Mike Vrabel is executing a different type of defense this week as the New England Patriots coach and former Super Bowl champ responds to photos capturing him in a pool with veteran NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
Vrabel and Russini, both married, were caught holding hands, hugging, and lounging in the water recently at a resort in Sedona, Arizona.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New England Patriots’ Mike Vrabel and top NY Times NFL reporter Dianna Russini hold hands and hug at luxury hotel <a href="https://t.co/BpPD0ScwBQ">https://t.co/BpPD0ScwBQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/xrdqqmgDUC">pic.twitter.com/xrdqqmgDUC</a>
— Page Six (@PageSix) <a href="https://twitter.com/PageSix/status/2041644814626615436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
The pictures, first published by the New York Post&#8217;s Page Six, appear to show more than an off-the-record conversation between the NFL coach and the reporter for The Athletic, though both deny any wrongdoing.
&#8220;These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,&#8221; Vrabel told the <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/04/07/celebrity-news/new-england-patriots-mike-vrabel-and-top-ny-times-nfl-reporter-dianna-russini-hold-hands-and-hug-at-luxury-hotel/">Post</a>. &#8220;This doesn’t deserve any further response.&#8221;
A &#8220;Page Six Spy&#8221; reported Vrabel and Russini had breakfast on the patio of the Ambiente Sedona luxury resort on March 28 before hitting the pool and lounging together in a hot tub.
Russini&#8217;s representative says she was in Arizona on a girls&#8217; trip with a group of friends, though no one else is visible in the published images.
&#8220;The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,&#8221; Russini told The Post.  &#8220;Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.&#8221;
Russini, who worked for ESPN for years before joining The Athletic, has been married to Shake Shack exec Kevin Goldschmidt since 2020. The couple has two young sons.
Vrabel has been married for more than two decades. They have two sons; the oldest played for the Atlanta Falcons.
The Patriots coach and NFL insider have a long professional history, too. Before taking over in New England, Vrabel spent six seasons as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, the team Russini regularly covered in Nashville during her time at ESPN.
The Athletic is standing by its senior NFL insider, who also hosts the &#8220;Scoop City: Inside the NFL&#8221; podcast.
&#8220;These photos are misleading and lack essential context,&#8221; Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, told The Post. &#8220;These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.&#8221;
After the weekend in Arizona, both Vrabel and Russini attended the NFL&#8217;s annual meetings in Phoenix.
Russini later filed a report to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7167284/2026/04/02/annual-nfl-coaches-photo-2026-edition-plus-no-1-qbs-pro-day/">The Athletic</a> about her interactions with NFL coaches in Arizona. The first line of the piece reads: &#8220;The NFL offseason means … controversial headlines.&#8221;
The NFL offseason drama now involving Vrabel and Russini continues as the league moves toward Draft Day later this month.

Credit: Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire/Chris Graythen via Getty Images

‘It’s Laughable’: Patriots Coach Mike Vrabel Downplays Poolside Photos With Married NFL Reporter

ESPN

Football

News

Patriots

Sports

The Athletic

Sunday marked Easter and the day before the 2026 College Basketball National Championship game where the UConn Huskies are taking on the No. 1 seeded Michigan Wolverines. Huskies head coach Dan Hurley spent his Sunday in that order —  observing Easter came first, then it was time to game plan.
&#8220;Once I got out of Mass this morning, now it&#8217;s preparing for Michigan,&#8221; Hurley said Sunday.
The two-time national champion is getting UConn ready for their third title game in four years. A dynasty in the works. Though Hurley leans on his faith to get through the grueling college basketball season, he&#8217;s not praying for a positive outcome on the court.
&#8220;I’m praying for strength, for all the people that I’ve lost, and I pray to God for wisdom,&#8221; Hurley told <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/interview/dan-hurley-uconn-basketball-faith-and-family#:~:text=Hurley%20says%20that%20he%20models%20his%20faith,meditation%20practices%20with%20his%20players%20*%20Journaling">National Catholic Register</a> after his second championship. &#8220;And I do ask that we could be at our best. But I don’t ask to win the game. I ask for everyone to be at their best.&#8221;
Psalm 23 is what Hurley says he prays every day.
&#8220;The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name&#8217;s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever,&#8221; the passage states.
&#8220;I pray every morning because maybe of the line of work I’m in: the stress level and intensity of it. I’m an intense person, and that really resonates to me,&#8221; Hurley said. &#8220;I also like the Proverbs, the Our Father, Hail Mary and the &#8216;Serenity Prayer.'&#8221;
He&#8217;s a man who sticks to his routine, especially on game day. Monday, he will know nothing more or less than he does for every game day as he sets his eyes on a third title, and sixth overall, for Connecticut.
UConn is the underdog, but Hurley said his team is ready to take on a &#8220;dominant&#8221; Michigan team, adding that sometimes, the best team doesn&#8217;t cut down the nets at the end of the NCAA Tournament.
&#8220;You’ve just got to be better for one night, and obviously for us, we need to play the game a certain type of way where we obviously can’t get into a certain type of game with Michigan. They’re an incredibly dominant team,&#8221; Hurley said.
&#8220;There are no holes in their attack, they&#8217;re an elite defensive team, they&#8217;re an elite offensive team. They crush the glass.&#8221;
Michigan head coach Dusty May gave credit to Hurley and his team&#8217;s ability to fight till the end.
&#8220;They take what the games give them, they ride a hot hand &#8230; so there&#8217;s just a number of challenges,&#8221; May said. &#8220;You can&#8217;t go into this game saying if you do this, we are going to win &#8230; even if we do that well, they&#8217;re going to pivot, and we are going to have to find a way to counter that pivot.&#8221;
UConn and Michigan tip off at 8:50 p.m. ET.

Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

UConn Coach Dan Hurley Went To Mass On Sunday — But He Didn’t Pray To Win The National Championship

College basketball

General

Michigan

NCAA

U.S.

UCONN

Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC&#8217;s &#8220;Today&#8221; show Monday as the search continues for her missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy.
&#8220;We are so glad you started your week with us, and it is good to be home,&#8221; Guthrie <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3owh3HXBz-g">said</a> at the top of the broadcast.
Savannah&#8217;s co-anchor Craig Melvin welcomed her back, telling her, &#8220;Yes, it is good to have you at home.&#8221; Both wore yellow as a symbol of hope, matching the yellow ribbons and flowers outside of Nancy&#8217;s home.
Savannah seemingly resumed her hosting duties effortlessly, covering the day&#8217;s news and conducting interviews, including a segment on the rescue of a missing Air Force officer in Iran.
Outside Rockefeller Plaza, fans gathered holding yellow ribbons, flowers, and signs of support, including messages reading, &#8220;We love you, Savannah,&#8221; and &#8220;We love you, Nancy.&#8221;
&#8220;These signs are so beautiful, you guys have been so beautiful,&#8221; Savannah told the crowd of supporters, at times appearing emotional. &#8220;I&#8217;ve received so many letters, so much kindness to me and my whole family. We feel it. We feel your prayers.&#8221;
During commercial breaks, Savannah interacted with her fans, taking photos and thanking them for their encouragement.
In a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWyvv8ME_Tb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">video</a> message shared on Easter Sunday with her church, Guthrie reflected on faith and hardship.
&#8220;Perhaps this is too dark a message to share on Easter morning, but I have long believed that we miss out on fully celebrating resurrection if we do not acknowledge the feelings of loss, pain, and yes, death,&#8221; Savannah said in the video. &#8220;It is the darkness that makes this morning&#8217;s light so magnificent, so blindingly beautiful. It is all the brighter because it is so desperately needed.&#8221;
&#8220;So, I close my eyes this morning and I feel the sunshine. I see a bright vision of the day when heaven and earth pass away because they are one on earth as it is in heaven. When we celebrate today, this is what we celebrate. And I celebrate too. I still believe. And so I say with conviction — Happy Easter.&#8221;
Nancy Guthrie was last seen ten weeks ago on January 31. Authorities in Pima County, Arizona, said she was forcefully taken from her home overnight. The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery, in addition to rewards offered by the FBI and Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

‘It’s Good To Be Home’: Savannah Guthrie Returns To ‘Today’ As Search Continues For Missing Mother

Nancy Guthrie

Officials on the scene had to smash the rear windshield to retrieve one prized possession for golf legend Tiger Woods following his recent rollover crash in Florida: the bag containing his golf clubs.
Bodycam <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6392513281112">footage</a> showed police officers at the scene talking to the golfer&#8217;s manager, Rob McNamara, who stressed that Woods did not want to leave his clubs behind.
One officer at the scene told McNamara, &#8220;I understand,&#8221; and added that the clubs were &#8220;worth more than my house.&#8221;
&#8220;The putter is worth more than all of our houses,&#8221; McNamara said, standing next to the police vehicle where Woods was in the backseat, the door open.
&#8220;Other than the clubs is there anything in there that you absolutely need at the moment?&#8221; the deputy asked.
&#8220;No, just the sticks,&#8221; Woods replied. &#8220;The sticks in the golf bag.&#8221;
He acknowledged that there were other golf clubs in the vehicle, but repeated that the only ones he needed were the ones inside the bag.
The deputy asked him about the putter then, and Woods explained, &#8220;I&#8217;ve won 14 majors with it.&#8221;
&#8220;They don&#8217;t call you the GOAT for nothing, man,&#8221; the deputy laughed.
The golfer&#8217;s Range Rover was turned from its side to an upright position, and upon realizing that the trunk could not be opened, someone from the fire department stepped in and shattered the back windshield. Police were then able to reach into the trunk and pull out the golf bag with the clubs inside — one of which sported a tiger head cover.
After failing several sobriety tests — and refusing a urine test — Woods was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/body-cam-shows-tiger-woods-undergoing-sobriety-test-after-rollover-crash">charged with DUI</a> with property damage and refusal to submit to a test.
As The Daily Wire previously reported, a judge granted the golfer&#8217;s request to travel outside of the United States after the golfer’s attorney cited his need to get into an “intensive, highly individualized and medically integrated program.” Woods <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tiger-woods-breaks-silence-after-dui-arrest-pga-tour-also-issues-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Tuesday that he would be “stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health.”

