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Aaron Rodgers says he routinely thinks about retirement and can 'definitely see the end coming'

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 21:32:50 -0400

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday said he thinks about retirement "all the time," and "can definitely see the end coming."

After sinking a clutch birdie putt to win the sixth installment of Capital One’s "The Match" golf event, Rodgers, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen sat down with TNT's Ernie Johnson to discuss a myriad of topics, including retirement.

"I think about it [retirement] all the time," Rodgers told Johnson during the "QB Talk" segment after the match, via AtoZ Sports. "When you commit, you’re 100%. But the older you get, the interests change, and the grind, I think, wears on you a little more."

"The football part is the easy part," Rodgers added. "That’s the joy. It’s the other stuff that wears on you and makes you think about life after football. Tommy [Brady] obviously set the bar so high with playing so many years, but I can definitely see the end coming."

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Last season, Rodgers led Green Bay to a 13-4 record, which came with their third consecutive NFC North division crown but an early playoff exit, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round.

Rodgers, a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion, picked up his second consecutive NFL MVP award, his fourth total. He racked up 4,115 passing yards and 37 touchdown passes with only four interceptions thrown.

TOM BRADY EXPLAINS DECISION TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT

With the early playoff exit, the rumors began to swirl around his future. The NFL Network reported Rodgers considered retiring altogether and even requesting a trade to the Denver Broncos but neither came to fruition.

Back in April, Rodgers admitted on the Pat McAfee Show that the decision by Green Bay to trade star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders "surprised" him.

Rodgers, who turns 39 in December, re-signed with the Packers in March, agreeing to a three-year, $150.8 million deal. Days later, Green Bay sent Adams to the Raiders.

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"Obviously, when I made my decision, I was still thinking he was gonna come back," Rodgers admitted. "You know, I was very honest with him about my plans and my future and where I, you know, saw my career going as far as how many years I wanted to play. But I felt like he was gonna be back. Did not see it turn out that way."

Frank Gore officially retires with 49ers after 16 seasons in NFL

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 20:05:11 -0400

After 16 NFL seasons, Frank Gore has retired with the team that drafted him: the San Francisco 49ers.

On Thursday, the 49ers announced that Gore signed a one-day contract to retire with the team, officially ending an NFL career that saw him total exactly 16,000 rushing yards.

Gore will also be the 31st inductee into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame at some point during the regular season, the team said.

In a statement, 49ers CEO Jed York said Gore earned his "rightful place among our all-time greats."

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"Frank had to overcome many challenges upon entering the NFL and now leaves the game not only as one of the best backs in NFL history, but one of the best football players ever," York said. "Frank's 16-year NFL career is a testament to his durability, having played in more games than any other running back in league history."

"His grit, toughness and commitment to greatness earned him the respect of his coaches, teammates and opponents," York added. "We knew this day would come when Frank would retire a 49er and we look forward to The Faithful celebrating his induction into the 49ers Hall of Fame in Levi's Stadium this upcoming season."

Gore spent the first 10 seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he made the Pro Bowl five times and rushed for at least 1,000 yards in eight of those seasons. He was a third-round selection by the 49ers in the 2005 NFL Draft.

"One of the very first things I told the 49ers organization when they drafted me in 2005 was that they got the right guy," Gore said in a statement. "I knew early on that I wouldn't let my college career define me in regards to injuries, and that I would have to outwork a lot of people to get to where I wanted to be. After 10 years in San Francisco and 16 years in the NFL, I can confidently say that I put all I had into the game of football."

"Football was and is everything to me. From meetings and film study to practice and just being in the locker room, all of it meant the world to me," he added. "I am happy to officially close this chapter of my life and proud of what I was able to accomplish and the legacy I leave behind."

The retirement was expected as Gore told TheSFNiners podcast in April that he planned to sign the one-day contract in the next "couple of months" so he could retire as a Niner.

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With the retirement official, Gore ends his NFL career with exactly 16,000 rushing yards, the third-most in NFL history behind Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726), both of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

After his time in San Francisco, the running back played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. He rushed for 4,927 total yards during those years.

Gore last played in the NFL during the 2020 season with the Jets, when he rushed for 653 yards on 198 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Gore has a good chance of making it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame based on his numbers and longevity over the years, despite him only being named an All-Pro once and never winning a Super Bowl. He played in Super Bowl XLVII after the 2012 regular season, but the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.

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"This organization will always be a part of me, one that I will forever associate myself with," Gore added. "I will talk about San Francisco as 'we' and 'us' for the rest of my life, and will support the 49ers and The Faithful in every way possible."

Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to retire from NFL after 13 seasons: report

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:41:57 -0400

Longtime NFL center Alex Mack will retire after 13 seasons in the league, the NFL Network reported Thursday.

Mack, 36, played for the San Francisco 49ers last season, where he earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection and helped the team reach the NFC Championship.

An All-Decade section for the 2010s, Mack was considered one of the best centers in the league. He spent his first seven seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns before joining the Atlanta Falcons, where he anchored their offensive line for five seasons.

Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the 49ers, recently said he was holding out hope and would keep the door open if Mack decided to return to San Francisco for another season.

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"Football’s not the easiest thing to do, no matter how much you enjoy the competition, and he’s up there in age," Shanahan said last month, via NBC Sports. "But, in terms of how he looks on tape and how he was [last season], everyone knows he can still play.

"Keeping our fingers crossed on Mack, but we’ve got to plan and know we can't count on it."

That plan saw the team pick two offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Niners selected Spencer Burford at No. 134 overall and Nick Zakelj at No. 187 overall.

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Mack was selected No. 21 overall by the Browns in the 2009 NFL Draft after playing college football at California. He was as dependable as they come, starting all 16 games in each of his first five seasons in the league.

Mack earned three Pro Bowls during his stint with Cleveland, and he helped strengthen an offensive line that already included tackle Joe Thomas.

Mack later signed with the Falcons in 2016. In his first season, he earned the first of four consecutive Pro Bowl selections, while helping quarterback Matt Ryan win league MVP.

In the playoffs, he helped Atlanta reach the Super Bowl, but the Falcons famously lost to the New England Patriots after being up 28-3.

Mack started 196 regular-season games in his career. He didn't miss a game in 11 of his 13 seasons in the NFL.

He started all 17 games for the 49ers last season as the team gained the seventh most rushing yards in the league.

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San Francisco lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game this year.

Former Cowboys coach Bill Parcells reacts to running back Marion Barber's death

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:32:53 -0400

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber was found dead by Frisco police at his Texas apartment Wednesday.

Tributes from the NFL community, including Barber's former teammates and coaches, started pouring in following the news of his passing. His cause of death has not been released.

NFL Hall of Famer and former Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, who selected Barber in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, said he always held Barber in "high regard."

