Happy New Year 2025

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AJ Brown brings Lombardi Trophy to young Eagles fan recovering in hospital after Philadelphia plane crash

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown did not wait for Friday’s parade to celebrate winning the Super Bowl with fans.

Brown visited the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on Wednesday with the Lombardi Trophy in hand to visit with 10-year-old Andre Howard III, who heroically protected his sister from debris after a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia late last month.

Andre Howard III, a devout Eagles fan, heroically protected his sister from debris after a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia late last month. (Andre Howard Jr./Lashawn Hamiel)

In an open letter to Brown shared on Facebook, Andre’s mother thanked the NFL star for the “love and support” he showed her son.

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“Thank you for being a man of your word. By great surprise on this day my son was beyond grateful to meet you,” he message read. “Caught us all by surprise. For Someone ‘(ANDRE)’ my son who usually talk so much, you had him smiling from ear to ear and Mute.

“I felt his heart pounding through his chest. The amount of love and support you gave being so patient and calling Saquon Barkley for him was beyond appreciated. Thank you for everything and bringing that WIN home for ‘TRE’ the world’s greatest SUPERHERO.”

Andre Howard III underwent emergency brain surgery and one of the first questions he asked his dad when he woke up was if he had missed the Super Bowl. (Andre Howard Jr./Lashawn Hamiel)

A.J. BROWN SAYS WINNING SUPER BOWL ‘WASN’T WHAT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE;’ LOVE FOR GAME ‘COMES WHEN I DOMINATE’

Andre and his family had gone out for donuts the night a medical transport jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood, killing all six people on board. His father, Andre Howard Jr., said they were in the car when debris started hitting the vehicle.

Howard saw his son in the backseat covering his sister.

“I turn around — there’s a piece of metal sticking out of my son’s head from the plane,” Howard said.

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Andre, a devout Eagles fan, underwent emergency brain surgery and one of the first questions he asked his dad when he woke up was if he had missed the Super Bowl. He had not.

A.J. Brown called Andre Howard III his “hero” in a post on social media. (Andre Howard Jr./Lashawn Hamiel)

Brown responded to photos of the visit posted by the NFL, calling Andre “my hero.” He said before the big game that he would be “playing” for Andre on Sunday, with hopes of visiting him soon “with some hardware.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 14, 2025
A.J. Brown says winning Super Bowl ‘wasn’t what I thought it would be;’ love for game ‘comes when I dominate’

Winning a Super Bowl is overrated, according to A.J. Brown.

The Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver earned his first Lombardi Trophy Sunday, scoring a touchdown in the Birds’ dominant 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

But it seems like Brown is already past the title.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown scores a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

In an Instagram post, Brown said his time taking in the Lombardi Trophy win is already over, and he doesn’t exactly seem to be on top of the world.

“After a few days, I’ve had time to reflect on being a champion. I tried to feel how everyone made it seem to be a champion and unfortunately it was short lived.. two days to be exact lol,” Brown’s caption, attached to a photo of his touchdown from the game, said.

“I’ve never been a champion at the highest level before but I thought my hard work would be justified by winning it all. It wasn’t. My thrill for this game comes when i dominate,” he added. “It’s the Hunt that does it for me. It’s when the Db drops his head and surrender because he can’t F with me . The Intense battles. Early mornings. Late nights. Sacrifices. I love putting smiles on peoples faces, don’t get me wrong but it just wasn’t what I thought it would be.”

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) congratulates wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) after Smith scored a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

CHIEFS PLAYER SPEAKS OUT AFTER PATRICK MAHOMES SKIPPED HIM WHILE GREETING TEAMMATES DURING SUPER BOWL LOSS

That portion of the caption raised some eyebrows, but his words seemed to be those of a true competitor.

“It’s the journey that I love the most. BACK 2 Work!”

Maybe the on-field party was anticlimactic because the game had been decided so early in the game.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown scores a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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But maybe Brown will think differently when the Birds traverse downtown Philly for their parade Friday.

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February 13, 2025
Eagles’ A.J. Brown recalls feeling like a ‘paid actor’ at previous Super Bowl, a loss to the Chiefs

NFL star A.J. Brown made headlines when cameras recently captured him passing time during a Philadelphia Eagles game reading a book, “Inner Excellence,” by self-help author Jim Murphy.

Brown’s sideline routine contributed to a spike in book sales, with “Inner Excellence” quickly jumping into the top spot on Amazon’s trending list the day after the Eagles’ wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers.

The book ranked 523,497 prior to the sudden increase in attention brought on by Brown.

Brown and the Eagles will now turn the page and focus on preventing a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl three-peat. The Eagles are hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2023 Super Bowl.

