Latest news with #VinceWilfork
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With June marking the halfway mark of 2025, that means it's list season for a lot of NFL publications. And with 2025 marking the quarter mark of the 21st Century, we get some exclusive lists. On Wednesday morning, ESPN released its NFL All-Quarter Century Team. Advertisement The article named a full 53-man roster and coaching staff comprised of what the publication thought were the best NFL players since 2000. The Houston Texans ended up having five representatives on the team, with four players and one coach making the final cut. Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was among five representatives from the Texans named to ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team on Wednesday.© Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-2020) was the most notable representative from Houston to make the list. The 5x All-Pro and Texans Ring of Honor member was listed as the team's "versatile defensive lineman". "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," ESPN writer Aaron Schatz said of Watt's selection. "He is one of only three players in history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, and he has the best plus-EPA of any player since 2000 (minimum 50 games)." Along with Watt, Vince Wilfork and Ed Reed were also named to the team, at the nose tackle and safety positions respectively. Wilfork and Reed both spent a short amount of time in Houston, with Wilfork wearing the blue and red from 2015-2016 and Reed spending seven games with the Texans in 2013. Advertisement Shane Lechler was selected as the team's punter. Lechler spent five seasons in Houston from 2013-2017 following a 12-year long tenure as the Oakland Raiders punter. Lechler retired in 2017 but was still impressing until the end, leading the league in punt yardage in his age 41 season with Houston. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season," Schatz said of Lechler. "Throughout his 18-year career, he racked up more first-team All-Pro selections (six) than any other punter in NFL history (no one has had more than four). Lechler led the league in gross punt average in five seasons, and his career average in yards per punt is an NFL record for punters who have played over 120 games." The Texans didn't just have players represented on the list, as former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Wade Phillips was selected as the team's defensive coordinator. Phillips was on Gary Kubiak's staff from 2011-2013 and took over as interim head coach following Kubiak's dismissal after starting 2-10 in 2013. Advertisement Speaking on Phillips' time in Houston, Schatz said, "He took the Texans' defense -- with some help from rookie J.J. Watt, of course -- from 30th in 2010 to eighth in 2011. Then he took the Broncos to No. 1 in defensive DVOA in both 2015 and 2016, with a Super Bowl championship. Including Phillips' stops as a head coach (Bills and Cowboys), his defenses have ranked in the top half of the league in 15 of 18 seasons since 2000." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Things to do with kids during February vacation
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — February vacation is right around the corner for kids in Southern New England. There are plenty of events going on in Rhode Island and Massachusetts during the break from Feb. 15-23. Check out this list of local activities to help keep the kids in your life engaged and tire them out before bedtime: Meet a Mermaid: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 17 – 21, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island will be hosting Mermaid Kora at their tidepool exhibit. No registration is required. : From 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Feb. 19, Audubon is offering small-group walks with a naturalist. Advanced registration is required. You can register here. Newport Winter Festival: This festival runs from Feb. 14 – 23 and will feature magic shows, a puppet band, a princess party, an ice sculpting demonstration, and a mac and cheese competition where you get to vote on a winner. You can check out the full list of events and buy tickets here. Ice Bumper Cars: The Providence Rink says it is the first outdoor rink to host ice bumper cars. The normal skating rink will also be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. You can learn more and reserve tickets here. : There will be a host of events at the museum for February vacation including a petting zoo on Monday, an African music performance on Tuesday, and a touch tank on Thursday. You can learn more and buy tickets here. Roger Williams Park Zoo: Admission to the zoo is half-priced in February. You can buy tickets to the zoo here. : From 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Feb. 18, learn more about the reptiles of Rhode Island and meet some live reptiles at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge. Advanced registration is required. You can register here. Tracking for Families: From 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Feb. 19, learn about local animals and how to find them in your neighborhood at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge. Advanced registration is required. You can register here. Mask Making: From 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 22, join the Greater Fall River Art Association to make colorful masks at Fall River Heritage State Park Visitor Center. On Feb. 15, organizers will be helping children of all ages make African-culture inspired masks. On Feb. 22, make Native American-inspired masks with Pocasset Wampanoags. This event is free and all materials will be provided. : From 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Feb. 22, join Pocasset Wampanoags for storytelling and making corn husk dolls and dreamcatchers. This free event is for children of all ages. Patriots Hall of Fame: Visitors who go to the Patriots Hall of Fame during February vacation can enter to win a signed Vince Wilfork commemorative coin. Visitors can also try on the Super Bowl rings Feb. 18 and 19. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids younger than five are admitted for free. Winter Skate: Check out the newly designed skating path at Patriot Place. The rink is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. during school holidays. It costs $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12. It costs an additional $6 to rent a pair of skates. You can buy tickets here. The New Bedford Whaling Museum: During February vacation, the New Bedford Whaling Museum will feature a variety of activities including a sing-alongs and photo opportunities with a mermaid and a pirate. You can learn more or buy tickets here. Big Raptor, Little Raptor: On Feb. 17 and 21, meet a red-tailed hawk and eastern screech owl and learn more about the birds at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. Advanced registration is required. You can register here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
