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Butkus Award Winners

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

2023_Payton Wilson, NC State2022_Jack Campbell, Iowa2021_Nakobe Dean, Georgia2020_Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame2019_Isaiah Simmons, Clemson2018_Devin White, LSU2017_Roquan Smith, Georgia2016_Reuben Foster, Alabama2015_Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame2014_Eric Kendricks, UCLA2013_C.J. Mosley, Alabama2012_Manti Te’o, Notre Dame2011_Luke Kuechly, Boston College2010_Von Miller, Texas A&M2009_Rolando McClain, Alabama2008_Aaron Curry, Wake Forest2007_James Laurinaitis, Ohio State2006_Patrick Willis, Mississippi2005_Paul Posluszny, Penn State2004_Derrick Johnson, Texas2003_Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma2002_E.J. Henderson, Maryland2001_Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma2000_Dan Morgan, Miami1999_LaVar Arrington, Penn State1998_Chris Claiborne, Southern Cal1997_Andy Katzenmoyer, Ohio State1996_Matt Russell, Colorado1995_Kevin Hardy, Illinois1994_Dana Howard, Illinois1993_Trev Alberts, Nebraska1992_Marvin Jones, Florida State1991_Erick Anderson, Michigan1990_Alfred Williams, Colorado1989_Percy Snow, Mic...

Christmas-themed concerts coming to South Florida before Santa include Il Divo, LeAnn Rimes and Pentatonix

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

The Christmas countdown is on, and for anyone keeping track, we’re just 17 days away. If you wanna get into the holiday spirit right now, Deco’s checking out some festive concerts that’ll have you rock’n around the Christmas tree before Santa makes it to town.Sarah Brightman: “I wish you a hopeful Christmas. I wish you a brave new year.”‘Tis the season to sing along with Sarah Brightman. The British singer is bringing her critically acclaimed holiday tour to SoFlo.Sarah’s “A Christmas Symphony” will light up the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Dec. 9th. Better hurry if you want tickets, ’cause this show’s almost sold out.Pentatonix (singing): “Make my dreams underneath the tree come true. Make all of my dreams come true.”If your Christmas wish is to see Pentatonix in concert this year, you’re in luck. The a cappella group is bringing their “Most Wonderful Tour of the Year” to Hollywo...

Rep. Kam Buckner: Soldier Field shuffle offers an opportunity to Chicago and the Bears

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

When news broke of the Bears considering a new stadium on the land currently housing the south parking deck, it gave many Chicagoans hope that the team would remain nestled on the lakefront and that we would maintain our distinction of being the largest city in the country where every professional sports team plays its home games within the city limits.The possibility of the Bears building a stadium and remaining in Chicago signals that a reset between the Bears organization, by way of new President Kevin Warren, and Mayor Brandon Johnson is not empty rhetoric, but it is the true desire of both parties, which is good for Chicago.In Warren, the Bears have a proven transformational leader. He is the architect of one of the most monumental professional stadium deals in U.S. history, which allowed the state of Minnesota to pay off bonds 23 years before the final payment was due. Johnson has been clear-eyed and optimistic about the Bears’ situation, which has allowed the conversati...

5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions game — plus our Week 14 predictions

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

The Chicago Bears return from their bye week Sunday at Soldier Field in search of their first two-game winning streak since 2021. But the 4-8 Bears will have to pull off the upset against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (9-3), who stormed back from a 17-point deficit to win the first meeting Nov. 19.With kickoff approaching, here’s our snapshot look at the game.Player in the spotlightLions quarterback Jared GoffGoff had an uncharacteristic stretch of turnovers with three interceptions against the Bears on Nov. 19 and three fumbles against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 23.The Bears game was just the third time in his career he has thrown more than two picks and the first since 2019. His career high of four interceptions came against the Bears at Soldier Field in 2018 when he played for the Los Angeles Rams.Now Goff, who has thrown only five other interceptions this season, goes up against a Bears defense that totaled four more picks in Week 12 against Minnesota Vikings quar...

