Former Alabama center Charles Bediako has been granted a restraining order allowing him to return to college basketball—despite having already played professionally. After going undrafted in 2023 and signing a two-way contract to play in the G League, Bediako is now heading back to the University of Alabama to use his remaining two years of eligibility .
The legal move is raising eyebrows across the NCAA landscape, with critics arguing it could set a chaotic precedent: players going pro, then circling back to college when things don’t pan out. But others say it’s only fair—after all, athletes in other sports like baseball can do it, and NIL deals have already changed the definition of “amateur” forever. Is this the evolution of player empowerment or a dangerous loophole?

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Indiana capped off a historic 16-0 season by defeating Miami in the national championship game, becoming the first team to post a perfect season in over 130 years. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who also took home the Heisman Trophy, delivered a legendary touchdown run—but not everyone is convinced he deserves the No. 1 overall pick. Critics say Mendoza doesn’t have one elite trait, and with NFL scouts skeptical, the quarterback draft class is now under fire .
Meanwhile, attention is turning to the SEC’s growing irrelevance, as the Big Ten claims its third straight national title. Debate also rages around the NCAA’s NIL era, Carson Beck’s comments about not taking classes for two years, and whether the line between college football and the pros has officially blurred. And yes—Michael Irvin got dragged for his playoff takes again.

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Former NFL wide receiver and activist Kenny Stills joins The Fumble for a powerful conversation on football, protest, identity, and legacy. In his new memoir Still Growing, Still Learning, Still Me, Stills reflects on kneeling during the national anthem, internal conflict within NFL locker rooms, and what it meant to be arm-in-arm with teammates who didn’t support his activism. He shares stories about being unfairly penalized on the field, friction with Drew Brees off the field, and how he found healing after leaving the league.
Stills also opens up about working with head coach Adam Gase during a tense contract year, stepping away from football to prioritize growth, and why he’s concerned about the impact of legalized sports betting on the integrity of the game. From NIL changes in college football to global travel, plant medicine, and learning to live with purpose, Stills offers rare insight into the mind of an athlete-activist navigating a shifting cultural and sports landscape .

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