Nick Saban may have thought he retired from college football early this year, but now his name is being suggested as the “obvious choice” to head a new alliance if football leaves the NCAA. Saban is the best candidate to become the new commissioner of college football, at least according to Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin. “I think one of the most important things we can do is, let’s get a commissioner of college football that is waking up every single morning and going to bed every single night making decisions that’s in the best interest of college football,” Franklin told ESPN on Sunday. “I think Nick Saban would be the obvious choice if we made that decision. Now, Nick will probably call me tonight and say, ‘Don’t do this,’ but I think he’s the obvious choice, right?” he added. Talk of college football separating from the NCAA and creating a new organization to govern itself has been ongoing for years. But it seems to be getting more serious lately. Franklin went on to talk about some of the issues facing college football. God forbid we talk about academics, right?” Franklin continued. “That used to be every conversation started with academics and that’s becoming less and less. Maybe I’m old school, and maybe I’m a traditionalist, but I still believe in the model. Rather than just say this is a problem, I thought I would throw out a few recommendations, but I think one of the most important things we can do is let’s get a commissioner of college football.” SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said that one of the biggest problems coaches have is the transfer portal, which can deplete them of players even during the bowl season. “I feel so awful for our kids and kids around the country,” Lashlee told ESPN on Tuesday. “There’s no other sport at all that has free agency in the season. It’s sad. It’s terrible. You hear the story about their backup quarterback saying, ‘I don’t have a choice.’ That’s wrong. That’s unacceptable. That’s not OK. He shouldn’t have to make that decision.'” “The real easy thing is you don’t have a transfer portal in December. That’s the real easy answer, and it solves all the problems. Why in the world would we put kids in a position where they’ve got to decide, ‘Do I transfer or play in the playoff? Do I transfer or play my bowl game?...’ People are bombarding our roster, trying to pick people off our roster, and we’re trying to focus on the playoff. So, yeah, it’s real easy – don’t have a transfer portal in December. Go to the spring.” Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHuston
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During his first presidency and in his campaign leading up to the 2024 election, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to crack down on illegal immigration. As president-elect, Trump posted on Truth Social on Nov. 18 confirming his plans to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Trump commented “TRUE!!!” with a repost of a Truth Social post from Tom Fitton, who runs the conservative group Judicial Watch . Fitton’s post reads, “GOOD NEWS: Reports are incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Several VERIFY readers, including Debbie, Jacq and Matty, asked us whether Trump can use the military to carry out mass deportations. Can the president use the military to carry out mass deportations? Yes, it's legal for the president to use the military to help carry out mass deportations and other immigration enforcement actions. The National Guard, with approval from a state's governor, can detain individuals, but the other branches of the military can offer mostly logistical support. A president has the executive power to deploy the military to assist with immigration enforcement, but there are legal limits on the role the military can play. The Posse Comitatus Act, a 143-year-old law, prohibits the president from using active-duty, full-time service members, such as soldiers or Marines, as a police force, according to the Brennan Center for Justice . That means federal military branches like the U.S. Army or Air Force can’t perform tasks such as detaining individuals or making arrests on U.S. soil, even under a national emergency declaration. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, explained that active-duty service members, barred from acting like police under Posse Comitatus, would likely focus on non-law enforcement tasks. That could include building infrastructure, like temporary detention facilities, transporting detainees and providing armed backup for domestic law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act, however, does not apply to the National Guard, Peter Margulies, a law professor at Roger Williams University, told VERIFY. “The National Guard is a state militia and can be called out by the president with the cooperation of the state governors, and so you could have the National Guard from, let's say, Texas, be used for apprehension. That would not create Posse Comitatus issues,” Margulies said. Trump's post on Truth Social mentioned declaring a national emergency, but the president can request National Guard assistance or federal military assistance with or without declaring a national emergency , according to Chris Mirasola, a contributor for non-profit Lawfare. The Brennan Center for Justice explains that declaring a national emergency grants a president with swift authority during times of crises without waiting for Congressional approval, including diverting federal funds or resources. Both Bier and Margulies told VERIFY Trump's deportation agenda would likely face significant legal challenges and be subject to congressional oversight. And if he declares a national emergency, Congress has the ability to eventually terminate that declaration , but it would require passing a law with a veto-proof supermajority, “which is increasingly difficult in our polarized political environment,” Goitein told VERIFY. Military involvement in immigration enforcement is not unprecedented. In 2019, then-President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect military funds to construct the U.S.-Mexico border wall. More recently, President Joe Biden used a national emergency declaration to deploy the National Guard to the southern border to assist with processing and facility operations tied to drug enforcement. According to Google Trends data , online searches about mass deportation have spiked, with some appearing to link the military's involvement to martial law. Martial law involves the suspension of ordinary law and government functions, with military authorities assuming control. Margulies said even if Trump uses the military in his administration’s deportation efforts, it would not equate to declaring martial law. Margulies explained that martial law hasn’t been used since the Civil War and is “profoundly unlikely” to happen as part of Trump’s proposed initiative because he doesn’t need martial law to execute his deportation plans.
HAMILTON, N.Y. (AP) — Dejour Reaves' 20 points helped Iona defeat Colgate 79-73 on Sunday. Reaves also contributed nine rebounds and six steals for the Gaels (4-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Yaphet Moundi added 13 points while finishing 6 of 8 from the floor while they also had five rebounds. Adam Njie had 12 points and shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 4 from the line. The Raiders (3-10) were led in scoring by Nicolas Louis-Jacques, who finished with 27 points. Jalen Cox added 16 points, four assists and two steals for Colgate. Parker Jones also had seven points and two steals. Reaves scored 11 points in the first half for Iona, who led 36-32 at the break. Iona used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an eight-point lead at 43-35 with 16:42 left in the half before finishing off the win. Up next for Iona is a matchup Sunday with Harvard at home. Colgate hosts Army on Thursday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .As we enter 2025 in a couple of days, we all know that the tech world is gearing up for major changes that will shake things up and affect our daily lives and how we run our businesses. These technological advancements are not just about making things faster or more connected; they also have much to do with big global challenges like climate change and cybersecurity. Artificial intelligence is on the verge of a significant transformation by 2025. For example, instead of relying solely on centralized servers, AI will start processing information from local devices like smartphones and gadgets. This shift will make everything run even faster. Scientists also say that we’ll see more agentic AI — autonomous systems that can make decisions on the ir own. Imagine AI optimizing supply chains based on real-time data, for example. Sustainability, which has taken the limelight these past years, will move even closer to center stage, driving more companies to focus on innovations that reduce environmental impact. We’ll also be seeing new waste management technologies and circular business models — where products are designed for reuse or recycling — as organizations aim for net-zero commitments. Additionally, AI will be used to drive the networks that optimize the distribution of energy across grids. It’s a marriage of renewable energy sources and smart technology, helping businesses to significantly lower their carbon footprints while boosting operational efficiency. In the world of quantum computing, actual applications across various fields will be seen this 2025, revolutionizing areas like drug discovery, climate modeling, and cybersecurity. As more organizations invest in quantum research and development, we might see significant advancements that change how we approach problem solving in