Sports News

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --  Chicago Bears defensive back Douglas Coleman III was hospitalized after suffering an injury while making a tackle during Thursday night's 34-21 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The injury occurred on the first play from scrimmage in the second half when Coleman tackled Kansas City's Cornell Powell near the Chiefs' sideline. As players from both teams gathered around him on the field, Coleman was placed by medical personnel on a stabilizing board and then a stretcher. His face mask was removed but not his helmet. Then he was put into the back of a Kansas City Fire Department ambulance and taken from the field. Speaking after the game, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Coleman did have movement in his limbs, even giving a thumbs-up to players and coaches before he was carted off the field. He was taken to a local hospital for additional evaluation.  The team didn't have any further updates beyond...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --  Chicago Bears defensive back Douglas Coleman III was hospitalized after suffering an injury while making a tackle during Thursday night's 34-21 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The injury occurred on the first play from scrimmage in the second half when Coleman tackled Kansas City's Cornell Powell near the Chiefs sideline. As players from both teams gathered around him on the field, Coleman was placed by medical personnel on a stabilizing board and then a stretcher. His facemask was removed but not his helmet. Then he was put into the back of a Kansas City Fire Department ambulance and taken from the field. Speaking after the game, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Coleman did have movement in his limbs, even giving a thumbs-up while on the field. He was taken to a local hospital for additional evaluation.  The team didn't have any further updates beyond that.  Coleman, 26, played the past two...

TORONTO -- Ernie Clement homered for the third time in his past three games, and the Toronto Blue Jays used a five-run second inning to build an early lead and beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Thursday night. Clement's homer came on an out-of-the-strike zone fastball 4.6 feet off the ground from right-hander Mike Baumann. It was the second-highest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era (since 2015). "I probably shouldn't be swinging at pitches like that one," Clement said. "I've struck out on that pitch a couple of times this year. I just try to get the barrel to the ball with two strikes." Angels manager Ron Washington offered a different take. "Sometimes you do the impossible," he said. The Blue Jays, who swept a three-game road series against the Angels last week, have won four straight meetings and eight of 10. Niko Kavadas hit a three-run home run for his first major league hit, connecting off Toronto right-hander Tommy...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --  Chicago Bears defensive back Douglas Coleman III was taken from the field in a stadium ambulance during Thursday night's 34-21 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. On the first play from scrimmage of the second half, Coleman was injured while making a tackle. As players from both teams gathered around him on the field, Coleman was placed by medical personnel on a stabilizing board and then a stretcher. His facemask was removed but not his helmet. Then he was put into the back of a Kansas City Fire Department ambulance and taken from the field. Coleman, 26, played the past two seasons with the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks. He played in college at Texas Tech and began his pro career in 2020 with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. ESPN's Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --  Creed Humphrey became the highest-paid center in NFL history on Thursday, agreeing to a four-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that is worth $72 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal includes $50 million in guarantees, sources said. "He's a heck of a football player, a real good football player," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Thursday night's 34-21 preseason loss to the  Chicago Bears. "He started off that way and he kept it going that way. So we appreciate all he does and we appreciate having him here." Humphrey did not speak to reporters after the game. The 25-year-old joined the Chiefs in 2021 as a second-round draft pick from Oklahoma and immediately became a starter. He has been a solid pass protector. In 2023, he ranked second among the NFL's interior offensive linemen in pass block win rate at 98.8%. Ahead of him was his Chiefs teammate, guard Joe Thuney. "Needless to say,...

Pete Carroll said earlier this week that part of his life after being coach of the Seattle Seahawks will include teaching a class at USC this spring. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said Wednesday he'd welcome any assistance Carroll can give his football program while in Los Angeles, too. "I'd love to have him. He's great," Riley told reporters. "Coach has been great to me. We've had a chance to catch up pretty often, check in with each other. He's been a great resource and a great person to be able to pick his brain. He's been very good to me. I'm excited he's going to be here more, and we'd be crazy not to take advantage of having him around. Whether it's an official role or not, he's made it very clear that we've got a good open line of communication." Carroll coached USC from 2001 to 2009, with his teams going 97-19 and winning two national championships. In 2010, he left the Trojans for Seattle, where he remained head coach until January, when team owner Jody Allen...

The Seattle Mariners, in desperate need of a spark with their season slipping away, fired longtime manager Scott Servais on Thursday. Dan Wilson, the longtime Mariners catcher who had been serving as a coordinator in the organization's minor league system, will replace him. The decision was made by Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto -- a longtime friend of Servais -- in the wake of a three-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving the team eight losses in nine games. Seattle held a 10-game lead in the American League West as recently as June 18 and has since gone 20-33, falling five games behind the Houston Astros with only 34 remaining. "Where we were in the middle of June and where we are today -- it's hard to believe, actually, how quickly it all dissolved for us," Dipoto said on a videoconference call. The team also let go of hitting coach Jarret DeHart, whose firing comes less than three months after the dismissal...

