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Las Vegas investigators say they've identified shooting victim's body found in Lake Mead barrel
Las Vegas authorities say they've identified a suspected murder victim whose remains were found in a barrel in Lake Mead four years ago and are expected to publicly announce it later today.
Receding water levels helped expose the barrel and have been credited for the discovery of other human remains in the lake, including those of suspected drowning victims and missing persons.
"The bad old days always resurface, don’t they?" said Randy Sutton, a retired Las Vegas police lieutenant who has been monitoring the case.
He and other experts have said the victim may have been killed in a mob hit.
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"Two in the back of the head," he said, describing mob-style murders of the era. "Bury them in the desert or Lake Mead if they didn’t want them found or leave them where they lay to make a statement."
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A group of boaters first discovered the barrel at Lake Mead's Hemenway Harbor on May 1, 2022, according to the Clark County coroner and medical examiner's office.
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Authorities immediately suspected foul play when they found a gunshot wound on the man's body inside.
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At the time, police told reporters that they believed the victim had been killed sometime between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, based on his clothing.
The construction of new housing developments has also unearthed human remains buried in areas that were previously outside town, Sutton said.
Las Vegas authorities said they would hold a news briefing with more details at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET.
Fox News' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
White House laughs off 'beclowned' Jimmy Kimmel after crude personal jabs at new press secretary
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used back-to-back monologues this week to deliver a series of personal insults directed at newly appointed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia, prompting a scathing response from the White House.
During Tuesday's episode of ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after Zacharia's first White House press briefing, the comedian called her "Malibu Katie" and mocked her intelligence.
"I want to introduce you to the new kid in Trump land. It was the first day of kindergarten for the new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia," Kimmel said.
TRUMP'S NEW PRESS SECRETARY FACES FIRST MAJOR TEST AS WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING ROOM ENTERS NEW ERA
Kimmel also suggested Zacharia was appointed to keep President Donald Trump "awake and interested," saying that "every six months they bring in a new fawning blonde dolt to add to the rotation."
"Things did not get off to a great start for Malibu Katie today," he continued. "Her first briefing was brief. It was only 14 minutes long. But even in that short time, she accomplished exactly what she was brought in to do, which is slobber a whole tube of lip gloss all over the president's behind."
The White House responded to Kimmel's monologues in statements to Fox News Digital.
"Jimmy Kimmel is a no-talent loser who has beclowned himself with tanking ratings and by spewing disgusting lies to his dwindling audience," White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. "He is so devoid of actual talent that nobody with any common sense would ever watch him unless it was to laugh at his miserable failures."
White House communications director Steven Cheung also defended the new press secretary, praising her qualifications in a statement to Fox News Digital in response to Kimmel's attacks.
"Katie is a fabulous and wonderful addition to the team. She is uniquely qualified and whip-smart to help inform the American people about all the great things President Trump and his administration have been doing, and she will do an incredible job as press secretary," Cheung told Fox News Digital.
Tuesday marked Kimmel's second consecutive night of mocking Zacharia. On Monday, before her first briefing, the host displayed a gym selfie of Zacharia wearing workout gear while joking about her intelligence.
KATIE ZACHARIA HITS GROUND RUNNING, PROMISES TRUMP DIESEL DEAL DELIVERS CHEAPER GAS FOR AMERICANS
"This is the new press secretary, former Newsmax commentator Katie Zacharia, seen here, thinking," Kimmel said. He added that her qualifications for the role were having "blonde hair" and being able to "do a thumbs up."
Zacharia held her first official White House press briefing Tuesday, days after Trump announced her appointment on Friday. She previously served as a senior communications advisor to Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social platform.
"She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!" Trump wrote.
"I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration."
KAROLINE LEAVITT JOINS FOX NEWS AS CONTRIBUTOR AFTER LEAVING WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY ROLE
The New York Times described Zacharia's first briefing as a "bumpy debut." During the 14-minute session, she referred to her husband, Tyler Zacharia, as "my president" before immediately correcting herself.
Dan Orlovsky announces 'unimaginable tragedy' as brother-in-law dies suddenly at age 43
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky announced that his brother-in-law, Federico Lascano, died suddenly over the weekend at age 43. Lascano was the husband of Orlovsky's sister, Christine.
