Latest news with #Brisker
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Came for a brisk visit, but found home
It was the infamous All Blacks defeat at the 1999 Rugby World Cup against the French that inspired American artist Robin Brisker to move to New Zealand at the start of the new millennium. Not exactly, but it was while watching the game from an Amsterdam pub that reminded Mr Brisker that of all the countries he had explored, and there were many, New Zealand was untouched. "I had never seen rugby before and that was entertaining. I was watching and I was like; 'what's that? What's a knock-on?' I got addicted to it." Until he moved to Wanaka in 2000, the 71-year-old had not lived in a place for any longer than five years, it was his general rule of thumb. Born in Chicago and raised all over the United States, Brisker learned at a young age to adapt to any environment and with very little. "I was in 12 schools in 12 years ... The first move was devastating then you realise it teaches you to adapt, and you can be more independent than you think." "I have had 70 addresses [across] 10 countries." While he has worked in about every job you can think of; a meat packer in Detroit, busker in Munich, juggler in Adelaide, chauffeur in Mexico — his one constant has been art, he has been doing it all along. "I illustrated my high school yearbook in 1972, so that's when I first got published." Since then, he has been selling art throughout the world. He owned his own gallery in Chicago, again in Florida and sold a painting of a watermelon to Madonna while working in a health spa in Mexico. His work has been collected by Miles Davis, Madonna, Jamie Wyeth, Amy Irving and artist's Dan Rizzie and Tony Fitzpatrick. Never in his transient life did he think he would settle, but it was Wānaka that had him sit at a final destination and it was not for its lucrative art scene. "I said this town's got everything, I am going to spend the summer here." That summer turned into 25 more, but it has not been a walk in the park for the artist who would sell paintings in Chicago on the daily for four times the amount he would sell one here. "The prices I was getting in Chicago 25 years ago is still more than what I get today here in New Zealand." "In Wānaka people would rather spend money on a new bike, a pair of boots and ski gear. Art is not a priority, there are tonnes of artists in this town but not nearly enough art appreciators." "I have attempted landscapes, but I don't particularly care for them. Nothing sells good here, everyone I know here has one of my pieces, it is a small town, and they come here not because it's artistic, but it is because it is the beautiful adventure capital." While art success came easy in Chicago, known for its popular art culture, he "never wanted to be anywhere more than five years", so he up and left. Mr Brisker chose Wānaka for safety and the stunning outlook. "I haven't locked my car in 25 years here." "In Chicago I was constantly aware of crime and lived on a street where the sirens were going every second." His story began in Wānaka when he bought three acres of land on Golf Course Rd, and turned a house into a backpackers. The Tree House as he named it, and sold it later for four times the price. He took the opportunity to try sell his art out of Queenstown, but did not like the lifestyle and moved back to buy his Mount Iron property. "This property is the best art I have done, I think. You don't see a neighbour or hear a neighbour, I get to see what I created, I built or planted or designed." Ideally Mr Brisker would run a gallery here, but instead he has planted pieces of art throughout Wānaka venues such as Kai Whakapai, Patagonia and Cork. After spending a third of his life here, Brisker still has a fascination with rugby, but his observations are more artistic than sporting knowledge. "What I love is that they tape around people's ears, to stop themselves having cauliflower ears. I have never seen a sport like that, that's the only protection they have, everything else is a T-shirt and shorts. "Nothing like the American footballers, they are covered head to toe in armour."
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaquan Brisker reacts to Bears' Day 2 picks in 2025 NFL draft
Jaquan Brisker reacts to Bears' Day 2 picks in 2025 NFL draft The Chicago Bears have been busy on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL draft, adding two offensive players in wide receiver Luther Burden III and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo after making a trade with the Buffalo Bills to move back from 41st overall. After adding Burden and Trapilo, the Bears used their third second-round pick to select defensive tackle Shemar Turner out of Texas A&M. There was a big belief that Chicago would continue their focus on the trenches after rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines in free agency, and they did just that with two of their Day 2 picks. One of the team's key young players, safety Jaquan Brisker, has taken notice of the team's moves through two rounds and is beyond happy with what they've done. Brisker took to his official X (Twitter) account to express his love for the first four picks made by Chicago, which also includes tight end Colston Loveland who was taken 10th overall in the first round. "Loving the picks!" Brisker wrote. "Let's goooo! #DaBears" Brisker's joy is being felt throughout the Bears fanbase and organization, but general manager Ryan Poles still has work to do to close out the 2025 draft and complete the roster rebuild for new head coach Ben Johnson on Saturday, where Chicago currently has three selections -- Nos. 109 (fourth round), 148 (fifth round) and 233 (seventh round). Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Chicago Bears stand at safety?
