Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

IndyCar's Josef Newgarden Had No Idea Who 'RHOSLC' Cast Was During Cameo

Indycars Josef Newgarden Had No Idea Who Housewives Were During Cameo
Josef Newgarden. Jason Mendez/Getty Images

Despite the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City fangirling at the sight of him, IndyCar driver Josef Newgarden was left stumped after making an appearance on the Bravo reality series. 

Newgarden, 34, made a cameo on a November 2024 episode of the show, in which Bronwyn Newport treated the cast to a trip to an IndyCar race in Thermal, California, outside Palm Springs. Upon Newgarden meeting the Housewives at the track, Newport called him “the handsomest” and cast member Lisa Barlow yelled, “Take your shirt off!”

The women even tried setting up Newgarden with single cast member Heather Gay, but were told Newgarden is married to his wife, Ashley Welch, and that the couple share 2-year-old son Kota

“I didn’t even know what was happening,” Newgarden admitted in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly “I’m serious, this is the way this stuff happens. We’re at the track, we’re at this race. Someone pops into our engineering office and they’re like, ‘Hey, there’s some people that are here, there’s some guests. Can you please come out and say hi?’”

Indycars Josef Newgarden Had No Idea Who Housewives Were During Cameo
Koury Angelo/Bravo

Indy 500 Winner Josef Newgarden and Wife Ashley Welch’s Relationship Timeline

Newgarden continued, “I came out and I said hi to everybody. They’re like, ‘They’re going to film you, so don’t worry about it.’ I’m like, ‘OK, no problem.’ And then you don’t hear anything about it for a couple months, right? And then I get all these texts when the show is on. I don’t know this show. I have not seen it.”

The driver had “no idea” his interaction with the Housewives would be featured on the show, but called them “super sweet.”

After the episode aired, Newgarden joked about the surprising demographic that responded the most to his Bravo debut. 

“You know what was funny? You get texts from husbands,” Newgarden said. “It’s all men. Every text message was from a guy and they were like, ‘I was watching with my wife,’ or, ‘My wife had it on TV and I noticed you were on there. That’s kinda cool.’ I got like 20 texts like that. I thought it was really funny.”

Outside of his newfound Housewives fame, Newgarden is also the face of IndyCar’s inaugural season on Fox, which officially kicks off on March 2. Newgarden is featured in a flashy commercial to promote the collaboration, which spotlights Newgarden’s chiseled jawline and features an appearance from Tom Brady

For Newgarden, being in such a place of prominence for IndyCar is not something he takes lightly. 

“I care about the growth of the sport, just being a competitor and loving IndyCar,” he said. “I want to see it reach the highest highs it can. I remember when I was younger, IndyCar used to be a household name in North America. It reached beyond just America. It was a global sport. I think it can get back to that point.”

Newgarden added, “I care deeply about its representation and the way it’s perceived. I think Fox is really going to capture the essence of what IndyCar is, the cool factor of it. Because it’s always been right there. It’s just a matter of exposure.”

Fox’s coverage of the 2025 IndyCar season starts with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Sunday, March 2. 

How Meredith Gaudreau Spent Her 1st Birthday Since Death of Husband Johnny

How Meredith Gaudreau Spent Her 1st Birthday Since Death of Hubby Johnny
Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

Meredith Gaudreau spent her first birthday since the death of her husband, Johnny, surrounded by her children and loved ones. 

The birthday celebration happened on Monday, January 20, nearly five months after Johnny, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, were killed by a drunk driver while riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey in August 2024. 

In a photo shared via Instagram by her sister, Lily, Meredith was seen blowing out birthday candles while holding her daughter, Noa, 2 months, and son, Johnny, 22 months. 

“Happy birthday Dith!!” Lily wrote, as Noa and Johnny looked on wide-eyed.

Meredith Gaudreau Got a Tattoo Using the Ashes of Her Late Husband Johnny

In another photo shared by Lily, which was reposted by Meredith, she and Johnny were seen fast asleep on the floor. 

“Birthday naps,” Lily wrote. 

Meredith was also on the receiving end of birthday messages from some of her best friends, including some famous hockey WAGs. 

Claudia Mangiapane, the wife of Calgary Flames star Andrew Mangiapane, shared a picture from her wedding day standing alongside Meredith. Andrew and Johnny played together for four years in Calgary. 

How Meredith Gaudreau Spent Her 1st Birthday Since Death of Hubby Johnny
Courtesy of Lily Morris/Instagram

“Happy birthday to the person who knows me better than I know myself and who’s been there through every high and every low (and every dinner table high-low),” Claudia shared via her Instagram Story. “I’m forever grateful for you, for John, and for the kids. Our chosen family. Even luckier to call you my best friend. Sister actually.”

Claudia continued, “Here’s to a lifetime of laughs and tears together. Love you more than words can even say.”

Ryen Hendricks, the girlfriend of Boston Bruins defenseman Ryan Peeke, called Meredith “the most beautiful woman inside and out” in a birthday message posted via her Instagram Story.

Why the Gaudreau Brothers’ Heartbreaking Tragedy Captured Everyone's Attention

At a memorial service for Johnny and Matthew in September 2024, Meredith revealed she was nine weeks pregnant with her and Johnny’s third baby. 

How Meredith Gaudreau Spent Her 1st Birthday Since Death of Hubby Johnny
Courtesy of Lily Morris/Instagram

In October 2024, Meredith celebrated her daughter Noa’s 2nd birthday with help of the Columbus Blue Jackets family, the team Johnny was playing for at the time of his death. More than a dozen players as well as their wives and girlfriends attended Noa’s party, which came exactly two months after Johnny’s death. 

“We love you all,” Meredith wrote via Instagram alongside a picture from the party. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart 💙really special group that will forever be family to me and my babies.”

The party was also attended by Johnny’s sisters, Katie and Kristen, and Matthew’s wife, Madeline. In December 2024, Madeline gave birth to the couple’s first baby, a boy named Tripp

Travis Kelce Once Faked Being Late to Hotel So Teammate Wouldn’t Be Fined

Travis Kelce Faked Being Late to Team Hotel So Teammate Wouldnt Be Fined
Travis Kelce. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

In addition to being one of the best tight ends in NFL history, Travis Kelce also has a reputation for being a legendary teammate — just ask former Chiefs running back Charcandrick West

West, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2014 to 2018, recalled how Kelce, 35, had his back when he was late getting back to the team hotel the night before a game. Per team guidelines, players are fined if they aren’t on the hotel premises in time. 

While stuck in traffic, West, 33, called Kelce, who was already at the hotel and advised him to get there as quickly as he could. When West eventually got to the hotel, Kelce was there waiting outside for him. 

“He didn’t want me to be the only one to get into trouble for being late,” West told ESPN in a story published Tuesday, January 21.

Travis Kelce Faked Being Late to Team Hotel So Teammate Wouldnt Be Fined
Jason Hanna/Getty Images

Cheerleader Reveals Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Post-Game Routine

West recalled that the Chiefs failed to fine him for being late, which he chalked up to having Kelce by his side. 

“I guess if you’re going to be late, you want to be late with Trav,” West said. 

