Home Archives for December 2024
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“1 Million to the Crotch Is Wild”: NFL Fans React as Justin Jefferson Shoves Seven-Figure Diamonds Into His Pants During Game


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Justin Jefferson is known to be a jewelry fanatic and often wears his chains to and during games. This past Sunday, though, the star receiver from LSU decided to take matters into his own hands (and crotch) when it came to protecting the jewels — literally stuffing them into his pants mid-game.

In the Vikings’ home-game matchup against the Packers, Jefferson’s chain fell to the ground. Reportedly, this iced-out bling is crafted from 14k gold and 37 VVS diamonds, valued at a whopping $1 million. But it didn’t just fall to the ground like that; it was apparently broken during the game. Shoves, hits, and tackles can do that. So, in an effort to keep those pricey diamonds safe, Jefferson stuffed them into the crotch of his pants:

The video of Jefferson putting the chain in his pants had the entire NFL world talking, as fans couldn’t fathom the idea of placing $1 million worth of jewelry somewhere like that. Let alone, amid a vicious game of football.

The standout comment, however, came from a fan who gave a whole new meaning to “family jewels.”

It was a hilarious sight that got the fans laughing during the intense NFC North battle. The video even caught the attention of Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.

Jefferson’s jewelry caught Ocho’s attention

“I like it,” Ocho said on Nightcap. Johnson himself was known as a flashy player on and off the field. He was one of the first players to ever wear a grill during a game. Jefferson also wears a diamond grill to games. But he takes it off after warm-ups and replaces it with a mouth guard.

What disturbed Ocho the most was whether the chain was actually worth a million dollars or if people were just saying that.

“Listen, did he say it was a million dollars? Or did we just put a price point on what it is? A million dollars is a bit much… But listen, Jettas got style.”

Jefferson indeed has expensive taste. During a GQ interview, he mentioned that one of the things he couldn’t live without was his diamond chains. He even has a personal chain dealer named Frost, whom he’s connected with former LSU teammates Joe Burrow, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Ja’Marr Chase.

Shannon, however, had jokes for his take on the situation, as he remarked, “I mean, it’s hard to find somebody playing a skill position that doesn’t have on jewelry. Some guys have on bracelets, some guys have on chains, obviously, you mentioned the grills. That’s where we’re headed now.”

It is indeed where the NFL is headed and kind of where it’s already at. Alvin Kamara wears a bunch of jewelry during games, and so does Aaron Jones. Jefferson is the biggest culprit, of course, but he at least makes the most of his opportunities to show off his flashiest gear.

Whether it’s out of superstition or just simple “flexing” that players do it, wearing expensive jewelry has become a commonality in today’s NFL.

The post “1 Million to the Crotch Is Wild”: NFL Fans React as Justin Jefferson Shoves Seven-Figure Diamonds Into His Pants During Game appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Fernando Alonso Claims Aston Martin ‘Succeeded’ in Achieving Some Laid Objectives Despite ‘Disappointments’


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Aston Martin went from having its best season in 2023 to seeing its race-winning hopes crash down just a year later. Fernando Alonso registered eight podiums in his first campaign with the Silverstone-based outfit and, heading into 2024, hoped to break his 11-year winless streak in F1. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Alonso didn’t finish in the top three even once this season, but it would be unfair to pin the blame on him. Aston Martin’s performance took a major hit, with the team admittedly struggling to come up with an optimal car concept.

Alonso shed light on their massive fall from grace, going from scoring 280 points in 2023 to just 94 this year. However, having achieved key objectives, the Spaniard doesn’t believe the season was a complete failure.

Firstly, Alonso highlighted how Aston Martin managed to retain P5 in the Constructors’ Championship — a “minimal requirement” according to him despite their drop in points haul. Furthermore, he revealed how they made some key signings and learned a lot about the car.

“I think we learned a lot of lessons this year towards the car of next year,” Alonso revealed on the Chequered Flag podcast. “We completed building two and three of the factory on the new campus, so great news on that side. And we hired Adrian Newey“.

Alonso was referring to the $250 million owner Lawrence Stroll spent on building a state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone with the hope that these key investments would help turn their fortunes around moving forward.

The two-time World Champion believes 2024 should not only be evaluated based on what they achieved on track but also on the promise their off-track accomplishments hold for the future. “That will make the team stronger for the future,” he added.

Alonso and Aston Martin will target championship glory in 2026

With Newey joining the team, Aston Martin has secured the most successful aerodynamicist the sport has ever seen. His partnership with Alonso is a dream pairing on paper, and with regulations set to change in 2026, there is hope that this collaboration could lead to a season where they challenge for the Championship.

If they succeed, there would be no one happier than Alonso, and he would do everything in his potential to help them achieve glory. After all, the Ovied0-born driver last won the title in 2006, and a race in 2013 when he stood on the first step of the podium in Spain.

At 43, Alonso is eager to make the twilight of his F1 career as successful as possible. His current contract runs until the end of the 2026 season, but he remains open to an extension, depending on how successful 2026 proves to be for him.

The post Fernando Alonso Claims Aston Martin ‘Succeeded’ in Achieving Some Laid Objectives Despite ‘Disappointments’ appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Eagles Veteran Reasons Why Saquon Barkley Deserves the MVP, Even if He Breaks Eric Dickerson’s Record With One Extra Game


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Saquon Barkley has been a machine this year. He has rushed for 100+ yards in 11 of 16 games, including five with 150+ yards. One of those came this past Sunday, when Barkley went for 167 yards to push himself over the coveted 2,000-yard rushing threshold for the season. Saquon still has one more game and 101 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record, and Mike Golic thinks that should seal Barkley as the NFL MVP.

While speaking on his DraftKings show, GoJo and Golic, the former Eagles defensive tackle argued against the notion that Barkley’s accomplishment would be lessened because he did it in 17 games while Dickerson did it in 16.

Golic said that if he “had a vote” for NFL MVP this season, he would definitely give it to Saquon if he was able to break a record as impressive as Dickerson’s 2,105 single-season rush yards.

“If I had a vote, and he broke the record, I would give him the MVP. He needs 101 yards to break it. People will say, ‘He had an extra game over Eric Dickerson.’ If you look at the year, Dickerson set the record, he had 379 carries. Saquon Barkley has 345 carries. If he were to break the single-season rushing record, it’d probably be with fewer attempts!”

Dickerson had an impressive 5.6 yards per carry in 1984, but Golic is right. While Barkley will have played more games, if he can maintain his 5.8 yards per carry mark, his campaign should still be viewed as more efficient than Dickerson’s.

