Happy New Year 2025

Category: Sports

Charles Barkley hopes San Francisco mayor can ‘do something about the homeless population’

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Charles Barkley has hope for the city of San Francisco after saying during the NBA All-Star Game broadcast that he met with Mayor Daniel Lurie.

The city was the host for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Barkley had been on the city’s case because of its crime and homeless population. During the broadcast, he expressed some optimism that the city would start cleaning up.

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Chuck’s Global Stars general manager Charles Barkley looks on during introductions before the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Feb. 16, 2025. (Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images)

“Shoutout to the people of San Francisco, especially the mayor. I met the mayor a couple times. He’s been tremendous, and hopefully we can do something about the homeless population,” Barkley said during a game between Team Shaquille O’Neal and Team Candace Parker.

Barkley said last month he would skip going to the game because it was in San Francisco.

“He’s going to make the All-Star Team,” Barkley said at the time. “I’m not going. I’m not going to that rat-infested place out in San Francisco.”

Barkley responded to one of his colleagues calling San Francisco “beautiful.”

“San Francisco is not a beautiful city. Rats. Cats. Y’all are not gonna make me like San Francisco. No. Nope, nope, nope”

From left to right, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley stand at mid-court to be honored during the NBA All-Star basketball game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

SPURS TEAMMATES VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, CHRIS PAUL DISQUALIFIED FROM NBA ALL-STAR GAME SKILLS CHALLENGE

However, it was far from the first time he had criticized San Francisco. Last year, he ripped the city during the NBA’s alternative broadcast of the All-Star Game, which took place in Indianapolis.

Barkley asked Reggie Miller which he would choose: playing in the cold in Indianapolis – where Miller spent his entire 18-year NBA career – or “being around a bunch of homeless crooks in San Francisco.”

Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green called Barkley “crazy” and said that Barkley was not “welcome” in the city. Parker said, “we love San Francisco,” but Barkley offered a retort.

“No we don’t,” he said. “… You can’t even walk around down there.”

He later suggested you could walk around the city with a “bulletproof vest.”

Then-Super Bowl 50 Host Committee Chairman Daniel Lurie speaks during the Super Bowl 50 host committee press conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco on Feb. 1, 2016. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

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Lurie has vowed to make San Francisco’s streets safe again, build “enough housing to turn around our affordability crisis” and tackle “our drug and behavioral health crisis.”

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February 17, 2025
Ryan Preece thought of daughter as car flew through air in scary wreck at Daytona 500

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Ryan Preece was thinking about what really matters in life, as his No. 60 car was airborne with just five laps to go in the 67th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday night.

Preece was in the middle of the pack when a wreck at the top of the race impacted him in the worst way, with Christopher Bell’s No. 20 car smashing into him, causing his vehicle to fly through the Florida night.

When Preece’s car touched the track again, it was flipped upside down, still traveling at a high rate of speed before ultimately getting back to normal and slamming into the wall.

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NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Thankfully, Preece walked out of the wreck unscathed, though there was a moment while he was in the air that he started to think about family, specifically his daughter, Rebecca Marie.

“Yeah, I don’t know if it’s the diffuser or what that makes these cars like a sheet of plywood when you walk out on a windy day,” Preece told FOX Sports in an interview after getting off the track.

“But, when the car took off like that, and it got real quiet, all I thought about was my daughter. So, I’m lucky to walk away.”

Multiple angles of the wreck showed just how scary the wreck was, including a look from the No. 43 car of Erik Jones, who was involved in the spin-outs as well.

WILLIAM BYRON CAPTURES 2ND STRAIGHT DAYTONA 500 VICTORY IN OVERTIME LAP THRILLER

From Jones’ vantage point, Bell’s car coming off the right wall came out of nowhere, and Preece got all of it.

The front of the vehicle immediately lifted into the air, and like Preece said, the windy conditions – two delays came in this race from inclement weather – made the car lift off the track altogether.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

This is the second time in Preece’s career he has flipped at Daytona, so while he has experienced this before, it is never a good feeling to have to go through that.

Preece was reflective with Frontstretch after the race as well, adding that “something needs to be done” with the cars because they should not be lifting off the course like he did.

“The one thing I want to say as a father, as a racer, is we keep beating on a door hoping for a different result. We know where there’s a problem at Superspeedways. So, I don’t want to be the example of when it finally gets somebody – I don’t want it to be me. I got a two-year-old daughter, and just like a lot of us, we have families.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece, #60, gets airborne after a wreck during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

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“So, something needs to be done because cars lifting off the ground like that, that honestly felt worse than Daytona in ’23.”

