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Jake Russell

@jakerussell.bsky.social

1K followers 81 following 520 posts

Washington Post multiplatform sports editor/sometimes sports writer/author of "100 Things Nationals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." JakeRussellSports.com/Nationals-Book

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Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 2d

*Historic Crew Stadium's capacity is apparently 19,968

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 2d

New stadiums (and capacities) for UFL teams:

Columbus Aviators - Historic Crew Stadium (27,000)
Dallas Renegades - Toyota Stadium (20,500)
Houston Gamblers - Shell Energy Stadium (22,000)
Louisville Kings - Lynn Family Stadium (15,304)
Orlando Storm - Inter&Co Stadium (25,500)

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 2d

The UFL says head coaches for the three new teams and new uniform designs for all eight teams "will be announced in the near future."

The 2026 season will kick off on Friday, March 27. The 43-game schedule will be announced at a later date.

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 2d

The UFL unveiled a new lineup of teams (and a new league logo).

Out: Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers, San Antonio Brahmas.

In: Columbus Aviators, Orlando Storm, Louisville Kings.

Rebranded: Houston Roughnecks -> Houston Gamblers, Arlington Renegades -> Dallas Renegades.

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 3d

Jayden Daniels: “Sometimes, you can’t just be all cool and calm; sometimes, you got to be a little fired up to get guys going.”

The Commanders get mad, get even and get going in the right direction

All those angry outbursts Sunday? That’s Washington’s way of showing some urgency this season.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 8d

Interesting note on if new Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni will have a role for interim GM Mike DeBartolo on his staff: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

(via @chelseajanes.bsky.social)

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 13d

a young boy with a surprised look on his face and the word yep written below him

ALT: a young boy with a surprised look on his face and the word yep written below him

media.tenor.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 15d

BREAKING: The Nationals are hiring Red Sox assistant GM Paul Toboni, 35, as their new head of baseball operations.

Nationals set to name Paul Toboni as head of baseball operations

Toboni will arrive in Washington from the Boston Red Sox, where he helped oversee a stellar draft and player development system.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 19d

“They don’t know what they’re doing with anything, to be honest with you, baseball-wise,” a current Nationals employee said of Nats ownership.

“They badly, badly need leadership,” a former Nats employee said. “Right now, there is none. Zero.”

Who is running the Washington Nationals?

At a critical juncture in its history, the MLB franchise appears to some as “directionless,” with too many hands on the wheel.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · 21d

BREAKING: The D.C. Council gave final approval to a $3.7B deal for the RFK Stadium site, allowing the Commanders to return to the District in 2030.

D.C.’s $3.7 billion Commanders stadium deal gets final council approval

The Commanders stadium project will transform a largely vacant and blighted swath of D.C. and return the team to the city its owners have described as its “spiritual home.”

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Jake Russell

Scott Allen @scottsallen.bsky.social · 29d

For one season only, the Caps are bringing back paper tickets for full season plan holders. Look at these beauties featuring Ovi and friends (and a few foes) www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Caps celebrate Alex Ovechkin and give their fans something to hold on to

The Capitals say printed tickets for full season ticket holders, which feature various images of Alex Ovechkin, will return for one season only.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Sep 8

Bobby Wagner: "We know how great we are in this room. We know we’re in the driver’s seat. We control everything."

All according to plan: Commanders’ newcomers lead way in opener vs. Giants

Deebo Samuel Sr., Laremy Tunsil, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Javon Kinlaw all make big plays as Washington shuts down New York, 21-6.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Sep 7

Dan Quinn: “It’s the attitude. It is the people. It’s the space.”

Column | For years, Washington was an NFL dumpster fire. Now, it’s a destination.

Why is there so much optimism around the Washington Commanders? “It’s the attitude. It is the people. It’s the space.”

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Sep 7

Commanders center Tyler Biadasz: “If anything, I think the standard is just even that more tight-knit, in regards to how we want to play and get down. DQ talks about [how] we’re the hunters. We’re going to go after it.”

The bar has been raised for the Commanders. They say they’re ready to leap.

After last season’s unexpected success, everyone is talking about the Commanders entering this NFL season. Players and coaches are trying to tune it out.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Sep 6

Former Nationals manager Davey Johnson died Friday at 82.

“One of the great baseball minds of all-time. A forward thinker with an old-school soul,” former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said.

“No chance my career would have been the same without his guidance,” former Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman said.

Davey Johnson, swashbuckling manager who sparked the Mets and Nats, dies at 82

Johnson led the Nationals to the playoffs for the first time. He also guided the Mets to the World Series title in 1986 and was a standout player with the Orioles.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 31

"As a rookie, Daniels became known among teammates for his obsessive early arrival. Coaches who got to work at 6 a.m. would sometimes see Daniels walking off the practice field. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said Daniels has come to the facility even earlier this year."

Fame can sack an NFL superstar. Good luck catching Jayden Daniels.

After an exhilarating rookie season, the Washington Commanders quarterback now faces the challenges of maintaining excellence and humility.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 31

“Do yourself a favor… Take some time over the coming weeks and months... Do a loop around RFK before it vanishes completely. This is athletic history. It’s D.C. history. And piece by piece, it’s finally being torn down.”

Column | Decrepit RFK Stadium had to come down. It still kind of stings.

As the former football, baseball and soccer venue gets torn apart, let’s remember all the times it shook.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 28

BREAKING: The Cowboys are trading Micah Parsons to the Packers, who are signing the star pass rusher to a four-year, $188M contract.

Cowboys agree to trade Micah Parsons to Packers

Parsons will sign a four-year, $188 million contract as part of the trade, while the Cowboys receive two first-round draft picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 28

The Commanders are 10th in Forbes's latest NFL team valuations at $7.6 billion.

They've increased in value by $1.55 billion since Josh Harris bought the team in 2023.

Link: www.forbes.com/sites/justin...

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 26

It’s been a fun season taking in some baseball in D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Queens and the Bronx.

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 26

Enjoying ballpark No. 6 on the season for Nats-Yankees.

Reposted by Jake Russell

Andrew Golden @andrewgolden.bsky.social · Aug 26

Mason Denaburg didn’t lose his love for baseball. But injuries ripped away the career he imagined.

This offseason, the former first-round pick had a choice — continue baseball or attempt to be a college punter. He chose the latter:

Plan A was baseball. But it’s time for Plan B: Walk on as a college punter.

At 26, Mason Denaburg is transitioning from the pitcher’s mound to the football field, as he returns to a sport he played growing up in Florida.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 25

BREAKING: The Commanders and Terry McLaurin have agreed to a three-year, $96 million contract extension.

Terry McLaurin agrees to three-year contract extension with Commanders

McLaurin’s extension will pay him $96 million with the chance to escalate, a person familiar with the deal said.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 22

The Commanders have traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers.

Commanders trade Brian Robinson Jr. to 49ers for sixth-round draft pick

Robinson has been the starting running back for Washington, but as other options emerged during training camp, the fourth-year player became expendable.

www.washingtonpost.com

Jake Russell @jakerussell.bsky.social · Aug 15

After new Commanders DT Javon Kinlaw made a big play in the team's scrimmage against the Patriots last week, safety Jeremy Reaves took notice.

“I was just in awe,” Reaves said. “It was like Jayden [Daniels’s] throw against the Bengals. I was like, ‘We got one.’”

Javon Kinlaw’s road led back to Washington, and all signs are pointing up

‘He dwarfs people’: Commanders defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is making his presence known on the field and aiming to change lives off it.

www.washingtonpost.com