Finally: First QB Helmet Designed To Reduce Concussions Has Been Approved by NFL
The first quarterback-specific helmet designed to help reduce the risk of concussions has been approved for use by the NFL and NFLPA.
According to the Associated Press, the helmet, which Vicis created, lessens the impact of helmet-to-ground collisions, which league data says accounts for almost half of all quarterback-sustained concussions. Fans of the sport may remember the scary moment when Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was rendered unconscious after his head slammed into the turf during a game against Cincinnati. “We’ve now analyzed with our engineers and with the Players Association more than a 1,000 concussions on field, we have a pretty good database of how these injuries occur,” NFL executive Jeff Miller said. “This helmet performs better in laboratory testing than any helmets we have ever seen for those sorts of impacts.”
The Vicis helmet performed 7% better than the most popular headgear worn by quarterbacks last season, the league said in a memo sent to team executives on Thursday. It’s still in early discussions as an executive for the company said that they only began designing the Zero2 Matrix QB helmet last year. “The unique thing is that it has a deformal outer shell, which means when you take an impact in any location on that helmet, it will deform or basically dent in that location to absorb the impact,” Vicis executive Jason Neubauer said. “What that means for us, as designers or engineers, as we’re looking to optimize it for different types of impacts, we’re able to change unique locations to try to optimize the impact mitigation in any one area.”
The NFL and the player’s union are responsible for sharing data with teams and their players so that quarterbacks can make informed decisions about which helmet they’ll use in the coming seasons. The only other positions that can use the Zero2 Matrix design are offensive and defensive linemen.
For Life! Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Reunite On The Set of ‘Bad Boys 4’
Bad Boys…come out and play!
Movie stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back to reprise their roles as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett for the fourth chapter in their “Bad Boys” film franchise.
Smith and Lawrence were spotted on set in Atlanta this past week, with Smith in his character’s costume while Lawrence arrived in a maroon tracksuit. According to photos published by The Daily Mail, NBA-veteran-turned-actor John Salley will also be part of this film, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer was also on hand. No details on the plot of this film have been released yet.
In January, both franchise stars announced that a fourth film was coming in a video shared to Instagram, where Smith was seen driving to Lawrence’s house. The former Martin star opened the door and said, “It’s about that time?” before the two embraced, with Smith turning the camera on them to announce, “It’s official, y’all. Bad Boys for life, baby!”
The franchise began at the height of fame for both of its stars in 1995 and has earned more than $840 million at the box office. Something tells us that this will be a billion-dollar undertaking when it’s all said and done. Rumblings off a fourth film began last year but were all but silenced following Smith’s Oscar incident involving comedian Chris Rock; however, rapper Questlove seemed to reignite rumors when he spoke to Variety about why the “Getting Jiggy Wit It” rapper was left out of the Grammy’s 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop celebration in February. “I’ll give the spoiler alert away. Will Smith was a part of the festivities tonight, but they started shooting Bad Boys 4 this week,” Questlove, 52, said. “There were a lot of preliminary shots that he had to do, so we had to lose Will.”
Fans of the franchise can rest assured that all is well as it seems “for life” wasn’t an exaggeration.
Rick Ross Purchases Fellow Rapper Meek Mill’s Buckhead House for $4.2M
The “Bawse” rapper Rick Ross made a recent purchase to add to the massive property he already owns in Georgia. The Maybach Music executive bought the Buckhead mansion his formerly signed artist Meek Mill owned.
According to TMZ, Ross purchased the house formerly owned by fellow recording artist Meek Mill. He reportedly gave the Philadelphia rapper $4.2 million in cash for the property. Mill reportedly had the home for sale for two years.
The property is an 8-bed, 9-bathroom house equipped with a tennis court, playground, and movie theater with a sauna, a pool, and a jacuzzi. Mill took to Instagram to disclose that he finally got rid of the house, without revealing who bought it.“I sold that house that quick …. It was forsale for like 2 years… i knew it would soon as I posted too!”
I sold that house that quick …. It was forsale for like 2 years… i knew it would soon as I posted too!
The rapper also shared that although he has had the property for a few years, he never moved into it.
Alisha Gillooly, the realtor Mill used to complete the sale, told TMZ, “I’ve been working to make an impact in the luxury market, and this did just that.”
