Longtime starting pitcher Kyle Gibson announces retirement from MLB after short-lived 2025 season

Longtime starting pitcher Kyle Gibson announces retirement from MLB after short-lived 2025 season

Two months after the Baltimore Orioles released longtime starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, he announced that he's closed the book on his 13-season MLB career. Gibson, 37, revealed Thursday on the "Serving It Up" podcast he's decided to end his professional baseball career. The righty entered this year with 10 straight seasons — excluding the pandemic-affected 2020 campaign — where he had logged at least 147 innings pitched. In fact, he's recorded the seventh-most innings among all MLB pitchers since 2013. Also in that span, he's second behind only Max Scherzer in total starts on the mound. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is narrowly ahead with 329, whereas Gibson finished his career with 328 starts in the majors. Gibson played for five teams: the Minnesota Twins (2013-19), Texas Rangers (2020-21), Philadelphia Phillies (2021-22), Baltimore Orioles (2023, 2025) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2024). His longest stay was with the Twins, who selected him in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft following an impressive career at the University of Missouri. Tommy John surgery pressed pause on Gibson's journey to the majors, however, he eventually made his debut at 25 years old in 2013. In his seven seasons with the Twins, Gibson posted a 67-68 record and 4.52 ERA. He walked as a free agent after the 2019 season and signed with the Texas Rangers, for whom he earned his first and only trip to the MLB All-Star Game. Gibson received that honor in 2021, a season in which he was ultimately dealt to the Phillies at the deadline. Before that trade, though, the Greenfield, Indiana, native was 6-3 with a 2.87 ERA. His Rangers numbers were even better prior to the All-Star break. Leading up to the Midsummer Classic that year, he was 6-1 with a 2.29 ERA in his first 17 starts. Gibson didn't achieve the same success with the Phillies. Then his ERA stayed above 4.0 with the Orioles in 2023 and the Cardinals in 2024, although he did win a career-high 15 games during his first go-around in Baltimore as the club won 101 regular-season games and an AL East title. Excited to return to the Orioles, Gibson signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal with Baltimore in March. Unfortunately for the veteran pitcher, his reunion was short-lived. In his four starts with the team this season, he went 0-3 with a 16.78 ERA. He was released in mid-May. Although he went on to sign a minor-league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, he didn't make it back to the big leagues this summer. A tough 2025 doesn't diminish an otherwise consistently productive MLB career for Gibson, who made more than $70 million while clocking out with a 112-111 record and 4.60 ERA in 1,878 innings.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Longtime starting pitcher Kyle Gibson announces retirement from MLB after short-lived 2025 season

Longtime starting pitcher Kyle Gibson announces retirement from MLB after short-lived 2025 season Two months after the Baltimore Orioles rel...

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T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by $123M extension?

T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by $123M extension?

