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  • DeVonta Smith makes college football, NFL history in Super Bowl LIX

    DeVonta Smith makes college football, NFL history in Super Bowl LIX

     

    Former Alabama star and current Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith joins a very short list of elite players after winning the Super Bowl.

     

    Ex-Alabama and current Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith made college football and NFL history in the Super Bowl game.

    Ex-Alabama and current Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith made college football and NFL history in the Super Bowl game.

    DeVonta Smith made all kinds of history as the Philadelphia Eagles clobbered the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, thwarting pro football’s first would-be three-peat, and putting his own name in the record books in the process.

     

    By catching a 46-yard touchdown from quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles wide receiver became the first player drafted from Alabama to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl game.

     

    Granted, a few Alabama players have been responsible for touchdowns in a Super Bowl before ─ notably quarterbacks like Bart Starr, Joe Namath, and Ken Stabler ─ but the NFL doesn’t technically count touchdown passes as individual points credited to a player, and thus, not to a college.

     

    But not only that, Smith also became the fifth player ever and the first wide receiver in history to…

     

     

    Alabama produced four Heisman Trophy winning players during Nick Saban’s head coaching career, but Smith is the first Crimson Tide alum to complete this historic trifecta.

     

    Smith is also the Alabama record-holder in three critical categories, finishing his collegiate career with 235 total receptions, 3,965 receiving yards, and 46 receiving touchdowns.

     

    He completed his legendary Crimson Tide career by catching 117 passes for 1,856 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns during Bama’s national title run in 2020.

     

    From there, Smith was selected as the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, the first step towards his becoming a Super Bowl champion.

     

    Over his NFL career leading up to this year’s Super Bowl game, Smith has 308 catches for 4,011 yards and 27 touchdowns over four seasons.

     

    Who are the other players to win a national championship, the Heisman Trophy, and the Super Bowl? It’s a very short list.

     

    Tony Dorsett: The legendary running back won the national championship at Pittsburgh in the 1976 season, rushing for 2,150 yards and 22 touchdowns, the same year he won the Heisman Trophy.

     

    The No. 2 overall draft pick to Dallas the next year, Dorsett went on to win Super Bowl XII with the Dallas Cowboys in 1977 while rushing for over 1,000 yards and earning Rookie of the Year honors.

     

    Marcus Allen: The former running back was on a national championship team at USC in the 1978 football season, one that is recognized by the Coaches Poll, when he was backup to Heisman running back Charles White.

     

    Allen then won the Heisman himself in the 1981 season after rushing for a career-high 2,342 yards and 22 touchdowns. He went on to win Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders after the 1983 season, defeating the Washington Redskins, 38-9.

     

    Charles Woodson: The cornerback won the Heisman Trophy as a rare defensive honoree in 1997, the same year he and Michigan won a share of the national championship.

     

    Woodson won Super Bowl XLV as a member of the Green Bay Packers and finished his Hall of Fame career in a three-way tie for the most defensive touchdowns in NFL history.

     

    Reggie Bush: The former USC tailback won the Heisman after his 1,740 yard performance in the 2005 season.

     

    USC won a share of the national championship in 2003 — AP voters broke with the BCS despite LSU winning the designated title game and named the Trojans the No. 1 team in the country — and another title in 2004, and then Bush won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints in 2009.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Devonta Smith made unbelievable Alabama Crimson Tide history in Super Bowl LIX win with his touchdown for Eagles

    Devonta Smith made unbelievable Alabama Crimson Tide history in Super Bowl LIX win with his touchdown for Eagles

     

     

    Devonta Smith and the Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl LIX champions. And while that’s special for Eagles fans everywhere, how the game played out is even more unbelievable for wide receiver Devonta Smith and the Alabama Crimson Tide history that he made!

     

    Believe it or not when Devonta Smith scored his long touchdown on a perfect pass from Eagles (and former Alabama) quarterback Jalen Hurts it was the first time ever that a player drafted out of Alabama had scored a rushing or receiving touchdown in a Super Bowl!

     

    Yes, Jalen Hurts had scored rushing touchdowns in Super Bowl(s) and did so on Sunday too, but he finished his career with Oklahoma, so that doesn’t technically count. Still, it was special to see two former Alabama greats connect on the dagger touchdown score, sealing the Super Bowl LIX win for the Eagles before the third quarter was even over.

