Odell Beckham Jr.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was ruled out for the remainder of Super Bowl 56 in the third quarter Sunday after suffering a non-contact knee injury in the second quarter.

Beckham had to be helped off the field without putting much weight on his left leg. NFL Network's James Palmer noted that Beckham was visibly upset and punched a table as he walked into the medical tent. 

Beckham told Josina Anderson after the game there's no firm diagnosis yet. 

“We don’t know yet, we’re going to wait to hear,” Beckham said. “I was trying to go back out there. Docs are going to take care of you." 

Beckham signed with Los Angeles prior to its Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers. He was released by the Cleveland Browns after two-plus seasons with the team.

Beckham got off to a slow start this season after returning in Week 3 following his recovery from a torn ACL. Since signing with the Rams, he's done much better. He caught a touchdown in the first quarter of Super Bowl LVI, his third score of the postseason.

The Browns acquired Beckham from the New York Giants prior to the 2019 season. He recorded 74 receptions for 1,035 yards in his first year with Cleveland, but his 2020 season was cut short after seven games because of the torn ACL.

Beckham's separation from Cleveland was a messy one. The team could not find a trade destination for the three-time Pro Bowler before the NFL trade deadline passed. Beckham's father, Odell Beckham Sr., posted an Instagram video showing Baker Mayfield failing to throw to the 29-year-old. Beckham was then excused from practice while the Browns worked toward releasing him.

Beckham's injury is another blow to the Los Angeles receiving corps. The Rams lost receiver Robert Woods for the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL suffered in practice prior to Week 10. At the time of his injury, Woods was second on the team with 45 receptions, 556 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Drake cashed in a bet for nearly $450,000 after Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. scored a touchdown in Super Bowl 56 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals:

.@Drake wins his first bet on #SBLVI in less than 10 minutes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JOyF32iwah

— br_betting (@br_betting) February 13, 2022

Drake barely had to sweat his half-million wager for Beckham to score a touchdown any time during the game, with OBJ getting it done with 6:22 left in the first quarter.

With the Rams facing a 3rd-and-3 from the Bengals' 17-yard line, L.A. quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a dart down the sideline to Beckham, who beat Cincinnati cornerback Mike Hilton for the game's first points:

OBJ'S FIRST CATCH IS A TOUCHDOWN. #RamsHouse @OBJ

📺: #SBLVI on NBC
📱: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/4nbf2miuHO

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022

The Rams took a 7-0 lead after a Matt Gay extra-point attempt.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is all about style, so it should come as no surprise that he participated in warm-ups ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals wearing $200,000 diamond-studded cleats, according to TMZ Sports. 

The cleats have 1,494 round white diamonds on the Nike logo, the designer of the shoe told TMZ Sports. 

OBJ's cleats are next level. 👀

📺: #SBLVI -- 6:30pm ET on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/aK65k02yqx

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2022

Some serious heat on those feet. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8GMzV3WKeS

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 13, 2022

This is the first time in Beckham's career that he will play in a Super Bowl. Before this season, he had also played in just one postseason game as a member of the New York Giants in 2017, which was a wild-card loss to the Green Bay Packers. 

Beckham joined the Rams in November after being released by the Cleveland Browns. The 29-year-old has been electric in Sean McVay's offense and is a significant reason why the Rams are playing for the Lombardi Trophy. 

In three playoff games entering the Super Bowl, Beckham caught 19 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets. He figures to be a large factor on Sunday alongside Cooper Kupp.

The Los Angeles Rams are looking to extend their partnership with Odell Beckham Jr. beyond the 2021 NFL season, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Mortensen reported Sunday the Rams are "very optimistic" about re-signing the three-time Pro Bowler, who caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season appearances with the team.

It's difficult to gauge what kind of market will emerge for Beckham once he hits free agency.

Aside from the touchdowns, his production in Los Angeles isn't any better than what he had done in the first half with the Cleveland Browns.

• Beckham w/Browns: 17 receptions, 232 yards, zero touchdowns, 13.6 yards per reception, 38.7 yards per game 
• Beckham w/Rams: 27 receptions, 305 yards, five touchdowns, 11.3 yards per reception, 38.1 yards per game

However, the 29-year-old has enjoyed more team success with the Rams than he ever did with the Browns and New York Giants. He was an integral piece of the Rams' offense in the NFC Championship Game, as he finished with nine receptions for 113 yards.

