Men's Journal's Blog, page 47

Arch Manning Refuses to Answer NFL Draft Question

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has never even started a game at the college level, but he is already one of the most high-profile players in the sport with analysts discussing his NFL potential ever since he enrolled two years ago. However, that's not something Manning wants to talk about.

With previous starter Quinn Ewers moving on to the NFL, Manning is stepping into the starting role for the first time in his third season of college football after sitting behind Ewers for his first two years.

Though Manning has not yet started a game for the Longhorns, he will technically be eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore, given that he will be three years removed from high school.

Given his five-star pedigree and his rather famous lineage – he's the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, for those unaware – there has been a lot of talk of Manning potentially entering the NFL Draft after just one season as the starter at Texas.

Manning, however, was not interested in talking about that.

During a recent interview at SEC Media Days ahead of the 2025 college football season, Manning was asked about the possibility of entering the NFL Draft following the 2025 season. However, he politely refused to answer the question.

"I’m really just worried about getting through this interview and then getting through the run tomorrow," Manning told reporters, according to Fox Sports. "I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day."

His coach, Steve Sarkisian, was asked a similar question, and he had a bit more substance in his answer while still mostly declining to address it at the present moment.

"I just want the guy to have a really good season this year, and we’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it," Sarkisian told reporters on Tuesday. "I hope he has a really hard decision to make, because that means he played really good."

Manning might not be interested in answering the question, but it's something that many college football and NFL fans will be wondering throughout the 2025 season.

Arch Manning Claims He Never Considered Transferring

With the prevalence of the transfer portal in the modern era of college football, it's not exactly common to see a five-star quarterback stick with a team for two seasons before having the chance to earn a starting spot, especially such a high-profile player as Arch Manning. But that's exactly what he did, and it sounds like he never even considered leaving.

Arch, the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, has been one of the most high-profile names in college football since he signed with the Texas Longhorns before the 2023 season.

Given his family lineage and the fact that he was the highest-rated quarterback in the 2023 freshman recruiting class, Manning surely could have gone elsewhere and started his first season. Instead, he chose to enroll with Texas, where he knew he would almost certainly sit behind veteran starter Quinn Ewers for at least one season.

When Ewers chose to return to Texas for one more season in 2024, there was a lot of speculation that Manning could choose to transfer to another program where he could start immediately rather than spend another year behind Ewers on the depth chart.

Ultimately, Manning made the decision to stay and serve as Ewers' backup for one more season. While that choice might have been surprising to some, he recently broke his silence on the decision as claimed that he never even considered the possibility of leaving Texas.

"[Transferring] never really crossed my mind," Manning said this week, according to Fox Sports. "I knew Texas was the place I wanted to be. It was the city I wanted to be in, a great education. I had friends there. I was still developing and growing as a football player and a person. So I never really wanted to leave. If there was somewhere else I wanted to be, I would have gone."

Manning waited patiently for his time to shine, and he'll get his chance this year. With Ewers gone to the NFL, Manning is the clear-cut starter for Texas.

He'll have his work cut out for him, though, as his first game as a starter will be against the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, who knocked Texas out of the College Football Playoff back in January – a game Manning left early with a head injury after just one carry.

We'll have to see how he fares after such a long wait.

Comments on Kristin Cabot’s Post Get Standing Ovation After Andy Byron, Coldplay Moment

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his co-worker, Kristin Cabot, became popular as ever on social media on Thursday. 

The two co-workers were spotted on the kiss cam at the Coldplay concert on Wednesday night and their reactions showed their alleged affair being caught in public. 

Neither Byron nor Cabot has released a statement, although a fake Byron comment surfaced on the internet on Thursday. 

People have done extensive digging on her social media. 

Previously, she wrote this on her LinkedIn page about Byron: 

"I have been energized in my conversations with Andy Byron and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here, including aiding our employees’ career development," she wrote. "I prefer to think of my role as people strategy versus traditional human resources, as the real magic happens when you align the people strategy with the business strategy."

Moreover, people flocked to LinkedIn to make plenty of comments on her page. 

I'm sorry but this is too good - people commenting on Kristin Cabot's LinkedIn 💀 Coldplay you are messyyyyy #ColdplayBoston #coldplay #andybyron pic.twitter.com/iouZOtwBTr

— Kara (@kdeyerme) July 17, 2025

In response to that, some fans wrote as follows: 

"May I send my cv for the CEO position?" 

