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How the Broncos were able to keep the Russell Wilson trade with Seahawks a secret

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The commerce that rocked the NFL — Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos — wasn’t full till the meticulous quarterback made a secret journey to Colorado final week to test the ultimate field.

Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks star quarterback anticipated to return the Broncos to relevance after six playoff-free seasons, needed to waive his no-trade clause, and to do this he wanted to see the scenario for himself.

That meant assembly common supervisor George Paton and new coach Nathaniel Hackett and ensuring he and his household could be joyful after a wildly profitable decade in Seattle. Wilson’s 113 wins within the first decade of his profession set an NFL document, and he made 9 Professional Bowls and two Tremendous Bowls, considered one of which the Seahawks gained.

“I wished to ensure it was an ideal match for me. As soon as I met with George and coach Hackett, I used to be like, ‘OK this might work for a very long time.’ ” stated Wilson, 33, stated in a information convention Wednesday at staff headquarters to formally announce the deal.

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Wilson and Hackett wore an identical blue sports activities coats, white shirts and orange ties, a sign maybe of their like-minded pursuit of successful.

For Paton, who grew up in La Canãda-Flintridge and performed soccer at Loyola Excessive and UCLA, the commerce was by far his largest participant transaction since taking the job as Broncos GM final offseason. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for the previous Minnesota Vikings govt, who additionally employed Hackett throughout that span.

Paton consulted Hackett earlier than pursuing Wilson, and requested the coach if he wished to check video on the quarterback.

“I wished him to look at the tape,” the GM stated. “[Hackett] stated ‘I don’t want to look at the tape, he’s kicked my … a few years.’ ”

The NFL rumor mill had the Broncos pursuing a commerce for Inexperienced Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and that hypothesis solely elevated when Paton employed Hackett, the Packers’ offensive coordinator. Essentially, Paton hadn’t talked to the Packers a couple of deal for Rodgers because the spring of 2021.

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He was zeroed in on Wilson, and the Seattle Seahawks have been open to discussions. The Seahawks stated in a press release Wednesday that it was Wilson who “made it clear he wished a change,” one thing the quarterback denies.

Both approach, the conversations between Paton and Seahawks common supervisor John Schneider began in late January on the Battle Home Renaissance in Cellular, Ala., when the 2 have been on the town for the Senior Bowl. They continued a month later on the scouting mix, the place the 2 met 4 nights in a row in a quiet sales space at Loughmillers, a pub in Indianapolis that wasn’t as crawling with NFL personnel as different hangouts.

Requested that week about curiosity in Wilson from different groups, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll advised reporters: “This time of 12 months, there’s conversations about everyone. We speak about everyone.”

Behind the scenes, Wilson to the Broncos was gathering steam. The mix ended Monday, March 7, and from their respective staff headquarters that night Paton and Schneider hammered out a blockbuster deal. In alternate for Wilson and a fourth-rounder, Denver despatched the Seahawks two first-rounders, two second-rounders, a fifth-rounder, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive deal with Shelby Harris and tight finish Noah Fant. Contemplating the gamers and picks concerned, it was the modern-day model of Dallas buying and selling Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989.

“Clearly, these sort of offers you need to hold quiet,” Paton stated. “You by no means know what can occur with a deal like this if it will get out. Does one other staff get entangled? Do they modify their thoughts? So we’re lucky. It was a tight-knit group who knew and issues don’t get out in our constructing. I credit score Seattle, clearly John and Pete it didn’t get on the market, after which Russell’s camp. Three camps saved it shut.”

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On that Tuesday morning, the information out of Inexperienced Bay was that Rodgers was staying with the Packers. There was widespread disappointment amongst Denver followers who thought the four-time Most Beneficial Participant could be main their group, which had missed the postseason yearly since Manning retired after the 2015 season.

Throughout the Broncos inside sanctum, solely pleasure. Wilson had been the true goal for weeks. Down the stretch, the quarterback had been texting with Corridor of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning to ask him his experiences with the group. Not solely had Wilson watched all 17 of Denver’s regular-season video games, but in addition he had even studied the preseason.

“Speaking to him was nearly like speaking with a scout,” Paton stated. “He knew the positives, the negatives, what the strengths of the staff are, how are we going to enhance right here, what are our wants. He actually talked like a seasoned personnel govt in discussing the staff.”