Golic played for the Eagles during his NFL prime from 1987 to 1992, so there’s obviously a bit of bias here. However, in a perfect world, more people would think like Golic, rather than automatically creating a QB-only race for MVP. At this point, the award might as well be called the “Most Valuable QB” award. No need to pretend that record-breaking players at other positions, like Barkley, have a chance.

QBs have and will always (unfortunately) trump RBs in the MVP race

Some may think this is a new phenomenon. It’s not. Running backs used to win MVP a lot more often prior to 2010, it’s true. From 1997 to 2012, six RBs won the MVP. Since 2013, only QBs have won the award. Despite what seems like a changing of the guard, a great QB season has always trumped a great RB season. The man Barkley is chasing, Eric Dickerson, knows that better than anyone.

While Mike Golic believes Saquon Barkley should win the MVP for breaking Dickerson’s record in 17 games, Dickerson himself didn’t even win MVP in 1984 when he set the record. That year, it went to none other than Dan Marino. Let’s compare Marino in 1984 with Lamar Jackson this year and Dickerson in 1984 with Barkley this year to see if Barkley has a better case than Dickerson did 40 years ago.

In 1984, Dickerson had 379 carries for 2,105 yards and 14 rush TDs on 5.6 yards per carry. He also had 12 100-yard games and contributed 21 receptions for 139 receiving yards. His team went 10-6 and finished 2nd in the NFC West.

Barkley, meanwhile, has taken 345 carries for 2,005 yards and 13 rush TDs on 5.8 yards per carry. He has put up 11 100-yard games, but he has poured in a lot more through the air, catching 33 passes for 278 yards and two TDs. His team has locked up a 13-4 record at minimum and will win the NFC East.

In 1984, Dan Marino set new NFL records with 5,084 yards and 48 TD passes. His Dolphins went 14-2 and finished as the No. 1 seed in the NFL. This year, Lamar Jackson won’t set any NFL records, but he’s having an elite campaign. He’s likely to finish with around 900 rushing yards, over 4,000 passing yards, around 45 total TDs against just four INTs, and an insane 121.6 passer rating. However, his team is only 11-5 and likely to be the 3rd seed in the AFC.

Based on these numbers, it certainly seems like Saquon Barkley is making a stronger case for MVP than Dickerson—and that he’s going against a less impressive QB season.

There’s no guarantee the RB will play in Week 18, as the Eagles are pretty much locked into the No. 2 seed, but if he blows by that record, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be the MVP considering the competition. If he doesn’t, we’ll know for sure that the MVP has been taken over as an unofficial QB trophy.

The post Eagles Veteran Reasons Why Saquon Barkley Deserves the MVP, Even if He Breaks Eric Dickerson’s Record With One Extra Game appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Lewis Hamilton Claims ‘Keeping Up’ With Fashion World Is Really Tough With His F1 Job


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Among quite a few many things, Lewis Hamilton is well-known for his bold and eye-catching fashion choices. Over the years, the seven-time world champion has transformed the F1 paddock with his unique ensemble, showcasing outfits from some of the biggest names in fashion.

While Hamilton’s outfits might look effortless, the Briton recently admitted that staying ahead in the fashion world while managing his demanding F1 career is no easy task. In a recent conversation with Harper’s Bazaar Brasil, Hamilton shed light on the challenge by saying,

“Keeping your ear on the ground and staying in touch with what’s happening in the fashion world when you’re racing and you have this job, it’s really tough. It’s a real, real challenge…”

He explained that the fast-paced fashion industry requires constant attention to new trends, collections, and designs. For Hamilton, it’s about more than just looking good — it’s about staying relevant and informed in a world that never slows down.

The 39-year-old admitted to regularly keeping an eye on runway shows, studying new collections, and examining the use of materials and textiles. “[You need] to keep your ear on the ground, seeing all the shows, all the different collections that come out constantly,” he said.

“It’s double the work obviously because I really like to keep an eye out for all the different shapes of outfits, the textiles, and the materials people are using.” However, this hard work pays off, with Hamilton’s unique looks earning him recognition not just in F1 but also in the global fashion community.

Hamilton to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala

Recently, the Met Gala announced that Hamilton would serve as a co-chair for its 2025 event. As one of the most prestigious nights in fashion, the Met Gala brings together icons from various industries.

Hamilton, a regular attendee since 2015, has used his platform to blend the worlds of sports and high-end fashion. Next year’s event, focusing on the theme of black dandyism, is expected to showcase bold and creative interpretations of style.

With Hamilton serving as the co-chair of the event, he is likely to invite and uplift numerous black designers as he did previously in 2021 when he spoke about the importance of making a positive impact with such events.

The post Lewis Hamilton Claims ‘Keeping Up’ With Fashion World Is Really Tough With His F1 Job appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Eric Bieniemy’s Next NFL Stint Would Possibly Be With Andy Reid’s Chiefs: Chad Johnson Explains


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After spending a season with UCLA as their OC, former NFL coach Eric Bieniemy has announced his exit from college football in a bid to return to the NFL. Considering his last stint with the Washington Commanders was a failure, it’s unlikely he will get a lot of suitors as he once did. But if Chad Johnson is to be believed, Eric is most likely to rejoin the Chiefs as their OC next year, replacing Matt Nagy.

“Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned… After interviewing for head coaching jobs last year, he wanted to stay active and busy. So, he decided to go help out Deshaun Foster, who is like his little brother, at UCLA as opposed to sitting out a year. The plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025,” said Eric’s agent.

In the latest episode of Nightcap, Ocho made it clear that Bieniemy isn’t being blackballed by the NFL. Instead, he expects Bieniemy to return to Kansas City to pick up where he left off in 2022.

Ocho reminded everyone that from 2018 to 2022, Bieniemy played a major role in shaping Patrick Mahomes into the quarterback he is today. The Chiefs may need those services again, as rumors are circulating that current Chiefs OC Matt Nagy could become a head coaching candidate this summer.

“I don’t think any NFL teams want to bring on Bieniemy right now. If there’s a team that’s going to bring him on, it would be the Kansas City Chiefs. Next year, Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy and I’m sure Patrick Mahomes also gets well if that’s the case [of a reunion].”

Chad continued to share his gut feeling that Bieniemy would return to the Chiefs, asserting that in the coaching world, friends often go out of their way to help coaches from their circle (coaching tree) secure work.

“I am just being honest because you know how that coaching thing is: In general, the friends always continue to make sure each other have jobs always. So if Eric Bieniemy is going to get a job again in the NFL, it would probably be with the Chiefs.”

