Wednesday’s Mashup: Danny Amendola speaks at Bryant University, says he doesn’t want to leave Patriots

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Photo credit Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:NBA: Charlotte at Boston, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSB)NBA: Golden State at Washington, 8 p.m. (ESPN)NBA: Houston at LA Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)NHL: Detroit at St. Louis, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

-- Danny Amendola visited Bryant University on Tuesday night to moderate a Q&A at the Rhode Island school’s the Chace Athletic and Wellness Center.

He spoke to the crowd of students about free agency and the state of the Patriots, saying he wants to stay in New England.

"I'm a free agent this year, so let's say -- the unknown. We'll see what happens,” he said. “I definitely want to be here. To tell you the truth, I don't want to leave. But it's a business. I've learned that.”

“They have the best owner, coach and quarterback and they all work together really well despite reports that I can say are B.S.,” he also said.

WATCH: speaking tonight at Bryant University, Patriots WR Danny Amendola praises Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. "they all work together really well despite reports which I can say are B.S" pic.twitter.com/P68maobdrz

— Yianni Kourakis (@YianniKourakis) February 28, 2018

Amendola also talked about the importance of grit, perseverance, character and community service.

-- Papa John’s is no longer the official pizza of the NFL.

The NFL and the pizza giant have ended their partnership, it was announced on Tuesday.

"While the NFL remains an important channel for us, we have determined that there are better ways to reach and activate this audience," Papa John’s CEO Steve Ritchie said.

Last year, then-CEO John Schnatter blamed lower sales on the NFL’s handling of player protests during the national anthem and told investors, "This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago. The controversy is polarizing the customer, polarizing the country."

The company later apologized and Schnatter soon stepped down.

Papa John’s has been a league sponsor since 2010 and will keep its sponsorships with 22 individual teams.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He didn’t enjoy himself in 2017. He didn’t have a good time. Despite the fact that his body was in a better situation that it has been in a long time, ever maybe. Despite the fact that he’s one of the most dominant players at any skill position. It is starting to wear on him, physically and mentally … This started in training camp.” -- Tom E. Curran, on Rob Gronkowski