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Kyle Pitts blasts ‘fake emotion’ from NFL players who skipped Rondale Moore’s celebration of life

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Kyle Pitts blasts ‘fake emotion’ from NFL players who skipped Rondale Moore’s celebration of life

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Atlanta Falcons star Kyle Pitts called out the former teammates of Rondale Moore, who tragically died last month from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound, after he said only a handful of them showed up to his celebration of life services on Friday. 

Moore, 25, was found dead in the garage of his Indiana home on Feb. 21. Police said at the time that the former NFL receiver died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. News of Moore’s death prompted an outpouring of support from around the league and from those who knew Moore. 

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Dec. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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But Pitts, who became close with Moore after he was traded to the Falcons in 2024, called out what he called the “fake emotion” that was displayed in the wake of Moore’s passing.

 

“Crazy how only about 6 maybe 7 of your teammates in the NFL showed up for you today smfh,” he wrote in a post shared to his Instagram Stories. “All that talk and fake emotion and nobody want to show up to lay you to rest.. Just at a loss of words. 

“Be woke on who your ‘brothers’ really are, who really rock with you all areas of life not just in front of cameras or the public,” he continued, adding “Folks just want to throw up a post and not mean it but we ball yb as Kur said, ‘it might hurt a little’ but we ball.” 

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) in action during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 31, 2023.  (Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports)

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Moore was a standout football player in college for Purdue. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the 2021 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Arizona from 2021 to 2023. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 but suffered a season-ending injury.

He joined the Minnesota Vikings in March 2025 and suffered a season-ending injury in a preseason game. 

Pitts shared an emotional post about Moore on social media after learning of his death.

“This can’t be real dawg,” he wrote after sharing a carousel of photos on Instagram. “I’m really sitting here crying on even what to say or think bruh.”

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Dec. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

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“We literally was just on the phone yesterday morning. I’m so hurt dawg, I’d never thought I’d be making this type of post let alone it be about you! Rondale, you’re truly aqt peace now watching over us but I wish you didn’t leave us man. I love you dawg and 4 is going to live on forever.”

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore dead at 25

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Prep baseball roundup: Birmingham hitters deliver in 10-2 win over El Camino Real

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Prep baseball roundup: Birmingham hitters deliver in 10-2 win over El Camino Real

Birmingham coach Matt Mowry works with his players on going with pitches to right field. The Patriots came through with perfection on Wednesday.

Four times in the decisive fourth inning, Birmingham hitters hit outside pitches to right field for base hits, igniting a four-run inning and leading to a 10-2 victory, pulling the Patriots into a first-place tie with El Camino Real in the West Valley League going a Friday game at Birmingham.

Sophomore Carlos Acuna threw a complete game for Birmingham in 10-2 win over El Camino Real.

(Craig Weston)

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Sophomore catcher Jordan Lindsay had the biggest hitting of the fourth, an RBI double down the right-field line to tie the score, 1-1. Ethan Dalumpines followed with RBI single to right field. JuJu Monroe-Truitt and Larkin Fleming also contribued RBI singles to right off Jackson Sellz.

“He’s on us at practice to go to the right side,” Lindsay said of Mowry.

The Patriots blew the game open with a six-run fifth, including an RBI single from Lindsay and one walk and one hit batter with the bases loaded to push across runs. Carlos Acuna threw a complete game. Both teams are seeking a win Friday because the league champion figures to be the No. 1 seed for the City Section Open Division playoffs.

RJ De La Rosa had an RBI single and double for ECR.

Harvard-Westlake 8, Chaminade 0: James Tronstein continued his impressive power display by hitting two home runs, a double and driving in three runs. He has eight home runs on the season. Evan Alexander struck out 10 in five innings.

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Norco 1, Corona 0: It took nine innings to settle this Big VIII League showdown with Jayden Serna delivering the walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jordan Ayala threw seven scoreless innings for Norco. Mason Sims gave up one hit in eight innings for Corona.

Sierra Canyon 3, Loyola 2: The Trailblazers won despite home runs from Loyola’s Bobby Rapp and Jack Murray.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 8, Bishop Alemany 3: Benett Pace went four for four and Jacob Madrid homered for the Knights.

