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Tag: Professional football

  • The Buccaneers: 50 years of Tampa Bay football

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    TAMPA, Fla. — As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to begin a 50th season, fans across the Bay area and across the globe are celebrating five decades of football.

    Along the way, that journey included the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. And through it all, the franchise, its players and its fans have enjoyed a unique position in the pantheon of professional football.


    The Buccaneers ushered in pro sports to a burgeoning Bay area market in 1976, along with the NFL’s other new entry that year, the Seattle Seahawks.

    Tampa Bay infamously lost its first 26 games before securing a long-awaited victory. But in the years that followed, the team carved out its place in NFL history, developing a passionate fan base from Tampa Bay to Turkey.

    Their journey from orange and white “Bucco Bruce” uniforms to the red and pewter of championship glory stands as one of the league’s most dramatic evolutions. Tampa Bay maintains the worst winning percentage in NFL history (.410) yet is one of only 16 teams to hoist multiple Super Bowl trophies.

    The Buccaneers have earned respect with their fierce defenses over the years and memorable personalities in the locker room.

    From their first playoff run in 1979, to topping the NFL with their Super Bowl XXXVII victory, to Tom Brady leading them to glory in Super Bowl LV, Tampa Bay has been a franchise of unforgettable highs.

    The current Buccaneers, on a run of four-straight NFC South Division crowns and five straight playoff appearances, has been its most successful, will be looking for another playoff appearance this fall.

    The Early Years: Struggles and Resilience

    The Buccaneers’ 0–14 start was followed by a 2–12 campaign in 1977. But through those struggles, the team and its fans laid the foundation for its later success.

    By 1979, that resilience paid off. Led by head coach John McKay and Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon, the Buccaneers shocked the football world by reaching the NFC Championship Game in just their fourth season. Though they fell short, losing 9-0 to Los Angeles.

    Tampa Bay’s first draft pick in franchise history, Lee Roy Selmon (63) terrorized ball carriers and quarterbacks from 1976 to 1984 en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Getty Images/Michael J. Minardi)

    The Orange and the Creamsicle Era

    For nearly two decades, the Bucs wore their now-beloved orange and white “creamsicle” uniforms, complete with the swashbuckling Bucco Bruce logo. After McKay and other coaches came and went, the losses piled up. The uniforms, meanwhile, though reviled by many, became a cultural symbol representing the team’s quirky charm.

    The Dungy Era and Defensive Dominance

    The franchise’s true turning point came in the mid-1990s with the hiring of head coach Tony Dungy. Along with general manager Rich McKay, he built one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.

    The “Tampa 2” scheme, executed by legends like Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, and Ronde Barber, defined an era of dominance.

    Tampa Bay Linebacker Derrick Brooks returns an interception for a touchdown during Tampa Bay's 48-21 win against Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. Brooks would become Tampa Bay's second Hall of Famer at Lee Roy Selmon. (AP Image)

    Tampa Bay Linebacker Derrick Brooks returns an interception for a touchdown during Tampa Bay’s 48-21 win against Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. Brooks would become Tampa Bay’s second Hall of Famer at Lee Roy Selmon. (AP Image)

    Under Dungy, the Buccaneers returned to playoff contention, making four postseason appearances between 1997 and 2001. Though they fell short of a championship under Dungy, losing the 1999 NFC title game 11-6 to Los Angeles.

    Super Bowl XXXVII: Champions at Last

    In 2002, new head coach Jon Gruden took over, and with the dominant defense still intact, the Buccaneers stormed through the season and captured their first Lombardi Trophy. Their 48–21 dismantling of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII was the pinnacle of the franchise’s first era of success.

    Brooks, Sapp, Lynch, Barber (and coach/defensive architect Dungy) became immortalized as Hall of Famers and forever heroes in Tampa Bay. 

    The Brady Era and a Second Championship

    After years of ups and mostly downs following their first title, the Buccaneers shocked the football world in 2020 by signing six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. The move instantly changed the team’s trajectory. 

    Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to 32 wins in three seasons with Tampa Bay, throwing 108 touchdown passes for the Bucs, including three in the 31-9 Super Bowl LV win against Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium. (AP Photo)

    Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to 32 wins in three seasons with Tampa Bay, throwing 108 touchdown passes for the Bucs, including three in the 31-9 Super Bowl LV win against Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium. (AP Photo)

    With Brady at the helm, along with offensive firepower from Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski, the Buccaneers captured Super Bowl LV in their home stadium—an NFL first.

    The 31–9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs delivered a second championship and ushered in boat parades in Tampa Bay.  

    Fifty Years of Pirate Pride

    As the Buccaneers celebrate 50 seasons, the franchise looks back on a remarkable journey filled with heartbreak, excitement, perseverance, and triumph.

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    Rod Gipson

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  • NFL stars under pressure: Which players have the most to prove this season?

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    The pressure is on several big-name NFL players as they enter a season that will go a long way toward determining their playing futures — and possibly that of their teams.

    New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is getting another chance as a starter on his third team in five years, this time looking to help end the league’s longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons.

    Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence got a huge payday before last season — a five-year, $275 million contract extension, including $142 million guaranteed — but struggled with injury and inconsistency as the Jaguars missed the postseason.

    Young quarterbacks such as Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy, Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson, Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Carolina’s Bryce Young also are in the spotlight. But it’s not only the signal-callers.

    Buffalo running back James Cook, San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Dallas wide receiver George Pickens, Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts and New England defensive lineman Milton Williams are among a handful of NFL stars with something to prove because of injuries, mediocre play or needing to justify big contracts.

    Bryce Young, QB, Panthers

    The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 had the expected up-and-down struggles of a rookie QB but was benched last season in favor of Andy Dalton after just two games. Young regained the starting role after five games when Dalton went down with an injury and finished on a positive note with seven TD passes and no INTs with three rushing scores in his final three games, including two overtime wins. He needs to build on that to erase any doubt the Panthers have about their long-term plans at quarterback.

    Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers

    The 2023 AP Offensive Player of the Year has proven himself before, bouncing back from injuries to become a dominant playmaker. McCaffrey will need to do it again for the 49ers, and this time is coming off a season marred by knee and Achilles tendon issues. And, he’s 29, an age when many running backs start to decline. McCaffrey has looked like himself during the summer and another rebound season could help the 49ers get back to the playoffs.

    James Cook, RB, Bills

    The star running back ended his contract standoff last Wednesday by signing a four-year deal that will pay him $48 million — including $30 million in guaranteed money. Cook tied for the NFL lead with 16 touchdown runs last season, a breakout year for the 2022 second-rounder out of Georgia. He now must live up to that lofty contract while helping Josh Allen make Buffalo’s offense roll.

    Justin Fields, QB, Jets

    Fields was a first-rounder in 2021 by Chicago, which hoped he was the Bears’ franchise quarterback. He was gone after just three seasons, sent to Pittsburgh — where he went 4-2 for an injured Russell Wilson before heading to the bench for the veteran. He now is replacing Aaron Rodgers with the Jets, who signed him to a two-year, $40 million deal, installed him as their starter and believe his dual-threat playmaking ability is a perfect fit for their new-look offense.

    Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars

    The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate in his second season with a breakout year, but he hasn’t been able to match that success. Lawrence played in only 10 games last season because of a shoulder injury and then a concussion. He is playing for a new coach in Liam Coen and is still considered a potential franchise quarterback. Two-way rookie sensation Travis Hunter should help, but Lawrence’s health and consistency are the key to the Jaguars’ success on offense.

    J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings

    The 10th overall pick in last year’s draft very well could’ve been Minnesota’s starter as a rookie if not for a knee injury in the preseason opener that sidelined him the rest of the season. Sam Darnold stepped in and had the best year of his career. But the Vikings decided to not re-sign Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle. Minnesota has turned its offense over to McCarthy, who needs to reward their faith in him by being a capable leader for a playoff-ready team.