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February 17, 2025
William Byron captures 2nd straight Daytona 500 victory in overtime lap thriller

William Byron won the Dayton 500, which was a marathon on Sunday night, after rain delays and yellow caution flags ultimately led to some overtime laps.

And those two overtime laps were an absolute thrill that saw multiple spin-outs and crashes that allowed Byron to win the Daytona 500 for the second consecutive year.

Six of the last eight Daytona 500 races have ended in overtime.

This is a developing story. More to come.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Ex-Dolphins lineman Jonathan Martin walks back bullying allegations against teammate that caused NFL scandal

Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin is walking back his bullying accusations against his former teammate, Richie Incognito, which caused quite the scandal in 2013.

“I never believed for a second I was being bullied,” Martin told ESPN. “It’s a story that I’ve been trying to fix for 10 years.”

Incognito was suspended by the Dolphins in 2013 after reports that he bullied Martin to the point where the latter stormed out of the team’s cafeteria as a result of what was said.

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Miami tackle Jonathan Martin (71) and guard Richie Incognito (Samuel Lewis/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Martin, a second-round pick by the Dolphins in 2012, was in his second NFL season when the bullying controversy surrounded him and Incognito.

The Dolphins later announced that Incognito was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

The league eventually got involved, retaining lawyer Ted Wells to investigate the incident, which found that Incognito, Mike Pouncey and John Jerry had all been engaging in bullying toward Martin.

RICHIE INCOGNITO DENIES ROLE IN BULLYING SCANDAL, BLAMES ‘DEMONS’ FOR EX-TEAMMATE BEING OUT OF NFL

The NFL’s report on the matter also said that Martin checked himself into a hospital and his mother needed to be flown across the country to be with him during that time.

But now, Martin is blaming his parents for the situation becoming as widely known as it is today.

“I had a situation with my teammates that I wasn’t super happy about,” Martin told ESPN. “But my mother had her own read on the situation.

“I hadn’t even told my coaches, hadn’t told anyone. And suddenly it’s on ESPN, right?” he continued. “I didn’t believe any of the stances I was taking, right, where I’m this victim. I wasn’t a victim, right? And again, it’s been a point of consternation.

Richie Incognito of the Oakland Raiders leaves the field after a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019, in Minneapolis. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

“My mother maybe in her mind – I can’t read her mind – she thought she was doing the right thing.”

Incognito, who missed the second half of the 2013 season and the entire 2014 campaign due to the scandal, responded after seeing Martin’s new words on the matter.

“He couldn’t cut it in the NFL so he quit and his mom blamed me,” he said, bluntly on X. “Legacy media pushed this narrative long and far. Too bad it was all a lie! They lied to protect his money. He quit…the team had every right to claw back that money. His mom started the bullying narrative with @espn @AdamSchefter so that @MiamiDolphins wouldn’t go after his signing bonus!”

While Martin’s mother, Jane, did not speak with ESPN for the interview, his father, Gus, did say his piece.

“His mom and I did strongly intervene,” he said. “To make sure he was protected.”

Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin is shown during the game between Stanford and USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Ric Tapia/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Gus Martin also played an alleged voice from Incognito, which was left for his son at the time. The man on the phone who is allegedly Incognito threatens Jonathan Martin, using graphic language including racial slurs.

“Hey, what’s up, you half-n—– piece of s—,” Incognito allegedly says. “I saw you on Twitter, you been training 10 weeks. I’ll s— in your f—ing mouth. I’m going to slap your f—ing mouth, I’m going to slap your real mother across the face. F— you, you’re still a rookie. I’ll kill you.”

Martin would eventually get traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason after the bullying allegations were brought to light. However, he only played 15 games there before retiring after going to Carolina Panthers training camp the year after.

Meanwhile, Incognito signed with the Buffalo Bills after his suspension was lifted by the league. He spent three seasons in upstate New York before joining the then-Oakland Raiders.

Miami Dolphins lineman Jonathan Martin (John Rivera/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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During an appearance on “HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” in 2019, Incognito denied ever bullying his former teammate, blaming Martin’s “mental health issues and his demons” for being out of the league.

Incognito added, “I fit the bill. Hey, racist, homophobic, whatnot. What I’m saying was, we were close, personal friends. It wasn’t factored into, ‘Hey, this is guy talk, these are two alpha males talking to each other.’ Was some bad s–t said? Absolutely. But was this a case of bullying? Absolutely not.”