The spiraling Seattle Mariners, who have lost eight of nine games largely because of a lethargic offense, fired manager Scott Servais on Thursday, a source confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports. Servais briefly met with players in the wake of Wednesday's sweep-clinching loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and told them to use the upcoming off day as an opportunity to reset and prepare for the stretch run. The Mariners were outscored 17-7 in a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium, failing on back-to-back nights to gain ground on the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. On June 18, Seattle had a 10-game lead in the division, but the Mariners have since gone 20-33 to fall five games back of Houston and slide to .500 for the first time since April 24. The Mariners have been bolstered by a dynamic rotation featuring Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller that has...

The Los Angeles Dodgers, facing a roster crunch, designated veteran outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment on Thursday. Heyward, a well-respected clubhouse presence who has struggled with infrequent playing time, became the odd man out with Chris Taylor activated off the injured list. With the move, the Dodgers essentially chose to keep center fielder Kevin Kiermaier as their only left-handed hitter off the bench. Taylor and fellow superutility man Enrique Hernandez were also perceivably on the bubble. Rival teams now have seven days to claim Heyward off waivers, otherwise he will be released and become a free agent. Heyward, who would be owed the prorated portion of his $9 million salary, can be postseason eligible so long as he joins another team before the end of August. Heyward slashed only .208/.289/.393 in 197 plate appearances during his second season with the Dodgers. But his last at-bat was a memorable one -- a pinch-hit,...

The Jets and Penguins swapped top prospects in a significant trade Thursday, with Winnipeg sending forward Rutger McGroarty to Pittsburgh for forward Brayden Yager. McGroarty, 20, was selected 14th overall by Winnipeg in the 2022 NHL draft; Yager was picked in the same slot -- No. 14 -- by Pittsburgh in 2023. The Jets had failed to sign McGroarty to an entry-level contract after he expressed concern about what a future in Winnipeg might look like for him, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had been looking for a trade partner since. McGroarty, a Nebraska native, had already declared in April his intent to return to the University of Michigan for the upcoming 2024-25 season. He had 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games for the Wolverines last season. The trade to Pittsburgh could change McGroarty's timeline, however, as he's already signed to an entry-level deal with the Penguins, the source said. In return for McGroarty, Winnipeg has acquired a...

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr are suspended for the Hawkeyes' season opener as part of a school-imposed penalty for a recruiting violation in late 2022. Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in the FBS who has led Iowa since the 1999 season, admitted to a Level II violation for contacting a player and his family prior to him entering the transfer portal. "I frequently tell our players to abide by the rules, and in this instance, I did not." Ferentz said in a statement issued Thursday. "In 26 years as a head coach at Iowa -- and more than four decades as a coach -- this is my first potential Level II NCAA infraction. I made a mistake and would like to apologize to our players, University leadership, and our Hawkeye football fans. I know Coach Budmayr echoes those sentiments." Iowa did not identify the player, but sources told ESPN that it is quarterback Cade McNamara, who transferred to Iowa from Michigan three days after formally entering...

PITTSBURGH -- Justin Fields says he believes he has shown his capabilities through training camp and the first two weeks of the preseason but directed all questions on his status in the  Steelers' quarterback competition to coach Mike Tomlin. "I think I've shown what I can do," Fields said Thursday. "I think the time that I did have with the [first team] practicing in training camp, I think that went well. I think we grew a lot each and every day, but at the end of the day, it's not up to me. "I mean, I'm just going to come in here every day, each and every day, the same person, being a leader for this team and work my butt off, and everything else will be handled." Though Russell Wilson entered the offseason in " pole position" for the starting job, Tomlin hasn't named a Week 1 starter. Wilson will start the preseason finale in Detroit on Saturday, Tomlin said Thursday. Fields, the former Chicago Bears' first-round pick, also...

NEW YORK -- Two thieves swiped a ceremonial sword and a bullhorn from the office of St. John's basketball coach Rick Pitino, a spokesperson for the Catholic institution in the New York City borough of Queens said Thursday. Brian Browne said the theft happened Tuesday night shortly before 8 p.m. at the athletic department offices, which are located in the floors above the hardwood at Carnesecca Arena, where the Red Storm play. He said the police investigation is ongoing, and it is not immediately clear if other items were stolen from the Hall of Fame coach's office or other parts of the building. Pitino initially posted to social media that he was "really upset" that an expensive bottle of wine was also missing from his office, but he later posted that he was just joking. Police said in a statement that the two men somehow gained entry "without authorization" and removed a number of items before fleeing on a moped heading westbound on Union Turnpike. The...

