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Los Angeles Sparks guard Layshia Clarendon, a leader in the WNBA's social justice initiatives, the league's first openly transgender and nonbinary player and a 2017 All-Star, announced their retirement on Friday on Instagram. Clarendon, 33, has not suited up for the Sparks since Aug. 15 vs. the New York Liberty. They averaged 7.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game during their 12-year WNBA career. "It just felt right," Clarendon said to ESPN. "I've done a lot of healing in my life the last five years. It was just the culmination of my mind, my body and my spirit telling me that it was time to move on. I just had a deep knowing in my intuition that now is the right time, and I had a really open heart and readiness to let go." "Layshia has made a huge impact on and off the court throughout their outstanding basketball career," Sparks coach Curt Miller said in a statement. "Lay was a true professional, showing up each day with a desire to help our teams...

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For the second straight Friday, the Green Bay Packers listed Jordan Love as questionable on their injury report. Don't expect the same Saturday downgrade to doubtful as last week's. After not practicing at all last week, Love took part in all three practices this week -- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, albeit in limited fashion -- and coach Matt LaFleur said they will take it right up until inactives are due 90 minutes before Sunday's kickoff at the Tennessee Titans if necessary. When asked after Friday's practice whether Love had been medically cleared to play, LaFleur said: "We're working through that." While that's the first step in a return to game action for the first time since Love sprained the MCL in his left knee late in the Sept. 6 season opener against the Eagles, it's not only the only factor. "I think there's definitely a lot that's up to him," LaFleur said. "You don't want to put somebody in that position, but...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said Friday that doctors diagnosed him with a high right ankle sprain. He said that his status for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is "yet to be decided." Herbert said the pain in his ankle "is not great," and he walked with a limp after his news conference. "Thankfully, it's only Friday," Herbert said. "... It is what it is. It's all about getting treatment and making sure that it's at its best and doing everything I can to limit the swelling, limit the pain and just keep things moving forward." The Chargers listed Herbert as questionable for Sunday's game. He didn't practice on Wednesday or Friday this week and was limited on Thursday. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Herbert not practicing Friday wasn't a sign of any regression in Herbert's recovery but rather was part of the plan set out by the athletic training staff. "Every day, it's been getting better," Herbert said. "It's...

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said he is dealing with the same injury to both his feet and will play through it but might require a procedure in the future. "Don't feel 100 percent, but feel good enough to go out there and make a difference," Garrett said Friday. Garrett, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but returned to practice Friday. He was not listed with a game status for Sunday's matchup with the New York Giants and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Garrett "looked like himself" at practice. Garrett appeared on the injury report with a foot issue last week but played in the Browns' win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording a strip sack in the game. Garrett took a few plays off in the victory but said after the game that he would continue to play through the injury. "We talk about [surgery after the season] but that's something that we'll talk about...

Hundreds of boxing fans packed London's Trafalgar Square on Friday to watch Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois weigh in and face off for the final time before their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) weighed in at 252 pounds, slightly heavier than Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), who topped the scales at 248 pounds. After stepping off the scales, Joshua made a plea to fans, most of whom were cheering for him over his opponent. "If I can ask you one favour, go home tonight and make a prayer for me, for success tomorrow, that I will become three-time heavyweight champion of the world," Joshua said. "I look at myself as a gladiator, and I'm about to step into an arena tomorrow to perform for the people who love to see blood, guts and glory." Dubois was slightly more reserved and appeared laser-focused. "I'm ready to fight, just time to get in the ring and fight. I'm ready to go. A lot of work going into this, a lot of training. I win by...

MIAMI --  Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert is a long shot to play in the team's game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Mike McDaniel said, as he continues to work his way back from a chest injury. Mostert missed last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills with a chest injury he picked up in Miami's season opener. Despite Mostert turning in limited practices throughout the week, McDaniel was skeptical about the team's leading rusher from a season ago. "I am an optimistic person and so I would say I'd be pessimistic that he'd play," McDaniel said. "Which is telling, but I can't rule it out." Running back De'Von Achane leads the team with 46 total touches in two games and is likely headed for another heavy workload with quarterback Skylar Thompson set to make his fourth career start in place of the injured Tua Tagovailoa. McDaniel said he feels good about where rookie running back Jaylen Wright is at this...