Fox 5 Atlanta also reported that Ross had just bought a property in Texas.
“Rodeo” Rick posted a message to his Instagram account inviting “the great state of Texas” to take a shot of whisky to celebrate his purchasing the property in their state.
“I invite the great state of Texas to take a shot of @deaconwhisky to celebrate my newest home in the Lone Star State.
WNBA Star Candace Parker Says Growing Up With Brothers Prepared Her For Personalities Like Shaq’s on ‘NBA on TNT’
If you step into the game, be ready to handle the panel.
NBA on TNT panelist Candace Parker is well-equipped for her role on the show, but it’s not just her credentials that have prepared her for the spot. The two-time championship WNBA star said growing up with two older brothers is a huge reason she can handle the challenge from the rest of the panel.
According to an interview with Insider, Parker discussed what it was like growing up in the Parker household outside of Chicago in Naperville, Illinois. Having her older brothers, Marcus and Anthony, was the best preparation for panelists like former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, who she often has to dunk her opinion on during the show.
“I grew up doing that,” Parker said. “All my brothers and I have ever done from the time I was born is make fun of each other.”
“You had to be extremely humble in the Parker household, otherwise, we would humble you,” she added.
Parker’s experience on set with O’Neal and the NBA on TNT family reflects the relationship with her brothers, chopping it up about basketball, poking fun, and not taking things too seriously. The WNBA All-Star enjoys bringing her point of view as she covers the league on TV. She called it “the second-best job in the world.”
“I mean, I’m looking to my left and my right,t and you see Shaq, who there were posters on my wall of Shaq, and Jamal Crawford, [who I remember] watching pla,y and I remember seeing him at Michigan,” Parker said. “Isaiah Thomas, who I was taught to not like, because… he was a Piston and we didn’t like him. But now I’m able to really see that he’s not a bad boy — he’s actually a good guy.”
“We all have this family-like atmosphere there,” she added. “My agent gets mad at me because I’m like, ‘I can’t believe they paid me to talk about basketball.’ It really is the second-best job — the number one job being playing basketball. But it is the second-best job in the world.”
The Fight Continues: Britney Griner Makes A Statement During Surprise Cameo At Rev. Al Sharpton’s NAN Luncheon
WNBA titan Brittney Griner made a surprise visit to the Big Apple to bring her mission forward.
According to TMZ, 32-year-old Griner and her wife, Cherelle, made a surprise appearance at Rev.Al Sharpton’s National Action Network’s Women’s Empowerment Luncheon in NYC on Thursday. But the professional basketball player wasn’t just a celebrity guest in the crowd.
Following an emotional homecoming, Griner has since vocalized her passion and a public invitation to fight to release U.S. citizens being held captive in Russia and beyond. From the iconic NAACP Image Awards in California to the Big Apple, Griner is not afraid to speak her truth on behalf of others, considering the adverse trials she had to overcome.
“I want to continue to fight to bring home every American detained overseas. That means everything to me,” Griner said, per TMZ.
The keynote speaker for the event, U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, even echoed Griner’s statement by discussing the importance of returning “every single American who’s being unjustly detained.”
In December, Griner was released from a Russian jail in a prisoner swap after spending nearly 10 months in custody. The Phoenix Mercury center had been previously playing for the Russian Premier League basketball team UMMC Ekaterinburg during her off-season when she was stopped at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, charged with smuggling illegal drugs, tried, and then sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison colony, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.
The fight continues with Griner’s power of her voice. Having named her one of their 100 Most Influential People of 2023, Time magazine can attest to that.
WNBA alum Sue Birdwrote the excerpt for Griner and spoke of her “resilience” on and off the court.
“She was BG, through and through, throughout her horrible ordeal.”
Now, Griner is ready to recount the traumatic time she experienced being held captive in Russia in an upcoming memoir.
“That day (in February) was the beginning of an unfathomable period in my life which only now am I ready to share,” Griner said in a statement by Alfred A. Knopf.
Excessive Much? Texas Man Sentenced to 70 Years For Spitting At Police
A Black man from Texas is learning a hard lesson after being arrested and convicted.