Kelce remembered the incident when asked to reflect on his good deed. “Sometimes you just need somebody to be there with you even if you feel like you’re doing something wrong,” Kelce told ESPN. 

However, when asked whether he got fined for showing up late, his memory got fuzzy. 

“I’ve been fined so many times for things that I can’t remember what they were for,” Kelce joked. 

West also detailed a meaningful conversation between himself and Kelce after West lost a crucial fumble during his first NFL start in 2015 against the Minnesota Vikings. 

Travis Kelce Faked Being Late to Team Hotel So Teammate Wouldnt Be Fined
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Image

Why Travis Kelce Introduced Himself as ‘Charles’ Growing Up

“We sat and talked,” West said. “I told him, ‘I lost the game for us.’ I was really down about it. But he wouldn’t let me stay down. He told me that things like that happened to everyone. He told me I would help the Chiefs win a lot of games.”

The following week, West scored his first career touchdown in a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

“He was a big morale boost for me,” West said. “He made sure I didn’t lose confidence in myself. I don’t know what would have happened without Travis.”

Kelce and the Chiefs are currently on the hunt for their historic third consecutive Super Bowl title. They face off against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game airing on CBS Sunday, January 26, at 6:30 pm ET. 

Ohio State's Ryan Day, Will Howard Involved in Golf Cart Crash After Win

Ohio State Coach Ryan Day and QB Will Howard Involved in Golf Cart Crash After Title Win
Ryan Day and Will Howard Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Moments after winning the National Championship, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and his star players were forced to huff it to the postgame press conference on foot after their golf cart crashed into a wall. 

The incident inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, January 20, which was shortly preceded by Ohio State defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship,  was caught on camera by CBS Sports reporter Brandon Marcello.

Marcello reported that the golf cart “couldn’t make a sharp turn and crashed into a wall,” resulting in one of the cart’s wheels snapping. In addition to Day, the golf cart was also carrying Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Cody Simon to the press conference.

Ohio State's Ryan Day and Wife Nina: From Tee-Ball Teammates to the Altar

During an appearance on the Today show Tuesday, January 21, Howard, 23, humorously reflected on the accident. 

“That was pretty funny,” Howard said with a laugh. “I started crying laughing, I was dying. But up in front, Coach Day was pretty serious. I didn’t know if he actually got hurt or what happened. But me and Cody were sitting back there dying laughing. It was hilarious.”

Ohio State Coach Ryan Day and QB Will Howard Involved in Golf Cart Crash After Title Win
Ryan Day and Will Howard Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Day, 45, was not injured in the golf cart crash, and he and his players all made it to the postgame press conference safely. 

“It’s unbelievable,” Howard said on Today. “I can’t really put it into words right now. It’s still pretty surreal. I don’t think it’s really going to set in honestly until we get back to Columbus and get to be around the fans and some of our close friends.”

Pre-golf cart crash, Howard got emotional on the field when asked about what Coach Day and Ohio State mean to the quarterback, who transferred to the school in January 2024 after three seasons at Kansas State. 

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman's Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna

“I don’t have the words, man,” Howard told ESPN. “They’ve changed my life in more ways than I can say, man. Coach Day and these guys here have completely changed my life.”

He added, “I can’t believe God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye.”

During his postgame remarks, Day echoed the love for Howard and the entire Ohio State team.

“After all the things that have been said throughout the year, these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history and one of the best football teams ever,” Day said. “There was a point where not a lot of people had that vision, but these guys did, and they saw it through. Ohio State may not be for everybody, but it’s for these guys.”

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Takes Blame for Loss: ‘Falls On My Shoulders’

Notre Dame Marcus Freeman Takes Blame for Title Game Loss
Paras Griffin/Getty Images

After Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, head coach Marcus Freeman was blunt in his assessment of what went wrong. 

“You’re always making mistakes, but those type of detrimental mistakes when you play a really, really good football team cost you points,” Freeman, 39, told reporters after the game on Monday, January 20. “I think that’s probably the biggest thing that has stuck out to me even in between series, the communication. ‘Hey, we’re good, we got it.’ Well, we can’t make mistakes.”

He added, “It falls on my shoulders. And as the head coach, we have to prepare and be better prepared for this moment. These guys gave everything they got.”

During the game, Freeman was criticized for choosing to kick a field goal with his team down 31-15 in the fourth quarter instead of going for it on 4th and goal from the 9-yard line. Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter ultimately missed the 27-yard field goal. Ohio State won the game 34-23. 

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman's Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna

“I just thought instead of being down 16, let’s try and go down 13,” Freeman explained to reporters. “I know it’s still a two-score game, but you have a better probability of getting 14 points than you do 16 points. If it was a shorter 4th-and-goal situation, I probably would have gone for it, but I just felt that 4th-and-9 was not a great chance for us to make that.”

Notre Dame Marcus Freeman Takes Blame for Title Game Loss
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

In the aftermath of the loss — during which Notre Dame was trying to win the school’s first national title since 1988 — Freeman told ESPN’s Molly McGrath the message he relayed to his downtrodden team.

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman’s Family Guide: Wife Joanna and 6 Kids

“Not many words you can say when you’ve got a group like that that’s hurt,” Freeman said. “I just told them I love them. I’m so proud to be a part of this season with them. There’s a lot of guys that are hurt. They gave it everything they had. We didn’t get the job done tonight.”

Freeman added, “What they did for this school, this program and I think for people that watch college football, I think they sent a strong message about being selfless, working your tails off and putting others before yourself.”

When asked by McGrath, 35, what made him “most proud” about his team this season, Freeman did not hesitate. 

“They were selfless,” he said. “It’s a trait I think will carry on for the rest of your life, to put others before yourself. That’s what they did. In their toughest times, they chose Notre Dame and they chose each other. We have some wonderful leaders that continue to preach that message.”

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman's Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 742
Marcus Freeman, Joanna Freeman. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman has never shied away from professing his love for his support system off the field: wife Joanna Freeman.

Marcus and Joanna got married in 2010 after meeting while Marcus was a star linebacker at The Ohio State University. Along the way, they have welcomed six kids together: son Vinny, daughter Siena, son Gino, son Nico, daughter Capri and son Rocco.

Before being named the head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, Marcus’ coaching journey took him all over — from his Ohio State alma mater and Kent State to Purdue and four seasons at the University of Cincinnati as the school’s defensive coordinator. 

Joanna, a former news anchor, has always been candid about the highs and lows of life as a football wife. 

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman’s Family Guide: Wife Joanna and 6 Kids

“We don’t have a super romantic love story,” Joanna told Yahoo! Sports in 2021. “We had a lot of breakups and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell fast. We were really young when we met, and in a lot of ways, we really grew and matured into adults together.”

For Marcus’s best quotes about Joanna, keep reading. 

February 2019

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 743
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

Marcus celebrated the couple’s 9-year anniversary with a post via Instagram.

“9 years and 6 kids later she still chooses to be called Mrs. Freeman. Happy anniversary,” Marcus wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of the couple from their 2010 wedding. 

