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Biggest reasons to be confident in the 2025 Detroit Lions

It’s been a tough week for Detroit Lions fans. With many already predicting the downfall of the team simply due to the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators, the retirement of Frank Ragnow only adds another arrow to the quiver of doubters. It’s a massive loss, no doubt, and one Detroit now has months to try and recover from.

But let’s not spend all week mourning the loss of Detroit’s center. There are still plenty of good things to anticipate for the Detroit Lions’ 2025 season because this still remains one of the best rosters we’ve seen in this city in some time.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

What is the biggest reason to remain optimistic about the 2025 Detroit Lions?

My answer: The massive amount of blue-chip talent still on this team. Earlier this week, our own John Whiticar asked how much top-end talent the Lions have, and he concluded nine players. While that prediction dropped just hours before Ragnow reduced the list to eight, the following players remain on the team: Penei Sewell, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St.

Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch. And that doesn’t even include some potential up-and-coming players, particularly on defense. Can Tyleik Williams make his way into the conversation? What about Terrion Arnold? And don’t forget a pretty deep foundation of role players who have proven to be solid contributors. I’m talking players like Kalif Raymond, David Montgomery, Alex Anzalone, D.J. Reed, DJ Reader, Tim Patrick, Taylor Decker, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Amik Robertson—and a quarterback and special teams unit that has become very reliable.

Losing Ragnow is a massive loss. There is no getting around that. But this team has always been about much more than any single player. They’ll be just fine.

Why are you confident about the Lions going forward? Share your answer in the comment section.

June 7, 2025

Why Crystal Palace may miss Europa League despite qualification – The Nation Newspaper

English Premier League club Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final but the historic achievement is under threat due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.

UEFA prohibits individuals from holding influence over multiple clubs participating in its competitions simultaneously. This rule aims to maintain the integrity of European tournaments by preventing conflicts of interest.

Two major shareholders of Crystal Palace are at the centeyr of this issue:

John Textor: Holds a 45% stake in Crystal Palace and is the majority owner of Olympique Lyonnais, a French club that also qualified for the Europa League.

David Blitzer: Owns an 18% share in Crystal Palace and has significant holdings in Brøndby IF, a Danish club set to compete in the Europa Conference League.

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The simultaneous qualification of these clubs for European competitions has triggered UEFA’s scrutiny.

In an attempt to comply with UEFA regulations, Textor and Blitzer proposed transferring their shares in Crystal Palace to a blind trust, a strategy previously accepted by UEFA in similar situations.

June 7, 2025

He’s come a long way:’ Michigan coach Dusty May discusses next steps for L.J. Cason

Michigan Wolverines basketball guard L.J. Cason scored 11 points in an NCAA Tournament win over Texas A&M.

Michigan Wolverines basketball added just one transfer guard to replace the three that left, bringing in former North Carolina starter Elliot Cadeau, one of the top passers in the country last season. The rest of the back court will be filled with returning players and two incoming freshmen — four-stars Trey McKenney and Winters Grady.

Michigan’s returning guards are all expected to take leaps forward, but sophomore L.J. Cason has the biggest jump to make. He was in and out of the rotation while showing flashes, before breaking out to become a key piece late in the year.

Michigan head coach Dusty May loves Cason’s aggressiveness and playmaking ability. Early in the second-round NCAA Tournament game against Texas A&M, May turned to his assistant coaches and said he’s “ready for some L.J.” Soon after subbing him in, May yelled up the floor, “Be aggressive, L.J.!”

“With L.J., he’s obviously showed that he has a great deal of talent, as far as playmaking and ability to impact basketball games,” May said on the ‘Defend The Block’ podcast. “Almost every game he came into, he had an impact on the game. You felt like he was in the game. Sometimes, guys can disappear and just be out there, where with L.J., he finds his way in the action the majority of the time.”

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Lakeland, Fla., native got right back to work after his freshman season ended. He’s slated to try out for the Team USA U19 squad in Colorado Springs this month and will potentially earn a roster spot for the FIBA World Cup in Switzerland.

