Latest news with #EdEastonJr.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Browns WR Steve Sanders reflects on NFL career, new partnership with US Sports Camps
This week, Touchdown Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Steve Sanders about youth mentorship, his football career, and entrepreneurship. Sanders, a camp director for US Sports Camps, reflected on his current occupation before diving into his NFL experience. Advertisement "I got the opportunity to partner with the US Sports Camps to oversee Nike Football camps in Georgia," Sanders explained. "It was just a perfect fit; It's been great because we're launching a six-week training program starting May 5th here in Georgia. After all, the kids will get a more developed, deeper understanding of fundamentals and skills, character development, and leadership training, and they will get it for an extended period. So that's going to be awesome to do." During his collegiate career at Bowling Green, Sanders tallied 156 receptions for 2,324 yards and 24 touchdowns. Though he hoped to be selected in the 2006 NFL draft, Sanders entered the league as a free agent and had to blaze his path as a young prospect. "It was interesting because I really thought I was going to get drafted on draft night," Sanders said. "Even preparing for the draft, I had a lot of the teams, the scouts, and even some of the GMs that I had conversations with, and everyone spoke highly of my talent and said they would draft me. I knew I would be kind of a day two guy, where I would go, probably somewhere between the fifth and seventh rounds, just because I went to a smaller school in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) then. So, I thought that I was going to get drafted. So I'm sitting there watching the draft, and I'm excited. My name doesn't get called, and you know that it was kind of a little bit of a letdown. Still, it also motivated me to learn how much harder I had to work. Advertisement "Even though I was going to the NFL and undrafted, I still got the opportunity to go there, so I just came in with the mentality of being the first one in, first one out, last one in on the field. And that's what I did my entire career. So I remember getting a call from the browns or my agent telling me that the Browns wanted to sign me. I thought that was a no-brainer because I was from Cleveland. I grew up wanting to be a Brown, and if the Cleveland Browns would have me, that would be a dream come true. So, getting that opportunity to go there and start my career was a dream come true. So, just being a kid from Cleveland, I got involved in the community. I did everything I could. And I wasn't a star player; I started my first year on the practice squad. I went to NFL Europe and played over there. I did well, but then I returned to the Browns and played two more seasons there. " When his time in Cleveland ended, Sanders signed practice-squad contracts with the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals, which gave him a greater perspective on life in the NFL. "Those [practice squad] guys deserve a lot of credit; number one, because they work hard in trying to make the team [and] number two, [because] they're preparing the guys who are playing on Sundays and giving them the right looks," Sanders explained. "It's an essential and critical part of a successful team — to have guys who understand their role and work hard at making sure the team is successful, even though they're not the ones who will be playing on Sundays. "I took that approach. If I had to be Chad Ochocinco that week, that's who I was. If I had to be Megatron [Calvin Johnson], that's who I was. And I took pride in it because I knew my opportunity would come eventually. So I worked every day like I was going out there to play on Sundays, even on the practice squad. So, coming with that mentality, I think it spoke well to my character and work ethic and showed the coaches that this kid deserves an opportunity. So when I got my chance, I took it." Advertisement For more information, visit the US Sports Camps website and Steve Sanders' NIKE Football training sessions profile . This article originally appeared on Touchdownwire: Ex-NFL WR reflects on NFL journey, partnership with US Sports Camps
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Sony Michel
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Sony Michel On the Chiefs Wire Podcast, we look back at one of the best interviews from the 2024 season! This week, we're reflecting on the Week 14 episode. Watch as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to former Super Bowl champion running back Sony Michel, reflecting on one of the best games of his career at the Kansas City Chiefs' expense and his thoughts on Patrick Mahomes and former college teammate Mecole Hardman. Michel faced off against Mahomes and the Chiefs twice during the quarterback's MVP season in 2018, including the memorable AFC Championship overtime game at Arrowhead Stadium. He witnessed his evolution and its effect on the team becoming a dynasty today. During the New England Patriots' win, He notably ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the 37–31 overtime road victory. Check out the link to listen to the full episode!
