In July, NFL rookie Khyree Jackson, who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2024 draft, was named killed in a car accident in Maryland, where he grew up.

He never played a game, but his impact was felt throughout the season.

According to after Jackson’s death, the Vikings announced that the rookie’s locker is not going to be occupied during the season and they’re going to not use his jersey number, 31, to pay tribute to him. In an interview with NBC after the Vikings’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 3, teammate Aaron Jones mentioned how he honors Jackson.

“I often put flowers in Kyrie Jackson’s locker, so I walk by and have a look at them. I’m alone there and I only spent a moment with him. I told him tonight was for him.

He also mentioned that he saw Jackson’s parents at the game and told them that he gives flowers every week.

BEAUTIFUL: #Vikings RB Aaron Jones puts flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker before every game.

“I put flowers in Khyree Jackson’s locker. I spent a moment with him and told him that tonight was for him.”

Khyree’s parents were present, beautiful🥹

(via NBC)
pic.twitter.com/x6Hd224SnY

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 4, 2024

Jackson, 24, never had the opportunity to play in an NFL regular season game after being chosen 108th overall by the Vikings^vol overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With nine games left on the schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs face the query: Can they remain undefeated?

Here’s the answer: it doesn’t matter.

There is little question that NFL observers are considering whether the only undefeated team in the league will finish the regular season with an ideal record. But Kansas City (8-0) stays focused on pursuing an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship.

For the Chiefs, the regular season is just a method to an end.

As the Chiefs prepare for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, they’ve overcome serious injuries en path to posting the best record in the league. In fact, including postseason games, the Chiefs have won 14 in a row over two seasons.

And they are usually not surprised.

“We’re a really good football team,” superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently told reporters. “No matter what is required that day, the guys will rise to the challenge and play. If it’s defense, if it’s offense, if it’s special teams and each individual in those situations, they will step up. None of us care about statistics, we care about victories.

“We (had) seasons where we had great numbers and didn’t win the Super Bowl. And in seasons like last year (when) you don’t necessarily have great stats, but you win the Super Bowl (and) you still feel a lot better. … No matter what, we will find a way to win the football game. It comes down to experience and the great culture we have built here.”

Last season, the Chiefs became the first team since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005 to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Trying to interrupt latest ground in the Super Bowl era, the Chiefs got off to a sensational start, sparking interest in whether or not they could grow to be the second team in NFL history to complete the season, including the playoffs, undefeated. In the 1972-73 season, the Miami Dolphins went 17-0.

In the 2007/08 season, it seemed that the New England Patriots couldn’t be stopped. They went 16-0 in the regular season, won two AFC playoff games and were heavily favored to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. On at the present time, nevertheless, the Giants were higher. Despite going 18-1, the Patriots didn’t get the victory they most wanted.

The Golden State Warriors began the 2015-16 NBA season 24-0, setting a brand new record for the best start at the highest level of basketball. The Warriors’ historic begin to this season became the springboard for an additional single-season NBA accomplishment: an overall record of 73-9.

Ultimately, nevertheless, the team is best known for failing to defend the NBA title and being the only team in NBA Finals history to blow a 3-1 series. As it turned out, the Warriors’ season was meaningless due to the way it ended.

Kansas City hopes to avoid the same fate.

Nevertheless, Chiefs’ early season streak is impressive, especially given the injuries they’ve overcome. Among their starters, they lost wide receiver Hollywood Brown in the preseason, running back Isiah Pacheco in Week 2, receiver Rashee Rice in Week 4 and cornerback Jaylen Watson in Week 7.

Much to go coach Andy Reid’s delight, the Chiefs just keep playing.

“Those games were close. Many of them. So I’m happy with the guys for taking part in for 4 quarters and sticking together throughout that period,” Reid said. “We can improve in all facets, including me. We’re just working in the same direction now and it’s essential to see if we are able to improve as time goes on.

The addition of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins helped to realize this goal.

Recently acquired in a trade from the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins quickly strengthened the receiving corps devastated by injuries. Hopkins had eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Monday’s 30-24 additional time victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to the Chiefs, Hopkins has slot in well.

“His hands are phenomenal,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “The experience that he has and that comes with it is trust. He played in lots of matches. He understands and has seen many various defenses. It’s precious.

“Whether it’s zone or man (coverage), he’s a superb route runner. You see it on tape. … You see his confidence and pride. That confidence can really permeate and you are feeling it with other players.

Mahomes can attest to that. He established a fast rapport with Hopkins, whom the Chiefs acquired with the ultimate goal in mind fairly than attempting to finish the regular season with an unblemished record.

“We continue to give him more and more opportunities to make plays,” Mahomes said. “We move him around and let him do what he excels at, which is catching the ball, winning one-on-ones and getting open in coverage.

“It’s just going to assist the whole offense, not only him, but it’s going to assist the other guys get open. Of course, given the big game he had last game, I’m sure they’ll be paying more attention to him this week.

When you play for the Chiefs, attracting attention comes with the job. And even when the Chiefs finish the regular season with a poor record, the highlight shall be on them at the biggest moment of the yr in the NFL.

November 6 Simone Biles, the world’s top gymnast, shared a message with President Biden on X.

Her request was easy: “straighten your back and shake some things out before you leave.”

The world-class athlete signed her message “Women in America.”

Biles’ message comes as a response to the top of a tumultuous election cycle wherein women’s rights were on the forefront of the agenda.

The Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, advocated for a girl’s right to make decisions without government interference. Her conservative opponents will not be such champions.

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance are more conservative of their beliefs. Vance proudly spoke out against childless women and devalued their contributions to society. She also believes that the one goal of postmenopausal women needs to be to care for kids of their prolonged families.

Biles is rightly concerned about what comes next for American women. The American gymnast is using her voice to support women like her.

This is not the primary time an athlete has spoken out about serious problems.

Biles’ departure from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics sparked a debate about mental health issues amongst top athletes. With enormous pressure to represent the United StatesBiles decided to care for herself. In 2021 she spoke to Down spread knowledge about mental health help.

“I’m going to therapy and I also know that it doesn’t help with stress, anxiety and depression, but there is nothing to be ashamed of that you simply are going through something similar. I’m here with you and you may care for yourself,” she said.

In 2018, Biles got here forward to break her silence concerning the abuse and harassment she experienced by the hands of Larry Nassar, the US gymnastics team doctor.

“For too long I asked myself, ‘Was I too naive?’ “Was it my fault?” I already know the answers to these questions. NO. No, it wasn’t my fault. No, I is not going to and mustn’t bear the guilt of Larry Nassar, USAG and others.

Biles turned to Congress to make clear Nassar’s abuses. She also condemned the system that allowed his actions to proceed for over a decade.

“Without a doubt, I consider that the circumstances that led to my harassment and allowed it to proceed are a direct results of the incontrovertible fact that the organizations created by Congress to oversee and protect me as an athlete, USA Gymnastics on the United States Paralympic Committee, she failed to fulfill her obligations.”