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Jets Grant Zach Wilson Permission To Seek Trade

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Zach Wilson era appears to be over in New York. The Jets have granted the embattled QB permission to seek a trade. It’s a move that has been expected since the team owner said that the team “didn’t have a backup quarterback” last season. The team will work closely with Wilson’s agent to try and move the former second-overall pick. It is widely expected that Wilson, who has never settled in the NFL, will garner a late-round pick at most.

However, the Jets are eager to find a quality backup for Aaron Rodgers. “We’re still really early in the offseason, especially when it comes to the veteran backup landscape and market. We’ve had good meetings and good evaluations with the guys that are available, and I think we’re ready to take the next step and see where the market is exactly with these backup quarterbacks,” GM Joe Douglas said this week.

Aaron Rodgers Blasts Jets For “Chicken Sh*t” Locker Room Leaks

The #Jets have given Zach Wilson’s agent permission to seek a trade, per Joe Douglas. Again, no surprise.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) February 28, 2024

All this comes at the end of a tense year for the Jets. In December, Aaron Rodgers publicly criticized the New York Jets for a number of locker room leaks that appeared to villainize benched quarterback Zach Wilson. “That’s a problem with the organization. We need to get to the bottom of whatever this is coming from and put a stop to it privately, because there’s no place in a winning culture where — and this isn’t the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks,” Rodgers told The Pat McAfee Show.

The leaks in question stemmed from an article published by The Athletic. Anonymous locker room sources had told the outlet that Wilson appeared “reluctant” to resume QB1 duties with the Jets all but eliminated from playoff contention. These sources speculated that, much like a college player sitting out a bowl game, Wilson is wary of getting injured before he likely joins a new team next season. Rodgers questioned why someone within the Jets organization would want to “assassinate someone’s character like that report does for Zach”. Furthermore, Rodgers called the rumors “chicken sh-t at its core”.

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Mad Dog’s “Hardest Sports To Play” Rant Puts Stephen A. Smith On The Floor: Watch

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Mad Dog caused chaos on First Take when he dedicated his weekly rant to the “hardest sports to play”. After Stephen A. Smith roasted Mad Dog for his low-energy presentation, Mad Dog put Smith on the ground when he revealed that No. 4 on the list was “curling”. As Smith lay on the ground in disbelief, Molly Qerim threatened to call Mad Dog’s wife to confirm that he had “curled” in the past.

The rest of Mad Dog’s list was also pretty wild. His top three were baseball, golf, and tennis. Football was found at No. 5 while basketball wasn’t present at all. Fans found the list hilarious, if a little silly. However, this is just some classic work from Mad Dog and his wild weekly ravings on the hit ESPN show. What do you think about Mad Dog’s list? Let us know in the comments.

Charles Barkley Said He’d Vote For Stephen A. Smith For President

Meanwhile, less than a week after endorsing Nikki Haley for President, Charles Barkley has now endorsed Stephen A. Smith. “Let me tell you why [I’d vote for you]. Because I know you don’t have an evil bone in your body and I don’t think you have an agenda. That’s all I want. Even if you vote for somebody, you’re not gonna agree on every subject,” Barkley told Smith during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show. Furthermore, Barkley also said he’d prefer to see the Democrats nominate California Governor Gavin Newsom instead of President Biden.

As mentioned, the moment comes after Barkley openly endorsed GOP long-shot Nikki Haley on his show with Gayle King last week. Barkley said he was putting his “whole heart” behind Haley before giving her an open platform to address her previous comments in which she stated that America was “never a racist country.” The latter decision led to a lot of backlash against both Barkley and Haley.

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Jorge Masvidal Teases Boxing & MMA Comeback

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jorge Masvidal has laid out his return to comeback to combat sports in a conversation with ESPN. “All I could tell you is I’m getting ready for some type of combat and it’s gonna be in the boxing realm. I don’t know this or that or who it’s going to be,” Masvidal told the outlet this week. Furthermore, Masvidal expressed a desire to return to MMA, naming Justin Gaethje and Colby Covington as potential opponents.

Masvidal has been out of the sport since his loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last year. In the subsequent year, Masvidal has teased a boxing match against former MMA opponent Nate Diaz. He has also worked as a promoter for his own MMA promotion, Gamebred Bareknuckle. Gamebred has an event this week, which Masvidal has invited streamer N3on to broadcast from.

Jorge Masvidal Claims Police Were Biased Against Him

Masvidal’s retirement was also marked by an ongoing beef with Covington. Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington outside a Miami Beach restaurant 17 days after he lost to Covington at UFC 272. Footage of the incident quickly emerged online and Masvidal was charged with two felonies. Furthermore, Covington has claimed Masvidal broke his tooth and gave him brain damage.

