Former Chicago Bulls player Horace Grant’s championship rings from the team’s three-peat are up for auction, according to reports. The rings commemorating the Bulls titles from 1991, 1992, and 1993 could net up to $100,000 a piece. Why are the rings up for sale? Is everything all good with Grant?
Grant was a mainstay during those title runs playing a key role behind Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Grant’s rebounding, defense and interior scoring were crucial to the Bulls’ dominance.
The rings feature the power forward’s last name and the Bulls’ season record on one side and the world champion title year/postseason record on the other, according to Heritage Auctions.
The 1991 ring also has thirty genuine diamonds around the perimeter.
The right shank on the 1992 ring features the NBA logo and celebratory text: “World Champions 91-92, Back to Back.” Interior band is stamped “14K Jostens” on all the rings and measures to a size 12.
Grant’s 2001 championship ring he earned as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers is also available for purchase.
This doesn’t appear to be a case of Grant needing money as he was not the consignor of the rings to Heritage Auctions. Grant sold the rings years ago and donated the money to charity.
Grant was drafted by the Bulls in 1987 with the 10th overall pick after starring at Clemson University, where he was a consensus All-American and ACC player of the year. He became the first player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.
In addition to wining three titles with the Bulls, and one with the Lakers, he was a four-time All-Defensive team selection, and an All-Star with the Orlando Magic in 1994.
Grant’s time with the Bulls, while successful, wasn’t without its share of drama and turmoil. He and Jordan often beefed with each other behind the scenes and it is widely believed that Grant was a main source in Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules,” a behind-the-scenes look at Jordan’s ruthless competitiveness and some less-than-flattering details about relationships with teammates and coaches.
When ESPN’s “The Last Dance,” a documentary on the 1998 Bulls, was released in 2020 it seemed to reignite the feud between Jordan and Grant over the Smith book.
“Lie, lie, lie. … If MJ had a grudge with me, let’s settle this like men,” Grant said during the interview. “Let’s talk about it. Or we can settle it another way. But yet and still, he goes out and puts this lie out that I was the source behind [the book]. Sam and I have always been great friends. We’re still great friends. But the sanctity of that locker room, I would never put anything personal out there. The mere fact that Sam Smith was an investigative reporter. That he had to have two sources, two, to write a book, I guess. Why would MJ just point me out?
“It’s only a grudge, man. I’m telling you, it was only a grudge. And I think he proved that during this so-called documentary. When if you say something about him, he’s going to cut you off, he’s going to try to destroy your character.”
Grant’s twin brother Harvey also played in the NBA. Harvey played 11 seasons for the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Three of Harvey’s sons, Horace’s nephews, play professional basketball, including Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, who is entering the last year of a three-year $60 million contract.
The Grants are a prolific basketball family.
The New York Knicks took a huge step back in 2021-22, finishing the season a disappointing 37-45 and failing to make the playoffs. This after going 41-31 in 2020-21 and clinching the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
A huge piece of both of those teams is forward RJ Barrett the 2019 No. 3 overall pick out of Duke has seen gotten better each season. The smooth, rangy 6-foot-7 lefty averaged a career-best 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last season. Two areas the team would like to see him improve is his 40.8 percent field goal shooting, and his 35.3 three-point percentage.
RJ Barrett’s Knicks Affiliation Inspired His ESPN Best 25 under 25 Snub
But overall Barrett is a very solid building block for the Knicks. And while many expect him to be in orange and blue for a long time, Marc Berman of the New York Post says he’s heard rumors that head coach Tom Thibodeau would prefer to trade Barrett instead of second-year guard Quentin Grimes in a deal for Utah Jazz swingman Donovan Mitchell.
“There is belief around the league that Thibodeau would prefer to give up Barrett in a deal than Quentin Grimes, who is coming off a solid rookie year, and a summer league in which he looked quicker and more sculpted. Grimes is a better defender and three-point shooter than Barrett.”
While this is hearsay and we haven’t heard Thibs come out and say that, it’s still worth listening to. For one, Thibs prides himself on defense. He’s know as a defensive strategist in NBA circles. Also, he’s been a huge fan of Grimes since the pre-draft process.
Happy to have @NYPost_Berman back. #knicks fans should be, too. He breaks down latest on #Knicks-Jazz trade talks: https://t.co/KNsUPb6o9T
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) August 21, 2022
Does Thibs Envision A Backcourt Of Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes And Donovan Mitchell?
The Knicks added former Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson via free agency this offseason, and Thibs reportedly envisions Grimes playing alongside Brunson and Donovan Mitchell, if the Utah Jazz star is eventually traded to the Big Apple. Grimes’ size, defense, range shooting and the ability to play without the ball is what Thibs covets. With Brunson and Mitchell, two ball-dominant players, Barrett wouldn’t be as good a fit because he’s also ball-dominant.
With all that said, Grimes still isn’t the player that Barrett is. In fact, Barrett has the second-most points of any player in his draft class. Only Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who went one pick before Barrett, has more.
Most points from 2019 NBA draft class:@JaMorant 3,961
RJ Barrett 3,469
Darius Garland 3,142
Tyler Herro 2,925 pic.twitter.com/A5rST7Qxbn— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 10, 2022
And Barrett is a very solid wing defender in his own right as well
Could The Supposed Preference Be About Money?
This is the final year of Barrett’s rookie deal, meaning as of July 1st, the former Duke star is eligible for a five-year, $185 million max deal. Do the Knicks want to pay him that or pay Grimes roughly $15 million for the next four seasons, as he’s under contract until 2025-26.
Last week on The Putback, we had a few notes on Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett & potential lineups next season (clip below) and talked Jalen Brunson, Knicks' long-term future & more w/ @CPTheFanchise, @AshNicoleMoss & @CWilliamson44. Full show here: https://t.co/s2WhwwEYaF pic.twitter.com/78qzFjpzEs
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 5, 2022
Another factor in the deal would be if the Jazz are confident Barrett would be willing to sign off on an extension. If he isn’t willing to play in Utah long term, any hopes of that deal would die right there.
Again, this is all speculation at this point, but worth paying attention to, as Thibs has been known to take fit over pure talent. And in this situation, he’d be doing just that, because based on talent alone Grimes is not in Barrett’s league.
In 2020, when Tom Brady decided to depart New England after 20 seasons, questions surfaced about why Brady left after 20 very successful seasons.
Brady won six Super Bowls and made 13 AFC championship games. In all, Brady played in 45 percent of the Super Bowls during his tenure in Foxboro. He also participated in 65 percent of the AFC conference’s title games. So why would he all of a sudden want out?
Well according to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, head coach Bill Belichick is the reason Brady bolted for sunny Tampa, Florida.
The breakup brought to an end the most successful coach and quarterback tenure in NFL history.
Smith Isn’t Sold On Belichick Being Successful Without Brady:
Smith believes Belichick will continue to be subpar at-best without Brady at the helm. During Friday’s episode of “First Take” Smith laid into Belichick.
“Bill Belichick … bro, every year that you’re without Tom Brady, you look worse. Because you didn’t want to keep him there. We heard the news about Tom Brady wanting to leave because Bill Belichick wasn’t that receptive to keeping him, getting Jimmy Garoppolo, drafting him with a second round pick.”
Smith continued his rant.
"Every year without Tom Brady, Bill Belichick looks worse."