Orlovsky said Lascano's death is an "unimaginable tragedy" in a social media post in which he shared a GoFundMe campaign.
"There are no words to describe the heartbreak of losing a husband, a partner, and a father so suddenly," he wrote on X. "In the midst of trying to process this devastating loss, my sister is now facing the overwhelming reality of navigating life as a solo parent and a single-income household, all while helping her boys cope with the loss of their dad.
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"No family should have to face this kind of heartbreak, and no one should have to worry about how they will manage financially while trying to put the pieces of their lives back together."
The GoFundMe said the proceeds will go toward "everyday living expenses, bills, and groceries while the family takes the necessary time to grieve and process this immense loss," "[a]ssisting Christine with the sudden transition to life without the family’s primary financial provider," and "the boys' educational costs and essential life expenses."
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"As Christine faces the unimaginable reality of navigating life without her partner since their college days, she is now the sole provider and rock for her three boys. No family should have to face this heartbreak. As the emotional toll on this family is immeasurable, we want to ease their financial burden so they can focus on healing," the GoFundMe reads.
At the time of publishing, the GoFundMe had raised over $84,000. Donations appeared to come from Andrew Whitworth, Diana Taurasi, Chris Mara, Jason McCourty and Brian Flores.
The couple had been together since college.
Orlovsky appeared on "NFL Live" on Wednesday. Lascano's cause of death is not known.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ruled out of Sunday's game 'out of an abundance of caution' due to blood clot
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf, which he has been receiving treatment on for nearly a week.
The Eagles released a statement Thursday about the medical condition of their quarterback in announcing his looming absence.
"On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
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"Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.
"Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.
"On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority."
Blood clots can be dangerous because they may block blood flow to vital organs, causing a pulmonary embolism, stroke or heart attack. They can also damage tissue or become fatal if they form or travel without prompt treatment.
The fact the Eagles say they informed the league about the Hurts' condition shows the potential seriousness of the of the matter.
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Although it is clear Hurts will not play in Week 6, his status beyond that is uncertain.
The Eagles play their three division rivals – Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and the New York Giants – in succession after Sunday's home game against the Panthers.
Tanner McKee, a third-year veteran, is Philadelphia's backup and is now in line to start against the Panthers. McKee has started two games in his career and the team has lost one and won the other.
Hilary Duff flaunts figure in yellow swimsuit on girls' trip as 'toxic mom group' drama resurfaces
Hilary Duff's tropical girls getaway has brought an old Hollywood friendship controversy back into the spotlight.
The 39-year-old actress and singer shared photos from a getaway to Mexico with longtime friends, including several shots of her wearing a bright yellow one-piece swimsuit on the beach.
In one photo, Duff posed on the sand holding a fresh coconut decorated with a flower, while wearing oversized sunglasses and a dark baseball cap. Her blonde hair was loosely pulled back as she smiled for the camera.
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Another selfie showed the "Lizzie McGuire" star reclining on a bright pink lounge chair in the same swimsuit, shielding her face from the sun with one hand.
Duff also shared a group photo of eight women posing together on a wooden terrace overlooking the ocean at sunset with palm trees framing the backdrop.
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Among the women on the getaway were actress Mandy Moore, celebrity chef Gaby Dalkin and makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan Fisher.
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Duff also tagged friends Whitney Wagner Hartley, Amanda Lillywhite, Janice Gott and Haylee Christine in the Instagram post.
"The group chat made it to the jungle 🪶🌊🌴🌤️," Duff captioned the carousel, tagging the One&Only Mandarina resort.
The luxury property is located along Mexico's Riviera Nayarit coast, where the women enjoyed beach outings and spa treatments.
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Another photo captured five women dressed in white spa robes, some holding drinks as they posed beneath towering palm trees.
In a separate photo, Duff posed in a light blue two-piece swimsuit while sitting on a stone ledge surrounded by greenery, her skin covered in what appeared to be a mud treatment.
The getaway came shortly after Duff celebrated her 39th birthday on Sept. 28.
But while the singer appeared to be enjoying some time away with friends, followers were quick to bring up a familiar name in the comments: Ashley Tisdale.
"I just know Ashley Tisdale is punching the air right now😂," one person commented.