    George Pickens, WR, Cowboys

    In May, Dallas acquired the 2022 second-round pick from Pittsburgh to be its No. 2 receiver and complement CeeDee Lamb as Dak Prescott’s primary options in the passing game. Pickens was a playmaker for the Steelers, but not enough — with just one season of 60 or more catches and 1,000 yards receiving, both in 2023. His frustration over a lack of targets, penalties and sideline outbursts also helped make his stay in Pittsburgh short.

    Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons

    Pitts came to Atlanta as the highest-selected tight end in NFL draft history at No. 4 overall. His mix of speed, size and physicality had the Falcons daydreaming of mismatches all over the field. Instead, Pitts has failed to be that consistently dominant force. He has topped 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving just once, both in his first season. Pitts is in the final year of his rookie contract.

    Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers

    No longer just a feel-good NFL story after he was “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final pick in the 2022 draft, Purdy already has played in a Super Bowl. Some critics have attributed Purdy’s success to him simply being a product of coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers see him as much more, though, and rewarded him with a five-year $265 million contract extension in May. After his numbers dropped a bit in 2024, getting McCaffrey and eventually wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk back from injuries should help Purdy.

    Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts

    Richardson has been an enigma on the field since being selected fourth overall in 2023. He played in only four games as a rookie because of a sprained shoulder and started just 11 last season while finishing with an NFL-worst 47.7% completion rate. Richardson missed four games with injuries and also was benched for two in favor of Joe Flacco in the middle of the season after asking out of a game because of fatigue. Richardson now will have to overcome yet another setback: He’ll start this season as a backup after coach Shane Steichen declared Daniel Jones his starter.

    Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Giants

    The pass rusher’s name came up in trade rumors during the offseason, particularly after the Giants drafted Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. New York insisted it wanted to keep Thibodeaux — the Giants picked up his fifth-year contract option — to complement a solid pass rush rotation. Thibodeaux, a first-rounder in 2022, is coming off a season with just 5 1/2 sacks but insists his goal entering every year is to set the single-season record.

    Caleb Williams, QB, Bears

    The first overall pick last year is entering only his second NFL season, but all eyes have been on him in Chicago with new coach Ben Johnson taking over. Williams put up solid numbers as a rookie with 3,541 yards passing, 20 TDs and only six interceptions. But he took way too many sacks — a league-high 68. Some of the blame was on the offensive line, which has been upgraded, but Williams also routinely held the ball too long.

    Milton Williams, DL, Patriots

    Williams was a third-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021 and worked his way into being a force for the Eagles on their vaunted D-line. After Fletcher Cox retired following the 2023 season, Williams saw increased snaps and capped a breakout year by taking down Patrick Mahomes twice — including a strip-sack and fumble recovery in the Super Bowl win over Kansas City. He signed a four-year, $104 million contract with New England in the offseason, making his annual salary the highest ever for a Patriots player.

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    Associated Press

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  • Bucs wide receiver Jalen McMillan will miss time with strained neck, coach says

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan will miss time because of a strained neck.

    Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the injury Tuesday, saying McMillan was hurt during Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    Bowles said the receiver will miss some games early in the season, though it’s not known exactly how many.

    Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, the team’s first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, is expected to now play a more prominent role on the team’s offense.

    The Bucs wrap up the postseason with a Saturday night game against the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium.

    Tampa Bay has won both of its preseason games.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Injuries to Godwin & Evans will test Tampa Bay’s depth and resiliency

    Injuries to Godwin & Evans will test Tampa Bay’s depth and resiliency

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    TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The depth and resiliency of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are about to be tested.

    The three-time defending NFC South champions lost their top two playmakers during Monday night’s 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are arguably the best receivers the franchise has ever had — not to mention one of the most dynamic duos in the NFL.

    Evans, the club’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and scoring, limped off with a hamstring injury on a night he gave the Bucs an early lead with the 100th TD catch of his career.

    Godwin, second on Tampa Bay’s career list for receptions, receiving yards and TD catches, was carted to the locker room after suffering a dislocated left ankle in the final minute of a game that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens dominated more than the final score might suggest.

    Coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday that Godwin will have surgery and likely be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He possibly could return during the playoffs if the Bucs (4-3) wind up playing deep into January.

    Evans is expected to miss the next three games against Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco as Tampa Bay finishes a stretch in which it faces three of the four teams that played in last season’s conference finals.

    If all goes well, Bowles thinks the 31-year-old receiver could return to the lineup following the team’s bye week, when the Bucs visit the New York Giants on Nov. 24.

    While the Bucs are exploring options, it sounds as if they’re not likely to pursue a deal to bring in any high-profile receivers.

    “We’ve looked outside the building. But to get a true No. 1 in here, you’ve got to make massive trades and give up quite a bit. That’s not where we are at this point,” Bowles said. “We feel comfortable with the guys in the in the building. They’re probably not of the name status as Mike and Chris, or as accomplished right now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play.”

    So to keep Tampa Bay’s offense humming, Baker Mayfield likely will have to rely more on a rejuvenated running game, as well as a mostly young group of receivers that includes rookie Jalen McMillan, second-year pro Trey Palmer and veteran Sterling Shepard, one of Mayfield’s former college teammates at Oklahoma.

    “The biggest thing is with those guys having to step up, we’re not going to ask them to be Mike and Chris. We know what they were when they made this team. We’re going to ask them to do the things they can do,” Bowles said. “We’re going to specialize in their talents, make them play fast and play hard, and then we’ll be OK.”

    What’s working

    Despite being dominated by the Ravens, who scored on seven of nine possessions with Lamar Jackson in the game, the Bucs continued to demonstrate they’re capable of moving the ball against any defense. Mayfield threw for 370 yards and three TDs, but he was sacked three times and threw a pair of costly interceptions. The Bucs finished with 481 yards, though a big chunk of that came after they fell behind by 24 points late in the third quarter.

    What needs help

    The Ravens have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack, and Derrick Henry had another monster night with 169 yards on 15 carries, including an 81-yard run. The Bucs have had one of the best run defenses in the league since Bowles joined the team as defensive coordinator in 2019. Baltimore gained 244 on the ground Monday night, so any solutions Bowles is searching for on that side of the ball have to begin with fixing the run defense.

    Stock up

    Rookie running back Bucky Irving, a fourth-round draft pick out of Oregon, continues to impress. He averaged just 2.6 yards per carry in rushing for 23 yards on nine attempts against Baltimore. However, he scored his third TD of the season and contributed to the passing game with three receptions for 54 yards.

    Stock down

    Slumping punter Jake Camarda was waived Tuesday. He was inactive Monday night and had been a healthy scratch for three of four games since the Bucs signed Trenton Gill to the practice squad.

    Injuries

    The Bucs may have to play this week without rookie safety Tykee Smith, who left Monday night’s game after being evaluated for a concussion.

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    Associated Press

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  • Tyreek Hill briefly detained for traffic violation ahead of Dolphins’ game

    Tyreek Hill briefly detained for traffic violation ahead of Dolphins’ game

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    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was briefly detained for a traffic violation while entering Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, hours before his team was set to open the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    Hill was seen on video posted to the social media site X laying face down on the ground as officers placed his hands behind his back and appeared to put handcuffs on him.

    Hill has since been released and is preparing to play against the Jaguars, said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

    In a statement, the Dolphins said Hill safely arrived at the stadium.

    “This morning, WR Tyreek Hill was pulled over for a traffic incident about one block from the stadium and briefly detained by police,” the team said in a statement. “He has since been released. Several teammates saw the incident and stopped to offer support. Tyreek and all other players involved have safely arrived to the stadium and will be available for today’s game.”

