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'Worst Tradition', 'Why Dudes Go Broke’ — NFL Fans Rip Falcons Players for Making Rookie Zachariah Branch Pay $35,000 Dinner BillThe Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch was reportedly handed three dinner checks by tight end Kyle Pitts and his new teammates after the team’s offense went out to eat.
The bill came to roughly $35,000, which Branch was supposedly made to pay as part of an NFL tradition for rookies. While it may be a harmless joke in the locker room, it has drawn plenty of criticism from fans online.
NFL Fans Blast Falcons’ Rookie Dinner Tradition With Zachariah BranchRookie dinners have been a part of the NFL for decades, with first-year players often expected to treat their veteran teammates to an expensive meal. The tradition is generally seen by players as a form of team bonding, although its critics have questioned whether it crosses the line into hazing.
The dinners have produced some eye-popping bills over the years. Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant reportedly faced a $55,000 tab during his rookie season in 2010, while other NFL rookies have also shared five-figure bills from their initiation dinners.
The practice has divided former players in the past as well. Some have defended the dinners as a natural part of joining an NFL locker room, while others have argued that young players, particularly those still learning how to manage their finances, shouldn’t be encouraged to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a single meal.
That debate resurfaced after Branch’s reported $35,000 bill, with fans questioning whether the tradition has gone too far.
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One fan called out the financial implications of making a young player foot such a massive bill.
“It’s funny because he can’t afford that. This is the worst NFL tradition and just shows the lack of financial literacy,” they posted.
Another fan argued that these dinners can encourage poor financial habits among players who are just beginning their professional careers.
“[expletive], lame. And we wonder why these dudes go broke, they’re set up from the time that they get into the league by their veteran players to spend money unnecessarily [expletive] lame,” the fan commented.
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Another criticized the NFL tradition, suggesting that rookies are being put in financially irresponsible situations early in their careers.
“[expletive] like this is exactly why people don’t feel bad for [expletive] athletes go broke and complain about going broke. They do it to themselves and set up the younger guys to fail,” the user on X noted.
The bill’s size alone was enough to shock some fans, who pointed out that $35,000 is roughly equivalent to an entire year’s salary for many Americans.
“$35k is roughly a yearly salary for the average person and this guy drops it on dinner. Different worlds,” one pointed out.
One fan added, “In the NBA, they just fill your Porsche up with popcorn,” to show the difference between the two leagues.
Another fan dismissed the practice as one of the worst traditions in professional sports, saying they wouldn’t pay for it if they were in Branch’s place.
“Stupid tradition. We know guys struggle with managing money anyway. Why do this?” they asked, adding, “The ones that make 20 mil per year, running up huge tabs on a guy making 600k a year after taxes. That’s just not something I play about. I wouldn’t pay it. I wouldn’t care what they thought.”
Branch is entering the NFL as the 79th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $7 million ($7,056,144).
Despite all the backlash, the incident may not be quite as harsh. After handing Branch the checks, Pitts appeared to reassure the Falcons rookie that he would not be left completely on his own, saying, “I’mma help you.”
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Benjamin Conken, a University of West Florida student and football player, has died after a long-fought battle against cancer. He was 20.
Storm tosses outdoor furniture at Fairhope ice cream shop (video)UWF Head Football Coach Kaleb Nobles recruited Conken years ago. He said he remembers Conken's tenacity, effort, and love for the game.
"Still an impact on our team even in the short time that he was with us," said Nobles.
Conken was going to be a redshirt sophomore for the Argonauts this season.
"About a month after we signed Ben in, February 2024, he found out he had a form of cancer in his head," said Nobles. "And so they got that, did surgery about a month later, got that taken out. And then over the last two years, he's kind of just had it show back up, spread a little bit, bounce around a little bit, you know, beat it. Come back. You know.
"So, (he's) gone through a long, long battle."
Baldwin County couple accused of bringing drugs to court with toddlerNobles remembers Conken not only for his heart on the field but also his kindness off it.
"When he hit you, he hit you, and you were going to feel it and remember it," joked Nobles. "And, so great player. But also, a great person that, you know, everybody kind of loved and had a high regard for."
The team will honor Conken for the whole upcoming season.
