NFL TO HOST 4TH ANNUAL MADDEN NFL X HBCU TOURNAMENT

The NFL announced that registration is now open for the fourth annual EA SPORTS Madden NFL 24 x HBCU Tournament, an event designed for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have a passion for gaming and football. The tournament aims to maintain the tradition of providing students at HBCUs with a chance to compete and explore the business of sports through practical learning and job shadowing experiences at the NFL Pro Bowl Games in Orlando on February 4, 2024. 

Students will have three paths to qualify for the HBCU Championship during the NFL Pro Bowl Games: open qualifiers, women's qualifiers, and HBCU video applications. All undergraduate and graduate students attending an HBCU school are eligible to participate. The qualifiers will be held from October through December, and students can compete in Madden NFL 24 on PC, Xbox Series X or S, or PlayStation 5 systems. The top three players from both the open and women's qualifiers will advance to the HBCU Championship. ​

HBCU students can also participate by submitting a video application explaining why they should attend the HBCU Championship. Submissions are now open and will be accepted until December 1. The top two winners will be selected based on NFL criteria. ​

The top eight players selected from the qualifiers and video applications will experience the NFL Pro Bowl Games on a whole new level. Students will participate in onsite media interviews before, during and after competitive play, as well as shadow NFL executives to learn about the business of sports. They will tour Camping World Stadium, interact with NFL players and receive a media pass for field access to the game. They will also have a chance to win cash and prizes throughout the tournament.

REGISTER TO COMPETE IN THE MADDEN NFL 24 X HBCU TOURNAMENT HERE

Qualifier 1: October 28 [Top 2 advance Qualifiers Finals]

Qualifier 2: November 4 [Top 2 advance Qualifiers Finals]

Qualifier 3: November 11 [Top 2 advance Qualifiers Finals]

Qualifier 4: November 18 [Top 2 advance Qualifiers Finals]

Open Qualifiers Finals: December 2 [Top 3 advance to Pro Bowl Games]

Women's Qualifiers Finals: December 9 [Top 3 advance to Pro Bowl Games]

Video Applications Open: Now through December 1

“Each year, the Madden Tournament showcases the top gaming talent within the HBCU community and provides students access to industry experts and career opportunities," said Arthur McAfee, NFL SVP of Football Operations, Pipeline Development. “We are excited to provide this platform with new avenues for student involvement via the expanded women's qualifier and HBCU video applications and look forward to exposing the top talent to a more in-depth look into the business of sports."

The NFL will partner with Rally Cry, a gaming technology company that builds inclusive gaming experiences for players of all ages and skill levels, who will be managing the marketing, qualifiers, registration, tournament execution and broadcast. The highlights from the tournament will be broadcasted on the NFL YouTube channel ahead of the NFL Pro Bowl Games and Super Bowl LVIII.

For more information about the Madden NFL 24 x HBCU Tournament, visit https://hbcutournament.nfl.com/.

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Two Black QBs are starting in the Super Bowl. Why it matters

Sunday’s Super Bowl will mark the first time in NFL history that both teams’ starting quarterbacks are Black — Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. Former NFL star Doug Williams, who was the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl 35 years ago, joins John Yang to discuss the significance of this historic moment.

Bills' Damar Hamlin says thank you to everyone

Bills safety Damar Hamlin shared his first public comments since suffering cardiac arrest on Jan. 2 by posting a nearly six-minute video to his Instagram account on Saturday night thanking everyone for the continued support and well wishes over the past month.

Watch that video below:

A special message from our guy @HamlinIsland. ❤️💙#LoveForDamar | #ForDamar pic.twitter.com/YF28bzeLJA

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 28, 2023

Tennessee Titans Hire Ran Carthon as the Team's New General Manager

The Titans have officially hired Ran Carthon as the team's new general manager making Carthon the team’s first Black general manager.

Carthon spent two seasons as director of player personnel with the 49ers after serving five seasons as the director of pro personnel in San Francisco.

Carthon was one of seven candidates to interview for the position with the Titans.

"We are excited to add Ran to our organization as our new general manager," Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement. "He brings a variety of valuable experiences to our team – as a former player and a successful personnel executive for multiple teams. I was impressed with his natural leadership qualities and his ability to connect with people. With talent evaluation being critical to this role, the roster they have built in San Francisco stands out. He played an important role there constructing one of our league's best teams."