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    Associated Press

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  • For Mayfield, other Bucs, OTAs providing valuable work time

    For Mayfield, other Bucs, OTAs providing valuable work time

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     TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers are going through their final week of OTAs.

    For quarterback Baker Mayfield, this year’s organized team activities are much different than a year ago.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bucs wrapping up OTAs this week 
    • Bucs offense busy installing offense under new OC Liam Coen
    • Team will have one more June minicamp before training camp in late July 
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    This year, number 6 is armed with a new contract and learning a new offense being installed by new Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen.

    “Nobody has played a down yet, everybody is working for the same goal but mentality wise this team were hungry and back at it,” said Mayfield, who signed a three-year, $100-million deal with the Bucs in the offseason. “It’s really awesome that we have everybody here on offense, going through that so everybody’s hearing it were all talking about it, learning from it, good and bad plays, that’s what this time period is about, you can’t win or lose ball games right now you can only try to get better.”

    Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles has also seen players in this camp who were not expected to be at these voluntary activities, like veteran Mike Evans who showed up today, a sign his team his hungry to get started.

     

    “There’s a lot of guys that want to win, said Bowles, who led the Bucs to a division crown and wildcard playoff win last season. “The chemistry starts here and continues in training camp, so it’s important for these guys to come in.  

    “We understand it’s voluntary and we thank them for coming in, you know they know they need to work, they’re very professional about it and they try to help the young guys.”

    With mandatory minicamp coming up next week, it’s these practices that set the tone for training camp.

    “You we really want to stress the mental aspect of the game right now,” Mayfield said. “(And) try and learn as much as you can to where it comes to live bullets during training camp it’s second nature.”

    Mandatory minicamp will take place June 11-13 with training camp set to begin in late July.

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    Mike Cairns

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  • Julius Peppers headlines a defensive-focused Pro Football Hall of Fame class

    Julius Peppers headlines a defensive-focused Pro Football Hall of Fame class

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    LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame now has a roster featuring every NFL franchise.

    What You Need To Know

    • Julius Peppers is the first player drafted by the Panthers to be selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

    • Peppers, an All-Pro in 2004, 2006 and 2010, was one of the league’s most dominant linemen during his 17-year NFL career

    • Others in the 2024 Hall of Fame class include Andre Johnson, Dwight Freeney, Patrick Willis and Devin Hester

    Julius Peppers became the first player drafted by Carolina to make it to the Hall, and Andre Johnson became the first for Houston as part of the 2024 class announced this week at NFL Honors.

    The Panthers and Texans had been the last two franchises that hadn’t had a player they drafted get voted into the Hall.

    Peppers was one of the league’s most dominant linemen after being picked second overall by Carolina in 2002 and got the honor in his first year of eligibility.

    “It’s a surreal moment,” he said. “It’s kind of still unbelievable.”

    Peppers had 12 sacks as a rookie and never really slowed down in a 17-year career that included stops in Chicago and Green Bay before ending with the Panthers. He was an All-Pro in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

    The class had a distinctive defensive feel with Johnson the only offensive player to make it. 

    “Any time you can be the first player to do something, it’s an amazing feeling,” Johnson said. “It just adds more to your legacy. You’ll aways be remembered.”

    Peppers was joined by another elite pass rusher in Dwight Freeney and do-everything linebacker Patrick Willis in the modern era category.

    Dynamic returner Devin Hester also got voted into the Hall from the group of 15 finalists as the first player to get in primarily as a returner.

    “I’m just happy to show people special teams does matter,” Hester said. “That’s my No. 1 pride to get into the Hall of Fame. Now you can’t overlook special teams.”

    Two more defensive players got in on the senior category, with linebacker Randy Gradishar and defensive tackle Steve McMichael getting the needed 80% support from the panel.

    “I love defense obviously,” Freeney said. “We understand the game. I know how the game is sold. I understand the other side of it, but I will take a defensive player all day.”

    Former AFL receiver Art Powell and coach Buddy Parker fell short of the threshold and missed out.

    Peppers, a native of Wilson, N.C., was a unanimous All-American at North Carolina, where he played from 1998 to 2001. 

    Peppers finished his NFL career with 159 1/2 sacks — the fourth most since they became official in 1982 — and had 10 seasons with double-digit sacks. Only Hall of Famers Bruce Smith (13) and Reggie White (12) had more.

    Willis’ career was brief but had an impact.

    A first-round pick by San Francisco in 2007, Willis immediately became a star with 174 tackles, four sacks, seven QB hits and eight tackles for loss on the way to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

    He was a first-team All-Pro five times in eight seasons and helped San Francisco reach three straight conference title games and one Super Bowl.

    Freeney was the defensive star on the stellar Colts teams led by Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Indianapolis hadn’t won a playoff game in Manning’s first four seasons before Freeney arrived but won nine in his first nine seasons, including Super Bowl 41 and another AFC title game in the 2009 season.

    Known best for his devastating spin move, Freeney was a first-team All-Pro three times, led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2004 and finished his career with 125½ sacks and 47 forced fumbles.

    Hester was one of the most feared players in the game despite his small stature at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. While he played both receiver and cornerback, he excelled as a returner for Chicago.

    He scored six TDs on returns in each of his first two regular seasons, including a 108-yarder following a missed field goal as a rookie in 2006 when he helped the Bears make the Super Bowl.

    He then took the opening kick in that game against Indianapolis back 92 yards for a touchdown for the only opening kick TD return in Super Bowl history.

    “That was a great opportunity for me,” Hester said. “Any time I could get my hands on the ball, it was a great opportunity to make plays. Not only Tony Dungy, but I thank all the coaches who kicked to me.”

    Hester was a first-team All-Pro three times and finished his career with a record 14 punt return TDs and five more on kickoffs.

    Johnson became the first player to spend the bulk of his career with the Texans to make the Hall of Fame.

    A first-round pick in Houston’s second season in 2003, Johnson led the league in receiving yards twice, was a two-time All-Pro and had seven 1,000-yard seasons despite spending most of his career without an elite quarterback.

    Gradishar was a key part of Denver’s “Orange Crush” defense in the 1970s, making the Pro Bowl seven times in 10 seasons, being selected as an All-Pro in 1977 and ’78 and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

    A tackling machine at inside linebacker, Gradishar also intercepted 20 passes and recovered 13 fumbles in a 10-year career and never missed a single game. He was a modern era finalist for the Hall in 2003 and ’08 but didn’t get elected.

    While the Broncos fell one game short of winning it all in 1977 when they allowed only 10.6 points per game, McMichael was part of an even more dominant defense that won the Super Bowl in the 1985 season.

    McMichael controlled the interior of the line on the Bears’ famed “46 defense” that is considered by many to be the best ever after leading Chicago to an 18-1 record and allowing only 10 points in three playoff wins.

    McMichael had 95 career sacks as a defensive tackle, was selected as an All-Pro in 1985 and ’87 and was a second-teamer two other times.

    The other finalists from the modern era category who didn’t advance to the final five were tight end Antonio Gates; receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; running back Fred Taylor and defensive end Jared Allen.

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    Associated Press

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  • Julius Peppers headlines a defensive-focused Pro Football Hall of Fame class

    Julius Peppers headlines a defensive-focused Pro Football Hall of Fame class

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    LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame now has a roster featuring every NFL franchise.

    What You Need To Know

    • Julius Peppers is the first player drafted by the Panthers to be selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

    • Peppers, an All-Pro in 2004, 2006 and 2010, was one of the league’s most dominant linemen during his 17-year NFL career

    • Others in the 2024 Hall of Fame class include Andre Johnson, Dwight Freeney, Patrick Willis and Devin Hester

    Julius Peppers became the first player drafted by Carolina to make it to the Hall, and Andre Johnson became the first for Houston as part of the 2024 class announced this week at NFL Honors.

