Colin Kaepernick Still Vying For Shot At NFL Return At 36

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Colin Kaepernick, once was about five yards away from being a Super Bowl champion. Who knows how things would have turned out for the former San Francisco 49er QB. One thing’s for sure, Kaepernick remains hopeful for a return to the NFL, despite having been away from the game for seven full seasons.

That’s a long time in the grand scheme of professional sports hiatuses let alone for NFL quarterbacks. 

At 36, years young, Kaepernick is actually still younger than New York Jets starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (40) and the same age as Rams’ Matthew Stafford, Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, and Steelers’ Russell Wilson. Let that sink in.

Even still, unlike these active players, Kaepernick, has not played since his time with the San Francisco 49ers. So the argument, he’s been away too long is now starting to have validity. But the argument should actually be, he’s been exiled too long because we know it wasn’t his choice. 

Get this, during a recent interview with Sky Sports from the Paris Olympics, Kaepernick stated, “We’re still training, still pushing. So hopefully we just gotta get one of these team owners to open up.” He also added, “I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”

Way back when, Kaepernick led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII in the 2012 season and returned to the NFC Championship game the following year. His decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 as a protest against racial injustice became a major point of controversy. He opted out of his contract with the 49ers after that season and has not been signed by another team since. As long as we know he NEVER protested the national anthem. Period.

In what some feel wasn’t the best move, in October 2017, Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, which was resolved with a settlement in February 2019. Maybe he should have et the mediation play out. Perhaps he should not have settled or maybe he made the best choice at the right time. 

Kaepernick has since continually expressed an unwavering desire to return to the league, even writing to the New York Jets last season offering to join their practice squad as a “risk-free contingency plan” after Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles tendon injury. The Jets declined his offer, leaving Kaepernick without an NFL team.

Kaepernick told Sky Sports, “It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for, so to be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, major accomplishment for me.”

Whether Kaepernick receives another shot or not, one thing is true, time is not on his side. 

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Real Madrid Star Soccer Player Vinícius Jr. Reportedly Received $1 Billion Offer to Play In Saudi Arabia

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Show him the money. Yes, we had to say that because Vinícius Jr., the Real Madrid soccer star, has reportedly been offered an extraordinary contract. How crazy? Well, it’s reportedly worth over $1 billion to join the Saudi Pro League (SPL). Let’s think about that. SPL is offering this 24 year old brother over a billy. Full stop. 

Get this, according to various reports including Reuters and ESPN, Saudi officials have approached Vinícius with a proposal for a five-year deal, offering approximately 200 million euros ($218 million) per season, along with bonuses. Wow. He’ll barely be 30-years-old when the deal expires, on it’s face without diving in to the details. The he what? Re-ups? Sheesh.

Okay so the offer includes a separate 10-year contract for Vinícius to serve as an ambassador leading up to the 2034 World Cup, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia. So he get’s a SIDE DEAL to promote the sport for Saudia Arabia? Huh, what? 

While Vinícius has yet to make a decision, he is reportedly considering the offer with his advisors. We would think so. 

If you don’t know who this young soccer star is, Vinícius Jr., 24, has been a standout performer for Real Madrid since joining from Brazilian club Flamengo in 2018. 

Last season, he scored an outstanding 24 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 matches, helping Real Madrid secure both the Champions League and La Liga titles. 

This potential eye popping move to Saudi Arabia could make him one of the most high-profile players in the country, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema in the SPL. And not to mention, a billionaire.

This crazy offer is reminiscent of the $775 million salary package that French striker Kylian Mbappé reportedly turned down from Saudi club Al-Hilal last year. The SPL’s four founding teams—Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr—are primarily owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the country’s sovereign wealth fund. Yes, the PIF is a big deal. They have the bag.

What ya’ll think, is he going to take the deal? Our money says, maybe so.

