College football player Amitral “AJ” Simon is dead. He died just one week before he might have fulfilled his pro ball dreams, his former university announced Wednesday. Simon, 25, transferred to the University of Albany in New York, where he played as a defensive lineman with the Great Danes in 2022 and 2023. The Danes said on their social media page that they will miss AJ “profoundly.” “AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout this time at UAlbany,” the school said.”He was a role model on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years.” However, no one from AJ’s side has given a cause of the death. Simon was eligible for this week’s NFL draft and according to NBC Sport, had recently visited New England.  He announced his decision to join the draft in December after his team on the team ended. Simon described his collegiate career with the Great Dane as “pivotal” in shaping his path to the NFL draft. He said it made him a better person on and off the field. AJ wrote, “I am thrilled to represent the University of Albany as I take this next step in my football career.” “Sad that it’s over, but grateful that it happened. On that note, I will enter my name in the 2024 NFL Draft.” The Coastal Athletic Association named AJ Simon and other players in February that made the Comissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. This list requires students to maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

The Kansas City Chiefs seem to be without wide receiver Rashee Rice for some part of the 2024 NFL season. Adam Schefter has reported the potential length of a pending suspension. Rashee Rice is facing criminal charges and lawsuits for his alleged role in starting a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas, Texas in late March. An NFL insider has revealed more information on how the league may handle Rice’s offseason problems. Shefter of ESPN wrote what he heard around the NFL as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches. His comments about the Chiefs are receiver-heavy, beginning with his expectations for Rice’s possible suspension. “He is facing one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury,” Schefter writes. “He turned himself in to police last week at the Regional Jail in DeSoto, Texas, before being released on bond. On top of the legal issues and lawsuit he is facing Rice is expected to be disciplined by the NFL, resulting in at least a multi-game suspension.” What does Adam Schefter’s report spell for Rice? Schefter’s phrase “at least a multi-game suspension” is interesting for certain reasons. First, it sets the stage. The NFL could suspend Rice for at least two matches. Besides that, what does Schefter mean by “at least? ” Technically, a 16-game suspension would be “multi-game’’ but less than a year-long ban. Based on Schefter’s phrasing, “multi-game’’ could be anything from a two-game suspension to an eight-game suspension. More than eight matches would be more than half of a season.   Realistically, one would argue that the reporter inferred a two-to-six-game suspension for Rice in that phrasing (with NFL precedent leaning toward the four-to-six-game range). However, the NFL will suspend Rashee Rice for “at least” two matches.

The Detroit Lions released new uniforms on Thursday, including black alternates. It turns out head coach Dan Campbell specifically requested those black jerseys. And what Campbell wants, he gets.  Detroit team president Rod Wood told reporters Thursday night at the Lions new jersey launch, that Campbell lobbied for the black jerseys to be brought back. The former tight end wore them when he played for the team from 2006-2008. “So, we’re in the draft room, literally months into his tenure — and he wore the black when he was here — and we’re in the draft room, and he said, ‘Rod, when can we get the black jerseys back?’” Wood told reporters, via Jeanna Trotman of WXYZ. “I said, ‘I’ll make a deal, when you win the division I’ll bring the black jerseys back.’ So I went out on a limb, and thankfully, he delivered. That’s a true story.” The Lions won their first division title in 30 years last season, ruling the NFC North with a 12-5 record, so Campbell got his wish. “He loved them,” Wood said of the black unis. “When he was here, he wore them, and I think it was kind of the team’s favourite at the time, and he just pinned for it again. For him, it’s a throwback because it’s when he was a player. I think they’ve dressed up even better than when he was here…It’s a better look than the silver pants we wore at the time.” Among Lions supporters, the black fits can be met with mixed feelings. For some, they are a reminder of a dismal time in franchise history during the early 2000s when the club was historically bad, including the 0-16 2008 team. “There is a little history there, I’m well aware of it,” Wood admitted. “But we’re a new team, new leadership, new players, and I think the past is the past.” Detroit’s future looks promising under Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes. Now Campbell must turn the significance of the black jersey from negative to positive. Related NFL News: Browns Greg Newsome does not ‘pay attention’ to trade rumours.