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North Carolina’s football team will start their season without their defensive coordinator, Steve Belichick, who is on indefinite medical leave. Head coach Bill Belichick will take over calling defensive plays for the season opener against TCU in Ireland.
Key Facts
Steve Belichick, North Carolina’s defensive coordinator, has been on medical leave since August 6.
Bill Belichick is the head coach of North Carolina and Steve Belichick’s father.
Bill Belichick has not announced an interim defensive coordinator for the first game.
Bill Belichick will call defensive plays for the season opener on Saturday.
The game is North Carolina’s season opener against TCU and will be played in Dublin, Ireland.
Bill Belichick has decades of experience as a defensive coach and head coach in the NFL.
He previously helped the New York Giants win two Super Bowls as a defensive coordinator.
His experience is expected to help North Carolina’s defense during Steve Belichick’s absence.
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During a practice game between the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, veteran player Xavier Woods hit wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson hard. Robinson had to leave the practice and is being checked for a concussion, with Titans coach Robert Saleh calling the hit "cheap."
Key Facts
The practice was between the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears.
Xavier Woods, a 10-year NFL veteran, made a hard hit on Wan'Dale Robinson.
Wan'Dale Robinson left practice due to a possible concussion and is being evaluated.
Titans head coach Robert Saleh described the hit as "cheap."
Robinson recently signed a four-year, $78 million contract with the Titans.
Robinson is considered an important part of the Titans' passing game.
The Titans and Bears will play their preseason final game on Saturday.
The Titans start the regular NFL season against the New York Jets on September 13.
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Rangers football team was eliminated from the European Conference League after losing a penalty shootout to Jablonec. Manager Derek McInnes took full responsibility for the loss and said he was embarrassed by the team's performance.
Key Facts
Rangers lost to Jablonec on penalties 4-3 after a 1-0 lead in the second leg.
This is the first time since 2017 that Rangers have no European football beyond August.
Rangers had fewer shots on target and less possession during the game.
The team missed key penalties in the shootout, including by Findlay Curtis and James Penrice.
Manager McInnes admitted the team lacked experience and did not play well.
McInnes said he takes full responsibility and wants the team to improve.
Former Rangers player Andy Halliday criticized the team for a lack of style, desire, and organization.
The defeat adds pressure on McInnes, who has had a difficult start managing Rangers.
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Major League Baseball (MLB) proposed new rules to limit free-agent signings to specific periods in December and February, with a ban on trades during the gap. This plan depends on players agreeing to a salary cap system, which the players’ union has strongly opposed.
Key Facts
MLB wants free-agent signings only during a few weeks in December and then starting again in early February.
There would be a trade ban between these signing periods to reduce roster changes during the offseason.
The plan requires approval of a salary cap system MLB proposed earlier, which limits team spending.
The players’ union says the salary cap would reduce player rights and pay.
The proposed salary cap for 2027 is about $245 million, with a minimum team spending floor of $171 million.
Free-agent contracts would be limited to $265 million and six years, much less than recent deals.
MLB says these changes would bring more stability and speed up the offseason.
The union points out that past salary cap proposals have led to long strikes, including the one in 1994-95.
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A New York sports radio host, Craig Carton, said Troy Aikman was an average quarterback who succeeded mainly because of his strong teammates. He compared Aikman to current players, saying success depends a lot on the team around a quarterback.
Key Facts
Craig Carton hosts a sports radio show on WFAN.
He called Troy Aikman, a Hall of Fame quarterback, "average."
Aikman won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.
Carton said Aikman had a weak arm but played with some of the best offensive players and defense in football.
He suggested that Patrick Mahomes’ success is also due to the strong team around him.
Aikman’s stats are lower than many modern quarterbacks, but he ranked well compared to peers in the 1990s.
Aikman played with famous teammates like Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, which helped his success.
Some think calling Aikman "average" is too harsh given his achievements.
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The Los Angeles Rams traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for wide receiver Tutu Atwell. Atwell previously played for the Rams before joining the Dolphins, and now he returns to Los Angeles to add depth to their offense.
Key Facts
The Rams traded Jarquez Hunter to the Dolphins for Tutu Atwell.
Atwell was originally drafted by the Rams in 2021 and played five seasons with them.
He signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins in March before being traded back.
Atwell's receiving yards increased from 332 in 2022 to 514 in 2023.
In 2024, Atwell had a career-high 562 receiving yards but saw fewer targets.
The Rams may want Atwell as a backup if wide receiver Puka Nacua faces suspension.
Jarquez Hunter played five games for the Rams mostly on special teams last season.
Hunter rushed for 3,929 yards and 29 touchdowns during his college career at Auburn.
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The president of Nigeria’s Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, resigned amid corruption claims and poor team performances. The federation faces a government probe over missing funds, and the Nigerian president has ordered a reform of the football system.
Key Facts
Ibrahim Musa Gusau resigned as president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Several board members of the NFF also resigned.
Nigeria’s secret police are investigating the alleged misuse of about $12.7 million given to the federation by the government.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered a full reform of football administration in the country.
The NFF faces longstanding accusations of corruption and poor management.
