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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
23 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 23
From the first Saints Pro Bowler to a Super Bowl winner and Defensive Rookie of the Year A 23-day wait remains until the New Orleans Saints host the Arizona Cardinals to open their 2025 season. The No. 23 is currently worn by running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a former LSU Tigers star. It's also a jersey that's been worn by some of the finest players in New Orleans history. This is a look at the complete list of players who have worn the number. Saints' History of No. 23 Dave Whitsell was the first to wear No. 23 for New Orleans, doing so for the first three seasons of franchise existence. Joining the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft after a standout career with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, Whitsell was an instant star in New Orleans. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1967, still a single-season franchise record, while earning the first Pro Bowl in franchise history. Whitsell went on to have 9 interceptions over his last two years with the Saints. His 19 career interceptions remain fifth-most in franchise history. In 1996, Whitsell was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. He and Dave Waymer, inducted that same season, became the second New Orleans defensive backs to receive those honors. Doug Wyatt was the first New Orleans draft pick to wear No. 24. Wyatt was a 17th-round choice in 1970, but stuck around and intercepted 8 passes over 40 games in three years. The first offensive player to wear a No. 23 jersey in New Orleans was Joe Profit, who rushed for 274 yards in one season with the team. There wouldn't be another offensive player to wear No. 23 until Buford Jordan did it in 1986. A star with the New Orleans and Portland Breakers of the original USFL, Jordan also went to Iota High School and McNeese State in Louisiana. He'd join the Saints in 1986 after the USFL folded and was a valuable reserve back and special teams contributor for seven seasons. As a Saint, Jordan had 1,042 yards from scrimmage and scored 9 touchdowns. His 75 games are the third most by any Saints player to wear the No. 23 jersey. Jordan was one of three straight New Orleans running backs to wear No. 23. One of those was Lorenzo Neal, who arrived as a fourth round choice in the 1993 NFL draft. Neal had a 16-year career as one of the most respected fullbacks in the NFL, with four of those years as a Saint. He only wore No. 23 as a rookie, before switching to No. 22. Kevin Mathis was best-known during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. However, Mathis was also a productive member of the Saints secondary for two years after leaving Dallas. Mathis had 3 interceptions and 15 pass breakups in his two years in New Orleans while also forcing 5 fumbles and recording a sack. He was one of only two of the seven players to wear No. 23 between 1993 and 2007 to wear the jersey for more than one year, including former Cowboys teammate Omar Stoutmire. In 2007 came the arrival of one of the most beloved players to wear any number for the Saints. Pierre Thomas came to New Orleans as an undrafted rookie with little expectation from the NFL world. It was surprising enough when Thomas vastly outplayed Antonio Pittman, a rookie fourth round pick that year, but what followed couldn't have been predicted by even the best prognosticator. Thomas played nine years for New Orleans, with his 105 games the most for any player to wear a No. 23 jersey. He was a consistent weapon for one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history, particularly lethal in the biggest moments or on screen passes. Thomas rushed for 3,745 yards as a Saint, averaging 4.6 per carry and scoring 28 touchdowns. He added 327 receptions for another 2,608 yards and 12 scores. Without the contributions of Thomas during the 2009-10 postseason, the Saints most likely would not have won Super Bowl XLIV. Pierre Thomas ranks sixth in team history for rushing yardage. Only Alvin Kamara has more catches or yards in franchise history from the running back position. Thomas accomplished all this despite being in a shared backfield throughout his career. In 2018, Thomas was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. Marshon Lattimore became the highest drafted player by the Saints to wear No. 23 as the 11th overall choice in the 2017 NFL draft. Lattimore was an instant sensation, winning the 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after 5 interceptions is 18 passes broken up. During a stretch of his eight years with the Saints, he was the NFL's top shutdown corner, oftentimes shadowing an opponent's top wideout. Lattimore earned four Pro Bowls over his first five seasons. He had 15 interceptions with the Saints, breaking up an astounding 88 throws and recovering 5 fumbles. Lattimore often affected games just with his ability to take the opposition's best weapon out of the game plan. His 97 games are the second most by any Saint to wear No. 23. While his New Orleans career came to an end with a 2024 trade to Washington, it's a career that will most certainly end with an induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.
