Latest news with #SpecialTeamsPlayeroftheYear
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Why Geelong Cats have been kicked out of their home ground for Superman star this weekend
The Geelong Cats have temporarily been booted from their home at GMHBA Stadium - but for a good reason. Hollywood has taken over Kardinia Park as filming ramps up for a new sports drama starring Superman actor David Corenswet. The untitled film, believed to be called Mr Irrelevant, tells the moving true story of 1983 NFL draft pick John Tuggle. Tuggle was the final pick in that year's draft, earning the nickname 'Mr Irrelevant' — but he went on to defy expectations. He became the first last-drafted player to make his team's final roster, suiting up for the New York Giants in 1983. He played all 16 games, started five, and was named the Giants' Special Teams Player of the Year. Tragically, Tuggle's life was cut short by cancer, diagnosed after shoulder pain in 1984 led to further tests. Despite his illness, he kept training with the team, and the Giants supported him until his death at age 25. His story has since been honoured by the NFL and was the subject of ESPN's 30 for 30 short, The Irrelevant Giant. Now, his remarkable journey is heading to the big screen, with filming already underway in Geelong. Corenswet is taking on the lead role, with Oscar nominee Michael Shannon portraying legendary coach Bill Parcells. The project is being helmed by director Jonathan Levine and produced by Skydance Sports. Filming at Kardinia Park has seen the 40,000-seat stadium transformed into an NFL venue for two weeks. The Cats were able to continue training without disruption, using their alternative base at Deakin University. Filming will wrap up in time for the Cats to return to their home ground on Monday for training They won't return to Kardinia Park until after their blockbuster match against Collingwood tonight at the MCG. Filming is also taking place at La Trobe University's Sports Park in Bundoora, where footy fields are being converted into gridiron ovals. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks announced the film would inject nearly $29 million into Victoria's economy. The production is expected to create more than 800 jobs for Victorian screen workers and extras. Over 500 Victorian locals are involved, including members of the gridiron community playing umpires, referees, and support crew. Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin welcomed the project, calling it an exciting opportunity for the region. VicScreen chief Caroline Pitcher and local MPs Christine Couzens and Alison Marchant also joined the announcement. Producer Gillian Bohrer praised Victoria's diverse sporting locations as ideal doubles for cities like New York and California.
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Hollywood superstar takes over AFL club for a fortnight
The new Superman has forced Geelong off their own ground. Hollywood superstar David Corenswet has taken over GMHBA Stadium for a fortnight to build his latest movie. The film, expected to be called Mr Irrelevant, is based on American footballer John Tuggle. Mr Irrelevant is the somewhat cruel nickname given to players who are drafted into the NFL with the last pick of a year's draft haul. Tuggle became that man in 1983 but he made a mockery of the title, played in his first season, and was awarded the New York Giants Special Teams Player of the Year. According to Wikipedia, 'Tuggle became the first player in league history picked last in the draft to make the NFL on the team that drafted him. Tuggle played most of the 1983 season on special teams, but was promoted to starting fullback in week 12 when Rob Carpenter was injured.' Tuggle sadly died not long after, however, when he lost a cancer battle. He was only 25 years old. Filmmakers are intending to turn GMHBA Stadium and La Trobe University Sports Park in Bundoora into American football stadiums. Corenswet will play Tuggle and Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon is playing Giants coach Bill Parcells. Geelong players will train on a 'mixture' of tracks while they lose access to their home base. Credit: Getty Images The movie is a Skydance Sports project and will be directed highly acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies, Long Shot). 'The state's amazing sports facilities and varied locations can double locations like New York, California and Mexico, so we knew there was no better place to bring this project to life,' Skydance EVP of physical production Brad Carlson said. Geelong locals can also expect to see the film crew shooting scenes around the local town. As far as timing goes for Geelong players, the break from their home ground won't be too disruptive. The Cats are currently enjoying a run of three games at the MCG. After beating Hawthorn on Easter Monday, the Cats now have Carlton and Collingwood in the next fortnight at their home from home, before hosting the Giants in Round 9 at GMHBA Stadium. A Geelong spokesperson told that the players will use a 'mixture' of tracks while the filming goes on, but it won't interrupt their preparation for the games Geelong also have an alternative training base at Deakin University which actually helps their preparation for MCG games given it is the same dimensions as the hallowed turf in Melbourne. Yesterday (Wednesday) they trained on the cricket ground outside the stadium at Kardinia Park. But next week it is likely they will use Deakin for their main sessions ahead of the Collingwood blockbuster. The will get the ground back before the clash with the Giants. Movie fans will be able to see Corenswet as the new Superman in July, when the highly anticipated blockbuster will be released in Melbourne.
