Savannah Guthrie recently opened up about their distress after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance in February. She said that they are going through “unending trauma” and expressed gratitude to the authorities.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in February this year. She was last seen on January 31 at her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have been working on the case since then. However, there has been no concrete evidence regarding Nancy’s whereabouts.
Amidst this, her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, spoke to KOLD 13 News about how she is handling everything. She said:
“It is five months of agony and unending trauma for our family. There is not a moment that goes by that we aren’t actively trying to find our mom.”
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She also spoke about the authorities and added:
“We thank the people of Tucson for holding her in their hearts, as well as both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for their tireless work on behalf of our family. Bring her home.”
Blogger Perez Hilton has reacted to Savannah Guthrie’s statement on his website, writing:
“How completely devastating. We can’t even begin to fathom what this has been like for them… We hope one day there will FINALLY be answers.”
In recent updates, there has been speculation about the ransom notes the authorities have received since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Reuters reported last week that three of these were fake.
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Meanwhile, the FBI released a statement that they are investigating the notes. They added that some of these “have been deemed to be extortion attempts without legitimacy.” However, they believe that some of these notes could be legitimate.
Savannah Guthrie reacted after reports of Nancy Guthrie’s death broke last month
Celebrity Sightings In New York City – June 12, 2026 – Source: Getty
Some of the ransom notes that the authorities have received hinted at Nancy Guthrie’s death. These notes were also sent to various media outlets, like TMZ. On June 23, TodayShow co-host Craig Melvin shared this report, with Savannah Guthrie also on air.
He praised Savannah’s bravery, and she responded:
“I love you guys, and I love this place. This is unusual and unprecedented — to say the least — to be sitting here.”
She “begged” people to come forward and share any legitimate information they might have about her mother. She added:
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“This is a new story that today is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live every day. And we are in agony and we cannot be at peace.”
Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today Show and, opening up about her decision, she added:
“So no matter how much I try to come out here every day and to smile and find that joy — and I will, I promise I will — this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help. And I’m not gonna miss that opportunity.”
She also reiterated that she and her family are willing to give $1 million as a reward for any legitimate information regarding Nancy’s whereabouts.
Jack Floydd, this week at the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge, walked over 28,000 yards worth of course.
And he rode a train about 400 miles.
“Very eventful, yeah,” he said.
In the end, Floydd tied for 44th at the event on the HotelPlanner Tour, the circuit below the DP World Tour. But the events that got him to that point were, as he said, “eventful.” After two rounds, he had been at even par at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil golf course in Le Vaudreuil, France, and, believing his week was done, the Englishman boarded the bullet train back home.
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Of course, this site probably wouldn’t be writing about a basic missed cut.
“So we just had to go to England because there’s no way we could get out. And then we got off, we literally got onto the motorway, did a U-ey at the first junction and back to France.”
From there, he returned to France at about 1 a.m. on Saturday, and he was able to rebook a room at the hotel where he had been staying. “They had rooms available so I went straight back and checked back in,” Floydd told the HotelPlanner Tour.
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“So yeah, been a bit crazy.”
During his third round on Saturday, things started rough, with double bogeys on his second and fifth holes and a bogey on his sixth, before he played four-under golf from there. Floydd followed that one-over round with a two-under 70 during Sunday’s final round, which included a pair of eagles — a three on a par-5, and a hole in one on a par-3.
Is Floydd the first golfer to misjudge his fate? Of course not. Memorably, Bryson DeChambeau thought he, too, had missed the cut at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour, and in his case, he flew from Charlotte, N.C., to his home in Dallas — only to fly back early the next morning.
DeChambeau ended up finishing tied for ninth.
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“It was worth it. It no doubt was worth it,” he told ESPN at the time. “That’s what I was hoping to do this weekend when I was on that plane at 2:45 a.m. [Saturday]. Yeah, I wanted to make it worth it. I didn’t want to come out here and finish 60-whatever, close to last.”
England was jubilant after taking down Mexico in their Round of 16 World Cup match on Sunday night but a small slip-up amid a celebration after the 3-2 win may have cost them a player.
English midfielder Jordan Henderson was taken to the hospital after he injured his wrist, coach Thomas Tuchel said. Henderson suffered the injury when he tumbled over an advertising board during the post-match celebration.