    The Panthers and Texans had been the last two franchises that hadn’t had a player they drafted get voted into the Hall.

    Peppers was one of the league’s most dominant linemen after being picked second overall by Carolina in 2002 and got the honor in his first year of eligibility.

    “It’s a surreal moment,” he said. “It’s kind of still unbelievable.”

    Peppers had 12 sacks as a rookie and never really slowed down in a 17-year career that included stops in Chicago and Green Bay before ending with the Panthers. He was an All-Pro in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

    The class had a distinctive defensive feel with Johnson the only offensive player to make it. 

    “Any time you can be the first player to do something, it’s an amazing feeling,” Johnson said. “It just adds more to your legacy. You’ll aways be remembered.”

    Peppers was joined by another elite pass rusher in Dwight Freeney and do-everything linebacker Patrick Willis in the modern era category.

    Dynamic returner Devin Hester also got voted into the Hall from the group of 15 finalists as the first player to get in primarily as a returner.

    “I’m just happy to show people special teams does matter,” Hester said. “That’s my No. 1 pride to get into the Hall of Fame. Now you can’t overlook special teams.”

    Two more defensive players got in on the senior category, with linebacker Randy Gradishar and defensive tackle Steve McMichael getting the needed 80% support from the panel.

    “I love defense obviously,” Freeney said. “We understand the game. I know how the game is sold. I understand the other side of it, but I will take a defensive player all day.”

    Former AFL receiver Art Powell and coach Buddy Parker fell short of the threshold and missed out.

    Peppers, a native of Wilson, N.C., was a unanimous All-American at North Carolina, where he played from 1998 to 2001. 

    Peppers finished his NFL career with 159 1/2 sacks — the fourth most since they became official in 1982 — and had 10 seasons with double-digit sacks. Only Hall of Famers Bruce Smith (13) and Reggie White (12) had more.

    Willis’ career was brief but had an impact.

    A first-round pick by San Francisco in 2007, Willis immediately became a star with 174 tackles, four sacks, seven QB hits and eight tackles for loss on the way to winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

    He was a first-team All-Pro five times in eight seasons and helped San Francisco reach three straight conference title games and one Super Bowl.

    Freeney was the defensive star on the stellar Colts teams led by Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Indianapolis hadn’t won a playoff game in Manning’s first four seasons before Freeney arrived but won nine in his first nine seasons, including Super Bowl 41 and another AFC title game in the 2009 season.

    Known best for his devastating spin move, Freeney was a first-team All-Pro three times, led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2004 and finished his career with 125½ sacks and 47 forced fumbles.

    Hester was one of the most feared players in the game despite his small stature at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. While he played both receiver and cornerback, he excelled as a returner for Chicago.

    He scored six TDs on returns in each of his first two regular seasons, including a 108-yarder following a missed field goal as a rookie in 2006 when he helped the Bears make the Super Bowl.

    He then took the opening kick in that game against Indianapolis back 92 yards for a touchdown for the only opening kick TD return in Super Bowl history.

    “That was a great opportunity for me,” Hester said. “Any time I could get my hands on the ball, it was a great opportunity to make plays. Not only Tony Dungy, but I thank all the coaches who kicked to me.”

    Hester was a first-team All-Pro three times and finished his career with a record 14 punt return TDs and five more on kickoffs.

    Johnson became the first player to spend the bulk of his career with the Texans to make the Hall of Fame.

    A first-round pick in Houston’s second season in 2003, Johnson led the league in receiving yards twice, was a two-time All-Pro and had seven 1,000-yard seasons despite spending most of his career without an elite quarterback.

    Gradishar was a key part of Denver’s “Orange Crush” defense in the 1970s, making the Pro Bowl seven times in 10 seasons, being selected as an All-Pro in 1977 and ’78 and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

    A tackling machine at inside linebacker, Gradishar also intercepted 20 passes and recovered 13 fumbles in a 10-year career and never missed a single game. He was a modern era finalist for the Hall in 2003 and ’08 but didn’t get elected.

    While the Broncos fell one game short of winning it all in 1977 when they allowed only 10.6 points per game, McMichael was part of an even more dominant defense that won the Super Bowl in the 1985 season.

    McMichael controlled the interior of the line on the Bears’ famed “46 defense” that is considered by many to be the best ever after leading Chicago to an 18-1 record and allowing only 10 points in three playoff wins.

    McMichael had 95 career sacks as a defensive tackle, was selected as an All-Pro in 1985 and ’87 and was a second-teamer two other times.

    The other finalists from the modern era category who didn’t advance to the final five were tight end Antonio Gates; receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; running back Fred Taylor and defensive end Jared Allen.

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  • Fans to turn out for Super Bowl watch parties across the Bay

    Fans to turn out for Super Bowl watch parties across the Bay

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Super Bowl Sunday is promising big watch parties on both sides of the Bay as fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers gear up for the big game.

    In Tampa, the “Niners Empire” Tampa Chapter will hold a watch party at McDinton’s in South Tampa, where the group expected as many as 200 fans.

    What You Need To Know

    • 49ers fan group to host watch party at MacDinton’s in Tampa

    • KC Chiefs fan group hosting watch party at Glory Days in St. Petersburg 

    • A record 68 million bets are expected to be made on the Super Bowl this weekend

    Chapter President John Downer became a 49ers fan in 1989 after getting free tickets to a game while he was serving in the Navy.  

    He and his wife have grown the Niner Empire Tampa Chapter to more than 70 active members.

    “MacDinton’s is the place to be, Super Bowl Sunday baby, all day,” Downer said.

    On the other side of the Bay, Chiefs fans will be holding a watch party at Glory Days on 4th Street in St. Petersburg.

    Pam Durkin runs the Arrowhead South Tampa Chapter for Kansas City fans and says around 250 will likely turn out to root on the Chiefs at Glory Days.

    “It’s so exciting, and to see them become so good is astronomically great,” Durkin said.

    If you aren’t a fan of either team, chances are good you still may have a financial interest in the game.  

    A record-breaking 68 million bets are expected to be placed for the Super Bowl.

    Pam Durkin runs the Arrowhead South Tampa Chapter for Kansas City fans and says around 250 will likely turn out to root on the Chiefs at Glory Days. (Spectrum News)

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  • Panthers waive struggling QB Mayfield, a former No. 1 pick

    Panthers waive struggling QB Mayfield, a former No. 1 pick

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers waived struggling quarterback Baker Mayfield on Monday after the 2018 No. 1 draft pick asked for his release.

    Mayfield would be subject to waivers and become a free agent if he goes unclaimed.

    The move does not come as a surprise, because Sam Darnold replaced Mayfield after his failed second stint as starting quarterback, and the Panthers like what they have in P.J. Walker. The move gives Mayfield a chance to potentially land with a team that needs quarterback help.

    San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson all suffered injuries over the weekend.

    Mayfield was 1-5 as Carolina’s starting QB and completed just 57.8% of his passes with six touchdowns and six interceptions.

    The Panthers traded for Mayfield earlier this season and he won the job in training camp. They will send the Cleveland Browns a fifth-round pick in 2024 as compensation for the trade.

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Deshaun Watson returns from ban with some support, many boos

    Deshaun Watson returns from ban with some support, many boos

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    HOUSTON — Deshaun Watson signed autographs for Texans and Browns fans and posed for selfies before his first game in 700 days in a familiar place.

    Once the game started, it was overwhelming boos for Watson.

