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FIFA World Cup

Egypt and Iran Challenge Seattle World Cup Match Set to Highlight Pride Celebrations

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Plans for a World Cup game in Seattle to double as an LGBTQ+ Pride celebration have sparked diplomatic pushback from Egypt and Iran, whose football federations have formally complained to FIFA about the June 26 event.

Seattle organizers had already designated the match part of the city’s annual PrideFest, arranged by a nonprofit that has hosted festivities since 2007. Local planners have promoted the day as a “once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington,” with everything from an art contest to rainbow-themed promotional materials. One artwork features a rainbow sun rising above Mount Rainier while a coffee-sipping crab goalie stretches for a ball.

Seattle’s mayor-elect, Kate Wilson, celebrated the matchup on social media.

“With matches on Juneteenth and pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome. What an incredible honor!”

The reaction in Cairo and Tehran, however, was immediate and severe. Egypt’s federation said late Tuesday that it had sent a letter to FIFA “categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match.”

The statement added that it “completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.”

The federation urged FIFA to intervene, warning the event could “trigger cultural and religious sensitivity between the presented spectators of both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially as such activities contradict the cultures and religions of the two countries.”

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In Iran, where LGBTQ+ people face harsh persecution, including potential death sentences, federation president Mehdi Taj criticized the decision on state TV. Taj said Iran would raise the matter at next week’s FIFA Council meeting in Qatar.

“Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point.”

State TV later confirmed a formal complaint would be filed with FIFA.

The match was assigned to Seattle only after FIFA’s Saturday venue allocation, which placed simultaneously played group games, Belgium vs. New Zealand in Vancouver and Egypt vs. Iran in Seattle, on opposite sides of the border.

Iran’s frustrations come after a separate dispute over U.S. visa denials. The nation had previously threatened to boycott the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., after five members of its nine-person delegation, including Taj, were denied entry. U.S. law restricts visas for individuals with ties to the Revolutionary Guard, including Taj.

Relations between Washington and Tehran remain strained, particularly after U.S. airstrikes earlier this year on nuclear sites in Iran during Israel’s 12-day conflict with the Islamic Republic. Unlike in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Iran is not slated to face the United States in the opening rounds this time.

Asked about the complaints, Seattle’s host committee emphasized that local programming is outside FIFA’s authority. While FIFA controls stadium grounds and official fan zones, it has no jurisdiction over community events such as PrideFest.

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Hana Tadesse, spokesperson for Seattle’s organizing committee, said Wednesday that it intends to continue as planned.

“The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region.”

FIFA declined to comment when contacted by the Associated Press and did not say whether it would consider shifting the Belgium–New Zealand match to Seattle to avoid overlap with the Pride-related events outside the stadium.

If FIFA were to side with Egypt and Iran, critics note that the governing body would risk appearing inconsistent. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA strongly defended the host nation’s right to enforce its cultural norms, blocking “One Love” rainbow armbands and allowing security to confiscate rainbow hats from Wales fans.

Qatar will also play in Seattle during the upcoming tournament, facing a European opponent, either Italy or Wales, on June 24.

Although Egypt does not explicitly outlaw homosexuality, its government frequently prosecutes LGBTQ+ people under charges such as “debauchery” or “violating public decency.” Iran’s record is even harsher; thousands of people are believed to have been executed for same-sex relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Former hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad infamously claimed during a 2007 U.S. visit: “We don’t have homosexuals like in your country.” His remark was met with laughter and jeers from the Columbia University audience.

For now, Seattle’s Pride-themed celebrations remain on track. At the same time, Egypt and Iran await a response from FIFA that could set a precedent for how host cities balance community expression with the sensitivities of visiting teams.

oakland

Arrest Made After Shooting of John Beam, Beloved Oakland Coach Featured in ‘Last Chance U’

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Authorities in Oakland have made an arrest in the shooting of longtime football coach and athletic director John Beam, police announced Friday. Officials released no further information about the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the arrest, stating details would be provided as the investigation progresses.

