The Akron Zips football team is offering one season-ticket holder the chance to call the offensive plays during the opening drive of their home game against Robert Morris on September 12. The team's coach, Joe Moorhead, will work with the winner to create the play script, giving fans a rare behind-the-scenes experience.
Key Facts
Akron Zips will let one fan act as the "offensive coordinator of the game" for the home opener.
The opportunity is for the opening drive of the game on September 12 against Robert Morris.
The winner will be chosen from season-ticket holders or those who sign up before August 19.
Coach Joe Moorhead will collaborate with the fan to plan the plays.
Last season, Akron football had a 5-7 record and averaged 22.3 points per game.
Athletics director Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich said the event aims to bring fans closer to the team.
Akron's offense last season ranked fifth and eighth in their conference in yards and points per game.
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Demi Vollering won the fifth stage of the Tour de France Femmes in a close sprint, while Marlen Reusser kept her overall lead by 12 seconds. Kasia Niewiadoma finished third and the race continues with tough mountain stages ahead.
Key Facts
Demi Vollering, from the Netherlands, won stage five in a sprint finish.
Marlen Reusser, from Switzerland, remains the overall leader by 12 seconds.
Kasia Niewiadoma finished close behind but dropped to third overall.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France lost significant time and is unlikely to regain the lead.
The race includes upcoming difficult climbs, especially Mont Ventoux on Friday.
The Tour de France Femmes will finish on Sunday in Nice, France.
Racing conditions included eight hills through the Beaujolais region on stage five.
Reusser did not attack in the final sprint but managed to stay close to Vollering.
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker suffered a torn ACL in his left leg during practice and will miss the entire 2026 season. The team placed him on injured reserve, and his absence is considered a major loss for the Falcons' defense.
Key Facts
Jalon Walker is a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and a former first-round NFL draft pick.
He injured his left leg during an 11-on-11 practice and was taken off the field by trainers.
Medical imaging confirmed he tore his ACL, a major knee injury.
Walker will be on season-ending injured reserve for the 2026 season.
In his rookie season, Walker recorded 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 recovered fumble.
His 27 pressure plays ranked seventh among rookies last season; his pressure rate was the fourth highest.
Falcons coach and teammates expressed that Walker's injury is a significant loss.
The Falcons will depend more on other defensive players like Azeez Ojulari, Cameron Thomas, Zach Harrison, and James Pearce Jr. to compensate.
Pearce faces possible suspension due to a domestic violence arrest, which could affect team defense.
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The Chicago Bears have regained linebacker T.J. Edwards after he recovered from a calf injury. However, two other linebackers, Noah Sewell and Keyshaun Elliott, are still sidelined due to injuries, leaving pressure on the team’s linebackers to perform well this season.
Key Facts
The Bears’ defense lost key players last season, including safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds left the Bears to join the New York Giants.
Devin Bush was signed to replace Edmunds as a linebacker.
T.J. Edwards missed six practices due to a calf injury but is now back to practicing.
Edwards had previously broken his fibula in January during a playoff game.
Noah Sewell is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and is on the physically unable to perform list.
Rookie Keyshaun Elliott is also on the PUP list with a back injury but is expected to return sooner.
Edwards has been a consistent player for the Bears with significant tackles and defensive stats over the past three years.
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The Dallas Mavericks are building their team slowly around their new young player, Cooper Flagg. They have added some young talent while keeping experienced players to help stay competitive as the team develops.
Key Facts
The Mavericks are focused on growing their team around Cooper Flagg, their new key player.
They added Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall draft pick.
Santi Aldama and Zaccharie Risacher, both young and skilled players, joined the team to add shooting and versatility.
Some players, including Marvin Bagley III, Khris Middleton, and Ryan Nembhard, left the team this offseason.
The Mavericks kept many veteran players instead of trading them away.
Keeping experienced teammates helps Flagg adjust to the NBA and keeps the team competitive.
Kyrie Irving remains an important player for creating scoring chances and supporting Flagg.
This offseason’s moves focused on steady growth rather than making big changes or headline trades.