East Carolina senior cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., one of the top cornerback prospects in the upcoming NFL draft, tore an ACL in practice this week and will miss the remainder of the season, sources told ESPN. Revel has been one of the most productive corners in the country for the Pirates. Since the start of 2023, he has 11 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. That includes a 50-yard interception return against Appalachian State last week. A source called it a "freak injury" to his left knee that occurred in practice on Wednesday. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in the upcoming draft behind Michigan's Will Johnson. ESPN's Jordan Reid ranked him as the No. 14 overall prospect in his rankings. Revel defied convention by staying at East Carolina this season, turning down lucrative opportunities to transfer to some of the top programs in college football. "He has a chance to be this year's Quinyon Mitchell," said an NFL scout who...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said Friday that Jacoby Brissett remains the team's starting quarterback, praising his toughness despite a flurry of protection breakdowns in Thursday's 24-3 loss to the New York Jets. Mayo's declaration came a day after he inserted rookie Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, into the game late in the fourth quarter so he could experience his first regular-season action. "Jacoby is our quarterback until I say he is not the quarterback," Mayo said Friday morning. "I thought he showed a lot of toughness, a lot of grit." Brissett, who finished 12-of-18 for 98 yards, was sacked five times and in-game statisticians charted that he was hit 15 times as the Jets turned to a blitz-heavy approach to exploit the Patriots' short-handed offensive line. In the first three games, he is 42-of-69 for 368 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. The Patriots are 1-2. Immediately...

East Carolina senior cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., one of the top cornerback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft, tore his ACL in practice this week and will miss the remainder of the season, sources told ESPN. Revel has been one of the most productive corners in the country for the Pirates. Since the start of 2023, he had 11 pass break-ups and two defensive touchdowns. That included a 50-yard interception return against Appalachian State last week. A source called it a "freak injury" to his left knee that occurred in practice on Wednesday. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in the upcoming draft behind Michigan's Will Johnson. ESPN's Jordan Reid ranked him as a Top 15 overall prospect. Revel defied convention by staying at East Carolina this season, turning down lucrative opportunities to transfer to some of the top programs in college football. "He has a chance to be this year's Quinyon Mitchell," said an NFL scout who has seen Revel this year,...

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a three-year, $192.9 million maximum contract extension that guarantees the former MVP a total of $299.5 million through the 2028-29 season, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Embiid announced that he and the team had agreed to the extension Friday morning, saying he hopes to remain a Sixer "for the rest of my career." "Philadelphia is home. I want to be here for the rest of my career," Embiid wrote on Instagram. "I love this community and everything you've given me and my family. There is a lot more work to do. You guys deserve a championship and I think we're just getting started!" Embiid will decline his $59 million player option for the 2026-27 season and sign the new, three-year extension. He will earn $69 million in the final year of the new deal. His career earnings will swell to $514.8 million with the new agreement, fourth highest in NBA history behind LeBron James, Stephen Curry...

PHOENIX -- When Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts walked down the sideline to where  Diana Taurasi was sitting late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's 89-70 loss to the Seattle Storm, he had to summon the help of Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud and Sophie Cunningham to convince the WNBA's all-time leading scorer to go back in for what could be the last home game of her illustrious career. Finally, the foursome, along with the help of a sellout crowd chanting "D.T.," convinced Taurasi, 42, to take a curtain call. The plan was for her not to play in the final quarter, but with 3:11 left, the only WNBA player to score 10,000 career points entered the game at the Footprint Center to a standing ovation. She acknowledged the fans' response with waves and claps as chants of "one more year" echoed throughout the arena. Then, six seconds later, Taurasi was subbed out and, for possibly the last time at Footprint, walked off the court on which...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New England Patriots had a hard time getting their arms around New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. So did his coach. In perhaps his finest performance in years, Rodgers passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 victory Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, making several off-platform plays on the move and outside the pocket. And yet the viral moment from the game was Rodgers' awkward encounter with coach Robert Saleh when the Jets took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on  Breece Hall's 1-yard touchdown run. When Rodgers returned to the sideline, he slapped hands with Saleh, who then moved in for a hug. Rodgers was in no mood for an embrace. He gave Saleh a gentle shove and glared at him as he walked away. The quarterback's body language seemed to be saying, "It's too early to be celebrating like that." Afterward, both men tried to make light of it. "He's not a big hugger usually, so I didn't know he was...

NEW YORK -- Tina Charles had a record night to lift the  Atlanta Dream into the WNBA playoffs with a 78-67 win over the  New York Liberty on Thursday night. Charles finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, breaking the league records for both career rebounds and double-doubles. Atlanta came into the game knowing it could clinch a playoff berth win a victory while the Liberty (32-8) had nothing really to play for having already sewn up the No. 1 seed. The two teams will meet again Sunday in the first round of the postseason in New York. Charles broke Sylvia Fowles' rebound mark of 4,006 boards a few minutes into the game, getting an offensive tap out that eventually led to a basket. She needed three boards coming into the game to break the record and is now up to 4,014 for her career. In the third quarter, Charles broke another one of Fowles' league records when she grabbed her 10th rebound to complete her 194th career double-double. A New York native,...