"I would say I found him to be a very nice, respectful young man," Parcells told the Dallas Morning News. "And I had a very high regard for him. He was like he could do everything you could ask him to do and he was always there.

MARION BARBER, FORMER DALLAS COWBOYS RUNNING BACK, DEAD AT 38: REPORT

"I hate to bring up football now because that’s not important, but he was almost like a perfect player," Parcells added. "In this respect, he could run, block, he could catch, he was tough, and he was always there. So that’s what I’ll say about him."

Barber, who would have turned 39 next week, was a bruising running back for the Cowboys from 2005-2010.

He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 and, along with quarterback Tony Romo, helped lead the team to the playoffs three times.

Known for his hard-hitting style of running, Barber rushed for 4,358 yards and scored 47 rushing touchdowns in six seasons with the Cowboys.

He famously made arguably the best two-yard run in NFL history.

Barber was drafted the same year as former Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears, who called him "a great teammate and a great dude to be around."

"A warrior on the field. I’m gonna remember MB as my spades partner and someone that I would rap real-life [stuff] with every once in a while," Spears told the outlet. "Rest well, MB, the Barbarian."

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Jason Garrett, the Cowboys offensive coordinator during Barber's Pro Bowl season, called the running back a "rare guy," on Twitter. Garrett later served as the head coach of Dallas from 2011-2019.

"Marion played the game with such passion! He had a deep-down love for football and it showed in everything that he did!" Garrett tweeted. "He loved his teammates and his coaches! His teammates and coaches loved him! Anyone who had the great fortune to be around him knows the impact he made on all the people in his life. He made us all better! Marion was so genuine, so selfless, so giving.

"He would run through the wall for you, and he always had your back!" Garrett added. "I absolutely love Marion Barber and will miss him very much! Brill and I are so saddened by this news and extend our sincere condolences to the Barber family and all who loved him."

Barber played his final season in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, rushing for 422 yards while averaging 3.7 yards per attempt.

Frisco police told 91�� Digital they responded to a welfare concern at an apartment believed to be leased by Barber.

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"Frisco Police along with the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating an unattended death at the location," said police spokesperson Joshua Lovell.

Tom Brady explains decision to come out of retirement

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 15:09:04 -0400

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady discussed Wednesday why he decided to return to football after announcing he was going to retire from the NFL.

Brady suddenly retired in February before returning about a month later for another run with Tampa Bay.

The legendary quarterback said he felt pressure to end his retirement due to free agency, and his indecision to return for a third season with the Buccaneers stemmed from his commitments to his family.

"At this stage, it’s like 55% yes and 45% no. It’s not 100-0. That’s just the reality," Brady said in a roundtable on TNT after he and Aaron Rodgers defeated Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in "The Match" golf event in Las Vegas.

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"It’s not that I’m not 100% committed. It’s just as soon as I make the commitment to do it, it’s like ‘Ugh. All right, here we go.’ It’s like running a marathon," he said. "You can’t decide two weeks before the marathon, ‘Hey, I’m going to start running.’ We got right to free agency and I felt some pressure to do it and talked to the team and organization, and it all worked out."

Brady, who will turn 45 in August, later said he was "partly" ready to retire.

"I think when you're their [Mahomes and Allen's] age, if you were to ask me, 'Are you going to play football next year?' I would say there's a 100% chance I'm playing. And I think, as I've gotten older, that's changed because I have other responsibilities," Brady explained.

TOM BRADY AND AARON RODGERS DEFEAT PATRICK MAHOMES AND JOSH ALLEN IN ‘THE MATCH’ GOLF EVENT

"So the responsibilities are many people taking care of me and things that I have off the field that are really important to me, like my family, my kids. My wife's done an amazing job of that. That's a big commitment from her, so it's harder when you get older," he added, via ESPN.

"I don't even think they know what's coming. Aaron knows these things because your life gets bigger as we all do, our life gets more full … there’s more responsibilities."

Last season, Brady threw for a career-high 5,316 passing yards with 43 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to lead the Buccaneers to a 13-4 record and the NFC South crown.

After beating the Philadelphia Eagles in the opening round of the playoffs, Tampa Bay fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. The Bucs' comeback was thwarted in the final seconds.

Brady led the NFL in completions (485), attempts (719), touchdown passes (43) and passing yards per game (312.7). It was the first time he led the league in touchdown passes since 2015 and only the third time he’s had 40 or more touchdown passes in a single season.

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He is under contract with Tampa Bay through the end of the 2022 season.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers defeat Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in 'The Match' golf event

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 01:46:15 -0400

It was the old guard against the young gunslingers in the sixth installment of Capital One’s "The Match" golf event.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and Green Bay Packers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers defeated Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen during the 12-hole event Wednesday at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.

Brady hoped to show on the links that the old school is better than the new school, as the matchup involved two generations of NFL quarterbacks who earned four of the past five NFL MVP awards.

It was the first appearance by Mahomes, the 2018 NFL MVP, and Allen, a 2020 Pro Bowler. Together, the four NFL stars have a combined nine Super Bowl titles and nearly 90 appearances in the playoffs, though a large portion of those titles come from Brady.

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The rules consisted of a shamble-style best ball, which means both players hit their tee shots before selecting the best drive of the two. They then play their own ball in, with the lowest score of each duo winning the hole.

The back and forth match went down to the wire, as both sides were all tied up going into the 12th hole.

Rodgers hit a beautiful tee shot on the par 3 that landed on the green, putting him and Brady in a good position to close out the match. Rodgers would finish it off with a clutch birdie putt to earn the victory.

"That was awesome," Brady was heard saying on the No. 12 green after the match concluded.

The NFL stars began jawing right out of the gate during the event which typically sees plenty of trash-talking. On hole No. 1, Rodgers joked that Brady "takes his sweet time" before heading to the tee box.

After a nice drive, Rodgers made a birdie putt and was seen pumping his fist in celebration as he put the old guard up 1 after one hole.

On the next hole, Rodgers hit another great drive which landed in the center of the fairway on the par 5 No. 2. Brady would help out his teammate by hitting an iron shot that landed on the green. Needing a birdie putt to tie the hole, Mahomes missed, leading Brady and Rodgers to go up 2 through the first two holes.

TOM BRADY, AARON RODGERS, PATRICK MAHOMES AND JOSH ALLEN SET TO BATTLE IN ‘THE MATCH’

Allen and Mahomes finally won their first hole of the match on the par 4 No. 3. Mahomes nearly reached the green in his first shot, and after missing an eagle chance, he tapped in the putt for birdie. Both Rodgers and Brady failed to make birdie.

After both sides tied on hole No. 4, the young gunslingers would take hole No. 5 to even the match.