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Jos Buttler became the top run-scorer in T20 cricket by passing Kieron Pollard’s record during a match where Manchester Super Giants beat Welsh Fire by nine wickets in The Hundred competition. Buttler scored 51 runs from 20 balls, helping his team reach their target quickly with strong support from Tim Seifert.
Key Facts
Jos Buttler set a new T20 cricket record with 14,804 runs, surpassing Kieron Pollard.
Buttler scored 51 runs from 20 balls, including six sixes and two fours.
Manchester Super Giants won by nine wickets, reaching 161-1 in 69 balls against Welsh Fire’s 155-4.
Tim Seifert scored 62 runs from 36 balls for Manchester Super Giants.
Welsh Fire’s captain Phil Salt chose to bat first after winning the toss and scored 48 runs.
Welsh Fire had a strong opening partnership of 125 runs between Salt and Matt Short (who scored 71 runs).
Paul Walter made 37 runs off 18 balls, including five consecutive boundaries.
The win moved Manchester Super Giants to third place in the tournament, four points behind Welsh Fire.
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The Golden State Warriors entered the offseason hoping to add a top star to support Stephen Curry but made only a minor move by signing rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. They kept a mostly unchanged roster despite finishing with 45 losses last season and will face challenges with injuries to key players.
Key Facts
The Warriors wanted to add a major star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, or Jaylen Brown but did not succeed.
They signed Yaxel Lendeborg, a 24-year-old rookie, who is physically ready but not a game-changing player.
Golden State finished last season with 45 losses.
Injuries to players Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are expected to affect the team this year.
The team lost Quinten Post, which is another setback.
Stephen Curry remains the key player and gives the team a chance to compete.
The Warriors hope internal improvements will help close the gap with the league’s top teams.
The Western Conference is becoming more competitive, making the Warriors’ task harder.
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The Houston Rockets made some moderate changes in the offseason by adding players Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart to improve shooting and defense. The team is relying on the growth of their young players and the return of Fred VanVleet to get better next season.
Key Facts
The Rockets have not won a playoff series since 2020.
Amen Thompson is considered a key player that the team does not want to trade.
Bogdan Bogdanovic was signed to improve shooting and offensive creativity.
Marcus Smart was added for toughness and versatility on defense.
The team lost Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie, which reduces defensive depth.
The Rockets hope their new additions will cover the defensive losses.
The team expects their young core players to continue developing.
Fred VanVleet’s return is seen as important for team stability.
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The Los Angeles Lakers made big changes to their team during the offseason, including trading away star player LeBron James. They added new players like Walker Kessler and others, aiming to build a younger and more balanced team for the future.
Key Facts
The Lakers let go of LeBron James, a major star and leader on the team.
They signed Walker Kessler to a four-year contract worth $130 million.
To get Kessler, the Lakers gave up two unprotected first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps.
Kessler is known for defense, blocking shots, and rebounding.
New players added to the team include Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Cameron Carr, and Collin Sexton.
Players who left include Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart.
The Lakers are focusing on building a younger team that can compete now and in the future.
The changes could take time for the team to adjust and are considered a risk.
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The Milwaukee Bucks have made major changes after trading star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. They acquired younger players like Tyler Herro and rookies from the draft to rebuild their team for the future.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a top player and MVP, was traded by the Bucks.
Tyler Herro, a proven young scorer, joined the Bucks.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware, young and athletic players, were added to the roster.
The Bucks selected promising players Brayden Burries and Nate Ament in the draft.
The team aims to build a new core while maintaining some current contributors.
Trading away Giannis marks a shift into a new era for the Bucks.
The Bucks lost players Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince in the process.
The focus is on rebuilding with young talent rather than relying on older veterans.
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European soccer leagues are calling for changes in the leadership and decision-making of FIFA, the organization that runs world soccer. They are concerned about FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s recent plans and want a bigger say in how FIFA makes decisions. The situation has led to calls for Infantino to resign and may affect FIFA’s future leadership.
Key Facts
European soccer leagues, including top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, want FIFA governance reforms.
They criticized Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup as "dangerous" and lacking transparency.
