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Tag: Russell Wilson

  • Aht! Aht! Russell Wilson Clears The Air After Allegedly Being Named In Newly Released Jeffrey Epstein Files

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    Russell Wilson is not feeling the viral reactions to being named in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. He took to social media to clap back at allegations about his ties to the late sex offender. Wilson clarified why he’s been mentioned and distanced himself from the darker allegations of pedophilia surrounding others, including President Donald Trump.

    RELATED: Whoa! Jeffrey Epstein Files Begin Surfacing As DOJ Releases New Photos Showing Alleged High-Profile Connections

    Russell Wilson Gives “Not Me, Not I” Energy In Epstein Files Response 

    On Sunday (Feb. 1), Russell Wilson moved to clear his name and any alleged affiliations with Epstein and his former property. According to Yahoo! Sports, the NFL player’s name appeared in a new batch of files released by the Justice Department on Friday (Jan. 30). Russell was reportedly mentioned in two email chains between Jeffrey Epstein and his pilot, Larry Visoski, in January 2019.

    The emails were about Russell’s interest in Epstein’s private plane, a Gulfstream G-IV. A screenshot of the email shows Visosk claiming Wilson wanted to delay the purchase until after signing a new contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Months later, in April 2019, he signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension.

    “He took many photos and video during the flight, with his wife or girlfriend Ciara (she’s a fairly popular singer),” the email says. “I truly think, he will perform after he signs his contract.”

    Visosk shared that he and a person named Gary thought of a “creative contract” for Wilson. One proposal email listed the price at $3.2 million, while another listed it at $2.7 million. Other suggested terms included a $500,000 upfront payment, $16,000 monthly for coverage, a $28,000 veneer repair and 60 to 90 days to close deal or be subject to another nonrefundable $300,000.

    Years later, Russell Wilson has clarified that a deal never happened. Even more, he says he never spoke to or met Jeffery Epstein. He did not clarify the email thread’s claims that he took photos of the jet with Ciara in tow.

    “NOPE!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not TODAY satan! Some Random plane broker tried to sell me a plane. I had no idea whose plane and never bought the plane. Never talked nor Never met the man. Thank God!!! 🙌🏾”

     

    DOJ Likely Won’t Pursue Criminal Charges For Allegations In Epstein Files

    Russell Wilson aside. President Donald Trump’s Justice Department said Friday that it would be releasing more than 3 million pages of documents and more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. This comes after a law passed requiring the release of materials the DOJ collected during its longtime investigations into Epstein. The DOJ began releasing documents in December 2025.

    And while the internet is riled up over new (and old) names in the files, the DOJ seems unfazed, per the Associated Press. Rather than dig into allegations, a top Justice Department official played down the possibility of additional criminal charges arising from the files. On Sunday, the official, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the evidence doesn’t automatically equal charges.

    “There’s a lot of correspondence. There’s a lot of emails. There’s a lot of photographs. There’s a lot of horrible photographs that appear to be taken by Mr. Epstein or people around him,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday on CNN’s ‘State of the Union.’ “But that doesn’t allow us necessarily to prosecute somebody.”

    Blanche said victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuse “want to be made whole,” but that “doesn’t mean we can just create evidence or that we can just kind of come up with a case that isn’t there.”

    Additionally, he said there were a “ton of people” named in the files besides Trump. The FBI had fielded “hundreds of calls” about prominent individuals where the allegations were “quickly determined to not be credible,” Blanche said.

    Then, while appearing on ABC’s ‘This Week,’ Blanche confirmed there was a “small number of documents” the DOJ is waiting for a judge to approve for release. However, as for the DOJ digging into docs? “This review is over,” he reportedly said.

    “We reviewed over six million pieces of paper, thousands of videos, tens of thousands of images,” Blanche said.

    Some of Jeffrey Epstein’s personal email correspondence contained discussions with others about his preference for paying women for sex. That preference was ongoing, even after he served jail time for soliciting an underage prostitute. Epstein killed himself in a New York jail in August 2019, a month after being indicted on federal sex trafficking charges.

    DOJ Addresses Redaction Fails In Epstein-Related Files

    Meanwhile, on Monday, the DOJ circled back to address criticism about their redactions in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The agency confirmed it had pulled several thousand related documents and “media” from the search database. Their reason? Lawyers reportedly told a judge that nearly 100 victims’ lives have been “turned upside down” by sloppy redactions.

    The exposed materials include nude photos showing the faces of potential victims. Also included: names, email addresses and other identifying information that the DOJ either unredacted or didn’t fully obscure. The department blamed it on “technical or human error,” per the Associated Press.

    RELATED: Social Media Pops OFF After Nicki Minaj Praises Donald Trump For Rising Above Challenges (VIDEOS)

    Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister and Philip Marcelo contributed to this report via AP Newsroom. 

    What Do You Think Roomies?

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    Cassandra Santiago

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  • Keeler: Broncos should spend Russell Wilson money on getting Bo Nix receivers without butterfingers

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    Say this for Sean Payton: He sure liked to spread the drops around.

    The Broncos were the only NFL team to place three players among the league’s top 15 in dropped passes during the regular season, per Pro-Football-Reference.com — wide receiver Courtland Sutton (eight), tight end Evan Engram (eight) and running back RJ Harvey (seven).

    No wonder a 15-4 record feels like such a Boverachievement, in retrospect.

    It’s going to be a beast to repeat if Payton and GM George Paton don’t add an experienced, proven wideout for Bo Nix in 2026. Or a big-time tight end. Better yet, both.

    What the heck. Russell Wilson is off the books, right? Paton is rolling into the offseason with diamond encrusted Walmart gift card in his wallet. Go nuts.

    “I think the position that this team, the position that we’re in, (we) have a win-now mentality,” Engram said Monday at Dove Valley as the Broncos cleaned out their lockers following a 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC Championship. “And there are some things that we can work with to even make our roster even better.

    “So, yeah — I have the utmost faith in the guys upstairs, all the decision-makers, the coach. They’ve done a great job since they’ve been here. They’ve built (a) championship team. Being able to add to that already, we’re in a great spot. We’ll be in a good spot for a while.”

    Yeah, but you’ve got to strike now. Nix is on a rookie contract through 2027. That time is going to fly by. Like the Nuggets with Jokic and Murray and the Avs with MacKinnon and Makar, this is the window. Right here. We going for this? Or not?

    “Obviously, we need some key players to come in and do what they need to do by getting points on the scoreboard,” veteran left tackle Garett Bolles noted Monday. “(We’ve) got a phenomenal defense. We have everything we need. We just need a couple more playmakers, and sky’s the limit for this team.”

    Almost everything. Nix can sling it with Sam Darnold all stinking day. What do the Super-Bowl-bound Seahawks have that the Broncos don’t? A bell cow tailback (Kenneth Walker) who has averaged 15 games per season over his career. And a No. 1 wideout (Jaxson Smith-Njigba) who’s putting up seven catches and 86 receiving yards per game this postseason.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Ciara, Mayor Dickens Announce $500K Food Security Donation

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    The announcement was made at the Southwest Atlanta Cares Hub inside the fellowship hall of Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church, a longtime anchor in Atlanta’s West End area. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist Ciara Princess Wilson on Tuesday, December 23, to announce a $500,000 donation aimed at strengthening food access for families across Atlanta and Georgia, directing major support to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Southwest Atlanta Cares.

