Gavin Kruger

Soccer Team Celebrates Recent College Commits

January 16, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

Hamish Riddell ’26 (Bucknell), Ashton Khory ’26 (James Madison), Tziyon Morris ’26 (Old Dominion), and Edouard Laberge ’26 (Emmanuel) are the U19’s first commits of the year. Some of the names might sound familiar, but for those curious, here are the details and facts about these schools.

Hamish Ridell ’26. Photo provided.

Hamish Ridell – Bucknell University (D1)

Riddell, a four-year Northwoodian from Hong Kong, made his commitment to Bucknell before his senior year. Bucknell is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Harrisburg. Bucknell’s team competes at the D1 level, playing in the Patriot League. The program is on the rise, finishing with a 9-4-5 record this season and a 7-7-6 season in 2024. Besides soccer, Bucknell is known for its prominent liberal arts and engineering programs; it has a “smaller” student body, with a population just shy of 4 thousand students. “Bucknell was really just the whole package; they have a good football program, but also solid academics, which for me was always something that had to be present in whichever school I was going to go to.”

Ashton Khory – James Madison University (D1)

Ashton Khory ’26. Photo provided.

The Torontonian “baller” — as he likes to refer to himself—is heading south to Harrisonburg, Virginia. Khory joins a massive student body, one of 23,000 students. An enormous school, more so known for its competitive American football program, has produced a perennially winning soccer program – one with a combined record of 38-33-21 (win, loss, draw) since 2021. “I think for me, my visit solidified JMU as the next destination in my journey. The campus was beautiful, and the faculty I met while there were great. Also, the facilities are top-notch, the weight rooms, the therapy rooms, all those facilities were fantastic.”

Tziyon Morris – Old Dominion University (D1)

Tziyon Morris ’26. Photo provided.

Tziyon “Big Z” Morris has landed in one of the most attractive and stunning institutions in the state of Virginia. Despite missing significant time due to ankle and foot injuries in his junior and senior years, his qualities as a footballer prevailed, and he now finds himself going to a program that competes in the Sun Belt, a competitive division at the D1 level, also a division that will see teammate Ashton Khory play for JMU. ODU, like JMU, has a student body of 20 thousand students. Along with its massive student body, it has an extensive range of undergraduate programs, with over 120. “I’m a social guy, so for me, the chance to go to a big school stood out. Also, I’d say I’ve done my share of time in cold winters, so I’m really looking forward to the warm weather in Virginia.”

Édouard Laberge ’26. Photo provided.

Edouard Laberge – Emmanuel University (D2)

Laberge has his flight booked for Franklin Springs, Georgia, in 2026. Emmanuel – a small but attractive institution – has a student body of less than 1,000 undergrads. The small size doesn’t speak negatively to the quality of the football, as it has posted an above-average performance.500 win percentage since the 2022 season. Edy steps into the goalkeeping room not only as their top goalkeeping recruit but also as a top recruit for the program; he steps into a situation where he will have a very realistic opportunity to start for a winning D2 program as a freshman. “I’m a guy who wants to play, and from my dialogue with the coaches, this is a team that I can play a ton of minutes as a freshman, as long as I keep doing the right things and competing to the level that I’m capable of. Besides the football, being down south will be awesome. I’m very much looking forward to the warm winters.”

Filed Under: People, Sports

Humans of Northwood: Dowon Kim ’26

January 12, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

“If I weren’t playing football, I would probably be playing E-sports. I find that, like, you don’t have to go outside and sweat or push your body physically; it’s more about quick thinking and staying calm under pressure, which I like. I’ve been playing League of Legends for a long time – since I was 9 – so that’s the game I’m best at.

“My hidden talent? I’m really good with spicy food. Some would argue that it isn’t exactly a “talent,” but I believe it is. It also helps me when I’m stressed, because when I am, you can usually find me eating spicy food. ”

“If I could, a piece of life back home that I would include in the US would be how convenient transport is. In Korea, you can get around easily without a car, and there’s always something to do – everything is close by.

“Does pineapple belong on pizza? Personally, I love pineapple on pizza. Sweet and salty together is pretty good – I don’t really have much else to say except that it tastes good.