Nevertheless, the last time Eric coached an NFL offense was with the Commanders in 2023. While Washington finished 4-11 that year, their turnaround the following year under Kliff Kingsbury, with just one key personnel change, suggests that Eric is losing his touch.

Considering he couldn’t make much of an impact at UCLA either, the Chiefs would be taking a gamble by bringing Eric back. Still, his relationship with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid is hard to overlook. To be fair, it would be great to see the band back together, especially with Reid potentially in his final few years as an NFL head coach.

The post Eric Bieniemy’s Next NFL Stint Would Possibly Be With Andy Reid’s Chiefs: Chad Johnson Explains appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Helmut Marko Expects Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Quality’ to Triumph Over Charles Leclerc in Intra-Team Rivalry


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There is little doubt around Ferrari’s potential for next season, given its resurgent form in 2024. The Italian team ended up only 14 points adrift of McLaren, who took home the Constructors’ championship. So, heading into 2025, there are high expectations that Ferrari will fight for both world championships. And if so, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are bound to develop an intra-team rivalry.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko feels that Hamilton could get the better of the Monegasque driver, owing to the ton of experience he possesses. “If he has a car capable of winning, his brilliance and world championship quality will come out again,” the 81-year-old said in an interview with Sport1.de.

Marko still feels that Leclerc could have the edge over his veteran teammate in qualifying. However, that gap needs to be considerately big so that Hamilton does not make a comeback in the race.

The 2024 season saw the #44 driver struggle a lot in qualifying, but more often than not, he mounted a charge through the field to maximize his result. If Ferrari can provide Hamilton with a race-winning car, the Briton is not a driver who would drop the ball.

After all, he is jumping ship to the Maranello outfit and leaving his beloved Mercedes team to chase more glory in F1. So, he would like to put behind the struggles he faced in the past three seasons with the Silver Arrows while focusing on fighting for his record eighth championship with the Prancing Horse.

How Hamilton showed signs of unfinished business in 2024

The seven-time world champion was rather miserable for most of the 2024 season. Mercedes’ struggles with its car concept just did not find any resolution and Hamilton was bearing the brunt of it in qualifying. George Russell dominated the 39-year-old in Grand Prix qualifying, beating him 17-5.

However, Hamilton always had the pace and determination to fight back in the race. There have been many races where the Briton had to bow out of Q1 or Q2 and still went on to finish just behind Russell or even ahead of the 26-year-old.

In Las Vegas, Hamilton had qualified only 10th despite having a car good enough for pole. While Russell was on pole, the #44 driver had to make his way through the field and did so to finish second eventually.

The season-ending Abu Dhabi GP was also a classic case in point. Hamilton suffered a Q1 elimination in his final qualifying for Mercedes, ending up P18. Starting the race from 16th — due to grid penalties — he climbed back to fourth and even overtook Russell on the final lap.

This performance by Hamilton earned a lot of plaudits and reflected that he could still pull off such miraculous results and just needs a quick car underneath. Hopefully, Ferrari can deliver on the promise with which they successfully lured him away from Mercedes.

The post Helmut Marko Expects Lewis Hamilton’s ‘Quality’ to Triumph Over Charles Leclerc in Intra-Team Rivalry appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“NFL Didn’t Take Away From the NBA”: Kendrick Perkins Defends Disparity Between Christmas Day Viewership


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The NFL is the most dominant sports league in the United States, and although its incursion into Christmas featured two forgettable games, the viewership numbers indicate that the move was a big success, both for the league and for Netflix. Christmas Day has traditionally been the NBA’s domain, but though the NFL drew great interest, it didn’t come at the expense of basketball, as Kendrick Perkins pointed out.

Perkins is never shy with his opinions, and he responded to a Twitter post from NFL reporter Ari Meirov that highlighted the difference in viewership between the NFL and NBA games.

It’s easy to see that yes, the NFL crushed the NBA on a per-game basis, but Big Perk is right that the day was still a huge success for basketball. While the NFL put out a Beyonce concert surrounded by two complete blowouts, the NBA had compelling matchups across the board featuring some of the biggest stars and markets in the league.

Part of the panic over the NBA’s decline in ratings this year has centered on the product not being exciting. Critics point to the way most early-season games lack intensity and meaning or the way most games devolve into glorified three-point shooting contests.

Those are valid concerns, but the addition of the NBA Cup has brought a playoff-like atmosphere to December basketball, and the fact that people are consuming NBA content in so many different ways offsets the fact that traditional ratings are down.

The NBA’s Christmas Day games were proof that the league is in a good place

Comparing the NBA to the NFL is like comparing apples to oranges. In today’s sports landscape, Adam Silver and company can’t hope to compete with Roger Goodell’s league, but what happened on Christmas is proof that the NBA is going to be just fine. As Kendrick Perkins said, Christmas Day viewership was the highest it’s been in five years, and it was up 84% from last year.

All five games of the NBA’s quintupleheader delivered captivating matchups. It began with the Knicks overcoming a signature Victor Wembanyama effort at MSG, then continued with a slugfest between the Sixers and the Celtics. Philly won in Boston in a game that could potentially turn their disappointing season around.

Next up was the Mavs versus the Timberwolves, and for a while, this looked to be the one snoozer of the day. Luka Doncic went out with a calf injury and the Wolves jumped out to a huge lead, but Kyrie Irving and Dallas provided a thrilling finish by nearly erasing a 28-point deficit before falling just short.

The first three games of the day were fantastic, but they were merely appetizers for the main course of LeBron James vs. Steph Curry. LeBron’s Lakers pulled it out in the final seconds on an Austin Reaves layup, overcoming Steph’s 38 points and game-tying three with under 10 seconds left. The 7.7 million people that tuned in to see it were the most to watch an NBA regular season game in five years.

The NBA needed a great set of games on Christmas to change the narrative, and LeBron, Steph, Wemby, and the rest all delivered.

The post “NFL Didn’t Take Away From the NBA”: Kendrick Perkins Defends Disparity Between Christmas Day Viewership appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“His Car Was No Longer at the Top”: Timo Glock Hails Max Verstappen’s ‘Clever’ Instinct for 4th Title Win


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The 2024 world championship was certainly the best of Max Verstappen’s four titles, given the amount of adversity he faced this season. Despite having a troubled car and a winless streak of 10 races, he held on to his points lead in the drivers’ standings till the very end. Former F1 driver Timo Glock feels that Verstappen’s performances this year earned him a place among the greats of the sport.

