Football News

FOXBORO — The sting of Sunday’s 29-13 Super Bowl LX defeat to the Seahawks still lingered inside Gillette Stadium on Tuesday, but Drake Maye left no doubt that the page will turn quickly. Speaking after the Patriots’ final exit meetings, the second-year quarterback delivered a direct message to New England’s fan base. “Appreciate the fans and support,” Maye said. “I know I didn’t play as well as I would have liked down the stretch, and promise to do my best to work hard and get us back to those moments in those games.” The vow came unprompted following a postseason in which Maye’s production dipped sharply from his MVP-caliber regular season. After completing a league-best 72 percent of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions during the year, the 23-year-old saw his playoff numbers slide to 58.3 percent passing, 822 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He also fumbled seven times in four postseason games after putting the ball on the ground eight times in 17 regular-season contests. Maye’s right shoulder, jarred on a hit by Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga in the AFC Championship Game, required a pain-killing injection before the Super Bowl. He said no procedure is necessary, only rest. “Time’s the best healer,” Maye noted. “Nothing that needs anything to be done.” Despite the physical setback, Maye refused to lean on it as an excuse. “You can’t blame things on injuries,” he said. “Things happen like this all the time in the league. I was blessed this year.” Looking ahead, Maye expressed excitement about a second season in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system, something he has yet to experience in the NFL. “Lord-willing and knock on wood, the same offense for the second year,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for us.” Players will scatter after Tuesday’s meetings, but Maye already has the calendar circled: “Ten weeks until we’re back here.” In the interim, he plans to rest his shoulder and savor the first offseason as a married man. “I’ve got a beautiful wife,” he said. “That’s going to be the highlight of my offseason.” When the Patriots reconvene for voluntary workouts in April, Maye will again be under center, carrying both the memory of February’s disappointment and the promise he made to a loyal fan base hungry for another championship run.

Berlin—When Koulie wheeled away in celebration after netting his first Bundesliga goal this weekend, the stadium expected a routine cheer. Instead, the 23-year-old striker raised both hands and silently formed the number seven with his fingers, a gesture that froze the crowd into respectful applause. Within seconds, television replays revealed the intent: seven Greek football fans who perished in a head-on collision in Romania last week were being honored on German soil. The victims, all devoted followers of PAOK Thessaloniki, had set off from Greece on a road trip bound for France, eager to watch their club face Olympique Lyon in the UEFA Europa League. A fatal crash with a truck cut the journey short, plunging European football into mourning and prompting tributes from Athens to Lyon. Koulie, who had never previously scored in Germany’s top flight, told club media he felt compelled to speak through football. “I didn’t plan the celebration,” he said. “When the ball hit the net, I thought of those seven lives and their families. Seven fingers felt like the only right answer.” Bundesliga officials, Olympique Lyon, and PAOK all issued statements thanking the player for his “simple but powerful” commemoration. Social channels lit up with messages from supporters across borders, many posting the same raised-hand seven alongside the hashtag “PAOK7.” The goal itself sealed a vital point for Koulie’s side, yet post-match interviews centered on solidarity rather than league tables. “Football is a small world,” Koulie noted. “When pain crosses borders, our game must show it understands.” As stadiums observe a moment of silence across forthcoming European fixtures, Koulie’s first Bundesliga strike will be remembered less for its impact on standings and more for the humanity it displayed.

Sarasota Christian School’s surge to a district championship has earned junior forward Noah Spenn the Sarasota Athlete of the Week honor. The versatile forward provided the spark that carried the Blazers to the title, cementing his reputation as one of the area’s most impactful performers. Spenn’s contributions on both ends of the floor proved decisive throughout the district tournament, culminating in a title-clinching victory that secures the program’s place atop the local standings. His performance underscores a season of steady progress for Sarasota Christian boys basketball and positions the team for an extended postseason run.

Barcelona—At an age when most teenagers are still mapping out their futures, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal is already living a double life: prodigious winger by profession, determinedly ordinary teenager by choice. In his first extended remarks about life away from the Camp Nou, the forward—already a cornerstone of Hansi Flick’s rebuild—explained why he guards his off-pitch hours so fiercely. “I do what all kids my age do: I hang out with my friends, take care of my brother, play PlayStation, go for a walk… things like that,” Yamal told ESPN. The simplicity is deliberate. Surrounded by headlines and highlight reels, he filters the noise by clinging to routines that could belong to any high-school senior. The approach is working. Despite logging 15 goals and 12 assists this season, Yamal insists football can’t consume every waking minute. “I try to make the most of my day and, when I’m on the pitch, give it my all. But once I step off, I do the same—disconnecting from football as much as possible.” That clarity of purpose has become a quiet weapon. While opponents study video of his feints and finishes, Yamal recharges through mundane rituals, returning to training with the freshness of someone who never lost touch with normal life. In a sport where burnout can stalk even seasoned veterans, the teenager’s ability to compartmentalize may prove as valuable as his left foot. For Barcelona, the payoff is immediate: a star-in-the-making who treats stardom as an afterthought, and a dressing-room presence mature enough to lead by detachment. For Yamal, the equation is simpler still: keep scoring, keep smiling, and when the final whistle blows, remember he’s still only 18.

LINCOLN — In a sense, Emmett Johnson did Nebraska's football staff a major favor. The Huskers will lean on a running-back-by-committee approach as they sort through their options in the backfield. Johnson’s emergence has given the staff flexibility and alleviated the pressure to lean on a single workhorse, allowing offensive planners to deploy a rotation that emphasizes fresh legs and varied skill sets. While the program has yet to name a definitive starter, coaches appear comfortable letting competition play out through fall camp and into the season. The committee strategy should enable Nebraska to mix power and speed packages, tailoring the ground game to specific opponents and in-game situations. Johnson’s contribution—though unspecified in scope—has clearly influenced the staff’s thinking, reinforcing the belief that collective production can outweigh the traditional feature-back model. How the carries ultimately get distributed remains fluid, but the emphasis on shared responsibility signals a deliberate shift in the Huskers’ offensive identity.

Brentford’s new performance director is no stranger to making history. Seven years after guiding Fiji to its first Olympic medal—a rugby sevens gold in Rio—Ben Ryan has returned to the west-London suburb where he grew up, tasked with squeezing every last drop of potential out of the Premier League club he has supported since childhood. Ryan’s boyhood home on Field Lane sat less than a mile from Griffin Park. On Saturdays he would hear the roar drifting down the railway line at the bottom of the garden, yet a professional life that began at 17 and morphed into a globetrotting coaching career rarely allowed him to attend. When he could, he savoured the ritual: “No phone coverage, the toilets were s**t, but I’d get my Bovril at half-time and everything just disappeared.” Those escapist afternoons are now office hours. Appointed in June 2022, Ryan oversees medical, welfare, logistics, performance, nutrition and kit departments that feed into him, while he himself reports to director of football Phil Giles alongside head coach Thomas Frank. His brief: improve culture and performance without tearing up a model that took Brentford from the Championship to a stable top-flight existence. It is a delicate assignment, far removed from the blank canvas he faced in Fiji, where he arrived with “a whistle and nothing else”. There, he introduced nutrition standards after watching a player balance ten chocolate croissants topped with fried eggs; within months the squad bought in, energy levels spiked and the island nation stood atop an Olympic podium. At Brentford, the margins are slimmer and the egos more entrenched. “When something already works, you’re rightly asked, ‘Why change it?’” Ryan says. “You need evidence.” He spent his first months compiling what he calls a “personal MOT”, quietly observing, questioning and mapping gaps. Some fixes were immediate: grounds staff were overhauled so that both stadium and training pitches now allow repetitive set-piece work; an operations department was restructured; a player-care unit was created. Others—tweaks to training load, injury-prevention protocols, even the fabric of the away kit—are phased in over seasons. Last year the club discovered its blue away shirt absorbed so much sweat that players carried an extra 500 g; Umbro was swiftly enlisted for a redesign. Ryan, a Loughborough and Cambridge graduate who steered England’s sevens to a World Cup final before consulting for Olympic athletes and Fortune 500 companies, applies the Pareto principle: 80 per cent of success derives from 20 per cent of actions. Identifying those “trampolines” is the easy part; persuading departments to jump is where diplomacy is earned. Tattooed on his wrist is the Fijian phrase “Vei Lomani”—love one another and work together. “Trust takes time,” he says. “No matter how good people think you are, you still need to evidence that change is in their best interests.” The measured approach mirrors the club’s wider philosophy. Ryan praises owner Mathew Benham and the board for rational, sustainable decision-making that resists the knee-jerk churn common elsewhere. “We’re just doing sensible things every day,” he notes. “That shouldn’t be underestimated in elite sport.” Despite operating on a fraction of the budgets enjoyed by Manchester City, Liverpool or Manchester United, Ryan believes Brentford can become the league’s best-run club. “Cash isn’t always a limiting factor; it’s good joined-up thinking,” he insists. “Nothing is impossible.” Whether fine-tuning a training schedule, re-seeding a pitch or simply asking a player at half-time if he has considered a marginal gain, Ryan is guided by one mantra: performance is about people. And if the smiles on the faces of 1,000 Fijian fans requesting photographs are any barometer, those people tend to end up believing in Ben Ryan. SEO keywords:

Wigan Athletic arrive at the Select Car Leaking Stadium on Tuesday night rudderless, winless in five and desperate for any result that will drag them out of the League One drop zone. The Latics sit 22nd, two points from safety, after a bruising 6-1 capitulation at Peterborough United on Saturday – a defeat that cost manager Ryan Lowe his job only eleven months into his reign. Interim duo Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow have been asked to steady the ship while chairman Talal Al Hammad scours the market for a permanent successor. It is a far cry from the modest optimism of last May, when a 15th-place finish, ten points clear of trouble, suggested the Greater Manchester club had finally found a platform in the third tier. Instead, 2025-26 has delivered only three league victories, the last of them a 2-1 success at Burton Albion on 28 December. Since then, four defeats and a single draw have nudged Wigan ever closer to the relegation trapdoor and intensified calls for fresh leadership. Reading, who completed a comfortable double over the Latics last term, will sense vulnerability. Goals from Jayden Wareham and Tyler Bindon sealed a 2-1 Berkshire win in March after earlier domination at the SCL Stadium, and the Royals have every reason to target another statement victory against opponents who have conceded 13 times in their last three away fixtures. Selection problems compound Wigan’s plight. Club captain Jason Kerr (knee) and full-back James Carragher (hamstring) are expected to miss out, leaving a patched-up back four likely to feature new recruit Jack Hunt. The 33-year-old right-back signed on a free from Stockport County last month and is poised for a second start alongside Aimson, Fox and Sessefon. Between the posts, England U-20 international Sam Tickle continues to impress despite the chaos in front of him. January business brought three further reinforcements, all on loan: midfielder Owen Moxon (Stockport), former Royal Caylan Vickers (Brighton) and Huddersfield striker Joe Taylor. All three are in contention to start, with Taylor’s physical presence offering an alternative to the mobile but misfiring front line that has mustered only 29 goals in 28 league outings. Creativity and goals have largely fallen to midfielders Fraser Murray and Callum Wright. Murray, signed from Kilmarnock last summer, tops the club chart with five goals and has featured in every league fixture. The 26-year-old Scot is comfortable centrally or off the flank, and his set-piece delivery will test a Reading defence that has struggled at restarts. Wright, on loan from Plymouth Argyle, has matched Murray’s tally from a more advanced role, thriving as a No. 10 where his aerial ability adds a different dimension to Wigan’s build-up. Yet for all their individual promise, the pair have been unable to arrest a sequence that has seen the Latics claim only four points from a possible 21 since Boxing Day. The interim coaches have preached defensive solidity after the weekend humiliation at London Road, but with confidence brittle and the managerial situation unresolved, Tuesday’s assignment looks treacherous. Kick-off is 19:45 GMT, and while Wigan’s travelling support clings to hope that a new-manager bounce might yet materialise, the statistics are stark: no wins in eight on the road, 22 goals conceded in that span, and a goal difference of minus 19 that is the second-worst in the division. Reading know victory would extend their cushion inside the top half and deepen the visitors’ relegation fears. For Whelan and Barrow, the immediate remit is simpler: stop the bleeding, restore belief, and somehow find a way to claw back those two precious points that separate their side from safety. Wigan Athletic, managerless and marooned near the bottom, have never needed a result more.