    The announcement was made at the Southwest Atlanta Cares Hub inside the fellowship hall of Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church, a longtime anchor in Atlanta’s West End area. The location highlighted the city’s reliance on neighborhood-based institutions as food insecurity continues to rise across metro Atlanta and North Georgia, particularly during the winter months.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Ciara said the donation, made through the Why Not You Foundation she shares with her husband, New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, reflects both her personal ties to Atlanta and the broader need facing families throughout Georgia. She described Atlanta as a city that helped shape her values and sense of purpose. Though born in Fort Hood, Texas, Ciara spent her teenage years in College Park, a suburb of Atlanta, where her family ultimately settled after moving across the country as part of a military upbringing. She attended North Clayton High School before graduating from Riverdale, and said her connection to metro Atlanta remains central to how she understands community and responsibility. Ciara added that the region’s ongoing struggles with hunger, particularly among children and working families speak to the need for sustained, local investment rather than one-time relief.

    “One in six children goes to bed hungry, and that has to change,” Ciara said while announcing the $500,000 contribution. She said the gift is intended to expand food security efforts while empowering families and young people across Atlanta to pursue their goals with stability and dignity.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Dickens said the donation builds on recent citywide efforts to address food access, including the launch of ATL Cares, an emergency response initiative created after delays in federal SNAP benefits disrupted households throughout Atlanta. Those delays, he said, exposed how quickly families across Georgia can be pushed into crisis when safety nets falter.

    The mayor credited the Atlanta Community Food Bank and its partners for stepping in during that period, providing emergency food distribution at a time when demand was already elevated. He said sustaining those services requires long-term investment and collaboration between city government, nonprofit organizations and private donors.

    “This donation means more meals on tables for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access,” Dickens said, adding that food security remains a cornerstone of Atlanta’s broader approach to economic stability and public health.

    Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, said the donation will help provide more than one million meals across metro Atlanta and North Georgia through the organization’s network of roughly 700 partner agencies. Those partners include faith-based organizations, community centers, and food pantries serving urban, suburban, and rural parts of the region.

    Waide said the need has grown sharply in recent years. The number of people served by the food bank has increased by about 70 percent over the past three and a half years, a trend he attributed largely to inflation, rising housing costs and broader economic pressure affecting families throughout Georgia. During the holiday season, he said, that strain is compounded as children lose access to school-based meals.

    While the event drew elected officials and a globally recognized entertainer, its impact was rooted in the everyday work happening inside the church and throughout southwest Atlanta. Kevin Bibbs,71,  a lifelong West Atlanta resident and longtime member of Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church, said the presence of high-profile figures matters less than the consistency of service.

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Bibbs, who has been part of the church for more than six decades, helps with maintenance and day-to-day operations to ensure food distributions run smoothly. He said his role has always been about service rather than recognition, describing the work as an extension of the church’s mission to care for the community. “I came to serve,” Bibbs said.

    He added that knowing families will be fed during the holidays carries special meaning in a city and state where economic gaps remain wide. “If we can help anybody, on any level, that’s a good thing,” Bibbs said.

    Dickens said initiatives like Southwest Atlanta Cares reflect a model the city hopes to replicate across Georgia’s urban centers in the coming years. Sustaining and expanding food pantries into 2026, he said, will depend on continued momentum, with residents, businesses and organizations contributing funding, volunteer hours and expertise to address hunger at the neighborhood level. “People are already stepping up and asking how they can be part of the group project,” Dickens said.

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    Noah Washington

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  • Grading The Week: Nuggets’ Jamal Murray sure looks like NBA All-Star to us

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    It’s Jamal Murray’s Team World. The rest of us are just living in it.

    Or rather, living in the glow of what might be the Nuggets guard’s best-ever start to a regular season — best statistical start, at any rate.

    While the Nuggets themselves are coming off a schizophrenic and inconsistent week, to put it kindly, after home losses to Sacramento and San Antonio, the Blue Arrow has quietly been tying a bow around his most productive November ever.

    Friday night’s 37-point performance against the Spurs at Ball Arena pushed No. 27’s scoring average over his first 12 games of the month to 23.2 per contest — easily his best clip for the month of November since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Jamal Murray: budding All-Star — A-minus.

    From Nov. 1-Nov. 28, Murray was connecting on 48% of his attempts from the floor and 40.4% from beyond the arc. As of Saturday morning, his November averages were 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 3.0 treys per tilt.

    If that sounds like a healthy jump from a year ago at this time, that’s because it is. Murray in November 2024 averaged 17.8 points, 6.7 dimes and 2.2 3-point makes over 10 games. In November 2023, Maple Curry averaged 12.5 points, 6.3 assists and 1.5 treys over just four appearances.

    Given that Murray is a historically slow-(ish) starter, Team Grading The Week (GTW) wanted to pause form stuffing our respective faces with turkey sandwiches and tip some collective caps in the Blue Arrow’s direction.

    For one, Murray promised that a dedicated summer of good health plus a intense workout schedule would lead to a better opening two months of the regular season. He’s been true to that word — so far, so good.

    For another, here’s hoping that yet another tweak in the NBA’s All-Star game format opens up a window for Murray to finally make the cut at age 28.

    Instead of conference-vs.-conference matchups, the main competition on ASG weekend will be a Team USA vs. Team World tourney. Only instead of two teams, there will be three teams comprised of eight players, with no positional restrictions, who will face off in a round-robin format.

    With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.6 points, 6.6 assist per game as of this past Friday) almost a lock to take up at least one Team World backcourt spot, Murray is going to have to keep this pace up to join his fellow Canadian at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., come mid-February. But with each passing week, Murray gets that much closer to crossing the threshold from almost to All-Star.

    Tad Boyle’s still got it — A.

    New DU men’s hoops coach Tim Bergstraser sure got the GTW crew’s attention earlier this month by beating CSU Rams and Ali Farokhmanesh in FoCo. Steve Smiley’s UNC Bears men’s basketball team improved to 6-1 this past Wednesday with a victory at Air Force. Thanksgiving weekend means we’re going to finally get some meaty inter-conference matchups on the hoops front, and no local men’s team has stepped up over the past few days the way GTW’s old pal Tad Boyle has with CU.

    Between Nov. 21-28, the Buffs (7-0) knocked off UC Davis at home by 16, then went to Palm Desert, Calif., for a holiday tourney — taking out a good San Francisco team by 10 and following that up with an 81-68 victory over Washington on Friday thanks to Bangot Dak’s 15 points and 11 boards.

    It’s too early to draw deep conclusions on the men’s hoops front locally, but not too early to dream. As of late Friday night, CU’s good week had moved the Buffs up to No. 65 on KenPom.com’s computer rankings, just ahead of CSU at No. 68. With both rivals needing a “name” win on their respective resumes before Christmas, the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Moby Arena on Dec. 6 figures to be, to paraphrase Russell Wilson, awfully spicy.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Jameis Winston set to start Sunday for Giants as Jaxson Dart deals with concussion protocol, new coach Kafka says | amNewYork

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    Jameis Winston will likely be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants this Sunday with Jaxson Dart under concussion protocol, interim head coach Mike Kafka said Wednesday.

    Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

    Interim Head Coach Mike Kafka has wasted no time making his mark on the New York Giants, naming Jameis Winston the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

    Jaxson Dart remains in concussion protocol after leaving last week’s loss to Chicago, and with his status still uncertain, the Giants are preparing Winston to take the reins in Week 11.

    For Winston, it’s another chance to prove he can still command a team. The former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has had a career defined by both talent and turbulence.

    Now in his 11th season and fourth different team, Winston owns a 44–61 record as a starter, with more than 24,000 passing yards and over 150 touchdowns to his name. His big arm and aggressive style have always been a double-edged sword, capable of lighting up a defense or forcing a costly turnover. But for a Giants team searching for energy, his confidence and experience might be exactly what’s needed.

    Kafka’s decision also signals a shift in direction for New York. Russell Wilson, who opened the season as the starter, has been passed over, and the move shows Kafka’s willingness to prioritize performance over reputation.

    “He’ll do a great job, I have a lot of confidence in Jameis,” Kafka said Wednesday. “I have a lot of confidence in Russ, and he’ll be the backup as Jaxson [Dart] works through concussion protocol.”

    At 2-8, the Giants are no longer playing for postseason position but for pride, progress, and evaluation. Kafka himself is auditioning for the permanent head coaching job, hoping to convince the front office to take the “interim” label off his title at the end of the season.

    Winston’s start offers a new look at how this team can function under a different voice in the huddle and a different style behind center.

    The opportunity carries weight for Winston personally as well. After bouncing around the league and spending time as a backup, he’s once again in a position to remind everyone why he was once viewed as a franchise cornerstone. His leadership, lightheartiness, and presence could provide much-needed relief for a locker room that’s endured a season full of heartbreak.

    For Kafka, this marks his first big call as interim head coach — a calculated gamble on experience and upside. And for Winston, it’s a familiar scenario: another chance to take the field, take command, and perhaps rewrite the next chapter of his unpredictable but resilient career.

    Kafka on Wednesday also named tight end coach Tim Kelly as the offensive coordinator. 

    “He’s a really smart coach who will help us tie in the run game, the pass game, does a great job with a lot of good experiences to bank on,” Kafka said.

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    By Ryan Nieskens

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  • 15 Athlete-Celebrity Couples Whose Relationships Are Entire Plotlines

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    Source: Cindy Ord/MG25 / Getty

    There’s something magnetic about athlete-celebrity couples. Maybe it’s the mix of locker room grit and red-carpet glamour, or how two worlds built on pressure and perfection somehow find common ground. Whether it’s a quarterback dating a pop star or a tennis legend marrying a tech mogul, these pairings always seem to grab our attention…and for good reason.

    RELATED: ‘All’s Fair’ Fineness: Teyana Taylor, Niecy Nash, & Birthday Baddie Kimmy Kakes Lead The ‘All’s Fair’ Cast In Serving Luxe Looks At Paris Premiere

    Athletes and celebs live fast, busy, spotlight-heavy lives. They understand what it’s like to be chased by cameras, critiqued by millions, and still perform at the highest level. That shared intensity can build a unique kind of bond, but it also makes dating a tricky endeavor. Between endless travel, demanding schedules, and the constant public microscope, love can be a challenging game to win. Add cheating rumors, fan theories, and social media drama, and suddenly, even a small dinner date can become front-page news.

    Still, the fascination never fades. We love watching these worlds collide as few things top the touchdowns and love songs, the courtside kisses and runway moments. These couples show us what happens when ambition meets admiration, when two people who understand the grind decide to take on the spotlight together.

    From all-time icons to modern-day favorites, these pairings have defined pop culture, dominated headlines, and proven that chemistry can thrive under the brightest lights. Some are timeless, some were short-lived, but all of them left their mark. Here are athlete-celebrity couples (past and present) who prove that love, fame, and a little chaos make the perfect combination.

    RELATED: Cutely Coupled Up: Ashanti Surprises Nelly With Second Celebration After His Star-Studded ‘Hall-Mo-Ween’ Birthday Bash

    1. David Beckham & Victoria Beckham


    Source:victoriabeckham

    The blueprint for all power couples. He was Manchester United’s golden boy; she was Posh Spice. Twenty-plus years later, they’re still the definition of class and chemistry. 

    2. Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift


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    The NFL star and global pop queen turned 2023 into one big crossover event. Stadiums, songs, and sideline shots…their romance is the cultural moment. 

    3. Russell Wilson & Ciara


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    Faith, family, and finesse. From NFL sidelines to R&B stages, they’ve built a brand on love and positivity and make it look effortless. 

    4. Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen

    The Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between, Arrivals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA - 01 May 2017

    Source:Getty

    The quarterback and the supermodel ran the world for over a decade. Even after their split, they remain a masterclass in mutual respect and drive. 

    5. Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian


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    A love story that proves opposites not only attract, they dominate. The tennis icon and Reddit co-founder built a life rooted in equality and admiration. 

    6. Michael Jordan & Yvette Prieto


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    The GOAT found peace and privacy with the Cuban-born model. They keep things quiet, classy, and out of the headlines. 

    7. Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union

    5th Annual Academy Museum Gala - Arrivals

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    Stylish, outspoken, and solid. Whether it’s fashion week or family life, they show up for each other every time. 

    8. Carmelo Anthony & La La Anthony


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    They ruled the early 2010s – red carpets, MTV shows, and courtside love. Even after their split, their story remains an iconic one. 

    9. Alex Rodriguez & Jennifer Lopez


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    Baseball meets pop perfection. They were engaged, blended families, and nearly walked down the aisle…until it all unraveled in true tabloid fashion. 

    10. Naomi Osaka & Cordae


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    The tennis superstar and Grammy-nominated rapper are lowkey and authentic. They support each other’s dreams and keep the focus on growth, not gossip. 

    11. Dennis Rodman & Carmen Electra

    BKN-RODMAN PRESSER 2

    Source:Getty

    Wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Their ’90s fling was pure pop culture chaos and we loved every second. 

    12. Jessica Simpson & Tom Brady

    Jessica Simpson Celebrates Her 28th Birthday

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    Remember this one? The Dallas QB and pop princess dominated headlines in the mid-2000s before calling it quits. 

    13. Aaron Rodgers & Shailene Woodley


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    The MVP and the indie actress had a short but fascinating run. Meditation meets Monday Night Football. 

    14. Odell Beckham Jr. & Lauren Wood


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    The NFL star and influencer share a son and a stylish bond. Together, they redefined what young power couples could look like. 

    15. Kim Kardashian & Reggie Bush

    USA - Y-3 Fall 2009 - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

    Source:Getty

    Before Kanye, before Pete, there was Reggie. They were the ultimate reality-era couple. Football fame meets Hollywood shine. 

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    Davonta Herring

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  • Grading The Week: Broncos’ passing woes wouldn’t be saved by Jaylen Waddle at NFL trade deadline

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    Jaylen Waddle can’t throw the ball to himself.