Officials Smashed Back Window To Retrieve Prized Possession For Tiger Woods

Golf

Tiger Woods

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were met with a chorus of boos Friday at Fenway Park, as more than 36,000 fans packed the stadium for the Red Sox home opener, and made their feelings about the two politicians unmistakably clear.
The two Democrats took the field for a pregame ceremony ahead of Boston’s matchup against the San Diego Padres, but instead of cheers, they were greeted with sustained jeers from the crowd. Video of the moment quickly went viral, with fans loudly booing as Healey and Wu appeared on the field.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: Fenway Park ERUPTS in boos as Governor Healey and Mayor Wu take the field on Red Sox opening day — 37,000 fans making their feelings very clear <a href="https://t.co/i51cYVpkYd">pic.twitter.com/i51cYVpkYd</a>
— Mass Daily News (@MassDailyNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/MassDailyNews/status/2040139573469081665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Republican challengers wasted no time capitalizing on the optics. “Maura Healey and Michelle Wu just got booed very loudly,” GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve said in a <a href="https://x.com/ShortsleeveMA/status/2040161827124863010">video</a> from the ballpark. “It was even louder in person!” Another candidate, Mike Minogue, <a href="https://x.com/MikeMinogueABMD/status/2040180210365075556">added</a>, “Looks like fans want someone else up to bat,” while Mike Kennealy <a href="https://x.com/MikeKennealy/status/2040147033927946707">posted</a> simply, “Man, I love Red Sox Nation!”
For Wu, the moment carried a sense of déjà vu. The Boston mayor was also booed at last year’s home opener, raising fresh questions about why prominent politicians continue to insert themselves into a setting where the reception is increasingly predictable.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/x7xrLNOSaD">pic.twitter.com/x7xrLNOSaD</a>
— Alex (@Alexzachary305) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alexzachary305/status/1908491445528408192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If anything, a Major League Baseball crowd is supposed to function as a kind of political neutral ground, a cross-section of the public rather than an ideologically stacked arena — which makes the reaction at Fenway all the more notable.
Earlier this year, New Jersey Democrat Governor Mikie Sherrill faced a similar reception at a New Jersey Devils game, where fans audibly booed as she appeared — another reminder that, in the current political climate, even traditionally apolitical spaces like sporting events are becoming venues for public backlash.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 OUCH: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill gets BOOED at tonight’s NJ Devils game 
<a href="https://t.co/3GuEPDn8gH">pic.twitter.com/3GuEPDn8gH</a>
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChiefNerd/status/2026859323104600186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Back at Fenway, Healey and Wu stood on the field posing for photos alongside <a href="https://x.com/NESN/status/2040134915245629915">members of the 1986 Red Sox</a>, a team immortalized for triumph in a historically bad era of Boston baseball, then for one of the most <a href="https://x.com/KevG163/status/1982058314478354862">infamous errors in sports history</a>. The 1986 Sox came within a single out of winning the World Series before unraveling against the New York Mets in dramatic fashion.
On Friday, as the boos rained down, the pairing of those former players with two unpopular politicians felt like an unintentional callback: past failure meeting present discontent.
Of course, politicians showing up at sporting events is nothing new. But it’s also rarely necessary. No fan has ever left a game wishing the governor or mayor had made an appearance, but moments like this ensure plenty will remember when they did — and at Fenway Park, Red Sox Nation didn’t hold back.