Broncos new beginning quarterback Russell Wilson is joined by (from left) daughter Sienna, sons Future and Win and spouse Ciara throughout an introductory information convention in Denver.

(David Zalubowski / Related Press)

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Information of the Wilson commerce broke inside a few hours after the Rodgers improvement, when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Tremendous Bowl-winning quarterback from the Seahawks was switching groups. Simply earlier than that, figuring out phrase was getting out, Paton advised his brothers and sister, merely texting them a Photoshopped image of Wilson in a Broncos jersey. He additionally known as the Broncos gamers to tell them they’d been traded.

The general public within the Broncos group discovered the information through Twitter, and staff headquarters erupted in hoots, hollers and high-fives when the phrase unfold. Hackett cranked up the 2004 hit music “One, Two Step” by Wilson’s Grammy-winning spouse, Ciara, that echoed via the constructing.

Automated, supersonic,

Hypnotic, funky recent,

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Work my physique,

So melodic,

This beat rolls proper via my chest

What only some members of the group knew was that Wilson was already within the air and on his method to Denver.

The night time earlier than, after reaching a take care of the Seahawks, Paton known as Kelly Kleine, govt director of soccer operations, into his workplace to inform her the Wilson deal was completed. He requested her to get a Broncos jersey prepared and Denver present baskets for Wilson’s spouse and three youngsters, a gesture the staff often extends to new gamers and coaches.

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Kleine assembled a basket for Ciara that included Broncos hats, shirts, a candle, key chain, Colorado snacks and the like. The youngsters bought staff teddy bears, lollipops, ski hats and Colorado coloring books.

For the quarterback, the membership put collectively a 10-page booklet that mentioned the historical past, alumni and traditions of the Broncos, had photos of everybody within the group, and outlined the charity alternatives in Denver, in line with Wilson’s career-long dedication to Seattle Youngsters’s Hospital.

It was additionally essential to increase the circle of Broncos workers within the know. Kleine known as gear supervisor Flip Valenti and advised him she wanted a No. 3 jersey with Wilson on the again. He fortunately complied, figuring out what that meant.

However regardless that the groups had agreed to a commerce, the deal technically wasn’t accomplished. Wilson nonetheless needed to conform to it, and the gamers concerned all needed to go their bodily examinations.

The unique plan was for Paton, Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten and passing recreation coordinator Klint Kubiak to fly to the Caribbean on Tuesday to fulfill with the vacationing Wilsons in St. Barts. However getting there, particularly worldwide journey on such brief discover, proved too difficult.

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So the quarterback got here to them, with Wilson and his spouse flying to Denver on Tuesday of their modern, black personal jet, accompanied by agent Mark Rodgers and a pair of safety guards.

As a substitute of bringing Wilson into staff headquarters, the Broncos quietly embellished a banquet room within the neighboring fieldhouse, and had the 2 SUVs transporting the entourage via a tunnel and park on the fringe of the sphere. There, Paton and Hackett have been ready to welcome them with handshakes and hugs.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson waves to fans as he leaves the field.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson waves to followers as he leaves the sphere after a recreation towards the Rams on Oct. 7, 2021, in Seattle.

(Elaine Thompson / Related Press)

This was the end result of weeks of commerce talks, and stood in stark distinction to the primary Broncos go to by Manning nearly 10 years to the day. That was a media circus, with dozens of reporters on the facility — together with followers attempting to catch a glimpse of the star quarterback — and information helicopters hovering overhead.

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There was no fieldhouse again then. In an effort to persuade Manning to signal, nevertheless, staff president Joe Ellis unfurled blueprints to indicate plans for reworking staff headquarters.

The glitzy facility was completed in 2014 and allowed for the Broncos to drag off the Wilson go to in close to silence.

Kleine had stocked the banquet room with a wholesome buffet of recent fruit, salads and wraps. One wall of the room is a big window going through staff headquarters, so solar spilled in and illuminated a protracted desk embellished with two Broncos helmets and an orange Wilson jersey. Framed on the wall is the No. 58 jersey of iconic go rusher Von Miller, who turned out to be a key a part of the deal for the quarterback.

In November, the Rams traded their second- and third-round picks on this 12 months’s draft as a part of a deal for Miller. Absent these picks, the Broncos would have been extra circumspect about giving up as a lot as they did for Wilson, particularly in mild of Paton’s philosophy of constructing via the draft.

