount of money cannot satisfy Jackson. No, the Louisville product wants a fully guaranteed contract similar to what new Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson received over the offseason, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.
Though the Ravens will give Lamar everything but the kitchen sink to keep him as their franchise signal-caller, a fully guaranteed contract that will most likely be worth north of $250 million is a huge asking price.
Lamar Jackson has been offered more money than Kyler Murray, per @JayGlazer
Both sides can't agree on an extension because Jackson would like his contract fully guaranteed @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/jo3NxTKPvA
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 22, 2022
The Browns received a lot of flak for the contract they gave Watson, and the only other QB to receive a fully guaranteed contract besides Watson was Kirk Cousins, who signed a fully guaranteed contract on a much smaller scale worth only $84 million for three years.
So for Lamar Jackson to ask for a fully guaranteed contract is precarious to say the least. Though the electrifying QB is far ahead of Watson and Kirk Cousins regarding talent and reliability, he is still asking for a lot from Baltimore.
But considering the fact that he has not only won more than Watson and Murray, and that finding a franchise QB isn’t the easiest task in the world, Jackson definitely holds almost all the leverage in this negotiation.
Jackson, who will be playing out his fifth and last year of his rookie deal will be due $23 million in 2023. He’s looking for a significant pay raise, most likely more than Watson’s $46 million per.
At the end of the day, this whole negotiation comes down to Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and whether he wants to give in to his superstar QB’s demands.
The Ravens can definitely pay him, but fully guaranteed contracts are huge risks in themselves. There are numerous things that can derail a star player’s career such as injury, off the field problems, or a substantial drop in performance.
But that’s the game for professional athletes, and because the next season isn’t promised, they’re taught to cash in as soon as possible. Jackson, the last pick of the first round in 2017, has already bet on himself. He’s ready to cash in off of what has been a stellar career for the 25-year-old so far. But if the Ravens don’t pay the man before Week 1, we could very well see Lamar in a different jersey next year.
People do all sorts of wild things at sporting events and never get caught. But a couple that attended the Oakland Athletics game on Sunday are being sought by the police after video of them engaging in a sex act made its way around the internet, according to multiple reports.
https://twitter.com/MPsMP4s/status/1561512917627011073?s=20&t=ztbpgA3T8JMvWIA8kRqcVQ
The Oakland Police department has launched an investigation into the incident after a social media user posted the alleged incident on Twitter of the couple. The video is from the other side of the stadium, but it appears to show a couple in one of the last rows in the stadium engaging in fellatio.
“The Oakland Police Department was not alerted to this incident until after the game and we were advised that A’s staff/cameras did not capture video of this during the game. We have initiated an investigation. However, the parties have not been identified and no one has been cited/arrested at this time. The violation is 647(a) PC. Lewd acts in public,” said OPD Public Information Officer Candace Keas in a statement to KRON4.
If charged and convicted, the couple could be penalized with up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.
America is a bizarre place when it comes to sex. On the one hand the nation’s Protestant history suggests that as a society we are quite prudish on matters of sex. But at the same time the overwhelming voyeurism, curiosity, and need to regulate what other people do as it relates to sex is a strange juxtaposition.
We can’t say for certain what was actually happening. Someone could’ve been bending over to pick something up. But does it really matter? The stadium was practically empty on Sunday with a listed attendance of 9,000. In the video you could see there was nobody near them. Just a sea of empty rows.
The cameras at the stadium didn’t record any footage of the couple, so it’s unclear what the authorities will be able to do. Are they going to find the fan who shot the video, confiscate it, attempt to magnify it and catch the couple?
That sounds like a lot of wasted hours and effort for what? A $1,000 fine. The Oakland PD can find far more constructive uses of their time.
A week ago, a couple in Ohio were arrested for having sex on a ferris wheel. The deed was witnessed by minors. They could face up to 180 days in jail.
We shouldn’t have a society where people are just doing their business out in public but there’s no need for any moral outrage, handwringing or wasting police hours on this type of behavior.
Are we really concerned about kids and minors seeing such “horrible” things? The internet does exist and if someone really wants to watch someone else having sex, there isn’t a lot that’s going to stop them.
Regardless, if you and your partner are out in public and you get the urge, save yourself the potential embarrassment and notoriety and wait until you’re somewhere private.
A Black child on one of the teams at the Little League World Series had his hair stuffed with what appeared to be cotton by his teammates. Pictures of the incident have circulated on social media. What are we doing here?