England’s Jordan Henderson celebrates his team’s victory over Panama in the World Cup Group L soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Saturday, June 27, 2026.(Frank Franklin II / AP)
“I have mixed feelings; I am sad because Jordan injured his wrist and it is quite serious. It just does not fit with the evening that Jordan is not with us,” Tuchel said. “I do not know the procedure; the doctor told me that he is in the hospital.”
Henderson slipped as he put his hand on the board to hop over it. Henderson’s teammates immediately called over for medical trainers to tend to him. He was stretchered off the field.
England’s Harry Kane, right, and Jordan Henderson, left, celebrate at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026.(Silvia Izquierdo / AP)
It was Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane lifted England over Mexico. Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart in the first half. Then, Kane converted a penalty to give England a two-goal lead.
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“It was a crazy game. We had to fight,” Kane said. “I can’t really talk, but the occasion, the team, everything against us, we found a way.”
“We’ve done something incredible tonight, no doubt about it, and we’ll enjoy it. And we’ll sing songs until we lose our voices on the plane and whatnot, but we’ll have a couple of days recovering, then it’s straight back to business in terms of facing Norway,” Bellingham said.
England’s Jordan Henderson (14) is attended to by training staff following an injury during the postgame celebration after the World Cup round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026.(Eduardo Verdugo / AP)
Vikings Defense: Jake Golday works alongside Minnesota Vikings defenders during OTA practice at TCO Performance Center, with June 2, 2026 placing the offseason session in Eagan, Minnesota. The group moves through drill work as coaches study communication and early defensive rhythm during spring preparation, captured in the team’s practice highlights from that afternoon for Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
It’s time to start thinking about Minnesota Vikings’ training camp — one of the most wonderful times of the year — because that will arrive live and in color at the end of the month. To get you ready, it’s important to know which players are trending up, eyeing roster spots, or in worst-case scenarios, practice squad placement.
Listed alphabetically, these are the Vikings who are suddenly turning heads — in a good way.
Dillon Bell’s Gadget Case Is Getting Harder to Ignore
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Dillon Bell appears in team-produced content after joining the organization as an undrafted free agent on June 8, 2026. Bell continued offseason work in Minnesota while preparing for a summer roster battle, hoping to turn early opportunities into a spot on the regular-season squad later that year for Kevin O’Connell. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
1. Dillon Bell | WR
The Vikings haven’t had a player quite like Bell in a long time. While technically a wide receiver, Bell’s true value emerges when Minnesota utilizes him beyond that traditional role. His appeal lies in his versatility: think hand-off and gadgetry. Basically manufactured touches that exploit his athleticism if he make the active roster.
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Percy Harvin, who last played for the Vikings 13 years ago, served as a prime example of this type of dynamic playmaker. Cordarrelle Patterson also comes to mind, too, though Minnesota never fully capitalized on his diverse skill set before his departure.
Bell’s immediate challenge is to parlay his early-summer buzz into a roster spot by September. If he secures a place on the 53-man roster, Minnesota gains a wide receiver capable of significantly shaking up their offensive scheme. The Vikings already possess a strong contingent of conventional receivers; Bell’s unique selling proposition is to offer Kevin O’Connell something entirely different.
Kevin Seifert wrote about Bell last month, “It can be difficult to gauge receiver skill sets in spring practices, when NFL rules prohibit physical coverage techniques. But it was eye-opening to see Bell — an undrafted rookie from Georgia — working extensively with the second team during drills.”
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“That placement spoke volumes about his initial impression with Vikings coaches, who in essence were putting him in the (early) mix to be the No. 4 receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.”
2. Charles Demmings | CB
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler noted on Bell after the draft, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”
Fast forward to minicamp, and Demmings basically effectuated that Brugler prediction. He looked terrific, and Minnesota’s cornerback room is ripe for a hungry newcomer.
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Demmings possesses an impressive physical profile even before he steps onto the field. Standing 6’1″, 195 pounds, and running a 4.41 40-yard dash, his measurables alone command attention for a cornerback. At Stephen F. Austin, he further solidified his resume with nine interceptions and showed the ability to cover deep routes.
His combination of length and speed is precisely what Minnesota can leverage at cornerback, particularly within a Brian Flores defense that demands defensive backs to excel in isolated coverage.
The only catch? Demmings did not really face top-tier collegiate receivers, and he occasionally tends to be overly physical downfield, a habit that is quickly penalized by NFL officials.
3. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL
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Ingram-Dawkins represents the kind of experimental player development that sounds unconventional until Flores gets involved. Initially drafted as a defensive tackle, Ingram-Dawkins is now exploring outside linebacker or a hybrid role — an intriguing positional shift. The versatility is precisely why Minnesota drafted him. The Vikings identified “tweener” potential, and Flores likely envisions a versatile weapon to disrupt opposing offenses.
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (93) lines up against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium on Jan 9, 2023. Ingram-Dawkins worked through the title-game stage in Inglewood as Georgia controlled the matchup and completed another dominant postseason run in college football that night. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Should the transition prove successful, Minnesota could cultivate an in-house EDGE rusher, circumventing the need to pursue a free agent. The Vikings really, really need a backup outside linebacker to step up this summer.
Ingram-Dawkins said last month about switching to OLB: “I just cleaned up my body a lot in the offseason. I mean, I’m still 280 pounds. Why was it important to clean up your body? You know, just trying to make a big, big jump from my last year. You know, I feel like that was one of the things that I could work on in my game. You know, developing a core and all that, that’ll help me in my techniques with all the versatile positions that I’m playing across the line.”
“The main focus was to just clean up my body. You know, I feel like that could only help me with how versatile I’m using, I’m being used across the line with all positions. You know, I just feel like I can play all around the line and wherever they wanna plug me and play me. That’s — I’m gonna just put my all into that.”
Wouldn’t you know it? At minicamp, Ingram-Dawkins saw most action on the EDGEs of the defensive line.
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4. The Thomas Safeties
This gets confusing, so pull up a chair.
Air Force Falcons wide receiver Jared Roznos (13) catches a touchdown late in the second quarter with James Madison safety Jacob Thomas (27) defending at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Dec 23, 2023. Roznos finished the scoring play in Fort Worth as Air Force pushed for momentum before halftime against the Dukes. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota drafted Miami’s Jakobe Thomas in Round 3 two months ago — the first installment of the Jonathan Greenard trade. Another 3rd-Rounder is on the way next year. Meanwhile, the Vikings also signed safety and undrafted free agent Jacob Thomas from James Madison.
Both Thomases did their part at minicamp; there’s a decent chance that a ‘J. Thomas” puts his thumbprint on the 2026 Vikings.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Erling Haaland (l), and Indian U-17 side which played against Norway in 2016
Ten years ago, an Indian Under-17 team held Norway scoreless in the first-half in a youth international game. On Sunday, one of the boys in that Norway side, Erling Haaland, led his country into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a match-winning performance against the mighty Brazil.Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The striker headed in the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute before adding another before the end of regulation time to send his team through. “Maybe this will write history in Norway,” Haaland said. “Everyone just need to enjoy themselves. This is just an insane day. It’s one of the most insane days in Norwegian history. Just enjoy it, embrace it and enjoy the moment.”The second goal was Haaland’s seventh of the tournament, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.Norway are playing in the World Cup for only the fourth time and for the first time since 1998 after missing the previous six editions. Haaland, who turns 26 on July 21, was not even born when Norway last appeared at the tournament. Today, he is the country’s best-known footballer.Following Haaland’s performance, cricket commentator Joy Bhattacharjya recalled his link with Indian football.Bhattacharjya pointed out that in 2016, Haaland played for Norway’s Under-16 team against India’s Under-17 side, which was preparing for the Under-17 World Cup. The game was goalless at half-time before India defender Sanjeev Stalin was sent off. Haaland then scored as Norway went on to win 2-0.The match report from June 19, 2016, is still available on the All India Football Federation website.“After the Indian Colts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Sanjeev earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle, Norway took the lead in the 57th minute through Erling Braut Haaland and doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Erik Botheim’s strike found the net,” it stated.“After a goalless first half, Sanjeev was red-carded in the 54th minute and India were reduced to 10 men. The Indian Colts failed to erase their deficit after conceding goals in the 57th and 80th minutes as the full-time scoreline read 2-0 in Norway’s favour.”Several players from that India Under-17 side later represented the senior national team and clubs in the Indian Super League. Haaland, meanwhile, developed into one of the leading players in world football.As Norway prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, Indian football finds itself in a different position. Among FIFA’s 211 member associations, India are ranked 138th.
Eddie Hearn looks to pioneer a new era of heavyweight boxing, believing he has a “huge star” on his books who has everything it takes to become world champion.
Oleksander Usyk vacated his three titles last week, signalling the end of an era in boxing’s top division. Now, a new generation of heavyweights is beginning to emerge.