science, finance, and logistics, among others. The Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to explode this coming year owing to 5G connectivity. The number of interconnected devices — from smart home gadgets to industrial sensors — is projected to reach billions! This allows businesses to gather vast amounts of real-time data from their operations, leading to better decision-making and greater efficiency. In smart cities, IoT applications will help manage traffic more effectively using real-time data analysis. Ambient computing envisions a world where digital devices seamlessly blend into our daily lives, operating quietly in the background without us having to think about them. Devices equipped with sensors and AI will understand our preferences automatically. In the world of work,, ambient computing could streamline workflows by anticipating needs. This trend will enhance user experiences and reduce the mental load of managing multiple devices or apps. As we embrace these exciting advancements on the horizon for 2025, we must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the potential risks associated with these innovations. While the benefits are immense, they also bring challenges that require careful consideration. For instance, as AI systems become more autonomous, we must ensure robust ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks are in place to prevent misuse and protect privacy. Similarly, with the rapid expansion of IoT devices, security measures must be strengthened to safeguard sensitive data from cyber threats. As we move toward a more sustainable future, we should also be mindful of the environmental impact of new technologies and prioritize circular economy practices to minimize waste. While we harness the power of technological advancements, we must make sure to safeguard our society and environment at the same time. Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II received his Law degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1994. He is currently engaged in the General Practice of Law through the firm he established, Jose M. Rojas Law Office. Prior to getting his Law degree, Atty. Rojas graduated Cum Laude in Economics and Political Science from the University of Massachusetts. He used to chair the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) and, more recently, used to sit as Vice-Chairman and General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Atty. Rojas is an opinion columnist for the Business Mirror and Pilipino Mirror, and 2014 awardee of People Asia’s “Men Who Matter.” He is a member of the Saturday Group of artists and is married to Atty. Patricia A.O. Bunye.
Daily Post Nigeria Edo Govt declares over 200 vehicles missing Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Edo Govt declares over 200 vehicles missing Published on November 22, 2024 By Matthew Atungwu The Edo State Government on Friday declared at least 200 vehicles missing. The chairman of the committee set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to recover government vehicles, Kelly Okungbowa, made this known on Friday in Benin, the state capital. Speaking to newsmen on the success of the committee’s assignment, Okungbowa said within 24 hours three vehicles, including one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses, have been recovered. According to him, in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which were meant to have been distributed to Edo people. The chairman added that the palliatives included bags of garri and rice. He appealed for more information from members of the public, adding that it was the information earlier obtained that led to the recovery of the three vehicles. Okungbowa assured whistleblowers that a handsome reward awaits them provided their information were correct and verifiable. “Yesterday, we were inaugurated, we promised to follow the law to carry out the mandate of Mr Governor which is to recover all missing government vehicles in private hands. We are glad to inform the people of Edo State that we have recorded success within 24 hours of our inauguration. “I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody. “We assure Edo people and the State Government that we are going to do the job to the best of our ability. We will make sure we recover all the stolen vehicles. “This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property,” he said. He appealed to former government officials and other citizens holding back government vehicles to return them within 48 hours. Related Topics: edo Don't Miss Judge allows Trump to seek dismissal of his criminal charges You may like ‘Over 200 vehicles missing under Obaseki’ – Okpebholo’s team vows to recover govt assets Crisis rocks Edo APC over commissioner-nominees’ list Edo: PDP, APC clash over invasion of secretariat Edo: Okpebholo set up committee to recover government vehicles within 2 weeks Edo: 17,232 motorists arrested for traffic offences in 10 months – FRSC Okpebholo sacks management staff of Edo govt-owned hospitals Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdFormer US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