Did anyone else just see this on the Little League World Series?! They was stuffing the black boy hair with cotton!!! #LLWS pic.twitter.com/nRVJpw6FJj
— Smitty (@BullCityHeel) August 22, 2022
The team in question appears to be Davenport, Iowa. They defeated Santa Clara, Utah 10-2 on Sunday. At some point during the game, and caught on the broadcast, teammates were seen putting a cotton-like substance pulled from inside stuffed toys on the Black child’s hair. In the video captured, the Black child does not appear to be enjoying the actions of his teammates.
Apparently during the ESPN broadcast, announcer Karl Ravech chalked the incident up to kids being kids. Thinking perhaps it was a part of some kind of hazing ritual?
Here's video from the broadcast: pic.twitter.com/CTUJ2hVg2A
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 22, 2022
According to TMZ, LLWS officials say they spoke with the child’s mother and coaches and “that there was no ill-intent behind the action shown during the broadcast.”
“After speaking with the team,” officials said, “as well as reviewing photos, multiple players on the Midwest Region team were taking part in this while enjoying the game.”
“As only one player appeared on the broadcast, Little League International understands that the actions shown could be perceived as racially insensitive.”
Black People And Cotton In America
To understand why some see racial implications with this incident, you need to know the history of Black people and cotton particularly in this country.
The relationship between cotton and Black people is at the core of the United States of America. Cotton was the most important product and in the late 1700s and 1800s and an entire economy was built on it. As more farms grew cotton and the demand increased, so too did the demand for people to harvest it; slaves.
As written in “Cotton and Race in the Making of America: Global Economic Power, Human Costs and Current Relevance”:
It prolonged slavery and slave-produced cotton caused the American Civil War, our bloodiest conflict which came close to destroying the nation. When cotton production exploded to satiate the nineteenth century textile industry’s enormous appetite, it became the first truly complex global business and thereby a major driving force in U.S. territorial expansion and sectional economic integration. Both before and after the Civil War, blacks were assigned the cotton fields while a pervasive racial animosity and fear of a black migratory invasion caused white Northerners to contain blacks in the South.
It’s official, Bryce James has received his first college basketball scholarship offer, and he’s only a freshman. Receiving a D-1 scholarship offer is a dream come true for any kid, and not many young basketball stars even receive D-1 offers to begin with. But Bryce James, son of basketball legend and current Lakers star LeBron James, is already getting an offer, which of course is only the first.
On Instagram Bryce James revealed that he received his first D-1 scholarship offer from Duquesne, with a caption saying, “Blessed to receive my first d1 offer from Duquesne #godukes”.
Bryce James announces he's gotten his first D1 offer 🙌 @brhoops
(via _justbryce/IG) pic.twitter.com/8lef7P6k4f
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 22, 2022
It’s heartwarming for any parent watching their offspring grow up figuratively and literally in size (Bryce is now 6 feet 6, 3 inches taller than his brother Bronny). To see Bryce James now dunking with his brother and dad at practice is a reminder to all that he does have the James genes.
But the fact that Bryce James is already receiving scholarship offers from D-1 schools at 15 years of age puts everything into perspective. He plays for Sierra Canyon with his brother Bronny James, who is a senior and will more than likely be going off to a D-1 basketball college himself. Bryce is already taller than Bronny and has tons of room to develop as well. Considering the possibility that when LeBron more than likely retires in 2024 after he and Bronny hopefully play a season together, LeBron will spend plenty of one-on-one time with Bryce while he’s still in school helping him perfect his craft.
It’s too early to know the type of player Bryce is yet. He hasn’t had enough playing time and usage to understand the type of style he has and the role he will have on his teams. At this point in Bronny’s career, he is more of a two-way player who looks to facilitate for his team and scores when he can. Though it’s clear he doesn’t possess that “score first” mentality, he could develop that later in his career.
Bryce, on the other hand is fresh to the court, and depending on if he continues to grow, that could really change the trajectory of his role on the court and his path to the NBA as well. Though no one is already projecting him as an NBA first-rounder like they are his brother, if he’s playing nearly as good as Bronny is with his height and frame, he could very well end up in the NBA as well.
LeBron’s genetics have worked out well with his sons, and they both look to be legit NBA hopefuls. We’ve recently seen these types of genetic qualities being shared throughout one family with Lavar Ball’s sons, and the Antetokoumnpos as well. The James family could be next on that list, and should they continue to play and develop well on the court, we could see the offsprings of this era’s GOAT share the NBA hardwood together at some point as well.
