Tag: Fans

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels shares appreciation for team’s fans

Jayden Daniels shares his appreciation for Washington fans.

Jayden Daniels is already one of the NFL’s most popular players. The Washington Commanders quarterback broke numerous team, rookie and NFL records in 2024 on his way to being named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Daniels’ jersey was a big seller, too. He led all NFL players in jersey sales, and his No. 5 jersey was also a big seller internationally, as well.

With his success as a rookie, Daniels not only brought back previous Washington fans but also helped create new ones. Games at Northwest Stadium often featured more of the opposing team’s fans than Washington’s. That began to change in 2024, with many Commanders’ fans donning Daniels’ popular No. 5 jersey.

More than once, Daniels shared his appreciation for Washington fans. During Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Daniels spoke with Kevin Clark of the “This is Football” podcast, where the star rookie again shared his love for the franchise’s fan base.

“The fanbase,” Daniels said when Clark asked him what his favorite thing about the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) had been since arriving there last spring.

“I love riding to a game and seeing everybody tailgating, all the flags and everything; they are very passionate.”

When the Commanders lost to the Eagles in the NFC championship game, several Washington fans were waiting at the airport in the early morning to greet the team. Daniels stopped, signed autographs, and took pictures with every fan there.

Commanders fans can finally say, “We’ve got our quarterback.”

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins posts heartwarming message ahead of Super Bowl LIX

See what #Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins had to say to his fans ahead of Kansas City’s matchup against the Philadelphia #Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is gearing up to play in the first Super Bowl for the first time in his illustrious career

Hopkins, who came from humble beginnings in South Carolina and was raised by a single parent, took to Twitter on Monday to encourage kids with a similar background to chase their dreams, work hard, and believe in themselves.

The All-Pro wideout’s message resonated with fans, who were pleased to see that the veteran receiver was using his platform to advocate for those in lesser-served communities ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

Read Hopkins’ heartwarming message, which was posted to his official Twitter account on Monday:

Hopkins is considered one of the most exciting pass-catchers in the NFL and has a chance to earn his first Super Bowl ring as part of Kansas City’s three-peat effort.

Expect the veteran wideout to have a big game when the Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX next weekend.

LOOK: Mavs fans protest with mock funeral after Luka Doncic trade to Lakers

Many Dallas Mavericks fans flocked to the American Airlines Center before Sunday’s NHL game between the Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets to protest after learning their franchise player Luka Doncic had been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis through a sudden, single-team negotiation. Some of them even brought a fake coffin to symbolize that their love for the team had died after the shocking move.

Check out the pictures that, in some years, might be remembered as historic.

Watch: Fans welcome Commanders home after NFC championship loss to Eagles

Fans greet the Commanders after their return home.

Although things didn’t end as they wanted, the 2024 season is one the Washington Commanders will never forget. Going from 4-13 one year ago to the NFC championship this season, it’s one of the best turnarounds in the history of professional sports.

More importantly, the Commanders finally have a quarterback. Jayden Daniels thrilled fans all season, becoming the best-selling NFL jersey and putting the team on his back to win two road playoff games before things ended in the NFC championship to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Because of their newfound success, several fans returned after abandoning the team due to former owner Daniel Snyder. Having an electric quarterback like Daniels helped create new fans. Washington had large turnouts for each of its three road playoff games.

So, on Sunday night, fans wanted to show support for the Commanders after their season ended. When Washington players and staff arrived at Dulles Aiport late on Sunday, several fans were there to greet them.

Daniels even stopped to sign autographs for several waiting fans, courtesy of Leslie Moreno of WUSA 9.

For the first time in a long time, there is real optimism heading into the season. The Commanders finished 12-5 and enter the offseason with the third-most salary cap room in the NFL.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: ‘I let my play do the talking’

Jayden Daniels lets his play do the talking.

When you’re a star quarterback, you quickly draw the ire of opposing fans. That’s precisely where Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is these days.

Daniels broke numerous rookie records and took Washington on the road to earn upset wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Washington fans love Daniels, buying his jerseys and other memorabilia. But other teams, not so much.

In last week’s win over the Lions, Daniels heard plenty of trash talk from a raucous Detroit crowd. It didn’t faze him. Ultimately, Daniels got the last laugh, passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He finished the game with a 122.9 QB rating and an unbelievable 91.8 QBR.

As for that trash talk, Daniels lets others do that. He lets his play do the talking.

“Nah, it wasn’t even, no back and forth,” Daniels said when asked if the trash talking from fans riles him up.

“You know, they’re rightfully so talking. They’re trashing [trash talking] and I didn’t really say anything. It was just kind of just let my play do the talking.”

Daniels is built differently. Nothing fazes him. On Sunday, he’ll have his biggest challenge yet, facing the Eagles in front of a rowdy, sold-out Philadelphia crowd.

You can believe they will be saying some not-so-nice things to Daniels. He doesn’t care. He’ll stand on his play.

NBA All-Star vote: Players who are more popular with fans than peers

The 2025 All-Star Game starters were announced Thursday, and as per usual, we had some snubs and some weird votes. The difference between fan vote and player vote in the All-Star Game in the last eight years is huge in some cases. Here are the …

The 2025 All-Star Game starters were announced Thursday, and as per usual, we had some snubs and some weird votes. The difference between fan vote and player vote in the All-Star Game in the last eight years is huge in some cases.

