Happy New Year 2025

Tag: returning

  • LSU alum Jayden Daniels reflects on ‘full-circle moment’ of returning to Louisiana after stellar rookie year

    LSU alum Jayden Daniels reflects on ‘full-circle moment’ of returning to Louisiana after stellar rookie year

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    NEW ORLEANS – Jayden Daniels wishes he was in New Orleans to gear up for the Super Bowl, not a press tour.

    However, the state of Louisiana is where he called home for two years and became a star at LSU, so he is taking it all in. The Baton Rogue campus is just 80 miles away from Bourbon Street, and it is a “full-circle moment” for Daniels.

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    Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, #5, celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

    “Being here for two years, now we’re back here, I wanted to be back here playing in the Super Bowl, but it’s awesome man. Just being here, it’s a full-circle for us, for sure,” Daniels said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

    It is also much more special for Daniels that the city is hosting the big game less than six weeks after the New Year’s terror attack.

    “Obviously, it was a tragedy. You never want to see that happen,” Daniels added. “But it’s been awesome man, a great city to host an event like this. I love it out here. I’m happy they were able to do this.”

    Daniels is in the Big Easy with his mother, which makes the full-circle moment even that much more complete. The two have teamed up with Invisalign to help fans build confidence with their smiles.

    Jayden Daniels waves to crowd

    Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, #5, waves to the crowd after an overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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    With Daniels being back home after his rookie season, it is hard not to feel confident.

    “It’s been awesome. I pride myself on my smile. I had braces growing up, so just being able to enhance your smile even more, you always gotta keep a good set of teeth on you,” Daniels said.

    Daniels is making the trip to the NFL Honors on Thursday in New Orleans, where he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

    He came up short in the NFC Championship, but with a bright future ahead of him, it is easy to realize that the Washington Commanders have big goals in mind.

    So, how can they do it?

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    “We gotta take it one day at a time. Can’t really think about getting back, because you get caught up in different stuff,” Daniels said. “For us, just go out there, whoever we have, we have the standard set that this is who we want to be, this is the Commander team, we are the brand. Whoever comes in, we gotta hold them to that standard.”

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  • Pete Alonso returning to Mets on short-term deal: reports

    Pete Alonso returning to Mets on short-term deal: reports

    The New York Mets are bringing back first baseman Pete Alonso on a two-year, $54 million deal, according to multiple reports. 

    The deal reportedly comes with an opt-out after 2025. The deal also reportedly comes with a $10 million signing bonus and a $20 million salary for 2025, with a $24 million player option for 2026.

    Alonso was the team’s second-round pick out of the Florida Gators’ program in 2016, and he’s spent his first six seasons hitting home runs (226), including a rookie record 53 that aided his Rookie of the Year resume in 2019. He’s also made four All-Star teams, including each of the last three, and has a career .854 OPS. 

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    Oct 8, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts after walking in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

    Alonso’s uncertain return to the Mets was one of the most-discussed storylines of the MLB offseason. Team owner Steve Cohen expressed skepticism the team would re-sign the star sluggers during an appearance at the Mets’ Amazin’ Day in late January. 

    There, Cohen said the negotiations with Alonso were going “worse” than they had with the team’s offseason big offseason signing, Juan Soto. 

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    Pete Alonso looks on field

    Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets reacts after flying out to left field to end the bottom of the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on May 25, 2024 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

    “We’ve made a significant offer to Pete, and, you know, what David said is correct. He’s entitled to go out and explore his market,” Cohen said. “That’s what he’s doing. Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation. I mean, Soto was tough. This is worse.”

    Still, Cohen never ruled out Alonso’s return. 

    “I will never say no. There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward, and we continue to bring in players. As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have. That’s where we are,” Cohen said.

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    Pete Alonso in action

    New York Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) runs the bases after hitting run in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park.  (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

    “I’m being brutally honest. I don’t like the negotiations, I don’t like what’s been presented to us, and maybe that changes. Certainly, I’ll always stay flexible. If it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

    Now, Alonso is back in Queens and will be paired with Soto for at least one season. 

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    Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.