<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:480px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5205143fecad04b94900000a-1200-924/adrian-peterson-2.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="Adrian Peterson" width="480" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/player-adrian-peterson-accepts-award-for-best-comeback-news-photo/173777719">Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images</a></p><p class="caption"><keyword id="1440411" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Adrian-Peterson">Adrian Peterson</keyword> accepts award for Best Comeback Athlete onstage at The 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A.</p></div></div>Some NFL players are unhappy about the new rule requiring them to wear thigh and knee pads — not because of the added weight — because they aren't fashionable.</p>
<p><keyword id="300463" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cleveland-Browns">Cleveland Browns</keyword> cornerback <keyword id="1811623" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Joe-Haden">Joe Haden</keyword> told the <a href="http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-training-camp-new-pad-rule-annoys-some-players-but-they-must-comply-1.419159">Akron Beacon Journal</a> he "wasn't a fan of them at all," and said the pads restrict movement and don't look good.</p>
<p><span>“It’s a fashion thing, too,” Haden said. “It looks cool, your pants all the way slick.”</span></p>
<p><keyword id="195002" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Baltimore-Ravens">Baltimore Ravens</keyword> receiver <keyword id="1811624" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Torrey-Smith">Torrey Smith</keyword> told the <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/what-nfl-players-say-about-new-pads?utm_campaign=NFL&amp;utm_source=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=Twitter">Associated Press</a> that when he arrived for his first day of practice with the organization in 2011, Anquan Boldin told him "Go take your pads off. Receivers don't wear [leg] pads in the league."</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Smith said he had no idea about the trend prior to that.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Marvin Lewis, the head coach of the <keyword id="842713" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cincinnati-Bengals">Cincinnati Bengals</keyword>, told the <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/what-nfl-players-say-about-new-pads?utm_campaign=NFL&amp;utm_source=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=Twitter">AP</a> the rule change was "cosmetic, really" and said the adjustment wouldn't be big one since players were mandated to wear the pads in youth and college football.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The league is implementing the rule in hopes of reducing injuries and league MVP Adrian Peterson, who wears leg pads for that reason, commented on players who have an issue with the rule change.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Guys like to be pretty, not wear the thigh pads and knee pads, but it protects you. There have been plenty of times I got hit in my knee and when I had my pants pulled up too high and that pad wasn't there to protect it. It didn't feel good," <a href="http://www.nflevolution.com/article/Evolution-Exclusive-Q-038-A-with-Merton-Hanks-on-leg-pad-issue?ref=13437">Peterson told NFL Evolution</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Peterson rushed for more than 2,000 yards wearing the pads last season.</span></p>
<p>The pads were mandatory in the NFL from 1979-1994 and only about one third of players wore them while they were optional.</p>

NFL Players Don't Like 'Unfashionable' Thigh And Knee Pads

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Travis Kelce's business managers, André and Aaron Eanes, had a plan to make him "world famous."</li><li>The brothers told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/style/travis-kelce-managers-agent.html">The New York Times</a> they spent years developing Kelce's brand behind the scenes.</li></ul><p>From <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/donna-kelce-comforts-jason-travis-chiefs-beat-eagles-super-bowl-2023-2">winning the Super Bowl</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/every-athlete-who-has-hosted-saturday-night-live">hosting "Saturday Night Live</a>," Travis Kelce had a great 2023 — but his business managers say the NFL star's skyrocketing popularity was anything but sudden.</p><p>André and Aaron Eanes, twin brothers who co-manage Kelce, told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/style/travis-kelce-managers-agent.html">The New York Times</a> they had a carefully crafted business plan to make the Kansas City Chiefs tight end famous.</p><p>"People say to me, 'Man, it's been a crazy year,'" Aaron Eanes told the Times. "When I say, 'Actually, it's not that crazy,' people look at me funny. It's because it's easy when you have a plan. We're executing that plan."</p><p>The Eanes first met Kelce through Kelce's college roommate and always thought he had the potential to be a huge star.</p><p>"He was always the life of the party," André told the Times. "Everyone wanted to go hang out with Travis."</p><p>After a 2015 Complex magazine feature, Kelce was offered a chance to star in his own reality dating show, per the Times. While his managers were initially reluctant, they eventually changed their minds when they considered how it might raise the NFL star's profile.</p><p>That aside, the Eanes also secured endorsement deals for Kelce with companies not traditionally affiliated with the NFL — enabling him to build his brand outside football, per the Times.</p><p>After Kelce's Super Bowl win in March last year, "Saturday Night Live" came calling — and the 34-year-old was finally able to fulfill his childhood dream of hosting the show, the Times reported.</p><p>With that, Kelce's star began to rise as planned, but there was one thing that happened last year that his managers couldn't have anticipated — him <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-relationship-timeline-photos-2023-10">dating Taylor Swift</a>, per the Times.</p><p>"We positioned Travis to be world famous," André said. "We didn't know how it would happen, or when it would happen, or what would help push that further along. But it's always been the thought in the back of our minds."</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/athlete-agents-managers-in-sports-landing-media-content-deals-2023-12#aaron-and-andre-eanes-of-a-and-a-management-have-navigated-travis-kelce-s-rise-to-stardom-1">The Eanes brothers </a>cofounded A&amp;A Management, a sports media and marketing agency, while they were still in college. Other company clients include Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, soccer player and TikTok star Kaila Novak, and former NFL player Joe Haden.</p><p>According to A&amp;A Management's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aamanagementgroup.com/our-services">website</a>, the company offers services such as brand strategy, public relations, and IP development for its clients.</p>