Here are the players who have consistently been more popular with fans than peers under the current voting system. (We’re only listing players with at least five seasons getting votes under that system).

Mickey Loomis says negative feedback from fans not ‘a big problem’

New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis says negative feedback from fans is not ‘a big problem’ for him, but he understands criticism comes from passion:

Public confidence in Mickey Loomis has never been at a lower point than it is right now. The New Orleans Saints general manager is the longest-tenured executive among his peers around the league, but he’s put the team in a tight spot by maxing out the salary cap credit card on Dennis Allen’s vision for the team. The Saints haven’t reached the playoffs in four years.

“Wanted” posters laying out the poor decisions Loomis has made cover streets surrounding the Caesars Superdome, and you can’t talk about the Saints online without someone calling for his job. But Loomis said Monday that kind of negative feedback isn’t a real concern to him.

“People that I’ve run into, fans et cetera, they’re generally positive with me,” Loomis told reporters in his end-of-year press conference. “The occasional negative attitude, that’s just part of the job. That’s part of what we sign up for. And I try to not let it effect me, I don’t think it effects my family too much. I wouldn’t say that that’s a big problem. But I understand it. That’s the advantage, or the disadvantage of having such a passionate fanbase, is that when things aren’t going well they’ll be passionate in the other direction. I understand that. It’s understandable.”

That criticism comes from passion, and Loomis gave the closest thing yet to an acknowledgement that it’s valid. The team just hasn’t been good enough lately. And he wants to get them on the right track as badly as anyone watching from the stands or their living room.

Later, Loomis added, “I have a love for the community, a love for New Orleans. I wasn’t originally from here but I like to tell people I’m from here now. I know how much the success of our team impacts our city. So I take it personal when we’re not successful. All of our guys take it personal. That’s just part of being in New Orleans, it gets in your blood, into your soul. So not having a successful season is painful. I’m as determined as ever to get us back in the playoffs, back on the right track here.”

Those words mean a lot. But actions speak louder. Loomis must get the Saints back to the postseason, one way or another, and it might mean inspecting his own weaknesses as an executive. It’s felt like every Saints offseason has been more important than the last. But the work they’ll do in 2025 may determine more about their future than any of the last few offseasons that preceded it.

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George Pickens shares heartfelt message following Steelers controversy

George Pickens addressed Pittsburgh Steelers fans with a heartfelt message, possibly clarifying his controversial comments on the offense.

In what can only be described as a rollercoaster of emotions for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, George Pickens has shared a heartfelt message with the Black and Gold faithful.

Some may see the message as an attempt to clear the air following a controversial answer to a reporter’s question about optimism in the Steelers’ offense. In that response, Pickens claimed not to be optimistic about the offensive unit moving forward.

This led many, including myself, to believe that the ‘Pickens 2025 trade‘ rumors held more weight than previously realized, and that the receiver could see the writing on the wall.

Following all of this, Pickens posted the following message on social media:

“Love yall boys/girls Steelers nation.  We’ll be back!! Much love”

With his message in mind, however, it seems more likely that his post-game comments were a misunderstanding rather than a reflection of frustrations with the offense.

Still, this doesn’t take away from the dramatic season he had in 2024. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are hesitant to sign him to a long-term extension, trading him away may not be the worst idea in the world.

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Zach Allen says Broncos want to give fans something to be proud of

“The support they give us is huge and we just want to reciprocate it,” Zach Allen said of Broncos fans.

After an eight-year playoff drought, the Denver Broncos are finally returning to the postseason, and fan hype has been through the roof.

After defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 38-0 on Sunday, Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen was asked about how important was for the city of Denver to have its NFL team back in the playoffs.

“That was also a big reason why I came here, was the fans,” Allen said. “I was in Arizona, and it felt like every other fan was a Broncos fan when I was living there. They take over not only this city, but this country.

“The support they give us is huge and we just want to reciprocate it, and to be able to give them something they can be proud of is something we take great pride in and we’re very excited about that.”

Allen signed a three-year, $45,750,000 contract with Denver in 2023. He’s had a brilliant second season with the Broncos, totaling 61 tackles, 40 quarterback hits and 8.5 sacks in 16 games. Allen and Co. will aim to make fans proud when they face the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday.

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George Pickens clashes with Steelers fans in frustrating Week 18 loss

George Pickens fires back at Steelers fans with trash talk after Week 18 loss, adding fuel to an already tense playoff atmosphere.

George Pickens appears to be one of the most disliked and disgruntled Steelers players in Pittsburgh right now, and it isn’t just for his poor Week 18 performance.

Fans of the Black and Gold are among the most outspoken and passionate in the NFL, and Pickens seems to have taken exception to their anger following the team’s Week 18 loss.

In what can only be described as the perfect storm—Steelers fans’ passion colliding with Pickens’ immaturity—viewers of the Week 18 AFC North contest between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati witnessed the Steelers receiver engaging in a heated exchange with fans in attendance.

While it may have seemed innocent enough at first glance, nothing involving Pickens ever is. The last thing the Pittsburgh Steelers need after their disappointing Week 18 loss is further distractions heading into the playoffs.

Pickens has shown inconsistency and immaturity in his decisions throughout this season, leaving his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers uncertain as the team approaches 2025.

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