John Mara Reveals Personal Battle: 'I Will Not Back Down, Even In The Face of My Biggest Challenge Yet'

John Mara, the esteemed president of the New York Giants, has revealed he is currently facing one of the greatest challenges of his life: a personal health battle. In an emotional statement, Mara expressed his unwavering resolve to fight on, not only for himself but also for his supporters and the team he’s dedicated his life to.

“I’m facing the biggest challenge of my life right now, but I will not give up,” said Mara in a heartfelt statement released to the public. “I will continue to fight, not just for myself but for everyone who has supported me and the New York Giants. I’m still John Mara, and I will not back down.”

Mara, 70, has been at the helm of the New York Giants for over two decades, and his leadership has shaped the team's identity both on and off the field. His impact goes beyond managing the franchise; Mara has always been a constant presence, guiding the Giants through some of their most triumphant moments, including their Super Bowl victories.

The Giants family has always been a crucial part of his life, and he made it clear that this fight would not interfere with his responsibilities. “I’ll be involved with the team, the organization, and the fans, as always,” Mara assured. “Though this is a personal battle, it will never take me away from the team I love.”

As news of his health condition spread, fans, players, and staff alike rallied around the long-time executive, expressing their support and admiration for his strength. His commitment to the team has never been in question, and his words today only reaffirmed his dedication to continuing his leadership.

The Giants’ faithful, often known for their undying loyalty, took to social media to show their solidarity with Mara. “#WeStandWithJohn” quickly trended on Twitter, with countless fans offering their best wishes and prayers for his recovery.

In his message, Mara acknowledged that he knew this would be a long and difficult journey, but his resolve remained unshaken. “No matter the obstacles, I will stay strong,” Mara said. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about my family, my team, and every person who has supported the New York Giants over the years. Together, we’ll face this challenge head-on, and I believe we’ll come out even stronger on the other side.”

As he battles through this health crisis, Mara’s leadership and passion for the New York Giants continue to inspire. His commitment to his team and his belief in perseverance remind us all that strength comes from within, and with the right attitude, no challenge is insurmountable.

Report: Colts poach practice squad linebacker from Cowboys

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts are signing linebacker Buddy Johnson off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad:

The former 2021 4th round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been well traveled in his early NFL career, having also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and most recently, the Cowboys organization.

At 6’2”, 240 pounds (with 31 1/2” arms), Johnson has appeared in 21 career games, recording 14 tackles (8 solo). Coming out of Texas A&M, he had a RAS of 9.22 out of a maximum of 10.0.

He definitely has some elite physical measurables to take note of.

He appeared in 1 game for the Cowboys so far this season, playing 82% of the team’s special teams snaps in Week 1. However, he played in 14 games for Dallas last season, recording 8 tackles (3 solo).

The Colts could be kicking the tires on additional linebacker depth. Specifically, the team hasn’t found a clear answer alongside reigning All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin, despite trying a number of different options rotationally.

It’s worth noting though that rehabbing 2nd-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return to begin the season, is eligible to return to practice this week. However,

Colts head coach Shane Steichen was non-committal when asked whether Carlies would actually return to the practice field for Week 5.

At this point though, I’m not sure that the Colts can realistically expect much more from Johnson than the others they’ve already tried rotationally—all of whom are better suited as backups than first-team defensive starters.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to at least try, as the status quo hasn’t been providing nearly enough production.

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