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Those watching closely might have noticed before several Broncos home games this season a tall guy on the field during the national anthem wearing a fire helmet. During one preseason and four regular-season games, Denver firefighter Wesley Duke has been part of the honor guard at Empower Field at Mile High. Duke has joined members of the branches of the armed forces, a Denver police officer and a paramedic in presenting the flag before the anthem. For those up on their Broncos history, they might know about Duke for something else. “You have to really be a dialed-in Broncos fan to pick me out,’’ Duke said. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Duke made the Broncos as a free-agent tight end in 2005 even though he never played college football, instead having been a basketball player at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. In the second NFL regular-season game he played and the first time he ever touched the ball, Duke caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Jake Plummer in the third quarter of a 28-17 win at Buffalo in a game televised nationally by ESPN on Dec. 17, 2005. It turned out be one of just two catches Duke had in his only NFL season. Duke suffered a torn ACL in minicamp in 2006 that ended his career. But he remained in Denver and has been a firefighter since 2019. “You can’t even put it into words how excited I was,’’ Duke said of having scored a touchdown in the NFL. “A lot of people played in the NFL a long time and didn’t have a stat. At least I have a stat.” Excluding those who remain active, Duke, according to ProFootballReference.com , is one of 87 players to have scored one touchdown for the Broncos and it was the only one they had in the NFL. The Denver Gazette talked to a dozen such players. Former Denver Broncos star safety Steve Atwater showing off the ring he won for being on the team that defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII in January 1999. The Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High will hold a 25 th reunion for the 1998 team that won Denver's second straight Super Bowl. Photo by Chris Tomasson/Denver Gazette. Among the one-score guys are Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, Ring of Fame safety Dennis Smith and other former Broncos stars in linebacker Bob Swenson and defensive linemen Rubin Carter, Barney Chavous and Alfred Williams. A popular member of the group with local ties is former Colorado State star quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt. And there is a former Canadian Football League star in wide receiver Diontae Spencer. Many others in the group are obscure. They include cornerback George Burrell, running back P.J. Pope, wide receiver Shane Swanson, who was a strike replacement player, and Duke. “Every once in while people realize who I am,’’ Duke said. Duke had gained a measure of national publicity when he was a basketball player. After completing his senior year as a Mercer power forward, he took part in the slam-dunk contest at the 2005 Final Four in St. Louis. Duke finished third. But on his final dunk he became the hit of the night. “I took my shirt off and I threw the ball up and I caught the ball and dunked it,’’ Duke said. “I had a pen, and I had planned to hang on the rim and sign the backboard. But I fell off. Then I saw a cheerleader and I grabbed her pompoms and pretended to sign them. That was one of the highlights they showed on ESPN every year before the dunk contest for 10 years.” Tim Brewster, then Denver’s tight ends coach, saw the highlight. That played a role in the Broncos eventually signing Duke, who had played tight end at Meadowbrook High School in Norcross, Ga., before attending Mercer, which didn’t have a football team. Duke made the team and was mostly inactive until the Broncos faced the Bills in Week 15. He got his big chance with the score tied 7-7 early in the third quarter. Plummer threw the ball to Duke in the left corner of the end zone for the score as ESPN announcer Mike Tirico exclaimed, “This one is for the basketball player Duke.” “It was so much of a thrill I missed my dunk,’’ Duke said. “I was going to dunk the ball over the goalpost, but it was really cold and while I definitely got high enough, I was too far away. (Then Broncos coach) Mike Shanahan ended up showing that video to the team and everybody laughed.” But laughs soon stalled on Duke’s career. After the season, the Broncos sent him to play with the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe. He returned to Denver for minicamp but tore his ACL and ended up being released