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USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Edge rushers
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. We're going position by position to name the Bears' All-Quarter Century Team for those who played from 2000 through 2024. Kicking off the defense, we're looking at some impactful edge rushers who have come through Chicago, including a recent Hall of Famer. Julius Peppers The Bears have had some impactful edge rushers in their storied history, and you can't discuss them without including Hall of Famer Julius Peppers. Chicago signed him to the largest contract ever given to a defensive player -- at the time -- with a six-year, $84 million deal. His impact on defense was immediate as he helped the Bears make the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl run in 2006. He also showed he was still an absolute game wrecker. While Peppers played most of his career with the Carolina Panthers, some of his best seasons came with the Bears. Peppers' resume in Chicago alone is impressive, which includes a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2010, a Second-Team All-Pro nod in 2012, as well as three Pro Bowl appearances (2010-12) while also being part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. The Bears unfortunately released Peppers back in 2014 -- due to his large salary cap hit -- and he exacted his revenge by playing for the hated Green Bay Packers for three years, where he terrorized his old team. But Peppers did ultimately return to Carolina, where he was able to retire with his first team. Khalil Mack The Bears took a massive swing when they traded for Khalil Mack just about a week before the start of the 2018 season, which elevated their defense in a big way. Mack's impact was immediate in his first game with Chicago (in a loss to the Green Bay Packers) and carried through the rest of the 2018 season as the Bears made the postseason. Mack posted 12.5 sacks en route to a First-Team All-Pro nod and his fourth Pro Bowl while finishing second in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting. He ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019. Mack showed that he was a game wrecker and defense and continued to be one of the NFL's best. While he was never as dominant as that first year, he was Chicago's best defensive player and continued to show how he can impact a game. In four years, Mack was a First-Team All-Pro (2018), Second-Team All-Pro (2020), three-time Pro Bowler (2018-20) and was named to the 100 Greatest Bears of All-Time list. In Mack's final season with the Bears, he played in just seven games (logging 19 tackles and six sacks) after undergoing season-ending foot surgery. After general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Nagy were fired at season's end, the Bears brought in a new regime, led by current GM Ryan Poles, who had to tear the roster down to the studs to rebuild it. Unfortunately, that meant trading Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers given his massive cap hit. Mack has continued to dominate in Los Angeles, but there's no denying his impact in Chicago in just four years. Adewale Ogunleye The Bears landed a diamond in the rough in a trade for Adewale Ogunleye, a former undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins who developed into a key piece of a dominant Lovie Smith-led defense in Chicago. While Ogunleye doesn't get as much recognition as players like Peppers and Mack, for six years he was a defensive cornerstone for the Bears and proved to be a monster off the edge with 42 sacks, 57 QB hits, 11 forced fumbles and 65 tackles for loss. His 42 career sacks is tied with Trace Armstrong for the fifth most in franchise history. Ogunleye spearheaded a dominant Bears defensive line with 10 sacks, second-most in his NFL career, en route to an NFC North championship and playoff berth in 2005, as well as Chicago's impressive Super Bowl run in 2006, which ended on a sour note. While the Bears struggled in the years that followed, Ogunleye remained a mainstay on one of the league's best defenses until 2010, when Chicago elected not to re-sign him. He spent one final year in the league with the Houston Texans. Alex Brown Alex Brown is the longest-tenured Bear on this list, and for good reason as he proved to a reliable, dominant edge rusher on some of the team's best defenses. Brown was an all-around player who thrived both as a pass rusher and a run stopper, but he was especially dominant off the edge. Brown's 43.5 sacks is the fourth most in franchise history, trailing only Richard Dent, Steve McMichael and Dan Hampton. His five career interceptions is second all-time (by a defensive lineman) in Bears history behind only Dent. Brown spent his first eight NFL seasons with Chicago (2002-09) after being selected as a fourth-round pick. He proved to be a dependable mainstay on defense appearing in every regular season game off his career (starting with the second game of his rookie season) that included a streak of 143 straight games. Brown started in every game in six of his eight seasons with the Bears, where he showed that availability is sometimes the best ability. In eight seasons, Brown totaled 43.5 sacks, 59 QB hits, 16 forced fumbles and 79 tackles for loss. Following the 2009 season, the Bears released Brown after failing to find a trade partner. He played one more year in the league with the New Orleans Saints in 2010. Honorable mention: Robert Quinn Bears All-Quarter Century Team Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National pharmacy company sues Arkansas over law eliminating PBM pharmacy ownership