“Favorite food from the dining hall? Cheeseburger.

“The last thing I’ll say is this: You need to love yourself before loving someone else.”

As told to Gavin Kruger. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

NFL Playoff Picture

December 10, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

If the playoffs ended today, here is how the bracket would be constructed:

Illustration: Yahoo Sports.

Chew on that image while this article talks about some of the teams you can’t see in this bracket.

On the outside looking in

In the NFC, the teams on the outside looking in are the 49ers, the Panthers, and the Vikings. What is curious about the 9ers is that while they are OUT of the playoffs as of now, they have a higher % -77% – to make the playoffs than the Bears, who are IN the playoffs – 44%. Directly below San Fran are the Carolina Panthers, who have a record of 5-5 (.500). The Panthers’ chances of making the playoffs are very low, at 14%. If Carolina is to win their week 11 matchup against the Falcons, their odds will rise to almost 25%, which, while still unlikely, is doable. However, if Carolina loses, they can all but kiss their chances goodbye, as their chances would drop to 7% with a loss to Atlanta. The last “bubble” team that can claim to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs is the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings sit at 4-5 and have a 16% chance of making the playoffs according to Next Gen Stats. The Vikings sit in the middle of the pack in terms of the most brutal remaining schedule, which is neither here nor there. It is essential to note that they play the Bears once, and the Packers twice – the Bears and Packers are 2 and 1.5 games ahead of the Vikings, respectively.

In the AFC, the bubble teams are the Kansas City Chiefs (5-4), the Houston Texans (4-5), and the Baltimore Ravens (4-5). Not many would have put money on the Kansas City Chiefs being out of the playoffs as of week 11; even fewer would have bet they’d be outside the playoffs at any point in the season. However, don’t worry, Chiefs fans; they have a current playoff probability of 71%, which means they are more likely to make the postseason than miss it. KC has a massive game in week 11 against the 8-2 Broncos; a win would ease talk and speculation, while a loss would set off alarm bells. The Texans are up against it; their QB is questionable with a concussion and has no timetable for his return. The Ravens have clawed their way back into playoff contention. At one point, Baltimore was 1-5 and looked like it was finished; they now sit at 4-5, with a very favorable week 11 matchup against the 2-8 Cleveland Browns.

In the picture

Now that you’ve had some time to digest, let’s briefly cover the postseason as currently calculated. Surprisingly, the Seattle Seahawks hold the #1 seed in the NFC, while the Indianapolis Colts have the top spot in the AFC. In the wildcard round, there are divisional rivalries between the Lions and Packers in the NFC and the Bills and Patriots in the AFC East. The current bubble teams are the Bears and Jaguars; the Bears have shown the potential to be a wild-card team, while the Jaguars have shown they can beat any team. That being said, neither instill the masses with a heightened level of confidence, especially with perennial contenders the Chiefs and 49ers breathing down their necks.

Filed Under: Sports

Humans of Northwood: Ashton Khory ‘26

December 5, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

“A quote my dad’s always said to me is as follows: You can’t soar with Eagles when you hang with the Chickens. It just means that if you want to be great in life, you have to surround yourself with people who have high standards. If you spend your time with people who have “average” goals, you will be average – so yeah, I suggest everyone surround themselves with those who are as driven and hardworking as you are and aspire to be.

“Something most don’t know about me is that I have a black belt in karate. I got it when I was 12; I started when I was about 6 or 7. At first, I was there because my dad just threw me into some classes. But in hindsight, I also stuck with it because it taught me things like discipline, controlling my emotions, and being respectful – I think this was why my dad had me take karate.

“You know me – I’m a baller. I’m joking, but if I were to play another sport, it’d be either basketball or football. Basketball, because I’ve grown up watching it, being from the 6, I’ve probably been to over 30 Raptors games. Football, just because I think it fits my personality, and because I enjoy it obviously – If I were to play, I’d be either a receiver or a DB.

“Pineapple does not belong on pizza. Pineapple (fruit) is meant to be had with yogurt, or something cool and fresh – not something hot and gooey and savory. I love pineapple, just not on pizza.

