Not a Cincinnati Bengals fan? You will be after reading this

September 30, 2014

Writer

When Devon Still didn’t make the Bengals 53 man roster, he wasn’t as devastated as one might expect. His 4 year old daughter had just been diagnosed with cancer, so his first reaction was relief because he’d be able to spend more time with her. What the Bengals did next and what has happened since is nothing short of awesome. Devon joined Glenn on radio today to tell his story and give an update on his daugther.

Listen to the interview at 38minutes below:

GLENN: Welcome to the program, Devon Still. He is a defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. If you don't know the story, which isn't a sports story, it's just a story of human beings being good to one another.

In June, Devon learned his 4-year-old daughter has Stage 4 cancer. Given a 50 percent survival rate. At the same time, he is being cut from the roster of the Bengals. I'm going to let him tell the rest of the story. Devon, how are you, sir?

STILL: I'm doing good. And yourself?

GLENN: I'm doing very good. First of all, tell me how your daughter is doing.

STILL: She's doing good. She's actually bounced back from the surgery pretty well. She's up moving around, talking and eating, so she's been a trooper through this whole process.

GLENN: And when will you know how effective this surgery was?

STILL: Well, we know for a fact it was already effective because they was able to get out all of the tumor and lymph nodes in her adrenal gland where the tumor first started. Now, we just wait and see how long it takes her body to completely bounce back from the surgery, and she's going to have another round of chemo and radiation to take out the cancer cells that is in her bone, her bone marrow.

GLENN: How are her adrenal glands, are they still intact?

STILL: She only has one. They took out the other one.

GLENN: You find this out, as devastating as this is, you also find out that you're being cut from the roster. Tell me what's going through your mind when this is all happening.

STILL: Well, I had a discussion about being cut -- obviously wasn't something I wanted to happen, but also it wasn't the hardest conversation I had. Whereas before, me being sat down and told I would no longer play football, it would have been hard for me because I love football a lot.

But being as I just had the worst sit-down conversation that I probably ever will on June 2nd, when I found out my daughter had cancer, it didn't hit me as hard because my daughter was still on my mind. And when I was actually told that, I thought I was going to be able to have more time to go back and be with my daughter. But I was given an opportunity to be on the practice squad by the Bengals, so I still have insurance to afford my daughter's cancer treatments.

PAT: So, Devon, they brought you back, was it specifically -- you know, obviously partly for skill, but it was partly just so you could have insurance for your daughter so you could take care of her?

STILL: No, that's the main thing that I considered it to be. I believe it was for skill. To give me time to bounce back from my injuries that I had the previous season and to also get over that hump of me still being in disbelief of my daughter having cancer and being away from her. But I took it as an opportunity for me and my daughter to still have insurance to pay for her cancer treatment because that's what's most important to me.

GLENN: So now the Bengals went a step further and made a deal with your jersey. You want to tell me how this came about?

STILL: Actually it was something they did on their own. I didn't know nothing about. I actually went on Twitter and saw that they had begun to sell my jerseys and was going to donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Children's of Pediatric Cancer, which wasn't a surprise move from the Bengals by me because since day one when I told them about my daughter, they stood behind me and tried to help out any way possible.

PAT: Pretty amazing. Also, you have since gone from the practice team to the regular 53-man roster, and have actually been playing the last few weeks and doing really well?

STILL: Yeah. I mean, just the outpouring I have had from everybody -- family members, my fiancé -- it allows me to focus on football a lot more than I was able to in the beginning because I was still trying to cope with what was going on with my daughter. If you think about it, I'm only 25 years old. I'm still a young man. I'm still trying to be the best father I can be. Trying to juggle that and my daughter being ill --

GLENN: I have to tell you, there's a lot of people that are much older that don't handle it like you're handling it. I mean, we're in a society now that just is not -- we're not holding up great fathers. And you really seem to really be a good dad and trying to be a good dad.

STILL: Right. I mean, it's hard for me not to be because every time I see that smile on my daughter's face, it makes me want to be the best man possible and best father possible to her. So hopefully we can change the trend, change the image of fathers in America and move forward.

GLENN: How has this changed you?

STILL: It changed me a lot. It changed my whole perspective on life. It showed me what's most important, and that's just to cherish the time that you have with your loved ones.

And I don't complain about stuff as much as I did before. I have a lot of football injuries that I thought was just the worse thing in the world. When I see my daughter fighting for her life and she's able to stay with a smile on her face, that lets me know to know that what I'm going to do is nothing compared to what she's going through.

