Category: General

General

Carolina ‘didn’t want to trade’ Bryce Young, but it hasn’t committed to the QB either

The NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday without the Carolina Panthers moving Bryce Young. Instead, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft will start at quarterback against the New York Giants on Sunday.

“We never got into any discussions,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said on Wednesday about trading the quarterback. “I never opened that door. Didn’t want to trade Bryce. Still don’t. And committed to working with him and helping him grow and helping him develop.”

Does that mean Carolina is re-committed to Young as their franchise quarterback?

“I think every week, you know, we’re assessing Bryce,” Morgan said when asked that question. “We’re just seeing, just taking it day by day, really just seeing him grow, seeing him develop, be under coach and work with him, learn under Andy (Dalton). I think we do see him growing every day. We’re excited to work with him and keep working with him in the future. And at the end of the day, we’ll have those conversations once the season ends, and we’ll see where we’re at.”

After trading up to spend the No. 1 pick on Young last year, the Panthers had the former Alabama All-American in their starting lineup for 16 games in 2023. But when Carolina opened with two losses in 2024, new coach Dave Canales benched the second-year signal-caller for Dalton.

The 14-year NFL veteran started the next five games. But when Dalton sustained a thumb injury in a traffic accident on Oct. 22, Young returned to the starting lineup. After the Panthers’ 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 27, Canales kept Young in the lineup for another game.

Carolina broke a five-game losing streak by beating the New Orleans Saints 23-22 on Sunday, and Canales announced on Wednesday that Young would make another start.

“This is about the progress from one week to the next,” Canales said. “And then I preach finish. I talk about finish all the time. That’s finish everything — finish plays, drives, quarters, halves, finish games. He did a fantastic job of finishing that game the right way, finding a way to win and really battling that way, so I was really proud of Bryce for that. And just took all the information in and wanted to give him another opportunity to get out there and face the Giants this week in Germany.”

But like Morgan on next season, Canales won’t commit to Young beyond Sunday’s game.

“We have an opportunity here to play this game,” Canales said on Wednesday, “and we’re going take all the information in and then we’ll make a decision after that. …

“Again, right now, because of the progress he’s showed, I want to just focus on this week, I want him to play again. This gives us an opportunity with the bye week to take all the information and then make another decision after that.”

Young called it “part of the business.”

“I’m just here to do my job, whatever that job is called to be,” Young said on Wednesday. “I know what it is for this week, so grateful for that. And then just I have to, you know, I’m a pro no matter what it is. Just bring my best every single day and just lean in on that. …

“I just want to do everything I can to help the team. Obviously, my play being evaluated is out of my hands. I want to do everything I can to help the team win. I lean on my teammates, the coaches and all that and just try to execute. And I know after every week, obviously it’ll be evaluation, so I try not to think about that. I just try to do everything I can to help the team.”

Over the past two games, Young has completed 40-of-63 passes for 395 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

“Finding throws down the field,” Canales said of Young’s improvement since the quarterback opened the season by completing 13-of-30 passes for 161 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 47-10 loss to the Saints on Sept. 8. “A lot of it’s chemistry with the guys he’s been working with and finding completions, some really cool explosive plays that showed up in the game. It’s just, again, just our third-down operation. I know we didn’t have the best third-down day that we wanted to, but I saw progress there just with the whole group, getting up and operating that way and a lot of the other specific things.

“Again, I won’t go into those details. Those are private conversations in the QB room, so I’ll keep it at that. But just the steps forward, the progress, and then the finish. And that’s what we look for. We’re looking for that finish.”

The Panthers trailed New Orleans 22-17 when they took possession at their 36-yard line with 3:26 to play on Sunday. Young hit a third-down pass to wide receiver Xavier Legette for a 26-yard gain, and a 22-yard defensive pass interference penalty on the next snap moved Carolina to the New Orleans 16. Running back Chuba Hubbard covered that distance to the goal line to give Carolina a one-point lead with 2:18 remaining.

“I think it was great for us as a unit, as a team, just to finish that way,” Young said. “But also not downplaying the defense coming up with a huge stop and a huge moment. Again, it was a one-point game. They had time. And for the defense to come up big like that, too, again, full team win. So I think it was great for us just to be able to do it and play off of each other, play complementary and both sides of the ball step up.

“And now, again, it’s just building off of it, making sure that we can harness it, continue to grow, continue to build off of it. And it was great while it lasted. Now it’s just: What can we do better to continue to improve?”

The Panthers and the Giants will square off at 8:30 a.m. CST Sunday at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. NFL Network will televise the game.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

General

Why Nate Oats and Alabama scheduled Will Wade’s McNeese State

A familiar foe for Alabama basketball returns to Coleman Coliseum on Monday. Will Wade, the former LSU coach, now at McNeese State, will lead the Cowboys to face Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.

The two coaches developed a rivalry while Wade was leading the Tigers, before he was fired when the NCAA served LSU with a notice of allegations for recruiting violations in 2022. Still, any bad blood that may have existed didn’t stop Oats from putting the Cowboys on UA’s 2024-25 schedule.