“In my two years, I think I’ve matured as a person a ton. When I first got here, I was an overly cocky and rowdy guy; I wasn’t always the nicest to teammates. I think most of all, I’ve emotionally matured. I used to get angry and lose composure over things and would be out of line, so I think I’ve found that line in showing emotion, but not crossing that line.”

As told to Gavin Kruger ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Moodey and Morris Named Soccer All-Americans

November 12, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

To be a high school all-American is to be one of the best high school soccer players in the country. Of the tens of thousands of athletes, 41 players are selected for the All-American game. According to search engines, there are upwards of 50 thousand “high-level” performers in the country – meaning to be an all-American is to be in the top 0.1% of all athletes in the United States.

Illustration: Black Rock FC/Instagram.

Noah Moodey and Tziyon Morris are the latest to join that top 0.1% – joining a list which includes some of the elite players to play for Northwood – the likes of Sachiel Ming, Mitch Baker, and Liam Doyle.

Their accomplishment is a huge personal milestone, but also a huge celebration for the program as a whole. “Noah was the first player I got to know when I got to Northwood, and I’ve had the chance to coach him and Tz for more than three years and two USL2 seasons,” head Coach Joe Coss said. “Happy to have been part of their journey and excited for what’s to come,” Coss added.

Northwood’s all-Americans will compete in the 15th annual All-American Game in early December, held in South Carolina. It is an opportunity for these top players to showcase their talent and be seen by coaches, both collegiate and club. The game will be broadcast publicly for all to see.

“I think it definitely feels rewarding in a way, but also like there’s more work to do” Moodey said. “That being said, to have everything I’ve worked for up until this point in my life to kind of come to fruition with this honor feels amazing; it really kind of gives hope and fuel to my dream of playing professionally one day, and I hope I can channel this and continue with my growth,” Moodey added.

Unfortunately for Morris, he won’t have the opportunity to actually play in the game due to injury. “It feels great having an honor such as an All-American, which shows me what my work has gotten me,” Morris said. “I know that a lot of people don’t get this award, so I’m very grateful. Not being able to play has obviously got me feeling a little down, but injuries happen, and it’s important that I keep a positive mindset throughout this time,” Morris added.

Lastly, as a teammate of theirs, I would like to take this opportunity to express my excitement and joy for their accomplishment. Neither is flashy, but what makes them such good players and valuable to our team is their grit and willingness to put their bodies on the line every time they’re on the pitch. Usually, the credit and spotlight go to the goal scorers and attackers, rather than the defensive-minded players, whose abilities often go under the radar; so, it’s great to see them receive this type of recognition.

Filed Under: People, Sports, Top Story

Chef Spotlight: Get to Know Chef Patrick

November 7, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

Northwood has had many cooks come and go, though we now have a great team that is hopefully all here to stay. Our chefs work just as hard as any teacher or coach, and are just as important to every student’s success; yet, they don’t receive the same praise and credit. In this inaugural article of Chef Spotlight, you will get to know Chef Patrick.

Chef Patrick. Photo by Gavin Kruger ’26.

Do you have a favorite NFL team?

“I’m a [Tennessee] Titans fan, unfortunately – It’s been that way since I was 7 years old. When I was a kid, I really liked Eddie George and Steve McNair; I really liked some of their old-school players. But I also really liked their uniforms, and on top of that, I was given number 27 on my first flag football team, which was Eddie George’s number and also my dad’s birthday (February 27^th).”

Who’s your favorite Titan of all time, and your current favorite?

“Right now, it’s tough to have a favorite player because the team is so bad, but I’m really excited for Cam Ward. I think he has the potential to become something special. Of all time? Eddie George. I have to mention Derrick Henry because of how good he was for a while, but yeah.”

What is your hidden talent/a hobby that people don’t know about?

“A hobby of mine that I picked up is disc golf. I picked up a few years ago, I used to be a golfer – I still have my clubs, actually – but disc golf is just kind of my thing now. I mean, it’s free at most places, and I just get to go out with my disc and play; it’s awesome.”

What is the hardest part of cooking for so many people, and what is the most rewarding part?

