The Denver Broncos ground out a narrow 10-7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders to maintain the best record in the NFL.
In a tight game, just three points scored in the whole second half but they were vital as Wil Lutz scored a 32-yard field goal to send the Broncos to an 8-2 record.
They had more penalties than first downs in a stop-start game at Mile High Stadium but are top of the AFC West after a seventh straight win.
Coach Sean Payton said his team can refine their style as they look to keep on winning games.
“We’ve got to clean up some of the penalties. We’ve got to clean up the execution and that is an ongoing thing that probably never ends,” he said.
Former USC and NFL linebacker Keith Browner died Tuesday morning in San Leandro, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Bureau confirmed Wednesday. He was 63.
Keith Browner Jr. told TMZ that he talked to his father Monday night when the elder Browning was having stomach problems, vomiting and feeling tired. Browner Jr. said his father told him he would go to the hospital the next morning.
Browner was getting ready to go to the hospital Tuesday morning, according to TMZ, “when he curled over the side of a chair and collapsed to the floor next to his girlfriend.” TMZ also reported that “it appears” Browner suffered a heart attack and that his death was “unexpected and sudden.”
Alameda County authorities provided no cause of death Wednesday.
Born in Warren, Ohio, Browner was the fifth of six brothers, all of whom played college football and four of whom went on to play in the NFL. A second-round pick (30th overall) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984, Browner also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers during a five-year NFL career.
Oldest brother Ross Browner spent 10 years in the NFL, playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. Jimmie Browner Jr. played two years with the Bengals. Joey Browner was a six-time Pro Bowl player who spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and one with the Buccaneers.
Browner Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a college and pro football player. A standout defensive end at Dorsey High, Browner Jr. played three seasons at California and one season with the Houston Texans.
A nephew, Ross Browner’s son Max Starks, played nine years for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one for the St. Louis Rams.
Browner — who was 14 when his father, Jimmie, died of cancer at age 49 — said his mother Julia was the driving force behind her sons’ passion for the sport.
“She’s the one who always urged us to play,” he told the Dayton Daily News in 2023, “and sometimes she’d be right out there with us in the yard when we were having pick-up games.”
A three-sport standout at Warren Harding High, Browner spent four seasons at USC (1980-83), overlapping with brother Joey for the first three. He was named a captain for his final season and finished his college career with six interceptions in 34 games played.
Browner made the NFL’s all-rookie team in 1984. After three years with the Buccaneers, he split the 1987 season between the 49ers and Raiders before spending his final NFL season with the Chargers.
He finished his NFL career with 10.5 sacks, four interceptions (including one returned 55 yards for the Chargers against the Seattle Seahawks in 1988) and five fumble recoveries, then played two seasons in the Canadian Football League and six in the Arena Football League.
Browner is survived by his son and four daughters.
Former New York Jets executive Scott Pioli, who also played a key role in Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots dynasty, gives his reaction to the Jets trading away defensive stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the NFL’s trade deadline.
Tre’ Harris watched as Oronde Gadsden II burst by him, the 6-foot-5 tight end chugging over the turf at Golden West College’s football field.
Months before Harris and Gadsden suited up as Chargers rookies, the duo were catching passes from Jaxson Dart — now the starting quarterback for the New York Giants — during pre-NFL Scouting Combine training sessions at the Huntington Beach community college as the trio took advantage of sunny weather in Southern California.
“I saw his talents immediately,” Dart said of Gadsden. “Skill set-wise, I thought he was a very unique athlete, being, you know, the stature that he is. I thought his footwork was some of the best that I’ve seen.”
Over the past two weeks, the footwork that Harris said separates Gadsden from the rest of the NFL, has been on display.
Gadsden, 22, ranks fifth in NFL tight end receiving yards this season (385) despite not playing in the first two games. Two weeks ago, against the Colts, the son of former NFL wide receiver Oronde Gadsden emerged for 164 receiving yards and a touchdown. Against the Vikings last week, the former Syracuse standout, who set the program record for receptions in a season with 73 catches, recorded another 77 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Those accomplishments — which he credits to studying the likes of Chargers teammates Keenan Allen and Will Dissly — earned Gadsden earned NFL Rookie of the Week honors in Week 7, the first Charger to claim the award since Asante Samuel Jr. did it twice in 2021.
