Latest news with #ThePivotPodcast
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'It was so crazy' – Legendary Gregg Popovich quietly offered help for Dejounte Murray's mom after her devastating tragedy
Gregg Popovich. Image via: Getty Images In the NBA, relationships between coaches and players rarely go beyond basketball. But Gregg Popovich and Dejounte Murray shared something to cheer for. During Murray's rookie year with the San Antonio Spurs, Popovich stepped in during one of the hardest times in the young guard's life. When Murray's mother was shot, Pop offered his support, but more than that, he quietly tried to move her to San Antonio using his own money. He even called her himself, without telling Murray. That moment proved Popovich wasn't just coaching him; he was showing what it means to truly care. Dejounte Murray shared Gregg Popovich's heartfelt story When Dejounte Murray entered the NBA in 2016, he was fighting for minutes on the court, but that was the least of his concerns as he was navigating the emotional chaos that followed him from his tough Seattle upbringing. That year, his mother was shot in the leg, adding another layer of emotional pain to an already challenging transition. But in an unexpected show of care, Gregg Popovich reached out to her directly, without even informing Murray at first. Dejounte Murray beat impossible odds going from the Seattle streets to NBA stardom | The Pivot 'It was so crazy—a lot of my people don't even know this,' Murray shared on The Pivot Podcast. 'Pop didn't want me to go to Seattle. When I first got drafted, I wouldn't go to Seattle. And that was a man who cared about me. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Had No Idea Why Boyfriend Wanted Her To Shower Twice Daily, Until She Met His Mom BimBamBam Read More Undo That was a man who wanted me to reach my full potential in life first—then as a basketball player.' Popovich didn't stop at emotional support; he offered a solution with his own wallet. 'He tried to move my mom to San Antonio with his own money after she got shot. My mom was shot in the leg my rookie year. He called her himself—without me knowing until after the fact. 'We want to move you here. No—not with his money, with my money.' That sounds like a dude that cares about me and loves me, right?' The moment shaped Murray's perception of Popovich forever. 'He's so real,' he said. 'He cared about me. He loved me with his actions, not just his words.' That fatherly presence stood in stark contrast to Murray's own biological father. 'I had my own father, when I got hurt, text me that somebody else was taking my spot,' Murray revealed. 'This stuff is so real.' Today, as he recovers from a torn Achilles and reflects on his journey from San Antonio to New Orleans, Murray's bond with Popovich remains the one constant in a career marked by change, loss, and growth. 'My kids need me. The youth need me,' he said. But through it all, it's clear that the life lessons Pop taught him will last much longer than any NBA season. Also Read: LaMelo Ball's latest tattoos revealed during offseason, took five artists to finish the job As for Coach Pop, he officially stepped down from his coaching duties with the team. However, he is still with the team as President of Basketball Operations for the San Antonio Spurs. Murray is now playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
‘I wish I could turn back the hands of time': Former NFL WR Henry Ruggs III apologizes to family of woman he killed in fatal DUI crash
Former NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has apologized to the family of the woman he killed in a fatal 2021 DUI crash on Tuesday. In 2023, Ruggs was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the crash that killed a 23-year-old woman, Tina Tintor, and her dog in November 2021. Let out temporarily on special release, the 26-year-old spoke at Hope for Prisoners – an event for former and current prisoners – expressing his regret for what happened almost four years ago when asked what he would say to Tintor's family. 'I wish I could turn back the hands of time,' Ruggs said, according to a video taken by Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Vincent Bonsignore. 'I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something. 'I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation, but the fact my face is always in the news, my face is always in the newspaper so they have to constantly be reminded of the situation, be reminded of me. Those memories have to continue to rise because of all the fame and notoriety that I have which I never asked for, I never liked.' Ruggs was traveling more than 150 mph – his alcohol level more than twice the legal limit – before his car rear-ended another car, killing the driver, Tintor, prosecutors have said. Ruggs pleaded guilty to one count of driving while impaired, resulting in death, and one count of vehicular manslaughter. Clark County District Judge Jennifer Schwartz sentenced Ruggs to a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 120 months. He is eligible for parole in August 2026. When Ruggs was sentenced to prison, Tintor's parents said in a prepared statement: 'We pray that we all take away the importance of looking out for one another, remembering everyone you meet is another human's loved one. And we pray that we can all move forward in caring for each other with consideration, compassion, and love.' Ruggs was a first-round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 when they selected him with the 12th overall pick out of Alabama. In his two seasons with the Raiders, he played in 20 games and had 921 receiving yards and four touchdowns. According to his former Alabama and Raiders teammate Josh Jacobs, Ruggs still holds ambitions of returning to the NFL. 'Keeping up with him and hearing him talk, it brings me spirits because he's always positive,' Jacobs said on 'The Pivot Podcast' in April. 'He's positive about everything. 'He's training. They let him train and things like that, so I'm like: 'When you come out, man, I don't know if you will get a chance.' I've been talking to some people for him. They've been saying a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance. I'm like: 'When you get that chance, man, you better not ever – don't look back, and prove to yourself and prove to everybody that one decision don't define you and who you are as a man.''