“The hardest part is getting the food out right. What I mean by that is that you don’t want to make too much food and end up with waste, but obviously, it sucks when we run out and you guys are coming up for food, and we have to say, ‘Hey, sorry, we ran out.’ That’s always a bad feeling. The most rewarding thing is when we do take the time to make something nice, and you guys keep coming up and are like, ‘Hey, this is awesome,’ or ‘This is great,’ that always feels awesome, that’s definitely the most rewarding part.”

Interesting fact

During our chat, Patrick touched on his time as a “short order” cook, as well as his experience working at local steakhouse, Smoke Signals. “A short order cook is a cook who works in traditional restaurants; traditional being restaurants that you go to eat at for a night out. You sit down, order food, and it comes relatively quickly, right? That can be a lot more difficult; having the ticket machine go off every 5 seconds is pretty stressful – it’s a relentless job on busy evenings.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Premier League Roundup through Nine Weeks

November 4, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

Nine game weeks into the 2025-26 Premier League season, the chips have fallen in some very unexpected ways. The contenders have set the pace – though some big names have fallen slightly behind – while the newly promoted sides have shown some real character through the opening nine fixtures.

The unexpected: Newly promoted Sunderland, Bournemouth leading the pack, Liverpool struggles, Nottingham Forest disaster

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo celebrating a goal against Liverpool. Photo: sports.yahoo.com.

These four teams have produced the most shocking set of nine results among all 20 teams. Newly promoted Sunderland sit FOURTH in the table; in fact, there have only been five newly promoted sides who have scored more points than Sunderland through 9 games – ever. This success can be attributed to the Black Cat’s summer spending; they spent 187 million pounds in the summer window, bringing in 14 players. It will be interesting to see how they continue, with doubts about the long-term reliability of their counter-attacking style of play, but for now, they sit in the top four.

In a similar fashion, Bournemouth shocked everyone – including themselves – by being second in the table through the opening stretch. Led by attacking Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth’s only loss came in game week one against defending champions Liverpool.

On the other hand, two top teams from last season have underperformed so far: Liverpool and Forest. Whilst they do only find themselves two points outside the top four, Liverpool have lost four Premier League games on the bounce. Star winger Mohamed Salah has been the invisible man, having found the back of the net a mere three times in nine starts. Might there be long-term issues brewing in Liverpool? We will see.

Arguably, the most shocking start to a team’s season is Nottingham Forest’s dreadful set of opening fixtures; they are in a disaster. For a team that qualified for Europe last season, to be on their third manager in nine league games is a terrifying reality for the fans. After sacking manager Nuno Santos, Forest appointed Ange Postecoglou, who managed two points of a possible 24 in his 8 games at Forest, before ultimately getting the sack. Forest has since hired the highly respected manager Sean Dyche in their hunt to stay alive in the Premier League.

The Newly promoted sides: Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley.

Newly promoted Sunderland AFC is celebrating after a goal against Brentford. Photo: rocker report.

It has been years since all three promoted sides started a season, and these three have done so as well. As previously mentioned, Sunderland has been outstanding, while Leeds and Burnley have exceeded everyone’s expectations in their own right. All three teams sit outside the relegation zone and have recorded some good results against solid opposition. The promoted sides’ success will make for an enthralling battle to stay alive in the league, as household names such as West Ham and Wolves are now under considerable pressure.

Filed Under: Sports

NFL Midseason Talking Points

October 27, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

As the midway point of the season nears, teams are forced to come to terms with their situation; everyone becomes either a buyer or a seller. Over the last 7 weeks, some teams have surprised everyone – In the New England Patriots Case, they have been a pleasant surprise, while others, such as the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens, have treated fans to ugly performances all season long. This article delves into a few teams that have exceeded expectations and a few that have woefully disappointed their fan base.

On the bright side: New England Patriots (5-2)

Photo: rotoballer.com

New England had itself a modest off-season this year. They made a lot of good, functional signings – but no big splashes. Because of this, most wrote them off before the year started, figuring that a team with a 4-13 record in 2024 would remain an AFC bottom-feeder. Very contrary to expectations, the Patriots are currently top of their division and have a record of 5-2; joint second in the AFC.

What’s gone well?