"Now that's a cold play." 

"Is cheating with married men a requirement?" 

Yooo the people in the LinkedIn comments are killing me pic.twitter.com/u2ojn7dNwY

— Kat Jimenez (@Katheri08425389) July 18, 2025

Another user posted even more comments in what has become a massive talking point. 

"The Internet is ruthless and undefeated, this is the LinkedIn comments of Kristin Cabot – the CPO of Astronomer who is trending right now getting busted on Coldplay’s kiss cam." 

The Internet is ruthless and undefeated, this is the LinkedIn comments of Kristin Cabot – the CPO of Astronomer who is trending right now getting busted on Coldplay’s kiss cam pic.twitter.com/Re54vIOBt4

— Tom Babb (@TBabb02) July 17, 2025

Cabot did make her Instagram private but left her LinkedIn up, at least for the time being, although these comments might make her think otherwise. 

And, the comments under some of her posts are not going away. 

Related: Fans Have Made Chris Martin’s Quote About Andy Byron Go Viral

Former NFL QB Chimes In On Astronomer CEO Andy Byron’s Coldplay Moment

The never-ending drama involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his co-worker from the Coldplay concert has been the talk of the internet. 

Byron was caught on camera with his co-worker, who works in the HR department for Astronomer, during the kiss cam on Wednesday night at the Coldplay show. 

The video has gone viral, Byron has wiped clean his LinkedIn page, and plenty of questions remain as everyone awaits a response from Astronomer or Byron. 

But, the memes and GIFs have circulated plenty around the internet. 

On Thursday night, in an unexpected twist, former NFL quarterback Matt Cassel took to X and dropped a golden gif of Byron from the concert. 

Cassel put "Me" over Byron's face and "Reminding people I made the Pro Bowl in 2010" over the face of Byron's employee. 

🤷 pic.twitter.com/VLLDOcb1aT

— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) July 18, 2025

Yes, believe it or not, Cassel did make the Pro Bowl in 2010 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when he threw for 3,116 yards with 27 touchdowns while leading them to a 10-5 record. 

After that, Cassel's career went downhill as he spent time with five different teams, with his final NFL season coming in 2018. 

Several fans responded to Cassel's tweet with skull emojis, which represent that they are dead at his post. 

Well, Chipotle and Netflix also weighed in and joined the fun, but Cassel's tweet is surely something fans will gobble up as he takes the high road regarding his career. 

Related: Chipotle’s Unexpected Response to Video of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Turns Heads

Klay Thompson on Megan Thee Stallion Dating Rumors: ‘I’m All Gas No Brakes’

After buzz began circulating that Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson and rapper Megan Thee Stallion were dating roughly one week ago, the rumors quickly became facts.

Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion, whose birth name is Megan Pete, made a red-carpet appearance on Wednesday night in New York City. The pair attended the inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala at Gotham Hall.

After Thompson and Pete were seen and photographed holding hands before the event, the 30-year-old Grammy Award-winner addressed the topic while speaking to PageSix, praising the four-time NBA champion.

"This is my first relationship where I've ever been with somebody who's genuinely a nice person, and he makes me genuinely happy," she said of Thompson. "I just never dated somebody like him before and I'm just grateful that he's here by my side and he feels the same way about me."

Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson in New York City.

Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images

Thompson, who's rarely outspoken about his dating life, took his own route to address his new relationship.

After fellow NBA guard Ty Jerome commented on Thompson's photo on Instagram, stating, "Woah hard launch," Thompson replied with a short and direct response.

"I'm all gas no brakes," he replied to Jerome.

Klay Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion

Comments by Celebs on Instagram

Although Thompson and Pete may have different approaches to clearing the air about their relationship status, it's safe to say they're officially together.

After spending the entirety of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson opted for a change in the 2024 offseason, signing a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks. In his first season in Dallas, Thompson averaged 14.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Related: Travis Kelce Gives 5-Word Response to Jelly Roll's Comments on Taylor Swift

Fans Have Made Chris Martin’s Quote About Andy Byron Go Viral

On Wednesday night, the Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts went viral. 

However, it was not because of the band. Instead, during the show, the kiss cam caught Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his co-worker in an alleged affair in a video that went all over the internet on Thursday. 

It has become quite the topic of discussion, and Byron has deleted his LinkedIn page, with plenty of questions surfacing after the video. 

