Latest news with #MikeSingletary
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Greg Olsen Is Passionate About Youth Sports
You probably wouldn't be too surprised to find out that longtime NFL tight end and current TV football commentator Greg Olsen is pretty passionate about youth sports, especially youth football. Or that he's got kids playing football, and that he's all-in on the sideline as a coach and big booster of youth sports. After all, there is now a long list of ex-NFL players who coach or have participated in some major way in the youth gridiron game. Hall of Fame players like Mike Singletary, Deion Sanders, and Kurt Warner have all held some sort of role as a high school coach, while longtime ESPN talking head and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer has spent the last four years logging an astounding 44-10 record as coach at the Lipscomb Academy in Nashville. Yet, for Olsen, football passion goes a cut deeper. He's the co-founder of Youth Inc., a sports podcast that has evolved into a best-in-class platform for content, advice, and gear, serving the youth sports community. Youth Inc. aims to entertain and educate listeners while keeping them abreast of the latest sports conversations, and also serves as a direct-to-consumer merchandise marketplace. I spoke to Olsen at the end of July, and he noted that there are numerous opportunities to serve high school and youth sports fans, as well as ample room for youth sports organizations to expand their bases. 'The high school sports space is just one aspect of it all. The scale of youth sports goes far beyond high school sports,' Olsen said during our interview over Zoom. 'You can also see countless examples all over the country of former professionals getting involved.' Olsen points out that at his local Charlotte, North Carolina, middle school alone that his ex-Carolina Panthers teammates Luke Kuechly and Jonathan Stewart are involved, as defensive coordinator and running backs coaches, respectively. Olsen added: 'We also have (longtime NFL quarterback) Todd Blackledge, and my dad, who's coached high school football for 40 years. And that's just our middle school. Plus, We had Micheal Barrow,' a 12-year NFL veteran linebacker, 'come over to our middle school to help run a practice. On top of that, Brock Huard, one of the top football voices at FOX, just stepped down to go coach his son's high school football team. Established by Olsen, longtime Fanatics executive Ryan Baise, and Audacy alum Tim Murphy, Youth Inc. is the first integrated media and commerce platform built for the $40 billion youth sports industry. With original content featuring top coaches and players across a wide range of sports, Youth Inc. connects the youth sports community through insight and inspiration all in one place. The platform also delivers premium gear and fanwear, as well as custom team apparel from top brands for the unique needs of the youth sports community. But Olsen thinks coaching youth sports is not just a typical stage of life for former top athletes. He believes that top-quality coaches are growing sports overall from the ground up. 'I think you're seeing a swell of interest in youth sports. And I think high school coaches are now making a bigger impact on the future of football,' Olsen said. 'Some of the best coaches in the sport of football are now going on on Friday nights.' Related story: Coach Prime aka Deion Sanders—youth financial coach? With so many of his former colleagues and other NFL greats diving into youth sports, it's no surprise Olsen is so passionate about the possibilities. Likewise, Youth Inc.'s CEO Baise wants to he his company not just talk up youth sports through the podcast, but also assist in taking high school and youth sports to the next level. 'We want to have official commerce relationships with as many schools as possible, and use our platform as a vehicle for fundraising for them," his co-founder, Baise said. Baise adds that Youth Inc. currently has direct relationships with nearly one hundred high schools, as well as fully functional merchandise shops for over a thousand schools. He points out, too, that in the United States, there are just over 25,000 high schools with sports programs available to students. And that while 'officially licensed merch for high school teams isn't really a thing," Baise says there is no shortage of either excitement or demand for youth sports merchandise among local team fans. Baise adds that Youth Inc. wants school sports to utilize their programs to build stronger, more interactive relationships with fans. "We hope that it grows tremendously over time.' VIDEO: NFL analyst and ex-pro Greg Olsen interviews Tom Brady On top of it all, just over a week ago, Olsen and Youth Inc. interviewed Tom Brady. In the August 12 episode, the duo discusses parenting in youth sports, their own rivalry in the NFL, and their real-life friendship. Brady and Olsen also covered topics about what today's parents and coaches need to know about youth sports, from mental fitness and recruiting to equipment access. Olsen called Brady 'the best quarterback of all time, perhaps the best football player of all time.' He added that Brady was at the top of Youth Inc.'s longtime "bucket list of guests." As the face of Youth Inc., Olsen hosts the company's flagship podcast and leverages his 14-year NFL career and personal relationships to recruit coaches, athletes, and brand ambassadors. Last summer, Sportico reported that Olsen and his team raised $4.5 million of seed money for Youth Inc. The three-time Pro Bowl tight end also currently serves as an NFL Analyst for Fox Sports. Read Frye's recent interviews with Coach Prime and Barry Sanders. ##
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bears Prized Free Agent Grady Jarrett Gets Hall-of-Famer's Old Number
Bears Prized Free Agent Grady Jarrett Gets Hall-of-Famer's Old Number originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Bears don't normally allow players to wear the uniform numbers that were made iconic by the superstars from the organization's illustrious history. Retired numbers often do they heavy lifting when it comes to gating most iconic jerseys, but there are a few that aren't retired, so the Bears have to determine when they will allow the number to be used. Bears fans, the newly signed Grady Jarrett just got one of the most iconic jersey numbers in history. Getty Images Jarrett, who is expected to play a pivotal role on the Bears' interior defensive line and in the locker room as a leader, will be wearing Mike Singletary's No. 50 jersey during his first season in Chicago. Advertisement That's not just a number. No. 50 is synonymous with one of the greatest linebackers to ever suit up for the Bears—or any NFL team, for that matter. Singletary's legacy lives in the middle of Soldier Field, even if his number was never officially