"Every year that goes on, we're going to forget how great he was. We'll say he wasn't able to evolve and be successful without 12." https://t.co/RbRUkq3VSe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
“So the belief it Tom Brady was forced out. And Robert Kraft told me personally, I’m quoting here, if there was a way, if Tom had said, I want to stay, he’d be here. Yeah, but we all know that Bill Belichick, wouldn’t, quote-unquote, kiss the ring the ring per se?
“And that’s why Tom Brady said it’s time to move on. That is attached to Bill Belichick. And so when we look at him and we see the struggles. We see what cover Tom Brady provided and the fact that you essentially pushed your cover out the door. That’s where the legacy gets a bit of a stain on it, because damn, because the brother been gone for 2-3 years, what’s up.”
"Every year without Tom Brady, Bill Belichick looks worse."
"Every year that goes on, we're going to forget how great he was. We'll say he wasn't able to evolve and be successful without 12." https://t.co/RbRUkq3VSe
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
Together the duo went 249-75, including 30-11 in the playoffs. Their nine Super Bowl appearances together is five more than any other coach and quarterback duo in NFL history.
Belichick May Have Found A QB: But Can They Put It Together?
In 2014, Belichick drafted Jimmy Garoppolo with the 62nd overall pick. Belichick’s intent was to have Garoppolo, the former Eastern Illinois product, succeed Brady in the very near future. That never came to fruition, as Brady reportedly played a role in Garoppolo being traded to the Niners. Belichick also denied the rumor, but that still hasn’t stopped pundits from saying that’s what happened.
Either way, it was the right decision for the Patriots as they went on to win two more Super Bowls after the rumor of Garoppolo succeeding Brady, including one after he was dealt to the Niners in 2017.
In 2020, Belichick signed former NFL MVP, Cam Newton, and that relationship was doomed from the jump. With COVID-19 ravaging the world and Newton’s ever declining skill set, it wasn’t a good match. In 2021, Belichick may have drafted his franchise quarterback in former Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Mac Jones.
As a rookie Jones led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth. But that was with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (who left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders) calling the plays.
Now Jones is getting his plays from Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, two former head coaches who flopped as top men. In addition, neither worked on the offensive side of the ball prior. They were defensive and special teams coordinators. And because of that, one could see why Smith believes Belichick will struggle more without Brady, who has already won a Super Bowl without Bill.
The toxic ghost of Jon Gruden still haunts the NFL in the most nefarious ways, and now he can count the city of Las Vegas as another potential nemesis. The UFC 278 alternate commentary channel, known as the Gronkcast, featured former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski and his family.
UFC president Dana White explained how he almost had a deal where Gronk and Tom Brady would have played for the Las Vegas Raiders. However, former head coach Jon Gruden “blew it up.”
UFC President Dana White claims he was working on getting Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the Las Vegas #Raiders in 2020, but Jon Gruden decided in the last minute that he didn’t want to do it.
Gronk: “That’s exactly what’s happened.”pic.twitter.com/clcIFMS0xV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 21, 2022
During “UFC 278 With The Gronks,” Gronkowski had White on a split screen and stated that he gave Tom Brady a recruiting pitch when he was a free agent, then asked “what went wrong” with Brady potentially signing with the Raiders.
“Do I really tell this story right now, Rob? Do you want me to tell this story?” White asked.
Gronkowski loved it and egged on the reluctant promoter, dropping another previously unknown gem.
“You never know, I could have been in Vegas with you the last three years man, what the heck?” Gronk said.
“You would have been!” White replied to a compliant Gronk.
“I would have been.”
Dana White says Brady and Gronk ➡️ Raiders "was almost a done deal." 😳 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/buWEXxi5Ho
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2022
Then White went on to describe perhaps the most crushing news to Raiders fans everywhere, that they lost out on a QB-TE duo that achieved four championships together.
“I worked to put that deal together for Brady and Gronk to come to the Raiders,” White said. “It was almost a done deal. At the last minute Gruden blew the deal up and said that he didn’t want them.
“All hell broke loose man, it was crazy. Brady was already looking at houses and it wasn’t being said yet that Gronk was coming. So Las Vegas would have had Brady and Gronk the year the Bucs won the Super Bowl except Gruden blew the deal up. There’s so much story that goes along with this behind the scenes. … I was never going to tell that story until Gronk just said it.”
To add gasoline to the now smoldering Raiders fan fire, Gronkowski reiterated that White’s story is “exactly what happened.”
Last year, during an interview on LeBron James’ “The Shop,” Brady revealed that a team had pulled out on a deal for him at the last minute to stick with their QB.
“One of the teams, they weren’t interested at the very end. I was thinking, ‘You’re sticking with that motherf–ker?’”@TomBrady kept receipts on his free agency 🤐 @brgridiron#TheShopHBO premieres Friday at 9:30pm on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/lDW8ywrLLP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2021
“One of the teams, they weren’t interested at the very end. I was thinking, ‘You’re sticking with that motherf–ker?'” Brady said, leaving many wondering who he was talking about. Now it is pretty obvious that it was Raiders QB, Derek Carr.
At the time, Gruden and his then GM, Mike Mayock, made the athletic hiring decisions. Dana White is in no way officially connected to the NFL franchise. However, owner Mark Davis is a frequent attendee of UFC fights.
The Miami Dolphins were tampering by talking with Brady in 2019 while he was still a member of the New England Patriots. It is not far-fetched to believe White was working his deal to upgrade the sports team for Las Vegas, where the UFC is headquartered.
Gruden is one of the most loathed men in NFL history, and that just got worse for him.
The sport of mixed martial arts is beloved for its unpredictability, and newly crowned welterweight champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards proved that on Saturday night. By way of Britain, the Jamaican landed a head kick late in the fifth and final round of his championship fight against Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman to become a UFC champion and dethrone the former undefeated star.
We wrote his obituary! Wow congrats on a championship high kick @Leon_edwardsmma you’re the man now! #ufc278
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2022
In the UFC 278 main event Saturday at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Edwards (20-3) avenged his 2015 unanimous decision loss to Usman in an eye-opening fashion. Edwards used a left jab to distract Usman, who ducked into a left head kick that caught him blindsided and left him stiff and flat on the canvas.
LEON EDWARDS WITH THE COMEBACK OF THE CENTURY. HEADKICK KO. OH MY GOOOOODNESSSSS. HE SENT HIM TO THE SHADOW REALM #UFC278 https://t.co/vnh5MLVERt
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 21, 2022
The shot took the air out of the arena as Edwards lost the fight on the scorecards, and Usman only needed to hold on one more minute to remain the champion. The two were both extremely tired going into the final round, partially because the altitude of the nevue makes it harder to breathe under strenuous conditions.
Still, Edwards did the impossible in an impressive come-from-behind fashion.
“You all doubted me that I couldn’t do it,” Edwards said in the cage after the fight. “Look at me now. Look at it: pound-for-pound, headshot, dead. That’s it.”‘
Leon Edwards did this to Kamaru Usman! Damn! 🤯 #UFC278 pic.twitter.com/LcdPLX4w4o
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) August 21, 2022
Usman walked into the fight considered by many as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA before UFC 278. He began his title reign by defeating Tyron Woodley in 2019. Then he faced most of the big names of his generation in the division, such as Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal, and Gilbert Burns. Now Usman’s title reign ends with five defenses, and his winning streak snapped at 18.