Over the weekend, as Anthony Joshua lost a chance to regain his unified heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk, the man with the only belt that could crown an undisputed heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury was experiencing a different kind of loss. His cousin, Rico Burton, was stabbed to death in Goose Green, a nightclub in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, according to local police reports.
Burton, 31, was “stabbed in the neck,” and two men were arrested because of the incident, where a 17-year-old also suffered severe injuries. Reportedly, one of the suspects is 21 years old and was arrested at the scene. Additionally, the other suspect is a 20-year-old who was later arrested, and both are currently in police custody.
My cousin was murdered last night. Stabbed in the neck, this is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives. THIS NEEDS TO STOP 🛑
🙏 RIP RICO BURTON 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AaQUAiJ358
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 21, 2022
“My cousin was murdered last night. Stabbed in the neck, this is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives. THIS NEEDS TO STOP. RIP RICO BURTON,” the champ posted on social media.
“My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck, this is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives,” Fury posted as a screenshot of an earlier post. “This needs to stop Asap, uk government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime, its a pandemic & you don’t know how bad it is until its 1 of your own! Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON may the lord god grant you a good place in heven. see you soon #only cowardscarryweapons”
The local EMS services received multiple calls at about 3 a.m. on Sunday. When the paramedics arrived to the courtyard area, they found the 17-year-old and Burton with stab wounds; each was receiving first aid from the people on the scene.
Eventually, both victims were taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, where Burton was later pronounced dead.
'It's gone crazy in this country… if you carry a knife you deserve ten years.'
Steve Egan – Tyson Fury's first coach and friend of Rico Burton, who was fatally stabbed this weekend – on what he feels should be done to tackle knife crime across the UK. pic.twitter.com/SjED0boXPp
— GB News (@GBNEWS) August 22, 2022
“This is without doubt a senseless attack and both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends,” Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Ben Ewart said at a news conference.
“Goose Green is a popular nightspot and would have been busy at the time and I appeal for anyone who was there overnight on Saturday or anyone with information about this incident – including phone photograph footage or videos – to come forward, in particular any friends of any of the victims or suspects who may have been out with them that night who have not yet come forward.”
Police believe that a potential argument broke out based on reports and that the current investigation is “very live,” with the argument component being “obviously a factor we’re looking into,” per Superintendent Ewart.
Unlike the States, the United Kingdom has experienced a spike in knife crimes. The country doe not have the same massive issues with gun crime as America, but it does have a violence issue regarding knife attacks.
THE GYPSY KING IS HERE TO STAY!!!@WBCBoxing @frankwarren_tv pic.twitter.com/DaDCfbQvPI
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 20, 2022
Knife crimes rose by 10 percent to 49,027 offenses in England and Wales since March 2022, with public concern about stabbings creating mounting cry for stricter sentencing guidelines for offenders over 18.
While Tyson Fury also announced that he would accept Oleksandr Usyk’s challenge to fight and crown an undisputed heavyweight champion, Fury is now fighting another battle against knife crime while mourning his cousin.
Former Major League Baseball great Kenny Lofton might be bugging in his personal life. An ex-employee is suing the six-time MLB All-Star for what seems like wrongful termination after allegedly telling the HR department of Lofton’s companies that the MLB great was sending pictures of his private parts in the DMs of social media.
What in the Louisville Slugger?
The former employee is named Brandyn Toney, allegedly hired by Lofton in 2021 to an investment firm and NFT marketplace that the four-time Gold Glove winner co-owned. TMZ reports that according to documents it obtained, Toney claims that he began employment at two of Lofton’s companies, Centerblock Asset Management LLC and Proxime Corporation, in December 2021 with a purported salary of $85,000.
However, Toney claims that issues began to arise months after he began. He alleges that he was never paid for his work and was told by a female employee hired to monitor Lofton’s Instagram account that the former center fielder had been DMing pics of his privates to women on the ‘Gram. Toney claims he was told this on June 8.
Once Toney made a complaint to Lofton’s human resources department, which an in-house attorney oversaw, he was allegedly fired mere hours after submitting the complaint; two hours to be specific.
Now Toney is taking his grievances to court, suing Lofton, his two companies, and other employees in the organizations. He believes that the termination of his employment was only retaliation for his reporting of Lofton’s highly unlofty behaviors: sending d*ck pics and not paying him the wages owed for the work he provided. Toney is seeking damages and more items in the lawsuit.