New England isn’t the fancy caviar that everyone looks forward to on the menu; instead, they’ve been the quality burger that consistently gets the job done. Outstanding quarterback play, along with a “bend but don’t break” defense, has catapulted this franchise to the top of the conference. Through 6 games, Quarterback Drake Maye has averaged 249 pass yards per game, while throwing for 12 touchdowns and only being picked off twice. Those numbers are on par with the likes of Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes. On the other side of the ball, the Patriot defense ranks 5^th best in points allowed per game (19) – they’ve given up more than 20 points only once this season – while ranking 8^th in takeaways (9).

Photo: pewterreport.com

On the Bright side: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)

Baker Mayfield is that dude. Through 6 games, Mayfield is 4^th in passing yards, 4^th in passing touchdowns, and has thrown for the fewest interceptions of any quarterback to start five games or more, being picked off just once. Another bright spot for Tampa has been rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who sits 5^th in receiving yards and joint 3^rd in touchdowns. Though they don’t have a defense capable of keeping teams out of the endzone, they have an offense that opposing defenses can’t stop either.

What’s gone well?

Tampa’s gamble on Baker Mayfield a few years ago is paying huge dividends. The front office deserves a lot of credit for having surrounded Mayfield with pass catchers and an O-line that will keep him upright.

In the bin: The Miami Dolphins (1-6)

Photo: NFL.com

The Miami Dolphins began the season with big aspirations. They have some of the flashiest assets in the NFL, but flashy doesn’t translate to performance. In Many’s eyes, the Dolphins’ makeup was all wrong from the beginning. Those who doubted Miami have been proved right; this team hasn’t produced anything positive—they sit 26th in offensive points per game and 29^th in points allowed per game. They currently have one of the worst records in the NFL and will almost certainly miss the playoffs.

What’s gone wrong?

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been inconsistent and turnover-prone all season long. Furthermore, one could mistake the defense for a block of Swiss cheese because there are holes everywhere – and to cap it all off, their best player suffered one of the worst leg injuries we’ve seen since Dak Prescott went down 5 years ago against the Giants. In fairness, the Dolphins have been on the wrong side of some close games—losing three by 6 points—though they have been a bad team overall.

Photo: espn.com

In the bin: The Baltimore Ravens (1-5)

Nobody on earth would have guessed that the Baltimore Ravens would find themselves in danger of missing the playoffs this early in the season. Unlike most teams struggling, the Ravens’ 1-5 record is more attributable to being without two-time MVP Lamar Jackson than to a lack of talent or ability. Through the first three games with Lamar, Baltimore suffered a narrow defeat to the Bills in week one, bounced back in week two, and then lost a one-point game to Detroit. In week 4, they played the Chiefs, where they would lose Lamar midway through the game. Since the absence of Jackson, the Ravens have been trounced by both the Texans and the Rams.

What’s gone wrong?

The Ravens’ only glaring issue that can be attributed to not having Lamar Jackson is their defense. On paper, they have one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Despite this, they have allowed the most points per game of any team in the league and have given up the 5th-most passing yards per game. Essentially, Baltimore is 1-5 because they don’t have a quarterback, and their defense is atrocious.

Filed Under: Sports

Humans of Northwood: Thiago Cesar ‘26

October 19, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

“I’m a hooper. I would play Basketball if I weren’t playing football. Growing up, there’s always been a hoop next to my house that my brother and I would go play on – It’s not a very popular sport in Brazil, but I’ve grown up playing it and I enjoy it a lot. What position would I play? I’d be a shooting guard. In terms of who my team is, I would consider myself a Warriors fan.

“My piece of advice is I would say to never quit – to always believe in yourself. A lot of people say it, but it’s true. If you’re consistent with your values, if you trust yourself and keep pushing hard, someday you’re gonna make it.

“My favorite football (soccer) club in the world is Sao Paulo. It is where I’m from, so obviously I support them. They are the best team in Brazil; they’ve won the most titles. What I most appreciate about them is that they are a team with no star players, but just humble guys who’ve worked their way to success, sort of like our U19s.

“How many 4-year-olds would it take to tackle me to the ground? Mmmmmm, I’d say 30 probably. If the situation were that they were all coming at once, 30 would be too many for me to fight off, and they would eventually pile onto me.