"Is this the toxic mom trip that made it out of the group chat?" another asked.
"Y'all forgot about Ashley Tisdale," a third wrote.
Not everyone appreciated the renewed speculation.
"Ppl bringing up AT is kinda like adult bullying. Leave her/it alone," one follower commented.
The remarks appeared to reference a controversy that erupted earlier this year after Tisdale published a personal essay about leaving what she described as a toxic group of mothers.
In the January essay for The Cut, "Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group," the former "High School Musical" star described feeling increasingly excluded from gatherings with women she had once considered close friends.
"I remember being left out of a couple of group hangs, and I knew about them because Instagram made sure it fed me every single photo and Instagram Story," she wrote.
Tisdale said the situation eventually prompted her to send a message explaining why she no longer wanted to participate.
"This is too high school for me, and I don't want to take part in it anymore," she recalled telling the group.
Although Tisdale did not identify the women in her essay, social media users quickly speculated that she was referring to Duff, Moore and other celebrity mothers with whom she had previously been photographed.
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However, a representative for Tisdale denied that the essay was about Duff, Moore or Meghan Trainor, according to TMZ.
Duff later addressed the controversy during an appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, telling host Alex Cooper that she was hurt by the speculation.
"I felt really sad. I honestly felt really sad," Duff said.
"It sucks to read something that's, like, not true, and it sucks on behalf of like six women in all of their lives," she continued.
Duff also questioned the timing of the controversy, saying she "felt used" as she was experiencing a resurgence in her career.
Country star Chris Janson admits he got 'a little cocky' before grueling Colorado elk hunt
Chris Janson has spent enough time chasing elk through the Colorado mountains that he figured he had the whole thing pretty well dialed in.
Turns out, the elk had other plans.
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The country music star recently returned from a successful elk hunt in Colorado, where he's been making annual trips for the past six years. And while he ultimately came home with a beautiful bull, the hunt didn't exactly go according to plan.
Usually, Janson said, he's able to fill his tag within the first day or two. This time, he figured he'd knock out the hunting early and spend the rest of the trip relaxing on the water.
But one thing about chasing big game — it’ll humble you real fast.
"I went in a little cocky," Janson told OutKick OutDoors. "I went in a little bit like, 'I got this, and I'll get this done, and I'll get an elk the first day, and then just fish the rest of the trip.' But it didn't happen that way."
Watch Chris Janson's entire interview with OutKick OutDoors here:
Instead, Janson and his hunting buddies spent the week trekking through the high country, encountering elk but struggling to get everything to come together.
He suspects the unusually dry weather played a role. With little rain in the area, Janson said, the elk weren't behaving quite the way he'd come to expect during the September rut, when bulls are typically more active and vocal.
"We were up in the high country a lot and just had a lot of opportunities that just didn't come together right at the last little bit," he explained.
And as the days wore on, so did his patience.
"I take hunting so damn serious that I'm almost not even fun to be around sometimes whenever it's not going my way," Janson admitted. "That's the hunter spirit in me. I hate to lose, and so I just want to get out there and get it done."
Hey, at least he's self-aware.
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With their trip winding down and no elk to show for it, Janson and his group decided to change their strategy. After spending most of the week hunting at higher elevations, they headed for lower ground.
And with just 30 minutes to spare, Janson finally got his bull.
"We'd hunted high all week and hunted semi-high and then ended up being in the low country where we probably should have been from the very beginning," he said. "But that's hunting."
Of course, chasing elk through the mountains is an entirely different animal than sitting in a tree stand waiting for a whitetail to wander by (not that there's anything wrong with that, by the way). It's a physically demanding pursuit that can involve miles of hiking, steep climbs and some pretty unforgiving terrain.
And Janson isn't exactly spending his free time in the gym preparing for it.
"I'm not really a training kind of guy. I don't work out," he said. "But I call that my workout for the year because it's all on foot, of course, and you're just climbing here and you're climbing there, and you walk mile after mile after mile."
He said mental toughness is just as important as physical conditioning, especially when an elk is bugling a few hundred yards away and the only thing standing between you and that opportunity is another brutal climb.
Some hunters might decide the trek isn't worth it. But if you want it badly enough...
"I'll climb over any rock, crevice, mountain, river. It doesn't matter," Janson said. "If it gets the mission done, then I'm into it."
