Author: Field Level Media

FLM has a North American focus while tying into regional and hyper-local resources – providing the ability to distribute compelling content through the writing of professional journalists. As the U.S. sports content provider to dozens of digital and print media publishers through strategic partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen Sports, FLM covers the nuts and bolts with a breaking news desk and game event coverage.
Unknown date; E. Lansing, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans running back Sherman Lewis (20)runs against the Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

All-American, Super Bowl-winning coach Sherman Lewis dies

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Sherman Lewis, a former Michigan State star who won four Super Bowls as an NFL assistant coach, died on Friday. He was 83.

Michigan State announced his passing Saturday night. It did not provide a cause of death, however.

An All-American halfback with the Spartans, Lewis finished third in the 1963 Heisman Trophy voting after totaling 880 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage.

Lewis played with the Toronto Argonauts (1964) in the CFL and the New York Jets (1966-67) in the AFL before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Duffy Daugherty in 1969. He remained on the Michigan State staff until 1982.

Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bill Walsh hired him to the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching staff in 1983. He won three Super Bowl rings during his nine-year run with the 49ers as running backs coach before picking up another ring during his time as the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers (1992-99).

Lewis also was an offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings (2000-01) and Detroit Lions (2003-04) as well as an offensive consultant with the Washington franchise (2009).

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized Lewis in the Awards of Excellence Class of 2023 on June 28, 2023. The Award of Excellence program honors significant contributors to the game in five categories, including assistant coaches.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Fox Sports announcer Tom Brady on the field before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Tom Brady’s latest venture: fashion model

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Tom Brady has a full career resume that includes listings as a seven-time Super Bowl winner, minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and top NFL analyst.

On Saturday, he added a non-football line: runway model.

Demna Gvasalia, the creative director of Italian fashion house Gucci, debuted his first “cruise” collection Saturday night in New York’s Times Square, with part of the area turned into a runway. The city was chosen for the unveiling because of its deep ties to Gucci; it was where the designer opened its first store outside of Italy in 1953, the New York Post reported.

Cruise collections aren’t just vacation wear anymore. Instead, the line is supposed to reflect the area in which the fashions are worn, reflecting the “plurality of styles that intersect like the streets of the city,” said Demna, who goes by one name.

Brady, 48, strutted on the runway in a fitted black leather jacket with matching pants.

Others in the fashion show included heiress Paris Hilton and supermodel Cindy Crawford, who closed the show in a black evening gown.

Celebrities in the crowd included entertainers Mariah Carey and Shawn Mendes, actress Lindsay Lohan, and F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, whose reported girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, also was there.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026.

Report: Aaron Rodgers returning to play with Steelers in 2026

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Aaron Rodgers has decided to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 and is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $25 million, ESPN reported on Saturday night.

According to ESPN, he will receive about $22 million to $23 million in base salary with incentives that would push the total to $25 million.

Rodgers is expected to be in attendance on Monday at Pittsburgh’s OTA session, according to the report.

Rodgers, 42, has been in Pittsburgh recently and there has been an assumption for most of the offseason that he would eventually choose to return to the Steelers.

The fact that Pittsburgh hired Mike McCarthy as coach was viewed as a significant factor. Rodgers was McCarthy’s quarterback when the latter coached the Green Bay Packers from 2006-18. Rodgers quarterbacked the Packers to the 2010 season Super Bowl title.

The four-time MVP will be entering his 21st NFL season. He’s a 10-time Pro Bowl selection.

Rodgers was Pittsburgh’s quarterback last season and completed 65.7% of his attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Rodgers ranks fifth in NFL history with 66,274 passing yards and fourth with 527 touchdowns passes. He has thrown just 123 interceptions and his 1.4 interception rate is the best in NFL history.

Rodgers played 18 seasons with Packers and two with the New York Jets in addition to last season with the Steelers.

The other players in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room are journeyman Mason Rudolph, second-year pro Will Howard and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar.

–Field Level Media

May 11, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel watches during offseason workouts at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chargers OC Mike McDaniel in NFL accelerator program

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Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy are two of 34 coaches and executives scheduled to participate in the NFL’s revamped accelerator program, ESPN reported on Saturday.