“It’s been good, getting in passes with Justin [Herbert], whether it’s a practice, and then following up in the game,” Gadsden said. “It feels good to see all the hard work that I’ve been doing, all the hard work that the whole team has been doing, come forward and translate into the game.”
Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II (86) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 23.
(Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
Jim Harbaugh can’t help but smile when talking about Gadsden. Asked about the Chargers’ rookies — and the efforts they’ve put in to keep the team afloat amid a rash of injuries — the usually stoic Chargers coach remarked about how wide his grin was before slamming his hands down onto the podium in front of him.
“I mean, Oronde Gadsden,” he said, “of course, has been great.”
Herbert added: “It was only a matter of time until he put together two games like he has back-to-back, and he’s gonna make a ton of plays for us. He’s gonna have a super long career.”
Gadsden had his first opportunity to relax during the mini bye week in the 10-day gap between the Chargers’ win over the Vikings and their game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. He said it’s been non-stop football for him since the beginning of his senior year at Syracuse; from the college season to pre-draft training, rookie mini camp, and now the NFL season.
Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II tries to fight off Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks during a Chargers’ win on Oct.12.
(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)
For the first time since those training sessions at Golden West, Gadsden decided to visit Disneyland. It was a rare break for Gadsden since his daily pre-draft days working alongside trainer T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the former Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
What makes Gadsden a special player, Harris said, is his never-stop attitude. During minicamp, Gadsden would arrive at the facility at 5 a.m. — using his East Coast-wired clock to his advantage to get extra work in.
“I’m not gonna say I knew he was gonna do this,” Harris said of Gadsden’s recent success, before pausing. “There’s not a lot of tight ends that can move like he does. And, you know, I’ve seen it firsthand.”
The hosts got into the end zone on each of their opening two drives, with Herbert making an eight-yard touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden II before Kimani Vidal, who finished with 117 rushing yards, punched in his first NFL touchdown from three yards.
Herbert then launched a 27-yard pass to the corner for Ladd McConkey to help make it 21-3 at half-time, but the Chargers quarterback gave up his only interception midway through the third quarter.
The Vikings took advantage, with Carson Wentz finding Jordan Addison at the back of the end zone to make it 24-10, but the hosts emphasised their dominance with a Tre’ Harris touchdown and two field goals in the fourth quarter.
The Vikings are now 3-4 and Wentz struggled on his fifth start in place of the injured JJ McCarthy, throwing for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception while being sacked five times.
McCarthy has been out with a high ankle sprain suffered in week two but head coach Kevin O’Connell hopes the second-year quarterback can return next week, when the Vikings face a tough game at divisional rivals the Detroit Lions.
“If JJ is healthy, JJ will play,” said O’Connell. “I believe we’re right around the corner from seeing him be healthy, have a week of preparation and go compete.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick of this year’s NFL Draft and he made an instant impact, scoring two touchdowns on his debut.
Veteran receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been struggling with injury, and now Evans is out for the rest of the season, so 23-year-old Egbuka is set to remain the main outlet for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“Egbuka’s been thrown into the fire a little bit, but everyone at Ohio State said he was a professional wide receiver playing college football,” said Miller.
“As a route runner, he was precise, he was crisp, he was sharp. He was a punt returner so you knew about his toughness and his playmaking ability.
“And getting to know him in the pre-draft process, he was mature. He was a leader at Ohio State, despite never being the number one wide receiver. He never complained, he just showed up and did his job.”
Miller added that rookies like Egbuka and Tyler Warren now come into the NFL better prepared to make the step up.
Warren was the 14th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts, who are leading the way with a 6-1 record, and Warren has more receiving yards than any other tight end (439).
NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter added: “The Colts’ offence has surprised a ton of people, and Warren’s a bit like Brock Bowers [at the Raiders] last year, a tight end coming in, being productive and such a key piece within their offence.”
Wales’ players will assemble at their training base on the outskirts of Cardiff on Monday, 27 October.
New head coach Steve Tandy will then begin his tenure with a match against Argentina on Sunday, 9 November, with Tests against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa to follow.
