The Kansas City Chiefs' quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophy begins in earnest on Saturday when they welcome the Houston Texans to Arrowhead Stadium for a playoff game.
The Texans upset the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round over the weekend, which punched their ticket to the divisional round. Travis Kelce, 35, has been in the NFL for more than a decade, but the Chiefs star tight end told ESPN's Pat McAfee he still feels like he has the energy of a young athlete.
Kelce actually mentioned a specific number — 22 — when he was asked about how he felt as the Chiefs head into the playoffs. "22" is also the title of one of pop star Taylor Swift's songs from her album "Red."
"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22," he said in a nod to one of the song's lyrics this week during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" this week.
Kelce and Swift have been romantically linked for more than a year, with the singer making routine appearances at Chiefs games since the 2023 season.
Kelce was recently named to his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl. But, he likely hopes to skip the event and in favor of competing in the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Although Kelce fell short of the coveted 1,000 receiving yards mark this past regular season, he appeared to round into playoff form as the year progressed.
He finished the Chiefs' Christmas Day victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers with 84 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.
Kelce has been a key part of three Super Bowl winning teams, including the Chiefs win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII and last year's title run. No NFL team has ever won three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL's most heralded franchises, winning six Super Bowls in its history. But in recent years, the franchise has become accustomed to flaming out in the postseason.
Mike Tomlin has been at the helm since 2006 and coached the team to one of those Super Bowl titles. While Tomlin has still never ended a regular season with a losing record, it has now been eight years since he led a team to victory in a playoff game.
The Steelers are one of the most stable franchises in the league, having only had three head coaches over the past five decades. Nevertheless, the lack of recent success in the playoffs has prompted some concerns about whether Tomlin should remain in place.
Yet Tomlin shrugged on Tuesday when asked if it feels as if the Steelers are "stuck" after they were dominated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round on Saturday.
Tomlin then acknowledged the disappointment everyone involved with the Steelers were feeling following the early playoff exit. "I definitely don’t feel in the mood for optimism or the selling of optimism," he said. "I don’t know that that’s appropriate. You know, it’s disappointing not to be working. And so that’s where we are."
And while changes are certainly coming to the coaching staff — most likely on defense after the Steelers were gashed during a five-game freefall through the standings — Tomlin doesn’t appear to be going anywhere as he enters the first season of a three-year extension he signed last June.
Tomlin believes he's still "capable" of helping Pittsburgh end its longest playoff victory drought since the "Immaculate Reception" more than a half-century ago.
Yet he also finds himself entering a third offseason in four years with questions at quarterback. Skylar Thompson, who signed with the Steelers on Tuesday, is the only quarterback under contract for the 2025 season. Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen — all of whom played during the 2024 season — are all scheduled to become free agents when the new league year begins in March.
While Wilson and Fields both expressed interest in returning and Tomlin said the team is "open to considering those guys," there’s also the very real chance they begin 2025 with their fifth different Week 1 starter in as many seasons.
Though the offense made progress — particularly during a midseason stretch in which Wilson won six of his first seven starts — the Steelers averaged just 14.2 points during their late swoon, hardly good enough to advance to the divisional round or beyond.
Tomlin also acknowledged he understands there is discontent growing among the fanbase during what can best be described as his team’s "Groundhog Day" era.
"I understand the frustrations," he said. "And to be quite honest, I share it."
The 12th-winningest coach in NFL history — he will reach the top 10 if the Steelers win at least eight games in 2025 — doesn’t believe his message has lost its effectiveness, in part because he believes that is a small component of his job. The vast majority is on schematics, preparation and talent development and in those ways he believes the team has evolved.
"I’m open to adaptation and change and have been," he said. "And so it’s not a new discussion. It’s not like I’ve been doing the same things over (and over)."
Tomlin remains intent on trying to be a part of the solution in Pittsburgh, saying teams with job openings that might inquire about his willingness to move on should save their time.
"I have no message," Tomlin responded via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette when asked if he had a message to any team potentially looking to acquire him in a trade. "Save your time."
