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After Detroit agreed to a record-setting contract extension with three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs on Thursday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed his excitement for the star's return to the practice field and described how integral the former Alabama speedster is to the franchise's offense."Well, yeah, I'm excited about that. You know, to be able to get him out here and get him going. You know, I've said all along, I mean, Brad and I love this kid, and he's one of us, and he fits what we do perfectly. Of course, who does he not fit? I mean, this guy's something else. So, it's good to have him back," Campbell said with the NFL Network on Friday.Safe to say Dan Campbell is excited to have @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 back on the practice field 🤩@StaceyDales | @BaldyNFL | @Lionspic.twitter.com/Qohhun56xB— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 7, 2026Gibbs' extension, which could be worth up to $75.75 million with escalators, adds on to the remaining two years of his rookie deal and keeps the 2023 first-rounder with the Lions through the 2030 NFL season. It also keeps the franchise's core players together for the foreseeable future.Campbell shared what makes Gibbs so unique and so good for them."He does everything. Look, he's tough, he'll protect, he's smart, he's versatile. He's got vision as a runner, he's got patience. He's obviously got long speed, you know, so he breaks out in the open, he can take it the distance. And, man, this kid's got a route tree now, too. You can line him up at receiver, and we just started to teeter into that. There's a ton of meat on the bone for this guy," Campbell said.With a handful of days before the Lions take the field for their first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 13, getting Gibbs back in practice is critical as the season nears.For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNewsThis article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' Dan Campbell shares excitement for Jahmyr Gibbs' return

Legendary Milan winger Donadoni: ‘I’d grab Leao by the dreadlocks’Milan legend Roberto Donadoni reveals how he would’ve dealt with Rafael Leao in the dressing room. ‘I’d grab him by the dreadlocks every now and then.’The winger is looking to leave the club this summer, insisting that he is ready to move beyond the Rossoneri, but in turn the fans are frustrated with his inconsistent performances.COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Mike Maignan of AC Milan interacts with Rafael Leao during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)That is also why the expected big offers have not flooded in this summer, as only Turkish teams like Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas have made genuine approaches, and none are prepared to pay the €50m plus add-ons asking price.MilanNews turned to club legend Donadoni to ask how he would’ve dealt with a teammate like Rafael Leao, and the response was not positive.Donadoni lashes out at LeaoCREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)“You have to really be inside a situation to understand it, but from what we can see on the outside, Leao is often talked about for what he doesn’t do rather than what he does,” replied Donadoni.“He is a player who certainly has talent and quality above average, but consistency is a fundamental component, and he really is deficient in that.“I hope that all these situations finally make him aware of that, and that he can become the champion that we occasionally glimpse when he does those extraordinary things.“If I was Leao’s teammate, I’d grab him by the dreadlocks every now and then, make him understand that it’s time he tries to do something different too.”New coach Ruben Amorim seems perhaps more suited to Leao than predecessor Max Allegri, but does the 3-4-2-1 formation fit his characteristics?“I was a Milan player, there were players who were particularly good in certain roles, whereas I tended to adapt where I was needed, on the right, left, central,” replied Donadoni.“If you have someone better than you in that role, you struggle to get a chance otherwise. So you’ve got to work hard and try to make yourself as versatile as possible, to help yourself and the team.“If we’re here discussing whether Milan need to change their system to better suit Leao, then we’ve lost already.”

Coulibaly set to leave Werder before the end of the window?There had been little news surrounding Karim Coulibaly in recent months, but with around three weeks remaining before the transfer deadline, a move for the centre-back could once again be on the cards. According to a report from DeichStube, a transfer this summer is becoming increasingly likely following Coulibaly’s change of agent.It is not out of the question that negotiations could resume soon after months of inactivity, although no concrete offer is currently on the table. While figures of up to €45 million were discussed in the spring, Werder Bremen are now reportedly hoping to receive a transfer fee of around €30 million.According to DeichStube, Werder are primarily waiting for a potential buyer from England. The proceeds from any sale would then be quickly reinvested in further new signings.

