Latest news with #ProFootballHallofFame
USA Today
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Saquon Barkley's viral moment draws a rare Barry Sanders response
Barry Sanders addresses Saquon Barkley's viral comments about early retirement. There may be no better compliment that can be given to a professional athlete than knowing one's idols are also fans of theirs. Imagine suiting up for a Philadelphia Eagles game on Sunday and dominating. Imagine seeing a guy whose poster you once owned offering congratulations. Saquon Barkley is a student of the game, one who appreciates its history. At some point, he studied the legends like Walter Payton and Jim Brown. Last season, while in pursuit of Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, he learned the Hall-of-Famer was a fan (even if he didn't want to see his record broken). Just this week, he learned of another, Barry Sanders. Barry Sanders offers Saquon Barkley some advice on post-retirement theory It wasn't necessarily the shot heard 'round the world or an internet breaker, but it was close. Saquon Barkley recently appeared on an episode of Green Light with Chris Long. Thoughts about early retirement were mentioned. As you can imagine, that caused quite a stir. Eventually, he'd speak with the media and did his best to ease the minds of a concerned Eagles fan base. Long story short, despite stating his eventual announcement might come as a "surprise", it appears he has no intention of calling it a career soon. An entire fan base wiped the sweat from its brow. Whew! That was close, but they've been watching his every move just in case. Enter Barry Sanders. Like Barkley, he sat for an interview of his own. As you might imagine, while speaking with CBS Sports' John Breech, the Barkley comments were revisited, and the 2004 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee offered some advice for the most recent entrant into the NFL's 2000-yard club. "(Saquon Barkley) should stick around for a little while. As a fan, I'm enjoying watching him play. I still see him as still being very young. I'm excited with what he's been able to do in Philadelphia, and really, just his journey. He was written off by the Giants, and to see the kind of year he had last year, I know he still has a lot of great years left in him." Raise those hands if you're hoping that Saquon is reading the same stuff we are. Barkley had previously mentioned Sanders' decision to retire unexpectedly while speaking with Chris Long. "Sometimes, players feel that (way), and once they get into camp and into the season, they feel different. Philadelphia feels like a great place, a great home for him, so hopefully it's just sort of a temporary thing that he's experiencing, that he'll continue to enjoy the success there with that great team that they've assembled." Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia on March 13, 2024. He inked a two-year $41.2 million extension this past March, so if the math is correct (and he's interested), we're guaranteed four more years of this marriage. Frankly, no one wants to see this arrangement end anytime soon. This is too much fun. Listen to the G.O.A.T. Saquon! There's no reason to walk away from this prematurely.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Buccaneers legend has a unique choice for the Bucs most impactful rookie
Everyone has talked about the Bucs' top draft, Emeka Egbuka, and how he is going to be the future of the passing attack when Mike Evans retires. While everyone is focusing on Egbuka, or cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, a Bucs legend is highlighting another. Ronde Barber, who knows a thing or two about high-level defensive play as a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback, discussed on his show the most impactful Bucs rookie in 2025. His answer was surprising. Barber explained, "Our No. 1 impact rookie, you might not believe this — it is David Walker, I didn't know anything about him until we picked him, and then you go and look at what he did... when you put the film on, you're like, 'Holy cow, this dude has the mentality.' It's kinda like this underdog mentality that makes people respect him." David Walked is everything and more than what Barber explained on his show. He never stuffed the box score, but what he did time and again was create pressure on the offenses. The Bucs have had a great time of having players transition from edge rushers in college to interior defenders. Walker is the latest to get that move inside, and he could have a chance to create some chaos within Todd Bowles' system.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears' Devin Hester, Brian Urlacher named to NFL All Quarter Century team