Beam, a figure in Bay Area athletics whose mentorship was spotlighted in Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” was shot midday Thursday at Laney College. The college confirmed the shooting occurred inside the campus fieldhouse, a space used for athletic training and team operations. Beam currently serves as Laney’s athletic director after stepping down as head football coach last year.

College officials said the sudden violence left the community reeling. “The Peralta community is devastated by his shooting and deeply concerned for his well-being,” Peralta Community College District Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson wrote in a message to staff.

“We are stunned and heartbroken that such violence has touched our campus and one of the most respected and beloved members of our Laney, Peralta, and Oakland community.”

Beam was rushed to Highland Hospital in critical condition. According to CNN, hospital representatives declined to release additional information on Friday, citing privacy rules.

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The shooting drew an immediate lockdown response from Laney College as police swept the area. By Friday morning, campus operations had resumed, with mental health counselors and crisis support teams made available for students, faculty, and staff. Administrators emphasized that healing and safety would be at the forefront in the days ahead.

Gilkerson praised Beam’s decades of service to Oakland’s youth and to generations of aspiring athletes.

“John Beam is a renowned coach, teacher, mentor, and leader whose impact extends far beyond athletics. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”

For many in Oakland, both on and off the football field, Beam’s influence has been profound. Throughout a 40-year coaching career spanning high school programs and the Laney Eagles, he became known as both a hardworking strategist and a force of stability in the lives of young athletes.

His role on the 2020 season of “Last Chance U” introduced him to a wider national audience, showcasing his tough-love approach and deep commitment to student-athletes striving to rebuild their futures.

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The gravity of the incident continues to ripple across the city’s leadership. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Beam as “a giant” in the community in a statement posted on X, noting his long record of shaping athletes into local leaders.

“Our community is shaken alongside his family. This is the second shooting on an Oakland campus in two days, and it is devastating. Schools should be the safest spaces in our city. We need guns off our streets now. We are standing together, praying for Coach Beam and his loved ones.”

On Wednesday, a juvenile was shot at Skyline High School while two others were taken into custody. The injured student was hospitalized in stable condition, according to police.

As of Friday evening, investigators were still piecing together what led to the shooting at Laney College. Beam’s colleagues, players, and supporters throughout the Bay Area continued to gather, both online and in person, sharing memories of the coach who became a symbol of perseverance and hoping for his recovery.

superbowl

Bad Bunny Announced As Super Bowl LX Halftime Show 

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Puerto Rican superstar, musician, and cultural icon Bad Bunny has been announced as the halftime show performer for Super Bowl LX. This official announcement came just after the artist finished his residency in Puerto Rico. 

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” 

Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a three-time Grammy winner who is currently at a career high. His two-month residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan consisted of 31 shows, with the finale being streamed on Amazon. 

The residency made headlines as it helped generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tourist revenue since its beginning in July. 

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Jay-Z, CEO and founder of entertainment and sports company Roc Nation which partners with the NFL and Apple Music to produce the halftime show, said:

“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.” 

Apple’s Vice President of Music, Sports, and Beats, Olivia Schusser, said in the NFL announcement statement that Bad Bunny’s come up within the industry was “meteoric” and hailed the musician for his wide-reaching impact on Latin culture. 

“Bad Bunny’s music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop-culture.”

Headlining the Super Bowl halftime show is a major accomplishment for any artist. Last year’s performance by Kendrick Lamar was the most-watched halftime show in history, and received four Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Music Direction. 

Bad Bunny is also set to start a world tour in November with stops in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. 

He’s made it clear that he’s avoiding tour stops in the US over fears of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement raiding venues. However, he stated that after talking with his team, the Super Bowl seemed appropriate as the only stop in the US on his tour.

cheers

Proposal Heard ‘Around the World’: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Engaged

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are making it official, marking the latest milestone in a romance that has unfolded in stadiums, concert halls, and on social media feeds around the world. The news came Tuesday afternoon in a coordinated five-photo post on Instagram. The images, intimate yet carefully curated, showed Swift and Kelce smiling, embracing, and holding up a dazzling diamond ring.