The NFL began holding accelerator events at its spring meetings starting in 2022 after league officials perceived that owners were passing over highly qualified individuals of color for vacant positions. They did not hold the event in 2025, however.

Among the 16 coaches slated to participate is McDaniel, who served as the Miami Dolphins head coach from 2022-25.

McDaniel achieved back-to-back playoff appearances with the Dolphins in his first two seasons. Over four seasons there, McDaniel posted a 35-33 record in the regular season and an 0-2 record in the postseason.

Bieniemy, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde and Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich are among those that have received head coaching interviews in recent years.

Eighteen executives also are scheduled to participate in the program, including Glenn Cook and Catherine Hickman (Cleveland Browns), James Liipfert (Houston Texans), Mike Bradway (Chiefs), Brandon Brown (New York Giants), Josh Williams (San Francisco 49ers), Mike Greenberg (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Lance Newmark (Washington Commanders).

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy (29) runs the ball during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy hoping to leave hospital Monday

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Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is in “good spirits” after being shot in the leg at a concert last weekend and hopes to check out of the hospital on Monday, Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz told ESPN on Saturday.

Hardy, an All-American last season, returned to Columbia, Mo., earlier this week following the incident on May 10 at an outdoor concert in Mississippi.

Drinkwitz said Hardy still is in the hospital to monitor his wounds post-surgery, but he is walking and doing physical therapy three times a day, per ESPN.

On Thursday, police arrested Rashodrick Harris in Paducah, Ky., in connection with the shooting in Laurel, Miss.

Hardy, 20, is a Mississippi native. He began his career at Louisiana-Monroe, where he was named the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year after he led the conference in rushing yards (1,351) and rushing touchdowns (13) on 237 attempts.

He transferred to Missouri, where he ranked second among FBS players with 1,649 rushing yards last season, a mark that broke the Tigers’ single-season record. He earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors, was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and a consensus All-American while scoring 16 TDs and averaging 6.4 yards on his 256 rushing attempts.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader run flags down the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

S Charles Woodson Jr. to carry on family legacy at Michigan

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Charles Woodson Jr., a three-star safety in the Class of 2027 and son of Michigan legend Charles Woodson, will carry on the family name with the Wolverines.

He shared a message announcing his commitment to Michigan on Instagram on Friday.

The younger Woodson plays at Lake Nona High School in Orlando. The 247Sports composite also lists him as the No. 49 player in talent-rich Florida and No. 82 at his position.

He had 21 offers, two-thirds of them from power-conference programs.

247Sports called Woodson an “impact player” at Lake Nona. As a junior in 2025, he made 73 tackles, broke up eight passes and intercepted two, and made one fumble recovery. On special teams, he returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Woodson Jr. has a lot to live up to at Michigan.

His father played in Ann Arbor from 1995-97 after being named Ohio’s Player of the Year as a high school senior.

The starting cornerback in 1995, he had a team-leading five interceptions and was named Big Ten Freshman of the year and first-team All-Big Ten.

As a sophomore, and at the request of head coach Lloyd Carr, he added in some plays at wide receiver but remained known as a cornerback. That season, he set the Michigan record for pass breakups (15) and gained 316 yards receiving and rushing on offense. He earned Associated Press first-team All-America honors.

In 1997, Woodson led Michigan to an undefeated regular season and its first national championship (shared with Nebraska) since the 1948 team — and the last one until Jim Harbaugh’s 2023 team won the College Football Playoff title. Woodson won the Heisman Trophy ahead of Peyton Manning of Tennessee. Until Travis Hunter, a two-way player at Colorado who won the Heisman in 2024, no defender had been honored since Woodson.

He went on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Raiders and Packers, playing 18 seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The Christmas Day patch is seen on the jersey of Minnesota Vikings running back Zavier Scott (36) during warmups before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

NFL vows not to explore streaming deals despite White House opposition

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The NFL plans to continue offering a diversified broadcast package despite political and public criticism of the league expanding streaming opportunities with Netflix and Amazon.

“We love our model,” NFL president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said Friday, discussing the NFL’s schedule release for the 2026 regular season.