Fenway Park

WATCH: Democrat Mayor, Governor Showered With Boos At Fenway Park Opener

Boston Red Sox

Democrats

Major League Baseball

The ESPN studios are usually filled with stats, stories, and opinions, but on Thursday during NFL Live, the set was filled with tears as host Dan Orlovsky&#8217;s son, Madden, delivered an inspiring message for World Autism Awareness Day.
The 14-year-old, who has autism, appeared against a backdrop of his artwork and spoke about his love for sports and his family.
&#8220;I want to tell this to Hunter, Nolen, Lennon, and Mom if they&#8217;re watching this. Mom, I love you. Hunter, you&#8217;re my favorite twin. Noah, I do like you and Lennon, you&#8217;re a good sister,&#8221; Madden said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Madden Orlovsky had a heartfelt message for his family and friends in honor of World Autism Awareness Day 🥹
This was a special moment for all of us at ESPN. Thanks, Madden and <a href="https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@danorlovsky7</a> ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/BnWu7cSXmV">pic.twitter.com/BnWu7cSXmV</a>
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/2039819469111849435?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a>
&nbsp;</blockquote>
The moment moved Orlovsky to tears.
&#8220;Are you crying? Madden asked his father.
&#8220;Yeah, because I love you,&#8221; he told his son.
Madden has appeared on the show before, including during last year&#8217;s World Autism Awareness Day broadcast, where he was introduced as the &#8220;NFL Live resident artist.&#8221;
ESPN host Laura Rutledge praised Madden during the segment.
&#8220;I just want to tell you how inspiring you are to so many people,&#8221; she said. &#8220;There&#8217;s a lot of people watching right now that may think they can&#8217;t do something like this, or they can&#8217;t go on TV and talk and sing, and you&#8217;re up here being absolutely awesome.&#8221;
During the appearance, Madden shared some of his favorite things, including his devotion to the Philadelphia Eagles and his favorite foods.
&#8220;I have great artwork, great coloring, great handwriting,&#8221; Madden explained. &#8220;I love other things. I love playing video games. I love the Eagles &#8230; I love eating pizza, cheeseburgers, french fries, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets.&#8221;
The Eagles super fan got a big surprise during his appearance when his favorite player, wide receiver Devonta Smith, and the Eagles Autism Foundation surprised him with a gift basket full and a note from the Eagles, which Madden read out loud:
<blockquote>Madden,
Happy Autism Acceptance Month. It was so great to have you at our All Abilities Clinic. We are so excited to celebrate you, not only this month, but 365 days a year. Please enjoy this box of swag to rock and wear proudly as a member of our community.
Best,
Eagles Autism Foundation</blockquote>
According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 31 children is diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental condition. Madden&#8217;s enthusiasm stole the show and swelled the hearts of viewers as he raised awareness for kids like him.
&#8220;Thank you all for supporting me,&#8221; Madden said.

Credit: ESPN

WATCH: ESPN Anchor Breaks Down In Tears After Autistic Son’s Powerful On-Air Speech

Autism

Eagles

NFL quarterback and former Tennessee Volunteer Josh Dobbs agrees with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) on the University of Tennessee — but do they agree on the moon landing?
The pro football player has a degree in aerospace engineering, so the rocket scientist wasn&#8217;t missing the historic Artemis II launch Wednesday in Florida.
Ahead of takeoff, Dobbs posted on <a href="https://x.com/josh_dobbs1/status/2039327238663893107?s=20">X</a>: &#8220;We go back to the moon today. Historic&#8221; — to which Burchett offered a short response that seemed to say a lot about the congressman&#8217;s views on space.
&#8220;Back?&#8221; Burchett posted on <a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/2039411215273783501?s=20">X</a>. And just like that, an unexpected tongue-in-cheek beef was born between sports and state.
&#8220;You can&#8217;t be one of those people,&#8221; Dobbs <a href="https://x.com/josh_dobbs1/status/2039454338003665390?s=20">replied</a> to Burchett.
Does Burchett really buy into the conspiracy that the United States has never actually made it to the moon?
No! Following the fun exchange, the congressman reminded his constituents that it was April Fools&#8217; Day.
&#8220;Breaking: Check the calendar. It was sarcasm,&#8221; Burchett <a href="https://x.com/timburchett/status/2039510661009399937?s=20">said</a>.
So Dobbs, who is affectionately called the &#8220;Passtronaut,&#8221; is united with his fellow Vols fan in bringing attention to how important the Artemis II moon mission is.
Wednesday&#8217;s successful launch is sending the first crew back to the moon in more than 50 years. The spaceship will circle around the moon before returning to Earth.
Dobbs ended the online back-and-forth with a picture of Artemis II blasting through the atmosphere, inviting Rep. Burchett to the next NASA launch.
&#8220;Tim Burchett I’ll see you at the next one,&#8221; Dobbs <a href="https://x.com/josh_dobbs1/status/2039478858148176228?s=20">said</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/timburchett?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@timburchett</a> I’ll see you at the next one <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/believe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#believe</a> <a href="https://t.co/LCim3KdRBH">pic.twitter.com/LCim3KdRBH</a>
— Josh Dobbs (@josh_dobbs1) <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_dobbs1/status/2039478858148176228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2026</a></blockquote>
Why is an NFL player so enthralled with space? Dobbs majored in aerospace engineering at Tennessee, where he graduated with a 4.0 on top of the grueling Southeastern Conference football schedule.
In 2020, Dobbs interned with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he got to witness a SpaceX rocket launch.
&#8220;I really felt the nervousness watching the countdown, knowing what those astronauts have gone through to get to this moment,&#8221; Dobbs told <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jags-qb-josh-dobbs-was-at-nasa-spacex-launch-as-nasa-intern">NBC Sports</a> after the launch. &#8220;Being able to see the teamwork involved in preparation for this launch was incredible for me. It&#8217;s so much like a football team — you see how everyone doing their job fits together and makes something great happen. That&#8217;s what I really appreciated about the experience.&#8221;
The &#8220;Passtronaut&#8221; certainly lives up to his name. Dobbs started a <a href="https://www.astrordinarydobbsfoundation.org/">foundation</a> called &#8220;The ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation, Inc.&#8221; The organization&#8217;s slogan: &#8220;The Sky Is Not The Limit.&#8221;
Through his non-profit, he&#8217;s raising funds for youth-focused STEM initiatives and educational programs across Rep. Burchett&#8217;s state of Tennessee and beyond.
Despite a busy schedule, the 31-year-old has kept up with the Artemis program for years, telling NASA back in 2020 that he couldn&#8217;t wait for Americans to land on the moon &#8230; again.
&#8220;Obviously been a while since we’ve gone to the moon and obviously there’s a lot of reasons behind that. We were building the International Space Station, we were doing other missions. But for that to be a goal and just to see how that goal is basically the framework, the support to the next goal, the springboard to going to Mars, I think it’s extremely exciting,&#8221; Dobbs <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/welcome-to-rocket-ranch/episode-21-nfl-quarterback-rocket-arm-and-mind/">said</a>.
Artemis II is expected to land April 10.