Seoul—South Korea’s national women’s football team has stepped back from a boycott of the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup after a dispute over what players described as “discriminatory conditions” was settled, the Korea Football Association confirmed Tuesday. The disagreement, which had threatened the squad’s participation only weeks before the tournament’s opening match, was resolved following last-minute negotiations between squad representatives and federation officials. Details of the accord were not disclosed, but the KFA statement said the matter “has been resolved,” clearing the way for the team to prepare for the continental championship. The swift resolution ends speculation that the 2022 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup might lose one of East Asia’s top sides just days before teams begin arriving for group-stage fixtures. The tournament is scheduled to kick off next month. South Korea, which booked its place in the competition through qualifying rounds last year, is now expected to travel as planned and contest a group that includes regional heavyweights. The development preserves the integrity of a 12-nation field already reshaped by pandemic-related withdrawals and venue changes. KFA officials did not elaborate on the specific grievances raised by players, nor did they outline any structural changes agreed upon to address the squad’s concerns. The federation reiterated its commitment to “supporting the women’s program” and thanked supporters for their patience during the brief impasse. With the boycott threat lifted, attention turns to final preparations for a squad aiming to improve on previous Asian Cup performances and secure one of the continent’s berths in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Santa Clara, Calif. — From the instant the lights came up inside Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show declared its mission: make the world dance on Latin music’s terms. Opening with the reggaetón blast of Tití Me Preguntó, the Puerto Rican superstar skipped the customary English-language crossover segue and instead trusted the groove to do the translating. By the time Yo Perreo Sola dropped, the crowd had pivoted from spectators to full participants, hips swiveling in unison across every section. The 12-minute set never rushed. Safaera and Party kept the promise Bad Bunny articulated last Thursday — “people only have to worry about dancing” — while BAILE INoLVIDABLE and NUEVAYoL arrived with breathing room, allowing each dembow pulse to settle into the stadium’s bones. Lady Gaga, appearing in bright blue, supplied the first surprise, folding a salsa-kissed Die with a Smile into the medley. The duet, coming weeks after the pair’s Grammy Awards rapport, radiated mutual admiration rather than stunt-casting. Ricky Martin’s entrance alongside LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii underscored continuity, reminding viewers that tonight’s headliner stands on the shoulders of prior Latin crossover moments. Visually, the stage recreated La Casita, the vibrant house featured on Bad Bunny’s Grammy-winning album Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Around it: a bodega storefront, a wedding vignette, and — in a detail that quieted even the press-box chatter — a child asleep on a couch while adults danced nearby. For millions of viewers raised on family parties that never end before sunrise, the image landed as both memory and manifesto. The closing sequence crystallized the show’s emotional arc. CAFé CON RON bled into DtMF as more than 100 international flags flooded the field; Haiti’s banner among them drew audible cheers from sections of the Bay Area’s Caribbean diaspora. A football emblazoned with “Together we are America” and a jumbotron reading “The only thing stronger than hate is love” punctuated the finale without slipping into sloganeering. By refusing to dilute his Spanish-language catalog, Bad Bunny turned skepticism — widespread when the NFL announced him last September — into affirmation. The performance did not merely entertain; it recognized communities historically sidelined on this stage, offering pride in place of translation and unity in place of compromise. Bad Bunny, fresh off becoming the first Spanish-language artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, exited the field to a global chorus already asking the only question that matters: when can we dance together again?

Charlotte, N.C. – While fists flew and tempers flared at Spectrum Center on Monday night, Duncan Robinson kept his composure—and his distance. The Detroit swingman watched two separate third-quarter altercations erupt around him, yet never left the periphery of the chaos, choosing instead to walk away from the scrum with the weary expression of a disappointed parent. The trouble began midway through the period when Hornets center Moussa Diabate and Pistons big man Jalen Duren became entangled under the basket. Duren’s open palm to Diabate’s face ignited the confrontation, prompting Diabate to lunge repeatedly at his counterpart before teammates intervened. Moments later, Charlotte forward Miles Bridges escalated the hostilities by throwing a punch at Duren, triggering an even larger melee. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart sprinted from the bench area to defend Duren, locking Bridges in a headlock and uncorking a punch of his own in a scene more reminiscent of the UFC than the NBA. Robinson, stationed on the floor throughout, never advanced toward the fray, instead retreating toward mid-court as officials worked to restore order. Diabate, Bridges, Duren, and Stewart were all ejected, and league suspensions are expected for each player involved. The ejections left the Pistons without their top two centers, yet Detroit still managed to close out a 110-104 victory. Robinson’s restraint did not equate to passivity. The veteran sharpshooter delivered an efficient offensive performance, pouring in 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting to help seal the win. On a night when teammates exchanged blows, Robinson let his jumper do the talking, underscoring the value of poise amid pandemonium.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has yet to experience the thrill of a Super Bowl victory, but he was quick to salute a familiar face who now owns the sport’s ultimate prize. Reed’s former Michigan State teammate, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, authored a signature performance in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, earning Most Valuable Player honors and hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Walker punctuated the Seahawks’ championship celebration with an Instagram post that captured the confetti-filled moments in Santa Clara. The caption—simply “Walker”—was enough to draw thousands of reactions, including one from Reed: “Yesuhhh” followed by a string of fire emojis. The two shared a prolific 2021 season in East Lansing before embarking on separate NFL paths. Walker entered the 2022 draft and was selected in the second round by Seattle; Reed followed a year later, also as a second-round pick, landing with the Packers. On Sunday, Walker justified his draft pedigree by grinding out 135 rushing yards on 27 carries against Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt and controlling the tempo throughout the Seahawks’ title-clinching win. Reed, 25, now sets his sights on matching Walker’s ascent. Surrounded by a Green Bay roster stocked with talent on both sides of the ball, the second-year receiver believes the Packers possess the pieces necessary to contend for their own championship. Still, Reed understands the road from promise to parade is steep, and he will use Walker’s breakthrough as both motivation and a measuring stick for what lies ahead.

CLEVELAND (AP) — After nine seasons in Cleveland, tight end David Njoku appears ready to turn the page. The veteran, who has spent his entire NFL career with the Browns, signaled his intention to seek a fresh start elsewhere, according to a league source. Njoku’s potential departure would close a chapter that began when he first suited up for the franchise nearly a decade ago.

LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders have formally appointed Klint Kubiak as their head coach, the team announced, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the vacancy. In a brief statement released Thursday, the Raiders confirmed that Kubiak will assume leadership of the franchise, marking the culmination of a search that had drawn interest from multiple candidates across the league. Kubiak, who has spent the past several seasons building a reputation as an offensive strategist, now inherits a roster eager to return to postseason relevance. The move is expected to bring stability to an organization that has cycled through multiple head coaches in recent years. Team officials did not immediately disclose contract terms or outline specific expectations for the upcoming season, but the announcement signals a new era for the Silver and Black as they prepare for the 2024 campaign.

Santa Clara, CA — The San Francisco 49ers have no intention of parting with quarterback Mac Jones this offseason, choosing instead to retain him as Brock Purdy’s primary backup heading into the 2026 campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the team’s thinking. Persistent chatter linking Jones to quarterback-needy franchises has circulated since the end of the 2025 season, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports that San Francisco is “not looking to part with” the 27-year-old signal-caller. That stance echoes comments head coach Kyle Shanahan made after the team’s playoff exit, when he emphasized the value of stability behind center. “I’d be very surprised if Mac wasn’t around us next year,” Shanahan said. “As with any player on our team, including myself and John [Lynch], you always listen to people with trade offers, but we’re also not into getting rid of good players.” Jones signed a two-year contract with the 49ers in the spring of 2025, a move initially viewed as a low-risk flier that evolved into one of the organization’s most pivotal decisions. When Purdy missed six games with a turf-toe injury, Jones stepped in and guided the injury-riddled roster to a 5-3 record in eight starts. He averaged 269 passing yards per contest, tossed 13 touchdowns against six interceptions, and posted a 62.9 QBR that ranked in the league’s top half during his stretch under center. General manager John Lynch praised Jones for both his on-field production and locker-room presence. “Mac made this place better,” Lynch said. “He picked us up in a huge way. He’s got an infectious attitude that affected everybody on our team, especially that quarterback room. We’re a better football team with Mac Jones on our roster.” The 49ers’ confidence in Jones is rooted in recent history. Purdy has missed time due to injury in three of his four seasons as the starter, and the franchise previously endured seasons derailed by inadequate depth at the position. Executives inside the building view a reliable No. 2 quarterback as essential rather than optional. Still, the external market continues to monitor Jones’s availability. The Vikings, Falcons, and Cardinals—all searching for long-term answers under center—have been tied to Jones in speculative reports. Russini noted that while San Francisco isn’t shopping him, “things and offers can change,” leaving the door ajar for a blockbuster proposal. One hypothetical contingency, floated by CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan, involves a reunion between Shanahan and veteran Kirk Cousins. Cousins, currently with Atlanta, is expected to be attainable after the Falcons turned to Michael Penix Jr. late in 2025. Shanahan has long admired Cousins dating back to their Washington days, yet sources stress that scenario remains purely speculative and has not been discussed internally in any substantive way. For the moment, the 49ers are comfortable with their depth chart. Jones has rebuilt his confidence in Shanahan’s system, showcased improved decision-making, and demonstrated he can pilot a playoff-caliber roster when called upon. Unless a rival club presents an overwhelming offer, all indications point to Jones remaining in red and gold when the team opens training camp this summer.

