Some News… After six years covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’m stepping away. This decision didn’t come easy. I’ve poured nearly everything I have into this beat, and for a long time it felt sustainable. The honest truth is I’ve been struggling with my mental health and that has to come first right now, and unfortunately I’ve reached a point where I can no longer ignore that. This job has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Six years of press boxes, locker rooms, training camp battles, draft coverage, and late nights breaking news for one of the most passionate fanbases in the league. As lifelong Patriots fan getting to cover Tom Brady’s final seasons still doesn’t feel real. I don’t think I’ll ever fully put into words what it was like to watch the greatest of all time up close. That’s something I’ll talk about for the rest of my life. Bucs Nation, the Krewe! You all made every single minute worth it. You accepted an outsider with mostly open arms. You didn’t have to but you did. The relationships built covering this team, with players, coaches, fellow media, and all of you, are ones I’ll carry forever. Without you there is no JC Allen. But I feel like I need to be honest about what’s been happening behind the scenes. I’m sure some of you have noticed I haven’t been as active on here and some have even reached out. Thank you. Unfortunately, beat coverage was never my only responsibility. I’ve been juggling this with a full time job, coaching youth football, and trying to show up for my family the way they deserve. For a long time I convinced myself I could handle all of it. The truth is, I can’t. At least not at this time. Too many people in this industry suffer in silence. The grind is real and the pressure is real. You’ve seen the mass layoffs. At some point you have to look yourself in the mirror and make the hard call. This is mine. I’m not disappearing completely, but I’m choosing to focus on myself for a little while, something I probably should have done sooner. I’m not sure how active I’ll be in the immediate future and I’m not sure when or if I’ll be back, but right now I need to reset, and get myself right. Six years ago I just kind of landed in this business not knowing what to expect and to be honest it was even more than I could’ve imagined. I’ve gotten to watch some of the best football I’ve ever seen, made some amazing friends and connections, and wouldn’t trade a single second of it. Thank you for everything, Bucs Nation. Raise the Flags. Go Bucs🏴‍☠️

Deion Sanders on how his son, Shedeur, likes it when the odds are "stacked" against him. Shedeur is currently competing with Deshaun Watson for the #Browns' starting QB job. "He's always been really undervalued, not really appreciated like he should, and he always comes through," said Sanders of his son. "He likes when odds are stacked up against him.” More from my 1-on-1 with the best cover corner ever: clutchpoints.com/nfl/clevela…

Deion Sanders on how his son Shedeur handles scrutiny in an exclusive interview with @DJSiddiqi: "He's gonna face haters like he's always had. He's not gonna face anything new that he hasn't faced in the entirety of his life. He's always been up against the eight ball. He's always been really undervalued, not really appreciated like he should, and he always comes through. He likes when odds are stacked up against him." (clutchpoints.com/nfl/clevela…)

Basketball is a simple game. Mitch Johnson over complicated it, the entire series, in three ways: 1. Exotic coverages: Brunson can’t beat you from the mid range, much like Shai couldn’t last series. Way too many traps, matchup zones, blitzes, etc. leading to the Knicks attacking long closeouts all series long. 2. Transition to build the lead, and then walk the ball up the floor and play not to lose, with the lead. There was a clock in every single game of the series where you could see the Spurs shift from fast to slow. 3. The Kornet minutes. Mitch chose a guaranteed negative 10 minutes on a game by game basis versus getting creative with his personnel. We’ve never a series more negatively impacted by a coaching staff than this Spurs squad in the NBA Finals. And it was all EXTREMELY predictable and preventable. Mike Brown was INCREDIBLE. No coach more deserving of a title than him.

Brock Forsey

Mike Anderson

Jayson Tatum on how he felt returning from an Achilles injury towards the end of the season, his thoughts on not being able to properly defend the #Celtics' championship and what he thinks of the #Knicks potentially winning the 2026 #NBA Finals. More from my 1-on-1 with Tatum: athlonsports.com/nba/boston-…

Nikki Bella on why she returned to #WWE, some of the younger women she wants to feud with and whether or not this really is her last run. "If it's a year and a half, I want my wrestling to be better and be at top tier," Bella said. "Now I don't have that, and I know I can get it there. I want a meaningful story. I'd love to be a heel. I just want to have that type of creative, that story that we used to have. I need that." More from my 1-on-1 with Bella: casino.guru/news/in-depth/ex…

Dave was always fair in his coverage my entire career, both as a player and now as a coach. The industry sure has changed since I was a rookie in 1997 and the Sentinel just let go of a great one. Hate to see it

My 36-year run at the Sun-Sentinel is over. Laid off for the first time since I lost my job as an ice-rink skate guard at 17. Cost-cutting move then, they said, too. I'm a month from 65, so please keep any sympathy for my newspaper friends who didn’t make it to the finish line like I have. I’m looking forward to doing some things I want to do so before the hall narrows and the light dims so you might not be completely done with me yet. Thanks to everyone who made it such a fun run.

The Iceman cometh 🥶

First look at Myles Garrett in a #Rams jersey at EA Sports' Opening Drive event for #Madden NFL 27.

#Bears QB Caleb Williams gives a surprising take on his team's former rival QB, Aaron Rodgers, at EA Sports' Opening Drive event after being named the cover star for Madden NFL 27. heavy.com/sports/nfl/bears-c…

Might be the best commercial for a video game we’ve EVER seen.

The ending of this Madden NFL 27 trailer featuring Vince Vaughn and Caleb Williams is 🔥. @walterpayton | #Bears 🐻⬇️

Dream come true to be on the cover of Madden! See you Thursday in Chicago for the full reveal 😎

Great event by EA Sports as they celebrated Caleb Williams' Madden cover with the Opening Drive event. Had a great talk with Caleb before he matched up with Cam Newton in Madden. Michael Vick -- the greatest Madden player ever -- Chad Ochocinco and Malachi Toney also took part in some of the fun.

Run the league one decision at a time. Your official Madden NFL 27 trailer! Become an MVP Member for #Madden27 7-Day Early Access & More 🔗: x.ea.com/89392

The #49ers could benefit from trading a former Pro Bowler coming off of a career season if the price is right. heavy.com/sports/nfl/san-fra…