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Tag: New England Patriots

  • Kenneth Sims cause of death: Former Patriots No.1 Draft Pick dead at 65

    Kenneth Sims cause of death: Former Patriots No.1 Draft Pick dead at 65

    Kenneth Sims, the top selection in the 1982 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 65.

    The University of Texas, where Sims had a distinguished college career, announced that he died peacefully at his home after battling an illness.

    Born in Kosse, Texas, Sims began his football journey at the University of Texas in 1978. Initially playing behind future Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael, Sims honed his skills and emerged as a dominant defensive force.

    His junior year was particularly notable, with Sims recording 131 tackles and earning All-Conference and All-American honors.

    In his senior year, Sims became the first Longhorn to receive the prestigious Lombardi Award, presented to the nation’s top college lineman.

    He was also named the 1981 UPI Lineman of the Year and was the highest defensive vote recipient for the Heisman Trophy. His contributions were pivotal in leading Texas to a 10-1-1 season and a victory in the 1982 Cotton Bowl Classic.

    Transition to the NFL

    The New England Patriots selected Sims as the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, making him the third Texas Longhorn to be chosen with the top pick.

    Over his eight-year NFL career, all with the Patriots, Sims played 74 games, starting 64 of them, and recorded 17 sacks. His best season came in 1985 when he notched 5.5 sacks, contributing to the Patriots’ run to Super Bowl XX.

    Sims’ professional career was marred by injuries, including a broken leg that sidelined him for Super Bowl XX and a ruptured Achilles tendon in 1988. Despite these setbacks, he remained a respected figure in the Patriots’ defense until his retirement in 1990.

    Legacy and Tributes

    Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Sims left an indelible mark on the football community. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.

    The University of Texas expressed their condolences, stating, “Very sad day with the passing of our Longhorn Legend and College Football Hall of Famer Kenneth Sims. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates.”

    Sims’ journey from a small-town athlete to a celebrated football star serves as an inspiration to many. His dedication, resilience, and contributions to the game will be remembered and cherished by fans, teammates, and the broader football community.



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  • Tom Brady's Super Bowl-winning teammate sells valuable possession that would make QB go crazy

    Tom Brady's Super Bowl-winning teammate sells valuable possession that would make QB go crazy

    With Super Bowl LIX now just moments away, the players and teams who make The Big Game special are on the minds of all fans. Patrick Mahomes can continue cementing his legacy with another win against the Philadelphia Eagles, but when the term “Super Bowl” comes to mind, the first player to pop up is Tom Brady.

    That comes with the territory of owning the most wins and Super Bowl rings of any player in NFL history. It isn’t close either, even though Mahomes is tentatively on the right path. So many incredible Brady moments are memorable for any football fan, but there’s one game that’s impossible to forget.

    Tom speaks out! Brady breaks down the controversy surrounding personal fouls on Patrick Mahomes and the NFL’s evolving rules

    Although the Patriots’ historic comeback from down 28-3 against the Atlanta Falcons remains present in the hearts and minds of all Patriots fans, a player who played in a role in that comeback has now gotten rid of his primary reminder of the game.

    Martellus Bennett sells ring from Patriots-Falcons Super Bowl

    Martellus Bennett, the former NFL tight end who spent a little over a season with the Patriots, auctioned off his Super Bowl LII ring on Saturday. It sold for $88,125.

    While Brady won’t be giving up any of his seven rings, probably ever, his former tight end is thinking differently. Of course, Bennett didn’t make the same type of money Brady did throughout their respective careers, and it’s a big chunk of money to just about anyone.

    Bennett also wasn’t all that into football towards the later stage of his career. Injuries played a role in Bennett retiring at 31 years old, but so did his desire to spend more time focusing on his multimedia production company, The Imagination Agency. He has also written several children’s books.



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  • Jabrill Peppers acquitted in assault and battery trial

    Jabrill Peppers acquitted in assault and battery trial

    AMassachusetts jury found New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers not guilty on Friday, concluding his trial for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Peppers, a key player for the Patriots, had been accused of choking and shoving a woman during an altercation in October, but the jury sided with his defense, clearing him of all charges.

    The trial, which lasted several days, saw Peppers take the stand to vehemently deny the accusations against him. The woman who filed the complaint alleged that Peppers had grabbed her by the neck, slammed her against a wall, and pushed her down the stairs during an argument at his home in Braintree, Massachusetts. She claimed the incident occurred after she received multiple phone calls from another man while in bed with Peppers.