The score remained tied until Mahomes was able to capitalize on a birdie putt on the par 3 No. 8 to give him and Allen their first lead.

Brady, known for his clutch performances in the NFL, would later sink a birdie putt on No. 10 to even the match after Mahomes and Allen failed to get their birdie putts to fall.

Brady and Rodgers competed in "The Match" last year as opponents. Brady was seeking to redeem himself this time around after he and Phil Mickelson were bested by Bryson DeChambeau and Rodgers 3-and-2 last July in Big Sky, Montana.

The series had raised nearly $33 million for various organizations during the five previous television editions of "The Match."

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Emmy winner Ernie Johnson hosted the live broadcast, alongside Hall of Famer Charles Barkley.

Marion Barber, former Dallas Cowboys running back, dead at 38: report

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:22:18 -0400

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber has died, according to a report. He was 38.

Barber was found dead by Frisco police at his apartment in Texas on Wednesday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. His cause of death was not immediately known.

"Frisco Police responded to a welfare concern at an apartment believed to be leased by Marion Barber," police spokesperson Joshua Lovell told 91�� Digital. "Frisco Police along with the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating an unattended death at the location."

Barber, who was set to turn 39 next week, was a bruising running back for the Cowboys from 2005-2010.

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He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 and, along with quarterback Tony Romo, helped lead the team to playoffs three times.

Known for his hard-hitting style of running, Barber rushed for 4,358 yards and scored 47 rushing touchdowns in six seasons with the Cowboys.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III," the Cowboys wrote in a statement. "Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates. Our hearts go out to Marion's family and friends during this difficult time."

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He played his final season in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, where he rushed for 422 yards while averaging 3.7 yards per rushing attempt.

He averaged 4.1 yards per rush in his NFL career.

After his playing career ended, Barber would get into trouble with the law.

Last month he reportedly pleaded no contest following his arrest in 2019 on two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief. That stemmed from a 2018 incident in which he allegedly damaged two cars while jogging in Frisco.

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In 2014, Barber was detained by police and taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Don Mattingly's son crashed car while drunk, attempted to sell it: report

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 18:56:10 -0400

The son of New York Yankees icon and current Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly is accused of crashing his vehicle in Indiana while drunk before attempting to sell it, according to multiple reports.

Jordon Mattingly, 30, was arrested Monday in Evansville, about 170 miles southwest of Indianapolis after police said he crashed his vehicle into a median on Lloyd Expressway while intoxicated, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. He then drove the damaged silver Honda to a local dealership, where he tried to sell it.

Mattingly allegedly blew a .291 when Evansville police officers conducted a breathalyzer test on him Monday night, which was about 3.5 times over the legal alcohol limit, an arrest affidavit stated.

At least five 911 calls were made about the driver of the Honda on Memorial Day, with one witness saying the vehicle hit the center median at 70 mph before returning to the road.

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Soon after, another witness said they saw Mattingly entering a Honda dealership, where he was described as "super drunk," according to the affidavit.

One person who followed Mattingly into the D-Patrick Honda Dealership heard him tell sales staff that he wanted to "sell this piece of crap," FOX 59 reported. Police arrived to find the vehicle missing a front tire.

Mattingly, who suffered minor injuries, told officers he was at the dealership to sell his car and buy a new one. He claimed he only had "one drink," the affidavit stated.

Mattingly told authorities the damage to his vehicle was the result of him hitting a pothole a couple of days earlier.

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After police told him the result of his breathalyzer test, Mattingly later admitted to drinking "a lot" but claimed he never crashed his car while en route to the dealership.

Police searched the car and found an open can of Four Loko, as well as several other unopened cans, FOX 59 reported.

He was charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated, one count of public drunkenness, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

His father, Don Mattingly has been manager of the Marlins since 2015.

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Don Mattingly, a six-time All-Star, spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Yankees, earning 2,153 hits, 222 home runs, and 1,099 RBIs.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to face 24th civil case, attorney says

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 18:19:28 -0400

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to face mounting civil cases accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage parlor sessions.

On Tuesday, a woman filed a new lawsuit against Watson, to become the 23rd civil suit filed against him for alleged sexual misconduct.

But it might not be the last, according to Attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing all the women who have filed lawsuits against Watson.

"I will be filing a 24th case soon," Buzbee told the Associated Press in a text message, without providing details on the case.

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The lawsuit filed Tuesday states that the plaintiff had three encounters with Watson during massage sessions, which started during the summer of 2020.

During the final massage, the lawsuit alleges that Watson exposed himself, touched the woman between her legs, and requested that the woman have sex with him, USA Today reported.

The woman decided not to file a lawsuit against Watson until she watched HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" segment on the quarterback last week, the lawsuit stated.

In that piece, Ashley Solis and Kyla Hayes, two of the 22 other plaintiffs with civil suits pending against Watson for alleged sexual misconduct, went into graphic detail about what they said occurred during their sessions.

BROWNS' DESHAUN WATSON NOW FACING 23RD ACTIVE CIVIL LAWSUIT OVER ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Both women also criticized the massive contract Watson received following his trade from the Houston Texans to the Browns.

A pair of grand juries in Texas declined to bring criminal charges against the quarterback. Watson has denied acting intentionally, and he has denied all the claims in the nearly two dozen civil suits against him.

"I’ve never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life. I’ve never done these things people are alleging," Watson said during his first news conference.

Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin said his client "vehemently denies the allegations, just as he has since she first discussed them with members of our firm in March of last year," the outlet reported.

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Watson could still face discipline from the NFL over the allegations.

John Madden returning to cover of Madden NFL 23 video game

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:02:59 -0400

For the first time in two decades, late football legend John Madden will grace the cover of a Madden NFL video game.

EA Sports on Wednesday announced that the Hall of Fame coach, who died in December, will appear on the cover of all three editions of this year's Madden NFL 23 video game. The covers will include him in different parts of his life, including as a coach and as a broadcaster.

The date of the announcement coincided with the release date of the very first Madden game, John Madden Football, June 1, 1988. Madden last graced the cover for the 2000 edition of the video game. The video game later shifted to NFL players on the cover.

Artist Chuck Styles created artwork for the All Madden cover, one of the three covers for this year's video game.

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"As someone who grew up loving football, playing in the suburbs of West Philly, it’s a full circle moment to now be able to contribute to the culture of the sport by honoring an icon like John Madden, who has influenced generations of football fans through his passion for football and unmistakable energy, through my art," Styles said.

The coaching cover shows Madden, who led the Oakland Raiders from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, being lifted by his players after beating the Minnesota Vikings in the 1977 Super Bowl.

Video gameplay will feature an interactive experience that will see two versions of the coach leading opposing teams in the 1970s Oakland Coliseum. Madden's voice will also be featured in the game using remastered audio clips to honor his days as a broadcaster.

