🚨BREAKING: Chicago Bears legend Lance Briggs has auctioned off the game-worn jersey from his final NFL season, just before the team’s next home game, to help a former teammate fighting pancreatic cancer with the same relentless spirit that once defined Bears football.👇 #chicagobears #BearDown #BearsNation #DaBears

Posted November 3, 2025

Chicago, IL – November 1, 2025

One of the toughest linebackers in Chicago Bears history has reminded everyone what true leadership looks like. Legendary linebacker Lance Briggs, the heart of the Bears’ defense for over a decade, has auctioned off the

game-worn jersey from his final season to support a former teammate now facing the hardest fight of his life.

For Da Bears faithful, Briggs represents everything Chicago football stands for — toughness, loyalty, and heart. Debuting in 2003 alongside Charles Tillman, Briggs formed one of the NFL’s most feared defensive duos with Tillman and Brian Urlacher. Between 2005 and 2011, he earned

seven Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro honor, dominating as a relentless tackler and emotional leader.

That former teammate is Thomas Jones, the Bears’ powerhouse running back from the early 2000s. Jones, who carried Chicago’s offense through its rebuild years, is currently battling

pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis that has shaken the Bears family but also united them in support.

💬 “We bled for this city together — every hit, every snap, every cold Sunday at Soldier Field,”

Briggs said quietly. “Now he’s in a fight that no playbook can prepare you for, and I just want this jersey to fight for him — the same way we fought for the navy and orange.”

Drafted in 2000, Jones rushed for over 5,600 yards during his Bears tenure, helping lead the team to the 2001 playoffs and becoming a fan favorite for his bruising, “feed the rock”

style. His physicality and consistency made him the embodiment of Chicago’s blue-collar identity.

Even after being replaced by Cedric Benson following the 2005 Draft, fans never stopped respecting him. Polls on

Windy City Gridiron still rank Jones among the team’s most beloved “what-if” players — the one who could’ve changed Super Bowl XLI if given more time.

In recent months, Jones has been undergoing intense treatment for pancreatic cancer. Friends say he remains in strong spirits, crediting his football discipline and work ethic for helping him fight through each painful round of therapy.

Briggs’ decision to sell his final jersey isn’t about recognition — it’s about brotherhood. The proceeds will go to the Bears Alumni Assistance Fund, providing medical support for Jones and raising awareness for cancer research among retired NFL players.

💬 “This jersey carried pride, sweat, and brotherhood,” Briggs reflected. “If it can now carry hope for someone who ran through everything for us, then its story isn’t over — it’s just beginning again.”

For Bears fans, this story hits deep. It’s not about stats or highlights — it’s about love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of two players who built Chicago’s identity through pain and passion.

In Chicago, toughness never fades — it just finds new battles to fight.

Pittsburgh Steelers rule out two starters vs. Colts due to food poisoning

Pittsburgh, PA – October 31, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially ruled out two key starters for Sunday’s Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts after several players came down with severe food poisoning, according to team insiders.

Among those affected are linebacker Cole Holcomb and safety Chuck Clark, both of whom were sent home from the facility on Thursday after experiencing intense stomach illness and dehydration. Team medical staff later confirmed the cause as

foodborne illness linked to a catered team meal earlier in the week.

Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation following Friday’s walkthrough, emphasizing that the decision was made for player safety.

“We’re not taking any chances,” Tomlin said. “They’ll recover fully, but rest and hydration are the priority right now. We’ll have the next man up ready to go.”

Holcomb’s absence leaves a gap in the linebacker rotation that includes

Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson. The Steelers are expected to activate Malik Harrison from injured reserve to help fill the void.

Meanwhile, Clark’s absence complicates the team’s already thin depth at safety. With

Jabrill Peppers ruled out and DeShon Elliott on injured reserve, the Steelers are expected to lean on Kyle Dugger and Juan Thornhill, with the possibility of promoting a practice squad player for additional support.

The outbreak has come at an unfortunate time for Pittsburgh, who are battling through multiple injuries heading into a critical AFC matchup. Still, Tomlin remained confident in his team’s resilience.

“This group’s tough. We’ve faced adversity before — and we’ll line up and compete, no matter who’s out there.”

The Steelers (5–3) host the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium

, hoping to overcome illness, injuries, and adversity to stay in the playoff hunt.

Broncos HC Sean Payton Issues Clear Notice After Win Over Texans

Sean Payton was not pleased following the

Denver Broncos’ win over the Houston Texans, and it could cost someone their job. However, it might not be who some think.

The Broncos had a field goal blocked

and a muffed punt. Fortunately for the Broncos, the Texans were only able to convert those turnovers into 6 points. Still, Payton noted that the Broncos struggled in field positioning, too, again pointing to his special teams.

It all seemingly pointed to either a coaching or execution issue.

Sean Payton Sends ‘Damning’ Message on Broncos’ Special Teams

GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the

New York Giants.

Payton met with the media after the hard-fought 18-15 victory. He noted the challenges of the Broncos being without All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, the adjustments to Texans quarterback

C.J. Stroud exiting the game with a concussion, and the Broncos’ trench dominance.

But the team’s special teams snafus and the Texans’ effectiveness irked Payton.

The Denver Post’s Luca Evans called

Payton’s comments “fairly damning” of the Broncos’ special teams.

“We’ll look at that on film, all of that. Without watching it on tape, my concern was just the late subs. It was a little bit sloppy in the kicking game. We’ll get that cleaned up, or we’ll find someone else that can do it,”

Payton told reporters regarding the block on November 2.

“The thing that was troubling me a little bit was, we went into it wanting to play as much of the game on their side of the field. And I felt in the kicking game, we didn’t do enough to leverage the field position battle, and defensively, fortunately, we held up. So, if you really paid attention to the game, I felt like our drives were starting to the far right or left, and their drives were starting more towards midfield. And fortunately, our defense took care of that. “

However, Payton’s ire was not believed to be aimed at special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

“From what I gather postgame, #Broncos coach Sean Payton was referring to personnel,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel reported on X on November 2. “Not STC Darren Rizzi.”

Payton could be seen instructing Broncos kicker Wil Lutz to send the ball the “right through” the uprights, smirking as the player confirmed he received the message. Lutz drilled a 34-yarder to win the game for the Broncos.

Michael Bandy muffed the punt. However, Payton praised him after the game.

He filled in for injured All-Pro Marvin Mims. Mims suffered a concussion late in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys on another substitution issue.

Payton may not have been talking about Rizzie on Sunday. The Broncos still have plenty of work to do in that phase, getting outgained 147 yards to 106 yards on kick and punt returns in Week 9.

Sean Payton: Monday All ‘About Recovery’

GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Tennessee Titans.

Payton and the Broncos are on a short week. Their AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, are up next on the docket on “Thursday Night Football.” The coach wants his team to get as healthy as possible for that contest. Moreover, they are being proactive about it.

“Everything about tomorrow is recovery, walkthrough. We’ve learned a little bit more over the years,” Payton said, referencing his time with the Cowboys. “Whatever we did wasn’t right. I think we’ve learned a little bit more about the time from this game, and how we have to get these guys mentally and physically recovered from it. And then, fortunately, we’re playing at home.”

Unfortunately for Payton and the Broncos, they are unlikely to get Surtain back next week.

So, keeping their healthy players fresh is even more critical in his absence. They also escaped this contest without any further personnel losses, which is good news.

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