Credit: Stephen Maturen/Aubrey Gemignani/NASA/Getty Images

‘We’re Going Back’: Rocket Scientist QB Josh Dobbs Jokingly Spars With Congressman Over Moon Landing

Artemis II

Josh Dobbs

Moon Landing

Tennessee

Jaden Ivey addressed claims that he has not been doing well mentally — and gave insight to his family dynamic — after the Chicago Bulls waived the former top-10 draft pick for being &#8220;detrimental&#8221; to the team over comments criticizing the NBA’s &#8220;Pride&#8221; celebrations.
&#8220;Y&#8217;all going to say I&#8217;m crazy now?” Ivey asked in a livestream on Instagram Tuesday. &#8220;He&#8217;s mentally going insane, right? But I&#8217;m not. I have peace, I have joy.&#8221;
Ivey’s comments about his biblical beliefs have been met with praise from other athletes including TreVeyon Henderson — as well as criticism, even from his family.
Since his release from the Bulls, Ivey said his wife is no longer talking to him and his family members are calling him &#8220;psycho&#8221; amid the controversy.
&#8220;These are my own family members who love me,&#8221; Ivey said during his Instagram live stream Tuesday. &#8220;My blood, those who raise me saying that I don&#8217;t know the truth … saying I&#8217;m losing my mind.&#8221;
The Purdue alum also appeared on the PinPoint podcast Tuesday night, where he defended his comments about the NBA promoting &#8220;Pride&#8221; events which Ivey called &#8220;unrighteous&#8221; saying his opinions were not &#8220;detrimental&#8221; to the team.
Ivey said that he was a good teammate and strong player and added that he believed the league&#8217;s move of waiving him was hypocritical after Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was only fined for using a homophobic slur back in 2022.
&#8220;How is it that he said something detrimental and basically hypocritical judgment because he’s not a Christian, and he got fined. He didn’t get kicked out of the league. He didn’t get waived, right? But it’s because he’s the best player on their team, right? They need him, right? He makes them money, right?&#8221; Ivey said.
Ivey has posted numerous Instagram lives since last week when the Bulls ruled him out for the rest of the season for a knee injury.
Though he claims his mental health now is in good shape, it hasn&#8217;t always been that way. Ivey opened up about how his injuries, particularly his broken fibula last year, caused him to be suicidal, but God saved him.
&#8220;There&#8217;s been many times where God has been so merciful, bro. Like, I&#8217;ve almost committed suicide multiple times, and I&#8217;m not ashamed to say it. I&#8217;m not ashamed because God was merciful to keep me here,&#8221; Ivey said.
&#8220;I had oxy pills in my hand, and my wife was telling me, don&#8217;t do it. Don&#8217;t do this. Don&#8217;t go down this road, and God was convicting me and I didn&#8217;t know the truth. And so then, man, I didn&#8217;t do it by God&#8217;s grace. He kept me here.&#8221;
The guard — who was averaging 11.5 points per game before his release — said the Bulls dismissing him won&#8217;t stop his basketball career.
Ivey says he would answer a team&#8217;s call tomorrow in the NBA, but he would also consider playing in other leagues, too.
&#8220;As long as I&#8217;m doing the will of God, abiding in Jesus Christ, that&#8217;s what matters.&#8221;

