NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales drew immense praise from fellow pundits for her work at the Combine after previously breaking major news during the Super Bowl
17:06 ET, 01 Mar 2026
Stacey Dales stands on the sideline
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Stacey Dales received praise for her coverage of the NFL Combine(Image: Getty Images)
NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales received due praise from her colleagues upon pulling back the curtain on several of the NFL Combine’s biggest stars.
Immediately following the Seahawks’ 29-13 drubbing of the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, Dales helped answer the million dollar question by getting offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to confirm that he would be leaving Seattle to accept the Raiders’ head coaching position. The Canadian pundit continued to make her presence felt at the’ Combine while providing fans with an up close and personal look at draft prospects.
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On Saturday, Dales successfully conveyed the raw emotion of Mike Washington Jr. moments after the Arkansas product posted a 4.33 40-yard dash, which marked the fastest time amongst running backs at this year’s Combine.
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Washington couldn’t stop the waterworks from flowing, as cameras captured the 22-year-old burst into tears while seated on the sideline. Dales shed light on what the life-changing moment meant for him, telling NFL Network broadcasters Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah: “Mike Washington … You see him here on his phone. He broke down in tears after that run, you guys.
“I just went over and spoke with him, the running back out of Arkansas. And he broke down in tears again with me. He said, ‘I’m so emotional, man. I’ve worked my whole life for this.’
“He’s going to do the drill work, but this is why the Combine is so important, Rich and DJ. And it’s so vital for so many of these young men. To tell me that he’s worked his entire life for this, as he gets ready to go about this drill work. How impactful is that?”
One day prior, Dales additionally uncovered the hilarious reason why linebacker Sonny Styles is nicknamed after a character from The Godfather.
Stacey Dales stands on the sideline
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Dales has pulled back the curtain on several top prospects at the Combine(Image: Getty Images)
While speaking to Sonny’s mother, Laverna Styles, Dales learned that the 21-year-old — whose real name is Alex — had a short temper during his adolescence.
Upon losing to his older brother, Lorenzo Jr, Sonny would often descend into a fit of rage much like Sonny Corleone. "He had such a hot temper, so we named him after Sonny from The Godfather because when him and little Lorenzo would get into an argument, he would get so mad," Laverna told Dales.
"He could go from zero to 10 in the blink of an eye, so his nickname became Sonny."
Taking to social media, droves of fellow reporters applauded Dales for her Combine coverage. MSG Network studio host Madelyn Burke wrote on X: “Stacey Dales once again putting on a master class in NFL Combine coverage. Incredible insight, unique storytelling on each of these prospects, and gets great sound from interviews. @StaceyDales works her tail off to make this look easy, she deserves all the flowers.”
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Athlon Sports’ Doug Farrar added, “Every year, I watch @StaceyDales run around at the combine, somehow being in seven places at once, getting killer interviews over and over, and it just wears me out. I'll have what she's having. One of the true atomic professionals in this business.”
CHGO Sports producer Greg Braggs Jr. chimed in, “Let me also say @StaceyDales is one of the hardest working people in the industry but also equally one of the nicest. Which I can't emphasize how much I appreciate that.
"I learn so much watching her go about her business from the preparation to the execution of her craft.”