Latest news with #Samuel
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
NFL Trainer Shuts Down Narrative on Commanders WR Deebo Samuel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. During the offseason, one of the Washington Commanders' biggest splashes was acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. Before training camp gets underway, one trainer spoke out about the growing narrative surrounding the veteran wideout. As he prepares for his first season with a new team, Samuel was present for OTAs and minicamp. While there, clips of him running routes went viral online. Many called him out for his running and physical appearance, stating that he looked overweight. Since minicamp, countless people in and around the league have taken shots at Samuel over his conditioning. Upon having the chance to speak about the topic, his trainer quickly shut down any notion that he isn't ready to go for the 2025 campaign. SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 8: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, at... SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 8: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, at Levi's Stadium on December 8, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Deebo Samuel speaks on the De'Vondre Campbell incident on the latest episode of his Bleacher Report podcast, Cleats and Convos. MoreAlso read: Commanders Viewed as Serious Threat to Win NFC East While on NFL insider John Keim's podcast, Nick Hill touched on the discourse around Samuel. He also dove into why the Commanders' new addition looked different from what many are accustomed to seeing in regards to physical appearance. "Most of my guys, they're a little bit bigger in those early offseason phases," Hill said. "They're not running as much. We're not doing as much sprint work or cardio, that's when they're putting on a bit more the media hasn't seen a lot of him in those months training because he's training with me usually. So I think that fluctuation, which is totally normal for us, and is not out of the ordinary, was just new from a media standpoint." When it comes to being ready for his first training camp with the Commanders, Hill praised the work Samuel has been putting in behind the scenes. "We're going at 6:00 in the morning every day right now," Hill continued. "He goes 6:00 in the morning, he has a speed and power lift session with me. He does an afternoon cardio session. Then he runs routes later in the evening. So he's going two, three sessions a day." Also read: NFL Insider Weighs in on Possibility of Terry McLaurin Trade Samuel, 31, is coming off a down year with the 49ers last season. However, based on Hill's confident remarks, it appears he's poised to bounce back with the Commanders. Playing alongside another dynamic receiver in Terry McLaurin and a rising star in Jayden Daniels, the pieces are in place for him to shine on a team with championship aspirations. Samuel and the rest of the Commanders' veterans are set to arrive for training camp on Tuesday, July 22nd. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Good luck to defenders trying to tackle Commanders' Deebo Samuel in 2025
Is Deebo Samuel fit or fat? Video of the new Washington Commanders wide receiver went viral when he was working out during the voluntary part of the offseason schedule. Concerns were raised and criticisms launched all over social media. John Keim recently chatted with Samuel's personal trainer, Nick Hill, on his podcast. Hill is not a recent addition for Samuel. In fact, when Samuel was coming out of South Carolina, he worked with Hill in preparation for the 2019 NFL Combine. Things went well for Samuel, working prior to the draft with Hill, as Samuel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 36th overall in the second round of that 2019 draft. Hill informed Keim that, during the draft preparation, he had an unbelievable receiver class, featuring Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Paris Campbell, N'Keal Harry, and Johnny Dixon. Apparently, Samuel, after a couple of seasons, returned to Hill, as Hill had conveyed to Keim that Samuel and Hill had now worked together for the last four years. When Keim asked what has stood out regarding Samuel, Hill didn't hesitate to respond, "He's so explosive, really good at acceleration, and very powerful. That's what he is special at, and that is why when he gets the ball in his hands he is so dangerous; he is so quick from point A to point B. And that is still special to this day." Get this! Hill went as far as to say Samuel's body type is similar to another player who has worked out and worked with Hill, Saquon Barkley: "Just strong, powerful, fast." When Keim inquired regarding what type of worker Samuel is, Hill replied, "He's the type of guy that once he gets something in his mind and he puts those blinders on, he's going full speed. We are going at 6 am right now. He is going two or three sessions a day, going to bed and waking up the next day, and going after it again." Hill expressed that Samuel always takes a month to six weeks off after the season, but then once he starts working out again, he is on the gas pedal. Hill even went as far as to use the word "disciplined" regarding Samuel's workouts. Knowing of the photos and videos featuring Samuel that circulated a couple of months ago, Hill attempted to assure Commanders fans that Samuel had never reported to training camp or begun a season overweight. Contending that Samuel is naturally built bigger, Hill was unrelenting with Keim that Samuel will never be a 180-pound receiver. He simply has too much muscle and is too big; he will most often play at 220 at this stage of his career. Apparently, Samuel has also expressed to Hill that he is enjoying his new identity as a receiver on the Commanders, who is here to prove himself under his one-year deal. Good luck trying to tackle Deebo Samuel in 2025.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jennifer Garner and Lookalike Daughter Violet, 19, Step Out for Coffee in L.A.
