Ravens QB Tyler Huntley selected to Pro Bowl with just two TD passes in 2022

The NFL announced Tuesday that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley — who threw just two touchdown passes in 2022 — was selected to the 2023 Pro Bowl. Quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Derek Carr also were selected. Huntley, initially a fourth alternate for the AFC roster, will replace Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who has an elbow injury. Huntley completed 67% of his throws for 658 yards, two scores and three interceptions in six appearances this season. He went 2-2 as a regular-season starter, replacing Lamar Jackson after he sustained a knee injury. Huntley also threw two touchdown passes in the Ravens’ wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs will not be participating in the Pro Bowl because his team will be preparing for Super Bowl LVII; and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who also made the team as a backup, also is not expected to participate. Lawrence was added to the roster as a replacement for Mahomes, and Carr also was added to the roster as a replacement for Burrow.

Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions will replace Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on the NFC roster, since Hurts will also be preparing for Super Bowl LVII. Eagles WR A.J. Brown, guard Landon Dickerson, OT Lane Johnson, center Jason Kelce, pass rusher Haason Reddick, RB Miles Sanders and CB Darius Slay will also miss the Pro Bowl due to Super Bowl prep.

The flag football style game will be played Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Super Bowl LVII will kick off at 6:30 p.m. EST Feb. 12.

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Veteran MLB outfielder Dexter Fowler retires after 14 seasons

Veteran outfielder Dexter Fowler announced on Tuesday his retirement after 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. Fowler wrote on social media: “It’s here … I’m hanging up my cleats. From an 18-year-old draft pick in Colorado to a ‘vet’ in Anaheim — there are a few things I will never forget. Getting that call to the big leagues in September 2008. Wow. My world was spinning. My first ‘you’ve been traded to Houston’ heart pounding call. The feeling of bliss while hearing the words ‘All-Star.’ Never knew what it felt like to be that guy! Forever grateful. Soaking wet and freezing on the field with tears in my eyes after winning the World Series in Chicago. The comfort of calling St. Louis home and being a Red Bird.”

Fowler also wrote: “Today is one of those moments where you metaphorically step down from your throne with a standing ovation, a tip of the cap, and the world stops spinning. I’m mostly proud to look back at my career knowing that I played the game the right way and did my best to make a positive impact beyond the win.” 

The 36-year-old Fowler, a 2016 All-Star and World Series champion, hit .250 in seven games in 2021 for the Los Angeles Angels before he sustained a season-ending torn ACL. He spent part of last season with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate, but did not play at the big-league level.

Fowler hit a career-high .300, with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, 18 doubles, 11 triples and 12 stolen bases in 143 games in 2012 with the Rockies. He hit .276 with 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, 25 doubles and seven triples during his 2016 All-Star season with the Cubs.  In 2010, Fowler led the major leagues with 14 triples, and his 82 career triples rank first among active players.

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Chase Rice shares short film for the song “Bench Seat”

Chase Rice has released a short film video for his brand new single, “Bench Seat”, which comes from his forthcoming album, “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell,” set for release February 10th.  The video puts the spotlight on mental health struggles.

Says Rice of the song: “My buddy was in a really dark place – to the point where he was ready to end his own life. It took a lot for him to take me back to that moment, but when he told me what stopped him it stopped me in my tracks: his dog came and laid his head on his lap, and that connection saved him. I wrote this song by myself with the point of view from the dog’s perspective – which might not be obvious right away – and what that moment might have meant for the two of them if not for that intervention.”

The video, directed by Kaiser Cunningham, comes in the form of a 7+-minute short film spotlighting the mental health struggle that affects countless people. The intention of the video is to encourage viewers to feel comfortable talking about the topic and seeking the assistance they need, with its conclusion pointing to available resources via wannatalkaboutit.com and for anyone in crisis to call/text 988.

Watch the video for “Bench Seat” – here.