The leagues oppose expanding the World Cup to 64 teams until reforms happen.
Luis Figo, a famous soccer player, said Infantino should step down from his role.
UEFA, the main European soccer body, voted to boycott the World Cup if FIFA continued with controversial commercial plans.
FIFA officials Arsène Wenger and Mattias Grafström have distanced themselves from Infantino’s commercial plans.
Infantino faces internal staff resignations and criticism over openness in FIFA.
A “crisis meeting” was held in Rabat, Morocco, amid growing expectations that Infantino could face a challenge in the next FIFA presidential election.
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LIV Golf has reached an agreement with a new main investor to continue its golf league without Saudi Arabian funding. The league plans to move forward with players owning significant shares and aims to hold about 10 team events each year, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Key Facts
LIV Golf made a deal with a lead investor to replace Saudi funding.
The identity of the lead investor was not revealed.
Players will become major equity holders, meaning they will own a large part of the league.
LIV Golf started in 2022, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
It attracted top golfers by offering large prizes and bonuses.
Saudi funding is set to end after the 2026 season, causing uncertainty.
The league plans 10 team events yearly, 5 in the U.S. and 5 abroad.
LIV Golf wants to schedule events that allow players to also compete on other tours, like the European Tour.
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The NFL released its annual top 100 players list, placing Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens at No. 36. While some fans praised Pickens for his skills and recent strong performance, others disagreed about his ranking compared to other players.
Key Facts
George Pickens is ranked 36th in the NFL Top 100 players list for the upcoming season.
Pickens is entering his second season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Last season, Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs.
Pickens earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season.
Some fans believe Pickens' ranking is too low, while others think players like Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell should be ranked higher.
Pickens plays alongside teammate CeeDee Lamb, who is ranked No. 55 on the list.
The ranking was released during Cowboys' training camp ahead of the new season.
Other wide receivers ranked so far include Davante Adams (No. 53) and Chris Olave (No. 64).
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The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs are paying parts of the salaries of pitchers they recently traded to other Major League Baseball teams. The Mets will pay over $8.1 million to the Pittsburgh Pirates after trading pitcher Luke Weaver. The Cubs will pay nearly $5 million to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the trade for pitcher Jameson Taillon.
Key Facts
The Mets traded pitcher Luke Weaver to the Pirates and agreed to pay $8.1 million of his remaining contract.
Weaver’s contract had about $13.4 million left; Pittsburgh will pay him roughly $229,000 this year, and the Mets cover the rest.
The Cubs traded pitcher Jameson Taillon to the Blue Jays and will pay $4.95 million of his remaining salary.
Taillon’s contract had $5.39 million left, with Toronto paying about $430,000 and Chicago covering the rest.
Other MLB trades also included salary arrangements, like San Francisco paying San Diego and Toronto paying Minnesota and Houston parts of players’ contracts.
The trades involve spreading out salary payments over several monthly installments.
These deals allow teams to manage payroll while acquiring new players.
The article focuses on financial details related to recent player trades in Major League Baseball.
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The date for the 2027 Preakness Stakes horse race will be announced soon, possibly changing from its usual third Saturday in May. The Preakness will return to its original location at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore after a brief move, while the Belmont Stakes will remain on the calendar in early June as part of a new 3-year-old championship series.
Key Facts
The Preakness Stakes has mostly been held on the third Saturday in May since 1950, except in 2020 due to the pandemic.
There have been calls to change the timing of the Preakness because the two-week gap after the Kentucky Derby is short for many horses.
Some recent Kentucky Derby winners, like Golden Tempo, have skipped the Preakness.
Belmont Stakes will continue on the first Saturday in June (June 5, 2027) as part of a new championship series.
The new 3-year-old championship series includes the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and other summer and early fall races, but not the Preakness for 2027.
The Preakness will return to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore after temporarily moving to Laurel Park.
Pimlico is undergoing reconstruction expected to finish by spring 2028.
The date for the 2027 Preakness is to be announced by Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club.