MIAMI --  Shohei Ohtani remained stoic as he rounded the bases in Thursday's ninth inning, after another prodigious home run that merely piled on to what had already been one of the most memorable performances in baseball history. But he cracked moments later while making his way through the usual parade of dugout high-fives. He smiled sheepishly, gritted his teeth and rhythmically shrugged his shoulders, as if to convey amazement -- embarrassment, even -- by his unrelenting dominance. That home run, off a position player inserted into a game that was thoroughly out of hand, was his third of the night and 51st of the season. It drove in his 10th run, a Los Angeles Dodgers record. And it provided an emphatic conclusion to a game that saw Ohtani become the first player with 50 home runs and 50 steals in a season in baseball history while clinching his first trip to Major League Baseball's postseason. "To be honest, I'm the one probably most surprised," Ohtani said...

NEW YORK -- Tina Charles broke two career records Thursday night, passing Sylvia Fowles to become the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder with 4,007 and later passing Fowles with her 194th career double-double. Charles needed three rebounds entering the game and got them quickly in the first quarter of the Atlanta Dream's game against the New York Liberty. She broke Fowles' mark on an offensive tap out that eventually led to a basket 3:52 into the game. Charles completed her record-breaking double-double when she grabbed her 10th rebound of the night with 5:04 left in the third quarter. She sat out the fourth quarter and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Dream's 78-67 win. Charles, 35, got her start in Connecticut before being traded to New York before the 2014 season. The Liberty honored Charles at the end of the first quarter with a video tribute. She waved and pointed to the crowd. Charles also played in Washington, Phoenix and Seattle...

NEW YORK -- Tina Charles passed Sylvia Fowles on Thursday to become the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder with 4,007 in her career. Charles needed three rebounds coming into the game and got them quickly in the first quarter of the Atlanta Dream's game against the New York Liberty. She broke Fowles' mark on an offensive tap out that eventually led to a basket 3:52 into the game. The 35-year-old star got her start in Connecticut before being traded to New York before the 2014 season. The Liberty honored Charles at the end of the first quarter with a video tribute. She waved and pointed to the crowd. Charles also played in Washington, Phoenix and Seattle before signing with Atlanta this year after sitting out last season. Charles has averaged 9.3 rebounds during her 14-year career. She has 193 double-doubles to tie Fowles for the most in WNBA history. A New York native, Charles was honored before the game as she was inducted into the city's Basketball Hall...

Kiyan Anthony knows better than most about his father's legacy at Syracuse, which is one of the finalists for the No. 36 prospect and four-star recruit in the 2025 ESPN 100 rankings. Before a decorated NBA career, Carmelo Anthony led the Orange to the 2003 national championship as a freshman. He also donated a significant sum of money to the school's basketball facility, which now bears his name. Despite those family ties, Kiyan Anthony said that his father and mother, La La Anthony, have not nudged him to pick Syracuse. "[My father] never pushes me to go to Syracuse just because his name is on the gym," Anthony told ESPN on Wednesday ahead of the release of the second season of "The Evolu7ion" on YouTube with Overtime. "He did so much at Syracuse. He knows that I'm my own person. I've just got to make my own decision at the end of the day. "If it is Syracuse -- I go there a lot and I practice, I work out there -- if it is that, that's what it is. But he's...

MIAMI --  Shohei Ohtani stole his 50th base and slugged his 49th home run against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, putting the Los Angeles Dodgers star one home run away from the first 50/50 season in major league history. Ohtani hit a leadoff double against Edward Cabrera and swiped third on the front end of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk. Ohtani later scored on a sacrifice fly by Will Smith to put the Dodgers ahead 1-0. An inning later, Ohtani recorded his 51st stolen base of the season when he swiped second base after a single. Ohtani has been successful on his past 28 stolen base attempts. Later, Ohtani added his 49th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth inning off  George Soriano to put the Dodgers ahead 9-3. He stole his 49th base in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Marlins. He hit his 48th homer in the series opener Tuesday night, connecting on a 1-1 sweeper from Marlins...

