Latest news with #T.J
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
T.J. McConnell's dad beamed with pride in heartwarming postgame appearance
T.J. McConnell's dad beamed with pride in heartwarming postgame appearance Through six games of these NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers backup point guard T.J. McConnell has been a revelation. Despite often being the oldest and smallest player on the court, McConnell has found a way to leave his imprint on every game. If he's not scoring with a patented short midrange jumper, he's stealing inbounds passes and diving on the floor to seemingly make so many critical hustle plays. Simply put, after a Game 6 blowout win, the Pacers would not be in position for their first NBA title in franchise history without McConnell's smart, hard-nosed play. I don't think it's a stretch to say that the person most happy about McConnell's efforts is his father, T.J. McConnell Sr. We saw this as much as the senior McConnell was invited onto the NBA TV postgame show while his son was being interviewed by the panel. McConnell's dad took this as an opportunity to do things like playfully criticize his son for missing some free throws in Game 6. But most importantly, he positively glowed about how proud he is of T.J. and his daughter Megan, who is a rookie with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, for being basketball players at the highest level of the sport. "I can't be more proud to say I have a son in the NBA, and I have a daughter in the WNBA," McConnell Sr. said. "This is a dream come true." It's really hard not to smile at this sequence, watching a dad unapologetically beam with pride and joy for his children: Man, no matter what happens in Sunday night's Game 7, it's these kinds of moments you'll always remember most. I challenge you to think of anything better in sports than seeing a proud, overjoyed parent act like this. Don't worry, I'll wait.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canadiens: There's A Trophy In Nick Suzuki's Future
T.J. Oshie Will Always Be A Blues Fan Favorite, Someone Who Helped Set Wheels In Motion For A Franchise Finally Winning Stanley Cup ST. LOUIS -- The 2005 NHL Draft was important for the St. Louis Blues.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could The Canadiens Accomplish a Rare Feat Next Season?
T.J. Oshie Will Always Be A Blues Fan Favorite, Someone Who Helped Set Wheels In Motion For A Franchise Finally Winning Stanley Cup ST. LOUIS -- The 2005 NHL Draft was important for the St. Louis Blues.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin football legend absent for Steelers mandatory minicamp
Former Wisconsin football and current Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt will not attend mandatory minicamp this week due to a contract dispute. As reported by NFL Network's Ian Rappaport and Mike Garafolo, Watt continues to seek a new contract as he enters the final year of his four-year, $112 million deal. Watt and the Steelers' brass have made no progress on a long-term extension, according to reports. Advertisement The new market for edge rushers across the NFL reflects Watt's hesitancy in suiting up for the offseason minicamp. Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby inked a deal with an annual value of $35.5 million this offseason, while superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett agreed to a four-year, $160 million deal with the Cleveland Browns in March. Watt, who has proven he belongs in discussions alongside those players, will look to demand a deal of a similar magnitude. In eight seasons with the Steelers, Watt has registered 462 tackles (331 solo), 225 quarterback hits, 126 tackles for loss and 108.0 sacks. The former Badger has also forced 33 fumbles and snared seven interceptions in 121 starts at outside linebacker. During the 2024 season, Watt tallied 60 total tackles (40 solo), 27 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, a league-best six forced fumbles and four pass deflections, enough to vault him to fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Patrick Surtain II (winner), Trey Hendrickson and Garrett. Watt has earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl bids, been named to four AP First-Team All-Pro squads and led the NFL in sacks three times (2020, 2021 and 2023). Advertisement During his eight-year professional career, the Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native has morphed into one of the more consistent players at his position in NFL history. For a franchise with top-tier defensive names in its history, including the likes of Jack Lambert, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Joe Greene and Rod Woodson, Watt is as dominant as any. The Badger alumnus' contract status is one to monitor in the coming weeks. Pittsburgh opens the 2025 season with a test against the New York Jets on Sept. 7. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football great TJ Watt Steelers minicamp contract update
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
T.J. Watt has made his demand for a contract extension perfectly clear but with nothing in place, he will holdout of the Pittsburgh Steelers' mandatory minicamp this week.
T.J. Watt has made his demand for a contract extension perfectly clear but with nothing in place, he will holdout of the Pittsburgh Steelers' mandatory minicamp this week. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Few players measure in comparison to the tangible impact T.J. Watt has had one the Pittsburgh Steelers defense over the last eight seasons. Watt is a proven game-wrecker, having developed into one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. Advertisement Since his rookie extension, Watt has an extraordinary pass rushing resumé, totaling 58.5 sacks in four seasons. That included 22.5 sacks in 2021, tying the single season record set by Michael Strahan. Watt's individual abilities jump off the page but he's arguably the catalyst for the success of others patrolling the Steelers' defense, commanding so much attention that offenses have no choice but to be vulnerable elsewhere. Arguably the most important Steeler of the last decade, he and the team have hit a rift this offseason. Watt, heading into the final year of that rookie extension, seeks a new contract. The two sides have not made any progress on a deal to this point, leading to a major announcement regarding Watt's status on Tuesday morning. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the six-time All-Pro linebacker will not be in attendance for the team's mandatory minicamp this week. Advertisement His holdout will result in a series of fines for the three days of absence including $17,462 on Day 1, $34,925 on Day 2 and $52,381 on Day 3. That comes out to a total of $104,768. Rival edge rusher Myles Garrett reset the market for defensive players earlier this offseason with an extension paying out $40 million per year with the Cleveland Browns. Watt's exact asking price is not exactly clear to this point, but it has certainly climbed with that move and other corresponding actions. He will have the most expensive cap hit for the Steelers this season with an expected figure of over $30 million. Advertisement Related: Steelers Fans Get Bad News on T.J. Watt to Open Mandatory Minicamp Related: Details Emerge on Aaron Rodgers' 'Cheap' Contract With Steelers As Signing Official This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