NEED TO KNOW Jennifer Garner was spotted out in Los Angeles with her eldest child, Violet, 19, on Sunday, June 20 The mother-daughter duo wore nearly-matching outfits as they grabbed coffee with friends Garner and ex-husband Ben Affleck share three kids: Violet, Seraphina and SamuelJennifer Garner was spotted out in Los Angeles with her eldest child, Violet. The actress, 53, and her 19-year-old daughter were photographed spending some time together on Sunday, July 20. Garner could be seen treating Violet — whom she shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck — and her friends to some coffee. The Yes Day actress kept things casual as she wore a white and gold striped shirt along with a pair of high-waisted white pants and brown sandals. She accessorized her look with dark, square-framed sunglasses. Violet, a college student, sported a plain white T-shirt and wide-cut blue jeans. She also wore her usual brown glasses and a pair of black and white sneakers. Just last week, Garner and Affleck were spotted spending time with their other two children, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13, in Boston. The Accountant 2 star, 52, and the Deadpool & Wolverine actress watched the Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 11. NESN cameras caught the family sitting in the front row at the famed stadium. Affleck, who wore a green Red Sox hat, and Garner sat between Seraphina and Samuel. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Great Red Sox family right there, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and their kids,' NESN commentator Dave O'Brien said as cameras focused in on their outing. Affleck and Garner were married from 2005 to 2018. Speaking with PEOPLE in 2024, Garner opened up about parenting her three kids as they've gotten older. "They're really solid right now," she said of her children. "I'm just watching them in this new phase of life where they're figuring out who they're going to be and what they're going to study. And I'm so interested in them. All the time, I'm interested in everything about them." Asked if it's difficult to let her kids make their own decisions, Garner admitted it's "so hard." "I mean, my parents did too, and I'm so amazed by that. I have a hard time not saying, 'This is what I see you as,' and 'I think you should,' " she said. "I really have to sit on my hands." Read the original article on People
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
EDUPRENEURS IN THE MAKING
Two generations, one purpose: (left) David and his son, Samuel, are turning a family mission into a nationwide education movement. — Photos by KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star FOR founders David Yap Wing Fai and his wife Carol Yap Yee Yee, the real story has been about creating a nurturing environment where both children and educators can thrive. 'Back in 2005, I saw too many children slipping through the cracks of one-size-fits-all tuition classes,' recalled Carol. That early drive to do better for children has since grown into an education movement: a network of YelaoShr learning centres, a teacher training college (YelaoShr Education College) and a digital platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI). At its core is a shared belief that great teachers change lives – and with the right support, they can transform the industry too. 'Education is not just about preparing kids for exams. It's about building confident, thoughtful individuals who can think critically and solve real-world problems,' said Yap. From educator to edupreneur YelaoShr's growth is closely tied to its 'From Educator to Edupreneur' initiative, which helps passionate teachers build long-term careers beyond the classroom. Yap sees franchise partners as collaborators in a shared mission, rather than investors. 'Many of our best-performing centres are led by women who started with us as teachers. They didn't come in with capital but with heart,' he said. 'When parents see that, they trust it. And over time, success follows.' The goal is to grow from 60 centres to 300 across Malaysia and the region, while empowering more teachers, especially women, to lead the way. YelaoShr prioritises personalised learning to help every child progress at their own pace. A tech-enabled promise Long before edtech (education technology) became a buzzword, YelaoShr had already built internal systems to manage operations, track learning outcomes and support teacher development. With AI integration, the group is now taking things a step further. This is reflected in YelaoShr's Progress Guaranteed programme, which provides parents with assurance that learning goals will be met, without incurring extra fees if more time is needed. If a student takes longer