A dead dog draped over their mailbox. A tampon shot through with a bullet. Gunshots in the night, and shouts of “Damn queers!” from passing cars. Those were some of the greetings Wanda and Brenda Henson earned when they opened Camp Sister Spirit in Jones County, Mississippi, in 1993. Related Hundreds of women once flocked to an Oregon city & created a lesbian mecca. They’ve got stories. The “married” pair had moved from Gulfport, about a hundred miles south, after years helping women victims of domestic abuse and racism find resources. Their camp, 120 acres on the site of a former pig farm, would be a retreat with the ambitious mission “to eradicate hatred and differences through education and interaction with our neighbors.” In the camp’s early years, the goal seemed out of reach. The rumors started immediately. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today “People were shocked, overwhelmed,” said Belinda Beesley, a resident of Ovett, population 400. Fifty lesbians were moving to the feminist retreat, she was told. Her daughter would be in danger. The town mobilized to shut Camp Sister Spirit down. Opponents organized a “family values” committee and filed a lawsuit to close it, claiming the camp didn’t conform to land-use regulations. Ministers railed that homosexuals were pedophiles, that lesbians would recruit the town’s women, and the Hensons were feminist grifters freeloading off the federal government. The lesbians’ battle against the Deep South town became a tabloid sensation, riding a wave of gay headlines in 1993 over AIDS, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the massive March on Washington, and the first Senate confirmation of an openly gay presidential appointee, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Roberta Achtenberg. The media was primed for more. Oprah brought the two sides to her talk show for a shouting match. Larry King Live, ABC’s 20/20, and Jerry Springer all covered the small town, like a Southern Gothic morality tale. Overseas, a headline in Denmark read, “Lesbians at War.” In December 1993, Attorney General Janet Reno was asked by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to intervene, The Washington Post reported at the time. The Hensons had received a handwritten death threat in the mail — an act that could be a federal offense. “The situation in Ovett has clearly been dangerous since the time a dead dog was hung on the Hensons’ mailbox and town meetings were held denouncing the women and pledging to drive them from town,” said Peri Jude Radecic, the director of the force, at the time. The same month, 250 people turned out in Ovett to hear speakers denounce the couple. “It’s taught against in the Scriptures,” Ray Thornton, of the Baptist Ministry Association of Mississippi, said of the lesbians. A meeting in November in nearby Ellisville attracted 350 alarmed neighbors, who heard the Rev. John Allen, a Baptist pastor, say, “We are being invaded by activists with a radical agenda: …people who are different and want to change our community.” Donations to force the camp’s closure were collected. Reno sent in mediators, and out U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) held a hearing in Mississippi’s state capital, Jackson, to investigate and publicize the case. “The intolerance and bigotry demonstrated by some of the people of Ovett has no place in this country,” Reno wrote Radecic. “We’re meeting local officials and representatives of Camp Sister Spirit to try to assess what we can do to help,” said Ron Tomalis, spokesman for the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, who was charged with mediating the case. The case was the first to address anti-gay harassment and threats ever in the history of the department. Conservatives balked at the intervention, fresh off Janet Reno’s 1993 standoff with the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas, where 76 members, including 20 children, died in a fire set during the government’s raid. “Two Sapphic sisters set up shop to offer the therapeutic goop such misfits crave,” Samuel Francis, a syndicated columnist for Tribune Media and much admired on the right, wrote in 1994. “‘Camp Sister Spirit,’ as the pair called their former pig farm, offered seminars on the wickedness of sexism, racism and homophobia and drew in ‘womyn,’ as they liked to spell it, to be drilled in the evils of male dominance.” Describing the death threats as “pranks,” and Ovett as “a community whose moral culture is under assault,” Francis wrote that “the real victims” are not “the uninvited and unwanted lesbian intruders, but the law-abiding community against which their own government is preparing to wage war.” That war never came to pass. As media attention waned and Camp Sister Spirit focused on their mission, tensions in the town eased, and the threats faded. The women’s good works became the dominant “interaction with our neighbors.” One of those was Belinda Beesley, the Ovett resident who’d been alarmed that 50 lesbians were moving to town. She was also one of the townspeople who filed suit to shut the camp down. It turns out Beesley and the Hensons’ daughter had a mutual friend, who died of cancer. Beesley said she started to understand that the women of Sister Spirit were good people because of how well they treated her. Tentative waves of “hello” on the street turned into roadside chats. They soon became friends, too. “It’s all about acceptance,” Beesley said during an anniversary celebration at the camp in 2003, before Sister Spirit finally closed during the pandemic. “That’s the bottom line,” she said. “Out of this, I’ve gained some very good friends.” Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The day when curbside trash pickup happens on my block is probably my most hated day of the week. Where I live, refuse (trash) is collected once a week, so homeowners are expected to bring out their large gray trash bins on pickup day, which translates to a lot of flies hanging around. Once trash is collected, the flies still linger, which means I often see an influx of flies invading my house. READ MORE...

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Olympic silver medalist Matt Hudson-Smith says he has “a memory like a fish” and doesn't know if he's been paid what he's owed by Grand Slam Track, the league that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last year.Hudson-Smith spoke Sunday at a press conference ahead of the European championships in Birmingham, England, and addressed four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson's comments, in an interview with the Telegraph, that he had now “been able to get these athletes paid.”Johnson formed the league by providing star athletes with salaries and appearance fees to compete on a four-event circuit in 2025. There also was prize money at each race but the series was cut short when Grand Slam Track canceled its final meet last June in Los Angeles.“I’m going to be real, I have a memory like a fish, so I can’t remember what’s going on,” said Britain's Hudson-Smith, a two-time European champion in the 400 metersA filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware in January listed Hudson-Smith as being owed $147,500.“This whole year, I’ve been just focused on Europeans. Grand Slam, I don’t know if I’ve been paid, to be honest with you, and you can quote that,” said the 31-year-old Hudson-Smith, who won silver in the 400 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.The court filing listed more than 300 people and companies owed some $40 million. Eric Edwards Jr., a lesser-known hurdler, was on the list and told The Associated Press in January that the money was earmarked for practical needs like paying rent.Johnson told the Telegraph that he's spent the past year finding solutions for the athletes.“Everybody's been paid — $11 million for three track meets — more money than has ever been paid to track athletes to compete,” Johnson said.A note on the bottom of the Telegraph's video interview of Johnson said: “Johnson raised $11m to pay athletes but some of that is held in escrow and still in the process of being distributed.”___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Plays in training camp don't count except to help coaches evaluate players.And this particular play on Aug. 9 at the Miller Electric Center really didn't count, since Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was ruled to have been sacked by safety Eric Murray while scrambling away from the pass rush.But Lawrence let the ball go anyway, with Parker Washington apparently open in the end zone, 50 yards away, trailed by cornerback Jarrian Jones.Then came CB Travis Hunter, closing fast from underneath. Hunter jumped higher than either of the other players and pulled the ball down for what was unofficially his second interception of training camp. The fans in attendance exploded and Hunter celebrated on his final defensive snap of the day.It was yet another example of Hunter's athleticism and ball skills and called to mind the closing speed of his college coach at Colorado, Deion Sanders, when Sanders was the top cornerback in the nation at Florida State and later had a Hall of Fame career in the NFL. Perhaps Sanders was right when he suggested that Hunter play on defense. But the Jaguars aren't ready to keep Hunter on one side of the ball yet.Hunter had another practice day — eight of nine full sessions to be exact — with more defensive snaps than on offense.Hunter caught one pass, over the middle when he was being covered by LB Ventrell Miller. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens saw that mismatch from the start and went right at Hunter for what would have been about a 15-yard gain.How many snaps did Travis Hunter take on Day 10 of training camp?Hunter had eight offensive snaps and 12 defensive snaps in 11-on-11 team periods. For the season, he has 50 offensive snaps and 81 on defense in 11-on-11 periods and the team's mock game on Aug. 7, for a total of 131.Get Jaguars season ticketsPerhaps forgotten are his five offensive snaps and seven defensive snaps in 7-on-7 periods. The team hasn't run live 7-on-7 periods during practices open to the media since Day 3 of camp.Hunter also scored a touchdown in a period where receivers went 1-on-1 vs. defensive backs in the red zone. Hunter beat Jabbar Muhammad on the play.Hunter has seven receptions and one running play from scrimmage in camp on offense, and two interceptions and three passes defensed on defense ― if the pick against Lawrence is counted.This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Travis Hunter gives Jaguars fans a thrill with leaping interception

