football

Aaron Rodgers’ Jets Debut Revealed

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Many have declared the New York Jets to be the winners of the 2023 offseason. The perennial laughingstock of the league swung a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers. That move alone thrust them immediately into playoff contention and finally brought some stability to the quarterback position. But Rodgers was really the final puzzle piece for a roster the Jets have been building over the last few seasons.

However, with the NFL schedule announcement looming, people have begun to wonder exactly what the league has planned for Rodgers’ debut. The NFL schedule is a very complex thing but at its core, it needs to be entertaining. And the NFL wouldn’t want to have anything less than a certified banger for Rodgers’ new team debut. Well, we know now the first time Rodgers will step out in Jets’ green thanks to one of the many intentional leaks preceding the schedule announcement.

Rodgers To Debut On MNF Versus The Bills

ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to throw a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers will make his debut as New York Jet on September 11. The fixture is slated to be a Monday Night at MetLife Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. So yeah, no pressure for Rodgers. Just a matchup against a division rival on the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 in New York. Rodgers has limited experience against the Bills, going 2-2 against Buffalo in his lengthy career. He’s recorded five touchdowns and four interceptions in those games.

The Jets are 5-11 in their 15 Monday Night Football appearances since 2010. Meanwhile, the Bills are 3-5. However, this may also set up another important debut. The last MNF game the Bills played was abandoned after Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field. With Hamlin cleared to play in the 2023 season, he may also be making his return to the field in this game. Last season, the Bills and Jets split their two matchups. HotNewHipHop will also full coverage of the NFL schedule after it releases at 8pm EDT on May 11. How do you feel about this debut for Rodgers? Do you think he’s going to succeed with the Jets? Let us know in the comments below.

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Bo Jackson Tries Weird Cure For Hiccups

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Bo Jackson is a sport legend. The College Football Hall of Famer was the number one pick in the 1986 NFL draft. He enjoyed three fantastic seasons in the NFL before his career was cut short by injury. However, he also played eight seasons of Major League Baseball, joining the Kansas City royals in 1986. Yes, if you didn’t already know who he was, Jackson played two pro sports concurrently.

However, Jackson has reportedly been suffering from the hiccups for a full year now. Anyone whose had the hiccups for more than an hour knows just how bad they can get. Furthermore, prolonged hiccuping can cause damage to your body. But some of the things Bo has tried to cure his hiccups are just downright weird.

Bo Jackson (May Have) Sniffed A Porcupine’s Butt

CHICAGO, IL – CIRCA 1991: Bo Jackson #8 of the Chicago White Sox looks on walking off the field during a Major League Baseball game circa 1991 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Jackson played for the White Sox in 1991 and 1993. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

“I’ve had the hiccups since last July,” Jackson said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “I’m getting a medical procedure done the end of this week, I think, to try to remedy it. I’m busy at the hospital sitting up with the doctor’s poking me, shining lights down my throat, probing me every way they can to find out why I’ve got these hiccups.” According to Jackson, he’s tried all the traditional cures of hiccups. But nothing has worked.

However, while listing the cures he had tried, he very casually some absolute insanity. “I have done everything—scare me, drink water upside down, smell the ass of a porcupine, it doesn’t work.” That’s right, while talking about getting scared etc., Bo Jackson also said that he had sniffed the ass of a porcupine. Now, Jackson was probably speaking hyperbolically to indicate the great lengths he had gone to. Furthermore, HotNewHipHop could not find any evidence of smelling a porcupine’s butt as a cure for the hiccups. However, several websites do recommend smelling strong odors as a way to cure the hiccups. So who knows, maybe Jackson wasn’t speaking so figuratively as one may initially believe. What’s your go-to cure for the hiccups? Let us know in the comments below.

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Foster Moreau To Play NFL Season Despite Cancer Diagnosis

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Foster Moreau has been in the NFL since 2019. After winning a national championship with Joe Burrow and LSU, the tight end was taken in the fourth round of the Draft by the Raiders. Primarily backing up Darren Waller, Moreau played in 61 games across his rookie contract. Additionally, he was fined in 2020 for attending a maskless party hosted by Waller. He had recorded 1107 yards and 12 touchdowns as the Raiders declined to re-sign him.

However, Moreau’s offseason went a little unexpectedly. A medical exam with the New Orleans Saints revealed that Moreau was suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a form of cancer. It begins in the white blood cells and affects the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system. Despite this, Moreau isn’t going to let a little thing like cancer stop him from playing football.

