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Texas Tech has added quarterback Tommy Castellanos to replace Brendan Sorsby, who became ineligible due to a gambling addiction. Castellanos is an experienced player who previously started 32 college games and recently participated in an NFL rookie minicamp.
Key Facts
Brendan Sorsby was ruled ineligible after admitting to a gambling addiction and betting on his own team.
Texas Tech initially planned to use sophomore QB Will Hammond, who is recovering from a serious ACL injury.
Tommy Castellanos, a former Florida State quarterback, has committed to Texas Tech for the 2026 season.
Castellanos has started 32 college games and played for UCF, Boston College, and Florida State.
He threw for 6,449 yards and 48 touchdowns in college and rushed for 1,984 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Castellanos participated in the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp as a wide receiver but was not signed.
His request for a fifth year of college eligibility was initially denied by the NCAA, but he later committed to Texas Tech after dropping an appeal.
Some fans criticized Texas Tech for signing Castellanos because of his recent NFL participation.
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The NFL has stopped playing the Pro Bowl game, an all-star football game held almost every year since 1951. Instead of a game, 88 players will still be named Pro Bowlers and honored, with some flag football events held to celebrate them.
Key Facts
The Pro Bowl game has been held almost every year since 1951, with only a break in 2021 due to COVID-19.
NFL leaders announced the end of the competitive Pro Bowl game at an owners meeting in Atlanta.
The league will still name 88 players as Pro Bowlers and honor them in Los Angeles after the season.
Flag football events will replace the traditional tackle game during the Pro Bowl celebrations.
NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said the focus will shift from playing the game to recognizing players’ achievements.
Troy Vincent, the NFL’s football operations vice president, said players do not want to play a competitive game after the playoffs.
The Pro Bowl’s popularity has decreased in recent years, leading to changes like moving locations and switching to flag football in 2023.
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The NFL announced that players who leave the league to return to college football will be ineligible to play in the 2026 NFL season and would become free agents in 2027. Meanwhile, some college conferences like the SEC and Big Ten have banned former NFL players from playing college football, and the ACC and Big 12 are discussing similar rules.
Key Facts
The NFL confirmed players who return to college after being on NFL rosters will not be allowed to play in the 2026 NFL season.
Such players would become free agents for the 2027 NFL season instead of rejoining the league in 2026.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten conferences have banned players who have been on NFL rosters from playing college football.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big 12 are currently considering similar bans.
Two players, Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents, want to return to LSU to play college football.
NCAA allowed a recent rule change giving players starting college in 2023 five years to play five seasons, but it does not apply to players like Wright and Harris who started earlier.
Some players have sued the NCAA arguing they are unfairly excluded from the new rule and lose potential educational and financial opportunities.
Cal football general manager Ron Rivera supports conferences enforcing bans on players returning to college after going pro.
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LSU football coach Lane Kiffin signed former NFL players to college teams using a court order that granted them extra eligibility. Reports say Kiffin encouraged these players to sue the NCAA to return to school, causing controversy and fan criticism.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin is the head coach at LSU.
He signed former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris using a temporary court order (TRO).
The court order allowed some players a fifth year of college eligibility despite signing NFL contracts.
Kiffin said if he didn’t sign those players, other teams would.
A CBS Sports report said Kiffin helped encourage players to sue the NCAA for eligibility.
The lawsuit was filed in Louisiana on purpose, linked to Kiffin and LSU.
Fans reacted negatively on social media to Kiffin’s alleged actions.
It is unclear if Kiffin will face any NCAA punishment or if proof exists against him.
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Kylian Mbappe scored three goals to help Real Madrid win 4-1 against Real Sociedad in a La Liga match. This was the first home game for coach Jose Mourinho since returning to the club, and the team won their second game in a row.
Key Facts
Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 in La Liga.
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick (three goals).
Vinicius Junior also scored a goal.
Jude Bellingham made two assists (passes leading to goals).
Jose Mourinho was coaching Real Madrid in his first home game since returning.
The match was played at Real Madrid’s stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Sociedad scored one goal before halftime.
