Month: June 2023

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce greets fans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Underpaid Travis Kelce: ‘I love winning’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce is not getting paid like an all-world tight end, but the two Super Bowl rings more than make up for being the 52nd highest-paid player in the NFL this season.

“I love winning,” the 33-year-old told Vanity Fair in an interview published Wednesday.

But it’s not like he’s unaware of one huge metric among NFL players — the checking account.

“My managers and agents love to tell me how underpaid I am,” Kelce said.

The four-time All-Pro is set to make a base salary of $11.25 million this season. His average annual salary of $14.31 million is third among NFL tight ends.

And while former teammate Tyreek Hill left the Chiefs last year to sign a four-year, $120 million extension with the Miami Dolphins, Kelce earned a second Super Bowl ring in February.

“When I saw Tyreek go and get 30 (million) a year, in the back of my head, I was like, ‘Man, that’s two to three times what I’m making right now,’” he told Vanity Fair. “I’m like, ‘The free market looks like fun until you go somewhere, and you don’t win.’ I love winning. I love the situation I’m in.”

But with 10,344 receiving yards and 69 career TDs under his belt, in addition to leading the Chiefs in receptions (110) and yards (1,338) last season, one has to wonder.

“You see how much more money you could be making and, yeah, it hits you in the gut a little bit. It makes you think you’re being taken advantage of,” Kelce said. “I don’t know if I really pressed the gas if I would get what I’m quote-unquote worth. But I know I enjoy coming to that building every single day.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith interact at press conference at Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFLPA elects Lloyd Howell as executive director

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Lloyd Howell was elected NFLPA executive director on Wednesday, replacing DeMaurice Smith as the head of the league’s players association.

Howell spent more than 34 years at Booz Allen Hamilton, including most recently as chief financial officer. Smith was the third executive director of the NFLPA and had been in the role since 2009.

“We are excited to have Lloyd lead our union into its next chapter and succeed DeMaurice Smith, who has ably led our organization for the past decade plus and has our gratitude and thanks,” NFLPA president JC Tretter said. “It was important for us to run a process that lived up to the prestige of the position we sought to fill. The process was 100% player led and focused on leadership competency, skills and experience. Our union deserves strong leadership and a smooth transition, and we are confident Lloyd will make impactful advances on behalf of our membership.”

The Board of Player Representatives conducted the vote after what Tretter said was a “months-long search.”

“I want to congratulate Lloyd Howell on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association and to thank DeMaurice Smith for his continued partnership and unstinting work on behalf of NFL players,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We look forward to working with Lloyd and his team to continue growing the game and making it better, safer, and more accessible and attractive to fans around the world.”

Howell has an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Howell’s official start date will be established in the coming days, the NFLPA said.

“The opportunity to represent the players is a privilege,” Howell said. “I look forward to building relationships and the solidarity amongst our players. The history and strength of this institution is impressive, and I look forward to driving our bold goals and achieving them together in the future.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 24, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Gambling bans coming for multiple NFL players

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback and return specialist Isaiah Rodgers is among a “handful” of NFL players expected to receive season-long suspensions for gambling, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The Colts confirmed earlier this month that one of their players was being investigated by the league for his betting activity.

“We are aware of the NFL’s investigation, and we will have no further comment at this time,” the Colts said in a statement on June 6.

SportsHandle.com reported that a Colts player was the subject of an investigation for placing “hundreds” of bets, a “considerable” number coming from inside the team’s practice facility. The player placed some bets on his own team, according to the report.

Rodgers, 25, was a sixth-round pick by the Colts in 2020. He has appeared in 45 games (10 starts) and has recorded 90 tackles, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions. He has returned 61 kickoffs, averaging 27.0 yards per return with one touchdown.

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, then of the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games while he was away from the team. He was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last fall and reinstated by the league last March.

In April, the NFL suspended five more players for violating its gambling policy. Detroit Lions receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were handed indefinite bans for betting on NFL games. Detroit receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were given six-game suspensions for betting on non-NFL events from inside an NFL facility.

Detroit has since released Cephus, Moore and Berryhill.

–Field Level Media

Mountain Home assistant coach Ryan Mallett gives instructions during a recent practice as Bombers Dillon Drewry (left) and Daxton Hickman (right) listen at Bomber Stadium. Fans must buy tickets in advance to attend the Bombers' scrimmage on Thursday against Highland. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Dsc 6234

Former NFL, Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett dies from drowning at 35

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Ryan Mallett, who parlayed a successful two-year stint at Arkansas into a seven-year career as a backup quarterback in the NFL, drowned in Northern Florida on Tuesday. He was 35.

