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As the Chicago Bears prepare to battle the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs Saturday, the passion for the team’s leader continues to build.Just ask the 25 people who competed in a Coach Ben Johnson look-alike contest for a $1,000 Visa gift card Thursday evening at the Wintrust Sports Complex. Hosted by the Village of Bedford Park, the event welcomed contestants ranging from adults to pint-sized participants who mostly wore headsets, baseball caps and orange and blue sweatshirts. Cradling their makeshift playbooks, they led the audience in “good, better, best” chants, screamed “hell yeah” or crossed their arms.By the time they left the stage, most were bare-chested, having re-enacted the viral moment Johnson removed his shirt in the Bears’ locker room to celebrate the 24-15 victory against the Eagles.The first-place winner, Matt Filipiak, was among them. The 31-year-old Elmhurst resident removed his hoodie, revealing the words “good, better, best” painted on his chest.“My heart is beating a million miles a minute,” said Filipiak, who plans to spend the prize money on tickets to the Bears game. “I’m honored, honestly. I’ve had a few people say randomly that I look like Ben Johnson, so I took it and ran with it.”He also won roundtrip transportation to the game from O’Hare-Midway Limousine Service, and free car washes for a year from Gas N Wash. The second-place winner took home a $500 Visa gift card and free pizza for a year from Moretti’s, and the third-place winner left with a $300 Visa gift card.Filipiak’s ensemble also included a headset, pen and play call sheet. But he also said his natural looks helped him win.“You’ve got to have the jawline,” he said. “Thank God I was born with that.”The contest was organized by Adam Collopy, a business ambassador for the Village of Bedford Park. Collopy said he wanted to capitalize on the enthusiasm around the Bears and Coach Johnson by hosting a family-friendly event for the community.“This is a game-changing, monumental time as a Bears fan,” he said. “We know there's so many other things going on and that there are struggles and hardships for people, and this has brought people together.”The excitement was palpable during the event, which drew dozens of attendees and featured complimentary pizza from Moretti’s, raffle prizes and a DJ. Though they didn’t win, a young boy set himself apart by donning a cheese grater hat, while an older woman garnered attention by wearing a suit jacket and orange tie.Recognized as a finalist, Wintrust Sports Complex event coordinator Emily Monahan pulled up her Bears quarter-zip to reveal a T-shirt designed to look like abs. The 22-year-old Garfield Ridge resident also sported a beard that she drew on with bronze eye shadow.“I used the closest color I had,” she said, laughing. “It was a new [makeup] palette that I got for Christmas, so it worked out perfectly.” Emily Monahan shows off her best Ben Johnson impression during a look-alike contest at the Wintrust Sports Complex in suburban Bedford Park.Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times A lifelong Bears fan, Monahan praised Johnson’s skills as a leader.“He's a good coach,” she said. “He respects the guys. He has an expectation for them, but he doesn't seem like a mean coach. He seems like a guy who wants to win. His team's on board with him, and they have the same mindset.”A newer fan, Jayden Mendoza, 11, of West Elsdon, was so eager to compete that he arrived at the complex a few hours early. He wore headphones and a vest and carried football plays that he drew on paper and cardboard.He said his plan was to parlay the top prize on the stock market.“The only reason why I would invest it is so the money could grow and then I could go to more Bears games” he said. Jayden Mendoza, 11, planned to invest in the stock market if he won the Ben Johnson look-alike contest. Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times Though he didn’t win, he had a healthy attitude about the competition.“I’m just going to try my best,” he said…

