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Former Washington Tight End Tells All About Life and Football in New Memoir

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Former Washington Tight End Tells All About Life and Football in New Memoir


Born in Washington D.C., former NFL tight end Vernon Davis went to school at the University of Maryland but started his pro football career on the other side of the country with the San Francisco 49ers and wouldn’t return until his 11th season.

As with every NFL Draft pick, the pundits and analysts pick through a player’s abilities as they prepare to turn pro and discuss the transition from college as the biggest hurdle in their new life.

What they may not have known was that Davis had already cleared more hurdles before landing in the NFL than some do their entire lives. Of course, that didn’t make him immune from needing to clear more, like when he was publicly criticized to legendary levels by then 49ers head coach Mike Singletary. The same man who wrote the introduction to Davis’ memoir titled, Playing Ball.

READ MORE: Jayden Daniels Reacts to Being Named Washington Commanders Starting Quarterback

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Former Washington tight end Vernon Davis.

Sep 24, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

“Playing Ball delves into Davis’s astonishing career – from his difficult teenage years as a headstrong athlete to NFL Coach Mike Singletary’s infamous “me-myself-and-I attitude” press conference – to share the hard-won lessons that forged his path to success, and how his new role as a Hollywood star, entrepreneur, and philanthropist is to inspire the value of teamwork in others,” says a press release announcing the book.

It’s a neatly summarized sentence that tells the reader a bit of what to expect when turning the pages. But it’s really just a surface look of the in-depth access Davis allows his readers, and the chance to really get behind the curtain into one NFL player’s existence.

“Weaving personal reflections with frank, real-world advice, this book is more than a memoir. It’s an eye-opening exploration of what winning – on the field and beyond – really means,” said Davis. “In the book, I rewind the tape to reflect on my difficult upbringing, my career and competitive spirit – and the insights about teamwork, leadership, and responsibility that came in the aftermath of Coach Singletary’s press conference, spurring me to transform my life for the better.”

We hear coaches and players talking about facing adversity head-on, and accepting every lesson as a chance to grow. That’s what Davis does here. The introduction of the book starts the story off with his most embarassing professional moment – a key sign of the honesty that’s about to be delivered from there.

And he hopes his own honesty will help others.

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“After such a long journey and football career, I learned that life is about much more than me. It’s about helping others and inspiring people to be the best versions of themselves. I did that by showing resilience, determination, stamina, and by giving everything I had to give to challenge myself to succeed,” Davis writes in the book.

In his post-NFL life Davis is acting and producing feature films working with the likes of Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and more. He’s also founded two production companies – Reel 85 and Between the Linez Production.

You can read Playing Ball by purchasing it in hardcover or digitally through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and other locations.

READ MORE: Washington Commanders Receiver Discusses ‘Smooth’ Connection With QB Jayden Daniels

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

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Capitals Acquire a Conditional First-Round Pick in Either 2026 or 2027 and a 2027 Third-Round Pick from Anaheim for John Carlson | Washington Capitals

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Capitals Acquire a Conditional First-Round Pick in Either 2026 or 2027 and a 2027 Third-Round Pick from Anaheim for John Carlson | Washington Capitals


The Washington Capitals have acquired a conditional first-round pick in either the 2026 NHL Draft or the 2027 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman John Carlson, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Should Anaheim qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anaheim will transfer its 2026 first-round pick to Washington. If Anaheim fails to qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anaheim has the option to retain its 2026 first-round pick and transfer its 2027 first-round pick to Washington instead.

“Since joining our organization 17 years ago, John Carlson has exemplified what it means to be a Washington Capital every day,” said Patrick. “John’s determination, leadership, persistence and skill helped our franchise reach new heights and cemented him as a cornerstone and one of the greatest players in Capitals history. His contributions to our organization and the Washington, D.C., community both on and off the ice have been immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for everything John has given to our team and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward with Anaheim.”

The Capitals own 22 total picks in the next three drafts, including four first-round selections and nine picks in the first three rounds. Washington also acquired a 2029 second-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights on March 5.

Carlson, 36, recorded 46 points (10g, 36a) in 55 games with the Capitals this season and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Carlson has played his entire 17-season career with the Capitals and is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,143), goals (166), assists (605) and points (771) among defensemen. The Natick, Massachusetts native helped lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, and led all defensemen in playoff scoring with 20 points (5g, 15a) in 24 games played. Carlson was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.

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Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

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Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey


WASHINGTON TWP., N.J. — Officers in Washington Township, said they finished a DoorDash food delivery after arresting the driver who had warrants out for his arrest.

Body camera video shows officers stepping in to deliver the food themselves, a move the department in southern New Jersey later shared on its Facebook page.

“I thought something happened. Oh my God, I got so scared,” said the customer when she answered the door.

The DoorDash customer, seen on police body cam video, was instantly relieved and appreciative upon learning why officers were at her door.

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“Arrested your driver, but, yeah, we delivered your food,” one of the officers said.

It turns out a Washington Township police officer stopped the DoorDash driver during routine patrols in front of a high school over the weekend.

“He made a stop on it for a violation,” said Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik.

But then, Chief Gurcsik said the officer learned the driver had warrants out for his arrest in another county.

“He made the officers aware that he had two DoorDash meals in the car that he was in the middle of delivering,” Gurcsik said.

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The officers went from cuffing the driver to ringing a doorbell to finish his delivery.

“I never heard of anything like that in the South Jersey area. It’s sort of a first for us here in Washington Township, definitely,” Gurcsik said.

Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

It’s happened in other places, too, including in New Mexico last summer, when a motorcycle cop delivered someone’s Chick-fil-A order after arresting the driver.

“Hello, sir, got your DoorDash. Oh, thank you,” the officer said. “He’s a good kid, give him five stars. He just didn’t take care of a simple insurance ticket.”

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And officers over in Arizona made a similar arrest during a traffic stop and were seen on body camera finishing the delivery.

“Your GrubHub, still delivered your pizza,” the officer said.

“We definitely serve the community in more ways than one,” Gurcsik said.

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Holdout Democrats leave WA House support for income tax in doubt

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Holdout Democrats leave WA House support for income tax in doubt


The votes weren’t there yet late Wednesday for Democrats’ income tax bill in the Washington state House.Democratic members are withholding support for the proposed income tax on millionaires, saying they want to see if a new version of the controversial legislation, possibly due out Thursday, will satisfy their concerns.



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