Zay Flowers signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens. He performed well at the team's training camp, helping prepare the Ravens' defense for the upcoming NFL season.
Key Facts
Zay Flowers is a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.
He recently signed a contract extension worth $140 million over four years.
Flowers played strongly during a recent training camp practice.
Ravens defensive coach Jesse Minter praised Flowers for his ability to play in multiple positions on the field.
Flowers was selected for the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row in 2025.
In the 2025 season, he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and scored five touchdowns.
The Ravens will face the Indianapolis Colts on September 13 in their first game of the new season.
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The favorite to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy has changed from Texas quarterback Arch Manning to Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin led Ohio State to a 12-2 record with strong passing stats in his first year as a starter, while other top candidates include Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
Key Facts
Julian Sayin is currently the favorite for the 2026 Heisman Trophy with 14% support on Polymarket.
Arch Manning, formerly the favorite, now has 12% support after Texas struggled early last season.
Other top contenders are C.J. Carr (12%) from Notre Dame and Dante Moore (8%) from Oregon.
Sayin completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season.
Sayin helped Ohio State reach a 12-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Dante Moore threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions but chose to return for his junior year.
C.J. Carr had less impressive stats but is expected by some analysts to have a strong 2026 season.
All four quarterbacks are projected to be first-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft, with Manning and Moore expected in the top 10.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong, a Major League Baseball player, said on a podcast that he likes the idea the famous player Babe Ruth never existed. Sports commentator Chris "Mad Dog" Russo strongly disagreed, defending Babe Ruth's achievements and criticizing Crow-Armstrong's comments.
Key Facts
Pete Crow-Armstrong expressed on a podcast that he enjoys the conspiracy theory that Babe Ruth never existed.
Crow-Armstrong mentioned hearing a Mariners pitcher discuss the idea of Babe Ruth being fictional during a podcast.
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo responded on the show "First Take," disagreeing with Crow-Armstrong's view.
Russo highlighted Babe Ruth’s record of hitting 27 home runs over 500 feet and said no other player, including Barry Bonds, matched that.
Russo argued Ruth dominated baseball and was better than many modern players, calling him unique and a legendary hitter.
Crow-Armstrong also suggested pitchers might have pitched underhand to Ruth, but Russo said if that were true, others would have hit home runs too.
Russo criticized younger players and media who dismiss old-time baseball players’ skills.
The discussion is ongoing, and it might lead to more debate about Babe Ruth’s legacy.
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The Indianapolis Colts expect wide receiver Josh Downs to play a bigger role in the 2026 NFL season. Downs had fewer yards last season because of strong performances by other players, but with some players leaving, he is set to receive more passes and opportunities.
Key Facts
Josh Downs is entering his fourth NFL season with the Colts.
He had a career-low 566 yards on 58 catches in 2025.
Other players like rookie Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce affected his playing time last season.
Michael Pittman Jr., a key receiver, is no longer with the Colts.
Head coach Shane Steichen said Downs can now play multiple positions and his role will grow.
Downs is expected to get more passes because of his speed and ability to catch short and medium throws.
Downs said last season taught him patience and to keep working hard.
The Colts hope Downs' increased role helps the team succeed in 2026.
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Arch Manning, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, was named to the preseason All-America second team. Trinidad Chambliss, quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, earned the first-team spot based on his stronger passing yards, fewer interceptions, rushing ability, and team postseason success.
Key Facts
Arch Manning was a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite before playing his first college game.
Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns last season but had 7 interceptions.
Trinidad Chambliss led the SEC with 3,937 passing yards and had 22 touchdowns with 3 interceptions.
Chambliss ran for 527 yards and 8 touchdowns, showing strong running ability.
Manning ran for 399 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns.
Ole Miss reached the national semifinals, while Texas did not make the College Football Playoff.
Sporting News placed Chambliss as the top quarterback for the 2026 season, putting him ahead of Manning on the preseason All-America team.
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USC’s starting center, Kilian O’Connor, broke his leg during training camp and will miss the entire 2026 football season. This injury creates a challenge for USC head coach Lincoln Riley as he prepares the team’s offensive line for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Kilian O’Connor, USC’s starting center, broke his leg on Wednesday during training camp.
O’Connor will be out for the entire 2026 football season.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley is under pressure to lead the team to the College Football Playoff for the first time since he became head coach five years ago.
O’Connor joined USC as a walk-on player in 2022 and worked his way up to a starter by 2025.
O’Connor had missed games in 2025 due to a knee injury but had made seven starts that season.
Other players competing for the starting center position include Willi Wascher, freshman Kannon Smith, and possibly Tobias Raymond, who might change position.
USC’s next game is against San Jose State on August 29.
USC’s offensive line is expected to be one of the best in the country this season, making O’Connor’s injury a major setback.
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The 2026 NFL preseason begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night. In this game, the Carolina Panthers will play against the Arizona Cardinals.
Key Facts
The game is called the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.
It marks the start of the 2026 NFL preseason.
The Carolina Panthers are one of the teams playing.
The Arizona Cardinals are the other team playing.
Zack Rosenblatt, an NFL writer, discussed the game and the season on CBS News.