“Everything that happened in the past, the two years out, the pandemic, all of it, no one thought I was going to come back and do it,” Edwards continued in the post-fight interview. “There is no ring rust, I told you; look at me now; champion of the world, told you. I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shed with a tin roof. Look at me now, strap season. We’ve done it baby.”
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1561224779738349568?s=20&t=PSbjn1m20Ie0JMuTjt9vBg
Edwards hasn’t lost a fight since his December 2015 loss, ironically to Usman. In almost seven years, Edwards has gone 10-0 with one no-contest with wins over big names in the division like Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone. He now adds Usman to that list in a rivalry that is certain to have a trilogy, with Usman already vowing a comeback in a series of tweets.
Champs f$ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!! 👊🏿🌍🤴🏿 #NGHTMR
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
“Champs f$ck up sometimes… but we bounce back and come with vengeance!!”
Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen but… Alhamdulillah we move!! 👊🏿🌍🤴🏿 congratulations @Leon_edwardsmma
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 21, 2022
“Damn I love this sport!!! Things happen but… Alhamdulillah we move!!”
Usman was looking to set up a crossover boxing match with current undisputed super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez. Although Alvarez had not responded to the multiple requests, nor the UFC seem interested in letting Usman pursue that path, the loss to Edwards derailed Usman’s hope to ride the success wave into a boxing bag.
Last weekend during a youth football game in Lancaster, Texas, a suburb about 30 miles outside of Dallas, a coach was shot and killed after an incident with opposing coaches. Mike Hickmon was gunned down by Yaqub Talib, the brother of former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib.
While many thought this was a one-time thing, others were quick to point out that aggression has been the Talib brothers “MO” at youth football games. They’re overly sensitive and are quick to become confrontational. That aggression cost a man his life in front of his son.
Youth Leader Speaks Out On Talib Brothers
Dragon Elite Academy is a youth program that’s faced off against teams coached by the Talib brothers. Their president, Courtney Jackson, talked to the Dallas Morning News about his interaction with the brothers over the years.
“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,” Jackson told the newspaper last week. “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.”
That seems to be what happened in this incident. Per reports, Aqib and his brother were berating a referee and Hickmon following a scrimmage. Things turned physical after Aqib threw a punch at Hickmon, and then Yaqub shot and killed him.
Coach mike Hickman played in the NFL for 8 years. Yaqub talib, bro of nfl vet Aqib Talib shot & killed mike after a fight broke out over a youth football game. I love sports much as the next person but fighting over a youth game is never ok!! So sad Prayers for family!! https://t.co/RTCocaAstj
— Chance Goff (@Chanceg88) August 14, 2022
Following the shooting, Aqib reportedly helped his brother get away. Soon after the tragedy, Aqib’s lawyer released a statement on behalf of his client via TMZ Sports.
“Aqib was present when this unfortunate incident occurred and is very distraught and devastated over this terrible loss of life. He would like to convey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”
Aqib’s lawyer was trying to soften the blow in advance, but numerous reports state his client began the melee. After a manhunt for a few days Yaqub turned himself in.
Hickmon’s Family And Friends Want Aqib Talib Arrested
With the loss of life, Hickmon’s family and friends want all parties involved brought to justice. Calvin Smith-McKinney, a friend of Hickmon, told local station WFAA this.
“I honestly believe everyone that was attacking him should be at fault and held accountable. … He threw the first punch, and you can see Hickmon trying to defend himself.”
Video shows Talib going across the field to confront the refs and Hickmon. And that’s where the incident began.
Another friend, Lawrence Ellis, had this to say about Hickmon and the Talib brothers.
“You know we lost a great man that wanted to do good in the world. After seeing the video and how he was being pursued, I just don’t see how only one person can be charged in the matter.”
If Aqib started a fight that ended in another man’s death, even if he didn’t pull the trigger he should still be charged.
The date of Jan. 26, 2020, is a day that forever changed life for Vanessa Bryant and her family.
That day, her husband and NBA icon Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna and seven others tragically perished when their helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California.
Vanessa Bryant Recounts Day Of Deadly Kobe Helicopter Crash | Photo Lawsuit Deposition Revelation
While the memories of the fateful day and time thereafter have been more than enough for Vanessa and her family to deal with, the family also would learn that those who were entrusted to investigate and clean up the crash site reportedly took pictures of the tragedy and shared them with others.
Those reported actions led to Vanessa Bryant filing a lawsuit against Los Angeles County for invasion of privacy. The case is currently being heard, and during her nearly three hours on the witness stand, Vanessa detailed what that felt like to hear that those public authorities were doing the unthinkable.
“I felt like I wanted to run, run down the block and scream. It was like the feeling of wanting to run down a pier and jump into the water. The problem is I can’t escape, I can’t escape my body.”
She added, “I bolted out of the house and around to the side so my girls wouldn’t see. I was blindsided again, devastated, hurt, I trusted them. I trusted them not to do these things.”
Vanessa Bryant testified today in a Los Angeles federal court, where she is suing LA County for invasion of privacy over photos shared of Kobe and Gianna Bryant at the site of their helicopter crash. https://t.co/zHxnHPLk95 pic.twitter.com/XuirrQr6J0
— theScore (@theScore) August 20, 2022
Bryant Says She Lives In Fear: Afraid Pics Will Show Up On Social Media
With those photos being shared anyone could have them and one day decide to release via social media. She also fears the possibility of her three daughters someday discovering the images.
“I live in fear every day of being on social media and these popping up. I live in fear of my daughters being on social media and these popping up.”
Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit against LA County over the graphic photos sheriff's deputies & firefighters shared of the crash that killed her husband Kobe Bryant, their daughter & seven others is going to trial this morning in federal court https://t.co/qSCTmXueIX
— Alene Tchekmedyian (@AleneTchek) August 10, 2022
Vanessa says because of that fear alone she suffers from panic attacks, which cause her to not be able to breathe. Hearing her say that makes you wonder what would happen if the pictures did actually go viral. Vanessa and her girls have suffered enough and she shouldn’t have to even go through this, which is why whoever shared the photos should be jailed. It’s almost unfathomable that folks can be so cruel and deceptive, but in today’s society it seems as if they’ll do anything to get a reaction, not thinking about those affected by their actions.
Vanessa Has Had Her Hands Full Since Kobe’s Death
Since Bryant’s death, Vanessa has had other battles to fight outside of this one. There was Kobe’s shoe and apparel deal with Nike that expired in April 2021.
At the time of the contract ending, Vanessa and Nike agreed to part ways. One of the main reasons was Vanessa had grown upset about the lack of Kobe’s signature shoe and other items being available for fans to purchase following his death. In March of this year, the two sides agreed to partner to continue to create sneakers in honor of Kobe and Gianna’s legacies.
First Pair to be released as part of Kobe Bryant x Nike Deal 👀 🔥
“The Kobe 6 Protro ‘Mambacita Sweet 16’ will honor Gigi Bryant. All proceeds from the shoe will benefit the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation.”
✍️ @NickDePaula pic.twitter.com/PLHr8DarlN
— SiteSupply (@TheSiteSupply) March 25, 2022
In keeping her husband and daughter’s memory tied to the Kobe Signature line of sneakers, Vanessa recently checked NBA insider Shams Charania for calling Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan the face of Kobe’s shoe line because he wears the sneakers every time he steps on the hardwood. Vanessa quickly shut that false rumor down and made it clear that Kobe is the face of the line, and if that changes she and Nike would have a joint announcement.
With that settled, now Vanessa is hoping to keep the images recorded from that horrific day as far away from the world as she can.