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Topps Unveils Super Rare Autographed Card Featuring LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant

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Remember the simple days, when buying a pack of basketball cards was the highlight of your week when it came to real “content?” We do and some childhood dreams never die. Check it, following a memorable gold-medal win at the Paris Olympics, Topps is commemorating one of Team USA’s most epic basketball trios with an ultra rare, one-of-a-kind trading card. This card which is like the mega millions of trading cards, features LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, all of whom have actually autographed the card.

Get this, the release is more significant than you’d think, as it’s the first Topps card to include LeBron James’ autograph and the first to feature all three players’ signatures together. 

“In celebration of an incredible gold medal performance – Topps Now is releasing an ultra-rare redemption for a 1/1 triple on-card autograph featuring the signatures of Team USA men’s basketball superstars LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant,” Topps stated. “It’s the first-ever Topps autographed card from James — and the first time all three have had an auto’d card together.”

The redemption card, will be out there somewhere in the world, a part of the 2024 Olympic Games Topps Now Card 26 series. It will be randomly distributed among customers who purchase the cards. 

Unlike back in the day with traditional trading cards, Topps Now cards are produced in response to significant sports moments and released quickly to keep up with the events. Smart marketing.

Here’s what Clay Luraschi, senior vice president of product at Topps had to say: 

“The Topps Now program kind of has revolutionized the way we do trading cards, and a lot of it had to do with technology and digital printing. So you’re able to do these products on demand and you’re able to deliver them to the consumer much faster. So it makes the moments super relevant.”

To make things super exclusive, only one collector will receive the exclusive autographed card, while fans can purchase the base card for $11.99 until August 13.

If you just want a piece of history, Topps also released individual cards from the Paris Olympics, with James’ card from the Opening Ceremony already selling nearly 14,000 copies, Curry’s card from his 36-point game against Serbia selling over 88,000, and Durant’s card selling more than 11,500 copies.

Seems like a good business for Topps and a great way to stay relevant. 

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SOURCE SPORTS: Red Sox OF Jarren Duran Suspended For Two Games For Hurling Anti-Gay Slur At Heckler While At-Bat, Issues Apology

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Bosox outfielder Jarren Duran is in some really hot water after yelling an anti-gay slur at a heckling fan at yesterday’s game at Fenway Park against the Houston Astros.

In the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on the corners and the Sox being shutout by the Astros, Duran was being heckled by a fan after fanning a strike from ‘Stros pitcher Hunter Brown. Duran turned his head to behind the plate to someone who could be heard screaming from the crowd. Duran, who was already 0-2 for the game, fired back after a few seconds, calling the heckler a “f*****g f****t”, which was picked up by a live mic on the field.

See Duran’s reaction to the heckler HERE

Duran issued a statement following the game apologizing to the Red Sox organization as well as the LGBTQ community.

Also, Duran’s salary from the suspension will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the largest organization in the country dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for the LGBTQ community.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Red Sox OF Jarren Duran Suspended For Two Games For Hurling Anti-Gay Slur At Heckler While At-Bat, Issues Apology first appeared on The Source.

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SEE IT: Combating Concussions Steelers James Daniels Likely NFL’s First To Wear ‘Guardian Cap’ During Live Game

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Here we go, for the first time, NFL players are allowed to wear “Guardian Caps” during games. You may have seen them in practice footage. They are these exterior padded foamy caps placed onto helmets that are supposed to provide an extra layer of protection from concussions and other dangerous head trauma. 

This development is a significant change in safety protocol. Despite this new option, there weren’t any new players seen wearing the protective gear in the first three games of the 2024 preseason. 

Not so fast …

That changed on Friday night when Pittsburgh Steelers lineman James Daniels took the field wearing a Guardian Cap. 

And just like that, history made.

The first to spot from media was on a video from SteelersDepot.com that captured Daniels emerging from the tunnel with the extra padding on his helmet, while CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones shared an image of Daniels wearing the cap during the game.

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As we mentioned, the NFL introduced Guardian Caps as a safety measure, believing they can reduce the risk of injury for both the player wearing the helmet and the player on the receiving end of a hit. 