Associated Press
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Scars You Can't See: Stand For The Silent on Why Even Champions Aren't Bully-Proof
Beneath every belt is a story - These fighters are breaking their silence to help end bullying for good. 'I think that many younger people find it comforting to know that even champion fighters have been bullied and are working to help raise awareness about it.'— Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent OKLAHOMA CITY , OK, UNITED STATES, August 11, 2025 / / -- When people see martial arts champs and fighting professionals, they assume they are the ones in control and have likely never been bullied. The truth for some, however, paints a very different story. With the stories they tell, it's easy to see that even champions are not immune to being bullied. The United States Fight League (USFL) has partnered with Stand for the Silent to share their own bullying stories and discuss the ways they are addressing this issue among today's youth. 'I think that many younger people find it comforting to know that even champion fighters have been bullied and are working to help raise awareness about it,' says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. Two champion mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters have both been impacted by bullying, including Irann Orozco and Trey Anderson. Orozco was traumatized by bullying starting at the age of 13, when she was sent to a military school. Like many who are victims of bullying, she became withdrawn and traumatized. She decided to join a mixed martial arts gym, which eventually led to her joining a professional boxing gym as the only female athlete. When asked why she fights, she replied, 'Why do you breathe?' Becoming a professional fighter was something she felt she had to do, as it gave her the confidence and skills she needed to be no longer traumatized by bullies. Today, she's a world bronze medalist and champion athlete who speaks out about bullying to help others who may be enduring it and to help bring it to an end. Anderson began learning martial arts at the young age of six, but it didn't protect him from being bullied as he grew up. While he spent years as a target for bullies, he continued to hone his martial arts craft, learning how to rise above the bullying and feel confident in his skills. Today, he's a mixed martial arts champion and 5-time ISKA karate world champion who is happy to speak out about bullying to anyone who listens. He also encourages today's youth to take up martial arts as a way to cope with bullying. 'It was an escape but also helped me project confidence,' says Anderson. 'If you know you can keep yourself safe, you don't come off as a target.' MMA has others who speak out against bullying, too, including Joe Stevenson, the president of the USFL, and Randy Couture, a six-time UFC champion and one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history, is still active in the MMA community, owns a professional gym, and was a commentator on ESPN for the Professional Fighters League. Couture experienced his own bullying incidents in the 7th grade and remembers how damaging they can be. 'I hate bullying and believe that MMA helps people become more confident and have the tools they need to defend themselves if the time were to come,' says Couture. 'We believe that when people have the skills to defend themselves, they will reduce their risks of being a target of bullies.' Couture advises young people that the last thing a bully wants is for the person to stand up to them. Once a person has the courage to stand up for themselves, the bully generally backs down. Bullies are usually masking their own insecurities, and when the person being bullied stands up to them it exposes them. While bullying has been around for many years, he reminds people how it has become even a bigger issue with today's technology, especially with social media usage. He shares this advice and more in a video to help people with the issue. As the new school year gets underway, Couture has some words of wisdom regarding bullying, which includes: 1. Remembering that Words Leave Scars—How emotional bullying can leave deeper, longer-lasting wounds than physical harm. 2. Using Confidence Is Your Shield—The role of self-confidence—and how martial arts helped build it—in standing up to bullying. 3. Talking to the School Isn't Easy— His experience advocating for his son and the challenges of getting schools to act. 4. Stand Up—for Yourself or Someone Else—Why it's vital to speak up—for yourself or those who can't—and set boundaries with bullies. 5. Schools Need to Look Deeper—The need for schools to show empathy, understand root causes, and help kids in crisis. Stand for the Silent and USFL are seeking additional corporate sponsors to work with. In doing so, it provides corporate sponsors the opportunity to share their stories and advocacy regarding bullying and to help address it with schools and communities nationwide. It provides an opportunity for corporations to join a national movement to end bullying with two-mission driven nonprofits. The partnership will help deliver anti- bullying programs to schools nationwide, include fighter public service announcements that reach millions using social media, college scholarships for those fighting bullying, and high-profile campaign visibility at MMA events. Partnerships start at $2,500 and offer various levels of commitment. More information about sponsorships can be found online. The USFL is the organization responsible for organizing and developing America's international MMA teams and the authority of amateur MMA in international competition. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 19% of students ages 12-18 have been bullied nationwide. Over 15% of those bullied report that it was by a student who was perceived as more powerful than they are. The prevalence of bullying is higher in middle school than in high school. Stand for the Silent travels the country, delivering presentations about bullying to schools, providing bullying prevention resources, offering scholarships, and providing intervention strategies. Those interested in getting involved can start a chapter of the group in their area, obtain a free K-2 bullying prevention curriculum or a cyberbullying handbook for parents, host a presentation at their school, introduce the 'How It All Started' video, and donate to help support the cause. To get more information, visit the site at: ### Cher Murphy Cher Murphy PR email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