Video: Arkansas bill would prevent Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A lawsuit was filed in Little Rock federal court on Thursday to overturn an Arkansas law preventing pharmacy benefit managers from operating pharmacies in the state. The suit filed by the pharmacy benefit management firm Express Scripts by Evernorth claims that violates the Constitution and federal law. It requests that the court prevent Act 624 from going into effect. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs bill blocking PBM ownership of pharmacies into law St. Louis-based Express Scripts is the pharmacy benefit management arm of The Cigna Group, a multinational health care and insurance company. Pharmacy benefits managers act as intermediaries between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies to set rates, including the compensation amounts paid to pharmacies. Act 624 prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies in Arkansas. The lawsuit claims that Act 624 violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause and the Privileges & Immunities Clause. It also states the law violates the Constitution's Attainder Clause, which prevents laws from being passed that punish individuals or groups without a trial. The lawsuit continues to claim that it interferes with federal law since the act would prevent Express Scripts from honoring its TRICARE contract with the Department of Defense. TRICARE is the health plan, including pharmacy support, for active duty National Guard, reserve, and retired military members and their families. The suit has multiple plaintiffs under the Express Scripts umbrella and is filed against the state pharmacy board and its members. CVS shares statement after Arkansas bill restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies is signed into law Evernorth Health Services Vice President of Pharmacy Practice and pharmacist Susan Peppers said the suit was filed to ensure continued access to care. 'Our family of pharmacies—including Express Scripts Pharmacy, Accredo Specialty Pharmacy and Freedom Fertility Pharmacy—are proud to serve Arkansans, and this law will disrupt their access to the care we provide,' Peppers said. 'If this law takes effect in January, hundreds of thousands of Arkansans will be left scrambling to navigate the forced closure of pharmacies and finding new ways to get their medicines and critical clinical support.' Peppers continued that Evernorth was doing 'everything we can' to protect Arkansas patients. Arkansas Attorney General Griffin signs letter asking for federal law to prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers from owning pharmacies Attorney General Tim Griffin, whose office will defend against the case, stated that PBMs hinder access and quality. 'Pharmacy benefit managers wield outsized power to reap massive profits at the expense of consumers,' Griffin said. 'The rise of PBMs as middlemen in the prescription drug market has resulted in patients facing fewer choices, lower quality care, and higher prices.' Griffin added that PBMs 'leverage their affiliated pharmacies to manipulate prices, corrupt the market, and destroy competition. Through Act 624, Arkansas is standing up to PBMs on behalf of consumers, and I will vigorously defend our law.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area radio station petitions for return of Red Hot Chili Peppers' NSFW ‘junk socks'
Bay Area alternative rock station Live 105 has launched a petition urging the Red Hot Chili Peppers to once again strip down onstage in nothing but 'strategically placed socks.' A callback to the Los Angeles rock band's early days, during which they performed onstage nearly naked wearing nothing but white tube socks over their genitals, the effort is being spearheaded by the station's morning show host Marci Wiser. 'Sign this petition and let the Peppers know that we, the fans, demand a nostalgic nod to their most iconic (and arguably most exposed) era,' she wrote on where the petition was posted Wednesday, May 14. 'Whether they opt for the classic single sock, the daring double-sock, or perhaps even a festive holiday-themed sock for special occasions, the message is clear: Bring Back the Junk Socks!' The petition does not state in what capacity Wiser wants the band to wear socks, but the Chronicle has reached out to Live 105 for comment. As of Wednesday afternoon, the petition has 13 signatures. Red Hot Chili Peppers — whose current lineup consists of frontman Anthony Kiedis, guitarist John Frusciante, drummer Chad Smith and bassist Flea — retired the schtick in the early 2000s but originally became known for their racy, sock-clad ensembles when they were on the rise in the 1980s and '90s. While the 'Californiacation' band is still active, they now perform fully clothed. Kiedis is set to make an appearance at BottleRock Napa Valley 's William Sonoma Culinary Stage over Memorial Day weekend, and only time will tell if Live 105's petition will make any impact on his festival attire. 'Frankly, in these trying times, a glimpse of Anthony's sock-clad… ahem… lower extremities would be more therapeutic than a truckload of mindfulness apps,' Wiser wrote. 'It's a reminder that life can be absurd, hilarious, and gloriously uninhibited. It's the punk rock equivalent of a giggle fit.' Flea reflected on the impact of the stunt during a 2019 interview with GQ, nearly two decades after the band gave it up, revealing that while it was a fun move in the '90s, it has also felt like it's held them back. 'We put socks on our dicks, and we're never going to outrun it,' he said. 'People are always going to think of that. … I've often felt misunderstood by people who don't know me and assume that I'm just a raving lunatic or shirtless dumbo jumping around slapping a bass.' Nonetheless, the move seems to still be cherished among fans like Wiser, who are fiending for another glimpse. 'Let's make this happen,' Wiser wrote. 'For the sake of laughter. For the sake of nostalgia. For the sake of seeing Flea try to play bass while simultaneously trying to keep the sock on.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No. 1 (Julius Peppers)