     

    And while the touchdown was special enough, it wasn’t the only NFL history that Devonta Smith made in Super Bowl LIX. He became the first Alabama player to ever win a Heisman, national championship, and a Super Bowl!

     

    Only one other player in the history of the NFL had done that too. Marcus Allen won the Heisman Trophy in 1981, a national championship with USC in 1978, and then won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1984.

     

    Allen of course went on to make it into the Hall of Fame. Could that be in the future for Devonta Smith?

     

    It’s still quite early in Devonta Smith’s NFL career, but he’s represented the Alabama Crimson Tide well as a star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith already has over 4000 yards and 27 touchdowns (in the regular season) through just four seasons of NFL play. Now he adds Super Bowl champion to his already unbelievable resume. Smith, still just 26 years old, has plenty of time to make much more history here soon, but for now it’s just time to celebrate. Congrats, Devonta.

     

     

  • Marcus Rashford’s instant Villa debut impact speaks volumes after Man Utd exile

    Marcus Rashford’s instant Villa debut impact speaks volumes after Man Utd exile

     

    After nearly 60 days without kicking a ball, Marcus Rashford made his Aston Villa debut in the FA Cup against Tottenham on Sunday evening.

     

    The forward, who joined Villa on loan until the end of the season in the final days of the January transfer window, had been left out of the Manchester United squad by Ruben Amorim.

     

    His last appearance was in United’s 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. On Sunday, Unai Emery named him on the bench for Villa’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Spurs, alongside fellow loanee Marco Asensio, with Donyell Malen and Jacob Ramsey named in the starting XI.

     

    Playing on the left wing, he won a header against Kevin Danso to loud cheers from the home crowd, and further endeared himself to his new supporters when he nutmegged Pedro Porro outside the box.

     

    Marcus Rashford made his debut for Aston Villa against Tottenham(Image: PA)

    In the dying minutes of the match, Rashford then had a moment to round-off his debut in the perfect fashion when he sprinted through one-on-one with Archie Gray. Unfortunately, the Spurs defender did well to marshal him wide and win a free-kick.

     

    Both Villa and Rashford’s parent club United were victorious in the FA Cup this weekend, but if they are drawn together in the fifth round, loan rules mean Rashford will be unable to play against United.

  • Roman Sosa has decided on his Nottingham Forest future after approach from Europe

    Roman Sosa has decided on his Nottingham Forest future after approach from Europe

     

    Nottingham Forest signed a number of players during the summer transfer window and Paraguay international Ramon Sosa was one of the 11 newbies added to the ranks.

     

    The Reds targeted quality over quantity in large when it came to new recruits in the summer. However, there was still some wriggle room when it came to Forest adding a South American star.

     

    Sosa signed for Forest from Argentine outfit Talleres and it was anticipated that he’d be a regular in the team. At 25-years-old, he hardly looked like one for the future and it’s been a frustrating time for the player.

     

    The winger has barely played in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign. In fact he was an unused substitute as Forest destroyed Brighton 7-0 at the City Ground last season.

     

    Sosa has been linked with a Forest exit. Now, some information has come to light that suggests where the player’s heart lies despite not currently playing much football at the club.

     

    Nicolas Dominguez of Nottingham Forest and Ramon Sosa of Nottingham Forest participate in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Br…

     

    Ramon Sosa now decides Forest future after January transfer window

    Versus claims that Forest received a very lucrative offer to sell Sosa during the January transfer window. However, the Reds stood firm, and asked the winger what his preference was and it turned out he wanted to stay on Trentside.

     

    An unnamed club from Europe was actually keen to offer Sosa a bit of a lifeline during the mid-season transfer window. However, the Paraguay star has a contract until 2029 and it would seem he values that.

     

    Vasco wanted to sign Sosa during the summer transfer window. At the time it felt as though the offer to land him wasn’t quite right but it would seem that he’s happy playing for Forest.

     

     

    The player has scored for Forest during his maiden campaign in the Premier League. He scored the team’s equalising goal in a 2-2 draw against Brighton back in October and he has shown flashes of promise

     

    However, his appearances have been restricted largely due to competition for places. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga have largely occupied the wide berths with Jota Silva providing adequate backup.

     

    It’s great that Sosa didn’t seek a move away from the club. He’s been pretty good when called upon and claimed a goal and as assist as Forest beat Luton in round three of the FA Cup back in January.

     

    More minutes might be forthcoming against Exeter in the same competition on Tuesday night and it’s pretty useful that Forest chose not to get rid of the player dispute interest during the January window.