Vinicius recently signed a new contract with Real Madrid until 2032.
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The SEC has created strict punishments for schools that break a new rule barring players who signed NFL contracts from playing in the conference. Coaches who break the rule can be suspended for half the season, fined a large amount, and lose voting rights in the SEC.
Key Facts
The SEC rule stops any player who signed an NFL contract from playing college football in the conference.
A judge in Louisiana granted a temporary order allowing some players to keep playing in college after spending time on an NFL roster.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin disagreed with the SEC’s new rule and said it ignores court orders.
If a school breaks the rule, the head coach faces a 50% season suspension and cannot coach, recruit, or do administrative work during that time.
The school can be fined 50% of that sport’s yearly budget.
The coach’s SEC voting rights on business issues will be taken away.
The SEC commissioner and other leaders can add more punishments if needed.
The SEC believes that targeting coaches and programs rather than players will help the rule hold up against legal challenges.
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Texas Christian University (TCU) has banned the Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper from covering its athletic teams after the paper reported on a violent fight in the football team’s locker room. The incident led to the dismissal of senior safety Jacob Fields, and TCU says the newspaper’s story included wrong information that caused threats against a player.
Key Facts
TCU revoked the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s media credentials following their report on an August 13 locker room assault.
The assault led to Jacob Fields being removed from the football team on August 18.
The Star-Telegram identified the involved junior wide receiver, Dozie Ezukanma, three days after the initial report when he revealed himself in a deleted Instagram video.
TCU claims the newspaper’s coverage endangered a student-athlete and caused threats against him and his family.
The university denies the newspaper’s version of events and says coaches did try to calm tensions.
TCU’s head coach Sonny Dykes and athletic spokesman declined to comment publicly on the incident.
The newspaper can regain credentials after further discussions with the university’s athletic department.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said a source close to Fields reported that Fields felt threatened by teammates before the fight.
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The third round of the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) draw has been announced, with some Premier League teams entering the competition. Matches will take place during the weeks starting September 7 and September 14 to avoid clashes with European games. Notable games include Liverpool vs Tottenham and Manchester United vs Brighton.
Key Facts
The Carabao Cup third round includes nine Premier League teams playing in Europe, who enter the competition at this stage.
These teams are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Sunderland.
Matches will be played during the weeks beginning September 7 and September 14 to avoid conflicts with Champions League and Europa League games.
Liverpool will play Tottenham, and Manchester United will face Brighton in this round.
Manchester City, the current champions, will host Norwich City.
Fleetwood Town from the fourth tier will play Sheffield United.
Two fixtures are yet to be confirmed depending on the results of Chelsea vs Luton and Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon matches.
The full list of matchups includes several games between Premier League and lower-division teams.
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LIV Golf is laying off employees and reducing its size because it is losing financial support from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The league is working to restructure with a new lead investor and hopes to continue as LIV 2.0 next year.
Key Facts
LIV Golf will end many employees’ jobs in early September as it downscales after Saudi funding stops.
The league finished its fifth season early, without some planned events.
LIV Golf was funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund until recently.
CEO Scott O’Neil has a deal in progress with a new lead investor, possibly BC Partners.
Some laid-off employees might be rehired depending on the new league’s setup.
The future of star players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau is still uncertain.
LIV Golf faces lawsuits over unpaid vendor bills.
Bankruptcy is a possible option in the upcoming restructuring process.
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Penei Sewell, a 25-year-old offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, is considered one of the best players in the NFL. He has been selected to multiple Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams and is now moving from right tackle to left tackle on the offensive line.
Key Facts
Penei Sewell plays offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions.
He was ranked No. 9 among NFL players by Fox Sports, despite offensive linemen not being part of their position rankings.
Sewell is 25 years old and in his fifth NFL season.
He has been chosen for four Pro Bowls and three straight first-team All-Pro selections.
He is switching from right tackle to left tackle this season.
The move to left tackle is seen as a big challenge but could improve his standing even more.
Offensive linemen usually get less attention than skill position players like quarterbacks or receivers.