and out of the league. “To be honest, I was disappointed and bitter for about 10 years,’’ Duke said. Duke remained in Denver and spent more than a decade driving trucks. But he passed tests to become a firefighter in 2019, giving him a new focus in life. “The team camaraderie aspect of being a firefighter has made feel like I’m in a team sport again,’’ he said. “We do take risks but it’s very calculated and we try to make it as safe as possible. But when you run into a burning building, there’s only so many things you can control. But playing football can be dangerous, too.” When Duke had a chance to join the honor guard at Broncos games, he jumped at it. “It brings back a lot of good memories,’’ Duke said. Duke wasn’t the only Broncos player in 2005 to score his only career touchdown on his first career touch. That distinction also went to Van Pelt, a seventh-round pick by the Broncos in 2004. Denver Broncos quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the quarter at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Van Pelt didn’t see any action in 2004 and in the first 11 games of 2005 as the backup to Plummer. Then on Dec. 4, 2005 at Kansas City, with the Broncos trailing 21-14 in the final half minute of the first half on second-and-goal at the Chiefs 7, Shanahan sent Van Pelt into the game and Plummer lined up wide to the left. The Chiefs didn’t know what to think. “This was before the wildcat became something and we had been tooling around with different formations in practice,’’ Van Pelt said. Van Pelt took the shotgun snap. When a running lane opened, he barrelled toward the goal line and got in while being hit hard by cornerback Pat Surtain, father of Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II. “So, the first time I ever touch the ball in the NFL, I score a touchdown,’’ Van Pelt said. “After the game, I remember (Broncos Hall of Fame cornerback) Champ Bailey, who was not a man full of words, looking over at me and saying, ‘Van Pelt. That’s a sign of greatness.”’ Unfortunately for Van Pelt, the Broncos lost 31-27 to the Chiefs and he not only never scored another NFL touchdown, but he also never threw one either. While spending time with the Broncos from 2004-06 and with Houston in 2006, his career passing stats were 2 of 8 for 8 yards in three games. Van Pelt was the son of former star linebacker Brad Van Pelt. Interestingly, Brad Van Pelt, who played in the NFL from 1973-86 and made five Pro Bowls, never scored a touchdown. “That was brought up in casual conversation,’’ Van Pelt said of talks with his father, who died in 2009. “At least I got one touchdown. At least I got to taste it and get a ball in the end zone. It’s better than nothing.” Van Pelt admits it was “disappointing” to not have a longer NFL career. Due to his love for the game, he later tried to return to the NFL as a safety, which didn’t work out, and he played with the Bergamo Lions in Italy and with the Leicester Falcons in England. He now lives in Santa Ynez, Calif., and has been involved in broadcasting and in several business pursuits, including the wine industry. While Van Pelt continued to play football in other leagues after the NFL, Burrell opted to move on more quickly to other pursuits in life. He had played in the Ivy League at Pennsylvania and made the Broncos in 1969 as an undrafted rookie. Former Denver Broncos cornerback George Burrell is an attorney for the Philadelphia firm Kleinbard. Burrell played for the Broncos in 1969, scoring one touchdown, before going on to become a lawyer and a member of the Philadelphia City Council. Photo courtesy of Kleinbard. Burrell got into 14 games as a rookie, starting seven. And in the third quarter of a 27-24 loss at Miami on Dec. 7, 1969, he picked off a pass from Dolphins quarterback Rick Norton and sprinted 38 yards for a touchdown. “It was an exciting moment,’’ Burrell said. “When I took it to the end zone, I took off my helmet. When my mom asked me why I did that, I told her I didn’t want anybody back in Denver to be confused about who made that touchdown.” As it turned out, Burrell was cut by the Broncos at the end of the 1970 preseason. He was contacted by the New York Giants and San Francisco but instead joined the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL due to a former Broncos scout being in their front office. He lasted for one practice. “I had been accepted by Penn law school coming out as an undergraduate and they would only hold your admission for two years,’’ Burrell said. “So, I decided I would go back to Philadelphia and go to law school. I tell young people the one thing that changed my life was that interception for a touchdown because without that play I might have felt the need to keep being a professional football player.” Burrell, still working at age 76 for Philadelphia’s Kleinbard law firm, went on to have a very successful career. He has been partner in three firms, a member of the Philadelphia City Council and has worked for the administrations of two mayors. “I’ve been blessed,’’ he said. “I tell people I’ve had a phenomenal life. I’ve never had a to write a resume in my life to get a job.” Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Shane Swanson at his home in Loveland Colo., on Dec. 3, 2024. Swanson played with the Broncos as a strike replacement player in 1987 and had the only touchdown that season of his NFL career. Photo courtesy of Shane Swanson. Also moving on to another career quickly after his one NFL touchdown was Swanson, who played at Nebraska before being a 12th-round pick by Cleveland in 1985. The 5-9, 200-pound Swanson failed to make the Browns, was cut by Philadelphia in 1986 and was let go by Broncos after the 1987 preseason. But then the NFL went on strike two games into the season and Swanson joined Denver as a replacement player. Swanson didn’t see much action in the first two replacement games but in the third and final one, a 26-17 win at Kansas City on Oct. 18, 1987, he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Ken Karcher, which he called “super exciting.” Swanson caught six passes for 87 yards in the game, returned six punts for 112 yards and three kickoffs for 91 yards, giving him a then Broncos rookie record of 290 all-purpose yards. “I don’t think there was any indication it was not a real game,’’ Swanson said of whether his one touchdown is diminished due to it being a replacement game. “If it wasn’t a real game, they wouldn’t have kept score.” The strike ended after Swanson’s big game, and he was cut. He said the Chiefs, whom he had just dominated, reached out to express interest, but he decided it was time to move on with his life. Swanson had been a rodeo star at Hershey (Neb.) High School and returned to the sport. He became in 1989 a pro steer wrestler, which included returning to Denver to take part in the Western Stock Show. “It was a good time,’’ said Swanson, who was on the pro circuit until 2005. “The biggest event I won was at the Cheyenne Frontier Days.” Swanson later went into the pharmaceutical business and moved back to the Denver area in 2015. At his Loveland home, he has the football that he caught for his touchdown in a glass case. He said he still sometimes is recognized by clients for a Broncos stint that ended up paying dividends even after he was cut. “They say the NFL stands for 'Not for Long,''' Swanson said. "But the Broncos did end up going to the Super Bowl that season and then I got bonus (playoff) money for it. It was like $30,000.” Flash forward to 2008 and Pope also put up some impressive stats in a limited Broncos stint. Pope, who had been undrafted out of Bowling Green in 2006 and got into one game with Green Bay on special teams as a rookie, had been signed as a free agent. In five Denver games during an injury-riddled season, he carried 17 times for 130 yards for a sparkling average of 7.6 per carry. In Pope’s top game, he carried seven times for 51 yards and caught three passes for 24 yards in a 30-10 loss at Carolina on Dec. 14, 2008. He gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when he caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler. “My cousin Kenny Pope came to the game, but he missed my touchdown,’’ Pope said. “He got stuck in line trying to get in, but he did see it on TV at the gate.” Pope figured he might later be able to score a touchdown his cousin actually saw but it never happened. He suffered a hamstring injury late that season and was cut in 2009 when Josh McDaniels replaced Shanahan as head coach. He never was able to hook on with another team. Pope moved on to become a high school assistant football coach in his native Cincinnati and now is a school administrator. He still has the ball he caught for his only touchdown. It was painted to read, “1st career touchdown P.J. Pope” and he proudly displays it in is “mancave” at home. “I feel like it was a huge accomplishment,’’ Pope said of at least scoring once. “You grow up dreaming of situations like that and it actually happened. I didn’t know it would be the only one, but, hey, I’m in the books.” Some former Broncos defensive stars are also in the books for having scored one touchdown. In fact, Swenson remains in the Broncos record book for having the longest fumble return for a touchdown in team history. Playing at San Francisco on Nov. 18, 1979, Swenson scooped up a fumble by 49ers running back Wilbur Jackson and rumbled 88 yards down the sideline late in the third quarter for a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 38-21 lead on their way to a 38-28 win. “That’s kind of amazing it’s still a record,’’ said Swenson, a native of Tracy, Calif., who played for Denver from 1975-83. “The thing I remember is I did it in the Bay Area, where I’m from. I just remember the ball was lying there and I picked