When Julius Peppers took the field for the Carolina Panthers, fans knew they were witnessing something special. With a career spanning nearly two decades and a recent first-ballot Hall of Fame induction, Peppers' legacy is etched in Panthers lore and NFL history. From his very first season, Peppers was a force. Drafted second overall in 2002, the former North Carolina Tar Heel made an immediate statement, racking up 12 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a rare achievement that underscored his talent and work ethic. Peppers' impact was so pronounced that the Panthers' defense quickly became a cornerstone of the team, marking a sharp improvement and helping the Panthers rise in the NFL ranks. His speed, power, and agility were unlike anything most had seen from a player standing 6'7' and weighing nearly 300 pounds. Carolina Panthers DE Julius PeppersJeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports In 2003, Peppers helped lead the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII, forming part of a defense that made the team a serious contender. Though the Panthers narrowly fell to the New England Patriots, Peppers' contributions in clutch playoff games solidified his status as a big-game player. That season remains a highlight for Panthers fans, and Peppers' role in bringing Carolina to the Super Bowl remains a crucial part of his legacy. Advertisement Related: Carolina Panthers Top 30 All-Time Greatest Players: No. 5 (Sam Mills) After eight seasons with the Panthers, Peppers briefly left for stints with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, where he continued to dominate, amassing additional Pro Bowl selections and reaching a career total of 159.5 sacks, ranking fourth in NFL history. But his journey wasn't complete without a return to Carolina. Rejoining the Panthers in 2017, Peppers brought with him invaluable experience and leadership, mentoring younger players and recording 5 sacks in his final season. His homecoming was a fitting end to an exceptional career. Related: Carolina Panthers Top 30 All-Time Greatest Players: No. 4 (Luke Kuechly) Peppers retired in 2018 with nine Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and a place on the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Panthers' Hall of Honor in recognition of his impact, both on the field and within the community. In August of 2024 Peppers was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He was a first ballot entry. For Carolina fans, Peppers represents not only statistical greatness but also the heart and soul of the Panthers' defense for years. His journey from local high school star to NFL icon remains a point of pride for North Carolina fans, and his legacy as a Panther endures. Related: Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No. 3 (Steve Smith Sr.) Related: Carolina Panthers top 30 all-time greatest players: No 2 (Cam Newton)
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
This rustic dish of baked beans and smoked sausages is packed with deep, aromatic flavors
Tavče gravče, which translates as 'beans in a pan,' is a Macedonian classic. Traditionally, large dried white beans called tetovac, named for a city in northwestern Macedonia, are the star of the rustic dish, while onions, garlic, peppers and paprika provide deep, rich flavor and color. In this recipe from our cookbook ' Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,' we opted for the convenience of canned butter beans, which are plump, creamy and the best widely available alternative to tetovac beans. If butter beans are difficult to find, cannellini beans work, too. Combined with sautéed aromatics and baked for an hour with smoked sausages, the beans turn silky-soft and deeply flavorful. Both kielbasa and bratwurst work well. Optional dried mint adds sweet, woody notes that balance the richer flavors. Don't forget to reserve 1½ cups of the bean liquid before draining the cans. The liquid is added to the pot and keeps the beans plump and moist during baking. If the amount of liquid from the cans comes up short, make up the difference with water. To ensure enough liquid evaporates during cooking, use a Dutch oven with a wide diameter, ideally between 11 and 12 inches. Finish with chopped flat leaf parsley and serve with crusty bread on the side. Baked White Beans and Sausages with Paprika, Onions and Sweet Peppers Start to finish: 1 hour 50 minutes (20 minutes active) Servings: 6 Ingredients: 4 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided 2 medium yellow onions, chopped 2 medium red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped Kosher salt and ground black pepper 6 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced 4 teaspoons sweet paprika 1½ teaspoons dried mint (optional) Three 15½-ounce cans butter beans (1½ cups liquid reserved), rinsed and drained 2 dried árbol chilies OR ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 to 1¼ pounds smoked sausage, such as kielbasa or bratwurst ¼ cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped Instructions: Heat the oven to 400°F with a rack in the lower-middle position. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the onions, bell peppers and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, mint (if using) and ½ teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the beans and reserved liquid, árbol chilies and 1½ cups water. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then nestle the sausages into the pot and drizzle the surface with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Transfer to the oven and bake, without stirring, until the sausages are browned and the beans on the surface are slightly crisped, 1 to 1¼ hours. Remove the pot from the oven and let stand, uncovered, for about 15 minutes; the bean mixture will thicken as it cools. Transfer the sausages to a cutting board. Cut them into pieces, return them to the pot and stir into the beans. Remove and discard the árbol chilies (if used). Taste and season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with the parsley. Serve from the pot. EDITOR'S NOTE: For more recipes, go to Christopher Kimball's Milk Street at
