
Colts' Hall of Famer joins Syracuse Football program
Colts' Hall of Famer joins Syracuse Football program A Colts' Hall of Famer is joining the Syracuse Football program.
Indianapolis Colts' Hall of Fame defensive end Dwight Freeney is heading to the college level to join the Syracuse Football program.
Syracuse announced on Friday that Freeney will be leading the Player Development program.
"The time is now," Freeney said in a statement via ESPN. "I think that Syracuse has a lot of good things going. A great foundation and I think they need a push to be able to maintain and exceed that -- that is what I hope I'm able to do. My schedule is now a lot freer than it has been in years past, so I'll be able to help however is needed and in whatever way I can."
Freeney is a Syracuse alum, where from 1998 to 2001, he recorded 34 sacks, was an All-American, and was the 2001 Big East Defensive Player of the Year as well.
The Colts would select Freeney in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft. Freeney would play 16 NFL seasons, 11 of which were with the Colts, which included winning a Super Bowl.
Freeney finished his career with 125.5 sacks. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2024. He also had his No. 54 retired at Syracuse last year as well.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Mets thought demotion was best way to get Francisco Alvarez ‘reps' to fix struggles
PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Alvarez needed the opportunity to work on his game and play every day, leading to the decision finalized by Mets brass Sunday. The struggling 23-year-old catcher was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, with the hope he can find his form offensively and defensively before returning to potentially help the Mets in the near future. Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free 'He's got a chance to be a pretty special player and we're going to need him,' manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets played their series finale against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. 'We feel like it's best for him to go down there and get reps.' Mendoza cited Luis Torrens' success behind the plate as a significant factor. Torrens had gradually increased playing time to the point he was starting almost half of the time, and the Mets felt Alvarez needed to play every day if he was going to improve. The team recalled Hayden Senger from Syracuse to serve as the backup catcher. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns deferred on answering questions about Alvarez until his scheduled Tuesday media session at Citi Field. Alvarez produced a .236/.319/.333 slash line with three homers and 11 RBIs in 35 games after beginning the season on the injured list following surgery in spring training for a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Alvarez was working on a new swing in spring training and Mendoza suspects the lost opportunity to face major league pitchers cost him. Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) walks to the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images 'Unfortunately, he went down,' Mendoza said. 'We're not trying to make excuses for the kid, but that is something we talk about.' Mendoza said Alvarez didn't resist when presented with the decision. 'He listened a lot,' Mendoza said. 'And then there was a follow-up where it's like, 'I want to make sure I am playing.' ' Alvarez's best season with the Mets occurred in 2023 when he hit 25 homers as a rookie. But the last two seasons have been disappointments for him — he missed significant time last year following surgery to repair a torn left thumb ligament. Behind the plate there have been lapses, most recently in Atlanta last week when Alvarez threw to the wrong base in the 10th inning, costing the Mets an opportunity to nail the baserunner who ultimately became the winning run. 'I feel like he's got better with his exchanges and throwing guys out,' Mendoza said. 'But the receiving and blocking are probably areas where we want to see improvement. Obviously, he's got to play.' The Mets know what they have in Senger, who opened the season on the major league roster with Alvarez rehabbing from surgery. But Mendoza said the organization's comfort with Senger — who has received high grades defensively — didn't factor into the decision to demote Alvarez. 'When we're making this decision, it's all about the player,' Mendoza said, referring to Alvarez. 'It was more about what is best for Alvy, what is best for the team and organization when we are looking at the present and the future. But it's nice to have a guy like Senger who has already shown he can handle that role.' Francisco Alvarez reacts after flying out for the last out in the thirteenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field, Friday, May 23, 2025, Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Likewise, the fact Alvarez went 2-for-5 on Saturday, with a ninth-inning homer, didn't carry any weight in team brass' decision. 'There were stretches where we were like, 'OK, that is what he is supposed to look like,' but then he will go a couple of games where he is late with a fastball and then he chases,' Mendoza said. 'We're just looking for consistency here and if you are playing three or four games a week compared to having the opportunity to play six, that is how you are going to get better.'


