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What To Look For – Week 3

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Photo Cred: Associated Press (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

 

NEW YORK — Sept. 18, 2024 — Below are players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, including:

  • QB Derek Carr
  • QB C.J. Stroud
  • QB Brock Purdy
  • RB J.K. Dobbins
  • RB Jordan Mason
  • WR CeeDee Lamb
  • QB Jayden Daniels
  • WR Malik Nabers
  • TE Brock Bowers
  • DL Aidan Hutchinson
  • LB Patrick Jones

SAINTS OFFENSE ON A ROLL

The New Orleans Saints (2-0) enter Week 3 leading the NFL in points scored (91) and touchdowns (11) and including Week 18 last season, became the third team since 1970 to score at least 44 points in three consecutive games, joining the 2018 New Orleans Saints (Weeks 9-11) and 2007 New England Patriots (Weeks 6-8).

The Saints, with 34 points against the Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET, FOX), can become fourth team since 1970 with at least 125 points scored in their first three games of a season, joining the 2023 Miami Dolphins (130 points), 2013 Denver Broncos (127) and 2015 Arizona Cardinals (126).

New Orleans can also become the fourth team in NFL history to score at least 40 points in four consecutive games, joining the 2004 Indianapolis Colts, 2000 St. Louis Rams and 1960 Los Angeles Chargers.

Quarterback Derek Carr leads the league in passer rating (142.4) and ranks tied for first in touchdown passes (five) through the first two weeks of the season. He has a passer rating of 100-or-higher in six consecutive starts, including a 125-or-higher rating in each of his past three, and has thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven consecutive starts.

On Sunday, Carr can become the fifth quarterback in NFL history to record seven consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (three times), Tom Brady (twice), Aaron Rodgers (twice) and Patrick Mahomes.

The players with the most consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM GAMES
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay 12 (Sept. 8, 2011 – Dec. 4, 2011)
Tom Brady New England 10 (Nov. 14, 2010 – Sept. 18, 2011)
Peyton Manning HOF Indianapolis 9 (Oct. 10, 2004 – Dec. 12, 2004)
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay 8 (Oct. 25, 2020 – Dec. 13, 2020)
Tom Brady New England 8 (Sept. 9, 2007 – Oct. 28, 2007)
Peyton Manning HOF Indianapolis 8 (Oct. 17, 2005 – Dec. 11, 2005)
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 7 (Oct. 14, 2018 – Dec. 2, 2018)
Peyton Manning HOF Denver 7 (Dec. 23, 2012 – Oct. 6, 2013)
     
Derek Carr New Orleans 6 (Dec. 17, 2023 – current)

Carr can also become the third quarterback in NFL history to record four consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 125-or-higher, joining Russell Wilson (five consecutive games in 2015) and Ryan Tannehill (four in 2019).

STROUD STELLAR IN FIRST 20

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud has recorded 5,051 passing yards with 29 touchdowns against five interceptions for a 102 rating in 19 career starts, including the postseason.

On Sunday at Minnesota (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Stroud can move into the top-five for most passing yards by a player in his first 20 career games, including the postseason, in NFL history.

The players with the most passing yards in their first 20 career games, including the postseason, in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM PASS YARDS
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 6,332
Justin Herbert L.A. Chargers 5,912
Kurt Warner HOF St. Louis Rams 5,455
Andrew Luck Indianapolis 5,366
Joe Burrow Cincinnati 5,333
     
C.J. Stroud Houston 5,051*
*in 19 career games

In his past nine starts, including the postseason, Stroud has thrown zero interceptions and at 22 years and 355 days old on Sunday, can become the first player under the age of 25 without an interception in 10 consecutive games, including the playoffs (min. 20 attempts in each game).

Among players with at least 400 pass attempts, Stroud – who enters Sunday with five career interceptions – can have the fewest interceptions thrown by a player in his first 20 career games, including the postseason, in NFL history, surpassing Jacoby Brissett (seven interceptions), Nick Foles (seven), Dak Prescott (seven) and Michael Vick (seven).

PURDY GOOD

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy recorded a 101.3 passer rating in Week 2 in his 23rd career regular-season start, his 15th regular-season start with a passer rating of 100-or-higher.

With a passer rating of 100-or-higher at the Los Angeles Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Purdy, in 24 starts, will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner (16 games) for the second-most such games by a player in his first 25 career regular-season starts in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (18 games) has more.

The players with the most games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in their first 25 career regular-season starts:

PLAYER TEAM STARTS WITH 100+ RATING
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 18
Kurt Warner HOF St. Louis Rams 16
Carson Palmer Cincinnati 15
Dak Prescott Dallas 15
Brock Purdy San Francisco 15*
Tony Romo Dallas 15
*in 23 starts

DOBBINS & MASON OFF TO STRONG STARTS ON THE GROUND

Through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards while San Francisco running back Jordan Mason ranks second with 247 rushing yards. Both players have rushed for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their team’s first two games this season.

On Sunday, Dobbins (at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. ET, CBS) and Mason (at the Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX) can become the seventh and eighth players in NFL history with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in each of his team’s first three games of a season.

The players with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the most consecutive team games to begin a season in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON GAMES
Jim Brown HOF Cleveland 1958 6
O.J. Simpson HOF Buffalo 1975 5
DeMarco Murray Dallas 2014 4
Emmitt Smith HOF Dallas 1995 4
Dalvin Cook Minnesota 2019 3
Curtis Martin HOF N.Y. Jets 2004 3
       
J.K. Dobbins L.A. Chargers 2024 2*
Jordan Mason San Francisco 2024 2*
*active streak

CEEDEE RIGHT AT HOME

In the Cowboys’ home opener last week, Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb recorded his first touchdown reception of the season, his eighth-consecutive regular-season home game with at least one touchdown catch.

Against Baltimore on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Lamb can become the sixth player in NFL history to record a touchdown reception in nine consecutive regular-season home games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Cris Carter (10 consecutive home games from 2000-01), Bob Hayes (10 from 1965-66), Raymond Berry (nine from 1958-60), Tommy McDonald (nine from 1957-59) and Jerry Rice (nine from 1989-90).