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Saquon Barkley exudes confidence in fiery pre-Super Bowl speech: ‘They can’t f— with us’

The Philadelphia Eagles were clearly a confident team heading into Super Bowl LIX, despite the Kansas City Chiefs going against them looking for their third straight Lombardi Trophy.

Saquon Barkley’s pre-game speech, which was filmed leading up to the “Big Game,” proved that confidence was high for one of the team’s most important players.

Barkley, along with other senior members of the Eagles, gave a team speech in which he delivered a fiery assessment of the matchup ahead.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

“As I watch film throughout the whole week, my confidence grows even more, and I hope you guys are feeling the same thing. These guys can’t f— with us. They really can’t.”

The Eagles were riding high from a blowout victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship to earn their spot in the Super Bowl.

But all week talk about potential NFL history for the Chiefs was discussed, and no matter how good a team may be, it could be a daunting task to face a team that has won back-to-back NFL titles.

SAQUON BARKLEY LEFT SPEECHLESS AFTER FIRST SUPER BOWL TITLE: ‘YOU CAN’T USE WORDS’

However, Barkley was frank with how he felt about the Chiefs’ comfortability in this game.

“I don’t care how many times they’ve been here,” Barkley continued. “I don’t care how many times they’ve won it. They haven’t seen a team like this.”

Barkley’s words were proven true as the Chiefs looked like the team not ready for the moment while the Eagles blew them out, 40-22, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to win the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley talks to the media with his daughter, Jada, after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was named Super Bowl LIX MVP, also gave a speech that was recorded as well. He said that going to the Super Bowl two seasons ago was a life-changing moment.

“I put on a good show, but I left that motherf—er empty,” Hurts said, referencing the close loss the Eagles had against Kansas City in the end.

“Ask yourself how you want to be remembered,” Hurts said to his teammates.

In the end, this Eagles team will be remembered not only as the squad that halted NFL history, but also as one of the best teams ever assembled to win it all.

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley celebrates during the Super Bowl LIX championship parade and rally on Feb. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (Caean Couto-Imagn Images)

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And while the play on the field is the main grab, the mindset was clearly set by the team’s stars to get them prepared for what was to come on game day.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Mavericks coach Darrell Armstrong arrested on aggravated assault charge

Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Darrell Armstrong was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and charged with aggravated assault on his girlfriend, police said.

Dallas police officers were called to the 1000 block of Ross Ave. in downtown Dallas around 3:45 a.m., where an investigation found Armstrong and his girlfriend had been in an argument.

At one point, Armstrong hit her with a gun and threatened to shoot her, according to police. An arrest warrant affidavit for Armstrong, obtained by FOX 4 Dallas, said the incident started due to his girlfriend questioning him about a text from another woman.

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Orlando Magic player Darrell Armstrong is inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

The victim reportedly told police Armstrong had been drinking that night and demanded she give him her keys to their apartment. She then claimed Armstrong was on the phone with another person when he picked up a pistol and hit her on the side of the face.

Authorities said they saw a mark on the woman’s cheek below her left eye.

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“‘I’m going to shoot you,’” the victim said, reportedly quoting what Armstrong allegedly said to her as he loaded the weapon.

The Mavericks released a statement on Sunday afternoon regarding Armstrong’s arrest.

“The Dallas Mavericks are aware of an incident involving a member of our staff and are gathering all relevant information surrounding the incident,” the statement reads, per FOX 4 Dallas. “We take this matter seriously. The employee has been placed on administrative suspension pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Orlando Magic player Darrell Armstrong is inducted into Orlando Magic Hall of Fame by CEO Alex Martins during the first half at Amway Center. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

“This matter is currently under review by the appropriate legal authorities. Due to this fact, we will allow the legal process to run its course and we will refrain from further comment while proceedings are ongoing.”

Armstrong has been an assistant coach with the Mavericks since 2009, being a part of the 2011 NBA-champion squad along the way.

He is a member of the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame, having spent nine of his 14 NBA seasons with the franchise. Armstrong initially played overseas from 1991-94 before the Magic gave him a shot during the 1994-95 season.

Armstrong went on to win the 1998-99 Most Improved Player Award and Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 13.8 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds mostly off the bench over 50 games.

Darrell Armstrong (Dallas Police Department)

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Armstrong also played for the Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers and New Jersey Nets during his career, which ended in 2008.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Illinois botches Terrence Shannon Jr jersey retirement ceremony with hilarious gaffe during unveiling

How about we try that again, Fighting Illini?

