Sports
Army veteran reaches new heights with Soldiers to Sidelines charity: ‘Puts our veterans at the forefront’
![Army veteran reaches new heights with Soldiers to Sidelines charity: ‘Puts our veterans at the forefront’](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/maurice-allen.jpg)
Maurice Allen has worn many different hats in life. He is a U.S. Army veteran, a husband, a father and a football coach.
He is also a “soldier coach.”
Allen, a retired Army communications specialist, is just one of the more than 1,800 “soldier coaches” certified through the veteran charity Soldiers to Sidelines that was able to find a renewed purpose after his military service.
Maurice Allen enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2012 and served for four years, which included his deployment to Afghanistan in 2014-15. (Maurice Allen)
“I played high school football. I kind of always knew I wanted to be a coach. I was going to go to play college football out of high school and instead went active duty Army and was stationed at Fort Hood,” Allen told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Allen put his dream of coaching on hold to serve his country and, eventually, to pursue his education. He enlisted in 2012 and served for four years, which included his deployment to Afghanistan in 2014-15.
His story is like many others. However, after completing his service, Allen knew he wanted to return to coaching. With that in mind, he earned his Bachelor’s degree and a Masters of Education in Sports Administration at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and later an Education Specialist degree from Valdosta State University.
During that time, however, Allen was looking for something that was just for veterans. That was when he came across Soldiers to Sidelines.
He reached out to Harrison Bernstein, the president and founder of Soldiers to Sidelines, a veteran service charity organization whose mission is to provide a renewed sense of purpose to members of the military community through coaching while also serving the youth community.
They kept in contact and, eventually, Allen was able to attend one of the Soldiers to Sidelines seminars.
“It’s just an amazing organization that really puts our veterans at the forefront. And it’s something that I strongly believe in, and it’s just been an amazing opportunity.”
![Soldier coaches](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/soldiers-to-sidelines-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The program is free and is available to veterans, service members, military spouses and gold-star families. (Soldiers to Sidelines)
SOLDIERS TO SIDELINES FOUNDER ON A MISSION TO HELP VETERANS AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Bernstein told Fox News Digital that the idea for a coaching program designed for service members came about in 2010 after his time with the Washington Commanders, where he served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for three years.
“I was coaching high school football and a colleague of mine was adamant about helping out service members in the area get involved in coaching football, because the news was just riddled with people coming back from the Middle East looking for purpose, looking for a way to reconnect and to find some renewed happiness and purpose,” Bernstein explained.
“And so it was actually a colleague who suggested that we bring some of the local veterans out to high school football practice and make them part of the team and teach them how to coach football.”
Bernstein admitted that he was not initially interested in the idea. He was working on perfecting his own coaching technique with the hopes of returning to the NFL. But after much persistence, Bernstein obliged and held a seminar that just six people attended. To his surprise, Bernstein’s plans for his future had shifted in that moment and Soldiers to Sidelines was born.
More than 1,800 soldier coaches have now been certified through the program across eight different sports. Veterans make up 38% of certified coaches, while retired and active duty make up another 25% and 27%.
The program is free and available to veterans, service members, military spouses, and gold-star families. After completing the certification process, Soldiers to Sidelines offers continued learning with online coursework, webinars, workshops and more.
Those who have completed the certification process have gone on to coach at all levels. For Bernstein, though, the most impact can be seen in those who coach at the youth level.
![Maurice Allen sidelines](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/maurice-allen.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Maurice Allen is the head football coach at South Paulding High School in Georgia. (Maurice Allen)
Allen currently serves as the head football coach at South Paulding High School in Georgia. He previously coached at different 5A-8A schools across Texas, Florida and Georgia. However, in the spring, Soldiers to Sidelines helped to introduce him to a new opportunity.
Allen became the first soldier coach to land an internship with an NFL team, the New York Jets. He worked with the team during mandatory minicamp and OTAs.
“It was just really, really intriguing just to see how they operate and how they practice, the coaching points and how intricate it is coming from high school up to the NFL,” Allen said. “But just to see the level of detail preparation and the ins and outs of the program and how they communicate with each other and the coaching staff communicate. And it was by far one of the best experiences that I’ve been a part of and made some really good connections and got to learn.”