That performance might serve as evidence of the impact Beckham can make with the benefit of a full offseason as a member of the Rams.

However, that has to be balanced against his two-and-a-half underwhelming years in Cleveland, a tenure in which he also underwent core muscle surgery and suffered a torn ACL.

In L.A., Beckham has quieted the skeptics who were especially vocal after his release from the Browns. He's demonstrated he's willing to occupy a lesser role behind Cooper Kupp.

The question is whether OBJ can again be the player he was when he made three straight Pro Bowls to start his career. To that end, how high will the Rams or another team be willing to go for a receiver who might be best utilized as a No. 2 target?

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson provided an idea in January:

What will that mean for Beckham’s price? That’s hard to say. Thus far, assessments have been all over the place. One AFC executive said his 'Mendoza Line' will likely be north of $10 million per season. Two other league sources slotted his likely contract value between the deals landed last offseason by Nelson Agholor ($11 million per season) and Corey Davis ($12.5 million).

Beckham will also have to weigh whether he prefers to return to L.A. or ply his trade with another team on which he'll be the primary aerial option. He still might be able to parlay one or two strong seasons into a major payday.

Hall of Fame wide receiver and Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin believes Odell Beckham Jr.'s tenure with the Cleveland Browns was always doomed to fail.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Irvin suggested Beckham needed the big stage of a city like Los Angeles in order to truly thrive:

"Odell Beckham is a bad boy on the football field. Period. He just needed the stage and the right atmosphere to show everybody.

"And, Cleveland just wasn't it, I'm sorry. I love Cleveland, but it just wasn't it. This right here, L.A., Hollywood, Super Bowl, and all the energy and the bright lights it brings, that's Odell Beckham."

After enjoying a few massive seasons with the New York Giants to start his career, Beckham was traded to the Browns prior to the 2019 season. OBJ did have 1,035 receiving yards during his first season in Cleveland, but the explosive plays usually weren't there.

Beckham missed all but seven games because of injury the following season and then frustration truly set in this season.

The 29-year-old wideout had just 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns in six games with the Browns, leading to his father posting a video in which he blamed quarterback Baker Mayfield for OBJ's lack of success.

That led to the Browns releasing Beckham, and he subsequently signed with a Rams team with which he has flourished.

In eight regular-season games as a member of the Rams, Beckham made 27 grabs for 305 yards and five touchdowns. His synergy with quarterback Matthew Stafford has carried over to the playoffs as well to the tune of 19 catches for 236 yards and one score.

Now, Beckham is one win away from his first championship, and he will look to help the Rams earn it in Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

It appears Odell Beckham Jr. is interested in remaining with the Los Angeles Rams beyond the 2021 season. 

While speaking with reporters ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium, Beckham was asked if he would take less money to remain in L.A. for the 2022 season. He responded, "yeah, of course!"

“This place, it feels good in my heart," Beckham said. "It feels like a home.”

Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Rams worth up to $4.25 million in November after being waived by the Cleveland Browns, and he almost certainly would have to sacrifice salary to remain in L.A. in 2022. 

The Rams are projected to be over the salary cap by more than $13 million, according to OverTheCap. In addition to Beckham, the franchise could also have to attempt to retain players like Von Miller, Darious Williams and Sony Michel, who are all set to be unrestricted free agents. 

If Beckham doesn't re-sign with the Rams, there's no question he'll end up with another solid team in 2022. He told reporters earlier this week that he was "very close" to joining either the New England Patriots or New Orleans Saints after being released by the Browns, and those teams could express interest in the veteran again during the offseason. 

Beckham also was interested in joining the Green Bay Packers before signing with the Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. If the Packers lose Davante Adams in free agency, they could end up pursuing Beckham. However, it's unclear if the three-time Pro Bowler would be OK with playing in Green Bay without four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who could be playing elsewhere in 2022. 

Beckham has revived his career in just a short period with the Rams. In eight regular-season games, he caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns. He's added 19 catches for 236 yards and one touchdown in three playoff games. 

However, if he remains with the Rams, his role could be a little different in 2022. Robert Woods is expected to return from a torn ACL, so Beckham would compete with him and Van Jefferson for targets while Cooper Kupp continues to act as the team's No. 1 receiver. 

