Sports

NFL Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On and Off Field Throughout Wild Card Weekend

Published

3 years ago

January 12, 2024

NEW YORK — Jan 12, 2024 — Today the NFL unveiled three new ways that the league will deepens its commitment to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy throughout the entirety of Wild Card Weekend and beyond.

To kick off the weekend, the league announced a five-year commitment to Realizing the Dream (RTD), a platform created by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and Yolanda Renee King that aims to unite more than 7 million young people, 200,000 educators, and millions of employees around the globe through a series of service initiatives focused on the tenets of social change and community impact. Over the next five years, the NFL and additional corporations will work with the King Family and Legacy+ to help fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for an equitable and united America.

“The NFL’s partnership with Realizing the Dream aligns with our dedication to serving communities, the values that underpin our Inspire Change efforts and our desire to further Dr. King’s legacy,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility. “As we build upon an existing movement, we’re excited to answer Realizing the Dream’s call to action through facilitating and celebrating acts of service and social change around the country.”

“Arndrea, Yolanda, and I are excited to join hands with the NFL in commemorating my father’s vision of a beloved community. The Realizing the Dream initiative underscores the importance of service, collective responsibility, and how service empowers individuals and strengthens communities,” said Martin Luther King III. “The NFL’s commitment to social justice resonates with the principles my father held dear. Together, we amplify the message of justice and equity for all.”

The league also has an ongoing partnership with The King Center, led by CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King. As part of their work together, the league is working with the King Center and EVERFI from Blackbaud to introduce the Students with King curriculum to schools nationwide. Students with King is The King Center’s flagship engagement platform for elementary, middle, and high school students. Offering a series of dynamic and inspirational programming, this initiative aims to empower teachers to bring the King Legacy into the classrooms while providing student-centered programming that supports literacy development, character-building, and social-emotional learning objectives. Through their core learning programs, students are introduced to the philosophy of Kingian nonviolence and gain important lessons about how to apply nonviolence in their immediate environments.

“We thank the NFL for its continuing support of The King Center as we call for a shift in the cultural climate through the study and practice of Kingian nonviolence,” said Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center. “That cultural shift starts with each of us individually adopting nonviolence as a way of life to create a more just, humane, equitable and peaceful world.”

Expanded Wild Card Weekend game integration will include Be Love helmet phrase decals to be worn by all players during all six games, circular MLK decals to be worn by all players during all six games and Be Love end zone stencils for one end zone while the other will continue to read It Takes All Of Us. The King Family has also provided two PSAs to NFL teams in the playoffs for integration into their in-stadium game programming and amplification on media platforms. The first video features Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of Dr. King, and the second video features Martin Luther King III.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Fall to 0-2 Under Sean Sweeney After 115-93 Loss to Timberwolves

Published

5 days ago

October 24, 2026

FNN NEWS

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, wearing a white No. 5 jersey, dribbles while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards defends in a blue uniform.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93, dropping the Magic to 0-2. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Shooting struggles and a costly third quarter leave Orlando winless through two games under first-year coach Sean Sweeney
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A new coaching era has opened with consecutive losses for the Orlando Magic, who fell 115-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Kia Center.

Orlando dropped to 0-2 under first-year head coach Sean Sweeney as shooting struggles again slowed its offense. The Magic also struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, repeating problems from their season-opening loss to Atlanta. Yahoo Sports

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards holds the basketball while airborne as Orlando’s Paolo Banchero contests behind him and another Magic defender raises both arms.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards handles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero contests the play at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Third-quarter struggles prove costly

Minnesota led 57-45 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The Timberwolves closed the period with a 17-3 run, building an 86-60 advantage heading into the fourth. Orlando could not recover from the 26-point deficit. reuters.com

Carter leads Orlando

Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner scored 18 points before fouling out, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs added 14 apiece.

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points for Minnesota, which improved to 2-0. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Reuters

Perimeter shooting remains a concern

Orlando made just eight of its 39 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 20.5%. Minnesota connected on 37.8% of its attempts from beyond the arc. reuters.com

Two games offer a limited measure of Sweeney’s tenure, but the early results identify an immediate challenge: improving offensive execution and preventing difficult stretches from becoming decisive runs.

Central Florida News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Select 25 Coaches for 2027 Academy, Five for Fellowships

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

The fourth class will receive scholarships for a weeklong program in Tampa, with five participants returning for training camp and preseason.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are accepting applications for their 2027 National Coaching Academy, offering 25 finalists an opportunity to learn from NFL coaches and participate in rookie minicamp activities.

Applications close Dec. 31, 2026. The program uses rolling admissions, and applicants are encouraged to apply early, according to the team.

Presented by ReliaQuest, the academy was established by the Glazer family to create pathways for coaches seeking NFL opportunities. The upcoming class will be its fourth.

Eligibility and Scholarships

Applicants must have at least three years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semiprofessional level.

The 25 finalists will receive full scholarships covering costs while in Tampa for the weeklong academy.

After completing the program, five participants will be selected to return as fellows for training camp and the preseason.

On-Field Experience and Coaching Instruction

Finalists will attend team meetings and participate in on-field coaching sessions during rookie minicamp.

The program includes master classes led by Buccaneers coaches, along with Super Bowl-winning head coaches Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, according to the announcement.

Additional sessions cover film review, media training, business insights and networking.

Program Draws International Interest

The academy has attracted more than 3,000 applicants from 22 countries over its first three years, the team said. Dozens of previous finalists have since earned new positions or promotions at their institutions.

Applications for the 2027 class are open now until Dec. 31, 2026, with a rolling admissions program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. More information can be found HERE.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.

ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.

Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips

Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.

The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.

“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”

Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts

The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.

Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.

“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”