Falcons head coach Raheem Morris slammed to the ground by his own player in brutal hit
Morris, 48, formerly played college football at Hofstra and has more than two decades of NFL coaching experience.
But he was little match for his team's No. 1 receiver during a drill on Monday as he tried to man up on London.
As seen in footage from Fox 5 Atlanta, London took the matchup seriously as he fought through some press coverage from his coach and shoved him to the ground.
Morris, however, was in good spirits afterwards as he laughed while picking himself up off the ground.
He then manned up against Ray-Ray McCloud before appearing to have some playful words with London, who was by then out of the camera frame.
VIDEO: Raheem Morris decided to man up on #Falcons WR Drake London in drills this morning.
Advantage Drake lol pic.twitter.com/4aP4lgvfVr
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) August 4, 2025
Morris will be hoping to lead Atlanta into the playoffs in his second full season as head coach after the team went 8-9 and missed the postseason in 2024.
Unlike last year, the team will start the season with Michael Penix under center, after the former University of Washington standout took over the quarterback job from Kirk Cousins in Week 16.
London, meanwhile, will look to build off of a career-best year at wide receiver, after he racked up 100 receptions, 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns last year for Atlanta.
Only three players - Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Brian Thomas - finished with more receiving yards than him during the 2024 regular season.
The Falcons, who are holding training camp at their practice facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, will kick off their preseason on Friday against the Lions.
They'll host the Buccaneers in Week 1 of the regular season on September 7.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
26 minutes ago
- Reuters
Giants QB Russell Wilson touts Brian Daboll's ‘beautiful mind'
August 7 - He has yet to throw a pass in a game setting for the New York Giants, but new quarterback Russell Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler, is already singing the praises of head coach Brian Daboll's offensive knowledge and understanding. He expressed his thoughts on Daboll and other topics while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. "Daboll's got a beautiful mind, how he sees the game, he's coached tremendous football players, he's won Super Bowls, he's been around winning -- national championships, all that stuff," Wilson said. "... I think that the best part is in terms of the knowledge and what we get to share back and forth is pretty cool. "... Just over the years, all my experience, his experience, how we see the game the same way." Wilson also sang the praises of assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who will continue calling plays for the Giants in 2025. "Obviously Kaf's played the game, played the position, he sees it like the quarterback does and he's got a great viewpoint of the game," said Wilson. "We get to spend a lot of time together in the quarterback room and I think Kaf is a really brilliant mind, too. "I think the ability to share ideas, the collaboration, is what's really special here." Kafka, with the Giants' coaching staff since 2022, also highlighted the importance of communication with his new pivot. "Yeah, just opening up (those) lines of communication, having dialogue on plays that he likes, things that I like, things that are within the offense already, maybe there's some crossover, maybe there's some new thoughts," said the former journeyman QB. "It's just about opening those lines of communication." After two down years with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023, Wilson started 11 regular-season games for the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, posting a 6-5 record while passing for 2,482 yards (225.6 per game), 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. He added another two scores on the ground. Now the 2013 Super Bowl champion is adapting to another new team in New York and transitioning well. "It's going great," said Wilson. "I think guys are working their butts off, man. We're battling every day, going against a really good defense every day, too, so it's even better. "You always want practice to be harder than the games, that mentality of that. ... I think we're getting better every day." Wilson has also expressed his eagerness to play alongside talented second-year receiver Malik Nabers. "I mean, that was (the) first thing I told you guys when I watched him on film. ... It was just his explosiveness," said Wilson of the 2024 sixth overall pick out of LSU. "Once he catches the football, there's only so many people in the world that can do it like he can and I think he's one of the best in the world to do it. "He's going into a second year of it all and it's all fresh and all new, but he's definitely experienced in terms of how he sees the game, his mentality attacking the football in the air. ... It's going to be a special thing. I'm excited to play with him, obviously." At age 36, Wilson added that he's already enjoying playing for his fourth NFL team. "I love this locker room, the guys, just the fellowship that we have together all the way from the lunchroom to the film room after practice," Wilson said. "...It's been great, man. I am truly grateful to be a New York Giant." --Field Level Media
The Guardian
38 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Chelsea step up efforts to sign Garnacho and Simons in attacking reshuffle
