FORTE MAG

AsJeff Probststood in front of the"Survivor 50" caston the Mamanuca beaches of Fiji last summer, looking directly at 24 contestants across the show's more than 25-year run, he was mesmerized by what his career has become since he was pitched the series decades ago.

The milestone game brought back players like Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, who played in the debut season in Borneo in 2000, and newer breakouts likeSavannah Louie, who just won the season prior.

"It wasn't my life passing before my eyes. It was a series of turning points in my life," Probst says ahead of the historic three-hour Season 50 premiere on Feb. 25 (8 p.m. ET/PT, CBS and Paramount+ Premium, available to stream the next day with any Paramount+ plan). "I never thought of 'Survivor' as a job or a game show. I thought of it as an adventure of the human spirit, and people still to this day think I'm a little over the top with it. It's never changed."

A year ago, the host and producer still had a short list of 50 former players who could return. Each cut since was excruciating, he says. Ultimately, the team landed on 24 all-stars who will outwit, outplay and outlast each other for the $1 million prize and bragging rights that come with winning the show'smost competitive season to date.

The new season, titled "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans," is a love letter to all viewers, whether they tuned in just a few seasons ago or have watched every time since Probst first uttered, "The tribe has spoken." Probst spoke with USA TODAY about the grandiosity that only decades of reality‑TV storytelling can create. He reveals a plan for the premiere that didn't end up happening, the first player he personally called to cast and the contestant he's most crushed didn't make it.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Season 20 premiere, which is still my favorite season, opens up with those helicopters, with the hero tribe on one side and the villains on the other. How will the Season 50 premiere compare?

We actually wanted to do helicopters for 50, but we couldn't find enough in Fiji. We even went to the Fiji military to see if we could pull it off, because we wanted to recreate that epic moment. But we were unable to do it.

But "Survivor 50" had the same gravitas that you're talking about. The question was, would the players show up to make it great? And just like in Season 20, they did.

This is the first time we're having three tribes of eight. I'm assuming we'll see two tribes go to tribal council in an episode. How much can you tell us about how this will work with so many players?

We did not initially set out to have 24 players. We thought we were going to have 20 because that's a really good number for us in terms of how the episodes work and the math that comes from eliminating players. Honestly, we were struggling to make cuts. And there was no easy cut. It was really a question of this person or that person.

Suddenly, we went to three tribes of eight. What are we going to do with all of them? How are we going to get rid of them? From a producing standpoint, that is what made it so exhilarating. There were a lot of very fun problems to solve.

We have so many interesting combinations on each tribe, like Q and Aubrey on Vatu. You have Ozzy and Cirie reuniting on Cila. How did you decide who goes on which tribe?

The best way to explain how we approached all of this was to imagine the biggest whiteboard you've ever seen, with every possible idea on it.

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What we really want is just an array of different types of players, different eras, and success or lack of success in the game, so that we can represent as much as possible the entire tapestry of our 25 years. And so in that sense, we just started putting people together.

There's no combination you can look at that doesn't have intrigue. So all of the tribe pairings worked, and ultimately, at one point, we just said, "OK, shall we just stop here?"

There was a lot of speculation that someone from Season 1 would return. How did y'all land on Jenna Lewis specifically, and are there other names that were in the mix?

The first person I called about playing was Jenna Lewis, and I didn't know what she'd say, but everybody agreed.

She kind of embodied everything about the first season: a young mom out there who didn't get a loved one video, who played a very kind of new-era game 25 years ago, and Jenna said, "I couldn't be more honored, yes." And that was the first moment where I thought, this might work.

There are rumors of pre-gaming alliances made before the season was filmed. How does that impact things once it starts?

There's way too much emphasis put on pregame alliances and all that. They really are giving that too much weight because there is one winner, period. And if you stand in my way, it doesn't matter. I'm taking you out.

You're going to see that this season. What may start out as something that appears to be a friendship from 20 years ago might mean everything in a positive way. It might mean everything in an unexpected way. These are players. This is not a picnic.

You're working on Season 51 and possibly Season 52. Is there any chance we'll have another returning player season soon, and maybe some of the people who didn't make the cut for 50 can come back?

One hundred percent. We love returning player seasons. The only reason we waited this many years is that you had to find players you wanted to see come back.