Nigeria’s women’s team, the Super Falcons, failed to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup for the first time ever.
The men’s team, the Super Eagles, missed the last two World Cups.
Gusau blamed economic difficulties and announced a new $4.5 million annual sponsorship from Adidas.
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Arizona Diamondbacks player Ketel Marte missed a game without telling the team and was placed on the restricted list after flying home for an MRI. His teammates and staff expressed frustration about his behavior, which has happened before, but Marte remains a key player for the team.
Key Facts
Ketel Marte missed the first game of a series against the Boston Red Sox on August 17 without notifying the team.
He flew back to Arizona for a knee MRI and was put on the restricted list by the Diamondbacks.
Marte was seen at a casino during a Diamondbacks game, upsetting teammates.
This is not the first time Marte took time off without informing the team; he previously took a vacation after the 2025 All-Star Game.
Some teammates called Marte’s actions a “slap in the face” and said it shows a lack of respect.
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said the team values winning but must balance handling Marte’s behavior.
Marte’s recent performance has declined but he still leads the team with 21 home runs and 67 RBIs this season.
The Diamondbacks are close to a playoff spot and hope Marte returns to help the team succeed.
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Bill Belichick, currently head coach of the University of North Carolina football team, said he is focused on his college coaching job and is not thinking about returning to the NFL. Belichick is preparing for North Carolina’s 2026 season opener against TCU.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick is the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team.
He is in Ireland preparing for the 2026 season opener against the TCU Horned Frogs.
Belichick has been with North Carolina for two years and wants to help the team improve.
He had a long NFL career, winning eight Super Bowls (two as defensive coordinator and six as head coach).
Belichick is the third-winningest NFL head coach, behind Don Shula and George Halas.
He took the North Carolina head coaching job before the 2025 season and had a 4-8 record in his first year.
Belichick is 74 years old.
The North Carolina vs. TCU game will start at noon ET on Saturday.
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Rich Rowland, a former catcher for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox, has died at age 62. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball and later worked in the timber industry in Northern California.
Key Facts
Rich Rowland played six seasons in Major League Baseball with the Tigers and Red Sox.
He was born on February 25, 1964, in Cloverdale, California.
Rowland was a multi-sport athlete in high school and returned to baseball after working in timber.
The Detroit Tigers drafted him in 1988, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1990.
In 1992, he was an International League All-Star and minor league player of the year for the Tigers.
Detroit traded him to the Boston Red Sox in 1994, where he hit career highs in home runs and RBIs.
Rowland’s MLB career ended after the 1995 season, and he played minor league baseball until 1997.
After retiring, he worked in the timber industry in Northern California.
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The Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for veteran player Paul George and future draft picks. Celtics general manager Brad Stevens spoke about the difficulty of this decision and acknowledged Brown’s important legacy with the team.
Key Facts
The Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason.
In return, Boston received Paul George and multiple future draft picks.
Jaylen Brown was the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and helped Boston reach the Eastern Conference No. 2 seed last season.
Brad Stevens, Celtics GM, said trading Brown was a tough and painful process.
Brown played for the Celtics from 2016 until this trade, scoring over 13,000 points and earning five All-Star appearances.
Brown expressed disappointment with how the trade was handled.
The 76ers have a strong team including Joel Embiid and LeBron James.
Stevens suggested the Celtics might honor Brown’s contributions in the future.
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Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton defended his quarterback, Bo Nix, after an NFL analyst criticized Nix’s ability to improve. Nix led the league last season with seven game-winning drives and has shown strong passing stats over the last two years.
Key Facts
Analyst Geoff Schwartz said Bo Nix might not improve because he struggles to throw deep passes.
Bo Nix led the NFL in 2025 with seven game-winning drives.
Nix completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2025.
He averaged over 10 yards per pass completion for two years in a row.
Since 2024, Nix has the most touchdowns with throws over 20 yards in the NFL (19).
Sean Payton responded to criticism by saying it’s easy to see who works hard.
Nix helped the Broncos reach the AFC Championship, despite an ankle injury during a playoff game.
The Broncos will play their first regular-season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 14.
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The Green Bay Packers signed tight end Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract to add more players at that position for the 2026 NFL season. Smith has played for five other NFL teams over ten years and has scored 30 touchdowns in his career.
Key Facts
Jonnu Smith is joining the Green Bay Packers on a one-year deal.
He has played for five NFL teams before: Steelers, Dolphins, Falcons, Patriots, and Titans.
Smith caught 38 passes for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns last season with the Steelers.
The previous season, Smith made the Pro Bowl after 88 catches, 884 yards, and 8 touchdowns with the Dolphins.
Smith has scored a total of 30 touchdowns over nine NFL seasons.
The Packers need tight end depth because two key players are recovering from injuries.
Tucker Kraft had ACL surgery but should be ready by the season opener on September 13.
Luke Musgrave has a neck injury and missed training camp; he is still on the physically unable to perform list.
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Will Anderson Jr. had his best NFL season in 2025, ranking second for Defensive Player of the Year with 12 sacks and other key stats. He and Myles Garrett, who won the award and set a record for sacks, recently worked out together and talked about their roles as top defensive players.
