Sports category, Page 1106
Hampered by bad hip, Rafael Nadal loses at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal bowed his head during changeovers and rested his elbows on his knees, the very picture of resignation. What already was a poor start to 2023, following a year marred by all manner of health issues, reached a low point at the Australian Open on Wednesday....
Tim Benz: A lesson for Steelers and the growth of Kenny Pickett after Week 1 of NFL playoffs
Whoever the Pittsburgh Steelers have as offensive coordinator next year — whether it’s Matt Canada again or someone (anyone) else — I hope they were watching the first round of the AFC playoffs closely. Because there was one specific, valuable lesson for the Steelers to take away from those games:...
DL Montravius Adams took circuitous route to Steelers, is glad for itVideo
It would be easy, looking back at the first five seasons of Montravius Adams’ NFL career, to assume 2021 was his toughest year professionally. After all, Adams was let go by one team and released by two others. Adams, a veteran defensive tackle, doesn’t see it that way, though. “Honestly,...
First Call: Kenny Pickett endorses keeping Matt Canada, drafting Jordan Addison; Titans tackle may be eyeing up Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” has two endorsements from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. One is for a current coach, another is for a former Pitt teammate. An AFC rival may be making eyes at the Steelers if he gets to free agency. The Penguins are preparing for a home-and-home with a...
Mallory Swanson scores 2, U.S. women down New Zealand in friendlyVideo
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Mallory Swanson scored twice and the U.S. women’s national team opened the year with a 4-0 victory over host New Zealand on Wednesday. After a scoreless first half, Swanson scored on a header off a cross from Trinity Rodman in the 52nd minute before Alex Morgan...
Wisconsin continues domination over Penn State with 63-60 win
MADISON, Wis. — Steven Crowl scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Wisconsin held on to continue its Madison mastery over Penn State, beating the Nittany Lions 63-60 on Tuesday night. Tyler Wahl returned to the lineup for Wisconsin (12-5, 4-3 Big Ten) following a three-game absence from the...
AP source: Florida QB Jaden Rashada asks for release amid NIL mess
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada requested a release from his national letter of intent Tuesday night after a $13 million name, imagine and likeness deal fell through, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither...
No. 1 Iga Swiatek eases into Australian Open round 3
MELBOURNE, Australia — No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek eased into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday as she beat Camila Osorio of Colombia, 6-2, 6-3. In a match played with the roof closed because of rain, the Polish player was broken when serving for the match at...
Todd Bowles: No decision yet on Byron Leftwich or rest of Bucs’ coaching staff
TAMPA, Fla. — Beleaguered Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is safe for at least a few more days, as head coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday no decision has been made about possible changes to the staff for 2023. Tampa Bay was last in the NFL in rushing yardage and rushing...
With Tom Brady’s future uncertain, Buccaneers will explore optionsVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent the past three seasons doing everything they could to try to help Tom Brady be successful. If the seven-time Super Bowl champion retires or decides to sign with another team in free agency this winter, it will be important to have a...
Aaron Rodgers says he can play at MVP level in right situation
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers believes he can still produce at an MVP level in the right situation if he opts to play next season. Rodgers discussed the uncertainty of his future plans Tuesday during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on SiriusXM...
Giants’ Daniel Jones changing narrative, silencing his criticsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Daniel Jones’ future with the New York Giants was murky heading into this season, with plenty of critics wondering if he could ever be a franchise-type quarterback. Too many turnovers. Too inconsistent. Too few victories. Jones heard it all, and some was warranted. The Giants not...
Jalen Hurts ‘full go’ for Eagles for divisional playoffs vs. GiantsVideo
PHILADELPHIA — As the Eagles weathered a smidgen of adversity with a late-season losing streak, 76ers coach Doc Rivers stepped in to steady unease that Jalen Hurts & Co. were spiraling toward an early postseason exit. “They’re going to be in the Super Bowl. Relax,” Rivers told reporters. “It’s a...
Saturday perfection: Trevor Lawrence’s 37-0 mark at stake vs Chiefs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Doug Pederson turned away from the question, stopping just short of shaking his head in disappointment, and then tapped the lectern in front of him three times to mimic knocking on wood. “Nah, la, la, next question,” Peterson quipped Tuesday. The coach refused to acknowledge or weigh...
LIV Golf planning TV deal with The CW network: reportsVideo
NEW YORK — The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf League is nearing a TV deal with The CW Network, according to multiple reports. Though the Saudis poured billions of dollars into the breakaway golf league to lure star talent away from the PGA Tour, they couldn’t secure a television contract for...
Column: Hendrick checking off his own personal bucket listVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hendrick Motorsports started as All-Star Racing in a old shop with wood-paneled walls and just enough room for its eight employees. Rick Hendrick had cobbled together just enough money to launch that unsponsored NASCAR team for the 1984 season. He had owned City Chevrolet in Charlotte for...
Column: PGA Tour fields may go from Who’s Who to Who’s That?Video
HONOLULU — Activity on the practice range at Waialae used to be predictable. Instead of standing behind players to watch their swings, the more common move was to stand to the side and try to inconspicuously look at the front of the golf bag to see whose name was on...
Dak Prescott’s playoff answer positions Cowboys to alter history
FRISCO, Texas — A week after one of the worst games of his career, Dak Prescott might have played his best game given the circumstances. The star Dallas quarterback drew high praise from plenty of important people, including club owner Jerry Jones and the most recent Cowboys QB to win...
Andy Murray tops Matteo Berrettini in 5-set epic at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia — Metal hip, bloody knee and all, Andy Murray produced his biggest victory in years. Murray built a huge lead, let it disappear completely, then needed to save a match point against Matteo Berrettini — who is nearly a full decade younger and ranked more than 50 places...
Penguins’ Teddy Blueger on performance this season: ‘Not good’
There are a lot of adjectives that can be affixed to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Teddy Blueger and how he approaches his vocation. Detailed. Dutiful. Thorough. Reliable. Blueger offered a much different term on Tuesday. “Not good, probably,” the 28-year-old said when asked to describe his 2022-23 season after practice Tuesday...
Chip Ganassi adds Takuma Sato to race ovals only
INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato will wind down his career this season by scaling back to ovals only in IndyCar as the Japanese driver moves to Chip Ganassi Racing. Sato will share the No. 11 Honda with rookie Marcus Armstrong, who was hired to drive the IndyCar...
Pitt coach Jeff Capel can relate to Louisville’s struggles
Jeff Capel said he understands what Louisville coach Kenny Payne is enduring this season. When Pitt and Louisville get together Wednesday night at the KFC Yum! Center, the Panthers (12-6, 5-2) will meet an opponent that has sunk as low as any team can go. Last in the ACC, Louisville...
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang rejoins team in practice
Tuesday’s practice session in Cranberry was different for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was optional. Approximately only 15 players were present. And it was fairly leisurely. Not much in the way of formal drills and certainly nothing involving line rushes or special teams units. And there was music. A satellite radio...
Why a former Pitt coach would be a home-run hire for Penn State’s WR vacancy
The biggest surprise of Penn State’s offseason so far came on Sunday night when Taylor Stubblefield was relieved of his duties, effective immediately. The firing of Stubblefield, who spent three seasons with the Nittany Lions, was abrupt and came with interesting timing. A half hour after Penn State announced that...
A sleeper for Steelers 2023 WR corps, former 2nd-round pick Anthony Miller re-signs
When training camp began last summer, Anthony Miller was intent on earning a significant role among the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers corps for the 2022 season. Miller did — just not the role he was seeking. “Seeing that I am the oldest guy in the room, I moreso put my...
