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Roethlisberger’s Steelers squeak into playoffs

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Roethlisberger's Steelers squeak into playoffs

Roethlisberger’s Steelers squeak into playoffs

STEELERS–  Calm as can be on what could have been his final pass, Ben Roethlisberger was right on target, finding Ray-Ray McCloud over the middle on fourth down to set up Pittsburgh for the winning field goal in overtime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roethlisberger's Steelers squeak into playoffs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“He’s the same when everybody else gets funny,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Everybody else gets a little tight, he’s the same guy.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roethlisberger delayed his retirement for a few hours and probably longer, guiding Pittsburgh to a 16-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday that left the Steelers on the verge of an improbable playoff berth. Chris Boswell made a 36-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining to win the game for Pittsburgh, which stood to make the playoffs as long as Sunday night’s Chargers-Raiders game didn’t end in a tie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Steelers (9-7-1) didn’t sound too worried about that possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m just happy for Ben,” Boswell said. “We’re sending him to the playoffs. This team deserves it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Steelers (9-7-1) didn’t sound too worried about that possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m just happy for Ben,” Boswell said. “We’re sending him to the playoffs. This team deserves it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh had slim playoff hopes coming in. The Steelers needed to win and have Indianapolis lose to Jacksonville to have any chance of extending Roethlisberger’s career with a postseason appearance. The Ravens needed a win, a loss by the Colts — and losses by the Dolphins and Chargers later in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most unlikely part of those scenarios — Indianapolis losing to lowly Jacksonville — actually happened. The crowd in Baltimore, which included plenty of towel-waving Pittsburgh fans, roared its approval when highlights of that game were shown. The Jaguars prevailed 26-11 and were in control for much of the second half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We knew we had to take care of our business first and foremost,” Roethlisberger said. “It took extra time but we found a way to do it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Steelers and Ravens (8-9) would have both been eliminated if their game had ended in a tie, so it was no surprise when Pittsburgh went for it on fourth-and-8 from the Baltimore 41 with 2:28 left in OT. McCloud made the catch for a 10-yard gain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the winning field goal, Roethlisberger held up his fist in celebration and went slowly to the middle of the field to commiserate with Ravens linebacker Justin Houston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latavius Murray put the Ravens ahead 10-3 with a 46-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, but Baltimore lost its sixth straight game to end the season. Five of the losses in that skid were by three points or fewer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ravens were without star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed a fourth straight game with an ankle injury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roethlisberger admitted before last week’s home game against Cleveland that all signs pointed to retirement after this season. With one more home game, Pittsburgh fans turned that matchup against the Browns into a memorable celebration of his career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I think last week was so much more emotional, it took it all out and just made me feel like, ‘Let’s go play,’” Roethlisberger said. “At no point during this game did I think, ‘Man, this is it, it’s almost over.’ It just didn’t feel like that.”

It looked as if this would be the end for Roethlisberger when Baltimore led 10-6 and was driving in the fourth quarter, but Tyler Huntley threw an interception in the end zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 39-year-old Roethlisberger threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool with 2:54 remaining to give Pittsburgh a 13-10 lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You’ve got to pay respect where respect is due. We made it hard on him and he kept coming,” Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. “He made the plays he needed to. Big Ben, he’s a legend for making the plays in critical moments. He’s a warrior.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Tucker tied it with a 46-yard field goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.J. Watt of the Steelers tied Michael Strahan’s single-season record of 22 1/2 sacks, reaching that milestone late in the second quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s definitely a cool thing,” Watt said. “I don’t know if any of it’s really hit me.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was the biggest highlight of a first half that didn’t really live up to the standards of past Ravens-Steelers clashes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After halftime, however, it became clear that Indianapolis was in real danger of losing, and suddenly the stakes in Baltimore went up. Pittsburgh kicked a field goal on fourth-and-2 to make it 10-6 in the third. Then Cameron Sutton of the Steelers intercepted Huntley in the end zone in a huge missed opportunity for the Ravens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pittsburgh squandered a chance of its own in the first quarter, recovering a fumble by Huntley at the Baltimore 39 but managing only a field goal. A false start on running back Benny Snell on fourth-and-1 forced the Steelers to settle for three points.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

 

Media guru and highly respected on air personality, Jọlaoluwa Afọlabi famously known as J.J Jabulani is holding an elaborate 90th years birthday bash for his mummy, Mama Maria Ibipeju Afọlabi.

