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NFL offseason? 'Project: June' keeps NFL news flowing at USA TODAY

NFL offseason? 'Project: June' keeps NFL news flowing at USA TODAY

MORE: Chiefs never make Super Bowl excuses - a lesson the 49ers must learn
But is that really true?
There's a phrase that's become one of my favorites: "narrative dominance." It's used a lot in politics, but it applies to this idea about the NFL. The narrative is that you, the NFL fan, ceases caring about the league in the month of June. So let's test that narrative.
USA TODAY Sports will publish a story each day of the month for Project: June. We will cover the NFL universe from the lighthearted to the serious.
OPINION: Is NFL caving to anti-DEI movement? The optics don't look good.
If you wish you could draft your fantasy team now starting with that No. 1 overall selection (pick Ja'Marr Chase first, trust me on this), this series is for you. If you dream of season openers, tune in. If the Eagles' various Super Bowl celebrations dance in your head, over and over...and over, this is your place.
There seems to be always an NFL itch, and we will scratch it for you. Or something like that.
I once had a conversation with Hall-of-Famer Michael Strahan and he mentioned how important it was to take some time away from football after the season, but by the time the summer came around, he deeply missed it.
You may feel the same way. If you do, this will be the place for you in June.
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Patrick Stewart tackles creeping Rangers concern over Leeds involvement as Crystal Palace example rings alarm bells
Patrick Stewart tackles creeping Rangers concern over Leeds involvement as Crystal Palace example rings alarm bells

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Patrick Stewart tackles creeping Rangers concern over Leeds involvement as Crystal Palace example rings alarm bells

Patrick Stewart has shot down fears Rangers ' links with Leeds could threaten their European involvement. Ibrox is under new ownership following last week's £75million takeover by US health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers. ‌ Paraag Marathe, a senior exec with the NFL giants and chairman at Elland Road, has also taken up a seat next to new boardroom chief Cavenagh as Gers' vice-chairman. ‌ But Marathe and the 49ers' controlling interest in the Premier League new boy's forced the American consortium to gain SFA approval before they could take hold of the keys to Ibrox. But Light Blues CEO Stewart insists the new arrangement in Govan is nothing like the set up that could see FA Cup winners Crystal Palace blocked from next season's Europa League. Eagle Football - the multi-club group owned by John Textor which includes a minority shareholding in Palace - owns a majority stake in Ligue 1 side Lyon, who have also qualified for the same competition. Palace chiefs have been forced to fly out to UEFA headquarters in Switzerland for talks over a deal to save their Euro ticket - but Selhurst Park chiefs are far from confident they will get the green light. Stewart, though, is certain Rangers will face no such hurdles should Leeds end up booking a continental trip next season. He said: 'I think firstly that this isn't a multi-club ownership model. It just simply isn't. ‌ 'There is no common parent club. There is a limited amount of overlap. 'Paraag Marathe is the chairman of Leeds and the vice-chair of Rangers. 'We have a couple of other individuals that have interests or roles in both clubs. ‌ 'There's commonality, but there's not any control from one club to the other. "I see it as there could be opportunities, but the directors of Rangers are always going to operate in the best interests of Rangers. 'The Scottish FA is part of that process. They made it very clear, for example - which we are grateful for - that Rangers' participation in UEFA competitions cannot be harmed by any of this overlap. ‌ 'I just see opportunity, and now having experienced working with Parag and 49ers, I think that opportunity is real.' Rangers fans have faced taunts from the opposite side of Glasgow since last week's takeover, with mischievous claims their team might end up as a feeder club for Leeds. ‌ But Stewart is adamant the loose tie-up with the Peacocks and their Gridiron counterparts in California will only benefit the Light Blues. He said: 'What the 49ers have got is a high degree of expertise in a number of different sports, including football obviously at Leeds and obviously in the NFL. 'What we tap into is a network of expertise where we can grow together. I've had several discussions with counterparts at Leeds, at 49ers Enterprises, just sharing information but also really importantly networks and those networks can be helpful from a technical perspective or from a commercial perspective. ‌ 'We very much see 49ers role in the consortium as providing that level of expertise that will help fill in some of the gaps we've got, complement what we've got as well but the strategic significance they can have shouldn't be underestimated.' Stewart has proved to be a divisive figure at Ibrox since taking up his post last December. He's taken a new hard-line stance on the behaviour of fans - including a scathing statement aimed at the Union Bears and their tifo depicting a gun-toting Graeme Souness ahead of last month's Old Firm clash at Inbox. ‌ But he is confident he remains on good terms with the club's supporters. 'We had a really good meeting with the Fan Advisory Board after what you're referring to, predominantly the tifo that we made a comment on as a club,' he said. 'There's lots of aspects about Rangers which are a cause for celebration. There's some aspects that we think standards are important all across the club in every aspect. 'I think the Union Bears did a really interesting statement last week where they talked about standards and their tifos being befitting of the standards of Ibrox. 'I think all aspects of the club, supporters, employees, management, ownership, we all want to drive the best standards and that can mean different things to different people. I thought it was a really interesting statement from the UB and actually a really positive statement.'

Pittsburgh Steelers slammed for signing 'washed up diva' Aaron Rodgers by stunned NFL analyst
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Pittsburgh Steelers slammed for signing 'washed up diva' Aaron Rodgers by stunned NFL analyst

Aaron Rodgers heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers has been slammed by Skip Bayless, as he called the 41-year-old a 'washed up diva'. Bayless posted a more-than-5-minute rant on social media about the situation, where he trashes the Steelers and Rodgers, as the months-long saga of the four-time MVP's free agency came to an end. Rodgers is likely inserted as the Steelers No 1 quarterback for the season, with any talk of a competition with Mason Rudolph or Will Howard holding zero weight, as neither have had NFL success. The caption of Bayless' video reads - 'I can't believe the Pittsburgh Bleeping Steelers just signed a washed-up, 41-year old, finger pointing, blame deflecting DIVA.' 'He was washed his last three years in Green Bay,' Bayless said. 'Go look at the numbers of his last three playoff games in Green Bay… I told the Jets he was washed.' 'What has become of the Pittsburgh Steelers? I don't hate them anymore, I pity them.' The 73-year-old Bayless became known in sports broadcasting for his hot takes and a hot-and-cold relationship with former on-screen partner Stephen A. Smith. Bayless picked an online fight with Tom Brady last month over Shedeur Sanders' draft status. Last week, the momentum behind Rudolph being the starter as at an all-time high after he appeared at a rally for President Donald Trump. Rudolph, alongside safety Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier, gave Trump a personalized Steelers jersey. Trump also gave his two cents on Pittsburgh's quarterback situation, endorsing Rudolph.

Tom Rafferty, Cowboys OL from 1976-89, dies at 70
Tom Rafferty, Cowboys OL from 1976-89, dies at 70

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Tom Rafferty, Cowboys OL from 1976-89, dies at 70

June 6 - Longtime Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman and Super Bowl XII champion Tom Rafferty died Thursday at 70. Rafferty played in 221 combined regular season and playoff games at guard and center from 1976-89, bridging the careers of Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman. Rafferty's daughter, Rachel Powers, confirmed his passing Thursday in Windsor, Colo., following a stroke. He had been hospitalized since early May. A fourth-round draft pick out of Penn State in 1976, Rafferty started the Cowboys' 27-10 win against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII and their 35-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. On Jan. 3, 1983, Rafferty's block helped spring Tony Dorsett's NFL-record 99-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings. Rafferty worked in sports equipment sales following his retirement from the NFL. He is survived by his wife, their son and daughter and two grandchildren. --Field Level Media

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