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For Janson, the exhausting week in the mountains was worth it.
"Nice bull, and I've already eaten about half of it," he said. "And it's been really good."
So much for all that fishing he was going to do, though.
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RedZone host Scott Hanson defends NFL officiating, calls league 'best officiated' in America
Millions of NFL fans spend each Sunday of the season with Scott Hanson, host of the acclaimed "NFL RedZone."
Few people are more aware of when flags are thrown—or missed—than Hanson, who checks in and out of the biggest moments from every Sunday afternoon game.
An ESPN Insights report last week found that NFL officials had called more accepted penalties through Week 4 than during the same span of any season since 1978. Officials had also nullified 17 touchdowns, compared to just five through four weeks last season.
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Hanson joined OutKick for a wide-ranging interview, and the state of NFL officiating was part of the discussion.
"I believe the NFL just put out a statement about penalties. I don't know when people are going to watch this [we recorded on Friday, October 9], but as we are talking right here, the NFL says that penalties per game are actually down this year," Hanson said, citing the league's response disputing concerns about the number of flags in 2026.
When we asked about the ESPN Insights report, Hanson said he tries to "err on the side of respect for all the professionals that are involved—players, coaches, support staff and officials."
He continued, "I really believe that NFL football is the best—I know this will be controversial—is the best officiated of the major four sports."
We next asked Hanson whether he agreed that officials are throwing too many flags, particularly during the regular season.
"I know people are going to say I'm a company man, but that's truly the way I feel. To answer your question, are there too many? The number is immaterial to me. The accuracy is what should matter."
"Of course, there are calls that go the wrong way, that are not officiated the proper way. And it's not because of an interpretation of rules. It's because the human eye can only go so fast. And a lot of times, the human feet and hands and bodies can move quicker than what we can discern with our human eyes. And then there's error in judgment sometimes."
Last week, OutKick argued that the NFL tones down the ticky-tack penalties during the postseason because it understands that an excessive number of flags bogs down the game. That apparent change in philosophy raises an obvious question: If the league is comfortable letting players play in January, why call the game so much tighter during the regular season?
Hanson questioned that premise.
"This might get me dismissed here, but I'm not even so sure that they do call it differently [in the playoffs]," he countered. "Every game is in a standalone window, so every call is extremely magnified. And so there's a narrative that gets developed, right?
"We're all on the same page that the NFL does put all-star crews together, right?" he asked. "You're not getting a playoff game if you aren't great. Which, by the way, I also would have no problem with them making it public what grades the officials get, which would help the fandom understand, ' Okay, this crew or that crew might not be considered. They're not going to get a divisional game. They're not going to get the Super Bowl,' and whatnot."
Do you agree?
Later in the interview, Hanson and I had an in-depth, respectful debate about—wait for it—the Historical Jesus. If you're interested in that topic, we encourage you to watch the full interview on YouTube here.
We appreciate Hanson's willingness to engage in a friendly debate over these topics. He is a great broadcaster and an ever-better person.
We hope to have him back on OutKick soon. Watch the full interview by clicking here.
Weight-loss drugs may fight 7 serious health problems before the pounds even come off
GLP-1 medications may provide health benefits that extend beyond weight loss, according to a growing body of research.
From reducing cardiovascular risks to potentially easing joint pain and inflammation, studies suggest these drugs may affect multiple systems throughout the body.
Here are seven potential benefits beyond shedding pounds.
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Research suggests semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond those associated with weight loss.
A major study published in The Lancet found that semaglutide reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death among people with existing cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. The benefits were observed across different body weights and were not fully explained by weight loss.
GLP-1 medications have been linked to reduced joint pain, although researchers are still investigating how much of the benefit comes from weight loss versus other effects.
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The STEP 9 clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that semaglutide significantly reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved physical function among adults with obesity.
GLP-1 medications may help protect kidney function through several mechanisms, including improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure and inflammation.
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In the landmark FLOW trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney-related complications and cardiovascular death by 24% among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
MASH, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, is a more severe form of fatty liver disease involving inflammation and liver cell damage.
Research suggests GLP-1 medications may help improve liver health, although the extent to which these benefits occur independently of weight loss remains under investigation.