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr will be suspended one game for a violation related to the recruitment of transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, it was announced Thursday. Iowa said the Level II violation occurred in late 2022 surrounding improper communication with a player and his family prior to him entering the portal. McNamara is not named in the school's news release. Ferentz is the nation's longest-tenured FBS coach, having led Iowa since the 1999 season. Budmayr serves as the Hawkeyes' wide receivers coach after working as a special assistant to Ferentz in 2023 and offensive analyst in 2022. Ferentz and athletic director Beth Goetz agreed to the school-imposed penalty after a review and consulting with NCAA officials. The NCAA's investigation is ongoing. "I frequently tell our players to abide by the rules, and in this instance, I did not." Ferentz said in a statement. "In 26 years as a head coach at Iowa -- and more than four decades as a coach --...

Perry Minasian, nearing the end of his initial four-year contract, will return as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, a source close to the situation told ESPN on Thursday. Minasian and the Angels recently agreed to terms on a new deal that will keep him atop baseball operations, though the length of the new contract is unknown. The Angels haven't been competitive in Minasian's four years in the role, finishing with no more than 77 wins from 2021 to 2023 while currently on pace in 2024 for 93 losses, the most by the franchise since 1980. Their farm system, meanwhile, was once again considered the worst in the industry when ESPN released its latest rankings two weeks ago. But longtime Angels owner Arte Moreno opted for stability after cycling through four full-time GMs from 2011 to 2021. Minasian -- a bat boy who became a clubhouse attendant, then learned to scout and went on to front office roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves, rising...

Perry Minasian, nearing the end of his initial four-year contract, will return as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, a source close to the situation told ESPN on Thursday. Minasian and the Angels recently agreed to terms on a new deal that will keep him atop baseball operations, though the length of the new contract was not disclosed. The Angels haven't been competitive in Minasian's four years in the role, finishing with no more than 77 wins from 2021 to 2023 while currently on pace for 93 losses, the most by the franchise since 1980. Their farm system, meanwhile, was once again considered the worst in the industry when ESPN released its latest rankings two weeks ago. But longtime Angels owner Arte Moreno opted for stability after cycling through four full-time GMs from 2011 to 2021. Minasian -- a bat boy who became a clubhouse attendant, then learned to scout and went on to front-office roles with the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves,...

The Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburgh Penguins swapped top prospects in a significant trade, with the Jets sending forward Rutger McGroarty to Pittsburgh for forward Brayden Yager, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. McGroarty, 20, was selected 14th overall by Winnipeg in the 2022 NHL draft; Yager was picked in the same slot -- No. 14 -- by Pittsburgh in 2023. The Jets had failed to sign McGroarty to an entry-level contract after he expressed concern about what a future in Winnipeg might look like for him, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had been looking for a trade partner since. McGroarty, a Nebraska native, had already declared in April his intent to return to the University of Michigan for the upcoming 2024-25 season. He had 16 goals and 52 points in 36 games for the Wolverines last season. The trade to Pittsburgh could change McGroarty's timeline, however, as he's already inked an entry-level deal with the Penguins, the source said. In...

Police arrested a suspect Thursday in the theft of exclusive shoes from the home of Memphis men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway. Ronald James, 42, was charged with theft of property, Memphis police spokesman Officer Joseph Hibler told ESPN. Per a Memphis police report obtained by ESPN, a man was captured on camera earlier this month swiping the merchandise and pushing boxes on a shopping cart near Hardaway's $4.25 million home. This week, police released photos of the suspect online and asked anyone who recognized him to contact them. Hibler did not say whether a tip had led to James's arrest. Hardaway told Memphis TV station WREG this week that 26 pairs of "one-of-kind" Foamposite shoes had been taken from his home. Nike's Foamposite line, made famous by Hardaway when he starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, is still popular today. Hardaway and Nike still have a lucrative partnership years after the former NBA All-Star last played in the...