However, according to court documents from last April, Masvidal claimed that the Miami Beach Police Department showed “favoritism” towards Covington. According to Masvidal, Covington did not call 911 but a Miami Beach sergeant he trained with. Additionally, Masvidal claimed that when said sergeant arrived, he called in a “Code 3”. Code 3 is a police response code for an incident that “is defined as an emergency response determined by factors such as immediate danger to officer or public safety.” He also alleges that the unnamed sergeant made calls to individual officers to request their presence. Furthermore, Masvidal claims that in a podcast appearance prior to the incident, Covington said that he “rolls with the Miami Beach Police Department.”

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Emo Jimmy Butler Returned In Fall Out Boy’s Latest Music Video

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

For the second straight year, Jimmy Butler decided to use preseason media day as a chance to have some fun. A year after showing up with extremely long extensions for his official photoshoot, Butler arrived to Miami’s media day with his hair straightened in an emo cut — perhaps offering a glimpse into his mood after the Heat failed to land Damian Lillard in a trade.

A visit to any of the various stats websites that use the official headshots from each season will provide a reminder of Butler’s emo look from before the season, as it really is a great bit from him. However, it appears there was more to this season’s look than just having some fun with what he’ll look like in lineup cards and on stats websites.

On Wednesday, Fall Out Boy released a new music video for their song “So Much (For) Stardust” that features Jimmy Butler (in his emo cut) wearing a bedazzled purple suit and cowboy hat, dancing in snakeskin boots alongside Pete Wentz (dressed in the same thing, but silver). That’s literally the entire 4-minute video, just a couple guys being dudes in jazzy cowboy outfits singing and dancing along to the song. It’s good timing to put out a music video featuring Butler, as he and the Heat are riding a hot streak currently, winning five straight and seven of their last eight to climb into a tie for the 5-seed in the East with Philadelphia.

Washington Commanders Searching For New Stadium Sponsor

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

FedEx has canceled its naming rights deal with the Washington Commanders two years before the deal expired. Not only does that mean the Commanders miss out on $15 million of expected revenue, but it comes a day after the Commanders announced a $75-million stadium renovation plan. The move caught the team by surprise, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. However, these sources noted that the team had begun the process of finding a new sponsor in the past months.

Furthermore, the new ownership group of the Commanders has also been considering a brand-new stadium for the team. While they can extend their agreement with Prince George’s County past 2027, the team is also considering opening a new stadium in 2030. Sites in Virginia, DC, and Maryland are all being considered. “We have already started the process of identifying our next stadium naming rights partner – a partner who will play a crucial role in ushering in the next era of not only Commanders football, but also a robust slate of top live events and concerts,” a statement from the team read.

Washington Commanders Sale Could Trigger Another Name Change

After 24 years, “FedEx Field” is no longer.

FedEx has ended its stadium naming rights deal with the Washington Commanders two years early, depriving the franchise of roughly $15M of remaining revenue.

The news comes a day after the team announced millions in stadium upgrades.… pic.twitter.com/8SX2sUN5Eh

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 28, 2024

However, is the stadium name the only thing going to change? The Commanders could not be the Commanders for much longer. “I would not be surprised at all if we see a name change and a complete rebranding,” ESPN‘s Don Van Natta Jr. said on The Rich Eisen Show. While it would be the team’s fourth name since 2019, a complete rebrand to really mark the start of a new era for the team. This may already be more than a rumor, as sharp-eyed social media users noted that an alumni gifting included swag that appeared to omit the Commanders moniker. Online, fans appeared split over the possibility of a new name. While some embraced the idea of removing the overly-generic “Commanders” name, others were more focused on achieving on-field results instead.

If the team were to change their name, it would need to be something bold and memorable. For example, George Washington University recently announced they would be changing their athletic nickname from the Colonials to the Revolutionaries. While thematically appropriate, it was chosen in place of the much cooler “Blue Fog”. Personally, the team should forgo the tradition of choosing something fierce or militaristic and instead choose something that embodies the city, like Harris’ other teams. If they wanted to go really out there with the name, how about the Washington/DC Half-Smokes? What do you think? Should Washington change their name? And if so, what should they change it to? Let us know in the comments.

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WWE Legend Virgil Dies At 61

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Virgil, the WWE legend best known as being Ted DiBiase’s right-hand man, has died at the age of 61. Virgil, whose legal name was Michael Jones, had suffered from a series of medical issues in previous years. However, his death will still come as a shock to many of his fans.