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The Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia Jan. 30, 2025, ahead of the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Brown caught six passes for 96 yards and scored a touchdown in the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona. But Kansas City took the lead in the fourth quarter and celebrated a 38-35 victory.

HOW TO WATCH SUPER BOWL LIX BETWEEN CHIEFS, EAGLES STREAMED ON TUBI

Two full NFL seasons have passed since the loss, and the Eagles could still be haunted by the memory of how they let a chance at winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship slip away.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown reacts after a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

A play here, a play there, and the Eagles could have been Super Bowl champions.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts replied “next question” when asked his most vivid memory from the 2023 Super Bowl, and Brown recounted a missed opportunity for him to score a touchdown that could have changed the outcome.

“The play really kept me up thinking about, ‘How did I miss that?’ and what I got confused on,” Brown said.

The play?

“I don’t want to get into it because we may run it back,” he said.

HISTORY OF THE SUPER BOWL: PAST WINNERS, RESULTS, MVPS AND LOCATIONS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Brown finished the 2024 season with 67 catches and a team-high 1,079 yards despite missing four games. It was the third consecutive year Brown surpassed 1,000 receiving yards.

“A.J. is the best receiver that this city has ever seen,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.

Brown was rewarded in April with a three-year contract extension that included $84 million in guaranteed money. He was about to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL at $32 million a year until Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson’s deal topped his later that summer.

While Brown is paid like an elite receiver, he said he felt like nothing but a “paid actor” at the 2023 Super Bowl.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown scores a touchdown during the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 12, 2023. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Brown said if he had his way, the Eagles would arrive in New Orleans on Friday, hold a walk-through Saturday and play the game Sunday. His Super Bowl experience was like something out of a movie in which he played the role of a football player. He has tried to steel his emotions amid this year’s Super Bowl hype.

“It’s about us, but it’s not about us,” he said. “We have so much we have to do for everyone else. The media, the fans. There’s only so little time that we get to focus on what’s important, and that’s the game.”

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Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

Brown said he’s been turning down media requests “left and right” because, when it comes to Super Bowl hype, “none of this stuff matters.”

The Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET Feb. 9 from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 2, 2025
Eagles’ AJ Brown pushes Commanders’ Marshon Lattimore’s helmet off in mid-game brouhaha

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and Washington Commanders defensive back Marshon Lattimore had to be pulled apart as they got into a brouhaha in the NFC Championship on Sunday.

The incident occurred after Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ran into the end zone for a touchdown from the 1-yard line with under 2 minutes to play in the first half. Off to the right, Brown and Lattimore locked horns.

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Eagles’ A.J. Brown and Washington Commanders’ Marshon Lattimore exchange words after a play during the NFC Championship game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The two players were pushing each other in the helmet. Brown pushed Lattimore’s helmet off his face. Lattimore was penalized for unnecessary roughness, and it gave the Eagles a great opportunity for a 2-point try. However, Washington locked in and stopped Hurts’ sneak.

No other player was penalized for the flare-up.

Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler. Washington acquired him in a trade with the New Orleans Saints in the middle of the season. He appeared in two games for the Commanders during the regular season and had three pass-breakups.

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Eagles’ A.J. Brown and Washington Commanders’ Marshon Lattimore get into an altercation during the NFC Championship, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown pushes Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s helmet off, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Lattimore is a fiery competitor. He’s been seen in multiple skirmishes with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans as the two players competed during NFC South rivalry games when the cornerback was on the Saints.

Brown, Lattimore’s foe in this skirmish, ended up scoring on the Eagles’ following drive. He caught a 4-yard pass from Hurts to push Philadelphia’s lead even higher.

He went into the half leading Philadelphia in receiving with four catches for 61 yards and the touchdown.

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Stream Super Bowl LIX for free on Tubi. (Tubi)

Philadelphia had a 27-15 lead at the break.

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January 26, 2025
Amon-Ra St. Brown to Ben Johnson, who left Lions for Bears: ‘We’re going to f— you up’

Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown and the rest of his teammates will be heading into the 2025 season without two coordinators who helped turn them into a league powerhouse.

Ben Johnson is the new head coach of the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, while Aaron Glenn became head coach of the team that drafted him in 1994, the New York Jets.

St. Brown was closer to Johnson, the innovative play-caller who helped scheme a Lions offense that led the NFL in points per game in 2024.

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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Daniel Bartel/Imagn Images)

When talking about Johnson’s departure for the Bears on his “St. Brown Podcast” with older brother Equanimeous, St. Brown said he spoke with his former coordinator after he signed his deal to head to the Windy City.

And the message was pretty clear.

“I told him, I said, ‘Two times a year, Ben, we’re going to f— you up,’” St. Brown told his brother while laughing.

