'GMFB' grades Raiders HC Pete Carroll's tackling at 73
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New York Post
a few seconds ago
- New York Post
Vikings' male cheerleaders hit back in social media post after fan backlash
Two male Vikings cheerleaders don't seem to be taking any of the backlash that they've gotten from some football fans to heart since the team announced their inclusion in the 2025 squad in a post on social media. Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn will be members of the Vikings cheer team, which sparked criticism and even some fans threatening to not be fans of the team anymore. However, Shiek seemed to address the controversy by poking fun at all of the people discussing him. Advertisement 4 Minnesota Vikings cheerleader Blaize Shiek performs before the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025. Getty Images 'Wait…did someone say our name?' Shiek wrote in a post on Instagram that included a photo of himself and Conn in their cheer uniforms. The Vikings also responded to the controversy in a statement last week, defending Shiek and Conn. Advertisement 'While many fans may be seeing male cheerleaders for the first time at Vikings games, male cheerleaders have been part of previous Vikings teams and have long been associated with collegiate and professional cheerleading,' the team said in a statement. 4 Minnesota Vikings cheerleader Blaize Shiek performs before the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 Getty Images 'In 2025, approximately one-third of NFL teams have male cheerleaders. Every member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders program has an impressive dance background and went through the same rigorous audition process. Individuals were selected because of their talent, passion for dance and dedication to elevating the game day experience. We support all our cheerleaders and are proud of the role they play as ambassadors of the organization.' Advertisement The Rams are said to have been the first NFL team to include men on their cheerleading squad back in 2018. 4 Minnesota Vikings cheerleader Louie Conn lines up with cheerleaders in the first quarter during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 16, 2025 Getty Images 4 Louie Conn is pictured during the Vikings' preseason game Aug. 16. Getty Images Conn had been a member of the Iowa State Cyclones dance team before making the Vikings squad, according to Fox News. While some fans have threatened to cancel their season tickets because of Shiek and Conn's inclusion on the cheer team, the Vikings told NBC News that no fans have done so.
Newsweek
a minute ago
- Newsweek
Raiders' Ashton Jeanty Puts NFL on Notice After Breakout Preseason Performance
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Las Vegas Raiders have been mostly an NFL laughingstock for the past 20 years or so. Although they have a new head coach in the proven Pete Carroll and a proven veteran quarterback in Geno Smith, few are predicting any type of major improvement for them. However, there is one reason for Raiders fans to be hopeful for the immediate future: Ashton Jeanty, the team's talented rookie running back who could have serious star potential. In the Raiders' first preseason game on Aug. 7, Jeanty got just three carries and didn't net any positive yardage. But on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, he showed a flash of what he could become in the years to come. In seven carries, he gained 33 yards, and early in the second quarter, he scored a touchdown. Earlier in that same drive, he had a 13-yard run during which he overpowered 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenior. Read more: NFL Insider Provides New Update on Chiefs' Rashee Rice Jeanty made a bold statement with that drive, and he made another one to the media about his overall game. "I've arrived, and it's time to keep going and make plays for this team," Jeanty said, per ESPN. Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders during a drill at the rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 09, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders during a drill at the rookie minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 09, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. Photo byComing into April's NFL draft, Jeanty was considered by many to be the best running back available. He spent three years at Boise State University, and in 2024, he abused opponents to the tune of 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. That prolific production earned him his second Mountain West (MW) Offensive Player of the Year award, as well as MW Male Athlete of the Year award, the Maxwell Award, the Doak Walker Award and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. The 21-year-old is undersized for the tailback position in the NFL at 5-foot-8, but he's extremely difficult to tackle thanks to his speed, quickness and shiftiness. Some scouts and experts even compared him to Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, the San Diego Chargers legend who set an NFL record with 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006. Read more: 49ers Player Admits He Sought Outside Help After Struggling in 2024 Las Vegas suffered a major blow when running back Josh Jacobs, who had led everyone in rushing yards in 2022, left as a free agent in March 2024. But in Jeanty, it may have a major building block moving forward that will give their jealous but frustrated fans a tangible reason for optimism. Between Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers, last year's runner-up for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, the Raiders may finally have a path out of the wilderness they have been stuck in for so long. For more on the Raiders and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
Khalen Saunders traded from Saints to Jaguars on same day he played Jaguars for Saints
Player for player trades are rare in the NFL these day. But the players having gone against one another on the same day? Even if it was a preseason Week 2 tie, that still has to be like seeing a bald eagle. The New Orleans Saints sent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to the Jacksonville Jaguars for center Luke Fortner on Sunday, Aug. 17, after the two teams tied at 17. Saunders and Fortner still managed to end the day as enemies despite switching teams. Saunders won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs prior to starting 27 of 30 possible games over the last two seasons for the Saints. He started for the Saints on Sunday. Fortner entered for the Jaguars as a backup. Saunders had one of the most notable moments in prime time during the 2024 season. During the Saints' Week 5 loss to the Chiefs, Saunders picked off Patrick Mahomes while dropping into coverage in the end zone late in the third quarter. Saunders, listed at 325 pounds, rumbled 37 yards up the field before being brought down. Coincidentally enough, his brother, Kameron Saunders, was a backup dancer for Taylor Swift on the "Eras Tour." Khalen Saunders was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in 2019 and spent his first four seasons of his career with the team. During the offseason, the Saints bolstered the defensive line by trading for Davon Godchaux and signing Jonathan Bullard. Fortner is a fourth-year guard from the University of Kentucky who lost his starting spot last season and is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