    Jabrill Peppers funny reaction after winning the toss

    Related:

    Defense Denies Allegations Amid Emotional Testimonies

    “I believe she was trying to do all this to mess up my career,” Peppers testified, as reported by The Boston Globe. During cross-examination, his attorney, Marc Brofsky, questioned the woman’s injuries and motives, highlighting the $9.5 million civil lawsuit she filed against Peppers.

    Videos presented by prosecutors showed Peppers repeatedly asking the woman to leave his house, but his defense argued these clips did not substantiate the claims of physical harm.

    A Setback Off the Field

    Peppers‘ legal battle has had significant implications for his career. Following the incident, he was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, causing him to miss seven games this season. Despite the setback, Peppers remains under contract with the Patriots through 2027, having signed an extension during the offseason.

    Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2017, Peppers played two seasons with the Browns before joining the New York Giants for three seasons. He has been a crucial part of the Patriots‘ defense since his arrival and is expected to return to the field now that the trial has concluded.

    This acquittal allows Peppers to refocus on football, but his legal challenges may not be over as the civil lawsuit looms.

    For fans and analysts, Peppers‘ return to the field will undoubtedly be under scrutiny as he works to rebuild his reputation following the trial.



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  • Bill Belichick Breaks Silence: Why Mike Vrabel is the perfect fit for the New England Patriots

    Bill Belichick Breaks Silence: Why Mike Vrabel is the perfect fit for the New England Patriots

    Legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has spoken out for the first time about Mike Vrabel’s appointment as the team’s new head coach-and he couldn’t be more supportive.

    Belichick, who led the Patriots to an unprecedented six Super Bowl titles during his 23-year tenure, praised Vrabel’s coaching acumen and leadership skills during an interview on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.

    “I think Mike’s done a great job,” Belichick said. “He prepares his teams well. They’re tough, competitive, and smart-just like he was as a player. I love everything Mike stands for as a football coach. I’m sure he’ll do a great job in New England.”

    Related:

    Vrabel is one of Belichick’s pupils

    Belichick and Vrabel share a storied history. Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, helping the team secure three Super Bowl championships and even catching 10 touchdown passes in a surprising offensive role.

    The two maintained a strong relationship as Vrabel transitioned into coaching, where he honed his craft at Ohio State, with the Texans, and ultimately as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans.

    Taking the reins from Jerod Mayo, Vrabel steps into a role shadowed by Belichick’s legendary legacy but filled with opportunity. The Patriots have struggled in recent years, and Vrabel’s no-nonsense approach is seen as a potential game-changer.

    Mike has his sights set on the future

    During his introductory press conference at Gillette Stadium, Vrabel acknowledged the unique dynamic of following in Belichick’s footsteps while also emphasizing his focus on the future.

    “Having played for him, competing against him, and having a friendship with Bill-it’s special and unique,” Vrabel said. “But we need to focus on what’s going to help us win now, galvanize the building, the team, and our fan base.”

    Vrabel’s deep understanding of the Patriots’ culture and history could give him a crucial edge as the team heads into a pivotal offseason. With Belichick’s endorsement and his own proven track record, fans have reason to believe that Vrabel might be the key to restoring New England’s glory days.



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  • New England Patriots could get the “next Bill Belichick”, but will Robert Kraft stick with Jerod Mayo?

    New England Patriots could get the “next Bill Belichick”, but will Robert Kraft stick with Jerod Mayo?

    With the NFL regular season set to wrap up, just under half of the league will be preparing for the playoffs. The rest will take some down time and then put all of their focus on improving during the offseason. For some teams, that’s easier due to having a plan in place and “their guy” at head coach and at quarterback.

    The New England Patriots should be one of the teams that feel that way, but as of this moment, they can only really say they have their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. As for the head coach, Jerod Mayo left more questions than answers in his first season at the helm. It’s not often we see a head coach be one-and-done in the NFL, but is it possible that’s what we get with Mayo?

    Tom Brady Reflects on Lessons Learned from Bill Belichick and His Legendary Career

    Could Ben Johnson replace Jerod Mayo as head coach?

    According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the New England job opening up could attract the top name on the market: Ben Johnson.

    If New England did come open, might Johnson want to go work with quarterback Drake Maye and the haul of draft picks the Pats can likely acquire for this year’s No. 1 pick? Johnson has been choosy and has made it clear he’s not going to leave the excellent situation he’s currently in with the Lions for just any old coaching job.

    The Patriots roster isn’t exactly filled to the brim with talent, so it would be a bit harsh on Mayo to can him after just one season. But owner Robert Kraft is 83 years old and likely wants to see renewed success very soon. Ditching a defensive-minded head coach for an offensive mastermind, with the exciting Maye at quarterback, could be the right move. Patriots fans certainly seem to think so.