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Rihanna Reveals She Is Pregnant at Superbowl Half-time Show

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Rihanna revealed to fans that she is pregnant with her second baby in an unexpected way. The Grammy award-winning singer performed at the 2023 Superbowl half-time show in Phoenix, where she danced on platforms dressed in a fiery red jumpsuit that accentuated a baby bump.

In the first few moments of her set, the singer rubbed her belly and performed with the zipper of her jumpsuit open. Because of the snugness of the red bodysuit she was wearing underneath, it was visible that she was expecting a child.

People were quick to take to the internet to speculate whether the singer was pregnant again. Shortly after Rihanna’s 13-minute set concluded, her representatives confirmed the news to the media.

Rihanna and her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, had their first child, a son, in May 2022.

Onlookers saw the rapper filming Rihanna’s performance and dancing enthusiastically throughout the half-time show as he cheered her on from the sidelines.

This is not the first time the couple has shared such a momentous announcement with dramatic flair.

During Rihanna’s first pregnancy, the pair shared photographs of the singer’s growing baby bump to announce that she was pregnant.

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Photographer Miles Diggs took the series of photos as part of a pregnancy photo shoot for the couple. With the buttons of her long pink coat undone, Rihanna flaunted her expanding tummy, and lengthy body chains ornamented her outfit.

Before their first baby was born, Rihanna was interviewed by Vogue magazine, where she revealed how she and Rocky became more than friends after a lot of reluctance. The two had known each other for many years.

“People don’t get out of the friend zone very easily with me, and I certainly took a while to get over how much I know him and how much he knows me because we also know how much trouble we can land each other in.”

Their relationship became more serious when the pandemic took hold and quarantines were implemented. Rihanna said Rocky became her “family in that time.”

The two went on a road trip from Los Angeles to New York in the summer of 2020.

“I cooked our food on this little janky grill I bought from Walmart. I still have it, too. It works like nobody’s business. I love the simple things but also the grand adventures. There’s no pretentious my-brand-your-brand bullshit; it’s just us living. I just feel like I can do any part of life by his side.”

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She shared that her first pregnancy was not something the pair had planned, but they were both receptive to the idea of carrying it to term.

“It was just there on the test. I didn’t waste any time. I called him inside and showed him. Then I was in the doctor’s office the next morning, and our journey began.”

Rihanna told British Vogue in March 2020 that she wants to have three to four kids within the next 10 years.

After her son was born, she told Entertainment Tonight that he was a “happy baby” and that she had affectionately taken to freestyling songs to sing to him.

“Oh my god, the mornings, like, seeing his morning face! Seeing a baby with, like, little bags and waking up, and they’re just, like, startled. They’re trying to figure out where they’re at. It’s the cutest. It’s my favorite part of the day,”

Rihanna was elated but reluctant to take on new projects so soon after becoming a new mom. She told Entertainment Tonight, “If I’m going to leave my baby, I’m going to leave my baby for something special.”

Recognizing the gravity of performing at the Superbowl half-time show, she said, “It was now or never for me.”

“It was a challenge that I welcomed. It was a stage bigger than anything I’ve ever done.”

thanks

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin Raising Funds For First Responders

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Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is continuing his recovery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after suffering from cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. 

Now, Hamlin has announced his plans to raise funds to benefit the first responders and hospital that has aided him in his recovery. Hamlin took to Twitter to announce the sale of T-shirts in which the proceeds will be given to first responders and the UC Trauma Center. 

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“We all won. I want to give back an ounce of the love y’all showed me. Proceeds of this shirt will go to first-responders and the UC Trauma Center. Go get yours!”

Hamlin included a link to the website in which fans can choose from three different T-shirt options, all of which feature Hamlin’s hands in the shape of a heart and “Did We Win?” in big print. 

