U mad, bro?: Readers not in the Christmas spirit thanks to DK Metcalf’s suspension, NFL refs and Penguins’ struggles
The last thing in the world I want to be is a “Bad Santa.” With that in mind, I’m off on Christmas Day. So I’m making sure to get “U mad, bro?” posted a day earlier than normal because the holiday falls on a Thursday this year. And I know...
On Sports: Lions fans feel ‘robbed’ after loss to Steelers; Marc-Andre Fleury’s retirement might be cut shortVideo
It’s been a rough couple of days in Detroit after the Pittsburgh Steelers took the Lions’ playoff chances from possible to extremely unlikely. A former Penguins goalie could be considering a return to the ice, and Duquesne men’s basketball gets a marquee moment on “SportsCenter” in Wednesday’s “On Sports,” pinch-hitting...
Tim Benz’s Steelers stocking stuffers: DK Metcalf ‘whataboutism,’ T.J. Watt’s murky status, resting if Ravens lose
“Breakfast With Benz” is taking a long winter’s nap for Christmas on Thursday morning and the day after. As a result, there will be no “Football Footnotes” on Friday. Instead, we’re offering up a Christmas cornucopia of Pittsburgh Steelers stocking stuffers to ease you into the holiday following Mike Tomlin’s...
Ohio beats UNLV in Frisco Bowl to run bowl winning streak to 7
FRISCO, Texas — Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown and Ohio beat UNLV, 17-10, on Tuesday night to win the Frisco Bowl. The Bobcats (9-4) have won their last seven bowl games — dating to 2017 — after losing eight of their first 10. Defensive coordinator and...
Western Kentucky rallies to a New Orleans Bowl victory, beating Southern Miss
NEW ORLEANS — Quarterback Maverick McIvor came off the bench to lead three second-half touchdown drives and Western Kentucky rallied to beat Southern Mississippi, 27-16, on Tuesday night to win the New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Coach Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers (9-4) to a bowl game in...
Packers QB Malik Willis says he’ll be ready if Jordan Love isn’t available against Ravens
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis said his throwing shoulder is feeling better, and he expects to be available for Saturday’s game against Baltimore if starter Jordan Love remains in the concussion protocol. “I try to take it one day at a time, but I would...
Jets place QB Justin Fields on injured reserve, ending disappointing season
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Justin Fields’ season is officially over. And perhaps, too, his brief tenure with the New York Jets. Coach Aaron Glenn announced Tuesday that Fields was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury that sidelined him the past three games. “It wasn’t getting as better...
Penguins’ struggles continue with loss to Maple Leafs
Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas feels the team he has assembled can be better. It’s difficult to do much worse than what it has offered throughout most of December, as wins have been as rare as sunlight. That trend continued Tuesday with a 6-3 loss to the...
Miller Moss throws for 2 TDs, Louisville holds off Toledo in Boca Raton Bowl
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Miller Moss took a knee to run out the clock on Louisville’s season, then flipped the ball to an official. The official had the presence of mind to flip it right back to Moss. After all, he earned the souvenir. Moss closed his college career by...
Brooks Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back
Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the first player to defect from LIV Golf, a significant blow to the Saudi-funded league that raises questions whether the PGA Tour will find a way for him to return. LIV Golf posted an announcement to its website under a statement that Talor Gooch...
Shedeur Sanders continues to focus on present, not on how Cleveland Browns might look next seasonVideo
CLEVELAND — Plenty of people have opinions on where Shedeur Sanders factors at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns heading into next season. The person at the center of the debate, though, isn’t spending time looking ahead to 2026, especially with two games remaining this season. “I live in the present....
Penn State defensive starter, Aliquippa native reportedly won’t play in Pinstripe Bowl
On an already thin defensive unit, Penn State is now losing another veteran starter for the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. Sixth-year senior defensive end Zuriah Fisher is not with the team and will not participate in Saturday’s game, according to On3 and 247Sports. He is still listed on the Penn...
