Happy New Year 2025

Tag: players

Caitlin Clark contract: Agent says Fever star among WNBA players who need raise

Caitlin Clark immediately became a star as soon as she stepped onto the floor in an Indiana Fever jersey last year, despite naysayers believing it would take her a while to get up to speed.

Clark’s salary became a talking point during her rookie season. Her rookie deal is worth just over $338,000 over four years with the annual average value being around $84,500, according to Spotrac. She earned around $76,000 in her first season and will earn around $78,000 for her second.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, warms up before game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Sept. 22, 2024. (Mark Smith-Imagn Images)

The Fever hold a club option on Clark’s contract for 2027, which at this point seems extremely likely they will pick up. By the 2028 offseason, she will become a restricted free agent.

As Clark continues to grow as a player and increasingly make waves in the WNBA, she will be poised to set a record with whatever contract might come to her. A sports agent told ESPN in a story on Monday that it will be quite difficult for the sharpshooter to receive what she is actually worth.

“Will Caitlin Clark ever be paid by the WNBA what she’s really worth to that league? I don’t think that’s possible,” Excel Sports Management’s Erin Kane told ESPN.

NIKE UNVEILS CAITLIN CLARK BILLBOARD IN CITY WHERE ANGEL REESE’S TEAM IS BASED, INCITING MOCKERY FROM FANS

Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark looks on during the second half of the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Nov. 30, 2024. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)

“She’s part of a larger player body. They all need to be paid more. She should be recognized for what she has done and what she’s brought to the league from an economic standpoint. It’s as simple as that.”

A supermax contract, under the WNBA’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA), is worth nearly $242,000 and by the time Clark gets a chance to negotiate a new deal, the landscape could be changed.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association opted out of the current CBA last October with the possibility of work stoppage if a new deal is not reached by the end of the 2025 season.

The union sought a deal that would increase player salaries, according to ESPN.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, rushes up the court during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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The league is set to increase the number of teams in play starting with the 2025 season. The Golden State Valkyries join the fold with the Toronto Tempo and a Portland team coming in 2026. The Sports Business Journal reported that the WNBA is set to add Cleveland as the next expansion team.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
President Trump seen with Bills players on his golf course

Several Buffalo Bills players were seen posing with President Donald Trump on a golf course on Monday as they got their offseason started on the right foot.

Spencer Brown, Dalton Kincaid, Sam Martin, Ryan Van Demark and Tommy Doyle were all seen with the president at Trump International Golf Club Palm Beach. Brown posted the photo of his teammates with the president on his Instagram.

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President Donald Trump, center, gestures to supporters gathered for a Presidents’ Day rally as he leaves the Trump International Golf Club on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

“45-47,” he wrote.

Doyle was seen wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, which has been Trump’s tagline during his pursuits of the presidency in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

“Met the president on Presidents’ Day,” Doyle wrote on his Instagram Stories.

Trump garnered support from some NFL players during the 2024 season, including San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa.

BENGALS EXPECTED TO FRANCHISE TAG TEE HIGGINS AGAIN, HOPING TO REACH LONG-TERM DEAL: REPORT

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, #86, against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 26, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

Bosa was seen wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat after a game and even did Trump’s dance as a sack celebration.

“I think you know the answer to that question,” Bosa said in November about what inspired him to do the move, via the San Francisco Chronicle. “All the guys wanted me to do it. I wasn’t even going to do it, but the boys reminded me. And it was fun.”

Trump was at Super Bowl LIX to watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs. He picked the Chiefs to win the game, but it was the Eagles who eventually came out on top.

President Donald Trump, center, poses with members of the New Orleans Police Department and emergency personnel before the start of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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The president was also at the Daytona 500 and could complete the sporting trifecta should he show up at the 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston later this week.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Steve Kerr says NBA prioritizes ratings over players’ health: ‘They clearly don’t care’

Steve Kerr has long been a proponent of a shorter NBA schedule, and this week was a reminder why.