Moreau To The Saints For Three Years

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Foster Moreau #87 and Darren Waller #83 of the Las Vegas Raiders walk off at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)

According to Moreau’s agent, Joe Linta, Moreau has signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans. The contract is said to be worth $12 million, with $8 million guaranteed. After trading veteran Adam Trautman during the draft, the Saints have been left a little light at tight end. The most experienced player at the position currently on the roster is Taysom Hill, the former quarterback that the Saints have long utilized as a tight end. Moreau brings both production and veteran experience to the position. The Saints did not draft a tight end but did sign Central Michgan’s Joel Wilson as an undrafted free agent. Instead, the Saints focused on bolstering their defense with the first picks.

14 tight ends were taken in total, including six in the first two rounds. Interestingly, Darnell Washington, who was considered one of the best tight ends in the draft, was amazingly still available in the third round. However, the Saints instead took TCU running back Kendre Miller. Washington was drafted 22 picks later by the Steelers with the 93rd pick. Moreau is cleared to resume football activities next week. However, it’s unknown how much treatment he will need during the season. Be sure to make HotNewHiphop your first stop for all the latest sports news and analysis.

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NFL Reveals 2023 International Games

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In a bid for wider global recognition, the NFL has played at least one regular-season game outside the United States every season since 2007. Occurring once a season in the beginning, the International Series has grown in size and scope in recent years. In 2022, the NFL played five games in three non-US countries – Germany, England, and Mexico. It was the first time that the NFL had played in Germany and was part of a major European expansion for the league.

Ahead of the full schedule reveal on May 11, the NFL has chosen to reveal the five International Series games. The slate features a mix of title contenders and interesting teams on the rise. It features five games across two countries. Furthermore, nine teams will take part, with one team playing back-to-back international games.

NFL To Host Games In London and Frankfurt

ORCHARD PARK, NY – JANUARY 22: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills drops back against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

According to the NFL’s announcement, the first three games of the 2023 International Series will be held in London, England. The Falcons will face the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 1. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host two games. The Jaguars will take on the Bills on October 7 while the Ravens and Titans will clash on October 15. The remaining games will take place in Frankfurt, Germany in November. The Dolphins meet the Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 5. Finally, the Colts and the Patriots square off on November 12. No team is making its International Series debut. However, it is the first such game for the Bills and Colts since 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Several other fixtures were teased alongside the full International Series slate. For example, we know there will be a Week 17, New Year’s Eve showdown between the Chiefs and Bengals. Elsewhere, the Jets will host Miami in a Black Friday matchup. Speaking of holidays, the Eagles will play the Giants on Christmas Day. Be sure to check out HotNewHipHop‘s full coverage of the NFL schedule once all matches are released at 8pm EST on May 11.

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Georgia Bulldogs Decline White House Invitation

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The first sports teams to be invited to the White House were two amateur baseball teams in 1865. It quickly became a tradition amongst professional teams. In 1976, the Indiana Hoosiers Men’s Basketball team became the first collegiate visitors to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It has since become an annual tradition for collegiate champions to visit the President in the months after their title.

However, the White House visit has become a major point of debate this year. Primarily, the discourse was sparked after LSU’s Angel Reese implied she wouldn’t accept the invitation. This came after Reese accused First Lady Jill Biden of disrespecting her and LSU. Dr. Biden had made comments implying she also wanted to invite National Runners-up Iowa. Reese eventually accepted and will visit with her teammates on May 26. However, a different college powerhouse has declined their invitation.

Bulldogs Cite Schedule Conflict For Skipping White House

ATHENS, GA – APRIL 15: Arian Smith #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a touchdown during a game between Georgia Bulldogs Red and Georgia Bulldogs Black at Sanford Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The Georgia Bulldogs are back-to-back D1 football champions. They are considered the team to beat in college football and saw numerous stars drafted into the NFL. However, they will not be visiting Joe Biden at the White House. The Georgia Athletic Association formally declined the June 12 invitation, stating that there was a scheduling conflict that could not be avoided. President Biden has designated June 12 “College Athlete Day”. Multiple teams and individuals from the world of college athletics will be in attendance.

“The University of Georgia first received on May 3 an invitation for the Bulldog football team to visit the White House on June 12. Unfortunately, the date suggested is not feasible given the student-athlete calendar and time of year. However, we are appreciative of the invitation and look forward to other opportunities for Georgia teams moving forward,” the statement read. Additional details about the nature of the conflict were not made available to the media. Restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in the Bulldogs not attending the White House after their 2022 National Championship. Here’s hoping the Bulldogs can three-peat so that their players finally get that trip to DC.

