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Legendary football player from Alabama surprises fans, pops up on reality TV

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Legendary football player from Alabama surprises fans, pops up on reality TV


DeMarcus Ware is a good sport. Why else would a former NFL star wear a koala costume and sing a 1980s pop song on reality TV?

Ware, an Auburn native and Pro Football Hall of Famer, made a surprise appearance on “The Masked Singer” this week, covering “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. As it turns out, the powerhouse athlete has some pretty impressive pipes. Ware showed off his vocal skills on Wednesday’s episode with a rendition of the 1985 synth-pop hit.

On “The Masked Singer,” celebrities compete in elaborate costumes, shielding their identities until they’re eliminated or declared the season’s winner.

Ware, 41, performed on the show as Koala, wearing a furry headpiece and an outfit that evoked a swashbuckling adventurer. (Think the Three Musketeers or Puss in Boots from the “Shrek” movies.) None of the judges on “The Masked Singer” guessed his identity correctly, although they came close by naming former NFL players such as Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin and Terry Crews.

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At the end of the episode, Ware was unmasked and eliminated. But he made a strong impression on the show, stumping judges Rita Ora, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg. All four applauded his performance and proclaimed Ware “a really good singer,” then gasped in surprise when he lifted off the Koala headpiece. Fans in the studio audience seemed astonished, as well.

Ware was gracious as he made an exit from the show, telling host Nick Cannon he had a great time singing in costume.

“All my life, I always wore a mask, but I sacked quarterbacks doing that,” Ware said. “And now I put on the Koala mask and no one knew who I was, and so the true personality of me actually came out. I got to have fun. This was one of the funnest experiences I’ve ever had.”

Ware, an outside linebacker and defensive end, spent most of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. With the Cowboys, Ware excelled at sacks and forced fumbles, and he helped the Broncos to win Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. He retired from pro football in 2017.

Ware’s Alabama roots run deep; he attended Auburn High School, joining the football team in his junior year. Ware moved on to Troy University, where he was a standout on the Troy Trojans football team. As a senior at Troy, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

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Although Ware may have been fierce on the field, he showed his softer side during a video interview after leaving “The Masked Singer.” In the video, Ware explained that he chose a koala costume because his young son’s favorite animal is the koala, and the boy sleeps with a koala toy.

“Dad actually got to be a koala,” Ware said. “He’s going to know that a koala sings. He’s gonna know that the koala dances. So, (I’m) saying goodbye to the big head, but I know I got little man at home and we’ve still got the koala at the house.”

This isn’t the first time Ware has appeared on reality TV, by the way. He competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2018, performing with pro partner Lindsay Arnold. Ware had a good run in the ballroom, leaving the ABC reality show tied for seventh place.

Alabama people haven’t often been featured on “The Masked Singer,” but country star Sara Evans, a former Birmingham resident, competed on Season 9 as Mustang, covering “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake. Also, some “American Idol” fans are convinced that an “Idol” winner from Alabama appeared on “Masked Singer” earlier this season, singing in a costumed duo known as The Beets. (The identities of The Beets haven’t been revealed yet.)



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Alabama

‘We Will Never Forget’: Police End 40-Day Search for Remains of South Alabama 2-Year-Old

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‘We Will Never Forget’: Police End 40-Day Search for Remains of South Alabama 2-Year-Old


The Enterprise Police Department announced Monday that a 40-day search of the Coffee County Landfill for the remains of 2-year-old Genesis Reid has concluded without locating her remains.

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During a news conference on July 13, the Enterprise Police Department said the search operation, which began May 7, involved federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, volunteers and support personnel from across Alabama.

According to police, investigators developed evidence that led them to believe Genesis’ mother, Adrienne Reid, murdered Genesis on Christmas night 2025, removed her from an apartment and later disposed of her body. Police said Reid reported Genesis missing 53 days after her death, which investigators said affected the timeline of the investigation.

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Authorities said the landfill search was based on evidence that led investigators to believe Genesis had been placed in a dumpster at the apartment complex. The search continued for 40 working days and included approximately 10 million pounds of landfill material, according to police.

Investigators said teams examined more than 20,000 non-human bones and inspected numerous bags and other materials during the operation. Officials said the search area was reviewed and cleared by experts before landfill operations concluded on July 10.

Police said the search did not locate Genesis’ remains but emphasized that the operation was conducted thoroughly based on the evidence available at the time.

“The landfill search answered one important question,” police said during the news conference. “It strongly indicates that Genesis was not located in the specific area of interest that would have been believed to be associated with landfill operations.”

The department said the investigation will continue, with the focus now shifting toward court proceedings and efforts to seek justice for Genesis.

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Police also expressed appreciation to the agencies, volunteers, local organizations and community members who assisted with the search effort.

“Although our search has concluded, our commitment to Genesis has not,” police said. “We will continue to pursue justice, we will continue to seek the truth, and we will never forget this precious child.”



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One Critically Injured, Self-Defense Possible Motive In Tuscaloosa Gas Station Shooting

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One Critically Injured, Self-Defense Possible Motive In Tuscaloosa Gas Station Shooting


“After interviewing witnesses and processing the scene for physical evidence, initial investigation shows that the shooting may have been in self-defense during a possible robbery attempt,” he said. “Surveillance video from the business corroborates the witness statements. At this time no one has been charged, but the investigation is ongoing”

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.





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The positions Alabama football will continue to recruit in the 2027 recruiting class

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The positions Alabama football will continue to recruit in the 2027 recruiting class




Alabama football’s 2027 recruiting class holds commitments from 13 2027 recruits with summer official visits behind them.

The Crimson Tide holds commitments from two quarterbacks, two running backs, two tight ends, one wide receiver, one offensive lineman, two edges, one defensive lineman, one defensive back and a kicker.

With the Tide expected to add a few more players to this class, here is a look at three positions Alabama will likely continue to recruit 2027 prospects at:

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Wide Receiver

Osani Gayles is currently the only wide receiver verbally committed to the Crimson Tide. Alabama would love to grab a commitment from Monshun Sales later this month, but the Tide is not considered to be the favorite to land the five-star less than a week out from his Friday decision. Alabama recently offered Jalijah Rutledge out of Moody High School. Rutledge is a 2027 wide receiver, and he is committed to App State. Before Rutledge announced his offer, Alabama made a strong push for Cedrick Simmons, who eventually committed to Auburn. The Tide wants to add at least one more wideout to this class to pair with Gayles.

Linebacker

Alabama does not have an inside linebacker commit, but the Tide did make a significant push for several off-the-ball linebackers before they committed to other programs. It would not be a surprise if Alabama makes a push for an inside linebacker committed elsewhere or offers a prospect who puts some good film together and flashes potential to start their senior season. Alabama’s push for a prospect at this position in the 2027 class could be very fluid moving forward.

Safety

Alabama also does not hold a commitment from a safety prospect. The Tide’s only defensive back commit is Darrius White, and he is projected to play cornerback at the next level. The Tide did not go after a long list of safeties in this class, but it did show a lot of interest in Junior Tu’upo out of Thompson High School in Alabama. A continued push for Tu’upo is likely, along with the possibility of the Tide evaluating a safety prospect who impresses them to kick off their senior season.


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