Joanna responded in the comments, “We haven’t changed a bit! 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ Love YOU! 💋.”

May 2019

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 741
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

Marcus posted via Instagram about a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that involved a trip to the emergency room for their daughter, Capri. 

“Crazy weekend: our 1 year old breaks her arm; our oldest wins his wrestling tourney; and most importantly we celebrated Mother’s Day with this unselfish woman who is the glue to our family,” Marcus wrote alongside a trio of photos, including one of Capri showing off her new arm sling. 

February 2020

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 744
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

To celebrate the couple’s milestone 10th wedding anniversary, Marcus posted a carousel of photos via Instagram spanning the history of their relationship. 

“Celebrating 10 years of being married to the love of my life and the glue to the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Happy anniversary Jo!”

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman and Wife Joanna's Relationship Timeline

Joanna commented, “Best day of your life ❤🤣.”

August 2020

Marcus showed off photos from a family beach photoshoot via Instagram to commemorate Joanna’s birthday. 

“Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the Freeman rock!” Marcus wrote. “Thank you for all you do Mrs. Freeman. We love you.”

May 2021

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 739
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

Marcus gushed about his wife’s ability to run the family household in a post to celebrate Mother’s Day. 

“I don’t know how you do it but somehow you make raising 6 kids by yourself seem like it’s nothing 🇮🇹 💃🏻🤷🏾‍♂️Happy Mother’s Day to the best ever! #YouTheBest #YouTheBestEver,” he wrote via Instagram

December 2021

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 737
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

During his introductory press conference after being named the head coach at Notre Dame, Marcus took time to mention Joanna as he wrapped up his remarks.

“Lastly, there’s a few thank yous I want to give,” Marcus said. “I want to start with my wife, Joanna. My wife, my partner, thank you for your unselfishness. Thank you for always being there and your support most of the time. You can be my toughest critic, but thank you for just being there.”

May 2023

Freeman also gave a special shoutout to his mother, Chong Freeman, in his Mother’s Day post in 2023. 

“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing Moms out there, today we celebrate you!” he wrote via Instagram. “I’m especially grateful for these two special women—my wife, Joanna, and my Mom!”

May 2024

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman s Sweetest Quotes About His Wife Joanna Freeman 738
Courtesy of Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram

Marcus mentioned both Joanna and his mother to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2024. 

“I’m so blessed to have these two amazing women in my life,” Marcus wrote via Instagram, sharing pictures of him with both of them. “They have impacted our family in so many ways with their selflessness and unconditional love. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible moms out there!”

December 2024

During an appearance on former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III’s podcast “Outta Pocket With RGIII,” Marcus called Joanna “the most unselfish wife in the world.”

“A lot of times she is a single parent,” Marcus continued. “And the other part is that I try to blend. There’s no balance. There is not a balance being a head coach and being a husband and father. So, I try to blend my family with our football family as much as I can. My wife can bring two kids and just let them run around at practice.”

Marcus concluded, “I want our players to see me as a father and husband.”

Aaron Rodgers Says Ayahuasca Ceremonies Helped Him Prep for L.A. Wildfires

Aaron Rodgers Says Ayahuasca Ceremonies Helped Him Prepare for the LA Wildfires
Courtesy of Netflix

Aaron Rodgers has his rich history of spiritual healing to thank for preserving his mental state as wildfires continue to ravage southern California. 

Rodgers, 41, owns a home in Malibu, an area that was greatly impacted by the fires that have caused devastation across the region and killed at least 27 people. 

During a Wednesday, January 16 appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers revealed his home had lost power, but was still standing. 

“I’ve been dealing with trying to protect my house over here,” Rodgers told McAfee, 37. “My house is fine. I’m not in the areas that have been affected. But it’s been a weird time for so many people that live down here. Friends of mine have lost houses. A number of friends in the [Pacific] Palisades lost their homes.”

'The Office' Star Brian Baumgartner 'Proud' to Be Aaron Rodgers' Friend

Rodgers also said “a number of friends in Pasadena” and “friends near Runyon Canyon” had been impacted by the fires. 

When asked if the tragedy had “changed the perspective” surrounding his NFL future, Rodgers couldn’t help but chuckle. 

Aaron Rodgers Says Ayahuasca Ceremonies Helped Him Prepare for the LA Wildfires
Courtesy of Netflix

“Listen, I’ve sat in a hole in the ground in Nowheresville, Oregon, and I’ve sat in numerous ayahuasca ceremony circles, so I’ve done a lot of contemplating in my time and gotten some good perspective adjustments over the years,” Rodgers said. “This is nothing that changes my perspective, other than it’s heartbreaking.”

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic with roots in Indigenous cultures, made by boiling a mixture of plants and most often served in tea form. Rodgers has made a series of trips to Costa Rica over the years to participate in traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, which he detailed in his 2024 Netflix docuseries, Enigma

Rodgers is coming off a disappointing season as quarterback for the New York Jets, which saw the team finish 5-12 after entering the year with Super Bowl aspirations. Neither the Jets or Rodgers have indicated if they will reunite next season. 

In the immediate future, Rodgers hopes the narrative surrounding the fires begins to shift to all of the communities impacted. 

Aaron Rodgers' Most Controversial Moments Through the Years

“A lot of the attention has gone to so many celebrities who lost their houses,” Rodgers argued. “There’s some affluent areas in both the Palisades and some of those areas in Malibu that got affected. But there’s a lot of other people, just your average, great southern California folks who lost everything, as well.”

He added, “It’s gonna be tough to rebuild. Anybody who’s ever tried to build a freakin’ structure in southern California knows how ridiculous just trying to get a freakin’ permit to build anything is.”

Ultimately, Rodgers counted himself as one of the lucky ones, saying, “What I’ve had to go through is nothing.”

Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.

LSU Quarterback Colin Hurley Found Unresponsive on Campus After Car Crash

LSU Quarterback Colin Hurley Found Unresponsive on Campus After Car Crash
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

LSU freshman quarterback Colin Hurley was found unresponsive after crashing his car into a tree on the university’s campus. 

Hurley, 17, crashed his Dodge Charger at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, according to a report obtained by ESPN. He was taken out of the vehicle by EMS and transported to a local hospital. 

According to Baton Rouge’s WBRZ, Hurley was “unresponsive but breathing” and had a large cut on his face. 

The cause of the crash has not been released, but officials told WBRZ that impairment is not suspected. 

Notre Dame's Riley Leonard Thinks Jesus Is Responsible for Title Game Run

Per WBRZ, pieces of Hurley’s car were still scattered on the sidewalk while students walked to class on Thursday morning. 

“A large piece of bark was missing from the live oak tree that Hurley’s car hit,” the outlet also reported. “Parts of it had been turned to sawdust.”

An update on Hurley’s condition was issued by his family on Thursday evening. 

“Colin would like to thank the first responders, the incredible doctors and nurses at Our Lady of the Lake Health and the many Tiger Fans for their care and compassion,” the statement read. “Colin is resting and is stable while more tests and care are being administered. We are confident that Colin will make a full recovery from this terrible accident. Geaux Tigers!”