"We'll do a moment of silence at the first game," said Nobles. "And then we'll also wear a helmet sticker on the back of our helmet for him this entire season, just to show memory for him, even on the short time that he was here. Just made a huge impact on our program."
Baldwin County man sentenced for robbing Magnolia Springs convenience storeThe Argos' first home game is Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. against Southern Illinois.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.PHOENIX – Spencer Steer still doesn’t know if his injured wrist will require surgery but after the latest medical exam, he knows this much:
“I’m pretty much done for the year, for sure,” said Steer, one of the most consistent members of the Cincinnati Reds lineup until tearing the sheath that protects a key tendon in his right wrist in late July.
“I had a feeling,” he said. “But I”m an optimistic person. So I figured there was maybe still a chance that I’d be able to come back on the back end of September and get in some games and at least finish the year healthy. It’s looking like that’s not the case anymore.”
Steer, who was re-examined Friday (Aug. 21) in Phoenix, is to get checked again in about two weeks, at which point he expects to know whether surgery to replace the sheath and tie down the unstable tendon is the better option.
“It’s still on the table,” said Steer, who remains in a splint and limited in the short-term to conditioning activities. “The doctor feels it’s something that can still heal on its own. But it needs more time.”
With or without surgery, Steer said the specialist expects Steer to be full strength for the start of spring training.
That applies even if surgery were to happen at the end of the season, he said, which makes it easier to give the injury more time to heal on its own.
“I think I’ll know pretty much where I’m at after the next two weeks, when I start doing strength and exercises and see how it feels,” Steeer said. “But, yeah, there’s still some uncertainty, for sure.
“It’s frustrating with the uncertainty of it,” he said. “You just want it to be black-and-white and you have this much time to heal and then it’s good. But that doesn’t seem to be the case right now.”
Steer, who has played through other injuries in recent years, is on the injured list for the first time in his professional career. “It’s boring,” he said.
“He’s a tough kid, man,” manager Terry Francona said. “We miss him.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds' Spencer Steer (wrist) to miss rest of season, per latest exam
PHOENIX – Spencer Steer still doesn’t know if his injured wrist will require surgery but after the latest medical exam, he knows this much:
“I’m pretty much done for the year, for sure,” said Steer, one of the most consistent members of the Cincinnati Reds lineup until tearing the sheath that protects a key tendon in his right wrist in late July.
“I had a feeling,” he said. “But I”m an optimistic person. So I figured there was maybe still a chance that I’d be able to come back on the back end of September and get in some games and at least finish the year healthy. It’s looking like that’s not the case anymore.”
Steer, who was re-examined Friday (Aug. 21) in Phoenix, is to get checked again in about two weeks, at which point he expects to know whether surgery to replace the sheath and tie down the unstable tendon is the better option.
“It’s still on the table,” said Steer, who remains in a splint and limited in the short-term to conditioning activities. “The doctor feels it’s something that can still heal on its own. But it needs more time.”
With or without surgery, Steer said the specialist expects Steer to be full strength for the start of spring training.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds' Spencer Steer (wrist) to miss rest of season, per latest exam
The Tennessee Titans were back on the field for a physical and productive practice against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, and they didn’t disappoint the fans in attendance.
In what has been described as a back-and-forth practice, both the offense and defense proved they came to play and put in some outstanding work ahead of their Sunday night preseason game.
Cam Ward continued his impressive bounce-back week, and although he was not perfect, the Titans offense moved the ball against the stout Seahawks’ defense. The Titans defensive front came to play, and Alontae Taylor stepped up and had a big day.
Here are some sights and sounds from the joint practice with the Seahawks.
On-field actionThe Titans took to the field and got some good work in against the defending Super Bowl champs.