Man suspected of pointing gun at several people in parking lot arrested

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

VISTA, Calif. -- A man suspected of driving erratically in a Vista movie theater parking lot and pointing a gun at several people was arrested Tuesday, authorities said.Authorities received a call about the suspect around 11 p.m. at 25 Main Street, Sgt. Michael Hanks with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Friday.When deputies arrived at the scene, the suspect, who was driving in the parking lot behind the movie theater, got out of the vehicle and ran from law enforcement. San Diego police sergeant injured, suspect killed after shootout in 4S Ranch The suspect was later found and arrested about a mile away in the 800 block of Eucalyptus Ave, Hanks said. Authorities found a loaded ghost gun modified to shoot automatic gunfire, a high-capacity magazine and ammunition in his vehicle.Jeremy Fuerte, 26, was booked into Vista Detention Facility and faces multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and illegally possessing a ghost gun.The...

US, South Korea and Japan urge stronger international push to curb North Korean nuclear program

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan called on Saturday for a stronger international push to suppress North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and missiles and its military cooperation with other countries amid concerns about its alleged arms transfers to Russia.The meeting in Seoul came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest in years, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un accelerating the expansion of his nuclear and missile program and flaunting an escalatory nuclear doctrine that authorizes the preemptive use of nuclear weapons.The United States and its Asian allies have responded by increasing the visibility of their trilateral security cooperation in the region and strengthening their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals.U.S. and Japanese officials said Saturday’s three-way talks would include discussions on North Korea’s recent launch of its first military rec...

Billionaire GOP donor endorses Haley, says Trump's time has 'come and gone'

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

(The Hill) — Home Depot co-founder and billionaire Ken Langone put his support behind GOP hopeful Nikki Haley on Friday, calling her approach to the 2024 election "smart."“I think she’s just what we need right now. I think her approach is smart. I think she’s clarified herself on some issues which is very important," Langone, who is seen as a GOP mega donor, said in an interview with Fox News's Neil Cavuto. "And more importantly, I think the American people need this kind of leadership, statesman-like, elegant.""When you think of where we’ve been in the last six or seven or eight years, it’s not good, Neil. It’s not good at all,” he added. Nearly half of men think they can safely land a plane in an emergency, survey finds The backing from Langone, who endorsed former President Trump in his 2016 White House campaign, comes after Haley secured an endorsement from another top donor: the Koch-affiliated Americans for Prosperity (AFP) Action. The organization announced their support la...

3 seriously hurt after driver plows into Christmas parade crowd in California

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The start of a Christmas Parade in south-central California was delayed Thursday after a driver slammed into the crowd along the route in downtown Bakersfield, seriously injuring three paradegoers.Police took the suspected driver, 72-year-old Alan Booth, into custody after officials said he reversed from an alley at high speed, slamming into people watching the parade and a parked food truck. Bakersfield police said they believe alcohol was a factor, and Booth faces felony charges for allegedly driving under the influence."You never heard the gas let up," Misti Cole, an owner of the damaged food truck, recalled, saying that she could smell alcohol on the driver once he was out of the truck.Emergency crews were called to the area of 21st and H streets at around 5:30 p.m. All three victims were men, ages 21, 42 and 77. Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry told Nexstar's KGET that they are in stable condition after being transported to a local hospital with...

'It's very touching': Cicero community donates essential items to families impacted by devastating fire

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

CICERO, Ill. — Angel Hernandez was hopeful that firefighters would be able to put out a fire that broke out in his apartment building in Cicero before it destroyed his unit. But the extra-alarm blaze eventually caused the building's roof to collapse."I was hoping for the firefighters to control it. Until the last minute I was keeping hope, but no, they didn't,' Hernandez said, who was among the 20 to 30 people displaced by the fire, which is believed to have broken out around 1:30 a.m. in the basement of the building in the 5000 block of 16th Street, according to police. Charges filed against man accused of burglarizing 8 Chicago businesses The families that occupied 17 units in the building share a similar story. The devastating fire reduced their homes to rubble and left them with nearly nothing. In an effort to help those families, local leaders spent the week collecting donations, and on Friday, tenants representing the 17 families were invited to pick up donations a...

Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat wins 2023 Outland Trophy for nation's top interior lineman

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:45:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Longhorns defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat has been named the 2023 Outland Trophy winner as the nation's outstanding interior lineman.Sweat, a defensive tackle, was named the Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year with a career-high 42 tackles (17 solo), eight tackles for loss two sacks and four pass breakups to go with a blocked extra point that was returned for a defensive two-point conversion. And of course, who could forget about his 2-yard touchdown reception in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma State?Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat (93) celebrates a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Texas football knows value of win over Alabama Sweat joins three other Longhorns who have won the award, which can go to either an offensive or defensive interior lineman. Scott Appleton was the first Texas player to earn the honor in 1963, followed two ye...