    It’s kind of been the worst “best” week for the Broncos that anybody on the Grading The Week (GTW) crew can remember.

    After all, the orange and blue went 2-0 over the last seven days to extend Denver’s lead atop the AFC West with an 8-2 record. The Broncos set up a showdown with the Chiefs (5-4) at Empower Field on Nov. 16 that could officially end the Mahomes-Reid stranglehold on the division.

    It’s how they got there. A victory over the Texans (18-15) was due to a brilliant defense and a very timely injury to Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. A win over the Raiders (10-7) on Thursday night was an exercise in sheer agony. Brilliant defense again, but mostly agony.

    In between the games, Sean Payton was grouchier than usual. And on Tuesday, despite being on track for a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Broncos elected to stand pat as the trade deadline came and went. Marcedes Lewis, the 41-year-old “blocking” tight end, was Broncos Country’s midseason acquisition of note. Everybody dance!

    Broncos at the NFL trade deadline — D

    Payton insisted midweek that he had everything he needed inside Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit. Against Vegas, his offense showed him otherwise.

    Several reports over the last few weeks had the Broncos sniffing around at offensive additions, primarily at wide receiver. Denver was allegedly a suitor for New Orleans wideout Rashid Shaheed, only to be pipped by the Seahawks.

    NFL reporter Jordan Schultz then claimed the Broncos reached out to the Dolphins to inquire about Shaheed clone Jaylen Waddle, only to find the reported asking price — a first-round draft pick, at the least — to be too steep.

    Considering the Colts (7-2) coughed up two first-round picks to free star cornerback Sauce Gardner from the Jets, it puzzled the kids in the GTW offices why the Broncos wouldn’t consider a corresponding move in kind. Nix will only be on a rookie contract for so long, and the Broncos’ cap situation improves significantly in 2026.

    Waddle would be an upgrade over Troy Franklin. But we’re not sure he’d be a significant improvement over Marvin Mims Jr., assuming the latter is good to go. And it would be a waste of a first-rounder to land a guy that Sean Payton would likely just be asking to block on screens anyway.

    DePodesta is a Rockie! — C

    The GTW gang is torn on this one. We’re mildly and pleasantly surprised that Rockies CEO Dick Monfort hired a director of baseball operations from a) outside the organization; and b) outside his genetic family tree. Baby steps, after all, are still steps.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Giants’ Russell Wilson calls Broncos head coach Sean Payton ‘classless’ after postgame jab

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    Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton gave New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart his flowers after an epic come-from-behind win for the Broncos Sunday. 

    But Payton wanted to face the veteran Super Bowl champion quarterback the Giants have behind Dart, Russell Wilson. 

    “They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said of Dart during his postgame press conference after Denver’s 33-32 victory. “I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game.”

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    Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to quarterback Russell Wilson on the sidelin during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

    While Payton could’ve simply meant Dart gave his team problems — the Giants held a 26-8 lead late in the fourth quarter before a thrilling comeback — Wilson didn’t appreciate the words from his former Broncos coach. 

    These two have obvious history, and Wilson viewed his former head coach’s comments as “classless.”

    “Classless… but not surprised… Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media,” Wilson posted on X with some laughing emoji and his famous #LetsRide hashtag he used while a member of the Broncos from 2022-23. 

    GIANTS’ BRIAN DABOLL TALKS STARTING JAXSON DART OVER RUSSELL WILSON: ‘IT’S MY DECISION’

    Wilson’s “bounty hunting” comment is also a jab at Payton’s scandal while head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The NFL found Payton’s squad guilty of placing a bounty on targeted players, leading to the head coach’s season-long suspension in 2012 as part of the severe punishment from the league. 

    The relationship between Wilson and Payton was rocky, to say the least, after the former was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos in 2022. It didn’t last long for Wilson. Payton benched him in 2023, and he was released during the 2024 offseason despite Denver taking on a whopping $85 million in dead money. 

    Wilson ended up going 11-19 in his starts for Denver with zero playoff appearances. 

    Russell Wilson and Sean Payton speak on field

    Sean Payton and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos look on from the sideline during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

    Wilson wasn’t happy with his benching in 2023, especially after he said the Broncos threatened to bench him earlier that year if he did not waive an injury guarantee in his contract. Wilson had $37 million guaranteed if he could not pass a physical on the fifth day of the new league year in March 2024. 

    Greg Penner, the Broncos’ owner and CEO, denied the team ever threatened Wilson. He said the franchise wanted to negotiate “in good faith” about contract adjustments, though Wilson said he would be getting the NFLPA involved. The NFLPA later sent a letter to the Broncos stating that any threat would be a violation of the league’s CBA. 

    Still being paid by the Broncos, Wilson signed a veteran minimum deal for one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants signed Wilson this past offseason, as well as Jameis Winston, to provide a veteran presence around Dart, who New York traded back in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to snag out of Ole Miss.

    Head coach Brian Daboll made it clear all through training camp that Wilson was the starter for his team, but after three straight losses to open the season, the switch was made to Dart. Dart won his first NFL start in a massive upset over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos’ AFC West nemesis, at MetLife Stadium in Week 4. 

    Russell Wilson looks on during national anthem

    Russell Wilson of the New York Giants looks on from the sideline during the national anthem before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

    Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL. 

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    It remains Dart’s offense for the foreseeable future with Wilson backing him up in New York. 

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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  • Broncos’ Sean Payton hoped Giants would make QB change from Russell Wilson to Jaxson Dart ‘long after our game’

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    For a second straight year, Empower Field didn’t see a Russell Wilson revenge game.

    But Sean Payton was evidently hoping for one.

    The Giants benched the former Broncos quarterback after just three games this season, turning instead to first-round rookie Jaxson Dart, who continued a stretch of generally strong play with a 283-yard, three-touchdown performance against Denver on Sunday. For three quarters, he gave Broncos coordinator Vance Joseph fits, sliding laterally side-to-side in the pocket to negate a juiced-up Broncos pass rush. And postgame, Payton offered a note of praise to Dart — and, perhaps, a note of shade to Wilson.

    “They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said.

    “I was talking to John Mara not too long ago,” he continued, speaking of the Giants’ owner, “and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would have happened long after our game.’”

    Wilson threw for 3,070 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his lone season under Payton in 2023, and then was benched for Jarrett Stidham at the end of the year. The Broncos, of course, then took on a record $85 million in dead salary-cap charges just to cut bait with Wilson.

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    Luca Evans

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  • Renck & File: Giants’ Jaxson Dart is having fun. He won’t be smiling vs. Broncos on Sunday

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    Time for the anvil to drop on Arm&Hammer.

    Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo have injected enthusiasm into the veins of a long-suffering fanbase, hope into a long-suffering franchise. They have a cool aforementioned nickname.

    Skattebo has been a revelation. Cast as a situational player in the draft, he boasts 338 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He is Brian Bosworth meets Mike Alstott, inspiring teammates with his rock’em, sock’em robot running style. He leads with his chin in every conversation and carry.

    But Dart needs to cool his jets. If, for no other reason, based on what just happened to the Jets.

    Some cayenne pepper got sprinkled on Sunday’s game with trash talk, sanitized as it was. Reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week Jonathon Cooper made it clear he is not impressed with Dart, saying, “He’s feeling himself a lil’ bit. He’s out there running around. He’s got the chain on. He’s dancing. I feel like everybody needs something, you know.”