Sewell is highly respected and considered a key player for the Lions.
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Hearts beat Rapid Vienna on penalties to qualify for the league phase of the Conference League. This win came after a challenging start to the season and a series of losses in European tournaments.
Key Facts
Hearts lost the Scottish league title by finishing as runners-up last season.
Belgian coach Wouter Vrancken took over and improved the team's performance.
Hearts lost heavily to Sturm Graz and Benfica in earlier European qualifiers.
They faced Rapid Vienna in the Conference League playoff and won on penalties after a drawn match.
The match included a red card for Hearts and several close moments before the shootout.
Goalkeeper Beau Reus made crucial saves in the penalty shootout.
The win means Hearts will play six league phase games in the Conference League.
Vrancken praised the team’s progress and spirit despite a poor first half in the decisive game.
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New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo got into a scuffle with his teammates during training camp practice. The team’s head coach, John Harbaugh, said Skattebo’s energy can be both positive and negative.
Key Facts
Cam Skattebo is a running back for the New York Giants football team.
During an 11-on-11 practice, Skattebo slid after catching the ball and nearly collided with multiple defensive players.
Defensive backs Greg Newsome and Jevon Holland were upset, and Skattebo and Newsome had a conflict.
Earlier in practice, Skattebo ran over linebacker Zaire Barnes when the defense wasn't playing aggressively.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh called Skattebo’s energy “infectious” and acknowledged it can have good and bad effects.
Skattebo is coming back for his second NFL season after recovering from a serious leg injury he had in his first year.
In his rookie season before injury, Skattebo had 410 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 207 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
The Giants will start their regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on September 13.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, has been named the No. 6 best player in the NFL by Fox Sports as he prepares for the 2026 season. In 2025, he set team records for catches and yards, won Offensive Player of the Year, and is expected to play an even bigger role in the Seahawks' offense.
Key Facts
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is 24 years old and plays wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks.
Fox Sports ranked him as the 6th best player in the NFL.
In 2025, he caught 119 passes and gained 1,793 receiving yards, both Seahawks records.
He won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award for his performance in 2025.
Smith-Njigba signed a lucrative contract extension with the Seahawks.
He accounted for 44% of all Seattle's receiving yards in 2025, the highest share by any player in the league.
He led the team in receiving yards in 16 out of 17 games, setting an NFL regular season record.
With key players and coaching staff changes, Smith-Njigba is expected to take on an even larger role in the offense.
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Micah Parsons, a top player for the Green Bay Packers, is ranked 10th best in the NFL by Fox Sports analysts. He will miss the start of the season due to an ACL injury but is known for his strong defensive skills and consistent performance.
Key Facts
Fox Sports named Micah Parsons the 10th best player in the NFL for the upcoming season.
Parsons plays for the Green Bay Packers and is a key defender.
He is expected to miss the first few games of the season recovering from an ACL tear.
Last season, despite injuries, Parsons had 12.5 sacks and 81 pressures on opposing players.
He has recorded at least 12 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons.
Parsons earned Pro Bowl honors last season for his outstanding play.
His presence on the field changes how opposing offenses play and pressures them before the snap.
The Packers rely on Parsons as a major part of their defense and hope his return boosts their chances for a Super Bowl.
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Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback, had a very strong 2025 NFL season, throwing for 4,707 yards and 47 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. He is ranked the No. 5 best player in the NFL going into the 2026 season and is expected to continue performing at a high level as he turns 38 years old.
Key Facts
Matthew Stafford had a strong 2025 season despite starting with a back injury.
He threw for career highs: 4,707 yards and 47 touchdown passes.
Stafford only threw eight interceptions during the season.
Fox Sports ranked him as the NFL's No. 5 best player heading into 2026.
Stafford is now 38 years old and continues to play at an elite level.
He plays for the Los Angeles Rams and benefits from their strong team and coach Sean McVay’s system.
Stafford has a strong arm and precise throwing mechanics.
There is potential for Stafford to compete for back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards if he stays healthy.
