by Connor Whalen ‘28 on March 19, 2026

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Sports - NFL

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The NFL mourned another tragic loss when it was reported on Feb. 21 that Rondale Moore had taken his own life. The former standout receiver at Purdue University was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, showing promise as a young receiver before facing recurring injury issues. Moore was traded to the Atlanta Falcons and was later cut, then signed with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Moore’s death comes only several months after the Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland also took his own life. Just under a year ago, NFL draft prospect Kyren Lacy also took his life after being falsely accused of participating in a fatal car crash. The NFL clearly has a serious mental health issue on its hands. Concerns about CTE only grow, and players’ struggles with mental health—especially during injury rehabilitation—are only gaining more attention.

When Moore’s family held a service to celebrate the life of their lost loved one, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts took to Instagram to sound off on the lackluster turnout. Pitts claimed that “only about six maybe seven” of the wideout’s teammates attended the service, expressing his disappointment at “fake emotion,” as many players posted to social media following his death instead of actually showing up and being there for his family. 

The death of Moore is an absolute travesty. The NFL did not just lose a special player, but also a 25-year-old man with “so much left to give,” as former teammate JJ Watt put it. The past year for the NFL reminds us that sports are only so important. The livelihood of the players and ensuring that they are provided with the right services and treatment is more important than what is simply a game. The mental toll of sports—made exponentially worse by the toxic culture perpetuated by some fans—cannot be taken lightly. 

If we can take anything from Moore’s death, it is that athletes are human and are no different from any of us. They can seem almost superhuman when we watch them on TV and see the eye-popping figures they earn, but that does not justify treating them as anything other than human. Further, Moore’s death provides us with yet another reminder to check up on our loved ones, or anybody we may think is struggling. Just a simple check-in—asking someone how they are, showing that you genuinely care about them and how they feel—means so much more than many of us could possibly realize. Pitts’ Instagram also shows the importance of really showing up, not simply posting on social media as a substitute for real human interaction. We are more connected, yet so much more alone; we can always use a reminder to be there for our loved ones, especially those feeling alone or dealing with personal struggles.

by Pippa Jones ‘28 on February 27, 2026

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Sports - NFL

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Being a student-athlete in college is challenging, between juggling academics, social life, athletics, and faith. I had the chance to talk with Luke Schoonmaker, tight-end for the Dallas Cowboys and a devout Catholic. Schoonmaker gave me insight on what it’s like to balance a life of faith with a professional athletic career and how having a strong faith can inevitably improve your athletic performance. 

Schoonmaker went to Hamden High School in Hamden, CT, where he was a three-season athlete, excelling in basketball, baseball, and football. Inevitably, he chose football because of the brotherhood and camaraderie that was exemplified by the blood, sweat, and tears they shared during the season. When being recruited for college, the University of Michigan’s coach Jim Harbaugh admired Schoonmaker’s athleticism and his commitment to his various sports. Growing up in a Catholic household gave Schoonmaker a strong faith that he carried into his college career. Coach Harbaugh was also a devout Catholic who encouraged his players to practice their faith and offered them Mass every Friday. Schoonmaker explained that by sharing faith with his teammates, they had a much tighter bond that carried onto the field. 

Having strong faith as an athlete is important because it gives athletes a sense of purpose and guidance on the field. Schoonmaker highlighted that having a strong faith helps him be grounded on and off the field. A vital part of his pre-game ritual is affirming his “why.” When under pressure in a big game, Schoonmaker’s faith helps him remain grounded by knowing that this is all in God’s hands, which is an imperative part of letting the stress subside. By letting God lead the way, you allow yourself to let go of the stress of taking your life into your own hands. 

Although maintaining a strong faith is essential, it is not easy. Faith ebbs and flows, especially with the distractions and temptations of college. Schoonmaker explained that during his athletic career, having a strong identity helped him stay solidified in his faith. With balancing his football career and being a college student, he described that surrounding yourself with the proper people who remind you of who you are helps hold you accountable and strengthen your faith. He explained that God always means good for you, even when you can’t see it, and when you start to falter from your identity, you must remind yourself of your purpose and who you want to become with your faith. With the impact of having a strong faith, you can become rooted in your athletic career and release the pressure of relying on yourself for your success. 

