It happened. The NFL delivered both the worst and best viral moments in football this week. Let’s start with the worst: a beautifully botched field goal courtesy of Giants kicker Younghoe Koo. You don’t need a lip reader to guess how QB Jaxson Dart felt watching that play, or lack thereof, go down. You’ll get it on the next one, Koo. Also, someone please check on the turf. Now, on to what’s being described as one of the best touchdown catches in the NFL. Yes, Commanders Treylon Burks caught that pass one-handed. Amazing — no notes. In other football-adjacent news, legend Tom Brady’s niece is proving elite athleticism runs in the family. And finally, while Thanksgiving is behind us, QB Joe Burrow’s reaction to being served a beautiful turkey will forever remind me to question everything at the next holiday potluck. Now, let’s get into more sports headlines…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
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A Silent Battle in Women's Sports
Disclaimer: This story mentions eating disorders and disordered eating, which could be triggering for some readers.
What’s going on: Angel City FC forward Sydney Leroux is known for her grit on the field — but in an emotional Instagram post, she said she’s feeling more vulnerable than ever. Leroux revealed she’s been living with anorexia “for as long as I can remember,” shedding a light on a rarely discussed health battle many athletes face. Research shows one in five athletes are at risk of developing an eating disorder. Leroux, who stepped away from playing in March to focus on her mental health and family, said she hopes to inspire others to have a more open conversation about their struggles. “Silence never saved anyone,” the 35-year-old mom of two wrote.
Our take: Women athletes can face huge — and often unspoken — pressure around performance and appearance. That risk is especially high in endurance and aesthetic-based sports, like climbing, swimming, and dance. In cycling, athletes have spoken about maintaining dangerously low weights — sometimes losing their periods as a result. Olympic gymnasts like Shawn Johnson East and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, have also shared their struggles with disordered eating and eating disorders and their link to performance. Now, Leroux is highlighting that professional athletes in team sports aren’t immune from the conversations around body image and mental health.