According to the 49ers, Carthon was responsible for evaluating the top college prospects while assisting in the construction of the pro free agency board and evaluations in San Francisco. He also worked with the football administration staff with player market analysis and unrestricted free agency strategy.

Carthon joined the 49ers after spending five seasons (2012-16) as the director of pro personnel with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams.

Carthon also spent four seasons (2008-11) as a pro scout with the Atlanta Falcons.

Prior to his time in Atlanta, Carthon had a three-year playing career in the NFL after playing in college at the University of Florida. He broke into the league as an undrafted rookie with the Indianapolis Colts in 2004 and played with the club through the 2006 campaign.

While playing at Florida (1999-2003), Carthon competed in five bowl games and was part of the Gators 2000 SEC Championship team.

Carthon's father, Maurice, played in the NFL with the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.

The hiring of Carthon capped a busy and important period that began back on December 6, when Strunk made the decision to part ways with general manager Jon Robinson, who was hired prior to the 2016 season.

After candidates were identified, Strunk led the process of finding Robinson's replacement. The team interviewed seven candidates, including personnel evaluators across the NFL, before narrowing the search to a handful of candidates, and second interviews were conducted.

Strunk said a committee including herself, Kenneth S. Adams, IV from the ownership group, President and CEO Burke Nihill, Senior VP/Business Affairs and Chief Legal Officer Adolpho Birch III and Senior VP/General Counsel & Chief of Staff Dan Werly would be involved in the interviews.

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel also joined the process before Carthon was hired.

"We want someone who is an exceptional talent evaluator, exceptional at roster building, and someone who is an excellent decision-maker," Strunk said in an interview with TennesseeTitans.com at the start of the process. "I also want someone who is a collaborator, someone who is able to find and build consensus to get to the best answers for the team, someone who is open to innovation and evaluating talent beyond the traditional avenues. Just really a talented person in all areas. But more than anything I want someone that can collaborate – that is super important to me, being able to find this person who can collaborate so we're all working together, rowing the same direction.

"I am excited about the process, and I am excited about finding the right person. I think this is going to be a great reset for us going forward, a chance to bring in new ideas, a new way of doing things."

Tee Higgins statement on Damar Hamlin

Cincinnati Bengals player Tee Higgins, who was the other player involved in the play that sent Damar Hamlin into cardiac arrest released the following statement via Twitter:

My prayers and thoughts go out to @HamlinIsland the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro. Love 🙏🏾💙

— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) January 3, 2023

Damar Hamlin is still hospitalized and in critical condition at this time.

Las Vegas Raiders announce Sandra Douglass Morgan as new president

The Las Vegas Raiders introduced Sandra Douglass Morgan as the franchise’s new president, she is the first Black woman to hold the title with an NFL team.

"I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family," said Raiders Owner Mark Davis. "Her experience, integrity and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization. From the moment I met Sandra, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. We are extremely lucky to have her at the helm."

A Las Vegas native, Morgan has long been a trailblazer and was the first person of color to serve as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and first African-American City Attorney in the State of Nevada. Morgan was most recently with the law firm Covington & Burling, LLP and previously served as the City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas. Prior to that, she served as a litigation attorney for an international gaming and hospitality company.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to join the Raiders at one of the most defining times in the team's history," said Morgan. "This team's arrival in Las Vegas has created a new energy and opportunities we never dreamed possible. I look forward to taking this team's integrity, spirit and commitment to excellence on the field into every facet of this organization."

Buffalo Bills Foundation and NFL Foundation contributing $400,000 to support response to Buffalo massacre

The Buffalo Bills Foundation and NFL Foundation are taking initial steps to help the Buffalo's East Side community heal in the wake of Saturday's targeted attack against the Black community.

The foundations are combining to donate $400,000 to support the community in the wake of this horrific hate crime.

A combined $200,0000 will go to the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. This new fund is a collaborative philanthropic effort across the region that will address the immediate and long-term needs in our community, including systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color.

"On behalf of the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund, we are most grateful for the generous contributions from the Buffalo Bills Foundation and the National Football League Foundation that will allow us to create real change and emerge from the darkness of this heinous act," said Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. "This Fund is a partnership to build upon the collective desire to take action and to work together as a community to address immediate needs, long-term rebuilding and systemic issues that continue to marginalize communities of color."