Brazilian Olympian Bruno Lobo rescued a drowning woman off the coast of Sao Luís, Brazil on Jan. 10, and gave all the credit to God for putting him in position to perform the heroic deed.
"The day that God used me as an instrument to save this young woman, all honor and glory to Him," wrote in a post on Instagram (translated from Portuguese).
Lobo, who is also an orthopaedic doctor, competed in kite surfing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He is also a two-time Pan American Games champion.
At the time of the rescue, he was busy training, he said in the video. Lobo claimed that he went into the ocean at around 5:40 p.m. local time "to do the last test."
"It was a cloudy day, wind conditions were not the best, but I decided to test the support that had arrived, it was the first day using this material, I set the camera to record and went towards the coast," he said in the video.
"After sailing a few meters, I heard a cry for help and looked at the girl who was drowning. I quickly approached her with the kite. I tried to calm her down and asked to climb on my back. She was quite tired and without power. I used the equipment to bring her safely to the sand," Lobo continued.
Lobo used his gear to help bring the woman back to shore, and then lifeguards gave her further assistance.
"Olympic kitesurfer Bruno Lobo jumped into action when he spotted a woman struggling in the ocean while training with his new camera off the coast of São Luís, Brazil. Using his kite, he carried her safely to shore," the statement read. "Great job Bruno."
Bruno concluded his video with a warning to fans and viewers.
"Be warned about the dangers of the sea, rivers and any place you don’t know because the current in some places tends to be very strong!"
Golf icon and Southern California native Tiger Woods is speaking out as wildfires continue to wreak havoc on the Los Angeles region.
Woods was born in Cypress, California, which is located roughly 45 miles from Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The Palisades fire is one of the largest and one of the most destructive wildfires sweeping across the area.
Woods had been publicly silent about the tragedy, until Tuesday. He released a statement saying his heart was with those who have been impacted by the devesting wildfires.
"The devastation that is ongoing with the LA fires is such a tragedy and being from California, it hits home," Woods said in a statement shared to his social media platforms. "My heart is with those who have suffered unimaginable loss. Thank you to the incredible heroes that are the first responders helping to contain and save the community of Los Angeles."
The 15-time major winner also vowed to release more details about his personal contributions to the communities affected by the disasters.
"We plan to provide an update on our own charitable efforts to help these communities in the coming weeks. Stay strong LA!"
Firefighters and first responders continue to work to fully contain the Palisades and Eaton fires, both of which were sparked last week.
On Tuesday, the death toll rose to 25. Officials confirmed at least eight people died due to the massive Palisades fire, while the Eaton fire claimed 17 lives. An estimated 35 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Forecasters said strong winds in the region will bring an elevated fire threat throughout Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said "life-threatening and destructive and widespread winds" are in the region, which could fuel the growth of new or existing wildfires in Los Angeles County and Ventura County.
"Extreme fire danger will continue thru Wed. PDS Red Flag Warnings are for the extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios," the NWS Los Angeles wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets. Stay aware of your surroundings. Be prepared to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire.#cawx."
New York Jets veteran receiver Davante Adams has fueled speculation of a possible reunion with the Green Bay Packers following his comments on his former team’s needs for the 2025 season.
The Packers made an early playoff exit with a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, despite making the postseason as the youngest roster in the league for a second year in a row. Green Bay struggled all season long playing against polished teams, losing six games to team’s that finished with a record of 11-6 or better.
Much of that centered on a talented yet young receiver room, and for Adams that would be the focus for the Packers this offseason.
"I just think it kind of depends on the health of the team," he said Tuesday during an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show.
"It's looking right now like, obviously, they might need some receiver help in one way or the other just based off what they have available. Maybe a veteran or something in there. I don't know, we'll see."
The comments sparked speculation on social media that Adams might be talking about himself, especially considering the season he had in New York after reuniting with former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets extended their historic playoff drought after finishing the season 5-12. The team has undergone significant changes, including searching for a new head coach and a new general manager.
There’s also a possibility that Rodgers doesn’t return.
The two played eight seasons together in Green Bay, and Rodgers’ decision will undoubtedly play a role in Adams’.
