Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott went viral when he tweeted a brutal jab during the Dallas Cowboys playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Abbott, who is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair, <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1617318243043086337?s=20&amp;t=ghStC9WkGe9ERJNzNpOq_g">took to Twitter</a> after Cowboys kicker Brett Maher failed to convert an extra point when it was blocked by 49ers defensive lineman Samson Ebukam, <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/01/23/texas-governor-greg-abbott-trolls-brett-maher-cowboys-49ers-nfl-playoffs/">TMZ</a> reported. San Francisco ended up winning the game and advancing to the NFC Championship.
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Brett Maher is 1/6 on PATs this post season after missing here
If this kick wasn’t blocked, it still wouldn’t have been good. <a href="https://t.co/Dd9Wl7zIST">pic.twitter.com/Dd9Wl7zIST</a>
&mdash; JPA (@jasrifootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasrifootball/status/1617317872459456516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I swear, I can kick as good as the Dallas Cowboys kicker,&#8221; Abbott tweeted to his more than one million followers.
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I swear, I can kick as good as the Dallas Cowboys kicker.
&mdash; Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1617318243043086337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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And Abbott wasn&#8217;t the only person who criticized the Cowboys&#8217; kicker. Several accounts flooded the social media platform with videos and memes mocking Maher.
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Jerry Jones to Brett Maher in the Cowboys locker room at halftime… <a href="https://t.co/bcSYi5ER75">pic.twitter.com/bcSYi5ER75</a>
&mdash; NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_Memes/status/1617327573372919810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Brett Maher trying to kick PATs <a href="https://t.co/s896wcFTR7">pic.twitter.com/s896wcFTR7</a>
&mdash; 𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔡𝔞 (@spidaIand) <a href="https://twitter.com/spidaIand/status/1617318172994195456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Brett Maher lining up to kick an extra point <a href="https://t.co/7hhRNWrVAQ">pic.twitter.com/7hhRNWrVAQ</a>
&mdash; BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) <a href="https://twitter.com/BetMGM/status/1617318276484431872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Brett Maher lining up to kick an extra point <a href="https://t.co/3Z6B8JIVt3">pic.twitter.com/3Z6B8JIVt3</a>
&mdash; Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1617318102106247168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Maher has struggled in the playoffs this season, missing five extra point attempts in the past two games, including four on January 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He has the second most missed extra point attempts in NFL playoff history.
However, the Cowboys kicker did manage to nail two field goals on Sunday, a 25-yarder in the third quarter and a 43-yarder in the fourth. He has made 12 consecutive field goal attempts.
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-49ers-dallas-cowboys-nfl-sports-football-eb7e3a98a43c901478292c0f8875eef0">According</a> to The Associated Press, there was a brief altercation before the game when some 49ers players attempted to disrupt Maher while he was warming up.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/can-you-cut-a-guy-at-halftime-peyton-manning-reacts-to-cowboys-kicker-missing-third-straight-extra-point">&#8216;Can You Cut A Guy At Halftime?&#8217;: Peyton Manning Reacts To Cowboys Kicker Missing Third Straight Extra Point</a>

Dallas Cowboys-2

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Goes Viral With Brutal Dallas Cowboys Playoffs Tweet

Dallas Cowboys

General

Greg Abbott

San Francisco 49ers

Texas

U.S.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Hall-of-Fame bound quarterback Tom Brady has been fined $16,444 for unnecessary roughness after he tried to trip Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooper by sliding into his legs on January 16.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bucs</a> QB Tom Brady was fined $16,444 for unnecessary roughness for trying to trip <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> S Malik Hooker on Monday night and C Ryan Jensen was fined $8,333.33 for unnecessary roughness on the same play.
&mdash; Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1616905830435102721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Hooker had recovered a fumble from Tampa Bay wide receiver Chris Goodwin in the third quarter and was heading upfield when Tampa Bay wide receiver Julio Jones tackled him as Brady attempted to take Hooker’s legs out from under him. The Buccaneers ultimately lost the game, 31-14, marking the end of the 45-year-old’s season and possibly the end of his storied career.
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red card and a fine<a href="https://t.co/AE7MvQVeYb">pic.twitter.com/AE7MvQVeYb</a>
&mdash; Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1616906251157241856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“It’s a dirty play from Brady. Filthy. Unacceptable,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/17/tom-brady-gets-away-with-a-dirty-move-for-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reacted</a>, adding, “Brady has, in the past, used his shoe as a weapon when sliding. A decade ago, he was fined $10,000 for putting a foot in the crotch of Ravens safety Ed Reed. Brady has done similar things since then, without incident.”
At the time of Brady’s slide, the Cowboys led 24-0. In the first half, Brady had been held to 11-of-23 passing for only 96 yards. Generally, the kind of slide that Brady executed would warrant a penalty.
Last February 1, Brady officially announced his retirement from football.
“I have always believed the sport of football is an ‘all-in’ proposition – if a 100% competitive commitment isn’t there, you won’t succeed and success is what I love so much about our game,” Brady <a href="https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1488521931158695940?s=27" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in an Instagram post. “There is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge EVERY single day that has allowed me to maximize my highest potential. And I have tried my very best these past 22 years. There are no shortcuts to success on the field or in life.”
“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady continued. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention.”
But in March, 40 days after he had announced his retirement, Brady said he would play a 23rd season.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady tweeted. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”