One of the more prominent and previously outstanding matters of league-wide NFL businessahead of training camps, which open en massenext week, was checked off the list Thursday afternoon whenPittsburgh Steelerssuperstar pass rusherT.J. Watt agreed to a long-awaited contract extension, per reports, with the only professional team he's ever known. And while this deal was largely expected to materialize at some point this summer and may not necessarily create a seismic impact throughout the football world, it could have some broader implications than you might think. So we thought about it and now present you with the winners and losers from Watt's big bag of loot: But of course. His three-year, $123 million extension makes him the top-paid non-quarterback in league history, in terms of average annual value, for thesecondtime in his career. It also means Watt, 30, will almost certainly finish out his football days with the Steelers, who drafted the eventual four-time All-Pro and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year 30th overall in 2017. Pittsburgh's all-time leader with 108 career sacks, Watt is currently sixth among active players but could vault all the way up to second with one of his typically dominant seasons in 2025. He's certainly got 123 million reasons worth of incentives to do so. The conclusion of negotiations with Watt would seem to mark the end of a wildly successful offseason, one when the Steelers' longtime head coach andrecently extended general manager, respectively, practiced patience while fans and some league observers practiced panic. But now Watt has returned to the fold, which he always seemed destined to do, and will soon meet new teammates likeQB Aaron Rodgers, who also took his sweet timesigning on, WR DK Metcalf, DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith along with the incoming rookie class. Expectations are justifiably growing fora team that hasn't won a playoff gamesince the 2016 season. The perennial Pro Bowler was acquired (along with Smith) at the end of Junein a summertime blockbuster that reshapesthe back end of Pittsburgh's defense with S Minkah Fitzpatrick headed back to the Miami Dolphins. It's currently unclear as to how Ramsey might divide his time between covering receivers out wide, manning the slot or even putting in some work at safety with Fitzpatrick out of the picture. What is certain is that Ramsey's best years were spent with the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring four years ago and was consistently at the top of his game playing behinddemonic Aaron Donald, who caused so much havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Watt might notquitebe Donald, but his presence is almost certain to benefit Ramsey, whether it means less time required in coverage, more opportunities to go ball hawking or even the ability to freelance more once he's comfortable in his new system and surroundings. With Watt's contract done, it's almost certainly just a matter of time before the Dallas Cowboys' top defender − and one of the NFL's very best − becomes the next top-paid non-quarterback of all time, whether it's for $41.1 million a year, $44 million or whatever. But Parsons' money is coming, and his boss, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is probably only too happy to generate that headline in due course now that he basically knows where the target is. (Also, Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson stands to benefit − at some point − from Watt's newly realized riches, though he might be waiting longer given his rookie deal doesn't expire until after the 2026 season.) Bro, why are you signing this paper now? It's supposed to be in the high 80s, humid and wet when you report to training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, six days from now – where you'll be moving into dorm rooms at Saint Vincent College. And if that's not a darkness retreat ... (Also, if the answer is evading compulsory fines for missing camp, I'd like to introduce you to Michael Strahan. But I digress.) Watt mustreallybe missing his buddies after skipping the Steelers' offseason training program given he could have let this drag out another couple weeks while holding in or even simply remaining at the crib or beach or wherever. In addition, no chancebrothers J.J.and Derek are ever picking up another dinner check. They have yet to placate their own holdout pass rusher, All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson waiting for his financial situation to be resolved. Hendrickson, 30, who has 35 sacks over the past two seasons – 4½ more than Watt over the same period – hasn't necessarily been looking to reset the market. But given he's due to make $16 million in the final year of his deal, it's apparent to him and anyone else outside of Cincinnati that he's (over)due for a raise and isn't merely 39% the player Watt is (when you crunch the salary figures anyway). And given how everything is seemingly falling into place in Pittsburgh – and already was basically set in Baltimore – the Bengals would be doing little more than undercutting their playoff hopes yet again by letting business matters impede their football operation.Pay the man. Feels like it was just five minutes ago that he became the first non-quarterback to break the $40 million per year contractual barrier. Then he was overtaken by Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase and now Watt, who both play for (better) division rivals of Garrett'sCleveland Browns. And, after explicitly stating he was the league's best defensive player last season after the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland – a remark clearly directed at Watt – doesn't it have to irk Garrett just a little bit that he's now the second-best paid defender ... and for a team that's probably going to stink? The Steelers' Week 1 opponents will now be catching the full T.J. Watt Experience as they unveil an offense led by new QB1(and former Steeler) Justin Fields. Andjust when the NYJ might have started to hopethey'd be catching a guy trying to knock off rust and possibly playing on an opening day pitch count given how negotiations can sometimes drag late into the process with Pittsburgh players … The Steelers are Watt's team, and he's been the face of this franchise for a minute … though maybe you could argue it's actually Tomlin. Regardless, Rodgers will definitely bethestory as long as he's amongst the yinzers, and the spotlight is about to be completely re-trained onto the four-time league MVP. No more time spent fretting about Watt's bank account or whereabouts or questions posed to Rodgers about what No. 90 means to the team and how important it is to reward him. Nope, nope, nope. This is now all about No. 8 and what he can do to end Pittsburgh's playoff failures and stabilize a position – temporarily anyway – that has effectively undermined this team since even before Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022. Have fun with that, Mr. Rodgers! All NFL news on and off the field.Sign upfor USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:TJ Watt contract: Winners, losers after Steelers star gets extension

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by $123M extension?

T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by $123M extension? One of the more prominent and previously outstanding m...

