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Troy University Cornerback ‘Reddy’ To Hear His Name Called On Draft Day
NNPA NEWSWIRE — From April 25th-27th, many collegiate football athletes will see their dreams of having their names called at the 2024 NFL Draft. The hard work and dedication comes full circle during a 3-day cycle that will be held in Detroit, Michigan. One prospect, Troy University cornerback, Reddy Steward has checked all the boxes in hopes to hear his name called during this 3-day period. His All-Sun Belt first team selection earned him a spot to play in front of NFL coaches and scouts at the Hula Bowl. Steward enters the draft with the second highest career grade amongst eligible cornerbacks entering the draft.
The post Troy University Cornerback ‘Reddy’ To Hear His Name Called On Draft Day first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

By Percy Crawford
After a phenomenal “Pro Day,” Reddy Steward anticipates getting his shot at the next level.
From April 25th to 27th, many collegiate football athletes will see their dreams of having their names called at the 2024 NFL Draft. The hard work and dedication come full circle during a 3-day cycle that will be held in Detroit, Michigan. One prospect, Troy University cornerback Reddy Steward, has checked all the boxes hoping to hear his name called during this 3-day period. His All-Sun Belt first-team selection earned him a spot to play in front of NFL coaches and scouts at the Hula Bowl. Steward enters the draft with the second-highest career grade amongst eligible cornerbacks entering the draft.
During a recent conversation, Steward discussed his strong faith, his preparation, and fulfilling his dream of playing in the NFL.
You had a very productive “Pro Day.” How did you walk away feeling about the numbers you put up?
Steward: I felt pretty good. I felt great about the numbers I put up. I was just working for it about 3 months before it. I was out at Bommarito’s in Florida. They helped me with some nicks, little things to help me increase my speed and open up my hips. Once I got a ‘Pro Day,” I was back at my school, so I felt comfortable. I just wanted to go out there and show the scouts that I had speed and I could move my hips well.
That’s the physical side, how do you mentally prepare for one day that could alter your entire life?
Steward: How I go about my life, I’m big on God. I’m a Christian, my family is big into it, so I just put my faith into Him. Believe in my abilities, put my faith in God, and go out there and showcase.
You played as a freshman at Troy University and went on to have an amazing career there. How much does being thrown into the fire and gaining so much experience at Troy propel you moving forward?
Steward: Those type of moments just keeps me calm because I seen a lot of things at a young age. That was the main reason I went to Troy just to get that experience early, see what the college game is like, and of course, I knew the speed of the game would be different. My coaches, having faith in me and throwing me out there as a freshman helped me as I got older to know what was coming, how to film study, and prepare for everything.
Anyone who has played the game dreams of hearing their name called, putting on their hat, and shaking the commissioner’s hand. Have you had time to even think about that part of the process yet?
Steward: While I was training, I wasn’t really thinking about it, but after “Pro Day” happened and I put up good numbers, I started thinking about it more. I’ve been talking to my dad and brothers about it. Just waiting for that moment to happen, I think it’s going to be a feeling you don’t have words for. I can’t wait for it, but then after that, my mind will be back focused on football. I just can’t wait.
What do you do to get away from it all right now?
Steward: I’m a simple guy. I’m from the country, so I’m down here with my dad just hanging out with family. We’re a tight family and that’s really all I do when I come home. I’m big on that. They help me get my mind off of it because they know I take football very seriously to try and help provide for them in the future. Hanging with them and just being a regular person takes my mind off of football.
I’m a southern guy, and you’re a southern guy. That New Orleans Saints uniform would look really good on you. Besides, we have great cornerbacks here that you could learn from.
Steward: (Laughing). Wherever I go I’m going to be blessed about it, thank God for it, but we’re southern guys, so if I could have that opportunity for my family to come see me play with me being closer to home, I’d be so grateful for that. That would be my reasoning for wanting to be on a southern team, so that my family could come see me play, but wherever I get picked I’d be grateful for it. I don’t care where I go.
Would you like to play right away, or come in behind someone and learn while taking reps?
Steward: I feel like I’m prepared to play early. I trust my technique enough for coaches to believe in me and throw me out there right away. If I get the opportunity to do that, I’d be ready for it. If I have to go to a place where they want me to develop, I’ll be ready for that as well. I’m just keeping an open mind, and I’m ready to adapt and adjust to any environment I go to.
You mentioned technique and adapting. The league is making is tough on defensive players in terms of limited contact in coverage and prohibiting ways defenders can tackle. Do these rule changes impact your approach to the game?
Steward: you have to adjust because the game is changing. You have to be conscious of how you coming downhill and making tackles. If you’re going for the ball or for a hit, you have to show a difference in your game, because that’s what the refs are looking for nowadays. It’s an adjustment that I don’t have a problem with. It’s just part of the game.