Previously, the league did not permit players to wear them during games. Maybe those CTE problems played a role in that reversal of policy. 

Get this, even though the Guardian Cap is designed to protect players by providing additional padding, its appearance has sparked debate. The cap, which is covered by a shell that mimics the helmet’s exterior, can look bulky and misshapen, leading some to argue that it disrupts the visual appeal of the game.

One would think as the season progresses, it will remain unclear how many players will opt to wear Guardian Caps. Some fans may be put off by the change in appearance, but the focus remains on player safety. As it should.

Here’s what we care about. Player safety. Long term as much as in game. So if it helps, then let’s keep em coming.

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Drake Saves Italian Soccer Club From Bankruptcy By Helping Raise $40 Million

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Who would have thunk it. Drake is a soccer fan. Italian soccer to be exact. And when Venezia FC, an Italian soccer club, in Venice, was looking at going under via bankruptcy, Drizzy stepped in to reverse their fate. 

Check this out, according to a report by “GQ Italia”, the “Chicago Freestyle” rapper from Toronto, like we needed to say that, played a major role in raising the hefty $40 million. Basically he helped secure the big bag to keep Venezia FC alive in Serie A. From the looks of things, the club was on the brink of financial collapse as it headed into the 2023-2024 season, with the possibility of being demoted to Serie D due to its financial struggles.

If you are not familiar how things work when you drop down from one level to another, you lose out on money, respect, all that stuff. Watch “Ted Lasso” on Apple TV+ and learn all about it. 

“I got a call from Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia and a good friend of mine,” explained Drake’s Chief Business Officer, Matte Babel, who also works in management. “He laid out the problem to me in a simple way: Venezia has to raise €10 million in a couple of weeks, and then at least €30 million in a few months, or the club will go bankrupt.”

Get this, Babel quickly reached out to Drake, and together they began mobilizing efforts at lightening speed to secure the necessary bread. 

In just two weeks, they managed to raise enough money to hold off the bankruptcy wolves, allowing the club to continue competing at the top level of Italian soccer. “Venice is an incredible city and Venezia has always been a special club. I spoke to Drake, then Brad and I discussed the details of how we could help. Within two weeks we had a deal, raised the money needed to pay the salaries and avoid bankruptcy.”

So Drake didn’t just write a check. Reportedly, the $40 million came from a group of North American investors, with Drake’s involvement being heavily credited for the successful fundraising effort. Can you imagine the money people he has access to. Crazy. 

The new ownership group also formed an Operating Committee to oversee the strategic direction of the club. Big business right there. 

Check this out, Katsuyama acknowledged Drake’s crucial role, stating, “Matte was my first call when I knew the club needed help. Drake’s value to any football club is undeniable, given his scale as a global superstar and the reach of his brand. This intersection of culture and sport is exactly where we want to be, and the chance to collaborate with a brand like NOCTA, who is moving along the same lines, is incredibly valuable.”

And as part of the new deal, Venezia FC also struck an apparel partnership with Drake’s NOCTA line, which will be involved in designing the club’s new uniforms. You would think at a minimum, Drake would be involved creatively moving forward and that is the case. 

Now charging ahead, the city of Venice has invested €315 million into constructing a new stadium and indoor arena with state-of-the-art facilities, which the team aims to open for the start of the 2027 season. Wow, big win all around. Imagine all the jobs Drake saved or created. Good for him and all those involved. 

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Olympic Technicality Forcing Jordan Chiles To Give Back EARNED Bronze Medal

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This is not a feel good ending to the Olympics for U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles. The star athlete for Team USA recently took home bronze in Paris and is now being asked to surrender her medal. What the actual F?

So check this, out, on Sunday (August 11), the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) issued a statement supporting Chiles. “We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,” the statement read.

What’s wild is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed an appeal by Chiles’ team regarding her performance. The appeal was filed four seconds beyond the one-minute time limit allowed for scoring inquiries.

Four seconds? That’s what they’re doing? Four seconds? 