Key Facts
Will Anderson Jr. recorded 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, and 3 forced fumbles in 2025.
Anderson finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Myles Garrett.
Myles Garrett won all 50 first-place votes for the 2025 award.
Garrett set the all-time NFL sack record with 23 sacks in 2025.
Garrett now plays for the Los Angeles Rams, while Anderson plays for the Houston Texans.
Both players recently participated in an "Iron Sharpens Iron" workout and discussed their competition.
The Rams start their 2026 season against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10.
The Texans start their 2026 season against the Buffalo Bills on September 13.
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The Utah Jazz are expected to improve significantly by 2026, according to ESPN experts. They have the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and selected Darryn Peterson, a promising young player, and also acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., an experienced player, which could help their turnaround.
Key Facts
ESPN’s experts predict Utah Jazz as one of the teams most likely to surprise by 2026.
The Jazz tied with the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the "Surprise teams" voting.
Utah has the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and selected Darryn Peterson.
Darryn Peterson is a highly regarded young player who could change the team’s future.
The Jazz acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. in a trade during the 2025-26 season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is an established and proven NBA starter.
The Jazz finished near the bottom of the standings before this projected improvement.
Other teams predicted to be surprise teams include the Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers.
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The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to have a challenging 2026 season after the departure of LeBron James. ESPN experts voted the Lakers as the team most likely to decline, mainly because the high expectations may be hard to meet without their former star.
Key Facts
The Lakers lost LeBron James, a key player, before the 2026 season.
ESPN's expert panel gave the Lakers 32 points, making them the top team predicted to have a down year.
The Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics also appeared on the list but with fewer points.
The Lakers' expectations are high since they had two straight seasons with 50 or more wins.
The team is now centered around Luka Doncic, who is 27 years old and the new franchise star.
The pressure is on the Lakers to keep winning despite changes in their lineup.
The main concern is how the team will perform compared to past success, not that they are considered a bad team.
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The Detroit Pistons had their best NBA season in 20 years, winning 60 games but losing in the second playoff round. Experts expect the team to face challenges this season, as they try to match or improve on last year’s success with rising star Cade Cunningham leading the way.
Key Facts
The Pistons won 60 games last season, their best record in two decades.
They lost in Game 7 of the second playoff round at home.
ESPN experts ranked Detroit as the second most likely NBA team to struggle this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers ranked first, followed by the Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics.
Cade Cunningham, a young and promising player, is expected to enter his prime this season.
The Pistons are under pressure to show last season was only the start of continued success.
Winning 60 games has raised expectations for the team’s future performance.
The team aims to build on last year’s progress and compete strongly in the coming season.
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The Golden State Warriors may face a challenging 2026 NBA season, according to ESPN's latest predictions. The team received points suggesting it is likely to struggle, partly because it made few changes during the offseason.
Key Facts
ESPN gave the Warriors 26 points in a vote about teams likely to have a disappointing season, placing them third behind the Lakers and Pistons.
The Warriors had a quiet offseason, meaning they did not add many new players or make big changes.
Stephen Curry, a key player from the Warriors’ championship teams, remains on the roster.
The team’s past success raises expectations from fans.
If the Warriors start the season poorly, their lack of offseason moves may become a bigger concern.
A strong start to the season could reduce worries about their offseason activity.
The highest-risk team for struggle according to ESPN is the Los Angeles Lakers with 32 points.
The Warriors are not viewed as a bad team, but as one with high expectations to meet.
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Good Good Golf, a popular golf YouTube channel, apologized for an ad that showed a man pushing a woman and telling her not to touch his golf club. The ad caused public upset for appearing to make light of violence against women, and the company removed it and issued apologies. Some sponsors and retailers have cut ties with Good Good Golf because of the controversy.
Key Facts
The ad featured Good Good Golf co-founder Garrett Clark shoving Alexis Miestowski and telling her, “Do not touch my new driver.”
The ad was made to promote a golf driver created with the Callaway brand.
People criticized the ad for seeming to condone violence against women.
Good Good Golf took down the ad and apologized publicly on social media.
Some sponsors, like Golf Channel, delayed shows, and retailers, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy, stopped selling Good Good merchandise.
Good Good Golf is the title sponsor of a PGA Tour event in Austin, Texas, and the PGA Tour is monitoring the situation.
Garrett Clark made a personal apology video and shared behind-the-scenes footage showing he did not actually hit Miestowski.
Good Good Golf’s CEO said the ad was a mistake and explained it was meant to spoof a horror movie.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson spoke out against media focus on last season as the team prepares for a new NFL year. He wants the attention to be on current players fighting for their spots and helping the team win this season.
Key Facts
Ben Johnson is entering his second year as head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Johnson criticized the media for focusing on last season instead of current players.
The Bears finished last season with an 11-6 record and won the NFC North Division.
Chicago won the Wild Card playoff game but lost in the NFC Championship.
Johnson faces pressure due to roster changes, injuries, and a tough upcoming schedule.
Injuries include wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) and safety Coby Bryant (knee surgery).
The Bears end preseason with a game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
The regular season opener is Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Carolina Panthers.
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