Alcalá de Henares, Wednesday night: floodlights cut through the winter air and a few hundred loyal rojiblancos finally had something to cheer as Atlético de Madrid Femenino dismantled Athletic Club 4-1 to reach the Copa de la Reina semi-finals. The victory ended a 76-day winless drought that had pushed the club into its worst rut in recent memory and left their entire campaign hanging by a thread. Since a November victory over Twente in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Atleti had collected just four points from seven Liga F fixtures (three defeats, four draws) and scraped into the UWCL knockout rounds on the back of a draw and a loss. Their lone respite before this week was a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out against bottom side Alhama in the Copa last 16. When city rivals Real Madrid eliminated them from the Supercopa 3-1, the board dismissed coach Víctor Martín and turned to José Herrera, formerly of Liga F and Arabian football, through to the end of the season. Spanish football lore promises “a new coach, a sure win,” yet Herrera’s debut brought only a 1-1 draw at Granada. Four days later the cup triumph over Athletic provided breathing space, and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Levante—decided by Silvia Lloris’ seventh-minute header—confirmed that the rot has, for now, stopped. The uptick is less about fresh faces than a reshaped spine. Herrera has tightened a defence now marshalled by Lloris, Lauren Leal and Carmen Menayo, allowing full-backs Andrea Medina and Alexia Fernández to push higher. In midfield, Julia Bartel, Boe Risa and Fiamma Benítez knit possession for strikers Amaiur Sarriegi and Synne Jensen. Luany, once a livewire starter, has been relegated to cameo duty, while the returning Gio Garbelini—absent for months—must still prove she can re-ignite a blunt attack. The mathematics ahead remain brutal. In the Champions League, Atleti must navigate past Manchester United, Bayern Munich and likely Barcelona just to reach the final. Domestically, they trail third place by 11 points with 11 match-days left, needing to out-run Real Sociedad and Adeje Tenerife while also leap-frogging a Madrid side that has already bested them this term. Salvation, then, may reside solely in the Copa. A two-legged semi-final against Tenerife in mid-March offers a direct route to the final and the chance to cloak a forgettable season in silverware. Anything less, and the club will face a summer of uncomfortable questions about squad planning and long-term direction under prospective new ownership. For now, the rojiblancos have rediscovered how to win. Whether they can keep doing so when the margins are at their thinnest will decide if 2023-24 ends in redemption or regret.

Valdosta State Athletics has entered into a new partnership with Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, timed to coincide with the brand’s first Valdosta restaurant opening on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 9 a.m. The flagship location sits at 1198 N. Saint Augustine Road and will mark the beginning of a year-long collaboration between the fast-growing chain and the Blazers. The grand-opening event is free and open to the public. Attendees can expect appearances by Blaze, Valdosta State’s mascot, along with the Red Hots dance team and the VSU Cheer Team. A live DJ will provide music, and giveaways will run throughout the morning. In a highlight of the festivities, Raising Cane’s will award free meals for a year to 20 randomly selected guests. “We’re thrilled to welcome Raising Cane’s to Valdosta and even more excited to partner with a brand that values community, energy and excellence,” VSU Director of Athletics Troy Katen said. “Raising Cane’s has a reputation for supporting athletic departments within their communities and this partnership allows us to connect our student-athletes, fans, visiting teams and the Valdosta community with a business that truly embraces school spirit and local engagement.” Beyond the ribbon-cutting, the agreement calls for collaborative promotions and fan-engagement initiatives that will unfold across VSU’s 2026-27 sports calendar. Organizers say the goal is to deepen ties between campus athletics and local businesses while giving supporters fresh ways to celebrate Blazer sports. Raising Cane’s leadership echoed that sentiment. “We are incredibly excited to bring Raising Cane’s to Valdosta,” Restaurant Leader Keith Hernandez said. “Valdosta has a strong sense of community, and that’s exactly the kind of place we love to call home. We can’t wait to create jobs, support local causes, and give fans a new spot to enjoy great food and good times.” Fans are encouraged to arrive early Tuesday for the grand-opening celebration as Raising Cane’s officially plants its flag in South Georgia.

Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah has made it clear just how much he values the return of teammate Jamal Musiala, telling ESPN that sharing the pitch with the 22-year-old attacker is something he has sorely missed. Musiala, who is easing back into action after a six-month absence triggered by an injury sustained at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup, has already reminded supporters and squad-mates alike of his unique talent. “Jamal is that guy – he’s there for the special moments,” Tah explained in an interview with ESPN’s Archie Rhind-Tutt, as circulated by the @iMiaSanMia social channel. “He does stuff that nobody else can do, that nobody else can expect on the pitch. He’s such a special player.” Tah, who only briefly overlapped with Musiala at the Club World Cup and in recent sessions, says the squad affectionately refers to the Germany international as “our Bambi,” a nod to his graceful movement and youthful demeanor. “Personality-wise, I know he’s growing and he’s getting older, but it still feels like he’s our Bambi, as we always say,” Tah added. “I love seeing him back on the pitch, because it’s been a hard time for him.” Musiala’s re-emergence comes at a pivotal moment for Bayern, who now boast two elite options for the central playmaker role after the breakthrough of Lennart Karl. The competition for the No. 10 spot promises to push both players to new heights, yet Tah’s enthusiasm underscores the belief that Musiala’s flair and unpredictability remain unmatched. As Bayern continue their campaign, the sight of Musiala weaving through defenses figures to lift both the crowd and the dressing room, with Tah leading the chorus of approval.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will likely be without guard D.J. Wagner and forward Karter Knox when the No. 21 Razorbacks visit LSU on Tuesday night, according to the SEC’s initial availability report. Both players sat out Saturday’s 88-68 home victory over Mississippi State and are listed as doubtful for the 8 p.m. CT tip-off in Baton Rouge. Coach John Calipari said afterward that Knox is nursing a knee injury and Wagner is recovering from an ankle issue. Knox, who has started 18 of Arkansas’ 23 games, averages 8.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. Wagner, a former starter who has come off the bench in the last four contests, contributes 7.4 points and 2.5 assists per outing. Their absences would stretch a rotation that had already shrunk to eight scholarship players. Against Mississippi State, Calipari turned to freshman Isiah Sealy for 15 minutes; the Springdale native responded with six points and three blocks. Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile logged every minute, while Darius Acuff Jr. played 38. A win over the Tigers (14-9, 2-8 SEC) would give Arkansas (17-6, 7-3) its third straight road victory. After Tuesday, the Razorbacks return to Bud Walton Arena for a Feb. 14 rematch with Auburn, which defeated them by 22 in early January.

Manchester City’s winter raid on Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi was framed as future-proofing; three matches into his Etihad career, the England centre-back is playing like a veteran of Pep Guardiola’s methods. The 2-1 triumph at Anfield on Sunday offered the clearest evidence yet that the January signing has not merely settled—he has accelerated straight into the club’s cultural fast lane. Thrown into a back line flanked by Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias, Guehi completed 90 minutes of high-stakes defending that bordered on faultless. He repeatedly stepped ahead of Liverpool’s press, body-feinting into positions that turned potential danger into City counters. Only a tug on Mohamed Salah that earned a caution sullied an otherwise immaculate card. Yet even that moment underlined his game intelligence: the foul stopped a three-on-two break and drew no further punishment. Statisticians will note this was just his third appearance in City colours; the naked eye suggested a player who had spent years inside Guardiola’s video room. “When you’re trying to win games, especially against tough opposition like Liverpool, that’s the standard,” Guehi told CityXtra post-match. “It has to be every single person giving every single bit of energy and effort for their brother next to them, and everyone did that today.” The quote delighted Guardiola, who has spent the season stressing that collective spirit must precede the slick patterns. Guehi’s willingness to celebrate last-ditch blocks or Gianluigi Donnarumma’s sprawling saves has become a micro-barometer of that spirit. Cameras caught the defender fist-pumping a goalline clearance in the 78th minute as though he had scored at the Kop end—an image circulating inside the club as emblematic of the new dressing-room chemistry. At 5ft 11in, Guehi lacks the aerial presence of traditional Premier League stoppers, but he compensates with anticipatory positioning and a low centre of gravity that allows him to pinch possession and stride into midfield. Twice against Liverpool he stepped through the lines, carrying the ball 30 yards and forcing the Reds to re-shape. Those surges relieve pressure on City’s midfield and exemplify the defender’s comfort in a system that prizes ball progression as highly as clean sheets. City have historically struggled at Anfield, yet Sunday’s comeback victory felt like a watershed for a squad refreshing itself on the fly. Guehi’s seamless assimilation offers Guardiola the flexibility to rotate without diluting quality, a luxury in the compressed schedule ahead. More importantly, the 24-year-old has bought into the intangible ingredient his manager cherishes most: the idea that individual brilliance means little without shared sacrifice. Three games, one statement win, and a dressing-room voice already echoing the manager’s mantra—Marc Guehi’s January move already looks like May gold.

Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Charles Bediako’s unprecedented bid to rejoin college basketball after a professional stint has hit a legal wall, as a federal judge on Monday denied the Alabama center’s request for a preliminary injunction against NCAA eligibility rules. The ruling ends Bediako’s second act in crimson and white after only five games and could reverberate through courtrooms from Knoxville to Oxford. Bediako, a 7-foot rim protector who last wore an Alabama uniform in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, became the first former pro to suit up for a Division I program in January when he secured a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. That emergency measure allowed him to average 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while Alabama navigated the heart of its SEC slate. Friday’s injunction hearing, however, proved the final hurdle the senior could not clear. Judge Daniel Pruet, who took the weekend to weigh arguments, sided with the NCAA late Monday, dissolving the temporary order and reinforcing the association’s four-year eligibility clock. The decision means Bediako is immediately ineligible and leaves Alabama without the experienced big man it re-inserted into the lineup just three weeks ago. “Common sense won a round today,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a statement released moments after the ruling. “The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the ‘undo’ button at the expense of a teenager’s dream.” Baker, who has lobbied Capitol Hill for a federal standard governing athlete compensation and eligibility, added that “one win doesn’t fix the national mess of state laws” and urged Congress to craft uniform legislation. The case drew high-profile opposition beyond Indianapolis. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey submitted an affidavit last week urging the court to uphold “eligibility rules which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes.” University of Alabama officials voiced disappointment while highlighting what they view as inconsistent NCAA enforcement. “The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas,” the school said in a statement. “Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in.” The association routinely waives pro-experience restrictions for athletes who have never previously enrolled in an American college, a carve-out that has benefited former G League Ignite players and international transfers. Bediako’s status as a former Alabama student-athlete who declared for the NBA Draft and signed a pro contract placed him outside that policy. Legal twists punctuated the proceedings since early January: an extension of the initial restraining order, the recusal of a district judge who is a documented Alabama booster, and a postponed injunction hearing that kept Bediako in uniform longer than many within the NCAA expected. Monday’s decision arrives as at least two other high-profile athletes seek similar relief. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss have asked state courts to grant an extra season, arguing that junior-college years should not count against the NCAA’s four-year clock. Judges in those cases now have fresh precedent, though the factual distinctions—particularly the lack of prior professional contracts—could yield different outcomes. For Alabama, the ruling forces an abrupt recalibration. Bediako logged 20 minutes per game during his brief return, anchoring a frontcourt that has struggled with consistency. His exit strips the Tide of interior depth as February’s schedule intensifies and NCAA Tournament seeding looms. For Bediako, the path forward is murky. Having already played under an NBA contract and appeared in the G League, he cannot return to college competition unless the NCAA revises its bylaws or Congress intervenes—scenarios that appear remote in the current legislative climate. The case, once viewed as a potential watershed for name, image and likeness rights, instead reinforces the association’s authority to police its eligibility windows. And for the growing cadre of athletes testing those boundaries in courthouses across the South, Monday’s decision delivers a stark reminder: the clock rarely stops, even when the courts get involved.

