Latest news with #NFLdraft
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jim Harbaugh Clears the Air on Viral Photograph With First Round Pick Omarion Hampton
The Los Angeles Chargers continued their blueprint for building a strong rushing attack on the 2025 NFL draft last month as they selected former North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in the first round. The selection of Hampton gave the Chargers a second strong, well built running back to pair with Najee Harris who came over from the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $9.25 million deal this offseason. Advertisement Hampton is expected to team with Harris to form one of the most powerful running back duos in the AFC next season, a development that could change fortunes in the City of Angels going forward. On Sunday, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh joined YouTube show host Rich Eisen and was given an opportunity to clear the air on a viral photo of himself and Hampton that turned heads on social media for its unbelievable nature. Omarion Hampton at the 2025 NFL draft combine. © Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images "There's a photograph that's out there of you shaking his I don't know if this is the angle or not or whatever but he looks like a giant in this photograph and you're not a small a real photograph right?" Eisen asked the Chargers coach. The viral photo of Harbaugh and Hampton. Rich Eisen Show/YouTube "That's a real photograph...I'm a little bit taller but he's the interesting thing, he's about 222...224 pounds. I bet if I got on the scale right now I'd be 224. "His 224 is chiseled out of granite," Harbaugh said, eliciting laughs from others at the Rich Eisen Show studio. Related: The Best and Worst Picks from the Chargers' 2025 Draft
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons rookie minicamp: Watch highlights from Day 1
On Friday morning, the Atlanta Falcons opened up rookie minicamp with their 2025 NFL draft class. A total of 41 players were in attendance, including the team's five draft picks, 11 undrafted free agents and several tryout players. First-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. took the field for the first time in a Falcons uniform. Third-round pick Xavier Watts, fourth-rounder Billy Bowman and seventh-round pick Jack Nelson each signed their rookie contracts before taking the field on Friday. While these workouts aren't overly intense, let's check out some clips from Day 1 of Falcons rookie minicamp. Jalen Walker, James Pearce take the field Jalon Walker vs. sled James Pearce Jr. putting in work Xavier Watts shows elite hops Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Billy Bowman and Cobee Bryant stop by Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Rookie Minicamp: Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr. highlights
Washington Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Teacher appreciation starts with better pay, not gifts
The recent controversy over University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders's NFL draft slot serves as yet another disheartening illustration of our society's skewed priorities. I find the excessive attention given to athletes during draft season distressing. While their athletic prowess and dedication are undeniable, the intense scrutiny and financial stakes surrounding their professional entry starkly contrasts with the often underappreciated and undercompensated individuals shaping the future of our children: teachers. While teacher starting salaries will probably never match the $840,000 minimum an NFL rookie commands, prioritizing higher wages is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. Advertisement Skip to end of carousel Get Michelle's advice free in your inbox Washington Post illustration; Michelle Singletary; iStock (Washington Post illustration; Michelle Singletary; iStock) You can't borrow your way to wealth. Learn how to save, spend mindfully and talk about money with your family and friends. Sign up for her free newsletter , which hit inboxes on Wednesdays. End of carousel What if we approached the recruitment of educators with even a fraction of the fervor we dedicate to the scouting of athletes? What if we had a national teacher draft? Advertisement Consider the ripple effect. 💰 Follow Personal finance Follow Imagine how much better our public school systems would be if we treated teachers like elite athletes. What if we valued education enough to spend the money developing and recruiting young adults into the field, and then providing competitive training camps for them to improve their skills? No longer would an aspiring teacher hear: 'Don't go into teaching, you won't make much money.' An educator draft may seem fantastical, yet it underscores a fundamental financial truth: We don't invest well enough in our teachers and their support staff. Advertisement This week we observe National Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs until May 9. Google it and you'll find various corporate deals and discounts for educators. Teachers can enter a contest to win a free burrito; get 20 percent off a smoothie; or be treated to a $1.99 double cheeseburger. Advertisement Whoopee! Think about this financial imbalance. Even though more school districts are lifting starting wages, the national average salary for new teachers in 2023-2024 was only $46,526, according to the National Education Association's annual report on educator