LSU officials said they cannot comment on the incident involving Hurley because he is a minor.

LSU Quarterback Colin Hurley Found Unresponsive on Campus After Car Crash
James Gilbert/Getty Images

After news of Hurley’s crash broke, well wishes began streaming in from all corners of the football community. 

“Prayers up for @ColinHurley his family and @LSUfootball 🙏🏿🙏🏿,” Devin Rispress, Florida State University’s director of recruiting, posted via X. On3 reporter Pete Nakos issued a similar message, writing via X, “Prayers to Colin Hurley and his family.”

Hurley did not see any game action during his first season at LSU, competing behind starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Converted to Catholicism After Taking the Job

Nussmeier, 22, will return for his senior season in 2025. LSU also earned the commitment of Mississippi State transfer quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., who will be on the roster next season. 

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Hurley finished as the No. 25 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. He reclassified after committing to LSU in 2022 and left high school a year early, arriving on LSU’s campus when he was just 16 years old. 

In August 2024, LSU head coach Brian Kelly expressed his early impressions of the young quarterback.

“I think Colin kind of came in thinking, ‘Well, I’m the number three [quarterback],” Kelly, 63, told reporters. “Now he’s like, ‘You know what, why can’t I throw my hat in the ring here, too?’”

Meredith Gaudreau Got a Tattoo Using the Ashes of Her Late Husband Johnny

Meredith Gaudreau Got a Tattoo Using the Ashes of Her Late Husband Johnny Gaudreau
Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreau Courtesy of Meredith Gaudreau/Instagram

Meredith Gaudreau found a poignant way to keep her late husband’s legacy alive permanently.

Following the death of Meredith’s husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, in August 2024, she recently received tattoos to commemorate Johnny using his ashes in the ink. 

“A month ago, a client reached out to me for a cremation tattoo,” tattoo artist Tay Nicole Clinch shared via Instagram on Wednesday, January 15. “I’d never done one and was transparent about that but she chose to stick with me anyway. Shortly after, she let me in on her story and It’s safe to say I got pretty emotional when I’d come to realize this was a story I had already knew of and was brought to tears over in the past.”

Johnny and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, 2024. Johnny was 31 years old, Matthew was 29. 

Why the Gaudreau Brothers’ Heartbreaking Tragedy Captured Everyone's Attention

Clinch continued, “With some factors involved, this isn’t something I’d do but given the circumstances, I made an exception. Safety was prioritized. A medical professional was consulted and gave clearance, ensuring this decision was made with care and informed guidance.”

Meredith Gaudreau Got a Tattoo Using the Ashes of Her Late Husband Johnny Gaudreau
Meredith’s tattoo. Courtesy of Tay Nicole Clinch/Instagram

Meredith had the ford “Forever” tattooed on the inside of one of her fingers and the names of her two children — daughter Noa, 2, and son Johnny, 22 months — on her forearm. 

“So, with his ashes in the ink, this tattoo became an additional way to carry his presence with her alongside their babies— thank you for trusting me with something so special and letting me play a small role in your healing journey,” Clinch wrote. 

Clinch explained she waited a month to post about the tattoos because she “wanted Meredith to have some private time with these while they healed and they’ve healed well without any unusual side effects.”

Meredith expressed her gratitude in the comments section of Clinch’s post, writing, “Obsessed with them. Perfectly done by the best and coolest girl.”

Meredith Gaudreau Honors Late Husband Johnny: 'I Love You More Every Day’

The tattoo artist hinted that there might be more ink in Meredith’s future, commenting, “So excited for the other ideas.”

Meredith Gaudreau Got a Tattoo Using the Ashes of Her Late Husband Johnny Gaudreau
Meredith’s tattoo. Courtesy of Tay Nicole Clinch/Instagram

At a memorial service for Johnny and Matthew in September 2024, Meredith revealed she was nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s third baby. 

“We’re actually a family of five,” Meredith said during her eulogy. “I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited.”

Meredith added, “I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise. But his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me even though I was driving the car. After the initial excitement sank in, every time he looked at me, he would say, ‘You’re nuts, you know that? Three kids?’”

'The Office' Star Brian Baumgartner 'Proud' to Be Aaron Rodgers' Friend

The Office Star Brian Baumgartner Proud to Be Aaron Rodgers Friend
Brian Baumgartner and Aaron Rodgers. Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly

The Office star Brian Baumgartner debunked some of the unsavory narratives surrounding his friend, Aaron Rodgers

The actor, 52, met the NFL quarterback in the summer of 2008 when the two played at the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Since then, Baumgartner and Rodgers, 41, have become close buddies, with Rodgers even attending Baumgartner’s 2014 wedding to his wife, Celeste Ackelson.

Baumgartner will return to the links later this month to compete against the best golfers on the LPGA Tour at the Hilton Grand Vacations 2025 Tournament of Champions in Orlando.

As for Rodgers — who has stoked controversy for his stance on vaccines, his touting of conspiracy theories and more — Baumgartner said there’s a side to his friend that not everybody always gets to see.

The 10 Wildest and Most Surprising Moments From 'Aaron Rodgers: Enigma'

“He has a tremendous heart,” Baumgartner exclusively told Us Weekly. “He really does. The way he’s misunderstood, I think people tend to think of him as a disgruntled or unhappy person. He’s not that.”

Baumgartner continued, “He has a really big heart and is very caring. I am proud to say that he’s a friend.”

With Rodgers’ football future up in the air — the veteran quarterback is coming off a wildly disappointing season with the Jets, which saw New York finish the season 5-12 — Baumgartner expressed optimism about Rodgers’ final performance of the season, which saw Rodgers throw 4 touchdowns in a January 5 win over the Miami Dolphins. 

The Office Star Brian Baumgartner Proud to Be Aaron Rodgers Friend
Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational

“I don’t know what he’s gonna do,” Baumgartner said. “I will tell you, it was really fun to see that last game against the Dolphins. I don’t know if ‘back’ is the right word, but it was fun to see him playing at such a high level — to be enjoying it, to be making all the throws, to be scrambling.”

He added, “I’m not going to make excuses. He doesn’t need me to do that for him. But it was very clear that he was injured early in the year. I do wish we had seen a healthier Aaron Rodgers during the first part of the season before things got away.”

Baumgartner hinted that retirement is firmly on the table for Rodgers, but he’s hopeful that his friend will give things one more shot before calling it a career. 

A Guide to Every TV Show in Michael Schur’s Comedy Universe

“If he’s not playing anymore, the league is not as much fun,” he argued. “I certainly would love to see him play more. I don’t know if it’ll happen or where it could happen.”

While Rodgers ponders his gridiron future, Baumgartner has the Hilton Grand Vacations 2025 Tournament of Champions in Orlando to look forward to, where the actor will complete with fellow celebrities and actors like Don Cheadle, Blake Griffin, Anthony Anderson and Alfonso Ribeiro alongside the best golfers the LPGA Tour has to offer, including Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda and Celine Boutier.

“It’s so fun to play with these women when they’re dialed in,” Baumgartner gushed. “That’s a thrill for me. Ultimately, I know why I’m there. I’m there to have a good time and to help the people there watching have a good time. And I hope I hit a few good shots that the people watching are surprised about.”