NEW YORK (AP) — A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young all missed Las Vegas' game against the New York Liberty to rest on Sunday, when the team was playing the second half of a difficult back-to-back.The Aces lost in Minnesota on Saturday in a nationally televised game and didn't arrive at their hotel in New York until nearly 10 p.m. after making the almost 1,200-mile trek from Minneapolis.“I mean, everybody has a brutal schedule at some point. I don’t even think they do this in the NBA, though, where it’s less than 24 hours,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “You can check, but I’m pretty sure that’s not even legal on the NBA side, you’d have to look up. But I don’t recall. With the time change, it ends up being that.”The NBA has frequent back-to-backs as well.Las Vegas’ trip is among the worst a team could have as far as back-to-backs goes. The league won’t make teams travel two times zones or have less than 22 hours between games if it’s playing consecutive days, according to a person familiar with scheduling. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity earlier this week because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about it.Hammon said the No. 1 priority for her and the Aces is the players' health.“We’re going to always be on the side of health and safety for our players," she said. "I’m not going to put them in any kind of jeopardy to get hurt when we’ve been expending a lot of energy on travel and a lot of miles back and forth crisscrossing the country.”Sunday’s game against the Liberty was on ABC and had a 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff because the network was showing the Little League Softball World Series championship game afterward.The early tipoff meant an early wake up and arriving at the arena less than 12 hours after the Aces got to their hotel.Sunday's contest caps a five-game road trip for the Aces that started last Saturday in Chicago. The Aces lost that game and then went on to rout Atlanta. A stop in Indiana on Thursday ended with an overtime victory by Las Vegas thanks to buzzer-beating 3-pointers by Gray at the end of regulation and overtime.Even without Las Vegas' top three players, Liberty coach Chris DeMarco wasn't going to take the Aces lightly.“You can’t go in this game and think they’re not going to be like, oh, there’s 60 points missing. It’s my turn to get to work, so it’s dangerous," DeMarco said. "We’ll be ready for it.”___AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers are back on the practice field Sunday, Aug. 9, after their Family Night practice inside Lambeau Field two days earlier.It’s the second practice of training camp that is closed to the public.Following Sunday’s practice, the Packers will have two days of practice open to the public before a travel day ahead of their preseason opener at Pittsburgh. The Packers will face Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy’s Steelers at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.The Journal Sentinel and Green Bay Press Gazette reporters are providing all key moments from Sunday’s practice.Follow below for live updates from Ray Nitschke Field:This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Green Bay Packers training camp practice highlights

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers are back on the practice field Sunday, Aug. 9, after their Family Night practice inside Lambeau Field two days earlier.It’s the second practice of training camp that is closed to the public.Following Sunday’s practice, the Packers will have two days of practice open to the public before a travel day ahead of their preseason opener at Pittsburgh. The Packers will face Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy’s Steelers at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.The Journal Sentinel and Green Bay Press Gazette reporters are providing all key moments from Sunday’s practice.Follow below for live updates from Ray Nitschke Field:This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Green Bay Packers training camp practice highlights

Police divers found a 27-year-old woman and a 5-month-old baby in the water near Liberty Island. A man was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment.