A week after acquiring two Pro Bowl newcomers, the Atlanta Falcons have reached a deal with one of their longtime top players, signing cornerback A.J. Terrell to a four-year, $81 million contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday. The deal includes $65.8 million in effectively full guarantees, sources said, which represents the largest guarantee ever given to a cornerback on a four-year agreement. The contract was negotiated by Terrell's agents David Mulugheta and Trevon Smith of Athletes First. Terrell is now the second-highest-paid cornerback on a per-year basis at $20.25 million. That trails only the Green Bay Packers' Jaire Alexander, who makes $21 million per year. The Falcons announced the four-year extension that runs through the 2028 season without disclosing financial terms. "We are very glad to be in the position to provide this extension for A.J., who is certainly well deserving of it," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers, in need of cornerback help with starter Dane Jackson expected to begin the season on injured reserve with a severe hamstring injury, traded for one with starting experience on Thursday. The Panthers sent rookie inside linebacker Michael Barrett, who was in danger of not making the 53-man roster, to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for veteran corner Michael Jackson. Carolina was interested in signing veteran corner Stephon Gilmore, who reached a deal with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week, but didn't have the cap space to seriously compete for him. Jackson, 27, started 17 games for the Seahawks in 2022 and four last season. First-year Carolina head coach Dave Canales was with the Seahawks in 2022. Jackson joins a group that includes D'Shawn Jamison and Dicaprio Bootle in trying to fill the outside corner spot opposite Jaycee Horn. Jamison had one start...

In late July, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was the runaway favorite to win National League Rookie of the Year at sportsbooks around the nation, with odds so overwhelming that one Las Vegas bookmaker halted betting on the award altogether. A month later, the odds to win NL Rookie of the Year have shifted dramatically, and Skenes is no longer the favorite as he prepares to take the mound against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill has emerged as the consensus favorite this week. He overtook Skenes overnight Wednesday at ESPN BET, becoming the odds-on favorite for the award at -170. Skenes is now +120. On July 24, Skenes' odds were as short as -5,000. The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas took the extreme step of halting betting for the award ahead of the All-Star break because Skenes was such a heavy favorite. But the Pirates are 2-3 in Skenes' starts since the break and have fallen out of...

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- There will be no preseason action this summer for New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, meaning his first post-injury game reps will happen in the season opener Sept. 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. Rodgers was ruled out for Saturday night's game against the New York Giants, coach Robert Saleh announced Thursday. Saleh said they will employ the same plan they did in the first two games, meaning no starters will play. The star quarterback's return -- on "Monday Night Football" -- will occur two days shy of the one-year anniversary of his torn Achilles. He hasn't played a full game in 20 months, dating to his final season with the Green Bay Packers. A year ago, Rodgers played two series in the final preseason game. "[There were] different reasons last year as compared to this year," Saleh said, explaining why he changed his approach. "I'm not going to get into those, but I feel like we've gotten so much work done,...

PHILADELPHIA -- The Washington Commanders traded 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick and two seventh-round picks in 2025. By acquiring Dotson, the Eagles secured their No. 3 wide receiver to complement star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both of whom received long-term contract extensions this offseason. Dotson adds yet another playmaker for Jalen Hurts, who is also surrounded by running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert.  It was a rotating cast at WR3 in Philadelphia this summer, with veterans Parris Campbell and Britain Covey as well as rookie Johnny Wilson among the wideouts receiving first-team reps. Dotson, 24, had 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns for the Commanders last season.  Washington drafted Dotson with the 16th pick in 2022, having traded back five...

The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring wide receiver Jahan Dotson from the Washington Commanders in exchange for three draft picks, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. In exchange for Dotson, the Eagles are sending a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-round picks to Washington, the sources told Schefter. Dotson, selected by Washington in the first round of the 2022 draft, had 49 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns last season. He has 84 receptions for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons for the Commanders. Dotson joins a wide receiver group in Philadelphia that is headlined by star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, both of whom received long-term contract extensions this offseason.

Instead of just one cover athlete, EA Sports chose to go with three from the same family, selecting Jack, Luke and Quinn Hughes for the cover of NHL 25.  Jack and Luke, who are teammates with the New Jersey Devils, and  Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn are the first brothers to be on the cover of the NHL series and are believed to be first family to grace the cover of a sports gaming franchise.  NHL 25 will be released Oct. 4, the same day the season opens with the Buffalo Sabres facing Jack, Luke and the Devils in the NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia. "I think all of us are just honored because it's a hard thing to be on the cover and there's so many great players in the league," said Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman. "For them to decide to attach their brand with the three of us was pretty cool." Hockey has seen siblings before, with more than 200 of them having reached the NHL. The...

A week after acquiring two Pro Bowl newcomers, the Atlanta Falcons have reached a deal with one of their longtime top players, signing cornerback A.J. Terrell to a four-year, $81 million contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday. The deal includes $65.8 million in effectively full guarantees, sources said, which represents the largest guarantee ever given to a cornerback on a four-year agreement. The contract was negotiated by Terrell's agents David Mulugheta and Trevon Smith of Athletes First. Terrell is now the second-highest-paid cornerback on a per-year basis at $20.25 million. That trails only the Green Bay Packers' Jaire Alexander, who makes $21 million per year. At the start of training camp last month, Terrell had acknowledged the talks on a new deal but said he was "so focused on just being with the team." "So it's easy for me to just come out, come to work and not think about it and know that it's in good hands," he...