During his commentating career, from 1979 to 2008, Madden was one of the most beloved broadcasters in sports. He educated a nation with his use of the telestrator on broadcasts while entertaining millions with interjections like "Boom!" and "Doink!"

As part of the cover announcement, EA Sports said it will commit $2.5 million to four nonprofit organizations through the John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education. Another $2.5 million will go toward the creation of the EA Madden Scholarship in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which will support students at 12 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

"Coach Madden was a lifelong believer in the importance of education, and we’re privileged to support these amazing organizations that are creating opportunities for the next generation to pursue their dreams in his honor," EA Sports EVP and GM Cam Weber said.

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Madden died unexpectedly on Dec. 28 at the age of 85.

He gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season.

Madden compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record and was the youngest coach to reach 100 regular-season victories when he did it at 42. He never had a losing season and still has the most wins among all Raiders coaches.

He retired from coaching over an ulcer issue and general burnout from the job.

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In 1988, Madden lent his name and persona to Electronic Arts to create the "Madden NFL" video game. The popular game went from blips on the screen for systems like Super Nintendo and turned into the behemoth that it is today across the major consoles with eSports leagues developed around the game.

Tennis star Andy Murray says he 'can't understand' inaction by US to address gun violence

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:03:34 -0400

Tennis star Andy Murray, a survivor of childhood gun violence in the U.K., says he "can't understand" why the U.S. fails to address repeated mass shootings.

Murray decided to speak out this week after the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, left at least 19 children and two teachers dead. The tennis pro was a nine-year-old student at Dunblane Primary School in Scotland when a gunman killed 16 students and a teacher before turning the gun on himself.

"It's really, really upsetting, and I hope they make some changes," Murray said of the Uvalde shooting in an interview with BBC Sports Tuesday. "I think there's been over 200 mass shootings in America this year and nothing changes. I can't understand that."

The 1996 incident in Scotland, known as the Dunblane massacre, was the deadliest mass shooting in British history. The U.K. decided to enact tough gun laws after the shooting and hasn't experienced a mass casualty shooting ever since.

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"I heard something on the radio the other day, and it was a child from that school," Murray said. "I experienced a similar thing when I was at Dunblane and a teacher like, coming out and waving all of the children, like under tables and telling them to go and hide. And it was a kid telling exactly the same story about how she survived it."

"They were saying that they go through these drills, as young children, as seven-, eight-year-old children," he continued. "How is that normal that children should be having to go through drills, like in case someone comes into a school with a gun?"

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott recently called on the Texas legislature to form a committee to investigate the causes and response to last week’s mass shooting in Uvalde that left 21 people dead.

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"As Texans mourn the tragedy that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde last week, we as a State must reassess the twin issues of school safety and mass violence," the Texas Republican wrote to fellow Republicans Attorney General Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan on Wednesday. "As leaders, we must come together at this time to provide solutions to protect all Texans."

Abbott asked the legislature to "review what steps previous legislatures have enacted" and "what resources the State has made available to local school districts" in addition to providing recommendations on how policies can be improved in the areas of "school safety, mental health, social media, police training, and firearm safety."

The shooting has led to calls for more gun control measures in the U.S., and Murray suggested that changes need to happen.

"My feeling is that surely at some stage you do something different," Murray said. "You can't keep approaching the problem by buying more guns and having more guns in the country. I don't see how that solves it."

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"But I could be wrong," he added. "Let's maybe try something different and see if you get a different outcome."

Browns' Deshaun Watson now facing 23rd active civil lawsuit over alleged sexual misconduct

Tue, 31 May 2022 21:26:46 -0400

Another woman has filed a lawsuit against Deshaun Watson, becoming the 23rd civil case to accuse the Cleveland Browns quarterback of sexual misconduct during massage parlor sessions.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday states that the plaintiff had three encounters with Watson during massage sessions, which started during the summer of 2020.

During the final massage, the lawsuit alleges that Watson exposed himself, touched the woman between her legs and requested that the woman have sex with him, USA Today reported.

The woman decided not to file a lawsuit against Watson until she watched HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" segment on the quarterback last week, the lawsuit stated.

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In that interview, Ashley Solis and Kyla Hayes, two of the 22 other plaintiffs with civil suits pending against Watson for alleged sexual misconduct, blasted the massive contract he received with the Browns after the team traded for him.

Watson signed a record-setting $230 million, fully guaranteed contract with Cleveland in March after he was traded from the Houston Texans.

"It’s just like a big screw you," Solis said of the contract. "That’s what it feels like. That, ‘We don’t care. He can run and throw, and that’s what we care about.’"

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"It was sick to me," added Hayes. "I felt like he’s being rewarded for bad behavior.’’

Solis claimed that Watson "deliberately" put his penis on her hand during one session, leading her to pull her hand away immediately before she "started crying." Solis argued on HBO that she felt threatened after she was done with the session.

"I’ve never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life. I’ve never done these things people are alleging," Watson said during his first news conference.

On Tuesday, Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin said his client "vehemently denies the allegations, just as he has since she first discussed them with members of our firm in March of last year," the outlet reported.

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The NFL has been investigating Watson to determine if the quarterback violated its personal conduct policy.

Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic in quarterfinal thriller at French Open

Tue, 31 May 2022 20:48:02 -0400

Rafael Nadal continued his clay-court dominance as he defeated Novak Djokovic to win their highly-anticipated quarterfinal match at the French Open on Tuesday.

In the back and forth match that felt like a tournament final, Nadal outlasted Djokovic in four sets to advance to the semifinals at Roland Garros. Nadal won the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).

The match was the 59th time both players competed against each other, the most in the professional era of tennis between two men.

"To win against Novak, there is only one way — to play at your best from the first point to the last," Nadal said. "Tonight has been one of those magic nights for me."

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The Spaniard entered the match having to play for about four hours and 30 minutes in a five-setter against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round. He also voiced his concerns about having to play the match at night.

Meanwhile, Djokovic entered the match having not dropped a set at this year's French Open, but that changed quickly against Nadal, who won the first set 6-2.

Nadal would go up 3-0 in the second set before Djokovic stormed back, breaking him twice to even the score at 3-3. Djokovic would break Nadal again to win the set 6-4.

In the third set, Nadal responded by breaking Djokovic right out of the gate. He would eventually win the set 6-2.

The fourth set saw Djokovic break Nadal to go up 2-0 after the Spaniard attempted a drop shot that nearly caught the line. Nadal was seen arguing in disbelief, though the call would stand.

Djokovic gained a 5-2 lead before Nadal stormed back to even the score at 5-5, holding off a couple of set-point opportunities from the Serbian in the process.