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Shaun Maloney deputised for the absent Martin O’Neill in Celtic’s William Hill Premiership clash with Kilmarnock as the 74-year-old continues to recover from a hospital procedure.But O’Neill visited the players at their team hotel ahead of the Rugby Park encounter and is improving after his health issue.Celtic announced earlier this week that the former Republic of Ireland manager had undergone a “small procedure” in hospital on Wednesday before being discharged the following day.Assistant manager Maloney told Sky Sports ahead of the game: “He is doing better again. He came to the team hotel and spoke to the players but he just needs an extra few days. But he’s good. He is definitely improving.”Shaun Maloney was in charge for Celtic’s fixture at Kilmarnock (Robert Perry/PA) (PA Wire)Maloney said the players would miss their manager’s influence in the dressing room, but that did not impact their performance as new signing Kasper Hogh his a first-half hat-trick in a 5-1 win.After the match, Maloney spoke more about O’Neill’s pre-match visit, saying: “He was at the team hotel and took the team meeting, speaking to the players. Then he told the staff to get on with it.“I’ve never experienced anything like what’s happened this week. The staff and the senior guys have been very good. I’m really pleased for the boss to get the win.“The quicker we get him back the better. We’ll see how it goes day to day. He was much better, he was in good form when he spoke to the group.“You know what he’s like, his only instruction was to go and win. We had a meeting on Saturday night and it was normal, where we went through his team selection, he picks what he thinks and he asks the staff.“It was a boost for all of us to see him. There is a real good bond between the boss and the players. I’m glad he spoke to them before we left, it had a real positive impact.“It will be up to him when he feels good enough – and if the doctors are happy then he’ll just come back in.”

Arsenal 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Gunners fall short in Emirates Cup pre-season testArsenal suffered a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, despite an improved second-half performance from Mikel Arteta’s side.The Emirates Cup clash marked the Gunners’ return home during pre-season, with Christos Tzolis making his Emirates debut and Viktor Gyökeres leading the attack.There were encouraging moments, particularly going forward, but Arsenal gave themselves far too much to do after Dortmund raced into a three-goal lead.It is also worth remembering that Arsenal are still without seven of their silver and gold World Cup-winning players, so Arteta remains some way from having his full squad available.Dortmund punish Arsenal before the breakArsenal actually produced some promising attacking moments during the opening stages, with Kai Havertz and Gyökeres linking up well.Gyökeres headed a half-chance wide before coming much closer after an excellent ball from Max Dowman, only for his effort to strike the top of the crossbar.However, Dortmund were clinical when their opportunities arrived.The visitors opened the scoring after just six minutes before adding their second in the 29th minute, leaving Arsenal 2-0 behind at half-time.Ethan Nwaneri replaced Martin Odegaard after half an hour and immediately looked lively, while Tzolis was also heavily involved. The winger’s deliveries caused Dortmund problems, with Gabriel heading over from one of his free-kicks before Havertz directed another cross straight at the goalkeeper.Arsenal began the second half brightly and produced some excellent build-up play, but things got worse before they got better.Dortmund scored from a corner in the 57th minute to make it 3-0, leaving the Gunners facing a mountain to climb.(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Nwaneri and Gyökeres lead the fightbackArsenal refused to fold.Nwaneri, who was involved throughout after coming on, pulled one back in the 54th minute following an excellent pass into the box from Tzolis.Gyökeres then gave the Emirates crowd further hope after Tzolis won a penalty. The striker converted from the spot in the 68th minute to make it 3-2.Suddenly Arsenal were back in the contest and the Emirates was growing louder.Dowman also tested the goalkeeper as the Gunners pushed for an equaliser, and there was plenty more attacking intent than we had seen during the opening stages.Gabriel Martinelli thought he had grabbed a late equaliser, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.That proved to be Arsenal’s final big opportunity as Dortmund held on for the 3-2 victory.The result will naturally raise a few questions, particularly after Arsenal conceded three times at home, but there were positives in the response.Nwaneri made his presence felt after replacing Odegaard, Tzolis was involved in much of Arsenal’s best attacking work, while Gyökeres continued getting into dangerous positions before eventually getting his goal from the penalty spot.It is still pre-season and Arsenal remain without several important players, but Arteta will certainly want to see improvements as the preparations continue.Who impressed you most against Dortmund? Were you encouraged by Arsenal’s second-half response, or are there areas that concern you ahead of Wednesday’s game against Como and next weekend’s clash with Manchester City?Let us know in the comments below._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsArsenal 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Gunners fall short in Emirates Cup pre-season test 9 August 2026, 17:00Confirmed Arsenal Team to Face Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup 9 August 2026, 12:45Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund: Team News, Predicted Lineup and Score Prediction 9 August 2026, 11:45