The players with the most consecutive regular-season home games with a touchdown reception in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM SEASONS GAMES
Cris Carter HOF Minnesota 2000-01 10
Bob Hayes HOF Dallas 1965-66 10
Raymond Berry HOF Baltimore Colts 1958-60 9
Tommy McDonald HOF Philadelphia 1957-59 9
Jerry Rice HOF San Francisco 1989-90 9
       
CeeDee Lamb Dallas 2023-24 8*
*active streak

ROOKIE SUCCESS

Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, in his first two career starts, has completed 40 of 53 pass attempts (75.5 percent) with a 97.2 passer rating, with a completion percentage above 70 and a passer rating above 90 in each start.

On Monday night in Cincinnati (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC), Daniels can become the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to record a completion percentage of 70-or-higher and a passer rating of 90-or-higher in three consecutive games (minimum 20 attempts in each game), joining Dak Prescott (four consecutive games in 2016), Mac Jones (two separate three-game streaks in 2021) and Ben Roethlisberger (three in 2004).

The rookie quarterbacks with the most consecutive games with a completion percentage of 70-or-higher and a passer rating of 90-or-higher in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM GAMES
Dak Prescott Dallas 4 (Week 2-5, 2016)
Mac Jones New England 3 (Weeks 10-12, 2021)
Mac Jones New England 3 (Weeks 4-6, 2021)
Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh 3 (Weeks 5-6, 8, 2004)
     
Jayden Daniels Washington 2* (Weeks 1-2, 2024)
*active streak

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers has 15 catches for 193 yards and one touchdown in his first two career games. In Week 2, at 21 years and 49 days old, he became the youngest player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions, 100 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in a game.

On Sunday at Cleveland (1 p.m. ET, FOX), Nabers can become the sixth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 300 receiving yards in his first three career games.

The players with the most receiving yards in their first three career games in the Super Bowl era:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON REC. YARDS
Anquan Boldin Arizona 2003 378
Puka Nacua L.A. Rams 2023 338
Louis Lipps Pittsburgh 1984 337
Stefon Diggs Minnesota 2015 324
Charlie Wade Chicago 1974 315
       
Malik Nabers N.Y. Giants 2024 193*
*in two career games

Las Vegas rookie tight end Brock Bowers has 15 receptions for 156 yards this season and last week, became the first tight end in NFL history with at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards in each of his first two career games.

This Sunday against Carolina (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS), Bowers can become the fourth rookie tight end in NFL history with at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards in three consecutive games, joining Dalton Kincaid (four consecutive games in 2023), John Carlson (three in 2008) and Bob Tucker (three in 1970).

In Week 3, Nabers and Bowers can move into the top-five for most receptions by a player in his first three career games in NFL history. With four catches, Bowers can surpass Sam LaPorta (18 receptions in 2023) for the most receptions by a tight end in his first three career games all-time.

The players with the most receptions in their first three career games in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON RECEPTIONS
Puka Nacua L.A. Rams 2023 30
Anquan Boldin Arizona 2003 23
Jaylen Waddle Miami 2021 22
Three tied     21
       
Brock Bowers Las Vegas 2024 15*
Malik Nabers N.Y. Giants 2024 15*
*in two career games

THE NORTH BRINGS PRESSURE

Detroit defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks in Week 2 and has registered 10.5 sacks in his past four regular-season games, since Week 17 of the 2023 season.

With two sacks at Arizona (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX), Hutchinson can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (12.5 sacks in 2001) for the most sacks by a player in a five-game span since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.

The players with the most sacks in a five-game span since 1982:

PLAYER TEAM SPAN SACKS  
Michael Strahan HOF N.Y. Giants Weeks 3-7, 2001 12.5  
Richard Dent HOF Chicago Weeks 8-12, 1984 12  
Aldon Smith San Francisco Weeks 7-8 & 10-12, 2012 12  
Aldon Smith San Francisco Weeks 8 & 10-13, 2012 12  
Aldon Smith San Francisco Weeks 10-14, 2012 12  
Derrick Thomas HOF Kansas City Weeks 14-17, 1997 & Week 1, 1998 12  
         
Aidan Hutchinson Detroit Weeks 17-18, 2023 & Weeks 1-2, 2024 10.5*  
*in past four games

The Minnesota Vikings lead the NFL with 11 sacks this season, after recording five sacks in Week 1 and six sacks in Week 2. With five sacks against Houston (1 p.m. ET, CBS), the Vikings can become the third team since 1990 with at least five sacks in each of their first three games of a season, joining the 2001 New Orleans Saints and 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Vikings linebacker Pat Jones has recorded two sacks in each of the first two weeks and can become the third player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record two sacks in each of his team’s first three games of a season, joining Mark Gastineau (1984 with the New York Jets) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene (1998 with Carolina).
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

Ducks Return To Form in 49-14 Win over OSU

By
Kellan Quinn
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After two lackluster performances against unranked opponents, the Oregon Ducks finally put it all together against the Oregon State Beavers. The Ducks delivered a commanding road victory over their in-state rivals, demonstrating the kind of high-caliber play that many had expected from them all season. The 35-14 win not only showcased Oregon’s true potential but also highlighted their ability to make critical adjustments and execute with precision.

Photos: No. 9 Oregon Ducks run past rival Oregon State Beavers, 49-14 - oregonlive.com

Photo Cred: Oregon Live

From the very first drive, it was evident that the Ducks had turned a corner. The offensive line has been a major point of concern. They allowed a troubling seven sacks in the previous two games. But the line rose to the occasion with a dominant performance. The line gave quarterback Dillon Gabriel ample time to survey the field and made space for the running backs to exploit. Oregon’s opening drive was nothing short of impressive, with Jordan James slicing through the Beavers’ defense for significant yardage. James capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for what was to come.

Gabriel was exceptional throughout the game, completing 20 of 24 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns. His precision and decision-making were on full display, as he orchestrated an offense that looked far more cohesive than in recent weeks. The Ducks’ passing attack was complemented by a robust running game, which kept the Beavers’ defense guessing and off-balance.

On the other side of the ball, the Beavers’ offense showed some early promise, managing to score two touchdowns in the first half on extended drives. Despite their resilience, they found themselves trailing by eight points at halftime. The Ducks’ defense, however, made crucial adjustments during the break. They came out in the second half with renewed intensity and focus, holding Oregon State to a mere 91 total yards in the final two quarters. The Beavers’ offense struggled to find rhythm, with quarterback Guvoni Mccoy finishing the game with 22 completions on 34 attempts for 172 yards.