Saleh showing some love before joint practice #TitanUppic.twitter.com/Z8KPnOGU4x
— 104-5 The Zone 📻 (@1045TheZone) August 21, 2026.@Titans huddling up before today’s practice vs @Seahawkspic.twitter.com/5OW8iWRGky
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 21, 2026And so it begins for the #Seahawks and #Titans joint practice:
Video credit: Gregg Bell
pic.twitter.com/yqvGSL0TPO
Time for #Titans joint practice with the Seahawks! @WKRNpic.twitter.com/YEP0JFPpv6
— Kendall Lanier (@kendall_lanier) August 21, 2026#Titans preparing for what could be their most important joint practice as they host the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks today. #TitanUppic.twitter.com/NDspssXbjS
— Courtlandt L.M. Griffin (@thecgriffy) August 21, 2026Carnell Tate route running #Titanspic.twitter.com/4HNRIf2pY6
— Parker Kelley (@parker_kelley10) August 21, 2026Locked in on Carnell Tate, Chim Dike and KJ Osborn. #Titans#NFL#Nashvillepic.twitter.com/eWvdEDIMiI
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 21, 2026#Titans OL starring JC Latham, Pat Coogan, Fernando Carmona pic.twitter.com/bhvsTsjHSu
— Zach Lyons (@TheZachLyons) August 21, 2026Marcus Harris working vs. Cor’Dale Flott. #Titanspic.twitter.com/sYmCpNVede
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 21, 2026I am here at the Seahawks vs Titans joint practice watching the 1 on 1s
Trevon Diggs vs Carnell Tate pic.twitter.com/BFNS9ox5Z8
Head coach Robert Saleh spoke with the media following the joint practice with the Seahawks and discussed what he saw today and what he expects from his starters in Sunday's second preseason game.
#Titans HC Robert Saleh on what success looks like for the starters in the 2nd Preseason Game #TitanUppic.twitter.com/ErBKkI05QU
— 104-5 The Zone 📻 (@1045TheZone) August 21, 2026Jeffery Simmons on the practiceAfter practice, Simmons met with the media to talk about what he saw from the Titans during the practice against the Seahawks.
#Titans DT Jeffery Simmons on today’s team performance #TitanUppic.twitter.com/lUtgVtmUek
— 104-5 The Zone 📻 (@1045TheZone) August 21, 2026Alontae Taylor on interception, performanceAlontae Taylor was all over the field against the Seahawks and made an impact. Not only did he have a pick-six, but he also had multiple pass breakups, leading the charge for the Titans' secondary.
.@Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor on his pick 6, and the performance of the defense in today’s practice vs @Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/3ppAO3dLM8
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 21, 2026Cam Ward's talks offenseLed by Ward, the Titans' offense had a solid day and held its own against the Seahawks' defense. Yes, Ward threw a bad interception, but he looked calm and decisive and led a strong attack.
#Titans QB Cam Ward on the offense’s success today #TitanUppic.twitter.com/2PpML8EoEB
— 104-5 The Zone 📻 (@1045TheZone) August 21, 2026The Titans and Seahawks will meet again under the lights of Nissan Stadium on Sunday as the two teams get together for their preseason matchup.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Sights and sounds from Titans' joint practice with Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is in some hot water after being arrested on family violence charges that stem from an incident in the early hours of the morning on June 3.
According to TMZ Sports, the NFL pass-catcher is accused of smashing the window of his ex-girlfriend’s car while his three-month-old child was inside the vehicle. Bateman allegedly used an object to break the windshield and driver’s side window of the car, which caused multiple small lacerations on the victim’s face.
Despite the incident and allegations, Bateman is allowed to see his ex after completing a class, and the no-contact order was removed.
Bateman’s lawyer, Jordan Siev, released a statement on the arrest, claiming the reports were being “sensationalized” and “out of context.”
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Rashod Bateman’s Legal Team Responds
Nov 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)“It is unfortunate that a personal family situation has been taken completely out of context for sensational reasons,” he said in a statement to TMZ Sports. “We will let the court process play out, and the facts will come out at that time.”
The Ravens have also released a brief statement, acknowledging the incident but providing no further comment.
“We are aware of the situation involving Rashod and have been in direct communication with him. We notified the league office and have been cooperating throughout the process,” a spokesperson said. “As this is a pending legal matter, we will not have further comment.”
We’ll have to continue monitoring the situation to see what comes of the charges and allegations.
Last season, Bateman was limited to just 13 games, hauling in 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. It was the least productive season of his NFL career since 2022, which was his second year in the league.
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DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 03: Tanner Gordon #29 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Coors Field on August 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the way for 2026, the Rockies will look to get back on a winning path by welcoming the Cleveland Guardians to Coors Field.
Plus, the next three days mark the sixth edition of MLB Players’ Weekend. Throughout the weekend, players will showcase their interests and stories, giving fans a chance to learn more about who they are beyond the field. The 2026 edition will feature a different theme each day, and tonight, the focus will be on showcasing players’ passions and interests beyond baseball.