After Season 40, we thought, now we need to go get a new crop of players, and then we'll do a returning player season. I would definitely expect another returning player season before five years. And, yes, there are players we would love to invite back that we would have had in Season 50 if we had room. Hopefully, when we call in the future, their feelings won't be hurt and they'll say yes.

Hopefully, Amanda Kimmel's schedule clears up, because I need her back.

That was a big disappointment, probably my biggest personal disappointment. When she initially said yes, I was ecstatic.

And then we gave her the shoot date, and she said, "I can't make it happen." And she was disappointed. But what I loved about Amanda is that she just called us and said, "Look, I'll tell you right now, it's not going to happen." And so that opened up the spot for somebody.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Survivor 50' – Jeff Probst reveals nostalgic idea that didn't pan out

In 1976,Rockywas the top movie of the year. StarringSylvester Stallone, Burgess Meredith, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, andTalia Shire, the film about scrappy Philadelphia boxerRocky Balboa(Stallone) raked in a box office total of $225 million globally, and became thehighest-grossing filmof 1976, perThe Numbers.

Rocky,which wonAcademy Awardsfor Best Picture, Best Editing, and Best Director, was made on a small $1 million budget—and it made newcomer Stallone a star.

One of themost famous scenesinRockyis a training montage in which the beloved boxer runs through the streets of Philadelphia in preparation for his upcoming boxing match with Apollo Creed (Weathers). The famous scene culminates with Balboa bounding up the 72 steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art as the movie's theme song, Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," plays.

But the scene wasn't originally planned as it was shown. During a 2025 appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,Stallone, 79, admitted he hadn't even thought about shooting a scene at the Philly landmark and didn't have a location permit.

"When I got to Philadelphia and did the movieRocky, I wasn't even thinking about the steps. We didn't have any money to shoot there. We didn't have the license," he told hostJimmy Fallon. "I just got out of the car, I said, 'Let me just run up the steps, get a shot of it, and we'll get out of here before the police come.' "

Stallone noted that his real-life dog, Butkus, who appeared in the film, was almost in the scene. "The first take, I said, 'Let me carry my dog up the steps,'" Stallone recalled. "My dog is a buffalo; it's a 130 lb. bull mastiff. I get halfway up, my knees buckle. We're like, 'Dog, out. Back in the car, pal.'"

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"Anyway, we did it, and it became a very famous scene," the actor added.

Sylvester Stallone was always 'fascinated' by steps

Stallone talked about the significance of the art museum steps scene in a 2021 interview posted byThe Philadelphia Inquirer on YouTube.

"Ever since I was 10 years old, I've always been fascinated with steps," the actor admitted. "I felt like you could see the whole world from up there, which basically you're seeing your own future. It's like look, this is what I have to survive and surpass to make a life. The symbolism on those steps …it's like unbelievable; it's like it's almost a pathway to your life. So that has always been an incredibly monumental image in my eyes. Plus it's so filled with challenges and symbolism, so people come, they're not running theRockysteps, they're running like the steps of their life. Like, this is. If he can do it, I can do it.'"

Fifty years after the firstRockyfilm—there would be five sequels and threeCreedspinoffs—the art museum steps remain a major tourist attraction in Philadelphia.

Per theVisit Phillywebsite, thousands of fans annually recreate the famous scene as they make the trek up the 72 "Rocky Steps" steps leading to the art museum entrance. Stallone also donated a bronze Rocky statue, which was created in 1980 by artist A. Thomas Schomberg for a scene inRocky III,to the City of Philadelphia.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton are trying to keep calm and carry on despite the scandal surrounding thearrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor(formerly Prince Andrew) on suspicion of misconduct in public office, but onthe red carpet at the BAFTAsthis evening, the royal couple was confronted by a heckler. "Is the monarchy in peril?" one attendeeaskedthe Prince and Princess of Wales, which they ignored.

While the Prince and Princess of Walesdid not issue a statement on former Prince Andrew's arrest, it is understood they agree withthe message shared by King Charles. "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," King Charles wrote on Thursday. "What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation."

The King continued, "Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

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Prince William, Kate, and their three childrenreportedly were at their home Anmer Hall at Sandringhamat the time of Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest. Anmer Hall, their house, is six miles away fromWood Farm, where the disgraced former prince has been living since his eviction fromRoyal Lodge. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

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The Mexican army Sunday killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho." That effectively decapitated what had become Mexico's most powerful cartel.