Virgil debuted in 1985 and soon became a part of Ted DiBiase’s “Million Dollar Man” persona after moving to the WWE. During the height of the WWE’s soap opera-esque writing, Virgil was DiBiase’s money man and enforcer. However, in one of the biggest twists of that era of WWE, Virgil would betray DiBiase at Royal Rumble 1991 and would later beat DiBiase, with the help of Rowdy Roddy Piper, at Wrestlemania VII. Virgil would retire in 2000 but made appearances across various promotions between 2006 and 2019.

Virgil Joins List Of Recent WWE Deaths

However, Virgil is just the latest WWE icon to pass away. In June 2023, The Iron Sheik was announced to have passed away at the age of 81. Sheik was called “a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling.” Born in Iran, The Sheik began his career as an Olympic wrestler and coach, moving to the United States around 1970. He first joined the WWE, then the WWF, in 1978 and even got a shot at the title against Bob Backlund. However, Sheik left the promotion in 1980. After fighting in a number of southern regional promotions, Sheik rejoined the WWF in 1983 and briefly became the WWF champion after forcing a submission from Backlund. However, The Sheik would only reign for 28 days before losing to Hulk Hogan.

Transitioning to tag-team fights later in the decade, Sheik won the first-ever tag-team belt at the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985. However, Sheik would leave the promotion in 1987 after being arrested and breaking kayfabe. The Sheik was arrested for being under the influence of cocaine. However, more pressingly for wrestling fans, he had been arrested alongside his on-screen rival, Hacksaw Jim Duggan. He briefly returned to the WWF in 1988 but left later that same year. Sheik would have one final stint with the WWF in 1991/92.

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Angel Reese Teases Decision On Future

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A cryptic tweet from Angel Reese has led fans to deduce that she is preparing to announce whether she will return to LSU next year or declare for the WNBA. “Should I stay, should I go? I don’t know,” Reese tweeted over a tribute video posted about her upcoming senior day on March 3. The quote stems from the 1998 track “I Don’t Know” from Keb’ Mo’. Reese has one more year of college eligibility and is one of the nation’s top NIL earners.

In ESPN‘s most recent WNBA mock draft, Michael Voepel projected Reese going sixth overall to the Washington Mystics. This was a slight rise from the eighth overall pick Voepel originally had Reese at. However, this was less due to Reese’s play and more because of external factors. Reese, who has been playing well, was always going to rise after Paige Bueckers announced that she would remain at UConn next season.

Angel Reese Joins Elite LSU Club With 2000th Point

Meanwhile, Angel Reese became the sixth LSU WBB player to score 2000 points as she surpassed the mark in a dominant win over Tennessee. Reese joined Joyce Walker, Seimone Augustus, Julie Gross, Cornelia Grayden, and Sylvia Fowles in the exclusive club. Reese began her career at Maryland, where she scored 719 points. However, she is now forever linked with the Tigers. Reese’s mark stands at 2006 after scoring 11 against the Volunteers.

Reese and LSU are second in the SEC. However, that is as close to a regular season title as they will get this season after South Carolina guaranteed themselves that honor with a win over Kentucky. Instead, Reese and company will look to finish out the season against Georgia and Kentucky before turning their attention to the SEC tournament and then, a March Madness tournament they will enter as defending champions. LSU is currently a four-seed in ESPN‘s latest bracketology.

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Charles Barkley Said He’d Vote For Stephen A. Smith For President

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Less than a week after endorsing Nikki Haley for President, Charles Barkley has now endorsed Stephen A. Smith. “Let me tell you why [I’d vote for you]. Because I know you don’t have an evil bone in your body and I don’t think you have an agenda. That’s all I want. Even if you vote for somebody, you’re not gonna agree on every subject,” Barkley told Smith during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show. Furthermore, Barkley also said he’d prefer to see the Democrats nominate California Governor Gavin Newsom instead of President Biden.

New Orleans Pelicans Shade Stephen A. Smith After Latest Zion Williamson Comments

Barkley said he would vote for Smith as long as the ESPN personality didn’t have a “hidden agenda”. However, Smith has been getting a lot of hate for his anti-Zion Williamson agenda. The New Orleans Pelicans took shots at Stephen A. Smith after the ESPN personality went on yet another rant about team star Zion Williamson. The team’s official X account posted a graphic showing Smith’s dismal college stats of 1.5 points and 1 assist a game.