Those fixtures, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, represent a formidable first assignment for ex-Scotland defence coach Tandy.
He takes over a Wales side ranked 12th in the world and one that only broke an 18-match international losing sequence by beating Japan in Kobe in July.
“It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got,” said Tandy.
“There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday.
“It’s a new time and there are some new faces in and around the playing group as well.”
Carre has started the season strongly with Saracens, but was ineligible under Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection policy because he has 20 caps, five short of the required number for those playing for clubs outside Wales.
But in its statement confirming the squad, the WRU said Carre had been “included following confirmation by the Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for Wales selection”.
Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins are back having missed the two-Test series in Japan over the summer because of being given a break and elective surgery respectively.
There are also returns for Jacob Beetham, Rhys Davies, Rio Dyer, Jarrod Evans, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn and Nick Tompkins.
HUGE sports fan? Setting sail on the seas doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the big game or your fitness regime.
Modern cruise ships come kitted out with all the latest wellness gear whether its high-tech courts, sports bars showing the latest footie games or themed itineraries for mega fans.
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Cruise fans can stay match-fit at sea with ships offering sports bars, fitness zones and even fan-themed voyages including the likes of F1 and NFLCredit: Royal Caribbean
From footie sailings with NFL tickets to island-hopping cycling tours, Sophie Swietochowski picks five of the best sports voyages.
TAKE ON CROATIA ON TWO WHEELS
Pedal through paradise on a week-long Sail Croatia cruise exploring sun-soaked islands and stunning coastal trailsCredit: Supplied
You’ll spend three nights in Miami then day four at sea where you can enjoy minigolf or volleyball on board, before reaching Ocho Rios in Jamaica. You’ll head to Grand Cayman then back to Miami.
GO: The nine-night NFL cruise is from £2,079pp, including Heathrow flights and Miami hotel stay. Leaves November 7. See iglucruise.com.
WATCH GRAND PRIX IN ABU DHABI
Petrolheads can hit top gear with a luxury Gulf cruise that includes an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets, music performances and F1 legends on boardCredit: Getty
FORMULA One legends will be putting their pedals to the metal in Abu Dhabi this December for the much-anticipated grand prix.
And if one cruise line understands what racing fans want, it’s Celestyal. You’ll have to splash the cash, but it’ll be worth it for this cruise.
The Arabian Gulf package includes a short stay in a four-star hotel on the Corniche – the five-mile promenade – in Abu Dhabi and three-day grandstand ticket to the Grand Prix.
This is followed by a five-night Desert Days cruise, with an overnight stop in Dubai.
If you’ve never made it to the Grand Prix before then prepare to be dazzled as fans will not only be watching their racing favourites whizz round the tracks, they’ll also enjoy performances from Benson Boone, Post Malone, Metallica and Katy Perry.
And the F1 fun continues on board, with passengers joined by guest speakers, former race ace David Coulthard and sports host Laura Winter, as they sail between Dubai, Yas Island and Abu Dhabi.
GO: The seven-night Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix cruise costs from £2,390pp including flights from the UK, all transfers, two-night hotel stay, three-day grandstand ticket and cruise.
The price also includes an exclusive beach party on Sir Bani Yas island. See celestyaltravel.com.
PUMP SOME IRON AROUND THE MED
Stay ship-shape at sea with Princess Cruises’ gyms, courts and fitness classes – then unwind in the spa after exploring the Med’s top destinationsCredit: David Parker
KEEN to keep on top of your fitness? Princess Cruises has 18 ships offering top-notch gyms, blood-pumping classes and state-of-the-art courts.
Whether you’re a pickleball enthusiast or prefer something more low-key, the sports court of Sun Princess has something for all.
More of a runner? The gym isn’t short of treadmills, and there’s also an outdoor running track. There are fitness classes too, from pilates to spin. Revive aching muscles at the spa.
Explore Naples in Italy, Chania in Greece, Kusadasi in Turkey and Mykonos and Athens in Greece on this seven-night Med voyage.
GO: A seven-day Mediterranean with Italy & Turkey sailing is from £796pp departing Rome on May 23. Flights extra. See princess.com.
