Latest news with #then-Titans
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Raiders eye winning send-off for record-breaker Papalii
Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders. Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades. And Big Papa's experience will be crucial. "We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP. "He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year." His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point. Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side. Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season. His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history. But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly. "The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders. "I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft." Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one. It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019. "You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said. "If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps." The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note. A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season. The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury. Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game. It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad. Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders. Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades. And Big Papa's experience will be crucial. "We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP. "He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year." His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point. Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side. Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season. His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history. But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly. "The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders. "I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft." Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one. It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019. "You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said. "If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps." The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note. A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season. The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury. Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game. It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad. Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders. Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades. And Big Papa's experience will be crucial. "We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP. "He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year." His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point. Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side. Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season. His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history. But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly. "The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders. "I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft." Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one. It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019. "You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said. "If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps." The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note. A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season. The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury. Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game. It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Raiders eye winning send-off for record-breaker Papalii
Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders. Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades. And Big Papa's experience will be crucial. "We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP. "He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year." His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point. Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side. Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season. His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history. But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly. "The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders. "I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft." Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one. It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019. "You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said. "If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps." The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note. A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season. The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury. Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game. It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Raiders eye winning send-off for record-breaker Papalii
Ahead of becoming Canberra's most-capped NRL player, Josh Papalii has been heralded as the key to a long-awaited title for his beloved Raiders. Sia Soliola, Papalii's former Raiders teammate on the field and long-term friend off it, says the young Raiders squad have what it takes to win the club's first premiership in more than three decades. And Big Papa's experience will be crucial. "We always relied on him, and a lot was put on Paps' shoulders," Soliola told AAP. "He has always stepped up in crucial times when we've needed someone. He's the guy that still produces the moments in a game where you need something special. That's where Paps' presence really comes to life, and I think that'll play a big part for the Raiders this year." His second-half spell to help inspire the Raiders' comeback win against the Sydney Roosters was a case in point. Papalii will be the first to admit his athleticism isn't where it once was, but even at 33 the copious Queenslander is still a vital cog for coach Ricky Stuart's side. Sunday's clash against South Sydney will be another crucial one for the Green Machine, who could go top with a win, before a much-needed first bye of the season. His comrades will be even more determined to get the two points to celebrate Papalii notching 319 games with the Raiders to surpass fellow one-club man Jason Croker as the most-capped player in Canberra's history. But it's the "off-field stuff" the boy from Logan will look back on most fondly. "The club's been so loyal to me. If you sort of think about what I've been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago, so the club's been such a loyal base for myself and my family," said Papalii, who has admitted this season will be his last for the Raiders. "I hope I've repaid that with love and sacrifice and in the way I've gone about my craft." Despite the inexperienced roster, Stuart has his squad firing on all cylinders, and there is a sense among the Raiders faithful - with GIO Stadium set for another sold-out crowd - that this season could be a special one. It would be a fairytale ending at the club