Norman, Okla. — When David Stone sprinted onto Owen Field last fall clutching the Oklahoma state flag, the symbolism was impossible to miss. The former five-star prospect from nearby Del City was no longer the wide-eyed freshman who had logged fewer than 100 snaps in 2024; he was a sophomore on a mission, and the 2025 season became his personal launching pad. Stone’s debut campaign had felt underwhelming when measured against the instant impact of high-school teammate Jayden Jackson, who started nine regular-season games. Yet 2025 revealed that Stone’s trajectory merely required patience. After adding functional weight and learning to channel his rare athleticism at defensive tackle, he erupted for 42 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks while handling a far heavier workload. Coaches inside the program quietly began suggesting that, in a room stacked with veterans, Stone had become the most disruptive force. The timing of that emergence now proves critical. Oklahoma’s run to the 2025 College Football Playoff cost the Sooners two interior pillars—Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton—who exhausted their eligibility. Their combined production and leadership leave cavernous holes in the 2026 defensive front, and Brent Venables’ staff has no choice but to lean even more heavily on Stone and Jackson this spring. Venables and line coach Todd Bates have built impressive depth along the defensive line, but the next four weeks will determine whether that depth can translate into SEC-ready starters. Stone’s continued maturation is the lynchpin. If he can refine his hand usage, expand his pass-rush menu and anchor against double-teams, Oklahoma can enter fall camp confident its interior will remain a strength rather than a question mark. Teammates say Stone has already embraced that responsibility. Throughout 2025 he reminded younger players that Oklahoma’s standard is national-championship or bust, and he publicly held himself accountable after every loss. Coaches believe those vocal strides, coupled with his on-field consistency, signal a player ready to vault from standout sophomore to bona-fide superstar. Winter strength sessions will add more bulk, yet spring ball is where technique and leadership merge. Stone’s blend of quickness, power and relentless pursuit already evokes comparisons to Gerald McCoy, the last Sooner defensive tackle to earn unanimous All-America honors. Another step forward this March and April could place Stone on every preseason watch list in the country and, more importantly, keep Oklahoma’s championship window propped open in the SEC. The stage is set, the flag is waving, and the axe is still in hand. For David Stone, the next swing could carve his name among college football’s elite.

Madison, WI — When NFL scouts compile their draft boards on Saturday, one Big Ten program keeps flashing on the linebacker line: Wisconsin. A five-year audit of professional production compiled by Deeg Sports shows that no college has sent more impactful linebackers to the league since 2019, cementing the Badgers’ claim to the unofficial title of Linebacker University. Over that span, Wisconsin alumni listed as either inside or outside linebackers have combined for more sacks, tackles-for-loss, forced fumbles and interceptions than any other school. Only Georgia and LSU have totaled more solo tackles from the position, leaving Wisconsin atop every other major category that measures play-making at the second level. The surge has been anchored by star edge rushers T.J. Watt and Andrew Van Ginkel, whose strip-sacks and quarterback pressures account for a hefty portion of the Badgers’ NFL havoc rate. Yet the off-ball contingent has matched the pace: T.J. Edwards, Zack Baun, Jack Sanborn, Leo Chenal, Nick Herbig and 2020 Pro Bowl selection Joe Schobert have all logged starter-level snaps, giving Wisconsin both star power and depth. That breadth of talent is the separator. While other schools tout one or two headline alumni, the Badgers have assembled a critical mass of pro-ready defenders. The cumulative effect shows up every autumn Sunday, when fantasy box scores and advanced metrics alike light up in cardinal and white. Credit for the pipeline traces back to the developmental blueprint drawn by former head coach Paul Chryst and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who prioritized instincts, block-shedding technique and positional versatility. The baton has since passed to Luke Fickell’s regime, which will try to replicate the success with incoming pros such as Mason Reiger and Darryl Peterson — both draft-eligible this spring — and Christian Alliegro, expected to follow suit after finishing his collegiate career at Ohio State. The future inventory appears stocked as well. Sophomore Mason Posa and touted freshman Cooper Catalano are already drawing comparisons to the standouts who preceded them, hinting that the assembly line is far from idle. For a program historically branded as an offensive-line-and-running-back factory, the linebacker renaissance offers a new identity. The numbers do not simply suggest Wisconsin belongs in the conversation — they insist the conversation starts in Madison. Keywords:

By any measure, Sam Darnold’s career arc reads like Hollywood fiction: a third-overall pick once derided as a bust now stands atop the NFL world, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after Seattle’s 60th Super Bowl triumph over New England. The Seahawks’ punishing defense stole the statistical headlines, yet the overarching narrative belongs to a quarterback who turned ridicule into redemption. From 2018-2022 Darnold accumulated just 21 victories with the Jets and Panthers while ranking at or near the bottom in passer rating and completion percentage. The infamous “seeing ghosts” sound bite became shorthand for a player supposedly overwhelmed by the pro game. Critics labelled him one of the worst signal-callers of the era; the numbers, they argued, did not lie. But numbers can mislead when context is ignored. New York’s recent quarterback history—Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith and Zach Wilson all finishing last in passer rating during their first three seasons—illustrates how top draft picks often land in dysfunctional situations. Darnold was 21, the league’s youngest starting quarterback since the 1970 merger, thrust into a franchise lacking stability. “Quarterbacks need tonnes of help,” Hall of Famer Steve Young noted. “There are not 32 places that can give you that help.” Salvation arrived via a forgotten season in San Francisco. Serving as Brock Purdy’s backup, Darnold absorbed Kyle Shanahan’s system, relearned timing and footwork, and witnessed first-hand how a well-run organization operates. The next stop, Minnesota, produced career highs: 14 wins, 4,000-plus yards, 35 touchdowns. A playoff collapse against the Rams reopened doubts, yet Seattle—armed with league-leading receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker—saw a poised game-manager where others saw a liability. The Seahawks bet on ball security, a wager that paid historic dividends. Darnold became the first quarterback to post consecutive 14-win seasons with two different franchises, then guided the only playoff run in NFL history without a single turnover. In the Super Bowl he was unspectacular yet flawless, a fitting microcosm of a season built on complementary football rather than star power. No quarterback had ever won a Super Bowl after wearing five different uniforms. None had been written off so thoroughly and so often. At 28, Darnold no longer needs to chase ghosts; he has outrun them, all the way into championship immortality.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ 29-13 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 was marred by a relentless pass rush that battered rookie quarterback Drake Maye and, by extension, rookie left tackle Will Campbell. Campbell, the fourth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, was charged with 14 pressures by Next Gen Stats—the highest single-game total recorded this season—drawing immediate scrutiny toward his 32 5/8-inch arms, a measurement that fueled pre-draft debate. Over the Patriots’ four-game postseason journey, Campbell yielded 29 total pressures and was credited with four of the 21 sacks Maye absorbed, according to Pro Football Focus. The numbers have intensified speculation that Campbell’s future may lie at guard rather than on the edge, yet a chorus of former NFL tackles is pushing back against the arm-length narrative. “His feet are constantly moving backwards before contact on 90% of these reps!” wrote three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead on X. “Damn near impossible to anchor against power if your feet are not in the ground!!!” Armstead, who spent a decade protecting quarterbacks in New Orleans and Miami, contends Campbell’s primary obstacle is foundational technique, not anatomical limitation. Justin Pugh, an 11-year veteran who started 129 games at tackle and guard for the Giants and Cardinals despite 32-inch arms, echoed the sentiment. “Arm length may slightly impact him,” Pugh posted, “but the bigger issue is that he’s still learning.” The chorus expanded with Hall of Fame finalist Willie Anderson, longtime Browns and Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and respected offensive-line evaluator Duke Manyweather. Each identified correctable flaws—mastering vertical pass sets, sharpening punch timing, and establishing early anchor points—as the true culprits behind Campbell’s postseason slump. Campbell’s rookie year was further complicated by an MCL sprain sustained in Week 12, an injury that lingered into the playoffs. With a full offseason ahead, the Patriots anticipate intensive technical work rather than a positional relocation. Club officials have given no indication they intend to abandon their investment after one season, and depth-chart reinforcements are viewed as complementary rather than replacements for the LSU product. For now, the debate surrounding Will Campbell centers less on the tape measure and more on the teaching tape—evidence, veterans argue, that his struggles are a solvable riddle of footwork and timing rather than an immutable physical constraint.

Chelsea have announced the departure of Paul Green, the club’s long-serving head of women’s football, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year tenure that helped transform the Women’s Super League side into the most decorated team of the domestic era. Green arrived at Kingsmeadow in February 2013 as assistant manager to Emma Hayes after crossing the divide from Doncaster Rovers Belles. What followed was a sustained assault on the domestic honours list: 19 trophies, six consecutive WSL titles and a reputation for ruthless squad building that turned Chelsea into the benchmark for professionalism in the English women’s game. Operating largely away from the spotlight, Green’s remit expanded from the training-ground tactics board to the corridors of recruitment. As general manager he oversaw player acquisitions that underpinned a culture of relentless winning, earning quiet praise from rival executives who labelled him “the unsung architect” of the club’s rise. In May 2024 Green was instrumental in the search that appointed Sonia Bompastor as Hayes’ successor, working alongside co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart to secure the French coach on the eve of another title run. Bompastor duly delivered an unbeaten league campaign, yet the new season has brought fresh scrutiny after back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City—the club’s first successive losses since 2015. Chelsea moved quickly to steady the ship, handing Bompastor a two-year contract extension last week, but Monday’s confirmation of Green’s exit re-opens questions about the direction of the women’s set-up. A club statement thanked the 45-year-old for “his dedication and service over more than a decade” and praised “his commitment, experience and professionalism” during a period of unprecedented success. Inside the club, the mood is described as one of gratitude and transition. Green’s knack for succession planning—identifying talent early and selling at peak value—kept Chelsea ahead of tightening league regulations and an increasingly competitive market. Staff speak of a meticulous operator who preferred data rooms to headlines, yet whose influence permeated every level of the women’s programme. With Green’s departure, Chelsea lose one of the last remaining figures who bridged the gap between the amateur days and the fully professional present. The reshuffle leaves Winstanley and Stewart to oversee a football department now without its long-term strategic compass, at a moment when the reigning champions are already searching for the form that defined their record-breaking 2023-24 campaign. Chelsea have given no indication of an immediate replacement, and sources suggest the structure of the role could be re-imagined as the club continues to integrate the women’s and men’s football operations. For now, the focus shifts to Bompastor’s evolving squad and whether the extended contract can arrest a stuttering start that has suddenly made the defence of their title look less certain than at any point in the last decade. Paul Green leaves without fanfare, but those who watched Chelsea’s ascent know the next chapter will be written in the shadow of his quiet legacy.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A five-year-old boy who shared a poignant moment with global superstar Bad Bunny during Sunday’s Super Bowl 60 halftime show has been misidentified on social media as Liam Conejo Ramos, the Minnesota kindergartener recently taken into federal immigration custody. The child who stood on the Levi’s Stadium stage is Lincoln Fox Ramadan, a Costa Mesa, California-based child actor whose Instagram profile lists him as also being five years old. After Bad Bunny performed his hit NUEVAYoL, the broadcast cut to a pre-taped segment showing Lincoln watching the Grammy Awards, where Bad Bunny had just accepted the album-of-the-year trophy. The artist then walked over and handed the boy what appeared to be the same Grammy, creating one of the night’s most-shared visuals. “An emotional, unforgettable day being cast as the young Benito — a symbolic moment where the future hands the past a Grammy,” read a Monday post on Lincoln’s verified Instagram account. “A reminder that dreams come true and it's never too early to dream big.” Lincoln, who is half Egyptian and half Argentine, added that he is “sending love to Liam Ramos” and that “we all deserve peace and love in America, a country built by and home to so many hard-working immigrants.” Columbia Heights Public Schools, where Liam Conejo Ramos is enrolled, moved quickly to dispel the online confusion. “(Superintendent Zena) Stenvik has indicated that the child is not Liam. Liam and his family are sequestered during this time,” district spokesperson Kristen Stuenkel said Monday. Liam and his father, Ecuadorian native Adrian Conejo Arias, were detained by immigration officers in a Minneapolis suburb on Jan. 20 and transported to an ICE facility in Dilley, Texas. A judge’s order brought them back to Minneapolis on Feb. 1, but images of Liam in a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack have continued to fuel national debate over immigration enforcement. Lincoln’s previous credits include modeling campaigns for Walmart and Target. His last pre-Super Bowl post, on Jan. 31, teased: “I booked a cool gig! Can't wait to share it with you guys.” Representatives for Bad Bunny, who now holds six Grammys after his historic Spanish-language album-of-the-year win for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, did not respond to requests for comment on the mix-up.

