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The wide receiver CeeDee Lamb unexpectedly declined the “Angry Run of the Week” award – and the emotional sideline encounter with three Raiders players left coaches, fans, and the entire NFL holding back tears

The wide receiver CeeDee Lamb unexpectedly declined the “Angry Run of the Week” award – and the emotional sideline encounter with three Raiders players left coaches, fans, and the entire NFL holding back tears

Arlington, Texas. Today.
A deeply human story has spread quickly across the NFL as CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys’ star offensive playmaker, unexpectedly declined the “Angry Run of the Week” award – an honor celebrating the toughest, most explosive effort plays of the game. But what moved the entire league wasn’t his refusal, it was the emotional sideline encounter between Lamb and three Las Vegas Raiders players after Sunday’s game.

According to ESPN sources, Lamb had been selected for the award after a spectacular burst leading to a 61-yard touchdown. However, Lamb immediately declined, saying “that wasn’t the most important thing that happened this week.”
Just minutes after leaving the press room, everyone understood why he said it.

On his way into the AT&T Stadium tunnel, Lamb came across three Raiders players – heads lowered in disappointment after the narrow loss, with one of them reportedly having just received troubling news about a family member’s health. Witnesses reported that Lamb stopped, removed his gloves, and approached them with a look of genuine empathy.
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A Raiders player recalled, “He put his hand on our shoulders and said a few words I’ll never forget. Not some cliché comfort, but words straight from the heart.”

That moment spread quickly through the Cowboys’ locker room. One team staffer described it: “No more noise, no more competition. Just human to human. And CeeDee Lamb made the whole locker room go silent.”

When asked by reporters why he declined the award, Lamb simply said:
“There are things bigger than football. Sometimes you just need to stand next to someone when they’re falling apart.”

On ESPN’s analysis shows, commentators – including former star players – expressed deep respect for Lamb’s gesture. One analyst said, “Skill creates a star, but moments like that create an icon.”

Cowboys Nation quickly joined in. Tens of thousands of comments appeared across social media, calling Lamb “the heart of the locker room” and “a warrior carrying the soul of Dallas.”

In a league defined by competition and where every play is measured by numbers, CeeDee Lamb reminded everyone that sometimes the most important moments don’t happen on the field – they happen in how we treat one another after the game is over.

Less Than 48 Hours After AFC Championship 7-10 Loss to Patriots, Broncos Stun NFL by Firing OC Super Bowl XLIV Joe Lombardi
Less Than 48 Hours After AFC Championship Loss, Broncos Stun NFL by Firing Super Bowl XLIV OC Joe Lombardi Denver, Colorado – January 2026 Less than 48 hours after a heartbreaking 10–7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos sent shockwaves through the NFL. In a move few saw coming, Denver dismissed offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, signaling an immediate and unforgiving response to falling one step short of the Super Bowl. The decision was first reported and confirmed by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The timing alone raised eyebrows across the league, as postseason firings typically follow deeper internal reviews. Instead, Denver acted swiftly, making it clear that even a conference championship appearance would not shield staff from accountability. The #Broncos fired OC Joe Lombardi, per me and @TomPelissero. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2026 Lombardi spent three seasons in Denver under head coach Sean Payton, a long-time collaborator from their years together with the Saints. Lombardi was part of New Orleans’ Super Bowl XLIV championship staff in 2009 and was widely respected for his system knowledge and experience in high-pressure environments. That résumé made the decision even more surprising. Adding to the shock, Lombardi was credited internally with unlocking the potential of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Before Nix suffered a broken bone in his ankle, Denver’s offense had shown notable growth and composure. Many around the league believe the Broncos might have won the AFC Championship had Nix been healthy enough to finish the game. Complicating the aftermath, a controversial quote attributed to Lombardi circulated online shortly after his dismissal, alleging wrongdoing by New England. “The Patriots cheated and it cost me my job,” the statement read. Neither the Broncos nor the NFL substantiated the claim, and team sources stressed the firing was strictly performance-based, not influenced by outside narratives. Inside the organization, the move is being framed as a necessary reset. While Payton is known for loyalty to his assistants, the lack of offensive rhythm in the championship game — particularly with the backup quarterback — reportedly accelerated the decision. Denver’s leadership appears unwilling to allow postseason stagnation to linger. With Bo Nix positioned as the franchise cornerstone, the Broncos will now search for a modern offensive coordinator capable of thriving under playoff pressure. By acting immediately, Denver sent a clear message to the league: close is not close enough. In a Super Bowl-or-bust era, the margin for patience in Denver has officially vanished.