The majority of regular-season games — more than 86% — are available on free, over-the-air television via traditional broadcast partners NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX.

But Netflix carved out a slightly bigger portion of the vast single-game opportunities. The streaming giant has the first NFL regular-season game in Australia — Sept. 10 between the 49ers and Rams — a Thanksgiving Eve game and another game on Christmas Day, plus exclusive rights to the NFL awards ceremony known as NFL Honors. The annual program airs Super Bowl week from the host city with MVP, Coach of the Year and other awards handed out along with the first reveal of the year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

In 2025, Netflix averaged 27.5 million viewers for the Vikings-Lions game among only U.S. customers.

FOX and the National Association of Broadcasters opposed taking games off of network television. The Justice Department reportedly is checking into any violations or failed compliance with the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. NFL vice president of communications Jeff Miller said of the opposition, “I’m not sure I really understand where that comes from.”

He said the NFL remains fully committed to broadcasting games on network television. Schroeder said there is no reason the partners should be mutually exclusive.

“We think broadcast [networks] have been an incredible home,” he said. “And, now, we also know fans are increasingly spending their time on other platforms as well. They tune into broadcast for the NFL and that’s where we want to be. But we also want to be on these platforms with a limited amount of our games where we know our NFL fans are already as well.

“When we’re going onto Netflix, we’re going onto a platform that is already massively adopted and a huge number of viewers on that platform already, including a huge number of NFL fans.”

–Field Level Media

Libertyville tight end Brock Williams visits Ohio Stadium on the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes football game against UCLA on Nov. 15, 2025.

Coveted 2027 TE Brock Williams commits to Texas

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Brock Williams, one of the top tight ends in the Class of 2027, committed to Texas on Friday.

He is listed as a four-star prospect by the 247Sports composite, ranked as the No. 4 tight end in the nation and the No. 79 recruit overall.

He had offers from 36 power-conference schools, as well as Notre Dame, and chose the Longhorns over Georgia and Ohio State.

ESPN considers him to be No. 2 at the position and No. 70 in the nation.

Williams, who is 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, plays at Libertyville (Ill.) High School.

As a junior in 2025, Williams made 44 catches for 596 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games. He also returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

Deion Sanders: Son ‘went through hell’ as Browns rookie

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Shedeur Sanders “went through hell” during the draft process and his 2025 rookie season with the Browns, according to his father.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders blamed what he said was untruthful reporting during his interview with “The Barbershop” posted on YouTube on Thursday.

“When he takes off his shirt, I see the scars on his back that he’s been through hell, but he’s made it through hell,” Deion Sanders said of his son, a quarterback. “He kept going and he matured, not like he was a child, but he matured spiritually,” he said.

The 24-year-old Shedeur, he added, came to understand, “You can’t force this. If it ain’t your time, it ain’t your time.”

Considered a first-round prospect heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders slipped to Day 3 when Cleveland finally took him in the fifth round (144th overall).

“It was some ignorant things came out about him predraft and all that, and that was a lie,” Deion Sanders said. “Like, he would never go into a meeting with headphones on. He would never go into a meeting unprepared. Like, that’s just not who he is. There’s no way he could accomplish the things he accomplished without being prepared.”

Deion Sanders said the negative reporting continued in Cleveland.

“A lot of things that was said … it bothered me, but it didn’t bother him,” he said. “He just wanted the opportunity to get on the grass and do his thing.”

Shedeur Sanders started seven games as a rookie, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards and one TD and earned a Pro Bowl invitation.

Deion Sanders said he wants to meet with new Browns coach Todd Monken to discuss his son’s development, having coached him in high school and in college.

“I want to meet him because I think it’s vital that as a coach, not the dad, I can tell him a few things about (Shedeur), how to get him going,” Deion Sanders said. “That wasn’t asked of me a year ago. I don’t understand it. Even a guy like Travis Hunter being drafted to Jacksonville and I’ve had him for the last three (years), don’t you think you would want to talk to me to ask me what gets him going and what backs him off? You would want to know that.

“So, I anticipate, and I can’t wait to have that conversation with Coach Monken.”