While speaking with reporters Friday ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. admitted that he felt bad about how his tenure with the Cleveland Browns came to an end earlier this season. 

“One of the biggest regrets that I have is about the way that things ended. There really was no closure. It just happened so abrupt. So a lot of things were out of my control. By the time I woke up, the video was already posted. It was just unfortunate.”

The LSU product played in Cleveland for two-and-a-half seasons after being drafted by the New York Giants 12th overall in 2014. He spent five seasons with the Giants from 2014 to '18.

Beckham's tenure with the Browns ended somewhat messy. His father, Odell Beckham Sr., posted a video to Instagram displaying times when quarterback Baker Mayfield either missed his son entirely or didn't throw the ball to him when he was wide open.

Beckham reportedly never apologized to Mayfield for the video, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter, and was placed on waivers shortly after. He then signed a one-year deal with the Rams in November. 

After joining the Rams, the 29-year-old told reporters that he signed with the franchise because everything felt right in his heart. 

I took a lot of time in the decision-making, and it wasn't to build anticipation or nothing. This is my life and I feel like I've been through a lot. I'm at a point in my life where I'm ready to play football. I've dedicated, I've sacrificed a lot to be here. It just happened that this felt right in my heart and in my soul.

Since moving to Los Angeles, Beckham has been playing some of his best football in recent years. The three-time Pro Bowler caught 27 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games. He has been even better in the playoffs, catching 19 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown in three games. 

Beckham also expressed interest in remaining with the Rams beyond this season, telling reporters that L.A. "feels like a home." If his team wins the Super Bowl on Sunday, the chances of him running it back in L.A. could increase. 

Former NFL wide receiver Victor Cruz is very familiar with what it takes to win a Super Bowl. 

The Pro Bowler helped the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots, 21-17, in Super Bowl XLVI during the 2011 season to win their second championship in four years. 

Cruz played a key role in their NFC Championship Game victory over the San Francisco 49ers to reach the Super Bowl. He had 10 receptions and 142 yards in the Giants' 20-17 overtime win. 

Ahead of Super Bowl 56 on Sunday, Cruz sat down for a B/R AMA to answer questions about former teammate Odell Beckham Jr., the future of the Giants with new head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen and more. 

The following is the transcript from the AMA session.

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SPONSORED QUESTION:  Victor, so I understand you’re here on behalf of Captain Morgan with this Super Bowl Punch Bowl. Tell us more about this creation and how I get my hands on one

Unfortunately, the sweepstakes is over. There was one lucky winner but it’s just a sick creation. There’s a bluetooth speaker on the bottom. The bowl fits 4 gallons. There is a live scoreboard on it and you’ll actually see TDs when they happen on the bowl. There’s a matte black finish to it. It has this nice little laser light show. It’s just a cool, unnecessary, but very necessary thing to have on Super Bowl Sunday. 

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@CJShoe Any good memories or stories with OBJ or Sterling Shepard coming onto the team as rookies?

With Odell, I remember vividly threatening to cut his hair. He came in with the blonde and we were like ‘what is he doing.’ We threatened him in the locker room, held him down, had scissors. He didn’t like that very much.

With Sterling, he was the snack guy so we just made sure he always had us well fed.

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@Gut44 Speaking of new… thoughts on the Joe Schoen/Brian Daboll hiring?

I’m excited for Brian Daboll specifically, especially given the outstanding work he has put in with Josh Allen. If he can do half of what he has done with Josh Allen for Daniel Jones, this could be a great year. It’s an important year for the Giants and hopefully turning this ship around.

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@FitchKarma66 What do you think of the Washington Commanders new identity/name/logo?

The Washington Commanders team name is not my favorite if we’re being honest. It didn’t resonate with me. It didn’t feel indicative of Washington. It just didn’t sit well with me. The logos and jerseys are ok. I always liked the classic colors they had. I like red, white and blue a bit more anyway.

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@FleekBoi Did you ever consider other sports? Or was it always football? 

Karate, baseball, basketball and football ironically was the last sport I started at around 11 years old. I wanted to be a basketball player first but when I found out they gave more scholarships for football I decided to try that.

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@BigKDawg Did you have a backup plan if it weren’t for football? 

 I wanted to work with kids whether it was a guidance counselor or something else just to prepare them for the next stage of their lives. That’s why I started my foundation to get kids ready for what the world is really like .

