Total Pro Sports
Sports bettors may want to shell out some huge cash on Sam LaPorta.
It didn’t take long for the former Iowa Hawkeyes star to stamp his name among the best tight ends in the NFL, as he enjoyed a brilliant rookie campaign with the Detroit Lions in 2023.
LaPorta was so good during his debut season that he made the Pro Bowl, courtesy of hauling in 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, things were not as good in 2024 as he caught 60 passes for 726 yards and seven scores.
With that being said, things are looking up for LaPorta already.
Sam LaPorta could be in line for a much better season in 2025. Why? Because the Iowa product recently paid a visit to Vatican City and was blessed by Pope Leo XIV, who was installed as the new pope last month.
LaPorta, who married Callahan on June 14, according to the New York Post’s Andrew Battifarano, shared a photo of himself and his wife receiving the blessing on Instagram.
“Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride,” he wrote. “A special moment we’ll never forget.”
Historic season incoming for Sam LaPorta pic.twitter.com/qBE2Z0D1fm
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) June 24, 2025
The Lions finished last year with a sterling 15-2 regular season before being bounced by the Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
They may have a real shot at making the Super Bowl.
In his rookie year, Sam LaPorta was the league’s highest-scoring fantasy tight end.
LaPorta took a step back from his remarkable rookie year, but he still improved his yards per catch, yards per target (8.7), catch rate (72.3%), touchdown rate (8.3%), and YAC per reception (5.7).
His targets per game fell, so it is actually scary to think what he could do if his targets were to go back up.
