Kansas

Kansas City Chiefs waive 3 receivers with Alabama football roots

Published

1 year ago

August 28, 2024

Kansas City Chiefs waive 3 receivers with Alabama football roots

The Kansas City Chiefs began Tuesday with three wide receivers from Alabama high schools and colleges. By the end of the day, they didn’t have any.

As NFL teams reduced their rosters from the 90 players of the preseason to the regular-season limit of 53 active players on Tuesday, Kansas City waived Justyn Ross from Central High School in Phenix City, Kadarius Toney from Blount High School in Prichard and Montrell Washington from Samford.

Toney was a first-round draft choice of the New York Giants in 2021, whose career with the Chiefs includes the longest punt-return in Super Bowl history and a touchdown reception in the Super Bowl.

Ross has had an injury-affected career since joining Kansas City as an undrafted rookie in 2022. He played in 10 games last season.

As a fifth-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 2022, Washington was one of the NFL’s busiest return men as a rookie, but he played in only six games last season for the Chiefs.

The wide receivers were among the 29 players from Alabama high schools and colleges (excluding Alabama and Auburn) who were waived by NFL teams on Tuesday. Another six were released.

The former state players who were waived on Tuesday included:

· Travis Bell, defensive tackle, Jeff Davis: By the Cincinnati Bengals.

· Carter Bradley, quarterback, South Alabama: By the Las Vegas Raiders.

· Shakel Brown, defensive tackle, Troy: By the San Francisco 49ers.

· Spencer Brown, running back, Mortimer Jordan, UAB: By the Atlanta Falcons.

· DJ Coleman, defensive end, Jacksonville State: By the Jacksonville Jaguars.

· TyKeem Doss, guard, Aliceville: By the Pittsburgh Steelers.

· Grant DuBose, wide receiver, Park Crossing: By the Green Bay Packers.

· Chris Edmonds, defensive back, Samford: By the Cleveland Browns.

· Neil Farrell Jr., defensive tackle, Murphy: By the Kansas City Chiefs.

· Eric Garror, cornerback, McGill-Toolen: By the Tennessee Titans.

· Zyon Gilbert, cornerback, Jeff Davis: By the Pittsburgh Steelers.

· OJ Hiliare, wide receiver, Alabama A&M: By the Atlanta Falcons

· Keenan Isaac, cornerback, Midfield, Alabama State: By the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

· Cephus Johnson III, wide receiver, Davidson, South Alabama: By the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

· Chris Oladokun, quarterback, Samford: By the Kansas City Chiefs.

· Tejhaun Palmer, wide receiver, UAB: By the Arizona Cardinals.

· La’Mical Perine, running back, Theodore: By the Pittsburgh Steelers.

· Monty Rice, linebacker, James Clemens: By the New Orleans Saints.

· Justyn Ross, wide receiver, Central-Phenix City: By the Kansas City Chiefs.

· Lincoln Sefcik, tight end, South Alabama: By the New York Jets.

· Jamie Sheriff, outside linebacker, South Alabama: By the Seattle Seahawks.

· Lachavious Simmons, offensive lineman, Selma: By the Tennessee Titans (with an injury designation).

· Reddy Steward, cornerback, Austin, Troy: By the Chicago Bears.

· Kadarius Toney, wide receiver, Blount: By the Kansas City Chiefs.

· Corliss Waitman, punter, South Alabama: By the Chicago Bears

· Montrell Washington, wide receiver, Samford: By the Kansas City Chiefs

· Austin Watkins, wide receiver, UAB: By the Philadelphia Eagles.

· Jalen Wayne, wide receiver, Spanish Fort, South Alabama: By the Green Bay Packers.

· Darryl Williams, center, Bessemer City: By the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The former state players who were released on Tuesday included:

· Khari Blasingame, fullback, Buckhorn: By the Chicago Bears

· Chris Hubbard, offensive tackle, UAB: By the San Francisco 49ers.

· Jordan Matthews, tight end, Madison Academy: By the Carolina Panthers.

· Bobby McCain, defensive back, Oxford: By the Minnesota Vikings.

· Quez Watkins, wide receiver, Athens: By the Pittsburgh Steelers.

· Nick Williams, defensive lineman, Minor, Samford: By the San Francisco 49ers.

They join five players who were waived over the previous five days – wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) and cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State), cornerback Allan George (Andalusia) by the Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Trey Kiser (South Alabama) by the New York Giants and running back DeWayne McBride (UAB) by the Minnesota Vikings.

The players who were waived can by claimed by any other team in the league before 11 a.m. CDT Wednesday. Waiver claims are processed in the same order as the 2024 NFL Draft before any trades were made.

Waived players who go unclaimed become free to sign with any team. Players who were released do not have to pass through the waiver process.