Ranking the 10 best footballers in the world right nowThe 2026 World Cup was a tournament where the game's true superstars stood up to be counted. Football's biggest names all spent time in the spotlight in North America, so what better time to take stock of who might be the game's top talent?We've attempted to rank the 10 best footballers in the world right now.10. Jude BellinghamIt's crazy to think some were suggesting thatJude Bellingham shouldn't be in the England team ahead of the World Cup. Sure, his season at Real Madrid was modest by the standards he's set, but in North America Bellingham showed that the England team should be built around him.Bellingham is at his best crashing the box, but he puts in the hard yards defensively too. There's, arguably, not a midfielder around who could play six, eight, or ten with such ease. Seven goals this summer made his World Cup the most prolific by an Englishman, ever.9. Michael OliseMichael Olise saw off competition from Harry Kane and Luis Diaz to end last season as Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga's Player of the Season.An incredible campaign saw Olise record 54 goals and assists for the German double winners, all achieved with a swashbuckling nonchalance.His wand of a left foot then recorded seven assists at the World Cup, breaking asingle-tournament record that had stood since Pele's peak.8. Vinicius JuniorVinicius Junior has not scaled the same heights that saw him snub the Ballon d'Or over the 'insult' of a second-place finish in 2024, but the Brazilian remains a truly electric talent.He's recorded 30+ goals and assists in five straight seasons and often comes alive under the Champions League lights. When he gets up a head of steam, there's little full-backs can do to stop him.7. Ousmane DembeleOusmane Dembele earned the Ballon d'Or in 2025 after firing Paris Saint-Germain to treble success under Luis Enrique.Injuries impacted his campaign last term, but Dembele remained devastating. He was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the second straight season, despite starting only 11 games. Dembele produced 27 goals and assists in 22 starts for PSG, the difference-maker for the best club side in the game.For France, he was equally impactful, with six goals and two assists in eight World Cup games.6. RodriThose who fearedRodri's best was over following his ACL absence can sleep easier at night now. The midfield metronome of Spain's success this summer, the La Roja captain added another chapter to his storied career.Rodri has now won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, while being named Player of the Tournament in each triumph—one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time.5. Lamine YamalLamine Yamal is not even old enough to buy a drink in the USA, but left there this summer as a World Cup and European Championship winner.Spain did not see Yamal's best during the tournament, but there's no doubt that he has the potential to become his country's greatest-ever talent. Few, ever, have accomplished what he has as a teenager.4. Harry KaneHarry Kane has long been a world-class talent, but his move to Bayern Munich has rubberstamped that status. Just six players have ever scored more goals for the German giants than Kane, who has spent only three seasons in Bavaria.He's netted 146 times in 147 games, including 61 across all competitions last season. OnlyLionel Messi in 2011/12 has ever scored more goals for club and country in a season this century than Kane last term.3. Erling HaalandThere will be some who sneer thatErling Haaland lacks the aesthetic to rank so highly, but there isn't a footballer on the planet who is so ruthlessly efficient.Haaland has warped perceptions around goalscoring, ludicrously averaging 1.13 goals per game for Norway after scoring seven times at the World Cup.He's also scored 57 times in 58Champions League games, a record better than anyone, ever, in Europe's top club competition. The man is a merciless machine.2. Kylian MbappeThe World Cup is football's biggest stage. ForKylian Mbappe, it's been his playground.The Frenchman made history over the summer, becoming the tournament's record scorer, the first player in 56 years to score 10+ goals in a single edition, and the first-ever two-time Golden Boot winner.In a star-studded France side, he was the shining light, and Mbappe possesses an electricity that perhaps no other can match.1. Lionel MessiDid this summer prove that the little genius is still the best of the best?Messi's move to MLS had some suggest the Argentine was on the way down, but his performances at the World Cup showed he's still so, so special.The 39-year-old carried an average Argentina on his back, scoring eight times and assisting four more to reach the final. It was, arguably, an even more impressive tournament than his inspired outings in Qatar, when Argentina sealed their third World Cup title.Messi is arguably football's greatest-ever goalscorer, dribbler, and creator. His status as the GOAT should no longer be questioned.

Argentine football star Lionel Messi arrives at the Islas Malvinas International Airport in Rosario after the death of his father Jorge Messi aged 68 (Luis ROBAYO)Argentina football icon Lionel Messi bid farewell Sunday to his father Jorge, the global star's emotional anchor and agent since childhood who passed away following a battle with cancer aged 68.The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner touched down on a private flight from Miami late on Saturday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children.A private ceremony with close family and a few Argentina teammates took place at a cemetery in the town of Perez, adjacent to Rosario, later Sunday.The gates of the town's El Prado cemetery displayed handwritten messages from fans -- "Stay strong, Leo, we love you" and "Stay strong, Messi family" -- alongside a large floral wreath.Messi's teammates rallied around their captain following the announcement that Jorge Messi had passed away late Friday at a clinic in Rosario."It will surely do him good for us to be there," Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes told journalists after his team's match on Saturday."I need to speak with a few of my teammates to see if we go now or sometime tomorrow."According to media reports midfielder Rodrigo de Paul -- a close friend of Messi and his Inter Miami teammate -- travelled to Argentina.After scoring a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Monterrey in Miami on Saturday, De Paul paid tribute by taking off his shirt to reveal Messi's number 10 jersey.There was a handful of fans outside the cemetery, including 15-year-old Lucas Blanco, who hung a sign reading "Stay strong, Messi" on the gate."He has brought so much joy to this country, now it's our turn to give a little back and offer him some comfort," he said."We drove 700 kilometres to be here. We wanted to stand by Leo during this time," said Carlos and Ana, a couple who travelled from Tres Arroyos, a town south of Buenos Aires.The cause of death was not disclosed, but local media reported that Jorge Messi had been suffering from cancer. His unusual absence from the World Cup in June had already attracted attention.Messi's family asked the media for "humanity" during the tournament amid persistent rumours over Jorge's health.After bursting into tears after scoring against Algeria, 39-year-old Messi had admitted to dealing with "a situation outside of sports"."I went through a few difficult, complicated days," he later acknowledged. "But I am grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates, because they stood by me, as always."Immediately after the World Cup final defeat against Spain, Messi returned to spend a few days with his family in Rosario.- Humble beginnings -A guiding figure throughout his son's career, Jorge Messi was his first coach who left everything behind to accompany his son to Spain.A metalworker in Rosario, 340 km north of Buenos Aires, Jorge managed youth teams at the small local club Grandoli.He was the one who introduced Argentina's future captain to the game aged four on vacant lots where local kids played.His life changed course in 2000 when Barcelona invited the young prodigy, then aged 13, to Catalonia to continue treatment for a growth hormone deficiency while playing for the club's youth teams.Jorge left behind his job in Argentina, his wife, and his three other children to settle in Spain with Lionel."When we arrived in Barcelona, I used to lock myself in my room to cry alone, and my father did the same -- either without me seeing him or thinking I didn't see him. We pretended we were both fine, but we were struggling," Messi later said.His father was later the agent who negotiated contracts on his behalf, from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.Messages of sympathy have poured in since Saturday from the football world, including from the clubs Messi played for and the Spanish Football Federation.The Argentine Football Association (AFA) ordered a minute's silence before matches and that black armbands be worn at games across all age groups for the week.mry/hol/ea/jc/nf