retired. And now, a two-time Pro Bowler in Jarrett will have the honor of carrying it forward. Jarrett has long been respected not just for his production, but for his presence. The former Falcons standout brings an edge to Chicago's revamped defense, and being handed No. 50 suggests the organization sees him as more than just a contributor—they see him as a leader. Before hardcore Singletary fans get upset, it's important to note that the 7-time All-Pro and HOFer has said he would prefer his number stay in circulation. So, it's not as if the Bears are disrespecting him. They're actually honoring his wishes. Advertisement This distinction also opens up a broader conversation about how teams honor their legends. Jarrett may be the face of a quiet shift in how iconic numbers are treated moving forward. I'd like to see every NFL number back in circulation for every team. Some organizations have a serious number shortage because of retired numbers and it prevents players from wearing a number that matters to them. Bears rookie Luther Burden II would love to wear No. 3, but the Bears retired it to honor Bronko Nagurski who last played in 1943. I think players should be inducted into an organization's ring of honor rather than having their numbers retired. The only numbers that should be retired in any sport are 42 in baseball, which is in place; 24 and 8 in the NBA for Kobe Bryant, 23 for Michael Jordan, 6 for LeBron James and 99 in the NHL for Wayne Gretzky. Advertisement Those numbers should be retired across the entire league, not just specific organizations to honor the otherworldly impact of those players on the league. All that said, I can't wait to watch Jarrett hopefully do the No. 50 justice in 2025. Related: Bears Coach Delivers Harsh Message to Struggling Rookie Related: Bears Coaches Send Clear Message to Caleb Williams This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Releases Groundbreaking 'Minority and Missing Initiative Report'
Alexandria, Va, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, May 25th, National Missing Children's Day, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) released its latest Minority and Missing Initiative Report, highlighting critical disparities in how missing persons cases involving communities of color are handled across the country. The report urges renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable children and families and serves as a call to action for law enforcement, policymakers, media, and the general public. The report was developed in partnership with the Safety Blitz Foundation's National Child ID Program, the NFL Alumni Association's Caring for Kids Campaign, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA), and National Night Out. The report reflects findings from a year-long review of data from state agencies and leading organizations including the FBI's National Crime Information Center Missing Person File, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Key Findings: Key Recommendations: Voices of Support: 'The safety of our children is at the heart of our mission to protect and serve future generations. At the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we're proud to support this work by providing the Gift of Safety through the National Child ID Program,' said Coach Mike Singletary, Pro Football Hall of Fame Chicago Bears Linebacker. 'As one of the founding members, I'm proud to continue championing the National Child ID Program, which has always focused on protecting our most valuable asset—our children,' said Randy White, NFL Hall of Famer. 'As a father and grandfather, few things are more terrifying than the thought of a missing child. The Child ID Kit equips families with critical tools to immediately provide law enforcement with essential information, saving precious time searching for their loved one,' said Jerry Kramer, NFL Hall of Fame inductee. 'I am grateful for the work of NOBLE, NCAI, and FBI-LEEDA to compile the most comprehensive report on minority, missing, and murdered and missing Indigenous persons, bringing attention to these important crises. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure every child is brought home safely to their families,' said Kenny Hansmire, Executive Director, National Child ID Program. 'We must continue our efforts until every child is safely home.' The Minority and Missing Initiative Report can be found here. ### About The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement ExecutivesSince 1976, The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) has served as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action. NOBLE represents over 4,800 members internationally, who are primarily African American chief executive officers of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, county, and municipal levels, other law enforcement administrators, and criminal justice practitioners. For more information, visit and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TwitterCONTACT: Vistra Communications NOBLE 813-961-4700 PR@
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ruben Hyppolite modeled his game after this legendary Bears linebacker
The Chicago Bears added to their linebacker group in the 2025 NFL draft with the selection of Maryland's Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round. Chicago had a need at the position after losing veteran Jack Sanborn in free agency, and they'll look to call on Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, or Hyppolite to have a prominent role alongside veterans T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edumnds. The team has already told Hyppolite that they feel he can be a versatile weapon for them on defense, and coordinator Dennis Allen will work with the rookie to find what role best suits him. Advertisement Coming to Chicago as a linebacker means there is legendary history to live up to, and Hyppolite has modeled his game after one of the best linebackers to ever come out of the franchise: Hall of Fame Mike Singletary. "Mike Singletary, I've been watching interviews and highlights of him since I could remember," Hyppolite told The Sick Podcast with Adam Rank. "I kind of credited a lot of the way I play the game to just watching him and hearing him speak. Navorro Bowman who played with Singletary coached me a bit at Maryland and a lot of his drills and the things that he taught me came from Coach Singletary. There's a lot of those things that I still take in and apply to this day." Modeling his game after Singletary is a trait that'll make him loved by the Bears fanbase, and if he can play even a quarter of the way in which Singletary did for years in Chicago, the franchise will have struck gold with their fourth round pick. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ruben Hyppolite modeled his game after this legendary Bears linebacker