Carson 6, Narbonne 5: Nate Ruan and Fernando Barajas each had two hits for Carson.

Edison 4, Corona del Mar 0: Noah Hunter struck out 10 and gave up two hits in six innings for Edison.

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Ayala 8, Claremont 0: Easton Sarmiento struck out eight in four innings. Caleb Trugman had three hits.

Huntington Beach 2, Newport Harbor 1: Jared Grindlinger thew his first complete game of the season, striking out seven and walking none. Ely Mason had a home run.

JSerra 13, Santa Margarita 3: The Lions hit four home runs, including another from Blake Bowen, in the Trinity League win. Aidan Rae had three RBIs.

Garfield 10, South East 3: Michael Santillan had four hits for Garfield.

Bell 6, Legacy 1: Jayden Rojas had two hits and four RBIs.

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Chatsworth 16, Cleveland 1: Nihaan Kothari had three hits and Damian Ayala had three RBIs for Chatsworth.

Granada Hills 12, Taft 0: Landon Tuch had four hits and Luke Chau struck out nine with no walks in five innings for Granada Hills.

West Ranch 6, Hart 5: Josh Price went three for three with three RBIs.

Etiwanda 14, Rancho Cucamonga 2: The Eagles celebrated a Baseline League championship. Adam Ornelas had four hits.

Corona Santiago 13, Corona Centennial 4: Jonathan Thornton had four hits and six RBIs, including a grand slam, for Santiago.

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Brendan Sorsby at crossroads: NCAA gambling probe could end Texas Tech QB’s college career

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Brendan Sorsby at crossroads: NCAA gambling probe could end Texas Tech QB’s college career

Brendan Sorsby could find himself at a crossroads once he completes his time in rehab pertaining to an addiction to gambling.

There are currently multiple layers to this case, the most important being his eligibility at Texas Tech for the upcoming 2026 season with the NCAA currently investigating whether he placed bets on the outcome of games while on the Indiana roster in 2022.

Though he did end up redshirting, he did see action in one game. His time on the Indiana roster has drawn the most intrigue by those within the NCAA compliance office. Besides the fact that he is also alleged to have bet on pro sports, which includes baseball and the UFC, we have seen a recent uptick in gambling cases involving college athletes.

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Brendan Sorsby of the Cincinnati Bearcats scrambles during the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 29, 2025. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

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The main point of the NCAA’s inquiry, besides his betting on professional sports, was how prevalent his gambling was during his time at Indiana and Cincinnati. 

In speaking with multiple sources regarding the ongoing investigation, which Texas Tech officials were made aware of earlier this month, there is a strong belief that he would be declared ineligible for the upcoming season.

What happens if NCAA proves he gambled on his own team?

For Sorsby, there would be the opportunity for him to file a lawsuit seeking an injunction, in hopes of a local Texas judge overriding an NCAA ruling.

But, given that the NCAA has a pretty strong stance on gambling, and rules are plainly stated, getting an injunction seems like a tough path.

This is obviously different than an eligibility lawsuit that we’ve seen filed over the past few years, and one that the NCAA would fight its hardest to win.

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In 2023, the NCAA put in guidelines that punish athletes caught gambling on their own school, or other sports at their school, with a permanent loss of eligibility.

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Brendan Sorsby of the Cincinnati Bearcats laughs during warmups before their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

But, the investigation into Brendan Sorsby would likely need to include an interview with the quarterback, which can not occur while he’s currently in a rehabilitation center.

So, the NCAA would have to wait to question the Texas Tech quarterback, and he’s not obligated to speak if his lawyers feel as though he would not win a case down the road outside a courtroom.

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Given that Texas Tech has earmarked a large amount of money for the services of Sorsby, I find it hard to believe they would not fight the NCAA if they were to rule him ineligible for the upcoming season. 

According to sources, the Red Raiders were set to pay him upwards of $6 million for the duration of his time in Lubbock.

Could Sorsby enter the NFL supplemental draft? 

This would certainly be something his team would look into if the NCAA were to declare him ineligible, especially if he were to lose in a Texas court if the quarterback decided to sue to remain on the Texas Tech roster. 

Over the past two years, the NFL supplemental draft that takes place in July has been a dud. But, throw in the current lack of options for athletes that might not be in the best spot at their particular college, or facing a loss of eligibility, the draft could be a received landing spot. 

