Latest news with #No.97
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
97 days until Saints' season opener: Every player to wear No. 97
97 days until Saints' season opener: Every player to wear No. 97 There are 97 days to go until the New Orleans Saints open up their 2025 season, so we're opening up the franchise history books to reflect on every player who has worn No. 97 for New Orleans. Right now it belongs to defensive tackle Khristian Boyd, who the Saints drafted in the sixth round out of Northern Iowa last year. It's a number with a mixed history. Some of the greatest defensive linemen in Saints history have worn it, like La'Roi Glover and Renaldo Turnbull, but so have major draft busts like Johnathan Sullivan. Before Boyd picked it up No. 97 was used by backup defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, one of several Saints players to join Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos in recent years. With 97 days to go until kickoff, here's a look back at each player to use No. 97 with the Saints (via Pro Football Reference): Khristian Boyd (2024-Present) Malcolm Roach (2020-2023) Mario Edwards (2019) Al-Quadin Muhammad (2017) Sam Barrington (2016) Glenn Foster (2013-2014) Jeff Charleston (2008-2011) Josh Cooper (2006-2007) Johnathan Sullivan (2003-2005) La'Roi Glover (1997-2001) Renaldo Turnbull (1990-1996) Jumpy Geathers (1984-1989)
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A big play in a big moment': McDavid's magic leads Oilers to another Cup final
DALLAS - The Edmonton Oilers were teetering on their heels. The Dallas Stars' push felt relentless. The crowd inside a raucous American Airlines Center could sense their team was on the cusp of climbing out of a deep hole. Like he has so many times, Connor McDavid stepped up in a big moment Thursday — and pushed his group to another Stanley Cup final. Edmonton's superstar captain took advantage of a fortunate bounce before moving in alone and dekeing Stars goaltender Casey DeSmith to the ice on an electric forehand move with Dallas centre Roope Hintz all over him for a 4-2 lead. 'My hockey brain goes to, 'That's probably one of the nicest goals I've seen him score,'' said Oilers centre Leon Draisaitl, who has grown up in the NHL alongside McDavid. 'Just the whole situation, how it played out, who he had coming up behind him. That's a big-time play. There's only one player in the world that can do that in that moment. 'We're very fortunate to have him on our side.' McDavid's goal with 5:32 left in the middle period killed the home side's momentum in what would wind up being a 6-3 final to clinch the Oilers' second consecutive Western Conference crown and set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers in the title series. 'Incredible,' said Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse, whose team built an early 3-0 advantage before Dallas eventually cut its deficit to one. 'The big moments, he always steps up and makes such a difference for our team. We're so fortunate to have him. That was a goal and an example of a big player making a big play in a big moment.' 'He's not missing that,' Stars head coach Pete DeBoer lamented. 'It's game over.' McDavid, who grabbed hold of the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after not touching the trophy last year when the Oilers also beat the Stars to claim the West, added an assist to become the second-fastest player in league history to reach 100 in the post-season behind only Wayne Gretzky. The 28-year-old also joined The Great One as the second player to register at least three separate playoffs with 20 assists. All the talk, however, was about the goal. 'That's a Connor McDavid kind of play,' said veteran winger Corey Perry, who will play in his sixth final. 'That's just the player he is.' McDavid and his Oilers were left heartbroken last June after coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the final against the Panthers with a trio of victories — largely thanks to No. 97's record-breaking performance — only to come up just short in Game 7. The Richmond Hill, Ont., product then helped Canada to a victory at the Four Nations Face-Off in February with an overtime goal against the United States before leading the Oilers, who were down 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round this spring, on another memorable run. 'Last couple of years has been some of the most fun I've had playing hockey,' said the No. 1 pick at the 2015 draft. 'It's going to be an exciting month.' McDavid, whose Oilers will host Game 1 against Florida in the Alberta capital on Wednesday, was asked about his ability to be the player his teammates look to at crunch time. 'We've prepared to be in this position for a long time,' he said. 'These are more normal positions for us now. The moment doesn't feel big, it doesn't feel anything other than hockey, and that allows you to make your play.' Head coach Kris Knoblauch has seen McDavid's magic since he was a teenager when the pair were together with the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters more than a decade ago. 'Alleviates a lot of that pressure,' Knoblauch said of Thursday's breakaway brilliance. 'I've seen Connor do it numerous times.' Edmonton will now pivot to Florida, which rolled through the Carolina Hurricanes in five games to take the East title. 'I think we're better,' McDavid said of this Oilers iteration compared to 12 months ago. 'We're better for it going through last year. It was a great learning experience, and it's really driven us all year. 'This run has felt different.' They will be hoping for a different result. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Grady Jarrett has a message for Atlanta Falcons fans
Grady Jarrett has a message for Atlanta Falcons fans Ex-Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett says thank you to Atlanta fan base The Atlanta Falcons began the 2025 NFL free agency period by releasing defensive lineman Grady Jarrett after 10 seasons. While the team was desperate for salary cap space, fans were shocked by Jarrett's release considering all he's done for the franchise over the last decade. Nonetheless, the veteran defensive lineman landed a three-year, $43.5 million with the Chicago Bears just hours after being cut by the Falcons. Jarrett may have moved on, but he's still grateful for his time in Atlanta. The veteran defensive lineman thanked Falcons fans for their continued support in an Instagram post. Read Jarrett's message, as transcribed by team reporter Terrin Waack below: "Yo, ATL, what's good? You know your boy wasn't leaving town without hollering at you, man," wrote Jarrett. "I just want to express my true gratitude for all the love you've shown me over these last 10 years. Being from Conyers, playing for the Atlanta Falcons was a dream, and that dream has come true. I couldn't have done without the love and support that you guys have given me over the years. Every time I stepped out on that field, I gave it my all. I hope you felt it. It was real. It was genuine." The 31-year-old went on to discuss his future in Chicago but said he wants Falcons fans to continue to wear his No. 97 jersey with pride: "As I continue to transition to this next thing for me, due to some unforeseen business decisions, we all know what we signed up for. Unfortunately, I didn't see it coming at this point. But with that being said, I am excited for my next chapter in Chi-Town. I'm going to go get these fans, my teammates, this organization, everything I've got. But I couldn't do it without telling you guys thank you, telling you that I love you, and I hope for your continued support. If you still got that 97 Jersey, wear it with pride. Look, love. It is what it is, man. 97 out." Over 10 NFL seasons, Jarrett has racked up 496 tackles (267 solo), 36.5 sacks and five forced fumbles over 152 career games. The Bears have also signed former Falcons center Drew Dalman, and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus in just the first week of free agency. According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chicago is set to host former Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore on a free agency visit Monday afternoon. Use our 2025 NFL free agency tracker to stay up to date with each Falcons signing.
