Patti Brady leads Koterra’s mission to improve brain health and concussion care for veterans and athletes. A former Division I volleyball captain at Lehigh University and a longtime team-builder, Patti turns lived sports leadership into real-world solutions — connecting partners, standardizing protocols, and expanding access to therapies that reduce symptoms and restore quality of life.
Brian Swift is the founder of Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation (SOAR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities experience the freedom and healing power of outdoor activities. A lifelong athlete from Chicago, Brian became a C6 quadriplegic at age 17 after a football accident but refused to let his injury define him. Through faith, perseverance, and an unwavering competitive spirit, he rebuilt his life and now works to ensure others with disabilities can access adaptive sports and recreation. His mission through SOAR is to remove financial and physical barriers, providing specialized equipment and opportunities that promote independence, confidence, and joy in the outdoors.
Scott Pederson is the founder and CEO of Positive Athlete, a movement dedicated to inspiring young athletes to lead with character, positivity, and purpose. He focuses on helping student-athletes develop leadership, sportsmanship, and life skills that extend beyond the field. Through his work, Scott empowers youth to embrace their potential, make a positive impact, and lead with integrity in every aspect of life.
Robert Purvy is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader known for his innovative approach to business and commitment to driving growth across diverse industries. With a keen eye for identifying opportunities and a talent for building impactful teams, he has established himself as a forward-thinking professional dedicated to fostering success and creating meaningful connections. His work emphasizes creativity, strategic insight, and a relentless drive to turn ambitious ideas into reality.
New users in eligible states can make a first wager of at least $5 on the Sunday slate (which includes games like Atlanta Falcons-New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions, and Indianapolis Colts-Pittsburgh Steelers). If that wager wins, you’ll receive $300 in bonus bets (the original stake + winnings are paid normally, and the bonus bets are credited once your bet settles). If your first bet loses, you get nothing from the promo. Bonus bets expire after seven days and cannot be cashed out themselves (only winnings from bets using them are withdrawable).
Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays has quickly become a postseason sensation. After being called up from the minor leagues just weeks ago, he dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series — striking out 12 batters without issuing a walk, a rookie series record. He noted that this playoff run will mean a significant boost in his earnings: “This playoff paycheck is going to be nice,” he said, reflecting on how far he’s come from his $60K rookie salary and how much the postseason share could be.
Haywoode Workman is a former NBA guard who went on to serve as one of the league’s respected referees before becoming the driving force behind the HBCU Hoops Invitational. With a lifelong dedication to basketball and community, Workman is using his platform to elevate Historically Black Colleges and Universities, creating pathways for student-athletes to shine both on and off the court. His vision emphasizes education, leadership, and the power of sports to bring people together and create meaningful social impact.
Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has died at age 41 from complications related to chronic kidney disease. Mangold, who spent his entire 11-year NFL career (2006–2016) with the Jets, was a seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and a key leader on the team’s offensive line. Earlier in October 2025, he revealed that he had lived with a genetic kidney condition since 2006 and was on dialysis while searching for a type O kidney donor. Despite his health struggles, he remained active in promoting organ donation awareness. The Jets and the broader NFL community have mourned his loss, remembering him as a tough, dependable player and a beloved teammate. He is survived by his wife, Jenny, and their four children.
The Baltimore Ravens incorrectly listed Jackson as a “full” participant in their final practice before a game despite the fact he took scout-team reps rather than starter reps, a distinction under NFL rules that should have classified him as “limited.” The league has launched a review, and the incident is prompting teams across the NFL to examine their internal injury-reporting procedures rather than treating the designation as a strategic opaque tool, as transparency and integrity are being prioritized amid increased regulatory scrutiny.
Curt Cignetti and Indiana University have agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth roughly $92.8 million (about $11.6 million per year), which positions Cignetti as the third-highest-paid coach in college football behind only Kirby Smart and Ryan Day. The deal comes after Cignetti’s rapid turnaround of Indiana’s football program — leading the Hoosiers to a 11-2 record and their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024 and starting 2025 with a 6-0 run and a program-best No. 3 ranking. Indiana’s leadership emphasized the contract as a statement of their long-term commitment to competing at a championship level, and the deal also implicitly wards off interest from other schools in Cignetti.
Former two-weight world champion boxer Ricky Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on September 14, 2025; a brief inquest on October 16 revealed the provisional cause of death as hanging and ruled that he died by suicide. He had last been seen by his family on September 12 and was expected at a scheduled event the next day that he missed. Though his family stated he had appeared “well” and was preparing a comeback fight in Dubai, Hatton had been open in the past about his longstanding battles with depression, substance abuse, and previous suicide attempts. The full inquest has been adjourned and is set to resume in March 2026.