Matchroom Boxing’s Hearn, having promoted golden boy Anthony Joshua since 2013, believes he has a new star on his hands in Teremoana Teremoana.
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Teremoana, aged 28 and standing at 6 ft 6 in tall, is praised for his incredible punching power, boasting an undefeated record of 11 wins with 11 knockouts. In his last outing, he stopped Bowie Tupou in the first round, and he is now set to fight DeAndre Savage on August 12 at The Star Casino Gold Coast, Australia, in his first headline bout.
Following the first-round stoppage of Tupou back in April, Hearn made it clear just how far he thinks his charge can go.
“What you’re watching right now is a future world heavyweight champion. This is going to be a huge star. He’s not just got the personality, he’s not just got the dance moves, he can really fight and he’s got power in both hands. A giant of a man.”
If Teremona can defeat Savage in impressive fashion, he will continue to build his case as one of the future dominant forces in the division alongside the likes of Moses Itauma.
Talented recruiters are invaluable to a program’s development and worthy of recognition.
Below you’ll find a listing of the Top 25 recruiters from the West for the Class of 2027, based on points assigned to their commits by 247Sports Rankings* as of July 6, 2026.
Some current Conference coaches coached at schools outside of the region during part of the recruiting cycle. Those coaches are included on this list only if at least half of their recruits signed with a school from the West.
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Coaches who recruited Conference players but who no longer coach teams from the West have been excluded.
In addition to recruiters, the table below includes their team, role, pledge count, total points, and the names of their committed recruits.
*247Sports currently is not tracking UNLV recruiters.
Folarin Balogun (20) fouls Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic (4). Balogun received a red card on the play, US President Donald Trump. (AP)
European football’s governing body UEFA on Monday criticised FIFA for allowing United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in Tuesday’s (IST) FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the previous game.In a statement, UEFA called FIFA’s move an “incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” and said the world body had “crossed a red line.”“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case not,” UEFA said, adding “the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.”“A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension,” UEFA said in its statement.Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban was surprisingly suspended by FIFA on Sunday, clearing the American forward to play in the team’s World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, a decision that was praised by US President Donald Trump and promoted outrage from the Red Devils.News agency Assosiated Press later reported that US President Donald Trump personally intervened to help Balogun get the suspension lifted.Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament for the United States, was shown a red card after stepping on the right ankle of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic during the USA’s 2-0 win in the round of 32 on Wednesday. A red card triggers an automatic one-game suspension.FIFA, however, decided to suspend the punishment.“The implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA announced. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it was “astonished.”“The decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations,” it said in a statement. “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”Belgium coach Rudi Garcia mocked FIFA’s action.“I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the 5th of July was the 1st of April in Europe,” Garcia said through a translator in an April Fools’ Day comparison.
Nov 29, 2009; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) looks for more yards against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. Vikings win 36-10. Mandatory credit: Bruce Kluckhohn US PRESSWIRE.
The Minnesota Vikings’ draft was rather defense-oriented in April, while most rookies throughout franchise history who make a mark right away play offense. It’s actually quite strange — the Vikings’ best rookies of all time are running backs and wide receivers.
Need evidence? We’ve got it below. And yes, — Randy Moss leads the way.
Before the official publication, these are the honorable mentions:
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Carl Eller (LDE)
Paul Flatley (DE)
Chad Greenway (LB)
Matt Kalil (LT)
George Rose (CB)
Fran Tarkenton (QB)
Sammy White (WR)
Moss Still Owns the Franchise’s Rookie Gold Standard
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss celebrates after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Jan 9, 2005. Moss delivered one of the rivalry’s most famous postseason moments in Green Bay, turning a playoff touchdown into a celebration that still follows Vikings-Packers history forever. Mandatory Credit: Dale Guldan-USA TODAY NETWORK.
1. Randy Moss | WR | (1998)
The Stats: 69 Rec | 1,313 Yds | 17 TDs
Moss’s rookie season was not merely the best in Vikings history; it is a strong contender for the greatest rookie season in NFL history. Full stop.
His arrival in 1998 was extraordinary. The combination of size, speed, body control, and an utter disregard for defensive backs was immediately apparent and felt almost unfair to opposing defenses, who had no idea how to contain him. No clue.
Moss instantly became the face of the franchise as a rookie. Nine years before Adrian Peterson achieved something similar, Moss made the Vikings feel like his team. Every deep pass was an event.