“For L.J. to take the next step, it’s the consistency of work, it’s taking care of his body, it’s getting the right amounts of sleep and just the overall self-discipline that it takes to become an elite player and an all-league type of competitor,” the Michigan coach continued.

“With him, he’s still working on himself. He’s come a long way. He’s in the gym a lot.”

May believes Cason’s time with USA Basketball, while it will take him away from the Michigan team for at least a few days and maybe longer, will be a positive.

June 7, 2025

Younger brother of four-star signee commits to South Carolina Gamecock basketball

The South Carolina basketball program adds a 2026 guard who will join his older brother in Columbia. This brother duo is a big win for Lamont Paris on the recruiting trail.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reacts with guard Meechie Johnson (5) during a time out during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum.

South Carolina basketball has landed a commitment from class of 2026 Isaac Ellis, per On3. The 6-foot guard from Moravian Prep in North Carolina becomes the latest addition to Lamont Paris’ recruiting class. Not to mention, he already has family headed to Columbia. Isaac is the younger brother of Gamecocks four-star signee Eli Ellis. While younger brother, Isaac is currently unranked nationally, On3 puts him as a three-star recruit. He chose South Carolina over Oklahoma State, Murray State, UMass, and others.

“Eli supported me through it all and told me to pick the school that was the best fit,” Isaac said. “It just turned out that South Carolina was that school. To play in the SEC with my brother, that’s something I never imagined would happen. It’s a blessing. I’m the type of player who will do whatever it takes to win,” Ellis continued. “Whether that means guarding the best player and scoring zero points or running the offense and being the main guy. I’m all in. South Carolina fans, get ready for the best BROTHER duo in college basketball. A lot of threes and a lot of winning!”

Ellis had an impressive junior year with Overtime Elite (OTE), averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He showcased his versatility both as a playmaker and a defensive presence.

Beyond basketball, Isaac Ellis is already known as a social media star. Between TikTok and Instagram, he has racked up more than 1.5 million followers, making him one of the most visible high school athletes in the country.

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June 7, 2025

Wigan Warriors’ remarkable rise reaches new heights with St Helens Challenge Cup triumph

Wigan Warriors celebrate a try during their 2025 Women’s Challenge Cup final win against St Helens

Wigan Warriors’ rise under Denis Betts has been a remarkable one, and on Saturday, it reached a new height as his side knocked St Helens off their perch to lift the Women’s Challenge Cup for the first time.

Saints‘ dominance in the Challenge Cup has been unprecedented, winning the competition in each of the last four seasons.

After beating York Valkyrie at the Leigh Sports Village in 2021, they went on to conquer Leeds Rhinos thrice.

But this term, the new kids on the block have been Wigan, who have been growing at a rate of knots since club legend Betts took charge ahead of 2024.

And under the arch on Saturday, they left their mark on their nearest and dearest in style under the arch to cap off what has been a truly outstanding start to 2025, romping to a 42-6 victory.

Wigan Warriors’ remarkable rise reaches new heights with St Helens Challenge Cup triumph

Having breezed past Leeds to reach their maiden Challenge Cup final last month, the Cherry and Whites arrived at Wembley with a 100% record this term in-tact. And they left with it, too.

With teenage half-back duo Izzy Rowe and Jenna Foubister at the heart of Betts’ side, both homegrown, the Warriors tore Saints’ defence open three times during the opening 40 minutes in the capital.

Meg Williams, Mary Coleman and Papua New Guinea international Emily Veivers all crossed for tries, with young gun Rowe slotting home the three conversions with ease to leave the score come the break at 18-0.

Rowe herself got on the scoresheet with a try less than five minutes after the restart, and though Saints got their only try through Katie Mottershead not long after, it proved only a temporary reprieve.

The Warriors’ women went on to add three more tries through back-rower Eva Hunter, Player of the Match Grace Banks and England international Anna Davies, and Rowe remained perfect with the boot throughout.

This isn’t Wigan’s first major honour having been crowned Women’s Super League champions back in 2018, but it’s the first since then, the first of a new era, and it looks likely to be the first of many.