The other $200,000 will be donated directly from the Buffalo Bills Foundation to various nonprofits working on the emergency response efforts to address the immediate needs of Buffalo's East Side residents. As an example of one of these efforts, we have partnered with Buffalo Go Green, African Heritage Food Co-op, the Resource Council of WNY, and UB Food Lab to arrange home food deliveries to those unable to come to a food distribution site.

This is just the beginning of the efforts of the Buffalo Bills and we are committed to doing more for the community as the days and weeks go by.

To find more ways to get involved and provide support to those in need in our community, click here.

Colin Kaepernick to receive honorary degree from Morgan State University

Morgan State University President David K. Wilson today announced that three exemplary vanguards of social justice and the African-American experience will be awarded honorary degrees during the 145th Spring Commencement ceremony taking place at Hughes Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 21. At the ceremony.

Among those to receive honorary degrees will be Super Bowl quarterback and champion for social justice, Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree capping the trio of honorary degrees awarded at Morgan’s 145th Spring Commencement Exercises. The holder of the all-time National Football League (NFL) record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback, Kaepernick famously took a knee during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016 to bring attention to systemic oppression — specifically police violence — of Black and Brown people. For his stance, he has been denied the opportunity to regain his employment within the NFL to this day.

Since 2016, he has founded and helped to fund three organizations — Know Your Rights Camp, Ra Vision Media, and Kaepernick Publishing — that together advance the liberation of Black and Brown people through storytelling, systems change and political education.

Kaepernick sits on Medium’s board of directors and is the winner of numerous prestigious honors, including Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope honor, GQ magazine’s “Citizen of the Year,” the NFL’s Len Eshmont Award, the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the ACLU’s Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award and the Puffin/Nation Institute’s Prize for Creative Citizenship. In 2019, Kaepernick helped Nike win an Emmy for its “Dream Crazy” commercial. In 2021, he released Colin in Black & White, a six-episode limited series on Netflix exploring his high school years. The show won two NAACP Image Awards. In 2022, he became a New York Times bestselling author for his acclaimed children’s picture book, “I Color Myself Different.”

Others receiving honoraary degress are Morgan alumnus and filmmaker David E. Talbert and Morgan alumnus David Burton, the chief proponent in the landmark Coalition for Excellence and Equity in Maryland Higher Education (HBCUs) vs. the State of Maryland lawsuit.

“Leadership, Integrity, Innovation, Diversity, Excellence and Respect are more than just words that appear on the flags that adorn our campus, or words that we utter casually when reciting our core values, they represent the embodiment of who we are and what a Morgan graduate stands for,” said President Wilson. “With this notion in mind, we intentionally sought a collection of individuals who truly embody these principles, and thankfully we have assembled a trio of diverse voices who have bravely stood—and kneeled—for the betterment and advancement of the voiceless, the marginalized and the disenfranchised.”

MARIA TAYLOR NAMED HOST OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA

Maria Taylor is the new host of Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports, NBC Sports announced today. Football Night is NBC Sports’ flagship studio show, preceding Sunday Night Football — primetime television’s No. 1 show for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years — each week during the NFL season. Taylor debuted on the program as a co-host in 2021.

NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood: “Maria is the perfect choice to carry the legacy forward of anchoring the most-watched studio show in sports.”

In the last 12 months, Taylor – who was named one of 2021’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” by Adweek – has hosted many of the most-watched events and programs in sports. Following her move to NBC Sports in July 2021, she hosted the Tokyo Olympics, Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show, and Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Just prior to joining NBC Sports, she also hosted the primetime network broadcast of the NFL Draft and the NBA Finals.

In addition to her hosting roles, Taylor is executive producing and currently in production on an eight-part documentary series on the history of the Black quarterback in the NFL that will stream on Peacock.

NFL's Houston Texans and Texas Southern University Announce Partnership

The Houston Texans and Texas Southern University announced a two-year partnership that will positively impact the Houston community by creating opportunities for student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. The partnership was announced at a reception honoring Texans Head Coach Lovie Smith at the TSU Library Learning Center.

"We are happy to honor Coach Lovie Smith for his historic elevation to head coach, and for his contributions to the entire Houston community,” TSU Board of Regents Chairman Albert Myres said. “Coach Smith embodies leadership qualities that we work daily demonstrate. We appreciate all that he does and all that he is to our community.”