    Mike Vrabel could be an option as well, given his ties with the franchise from his playing days. Vrabel has success winning at the NFL level as a head coach, but he’s also a defensive guy like Mayo. Johnson would truly bring a fresh perspective. The question is whether Kraft wants to make such a big, and possibly risky, move.



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  • The play Peyton Manning shared that changed Tom Brady's career

    The play Peyton Manning shared that changed Tom Brady's career

    Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have shared plenty of moments together both on the field and off the field and now that both have encountered and taken television roles, the winningest quarterback in the history of the league shared and interesting advice.

    This advice was given to him by Manning before their they retired and Tom has how shared it with everyone else. “I met with Peyton Manning for like three days, and he taught me the play that he used to run a lot,” Brady said in a video he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    Tom Brady Reflects on Lessons Learned from Bill Belichick and His Legendary Career

    “We ended up installing the play in our offense, and we got Rob Gronkowski. It ended up, probably half of Gronk’s receiving yards were on this concept. I’m like, ‘Thanks, Peyton!’”

    The play that he shared

    The play that they discussed would put Tom Brady on a play action that would attract the linebackers towards the line of scrimmage thinking run and then it would free Rob Gronkowski down the seam.

    The tight end would be wide open in the middle of the field for the quarterback to hit him. Interesting enough, it was Peyton Manning that showed to Tom for their success for many years.

    So when people put it in perspective, if it weren’t for Peyton, Tom might have ever found success with Gronkowski in the passing game, as everyone remembers his great plays.



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  • Tom Brady's Bold Prediction: NHL star Max Domi and the Leafs set for Stanley Cup glory

    Tom Brady's Bold Prediction: NHL star Max Domi and the Leafs set for Stanley Cup glory

    Tom Brady, widely regarded as the GOAT of the NFL, has made it clear which NHL team he’s backing this season-and it’s all about his buddy Max Domi and the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Saturday, just before the Leafs opened their season with a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Brady doubled down on his support for his friend and the franchise, sending fans into a frenzy.

    The retired seven-time Super Bowl champion took to Instagram to rally behind Domi, who re-signed with the Maple Leafs this summer on a four-year, $15 million contract. Brady’s message? Nothing short of a Stanley Cup prediction.

    “LFG!!!! Stanley Cup next!!!!” Brady initially wrote when Domi inked his deal. Now, with the season underway, the Patriots great continues to hype up the Leafs, commenting on Domi’s latest Instagram post. “Our best is yet to come. Let’s go @max,” Brady wrote, showing that his support for the forward and the Leafs hasn’t wavered.

    Domi, who posted nine goals and 38 assists last season, found his stride in Toronto after signing a one-year, prove-it contract in 2023. His performance earned him the multi-year extension, giving the Leafs another weapon as they chase their first Stanley Cup since 1967.

    Brady and his friendship with the Domis

    Brady’s friendship with the Domi family runs deep. Max’s father, Tie Domi-an NHL legend in his own right-celebrated with Brady back in 2020 when the quarterback secured his seventh and final Super Bowl ring. Now, it seems Brady is returning the favor, rooting for Max to hoist the Stanley Cup.

    Although the NFL and NHL don’t overlap much, Brady’s passion for the Leafs is undeniable, adding even more intrigue to Toronto’s campaign. With the Leafs off to a strong 2-1 start, fans are hoping Brady’s prediction isn’t just a pipe dream.

    Whether or not Domi and the Leafs can go the distance, one thing’s for sure: with Brady in their corner, the hype is real. Leafs Nation is buzzing-and who knows? Maybe the GOAT’s winning energy will be just what Toronto needs to break their decades-long title drought.



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  • Tom Brady's shocking revelation leaves Chicago Bears fans wondering 'What If?'

    Tom Brady's shocking revelation leaves Chicago Bears fans wondering 'What If?'

    Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback known for his two-decade-long dynasty with the New England Patriots, faced a pivotal decision at the end of the 2019 NFL season. After bringing six Super Bowl titles to New England, Brady chose to move on, embarking on a new journey that would ultimately lead him to more glory. But as it turns out, the decision wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

    While Brady eventually chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he enjoyed immediate success, taking the team to a Super Bowl victory and winning three NFC South titles, the road to that decision involved a lot more deliberation. On Sunday, Brady shed light on a piece of his journey that few knew: he seriously considered joining the Chicago Bears.

    Tom Brady shares funny reaction to Belichick joining Instagram

    Fans across the NFL remember how numerous teams lined up for a shot at signing the GOAT. The Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders were among the many franchises courting the then 42-year-old quarterback. Brady’s ultimate choice of Tampa seemed perfect – a winning decision that silenced critics and brought glory to his new team. But the Chicago Bears’ interest, a detail kept under wraps until now, adds a fascinating twist to the narrative.