NFC Wild Card Playoffs – Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

‘Filthy … Unacceptable’: Tom Brady Fined For Sliding Attempt To Take Down Cowboys Safety

Tom Brady Fined For Sliding Attempt To Take Down Cowboys Safety

Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady

Dak Prescott had a hell of a game on Monday night in the dispatching of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but make no mistake, that has not been nor will be the norm.
Prescott has been the model of inconsistency in his career, including the playoffs, and now they’re going on the road to face the most consistent team the league has to offer in the San Francisco 49ers.
Even with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy — who is balling by the way — the 49ers have more pieces than a big ass puzzle.
But it all goes back to me not trusting Dak.
After the Cowboys loss to the Jags, he was the league leader in interception percentage while playing in way less games than pretty much everyone else.
Listen, Dak had a great game against the Bucs: He threw for 305 yards, was 25 of 33 for a 76% completion rate, averaged over nine yards per completion and had one rushing touchdown.
The last time he threw for over 300 yards was at home against the Eagles.
But all that was accomplished against a dysfunctional team with Tom Brady on his way out and coach Todd Bowles most likely on his way out as well.
From a purely analytical perspective, I don’t trust Dak to have a similar performance against the 49ers the same game as he did against the Bucs.
Coming off his best games, Dak tends to turn the ball over in follow up games — at least twice.
Also Dak has what I call the Carson Wentz syndrome — when it goes bad, it doesn’t just go bad, it goes “five alarm fire” bad. Dak doesn’t just make mistakes, he makes catastrophic mistakes and we have seen it in crucial moments down the stretch.
He still has never made it past the divisional round and is 2-3 in the playoffs, and even though he was efficient and effective against the Bucs, I don’t trust him against a team that isn’t dysfunctional.
But the Cowboys have a great defense, you say. Yes, but it’s not yet at the level of the Ray Lewis Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning defense. That defense made Trent Dilfer look good. And the Cowboys certainly don’t have a defense at the same level as the 49ers.
I like Dak Prescott. I like the way he handles his business. He’s the ultimate professional and you don’t hear about a lot of off-field drama. I just don’t see four great back-to-back quarters coming from Dak.
The Cowboys have a good defense and they have the pieces on offense around the quarterback, but in my opinion — and it’s nothing personal — they just don’t have a championship quarterback.
The San Francisco 49ers, on the other hand, are the most balanced team playing with the best personnel.
Jake Crain is co-host of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/crain-and-company">&#8220;Crain &amp; Company.&#8221;</a> the Daily Wire&#8217;s sports show hosted by former athletes and coaches Jake Crain, Blain Crain, and David Cone. Follow him on Twitter: @JakeCrain_
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

NFL: JAN 16 NFC Wild Card Playoffs – Cowboys at Buccaneers

Dak Played Lights Out On Monday Night, But Here’s Why He Will Never Win The Big One

Dak Played Lights Out On Monday Night, But Here's Why He Will Never Win The Big One