    Watson heard jeers before taking each snap throughout the first half in his first game Sunday since returning from an 11-game suspension for sexual misconduct. Watson’s debut with Cleveland came against Houston, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl pick in four seasons.

    After an interception gave the Browns their first possession at their 43, Watson threw a pair of incomplete passes. He spun away from a sack on third down, and fans cheered when his throw to David Bell hit the ground.

    Watson’s first completed pass on his third attempt resulted in a turnover when Anthony Schwartz fumbled after a 12-yard gain. Watson later drove the Browns to Houston’s 11 before throwing an interception in the end zone.

    Watson looked rusty after the nearly two-year layoff, completing 8 of 14 passes for 96 yards and a pick. But the Browns took a 7-5 lead into halftime following a 76-yard punt return for a score by Donovan Peoples-Jones.

    Watson had several supporters in the stands before the game, while a group of the women who accused him of sexual harassment and assault during massages also planned to attend. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women, didn’t respond to a text message seeking to confirm their attendance. He said earlier in the week about 10 women wanted to attend “to kind of make the statement, ’Hey we’re still here. We matter.’”

    One fan walked into NRG Stadium wearing a derogatory shirt in Browns colors that includes text saying “I need a massage.” He was joined by a fan wearing Watson’s No. 4 Browns jersey.

    Fans in the parking lot set up a fake massage table with a mannequin wearing a red Texans jersey and a towel.

    The few fans in their seats when Watson and the Browns jogged onto the field about an hour before kickoff booed.

    Watson sat out the 2021 season after demanding a trade from Houston. After two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him over the allegations, the Browns traded several draft picks to get Watson and then signed him to a fully guaranteed $235 million contract.

    After warming up, Watson signed jerseys for fans behind the end zone. An 18-year-old man from East Texas got Watson’s autograph on his Browns jersey. A couple from Houston wearing Texans jerseys also got Watson’s signature on their jerseys.

    “We don’t really know what happened and everyone deserves a second chance,” said Sherry Holden, explaining her support.

    Several Browns fans said they were uncomfortable rooting for Watson.

    “I’m cheering for the jersey and the team but it’s hard to accept him as my quarterback,” said Brandon Collins, who traveled from Ohio for the game.

    The NFL wanted to suspend Watson for at least one season but settled for 11 games after an independent arbiter initially gave him a six-game ban. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pointed to former U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson calling Watson’s behavior “egregious” and “predatory” in seeking the full suspension.

    Watson also was fined $5 million and required to undergo professional counseling and therapy. Watson has maintained his innocence but also apologized to the women he impacted.

    The Browns went 4-7 with veteran Jacoby Brissett filling in for Watson. The Texans are 1-9-1.

    ———

    Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Watson has better shot winning with Browns than fixing image

    Watson has better shot winning with Browns than fixing image

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    Deshaun Watson has a better chance of leading the Cleveland Browns to their first Super Bowl title than rebuilding his public image.

    The disgraced quarterback wouldn’t address his 11-game suspension for sexual misconduct or his league-mandated therapy sessions on Thursday in his first comments since returning to the Browns.

    “I have been advised to stay away from that and keep that personal,” Watson said during a 16-minute session with the media in Berea, Ohio.

    Watson has been accused by more than two dozen women of sexual harassment and assault during massage therapy sessions. He has settled 23 civil lawsuits brought by the women, while two others, including one filed in October, are pending.

    Still, Watson could’ve said he’s grown as a person through counseling, that he has a better understanding of how his behavior affects others and he’s striving to be the best version of himself.

    Of course, few people would believe him.

    Watson doesn’t have many fans outside of Cleveland and he has a long way to go to win over most folks.

    His actions matter more than his words, according to Rita Smith, a senior adviser to the NFL who was hired in 2014 to help shape the league’s policy on domestic abuse and sexual assault.

    “How I will know if he’s learned anything is how he behaves in the future,” Smith told The Associated Press. “If he never is accused of this kind of behavior again, then we know that he’s learned something that’s helpful for him. Until then, what he says is kind of irrelevant.”

    The 27-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has maintained his innocence and hasn’t taken much accountability for his behavior that was labeled “egregious” and “predatory” by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

    “I’ve always stood on my innocence and always said I’ve never assaulted anyone or disrespected anyone, and I’m continuing to stand on that,” Watson said in August after the NFL and the NFL Players Association reached a settlement on his punishment terms.

    He then explained he was apologizing “for people that were triggered” by his actions.

    Does he still feel the same way? Did counseling change his perspective?

    That’s unknown.

    The NFL made it a priority to mandate professional counseling and therapy as part of Watson’s discipline so he could learn from mistakes, improve his decision-making and do better.

    “It was really important for us that, No. 1, that he do some kind of sessions and that the person who is doing the sessions has an understanding of violence and abuse and trauma that we would suggest they look for to help him,” Smith said.

    Watson will face intense scrutiny everywhere: His performance on the field will be analyzed, his mannerisms on the sideline, his interactions with teammates in the huddle and his interviews with the media will be dissected.

    Starting Sunday when he takes the field against his former teammates in Houston, fans will boo him, taunt and hurl insults.

    “I am not worried about the atmosphere,” Watson said. “I have to go in and make sure I execute the game plan.”

    The Browns haven’t won an NFL title since 1964. They have as many winless seasons (one) as playoff victories since 1999.

    Delivering a championship will be a tough task for Watson, who received a fully guaranteed $235 million contract to do it. It still may be easier than reconstructing his image.

    ———

    Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Herbert rallies Chargers to 25-24 win over Cardinals

    Herbert rallies Chargers to 25-24 win over Cardinals

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    GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley knew he was going for the winning 2-point conversion a few minutes before it actually happened, so when the moment arrived, there was no hesitation and no looking at his playbook.

    The result was even better than he imagined.

    “Smooth like chocolate milk,” Staley said with a grin.

    Justin Herbert threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Austin Ekeler with 15 seconds left, then hit Gerald Everett for the decisive conversion to give the Los Angeles Chargers a 25-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

    Ekeler barely got into the end zone for the TD that moved the Chargers within one, capping a seven-play, 38-yard drive that lasted 1:33. The ball hit the pylon as he dived toward the corner.

    That set up Staley’s bold if predetermined call. Herbert hit Everett for a clean catch despite plenty of traffic near the goal line.

    “We just believed in each other,” Herbert said. “That’s one of those plays that we’ve repped a ton over the last couple of years. We feel comfortable with the guys out there. Gerald ran a great route, made a great catch.”

    Herbert completed 35 of 47 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers (6-5), who snapped a two-game skid while staying in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Arizona (4-8) has lost four of five, leaving it with almost no shot at making the NFC playoff field.

    Herbert now has led 10 fourth-quarter comebacks in his three seasons. But with opportunities to win the past two weeks in similar situations, the Chargers fell short.

    “That’s what it’s like when you’re a quarterback in the NFL,” Staley said. “You’re not going to make every 2-minute drive, but the thing he has going for him is that our entire organization believes he’s going to make it. He brought us back, game ball for him.

    “Big-time performance. We couldn’t have won without him.”

    The Chargers have trailed by 10 or more points at some point in the first half in each of their last four victories. They were down 14-0 against Cleveland and 10-0 against Denver, Atlanta and Arizona.

    The Cardinals took a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter when Kyler Murray threw a short pass to James Conner for a 6-yard touchdown. The veteran running back had 25 carries for 120 yards, his first 100-yard rushing game in two seasons with the Cardinals.

    Murray threw for 191 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and ran for a score after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury.

    Arizona got some big defensive stops in the fourth quarter but the offense couldn’t run out the clock. The Cardinals got the ball back with 2:19 left, but went three-and-out in just 31 seconds.

