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Reba McEntire knew she’d enjoy getting to mentor young musical talents as a coach on The Voice. She just didn’t realize quite how much.

“I didn’t know that I would fall in love with it,” McEntire reflects to Taste of Country Nights‘ Evan Paul when asked what surprised her most about her coaching gig on the show.

McEntire’s currently in her first-ever season as coach, but she’s already signed on to return for another round after Season 24 concludes.

Of course, a big part of that love is for her fellow coaches: Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani and John Legend.

“When we took our break — we don’t go back until after Thanksgiving—- I was texting everybody, saying ‘I miss you guys! What’re y’all doing now? Can we get together?’” the star continues.

But just as important to her is her role as a mentor to artists who are at the very beginning of their musical careers. McEntire isn’t scared to get personally invested in the contestants on her team: In a recent episode, the country coach openly wept while watching two of her contestants perform a heart-wrenching rendition of Lauren Daigle’s “You Say,” for example.

“Now, this is a song, in my mind, a conversation between me and the Lord,” she explained to the young singers, sharing exactly why the song has such a powerful effect on her. “And [when] I am in a very depressed state, I think I’m worthless. So when you are singing this song, it’s very humbling. It’s baring your soul. So it’s not much movement when you’re performing. It’s — you’re broken.”

McEntire’s got no qualms about crying on television, she admits. The most important thing to her is that the performers know how a song’s affecting her, even if that means shedding tears.

“I want my contestants, my artists, to know when it touches my heart, because that’s what I preach all the time. If you’re singing the song and there’s no emotion to it, it’s just a song,” she adds. “You can make it so much more incredible by putting the emotion in. Because if you do that, if you’ve got emotion in your heart when you sing it, I’m gonna feel it, and your job’s complete.”

The Voice airs on Monday and Tuesday nights on NBC.

Reba McEntire had a special guest on the set of The Voice recently: The first-time coach’s boyfriend and fellow “tot” Rex Linn stopped by.

The pair cozied up for a couple of photos in her iconic red chair, and McEntire used the opportunity to solicit votes for her team.

“#TheTots are reminding you to vote for #TeamReba by 7 AM ET tomorrow,” she writes in the caption before giving specifics on how to vote.

The pair — who loving call each other “Tater” and “Sugar Tot” — look as comfy as ever next to each other. McEntire is all dolled up for filming the show, with complete hair and makeup. She has one hand around Linn’s shoulders, while the other holds onto his arm.

The actor is in a much more casual ensemble, wearing taupe pants, a T-shirt and a rugged brown leather jacket. He topped off the look with a Young Sheldon hat — a subtle nod to the way to the couple started their romance.

Linn and McEntire initially met in 1991. Although they did not date, they remained friends over the years. It wasn’t until they reunited on the set of the Big Bang Theory spinoff that the pair became good friends — that friendship blossomed into a romance in 2020.

Now, nearly four years later, they are still going strong. Though they have not revealed specific plans for marriage, McEntire says she is open to it, if Linn is.

“I told him if he wanted to get married that’s up to him totally. He doesn’t seem pressured one way or the other,” she tells Taste of Country Nights host Evan Paul. “We get along so well. We have fun. We travel together.”

“Now, if you can do a road trip with a person and not get in an argument and still like each other when you get to your destination, that’s a pretty good partnership right there,” she adds.

McEntire is in her first season as a coach on The Voice. With two contestants left on her team — Ruby Leigh and Jacquie Roar — heading into the finale, the odds of her winning her rookie season are pretty high.

ANTHONY JOSHUA is well and truly back in the heavyweight title picture.

The Watford warrior continued his career resurgence early on Sunday morning with a ferocious finish of Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

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Anthony Joshua locked horns with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday morningCredit: REUTERS

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AJ brutally knocked out the former UFC heavyweight championCredit: GETTY

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Attention has now turned to who the former unified champ will face nextCredit: REUTERS
Joshua, 34, knocked the former UFC heavyweight champion out cold in the second round with a hellacious overhand right moments after a beautiful knockdown that came courtesy of a right-hand left-hook combination.