    It was a warning. Dart found it amusing.

    “I think a lot of guys wear chains and dance when they score touchdowns,” Dart told the New York Post. “I appreciate him following my dance touchdowns.”

    Covering players like Dart is a blast. But quarterbacks lacking humility get clobbered by reality.

    Drew Lock ring any bells?

    He was the singing QB with the nifty backpack celebration until he wasn’t. He has been cast as a career backup since 2021. Dart is more athletic than Lock, but his total disregard for his body and overconfidence have helped him lead the league in blue tent visits the past three weeks.

    This Broncos defense is frothing, eager to put on a show to impress the Super Bowl 50 champions, who will be honored at halftime.

    Dart is great for the Giants, even if his yards per play are worse than Russell Wilson’s. He loves attention. He just picked the wrong week to engage in verbal jousting. The Broncos have not allowed a touchdown at home, while posting nine sacks.

    Good luck “Hanging with Mr. Cooper” on Sunday, Dart.

    It is the team, not QB: Time to stop pointing the finger at first-round quarterbacks who fail when history shows coaching and organizational dysfunction is largely to blame. Baker Mayfield is 5-1, and an MVP candidate. Daniel Jones is 5-1 and an MVP candidate. Sam Darnold is 4-2 for Seattle. Here are the records of the teams that drafted them: Cleveland is 1-5, the Giants are 2-3-1 and the Jets are winless.

    Wrong tone: The Chiefs welcome back receiver Rashee Rice this week. Can folks stop acting like he is returning from knee surgery? He was suspended for six games for his involvement in a six-car crash that resulted in multiple injuries and led Rice to plead guilty to two felony charges. His absence had nothing to do with his health.

    Latin for winning: Talked to Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas. And teammates about Jonas Valanciunas. It is clear he has bought into his role as Nikola Jokic’s backup on a team with championship expectations, following the “Age Quod Agis” message posted on the practice wall. Translated, it means: “Do what you do.” Valanciunas gets it.

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    Troy Renck

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  • Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper not fazed by Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart: ‘Ain’t nothing we haven’t seen’

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    The kings of New York are here, and they are 22 and 23 years old. In the span of three short weeks, a rookie quarterback and a rookie running back have revitalized the downtrodden Big Blue with sheer frat-bro energy. They exchange vibrational communication by touching heads like baby elephants, and the quarterback sports a diamond necklace, and the running back does flips in the end zone after touchdowns.

    Their names are Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, and this New York Giants duo appears to fear nothing. Certainly not head trauma. Dart flung himself noggin-first into an Eagles defender in Week 5, and has been evaluated for a concussion three times in four games. Skattebo got himself ready for games at Arizona State by pounding his helmet against a brick wall. They have infused Jersey with a little Gen-Z flair, and their swagger was enough to bury the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles on Thursday Night Football last week.

    But a stable of Broncos await in Denver on Sunday, ready to kick. This is confidence on confidence. Denver’s locker room has “our Skattebo,” as defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers pointed, in Jonathon Cooper — a muscled-up 27-year-old former seventh-rounder who came out from the locker room at every training camp practice roaring at nobody in particular. And who just won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. And is part of a Broncos pass-rush that fears nothing, either.

    Certainly not the Giants’ 22-year-old rookie quarterback with his reckless legs and golden flow.

    “I mean, he’s a young guy,” Cooper said of Dart, his nose curling up in a sneer. “He’s feeling himself a lil’ bit. He’s out there running around. He’s got the chain on. He’s dancing. I feel like everybody needs something, you know.

    “But we’ve went against QBs who have ran around in the pocket and who’ve tried to do stuff with their legs,” Cooper said. “So, ain’t nothing we haven’t seen.”

    Skattebo and Dart will bring a heap of earned chutzpah on the plane with them to Denver Sunday. But this Broncos’ defense’s own confidence at every level — and its play-caller’s — is as high as it’s been all season, after sacking Jets quarterback Justin Fields nine times last Sunday. The stat-sheet from London is still burning: -10 net passing yards for the Jets, a fact that prompted a hat-tip from Giants head coach Brian Daboll on Wednesday.

    “They’re just really good,” Daboll said. “They play good coverage, complement it with the front. They disguise well. I mean, they’re as good as it gets right now.”

    Since taking over from former Bronco Russell Wilson in Week 3, Dart has played largely excellent football in a 2-1 stretch, with wins over the Chargers and Eagles. The former Ole Miss QB’s legs have become a major engine to New York’s offense, with 167 rushing yards in that span. He’s escaped pressure with aplomb.

    The Broncos’ pass-rush, however, has seen two of the league’s best scrambling quarterbacks the past two weeks. They turned the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts into a thrower in Week 5 — two carries for three yards — and turned Philadelphia’s offense one-dimensional because of it. Then they turned the Jets’ Fields into, frankly, a shell of an NFL quarterback in Week 6.

    It’s one of head coach Sean Payton’s favorite sayings: Confidence is born from demonstrated ability. This Broncos front has it.

    “We play one of the best quarterbacks twice a year, every single year,” Cooper said Wednesday, likely referring to the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. “So once you go against that, you kinda get a feel of the game. And, you know what you need to do. You gotta make ‘em feel uncomfortable in the pocket.

    “So, you can’t let ‘em get that confidence and that ego going.”

    Their ego’s going, plenty. And deservedly so. The ability of the Broncos’ core four pass-rushers up front to win one-on-ones — Cooper, NFL sack leader Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Franklin-Myers — and the secondary’s ability to win in man coverage on the back-end has given coordinator Vance Joseph the ingredients and the gall of a mad scientist.

    With Denver backed up in their own territory and up two late in the fourth quarter against New York, at the short end of the stick relative to the clock, Joseph sent the house on three of the Jets’ last four downs. Sack. Incompletion. Seven-yard completion. Sack. Ballgame.

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    Luca Evans

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  • Bengals Trade Prediction Lands 10-Time Pro Bowl Replaceme…

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    The Cincinnati Bengals offense has been a horror show of turnovers since quarterback Joe Burrow went down in Week 2, and if backup Jake Browning can’t get his act together soon, the team will likely need to explore alternate options.

    Aside from Browning, the only other signal-caller on the active roster is Brett Rypien, who was a castoff of the Minnesota Vikings late in the preseason. Meanwhile, Burrow could miss most of what remains of the year after surgery to repair damage from turf toe that is likely to sideline him until at least December.

    Cincinnati inked both Mike White and Sean Clifford to the practice squad on Sept. 17 in the wake of Burrow’s injury, but Rypien and White have just 11 NFL starts between them (4-7 record), while Clifford has thrown just three passes in two regular-season appearances since joining the league in 2023.

    Read More: Bills QB Josh Allen Could Face NFL Punishment for Celebration vs Dolphins

    Browning was relatively impressive across a long stretch two years ago as Burrow’s replacement, leading the team to a 4-3 record in nine appearances and tallying 1,936 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that success across two games in 2025, he’s leading the NFL with five interceptions, and the Bengals offense has turned the football over eight times total in his two appearances.