Oregon Ducks football vs. Oregon State Beavers: Live score, updates - oregonlive.com : r/green_turtles

Photo Cred: USA Today

Oregon’s defense effectively neutralized Mccoy’s passing game, disrupting his timing and making it difficult for the Beavers to sustain drives. One of the most notable improvements for the Ducks was their discipline. Entering the game ranked 109th nationally for penalties with 17 infractions on the season, Oregon managed to keep their mistakes to a minimum. They committed just three penalties throughout the entire game, none of which were attributed to the offensive line—a significant turnaround from their previous performances.

With this impressive win under their belt, the Oregon Ducks will enjoy a bye week before traveling to Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins on September 23rd. The extra time off will allow them to rest and refine their strategy as they prepare for a challenging matchup. Meanwhile, the Oregon State Beavers will stay at home, gearing up to host the Purdue Boilermakers next Saturday at Reser Stadium, hoping to rebound and regain their momentum.

Highlights and Takeaways: Wisconsin-Stevens Point vs. St. Norbert College Recap

By
Terrance Biggs
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The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point made the seventy-five-mile journey to De Pere, Wisconsin, worthwhile, leaving town with a decisive 24-3 victory. The Pointers evened their record to 1-1, while the Green Knights fell to 0-2. Although the final score suggests a one-sided contest, the game itself was much closer. Both teams played hard from the first snap to the final whistle. The Pointers earned their win through gritty play and a relentless will to win. On a humid September day, these two in-state rivals from different conferences demonstrated the essence of Division III football.

Miles Gallagher

Photo Cred: De Pere

Run Heavy Pays Off Late

After a scoreless and offensively sluggish first quarter, UWSP began incorporating orbit motion into their game plan. While it didn’t yield immediate results, it made SNC’s defense pause and rethink their pre-snap adjustments. The Pointers gradually gained confidence as their one- and two-yard gains started to accumulate. By the game’s final quarter, UWSP was charging downhill into the heart of the Green Knights’ defense. Reed Smith and Brycen Cashin each scored rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

A Combo Platter

St. Norbert’s offense struggled throughout the game. Some might point to the absence of starting quarterback Peyton Lyon as a reason, but that doesn’t fully account for the Pointers’ defensive prowess. The Stevens Point defense pressured backup Michael Meneguzzo, sacking him twice, intercepting two passes, and forcing a fumble. Kudos go to UWSP co-defensive coordinators Trent LaCombe and Mitchell Snyder for their physical and disciplined game plan. Moreover, Head Coach Dan McCarty would not make excuses; his program prides itself on accountability. The Pointers consistently disrupted SNC’s plays.

Turning Point

In the third quarter, St. Norbert started to gain momentum. Meneguzzo connected with wide receiver Mitch Van Vooren, bringing the Green Knights to the two-yard line. However, after a pass interference penalty, SNC ran six plays from inside the five-yard line but only managed a 22-yard field goal. The missed opportunity deflated the home crowd, and the Pointers capitalized as the game slipped away from the Green Knights.

Drained

The UWSP offense ran forty-six no-huddle plays, wearing down the SNC defense under a clear sky. The Green Knights showed signs of fatigue with hands on hips and a slower walk to the line of scrimmage. The Pointers’ up-tempo pace effectively wore out their opponents. With a tired defense and an ineffective offense, Stevens Point executed their strategy to perfection. Patience and confidence in their offensive system paid off.

Player of the Game

Miles Gallagher had only six touches but accumulated 120 total yards and scored a touchdown. His thirty-nine-yard catch late in the game, making the score 17-3 with 3:14 remaining, essentially sealed the victory. Gallagher’s big-play ability and the interaction between him and an SNC defender, followed by a UWSP coach’s redirection, highlighted his impact. His performance should boost his team’s confidence for the rest of the season.

Game Meaning

The Pointers left with a win and look forward to their next two games at home against Gustavus Adolphus and UW-Stout. Road victories build team cohesion and a sense of purpose, and UWSP has matched their win total from the last two seasons. Head Coach Luke Venne, in his second year, is working to restore the program’s respectability. For the St. Norbert Knights, the loss drops them to 0-2. They now face a 229-mile trip to Montgomery, Illinois, to challenge defending NACC champions Aurora University. With their strong coaching staff, the Green Knights’ 0-2 start seems more like a temporary setback than a terminal issue.

Is It Time for Tua Tagovailoa to Retire?

By
Sean Tessler
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Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion on Thursday after colliding headfirst with Damar Hamlin while trying to gain a first down. This marks his third official concussion. It raises concerns about whether he should continue playing and jeopardize his long-term health. On Friday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that he doesn’t want to add any extra stress on Tagovailoa regarding future timelines.

“It is absolutely imperative that he [Tagovailoa] is focusing on nothing but his recovery now,” McDaniel said at a press conference. He stressed the importance of Tagovailoa taking the recovery process one day at a time and following expert advice through the concussion protocol. While Tagovailoa shouldn’t be preoccupied with future concerns during his recovery, considering retirement due to his injury history might be prudent.

Dolphins will add quarterback after Tua Tagovailoa sustains 3rd career concussion | CBC Sports

Photo Cred: USA Today

Tua’s Injury History:

Tagovailoa previously suffered two concussions during the 2022 season. His first concussion occurred in Week 3 when Bills linebacker Matt Milano drove him into the ground, causing the back of his head to hit the turf. Though Tagovailoa stumbled and fell, the injury wasn’t officially classified as a concussion, and he finished the game.

However, four days later, Tagovailoa experienced his first official concussion in the second quarter of a game when he was thrown to the ground and hit his head again. He displayed a fencing reaction his fingers curled up indicating a concussion. He was removed on a stretcher and entered the concussion protocol. Tagovailoa returned three weeks later but sustained another head injury in Week 16. He went on to miss the rest of the 2022-2023 season, including a Wild Card game against the Bills.

Long-Term Effects:

With multiple head injuries, Tagovailoa faces an increased risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE can lead to cognitive impairment, mood changes, and Parkinsonism. Symptoms typically appear in two stages: behavioral changes and depression in one’s 20s or 30s, followed by memory loss and dementia later in life. Continuing to play after Thursday’s injury could further jeopardize his long-term health.

Impact on Guaranteed Money:

In the offseason, Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension with over $160 million guaranteed. However, this money is not guaranteed if he decides to retire voluntarily. He would only receive the guaranteed money if retirement was medically mandated. If Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol in a few weeks, his retirement wouldn’t be considered “forced,” and he would forfeit the guaranteed funds. While Tagovailoa has already earned substantial money from his career, retiring now would mean leaving a significant amount behind. He will need to weigh his injury history and potential long-term health risks against the financial and personal impact of retiring from the sport he loves.

