Jesus follower. Matthew 22:36-40. Husband, Father, Veteran. Cancer journey. Son of Honduran immigrant. Avatar: son Alex as a Razorback QB. Opinions are my own.
Excited about another season but it’s time to reveal after my 33rd NFL draft in April, I made a decision to step away from ESPN and focus on my health, family and faith.
The gratitude and humility is overwhelming.
It’s not a classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking ball.…
John Clayton passed away today at a Seattle area hospital. His wife Pat and sister Amy were at his side and communicated earlier he passed peacefully after a brief illness.
We loved John. We are mourning his loss.
Pat has asked the
@Seahawks
to release further information.
Message I got from Brian Flores and His team About this lawsuit: “It was time to stop being quiet about the injustices that are happening. This was long overdue. There’s plenty of racism that need to be exposed.”
Ron Rivera was fired Tuesday by
@Panthers
but he didn’t wallow in self pity. The son of a Vietnam Veteran (Eugenio Rivera) headed to visit his Seal Teams two & four friends in Virginia Beach.
#leadership
Legendary NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, (77), peacefully passed away with family at his
side on Monday, February 8, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Schottenheimer had been
battling Alzheimer’s since 2014.
The
@MDAndersonNews
oncology team had good news on scans and blood panels - cancer still present in lungs but minimal or stable. Back in 3 months. Translation: I have a higher risk of being run over in ESPN parking lot by
@tunasweasel
than cancer killing me at this stage
The odd vibe between the
@AZCardinals
and Kyler Murray is indeed alarming:
Murray is described as self-centered, immature and finger pointer, per sources.
Murray is frustrated with franchise and was embarrassed by playoff loss to Rams and thinks he’s been framed as the scapegoat
Henry “Hank” Aaron passed away at 86. 💔
This hits hard. Great man. Strong man. Gentleman.
More than home run king.
He was so kind and so insightful.
Big
@Browns
fan. Told me a story more than 30 years ago about sitting in Dawg Pound with his mask
I loved him.
#RIPHankAaron
Reports about Deshaun Watson's unhappiness with
@HoustonTexans
are accurate and sources close to the QB say he is still angry about team's insensitivity to social justice, including hiring practices, after the franchise failed to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy this past week.
Phillip Rivers has confirmed to
@AdamSchefter
and me that he and his family have moved out of his San Diego home to Florida. His text: "What this means football wise is to be determined but it was time for us to move back closer to home."
This is the most negative barrage of comments I have received about a game’s lack of integrity and that’s not even counting Giants-related bias.
Consensus from those in NFL and who have been associated with it: Disgrace.
That’s not the fault of the Washington Football Team.
Antonio Brown's grievance to recoup some his $30 million in guaranteed money took a hit in discovery when the
@Raiders
submitted multiple text messages from Brown to owner Mark Davis, asking for his release, per sources. The Raiders obliged Sept. 7.
Bears GM Ryan Pace deserves love. Aside from Khalil Mack trade and other maneuvers, in 2017 NFL Draft he got the QB of his choice (maybe not others’) but in 4th round grabbed Eddie Jackson and Tarik Cohen. Hired Nagy & persuaded DC Fangio to stay.
Josh Allen and the
@BuffaloBills
have agreed to a 6 year contract extension through 2027, per sources.
Contract details to come but needless you say the money is significant.
The Panthers and Teddy Bridgewater are negotiating a 3-year contract in the $60 million range, per source. The deal is not done as they work out details but it is expected to be complete when new league year opens Wednesday.
Andrew Luck (per
@AdamSchefter
) retiring at this age (29, 30 on Sept. 12) and stage is more stunning than the retirements of Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and anyone else you want to name.
This the kind of care and love I have consistently witnessed and experienced in hospitals. Nurses, caretakers...countless others... humanity at its finest. I don’t like the idea of being in a hospital but I always walk out feeling humbled, energized, enriched.
Colin Kaepernick schedule in phases today begins at 3 pm with prelim workout (presumably measurables will be done), 4 pm for more scripted passing with receivers, then interviews, per personnel sources
The Atlanta Falcons indoor facility is the stage.