![Maurice Allen Jets players](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/maurice-allen-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Maurice Allen was the first “soldier coach” to get an internship with an NFL team this past spring. (Maurice Allen)
Allen said the experience opened his eyes to the possibility of coaching at the highest level. For now, he is taking all that he learned and repurposing that knowledge within his own community. He is also looking to continue spreading the mission of Soldiers to Sidelines.
“There’s a team outside of the military that you can join and be a part of, and that’s Soldiers to Sidelines,” Allen said of those service members transitioning out of the military.
“It gives you a purpose, and you can touch so many lives, whether it be youth, middle school, high school, college or the NFL. There’s so many lives and so many people that you can come in contact with and impact. So my message for any veteran out there that is interested or looking to transition, or even if you’re still active duty and you’re coaching a youth or middle school team, Soldiers to Sidelines is for you.”
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Sports
Pirates rookie Paul Skenes makes MLB history after getting selected to MLB All-Star Game
![Pirates rookie Paul Skenes makes MLB history after getting selected to MLB All-Star Game](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/Paul-Skenes-2.jpg)
Pittsburgh Pirates phenom pitcher Paul Skenes has made it to the National League All-Star team, and with the selection comes new MLB history.
Skenes became the first player in league history to be taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft and then named the following year to an All-Star team, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Skenes debuted only two months ago, but the hype has been very real for the LSU product.
Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on July 5, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old made his long-awaited debut on May 11 against the Chicago Cubs, where he mowed down seven hitters, while allowing one homer, six hits and two walks over his innings of work.
Since then, Skenes has earned himself a 2.12 ERA over 10 starts, striking out 78 hitters with just 12 walks. Additionally, the Pirates are 7-3 in games he starts.
PIRATES ROOKIE PHENOM PAUL SKENES MAKES MLB HISTORY WITH ANOTHER DOMINANT OUTING
“You definitely can’t expect it,” Skenes said of his All-Star Game bid, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I think it’s just a product of being present and doing the work that it takes, that kind of thing. The expectation was definitely to win the national championship when we were there. That was the only thing that we wanted to do.
“But in terms of getting drafted first overall, getting called up whenever I was called up, and now the All-Star game, there were no expectations for me. It’s kind of just about doing as much as I can and allowing others to make the decision for me.”
![Paul Skenes pitches](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/Paul-Skenes-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Sporting a triple-digit fastball on the radar gun with some other nasty breaking pitches, Skenes has proven to be the young ace the Pirates hoped he would be one day. They are certainly not complaining that he is already making an impact in the bigs after needing just 12 minor league starts before his debut.
“I think the thing we’re seeing with him is No. 1, he has really elite stuff,” manager Derek Shelton said of Skenes. “The things that we’re seeing on him is his ability to grow within starts. I think even the last two starts, the first couple innings he’s been out of sorts a bit with his mechanics, and we’ve seen him make adjustments and not let games get away from him. That’s a really rare thing for a young pitcher.”
There were several other firsts for National League pitchers alongside Skenes in this year’s All-Star Game, including Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm and San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, among others.
![Paul Skenes looks to pitch](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/Paul-Skenes-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
In fact, each pitcher is either a first- or second-time All-Star except for Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale, who will be pitching in his eighth All-Star Game.
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Sports
'I took the time': Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is ready for Paris Olympics
!['I took the time': Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is ready for Paris Olympics](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/11fdf10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6084x3194+0+431/resize/1200x630!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8a%2Fef%2F357c03c4449892c0f321cc2b73ae%2Fgettyimages-2160337104.jpg)
Speaking to the media for the first time since his postseason was cut short in the first round of the playoffs, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said his injured knee was feeling good, allowing him to participate with Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.
Though the knee issues that caused him to miss the final three games of the Clippers’ series with the Mavericks were concerning enough that Leonard feared he could miss another Olympics, his return to the court over the last month have him reassured.
“I took the time,” he said Sunday. “I was able to turn [it] around over the last two weeks. I’m out here now and I’m having a good time.”
Leonard declined to comment about Paul George’s decision to leave the Clippers in free agency, initially saying he wanted to just answer questions about Team USA. Leonard later clarified that he didn’t have problems with George or his decision to sign elsewhere.
As far as his decision to play this summer in Paris, Leonard said the Clippers were supportive in allowing him to pursue something that he’s passionate about that he hadn’t been able to do previously when asked.