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@KyldishRambino What was it like getting to collab with Nike on a shoe? What’s your all-time favorite sneaker?

Collabing with Nike was probably the most epic thing I’ve done to date especially because it’s a prestigious brand. To go inside those walls and share my ideas, you can see everything taking shape and seeing people put things into motion. Within 30-45 mins, the designers were already sketching things.  If I had a favorite sneaker of all time, it’s the black cement 3. Came out in ‘88. I love all the nuances that went into that shoe with its history.

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@LLingolnb22 Why No. 80? 

To be honest, I didn’t choose it. It chose me. I had the No. 3 in preseason, but at the time when I made the team I could only have a team number or an 80s number. The first time I got to the locker room, I saw the No. 80 jersey in my locker and from there it just kinda stuck. If the rules had been different, absolutely would have stuck with the No. 3. I think everything comes full circle so I’m happy Sterling can rock the No. 3. 

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@CatchKitchell12 Story behind the salsa? 

I’m half Puerto-Rican. I learned Bachata, Meringue, everything in the book growing up. When I got older, I understood the girls at the parties would want to dance with you. Fast forward, our coach when I made the team was part Mexican. I remember telling him if I had my first catch I would do something and once I got into the endzone I did. My grandmother at the time told me whenever I scored she wanted me to do that every time so I did it.

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@DilPreet1 What was the best thing about being a Giant? 

The love you get when you’re a Giant that fans see you whether it’s at a grocery store or a mall or at the game. I feel like they show you love in a way that is different from anyone else. The love I get from them is like nothing else. I don’t think I’ve had to pay for a meal in quite some time in NJ.

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@Just_in_Time This year is the 10th anniversary of your SB XLVI win over NE. What’s your favorite memory from that game?

Probably Tom Coughlin’s speech the night before. This one was a little bit special. You could tell it was a little bit more special. He had some really great words for us and I just remember that moment. It almost felt like we won the game right there. We wouldn’t let anything else affect us. It was a beautiful thing.

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@Jalalo Name your all-time Giants 3 WR (set you can include yourself)...

Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress and then myself obviously. Gotta get myself in there. Hakeem Nicks and a bunch of guys could be honorable mentions.

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@Waldman The best WR in the league rn is ______

I’m going to go Cooper Kupp. I just think he does it all. Whatever you need as a WR, he just checks all those boxes. He really gets everything done.

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@RyneStoneCowboy If Tom Brady is the GOAT but Eli and friends beat him twice in the Super Bowl, would that make Eli the GOAT?

Yes. Anytime you put Eli Manning and the word ‘GOAT’ in the same sentence, I’m just going to say yes. He’s one of the best to do it. His attention, approach, for all those reasons, yes. He took down Brady twice. Undefeated Brady and then round two Brady t in my mind the football gods, you never know. He did it again in dramatic fashion, nice deep ball to Mario in the corner. He’s the GOAT as well as the GOAT slayer.

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@HaasDaBoss Rams or Bengals?

I’m going Rams. I want to see my man Odell win, but those Cincy WRs are scary man. Joe Burrow has this confidence you don’t see often in a second year QB.

Drake is betting big on the Los Angeles Rams and Odell Beckham Jr. in Super Bowl 56 on Sunday.

In a post on Instagram, the rap superstar revealed he placed three different bets in Bitcoin on the Rams and Beckham totaling $1.6 million. 

"All bets are in on the family," Drake wrote in the caption. 

Beckham responded in the comments: "it's time."

His bets are $600,000 on the Rams to win outright, $500,000 on Beckham to go over 62.5 receiving yards and $500,000 on Beckham to go over 0.5 touchdowns. 

Of the three bets placed by Drake, Beckham touchdowns is probably the riskiest. He only has one score in three playoff games. Cooper Kupp has caught four of Matthew Stafford's six touchdown passes this postseason. 

Drake and Beckham have built a friendship over the years. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was one of several professional athletes who appeared in Drake's music video for "Laugh Now Cry Later" released in 2020. 

The addition of Beckham has paid off huge for the Rams in the postseason after he had 305 yards and five touchdowns on 27 receptions in eight games with Los Angeles during the regular season. 

In three playoff games, Beckham has 19 receptions, 236 yards and one touchdown. The 29-year-old had a season-high nine receptions for 113 yards in Los Angeles' 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. 

The Rams will play the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.