     

     

  • Crystal Palace identify Marc Guehi replacement after £70m Tottenham bid rejected

    Crystal Palace identify Marc Guehi replacement after £70m Tottenham bid rejected

     

    Crystal Palace have lined up two talented Championship centre halves to replace Marc Guehi should he leave the club in the summer. Guehi, 24, was subject to a £70million bid from Tottenham last week.

     

    Palace rejected the proposal and were eager to keep him at Selhurst Park until at least the summer. But with Guehi’s contract entering the final 18 months, the Eagles might have to cash in at the end of the season.

     

     

     

    I was compared to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino – now Spurs reunion is on the cards

    There is an expectation that the former Chelsea defender is going to leave Palace but his destination is uncertain. Tottenham could come back in after their deadline day offer was turned down, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have been linked with a move for Guehi.

     

     

    In the case that Guehi is sold, Palace have lined up a couple of replacements. According to The Sun, Burnley’s Maxime Esteve and Middlesbrough’s Rav van den Berg are the two names that have been identified.

     

    Esteve, 22, has been excellent for Burnley this season. The Clarets have the best defensive record in the English Football League this season, having conceded a staggering nine goals in 31 Championship matches this season – and Esteve has been a massive part of that success.

     

    Van den Berg, 20, has caught the eye at Boro this season. The Dutch talent has started in each of their last six Championship matches and established himself as a key performer at the back.

     

    First-choice target Strahinja Pavlovic doesn’t look like he is going to be moving to Palace, however. They have been priced out a deal to sign the Serbian, with AC Milan demanding for £35m.

     

     

     

    I was compared to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino – now Spurs reunion is on the cards

    Palace have enjoyed an up-turn in performances and results in recent weeks, with last weekend’s 2-0 win at Manchester United marking a fourth clean sheet in their last five matches. The Eagles are aiming to continue that run when they travel to League Two side Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Monday.

     

    Speaking ahead of their trip to South Yorkshire, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “We’re looking to Doncaster. Always in a Cup competition, or the same in the league, it makes no sense thinking about the end – you have to make several steps to lift the trophy in the Cup.

     

    “You could see the Stockport game. We played at home, and then we had a good start, but it was not so easy to create chances and score goals. Now, we play away at Doncaster. We watch them and we have a respect for them.”

     

     

  • Crystal Palace Want to Sign ‘Unbelievable’ Marc Guehi Replacement

    Crystal Palace Want to Sign ‘Unbelievable’ Marc Guehi Replacement

     

     

    Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention to the EFL Championship, in search for a successor to club captain Marc Guehi, with Burnley’s Maxime Esteve and Middlesborough’s Rav van den Berg on the radar, according to Alan Nixon.

     

    The Englishman impressed at Euros 2024 last year, and has been the subject of interest from numerous clubs in the upper echelons of the Premier League. Palace have done what they can to retain Guehi for the 2024/25 campaign, but his contract has now ticked into its final 18 months and losing him may be inevitable.

     

    Palace Identify Guehi Replacements in Championship

    The Eagles have been unable to land European targets

    Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace

    As per Nixon, via his Patreon, Crystal Palace will “focus on the Championship” in their pursuit for Guehi’s successor. He wrote:

     

    “Palace were quoted out of AC Milan’s Stahinja Pavlovic with the Italians wanting £35 million for coach Oliver Glasner’s first choice.

     

    “So instead Palace will focus on the Championship for the long term successor for Guehi.

     

    “Both [Esteve and Van den Berg] would be in Palace’s price range, especially if they fail to win promotion and are the current favourites for the job.”

     

    Esteve, 22, previously made 16 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season before the side suffered relegation, though his displays have improved significantly in the second-tier. The Frenchman, dubbed “unbelievable”, has been key to the Clarets’ impenetrable defense this term, which has amassed a league-leading 22 clean sheets.

     

    Meanwhile, Van den Berg, 20, has also caught the eye this term with his performances, despite having missed portions of the season due to injury.

     

    Maxime Esteve vs Rav van den Berg – 2024/25 Statistics comparisons

     

    Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel revealed in a report to X (formerly Twitter) that Palace had made an inquiry regarding Pavlovic’s availability, though AC Milan were in no rush to part ways with the Serbian.