Appearing on Get Up! last week, Smith had once again gone after Williamson’s weight. “Zion Williamson, it’s not about his game. It’s about how many burgers he’s eating. Whether or not he is going to be in shape or keep eating McDonald’s and have chefs clamoring for him to come to their restaurants. That’s what he has to prove, that the chefs don’t love him any longer. That he’s committed to playing basketball and being in shape,” Smith said as the Pelicans prepared to face the Heat. Williamson, who was listed as a game-time decision due to a foot injury but did play. Before the game, he was averaging 22.5/5.4/4.9 this season. He is shooting a league 12th-best 58.5% from the field.

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Russell Wilson’s Denver Exit Seemingly Teased by Sean Payton

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has seemingly confirmed that Russell Wilson will be cut by the team in the coming weeks. “I saw this humorous meme the other day of a Broncos fan with a shirt on and there were like eight quarterbacks names with a cross through it, and he’s drinking the quarterback Kool-Aid. Our job is to make sure this next one doesn’t have a line through it,” Payton said at the NFL Combine. This comment is widely being taken as a sign that Wilson is on the way out. This is despite the heavy financial penalty the decision comes with.

However, it’s unclear what the future is in Denver. The team could stick with current backup Jarrett Stidham, who started the final two games of the 2023 season. Drafting at No. 12 next month, the Broncos could try to trade up or hope an intriguing QB prospect remains on the board long enough. The problem is that Denver don’t have a lot of money due to what they owe to Wilson.

How Does Russell Wilson Feel About His Future?

“I saw this humorous meme the other day where there’s a Bronco fan with a shirt on and there’s like eight quarterbacks names with a cross through it and he’s drinking the quarterback Kool-Aid. Our job is to make sure this next one doesn’t have a line through it.”

— Sean Payton pic.twitter.com/kq7hEHyiTc

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) February 28, 2024

Meanwhile, Wilson has remained demure and diplomatic throughout the ordeal. “I’ve got more fire than ever, honestly, especially over the past two years of what I’ve gone through. Whether it’s in Denver or somewhere else, I hope it’s in Denver, I hope I get to finish there. I committed there, I wanted to be there. I want to be there. For me, it’s about winning — over the next two years, I want to win two [Super Bowls], I want to feel the chill of that trophy again. I love the city and everything else, but you also want to be [in] a place that wants you, too. The thing I want to do is to win, that’s all I care about,” Wilson told I AM AN ATHLETE.

Atlanta has emerged as a frontrunner for Wilson’s services if he does leave Denver. However, even when I AM AN ATHLETE host Brandon Marshall read the odds of Wilson’s next team, Wilson remained committed to Denver. “Well, I’m going to put Denver 1, because I’m there right now, but I think you have to have the ability to compartmentalize that. Listen, it’s a business and you’ve got to be non-emotional about it and no matter what you control to what you can control. If it’s not [in Denver], though, I’ve got to go to a place where we can win again,” Wilson said. Where do you think Wilson is going to end up? Let us know in the comments.

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Max Strus Stuns The NBA With Half-Court Buzzer-Beater

February 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Max Strus stunned the NBA on Tuesday night as he hit a half-court buzzer-beater to lead the Cavaliers past the Mavericks. With 2.1 seconds remaining, Strus heaved a shot from 59 feet, barely seeing his shot go in as he was tackled by his teammates. Strus’ shot is the second-longest shot of the three-point era, sitting behind Devonte’ Graham’s 2021 61-footer. However, Strus himself has admitted that this isn’t even the longest shot of his career. “Yeah, at my Division II school, I made a three-quarter-court shot to win the game,” Strus said.

Two of the biggest reactions to Strus’ shot came from outside of Cleveland. “Ain’t no way,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said on X, tagging teammate (and Cleveland native) Travis Kelce. “Straight cash!!! Them boys got the juice right now!! @cavs ,” Kelce responded.

Travis Kelce Vibes To His Girlfriend’s Music In Vegas

Meanwhile, reacting to the NFL is not the only thing that Mahomes and Kelce have been up to lately. Kelce was spotted vibing to “Love Story”, the iconic song from his girlfriend Taylor Swift, during a club outing in Las Vegas. Kelce has reunited with his Chiefs teammates for a full-blown night out in Vegas, the city where the team captured the Super Bowl two weeks ago. For many fans, Kelce vibing to Swift’s music has become not just a common occurrence, but a little bit of a meme.

However, just days prior, Kelce was with Swift in Sydney. Swifties were more than happy to welcome Travis Kelce as he made his VIP entrance at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The tight end was met by masses of screaming fans. He was seen heading to his exclusive suite with Swift’s father and Kelce’s close friend Ross Travis. Kelce was also giving Swift a little bit of PDA after the show. However, Kelce wasn’t the only famous face at the concert. Katy Perry and Rita Ora were also in attendance, with the latter managing to grab a selfie with Kelce after the show.

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