Few coaches are better positioned to compare the Baltimore Ravens' running backs room to another NFL backfield than Eddie Faulkner. Hired to serve as running backs coach on Jesse Minter's staff, he most recently spent seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He helped develop and oversee multiple productive rushing attacks. That experience gives weight to his recent assessment of Baltimore's group, and it was a notable endorsement.Faulkner recently said the Steelers' running backs room he coached last season was strong. At the same time, he suggested the Ravens' current collection of backs may be every bit as talented—if not better.That's a significant yet unsurprising statement considering what Baltimore already has at the top of the depth chart. Any discussion about the Ravens' running backs begins with Derrick Henry.Derrick Henry sets the standard for Coach FaulknerMost won't need to be reminded of this, but it's worth another mention. The future Hall of Famer, Derrick Henry, enters another season as one of the most accomplished players at his position. Faulkner made it clear that Henry's resume speaks for itself."He could not take another snap and he's going to get a gold jacket."RB coach Eddie Faulkner on Derrick Henry: “He could not take another snap and he’s going to get a gold jacket.” Said he’s most impressed with how much Henry wants to be coached. pic.twitter.com/w62GyHz5rN— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 8, 2026The praise didn't stop there. What impressed Faulkner most wasn't Henry's production, accolades or reputation. It was his willingness to continue learning. According to Faulkner, Henry remains eager to be coached despite already being among the NFL's all-time great running backs.That mindset helps explain why Henry has remained productive well into his career and continues to set the tone for Baltimore's backfield. He's more than a one-person show. While Henry understandably commands most of the attention, the Ravens believe the strength of the room extends beyond one player.Veterans Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali provide experience and familiarity with the offense, while younger players continue competing for opportunities as Baltimore works toward trimming its roster. The group still has questions to answer before the initial 53-man roster is finalized, but Faulkner's comments suggest he sees considerable potential throughout the room.That's noteworthy coming from a coach who has spent more than two decades working with running backs at both the college and professional levels. For Baltimore, the endorsement may be less about comparing itself to Pittsburgh and more about validating what the organization already believes. The Ravens have built their offense around a physical rushing identity for years. If Faulkner's early evaluation proves accurate, Baltimore's running backs room could once again be one of the team's greatest strengths heading into the 2026 season.This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Eddie Faulkner compares current Ravens group to the 2025 Steelers

This 2005 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. (Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP, File)2026-08-09T16:09:58Z BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state’s health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died. During the same period over the previous decade, Louisiana reported an average of seven cases and one death.“Seek medical care immediately if a wound exposed to brackish or salt water becomes red, swollen, painful, warm or discolored,” officials said in the release. “Tell the health care provider about the water exposure.”The Gulf is an ideal environmentVibrio bacteria thrive in seawater and in the brackish mix of fresh and saltwater found in estuaries and lagoons. Most infections are reported from May to October, and most happen in states along the Gulf Coast. Doctors say the Gulf is an ideal environment with the right amounts of salt and heat to let this organism proliferate. The mostly deadly type is Vibrio vulnificus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As many as one in five of those infections are fatal, a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio bacteria. Florida, which tends to have more infections than other states, has reported 14 Vibrio vulnificus cases and two deaths so far this year, compared with 33 cases and five deaths for all of last year. Records show more cases in years when Florida is hit by tropical storms and hurricanes. Bacteria enters through breaks in the skinSome people become infected by eating raw or undercooked shellfish — particularly oysters. But a large percentage fall ill when the person is in ocean or brackish water and the bacteria enter the body through small breaks in the skin.Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses.Scientists say climate change is helping the germs proliferate and spread northward. A 2023 study found that the northernmost case has been shifting by about 30 miles each year, and that cases overall have been rising. Read More Beachgoers can protect themselvesVibrio vulnificus can enter the body through unhealed cuts and scrapes, recent piercings and tattoos, and recent surgical incisions. People should immediately wash cuts and scrapes thoroughly with soap and clean running water after coming in contact with coastal waters or raw seafood, the CDC said. They should see a doctor if they start to develop symptoms such as fever, chills, and hot red areas on the skin that start to turn dark and blister. Oysters are a particular risk, and there is no way to tell if an oyster is contaminated just by looking at it. People should wash hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish and wear protective gloves if they have a weakened immune system and are at a higher risk of infection.Health officials also offer cooking instructions for clams, mussels and other shellfish. They recommend throwing away any with open shells before boiling or steaming.

This 2005 electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. (Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP, File)2026-08-09T16:11:07Z ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian troops have rescued 33 people who were abducted while traveling in Zamfara state, in the northwestern part of the country, an army statement on Sunday said.A military operation was launched after unidentified gunmen kidnapped the group as they traveled through the Tsafe area of Zamfara on Saturday, army spokesman Aliyu Danja said in a statement. He did not say which group was behind the attack.“The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes,” Danja said. “The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted persons.”The army is working to track the “fleeing terrorists,” he added.Zamfara has seen a surge in killings and abductions in recent months. At least 32 people were killed in separate attacks in the state in June alone.Apart from the conflict in the northwest and north-central regions of the West African country, an insurgency in the northeast has killed thousands of people and displaced millions of others, according to the United Nations.Despite repeated promises by President Bola Tinubu to address the crisis, security challenges in Africa’s most populous country have continued to deteriorate.

Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament announced on Sunday. After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” Sinner said in a statement with the Cincinnati Open’s press release. “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I’m not ready to compete yet,” he added.Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury.Wishing all the best to our 2024 champion and can’t wait to see you again next year! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wYHY94viCE— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 9, 2026This story will be updated with more information.

The Arizona Cardinals placed two players on injured reserve on Saturday and had six players in for a tryout on Saturday. They have filled their two roster vacancies with two of the players they tried out. The Cardinals announced they signed tight end Shawn Bowman and linebacker Eugene Asante.Bowman is 6-4 and 249 pounds and has yet to play an NFL game. He went undrafted out of Rutgers in 2024 and signed with the Carolina Panthers. He spent time on their practice squad as a rookie. Most recently, he was in the UFL with the Orlando Storm. He played in 11 games and had seven catches for 53 yards. Asante is six feet tall and 226 pounds. He went undrafted last year out of Auburn, signing originally with the Miam Dolphins. He did not make their roster and spent time on the practice squads of the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons. He played for the Houston Gamblers in the UFL in the spring. In nine games, he had 34 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.Don't expect either to be guys who push for the roster. They fill the back end of the 90-man offseason roster and will see action late in the last preseason games the Cardinals have. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals sign former UFL TE Shawn Bowman, LB Eugene Asante

Mike Tomlin Explains Why he Doesn't Miss Coaching Yet originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.When Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as head coach of the Steelers, reports indicated he planned to take some time away from coaching. Given his age, many figured it was only a matter of time until he returned to an NFL sideline.For now, Tomlin isn't thinking about that. Now working as an analyst for NBC's NFL coverage, the former Steelers coach said during the network's Hall of Fame Game broadcast that he doesn't have the desire to return just yet."I haven’t thought a whole lot about it yet, because I don’t feel like I’m missing anything yet," Tomlin said. "You know, when those regular-season balls start snapping, that’s when I’ll start, you know, getting a little twitch a little bit."Tomlin admitted his mentality could change in the months ahead as the season plays out. If he sees training camps and the preseason playing out and wants no part of it, however, that might be a sign he made the right decision, given how much of a head coach's job is about what happens before the regular season.Whether or not Tomlin wants to coach again in 2027, his name will undoubtedly circulate in rumors connected to just about any head coaching gig that opens up. For the time being, Tomlin appears to be content in his new role at NBC.How old is Mike Tomlin?Once one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history, Tomlin turned 54 in March.While that's older than most current NFL head coaches, it's certainly young enough that teams will come calling to see if the former Super Bowl champion is interested in a return to the sideline.More SteelersLatest Steelers newsHow 'Renegade' became Steelers' pump-up songComplete history of Steelers championships

