Golden Tate jettisoned the Seahawks this offseason for the greener pastures of Detroit

 
 
Golden Tate jettisoned the Seahawks this offseason for the greener pastures of Detroit.

However, the speedy wide receiver says the move was more about money, and believes he's primed to "catch more balls and make more Pro Bowls" with the Lions.

"I think if I can stay healthy ... it's going to be fun," Tate said on ESPN's First Take on Monday, via MLive.com. "I have a chance to catch a ton more balls. I'm going to see a lot of single coverage. I'm probably going to see a lot of No. 2 and No. 3 cornerbacks because everyone's going to be on No. 81.

"I'm excited. I think the sky's the limit. I think it's going to get back to the old Golden."

No. 81, of course, is Calvin Johnson, the NFL's best receiver. Tate was often the go-to pass-catcher in Seattle, but his No. 1 days are over. He's likely to benefit from the decreased attention from defenses as teams game plan for Megatron, but also feels the man now slinging him passes will elevate his game.

"I would definitely say Matt Stafford's balls get there way quicker (than Russell Wilson's). I like Stafford's touch," Tate said. "He can place a ball wherever he wants. ... There's going to be small windows and guys there ready to hit you."

Tate was a solid starter over the last two seasons, averaging 54.5 catches and 793 yards along with six TDs while playing in the Seahawks' run-heavy offense. Megatron has never played alongside a true No. 2 receiver, and if Tate can successfully fulfill the role, the Lions' offense could be downright scary.

Quote:Golden H. Tate III (born August 2, 1988) is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Notre Dame, and was recognized as an All-American.

NFL News - Dipping by more than 800 yards from the year before didn't mean he dipped much in the eyes of his peers

 
 
Adrian Peterson, last year's top vote-getter in the NFL Network Top 100 list, fell all the way to fourth this year—possibly because he didn't duplicate his 2,000-yard, MVP-worthy season of 2012. His peers, however, gushed about him just as much.

"He should be in the top 100 every year,'' said the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles, the No. 8 player in the poll and third among running backs, behind the Vikings' Peterson and the Eagles' LeSean McCoy. "He is his team; his team cannot move without him.''

Peterson managed 1,266 yards in an injury-riddled season in which the Vikings went 5-10-1 and changed coaches in the offseason. Dipping by more than 800 yards from the year before didn't mean he dipped much in the eyes of his peers, though.

"When he makes his cuts, my knees hurt,'' marveled Raiders fullback Marcel Reese. "He's that good.''

It was the sixth 1,200-yard season of his seven-year career—the exception was 2011, when he tore his ACL. In December, he became the third-fastest player to reach 10,000 career rushing yards.

"We're witnessing greatness, something that we'll tell our grandchildren you got to watch him in person,'' said Lions tight end Joseph Fauria. "I'll definitely tell my grandchildren.''

Quote:Peterson is a Christian. Peterson has spoken about his faith in his life saying, "Jesus Christ means the world to me. I've been through so many different situations through my childhood and now my adulthood...God just helped me get through them and made me stronger at a young age. [Through] all the adversity and hard times I've been through, God has always been present. I've always prayed to Him and asked Him to give me the strength to endure and to help others and to better understand whatever situation I deal with in my personal life. And He has always showed up! It brings hope and peace of mind knowing that God gave His only begotten Son for us." Peterson also spoke of his faith in relation to his injury of a torn ACL and MCL by saying "...‘This is a blessing in disguise. I’ll come back stronger and better than I was before.’ What flashed in my mind was, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’...".

NFL News - Ben Tribbett announced his resignation on Twitter late Monday

A blogger hired by the Washington Redskins to defend the team's name has quit after two weeks.

Ben Tribbett announced his resignation on Twitter late Monday, saying he didn't want to be a distraction because of personal attacks directed toward him.

Tribbett is well-known in Virginia politics as an advocate for liberal issues. He is perhaps best known for leading the attacks on Sen. George Allen for using the word ''macaca'' to describe an American of Indian descent during Allen's ill-fated re-election campaign in 2006.

Tribbett tweeted that he supports the Redskins name but doesn't ''see eye to eye with some friends'' over the issue.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has vowed not to change the name but is facing unprecedented opposition from those who consider it a racial slur.

Quote:Snyder owns a corporate jet, a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express XRS with tail number N904DS and it is hangared at Dulles International Airport. The tail sports a Redskin helmet.

NFL News - Cost cap removed, judge mulls NFL concussion settlement

A second try at settling concussion lawsuits filed by former players against the NFL is in the hands of a judge. The key new element: removal of a $675 million cap on financial awards to ex-players.