That fourth set fittingly went to a tiebreak, which Nadal won 7-4 to close out the match.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC'S COACH SAYS ‘80%’ OF FRENCH OPEN CROWD WILL CHEER AGAINST HIM DURING RAFAEL NADAL MATCH

Djokovic now leads the series 30-29 but Nadal has the advantage on clay having won 20 of their 28 clay-court meetings.

It was their 10th meeting at Roland Garros, with Djokovic winning just two of them, including a semifinal victory last year in Paris. They previously competed against each other during the 2020 French Open final, which Nadal won in straight sets.

Nadal also won the Australian Open this year after Djokovic, a record nine-time champion in Melbourne, was deported before the tournament began because of his COVID-19 vaccine status.

Tuesday's victory moves the Spaniard closer to winning his 14th French Open title.

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Nadal turns 36 on Friday, the same day he will face No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign former Pro Bowler Akiem Hicks

Tue, 31 May 2022 18:47:52 -0400

Former Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks is leaving Chicago for sunny Florida.

The Buccaneers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the veteran defensive tackle, who heads to Tampa Bay following six seasons in the Windy City.

ESPN reported that the deal is worth up to $10 million.

The decision by Hicks to join the Buccaneers likely means that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh won't be back for a fourth season in Tampa Bay.

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Suh, who won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers, has yet to sign with another team during the offseason.

Hicks, 32, was a productive player in Chicago who is known for his run-stopping ability. He made the Pro Bowl in 2018, totaling 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.

Hicks was a key member of the Bears' defense that helped get Chicago to the Wild Card round in 2019 and 2021. The Bears lost both of those playoff games.

BEARS' JUSTIN FIELDS OPTIMISTIC FOR 2ND SEASON, READY TO REVAMP CULTURE IN ORGANIZATION

The defensive lineman joined the Bears on a two-year contract in 2016.

In his first season, Hicks totaled seven sacks and 54 tackles, leading him to earn a four-year, $48 million contract extension in 2017, which kept him with Chicago through the 2021 season.

Last season, Hicks battled injuries as he started just nine games, earning 3.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits.

Originally a third-round pick by the Saints in the 2012 NFL Draft, Hicks started 33 games in New Orleans. He was traded to the New England Patriots during the 2015 season prior to his stint with the Bears.

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Hicks totaled 40.5 sacks, 387 tackles and 111 quarterback hits during his 10 seasons in the NFL.

Monte Lee out as Clemson head baseball coach after seven seasons

Tue, 31 May 2022 18:47:50 -0400

Clemson has fired its head baseball coach Monte Lee, the school announced Tuesday.

The decision came just one day after the Tigers missed the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

"Monte and his staff have been nothing but professional in their approach to Clemson Baseball, and we appreciate the manner in which they’ve represented Clemson University," said athletic director Graham Neff in a statement.

"The expectations for Clemson Baseball are very high, and the team’s recent on-field performance has not met those of our administration, our coaching staff, our student-athletes, or our loyal fanbase," Neff added. "Clemson Baseball is a proud program, and we, as a department, are committed to doing all we can to return our program to national prominence. We will work with our student-athletes to ensure that the transition process is successful."

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Lee had replaced Jack Leggett in 2015 to become just the third head baseball coach for Clemson since 1958.

Lee earned a 242-136 record in seven seasons with the Tigers. His tenure saw the program make it to the NCAA Tournament four times from 2016-19, as well as the ACC Championship in 2016.

CLEMSON TOPS IOWA STATE IN CHEEZ-IT BOWL FOR SWINNEY'S 150TH

But Clemson missed the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons under Lee. The program had a 60-50 record but struggled in ACC play, going 29-36.

It was just the third time Clemson missed making the tournament field in the last 36 years.

The school said the search for its next head coach will "commence immediately."

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Assistant coach Bradley LeCroy and director of operations Brad Owens will oversee the program during the search.

Texans head coach Lovie Smith on trading Deshaun Watson: ‘Sometimes divorce is good’

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:50:22 -0400

The Houston Texans are entering a new chapter after trading away their longtime starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson had reportedly wanted out of Houston and even requested a trade from the Texans in January 2021. Earlier this year, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns while facing 22 civil lawsuits over sexual assault allegations.

Texans head coach Lovie Smith talked about his former quarterback in a podcast that aired Tuesday, saying it was time for Houston to move on.

"You know, sometimes divorce is good," Smith said on "The Cris Collinsworth Podcast." "And that's my statement that I’ve made a lot of times when a split is gonna happen and both parties are gonna win once it does."

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"Again, I don’t know exactly what all happened, [the] accusations are there and if they have merit, that will all come out in time," the coach added. "But for our football team, we needed to move on."

Smith has expressed confidence in second-year quarterback Davis Mills, who is believed to have the best chance at winning the starting quarterback job for the Texans in 2022.

Mills was selected by Houston in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he started 11 games last season. Mills improved down the stretch and netted a passer rating of above 90 in four of his last five games.

The Texans didn't select a signal-caller in the 2022 draft, which was believed to have a weak quarterback class.

Houston received quite a haul from trading Watson to the Browns, which netted the team a first round pick in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 drafts. If Mills doesn't end up being a franchise quarterback for Houston, the team has the draft capital to potentially select another one in the coming drafts.

DESHAUN WATSON ACCUSERS BLAST HIS RECORD CONTRACT WITH BROWNS IN HBO INTERVIEW: ‘A BIG SCREW YOU’

As for Watson, he has denied acting intentionally and has denied all the claims in the nearly two dozen civil suits against him.

"I’ve never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life. I’ve never done these things people are alleging," Watson said during his first news conference.

A pair of grand juries in Texas declined to bring criminal charges against the quarterback, who landed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract from the Browns following the trade.

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The NFL is still investigating Watson to determine if Watson violated its personal-conduct policy. He reported to the Browns' offseason program last month.

Colorado judge dismisses charges against Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:36:08 -0400

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is no longer facing charges related to his arrest earlier this month.

An Arapahoe County [Colorado] judge on Tuesday dismissed all charges against Jeudy at the prosecution's request, ESPN reported.

"After reviewing the evidence, I always believed that no crime had been committed, and all charges would be dismissed," Jeudy's attorney, Harvey Steinberg told the outlet.

Jeudy was taken into custody May 12 on a misdemeanor second-degree criminal tampering charge with a domestic violence enhancer. He spent a night in jail before being released on a personal-recognizance bond.

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Deputies were called to a home in Arapahoe County around 10:15 a.m. after the mother of Jeudy's one-month-old child called authorities asking for a "keep-the-peace" situation between her and the wide receiver, Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown said during a news conference.

The woman was described by authorities as being in an "ongoing relationship" with Jeudy. She told deputies that she had property the wide receiver was in control of, which included a wallet, a child car seat, and paperwork involving the child. Brown said the items were locked in a vehicle, which the woman couldn't access.