The Broncos staff retailer, which is open to the general public, is a part of the fieldhouse. The membership closed it for Wilson’s go to, and Ciara shopped for extra gear whereas her husband met along with his new coaches and mentioned soccer methods for hours.

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Additionally within the fieldhouse is the Broncos’ radio studio, and phrase leaked to paint analyst and legendary security Steve Atwater that Wilson was within the constructing. He requested Patrick Smyth, the membership’s chief communications officer, if he might say good day to the quarterback.

“What quantity have been you as a Corridor of Famer?” Smyth playfully requested Atwater, a member of the Canton class of 2020. “In fact you possibly can say hello to him.”

That night time, earlier than the Wilsons boarded their aircraft again to St. Barts, the staff hosted a dinner for them at Elway’s, a downtown steakhouse throughout the Ritz-Carlton. They ate in a non-public room, which they accessed through the kitchen, and clinked glasses of Veuve champagne. Paton gave a heat toast, and Wilson adopted with an extended one wherein he talked about teamwork, household and new beginnings.

“His put mine to disgrace,” Paton stated. “He was actually eloquent and wished to inform everybody what he’s all about. Simply appreciated being right here and wished everybody to know that he’s all about successful.”

After trying to find years for his or her subsequent reply at quarterback, the Broncos out of the blue are related once more and within the combine to get again into the playoffs. That was far much less prone to occur with Lock or Teddy Bridgewater underneath heart.

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“You’re in a bubble while you’re on this place,” Paton stated. “So it simply looks like a part of the job. You don’t actually perceive how huge it’s till you go to your child’s hockey recreation, otherwise you stroll into our constructing and persons are crying.”

The Wilson deal was accomplished March 8, which the Broncos hope might be a fateful day of their historical past. That’s additionally the birthday of Paton’s father, Tom, a longtime highschool coach within the San Gabriel Valley who died in November and was immensely pleased with three sons and a daughter.

“Blissful birthday, Tom Paton,” George’s spouse, Barb, wrote in a bunch textual content to the household. “We bought you a quarterback.”

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Army veteran reaches new heights with Soldiers to Sidelines charity: ‘Puts our veterans at the forefront’

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Army veteran reaches new heights with Soldiers to Sidelines charity: ‘Puts our veterans at the forefront’

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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.” 

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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. 

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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.”

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Soldier coaches

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. 

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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

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. 

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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

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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Column: El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl on the Fourth of July needs to be an L.A. staple

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Column: El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl on the Fourth of July needs to be an L.A. staple

They have to do this again.

And again.

And again.

The Galaxy and LAFC have to play at the Rose Bowl every Fourth of July.

Otherwise, when will the 102-year-old stadium ever come to life? UCLA’s football team barely has any fans, and the ones they have are completely beaten down.

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Almost by accident, the Galaxy and LAFC have created something that has the potential to be a real Los Angeles tradition, and they would be shortsighted to not stage this event a third time and fourth time and 50th time.

“I love the game,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said.

Consider this: Vanney’s team lost, 2-1.

Vanney was extremely critical of his players, calling their play in the first half “purposeless,” but that didn’t distort his view of the stands.

The 70,076 fans who packed the stadium. The choreographed drum beats and chants that started hours before the game. The boos that were directed at LAFC striker Denis Bouanga as he lined up to take his 44th-minute penalty kick and the cheers that erupted when he scored. The flare that was ignited behind the south goal in the closing minutes of the game and blanketed the field with smoke.

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“I just think in MLS, there’s only so many opportunities you have in a season to create an environment like this where it feels like a playoff atmosphere,” Vanney said. “It feels like a bigger game than just another derby or another MLS game.”

Vanney’s opinion could be important in making the game a permanent fixture on the calendar.

Highlights from LAFC’s 2-1 win over the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl on Thursday night.

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In their two games against LAFC at the Rose Bowl, the Galaxy were the hosts both times. They essentially gave up a home game to play at a neutral site but didn’t mind doing so in part because they had two other dates against their crosstown rivals: once at their Dignity Health Sports Park and once at LAFC’s BMO Stadium.

MLS’s expansion next year could change that, as the league will be adding a 30th team, San Diego FC.

“The league hasn’t officially given us direction on what the schedule would be next year,” said Tom Braun, the Galaxy’s president of business operations and chief operating officer.