Fox News reports Larry Pearson has been sentenced to 70 years in prison. His crime? Spitting at Lubbock police officers. In May 2022, Pearson, 36, was arrested for domestic violence after the victim flagged down law enforcement officials in the 200 block of Zenith Avenue. Pearson allegedly hit the woman several times in the face, with physically visible injuries to officers. She also told authorities that he had a gun, which turned out to be an airsoft or BB gun.
Once he was in police custody and handcuffed, he became upset that the victim wasn’t being arrested and started kicking the patrol car’s door. Officers stopped the vehicle to tell the assailant to stop, and things escalated. When officers opened the door, Pearson spat at them and carried on even after he arrived at the Lubbock County Detention Center. According to the New York Post, jurors found him guilty of two counts of harassment of a public servant. Due to prior convictions of aggravated robbery and family violence, he was facing a minimum of 25 years. However, prosecutor Jessica Gorman asked the jury to “send a message” to the suspect and society with its sentencing.
“If you’re going to live the life of crime, you’re going to do that among other criminals in prison,” Gorman told the court. However, his attorney, Jim Shaw, sold a different story of a “simple misdemeanor” that got out of control.
It didn’t matter because his fate was already determined—the jurors handed down 25 years and then some.
Gorman said a 70-year sentence would never be handed down to someone for something like this if they’ve never been in trouble with the law.
Exceptional Scholar: Chicago High School Senior Accepted To Six Ivy League Schools and Morehouse College
Black excellence shines from within Payton Pitts, who was recently accepted into all six Ivy League colleges.
ABC 7 reports the high school senior, who is graduating from Francis Parker School in Chicago, is excited for Ivy Day when Ivy League schools reveal which students are admitted to their prestigious institutions. Pitts says he’s ready for the future and to start his collegiate experience. “I got accepted into Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Penn, Columbia, and Cornell,” Pitts said. “It was a weight off my shoulders because everyone knows that’s the day where the last few decisions come out.”
Payton’s mother, Adrienne Pitts, says her son has been driven to succeed. Attending the school since kindergarten, Pitts, 18, is a straight-A student and is also an exceptional basketball player and violinist. With a predominately white student body, AfroTech reports he brought back the Black Student Union to Francis Parker School. “This is all going to be a little embarrassing for him, but he’s earned this with all his hard work and dedication,” Pitts said about her son. I’m not aware of a student, particularly from Parker, who has that sort of success in the Ivy Leagues.”
It wasn’t just the Ivys that accepted him. Morehouse College in Atlanta also believes in him and hopes he attends the HBCU. Administrators of Francis Parker, like principal Dan Frank, are proud of his achievements. “What comes through is his warmth, his insight, and his humility about all of his achievements, his successes, and the respect he has for his classmates, teammates, and teachers,” Frank said.
While he hasn’t made a final decision yet, Pitts plans to visit some of the campuses once spring break is over and then will make his mind up. He does, however, know that he wants to major in finance or business.
Exclusive: Dreamville’s Lute and Roc Nation’s Reuben Vincent Shine For North Carolina During Dreamville Fest
Festival season is something music lovers look forward to every year. From NYC to the deserts of California, fans will travel for good music. However, one festival has climbed the ranks of go-to festivals in an often overlooked place.
Enter Raleigh, North Carolina, the capital city and home of Dreamville Records’ Dreamville Festival.
Held at Dorothea Dix Park, the festival is an outdoor weekend music celebration curated by Dreamville head honcho and Carolina native J. Cole. This sold-out Black-owned music festival “continues to emphasize community, diversity, and inclusivity throughout the onsite fan experience each spring,” according to the Dreamville Fest website.
Like most, the lineup changes yearly, but it’s something about the Carolina-born and bred artists that bring fire year after year. “Each year, it’s different. You know how you can watch a movie series without seeing the first one? That’s how Dreamville is,” Dreamville artist, Lute, told Black Enterprise. “If you went to the first one, it’s nothing like the second one, and if you went to the second one, it’s nothing like the first or the third one. Each year, it’s something completely different.”