The Hilton Grand Vacations 2025 Tournament of Champions takes place at Orlando’s Lake Nona Golf & Country Club from January 30 to February 2.

LeBron James Has Adorable Moment With Crying Young Fan Sitting Courtside

LeBron James Has Adorable Moment With Young Fan After She Breaks Down in Tears Courtside 6132
LeBron James. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

LeBron James gave one young Lakers fan a memory she’ll cherish for a lifetime. 

During the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, January 15, James, 40, acknowledged a girl sitting courtside in one of his No. 23 jerseys. The girl was overcome with emotion after being spotted by James — which the NBA icon found out about after checking his phone during the game. 

“A family friend sent me the clip at halftime,” James told reporters after the game. “Thank goodness that I actually looked at my phone at halftime or I wouldn’t have even seen the reaction when I waved to her in the first half. I waved to her and got back to play.”

After the game was over, James made his way over to the fan and took a picture with her with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. 

Lakers Star Austin Reaves Dunks on the Critics of Bronny James Draft Pick

“To have that type of connection with someone where they can have that type of reaction, that’s what it’s all about,” James continued. “I’ve always tried to be a role model and someone that kids can look up to. Men, women, whatever the case might be. Try and make them proud if they come see me play, or if they’re not able to see me play, hopefully some of the things I do off the floor continue to inspire them.”

LeBron James Has Adorable Moment With Young Fan After She Breaks Down in Tears Courtside 614
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

James added, “That was a super dope moment. I have a little girl myself back home.“

The Lakers star shares daughter, Zhuri, 10, with his wife, Savannah James. The couple also share sons Bronny, 20, and Bryce, 17. 

It has been a heavy couple of weeks for James, the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that have ravaged large parts of southern California.

“I have a couple of dear friends that have lost their homes in the [Pacific] Palisades,” James said after the game on Wednesday. “Obviously, my heart goes out to all of the families, all across not only the Palisades, but all across L.A. County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire.”

James added, “It’s been a lot of emotions. Kind of been off. Personally, I’ve been off. I’ve just been completely off for obvious reasons, but hopefully things are contained or continue to be contained. And hopefully, at some point, we can start to push forward and move forward and put it behind us and rebuild our city, rebuild this beautiful city.”

How the Sports World Has Been Impacted by the Wildfires in Los Angeles

Lakers head coach, JJ Redick, was one of those directly impacted, losing his family’s home in the Palisades neighborhood. 

“I went through most of the village and it’s all gone, and I don’t think you can ever prepare yourself for something like that,” Redick, 40, told reporters on Friday, January 10. “Our home is gone.”

Redick continued, “We were renting for the year to try to figure out where we wanted to be long-term. Everything we owned that was of any importance to us, almost 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of parenting, was in that house. There’s certain things that you can’t replace, that will never be replaced.”

The rookie coach shared the home with his wife, Chelsea Redick, and their two sons: Knox, 10, and Kai, 8.

Notre Dame's Riley Leonard Thinks Jesus Is Responsible for Title Game Run

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard Thinks Jesus Is Responsible for National Title Matchup Versus Ohio State
Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard argued this year’s national championship game is the work of some divine intervention. 

Leonard, 22, and the Fighting Irish will face The Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, and the devout quarterback said that’s no coincidence. 

“We’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most,” Leonard told reporters on Wednesday, January 15. “I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.”

Leonard has never shied away from professing his faith, which was evidenced during his postgame interview with ESPN after Notre Dame’s victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9. 

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and GF Molly Walding's Relationship Timeline

“I just started trusting the lord,” Leonard told reporter Katie George. “I looked up and said, ‘Jesus, whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100 percent.'”

He continued, “This offense and this team trust in Jesus and his plan for this season.”

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard Thinks Jesus Is Responsible for National Title Matchup Versus Ohio State
Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Leonard did the same during his postgame interview with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge after Notre Dame’s win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 2, saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t be here.”

The sentiment was shared by Ohio State quarterback Will Howard after his team’s victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1. 

“First and foremost I’ve got to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage,” Howard, 23, told ESPN’s Stormy Buonantony.

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman and Wife Joanna's Relationship Timeline

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has made faith a focus of his football program, instituting pregame mass for the first time in over a decade. 

“What better time is there to go have mass?” he asked the National Catholic Register in August 2022. “What better time to be able to really be on the edge of your seat to get every word that comes out of the priest’s mouth and to be as close to God as you can?”

Shortly after taking the job at Notre Dame in December 2021, Freeman, 39, converted to Catholicism. During a media call in September 2022, Freeman called it “a family decision, a personal decision.”

Notre Dame and Ohio State meet in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. 

Rob Gronkowski Describes His Perfect Day With Girlfriend Camille Kostek

Rob Gronkowski Describes His Perfect Day With Girlfriend Camille Kostek
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Since officially retiring from the NFL in June 2022, Rob Gronkowski is still figuring out what work-life balance looks like in a post-football world. 

Gronkowski, 35, who now works as an analyst for Fox Sports after 11 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, still keeps himself remarkably busy — which makes keeping his calendar up-to-date quite a tricky task.

“The part that I really have to tackle and take down is the travel,” said Gronkowski, who exclusively spoke to Us Weekly via his partnership with Bounty. “There’s a lot of traveling in my new era. I have an event in one city and then I have an event in another city. I gotta go out to L.A. and do [Fox NFL Kickoff] every Sunday. So you learn the tricks in order to tackle the travel so it doesn’t beat you down much.”

Gronkowski explained, “I’m very good at sleeping on planes. I try and make sure I get my rest whenever I can on the plane. It’s an advantage. It’s kind of like time-traveling. If you fall asleep and wake up in the next city you’re like, ‘Whoa, that’s amazing.’”

Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek's Relationship Timeline

Given his hectic work and travel schedule, Gronkowski noted it makes his free time even more special and sacred. 

“I love my days off,” Gronkowski said. “I make sure that I have a couple days off — at least five to seven days a month — because I love to still be in a routine of working out and taking care of myself, as well.”

Rob Gronkowski Describes His Perfect Day With Girlfriend Camille Kostek
Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic

As for his ideal way to spend an off day, Gronkowski said it all boils down to simplicity. 

“I get a workout in, I go for a run, I get to bring my dog for a walk, I get to hang out with my girlfriend, all that good stuff,” Gronkowski explained. 

The former football star has been dating his girlfriend, model Camille Kostek, since 2015. Gronkowski and Kostek, 32, met when she was a member of the New England Patriots cheerleading squad and he slipped her his number at a charity event. 

The couple share a French bulldog named Ralphie Gronkowski, who has his own Instagram account with more than 54,000 followers. 

Gronkowski’s television duties are currently kicked into high gear with the NFL playoffs in full swing, which will include a trip to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX in February. While in the Big Easy, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be Gronkowski’s tour guide as part of Bounty’s Wingman campaign. 