How much the league might pay over the 65 years of the agreement is uncertain, though one outside labor lawyer estimates it might be a billion dollars or more.

The immediate impact of removing the damages cap is that legal observers now expect preliminary approval from the judge, who in January turned down an earlier settlement due to concerns about whether it was sufficiently funded.

Preliminary approval would set in motion more legal steps over the coming months and potentially set the stage for final approval – and ultimately payments to the former players suffering from brain conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease.

"They removed the limit on the monetary amount, so that's probably going to go a long way to convincing the judge now to settle it because it doesn't limit the potential number of people who can recover (monetary awards)," said Joseph Farelli, a New York labor attorney and a partner in the firm of Pitt & Giblin, which is not involved in the case.

Robert Boland, who teaches sports law and management at New York University, also anticipates preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia.

"I think (the revised settlement) goes a good bit further to actually helping the players in need, removing the cap, putting the funding away, without substantially impairing the NFL in any way," Boland said. "I think it captures the spirit of the initial settlement and probably goes that extra mile."

After Brody's rejection of their initial settlement, both sides said they considered the original $675 million to be sufficient and that they hoped to demonstrate that to the judge. But that argument is gone in the revised settlement.

"I think it's going to come close to costing a billion dollars," Farelli said. "Quite frankly, if the judge thought $675 million wasn't enough, and for her to say that … it must have been pretty low to her. I think one billion dollars is a very conservative estimate as to how much they're going to pay out."

Boland says he has no estimate on what it might eventually cost the league. But the NFL currently has estimated revenues of $10 billion a year and that is expected to rise in coming decades. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he hopes to see NFL annual revenues reach $25 billion.

"If we were all thinking back at the beginning of the case, and if ($1 billion) was the maximum liability, we would have considered that a victory for the NFL," Boland said.

More than 240 lawsuits filed by more than 4,500 ex-players have been consolidated in a single class-action case.

After preliminary approval, former players would be notified of terms of the settlement and their legal right to opt out if they would instead prefer to continue with individual lawsuits.

After the notification period, the judge will hold a hearing to determine whether the deal is "fair, reasonable, adequate, and in the best interests" of the former players. That hearing is not expected until late fall, possibly November.

The settlement would include up to $75 million in NFL funding for a baseline neurological and neuropsychological testing for all eligible retired players. It would also include $10 million from the NFL for educational programs to promote safety and injury prevention.

In the suits, the ex-players alleged that for decades the NFL knowingly concealed the risk of concussions and their long-term effects. In the settlement, the NFL makes no admission of guilt. The players also are not required to prove their conditions are related to football.

Diagnoses would be made by a network of physicians approved by the NFL and the players' attorneys.

The settlement includes maximum awards of $5 million for ALS, $3.5 million for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and $4 million for a player diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain disease known as CTE.

The settlement would also include payments for players such conditions as early dementia or a "severe decline in cognitive function."

While the cap on the monetary award fund has been removed, the dollar amounts for awards for specific conditions remained the same as in the initial settlement.

Farelli questions whether those payments are sufficient.

"A common problem anytime you have a long-term settlement involving medical conditions is nobody really has a good idea on how the health care costs are going to escalate over 10, 20 years," he said.

"So the amounts thrown out for people who fortunately are not deceased but people who are going to be suffering from the medical lingering effects, it's still not going to wind up being enough. … A lot of these guys are going to need 24-hour care."

Farelli doesn't expect that to stand in the way of preliminary approval by the judge.

"Those limits (on payments) are not going to be enough, but the thing is they're not so outrageous as to offend the judge."

NFL News - Former players, including Faneca, object to concussion settlement

Even though the NFL and those who have sued the league over past head injuries came to an agreement late last month that would leave the league's payments to those players uncapped, some former players still aren't happy with the new proposed settlement.

According to the NY Times, seven former players, including former Steelers standout and nine-time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca, now say the proposed settlement -- which, mind you, still has to be approved by a judge -- wouldn't compensate a number of retired football players, including those who shows signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

That's because the former players say those who played in NFL Europe, which is now defunct, wouldn't be covered by the settlement. As the LA Times writes, "NFL Europe players aren't credited for seasons in the league (award amounts are adjusted depending on a player's experience) though they are bound by the settlement."

Along with Faneca, Robert Royal -- who played for the Redskins, Bills and Browns from 2003-10 -- also is objecting to the new proposed settlement and is among those former players who filed a 58-page objection to federal court Wednesday.