Attention has now turned to who AJ will face next following his demolition of Ngannou, with fans clamouring for him to fight Brit rival Tyson Fury.

But The Gypsy King has the small matter of undisputed and unified title fights with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk to think about before the long-overdue Battle of Britain can come to fruition.

Former two-time unified champion Joshua could very well choose to sit and wait for the winner of the Fury vs Usyk series.

But given the fact he’s found his groove with four fights in 11 months, it’s likely he won’t want to sit and twiddle his thumbs on the sidelines.

So with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to reveal the five fighters in contention to be his next opponent.

Filip Hrgovic

Croatian clubber Filip Hrgovic is currently the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight title in possession of Usyk.

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Undefeated Croat clubber Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF heavyweight titleCredit: GETTY
The IBF are set to mandate the winner of Fury and Usyk’s May 18 melee to defend the belt against the Croat, although that fight won’t come to fruition as the pair are contractually obliged to have back-to-back bouts.

That means the winner of Fury vs Usyk is set to be STRIPPED of the title for Hrgovic to vie for it.
Joshua blasts ‘f*** Tyson Fury’ after overhearing rival’s commentary on DAZN for Francis Ngannou
Joshua is ranked No3 in the IBF rankings, meaning the IBF will order Hrgovic to fight him for the brown belt should they decide to relieve either Fury or Usyk of the strap.

Joseph Parker

Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has well and truly rebuilt himself following his crushing loss to Joe Joyce in September 2022.

The Kiwi has rattled off five wins on the bounce, including one of former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.

His decision win over China’s Zhilei Zhang – in which he claimed the interim WBO title – has proved he’s not the spent force many thought he was nearly two years ago.

So if AJ wants a good test to keep himself sharp, a rematch with Parker – who he beat six years ago – would make perfect sense.

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AJ could potentially be enticed to have a reamtch with the resurgent Joseph ParkerCredit: REUTERS

Dillian Whyte

AJ was set to renew his rivalry with Dillian Whyte last August before the Brixton Body Snatcher tested positive for a banned substance for the third time in his career.

Whyte – who maintained his innocence from the get-go – was recently cleared of any wrongdoing by the Texas Department of Licencing and Regulation

Provided he wins his fight against Christian Hammer next weekend, and, more importantly, gets cleared by the British Boxing Board of Control to compete, he could potentially be in line for a third showdown with Joshua.

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A trilogy fight with Dillian Whyte could keep Anthony Joshua busy while he waits for Fury and Usyk to handle their businessCredit: REUTERS

Daniel Dubois

Another domestic dust-up potentially in the offing for Joshua is one with Daniel Dubois.

Triple D is set to fill the Brit heavyweight void when Joshua and Fury eventually call it a day – despite his ups and downs.

The 26-year-old came up short in his first world title fight with Usyk last August but bounced back from that defeat with a sensational stoppage of Jarrell Miller a few months later.

Dubois still has a long way to go to put himself back in the orbit of a world title but would be a more than satisfactory opponent for AJ to keep himself busy with.

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A domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois could also be in the offingCredit: REUTERS

Deontay Wilder

Vicious knockout artist Wilder was supposed to have been the man standing opposite Joshua this weekend for the first of what would have been a two-fight series.

But the former long-reigning WBC champ blew their £100million bouts with a stinker of a performance against Parker in Riyadh last December.

Fight fans around the world mourned the loss of one of the biggest grudge matches in the sport after Parker had his hand raised.

But Joshua has refused to close the door on sharing the ring with the American – a statement which will be music to the ears of The Bronze Bomber.

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Anthony Joshua is still willing to face long-time rival Deontay Wilder

Reba McEntire’s Boyfriend Rex Linn Made Her Take the Super Bowl Gig

Can’t wait to see Reba McEntire perform the National Anthem at the 2024 Super Bowl game next month? You’ve got her boyfriend, actor Rex Linn, to thank.

In a Thursday (Jan. 18) CBS Mornings slot, McEntire jumped on video chat to discuss her upcoming appearance at the big game — and said that it was Linn who pushed her to say “yes” to the gig.