By instilling faith in God, Schoonmaker affirms that you will begin to see miracles work in your favor. Whatever sports you participate in, faith can help you find your drive and motivation for your life. Having a strong, intimate relationship with God is proven to help athletes improve their game and reduce their sports-induced anxiety, as demonstrated by Schoonmaker’s success.

by Sarah Wolff ’28 on February 27, 2026

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Sports - NFL

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As a Providence College student with lots of hometown Pacific North West pride, the Seattle Seahawks’ 29–13 defeat of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium was personal. The Seahawks delivered a composed and physical performance on the biggest stage in football, proving that I wasn’t the only one who was over that smug Boston energy.

Seattle set the tone by taking control of the game early. Kicker Jason Myers accounted for the team’s first 12 points, as field goals began to stack up. By halftime, the score was 9–0, and by the third quarter, 12–0. It was clear that the offense did not rely on aggressive plays; they just made sure to move the ball around and avoid making simple mistakes. Plus, the Seahawks finished the game with zero turnovers, versus the Patriots’ three.

The Seahawks leaned on their rushing attack from the start of the game. They were able to control possession and weaken the Patriots’ defense, especially with Kenneth Walker III carrying the ball 27 times for 135 yards. Then, in the fourth quarter, after managing the field in a risk-free way and allowing the defense to essentially dictate the pace, quarterback Sam Darnold completed a passing touchdown to receiver AJ Barner.

New England was able to find some life in the fourth quarter, although that final quarter’s score was 17–13 Seahawks. Second-year quarterback and the king of New England, Drake Maye, threw for 295 yards and had two touchdowns. There were brief moments of hope for Patriots fans; however, as I mentioned previously, turnovers proved to be damaging. The Seahawks’ defense was just too clean for the king of New England, as Maye ended up throwing two interceptions and the Patriots lost a fumble. 

The official game-over moment came halfway through the fourth quarter, when a Maye pass was intercepted by linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, turning it into a 45-yard pick-six and making the score 29–7. The Patriots were able to follow this up with another touchdown, but by then, the fate of the game had effectively been sealed.

The biggest success of the Seahawks’ play was their ability to protect the football and, overall, play an extremely disciplined game from start to finish, especially on defense. Before Super Bowl LX had even begun, it was no secret that the Patriots’ biggest antagonist would be the Seahawks’ defense, and this prophecy was undoubtedly fulfilled. The Seahawks held the ball longer, protected it better, and capitalized when it mattered most. As for New England, the loss was difficult for a young quarterback like Drake Maye. However, personally, I can acknowledge that he has outstanding promise and will most likely have more than one Super Bowl championship win under his belt by retirement. For Seahawks fans, this was an extremely satisfying finish to the season. There was no last-second drama, no controversial finish, or nail-biting plays—just a reliable, confident performance. Super Bowl LX belongs to the Seahawks, and it was earned the old-fashioned way.

by Izzy Mignardi ‘27 on February 5, 2026

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Sports - NFL

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has taken not only New Englanders, but all Americans, by storm. His youth, charisma, and talent have impressed Patriots and non-Patriots fans alike. Likewise, his wife has become America’s sweetheart, New England’s “Queen of the North.” Ann Michael Maye won the hearts of many not just with her steadfast love for her husband, but because of her love for his fans, too.

The couple’s love story begins in seventh grade. They continued to date throughout college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In January of 2025, Drake Maye proposed. The following June, the two were married when the quarterback was just 22 years old and she 21. 

This past December, Ann Michael Maye gained media attention of her own, going viral for her videos completely unrelated to football. In her “Bakemas” series, she recorded herself baking different desserts or treats every day of December. She posted these to her TikTok page, where Patriots fans immediately flooded the comments, insisting that she feed their beloved quarterback well. “Gisele never baked cookies for us,” many wrote in reference to Tom Brady’s ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen. Clearly, with every video posted, Ann Michael Maye formed a closer connection with Patriots fans. They were no longer simply football fans, but Ann Michael Maye fans. 

Arguably the biggest of these fans is none other than Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports. Portnoy proceeded to post videos of himself following Ann Michael Maye’s recipes. On Christmas Eve, Ann Michael joined Portnoy on one of his iconic pizza reviews in Needham, MA. If New Englanders didn’t love her before, they certainly couldn’t resist now. Her and Portnoy’s video generated an overwhelming boom in business for Gianni’s Deli and Pizza and a surge of New England pride. 