But now to the task at hand.
Colorado has lost five straight at home, their second-longest losing streak at Coors this year (6, April 23-May 6). Overall, the Rockies have gone 8-9 over their last 17 games since July 31. Since June 1, 2024, Colorado is 7-30 against the Dodgers with the club being outscored by 105 runs (249-144) in that span. The Rockies are 5-15 at Coors Field in that span with Colorado’s starters posting a 7.36 ERA (95.1 IP, 78 ER).
Starting for the Guardians is Joey Cantillo. This will be his 27th start in 2026.
The lefty has a 3.80 ERA in 125.2 IP. He’s struck out 139, walked 59, and given up 15 home runs. Cantillo has a 1.44 WHIP.
Taking the mound for the Rockies will be RHP Tanner Gordon, who was recently moved to the rotation after the Rockies DFA’d Michael Lorenzen.
This will mark his sixth start and 18th appearance this season. (His most recent start was on July 10 against the San Francisco Giants when Gordon earned a no-decision.)
He is currently throwing his four-seamer 42.6% of the time, a 10.2% decrease from 2025 (52.8%). Notably, Gordon has a higher whiff rate on his four-seam this season (24.3% in 2026, 14.1% in 2025). He added two more pitches to his arsenal (curveball and sinker).
Currently, Gordon has an ERA of 5.55 in 71.1 IP. He’s struck out 62 while giving up 13 walks and 15 home runs with a 1.44 WHIP.
And now to the details.
First Pitch: 6:40 pm MDT
TV: Rockies TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups
For the visiting Guardians:
And the home Rockies:
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KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 06: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) throws a warmup pitch before a MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals on July 06, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images For a few weeks now, I have tied my enjoyment of Royals games to two factors. If Jac Caglianone has a good game, I’m happy. But also if Noah Cameron pitches well, I’m happy. Sure, there are lots of other fun players, lots of other important players, and wins are always nice. But these are the two I chose to focus on. And boy has it paid off.
Since July 24, no pitcher has a higher fWAR. No pitcher has thrown more innings. Only four starters have a lower ERA, only two have a lower xERA, and only three have a lower FIP. None have a lower FIP. He’s tied for 19th in K-BB%. Of the pitchers with a lower ERA, none have a lower SIERA. Only one of them is even close. Noah Cameron probably isn’t an ace long-term, but for a month, he’s pitched like one all the same.
Unfortunately, one of those pitchers who does edge out Noah in a few stats is tonight’s opposing starter, Troy Melton. That said, Melton has done it in less than 2/3 the innings with a lower strikeout rate, a higher walk rate, and more total hits – to say nothing of the rate.
Melton has faced the Royals once this year, in the game before Cameron’s bulk relief appearance that started this stretch. In that game, he went five innings and allowed two runs. The Tigers ultimately picked up the win thanks to another crummy day for the bullpen, but he was outdueled in that one by Randy Dobnak. It should be Noah’s turn now.
Oh, it’s also Player’s Weekend. So there will be fun bats all over the place. Can the Royals get a story like 2024 Dairon Blanco?
LineupsThe Royals put Maikel Garcia back on the IL and demoted Carlos Duran back to Omaha. Matthew Lugo and Jose Cuas take their spots on the roster. Lugo will start on the bench for tonight, with Nick Loftin heading back to third, where he played for most of the time Garcia was out. But at least Jac Caglianone is back in the lineup! I mentioned on the podcast that I’d love to see Noah come up with the no-hitter this time out, and I think Jac Caglianone should go ahead and have his first career three-homer game, too. Am I asking for too much?
Patriots Trade Pitch Sends Kayshon Boutte to AFC Team for One Draft Pick originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Reports have continued to indicate that if the New England Patriots can walk around with a Day 2 pick in return, they would do exactly that. Right now, many don't believe the Patriots will get that, though things could change over the next few weeks.
We continue to see multiple injuries across the NFL as guys get hurt in training camp. The Patriots will also deal with some of these injuries, like every other team in the league, but for now, New England has a player other teams dealing with wide receiver injuries could want.
Kayshon Boutte still seems available, which led one writer to propose a trade pitch with the Houston Texans after Jayden Higgins' injury.