Football

Playoffs

Readers Pass

Buccaneers&#8217; QB Tom Brady thanked members of the press for their &#8220;effort&#8221; this year and said he was &#8220;very grateful&#8221; for everyone&#8217;s support as speculation mounts about his NFL future.
Following Monday Night&#8217;s playoff loss by Tampa Bay — where the Bucs fell to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 — the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tom-brady">45-year-old QB</a> <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-sounds-less-like-hes-taken-his-last-snap-and-more-like-hes-uncertain-where-his-next-one-will-be-060546366.html">spoke to the media</a> about the game and said he knew that in that moment, the better team on the field had won.  He also made some comments that have many thinking that if it was not his last game in the league, it quite possibly could have been his last one wearing a Bucs jersey.
&#8220;Not the way we wanted to end it, but we didn&#8217;t deserve it,&#8221; Brady shared. &#8220;I give them a lot of credit. They played a good game. Made a lot more plays than we did, so a tough night.&#8221;
WATCH:
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Here&#39;s the video of how Tom Brady ended his press conference tonight: <a href="https://t.co/bUHKJgSOmY">pic.twitter.com/bUHKJgSOmY</a>
&mdash; Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1615212805912727553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I just want to say thank you guys for everything you did this year,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I really appreciate all your effort. I know it&#8217;s hard for you guys. I know it&#8217;s hard for us players to make it through. You guys got a tough job, and I appreciate all that you guys do to cover us, and everyone who watches and is a big fan of the sport — we&#8217;re very grateful for everyone&#8217;s support. You know hopefully, I love this organization. It&#8217;s a great place to be.&#8221;
&#8220;Thank you everybody for welcoming me, all the regulars,&#8221; Brady continued,  as he sounded like he was getting choked up. &#8220;And I&#8217;m just very grateful for the respect, and I hope I gave the same thing back to you guys. So thank you very much.&#8221;
The 23-year veteran made headlines a year ago when he announced he was finally walking away from the game. But 40 days later he reversed that decision and returned to play with the Bucs for another season, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35464228/tom-brady-says-no-table-decision-bucs-eliminated">ESPN</a> noted.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/get-your-fing-act-together-tom-brady-rips-into-offensive-line-during-ugly-loss-to-steelers">Super Bowl-winning QB</a> finished the year with an average of 9.6 yards per completion, the lowest of his career and second-lowest in the NFL, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-sounds-less-like-hes-taken-his-last-snap-and-more-like-hes-uncertain-where-his-next-one-will-be-060546366.html">Yahoo.com</a> noted. His contract will soon expire with a &#8220;no-tag&#8221; clause, ESPN noted. At the age of 45 he will then become an unrestricted free agent unless the Bucs can re-sign him. Otherwise, he&#8217;s free to sign with any team, if he chooses to stay in the league and keep playing.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-brady-apologizes-for-comparing-football-to-military-deployment">Tom Brady Apologizes For Comparing Football To Military Deployment</a>

Atlanta Falcons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

‘Just Very Grateful’: Tom Brady Thanks Press For All Their ‘Effort’ This Year As Speculation Mounts About His NFL Future

‘Just Very Grateful’: Tom Brady Thanks Press For All Their 'Effort' This Year As Speculation Mounts About His NFL Future

ESPN commentator <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/peyton-manning-offers-hilarious-advice-to-tom-brady-on-retirement-during-snl-skit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peyton Manning</a> and his brother Eli were clearly taken aback when Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher missed his third consecutive extra point during Monday&#8217;s playoff game.
The Cowboys came out on top regardless — besting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a final score of 31-14 — but by the time Maher whiffed his third kick, Manning was ready to pull him from the game even though his team was winning 18-0 at the time.
WATCH:
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Peyton Manning is all of us reacting to the Cowboys’ third missed extra point <a href="https://t.co/y1VzcE5ZZ9">pic.twitter.com/y1VzcE5ZZ9</a>
&mdash; Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmahaProd/status/1615176137201831936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;You have got to be kidding me!&#8221; Manning stood up and walked out of frame, visibly frustrated as Maher missed the kick. &#8220;Why are we kicking it?! Why are we kicking it?!&#8221;
ESPN panned to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who also appeared to be annoyed by the turn of events.
&#8220;He can’t believe it. Talk about a buzz-kill,&#8221; Eli Manning said of Jones. &#8220;No one’s ever missed three extra points in a row. Gotta be a record.&#8221;
&#8220;Can you cut a guy at halftime of a playoff game?&#8221; Peyton asked.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott defended Maher after the game, however, noting that he himself had played poorly in recent weeks.
WATCH:
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Dak Prescott sticks up for Brett Maher:
&quot;I&#39;m Money Maher&#39;s biggest fan&#8230; I just played like s&#8212; a week ago&quot;
🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBSSportsHQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/SZqINWv1FB">pic.twitter.com/SZqINWv1FB</a>
&mdash; CBS Sports (@CBSSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports/status/1615221957733097474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Yeah, I mean, I&#8217;m Money Maher&#8217;s biggest fan,&#8221; Prescott said. &#8220;I talked to him individually, just told him after the game, &#8216;He let that go, we&#8217;re going to need it.&#8217; I just played like s*** a week ago, so I mean, that happens.&#8221;
Prescott went on to say that he believed Maher was absolutely capable of letting it go and doing better when he came back for the next game.
&#8220;Knowing what that guy&#8217;s done, with the resiliency he&#8217;s shown throughout his career, personally, no doubt that he&#8217;ll come back next week and be perfect and help us win,&#8221; Prescott added.
Maher ultimately missed four extra points during Monday&#8217;s game.
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Brett Maher’s FOURTH missed extra point tonight <a href="https://t.co/LVtJHjeVWh">pic.twitter.com/LVtJHjeVWh</a>
&mdash; PFF (@PFF) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1615184220468514816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Up until Monday&#8217;s game, Maher had been having a good season — nailing 50 of 53 extra point attempts — but the <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-brett-maher-misses-nfl-record-4-extra-points-023951271.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four misses</a> landed him in the NFL record books for most extra point misses in a playoff game.
&#8220;They might be looking for a kicker next week,&#8221; ESPN commentator and former Cowboy Troy Aikman responded after Maher missed the fourth.