“I got the news from my manager, Justin McIntosh. He said that they wanted me to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl,” she recalls. “And I said, ‘Oh my gosh. Well, let me think about that.’”

“And Rex Linn, my boyfriend, who is a huge football fan, he said, ‘Yes, she’ll do it, absolutely,’” she adds.

McEntire will be giving one of three patriotic performances to kick off the game. She’s singing the National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Rapper Post Malone is booked for a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” and Andra Day will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
R&B legend Usher will play the coveted Super Bowl halftime show slot in 2024.

McEntire has about half a century of experience singing the National Anthem. She traces the beginning of her major-league career success back to a 1974 performance of the anthem she gave at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma — where she was “discovered,” she says.

“I sang the National Anthem [at the National Finals Rodeo] for 10 years,” she explains, in response to a question about how she prepares for a performance of this uniquely high-pressure and difficult song.

“How you get ready for it, you just warm up like you do a concert, sing it about five or six times, then get in there and do it.”

“FIRST ON CBS MORNINGS: @reba will sing the National Anthem ahead of #SuperBowlLVII, with @AndraDayMusic and @PostMalone rounding out this year’s lineup of performers.

McEntire shares with @gayleking and @nateburleson how she is preparing for the big game. pic.twitter.com/jtj5blAH7M

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 18, 2024″

McEntire and Linn have known each other for decades, but they’ve only been dating since 2020. Linn has never been married, while McEntire has tied the knot twice before. She was previously married to talent manager Narvel Blackstock, with whom she shares a son named Shelby.

The couple have said they’re in no rush to foray into marriage, though McEntire has also been clear that she’s open to the idea, saying it’s “up to him totally” and that she’s enjoying traveling and spending time with Rex.

During one of the live tapings on the most recent season of The Voice, where McEntire is a coach through next season, she stirred up a little buzz by wearing a very glitzy diamond ring on her left hand — but she also confirmed at the time that she’s not planning a wedding just yet.

UFC president Dana White brutally aimed a dig at Tyson Fury following Anthony Joshua’s knockout of Francis Ngannou.

AJ finished the ex-UFC champion in two rounds following three knockdowns and one final ruthless right hand.

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Dana White aimed a dig at Tyson Fury after Anthony Joshua’s KO of Francis NgannouCredit: Getty

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Fury watched on as AJ defeated NgannouCredit: Sky Sports
Ngannou, 37, came into only his second boxing bout having floored Fury, 35, on his debut only to lose a controversial decision.

But White – who saw the Cameroonian walk out on the UFC to pursue boxing – was not surprised to see order restored in the ring.

He said: “If Fury trained for the fight and didn’t show up looking like he ate Tyson Fury, that’s probably the way that fight would’ve ended too.

“Listen, you know how I feel about the crossovers in boxing – that’s how they end, just like that.”

Ngannou signed for UFC rivals the Professional Fighters League, who permitted his switch to boxing.

It leaves his MMA future up in the air but the heavyweight star insisted his business in the ring is not over yet.

Ngannou said: “You can be sure I’m not done here. It was not my day.

“He was way better than me. It sucks, but it’s the game. We all know that.”

Joshua embraced with Ngannou moments after the stunning KO and even urged him to remain in boxing.

He said: “You’re an inspiration. ‘You’ll beat a lot of people. Don’t leave boxing. Don’t leave boxing.”

Joshua, 34, then added: “If you need anything, let me know, but we’ll speak another time.”

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Ngannou dropped Fury on his boxing debutCredit: GETTY

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Joshua brutally knocked out NgannouCredit: Reuters

TYSON FURY raced off in a £190,000 Lamborghini before heading to the skip to chuck out a car full of rubbish as part of his daily routine.

Fury gave his 6.9million Instagram followers an inside look into a day in the life of the Gypsy King.

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Tyson Fury enjoying a coffee after trainingCredit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury

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Fury revealed his healthy breakfastCredit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury

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The Gypsy King also revealed his stunning green LamborghiniCredit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury

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Fury joked he was ‘in quite a rush’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury

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It turns out he was on rubbish dutyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/tysonfury
He started off with a run along Morecambe beach before sharing his healthy breakfast of oats, bananas and blueberries.