7NEWS
24-04-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Hollywood superstar David Corenswet takes over GMHBA Stadium at Geelong to film John Tuggle story
The new Superman has forced Geelong off their own ground. Hollywood superstar David Corenswet has taken over GMHBA Stadium for a fortnight to build his latest movie. The film, expected to be called Mr Irrelevant, is based on American footballer John Tuggle. Mr Irrelevant is the somewhat cruel nickname given to players who are drafted into the NFL with the last pick of a year's draft haul. Tuggle became that man in 1983 but he made a mockery of the title, played in his first season, and was awarded the New York Giants Special Teams Player of the Year. According to Wikipedia, 'Tuggle became the first player in league history picked last in the draft to make the NFL on the team that drafted him. Tuggle played most of the 1983 season on special teams, but was promoted to starting fullback in week 12 when Rob Carpenter was injured.' Tuggle sadly died not long after, however, when he lost a cancer battle. He was only 25 years old. Filmmakers are intending to turn GMHBA Stadium and La Trobe University Sports Park in Bundoora into American football stadiums. Corenswet will play Tuggle and Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon is playing Giants coach Bill Parcells. The movie is a Skydance Sports project and will be directed highly acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter Jonathan Levine (50/50, Warm Bodies, Long Shot). 'The state's amazing sports facilities and varied locations can double locations like New York, California and Mexico, so we knew there was no better place to bring this project to life,' Skydance EVP of physical production Brad Carlson said. Geelong locals can also expect to see the film crew shooting scenes around the local town. As far as timing goes for Geelong players, the break from their home ground won't be too disruptive. The Cats are currently enjoying a run of three games at the MCG. After beating Hawthorn on Easter Monday, the Cats now have Carlton and Collingwood in the next fortnight at their home from home, before hosting the Giants in Round 9 at GMHBA Stadium. A Geelong spokesperson told that the players will use a 'mixture' of tracks while the filming goes on, but it won't interrupt their preparation for the games Geelong also have an alternative training base at Deakin University which actually helps their preparation for MCG games given it is the same dimensions as the hallowed turf in Melbourne. Yesterday (Wednesday) they trained on the cricket ground outside the stadium at Kardinia Park. But next week it is likely they will use Deakin for their main sessions ahead of the Collingwood blockbuster. The will get the ground back before the clash with the Giants. Movie fans will be able to see Corenswet as the new Superman in July, when the highly anticipated blockbuster will be released in Melbourne.
USA Today
10-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Cowboys to bring back former player, assistant coach for third stint with team
The Cowboys continue to round out their coaching staff for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Their latest hire will be donning the star for a third time, both as a player and a coach. Carlos Polk will reportedly be tabbed as the team's assistant special teams coach, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Polk has spent the past three seasons in that same role with the Bears. Polk had previously interviewed for the Cowboys' special teams coordinator position. That job ultimately went to the 49ers' Nick Sorensen on Jan. 28; Polk will now work directly under Sorensen…. for the second time in his career. Told Carlos Polk will be the Cowboys' assistant special teams coach. He interviewed for the special teams coordinator job. He was the Cowboys' assistant special teams coach in 2019. Has been with Jacksonville, Chicago since then. — Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 10, 2025 Polk, who will turn 48 later this month, has been with five NFL teams- all as a special teams assistant- since 2010. He was with Dallas in 2019, the final year of the Jason Garrett regime. Prior to that, he served on staff with the Chargers and Buccaneers; after not being retained by Mike McCarthy in 2020, Polk was out of the game for year. He returned to the sidelines in 2021 in Jacksonville, where he was Sorensen's special teams assistant coordinator the first time, for the Jaguars' 2021 season, before finally landing in Chicago in 2022. [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] As a player, Polk was listed as a linebacker but made the majority of his impact on special teams over eight NFL seasons. Drafted by San Diego in the fourth round out of Nebraska in 2001, Polk was named Special Teams Player of the Year by his Chargers teammates the following season. In 2006, a four-game stretch where he filled in for Shawne Merriman helped him earn the team's Ed Block Courage Award. The next year, he shared the club's Most Inspirational Player Award with quarterback Philip Rivers. But Polk did not make the Chargers roster in 2008, and he found himself on the free agency market. That's when the Cowboys came calling, reuniting him with head coach Wade Phillips, who had been his defensive coordinator in San Diego. A depth signing by Dallas, Polk did contribute on special teams but was not re-signed after the 2008 campaign, spelling the end of his playing career. Now back in Dallas in a familiar role and under a coordinator he knows well, Polk will help head up a unit that includes Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey and All-Pro returner KaVontae Turpin as well as special teams standouts C.J. Goodwin, Israel Mukuamu, Nick Vigil, Juanyeh Thomas, and Markquese Bell.