National Football League and Amazon Web Services Expand Partnership to Further Shape the Future of Football

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: NFL
NEW YORK – Sept. 10, 2024 – The National Football League and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company (NASDAQ: AMZN), today announced an extension of their long-term partnership. Since 2017, the NFL and AWS have been at the forefront of innovation, leveraging AWS’s artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) services to shape the future of football.

The global partnership will be on display during this week’s games with the debut of a new AI-powered Next Gen Stat that changes how we understand and analyze tackles in football. The Tackle Probability ML model predicts, at any given moment of a play, the likelihood that a given defender will make a tackle, helping to quantify which defenders are the most reliable tacklers and which ball carriers are most elusive. Tackle Probability can be used to calculate various metrics that can be applied to both offensive and defensive analysis, such as missed tackle attempts by a defender and missed tackles forced by a ball carrier.

Powered by AWS, the Next Gen Stats platform collects over 500 million data points each season. This wealth of data serves as the foundation for innovation throughout the NFL, from enhancing fan engagement through advanced statistics to transforming the viewing experience by enabling alternate broadcasts and new ways of visualizing the action on the field. Additionally, data-driven insights have a direct impact on the game itself by informing rule changes to make the game safer and even more exciting, including the NFL’s new Dynamic Kickoff.

A key component of the partnership renewal is the implementation of generative AI to increase operational efficiency and drive additional value for the league and its fans.

“Through our collaboration with AWS, we are continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in football,” said Gary Brantley, chief information officer at the NFL. “By harnessing the power of data and advanced technologies like generative AI, together we are accelerating the pace of innovation in important areas such as player safety, fan engagement and content production. This season we’ll see an increase in operational efficiency as we begin to leverage AWS’s generative AI capabilities at NFL Media.”

NFL Media has implemented Amazon Q Business, a generative AI-powered assistant, so users can ask questions and get answers to a wide range of business intelligence and production questions. This enables a self-service helpdesk for common technical and operational questions with detailed and immediate responses. Additionally, NFL Media has launched a generative AI-powered research tool built on Amazon Bedrock that enables the production team to use natural language prompts to retrieve insights and relevant footage from distinct plays throughout the NFL’s Next Gen Stats database quicker than ever before.

These developments will boost employee productivity and enable teams to concentrate on producing high-quality content across NFL Media’s properties including NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL.com, NFL+, the NFL app and the NFL Channel on FAST platforms, as well as the NFL’s social media channels.

“The NFL and AWS share a passion for innovation and we are excited to continue to drive advancements across the NFL ecosystem,” said Julie Souza, global head of sports at AWS. “As we look ahead, this partnership represents an opportunity for the NFL and AWS to reimagine the future of football in a world of quickly evolving technology. By leveraging AWS’s cutting-edge capabilities, the NFL will unlock new levels of operational efficiency, further advance player health and safety and deliver unparalleled viewing experiences for fans worldwide.”

Additionally, the partnership extension will build upon several industry-leading innovations, including:

  • Next Gen Stats: The NFL’s proprietary player and ball tracking platform, Next Gen Stats, benefits the entire NFL ecosystem as it is utilized by the league, broadcasters, partners, teams, coaches, scouts and players. The NFL leverages AWS to help manage the scale, speed and complexity of the enormous data set. Further, the NFL utilizes AWS’s machine learning capabilities to help turn the tracking data into advanced statistics that help contextualize the action on the field.
  • Digital Athlete: This cutting-edge injury recognition and analytics tool provides a complete view of an NFL player’s experience, using video and data from training, practice and in-game action. AWS technology runs millions of simulations of specific in-game and practice scenarios to identify which players are at risk of injury, enabling coaches and training staff to develop individualized injury prevention, training and recovery regimens. The Digital Athlete has also been instrumental in informing recent rule changes, including the NFL’s new, Dynamic Kickoff. The NFL used it to model the new kickoff, simulating 10,000 seasons’ worth of the play to better understand potential risk to players.
  • NFL Big Data Bowl: The NFL annually hosts the Big Data Bowl powered by AWS, a crowd-sourced competition that challenges applicants to use data and technology to create new insights and make the game more exciting for fans. To date, more than 50 participants in the competition have been hired by NFL teams or league vendors to work in football analytics.
  • Unified View of the Fan: The NFL has developed a platform on AWS that combines data from multiple sources to create a comprehensive view of fans across all touchpoints. By leveraging AWS’s advanced analytics capabilities, the league can glean deeper insights into fan behavior, preferences and engagement levels, enabling more personalized and tailored experiences.
  • NFL Schedule: The NFL uses AWS to power its schedule-making process, running high-performance computing workloads to find the best possible schedule each year from a quadrillion possible combinations.
  •  NFL Films and NFL Media: The NFL utilizes AWS for NFL Films’ digital archive, ensuring that the league’s invaluable content is preserved and accessible for generations to come. Additionally, AWS provides the cloud infrastructure for NFL+, enabling the NFL to strengthen its direct relationship with fans and provide greater access to football content.

Media Contacts: Liana Bailey, liana.bailey@nfl.com, Darlene Capiro, dcapiro@amazon.com

About Amazon Web Services
Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 108 Availability Zones within 34 geographic regions, with announced plans for 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Mexico, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

Miami High Schools Produce Most NFL Players On Kickoff Weekend Rosters

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: NFL
NEW YORK — Sept. 13, 2024 — There were 17 players from Miami (Fla.) high schools on Kickoff Weekend rosters, the most of any city. Las Vegas (Nev.) had the second-most players (16) followed by Bradenton (Fla.) with 15 players in 2024.

“I think the mentality and competitiveness of the city of Miami is the reason for the success in football,” said Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David. “Everybody from Miami, we know how much talent is there, so you have to bring your individual talent level up. I started playing football when I was five or six years old. Once you get into it, then you see how big it is throughout the whole area. From the youth league parks to the high schools, you see how competitive it is and that is carried forward when guys go to their respective colleges. They keep that attitude in college and then they take it to the NFL. It’s all about winning.”

“High school programs play a crucial role in developing NFL talent by instilling skills, discipline, and character”, said NFL Vice President of Football Development Roman Oben, a 12-year NFL veteran and a Gonzaga College High School (Washington, DC) and Fork Union (VA) Military Academy alum. “We continue to see the remarkable influence that high school programs have in shaping the future of NFL talent. The schools on this list are more than just high school football powerhouses; they are communities where young athletes learn the skills, discipline, and character necessary to excel at the highest levels of the game. It’s a testament to the dedication of coaches, mentors, and families who help these players reach their full potential, demonstrating once again that the path to the NFL begins long before the professional journey starts.”