Have you had someone mentor you through this process?
Steward: Yes1 I have a mentor who I work out with when I come home, and I lean on him for advice. His name is Jerraud Powers. He played in the league for about 8 or 9 years with the Colts, Cardinals, and Ravens. I just lean on him with a lot of stuff on the NFL level because he’s already been through it. I’ve been working out with him since my junior year of high school. He’s like my big brother, my mentor all in one. I ask him a lot of questions about how I should approach rookie mini-camp and stuff like that, and he gives me advice.
The closer we get to April 25th, are you anxious, nervous, or a little bit of both?
Steward: It’s more anxiousness than nervousness. I don’t think I get nervous about any situation. Just wondering who is going to call your phone from what city. How far am I going to have to go and things like that.
Explain what type of player the team that selects you will be getting?
Steward: They’re going to get a coachable guy, who is willing to learn. As a rookie, I know I’m starting at ground zero and I’m fine with that. Just a guy that’s willing to learn and listen and work hard. That was embedded in me at Troy. We worked for everything we had. A smart film study player who will know what’s coming on the field before it happens.
Do you study any particular defensive backs to take little nuggets from?
Steward: There are a ton of players, but I look at guys that are around my size, so I can see how my game will transfer to the NFL because they’re doing great. I look at guys like Denzel Ward, Kenny Moore for the Colts. He is small in stature, but he plays with so much confidence you can’t even tell.
You are from Decatur, Alabama which is a very small town, what advice would you give someone who is from a small town or maybe attended a small college to let them know they could accomplish this too.
Steward: Put your faith in the process. I tell the younger guys; these scouts know talent. No matter where you go or where you’re from, if you’re putting up good numbers, they will find you regardless. I commend the NFL for that. Put your faith in God and put the work in every day. There’s guys that’s been from smaller cities than I’m from make it, so just put your head down, stay out the way, stay out of trouble, you can do the same thing.
The post Troy University Cornerback ‘Reddy’ To Hear His Name Called On Draft Day first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Federal Raids Target Migrant Kids, Split Families
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The children, many of whom were living with family members or other vetted sponsors, were taken during so-called “welfare checks” carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. According to CNN, the operations are part of a larger campaign launched shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office, with federal authorities setting up a “war room” inside the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review data on children who entered the country alone and were later released to sponsors. Officials have used the room to coordinate efforts between agencies, including ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which oversees the custody of unaccompanied migrant children.
Trump officials claim the effort is aimed at protecting children placed in unsafe conditions or with unqualified sponsors, pointing to cases where children were released to individuals with criminal backgrounds or those involved in smuggling. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the welfare checks have led to the arrests of some sponsors and the transfer of children into ORR custody. Federal data shows more than 2,500 children are currently in ORR custody. CNN reported that the average stay has grown significantly, from 67 days in December 2024 to 170 days by April 2025. Former Health and Human Services officials say new vetting rules—including income requirements, government-issued ID, and DNA tests—have made it far more difficult for parents and guardians, particularly those who are undocumented, to reclaim their children.
In some cases, reunifications that had already been scheduled were canceled. A recent lawsuit details how two brothers, ages 7 and 14, remain in government care because their mother cannot meet new documentation requirements under the revised policies. Mark Greenberg, a former senior HHS official, stated that the approach puts children in a difficult situation. “To the extent, the goal is to determine whether children are in danger or in need of help, this isn’t a good way to do that because it creates fear that anything they say could be used against their parent or family member,” he said. Immigration enforcement agents reportedly have visited children’s homes and asked about their journey to the U.S., school attendance, and upcoming immigration court appearances. Legal advocates say these visits, which sometimes include the FBI, are not standard child welfare procedures and can create fear and confusion among minors.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency’s role, saying, “Protecting children is a critical mission for the FBI, and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to secure their safety and well-being.” Multiple outlets noted that the Trump administration has not provided clear evidence that large numbers of children are missing. Instead, it has referenced a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report from 2023 that noted more than 291,000 unaccompanied minors had not received notices to appear in immigration court. Former officials note that these figures do not necessarily indicate that the children are missing; some lacked updated addresses or were affected by administrative backlogs.