During a May 13 court appearance, the woman asked the judge to dismiss the charges against Jeudy, saying she never felt threatened during the ordeal. The victim told the judge she called the authorities to "monitor the situation" but the wide receiver reportedly never made contact with her.

Brown had noted that there was no physical contact between Jeudy and the woman during the domestic dispute, and Jeudy was taken into custody without incident.

JERRY JEUDY ARREST: WOMAN IN INCIDENT ASKS COLORADO JUDGE TO DISMISS CASE

The domestic violence enhancer was added because Jeudy and the woman were in an intimate relationship. Under Colorado’s Title 18, a person commits the crime of second-degree criminal tampering if he/she "tampers with property of another with intent to cause injury, inconvenience, or annoyance to that person or to another or if he knowingly makes an unauthorized connection with property of a utility."

Jeudy, the No. 15 overall pick by the Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft, is expected to be one of the top receiving targets for newly-traded quarterback Russell Wilson.

However, the wide receiver could still face discipline from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Jeudy was hampered by an ankle injury for most of last season, as he played in 10 games and had 38 catches for 467 yards and failed to score a touchdown.

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During his rookie season, Jeudy caught 52 passes for 856 yards and scored three touchdowns. He was a standout wide receiver at Alabama prior to his NFL career.

Jadeveon Clowney says he decided to re-sign with Cleveland Browns to 'chase that Super Bowl'

Sun, 29 May 2022 16:51:06 -0400

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney is back in Cleveland for another season as he hopes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy come February.

Clowney, who officially re-signed with the Browns last week on a one-year deal, says his belief that Cleveland could win its first Super Bowl, helped influence his decision to come back.

"I just want to chase that Super Bowl," Clowney said on the Browns' Best Podcast Available. "We had a great defense last year. We went out and got some more key players on offense and defense, and I feel like we've got a shot."

"I know what I'm dealing with, and I know who I got. I know what we can do together," he added. "I'm just hoping we can take that step forward and get where we need to get this season."

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His comments come as Cleveland hasn't been exactly the ideal situation for people looking to win an NFL title.

The Browns have made it to the playoffs twice since 2002, though their roster this season has playoff potential, depending on how the situation with Deshaun Watson plays out. The team last made the playoffs following the 2020 season with Baker Mayfield as the starting quarterback.

Clowney had one of the more productive seasons of his career in 2021, as he finished with 19 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and nine sacks, two of which he got in the regular-season finale.

The Browns ended the season with an 8-9 record and Clowney got those stats while playing opposite All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, another former No. 1 overall draft pick in the NFL.

CLEVELAND BROWNS TO RE-SIGN FORMER NO. 1 OVERALL DRAFT PICK JADEVEON CLOWNEY: REPORT

"We've become real good guys and close to each other because we play together," Clowney said of Garrett in January, via the team's website. "I pick his brain, and he picks mine. We feed off each other out there. It's a good thing to have someone on the other end that you don't worry about. You're just like, 'Hey, I will meet you there [at the quarterback]."

Last season was Clowney's best in terms of availability and production since his final campaign with the Houston Texans in 2018. The three-time Pro Bowler started 14 games last season, the most since 2018 when he totaled nine sacks.

Clowney first joined the Browns last April when he signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with incentives.

"We love his relentless style of play," Browns' general manager Andrew Berry at the time. "He’s one of the more disruptive players in the game, and we think he’s going to add an element of ruggedness along our defensive line and will pair nicely with many of the guys we have on the roster already."

Despite having a career renaissance last season, Clowney hasn't exactly lived up to his reputation of being selected first overall, and he has dealt with numerous injuries.

In 2020, Clowney played in just eight games for the Tennessee Titans. He finished without a sack before undergoing knee surgery.

After the Texans made Clowney their top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, he would go on to play five seasons in Houston, earning 29.0 sacks and 67 quarterback hits.

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He later played one season with the Seattle Seahawks before his brief stint with the Titans.

Tuskegee coach says he received death threats over comments about Nick Saban, Alabama: report

Sun, 29 May 2022 14:56:56 -0400

Tuskegee football coach and athletic director Reginald Ruffin says he received death threats for recent comments he made about Nick Saban and Alabama.

Last week, Ruffin, who coaches the smaller Division II program in Alabama, suggested that Saban and the Crimson Tide should consider scheduling more games against historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) programs.

"To see those comments over what was misconstrued from my post — my post was not to suggest to coach [Saban], to tell coach or demand coach or tell him what to do," Ruffin told HBCU Sports Wednesday. "My post was something that someone asked me what I thought of the situation."

Saban has received backlash in recent weeks after he accused Texas A&M and Jackson State of using NIL deals to acquire recruits.

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The legendary college football coach made it clear he has no problem with players being able to make money via NIL deals but had issues with how schools are allegedly exploiting the current system. He said the NCAA can’t enforce their rules "because it’s not against the law."

Saban noted that recruits in Alabama won’t commit to the Crimson Tide unless they match or beat whatever they’re getting from other schools. He said creating and using collectives funded by boosters wasn’t what NIL was supposed to be.

Amid the controversy surrounding Saban, Ruffin suggested last week that the Crimson Tide should rotate games against FCS HBCUs in Alabama to give the smaller schools additional revenue and exposure. He argued that college athletic departments in Alabama should eventually work toward competing against each other in the state.

NICK SABAN-JIMBO FISHER FIRESTORM PROMPTS SEC TO NIX MEDIA AVAILABILITY

"I’m just serious about HBCUs having the opportunity to play schools in the state for the revenue and the tourism and just keeping money in the state," Ruffin said. "I just pointed out that Alabama has not played an HBCU nor have they played North Alabama or those other [FCS] schools."

Among the criticism that Ruffin received, which he said mostly came from Alabama supporters, included claims that he was "extorting money from the University of Alabama."

Ruffin, who grew up in Alabama, said he didn't intend to cause damage to anyone, adding that it was simply about giving an "opportunity."

Despite the backlash, Ruffin said he doesn't plan to change who he is.

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"I’m going to put it out there if it needs to be said. The same people that have given me hell are the same people who won’t buy a $20 ticket to an HBCU game but will buy a $300 ticket to an Alabama or Auburn game," the coach added. "That’s what you’re dealing with. I’m not going to change who I am."

MLB managers discuss Gabe Kapler national anthem protest after Uvalde shooting

Sun, 29 May 2022 14:17:13 -0400

Several MLB managers are weighing in on the decision by San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler to protest the national anthem following last week's school shooting in Texas.

On Friday, Kapler said he will no longer be attending the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," before games, which he clarified in an op-ed, saying he is "not okay with the state of this country."

"When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t," Kapler wrote. "I don’t believe it is representing us well right now."