SINK HOOPS IN THE CARIBBEAN
Score big on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, with sports bars, courts, rock climbing and surf simulators on a sun-soaked Caribbean voyageCredit: Getty
MORE of an all-rounder? You’ll love the adults-only Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade on board Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Star of the Seas.
The lively venue is crammed with screens showing the biggest sports games and events.
For something more physically challenging, the sports court has a basketball area, pickleball and football. Or at Adrenaline Peak, guests can take on the rock-climbing wall or try riding waves on the surf simulator.
Former National Football League (NFL) running back Doug Martin has died aged 36 while in police custody in California.
The Oakland Police Department said the former American football star – who played for teams including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – died after being involved in an alleged home break-in and a struggle with officers on Saturday.
“While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued,” the department said, adding Martin became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
His family announced his passing and said his cause of death was “unconfirmed”.
“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,” his family told US media. The family asked for “privacy at this time”.
In a statement, Martin’s former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said they were “deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin”.
“From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise,” the team added.
Born in Oakland, California, Martin was Tampa Bay’s first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. During his first season, Martin rushed for 1,454 yards and made 11 touchdowns.
Martin spent six of his seven NFL seasons playing for the Buccaneers, and was nicknamed the “Muscle Hamster” because of his high strength despite being relatively short for a professional player at 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall.
But he struggled with injuries and was also suspended in 2016 for four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy, after testing positive for a banned substance. He apologised and went to a drug treatment facility.
Martin also played for the Oakland Raiders, which is now in Las Vegas, at the end of his career in 2018.
The in-custody death of former All-Pro running back Doug Martin during a reported home break-in early Saturday morning will be investigated by various agencies in compliance with state laws, the Oakland Police Department said.
Martin, 36, died in a hospital after he became unresponsive following his arrest by Oakland police officers responding to the reports of a break-in at a residence about two blocks from the Oakland zoo.
A statement released by the police department said the case will be investigated by the department’s homicide section and internal affairs bureau in addition to the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
“The Oakland Police Department remains committed to transparency. However, to ensure the integrity of the investigation, the release of information must be limited at this time,” the statement read. “Additional details will be shared as soon as the investigative process allows and in compliance with the law.”
State law requires law enforcement agencies to report any case in which a person dies in their custody to the Attorney General within 10 days.
The police department received nearly simultaneous reports of the break-in and a person “experiencing a medical emergency” at the same location, Oakland police told KTVU-TV.
“Upon arrival, officers located the individual inside the residence,” the department said. “While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued. After being taken into custody, the individual became unresponsive.”
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Oakland Raiders running back Doug Martin (28) carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos in Oakland on Dec. 24, 2018.
(John Hefti / Associated Press)
The last of Martin’s seven NFL seasons was with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. The 5-foot-9, 220-pound running back nicknamed the Muscle Hamster for his short, powerful build played six years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who acquired him in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft out of Boise State.
Martin rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012, the third-highest rushing total by a rookie in NFL history. He also rushed for more than 1,400 yards in 2015 when he was named an All-Pro, and the Buccaneers signed him to a five-year, $35.75 million contract extension.
However, he was suspended four games in December 2016 for violation of the NFL substance abuse policy. He entered a treatment facility after testing positive for Adderall and did not receive $15 million in guaranteed money.
Martin left a game in 2017 — his last season in Tampa Bay — because of a concussion sustained during the Buccaneers’ opening drive against the Atlanta Falcons. He returned, however, carrying the ball seven times before being replaced late in the first half. Martin sat out the next game and played sparingly the rest of the season.
Martin, who was born in Oakland and attended high school in Stockton, signed a one-year deal in 2018 with the Raiders and rushed for 723 yards before retiring because of injuries.
Martin’s family released a statement Sunday addressing his death.
“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,” his family said. “Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.”
The Buccaneers posted a tribute to Martin on social media: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin. From his record-setting rookie season to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise.”
ESPN writer Seth Wickersham and Phoebe Schecter explain the thought processes behind the likes of legendary quarterback Tom Brady transforming themselves from backups to Super Bowl winners.
That’s what Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris said about his star running back Monday night after a 24-14 win over reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
While Morris may be somewhat biased toward his own player, national TV viewers might have trouble arguing with him after what they witnessed Robinson accomplish on this week’s “Monday Night Football.”