EAGAN, Minn. -- As far as Justin Jefferson is concerned, there is no doubt that he will play Sunday against the Houston Texans -- despite a right quadriceps contusion that knocked him out of the Minnesota Vikings' Week 2 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Asked Thursday whether he will play against the Texans, Jefferson said: "Oh yeah, for sure." Jefferson suffered the injury while trying to block 49ers linebacker Fred Warner during a run play. On Thursday, Jefferson said he had missed his assignment and shouldn't have been anywhere near Warner. "I was supposed to stay on the corner and pretty much run him off," Jefferson said. "I've just got to make sure I'm aware of my rules." Jefferson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday. He said the injury feels "great" and added: "Just taking it day by day, just staying in the treatment room and working with those guys to make sure I'm feeling fantastic Sunday." Fellow...

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been fined for his Week 2 touchdown celebration that imitated Michael Jackson, a source told ESPN.  Carr snuck the ball in from the 1-yard line for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Saints' 44-19 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He then did a dance move made famous by Jackson that involved grabbing at his crotch. While the NFL relaxed some touchdown celebration rules in 2017, the current rulebook states a player can be flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for "an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive." While the Week 2 fines haven't been made public yet, a first-time offense for an unsportsmanlike conduct fine is $14,069. Carr was not flagged for the celebration. Carr said that he chose the celebration because he promised his family that he would do a dance by Jackson if he scored a touchdown this season. "People don't know a lot of stuff about me. ... Weddings or...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Already without two of their most important players, the San Francisco 49ers added two more key names to the injury report Thursday when tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward did not participate in practice. Kittle is dealing with a hamstring injury and Ward is battling hamstring and knee issues, according to the team. Neither player was on the field for the early open portion of practice, leaving their status up in the air for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. "They will end up being questionable I'm sure," coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR radio in San Francisco on Thursday. "They had good practices yesterday. They complained of some soreness after practice and they came in this morning with it, so we weren't going to put them out there today and have them get real hurt. "Hopefully they come in tomorrow and can get some work in. Definitely hoping those guys can be available on Sunday but, if not, gotta...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Already without two of their most important players, the San Francisco 49ers added two more key names to the injury report Thursday when tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward did not participate in practice. Kittle is dealing with a hamstring injury while Ward is battling hamstring and knee issues, according to the team. Neither were on the practice field for the early open portion of practice, leaving their status up in the air for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. Those absences come on the heels of the Niners placing running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles tendonitis) on injured reserve and losing  Deebo Samuel to a calf injury against the Minnesota Vikings. McCaffrey sat out that game and will miss at least the next three. Samuel is expected to miss "a couple of weeks," coach Kyle Shanahan said. The extent of the injuries to Kittle and Ward are...

MIAMI --  Shohei Ohtani stole his 50th base in the first inning against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, putting the Los Angeles Dodgers star two home runs away from the first 50/50 season in major league history. Ohtani hit a leadoff double against Edward Cabrera and swiped third on the front end of a double steal with Freddie Freeman, who reached on a walk. Ohtani later scored on a sacrifice fly by Will Smith to put the Dodgers ahead 1-0. An inning later, Ohtani recorded his 51st stolen base of the season when he swiped second base after a single. Ohtani has been successful on his past 28 stolen base attempts. He stole his 49th base in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Marlins. He hit his 48th homer in the series opener Tuesday night, connecting on a 1-1 sweeper from Marlins right-hander Darren McCaughan and sending it 402 yards to right field. He's the sixth player in major league history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  Bryce Young on Thursday admitted he was surprised when Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales benched him in favor of veteran Andy Dalton for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. "As a competitor, obviously not how you dream of what's going to happen,'' Young said in his first interview since the decision was made on Monday. "It wasn't something I necessarily was expecting. Obviously, it was not something that was great to hear. "It's on me to put them in that situation.'' Young, 2-16 as the starter since the Panthers (0-2) made him the top pick of the 2023 draft, repeatedly took responsibility for the decision to bench him the day after Canales said Young would start against the Raiders. He never admitted he was mad, although sources close to the situation said he initially was. Young also avoided speculation on whether he has a future at Carolina, although Canales said on Wednesday he still believed the...

Anthony Joshua has vowed to "break down" Daniel Dubois with his spirit on Saturday when they fight for the heavyweight world championship in London. Wembley is expected to host 96,000 fans in what would be a post-war record for a boxing event in the United Kingdom. Joshua will bid to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, while Dubois will look to keep the IBF belt he was awarded after Oleksandr Usyk vacated it June. When asked how he wins the fight, Joshua said: "It can happen in a variety of ways. I'm not depending on punch power; it takes a lot more to be a great fighter. I'll break him down with my spirit. "I showed Daniel and his whole team the respect they deserve through my training camp and that's going to put me in good stead. I'm tough, so is he. May the best man win. Good luck to him and his team. "One thing when first I started boxing is, I wanted to bring the heavyweight division back alive in the UK. So well done to everyone here as well. What a blessing...