Kansas City Chiefs v Denver Broncos

‘Can You Cut A Guy At Halftime?’: Peyton Manning Reacts To Cowboys Kicker Missing Third Straight Extra Point

Peyton Manning Reacts To Cowboys Kicker Missing Third Straight Extra Point

Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons quickly reversed course, apologizing after slamming President Joe Biden in the wake of the prisoner swap that secured WNBA star <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner&#8217;s release</a>.
Parsons, upon learning that Russia was trading Griner for international arms dealer Viktor &#8220;Merchant of Death&#8221; Bout — and that Marine veteran Paul Whelan was being left behind in a Russian prison — <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/hell-nah-dallas-cowboy-has-strong-reaction-to-brittney-griner-swap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lashed out</a> at the Biden administration for failing to secure Whelan&#8217;s release as well.
&#8220;Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah,&#8221; Parsons tweeted.
But a short time later, apparently upon learning more about the context of the prisoner exchange, Parsons tweeted his apology and said that he should not have allowed his emotions to get the best of him.
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then the best outcome was accomplished. I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.
&mdash; Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1600870691326554112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Just spoke to some people that I respect and trust. I should have been more educated on the topic and not tweeted out of emotion for my family and other (sic) who have served. For that I apologize,&#8221; Parsons began, adding that he had also learned more about the Biden administration&#8217;s efforts to bring Whelan home.
&#8220;Also if what I’m told about the attempts to bring Ret Marine Paul Whelan home are true, then the best outcome was accomplished,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I pray Mr. Whelan comes home but am extremely happy for Brittney and her family. I am not too prideful to admit when I’ve made a mistake.&#8221;
Whelan also <a href="https://www.mediaite.com/news/just-in-paul-whelan-says-hes-greatly-disappointed-brittney-griner-prisoner-swap-didnt-secure-his-release-too/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke to CNN</a> — from the Russian prison where he is serving a 16-year sentence for espionage — about the exchange. He told the outlet&#8217;s Jennifer Hansler that he was &#8220;greatly disappointed&#8221; that the final deal had not included him.
The Marine veteran, who has always maintained his innocence, told CNN that in the weeks leading up to Thursday&#8217;s announcement, he had actually begun to believe there was hope that his release would be part of the arrangement.
Whelan&#8217;s brother, David, also released a statement on the exchange, noting that the family had at least been warned ahead of Thursday&#8217;s announcement that Paul would not be a part of the deal — and said that while they were certainly happy to see one wrongfully imprisoned American go free, they were still devastated that he was left behind.