Bears' Devin Hester, Brian Urlacher named to NFL All Quarter Century team The Chicago Bears have struggled over the past couple of decades, but they've had some impactful players along the way. None bigger than linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester, who were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 and 2024, respectively. ESPN's Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder unveiled their NFL All Quarter Century team, which includes a slew of Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers and some of the most impactful players in the game. There were two Bears players who made the cut, and they're two of the franchise's most recent Hall of Fame inductees: Linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester. Urlacher is the latest in a long line of Hall of Fame linebackers for the Bears, where he established himself as an incredibly athletic and gifted player in the NFL. He spent all 13 seasons with Chicago, and he's the franchise's all-time leader in solo tackles (1,040). Urlacher was named first-team All Pro four times and was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times. He also earned Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000) and Defensive Player of the Year (2005) honors. Urlacher was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. "The Urlacher-led Bears had the third-best defense in terms of EPA per play from 2001 to '12," wrote Walder. "His 22 career interceptions are the second most by any linebacker in the past 25 years, behind only Lewis' 26. Urlacher ranks fourth among all players in plus-EPA per game at minus-3.59, too." Hester is widely considered the greatest return specialist in NFL history as he forever changed how the game was played as a returner. Hester's a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler who boasts an impressive resume. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history. "Though Hester is remembered for scoring on the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI, he was actually more prolific as a punt returner," wrote Walder. "Fourteen of his return touchdowns came off punts; no other player recorded more than four in that same span. In 2024, he became the first return specialist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame." Urlacher and Hester played together in Chicago for seven years (2006-12), where they led a 2006 team that played in the franchise's last Super Bowl, which they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. Still, Urlacher and Hester both left a lasting impact on the NFL's most storied franchise.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pro Football Hall of Fame announces opening act for Concert for Legends
CANTON − The Concert for Legends will feature a one-two punch of country music and rock 'n' roll. Mitchell Tenpenny will open for Nickelback at the Aug. 3 Concert for Legends at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. Tenpenny's music has both country and pop leanings and even soars into the power pop genre on numerous songs. The Pro Football Hall of Fame says fans will enjoy the mix of music. "Mitchell Tenpenny and Nickelback appearing at the 2025 Concert for Legends will create an atmosphere of energy and a fun environment for fans," Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in a prepared statement. "We are extremely excited to bring these acts together on the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium stage." Boasting 343,000 followers on Facebook and 442,000 followers on Instagram, the Nashville native and multi-platinum artist also blends touches of rhythm and blues, bluegrass and rock. Other work draws comparisons in the country genre to Jordan Davis, Thomas Rhett, Nate Smith and Luke Combs. His biggest song was the crossover hit, "Drunk Me." It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Downtown concert: Country Fest artist coming to Canton. First ticketed show announced for Centennial Plaza Tenpenny, grandson of former Sony/ATV Music CEO Donna Hilley, is a two-time Academy of Country Music Award nominee. He also has garnered nominations for Country Music Assocation and Country Music Television awards, the Pro Football Hall of Fame said in its announcement. In 2024, he was nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year in a group that included Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith and Zach Top. Tenpenny's most recent single, "Same Moon," is a breezy, up-tempo love song, evoking the pop rock songcraft of John Mayer. His other popular songs include "Truth About You" and "At the End of a Bar," a collaboration with Chris Young. Tenpenny's 2018 album, "Telling All My Secrets" debuted No. 5 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Canadian rock royalty: Pro Football Hall of Fame announces 2025 headliner for Concert for Legends Tenpenny's most recent album was the 2024 release, "The 3rd," which features the songs, "Woke Up in a Dream," "Bigger Mistakes," "Not Today," "Make It Rain" and a cover of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. Outside music, the 35-year-old songwriter has been honored by the American Cancer Society of Tennessee for his work with the ACS Hope Lodge. Started in 2018, Tenpenny's "The 10Penny Fund" has raised more than $500,000 for sustainable and meaningful programs to support cancer patients. Tenpenny's other shows this summer include the Country Summer Music Festival 2025 on June 28 in Santa Rosa, California. The Concert for Legends has booked country music stars as the main attraction in the past, including Zac Brown Band in 2023 and Carrie Underwood in 2024. Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Jimmie Allen played the big show in past years. Nickelback, however, was a return to the rock music origins of the inaugural Concert for Legends, which featured the legendary Aerosmith in 2015 in a dazzling concert that many Canton-area residents still rave about. Journey headlined the Concert for Legends in 2022, another well-attended event. Achieving multi-platinum success in the aughts, Nickelback is known for the hit songs "How You Remind Me," "Photograph" and "Rockstar." Accolades for Nickelback include being recognized as Billboard's Top Rock Group of the Decade for the 2000s while receiving multiple Grammy nominations and winning three American Music Awards. The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2023 for being "one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past two decades." Starting at $75.90 ($55 plus fees), tickets for the Concert for Legends can be purchased at Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@ Follow on Instagram at ed_balint and TikTok @edwardbalint. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mitchell Tenpenny opening for Nickelback at Pro Football Hall of Fame
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Jackpot Digital Goes Live at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Minnesota
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2025) - Jackpot Digital Inc. (TSXV: JJ) (TSXV: (OTCQB: JPOTF) (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: LVH3) (the 'Company' or 'Jackpot Digital'), the leading provider of dealerless electronic poker tables to the global gaming industry, is pleased to announce the successful installation of its Jackpot Blitz® dealerless poker electronic table game ('ETG') at Treasure Island Resort & Casino, located in Welch, Minnesota, U.S.A. Jackpot Blitz® is an advanced, automated casino poker table that eliminates the need for traditional dealers, allowing for a faster, more efficient gaming experience while maintaining a high level of player engagement. The installation at Treasure Island Resort & Casino is the latest in a series of successful deployments that highlight the growing interest in Jackpot Digital's dealerless poker tables. Treasure Island Casino Operations Director, Michael Jankoviak, states, 'We aim to be the premier casino destination, crafting unforgettable moments through exceptional guest experiences and a vibrant atmosphere brimming with the latest gaming innovations and thrilling entertainment. Jackpot Blitz® is one of these cutting-edge offerings that our guests can experience.' The installation is part of Jackpot Digital's continued efforts to expand its footprint in the land-based casino gaming industry, with a focus on enhancing the customer experience through innovative and engaging dealerless poker ETGs. The Company is committed to driving growth by meeting the evolving needs of casino operators and players alike. In addition to Jackpot's cruise ship customers, which include Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America, AIDA, and Costa Cruises, Jackpot has announced land-based installations or orders in Canada and the United States, including California, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Quebec, Saskatchewan, U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as several international jurisdictions. To view a short video of Jackpot Brand Ambassador, Pro Football Hall of Fame and Super Bowl winning coach, Jimmy Johnson, sharing the advantages of the world leading Jackpot Blitz®, click the thumbnail below: [ This video cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Cannot view this video? Visit: About Jackpot Digital Inc. A positive disruptor in the casino business, Jackpot Digital Inc. is a leading provider of electronic poker table games, offering innovative gaming solutions to casinos worldwide. The Company specializes in the development and deployment of dealerless multiplayer electronic poker ETGs, providing operators with efficient, cost-effective, and revenue-generating alternatives to traditional live-dealer table games. Jackpot Digital is committed to enhancing the player experience and helping operators optimize their gaming offerings. About Treasure Island Resort & Casino Located along the Mississippi River, Treasure Island Resort & Casino boasts fine and casual dining options, a full-service salon and spa, a family friendly water park, bowling alley, an event center and live entertainment venues including an outdoor amphitheater. Treasure Island's 788-room hotel is the second largest in Minnesota. Treasure Island's action-packed gaming floor features thousands of slots, rows upon rows of table games and a bingo hall. Seasonal amenities include a marina, 100-passenger cruise yacht, an RV park and golf course. For more information on the Company, please contact Jake H. Kalpakian, President and CEO, at (604) 681- 0204 ext. 6105, or visit the Company's website at On behalf of the Board of Jackpot Digital Inc. 'Jake H. Kalpakian' _____________________________ Jake H. Kalpakian President & CEO Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain statements contained herein are 'forward-looking'. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding Jackpot's future plans, the obtaining of To view the source version of this press release, please visit