Kerr’s Golden State Warriors played games on back-to-back nights, Wednesday in Dallas and Thursday in Houston.

After losing Wednesday to the Mavericks, Kerr put the NBA on blast.

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watches during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“It’s a tough back to back. That’s what makes this loss even more frustrating,” Kerr said Wednesday. “We got to get into Houston at 3, whatever it is, because the NBA, in its infinite wisdom, makes us play an 8:45 game. They clearly don’t care about rest or player health; it’s just ratings and all that stuff. So, I get it. Everyone’s gotta do it. The whole league’s gotta do it. It is what it is.”

It’s not uncommon for star players to sit out one end of a back-to-back. Stephen Curry sat out one of the games, but this weekend’s All-Star break probably had something to do with that.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gestures during the first half against the Miami Heat Jan. 7, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

However, in January 2023, Kerr rested Curry as part of the “long game” and felt for the fans who missed out.

“I feel terrible for fans who bought a ticket expecting to see someone play, and they don’t get to see that person play. It’s a brutal part of the business,” Kerr said at the time. “It’s why I’m going to continue to advocate for 72-game seasons. And I know that means less revenue but, at some point, I think there just needs to be an awareness from everybody involved in the league.

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“I think about it all the time. People are spending good money to see a team, and then someone doesn’t play? That’s not something I’m ignorant to. I know that is painful. We’ve had a lot of discussions with fans over the years who have been in that situation.”

Head Coach Steve Kerr of the USA Basketball men’s team talks to the media after a game against Canada July 10, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images)

LUKA DONCIC TRADE TO LAKERS COULDN’T BE VETOED, NBA COMMISH SAYS

NBA ratings have been noticeably down this year, although the surprising Luka Dončić trade prompted lots of talk. His Lakers debut was also watched by over 2 million people, making it one of the most viewed regular-season games in recent memory.

February 14, 2025
Canadian hockey fans boo Team USA players, national anthem at 4 Nations tournament in Montreal

The 4 Nations Face-Off began this week in Montreal, and Team USA is public enemy no. 1 up north.

Team USA played its first game of the tournament on Thursday against Finland, a day after Canada defeated Sweden in overtime, and they were across enemy lines to start the tournament.

As the team took the ice, the team was vigorously booed by the crowd, who continued to cheer on Finland all night.

Team USA forward Matt Boldy, #12, celebrates with teammates after a goal against Team Finland in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

The fans also booed the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” despite the public address announcer asking the fans to respect the anthems.

The Canada-USA hockey rivalry is long-lived, but the hostility from Canadian sports fans has grown since President Donald Trump’s threats to issue tariffs on the country and saying Canada could become the “51st state.”

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It is not the first time sports fans in Canada booed the USA’s national anthem since the tariffs were set to begin; Raptors and Senators fans did so earlier this month.

Matt Boldy, #12 of Team United States, celebrates with Jaccob Slavin, #74, Brock Faber, #14, Kyle Connor, #8, and J.T. Miller, #10 of Team United States, after Boldy tip-in a shot for a goal during the second period of the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on Feb. 13, 2025 in Montreal. (Andrea Cardin/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks announcer John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be two-and-a-half minutes because of the 25% tariffs.

The boos did not work long, though. Finland opened up the scoring, but Team USA scored six unanswered goals, including four in the third period, for a 6-1 victory. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each scored twice.

Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke via phone last week hours before additional 25% tariffs were to take effect on Canadian goods coming into the United States. In a post on X, Trudeau said Canada will implement a $1.3 billion border plan and appoint a fentanyl czar.

Trump has long said Canada and Mexico have failed to do enough to prevent the flow of illegal migrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, from those nations into the U.S. In addition, Trump claims the U.S. has subsidized Canada to the tune of $200 billion annually.

Trump had promised to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian and Mexican goods, as well as a 10% tariff on Canadian energy and a 10% tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from China. The tariffs on China were set to go into effect Tuesday at midnight.

