South
Former NFL player launches bid for newly drawn Alabama congressional district in potential blow to Dems
FIRST ON FOX: An Alabama football star who went on to play in the National Football League (NFL) is looking to earn support from voters in Alabama’s newly drawn 2nd Congressional District as he seeks election to the U.S. House.
Wallace Gilberry, a Republican, will formally announce his candidacy in the race Wednesday morning.
A native of Bay Minette, Alabama, Gilberry told Fox News Digital he’s looking to “fire” President Biden and push back against liberal Democrats’ hold on Black Americans as a voting bloc.
“I’m running because Joe Biden and the liberal politicians have let down my community and failed Alabama. Folks here at home are hurting and too many politicians don’t understand that – I see it every day,” he said. “My mission is simple: we’ve got to fire Joe Biden, beat back the liberals who have held down the Black community for too long, put the people of Alabama first, and help President Donald J. Trump Make America Great Again.”
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Wallace Gilberry, an All-SEC standout at the University of Alabama who spent nine seasons in the NFL with various teams as a defensive end, will run to represent Alabama’s newly drawn Second Congressional District. (Wallace Gilberry, Getty Images)
Alabama’s Second Congressional District, which previously covered southeast Alabama, now extends across the lower portion of the state from the Georgia line to the Mississippi line. Montgomery County and a northwest portion of Mobile County are included in the majority-Black district, which has a Black voting age population of nearly 50%.
Black voters remain a strong Democratic constituency in the Yellowhammer State, and the new district will favor Democrats as both parties battle for control of the House in 2024. However, Gilberry, an All-SEC standout at the University of Alabama who spent nine seasons in the NFL with various teams as a defensive end, believes he’s the candidate who’s got what it takes to defeat his challengers and come out on top.
“Out-of-touch, out-of-state Democrats wasted all kinds of time and money trying to buy themselves another seat in Congress because they take Black folks for granted and think we will all just vote Democrat. Problem for them is that Alabama can’t be bought,” he said. “A Black man is going to win this race – but it’ll be me, a conservative Republican who puts Alabama first.”
Recognizing the current state of the economy and financial issues that have plagued thousands of American families, Gilberry, one of five children who was raised by his great-grandmother and a single mom, said he’s focused on “lifting up” Alabamians and providing opportunities for minority children “that go beyond sports.”
Wallace Gilberry, a Republican running to represent Alabama’s newly drawn Second Congressional District, pictured with his great-grandmother. (Wallace Gilberry campaign)
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“My focus is on lifting up the people of Alabama. I’ve been blessed with incredible success, success that came from playing football. I’m running to have a platform to help create opportunities for young men who look like me that go beyond sports,” he said. “More jobs at local businesses, helping entrepreneurs thrive, keeping our communities safe. In order to do that we have to get rid of career politicians, get rid of Joe Biden, and elect people focused on putting the people of Alabama first.”
“I’m going to win this race by telling the truth and doing what’s right for Alabama, it’s pretty simple,” added Gilberry.
Wallace Gilberry of the Cincinnati Bengals during a game against the Steelers at Heinz Field on Nov. 1, 2015, in Pittsburgh. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Gilberry, who spent nine seasons playing in the NFL before returning home to Alabama and reinvesting in his community, has seen his fair share of cultural and social issues on the national stage.
Highlighting two issues that have arisen in recent history, Gilberry slammed the attempted eradication of female sports, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement over its protest of kneeling during the national anthem.
“BLM has way more in common with the KKK than they do MLK,” Gilberry said. “While others were kneeling during the national anthem, my team was standing. We were united as a team, while others were focused on media attention and self-promotion – it was wrong then and it’s wrong now. I’ll always stand to honor those who keep us free.”
Wallace Gilberry of the Bengals sacks quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 6, 2013, in Cincinnati. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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“Allowing men to compete against women, that’s ‘abolishment’ of women’s sports, plain and simple. And we should never allow men into girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. We have to protect women and girls; we can’t let a sex offender put on a wig and lipstick and say he’s a female,” he added.
Gilberry, who grew up a Democrat before establishing his own beliefs about the political system, joins a crowded field of nearly two dozen challengers. All in all, 13 Democrats and eight Republicans have qualified to run for the seat.
Kurt: Even though he is Dallas’ only 2026 draft pick to not sign yet, Lawrence’s current contract situation isn’t having any impact on the team’s culture and what Schottenheimer is trying to do.
There are specific restrictions set within the Collective Bargaining Agreement on how much each rookie can make, based on his draft position. The higher the draft slot, the higher the paycheck. Seems simple, right? However, there are a few items that can be negotiated, such as guaranteed money.
Which is where the Cowboys and Lawrence stand right now, although they’re not alone. Around the league, 15 of the top 21 overall picks have signed, but none of the rookies selected lower in the first round (Nos. 22-32) have inked a deal. Even though they basically have no leverage, they’re all waiting to see how things play out. Once one signs on the dotted line, the other dominoes should quickly fall.
In the meantime, it’s been business as usual for the coaching staff and players. Lawrence has been attending all the workouts and meetings, as well as generally being around to soak up Schottenheimer’s culture.