The T-shirt also features a hospital tag ID bracelet on Hamlin’s right wrist. The question “Did We Win” is what Hamlin asked his team of medical professionals after waking up last week following his cardiac arrest last Monday. 

Every NFL team honored Hamlin in this past weekend’s final slate of regular season games. Players, coaches, and team personnel were sporting T-shirts that had “Love You Damar” printed on them along with his jersey number, 3. 

Teams also painted the 30-yard line in red within their hosting stadiums. 

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During the first quarter of last week’s Monday Night Football contest, Hamlin, 24, suffered cardiac arrest after completing his tackle of Tee Higgins, the Bengals wide receiver. After standing up following the tackle, Hamlin almost immediately collapsed. 

Hamlin had to be resuscitated by medical officials on the field following his collapse. Afterwards he was transported to UC Medical Center and was listed as being in critical condition for days following the cardiac arrest. 

Medical officials stated last Thursday that Hamlin was awake and “had made substantial improvement. As he recovered, he continued to show his support for his team during the season finale of regular games against division rival New England Patriots. 

Hamlin continuously tweeted from his hospital bed during the game up until the Bills defeated the Patriots 35-23. 

Following his charity announcement, fans raised more than $8.5 million for the Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive, surpassing their initial goal of raising $2,500. 

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Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Concussion Days After Suspected Head Injury

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The Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a head injury on Thursday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was carried off the field on a stretcher. He had suffered another injury less than a week ago in a game against the Buffalo Bills.

In the second quarter of the Bengals game, Tagovailoa was tackled by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou. When he hit the ground, he made a gesture with his hands called the “fencing response,” which is often a sign of a brain injury. He then laid there, barely moving on the field, for nearly 10 minutes until trainers put him on a stretcher and carried him off the field.

A few minutes after the injury, broadcasters announced he had suffered head and neck injuries and was being taken to a hospital to be treated. Later, The Dolphins confirmed that Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion but had movement in all his extremities. After he was released from the hospital, he flew back with the team to Florida on Thursday night.

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Head Coach Mike McDaniel said it was a “scary moment” after the game.

“He was evaluated for a concussion and is in concussion protocol. That was an emotional moment. That is not part of the deal anyone signs up for even though you know it’s a possibility in football.”

Just a few days prior, Tagovailoa had suffered another blow to his head during a game against the Bills. His helmet slammed against the turf after he got hit by linebacker Matt Milano in the second quarter. He “immediately grabbed the sides of his helmet, staggered to his feet and after taking a few steps, fell to his knees.” He was examined for a concussion, cleared and returned to the field in the third quarter.

The Dolphins later said he had suffered a back injury, not a head injury. Tagovailoa agreed that he had passed the concussion evaluations before he returned to the game.

McDaniel defended playing Tagovailoa in the game against the Bengals less than a week after the injury, saying Tagovailoa had been evaluated by an independent doctor who said he was fit to play.

“For me, as long as I’m coaching here, I’m not going to fudge that whole situation—if there’s any sort of inclination that someone has a concussion, they go into the concussion protocol. We don’t mess with that. I never have and as long as I’m the head coach, it will never be an issue that you guys have to worry about.”

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta told CNN that the incident from the game was likely much more severe than it was being portrayed.

“When you look at the video from last night, it obviously looks like a pretty significant injury. Tua’s on the ground for a long time. This movement that he’s doing with his hands … that is a significant sign, something that people really need to pay attention to…It can be a sign of basically disrupting some of the pathways, even temporarily, between the brain and the spinal cord. If that sounds serious, it is serious.”

Dr. Gupta said Tagovailoa appeared unstable after his first injury in the game with the Bills and should not have been cleared to play under the NFL concussion protocol.

Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth spoke about his past experiences with a head injury and the pressures to keep playing after being injured.