     

    It is believed Oliver Glasner was personally keen on adding Pavlovic to his defensive options, but a deal now looks to be off the cards. The Austrian tactician was also said to be a “huge admirer” of Union Berlin defender Danilo Doekhi, as per Peter O’Rourke, but Crystal Palace were unable to complete deals for either in the winter transfer window.

     

    Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.

     

     

  • Ipswich Town have registered their squad for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. 

    Ipswich Town have registered their squad for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. 

    Town register squad for remaining games… and leave space for a free agen

    Following the closure of the January transfer window, all Premier League clubs had to name a maximum of 25 senior players for the games ahead.

     

    Players born on or after January 1, 2003 do not count towards the limit.

     

    Four players have been deregistered from September’s original list: Ali Al-Hamadi (on loan at Stoke), Harry Clarke (on loan at Sheffield United), plus long-term injury victims Wes Burns (knee) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles).

     

    Three January signings have been added in Alex Palmer, Ben Godfrey and Jaden Philogene.

     

    Omari Hutchinson, Liam Delap and Julio Enciso do not count because of their age.

     

    It means that Town have named a 24-man senior squad, leaving space for a free agent addition should they wish.

     

    TOWN’S 24-MAN SENIOR SQUAD

     

    1 Nathan Broadhead

     

     

    2 Cameron Burgess

     

  • Britain’s Bell wins mile race at Millrose meeting

    Britain’s Bell wins mile race at Millrose meeting

    At the prestigious Millrose Games in New York, Georgia Bell of Britain won the mile race with a personal best time.Bell, who won a bronze medal in the 1500m at the Olympics in Paris last year, finished in four minutes and 23.35 seconds at what is considered to be the world’s top indoor athletics competition. She held off the challenge from American duo Heather MacLean and Nikki Hiltz by putting on a strong performance and finishing strong.

    After becoming ill, fellow countryman Josh Kerr, the 1500-meter world champion and Olympic silver medallist in Paris, was unable to compete in the men’s mile, the night’s last event.

    Yared Nuguse of the United States, however, made sure the 117th meeting ended appropriately by winning with a new world indoor record time of 3:46.63. A new world record was previously achieved by Grant Fisher, who defeated Olympic 1500m champion Cole Hocker in the 3,000m. Throughout the race, the US pair engaged in a duel until Fisher, the bronze medallist in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in Paris, overtook fellow countryman Hocker at the last turn. He smashed Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma’s 2023 mark with a timing of seven minutes, 22.91 seconds. Hocker surpassed Girma’s previous record of 7:23.81 and crossed the finish line in 7:23.14. Fisher remarked, “That was a battle for the ages right there,”

    Elsewhere, Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell won the 60m hurdles in a world-leading 7.76secs before Dylan Beard also set a world-leading time of 7.38secs in the men’s 60m hurdles.

    The men’s 60m was won by Marcellus Moore in 6.56secs, with Jacious Sears’ world-leading time of 7.02secs landing her victory in the women’s 60m.

  • Lions could be target for 2025 NFL Week 1 opener at Super Bowl winner

    Lions could be target for 2025 NFL Week 1 opener at Super Bowl winner

     

    Seven of the nine teams they face on the road made this year’s playoffs, five made the divisional round and two teams are the Super Bowl 59 participants: the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

     

    Traditionally over the past two decades, with a few exceptions, the Super Bowl winner has hosted the league’s opening kickoff game on Thursday night in Week 1.

     

    So, would the NFL pick the Lions to open the 2025 season on the road at the defending champion?

     

    The Lions certainly have the cache, named America’s Team once again entering the 2024-25 playoffs. They opened the 2023 season at the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs, winning 21-20. A season-opening rematch two years later, should the Chiefs be crowned for a third consecutive season Sunday, seems a bit farfetched.

     

    But if the Eagles win the Super Bowl, the Lions could be a prime target. Here’s how it breaks down:

     

    The Eagles have eight home games, including their usual three in the division, plus five cross-divisional games. Their home opponents:

     

    Washington Commanders

    Dallas Cowboys

    New York Giants

    Chicago Bears

    Denver Broncos

    Las Vegas Raiders

    Los Angles Rams

    As we see it, the five most likely opening games would feature, in no order, the Commanders, Lions, Bears, Broncos and Rams.

     

    The Rams, whom the Eagles survived in the NFC divisional round, and the Commanders, whom the Eagles crushed in the NFC championship game, would offer immediate postseason rematches.

     

    The upstart Broncos are coming off a playoff berth and the Bears have last season’s No. 1 pick at quarterback and a new head coach in Ben Johnson, whose offenses in Detroit were among the NFL’s top five each of the past three seasons.

     

    And then there are the Lions, the NFC’s No. 1 seed this season and pre-playoff Super Bowl favorites. They were upset in the divisional round by the Commanders, 45-31, but should return nearly all their starters (left guard Kevin Zeitler, No. 3 receiver Tim Patrick and cornerback Carlton Davis III are the lone free-agent starters).

     

    The NFL has stayed away from division rivalry games in its kickoff openers — three times it has happened since the league went to a mid-week opener in 2002 — though the Jayden Daniels-led Commanders will be one of the most sought-after teams for broadcast partners in 2025. Both the Eagles and Commanders play in the NFC East.

     

    The Broncos lack star power and the Rams don’t have the same juice as the Lions and, potentially, Bears.

     

    So, should the Eagles win Sunday night to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs from a Super Bowl three-peat, a matchup of the top two regular-season teams in the NFC from the previous year, who last faced each other in 2022, would be quite the potent NFL kickoff celebration.

     

    The Lions last played in Philadelphia in 2019, a 27-24 Detroit win.

     

    The 2025 NFL schedule will be revealed this spring, likely in mid-May.

     

    Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage all year long at freep.com/sports/lions.

     

     

  • Final rankings of every quarterback in the SEC from 2024-25

    Final rankings of every quarterback in the SEC from 2024-25

     

    1. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)

    Jaxson Dart had a phenomenal season, leading the SEC with 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 69.3% completion rate. He made huge plays all year, and while his late-season turnovers hurt Ole Miss’ Playoff hopes, he was still the best QB in the conference.

     

    2. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

    Nussmeier took over the LSU offense and put up 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was aggressive and pushed the ball downfield, but his 12 interceptions kept him from claiming the top spot.

     

    3. Quinn Ewers (Texas)

    Ewers threw for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Say what you want to about Ewers, but he was the lone SEC quarterback to lead his team to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, and that’s worth something.

     

    4. Carson Beck (Georgia)

    Carson Beck had a steady season with 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns. He showed leadership and poise, but his inconsistent play in key moments kept him from climbing higher.

     

    5. Jalen Milroe (Alabama)

    Milroe was electric at times, but his 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions show just how up-and-down his season was. His athleticism made him dangerous, but Alabama needed more consistency from him.

     

    6. DJ Lagway (Florida)

    Lagway was one of the most exciting freshmen in the country, throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaging 10 yards per attempt. He made plenty of highlight-reel plays and showed why he’s Florida’s QB of the future.

     

    7. Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee)

    Iamaleava put up 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions, proving he could handle the pressure of SEC football. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs makes him one of the most promising quarterbacks moving forward.

     

    8. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

    Sellers developed into a strong SEC quarterback towards the end of the season, finishing with 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. His mobility made him a tough challenge for defenses, and South Carolina’s offense looks primed to be very good in 2025.

     

    9. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)

    Reed deserves a spot in the top 10, throwing for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns, and showing his ability to take over games. He kept Texas A&M competitive, but he’ll need to take the next step for the Aggies to be a contender in the conference next season.

     

    10. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)

    Diego Pavia was Vanderbilt’s offense, accounting for nearly 75% of the team’s total yards. He threw for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 800 yards and eight touchdowns, but the lack of team success dropped him.

     

    11. Brady Cook (Missouri)

    Cook wasn’t flashy, but he was efficient, throwing for 2,535 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He was a reliable leader for Missouri’s offense.

     

    12. Taylen Green (Arkansas)

    Green had some big-time plays but struggled with consistency, throwing for 3,154 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. His athleticism was a game-changer, but Arkansas needed more stability at QB.

     

    13. Payton Thorne (Auburn)

    Thorne’s 2,713 passing yards and 21 touchdowns look solid on paper, but Auburn’s offense struggled too often. He had a few great games but wasn’t the difference-maker Auburn hoped for.

     

    14. Michael Van Buren Jr. (Mississippi State)

    Van Buren started strong but faded as the season progressed. He finished with 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his struggles against SEC defenses were evident.

     

    15. Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma)

    Arnold had a tough season, throwing for just 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns. His inconsistency ultimately led to Oklahoma looking elsewhere and, now, he’ll get a chance at a re-do in Auburn.

     

    16. Cutter Boley (Kentucky)

    Boley took over late in the season, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He showed potential, but there’s a lot of room for growth.