The Browns enter the offseason with four quarterbacks on the roster with Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Deshaun Watson and 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green out of Arkansas.

–Field Level Media

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

NFL Week 1 lines: Seahawks, Rams listed as favorites for 2026 openers

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The Seattle Seahawks opened as minor favorites for their season-opening Super Bowl LX rematch against the New England Patriots upon the release of the full schedule for the 2026 NFL season Thursday evening.

The Seahawks, who beat the Patriots 29-13 to win their second championship on Feb. 8, open the season against New England on Wednesday, Sept. 9, in Seattle as 3.5- to 4.5-point favorites.

That kicks off a hectic opening week that will see the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers face off in Melbourne, Australia, the Giants and Cowboys square off on “Sunday Night Football” and more.

Here is a full list of odds for Week 1 of the 2026 season (all money lines from DraftKings):

Wednesday, Sept. 9

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Lumen Field, Seattle
Odds: Seahawks -3.5 (DraftKings); -4.5 (FanDuel)
Money line: Seahawks -192; Patriots +160
Total: 44.5 points (DraftKings); 45.5 points (FanDuel)

Thursday, Sept. 10

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
Odds: Rams -2.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Rams -155; Seahawks +130
Total: 48.5 points (DraftKings); 49.5 (FanDuel)

Sunday, Sept. 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals
1 p.m. ET on Fox, Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
Odds: Bengals -3.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Bengals -198; Buccaneers +164
Total: 50.5 points (DraftKings); 51.5 points (FanDuel)

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
1 p.m. ET on CBS, EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville
Odds: Jaguars -7 (DraftKings); -7.5 (FanDuel)
Money line: Jaguars -285; Browns +230
Total: 39.5 points (FanDuel); 40.5 points (DraftKings)

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
1 p.m. ET on CBS, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Odds: Ravens -3.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Ravens -185; Colts +154
Total: 49.5 points (DraftKings and FanDuel)

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
1 p.m. ET on Fox, Ford Field, Detroit
Odds: Lions -7 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Lions -325; Saints +260
Total: 48.5 points (DraftKings and FanDuel)

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
1 p.m. ET on Fox, Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
Odds: Steelers -2.5 (FanDuel); -3 (DraftKings)
Money line: Steelers -175; Falcons +145
Total: 41.5 points (FanDuel); 42.5 points (DraftKings)

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
1 p.m. ET on CBS, Nissan Stadium, Nashville
Odds: Titans -2.5 (FanDuel); -3 (DraftKings)
Money line: Titans -170; Jets +142
Total: 38.5 points (FanDuel); 39.5 points (DraftKings)

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
1 p.m. ET on CBS, NRG Stadium, Houston
Odds: Bills -1.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Bills -112; Texans -108
Total: 44.5 points (FanDuel); 45.5 points (DraftKings)

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
1 p.m. ET on Fox, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
Odds: Bears -2.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Bears -135; Panthers +114
Total: 44.5 points (DraftKings); 45.5 points (FanDuel)

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Odds: Packers -1.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Packers -125; Vikings +105
Total: 44.5 points (DraftKings); 46.5 points (FanDuel)

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders
4:25 p.m. ET on Fox, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Odds: Raiders -3 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Raiders -180; Dolphins +150
Total: 40.5 points (FanDuel); 41.5 points (DraftKings)

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
4:25 p.m. ET on Fox, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Odds: Eagles -4.5 (FanDuel); -5.5 (DraftKings)
Money line: Eagles -238; Commanders +195
Total: 46.5 points (DraftKings); 47.5 points (FanDuel)

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers
4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
Odds: Chargers -9.5 (FanDuel); -11.5 (DraftKings)
Money line: Chargers -625; Cardinals +455
Total: 45.5 points (DraftKings); 46.5 points (FanDuel)

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Odds: Cowboys -2.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Cowboys -130; Giants +110
Total: 48.5 points (DraftKings and FanDuel)

Monday, Sept. 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Odds: Chiefs -2.5 (DraftKings and FanDuel)
Money line: Chiefs -155; Broncos +130
Total: 42.5 points (DraftKings); 43.5 points (FanDuel)

–Field Level Media