High School Cities with Most NFL Players

Hometown NFL Players Hometown NFL Players
Miami, Fla. 17 Tampa, Fla. 13
Las Vegas, Nev. 16 Plantation, Fla. 12
Bradenton, Fla. 15 Birmingham, Ala. 10
Atlanta, Ga. 14 Charlotte, N.C. 10
Detroit, Mich. 14 Cincinnati, Ohio 10
Houston, Texas 13 Indianapolis, Ind. 10
St. Louis, Mo. 13 Philadelphia, Pa. 10

With 10 cities producing at least four players on Kickoff Weekend rosters, Texas, with 190 players, produced the most players of any state, followed by Florida (176), California (168) and Georgia (146).

States With Most NFL Players

State NFL Players State NFL Players
Texas 190 Pennsylvania 48
Florida 176 Maryland 47
California 168 New Jersey 46
Georgia 146 Virginia 39
North Carolina 74 Mississippi 33
Ohio 65 Missouri 32
Alabama 59 South Carolina 32
Louisiana 58 Tennessee 32
Illinois 54 Arizona 26
Michigan 50 Indiana 25

IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.) produced the most NFL players on 2024 NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters. South Florida continues to produce a plethora of NFL talent, as three of the top five high schools with the most NFL players hail from the region.

High Schools with the Most NFL Players

High School, City, State Number NFL Players
IMG Academy

Bradenton, Fla.

 14 Andre Cisco, JAX; Grant Delpit, CLE; Daniel Faalele, BAL;
Hjalte Froholdt, ARI; Robert Hainsey, TB; J.C. Latham, TEN;
Evan Neal, NYG; Greg Newsome, CLE; K.J. Osborn, NE;
Eli Ricks, PHI; Cesar Ruiz, NO; Nolan Smith, PHI;
Xavier Thomas, ARI; D.J. Turner, CIN
American Heritage

Plantation, Fla.

 10 Brian Burns, NYG; Tyson Campbell, JAX; Khalil Herbert, CHI; James Houston, DET; Mike Morris, SEA: Nesta Jade Silvera, LV; Tedarrell Slaton, GB; Pat Surtain II, DEN; James Williams, TEN; Marco Wilson, NE
Bishop Gorman High School

Las Vegas, Nev.

 8 Nick Gates, PHI; Jaden Hicks, KC; Brevin Jordan, HOU;
Jalen Nailor, MIN; Rome Odunze, CHI; Ronnie Stanley, BAL; Cedric Tillman, CLE; Edefuan Ulofoshio, BUF
DeMatha Catholic High School

Hyattsville, Md.

 8 Ja’Whaun Bentley, NE; Nick Cross, IND; MarShawn Lloyd, GB; Rodney McLeod, CLE; Olusegun Oluwatimi, SEA;
D.J. Turner, LV; Josh Wallace, LAR; Chase Young, NO
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

 8 Jordan Battle, CIN; Nik Bonitto, DEN; Joey Bosa, LAC;
Nick Bosa, SF; Elijah Moore, CLE; Josh Palmer, LAC;
Tyler Steen, PHI; Dallas Turner, MIN
Miami Northwestern Senior High School

Miami, Fla.

 6 Tutu Atwell, LAR; Artie Burns, SEA; Amari Cooper, CLE;
Lavonte David, TB; Calijah Kancey, TB; Kamren Kinchens, LAR
Desoto High School
Desoto, Texas		 5 Ed Ingram, MIN; Von Miller, BUF, Byron Murphy, SEA; Xavier Newman-Johnson, NYJ; Laviska Shenault, SEA
Evangel Academy
Shreveport, La.		 5 Jarrick Bernard-Converse, NYJ; Elijah Chatman, NYG;
Myles Cole, JAX; Jerry Tillery, MIN; Ar’Darius Washington, BAL
Mater Dei High School

Santa Ana, Calif.

 5 Quentin Lake, LAR; Curtis Robinson, SF;
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET; Ryan Stonehouse, TEN;
Bryce Young, CAR
Peachtree Ridge High School
Suwanee, Ga.		 5 Robert Beal, SF; Orlando Brown, CIN; Payne Durham, TB; Cameron Heyward, PIT; Connor Heyward, PIT
St. Joseph’s Prep
Philadelphia, Pa.		 5 Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI; Jon Runyan, NYG; D’Andre Swift, CHI; Jeremiah Trotter, PHI; Olamide Zaccheaus, WAS

Fourteen high schools had four players on NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters this year:

High School; City, State High School; City, State
Blair Academy; Blairstown, N.J. Orem High School; Orem, Utah
Greater Atlanta Christian School; Norcross, Ga. Plaquemine High School; Plaquemine, La.
Highland Springs High School; Highland Springs, Va. Punahou School; Honolulu, Hawaii
Lake Travis High School; Austin, Texas Saguaro High School; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Lakewood High School; St. Petersburg, Fla. Saint Ignatius High School; Cleveland, Ohio
Long Beach Polytechnic; Long Beach, Calif. Temple High School; Temple, Texas
Oaks Christian School; Westlake Village, Calif. Valor Christian High School; Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Overall, NFL players hail from high schools in 45 states and the District of Columbia, four countries – Australia, Canada, Netherlands and the United States – and a U.S. territory (American Samoa). The totals are based on the 1,726 players on Kickoff Weekend rosters.

NFL Players Per Capita:  Georgia, with one NFL player for every 73,369 residents, leads the list of NFL players per capita. Louisiana (one in 80,306) and Alabama (one in 85,157) round out the top three. The national average is one NFL player per 194,512 U.S. residents.

States with Most NFL Players Per Capita

State Population* NFL Players NFL Players Per Capita
Georgia 10,711,908 146 1 NFL player per 73,369 people
Louisiana 4,657,757 58 1 NFL player per 80,306 people
Alabama 5,024,279 59 1 NFL player per 85,157 people
Mississippi 2,961,279 33 1 NFL player per 89,736 people
District of Columbia 689,545 6 1 NFL player per 114,924 people
Florida 21,538,187 176 1 NFL player per 122,376 people
Maryland 6,177,224 47 1 NFL player per 131,430 people
Hawaii 1,455,271 11 1 NFL player per 132,297 people
Utah 3,271,616 24 1 NFL player per 136,317 people
North Carolina 10,439,388 74 1 NFL player per 141,073 people
United States 331,449,281 1,704 1 NFL player per 194,512 people

*Based on most recent published U.S. Census Data (2020)

NOTE:  To obtain a complete list of NFL players’ high schools, states and hometowns, click here.​

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

A Look at 2024 NFL Kickoff Weekend Rosters

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: NFL

 

NEW YORK — Sept. 12, 2024 — A look at 2024 NFL Kickoff Weekend Rosters, including most represented colleges, quarterback information, a team-by-team player dimensions breakdown and the height, weight and age averages among Week 1 rosters.