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr will be suspended one game for a violation related to the recruitment of transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, sources confirmed to ESPN. Ferentz is the nation's longest-tenured FBS coach, having led Iowa since the 1999 season. Budmayr serves as the Hawkeyes' wide receivers coach after working as a special assistant to Ferentz in 2023 and offensive analyst in 2022. The suspensions are related to an NCAA investigation, according to sources. Iowa is set to open the season Aug. 31 at home against Illinois State. Ferentz is scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday afternoon to wrap up preseason training camp. The Athletic first reported the suspensions for Ferentz and Budmayr. McNamara committed to Iowa on Dec. 1, 2022, just three days after entering the portal as a graduate transfer. He started for Michigan in 2021 as the team won the Big Ten and reached the College Football Playoff but suffered a...

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders have traded for kicker Cade York, hoping he can fill a hole created by an unexpected turn of events in the spring. The Commanders sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the  Cleveland Browns to acquire York, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN. He becomes the third kicker they've acquired since having to release veteran Brandon McManus in May. Cleveland selected York out of LSU in the fourth round of the 2022 draft and he rewarded them immediately with a 58-yard game winning field goal to beat Carolina in his debut. But York struggled thereafter, making 24 of 32 kicks his rookie season. He was 9-for-12 on kicks between 30 and 49 yards. Then, last preseason, York missed multiple potential game-winning kicks -- one was blocked -- in addition to an extra point. The Browns then traded with the Los Angeles Chargers for veteran Dustin Hopkins, who kicked for Washington from 2015-21, and released...

The NWSL and the NWSL Players Association announced they have agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that is set to last through the 2030 season. Among the gains the players made are increased freedom of movement with total free agency upon the expiration of contracts, the elimination of player drafts, a higher salary cap, a sizable increase in minimum salaries and expanded parental leave and childcare benefits. The new CBA went into effect on July 30 when it was approved by players, but not all provisions, like the new salary caps, will start in the middle of the season. Additionally, free agency begins on Sept. 1 this year, while it will start on July 1 in future seasons. The NWSL first approached the players' union about a new CBA last September, with the expiration of the current deal more than two years away. Sources told ESPN that the impetus for opening negotiations early, in addition to long-term labor peace, was the fact that the league wanted a CBA...

Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday, with millions of subscribers signing up within hours. The Portugal international uploaded 19 videos on his 'UR Cristiano' channel that features content of himself and his family. "The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey," Ronaldo posted on Instagram. It was an immediate hit. Within 90 minutes, the Al Nassr forward had broken the world record by becoming the fastest channel to hit 1 million subscribers. He now has 15.4 million and counting. Ronaldo, 39, posted a video on Instagram showing his children a gold "play button" plaque that was given to him from YouTube for surpassing 1 million subscribers. He wrote: "A present for my family ❤️ Thank you to all the SIUUUbscribers!" While Ronaldo quickly surpassed eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentina captain Lionel Messi's subscriber count of 2.31...

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr will be suspended one game for a violation related to the recruitment of transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, according to multiple reports. Ferentz is the nation's longest-tenured FBS coach, having led Iowa since the 1999 season. Budmayr serves as the team's wide receivers coach after working as a special assistant to Ferentz in 2023 and offensive analyst in 2022. According to media reports, the suspensions are related to an NCAA investigation. Iowa is set to open the season Aug. 31 at home against Illinois State. Ferentz is scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday afternoon to wrap up preseason training camp. The Athletic first reported the suspensions for Ferentz and Budmayr. McNamara committed to Iowa on Dec. 1, 2022, just three days after entering the portal as a graduate transfer. He started for Michigan in 2021 as the team won the Big Ten and reached the College Football Playoff but sustained a...

Tina Charles believed there was a chance her stellar WNBA career was over after she didn't play in the league last season. Instead, she's back this year, and Wednesday night she moved into second place on the WNBA's career scoring list behind the Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi. Charles had 12 points and 17 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream beat Phoenix 72-63 in College Park, Georgia, for their third straight victory since the Olympic break. "Just a whole bunch of gratitude," Charles said of her place on the scoring list, crediting her religious faith and the Dream's belief in her. "Just where I was last year, and just where I am today. ... I thought I was done playing last year. So for me to be here right now is just really special." Charles passed Hall of Famer Tina Thompson (7,488 points) for second on the all-time list and now has 7,491 career points across her 13 WNBA seasons. Taurasi, who was held to 3 points Tuesday, has 10,500 points over her 20 WNBA...