Right after the kiss cam panned on them, Coldplay singer Chris Martin made a comment that has gone viral. 

“Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” Martin said. 

And, he said something else that has been swirling around the internet. 

“Holy (expletive). I hope we didn’t do something bad,” Martin said. 

Warning: The video below contains strong language/profanity that may be offensive to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised

Coldplay’s Chris Martin after unknowingly exposing Astronomer CEO’s alleged affair with his HR chief:

“I hope we didn’t do something bad…” pic.twitter.com/fDJx8ZYERF

— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) July 17, 2025

The video of Martin's reaction has been everywhere, although him saying that "I hope we didn't do something bad" was cut off from some of them. 

The post by Pop Crave has over 42 million views as of Thursday night, and the one from Buzzing Pop has over 113 million views. 

The moment at the concert has been a massive meme in many ways. Netflix posted a Kirk Cousins gif in response, and even Chipotle came out of nowhere to join in on the fun with a viral tweet with a sign that read, "It's okay to cheat on your Chipotle order if it's with Chipotle Honey Chicken," although the post has now been deleted. 

So, for the Astronomer CEO and his co-worker, this video has been replayed a lot, and Martin's reaction has also gone viral. 

Related: Chipotle’s Unexpected Response to Video of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron Turns Heads

This WNBA Star Guessed the Statue of Liberty is 8 Feet Tall

Ever paid a visit to New York's Statue of Liberty? 

If not, you'd be surprised how tall it is. But if you've never visited, guessing its height can prove to be quite challenging.

Just ask New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu.

The WNBA champion and four-time All-Star point guard on Thursday night walked the famed orange carpet to kick off All-Star weekend in Indianapolis, where a reporter from GQ Sports wondered if the Liberty star had ever visited the iconic monument.

Ionescu, largely regarded as the greatest 3-point threat in the WNBA, said she hadn't visited the monument.

"Never," she said. "Not once."

Then came the quiz, in which the reporter asked her to guess how tall the Statue of Liberty is.

"Oooh," she said. "Eight feet?" 

"Eight feet?!" the reporter shot back, to which she came back with, "Twenty feet?"

The reporter told her to keep going.

She then shot back, "Fifteen feet?"

"Way, way, taller," the reporter answered.

“that was dumb, take that part out” 😭 pic.twitter.com/jdNyY8uKBm

— iz lvs ionescu 🐦‍🔥 (@sunkisses4bella) July 18, 2025

Ionescu went as high as 250 feet. But she was so far off. She finally asked the reporter to give her the answer "because I sound stupid."

The correct answer is 305 feet.

Ionescu's jaw dropped.

"That was dumb," she said when reminded that her initial guess was 8 feet. "Take that part out."

The reporter agreed to take the part out but the video quickly spread on social media.

All good, Ionescu. You can't be great at everything.

Coldplay ‘statement’ on Andy Byron Goes Viral. It's Fake

A lot has been said so far in the hours after a video shot by Coldplay's kiss cam at a recent concert many believe shows an affair.

The beliefs, so far unverified, allege the footage shows Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company's human resources executive Kristin Cabot embracing.

Much of the internet is sure it's them, but Men's Journal hasn't been able to get confirmation from the company directly, at least yet.

The footage has certainly produced some fake information though.

Screenshots of a post on X that appear to be directly from Coldplay's own X account have gone viral with millions of views so far, even just on one version of the post.

The fake Coldplay in the fake post has some fake good news for would-be cheaters.

"Starting with our next show, we're introducing camera-free audience sections for people and their sidepieces," the post states. 

A thoughtful decision by Coldplay. pic.twitter.com/hvBwn9xdfX

— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) July 17, 2025

Trusting AI is not always the best idea, in fact, IBM notes it can lead to some pretty poor outcomes. But considering the AI source and context of this issue, it seems fitting.

Grok, developed specifically for use on X, fact-checked it in the comments when someone tagged the AI chatbot to ask if the post was real.

"No, this screenshot is fabricated. Coldplay has not announced camera-free sections for "sidepieces"—no such post exists on their official X account or in recent news. Likely a joke," Grok responded.

A quick check by a real life Men's Journal writer also found Coldplay's real X account features no such post.

Grok has also evolved through at least four version since its launch in November 2023, according to xAI.

That's not the only fake information to come out of this whole media firestorm though.