The Atlanta Hawks trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards is starting a new chapter for the popular point guard. Young has proven to be an All-Star caliber player at his best, but Atlanta felt it was their best bet to move forward without him. Jalen Johnson making a big improvement this season caused the trade, and Washington became content with the idea of acquiring a big name for the first time since moving Bradley Beal.However, it is unclear if or when Young will even play for the Wizards this season. Washington has one of the worst records in the league and holds a pace that will land them a high lottery pick. The Atlantic reported that Young’s current injury could delay his Wizards’ debut.“Young returned from his knee sprain on Dec. 18 and played five games (in which Atlanta went 0-5) and last played Dec. 27 before suffering a right quadriceps contusion. The sprain, though, is not fully healed, and Washington will give Young as much time as he needs to get completely healthy.”The report indicates that Washington has no reason to rush this and could sit out Young for quite some time. Next season is when the Wizards hope to make a big improvement, and more losses this season could help them get another top prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.Should Trae Young Play This Season?Young should clearly rehab his injury and only return when his body feels right. However, Washington sitting out Young longer than his health dictates could present a problem for the league. Young’s injury is not expected to be a season-ending one, nor is it one that should last beyond the All-Star break unless he hits a hiccup in rehab.The NBA might step in if the Wizards try to keep their most popular player out since that hurts the live game element. Recent reports have confirmed that Commissioner Adam Silver is frustrated about tanking in the league and is considering making big changes for the future to limit this.Young playing again this season should be a safe bet since we’re not even halfway through the total games just yet. There is too much time for Washington to just avoid playing him in this season’s remaining games. Young is not expected to play back-to-back games, and he would be ruled out quickly if more injury issues arise.Will Trae Young Help Washington Win?The prize on Washington’s mind is having a better chance at the playoffs next season. Multiple young players could take steps forward with a top assists leader like Young running the offense. The Wizards also have the option to draft another high pick or trade for another game changer.Rebuilding has worked enough for Washington to have trade assets and hope for the near future. Young is talented enough to lead a good offense and add more wins than the Wizards have experienced in recent memory.However, the playoffs and moving towards contending in the East remains a tougher task. Washington must fully get the best out of Young and make the next moves count. Every upcoming player must be a successful acquisition or drafting for the new look Wizards to accomplish their goals. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Wizards Might Not Play Trae Young Anytime Soon appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Dallas Cowboys have their first batch of defensive coordinator candidates ready to be interviewed, with three names–passing game coordinator Jim Leonhard of the Broncos, Vikings passing game coordinator Daronte Jones and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda–lined up. But it turns out, the Cowboys wanted that first list to be four.Instead, the Falcons declined to allow the Cowboys to interview defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, whose future is in limbo after the firing of Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris this week. Ulbrich had been with the Falcons as a defensive assistant from 2015-2020 before going to the Jets for four seasons. He was New York’s interim head coach after Robert Saleh’s firing.Ulbrich returned to Atlanta for the 2025 season, and could be a candidate to replace Morris, or to hold his current job. But most likely, the Falcons will turn elsewhere for a new coach and that coach will bring in his own defensive coordinator, leaving Ulbrich in the cold. The Cowboys will have made their choice by the time that process played out.Cowboys Could Circle Back to Jeff UlbrichIf the Cowboys delay the hiring of a defensive coordinator long enough, Ulbrich could be available. But for now, here’s what ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote on the matter on Twitter/X:“The Cowboys were denied by Atlanta to talk with Jeff Ulbrich for DC job, according to sources. He remains under contract w/ the Falcons despite their search for a head coach. A potential interview can be revisited later if they hire a HC, who has a different coordinator in mind.”Cowboys Seeking ‘A Great Teacher’The Cowboys have been open about what they want from their next DC, and head-coaching experience was not a requirement. Ulbrich has some, but that’s not important–whether he can teach and develop is important.“We wanna find someone who’s a great teacher and a great communicator … who’s passionate about football, and who can take complicated information and [have the ability] to communicate it,” Schottenheimer said.“That’s the starting point for me.”Defensive Coordinator Could be a Worthwhile JobThe Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position might, on the surface, scare off some coaches who see that the team is looking for their fourth DC in four years. But it should be an attractive job because, for one thing, the offense is humming and looks ready for a big season in 2026.For another thing, the Cowboys punched out on Micah Parsons, collected valuable assets to replace him–first-round picks this year and next from the Packers.The trade for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was a good start. But the Cowboys may have more deals coming.“We’re definitely going to take advantage of these two No. 1s, don’t think we couldn’t do some trading here with those two No. 1s,” owner Jerry Jones said. “All of the value that you get out of having these extra picks and having some flexibility, under the camp, we’re gonna take advantage of it. We obviously don’t have the mentality that we are dealing with a bad hand at all.“I think we had some real success in free agency this year, so that’s a good one, that’s a good place to start. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Cowboys Interview Request Denied by NFC Rival in Surprise Move appeared first on Heavy Sports.

A Moderate Flood Watch is in effect for Williamson County and other parts of Middle Tennessee until January 10, 2023, 1:00 PM CST, due to potential flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall. As of 9:30 PM in Williamson County, conditions are mainly clear with a temperature of 64.2°F and wind speeds reaching up to 14.9 mph. No precipitation has been recorded tonight. Earlier today, the area saw a high of 68.5°F and a low of 45.1°F, with similar wind conditions and virtually no rainfall. Tonight, temperatures are expected to drop slightly to a low of 63.1°F. Winds will continue at speeds similar to those experienced today, up to 15.8 mph, with predominantly overcast skies and a very low precipitation chance of 2%. Residents should stay informed on updates regarding the flood watch and be prepared for possible flash flooding in the affected areas. Today's Details High 69°F Low 45°F Wind 16 mph Humidity 85% UV Index 2.6 (Low) Precip 3% chance · 0 in Now 64°F · feels 61°F Sunrise 6:58am Sunset 4:50pm 7-Day Forecast Day High Low Conditions Thursday 69°F 45°F Overcast Friday 67°F 52°F Rain: moderate Saturday 58°F 39°F Drizzle: moderate Sunday 39°F 30°F Clear sky Monday 47°F 29°F Overcast Tuesday 52°F 32°F Overcast Wednesday 46°F 38°F Drizzle: light The post 1/8/26: Clear Night in Williamson County, 64°F; Moderate Flood Watch Starts Tomorrow appeared first on Williamson Source.

Une fillette de 11 ans a disparu dans Paris alors qu’elle devait rejoindre des amis pour faire une bataille de boules de neige. Elle a finalement été retrouvée en...