Today’s roundup: Seattle Reign captain Jess Fishlock wins the Lu Barnes Award as she prepares to retire, the Seahawks’ talks over Jonathan Taylor stall, and a shootout in the Columbia City neighborhood leaves no one injured.
Jess Fishlock wins the Lu Barnes Award: Seattle Reign captain leaves behind a legacy
In women’s soccer, it’s rare to find a player whose career is so intertwined with the history of a single club that the two are impossible to imagine apart. Jess Fishlock is one such player. The Welsh midfielder, who has spent all 14 seasons with Seattle Reign since the team was founded in 2013, is preparing to hang up her boots. The club has decided to mark her departure not just with a farewell match, but with an award that is itself a symbol of continuity and respect. Fishlock became the second recipient of the Lu Barnes Award, established in 2025 in honor of another Reign legend, Lauren Barnes, with whom Fishlock shared a locker room and the captain’s armband for many years. Presented by cosmetics brand Paula’s Choice, the award recognizes a combination of three qualities: outstanding play on the field, leadership within the team, and a meaningful contribution to the community. Looking at Fishlock’s career, it’s clear why she was chosen.
The player herself responded to the award with characteristic modesty, while emphasizing its deeper meaning. “It’s an incredible honor to receive an award named after Lu, someone I was fortunate enough to share the field with for so many years,” Fishlock said. “We’ve been through so much together at this club, and I saw firsthand the standard she set every day. What makes this award special is that it means so much more than just what happens on the field. It’s about how you support your teammates, how you show up in the locker room, and the impact you have on the community.” The captain’s words are backed up by action: in honor of her retirement and her No. 10 jersey, Reign and Paula’s Choice quadrupled their usual contribution, increasing it from $2,500 each to a combined $10,000 donation to Lambert House, a Seattle nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth. The choice is no coincidence: Fishlock has long been known as a vocal advocate for inclusion and the rights of people experiencing homelessness, and her work with Lambert House reflects her longstanding commitment to creating a safe space for young people.
Fishlock’s sporting achievements are impressive even to the most knowledgeable fan. In 14 seasons, she helped the club win the NWSL Shield three times—in 2014, 2015 and 2022—and reach the NWSL Championship final three times, in 2014, 2015 and 2023. She was named to the league’s Best XI or Second XI seven times, and in 2021 was named NWSL Most Valuable Player. In what will be her final season, Fishlock also became the club’s all-time leading scorer, adding another line to her résumé. Remarkably, even as a veteran, she continues to take the field, sometimes as a starter and sometimes off the bench, helping younger players adapt to the demands of professional soccer. Her influence extends well beyond match day: her experience, work ethic and commitment to her teammates help shape the locker-room culture that the Lu Barnes Award was created to recognize. Lauren Barnes, whose name the award bears, made no secret of her feelings: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Jess. She has given everything to this club for 14 years and continues to lead by example, even in her final season. As co-captain, she has been such an important voice for the team, and her impact in the community has been just as significant. Jess has truly embodied all the principles of this award throughout her career. She helped build what this club is today, and the legacy she leaves behind will shape Reign for many years to come.”
The Lu Barnes Award was established in 2025, when Barnes herself retired after 13 years with Reign. It was created to honor the three pillars of Barnes’s career: consistently high-level performance, unwavering commitment to her teammates, and service to the community. The winner is chosen through a weighted vote involving players, coaches and club staff, as well as season-ticket holders and fans. In 2026, the award had three finalists: alongside Fishlock, defender Phoebe McClernon and goalkeeper Cassie Miller were also nominated. The fact that the captain was chosen highlights not only her achievements on the field, but also the recognition of her role as a leader and mentor. Paula’s Choice’s involvement is also significant: the company’s CEO, Faiz Ahmad, said the brand had been associated from the outset with visible results and helping people feel confident in their own skin. “The players of Seattle Reign embody that same standard—on the field and in the community we’re part of,” he said. “As we continue this partnership, we’re committed to going further together: supporting the players, celebrating their achievements and helping advance women’s sports in the city we both call home.”
The ceremony honoring Fishlock will take place on Sunday, November 1, before Reign’s match against Orlando Pride at Lumen Field. It will be not only the club’s final regular-season game—known as Decision Day—but also Fishlock’s last home match in Seattle before she leaves professional soccer. For fans, it’s a chance not just to say goodbye to a legend, but to be part of a story in which sport intersects with community service, and the captain’s armband signifies responsibility not only for results, but also for the people around you. According to the club’s official statement, tickets are still available, and there is little doubt that the stands will be filled with people eager to thank a player who has become synonymous with an entire era of women’s soccer in Seattle.
Jonathan Taylor talks stall: Seahawks risk missing out on a marquee acquisition
The possibility of the Indianapolis Colts trading star running back Jonathan Taylor to the Seattle Seahawks is becoming increasingly complicated as the NFL trade deadline, set for November 10, draws closer. Just a few days ago, Seattle appeared to be one of the leading contenders to acquire him. Now, the chances of a deal are rapidly fading. Several factors are behind the shift: the Seahawks’ unexpected acquisition of guard Quenton Nelson, the Colts’ firm stance, and, most importantly, the fact that Taylor himself has not requested a trade.
The key development came at a news conference held by Colts head coach Shane Steichen on Wednesday, October 28. ESPN reporters asked him directly whether Taylor had requested a trade. His answer was brief: “No.” Steichen added that all the talk about his player was hypothetical, emphasizing, “I know there’s a lot of speculation out there, but JT is our player.” The remark, reported by ESPN’s Stephen Holder, effectively deprived Seattle of one of its main sources of leverage over Indianapolis: without a public trade demand from the player, the Colts have no need to lower their asking price.