Travis Kelce's business managers had a plan to make him 'world famous' — although it didn't include Taylor Swift

He was America's flashiest watch dealer. Then the feds caught up with him. 

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c16ed40c65f123a604dd463-1667/tom-brady.jpg" border="0" alt="Tom Brady" data-mce-source="Justin K. Aller/Getty Images"><p class="source"><span>Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Tom Brady's awful interception late in the fourth quarter was a shocking departure from his usually careful play.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Tom Brady threw an awful interception at a critical moment in the Patriots' loss to the Steelers on Sunday.</strong></li><li><strong>Brady's decision to throw the ball up as the pocket collapsed around him was shockingly uncharacteristic, and gave a huge swing of momentum to the Steelers.</strong></li><li><strong>The Patriots have now lost consecutive games in December for the first time since 2002.</strong></li></ul><p>The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday in a nail-biter, thanks in part to one critical, awful decision from quarterback Tom Brady.</p><p>Heading into Sunday's game, both teams were in need of a win. The Steelers, once a lock for the playoffs, were reeling after three straight losses. Another loss would put Pittsburgh on the outside of a crowded race for the postseason in the AFC.</p><p>The Patriots needed a win maintain their hold on a first-round bye ahead of the Houston Texans. New England was also coming off of an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dolphins-upset-patriots-hook-and-ladder-play-touchdown-2018-12">embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins last week</a>.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dolphins-upset-patriots-hook-and-ladder-play-touchdown-2018-12" data-analytics-position="7">Dolphins pull off stunning upset over Patriots with last-second hook-and-ladder play</a></em></p><p>Down four points late in the fourth quarter, Brady had the New England offense marching down the field for what would have been the go-ahead score.</p><p>On second and goal from the Steelers' 16-yard line, Brady made a baffling decision. As the pocket collapsed around him, Brady wildly threw the ball towards the sidelines.</p><p>Though Brady attempted to get the ball out of bounds, Steelers cornerback Joe Haden intercepted the pass to give Brady his first red zone interception <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsHQ/status/1074452288759050241" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since December, 2016</a>.&#xa0;&#xa0;</p><p>This is a common rookie mistake in the NFL, but is as baffling a decision as you'll ever see from a quarterback as protective of the ball as Brady.&#xa0;</p><p>On Twitter, the sports world was dumbfounded by Brady's decision.</p><p>Rather than getting another shot at the end zone, Brady turned the ball over and handed an extra possession to the Steelers, who would go on to score a field goal on the ensuing drive.</p><p>Brady would get his shot at redemption, but fall short. On fourth-and-15 from just outside the red zone, Brady's final pass would get knocked down in the end zone, turning the ball, and the game, over to the Steelers.</p><p>The Patriots have now lost consecutive games in December for the first time since 2002. New England will take on the Bills and Jets to finish their season, but will now need help to earn a first-round playoff bye.&#xa0;</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/joehaden23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joehaden23</a>. 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/L4vuhEEJk1">pic.twitter.com/L4vuhEEJk1</a></p>- Pittsburgh Steelers  (@steelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074452015218999296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Back to back weeks, two of the worst decisions I've ever seen Brady make.</p>- Russillo  (@ryenarussillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074451976811819008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>An awful throw by Tom Brady gets picked off by Joe Haden <a href="https://t.co/cG8dSQ3Bq1">pic.twitter.com/cG8dSQ3Bq1</a></p>- Eric Rosenthal  (@ericsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074451849543966721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I love watching Tom Brady have a mental collapse in real time</p>- Charlotte Wilder  (@TheWilderThings) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074451797140492289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Tom Brady losing by throwing a Brandon Weeden style interception is top tier tv</p>- YT: Kofie Why?  (@KofieYeboah) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074459796378652673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Steelers get the stop and the W 💪 <a href="https://t.co/iUYZjN7u3k">pic.twitter.com/iUYZjN7u3k</a></p>- The Checkdown  (@thecheckdown) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1074459495802200064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-bernard-madoff-life-prison-2017-5">Bernie Madoff was arrested 10 years ago today - here's what his life is like in prison</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/GhBsd7vc-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Tom Brady makes the most un-Tom Brady play imaginable at a crucial moment in the Patriots' loss to the Steelers

