Sports
Remembering Joseph “Jellybean” Bryant: A Legacy Beyond Basketball
Published
2 years agoon
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Joseph “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the sport and a profound impact on those who knew him. Beyond being recognized as Kobe’s father, Joseph Bryant made significant contributions to basketball in his own right, both as a player and coach, leaving an indelible mark on the game and those who followed in his footsteps.
Early Life and Basketball Career
Joseph Washington Bryant was born on October 19, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He excelled in basketball from a young age, showcasing his talents at John Bartram High School before moving on to La Salle University. Known for his smooth playing style and sharp shooting, Bryant’s skills on the court earned him the nickname “Jellybean.”
In 1975, Joseph Bryant was drafted into the NBA by the Golden State Warriors, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career. He also played for the Philadelphia 76ers, before continuing his basketball journey overseas in Italy, where he played for several teams in the Italian league. His time in Italy not only enriched his playing experience but also laid the foundation for his family’s deep connection with the country, where Kobe spent a significant part of his childhood.
Transition to Coaching and Mentorship
After retiring from playing professionally, Joseph Bryant transitioned into coaching, a role in which he continued to impact the game. He coached various teams in the United States and internationally, including in Japan, where he coached Kobe during his formative years in basketball. Joseph Bryant’s guidance and mentorship were instrumental in shaping Kobe’s basketball career and instilling in him a work ethic and dedication that would define his legacy.
Legacy and Impact
Joseph “Jellybean” Bryant’s legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. He leaves behind a family deeply rooted in the sport, with Kobe Bryant becoming one of the most iconic and influential basketball players of all time. Joseph’s contributions to Kobe’s development as a player and as a person are undeniable, shaping Kobe’s relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to the game.
Beyond his role as Kobe’s father, Joseph Bryant’s impact on basketball culture and his contributions to the sport’s global community will be remembered fondly. His journey from player to coach and mentor reflects a lifelong dedication to basketball and a passion for nurturing talent.
Remembering Joseph Bryant
As we reflect on Joseph “Jellybean” Bryant’s life, we celebrate his achievements, his contributions to basketball, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His influence on the sport and his role in shaping Kobe Bryant’s remarkable career and life are testaments to his enduring impact. Joseph Bryant will be remembered not only for his basketball prowess but also for his dedication, wisdom, and the profound mark he left on the sport and all who knew him.
In honoring Joseph “Jellybean” Bryant’s memory, we recognize a man whose love for basketball transcended generations and whose legacy will continue to inspire future athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com
Sports
NFL Releases Media Details for 2026 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis
Published
1 day agoon
January 23, 2026By
Willie DavidINDIANAPOLIS (FNN SPORTS) — The NFL has announced media availability details for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, which will feature top prospects eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft along with select NFL head coaches and general managers.
Media availability will take place at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.
Event Overview
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will bring together the league’s top draft-eligible prospects as they undergo evaluations by NFL personnel. Select head coaches and general managers will also be available to the media during designated windows throughout the week.
Media Location Information
Media availability will be held in Hall J of the Indiana Convention Center. Media should enter through the Capitol Avenue entrance, located at Capitol Avenue and Georgia Street, or via the Indianapolis SkyWalk.
The NFL Media Workroom will be located in the Sagamore Ballroom on the second floor of the Indiana Convention Center.
Coach and Executive Availability
Select NFL head coaches and general managers will be available during the following times:
Tuesday, Feb. 24: 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Feb. 25: 1–6:30 p.m. ET
Prospect Media Availability Schedule
Draft prospects will be available to the media based on their assigned position groups from Wednesday, Feb. 25, through Saturday, Feb. 28. Prospects will rotate through the media room during designated one-hour windows and will not be present for the full hour.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
8–9 a.m. — Linebackers
10–11 a.m. — Defensive Line, Placekickers
11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Defensive Line
Thursday, Feb. 26
9–10 a.m. — Defensive Backs
10–11 a.m. — Defensive Backs
11 a.m.–12 p.m. — Tight Ends
Friday, Feb. 27
8–9 a.m. — Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers
10:30–11:30 a.m. — Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers
12:30–1:30 p.m. — Running Backs
Saturday, Feb. 28
10–11 a.m. — Offensive Line
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Offensive Line
Sports
Flag Football Takes Center Stage During Super Bowl LX Week
Published
2 days agoon
January 23, 2026By
FNN SPORTSNEW YORK – (FNN SPORTS) – Flag football will take center stage during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrating the sport’s explosive growth and global reach ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Super Bowl week flag football events will highlight the fast-paced and inclusive sport through a variety of events and activations, including a showdown between the sport’s top athletes, youth clinics, fan events, and much more.