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys

‘I Should Have Been More Educated’: Dallas Cowboy Walks Back Biden Slam Over Griner Case

Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons Walks Back Biden Slam Over Griner Case

Brittney Griner

Executive

Global Politics

Russia

WNBA

World

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dallas-cowboys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Cowboys</a> linebacker Micah Parsons reacted strongly online over the news of the release of WNBA star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brittney Griner</a>, who was freed in a one-to-one prisoner swap in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed the “Merchant of Death.”
Parsons seemed to take particular issue with the Biden administration failing to secure the release of Paul Whelan, a retired U.S. Marine jailed in Russia since December 2018 on espionage charges that the U.S. government said are baseless.
&#8220;Wait nah!!&#8221; the athlete posted. &#8220;We left a marine?!! Hell nah.&#8221;
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Wait nah!! We left a marine?!! Hell nah <a href="https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ">https://t.co/3AeQx8K9OZ</a>
&mdash; Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicahhParsons11/status/1600839683407126530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Later on Thursday, Parsons reversed course, apologizing and saying that he should not have allowed his emotions to get the best of him.
“Just spoke to some people that I respect and trust. I should have been more educated on the topic and not tweeted out of emotion for my family and other (sic) who have served. For that I apologize,” Parsons began, adding that he had also learned more about the Biden administration’s efforts to bring Whelan home.
Griner was arrested in February at a Moscow airport after being caught with marijuana vaping materials and sentenced to nine years in prison in August.
UPDATE: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/i-should-have-been-more-educated-dallas-cowboy-walks-back-biden-slam-over-griner-case">‘I Should Have Been More Educated’: Dallas Cowboy Walks Back Biden Slam Over Griner Case</a>
“Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner,” President Joe Biden tweeted early Thursday. “She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home, after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances. Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along. This is a day we’ve worked toward for a long time. We never stopped pushing for her release.”
Whelan was personally informed about Griner’s release Thursday by a senior Biden administration official, according to Fox News reporter Nick Kalman.
David Whelan, brother of the imprisoned Michigan man, said in a statement that he &#8220;can&#8217;t fathom&#8221; how his brother would feel upon hearing the news of Griner&#8217;s release.
“Despite the possibility that there might be an exchange without Paul, our family is still devastated,” David said, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer">The Daily Wire</a> reported. “I can’t even fathom how Paul will feel when he learns. Paul has worked so hard to survive nearly 4 years of this injustice. His hopes had soared with the knowledge that the US government was taking concrete steps for once towards his release. He’d been worrying about where he’d live when he got back to the U.S.”
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A statement from the Whelan family said the Biden administration made the &#8220;right decision&#8221; in securing Griner&#8217;s release.
&#8220;There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed &amp; for them to go home,&#8221; the statement said, Kalman reported Thursday morning. &#8220;The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, &amp; to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn&#8217;t going to.&#8221;
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NEW from the Whelan family: &quot;There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed &amp; for them to go home. The Biden Admin made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, &amp; to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn&#39;t going to..”
&mdash; Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKalmanFN/status/1600847157216522240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Biden administration said Whelan&#8217;s case is being treated &#8220;differently&#8221; by Russia &#8220;for totally illegitimate reasons,&#8221; Kalman noted.
&#8220;While we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release we are not giving up,&#8221; the administration added. &#8220;We will never give up.”
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Biden says Russia is treating the Paul Whelan case “differently &#8211; for totally illegitimate reasons.” Adds “While we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release we are not giving up. We will never give up.”
&mdash; Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKalmanFN/status/1600849174928293888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Greg Wilson contributed to this report. 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/wnba-star-brittney-griner-freed-from-russian-prison-in-swap-for-arms-dealer">WNBA Star Brittney Griner Freed From Russian Prison In Swap For Arms Dealer</a>

Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys

‘Hell Nah’: Dallas Cowboy Has Strong Reaction To Brittney Griner Swap, Walks It Back

Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons Has Strong Reaction To Brittney Griner Swap