<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container full"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/524ed77f6bb3f7c133a223e9-1200-600/cleveland-browns-kicker-1.jpg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="cleveland browns kicker" width="800" /><p class="source">Jason Miller/Getty Images</p></div><p></p></div>Two weeks ago the <keyword id="300463" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cleveland-Browns">Cleveland Browns</keyword> traded <keyword id="1873230" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Trent-Richardson">Trent Richardson</keyword> (their best offensive playmaker) out of nowhere and promoted their third-string quarterback to the starting job.</span></p>
<p>Everyone took it as a sign they were tanking - a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trent-richardson-trade-analysis-browns-tanking-2013-9">controversial but rational move</a> that made more sense than keeping the team together and trying to eek out a six-win season.</p>
<p>In their first game after the trade, they threw the ball 50 times and faked two kicks.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cleveland-browns-are-americas-team-2013-9">It was glorious</a>.</p>
<p>It sent the message that if the Browns are going out, they're going out in a blaze of glory large enough to burn everything to the ground.</p>
<p>But now look at them.</p>
<p>They've <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">won three-straight games and are sitting atop the AFC North.</span></p>
<p>Instead of being the slapsticky, awful team we thought they'd be, they've turned into the traditional archetype of the loveable underdog - bludgeoning teams on defense and getting enough big plays to squeak by on offense.</p>
<p>Here's why they're so good after seemingly tanking.</p>
<p><strong>1. The defense was always good.</strong> Cleveland is <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef">one of only five teams</a> the be ranked in the top 12 in both rushing defense and passing defense. Even in their two losses to open the season, they held their opponents to 4.2 yards per play.</p>
<p>The pass rush is solid (18 sacks in five games), and Joe Haden is among the best cover corners in the league. Here are the elite receivers Haden has shut down this year:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Mike Wallace: 1 catch, 15 yards, 0 TDs</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">AJ Green: 7 catches, 51 yards, 0 TDs</span></li>
</ul>
<p>If the Browns start losing again, it won't be because of the defense.</p>
<p><strong>2. Brian Hoyer [sad face].</strong> This is a rough development. Hoyer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-quarterback-power-rankings-week-four-2013-9">played really well</a> in his two games before <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9766799/brian-hoyer-cleveland-browns-ej-manuel-buffalo-bills-injured">suffering a nasty knee injury</a> last night.</p>
<p>Brandon Weeden (who got benched in Week 3), completes less than 55% of his passes and turns it over a ton (five times in a little under three games). He was erratic last night but avoided any huge mistakes. Going forward, this is going to be a huge question mark.</p>
<p>Hoyer's stats were middle of the road. But relative to Weeden, middle of the road is enough to make a huge, huge difference. Quarterback is the most important position in the <keyword id="103436" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NFL">NFL</keyword>, and the upgrade from a below-average player to an average player had cascading effects on the Browns offense.</p>