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Kate Beckinsale mourns the death of her mother, actress Judy Loe: 'I am paralysed'

Kate Beckinsale mourns the death of her mother, actress Judy Loe: 'I am paralysed'

Peter Jordan - PA Images/getty Kate Beckinsaleis mourning the death of her mother, actress Judy Loe. TheUnderworldstar announced her mom's deathin a social media poston Thursday. Loe was 78 and had endured a long battle with cancer. "She died the night of July 15th in my arms after immeasurable suffering," Beckinsale wrote. "I have not picked all the best photos, nor the best videos, because I cannot bear to go through my camera roll yet. I deeply apologise to any of her friends who are finding out this way or through the press, but I cannot go through her phone. I am paralysed." The actress expressed immense sorrow at having to share the news. "I don't want to post this," she wrote. "I am only posting this because I have had to register my mother's death certificate and it will soon become public record." After studying English and drama at the University of Birmingham, Loe began her acting career as an original member of the British production of the rock musicalHairin 1970. She later appeared on the British TV showsEdward the Seventh,Goodnight and God Bless,Space Island One, andCasualty. She also acted on the British version ofGeneral Hospital, and had a small role inMonty Python's The Meaning of Life. Her final screen appearance came in a 2024 episode of the thriller seriesFool Me Once. Beckinsale reflected on her mother's influence in her Instagram post. Colin Davey/Getty "Jude was the compass of my life, the love of my life, my dearest friend," she wrote. "The vastness and huge heart of this tiny woman has touched so many people who love her dearly. She has been brave in so many ways, forgiving sometimes too much, believing in the ultimate good in people, and the world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear ." TheLove & Friendshipstar had revealed her mother's stage 4 cancer diagnosis in comments of a now-deleted video she posted on July 8, 2024,PEOPLE reported. Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Loe married actor Richard Beckinsale in 1977, four years after their daughter's birth in 1973. The actor died unexpectedly in 1979 at age 31, and Loe later married British TV director Roy Battersby in 1997. Battersby, who helmed TV crime dramas includingBetween the LinesandA Touch of Frost,died in January 2024. "I have no words yet," Beckinsale wrote on Instagram at the time. "I fought for you with everything I had. Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost." Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Kate Beckinsale mourns the death of her mother, actress Judy Loe: 'I am paralysed'

Kate Beckinsale mourns the death of her mother, actress Judy Loe: 'I am paralysed' Peter Jordan - PA Images/getty Kate Beckinsaleis ...

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Ex-Guns N’ Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Rose

Ex-Guns N' Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Rose

Ex-Guns N' Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Roseoriginally appeared onParade. There's no denying thatGuns N' RosesmanagerAlan Nivenhad his work cut out for him with the antics ofAxl Rose,Slash,Duff McKagan,Izzy StradlinandSteven Adlerduring their wildest days. Now, in a new interview, Niven revealed that he actually paid big bucks to have nothing more to do with Rose after the frontman fired him in 1991. "Did I see it coming? No. Was I surprised? No," Niven said regarding the phone call from Rose in an interview withLouder Soundpublished on July 13. "It would have been classy to have had dinner and agreed to go our separate ways, acknowledged with honor what we achieved together, but Axl is Axl. Thank God he gave himself to rock'n'roll and he's not a despot running a country." He continued, "I paid millions to get Axl out of my life. And here's how: I had a 17 percent commission in perpetuity. That means that anything released, mastered or negotiated during the term of my contract was commissionable forever." Niven added that his contract, which began in 1986, was renewed for three more years in 1989. However, his relationship with Rose began to deteriorate and Niven was let go in '91. "At the time it was renewed I was offered a raise to 20 percent. I turned it down. Axl fired me in '91. That means that the sales ofAppetite for Destruction,LiesandUse Your Illusionwere all commissionable – forever," Niven explained. "To get Axl out of my life, I sold those rights back to the band for $3.5 million. I did not want to deal with him again. Now that's a decent chunk of change, but Geffen [Records] had only paid royalties on about five million albums total at that time. Imagine how much I had still coming." He concluded by saying that the settlement was "not anywhere close" to what he was truly owed, but "that's how burnt out and disillusioned" he was by then. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Ex-Guns N' Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Rosefirst appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Ex-Guns N’ Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Rose

Ex-Guns N' Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Millions' Just to Be Rid of Axl Rose Ex-Guns N' Roses Manager Says He 'Paid Milli...

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Daredevil Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident in Italy