GLENN: When you see that 10,000 people bought your jersey and really it's out of support for you and your daughter, and then who was it the New Orleans Saints that came in and bought 100 jerseys themselves, and you see what the Bengals have done, what does that tell you about people?

STILL: Well, it's changed my perspective on people and this world because I don't know about y'all, but when I look at TV and I look at the news, all you hear is about bad things, about the bad things people are doing, so that was my thought about people in this world. But seeing people step up to the plate and stick up for people who are fighting pediatric cancer by donating money and also buying my jersey so that the proceeds go to cancer research, it really shows me how much amazing people there is in this world.

GLENN: By the way, if you'd like to continue that demonstration of being amazing, you can go to proshop.Bengals.com, and the Devon Still jersey, all the proceeds still go to pediatric cancer research.

PAT: So, Devon, where do you go from here? What does the future look like for you and your daughter from now on?

STILL: Hopefully bright. It definitely is going down a positive direction right now. Hopefully my daughter is able to bounce 100 percent back from surgery and then she goes in to have chemo and radiation to take out the rest of the cancer cells there in her bones. Then she has the stem cell transplant to give her back her good stem cells that were frozen when the process started to build back the bone marrow.

PAT: I've never been a Cincinnati Bengals fan, but this has really made me one.

GLENN: Honestly, with all the things -- and with all the things that are happening in the NFL and, I mean, last night, who was the guy -- the Kansas City Chiefs, that was given unsportsmanlike conduct for going down in the end zone and kneeling down and praying and thanking God? He was given unsportsmanlike conduct. How is that unsportsmanlike?

STILL: I don't know. They came up with a rule that we can't go to the ground for celebration. But I thought they would make an exception.

STU: Yeah, the NFL did come out and say that that was the incorrect call. The penalty was incorrect.

GLENN: Well, that's good. I'm glad to hear that. Devon, thank you so much. And we wish you and your daughter all the best. And know that there are millions around the country that are praying for her and praying for people that are just like you in your situation, and I'm so glad to hear you're coming around, kind of where we're coming around. You see a lot of crap on TV and you star to lose faith, and then a story like this makes you think, that's just not the way it is.

God bless you, man. Thank you.

STILL: All right. Thanks, man.

Front page image courtesy of the AP.

The Woodrow Wilson Mother's Day loophole

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I’ve got a potentially helpful revelation that’s gonna blow the lid off your plans for this Sunday. It’s Mother’s Day.

Yeah, that sacred day where you’re guilt-tripped into buying flowers, braving crowded brunch buffets, and pretending you didn’t forget to mail the card. But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it? That’s right, there’s a loophole, a get-out-of-Mother’s-Day-free card, and it’s stamped with the name of none other than… Woodrow Wilson (I hate that guy).

Back in 1914, ol’ Woody Wilson signed a proclamation that officially made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Second Sunday in May, every year. He said it was a day to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Sounds sweet, right? Until you peel back the curtain.

See, Wilson wasn’t some sentimental guy sitting around knitting doilies for his mom. No, no, no. This was a calculated move.

The idea for Mother’s Day had been floating around for decades, pushed by influential voices like Julia Ward Howe. By 1911, states were jumping on the bandwagon, but it took Wilson to make it federal. Why? Because he was a master of optics. This guy loved big, symbolic gestures to distract from the real stuff he was up to, like, oh, I don’t know, reshaping the entire federal government!

So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for an excuse to skip Mother’s Day, just lean into this. Say, “Sorry, Mom, I’m not celebrating a holiday cooked up by Woodrow Wilson!” I mean, think about it – this is the guy who gave us the Federal Reserve, the income tax, and don’t even get me started on his assault on basic liberties during World War I. You wanna trust THAT guy with your Sunday plans? I don’t think so! You tell your mom, “Look, I love you, but I’m not observing a Progressive holiday. I’m keeping my brunch money in protest.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking.

“Glenn, my mom’s gonna kill me if I try this.” Fair point. Moms can be scary. But hear me out: you can spin this. Tell her you’re honoring her EVERY DAY instead of some government-mandated holiday. You don’t need Wilson’s permission to love your mom! You can bake her a cake in June, call her in July, or, here’s a wild idea, visit her WITHOUT a Woodrow Wilson federal proclamation guilting you into it.

Shocking Christian massacres unveiled

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

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