Why The Cleveland Browns Are So Good After Seemingly Tanking The Season

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/560af7149dd7cc17008bdf38-1171-879/julio jones.jpg" alt="julio jones" data-mce-source="USA Today Sports" /><p class="source"><span>USA Today Sports</span></p><p class="caption">Julio Jones is on pace for a record-setting season.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Through the first three weeks of the NFL season, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has been perhaps the most dominant player in the league.</p><p>Jones signed a five-year, $71 million contract at the start of the season, and early on, he's made it look like a bargain.</p><p>Through three games, he has 34 catches, 440 yards, and four touchdowns. He's on pace for a 181-catch, 2,347-receiving yards, 21-touchdown season, which would set records for catches and yards and would rival the record for receiving touchdowns in a season.</p><p>Though Jones has always been one of the better receivers in the NFL, he's making a claim for <em>best</em> receiver in the NFL this season. Injuries have held him back before, but healthy and under a new scheme with the Falcons, Jones has become a force of nature on offense.</p><p>Part of this is natural - at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, he's fast, strong, and athletic, a tough cover for any defensive back. There are very few people in football who can pull off this catch:</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/560af5f59dd7cc1a008bde60-621-319/julio jones catch.gif" alt="julio jones catch" data-mce-source="Via YouTube/NFL" data-link="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TLUIHXainM" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TLUIHXainM">Via YouTube/NFL</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/560af6209dd7cc1b008be0e3-2850-2137/gettyimages-489353428.jpg" alt="Julio Jones" data-mce-source="Alex Goodlett/Getty" /><p class="source"><span>Alex Goodlett/Getty</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>However, the Falcons have also taken steps to use him all around the field. While Jones was never solely a deep threat, it was often one of his primary weapons. In 2014, he led the NFL with 31 catches for over 20 yards. Compare this to Antonio Brown - who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2014 and is often paired with Jones as the best receiver in the NFL - who had 19 catches for over 20 yards in 2014.</p><p>As <a href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/julio-jones-is-historically-ridiculous/">Grantland's Bill Barnwell breaks down</a>, new Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has found creative ways to use Jones. In some cases, the Falcons have been lining up Jones close to the line of scrimmage, setting up run plays before quarterback Matt Ryan calls an audible and hits Jones with a short pass.</p><p>Barnwell uses this play as an example, where the Giants send a blitz, and Jones is open for a short pass:</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/560aef83bd86ef20008bdeb9-550-277/julio1.gif" alt="julio1" data-mce-source="Via Grantland/NFL" /><p class="source"><span>Via Grantland/NFL</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>To try and keep Jones under wraps, teams will put a safety deep and have a cornerback stick to Jones for double coverage. Barnwell notes that the Falcons combat this by stacking receivers up to shuffle the defense and get Jones open.</p><p>Here, the Falcons put Jones in front of receiver Leonard Hankerson. Jones opens up space for Hankerson by running toward the sideline. Hankerson goes deep and to the corner, clearing out the defender and the middle of the field as Jones then cuts back for the catch:</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/560af1129dd7cc23008bdf72-550-354/julio5.gif" alt="julio5" data-mce-source="Via Grantland/NFL" /><p class="source"><span>Via Grantland/NFL</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Between smart scheming and his overall talent, Jones is a matchup nightmare. <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/16265/defending-julio-jones-top-corners-talk-how-to-stop-falcons-top-threat">ESPN writers polled several NFL cornerbacks</a> to find out the best way to defend Jones. Browns cornerback Joe Haden said:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">"It's never really going to be domination against Julio. He's going to be able get his plays. You're never going to be able to stop him from getting all of his. I would say you have to put somebody over him and under him. Double-covering him is the best way. I'd just know it's going to be a day. He's going to get his, and I'm going to get mine."</p><p>Jones is the perfect storm right now. He's healthy, in his physical prime, and playing in an offense that's using him in smart ways, combatting adjustments defenses make to try and slow him down.</p><p>Whether Jones can continue at a record-setting pace is unknown. Currently, he's as dominant an offensive force as there is in the NFL. More importantly, and if he keeps it up, he'll give the 3-0 Falcons more opportunities to keep winning.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dallas-cowboys-forbes-nfl-football-sports-valuation-2015-9">Here's why the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports franchise in the world</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="FoNHVpdzoHi5ZwUEd5o5eXdMOY_mi4ZO" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'FoNHVpdzoHi5ZwUEd5o5eXdMOY_mi4ZO',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "Joe Haden" and got 8 results

NFL Players Don't Like 'Unfashionable' Thigh And Knee Pads

Michael Thrasher

Travis Kelce's business managers had a plan to make him 'world famous' — although it didn't include Taylor Swift

Amanda Goh

He was America's flashiest watch dealer. Then the feds caught up with him.

David Kushner

Tom Brady makes the most un-Tom Brady play imaginable at a crucial moment in the Patriots' loss to the Steelers

Tyler Lauletta

Why The Cleveland Browns Are So Good After Seemingly Tanking The Season

Tony Manfred

The Atlanta Falcons have turned Julio Jones - their $71 million wide receiver - into a force of nature

Scott Davis

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where Every Team Stands Going Into Week 16

Tony Manfred

1. TGI Fridays: The Tinder of the 1960s

Dan Bobkoff,Anna Mazarakis,Claire Rawlinson