SPORTS LEDGER February 2023 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 7 The
Super Bowl Champs Chiefs Rally Past Eagles for 2023 NFL Title
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger If you watched Super Bowl LVII for the TV commercials, or skipped it all together this year, you missed one of the better Super Bowl games in recent history. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes earned his second NFL MVP title by helping rally the Kansas City Chiefs for 24 second half points and a come-from-behind 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. With the game tied 7-7 after the first quarter, the Eagles started to soar and managed to take a 24-14 lead over the Chief's at halftime. However, despite an
Bowl MVP titles before the age of 28 and he is the youngest quarterback to start three different Super Bowls. Kansas City fell to Tampa Bay 31-9 in the 2021 Super Bowl. Mahomes had some really tough competition from the Eagles, including from Quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts, a former Alabama and Oklahoma college football standout, passed for 304 yards and one touchdown in this year's Super Bowl. Hurts also led the Eagle's ground game with 70 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Hurts reportedly is going to be an outstanding coach for us when we hired him, and he is not only that, but also a great leader of our young men. It was important for us to make sure Coach Oats was compensated towards the top of the SEC and continue to have buyout measures in place that affirm the long- term commitment between both parties. We appreciate the support of President Bell, Chancellor St. John and our Board of Trustees for their approval in this process.” Alabama has not only seen success on the court but also in the classroom, as the team posted a 3.25 fall grade point average (GPA), the program’s highest-ever team GPA. Three student- athletes were named to the President’s List and another five to the Dean’s List. Oats and his staff continue to make waves on the recruiting trail as the Tide has had four straight top-15 signing classes for the first time in the modern era for Alabama basketball. Under the leadership of Oats, UA has had four players selected in the NBA Draft and has eight total former players competing professionally that were coached by Oats at the Capstone.
Patrick Mahomes
Overall, Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 44 yards in the win. For his efforts he was named the MVP for a second time in his career. Mahomes earned his first Super Bowl MVP honor in 2020 after leading the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over San Francisco. He also become only the third NFL player to win two Super
Sand Rock's Bradley Jackson helped lead the Wildcats to the 2023 Area Tournament Championship. He also helped Sand Rock advance to the Northeast Regional Tournament, where the Wildcats defeated Lanett 68-63. With the win, Sand Rock advanced to the Regional Championship game against Pisgah on February 21, 2023. The game will be held at 5:45 p.m. at Jax State. To keep up with other regional tournament games, as well as the upcoming state basketball tournament, be sure to check out The Sports Ledger's website at www.thesportsledger.com. Sand Rock Boys Advance to Regional Finals Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
injured ankle, Mahomes stepped up his game in the second half and passed for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help seal the Super Bowl victory. now the first player in NFL history with 300 passing yards, 70 rushing yards and three touchdown runs in any game, playoffs or in the regular season. Alabama Coach Nate Oats Agrees To Contract Extension University of Alabama
Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Seven Officials Seven AHSAA wrestling officials were recognized prior to the championship round of the 68th AHSAA State Wrestling Championships. The inductees include Jimmy Blanton, Jeff Haase, Don Hinds, Robert Humphreys, Fred Kemp, Wayne McNutt, and Dr. David Lee. All seven have been selected to be inducted into the Alabama Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be in May. Also Jeremy Waters, a long-time administrator for the state championships, was honored for his many years of service with a plaque. Additionally, the 2022 National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholastic Assistant Staff of the Year Award went to Huntsville High School and The NWCA Coach of the Year award for Alabama went to Weaver coach Andy Fulmer.
Director of Athletics Greg Byrne has announced that head men's basketball coach Nate Oats and the University have agreed to a raise and contract extension. The new agreement will extend his current contract by two seasons to six years and keep him in charge of the Crimson Tide basketball program through March 14, 2029. The base salary and talent fee of $4.5 million for the current contract year will begin to rise in 2024 and increase annually throughout the length of the contract. “I am honored and humbled to receive a contract extension from The University of Alabama,” Oats said.” As I have said many times, my family and I love this community, the city of Tuscaloosa and the University. I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to build during our time at UA which is a direct reflection of the student- athletes, coaches and staff who have all played a big part in our success. I am excited for what’s happening in the future of our program and the direction we are heading. I cannot thank President Stuart Bell, Chancellor St. John, The Board of Trustees
and Greg Byrne enough for trusting me to lead this program for the long term.” Now in his fourth season at the helm of the Crimson Tide program, Oats has led Alabama to an 80-39 overall record and a winning percentage of .672, highlighted by a 2021 Southeastern Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championship and No 1 ranking this season. “Coach Oats has done an outstanding job leading our men’s basketball program, and we want him to continue doing so for many years to come,” said Byrne. “He and his staff have lifted the program back to national prominence and built a product that is exciting to be a part of for our team and for our fans. We were confident Nate was UA Coach Nate Oats
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Albertville's Reece Knight (#20) delivers a pitch during the Aggies season opening baseball game against Marshall County rival Arab. Albertville dropped its first two games of the season falling to the Knights 4-10 on Feb. 17 and 2-8 on Feb. 18. It's Baseball Season
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SEC Appearance Schedule for 2023 Football Media Days
The Southeastern Conference has announced the appearance schedule at its annual SEC Football Kickoff Media Days presented by Regions, set to take place July 17-20 at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Nashville, TN. This will be the first time for the event to be held in Nashville and the third time for the event to travel outside of the Birmingham metro area. Atlanta has previously hosted the event in both 2018 and 2022. A more detailed daily schedule with full television information, rotational breakdown and student-
athletes attending will be available prior to the event in early July. SEC Network will once again bring the four-day event to a national audience. Names below are listed alphabetically by school and not an indicator of actual order of appearance. Media registration for the event will begin in early-May. 2023 SEC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS SCHEDULE MONDAY, July 17 LSU – Brian Kelly Missouri – Eliah Drinkwitz Texas A&M – Jimbo Fisher
TUESDAY, July 18 Auburn – Hugh Freeze Georgia – Kirby Smart Miss State – Zach Arnett Vanderbilt – Clark Lea WEDNESDAY, July 19 Alabama – Nick Saban Arkansas – Sam Pittman Florida – Billy Napier Kentucky – Mark Stoops THURSDAY, July 20 Ole Miss – Lane Kiffin S. Carolina – Shane Beamer Tennessee – Josh Heupel More information about times and player appearances will be released at a later date.
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