In other words, Cowboys fans can move right along; there is nothing to see here.Kurt:
The Atlanta Falcons aren’t quite starting over, but there is a lot of new involved with the organization from the top down. One of the factors that made the Falcons an enticing job when nearly 1/3 of teams in the league had head coach openings was the core of young playmakers that had been acquired through years of high draft picks.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was one of those players, taken with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He deputized Kirk Cousins as a rookie before taking over the job full-time with three games remaining. He didn’t quite grow into the bona fide franchise quarterback in year two, before suffering an ACL injury that sidelined him after Week 11.
With a new front office and coaching staff in place, who didn’t draft Penix, NFL Network’s Nick Shook rightly placed Penix Jr. among his 11 players around the league who are in a make-or-break season. Penix is battling both Tua Tagovailoa and his recovery timeline to win, and more importantly, solidify a starting job in Atlanta.
“When he does take the field, though, the pressure will be on,” Shook wrote on NFL Network. “As a former top-10 pick whose brief success as a rookie largely pushed Kirk Cousins out of Atlanta, Penix will be expected to prove he’s continuing to develop, something he struggled to demonstrate in his second season before it ended abruptly with his third ACL tear. Hopefully, he’ll have most of the season to try to make it happen. Otherwise, questions regarding his future will only grow.”
Early mock drafts had the Atlanta Falcons picking an offensive tackle in the top 10 next season. But the fatal flaw in that logic is if the Falcons are selecting top 10 next season, they’ve failed at the quarterback position, and will be targeting a new quarterback in the 2027 draft.
Shook is right, this is potentially a make-or-break year for Penix, but he’s not alone. Let’s take a look at five more Atlanta Falcons who are facing pivotal years.
What about Tua?
It’s not just Penix. The Miami Dolphins took on an NFL record $100 million dead cap hit rather than keep Tua Tagovailoa on the roster. Tagovailoa, still just 28, has a chance to revive his career under Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta and be the next Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield. But if he can’t win and hold onto the job over Penix, he may be seen as a career backup, at best, moving forward.
Remember that guy who single-handedly beat the Saints?
To borrow a line from Coach Carter – “We don’t see Troy Andersen much, but when we do, it’s spectacular.”
Andersen was last seen wrecking the New Orleans Saints in September of 2024. He had 17 tackles, a pick-six, and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He was also hurt in that game. He made a brief attempt at a comeback, but like too many Falcons in the last two years, he was re-injured and hasn’t played since Week 14 of 2024.
Because he missed so much time, his contract didn’t move forward, so the Falcons still had rights on his rookie deal. They restructured it, and he’ll get one final chance to prove he belongs in the NFL.
The new guy
Atlanta signed Jahan Dotson, hoping to improve its lackluster wide receiver room. Doton’s numbers are nothing to write home about. He has 478 yards receiving in the last two seasons combined. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Buried on the depth chart behind DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, targets were hard to come by for Dotson.
He’ll get the chance to prove in Atlanta that he’s a legit WR2 in this league and drastically improve on the $7.5 million the Falcons are paying him this season.
Can a Four-Year Starter be Make-or-Break?
Left guard Matthew Bergeron is in a contract year. He has been solid, if not spectacular, as a three-year starter. Like many of the players on offense, he regressed in 2025. His rookie contract got him a raise from $1.6 million last season to $3.9 million in 2026.
26 guards make at least $10 million per season, according to Spotrac. If Bergeron can establish himself this year as a better-than-average player at his position, he’ll triple his money again next year.
Boom or bust on the DL
Like Bergeron, defensive lineman Zach Harrison is entering a contract year. He was in the midst of a breakout season last year with 3.5 sacks in the first six games. He was injured against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
He missed two games before some roster mismanagement saw him return and play a career high 47 snaps against the Colts after returning from injury. He was reinjured and didn’t take another snap all season.
He’s an ideal fit as a pass-rushing 3-4 defensive end and can do a job kicking inside to defensive tackle every once in a while.
But he’s got to stay on the field.
Honorable Mention: CB Clark Phillips III, DT Maason Smith, LB Christian Harris
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta’s new pro-hockey team is preparing to unveil its logo and name. The hockey team is working to build a strong fan base across the CSRA before it even hits the ice. Supporters say it will be fun and a place for family and friends to come together.
Locals in Augusta have had the opportunity to participate in choosing the teams logo and name for their upcoming season. This gave the community an opportunity to be a part of something that will grow to be huge here in the city.
“This is Augusta’s team, and we want to make an impact on the ice and off the ice in the community. But really have a place where people can come for great, affordable fun, and then we can do great things off the ice as well to positively impact the community. “, says David Hodges, Co-Owner of the Augusta Pro Hockey Team.
Having the new sports team present the name and logo unveil has almost made a sold-out event. With 2,100 plus seats being RSVP’d prior to the start of the event.
The new team will not take the ice until the 2027-2028 season, but excitement is already high. The name and logo reveal event is set for this evening at the Augusta Convention Center (2 10th Street, Augusta, GA 30901), with doors opening at 5:30 PM and ending at 8 PM. You can click here to RSVP for tonight’s event.
Photojournalist: Dania Alawir.
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