“I have a ton of respect for Will,” Oats said Thursday. “I played him when he was at VCU and I was at Buffalo, and he was good, he was better than us then. We had some battles at LSU. He’s got McNeese State back in the national stage quickly.”

Wade was hired to coach the Cowboys before last season. He was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2023-24 campaign, and is serving a two-year show-cause as well.

He led McNeese State to the NCAA Tournament once he began coaching. When it came time to fill out the 2024-25 schedule, the Cowboys called a man who loves to play tough games early on in the season.

“I know what it’s like to be a good mid-major,” Oats said. “It’s hard to get good games. Will;s trying to get good games for their team. They call us because pretty much everybody in the country knows we play good teams and we want good teams. We don’t want to play bad buy games, I don’t think that makes you better.”

Oats has carried that strategy throughout his Alabama tenure. It also applies to the Tide’s Monday matchup with Arkansas State at Coleman.

Former US assistant Bryan Hodgsen took over as head coach of the Red Wolves before last season. Arkansas State won 20 games, and was picked to win the Sun Belt ahead of Hodgsen’s second year in charge.

“Bryan told me he’s tried to get, tried to get, told me the teams in the SEC’s he’s talked to,” Oats said. “Most teams won’t play them, and I’m sure Will’s got that same problem. But we’re not really like that.”

Alabama and Arkansas State are scheduled to tip off Friday at 7 p.m. CT, on SEC Network+. The McNeese State matchup will begin at 6 p.m. CT Monday on the SEC Network, with both games played at Coleman Coliseum.

General

The UGG Nita Shearling Slippers are on sale for a limited-time

Nordstrom Rack is offering a limited-time deal on the Nita Genuine Shearling Slipper while supplies last.

During this sale, customers can get the cozy UGG slipper for $89.99 instead of the regular price of $140, a $50 discount overall.

UGG Nita Genuine Shearling Slipper

The UGG Nita Genuine Shearling Slipper is $50 off from Nordstrom Rack this week.

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The UGG Nita Genuine Shearling Slipper is crafted with a genuine shearling and leather upper, complemented by a lining made entirely of UGGpure wool, a textile designed to mimic the plush feel of traditional shearling. The stylish platform aspect also gives it a fashionable look.

Highlighted Product Feature – Comfort and Style: The standout feature of the UGG Nita Genuine Shearling Slipper is its luxurious UGGpure wool lining. This material not only adds an extra layer of comfort but also effectively regulates temperature, ensuring your feet stay warm without overheating, making these slippers ideal for both lounging at home and running quick errands.

Other Features – Sourcing of Materials: An interesting aspect of the UGG Nita slippers is that the shearling might be sourced from various locations, including Australia, China, Italy, New Zealand, Spain or the USA. This diversity in sourcing not only supports global trade but also ensures a range of materials can meet quality standards, providing customers with a product that is both luxurious and responsibly made.

Those interested in this deal can check out more details here.

Generative AI was used to provide product description for this story, based on data provided by Nordstrom Rack. It was reviewed and edited by AL.com.

General

Ravens-Bengals free livestream: How to watch NFL game tonight, TV, schedule

The Baltimore Ravens play against the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL game tonight. The matchup will begin at 7:15 p.m. CT on Prime Video. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by Prime Video.

The Ravens enter this matchup with a 6-3 record, and they are coming off a 41-10 win against Denver. During the victory, Baltimore accrued nearly 400 total yards. The team’s star running back Derrick Henry rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns, so he will look to perform similarly tonight.

Notably, the Ravens also threw the ball effectively last game. Baltimore’s quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 16-19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season, making him one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Bengals enter this matchup with a 4-5 record, and they are coming off a 41-24 win against Las Vegas. During the victory, Cincinnati’s star quarterback Joe Burrow threw for five touchdowns and more than 250 yards. The highly talented player has completed more than 70% of his passes this season, so he will be a key player to watch tonight.

Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by Prime Video.

General

Ex-employee indicted on 17 charges after BMW plowed into Leeds business in 2023

A 29-year-old man has been indicted on 17 charges after police say he intentionally crashed his vehicle into his former workplace in 2023.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Joshua Jermaine Hardrick, of Margaret, on six counts of attempted murder, 10 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count first-degree criminal mischief.

The indictments were issued Oct. 25 and made public Thursday.

Hardrick was initially arrested in February 2023 and remains out of jail on bonds totaling $307,500.

The incident happened at 3:25 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2023, at TA Services. That business is located at 1405 Eight Street in Leeds.

Police said Hardrick was a former employee of TA Services.

On that Wednesday afternoon, Hardrick “returned to the business in a violent manner and accelerated into this business in an area that is usually occupied by many employees,” Chief Paul Irwin said at the time.

Employees detained Hardrick until police arrived.

TA Services is a logistics company that deals with freight brokerage and warehousing.

Hardrick reportedly worked for the company for several months before he quit six months before the crash.

A trial date has not yet been set.

General

U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl praises ‘Team Mobile’ at final public speech as a congressman

U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl touted the city’s business and political leaders during what he said was his final public remarks to a local group as a member of Congress on Thursday, praising what he said was “Team Mobile,” but not confirming whether his future plans include a run for city office.