for Papalii after missing out on a title in an agonising grand-final loss to the Roosters in 2019. "You see all these really great players that never really get to lift it, but the Raiders have got a really good opportunity this year," Soliola said. "If they keep going the way they're going they're definitely going to give themselves a shot at the business end. I think everyone in rugby league would want that to happen for someone like Paps." The Raiders would also dearly love to send off Jamal Fogarty on a high note. A part of club folklore even before he joined - Papalii's 2020 Dally M tackle of the year-winning ankle tap on the then-Titans halfback was immortalised on commemorative Budgy Smugglers - Fogarty has become a fan favourite since, but is bound for Manly next season. The playmaker has been one of the league's outstanding halves this season and is a welcome boost to the Raiders' starting line-up after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury. Fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh will also hit a milestone on Sunday, playing his 100th NRL game. It's the last audition for "Big Red'' ahead of selection for State of Origin II, with the hulking prop's red-hot form making him a favourite for inclusion in Billy Slater's Maroons squad.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeAndre Hopkins, former Tennessee Titans WR, reuniting with Derrick Henry on Baltimore Ravens
Former Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is doing what oh-so-many beloved former Titans end up doing: He's going to play for the Baltimore Ravens. Multiple media outlets are reporting that Hopkins is signing a 1-year contract worth $6 million to link up with perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' high-flying offense. This also means a reunion with former Titans running back Derrick Henry, who had a career resurgence last year upon joining Baltimore after leaving the Titans. Other former Titans who've ended up in Baltimore toward the end of their careers include quarterback Steve McNair, wide receiver Derrick Mason and cornerback Samari Rolle. The Titans traded Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs midway through the 2024 season after one and a half years in a Titans uniform. Hopkins helped the Chiefs on their run to an AFC title and Super Bowl berth, catching a touchdown in the Super Bowl the Chiefs ultimately lost. GRADES: Grading Tennessee Titans' NFL free agency deals Day 1: Does Dan Moore fix O-line woes? ESTES: Focus on what these Tennessee Titans are doing, not what they are saying | Estes A 12-year NFL veteran, Hopkins ranks 21st in NFL history in receiving yards, 16th in receptions and 26th in receiving touchdowns. Hopkins is 35 yards shy of becoming the 19th wide receiver in league history to accumulate 13,000 receiving yards. Hopkins' split from the Titans came with a little bit of acrimony. Speaking to The Tennessean at the Super Bowl, Hopkins explained that he removed himself from the Titans' loss to the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter and felt he was losing his passion for football, so he requested a trade from then-Titans GM Ran Carthon. Carthon obliged, shipping Hopkins to the Chiefs in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That pick is projected to be the No. 168 selection in April's proceedings. The Titans receiver room is lacking in depth for 2025. Veterans Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd are free agents, leaving Calvin Ridley as the Titans' only returning starter. Jha'Quan Jackson and Bryce Oliver, who were rookies in 2024, remain under contract, as does 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks who has had each of his first three seasons with the Titans shortened by injuries and has only caught one touchdown. Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@ Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ravens add former Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins, reunites with Derrick Henry | Report
CNN
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
DeAndre Hopkins finally gets his Super Bowl moment – and the chance to wear his late father's mink coat
On Sunday, DeAndre Hopkins can finally put on the mink. When the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver was just five months old, his father died in a car crash, leaving him and his three siblings to be raised by his mother. From that tragedy, Hopkins built himself into one of the NFL's best wide receivers of the last decade. His resumé includes five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and nearly 1,000 catches over 12 years. The one thing Hopkins didn't have: A Super Bowl appearance. That changes on Sunday, and he can finally wear his dad's mink. 'My dad died in 1992 and he left me a couple things, and one of the things that he left me was a mink jacket,' Hopkins told reporters this week. 'And so I always said I would wear that mink jacket to my wedding or to the Super Bowl, whichever one happened first.' 'And so, obviously I'm not married so Imma wear my daddy's mink jacket.' 'It's gonna mean a lot. My dad was the leader of the family, a leader of our community. So it means a lot, just being able to have a little bit of him with me. He's watching, you know, he's listening … he right here with me at all times,' Hopkins added on Thursday. It's one of those facts that sounds almost unbelievable to any football fan: DeAndre Hopkins has never played in a Super Bowl. The Clemson alum has been one of the game's most dominant wide receivers since he came into the league, even though he's endured some of the most turbulent scenarios a star player can encounter. He was traded away from the Houston Texans after seven incredible seasons. The Arizona Cardinals just straight up cut him after three seasons in the desert. And the Tennessee Titans reduced his role this season as a new coaching staff came in and put their stamp on the team. His journey seemed destined to be one of those anecdotal tales about how hard it is to win in the NFL, how even the best players aren't guaranteed the chance to play for the sport's biggest prize. But it was when he was at his lowest that Hopkins was given the opportunity to check off the biggest thing on his to-do list. 'Man, that was probably one of the worst games of my career as a player, not for statistics, but I wasn't included in the game plan,' he said on Monday about the Titans-Bills game on October 20. 