TORONTO --  Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz joined a select group Wednesday night by stealing his major-league-leading 60th base of the year and becoming the fifth player in MLB history to have at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season. After striking out in his first at-bat in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, De La Cruz reached base four times. He stole third base in the fifth inning and later came home to score the tying run. De La Cruz then added his 22nd homer, a solo shot off Zach Pop in the eighth, as the Reds overcame a six-run deficit to win 11-7. "That's us," De La Cruz said. "We never give up. Down six, it doesn't matter. We fight until the last out." De La Cruz said he was happy about joining the exclusive 20-homer, 60-steal club. "It means a lot," he said. "That's why I'm working in the offseason. I feel so proud and so happy." Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. became the fourth player to...

Police are looking for a porch pirate who took boxes of exclusive shoes from the home of  Memphis men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway earlier this month. According to a Memphis police report obtained by ESPN, a male suspect was captured on camera taking the merchandise and pushing a shopping cart with the stolen packages near Hardaway's home. Police have released photos of the suspect online. "Officers were advised that camera footage had captured the male pushing a shopping cart and stealing multiple packages," the police report said, adding that the man was last seen pushing the shopping cart down Goodwyn Street and Central.  Memphis TV station WREG, which first reported the news, noted the boxes contained exclusive Foamposite shoes that can't be found in stores. Nike's Foamposite line, made popular by Hardaway when he starred for the Orlando Magic in the 1990s, are still popular today. Hardaway told the station that 26 pairs of "one-of-a-kind" Foamposite...

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- Tina Charles moved into second all time in scoring in the WNBA while posting 12 points and 17 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream defeated the Phoenix Mercury 72-63 on Wednesday night. Allisha Gray had 21 points and Rhyne Howard 19 to lead the Dream (10-17), who won their season-best third straight after going into the Olympic break on an eight-game losing streak. Charles, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft out of UConn, opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 3-pointer from the top of the key that moved her past Tina Thompson's 7,488 points. Charles' 7,491 points are more than 3,000 behind Diana Taurasi (10,500), who was held to a late 3-pointer in this game. Charles' basket broke a 48-48 tie and started a 17-2 run that broke open the game. Reserve Maya Caldwell had all six of her points following Charles' 3. Gray had a jumper and two free throws that made it 65-50 with 5:26 to play. When they beat the Sun...

TORONTO --  Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz joined a select group Wednesday night by stealing his major-league-leading 60th base of the year and becoming the fifth player in MLB history to have at least 20 home runs and 60 stolen bases in a single season. De La Cruz stole third base in the fifth inning and later came home to score the tying run in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. became the fourth player to join the 20-homer, 60-stolen base club last season, when he hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. Acuña became the first to do it since Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson in 1990. Henderson also did it in 1985 and 1986. De La Cruz is the third Reds player on the list. Former Cincinnati star Eric Davis had 27 home runs and 80 stolen bases in 1986. Reds great and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan had the first 20-homer, 60-steal season in majors history in 1973, hitting 26 homers and stealing 67 bases. Morgan did it...

Former Utah State head coach Blake Anderson intends to sue his ex-employer for wrongful termination, according to a news release from lawyers representing Anderson. The suit, to be filed by the law firm Bearnson & Caldwell, alleges Utah State administrators, including athletic director Diana Sabau, led "a public smear campaign" against Anderson before his termination July 19. Utah State fired Anderson after an internal investigation concluded he violated Title IX policies related to properly reporting sexual misconduct. The school's investigation suggested Anderson had improperly contacted the girlfriend and roommate of a football player accused of domestic violence in what the school called "a fact-finding mission" rather than allowing its office of equity to investigate the situation. Anderson told ESPN he did nothing wrong in handling the matter, and his attorneys called Utah State's explanation for the firing "misinformation." "[Utah State administration] including...

The SEC has announced its set of tiebreakers for the 2024 football season with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas and the elimination of divisions in the newly expanded 16-team league. In the event of a tie between teams competing for a spot in the SEC championship game, the following procedures will be used in descending order until the tie is broken: A. Head-to-head competition between the tied teams. B. Record versus all common conference opponents among the tied teams. C. Record against highest (best) placed common opponent in the conference standings and proceeding through the standings among the tied teams. D. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams. E. Capped relative scoring margin versus all conference opponents among the tied teams. Formula will include a cap of 42 points scored on offense and 48 points allowed on defense. F. Random draw of the tied teams....

Longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, a six-time All-Star and the 2010 MVP in the National League, has retired.  The 40-year-old made the announcement in a short video on social media Wednesday night accompanied by a longer written post.  "I was myself in this sport," he wrote. "I was able to be my best self. I played this sport with every last ounce of my body, heart, and mind. Thank you for everything."  After recording the video outside Buffalo's Sahlen Field, where he'd been playing for the Blue Jays' Triple-A team, Votto took a ride across the border to Toronto's downtown stadium, where the Reds had just beaten the Blue Jays 11-7. Votto went into the Cincinnati clubhouse to meet former teammates and manager David Bell, then spoke to reporters about his decision. The Toronto-born Votto signed a minor league contract with his hometown team in March and, following a lengthy layoff because of an ankle injury, had been playing at...

NEW YORK -- The  New York Yankees fiercely defended Aaron Judge after South Shore Little League coach Bob Laterza criticized the star slugger for, in his eyes, not paying enough attention to his team Sunday at the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In a statement released Wednesday, the Yankees called Judge "one of the great ambassadors of our sport" and noted that "our roster spent the day in Williamsport connecting with as many Little Leaguers as they possibly could prior to our team, including the team from Staten Island." Laterza told the Staten Island Advance that several Yankees -- including manager Aaron Boone, ace Gerrit Cole and outfielder Jasson Dominguez -- met with his team before the Yankees' game against the Detroit Tigers, adding that Judge wasn't one of them. Laterza on Tuesday said Judge ignored his players when they called his name while he was on the on-deck circle in the Yankees' loss at...

A civil lawsuit against former NBA star Dwight Howard alleging sexual assault and battery has been dismissed, according to a court filing obtained by ESPN. The dismissal came Monday in Gwinnett County Court in Georgia and was filed by Stephen Harper, who initially filed the lawsuit against Howard in July 2023. In Monday's filing, Harper dismissed all the claims he had asserted against Howard with prejudice, meaning he cannot refile a lawsuit on those claims. Justin Bailey, one of Howard's attorneys, told ESPN that no money was paid to Harper in exchange for him dropping the suit against Howard. Harper's attorneys didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit stemmed from a July 2021 encounter at Howard's Georgia residence, where Harper accused Howard of sexually assaulting him. Harper's July 2023 complaint also accused Howard of "intentional infliction of emotional distress" and false imprisonment. Howard denied those allegations and said in an October...

Astros right-hander Justin Verlander came off the 15-day injured list Wednesday and allowed four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in five innings in a 4-1 loss to the  Boston Red Sox in Houston. It was Verlander's first start since June 9. He had been out with stiffness in his neck. The three-time Cy Young Award winner threw 76 pitches after tossing 57 in his second rehabilitation start Thursday. "I felt good," Verlander said. "I felt like the stuff was pretty good and as the game went along the location started to hone in and the mechanics felt good. So I was happy about it." Verlander allowed a run in the first inning, then another in the second, with Red Sox rookie Ceddanne Rafaela's RBI double putting Boston ahead for good. The Red Sox, who were swept by the AL West-leading Astros at home earlier this month, won this series after getting a 6-5 victory Tuesday night. "Fastball looked really good, up to 96 (mph)," Houston manager Joe Espada said....

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was limited in practice Wednesday because of "general arm soreness," according to coach Kevin Stefanski. "I decided to just hold back a little bit with him, but not overly concerned," Stefanski said after practice. Stefanski previously said the plan was to play Watson in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday and that all starters should expect to play. But after Wednesday's practice, Stefanski wouldn't divulge his plans for Watson. "I'm not going to get into Seattle plans just yet," Stefanski said. Watson, who underwent season-ending surgery to his throwing shoulder last November, took a few reps early in team drills Wednesday before ceding the remainder of the first-team reps to backup Jameis Winston. Watson has missed only one training camp practice. He did not play in the first two preseason games. "You're a quarterback," Stefanski said. "You're throwing a lot,...

Brent Venables and Oklahoma secured a 2025 class cornerstone Wednesday, edging Texas and Texas A&M for the commitment of five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi. With his pledge, Fasusi -- a 6-foot-6, 295-pound blocker from Lewisville, Texas, who is ESPN's ninth-ranked prospect in the 2025 cycle -- becomes the Sooners' top-ranked prospect in 2025, the program's first cycle as a member of the SEC. The No. 2 prospect at his position in 2025, per ESPN rankings, Fasusi is Oklahoma's highest-rated offensive tackle commit of the ESPN rankings era (since 2006). If Fasusi inks with the Sooners later this year, he'll become the third top-10 signee of the Venables era in Norman, following quarterback Jackson Arnold and defensive tackle David Stone. Oklahoma sat at No. 12 in ESPN's latest team rankings for the cycle prior to Fasusi's pledge. With his late-August commitment, the Sooners dive into their first fall in the new conference...