Tide Rolling into NFL: For the eighth consecutive season, Alabama had the most or tied for the most players (61) on active NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters, the league announced today. The Crimson Tide also placed the most active NFL players on season-opening rosters in 2018 (44), 2019 (56), 2020 (53), 2021 (54), 2022 (58) and 2023 (57), and shared the league lead in 2017 (39). Ohio State (51) ranked second in 2024, followed by Georgia (45).

A total of 234 colleges were represented on Kickoff Weekend active rosters. The colleges with the most NFL players:

COLLEGE PLAYERS COLLEGE PLAYERS COLLEGE PLAYERS
Alabama 61 Texas 31 Stanford 25
Ohio State 51 Clemson 30 Wisconsin 25
Georgia 45 Florida 30 UCLA 24
Notre Dame 41 Oregon 28 Illinois 22
Michigan 40 USC 28 Mississippi 22
LSU 39 Texas A&M 27 Auburn 21
Penn State 36 Florida State 26 Miami 21
Oklahoma 33 Iowa 26 South Carolina 21
Washington 32 Tennessee 26    

A breakdown by position of colleges with the most players in the NFL:

POS. SCHOOL PLAYERS POS. SCHOOL PLAYERS
C Penn State, Wisconsin 4 DT Alabama 8
G Michigan 6 DE Ohio State 8
T Oklahoma 7 LB Penn State, Wisconsin 8
TE Iowa, Notre Dame, Stanford 5 DB Alabama 13
QB Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma 3 P Penn State 2
RB Alabama 6 K Notre Dame 3
WR Alabama, USC 8

QB Breakdown: A by-the-numbers look at the 32 starting quarterbacks in Week 1.

Number Category Quarterbacks
7 First or second-year players Daniels, WAS; Levis, TEN; Nix, DEN; Richardson, IND; Stroud, HOU; Williams, CHI; Young, CAR
23 First-round draft picks Allen, BUF; Burrow, CIN; Daniels, WAS; Darnold, MIN; Fields, PIT; Goff, DET;
Herbert, LAC; Jackson, BAL; Jones, NYG,; Lawrence, JAX; Love, GB; Mahomes, KC; Mayfield, TB; Murray, ARI; Nix, DEN; Richardson, IND; Rodgers, NYJ; Stafford, LAR; Stroud, HOU; Tagovailoa, MIA; Watson, CLE; Williams, CHI; Young, CAR
4 Second-round draft picks Carr, NO (No. 36 overall); Hurts, PHI (53); Levis, TEN (33); Smith, SEA (39)
5 Drafted in third round or later, or undrafted Brissett, NE (third round, No. 91 overall); Cousins, ATL (4, 102); Minshew, LV (6, 178); Prescott, DAL (4, 135); Purdy, SF (7, 262)
8 No. 1 overall picks Burrow, CIN; Goff, DET; Lawrence, JAX; Mayfield, TB; Murray, ARI; Stafford, LAR; Williams, CHI; Young, CAR

The Tall and Short of it: On NFL Kickoff rosters, there were 316 players weighing under 200 pounds, 254 players under six-feet tall and 352 players weighing over 300 pounds.

Miami had 15 players weighing less than 200 pounds, the most in that category. Detroit, Houston and Miami each had 12 players under six-feet tall, while Carolina, Detroit, Kansas City and the New York Giants each had 13 players weighing over 300 pounds.

A team-by-team player dimensions breakdown based on 2024 Kickoff rosters:

Team Under
200 lbs.		 Under
6-feet		 Over
300 lbs.
Arizona Cardinals 12 9 12
Atlanta Falcons 11 8 8
Baltimore Ravens 11 5 12
Buffalo Bills 10 9 11
Carolina Panthers 7 10 13+
Chicago Bears 7 11 11
Cincinnati Bengals 7 8 12
Cleveland Browns 9 7 12
Dallas Cowboys 10 4 12
Denver Broncos 11 9 8
Detroit Lions 12 12+ 13+
Green Bay Packers 9 7 12
Houston Texans 14 12+ 12
Indianapolis Colts 9 7 11
Jacksonville Jaguars 7 8 11
Kansas City Chiefs 7 6 13+
Las Vegas Raiders 12 11 9
Los Angeles Chargers 7 9 10
Los Angeles Rams 9 10 11
Miami Dolphins 15+ 12+ 10
Minnesota Vikings 13 6 9
New England Patriots 7 7 11
New Orleans Saints 13 4 12
New York Giants 10 5 13+
New York Jets 7 7 11
Philadelphia Eagles 12 10 12
Pittsburgh Steelers 10 8 10
San Francisco 49ers 8 6 10
Seattle Seahawks 11 6 12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9 9 10
Tennessee Titans 9 5 9
Washington Commanders 11 7 10
+ NFL high

Height, Weight and Age Averages among Week 1 Rosters, 2024:

Team Height Weight Experience Age (Years) Rookie & 1st Year Players Aged 30 & Over
Arizona Cardinals 6.15& 242.51 4.34 26.09 10 5
Atlanta Falcons 6.19 242.13 4.65 26.70 7 11
Baltimore Ravens 6.21 245.91 4.49 26.38 9 11
Buffalo Bills 6.20 244.27 4.49 26.33 11 9
Carolina Panthers 6.20 246.40 4.64 26.93 10 9
Chicago Bears 6.17 245.91 4.36 26.40 5&@ 7
Cincinnati Bengals 6.21 246.31 3.76 25.87 12 4^
Cleveland Browns 6.18 244.30 5.37*+ 26.91 5^@ 14*+
Dallas Cowboys 6.22 244.98 4.45 26.43 9 11
Denver Broncos 6.21 240.67 3.76 26.00 14* 5
Detroit Lions 6.17 245.20 3.82 25.38 14 6
Green Bay Packers 6.23# 247.59 3.00&@ 24.91&@ 12 1&@
Houston Texans 6.13^@ 236.77^@ 5.08 26.62 6 12
Indianapolis Colts 6.24*+ 245.20 4.07 26.06 8 8
Jacksonville Jaguars 6.24*+ 247.11 3.96 25.59^ 10 7
Kansas City Chiefs 6.23 247.98 4.06 25.68 10 6
Las Vegas Raiders 6.18 240.06 3.69^ 25.91 13 6
Los Angeles Chargers 6.20 246.49 4.15 25.79 8 6
Los Angeles Rams 6.17 243.70 3.06 25.32 17#+ 3
Miami Dolphins 6.15 240.50 5.22 27.07*+ 9 11
Minnesota Vikings 6.19 241.39 5.00 27.04 8 11
New England Patriots 6.19 249.02*+ 4.06 26.09 10 6
New Orleans Saints 6.20 243.54 4.28 26.50 12 8
New York Giants 6.20 245.94 4.10 25.83 9 6
New York Jets 6.20 247.24 4.87 26.65 9 9
Philadelphia Eagles 6.20 246.07 4.04 25.65 8 4
Pittsburgh Steelers 6.19 243.19 4.75 26.73 7 13
San Francisco 49ers 6.19 241.31& 4.85 27.07#+ 6 13#
Seattle Seahawks 6.21 248.96# 4.25 26.09 10 10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6.19 245.47 3.49 25.49 12 3
Tennessee Titans 6.23 245.43 4.22 26.26 10 6
Washington Commanders 6.19 242.91 5.04# 26.96 10 12
NFL Average 6.20 244.51 4.30 26.21 9.69 7.91
+ NFL high; @ NFL low … *AFC High; ^ AFC Low … # NFC High; & NFC Low

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

NFL’s “Por La Cultura” Initiative Celebrates Latino Community and Culture Year-Round

By
Stephen Patrick
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0
Photo Cred: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

 

New Campaign Spots Features Star Players Isiah Pacheco, Chris Olave, Cairo Santos and Will Hernandez as They Celebrate Cross-Border Pride

NFL Latino Youth Honors to Celebrate Latino Youth Football Stars in Both Tackle and Flag

NFL Vota Campaign Encourages Latino Communities to Engage in Democratic Process

NEW YORK — Sept. 12, 2024 — Today, the National Football League kicked off Latino Heritage Month with the launch of its season-long campaign, “Por La Cultura” (For the Culture). This initiative showcases Latino players, coaches, and staff, while celebrating Latino excellence and sharing authentic stories of the community. Por La Cultura features a range of cultural and community-focused activities at both national and local levels. This season, the NFL is introducing new partnerships and programs that honor “la cultura Latina.” With a strong and passionate Latino fanbase, alongside numerous Latino players, personnel, and Legends, the NFL and its teams are committed to uplifting Latino culture, inspiring youth to pursue their dreams and fostering a path to greatness through sport.

“We proudly have one of the largest Latino fan bases in American sports with more than 39 million Latino fans of the NFL,” said Marissa Solis, NFL senior vice president of global brand and consumer marketing. “While we kick off our ‘Por La Cultura’ campaign each year during Latino Heritage Month, our commitment to celebrating Latino excellence continues throughout the entire season. Through year-round content, marketing initiatives and thoughtful partnerships, we emphasize the significant contributions Latinos make to our sport and culture more broadly, aiming to inspire celebration and pride among our vibrant Latino fanbase.”

“Cross-Border Pride” Spotlights Bicultural Identity of Latino Players
To kick off this season’s “Por La Cultura” campaign, the NFL released a new spot titled “Cross-Border Pride,” connecting Latino players to their familial home countries to meet their global fans, aiming to expand awareness of the sport and strengthen ties beyond the U.S.

The first spot features Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco exploring his Puerto Rican roots and Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos returning to his home country of Brazil. A second spot will be released later in the year, highlighting New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave connecting with his Cuban heritage in Miami’s “Little Havana” neighborhood and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez embracing his culture in Mexico.

A central theme of these spots is “I’m From Here, I’m From There,” emphasizing the shared truth of Latino NFL players as bicultural individuals and proud global ambassadors for the sport. The two 30-second spots will run throughout the 2024 season, with a 60-second hero spot set to showcase all four players’ pride in both their U.S. and Latino roots.

NFL, HHF and Procter & Gamble to Honor Latino Football Stars 
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation share a history of celebrating excellence within Latino communities, and the NFL Latino Youth Honors presented by Procter & Gamble celebrates high school seniors from across NFL club markets who excel both in the classroom and on the field. All 32 NFL teams are invited to select one male and one female high school senior football player to represent their team and submit these exemplary student-athletes to be considered for this year’s program. From the 64 nominees, eight outstanding finalists will be selected – each representing one of the NFL’s eight divisions.

Thanks to P&G’s support, this elite group will each receive a grant award that can be used for college – including $25,000 grants for both the male and female national winners and $5,000 grants for each of the six other finalists. They will participate in a variety of special events taking place in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX Week. Activities will be designed to provide mentorship, guidance and resources to pursue careers in professional sports, and all eight finalists will attend the Super Bowl. During that week, a male and female national winner will be announced at NFL Honors, the league’s annual awards show, with the recipients receiving an invitation to HHF’s National Youth Awards ceremony later in 2025.

NFL Vota Campaign Encourages Voting and Civic Engagement Among Latinos

The  “NFL Vota” campaign is a public awareness initiative under the league-wide, nonpartisan “NFL Votes” program, aimed at encouraging Latino fans and the broader NFL community to engage in the democratic process through voter education, registration, and turnout.

As part of NFL Vota, Dave Canales – head coach of the Carolina Panthers and the only Latino head coach in the NFL – stars in a spot inspiring eligible voters in the Latino community to participate in the country’s democratic process. To view the NFL Vota spot, click here. Additionally, the NFL teamed with Voto Latino, a 501(c)3 dedicated to registering Latino voters and encouraging civic participation. The partnership announced this year aims to encourage Latino fans to register to vote for this year’s U.S. elections. ​

NFL Vota will come to life through a national public awareness campaign highlighting the importance of civic engagement. All 32 NFL clubs will host activations and events to support civic engagement within their local communities, funded in part by grants from the NFL Foundation, with other key activations and touchpoints continuing throughout the first half of the NFL season and culminating on Election Day, Nov. 5.