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident in Italy

Felix Baumgartner, the daredevil who made a record-breaking parachute jump from the stratosphere in 2012, died Thursday in a paragliding accident in Italy, a local mayor confirmed. Firefighters who responded to the scene said they found a paraglider that had crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio, on central Italy's eastern coast. "Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight," the town's Mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, said onFacebook. Baumgartner, 56, made global headlinesin 2012when he was lifted into the stratosphere, about 24 miles up, in a capsule carried by a helium balloon, and then parachuted down to a landing in New Mexico. During the jump, he broke the record for fastest free fall, descending at about 843.6 mph and becoming the first human to break the sound barrier without the assistance of a vehicle. Originally from Austria, Baumgartner began skydiving at age 16 and further honed his skills in the Austrian military, according to his personal website. In 1988, he teamed up with Red Bull, which sponsored the stratosphere jump under the Stratos project and many other daring feats. The training and planning for the 2012 Stratos jump took five years. Among the records Baumgartner would break that day was highest jump, which had been held by Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger since 1960, when he leapt from an open-air gondola basket that rose to 102,000 feet. Kittinger would go on to train Baumgartner for the record-breaking Stratos jump. (Baumgartner's height record was broken two years later.) In addition to skydiving, Baumgartner was an accomplished BASE jumper, breaking two records in 1999: Highest BASE jump and lowest BASE jump. The low jump, which he took from one of the hands of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, was only 95 feet. The high jump was taken from the 88th floor of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, although that record has since been broken and is currently held by the late Valery Rozov, who jumped from Cho Oyu in 2016. Baumgartner was also a helicopter pilot and was part of Red Bull's aerial acrobatics team. "Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to jump out of a plane," Baumgartner told Red Bull in an interview after becoming a licensed helicopter pilot. "For Red Bull Stratos, we had a very long list of 'what ifs,' in other words eventualities that could happen and how we would deal with them in an emergency. The list kept getting longer and longer. I was only afraid of the things that were not on the list. The things we had not thought of," he told Red Bull, adding, "to this day, I abort missions if the conditions are not right." While Baumgartner's stunts inspired millions, his political views were known to cause controversy. On social media, he mocked climate activists and others who sought to limit the effects of climate change, and voiced opposition to LGBTQ rights, according to the AFP news agency. He alsoonce suggestedHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-immigration policies. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Wall Street Journal reports Trump sent "bawdy" birthday letter to Epstein, Trump threatens to sue 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident in Italy

Daredevil Felix Baumgartner dies in paragliding accident in Italy Felix Baumgartner, the daredevil who made a record-breaking parachute jump...

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Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again after ugly start: 'I remember everything'

Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again after ugly start: 'I remember everything'

NEW YORK — On a roster which includes the iconicAaron Judge, and fellow All-StarsJazz Chisholm Jr.andMax Fried, perhaps the most pivotal player in theNew York Yankees' pursuit of a 28th World Series championship just may beDevin Williams. After some rough patches, Williams, a two-time All-Star and 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, has been on a roll – reclaiming the closer spot, and in the process displaying the moxie which enticed the Bombers to acquire him from the Brewers in December. Williams started his Yankees career off poorly with a 9.00 ERA through his first 12 outings (10 earned runs in 10 innings), nothing like the 1.83 ERA he posted across his first 241 career games. He lost the Yankees' ninth-inning job temporarily, but has looked like himself in recent weeks, racking up 33 strikeouts to just four walks with a 1.90 ERA in his last 25 games, notching nine saves and five holds. Closing inherently forces you to face excruciating losses head on. But, contrary to the popular belief that the closer must possess a short memory, Williams digests each of his outings. "I remember everything – good or bad," Williams told USA TODAY Sports. "It's being able to compartmentalize and move on from that more so than necessarily having a short memory." It was a big adjustment moving from Milwaukee to starring on the brightest stage in New York. "I think the outside noise can obviously be louder here," said Williams. "That's just New York in general. There (are) more opinions here, and if you feed into that, it can lock you up mentally. I think that's what the good ones do - they just block out everything." And while there have been vocal detractors, fans and media alike, Williams seems mostly happy with the way he has been received, "It's been good and bad, (but) for the most part it's been good," said Williams. "In person, people are very encouraging." Williams said that encouragement has positively impacted his play. "I always have a little bit of butterflies in every appearance until I get to the mound and throw my first warmup pitch, and then I'm good," said Williams. "They (the fans) bring a lot of energy and I feed off of that. I feel like internally I'm very amped up, but on the outside, it looks very calm, almost nonchalant, I guess. But yeah, definitely, I feed off the energy they have here." Of late, the performances from the man dubbed "The Airbender" because of his signature changeup, have provided the Yankees faithful with a myriad of reasons to supply additional energy. "I'm extremely confident," said Williams. "I think it took a little bit of an adjustment period here – wanting to show what I can do, how I can help. I think I just tried to do a little too much and kind of lost who I was in the process. I've gotten back to that over the last two and a half months." Yankees broadcaster Paul O'Neill noticed the change in Williams, and is bullish on the future of the 30-year-old St. Louis native. "He's in a much better spot now than he was earlier in the year," said O'Neill, who began his career in Cincinnati, before winning four World Series with the Yankees. "There's always a transition coming to New York, but believe me, I think coming down the stretch here, he's going to be as good as ever." Williams' dominance is linked to his primary pitches – the masterful changeup, which features an extremely high spin rate, and an effective fastball. His impressive arsenal of pitches, which also includes a cutter and sinker, has allowed Williams to post strikeout rates of around 40% during the past three full seasons. "I didn't have very good numbers (against) him," said Yankees teammate Paul Goldschmidt, who is 1-for-10 with six strikeouts against Williams. "That changeup obviously is his calling card, but he throws 95 miles an hour too. He does a good job of keeping you off balance." Goldschmidt called Williams "a great teammate," and the reliever has been thrilled to team up with the seven-time All-Star first baseman, as well as the rest of his Yankees teammates in New York. "I am happy, I love New York City," said Williams. Still, it may be one and done for Williams in New York. He will be an free agent after this season, and what his 2026 work address will be is anybody's guess. But while he is here, Williams will work hard to have his New York tenure remembered less for being the guy who busted theYankees-imposed beard ban, and more for closing big games. "I would love to be the guy to finish off the World Series; and bring another championship to New York" said Williams. "That's the goal, right?" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again: Ace closer had ugly 2025 stats