APTOPIX Mexico Cartel Death

Vehicles were burned in various states and federal troops stood guard outside the General Prosecutor's headquarters in Mexico City.

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican army killed the leader of theJalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes,"El Mencho," on Sunday, decapitating what had become Mexico's most powerful cartel and giving the government its biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration its efforts.

APTOPIX Mexico Cartel Death

Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in an operation to capture him Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara and he died while being flown to Mexico City, the Defense Department said in a statement. The state is the base of the cartel known for trafficking huge quantities of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.

During the operation, troops came under fire and killed four people at the location. Three more people, includingOseguera Cervantes,were wounded and later died, the statement said. Two others were arrested and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other arms were seized. Three members of the armed forces were wounded and receiving medical treatment.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico said on X that the operation was carried out by Mexican special forces "within the framework of bilateral cooperation, with U.S. authorities providing complementary intelligence."

Roadblocks and burning vehicles

The killing of the powerful drug lord set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Jalisco canceled school in the state for Monday.

Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state's capital in panic. On Sunday afternoon, Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta "due to an ongoing security situation" and advised customers not to go to their airport.

In Guadalajara, the state capital, burning vehicles blocked roads. Mexico's second-largest city is scheduled tohost matches during this summer's soccer World Cup.

The U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon states to remain in safe places due to the ongoing security operations. Canada's embassy in Mexico warned its citizens in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place and generally to keep a low profile in Jalisco.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus told residents to stay at home and suspended public transportation.

US had offered up to $15 million for his capture

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. TheJalisco New Generation Cartel,known as CJNG, is one of the most powerful and fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico and was born in 2009.

In February, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, has criticized the "kingpin" strategy of previous administrations that took out cartel leaders only to trigger explosions of violence as cartels fractured. While she has remained popular in Mexico, security is a persistent concern and since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago, she has been under tremendous pressure to show results against drug trafficking.

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On Sunday, Sheinbaum applauded Mexican security forces and called for calm in a post on X.

A Jalisco state official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said that a member of the National Guard died in Tapalpa during the operation, a jail guard was killed at a lockup in Puerto Vallarta when prisoners rioted, and an agent from the Jalisco state prosecutor's office was killed in Guadalajara. Details were not immediately available.

Known as an aggressive cartel

The Jalisco cartel has been one of the most aggressive cartels in its attacks on the military — including on helicopters — and is apioneer in launching explosives from drones and installing mines. In 2020, it carried out a spectacular assassination attempt with grenades and high-powered rifles in the heart of Mexico City against the then head of the capital's police force and now federal security secretary.

The DEA considers the cartel to be as powerful as the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico's most infamous criminal groups, with a presence in all 50 U.S. states. It is one of the main suppliers of cocaine to the U.S. market and, like the Sinaloa cartel, earns billions from the production of fentanyl and methamphetamines. Sinaloa, however, has been weakened by infighting after the loss of its leaders Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, both in U.S. custody.

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was originally from Aguililla in the neighboring state of Michoacan. He had been significantly involved in drug trafficking activities since the 1990s. When he was younger, he migrated to the U.S. where he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 1994 and served nearly three years in prison.

Following his release from custody, Oseguera Cervantes returned to Mexico and reengaged in drug trafficking activity with drug lord Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, alias "Nacho Coronel." After Villarreal's death, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, alias "El 85," created the Jalisco New Generation Cartel around 2007.

Initially, they worked for the Sinaloa Cartel, but eventually split and for years the two cartels have battled for territory across Mexico.

Indicted several times in the United States

Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has been indicted several times in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The most recent superseding indictment, filed on April 5, 2022, charges Oseguera Cervantes with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances (methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl) for the purpose of illegal importation into the United States and use of firearms during and in connection with drug trafficking offenses. Oseguera Cervantes is also charged under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act for directing a continuing criminal enterprise.

Last year, people searching formissing relativesfounds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments at what authorities later said was aJalisco cartel recruitment and training site.

Associated Press writer María Verza contributed to this report.

By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions on its nuclear programme in talks with the U.S. in return for the lifting of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, as it seeks to avert a U.S. attack.

Both sides remain sharply divided -- even over the scope and sequencing of relief from crippling U.S. sanctions -- following ‌two rounds of talks, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

However, Reuters is reporting for the first time that Iran is offering fresh concessions since their talks ended last week, when the sides appeared far ‌apart and heading closer to military conflict. Analysts say the move suggests Tehran is trying to keep diplomacy alive and stave off a major U.S. strike.