British tabloids and some other media were duped by a fake statement posted by an X user who goes by the name "Peter Enis," which even suggested the whole thing was Coldplay's fault.

"I also want to express how troubling it is that what should have been a private moment became public without my consent. I respect artists and entertainers, but I hope we can all think more deeply about the impact of turning someone else’s life into a spectacle,” the statement read.

But Men's Journal confirmed the statement was fake after sending a media inquiry the day the kiss cam video surfaced, July 17, 2025.

"This is not a real statement," the company's Taylor Jones responded to the inquiry.

Another fake "statement," appearing to come from Astronomer's own X account, was debunked by former CEO Ry Walker.

Related: Andy Byron, Kristin Cabot Memes Explode After Coldplay Kiss Cam Video

Scientists Just Used Three-Person DNA to Prevent Deadly Diseases in Babies

In a breakthrough that could change the future of fertility treatment, researchers in Britain announced this week that eight healthy babies were born using an experimental DNA technique designed to prevent rare and often fatal genetic diseases, CNN reported.

The method, sometimes called “three-person IVF,” combines DNA from a mother, a father, and a donor to help families avoid passing on destructive mutations in mitochondrial DNA. 

While most of our DNA comes from the mother and father’s genetic material in the nucleus of a cell, mitochondria—the cell’s power source—carry a tiny but critical amount of their own DNA. Mutations there can lead to devastating conditions, including muscle weakness, seizures, and organ failure.

For a small number of parents, traditional genetic testing can’t always predict the risk of these conditions. That’s where the three-person technique comes in. 

Scientists extract healthy mitochondria from a donor egg and transfer the parents’ genetic material into it before fertilization. The result? An embryo with healthy mitochondria and less than 1% donor DNA—too little to affect the child’s traits, but enough to make a difference for their health.

“This marks an important milestone,” said Dr. Zev Williams of Columbia University Fertility Center. “It’s empowering more couples to pursue safe, healthy pregnancies.”

The procedure has been carefully regulated in the U.K. since 2016 and is approved only for patients who have no other options. Researchers at Newcastle University and Monash University in Australia reported that out of 22 patients treated, eight have delivered healthy babies. One woman is still pregnant.

However, some experts remain cautious. Critics warn of unknown long-term effects on future generations. In the U.S., federal law still prohibits clinical research involving heritable genetic modifications, keeping the technique off-limits for now.

For families who’ve faced mitochondrial disease, the potential is life-changing. 

Liz Curtis, whose daughter Lily died from the condition in 2006, called the advance “super exciting for families that don’t have much hope.” Curtis now leads the Lily Foundation, which supports research into mitochondrial diseases, including this groundbreaking work.

Related: Scientists Uncover DNA Puzzle: 6,000-Year-Old Remains Reveal Mysterious Ancestors

New $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ Could Cost Tourists Big at the Border

Visiting the United States is about to get a lot more expensive for millions of travelers.

Thanks to a sweeping new law passed this summer, the federal government will begin charging a $250 “visa integrity fee” to most tourists applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa, and critics are already calling it a bad move for both travelers and the economy Condé Nast Traveler reported.

The new fee, included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, will apply to anyone issued a U.S. visa in categories that require formal approval. 

That means tourists from countries not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program—including most visitors from Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia and the Middle East—will face the extra charge on top of existing visa application and reciprocity fees.

The list of impacted visitors doesn’t stop there. 

Even travelers from waiver countries will need to pay if they’re applying for student visas, work permits, or other special authorizations. Think F-1 student visas, H-1B work permits, and J-1 exchange visas, which are all subject to the new $250 fee.

And if you’re wondering whether that cash is refundable or waivable, the answer is no. The fee is locked in, with a slim chance of reimbursement only if visitors fully comply with their visa terms and leave the country on schedule.

Critics like U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman didn’t hold back, calling the new charge a “self-imposed tariff” on one of America’s biggest exports—tourism. “These fees do nothing but discourage visitation,” Freeman said.

Adding to the confusion, the government hasn’t announced when the fee will start or which agency will collect it. However, immigration experts believe it could roll out as soon as October.

With the U.S. preparing to host massive global events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, industry insiders worry the move could drive tourists elsewhere. And in a time of already high travel costs, this might just push some visitors—and their spending—away for good.

Related: This TSA Rule Change Might Actually Make Flying Less Miserable