NBA star <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lebron-james" target="_blank" rel="noopener">LeBron James</a> said he stopped being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys over what he called the organization&#8217;s stance regarding its players kneeling during the national anthem.
During the 37-year-old Lakers star&#8217;s appearance with his business partner Maverick Carter on <a href="https://twitter.com/LandonBuford/status/1585782157770891264?s=20&amp;t=9KUK8d4CbBwTyZb9j2tWVg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram Live</a> Thursday night, James was asked about his notable silence showing his fandom for the Cowboys, reports <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lebron-james-is-no-longer-a-cowboys-fan-because-of-teams-alleged-stance-on-kneeling-during-national-anthem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS Sports</a>.
Carter told the basketball star that he hadn&#8217;t heard James &#8220;talk s*** about the Cowboys in a long time.”
“You still a Cowboys fan?” Carter asked.
&#8220;Nah man, I had to sit out on the Cowboys, man. It just a lot of things that [were] going on when guys were kneeling and guys were having freedom of speech,&#8221; James said. &#8220;And wanted to do it in a very peaceful manner. You know, a lot of people in the front office and a lot of people that ran the organization was like, &#8216;If you do that around here, you won&#8217;t ever play for this franchise again.’ And I just didn&#8217;t think that was appropriate.&#8221;
WATCH:
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LeBron James on why he’s not <a href="https://twitter.com/dallascowboys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallascowboys</a> fan anymore:
“Nah man I had to sit put on the Cowboys man. It just a things that were going on when guys were kneeling&#8230; [The] organization were like if do that around here you won’t play for this franchise again.”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DallasCowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DallasCowboys</a> <a href="https://t.co/gYusCcs8KY">pic.twitter.com/gYusCcs8KY</a>
&mdash; Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) <a href="https://twitter.com/LandonBuford/status/1585782157770891264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I like a lot of the players on the team still,&#8221; he added, before noting that he had to &#8220;turn it in,” revealing which team he now favors.
&#8220;I&#8217;m all in on the [Cleveland] Browns,&#8221; James continued, throwing his support behind the team that currently stands at 2-5 for the season.
During the 2017 season, the Cowboys players did not join with other professional sports teams at the time who kneeled before the anthem. The owner of the team, Jerry Jones, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/cowboys-owner-players-no-more-dissing-flaganthem-robert-kraychik" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made it known</a> that kneeling wasn&#8217;t going to be supported.
&#8220;If there is anything disrespecting the flag, then we will not play,&#8221; Jones said at the time. &#8220;Period. We&#8217;re going to respect the flag and I&#8217;m going to create the perception of it.&#8221;
&#8220;I know this, we cannot &#8230; in the NFL in any way give the implication that we tolerate disrespecting the flag,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We know that there is a serious debate in this country about those issues, but there is no question in my mind that the National Football League and the Dallas Cowboys are going to stand up for the flag. So we&#8217;re clear.&#8221;
At one point on the show, James made an announcement that his show &#8220;The Shop&#8221; was going to be part of the November 17 Thursday Night Football broadcast.

New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James Says He Stopped Being A Cowboys Fan Over Team’s Kneeling Stance

#TakeAKnee

Celebrities

LeBron James

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nfl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL</a> is under fire — and maybe brimstone — after editing God and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jesus-christ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jesus</a> out of a sweet message of goodwill from the five-year-old son of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dallas-cowboys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Cowboys</a> star.
The message from Aaiden Diggs, son of cornerback Trevon Diggs, came at training camp media day. The plucky little boy showed up with his proud dad, stood on a step stool, and gave reporters an extensive list of everyone he loves.
&#8220;Every time I&#8217;m with my Dad, I love it because he gets me picks and it makes me happy,” Aaiden said as his father beamed. “I love the whole world, I love God and Jesus, and I love my family.”
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“I really love #️⃣7️⃣ cause it’s my favorite number…I love the whole 🌎, I love God and Jesus, and I love my whole family.” &#8211; Aaiden Diggs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CowboysCamp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CowboysCamp</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/lMsfywwGKE">pic.twitter.com/lMsfywwGKE</a>
&mdash; Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/dallascowboys/status/1556749051759996928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Picks&#8221; refers to interceptions, and Aaiden&#8217;s dad led the NFL with 11 last year.
The NFL thought it was so cute it tweeted out the message. Except for the God, Jesus, and family parts.
&#8220;It does not get any cuter than Aaiden Diggs,” read the tweet from the league’s official account. “I love the whole world.”
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It does not get any cuter than Aaiden Diggs. 
&quot;I love the whole world.&quot; 🥺💙 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/dallascowboys?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallascowboys</a>) <a href="https://t.co/Oz8hSVQeQ8">pic.twitter.com/Oz8hSVQeQ8</a>
&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1556751942914809857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Disney-owned woke sports network <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1556853649896157184">ESPN</a> also felt the need to edit Aaiden&#8217;s comment down to a secular, &#8220;I love the whole world.&#8221;
Fans on Twitter did not appreciate the partial quoting of Aaiden.
&#8220;The quote is, &#8216;I love God and Jesus.&#8217; Good on dad for raising this awesome young man to love the Lord. We need more of this!&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/bumpnrun1515/status/1556753797459939337?s=20&amp;t=9OcKkjHeGqH4x8Bf1ds3GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted Bumpnrun1515</a>.
&#8220;How about God and Jesus? Some of us square Christians watch the NFL, but we can do without it,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/lee_stoops/status/1557142086654332930?s=20&amp;t=9OcKkjHeGqH4x8Bf1ds3GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted Buck Fama</a>.
To their credit, the Dallas Cowboys tweeted out Aaiden’s entire message.
Little Aaiden made a name for himself last year, when the Cowboys were featured on HBO&#8217;s training camp show, &#8220;Hard Knocks.&#8221; His adorable interaction with his father and fellow team members went viral, including his revelation that his favorite player was actually quarterback Dak Prescott, whom he seemed to <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLFilms/status/1435275446397116417?s=20&amp;t=gsIw_n-sFR51lWtxsc24fg">confuse</a> with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The league has since featured the telegenic boy in short videos, including ones with his father.

