Sports
Jets select Alabama defensive back as 2024 NFL Draft's 'Mr. Irrelevant'
The New York Jets hope they found a diamond in the rough with this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant.”
That title goes to the final selection of each NFL Draft.
This year, there were 257 draft picks since Thursday night.
And after seeing 256 players taken ahead of him, Alabama safety Jaylen Key still got a life-changing call when the Jets selected him at 257.
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jaylen Key warms up before a game against the Michigan Wolverines in the CFP semifinal Rose Bowl Jan., 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Key transferred to Tuscaloosa after spending four years at UAB, where he played 43 games.
He appeared in 12 of the Crimson Tide’s 14 games last season, recording 60 tackles.
While the expectations are low for Key, there is a prize in being the last man chosen.
Every year, Mr. Irrelevant and his family are invited to Newport Beach, California, for a week of golfing, visiting Disneyland and living a rather relevant lifestyle.
Last year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Desjuan Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams, recorded two sacks in his 11 games last season. He played in a season-high 48% defensive snaps in their final game of the regular season but played in just three snaps in their playoff game against the Detroit Lions.
Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jaylen Key warms up before the CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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In almost every case, there aren’t many expectations for Mr. Irrelevant, but the final pick from 2022 has flipped the script.
That year’s Mr. Irrelevant was Brock Purdy, who became the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback after multiple injuries to other players. He led the Niners to an NFC title game in 2023 and a Super Bowl appearance in 2024.
Since taking over, he has gone 21-6 as a starter, completing 68.7% of his passes for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions. Purdy was named to the Pro Bowl last season and finished fourth in the MVP voting.
Defensive back Jaylen Key (6) of the Alabama Crimson Tide defends in coverage during a CFP semifinal game at the Rose Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, Calif. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Maybe the title doesn’t show it, but at the very least, “Mr. Irrelevant” is more relevant to the sport than a lot of other players.
Teams will continue acquiring players after the draft as undrafted free agents.
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Sports
NFL releases statement on Giants co-owner’s emails with Jeffrey Epstein
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The NFL on Monday released a statement after New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch was found to be corresponding with Jeffrey Epstein.
The emails were released last week as part of the Justice Department’s dump of more than 3 million documents related to the investigation of the human trafficker and child sex offender. The league’s statement came as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was set to have his annual pre-Super Bowl press conference with reporters.
New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch during warmups before the Washington Redskins game on Oct. 28, 2018, at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“The league is aware of the reports and Steve’s response,” the NFL said. “Our office will look into the matter to understand the facts.”
Some of the emails exchanged between Epstein and Tisch appeared to show the two discussing women.
One thread from April 2023 showed Tisch asking Epstein whether an unnamed woman was “pro or civilian.” Epstein said his team reached out to the woman. He later added that she wanted to go to a play with Tisch but was “freaked by the age difference.”
Another exchange, from June 2013, showed Tisch and Epstein setting up a potential meeting in New York.
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New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch on the sideline during a game against Dallas at Cowboys Stadium. (Tim Heitman/USA Today Sports)
Tisch’s family owns about 45% of the Giants. He assumed control of the team in 2005 after his father had purchased a majority stake in the team in 1991.
Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan federal jail cell Aug. 10, 2019. It was later ruled a suicide. He faced up to 45 years in prison for crimes related to the sex trafficking of minors.
Tisch released a statement through the Giants on Friday as the emails came to light.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments. I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with,” Tisch said.
The Department of Justice released a trove of Epstein documents on Dec. 19. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
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Goodell is expected to face questions about Tisch’s dealings with Epstein and whether the NFL team owner could be disciplined for it.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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Sports
Rosters announced for 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game
Southern California will be well represented on the West team for the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 31 in Glendale, Ariz.
Selected to the boys team are Jason Crowe Jr. from Inglewood, Christian Collins from St. John Bosco, Brandon McCoy and Maximo Adams from Sierra Canyon. Former Sherman Oaks Notre Dame player Tyran Stokes also made the team.
Crowe is committed to Missouri and Adams to North Carolina.
Jerzy Robinson from Sierra Canyon and Cydnee Bryant from Corona Centennial made the girls team.
Robinson is committed to South Carolina and Bryant is a Kansas commit.
Sports
Lightning players wear full-padded Bucs uniforms, get Baker Mayfield escort before Stadium Series in Tampa
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The Boston Bruins were being hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning not in the usual Amalie Arena way on Sunday night, but rather at Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, before they hit the outdoor ice on a very chilly Tampa night, the Lightning players were spotted coming off the bus wearing throwback “Creamsicle” Bucs uniforms.
Pads, helmets and all.
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Victor Hedman and the Tampa Bay Lightning dress in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers creamsicle jerseys and are joined by Tristan Wirfs as they travel to the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Mark LoMoglio/NHLI)
Fans were cheering as the players, all with their numbers and last names on the back of the bright orange jerseys, made their way into the stadium for their clash with the Bruins.
It was a lot different than the regular blue, black and white jerseys the Lightning players are used to, but these throwback jerseys are a staple in the Tampa area. The Bucs still wear them today on occasion, though it used to be synonymous with losing when the franchise first began in 1976.
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The Bucs were an expansion team, and they turned heads with their uniform color choice. However, they went a whopping 0-26 in them before finally coming away with a win in their second season.
And it wasn’t just the Lightning players the fans were cheering for. At the head of the pack were Bucs stars, quarterback Baker Mayfield and left tackle Tristan Wirfs, leading the way while wearing the actual blue sweater the hockey team would don on the ice at Raymond James Stadium.
Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning arrives prior to the 2026 NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Bruins also had a football theme considering their fellow NFL team in New England is going to the Super Bowl in a week.
With the Patriots back in the “Big Game,” the Bruins showed up in full Patriots outfits, looking like our founding fathers as they got off the bus.
While the NHL and its teams are having fun with this Stadium Series game, both of these squads are coming into the contest on fire.
The Bruins and Lightning each own an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games, and the Lightning own the Eastern Conference’s best record at 34-14-4. The Bruins are not too far behind, though, at 32-20-3.
David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins arrives dressed as a Colonial Patriot before the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Brian Babineau/NHLI)
Finally, hockey outdoors in Florida is usually conducive, but the NHL will actually need a heater to get the ice to the proper temperature as it’s an uncharacteristic 40 degrees on Sunday night.
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