Latest news with #2025FanaticsFest
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears' Caleb Williams takes savage shot at Packers fans — ‘They suck'
The post Bears' Caleb Williams takes savage shot at Packers fans — 'They suck' appeared first on ClutchPoints. Caleb Williams will not stop reminding fans that he is already 1-0 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Although only one year into his professional career, the Chicago Bears quarterback had already developed a distaste for his divisional rival's fan base. Williams was one of several athletes to appear at the 2025 Fanatics Fest in New York. The 23-year-old quarterback recalled hating how Packers fans acted after the Bears' Week 18 win in Green Bay during his Q&A segment. 'Green Bay, they suck,' Williams said, via Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media. 'I'm 1-0 in Lambeau. After the game, we tried to do the 'Lambeau Leap' in the crowd where our fans were. They started throwing things at you, pushing you off. The Lambeau Leap is a real leap; it's not a baby jump. And they're just pushing you in the face.' The Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers ended a 10-game losing streak that started after their Week 6 bye. Green Bay took the first meeting between the two at Soldier Field, 20-19, making Williams 1-1 against them in his career. Despite coming off a 5-12 season, the Bears have reasonably high expectations in 2025. Chicago made several key adjustments in the offseason, most notably hiring Ben Johnson as its next head coach. Johnson, a renowned offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, is expected to catapult Williams' career. Bears-Packers matchups in 2025 The Bears and Packers' two meetings in 2025 will both occur in the second half of the season. The teams will not meet until Week 14, when they reconvene at Lambeau Field. The second meeting will go down just two weeks later in Week 16 at Soldier Field. Given both teams' preseason expectations, the two-game series could carry heavy playoff implications. With the Bears improving dramatically in the 2025 offseason, the NFC North could come down to the wire yet again in 2025. While the Packers have historically dominated the recent series against the Bears, Williams believes the tide will turn with his arrival. Johnson, who went 6-0 against Green Bay with the Lions, presumably feels the same. Chicago fans desperately seek redemption, as the team has not won a game in the series at home since 2018. Related: Bears rumors: DJ Moore, Cole Kmet on thin ice with Ben Johnson Related: Caleb Williams earns bold historic prediction from
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Tom Brady and Victor Wembanyama have major disagreement over Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James' retirement
LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Victor Wembanyama. Image via: Getty Images LeBron James ' retirement has been a topic of conversation for a few years now. It has recently sparked a debate between NFL legend Tom Brady and San Antonio Spurs' superstar Victor Wembanyama. In a rare convergence of athletic icons, LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Victor Wembanyama shared a stage at the 2025 Fanatics Fest for a special live episode of The Shop. When the conversation shifted to James' retirement, it sparked an unexpected divide. While Brady pushed for LeBron to keep going, Wembanyama had a different forecast. Tom Brady and Victor Wembanyama split on how much longer LeBron James should lead the Los Angeles Lakers Even at 40, LeBron James is still delivering elite performances for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this past season. But for the man who's carried the NBA spotlight for over two decades, the question isn't whether he can keep playing, it's whether he should. Victor Wembanyama, the 21-year-old phenom from the San Antonio Spurs, didn't hold back when asked about LeBron's timeline. 'You might retire after me,' Wembanyama joked, earning laughs from the audience. He later added a more realistic projection: 'Two more years.' LeBron, sitting next to him, quipped in return, 'The more and more time that I play, as long as Wemby keeps smacking my f***ing shots into the stands, it's gonna make me retire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Die schönsten Sport-Moderatorinnen der Welt - Weiterlesen Undo ' The playful back-and-forth has a subtle context. Truthfully, at his age, LeBron feels the weight of time, especially when faced with talents like Wemby. Still, he's shown little sign of actual decline, continuing to play at an astonishing level even as new stars rise to challenge him. Tom Brady, however, wasn't on board with Wembanyama's two-year window. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and longevity legend offered a different view: "He's gotta make those records truly unbreakable," Brady said. "He's worked so hard for so many years, and if he can push himself a little more, his records will be secured forever." LeBron already holds the all-time scoring record with 42,184 points in the regular season, and over 50,000 points total, including playoffs. That's uncharted territory in the NBA. He also boasts 21 All-Star selections, MVPs, and a staggering three-decade run of dominance. But Brady believes there's still more to be done. 