Hailing from Oklahoma City, OK, defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy was a five-star recruit out his hometown Southeast High School. McCoy ditched many prestigious football schools like USC, University of Miami, Norte Dame, Virginia Tech, and more before committing to the University of Oklahoma in 2006. After redshirting his freshman year, McCoy played three seasons with the Sooners. In his junior year he was named Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year with career numbers of 51 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The imposing 6'4, 300lb defensive lineman was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCoy logged nine seasons with the Bucs, where he was named a 6x Pro Bowler and 3x First-Team All-Pro recipient while with the team. Out the gate, the Bucs offered McCoy a five-year $55 million contract with $20.8 million guaranteed. In 2014, McCoy signed a seven-year $95.2 million extension that was terminated earlier this year. McCoy then took his talents to the Carolina Panthers for a one-year $9 million contract. This season his sacked his ex-teammate, Jamies Winston 2.5 times.
Wondering where to go in 2020 for an amazing deal, to beat the crowds, or for a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? These destinations are on travel addicts’ radar for rightfully hyped 2020 events, new offerings, and recent developments that make them a must-visit right now.
On top of the majestic scenery its long been known for, Montana is a newly trendy nature getaway celebrated for its expanding luxury hotel scene, culinary offerings, and shop-local boutiques, according to an American Express study detailing where cardholders are traveling in 2020. But Montana is also about to get more accessible than ever before thanks to emerging flight routes sure to stir up competition. Launching two brand-new seasonal routes to Big Sky country, American Airlines will fly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana, beginning mid-year and continuing through Labor Day. Take advantage of the new direct route before the secret gets out, and so that they’ll continue next year.
One of the cities featured in Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020, Urugay’s capital Montevideo is a stable and LGBT-friendly destination to visit in South America—a continent that’s seen dips in tourism of late thanks to political instability in travel destinations like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Travelers identified the city as a trending travel destination for anyone seeking an immersive, one-stop escape; according to the study, “over half (54 percent) of global travelers say they want to go on one long trip to a place that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.” Montevideo’s offerings include beaches, nightlife, markets, theaters, culinary prowess, and festive Gay Pride Day celebrations in September.
Europe’s intensely overtouristed spots (Venice, Barcelona, Santorini) have new Eastern European hotspots to thank for stealing away some of the spotlight: Romania is making a name for itself as one of the top five most trending Airbnb booking destinations for 2020. The nation that’s home to Transylvania, Dracula’s castle, and well-preserved medieval towns nestled among rolling hills has seen a 298 percent annual increase in Airbnb bookings.