USA Today
27-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos roster: OLB Dondrea Tillman (No. 92) looks to build on 5-sack season
Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman, No. 92. Before the Broncos: Tillman (6-3, 270 pounds) played Division II college football with the IUP Crimson Hawks, earning consecutive All-PSAC West honors after totaling 21 sacks in his final two seasons. Two years after graduating from college, Tillman stood out in The Spring League in 2021. Following his performance in The Spring League, Tillman was picked by the Birmingham Stallions in the third round of the 2022 USFL draft. He went on to win three straight titles in the Stallions; two in the USFL and one in the UFL in spring 2024. Playing as a defensive lineman, he totaled 54 tackles, five sacks, eight quarterback hits, 21 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 41 QB hurries in 2024. Broncos tenure: Tillman was signed by the Denver Broncos to a lucrative three-year deal following his outstanding performance in the UFL. The Broncos' faith was quickly rewarded by the star pass rusher, who quietly had a dominant season. Tillman racked up 23 total tackles (13 solo, 10 assisted, five tackles for loss) and 5.0 sacks in 12 games, including the playoffs. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Coming off a big season, Tillman will look to be more disruptive as teams focus their attention on Denver's starting defensive line and rising star Nik Bonitto. Tillman should have a great opportunity to help mentor Denver fourth-round pick Que Robinson. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How Donald Trump was blocked from buying the Patriots—and what the NFL may have avoided
Donald Trump once aimed to own the New England Patriots (Getty Images) Long before he was president or a polarizing political figure, Donald Trump came close to becoming an NFL team owner. In 1988, he had his sights set on the New England Patriots, a franchise in financial chaos following a disastrous investment by its owners, the Sullivan family. Trump appeared poised to swoop in and save the day—but the NFL had other plans. The Patriots were in deep trouble, and Donald Trump was ready to buy In the late 1980s, the Patriots were a struggling franchise teetering on the edge. The Sullivan family, desperate after losing millions on a failed Jacksons concert tour investment, began looking for a buyer. Donald Trump quickly stepped up and secured exclusive negotiating rights. He even promised to keep the team in New England, which reassured fans and local leadership. Everything looked like it was lining up for Trump. He had the money. He had the access. But he didn't have the support of the other NFL owners. Donald Trump's USFL history turned NFL owners against him To understand why the deal fell apart, you have to rewind to Trump's role in the downfall of the USFL, a short-lived league that tried to challenge the NFL. In 1983, Trump bought the New Jersey Generals and pushed the USFL to go head-to-head with the NFL by moving to a fall schedule. He also led the league into an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The USFL technically won—but was awarded just $3 in damages. The league collapsed shortly after, and most NFL owners blamed Trump. So when he came knocking again in 1988, they weren't interested. According to many NFL executives 'loathed' Trump. Despite having a two-week exclusive window, he never submitted a formal bid, likely realizing he wouldn't get the required votes from existing owners. Only a few supported him, including former Browns owner Art Modell—but it wasn't nearly enough. The Patriots were sold—and an NFL dynasty was born Trump walked away, and the Patriots were eventually sold to Victor Kiam for $84 million. Six years later, Robert Kraft bought the team and led them into the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era that would define modern NFL dominance. Trump would try again in 2014, this time with the Buffalo Bills—but lost out to the Pegula family. He also passed on buying the Dallas Cowboys in the '80s, calling them a 'sure money loser'—a comment that now reads like one of the worst misjudgments in sports business history. Also Read: 'The death of my dream': Gisele Bündchen's tearful interview marked a turning point in her healing journey after Tom Brady divorce What if Trump had succeeded? Would Belichick and Brady still have joined the Patriots? The NFL dodged a bullet—or missed a massive what-if—depending on who you ask. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
National Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Dallas Cowboys all-pro arrested on marijuana and weapon charges
All-Pro return man KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys was arrested in a Dallas suburb on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon, authorities said Sunday. Article content Turpin was arrested by police in Allen on Saturday. The 28-year-old is out of jail on bond. There is no record of an attorney for Turpin. The team declined to comment. Article content Article content The former TCU standout is going into his fourth season with the Cowboys and recently signed an $18-million, three-year contract. Article content Turpin's TCU career ended in 2018 when he was kicked off the team after the school found out about a second domestic violence case against him. The case from New Mexico was discovered following an alleged incident with his girlfriend at an off-campus apartment in Fort Worth. Both cases involved the same woman. Article content The Cowboys signed Turpin out of the USFL in 2022. He had played in several satellite football leagues before joining the USFL. Article content Turpin secured his spot on the team by returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in a 2022 preseason game. He was one of the best return men in the NFL his first two years, but didn't have any returns for TDs until his All-Pro season in 2024. Turpin returned a punt and a kickoff for scores last season. Turpin's role as a receiver has grown, and first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will call the plays on offence, has indicated the speedy and diminutive player will be targeted more often in his scheme. Article content