The PGA of America announced Thursday that LIV Golf players are eligible to compete in both the PGA Championship and U.S. Ryder Cup teams going forward. LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka was part of last year's U.S. Ryder Cup team because of a grace period that allowed him to remain a PGA of America member through 2024, but it was not clear how the body would further handle the divide in professional golf. "Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain's pick is eligible to compete," the PGA of America said. "This is consistent with LIV Golf players competing in the PGA Championship the past two years. Brooks Koepka was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team last year." The decision clears the way for LIV golfers such as reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who is third on the U.S. points list for the 2025 Ryder Cup despite being...

Rory McIlroy lost the clubhead on his 9-iron and then lost the lead by going out of bounds on the last hole in shooting an eventful 5-under 67 in the first round of the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday. The No. 3-ranked McIlroy bounced back well from the pain of being denied victory at his home Irish Open last week, overcoming a bizarre incident on the par-5 No. 12 when the head of his 9-iron detached from the shaft and flew down the fairway after McIlroy took his second shot. The Northern Irishman said he didn't even see the ball reach the green and settle inside 7 feet from the pin to set up one of his seven birdies. "It was a bit of a weird feeling," McIlroy said. "Obviously you're expecting the weight of the club to just pull through and there was nothing there." McIlroy got the 9-iron fixed and had it back in the bag by the 16th hole, ahead of two par 5s that complete the West Course at Wentworth. He made par at No. 17 despite hooking his drive into the trees. He dropped a...

With Quinn Ewers still recovering from an oblique injury, Arch Manning will make his first start for No. 1 Texas on Saturday night against UL Monroe, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday. "Quinn has made great strides ever since Saturday night into where he's gotten to," Sarkisian said. "But my decision is I'm looking forward to his future as a player, but also the future of the season for us. ... And getting him possibly one more week healthier for the long term, I think, is good for us as we're getting ready for SEC play." The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Manning, the top prospect in the Class of 2023, has appeared in four games for Texas but had his breakout last week in a 56-7 win over UTSA after Ewers was injured. Manning, who entered in the second quarter, accounted for five touchdowns. His 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo and his 67-yard touchdown run -- the longest ever by a UT freshman -- marked the first time in school...

Cleveland Browns rookie defensive tackle  Mike Hall Jr. pleaded no contest Thursday to a charge from a domestic altercation earlier this summer. Hall, 21, entered the plea to the reduced charge of disorderly conduct in Ohio's Avon Lake Municipal Court. Judge Alison Manning handed him a 30-day suspended jail sentence, a $250 fine and two years monitored time. "I regret this whole situation," Hall said in court, according to Cleveland.com. "I'm getting counseling and trying to better myself." A protection order between Hall and his fiancée was dropped at the latter's request last week. The NFL put Hall on the commissioner's exempt list last month as a result of the initial charge. "We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy. There's no change in his status," the NFL said in a statement Thursday. Hall, an Ohio native who played three seasons at Ohio State, was selected by the Browns in...

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. --  Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is selling his suburban Detroit home to get more privacy. "There's plenty of space, it's on 2 acres, the home is beautiful," Campbell told Crain's Detroit Business. "It's just that people figured out where we lived when we lost." He didn't elaborate, but Fox 2 in Detroit reported that Campbell's home address was leaked to the public and he and his family became the victim of pranks and harassment after tough Lions losses, including in the NFC Championship Game. The Campbell family has filed police reports, Fox 2 reported. The Bloomfield Township Police Department released a statement, saying in part that it "is committed to the safety of all of our residents. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. We hope that everyone, including fans, will respect the privacy of individuals and their families." Campbell and wife, Holly, listed the 7,800-square-foot house in Bloomfield Hills for $4.5...

Lewis Hamilton raised concerns over FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem comparing Formula 1 drivers swearing on team radio to "rappers," saying there was a "racial element" to Ben Sulayem's comments. In an interview with Motorsport.com, Ben Sulayem said the FIA plans to clamp down on use of profanities over team radio, including removing offensive language from F1 broadcasts. "We have to differentiate between our sport -- motorsport -- and rap music," Ben Sulayem told Motorsport. "We're not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That's them and we are [us]." When asked about the comments, Hamilton said he understood the move to cut down on swearing for the benefit of younger audiences but took issue with the comparison. "With what he's saying, I don't like how he's expressed it, saying that rappers is very stereotypical," Hamilton said. "You think about most rappers are Black. That really kind points it...