    On the broadcast of the Eagles-Buccaneers game, Brady, now in his new role as a FOX analyst, revealed that the Bears had been a serious contender for his services. “There were a lot of reasons to choose Tampa,” Brady said. “I made about 18 criteria why. Salary, the weather, facilities, and, of course, the players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But I’ll tell you something I haven’t shared before – Chicago was very stealth in their recruitment, and I was seriously considering them.”

    Chicago was discreetly recruiting Brady

    It turns out Chicago‘s pitch had Brady thinking long and hard. The team had kept their recruitment efforts under the radar, and Brady appreciated their approach. But ultimately, Tampa Bay’s proximity to his son, Jack, and the offensive vision under head coach Bruce Arians helped seal the deal.

    As Brady shared these previously unknown details, it’s easy to imagine how things might have been different for Chicago. Bears fans, enduring a tough stretch and hoping their latest quarterback pick, Caleb Williams, can emulate even a fraction of Brady’s success, were left wondering how close they came to having the GOAT under center.

    For the Bears and their fans, the revelation was bittersweet. Tom Brady wearing a Bears uniform was almost a reality – a tantalizing “what if” for a franchise that hasn’t found consistent quarterback success in recent years. The football world may never know how things would have turned out, but for now, Chicago can only wonder about the dynasty that almost was.



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  • Patriots stun fans by cutting Bailey Zappe-Here's what it means for their QB room

    Patriots stun fans by cutting Bailey Zappe-Here's what it means for their QB room

    In a shocking move, the New England Patriots have waived backup quarterback Bailey Zappe after two seasons and eight starts, leaving fans wondering about the team’s future at the QB position. The decision to cut Zappe was confirmed on Tuesday by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

    Zappe, 25, became a fan favorite after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He provided a brief spark for the Patriots’ struggling offense during his rookie season, even taking over as the starter for the final six games of the 2023 season.

    However, neither Zappe nor Mac Jones could bring sustained success during the final years of Bill Belichick’s tenure, leading to a complete overhaul of the Patriots’ quarterback room.

    Is either Maye or Brissett for the Pats

    The Patriots have yet to announce a starting quarterback for the upcoming season, but with Zappe out, the team seems to be eyeing either first-round rookie Drake Maye or veteran Jacoby Brissett for the QB1 spot. Rookie Joe Milton III remains on the roster as well, adding another layer of intrigue to the Patriots’ quarterback competition.

    For Zappe, his next opportunity will likely come as a backup elsewhere, with a 4-4 starting record and 2,053 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over two seasons to his name.

    As the Patriots move forward, all eyes will be on who ultimately secures the starting quarterback role and whether this latest move signals the beginning of a new era in New England.

    The maligned 2022 QB class

    Of the nine quarterbacks selected in the 2022 draft, only two-San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and Miami Dolphins’ Skylar Thompson-remain with the teams that drafted them.

    Zappe’s release marks another setback for the 2022 NFL Draft quarterback class, which has seen several of its members move on from their original teams.

    Zappe now joins the likes of Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Sam Howell, and Chris Oladokun as quarterbacks from that draft class who have either been traded or released.



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  • Another preseason game and Tom Brady was not in the broadcast booth despite being in the stadium

    Another preseason game and Tom Brady was not in the broadcast booth despite being in the stadium

    Tom Brady has been in two games that Fox has broadcasted during the NFL preseason, and he has been absent on both of them. On Sunday the network broadcasted the San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints game but with a different crew.

    It was Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez on the call for this one and during last week’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys, Brady as also there but again, not it the booth, as according to reports, he is having some practice during the games.

    It will be the historic former quarterback who will share the broadcasts with Kevin Burkhardt and they were both on the booth but not on the real broadcast for both of these games. It is the Week 1 Cleveland Browns vs Cowboys game where the new game callers will make their debut.

    It is all to replace Greg Olsen

    The legend is close to returning and we already know the date on which he will do so. Despite retiring after the 2022 season, the popular Tom Brady will reappear on all fans’ televisions as the new star commentator for Fox Sports in the United States, there is no question about that.

    However Tom Brady is stepping in to replace former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who did a very good job according to the fans and the same network. The fate of the also former Chicago Bears tight end has not yet been defined, but there is a possibility that he will remain on Fox.

    Brady’s debut in the broadcast booth will take place in a match that promises a lot, it will take place on Sunday, September 8 when. The Cowboys have long been the jewel in the crown of said television franchise and if we add to this the presence of Brady, well above average ratings are expected for the first weekend of action.



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