Gronk Says Fans Shouldn't Be Concerned About Travis Kelce Going Hollywood

“I got the call from Gronk saying, ‘Hey, do you wanna be my wingman for the Super Bowl in New Orleans?’ I mean, the answer is obviously yes,” Brees, 46, exclusively told Us. “I can’t wait to show this guy around, show him a little Southern hospitality. He’s used to buffalo wings being a Buffalo, New York, guy. But we’re going to add some Cajun spice to those wings. He’s in for a treat.”

Rob Gronkowski Describes His Perfect Day With Girlfriend Camille Kostek
Mindy Small/Getty Images

Gronkowski and Brees will be on the ground in New Orleans at Super Bowl LIX’s Radio Row in the lead-up to the game at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in addition to sampling the best the city has to offer. 

“Who better to call than Mr. New Orleans himself?” Gronkowski said of Brees. “He’s the mayor of the entire city. We’re going to be out at restaurants, eating wings and causing messes.”

For more on Gronkowski, Brees and the Bounty campaign, click here

NHL's Emil Heineman Hit By Car While Walking in Downtown Salt Lake City

NHL Star Emil Heineman Hit By Car While Walking in Downtown Salt Lake City
Emil Heineman Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Montreal Canadiens forward Emil Heineman will be out of action for at least three, possibly four weeks after he was hit by a car while walking in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Heineman, 23, was struck by a vehicle at 2:55 p.m. local time on Monday, January 13, according to a statement from the Salt Lake City Police Department. 

Salt Lake PD said Heineman “did not show any signs of serious injuries and was being attended to by team doctors.” He had left the area where the incident occurred before authorities arrived on the scene, but was later identified  when officers learned that the pedestrian involved was “a Montreal Canadiens hockey team player.”

Heineman was walking from practice back to the team hotel at the time, which was about two blocks away from the scene. 

Why the Gaudreau Brothers’ Heartbreaking Tragedy Captured Everyone's Attention

All parties in the incident were eventually identified and the investigation remains ongoing. 

Heineman and the Canadiens were in Salt Lake City for the team’s game on Tuesday, January 14 against the Utah Hockey Club. Heineman was not listed in the lineup and the team announced the forward is expected to miss up to a month due to the injuries he sustained as a result of the incident.

NHL Star Emil Heineman Hit By Car While Walking in Downtown Salt Lake City 2
Emil Heineman Ben Jackson/Getty Images

“Emil is doing well,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis told The Athletic. “It’s unlucky, especially considering the way Emil plays — he doesn’t play with white gloves — and he gets injured walking down the street. It’s bizarre.”

St. Louis, 49, joked, “But it sounds like the car was totaled.”

“It’s just tough,” Heineman’s linemate Jake Evans told The Athletic. “He was playing great hockey, a lot of confidence and helping our team out a lot. I think that’s just the toughest part, losing a great player and a great guy in the room.”

Heineman took to social media on Wednesday, January 15 to express his gratitude for fans’ well wishes.

NHL's Filip Forsberg Gushes About 'Rare' Opportunity Given With Son Felix

“Thanks everyone for the love and support lately,” he posted via his Instagram Story. “I’ll be back stronger ❤ #gohabsgo”

A first-year player born in Leksand, Sweden, the rookie was third in the NHL rookie goal scoring with 11 this season, behind  the San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini and the Philadelphia Flyers’ Matvei Michkov

Heineman was drafted in the second round by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Draft. His rights were traded to the Calgary Flames in  April 2021, sending Sam Bennett to the Panthers. 

He was then traded to the Canadiens in an April 2022 deal that sent Tyler Toffoli to the Flames. 

3 Stanley Cup Rings Were Stolen From Home of Penguins Star Evgeni Malkin

3 Stanley Cup Rings Were Stolen From Home of Penguins Star Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin Justin Berl/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin is the latest professional athlete whose home was burglarized while away at a game. 

The home of Malkin, 38, was robbed on Saturday, January 13, with his three Stanley Cup rings among the stolen items. Malkin won the Cup as a member of the Penguins in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

According to local CBS affiliate KDKA-TV, which first reported the news, Malkin lives in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley Heights, roughly 15 miles away from the Penguins’ home at PPG Paints Arena in downtown Pittsburgh. 

A 911 call was made about the break-in “a few hours” after the Penguins hosted the Ottawa Senators at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11. Malkin did not play in the game due to an upper body injury, but he returned to the Penguin’s lineup on Tuesday, January 14, against the Seattle Kraken. 

What NFL Stars Have Said About the String of Burglaries Targeting Players

The Penguins organization released a statement on Tuesday, confirming the incident at Malkin’s home. 

“Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin’s home was burglarized this past weekend,” the statement read. “Details of the situation will not be made public as this is an ongoing investigation. We are working closely with local authorities and team security. Malkin has requested that his privacy be respected during this time and we will have no further comment on the matter.”

3 Stanley Cup Rings Were Stolen From Home of Penguins Star Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin Derek Cain/Getty Images

According to The Athletic, the FBI is involved in the matter and the investigation remains ongoing.

The robbery at Malkin’s home furthers a trend of pro athletes being burglarized while they are publicly away from their homes.

In December 2024, the Ohio residence of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was robbed while he was in Texas to face the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football

Burrow’s rumored girlfriend, Olivia Ponton, was at the home at the time of the robbery. Ponton, 22, told authorities a room in the home had been “ransacked” and gave “a non-detailed itemization of what items were possibly missing.”

Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were robbed in separate incidents less than 48 hours apart in October 2024. 

Jared Goff Reveals His Home Was Once Robbed ‘Same Way’ as Kelce, Burrow

The Belton, Missouri residence of Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Mahomes, was burglarized in the early morning hours of October 6. Police were dispatched to the home on a burglary/breaking and entering call. According to the police report, there were no signs of forced entry. 

The following evening, October 7, the Leawood, Kansas home of Kelce was similarly broken into. Police reported that $20,000 was taken and a rear door was broken. At the time of the break-in at Kelce’s home, the Kansas City Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.

In November 2024, a watch belonging to Kelce that was taken during the robbery was found in Providence, Rhode Island. 

No arrests have been made in the Burrow, Mahomes or Kelce robberies. 

Kelly Stafford Felt ‘Guilt’ for Boarding L.A. Rams Plane With Sick Family

Kelly Stafford Felt Guilt for Boarding LA Rams Plane With Her Sick Family
Courtesy of Kelly Stafford/Instagram

Kelly Stafford was admittedly concerned about bringing her sick family on the Los Angeles Rams’ private plane for their playoff trip to Arizona. 

After the Rams’ playoff showdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13, was relocated from Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, the Rams organization facilitated a plane for the entire team and their families to travel together to the game. 

Kelly, the wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, was sick with a flu at the time, which had also impacted other members of her household. Kelly and Matthew share four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler, 7, Hunter, 6 and Tyler, 4. 

“We were sick on that flight,” Kelly admitted on the Wednesday, January 15, episode of her “Morning After” podcast. “There was a huge guilt factor to me going, ‘Should we be on this plane right now because of everyone surrounding us and everyone who has to play this game?’”