Per SpeedWeek.com, Glock discussed the Dutchman’s fourth title triumph with fellow German former driver Ralf Schumacher. The former Toyota driver praised Verstappen’s management of his slump in 2024 — a period where McLaren were the class of the field, way ahead of Red Bull.

In such a phase, the defending world champion did not lose his resolve and maximized his results in qualifying and the races even though he wasn’t winning any. “When you consider what happened in the middle of the season, that his car was no longer at the top in terms of performance and McLaren started to dominate, then he took the title home very cleverly,” the German added.

Glock felt very impressed with how Verstappen often used to figure out a way with his engineers to qualify at the front of the field. This naturally helped him limit the damage to his championship lead.

The German highlighted the Mexican GP as a race where Verstappen qualifying on the front row helped his cause with the championship battle against Lando Norris. Despite his controversial coming together with the Briton, the Red Bull driver ensured that he did not lose too many points in the drivers’ standings.

And, of course, Brazil was a race that Glock felt highlighted Verstappen’s “incredible talent”. While the race in Sao Paulo helped Verstappen secure the fourth title, it also underscored why everyone deems him one of the very best to race in F1.

Schumacher feels Verstappen is better than Lewis Hamilton

Glock named the Dutchman as one of the greats of F1, but he was calculated in his assessment. Schumacher, on the other hand, went a step ahead to compare Verstappen with other multiple world champions.

Naturally, one direct comparison everyone made after the 27-year-old’s title triumph in Las Vegas was with Sebastian Vettel as he matched the German driver’s tally of four consecutive titles. However, Schumacher believes Verstappen is a level above both Vettel and Hamilton.

The former Williams driver stated that the likes of Vettel and Hamilton need the right car and environment to win races and championships. Verstappen, on the other hand, has the ability to eke out strong results even in weaker cars, per Ralf.

“I have to be honest and say that I don’t count Lewis Hamilton among them. He is also an exceptional talent, but he is a bit like Sebastian Vettel. He always needs the perfect environment and the right car,” Schumacher said. Naturally, Hamilton fans weren’t happy with these comments from Schumacher and have started a debate on social media.

The post “His Car Was No Longer at the Top”: Timo Glock Hails Max Verstappen’s ‘Clever’ Instinct for 4th Title Win appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“Let Me Talk to You”: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Brother Thanasis ‘Shows Up’ at Rapper’s Show For Talking Smack


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Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother Thanasis endures more mockery than any other player in the NBA. The forward is often critiqued heavily for living off his superstar sibling. Most, including rapper Cam’Ron, believe he wouldn’t have spent five seasons in the league with the Bucks if not for his brother. As easy as it is to poke fun and ridicule him, not many would have the courage to do it when they come face-to-face.

Thanasis proved this when he confronted Cam’Ron, even if it was clearly a funny skit, on the set of the Come and Talk 2 Me podcast. Ironically, when the forward tried to do exactly what the show’s name says, the rapper ran away and maintained a safe distance, despite the former Bucks star insisting he wouldn’t hurt him physically. He chased the host around, saying,

“You talking s**t? I’m here now… Let me talk to you… Hold on. Let me talk to you!”

Cam’Ron stayed out of Thanasis’ clutches and pleaded his innocence, claiming he only says mean things about the forward to entertain his audience and didn’t mean anything he said about him. The former Bucks star would only chuckle at the rapper being scared of him and running away.

However, nothing came of their confrontation because it was clearly a joke the duo planned and they went on to buried the hatchet. The duo then recorded an episode of the podcast together while watching the Bucks win over the Hawks in the semifinal of the NBA Cup.

Cam’Ron revealed that during the game, Thanasis mocked Nuggets star and Giannis’ perpetual rival in the MVP race, Nikola Jokic, after the Greek Freak’s emphatic block on Clint Capela’s dunk attempt.

After the incredible rejection, reminiscent of his block on De’Andre Ayton in Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals, Thanasis looked at the rapper and said,

“Tell the Joker to do that.”

Cam’Ron could only laugh at the forward’s hilarious jibe. The rapper learned a valuable and important lesson on the day he recorded the podcast episode with Thanasis. Being a troll and mocking athletes is easy. However, saying it to their faces takes courage that not many possess.

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“The Legacy Will Live On”: Toto Wolff’s Final Tribute to Lewis Hamilton in End-Of-Year Message to Fans


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With Lewis Hamilton bidding farewell to Mercedes, team principal Toto Wolff has experienced an emotional couple of weeks. The Austrian even paid a heartfelt tribute to the seven-time champion while wishing all Mercedes fans a ‘Happy Holidays’.

After thanking his fans for all their support, Wolff spent some time reflecting on the 2024 season. “We’ve enjoyed some incredible moments this season — victories in Austria and Belgium; winning on the strip in Las Vegas and finishing first and second,” he said. “And who can forget Lewis’ ninth British Grand Prix triumph at Silverstone“?

“Despite not delivering a final title together, ‘the legacy will live on,” were Wolff’s final words, paying tribute to a driver who was nothing short of phenomenal. Between 2014 and 2020, Hamilton achieved six world titles, 73 wins, and over 100 podiums—truly a golden era not just for him but also for the team.

What was truly astonishing during this period of domination was that all other drivers combined managed just 65 victories. Moreover, excluding Mercedes drivers, no individual driver won more than 14 races, highlighting the unparalleled dominance of Hamilton and the Silver Arrows during this era.

Mercedes will now transition into a new era

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and so it is for Mercedes—a team that rewrote the history books by claiming eight constructors’ titles with Hamilton at the helm. Stepping in to fill the immense void left by Hamilton is 18-year-old Italian prodigy, Kimi Antonelli, while George Russell takes on the mantle of team leader.

After giving a fitting tribute to Hamilton, Wolff is also excited about what the future holds for Mercedes. “Next year marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our team story,” he added. “With George and Kimi, we are excited for what is ahead as two of our junior program graduates form the youngest driver line-up on the grid“.

With Russell just 26 as well and already a three-time Grand Prix winner, Mercedes does seem to have invested well for the future. Whether or not this driver line-up turns out to be a success, only time will tell.

Wolff already seems to have a backup plan in place. As he told Hamilton over the radio during his cool-down lap in Abu Dhabi, ‘If we cannot win, we truly hope you do,’ he echoed the same sentiment in his final farewell video to the Briton.

Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari next season, will aim to secure his record-breaking eighth championship. Judging by Wolff’s words, Mercedes would be just as happy to see the 39-year-old succeed, fully aware of the incredible legacy they built together.