NHL ANNOUNCER CRACKS TARIFF JOKE WHILE CALLING GAME FOR CANADA-BASED TEAM

Canada and USA will play each other in Montreal on Saturday, and there is a chance the two could play each other for the tournament title when it moves to Boston next week.

Charlie McAvoy, #25, Jake Guentzel, #59, Zach Werenski, #8, Auston Matthews, #34, and Jack Hughes, #86 of Team United States, stand at their blueline during the singing of the United Sates national anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on Feb. 13, 2025 in Montreal. (Vitor Munhoz/4NFO/World Cup of Hocky via Getty Images)

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Each country will play each other once before the top two teams will face off next Saturday for the one-game final.

Fox News’ Louis Casano contributed to this report.

February 14, 2025
Floodlight failure disrupts second ODI, players forced off after long delay
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India vs England: Floodlight failure disrupts second ODI, players forced off after long delay
The second innings of the 2nd ODI between India and England faced a stoppage due to a floodlight malfunction at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9).

Floodlight failure disrupts second ODI, players forced off after long delay at Cuttack. (PIC – X)

New Delhi: The second innings of the 2nd ODI between India and England faced a stoppage due to a floodlight malfunction at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9). Play had proceeded for 6 overs when a floodlight issue occurred. After the first delivery of the seventh over, the lights failed again.

Although the issue was briefly resolved, the lights went out once more, forcing the players to wait on the field before deciding to leave. The Indian team was seen chatting in the dugout during the delay.

India stood at 48/0 after 6.1 overs, with Rohit Sharma on 29 off 18 balls and Shubman Gill on 17 off 19. Rohit was in excellent form, hitting 3 sixes. If the delay extends, officials may reduce the number of overs, potentially adjusting India’s target.

India is aiming to chase down a target of 305 in the 2nd ODI. England got off to a strong start, with their opening pair, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, putting together an 81-run partnership for the first wicket. Salt made 26, while Duckett played a solid knock of 65 off 56 balls. Joe Root also played a vital innings, scoring a half-century to help England’s total approach 250.

Liam Livingstone’s explosive knock of 41 from 32 balls powered England past the 300-run mark, setting a strong total. Ravindra Jadeja was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami each claimed a wicket.

India secured an easy victory in the series opener, and a win in the second ODI will seal the series for them with one match remaining. India had earlier triumphed 4-1 in the five-match T20I series. Both sides will compete in the 2025 Champions Trophy following the conclusion of the ODI series.
February 9, 2025
Saints legend Mark Ingram preaches responsible gambling, respect for players ahead of Super Bowl LIX

NEW ORLEANS – The “Big Game” is only a day away, and while there will only be one winner between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, many others across the country are hoping they win something, too: their sports bets.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is estimating that Americans will bet $1.39 billion legally on Super Bowl LIX across those states that provide operating sportsbooks, which is a record.

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The BetMGM Sportsbook at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on the Las Vegas strip. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)

The continued expansion of legal sports betting markets – North Carolina and Vermont were added among legalized states, and Missouri just voted to approve it to bring the count to 40 states, as well as the District of Columbia – will be highlighted in Super Bowl LIX.

The increased enthusiasm is why former NFL running back Mark Ingram, who was back in New Orleans, the place he called home with the Saints for 10 seasons, teamed up with the AGA to implore sports bettors to game responsibly this Super Bowl.

“You gotta have a gameplan,” he told Fox News Digital on Radio Row in New Orleans. “First and foremost, have a budget, and stick to it. Be responsible, bet legally and don’t be harassing players – sending Venmos, sending CashApps when they don’t hit your prop bets. Enjoy it, respect it. It’s supposed to be entertainment.”

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Athletes from all sports have talked about sports bettors sending them messages, containing vulgar verbiage and threats to pay them after their performances didn’t work out in favor of their bet slip.

But Ingram is sick of seeing it.