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Morgan Wallen shares three songs from upcoming album ‘One Thing At A Time’

Morgan Wallen took to social media to announce his third studio project, the 36-track album ‘One Thing At A Time,’ which will drop on Friday, March 3rd. To pre-order ‘One Thing At A Time,’ head here.

Wallen shared the details on Instagram: ‘March 3. Wallen 3. 36 New Songs. “One Thing At A Time” – MW. This announcement has been a long time coming. I’m releasing my album pre-order tonight!! And releasing 3 new songs to celebrate – “Last Night”, “Everything I Love” and “I Wrote The Book”.‘

As mentioned, Wallen dropped the tracks “Last Night,” “Everything I Love” and “I Wrote The Book” from his forthcoming studio album after his announcement.  You can take a listen to the three new songs: here.

Wallen will also be kicking off his world tour. The “One Night At A Time World Tour”, featuring special guests HARDY, Parker McCollum, ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman.

BREAKING: Morgan Wallen Announces New Album, ‘One Thing At A Time’

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to star in ‘It Ends With Us’

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni will star in the film version of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, ‘It Ends with Us.’ Baldoni will also serve as director of the film. The novel center around Lily, a recent college graduate now living in Boston. Lily is dating Ryle, an emotionally distant neurosurgeon; but when her first love Atlas shows up, she and Ryle must come to terms with their relationship and his presence.

Due to her exposure on TikTok, Hoover is now the top-selling author in the country, selling over 20 million books. ‘It Ends With Us’ was 2022’s top-selling book; it has been published in 43 languages and was on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 90 weeks.

Hoover herself shared the casting news on Instagram, posting a short video clip with the caption: “CAST ANNOUNCEMENT for #ItEndsWithUsMovie! ❤ So grateful to all of you for the support. AND TO YOU, MOM 😍”

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See the teaser trailer for the new Amazon series ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’

Amazon Prime Video shared the official teaser trailer for the upcoming series ‘Daisy Jones & The Six,’ starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin. The trailer features the song “Regret Me,” one of 24 original songs written exclusively for the series and recorded by the cast.

Daisy Jones & The Six, based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, chronicles the rise and fall of a renowned rock band in the 1970s fronted by Daisy Jones (Keough) and Billy Dunne (Claflin). An official description reads: “In 1977, Daisy Jones & the Six were on top of the world. Fronted by two charismatic lead singers — Daisy Jones (Keough) and Billy Dunne (Claflin) — the band had risen from obscurity to fame. And then, after a sold-out show at Chicago’s Soldier Field, they called it quits. Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth. This is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its powers.”

Daisy Jones & The Six is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter.  Also starring in the limited series are Camila Morrone, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse, Josh Whitehouse, Sebastian Chacon, Nabiyah Be and Tom Wright, with a special guest appearance by Timothy Olyphant. The series will feature original music, which will be released by Atlantic Records during the rollout of the series, with new episodes released every Friday through March 24.

Daisy Jones & The Six premieres March 3 on Prime Video.  Take a look at the official trailer – here.

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7th officer is relieved of duty, 3 first responders fired after death of Tyre Nichols

The Memphis Police Department said a seventh police officer has been relieved of duty regarding the Jan. 7 death of Tyre Nichols. In a statement, the seventh officer was not identified, and it was not indicated whether that person would face departmental or criminal charges.

The department had previously confirmed that a sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, had been relieved of duty, saying: “Officer Preston Hemphill and other officers’ actions and inactions have been and continue to be part of an investigation since its inception” on Jan. 8, the day after Nichols’ traffic stop and the day all seven officers were relieved of duty. The statement added that “numerous” impending charges are developing: “We expect the next phase of personnel actions in the coming days … Hemphill’s actions and involvement has been under investigation as he participated in the initial traffic stop and the use of a TASER.”