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Mike Tannenbaum Says Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers Are a “Legit Super Bowl Contender,” but Fans Disagree


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The Green Bay Packers have officially punched their ticket to the playoffs and Mike Tannenbaum claims Jordan Love’s team is a threat to other juggernauts in the postseason. The former NFL general manager even professed the Packers as legit Super Bowl contenders, leading fans to disagree with the sentiment. But why?

During an episode of Get Up on ESPN, Tannenbaum outlined how well the Packers’ defense has been playing this year, asserting that it will help them even more to compete in the playoffs. “To, me, the complementary piece of this defense makes them a legit Super Bowl contender,” he said.

Usually, Green Bay and their head coach, Matt LaFleur, rely on the offense to outscore their opponents. But this season, their secondary has indeed been winning them games. They’re the only team in the NFL this season to shut out an opponent, having held the Saints scoreless on Monday Night Football.

The enticing numbers the Packers’ defense has been putting up this season — “they’re seventh in defensive efficiency, but they’re first on third down opponent conversions” — are enough to make them a strong contender, Tannenbaum added.

The former Jets GM went on to explain that this is all because they have the ability to rush the passer — and Rashan Gary has been a big part of that. He currently has 6.5 sacks on the year, a forced fumble, and 41 combined tackles.

 

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It’s a good argument that Tannenbaum makes, and one that has become more popular in recent weeks among pundits. But the fans of the NFL disagree, saying it’s the Detroit Lions that teams should still be concerned about. Some don’t even think the Packers will make it out of the first round.

Others called the crew out for pandering to a team with a large market.

Regardless of the fan takes, it’s a decent argument that Tannenbaum makes. The Packers could have a chance to make a Super Bowl run because of the possible path they’ll have.

As of now, Green Bay and Jordan Love are slated to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. While the Rams may have a home-field advantage, many would argue the Packers are the better team. With two more wins, they have already shown an ability to walk into an opponent’s house in the playoffs and blow the doors off of them.

Tannenbaum served as executive vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins from 2015-2018. He was also the assistant GM and later the GM of the New York Jets from 2001-2012. If there’s an analyst who knows what he’s talking about, it’s Tannenbaum.

Last season, the 9-8 Packers went into AT&T Stadium to face a 12-5 Dallas Cowboys squad. And they spanked the Dak Prescott-led team 48-32. They also almost beat the 49ers in the divisional round, but two late Love interceptions put a fork in their season.

This time around, the Packers have a better defense and more weapons on offense. The numbers rank them as a top-10 team on both sides of the ball. And with the weather getting colder, it’s not crazy to think things could align for the team all the way.

The post Mike Tannenbaum Says Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers Are a “Legit Super Bowl Contender,” but Fans Disagree appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“Make it Hard On Me”: Chris Paul Spills the Reasons On Sacrificing Time With Family For the Sake of His Children


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The life of an NBA player isn’t all glitz-and-glamor as fans like to believe. The lack of stability follows nearly every player aside from the superstars in the league. As a result, veteran point guard Chris Paul has lived apart from his family for the past six seasons. Despite having more than enough money to relocate his wife and children, he revealed the reasoning behind sacrificing family time.

Paul made a guest appearance on Kings star, DeMar DeRozan’s YouTube series Dinners With DeMar. The show focuses on conversations surrounding mental health. The Spurs point guard has battled numerous mental obstacles in his career, specifically involving his family. Although the distance away from them has taken a toll on Paul, it’s in his children’s best interest. He said,

“People will hear this and be like, ‘Why the hell they don’t take their family with them?’ I told you, little Chris when he was at Sierra Canyon, he was graduating I think it was from fifth or sixth grade. He stood up and he said, ‘I’m the kid that’s been to five schools in the last five years.’ So that’s when I made the decision, you know they say you got to choose your hard. Well, I’m going to make it hard on me so it doesn’t have to be hard on my kids.”

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, the Houston Rockets traded Paul to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that moment, Paul and his wife, Jada, came to the difficult decision for his family to move back to Los Angeles. The 12-time All-Star’s children grew up in LA during his tenure with the Clippers.

Paul aspired to give his children some form of normality considering their situation. However, one moment in particular stood out as the deciding factor for Paul to make the decision.

The pivotal moment for Chris Paul to decide for his family

Paul revealed that during his son’s fifth or sixth-grade graduation, he knew he had to make a change. Chris Jr. shared words in front of his fellow graduates at Sierra Canyon, which deeply resonated with his father.

“I’m the kid that’s been to five schools in the last five years,” Chris Jr. said. Although Paul’s son never complained about the constant change in locations, it took a toll on him. Paul made the executive decision to take the burden of the pain rather than have his children go through it.

CP3 is still on the West Coast near his children, but there is a two-hour time difference between LA and San Antonio. However, the 39-year-old has hinted that he doesn’t have many years left in the tank. He’s the second-oldest player in the league and has played for 20 seasons. All things considered, Paul may hang his boots up soon, and spend time with his family again.

The post “Make it Hard On Me”: Chris Paul Spills the Reasons On Sacrificing Time With Family For the Sake of His Children appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“Ain’t Gonna Let Cam Ward Get Away”: Travis Hunter Doubles Down on the Miami QB Challenging Him to a Game of 1-on-1 Basketball


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Simply put, Travis Hunter is a freak athlete. Not only is he good at football but he is also exceptional on the basketball court. And now, Cam Ward has challenged the Buffs star to a game of 1-on-1.

The two projected top-five NFL Draft picks have discussed a pick-up game, and according to Hunter, he’s not about to let Ward walk away with an easy win.

“Cam Ward, we [are] going to have this basketball 1-on-1. I ain’t going to let him get away,” Hunter said on the latest episode of The Travis Hunter Show, with a big grin on his face.

It was a fun response that got the masses wondering what a matchup between the two would look like. Well, both players are about the same height: Hunter stands at 6 feet 1 inch, while Ward is just a bit taller at 6 feet 2 inches.

But Ward would have a considerable mismatch on Hunter down low. Coming in at 223 pounds compared to Hunter’s 185, Ward would most likely have the time of his life “bullying” his counterpart in the paint. Still, Hunter likes his chances.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Hunter said in response to who he thinks would win.

Hunter’s basketball skills

Hunter was actually seen dunking and hooping in a viral video recently. The two-way star was hitting no-look three-pointers from half-court like he was Steph Curry. He followed that up by putting on a dunk show for the fans. And we’re talking a legit dunk show; between the legs and even off the bounce. Hunter was flying through the air.