He said Monday that this season was a "whirlwind" and he's unsure what his next step will be. Adams is due to make $35.64 million in each of the next two years.
Cam Ward drew up controversy when he didn't play the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Ward played the first half and sat the second after he broke the Division I record for most passing touchdowns in a career (156), surpassing Case Keenum.
Arguments were aplenty.
Many felt Ward took a risk in playing in a meaningless bowl game as potentially the No. 1 overall pick. On the flip side, others felt Ward was selfishly in it for only the record. The Hurricanes lost, 32-31.
The future first-round pick received lots of praise and criticism, but his now former head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.
"I don’t feel the need to go race to squash false narratives and a bunch of bulls--- that people like to start because that’s their way of doing whatever their job is," he said on Monday. "That’s where it’s at. That’s where it’s always been. Cam has been an exceptional, an elite, Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He’s elevated the profile, the exposure of the University of Miami.
"He is leaving a legacy that’s gonna be impactful for generations to come. I mean, he’s the best I’ve been around, and I look forward to watching him lead an NFL franchise to championships and watching him play on Sundays."
"He’s a big reason why he won 10 games and had a chance to really win every game," Cristobal added. "He set the tone for what the standard is, right, the expectation is going forward — as difficult as that might be and sound."
Miami controlled its own destiny in the College Football Playoff heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to knock themselves out of the ACC title game and lose their chance of making the Playoff. Perhaps the conversation would have gone away on both sides if Ward had more to play for in December.
Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both in the conversation about being the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which is owned by the Tennessee Titans.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was once again the subject of a viral roast campaign after an unhinged rant on the House of Representatives floor on Tuesday.
Ocasio-Cortez spoke out against The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in a two-minute tirade that included both false and unsubstantiated claims. Her speech ended with an unexplained claim that "CEOs love this bill" as it relates to the ongoing California Wildfires.
The bill ultimately passed and will now head to the Senate after all 216 House Republicans voted in favor, along with just two Democrats. Meanwhile, 206 Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez, voted against the bill.
Ocasio-Cortez opened her argument by referencing Republicans' history in voting against the "Violence Against Women Act" and an apparent false claim in reference to their stance on abortion rights.
"Republicans who have voted consistently against the violence against women act, who have taken away the right of all women to choose and have control over their own body, who, as women are bleeding out in parking lots across the country, standing there, allowing us to die, now want to pretend today that they care about women!" Ocasio-Cortez said.
Abortion is currently protected by state law in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and President-elect Trump has repeatedly insisted that under his administration, abortion rights will be left up to the states.
Ocasio-Cortez was also one of many Democrats to push unsubstantiated claims that the law would subject young girls to sexual predators.
"And why? To open up gender, and yes, genital examinations into little girls of this country, in the so-called name of attacking trans girls!" Ocasio-Cortez continued.
Nowhere in the bill does it state that girls or women would be subject to genital examination in order to participate in sports. However, Ocasio-Cortez, along with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats opposing it, have cited that possibility as their top argument in opposing the act.
"The majority right now says there's no place in this bill that says it opens up for genital examinations. Well, here's the thing, there's no enforcement mechanism in this bill. And when there is no enforcement mechanism, you open the door to every enforcement mechanism!" Ocasio-Cortez said.
The bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls.
Under the bill,sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Ocasio-Cortez has been a consistent advocate for trans inclusion in women's sports and has previously used the word "predatory" to describe those who oppose it. In November, Ocasio-Cortez re-shared a video of Green Party VP candidate Butch Ware speaking out against trans inclusion in women's sports, with a caption that read, "This ticket is predatory and people deserve better."
And now, despite many in her party and liberal media figures publicly disavowing support for trans inclusion, Ocasio-Cortez isn't wavering in her stance on what a woman or girl is.
"Trans girls are girls!" Ocasio-Cortez said at Tuesday's hearing.
Ocasio-Cortez then commenced with a series of incoherent and unfinished sentences about the issue.
"And for all the folks that are so concerned, thank you for your concern about women for the first time that I've seen. I don't know about y'all. I don't know who's been to gym class lately, but girls, even if you only believe there's only two genders, I've played co-ed sports all the time!" she said, before moving onto another point.