“It’s crazy, man,” he said. “The players didn’t set the over/under for themselves, Vegas did. So, be mad at Vegas. The players are out there trying to do everything they can to help their team win a game.”

Mark Ingram at The 2024 ESPY Awards held at the Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Joe Maloney, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications at the AGA, discussed the five pillars that all sports bettors, experienced or not, should follow heading into the Super Bowl and beyond.

“First, bet legally,” Maloney began. “It’s important that you’re doing it in a legal operator with a legal sportsbook. Two, keep it fun. This is a social activity, do it with others. Just keep it fun. Three, stick to a budget. Understand what amount you want to spend on this type of activity. It’s no different than any other type of entertainment activity. Have a budget for it and stick to it.

“The other piece, which is also very important: Know the odds. Understand the terminology, and understand the difference between a sure bet and a longshot bet. A longshot bet, if you hit it, you’ll make more money. A sure bet, like Jalen Hurts scoring a touchdown in the game on Sunday, that’s probably more of a sure bet.

“Finally, keep your cool. Losing your bet is not an invitation to harass an athlete, harass an official, harass a coach. Just keep it to yourself if you win or lose.”

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

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For moneyline bets, or simply choosing who will win the game, the Chiefs are slight favorites to beat the Eagles, but that could always move, depending on how much money comes in ahead of kickoff at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday night.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 8, 2025
Saquon Barkley, Pat Surtain II named Offensive, Defensive Players of the Year

After carrying their teams to the playoffs, Saquon Barkley and Pat Surtain II were named the best players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, respectively.

The running back signed a three-year deal with the Eagles in the offseason after their division rival in the New York Giants opted to let him go and it’s been a nightmare for Big Blue and a dream for the Birds.

Barkley became the ninth person to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, and had he not sat in Week 18, he probably would have the record.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

While this is strictly a regular season award, Barkley is 30 yards away from setting the record for most rushing yards in a season, including playoffs. In 19 games played this season, including the postseason, Barkley has rushed for 2,447 yards and 18 touchdowns, five of which have come in his last two games.

Out of his 19 games played, he’s rushed for 100-plus 12 times and has eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice.

This is the first time a running back has won the award in back-to-back seasons since 2005 and 2006, when Shaun Alexander and LaDanian Tomlinson won the hardware, respectively.

Surtain became the first defensive back to win the award since Stephon Gilmore in 2019 after locking top receivers all season long. Surtain picked off four passes, returning them for an NFL-high 132 yards. He made his third consecutive Pro Bowl and was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time in three seasons.

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) gestures after a play in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

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Quarterbacks combined for a 59.1 passer rating when throwing toward Surtain, the third-lowest mark in football behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Marlon Humphrey.

Surtain is the 12th cornerback to win the award.

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

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Both players thanked God upon receiving their award – Barkley was not in attendance, as he’s gearing up for the big game on Sunday.

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February 7, 2025
NFL players uninterested in expanding regular season to 18 games, NFLPA exec says

While NFL leadership might be excited about the possibility of expanding the regular season, the players apparently don’t share that same enthusiasm.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken openly about his interest in expanding the regular season to 18 games. Speaking at a pre-Super Bowl news conference on Monday, he noted that more work would need to be done before making the decision, but expressed the desire to give fans what they want.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on during a news conference in New Orleans on Monday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

“We know fans love football and they want more football. But we have to be incredibly sensitive and smart with the balance and how we deal with that,” said Goodell.

And while fans’ interests are among the top priorities, NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell argued Tuesday that player interest is certainly the top — and players don’t seem to be interested.

“Their side hasn’t raised it, we certainly haven’t raised it. … Any commentary outside of a formal negotiation is just commentary,” Howell said.

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

“It’s a player’s decision as to what they will agree to do or not. Right now, when I have talked to players over the last two seasons, no one wants to play an 18th game. No one. Seventeen games is already, for many of the guys, too long.”