Photo provided by Dreamville Festival and Parallel Agency
Mr. “Beatties Ford til the wheels fall” hails just down 85-South from Charlotte and has been an artist on Cole’s label since 2015. We first heard of his melodic tone on the label’s 2015 collaborative project, Revenge of the Dreamers II. Two years later, his debut album, West1996 pt. 2, dropped, receiving prominent recognition and opening for Cole on the 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour.
The three-time Dreamville Fest performer later paid homage to Charlotte with the single, Under The Sun, released on the label’s second project, Revenge of the Dreamers III. Featuring fellow 704-based rapper Da Baby, and Cole World himself, the record received critical acclaim, notable as fans rapped the lyrics verbatim, and reached platinum status in 2020, according to HypeBeast.
Lute, whose real name is Luther Nicholson, says he is amazed at the elevation of music coming from North Carolina. His sophomore project, Gold Mouf, which he claims started as an alter ego, became an instant staple in the industry, paying homage to his journey with ballads like “100” and his background, shared on “Be Okay.” At 33, Dreamville Fest continues to push him to be a positive contributor to the genre. “Being from here, I feel great watching the music evolve while also knowing that I have a hand in it, you know?” he said. “It’s surreal to me because when I started out doing this, I didn’t know that it would evolve into this. I was just doing it for the fun of it. Now that younger cats are coming under us, knowing they listen to us, it’s mind-boggling.”
Photo provided by Dreamville Festival and Parallel Agency
“Each day, I’m like, damn, I’m really an artist.”
And you could tell some right in the backyard were paying close attention and waiting for their turn. Like Roc Nation and Jamla Records artist Reuben Vincent, who first appeared on the “Shine” stage this year. Vincent, 22, got his start as a teenager in Charlotte before starting classes at North Carolina A&T State University. Like some, he realized his heart wasn’t for the books—it was for the studio.
Reuben told BE that one of his 2023 goals was to perform at the Raleigh show, saying it was “only right,” but after not hearing anything, he moved on. But a week before the lineup was released, his management team surprised him with the good news. “I was like, oh my goodness, this is actually happening,” he remembers. “How important this is for North Carolina because if you think about it, Dreamville is bringing something because the city needs it. It’s beautiful to come out here and see Black people together and enjoying music.”
“It’s love all around.”
Love indeed. The talented artist released his debut album, Love Is War, earlier this year, receiving heavy hitter support from fellow Carolina rapper, Rhapsody on the track “Feb. 13th.” In an intimate project, fans hear a story about a young man with roots in Liberia, navigating through life and love and finding his way. When he performs, music lovers should be prepared to hear music with a balance of legendary hip-hop, apparent by working with iconic NC-born producer 9th Wonder and some of today’s flow.
Tunes like “2ime Flies” and Geechie Suede” show the softer side of Vincent, but listening to “Butterfly Doors” and “Bottle Service,” you know he’s not here to play. When people tell him how he rides the balance, he’s not too surprised. “It’s not even a surprise; it’s just the times we live in,” Vincent said. “Nas was like 19 or 20 when he dropped Illmatic. When you look at the ones that did those things, it’s just me being aware of myself. If you really listen to what I’m saying, it’s always going to be something pure.”
Photo Credit: Image Provided
That’s the feeling you get when you touch down for the festivities—pure love and fun. Amazon Music, who works closely to support Dreamville’s initiatives, hosted a 50 & Forever exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop. Artists like Reuben Vincent and Lute are why Amazon continues showing their support. “We created 50 & Forever to celebrate one of the culture’s most important milestones: the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and there was no better moment to kick off our celebration than at this year’s Dreamville Festival, Amazon Music’s Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Tim Hinshaw, said.
“We worked closely with Dreamville to curate a 50 & Forever experience at CAM that showed how hip-hop has broken barriers and redefined culture across fashion, sports, film, and social movements. This is just the beginning; we can’t wait to bring you more events like this throughout this year.”
Both artists continue to remind everyone that NC has a strong presence in hip-hop. And being a part of an iconic lineup, with Usher and Drake headlining, adds value to their names. Vincent says he feels a duty to ensure his city gets its stamp. “I want to make sure Charlotte is amplified to its biggest point. If you look at every city, like Atlanta has OutKast and Lil’ Baby,” Vincent said. “When you think of Charlotte, I want it to be Reuben Vincent.”
