Latest news with #ProFootballWritersofAmerica
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
An Eagles adversary walks back his harsh take on the Philadelphia faithful
You aren't going to believe this Jared Verse turns 25 years old in November but has already lived a life that would inspire envy among men ten years his senior. His NFL resume already consists of a Defensive Rookie of the Year nod and a spot on the 2024 Pro Bowl roster. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America's All-Rookie Team, but as famous as he is everywhere else, he is infamous in the City of Brotherly Love. If Verse looks familiar to you, it's because he should. A little over five months ago, he shared some disparaging remarks about the Philadelphia Eagles fan base. 'I hate Eagles fans. They're so annoying." Those were the then-rookie's words when speaking during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. That caught the NFL's most loyal fan base off guard. Sure, they've heard those types of comments before, but this time, the verbal assault felt unwarranted and a little more personal. Maybe that's true because they came ahead of a Divisional Round clash during the postseason. Perhaps everyone was thrown off because Verse grew up in Berwick, Pennsylvania, approximately 2.5 hours away from Philadelphia. Whatever the case, cooler heads prevailed, and a football game, as expected, went on as planned. Verse backed up his talk by playing one heck of a game. The Birds beat L.A. for the second time last season. Respect was earned on both sides, and recently, one of the NFL's young stars walked back his comments about those passionate fans in green who show up season after season to root for Philadelphia to victory. Jared Verse compliments Philadelphia fans (And he does so more than once). Only Whistle can invite an NFL star to a spa and make engaging content. That's a compliment, by the way. Recently, Casey Rieger hung out with Jared Verse, and the now-second-year sensation discussed everything from receiving a call on draft day to, you guessed it, his opinion on Eagles fans. The discussion about that latter topic might surprise you. Which opposing team did Verse say had the best fans? Trust us. You aren't going to believe this: 'Probably the Eagles. I've got to give them that. It's just because I like when you kind of get into it. You're aggressive. You're loud. And they stand by that with no doubt.' Which fan base did Verse say is the toughest to play in front of? Again, he named those 'annoying' fans in Philly. 'Playing the Eagles is like playing your rival in college because you never know what they're going to say. And they're going to try to say disrespectful stuff. Don't get me wrong, they're not going to say anything where it's like, 'Bro, you crossed the line.' But they're going to say something where you're like, 'Hey, who you talking to?'' It's always cool when animosity ends peacefully, when cooler heads prevail. Ultimately, some trash talk between a player and a city led to emotionally charged football and mutual shows of respect. Most importantly, it led to an Eagles win. Who are we to complain? Verse is from PA. He knows the vibes, and guess what? Philadelphia and Los Angeles renew acquaintances in Week 3 of the regular season. A budding rivalry will be reignited. Let's see if Nick Sirianni can hang another loss on Sean McVay.
NBC Sports
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Jeff Stoutland, Richie Petitbon receive assistant coach recognition, winning Dr. Z Award
Richie Petitbon and Jeff Stoutland were named the 2025 Paul 'Dr. Z' Zimmerman Award winners, the Pro Football Writers of America announced Tuesday. The Dr. Z Award is given for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL. The award is named for Zimmerman, who covered the NFL for 29 years as Sports Illustrated's lead pro football writer. Petitbon is retired, while Stoutland currently serves as the Eagles run game coordinator/offensive line coach. They are the 26th and 27th recipients of the Dr. Z Award, which was instituted by the PFWA in 2014. Other 2025 finalists for the Dr. Z Award were the late defensive coordinator Floyd Peters, the late defensive coordinator Thomas Catlin, the late defensive coordinator Floyd Peters, retired offensive position coach/coordinator Terry Robiskie and the late defensive line coach John Teerlinck.
NBC Sports
30-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Kevin O'Connell wins the PFWA's Horrigan Award for his professionalism with the media
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell is the winner of the 2025 Horrigan Award, the Pro Football Writers of America announced Friday. The Horrigan Award is given to the league or club official for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job. O'Connell was recognized for his openness and helpfulness with reporters. He routinely gives one-on-one interviews, meets regularly with beat writers for off-the-record discussions, provides thoughtful explanations for his decisions after games, and he creates an environment where both players and assistant coaches feel free to tell their stories. O'Connell, the 53rd Horrigan Award winner, is the first member of the Vikings franchise to receive the award. He is the first head coach to win the Horrigan since Ron Rivera with the Commanders in 2023. Other 2025 nominees for the Horrigan Award were Rams president Kevin Demoff, 49ers General Manager John Lynch, NFL VP of communications Brian McCarthy and NFL EVP of football operations Troy Vincent. Jack Horrigan was a sportswriter for UPI and the Buffalo Evening News, public relations director for the American Football League (1963-66) and vice president of public relations for the Buffalo Bills (1966-73). Joe Horrigan is in his 46th year with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame's current senior advisor was executive director (2017-19), executive vice president of museums, selection process and chief communications officer (2014-17) and vice president, communications and exhibits (1996-2014).
NBC Sports
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot wins Bill Nunn Award
The Pro Football Writers of America has named Mary Kay Cabot the winner of the 2025 Bill Nunn Jr. Award. Cabot , who writes about the Browns for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and has covered the NFL since 1988. She becomes the 57th Nunn Award honoree and the second journalist who primarily worked at the Cleveland Plain Dealer to win the award, joining Chuck Heaton (1980). Cabot was a four-time finalist for the Nunn Award (2022-25), and she is the second woman to be a Nunn honoree (Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams, 2018). The Nunn Award is given to a reporter who has made a long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage. The award is named for Nunn, who prior to his Hall of Fame scouting career with the Steelers, worked for 22 years at the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the most influential Black publications in the United States. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 as a contributor. Other 2025 finalists for the Nunn Award were Clarence Hill Jr. ( Mike Silver (The Athletic), and Barry Wilner (Associated Press). Cabot is a longtime member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee and is one of four women currently serving as a selector. She is also president of the Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America. She will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, at the Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner on Friday, Aug. 1.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Burrow wins PFWA's George Halas Award
The Pro Football Writers of America announced Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as the winner of the 2025 George Halas Award. The award is given annually to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed. Burrow injured his wrist in 2023, missing the final seven games after undergoing surgery. Advertisement He returned in time to start the 2024 season and led the NFL in passing attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4,918) and touchdown passes (43). Burrow earned comeback player of the year. The Halas Award is name for George Halas, a charter member (1963) of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who was associated with the Bears and NFL from their inception in 1920 until his death in 1983 as an owner, manager, player and promoter. Halas won 324 games and six NFL titles in 40 seasons as a coach. Burrow, the 57th Halas Award winner, is the third member of the Bengals franchise to receive the honor from the PFWA. Tim Krumrie (1990) and Mike Zimmer (2010) were Bengals who previously won the award. Other 2025 finalists for the Halas Award were Browns running back Nick Chubb, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold and Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins.