    DeAndre Carter had a 20-yard punt return, and a 5-yard penalty set up the Chargers deep in Cardinals territory for the winning drive.

    “We had our chances,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “I think both teams played well enough to win. They made the plays at the end, unfortunately we didn’t. Our offense got it back twice — went three-and-out — can’t do that against a good team.”

    Arizona took a 17-14 lead into halftime when Murray ran for a 5-yard touchdown just before the break, capping a 14-play, 75-yard drive.

    The Cardinals had their top two receivers, DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown, on the field for the first time this season. Arizona jumped to a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when Murray threw a pass over the middle to Hopkins, who spun out of a tackle and sprinted to the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown.

    Matt Prater’s 43-yard field goal on the Cardinals’ next drive made it 10-0.

    The Chargers quickly cut that margin midway through the second quarter when Herbert threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen.

    After Murray was intercepted, Herbert found Carter for a 33-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead. Carter finished with seven catches for 73 yards along with the key punt return.

    INJURIES

    Chargers: WR Mike Williams (ankle) was inactive. … RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) and C Corey Linsley (concussion) left the game in the second quarter.

    Cardinals: WR Greg Dortch (thumb), WR Rondale Moore (groin) and CB Byron Murphy Jr. (back) were inactive. … Arizona was missing four out its five starting offensive linemen. Left tackle D.J. Humphries (back) was put on injured reserve earlier this week.

    UP NEXT

    Chargers: At Las Vegas next Sunday.

    Cardinals: After a bye, host New England on Monday, Dec. 12.

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Giants-Cowboys sets NFL regular-season record for viewers

    Giants-Cowboys sets NFL regular-season record for viewers

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    LOS ANGELES — The Thanksgiving afternoon game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys set the mark for the most-watched NFL regular-season game on record.

    The Cowboys 28-20 victory on Fox averaged 42 million viewers, according to Nielsen, surpassing the 41.55 million average for the Dec. 3, 1990, Monday night game between the Giants and San Francisco 49ers on ABC. Average viewer record numbers date to 1988.

    The average viewership for the three Thanksgiving Day games on Thursday was 33.5 million, surpassing the previous high of 32.9 million in 1993, when two games were aired.

    The average was also up 6% over last year’s average of 31.6 million.

    The Buffalo Bills 28-25 win over the Detroit Lions on CBS was the most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game on record with a 31.6 million average.

    The night game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings averaged 25.9 million, the second-highest audience for a Thanksgiving night contest. The Vikings’ 33-26 victory was surpassed only by the 2015 game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers (27.8 million).

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Today in History: November 25, Fidel Castro dies at 90

    Today in History: November 25, Fidel Castro dies at 90

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    Today in History

    Today is Friday, Nov. 25, the 329th day of 2022. There are 36 days left in the year.

    Today’s Highlight in History:

    On Nov. 25, 2016, Fidel Castro, who led his rebels to victorious revolution in 1959, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 U.S. presidents during his half-century of rule in Cuba, died at age 90.

    On this date:

    In 1783, the British evacuated New York during the Revolutionary War.

    In 1914, baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California.

    In 1915, a new version of the Ku Klux Klan, targeting blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants, was founded by William Joseph Simmons.

    In 1947, movie studio executives meeting in New York agreed to blacklist the “Hollywood Ten” who’d been cited for contempt of Congress the day before.

    In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower suffered a slight stroke.

    In 1961, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise, was commissioned.

    In 1963, the body of President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery; his widow, Jacqueline, lighted an “eternal flame” at the gravesite.

    In 1986, the Iran-Contra affair erupted as President Ronald Reagan and Attorney General Edwin Meese revealed that profits from secret arms sales to Iran had been diverted to Nicaraguan rebels.

    In 1999, Elian Gonzalez, a 5-year-old Cuban boy, was rescued by a pair of sport fishermen off the coast of Florida, setting off an international custody battle.

    In 2001, as the war in Afghanistan entered its eighth week, CIA officer Johnny “Mike” Spann was killed during a prison uprising in Mazar-e-Sharif, becoming America’s first combat casualty of the conflict.

    In 2002, President George W. Bush signed legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, and appointed Tom Ridge to be its head.

    In 2009, Toyota said it would replace the gas pedals on 4 million vehicles in the United States because the pedals could get stuck in the floor mats and cause sudden acceleration.

    Ten years ago: Rioters stormed a Muslim Brotherhood headquarters building in northern Egypt on the third day of street battles following a power grab by President Mohammed Morsi. YouTube announced that “Gangnam Style” by South Korean rapper PSY had become the site’s most viewed video to that time, with more than 805 million viewings.

    Five years ago: On what was designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, President Emmanuel Macron launched an initiate to combat violence and harassment against women in France and change what he described as France’s sexist culture. A volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali rumbled to life, temporarily disrupting some international flights to the popular tourist destination. Veteran Hollywood actor Rance Howard, the father of director Ron Howard, died at the age of 89.

    One year ago: France launched a plan to give COVID-19 booster shots to all adults. A methane explosion in a coal mine in Siberia quickly filled the mine with toxic smoke; authorities said 46 miners and five rescuers were killed. Giant balloons once again wafted through miles of Manhattan as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade returned in full, a year after being crimped by the coronavirus pandemic. Italy’s government said National Geographic magazine’s famed green-eyed “Afghan Girl,” Sharbat Gulla, had arrived in Italy as part of the West’s evacuation of Afghans following the Taliban takeover of the country.

    Today’s Birthdays: Actor Kathryn Crosby is 89. Actor Christopher Riordan is 85. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs is 82. Singer Bob Lind is 80. Author, actor and economist Ben Stein is 78. Actor John Larroquette is 75. Actor Tracey Walter is 75. Movie director Jonathan Kaplan is 75. Author Charlaine Harris is 71. Retired MLB All-Star Bucky Dent is 71. Dance judge Bruno Tonioli (TV: “Dancing with the Stars”) is 67. Singer Amy Grant is 62. Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar is 59. Rock musician Eric Grossman (K’s Choice) is 58. Rock musician Scott Mercado is 58. Rock singer-musician Tim Armstrong is 57. Actor Steve Harris is 57. Actor Billy Burke is 56. Singer Stacy Lattisaw is 56. Rock musician Rodney Sheppard (Sugar Ray) is 56. Rapper-producer Erick Sermon is 54. Actor Jill Hennessy is 53. Actor Christina Applegate is 51. Actor Eddie Steeples is 49. Actor Kristian Nairn is 47. Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb is 46. Actor Jill Flint is 45. Actor Jerry Ferrara is 43. Actor Joel Kinnaman is 43. Actor Valerie Azlynn is 42. Former first daughter Barbara Pierce Bush is 41. Former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager is 41. Actor Katie Cassidy is 36. Actor Stephanie Hsu is 32. Contemporary Christian singer Jamie Grace is 31.

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  • Inflation or not, price of pro sports teams keeps going up

    Inflation or not, price of pro sports teams keeps going up

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    Inflation isn’t going to hurt the bankrolls of sports team owners.

    In fact, it may help.

    While the uber-rich will have to pay a little more for their eggs at the grocery store – just like everyone else – inflation isn’t likely to affect the bottom lines at their sports properties.

    “I’m resting pretty easy if I’m an owner,” said Tim Clarke, a senior analyst at PitchBook, which researches private financial markets. “That’s how people are viewing assets of the professional sports industry. They’re just not going down.”

    Inflation surged this year to levels unseen for four decades, slowing the economy and raising prices for consumers from the checkout line to the gas pump. For the most part, sports are no exception: Rising costs are making it more expensive for fans to go to games, for families who participate in youth sports and for college athletic departments trying to stay on budget.