The former players also say the plaintiffs haven't said how they reached an agreement with the league and that the plaintiffs' lawyers are asking for $112 million in fees.

“The Revised Settlement is a great deal -- for the NFL and Class Counsel,” the filing said. “It is a lousy deal for the retired players, whose rights have been bargained away without adequate or independent representation.”

Originally, the NFL and the plaintiffs had agreed on a $765 million settlement in August 2013, but a judge threw out the settlement because she was worried that settlement might not be enough to cover all former players for the 65-year life of the agreement.

Thus, under her supervision, the two sides came to the uncapped agreement.

"This means that once the compensation program is established funds will be available to any retired player who develops a qualifying neurocognitive condition," the plaintiff's attorneys said when the settlement was announced.

As the NY Times writes, "The NFL's new, open-ended commitment is expected to be enough to persuade [judge Anita B.] Brody to allow the settlement to be sent to the players. Brody could rule on the objections to the settlement at a fairness hearing after the players have had a chance to respond, or she could dismiss some or all of the complaints. If the objectors are unsatisfied with her response, they could appeal the settlement. No cash awards would be paid until all appeals are exhausted."

Quote:Alan Joseph Faneca, Jr. (/ˈfænɨkə/; born December 7, 1976) is a former American college and professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned All-American honors. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A nine-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

Denise DeBartolo York - San Francisco 49ers' Co-Chairman

Marie Denise DeBartolo York (born 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio) is the former owner and current co-chair of the San Francisco 49ers. She is the daughter of late construction magnate Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. and the late Marie Patricia Montani DeBartolo.

Denise and John York bring long and distinguished careers in sports and business to their roles as Co-Chairmen of the San Francisco 49ers, where they combine their passion for building a championship team with their commitment to being the best possible business partners and community citizens.

A THIRTY YEAR LEGACY IN BUSINESS AND PRO SPORTS

Since Denise’s father, Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., purchased the 49ers in 1977, she has been an integral part of more than three decades of 49ers football, including 41 playoff contests and five Super Bowl victories. Earlier in her career, Denise served as President of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Under her leadership, the Penguins were revitalized and transformed into a championship team, winning the Stanley Cup. She is one of only 12 women to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

A successful entrepreneur, John spent years as Senior Vice President/Director of Racing Operations for the DeBartolo Corporation, instituting programs designed to enhance the fan experience and raise the profile of thoroughbred horse racing. John, a noted pathologist, began his business career in 1982 as founder of DeYor Laboratories in Youngstown, Ohio. From three employees, he molded the company into a 500-person operation with facilities in three states before selling the company to Corning, Inc. in 1993.

As owners of the 49ers, Denise and John provide the resources and guidance to uphold the 49ers celebrated history and oversee the team’s relationship with the Commissioner of the National Football League and other team owners.

TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE NFL

Denise and John’s dedication to the sport of football extends to the top levels of the NFL.

Denise is an active member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee, where she helps to oversee the League’s ongoing support of the museum that pays tribute to the triumphs of pro football’s greatest stars, including 14 legendary members of the San Francisco 49ers.

John is Chairman of the NFL’s Health & Safety Advisory Committee, which was established in 2011. He is also a member of both the League’s Audit and International committees, the latter of which he previously served as Chairman. Under his leadership, the 49ers became the first team to play a regular season game outside the boarders of the United States, taking on the Arizona Cardinals in front of 100,000 fans at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The League expanded its presence abroad with regular season games at Wembley Stadium in London, England, under his direction. The 49ers are set to play the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley in October of 2013. It marks the second 49ers appearance in London in the last four years, as the 49ers hosted the Denver Broncos at Wembley in 2010.

CELEBRATING THE TEAM’S LEGENDARY HISTORY

Denise and John have played a pivotal role in reaching out to former players and coaches to help celebrate six monumental decades of 49ers football. Over the past decade, Denise and John have brought back every Hall of Fame enshrinee from the 49ers to be honored at Candlestick Park for their tremendous contributions to Bay Area sports.

When Levi’s® Stadium opens in 2014, one of the premiere features of the venue will be the 49ers Hall of Fame. The 20,000-square-foot facility will utilize cutting-edge technology to bring to life the legacy and mystique of the 49ers. Visitors will we be treated to an educational trek through the history of the franchise and the Bay Area.

Under the guidance of Denise and John, the team enhanced its annual alumni weekend event to give all players who have donned the red and gold throughout the team’s history a chance to catch up with old friends. As part of the event, the former players are recognized on the field during a half-time celebration at Candlestick Park, where so many of them made their mark on history. They have also worked with players like Joe Montana, Steve Young and Dwight Clark, and the members of the 1981 49ers defense to re-enact and commemorate some of the team’s most famous plays such as “The Catch” and the goal line stand that propelled the team to its first Super Bowl victory.