Each NFL team can begin assembling its 16-player practice squad on Wednesday afternoon. Practice-squad members work just as active-roster players do during the week, but they are not eligible to play in the games – with one exception. Each NFL team can elevate two practice-squad players to active status for each game.

Four more players were placed on injured reserve. Detroit Lions Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jeremiah Moon (Hoover) were designated to return from IR, but they still will have to miss at least the first four games of the season.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Tae Davis (Oxford) and Washington Commanders defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth (Murphy) were placed on season-ending IR.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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Buffs Fall to Kansas in Big 12 Semifinals – University of Colorado Athletics

Published

5 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Press Room

Buffs Fall to Kansas in Big 12 Semifinals – University of Colorado Athletics

FORT WORTH, Texas — No. 12 Colorado fell in its Big 12 Semifinal Tournament match against Kansas, 2-1, on Wednesday at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.

Colorado (15-3-3) will now await Monday’s NCAA Tournament selection show to learn its next opponent. Wednesday’s loss snaps the Buffs’ seven-game unbeaten streak.

“Like I told the team, it’s been a while since we lost,” head coach Danny Sanchez expressed after the game. “It’s been since the Baylor match [Oct. 5]. So, it’s been a long stretch, and there are fine margins when you start to get to this point. We didn’t play our best soccer tonight. However, we left it all on the field. Anyone who watched this match can’t question our commitment and our willingness to work hard. It just didn’t happen for us tonight.”

The Buffaloes took an early lead with a first-half goal from Faith Leyba, but Kansas responded with two goals in the second half to secure the win. Colorado managed 13 shots, with four on target, while Kansas had six shots on goal.

Leyba led the Buffs with four shots, putting two on target. Ava Priest contributed with an assist and had a shot on goal. Jordan Nytes made three saves while facing 13 shots in the net.

Emerson Layne also recorded an assist on the Buffs’ goal, marking her 10th of the season and tying Shanade Hopcroft and Taylor Kornieck for the most in a single season.

“I’m not questioning the effort at all,” Sanchez continued. “The Buffs were all in. They’re up for the big match. It was a great environment. We started fast. We played well. We just didn’t get enough done.”

How it Happened
The first half began with the Buffaloes maintaining early pressure, as Kansas goalkeeper Sophie Dawe saved Priest’s opening shot in the 7th minute.

Kansas responded, pushing the attack and forcing saves from Nytes in the 13th and 17th minutes. The Jayhawks outshot the Buffs 6-4 in the early portion of the night. But the Buffs earned five corner kicks in the first 27 minutes and finally converted on a serve from Priest that was headed towards the back post by Layne and put home by Leyba for the 1-0 lead.

Kansas was unable to solve the Buffs’ defense with Nytes and Co. keeping the Jayhawks at bay in the first 45 minutes.

The second half opened with the Buffaloes immediately pushing forward, creating two early corner opportunities and a shot by Layne that was deflected high over the crossbar within the first minute of action.

Despite applying pressure, Kansas responded with a goal by Saige Wimes in the 55th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.

The Buffaloes continued to attack, with Reagan Kotschau and Hope Leyba both taking shots, but couldn’t get past the KU defense.

Leyba almost had her second of the night to give the Buffs a potential 2-1 lead in the 59th minute. Her header was saved at the far post by a KU defender and cleared to safety. Leyba then repaid the favor in the 73rd minute when she got behind Nytes in the goal box and saved a shot by KU’s Emika Kawagishi to keep the score tied at 1-1.

Moments later, Kansas took the lead when Lydia Viets’ shot hit off the toe of Leyba and past Nytes in the 74th minute.

“I thought our back four were very good again,” Sanchez noted. “The first goal is a counter off a set piece, and we’ll put that a little big on the coaching staff. We had too many numbers forward and then counter, and they get a goal. Then the second goal, you know, Faith’s blocking it and unfortunately, deflects it and goes in. Those are the margins at this level. We didn’t create enough on the other end to get any more out of this game than we deserved.”

Colorado maintained its offensive efforts, including a late shot by Hope Leyba followed by a corner kick in the 86th minute, but was unable to equalize.

“It’s disappointing,” Sanchez added. “But we still have a ton to play [for]. We’ll be disappointed tonight, but tomorrow, we’ll get back to working, and like I said, we’ll be ready for the NCAA Tournament.”

Up Next
The NCAA Selection Show will be live-streamed on NCAA.com at 2 p.m. MT on Monday.

For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.