While some fans were terrified of Hunter getting injured, many saw it and marveled at his athletic ability. It’s not every day you see a football player dunking like he should be in the NBA.

The video also served as a statement to his future opponent, Ward. Almost like Hunter was showing off how he’d beat the quarterback in a game if they were going to play each other.

Hunter’s athletic prowess is really unfair when you think about it. He could probably do anything he sets his mind to, honestly. When he was told he couldn’t play both sides of the ball at a high level, he did and won the Heisman trophy for it. It’s all very reminiscent of another two-way player from the ’80s and ’90s who he’s very close to.

Deion Sanders was a multi-sport athlete in his prime. He played in the NFL and MLB, and he did it at an All-Pro caliber. Hunter could probably become a highly touted NBA prospect if he wanted to, but he has shown that he has his sights set on the NFL.

Some athletes are just programmed differently. Most of them, as they get older, focus on one sport and one position, in order to boost their chances of making it in said league. But Hunter and Sanders are different. Whatever they want to do, they seemingly can. No bounds could hold Sanders back, and none will probably hold Hunter back as well.

The post “Ain’t Gonna Let Cam Ward Get Away”: Travis Hunter Doubles Down on the Miami QB Challenging Him to a Game of 1-on-1 Basketball appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Chiefs Rookie Xavier Worthy Shows Love for QB Patrick Mahomes With His Special Pregame Outfit Before Texans Matchup


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Xavier Worthy has been a crucial weapon for Patrick Mahomes this season and, most importantly, a good teammate. The rookie wide receiver never misses a chance to show support for his quarterback. Following an ankle injury to the star QB in last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns, Worthy was spotted repping Mahomes’ college jersey on his way to the stadium — which is wild, considering he just graduated from the University of Texas.

Worthy was spotted rocking the Texas Tech second home option jersey that comes in grey. It’s a slick-looking design that the Red Raiders introduced this past year as a tribute to their most famous and successful alumnus — Patrick Mahomes. They’re literally called the “Mahomes Strategy” uniform, and retail on the Red Raiders’ website for $139.99.

 

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Nevertheless, the post from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Instagram account that featured Worthy’s game-day fit sparked polarizing reactions in the comment section. With some fans complimenting the look, and others joking about Worthy’s alma matter.

One netizen even joked that Worthy wore the jersey in an effort to get more passes from his QB.

While it’s fun to imagine Worthy losing a bet to Mahomes, it’s hard to pinpoint what it could have been over. The two college teams never matched up against each other this season, and the Longhorns are in the college football playoff, while the Red Raiders are not. It could simply be that Worthy is showing support for his quarterback after he suffered an ankle sprain last weekend.

Mahomes suffered the sprain in the fourth quarter of a game that the Chiefs already had wrapped up 21-7. He tried to jump and complete a pass over the middle and ended up getting both ankles rolled up on. He had both ankles spatted as a result. After the game, it was revealed he suffered a mild-high ankle sprain to his right foot.

The tradition of wearing a jersey or themed shirt of an injured player has been a recent trend in the NFL and around sports. Coincidentally, the Chiefs did it themselves earlier this season when Isiah Pacheco fractured his leg. The Houston Texans also did it to support Stefon Diggs following his ACL tear in Week 8.

It’s a good way to show a tribute to the affected player. So, while it’s exciting to envision Worthy losing a bet to his QB, it’s more than likely he was just showing his support.

The Chiefs get ready to face the Texans on a Saturday matchup that should be a fun-filled football day. Not only are there two NFL games, but there are also three college football playoff matchups. So, find a seat with the family, make some food, and get ready to watch a ton of football everyone.

The post Chiefs Rookie Xavier Worthy Shows Love for QB Patrick Mahomes With His Special Pregame Outfit Before Texans Matchup appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“Stephen Curry Has Had Some Issues With Both Knees”: NBA Analyst Concerned Warriors Star Has Underlying Injuries


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The Warriors currently hold a 14-12 record and are 2-8 in their last 10 games. To make matters worse, their franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry hasn’t looked like himself. In their 51-point blowout loss to the Grizzlies, Curry managed only 2 points. However, there’s speculation that there is a reason for his historically bad performance. NBA analyst Monte Poole brings to light a potential set of knee injuries that the four-time champion is possibly dealing with.

Poole made a guest appearance on the Willard and Dibs radio show on 95.7 The Game. He went on to reveal insight into underlying knee injuries that Curry is dealing with. He said,

“Steph has had some issues with both knees…He doesn’t even acknowledge his injuries. I have no doubt he’s playing through something… The eye test is telling me this isn’t the Steph who’s fully healthy.”

Poole’s comments come fresh off the heels of arguably Curry’s worst game of his career. In the Warriors’ blowout loss to the Grizzlies, Curry managed a meager two points. Additionally, he only attempted seven shots on the night. That is the lowest amount of shot attempts so far this season. However, Poole contends the reason for the lackluster performance is due to Curry’s lingering knee injuries.

Curry suffered bilateral patellofemoral pain against the Nets on November 25, 2024, which Poole is referring to. As a result, the 10-time All-Star didn’t play the following game against the Thunder. Although the team hasn’t announced that there is a problem, Poole suggests the eye test reveals otherwise.

Stephen Curry’s injury history this season

The Warriors star isn’t a stranger to injuries throughout his career. Unlike past seasons, he hasn’t suffered season-altering injuries but has missed time due to nagging injuries. As mentioned earlier, Curry has missed time due to a knee injury this season.

Furthermore, Curry has vocalized the discomfort he’s experiencing while playing through the knee pain. Following the Warriors 113-105 loss to the Suns on November 30, Curry spoke up about his nagging knee injuries.

“[It] has the potential [to be] like a nagging type thing if you don’t take care of it,” Curry said. “I’m not worried about it, not concerned about it at all. It’s just the deeper you get into your career, the more things pop up and you just got to figure it out.”

The Warriors have a 0% chance to compete for a championship if Curry isn’t healthy. Ensuring his health should be a top priority, but as the team continues to slide, their dependency on the 10-time All-NBA member is growing with each loss.

The post “Stephen Curry Has Had Some Issues With Both Knees”: NBA Analyst Concerned Warriors Star Has Underlying Injuries appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“I Grew Up in the Industry”: Christian Horner on What Separates Him From Toto Wolff


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Amid driver rivalries, the duo of Christian Horner and Toto Wolff definitely steal the spotlight when it comes to their own little battle while leading two of the most successful teams in F1. Recently, they dusted off their old boxing gloves once again when Max Verstappen and George Russell squared off after the 2024 Qatar GP.