I understand the rules but it's still crazy that the first play in this clip resulted in a penalty and $28,075 fine and the second play resulted in no fine or penalty.
Al Michaels with line of the day after Antonio Brown landed in Rhode Island via private jet.... (paraphrasing) Good thing he (Brown) didn't have to go through baggage claim because he brought a lot of baggage
Sources say Watson could play hardball with Texans about a trade. His new $156 million contract includes a no-trade clause but informed speculation from a source is that he would consider the
@MiamiDolphins
in which Tua Tagovailoa and additional compensation goes to Houston.
Darren Sproles, 35, is playing his first playoff game today as an
@Eagles
player but what was supposed to be his final season may not be final. He has mentioned to teammates and staff he seriously could want another year in NFL. Eagles are 4-1 since he returned from injury.
Sources: Lamar Jackson rejected a Ravens' 6-yr contract offer with $133 million fully guaranteed at signing, which is more than Russell Wilson ($124 million) and Kyler Murray ($103.3 million) but well short of the $230 million fully guaranteed deal that Deshaun Watson got.
Happy Anniversary to the love of my life, Micki, the 37th of our marriage.
Proof there is a God!
This recent photo taken in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
I love you, sweetie!!!
Jason Witten is planning to retire after 15 years to join ESPN's new Monday Night Football broadcast team as a lead analyst but will meet today with owner Jerry Jones before making his decision final, per sources.
The Dolphins have granted permission to DB Minkah Fitzpatrick to seek a trade, according to multiple sources who say Miami's asking price is too high. Dolphins have no comment. Story coming with help from
@CameronWolfe
Hall of Fame GM Ron Wolf said the
@Browns
and others who embrace an analytics-driven model are "out of control."
Wolf: "When something goes wrong, who takes responsibility?
"Their answer: `Well, that's what the data told us.' What a crock. That's what got 'em 1-31."
Bills QB Josh Allen is being evaluated for an elbow injury to his ulnar collateral ligament and related nerves, per source.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said earlier team hopes to have more info Tuesday.
Bills receiver Cole Beasley has been fined multiple times for Covid protocol violations for a cumulative sum in the range of $100,000 per league and union sources. Beasley was fined $14,600 in August on a day league officials were in the facility to review the protocols.
Two things before a Jill update: First, she didn’t want to do the photo. Then, after we did, and I said I could write a story about her, she smiled and said, “I can’t wait for you to go back to work so you can write stories about someone else!” She’s great and done with chemo!
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord...
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:11-14
Josh Allen just text that he threw this post-game pass to his Mom and Dad, who traveled from California to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where the team allowed 13,000 fans to attend Sunday. That's a good son.
Talked or text with number of NFL coaches/execs who are nervous about COVID-19 testing today with the number of players who visited their former college teams’ opening games (and social gatherings) this past weekend.
On the day I was traded to the
@Panthers
in 2011, every player who played for Ron in Chicago said the same thing to me on my way out. “You are going to play for a great coach, but a better man”.
I am so proud to have shared this 9 yr journey together with you
@RiverboatRonHC
This picture of a 5-year-old sister comforting and supporting her 4-year-old brother with leukemia struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy shows the heartbreaking effects of childhood cancer on the patient's family
Good vibes all around
@Colts
.
Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger are competing for the backup role.
Yes, the backup role.
Carson Wentz trending to open the season as the starter with All-Pro G Quenton Nelson on same path after foot surgeries.
The Colts open season vs. Seahawks.
One of the rewarding experiences in 30 years at ESPN has been working with my dear friend
@AdamSchefter
, the best of the best.
Happy Birthday, Adam, and many more!
Sal Paolantonio reports that Carson Wentz’s wife has been escorted to Eagles locker area.
Once Wentz was removed from medical tent to locker room for further concussion testing, it raised level of concern for
@Eagles
.
It’s a medical decision. No official word yet.
DJ with a little exaggeration but I can tell you I wouldn’t be as strong in my faith without his Dad,
@davidjeremiah
, one of the great renown pastors whose Bible teaching was instrumental in leading me to the Lord. That’s how we met. I win on that one. 🙏🏻
The NFL will investigate the specific allegations that Brian Flores has made concerning Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offering him $100,000 per-loss incentives in 2019 to gain a better draft position, a league source said. Other potential rules violations also will be investigated.