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again after ugly start: 'I remember everything'

Yankees' Devin Williams dominant again after ugly start: 'I remember everything' NEW YORK — On a roster which includes the iconi...

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NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18

NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18

NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18originally appeared onParade. Get excited—there's another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already playWordle,Connections,Strandsand theMini Crosswordnow have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.So, if you're looking for some hints and answers for today's Connections Sports Edition on Friday, July 18, 2025, you've come to the right place. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it's a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It's up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total. This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic. As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you "group sports terms that share a common thread." Related:The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings. Yellow:Check the score. Green:To be defeated. Blue:Highly celebrated name. Purple:The one that'snotDC. OK, time for a second hint…we'll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below! Yellow:MLB TEAMS, ON SCOREBOARDS Green:TEAMS TO LOSE THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2025 Blue:FAMOUS JACKIES Purple:TEAMS AND PLAYERS WHO SHARE NICKNAMES WITH MARVEL CHARACTERS If you're looking for the answers, no worries—we've got them below. So, don't scroll any further if you don't want to see the solutions!The answers to today's Connections Sports Edition #298 are coming up next.Related:15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day MLB TEAMS, ON SCOREBOARDS:LAD, MIL, PIT, TEX TEAMS TO LOSE THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2025:EDMONTON, INDIANA, KANSAS CITY, NOTRE DAME FAMOUS JACKIES:BRADLEY, JOYNER-KERSEE, ROBINSON, YOUNG TEAMS AND PLAYERS WHO SHARE NICKNAMES WITH MARVEL CHARACTERS:IOWA, MICHIGAN, PULISIC, RIPKEN Don't worry if you didn't get them this time—we've all been there.Up next,catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles. Related: Shoppers 'Highly Recommend' Target's 'Really Cute' $10 Set of Stoneware Canisters NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18first appeared on Parade on Jul 18, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18

NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Friday, July 18 NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Frid...

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Husband Throws Surprise Birthday Party for Wife. Then Stuns Guests with a Pregnancy Reveal (Exclusive)

Husband Throws Surprise Birthday Party for Wife. Then Stuns Guests with a Pregnancy Reveal (Exclusive)

TheCoughlins/TikTok Carter Coughlin wanted to celebrate his wife's birthday in a meaningful way, but the final slide of her tribute video revealed a life-changing twist The couple's creative pregnancy announcement left guests in tears, and when the video hit TikTok, it quickly resonated with users From a faith-filled Instagram message to marriage and now parenthood, Carter and Yossiana share with PEOPLE the story behind their TikTok and what comes next Carter Coughlin, an NFL athlete, is no stranger to orchestrating unforgettable moments, but this time he truly outdid himself. When he planned a surprise party to celebrate his wife Yossiana's birthday, little did their loved ones know the celebration would take an unexpected turn and that the heartfelt reveal would soon go viral on TikTok, capturing the joy of a life-changing announcement. "Prior to the surprise party, we had been going back and forth on how we wanted to share with our friends and family that we were expecting a baby," Carter tells PEOPLE. "I just had this thought. What if I put together a slideshow that shows Yossi from little Yossi all the way to the beautiful woman she is now, and then at the end, just throw in a picture of us with the pregnancy test?" The TikTokvideocapturing that unforgettable moment begins as a tribute to Yossiana's life. But as the slideshow ends, the final frame reveals the couple's biggest news yet: they're expecting. Yossiana, a former professional volleyball player herself, admits she was caught completely off guard. "Well, first of all, I was shook. I was like, oh my gosh, what is going on?" she shares. Carter had planned every detail. Knowing he needed her go-ahead, he created two versions of the video, one with the pregnancy reveal and one without. "I was expecting to help Carter move a couple things out of his old room at his parents' house," Yossiana recalls. "And then he told me, 'Hey, I have a surprise for you, but I also think it's a really good time to tell everyone. All our friends are here, family is here,' and I'm like, heck yeah, this is the perfect time." The lights dimmed, and guests gathered, unaware that their cheers for Yossiana's birthday would soon turn into joyful tears. Carter recorded the moment as their loved ones watched the final slide flicker into view. Matt Swensen "I was holding the phone on the screen, and then eventually I panned to everybody," Carter shares. "It was just kind of like that anticipation building up, and then you see the screen flash, and then everybody's losing their mind." For Yossiana, watching the reactions unfold was a gift of its own. "As soon as it was getting to the end, I was just like, oh my gosh, what's this person's reaction going to be?" she says. "Just super excited for them to be excited." The clip was captioned, "Surprising the surprisers was next level!!! My wife's birthday was back in April and I figured (with her permission at the party) there was no better time to share the news!" One reaction stood out to Carter immediately. "Thomas, who I was recording, all of a sudden grabbed me from above and started slapping me screaming," he recalls with a grin. "He was super excited." Yossiana points to her sister-in-law, Maya, as her favorite. "She was just like, oh, and then just started crying, just a mix of emotion, super happy and just overjoyed," she says. "So hers was my favorite, but Thomas is definitely a close second." The couple didn't expect the post to take off the way it did. "We didn't have a TikTok until Christmas," Carter says. "It really just started with us doing a lot of fun stuff together and then sharing it on social media." Their TikTok moment marked a new chapter in how they share their lives publicly. "Thankfully, we have some funny family members that make the actual content, so we don't really have to move," Yossiana says. "But yeah, it's new, it's fun, and we enjoy doing fun things, so why not share it?" Still, they remain mindful about what parts of their lives they keep offline. "If I don't care for my grandma to find out something — she talks a lot, the news will spread all the way to Japan — then I'll put it online," Yossiana says with a smile. Their guiding principle is authenticity. "We don't like to be film happy every single moment," Carter explains. "Most of our videos come from natural moments that we just happen to record." The couple met in 2021 after Carter, drawn to Yossiana's Christian testimony in a video, sent her a direct message on Instagram. "He used my full government name," Yossiana jokes. "I was like, who is this?" Matt Swensen What started as a simple request for her to share her story of faith turned into deep conversations. "It was the coolest conversation ever with a complete stranger," Carter says. "Then she texted me a couple days later and said, 'I decided to go all in on my faith.' " The bond deepened quickly, even as their schedules as professional athletes pulled them across time zones. "Logically, it did not make sense," Carter admits. "But we were both just like, let's give it a shot." That leap of faith eventually led to a proposal in a place deeply meaningful to them, the Hunt and Fish Club in New York City. "That's where we have to get engaged. That's the only thing that makes sense," Carter says. He coordinated the moment with the restaurant's owner, a custom steak knife engraved with her future last name, and the Giants' media team posing as photographers. "It gave her a great excuse to look all special and cute the way she would want to," he says. He even flew in family and friends to witness the moment. "That was her one request, that her family would be there when she got engaged," he says. Lisa Marie Wright Now married and expecting a baby boy, the Coughlins say pregnancy has brought a new rhythm to their relationship. "It's been a learning curve for sure," Yossiana says. "But Carter has been such a great partner, challenging me, 'Hey, let's go on a walk, let's get moving.' " Carter lights up when he talks about watching the journey unfold. "Now I've been able to go to all the appointments," he shares. "Yasi gives me an update every single week on what symptoms could be arising. We got the fruit size memorized for the baby. It's avocado week!" Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Their days are filled with nursery planning and laughter. "Our dynamic is just the funniest thing ever to me," Yossiana says. "We enjoy a lot of the same things. He gets fired up about things I'm not necessarily fired up about, and vice versa. So it's fun and full of trial and error." Spending time together every day, especially during Carter's recovery from an injury, has only strengthened their connection. "Some dynamics that could drive people crazy," he says. "We just absolutely love it." Lisa Marie Wright As for couples looking to make their own big announcements, Yossiana has one simple piece of advice. "Every person is different, every couple is different," she says. "Do what is good for you instead of what other people may think." Carter agrees. "My first thought was, Yai is going to love this," he says of the slideshow. "Not even, this is what I want to do, but she's going to love this. And if that's your thought, I don't think you can go wrong." From heartfelt surprises to growing their family, the Coughlins are writing their story with intentionality and joy. "It's awesome to feel that way," Yossiana says, looking ahead to motherhood. "How do you feel?" Carter smiles back. "The same way." And just like that, the slideshow continues, one love-filled moment at a time. Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