ENHANCING THE FAN EXPERIENCE

Denise and John are dedicated to embracing the passion of 49ers fans everywhere. They are committed to giving fans an opportunity to experience the excitement of 49ers football year-round. From the team’s annual Winter Fest Fundraiser in Lake Tahoe, to Pasta Bowl in Santa Clara and Fan Fest at Candlestick Park each summer, they have made it their mission to embrace the fans as family.

On game days, they have spearheaded the effort to create a great atmosphere for fans by making significant enhancements to Candlestick Park, from the creation of the Alumni Tailgate Party and Faithful City, to improvements inside the stadium such as new flat screen TVs, new escalators and remodeled restrooms.

They’ve also provided new opportunities for fans to participate in the excitement of 49ers football by giving local musicians the opportunity to sing the national anthem in front of 68,000 fans at the ‘Stick, and providing opportunities to local talent to participate in half-time events on the field.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Under the leadership of Denise and John, the team’s community outreach programs and 49ers Foundation have grown tremendously.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 21st year, the 49ers Foundation supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them, “Safe, On Track, and In School.”  The San Francisco 49ers are promoting RESPECT for schools and community by donating a significant portion of the foundation’s funding toward family violence prevention programs and activities that teach youth leadership and respect.  Since 1992, the Foundation has donated over $20 million to support non-profits, including $2.9 million in 2012.  In 2012, 100% of players participated in one-or-more community program and were joined by ownership, coaching staff, executives and their families at most of these events.

In recognition of their community involvement, the couple has been honored with a number of accolades including City Year’s Service Leadership Award, Silicon Valley Exemplary Community Leadership Award by Silicon Valley FACES, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Award at the Catholic Charities/Catholic Youth Organization’s Loaves & Fishes Dinner, and inclusion on the Top Corporate Philanthropists list for the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal.

The couple’s passion for community involvement extends beyond the Bay Area as well. John has been honored with Loyola University’s Strich Medal - the highest honor awarded by the school - for his ongoing contributions to his alma mater. Denise and John were honored with the Youngstown Hearing & Speech Center’s Great Communicators Award in recognition of their philanthropic leadership. The couple continues to support the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley United Way, while also being intimately involved with the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation which awards college scholarships to deserving Youngstown area high school seniors.

Denise continues to provide mentoring and tuition assistance for at risk youth throughout all levels of education. She is also involved with the No Stone Unturned Foundation, which provides support for children and their families affected by developmental and neurological disorders. Denise is also passionate about cancer related causes, including The Serenity Garden at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center and the A Way With Words Foundation.

PUTTING FAMILY FIRST

Though Denise and John have accomplished much in their professional careers, they first define themselves as husband, wife and parents.

Their eldest son, Jed, now carries on the family’s legacy begun by his grandfather Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., his Uncle Eddie DeBartolo Jr. and his parents, by serving as CEO of the 49ers. Their son, Tony, is currently an entrepreneur in the high-tech industry in the Bay Area, and is involved with support programs for incarcerated juveniles alongside team pastor Earl Smith. Their twin daughters, Jenna and Mara are pursuing careers in oenology in the Napa Valley. All of the York children share their parents’ passion for community service and are very active in the 49ers Foundation. Denise and John, have one grandchild, Jaxon, the son of Jed and his wife, Danielle.

Alex G. Spanos - San Diego Chargers' Owner

Alexander Gus Spanos (born September 28, 1923) is an American real estate developer and self-made billionaire who founded the A. G. Spanos Companies and owns the San Diego Chargers.

Alex Spanos and his wife Faye are shining examples of how the American spirit of hard work and determination can pay off for those willing to follow their dreams.

In 1951 at the age of 27, Alex Spanos decided he could no longer support his growing family on $40 per week working in his father’s bakery. So he borrowed $800, purchased a used catering truck and set out on his own by providing catering and support services for the migrant farm workers in California’s Central Valley.

From those humble beginnings, Spanos’ tireless work ethic built one of the leading real estate and development companies in the industry, and today he is the patriarch of one of the most accomplished and philanthropic families in the United States.

A.G. Spanos Companies builds multi-family housing and master planned communities and is one of the nation’s largest family-owned builders. Alex Spanos’ personal commitment to quality and integrity is now carried on by his family in the daily operation and management of the San Diego Chargers as well as the companies that bear his name.