During a halftime jersey retirement ceremony for University of Illinois great men’s basketball player, Terrence Shannon Jr., the unveiling of his retired No. 0 threads went awry at State Farm Center on Saturday.

Everything looked great until Shannon’s jersey was upside down when he pulled the cord to show everyone in the arena.

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Former Fighting Illini player Terrence Shannon Jr. reacts as he reveals his jersey at State Farm Center, on Feb. 15, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Illinois apologized after the gaffe led to a viral moment.

“Before we get into the substance of the game tonight, obviously, we had a regrettable situation at halftime with the jersey around [Shannon’s] celebration,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said after the 79-65 loss to Michigan State, per The New York Post. “Obviously, a really regrettable moment. It’s a shame that it happened that way.

“Of course, I didn’t hang the jersey, but I’m ultimately responsible for everything that happens in this building, and ultimately, that means that was on me tonight. We need to make sure we understand that in life, mistakes happen. But there are also certain moments where mistakes can’t happen. And tonight, we stole that moment from [Shannon] and that’s on us and something that we have apologized to him for, apologized to his mom. We want to make sure that we apologize to our fans and everybody who was excited to be a part of this experience tonight.”

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Shannon, who now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves after being selected 27th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, was a crucial to the Fighting Illini reaching the Elite Eight in this past year’s NCAA Tournament.

He averaged 23 points per game to help his school get that far in the tournament for the first time since 2005. Shannon, who spent his first three years at Texas Tech, also averaged 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field.

Terrence Shannon Jr. speaks to the crowd during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime during the Michigan State Spartansgame at State Farm Center on Feb. 15, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

His final collegiate season wasn’t without some off-court issues, though, as he was arrested in December 2023 and suspended after being charged with sexual assault and rape.

An 18-year-old woman accused Shannon of grabbing her and sexually touching her without consent at a bar on Sept. 9, 2023, after the Fighting Illini faced the Kansas Jayhawks in a football game.

Shannon was ultimately reinstated after his lawyers challenged the claims. He was eventually found not guilty of rape and sexual assault in Douglas County, Kansas, in June 2024.

Shannon expressed his excitement for the jersey retirement, which he said came as a shock when he heard what his alma mater wanted to do after only two seasons.

Terrence Shannon Jr. stands with athletic director Josh Whitman during his jersey retirement ceremony at State Farm Center on Feb. 15, 2025. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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“I was just happy,” he said. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to get my jersey up there.”

Illinois just has to get it right-side-up in the rafters.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Justin Trudeau says he’s ‘damn proud’ of Canada as fans boo US national anthem, faces online ridicule

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced ridicule on social media on Saturday night following the Canadians’ loss to the U.S. in a 4 Nations Face-Off game.

Canadians were heard booing the American national anthem before the game. As the puck dropped, so did the players’ gloves. There were three fights in the first nine seconds of the game. The U.S. pulled out a 3-1 victory in the end.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his son Xavier wait for the start of the 4 Nations Face-Off game between Canada and the United States in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Trudeau wrote on X after the game that he was “damn proud” of Canada. But he drew some mocking from U.S. fans as well.

In the NHL, boos have been heard during the U.S. national anthem after Trump announced tariffs on Canada, which have since been paused. The president has also teased about Canada becoming the “51st state.”

Players have been adamant about fans stopping the boos. Canadian Drew Doughty talked about it again before the game against the U.S.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with a fan at the 4 Nations Face-Off game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

49ERS’ GEORGE KITTLE GETS LAST WORD AS US TOPS CANADA IN 4 NATIONS MATCH AFTER BOOS DURING ANTHEM

“Obviously, I know what’s going on, and I understand the Canadians’ frustration, but I think we should respect the anthems and stuff like that,” Doughty said. “I don’t think anyone should be booing.”

U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski didn’t appreciate the boos.

“We knew it was going to happen,” Werenski said. “It happened the last game, it’s been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”

The U.S. faced boos ahead of their game against Finland and later won 6-1.

Players and fans stand for the U.S. national anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

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“It is what it is,” Werenski said. “We kind of had an idea. We used it as motivation the best we could and found a way to get a win. But we had an idea going into it, so it wasn’t a surprise. Definitely don’t like it, though.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
49ers’ George Kittle gets last word as US tops Canada in 4 Nations match after boos during anthem

San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle had a message for Canadians after they booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a 4 Nations Face-off match against the U.S. on Saturday.