Now, Ann Michael Maye’s popularity has grown so much that she’s received the recognition of NBC Sports Boston, who offered her her own cooking show titled “Beyond Bakemas.” Portnoy even appeared in an episode. Clearly, Ann Michael Maye’s charisma (a trait shared with her husband) has won the hearts of the public. In turn, the public approval has launched her to successes unrelated to football. If there was ever a “WAG” who lived in the shadows, it certainly is not Ann Michael Maye. 

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 and Dorothée Durivage ’28 on December 11, 2025

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Sports

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NBA

Christmas is just around the corner and holiday magic can be felt anywhere. The NBA is no exception, as it has annually played games on Christmas Day since the league’s inception in the late 1940s. As tradition wants it, Christmas games are the perfect opportunity to spotlight the top teams, rivalries, and stars, bringing in some of the best ratings of the season. This year’s games will be no different; the league has set up five consecutive nationally televised games. In an attempt to highlight special narratives and heated rivalries, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be playing against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, pitting two competitive Eastern Conference teams against each other. The Knicks have played the most Christmas Day games out of all 30 NBA teams, with this game marking their 58th appearance. The league’s defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be receiving the San Antonio Spurs in Oklahoma City for an opportunity to play against the Spurs’ rising star, Victor Wembanyama. Christmas Day’s main rivalry will take place in Los Angeles when the Lakers face the Houston Rockets, with two rival stars, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, fighting for their team’s win. LA’s Lakers are tied with the Knicks for the team with the most wins on the holiday, with 25 each. The NBA’s youngest player, Cooper Flagg, will be making his first appearance in a Christmas Day game since being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks last June. Dallas will travel to San Francisco for their game against the Golden State Warriors. With a Western Conference meeting to close off this Holiday’s games, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be heading to Denver to play the Nuggets, pitting Anthony Edwards and Nikola Jokic against each other. This game in the West will close out a 13-hour run of nonstop games for the league, making it a day packed with exciting matchups. 
– Dorothée Durivage ’28
Sports Staff

NFL

Turkey in the oven, cranberry sauce on the stove, family around the table, and football on the TV. Thanksgiving Day football is an American pastime, a staple of the holiday. Even those who couldn’t care less about the sport find comfort in the sound of the games on TV while holiday preparations begin.

This year, while food was still in the oven, the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 31–24. Then, the game might have been muted while dinner was served as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a tight game, with a final score of 31–28. Finally, as the holiday came to a close, the Cincinnati Bengals won against the Baltimore Ravens 32–14.

Whether or not your team is playing, the games bring together everyone in the house. An argument or two might arise if someone wants to flip channels back and forth to the parade. Like the parade, the games and the holiday are forever linked. This tradition is one incomparable to any other sport, because not only does it unite (or divide) families in their homes, but it unites people across the country. 57.2 million people tuned into the Cowboys vs. Chiefs 4:30 p.m. game, making it the most viewed regular season game in NFL history. 

Other sports, like basketball, average around 5.25 million viewers on their holiday games, proving that Thanksgiving Day football is truly unparalleled in its importance for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
– Izzy Mignardi ’27
Sports Staff

by Victoria Miele ’28 on December 11, 2025

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Sports - NFL

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On Nov. 12, NFL player Robert Gronkowski signed a one-day contract with the New England Patriots so he could retire as a Patriot. 

In the second round of the NFL draft in 2010, Gronkowski was selected as a tight-end by the Patriots, where he played for nine seasons, winning three Super Bowls. He finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing for two seasons and winning his fourth career Super Bowl.

It was almost no time at all before Pats fans got to know the real Gronk. Immediately after being drafted, he and his brothers celebrated on stage in such a loud manner that Gronk was quickly called by head coach Bill Belichick in an attempt to settle the newest Pats player down. Gronk’s fun-loving personality could not be tapered down, and he continued to amp up Pats fans for his whole career.

Gronkowski is the fourth of five boys and grew up in Amherst, NY. Growing up, the Gronkowski brothers played baseball, hockey, and football, although they were not allowed to start football until the seventh grade, per their parents’ request.