NFL Football Brings Brazilian Family Back to its Roots at São Paulo Game
For the first time ever, the NFL played a regular season game in South America when the Green Bay Packers took on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 6, 2024. The historic first game in Brazil took place in the city of São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team the SC Corinthians.

As part of this occasion, the NFL created an unforgettable experience for Brazilian fan Alex Costabile, who now lives in Philadelphia. Alex, his wife and their three daughters traveled to São Paulo to participate in the festivities surrounding the first-ever NFL game in Brazil, held in Alex’s hometown. The Costabile family enjoyed VIP access to pre-game events and attended the matchup between the Eagles and Packers at Corinthians Arena. Their journey was documented and broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock, sharing Alex’s passion for football and the Eagles with his children, as well as family and friends back in Brazil. A complete video of their experience will be released later this season.

Career Advancement Affiliations Empower Latino Community
Additionally, the NFL is proud to work with several organizations making a difference for Latinos on a variety of fronts. The league has affiliations with the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), Latinas in Tech, Latinx in Sports, Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing (AIMM) and We Are All Human to underscore its commitment to educating and empowering Latinos as they look to grow and develop professionally in their chosen fields.

Social Content Highlights on Mundo NFL
The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more, Mundo NFL is the destination for Hispanic/Latino fans to consume all things NFL. Mundo NFL produces shows and segments for its YouTube channel and distributes content on its Twitter and Instagram account. More content can be found at www.NFL.com/Mundo, as well as through the Spanish-language social media accounts of many NFL clubs.

“Por La Cultura is a year-round brand initiative celebrating Latino contributions to the sport both on-and-off the field, telling stories that elevate culture, inspire and propel youth to achieve their goals, and pave a unified path to excellence,” added Javier Farfan, NFL Global Brand and Consumer Marketing Strategist.

“The NFL is committed to advancing meaningful engagement with the Latino community through a series of priority initiatives. These programs are designed not only to celebrate Latino culture, but also create lasting connections between the NFL, its clubs, and the Latino community.”

In addition, the league and its partners offer live Spanish-language game coverage on ESPN Deportes, FOX Deportes, Universo, Telemundo, Amazon Prime Video and Entravision, while Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9, 2025, will be aired on FOX Deportes and Telemundo (click here for ways to watch the NFL).

Throughout the 2024 season, NFL teams will bring to life the “Por La Cultura” efforts through in-game recognitions, community events and social media amplification. More information and content surrounding the “Por La Cultura” campaign can be found at NFL.com/porlacultura.

Media Contact:

Sammi Liang, sammi.liang@nfl.com

Paula Ngon, paula.ngon@nfl.com

 
For more from NFL Communications, visitmedia.nfl.com

MAC Yard Brawl 2024 Season

By
srapd
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0

 

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR #MACTION

Texas’ Majors earns Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

By
Stephen Patrick
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0

DALLAS (FWAA) – Texas center Jake Majors was in the middle of an offensive onslaught by the Longhorns in Ann Arbor last Saturday, helping Texas (2-0) rush for 143 yards among its 389 total-yard output in its 31-12 win at Michigan. For leading another key early-season road win for the Longhorns, Majors earned the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor for games during the weekend of Sept. 7, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

This is the second season for the FWAA to select an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week as part of the NCFAA’s weekly national honors from 13 awards. The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 22, 2025.

The weekly winners, including Majors this week, are added to the preseason Outland Trophy watch list going forward.

Majors, a 6-3, 315-pound senior from Prosper, Texas, who has started 43 of his 44 career games, was the highest-graded offensive lineman for the Longhorns facing two of the nation’s top defensive tackles in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Majors aided in Texas averaging 4.5 yards per rushing attempt, didn’t allow a sack and held the defensive interior pair to a combined four tackles and no quarterback pressures. Michigan’s rush defense was fifth nationally last season allowing only 90.0 yards per game.

Majors and quarterback Quinn Ewers silenced the Big House early, guiding the Longhorns to scoring opportunities on all five first-half possessions, converting three touchdowns and one field goal into a 24-3 halftime lead. The only one that did not end in a score was a missed field goal attempt that followed a touchdown pass that was called back due to a penalty.

The win over the No. 10 Wolverines was Texas’ second top-10 road win in as many seasons after taking down No. 3 Alabama last season. The win snapped the Wolverines’ win streaks of 16 overall victories, a Big Ten-record 29 regular-season wins, 23 home wins (their longest home streak in more than 50 years), 23 non-conference wins at home dating back to 2014, and 15 overall non-conference regular-season victories. Texas’ 19-point win was its largest margin of victory against a top-10 team on the road since 1979.

Majors has benefited from one of the most stable coaching staffs in the nation. This season marks the fourth year, or all of Majors’ career, for Texas to have the same offensive play-caller (head coach Steve Sarkisian) and offensive coordinator and line coach (Kyle Flood). The Longhorns, with Majors in the middle of the offense, have scored 30 or more points in their last five games extending back to the 2023 season.

Texas has a long history with the Outland Trophy with four all-time winners. Last season, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat won the trophy. Prior to that, Brad Shearer (1977), Tommy Nobis (1963) and Scott Appleton (1963) were honored as the nation’s top interior lineman by the FWAA.

Texas hosts UTSA in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. delivers superior truckload transportation and logistics services to customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 2022 revenues of $3.3 billion, an industry-leading modern truck and trailer fleet, more than 14,000 talented associates and our innovative Werner EDGE technology, we are an essential solutions provider for customers who value the integrity of their supply chain and require safe and exceptional on time service. Werner provides Dedicated and One-Way Truckload services as well as Logistics services that include 1truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal and final mile. As an industry leader, Werner is deeply committed to promoting sustainability and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Werner Enterprises common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WERN.” For further information about Werner, visit the company’s website at werner.com.

The Greater Omaha Sports Committee, founded in 1977, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, consisting of more than 1,300 men and women from the City of Omaha, the State of Nebraska, and others. The Committee serves to communicate, develop, initiate and promote sports activities in the Greater Omaha sports area. In addition to the Outland Trophy Award Events and Dinner, the Greater Omaha Sports Committee promotes high school, college, and professional sports in the Greater Omaha area and the Midwest.  For more information contact Bob Mancuso Jr., Chairman at bmancuso@showofficeonline.com or see showofficeonline.com.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

All NCFAA logos can be downloaded from collegepressbox.com or the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/6enve9a3ujoj482ez2sa2/h?rlkey=75dsgjl5kilzmcecrxag544cj&st=5jlrrrgw&dl=0

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