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Eagles legend Brian Westbrook loves how team won’t watch Super Bowl banner ceremony: ‘One is not enough’

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Eagles legend Brian Westbrook loves how team won’t watch Super Bowl banner ceremony: ‘One is not enough’


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Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Westbrook heard head coach Nick Sirianni say the team wouldn’t be watching their Super Bowl LIX banner rise at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night. 

Westbrook couldn’t love that mentality more. 

While the entire city of Philadelphia will be ecstatic to see the franchise’s second Super Bowl banner of all time rise on Thursday night during the NFL’s 2025 season kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys, this year’s Eagles team is focused on winning another Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the new season. 

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The Philadelphia Eagles lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. (James Lang/Imagn Images)

Westbrook spoke to Fox News Digital after working with USAA as part of its Recycled Rides NFL Kickoff on Wednesday, gifting a new car to a deserving military service member, where he discussed the Eagles’ mentality heading into 2025. 

“The one thing I love about this team this offseason was their approach,” he explained. “This offseason wasn’t about them doing a victory lap around Philadelphia and the United States saying they’re the best team in football, they beat the reigning champs, and they did this, that and the other. It wasn’t about that. It was about refocusing. It was about saying, ‘Yeah, we won last year, but we have something else we want to prove, and one is not enough. Now, we have to go out there and earn it again.’

“That’s what this offseason was about for this football team.”

COWBOYS’ CEEDEE LAMB SAYS HE PLANS TO WATCH EAGLES’ SUPER BOWL VICTORY CELEBRATION

Westbrook added that, in those conversations with Eagles players, he’s only heard about offseason workouts and looking ahead to 2025 instead of reminiscing about the Super Bowl. 

A big part of that, in Westbrook’s eyes, has been the leadership of Jalen Hurts, the team’s franchise quarterback. 

Brian Westbrook smiles

Brian Westbrook, former NFL running back attends PXG Philadelphia Grand Opening Celebration at  PXG on April 28, 2022 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for PXG)

“Chip on his shoulder,” Westbrook said of Hurts, who enters his sixth year in an Eagles uniform. “People are still doubting him. Super Bowl MVP and people are still doubting him. So, Jalen walks around with a little chip on his shoulder, and I appreciate that because I played with that as well. His ability to lead this team is going to say a lot, and I think he’s an awesome leader.”

Of course, you can’t talk about the 2024 Eagles without mentioning their biggest free agent pickup, running back Saquon Barkley, who went on to lead the NFL in rushing yards and scrimmage yards in his debut season in Philadelphia. 

Westbrook, having played Barkley’s position while a member of the Eagles, knows how important he is to the team’s success now and in the future. But his favorite thing about Barkley is his selfless nature, where winning no matter his role takes precedent. 

“Saquon is one of the best teammates you can possibly have,” Westbrook said. “He understands and believes that, ‘If we need to throw the ball 50 times a game, I’m willing to block 50 times. If we need to run the ball, I’ll run the ball 50 times.’ So, he’s selfless in that way. He wants to win games.”

Saquon Barkley looks on field

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) waves during training camp at NovaCare Complex. (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

The Chiefs would’ve cemented their place as an NFL dynasty if they came out victorious in New Orleans earlier this year. After all, no team in league history has ever won three straight Super Bowls. 

But looking at this Eagles team, and how GM Howie Roseman has crafted this bunch to has a large championship window in the coming years, perhaps this is the squad where the word “dynasty” comes back around. 

“I don’t think you can throw the word dynasty around quite yet,” Westbrook replied when asked that very question. “I think you have to win a couple more in a row to do that. I mean, [2017] was huge, but coming back last year was huge as well. Before you can have a dynasty, you need to win a few of them. But talent wise, they have the ability to do that. They have the ability to go back-to-back and have the ability to win an awful lot of games this year. As a fan, I hate to throw dynasty around until it actually happens. 

“So, I won’t use it, but I can certainly see why people say this team has the potential to be a dynasty.”