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His 17 receiving touchdowns remain a staggering rookie record. Other rookie receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Jefferson, and Ja’Marr Chase have since surpassed his yardage, but that touchdown record stands untouched.
Moss later set the single-season receiving touchdown record with 23 for the Patriots in 2007, underscoring how pivotal his rookie year was as the genesis of a legendary career. It all started in Minnesota.
2. Adrian Peterson | RB | (2007)
The Stats: 238 Att | 1,341 Yds | 13 TDs
Despite having a competent running back, the Vikings’ decision to draft Peterson proved to be a stroke of genius. Chester Taylor was coming off a productive season, so the Vikings weren’t in dire need of a running back. However, Peterson rendered that fact irrelevant almost immediately. By the midpoint of his rookie season, he had completely taken over the starting role.
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Then came his astonishing 296-yard game.
That single-game rushing record still stands, achieved in his inaugural year. The accomplishment alone would secure his place on any such list, yet it represents only a fraction of his overall impact. Peterson became the undisputed centerpiece of the Vikings’ offense for years, particularly during a period of frequent quarterback changes.
Peterson was the bedrock from 2007 to 2015. The offense could adapt and evolve around him, but he provided Minnesota with a genuine chance to win every Sunday.
He currently ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards, trailing Barry Sanders by a mere 351 yards for fourth place.
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The Vikings announced this offseason that Peterson would be inducted into the Ring of Honor. Well deserved.
3. Justin Jefferson | WR | (2020)
The Stats: 88 Rec | 1,400 Yds | 7 TDs
Jefferson took three weeks to get going as a rookie, but once Mike Zimmer allowed him to participate fully, the fireworks began. The four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro basically never looked back, easing the pain of Stefon Diggs’s departure during the 2020 offseason.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) works through his pregame routine before facing the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov 9, 2025. Jefferson mixed focus with his usual looseness in Minneapolis, preparing for another central role in Minnesota’s offense as fans settled into their seats before kickoff that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
He’s the face of the franchise and will remain that way until someone comes up with the terrible idea to get rid of him. Jefferson logged a quiet season by his standards in 2025, but with Kyler Murray freshly arriving in Minneapolis, most think he’ll return to his normal production — 1,533 receiving yards every 17 games.
4. Chuck Foreman | RB | (1973)
The Stats: 1,163 Yds from Scrimmage | 6 TDs
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Foreman’s diverse skill set would be highly valued in today’s NFL; in fact, he might be even more impactful now than he was during his playing career.
For years, the Vikings have sought a running back capable of both prolific rushing and significant receiving contributions. While Dalvin Cook displayed flashes of this at his peak, Foreman embodied the complete package decades earlier.
Upon entering the NFL in 1973, he immediately appointed himself as one of the league’s most versatile backs. He then embarked on a sweet streak of five consecutive Pro Bowl selections, a testament to his dominance. By 1975, Foreman had amassed 73 receptions from Fran Tarkenton that year, placing him firmly in the MVP conversation.
Foreman is actively involved in the Vikings community and frequently interacts with fans on Twitter (X).
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5. Percy Harvin | WR | (2009)
The Stats: 925 Yds from Scrimmage | 8 TDs
The memories of Harvin remain captivating, especially as the NFL evolves into a league perfectly suited for his distinctive skill set.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) celebrates after catching a 23-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at the Metrodome on Nov 22, 2009. Harvin’s early-career burst gave Minnesota another electric offensive moment in Minneapolis, flashing the speed that quickly made him a weekly problem as a rookie. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Ironically, the Vikings rostered Harvin before the widespread adoption of versatile WRs — like Deebo Samuel. Harvin was an elusive threat against defensive backs and a game-changer on special teams. In today’s NFL, every offensive coordinator would be designing at least 12 touches per game for him.
His tenure in Minnesota, though brief and complex, was impeccably timed. Harvin joined the Vikings just months before Brett Favre, and their on-field chemistry was instantaneous.
For a period, a Super Bowl seemed within reach. The Vikings narrowly missed a championship, and Harvin was instrumental in making the 2009 team a contender.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Balogun, 25, the U.S.’s breakout star, has scored three times in three games for Mauricio Pochettino’s side but was sent off in their last-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina Wednesday for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, ruling him out of their last-16 clash with Belgium.
However, after Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino Thursday, the forward’s suspension was effectively lifted, allowing him to play in Monday’s crucial knock-out match after all.
Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, a longtime critic of the president, wrote on X: “Even FIFA is engaged in Trump crime family corruption. If USA wins the cup there will now always be an asterisk. Fair or unfair.”
Geopolitics expert Cyrus Janssen and anti-Trump commentator Brian Krassenstein both worried that the president had created a no-win situation for the U.S. team, with their achievements in the competition from here on in likely to be undermined by FIFA’s actions.
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“This isn’t good karma for the U.S. Men’s Team, the U.S. President should not have the power to force FIFA to overturn a decision, but as Trump has proved in his presidency, he is above the law and the U.S. is a country without checks and balances,” Janssen posted.
“This is a lose-lose situation for Team USA now. We beat Belgium and the victory will be tainted as we needed our President to cheat to help us win. If we lose than [sic] even our President cheating couldn’t help us win.”
U.S. striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, only to see his one-match ban overturned by FIFA, reportedly at President Donald Trump’s request (Reuters)
Krassenstein, responding to an AI video of Balogun reacting to Brazilian Raphael Claus’s red card by brandishing a literal “Trump card” of his own, said: “MAGA clowns are posting this like it’s a good thing.
“Trump getting Folarin Balogun unsuspended from the World Cup just shows you that everything he touches is delegitimate crap. Now, if the U.S. wins the World Cup, it will be questioned. Thanks, Trump.”
Political journalist Julia Ioffe accused the president of hypocrisy, given that he has recently challenged the constitutional right to birthright citizenship in the Supreme Court, only to then intervene on behalf of Balogun, who was born in New York in July 2001 to British parents who were in the city on holiday at the time and not allowed to fly home to London because of the advanced state of his mother’s pregnancy.
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“The irony of Trump calling FIFA to overturn a red card for Balogun because he knows the U.S. can’t win without Balogun, who only qualifies for the U.S. team because of birthright citizenship, which Trump just tried to overturn,” she wrote.
Balogun was dismissed for a foul on defender Tarik Muharemovic, initially ruling him out of their last-16 clash with Belgium (Reuters)
FIFA explained its decision in a statement that read: “In line with Article 27 of the FIFA disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year.
“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”
Trump took to Truth Social Sunday to thank the federation for “reversing a great injustice,” his first meaningful involvement in the World Cup so far, having attended no games. Before his intervention, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said the U.S. “got screwed” by Balogun’s sending off.
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Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, also privately reached out to FIFA over the matter, according to CBS News.
While the development has been welcomed by Pochettino and playmaker Christian Pulisic, many observers have been more inclined to agree with Belgium’s manager, Rudi Garcia, who said: “I didn’t know that at the World Cup the 5th of July is actually the first of April. It’s April Fools.
Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was heavily criticized last year after presenting the former with the first-ever ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ (Reuters)
“We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football, integrity. It’s the first time in World Cup history that such a decision has been taken.”
The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the rule-bending, given that there is no appeal process in place to challenge bookings at the tournament, while European pundits reacted with even greater derision.
Gary Neville said on ITV Sunday that Balogun’s reprieve “absolutely stinks,” while, on the BBC, Wayne Rooney said: “If I’m the USA’s opponent, I’d be absolutely fuming. I think it’s wrong in every way. I think it’s an absolute disgrace.”
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Meanwhile, England manager Thomas Tuchel has jokingly suggested he might now lodge an appeal with Trump to get Jarell Quansah’s red card overturned, after the defender was dismissed in the Three Lions’ thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico.
How much of the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 salary cap space is devoted to the linebacker position?
For this season, the league-wide salary cap was set at $301.2 million, and of that, $9.146 million will go towards the linebacker unit for the Colts, according to Over the Cap.
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Compared to the rest of the NFL, the Colts rank last in salary cap spending at this position, and that figure accounts for only 3.03% of the team’s allotted cap space.
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Colts salary cap breakdown at linebacker
A lot of turnover took place at this position group during the offseason. Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt, who led the Colts in snaps at linebacker in 2025, are no longer on the team.
Instead, the Colts signed Akeem Davis-Gaither to a one-year deal. He has a cap hit of just $2.725 million.
CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher, and Jaylon Carlies are all playing on rookie deals and have cap hits below $1.7 million.
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Austin Ajiake and Devin Veresuk are on minimum deals, while West Weeks and Tahj Chambers are UDFAs with cap hits below $1 million.
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