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State, the most decorated program in Football Championship Subdivision history, will take its 10 national trophies to the Football Bowl Subdivision this summer, officially accepting an invitation to join the Mountain West for football only beginning with the 2026 season. The move, announced Monday, ends the Bison’s 18-year run in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and gives the retooled Mountain West an even 10 football members after a wave of realignment that will see Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State depart for the rebuilt Pac-12. North Dakota State will pay a $5 million NCAA reclassification fee and a $12.5 million entrance fee to the Mountain West, both amounts to be covered entirely by private donations, athletic director Matt Larsen confirmed. The university will also shoulder the cost of additional scholarships, expanded staffing and increased travel and recruiting budgets, even though full conference and College Football Playoff revenue sharing will not reach Fargo until 2032. “There’s going to be an increase, and it’s going to be a significant increase,” Larsen said, “but we’ll get it to a level where we can compete based on dollars in Fargo, North Dakota.” The Bison, 12-1 in 2025 and 9-5 all-time against FBS opponents, will play a full eight-game Mountain West schedule this fall but cannot compete in the league title game or the College Football Playoff until 2028. Bowl eligibility will be limited to at-large scenarios if the postseason field is undersubscribed, mirroring the path taken by Delaware and Missouri State last season. Interim university president Rick Berg framed the jump as the culmination of a decade-long strategic plan. “Unlike others, we’ve been preparing for this moment for years and years,” Berg said. “I think they’re going to be surprised when NDSU hits the Mountain West.” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez welcomed the Bison’s “championship mindset,” noting the program’s consistent success—10 FCS crowns since 2011—and its alignment with the conference’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence. North Dakota State will remain in the Summit League for other sports, preserving its geographic rivalries while the football program charts a new course. The future of the Dakota Marker Trophy series against South Dakota State, which the Bison lead 12-10, is uncertain, though Larsen left the door open to future FCS matchups, including one against former MVFC foes. Non-conference scheduling, he added, will target one Power Four opponent, two from the Group of Six and one FCS program annually, ensuring the Bison test themselves across every tier of Division I football. With no major professional franchises in the state, North Dakota State football commands outsized attention across the Red River Valley. The program’s leap to the FBS is both a financial gamble and a statement of ambition from a campus of 9,700 undergraduates accustomed to winning on Saturdays. Kickoff against Mountain West competition is four months away, but in Fargo the countdown has already begun. SEO keywords:

Glendale, Ariz. — Super Bowl 60 ended in familiar fashion for anyone who tracks the intersection of celebrity wagering and sports outcomes: rapper Drake walked away lighter in the wallet, and the team he backed, the New England Patriots, never found traction in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The result has revived talk of the so-called “Drake curse,” the pop-culture theory that any athlete or franchise the Toronto megastar publicly supports with a hefty bet is doomed to fall short. Drake confirmed before kickoff that he had staked $1 million on the Patriots. A victory would have returned $1.95 million in profit, pushing his total payout to $2.95 million. Instead, the Seahawks controlled the second half, and Drake’s wager evaporated in real time. The defeat drops the Grammy winner to 4-8 on Super Bowl bets documented by tracking site TheDrakeCurse.com since 2022. His only other known NFL wager this season, a $250,277 play on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, also failed to cash. The concept of the curse is straightforward: whenever Drake places a high-profile bet or poses in a team’s jersey, the squad in question underperforms. Skeptics call it coincidence; believers point to a pattern stretching across boxing title fights, Champions League finals, and UFC pay-per-views. Sunday’s outcome added another bullet point to the legend, as Patriots quarterback Drake Maye—no relation—was denied a storybook championship in his first year as starter. Not every Drake in town endured the same fate. Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas, an undrafted free agent who carved out a role on special teams, left State Farm Stadium with a Super Bowl ring and a smile, providing a rare counter-example to the evening’s narrative. Drake’s company in the high-roller club did not fare any better. Model-influencer Kendall Jenner placed an identical $1 million wager on New England and missed out on the same $1.95 million payday, while Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy forfeited a potential $1.8 million win when the Patriots failed to cover. The rapper’s most recent Super Bowl success came two years ago, when he collected $2.3 million after backing the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58. That victory briefly quieted whispers of a hex, but Sunday’s result ensures the superstition will follow Drake into whatever championship game he targets next. For now, the only certainty is that gambling remains a zero-sum pursuit. Drake’s latest loss serves as a high-profile reminder that even the deepest pockets cannot buy immunity from an upset, and that the “Drake curse,” real or imagined, lives on for at least another season.

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Amid the swirl of prospects, agents, and executives at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, Jack Westover’s poise stood out. Leaning relaxed against a metal barrier, the former Washington tight end projected the same calm that later helped him secure a spot on the New England Patriots roster. Westover, who last fall was photographed sprinting with the ball against Arizona State during a late-October matchup in Seattle, has completed the rare transition from unheralded college contributor to NFL tight end. On Jan. 23, 2026, he was back in Foxborough, Mass., wearing jersey No. 37 and stretching alongside Patriots teammates during a media availability, the latest sign that his adaptability and work ethic have translated to the professional level. While the source text offers no statistics or quotes from coaches, the imagery is clear: Westover has gone from Pac-12 afterthought to Patriot, carving out a niche in one of the league’s most demanding environments. His journey underscores how persistence and situational awareness—qualities evident in both his college film and his composed demeanor in San Jose—can turn opportunity into staying power in the NFL.

College Station, TX — When Ashton Bethel-Roman steps onto the turf at Kyle Field these days, he carries more than shoulder pads and a playbook; he carries conviction. Speaking this week on The Huddle, the redshirt freshman wideout—known around the program simply as “ABR”—made it clear that his breakout 2025 campaign was only the opening chapter. “I see greatness in this offense,” Bethel-Roman said, referencing the unit that helped him compile 24 receptions, 503 yards and five touchdowns in his first season of live-game action. “We left a lot out there. I’m chasing more in ’26, and I know the guys around me are, too.” The 6-foot-2 California native credited much of his rapid development to wide-receivers coach Holmon Wiggins, whose demanding style has become a catalyst for a youthful A&M pass-catching corps. “Coach Wiggs pushes us to perfect every detail—stem, stride, finish,” Bethel-Roman explained. “Because of him, I’m not just playing; I’m thinking the game at a different speed.” That accelerated mindset showed up in critical moments last fall. Bethel-Roman’s 21.0 yards-per-catch average led all SEC freshmen and ranked third among league receivers overall, turning simple slants and go-balls into explosive gains that flipped field position and scoreboards alike. Each touchdown, he insists, reinforced a larger point: the Aggies have the pieces to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally. Now, with winter workouts underway and spring practice looming, Bethel-Roman is setting the bar higher. He spent the off-season refining release techniques against press coverage and adding muscle without sacrificing the long-speed that makes him a constant vertical threat. The goal? Turn promising flashes into weekly consistency. “I want to be the guy the quarterback trusts on third-and-7, fourth-and-3, whatever the moment,” he said. “If I do my job, the offense rolls, and when the offense rolls, we win championships.” For a program seeking its first division title since 2020, that brand of confidence resonates inside the locker room. Teammates describe Bethel-Roman as the first to arrive at the facility and the last to leave, a quiet worker whose competitive fire surfaces the moment cleats hit the grass. Coaches believe his ascent signals a broader surge for an attack that returns its starting quarterback, four of five offensive linemen and a stable of complementary receivers. Whether the Aggies can convert that experience into January victories remains to be seen, but Bethel-Roman’s vision is already crystalized. “We’ve got the talent, the scheme and the mindset,” he said. “Now it’s about putting it all together, every single Saturday.” If 2025 offered a glimpse, 2026 may deliver the full picture—and Ashton Bethel-Roman plans to be right in the middle of the frame.

Lincoln — Nebraska’s backfield will open spring drills without Emmett Johnson, and the coaching staff is already signaling that no single successor will be anointed. Instead, head coach Matt Rhule and his retooled staff plan to deploy a committee approach as they sort through a depth chart that lacks a clear-cut feature back. Johnson’s departure—he elected to leave the program after three seasons—has created both a production void and an opportunity for a fresh backfield identity. The sophomore had emerged as the most consistent threat in 2023, finishing as the team’s leading rusher before entering the transfer portal. His exit leaves Nebraska without a returning runner who has logged more than 80 carries in a Husker uniform. Rhule, who overhauled portions of his staff this offseason, has told reporters that the competition will be “wide open” when practices begin. The coaching staff intends to evaluate speed, pass-protection reliability, and ball security through a rotating cast during the 15-practice slate. While no individual statistics or returning names are detailed in the program’s released materials, the emphasis on shared reps underscores a desire to identify situational roles rather than a traditional workhorse. Athletic director Troy Dannen, who has taken an increasingly visible role in football operations since his arrival, echoed the coaching staff’s sentiment, noting that “depth and versatility” will determine how carries are distributed once the season arrives. The approach mirrors Rhule’s history of utilizing multiple backs to mitigate injury risk and exploit matchup advantages. Nebraska’s quiet February signing day yielded no high-profile high-school tailbacks, reinforcing the idea that answers must come from within the current roster or the transfer portal later this spring. Until then, every practice rep will carry heightened importance as the Huskers search for a collective replacement for the production Johnson took with him.

Lincoln—In a Capitol news conference held last year, former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne stood alongside Governor Jim Pillen and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to spotlight a state commitment that has now reached the eight-figure mark: Nebraska has invested $12 million in TeamMates, the youth-mentoring program Osborne co-founded more than three decades ago. The announcement came just a month after Pillen took office, when the governor stepped to the microphone flanked by nonprofit leaders and legislators to unveil an initiative he described as “close to his heart.” The new state dollars, drawn from general-fund appropriations approved during the 2023 session, are designed to expand mentorship opportunities for young Nebraskans, particularly in rural districts and underserved urban corridors where school counselors say one-on-one guidance is scarce. TeamMates, which pairs students with volunteer mentors and currently operates in more than 170 Nebraska school districts, has long drawn its core identity from Husker athletics. Osborne and his wife, Nancy, launched the program in 1991 while he was head football coach, initially asking players to mentor middle-schoolers. The model proved durable; the nonprofit now serves roughly 8,000 students statewide and has extended into Iowa, Kansas, and Wyoming. Pillen’s administration framed the $12 million infusion as a preventive investment. “Every kid needs a champion,” the governor told reporters at the Capitol. “By backing TeamMates with state resources, we’re saying that Nebraska believes in the power of mentorship to steer students toward graduation and productive citizenship.” Lawmakers who backed the appropriation noted that the funds will underwrite mentor training, background checks, and program coordination in districts that previously lacked the local revenue to participate. The money is being distributed over a three-year window, with benchmarks tied to the number of new mentor-student matches created and retention rates among participants. For Osborne, the state’s support marks a milestone. “When we started, we hoped to reach a handful of kids,” he said. “To see Nebraska make this level of commitment is both humbling and energizing.”