It also goes down as the biggest-ever winning margin in a Women’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley (36), and the biggest in any Challenge Cup final in the Women’s Super League era.

For some in the team, like skipper Vicky Molyneux, it’s a piece of silverware befitting of their service not only to the club but the game itself.

When those elder stateswomen do opt to hang up their boots, they’re leaving the Warriors in very capable hands both on and off the field.

June 7, 2025

3-Star Class of 2026 Oregon State commit shows increasing interest in West Virginia

As of Friday, June 6th, 3-Star Class of 2026 EDGE Noah Tishendorf has claimed commitment to Oregon State football for nearly three months. But as West Virginia shows increasing interest in luring the Lake Oswego, Oregon-native away from his home state to play for the Mountaineers, it seems that Tishendorf might not be as attached to the Beavers as he first seemed.

In events that are raising eyebrows in both Corvallis and Morgantown — although for different reasons — Tishendorf has found himself on an official visit with West Virginia starting on June 6th. What should be even more concerning about this for Oregon State fans is that Tishendorf’s official visit comes after he took his official visit to their program in May, indicating that he might not have felt fully at home in Corvallis despite his earlier commitment.

Tishendorf is still publicly committed to the Beavers, but making good on his visit to WVU gives reason to believe that his commitment isn’t as solid as it once was. And there’s always a possibility that Oregon State’s staff won’t be pleased with Tishendorf’s visit to Morgantown, either — it’s the type of move that could quickly sour a relationship.

According to the 247Sports recruiting database, Tishendorf is the 107th-ranked EDGE in the Class of 2026 and the eighth-best overall player in the state of Oregon. He could be a solid early addition to the Mountaineers’ class, and he would be the first signee in their class at his position. It would also be a massive flip of a commit from a program in his home state with power conference lineage, which is the type of move which can spark momentum on the recruiting trail.

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June 7, 2025

Amik Robertson over ‘devastating’ arm injury, ready to help Lions secondary roar again

The physical pain was one thing, but when he broke his arm on the second defensive play of the Detroit Lions’ playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, the mental anguish he felt over leaving his team in a bind at its most critical point in the season is what really threw Amik Robertson for a loop.

“Mentally, man, it was devastating,” Robertson told reporters after the Lions’ final practice of organized team activities. “I had my goals set for myself, but it happened. I didn’t question God.

“Everything happens for a reason, man. I’m in good spirits.”

Robertson played last season as the Lions’ primary slot cornerback and is expected to fill that role again this fall.

He moved to outside cornerback late in the season as the Lions navigated a slew of injuries on defense and helped hold Justin Jefferson to three catches in the team’s division-clinching Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Robertson broke his arm two weeks later while tackling Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin in the Lions’ postseason opener and was escorted to the locker room by trainers. He underwent surgery that night, and said he used the extra down time he had during rehab this spring to spend with his family.

“I always look at a positive, take something positive out of it,” Robertson said. “But mentally I’m great, man. I’m in great spirits. Being able to get a lot of mental reps when I’m out there. … As of now mentally, I think I’m in a great head space.”

Robertson said he expects to be fully cleared “very, very soon,” and once he is he’ll join a secondary that’s positioned to take a step forward this fall.

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) poses for a photo next to cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) after practice during OTA at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 30, 2025.

The Lions return the best safety tandem in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch and added D.J. Reed to start at the cornerback spot opposite Terrion Arnold. They signed veteran Avonte Maddox as a jack-of-all-trades backup, and Arnold and fellow 2024 draft pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. should take a step forward in Year 2.

“We know what we want to be, man, but this world is an action world,” Robertson said. “We want to go out there and prove it. Not only to our ourself but to these fans. The outside noise, we don’t worry about cause at the end of the day it’s going to shift.

“Once you’re doing good it’s going to shift. So as of now, man, we continue to trust one another, continue to build and become one of the best defenses in the league.”

Robertson called Reed, the Lions’ top free-agent addition of the offseason, “feisty” and said he “kind of remind(s me of) myself.”