it up and I started running before anybody realized it. I was pretty slow, and they were gaining on me, but I had a 20-yard head start.” The ball from Swenson’s touchdown run is on display at his brother Bill’s home in Tracy. It is painted in the Broncos colors of orange, white and blue and features a heavy breathing horse with Swenson’s name in big letters. Swenson’s touchdown came one week after Carter had scored what turned out to be his only career touchdown. Carter, who played for the Broncos from 1975-86, opened the scoring of a 45-10 home rout of New England on Nov. 11, 1979, with a 2-yard fumble return for a score. “The ball got knocked loose from quarterback (Steve Grogan) and it was quite a shock when I saw it,’’ Carter said. “I fell on it and was covering it up. Then all of a sudden, I felt some hands on my back and it was Barney Chavous. What Barney did was push me and roll me those yards into the end zone for the score. That was a wonderful feeling.” Defensive lineman Rubin Carter, who played for the Denver Broncos from 1975-86, at his home in Tallahassee, Fla., on Dec. 19, 2024. He is holding the ball with which he scored his only NFL touchdown on a 2-yard fumble return on Nov. 11, 1979 against New England. Photo courtesy of Rubin Carter. Carter has the plain brown ball from his lone touchdown on display at his home in Tallahassee, Fla. “I probably should get it engraved,’’ he said. Three years later, Chavous, after assisting on Carter’s touchdown, got the only one of his career. In a 22-20 loss at the Los Angeles Raiders on Nov. 13, 1983, linebacker Tom Jackson hit quarterback Jim Plunkett hard, and the ball rolled into the end zone, where Chavous pounced on it. “It’s a special event for a defensive lineman to score,’’ Chavous said. “That was one of the highlights of my career. We’re supposed to stop people from scoring, and I scored one.” Chavous has the ball he recovered at his home in Aiken, S.C. However, it was a struggle to keep it. “(Raiders running back) Marcus Allen came and jumped on top of me and tried to take the ball from me and I wouldn’t let him,’’ said Chavous, who played for the Broncos from 1973-85. “I wanted to keep the ball as souvenir for sure.” Chavous and Carter remain good friends. Every now and then, Carter will jokingly remind him that “my touchdown was two yards longer.” Chavous was inducted last April into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He joined in the hall two other members of the one-touchdown club in Atwater and Smith, whose score won a game. On Nov. 4, 1984, the Broncos hosted the Patriots, and the score was tied 19-19 with 1 minute, 45 seconds left. New England was driving for a possible game-winning score when running back Mosi Tatupu was hit hard by linebacker Steve Busick and lost the ball. Smith picked up the fumble and went 64 yards down the sideline for the decisive play in Denver’s 26-19 win. “What I remember about the play is the SC connection,’’ said Smith, who starred at USC before playing for the Broncos from 1981-94. “Steve went to SC, I’m an SC guy and Mosi Tatupi was an SC guy. I also remember that I almost stumbled and fell when got the ball.” Smith played another decade after his touchdown and made all six of his Pro Bowls. But he never made it back to the end zone. “Who would have thunk it?’’ he said. “I had plenty of chances, but I dropped a lot of interceptions I should have caught. I wish there was more.” While Williams scored just one career touchdown, that was fine with him. That’s because his score came against Cincinnati, the team he played for from 1991-94. On Sept. 21, 1997, at Mile High Stadium, the Broncos were trying to hold onto a 31-20 fourth-quarter lead and the Bengals were driving. But defensive end Neil Smith hit quarterback Jeff Blake, forcing a fumble. Williams picked it up and cruised down the sideline before diving into the end zone for a 51-yard return to complete the scoring in a 38-20 win. “My great friend Eric Bieniemy was chasing me,’’ Williams said of the running back who was his former teammate at Colorado and was then with the Bengals. “I had to chase that dude my entire life but that time he was chasing me. Then when I got close to the goal line, I reached out and dove. I knew it was a great moment and a rare accomplishment getting a touchdown against the team I once played for, so I wanted to make it look real cool.” Williams, who played for the Broncos from 1996-99 and was a longtime time sports radio host at KOA, gets reminded of the play often. The Broncos went on to win their first Super Bowl and the highlight film from that season, which shows Williams' TD, plays before every home game at the miniature Mile High Stadium in the Empower Field parking lot. “It gives me a smile every team I see it,’’ he said. Two months later, on Nov. 30, 1997, at San Diego, it was Atwater’s turn to finally reach the end zone. Atwater, who had 24 career interceptions while starring for the Broncos from 1989-98, returned his 22nd 22 yards for a touchdown off a Craig Whelihan pass in the second quarter of a 38-28 win. “I thought at least this weight is off my back,’’ said Atwater, who would finish his career with the New York Jets in 1999 and be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020. “It was kind of late in my career and at least I got one.” Scoring touchdowns in the pros was old hat for Spencer when he joined the Broncos in 2019. But his 18 touchdowns came while starring in the CFL with Toronto and Ottawa from 2016-18. Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer at his home in Lafayette, La., on Dec. 20, 2024. Spencer, who played with the Broncos from 2019-21, is holding the ball he carried on an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown Dec. 13, 2020 at Carolina. It was his only NFL score and it remains the last Broncos touchdown on a punt return. Photo courtesy of Diontae Spencer. Spencer, who had gone to Canada after being undrafted out of McNeese State, got into the end zone in the NFL when he returned a punt 83 yards in a 32-27 win at Carolina on Dec. 13, 2020. It remains the last time a Denver player has scored on a punt return. “It had always been one of my dreams to not just play in the NFL but to score a touchdown,’’ said Spencer, who played for the Broncos from 2019-21. “I’m 5-8, 170 pounds and was a no-star recruit coming out of (Westgate High school in New Iberia, La.). If that’s the only one I ever score, I’m blessed to have had that opportunity.” Spencer, who spent time on the Jets’ practice squad in 2022 and who had a recent workout with Pittsburgh, still hopes to return to the NFL. In the meantime, he spends time at his home in Lafayette, La., where his Broncos jersey No. 11 and his game gloves are in a frame on the wall and also on display is the ball from his score that was painted to read “1st NFL career touchdown.” Stay tuned to see if he ever gets one that reads “2nd NFL career touchdown.”U.S. Tooth Filling Materials Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032)Ben Napier, Star of HGTV’s ‘Home Town,’ Shares Challenges of Raising Young Girls
London, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate , the global market-leading ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform, today released the Q3 2024 Invalid Traffic (IVT) & Ad Fraud Benchmark Reports focusing on the EMEA region. The reports analyze the invalid traffic (IVT, including ad fraud) rates for programmatic advertising on desktop and mobile websites, mobile apps, and CTV in the UK , France , Spain , and Germany . In addition to the Q3 2024 UK, France, Spain, and Germany reports, Pixalate released IVT benchmarks for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, Singapore, and India. IVT Benchmarks in Programmatic Advertising in EMEA To compile this research, Pixalate's data science team analyzed over 100+ billion global programmatic advertising impressions in Q3 2024. The report benchmarks IVT and ad fraud across these devices and platforms by various criteria, including country, device type, app category, and app-ads.txt files. Pixalate's datasets — used exclusively to derive these insights — consist predominantly of buy-side open auction programmatic traffic sources. Download all of Pixalate’s Ad Fraud Benchmarks Reports United States Canada United Kingdom Germany France Spain Mexico Brazil China Japan Singapore India About Pixalate Pixalate is a global platform for privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and data intelligence in the digital ad supply chain. Founded in 2012, Pixalate’s platform is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is MRC-accredited for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). www.pixalate.com Disclaimer The content of this press release, and the Invalid Traffic (IVT) & Ad Fraud Benchmark Reports (the "Reports"), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes can be useful to the digital media industry. Any data shared is grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate’s opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity in the time period studied. Pixalate does not independently verify third-party information. Per the Media Rating Council (MRC) , “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.” IVT is also sometimes referred to as “ad fraud.” Per the MRC , “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes.”DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don't buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren't fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver's seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don't fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn't be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver's seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.