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Chiefs Rookie Has One Night to Prove He Belongs in Mahomes’ Inner Circle

 

KANSAS CITY, MO — In Kansas City, you don’t get handshakes — you earn them. And for rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals isn’t just another August game. It’s the audition of his life.

Drafted in the fourth round this spring, Royals arrived with one calling card — speed. The kind that can tilt coverages and stretch a defense thin. But in a Chiefs locker room stacked with championship expectations, speed alone doesn’t grant you a seat at Patrick Mahomes’ table. Trust does. And that has to be earned snap by snap, route by route.

With uncertainty still swirling around Rashee Rice’s suspension, Royals suddenly finds himself in the conversation for a bigger role than anyone expected. Comparisons to Rice have followed him since rookie minicamp, and tonight could be the first real test of whether he can handle the weight that comes with them.

So far in training camp, Royals has been more than a silent observer. Mahomes has looked his way, Gardner Minshew too, and Royals has listened closely to every correction, every subtle note.

“In the meeting room, he tells me everything I need to do,” Royals said of Mahomes. “On the field, after the play, he’ll tell me what I missed — or what I nailed. That’s how I know I’m getting better.”

Against Arizona, Royals won’t just be chasing yards. He’ll be chasing a bond — the unspoken connection between quarterback and receiver that wins games in December. One night, one chance, under the lights.

Because in Kansas City, you don’t just run routes for Mahomes. You earn the right to be where the ball lands.

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Ravens Fan-Favourite CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Baltimore, MD – October 8, 2025Baltimore Ravens second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin, Justin “Spidey” Fuller — a respected military-trained skydiving instructor — died in a tragic tandem jump accident outside Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending personnel for their efforts. Known by the nickname “Spidey,” Fuller died after a tandem skydive went wrong on October 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee. (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey) Beloved in the skydiving community, Spidey had completed more than 5,000 jumps and helped train U.S. service members in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused and devoted to lifting others higher — in life and in the air.” Wiggins — whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Nate that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Nate lives and plays today.” Wiggins, a former first-round pick from Clemson, has steadily earned the Ravens’ trust as a rotational cornerback in nickel/dime packages, praised for his speed, press technique, and ability to carry deep routes. Coaches describe him as “wise beyond his years,” calm under pressure, and disciplined at the catch point. Through the first five games of 2025, he has 12 solo tackles, 4 passes defensed, and 1 interception, reinforcing his value on the perimeter.  The Ravens organization has provided time and private support for Wiggins and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in on social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans across the country.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Wiggins kept his public comments brief, speaking softly before being embraced by teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”