Get this, Chiles’ sister, Jazmine, has been speaking out against racist comments directed at their family over the weekend. In a series of Instagram stories, Jazmine urged, “Please keep Jordan (and my family) in your prayers. Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well.”

For the record, Jazmine does not believe race played a role in the court’s decision, she has been vocal about the racism they’ve encountered in response to the situation. “Funny thing is y’all think I’m pulling the race card as a reason to WHY she got her medal stripped. NO ?? I’m saying that because y’all’s?? mouths ?? need SOAP??,” she wrote.

According to a report by the NY Post, “With Simone Biles winning silver and Brazilian Rebecca Andrade winning gold, removing Chiles from the podium prevented it from being the first all-Black Olympic gymnastics podium in history.”

As a result of this so called ruling, Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu has been awarded the bronze medal, while Chiles has been moved to fifth place. Wonder how happy Barbosu will be to “win” the bronze now that she only gets it because of a four second technicality? If she wanted to be a star, she would accept the bronze, then hand it right back to Chiles, publicly, and watch the love pour in. Just an idea. 

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Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Facing Potential Loss of Bronze Medal in Weird Ruling After the Fact

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Remember take backs? Ya’ll ever played that in any setting? Well that’s what the Olympics are considering with Jordan Chiles. The super star American gymnast may be at risk of losing the bronze medal she won at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

Huh?

Okay so check this out, the court found that the appeal which led to an increase in Chiles’ score during the women’s floor exercise final was improperly granted, as it was submitted past the one-minute deadline allowed for such requests.

Initially, Chiles had finished in fifth place with a score of 13.666, just missing out on a medal. However, her coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi, submitted an inquiry challenging a deduction related to a specific move, the tour jeté full, in her routine. The judges reviewed the appeal and raised her score by one-tenth of a point, moving her into third place and securing the bronze medal. As she should have.

But get this, wild turn of events. The CAS determined that the appeal was submitted too late, meaning the score adjustment should not have occurred. The court ruled that Chiles’ original score of 13.666 should stand, which would place her fifth and out of medal contention. However, CAS stopped short of directly stripping her of the bronze medal, leaving that decision to the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the international body overseeing gymnastics. CAS stated, “The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) shall determine the ranking of the Final of the women’s Floor exercise and assign the medal(s) in accordance with the above decision.”

In response, FIG has yet to comment publicly, stating only that “a statement will be published on the FIG website in due course.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also declined to comment.

As expected, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee expressed their disappointment with the ruling, insisting that the inquiry was “filed in good faith and… in accordance with FIG rules.” They also condemned the online abuse that Chiles has faced, stating, “Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment… We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”

In fairness, Chiles herself revealed that she was unaware her coaches had filed an appeal on her behalf until after the event. In the wake of the controversy and social media backlash, where she has been accused of “stealing” the bronze from Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, Chiles shared on Instagram that she would be taking a break from social media for her mental health, posting broken heart emojis and stating, “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you.”

This shaky development because that’s what it is, shaky and wafer thin, comes just days after the dramatic conclusion of the Olympic gymnastics competition, where Chiles’ last-minute score adjustment changed the final standings. Her coach, Laurent Landi, acknowledged the risks involved in submitting the appeal, saying, “I was not confident, but what do you have to lose? She was out of the podium already, so even if they dropped the score, it couldn’t have been worse, you know? We tried.”

Let’s see how it ends up but they need to let Jordan Chiles keep her drip. Period. 

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Ice Cube’s BIG3 League Previews 2024 Celebrity Basketball Game Filled With Big Names And Powered by Monster Energy

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Ice Cube’s basketball league The BIG3, just announced the return of its annual Celebrity Game, now in its third year. In a partnership with Monster Energy, the event is set to kick off in Boston on August 18. This star studded event will precede the 2024 All-Star and Championship Games. Knowing the BIG3, it promises to be a day filled with entertainment, culture and of course basketball. 

