Latest news with #Tyus
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Current and former Lions on the CFL negotiation list include two former Detroit draftees
The Canadian Football League has an interesting tool for player acquisitions that could impact one current Lions player and several former Lions in 2025. CFL clubs are permitted to acquire the exclusive Canadian rights to active NFL players. The negotiation list only comes into effect if the player decides to pursue the CFL instead of the NFL. Oftentimes, being listed on the CFL negotiating list means absolutely nothing other than a secondary option for an NFL player, but it can produce some interesting choices for players who are on the fringes of NFL rosters like Detroit's. The nine CFL franchises can place up to 45 players each on their negotiation list. The only current Lions player whose CFL rights are claimed (as of July 5th) is running back Anthony Tyus. The undrafted rookie from Ohio University is likely poised to battle for a practice squad spot in Detroit behind the foursome of RBs that return from a year ago (Gibbs, Montgomery, Reynolds, Vaki). Tyus is from Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers claimed Tyus's CFL rights. Wideout Antoine Green is the most notable other name. Green was a seventh-round pick by the Lions in 2023 and had a good chance to carve out a bigger role for himself in 2024 before suffering a serious brain injury in a preseason game last summer. The Lions waived Green with a "failed physical" designation after the 2025 NFL Draft, following a year where the big receiver from North Carolina was on the Lions' injured reserve. Green is one of two former Lions whose CFL rights are claimed by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. The other is a blast from the past: Defensive end Austin Bryant. A fourth-round pick by the Lions in 2019, Bryant played 33 games in four seasons with Detroit, bagging 4.5 sacks--all in 2021. He was last with the 49ers in 2023. Linebacker Abraham Beauplan, who played 45 snaps on Detroit's special teams in 2024, and safety Brady Breeze are former Lions whose rights are claimed by the Calgary Stampeders. Quarterback Adrian Martinez, a training camp aspirant in 2023 who is currently on the New York Jets' 90-man roster, is claimed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Martinez won the 2024 UFL Most Valuable Player award as a member of the Birmingham Stallions. The CFL list is a fluid one, so changes could come frequently between now and NFL roster cutdowns in late August.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Worker fired after reporting ‘offensive' Black history ‘fun facts', MN suit says
A worker fired from General Mills says the company retaliated against him after he reported 'offensive' Black History Month flyers distributed in a break room, according to a lawsuit recently filed in Minnesota. L. Lee Tyus Jr. had worked for General Mills since 2019, but his employment was terminated in March 2025 despite a January performance review stating 'he was 'on track' in all areas of his job,' the lawsuit brought against General Mills by Storms Dworak LLC said. His job performance was not the issue, Tyus' attorneys say. In a statement to McClatchy News, a General Mills spokesperson said 'while we do not comment on pending litigation, I can share that General Mills does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation.' In February, during Black History Month, Tyus' attorneys say General Mills put out educational flyers that were disrespectful. Some of the flyers covered atrocities faced by Black Americans — including the Tulsa Race Massacre, and Black Codes, which were a precursor to Jim Crow laws — but were titled 'Fun Facts About Black History,' photos shared in the lawsuit show. 'Tyus Jr. immediately reported his belief that the flyers were offensive and discriminatory as they described historic racial injustices as 'fun facts,'' the suit said, adding that he met with human resources to discuss the matter. At one point, Tyus emailed the plant manager, calling the flyers 'racially unjust, inconsiderate, hateful, and unprofessional documents,' his attorneys said. He met with the plant manager a few days later but was told 'no apology would be issued,' the suit read. Following that, Tyus 'submitted a formal complaint' through an internal platform used by General Mills — then was placed on involuntary leave, according to his attorneys. When he tried to return to work on March 8, he discovered he couldn't access the building with his card, and fellow employees seemed to believe he was being denied access, the suit said. He was contacted five days later by someone with the company's legal and corporate affairs department to talk about his 'allegations of harassment and retaliation,' and his belief that General Mills had not properly responded to his concerns over the 'fun facts' flyers, Tyus' lawyers said. The company official then 'encouraged' him 'to share her contact information with others who may have also been offended by the 'Fun Facts' flyers, so they could also reach out to her,' the suit read. Tyus followed her advice and shared her information — with permission — on the tables in the break room. However, on March 19, Tyus was escorted out of the building and fired, according to the lawsuit. The company said his firing resulted from 'multiple violations of General Mills' standards of conduct and policies.' The suit is seeking monetary damages of $150,000.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Ex-General Mills employee alleges retaliation after he objected to ‘fun facts' Black history flyers
A Black former General Mills employee is suing the company for discrimination and retaliation, alleging he was fired after objecting to Black History Month flyers that referred to racist atrocities as "fun facts." According to the lawsuit filed in Hennepin County (Minnesota) District Court, L. Lee Tyus Jr., who worked at a General Mills facility in St. Paul for more than five years, said he raised concerns in February after the company posted flyers in the employee breakroom as part of its Black History Month recognition. The flyers, decorated in red, black, and green - colors associated with the Pan-African flag - included brief descriptions of historic injustices, such as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (also known as the Black Wall Street Massacre) and the Black Codes that preceded Jim Crow. They were titled: "Fun Facts About Black History," according to photos included in Tyus' complaint. Tyus found the phrasing offensive, according to the lawsuit, and asked the plant's human resources manager whether similar language would be used to describe atrocities involving white Americans. The HR manager allegedly responded: "No, it would just be labeled 'American Tragedies.' " Days