than expected to complete a level, YelaoShr's internal system flags it, triggering additional learning support, such as a month or two of extended lessons at no extra cost. The company is also using AI and big data to strengthen its model. Digital systems now allow real-time tracking of teacher performance, centre outcomes and student learning trends. In development are an AI-powered learning chatbot and a series of colourful digital textbooks aimed at making learning more engaging and accessible. Second-generation legacy This legacy is already being passed on. Earlier this year, the couple's son, Samuel, joined the business full-time after completing his college studies, rotating across departments to learn the ropes. While he started in marketing, he soon found himself drawn to the teacher training department, helping with session prep and supporting educators in the classroom. 'I think what gravitated me towards teacher training is that I like interacting with teachers and I love seeing them receive new information on how to better help children,' Samuel shared. YelaoShr is now preparing for its next milestone: a pre-IPO announcement event on July 23 at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya. The event will mark the beginning of the group's next phase of expansion and innovation. The day's programme includes the unveiling of a new book inspired by Finnish education –showcasing how YelaoShr's personalised, progressive model blends international best practices with local needs – as well as a franchise licence handover and franchisee signing ceremony. Two Asean Records attempts are also planned, in line with YelaoShr's ambitions to expand regionally. In the afternoon, a dedicated franchise opportunity briefing will provide potential franchisees with a preview of how they can partner with YelaoShr to build a sustainable education business. 'Rising start-up costs are a challenge, but through the IPO, we aim to establish a fund to empower more teachers to run their own centres,' said Yap. Find out more information on franchise opportunities at Parents can visit the website
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Family, friends scour river valley in search of 14-year-old Samuel Bird
An anguished and angry Alanna Bird was joined by family, friends and supporters in a search for her son, Samuel, who has been missing since June 1. Article content A search team was out in the rain in the river valley near Victoria Park Saturday, looking for any trace of the 14-year-old. The family, Indigenous leaders and politicians expressed frustration with the Edmonton Police Service's response to the missing persons report filed by the Bird family. Article content Article content Article content 'I won't even be able to kiss him now,' said Alanna, who was joined by Samuel's father, Justin Bird, and the boy's paternal grandmother, Geri Potts. 'I don't know how I'm going to find him. Is he going to be in pieces?' Article content Article content The teen was supposed to return to his West Edmonton home on June 1. The family said he was struggling with mental-health issues and was lovesick, and had fallen in with a group of friends they didn't trust. They said friends who used to call on Samuel regularly stopped coming by or sending messages after the teen's disappearance. The family has stated that social-media videos are circulating which look to show Samuel being beaten. Article content 'The reason we're doing this search is that we waited a very long time for information to come, to verify that Sam is either here with us or gone to the spirit world,' said Potts. Article content Article content 'We were directed to start looking in the water,' said Potts. 'Today is a mixed blessing. As we're sitting here, it's raining outside. It's cleansing the ground and preparing us for this search. It could be a long journey before we find him. It could take us a long time, but we're not giving up.' Article content Article content Potts said she's been out and about regularly, looking for Samuel or his friends, from the West Edmonton Mall to the river valley. Article content Alanna remains frustrated with the police. Article content 'It was two days after he didn't come home, he wasn't messaging, so I called the police,' she said. 'They ended up having someone dispatched and coming by.' Article content She said she was told by police that Samuel was likely 'hanging with friends' and would be home sooner or later. Article content 'But the thing was, I would see every day,' said Alanna. 'He always let me know where he was. I don't know how much more I can express that. He knew I always worried about him. I didn't like him to touch alcohol… And I felt something was wrong the first couple of days.'