Canadians came hard after the U.S. national anthem before the puck dropped at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The Canadian team then dropped the game to the U.S., 3-1. Kittle and the rest of the Americans playing and watching the game got the last laugh.

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U.S. teammates celebrate the empty net goal over Canada by Jake Guentzel during the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

“Don’t boo the anthem!” Kittle wrote in a post on Instagram along with the final score.

As soon as the puck dropped, American and Canadian players’ gloves dropped as well. There were three fights within the first nine seconds of the game.

Matthew Tkachuk fought Brandon Hagel off the opening faceoff, his brother Brady tussled with Sam Bennett and J.T. Miller fought Colton Parayko. Brady Tkachuk told ESPN that his brother’s fight “happened pretty organically.”

CANADA FANS, WITH TRUDEAU IN ATTENDANCE, AGAIN BOO ‘STAR-SPANGLED BANNER’ BEFORE GAME VS. USA DESPITE PUSHBACK

Canada head coach Jon Cooper talks to players during the 4 Nations Face-Off game against the United States in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski was unhappy with the booing during the national anthem. In the NHL, boos have been heard during the song after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada, which have since been paused. The president has also teased about Canada becoming the “51st state.”

“We knew it was going to happen,” Werenski said. “It happened the last game, it’s been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”

The U.S. faced boos ahead of their game against Finland and later won 6-1.

U.S. players celebrate after defeating Canada in Montreal, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

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“It is what it is,” Werenski said. “We kind of had an idea. We used it as motivation the best we could and found a way to get a win. But we had an idea going into it, so it wasn’t a surprise. Definitely don’t like it, though.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has 7 more massage therapists accusing him of sexual misconduct

Seven more women have accused Baltimore Ravens veteran kicker Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct, per the Baltimore Banner.

Last month, there were six massage therapists employed at high-end spas who said Tucker exposed himself repeatedly during a span of four years, including his rookie season when the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

The accusations placed Tucker at four different spas and wellness centers, where the alleged victims say he would brush them with his genitals as well as commit other acts of sexual misconduct.

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Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker arrives before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images)

Now, the number of alleged victims has more than doubled, bringing the total to 16 women at eight Baltimore-based spas and wellness centers, two of which said the behavior was so bad they banned Tucker, per the Baltimore Banner.

The new accusers claimed Tucker “acted inappropriately” at some of the best luxury spas in Baltimore, including the spas at the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Residences in the city.

Those inappropriate acts are similar to the first accusers, as Tucker allegedly “had an erection for most of the massage, intentionally and repeatedly exposed his genitals and brushed some of the therapists’ thighs with his fingers.”

RAVENS’ JUSTIN TUCKER FACES SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS; KICKER SLAMS REPORT

One of the seven women also claimed to see what appeared to be ejaculate on the massage table after the session.

Fox News Digital reached out to Tucker’s lawyers at Clark Locke as well as the Ravens. Neither have returned a request for comment.

Tucker released a statement through his attorneys last month, calling the allegations “unequivocally false.”

“Throughout my career as a professional athlete, I have always sought to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism. I have never before been accused of misconduct of any kind, and I have never been accused of acting inappropriately in front of a massage therapist or during a massage therapy session or during other bodywork,” Tucker’s statement said.

Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches his kick as he misses a second field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

“I have never received any complaints from a massage therapist, have never been dismissed from a massage therapy or bodywork session and have never been told that I was not welcome at any spa or other place of business.”

Tucker is regarded as one of the best placekickers of all time, tallying seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro nods during his 13-year career in the NFL, all with the Ravens.

Tucker accused the Baltimore Banner of “deliberately misconstruing events as nefarious” and relying on “third-party speculation.”

“The newspaper had already written this false, salacious profile well before ever attempting to speak to me or any of the bodywork professionals I have worked with closely for the better part of the last decade. The newspaper made no effort to interview these key witnesses until prompted to do so by my defamation attorney because they did not want to hear what they had to say about me.”

The Baltimore Banner told Fox News Digital last month in response to Tucker’s remarks, “We stand by our story as published.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital last month, the NFL said it learned of the accusations from the reporter investigating the story and that allegations were not previously reported to the league.

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (Denny Medley-Imagn Images)

“We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter,” the statement continued.

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The Ravens also told Fox News Digital last month that they were aware of the story regarding Tucker and they “take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 16, 2025