Travis Kelce’s possible final home game for Chiefs: A bittersweet Christmas showdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce has played 96 regular-season home games for the Kansas City Chiefs. The next one might be the last. The 36-year-old Kelce, who was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the 11th time Tuesday, will be inside Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night for a Christmas...
‘I like what he’s about’: Penn State veterans share 1st impressions of new head coach Matt Campbell
Penn State fans don’t need much reminding about just how crazy the past few months have been, but if they want another one, here you go. Yes, Penn State plays one more football game in the 2025 season on Saturday in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson. That’s hardly been the...
Pirates add another slugger by signing Ryan O’Hearn to 2-year, $29 million free agent deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates were seeking to add another power bat to their lineup, preferably one who could fill a corner infield or outfield spot or serve as a designated hitter. They got all three in Ryan O’Hearn. O’Hearn, a 2025 All-Star who is a middle-of-the-order bat and can play first...
Mike Tomlin ‘hopeful’ that OLB T.J. Watt can resume practicing this week following lung injury
T.J. Watt rejoined the Pittsburgh Steelers at their practice facility after undergoing surgery on a partially collapsed lung. The next step is rejoining his teammates on the practice field, and that could take place this week. “I’m hopeful,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. Watt has...
If Ravens lose Saturday, Mike Tomlin may change Steelers personnel with division title in hand
Depending on the outcome of another game played Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be champions of the AFC North before they step on the field Sunday to play the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. If the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) lose their game at the Green Bay Packers in...
Royals face tough stadium decision of their own as Chiefs move to Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Now that the Chiefs are moving across the state line from their longtime home in Missouri to a $3 billion domed stadium to be built in Kansas, attention in the area has swung to the Royals, who have a similar decision to make regarding their own...
After Steelers coach Mike Tomlin pledges support, DK Metcalf’s 2-game suspension upheldVideo
Coach Mike Tomlin is supporting Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf in the wake of a two-game suspension that was handed down by the NFL on Monday. Metcalf was suspended after his confrontation with a fan at Ford Field in the first half of the Steelers’ game Sunday against the...
The Bills, Jaguars and Chargers are headed to the playoffs after the Colts’ 5th straight loss
The Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers qualified for the AFC playoffs with the Indianapolis Colts’ 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. A fifth consecutive loss by the Colts clinched a seventh straight postseason trip for Josh Allen and the Bills (11-4), while Justin...
Ravens, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks lead the way with 6 players selected to Pro Bowl
Six Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were selected for the Pro Bowl Games. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, along with the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers, are sending five players. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, Drake Maye and Justin Herbert...
3 Steelers named to Pro Bowl roster, including 1st-timer Ben Skowronek
Making the Pro Bowl roster is an rite of passage for T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey. The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive stars were selected to the games Tuesday — Watt for the eighth consecutive season. They will be joined on the Pro Bowl roster by a newcomer, special teams player Ben...
13 players from WPIAL, City League selected for 2025 Class A all-state football team
Three weeks after winning a state title, Clairton has six more reasons to celebrate. Bears coach Wayne Wade and five of his players earned statewide recognition Tuesday when the Class A all-state football team was revealed. Wade was named the classification’s co-coach of the year after Clairton defeated Bishop Guilfoyle,...
‘The kid is now the king’: While passing Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby paid an ultimate tribute
Without a doubt, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was the No. 1 star during Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Crosby’s two points in the first period propelled him beyond Mario Lemieux into first place atop the franchise’s career scoring list with 1,724 points. As for the second star,...
On Sports: Ravens, Browns reeling after latest losses; Penguins travel back to CanadaVideo
Tuesday’s “On Sports” checks in on the Steelers’ upcoming AFC North opponents who are dealing with fallout from their most recent losses. Also, the Penguins are back in Canada, and James Franklin apparently is a home run hire at Virginia Tech. So, let’s get to the latest “On Sports,” pinch...