    None of the current options in free agency are promising, as Cincinnati’s decision to sign White and Clifford to the practice squad after elevating Rypien into the QB2 role clearly indicates. The trade market isn’t much better, however 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson may be worth a flier after the New York Giants benched him earlier this week in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart, as Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report proposed.

    New York Giants QB Russell Wilson

    “With Jameis Winston in the fold as Dart’s backup/mentor, the Giants should immediately view [Wilson] as expendable,” Knox wrote. “While Wilson has only looked good in one of his three outings this season, he’s a very experienced starter who could potentially fill in for one of the myriad of injured quarterbacks for a game or two. Perhaps more importantly, Wilson’s $2 million base salary would make him a reasonable target for virtually any team.”

    Wilson is now 36 years old, but he can still get it done against average and below-average defenses. He proved as much in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, when he threw for 450 yards and three scores in a 40-37 overtime road loss.

    And with Wilson recently being benched — a move head coach Brian Daboll made clear was for the rest of the season — perhaps the Giants would be inclined to part with Wilson and recoup any form of draft compensation with Jameis Winston a capable backup behind Dart.

    Read More: Shedeur Sanders Breaks Silence on Browns’ Rumored QB Plans

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  • Chiefs overcome sloppy start to pick up 1st win of season

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    The Kansas City Chiefs overcame some sloppy play to pick up their first win of the season against the New York Giants on Sunday night, 22-9.

    The Chiefs seemed incredibly stagnant in the first half. Kansas City was having a tough time figuring out the Giants’ defense and several players were dropping some key passes. It all changed in the second half as Patrick Mahomes found a rhythm and holes in the Giants’ secondary.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws as New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

    Mahomes found Tyquan Thornton for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give the Chiefs a 10-point cushion against the Giants. After New York narrowed the deficit to seven points, Mahomes needed to make a play to get Kansas City back on the board. 

    He found Thornton again for a 33-yard pass to the 1-yard line. Thornton made an acrobatic play, which set up running back Kareem Hunt for a touchdown from the goal line.

    Travis Kelce’s own frustrations boiled over in the first half. As he walked off the field following a drive in the second quarter, he and Andy Reid appeared to have words with each other. He refocused his efforts in the second half and had a key third down catch on the team’s touchdown drive in the third quarter.

    Tyquan Thornton celebrates

    Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) is congratulated by teammates Travis Kelce, left, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

    COWBOYS’ GEORGE PICKENS SLAMS HIS HELMET IN FRUSTRATION AFTER MISSED CATCH LEADS TO INTERCEPTION

    Kansas City held strong even as Russell Wilson guided the team down the field late in the fourth quarter. The defense frustrated the veteran quarterback enough to look like a shade of himself from last week.

    Mahomes finished 22-of-37 with 224 passing yards and a lone touchdown pass. Thornton led the Chiefs with five catches for 71 yards and the score. Kelce had four catches for 26 yards.

    The Chiefs’ defense held Wilson to 160 passing yards. He was sacked twice.

    Giants rookie Cam Skattebo may have been the only bright spot for the Giants. He had 60 rushing yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. He also led the team with six catches for 61 yards.

    Bryan Cook breaks up a pass

    Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1)during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Kansas City moved to 1-2 and New York fell to 0-3.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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  • Giants’ Russell Wilson keeping trademark confidence with Jaxson Dart looming | amNewYork

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    Sep 7, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) makes a pass during the second quarter against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

    Russell Wilson wasn’t shy in admitting that his debut with the New York Giants didn’t go well, which only confirms what the numbers already showed. Going 17 of 37 for 168 yards with multiple stall-outs in the red zone was about as inauspicious as it could get in the 21-6 loss to the Washington Commanders. 

    He’s getting another chance on Sunday for Big Blue’s Week 2 matchup in Dallas against the Cowboys, but Jaxson Dart is nipping at his heels, and a desperate head coach, Brian Daboll, who is trying to save his job this season, will turn to the rookie sooner rather than later if necessary.

    “I think that you embrace challenge,” Wilson said when asked about Dart looming behind him on the depth chart. “I don’t think I run from challenges. I don’t think I run from anything. I know how confident I am in myself… I never blink, guys. That’s the thing about me. I just know who I am and know what I bring to the table.”

    It wasn’t until Monday that Daboll named Wilson the starter, dodging the initial questions directly after Sunday’s season-opening loss in Landover.

    “He just said it’s people trying to make noise and this and that,” Wilson added.

    But the noise is only being amplified by Daboll, who is not shy to talk about Dart and his impending NFL debut.

    “Each day we’re trying to groom him, and when he has to play, he’ll be ready to play,” Daboll said. “As a young quarterback, there’s so many different things that you’re going to have to go through. There’ll be ups and downs, but in terms of the process that we’re doing with him, each day, he does a little bit better. Meetings, protections, show team. We’ll continue to do that.”

    Jaxson Dart Giants sideline: Football player in blue uniform watches game with towel wrapped around head
    Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

    Dart is running the scout team, which gives the defense a look at how, in this case, the Cowboys might attack them on Sunday afternoon. He then gets a couple of snaps with the first team, followed by a run-through of the Giants offense’s “script” for gameday. He then stays after practice and works through that script by throwing to receivers. 

    This, obviously, would not be the course of action if Daboll didn’t think that Dart was ready to break through. The only way to keep him No. 2 on the depth chart is for Wilson to step up his and the Giants offense’s game.

    “I didn’t play good enough,” Wilson admitted. “I think you always want to play better. Obviously, whenever you don’t win, you always feel like there’s more to do. I think that’s the biggest thing, and just focus on playing it great this week.

    For more on Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, and the Giants, visit AMNY.com

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    Joe Pantorno

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  • Ciara Slams Spectators Who Call ‘Corny’ Husband Russell Wilson A ‘Simp’: Have You Ever Been Loved Right?’

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    Ciara isn’t concerned with anyone calling her man “corny.”

    Source: Amy Sussman / Getty

    The singer stopped by The Breakfast Club for an interview on Friday, Aug 22, where she discussed the opinions of the outside world on her relationship.

    During their conversation, Charlamagne Tha God asked Ciara what she thinks of the people who call her husband “corny,” to which she quickly said, “I don’t even have to reply to that.”

    “Why would I even respond to that, you know what I’m saying? I know what I know, and that’s all that matters,” she continued.

    The mother of four went on to praise her husband, calling the New York Giants quarterback, “the most amazing human being you can know.”

    “The smartest, most intelligent Black man that I have ever known, you know,” she gushed “What you see with him is really who he is. So, it’s beautiful, it’s different.”

    Still wanting to get a reaction out of Ciara, Charlamagne went on to note the men on The Breakfast Club have had conversations about why Wilson often gets called “a simp.”

    In response to this, the “Body Party” singer had a similar response, insisting the opinions of people on the outside have no place in her relationship.

    “Well, I think it depends on…well, who’s the man saying it?” Ciara said. “I’m not gonna go down a specific lane, I’m just saying, who’s the man saying it?”

    She continued: “It’s like someone’s saying the person doesn’t love someone, but have you ever loved someone right? Have you ever been loved right? So, sometimes, people, to me, speak out of pocket because they just don’t know.