A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide improved liver tissue findings among patients with MASH, including reductions in inflammation and liver scarring.
Researchers found that 62.9% of semaglutide recipients experienced resolution of MASH without worsening liver fibrosis, compared with 34.3% receiving placebo.
Real-world research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress has linked GLP-1 medications to fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups.
Researchers believe the drugs' potential anti-inflammatory effects may play a role, although additional studies are needed to determine whether the medications directly improve respiratory health.
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The brain contains GLP-1 receptors in regions involved in regulating appetite, emotions, motivation and responses to rewards.
Emerging research suggests semaglutide may have potential benefits for mental health and addiction.
An observational study published on the preprint server medRxiv linked semaglutide use to lower rates of substance-related and mood disorders. However, the findings have not been peer-reviewed and do not establish that the medication caused the reductions.
GLP-1-based medications are also being investigated for their potential benefits in inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis.
A clinical trial published in JAMA Dermatology found that adding tirzepatide to an existing psoriasis treatment improved skin clearance among adults with moderate to severe psoriasis and overweight or obesity.
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Researchers are continuing to investigate whether these benefits result from weight loss, reduced inflammation or a combination of factors.
The effects of GLP-1 medications can vary by drug and individual, and patients should consult a healthcare provider about potential risks and benefits.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is making the same mistake his predecessor did, will he suffer the same fate?
It's probably fair to say that year one for Lane Kiffin at LSU isn't going quite how most people envisioned it when he was hired.
The Tigers gave Kiffin a $93 million contract and one of the most expensive rosters in college football, and six games into his first campaign on the bayou, the Lane Train is 4-2 and staring down the barrel of missing the College Football Playoff if his team comes away with another loss during a brutal back half of the schedule.
Even in today's day and age of instant roster upgrades, though, I tend to give most coaches a pass in their first year at a new school (within reason).
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Weird highs and lows can occur and players still need time to adapt to the culture and expectations set by the new staff, so going solely off of results on the field can leave fans ready to hit the eject button before enough data has been compiled.
For that reason, I like to pay attention to what's happening off the field as much as on it, and there is a key thread throughout Kiffin's recruiting strategy that could be a tell for whether or not he will succeed in Baton Rouge.
If we take a look at LSU's 2027 recruiting class as it stands right now, nothing looks too alarming.
The Tigers sit at 11th in the 247Sports composite rankings, which is really good albeit not elite, but with only 16 commits, it still has plenty of room to grow.
The ranking isn't necessarily the problem. The sticking point here is entirely geographical.
Just to offer up a bit of a background note on Louisiana high school football before we continue, it has long been said that The Boot is one of the most talent rich states per capita in the entire country.
Every successful LSU coach in the 21st century, from Nick Saban to Les Miles to Ed Orgeron, has made locking down the Tigers' home state a priority, and the results speak for themselves.
Kiffin is letting the talent from Louisiana seep through his hands, and it's not an overreaction to say that could spell doom for him.
Of the top ten prospects in the 2027 recruiting class from Louisiana according to 247Sports, LSU has four of them.
Not bad, until you realize that, of the four prospects who carry a five-star rating only one of them is currently committed to the Tigers.
The latest casualty came in the form of Easton Royal, a five-star, all-world wide receiver from literally right down the road at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans.
Royal was committed to Texas for nearly a year, but everyone with any inside knowledge believed a flip to the instate Tigers was inevitable.
The flip came this past Sunday, but instead of staying in The Boot, Royal opted to head to The Swamp instead to play for the Gators.
What's even worse is that the lone composite five-star on from that list who is committed to LSU, Ahmad Hudson, has been getting courted heavily by Nebraska for several weeks now, and a flip to the Huskers seems imminent.
Losing instate five-stars to Florida (Royal), Alabama (quarterback Elijah Haven), and Notre Dame (o-lineman Albert Simien) is painful but excusable.
Nebraska taking a five-star from the clutches of the Tigers is a different can of worms altogether.
It's not 1996 anymore, and the Huskers are a shell of the once-dominant program they used to be.
Over the summer, I wrote about how Kiffin adding former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron to the staff was his way of addressing the shortcomings of his predecessor, Brian Kelly, but so far, that doesn't seem to be helping.