Why Kelly Stafford and Her 4 Girls Might Be 'Moving' Out Before Playoffs

Before boarding, Kelly reached out to other members of the Rams family for advice on how to handle the situation. 

“They were like, ‘Get your ass on that plane. We all need to be together,’” Kelly said. “That was such an incredible thing for me to hear because there was a little bit of like, ‘Should I just stay back with my children?’”

Kelly Stafford Felt Guilt for Boarding LA Rams Plane With Her Sick Family
Courtesy of Kelly Stafford/Instagram

Kelly also had the blessing of her husband, who insisted his wife and daughters accompany him on the trip. 

“Matthew was like, ’No, we will do whatever it takes. We are all getting on this plane. We are going to be together right now,’” Kelly said. 

Despite all the uncertainty, Kelly was grateful she took the leap of faith to attend the game — a 27-9 victory for the Rams, which earned them a trip to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in the NFL Divisional Round on Sunday, January 19. 

Kelly Stafford Is Renting Buses to Get Rams Fans to Arizona for Playoffs

“That win, besides the Super Bowl [in 2022], was probably my favorite win while being a Ram,” Kelly gushed. 

The game certainly didn’t come without its difficulties, however. Via her Instagram Story, Kelly revealed that one of her girls spent most of the game sick

“This girl ❤. In the middle of her pukes in the bathroom, ‘Mommy, are we still winning,’” Kelly wrote alongside a picture of her daughter hugging Matthew after the game. “She couldn’t wait to be in his arms.”

In a separate post, Kelly wrote, “Fun to watch my guy, but damn are we glad that game is over.”

Who Is Marion Jones? Everything to Know About the Embattled Ex-Olympian

Who Is Marion Jones
Marion Jones on ‘Special Forces’ FOX

Before appearing on season 3 of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Marion Jones had waged plenty of battles in the court of public opinion. 

Jones, 49, won five medals — three gold and two bronze — at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but was later stripped of the medals after admitting to lying about taking performance-enhancing drugs. 

In addition to giving her medals back, Jones was sentenced to six months in prison in 2008 for her role in the scandal. 

During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly before the Special Forces premiere, Jones said the show gave her the chance to “revisit the intensity level” of her Olympic past. 

Denise Richards Teases Her ‘Special Forces’ Experience: 'Never' Again

“I think the general public sees us excel in a small window, but you don’t know that from the time that we were 3, 4, 5 years old until whenever our sport ended, we’ve been at that level,” Jones said of her and her Special Forces castmates. “And when you’re removed from it, for whatever reason, and you start life there’s always something, at least for me, like, ‘Ah, there’s something more. I need to be challenged somehow.’”

She added, “No doubt this experience satisfied that for me.”

Special Forces soldier Rudy Reyes exclusively told Us Weekly that he looked at Jones’ appearance on the show as an attempt to rewrite her public narrative. 

“She was the fastest woman on the planet,” Reyes said. “I really, really admired the work and her speed and her training. She had many world records. And then she got hit with the charges for doping, and she really became a scapegoat and a sacrificial lamb and ultimately went to prison.”

Reyes added, “I just love a comeback story. That’s really quintessentially American. We always give someone another chance. And it was really wonderful to see her out there.”

For everything to know about Marion Jones, keep reading. 

Who Is Marion Jones
Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympic Games Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images

Marion Jones Was A Dual Sport Athlete in College

During her time at the University of North Carolina, Jones was also a member of the women’s basketball team in addition to her starring role on the track and field team. 

Jones was on the roster of the Tar Heel team that won the 1994 national title, and was a two-time All-ACC selection and the Most Valuable Player of the 1997 ACC Tournament.

Following her track and field career, Jones played two seasons in the WNBA with the Tulsa Shock from 2010-2011. 

Marion Jones Lied About Her Performance-Enhancing Drug Use for Years

In December 2004, Victor Conte, the founder of a company called BALCO, said he had given Jones four different illegal performance-enhancing drugs before, during, and after the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games during an interview on ABC’s 20/20

Jones denied the allegations for years, before ultimately admitting to lying to federal agents under oath in October 2007. 

Meet ‘Special Forces’ Season 3 Cast: Trista Sutter, Stephen Baldwin and More

In a press conference, Jones issued a mea culpa to the American public. 

“It is with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust and you have the right to be angry with me,” Jones said. “I have let them down. I have let my country down. And I have let myself down.”

Who Is Marion Jones
Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympic Games Al Bello/Getty Images

In July 2006, Jones was also linked to a check-counterfeiting scheme in which documents showed a $25,000 check had been deposited into Jones’ bank account. Jones eventually pleaded guilty to her knowledge of the scheme.

Jones was sentenced to six months in jail in 2008 for her involvement in the check fraud case and her use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Marion Jones Has Been Married Twice

Jones got married to shot putter C.J. Hunter in 1998 after the pair met while Jones was a student-athlete and Hunter was a coach at North Carolina. 

At the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Hunter abruptly withdrew from the shot put competition, citing a knee injury. However, the International Olympic Committee announced shortly after that Hunter had failed four pre-Olympic drug tests.

Who Is Marion Jones
Marion Jones at the 2000 Olympic Games Mike Powell/Getty Images

The couple divorced in 2002. After their split, Hunter gave testimony to a grand jury in 2004 saying Jones’ steroid use started well before the Sydney Games. 

Jones would not publicly admit to the drug use until years later. 

Hunter died in 2021 at the age of 52. 

In February 2007, Jones married Barbadian Olympian Obadele Thompson. Jones and Thompson had two children together before the couple divorced in 2017.

Jones also gave birth to a son with ex-boyfriend, Tim Montgomery Jr., in June 2003. 

Who Is Marion Jones
Mark Billingham and Marion Jones on ‘Special Forces’ FOX

Marion Jones Now Spends Her Time Paying Things Forward

In 2024, Jones helped launch Driven Performance, which is “dedicated to helping you achieve your potential, and exceed what you thought possible by developing the discipline and mindset to start winning at every area of your life.”

During an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts in July 2024, Jones said she wants people to look at her life and “ultimately come to the conclusion that failure isn’t forever.”

“I would hope that when people see my story ultimately they say, ‘You know what? Yeah, she went through some stuff,’” Jones said. “Lot of it [is] because of her own choices. But she didn’t stay there, and she didn’t allow it all to ultimately consume her.”

Marcus Freeman is Being Wooed From Notre Dame by Chicago Bears: Report

Marcus Freeman is Being Wooed From Notre Dame by Chicago Bears
Jack Gorman/Getty Images

As his team prepares for the College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is reportedly a hot commodity within the NFL job market. 

Near the top of the list of interested parties is the Chicago Bears, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero

“The Bears have done extensive research for months on Marcus Freeman,” Pelissero reported on Sunday, January 12. “He is only 39 years old. It would not be a shock if at some point he at least considers going to the NFL.”

Chicago fired head coach Matt Eberflus in November 2024 after a 4-8 start to the season. Interim head coach Thomas Brown finished the season with the Bears, who ended the year 5-12. Brown, the team’s former offensive coordinator, will not return as head coach.