Brian Westbrook with military members

Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Westbrook poses with military members at USAA Recycled Rides event before the 2025 NFL season kicks off. (USAA)

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SURPRISING THOSE WHO SERVE US

Westbrook was right outside where the Eagles will be playing on Thursday night, as he helped USAA, the official “Salute to Service” partner of the NFL, gift a vehicle to Airman First Class Keskel Yatrofsky, who is currently serving in the United States Air Force in the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron based out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt.

Yatrofsky received a 2023 Toyota Camry completely repaired and donated by the National Auto Body Council Recycled Ride, which focuses providing reliable transportation to those in need. 

“Moments like this go down as some of the most special times in my life,” he said. “I think about my kids and what we’re teaching them about gratitude, giving back, about doing things for others that make their day. 

“Today, watching Keskel and his face of excitement about receiving a car that means so much.”

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Caps bounce back, keep the Kraken under wraps in a 4-1 win

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Washington controlled play while building an early lead and went on to defeat Seattle two days after a frustrating loss to Vancouver.



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Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool eye Semenyo to replace Salah

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Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool eye Semenyo to replace Salah


Chelsea will make a fresh attempt to sign Spain striker Samu Agehowa, while Liverpool are plotting a move for in-form AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

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TRENDING RUMORS

Mohamed Salah’s poor form has Liverpool considering a January move for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, according to the iPaper. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both scouted the Ghana winger during the last transfer window, but it’s the Reds that are firming as favorites to sign the in-form 25-year-old. The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations may play a big role in whether the mooted £75 million move is made; Salah will lead Egypt at the continental tournament but, with Ghana failing to qualify, Semenyo will be available to play club football throughout the fixture-heavy January period.

– Chelsea are prepared to make an £87m offer to FC Porto for striker Samu Agehowa next summer, according to Record. The Blues had been close to signing the Spain international from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024, but the move collapsed and he joined Porto instead. Samu scored 25 goals in his first season in Portugal, and has netted eight goals in nine games so far this term. The 21-year-old has a contract at the Estádio do Dragão until June 2029.

– Stuttgart have set their fee for Angelo Stiller at €50 million with Manchester United among the clubs who have expressed an interest in the midfielder but the 24-year-old’s valuation could still rise, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. While Stiller has a €40m release clause, the Bundesliga club can buy that out and make his transfer fee freely negotiable. Meanwhile, TEAMtalk reports that United are looking to January with their list of options featuring Sporting CP‘s Morten Hjulmand, Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton, Brighton & Hove Albion‘s Carlos Baleba, Borussia Dortmund‘s Jobe Bellingham and Porto’s Victor Froholdt. The Red Devils are optimistic that they can reunite coach Ruben Amorim with Hjulmand for £50m despite the 26-year-old’s £70m release clause, with this coming due to Sporting’s relationship with their former manager.

Sky Sports Deutschland have offered an insight into the domino effect that could happen regarding free agent centre-backs in the summer. A final decision hasn’t been made on David Alaba‘s future but he is likely to leave Real Madrid, while the Saudi Pro League is watching the situation of his teammate Antonio Rüdiger with his future uncertain despite an offer having been tabled for a contract that runs until 2028. Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté could be the replacement if either of them leave, while Marc Guéhi could replace the Frenchman at Anfield but is also wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Dayot Upamecano could also move despite Bayern wanting to extend his contract to 2030.

– Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is weighing up a January loan move with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Brentford all looking at the 20-year-old, according to TEAMtalk. Mainoo remains committed to the Red Devils, but the feeling is that he needs more minutes to aid both his development and ambitions to represent England at the FIFA World Cup. Man United’s lack of depth in midfield has raised questions about whether they will be willing to allow a loan move.

– Barcelona are monitoring Mallorca winger Jan Virgili and could look to re-sign him, as reported by Diario Sport. The 19-year-old left the Blaugrana for €3.5m this summer as he didn’t want to be part of a reserve team any longer, but Barca included a clause that would see them receive a percentage of the funds from his next move and another clause that would allow them to re-sign him. Virgili marked his return from the Under-20 World Cup by providing the assist for Vedat Muriqi‘s equaliser in Mallorca’s win against Sevilla.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN’s Sam Tighe looks at how well Samu Agehowa would fit in at Chelsea:

In the summer of 2024, Samu looked all set for a move to Chelsea, following the conclusion of his gold medal-winning campaign with Spain in the Olympics, but the move fell through and João Félix joined instead.

