Dallas, TX
Leighton Vander Esch retires from NFL after multiple neck injuries with Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Leighton Vander Esch retired Monday following six NFL seasons, with the linebacker stepping away after missing 12 games for the Dallas Cowboys last year because of the latest in a series of neck injuries.
The announcement by the 28-year-old former first-round draft pick came three days after the Cowboys released Vander Esch with a failed physical designation. His injury last season was the fourth since 2019 involving the neck and was considered career-threatening.
“I realize that I am no longer able to adhere to the unwavering standard of excellence that professional football demands. I say this with a heavy heart: I am medically retiring from the NFL,” Vander Esch said in a statement. “I love the game of football so much, and my body won’t cooperate any longer. I cherished every moment of my NFL career, and it has been such a blessing to play the game for as long as I have played.”
After being the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Vander Esch started 65 of the 71 games he played for Dallas. He finished with 557 career tackles. He set a club rookie record with 176 tackles and was a Pro Bowl pick in his first season.
“We’re proud that he wore the star on his helmet,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.
After the first neck injury in 2019, Vander Esch was diagnosed with a narrow spinal column and underwent fusion surgery. The latest injury happened when he was pushed from behind in Week 5 against San Francisco last season and jammed his neck into teammate Micah Parsons’ right leg.
Vander Esch had issues with his neck at Boise State before the Cowboys drafted him.
In part because of the neck issues, Dallas declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract but brought him back in 2022 on a one-year deal. Vander Esch had one year remaining on a two-year contract.
“Seldom do you come across a player like Leighton, who grew up playing eight-man football only to first play the 11-man game at the major collegiate level and excel,” Jones said. “His passion and love for the game was contagious, and from the moment he arrived, he has been a difference maker. His grit, toughness, motivation, determination and football IQ will be sorely missed.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Dallas, TX
These Dallas-Fort Worth bars, restaurants offer refined mocktails
Are you looking for a spot to sip on no-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks in Dallas-Fort Worth? Options aren’t as slim as they once were for Dry January (or a dry or drier lifestyle) as more restaurants and bars add mocktails and other balanced, refreshing concoctions without the booze.
Beyond the Bar in Richardson
This was D-FW’s first no-alcohol bottle shop. Find unique zero-proof beverages of all sorts when you stop in.
101 S. Sherman St. B, Richardson. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
Community Beer Co. in Dallas
The Dallas brewery can pour NA beers. The sprawling venue, which changed locales in recent years, also has a robust food menu. Grab a table outside when it’s sunny.
3110 Commonwealth Dr., Dallas. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
Doughbird near University Park
There’s a zero-proof section at the recently opened restaurant in Inwood Village, near the intersection of Inwood Road and Lovers Lane. Find a cheery blackberry rickey, made with mint, blackberry jam, fresh lime, and fizzy water, or southern peach tea, comprised of clover honey, peach and sparkling yuzu sour.
5560 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas.
HG Sply Co.
Consult the “non-spirited” section of HG’s menu when stopping in. Mocktails with a healthful twist – think twists like beets or turmeric – are a point of emphasis at nutrition-conscious restaurant.
Multiple locations.
Ida Claire in Addison
Find six mocktails during Dry January at Ida Claire. Those include the Like a Virgin, with pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, blackberry, agave and soda, and Dazed & Confused, which includes Pamos THC spirit, pineapple, lemon, blueberry simple syrup and yuzu lime soda. The beverages are available all day through Jan. 31.
5001 Beltline Rd., Dallas.
Ladylove Lounge & Sound in Bishop Arts
Skip to the elixirs section of the cool lounge’s menu for a some surprising, well-balanced non-alcoholic flavor pairings. The elixirs are also included in Monday-Friday happy hour specials, which isn’t the most typical move.
Open daily. 310 W. Seventh St., Dallas.