Illustration by Daily Wire staff

The Fallout Grows More Personal For NBA Star Axed Over Christian Beliefs

Jaden Ivey

Here are some actions you can take in the NBA and still not get waived from your team: 
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Wield a gun while drunk at a strip club</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Knock up every woman in a four-mile radius of every NBA stadium</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Get arrested for alleged felony assault after concussing and strangling your girlfriend</li>
</ul>
What is the one thing you absolutely, positively cannot do, especially during Holy Week?
Let me introduce you to NBA guard Jaden Ivey, out of Purdue, where he scored 17 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore, then was drafted fifth overall in 2022 by the Detroit Pistons.
Ivey is a good player. He posted 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game in his rookie year. In his second season, he scored 16 points per game. He was up to almost 18 points per game before he was injured in his third season and was then traded to the Chicago Bulls.
And that is where the trouble began.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2399-sub"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-974957" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp" alt="DailyWire+" width="1024" height="171" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1024x171.webp 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-300x50.webp 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-768x128.webp 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-1536x256.webp 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/09/511983dad25841c8b1ec058d75769bbe-2048x341.webp 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
This week, Jaden Ivey posted a video about the NBA&#8217;s Pride month. This, of course, is the month when the NBA and pretty much all NBA teams have nights dedicated to LGBTQ+-÷.
Jaden Ivey got himself in trouble because he <a href="https://x.com/esidery/status/2038675084412338572?s=20">posted a video</a> talking about the NBA&#8217;s Pride Month on Instagram. He is a newly converted, religious Christian.
<blockquote>They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA,” he stated. “They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride, for Pride month to celebrate unrighteousness.’ They proclaim it.</blockquote>
That seems like a fairly traditional Christian belief, that you should not actually celebrate pride in what is considered a sin by the vast majority of the religious world.
The immediate response of the Chicago Bulls was to <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2038730088238268713?s=20">can him</a>. They announced that they had waived him due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”
Apparently, it was very, very bad for the team that he put out an Instagram video proclaiming the same thing that churches all over the country say all the time.
It was suggested that Ivy seems to be spiraling. Ivy has reported depression in the past; it is unclear whether he is in the midst of some sort of mental issue or not.
But if you&#8217;re going to cite evidence of a mental issue, this is not the best evidence. For him to declare that traditional religious belief says that you shouldn&#8217;t celebrate pride in what is considered a sin is not a spiral. 
<blockquote>I know some of the things that were put out there,” Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said. “You know, I think it&#8217;s a situation for him where, you know, it&#8217;s on his own personal Instagram. I don’t want to get into what he put out there [on Instagram], but certainly for him I hope he’s OK. I’ve had conversations with Jaden and he’s always been about rehabbing his knee and trying to get on the court and wanting to play. But I think organizationally, there’s certain standards I think we want to have as an organization and live up to those each and every day.</blockquote>
Not a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWh-2AWDpiT/">strong rebuke</a> from the coach.
Nonetheless, the Bulls let him go because, of course, you cannot say anything that violates the precept of full-scale wokeness on these sorts of issues.
Jaden Ivey then went to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWiLRPfgs3k/">Instagram Live</a> to defend himself.
<blockquote>“They said my conduct is detrimental to the team, right?” he stated. “Why don&#8217;t they just say, we don&#8217;t agree with his stance on LGBT? Why didn&#8217;t they say that? How is it conduct detrimental to the team? What did I do to the team? What did I do to the players? I did nothing but practice with them, play with them, pass the ball to them. Good teammate to them, said ‘Good job. Good shot.’ I said these things to my teammates, was never detrimental to them. So why is it that the NBA and the Chicago Bulls say that I&#8217;m detrimental to the team? Because I believe the truth.? Because I know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life?” </blockquote>
He has a point. The team could have just said, &#8220;We disagree with his comments. Everybody&#8217;s entitled to their opinion.&#8221;
In the UFC, this happens all the time. Dana White routinely says this about people that he disagrees with in the UFC, people who say things that are morally bad. He will say, “You&#8217;re allowed to say what you want to say. I disagree with it, but it&#8217;s not my job to police the speech of other people.”
<div id="attachment_1069855" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1069855" class="size-large wp-image-1069855" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263760436-864x576.jpg" alt="CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 21: Jalen Duren #0 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talks to former teammate Jaden Ivey #31 of the Chicago Bulls after a game at the United Center on February 21, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263760436-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263760436-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263760436-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263760436.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Jayden Mack/Getty Images</div>
But the Bulls just waived Ivey, who also criticized Steph Curry. He went off on Steph Curry because Curry is frequently brought up by critics of traditional Christianity in the league as the example of what Christianity should look like, meaning that you cite the vaguest verses from the Bible while ignoring traditional moral practice. 
Ivy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqvAUEVGtU4">said</a>: 
<blockquote>That&#8217;s why you got Steph Curry. And he not even surrendered. And y&#8217;all believe he&#8217;s a Christian. Y&#8217;all believe he&#8217;s a Christian because he wrote Philippians 4:13. Y&#8217;all think he&#8217;s a Christian. He’s friendship with the world &#8230; He don&#8217;t know Jesus. And I pray he comes to the truth, that Him and his family will be saved in Jesus’ name, because all that stuff is not going to matter on Judgment Day, the rings he got.</blockquote>
I&#8217;m wondering precisely what Ivey said here that merits him being waived.
Let&#8217;s be real about this. If he were saying the opposite, that Pride night is the best, or came out as gay today, he&#8217;d be celebrated by the league. He&#8217;d be touted as one of the most important basketball players alive.
The NBA has a political bent, without a doubt, and are putting at risk an entire Christian audience and traditionalist audience that looks at this and says, Hold up, you get waived for saying that you don&#8217;t believe that Pride night ought to be celebrated, not because you did anything wrong, just because you said that you don&#8217;t agree with the league&#8217;s stance on these issues?
Back in January 2025, Ivey <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEsWmiduyou/">said</a>, 
<blockquote>My testimony is that, you know, when you&#8217;re away from Jesus, when you&#8217;re not close to him. And when you don’t have a relationship with him, Satan is there. He wants to just steal, kill and destroy. That&#8217;s all he comes here to do. He doesn&#8217;t want to give you peace. He wants to make your life hell. And that&#8217;s what I dealt with, you know, most of my life. When I came to know Jesus, my life, my living, I did  a whole 360. I have that peace. I have that joy that I&#8217;ve been searching for my entire life.</blockquote>
Let’s recall that the NBA had an entire controversy engulf it surrounding whether they should have a night honoring a strip club in Atlanta. And that required the NBA to actually step in after weeks of consternation about whether or not that should happen.
But apparently, the minute you sound off and say, “Hey, Pride night, it&#8217;s got some connotations that are anti-Christian,” the minute you say that, you’re gone.
That&#8217;s an insane tactic from a league that wants to maximize its fan base, not minimize it. During Holy Week for Christians, that’s an astonishing stance by the league. 
I&#8217;m hopeful that some other team will give Jaden Ivey another chance. 
Because man, the Chicago Bulls really screwed up here in a major, major way.