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Tom Brady Slams Fox Rumor as “Fake News”

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Tom Brady is set to join the Fox broadcasting booth in 2024. However, reports surfaced on May 5 that Brady was starting to have second thoughts about the 10-year deal he had signed. Initially reported by the New York Post, Brady allegedly voiced concerns about the travel involved with doing the job full-time. Unlike a remote broadcast such as ESPN‘s ManningCast, Brady would be a full-time, on-site color commentator. That would require a minimum of four days of travel a week during the season. Brady’s contract with Fox is reportedly worth $375 million.

However, Tom Brady has never been to take media speculation lying down. He made that clear when putting various reporters on blast during his prolonged retirement saga. True to form, Brady has hit back at the Post‘s claims that he might be about to walk out on his lucrative broadcast deal.

Brady Dismisses Walk-Out Rumors

As part of the media cycle prompted by the New York Post bombshell, Sports Illustrated published an image explaining the situation on Instagram. Brady took to the social media platform, commenting “FakeNews” on Sports Illustrated‘s post. Furthermore, sources told TMZ that Brady was already beginning preparations for this broadcast role, despite being over a year away from taking to the booth. While Brady had the option to start in 2023, he chose to defer a year to focus on “other parts of my life that need some time and energy”.

It’s a blow to the already shaky credibility of the New York Post. The Post has a reputation as a right-wing outlet prone to sensationalism. Another comment seen on the Sports Illustrated Instagram post reads “Lol from one of the most unreliable sources”. Prior to working at the Post, Marchand was a reporter for ESPN. Earlier in the week, another member of the Post‘s sports team abruptly deleted a tweet claiming that Aaron Rodgers and Sauce Gardner had spent seven hours at dinner together. However, it’s clear that the rumors Brady was reconsidering his broadcasting future are unfounded.

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Tom Brady May Drop Out Of Fox Broadcasting Deal

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Prior to his two retirements, Tom Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million deal to broadcast the NFL on Fox once his playing career was over. After retiring, un-retiring, playing a miserable 2022 season, and re-retiring, the start of the broadcast deal was pushed to 2024. This would allow Brady to enjoy a full season without football before taking on the heavy commitment of at least a decade of broadcasting.

Broadcasting has long been an avenue that professional athletes pursue after their playing career. Additionally, broadcasters have found great success with the likes of the Manning Brothers’ Monday Night Football show. “The Manningcast” has been a smash hit for ESPN. However, in yet more bad news for Fox as an entity, Brady might not be 100% on his deal.

Brady Beginning To Hedge On Fox Deal

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 31: Tom Brady attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “80 For Brady” presented by Smirnoff ICE at the Regency Village Theatre on January 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

According to the New York Post‘s Andrew Marchand, Brady might not go through with the broadcasting deal at all. Having spoken to sources close to Brady, Marchand claims that the legendary QB is having second thoughts about the ten-year commitment to Fox. One of the biggest issues for Brady is reportedly the travel commitment for the job. As Brady wouldn’t want to do it for “anything less than 100%”, that would mean four days of travel a week. That is opposed to only traveling for game days on a less stringent schedule. This differs greatly to the ManningCast, which is done remotely by Peyton and Eli.

This commitment comes at a time when Brady is building a post-divorce life. He very publicly separated from his wife Gisele Bündchen during the season. Brady now shares custody of the children he had with Bündchen. Given that it was Brady’s decision to return to football in 2022 that reportedly ended his marriage, he may not be keen to jeopardize his family’s future further with more commitment to football. Fox‘s football broadcasting is currently led by former NFL tight end Greg Olsen. He has helmed the network’s broadcast since 2021. Prior to that, Olesen did bye-week work for them in the final years of his career. Brady has not officially pulled out of his contract. However, if Marchand’s reporting is true, that could be something we see announced in the coming weeks and months.

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Lamar Jackson Makes Bold Claim About Ravens Receiver Corps

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The Baltimore Ravens were finally able to secure quarterback Lamar Jackson long-term on April 27. After an offseason of uncertainty, Jackson signed a five-year deal with the team. The contract is worth $260 million, with up to $185 million guaranteed. At the time of signing, $112.5 million are guaranteed.

His signature became a reality after the Ravens took major steps to improve the offensive weapons available to Jackson. They added veterans Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. before drafting Boston College’s Zay Flowers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Heading into training camp, the Ravens have 11 wide receivers on the roster.