A year ago, the New York Yankees were knocked out of playoff contention with a week to go in the regular season, ending a string of six straight postseason appearances. Remembering what that was like made wrapping up a playoff berth with more than a week left this time feel that much better. "A lot of things have come together. Probably better health overall. Definitely an added focus for guys that were coming off tough years, and simply put, we're better," New York manager Aaron Boone said. "We weren't a great team last year, and this team has a chance to do something special." After spending last year sitting at home when the postseason arrived, the Yankees earned their place in the 2024 playoffs with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in 10 innings Wednesday night. Nestor Cortes, who pitched six shutout innings, said this Yankees team is using the sting of last season as motivation heading into October. "Last year we were out of the playoffs. Sour...

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre will testify during a congressional hearing about the need for welfare reform Tuesday, the communications director for the House Ways and Means committee confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. The committee's website lists the hearing as "Reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): States' Misuse of Welfare Funds Leaves Poor Families Behind." TANF funds are at the heart of the sprawling Mississippi welfare case in which Favre has been embroiled since 2022. At least $77 million in TANF funds, earmarked for poor families, were diverted to the rich and powerful people, according to a Mississippi state audit. Favre is one of dozens of defendants in a civil lawsuit seeking to recoup the misappropriated funds. He has denied wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. House Ways and Means communications director J.P. Freire did not give further details about Favre's scheduled appearance. A spokesperson for Favre did not immediately...

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers became the first major league team to clinch a division championship Wednesday when it sealed its third National League Central title in the past four years. The Chicago Cubs' 5-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics enabled the Brewers to wrap up the division crown. The Brewers' clubhouse emptied with one out to go in the ninth inning in Chicago, a couple of hours before Milwaukee's scheduled first pitch against Philadelphia. A muffled cheer could be heard after the final out when the Brewers won consecutive division titles for the first time in 42 years. The Brewers were able to celebrate much more later Tuesday when they beat the Phillies 2-1 on a walk-off single by Jake Bauers.  Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said he watched the final outs of the Cubs' game with 90-year-old longtime Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker. "We were doing our show and I watched it with him," Murphy said. "What's better than...

HOUSTON -- Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said Wednesday he wasn't trying to "little bro" Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during their postgame handshake Sunday night, an interaction that drew attention on social media. Stroud was mic'd up during the Texans' 19-13 win over the Bears on "Sunday Night Football." After the game, Stroud embraced Williams and provided advice to the No. 1 pick. He told the rookie "Good job out there," and to "stop taking those hits," after Williams was sacked seven times and took 11 quarterback hits while finishing 23-of-37 passing for 174 yards with two interceptions. Williams began to walk away, but Stroud pulled Williams back into the conversation and said, "Come here. Learn from those mistakes. And everything that you got, bro, is in you already, bro. You're going to be a hell of a player in this league." Stroud, speaking to reporters Wednesday, made it clear he was trying to help Williams during...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Two days after Drake London scored the go-ahead touchdown on "Monday Night Football" and celebrated by pantomiming shooting a gun into the air, the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver said he wasn't pleased with how it all went down. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to London with 34 seconds left Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The score put the Falcons even, 21-21, on the road in Philadelphia. London, after his first MNF touchdown, said he got a little carried away in the moment. The Falcons were flagged for a 15-yard penalty, and kicker Younghoe Koo had to kick a 48-yard extra point to give the team the lead, which they held on to for a major, 22-21 early-season victory. "It's a trend around football right now to do that type of celebration," London told ESPN. "It was my first 'Monday Night Football' game. I kind of lost myself in there. I wasn't happy with the position I put my team...