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After golf pro Tiger Woods was hit with yet another DUI, fans and followers are questioning: Why in the world doesn’t the billionaire celebrity just hire a private driver?
According to one source who spoke with <a href="https://people.com/why-tiger-woods-wont-hire-a-driver-exclusive-source-11936867">People</a>, it all comes down to independence. The insider spoke with People following Woods’ latest incident in Jupiter Island, Florida, on Friday. 
The person claimed that Woods, &#8220;doesn&#8217;t want anyone to watch over him or know what he is doing… and he thinks he is fine to drive.&#8221;
The 50-year-old golfing legend, who became only the second active athlete ever to be certified by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/tiger-woods/">Forbes</a> as a billionaire in 2022, was charged with a DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test following his rollover crash this weekend, as The Daily Wire previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tiger-woods-involved-in-florida-rollover-crash-see-aftermath-of-his-range-rover">reported</a>. Woods was visibly impaired, but not by alcohol, as he blew a 0.00 on the breathalyzer test. It appeared to authorities that the golfer was under the influence of another substance.
“They did several tests, he did explain the injuries and surgeries,” Sheriff John Budensiek said. “They did some in-depth roadside tests, and when it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County Jail.” The sheriff noted that Woods appeared “lethargic.” 
He also mentioned that no one was injured, and that the incident could have been “a lot worse.”
This wasn’t his first time getting into trouble on the road. Woods was seriously injured following a rollover crash in 2021. Prior to that, in 2017, the golf pro pleaded guilty to reckless driving, agreed to pay a fine, and attended DUI school after being arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence.
This is all curious behavior considering that the insider who spoke with People also professed that Woods prefers to stay out of the headlines. 
&#8220;He is not a social butterfly and prefers to hang around his home with his kids, or hitting balls, or playing video games,&#8221; the source told People. &#8220;He despises public scrutiny.&#8221;
President Trump addressed the incident shortly after the crash. “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty.” the president told reporters in Miami. “There was an accident and that’s all I know … Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man.”
Woods has been dating Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., since 2025.