Manti Te’o deserves an apology from all of us. The current free agent NFL linebacker was on course to become a legend for the blue and gold of Notre Dame until he was schemed on by someone who catfished him to deal with their personal issues.
But the world crucified him for it, and now, his new Netflix documentary, “Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist,” exposes just how much he didn’t deserve the slander. A Mormon who left Hawaii to become a gamechanger for a very Catholic University of Notre Dame in a very white South Bend, Indiana, got derailed by a person grappling with their gender and sexuality.
If you don't want to watch the two hours of this documentary on Netflix, at least watch this short clip of Manti Te'o's closing monologue. And you'll see just how wrong everyone was about him.
Still a huge fan. Nothing but respect. https://t.co/xejytzLM7j
— MJ (@MJ54) August 19, 2022
In 2012, Te’o was a senior and was recording an amazing season at Notre Dame. The school that bleeds the ethos of Rudy Ruettiger and the subsequent movie “Rudy” loved a feel-good story, and Te’o became just that. After his grandmother, Annette Santiago, died in September of that year, that same day, approximately six hours later, he heard that his “girlfriend,” Lennay Kekua, had died after a battle with leukemia.
It led to a dynamic performance on the field, and he made national news when a reporter asked about the so-called “double tragedy” of his grandmother dying and girlfriend’s death. The Fighting Irish went 12-0 on the season, finishing with the best defense in the country, allowing 10.3 points per game. The story, Te’o’s emotional reactions, and his on-field successes reinvigorated Notre Dame to compete against Alabama. However, for a national championship, all began to come to a head in a losing fashion.
With a consensus All-American nod, eight national awards, and a Heisman trophy consideration, Te’o was a victim of the most fantastic catfishing story in sports history. The worst part was that the genuine authenticity of Te’o sold a story that he didn’t even know was happening to him.
Manti Te’o Netflix doc is a great example of a person who has every right to be bitter, yet somehow finds solace/purpose in helping others. What society did to this man is not only unfair, but reprehensible. His NFL career was ruined and yet his daily mission is inspiring others!
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 19, 2022
Naya Tuiasosopo, formerly Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, created Lenny Kekua; try to say that three times fast. Tuiasosopo used images of an old classmate, Diane O’Meara, without her consent to make the fake persona and used social media to perpetrate the fraud. Te’o’s innate gullibility was so hard to believe that the world indicted him and felt that the scheme was hatched by the two jointly.
It was cosplay gone mad with Tuiasosopo as the wizard behind the curtain playing with Te’o’s life, and it almost affected his chances of going to the NFL, where the word “distraction” is a death sentence for a career. It was the ultimate real-life circumstance of how you only live long enough to see yourself become the villain in the media and popular opinion.
Next, speculation was that Te’o might be gay, and after going through the rumor mill and the press circuit to explain his side of the story, Te’o was looking to get into the league and away from the scandal. Unfortunately, it did affect him as he slid from the first round to the second round of the 2013 NFL draft and millions of dollars.
Man, I hope Manti Te'o gets his redemption story. His documentary is so damn good. It should really be titled, "Manti Te'o is a better human being than everyone else and deserves 300 million apologies and a big hug."
— Casey Moore (@Casey_Moore) August 19, 2022
According to Te’o, at the NFL Combine, every scout asked him about the catfishing incident, not his abilities. Today, after playing for three teams from 2013-2021, the now-married-with-children football player cried and explained how the world abused him, and yet he still had faith and struggled to keep his resolve as a player in the NFL.
After being the butt of an everlasting joke, Manti Te’o finally told the whole story, and it shows how cruel the world of fast food media and public perception can be.
The New York Jets have been one of the worst-run franchises in the NFL over the last 10 to 12 years.
Losing seasons, bad draft picks, below average coaches, the Jets should stand for “Just End The Season,” for the downright awful product they send out on the field week after week
That was supposed to change with the drafting of former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson last season, but that plan thus far hasn’t borne any fruit. If anything, it’s beginning to look like another bad pick. But through it all the media has taken it easy on the former BYU Cougars star.
J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!! 🛩 💚 @zachkapono1 #LetsGoooo!!! #GoCougs💙💪🏾🤙🏾 https://t.co/cYYneWPc5Q
— Harvey Unga (@unga45) April 30, 2021
That long leash has drawn the ire of former NFL quarterback Brady Quinn, who’s tired of Wilson getting a pass for bad play. This week on Quinn’s nationally syndicated radio show “Two Pros and a Cup of Joe” on Fox Sports Radio, he eviscerated the second-year signal-caller.
“Can we acknowledge, once again, the media just continually tries to make it something? They want so badly for this to work out, and it’s kind of tough, honestly, to listen to. I’ve not seen a quarterback get more love for doing less from the media than Zach Wilson in a long time.”
Jets’ QB Zach Wilson flying to Los Angeles to undergo his knee procedure. “We’re optimistic, but he’s not out of the woods until they get in there and make the decision,” said Jets’ HC Robert Saleh.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2022
Quinn’s points have some validity, but he must also realize Wilson is going into his second season. And he knows that if he continues to struggle the media and fans in and around the New York market will change their tune.
Wilson Has Reportedly Struggled All Camp
At BYU, Wilson played in a one-read system, and if that wasn’t there Wilson just resorted to playing off-schedule. And while that style was highly successful in college, that’s not the case in the NFL. Defenses are too fast and well-prepared for that to work continuously. Wilson has a propensity to stare down receivers as a result of his limited one-read scheme in college. That got him into a lot of trouble as a rookie. He threw 11 interceptions and just nine touchdowns. His 55 percent completion percentage was last in the league for starting quarterbacks.
Reports out of camp have been not much has changed as it pertains to the staring down of receivers. During last week’s preseason opener against the Eagles, Wilson stared down his receiver and threw a pretty bad interception, and Quinn was quick to point that out:
“The interception he threw in that game, it looked like day one, game one, year one. He stared down a target, and it was Eagles linebacker Kyzir White ended up picking it off, and I’m going, that is as easy as it gets.”
WELCOME TO PHILLY. @KyzirWhite8
📺: #NYJvsPHI on @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/GR1obyR9Ry
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 12, 2022
Most probably forgot about the bad throw, as a few plays later Wilson tore his meniscus on a scramble where he should’ve either slid or went out of bounds. He had successful surgery and is expected back in two to four weeks. Wilson’s injury began the chant to trade for Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and Quinn is leading the chant.
Jimmy Garoppolo To The Jets? Probably Not
The Niners are desperate to trade “Jimmy G,” who’s proved if given a solid running game and tough defense he’s a winner under center. But the Jets don’t sound like they’re going to trade for him and Quinn says their investment in Wilson won’t allow them to.
“They’d be better with Jimmy G at quarterback, but they’re not gonna make that move because they’ve invested so much in Zach Wilson so far.”
As much as Quinn seems to want Wilson to either put up or shut up, the kid is in his second season. The belief around the league is he’ll get at least this season and next to show he can be the franchise quarterback.
Good news, 49ers fans. Trey Lance is looking like the real deal. The future of San Francisco’s franchise is set to be in good hands. Trey Lance is reportedly in extremely great rhythm with his offense, and that’s a good thing for their superstars George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
According to Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com, Lance is in great shape with his offense, and is starting to make huge strides throwing the ball and making the correct reads.