'You're witnessing the greatest ever, and I hope you all appreciate that,' Brady added. He also praised LeBron's all-around career, saying, 'LeBron has always done things the right way. Be it his MVP-winning stint in the Olympics in Paris or playing for different teams. That, in his opinion, sets LBJ apart.' Also Read: LeBron James shocks NBA world with explosive comeback clip weeks after MCL scare While James is expected to return next season on a short-term deal, he's clearly approaching the finish line. "I can't play that much further," he admitted, suggesting that the next few seasons may indeed be his last. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyreek Hill is tired of Dolphins narratives: 'Time to change who we are'
Tyreek Hill is ready to change the narrative around the Miami Dolphins. A team built on speed and finesse, many point to Miami's lack of physicality and struggles in the cold weather as things that hold them back. The Dolphins have routinely started fast since Mike McDaniel became the head coach in 2022. The Dolphins have compiled a 21-13 record in September, October, and November. However, they've posted a 7-12 record in December and January, including a 0-2 mark in the playoffs. During an appearance on the "Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel" podcast at the 2025 Fanatics Fest convention, Hill expressed a desire to flip the script. "It's time to change who we are as a team," Hill said of what he told the team as a leader. "It's time to change the narrative." MORE: Tyreek Hill making 'full-court press' to keep Jalen Ramsey a Dolphin Hill specifically pointed to the criticisms of the team in cold weather and physicality, saying he is tired of them. "I'm tired of that narrative," Hill said. "I'm tired of living behind not being able to go to the playoffs and win in Miami because we got a damn good team. We got a good quarterback, we got a good offensive line and we got some good coaches. And we got some good people in the community who deserve to be a part of it. I feel like this is the year that we change all of that." It's been an interesting offseason for Hill. At one point, he appeared to be headed for a one-way ticket out of Miami. Trade rumors swirled around the star receiver, dating back to his frustration at the end of the season. Time healed all wounds in this case, however, as Hill is back in the fold and on good terms with McDaniel. "He's one of those guys that, at first, he was odd," Hill said of McDaniel. "But I'm in year four with Mike now and our relationship is great." MORE: Tyreek Hill says he doesn't deserve to be Dolphins captain, has to prove himself again The five-time All-Pro has dazzled during his three seasons in South Beach, posting at least 1,700 yards in two of them. Hill's game, at least statistically, went to another level following his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs before the 2022 season. Hill credits McDaniel for a lot of that success, noting that the coach spends a lot of time in the office trying to find ways to scheme players open. "He's probably one of the best offensive coordinators I've been around," Hill said. "One of the best minds I've been around. The way he utilizes me in motions and jet sweeps and just whatever it takes to get me open – those two years I had seventeen-hundred yards in a row, it was just him and his creativity." The praise didn't stop there. "Mike really is a genius though," Hill added. "He's a nerd for a reason. He's a nerd for football." The Dolphins are seeking a return to the playoffs this season after a disappointing 8-9 finish to the 2024 campaign. Hill is eager to lead the team, hoping they can find some playoff success, much like his former team in Kansas City. He believes they have what it takes to get there, citing the 2025 NBA Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers as evidence. "We just seen OKC and the Pacers in the [NBA] Finals," Hill said. "Anything can happen, right?" The Dolphins open the 2025 regular season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georges St-Pierre recalls 'strange' Dana White call that nearly led to Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Georges St-Pierre handled his retirement much more swiftly than Jon Jones did. This past Saturday night in Baku, Azerbaijan, UFC CEO Dana White announced that UFC heavyweight champion Jones had officially retired, therefore promoting interim champion Tom Aspinall to undisputed status. The announcement concluded the long, drawn-out saga that has stalled out the UFC heavyweight division since Jones won the vacant title against top contender Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Advertisement Fellow all-time great St-Pierre also made the transition from a supremely dominant single-division champion to multi-weight titleholder when he captured the UFC middleweight belt in 2017. However, the biggest difference between the