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Share Tweet Share Share Email The crypto market is buzzing with opportunity as December unfolds. Cardano (ADA) is making waves after forming a rare pattern that signals a potential Santa Claus Rally to close out the year strong. Meanwhile, Fantom (FTM) is being touted for its bullish momentum, with analysts predicting a whopping 200% return in the coming months as the network gains traction. Both projects have serious momentum behind them as we head into 2025. Enter Qubetics ($TICS) , a rising star that’s revolutionizing how crypto works in the real world. While Cardano and Fantom focus on network scalability and ecosystem growth, Qubetics solves the real-life usability problem with its smart, non-custodial multi-chain wallet. From instant payments to seamless cross-border transactions, Qubetics is making crypto transactions as easy as tapping Apple Pay or Google Pay. Currently in Presale Phase 13, Qubetics has raised over $6.9 million, sold 350 million tokens, and is attracting investors looking for a massive 900% ROI post-launch. Qubetics ($TICS): Redefining Crypto Usability and Tokenization Let’s be real—most people still find crypto confusing. Between managing multiple wallets, unpredictable market swings, and slow transaction speeds, mainstream adoption has been a tough nut to crack. That’s where Qubetics comes in, offering a game-changing approach to crypto usability that appeals to businesses, freelancers, and everyday users alike. The centerpiece of Qubetics is its non-custodial multi-chain wallet , which simplifies how users send, receive, and manage their digital assets. What sets Qubetics apart is its smart contract conversion mechanism, which automatically converts crypto into fiat currency at the point of sale. Let’s say you’re shopping online—Qubetics ensures the crypto payment is converted instantly, protecting you from price volatility and making the entire experience smooth as butter. Now picture this: You’re a freelancer with clients in Europe, Asia, and North America. Instead of navigating wire fees, delays, or manual conversions, Qubetics lets you accept payments in any cryptocurrency and instantly settles them into your preferred fiat. Businesses get the same perks, too—global payments without the stress of fluctuating crypto prices. Qubetics is currently in Presale Phase 13, with tokens priced at $0.0342. So far, the project has raised $6.9 million, with 350 million tokens sold to over 10,300 holders. The presale’s next phase will bring a 10% price increase, and the final launch price is set to hit $0.25—a potential 900% ROI for early investors. If you’re looking for the best cryptos to buy in December 2024, Qubetics is the name to watch. Cardano (ADA): A Rare Pattern Signals a Santa Claus Rally Cardano (ADA) is back in the spotlight as it gears up for a potential Santa Claus Rally. Analysts are buzzing about a rare chart pattern forming on ADA’s price charts, which historically signals a strong year-end surge for the cryptocurrency. If this bullish trend plays out, Cardano could see significant gains as December wraps up. What makes Cardano stand out is its dedication to scalability, sustainability, and real-world adoption. Its blockchain operates on the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which allows for faster transactions at lower energy costs compared to traditional Proof-of-Work models. This eco-friendly design has earned Cardano a loyal following among developers and investors. Cardano’s ecosystem is also thriving. Projects built on its blockchain, particularly in the DeFi and NFT sectors, continue to expand, driving demand for ADA. With its recent focus on smart contracts and scalability upgrades, Cardano is positioning itself as a go-to platform for decentralized applications. The upcoming Santa Claus Rally could propel ADA to new heights, offering investors a chance to capitalize on this momentum. If you’re searching for the best cryptos to buy in December 2024, Cardano’s bullish outlook makes it a strong contender for growth. Fantom (FTM): Poised for 200% Gains as Momentum Builds Fantom (FTM) has been on fire recently, and analysts are calling for a potential 200% price surge as we head into the new year. The driving force? Fantom’s incredible speed, low fees, and growing developer activity, all of which position it as a powerhouse in the DeFi space. Fantom operates on its Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technology, which allows it to process thousands of transactions per second at a fraction of the cost of competitors like Ethereum. This speed and affordability make Fantom an attractive choice for developers building DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and other decentralized apps. The ecosystem is expanding fast, too. From liquid staking solutions to decentralized exchanges (DEXs), Fantom’s network is becoming a hub for innovation. Recent partnerships and integrations have added even more fuel to FTM’s fire, driving investor confidence and sparking predictions of massive gains. For investors hunting for projects with strong fundamentals and serious upside potential, Fantom is one of the best cryptos to buy in December 2024. Its combination of technology, growing adoption, and bullish momentum makes it a solid pick heading into 2025. Final Thoughts: The Best Cryptos to Buy in December 2024 As December heats up, Qubetics ($TICS), Cardano (ADA), and Fantom (FTM) are standing out as the top cryptos to watch. Cardano’s rare pattern and potential Santa Claus Rally make it a compelling choice for investors looking for year-end gains. Fantom’s growing momentum and predictions of a 200% surge highlight its strength as a leader in the DeFi space. Then there’s Qubetics—a project revolutionizing how we use and interact with crypto. By offering instant, stable, and global payments through its non-custodial multi-chain wallet, Qubetics is solving real-world problems with innovation that’s hard to beat. With $6.9 million raised, over 350 million tokens sold, and a projected 900% ROI, Qubetics is shaping up to be one of the best cryptos to buy in December 2024 . Based on the latest research, we recommend Qubetics ($TICS), Cardano (ADA), and Fantom (FTM) as the best investment picks for this month. Don’t sleep on these projects—opportunity waits for no one. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Qubetics Presale Surges as Stellar Expands in Bolivia and Cronos Preps zkEVM Upgrade: Latest Best Cryptos to Watch Now Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms: PoW vs. PoS vs. DPoS Layer 2 Solutions Explained: Scaling Blockchain Without Compromising Security CommentsDENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!