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

All-Powerful NFL Edits God, Jesus Out Of Sweet Message From Dallas Cowboy Star’s Son

All-Powerful NFL Edits God, Jesus Out Of Sweet Message From Dallas Cowboy Star's Son 

Jesus Christ

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued an apology on Tuesday after using what has been dubbed the &#8220;m-word&#8221; to refer to little people during a tribute to a team executive who recently died.
The remark drew the criticism of many, including a call for a public apology from the Little People of America (LPA).
“Earlier today I made a reference which I understand may have been viewed as offensive. I apologize,” Jones <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/07/27/jerry-jones-apologizes-for-using-derogatory-term-about-little-people/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Jones made the controversial reference while sharing memories about former Cowboys scouting director Larry Lacewell who served during the team&#8217;s three Super Bowl wins in the 1990s. Lacewell died in May at the age of 85.
“I’m going to get me somebody, a midget, to stand up there with me and dress him up like Lace and think Lace is still out here helping at practice with us,” Jones told reporters during the Cowboys training camp in Oxnard on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-apologizes-m-word-slur-rcna40213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> NBC News, which referred to his term as the &#8220;M-word&#8221; in its news copy. “But here it is to Lace―really, and I’m serious about that.”
LPA, an <a href="https://www.lpaonline.org/mission-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">organization</a> &#8220;dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism,&#8221; released a statement in response to the comment by Jones.
&#8220;Midget is a term that has widely been known to be derogatory for years and should be common knowledge to anyone in the public arena, such as Jerry Jones. Ignorance at this point is simply not an excuse,&#8221; the <a href="https://www.lpaonline.org/assets/media/PR_072622_JerryJones_Response.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> read, spelling the word out instead of using the abbreviation used by NBC News.
&#8220;Any use of this disparaging slur along with suggestions or insinuations that our stature exists for amusement is deplorable and inexcusable. The millions of individuals with dwarfism around the globe already face unfair disadvantages in their daily life due to their disability including discrimination, harassment, and assault,&#8221; it added.
The organization concluded by calling Jones to apologize and &#8220;vow to use appropriate terminology rooted in respect and dignity going forward.&#8221;
The LPA was the organization responsible for seeking to abolish the use of the word when it released a statement on the issue in 2015.
&#8220;The word &#8216;midget&#8217; was never coined as the official term to identify people with dwarfism, but was created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport,&#8221; the LPA <a href="https://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. &#8220;Today, the word &#8216;midget&#8217; is considered a derogatory slur.&#8221;
Jones is not the only NFL personality to use the controversial term. Marvin Lewis, who coached the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/09/marvin-lewis-apologizes-for-use-of-word-midget/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apologized</a> for a similar use of the word in reference to then-Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel during a radio interview.
“I’m aware that my comment on local radio last night was offensive to people of short stature and to their families and friends,” Lewis said in part. “It was thoughtless on my part to use the word I did, and not excusable, and I greatly regret it.&#8221;

Jerry Jones

‘Deplorable and Inexcusable’: Dwarfism Community Hits Jerry Jones For Using The ‘M-Word.’ Jones Apologizes.

Dwarfism Community Hits Jerry Jones For Using The 'M-Word.' Jones Apologizes.