“I can literally remember playing the Philadelphia Eagles on a Thursday night football game years ago myself—getting concussed, wobbling around, a referee actually removed me from the game. I go back in the game because you want to play. I was able to get myself through the test, explain that I’m fine, knowing that I had been dinged pretty good. I had a teammate that was like, ‘Man, this guy just is not right and I don’t feel right letting him keep playing.’ He actually pulled me out of the game and told the coaches that I need to be removed. And I’m so thankful for that. … This situation just brings back those memories. For us guys that have been on that field, it’s tough, man. We’ve gotta keep these guys uninvolved in it. They shouldn’t feel obligated to do something more than what they need to. It’s just an ugly scene to see.”

Several people believe that Tagovailoa may have suffered two concussions in five days, which is extremely dangerous. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) said their “investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing,” and they were hoping for Tagovailoa’s “full and speedy recovery.” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith vowed he would hold all responsible parties accountable.

“We insisted on these rules to avoid exactly this scenario. We will pursue every legal option, including making referrals against the doctors to licensing agencies and the team that is obligated to keep our players safe.”

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More Plaintiffs Join Lawsuit v. NCAA Claiming Student Athletes Deserve Pay

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Former Villanova University football player Ralph “Trey” Johnson sued the N.C.A.A. in November 2019, claiming that college athletes should be considered employees at the schools they play for under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The case has grown since then, with several former athletes joining as plaintiffs and seeking to form a class-action lawsuit.

This case is one of many blows the N.C.A.A. has taken to its current model of the relationship between athletes, their schools and the N.C.A.A.

In a statement, Johnson said that the lawsuit was “not about being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars.” The case was also not restricted to a few select athletes with endorsement deals.

“We are simply asking the N.C.A.A. to pay its student-athletes the basic minimum wage as required by federal law. They pay the students who tear the tickets and sell popcorn at our games. The least that the N.C.A.A. can do for those who bring so much money to the N.C.A.A. and its schools would be to pay them the minimum wage.”

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In June 2021, the Supreme Court passed a unanimous decision in the case N.C.A.A. v. Alston to uphold a lower court’s ruling that the N.C.A.A. restrictions on “education-related benefits” for college athletes violated antitrust laws. These benefits included scholarships for graduate school, payment for academic tutoring and paid post-eligibility internships.

Though the Supreme Court case did not debate the issue of compensation, it was one of the first major blows to the N.C.A.A.’s status quo. Over the last two years, several states have passed legislation that challenged the N.C.A.A.’s rules prohibiting athletes from profiting off their NIL—name, image and likeness. Congress in both parties have proposed new legislation that would grant student athletes long-term medical care and a portion of the revenue they generate.

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The National Labor Relations Board’s General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, released a memo stating that she considered college athletes employees under federal law. The memo states that Abruzzo would consider referring to the “employees as mere student-athletes,” violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. It was a sign that the N.L.R.B. would be willing to pursue claims against colleges, conferences and the N.C.A.A. on behalf of the students.

“The broad language of Section 2(3) of the Act, the policies underlying the N.L.R.A., Board law, and the common lawfully support the conclusion that certain Players at Academic Institutions are statutory employees, who have the right to act collectively to improve their terms and conditions of employment.”

The case is currently in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. If the case is ruled in favor of the athletes, it will counter the Seventh and Ninth circuit’s rulings. The conflicting rulings would increase the likelihood that the Supreme Court would step in to make a final decision.

In 2021, the N.C.A.A. made $1.15 billion in revenue and distributed the bulk of it to its 1,200 member schools.

cowboys

Dallas Cowboys’ Tyron Smith Out Of Season Until At Least December Due To Knee Injury

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Right before the opening of the season, the Dallas Cowboys will be starting without their Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith. 

In Wednesday’s practice, Smith suffered an avulsion fracture to his knee and tore his left hamstring which will require surgery. Recent reports say that Smith won’t return to the field until the earliest possibly December, if he returns at all this season.

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Smith was on a running play during practice and fell to the ground as he went to make a block against the Cowboys’s linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

“The 31-year-old went down in practice with a non-contact injury but was able to walk off under his own power,” reported the NFL.