Fury then had a coffee before heading off to church to pray.

In a separate video posted to his Instagram account, the WBC champion showed off his stunning green 4×4 Lamborghini.

Wife Paris asks: “What are you doing?”

Fury then said: “I ain’t got no time to waste, Paris. I’m in quite a rush. Business to attend. Laters.”

He then sped off out of his drive in the super-car, which appears to be a Lamborghini Urus, worth nearly £200,000.

Fury has a passion for fast cars with his collection including two Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari GTC4Lusso worth around £250,000.

But he has always reminded fans that his easy to drive Passat is among the favourites on his driveway.

Fury then revealed the boot of his car – not clear whether it was the Lambo or not – was full of rubbish.

He said: “After a good bit of training in the morning and a breakfast, big man’s got to go to the tip and do his duties.”

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Tyson Fury hits back at Eddie Hearn’s claims Anthony Joshua is best heavyweight in world and vows to make fight happen
Fury, 35, is back training for his undisputed title decider with Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on May 18 and Paris has been given the job of wife-turned-chef.

He showed off his clean lunch before saying: “Right it’s that time of a day again, I’ve got chicken and rice got a Greek salad and a bottle of water.

“Healthy eating, cannot wait until the fight, ten weeks just under, come on!”

Fury and Paris were in Saudi Arabia to watch brother Roman pick up a win on Anthony Joshua’s undercard.

AJ knocked out ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, 37, who dropped Fury but lost on his boxing debut in October.

And Fury has vowed to set up a Battle of Britain with Joshua, 34, once he completes his two-fight series with Usyk.

He said: “Congratulations to Joshua, but listen we all know styles make fights and Eddie Hearn’s shouting he’s the best heavyweight in the world, we know he’s not.

“He’s already been beaten by Usyk twice and I’ve got to deal with that problem for him.

“So after I’ve done that – twice – and if he’s still available, we’ll get it on. Get it on like Donkey Kong!”

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Wife Paris and Fury watched the boxing from Saudi Arabia

In a recent interview, boxing legend Mike Tyson captivated his fans with heartfelt wishes and intriguing revelations. Tyson, known for his unparalleled career in the ring and his magnetic personality outside of it, shared a myriad of sentiments and anecdotes that left his audience both inspired and entertained.

During the interview, Tyson took a moment to express his sincere gratitude towards his fans for their unwavering support throughout his career. With humility and appreciation, he acknowledged the pivotal role they’ve played in his journey, stating, “My fans mean everything to me. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I owe them everything.”

Beyond his expressions of gratitude, Tyson also delved into various aspects of his life, offering fans a glimpse into his mind and experiences. From reflections on his past triumphs and challenges to insights into his personal growth and aspirations, Tyson’s candidness resonated deeply with his audience, fostering a sense of connection and admiration.

Moreover, Tyson didn’t shy away from sharing some of the more lighthearted moments of his life, sprinkling the interview with amusing anecdotes and witty remarks. His infectious laughter and playful demeanor endeared him to his fans even further, reaffirming his status as a beloved figure both inside and outside the ring.

As the interview concluded, Tyson left his fans with a message of hope and resilience, urging them to pursue their dreams relentlessly and to never lose sight of their inner strength. With his trademark blend of sincerity and charisma, he reminded his audience that, no matter the challenges they face, they possess the power to overcome them and emerge stronger than ever before.

Credits: IMAGO / Eibner

Esteban Ocon finds himself at a very difficult juncture in his F1 career currently as Alpine’s struggles continue into the 2024 season. The performances of the French outfit have worsened since the end of the last campaign, and some of their key technical personnel have also departed the team. As a result, the hope for any improvement seems bleak at the moment. So, how did Ocon get stuck in such a situation despite having stability in his career for the first time? Apparently, this stability has backfired as the 27-year-old’s long-term bet on Alpine is not paying off.

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The factors behind Ocon’s dilemma date back to 2018-19 when he received the pink slip from Force India (now Aston Martin). In a video by F1 YouTuber Tommo, the Frenchman’s clip from the High-Performance podcast shows his narration of his situation back then.