two situations was that St-Pierre retired and vacated his belt significantly quicker. The UFC Hall of Famer spoke with Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show" at the 2025 Fanatics Fest in New York this past Friday before Jones' official retirement and shared his thoughts on the timeline. "It depends what he does it for. If it's for negotiation tactics with the UFC, it's a chess game," St-Pierre said of Jones delaying a decision on his future. "But if you do it just because you want to hold back everything and it's an ego thing, this is not OK. I feel like if it's a way for him to get more money, it's OK, but it's a negotiation tactic. If it's just because he wants to hold it as much as he wants, and he knows he's not going to go back, this is not fair because other fighters are waiting. "As an athlete, you have a window. If you're past that window, you can never go back." St-Pierre, 44, fell into a similar position in 2017 of being a champion with an interim titlist, Robert Whittaker, waiting in the wings who he was expected to face post-coronation. Winning the 185-pound title with an impressive rear-naked choke submission against Michael Bisping made the prospect of a Whittaker collision carry a similar old vs. new motif as the ill-fated Jones vs. Aspinall encounter. Advertisement But St-Pierre's health had other plans, so "GSP" retired for good less than a month after his win. "I could have held the belt if I wanted to, but because at the time when I retired after Bisping, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and my condition was very bad," St-Pierre said. "I was on medication and I didn't want to hold [up] the division, because I knew there was a lot of young contenders. I knew I could stay with the belt and parade with the belt, and get all the money, the sponsors for a year, but I didn't want to do that because it would have put the division on hold. At the point I knew I was not coming back, I needed to take care of my health, I relinquished the belt immediately after because I didn't want to do that for the respect of my peers. "I think who's accountable now in this [Jones] situation is maybe the UFC. The UFC has to change their policy, and I believe they have to keep the ball rolling. If the ball is not rolling, it delays everything, and it can be a very negative thing for the young contenders that are waiting to get a shot for the title." With Jones vs. Aspinall officially off the table, it joins the growing list of much-hyped mega-fights the UFC failed to make happen, for one reason or another. Like the rest of us, St-Pierre is left to speculate precisely how the champion vs. champion showdown would've unfolded. Advertisement "It's a tough, tough match to call," St-Pierre said. "It's very hard to bet against Jon Jones because he is basically almost a perfect fighter, but does Tom Aspinall have what he needs to crack the code? That's the big question. "Tom Aspinall is certainly a type of fighter that is different than everyone else. He reminds me a little bit of Fedor Emelianenko, except that he's heavier than Fedor, and he seems to me that he's more refined. He's the updated version of what Fedor was. It's a tough, tough fight to call. "Now, as time goes by, for sure, Jon's athletic ability will start to diminish. It's normal. He may be past his prime, and Tom is in his prime right now. In terms of accomplishment, Jon Jones [is] the best ever, I believe. But if you talk about [a fight right] now, it could go either way." Advertisement Another fantasy fight from the past that never quite had the same time to marinate was St-Pierre against undefeated lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. St-Pierre and his team wanted to fight Nurmagomedov as their follow-up after their saga at middleweight, most likely at a weight below 185 pounds. But the timing never properly aligned. It wasn't until three years after St-Pierre's departure that Nurmagomedov followed suit with his own retirement, that the UFC came around to the idea. According to St-Pierre, if UFC had been interested earlier, we would've seen a dream fight come true. "We wanted to make the Khabib fight, and the UFC did not want to do it because they wanted to keep the ball rolling with Khabib," St-Pierre said. "Instead of doing one big fight, they think the risk of after the champion loses, it's not worth it. Then, after Khabib retired, Dana called me and asked me if I was interested in fighting Khabib. I found that was strange. I didn't really believe it. I asked him if Khabib really wanted this fight and he said yes. I said, 'Let me think about it.' Then I called [Nurmagomedov's manager] Ali Abdelaziz, and Ali says that wasn't true. Then I knew it wasn't true, and Dana came back and says, 'When I try to promote a fight, I don't do three calls at the same time,' which is true. But that's really what happened. "The first time, it was on my side. We asked the UFC if they were willing to make the fight — they didn't want to do it. A few months after Khabib retired, Dana tried to make it because he knew we were both retired. I would have done it. I wouldn't have had a choice."