Even with a later start, Gronk’s athleticism carried him to be a fantastic player. He played his senior year of high school in Pittsburgh at Woodland Hills High School, where he was named a first-team all-conference and all-state player. Gronk is well known for his dumb jock persona in the NFL and he is constantly teased for suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a disorder that can result from being concussed a number of times. However, in high school, he had a 3.75 GPA and scored 1560 out of 2400 on his SAT.

Post high school, Gronk committed to play football at the University of Arizona. During his first two years there, he scored 16 touchdowns and had over 1,000 passing yards. During his third year, he suffered from a back injury, but his statistics from the first two seasons were enough to gain interest from the NFL. He was drafted byBelichick and the Patriots in 2010, and his career quickly took off.

In his rookie season of 2010, Gronk caught 10 touchdown passes and had 546 yards. His next season, he got even better with 18 touchdowns, one rushing and 17 passing which is the highest record in the league in a single season. Gronk suffered a number of injuries in the following years and had many surgeries to address ankle problems, a broken forearm, and a torn ACL and MCL.

Gronk played 15 games in 2014 and helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks with six receptions and one touchdown. He suffered more injuries and was benched because of them in 2016 when he won his second Super Bowl ring. He was back in 2017, where he became the third tight-end to record four seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.

During Gronk’s last season as a Patriot, he helped the team win against the Los Angeles Rams for his third Super Bowl ring. At the age of 29, Gronk announced he no longer wanted to play football and retired. However, after taking a year off, he decided he was not quite done and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season at Tampa Bay with quarterback Tom Brady, the team won the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Gronk caught two touchdown passes from Brady early in the game, and they maintained their lead. He played one more season with the Bucs before again announcing his retirement.

However, Gronk’s love for New England never faded despite his short time in Tampa Bay. He signed a one-day contract so that he could finally retire once and for all with the team that launched his career, forever known as a Patriot.

by Connor Whalen ’28 and Dorothée Durivage ’28 on November 6, 2025

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Sports

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Providence College Investigates: NFL

Bills by Connor Whalen ’28

The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East division every single year since the COVID-19  pandemic. With Drake Maye and the New England Patriots taking the division by storm, it will be a tall order for the Bills to continue that streak. Yet, they still are almost a shoo-in to take a playoff spot, and though it will be tough, they have a chance to take the division, which is exactly why they will need to bring reinforcements before the NFL trade deadline. 

The Bills will never get a better opportunity than this year to win a Super Bowl under their current personnel. Lamar Jackson’s multi-week injury has seen the Baltimore Ravens suffer to a 3–5 record, potentially now at risk of missing the playoffs. After the Bills’ statement win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Chiefs dropped to third in their division. The Steelers look primed to win the AFC North under a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, well past his prime. The Colts have looked great to start the year, but are largely inexperienced, and it remains to be seen if Daniel Jones can be a big-time playoff performer. The bottom line is: the AFC is weak. With Josh Allen’s play style, who knows how many years he has left? The Bills are a great team that can truly win it all if they fill a few gaps, making this trade deadline so crucial.

Their most glaring need is rush defense help. The Bills allow the second-fewest yards in the air per game in the NFL—which has carried their defense this year–but rank the No. 5 worst in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. They will need to bring in at least a couple of defensive linemen and hope they can help to address the problem. 

Their other big need is at wide receiver, Allen has not quite been able to put up the same passing numbers as he did before Stefon Diggs left after the 2023 season. Since then, Buffalo has lacked the presence of a clear number one receiver. The Bills have the third-best offensive line in the NFL, an absolutely elite running back in James Cook, some solid offensive weapons, a great pass defense, and one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. If this team can shore up their run defense and give Allen at least one notable receiver to work with, Buffalo Bills fans could end up seeing their team lift the Lombardi Trophy this year for the first time in franchise history.