Howell continued to argue that health and safety concerns, as well as recovery time, represent the biggest hurdle in expanding the regular season more than it already has.

“No matter what Roger says, you open up that CBA (collective bargaining agreement) and we’re going to get into field surfaces, we’re going to get into safety, we’re going to get into a lot of things,” he said.

NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell speaks during the NFLPA press conference in advance of Super Bowl LIX at the New Orleans Convention Center in New Orleans on Wednesday. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

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Revenue will also be another hot topic. Under the current CBA, the players’ share of league revenue increased from 47% to 48% starting in 2021. That was increased to 48.5% based on the league’s new television contracts after the 17-game schedule was implemented.

But that figure is expected to change if the regular season does expand, Howell said.

“If I’m asking my workforce to work more, it’s not as simple as I’m gonna fall back on the revenue split that already exists,” he said. “There are so many dimensions that hang off the length of the season.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference in New Orleans on Monday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 6, 2025
Packers’ Josh Jacobs thinks running back pay ‘has to go up’ as players like Saquon Barkley lead offenses

NEW ORLEANS – Super Bowl LIX will feature arguably the NFL’s top running back in Saquon Barkley who, in his inaugural season with the Philadelphia Eagles, rushed for over 2,000 yards to join elite company in that respect on his way to playing in the “Big Game” for the first time.

Barkley, like many other running backs in the NFL, are the tonesetter on offense – as he goes, the rest of the offense follows. The same can be said for other star backs in the NFL, so why is Barkley making just $12.583 million per year on his new Eagles deal?

The running back market has been scrutinized by those who play the position, as well as others throughout the football world, because there are teams that wouldn’t be able to function without their running backs.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back (and former NY Giants back) Saquon Barkley (26) greets fans at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)

For example, could you imagine Green Bay Packers’ success this season without Josh Jacobs, who was sixth in rushing yards this year? He spoke to Fox News Digital on Wednesday at radio row ahead of Super Bowl LIX, where he said the running back market “has to go up.”

“I think there’s no way it couldn’t go up, because I feel like the top seven guys right now, three of them got to get paid soon,” Jacobs, who also discussed his partnership with USAA, the official “Salute to Service” partner of the NFL. “Those guys are Bijan [Robinson], Jahmyr [Gibbs], and Kyren [Williams]. Their [contract] stuff is coming up.”

The players Jacobs mentioned are still on their rookie deals, but each of them finished in the top seven in rushing yards in 2024. And there were almost two 2,000-yard rushers last season, as Baltimore Ravens veteran Derrick Henry thrived with his new squad.

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Jacobs showed love to his position group, only proving his point more.

“Obviously, doing what Saquon and Derrick has done. You even see Joe Mixon and what he’s done. I think it’s got to go up,” he explained. “Even with Christian and his extension he got at the beginning of the year, I think it helps the running back market. But seeing what we did, how much we were for our teams, I think the market has to go up.”

Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers in free agency this past season, joining a team that he had great success with as he scored 15 times on the ground.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

But to think that players like Mixon, who finished with 1,312 yards from scrimmage for the Houston Texans, is only making $9.875 million per season doesn’t sound right when some tight ends are making close to double that.

In fact, Henry’s deal with the Ravens was only worth $16 million over two years.

Will the running back market finally adjust to where players in the position group are happy with the compensation? Or will teams still consider it a position that can be plug-and-play throughout the year?

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Jacobs is in the Big Easy to not only enjoy his time around fellow peers while watching the Big Game – he’s surprising one of our military veterans with tickets to the Super Bowl.

Sergeant Major Kevin Bennett of the U.S. Marine Corps spent 34 years, from 1971-2004, dedicating his life to combat missions all over the world. Being a huge Packers fan, it was only right in Jacobs’ eyes that the running back be the one to surprise Bennett with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience football’s biggest stage.

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

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Jacobs and Bennett will share some time together on Friday when tickets will be bestowed on one of America’s heroes.