Kelly famously failed to recruit the state of Louisiana to the likings of Tiger fans everywhere, and it ultimately sank his efforts and landed him on the unemployment line this past year.
It's early, but Kiffin's classes are looking eerily similar to Kelly's first full class in Baton Rouge, when six of the top ten composite prospects in Louisiana left the friendly confines of The Boot.
Although Kelly's 2024 class remedied this quite a bit (signing nine of the top ten composite prospects in the state), it was the only year in which Kelly landed a majority of the top homegrown talent.
By that point, the damage had been done.
Coaches like Orgeron in the past have eschewed recruiting the state when it made sense, such as during cycles when Louisiana lacked some of the top-end talent it normally possesses.
But 2027 is a historically loaded cycle for the state, and Kiffin is failing to tap into the goldmine in his own backyard.
Detractors of this theory will say things like "high school recruiting doesn't matter anymore" and "they can just use the portal," but will fail to mention that Kiffin leaned heavily on the portal this year to make up the bulk of his roster.
Relying on the portal is volatile, and although most recruits are always a flight risk even after they sign at a school, kids from Louisiana have usually been fiercely loyal to their home state.
Just look at the discourse surrounding LSU and Kiffin's recruiting efforts from Tiger fans and beat writers following the news of Royal's flip to Florida and Hudson's open flirtation with Nebraska.
Recruiting and retaining the best players from The Boot matters to these people, and if Kiffin fails to show progress on the field, his leash could get that much tighter based solely on the fact that he isn't doing this the "LSU way."
I've gone on record saying that Lane Kiffin will be wildly successful at LSU, and I still believe that.
He's too talented a coach with too many resources behind him to fail.
But if this trend continues, I could very well be wrong.
College football is weird like that, and Kiffin needs to right the ship and lock down The Boot, or he could face the same fate as the last guy to strike out on the bayou.
Troy Aikman responds to report of tensions in the booth with Joe Buck over contract situation
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman was given the opportunity on Thursday to refute there has been tension between himself and broadcast partner Joe Buck and he didn't take it.
He didn't deny it. Actually, he kind of fed into it.
So the broadcast team that has been together for more than two decades and is slated to broadcast Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, the first ever on ESPN, apparently has beef.
"There's probably a time and a place for all that to be discussed," Aikman said about the situation on Sportsradio 96.7 in Dallas on Thursday. "I don't know if now is the time.
"I don't know if it's hard to figure out kind of what's happened."
Aikman was asked specifically whether a report of tension between him and Buck prior to Monday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams is true. And that was his answer.
The bright, articulate analyst who breaks down plays immediately after they happen didn't tear down a report by Front Office Sports that he and Buck had an argument before they worked the game together. And over what? The fact Buck has signed a new contract to remain with Disney/ ABC/ ESPN as the play-by-play man on Monday Night Football, and Aikman doesn't have any deal in place beyond this season.
There has been ongoing tension between the longtime partners about this season and FOS reported Buck "broke the ice" on this tension, but he and Aikman had an argument as a result.
Tensions obviously cooled and the two men broadcast the game and apparently intend to continue broadcasting together through the Super Bowl. But what happens after that remains uncertain.
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"I'll broadcast through this season and I'll be a free agent at the end of the year and kind of see what happens," Aikman said. "I'm looking forward to whatever the rest of this year does hold and the Super Bowl and all that, and where my next landing spot might be."
It's unknown what specifically has fed into this drama between Aikman and Buck.
It could be that the pair had a gentleman's agreement to form a united front in their contract talks and Buck broke ranks. It could also be that Aikman is simply envious of his partner getting a new deal. Whatever it is, this incident puts both men in the crosshairs. Critics will now watch MNF for further signs of tension. And both ESPN and Buck will continue to be asked for comment on the issue, which neither has so far provided.
ESPN declined comment.
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And one has to wonder: What is it with these former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks turned broadcasters?
While Aikman is apparently in a contract squabble with Disney/ ABC/ ESPN, Tony Romo is out at CBS after he was arrested and pleaded no contest to OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charges in Wisconsin.
Romo has said through various statements that he is seeking help for his apparent use of alcohol and painkillers.
So next year there could be two former Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks on the analyst free agent market.