Fox Sports
4 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Tom Brady Captures Another Title, Wins Inaugural Fanatics Games and $1M Prize
Tom Brady is a champion once again. The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback won the inaugural Fanatics Games at this weekend's Fanatics Fest in New York, earning him a $1 million prize. The all-time great was among 100 celebrities, athletes and fans to compete in the Fantatics Games, which consisted of eight competitions. The eight competitions consisted of activities from different sports, such as quarterback skills, basketball shooting, soccer goal-scoring and baseball pitching accuracy, among other competitions. One of the other competitions was a WWE Superstar entrance. In his WWE Superstar entrance, Brady spat on New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner jersey and ripped former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning's jersey. Manning later interrupted his entrance, jumping on top of him. That entrance helped Brady earn 399.1 total points in the Fanatics Games. Manning was also one of the athletes who participated, finishing in fifth with 314.5 total points as Brady was able to get some revenge over the quarterback who defeated him in two Super Bowls. Brady, a FOX Sports employee, collected his $1 million prize at the Javits Center on Sunday. However, he awarded $5,000 to each of the 50 fans who participated in the Fanatics Games, while the rest of that money will go to charity. Brady's participation in the Fanatics Games was just one of the few viral moments he had from Fanatics Fest over the weekend. On Friday, he struggled to pick out the real Rob Gronkowski in a group of 20 people dressed like his former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammate. On Saturday, Brady joined LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, streamer Kai Cenat and Maverick Carter for a live taping of "The Shop." "He's always done things the right way. He's always risen above all the noise and BS and continued to deliver," Brady said of James as he sat next to the Los Angeles Lakers star. "So you're witnessing the greatest ever, and I hope you guys will appreciate that." As for the other participants in the Fanatics Games, UFC fighter Justin Gaethje finished in second with 345.5 points. He won a a Ferrari 812 GTS for his performance. Matt Dennish, a 39-year-old teacher from Pennsylvania, finished with 326 points to place third in the competition. He outscored athletes such as James Harden, Tyreek Hill, Dwight Howard, Gronkowski, Michael Chandler and Micah Parsons, who all finished in the top 20 of the athletes who competed in the event. Harden dressed as Hulk Hogan for his WWE entrance. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was also among the athletes who participated, struggling in the pitching accuracy competition. He finished 36th in the competition. Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter had the worst showing among the athletes who competed at the event, while new Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant finished with the second-worst mark. Durant actually learned of his trade to the Rockets while he was speaking at an event during Fanatics Fest on Sunday. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Jayden Daniels Takes Shot At Eagles Corner During Fanatics Fest
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After completing one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in NFL history, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels isn't backing down from the rising expectations ahead of his second year. Selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels quickly flipped the fortunes of a struggling franchise. The former LSU standout helped Washington rebound from a four-win season to a Wild Card berth, then led a stunning postseason run that included road upsets over the Buccaneers and Lions. The Commanders' Cinderella story ultimately ended in the NFC Championship Game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but the message was clear: Daniels had arrived. Daniels finished his rookie season with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and another 891 yards and six scores on the ground. More impressively, he displayed rare poise under pressure, becoming a difference-maker in the biggest moments. Now heading into his sophomore season, Daniels is eager for even greater challenges, and he's not shy about who he wants to face. Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders smiles after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders smiles after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, a recent panel appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York City alongside Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and Joe Montana, Daniels was asked which defensive back he's most excited to face in 2025. Eagles corner Quinyon Mitchell was suggested, but Daniels opted for a different answer. "Quinyon is a good choice. But this year, I would probably say that I'm excited to go against Pat Surtain." Jayden Daniels was asked about the toughest CB to face in the NFL right now. 🤔 He said that Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell was a good choice but that wasn't his answer: — Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) June 21, 2025 Mitchell had a tremendous rookie season himself, locking down top receivers and finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Rams edge-rusher Jared Verse. Daniels threw for five touchdowns in a comeback win against Philadelphia in Week 16. Mitchell got his revenge in the NFC Championship Game, in which Daniels had a 2.8 passer rating when targeting Mitchell as the primary defender. While the NFC East rivalry with the Eagles ensures Daniels will get two cracks at Mitchell, it's the Week 13 Sunday Night Football matchup against Denver that has Daniels' attention. The Broncos' defense, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, finished as the league's top unit in 2024. The Commanders made key additions this offseason to build around their young star quarterback. They acquired former All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel from the 49ers and 5x Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil, in addition to re-signing TE Zach Ertz and WR Noah Brown. If last season was any indication, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders aren't going to stand by idly while the Eagles win championships. Week 16 vs. the Eagles. One of Jayden Daniels' many last-minute wins this season ⏰@JayD__5 | @Commanders 📺: #WASvsPHI – Sunday 3pm ET on FOX 📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2025 For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.