    But the millionaires and billionaires who own sports team won’t be feeling the pinch, whether it’s the day-to-day cost of running the business or the sale price when they decide to move on. On the contrary: A franchise can be a safe place to park money and ride out a bear market.

    “I do think there is somewhat of a hedge,” said Inner Circle Sports CEO Rob Tillis, who has worked on the sale of dozens of teams in all four major U.S. pro sports and the top international leagues. “I have been doing this for 30 years. We’ve been through lots of business cycles and valuations have been strong. I don’t see that as any different now.”

    Most sports owners are also well-capitalized enough to keep their team budgets separate from their outside business and other sources of wealth. So even though rising interest rates have cooled the housing market, that’s unlikely to affect Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage owner Dan Gilbert, who with an estimated net worth of almost $52 billion is the 23rd-richest man in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

    (One exception: Losses in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme squeezed the Mets payroll and forced owner Fred Wilpon to sell off first part, then the rest of the team.)

    “These guys, they have so much money that I think if they start to get pinched elsewhere, it’s more or less a rounding error for their clubs,” said Tom Pitts, the European head of LionRock Capital, a private equity firm that has a one-third interest in the Inter Milan soccer team. “Most of these guys haven’t stretched to buy the club. It’s an expensive hobby.”

    Rising interest rates could make it more expensive for would-be owners to buy into the club if they have to borrow money to pay for their new prize. “It just costs a lot more money in absolute dollars to service the debt,” Pitts said.

    A handful of high-profile teams are currently on the market.

    Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, who is under pressure to sell his team after an investigation revealed a toxic corporate culture, says he would consider unloading all or part of the once-proud NFL franchise. It is expected to fetch even more than the $4.65 billion paid for the Denver Broncos this summer by Walmart heir Rob Walton, who with an estimated net worth of $61 billion is the 16th-richest person in the world.

    Robert Sarver has put his teams, the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, on the market after an investigation found evidence of a racially and sexually insensitive workplace. Baseball’s Washington Nationals are for sale and the family that owns the Baltimore Orioles has made noise about selling, as well. The NHL’s Ottawa Senators can also be had for the right price.

    Two of English soccer’s biggest names, Manchester United and Liverpool, are also on the market. Man U. was valued by Forbes in September at $4.6 billion — just a bit higher than Liverpool; both are expected to eclipse the $3.2 billion price paid for Chelsea this spring that was briefly the highest ever for a sports team.

    That record was less than two weeks old when the Broncos deal was announced.

    “You’ve got the likes of the Waltons, and it’s a drop in the bucket,” Clarke said. “It’s a club. It’s like, ‘When is the next Picasso up for sale?’ … The value sector has nothing to do with the economy. There’s always demand and there’s always scarce supply.”

    ———

    AP Sports Writer Jay Cohen contributed to this story.

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  • Jury: NCAA not to blame in ex-USC football player’s death

    Jury: NCAA not to blame in ex-USC football player’s death

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    LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday rejected a claim by the widow of a former USC player who said the NCAA failed to protect him from repeated head trauma that led to his death.

    Matthew Gee, a linebacker on the 1990 Rose Bowl-winning squad, endured an estimated 6,000 hits that caused permanent brain damage and led to cocaine and alcohol abuse that eventually killed him at age 49, lawyers for his widow alleged.

    The NCAA said it had nothing to do with Gee’s death, which it said was a sudden cardiac arrest brought on by untreated hypertension and acute cocaine toxicity. A lawyer for the governing body of U.S. college sports said Gee suffered from many other health problems not related to , such as liver cirrhosis, that would have eventually killed him.

    The verdict could have broad ramifications for college athletes who blame the NCAA for head injuries.

    Hundreds of wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits have been brought by college players against the NCAA in the past decade, but Gee’s is the first one to reach a jury alleging that hits to the head led to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease known by its acronym, CTE.

    Alana Gee said the college sweethearts had 20 good years of marriage before her husband’s mental health began to deteriorate and he became angry, depressed and impulsive, and began overeating and abusing drugs and alcohol.

    Attorneys for Gee said CTE, which is found in athletes and military veterans who suffered repetitive brain injuries, was an indirect cause of death because head trauma has been shown to promote substance abuse.

    The NCAA said the case hinged on what it knew at the time Gee played, from 1988-92, and not about CTE, which was first discovered in the brain of a deceased NFL player in 2005.

    Gee never reported having a concussion and said in an application to play with the Raiders after graduating that he had never been knocked unconscious, NCAA attorney Will Stute said.

    “You can’t hold the NCAA responsible for something 40 years later that nobody ever reported,” Stute said in his closing argument. “The plaintiffs want you in a time travel machine. We don’t have one … at the NCAA. It’s not fair.”

    Attorneys for Gee’s family said there was no doubt that Matt Gee suffered concussions and countless sub-concussive blows.

    Mike Salmon, a teammate who went on to play in the NFL, testified that Gee, who was team captain his senior year, once was so dazed from a hit that he couldn’t call the next play.

    Gee was one of five linebackers on the 1989 Trojans squad who died before turning 50. All displayed signs of mental deterioration associated with head trauma.

    As with teammate and NFL star Junior Seau, who killed himself in 2012, Gee’s brain was examined posthumously at Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center and found to have CTE.

    Jurors were not allowed to hear testimony about Gee’s deceased teammates.

    Gee’s lawyers said the NCAA, which was founded in 1906 for athlete safety, had known about impacts from head injuries since the 1930s but failed to educate players, ban headfirst contact, or implement baseline testing for concussion symptoms.

    Attorneys had asked jurors to award Alana Gee $55 million to compensate for her loss.

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  • Analysis: How ’bout them Cowboys! Dallas is most impressive

    Analysis: How ’bout them Cowboys! Dallas is most impressive

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    Dak Prescott was nearly perfect in directing a balanced, dynamic offense. Micah Parsons again wreaked havoc in leading a dominant defense.

    Behind Prescott and Parsons, Dallas dismantled Minnesota and put the rest of the NFL on notice with a convincing 40-3 victory on the road Sunday against a team that had won seven straight games.

    How ’bout them Cowboys! No team owns a more impressive win this season.

    “This is exactly what I expected,” Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse said. “We knew we were going to come in here and knock them down. We showed them who the tougher team is, and it is us. That is the type of that we can play week in and week out if we continue to stay together and do our job.”

    The Cowboys (7-3) are unlikely to win the NFC East. They trail the Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) by two games and already lost to them. But they proved why they’ll be a dangerous team that nobody will want to face in January following the biggest road win in team history.

    “This team has got the work ethic. It’s got the attitude. They’ve got a hard mindset, which you have to have,” coach Mike McCarthy said.

    The Cowboys have averaged 28.8 points per game in Prescott’s five starts. Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, who scored two touchdowns apiece against the Vikings (8-2), provide a strong 1-2 running attack. They may end up adding Odell Beckham Jr. to join CeeDee Lamb, giving Prescott another weapon.

    “Right now the challenge is handling success,” Prescott said. “Having a game like this in the NFL is tough to do. To be able to do that, we’ve got to put this behind us and know that we’ve got to go out there — we’re as good as our last game. We’ve got to turn the page and go put another one together on Thursday.”

    The Cowboys host the Giants (7-3) on Thanksgiving in a fight for second place in the division.

    For now, the Buffalo Bills are the best second-place team in the NFL. They rebounded nicely from a mistake-filled, overtime loss at home to the Vikings with a 31-23 victory over Cleveland.

    Despite a chaotic week that saw them forced to play a “home” game in Detroit because a storm dumped several feet of snow in western New York, the Bills (7-3) got back on track against the Browns.

    Josh Allen didn’t turn the ball over after a rough three-week stretch and the offense scored on all five possessions in the second half.