Uchi in Dallas
Along with Uchiba and Loro in Dallas and Uchiko in Plano, Uchi has a menu filled with both low ABV and no-ABV beverages. Loro, a Japanese and barbecue fusion restaurant, has zero-proof options that include the spicy cucumber with lime, yuzu and ghost agave.
Multiple locations.
Dallas, TX
Dallas Wings name Chris Koclanes as new head coach, have No. 1 overall WNBA pick in 2025
NORTH TEXAS – Fresh from garnering the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, the Dallas Wings now have a new leader.
Chris Koclanes, known as a defensive and player development master, has been named the Wings’ next head coach.
Currently an assistant coach at the University of Southern California, Koclanes is replacing Latricia Trammell, who was dismissed in October after compiling a 31-49 record over two seasons. The Wings finished 9-31 last season.
Curt Miller, the Wings’ executive vice president and general manager, applauded Koclanes for his leadership, communication and basketball IQ.
“Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars,” Miller said in a news release. “He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches.
“Chris is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an outstanding basketball IQ. He is committed to player development and has a forward-thinking and innovative mind for the game. He is a tireless worker with a foundation built through preparation.
“In addition to his proven on-court skill, Chris possesses values that align perfectly with the Dallas Wings, including a shared focus on positively impacting the community and developing our players off the court.”
Miller touted the “many incredible things” on the Wings’ horizon, including a new arena, state-of-the-art practice facility and its selection of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
“… We are confident Chris is the right person to lead this team into a new era of Dallas Wings basketball,” Miller said.
Koclanes has previous WNBA experience with the Los Angeles Sparks and the Connecticut Sun.
“I look forward to partnering with our ownership, front office, and players to create a sustainable championship culture that is felt on and off the floor, and in the community,” Koclanes said in the release. “I’m excited to support and empower the women of this league as we continue to elevate the WNBA to new heights.”
He kicked off his career in basketball operations and video coordination at William & Mary and St. Joseph’s.
A formal news conference announcing Koclanes is scheduled for Jan. 9 at Reunion Tower in Dallas.
Dallas, TX
‘Proud’ Jerry Jones doubling down on Mike McCarthy return to Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys are back in the win column, and Jerry Jones couldn’t be happier.
Following his team’s nail-biting 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys owner and GM was quick to praise his team.
But perhaps more importantly, he also went out of his way to mention had coach Mike McCarthy – who’s job security has been in question most of the season – and the job he has done this year.
MORE: 4 takeaways from Cowboys’ impressive win vs. Buccaneers
“I’m real proud,” Jones said after the game. “Mike McCarthy, he just won’t let them not think that they’re playing for the Super Bowl out there. He won’t let them do it. I’m proud of that. I’m proud of the coach… There’s no question that we’re fighting with a very limited deck out here right now, and those guys are doing a great job. All of them, the players, but my hat is off to Mike McCarthy.”
In Jones’ defense, the Cowboys have won four of their last five games after starting 3-7, and have an opportunity to finish the year above .500 if they can win their final two games.
The only problem? The Cowboys have also been officially eliminated from the playoff picture thanks to that abysmal start to the season.
This, of course, is not the first time that Jones has gone out of his way to say good things about his head coach either. Earlier this season, Jones told 105.3 The Fan that he gave McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer ‘high grades’ for the way they have navigated the team through adversity this season.
Jones has also consistently deflected any questions regarding the idea of moving on from the Cowboys coach, who is in the final year of his deal with the franchise. He even left the door open for a possible extension, despite McCarthy and the team’s struggles on the field throughout the year.
“I don’t think (an extension) is crazy at all,” Jones told The Fan in late November. “This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left.”
Will any of that matter when the season officially comes to a close in two weeks? Only time will tell, but it certainly seems as though Jones is doubling down on the idea of keeping McCarthy in Dallas.
And if the Cowboys can finish strong, and perhaps earn wins over the division-rival Eagles and Commanders, it would go a long way in helping Jones make that decision.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
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