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bengals legend Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson reacts to Chiefs' loss to Eagles in Super Bowl LIX
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Cincinnati Bengals legend and retired NFL wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson at the Whitney Museum in New York City during his panel appearance for eMLS CUP 2025. In his interview with Easton Jr., Johnson shared his reaction to Kansas City's disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX and detailed his thoughts on why the Chiefs fell short in their three-peat bid. Advertisement "I'm not surprised," Johnson said of Kansas City's defeat at the hands of Philadelphia last month. "I mean, you watched them all year. You understood the defensive line, and that was there. I call it the meat and potatoes of their defense: always one up front in any football game, no matter what, if it turns out as strong as they are. You understood the Chiefs' weakness was on the offensive line. The offensive line has been [expletive] up all year long. "They've had a continuous merry-go-round of putting people in certain positions to see what fits. It never worked. But [Patrick] Mahomes was so great that he could overcome most of the struggles with the offensive line, right? But get to the [expletive] Eagles, who got all those young dogs up there from Georgia, and that's what you get. I knew it would probably go like, I didn't know it would be that bad; I knew they had the edge." The Chiefs' offensive line struggled against the Eagles' front four defensive linemen, as pass rushers routinely put pressure on Patrick Mahomes. Philadelphia finished the game with six sacks on the two-time league MVP, disrupting Kansas City's game plan. The Cincinnati Bengals all-time receiving yards leader spoke on Major League Soccer's GAME ON: Next-Gen Fandom panel, which featured thought leaders, industry disruptors, and Gen Z voices. The panel explored the evolution of sports consumption, the influences of gaming, hip-hop, digital art, and sneaker culture, and how authenticity in the digital age is essential for audience engagement. "Well, there's a lot of NFL, NBA, and sports icons connected to Major League Soccer, and Chad [Johnson has been] very vocal about his love and his interest in the sport," MLS Executive Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer Sola Winley explained. "He shows up to events like this. He's a supporter of the league. We have a lot of other former athletes and current athletes who have invested and partnered with Major League Soccer, from Kevin Durant to others who are participating." Advertisement Johnson is an avid gamer, especially when playing the EA SPORTS FC franchise. The game reaches global audiences and the next generation of fans, as many attended the crowning of a new eMLS 2025 champion at the Whitney Museum. For more information on eMLS, visit This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson on Chiefs' loss to Eagles in Super Bowl LIX
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Trey McBride
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Trey McBride On the Chiefs Wire Podcast, we look back at one of the best interviews from the 2024 season! This week, we're reflecting on the season finale episode after Super Bowl LIX. Watch as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride. He reflected on his breakout season and his admiration for Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce's epic postseason performances. McBride was a first-time Pro Bowl selection after setting career highs in multiple categories during the 2024 regular season. He admires ten-time Pro Bowler Kelce and watched his postseason performances closely. The Cardinals finished the season 8-9, missing out on the playoffs in a competitive NFC West. There is optimism for the young team that excelled past many preseason projections. The former second-round pick from Colorado State finished with 111 catches for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns last season. Check out the link to listen to the full episode!
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Interview: Roselyn Sanchez
In honor of Women's History Month, the Chiefs Wire Podcast is looking back at one of the best interviews from the 2024 season. This week, we're reflecting on the season finale episode after Super Bowl LIX. Watch as Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to actress, singer-songwriter, and producer Roselyn Sanchez at a women's empowerment brunch in Kansas City that Donna Kelce hosted in partnership with GSK's THRIVE@50+ campaign. Sanchez shared her thoughts about the event and the joy she feels seeing Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco's ongoing display of pride in his Puerto Rican heritage. Pacheco's helmet, which features the island's flag, is displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The accomplished actor, director, and entrepreneur was joined by Brooke Shields, Gina Torres, Susan Noles, and more at the event before Kansas City's divisional-round playoff victory over the Houston Texans. Check out the link to listen to the full episode! This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs Wire Podcast Video Playback Interview: Roselyn Sanchez
