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New Orleans Saints Cut Team Captain Right After Painful Loss to Falcons

The air inside Caesars Superdome grew heavy following the Saints' gut-wrenching loss to division rival Atlanta Falcons. But what stunned fans even more than the final score was the cold, calculated decision made just hours after the game ended. A team captain was released.

He was once seen as a pillar of consistency. A trusted face every Sunday. The man fans counted on when points were needed. But after yet another missed opportunity, his third of the season, it was over.

Camp Battles: Blake Grupe, Charlie Smyth ready for kicker battle round 2 |  Louisiana Sports

🏈 The Sad End of a Captain’s Chapter

That man was Blake Grupe, 27 years old, the Saints’ primary kicker and an official team captain for the 2025 season. Once a key part of the scoring unit, his recent string of missed kicks in critical moments became too much to overlook.

Shortly after the move was confirmed, Grupe posted a heartfelt message on social media:

“Thank you, New Orleans. I gave everything I had every Sunday for the past three years. No one wanted to succeed here more than I did. I’m grateful for the coaches and teammates who stood by me. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to prove what I can do.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18

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💔 Gayle Benson: “I gave him the opportunity, and he let it slip away”

This wasn’t just a technical decision. It was a message to the entire locker room. And no one made that message clearer than Gayle Benson, the woman behind every major move in New Orleans:

"I placed my trust in him. I gave him not just one, but multiple chances. But here in New Orleans, we don’t wait for miracles. You either seize your moment or you get replaced. Sadly, he didn’t."

Her words weren’t angry. They were disappointed. A quiet storm of leadership. A final verdict on a broken promise.

🔥 A Cold Message Echoes Through the Locker Room

Grupe wasn’t the only captain to exit the roster. Brandin Cooks, another player chosen as team captain early in the season, is now a Buffalo Bill. Erik McCoy, yet another captain, remains with the team but is sidelined with injury.

When the locker room’s leadership starts to vanish, the message from management becomes clear. No one is untouchable.

🧊 Final Thought: You Can’t Miss the Target, On the Field or in Trust

In the middle of a season full of adversity, the Saints are choosing the harder path. The one that demands accountability. The one that says being trusted once is a gift, but proving worthy of it is a responsibility.

While the former captain quietly posts thank-you notes online, Gayle Benson has already turned the page. In New Orleans, second chances don’t come easy. And trust, once broken, is not easily rebuilt.

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Bills Cheerleader Sues Bills Player for Sexual Harassment After He Relentlessly Flirted With Her – Despite Being Married with a Child
BUFFALO, NY – December 11, 2025 A bombshell lawsuit has just been filed in Erie County Court that has all of Western New York talking. Ashley, the 24-year-old face of the Buffalo Jills and widely regarded as the squad’s most popular and recognizable cheerleader, has officially sued a current Buffalo Bills player for what her legal team calls “persistent and unwanted sexual harassment through aggressive flirting” – even though the player is married with a young child. Court documents obtained today name 27-year-old Shane Buechele – the Bills’ third-string QB who married his high-school sweetheart Reiley in 2022 and has a 2-year-old son – as the defendant. What the lawsuit alleges: Since the start of the 2025 season, Buechele allegedly began sending Ashley private Instagram messages after every home game, complimenting her looks and performances with increasingly suggestive language. Multiple late-night phone calls (some as late as 2-3 a.m.) in which Buechele allegedly complained about his lack of playing time, “just wanted to hear her voice,” and invited her for private coffee meet-ups. Unsolicited shirtless and suggestive photos sent directly to Ashley’s phone. Repeatedly showing up “by coincidence” at community and charity events Ashley was scheduled to attend, creating unwanted one-on-one encounters. In the filing, Ashley states: “I made it crystal clear on multiple occasions that I only wanted a professional relationship and was focused on my career. He completely ignored my boundaries. The middle-of-the-night calls left me terrified and suffering from severe insomnia. This has taken a serious toll on my mental health.” Immediate fallout: The Buffalo Bills have suspended Shane Buechele indefinitely without pay pending an internal investigation. Reiley Buechele has locked all of her social media accounts and has made no public statement. Ashley’s attorney says they will seek damages “well into seven figures” and hope the case sets a precedent for better protection of NFL cheerleaders league-wide. The NFL has confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely and may impose additional discipline. One Bills Mafia is completely split: #TeamAshley supporters are demanding Buechele be cut immediately: “Married with a kid and still doing this? Disgusting.” Others are calling it an overreaction: “Flirty DMs and compliments? This feels like a money grab or a PR stunt.” The case is still in its earliest stages, with an initial court appearance expected in early 2026. What do YOU think – is this legitimate workplace harassment, or is the cheerleader blowing things out of proportion? Drop your take in the comments and turn on notifications – this story is only getting hotter!