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The Falcons Select Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 Overall
This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons signed Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. On Thursday, the franchise selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. — with the No. 8 pick overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
With the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 @NFLDraft, the @AtlantaFalcons select Michael Penix Jr.! @NewEraCap
— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9SZrcS5YJN
Atlanta’s decision shocked the football world.
It also shocked Cousins.
The quarterback’s agent, Mike McCartney, told Pete Thamel of ESPN that the Falcons did not reveal to Cousins their plans to draft Penix in the first round. Instead, Cousins believed Atlanta would draft a playmaker at another position and strengthen the roster for the 2024 season.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris said Cousins’ reaction would remain private.
"He got called on the clock, obviously, because of the sensitive time with the issues of what you got going on," Morris said. "It's never the right time to talk to a quarterback about those things. And reactions are always going to be private when it comes to those things, unless Kirk decides to tell you some of those things that are whatever they may be. But he's a competitor, just like us all. And you can always expect those things to go just like you kind of think."
LIVE: Terry Fontenot & Raheem Morris speak to the media after Day 1 of the NFL Draft https://t.co/N2krBlqaqu
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 26, 2024
Morris also said the Falcons believe they can compete for a Super Bowl now. As such, Atlanta may not get another shot at drafting a quarterback of the future this high in the draft, Morris said.
"These are not easy decisions. These are tough decisions," Fontenot added. "But that's who we're thinking about. We're thinking about the fans. We're thinking about this organization. We're going to build a sustained winner. We're going to win for a long time. That's the most important position in football."
Penix said he was surprised when he got the call telling him he was the pick.
"I'm not going to say I knew it was coming," Penix said. "But I knew once the phone call came through."
Across 15 appearances in 2023, Penix completed 363 of 555 passes (65.4%) for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and won the Maxwell Award after leading Washington to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the national championship game.
Iowa, Iowa State Athletes Sue State Over Gambling Probe
Over three dozen athletes from Iowa and Iowa State have sued the state of Iowa, some investigators and several state workers in the aftermath of a sports gambling scandal that put an end to their careers.
Iowa, Iowa State athletes file federal lawsuit saying rights were violated after gambling stinghttps://t.co/aTzdXa2lXp
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) April 26, 2024
In March 2023, Iowa state investigators announced a probe into the gambling activities of 26 Iowa athletes and 15 Iowa State athletes. Most of those athletes pleaded guilty to underage gambling and paid a fine to dismiss their counts of identity theft. However, the few who didn’t accept a plea deal had all charges against them dropped due to the investigators' misuse of tracking software.
On Friday, attorneys Van Plumb and Matthew Boles filed a lawsuit against the investigators for their misuse. The lawsuit came 10 days after a Washington Post investigation detailed how investigators uncovered the gambling activity by using software to put a “digital fence” around athletic facilities without a warrant. The Post also reported that investigators interviewed athletes without telling them they were under investigation.
Van Plumb and Boles, representing athletes from Iowa and Iowa State, argue that the investigators' use of the software without a warrant was “unconstitutional,’ They also claim investigators misled athletes to believe they were not under investigation, “meaning they were never read their Miranda rights.”
The civil lawsuit, filed in federal court in Des Moines, asks for a jury trial, punitive damages, compensatory damages, and attorney fees.
“Many of them have had their athletic careers ended due to the State of Iowa’s unconstitutional use of GeoComply’s software,” the attorneys said in a statement. “It is our hope that, through civil action, we can help these young men put their lives back on track and gain a measure of justice for the violation of their rights.”
NFL to Allow Guardian Caps in Regular Season Games
On Friday, the NFL revealed it will allow players to wear Guardian Caps in regular-season games beginning in the 2024 season. The padded headgear was mandated for players at certain positions during training camps in 2022 and 2023.
In February, NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said Guardian Caps have contributed to a nearly 50% reduction in concussions for the position groups that wore them during those time periods.
"We now have two years of data showing significant concussion reductions among players who wear Guardian Caps during practice, so players will be permitted to wear the cap during games this upcoming season,” Miller told Kevin Seifert of ESPN in a statement. “Additionally, there are new helmets this year that provide as much -- if not more -- protection than a different helmet model paired with a Guardian Cap. These developments represent substantial progress in our efforts to make the game safer for players."
Earlier this offseason, the NFL expanded the training camp mandate for wearing Guardian Caps to players at every position except quarterback and specialists. However, the NFL will exempt players from wearing the padded helmet during the mandated portion of training camp if they use one of six new helmet models that the NFL Players Association has identified as providing equal or better protection.
As it stands, the NFL plans for Guardian Caps to have team logos on them when worn during games.
ICYMI
Ohio State’s Dance Team Wins Two Gold Medals While Representing USA Cheer at the ICU World Championships
Ohio State's dance team won gold medals in the jazz and pom categories while representing USA Cheer at the 2024 ICU World Championships in Orlando.
Gene Smith Sees Parallels Between Ryan Day and Jake Diebler Hirings, Says Support Will Be Critical As Ohio State Basketball Coach Develops
Gene Smith says support will be critical while Jake Diebler's leadership develops in his first head coaching role, as was the case with Ryan Day in 2019.
Cardell Hayes Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for 2016 Killing of Will Smith
Cardell Hayes, who was convicted of manslaughter in the 2016 killing of former Ohio State defensive end Will Smith, was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday.
Trouble With the Curve
Recruiting has always been a year-round sport in college athletics, but now it has spawned two new distinct seasons: Pampering and Tampering.
Joel Klatt Says Ohio State “Probably Should Be the No. 1 Team in the Country” This Year
Joel Klatt says Marvin Harrison was “the most complete and best receiver” in college football last year and says Ohio State “probably should be the No. 1 team in the country.”
What's Next
- Ohio State vs. Akron on Aug. 31 (2024 season opener): 125 days
- Ohio State at Oregon on Oct. 12: 167 days
- Ohio State at Penn State on Nov. 2: 188 days
- Ohio State vs. TTUN on Nov. 30: 216 days
- Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7: 223 days
- College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20, 2025: 267 days