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Top contenders to watch in the $1M Fanatics Games
Fanatics is hosting its first-ever Fanatics Games at the 2025 Fanatics Fest, and the odds aren't exactly in favor of the collectors. While it would be a storybook moment to see a fan take down some of the greatest athletes of all time, collecting cardboard takes a very different mental and physical toll than playing professional sports — not to mention a different diet. The top prize is a staggering $1 million, with second place receiving a 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB, and third place walking away with a LeBron James rookie gold refractor card valued at approximately $250,000. Before we get into who might win this thing, let's talk about who has absolutely no shot. This isn't a knock on the fans and collectors competing — it's a nod to the level of greatness involved in the event. There is a zero percent chance a collector or fan finishes anywhere near the podium. Call it a bold take if you want, but when the competitions include a three-point contest, QB accuracy challenge, and even a WWE-style entrance — and you're going up against the GOATs of their respective sports — the average Joe doesn't stand a chance. Advertisement As for the celebrity pool? Let's be real — Druski, Kai Cenat, Gillie, Kevin Costner (legend, but he's 70), Sketch, and DJ Khaled aren't sniffing the top three either. Now let's get to the sleepers — the under-the-radar names who could actually take this thing home. Yes, beat some of the greatest athletes of all time. First up: IShowSpeed Laugh all you want, but the kid is pure chaos in the best way. He's got the energy, the athleticism, and the unpredictability to shock the field. My top categories for him? Soccer and WWE entrance — he's built for spectacle, and this stage might be where he explodes. Advertisement Second: Julian Edelman He's not the biggest name in the lineup, but he might be the grittiest. A multi-sport athlete who thrives on pressure and wins off straight hustle. Don't let the retired dad look fool you — the man has rings for a reason. Never underestimate the heart of a champion. And third: CJ Stroud Now, some would argue he shouldn't even be on a sleeper list — he could flat-out win this thing. He's dangerous in anything involving a ball. But while his football and basketball skills are top-tier, I worry about how he'll stack up in the more offbeat events. Still, CJ is a competitor through and through. He won't go down easy. Advertisement Now, here are the top five — based on purely theoretical odds. No sportsbooks, no analytics, just vibes, gut instinct, and a lot of common sense. At -20,000: LeBron James. The only thing stopping LeBron from winning this is if he decides not to try. Yes, he's 40 now — but he's still the greatest athlete of all time. The real question isn't if he'll win, it's how the Fanatics Games will impact his legacy. Some are already saying a win here gives him an edge over Jordan. If he pulls this off, it's another accolade to add to the GOAT debate — and one MJ will never have. At -15,000: Tom Brady Some might say these odds are too generous. Brady's a multi-sport monster — football, basketball, golf, even baseball — and he might just be the most competitive person in the entire event. And that's saying something. The man doesn't show up to participate, he shows up to win. It wouldn't shock me one bit if he walks away from this with $1 million and yet another trophy to stuff in that already overcrowded case. Advertisement At -100: Travis Hunter A steep drop from the top two, but make no mistake — Travis Hunter is built for this. Arguably the most athletic person in the entire competition, he already dominates on both sides of the football field. If there's any event that requires raw explosiveness or versatility, he's a serious threat. Honestly, if the Fanatics Games included bass fishing, his odds might be even better. Sleeper pick? Maybe. But don't be shocked if he finishes on top. At +250: Peyton Manning This one might raise some eyebrows — but don't sleep on the Sheriff. The Manning family tree is loaded with athleticism, and Peyton's skills go well beyond the gridiron. If he locks in on golf and football — which he absolutely should — he could be the surprise of the tournament. He may not be the youngest in the field, but don't be shocked if he schools the competition and leaves with more than just laughs. We might just witness an old man's masterclass. At +300: Joe Burrow Joey B might just be the best value pick in this entire theoretical odds game. Cool, calm, and unbothered by pressure — the man does everything with a quiet confidence and a little extra swagger. Don't be surprised if he casually drops top scores while looking like he barely broke a sweat. He's got the skills, the poise, and most importantly, the people behind him. The crowd will certainly be rooting for Joey Brrr. Your collection deserves a community. Download Mantel today.