“Lofton and his executive team thought they could fire our client for objecting to obvious sexual misconduct and even thought they could get away with not paying him for his work,” Toney’s attorney, Ronald L. Zambrano, told TMZ. “That speaks to the arrogance and dysfunction at play every day at Centerblock and Proxime.”
Kenny Lofton, a native of East Chicago, Indiana, first started as a basketball player and received a scholarship to the University of Arizona to hoop. Ironically, he started his collegiate career at the guard position during his sophomore year to replace an injured teammate: future five-time NBA champion, and coach of four of the Golden State Warriors’ championships Steve Kerr.
August 20, 2000: Two Words ⚾️
1. Coopers. 2. Town.
Tribe's Kenny Lofton has career-high 6 RBI in #ForTheland 12-4 W vs. #SeaUsRise. 2 HRs (including a Grand Salami). Btw – how many times has there been damn squirrel in Jacobs Field?#Kenny 7⃣ #6RBI #HoF #Squirrel pic.twitter.com/LpqM5DzqnM— Mr. Cleveland Sports (@MrCleveland_216) August 20, 2022
He played a vital sixth-man role in his third season as Arizona reached the Final Four of the 1988 NCAA tournament. However, he began a path towards inevitability when he started playing for the Arizona Wildcats baseball team as a junior. He excelled and was signed by the Houston Astros as a 17th-round pick in the 1988 amateur draft by midyear.
Eventually, the 55-year-old played in the majors for under two decades for eleven teams and the now Cleveland Guardians on three different occasions and ten of his 17 seasons. He finished his pro career with 130 home runs, 781 RBIs, 2,428 hits, 622 stolen bases, and 945 walks. However, he still is not in the Hall of Fame.
His stats did not make him a lock for induction; according to mlb.com, “it was surprising that the former center fielder didn’t receive enough votes to stay on the ballot for more than one year.”
Here is a tip for anyone looking to make some side money betting on combat sports, wherever Aubrey “Drake” Graham puts his money, do the exact opposite. Over the weekend, the “In My Feelings” rapper lost big paper, to the sound of over $350,000 betting on UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards.
Although the popular forgone conclusion was that Usman would continue his blitzkrieg through the welterweight division and eliminate challenger Leon Edwards, the reverse happened with a massive fifth-round head kick that flattened Usman and transferred the welterweight title to Edwards.
Drake lost nearly half a million on Usman and Aldo’s UFC fights this weekend 😳‼️ pic.twitter.com/QsGNKE8Ki6
— RapTV (@Rap) August 22, 2022
For that gaffe, Drake lost his two separate wagers on Kamaru Usman totaling $200,000. However, that wasn’t the only bet Drake placed on the Octagon, as he placed a massive wager on former feathewrweight champion Jose Aldo to take down his opponent Merab Dvalishvili at the tune of almost $240,000.
For those keeping score, that is just shy of half a million Drake risked on the mixed martial arts version of “Game of Thrones.” Fans are wondering why he continues to think he knows the sport because as the losses keep piling up you can hear the echo of the late great former boxing champion and trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roger Mayweather saying, “you don’t know sh*t about (insert) mixed martial arts.”
Colby Covington tells Drake to "go back to selling those sh*tty albums" after losing a $275,000 bet on Jorge Masvidal. 😂#UFC272 | Full video: https://t.co/dlBR3xFBSB pic.twitter.com/duJsOzswHp
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 6, 2022
In March, the pop culture star lost $275,000 betting on Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal against his polarizing nemesis Colby “Chaos” Covington at UFC 272. When he won, Covington couldn’t wait to tell Drake how he felt about betting against him.
“Let’s talk about all the money Drake lost tonight,” Covington said at the postfight press conference. “He needs to go back to selling those sh-tty albums to get back the money. Drake you suck at sports betting, go back to your sh-tty little albums and rapping.”
So is it time to christen Drake’s penchant to pick losers as the official Drake curse, a la the Kardashian persuasion? Probably so, as just like athletes who align themselves with the reality stars suffer great professional setbacks, it seems that Drake’s betting hand is like a pimp hand slapping them into unconsciousness or at least their pro record further into the “L” column.