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Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs' star quarterback, is recovering from a serious knee injury. The team allowed backup quarterback Justin Fields to work with the first-team offense in practice, suggesting Fields might start in the Chiefs' preseason opener on August 15.
Key Facts
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL last season, causing him to miss the last few games.
The Chiefs had their worst record during Mahomes' time, finishing 6-11 last season.
Mahomes has been practicing fully in training camp this year.
Justin Fields, the backup quarterback, took first-team reps for the first time in this camp.
Fields could start in the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Fields has been learning from coach Andy Reid and Mahomes.
The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls and five AFC championships under Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce.
Mahomes is expected to be the starter once fully healthy, but the team is preparing Fields in case Mahomes cannot play.
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Jahmyr Gibbs, the Detroit Lions running back, signed a three-year contract extension worth $67.5 million with potential incentives increasing it to $75.75 million. This deal makes him the highest-paid running back in the NFL, surpassing Bijan Robinson's recent extension.
Key Facts
Jahmyr Gibbs signed a three-year extension with the Detroit Lions.
The base value of the deal is $67.5 million, with incentives that could raise it to $75.75 million.
The contract includes $51.5 million guaranteed.
Gibbs is now the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
His deal surpasses Bijan Robinson's three-year, $66.75 million extension with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jonathan Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million extension earlier in August.
Gibbs was drafted shortly after Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The contract secures one of the Lions' top offensive players for several years.
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The Alabama Crimson Tide football team has only one player, safety Bray Hubbard, named to the Sporting News preseason All-America team, placed on the second team. Despite strong performances from other players like wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and cornerback Zabien Brown, they were not included in the preseason list.
Key Facts
Alabama has just one player on the Sporting News preseason All-America team.
Safety Bray Hubbard was named to the second team.
Hubbard had four interceptions last season, tying for the SEC lead.
He also forced three fumbles and made 79 tackles, with some for loss and sacks.
Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, considered a star, was not included in the preseason team.
Cornerback Zabien Brown, who led college football with two pick-sixes last season, was also left off the list.
Brown and Hubbard are on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player.
Alabama’s defense is ranked among the top five nationally going into the season.
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The Denver Nuggets are actively trying to trade their 23-year-old guard, Peyton Watson, with talks involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers. If they cannot trade him, Watson will stay with the Nuggets for one more year under a $6.5 million contract.
Key Facts
Peyton Watson is 23 years old and plays as a guard for the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets are in active trade discussions with three teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Trades could involve player exchanges or draft picks.
If no trade happens, Watson will return to the Nuggets on a one-year, $6.5 million qualifying offer.
Watson had a strong 2025-26 season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
He was originally the 30th overall pick in the NBA draft.
Playing the next season on the qualifying offer would make him a free agent after that contract.
The Nuggets recently signed veteran guard Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year deal worth $3.3 million.
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The United States announced its roster for the 2026 women’s FIBA World Cup, featuring many top WNBA players. Some notable players, including Kelsey Mitchell, were left off the team, causing disappointment among fans.
Key Facts
The U.S. women’s basketball team for the 2026 FIBA World Cup includes stars like Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, and Breanna Stewart.
The team aims to mix experienced and younger players who fit the coach’s style and can win gold.
Kelsey Mitchell, a guard for the Indiana Fever, was not selected for the roster.
Other excluded players include Sabrina Ionescu, Olivia Miles, and Alyssa Thomas.
Fans expressed strong opinions online, questioning why Mitchell was left out.
USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team managing director is Sue Bird.
Kara Lawson is the national team coach.
The announcement sparked debate about how the roster was chosen.
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Anthony Davis, a basketball player for the Washington Wizards, can now extend his contract with the team. Both Davis and the Wizards have agreed to delay talks about a long-term contract until after the season starts to see how well he fits with the team and how healthy he stays.
Key Facts
Anthony Davis is eligible for a contract extension with the Washington Wizards starting Thursday.
The Wizards and Davis decided to postpone contract talks until after the regular season begins.
This pause lets Davis assess his role on the team and allows the Wizards to check his health status.
The Wizards finished last season with the worst record in the league (17 wins and 65 losses).
Davis was traded to the Wizards last season but did not play due to a hand injury.
The Wizards also added Trae Young and the first overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa to improve the team.
Both sides want to see the first 20 games before deciding on a contract extension.
Questions remain about Davis’s health, performance, and how the team progresses.
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The UFC announced the fight lineup for UFC 331, scheduled for September 19 in Los Angeles. The event will feature 13 bouts, including title rematches and fights with top contenders.
Key Facts
UFC 331 will take place in Los Angeles on September 19.
The promotion revealed 13 fights for the event on August 5 via social media.
Flyweight Champion Joshua Van will have a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja after Pantoja's injury in their last fight.
The co-main event features Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy, who recently won two knockouts.
Brian Ortega will move up to lightweight for a rematch with Renato Moicano.
Patricio Pitbull is set to fight Doo Ho Choi, a matchup likely on the main card.
Emerging heavyweight Gable Steveson will fight Sean Sharaf.