The decision drew a strong response from White Sox manager Tony La Russa who stated that protesting the anthem was an insult to the men and women who died and served in the U.S. military.

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"You need to understand what the veterans think when they hear the anthem or see the flag. And the cost they paid and their families. And if you truly understand that, I think it’s impossible not to salute the flag and listen to the anthem," La Russa said.

But other managers in the league are apparently in Kapler's corner over the protest, which the manager announced after the elementary school shooting left at least 19 students and two adults dead.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he was proud of Kapler, his former teammate, for being vocal.

"He’s a good friend of mine and the kind of guy I respect from afar for what he’s doing, and if this is what he’s doing, good for him," Cora said. "I understand his reasons. He was very open about it and I know there’s a lot of people that are going to support him."

WHITE SOX'S TONY LA RUSSA CALLS GIANTS' GABE KAPLER'S NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTEST ‘NOT APPROPRIATE’

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward called Kapler's actions "brave," without commenting on whether he would have made the same decision.

"I think we’re all frustrated, especially in this country," Woodward said. "Nobody’s happy. It’s not about which side you’re on. It’s just we’ve got to get better as a society. … I’m not going to really make comment either way on whether I would or wouldn’t do what he did."

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he was supportive of what Kapler was doing, but noted he tries "not to get involved in that arena. It’s a very, very sad and touchy subject for me."

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added that Kapler "is very passionate about things he believes in and that’s his way of protesting. ... I don’t think any of us are happy with what’s going on in our country. I do respect people using whatever platforms they have to address that."

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said he usually isn't on the field for the anthem, but "if I’m not out there it’s not because I’m boycotting anything."

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter also said he respected "how Gabe feels and the way he’s going about it."

Asked about Kapler, Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi responded: "That’s Gabe’s decision. That’s all, I’m going to leave it at that."

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Kapler previously protested the national anthem in 2020, when he joined several of his players in taking a knee to protest racial injustice and police brutality.

Tommy Pham seen slapping Joc Pederson over fantasy football feud, newly released video shows

Sun, 29 May 2022 14:13:15 -0400

The slap heard around the MLB world, can now be seen around the world.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson was allegedly slapped by Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham on Friday evening over a fantasy football league disagreement.

Now, a video has been released on social media, showing Pham allegedly approaching Pederson in the outfield before the Giants-Reds game and slapping him hard across the face.

"He kinda came up and said, ‘You remember from last year?’ And I was like, ‘fantasy football?’ and he was like, ‘Yeah,’" Pederson told reporters in the locker room after the Reds’ 5-1 victory.

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Pham was suspended three games for the incident. Pederson explained the disagreement happened well over a year ago over the fantasy league the two were in.

"We were in a fantasy league together. I put somebody — a player — on the injured reserve when they were listed as out and added another player. And then there was a text message in the group saying that I was cheating because I was stashing players on the bench," Pederson said.

Pederson explained that he felt he was within his right in setting up his team for that week and sent a screenshot of the rules to his group chat. He also pointed out that Pham had a similar situation on his team.

REDS' TOMMY PHAM SUSPENDED 3 GAMES FOR SLAPPING JOC PEDERSON, SAYS IT WAS MORE THAN JUST FANTASY FOOTBALL

Pederson also showed reporters screenshots of text messages he sent in the group chat that apparently ignited the strange saga.

Pederson was also seen holding his phone to show a GIF that he made of three weightlifters in the group chat that included the superimposed logos of the Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres.

Pham was with San Diego at the time and the Padres' weightlifter was seen collapsing in the video. Pederson said he was making fun of the team because they weren't playing well.

"Joc I don’t know you well enough to make any jokes like this," Pham allegedly wrote in the group chat.

"It was meant to be all fun and games. No hard feelings," Pederson responded. "Sorry if you took it that way."

Pham apparently did take it the wrong way, leading to Friday's slap. Pederson said he didn't react after the slap hit his left cheek.

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"There was a decent amount of people around," he added. "I didn't get emotional. I don’t think violence is the answer, I guess you could say … It was an unfortunate situation over a fantasy football rule. It wasn’t a rule."

WNBA star Liz Cambage accused of directing racial slur at Nigerian players before Tokyo Olympics: Report

Sun, 29 May 2022 11:29:27 -0400

WNBA star Liz Cambage is accused of directing a racial slur toward members of the Nigerian national team during a scrimmage before last year's Tokyo Olympics, according to a report.

Anonymous Nigerian players claim the Australian and Los Angeles Sparks center called them "monkeys" and told them to "go back to your Third World country" during a closed-door scrimmage, the Daily Telegraph (Australia) reported.

Cambage, 30, reportedly made the comments during an altercation during the scrimmage. She was allegedly was seen elbowing one opposing player in the head and slapping another.

"That’s what I recall, the term monkeys, yes. And go back to where you came from," a Nigerian player told the Telegraph. "She definitely did use monkeys or monkey."

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"I was on the court. She definitely said go back to your Third World country," another anonymous player added. "I didn’t hear it, but [teammates] confirmed she called us monkeys."

The incident led Australian officials to halt the game just before the end of the second quarter. Cambage, whose father is Nigerian, apologized to the African team after the incident, which reportedly wasn't well received by the players.

"I think it was bulls----," one player said, via the outlet. "I don’t think it was a sincere apology."

"Although she’s Australian, we knew she was half Nigerian. So, before then, it was like she was one of us," another Nigerian player added. "That was another thing to cut deep, for her to do that and not show any remorse at all."

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Cambage later announced she was pulling out of the coronavirus-delayed Tokyo Olympics, citing her mental and physical health.

"Relying on daily medication to control my anxiety is not the place I want to be right now. Especially walking into competition on the world’s biggest sporting stage," she wrote in a statement. "It breaks my heart to announce I’m withdrawing from the Olympics, but I think it’s best for the Opals and myself."

The comments by Nigerian players came after Cambage took aim at the Australian women's national basketball team earlier this month.

"My heart lies with those who want to protect me and those who want me to be the best I can be," Cambage said, via ABC Sport. "And I never felt that at the Opals at all. So, yeah, I’m good."

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Cambage, a four-time WNBA All-Star, signed with the Sparks earlier this year. She was selected No. 2 overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2011 draft.

Derek Carr knows Raiders are 'his football team' despite Colin Kaepernick workout, Josh McDaniels says

Thu, 26 May 2022 21:23:55 -0400

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said he didn't feel the need to give longtime starter Derek Carr a heads-up prior to Colin Kaepernick's workout.

After bringing in the 34-year-old free-agent quarterback for a workout Wednesday that reportedly impressed the Raiders, the coach stressed that the team still belongs to Carr.