However, the recording artist does a little better in the football arena. He reportedly bet $1.25 million across a few 2022 Super Bowl lines. He bet that the Los Angeles Rams would win and that his guy, Odell Beckham Jr., would score a touchdown. That happened in the showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Drake is a celebrity whale,” professional sports bettor Bill Krackomberger told The New York Post. “He’s one of the most in-demand gamblers by casino marketing departments. I saw him at Aria and he was betting $200,000 a spin at roulette; his play is worthy of $100,000 in promotional chips to walk in the door.”
Now that Drake has been placing bets on the house that Nick Saban built, the Alabama football program better light some sage and say a prayer because Drake also has them in his betting sights.
Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib is stepping away from his Thursday Night Football broadcasting duties on Amazon to spend time with his family, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Aqib Talib’s brother Yaqub Talib has been charged with the murder of youth football coach Michael Hickmon following a game. Aqib was present at the shooting and allegedly involved in the fight prior.
Just spoke to Aqib Talib. In light of the recent tragedy, he is going to step aside from his broadcasting duties at Amazon to spend time with his family.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2022
Video emerged of Yaqub Talib shooting Hickmon multiple times after a disagreement between the opposing coaching staffs of two youth football teams over calls made by the officials during a game.
Aqib Talib, according to reports, started the melee by confronting the officials and Hickmon.
“He threw the first punch and you see Mike trying to defend himself,” said Calvin Smith McKinney, Hickmon’s friend.
At this point, Aqib Talib hasn’t been charged with anything criminal, but perhaps those charges could be coming as police continue their investigation. Aiding and abetting, fleeing and eluding are all on the table. Video shows Aqib and Yaqub fleeing the scene.
Of course, if Aqib lies at any point during questioning and it is later uncovered, you can add obstruction as well.
The Talib brothers are known to be bullies and overtly aggressive in the Texas youth football scene, according to sources.
“If you’ve been around the youth football world you know the Talib guys don’t like to lose and they give everybody a hard time,” Dragon Elite Academy (Hickmon’s team) president Courtney Jackson said. “I would call it rambunctious and overly aggressive.
“In the youth football world if somebody is crying about a call you might say stop whining or quit crying. They don’t laugh those things off. It gets personal with them.
“You know how somebody can be a bully but they’re not necessarily a bully to everybody.”
For context, this tragic incident occurred during a nine and under scrimmage. Let that sink in. Not that pulling a gun on someone during an argument should be condoned in any portion of a civilized society. But a pee wee football scrimmage? What are we doing and thinking as a society?
Deciding to step away from Thursday Night Football might have been a formality. The executives at Amazon could’ve already spoken to Aqib through his representation and said they were going to suspend or fire him. A position like his likely has a morality clause in the contract; being involved in this incident could be a violation of that clause.
Aqib was expected to be part of the studio team, and provide his unique analysis and authenticity to the broadcast package.
It’s not clear where Aqib, who is a rising broadcast media star, will end up next. He will likely have to be cleared of any wrongdoing and not subject to any charges before another network decides to hire him.
Aqib is a five-time Pro Bowl player, two-time All-Pro who retired in 2020, after 12 seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins.
The detainment of Brittney Griner in Russia has now hit nearly seven months. The WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted of trying to smuggle illegal narcotics into the country. She has been sentenced to nine years in a penal colony or Russian jail. Griner, who pleaded guilty, had her lawyers argue that the cannabis was to help treat injuries and reduce pain. But to no avail, the Russian court wasn’t trying to hear it.
The outcry against Griner’s conviction has been heard from both political figures, entertainers, WNBA and NBA players alike, with WNBA players and fans wearing “Free BG,” shirts during warmups. But that hasn’t changed her fate as of yet.
Over the weekend at a sneaker convention in Washington, D.C., Basketball Hall of Famer, and five-time NBA champion, Dennis Rodman told NBC News that he has received permission to go to Russia.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl. I’m trying to go this week.” Rodman also mentioned that he knows Russian President Vladimir Putin “too well.”
Sounds like Rodman being Rodman, but actually if anyone outside of the government could help with her release it’s probably “The Worm.” He’s known for establishing relationships with foreign leaders who may not hold the United States in the highest regard.
Dennis Rodman is going to Russia in hopes of bringing Brittney Griner back home.
"I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl, I'm trying to go this week." – Dennis Rodman
(via @NBCNews, @jonallendc) pic.twitter.com/1NnPok5waK
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) August 21, 2022
Rodman Has Been De Facto Diplomat Before: Can He Help?
