Latest news with #ThePlayers'Tribune
Indianapolis Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
T.J. McConnell on Tyrese Haliburton not recognizing him, Indiana Pacers run to NBA Finals
Tyrese Haliburton didn't recognize T.J. McConnell when he joined the Indiana Pacers, but he had a good reason. McConnell wrote a story for The Players' Tribune recalling the Pacers' season, which ended with a Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. He cleared the air about a post-Game 7 moment as he headed back to the locker room ("Not my mom") and wrote about the team's approach to rallying from late deficits. He also had an anecdote about Haliburton's arrival in a trade with the Sacramento Kings in February 2022. COVID-19 protocols were still in place around the Pacers' practice facility. Get IndyStar's book celebrating the Pacers' playoff run "Alright … so I'm a 6'1" white guy in his mid-30s. In other words, I'm not exactly stopping traffic as this NBA player people recognize. And that's just me on a normal day. You can imagine, on a day when I'm wearing a hat? I'm almost definitely not getting recognized. And during COVID, when you added a mask to the mix — nah, forget it. I was pretty much fully anonymous. "And all that is to say: It's not Tyrese's fault. But on his first day in Indy after he got traded, as he was walking through the facility, he and I crossed paths. And I've got my hat on, my mask up … I'm chilling. I'm not even thinking about that, though. So of course I just go right up to him, real excited, and I'm like, 'Tyrese!!! What's up brother. How are you??? Bro, welcome to Indy. "Yeah, Tyrese did not know who I was. He was very friendly, but 1000% thought I was some guy who works on the business side. Then a few awkward seconds passed, until eventually I realized what was going on. I took my hat off, pulled my mask down, and we started laughing so hard." McConnell knows a lot of NBA fans think the Pacers are out of title contention for the 2025-26, considering Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner's departure to Milwaukee. McConnell believes everyone should have learned from the season that just ended. "Replacing Myles will be tough. Playing without Tyrese will be … whatever is tougher than tough. But you know that feeling we all started to have as the playoffs went on — how there's just something about this team? Man, I promise you: That feeling was real. "And we're going to work like hell to feel it again soon." Please read the full article here: It Was Awful, It Meant Everything by T.J. McConnell | The Players' Tribune
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Grieving Toone, Mead find support in each other at Euro 2025
ST. GALLEN: When England midfielder Ella Toone scored a scrappy goal from close range in the first half of their 6-1 rout of Wales at Euro 2025 on Sunday, the 25-year-old kissed her hands and pointed to the sky. It was a gesture to her late father Nick, who died in September of prostate cancer. Beth Mead, who has said she is dedicating Euro 2025 to her mother June who died in 2023 from ovarian cancer, similarly pointed to the sky when she added to England's tally with a second-half goal. The two, who are playing in their first major tournaments since losing their parents, have found a strong shoulder for each other. "We've really bonded over such a terrible thing," Toone told reporters after the game. "It's nice to have someone who's been through it and who understands and knows exactly what's going on and what's going on in my head as well. "We've definitely got each other's backs. We're proud of each other and what's nice is that we're constantly talking about them. We know we're doing them proud." Toone wrote a first person piece about grieving the loss of her dad, who was diagnosed the day after England's Euro 2022 victory over Germany in the final, for The Players' Tribune in January. Mead, whose mother died six months after England's victory in 2022, said their opening game of this tournament against France - a 2-1 loss - was emotional. "We both said in the first game we really struggled a little bit," Mead said. "You look to the stands for your person who was standing there and they're not there anymore. I think my mum was the first person I would look for in the stands. "I obviously understand what Ella felt in that moment and it's just special to be able to have that moment, think about them and dedicate it to them."