For Lute, it’s all staying true to where it all started. His eyes are wide about the future, and he is ready to lift up who’s next in line. “Anything they need, I got you,” he says about being a mentor to upcoming artists. “I’m not a guide because Im still learning myself, but if my guys need me, they know where to find me.”
Magic Johnson and Philadelphia 76ers Owner Josh Harris Close to Purchase of the NFL’s Washington Commanders
We have another Black owner in the National Football League!
According to NFL.com, the owner of the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder, has agreed to sell the NFL franchise once known as the Washington Redskins. If the league approves the sale, then the new owners will be the group headed by Josh Harris, which includes NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
The sale of the franchise is an NFL record-breaking $6.05 billion.
“Breaking: Dan and Tanya Snyder have a preliminary non-exclusive agreement to sell the Commanders to Josh Harris’ group for a record $6.05 billion, sources told @AdamSchefter.
The deal is fully financed but not signed, meaning another group could still come in and buy the team.”
Breaking: Dan and Tanya Snyder have a preliminary non-exclusive agreement to sell the Commanders to Josh Harris’ group for a record $6.05 billion, sources told @AdamSchefter.
The deal is fully financed but not signed, meaning another group could still come in and buy the team. pic.twitter.com/GYq9ewp43H
The sale of the Washington Commanders is contingent on approval by the NFL’s finance committee plus at least 75% (24) of the NFL’s 32 team owners. This will be discussed at the next Spring League Meeting scheduled to take place in May in Minneapolis.
Harris also co-owns teams in various sports leagues. He is a co-owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. He is a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He heads an investment group that includes Los Angeles Lakers NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and Maryland businessman and philanthropist Mitchell Rales.
Johnson, who played 13 seasons before his career was cut short by an HIV diagnosis, is also a minority owner of several Los Angeles teams, including the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)’s Los Angeles Sparks, Major League Soccer (MLS)’s Los Angeles Football Club and Major League Baseball (MLB)’s Los Angeles Dodgers.
The championship bug is in Johnson’s blood as he won championships with the Lakers as a player (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988). As a team owner, each team he co-owns has won championships. The Dodgers won in 2020, the Sparks took it all home in 2016, and Los Angeles FC won last year in 2022.
With a nickname like Magic, maybe he can bring a Super Bowl victory home to the Commanders.
Vice President Kamala Harris To Join “The Jennifer Hudson Show” for Exclusive Daytime Talk Show Interview
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to sit down for an exclusive daytime talk show interview on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” airing Thursday, April 20. This marks the first time an elected national leader will be featured as a guest on the freshman show.
Additional upcoming guests include legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson, multi-hyphenate Priyanka Chopra Jonas, global superstar Meghan Trainor, Grammy Award-winner Seal, NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook, and Emmy Award-nominated stars Issa Rae and Milo Ventimiglia.
Hosted by Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Oscar®, and Tony winner Jennifer Hudson, the youngest female EGOT winner in history, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” debuted in September 2022. Renewed for a second season, the one-hour nationally syndicated talk show lights up daytime with celebrity interviews, topical stories, human interest guests, community heroes, viral sensations, and musical performances. Hudson uses her powerful voice in a new way, bringing fun, uplifting, and empowering conversations to the forefront, shining a light on extraordinary stories, talents, and passions.
In its freshman year, “The Jennifer Hudson Show” host won a NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Talk Show Host,” was honored as one of People Magazine’s “People of the Year,” and one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year.” The show was also nominated for a People’s Choice Award and GLAAD Media Award.
During the inaugural season, Hudson has welcomed the biggest names in music, including John Legend, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Chance the Rapper, Shania Twain, Sam Smith, and DJ Khaled. She has also sat down with award-winning actors, including Viola Davis, Eddie Redmayne, Quinta Brunson, Octavia Spencer, Kerry Washington, and global superstar Khloe Kardashian. Plus, Hudson has had incredible reunions with original “Dreamgirls” star Sheryl Lee Ralph fresh off her Emmy Award win for “Abbott Elementary” and the original “American Idol” judges from her time on the singing competition show, including Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson.
“The Jennifer Hudson Show” airs weekdays. Check your local listings or visit www.jenniferhudsonshow.com.