Rodman is no stranger to intervening in the world of politics. Who can forget his highly-publicized run with North Korea and their leader Kim Jong-Un. Beginning in 2013, Rodman’s impact on relations between North Korea and the United States was talked about far and wide.
While Rodman told reporters, “I am not a diplomat,” his actions and the way he became a bridge in frigid North Korea and U.S. relations says different. Rodman even lobbied for President Barack Obama to reach out to the North Korean leader, saying Kim Jong-Un wanted Obama to call him.
Rodman’s Available To “Offer Expertise” For Trump-Kim Nuclear Summit
“He wants Obama to do one thing,” Rodman said in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on “This Week. “He said, if you can, Dennis — I don’t want to do war. I don’t want to do war. He said that to me.”
“Kim loves basketball. And I said the same thing. Obama loves basketball. Let’s start there.”
Rodman even tried to use his new Bad Ass Vodka product to bring Obama and Kim Jong together.
“Everyone knows (President Barack) Obama drinks beer,” Rodman said back in 2013, while suggesting that his bottled libations can save US-North Korean relations. “But you know what? I’m pretty sure he does have a cocktail here or there. I’d love to see him with a Bad Ass Vodka shot in his hand, toasting to Kim Jong (Un) and me.”
While that never happened, former President Donald Trump took it a step further. Rodman touted Trump as a great negotiator and boasted about his involvement in Trump and Kim Jong-Un shaking hands and meeting to talk in Singapore.
The meeting was called the biggest and most surprising diplomatic breakthrough maybe ever. Rodman, who was in attendance for the historic meetup, told CNN’s Chris Cuomo, “It’s a great day. I am here to see it. I’m so happy.”
Now he’s set to try and work his magic on Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a 2014 interview with Fox Business, Rodman referred to the Russian leader as “cool.”
Hoping for this after my two friends and leaders meet next month.#Peace #Love #NotWar #Diplomacy pic.twitter.com/NEZijYzoLi
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) March 30, 2018
Griner Still Classified As Wrongfully Detained
Following Griner’s conviction, Ned Price, a State Department spokesperson, said the department still classified the basketball star as “wrongfully detained.”
“No element of this trial changes our judgment and Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained and should be released immediately. This is why we’ve put forward a number of weeks ago what we consider to be a serious, substantial proposal: an effort to seek her release, to seek the release of Paul Whelan as well.”
“We are in communication with the Russians on this matter, and we encourage them to pursue this constructively.”
Can Rodman help? That remains to be seen, but given his track record and the fact that he claims to have some personal relationship with the Russian leader makes it worth a try.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to make another run at the Super Bowl. But there’s absolutely no chance of that happening without quarterback Tom Brady under center. The seven-time Super Bowl-winning signal-caller led the Bucs to the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy in his first season in South Florida. Last season, the Bucs lost a thrilling last-second divisional playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
After that, head coach Bruce Arians stepped away from the sidelines to take a front office position within the franchise, leaving head coach duties to Todd Bowles. Tom Brady retired for all of 44 days before announcing he was returning during the NCAA Tournament’s March Madness Selection Show.
And while things seemed normal in Tampa since his return, the former Michigan Wolverines gunslinger has taken a surprising leave of absence during the last two weeks of training camp. Talking to reporters this week per ESPN, first-year head coach Todd Bowles addressed Brady’s availability for the final preseason game next week.
“We’ll see. We’ll talk about it next week. I’m not concerned about it right now. We’re trying to practice to practice against Tennessee and play a game. I said sometime after Tennessee. There’s no definitive date for me. But we’ll check on it, we’ll keep in touch, and we’ll find out.”
Bowles also reiterated at that time that he’s been in touch with his quarterback constantly and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be under center in the Bucs’ season opener at the Dallas Cowboys.
Brady’s absence reportedly is not family or health related and the team knew about it prior to training camp. It is still uncharacteristic of someone like Brady, who is so addicted to being prepared and establishing a chemistry with his teammates.
Bucs’ QB Tom Brady is expected to return to the team, per a source, “very shortly.” Brady left the team earlier this month for personal reasons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2022
Bowles Gave More Insight Into Brady’s Absence On Sunday
During a media session on Sunday, Bowles began by first saying “Brady will be back early this week.”
The former Buccaneers defensive coordinator then addressed the understanding between Brady and the team.
“This is something we talked about before training camp started,” Boles said. “We allotted this time because we wanted to get in and get chemistry with the guys and go through two weeks of training camp, knowing he wasn’t going to play the first two preseason games.”