Ocasio-Cortez's next point was to warn that the bill may result in an appreciation of traditional feminity.
"What this also opens the door for, is for women to try to perform a very specific kind of femininity for the very kind of men who are drafting this bill, and to open up questioning of who is a woman because of how we look, how we present ourselves, and yes, what we chose to do with our bodies," she said.
The bill does not address anything to do with how biological females dress, present themselves or any potential anatomical or bodily decisions.
Ocasio-Cortez concluded her speech by claiming the bill is "loved" by "bigots" and "assaulters," before making her unexplained connection to CEOs and the California Wildfires.
"Biggoted folks love this bill. Assaulters love this bill, but also CEOs love this bill. Because Los Angeles is on fire right now, and this is the No. 1 priority this majority has," she said, before leaving the podium.
Ocasio-Cortez was the subject of harsh criticism on social media for her tirade later on Tuesday.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously co-sponsored the Equality Act, which was proposed in 2019 and has had revisions that "would force public schools to allow biologically male athletes who identify as transgender on girls sports teams."
In March 2023, Democrats, including Ocasio-Cortez, advocated for a transgender bill of rights, proposing a resolution "recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights."
However, now the issue of preventing trans inclusion has become a bipartisan priority, that Republicans and Trump have simply taken the lead on.
Daly was lying in a hospital bed in the post, and the location said he was in Tampa, Florida.
Daly, 58, is a fan favorite and known for his appearance and attitude on the golf course.
Daly dresses in colorful attire on the golf course, and is always seen having a cigarette in his hand on the course. He revealed that he hates water, and that he used to drink 12 to 20 Diet Cokes a day to replace it, in an interview a few years ago.
Daly went to the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship, and qualified for the 1986 U.S. Open as an amateur. He turned pro in 1987 following his career at Arkansas, and joined the PGA Tour in 1991.
Minnesota Vikings first round pick J.J. McCarthy posted a cryptic message on social media after the Minnesota Vikings suffered a crushing defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Monday night.
The post comes amid speculation about Sam Darnold’s future in Minnesota.
The Vikings went 14-3 during the regular season with Darnold at the helm. He had seemingly resurrected his career after a tumultuous start with the New York Jets and several backup roles following.
Battling for the top seed in the NFC, the Vikings were blown out by the Detroit Lions in Week 18. Darnold completed just 19 of 41 for 166 yards and no touchdowns. He was also sacked twice. Fast-forward to Monday night, and the former first round draft pick didn’t show any signs of improvement.
He finished the 27-9 loss going 25 of 39 for 245 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked nine times.
"I clearly didn't play well enough the past couple weeks," Darnold said after the game.
But more interesting than Darnold’s postgame admission were the comments made by backup quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The former Michigan quarterback, who won a national championship before being drafted by the Vikings with the No. 10 overall pick, posted a cryptic message on X after Minnesota’s loss.
"Amor fati," he wrote.
The Latin phrase, meaning "love of fate," refers to the mindset applied to how someone views life, in both the good and bad.
The post, which went viral on social media, could have several meanings for McCarthy.
He missed his entire rookie season due to injury and could return for the 2025 season as the Vikings’ new starter as Darnold becomes a free agent following back-to-back losses to end the year.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its first bill of the 119th Congress on Tuesday, voting in favor of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
Every Republican representative voted in favor of the bill, but only two Democrats, Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Vicente Gonzales, D-Texas, voted to pass it. The remaining 206 House Democrats all voted against. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., voted "present."
After the bill was passed, Republican congressional representatives and women's rights advocates condemned the Democrats who voted against it in a press conference on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said it was "shameful" that only two Democrats voted to pass the bill.
"We had two Democrats join us, but it's shameful, there should be many, many more. In fact, I argue that every member of this body voted for common sense and to protect women. But for some reason, for politics I guess, they chose not to," Johnson said.
"The American people sent a clear message in November, they want us to return to common sense, but it seems that some of our friends in the other party are ignoring that plea."
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, a prominent advocate for women athletes' rights who leads a lawsuit against the NCAA for its stance in allowing trans athletes to compete as women, also lambasted the 206 Democrats who voted against the bill.
