Array of emotions accompany Bears fans to NFL draft
By Everett Munez Medill Reports When Caleb Williams walks onto the grass at Soldier Field, he won’t be following in the footsteps of greatness. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of USC and the Bears top pick in the 2024 NFL draft follows a long history of disappointment at quarterback. The 104-year-old franchise is one […]
WATCH: ‘I’m living out a dream’: 4 Northwestern draft prospects shine in NFL Combine performances
By John Riker Medill Reports INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Scouting Combine gives draft hopefuls the chance to showcase their speed, power and smarts in front of NFL teams and fans. Traditional powers Alabama and Georgia were well-represented, along with smaller schools sending their best to the pro level. Medill Reports made the trip to Indy […]
‘I’m enjoying what I’m doing’: Kansas City coach Andy Reid discusses future in NFL, Chiefs’ ‘church mode’ strategy in Monday presser
By John Riker Medill Reports PHOENIX – Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid stepped to the Phoenix Convention Center stage and lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy one last time in Arizona, before reiterating his desire to contend for more titles during a news conference Monday morning. Asked about his plans to continue coaching, Reid […]
Devoted sports town or prime title game destination? Super Bowl week, Durant trade provide evidence both can be true, Phoenix sports fans say
By John Riker Medill Reports PHOENIX — A couple of blocks from the masses swarming the NFL’s central hub downtown, the Footprint Center, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, remained relatively quiet during the first half of Super Bowl week. That all changed for employees at the Suns team store when the most significant sports […]
WATCH: Pigskin perfection: Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham builds his own football at NFL Experience
By John Riker Medill Reports PHOENIX — As a quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, Jarrett Stidham has made a living out of gripping and ripping footballs. But before Friday afternoon, he had no idea of how NFL footballs are crafted. Stidham stopped by the Wilson exhibit at NFL Experience to see for himself how […]
No stranger to Arizona Super Bowls, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo preaches focus ahead of matchup against Eagles
By John Riker Medill Reports SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has spent his Super Bowl week preparing his unit to play a high-powered offense featuring an MVP candidate at quarterback, with the ultimate goal of winning a championship in Glendale close at hand. That script might sound familiar. Fifteen years […]
Hollywood Park development aims to celebrate Inglewood’s culture
By Jack Murray Medill Reports INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The NFL has received the benefit of several major stadium upgrades within the past decade, including AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, stands out among the rest. SoFi Stadium is a 70,000- to […]
Clock strikes 12 on Burrow, Bengals
By Jack Savage Medill Reports INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Cincinnati Bengals were outshined by the Los Angeles Rams, falling 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI as their inexperience seemed to finally catch up with them. This young Bengal squad’s whole mantra throughout the postseason was, as quarterback Joe Burrow put it, “We don’t know what we […]
Bears fans get cautiously optimistic after hiring of coach Matt Eberflus
By Jack Savage Medill Reports “Cautiously optimistic,” said Mikey Williams, 24, a lifelong Bears fan, born and raised in Chicago. “I love bringing in a tough, defensive-minded, Midwest guy to a team that looked resigned to defeat under (former coach Matt) Nagy. The love (new coach Matt) Eberflus gets for turnovers makes me nervous as […]
Cincinnati rejoices as Bengals slay decades-old demon
By Jack Savage Medill Reports The record-setting crowd at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium – 66,277 fans — stood on their feet, screaming at the top of their lungs for 59 minutes and 43 seconds. Then, for a split second, during a palpable silence so intense, you almost hear all 66,277 fans in attendance groan, “Here […]