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How far can hard work, discipline, and a dream take you?
That question will be answered Saturday when Joe Pyfer takes on former UFC Middleweight Champion and #2 Pound for Pound fighter in the world, Israel Adesanya, at UFC Fight Night.
Now 29-years old, Pyfer has overcome heartbreaking circumstances to build the career he has today. Childhood abuse and a debilitating injury would be worthy excuses for giving up on his dreams.
But Pyfer is a different breed. In one of the greatest redemption stories in UFC history, Pyfer has ridden a three-fight win streak into a matchup that could put him into contention for a title shot. He’s looked downright dominant over the last year and a half, winning fights by submission, judges’ decision, and technical knockout, respectively. 
<h4><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/videos/journey-to-the-ufc-joe-pyfer?elementPosition=5&amp;row=14&amp;rowHeadline=Documentaries&amp;rowType=Portrait+Show+Carousel">WATCH JOURNEY TO THE UFC ON DAILY WIRE+</a></h4>
But Joe Pyfer fights aren’t just for the MMA experts. His knockouts are vicious, his wrestling is free-flowing and dynamic, and even the most casual viewer can expect an exciting event. When Pyfer fights, he puts on a show — and he’s been rewarded for it with Performance of the Night bonuses in two of his last three victories.
Simply put, he’s on fire.
This Saturday’s bout is all but guaranteed to be different from those one-sided battles, and the reason why is the man on the other side of the Octagon. Israel &#8220;The Last Stylebender&#8221; Adesanya helped define an era of mixed martial arts. A two-time champion, Adesanya reigned for a combined three and a half years,and has an abundance of experience on his side. He’s competed in twelve five-round UFC Championship fights compared to Pyfer’s current total of zero.
While Adesanya tries to dial back the clock to his glory days, a win here could serve as the latest apex of Joe Pyfer’s career.
If you want to see the full story of Joe Pyfer’s trials and tribulations on the way to this moment, The Daily Wire has you covered. “Journey To The UFC”takes the viewer behind the scenes of Pyfer’s entire combat sports career. Following Pyfer’s training from age 4 to 26, the movie features never-before-seen fight footage and exclusive interviews from Pyfer and those closest to him. It is all access, all action, and all emotion.

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Tiger Woods is out of jail, and a new mugshot shows the golf star looking glassy-eyed after spending hours behind bars following a DUI arrest tied to a rollover crash near his Jupiter Island home.
<div id="attachment_1068123" style="width: 289px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1068123" class="size-medium wp-image-1068123" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2268201265-279x300.jpg" alt="" width="279" height="300" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2268201265-279x300.jpg 279w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2268201265-535x576.jpg 535w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2268201265-768x827.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2268201265.jpg 929w" sizes=" (max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px" />(Photo by Martin County Sheriff&#8217;s Office via Getty Images)</div>
The 15-time major champion was taken into custody Friday afternoon in Martin County, Florida after he t-boned another vehicle, sending his Range Rover onto its side.
The crash unfolded just before 2 p.m. near the Hobe Sound Yacht Club, just minutes from his multimillion-dollar, 12-acre oceanfront estate.
Authorities say Woods sped up to try to pass a truck hauling a pressure cleaner when he plowed into it.
Photos from the scene show Woods’ black SUV tipped onto its side as authorities and a flatbed tow truck surrounded the wreck.
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1067915" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/download-1-300x169.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/download-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/download-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/download-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/download-1.jpeg 1280w" sizes=" (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></div>
“DUI investigators came to the scene here, and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment. They did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had. We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said.
Deputies said Woods showed signs of impairment at the scene. A breath test later showed no alcohol in his system, shifting attention to whether another substance may have been involved.
“We really weren&#8217;t suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case, and that proved to be true at the jail. … But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused. And, so, he&#8217;s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test,” Budensiek added.
Woods now faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
The golf legend was alone in the SUV at the time of the crash and was not hurt. He was able to crawl out after the vehicle flipped.
The incident adds to a pattern of past issues behind the wheel. In 2017, Woods was arrested after being found asleep in his car and later said he had been taking prescription medications following back surgery. In 2021, he was in another serious crash that left him with major leg injuries and sidelined him for a full year.
Friday’s crash also comes just days after Woods returned to competitive golf, raising fresh concerns about his condition off the course.
Woods is dating Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump.
President Trump commented on the situation, calling Woods a close friend.
“I feel so badly,” Trump said. “He’s an amazing person, amazing man, but some difficulty.”
Woods has not publicly commented on the crash or his arrest.

Legendary Golfer Tiger Woods Arrested For DUI after Rollover Crash

SEE IT: Tiger Woods Looks Glassy-Eyed In DUI Mugshot As Trump Reacts To Crash

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