“For me, just trying to come out here every day and trying to get better, taking it one step at a time, especially with these practices,” Lance told Maiocco. “One step at a time, one day at a time, and just continuing to groove with these guys.”
The 49ers and the Vikings had a joint practice ahead of their Week 2 Preseason game, and while Deebo Samuel called it a “waste of time,” Lance saw this as an opportunity to get better.
The former North Dakota Bison star went 23-for-35 on passes in the two joint practices. Most of his passes went to George Kittle, who is undoubtedly going to be his most targeted receiver aside from the dual-threat Samuel.
The fact that he is developing chemistry with these receivers is a good sign for the 49ers, because they will be responsible for the majority of the offense’s production this season.
“Playing football, it’s kind of throwing where the defense tells me where to throw the ball,” Lance said. “I don’t just go back and pick a guy. … But, yeah, absolutely I’m finding rhythm.” Lance told Maiocco.
This might be the moment for Lance where the game begins to slow down for him, and with this newfound confidence and chemistry with his receivers it looks to be a strong year. With Lance being a dynamic dual threat as well, the sky’s the limit for this offense.
The 49ers’ estranged QB Jimmy Garoppolo is done in the Bay Area, and he is basically just sitting tight, awaiting the call from his agent letting him know he’s been traded. With the 49ers all but moving on from Jimmy G, they’re finally giving his replacement the keys.
Lance was selected last year with the third overall pick of the draft, and at the time there were a lot of questions regarding this pick by the 49ers.
Because of COVID-19, Lance only played in 19 total college games in three seasons, but the North Dakota Bison won every game with him at the helm.
His first year in the NFL, he didn’t play a lot because Garoppolo still led the team, and they were only two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance with one of the best defensive front sevens in football.
So for the first time in his NFL career this will be his team, and the world can take a long look at who Trey Lance is.
The 49ers’ first game of the regular season will be on Sept. 11, against the Chicago Bears. All eyes will be on Lance, barring any preseason injuries, and he will be looking to show off his chemistry with his team.
Jackson State head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has turned heads ever since his arrival in Jackson, Mississippi.
He’s done it by breaking away from tradition and figuring out a formula that’s brought exposure, visibility and revenue. He’s also done it by hiring coaches most probably wouldn’t hire. This offseason Sanders reached out to Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach to ask him about hiring a new offensive coordinator. Leach gave him three names. From that group he chose Brett Bartolone, a key offensive analyst in the development of NFL prospect Carson Strong at Nevada.
Sanders, wasn’t done as he’s always looking for ways to better his defending SWAC champion Tigers. This week Sanders hired longtime Vikings head coach and NFL defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as an analyst. The hiring of Zim came a couple months after Sanders hired renowned tight ends coach Tim Brewster. What do all these great football minds have in common? They’re white, something you don’t see a lot of on HBCU football sidelines.
RUMOR HAS IT – FORMER NFL HEAD COACH MIKE ZIMMER MIGHT BE JOING JACKSON STATE https://t.co/MuEPSSOzud
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) August 16, 2022
In an interview via HBCUGameday.com following his hiring, the former Vikings sideline-stalker, had a lot to say about his close friend Coach Prime.
“I really think the sky’s the limit. If some people would donate to him and this football program, there would be no stopping him. He would be competing with the Georgias and Alabamas and everybody around the country — because I’ve seen what he’s done, the money that’s taken out of his own pocket to improve the facilities and here and the things that he’s had to try to overcome. I just feel like if people would jump on the bandwagon with him — and now’s the best time, they’re extremely good and getting great players — I just think the sky’s the limit. This guy could do it all.”
During SWAC media day Sanders, was asked about playing Alabama, and his response was this.
“We’re not into sacrificing our kids to get a check. He [Saban] got to give me another year. I got to beef up in the front.”
That’s not all Sanders will need to add quality depth across depth across the board.
Zim Believes Student-Athletes Could Flourish Under Sanders’ Leadership
Since his arrival, Sanders has helped change the trajectory of HBCU football. When have HBCU football games been on television all season? In the past it was usually the Bayou Classic (Southern vs Grambling). But this season JSU alone will have ten games across the ESPN networks. The HBCU Go network, which is owned by media mogul Byron Allen and the Allen Media Group will ensure that all 107 HBCUs will broadcast an 11-game schedule that will kickoff with FAMU and Albany State on Sept. 10. That’s something Zim touched on as well.
10 @GoJSUTigersFB Games To Be Televised On ESPN Family Of Networks #TheeILove #IBelieve https://t.co/cPPusTdkEj
— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) August 15, 2022
“He can open up so many doors for these young men, but I’m extremely impressed with the way he’s teaching them about life and not just football. And taking care of them, and talking to them about the real things that go on in the world and not just fluff stuff.”
Coach Prime And The Tigers Have Celebration Bowl Win-Or-Bust Mentality
After dominating the SWAC in 2021, not losing a game and winning its first conference title in since 2007, the Tigers were humbled by Buddy Pough and his South Carolina State Bulldogs in the Celebration Bowl 31-10. Immediately following the loss Sanders began making valiant efforts to fix the things he deemed necessary to get it done this season.
They’ll begin their quest against the FAMU Rattlers on Sept. 4 in the Orange Blossom Classic.
The Lakers have made it very clear that they’re in “win-now” mode, and their two-year extension of LeBron James cemented that status for the historically dominant franchise.
Now, as it stands the Lakers aren’t necessarily in top form to win now, but in order to change that they won’t spare any expense, including flipping any remaining valuable assets to obtain Kyrie Irving.
According to multiple sources, the Lakers have made both future draft picks (2027, 2029) available for trade in a deal for Kyrie Irving.
The 30-year-old scoring machine opted into his one-year extension with the Nets over this summer, reaffirming his commitment to Brooklyn.
But with the status of his potential max four-year contract up in the air right now, and co-star Kevin Durant seemingly doing everything he can to force his way out of Brooklyn, it’s only a matter of time before Kyrie is out the door as well.
Interestingly enough, the Nets were more keen on moving on from Irving than Durant, but if Durant does leave Brooklyn, they will have to scrap all assets to start a rebuild, which would more than likely include flipping Irving.
Meanwhile the Lakers, who just a few weeks ago showed a public display of commitment to current point guard Russell Westbrook via Coach Darvin Ham explaining a plan for the triple-double machine’s usage, are now doing almost anything they can to dump the 33-year-old’s massive contract. This includes now making their 2027, and 2029 first-round picks available for trade.
Once upon a time these picks were being kept in a heavily guarded vault and weren’t going to be used until it was time to pick some talent five to seven years from now or trade for their next franchise superstar. But in order to persuade a team to accept Westbrook’s contract, they would have to bundle one or both of the picks as compensation.
While Westbrook is extremely expendable for the right players, the main player they’re targeting is Kyrie Irving. The Lakers have been trying to acquire Irving since the beginning of the offseason, and while deals may have been in talks, nothing has happened by this point.
But with the offseason coming to an end and the NBA season gearing up for action in two months, the Lakers who have the services of LeBron James all the way up until the 2024 season, want to make those years count.
This is a dangerous game Los Angeles is playing, because championships aren’t guaranteed even if they did acquire Irving. The team is willing to sacrifice all of their future assets in order to capitalize on the starpower they possess at this moment in time.
It is assumed around the league that these future Lakers picks will be very valuable down the line due to the assumption that with LeBron more than likely gone by 2027. Which probably means the Lakers will be pretty bad.