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Jeremy Monga, a 17-year-old footballer, made his first appearance for Manchester City during a pre-season friendly match in Seoul. He recently transferred from Leicester City and chose Manchester City over Arsenal because he believes City offers a better chance to win trophies and develop his career.
Key Facts
Jeremy Monga moved from Leicester City to Manchester City for £10 million.
He is 17 years old and was the third-youngest player to play in the Premier League.
Monga played as a substitute in Manchester City's 3-1 win against a K-League XI team.
Arsenal was close to signing him, but Manchester City completed the deal.
Monga made his Premier League debut at age 15 with Leicester City.
Leicester City was relegated to the Championship and then to League One after poor seasons.
Monga admires Eden Hazard and wants to play with the same style and impact.
Monga describes the Championship as very physical and competitive.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have released veteran baseball player Marcell Ozuna from their team. Ozuna struggled during the 2026 season with low batting stats and will now be a free agent.
Key Facts
Marcell Ozuna is a 35-year-old baseball player and three-time All-Star.
The Pirates released Ozuna after a difficult 2026 season.
In 2026, Ozuna hit 8 home runs and had a .203 batting average.
Ozuna signed a one-year contract with the Pirates before the 2026 season.
In 2025, he played for the Atlanta Braves, hitting 21 home runs with a .232 batting average.
In 2024, Ozuna had a strong season with 39 home runs and a .302 batting average.
He achieved a career-high 40 home runs in 2023 with the Braves.
Now a free agent, it is uncertain which team, if any, will sign him next.
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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is in hospital after having a minor operation. The club expects him to be discharged in a day or two and has asked for privacy for him and his family.
Key Facts
Martin O'Neill, aged 74, underwent a small medical procedure recently.
He remains in the hospital but should leave within a couple of days.
O'Neill signed a one-year contract as Celtic's permanent manager in June.
He managed Celtic during their recent 1-0 Scottish Premiership win against Dundee.
O'Neill returned to manage Celtic last October after a break since 2019.
He previously led Celtic to major victories, including a league and cup double last season.
The club made a statement thanking fans for their support and asking for respect for O'Neill's privacy.
O'Neill has previously managed teams like Leicester City, Aston Villa, and the Republic of Ireland national team.
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Saquon Barkley, running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, was inspired by Barry Sanders’ teamwork shown in an old NFL Films clip. Barkley had a record-breaking 2024 season, rushing over 2,500 yards and helping lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl win by focusing on team success over personal records.
Key Facts
Saquon Barkley was impressed by Barry Sanders giving drinks to teammates, showing teamwork beyond just playing.
In 2024, Barkley rushed for 2,000 yards in a season, joining only eight other players to do so.
Barkley was named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.
He helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl that year.
Barkley chose not to rush for a record in one game to support his teammates.
He finished 2024 with an NFL record 2,504 combined rushing yards (regular season and playoffs).
Barkley credits his parents and coaches for teaching him to be unselfish.
In 2025, despite injuries on his team’s offensive line, he rushed for 1,140 yards and helped the Eagles win their division again.
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Belgian powerlifter Sonita Muluh was disqualified after a spotter accidentally touched her weights during a record attempt in Lithuania. The spotter posted a racist comment on Instagram, leading to a police investigation and his lifetime ban by the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation. Muluh said she feels unsafe competing and criticized the sport’s governing body for not protecting athletes better.
Key Facts
Sonita Muluh attempted a 334.5 kg squat at the Powerlifting Championships in Lithuania.
Ernestas Kusinas, a spotter, touched the weights with his knee, causing Muluh’s disqualification.
Judges ruled Muluh out due to a technical rule violation, not directly because of the touch.
Kusinas posted on Instagram, “I am racist, and I did it intentionally,” which sparked a police inquiry.
Kusinas said the post was made in anger and meant to mock an accusation, not a real statement.
The Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation banned Kusinas for life and made his social media private.
Muluh expressed feeling unsafe and unsettled competing alongside Kusinas due to his actions.
She also criticized the International Powerlifting Federation for not protecting athletes and allowing competition in environments where minority athletes feel unwelcome.
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