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Twelve days after suffering a left knee injury in the season opener, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love returned to the practice field and left open the possibility of playing Sunday at the Tennessee Titans. Love has missed only one game -- Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts, when Malik Willis started at quarterback -- after initial indications were that he could miss up to a month because of a sprained MCL. Love wore a protective brace that was covered by a sleeve that extended almost the entire length of his leg and was officially a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Coach Matt LaFleur wouldn't specify whether Love took part in only selected drills or took part in every drill under a rep count. In addition to still needing medical clearance, Love would have to be mobile enough to protect himself from injury to play Sunday. "The trainers are seeing everything I'm doing and they're not gonna put me...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales didn't hesitate Wednesday when asked whether  Bryce Young still has a chance to be a franchise quarterback. "Absolutely," he said of Young, who was benched Monday after an 0-2 start to this season and 2-16 start to his pro career. Canales also debunked any possibility the Panthers would consider trading the top pick of the 2023 draft, who has been replaced by 36-year-old Andy Dalton for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. "That's not something we're really considering," he said. "We have a great situation with our quarterbacks right now with guys that have experience. "We love where we are at, and it's all hands on deck." Carolina players also insisted they still believe in the 23-year-old Young. "It's definitely not over," said running back Miles Sanders, who lost his starting job last season to Chuba Hubbard. "Definitely. He's smart. He's fast. He's the...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Two days after Drake London scored the go-ahead touchdown on "Monday Night Football" and celebrated by pantomiming shooting a gun into the air, the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver said he wasn't pleased with how it all went down. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to London with 34 seconds left Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The score put the Falcons even, 21-21, on the road in Philadelphia. London, after his first MNF touchdown, said he got a little carried away in the moment. The Falcons were flagged for a 15-yard penalty, and kicker Younghoe Koo had to kick a 48-yard extra point to give the team the lead, which they held on to for a major, 22-21 early-season victory. "It's a trend around football right now to do that type of celebration," London told ESPN. "It was my first 'Monday Night Football' game. I kind of lost myself in there. I wasn't happy with the position I put my team...

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- DJ Moore was unaware how his body language was being perceived during the Chicago Bears' 19-13 loss in Houston until he saw video clips of himself circulating on social media. Upon seeing how he was captured by cameras during "Sunday Night Football," the veteran wide receiver did some "self-evaluation" and noted that his frustrations were not directed at the Bears' passing game nor anyone in specific. "I shouldn't have shown as much," Moore said. "But it's a part of the game. Like I said, we were one play away from the game changing. And we just couldn't connect, nobody on offense could connect with the one play or get the one play started to get us on track and go up. It's football. Everybody is going to have their ups and downs and frustrations." Down nine points with 3:01 to play in Houston, Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw a back-shoulder pass to Moore on third-and-4 from the  Texans' 36-yard line. After the...

NEW YORK -- World No. 6 Coco Gauff and coach Brad Gilbert are parting company after the player suffered a frustrating fourth-round exit at the US Open, Gilbert said Wednesday, adding that he was looking forward to the next chapter of his career. Gilbert helped to coach Gauff to her first Grand Slam trophy in New York last year, but the player was unable to retain her title after disappointing early departures from US Open tuneup tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati. "Thanks to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort," Gilbert, who got to No. 4 in the world during a 13-year playing career, said on X. "Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I'm excited for the next chapter in my coaching career." Gauff followed up her major breakthrough in Flushing Meadows with semifinal berths at the Australian Open and French Open...

TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield voiced his support for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young on Wednesday, two days after the first pick of the 2023 draft was benched following an 0-2 start. "Obviously [my career] didn't happen in the same time frame as Bryce, but quarterback is hard, especially for young guys when you're not surrounded with the pieces ... and you're not given the opportunity to have success," Mayfield said. "A lot of time, guys have the talent, they might have the brains, but they don't have the right opportunity or the right fit. I'm sitting here right now in a way better fit than the other places I've been. That's not to put other teams down. But it's a matter of the pieces around you, the coaches. And for Bryce, a guy that -- I can relate to this -- finding that belief within yourself again. He'll get it. His story is far, far from finished." Mayfield would know. After four seasons with the ...

LOS ANGELES -- The Rams have placed guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and safety John Johnson III (shoulder) on injured reserve, a move coach Sean McVay said Monday was a possibility. The Rams did not make the same move for wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who McVay has said will miss "an extended period of time" with a left ankle sprain. On Monday, McVay noted that the Rams are running out of injured reserve/designated for return spots, "and we're only into Week 3." NFL teams can designate up to eight players to return from injured reserve during the regular season. In the Rams' Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Jackson aggravated the shoulder injury that caused him to miss time during training camp. Johnson will be out for four to six weeks with a fracture in his scapula, he announced Monday on his podcast. "[That's] a big loss [at] safety," McVay said. "Young guys will be asked to be able to step up, guys that we do have confidence in, but...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sean Monahan said he will miss Johnny Gaudreau for the rest of his life -- but called it "special to get that memory every day" as his locker stall is next to the one the team will keep reserved for the late Columbus Blue Jackets star. Monahan, 29, signed a five-year deal in Columbus this summer in part to reunite with Gaudreau, his teammate for nine years in Calgary, whom he called "arguably my best friend." As the Blue Jackets opened training camp on Wednesday, Monahan spoke for the first time publicly since Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles on Aug. 29. Monahan was a pallbearer at the funeral and was going to live three houses down from the Gaudreau family in Ohio. "I still don't know the exact words to even say," said Monahan, who wore a shirt featuring a large No. 13 and a photo of Gaudreau to the news conference. "I'm excited for the season. I'm excited to get it going. We're...