In the aftermath of their drivers’ comments, Wolff ended up calling Horner a “little terrier”, and on TalkSPORT’s latest podcast, the Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO shot back. Speaking about Wolff, the Briton was quick to comment on the Austrian’s differing mentality.

“We’re very different people. I grew up within the industry, you know, I’m an ex-racer now turned [team] manager and CEO. Toto came from the financial sector so, he perhaps has a different outlook to me. [We] just go about things in different ways,” explained the 51-year-old.

Horner’s definition of Wolff might just be a tad inaccurate, however. As it turns out, Wolff was an ex-racing driver himself. But a short-lived career out on the track inspired him to get to know the business of racing so well that he’d end up running F1’s most successful dynasty.

How did Wolff get into Formula 1?

With the advent of the turbo-hybrid era of F1, Wolff has gone on to win eight consecutive Constructors’ titles with Mercedes from 2014 to 2021. Moreover, his partnership with Lewis Hamilton has seen the Brackley-based team become home to statistically the greatest F1 driver in the history of the sport.

And while Wolff does indeed come from a financial background, it would be amiss to state that he doesn’t understand motor racing. As Wolff went into the business side of things, he reinvested his money into the sport. A chance came with Daimler back in the day and he was dropped into the Mercedes F1 project’s hot seat.

This fact isn’t lost on Horner, however, who has seemingly shot back at the Austrian after the Verstappen-Russell bust-up. But rivalries like these on the pit wall are what make this sport so entertaining for everyone involved.

The post “I Grew Up in the Industry”: Christian Horner on What Separates Him From Toto Wolff appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“He Got a Little Bit Lucky”: Guenther Steiner on Why Max Verstappen’s 2024 Campaign Ranks Above 2021


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Max Verstappen was in for a roller coaster ride in 2024 as he had to face immense competition to win his fourth consecutive world title. It was a tumultuous season with Red Bull’s form deteriorating due to a problematic car concept that frustrated the Dutchman. Still, he managed to overcome those struggles to clinch another championship in a convincing fashion.

Many, including Verstappen, feel that the 2024 title triumph was the best of his four titles. Even Guenther Steiner agrees. “I think this is the best one. I think this one for him ranks first,” Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast.

The hosts then chimed in to ask if 2024 was better than Verstappen’s maiden championship in 2021. On this, Steiner said,

“Yeah, 2021 in the end, he got a little bit lucky, to say the least. But this one, he had to fight for it, he was strategic. He had a lot of things going against him. For me, this one was his best one”.

The former Haas boss was referring to the Safety Car chaos that unfolded in the dying embers of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Verstappen was way behind Lewis Hamilton before Nicholas Latifi crashed on lap 54, which set in motion a chain of events that caused a lot of controversy but also helped the Dutchman secure his maiden championship.

Cut to 2024, Verstappen was once again facing fierce competition for race wins just like he faced from Hamilton in 2021. This time, it was multifold with several other drivers being in winning contention, complicating the Red Bull driver’s title defense.

Nevertheless, Verstappen eked out the last ounce of performance from his car to secure the title. But in 2025, that may not be the case.

2025 could be Verstappen’s toughest test

Several other teams besides Red Bull took a step forward in performance in 2024. McLaren and Ferrari were the two prominent constructors that overtook the Austrian outfit in the pecking order to finish first and second in the championship. Naturally, they would be on the front foot heading into the 2025 season as the best two teams.

Moreover, with the ailing troubles of the RB20 concept, there is no guarantee that Red Bull will be able to provide race-winning machinery to Verstappen for the last season of the ground-effect era. Even if they can resolve their issues and get back in the fight as the 2025 season progresses, the defending world champion could mostly be on the back foot at the start.

And it was evident how Verstappen’s early season dominance in 2024 helped him secure the championship. The points advantage cushion he created in the initial 10 races of the season did not take much damage till the end of the season.

In 2025, other drivers like Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, or Oscar Piastri could be in his position. So, Verstappen could have a steep climb to secure a fifth consecutive drivers’ title — a feat only Michael Schumacher has been able to achieve.

The post “He Got a Little Bit Lucky”: Guenther Steiner on Why Max Verstappen’s 2024 Campaign Ranks Above 2021 appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Lewis Hamilton Contemplates Opening a Museum of His Cars and Racing Gear to Inspire Next Generation


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As Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes bid farewell to each other, the seven-time F1 champion took one final walk down memory lane. He recently visited Mercedes’ warehouse along with team principal Toto Wolff and the two had a moment of nostalgia after looking at all the team’s past cars, the engines, and also some iconic helmet collections.

Looking at several of Hamilton’s helmets in the warehouse, Wolff suggested the 39-year-old should open a museum. Hamilton, seemingly happy with Wolff’s suggestion, explained how it would be cool for him to show some of his cars and racing gears to aspiring racers to motivate them as to what is possible if one puts in the hard work.

“I could do a little museum,” Hamilton replied to Wolff before adding what would be its purpose. “Just for young people, I think for kids to go by and see what’s possible from where it starts. From the small radio-controlled car to this (pointing at all the cars in Mercedes’ warehouse),” the Briton explained.

Among all the collections that Mercedes had in their warehouse, Hamilton’s helmets were perhaps the most striking. All of the Briton’s exquisite customized lids were available in the warehouse, prompting the 39-year-old to praise Wolff for making immense efforts to store all of them.

The video then ends with Wolff giving Hamilton an emotional departing message — “It’s the end of a phase in our lives which was racing together. From 2013 until now, what good times we had and how much we fought”.

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Throwback: When Toto Wolff Vetoed Niki Lauda’s ‘Handshake’ Deal to Help Red Bull


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Red Bull and Mercedes are sworn rivals in F1 today but there was a time when the two were close to joining hands, thanks to Niki Lauda. For Toto Wolff, however, this was a big no and he straight-up put an end to all talks.

Between 2010 and 2013, Red Bull dominated F1, winning four Consecutive Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, led by Sebastian Vettel‘s brilliance. They had achieved this success thanks to the powerful Renault power units, but by the time the 2014 season had started, it started faltering.

Reliability issues and performance became a problem, and the once strong relationship between Renault and Red Bull took a hit. The Milton-Keynes-based outfit finished 296 points behind winners Mercedes that year, which prompted them to approach the Silver Arrows for their power units, which were the strongest on the grid.