“The Houston Texans are proud to partner with TSU to support the university’s student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Houston Texans Chair and Chief Executive Officer Cal McNair said. “It is our hope that this partnership will enrich the next generation’s love of the game of football while providing unique opportunities to our community’s future leaders.”

The partnership will focus on three core initiatives including improving athletic facilities, funding scholarship opportunities for female student-athletes, and student, faculty and staff engagement. Over the next two years, the Texans will:

*Donate the team’s artificial playing surface from NRG Stadium

*Support football field house improvements that will assist with recruiting top-tier student-athletes to TSU

*Award scholarships to five female student-athletes each year

*Create opportunities and programming that will provide access to professional development, internships and mentoring for TSU students, faculty, staff and athletics leadership

“This partnership with the Texans will assist in transforming the lives of our TSU students. This investment affords our scholar-athletes additional resources to ensure their success on and off the field,” Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, PresIdent of Texas Southern University said. “Given the facilities enhancements to the professional development, internships, and scholarships, our young scholars will exhibit exemplary performance!”

Texas Southern University is a student-centered comprehensive doctoral university committed to ensuring equality, offering innovative programs that are responsive to its urban setting, and transforming diverse students into lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and creative leaders in their local, national, and global communities.

Loretta Lunch hired to defend the NFL to fight Brian Flores lawsuit

The National Football League has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to defend it in a high-profile race discrimination case filed earlier this month by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

Lynch, a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, is working with the law firm’s chairman Brad Karp on the litigation, according to four sources familiar with the situation.

Lynch has a legal history with the NFL.

She was tapped by the New York-based NFL in late 2020 to work on an inquiry into claims of misconduct involving owners of what was then called the Washington Football Team.

[SOURCE: BLOOMBERG LAW]

Faith Leaders Call On NFL to move Super Bowl from Arizona due to racist voting laws

A coalition of 400 faith leaders call on NFL to move Super Bowl LVII from Arizona in 2023 due to restrictive voting laws.

In 2021, Arizona passed three restrictive laws intended to limit the time voters can fix their absentee ballots, address signature issues, and allow for the removal of voters from the vote by mail list. The majority of voters harmed by these laws are African American, Latino, and Native American voters, as well as rural voters, and poor and low income voters.

In a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell, Faith for Black Lives said:

"Nearly thirty years ago, the NFL relocated Super Bowl XXVII from Arizona because of the state's refusal to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We ask that you take the same action for Super Bowl LVII."

"Are we called to be merely spectators of a sport we love, or are we called to act, as the NFL did the last time it stood up to Arizona? As two of the NFL's slogans this season are "Inspire Change" and "It Takes All of Us," who precisely are the us to be inspired, but the very spectators who also happen to be voters?"

Link to full letter here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bAdcBXHvJm0liNdNHAQ2QMzEAqVDDNfue2o_KcItWOM/edit

"We are closer than ever to midnight for our democracy because Congress refuses to protect the right to vote," said Rev. Stephen A. Green, "now is the time for corporate America to join the fight to redeem the soul of America. We invite Chairman Goodell to meet with us to discuss moving Super Bowl LVII from Arizona and refuse to invest in states that intend to limit access to the ballot. We intend to escalate our request through nonviolent direct action if our demands are not met promptly."

For more information visit The Ballot or the Blackout

Houston Texans hire Lovie Smith as New Head Coach

After giving David Culley just one year to prove himself, the Houston Texans on Monday hired Lovie Smith as their new head coach, adding a veteran with a track record of success to a team that faces questions about its hiring process.

Smith, who is Black, is the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, on Sunday.

Smith, a former defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams and more recently the head coach at the University of Illinois, spent this season as Houston’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator. He will take over for Culley, who also is Black, and was fired after one season.

“He is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader," Houston general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement. “A proven winner, Lovie has shown the ability to develop players both on and off the field for years. We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward."

“I have so many friends, family, teammates and coaches to thank for supporting me and helping me continue to do what I love, which is teaching and developing players," Smith said in a statement. “I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and this city to develop a championship-level program. I’m ready to get to work and build it together.”

Civil Rights Leaders Request Meeting With NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell To Discuss Hiring Practices

The Rev. Al Sharpton and other prominent civil rights leaders promised “direct action” at this month’s Super Bowl if the NFL does not immediately address allegations of racism and a lack of diversity highlighted in a blockbuster lawsuit.