Husband Throws Surprise Birthday Party for Wife. Then Stuns Guests with a Pregnancy Reveal (Exclusive)

Husband Throws Surprise Birthday Party for Wife. Then Stuns Guests with a Pregnancy Reveal (Exclusive) TheCoughlins/TikTok Carter Coughlin w...

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From setbacks to captaincy: Wilson ready to lead Australia against the British and Irish Lions

From setbacks to captaincy: Wilson ready to lead Australia against the British and Irish Lions

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Whatever the odds or the occasion, one thing that never changes for Harry Wilson is what he wants to be wearing. After a stop-start beginning to his international career the rugged No. 8 has been picked to wear the gold Wallabies jersey again and to lead the Australian lineup in Saturday's series-opening test against the heavily-favored British and Irish Lions. "I've just always wanted to be a Wallaby," Wilson told media Friday as he stood, hands on hips, hair ruffled, on the field at Suncorp Stadium. "To me, it's the biggest honor you can get. "Being able to captain your country ... it's something I'll never take for granted." How seriously he takes that responsibility was evident two weeks ago when, with a desperate, twisting lunge, Wilson dragged Fijian defenders over the line toscore the decisive trythat ensured Australia's preparation for the Lions series didn't start with an upset loss. For head coach Joe Schmidt, who first chose Wilson to captain the Wallabies last year, it solidified his decision. The absence of explosive runner Rob Valetini means Schmidt will be relying on Wilson to take on more load with the ball in hand against a powerful Lions pack led by lock and skipper Maro Itoje, something he expects his captain will relish. "We're very confident," Wilson said. "Preparation ... we've done everything we wanted to do, and we feel like we're in a really good place." The Lions are5-0 on their tour of Australiaso far and there's improving odds they'll sweep the three-test series, speculation that Wilson's Wallabies are desperate to disprove. "With Wilso, he just loves representing Australia," said Schmidt, a New Zealander who had great success as head coach of Ireland. "I just love the enthusiasm he has for the gold jersey and leading himself well. "He doesn't say a lot, Harry, but what he does do well is he demonstrates well. I'm not saying he can't speak — he's just out of breath a lot of the time." Just like he was two weeks ago after scoring two minutes from fulltime to seal that 21-18 win over Fiji. That victory came at a cost for the Wallabies,losing flyhalf Noah Lolesio to injury. That has resulted in 22-year-oldTom Lynagh, Wilson's teammate at the Queensland Reds, starting a test in the No. 10 jersey for the first time. "This week he's really has found a voice in the group," Wilson said, confidently leaving the playmaking duties to the rookie flyhalf. "He knows when he gets that No. 10 on his back it's his team. That's the way he's treated it." Wilson knows what it's like to be thrust into international rugby at a young age. He burst onto the international scene at age 20 in 2020 in a 16-all draw with the New Zealand All Blacks, quickly earning a reputation as a tough and uncompromising competitor. He played nine of the next 10 tests for Australia before missing selection for the end of the Rugby Championship, and then didn't go on the Wallabies' spring tour. Wilson returned to the Wallabies in 2022 but then experienced a serious career setback when Eddie Jones didn't pick him in Australia's squad for the 2023 World Cup. That, combined with Australia's failure to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time, really lit the fire in a kid who grew up in a country town to get back into the gold jersey and help rebuild a reputation. "You have your ups and downs — no one has a career where you don't have downs, and I've definitely had a fair few," he said. "But I've just always wanted to put myself in these situations. It definitely has made the lows all worth it, to get back." ___ AP rugby:https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

From setbacks to captaincy: Wilson ready to lead Australia against the British and Irish Lions

From setbacks to captaincy: Wilson ready to lead Australia against the British and Irish Lions BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Whatever the odds ...