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Grieving Toone, Mead find support in each other at Euro 2025
ST. GALLEN, Switzerland - When England midfielder Ella Toone scored a scrappy goal from close range in the first half of their 6-1 rout of Wales at Euro 2025 on Sunday, the 25-year-old kissed her hands and pointed to the sky. It was a gesture to her late father Nick, who died in September of prostate cancer. Beth Mead, who has said she is dedicating Euro 2025 to her mother June who died in 2023 from ovarian cancer, similarly pointed to the sky when she added to England's tally with a second-half goal. The two, who are playing in their first major tournaments since losing their parents, have found a strong shoulder for each other. "We've really bonded over such a terrible thing," Toone told reporters after the game. "It's nice to have someone who's been through it and who understands and knows exactly what's going on and what's going on in my head as well. "We've definitely got each other's backs. We're proud of each other and what's nice is that we're constantly talking about them. We know we're doing them proud." Toone wrote a first person piece about grieving the loss of her dad, who was diagnosed the day after England's Euro 2022 victory over Germany in the final, for The Players' Tribune in January. Mead, whose mother died six months after England's victory in 2022, said their opening game of this tournament against France - a 2-1 loss - was emotional. "We both said in the first game we really struggled a little bit," Mead said. "You look to the stands for your person who was standing there and they're not there anymore. I think my mum was the first person I would look for in the stands. "I obviously understand what Ella felt in that moment and it's just special to be able to have that moment, think about them and dedicate it to them." England take on Sweden in the quarter-finals on Thursday in Zurich. REUTERS
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Charlotte Flair opens up on her 'aging out' treatment from the fans, contrary to several older men
Via WWE: Charlotte Flair at Royal Rumble 2025 Charlotte Flair, a fourteen-time women's champion in WWE , has spent over a decade mastering her craft. Adding to her most decorated women in WWE right now, she has also gained unmatched wisdom at this point in her career along with it. Yet, whispers persist about whether her career is losing steam. While some see truth in this, Flair views it as part of a deeper, unfair challenge for women in wrestling. Charlotte Flait points out the hypocrisy of fans in viewing the age of women and men In her raw, honest piece for The Players' Tribune, Flair exposed the harsh double standard in how aging is judged for male and female wrestlers. She revealed that some peers label her as old, despite being younger than top male stars like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns . "For men — and I say this with so much respect for the guys I just mentioned — there's no such thing as 'aging out.' For WOMEN, though?? The rules are just different. For women, as depressing as it sounds, I think a lot of people still only know ONE way to value them: as young and disposable." Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair win a title match at WWE Evolution: SmackDown highlights, July 4, 2025 Flair highlighted veterans like CM Punk, 46, and John Cena, 48, who headlined WrestleMania this year, proving male wrestlers defy age limits. With respect, she stressed that women face a starkly different reality, often valued only when young and deemed replaceable. This inequity, she noted, is a grim truth that weighs heavily on female wrestlers. As Ric Flair's daughter, Charlotte's voice carries authority. Having worked in WWE alongside countless women , she's witnessed the industry's highs and lows firsthand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Her column lays bare the struggles female wrestlers endure, challenging outdated perceptions. Social media buzz shows fans strongly supporting her, with comments praising her courage in tackling this issue. Flair's words are a rallying cry for equality. While male wrestlers thrive at any age, women like her face unfair scrutiny. As of this writing, Flair is more of a tag team star due to her alliance with Alexa Bliss. Aiming for a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at Evolution, Flair and Bliss look forward to testing their new chemistry amongst the wide array of tag teams. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Allison makes heartbreaking admission after having to miss Diogo Jota's funeral
Diogo Jota's funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, was attended by many Liverpool players of past and present, but goalkeeper Alisson was unable to make it on Saturday morning Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has posted a touching tribute to Diogo Jota on the day of his funeral. Jota was laid to rest with his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar, Portugal, on Saturday in a ceremony that was attended by many of his teammates. Jota and his brother died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. After a wake on Friday evening, which was attended by the family and close friends, the funeral took place at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar catholic church on Saturday morning. There was a large presence from Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch, Federico Chiesa and manager Arne Slot among those to attend. Ex-Liverpool players in Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also present. However, Alisson was unable to make it to the ceremony, having gone back to his native Brazil during the off-season. Having sadly been unable to attend the funeral of his father, who drowned at the age of 57 in 2021, Alisson was faced with a similarly devastating problem after the shock news of Jota's passing. Alongside a picture of Alisson and his family with Jota's family, he wrote on Instagram: "Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense! Once again, an ocean separates me from 'saying goodbye' to someone I love! "But I know that I am well represented by my club mates! To you, my friend @rutecfcardoso14, just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible! "In a moment like this, all we can do is bow down before the Sovereignty of God, and receive grace and help in this time! I'll remember Diogo as a great friend, father and husband!" Earlier this year, Alisson spoke candidly about the traumatic decision he was forced to make for his father's funeral, with Covid restrictions in place and a pregnant partner. "When I got the call that my father died, I was an ocean away from home. I was in Liverpool, and we were in the middle of the 2020-2021 season. His death was sudden. A complete shock," Alisson wrote in The Players' Tribune. "It was even more complicated, because it was right in the middle of the pandemic, and the logistics of getting home were a nightmare. My wife was pregnant with our third child, and Covid was exploding again in Brazil. Her doctor said that it was risky for her to travel, so she had to stay in Liverpool with our kids." He added: "But it was an impossible situation, because at that time, in order to fly out of the country, you had to be quarantined in a hotel for 14 days when you returned. The thought of coming back from my father's funeral and being trapped in a hotel room by myself for two weeks was hard, but the worst part was imagining my wife on her own for that long. She was going to be in her third trimester, and anything could happen. "We had to watch his funeral on FaceTime. My brother held up the phone for the entire service, and I was able to pray and cry with my mother, and even say goodbye to my father at his casket. In that moment, as strange as it sounds, you forget that you're on a screen." Van Dijk and Robertson carried red floral tributes bearing his No.20 Liverpool shirt number. Ruben Neves, who played with Jota for Wolves and the Portugal national team, was among those to help carry his coffin. Jota and his brother died after the Lamborghini they were travelling in spun off the road in north west Spain and caught fire in the early hours of Thursday morning. The funeral followed a private wake on Friday, which was attended by Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he married last month, and the player's family.