later, Tyus said he raised the issue with the plant manager and his team lead, "explaining that the situation caused him to use his paid time off and exert time and energy to deal with General Mills' response, stating: 'Much like the massacre(,) I wish this didn't happen and I could put energy into something actually 'Fun' or doing the work as I have for years before now.'" When told no apology would be issued, he filed a formal complaint through the company's internal ethics platform. He was placed on leave the same day and instructed to submit medical documentation if he wished to return. "After learning he was being placed on an involuntary leave, Tyus Jr. responded that he was 'being retaliated against for my beliefs and aren't being allowed back to work which feels again like an injustice,'" the lawsuit said. When his leave ended, Tyus found his building access deactivated, the complaint says. Soon after, General Mills' Senior Employee Relations Lead, Tracey Hatchew, contacted him to discuss the allegations. She encouraged him to share her contact information with others who might also have been offended by the flyers. With his supervisor's approval, Tyus printed flyers listing Hatchew's contact information and placed them on the same breakroom tables where the original posters had appeared. On March 19, General Mills had Tyus escorted from the building and terminated his employment, citing "multiple violations of General Mills' standards of conduct and policies," according to the complaint. "General Mills has a national brand and a deep Minnesota footprint," Tyus' attorney, Naomi Martin, wrote in a statement. "That kind of presence comes with responsibility and a company of this size should be modeling what it means to support employees who speak up - not firing them." A spokesperson from General Mills wrote that while they cannot comment on pending litigation, "General Mills does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation." Tyus is seeking at least $50,000 in damages for each of three counts named in the complaint. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions undrafted RB Anthony Tyus wants to 'make sure they can't get rid of me' in Detroit
Lions undrafted RB Anthony Tyus wants to 'make sure they can't get rid of me' in Detroit Tyus aims to show "effort, hard work, grit, relentlessness" to stick with the Lions Anthony Tyus III is one of the 10 undrafted rookie free agents signed by the Detroit Lions after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Ohio Bobcats running back showed why Detroit had interest with a strong rookie minicamp debut on Friday. Tyus is a power-style, one-cut back in the mold of two Lions ahead of him on the depth chart, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds. In Friday's rookie minicamp session, the 6-1, 225-pound Tyus demonstrated the decisive acceleration and dance-free aggressive style. Putting on the Lions uniform was a dream come true for Tyus, a native of the Kalamazoo area two hours west of Detroit. "It felt great (to put on the jersey)," Tyus laughed. "Wearing this Honolulu Blue, there ain't nothing like it." Tyus spent several seasons at Northwestern before transferring to Ohio for his final year. He helped lead the Bobcats to a MAC title in Ford Field last December, rushing for 151 yards and a touchdown in Ohio's 38-3 romp over rival Miami. "The Lions are my hometown team," Tyus told me after Friday's practice. "I'm excited. Friends are excited. Parents are excited." Tyus continued, "All you need is an opportunity and that's what I've got. I'm ready to roll with it ... God put me in the right place at the right time." Tyus wins with balance, aggression and pacing to his running more than he wins with speed. Those qualities can be difficult to spotlight in an unpadded practice session. Tyus knows it's about the effort in Detroit. When asked what he needs to show to stick with the Lions, Tyus didn't hesitate, "Effort. Hard work. Grit. Relentlessness. Make sure they can't get rid of me." As a fellow Ohio Bobcat alum, I needed to ask what his time in Athens taught him. "Ohio allowed me to showcase my ability that I'm not just a big back, but I'm a big back that can be agile and move outside the box." The engaging smile from Tyus didn't leave his face as he noted, "Coach (RB coach Tashard Choice) Choice knows about my hands." Tyus hauled in three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown in Ohio's bowl win over Jacksonville State, and he made a nice snag on a shoetop throw in drills on Friday, too. Tyus is fighting to be the fifth RB on the Lions, a spot that typically resides on the practice squad. He outshone fellow UDFA signee Kye Robichaux, a more compact back from Boston College, on Friday. It's a promising start for a smart player who should look even better once the pads come on.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bloomington City Council approves ability to sign energy contracts
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — In a relatively short city council meeting Monday, Bloomington council members approved the ability for the city manager to sign a contract and provide energy to residents. Senior deputy City Manager Billy Tyus said the city typically enters into energy contracts with several other area communities, as collective prices are usually more cost-effective than individual ones. Tyus said what city council approved was to entrust the city manager, Jeff Jurgens, or a designee the ability to enter into a contract without further approval from the city council. 'The markets move very fast and so when it's time to go to market, we needed the ability for the city manager to be able to sign the contract that day versus having to come back to a meeting and get approval,' he said. Tyus said contracts vary, but they typically cover three to five years. A mixture of residents and city facilities will have energy provided. $185,060 was approved to remodel the Bloomington Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division with more modern amenities. These include a Major Case Conference room, a real-time crime center, and a reconfigured layout for detectives' workstations. An agreement with Dewberry Engineers was approved for a Fire Department Architectural Facility Needs Assessment in an amount not to exceed $69,720. This is meant to provide the department with data on the size of its buildings and shed light on the size and scope of a new headquarters station, a satellite station, and a renovation project analysis for Fire Station #4. Also approved was a re-subdivision of two lots in Kalamaya Subdivision on the west side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive between White Oak Road and West Market Street. The petitioner was the McLean County Center for Human Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