    “We still don’t feel like we played very well, but it goes to show you we played smart and put up 31 points and didn’t play to our standard,” Allen said.

    The Bills may eventually surpass Miami (7-3) in the AFC East — the Dolphins won the first matchup and the teams meet in Buffalo on Dec. 18. Like Dallas, the Bills also play Thursday, when they face the Lions (4-6).

    The Cincinnati Bengals are another second-place team finding its groove. The reigning AFC champions beat Pittsburgh 37-30 for their fourth win in five games. Even without Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals (6-4) are rolling on offense. Joe Burrow led the way with four TD passes and running back Samaje Perine set a franchise record with three TD catches.

    The Bengals are one game behind the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) in the AFC North. The Ravens won in Cincinnati in October and the division could be on the line when the teams meet in Baltimore in Week 18.

    “I think we’re playing as good as anybody,” Burrow said. “We’re hitting our stride offensively. Still left some points out there. There’s always room to improve, obviously.”

    In a season filled with close games and comeback wins, the last team standing may be one that doesn’t finish the regular season in first place.

    ———

    Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Biden sending federal aid as NY digs out from huge snowstorm

    Biden sending federal aid as NY digs out from huge snowstorm

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    BUFFALO, N.Y. — President Joe Biden is sending federal aid to western New York to help state and local authorities clean up from the massive storm that dumped as much as 6 feet (1.8 meters) of snow in western and northern New York, the White House announced Monday.

    The emergency declaration authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief in 11 counties hit by the the lake-effect snowstorm Friday and Saturday.

    New York Gov. Kathy Hochul thanked Biden for granting her request for emergency aid, and added in a news release, “My team and I will continue working around the clock to keep everyone safe, help communities dig out, and secure every last dollar to help rebuild and recover from this unprecedented, record-shattering historic winter storm.”

    The National Weather Service recorded 77 inches (196 centimeters) by Saturday in Orchard Park, home to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, and 72 inches (183 centimeters) in Natural Bridge, a hamlet near Watertown off the eastern end of Lake Ontario.

    The storm forced the Bills to move Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns to Detroit. The Bills won 31-23.

    More snow fell overnight Sunday in some areas, but it stopped by daybreak Monday. “We are finally dry,” weather service meteorologist Liz Jurkowski said.

    A driving ban had been lifted for most areas affected by the storm by Monday morning, but schools remained closed in Buffalo and nearby towns.

    The snowstorm was at least the worst in New York state since November 2014, when some communities south of Buffalo were hit with 7 feet (2.13 meters) of snow over the course of three days.

    Jurkowski said snowfall totals for this storm were still being tabulated Monday.

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  • Kelce scores 3 touchdowns, Chiefs rally past Chargers 30-27

    Kelce scores 3 touchdowns, Chiefs rally past Chargers 30-27

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    INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce ended up putting on a performance that made The Fonz proud.

    Mahomes connected with Kelce for three touchdowns — including the go-ahead score with 31 seconds remaining — as the Kansas City Chiefs rallied past the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 on Sunday night to stay atop the AFC.

    Mahomes met Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler before the game. Winkler, who played Fonzie for 12 seasons on the iconic television show “Happy Days”, received a signed jersey on the sideline. Kelce got in the act by wearing a t-shirt before the game that had a picture of The Fonz and said “Football. Family. Fonzie”.

    When Mahomes and the Chiefs got the ball at the KC 25-yard line with 1:46 remaining, he had his usual cool and calm presence.

    “When I went in the huddle, it was let’s just do it. Everyone had the mindset of take it one play at a time and get it when it counts,” said Mahomes, completed 20 of 34 passes for 329 yards.

    After the Chargers had pulled ahead 27-23 on Justin Herbert’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer with 1:46 left, Mahomes directed a six-play, 75-yard drive that took just 1:15.

    It was the 11th time in the regular-season that Mahomes had a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

    Despite missing two receivers due to injuries, he completed 3 of 4 for 48 yards on the drive and scrambled twice for an additional 22.

    The Chiefs also benefitted from a third-down holding call on Chargers’ safety Derwin James after an incomplete pass.

    After a 16-yard run by Mahomes and Kansas City timeout, Mahomes hit Kelce on a short crossing route that Kelce took to the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown,

    “We didn’t have our full arsenal of weapons. I was ready for the matchup,” said Kelce, who had six catches for 115 yards. “I knew they were going to play man-to-man and Patrick was going to look for me when it was 1-on-1. I was able to finish the game off on a positive note.”

    Herbert and the Chargers had one final chance, but Nick Bolton intercepted a deflected pass to seal it for the Chiefs (8-2), who swept the season series from Los Angeles (5-5) and took a three-game lead in the AFC West.

    It is the third straight year the Chargers have had a late lead at home against the Chiefs and were unable to finish.

    “You should be frustrated. To not beat those guys is disappointing because we felt like our level was good enough to win, but we didn’t finish plays in that fourth quarter to get it done,” Staley said after Los Angeles lost its second straight to fall to 5-5.

    With a one-game lead over four teams in the conference, Kansas City is in position to claim home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

    Kelce scored at least three touchdowns for the second time in his career. He scored four in a Monday night win over the Raiders on Oct. 10.

    Chiefs rookie Isiah Pacheco rushed for a career-high 107 yards.

    “Patrick and Travis calm everything down on both sides of the ball. The good players really stepped up when we needed it,” coach Andy Reid said. “I’m proud of our guys for stepping up offensively and defensively. That’s big-time football at the right time.

    Herbert went 23 of 30 for 280 yards and two touchdowns, both to Palmer, who had eight receptions for 106 yards. It was easily the Chargers’ best offensive performance in nearly a month as the unit was bolstered by the return of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

    Allen, playing only his third game due to a nagging hamstring injury, had five receptions for 94 yards, including a 46-yard catch up the right sideline on the go-ahead drive to put the ball on the Chiefs 16-yard line.

    “Mike (Williams) is about as tough as it gets, and Keenan (Allen), too. They’re special competitors, so any time that you get those guys out on the field, something good is going to happen. But, unfortunately, it didn’t go our way today,” Herbert said.

    Austin Ekeler had 100 yards (83 rushing, 17 receiving) and a touchdown.

    KELCE’S RECORD NIGHT

    It was Kelce’s 34th game with at least 100 yards receiving, surpassing Rob Gronkowski for the most by a tight end in NFL history. Eight of his 11 TDs this season have come in prime-time games.

    Kelce gave Kansas City a 13-10 lead early in the second quarter on a 4-yard screen pass where he imitated Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders’ high-skipping dance on his way to the end zone.

    Kelce’s 32-yard touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter put the Chiefs on top 23-20. Kelce caught the ball at the LA 26 after Asante Samuel Jr. made a diving attempt, broke a tackle by Nasir Adderley at the 16 and went up the right sideline for the score.

    QUICK START

    After Harrison Butker’s 33-yard field goal on the opening possession gave the Chiefs a 3-0 lead, the Charges promptly answered on their first drive in three plays. Palmer beat Juan Thornhill in single coverage and Herbert found him for a 50-yard touchdown.

    It was the first time in 20 regular-season games that Kansas City had allowed a touchdown on an opening drive.

    INJURIES

    Chiefs: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter, Thornhill had a calf injury in the second quarter and WR Kadarius Toney strained a hamstring in the third quarter. None returned to the game.

    Chargers: Williams’ return was short-lived. He reinjured his ankle after a 15-yard reception in the first quarter. … LB Kenneth Murray came out in the third quarter with a neck injury. … S Nasir Adderley had a thumb injury in the fourth quarter.

    UP NEXT

    Chiefs: Host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.

    Chargers: Return to the road to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday.

    ———

    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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