Ahead of Super Bowl LX, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the NFL are also proud to announce the newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors, led by Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. Global Flag Ambassadors play a critical role in inspiring the next generation of athletes and expanding flag football globally, and members from this year’s class will take part in flag football activations around Super Bowl LX.
Flag Football Events During Super Bowl LX Week
Throughout Super Bowl LX week, the Bay Area will host a variety of flag football activations designed to engage fans and communities.
2026 NFL Flag International Championship
Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
The 2026 NFL Flag International Championship will bring together top U13 co-ed teams from 14 countries to compete in a three-day tournament, culminating in an exciting championship game on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience at Moscone Center’s North Building. This is one of the largest international NFL Flag competitions to date, with teams and athletes from Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain participating.
NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase Presented by Visa
Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
As part of Super Bowl week celebrations, the NFL will host a showcase for the second year in a row of the nation’s top girls high school flag football athletes. Thirty-two seniors from high schools across the country, nominated by NFL clubs and selected from teams ranked in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25, will compete in a matchup of the country’s premier flag football talent – mirroring the set-up of this year’s Pro Bowl Games. This event will air live during Postseason NFL Countdown on ESPN, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET, as part of its Pro Bowl Games pregame show, and streamed on the ESPN App, Disney+, SportsCenter Next’s YouTube channel and the NFL’s YouTube channel.
Pro Bowl Games Presented by Verizon
Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5:00 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
For the first time, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will move to Super Bowl LX Week in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event brings the league’s top players together for an AFC vs. NFC flag football showdown, which will preview the elite athleticism and competition of the sport ahead of its LA28 Olympics debut. The revamped programming gives the league’s best athletes an opportunity to compete during the NFL’s biggest week of the year, surrounded by their families, friends and select fans, and provides all fans with a must-see TV event that helps culminate the end of the season.
The televised event will air live from the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Super Bowl Experience in San Francisco on Tuesday, Feb. 3, which will be transformed into a dynamic flag football arena. Coverage of the Pro Bowl Games powered by Verizon will begin on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with the flag game at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, Disney XD and ESPN Deportes.
Toyota Glow Up Classic
Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
The Toyota Glow Up Classic returns at Super Bowl LX at NFL Flag Fieldhouse where the games future – Females in Flag – will be spotlighted during this first-of-it-kind glow-in-the-dark flag football showdown. The game gathers the Bay Area’s top high school female athletes in a unique competition under UV lights and in glowing jerseys and gear in a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Team Toyota athletes will serve as mentors with Eli Manning, Brock Purdy, Christian Gonzales, Puka Nacua, Michael Pittman, Kyle Hamilton, and Jordan Love currently scheduled to appear. The second annual event is open to fans with Super Bowl Experience tickets. Toyota will also leave a lasting legacy after Super Bowl LX ends by supporting the installation of lighting at the Townsend Busher Field renovation project in Santa Clara.
USA vs. Mexico Flag Football Showcase Presented by Toyota
Thursday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
Fans will get an up-close look at flag football’s fast-paced, creative, and dynamic style when North America’s top athletes face off in an exhibition match. The USA Men’s National Flag Football Team will take on Mexico’s Men’s National Team, marking their first meeting since 2023. Both programs are reigning IFAF Americas Continental Co-Champions and will showcase the sport ahead of its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028. Selected, trained and led by USA Football, the USA Men’s National Flag Football team and star quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III sit atop the IFAF World Rankings, while Mexico ranks third, setting the stage for an epic clash between two of the sport’s best teams. The game will air live on the NFL’s YouTube channel.
Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game on YouTube
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. PT, Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South — Hall C
Building on the success of the inaugural Super Bowl LIX Flag Football Game on YouTube, the league is bringing the excitement back to Super Bowl Experience with a flag football showdown at the NFL Flag Football Fieldhouse, on Saturday, Feb. 7, ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Showcasing the NFL’s commitment to growing flag football globally and connecting with fans worldwide, the flag football game brings together top talent from across sports, music and YouTube, with the action kicking off at 7:00 p.m. PT and streaming live exclusively on YouTube.
Global Flag Ambassadors
Ahead of Super Bowl LX, IFAF and the NFL are excited to introduce its newest cohort of Global Flag Ambassadors. This diverse group of athletes will champion flag football’s growth across domestic and international markets, promoting the sport’s accessibility for all. Leading the charge is Steve Young, Hall of Fame quarterback and San Francisco 49ers icon, whose passion for the game and commitment to youth sports make him an ideal Global Flag Ambassador.
“Being named a Global Flag Ambassador is an honor, especially as the world’s attention turns to the Bay Area during Super Bowl LX,” said NFL Hall of Famer and San Francisco 49ers legend Steve Young. “Flag football represents the future expansion of our sport – fast, inclusive, and accessible, creating unprecedented opportunities for ALL athletes around the world, a game where women and girls are claiming their space. Coaching my daughters’ high school flag football team has shown me how powerful this game can be in shaping confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. I’m committed to using my voice to help expand flag football globally and ensure the next generation of competitors see a place for themselves in this game.”
Global Flag Ambassadors will play a key role in promoting the game throughout Super Bowl week. Global Flag Ambassador activations include Vanita Krouch, a member of the United States women’s national flag football team, who will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase and also participated in the Showcase’s selection committee. Global Flag Ambassadors from international markets, such as Diana Flores, Phoebe Schecter, Gabi Bankhardt and Kodie Fuller, will also participate in various league events throughout the week, including Super Bowl Opening Night and the Pro Bowl Games.
This year’s Global Flag Ambassador cohort includes:
- Ashlea Klam, USA Women’s National Team – Ashlea Klam is an international flag football player and member of the United States Women’s National Flag Team, where she was a key member of the 2024 IFAF Women’s Flag Football World Championship team. Ashlea is also a member of the Keiser University flag football team and played on the Texas Fury NFL Flag team. Ashlea will serve as a team captain at the NFL Flag Girls High School Showcase. Ashlea has played flag football since elementary school and serves as an inspiration to young girls who strive to represent their country playing the sport they love.
- Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans – Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is a major advocate and ambassador for flag football, actively promoting girls flag football participation in Houston and his hometown in Georgia.
- Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts – Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin is a passionate supporter of flag football, helping to expand access to the game in his hometown of Philadelphia and beyond. Last year, Franklin hosted a “Girls’ Flag Football Jamboree” at his alma mater and consistently participates in NFL Flag-in-School events throughout Indianapolis.
Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players worldwide, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and over 100 colleges and universities have women’s flag football programs.
Sports
Green Day to Kick Off Super Bowl LX With 60th Anniversary Opening Ceremony
Published
2 days agoon
January 23, 2026By
FNN SPORTSNEW YORK (FNN SPORTS) — The NFL announced that global rock icons Green Day will open Super Bowl LX with a high-energy opening ceremony celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
The performance will mark a milestone moment for the league, blending music, football, and Bay Area culture as the NFL honors six decades of championship moments.
Hometown Band to Honor Super Bowl Legends
As part of the anniversary celebration, East Bay natives and Grammy Award–winning rock band Green Day — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool — will usher generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field with a dynamic performance featuring the band’s most iconic anthems.
“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard,” said Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun. Let’s get loud.”
Opening Ceremony to Air Across Multiple Platforms
The Super Bowl LX opening ceremony will air live at 3 p.m. PT on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, and Universo, transforming Levi’s Stadium into a celebratory stage ahead of kickoff.
“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL legends who’ve helped define this sport, is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX,” said Tim Tubito, NFL senior director of event and game presentation. “Working alongside NBC Sports, we look forward to creating a collective celebration for fans in the stadium and around the world.”
Pregame Entertainment Lineup Announced
The opening ceremony will precede the previously announced Super Bowl LX pregame entertainment lineup. Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
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