The New York Yankees placed right-handed starter Luis Gil on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a lower back strain. Gil left Tuesday's 9-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians after allowing three runs on three hits and six walks in three-plus innings of work. He gave up a home run to Brayan Rocchio to open the fourth inning and walked Steven Kwan before pitching to Jose Ramirez. Manager Aaron Boone and a trainer made a mound visit during that at-bat, and Gil wound up exiting the contest. "I tried to work through it, but you don't want to force the issue and make it worse," Gil said after the game through an interpreter, per SNY. "I saw the doctor here and told me to take it day by day and we'll see." Gil, 26, is 12-6 with a 3.39 ERA through 24 starts this season. He has struck out 144 batters in 124⅔ innings but also leads the majors with 66 walks. The Yankees recalled right-hander Will Warren from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Rookie Bo Nix will now be in the same company as John Elway -- at least in terms of how his career will open. Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton announced after practice Wednesday that Nix will be the team's starting quarterback. When Nix lines up behind center for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener in Seattle against the Seahawks, he will be the first Denver rookie to start the regular-season opener since Elway in 1983. "Obviously, that's great to share with such a great player as John Elway,'' Nix said. "... You just want to go out there and get the first win, ultimately compete at a high level and give your team the best chance to win.'' Payton had a decided lack of ceremony about the decision as he simply told Nix and Jarrett Stidham right before Wednesday's practice. Payton joked, "We didn't have cake and candles.'' Payton added he had not formally told the rest of the team, including in the post-practice huddle. "We're not in a...

PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson expects to play Saturday against the Detroit Lions in the preseason finale, he said Wednesday. "We're playing," he said. "Yeah, we're all playing. I'm excited to get back on the field. Last week was great to be out there for the first time, putting more pads on and everything else. And obviously we didn't get the win and everything else, but I think the big thing for us is just executing and us making our plays and doing our thing." Wilson, 35, played five series against the Buffalo Bills in the team's second preseason game, but the Steelers failed to put any points on the board and frequently got behind the chains. Because of that and his abbreviated training camp due to a calf injury, Wilson wants another opportunity to get in game action and work on staying on schedule in the offense before the Steelers' Week 1 opener in Atlanta. "I think the most important thing for us to accomplish is to play...

Nebraska has named touted true freshman Dylan Raiola its starting quarterback for its season opener against UTEP on Aug. 31. Raiola, the No. 3 ranked quarterback and No. 11 overall player in the 2024 ESPN 300, enrolled early with the Huskers and competed with junior Heinrich Haarberg and true freshman Daniel Kaelin for the starting job this offseason. The five-star son of All-America offensive lineman Dominic Raiola and nephew of Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, Dylan Raiola was the Huskers' highest-ranked high school recruit since ESPN began tracking rankings in 2006. His decision to flip his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska in December was a massive recruiting victory for coach Matt Rhule entering Year 2 after a 5-7 debut season. "I firmly believe that Nebraska is in my blood," Raiola told ESPN after committing. "It's a great opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself. Nebraska is a special place." The...

Al Attles, a Hall of Famer who coached the 1975 NBA champion Warriors and spent more than six decades with the organization as a player, general manager and, most recently, team ambassador, has died. He was 87. The Warriors announced Wednesday that Attles died in his San Francisco Bay Area home Tuesday surrounded by family. The team did not disclose a cause of death. Nicknamed "The Destroyer" for his physical style of play, the Warriors were his love and his only team after the team, then in Philadelphia, selected him in the fifth round of the 1960 draft. It marks the longest stint with a single franchise for one person in league history. The 6-foot guard averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 711 games with the Warriors over 11 seasons, and his No. 16 jersey was retired by the franchise. "Alvin leaves behind a profound legacy within the game of basketball and the Bay Area community, but especially as a family man and humanitarian," the Warriors said in a...

TAMPA, Fla. -- Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was held out of team drills during Wednesday's joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a thumb injury, although the injury is not considered to hold him out long term. Coach Mike McDaniel said Hill will participate in some portions of Wednesday's practice, but ultimately, the team will protect him from exacerbating the injury. "There's also times that, because of the timing of where their bodies are at, kind of puts them at risk to get further injury," McDaniel said. "And so it's really from a medical standpoint, you're just trying to let something cool down so you don't have something happen at the expense of regular-season games. "So he's been very active but we're trying to make sure we keep him out of harm's way." McDaniel did not say how or when Hill suffered the injury. The wideout has not played in either of the Dolphins' games this preseason. Hill, a five-time All-Pro, led the NFL...