Sports

For a team with aspirations to win a second Super Bowl in a row, it's important to turn the page on the first one. The Eagles are still waiting to do that.

Nearly a month after the initial date for getting their championship rings, the Eagles are still waiting for the most coveted piece of jewelry in American sports.

The rings were supposed to be distributed on June 6. The event was postponed due to production issues, and there has been no news on when it will happen. (We asked the team on Friday for an update, but got no response. Which is fine, since it was July 4.)

At this point, the ring ceremony likely won't happen until the team has gathered for training camp. When coach Nick Sirianni is hoping to have the team focused fully on the task at hand, and not navel gazing over last year's accomplishments.

While they deserve to properly celebrate getting to the top of the NFL's mountain, they're about to retreat to the Valley of 0-0. Along with 31 other teams, all of which will be trying to do what the Eagles have done — and which will be using the Eagles as the ultimate measuring stick.

Every week, the Eagles will get the A+ game from each opponent. While they're talented enough to do it again, it will take full focus and commitment and concentration.

Which means that, no, it's not ideal for the players to be getting their Super Bowl LIX rings once the climb toward Super Bowl LX has officially begun.

Former NFL linebacker Bryan Braman is fighting a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, at the age of 38. Diagnosed in February, he has had multiple surgeries while undergoing treatment in Seattle.

Via ESPN.com, a GoFundMe page has been created to assist Braman with expenses arising from his treatment. As of this posted, more than $53,000 has been raised. Former teammate J.J. Watt has given $10,000, and other former teammates have contributed.

Braman and Watt joined the Texans in the year — 2011. Braman was undrafted, but he made the team and remained in Houston for three seasons.

He played the next four years with the Eagles. Braman capped his NFL career with a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

En route to the championship, Braman blocked a punt in the divisional round win over the Falcons.

Braman, who appeared in 97 career regular-season games, contributed mainly on special teams. One of his more memorable moments came in the final game of his rookie season, when he lost his helmet and still made the tackle on a punt return.

The ice has thawed between the Buccaneers and former coach Jon Gruden, who is back in the team's Ring of Honor. The ice remains solid between the league and Gruden.

On America's birthday, NFL Network televises a marathon of the America's Game series. Each episode consists of a one-hour look at every Super Bowl champion — starting with the 1966 Packers and culminating with the 2023 Chiefs. (The newest episode, focusing on the 2024 Eagles, has yet to be released.)

As noted by Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com, the 58-volume library includes only 56. Two are omitted — and they have been, dating back to 2022.

Still gone is the episode devoted to the 2002 Buccaneers (featuring Gruden). He was forced to resign as coach of the Raiders during the 2021 season after emails he'd sent years earlier were leaked from the files of an investigation into the Washington franchise. He has a lawsuit still pending against the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Also omitted is the 1995 Cowboys edition, which is narrated by former P.R. chief Rich Dalrymple. He resigned abruptly in 2022. Not long after he made his exit, he was linked to not one but two incidents of alleged voyeurism. Allegations that he secretly recorded the Cowboys' cheerleaders in their locker room reportedly resulted in a $2.4 million settlement.

Tune in next year, to see if the 2002 Bucs and 1995 'Boys get left out. Until then, you can watch the Gruden episode here, and the Dalrymple one here.