Braun continued, “You would think though, with 30 teams, is there a possibility that we play a team a third time? Maybe. But was that for sure? We don’t know if it’s for sure yet. If we’re playing a home-and-home we’d have to take a close look at it.”

In other words, assuming the Galaxy would remain the home team in any future Rose Bowl game — the stadium was their home in their first seven years of existence, from 1996 to 2002 — would they give up home-field advantage to build a new holiday tradition?

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“The sporting side,” including Vanney, would be consulted, according to Braun.

“Our number one priority is giving our team the best opportunity to win,” Braun said.

Galaxy defender Jalen Neal touches LAFC striker Kei Kamara while they jostle for position on the pitch during a match.

Galaxy defender Jalen Neal touches LAFC striker Kei Kamara while they jostle for position on the pitch during Thursday’s match at the Rose Bowl.

For what it’s worth, it looked as if there were four or five times as many white Galaxy jerseys in the stands than black LAFC tops. If any team enjoyed home-field advantage, it was the Galaxy.

Vanney deferred to his team’s business operations, saying, “There’s a lot of people behind the scenes who have to make this happen and have to sell tickets and have to do a lot of things to help this stadium look as it did tonight. … But, again, from a competitive standpoint, I love the game because I think it has a bit of a special feeling when the guys come out and play.”

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Vanney was right. There are non-soccer considerations.

Strong ticket sales are required for any future games at the Rose Bowl to make financial sense for the Galaxy, since they would be renters. They own Dignity Health Sports Park.

Corporate sponsorships could be affected. The fan experience could be too.

At the same time, Braun said appreciated the importance of playing a game like this at the Rose Bowl.

“Building our brand and building our sport in this country, it’s important,” he said. “You never know what you’re doing on Fourth of July until the last minute. I think this gives fans and Angelenos a really cool event to come to and mark on the calendar.”

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And to think, the first Rose Bowl Trafico was originally intended to open the MLS season last year and only pushed back to July 4 because of severe winter weather. The game last year, a 2-1 win by the Galaxy, attracted an MLS-record 82,110 fans. Dignity Health Sports Park holds 27,000 fans.

“Building our brand and building our sport in this country, it’s important,” Braun said. “I think it takes a special match to be able to take it to the Rose Bowl “

El Tráfico is a special match.

In the seven years since LAFC joined the league, it has become MLS’s best rivalry. It has arguably become Los Angeles’ best rivalry in any sport.

The Dodgers hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks and Harry Connick Jr. performed at the Hollywood Bowl, but the Rose Bowl was the place to be on the Fourth of July. El Tráfico can be to the Fourth of July what boxing is to Cinco de Mayo, what the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions are to Thanksgiving or what the Rose Bowl Game is to New Year’s Day.

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For teams that continue to fight for visibility in a congested market, this is worth protecting and building on, whatever the cost.

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Top boxing organization expels Ryan Garcia after hateful comments

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Top boxing organization expels Ryan Garcia after hateful comments

Boxer Ryan Garcia was expelled from one of the top organizations on Thursday after he made racist remarks about Black people and George Floyd as well as anti-Muslim comments.

Garcia made the remarks in an X Space and it quickly went viral.

Boxer Ryan Garcia is shown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 17, 2024. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman announced on X that Garcia had been expelled from the organization. 

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“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman wrote on X. “We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”

He went on another rant on X before the expulsion was handed down, trying to defend some of his remarks.

Fox News Digital reached out to Garcia’s representatives for comment.

Ryan Garcia at his presser

Ryan Garcia speaks onstage at Palladium Times Square in New York City on Feb. 27, 2024. (Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images)

Garcia was suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission for one year last month after a positive test for a banned substance after his fight against Devin Haney in April.

He later wrote on X that he was “officially retired” and claimed to be headed to the UFC. He’s pushed back on any notion he had a banned substance in his system against Haney.

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He tested positive for Ostarine, which is not a steroid but can stimulate muscle growth and thus is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances.

Ryan Garcia at Davis vs. Martin

Ryan Garcia arrives at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on June 15, 2024. (Cassy Athena/Getty Images)

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Garcia and his team said at the time he was a “victim of substance contamination, with levels measured in the billions and trillions of a gram, which provided no advantage whatsoever in the ring.”

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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