The third-year player tied his career high with 170 rushing yards (the most for a Falcons player during a prime time TV game) in 19 carries. That included a spectacular 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that was the longest run of his career as well the longest in the NFL this season. It’s also tied for the second-longest rushing touchdown in Falcons history.
Robinson now has three plays from scrimmage of 50 yards or more this season after having only one longer than 30 yards last year.
“IIt’s just a thing of my game where I want to get better at and continue to get better at every single day,” Robinson said after the game. “And you know, if I can get better at that and breaking those long runs, it’s only helping the team.”
Robinson also caught six passes from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for 68 yards for a total of 238 yards from scrimmage, the most ever for a Falcons running back.
“There are some people who are just born to be a certain athlete,” Falcons receiver Drake London said after the game. “Like you have certain people who are born to be basketball players, such as LeBron [James]. You have people who are born to be football players, like they have the perfect body shape for it. Now, [Robinson] goes out there, and it’s like art. It’s amazing to see.”
Speaking of James, the Lakers superstar also took notice of Robinson’s performance.
A first-round draft pick in 2023 and a Pro Bowl selection last year, Robinson leads the league with 822 yards from scrimmage this season (484 rushing and 338 receiving), and it’s not even all that close.
The Falcons are one of only six teams that have had their bye weeks already, meaning Robinson has compiled his total in five games. The next 11 players on the list — starting with San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 with 780 yards — have all played in six games.
If he keeps this pace, Robinson will finish the season with 2,797 yards from scrimmage, which would break the current record of 2,509 yards set by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson in 2009. Johnson’s record was set during a 16-game season; Robinson is on pace to have 2,630 yards after his 16th game of the 17-game season.
So maybe Morris wasn’t being all that biased in his post-game comments about Robinson after all.
“He’s the best player in football,” Morris told reporters. “I’ve said it multiple times, I can’t say it enough. You can always have your pick, you can always go out there and figure out who you want to vote for, but in my opinion, he’s the best player in football.”
In Monday night’s other game, a last-gasp 38-yard Jake Moody field goal with three seconds left gave the Chicago Bears a thrilling 25-24 victory at the Washington Commanders.
The San Francisco 49ers took Moody with a rare pick on a kicker in round three of the 2023 draft but they then cut him a poor week one performance this season.
He signed to the Bears practice squad and was activated for Monday’s game after an injury to Cairo Santos.
“It feels amazing,” said Moody. “To get all that support from all my team-mates after the game, it was an amazing feeling.”
Two Moody field goals and a rushing touchdown from quarterback Caleb Williams put Chicago 13-0 up before Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels found Chris Moore to reduce the deficit to six points at Northwest Stadium.
Matt Gay and Moody traded field goals before Daniels threw to Luke McCaffrey and Zach Ertz for touchdowns as Washington opened up a 24-16 lead.
A 55-yard D’Andre Swift receiving touchdown gave the Bears a chance to tie the game but they missed a two-point conversion, leaving the Commanders 24-22 ahead.
But a Daniels fumble gave possession back to the Bears, who drove down the field to set up Moody’s winning kick with three seconds left, leaving the Commaneders with a 3-3 record.
“That’s who we are. We fight,” said Williams, who threw for one touchdown and 252 yards as his team moved to 3-2.
“We’re 3-2 because of our fight, because of how we face adversity and come together.”
Oct. 12 (UPI) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was booked into the Marion County, Ind., jail Sunday after being released from the hospital following treatment for stab wounds he received during an altercation with a truck driver.
Sanchez, 38, is facing multiple charges, including felony battery, for his altercation with 69-year-old Perry Tole, in which Sanchez was stabbed multiple times. Tole claimed he was defending himself from the former NFL star. Sanchez was released from jail following his booking Sunday.
Trump told Indianapolis media that he was “focused on his recovery,” and thanked medical professionals for saving his life.
“Right now, I’m just focused on recovery,” Sanchez said. “And I just wanted to thank the first responders, Eskenazi hospital … I just want to thank Dr. [Lindsey] Morrisey, the surgeon. I’m grateful for that. Sorry I can’t answer all your questions.”