Mallett played in the NFL from 2011-2017 and later became a high school football coach in Arkansas. Last fall was his first season as the head coach of White Hall High School in White Hall, Ark.

The superintendent of White Hall School District confirmed the news to KNWA in Fayetteville, Ark.

Mallett was vacationing in Florida with his girlfriend. Multiple reports said Mallett was rushed to a local hospital before being pronounced dead, and other details are not yet known.

Mallett transferred to Arkansas in 2008 after spending his freshman season at Michigan. He took over the Razorbacks’ job in 2009 and racked up 7,493 yards, 62 touchdowns and a 60.3 completion percentage over the next two seasons. He was intercepted 19 times.

In 2010, he finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 3,869 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.7 completion percentage.

The New England Patriots drafted Mallett in the third round of the 2011 draft and he saw little time for them while backing up Tom Brady. He was traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2014 season and got into nine games for Houston, starting six, over parts of two seasons with the team.

Said former Texans star J.J. Watt, a former teammate of Mallett: “Horrible news to read about Ryan Mallett. Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace brother.”

In 21 career games (eight starts) for New England, Houston and the Baltimore Ravens, Mallett threw for 1,835 yards, nine TDs and 10 picks.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Fournette escapes after his moving car catches fire

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent running back Leonard Fournette escaped injury after his car caught fire — while he was driving it.

Fournette posted a video to his Instagram account showing his luxury SUV torched on the side of a highway. It’s unclear where he was or what caused the car to combust.

“Man it was one of those days today, but I would like thank God, my car caught on fire while I was driving, But I’am still blessed,” Fournette posted.

Fournette, 28, was released by Tampa Bay in March in a salary cap move after three seasons. He rushed for 668 yards in 16 games (nine starts) for the Bucs in 2022. He also caught 73 passes for 523 yards out of the backfield. He scored six total touchdowns.

He has rushed for 4,478 yards in 79 career games (61 starts) over six seasons with Jacksonville (2017-19) and Tampa. He has 2,219 career receiving yards and 41 total touchdowns (34 rushing, seven receiving).

–Field Level Media

Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith speaks during the NFLPA press conference at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFLPA enters collaboration to encourage voting

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The National Football League Players Association and voter engagement organization Black Men Vote have entered a partnership to encourage voter registration and engagement.

The initiative, announced Tuesday, will include components such as a public awareness campaign to highlight the value of voting, voter registration drives, research and funding. While it focuses on the young Black male community, the effort also will reach out to the general American public.

“Black Men Vote’s mission to empower men of color and to educate them on issues that impact our communities seamlessly aligns with what we stand for as a union as well as with the players we represent,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a news release. “Voting is one of the greatest weapons we have in our ongoing march for justice. Together, I’m excited to see what we will accomplish as we work to make sure that every voice is heard at the polls.”

The NFLPA represents more than 2,000 players and advocates for human rights, social rights and equality. Current and former players will be involved in spreading the message.

–Field Level Media

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: 49ers’ Brock Purdy to ramp up throwing program

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is moving closer to being ready for the start of the 2023 regular season.

NFL Network reported Monday that Purdy will spend two weeks in Jacksonville, Fla., under the eye of quarterbacks coach Will Hewlett and orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely, who is based in the city.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month that Purdy was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from ulnar collateral ligament surgery on his right (throwing) elbow. The procedure took place March 10.

Purdy, 23, was injured during the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Shanahan had said before the NFL draft that Purdy could miss the first four weeks of the regular season.

But when he talked to reporters on June 6, Shanahan praised the hard work Purdy had been putting in to be ready to play.

“Brock’s been great on his rehab,” Shanahan said. “He’s been as obsessed about it as you can be. That’s why he’s ahead of schedule.”

San Francisco opens the season on Sept. 10 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

The 49ers have options at the position. Trey Lance is returning from a severe right ankle injury that required multiple surgeries, and free agent Sam Darnold joining the QB room after stops with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, was thrust into action as a rookie following season-ending injuries to Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, and he was a revelation for the 49ers.

He went 5-0 as a starter to finish the regular season, leading San Francisco to the NFC West title. He completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,374 yards, with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.

In the postseason, Purdy was 2-1 with three touchdowns, no interceptions and 569 yards.

–Field Level Media