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Kansas City Royals Face Key Offseason Choice On 12-Year Veteran

Published

2 days ago

November 4, 2025

Press Room

Kansas City Royals Face Key Offseason Choice On 12-Year Veteran

Sep 20, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Randal Grichuk (15) slaps hands with Kansas City Royals first base coach Damon Hollins (39) after getting on first base during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

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One Of Kansas City’s Best-Kept Secrets Is A Quiet, Friendly Suburb That Is Perfect For Retirees – Islands

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

One Of Kansas City’s Best-Kept Secrets Is A Quiet, Friendly Suburb That Is Perfect For Retirees – Islands

Matt Fowler KC/Shutterstock

Pity the Sunflower State, often derided as a “flyover state” not worthy of much attention. Nonsense. A road trip through Kansas reveals it’s a wildly underrated gem that offers secret canyons and historic towns. Yet one of the state’s best-kept secrets might be worth visiting a bit longer — perhaps for the rest of one’s post-work life. Not far from Kansas City lies Spring Hill, a quiet, friendly suburb that is perfect for retirees.

The town’s neatest trick lies in its dense offering of modern amenities, without the urban bustle and grind, all while keeping vital small-town rituals front and center. Retirees and residents alike can enjoy a wholesome lifestyle while also hitting the links, going for a swim, and diving into a broad swath of activities meant to maintain health and a sense of community. That includes a bevy of “third places”, community spaces that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness.

The town’s youth performing arts center bridges a gap between generations. Meanwhile, the Festival Choral Society holds annual Christmas and Spring concerts, with all the usual community-building activities that accompany such organizations. A laundry list of groups, including an arts council and historical society, rounds out plenty of enriching ways to fill a suddenly empty calendar. The Spring Hill Farmers Market, meanwhile, offers a chance to rub elbows with local producers who bring their wares to town every Saturday, from late spring to the beginning of fall. Perhaps most important of all, Spring Hill offers plenty of chances to stay fit and healthy.

Hit the links, take a dip, or just stay active in Spring Hill

Matthew Fowler/Getty Images

Spring Hill has blossomed into an ideal retirement community with plenty of ways to answer the critical question facing anyone who has just ended their career: What next? The suburb offers a smorgasbord of retiree-friendly activities. The Sycamore Ridge public golf course offers the perfect 18-hole diversion for folks enjoying their golden years. Its sand bunkers, surrounding woods, and undulating greens provide the perfect challenging outing on the links, regardless of your handicap. If you’re a well-seasoned golfer, there’s no better way to build community and health than joining one of the golf club’s leagues. Beginners, don’t fret. The club’s private lessons will get your handicap down to something manageable. Not thrilled about spending your retirement golfing? Grab a swim cap instead.

You can’t find a beach anywhere, so Spring Hill effectively built one. The town’s aquatic center offers the perfect antidote to Kansas’s shortcomings as a landlocked state. The center includes over a dozen different water-based features, from aqua-park style water slides to diving boards. The shallow entry at one of the pools may not have sand, but it perfectly mimics the subtle joy of wading into the water. There are also senior-friendly exercise classes, such as River Walking, a low-impact movement that uses the water as resistance. If you’re not feeling up for exertion of any kind, kick back in the lazy river. Let the adjacent park keep the kids or grandkids busy.

If golf bores you and you would rather stay dry (both fair choices), the Spring Hill Recreation Commission has you covered. From Zumba to yoga, the commission’s calendar is stuffed with adult fitness and recreation opportunities. Cooking classes, field trips, and art classes are just some of the other non-exercise activities available.

Planning a trip to Spring Hill

A new home as part of a construction boom Spring Hill

Matt Fowler KC/Shutterstock

Whether you’re visiting Spring Hill to consider a permanent move or just stopping by for a weekend, you’ll want a car to get around. Those coming in from farther afield can use the closest major transit hub, Kansas City International Airport, which is less than an hour from Spring Hill. After landing, be sure to spend a few hours in Kansas City itself, which is considered the barbecue capital of the world. Then, on the drive down, make a pitstop at Overland Park, an under-the-radar artsy city with outdoor fun and downtown amenities.

Those looking to retire to Spring Hill have several retirement communities and facilities to choose from. The nearby Benton House of Olathe, for example, offers a mix of active social and physical activities while emphasizing building routines to maintain and improve mental health. Colonial Oaks, another assisted living facility in Spring Hill, offers a similar collection of activities and services. Those with deeper pockets may be able to buy a home in Spring Hill, with median home values of $323,300.

While there’s no ideal time to retire to Spring Hill (those maths are sort of set in stone), you do have an ideal time to visit. The town’s annual Fall Festival, held in late September, features a parade, live shows, and local vendors selling their crafts and food. It all culminates in a music festival, then a Chili Cookoff. Conversely, you can visit during the fall festival’s sibling, Daffodil Days, which coincides with Arbor Day in April. A celebratory environment blossoms with music, games, and a chainsaw wood carver, among other attractions. It’s the perfect outing for a retiree and visiting family members.

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