Ice Cube, will once take charge of Team Webull as they face off against Team Green, which will be coached by NBA Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler. Sounds like Cube has his work cut out for him against Hall of Famer, Clyde the glide Drexler. 

Hosted at TD Garden, the game will feature a big lineup of celebrities and influential figures from music, sports, television, and film industries, respectfully. 

Here’s a taste of who’s who attending: Ty Dolla $ign, Anthony Anderson, Matt James from *The Bachelor*, French Montana, Fabolous, Flau’Jae Johnson, NFL Super Bowl champions Vernon Davis and Ty Law, streetball legend The Professor, comedian Michael Blackson, rapper Skilla Baby, and former Harlem Globetrotter Briana Green.

Get this, just like previous years, the celebrity game isn’t just about basketball; it’s about giving back. Gotta love that part. That’s because Monster Energy has pledged to donate a minimum of $25,000 to the event’s charitable beneficiaries. 

Ice Cube stated in a press release, “Over the past three years, the Monster Energy BIG3 Celebrity Game has become an integral part of the BIG3 Championship Weekend. In the BIG3, it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your name is – you have to prove it on the court, and that’s no different whether you are a baller, entertainer, or an NFL Hall of Famer. Gillie and I have two years of winning pedigree; Team Green better look out!”

Steven Ferraro, Event Producer commented on the event’s popularity: 

“The Monster Energy BIG3 Celebrity Game has become a staple celebrity competition that features an eclectic mix of talent. Each year is more entertaining than the last, and we look forward to what this year brings.”

Looks like this will be a good time. Let’s see who wins the game. Leaning Cube’s team but that’s just our humble opinion. 

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Noah Lyles Runs Away With Bronze Medal in 200-Meter Race  After Testing Positive for Covid 

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Winning medals in the Olympics with COVID? Okay, we thought we’ve seen it all during the Paris games but add this to the list. Just two days after revealing that he had tested positive for COVID-19, American sprinter Noah Lyles took home the bronze medal in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics.

Here’s the nitty gritty … Lyles finished the epic race with a time of 19.70 seconds, securing third place behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who won gold with a time of 19.46 seconds, marking a historic moment as Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. American Kenny Bednarek claimed the silver with a time of 19.62 seconds.

But wait, despite testing positive for COVID-19, Lyles remained determined to compete. He moved into a hotel to quarantine away from the Olympic Village and arrived at the track for Wednesday’s semifinal wearing a mask. He chose not to disclose his diagnosis publicly before the race, stating, “You never want to tell your competitors you’re sick. Why would you give them an edge over you?”

You may expect him to slow down in the lead up to the race but the 27 year-old Lyles appeared as energetic as ever when introduced before the final, displaying his signature enthusiasm by jumping and sprinting down the track as the sold-out crowd at Stade de France fell silent.

In a scary moment after crossing the finish line, Lyles collapsed and later asked for water while seated on the track. He was eventually placed in a wheelchair and taken away from the stadium—a stark contrast to his triumph just days earlier when he won his first Olympic gold in the 100 meters by five-thousandths of a second. After that victory, he had boldly predicted that he would win the 200 meters as well.

Thinking on his performance, Lyles admitted that testing positive for COVID-19 “definitely affected my performance,” but he remained proud of his resilience. “To be honest, I’m more proud of myself than anything, coming out and getting the bronze medal with COVID in three days. It’s been a wild Olympics,” he said.

USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee released a statement on the matter: 

“Our primary commitment is to ensure the safety of Team USA athletes while upholding their right to compete. After a thorough medical evaluation, Noah chose to compete tonight. We respect his decision and will continue to monitor his condition closely.”

Lyles was vying to become the first man to win both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints at an Olympics since Usain Bolt in 2016 and the first American to do so since Carl Lewis 40 years ago. Nice company.

His run at more gold medals is far from done. In he upcoming 4×100-meter relay, Lyles said he would leave the decision to USA Track & Field on whether he should run in the final, for which the U.S. team had already qualified with the fastest time in the preliminaries. Wishing Lyles a speedy recovery.

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