Sanchez told reporters that he is recovering slowly and that “it is a long process.”
Tole has sued Sanchez and Fox Sports for his injuries that he said he received in the Oct. 4 incident in Indianapolis.
Local police said they would typically wait until Monday to handle cases that happen on the weekend, but “a high level of public interest” in Sanchez prompted them to take action on Sunday.
Remember when snack choices fueled the most contentious debates around Super Bowl halftime? Cheetos versus Doritos. Hot wings versus garlic knots. And who the hell brought carrot sticks?!
Now Turning Point USA, the far-right organization founded by slain MAGA activist Charlie Kirk, has presented its followers with more tough choices: Who should play at Super Bowl LX’s halftime show?
Never mind that the NFL already announced earlier this month that Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny had landed the spot. Turning Point USA announced Thursday that it would be staging its own counterprogramming in protest of the league’s choice. It’ll be called “The All American Halftime Show” — and it most certainly won’t be in Spanish.
Ever since the NFL announced that Bad Bunny (whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) would play the Big Game on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, critics have been decrying the decision as an assault on Americanism.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said booking Bad Bunny was “a terrible decision.”
President Trump, who admitted he’d never heard of Bad Bunny before the late September Super Bowl announcement, said the NFL’s booking of the performer was “absolutely ridiculous.”
White House advisor Corey Lewandowski said it was “shameful they’ve decided to pick somebody who seems to hate America so much.”
Yet in comparison with other artists and celebrities who’ve widely criticized the president and his policies, Bad Bunny is not all that political or outspoken. He has, however, expressed concerns about the potential of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining fans at his concerts. The artist said last month that he would not book any U.S. dates for his tour over fears that fans would be swept up by ICE. “There was the issue of — like, f— ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” he told i-D magazine.
That was enough to deem Bad Bunny an enemy of the MAGA state and to characterize his Super Bowl show as part of a larger, hostile Latino invasion.
But let’s call it what it is: politicians and their pundits leveraging Hispanophobia for votes, influence and donations. The performer represents a population that’s been targeted by the current administration via unconstitutional sweeps of brown people in American cities, regardless of their immigration status. Bad Bunny is a U.S. citizen, like many of the folks with no criminal records who’ve been detained and even deported. Vilifying the artist and those who look and speak like him has generated votes for the right and deflected from concerns about the fragile economy and skyrocketing cost of living under Trump.
Turning Point advertises its planned counterprogramming as a show “Celebrating Faith, Family, & Freedom” and asking followers to weigh in on music genres they would like to hear at the alternative halftime show. The first option on the ballot? “Anything in English.”
The survey is situated right under a donate button, and another option to click “yes” to approve receiving “recurring automated promotional & fundraising texts from Turning Point.”
Despite the fact that the 79-year-old president had never heard of the wildly popular artist before, Bad Bunny is a three-time Grammy Award winner, a global superstar and has bested Taylor Swift’s Billboard chart numbers in the U.S.
So who does MAGA think it can get to upstage Bad Bunny at its unofficial Super Bowl side show? House Speaker Johnson suggested that “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood would attract a “broader audience.” But as Variety pointed out, the 1980s country icon boasts fewer than 500,000 Spotify listeners, compared with Bad Bunny’s 80 million.
Turning Point USA appears to be working on that problem. “Performers and event details coming soon,” said a statement on its site.
During his “Saturday Night Live” guest appearance last weekend, Bad Bunny derided the MAGA freakout around his forthcoming Super Bowl show, delivering his monologue in Spanish. He earnestly thanked his fans for acknowledging the contributions of Latinos in the U.S. Then in closing, he switched to English: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
No word yet if chips, salsa and guacamole will become the next target of performative, fundraising outrage on the right. Make Pretzels Great Again.
Then over in the NFL, the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles were dominated by NFC West rival New York Giants 34-17 on “Thursday Night Football.” And in the NHL, the Flyers lost their season opener 2-1 to the Florida Panthers.
For any other city’s fan base, that might be considered the worst day ever. But believe it or not, Philly fans had to endure a similarly disheartening day nearly 42 years ago, according to sports statistician Greg Harvey.