USC landed a key commitment Wednesday when four-star wide receiver Jerome Myles, the No. 26 prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, committed to the Trojans, continuing a hot late-summer recruiting run for Lincoln Riley & Co. Myles, who decommitted from Ole Miss in June, is ESPN's fifth-ranked wide receiver in 2025 and stood as the nation's top uncommitted pass catcher prior to his commitment. The No. 1 prospect in the state of Utah this cycle, Myles picked the Trojans over Texas A&M and Utah, and he now lands as the second-ranked member of USC's 2025 class, trailing only five-star quarterback Julian Lewis (No. 2 in the 2025 ESPN 300). Myles, who felt home ties to Utah and visited Texas A&M in Week 1, told ESPN his recruitment swung on the plan Riley and his staff presented during Myles' Week 2 visit to USC. "USC just blew everybody out of the water," Myles said. "They produce the most NFL draft picks. And the wide receiver development is crazy. And if I don't make it in...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs quickly moved to release running back Kareem Hunt six years ago when video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman outside of his residence. On Wednesday, the Chiefs welcomed Hunt back to the team, saying he had matured. "We just thought he needed a change of scenery and get some help and take care of business there and we felt like he did that," Reid said. "He did a nice job in Cleveland, and we talked to the people there and there were no issues there, so we felt OK by bringing him back. ... It looks like he's grown up. "I think people deserve a second chance if they've done something to work on the first part of it." The Chiefs, after losing starting running back Isiah Pacheco to a broken fibula, signed Hunt to the practice squad on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Reid said Hunt could play in Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Patrick Mahomes said he has remained...

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri are among the first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. The Hall announced 167 modern era candidates for the class Wednesday that included 16 players who became eligible this year, including two-time All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda. A screening committee will reduce the list of nominees to 50 players next month. Then the full 50-person selection committee will cut the list down to 25 semifinalists and then 15 finalists for the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class. Players must get 80% of votes to get in. Under the Hall of Fame's bylaws, between three to five players can get in as modern era candidates. There will also be three senior candidates, grouped with one coach and contributor. At least one and no more than three of those finalists will get in based on...

Pennsylvania made flag football an officially sanctioned girls' high school sport Wednesday amid a push from the commonwealth's NFL teams to encourage more female athletes to get on the field. The approval from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association -- the statewide body that governs high school athletics in the commonwealth -- makes flag football an official sport for girls in the nation's fifth-most populous state starting in the 2025-26 school year. As part of the process to sanction girls' flag football, the PIAA required at least 100 participating teams from across the state. That threshold was reached in April with 65 schools participating in the Philadelphia Eagles' flag football league and 36 in the Pittsburgh Steelers' league.penn "This is not just an important day for the Eagles and Steelers, but for the sport of football and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Eagles owner Jeff Lurie said in a statement. "When we launched our girls' flag...

Pennsylvania made flag football an officially sanctioned girls' high school sport Wednesday amid a push from the commonwealth's NFL teams to encourage more female athletes to get on the field. The approval from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association -- the statewide body that governs high school athletics in the commonwealth -- makes flag football an official sport for girls in the nation's fifth-most populous state starting in the 2025-26 school year. As part of the process to sanction girls' flag football, the PIAA required at least 100 participating teams from across the state. That threshold was reached in April with 65 schools participating in the Philadelphia Eagles' flag football league, and 36 in the Pittsburgh Steelers' league. "This is not just an important day for the Eagles and Steelers, but for the sport of football and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Eagles owner Jeff Lurie said in a statement. "When we launched our girls' flag football...

Rory McIlroy believes it will be difficult for Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood to be a future Ryder Cup captain because they no longer have a connection with Europe's emerging stars after defecting to the LIV Golf League. Poulter was a stalwart for Europe at Ryder Cups and typically saved his best performances for the team event, earning 16 points in seven appearances. Now playing on the LIV Golf circuit, Poulter said in a recent interview with Al Arabiya English that he would relish the opportunity to be captain of the European team -- even if that was currently not possible because he resigned his European tour membership after joining LIV Golf. Henrik Stenson was removed as captain of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome after the Swedish golfer moved to LIV in 2022. McIlroy said players such as Poulter and Westwood would struggle to reintegrate themselves after an unsavory split from the European tour and pointed to current Ryder Cup captain ...