That’s a series of events that the Blues have likely regretted ever since, as Samu has continued to blossom into one of Europe’s top young strikers at FC Porto — while Félix made minimal impact before being jettisoned to Saudi Arabia.

The Spain international is a powerhouse No. 9, able to bully defenders using his huge frame. Look back at his goals catalogue while on loan at Deportivo Alavés and you’ll see opponents literally bouncing off him and hitting the deck. He can back into centre-backs Romelu Lukaku-style, or hit the channels and stretch the pitch.

His time at Porto has given him useful experience of playing in a dominant team setup, as before all of his football had come for lesser sides who played more reactive football. This would aid a transition to a club like Chelsea, who are quickly developing a “type” that they like up front — Samu, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu are all battering ram centre-forwards.

OTHER RUMORS

– AC Milan had a scout at Parma’s goalless draw against Genoa to watch goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. (Nicolò Schira)

– Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Willian Pacho could extend his contract in the coming weeks, with an offer on the table to extend his deal by one year so it lasts until 2030. (Le Parisien)

– Clubs from across Europe are monitoring Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Rudy Galetti)

– Massimiliano Allegri has given his approval for AC Milan to extend Fikayo Tomori‘s contract with initial informal discussions already taking place. (Calciomercato)

– Rodez centre-back Mathis Magnin is being monitored by various Ligue 1 clubs having impressed in Ligue 2. (Rudy Galetti)

– Several European clubs, especially from Italy and England, are monitoring Copenhagen centre-back Gabriel Pereira. (Rudy Galetti)

– Barcelona will not move in the January transfer window unless they suffer injuries. (AS)

– Bologna have turned down a “huge” offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah for Riccardo Orsolini, and the Rossoblu are in talks to extend the winger’s contract until 2029 with the option for another year. (Nicolò Schira)



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Howard, top-20 senior in ’26, commits to Duke

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Howard, top-20 senior in ’26, commits to Duke


Top-20 senior Bryson Howard announced his commitment to Duke on Tuesday, giving Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils their first commitment in the 2026 class.

Bryson Howard, son of former NBA veteran Josh Howard, had a blue-blood recruitment, picking Duke over fellow finalists North Carolina and Kentucky. He took his official visit to Durham, North Carolina, last month, and the Blue Devils maintained their positive momentum from that trip over the last couple of weeks.

“I loved my visit to Duke,” Howard told ESPN. “I spent a lot of time with the coaches and players. We went to Coach Scheyer’s house for dinner, and it felt like home.”

A 6-foot-5 left-handed wing, Howard was one of the biggest risers in the country during the spring and summer while playing for Pro Skills on the Nike EYBL circuit. He averaged 19.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 21 games, while shooting 46.2% from 3-point range on more than five attempts per game.

Howard went from unranked to No. 28 after the spring and is now No. 20 in the senior class. His shotmaking and upward trajectory should suit Duke.

“When I attended practice, I saw that their style of play fits my game,” he said. “The practice was very positive and full of energy, with a pace that was up and down. Coach Scheyer believes I will thrive in his system.”

Howard excels as an outside shooter with pinpoint accuracy. He has excellent mechanics on his shot, complete with body control, a fluid motion and a high release point. He is equally adept at scoring in catch-and-shoot situations, on the move and off the dribble. When finishing, Howard shows versatility as a reliable lob catcher and fearless driver who absorbs contact and converts at the rim.

Duke has landed the No. 1 recruiting class in each of the last two cycles, with Scheyer eschewing portal-heavy reloads in favor of leaning on talented freshman classes.

After Howard, Duke remains in pursuit of Jordan Smith (No. 2), Cameron Williams (No. 3), Austin Goosby (No. 19) and Maximo Adams (No. 26). Five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. (No. 18) is visiting the Blue Devils’ campus this week, and they hosted Canadian big man Maxime Meyer this past weekend.

They also welcomed elite 2027 prospect Sayon Keita for a visit in the summer, and the FC Barcelona center is a candidate to reclassify to 2026.



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