Houston Texans Receive: WR Kayshon Boutte, 2027 Round 6 Pick
New England Patriots Receive: 2027 Round 4 Pick
“The New England Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason, something that has landed Kayshon Boutte in a number of trade discussions. While the Patriots haven't pulled the trigger on a move yet, one has to think that it's something that will be coming down the line, considering how many teams could use a receiver like Boutte.
“Is he a star? No, but he can be a valuable piece of a team's wide receiver rotation, especially a team with the issues Houston currently has,” Justin Carter wrote.
With A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs on the roster, and Boutte already expressing frustration in the past about not getting the ball enough, his fit in New England doesn't feel perfect.
Still, there’s belief that he can be a really good WR3, or WR2 depending on how Doubs looks.
For that reason and more, it's almost tough to get rid of him. Unless the Patriots can get something they really want in return, it might be better to just keep him on the roster and go from there.
More Patriots
Credit: Bird's Eye View PodcastThe gap between what happens on a WNBA court and the media conversation around the league has arguably never been wider.
As the league attempts to juggle the many controversies around it and its players, they have come so quickly and intensely that it is difficult for analysts to cut through with actual basketball commentary. The media instead is discussing transgender children, or white privilege, or Caitlin Clark’s temperament. Mostly, blame has been placed on the league office and commissioner Cathy Engelbert for failing to get a handle on the league’s outward-facing image.
Having played in the league for nearly two decades and now working in mainstream media, Hall of Famer Sue Bird sees it a bit differently.
In the latest episode of her Bird’s Eye View podcast, Bird defended WNBA management. The four-time league champion argued that the league is, even by its supposed defenders, getting held to a higher standard than Democratic politicians or others whose actual job it is to combat conservative talking points by Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.
“I’m very protective, I’ll start by saying, of the league, of the players … everything,” Bird said. “And I’m just like, part of me wants to go out publicly and be like, look at President Trump. Has anyone figured out, have the Democrats figured out, has anyone figured out how to not be manipulated by the way in which he does things and operates? And to me, I feel like the WNBA is expected to have figured this out. But how is the WNBA, overnight, supposed to figure (it) out? Nobody else can.
“So it’s just, there are times where I’m like, is the WNBA as a league, and by league I’m going to be specific and say league office, do they get too much flak for not being able to handle things that even politicians who are paid to handle these things can’t figure out?”
One explanation posed by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Bird’s guest on the episode, is that there has been “less expression across all sports” politically during the second Trump administration. Whereas, according to Shelburne, the WNBA has been a more “willing participant” in the conversation around social issues because its players are less hesitant to speak out.
To Shelburne’s point, two of the noisier recent news cycles centered around comments made directly by Sophie Cunningham and Dijonai Carrington.
While Bird (who, it should be noted, is also an executive at USA Basketball and part owner of the Seattle Storm) took the point, she also explained that WNBA players became so outspoken because they often were forced to defend themselves and their existence as pro athletes against the same outside agitators who now want to manipulate the conversation around the league.
“For years, we had to engage,” Bird said. “We were told to shut up and dribble; athletes are told to shut up and dribble at that time and years prior. We would have loved to. We would have loved to shut up and dribble. But for us, for a very long time, it was never about basketball. Because I do personally think what was held up against us was the … intersectionality of it all. So we kind of had to speak on these things, and now it’s almost been, like, flipped.”
As an example, Bird recalled the 2020 Bubble season in Florida, when players helped shift the U.S. Senate election in Georgia toward the Democratic candidate, Rafael Warnock. They did so because the Republican incumbent, Kelly Loeffler, despite being a part owner of the league’s Atlanta Dream, painted the players as radicals for their support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
While Bird acknowledged there is no simple solution to the broader issues facing the WNBA as it attempts to break through into the mainstream, it is useful to understand this history. Players today (or at least some of them) are being told to pipe down so that the league can grow, while the league office is expected to navigate a minefield of hypercritical 24/7 right-wing news coverage that almost nobody in America has ever tamed. Left unsaid is that all the while, the players and what they represent will continue to be co-opted by reactionary figures.
The post Sue Bird defends WNBA response to right-wing news cycles: ‘For a very long time, it was never about basketball’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.