Lamar Wants To Throw For “6000 Yards” This Season

Speaking at the Ravens’ training facility in Owings Mills, Jackson made his goal for 2023 very clear. “I want to throw for like 6,000 yards with the weapons we have. I’m not an individual award-type guy or a stat watcher. I just want to do that because no one has ever done it and I feel like we have the weapons to do it.” Jackson, widely considered the best rushing quarterback in the NFL, has a single-season career high of 3127 passing yards. That mark was set in 2019, the year Jackson also rushed for 1206 yards and won MVP. To achieve his goal, his receivers must also be at the job of their game. Of the 11 receivers currently on the Ravens roster, only OBJ has had a 1000-yard in their career. Beckham Jr. last broke four-digits in 2019. However, rookie Zay Flowers did record a 1000-yard season in his 2022 senior year at Boston College.

The plethora of wide receiver talent speaks to an offensive shift under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Monken, a journeyman coach whose career dates back to 1989, joined the Ravens in the offseason. Prior to Baltimore, Monken had helped turn the University of Georgia into back-to-back National Champions. Monken is a passing-oriented OC, having also spent time as a receivers coach during his career. If there is anyone who can turn Jackson into a passing god, it’s Monken. The current single-season NFL passing yards record is held by Peyton Manning, who threw for 5477 yards in 2013.

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New York And California AGs Launch Investigation Into NFL

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There has been a lot of investigations into the NFL as of late. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sued the league over what he called “racist hiring practices”. Meanwhile, the situation that led to the sale of the Washington Commanders was so bad that it led to a Congressional investigation. While the league has suffered a variety of legal setbacks over the years, their contemporary troubles seem especially bad.

But once again, the league has been placed under a negative spotlight. Attorneys General Letitia James of New York and Rob Bonta of California have announced a joint investigation into the league. The investigation seeks information regarding allegations of gender pay disparities, harassment, and gender and racial discrimination.

NFL Investigated By Multiple States

KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 27: Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick for the Washington Commanders in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The investigation is targeting the NFL as an entity, rather than specific teams. Attorneys General James and Bonta cited a 2022 New York Times article as part of their reasoning for the investigation. The article in question detailed allegations of gender discrimination from over 30 former female employees of the NFL. “No person should ever have to endure harassment, discrimination, or objectification in the workplace,” James said in a statement. Bonta also said he and James have “serious concerns about the NFL’s role in creating an extremely hostile and detrimental work environment.”

In response, the NFL has announced that it will cooperate with the investigation. However, the league has also called the allegations “entirely inconsistent with the NFL’s values and practices.” This sentiment was further supported by a statement released by the NFL. “The NFL offices are places where employees of all genders, races and backgrounds thrive. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form,” the statement read in part. A multi-state investigation into the NFL at this level is an unprecedented move. However, with claims and accusations mounting against the NFL, it feels that this is the inevitable result of the dam bursting.

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Iowa State Football Player Arrested On Rape Charges

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Aidan Ralph, a redshirt sophomore at Iowa State, was arrested on Wednesday. Ralph was charged with the violent rape of a woman that allegedly occurred at Ralph’s home in December 2022. According to an affidavit, Ralph allegedly accused the woman of cheating on him and assaulted her. Ralph reportedly shoved her into the staircase, fracturing her spine. Instead of calling an ambulance, Ralph reportedly laid on top of the woman and raped her. Ralph was also charged with misdemeanor domestic violence charges.

It’s the latest high-profile rape case stemming from the college sphere in recent years. San Diego State punter Matt Araiza was accused of raping a minor at a party, an accusation that led him to be cut soon after being drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. He and a number of other players were accused of gang-raping the minor at a frat party. However, no charges were filed in Araiza’s case. The records in the investigation of accusations surrounding Araiza were recently unsealed.

Ralph Granted Bond But Remains Jailed

According to reporting from the Ames Tribune, a judge has set an $11,000 bond for Ralph. However, at the time of writing on May 4, Ralph remains in jail. Furthermore, the judge granted a protective order for Ralph’s alleged victim, meaning that Ralph cannot contact her. Ralph will face a hearing on the charges on May 15. Iowa State has suspended Ralph indefinitely. Ralph had never taken the field for the Cyclones.

The arrest comes during a period of uncertainty within the NCAA. A recent survey of 70 male college athletes found some disturbing results. “The majority of the athletes It’s On Us spoke with had minimal awareness of their institution’s policies, procedures, and resources for survivors, and many did not know who their Title IX Coordinator was,” the study states. “This lack of awareness was a barrier for athletes who desired more direction and resources when experiencing a disclosure.” Title IX is a collegiate mandate that covers everything from fair representation in sports to the handling of sexual assault. While campuses have spent millions on sexual assault awareness, it’s clear that the problem is still prevalent as ever.

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