Gaines took aim at the Democrats who argued against the new law on the basis that it would result in young girls being examined for sports eligibility.
"We heard of things like genital exams, we heard that girls would be asked to show what's in their underwear, we heard that they would have to show internal and external anatomy, inspections, Taliban-like enforcers, hire predators to peak at enforcers on and on and on, weird fearmongering about predators, but that's what Democrats do best," Gaines said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a post on Bluesky criticizing the legislation on Tuesday, making unsubstantiated claims that the law would "unleash horrific child predators on girls and young women."
Jeffries' office has not offered a substantial explanation as to how the law would do this. When asked for comment by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson only said, "The post speaks for itself."
Gaines also criticized those who said the bill was "a waste of time."-
"I heard that this bill is a waste of time, and let me tell you the message I received when I heard that, it's that I am a waste of time. Girls around the country, just like me, are a waste of time. Your daughters are a waste of time to all House Democrats except for two."
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., who re-introduced the bill in the House after a failed attempt to pass it in 2023, pointed out Democrats' track record of enabling and celebrating trans inclusion in women's sports.
"The Democrats have, for years, tried to allow biological [men] to compete in our nation's women's collegiate activities," Steube said.
"It's absolutely absurd that we actually have to pass a bill that says only women can be in women's sports!"
The Biden administration, alongside other Democrats, has taken sweeping actions over the last four years to enable trans athletes in women's and girls' sports.
On Jan. 20, 2021, just hours after President Biden assumed office, he issued an executive order on "Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation."
This order included a section that read, "Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports."
Biden issued a sweeping rule that clarified that Title IX’s ban on "sex" discrimination in schools covers discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and "pregnancy or related conditions," in April. The administration insisted the regulation does not address athletic eligibility. However, multiple experts presented evidence to Fox News Digital in June that it would ultimately put more biological men in women's sports.
Democrats have proposed other federal legislation that would allow for more transgender inclusion in women's sports. These include the Equality Act, which was proposed in 2019 and has seen revisions that "would force public schools to allow biologically male athletes who identify as transgender on girls’ sports teams."
In March 2023, Democrats advocated for a transgender bill of rights, proposing a resolution "recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights." The resolution specifically called for federal law to ensure that biological men can "participate in sports on teams and in programs that best align with their gender identity; [and] use school facilities that best align with their gender identity."
However, those stances appeared to backfire in the November election, as Trump and Republicans pounded Democratic opponents with TV advertisements about their support for trans inclusion.
A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America (CW) legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of "Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls' and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls' and women’s bathrooms" as important to them. And 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."
"This was an opportunity to turn a new leaf, leave party politics behind to finally prioritize people over Washington politics. But unfortunately, it remained nearly a complete party vote, with only two Democrats willing to affirm and protect Title IX’s protections," CWA legislative strategist Macy Petty told Fox News Digital.
"This vote was not about some complicated policy issue, but a self-evident truth that civilization has recognized since Creation. When abandoned, as we’ve witnessed, women and girls face devastating consequences that require moral clarity to correct. And that’s been harder and harder to come by here in Washington."
The Dallas Cowboys' search for the franchise's next head coach is underway.
On Monday, longtime Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones confirmed that the organization and coach Mike McCarthy mutually agreed to part ways.
"Prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction. I thank Mike and wish him, his wife Jessica and their family the best. They have been a wonderful part of our community here," Jones said in a statement.
After news of McCarthy's departure surfaced, speculation about his possible replacement ensued. During pregame coverage of Monday's wild-card round game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, ESPN reported that a former Cowboys star tight end was under consideration for the head coaching position.
"They can and will conduct a search here to try and find the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys," Adam Schefter said during ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" broadcast.
"Obviously it’s new, it’s just beginning. We’ll see what that brings them. A lot of names floating around out there. I think at some point in time they could have some level in the Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Potentially even Jason Witten, an all-time franchise great. But this is very early on. Very preliminary. And we’ll see ultimately where Jerry Jones goes with his search. But the Cowboys are in the market for a new head coach."