Ocon said, “I am not gonna say the whole story there, but we had two contracts and two options”. The #31 driver also mentioned how he could have signed for one of these two teams.

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However, he did believe that the other option would be better. It eventually “didn’t work out” with the other team and Ocon had to stay on the sidelines as a Mercedes reserve driver.

After that in 2020, the 27-year-old signed up for Renault (now Alpine). This gave Ocon the much-needed stability, as he signed a long-term deal with the French team till the end of 2024, in mid-2021. Ocon was betting on the long-term prospects of the French team.

However, it hasn’t worked out as he may have hoped for. Even Tommo speculated on what Ocon’s career could have been, had he not signed a long-term deal with Alpine. Of course, the Frenchman may or may not have won a Grand Prix with another team, but he could have potentially gotten into a better competitive side than right now.

What If Esteban Ocon didn’t sit out in 2019?

Tommo speculated on which were the two teams that could have offered Esteban Ocon a seat after his sacking from Force India. He cited that it could have been Alfa Romeo-Sauber and Williams. Tommo mentioned that Antonio Gionvinazzi and Robert Kubica’s seats respectively at these two teams could have been Ocon’s.

Both these contracts had sponsorship and partnership-related reasons to keep the French driver away. Kubica brought Polish sponsors – Orlen’s backing for Williams. Meanwhile, Giovinazzi was a Ferrari test and reserve driver. Sauber’s close relationship with the Prancing Horse paved the way for the Italian.

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Now, if Ocon had gotten into one of these teams, he could have avoided the desperate move to Renault. For better or for worse, the Frenchman’s career trajectory could have changed massively.

At Williams, there was a chance of getting to a Mercedes seat, just like George Russell did. That was perhaps a gamble worth taking, as we saw in Russell’s case.

More importantly, Alpine gave Ocon short-term glory with some podiums and a Grand Prix win. But, in the long term, their vision has not been clear.

So, Ocon could have avoided getting stuck in this chaos at Enstone, in hindsight. The lack of vision is now coming to light with their struggles worsening relative to 2023. So much so, that the #31 driver is now looking for options elsewhere.

Either way, his contract will expire at the end of 2024. Thus, if Alpine can’t show signs of good progress, the Frenchman will have to take a tough call on his future.

They don’t call her the Queen of Country for no reason. Reba McEntire started singing and performing at a really young age — she and her siblings had formed a band by high school, and were playing local shows under the name the Singing McEntires.

Once her older brother graduated high school, they all went their separate ways (We have scoured the internet for video footage of one of those performances, but to no avail).

So, McEntire went on to college to pursue a degree in teaching, with a minor in music. In 1974, her father encouraged her to take a job opportunity singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.

From there, she was heard by country artist Red Steagall, who agreed to meet with McEntire, her mom and their siblings. She performed on the spot for him, and Steagall told McEntire’s mother that he couldn’t take all three of her kids to Nashville, but he could help Reba, because she had something special.

She made her breakthrough in Nashville in the fall of 1975, when she was signed to Mercury Records. The rest, as they say, is history.

McEntire has grown to become an American icon and household name. From acting to singing, to now coaching on The Voice, this country queen seems to have had the most delightful career, and she hasn’t slowed down.

30 Photos of Reba McEntire Young

Reba McEntire is one of the most revered country stars of all time — but also in entertainment. She’s been successful as both an actor and a singer since the 1970s, and nearly 50 years later, she’s in headlines as much as ever. Look back at photos of Reba when she was younger, before she became the star we know today.

Gallery Credit: Evan Paul

1998 ACM Awards

Ron Galella , Getty Images

1998 ACM Awards

July 26, 1997

James Crump , Getty Images

July 26, 1997

Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn perform together at the Rosemont Horizon.

Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994

Ron Galella , Getty Images

Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994

Reba hugs her young son Shelby, 1994

Lynn Goldsmith, Getty Images

Reba hugs her young son Shelby, 1994

Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards

Bettmann , Getty Images

Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards

Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994

Paul Natkin, Getty Images

Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994

Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993

Steve Eichner, Getty Images

Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993

Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993

Patti Ouderkirk , Getty Images

Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993

Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992

Kypros , Getty Images

Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992

Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991

Reba onstage, c. 1990s

Ron Galella, Getty Images

Reba onstage, c. 1990s

Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991

Ron Galella, Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991

Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990

NBC , Getty Images

Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990

Reba chats during an interview with guest host Jay Leno on July 17, 1990

‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990

NBC , Getty Images

‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990

Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989

Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images

Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989

1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala

Ron Galella, Ltd. , Getty Images

1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala

Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee

Reba in Canada in 1988

Mike Slaughter, Getty Images

Reba in Canada in 1988

Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville

22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987

Ron Galella , Getty Images

22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987

Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys

Ron Galella , Getty Images

Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys

Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986

Beth Gwinn, Getty Images

Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986

Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986

CBS Photo Archive , Getty Images

Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986

Attending a two hour special broadcast on January 14, 1986.

20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985

Ron Galella , Getty Images

20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985

Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee

Beth Gwinn , Getty Images

Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee

Reba McEntire, 1985

Film Favorites , Getty Images

Reba McEntire, 1985

Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982

Gary Gershoff, Getty Images

Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982

Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981

Gene Arias/NBC via Getty Images

Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981

Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976

Beautiful, smiling Reba, c. 1975

Michael Ochs Archives , Getty Images

Beautiful, smiling Reba, c. 1975

“The tide is turning on mental health,” William said in a conversation with soccer players

David Beckham says that if social media had been around when he faced “brutal” criticism from fans after he received a red card and was sent off in the infamous game between England and Argentina during the 1998 World Cup, he would have found the vilification even harder.

Beckham took part in a recent conversation with Prince William in the royal’s mission to make mental health a priority across soccer. The prince, 38, believes the sport can play a positive role in promoting mental well-being.

During the video call with William and other players, the former soccer star said, “I made a mistake in ‘98 and the reaction at the time was pretty brutal…If social media was around when I was going through that time, it would have been a whole different story.”

Prince William and David Beckham. ADAM VALLANCE/KENSINGTON PALACE VIA GETTY; GETTY IMAGES/GETTY

“But I was lucky, I had a support system within Manchester United, the manager and obviously family. But did I feel it was okay at the time to go to someone and say I need help? No, because it was a different era, and I just felt that I had to keep it all in and deal with it myself. Whereas now, I’m the one preaching to my kids and to other kids that I talk to out there that it’s really important to talk.”

KENSINGTON PALACE

“We all know now that it’s okay not to be okay, and it’s ok to say that. It’s okay to come out and say I need help,” Beckham added.

William recently launched the landmark Mentally Healthy Football Declaration signed by leaders of the entire U.K. soccer family. The declaration is the culmination of the Heads Up campaign that has been running throughout the season, which has been disrupted and extended by the coronavirus pandemic.

Thanking the senior players and officials who took part in a call last week, William said, “I really hope that you guys feel that the tide is turning on mental health and we are making progress.”

During the chat, England and Manchester City player Steph Houghton added, “As a leader, you try and be this person that’s always strong and always really positive, but the reality is sometimes you’re going to have a bit of a bad day. I think the way that you grow as a leader and [create] the environment for people to open up is if you show that little bit of vulnerability – maybe one day you do have a bad day, you’re a bit down or you’ve maybe not played as well as you possibly can, it’s ok to show that.”

It is the latest move by William as the season reaches its conclusion. In May, the dad of three continued this work talked more about the initiative in the BBC program Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health, in which he opened up about the importance of mental health in conversations with a number of high-profile athletes about their personal struggles, both in-person and via video chat.

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William followed this up in June with a video call with the coach, players and staff of Premier League team Arsenal FC to talk about Heads Up — while cheekily asking French international goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if he would leave the club and play for the Aston Villa team William and son Prince George,7, passionately support.

Next weekend, on August 1, the English soccer season comes to an end with the FA Cup Final which has been renamed the Heads Up FA Cup Final.

Out on the field, William is celebrating that his favorite team Aston Villa managed to stay in the Premier League. He tweeted on his official account late Sunday, jokingly saying that he always had faith that they would survive.

“Never in doubt,” he quipped, signing off with a hashtag of UpTheVilla.