Cities in history to have their NHL team lose, NFL team lose & MLB team lose in the playoffs & be eliminated all on the same day:
Harvey pointed out on X that Oct. 16, 1983, was the only other time in history that one city’s MLB team team suffered a season-ending loss in the postseason while its NFL and NHL teams lost as well. And that unlucky city was Philadelphia.
That was the day that the Phillies, nicknamed the “Wheeze Kids” that season for all the veteran players on the roster, fell 5-0 to the Baltimore Orioles to lose the World Series four games to one.
Meanwhile, the Eagles were off to a 4-2 start to their season before losing that day to the Dallas Cowboys 37-7. It was the start of a seven-game losing streak for the Eagles, who wound up finishing the season 5-11.
The Flyers suffered their first loss of that season — 5-4 to the New York Rangers — after starting the year with five straight wins. Months later, they ended up finishing third in the Patrick Division before being swept out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Washington Capitals.
So maybe, just maybe, you might want to take it easy on the Philadelphia sports fans in your life — at least until the next time one or more them does something that makes the rest of us cringe.
And hopefully those fans extend the same courtesy to Kerkering. Maybe he’ll end up being the one person who can tell Santa Claus and the others that Philly fans aren’t all that bad after all.
Sam Farmer makes his picks and predictions for Week 6 of the NFL season, with the Lions defeating the Chiefs in prime time and the Seahawks improving to 4-2.
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He’s currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
That shows how the Broncos are a team that wants to run first, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It’s also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they don’t move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he’s got a lot of poise in the pocket and isn’t really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able to throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and when you’ve got an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, that he’s such a competitor. I think it’s fun for him to have a young quarterback who’s kind of like play-dough. He can really build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it’s a special experience for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 – tied 14th overall). He’s seen it all. I think the success Denver are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn’t want a better guy in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in Denver’s defence, in Bo Nix’s tenacity and composure. But are they good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don’t think the Broncos are incredible. They’re working above average, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They’re really good at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and that’s exactly what they should do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It’s going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst in the league), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they’re the only team yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn was defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Allen was selected by the Chargers – then based in San Diego – in the third round of the 2013 draft, but he has outlasted many of the wide receivers that were drafted after him.
“This record basically speaks to his consistency and his availability,” said McGeoghan, who was the Chargers’ wide receivers coach from 2018-2020.
“But his intelligence and his sophistication are what has allowed him to catch that number of passes over time. He’s great on third down, he’s one of the best chain movers in the history of the game.”
Allen currently has 11,563 receiving yards – fifth among current players, behind DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, Travis Kelce and Davante Adams.
Along with Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs, they are the six current players to have claimed more receiving touchdowns than Allen (69).
Schecter said that for him to reach 1,000 receptions before them “shows how reliable a target he is for his quarterbacks”, yet he has a smaller profile than his peers listed above and is not lauded by fans for being a “big-time, flashy receiver”.
But McGeoghan said that Allen is “the most heralded guy that I’ve ever coached when it comes to the industry professionals”.
He added: “I would say that within the industry, when I go to speak at clinics and there’s nothing but coaches in there, all the people want to talk about is Keenan and his route craft, his ability to separate [from defenders], his understanding of zones, his release at the line of scrimmage. He’s just so refined and such a craftsman of the receiver position.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been fined, external $250,000 (£186,000) by the National Football League for making an obscene gesture towards fans on Sunday.
The 82-year-old was caught on camera raising his middle figure at the crowd during the Cowboys’ 37-22 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
But Jones says he intended to put his thumb up instead, and was signalling to his own supporters – not those of the Jets.
“That was unfortunate. That was kind of an exchange with our fans out in front of us,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.
“There was a swarm of Cowboys fans out in front – not Jets fans, Cowboys fans.
“There wasn’t any antagonistic issue or anything like that. I just put up the wrong show on the hand. That was inadvertently done.
“I’m not kidding. If you want to call it accidental, you can call it accidental. But it got straightened around pretty quick.
“The intention was ‘thumbs up’, and basically pointing at our fans because everybody was jumping up and down.”
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was fined $300,000 (£223,000) for throwing a drink on fans during the 2023 season, while then Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 (£186,000) in 2009 for gesturing at Buffalo Bills fans.
