New Cards coach doesn’t lack confidence
Steve Wilks took over as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals saying he was humbled by the job but exhibiting an abundance of confidence that he can do it well.
The 48-year-old coach, promoted after just one season as defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, was introduced at a news conference Tuesday, bringing a reputation of connecting easily with his players as he replaces Bruce Arians, who retired after five colorful seasons and 50 victories in Arizona.
“We found a great leader,” Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said, “and not just a leader with a high football IQ but also a high football ‘EQ’ (emotional quotient). He doesn’t just coach football players, he coaches people.”
Wilks, who gets a fouryear contract with a team option for a fifth, described his coaching style as “very passionate, persistent and very positive.”
And confident.
“I’m going to tell you right now,” Wilks said, looking at Bidwill and general manager Steve Keim, “you guys made the right decision.”
COMMITTEE FORMED TO FOCUS ON SOCIAL, RACIAL JUSTICE >> The NFL has established a player-owner committee focusing on social and racial justice initiatives that Commissioner Roger Goodell cautions is just a start, with lots of work ahead.
Goodell credited “unprecedented dialogue” for
helping players and owners get to the point of Tuesday’s announcement. He said the committee will focus on education, economic development, community and police relations and the criminal justice system. “We feel that we are going to make significant progress as we have more meetings, as we get more focused on our efforts, it’s going to actually come to life,” Goodell said. “And frankly, we will get better as the days go by.”
The league also said Tuesday it is beginning a “Let’s Listen Together” campaign that includes digital content and commercials highlighting player-led work on
equality issues. That platform will include social media support and letters from players and owners. VETERANS GROUP DENIED ADVERTISING SPACE >> The NFL has denied advertising space in the Super Bowl program for a veterans group that declined to alter language about standing for the national anthem.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that American Veterans, or AMVETS, submitted an advertisement last week to the third-party publisher of the game program with the message, “Please Stand.”
McCarthy said the league, which has editorial control over the content, asked AMVETS
to consider other options for the message, such as “Please Honor our Veterans” or “Please Stand for our Veterans.”
COSTAS NOT PART OF SUPER BOWL BROADCAST >> Bob Costas won’t be working the Super Bowl for NBC next month. The longtime broadcaster was not included in the network’s lineup for the NFL title game telecast from Minneapolis on Feb. 4, leading to speculation that Costas’ comments about head injuries in football might have affected the decision.
Dan Patrick and Liam McHugh will host the broadcast.
An NBC Sports spokesperson said: “Dan and Liam have served as hosts for our NFL pregame/studio shows on Sunday nights and Thursday nights, respectively, throughout the season and will continue on Super Bowl Sunday.”
Costas said: “Dan and Liam have done the job hosting NBC’s NFL coverage all season. It wouldn’t be right for me to parachute in and do the Super Bowl.”
When he stepped down as host of the Olympics last February, Costas was expected to keep his Super Bowl duties because Mike Tirico, his Olympic replacement, would be in South Korea.
KAEPERNICK, WATT AMONG “WHIZZER” WHITE FINALISTS >> Quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Texans defensive end J.J. Watt are among the five finalists for the NFL Players Association’s Byron “Whizzer” White Award.
The award annually recognizes players for exceptional community service in their team cities and hometowns.
Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, Eagles defensive end Chris Long and Broncos linebacker Von Miller are the other finalists.
The winner, who will receive $100,000 for his foundation or a charity of his choice, will be announced Feb. 1 at the NFLPA’s Super Bowl news conference.
The award is named after former NFL running back and Supreme Court Justice Byron Raymond “Whizzer” White.
Kaepernick, a free agent, has spoken out on behalf of racial and social justice. He pledged $1 million to organizations working in underserved communities.
The quarterback earned the Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP after making his ninth $100,000 charitable donation to four charities and hosting a backto-school giveaway in New York.
When Houston was devastated by Hurricane Harvey in August, Watt came to the city’s aid. His social media campaign generated more than $37 million in disaster relief.
Dalton and his wife provide financial assistance to families of seriously ill and physically challenged children through the Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation.
Long, who will be going to his second consecutive Super Bowl, donated his entire 2017 salary to educational initiatives. He was selected the Week 2 NFLPA Community MVP for using six game checks to fund a scholarship program at his high school in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Miller has struggled with near-sightedness and donated 2,013 eyeglass frames to Denver youngsters through the Anchor Center for Blind Children and his Von’s Vision Foundation.
VIKINGS’ ELFLEIN NEEDS SURGERY >> Minnesota Vikings center Pat Elflein has a left ankle injury that will require offseason surgery. Coach Mike Zimmer confirmed that Elflein will need a procedure done on the ankle he injured in the team’s loss at Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game.