Monday’s installment of TexAgs Rewind delivered a packed GO Hour, bringing together some of the most recognizable voices around Texas A&M athletics. Long-time TexAgs columnist and Heisman Trophy voter Olin Buchanan opened the show with his signature blend of insight and candor, setting the stage for a lineup that spotlighted three marquee Aggie figures. Texas A&M head baseball coach Michael Earley stepped to the microphone next, offering an early-season glimpse into his program’s mindset as the Diamond Aggies prepare for the upcoming campaign. Earley’s segment transitioned seamlessly into a conversation with TexAgs co-owner and executive editor Billy Liucci, who provided behind-the-scenes perspective on the site’s coverage and the pulse of Aggie sports. The hour closed with head basketball coach Bucky McMillan, who discussed the hardwood Aggies’ recent progress and the challenges looming in the stretch run of conference play. The quartet of interviews, aired back-to-back in typical GO Hour fashion, underscored TexAgs’ commitment to delivering comprehensive, insider access to Texas A&M’s flagship programs.

Los Angeles—already the cradle of Super Bowl lore—will once again become the center of the football universe when SoFi Stadium in Inglewood stages Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027, the NFL announced Monday. The handoff of hosting responsibilities from the Bay Area marks the city’s record-tying ninth turn as Super Bowl host and the second time the state-of-the-art venue will showcase the league’s title game. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hailed the return, noting that Southern California “is our backyard,” citing the region’s two franchises, NFL Network headquarters, robust media partners and the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, which will include flag football. “We have the utmost confidence in the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee to put on another great show,” Goodell said. The 2027 contest will echo memories of Super Bowl LVI, played Feb. 13, 2022, when the hometown Rams captured the Lombardi Trophy amid a star-studded halftime tribute to hip-hop featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and company. Kathryn Schloessman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, said the 2027 game will “leverage a global stage to celebrate [L.A.’s] history, uplift our communities, and create lasting economic and social impact that extends far beyond the final whistle.” While the modern Super Bowl has ballooned into a week-long festival, the very first championship meeting on Jan. 15, 1967, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was a far simpler affair. Billed as the AFL-NFL Championship Game, the matchup drew roughly 62,000 spectators—the smallest crowd in Super Bowl history—and was carried by two television networks. Organizers had barely a month to prepare after the site was confirmed on Dec. 1, 1966. The halftime program, titled Super Sights and Sounds, featured marching bands, jet-pack daredevils, helium balloons and hundreds of pigeons rather than global pop icons. Los Angeles later hosted Super Bowl VII at the Coliseum in 1973, when the kickoff temperature soared to a sizzling 84 degrees, still a record. The game shifted to Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987 and 1993 before eventually landing in Inglewood’s $5 billion SoFi Stadium, which debuted in 2020. In addition to the 2027 title clash, the league will stage ancillary events across the region, including NFL Honors, Super Bowl Experience, Super Bowl Opening Night and a community program designed to leave a local legacy. Super Bowl LXI will therefore serve as both a homecoming and a showcase, tracing its lineage from modest beginnings at the Coliseum to a glittering global spectacle under the retractable roof of SoFi Stadium—proof that Los Angeles remains an essential chapter in the ever-evolving story of the NFL’s biggest game.

PITTSBURGH — The NFL’s annual carousel of coaching hires is rarely predictable, but the latest spin has underscored just how quickly fortunes can reverse across the league. The defensive dominance displayed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 catapulted then-31-year-old coordinator Mike Tomlin into the spotlight, culminating in his appointment as the Steelers’ head coach. Yet Tomlin’s ascension also illustrates a broader truth voiced by many inside the game: success breeds opportunity, and opportunity is never confined to one sideline. Had the Vikings’ NFC North rival—the identity of that team is not specified—failed to advance even deeper into the postseason that year, Tomlin’s meteoric rise might have unfolded differently. Instead, the confluence of standout defensive performances and playoff victories elsewhere created a perfect storm that ultimately landed the young assistant in Pittsburgh, where he has remained ever since. Front-office executives often describe the hiring cycle as a pendulum: one season’s offensive explosion prompts a scramble for innovative play-callers; the next, a defensive renaissance swings the focus toward coaches who can slow those attacks. The Steelers’ decision to tab Tomlin in 2007, fresh off Minnesota’s defensive surge, is now viewed as a textbook example of that pendulum in motion. While the current cycle’s full list of moves is not detailed in the available information, the principle remains unchanged—teams chase the formula that most recently won, confident that today’s trend will eventually yield to another. As this offseason’s searches continue, the echoes of 2006 serve as a reminder that every coaching hire is both a reaction to, and a bet on, the league’s perpetual ebb and flow.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The only thing louder than Levi’s Stadium’s halftime fireworks on Sunday night was the sound of New England’s offense hitting the turf. Seattle’s league-topping “Dark Side” defense authored a throwback masterpiece in Super Bowl 60, suffocating the Patriots for 45 minutes and coasting to a 29-13 victory that delivered the franchise its second Lombardi Trophy. Six sacks, three takeaways, eight three-and-outs and 13 total punts told the clinical story. Quarterback Drake Maye finished with a 16.3 QBR, three turnovers and a face-full of grass on nearly every drop-back. By the time the Patriots crossed midfield with any real threat, the Seahawks led 26-0 and kicker Jason Myers had already outscored the entire New England roster. “Our defense, I mean, I can’t say enough good things about our defense,” said Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who wasn’t asked to be spectacular and obeyed the mandate perfectly: no interceptions, no sacks, no drama. “I know we just won the Super Bowl, but we could have been better on offense.” He was right—yet it never mattered. Mike Macdonald’s second-year unit treated every Patriots possession like a timed drill in tackling fundamentals. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV rang up 10 solo stops, cornerback Devon Witherspoon collected a sack, a forced fumble and three quarterback hits, and the front four turned four rushers into what felt like eight. New England’s running backs managed 42 yards on the ground; Maye’s longest completion of the first three quarters gained 11 yards. The offensive star who finally broke the game’s inertia was the quietest man on the roster. Running back Kenneth Walker III, renowned in Seattle for a silence that matches his explosiveness, accounted for 161 total yards on 27 touches. His cut-back 34-yard sprint in the third quarter set up the Seahawks’ lone offensive touchdown and nudged the rout into garbage time. Walker was voted MVP—mostly, as teammates joked, because the trophy can’t be split 11 ways for the defense. “I feel like we didn’t play as good as we could have,” Darnold admitted after completing barely 50 percent of his passes for 201 yards. “But our defense, the way we’ve been playing, my job is to take care of the football.” The Patriots avoided a shutout only when Maye found tight end Hunter Henry for a pair of late scores, the second coming with 2:11 left and the outcome long decided. By then, Robert Kraft was shown yawning in his suite, fans were queuing for the exits, and a shirtless streaker had provided the only Patriots highlight that didn’t involve the scoreboard. Seattle’s path to the title required a dramatic offseason reset. General manager John Schneider traded away franchise staples Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, handed the offense to Darnold and leaned further into a defense that finished the regular season ranked first in points, sacks and turnovers. The payoff: a 14-3 record, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and a postseason run that saw the Seahawks allow just 34 points in three games. New England’s arrival in the Super Bowl was equally swift. After a 4-13 season cost rookie coach Jerod Mayo his job, the Patriots lured former All-Pro linebacker Mike Vrabel back to Foxborough and watched him guide the team to 11 regular-season wins and an AFC title. But on Sunday, Vrabel could only tip his cap. “Just not consistent execution,” he said, summing up a night in which his offense ran 49 plays for 189 yards and never reached the red zone until 13:24 remained. Seattle players, meanwhile, sprinted toward a champagne celebration that began the moment Witherspoon batted Maye’s final fourth-down pass to the turf with 47 seconds left. Asked about his postgame plans, the rookie cornerback grinned: “I’m gonna go have a drink or two … or maybe three.” The Seahawks will savor the moment, but the broader lesson is already crystallizing across the league: in an era obsessed with offensive fireworks, a ferocious defense still travels best in February. Seattle just provided the latest, loudest proof—even if the volume came from shoulder pads colliding, not scoreboard bulbs spinning.

Amanda Serrano, seven-weight world champion and the first boxer signed to Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, publicly rebuked Paul on Monday after he labeled Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny a “fake American” following the Super Bowl halftime show. Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, delivered a 14-minute set entirely in Spanish at Levi’s Stadium, becoming the first artist to stage a Spanish-language halftime show. Paul, who has walked Serrano to the ring throughout their promotional partnership, posted on X that he muted the performance and accused the six-time Grammy winner of “publicly hating America.” Serrano, holder of the WBA and WBO featherweight titles, responded with a statement defending Puerto Rican identity: “Puerto Ricans are not ‘fake Americans.’ We are citizens who have contributed to this country in every field, from military service to sports, business, science, and the arts, and our identity and citizenship deserve respect.” Puerto Rico, an unincorporated U.S. territory, grants its residents American citizenship but no vote in presidential elections. Paul later clarified that his “fake” remark targeted Bad Bunny’s perceived values, not Puerto Rican status, writing: “He’s not a fake citizen obviously bc he’s Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country.” The exchange drew criticism from across boxing. Five-weight world champion Claressa Shields urged Paul to “do better,” while Logan Paul distanced himself from his brother’s comments, asserting: “Puerto Ricans are Americans.” President Donald Trump also weighed in on Truth Social, calling the Spanish-language halftime show “an affront to the greatness of America.” Serrano, 48-3 as a professional, reiterated gratitude toward Most Valuable Promotions for elevating women’s boxing, but drew a line at remarks that question Puerto Rican legitimacy: “I cannot support that characterisation. It is wrong.”