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Shaq Says: My Dream Was $8 Million Over 10 Years. But Then, The Money Started Coming In Faster—And With It, A 'Higher Purpose'
Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal never set out to be a billionaire. Early in his life, the dream was pretty modest for someone of his future stature. 'My dream was to make $8 million [over] 10 years. That's $800,000 a year,' he said on a recent episode of 'The Pivot Podcast.' Then, as it happens when you become a basketball superstar, 'the money changed.' As the checks got larger, O'Neal said, the responsibility that came with them did too. He was able to make $40 million. He then had a thought: 'You know what? You're not working no more, mama. Daddy, you ain't working no more. Brothers and sisters, I'm going to pay for all your sh*t too.' Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to That shift, he explained, was about something deeper. 'That was my higher purpose,' he said. Throughout the interview, O'Neal reflected on growing up as a self-described 'high-level juvenile delinquent.' His grandmother was the only one who didn't discipline him. He promised her that one day, he'd buy her a house. She asked for one across the street from where they lived. It was just a regular house. 'So when I got some money, I knocked on the lady's door, said 'I want to buy your house,' she gave me a price and I doubled her price, and bought my grandmother her house.' Shaq said he did the same for his parents. He bought his mom a house and a car. Then he did the same for his siblings. Still, he admitted he carries regrets. 'I never told them thank you. That's why I cry. We live, we die, everybody has to die,' he said. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Even now, O'Neal says he doesn't feel fulfilled. 'I could stop right now, but I don't want to stop. You know why I don't want to stop? For them. I read all the time and I'm looking at the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds. I want my kids to be the O'Neals.' He also explained how he stays driven. It often comes from unexpected places, like jealousy. He described one moment in the Bahamas where he was enjoying time on a rented yacht, projecting success before truly feeling he had earned it. But then, an older man arrived on a much larger yacht, surrounded by a younger wife and her friends. The sight struck him. In his words, 'He was living my life.' That moment became fuel: 'I want to get enough to where I could get a big yacht and live somewhere blue. That's my new fake motivation.' Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . Here's what Americans think you need to be considered Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Shaq Says: My Dream Was $8 Million Over 10 Years. But Then, The Money Started Coming In Faster—And With It, A 'Higher Purpose' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Here's why Malia Obama changed her name
Here's why Malia Obama changed her name Former First Daughter Malia Obama is trying to make her way in the world of film, but you might not know it right away thanks to a slight name change. Malia, the eldest daughter of former president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, is now 26 years old and has had some success directing with a 2024 short film Heart and a 2025 Nike ad featuring WNBA star A'ja Wilson. On her professional projects, the aspiring filmmaker has dropped her famous last name, instead going by Malia Ann, her first and middle name. Michelle Obama recently addressed the name change on Kate Hudson's "Sibling Revelry" podcast: "Malia, who started in film, I mean, her first project — she took off her last name, and we were like, 'They're still going to know it's you, Malia,'" the former First Lady told Hudson and co-host Oliver (Hudson's brother). "But we respected the fact that, you know, she's trying to make her way." With her films showing at festivals like Sundance, it is understandable that Malia would want first impressions of the project to be based on merit, not the connection with the name Obama. "Her first film went to Sundance and all these fancy film festivals, and she didn't use Obama as a director on the credits," the 44th president said in 2024 on "The Pivot Podcast" with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway. "I was all like, 'You do know they'll know who you are.' And she was like, 'You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.'"
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Michelle Obama breaks silence on daughter Malia dropping her famous last name: ‘Very sensitive'
Michelle Obama has finally revealed her honest reaction to her daughter Malia's decision to drop her famous last name. During a recent appearance on Kate and Oliver Hudson's Sibling Revelry podcast, the former first lady explained that she and Barack Obama 'respected' the 26-year-old's decision to change her name to Malia Ann as 'she's trying to make her way' in the film industry. In 2024, Malia made headlines for using her middle name, Ann, as her last name in the credits of her directorial debut short film, The Heart, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The name is a nod to her late grandmother, Ann Dunham. 'Malia, who started in film, I mean, her first project — she took off her last name, and we were like, 'They're still going to know it's you, Malia,'' said on Monday's episode, adding, 'But we respected the fact that, you know, she's trying to make her way.' 'I mean, it is very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world, and they don't want people to assume that they don't work hard, that they're just naturally, just handed things,' the Becoming author went on. Michelle further noted that her daughters, Malia and Sasha, 23, 'are very sensitive to that -- they want to be their own people.' 'As they're older, I think they are embracing our parenting principles. … They have a clearer understanding of why we did a lot of what we did,' she added. The former president also addressed Malia's name change during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast last year. 'Her first film went to Sundance and all these fancy film festivals, and she didn't use Obama as a director on the credits,' Barack said at the time. He explained that when he told Malia that despite changing her name, people will 'know who you are,' she told him, 'You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.'