Hello again to a pillar of my
#cancer
journey. I find God’s image everywhere here - in the faces, minds, hearts and compassion s of all who work here. Thank you,
@MDAndersonNews
Sounds like Sean Payton and coaches are going to get a "win" after
@Saints
NFC title loss: The inclusion of non-calls on DPI in final two minutes via replay assistant has a very good chance of being approved today on amended replay review proposals, per sources.
Unsolicited text from a GM this a.m.:
“I can’t lie - got emotional driving up to the stadium and seeing all the fans. Very grateful to get what I get to do. Will never take it for granted. I drove around for 20 mins and just took it all in”
ESPN MondayNight Football analyst Louis Riddick is interviewing today for the Houston Texans’ general manager job, sources tell
@AdamSchefter
and me.
Riddick then will interview Friday with the Lions.
Kellen Moore will remain as the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator in 2021, bypassing an opportunity to return to his alma mater at Boise St as HC, per league sources to
@WerderEdESPN
and me.
Cowboys expect to sign Moore to an extension, per sources.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid is benching....himself. He has has planned to hand over play calling to OC Matt Nagy for today's game vs. Jets although Reid will continue to have oversight, per team sources.
Carson Wentz said if expectant wife Madison goes into labor today, they decided he would still play for
@Colts
.
Wentz won't miss next week's game, either.
Madison's doctors plan to induce labor Monday when Mom & Dad expect to welcome their second healthy baby girl into the world.
Doug Pederson’s status as
@Eagles
coach is not firm, sources tell
@Tim_McManus
and me.
Pederson could be out if owner Jeffrey Lurie is not confident about Pederson’s vision going forward after the two meet again soon.
Lurie’s concerns extend well beyond Carson Wentz, per sources.
Rams OC Liam Coen assisted in Baker Mayfield’s rushed prep for TNF dramatics but he is headed back to
@UKFootball
as OC, he job he had in 2021, according to sources. UK fans can relax.
Antonio Brown is filing a grievance to get his $10 million guaranteed from
@Patriots
. The
@NFLPA
will represent him but personal misconduct that can void guarantees is in every contract across all professional sports. Question is: Can he win the grievance?
BREAKING: The
@Colts
have signed GM Chris Ballard and head coach Frank Reich each to contract extensions through the 2026 season, per sources.
Colts owner
@JimIrsay
clearly in a happy place with his leaders.
Ballard was hired as GM in 2017. Reich was hired as HC in 2018.
Anyone trying to move Matt Ryan to Pittsburgh as Ben Roethlisberger’s successor can put that speculation to rest.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith wanted Ryan to return when he took the job & he has made it clear to owner Arthur Blank and GM Terry Fontenot that Ryan is his QB for 2022
On Matthew Stafford, the
@Colts
have Super Bowl-caliber roster.
Even w/ retirement of LT Anthony Castonzo, O-line would offer Matthew Stafford a refuge in pass protection, a physical but diverse backfield with a very promising group of receivers.
That's one team, for sure.
Matt Ryan has agreed to a 5 year extension with
@AtlantaFalcons
that makes him first $30 mill per year QB w $100 mill guaranteed, per league and team sources.
One NFC GM observations from Thursday night's game:
1. The
@Chargers
have superstar QB in Justin Herbert to build a fan base.
2. Anthony Lynn should remain as coach, won 12 games two years ago, and deserves to be part of the fix.
3. Marcus Mariota looked like an NFL starter.
Eagles have fielded - not solicited - more than one inquiry and offer for Nick Foles. Eagles' basic answer is it's going to take more than the 1st and 4th round picks they got from Vikings for Sam Bradford. Foles is Super Bowl MVP and best insurance policy in NFL.
Here’s a detailed breakdown on
@Tuaamann
workout today from Trent Dilfer, who directed the 72-throw session that was video taped and sent to all 32 teams. Thanks
@DilfersDimes