Lauda, a three-time World Champion and one of the key figures behind Mercedes’ success, had no concerns with such a deal. The Race reported that there was a ‘handshake agreement’ between Lauda and Red Bull, but Wolff vetoed it.

“We are united with a flat no. But we had some discussions over the summer,” the Austrian Team Principal had said. Since Wolff is a 33% owner of Mercedes’ F1 team, his decision was final.

Red Bull’s troubles with finding an engine supplier

For Red Bull, Mercedes’ rejection turned out to be a problem. That’s because they had already told Renault that they wouldn’t continue with them after 2014.

It left the Austrian team scrambling for new partners, and they approached both Ferrari and Honda for the same. Ferrari had no problems with supplying engines to Red Bull, but only ones with a ‘year-old specification’, which Red Bull, of course, rejected.

The problem with Honda lay in the fact that McLaren had an exclusive deal signed with the Japanese manufacturers, and the Woking-based outfit was not planning on letting them team up with Red Bull. Ultimately, Red Bull returned to Renault, humbled, and signed a costly deal to continue with the French manufacturer.

In fact, Red Bull relied on sponsors such as Tag Heuer to cover the cost of the engines supplied by Renault. They remained with Renault until the end of the 2018 season, after which Honda partnered with Red Bull.

The post Throwback: When Toto Wolff Vetoed Niki Lauda’s ‘Handshake’ Deal to Help Red Bull appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“Lamar Jackson Is Only 1–4 Against the Steelers”: Jon Gruden Delivers Some Positive News to Russell Wilson Ahead of AFC-North Showdown


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The hype around the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers matchup this weekend is growing, and Jon Gruden is bought in as well. The former Super Bowl-winning head coach decided to make the matchup one of his previews of the week on his YouTube channel. During the video, he pointed out the struggles that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have had against the Steel City in recent years.

“Lamar Jackson is only 1-4 in his career against these Steelers,” Gruden said as he pointed to his whiteboard filled with scribbles and pointers. “It’s the one team that seems to have solved the great Lamar Jackson.”

The former Raiders head coach supported his claims with evidence too. In his career against the Steelers, Jackson has five touchdowns but eight interceptions. And he’s been held to a 66.7 quarterback rating, which is 10 points lower than his season average. This is great news for Russell Wilson and the Steelers.

When a quarterback knows that the defense behind him is going to get stops, it allows them to feel free to make risky throws and take chances in hopes of a big play. And oftentimes, they do succeed.

Gruden also pointed out that Ravens star running back, Derrick Henry, has equally struggled against the Steelers in his career. Going back to his Tennessee Titans days, Henry is currently 0-4 all-time against Pittsburgh. He only rushed for 65 yards and coughed up the ball in the Week 11 game. Henry is going to need to be a presence if the Ravens are going to come out victorious on Sunday.

Head-to-head, this is only the fourth time the quarterbacks have ever matched up. So far, Jackson has gotten the better of Russ with a 2-1 record. But that was when Wilson was with the Broncos and Seahawks. In the latest matchup, Wilson and the Steelers were able to grind out a victory behind six field goals from Chris Boswell.

Gruden’s Prediction

Regardless of the previous matchup, Gruden still liked the Ravens’ chances, especially with last year’s MVP behind center.

“I still think it’s going to be a relatively low-scoring game, but I got the Baltimore Ravens winning this game 27-17,” Gruden predicted.

It’s definitely going to be an uphill battle for the Steelers. They have to go on the road, and the Ravens are 4-2 at home this season. Although Pittsburgh has handled away games well so far, coming out with a 5-3 record. However, ESPN’s analytics give Baltimore a 66.8% chance of winning this game.

These teams have changed since they last met each other, mostly due to injuries. And the Steelers have felt the worst of it. They’ve been without wideout George Pickens for two weeks due to a hamstring issue, and there’s a possibility of the receiver missing a third straight contest. The biggest question Gruden and the media want to know, though, is if TJ Watt can play.

The dominant defensive end hurt his ankle last week and is also in danger of missing the action. It would be a massive loss, as Watt has recorded 11.5 sacks this year. He was a big reason why Henry was stifled last outing. Moreover, it’s a short week as they play on Saturday, and it’s going to be hard for Watt to recover in time. And it could lead to a massive advantage for the Ravens.

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California vs UNLV: No National Anthem, Rob Gronkowski Is Set for a “Specialized Grand Entrance” at SoFi Stadium


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Rob Gronkowski is set to kick off the proceedings at SoFi Stadium for the California vs. UNLV matchup in the LA Bowl. Last year, the future Hall of Famer hosted the game and opened by singing the national anthem. But singing isn’t one of Gronk’s strong suits, so this year, he plans to pivot to something that’s more in his wheelhouse.

Gronk joined Kay Adams to discuss what he has on the tab for the LA Bowl. When asked if he was going to sing again, Gronk responded with a resounding no, saying “people’s ears were hurting” the last time he did it. This year, he is going to do a “specialized grand entrance” for the players.

“The grand opening entrance that I’m doing this year isn’t really about me, it’s just me introducing the teams coming out of the tunnel — which is going to be really cool. I’m going to be on the microphone like ‘Here come the California Golden Bears!'” Gronk explained.

It should make for a fun atmosphere to start the game, similar to the starting lineup announcements at the beginning of NBA games. And this game needs all the excitement and hype it can get because it’s not exactly an eye-catching matchup. This is why the bowl directors decided to attach Gronk’s name to the game in the hopes of casual viewers tuning in just to see Gronkowski.

Gronkowski got this Gig Without Paying

Traditionally, if a celebrity wants to be involved with the naming of anything in sports, they need to shell out some cash. According to research, a game like this should cost anyone $300k to attach their name to it. But in this case, the LA bowl-makers decided to hire Gronk and formerly Kimmel in an effort to boost the ratings. Not only that, but it helped the two gain exposure in their own respective careers.

Last season the LA Bowl saw the 7-5 UCLA Bruins take on the 8-5 Boise State Broncos — not exactly an exciting matchup. But because Gronk hosted and sang the national anthem, the game received higher ratings than initial predictions. The deal, however, goes both ways, as Gronkowski declined to comment if he was compensated for the role — leading many to believe he wasn’t.

The situation is a reflection of where lower-tiered bowl games are inevitably heading. The ratings for other bowl games have dropped dramatically in recent years. And who knows how low they get this year with the advent of the 12-team playoff.

The future for lower-stakes bowl games revolves around media and sponsor creations rather than the talent on the actual field. It’s a weird and kind of sad reality for the players, but it’s just the way the audience has shifted lately.

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