Former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dallas-cowboys">Dallas Cowboys</a> player <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-former-nfl-star-running-back-marion-barber-found-dead-by-police">Marion Barber III</a> died of an accidental heat stroke, the Collin County medical examiner&#8217;s officer <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2022/07/11/marion-barber-iii-died-due-to-heat-stroke-officials-say/?adid=social-twa">said</a> this week.
Barber, 38, was found unresponsive in his Frisco, Texas, apartment on June 1, after police were called to make a welfare check.
&#8220;We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III,&#8221; the Cowboys <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/heat-stroke-dallas-cowboys-rb-marion-barbers-accidental-death/">said</a> in a statement following the loss. &#8220;Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates. Our hearts go out to Marion&#8217;s family and friends during this difficult time.&#8221; 
Some had speculated that the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sudden-death-the-surge-of-nfl-tragedies-and-whats-behind-it">NFL</a> star suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dead-nfl-superstars-brain-reveals-telltale-signs-of-cte">CTE</a>. The late player’s father Marion Barber II publicly <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article262097117.html">said</a> that his son did not want his brain donated for CTE research.
Before his death, Barber was <a href="https://thelandryhat.com/2022/06/13/cowboys-marion-barber-death-details-cte-research/">reportedly</a> hospitalized for mental health concerns on two occasions.
“He wasn’t doing too well … he looked bad … like a different person, like he couldn’t function,” former Cowboys teammate Terence Newman said about his last interaction with Barber, which happened about three years ago, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/06/14/marion-barbers-ex-teammate-terence-newman-scared-by-last-encounter">according</a> to Sports Illustrated. “When I tell you I was scared, I thought he might swing on me.”
The NFL has lost a string of players this year, including Baltimore Ravens 26-year-old linebacker <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/26-year-old-nfl-player-jaylon-ferguson-dead">Jaylon Ferguson</a>, who also passed in June.
According to an autopsy report, Ferguson <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/baltimore-ravens-lb-jaylon-fergusons-cause-of-death-revealed">overdosed</a> on cocaine and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fentanyl">fentanyl</a>.
“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the team’s Twitter account announced. “He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to Jaylon’s family and friends as we mourn a life lost much too soon,” the statement added.
The 26-year-old was reportedly battling depression around the time of his death; his grandmother had recently died and there was a fire at his home in Owings Mills, the friend who found Ferguson&#8217;s body told police.
This is a developing story, please refresh for updates 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sudden-death-the-surge-of-nfl-tragedies-and-whats-behind-it">Sudden Death: The Surge Of NFL Tragedies, And What’s Behind It</a>

Dallas Cowboys v Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboy Marion Barber Cause Of Death Revealed, Ruled ‘Accident’

BREAKING: Dallas Cowboys Marion Barber Cause Of Death Revealed, Ruled ‘Accident’

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch paused for a moment to feed the bears while on a recent fishing trip with family and friends.
Vander Esch, 26, who went to the <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/dallas-cowboys-players-must-stand-anthem-owner-joseph-curl/">Cowboys</a> as a first-round draft pick in 2018, was spending some time with family and friends over the 4th of July holiday — and while out fishing, he took a moment to offer a fish to a <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/happy-valentines-day-wildlife-center-will-put-your-joseph-curl/">wild bear</a> that was standing in the water nearby — and he captured the entire exchange in an Instagram video.
WATCH:
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The video showed Vander Esch grabbing a fish by the jaw and holding it out, tail first, toward the approaching bear. The bear, rising to its hind legs, slowly inched closer and closer to the pro-footballer, using a nearby rock for balance. Once it was able to reach, the bear gently took the fish in its teeth and turned away, apparently preferring to eat the gifted meal in private.
&#8220;Definitely a couple firsts this weekend. Not often you get to feed a wild bear and get a picture with two sturgeon in the same frame. Amazing weekend with family making memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you @killgoreadventures for an awesome trip,&#8221; Vander Esch captioned the snap.
&#8220;DUDE,&#8221; teammate Dalton Schultz replied.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones added, &#8220;Yeah, that&#8217;s wild.&#8221;
&#8220;That&#8217;s outstanding brother! Making memories!&#8221; rodeo athlete Tyson Durfey commented.
&#8220;[Dog] is one with nature!&#8221; Cowboys cornerback Donovan Olumba replied.
Several people attempted to rain on Vander Esch&#8217;s parade, however, accusing him of putting the bear in danger. They explained that feeding them in the wild like that could teach the bears to depend on humans for food. They also said that it could teach bears to trust humans — and that could put them at risk in the future, especially if any future interactions between the bear and humans might potentially include humans who were interested in big-game hunting.

Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles

WATCH: Cowboys Linebacker Feeds Fish To Wild Bear During Fishing Trip

Cowboys Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch Feeds Fish To Wild Bear During Fishing Trip

Nature

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