Within HHS, officials were instructed to expedite policy changes. Former ORR Ombudsman Mary Giovagnoli stated that a senior ICE official, Melissa Harper, was temporarily appointed to lead ORR. Her short tenure was followed by Angie Salazar, another former ICE official who now frequently communicates with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Trump’s team argues the Biden administration allowed thousands of unaccompanied children to enter the country without sufficient oversight. Jen Smyers, a former ORR deputy director, stated that all sponsors underwent thorough vetting, including Department of Justice background checks and reviews of the sex offender registry. “No amount of vetting is a predictor of the future,” she said. The Miami Herald recently reported that a 17-year-old foster child in Florida was removed from his home in shackles and transferred to ICE custody. The boy and his mother had crossed the border without documentation, but he had been living in a state-supervised foster placement. The case raised concerns about the state’s cooperation with federal enforcement and the message it sends to immigrant families. Concerns about federal custody of vulnerable children are not confined to immigration.
In North Carolina, a 7-month-old baby died after being left in a hot minivan by her foster mother, who now faces charges of negligent child abuse and involuntary manslaughter. In Hawaii, dozens of children have been forced to sleep in government offices and hotels due to a shortage of foster placements. In North Dakota, a foster couple has been charged in the death of a 3-year-old after surveillance footage showed the child being repeatedly assaulted. “These cases show what happens when systems meant to protect children fail them,” said Laura Nally, director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights Children’s Program. “There’s a growing concern that these welfare checks are being used to carry out mass detentions of sponsors and unnecessarily return children to government custody.”
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Protests of a Costly and Historic Parade
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday.

By April Ryan
It will rain on President Trump‘s parade on Saturday if most weather forecasts correctly predict the chance of storms. President Trump is planning an elaborate and costly celebration for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with his birthday. When asked if he plans to attend the massive D.C. celebration, New York Democratic Congressman Greg Meeks exclaimed,” Heck no!” He elaborated, saying, “It is clear to me that what Donald J. Trump is trying to do is to emulate Vladimir Putin.” Trump and Putin, the Russian president, are friends. Meeks feels “that’s where he initially got the idea from when he saw the tanks going down the street and how people bow down to Vladimir Putin, how…that authoritarian runs his country where no one questions what he does.”
Meanwhile, around the nation 1600 protests are scheduled to coincide with what is happening in Washington, D.C. Democratic Congressman Al Greene confirms he will attend several “No King Day” protest rallies and marches in his home state of Texas. The congressman questions the president’s comments about using “force” for anyone trying to stop the parade. Reverand William Barber plans to be in Philadelphia on Saturday. “We are having a rally bringing people together,” the civil rights leader confirmed. The leader of Repairers of the Breach added, “Those rallies are gonna be massive and multiracial of every race, color, creed, religion, geographic area, so this is not a moment. We must have a constant movement.”
Weeks ago, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser warned the parade, and all its military might, and pageantry would cost “many millions of dollars” just to repair District streets after the heavy artillery tanks rolled down the historic roads in the nation’s capital. Tall gates and other barricades around the White House are part of the parade’s security measures. The Secret Service has warned of a high-security presence in the area for the parade. You can expect to see military tanks, dozens of other military vehicles, and thousands of service members marching along a route stretching nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House.
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Critics Question 2024 Results as Musk Tactics Surface
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024 has reignited questions about election integrity, particularly after his remarks thanking Elon Musk for what he called a “landslide” win in Pennsylvania. “He knows those computers better than anybody… all those vote-counting computers,” Trump said. “So, thank you to Elon.” The comment set off alarm, including Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. “So, Trump is rambling on about he and Elon rigging the election?! Am I missing something or is he confessing to yet another damn crime?!” she posted on social media.
Now, a Wisconsin nonprofit has filed a legal complaint accusing Musk, his America PAC, and a Musk-affiliated group called United States of America Inc. of violating state election laws by bribing voters. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and two voters allege Musk handed out $1 million checks and that his PAC paid $100 to registered voters who signed petitions and gave their contact information. Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value over $1 to encourage someone to vote. The complaint also cites violations of the state’s lottery ban. The plaintiffs are asking a court to declare the actions illegal, prevent future violations, and award damages if applicable.
The lawsuit follows a failed attempt by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to block Musk’s actions earlier this year. Kaul argued that Musk’s conduct amounted to illegal inducement, but courts declined to intervene before the April state Supreme Court election. Jeff Mandell, president and general counsel for Law Forward, which represents the plaintiffs, said this new case is being filed under more typical legal timelines. “We’re trying to create … accountability in a more regular timeline, in a way that gives the courts the opportunity to look at this more carefully,” Mandell said.
Musk, who served briefly as a Trump adviser and led a short-lived federal agency focused on cost-cutting, has denied wrongdoing. He initially promoted the giveaways as rewards for early voters but later revised eligibility criteria following legal scrutiny. The controversy has added fuel to growing concerns over anomalies in places like Rockland County, New York, where Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly received virtually no votes despite Democratic victories in other races. “We know exactly what happened and how it unfolded, and we’re asking the court to say this is not acceptable,” Mandel has said.
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