After the injury, Smith was found leaving the locker room after practice and to others, he didn’t appear to be limping from the recent injury that was sustained. The initial tests came back and indicated that the ACL in his knee was still intact. 

 

“He gave me a nice reassuring grunt like he usually does. That’s the one thing playing next to him for so long, I can decipher his grunts. I think he’s all right,” said Left guard Connor McGovern.

 

This isn’t the first time that the Cowboys have had to play without Smith’s presence on the field. 

Smith also missed 20 games over the past two seasons and hasn’t played in an entire season since 2015. 

Over the last couple of seasons, he has suffered from other knee, ankle, neck and elbow injuries. He missed 14 games over the 2020 season due to his neck injury and 6 games in the 2021 season due to an ankle injury and having some time on the COVID list. 

The Cowboys are now trying to evaluate potential free agents for the offensive tackle spot but are having trouble finding help within the position. Any and all efforts to find assistance has now intensified. 

The options that are available with the team’s current roster doesn’t come with much experience.

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Back in April, the Cowboys drafted left tackle Tyler Smith from Tulsa within the first round and rotated him between the left guard and left tackle position. Their intent was to have Smith start at left guard but have him prepared to slide into left tackle in case Tyron Smith suffered an injury at any point of the season.

Tyler Smith was originally planned to play left guard for this season but still hasn’t taken the job from McGovern. In the most recent training camps, he did some left tackle reps but still played mostly guard positions.

Tyler Smith is still the Cowboy’s plan for the long run in the position at left tackle. 

Football Stadium Field

NFL’s Legendary Coach, Broadcaster John Madden Dies At 85

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John Madden, the National Football League Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 85. Madden was revered by many for not only his vigorous personality, but the way he changed the game throughout the years.

Madden’s NFL career started with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, when he was drafted in the 21st round. However, a knee injury quickly ended any chances of playing. Madden would then move on to coaching, where he would find unimaginable levels of success starting at the age of 32.

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While Madden only helmed the then-Oakland Raiders for just 10 seasons, he more than made the most of it. Madden posted a record of 103-32-7 with seven division titles, qualifying for the playoffs eight times. Even more remarkable was the fact none of his teams ever finished under .500 – the coach finished with a winning percentage of .759. In 1976, Madden led the team to a victory in Super Bowl XI, the Raiders’ first championship.

Following his fruitful head coaching tenure, Madden took up broadcasting. He worked with all four major networks — CBS, NBC, FOX, and ABC — as a color commentator, typically on primetime games like “Monday Night Football” and “Sunday Night Football” up until 2009. “The thing that made it hard is not because I’m second-guessing, ‘Is it the right decision?'” Madden said of retirement at the time. “But I enjoyed it so damn much.”

Al Michaels, who broadcasted alongside Madden on NBC, commented in a statement that working with him was like “hitting the lottery.” “He was so much more than just football,” Michaels said. “[He] was a keen observer of everything around him and a man who could carry on a smart conversation about hundreds and hundreds of topics.”

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Madden was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. Raiders’ owner Mark Davis — the son of Al Davis, who owned the team during Madden’s reign — lit a torch in honor of the icon, while NFL commissioner Roger Goodell simply stated that Madden “was football.”

“He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

In addition to words from the Raiders and the NFL, numerous other teams, players, and legends voiced their sentiments on Madden’s passing, expressing just how much of an impact was left by who many refer to simply as “Coach.”

NFL fans and video game players alike may know Madden best from EA’s “Madden Football” game series, which started back in 1989 as “John Madden Football” before making the switch to the now-used title in 1993. By 2018, more than 130 million copies of “Madden Football” had been sold. The series has become all but unmatched in the genre.

Madden’s death comes just four days after the Christmas Day airing of “All Madden,” a FOX Sports’ documentary that details the life and career of the broadcaster. In his wake, the program is set to be re-aired and will be available on additional streaming services.