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The visiting locker room at Levi’s Stadium has never looked, sounded, or smelled quite like this. Cigar smoke curled toward the ceiling, champagne fizzed from shattered bottles, and a Bluetooth speaker thumped as Seattle Seahawks players danced in a circle around the silver Lombardi Trophy. Moments earlier they had walked off the same field where their season began and ended against the 49ers, only this time they left with a 29-13 Super Bowl triumph over the New England Patriots and the right to turn their bitter rival’s home into what safety Julian Love instantly christened “Lumen South.” The nickname is destined to stick. Seattle’s defense, which had already suffocated San Francisco twice in January, smothered New England for three quarters, allowing only 78 total yards and no points. Drake Maye’s fourth-quarter touchdown and 253 late yards came long after the outcome was decided. Love’s interception of Maye punctuated the night and set off another round of cigar-lighting euphoria. Kenneth Walker III, the second-year running back who carved out 112 yards and the game’s lone offensive touchdown, received the Pete Rozelle Trophy as Super Bowl MVP, yet even he admitted the halftime show stole the spotlight. Bad Bunny transformed the gridiron into a neon Caribbean playground, delivering what many viewers will remember longer than the game’s record five field goals and 15 punts. For the 49ers, the celebration happening behind what is normally their locked door cuts deep. Five of the past eight NFC champions have emerged from the NFC West. The Rams lost one Super Bowl before winning the next. Seattle, in the first year under head coach Mike Macdonald, has now climbed the mountain. San Francisco, despite two recent appearances, remains without a Lombardi since the 1994 season. General manager John Schneider, architect of the league’s youngest roster, acknowledged the twist of fate. “Oh yeah, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t” surreal, he said, watching cigars burn in a room usually reserved for the 49ers’ postseason plans. “These guys want to play for each other, they care about each other. They were super confident. They’re just a together team.” Second-year tight end A.J. Barner already hears the clock ticking toward a defense of the title. “Everyone wants what we got,” he said. Veteran tight end Eric Saubert, who spent 2024 with the 49ers, offered a warning to the rest of the conference: “We hope we can run it back.” The Seahawks’ imprint on Levi’s Stadium is now indelible. In 2014, the defending-champion Seahawks humiliated San Francisco on Thanksgiving, then ate turkey at midfield. A decade later, the scene repeated with far higher stakes. When the 49ers reconvene in April for offseason workouts, the lingering scent of championship cigars will serve as a pungent reminder of which division foe owns the league’s ultimate prize. Seattle’s defense, which held the 49ers without a touchdown in two critical January meetings, again set the standard. Asked on NBC’s pregame show about the unit, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan quipped, “I haven’t scored a touchdown on these guys the last two times we played them, so I don’t know how good that is.” Linebacker Ernest Jones IV shrugged at the aesthetic critiques of a low-scoring Super Bowl. “Great defensive football is art,” he insisted, echoing former Seahawk Richard Sherman, who tweeted that coaches around the league will study this tape for years. Whether the game enters the pantheon of classic Super Bowls is debatable. What cannot be debated is the location of the after-party: deep in the heart of enemy territory, amid the haze of victory cigars, with the Lombardi Trophy gleaming under the fluorescent lights of the 49ers’ own locker room. Seattle left Levi’s with more than a championship. The Seahawks left a message, wafting through the air, impossible to ignore.

Cotonou—When Sahid Ngobi wheels away in celebration, ASPAC FC’s yellow-and-black shirt flapping, the 19-year-old striker is not merely saluting another goal; he is paying silent homage to the player whose poster still hangs above his bed. “My idol is Kylian Mbappé,” Ngobi says without hesitation. “I admire his mentality, his self-discipline, his maturity, and his consistency.” Those qualities have carried the Kandi native to the summit of the Celtiis Benin Ligue 1 scoring chart at the halfway mark: 10 goals and 2 assists in 17 appearances, numbers that have turned ASPAC’s number 19 into the breakout story of the season. Yet Ngobi, an U20 international, greets the statistics with a shrug. “Alhamdoulillah first of all, but personally I don’t think I’m efficient enough yet. Given the chances I have, I know I can do better.” It is that refusal to settle which first caught the eye of coaches at Dynamo de Parakou, the club that handed him his top-flight debut. From there he moved through AS Takunnin and SOBEMAP FC before settling at ASPAC, each step sharpening a game built on perpetual motion and ice-cool finishing. “Always on the move, always hungry, never satisfied,” he says, describing both himself and the French World-Cup winner he studies frame-by-frame on his phone. Yououth-national-team duty has widened his lens. “In youth selections I worked with players who now really motivate those of us still playing in the local league. These experiences have greatly contributed to my development, both athletically and personally.” While individual accolades pile up, Ngobi keeps his compass pointed outward. “On a personal level, my greatest dream is to remain a good person and give to others. In football, I want to work even harder, stay humble and keep demanding more of myself. The rest is in God’s hands.” Press him on a dream club and the answer arrives in fluent English: “Arsenal.” The league resumes on February 28, and defenders across Benin have been put on notice. ASPAC’s precocious finisher has no intention of slowing down, and every reason to believe the second half of the campaign will be played at Mbappé-esque speed.

In an unprecedented twist on sport’s biggest stage, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance delivered more than music: it hosted an actual wedding. Mid-set, the Puerto Rican superstar paused the spectacle to unite two fans in matrimony, turning the global showcase into an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime ceremony. The brief but heartfelt exchange of vows unfolded in front of a stadium crowd and a television audience reaching into the hundreds of millions, making the couple’s union an instant, unforgettable highlight of championship Sunday. Super Bowl halftime shows are traditionally reserved for blockbuster hits and surprise guest appearances; this year the surprise was a legally binding marriage, complete with an officiant, rings, and cheers from fans inside the venue. The moment reinforced the event’s reputation for unpredictability while underscoring Bad Bunny’s flair for bending pop-culture conventions. With the game on pause and the world watching, the wedding segment lasted only a few minutes, yet its impact resonated across broadcasts and social feeds, proving that even amid football’s grandest spectacle, love can take center stage.

By [Staff Writer] GLENDALE, Ariz. — The confetti had barely settled on Seattle’s 29-13 demolition of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX when head coach Mike Vrabel gathered his stunned roster inside the visitor’s locker room and delivered a blunt reminder. “We have to remember what it feels like,” Vrabel told players moments after the franchise’s first championship-game appearance since the Tom Brady era ended in disappointment. “If we can build on it, then we can use this experience as a positive eventually and understand what you have to do in big games to win.” The words capped a historic yet bittersweet debut season for the 48-year-old coach, who claimed NFL Coach of the Year honors only three nights earlier. New England’s 307-day journey from training-camp optimism to the Lombardi Trophy’s doorstep unraveled in four quarters of uncharacteristic mistakes, stalled drives and a relentless Seattle pass rush that dropped quarterback Drake Maye six times. “We just have to not let mistakes pile up,” Vrabel said. “Can’t let one bad play turn into two bad plays. Be able to settle down and be better early on in drives. That just wasn’t the case.” The Patriots never found offensive rhythm. Positive plays were followed by sacks, penalties or hurried throws, and the defense could not generate the game-turning turnovers that had fueled the club’s run through the AFC playoffs. The result: a 16-point deficit that felt larger than the final scoreboard showed. Asked specifically about the offensive line’s performance, Vrabel bristled. “Nobody played good enough for us to win. Do you have a follow-up?” he said, closing the topic with the same terse edge he displayed on the sideline. Despite the lopsided loss, Vrabel praised the resilience of a roster that exceeded external expectations from Week 1. “I reminded them that we are 307 days into what hopefully is a long, successful relationship and program,” he said. “It’s OK to be disappointed. We have to be disappointed and upset together.” Quarterback Drake Maye, who fought back tears while addressing reporters, echoed his coach’s sentiment. “He was the heartbeat. No doubt about that,” Maye said of Vrabel. “He’s always the same. Look forward to my relationship with him for a long time. He’s a great person and a hell of a football coach.” Vrabel indicated that the bond forged during the season will be essential when the team reconvenes this spring. “We can’t be divided, we can’t be frontrunners,” he said. “Sometimes in this game of professional football you lose and you still have to be able to do those things. And hopefully you will.” The Patriots now head into an offseason earlier than hoped, but with a unified message reverberating from the desert: remember the sting, and make sure it is not repeated.

The Seattle Seahawks captured the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night, suffocating the New England Patriots 29-13 in a championship game dominated from start to finish by Mike Macdonald’s defense. Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, Byron Murphy and the rest of the self-styled “Dark Side” unit lived up to their nickname, battering rookie quarterback Drake Maye and turning every Patriots possession into a punishing affair. The relentless pressure resulted in a one-sided affair that vaulted Seattle back atop the NFL after a decade-long wait for another title. From the opening whistle, Macdonald’s group set the tone. Witherspoon shadowed New England’s top targets, Hall crashed the edge and Murphy clogged running lanes, forcing Maye into hurried throws and costly mistakes. The Seahawks parlayed those miscues into scoring chances, building a lead that swelled as the clock wound down. Each time the Patriots attempted to claw back, Seattle’s defense answered with another crushing stop, keeping the scoreboard tilted firmly in the Seahawks’ favor. Offensively, Seattle complemented its ferocious defense with a balanced attack that capitalized on short fields and kept chains moving. Though the final tally read 29-13, the outcome felt even more lopsided thanks to the defense’s ability to turn critical downs into momentum-shifting plays. When the confetti fell, the Seahawks had not only secured their second Super Bowl crown but had also etched the 2024 “Dark Side” into franchise lore as one of the most intimidating units the league has seen.

Los Angeles — When USC lured Lincoln Riley away from Oklahoma in late 2021, the price tag was eye-popping: a contract that now carries one of the largest buyouts in college football history, reported by industry sources to hover around $110 million. Three seasons into his tenure, that investment is facing its stiffest scrutiny yet. Riley’s Trojans closed 2025 at 9-4, an improvement over the program’s 7-6 stumble in 2024 but still short of the playoff standard USC set when it approved the blockbuster deal. With the new 12-team bracket set to debut in 2026, athletic department officials have quietly signaled that merely contending will not be enough. “There’s pressure coming off a 9-4 finish to make something happen as a playoff entrant in 2026,” CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford wrote in his annual list of 25 coaches to watch entering the next carousel. Crawford placed Riley at No. 1, noting that real speculation about Riley’s future surfaced last November before a late surge and the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite, temporarily cooled the conversation. The upcoming schedule offers little room for error. USC will meet all three Big Ten programs that reached the 2025 playoff—Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana—during the regular season, hosting the Ducks and Buckeyes while traveling to Bloomington. A 10-2 record is widely viewed inside Heritage Hall as the minimum benchmark to secure a postseason berth. Riley, 41, arrived in Los Angeles with a glittering résumé: three straight College Football Playoff appearances at Oklahoma, two Heisman Trophy quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and a reputation as one of the sport’s most inventive offensive architects. His first Trojan offense lived up to the billing, as Caleb Williams captured the 2022 Heisman and USC won 11 games. Yet back-to-back losses to Utah—once in the regular season and again in the Pac-12 title game—kept the Trojans out of the playoff, and a porous defense dragged the team to a 7-5 regular-season record in 2023. The collapse cost defensive coordinator Alex Grinch his job. Since moving into the Big Ten, Riley’s record stands at 16-10, hardly the trajectory expected for a coach whose deal eclipses those of most NFL bosses. The 2026 cycle is forecast to be quieter than last year’s whirlwind that saw at least 15 Power Four programs change coaches between late September and early December, meaning seats considered lukewarm now could ignite quickly if on-field results lag. For a coach once labeled the “biggest wildcard” of the previous carousel, the coming months will determine whether Riley can recapture the magic that made him the sport’s hottest commodity—or whether USC’s massive financial commitment becomes the sport’s most expensive reset.

Honolulu—Sports fans converged on Dave and Buster’s in Honolulu on Sunday for a high-energy Super Bowl LX watch party, filling the venue with cheers as the Seattle Seahawks faced the New England Patriots on the biggest stage in football. The restaurant-arcade hybrid, known for its wall-to-wall screens and game-day specials, provided a mainland-style atmosphere in the heart of the islands, drawing local supporters and visitors alike. From kickoff to the final whistle, patrons tracked every play, creating a communal experience that underscored the event’s significance for Hawaii’s passionate football community.