The official said Tehran would seriously consider a combination of sending half of its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the rest ​and taking part in creating a regional enrichment consortium - an idea periodically raised in years of Iran-linked diplomacy.

Iran would do this in return for U.S. recognition of Iran's right to "peaceful nuclear enrichment" under a deal that would also include lifting economic sanctions, the official said.

In addition, Iran has offered openings for U.S. companies to participate as contractors in Iran's large oil and gas industries, the official said, in negotiations to resolve decades of dispute over Tehran's nuclear activities.

"Within the economic package under negotiation, the United States has also been offered opportunities for serious investment and tangible economic interests in Iran's oil industry," the official said.

The White House did not respond immediately to queries on the issue.

Washington views enrichment inside Iran as a potential ‌pathway to nuclear weapons. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and wants its right to ⁠enrich uranium to be recognised.

Iran and the United States resumed negotiations earlier this month as the U.S. builds up its military capability in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if it is attacked.

The Iranian official said the most recent discussions underscored the gap between the two sides, but stressed that "the possibility of reaching ⁠an interim agreement exists" as negotiations continue.

IRAN SEEKS 'LOGICAL TIMETABLE' FOR LIFTING SANCTIONS

"The last round of talks showed that U.S. ideas regarding the scope and mechanism of sanctions relief differ from Iran's demands. Both sides need to reach a logical timetable for lifting sanctions," the official said.

"This roadmap must be reasonable and based on mutual interests."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday he expects to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday, adding there is still "a good chance" of ​a ​diplomatic solution.

Araqchi said on Friday that he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days, while Trump said he was considering ​limited military strikes.

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Citing officials on both sides and diplomats across the Gulf and Europe, ‌Reuters reported on Friday that Tehran and Washington are sliding rapidly towards military conflict as hopes fade for a diplomatic settlement.

On Sunday, Witkoff said the president was curious as to why Iran has not yet "capitulated" and agreed to curb its nuclear programme.

"Why, under this pressure, with the amount of seapower and naval power over there, why haven't they come to us and said, 'We profess we don't want a weapon, so here's what we're prepared to do'? And yet it's sort of hard to get them to that place," Witkoff said on Fox News.

READINESS TO COMPROMISE ON NUCLEAR WORK

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Iran's leadership is seeking to buy time via the talks.

"Iran will use that time for various reasons, including to avoid a strike and to harden nuclear, missile, and military facilities," he said.

While rejecting a U.S. demand for "zero enrichment" - a major sticking point in ‌past negotiations - Tehran has signalled its readiness to compromise on its nuclear work.

Washington has also demanded that Iran relinquish its stockpile ​of highly enriched uranium (HEU). The International Atomic Energy Agency last year estimated that stockpile at more than 440 kg of uranium enriched to ​up to 60% fissile purity, a small step away from the 90% that is considered weapons grade.

Ali Larijani, ​a close adviser to Iran's supreme leader, told Al Jazeera TV that Iran was ready to allow extensive IAEA monitoring to prove it is not seeking nuclear weapons.

The agency has ‌been calling on Iran for months to allow for inspection of three nuclear sites that ​were struck by the U.S. in June last year at ​the close of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Since then, Tehran has said its uranium enrichment work has stopped.

Satellite images show that Iran has advanced work at a location reportedly bombed by Israel last year, recently building a concrete shield over a new facility at a sensitive military site and covering it in soil, experts say.

BENEFITS FOR BOTH SIDES

Among U.S. demands are restrictions on Tehran's long-range ballistic missiles and an end ​to its support for regional proxy groups.

Iran has flatly rejected discussing its missiles, while ‌sources have told Reuters, without elaborating, that "the issue of regional proxies is not a red line for Tehran".

Iranian authorities have said that a diplomatic solution would provide economic benefits for both Tehran ​and Washington.

The Iranian official said Tehran would not hand over control of its oil and mineral resources.

"Ultimately, the U.S. can be an economic partner for Iran, nothing more. American companies can always participate ​as contractors in Iran's oil and gas fields."

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Alex Richardson, Ros Russell, William Maclean)

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — They chanted "U-S-A" and a few openly wept at Lake Placid's Olympic Center, the same building where the"Miracle on Ice"happened exactly 46 years earlier. In Ohio, some waved flags inside a packed bar. And in Florida, a man played baseball wearing a USA Hockey jersey.

APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Ice Hockey

The man was George Springer.He plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Canadians might not have appreciated his wardrobe.

USA 2, Canada 1. The U.S. men areOlympichockey gold medalists for the first time since 1980, after topping their rivals to the north in overtime on Sunday in Milan. The country — even though the game started at 8 a.m. in the East, 5 a.m. Pacific — was clearly watching, and when it went final overjoyed reactions could be found from sea to shining sea.

"Extremely proud," Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich said.

In Madison, Wisconsin, the goal horns went off at the Badgers' hockey arena before the powerhouse women's team hosted St. Cloud State — because the gold-medal game was being shown on the arena screen. When Jack Hughes scored the winner, people inside the arena began cheering.

Among those people: the St. Cloud State women's team, because they were watching even though they had their own game to get ready for. Wisconsin — coached by Mark Johnson, who played for the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team — won the game 4-2.

"I wasn't here for the Miracle game, obviously. since I'm only 44," said Jackie Palmateer, a vacationer who watched from the arena in Lake Placid on Sunday. "We were going to go skiing, and then this happened, and you have to watch the game, and I said, 'Why would we want to watch this from the hotel?' So, we came here. It's like seeing history happen when you're already in the museum."

The White House took notice, with President Donald Trump posting on social media, "Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!"

It was must-see-TV, even across different sports.

Some NBA teams might not have been watching customary pregame film on Sunday. They were watching hockey instead.

"I wasn't waking up at 5:30," Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "But incredible, what an incredible sporting event, competition at its highest, amazing to watch."

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Kerr had dual rooting interests: He coached the U.S. to the men's basketball gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, And the Warriors' vice president of player health and performance is Rick Celebrini — the father of Canada forward Macklin Celebrini, someone the entire Golden State organization follows and roots on, for obvious reasons.

The Miami Marlins gathered in their spring training clubhouse to watch overtime, chants of U-S-A breaking out in there when Hughes got the game-winner. Springer, according to MLB.com, bolted from the Blue Jays' clubhouse to celebrate outside when the U.S. won the game, then took live batting practice in the USA Hockey jersey.

And in Mesa, Arizona, the Athletics watched the Olympic hockey final together in the clubhouse of Hohokam Stadium — and Canadian center fielder Denzel Clarke was the one left heartbroken afterward.

A's manager Mark Kotsay said the game was "pretty incredible." But he felt for Clarke as well.

"Well, it was one against 72 in there," Kotsay said. "He would have definitely let us all know about it. So, we kind of got fortunate and very thankful for Team USA to win the gold today. Not much does quiet Denzel, but it definitely quieted him."

It wasn't quiet in Lake Placid. Or just about anyplace else in the U.S. that had the game on Sunday. What happened on Feb. 22, 1980, with the "Miracle" team will resonate, and odds are, so will what happened on Feb. 22, 2026, with this golden group

"I don't even really put that into words yet, just the thought that the next generation has something to look up to," U.S. goalie Connor Hellebuyck said. "This is a nation's goal. It's not just a Team USA goal. This is a whole nation's goal."

AP reporters Michelle Price, Janie McCauley, Steve Megargee and Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed.

AP Winter Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Content warning:This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at988lifeline.org.

Thedeath of Rondale Moore, a talented wide receiver whose pro and college careers were marred by injuries, sent a tragic jolt through the NFL on Saturday.

The news came after two straight missed seasons for Moore, who sustained season-ending knee injuries during the preseason in both 2024 and 2025. His talent had never been in doubt since his All-American season at Purdue as a freshman in 2018, but luck was never on his side.

New Albany police chief Todd Bailey told reporters on Saturday night thatMoore was found in a garage with a gunshot wound suspected to be self-inflicted.

What soon became clear is that Moore was beloved and respected by his NFL peers, all of whom knew what he was capable of when healthy. He had friends throughout the league, and one of them, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown, was hit particularly hard.

The two played together for two seasons on the Arizona Cardinals, and Brown posted on social media that he had received messages from Moore just hours earlier. He later posted a screenshot of an encouraging message he sent Moore last August, a couple of days after Moore's injury.

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Both Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. alluded to recent conversations with Moore, as well.