Steelers by Dorothée Durivage ’28

As the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline approaches, the Pittsburgh Steelers have room to grow and improve. The Steelers acquired safety Kyle Dugger, as well as a seventh-round pick from the New England Patriots, on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Dugger has had 17 tackles in seven games so far this season. This trade will help to fill the Steelers’ need for safeties due to their struggling defense and the high number of injuries that the team has been suffering. Pittsburgh is also looking to upgrade their wide receivers. As of right now, running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren, as well as tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth, each have more catches than any other wide receiver, highlighting the need to upgrade. There have been talks that the Steelers could acquire Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a free agent who played with Aaron Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers. He had 13 touchdowns in Green Bay and led the league in 2020 with 20.9 yards per reception. Valdes-Scantling had six touchdowns that season, a career-high. Coming back to playing with an old teammate could mean that there is potential for faster growth from Valdes-Scantling, seeing as he has already held the position of Aaron Rodgers’ wide receiver in the past. Another trade candidate for the wide receiver position is Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans. He’s surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark three times in his career, including in 2020, when he made 90 catches for 1,374 yards, which could be exactly what Pittsburgh needs. Ridley has two more years remaining on a four-year, $92 million deal he signed in 2024 with the Titans, but has been heavily involved in trade talks. If the team is able to pull all of this together, the Steelers could be the most improved team this trade season. 

by Chris Sama ’27 on October 23, 2025

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Sports

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After losing to the Los Angeles Chargers in week six on Oct. 12, the Miami Dolphins picked up their fifth loss of the season, making them 1–5 overall. In a post-game press conference, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa criticized his teammates for being late to, or even missing, player-only meetings as a major factor contributing to their losing streak. Tagovailoa described it as a leadership issue that needs to be addressed so the team can fix “the little things.”

While Tagovailoa meant well, he faced a lot of public backlash for airing out their issues as a team instead of privately addressing them, which could cause more scrutiny for certain players.There were also criticisms regarding Tagovailoa himself and his performance in the game and season overall. Coach Mike McDaniel publicly stated that the message had been received by the team, but wasn’t appropriately delivered. Tagovailoa apologized three days later during a Dolphins media conference, saying that he “made a mistake” and that he’s “owning up to it right now” as his emotions got the best of him. He further explained that it wasn’t right for him to address private issues to the media, and that these issues start with his leadership, character, and decision-making. 

On Sunday, Oct. 19, the Dolphins faced off against the Cleveland Browns in Ohio, who now have a 2–5 record and lost 31–6. This is such a bad loss for the Dolphins that it is rumored McDaniel could get fired. This victory broke a 12-game streak for the Browns of scoring less than 17 points. The Browns capitalized on four turnovers from the Dolphins that ended up as touchdowns, including one of three interceptions thrown from Tagovailoa. The only other team that the Dolphins have beaten was the New York Jets, who remain winless so far this season, showing serious concerns for the future of the Dolphins. 

Their chances for making the playoffs this season are now extremely low, and McDaniel is scrambling to get the team back to its former playoff caliber. Coach McDaniel had high expectations this season as he had led the Dolphins to the playoffs twice, including in 2022 when Tagovailoa had two major concussions and sat out for some regular season and playoff games. He is primarily known for being a great offensive coach, but after Tyreek Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury during their win against the Jets, he has struggled to get the offense to its full strength. McDaniel has a lot to prove in these upcoming games, and based on Tagovailoa’s comments, has to instill more discipline in his team. 

The Miami Dolphins play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 26, and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Oct. 30. If they win these two games, there could be some hope for the Dolphins, but looking at the current state they’re in now, it seems unlikely.

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 and Emilia Farrell ’28 on October 23, 2025

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Sports

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Providence College Investigates: Bill Belichick

Harming

Bill Belichick is widely regarded as one of the best head coaches in NFL history. Most notably, he led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, the most of any NFL head coach. But at 73 years old, his coaching experience should stay within the NFL to preserve his legacy. In December of 2024, Belichick signed a five-year contract to become the head coach of the University of North Carolina’s football team. Belichick’s performance so far has been hard to watch. North Carolina is currently 2–4 and has yet to have a win against a major conference opponent. Three of those losses were blowouts, with UNC losing by at least 25 points each time. On Friday, Oct. 17, the Tarheels lost 21–18 to UC Berkeley in a game in which North Carolina fumbled at the one-yard line in what should have been the go-ahead touchdown with three minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. There are few signs of progress for this team under Belichick. Time after time, the team fails to rise to the occasion on the field. Belichick was once the best coach in the NFL, but his move to collegiate football has been plagued by a losing streak as well as internal discourse and off-field scandals concerning Jordon Hudson, Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend. UNC took a bet on Belichick, a living legend that they believed would greatly improve their program. Instead, Belichick has plagued a program that was once much more respectable. As the team moves into the second half of the season, it seems unlikely that they will be able to turn things around. In taking and performing poorly in the job at UNC, Belichick has ruined his reputation and legacy as one of the greatest in football history.