Chelsea are to step up attempts to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and could sell Nicolas Jackson, as they continue to reshape their attacking options. The club have brought in Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens, and moves for Garnacho and Simons are understood to be their priority. Garnacho has played no part in United's pre-season and is thought to be available for about £50m, although Chelsea are understood to be reluctant to pay that. The Argentina forward is believed to be keen to move to Stamford Bridge after Ruben Amorim made clear the 21-year-old is not part of his plans at Old Trafford. Chelsea have yet to make an official approach but are likely to do so, with United seeking to balance their books as they close on the signing of Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig. Chelsea are in talks with the German club over Simons, who is understood to have agreed personal terms despite interest from Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old, who can play in several attacking roles, joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January for €50m after two successful loan spells. He is expected to cost about €70m (£61m) and Leipzig are targeting Liverpool's Harvey Elliott as a potential replacement. Jackson is understood to prefer to stay at Chelsea despite the arrivals of Delap and Pedro dropping him down the pecking order, but Chelsea are believed to be willing to sell the Senegal striker for the right price. Newcastle could be an option if, as expected, they miss out on Sesko, and Jackson also has interest from Milan and other Italian clubs but Chelsea could demand £80m. Chelsea's 19-year-old Spanish striker Marc Guiu is poised to join Sunderland on loan having completed his medical on Wednesday, and Everton have completed the £28m signing of the midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall on a five-year contract. Burnley are closing in on signing Armando Broja for £20m and are likely to pay a similar fee for Lesley Ugochukwu. Borussia Dortmund are also in talks with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, who spent part of last season on loan in Germany. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Chelsea have sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic and João Félix for combined fees that could reach well above £100m. They are also hoping to offload Raheem Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal and has been linked with clubs in Turkey, together with Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell. The Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato became Chelsea's latest summer signing when his £37m move from Ajax was confirmed on Sunday.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
NFL confirms major loophole in new ban on smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants
NFL players gripping their contraband smelling salts like winning lottery tickets can relax: the league won't ban the inhalants. The players' union sent a memo to members clarifying the NFL ban, which strictly applies to teams providing smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or in the locker rooms. Now NFL players will be out of pocket for the inhalants, which can cost around $6.50 per dose. 'The NFL Players Association is aware of the memo issued by the league Tuesday regarding the use of smelling salts and ammonia capsules,' read the memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press. 'We were not notified of this club policy change before the memo was sent out. To clarify, this policy does not prohibit player use of these substances, but rather it restricts clubs from providing or supplying them in any form. The NFL has confirmed this to us.' The league's recent edict on inhalants cited a Food and Drug Administration warning that such treatments could potentially mask symptoms of head trauma. But just try telling that to NFL players and even coaches, who use smelling salts for the rush of energy and mental stimulation they provide. While crashing an NFL Network broadcast at 49ers training camp in Santa Clara on Tuesday, San Francisco tight end George Kittle claimed the NFL was banning players from using stimulating inhalants. 'I honestly came here to air a grievance,' Kittle said. 'Our team got a memo today that [said] smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL. 'I've been distraught all day,' he continued. ;I considered retirement. We have to figure out a middle ground. Somebody help me out.' Kittle was then asked how often he uses the stimulant, replying: 'I'm an every drive guy. I miss them already.' Smelling salts are also popular across multiple sports and with power lifters. Users are advised to take a 'whiff' of the product for enhanced alertness and energy. The stimulant has previously been endorsed by Joe Rogan , who spoke at length about smelling salts during a podcast episode three years ago. Rogan initially tried the product himself - along with comedian Theo Von - and struggled to deal with the intensity that they provided. However, Rogan encouraged his producer to try the stimulant. He said: 'You should take a hit! It's not that bad. It's not painful'. Rogan later posted a clip onto his Instagram with the caption: 'Our first experience with smelling salts. The great and powerful @theovon and I took a whiff of @jujimufu's good stuff. 'Shoutout to my friend @worlds_strongest_gay for the introduction to these fine olfactory stimulators. Holy s*** was that intense'. In a report by ESPN last year, Dr. Joseph Estwanik of the American College of Sports Medicine also warned of the dangers that the stimulant can cause. He explained: 'The claim is that smelling salts arouse your consciousness and focus, but how many of us in our daily lives think it's appropriate during a tough day at work to open a bottle of ammonia and start sniffing the fumes?' 'Ammonia's intended use is for cleaning. Giving a highly trained elite athlete ammonia to help them perform at their peak is like throwing a drowning man a cup of coffee.'