The birthday bash is holding on Friday, 25th April, 2025 at No 1 Ebute Road, Unity hall, opposite Indomie house, Lau junction, Ibafo, Ogun state. Many eminent personalities and media guys are expected to grace the epoch-making event.

Mama Ibipeju is a big business woman that trades on kolanut and gold in the 80s, she’s married to the popular pastor of the C&S church world wide Most Senior Apostle Samson Ọlayiwola Afọlabi of the revered Odofin compound in IREE town,Boripe local government of Osun state .

Mama is blessed with so many children among them is the ace broadcaster and media owner , Afolabi Jolaoluwa jabulani who is the last born of the nonagenarian.

Mama has great love and passion for gospel music spurred her interest in the usage of ‘SHEKERE’ in praising God till this moment and this singular act earned her the nick name (Iya Sekere)

Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

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Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

 

Rising Nigerian football talent Nanakeme Precious Poweidou has officially signed with Zvijezda Gradacac, a professional football club in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a significant step in what he calls “a journey, not a hundred-meter race.”

 

The promising player expressed his excitement and gratitude following the signing, saying, “It is not a hundred-meter race, but a journey… I’m looking forward to a great career by God’s grace.”

 

The move to Zvijezda Gradacac marks Poweidou’s first professional contract in Europe, a milestone that signals both the beginning of his international career and the realization of years of dedication, discipline, and hard work on the pitch.

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society

From Dumbbells to DMs: Nigerian Gyms Evolve into Social Hotspots

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The Gym Love Triangle: Fitness, Fashion, and Flirtation in Lagos

 

In the age of fitness influencers, athleisure fashion, and Instagram-worthy workouts, Nigeria’s gym culture is booming. But beneath the sculpted abs and protein shakes lies a more complicated narrative: the gym as a new social playground—and sometimes, a romantic battleground.

From Ikeja to Festac and down to the bustling gyms in Ajah, what was once a space solely for sweat and stamina has evolved into something of a social experiment.

“People are using gyms to hook up,” says Folarin Adekoya, a regular gym-goer in Ikeja. “Some women come in wearing provocative outfits, and it’s not just distracting—it raises questions about their intentions.”

While the body goals are still a priority for many, others are raising eyebrows—and smartphones—as selfies, flirtation, and full-blown relationships begin to rival reps and routines.

“I Came to Lift, Not to Love”

Jason Onwuka, who trains regularly in Festac, says he’s seen it all.

“You have people who are here more for the vibe than the workouts. They spend more time talking and laughing than lifting weights,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He admits, however, that as society grows more individualistic, gyms have emerged as safe, neutral grounds for forming new connections.

“People are lonely. The gym is now a space to find friends, romance, and a sense of belonging,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s on you to stay focused.”

“Indecent Dressing Could Get Girls Banned” – Teddy A Warns

The debate recently went viral when Teddy A, a former Big Brother Naija star, posted a video lamenting what he called “indecent dressing at the gym.”

“We don’t want them to start banning girls from gyms because of indecent dressing,” he said in a video that triggered a flurry of reactions online.

While some praised his candour, others blasted his remarks as misogynistic and controlling, igniting fresh debates over dress codes, freedom of expression, and the sexual politics of the gym floor.

Fitness Centre Managers Respond

A gym manager in Ajah, who requested anonymity, told NAN that they’ve had to lay down the law to maintain order and respect.

“We’ve introduced dress guidelines and behaviour protocols. Still, people come to mingle, and as long as no one’s workout is disrupted, we don’t interfere,” he said.

He admitted that while some gym-goers blur the lines, many—especially professional women—come solely for fitness.

“They wear functional gear. Not everyone’s here for attention,” he added.

A Culture in Transition

As Nigeria’s middle class expands and wellness trends grow, gyms are no longer just places to burn calories—they’re becoming microcosms of urban life, where health, identity, and social dynamics all intersect.

But the question remains: Are gyms still sacred spaces for self-improvement—or just another scene for subtle seduction?

For now, the battle between body goals and “boo goals” continues to play out between the dumbbells and the dance bikes, one rep—and one DM—at a time.

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