Helping

Lately, when you hear the name Bill Belichick in the news, it’s not associated with incredible football victories. Instead, it’s likely followed by, “and his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson…” Has Belichick’s taste in women entirely ruined his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in football history? It depends on who you ask. Do I think this relationship is weird and disturbing? Absolutely. But do I think that his judgment negates the fact that he is one of the most successful football coaches? Not really. I’m sure die-hard football fans, especially Patriots fans, would still agree that he remains an indisputable great in the coaching world. Belichick holds several different coaching records. During his time with the Patriots, the team won 17 AFC East titles and appeared in nine Super Bowls, winning six. Belichick coached them to their first Super Bowl victory and led the historic Super Bowl LI game when the Patriots came back from a 28–3 deficit. Additionally, he won two Super Bowls during his time as defensive coordinator for the Giants. This means Belichick has won more Super Bowls than any other coach in history. In his book, The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football, he underscores one of the key aspects to his success: preparation. As a coach, he was prepared for every game and every possible situation. He held his players and himself accountable. “Do your job,” he’d say. Now, his job is to coach the UNC Tar Heels. Their current record of 2–4 does not reflect Belichick’s usual winning spirit. Many see his girlfriend on the sidelines before a game and attribute the team’s losses to her. I could agree with this, as I’m sure Belichick might not be as focused on football as he was in the past. So, has his taste in women ruined his reputation? It might affect his current coaching abilities, but I find it entirely unfair to write off Belichick’s football success because of mistakes he might be making in his personal life.

by Izzy Mignardi ’27 on September 25, 2025

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Sports

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Serious controversy was sparked on Sept. 14 after Travis Kelce and Tyquan Thornton wore “Free 4” shirts in solidarity with their teammate Rashee Rice. Rice was suspended for the first six games of the NFL season after he caused a high-speed car accident on the highway.

Back in March of 2024, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was responsible for a six-car pileup on Route 75 in Dallas. Rice was driving over 115 miles per hour in his Lamborghini SUV, racing a Corvette. After excessive maneuvers and high speeds caused several crashes, Rice fled the scene on foot, neglecting to check on those injured, including a three and four-year-old. 

In July, he pled guilty to charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway, causing bodily injury. His sentence includes five years on probation, during which he will have to spend 30 days in Dallas jail. He also owes $115,000 in restitution, as well as $1 million in a civil settlement to victim Kathryn Kuykendall. Rice’s lawyers say he recognizes “that that was a stupid mistake,” and that going forward, he is going to better himself by volunteering with children and local pastors to educate people on the dangers of reckless driving.

Rice released a statement reading, “I deeply regret the actions I took that day and the harm they caused others. This was a moment of immense failure on my part.” 

Victims, lawyers, and football fans were outraged when Kelce and Thornton wore the warm-up shirts at last week’s game. Kuykendall’s lawyer, Marc Lenahan, said, “Rashee isn’t Nelson Mandela or Pepe Mujica, men who fought for what they believed in. There is evidence that Rashee was going 119 mph in a $1,749 per day Lambo rental that had pot and a pistol in it, on a highway on Easter weekend.” Lenahan continued by explaining that if his teammates really supported him, they would lend him the money to help pay his victims, who are still awaiting reparations. Additionally, others on social media are equally angered by the stunt. Sportswriter Ben Cummins described how Kelce should feel “embarrassed” for wearing a shirt that is so “illogical.” 

Chiefs Coach Andy Reid defended his players, saying, “I just think that those guys, they love the kid and want him to feel part of it in their own way. I really don’t think it’s anything more than that.” While the team clearly sees this as an effort to support their teammate, most others read it as disrespectful toward the victims and dismissive of his actions. They argue that had Rice not been a successful football player, the reaction would have been quite different.

The Chiefs are currently 0–2 without Rice. He will be eligible to play again on Oct.19.