In addition, three members of the Memphis Fire Department were fired after an investigation concluded they violated department policies when they responded to the scene. The department announced on Monday that EMTs Robert Long and JaMichael Sandridge, as well as Lt. Michelle Whitaker, were fired following an internal investigation. Fire Chief Gina Sweat said in a statement that the department received a call from police to respond to a report of a person who had been pepper-sprayed, and that the workers arrived while Nichols was handcuffed and leaning up against a squad car. Long and Sandridge, based on the nature of the call and information they were told by police, “failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. Nichols.” An investigation determined that all three violated “numerous” policies and protocols.

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‘Laverne & Shirley’ actor Cindy Williams dies at age 75

Actor Cindy Williams, best known for her role in the 70s-80s TV sitcom “Laverne & Shirley”, has died at age 75.

Williams children said in a statement released by family spokesperson Liza Cranis that she died peacefully Wednesday at her home in Los Angeles after a short illness: “The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”

Williams starred as Shirley Feeney opposite Penny Marshall (who played Laverne DeFazio) in the popular sitcom “Laverne & Shirley”. “Laverne & Shirley,” a spinoff of “Happy Days,” starred Williams and Marshall as roommates who work in a Milwaukee bottling plant. The show ran from 1976-1983. Williams also appeared in the 1973 film “American Graffiti” and the 1974 film “The Conversation.”

Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz in “Happy Days,” shared: “Cindy has been my friend and professional colleague since I met her on the set of ‘Happy Days’ in 1975. Not once have I ever been in her presence when she wasn’t gracious, thoughtful and kind. Cindy’s talent was limitless. There was not a genre she could not conquer. I am so glad I knew her.”

Williams is survived by her two children, Emily and Zak. In their statement, her children said that their mother was devoted to rescuing animals and her faith, and that she wanted the world to laugh: “May that laughter continue in everyone, because she would want that .. Thank you for loving our Mom, she loved you too.”

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Court rejects Johnson & Johnson bankruptcy filing in talcum powder lawsuits

On Monday, a federal appellate court rejected a bankruptcy filing from Johnson & Johnson, in an attempt to protect itself from thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum-based powder causes cancer. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the pharmaceutical giant erred when it put its subsidiary LTL Management into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. J&J created the subsidiary in 2021 to specifically handle the thousands of lawsuits against its baby powder. The court ruled “only a putative debtor in financial distress” is able to file for bankruptcy protection. Monday’s ruling means the subsidiary is ineligible to file for bankruptcy protection from some 38,000 lawsuits. Had it ruled differently, the majority of lawsuits against the company would have been protected from financial penalty.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Johnson & Johnson in June 2021, letting a lower court verdict stand and awarding nearly $2.1 billion to a group of 22 women in a class action lawsuit. The women contended the talcum powder contained asbestos and was the cause of their ovarian cancer. Overall, the company faces costs of about $3.5 billion related to verdicts and settlements.

The Jersey-based company originally said in 2020 that it was discontinuing the talc-based baby powder product, amid the thousands of claims filed by customers in North America alleging it causes ovarian cancer and other illnesses. J&J then said last August it would end sales of the product at some point this year.  Johnson & Johnson said in a statement Monday: “As we have said from the beginning of this process, resolving this matter as quickly and efficiently as possible is in the best interests of claimants and all stakeholders. We continue to stand behind the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder, which is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.”

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Veteran righty Zack Greinke and Kansas City Royals agree to 1-year contract

The Kansas City Royals and starting pitcher Zack Greinke have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, pending a physical. Sources say that the deal is expected to be between $8-$10 million, plus performance bonuses. The 39-year-old righty turned in a 3.68 ERA across 137 innings (26 starts) for Kansas City last year on a one-year, $13 million deal. He ended the 2022 season ranked first in starts (514), first in innings (3,247), second in wins (223, behind Justin Verlander) and third in strikeouts (2,882).

Greinke, who will turn 40 in October, is heading into his 20th Major League season since debuting with the Royals at 20 years old in 2004. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Royals, and also played for the Brewers, Angels, Dodgers, D-backs and Astros. Greinke is also a six-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and won the 2009 AL Cy Young Award with the Royals.

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