pay. This fact from the NEA is sobering: Just 30 percent of school districts pay new teachers a starting salary of at least $50,000. Advertisement If you look at the overall average salary, you might be more inclined to think the pay is adequate: The average classroom teacher salary is $72,030. However, that average is skewed by higher-paying states, ranging from highs of $101,084 in California and $95,615 in New York to lows of $53,704 in Mississippi and $54,875 in Florida. We also need to consider the effects of inflation. The average inflation-adjusted salary of classroom teachers has decreased by an estimated 5.1 percent from 2015-2016 to 2024-2025, the report said, while the average salary for instructional staff has fallen by an estimated 5.6 percent. Advertisement In a deeper dive of the financial challenges teachers face, the NEA found that almost 2 in 5 educators have a second job, and a majority — 77 percent — used their own funds for student needs in the 2023-2024 academic year. Advertisement Skip to end of carousel Help me report on DOGE fallout Are you a federal worker, contractor or small business that's been financially impacted by DOGE activities at federal agencies? If you want to tell your story, contact me by email at or @MichelleSingletary.29 on Signal, an encrypted messaging system. Read more about how to use Signal and other ways to securely contact The Post. End of carousel I have previously written about how my daughter, now a third-year teacher at an elementary school, spends a lot of her money buying supplies for her classroom. A reader challenged this norm, arguing: 'When teachers accept this financial responsibility, it releases school districts from adequately funding education. It creates an opportunity divide between students whose teachers are willing to pick up the tab for classroom supplies and those whose teachers can't or won't spend their limited salaries to do so.' But this raises a critical question: What happens when adequate funding is absent? Advertisement Faced with this reality, educators who have the means — and those who don't — often feel compelled to prioritize the students' needs over the principle of not using personal funds. Advertisement The NEA report also highlights that 'low pay limits the ability to attract and retain quality educators in the profession amid a looming educator shortage and sagging educator morale.' The pipeline problem often forces schools to fill vacancies with long-term substitute teachers because they are unable to find qualified educators. The shortage impacts current staff, emotionally and physically taxing teachers who are asked to teach more students with fewer resources. That stress is borne out in surveys. Here's what the Pew Research Center reported in spring 2024, when it asked public K-12 teachers about their job satisfaction: 77 percent said their job is frequently stressful, and 52 percent said they would not advise a young person starting out today to become a teacher. During one holiday season, I asked teachers what presents they would like if they were asked. Many said: Please, no more mugs. Most said they would request needed supplies for their underfunded classrooms. One educator said she uses gift cards to restock comfort items for her students, such as tissues, snacks, sanitary napkins, lotion, hand sanitizer and other resource materials. If I asked teachers this week what would make them feel appreciated, I expect many would share what one teacher messaged: 'I love teaching, but I do not love how our educational system is designed or how professionals are disrespected and underfunded. Our job is vital to the health and economy of the entire country, and often we are treated as an afterthought — certainly we are paid as though we are less than.'
New York Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 NFL Draft most memorable moments: Emotional reactions, best interviews
The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis., wrapped up on Saturday. The drama was delivered with quarterback Shedeur Sanders' high-profile fall from potential first-round pick to the 144th selection to the Cleveland Browns. But there was no shortage of memorable moments outside of Sanders' slide, as a new class of college hopefuls turned into NFL rookies. It all started with Commissioner Roger Goodell and Lil Wayne riding around the draft stage on bikes (despite some unsteady turns, nobody fell). Here are some of the 2025 draft's most memorable moments. Roger Goodell led former Packers and Lil Wayne out on stage on bikes 😂 #NFLdraft — ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2025 Getting drafted is a dream come true for many prospects. Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison had one of the more emotional reactions of the weekend as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the second round, 53rd overall. Morrison's father, Darryl, played four NFL seasons as a safety for Washington. Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison was emotional after being drafted by the Bucs ♥️ "I'm not going to let you down, man." 🎥: @NDFootball — The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 26, 2025 But one of the most sentimental stories of the weekend is that of the Bech family. TCU WR Jack Bech was selected 58th by the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Bech's brother, Martin 'Tiger' Bech, was one of the 14 people killed in a terrorist attack in the early hours of New Year's Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans earlier this year. Advertisement Jack has repeatedly honored Tiger, who was an All-Ivy League return specialist at Princeton, throughout the draft process. He has referred to his late brother as his other half and wore Tiger's No. 7 jersey in February's Senior Bowl, which he played in exactly one month after Tiger's death. 