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India’s First Formula One Driver Narain Karthikeyan Gets Biopic Treatment With Mahesh Narayanan’s ‘NK 370’ (EXCLUSIVE)

India's First Formula One Driver Narain Karthikeyan Gets Biopic Treatment With Mahesh Narayanan's 'NK 370' (EXCLUSIVE)

Mahesh Narayanan, the acclaimed Indian director behind "Take Off," "Malik," andLocarno title "Ariyippu,"is set to helm "NK 370" (working title), a Tamil-language feature film chronicling the extraordinary journey of Narain Karthikeyan, India's first Formula One driver. The project, currently in development at India's Blue Marble Films, will be produced by Faraz Ahsan, Vivek Rangachari, and Pratik Maitra. The screenplay comes from Shalini Usha Devi, who penned the critically acclaimed "Soorarai Pottru." More from Variety Brad Pitt's 'F1' Movie Required a Custom-Made Sony Camera to Film High-Octane Racing Scenes Brad Pitt Reveals Plot Details of Formula One Movie While Filming at British Grand Prix: 'You've Never Seen G-Forces Like This' F1 Champion Nigel Mansell, Williams Racing Celebrated in Sky Documentary 'Red 5' - Global Bulletin "Narain Karthikeyan's journey isn't just about racing. It's about belief — in yourself, your country, and a dream no one else can see. That's what drew me to this story," said Narayanan. The film follows Karthikeyan's remarkable rise from a rebellious boy in Coimbatore to the international racing circuit, overcoming class, color, and crashes to reach Formula One's pinnacle. Ahsan said: "India has some of the most dangerous roads in the world — just surviving traffic here takes skill. But what fascinated me was how someone like NK went from navigating those roads to racing at 365 km/h — a speed faster than a commercial aircraft at takeoff. I've been after Narain for years to secure the rights, and after a few honest conversations and the right team coming together, he finally said yes." The story begins with young Narain sitting on his father's lap, gripping the steering wheel of an old rally car. His father, a former national rally champion, had filled their home with engines, tools, and unrealized dreams. At five, Narain received a homemade go-kart, crashing and spinning across the driveway — particularly enjoying wet conditions that made racing more challenging. Despite his parents' concerns about the expensive sport and lack of government support, Narain's passion never wavered. After excelling in his 10th-grade exams, he convinced his parents to let him return to racing. His father modified a Maruti 800 into a training car and became his coach. At fifteen, Narain entered his first Formula Maruti race at Sriperumbudur circuit in Chennai in 1992. Starting 17th on the grid, he fell to last place early but rallied in the final 10 laps, overtaking 16 racers to finish third — announcing the arrival of India's motorsport underdog. To prove himself internationally, Narain attended the prestigious Winfield Racing School in France, where more than 30 F1 drivers had trained. As the only Indian and only brown-skinned driver, he faced racism and bullying from 20 white students from elite families. During his final test in wet conditions, he recorded the second-fastest lap time, earning recognition as "something special." The film will chronicle both his triumphs — including wins in Formula Asia, British Formula Ford, and Formula 3 — and his devastating setback at the Macau Grand Prix, where he crashed at 270 km/h on the final lap while leading by six seconds. The crash cost him sponsors and friends, forcing a return to India and a period of reflection. The narrative includes his romantic subplot, meeting his future wife in an elevator — a woman who knew nothing about racing but believed in him unconditionally. His redemption came when he returned to Macau, trained harder by driving dangerous mountain hairpins in Ooty, and won the race that had once destroyed his dreams. In 2005, Narain Karthikeyan achieved his ultimate goal, becoming India's first Formula One driver with Jordan F1 team. On debut in Melbourne, he out-qualified seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and started 12th on the grid. He later became the first Indian to score F1 World Championship points, finishing fourth at the United States Grand Prix, and subsequently joined Williams F1 as a test driver. "Motorsport gave me everything. This film gives that story to the world," said Karthikeyan. Cast announcements are expected soon, with the production targeting a global audience hungry for underdog stories that transcend cultural boundaries. The film aims to capture not just the high-octane world of Formula One, but the deeply personal journey of a man who refused to let geography, economics, or prejudice limit his dreams. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

July 18, 2025

India’s First Formula One Driver Narain Karthikeyan Gets Biopic Treatment With Mahesh Narayanan’s ‘NK 370’ (EXCLUSIVE)

India's First Formula One Driver Narain Karthikeyan Gets Biopic Treatment With Mahesh Narayanan's 'NK 370' (EXCLUSIVE) Mahes...

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