Eagles Shocked by Jaire Alexander's Sudden Decision to Step Away from Football

For the second time this season, the Philadelphia Eagles have been blindsided by a veteran player choosing to step away from football. This time, it’s cornerback Jaire Alexander, a two-time NFL All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection, who decided to take a break from the game. Alexander, who was acquired by the Eagles in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens on November 2, has yet to play a game for his new team.

Alexander’s Decision to Focus on His Well-being

According to Fox Sports’ NFL reporter Jay Glazer, Alexander informed the Eagles of his decision to step away on November 11. Glazer reported that Alexander’s decision was motivated by a desire to focus on his physical and mental health before deciding on his future in football.

“I’ve been told Jaire is contemplating retirement but for now is stepping away to think through his next steps,” wrote The Athletic’s Diana Russini. “Sources tell me the Eagles have kept conversations private over the last few days.”

A History of Uncertainty

This marks the second time this season that a veteran defensive player has surprised the Eagles by stepping away. Earlier in October, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who had signed a 1-year, $4.25 million deal with the Eagles, announced his sudden retirement just a month after joining the team. Smith had played five games for the Eagles, recording 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Alexander, who was a first-round pick (No. 18 overall) by the Green Bay Packers in 2018, had seemed like one of the Eagles' most promising acquisitions of the season. The 26-year-old cornerback had earned All-Pro honors in 2020 and 2022 and was considered a major boost to their secondary. However, his career has been marked by injuries and unpredictable behavior off the field.

Unpredictability and Injuries Plague Alexander’s Career

Despite his immense talent, Alexander has struggled to stay healthy. Since 2021, he’s missed 33 regular season games due to injuries or suspensions, playing only four games in 2021 and seven games in both 2023 and 2024. His time in Green Bay was also marred by an incident in which he was suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team after he self-appointed himself as team captain for a road game against the Carolina Panthers.

Alexander had seemed eager to begin his new chapter with the Eagles. Just a few days before his decision to step away, he told Philadelphia media that the transition to the team had been smooth and exciting. He had expressed his excitement about being part of a Super Bowl-contending team, saying, "It’s like being in a new school, getting to know everybody. This is amazing...dream come true (being with the Eagles)."

Eagles Left Searching for Stability in the Secondary

The Eagles, currently sitting at a strong 7-2 record and in pursuit of a second consecutive Super Bowl, are now left scrambling to fill the void in their secondary. Alexander was the third cornerback the team had acquired this season, following trades for Jakorian Bennett and Michael Carter II, but it was Alexander who had the highest ceiling. Now, the Eagles will have to regroup and adjust as they try to maintain their championship aspirations.

With Alexander stepping away, the Eagles’ defense is now in need of reinforcements at the cornerback position. The team’s ability to handle this sudden setback will be crucial as they prepare for the remainder of the season.

Serena Williams Criticized for Discomfort with Decorative Cotton Plant

Serena Williams has been accused by many of being a hypocrite and entitled after expressing disdain for a hotel's cotton plant in a social media post.

Since retiring at the 2022 US Open, Williams has stayed busy with various projects. Recently, she started a podcast with her sister and fellow tennis legend, Venus Williams, to discuss their journeys as players and other topics.

Serena also recently spoke about her weight loss journey and the trick that worked best for her. She found it challenging to lose weight after having kids, and many mothers can relate to that experience.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion's social media posts are usually met with overwhelming positivity from her fans worldwide, but the American's video about a plant in the hotel she stayed at attracted wider anger.

Williams asked those viewing the video what they thought of cotton, one of the biggest industries used during slavery in the United States, being used as the material for a decorative plant in the hotel.

"Okay guys, how do we feel about cotton as decoration? Personally, for me, it doesn't feel great."

The former WTA world No. 1 did a follow-up part to the video, saying that the cotton felt like nail polish. After touching it with her fingers, she acted disgusted again, but still held it when she walked out of the shot.

Defenders of Williams argue that the history of slavery is a sensitive topic for black Americans, and people are triggered in different ways. They think Williams expressing herself as she did is valid and should not be criticized.

Others felt that Williams's claim to be uncomfortable with the cotton when the 13th amendment outlawed slavery almost 160 years ago is ridiculous, and she just wanted to generate attention with her actions.

Many critics of Williams pointed out that the 44-year-old's home has a sculpture by Radcliffe Bailey that contains cotton and references its history in the slave trade. The sculpture is named the Monument for a Promise.

Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, defended her from this criticism. He said the sculpture, which shows a donkey carrying a trunk over a mound of cotton, contained symbolism that made it different from the plant at the hotel.

"Folks are entitled to have their opinions, but to use owning Radcliffe Bailey’s Monument for a Promise as some kind of a 'gotchya' is so breathtakingly stupid—there is some very obvious symbolism of the cotton in the artwork."

Ohanian is correct that the sculpture has a message that is not evident from the cotton plant. This point should be acknowledged before those with an opposing view condemn Williams.

It can also be argued that, if Williams feels strongly about the use of cotton, she should abstain from buying or using any products that contain the material. The tennis legend has almost certainly used other products containing cotton.

Williams' video and the strong reaction to it are a reminder of how swiftly things can spread on social media, especially when someone is being lambasted.