“I’m just able to play right now. So I’m happy to go out there … with these talented players and be able to learn something from them. … I’ve always wanted to play against other talent overseas and just other basketball styles and plays. It’s one of the reason why I love the game. We could all teach each other how to shoot a basketball, but all our jump shots are going to look different.”
Leonard, who has struggled with injuries throughout the second half of his career, said he’s disappointed he hasn’t been healthier, particularly last season when he tried “to play as much as possible.”
“[I] felt great and you know at a certain period of time I couldn’t go,” he said. “I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. You know I don’t want to be in the situation that I [am] in, but I gotta take it for what it is. And you know a lot of people are watching. Supporters or doubters. But I motivate a lot of people.
“So I gotta keep doing what I’m doing.”
Sports
Travis Kelce appears to wipe away tears as Brittany Mahomes comforts him during Taylor Swift Eras Tour stop
![Travis Kelce appears to wipe away tears as Brittany Mahomes comforts him during Taylor Swift Eras Tour stop](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/03/taylor-swift-travis-kelce.jpg)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was spotted in a seemingly emotional state during girlfriend Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour stop.
Videos have popped up on social media showing Kelce in a suite alongside his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, among others, where he appears to be wiping away tears during Swift’s performance in Amsterdam.
Swift was performing a mashup of songs on the piano at the time, which fans believe were dedicated to Kelce, hence the emotion.
Taylor Swift performs in Amsterdam on July 4, 2024. (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
At one point, Brittany Mahomes was seen talking to Kelce, perhaps trying to give the 34-year-old some love as Swift continued to sing onstage.
After the show, Kelce was seen with Swift walking out of the Amsterdam stadium, and he was hyping up the crowd to cheer for his girlfriend after another successful performance.
The songs that Swift was apparently singing during that emotional moment for Kelce was “Mary’s Song,” in which she sang the lyrics, “You’ll be 87, I’ll be 89. I’ll still look at you like the stars that shine. In the sky, oh my my my.” The No. 87 is in reference to Kelce’s jersey number, while No. 89 is the year Swift was born: 1989.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S SAFETY WAS TRAVIS KELCE’S TOP PRIORITY DURING ERAS TOUR PERFORMANCE: ‘DO NOT DROP THE BABY
There was also the song “So High School” off Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which many fans believe is about Kelce. She also sang “Everything Has Changed” in the mashup.
The Mahomes have been present with Kelce this year at a Swift concert, as Brittany and Swift got very close this past season during Chiefs games all over the country.
Kelce has also taken this offseason to join Swift on the Eras Tour stage, surprising fans at a stop in London in late June, supporting her alongside dancers dressed in tuxedos.
“On night 3, something magical happened,” Jason Kelce, Travis’s older brother, said on their “New Heights” podcast during its season 2 finale. “Somehow, you made your way on the stage.”
![Travis Kelce inn a top hat and tuxedo performs with Taylor Swift in a two piece outfit](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/TaylorSwiftTravisKelceStage2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Taylor Swift was joined by her beau, Travis Kelce, during the “Tortured Poets Department” set of her Eras Tour concert in London. (Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
“It’s very unlike me,” Travis replied with a smile. “I don’t love going on stages.
“I initially mentioned it to Tay. I was like, ‘How funny would it be if I just rolled out on one of the bikes during the ’1989′ era?’” he explained to Jason. “She started laughing, and she was like, ‘Would you seriously be up for doing something like that?’ And I was just like, ‘Are you – what? I would love to do that. Are you kidding me?’ I’ve seen the show enough. Might as well put me to work here.’
“She found the perfect, perfect part of the show for me to come in. There was no bike, in case I, like, ran into somebody else or hit one of the dancers or anything. It was like the safest option.”
Swift was seen at one point in Kelce’s arms as he carried her away during the show.
![Taylor Swift looks to her left and smile big on stage split Travis Kelce in his red Chiefs jersey smiles on field](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1200/675/taylor-swift-travis-kelce.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Taylor Swift took her Eras Tour to Australia last month, and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, made a quick visit to see one of her shows in Sydney. (Getty Images)
It’s truly been a summer of love for these two, though Kelce will head back to work in the coming weeks with Chiefs training camp set to get underway.
Fox News’ Caroline Thayer contributed to this report.
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