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman and Wife Joanna's Relationship Timeline

“Freeman is in the midst of a magical run with the Fighting Irish to the National Championship Game,” Pelissero continued. “Obviously unlikely that he would entertain NFL overtures prior to that game.”

Notre Dame takes on The Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, attempting to win the school’s first national title since 1988. 

Marcus Freeman is Being Wooed From Notre Dame by Chicago Bears
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

During an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, January 13, NFL insider Adam Schefter said, “I have heard that Marcus Freeman is happy at Notre Dame.”

Just weeks ago, ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported that Freeman signed “a long-term contract extension, believed to be a four year extension that locks him up for six more years.” Financial details of the contract were not officially disclosed.

“He did sign that deal recently. I don’t know whether that’s leverage or not. I have no idea. I don’t have direct information beyond that,” Schefter, 58, added.

Freeman confirmed he had signed a new contract with Notre Dame in a December 2024 statement. 

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman’s Family Guide: Wife Joanna and 6 Kids

“The investment they continue to pour into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff,” Freeman said. “This commitment goes well beyond myself, as they are dedicated to ensuring all aspects of our program are competitive within the upper echelon of college football.”

The Bears have already officially completed multiple interviews with potential head coaches to fill their vacancy, including former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver

The team has an interview scheduled for former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on Wednesday, December 15. 

For now, Freeman remains focused on Notre Dame’s quest for a national title. The College Football Playoff National Championship between the Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes airs Monday, January 20 at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. 

Rachel Platten Shrugs Off Criticism of NFL National Anthem Performance

Rachel Platten Shrugs Off Criticism of NFL National Anthem Performance
Norm Hall/Getty Images

Rachel Platten basked in positive vibes after her recent national anthem performance was met with mixed reviews. 

Platten, 43, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the NFL Wild Card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings on Monday, January 13. 

The moment was undeniably poignant, given that the game had been moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to the ongoing wildfires in southern California. In commemoration of the tragedy, the stadium was adorned with signs reading “Thank You Firefighters and First Responders.”

Platten’s actual performance, however, proved to be quite divisive on social media. 

The Most Memorable ‘Star-Spangled Banner' Performances Over the Years

“What in the world was that national anthem performance? 🤔🥴,” one viewer wrote via X. Another said, “Aye brah after everything going on in LA, you couldn’t get a better singer for the national anthem?”

Platten also performed her 2015 hit “Fight Song” before the playoff game. While she sang, a 200-foot “L.A. Together” banner appeared on the sideline as a backdrop prior to player introductions for the teams.  

Via her Instagram Story, Platten chose to focus on the positive reviews of her performance and reposted supportive comments from her fans and followers. 

Rachel Platten Shrugs Off Criticism of NFL National Anthem Performance
Courtesy of Rachel Platten/Instagram

One viewer said Platten’s performance gave her “chills.”

“The hardest things in life can bring people together in a beautiful way sometimes,” the post continued. “Go Rams tonight 🤍.”

Platten also reposted a video of a young boy in a Steph Curry jersey watching Platten’s national anthem intently. 

“Our little patriot loves his country so much,” the post read. “Everytime he hears the National Anthem he claps with excitement, stands at attention with his hand over his heart and makes sure we all do as well 🇺🇸.”

How the Sports World Has Been Impacted by the Wildfires in Los Angeles

Prior to kickoff, Prime Video analyst and former Los Angeles Ram Andrew Whitworth addressed the crowd inside the stadium and the millions of viewers watching at home. 

Rachel Platten Shrugs Off Criticism of NFL National Anthem Performance
Courtesy of Rachel Platten/Instagram

“For the past week, our Los Angeles region has been ravaged by catastrophic wildfires,” Whitworth, 43, said. “Over 150,000 people have been evacuated. Our friends and our neighbors have lost homes and entire communities have been devastated, and there’s still more work to do. The courage and bravery of our firefighters and first responders prove that real-life heroes live among us.”

Whitworth added, “But I believe in the people of Los Angeles. We are strong! We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild L.A. — hand in hand, together. For as long as it takes and whatever it takes, we will build it together.”

The Rams emerged victorious 27-9 against the Vikings, earning them a trip to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Divisional playoff round on Sunday, January 19. 

Kelly Stafford’s Daughter Was Puking at Rams Playoff Game Post-Hospital

Feature Kelly Stafford Daughter Was Puking at Rams Playoff Game Post Hospital
Courtesy of Kelly Stafford/Instagram

Playoff football can be stomach-churning for everybody, but one of Kelly Stafford’s daughters had more than nerves to worry about during the Rams’ Wild Card game against the Vikings.

After Kelly, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, revealed she and her daughters had spent time at the hospital on Friday, January 10, Kelly said one of her girls was still battling illness, even vomiting while cheering on her dad at the Monday, January 13, playoff game.

“This girl ❤. In the middle of her pukes in the bathroom, ‘Mommy, are we still winning,’” Kelly wrote alongside a picture of her daughter hugging Matthew after the game. “She couldn’t wait to be in his arms.”

Kelly and Matthew, who have been married since 2015, share four daughters: twins Sawyer and Chandler, 7, Hunter, 6 and Tyler, 4. 

Kelly Stafford Briefly Lost 1 of Her Daughters at Rams Game in Arizona

Matthew and the Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9, earning them a trip to the NFL Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, January 19. 

Kelly Stafford Daughter Was Puking at Rams Playoff Game Post Hospital
Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during the first half of an NFC Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings, at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

The game took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, after it was forced to be relocated from Inglewood, California’s SoFi Stadium due to the raging wildfires impacting the greater Los Angeles area.

Kelly shared another picture from the game, showing her on the ground with her daughter in her arms and a bucket — presumably for the aforementioned puke — nearby. 

“Fun to watch my guy, but damn are we glad that game is over,” Kelly wrote. 

Kelly Stafford Daughter Was Puking at Rams Playoff Game Post Hospital 3
Courtesy of Kelly Stafford/Instagram

Kelly also shared a video from the plane ride back to Los Angeles, with all four of her girls either asleep or watching something on one of their tablets. 

“Almost home,” she wrote, “such damn troopers.”

Kelly first revealed that illness had broken out amongst the Stafford family on the Tuesday, January 7 episode of her “Morning After” podcast. 

“I can’t think straight,” Kelly said. “I currently believe I have the flu. Two of my daughters have the flu.”

Kelly Stafford Daughter Was Puking at Rams Playoff Game Post Hospital 2
Courtesy of Kelly Stafford/Instagram

Things were so bad that Kelly said Matthew “won’t come close to me, which I completely understand.

Kelly Stafford Says She’s ‘Wasting Money’ Bringing Daughters to Rams Games

Days later, Kelly shared a photo of two of her daughters asleep together in a hospital bed. “Last night was long,” she shared on Saturday, January 11. 

However, the troops rallied and made it to Monday night’s game — with a stop at Waffle House on the way. 

“Found our happy place in AZ,” Kelly wrote alongside a picture of two of her girls sitting in a restaurant booth. The Georgia native added, “My southern ❤is so happy.”

The Rams will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Sunday, January 19, with a spot in the NFC Championship Game on the line. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. 

❌