'Man, it's simple: my brother had some wings on me. He gave it to me. And he let that all take place,' Jack Bech told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero after scoring the winning touchdown that day. Watching Bech celebrate his selection alongside his family on Friday was a great moment. Jack Bech celebrating with his family after getting drafted by the Raiders 🫶 Bech's brother Tiger was killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack on New Year's Eve. — NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2025 Draft weekend is a long one; it's nearly impossible to watch every pick without interruption. When the Cleveland Browns called Quinshon Judkins to tell the Ohio State RB they would be selecting him with the 36th pick, Judkins' mom had to answer the phone. His watch party started celebrating, which lured Judkins back to the room to learn his fate with the Browns. At least it didn't go to voicemail. mom held it down on the call with AB before @quinshon_ got back in the room 🤣 — Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 26, 2025 Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston brought all the good vibes to the green room on Thursday. Before being selected with the 30th pick by the Buffalo Bills, Hairston was shown celebrating with the other green room attendees picked before him, from Travis Hunter to Ashton Jeanty to Shemar Stewart. 'I just stayed positive. Stayed happy. Congratulated all of my brothers who got their name called before me and I was just so excited for them,' Hairston told reporters after. 'And the fact that I got to hear my name as well. I don't care how late it is. It could be 3 a.m. I'll wait to hear my name, and I'm just ecstatic to be a Buffalo Bill.' Advertisement Hairston's excitement came through in his post-pick interview with NFL Network's Jamie Erdahl. 'Man, I can't believe this is going on right now. I'm so thankful. I'm so blessed, man. To hear my name called, it's truly a dream come true. I give all thanks to God,' Hairston said as he showed the inside of his jacket, which was covered with pictures of his family. 'Let's get to work, Buffalo!' Hairston got a great photo with Bills Mafia, too (Josh Allen fat head included). This moment is 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 🥹@MHairston22 | #NFLDraft — Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2025 Tyler Shough was the first quarterback off the board on Day 2 when the New Orleans Saints picked him with the 40th selection. Shough's dog, Murphy, couldn't have been more excited about the pick. He was even repping a Saints bandana during Shough's TV interview. Tyler Shough's dog had to get in on the celebration 🙌 @tylershough2 📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025 Videoing into players' draft day watch parties can always bring some unexpected programming. Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. was selected with the ninth pick by the New Orleans Saints and amid cheers and hugs of celebration, Kelvin's infant son Khalil spit up. Excitement? Nerves? Eh, draft weekend can be a little nauseating for us all. We just had a baby throw up during the NFL Draft. — Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) April 25, 2025 Coverage of the draft's green room was limited after the first round, and commissioner Roger Goodell takes a break from announcing picks after Day 1. But Goodell took the stage for a special announcement on Day 3, as the hometown Green Bay Packers selected Texas edge Barryn Sorrell with the 124th pick. Sorrell reportedly arrived in green room on Friday night and returned on Saturday to hear his name called. Worth the wait. Serendipity. I'm told Texas EDGE Barryn Sorrell got to Green Bay last night to check out the draft. He didn't get drafted yesterday but stayed and came back today. Midway into the 4th round, he gets drafted by the hometown team. — Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) April 26, 2025 The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Washington LB Carson Bruener in the seventh round, 226th overall. Bruener is the son of former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, who was a first-round pick in 1995. Carson took his draft call from his family cabin in Washington, sitting in the same exact seat where his dad was drafted by the Steelers 30 years earlier. With the 226th pick in the 2025 #NFLDraft, we select LB Carson Bruener. — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2025 Plenty of prospects won't ever forget the day they were drafted. But for new Lions edge Ahmed Hassanein, April 26 is important in more ways than one. Detroit selected the Boise State product in the sixth round, 196th overall. With the pick, Hassanein became the first-ever Egyptian player drafted to the NFL. Advertisement But his day didn't end there. Later in the afternoon, Hassenein reshared a photo of himself and his new fiancée. He was wearing the same suit he was shown taking his draft call in. New DE Making Moves Quick ENGAGEDVia: IG/Ahmedhassanein91 — DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) April 26, 2025