The NFL Players Association, for which Moore served as a player rep,posted a statement urging its members to reach out for support if they're struggling with mental health and to check on their teammates:

"In moments like this, we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field. To our members: Please know that support is always within reach. Check on your teammates and prioritize your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of the many confidential resources and services available to you through the NFLPA."

Many other players concurred, telling their followers to check in on their loved ones.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson also came forward with his own experience going to therapy.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jamal Adams had his own take, questioning the treatment of "injury prone" players such as Moore and reminding his followers how arduous the recovery process can be, both mentally and physically.

Above all, the reaction is a reminder that athletes are humans at their core. No one feels the pain of an injury as much as they do, but that doesn't stop the torrent of vitriol that can be aimed at them on social media for the crime of not being able to do their jobs. It seems to be a league-wide frustration — one that spans the sports industry, really — and the players can only hope they're listened to in the aftermath of Moore's death.

Team USA's 2-1 overtime victory over Canadahelped the country win its first Olympic gold in men's hockey since the famed 1980 "Miracle on Ice."

Team USA center Jack Hughes scored the team's overtime goal, exchanging his knocked-out tooth for a gold medal. Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck saved 41 of the 42 shots he faced.

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Olympic gold medalists Lindsey Vonn, Apolo Ohno and Mikaela Shiffrin expressed their support for Team USA's hockey team on social media.

Super Bowl champions Tom Brady,Jason Kelceand Kurt Warner, and current NFL players George Kittle and J.J. McCarthy were also watching the game.

Phoenix Suns Devin Booker got up early to tune in as welll, while Indiana Pacers Tyreese Haliburton shouted out Hellebuyck's performance.

In a recent interview with The Independent, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa discussed The Sopranos' enduring legacy

NEED TO KNOW

• The duo – who played Christopher Moltisanti and Bobby Baccalieri, respectively – revealed how hard it was to keep major plot twists, like Adriana La Cerva's fate, under wraps

• They also reflected on how James Gandolfini's death in 2013 ended hopes for a prequel

Nearly three decades since it first aired,The Sopranoscontinues to cast a long shadow over television. Its mix of brutal mob politics and intimate family drama helped redefine what audiences expected from serialized storytelling.

In a recent interview withThe Independent, cast members Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa reflected on the show's long-lasting impact and the extraordinary effort that went into keeping its biggest twists under wraps.

"There was a leak on set because somebody was selling information," Schirripa, 68, told the outlet.

While they "had some suspects," the actors said the culprit was never caught.

Anthony Neste/Getty

That climate of paranoia was especially intense during season 5, when script writers were determined to keep thefate of Adriana La Cerva– Christopher Moltisanti's stylish girlfriend, played by Drea De Matteo – out of the press.

Adriana's storyline was one of the series' most devastating turns, and spoilers would have blunted its impact. To guard against leaks, the production famously filmed scenes in two different ways, ensuring that even the cast and crew weren't entirely certain how events would unfold. By the end of the series, Schirripa said the actors were only getting their own pages. It was an extreme measure, but on a show built around tension and betrayal, secrecy was essential.

Created by David Chase,The Sopranosfollowed mob boss Tony Soprano, who was played by the late James Gandolfini, as he balanced a violent criminal enterprise with suburban family life and therapy sessions that peeled back his contradictions and paved the way for the modern antihero.

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Anthony Neste/Hbo/Kobal/Shutterstock

As the years passed, speculation about revisiting the world of North Jersey surfaced more than once.

"There was even talk at one point of us doing a prequel, like with us in it, which, given our age, didn't really make any sense," Imperioli told the outlet. "I remember Jim [Gandolfini] was like, 'What are we gonna do? Wear wigs and girdles likeStar Trek?' "

Anychance of a reunion, however, ended when Gandolfini died at the age of 51 after a heart attack in 2013. "I think [Gandolfini] would have gone for it for the right price and the right script, but then he passed away – and without Jim it didn't make sense," Schirripa admitted.

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In 2024,Lorraine Bracco,Dominic Chianese, Aida Turturro,Steve Buscemiand De Matteo met at the Italian restaurant Da Nico in New York City tocelebrate the show's 25th anniversary. Whether they will gather again for a 30th anniversary remains to be seen.

"We're all getting older," Schirripa said. "Everything changes, but hopefully there will be."

Nevertheless, in the absence of a revival, Imperioli and Schirripa use their podcast,Talking Sopranos, as a way to revisit and sharememories and behind-the-scenes secretswith fans online.

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