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NFL team owners unanimously agreed to sell the Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family, led by Vinod Khosla, for about $9.6 billion. The Khosla family must give up their minority ownership of the San Francisco 49ers as part of the deal, and the sale marks the purchase of a team fresh off its second Super Bowl win.
Key Facts
NFL owners approved the sale of the Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family on August 26, 2026.
The sale price is $9.612 billion.
The Seahawks had recently won their second Super Bowl championship.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated the Khosla family, noting the team's recent success.
The sale follows the wishes of the late owner Paul Allen.
The Khosla family has a 3.1% ownership share in the San Francisco 49ers, which they must give up.
Vinod Khosla and his family expressed thanks to the Allen Trust and Seattle fans known as the “12s.”
The Khosla family has experience in NFL team ownership, which was seen positively by other NFL owners.
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The NFL and NFL Players Association will launch a Behavioral Health Network on September 1 to provide easy and private access to mental health support for current and former players and their families. This network offers outpatient care with no fees and unlimited visits, aiming to help players find trusted mental health providers quickly.
Key Facts
The Behavioral Health Network starts on September 1.
It is part of the NFL Player Insurance Plan and expands mental health access.
The network will serve current and former NFL players and eligible family members.
Cigna Healthcare will manage the network nationwide, including all NFL cities.
Players get help finding providers, booking appointments, and understanding benefits.
Mental health outpatient services within the network will have no cost or coinsurance fees.
There is no limit on how many visits players can have.
The goal is to remove barriers and make getting mental health care easier.
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Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire said he might add players who were signed and then cut by NFL teams but still have college eligibility. This comes as some college conferences are considering or enacting rules to ban players who signed NFL contracts from playing college football.
Key Facts
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire is open to signing players cut by NFL teams who still have college eligibility.
This situation follows a recent controversy involving Texas Tech player Brendan Sorsby and NCAA investigations.
Some conferences like the Big Ten and SEC have passed rules banning players who signed NFL contracts from playing college football.
The Big 12, where Texas Tech plays, may consider similar rules.
McGuire said Texas Tech is monitoring the situation and discussing what players they can add.
The SEC announced strict penalties for teams and coaches who break their new rules.
There is uncertainty about how these new rules apply, especially to players who didn’t sign official NFL contracts but took part in minicamps.
Texas Tech aims to be careful while this new and unclear area develops.
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Scottie Scheffler is having a strong golf season and enters the final event, the Tour Championship, with high earnings and a $23 million FedEx Cup bonus. The Tour Championship features the top 30 players competing for a $10 million first prize and is the most valuable tournament on the PGA Tour.
Key Facts
Scottie Scheffler won a $23 million bonus as the top player in the FedEx Cup.
Scheffler’s total PGA Tour earnings have exceeded $20 million for four years in a row.
Scheffler often practices and competes at home courses in Dallas, where he frequently beats fellow players Si Woo Kim and Gary Woodland.
Gary Woodland works with the same coach who trained Scheffler since childhood.
The Tour Championship is held at East Lake and has a $40 million total prize fund.
The winner of the Tour Championship earns $10 million in official prize money.
PGA Tour plans to change the Tour Championship format in two years to a two-week event with match play on two courses.
Scheffler is competing against players like Wyndham Clark and Patrick Cantlay for the PGA Tour player of the year award.
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The New York Jets are reportedly interested in hiring Mike Tomlin, the former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, for their team next season. Tomlin, who is currently working in media, would likely receive a top salary and have significant control over football decisions if he joins the Jets.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin coached the Pittsburgh Steelers for 19 seasons without a losing record.
The New York Jets have not had a winning football season since 2015.
Jets owner Woody Johnson is reportedly asking questions about Tomlin and considering hiring him.
Tomlin currently works at NBC in New York but might return to coaching.
The Jets finished 3-14 in the 2023 season under coach Aaron Glenn.
Some executives say coach Aaron Glenn may not keep his job beyond 2025.
The Jets could target Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, especially if Tomlin becomes coach.
Tomlin prefers working with veteran quarterbacks and would likely want control over player decisions.
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