“I appreciate you allowing me to be a part of that for the past 13 years,” said Carl, R-Mobile, who served on the Mobile County Commission before he was elected to represent the 1st congressional district in 2020.

General

‘I have a great team’: Bob Jones’ girls looking to run the table in Class 7A under new leadership

First-year coach Sherell Robertson knows the hand she’s dealt.

Her Bob Jones squad not only has one of the most talented rosters in the state, but is also driven to put its name in the rafters after the last few seasons have been cut shorter than it would have liked.

General

Kirk Herbstreit pens emotional tribute to dog Ben, who died after cancer battle

ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced Thursday that his beloved dog, Ben, had died.

Ben had become a fixture around the set at College GameDay and various college and NFL games Herbstreit worked in the last two years, traveling with Herbstreit wherever he went and becoming a certified emotional support animal. The 10-year-old golden retriever had been battling cancer, which Herbstreit said Thursday had spread to Ben’s vital organs.

“This is really hard to write but so many of you have loved and cared about Ben that I wanted to let you know,” Herbstreit wrote on X. “We found out today the cancer had spread throughout Ben’s organs and there was nothing left we could do — we had to let him go.

“I’ve had dogs my whole life but Ben was 1 (of) 1. He was smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all. Always a big smile and a soft tail wag. He and I could communicate … he and I understood each other and had each other’s backs. He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy-going companion.

“Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever. God please bless his majestic soul and thank you for putting him in my life for the last 10 years — a true blessing.

“Love you Ben.”

General

Black students at Alabama colleges get racist texts about cotton, plantations after Trump win

Alabama law enforcement is investigating after Black college students in Alabama received a barrage of racist text messages following the re-election of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Screenshots shared by parent groups and several Facebook users Wednesday show unknown phone numbers referencing students by name and telling them they have been “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

Students at the University of Alabama and Samford University, among others in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia, according to news reports, appear to have received messages.

“Be ready at 1:00 p.m. SHARP with your belongings,” one message read. “Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve enter the plantation.”

Several of the phone numbers listed in screenshots reviewed by AL.com had area codes from inside and outside of Alabama. Calls to the numbers immediately went to an automatic voicemail referencing “TextNow,” a service that allows users to create an untraceable phone number.

In a statement to AL.com, University of Alabama spokeswoman Diedre Simmons said local law enforcement was looking into the matter. Officials did not confirm whether the senders were current UA students.

“It is our understanding that individuals across the country have received these disgusting messages,” the statement read. “This has been reported to authorities, and we’re asking anyone who may have information regarding these messages to report it to the appropriate authorities. UA students who have seen or received such messages are also encouraged to contact the Office of Student Care and Well-Being for any additional support that may be needed.”

Students interviewed by The Crimson White, the university’s student newspaper, said this wasn’t their first encounter with racism following after the United States’ presidential election.

Freshman Hailey Welch told the newspaper that she was harassed by two men wearing MAGA hats outside of her dorm on Wednesday morning.

“They started yelling at me and calling me racial slurs and said go back where I came from, even though I was born here and I’m American,” Welch told The Crimson White.

Similar “plantation” text messages have made headlines across the country in the last 24 hours. In Virginia, the attorney general’s office condemned the messages, encouraging recipients to contact local law enforcement or FBI.

A spokeswoman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.

In a message to Samford University students and staff on Wednesday, President Beck Taylor said the college was aware of “despicable and disgusting behavior, including the uses of racial slurs, abusive language and other hateful content to demean beloved members of our community.”

A spokesman for the university did not confirm whether the message was in response to similar text messages or other incidents on campus. It is also unclear whether any disciplinary actions have been taken.

In his message Wednesday, Beck said the private, Christian university “unequivocally stands against racism, bigotry, and hatred in all its forms.”

“As we process the results of yesterday’s election, the Samford community once again has an opportunity to stand for and display the values that inspire this institution and its Christ-centered educational mission,” the message read. “Showing love for our neighbor, especially those with whom we may disagree, is a hallmark of Christian virtue. How we treat each other in our disagreement says so much about who we are and what we stand for.”

General

Former Catholic high school coach indicted on charges of sexual contact with student

A former Baldwin County softball coach has been indicted for allegedly having a sexual relationship with an underaged female student in 2020-21.

According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office they began investigating Leonard Rizzuto on April 11. Rizzuto, now 60, is alleged to have had a sexual relationship with a 16 year old student while he was the head softball coach at St. Michael Catholic High School during the 2021 season.

“This case has been presented to a Baldwin County Grand Jury, who indicted Leonard Rizzuto, for a school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19 years, leading to his arrest,” BCSO said.

The sheriff’s office said Rizzuto was released from his job in 2021 after the season and no other victims had been identified. BCSO said several of the alleged acts occurred at Rizzuto’s home and a practice facility off campus.

Rizzuto’s bail was set for 15,000 and his conditions for bond are no contact with the alleged victim or her family and no contact with any children under 18.