Las Vegas — Super Bowl 60’s halftime show ended with a visual mic-drop that left little doubt about where headliner Bad Bunny stands on the current political divide. As the 13-minute set concluded, the Puerto Rican superstar strode toward the camera while clutching a football emblazoned with the phrase “Together We Are America.” Behind him, dancers hoisted flags from more than two-dozen nations, framing a single U.S. flag at center stage. Above the field, the stadium’s halo board flashed stark black-on-white text: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” Moments later Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, delivered a bilingual roll call of countries—Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Italy, the Antilles, United States, Canada—before concluding with “my motherland, my father, Puerto Rico, we are still here now.” He closed with “God bless America,” a signature sign-off of President Donald Trump, though no direct mention of the president was made. The staging echoed comments Bad Bunny offered at the Grammy Awards eight days earlier, when he opened his acceptance speech with “ICE out,” adding, “We are not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” The artist has since bypassed U.S. dates on his 2025-26 tour, citing safety concerns for fans amid immigration raids. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, asked last Monday whether the league worried about political statements, praised the performer: “Bad Bunny … understood the platform he was on and that this platform is used to unite people.” The set—featuring Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Alix Earle in cameo appearances—drew immediate backlash from Trump supporters and MAGA activists who urged a boycott. Turning Point USA counter-programmed an alternate halftime broadcast headlined by Kid Rock. Whether interpreted as art, activism or both, Bad Bunny’s wordless flag tableau and on-screen maxim ensured the night’s most scrutinized 60 seconds belonged to Latin music’s biggest star—and to the statement he never had to name.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A dozen years after the “Legion of Boom” delivered Seattle’s first Lombardi Trophy, the Seahawks’ new-age “Dark Side” defense authored an even more suffocating sequel, propelling the franchise to its second Super Bowl title with a 29-13 dismantling of the New England Patriots on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium. First-year head coach Mike Macdonald’s relentless unit set the tone from the opening whistle, sacking Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forcing three turnovers and holding New England scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter. Devon Witherspoon’s jarring hit on Maye’s arm popped a fourth-quarter pass sky-high, allowing Uchenna Nwosu to corral the deflection and race 45 yards for the pick-6 that sealed the championship. “We never waver, man. We believe in each other. We love each other, and now we’re world champions,” Macdonald said amid a confetti shower. Offensively, Sam Darnold—cast aside by two franchises and labeled a bust after being selected third overall in the 2018 draft—managed the game efficiently, finishing 19 of 38 for 202 yards and a 16-yard touchdown strike to tight end AJ Barner. More important, the quarterback who led the NFL with 20 turnovers during the regular season did not commit a single giveaway in three postseason contests. “To do this with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. “So proud of our guys, our defense. I mean, I can’t say enough great things about our defense, our special teams.” Running back Kenneth Walker III supplied the offensive fireworks, gouging New England for 135 yards on the ground and becoming the first tailback to capture Super Bowl MVP honors since Hall of Famer Terrell Davis 28 years ago. Kicker Jason Myers etched his name into the record books by converting all five field-goal attempts—boots of 33, 39, 41, 41 and 37 yards—to keep the Patriots at arm’s length while the defense strangled any semblance of rhythm from Maye and company. New England punted on its first eight possessions and did not cross midfield until late in the third quarter. Down 19-0, the Patriots briefly stirred when Maye lofted a 35-yard touchdown to Mack Hollins and later added a 7-yard scoring toss to Rhamondre Stevenson, but Julian Love’s interception in triple coverage extinguished any realistic hope of a Tom Brady-esque comeback. Maye, the 23-year-old runner-up for AP NFL MVP in the closest vote in two decades, finished battered and disappointed. “Definitely hurts. They played better than us tonight,” Maye said. The Seahawks’ triumph avenged their crushing goal-line loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX and ended a 12-year championship drought for the Pacific Northwest. Seattle finished the season 17-3, while New England closed at 17-4 and was denied a record seventh Super Bowl ring, remaining tied with Pittsburgh at six. For Patriots coach Mike Vrabel—the AP NFL Coach of the Year who was attempting to join an elite group to win a Super Bowl as both player and head coach with the same franchise—the defeat stings but signals a program on the rise. “Just reminding them that we’re 307 days into what hopefully is a long, successful relationship and program, and it’s OK to be disappointed,” Vrabel told his locker room. Seattle’s celebration was punctuated by a dazzling halftime show headlined by Bad Bunny, with guest appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, but the lasting image will be the “Dark Side” defense smothering the Patriots’ dreams beneath the California night sky.

With the 2026 K League 2 campaign only weeks away, optimism around Seoul E-Land Football Club is palpable. Entering their 12th consecutive season at this level, the Leopards have never tasted top-flight football, yet every indicator suggests this could be the year the narrative finally changes. Stability has replaced the annual reboot. Instead of a mass exodus, the club persuaded pivotal talents to recommit: Brazilian talisman Euller inked a three-year extension after topping last year’s scoring chart with 12 goals and 11 assists, while defensive lynchpins Osmar and Kim Oh-kyu each signed on for another season. Their decisions quell fears of another rebuild and signal belief in a project that has steadily gathered momentum under head coach Kim Do-kyun. Euller’s return is especially symbolic. The forward’s ability to create from nothing transformed Seoul into K League 2’s most balanced attack—John Iredale (10 goals), Jeong Jae-min (eight) and Byeon Gyung-jun (seven) all profited from his creativity. If Osmar does elect to retire at season’s end, many expect the armband to pass to the Brazilian, whose infectious work-rate embodies the new Leopards’ identity. Youth is another cornerstone. Midfielder Baek Ji-ung, last term’s breakout star, featured in 34 matches at age 21, displaying composure that belies his birth certificate. After a winter refining finishing and decision-making, the 22-year-old is poised to convert promising performances into decisive end product. Yet challenges remain. Goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun’s departure to cross-town rivals FC Seoul robs the back line of a commanding presence, while Australian defender Aaron Calver and winger Pedrinho have also moved on. Their exits place greater emphasis on continuity elsewhere, a commodity Seoul finally possess. The fixture list offers no hiding place: trips to Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Cheonan City and Daegu FC sandwich home dates with Gyeongnam and Busan IPark. A positive return from that daunting sequence would announce genuine promotion intent and quiet memories of last summer, when an eight-match winless spiral nearly derailed another promising year. Lessons from 2025 linger. Seoul collected just one victory between late May and mid-July, recalling the infamous 2021 collapse, yet rebounded to finish fourth and reach the playoff semi-finals. A late Ruiz strike for Seongnam FC ended those dreams, but the strong finish—capped by a 6-0 demolition of Ansan Greeners—proved resilience runs through the current squad. League expansion to 17 teams means two automatic promotion places and a playoff route for third to fifth. Seoul have grown comfortable in knockout football; the next step is sustaining autumn form from March onward. If Euller stays hot, Baek continues his ascent and the rearguard finds a new organiser, the Leopards can aim higher than another cameo in the post-season. Twelve years of waiting weigh on every supporter, yet the club’s refusal to tear down and start again hints at method behind the ambition. Third time around the promotion chase, luck may play a part, but Seoul E-Land’s fate will ultimately rest on finally turning potential into points when it matters most.

Santa Clara, Calif.—Inside a packed Levi’s Stadium, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—Bad Bunny to the planet’s 19.8-billion-stream fan base—turned the NFL’s most-watched concert into a 13-minute referendum on identity, language and joy. Three months after becoming the first Latino artist ever to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, the Puerto Rican superstar faced a different scoreboard: 12 songs, zero halftime paycheck, and the eyes of an English-dominant audience. By the time a final billboard flashed “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” the only lingering question was how quickly the league could re-book him. Music: B+ The set list sprinted from 2022’s global smash Tití Me Preguntó to the brand-new Grammy-certified DtMF, folding in merengue, reggaeton and Caribbean swing without pausing for breath. Vocal delivery was crisp even at break-neck speed, but the clock chopped fan favorites La Canción and La noche de anoche, and the absence of expected guests J Balvin or Rosalía left a conspicuous hole. Still, 12 tracks in 12½ minutes is a pacing marvel, and the bilingual Die With a Smile duet with Lady Gaga—reimagined as a horn-driven salsa—provided the harmonic high-point. Production & Choreography: A- A sugar-cane maze sprouted at midfield, stalks played by 100 dancers parting like the Red Sea as Bad Bunny threaded vignettes of island life. Cameras swooped through a pink casita, tracked the star crowd-surfing horizontally, and captured aerial tableaux usually reserved for Olympic ceremonies. Gaga’s surprise entrance in a traditional Puerto Rican bomba dress and Ricky Martin’s velvet croon on Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii book-ended a production that felt simultaneously intimate and stadium-sized. The only nitpick: a mid-field wedding scene, while charming, briefly muddled sight-lines for the live crowd. Vibes: A Call it the highest-charted Spanish-language lesson in U.S. history. Fans who spoke zero Spanish danced through every chorus; dancers twirled around telephone poles as a wink to the island’s struggles with power outages. In the night’s most indelible moment, Bad Bunny handed his freshly-minted Grammy to a young boy in the front row, then exited under a canopy of national flags, a wordless ode to immigrants. The gesture landed harder than any political slogan, especially after his recent “ICE out” Grammys quip. Kendrick Lamar gave Super Bowl LIX cultural gravity; Bad Bunny answered with cathartic celebration. Bottom Line A bilingual, cross-generational party that never felt like homework, the show cemented Bad Bunny’s leap from streaming king to pop-culture statesman. If the NFL’s goal was to speak to a broader, browner, more global audience, the league just earned an A-plus in demographics—and the halftime committee a new gold standard to chase.

Bradenton, Florida — When four-star linebacker Arden Alexander picked up his phone on Jan. 22 and saw an Oregon Ducks logo pop up on the screen, the moment crystallized years of backyard tackles and Saturday-morning highlight reels. The 2028 IMG Academy standout, already sitting on nearly 20 scholarship offers, says the message from Eugene carried extra weight. “It means a lot to me, especially because I always used to look at Oregon play on TV when I was a little kid,” Alexander told Oregon Ducks on SI. “It is just showing me that the hard work I have been putting in my whole life is starting to pay off.” Ranked by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 83 overall prospect, No. 20 in Florida and No. 7 among linebackers, Alexander transferred to IMG after his freshman season and responded with 38 tackles—32 solo—during his first campaign with the Ascenders. That production caught the attention of wide-receivers coach Ross Douglas, who extended the offer and delivered a concise scouting report. “The way I work is unmatched,” Alexander recalled Douglas telling him. “The way my coaches talk about how I am individually as well was the cherry on top for him.” The 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect says the conversation ended with a simple directive: “Keep working and eventually get up there on a visit to Oregon.” While no trip is on the calendar yet—coordinating travel around IMG’s demanding academic and athletic schedule remains tricky—Alexander admits the early offer will shape how he evaluates schools moving forward. “Oregon offering me this early is definitely an eye-catcher for me and will definitely play a part in the near future for my recruitment and consideration for where my college career will begin,” he said. For a player who grew up mesmerized by the Ducks’ ever-changing uniform combinations, the pitch from Eugene already resonates. “When I think of the Oregon Ducks, I think of this prestigious Power Five school that has a million different uniforms,” Alexander said, “which, once, a little kid like me was dreaming of receiving an offer from this school.” Alexander’s offer sheet, which began with Duke in 2023, now sits at roughly 20 programs. Yet the conversation with Oregon, he insists, feels different—proof that the Friday-night lights in Bradenton are being noticed clear across the country.

Super Bowl 60 has arrived, and the stage is set for a high-stakes rematch as the New England Patriots square off against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. With kickoff moments away, the Patriots stand on the precipice of history: a victory tonight would secure their seventh Lombardi Trophy, breaking the NFL record for the most Super Bowl titles by any franchise. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are eager to revisit the glory of their 2014 championship and deny New England a place in the record books. Every snap, every decision, every heartbeat inside the stadium could tilt the balance between legacy and redemption.