Spanos made family part of his formula for business success. The A.G. Spanos organization, including the Chargers, is a family-run operation. Spanos’ amazing journey and his passion for giving back is outlined in his autobiography, “Sharing the Wealth: My Story,” a compelling first-hand account of the events and decisions in his life that became his basic fundamentals for success.

His success in the construction and development industry allowed him to pursue many dreams, including purchasing the Chargers on Aug. 1, 1984. Alex turned over the day-to-day operations of the Chargers to his oldest son, Dean, in 1994. Today he enjoys retirement and watching sons, Dean and Michael, along with grandsons, A.G. and John, guide the Chargers’ organization to success.

Spanos’ community spirit and generosity are renowned. Few can match the benevolence and philanthropy that Alex and Faye have shown through their support of deserving institutions and community-service efforts. San Diegans have Spanos to thank for the huge economic windfall of two Super Bowls and a Republican National Convention to San Diego. In addition to the millions of dollars donated by Spanos and the Chargers Community Foundation, which he established, the Spanos family has delivered more than $11 million to help San Diego’s youth by supporting education as well as health and fitness programs.

In 2008 the President of the Republic of Greece, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, awarded Spanos the Medal of the Commander of the Order of Honor. The honor came in recognition of his many contributions to the birthplace of his parents.

These acts of caring demonstrate the commitment of a man whose rags-to-riches story has been an inspiring example for others. Though his life has taken him places he never dreamed possible, Spanos continues to reside in his hometown of Stockton, California.

Alex and Faye are celebrating 65 years of marriage in 2013. And they will celebrate with their four children – Dean, Dea, Alexis, Michael and their spouses – 15 grandchildren, and four great grandsons.

Early life and education
Spanos was born in Stockton, California to a Greek family, the son of Greek immigrants, Constantino and Evanthia Spanos. His father owned a bakery where the young Spanos started working at the age of eight. In 1942 he dropped out of college and joined the Army Air Force training as a pilot but left the program and instead serving as a tail gunner during World War II. Spanos earned varsity letters in running and diving at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and later distinguished himself as an amateur golfer.[citation needed]

Career
In 1951 he borrowed $800 from a local banker to buy a truck which he then used to sell sandwiches to migrant farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley. By 1955 he had made his first million dollars. He invested his earnings in real estate and at the suggestion of his tax accountants, and started to build apartments. In 1960 he founded A.G. Spanos Companies, which by 1977 had became the largest apartment builder in the United States. The corporation is based in Stockton and has 10 subsidiaries.

San Diego Chargers
In 1984, Spanos bought 60% of the San Diego Chargers from majority owner Eugene Klein for $48.3 million. Over the next 10 years, he bought out the shares of several small co-owners, bringing his control of the team to 97%. He remains partnered with retired San Diego restaurateur George Pernicano, an investor in the team since a few years after its inception. Since 1993, Spanos' son Dean has handled the daily operations of the franchise. According to Forbes, in 2007 the San Diego Chargers were worth $826 million.

Philanthropy and political contributions
Spanos donated $500,000 to renovate the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Stockton, and with the approval of the City of Stockton, renamed the facility the Fox California Bob Hope Theatre. The Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton and the Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo are named after him.

Spanos was one of the largest contributors to George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004. By contributing $5 million to 527 groups that supported the Bush campaign in 2004, Spanos ranked among the top five GOP donors. President Bush appointed Spanos to the Kennedy Center board in 2004. Spanos was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2005. Spanos also received the AHEPA Award, an award that recognizes members of the community for their contributions and achievements in their chosen field of endeavor.

Personal life
In 1948, Spanos married Faye Papafaklis. They are the parents of four adult children: Dean Spanos, who serves as the Chargers' Team President; Micheal Spanos, who serves as the Charger's Executive Vice president; Alexis Spanos Ruhl, a vice president of A.G. Spanos Companies; and Dea Spanos Berberian, a vice president of A.G. Spanos Companies. The Spanos reside in Stockton, California. Spanos also owns property in Las Vegas, Nevada. Spanos had a seven-way heart bypass in 2000, and has had surgery and undergone chemotherapy for colon cancer. After his heart bypass at Sacramento Mercy General Hospital, Spanos donated $10 million to the hospital sponsoring the construction of its new state-of-the-art heart center.

He has written a book called Sharing the Wealth: My Story which details his rise from a moneyless man of 27 years to become a billionaire.[citation needed] Spanos was the first person ever to be on the winning teams in both the Bob Hope Desert Classic in Palm Desert (1977) and the Bob Hope British Pro-Am (1980).