Here's everything Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said following Saturday's evening practice, including his thoughts on the Texans' newest addition, Jadeveon Clowney.Question: On how he believes the defense performed in practiceMatt Burke: “It was okay. We made some plays. I wasn't happy with the way we started practice, to be honest with you. Some of those scripted periods, too much in that short yardage period. I thought when we got into the call-up periods, those guys started playing. Part of the intent for tonight was to kind of push them through this little bit longer drives, a little bit longer sessions than we kind of been going at a time. For those guys to push through when you’re really taxing mentally and when you're tired. It’s can you execute some of the stuff we're doing? We tried to put them in a lot of different spots and with a lot of different calls. I’m happy with the way that the execution really turned out.”Q: On whether CB Derek Stingley Jr. had a rest dayBurke: “Yeah, he's fine. He's fine.”Q: On the approach for staying ahead of opposing offenses who scheme for this defenseBurke: “I think you're always playing that game. Even within games, I know it's easy post-season; you have that whole bank of work to look at and study and you have a lot more time. But you're always trying to stay ahead of the curve. What we try to do is look at it like, ‘What would we would do? Where do we think the weaknesses are? Where would we attack?’ Let's get ahead of that. If someone else sees something similar, that we've already have answers for it. I think at the end of the day, I've said this a bunch, we’re not trying to out trick people necessarily. We're trying to out-execute people. At the end of the day, if we're doing our things right and we're executing, we feel pretty confident in how we're going to go out and play ball. It's important to be aware of things that teams are trying to do to you offensively. At the end of the day, if we're on top of our business, then we should be a pretty good defense.”Q: On his reaction when the team signed DE Jadeveon Clowney and what he has seen from him“Obviously happy. I think the last time I was in here, we talked about building depth in that room and obviously how we play. It's been cool to watch him. I've never been around him before. I’m really impressed with him. He's shown up, his ability to be disruptive. He's still growing and learning the system and the techniques and those sorts of things. Between the length and the get-off, he's played a lot of football in his time. You just see the savviness and wherewithal and stuff. He just knows ball. Once he puts it in our language, I think it's going to be really fun to watch.”On whether any of the young linebackers have stood out to himBurke: “A lot of those guys, again, that's another group we talked about last time…in terms of just Bill Davis does a really good job of just rolling groups. Obviously, we feel good with the Azeez [Al-Shaair] and [LB] Henry [To’oTo’o] and where they are. Then the rest of that group is like, we're just trying to put them all in a lot of different spots and see who can really show out. Wade [Woodaz] had some good reps today. We talked about ‘Te’ [Marte Mapu] last time. He made a really nice play in that two-minute drive towards the end there on that tackle. Jake Hummel, I've actually been really impressed. He missed a little bit of time early in camp, but since he's been back, he's been really solid and steady. There are a lot of guys that are just making plays. It's going to be, A, how much multi-positional flex they have and the volume they can handle. Then, when we get into games, what that looks like in terms of operational. They're still young, still some growth to be had.”Q: On CB Collin WrightBurke: “He's made a play on the ball every day he's been here from the spring until now. To be honest with you, he's just always around the ball. Very sharp kid, very intelligent, so kind of on his business in terms of where he needs to be. There are not a lot of mental errors. He's kind of where he's supposed to be and he's showing up around the ball. You do that, you're going to earn opportunities to keep showing us if you can do it. I’m very happy with where he's been so far.”Q: On the interior of the defensive lineBurke: “Yeah, great. Having ‘Rank’ [Sheldon Rankins] and Tommy [Togiai] back, who are just system guys, getting ‘Rio’ [Mario Edwards Jr.] back in the fold again, building out that depth. Some of the newer guys, like Kayden [McDonald] and Logan [Hall], have a lot of potential, I would say; arrow up on both those guys. Those other three guys have been here, been in the techniques, been in the system. Those guys are kind of arrow up in terms of getting those reps. I feel really good about the trend that those guys are on. Honestly, even the rest of the crew. ‘Dom’ Bailey- I was asked about him last week, he’s showing out. We have a couple bigger guys in there and Kyonte [Hamilton] and Naquan [Jones]. Naquan was here at the end of the year. We got him at the end of the season and he didn't really have time to learn those techniques. Having him go through the whole offseason, that progress is starting to show. I actually feel pretty good. The depth's really starting to show out there in that defensive tackle room and I’m excited to see those guys keep going.”Q: On the emphasis of communication on the defenseBurke: “We just the stress of that. I think DeMeco [Ryans] has been in here talking about how that's one area for us to really take the next growth. We talked about taking the next step, where this defense goes. The extra level of pre-snap awareness and communication. We had a really good snap of it today. They had a little boot that they've been getting us on a couple of times. ‘JP’ [Jalen Pitre] just alerted over to Reed [Blankenship], who just picked it up, slid through and picked up the backside. Things like that, the ability to execute, make it that much easier. For the most part, there are a lot of guys that have played together for a year or two or more that have that sort of rapport. Adding Reed in, who's a really good communicator. I always just say this, it's the cool thing to do. Some places, it’s like ‘Oh, I don't want to talk.’ Here, that's what we do. All the cool kids do it. Everyone does it. It's just kind of our standard of how we operate. It's been cool to see how it comes to fruition in plays and that they're actually making some more plays, because they're putting themselves in good spots from that.”Q: On trying to be a better defense than last seasonBurke: “I'm sure a lot of the guys have talked about it, we're chasing perfection. I know no one gets there, but we're chasing it. We want to be better than we were last year. The questions about people attacking us, we have high standards. It's not just me up here talking. It's every one of those players believes the same thing. It's easy to coach that way, because no one gets their feathers ruffled when you're calling them out like, ‘Hey man, this is not how we do it’ or ‘This is not our standard.’ Honestly, sometimes maybe the second group goes in and it's not how we do it. The guys in their position are already talking to those guys about, ‘No, that's not it. We've have to finish.’ The first play, the move of the ball, we have to run our butts off because we just didn't finish and stop the ball. Our standard is we stop the ball when we have pads on in a run defense. We don't just do that. We don't tag off. Those things are getting coached by the other players and that's how the standard gets raised like that. There has been a lot of talk about what we can be and maybes and this. If we're going to chase the dreams and the goals that we have, we have to have high standards and we have to hold ourselves to it.”Q: On whether he has seen DE Will Anderson Jr. improve his get off this offseasonBurke: “He jumped offsides today, put that in your notes That will piss him off for Monday. Yeah, I mean a little bit. We're a ball-key team and we train to get off. He's had going on four years in the system of what he's looking at and how he's doing it. He's pretty fine-tuned to get on that. It's a razor-thin thing. He has a really good knack for it. I think that's just a bank in all those reps of get-offs. Rod [Wright] does get off drills every day in his individual drills all day long. Will's had four years of that, so I think it's showing out for sure.”This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Everything Texans DC Matt Burke said following Day 9 of training camp

Marshall Manning may follow a familiar path in his football career. He has transferred to the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee — not far from the University of Tennessee, where his father, Peyton Manning, played.Marshall will be the backup quarterback this season to Keegan Croucher, a 2027 recruit committed to Ole Miss. The 15-year-old Manning appears headed for the starting lineup next fall.Watch him — better yet, close your eyes and listen — explain his role this season. It's almost like listening to any of the commercials the Indianapolis Colts legend starred in over the years."It's hard, having to work all summer and all year," Marshall said, "but maybe not get to go on the field. I feel like it's helped me grow so much."Freshman QB @MarshallManning16 talks about how tough it was having to sit out last season after transferring in to @BaylorSchoolFB, but also how much it helped him mature. He made several nice throws during the 7on7 portion. Showed some real zip and accuracy. Kid is still only 15 pic.twitter.com/Lee3ZoBnYZ— Stephen Hargis 🇺🇸 (@StephenHargis) August 8, 2026Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Marshall Manning sounds just like his father, Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton Manning