LIONS LOSING BEN JOHNSON TO RIVAL BEARS IS BIG ‘BODY BLOW,’ SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAYS

Johnson, though, had a similar response for his former pupil.

“I’m going to f— you up,” St. Brown recalls Johnson replying.

The relationship is clearly one of mutual respect, and competitive banter is something that usually follows there.

“OK, we’ll see,” St. Brown fired back at Johnson. “I told him I know all the plays he likes to run. I know all his tendencies, and we were going back and forth messing around.”

Though the jabs were playful, St. Brown and Johnson will have to turn their friendship to the side twice a year as long as Johnson is the head coach of the Bears.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown runs for a touchdown during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Detroit Nov. 17, 2024 (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

With the conference championship games being played this weekend to determine who plays in the Super Bowl, the Lions were expected to be back where they were in January 2024, when they had a second-half collapse against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.

However, the Lions were eliminated in a 45-31 loss at Ford Field to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, and Johnson was heading to Chicago days later.

Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ben Johnson are already kicking off their new rivalry. (Imagn)

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Johnson has the Bears’ 2024 No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, to mold alongside some solid offensive weapons like D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. St. Brown has also shown respect to Williams in the past, especially given their USC connection, but the Lions took down the Bears twice this season.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025
What was in the brown bags handed to Israeli hostages released by Hamas?

The three Israeli hostages freed in the first phase of the cease-fire deal with Hamas were all spotted carrying paper “gift bags” with the terror organization’s logo. The bags reportedly contained a map of Gaza, photos of the women from their time in captivity, and certificates reading “release decision,” according to Hebrew-language media.

Emily Damari, Romi Goren and Doron Steinbrecher, all of whom were kidnapped by Hamas during the deadly Oct. 7 attacks, returned to Israel on Sunday as part of a cease-fire deal. All three women have been reunited with their families after spending over 15 months in captivity.

BITTERSWEET REJOICING AS FIRST HOSTAGES RETURN TO ISRAEL AFTER 471 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY

Romi Gonen, right, and her mother Merav hold each other near kibbutz Reim in southern Israel after Romi was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. (AP/Israeli Army)

A representative for Goren’s family says her bag also contained a necklace, CNN reported, adding that the Israel Security Agency confiscated the items Hamas gave the women.

“I am relieved to report that after her release, Emily is doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated. I am also happy that during her release the world was given a glimpse of her feisty and charismatic personality,” Mandy Damari, mother of Emily Damari, said in a statement released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum on X. “In Emily’s own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked Netanyahu for securing the release of Damari, who is also a British citizen.

ISRAELI INTEL INDICATES HAMAS HELD HOSTAGES AT NEW GAZA HOSPITAL

Emily Damari, right, and her mother Mandy are seen near kibbutz Reim, southern Israel after Emily was released from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza, on Sunday, Jan. 19. (AP/Israeli Army)

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum also released a statement by Steinbrecher’s family in which they thanked the people of Israel and President Donald Trump for his support.

“A special thank you to the people of Israel for their warm embrace, unwavering support, and the strength they gave us during our darkest moments. We also extend our gratitude to President Trump for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us.”

A Hamas official confirmed that four of the seven remaining Israeli female hostages will be released on Saturday, Jan. 25, according to reports.

The cease-fire and hostage deal involves Hamas gradually releasing 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza over the next six weeks in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees from the West Bank and Gaza.

The family of Doron Steinbrecher welcome her back to freedom in an emotional reunion in Israel. (Ma’ayan Toaf (GPO))

As part of the deal, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Damari, Goren and Steinbrecher. Crowds of Palestinians in the West Bank cheered and some reportedly waved Hamas flags in celebration of the detainees’ return.

ISRAEL RELEASES 90 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASE-FIRE DEAL TO FREE HOSTAGES

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leadership announced a shakeup as Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said he handed in his resignation and requested to leave his role later this year.

“I informed the Minister of Defense today (Tuesday) that by virtue of my recognition of my responsibility for the IDF’s failure on October 7th, and at a time when the IDF has significant achievements and is in the process of implementing the agreement to release our hostages, I have requested to leave my role on March 6th, 2025,” Halevi said in a statement released by the IDF.

“Until then, I will complete the IDF’s inquiries into the events of October 7th and strengthen the IDF’s readiness for security challenges.”

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In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said “I would like to express my appreciation to the Chief of Staff and thank him for his contribution to the IDF throughout his years of service as a fighter and as a commander, and for his part in the great achievements of the IDF in the difficult war that was forced upon us.”

Netanyahu also commended Halevi on his years of service and credited him for some of the country’s “great achievements.”

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

January 23, 2025