SB Champ WR Charles Johnson found dead, Bridgewater calls out fake "gangsta" players, Sean Payton to return to coaching, Deshaun Watson's suspension, 49ers OK Garoppolo trade.
Patriots, SB Champ WR Charles Johnson found dead
Charles Johnson, a first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994 who played wide receiver for the New England Patriots when they won the Super Bowl in 2001, was found dead in his hotel room on Wednesday, the Daily Wire reported. Johnson was also a top receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Johnson was found in a hotel room 20 minutes from Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he was the athletic director for Heritage high school, CBSSports reported. Johnson was 50 years old, and his cause of death has not been announced.
Bridgewater tells NFL players to stop pretending to be "gangsta" and be proper role models
Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater sounded off in a lengthy message on social media this week, calling for NFL players to quit pretending to be hard and start acting like role models, TMZ reported.
Bridgewater criticized players who act "gangsta," but are only "football tough."
"Tired of seeing football players portray this tough guy image or pretend he's gangsta," Bridgewater wrote. "You went to school, attended those classes, and some even got their college degree."
"So, don't wait until you inherit this legal money from the league to decide you want to be tough or portray a 'street image' cause it's kids that's looking up to everything we do," Bridgewater added.
Sean Payton says he'll return to coaching
Former Super Bowl champion coach Sean Payton, who stepped away from the New Orleans Saints six months ago, says he will be returning to the NFL – it's just a matter of when and where, CBSSports reported.
Payton, 58, acknowledged there are only about six openings each year, which seems to indicate he's keeping an eye on whatever vacancies pop up for 2023. Some speculate he might even return to the Saints since his contract runs through 2024. But others say signs point to a fresh start elsewhere.
Deshaun Watson's suspension expected to be 2-8 games
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson plans to sue the NFL in federal court if he receives a season-long suspension from the league, WKYC Studios reported. Judge Sue L. Robinson, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, is the case's independent arbiter and is expected to make a ruling on Watson's punishment in the coming days.
According to another report quoting an inside source who has reviewed the materials, Watson is expected to receive a suspension between two and eight games.
49ers give Jimmy Garoppolo's agents permission to seek trade
Jimmy Garoppolo is now free to find another team for next season after the San Francisco 49ers have granted the quarterback permission to seek a trade, CBSSports reported. However, teams are wary of signing a serious offer with the QB until his shoulder heals.