'I was out there running around, man, and I was like, damn. And I actually benched myself. And I never took myself out any game. I'm a competitor, I would play this game for free, man. And … something in me was like, 'Nah, man, just remove yourself. Something bigger is coming.'' After that game, he went into then-Titans general manager Ran Carthon's office and told him that his situation in Nashville was making him lose his love for football. Carthon understood. A day later, Hopkins was traded to Kansas City. Suddenly, what looked to be a moribund season near the end of a glittering career – the Titans ended up 3-14, the worst record in the league – Hopkins was handed a ticket to a team seeking history. And, finally, a chance to put on his dad's mink. A first-round draft pick by the Texans in 2013, Hopkins came out of Clemson and immediately made an impact in the professional game. He caught 52 passes for 802 yards in his rookie season and then proceeded to go over 1,000 yards receiving for six of the next seven years. But that personal success did not exactly translate to deep runs in the playoffs for his team. The Texans had five winning seasons in his seven years but never advanced past the second round of the playoffs. Hopkins gained a reputation as a dominant receiver, among the first names mentioned when talking about who was the best in the game. But every year, he sat at home watching the season's biggest game on TV. After seven seasons in Houston, the Texans made the stunning decision to trade Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson and a couple of draft picks. It's a move that the Texans would come to regret – Johnson was off the team after two middling seasons, one draft pick was traded away and another didn't pan out. 'When the Texans traded me, obviously they didn't have the years that they wanted to have in a trade and then go how they thought it might, but that's football,' Hopkins said. 'And so, for me, I don't really look at it as like I wish bad on 'em, because I love (them) – I still live in Houston. I love the city of Houston, but obviously trades don't always go your way as an organization.' The move looked like it would be a boon for the Cardinals. In his first season in Glendale, Hopkins caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards. Injuries limited him in the next two seasons and the Cardinals never advanced past the opening round of the playoffs. In the spring of 2023, Arizona made another stunning decision: They released Hopkins and made him a free agent. The trade from Houston and his release from the Cardinals were both moves that shocked the NFL world. Hopkins is now grateful for them. 'Team definitely felt like they were better without me. And, you know, s**t, they could have been, you know?' Hopkins said. 'So, I'm just grateful that I'm here, and everything happened the way it happened. I'm thankful for every GM that traded me or released me honestly, because without them, I wouldn't be in this position, man.' Hopkins signed with the Titans after his release from the Cardinals and proceeded to have a bounce-back season. He caught 75 passes, went over 1,000 yards again – but it was once more for a losing team. The Titans underachieved, going 6-11, and then decided to fire head coach Mike Vrabel. That meant the 2024 season would be another rebuilding year for Hopkins and the Titans. With time ticking on his career – Hopkins is 32 and in his 12th year – the wide receiver felt like he was staring into the abyss. 'I was obviously on a team that wasn't playing for a division title or a conference title. So, going into my 12th year, there were thoughts where I was like, 'Man, am I ever going to have a chance to play meaningful football?'' he said. After that game against Buffalo, Hopkins got his answer. 'The biggest thing I learned this year was be patient,' he said. 'I started off on the team in Tennessee, who – it wasn't looking good. And I was patient. I felt that I was hoping that something would come out this year. You know, I heard rumors about me being traded and, I just kind of thought to myself, I hope I get traded to a competitor where I can kind of finish off my year strong.' It didn't take long for the veteran wide receiver to realize what makes the Chiefs successful. He said the organization just has a 'championship culture.' Hopkins added, 'From the first day I walked in, there was a mindset – it's a standard, and it's expected for us to be here. And I think that's the difference between this place and other places, it's not just winning the division, but it's … this game coming up.' For his new teammates and coaches, they also quickly learned that they didn't just bring in a wide receiver with an elite skillset. Head coach Andy Reid said Hopkins quickly asserted himself as a leader on the team and he's served as a mentor to some of the team's younger receivers. 'I knew we were getting a good player, played against him quite a little bit, but I didn't know the leadership part,' Reid told reporters. 'He's been tremendous that way. He hasn't complained that we're spreading the ball around or utilizing other guys along with him. He's willing to share in that way. So that whole senior leadership part that he's brought, I really appreciated. And he's a unique route runner. He knows how to set things up. He shared that with some of the guys, and I appreciate that part.' Xavier Worthy, the rookie speedster who is playing in a Super Bowl in his first season in the league, said he's been learning lessons from Hopkins that will shape his career for years to come. 'The biggest thing I've learned from D-Hop is just how he takes care of his body,' Worthy said. 'He really teaches me the things to do for my body and he helps me a lot with my recovery and understanding your body is your moneymaker so go out here and take care of your body and perform well.' A more superstitious person probably wouldn't let himself speak aloud what he thinks it'd be like to win a Super Bowl. But when a player has been chasing a chance to get in this game as long as Hopkins has, it's difficult not to give voice to those dreams. 'My kids are coming to the game, and they come to the games but not a lot. And so for them to be able to come to this game right here, definitely it means a lot to me,' Hopkins said. 'Hopefully they can play in the confetti after.' Hopkins' path to this point is inspiring to his teammates, including tight end Travis Kelce – part of the same draft class back in 2013. 'Guys like Kareem Hunt, D-Hop, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown – guys that have been in the building that have been working their tail off to get to where we are today, and have really stepped up in big, crucial moments for this team, and you'll see that on Sunday,' Kelce told reporters. 'But I want it for those guys just as much as I want it for myself.' Hopkins doesn't believe he necessarily needs a Super Bowl championship as the final piece of his resumé, but it's clear that the chance to play in the sport's biggest game means more to him than it might have earlier in his career. He said the opportunity to have his kids see him play in the Super Bowl provides an extra bit of motivation, and sharing the moment with his mother makes it all the more special. Sabrina Greenlee has never been able to physically see her son play football in the NFL – she was blinded more than 20 years ago by an acid attack. All through his time in football, Hopkins has made a tradition of handing his mother the ball after he scores so she knows that it was him who got the touchdown. His mom taught him to believe in himself and always have faith. With just one game to go, Hopkins is just one step away from that faith and belief in himself resulting in a Super Bowl championship. 'Man, it's been a dream come true. It's been amazing. I'm just grateful that the Chiefs allowed me to be part of it and felt that I could help them get here,' he said. 'Being traded midway through the season as a veteran really doesn't happen that often. And so for myself, man, it's a unique situation. But they've embraced me, and I've embraced the situation.'