Even though the Lakers are willing to trade these valuable picks, the Nets want a “win-now” player and aren’t willing to just settle for future picks for Irving, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
In other words, the Nets don’t see a Westbrook-Irving swap with two future picks being exceptional compensation.
Unfortunately the only other “win-now” players the Lakers have are James and Anthony Davis, and it’s safe to say they’re untouchable.
So unless the Lakers can pull something off to make that trade happen, they will either have to add in more assets like young players, or quality role players to try and “sweeten” the deal. If that doesn’t work they’re either going to have to try something around the trade deadline if the Nets aren’t where they expected to be at midway or try to get him in free agency next year.
A random act of kindness may not have been random after all. On Thursday “Fox NFL Sunday” reporter Jay Glazer tweeted out that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin saw some kids fighting while driving his car and got out to break it up. After breaking up the fight he invited the kids to the Steelers’ training camp. Great story. But some adults who ostensibly are associated with the kids in the community say it’s not true.
Best thing/story I’ve seen so far on my camp tour. A little backstory. @CoachTomlin was driving in his car when he saw these kids fighting in the street. Tomlin pulls over and the kids, in obvious shock at who stepped out of the car, stopped fighting. (Read full story below) pic.twitter.com/08pFlZTtfx
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 18, 2022
A social media user with the name Christy Houston Porter says that Tomlin has known these kids in the community since 2020.
“Coach Tomlin has been a fixture in the Sheraden Community with the kids at The Jasmine Campus since 2020. After this particular visit to the Jasmine Nyree Campus he invited the kids to Steelers Training Camp.”
In another post on a different social media platform a user with the same name, Christy Houston Porter, said attorneys will be contacting Glazer over the headline.
“Coach Tomlin has a relationship with these kids from the Jasmine Nyree Campus, not from a fight in the streets. Jay Glazer has 24 hours to remove this story or my attorney will be contacting him.”
Ummm…this is great but the people involved with the kids said your backstory is a lie https://t.co/i5BwfXBwNY pic.twitter.com/zb4xoYpwVu
— Racial Nichols (@Suite_Tea) August 19, 2022
Other than the name Christy Houston Porter, we have no other information on this user. But that might be enough.
If this user is in fact Christy Houston Porter, she is the CEO & Founder of The Jasmine Nyree Campus, a multi-service campus to provide the very best in comprehensive special education services to consumers and their families. She is also the wife of Steelers’ great Joey Porter.
The campus was created and named in honor of their daughter, Jasmine Nyree Porter, who was born with autism.
Glazer is a respected media member so maybe there is a good explanation. But if not, this is a terrible look. What possible reason would there be to make this up? If that is what happened.
The relationship between the media and the public is not good. There is mistrust and it’s not just limited to sports. It’s every single sector. If there was some untoward reason a headline or storyline was created, all that does is deepen the mistrust.
Was Tomlin asked about the alleged fight he broke up? The video and tweet from Glazer has over 5,800 retweets, it was no doubt seen my millions. It’s likely many reporters covering Steelers camp saw it and retweeted. Did anyone ask for more details? Or did everyone just run with the “feel good” story?
I know what’s leading the show tonight. See you after Bears/Seahawks. https://t.co/LTqpI7JHpk
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 18, 2022
By the way if there was no fight and Tomlin invited kids from a local community campus to camp, that would also be a “feel good” story.
Glazer has not posted anything about Steelers camp since yesterday when he congratulated running back Najee Harris, for a job well done helping the kids.
News media outlets and personalities are all competing for mindshare and attention these days in an overwhelmingly crowded space. Many resort to low-level tactics to capture that attention. We don’t know if that is the case in this incident, but stay tuned to this developing story.
Little League World Series player Easton Oliverson has wakened from his coma after he sustained a fractured skull last Sunday night falling out of a bunk bed at the players’ dormitory in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While this is excellent news, his journey to recovery will be a long one, according to his family.
“While Easton is making tremendous progress, he still has a very long road ahead. We are asking for you to continue to send prayers.”
Oliverson, who is 12, pitches and plays outfield for the Snow Canyon Little League team that’s making its first-ever LLWS appearance this month.
According to Oliverson’s uncle, Spencer Beck, the little leaguer was sleeping on the top bunk when he suddenly fell out of bed and hit his head. Oliverson was immediately rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Following the incident tournament officials said they’ve removed and replaced the beds in Snow Canyon’s dorm out of an abundance of caution.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Little League has made the decision to remove all bunks from within the dorms and have each bed frame individually on the floor,” said Kevin Fountain, senior director of communications for Little League International.
Snow Canyon will still compete in its first game of the World Series in Williamsport on Friday. In a statement Oliverson’s father, who’s a coach on the squad, wanted them to continue onward in the tournament. Snow Canyon is the first team from Utah to ever make the LLWS.
LLWS announced that Brogan Oliverson, Easton’s brother, has been added to Utah’s team and that he’ll be eligible to play in the game on Friday.
“Although many may see this as only a token for the situation we have been dealt, we want everyone to know (Brogan) is a remarkable ball player and merits this opportunity on his own accord. It is also very fitting that he would be able to come and participate with us the way his brother was,” the team said in a statement posted on social media.
Welcome Eastons Lil Bro to Team Utah LLWS!! Brogan Oliverson! @bworgill @UpdatesLlws @SportsCenter @espn @LittleLeague pic.twitter.com/JlMxK02soZ
— SnowCanyonAll-Stars.2023 (@snowcanyon2022) August 18, 2022
Word of what happened to Easton made its way around news media and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, Easton’s favorite player, sent the young ballplayer a video message.
“I just want you to know we are praying for you, thinking of you, and I hope to see you soon, my man,” Betts said.
https://twitter.com/bworgill/status/1559902525972959232?s=20&t=0-Jh-PqfU5v084OOa0fLzQ
It has been an intensely emotional week for the Oliverson family. At the beginning of the week they were uncertain if their son would live and now the prognosis seems good despite the difficult recovery road. All amidst a time that was to be celebratory for the Snow Canyon team making the LLWS.
No doubt Easton’s teammates and the coaches and parents’ hearts are heavy, but with the news that he has come out of the coma, maybe it will allow them a moment to breathe.
In sports we’re always looking for stories that pull at our collective heartstrings. If you have no rooting interest in the LLWS, the boys from Snow Canyon seem like an obvious choice.
The polarization of Deshaun Watson crosses lines of race, sports culture, masculinity, and even the fraternal brotherhood that is the NFL. Black America has to grapple with yet another young man who has disappointed his community due to predatory behavior while being celebrated as one who made it.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III spoke on the circumstances regarding the NFL’s upgraded 11-game suspension and $5 million fine against Watson. As a Black quarterback, speaking out against another Black man on a rarefied platform is challenging, but Griffin took a strong position.
RG3 on Deshaun Watson suspension “I’m sick for all the women out there” pic.twitter.com/knCy18xTBb
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 18, 2022
“I think it’s more about how does it make all the women out there feel after this decision came down because you hear contradictory statements there from Jimmy Haslam saying that, ‘Hey, he deserves a second chance.’ But what does he deserve a second for if he’s standing on his innocence? For me, the NFL had an opportunity here to really look at the history that they have when standing up for women and supporting women and come out and show that they had learned from those lessons, and I feel like they failed miserably.
Griffin felt that the NFL’s upgraded suspension of 11 games from six and the $5 million fine just wasn’t enough to send a message. For him, being an NFL brother-in-arms or even a Black man was secondary to the care he feels for women.