"I think Derek's pretty comfortable with where he's at," McDaniels told reporters on Thursday. "I think he knows who he is for us and I know he knows how I feel about him, how we feel about him. I don't think that's really a big thing to Derek at this point."

Carr, 31, signed a three-year, $121.5 million extension this year, and he remains entrenched as the team's starting quarterback. The Raiders were reportedly looking to see if Kaepernick would be a good fit in a quarterback room that also includes Jarrett Stidham and Nick Mullens.

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"I think he knows this is his football team, and he's working like it on the field, and he's leading the way that we want him to lead, and he's doing all the right things," McDaniels added. "I couldn't ask more from Derek Carr and very pleased with what he's doing so far."

After Jon Gruden stepped down as coach of the Raiders in the middle of last season, Carr still managed to lead the team to the playoffs in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.

The three-time Pro Bowler had career highs in both passing yards (4,804) and interceptions (14) in 17 games last season. He also threw 23 touchdowns and led the team to a 10-7 record before losing to the eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round.

McDaniels declined to say Thursday if the team would be signing Kaepernick, who last played in the NFL in 2016, the same year he started kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice.

COLIN KAEPERNICK IMPRESSES DURING WORKOUT WITH LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: REPORTS

The coach noted during his press conference that he wouldn't be taking questions about players that currently aren't on the team.

"We've brought in tons of people for workouts," McDaniels said. "We said it from day one that we would look at every opportunity, and he's not the first player that we looked at and not the last one."

"So there's gonna be a lot of people that are gonna come in and out of this building and have an opportunity to make an impression," the coach added. "The evaluations we make are kind of private for us and if we make a decision to add someone to the team then we'll do it."

While Carr didn't speak Thursday, other players, including defensive end Maxx Crosby, were asked about the team bringing in Kaepernick for a workout.

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"Honestly, I don't know much about that," Crosby told reporters. "I'm worried about the guys that are here right now, so that's really all I have on that."

Colin Kaepernick impresses during workout with Las Vegas Raiders: reports

Thu, 26 May 2022 18:43:33 -0400

Colin Kaepernick appears to be inching closer to a potential NFL return.

Kaepernick impressed the Las Vegas Raiders during a workout with the team on Wednesday, according to the NFL Network.

The outlet reported that the "door is open" for the free-agent quarterback, who hasn't played in an NFL game in more than five years.

The Raiders were specifically impressed with Kaepernick's arm strength and conditioning, and the team considered the workout to be largely a "positive" sign, ESPN reported.

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On Thursday, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels declined to say whether the team would be signing the quarterback. The coach noted during a press conference he wouldn't be taking questions about players that currently aren't on the team.

"We've brought in tons of people for workouts," McDaniels told reporters. "We said it from day one that we would look at every opportunity, and he's not the first player that we looked at and not the last one."

The Raiders were reportedly looking to see if Kaepernick would be a good fit in a quarterback room that already includes Derek Carr as the team's starter. Las Vegas traded for backup Jarrett Stidham this month and the team previously signed Nick Mullens during the offseason.

COLIN KAEPERNICK TO WORK OUT WITH LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, AS SPECULATION GROWS FOR POTENTIAL NFL RETURN: REPORT

Kaepernick stated in a podcast interview last month that he "absolutely" wants to play in the league again and was even willing to return to the league as a backup quarterback if that helps his comeback chances. Kaepernick also has a connection to the state of Nevada having played college football at the University of Nevada, Reno.

"I know I have to find my way back in. So yeah. If I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine," he said during an interview with the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast. "But that’s not where I’m staying. And when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to be able to step on the field as such. I just need that opportunity to walk through the door."

Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, the same year he started kneeling during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice.

The quarterback said in the interview that he kept quiet on his desire to play in the NFL again because he didn't want to be a distraction for interested teams. He said not a single team hosted him for an opportunity since his departure from the San Francisco 49ers.

"No teams brought me in for a workout," Kaepernick said. "No team has brought me in for an opportunity. I had the one meeting with Seattle in 2017. And out of that, [head coach] Pete Carroll said, 'Hey, he's a starter; we have a starter.' And things moved on from there, but they don't have a starter right now."

Kaepernick reunited with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan’s spring game last month, where he was invited to participate in a throwing audition for NFL scouts. The quarterback reportedly ran a number of throwing drills during a 15-minute session with draft-eligible players at halftime.

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Asked why owners and general managers should buy that he would make their locker room better and not be a distraction, Kaepernick argued that the league now pledges to support similar issues he advocated for in the past.

Stephen A. Smith calls Jalen Rose 'crazy' for voting Kyrie Irving as All-NBA 3rd team player

Thu, 26 May 2022 17:38:37 -0400

The NBA on Wednesday officially announced the voting results for the 2021-22 regular-season awards.

Each year, a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters votes for the awards, but one media member, Jalen Rose, appears to regret one of his choices.

Prior to Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat on Wednesday, Rose expressed his regret for being the only person to vote for Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving as a third-team All-NBA player. Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young received the award after getting 77 third-team votes.

"I need to fall on the sword because I’m the lone person that voted Kyrie Irving third-team All-NBA," Rose said on ESPN's "NBA Countdown." "Now, I get mesmerized by his talent, but it was a mistake to put him on third team. I'm glad that didn't cost Trae Young his spot, who deserved it more. So, I'm going to owe that."

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Fellow analyst Stephen A. Smith then appeared to lose it after learning of Rose's decision on the air.

"I want you to explain what in God’s name made you think at any point that Kyrie Irving, who played 29 games this year, missed 53 games. How in God’s name is he a third-team All-NBA? On any day, any hour, any minute of this season. How?!" Smith asked.

"First off, I don’t think you heard the part about, [where] I said that was a mistake," Rose responded. "That was a bad decision."

Rose then went into the reasoning behind his decision, saying that Irving was a dominant player last season when the star point guard was healthy and on the court.

Irving played 29 games for the Nets last season, averaging 27.4 points and 5.8 assists per game.

BROOKLYN NETS UNWILLING TO GIVE KYRIE IRVING LONG-TERM EXTENSION: REPORT

Irving had refused to get a coronavirus vaccine and was ruled out by the organization at the start of the season. He later returned to play away games before New York City dropped its mandate.

He made his Nets 2021-22 season debut on Jan. 5 and was a big reason why Brooklyn was able to limp into the playoffs. The team was later swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round.

"First of all, nobody has ever questioned the greatness of Kyrie Irving as a talent," Smith said. "We know he’s box office, he’s that spectacular. Not only me, you were on the record stating his lack of availability, his unwillingness to take one for the team, to get vaccinated … [which] disqualified him from everything."

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"And then behind our back like a thief in the night, just slid in this vote … for him? He don’t even get to be All-NBA G-League after the way he disappeared for the whole … season. You have got to be crazy," Smith added.

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