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Star Packers DE Pulls Out Just One Hour Before Kickoff vs Giants After Family Emergency

Green Bay, Wisconsin An emotional and unexpected situation unfolded just over an hour before the scheduled kickoff between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants, when star defensive end Lukas Van Ness abruptly informed the team he would not be playing.

Sept/Oct 2023 Feature - Lukas Van Ness Answered When the League Came Calling

According to sources at Lambeau Field, Lukas Van Ness, a vital part of Green Bay’s defensive front, met privately with head coach Matt LaFleur around 60 minutes before game time to deliver distressing news — his mother had just been rushed to the hospital in Illinois due to a serious medical emergency.

Without hesitation, Van Ness left the stadium immediately, accompanied by family members, and began the drive back to Illinois to be with his mother during the critical hours.

A man wearing a green Packers beanie and hoodie stands on a snowy football field holding a clipboard with play sheets visible on it and a headset over his ears while looking focused with a slight frown

At the postgame media availability, Coach Matt LaFleur delivered a heartfelt message:

"I looked into Lukas’s eyes and I knew he couldn’t stay here for one more minute. No game matters more than family. No victory compares to a mother’s love.

We always say this team is a family, and today we had to live up to that. I fully support Lukas’s decision. And tonight, we’re playing this game for him. We’re going to fight like he’s still on the field with his brothers. And if we can pull off this win, it’ll be our gift to him and to his mom."

A Major Loss for the Defense

Lukas Van Ness, nicknamed “Hercules” for his size and power, has been a critical part of Green Bay’s pass rush. In 2025, he has played in 5 games so far, tallying 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His absence was immediately felt, forcing last-minute adjustments to the defensive rotation, with players like Kingsley Enagbare and Colby Wooden expected to step up.

Fans and Teammates Rally Behind Van Ness

As the news broke, Packers fans and the wider NFL community flooded social media with support and prayers for Van Ness and his family. Many praised him for putting his family above football, commending the team’s decision to respect his absence without hesitation.

Several Packers players were seen wearing wristbands with “LVN” written on them — a quiet but powerful tribute to their teammate.

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!