“Man, I’m excited, because, obviously, to me, they’re the real heroes,” Jacobs said. “My grandpa served in the Air Force and my uncle actually served in the marines. So, for me, it’s definitely closer to home. To be able sit down, talk to him, pick his brain a little bit, tell him I appreciate his service and things like that is definitely huge for me.”

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 6, 2025
Ex-NFL star Todd Gurley details what Chiefs, Eagles players going through mentally to prepare for Super Bowl

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NEW ORLEANS – The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have both been in this position before, ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

Experience in this high-pressure environment is certainly an advantage for those players that went through this nerve-wrecking week, but what exactly are these players experiencing behind closed doors?

One former NFL player revealed what was on his mind before he got a crack at the Lombardi Trophy.

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NFL free agent running back Todd Gurley reacts during the 2021 MLS All-Star Game at Banc of California Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

“Honestly, you start thinking about gifts that you’re gonna buy yourself when you win, and you get the winning earnings,” ex-Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley told Fox News Digital on Radio Row on Wednesday. “You’re not thinking ahead, but you’re like, ‘We’re gonna go to Vegas and celebrate.’”

Gurley joked that, with both Kansas City and Philadelphia cold this time of year, whoever wins will not be staying long after the parade.

Now, Gurley, unfortunately, didn’t get that winning feeling in Super Bowl LIII, falling to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, 13-3, to cap the 2018 season. Gurley had just 10 carries for 35 yards, as the Rams struggled mightily on offense.

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Gurley explained how the team was trying to prepare like it was a normal week when they got to Atlanta.

“You just try to treat it like a normal week, but you know you only got a couple days left so you just want to lock in,” he explained while also discussing his partnership with Bush’s Beans. “You’re like, ‘Couple days left. Let’s lock in.’ And then you try to be as cliché as possible like, ‘it’s just another game, it’s just another game.’”

However, what the Chiefs and Eagles might have figured out the first time facing each other in the Super Bowl was this, at least from Gurley’s perspective.

“Honestly, when the game came, I can definitely say it was by far one of the fastest games I’ve ever played in,” he said. “It was like a blur. I really don’t remember too much from it. It was super, super fast.”

The adrenaline pumping with millions watching can reach all-time highs for players, and Gurley even mentioned halftime being too long due to the pomp and circumstance of the signature halftime show.

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, #30, runs the ball against New England Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones, #31, and outside linebacker Elandon Roberts, #52, during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Again, there are only a handful of players on each team who do not know this feeling of going through meetings, media availabilities and practices, knowing only one game remains for glory.

For the Chiefs, they basically have a routine now with the Super Bowl, as they can make history with three straight Lombardi Trophies won, becoming the first team in NFL history to do so.

However, players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and others want revenge, as the Eagles fell to the Chiefs, 38-35, in Arizona in this game two years ago.

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Preparation is key, but even with that and experience, the pressure of performing on the biggest stage anywhere is immense. The Super Bowl is where legends are made, and Gurley understood that when he took the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in February 2019.

COOKIN’ UP SUPER BOWL DELIGHTS WITH BUSH’S BEANS

Today, Gurley’s preparation for the “Big Game” involves getting in the kitchen to whip up some tasty eats at home, which he always loves to do.

Being out in Los Angeles, Gurley said he gets to have cookouts all the time. What he cooks is the main question, but there seems to be a constant: baked beans.

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It is not just the standard Bush’s Original, which Gurley believes is more than fine. He prefers his family’s secret recipe.

“You want to spice it up a little bit,” he said. “Obviously, you usually go with the original. But you just start seeing stuff. Before YouTube and all this stuff, you learn it from the family or your learn it from your friends like, ‘Hold on, what was that you put in it the other day?’ And then you start adding stuff, so you do ground beef if you’re a beef guy, or you do turkey. Obviously, onions go with a lot of things – can’t go wrong with that. Some green peppers, some brown sugar, and then some bacon bits.”

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February 6, 2025