    In response to all of the negative attention her relationship gets, Ciara would rather say “God bless them” than get mad.

    “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but we don’t have to live, I don’t have to live my life to prove anything to anybody,” she explained. “I think sometimes, too, people just have a perspective because of the way they see life.”

    The singer concluded, “And that might just be their way, but, you know, to me, too bad for them if they want to live life a certain way and love people a certain way. Too bad for them.”

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    Rebecah Jacobs

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  • Grading The Week: Nuggets star Nikola Jokic dished out almost $400,000 in gifts to Serbian teammates, because of course he did

    Grading The Week: Nuggets star Nikola Jokic dished out almost $400,000 in gifts to Serbian teammates, because of course he did

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    Nikola Jokic isn’t just the best hoops player on the planet when it comes to dishing out dimes.

    The Big Honey might be the best when it comes to dishing out bling, too.

    Despite our crack staff being in the writing biz, Team Grading The Week believes actions speak louder than all the words on this page.

    And GTW is firmly in the camp of backing up your brags.

    Is anybody — certainly not anybody in the basketball sphere — conquering both fronts better than the Joker is, right here and now?

    The NBA’s three-time MVP didn’t just help carry the Serbian hoops squad to a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. According to the Blic newspaper in his native country, Jokic purchased Rolex watches for every one of his teammates on the national team.

    Jokic’s Serbian gifts — A

    The kicker? Those timepieces were reportedly worth $32,500 each. Which puts the Joker’s total purchase at an estimated $357,500 for 11 watches.

    Jokic and Serbia won the men’s hoops bronze in Paris thanks to a 93-83 win over Germany in the tourney’s third-place game. The Nuggets star posted a very Jokic stat line, too — 19 points, 12 boards and 11 assists.

    The Joker averaged 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists for his homeland, which finished 4-2 at the tourney. He led all tournament players in points, boards and dimes — the first Olympian to ever top all three categories in one campaign.

    Apparently, nobody gives like Jokic gives when it comes to the gift department, either. At least the fantastic gesture was one the Joker could afford: The Nuggets center, per Spotrac.com, is slated to take up $51.4 million in cap space in ’24-’25, and $55.2 million in ’25-’26.

    If you’re like the GTW staff, you don’t just want Jokic as your franchise centerpiece now. You kind of want him as your secret Santa, too.

    Big Russ’ debut — D

    Russell Wilson’s Steelers stats after preseason Week 2: One appearance, five drives led, zero points, three sacks taken.

    Bo Nix’s Broncos stats after preseason Week 2: Two appearances, seven drives led, 30 points, zero sacks taken.

    It’s early, and we’ll know in a month whether Sean Payton won the Broncos-Steelers game, head-to-head. But the coach is off to a flying start in terms of winning the argument. And in justifying one hellaciously expensive football divorce.

    Valor’s Friday — A

    Love ’em or hate ’em, this past Friday was a pretty good day to be an Eagle.

    Earlier in the day, Valor alum and PGA star Wyndham Clark pulled himself back into the BMW Championship title picture by shooting a 68 during his second round at Castle Pines — including five birdies. Later that evening, his alma mater’s football team opened its season with a 31-14 victory over Pine Creek. The latter had beaten Valor in last September’s meeting, 31-17.

    Originally Published:

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Family Funday In Fantasyland: Ciara & Russell Wilson Celebrate Son Win’s 4th Birthday At Disney World, Make Magical Memories With Mickey Mouse

    Family Funday In Fantasyland: Ciara & Russell Wilson Celebrate Son Win’s 4th Birthday At Disney World, Make Magical Memories With Mickey Mouse

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    Happy birthday, Win!

    Source: Olga Thompson

    Marriage goals Ciara and Russell Wilson took a break from their busy schedules to make magical moments with their adorable kiddos while celebrating Win’s 4th birthday at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Ciara, Russell Wilson, and their kids visit Disney World

    Source: Olga Thompson

    Ciara, Russell Wilson, and their kids visit Disney World

    Source: Olga Thompson

    The family funday marked Win’s first time at Magic Kingdom Park where the steadily growing Wilsons met up with Mickey before enjoying beloved attractions including the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

    Currently running through hits on Missy Elliott‘s ‘Out Of This World’ Tour, Ciara caused a commotion with a video thirst trap flaunting her post-baby bawwwdy during a recent show.

    You may recall the muva of 5 applying all of the pressure at Vanity Fair’s star-studded Oscars party in Beverly Hills.

    The “Goodies” singer stunned in a curve-caressing Usama Ishtay dress that stole the show at thee premier Oscar weekend bash in Hollywood.

    Prior to that moment, CiCi shook up the SAG Awards with a swoon-worthy serve that whipped social media into a thirsty tizzy.

    Fans couldn’t get enough of CiCi Thee Stallion who had hubby Russy openly thirsting over her in a viral video clip.

    Back in April, Ciara was candid about her weight loss journey and revealed her goal of losing 70 pounds of post-baby weight ahead of the tour.

    “Trying to lose 70lbs post baby, prepare for a show and tour while breastfeeding, and running my businesses…Shout out to all my mammas out there gettin in, I see you! ToughSh$t. #MambaMentality🐍” she wrote on Instagram.

    Either way, she looks GOODT and recently celebrated her last day of breastfeeding just two days before the tour began.

    Are you planning on getting your automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh fix at a Missy tour stop near you? Tell us down below!

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    Alex Ford

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  • Keeler: Broncos landing Zach Wilson at QB? Smart. Settling on Wilson if Bo Nix, Michael Penix are available? Dumb.

    Keeler: Broncos landing Zach Wilson at QB? Smart. Settling on Wilson if Bo Nix, Michael Penix are available? Dumb.

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    Rescuing Zach Wilson is smart. Stopping at Zach Wilson is hubris.

    As a quarterback, Wilson’s merely appetizer material. If the NFL draft is still serving Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. as a main course, and at a reasonable cost, the Broncos would be crazy not to bite.

    A QB room consisting of Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci and a seventh-round flier to be named late would be the worst in the division (pending Raiderfoonery ). And arguably the worst in an AFC that’s still loaded with franchise signal-callers.

    In isolation, though, you get it. Landing Wilson from the Jets with a seventh-round pick for a sixth-rounder is a solid, low-cap, low-risk move. It just better not be the only one, at least where the quarterback is concerned.

    After Russell Wilson took the money and ran, the best thing the Broncos could do at QB1 right now is open this competition to the masses. Bring in as many bodies as you can afford until one of them actually sticks.

    And, on paper, this body’s got more upside than most. Maybe. The draftniks at NFL.com three years ago described the 24-year-old Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the ’21 draft, as a “blend (of) Jake Plummer and Johnny Manziel coming out of (BYU).” Which is both awesome (the Plummer part) and terrifying (the Manziel part) in the same sentence.

    On one hand, the kid did beat Russell Wilson, head-to-head, at Empower Field as a visiting QB with the Jets twice in two trips since September 2022.

    On the other, what the heck does that say?

    If you look at Zach Wilson’s 30 career starts against anyone not named the Broncos, he’s sported a 10-20 record, thrown 23 touchdowns and 22 picks, and completed 17 passes per game at a clip of 56.5%.