Other notable fighters include Iwo Baraniewski, Alonzo Menifield, Marlon Vera, and Charles Jourdain.
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The Texas Longhorns football team has the most players selected for the preseason All-America teams by The Sporting News. They have six players on the first and second teams combined, more than any other school, showing strong expectations for their upcoming season.
Key Facts
Texas Longhorns have six preseason All-America selections, leading all college football teams.
Five Longhorns made the first team, the highest for any school.
Wide receiver Cam Coleman, a transfer from Auburn, is expected to perform well in Texas’s new offense.
Offensive tackle Trevor Goosby had a strong previous season and is seen as a potential top NFL draft pick.
Edge rusher Colin Simmons had 21 sacks over two seasons and is expected to be among the leaders this season.
Linebacker Rasheem Biles transferred from Pitt and is considered a key defensive player.
Punt returner Ryan Niblett made the first team, noted for his high yard averages and touchdowns on returns.
Quarterback Arch Manning, a well-known player, was named to the second team, just behind Ole Miss’s quarterback.
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs took part in his first training camp practice on Thursday after reporting last week. Gibbs is negotiating a new contract with the team and could finalize it soon, following big deals made by a few other top running backs.
Key Facts
Jahmyr Gibbs is a running back for the Detroit Lions.
He participated in his first training camp practice on Thursday.
Gibbs reported to training camp last week and had attended team meetings before practicing.
He is currently in contract talks with the Lions.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter said Gibbs' contract might be completed within 24 hours.
Gibbs was the 11th pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Last season, Gibbs made his third straight Pro Bowl and had over 1,200 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.
The Lions will start their 2026 season on September 13 against the New Orleans Saints.
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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker signed a four-year contract extension after helping the team win the Super Bowl. He changed his kickoff style in 2024 and 2025, which affected his field goal accuracy, but he is now returning to a simpler kicking method to improve his performance.
Key Facts
Butker signed a four-year, $25.6 million contract extension in 2024.
He made a career-high 94.3% of field goals in 2023.
Butker made all 11 field goals and 8 extra points in the 2023 postseason.
Changes to kickoff rules in 2024 led Butker to try new kickoff styles.
His field goal percentage dropped to about 84% in 2024 and 2025.
Butker said experimenting with kickoffs hurt his field goal accuracy.
He decided to use the same foot-to-ball contact on kickoffs as on field goals.
Butker holds the record for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history at 57 yards.
Over his nine-year career, Butker has made 88.3% of his field goal attempts.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has shown strong performance in recent practices and games. The team's new defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, praised Purdy for his accuracy and intensity. Purdy has become one of the NFL's top quarterbacks since being drafted last and recently signed a major contract extension.
Key Facts
Brock Purdy completed 11 of 14 passes in a recent practice, including two long touchdowns.
Raheem Morris, the 49ers’ new defensive coordinator, called Purdy the "Layer King" because of his great accuracy.
Purdy was the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but has developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Over his four seasons, Purdy has passed for 11,685 yards and 84 touchdowns, with a completion rate of nearly 68%.
In 2023, Purdy led the NFL with a passer rating of 113.0, threw for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and had 11 interceptions.
He was selected for his first Pro Bowl in 2023.
In May 2025, Purdy signed a five-year contract extension worth $265 million, with $181 million guaranteed.
The 49ers added strong receivers this year, including Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk, to support Purdy.
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The New Orleans Saints have suspended rookie wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner for the first six games of the 2026 NFL season. Rechsteiner, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, will not play in regular season games during his suspension but can practice and play in preseason games.
Key Facts
Brock Rechsteiner is a rookie wide receiver signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.
He is the son of Scott Steiner, a WWE Hall of Famer.
The NFL suspended Rechsteiner for six games at the start of the 2026 season; the reason for suspension is not disclosed.
Rechsteiner had 53 catches for 629 yards and seven touchdowns in 23 college games at Jacksonville State.
He can still practice and play in preseason games before his suspension begins after the Saints cut their roster to 53 players on August 30.
His cousin Bronson Rechsteiner, known as Bron Breakker in WWE, briefly signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020.
Brock Rechsteiner has said he plans to pursue a career in professional wrestling like his father and uncle.
The Steiner Brothers, including Scott and Rick Steiner, were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022.
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Beau Hossler, Ben James, and Jackson Koivun are competing in the Wyndham Championship golf tournament, where only the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup rankings advance to the postseason. Hossler and James need to win the tournament to qualify, while Koivun is currently in 70th place and has a better chance to advance.
Key Facts
The Wyndham Championship is the final tournament of the PGA Tour regular season.
The top 70 players in the FedEx Cup rankings advance to the postseason.
Beau Hossler is ranked 122nd and must win to reach the playoffs.
Ben James, a Virginia graduate and top-ranked PGA Tour University player, scored 62 but needs a win to qualify.
Jackson Koivun earned his PGA Tour card early and is currently ranked 70th.
Hossler started strong with four straight birdies and finished with an eagle putt on the 15th hole.
Ben James made two early eagle shots on par 5s but dropped ground finishing with bogeys.
Sahith Theegala scored 62 with a unique round of eight birdies and one bogey on the front nine.
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