In a letter on Thursday to National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, the civic leaders said they want to huddle with team and league executives to discuss what the league plans to do to increase the number of Black coaches and general managers.

“Despite continued efforts and commitments, we are still sitting here today with 32 teams, not one Black owner and only one Black coach,” the letter said. “This is an outrage at best, and requires your immediate attention.”

The meeting request comes days after former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores shook up the sports world with a class-action racial discrimination lawsuit against the powerhouse sports league.

The letter to Goodell was signed by Sharpton, National Urban League President Marc Morial, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, Black Women’s Roundtable President Melanie Campbell and Barbara Skinner, co-convener of the National African American Clergy Network.

“In light of the recent lawsuit filed by Brian Flores, it has brought this attention back to the forefront of our community, and it is important that you have an immediate open dialogue with Civil Rights leadership,” the letter says.

“We are being asked to do everything within our power, including direct action at next week’s Super Bowl, as well as appealing to local municipalities that underwrite and give special considerations to stadiums to pressure the NFL and its owners to get more serious about enforcing the ruling law.”

[SOURCE: NY DAILY NEWS]

Watch Brian Flores’ full ESPN interview on suing the NFL, Dolphins, Giants & Broncos

Watch Brian Flores’ full interview on ESPN about filing a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams (Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants) that alleges racism in hiring practices.

Washington Football Team will NOT be called the Red Tails

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Two years after the Washington Football Team dropped its name which many considered racist , the team has announced that on February 2, 2022, they will announce a new team name.

While Many wanted a name that represented the military, some of us were more specific and wanted the team to be called the Red Tails after the legendary Tuskegee Airmen.

The name Red Tails comes from the distinctive deep red color that the pilots painted the tails of their planes.

Unfortunately, it appears that the team will not be called the Red Tails. Per ESPN WFT co-CEO Tanya Snyder confirmed that the final eight candidates were Armada, Presidents, Brigade, Redhawks, Commanders, RedWolves, Defenders and Football Team.

To be honest, my first thought was that this is some bullsh*t. Once I calmed down I realized that while it's not the change that I and others may have wanted, it's still better than the old team name.

It's still some B.S. though.

DeMaurice Smith responds to Gruden's emails about him & how the NFL turns the corner

After being the subject of a racial trope by disgraced head coach Jon Gruden, NFL Players Association Director DeMaurice Smith wonders if the leaked email signals a larger issue within the league.

Smith joined ESPN’s The Right Time podcast hosted by Bomani Jones and discussed the bombshell scandal to hit the NFL, after leaked emails showed racist, sexist, and homophobic comments from Gruden.

Maia Chaka becomes first Black female official in NFL history

Maia Chaka made history on Sunday, as she became the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game.

Officiating in Sunday's New York Jets at Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chaka is the third on-field female official in the NFL, joining Sarah Thomas, the first permanent female game official, and Shannon Eastin, who was the first woman to officiate an NFL game.

Chaka, a health and physical education teacher, spent time as a referee in the NCAA's Pac-12 conference and Conference USA, as well as in the short-lived Alliance of American Football in 2019.

She entered the NFL's Officiating Development Program in 2014, a program designed to offer top officiating prospects in the collegiate ranks "exposure to in-game experiences that NFL officials face, to determine if they have the ability to succeed," according to the NFL.

Los Angeles Rams Aaron Donald named the NFL's defensive player of the year.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald were named the NFL's offensive and defensive players of the year.

Donald received 27 votes, edging out the Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt, who picked up 20 votes.

Donald won defensive player of the year for the third time in four years, also taking home the award following the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He joined Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only players to earn the honor three times since it was first presented in 1971.

Donald led all players with 54 pressures this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He also led the league for the third straight season in pass rush win rate as an interior defensive lineman (24.2%), despite being double-teamed on 65.7% of his pass rushes (third-highest rate in league).

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry named NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was named the NFL's offensive player of the year.

Henry won his award with 32 out of the 50 votes, easily eclipsing Rodgers and Mahomes, who each garnered five votes.

Henry turned in the NFL's fifth-highest single-season rushing total with 2,027 yards. He also rushed for 17 touchdowns, becoming the sixth player in NFL history to lead the league outright in rushing yards and touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.

Henry is just the fourth running back to win offensive player of the year since 2010 and the first since Todd Gurley in 2017.

[SOURCE: ESPN]