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Diaranson 6 Januari 2021

Ravens rookie Dobbins belatedly achieves star status in NFL

( AP ) - J.K. Dobbins knew Then I’m like, ‘He might
his spectacular career at get hit right there,’ and then
Ohio State provided no he’ll just do something crazy.
guarantee that he would That’s why he’s out there.
immediately become an He’s just doing amazing
NFL star. things."

Dobbins was the first Buck- Despite the slow start and
eyes running back to rush for missing a game in December
1,000 yards as a freshman, while on the reserve/COV-
sophomore and junior. He ID-19 list, Dobbins finished
finished with 4,459 yards on his first NFL season with 805
the ground — second most in yards rushing, averaging a ro-
school history — and scored bust 6 yards per carry. He set
43 touchdowns for the Big a Ravens rookie record for
Ten powerhouse before leav- touchdowns with nine, and
ing with one year of eligibil- his six straight games with at
ity remaining. least 50 yards on the ground
Drafted in the second round and a rushing TD is tied for
last April by the Baltimore the longest streak by a rookie
Ravens, Dobbins arrived at since the 1970 merger.
training camp fourth on the “He’s been working for his
depth chart behind Mark In- Cincinnati. ning back for the playoff- open field, a feature he put opportunity and growing and
gram, Gus Edwards and Jus- “That was one of the growing bound Ravens, who open on on full display during a 72- learning," Baltimore coach
tice Hill. points of my career, because the road Sunday against AFC yard touchdown run against John Harbaugh said. “He’s
“My expectation was to come I’ve always been able to work South champion Tennes- the Bengals. done a great job and he’s got
in and play," Dobbins said. so hard and be able to play see. For Dobbins, everything “I'm not 6-3, 250, so people a great attitude. We love him
“I'm not going to pull the right away,” Dobbins said. turned out exactly as planned. kind of want to label me as as a person and as a player.”
rookie card and say, ‘Oh, I’m “So, that was such a process “As soon as they drafted me, a scatback or something like Harbaugh isn't the only NFL
a rookie. I’m just going to for me. But I always saw it my thought process was, that, but no, that’s not me," coach to be impressed with
wait this out and be patient.’ as just keep learning, keep ‘Let’s go in here, let’s get bet- Dobbins said. “I can get in Dobbins' development. Mike
That’s not me.'" watching film, keep learn- ter, and I’m going to find a there and mix it up with the Vrabel of the Titans knows
So, he worked hard and did ing things to do to get better, way to get on this field and big guys a little bit. I can be a he will be seeing a better back
his best whenever he got the even though I was only get- help this team win as many little powerful. I take pride in than the one who rushed
chance to carry the football ting one carry. That carry that games as possible — get us not just being a running back, for 70 yards on 15 attempts
— which wasn’t often during I got, I made my mind up to a Super Bowl, if that’s pos- but an offensive weapon." against Tennessee on Nov.
the first six weeks of the sea- that I’m going to go hard." sible,’" Dobbins said. “And Dobbins is so slick that he's 22.
son. At that point, he had 25 The rookie stayed the course, that’s just what I’ve been do- even impressed Ravens quar- “The more carries you get,
attempts for 154 yards, which and his diligence and pa- ing.” terback Lamar Jackson, an the more confidence you
pretty much amounted to a tience have paid off. Dobbins At 5-foot-10 and 212 pounds, elusive runner with his own get," Vrabel noted. “You get a
typical Saturday afternoon has scored in each of his past Dobbins has the ability to impressive set of moves. better feel for how things are
for Dobbins at Ohio State. six games, and on Sunday he squeeze through a tiny hole “Being honest, he’s just ex- going to be blocked, and how
Dobbins never got down on rambled for 160 yards and and the strength to bust a plosive," Jackson said. “I’ll be runs may break, where the
himself, even when he had two touchdowns in Cincin- tackle or two if met at the on the field (watching him) cut may be. It seems like he's
just one carry (for 34 yards) nati. line. He also has the speed and I’m like, ‘Bro, you are playing with a greater confi-
in an October game against He is now the featured run- to whisk past pursuers in the unbelievable with the ball.’ dence level."

Messages to betting pals led to Trippier’s soccer ban

(AP) — As Kieran Trip- sponded. “Don’t blame me if betting imposed, a 10-week understood. The purpose of “It’s happening," Trippier
pier was trying to secure something goes wrong. ... It ban from football was im- the messaging is quite clear. texted in the evening, which
a move from Tottenham, shouldn’t but just letting you posed. MB was seeking reassurance led to Hawley placing bets
the England defender no." While the FA prevents anyone that he should bet heavily on of 65 pounds (7-2) and 40
was sending messages on Then Trippier added, using a involved in football being in- KT’s transfer to Atlético; KT pounds (9-4).
WhatsApp to keep friends term for betting: “Lump on if volved in betting, eight of the provided such reassurance. In the early hours of July 13,
updated with the progress you want mate." 20 Premier League clubs fea- “In those circumstances, it Hawley wagered another 20
of the transfer. By providing inside infor- ture gambling firms on their seems to us that we have no pounds at odds of 6/4.
mation that could be used jerseys as sponsors and odds option but to conclude that “Come Madrid with me to
They were more than just for betting, Trippier was in are offered on transfers. KT knew that MB would bet sign mate," Tripper wrote at
keen on knowing which breach of the English Foot- Trippier's suspension was upon the transfer and, ac- 9:10 a.m. to the “Pint” What-
country Trippier would be ball Association rules de- initially extended to apply cordingly, the regulatory de- sApp chat group shortly after
moving to. They hoped to signed to protect the integrity worldwide by FIFA, but it fense must fail.” Hawley posted a message.
personally make a bit of cash, of the game. was paused at the weekend, About 90 minutes later,
too, on him leaving England “Could only put a little bit on to allow an appeal. The FA findings point to me- Hawley placed another bet of
for Spain to join Atletico Ma- mate, they massively restrict- The FA regulatory com- dia reports on July 10, 2019 20 pounds on the transfer at
drid. ed the bet, keep me posted mission said the messages showing Atletico was step- odds of 4-1. There were two
“Shall I lump on you going pal,” Brady updated Trippier, “very strongly suggest" Brady ping up attempts to sign Trip- further bets of 22 pounds
there?" one friend, Matthew who replied: “No worries "would bet on the transfer" pier. at odds of 5-6 that day and
Brady, who owns a personal mate”. and Trippier knew. The next day, another friend Hawley bet 20 pounds and
assistant service for sports Details of the messages — “We simply do not accept of Trippier's sent a mes- 300 pounds on July 16 as the
stars, texted Trippier on the and others to friends about that these messages would be sage saying he's got odds of transfer neared conclusion
evening of July 14, 2019. the transfer and betting — read by KT as ‘banter,'" the 6-1 on the transfer. Twenty before being announced the
“Can do mate," Trippier re- were contained in the 41- FA commission said of Trip- pounds ($27) was bet by an- following day.
plied. page findings published by pier. "There is nothing about other friend, Oliver Hawley, Trippier, who scored in Eng-
Brady wanted certainty: the FA on Tuesday. Even the words used by the men who placed another two bets land's 2018 World Cup semi-
“100% Tripps?” though Trippier was not ac- which is consistent with ban- later on: 42.15 pounds and 50 final loss to Croatia, has not
“Yeah mate," the player re- cused of any match fixing or ter as that word is normally pounds at odds of 7-2. commented on the ban.