2025 NFL draft preview: Where do Chicago Bears stand at safety? The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important offseason, where they're looking to develop into a contender under new head coach Ben Johnson. Following a busy free agency that included some big-name additions, including offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman, as well as defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears are shifting their focus toward the 2025 NFL draft. Chicago has seven draft picks, even after their two trades, including four in the Top 75 -- 10th overall, a pair of high second rounders and a third-round selection. Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2025 NFL draft. Finishing up the defense is safety, a group that looks solidified for now, but has no one under contract beyond the 2025 season. Who's on the roster? Jaquan Brisker Kevin Byard Elijah Hicks Jonathan Owens Tarvarius Moore The entire Bears safety position group is back for the 2025 season, beginning with starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard. Brisker is finally healthy after missing the majority of the 2024 season with a concussion. Before he went out, the versatile safety was playing some of the best football of his career. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Brisker faces a pivotal season that will determine his future with the team. Byard, meanwhile, was brought in last offseason as a steady veteran and proved to be a shrewd signing. He led the team in tackles and instantly made an impact as a team captain. Behind those two are veterans Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks. Owens, like Byard, signed a two-year contract as a core special teams player but saw more playing time in the secondary due to Brisker's injury. The same goes for Hicks, who took a significant step in Year 3 while filling in. Hicks started seven games, while Owens started five. Tarvarius Moore re-signed as a depth player this offseason. Who departed this offseason? Adrian Colbert The Bears' lone departure only played a handful of games for them in 2024. Veteran Adrian Colbert, one of the breakout stars from "Hard Knocks" last summer, just missed making the active roster prior to the start of the season but was brought back due to injuries. He played in five games and remains a free agent. Positional need: Moderate If everyone is healthy, the Bears current safety group can get the job done in 2025. The problem is it's difficult to count on Brisker's health at the moment, and every safety is slated to hit free agency next offseason. Despite Brisker's talent, his future is up in the air due to injury concerns. He has suffered multiple concussions in the NFL, and missing the final 12 games of the year due to one is cause for alarm. It's a similar situation that Teven Jenkins found himself in last year, and he wound up leaving in free agency. Byard's in his early 30s, and while he's extremely durable, his best football is behind him. The Bears would be wise to target a safety in the middle rounds to develop for the future because this group won't be around for too long. Top draft prospects Malaki Starks, Georgia Xavier Watts, Notre Dame Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State Andrew Mukuba, Texas With their first-round pick, the Bears have several options, but they are unlikely to prioritize safety. Georgia's Malaki Starks is at the top of many draft boards thanks to his versatility and ability to disrupt deep passing patterns in the SEC. Notre Dame's Xavier Watts is another name that could go relatively early. The Fighting Irish have churned out some impressive defensive backs in recent years, and Watts shined throughout the College Football Playoff. The Bears could also look to Brisker's alma mater, Penn State, for a couple of options. Kevin Winston Jr. is an intriguing Day 2 possibility and would fit Dennis Allen's system, while Jaylen Reed might be available when the Bears select on Day 3.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaquan Brisker reveals he was set to get drafted by the Saints
Jaquan Brisker reveals he was set to get drafted by the Saints It seems as if new Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and safety Jaquan Brisker were always destined to work together at some point. That time has finally come ahead of the 2025 season. Brisker, entering his fourth season in the NFL with the Bears, sat down with Kyle Odegard of Casino Beat for a one-on-one interview, where he discussed the new coaching staff he's set to play under. While Brisker explained how excited he was to work with head coach Ben Johnson, he also discussed getting the chance to play under Allen as his new defensive coordinator. It's a pairing that has been a few years in the making, going back to the 2022 NFL Draft. Brisker told Odegard that during the NFL Combine, Allen, then the coach of the New Orleans Saints, planned to select the Penn State standout with their second-round pick: When we were in the draft, Dennis Allen and I met at the combine and they told me at 49 they were going to take me. They were going to pick me and I was like one pick away. So there was that connection always there. They had signed Tyrann [Mathieu], so I was going to come in to play next to him.' There are many instances where teams claim they were going to select a certain player in the draft, but for one reason or another, it never comes to fruition. In the Saints case, though, it's likely Allen was telling the truth. The Bears sniped Brisker with the No. 48 overall pick, one selection in front of the Saints, who lost both starting safeties that offseason. New Orleans then selected cornerback Alontae Taylor with the No. 49 pick, still bolstering their secondary. Three years later, Brisker and Allen reunited, and the 25-year-old safety is excited about finally getting the opportunity to work with the veteran coach. The two had a chance to chat following Allen's hiring, where they reminisced about their chat at the NFL Combine: Yeah, we both kind of brought it up. He's like, 'finally, we get to connect'. And, you know, you get to coach me, I can play for you. So it was a great moment, because at the combine, I had a great interview with them, and I love Coach Allen. I still remember what he was trying to teach me at the Combine and said that to him, and he was laughing. It seems Allen and Brisker were destined to work together, and both men are looking for a bounce-back season. Brisker was off to a stellar campaign in 2024 before a serious concussion sidelined him for the final 12 games. Allen, meanwhile, was fired midseason from the Saints after going 2-7 in 2024. It would be fitting to see them help each other improve in 2025.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears HC Ben Johnson provides injury updates on Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson provided some encouraging injury updates on safety Jaquan Brisker and left tackle Braxton Jones during Tuesday's NFL Owners Meetings. Johnson believes that Brisker has been medically cleared for the 2025 season. Brisker suffered a concussion in a Week 5 game against the Carolina Panthers, and he went on to miss the entirety of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Jones is "on the right track" in his recovery from a season-ending ankle injury in December, which required surgery. Johnson expects Jones to be limited at the start of training camp in late July. That could very well open the door for someone else to emerge as the starting left tackle, be it second-year player Kiran Amegadjie or a rookie to-be-named, as Chicago sits with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. But Johnson said he sees the traits in Jones required to be a quality left tackle in his offense. For Brisker, he's entering a contract year where he needs to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season, something he's yet to do. While Brisker's physical style of play should one an asset for Dennis Allen's defense, he's had three concussions in three seasons and will have to learn to protect himself. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears injury updates on Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones