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) grimaces as he is helped off the field after an injury in the first quarter against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

He said he feeds off doubters predicting a step back this fall for a Lions team that lost eight assistant coaches plus starters at cornerback (Carlton Davis), guard (Kevin Zeitler) and center (Frank Ragnow) this offseason.

“I want it no other way,” he said.

And he said he’s anxious to join a mostly-healthy defense on the field for training camp this summer.

“We’re going to let our actions speak, man, but just know we going to continue playing Lions football at a high level,” he said. “Last year didn’t go as planned, which we understand, but it’s a new year, man. Some new faces, new swagger, new fire. So I expect us to have a great season.”

Dave Birkett is the author of the book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline.” Order your copy here.

June 7, 2025

‘I made her lose’ – Betting Website Bans Bettor for Taunting Olympic Star Gabby Thomas to Land Accumulator Win

In a dramatic intersection of sports betting, social media, and athlete well-being, a major online bookmaker has banned a user who publicly gloated over Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas’s loss — claiming he “made her lose” to secure a high-stakes accumulator bet win.

The now-suspended bettor, whose username and account have since been deactivated, drew widespread backlash after posting a screenshot of his five-leg track and field accumulator that hinged on Thomas losing her race in the Diamond League meet. After Thomas finished second, the user took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to gloat: “Told y’all. I made her lose. Thanks for the bag, Gabby 💰💰💰.”

The post quickly went viral, sparking outrage from both fans and fellow athletes who criticized the taunt as disrespectful and potentially harmful. Gabby Thomas, a bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, responded gracefully but firmly, saying in a follow-up post: “Athletes are not here for your bets. We’re humans first — not pawns in your parlay.”

Thomas’s response sparked a larger conversation about the growing influence of gambling in sports culture — particularly the pressure it places on athletes who are increasingly subjected to taunts, threats, and abuse from bettors whose winnings hinge on their performance.

The betting platform, one of the UK’s largest, moved swiftly to address the situation. In an official statement released Thursday, the company stated: “We have permanently closed the user’s account for violating our terms and promoting harmful conduct. We stand with athletes and condemn any behavior that promotes harassment or online abuse in the name of betting.”

Industry experts say this incident highlights a troubling pattern. As sports betting becomes more mainstream, especially with the rise of in-play and prop bets, some fans are crossing the line — treating athletes less like competitors and more like commodities whose sole purpose is to deliver personal profit.

“This isn’t the first time an athlete has been targeted by gamblers who lost money,” said Dr. Karen Temple, a sports psychologist and researcher at the University of Michigan. “But what’s different now is the visibility. Social media gives bettors a direct line to athletes, and it’s creating a toxic environment.”

In the U.S., where betting is now legal in over 30 states, leagues and teams have begun to respond to this new reality. The NBA and NFL have both launched awareness campaigns and are investing in tools to monitor and report gambling-related abuse directed at players.

Athletes like Thomas are also taking a stand. She has used her platform to speak out against online abuse and advocate for better protections. “It’s fine if you want to bet,” she said in a recent interview, “but don’t forget we’re real people doing our best. What you say — and how you say it — matters.”

As the betting industry continues to grow, incidents like this may force companies and regulators alike to reexamine how to balance consumer engagement with ethical responsibility. For now, Thomas’s message is clear: respect the sport, respect the athletes, and don’t let your bet become someone else’s burden.

June 7, 2025

Bromell Blasts 9.84 100m World Lead in Rome 🚀 | Wanda Diamond League

Trayvon Bromell stunned the track and field world with a blistering 9.84-second run in the men’s 100 meters at the Wanda Diamond League meet in Rome on Friday night, setting a new world-leading time for 2025. Under the golden lights of the Stadio Olimpico, the American sprinter silenced any doubts about his form and fitness as he tore down the track with a performance that signaled he’s firmly back in the hunt for global gold.

Exploding from the blocks with razor-sharp precision, Bromell held his form through the middle phase and surged ahead in the final 30 meters, crossing the line with clear daylight between him and the rest of the field. His 9.84 not only marks the fastest time in the world this year but also serves notice to his rivals with the World Championships just weeks away.

“I felt something special tonight,” Bromell said in his post-race interview. “My body’s been feeling good in training, and I just needed to put it together on the track. Rome gave me that chance.”

Bromell’s journey back to the top has been anything but easy. Once touted as the heir to Usain Bolt’s sprinting legacy, the former world junior champion has battled through multiple injuries and surgeries since his breakthrough in 2015. But after a strong resurgence in 2021 and continued consistency, this performance may be the clearest indication yet that he’s peaking at just the right time.

The field in Rome was stacked with talent, including Italy’s Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs and Canada’s Andre De Grasse. But neither could match Bromell’s power and rhythm on the night. Jacobs, returning from a hamstring injury, finished a distant third in 10.05, while De Grasse managed 10.01 for second place.

The conditions in Rome were near perfect: a warm Mediterranean evening, slight tailwind (+1.3 m/s), and a capacity crowd buzzing with anticipation. The atmosphere crackled with energy as the sprinters took their marks, and when the gun fired, it was clear something special was unfolding.

Bromell’s time now places him atop the 2025 global rankings, overtaking Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who previously held the world lead with a 9.86 set in Nairobi. It also ranks as the sixth-fastest time of Bromell’s career, a remarkable statistic considering the setbacks he’s endured.

The victory also boosts Bromell’s standing in the Diamond League points race, giving him crucial momentum heading into the latter half of the season. With upcoming meets in Paris and London, fans are already anticipating a possible sub-9.80 performance — something Bromell has flirted with but never quite achieved.

More broadly, the race signals a shift in the sprinting hierarchy. While names like Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman remain in contention, Bromell’s Rome run places him at the forefront of the conversation. With the Olympics in Paris just over a year away, the battle for sprint supremacy is heating up.

For now, though, Rome belongs to Trayvon Bromell. And if Friday’s performance is any indication, the best may still be yet to come.

June 7, 2025

Ty Simpson to attend prestigious QB event as he continues push for Alabama job

Redshirt junior Ty Simpson is taking another step toward the Alabama starting QB job by attending a high-profile event this summer.

Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Ty Simpson may be the leader in the clubhouse for the Alabama starting QB job in 2025, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking anything for granted. The rising redshirt junior is putting in the work this summer to strengthen his lead in the QB competition and prove to head coach Kalen DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb that he’s the right man for the job.

Simpson left spring practice as the presumed starter, though that job has not officially been earned yet. It’s a long summer and then fall camp, and anything can still happen as both Austin Mack and freshman phenom Keelon Russell push Simpson for the spot.

Simpson will have a nice opportunity for further development later this summer as he attends the prestigious Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana at the end of this month.

Some of the best quarterbacks in the country will be in attendance for the 29th annual Manning Passing Academy, which will run from June 26-29 at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Simpson will work alongside elite talents like Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, and others. Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning will be there working with all the QBs in attendance as well. There isn’t a family that understands the quarterback position better than the Mannings, and this is a great opportunity for Simpson to learn and grow.

Simpson’s development is vital for Alabama’ success in 2025

It has been said by many, but it still rings true. How far the Crimson Tide can go in 2025 will rely heavily on well Simpson – or one of the other two quarterbacks – plays. Alabama has a loaded depth chart everywhere else. If they get good quarterback play, this should be a College Football Playoff team. If one of the quarterbacks steps up into elite territory, this is the best team in the country.

Working in Simpson’s favor will be a much-improved WR room. Alabama brought back its two leading receivers from a year ago – Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard – but the most impressive part of the room is its depth. With Miami (FL) transfer Isaiah Horton joining the fray, the Tide’s trio of starting WRs stacks up with anyone in the country.

Behind those three are impressive talents such as Jalen Hale, Rico Scott, Lotzeir Brooks, Cole Adams, and Derek Meadows. With talented running backs in tow, there’s plenty of talent at the skill positions – as well as a veteran offensive line – to make things easier for a first-time starting quarterback.

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June 7, 2025

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