“For me, as a father of three daughters, soon to be four daughters, I’m sick for all the women out there for this that happened because when you look at what Sue L. Robinson ruled and found in this arbitration with the NFL, it’s very clear that everything that he did was qualified as sexual assault. He posed a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person. He undermined or put at risk the integrity of the NFL, and his conduct was determined to be nonviolent sexual conduct and nonviolent sexual assault.”
The NFL had an opportunity to show it had learned from its ugly history on standing up for Women with this Deshaun Watson case and IT FAILED. 11 games and a 5 million dollar fine doesn’t fit what he was accused of doing and found to have done by Judge Sue L. Robinson. Sickening.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 18, 2022
The issue at hand with cases like Watson or even R. Kelly, although more extreme and for a bigger length of time, calls into question the cultural solidarity Black people are apt to feel for successful Black men. Judge Sue L. Robinson, who was first hired to give a recommended ruling for Watson, went soft in many people’s opinions. The pressure placed on the NFL after made some believe the NFL wasn’t being genuine or wanted to make an example of a Black man who was already brought low for his transgressions.
However, sans an early apology and still sticking by his innocence, some like RGIII feel Watson is a cautionary tale of the NFL’s tone-deaf stance.
“So for the people out there who are saying it’s he said, she said and innocent until proven guilty, yes, Judge Sue L. Robinson’s job was not to convict Deshaun Watson, but she did state that what he did was not only against NFL rules but honestly just terrible.”
After the last two preseason games of the 2022 season, Deshaun Watson won’t touch a football again for the Cleveland Browns until December. That’s still not long enough for Griffin.
If the Miami Dolphins are trying to instill confidence in starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, let’s just say they’re doing a damn good job of it, from Tyreek Hill gassing up his new signal-caller while oddly demeaning his former quarterback in Patrick Mahomes to now head coach Mike McDaniel joining in on the love fest with the former Alabama star.
All offseason Hill has had nothing but great things to say about Tagovailoa, now McDaniel is signing his praises. If this is there to motivate Tua to be great, it could work or backfire, because of the lofty expectations that come with this type of hype.
During a recent interview on “The Dan Le Batard Show,” first-year head coach Mike McDaniel raved about his quarterback.
“The skill set’s crazy. I mean the dude is right-handed, do you hear me? And he’s lefty, and when he throws the ball, every lefty I’ve been with, the ball kind of tails like this … his doesn’t. It’s the most accurate, catchable ball I’ve ever seen. For me and the way I’ve learned football, and some of the stuff we got really good at in San Francisco was yards after the catch and all those things, which is maximized by the ball placement and these things.”
McDaniel continued, “My job is to make sure his best years as a football player are right in front of him, right now.”
"It's the most accurate, catchable ball I've ever seen." – Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel on what he's seen so far from Tua Tagovailoa.
Full interview from the Miami Dolphins training facility
with Dan, @Stugotz790 and @MichaelRyanRuiz available now: https://t.co/7wU6zGN1F3 pic.twitter.com/twXwliCbmh— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 18, 2022
That’s high praise and it also brings unwanted pressure on Tua to perform at a high level.
Tyreek Hill Has Been Screaming These Same Sentiments:
McDaniel isn’t the first to lay on the superlatives about Tua’s accuracy. In fact, new Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been singing that tune since he arrived via blockbuster trade in March. He’s also attempted to boost Tua, while oddly taking shots at his former quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
During his podcast “It Needed To Be Said,” Hill said that Tua is more accurate than Patrick Mahomes. That’s a quote that even Hill doesn’t believe, as he was obviously trying to be petty.
Tyreek Hill says that @Tua is a more accurate QB than @PatrickMahomes pic.twitter.com/LUbhp2n8YK
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 11, 2022
Hill even took his newfound love for Tua or just plain pettiness toward Mahomes and the Chiefs one step further. During an interview on ESPN’s First Take, Hill talked about why he chose the Dolphins over the Jets.
“I just feel like a lot of people haven’t seen the young Tua’s full potential. … I had a chance to practice with him … I see a lot of similarities when I look at him and when I see Patrick.”
“[The Jets’] Zach Wilson is a dog, but I’d rather play with the most accurate quarterback in the NFL.”
When it comes to stats and accuracy for that matter, Tua can only hope to have the career trajectory Mahomes is on. As of now it’s no comparison between the two, and Hill knows that.
Mike McDaniel just referred to Tua as the “Leader of our team”.
Something I don’t think we ever heard from prior Miami Dolphins regimes. #FinsUp
— Big E (@ian693) July 27, 2022
Hill And McDaniel Setting Tua Up For Failure?
All this hype from two guys who are directly tied to the success of Tua, could end badly. If he doesn’t perform to these lofty expectations, then what? He’s in that crucial third year where the Dolphins have to decide if they wanna continue this experiment or begin looking elsewhere.
In the words of Russell Wilson, “Let’s Ride.”
Last week, Jackson State head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders sounded off on the Hall of Fame becoming a free-for-all. “The Hall of Fame ain’t the Hall of Fame no more,” Sanders said.
These comments came after this year’s inductees weren’t exactly game-changers, but very good players. Coach Prime isn’t the only Canton legend who thinks that. In fact, per Sanders, “A lot of Hall of Famers think the same thing.”
One of those Hall of Famers who agrees with Deion is former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens. The outspoken Owens piggybacked when it comes to Sanders’ sentiments, by tweeting the following.
“Facts!! 💯 I feel the SAME WAY. And half of them couldn’t even look at me or speak to me when I was there last weekend. I made it a point to let Dan Fouts know how and what I felt about him and his negative comments about me when I was nominated and didn’t make it in 2016 and 2017.”
Owens is speaking of him being a no-brainer first-ballot induction, but the committee not voting him in twice because his actions on and off the field didn’t sit well with voters —which is really not a requirement especially in Owens case, as he was never in trouble with the law or anything of that nature. His actions at times could be insufferable, but not enough to warrant a two-year wait when he was an unquestioned first-ballot selection.
Unfortunately I DID NOT MAKE IT again this year. Thanks to ALL my fans & supporters. #FlawedProcess
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) February 4, 2017
Owens Says He Let Fouts Know He Didn’t Appreciate The Comments
Following the committee’s decision to not let him in, Fouts went on 104.5 The Zone radio and blatantly said he believed the committee gave Owens a fair shot. In that regard Fouts maybe should’ve said nothing, because a fair shot for Owens would have been a first-ballot selection. Owens eventually got in on the third try, and then he didn’t show up for the ceremony; he chose to have it at his college, Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“I think his numbers are very worthy, but again on the other side of it, I think his actions on and off the field, on the sidelines, in the locker room, and the fact that he played for so many teams and was such a great player. That question that comes back to me is if he was such a great player, why did so many teams get rid of him? And I think we all know the answers.
“I think he did receive a fair evaluation of his career, both pros and cons. But obviously ripping the Hall of Fame process, what good is that going to do. I just don’t understand that. I don’t understand a lot of things he did in his career.”
PUT TERRELL OWENS IN THE HALL OF FAME!
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) February 4, 2017
Sounds like Fouts had his mind made up on Owens prior to the vote. And that’s why Owens is agreeing with Deion. They were game changers, not just great players — and in TO’s case, they made him wait because he didn’t jive with the media and had some problems with former teammates.