“Something about Brazil that I like a lot more than in the US is some of the food. Back home, the food is better. Specifically, there is a dish called Feijoada; it’s a typical food that’s like rice, beans, and pork.

“If I were to be an animal, I’d be a pigeon. It sounds weird, but I’d like to fly.”

As told to Gavin Kruger. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

NFL: Week 4 Highlights

October 18, 2025 by Gavin Kruger

Here are some of the big stories from week 4 of the NFL season.

Dolphins win despite losing wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the season.

Hill, pictured being carted off the field. Photo: Sports Illustrated

The Jets and Dolphins – both winless after three games – battled it out on Monday Night Football. Though both teams were searching for their first win, it wasn’t due to a lack of talent, making for a great game. The way the game unfolded was rather emblematic of both teams. By and large, the Jets’ offense had several convincing drives down the field; however, the Jets did Jet things, and by the end of the fourth quarter, they recorded three fumbles, all of which the Dolphins recovered. The Dolphins executed rather well in this game, relative to their play so far this season. Their defense made big plays, and their run game was effective.

Tyreek Hill Injury:

Despite the game being mildly entertaining, the news of this game is the injury to star Tyreek Hill. In the third quarter, the Fins’ wide receiver went down with a gruesome leg injury. He was carted off the field, put in an air cast, and transported to the hospital. It has since been confirmed that he suffered a dislocated knee and multiple ligament tears, including a torn ACL. It is not an overreaction to say that the Fins’ outlook beyond this game is very uncertain. Their best player has been ruled out for the season; Miami has an option to get out of his current contract next season, and at 31 years old, he will only regress going forward. Needless to say, this injury is catastrophic for the Dolphins.

Trouble in Bengal land – Where do they go from here?

Bengals QB Jake Browning being sacked vs the Broncos. Photo: Yahoo Sports

The week 4 Bengals were identical to the week 3 Bengals: They were without Joe Burrow, and they got destroyed. They walked into the Mile High and left with 3 points for and 28 against. Their defense was Swiss cheese; they gave up 326 yards passing, 186 yards rushing, and a whopping 29 first downs. The offense didn’t perform much better. The most concerning department in this team is the offensive line; it is dreadful. The O-line is a culmination of the managerial mishaps the Bengals have made in recent years – they covered it up for a while, but everything comes to light at one point or another.

The question is, what do the Bengal’s do? Their franchise quarterback is out for the next 3 months, and their playoff hopes will continue to plummet each week they do not have him. In my eyes, they need to make some deals to restructure their team and their salary cap. To some, trading wide receiver Tee Higgins away may be controversial; however, dealing him away would be their best chance to acquire an impact defensive player and get some salary cap relief.

Jaxson Dart and the Giants.

Malik Nabers was injured in the game. Photo: NBC Sports Boston.

After week 3, head coach Brian Daboll made a change that many had been clamoring for: start Jaxson Dart. The first-round rookie shows the type of flash and execution that you see in many of the league’s top quarterbacks. In his first NFL start, Dart performed very well. While he only threw for 111 yards and a touchdown, he ran for 54 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he dealt with pressure well enough, despite being sacked five times. Though they are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, the New York Giants are on the come-up.

Unfortunately for the Giants, they lost star wide receiver Malik Nabers to injury, who has now been ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL. Nabers’ injury is a big blow to New York, and we will see how significantly that will impact them going forward.

The Chiefs are… Back?

Jones, pictured, during the national anthem ahead of Ravens’ matchup. Photo: People.com

Social media’s negative buzz surrounding the Chiefs can be discarded. Kansas City outclassed the Ravens in week 4. Sure, Lamar Jackson came out of the game in the third quarter, but the Chiefs had been controlling the game up to that point. Chiefs’ QB Mahomes threw for 4 touchdowns on the day, and the return of Xavier Worthy was huge for KC. A notable contributor to this game was Chris Jones, who came directly from a funeral before the game, touching down in Kansas City 45 minutes before kickoff. He was escorted by police to the stadium and missed warmups, but suited up and played.

The Ravens fall to 1-3, now in a bit of a hole. Though they are behind the proverbial “8-ball,” they will be fine and will be in the playoffs come week 17.