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said it has not been decided if Tom Brady will play this week in the third and final preseason game. He said they’ll see how this week goes.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 21, 2022
Brady is in his 23rd NFL season and, like most veterans, there are allotted times for them to be excused from practice. But you never see a player absent for two consecutive weeks without hearing why, although the Bucs have done a good job of keeping Brady’s business in-house.
There’s been plenty of speculation, from marital problems to him being on a planned vacation with his family. There were also rumors of his mom, a cancer survivor, being sick again. But that’s all unconfirmed and the media looking for an angle to drum up a story.
League sources indicated Tom Brady's time away included a trip to the Bahamas at an exclusive resort and primarily for family time with his wife, Gisele Bündchen.
The latest on Brady's expected return from @AaronWilson_NFL in this #PFNReport ⤵️https://t.co/iYRXZGrjhm
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 21, 2022
Brady Has Plenty Of Reasons To Return For Year 23
When you are fortunate to play as long as Brady has, and you’re good, you reach a lot of milestones. Brady needs just over 2,400 yards to become the first player in NFL history to pass for 100,000 yards. If he reaches 40 touchdown passes he’d become the first player to do it three consecutive seasons, and the first to do it four times. He also has nine seasons of at least 30 touchdown passes; one more will tie him with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees with 10. Not to mention a chance to add to his already probably unreachable seven Super Bowl wins.
At 45, and with all this hoopla on-and-off-the-field surrounding him, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was really his final NFL season.
The WNBA is continuously trying to increase fan support in an effort to move out of the shadows of the NBA. While that’s probably never going to happen, one area of focus that the WNBA tries to tap into is the youth. At almost every game you see a group of children from a local team, athletic club or boys and girls club.
That was the case as the Chicago Sky played its final regular season home game. A local Boys and Girls Clubs in the Chicago area attended the festivities, and an interviewer attempted to ask one young man about the team, but he was seemingly only interested in the food.
Here’s how the exchange played out.
Interviewer: “You look like you’re here with a bunch of friends. Are these all your friends?”
Kid: “No”
Interviewer: “Do you like the Chicago Sky? It looks like you do.”
Kid: “I’ve never heard of this group. I have never heard of this.”
Interviewer: “You know they won the championship, right?”
Kid: “No”
Interviewer: “Well, now you do.”
Kid: “Now I do, but I still don’t know anything else.”
Interviewer: “What are you looking forward to today with this group?”
Kid: “The buffet!”
Interviewer: “We should get you on the court today, huh?”
Kid: “OK”
Interviewer: “Let me see you shoot your threes.”
Kid: “I don’t shoot threes.”
At the very least, the interviewer got an entertaining exchange out of it. Most kids his age would’ve probably had the same answers. The answers probably wouldn’t have been that much different if that same kid was at an NBA game. He was obviously just there for the free food.
Kid’s Reaction Is How Most Kids Feel About Sports, Especially When They Play
The little boy’s reaction was funny, and it showed that kids are just not that impressed or worried about who’s playing or the final results of the game. Many times, they are at the stadium for the experience.
Which is why it’s baffling to see so many adults act like imbeciles during youth, high school and professional sporting events. Take for instance the killing of youth coach Mike Hickmon last week at the hands of former NFL player Aqib Talib and his brother Yaqub. While Aqib didn’t pull the trigger, his actions prior led to the fracas, inciting the tragically unnecessary situation.
Kids watched in horror, believing they’d line up shake hands with the opponent and get their postgame snack bag. Instead, they witnessed cold-blooded murder because adults can’t control their emotions.
Kids are innocent, and this kid’s reaction to the bevy of questions once again proved just that. It’s just not that serious.
Why did you go to your haters funeral ?
Me : pic.twitter.com/RsP0vtc0oy— Señor Framez 🏁 (@CoFramez) August 14, 2022
WNBA Fans Respond To The Kid’s Blatant Honesty
Some fans say the kid was roasting the WNBA product without even knowing. Another person insinuated that the WNBA got kids taking field trips to games because no one else wants to go. Any situation that brings attention to the WNBA playoffs is positive for the league’s quest for increased notoriety, salaries and respect. Oh, the hilarity of it all. The kid just showed us that children don’t pay attention to things like that. They’re too busy being kids and looking to eat, drink and be merry. This video will forever go down in viral infamy.