BEIJING, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: YQ) (“17EdTech” or the “Company”), a leading education technology company in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2024. Third Quarter 2024 Highlights1 First Nine Months 2024 Highlights Mr. Andy Liu, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, “In the third quarter of 2024, we have continued our business progress and have seen consistent growth in school subscribing to our teaching and learning SaaS offerings under subscription model. This is a strong testimony in the value of our offerings and creates a clear growth path into the future.” “We continue to evolve our teaching and learning SaaS solutions and expand customer base to improve efficiency through digital means, ensuring high-quality development and fostering growth in the school-based procurement,” he added. Mr. Michael Du, Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company commented, “During the quarter, our teaching and learning SaaS business saw revenue growth compared to the same quarter last year. As we enhance operating efficiency, net loss on a GAAP basis continued to narrow for the past three consecutive quarters. As our SaaS billing model is maturing, we achieved significant progress with a remarkable growth rate that outpaces the overall revenue growth.” Third Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results Net Revenues Net revenues for the third quarter of 2024 were RMB59.6 million (US$8.5 million), representing a year-over-year increase of 32.2% from RMB 45.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. This was mainly due to the increased number of teaching and learning SaaS contracts and the recurring revenue generated from on-going projects. Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB23.3 million (US$3.3 million), representing a year-over-year increase of 12.5% from RMB20.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, which was mainly due to the increase in project deliveries for our teaching and learning SaaS offerings during the quarter. Gross Profit and Gross Margin Gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB36.3 million (US$5.2 million), compared with RMB24.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2024 was 60.9%, compared with 54.1% in the third quarter of 2023. Total Operating Expenses The following table sets forth a breakdown of operating expenses by amounts and percentages of revenue during the periods indicated (in thousands, except for percentages): Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were RMB58.0 million (US$8.3 million), including RMB11.7 million (US$1.7 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 43.7% from RMB103.1 million in the third quarter of 2023. Sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were RMB20.2 million (US$2.9 million), including RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 27.6% from RMB27.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. This was mainly due to the decrease in the share-based compensation and efficiency improvements in marketing and sales work force and expenses compared with the same period last year. Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were RMB12.8 million (US$1.8 million), including RMB3.5 million (US$0.5 million) of share-based compensation expenses, representing a year-over-year decrease of 72.2% from RMB45.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the share-based compensation and efficiency improvements in our research and development work force and expenses. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were RMB25.0 million (US$3.6 million), including RMB6.4 million (US$0.9 million) of share-based compensation expenses, compared with RMB29.2 million in the third quarter of 2023. This was mainly due to the decrease in the office and professional service fees compared with the same period last year. Loss from Operations Loss from operations for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB21.6 million (US$3.1 million), compared with RMB78.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Loss from operations as a percentage of net revenues for the third quarter of 2024 was negative 36.3%, compared with negative 174.4% in the third quarter of 2023. Net Loss Net loss for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB17.4 million (US$2.5 million), compared with net loss of RMB72.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. Net loss as a percentage of net revenues was negative 29.2% in the third quarter of 2024, compared with negative 161.6% in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Net Loss (non-GAAP) Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB5.7 million (US$0.8 million), compared with adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) of RMB53.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) as a percentage of net revenues was negative 9.5% in the third quarter of 2024, compared with negative 119.1% of adjusted net loss (non-GAAP) as a percentage of net revenues in the third quarter of 2023. Please refer to the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of net loss under U.S. GAAP to adjusted net loss (non-GAAP). Cash and Cash Equivalents and Term Deposit Cash and cash equivalents and term deposit were RMB339.7 million (US$48.4 million) as of September 30, 2024, compared with RMB476.7 million as of December 31, 2023. Conference Call Information The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time) to discuss the financial results for the third quarter of 2024. Please note that all participants will need to preregister for the conference call participation by navigating to https://register.vevent.com/register/BIcb0cb8cc902d426b9cbd52d075f15685 . Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers, and PIN number. To join the conference call, please dial the number you receive, enter the PIN number, and you will be joined to the conference call instantly. Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at https://ir.17zuoye.com/ . Non-GAAP Financial Measures 17EdTech’s management uses adjusted net income (loss) as a non-GAAP financial measure to gain an understanding of 17EdTech’s comparative operating performance and future prospects. Adjusted net income (loss) represents net loss excluding share-based compensation expenses and such adjustment has no impact on income tax. Adjusted net income (loss) is used by 17EdTech’s management in their financial and operating decision-making as a non-GAAP financial measure; because management believes it reflects 17EdTech’s ongoing business and operating performance in a manner that allows meaningful period-to-period comparisons. 