Jodie Blum, founder of The Collective Social Impact Agency, joins host Roy Kessel to discuss how she helps athletes turn fame into purpose and build authentic, sustainable legacies beyond the field.
Drawing on early experience working for an NFL Hall of Famer, Jodie shares her philosophy that “fame gives you a microphone, but purpose gives you a message.” She explains how strategic branding, storytelling, and partnerships create long-term impact — highlighting a Miami-Dade County mental health campaign that united all local sports teams and reached millions. Jodie also stresses the importance of compliance, education, and expert guidance in philanthropy, and closes with a powerful call for stronger CTE awareness and player protection across professional sports.
The Patriots honored their defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, by wearing matching “T‑Strong” shirts with supportive ribbons during their pregame routines. Williams, 51, is away from the team as he seeks treatment and consultations, and in his absence, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been calling defensive plays.The tributes were designed to show that, even though he’s not on the sideline, Williams remains central to the team’s spirit and determination.
Finnish pool legend Mika “The Iceman” Immonen died on September 28, 2025, at age 52 after a long battle with cancer. A dominant force in cue sports, he won the 2001 World 9‑Ball Championship and the 2009 World 10‑Ball Championship, and secured back‑to‑back U.S. Open titles in 2008 and 2009. Over his career he represented Team Europe 15 times in the Mosconi Cup, contributing to four victories. His death was met with tributes from across the billiards world, honoring both his competitive excellence and the inspiration he provided to fellow players and fans.
In this episode of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast, host Roy Kessel sits down with Sae Tautu, former BYU and New Orleans Saints linebacker and founder of The Pursuit Foundation. Sae opens up about his journey from growing up around football and rugby in Utah and Hawaii to turning the challenges of a career-ending injury into a mission to empower the next generation of athletes. Through The Pursuit Foundation’s partnership with OrthoAthlete, he helps injured youth access world-class, data-driven medical care and rehabilitation — regardless of financial barriers. Sae’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and passion as he continues to expand his foundation’s reach to ensure that no athlete is left behind.
Rob Ohno, President & CEO of the ANNIKA Foundation, joins host Roy Kessel to share how golf develops life skills and how the foundation empowers girls and women at every stage — from junior clinics and collegiate events to the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour and a new Inspiration Award. Rob reflects on his multi-sport upbringing, Harvard hockey days, 24 years at the PGA TOUR, and the strategy to scale impact without Annika Sörenstam at every event — while keeping the focus on personal growth over results.
The NCAA’s Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has voted to relocate the 2028 Women’s Final Four from Gainbridge Fieldhouse to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a move that adds roughly 13,000 new seats to accommodate growing demand. The decision comes amid surging interest in women’s college basketball, and the committee also resolved to maintain the current Preliminary Round format—where top teams host early games at campus sites—through at least 2031.
In that article, CBS Sports analysts overwhelmingly backed the Mariners to defeat the Tigers and make their first ALCS appearance since 2001. They cite Seattle’s stronger regular season (better record and run differential), deeper rotation, and improving offense—especially with power from Cal Raleigh—as key advantages. While some acknowledge Detroit’s ace Tarik Skubal is a wild‑card threat, experts generally expect Seattle to win in 4 or 5 games.
Join us on the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as Roy Kessel sits down with Rob Mutert, founder of Warp Corps. Rob shares his journey from a blue-collar childhood in Chicago and service in the Marine Corps to running a family business and ultimately launching Warp Corps, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth through skateboarding, fitness, and mentorship. He discusses how physical activity and community engagement can combat the opioid epidemic, improve mental health, and create positive pathways for the next generation in Woodstock, Illinois.
The Patriots honored their defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, by wearing matching “T‑Strong” shirts with supportive ribbons during their pregame routines. Williams, 51, is away from the team as he seeks treatment and consultations, and in his absence, inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been calling defensive plays.The tributes were designed to show that, even though he’s not on the sideline, Williams remains central to the team’s spirit and determination.
Finnish pool legend Mika “The Iceman” Immonen died on September 28, 2025, at age 52 after a long battle with cancer. A dominant force in cue sports, he won the 2001 World 9‑Ball Championship and the 2009 World 10‑Ball Championship, and secured back‑to‑back U.S. Open titles in 2008 and 2009. Over his career he represented Team Europe 15 times in the Mosconi Cup, contributing to four victories. His death was met with tributes from across the billiards world, honoring both his competitive excellence and the inspiration he provided to fellow players and fans.
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