    Also, he got benched for Trevor Siemian. 2023 Trevor Siemian.

    Wiser football heads, old coaches and scouts texted me Monday to say they still see a spark in Zach Wilson, that nobody could’ve walked away from the dumpster fire that is the J-E-T-S without some second-degree burns. That maybe Broncos QB Whisperer Sean Payton — Russell Wilson notwithstanding — is the sensei who winds up bringing it out of the guy, the way he brought it out of Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater and Kerry Collins, another top-5 bust in his early days with Carolina.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Drawls Destroyers Damson Idris & Russell Wilson Named As Two Of ESSENCE’s ‘Sexiest Men Of The Moment’—Which Skivvies Sizzler Is Next?

    Drawls Destroyers Damson Idris & Russell Wilson Named As Two Of ESSENCE’s ‘Sexiest Men Of The Moment’—Which Skivvies Sizzler Is Next?

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    Source: Adrienne Raquel, @AdrienneRaquel / Essence

    After ESSENCE teased an “eclipse” of steamy drawl destroyers who made their inaugural “Sexiest Men of the Moment” list; two have been revealed. The inclusion of a sexy “brick by brick” Brit and CiCi’s chiseled sweetie has readers wondering which celeb will be named next.

    Damson Idris and Russell Wilson are covering the mag’s May/June Issue where they highlight sexy Black men in Hollywood. The two are respectively highlighted for their accomplishments and panty-melting abilities, and people have lots of lusty things to say about it…

    People are also speculating which leading man will land a cover next, and guesses range from Usher…

    to Morris Chestnut.

    Who do YOU think will cover ESSENCE’s “Men of the Moment” list next?

     

     

    For now, check out Damson Idris and Russell Wilson’s covers below.

     

     

    Damson Idris is causing some Snowfall swooning with his ESSENCE cover story.

    ESSENCE x Damson Idris

    Source: Adrienne Raquel, @AdrienneRaquel / Essence

    The actor, 32, chatted with writer Kory Jarvis about his beginnings in South East London’s Peckham district, his NAACP Image Award for NAACP Image Award win for Outstanding Actor in a Drama series and his thoughts on one day having a family.

    “Oh, man, I’ll be the best dad,” said Lori Harvey’s boyfriend. “It doesn’t matter what age I’ll be, I’ll still be the cool dad. Like, yeah, My dad’s coming to pick me up from school. I’ll just love it, you know? I love kids. Being an uncle is amazing, because I get to take the baby and then give it back—but I can’t wait to be a father and have a big family.”

    He also shared his thoughts about why he was picked as one of ESSENCE’s men of the moment.

    “I have no idea! [laughs] But I’m beautiful,” said the actor. “I didn’t mean that.”

    “Yes, you did…,” replied Kory Jarvis.

    “If I wasn’t me, I’d be like, Oh, that guy cares. That guy cares about what he’s doing, aside from aesthetics or whatever. I think if you care about what you do, that’s sexy—and that’s inspiring. So, yeah, maybe that’s why I’m sitting here in this chair.”

     

     

    Read Damson Idris’ ESSENCE cover story in full HERE.

    Photographed by: Adrienne Raquel

    Styled by: Yashua Simmons

    Photo production credits: Groomer: Jessica Smalls using La Mer at The Wall Group

    Nails: Temeka Jackson using The GelBottle at A-Frame Agency

    Set Design: Cody Rogers

    Lighting Director: Sebastian Johnson

    Photography Assistants: Lance Williams and Malik Dowdy

    Digitech: Stowe Richards

    Retouching: picturehouse + thesmalldarkroom

    Market Editor: Aidan Palermo

    Stylist Assistants: Laura Cheron Haquette and Andrew Mcfarland

    Set Assistants: Ruth Kim and Nikki Kauten

    Tailors: Ivy Idzakovich & Macy Idzakovich

    Production Manager: Alaura Wong

    Production Assistants: Malek Mahones, Jai Wilson, Reagan Claire Smith, Cecilia Alvarez

    Blackwell and Tyreek Voltaire

    Shot at: The Beverly Estate

    Special Thanks: L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Short Stories Hotel

     

    See Russell Wilson’s ESSENCE “Man of the Moment” cover on the flip.

    In a cover story penned by writer Okla Jones, ESSENCE scored a touchdown with a cover story on Russell Wilson.

    ESSENCE x Russell Wilson

    Source: Adrienne Raquel, @AdrienneRaquel / Essence

     

    The proud papa of four with his wife Ciara has been dubbed the second “Man of the Moment” for his athletic abilities and for “pushing the boundaries” of what an athlete should be.

     

    In his cover story the NFL quarterback who signed a one-year, $1.21 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, spoke on his family being the pillar in everything he does.

     

    He also shared that prayer is the key to his successful marriage to Ciara.

     

    “When I asked her to marry me, once she said yes, I said, ‘Before we go do this, can we pray? I want to make sure we always put God at the center of it all,’” he recalled to ESSENCE. “And so I think the thing that hopefully exudes from our love is that, listen, love is never perfect.

    “But we continue to try to put God first and pray over each other. We have these four beautiful children that we get to raise every day and it’s the greatest gift in the world.”

     

    Click HERE to read Russell Wilson’s ESSENCE cover story in full.

     

    Photographed by: Adrienne Raquel

    Styled by: Jan-Michael Quammie

    Photo Production Credits: Grooming: Pircilla Pae using Papatui at A-Frame Agency

    Nails: Temeka Jackson using The GelBottle at A-Frame Agency

    Set Design: Bette Adams at MHS Artists

    Lighting Director: Sebastian Johnson

    Photography Assistant: Lance Williams

    Digitech: Renee Wai Yee Dodge

    Retouching: picturehouse + thesmalldarkroom

    Market Editor: Aidan Palermo

    Stylist Assistant: Andrew Mcfarland and Laura Cheron Haquette

    Tailors: Ivy Idzakovich and Macy Idzakovich

    Production Manager: Alaura Wong

    Production Assistant: Cecilia Alvarez Blackwell

    Location: NYA Studios

    Special Thanks: L’Ermitage Beverly Hills & Short Stories Hotel

     

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    Danielle Canada

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  • Russell Wilson sells Cherry Hills Village mansion for $21.5M, takes multimillion-dollar loss

    Russell Wilson sells Cherry Hills Village mansion for $21.5M, takes multimillion-dollar loss

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    The most expensive home ever sold in the Denver area is officially off the market — and Russell Wilson took a $3.5 million loss to seal the deal.

    Wilson, the former Denver Broncos quarterback who was cut from the team earlier this month, sold his 20,000-square-foot Cherry Hills Village mansion for $21.5 million Wednesday, according to Arapahoe County public records.

    The quarterback and his wife, singer-songwriter Ciara, moved into 10 Cherry Hills Park Drive in April 2022, just weeks after the Seattle Seahawks traded Wilson to the Broncos.

    With a $25 million price tag, the 2022 sale remains the most ever paid for a residential property in the metro area.

    When Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was once again time to put the house on the market.

    Read the full story from our partners at The Denver Post.

    The Follow Up

    What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

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    Lauren Penington | The Denver Post

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