There has been a case study, in essence. 

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In 2011, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was facing a five-game suspension by the NCAA for his role in ‘tattoo gate’ that ended up costing head coach Jim Tressel his job.

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Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is embraced by coach Jim Tressel and Ellen Tressel after the 2010 Rose Bowl against Oregon in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2010. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports)

So, instead of facing the NCAA suspension, Pryor was able to enter the supplemental draft, but still had to serve his suspension at the NFL level after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

Commissioner Roger Goodell was the one who handed down the suspension, which Pryor did not appeal. In the situation that Sorsby decides to try, it would be up to the NFL to agree to let him enter his name, which they could also decline.

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This could obviously be the route that Brendan Sorsby decides to take, if things continue trending towards him losing his right to play at Texas Tech. 

We’ll find out soon enough, as the investigation into the quarterback continues. 

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Chatsworth High’s Grant Wang hits the MIT jackpot

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Chatsworth High’s Grant Wang hits the MIT jackpot

During a volleyball tournament trip to Las Vegas in March, Chatsworth coach Sina Aghassy confiscated all his players’ cellphones and put them in his backpack to make sure they focused on their sports assignment — with one exception.

Anyone waiting to learn if they were accepted to a college could briefly have access to their phone.

The players are standing in a hallway listening to their coach evaluate their performance when Grant Wang, the team’s star 6-foot-6 senior, decides to open his phone to check whether he got a message from MIT.

“I opened it up a couple minutes before it was supposed to come out and all I see is confetti,” he said. “I was in shock and all I did was make a noise.”

Aghassy, not knowing what the noise meant, said, “Can you quiet down a bit?”

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“Five minutes into his talk, I started breaking down crying. I got overwhelmed by emotions,” Wang said.

Volleyball standout Grant Wange of Chatsworth High has never received a grade other than A in high school.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Teammates didn’t know if it was good news or bad news as they saw his tears.

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“My teammate whispers to me.”

Wang tells the good news, “I got into MIT.”

“Everyone breaks out cheering and going wild.

Wang had kept it a secret that MIT was his dream school. He was so disappointed in the fall when he was put on the deferred list that he didn’t think he’d get in.

He becomes the fourth volleyball player from Southern California to be accepted to MIT, joining three others from Redondo Union who he knows.

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He’s never received a grade other than A in Chatsworth’s magnet program focused on STEM. He’s such a math whiz that he took geometry in eighth grade and finished all his math classes, from chemistry to calculus, last school year. This year he’s focused on AP Physics.

He already owns three rings — one playing for Chatsworth’s state championship basketball team with Alijah Arenas and two City Open Division volleyball titles. He’s going for a third ring this season as Chatsworth is expected to be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed for the volleyball playoffs. He gave up basketball for volleyball, a sport he didn’t start playing until his freshman year.

“I love the sport. I always put in extra work,” he said.

Redondo Union High volleyball players (from left) Tommy Spalding, Vaughan Flaherty and Carter Mirabal pose for a photo.

Redondo Union High volleyball players (from left) Tommy Spalding, Vaughan Flaherty and Carter Mirabal are headed to MIT this fall.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

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Unlike the Redondo Union trio, he doesn’t surf and plays no instruments even though his Redondo Union friends are looking for a drummer to start a band. Wang knows math formulas, but drumming? “I cannot,” he said.

“In college, I’m going to learn how to drum so I can join the band,” he joked.

His size and improving skills make him a good volleyball prospect for the future. He seems all set except for dealing with cold weather.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in weather under 60 degrees for two days,” he said. “My parents said, ‘Good luck,’ they would send me some hot Korean soup during tough days.”

Asked how he became such a good student, Wang said, “My mom and dad always put me in academic settings trying to get me to learn as much as possible.”

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B’s on a report card are not allowed in his family.

He offered a rousing endorsement for his educators at Chatsworth.

“All the teachers put their heart and soul into us,” he said.

As for his volleyball coach, he appreciated Aghassy giving access to his phone for just a few minutes and apologizes for disrupting his speech.

What a memory it will be for years to come telling the story of being in Las Vegas and learning he got into MIT.

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It was his jackpot worth more than money.

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