17EdTech’s management believes that such non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating 17EdTech’s operating performance in the same manner as management does, if they so choose. Specifically, 17EdTech believes the non-GAAP measure provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain charges that the Company believes are not indicative of its core operating results. The non-GAAP financial measure has limitations. It does not include all items of income and expense that affect 17EdTech’s income from operations. Specifically, the non-GAAP financial measure is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and, with respect to the non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain items under GAAP, does not reflect any benefit that such items may confer to 17EdTech. Management compensates for these limitations by also considering 17EdTech’s financial results as determined in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with US GAAP. Exchange Rate Information The Company’s business is primarily conducted in China and all of the revenues are denominated in Renminbi (“RMB”). However, periodic reports made to shareholders will include current period amounts translated into U.S. dollars (“USD” or “US$”) using the exchange rate as of balance sheet date, for the convenience of the readers. Translations of balances in the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, change in shareholders’ deficit and cash flows from RMB into USD as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2024 are solely for the convenience of the readers and were calculated at the rate of US$1.00=RMB7.0176 representing the noon buying rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board on September 30, 2024. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on September 30, 2024, or at any other rate. About 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. is a leading education technology company in China, offering smart in-school classroom solution that delivers data-driven teaching, learning and assessment products to teachers, students and parents. Leveraging its extensive knowledge and expertise obtained from in-school business over the past decade, the Company provides teaching and learning SaaS offerings to facilitate the digital transformation and upgrade at Chinese schools, with a focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of core teaching and learning scenarios such as homework assignments and in-class teaching. The product utilizes the Company’s technology and data insights to provide personalized and targeted learning and exercise content that is aimed at improving students’ learning efficiency. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 17EdTech’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. 17EdTech may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: 17EdTech’s growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users; its ability to carry out its business and organization transformation, its ability to implement and grow its new business initiatives; the trends in, and size of, China’s online education market; competition in and relevant government policies and regulations relating to China's online education market; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 17EdTech’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 17EdTech does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: 17 Education & Technology Group Inc. Ms. Lara Zhao Investor Relations Manager E-mail: ir@17zuoye.comTECH giants must be stopped from ripping off musicians, writers and news publishers when using their material to train artificial intelligence systems, ministers have been warned. The Government today launched a consultation on how AI can use copyrighted work of the UK’s top talent to train the models . Fury is growing that Ministers want to allow tech chiefs to freely use the copyright material unless the creators opt out. The plan has been blasted as a hammer blow for the UK’s £126bn creative industry. Baroness Beeban Kidron , an expert in AI ethics, said: “If you continue to let AI companies scrape copyrighted work without payment then it destroys the ability to making a living. “The creative community want to work with AI, want to engage with tech – but they want to be paid for what they do. “The government consultation is too little, too late and too in the pocket of the tech sector.” Leading filmmakers, singers and authors have warned that there are already strict copyright laws that protect content and all the government should do is figure out how to strictly enforce them. They want to ensure tech tycoons who benefit from Britain’s top talents pay up for it. Tory Shadow Technology Secretary Alan Mak accused his counterpart Peter Kyle of “dither and delay” on the pressing issue. Most read in The Sun He said: “Labour are subjecting the industry to dither and delay, and potentially two years of uncertainty as they launch yet another consultation, placing us behind our competitors.” Chair of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Caroline Dineage, said she’s heard “widespread concerns” about how copyrighted works are being used to train AI without consent or compensation. She insisted that “any final proposals ensure creators’ rights are respected”. Owen Meredith, chief executive of the News Media Association, said: “News publishers deserve control over when and how their content is used and, crucially, fair remuneration for its use. “Instead of proposing unworkable systems such as the ‘rights reservations’ (or ‘opt-out’) regime, the government should focus on implementing transparency requirements within the existing copyright framework. “Only this will ensure that creatives and the AI firms that rely on them for high-quality data can thrive together.”

DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Media Chat: Tinubu’s Insensitive To Plight Of Nigerians – PDP

Qorvo Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market