Former QB Rips Unimpressive Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty is one of the most hyped running backs to come into the NFL in recent years. With running backs typically having success as rookies, many aren’t going to be patient with him.
The Las Vegas Raiders beat the New England Patriots 20-13 in Week 1, but Jeanty had a poor game, averaging 2.0 yards a carry. The offensive line didn’t do him many favors, but the team would like to see more from the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley.
It’s just one game, but some are starting to question whether or not Jeanty is as good as everybody thought. Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms slammed Jeanty after the win against the Patriots.
“Ashton Jeanty, I know he’s the star, but … I don’t like the way Ashton Jeanty looks,” Simms said on PFT Live.
“He has not impressed me once yet. There’s a lack of explosion that I think is lacking for a guy that was drafted in the top 10. I’m hoping I’m wrong because I loved watching him in college football, but I’ve not been thoroughly impressed at all.”
Jeanty has another tough matchup against a stout Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 2, so it might still take some time for him to have a breakout game.
Pete Carroll Talks Jeanty’s Debut
Jeanty would likely be the first to admit he didn’t have his best game. He did score a touchdown, but 2.0 yards a carry is about as bad as it gets.
Now, he was frequently met in the backfield by defenders due to poor offensive play, so it might not necessarily be all his fault. Head coach Pete Carroll spoke about Jeanty’s debut and where the young running back can improve.
“Ashton was hyped,” Carroll said Monday. “He was jacked up and he would tell you, I think, that he wishes he had been a little more patient on some reads and things like that. That will come. He didn’t look like that in preseason. This game, being out there, being called on to play and carry the ball 19 times, it was a little bit different for him. He’ll play way better, he’ll see things more clearly. I know he was a little frustrated by that.”
Do Raiders Need to Be Concerned About Jeanty?
The fact that Jeanty didn’t have a very strong preseason has only added to the noise that he’s not as good as everybody thought. However, it’s still far too early for anybody to be concerned about him.
He’s a young player who just played his first NFL game after playing at a non-Power 5 school in college. The fact that the Raiders’ offensive line played poorly didn’t help. Just look at how much better Saquon Barkley was once he got behind a great Philadelphia Eagles offensive line.
Jeanty has far too much talent not to at least make some big plays this season. Maybe he won’t be one of the best running backs in the NFL as a rookie, but the Raiders drafted him so highly because they were confident in his ability. They aren’t going to start worrying about him yet, especially with the type of work ethic he has.
The Receipt That Changed Everything: Bo Nix’s Quiet Gesture Sparks National Wave of Kindness
For 24-year-old Lily Thompson, a waitress at a modest downtown Portland diner, Monday morning began like any other. She poured coffee, took orders, and greeted guests with her usual warmth—never imagining that a quiet customer in a hoodie and baseball cap would alter the course of her life forever.
That customer was none other than Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix. Unassuming and polite, Nix finished his breakfast without fanfare, thanked Lily for her service, and walked out the door. But what he left behind on the table was no ordinary tip.
A Folded Receipt… and a New Beginning
After Nix left, Lily found a folded receipt tucked beneath the salt shaker. Expecting a typical gratuity, she opened it—and froze. Inside was a handwritten note and something that would reduce her to tears.
“Thank you for your kindness and hard work. People like you are the backbone of this country. Keep going—you’re stronger than you know.” – Bo Nix
Alongside the note: a $10,000 tip. And a personal offer to pay off her student loans in full.
Coworkers rushed to comfort Lily as the weight of the moment sank in. “I was speechless,” she told reporters. “I’ve been juggling two jobs and caring for my younger brother while chipping away at debt. That note didn’t just help financially—it made me feel seen.”
From Quiet Struggles to Bold Dreams
Lily’s story quickly captured hearts nationwide. What had begun as a simple meal turned into a viral sensation, with fans flooding social media to praise Nix’s compassion. The hashtag #BeLikeBo began trending, encouraging everyday acts of kindness in his honor.
For Lily, the gesture meant more than money—it marked the beginning of a new chapter. With her student loans erased, she’s now pursuing her dream of launching a nonprofit café that supports working students.
Nix Responds With Humility
When asked about the now-famous tip during a press conference, Nix shrugged off the attention.
“It’s not about how much you give. It’s about noticing the people who make life better—often without credit. Lily reminded me of that.”
A Ripple Felt Across the Nation
What could’ve been a private act of kindness has become a rallying cry for compassion. Fans, teammates, and strangers alike have shared their own stories, inspired by Nix’s gesture.
As for Lily, she keeps the handwritten note tucked inside her journal. “It’s my reminder,” she said, smiling. “That even when life feels heavy, there are still people out there rooting for you.”
In a world too often defined by headlines of division, Bo Nix’s quiet moment in a Portland diner reminds us that greatness isn’t just measured in yards gained—but in lives touched.