Significantly, there is a Colts player who has asked to be traded amid the news surrounding Taylor. That player is receiver Josh Downs, who, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, approached the club with a request because he is entering the final months of his rookie contract. Downs commented on the situation philosophically: “I’m open to anything. Whatever happens, happens, and we’ll move forward.” The contrast underscores the fact that Indianapolis has already parted ways with two of its most experienced veterans: DeForest Buckner, sent to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, and Quenton Nelson, who went to Seattle for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. Taylor’s situation, however, is fundamentally different.
The Colts have compelling financial and organizational reasons to hold on to the running back. In August, Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension that keeps him with the club through the 2028 season. Moreover, ESPN insider Adam Schefter previously reported that team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon sees Taylor as a potential cornerstone of the organization’s rebuild. According to Fowler, other teams around the league are far from certain that Indianapolis is even willing to trade its offensive leader, and describe the likelihood of a deal as anything but clear.
Seattle’s situation is complicated by internal factors as well. On October 25, Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network named the Seahawks among four teams pursuing Taylor, alongside the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. But the acquisition of Nelson has already changed the picture: Seattle gave up a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder, and had previously traded away its original fourth- and sixth-round picks in the same draft. In other words, Indianapolis is reportedly seeking premium compensation for one of the league’s most productive running backs, forcing Seahawks general manager John Schneider to think seriously about whether to make another costly deal so soon after acquiring Nelson.
That makes the question of Seattle’s current running-back group especially important. Zach Charbonnet is continuing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in the team’s playoff win over the 49ers in January. On Monday, October 26, head coach Mike Macdonald said Charbonnet would continue practicing in full as the club evaluates his recovery. Rookie Jadarian Price, selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2026 draft, is also expected to return to practice after a chest injury. Neither player has a confirmed return date, but their progress could give the Seahawks an alternative to sending away more draft picks for Taylor.
Some of the terms in this story may need explaining. The NFL trade deadline is the cutoff after which clubs cannot trade players for the rest of the season; this year, it falls on November 10. Draft picks are the standard currency of trades in the league: the team giving up a player receives the right to make selections in future drafts, with earlier-round picks generally more valuable. A contract extension is a new deal signed before the current one expires, keeping a player with the club for additional years; in Taylor’s case, it is worth $44 million over two seasons. Finally, a “trade request” is a formal or public statement by a player that they want to change teams. It significantly strengthens the buyer’s position in negotiations, since the club risks keeping an unhappy player on its roster.
The main takeaway is this: Taylor’s failure to request a trade does not, by itself, prevent Indianapolis from dealing him, but it deprives Seattle of a crucial bargaining chip. Without pressure from the player, the Colts have more reason to stand firm on their asking price. Schneider, known for making aggressive moves ahead of the deadline, could theoretically pull off another blockbuster. But the combination of the Colts’ reluctance to part with their leader, the draft picks Seattle has already spent, and the return of its own running backs is making a deal for Taylor increasingly difficult. Acquiring Nelson at least gives Seattle an immediate boost to its offensive line, which could improve the ground game regardless of who carries the ball. As a HEAVY report on Yahoo Sports notes, Indianapolis has now made it clear that Taylor is not pushing to leave, meaning the odds of a blockbuster trade continue to fall with every day that passes before November 10.
Shootout in Seattle: what we know about the shooting in Columbia City
A shootout broke out Tuesday evening in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood, and the incident was captured on video by a witness. Police are investigating, but despite the intense exchange of gunfire, no one was injured—or at least no victims were found at the scene. The incident has once again drawn attention to the problem of gun violence in American cities and to the way such scenes are becoming part of everyday life for residents.
According to FOX 13 Seattle, police received reports of gunfire at around 6:08 p.m. near the intersection of South Oregon Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, close to the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club. Video provided by a local resident shows a person in a hooded sweatshirt running and jumping near a multi-use sports field, trying to dodge incoming bullets. The witness said the footage was filmed from a window in his home overlooking the backyard where the scene unfolded. Though the details are unclear, the person also appears to have returned fire.
Police reconstructed the approximate sequence of events: a black SUV carrying at least two people was parked in a lot. Two suspects approached the vehicle and opened fire, after which the two people inside got out and returned fire. When officers arrived, they found no one injured, but did note property damage and collected numerous shell casings as well as live rounds. The suspects could not be found. The case has been assigned to the Seattle Police Department’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit.
The incident illustrates several troubling trends. First, the shootout took place in a residential neighborhood, near a facility for children and a sports field, putting bystanders at risk. Second, the video captured by a witness shows just how close such incidents can come to ordinary residents—in this case, literally to someone’s backyard. Third, no one being injured despite the number of shots fired can be considered good luck, but it is not evidence that the area is safe.
It’s important to understand that the term “shootout” refers to an exchange of gunfire between two or more parties, as opposed to a single shooting. In this case, police are treating the incident as an exchange of fire. “Shell casings” are the metal parts of ammunition left behind after a shot is fired, while “live rounds” are unused ammunition, which can sometimes fall out during reloading or be discarded. Finding them can help investigators establish the sequence of events and the number of people involved.
Police have not announced any arrests, and the motive for the shooting remains unknown. The investigation is ongoing, and, according to the source, this is a developing story. For Columbia City residents, the incident is a reminder that gun violence can erupt at any moment, even in relatively prosperous neighborhoods. The video filmed from a window is more than just evidence; it is a symbol of how close danger can come to home.