Owens Can Talk The Talk: He Was Dominant
When you finish your career second all-time with over 15,000 receiving yards, third all-time with 153 receiving touchdowns and eighth all-time in receptions (1,078), you can boast a bit. For Owens and Sanders to both say the Hall of Fame process has weakened isn’t a stretch. The committee hasn’t stayed true to inducting only the best of the best.
How about me & u go celebrate over a box of Krispy Kreme donuts and glass of low-fat milk? Almond milk for me, I'm kinda lactose intolerant. 🥛 🍩 😂 https://t.co/gzxCy5CyIh
— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) June 9, 2018
And if Sanders says he needs a different color jacket and he’d be one of the starting 11 on defense, then Owens can say the same thing and he’d definitely be in the mix to start in the 11 on offense. Owens was that good, no matter how the media felt about him. His numbers and accolades speak for themselves.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are set to enter uncharted waters this season. This will be their first in eight years without the reliable Davante Adams catching at least 100 passes for 1300 to 1500 yards and eight to 10 touchdowns guaranteed.
Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in March, as he grew tired of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ offseason act of holding the franchise hostage with hints of retirement.
So now Rodgers is stuck with a new cast of pass catchers, and none are in the same stratosphere as Adams, who’s arguably the best receiver in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers: Davante Adams trade "surprising," Packers "in the mix" for WRs in drafthttps://t.co/2cvWOjRFo7 pic.twitter.com/oCG0WmuvyI
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 29, 2022
Following Wednesday’s joint practice against the Saints, Rodgers gave a not so glowing report of how the young receivers were performing. “The young guys, especially the young ones,” he said, “we’ve got to be way more consistent. A lot of drops, a lot of bad route decisions, running the wrong route. We’ve got to be better in that area.”
"We're gonna need those guys."
The young #Packers WRs will play a huge role in what the team hopes to accomplish this season.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/eZofURuzD6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 17, 2022
What Rodgers is saying probably has plenty of validity, but the way he did it didn’t sit well with FS1 analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. The legendary tight end took Rodgers to task for his calling out the receivers in the media, believing it should’ve been handled behind closed doors. During Thursday’s episode of “Undisputed” on FS1, the loquacious Sharpe had a lot to say about Rodgers.
Sharpe Calls Rodgers Out For How He Handled Struggling Receivers
“This is what rubs me the wrong way. Everything that he said to those reporters publicly, he could have called a group together. Guys, we’ve got to be better. In order for us to be the type of football teams that we want to be.
“ ‘We’re going to have to make the plays that we left out on the field today. We’ve got to better on our routes. We got to be better in our decision-making. We got to speed up the process. And when we have an opportunity to make plays, we’ve got to make the plays.’
“That’s all he had to do. Everything. I’m not saying what he said is wrong. I’m saying his delivery and how he delivered the message to them is wrong. Why couldn’t he say that behind closed doors?”
Rodgers is pleading with his young receivers to step up and make plays. The Packers have three veterans on the roster in Allan Lazard, Randall Cobb and free agent signee Sammy Watkins. But they have a lot of inexperience led by second-round pick Christian Watson from North Dakota State. But for some reason Rodgers thinks calling out the young guys in the media is going to help them. That strategy could backfire, and they could struggle even more with the added pressure.
PACKERS SIGN SAMMY WATKINS✅ pic.twitter.com/Z23kiEz4Wx
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) April 14, 2022
This all could’ve been avoided if he weren’t toying with retirement every offseason, holding the team hostage — only to return once his demands are met.
Packers Will Lean Heavily On Defense And Running Game
With the passing game a work in progress, the Packers will more than likely lean heavily on their stout defense and elite running game. Those two components have always taken a back seat in Green Bay ad Rodgers has routinely thrown it around the yard to Adams and others. This year’s crop of maybes should be enough to still win their division and make the playoffs, but to win the postseason they’re going to need a competent passing attack.
And we know if things are not sorted out soon, we’ll continue to hear Rodgers complain and show his displeasure with a situation he helped create.
Russell Wilson begins his first year as quarterback with the Denver Broncos after 10 seasons in Seattle with the Seahawks. One of the reasons Wilson wanted to leave Seattle was he didn’t feel he had enough ownership of the offense. According to reports, suggestions he made to coaches were rejected. That doesn’t appear to be the case in Denver.
“Coach and Russell are not coach-player,” a source told Pro Football Talk’s Peter King. “They’re partners.”
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett is in his first year on the job. Of course he has experience as a coordinator, but this is his first time in the big chair. It would be wise for him to lean on the experience of a veteran quarterback like Wilson.
In any partnership it’s give and take. Hackett can lean on Wilson’s expertise, but as the quarterback and leader Wilson will also have to show that he can take direction from Hackett and set an example for the rest of the squad.
A veteran club can have its advantages, especially in football at the key positions. But in a sport that is the ultimate team game, a coach has to be able to deliver a message and have everyone internalize and do their job.
It’s not unheard of for Wilson to want more say so in the way a team operates on and off the field. Quarterback is lauded as the most important position in sports and one of leadership. With a Super Bowl title, nine Pro Bowl honors, and an All-Pro selection, Wilson has earned the right to have input.
Wilson will be adjusting to a new offensive system under Hackett. He ran an offense in Seattle that emphasized the stretch-bootleg and big plays down field. Here in Denver it is more of a West Coast Offense, getting the ball out quickly to open receivers. So far Hackett and Wilson are in lockstep.
“It’s gotten to the point that I go, ‘Hey, you’re late.’ Or Russ says it before I do. Or he talks about it because he knows that that’s the standard I want,” Hackett said. “I don’t want him to be touched. I don’t want him to have to run around. Now, sometimes you have to, but those ones I can’t control. The more that he feels that and understands that, the better it’s going to be.”
It seems that the move to Denver has given Wilson a new lease on life. Not that his “old life” was unhappy, but maybe he felt there was nothing more he could do in Seattle under the direction the franchise was headed.
People close to Wilson are making an analogy to 2011, when Wilson transferred from N.C. State to Wisconsin and led the Badgers to an 11-3 record, a win in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game, and a Rose Bowl berth.
“This is Wisconsin all over again,” said Paul Chryst, Wilson’s quarterback coach for the Badgers.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton says Wilson brings a needed energy.
“He brings that buzz of energy we’ve really needed,” Sutton said. “People who were here when Peyton played say it’s the same kind of feeling.”
Peyton, of course, is Peyton Manning. He helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. No telling if Wilson can do that with this Broncos team. The AFC West is loaded with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. But if the Broncos are to have a chance it will begin with Wilson at quarterback.
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons was minding his business looking for sweets at IT’SUGAR, a popular candy store, when a “fan” presumably was excited to see the 6-foot-10 All-Star. The man ran up to Simmons, gave him dap and then things went sideways. He started calling Simmons Russell Westbrook and trolling him for not being able to shoot.
“Oh my God. It’s you, bro!” the man said on the clip. “Russell Westbrook, bro! Russell Westbrook, bro! Oh my God, bro!”
LMFAOOOO pic.twitter.com/3RFWfo53bP
— Real NBA Quotez (@RealNBAQuotez) August 18, 2022
Simmons gave the man the screw face and said, “Don’t play with me. Don’t play with me.”
The men with Simmons, presumably bodyguards, began to advance toward the man to get him to walk away. The troll had one more parting shot.
“You can’t shoot bro,” the man said. “Sorry, bro!”