Witten was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent all but one of his NFL seasons with the franchise. Witten initially retired after the 2017 season, and spent some time in the ESPN broadcast booth. But he ultimately returned to the Cowboys in 2019.
He remains the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Witten last appeared in an NFL game with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
Since parting ways with McCarthy, another former Cowboys star player has also been linked to the coaching vacancy – Deion Sanders.
Sanders, who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys during his five-year stint with the franchise, is currently the head football coach at Colorado.
If Sanders does ultimately land in the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex, his arrival would fall in line with one of Jones' recent coaching hires. Jason Garrett was the Cowboys' head coach from 2010-19. He was primarily Troy Aikman's backup quarterback from 1993-99.
The Cowboys are looking to reset after finishing this past regular season with a 7-10 record. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott missed the final nine games due to a hamstring injury.
McCarthy went 84-49 over five seasons as the Cowboys' head coach, including three consecutive 12-5 seasons.
Despite the regular season success, McCarthy only had one playoff win over his five years with Dallas.
The Cowboys went 7-10 last season despite many key players missing significant time with injuries, including Prescott.
Prescott spoke in December about his belief in McCarthy.
"Your coach seems like he's playing on his last contract and [I’m] almost feeling helpless like I can’t help him in this situation, especially a guy you believe in so much and you believe in being your head coach," Prescott told Yahoo Sports. "Control what I can control, help and support Mike to every extent that I can."
Prescott only played in eight games due to season-ending surgery on his hamstring.
"I believe in him wholeheartedly. I don't want to necessarily get into the nuts and the screws of it all obviously, but I think he definitely deserves a chance – another contract and a chance to coach this team among more influence. ‘On his terms’ may be a good way to say it," Prescott said.
In Jerry Jones’ statement about not bringing McCarthy back, he talked about how complimentary he was of McCarthy.
"Throughout Mike McCarthy’s tenure here, including the last several weeks, I have been very complimentary of the job he has done," the statement read.
Jones cited a joint review that led to the team parting ways with McCarthy.
"Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team."
"Prior to reaching the point of contact negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction."
Once the Cowboys hire a new head coach, Prescott will be entering his 10th season with the third head coach of his career.
Top-ranked tennis pro Daniil Medvedev destroyed a camera and his tennis racket as he faced what could have been a monumental upset in the Australian Open by a wild-card entry ranked 418th in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament on Tuesday.
Medvedev’s outburst came during the third set when he lost a 13-stroke back-and-forth with Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej to fall behind 40-15. With Medvedev up at the net, Samrej’s shot clipped the net to go beyond Medvedev’s reach in a direction he clearly could not have anticipated.
Then Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist, unleashed his anger on the net, smashing his racket several times.
In the process, Medvedev destroyed his racket and a camera that was situated directly in his path of destruction.
Staff quickly rushed to replace the broken camera and clean up the debris on the court. Medvedev was given a code violation warning for racket abuse from the chair umpire.
Medvedev dropped the set to trail 2-1, and it looked as though the No. 5 ranked player would face elimination. But Medvedev quickly turned things around to win the following two sets 6-1, 6-2, and advanced to the second round.
"In the end of last year, this match, I probably would have lost it," Medvedev said after the match. "New year, new energy."
Medvedev is hoping to start out the 2025 season with a win in Melbourne. A three-time finalist, including in last year’s tournament, Medvedev has never won the Australian Open. His biggest challenger will be Novak Djokovic, who has won the most Australian Open titles than any other men’s player with 10.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a post on Bluesky criticizing the proposed Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act on Tuesday, making unsubstantiated claims that the law would "unleash horrific child predators on girls and young women."
"The House Republican Child Predator Empowerment Act does not promote fairness and safety in sports. It will unleash horrific child predators on girls and young women throughout America. Unacceptable," Jeffries wrote.
Jeffries' office has not offered a substantial explanation as to how the law would do this when asked for comment by Fox News Digital.
"The post speaks for itself," a spokesperson from Jeffries' office told Fox News Digital when asked for an elaboration of the comments.
The proposed Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act has been re-introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., in the House, where it will be voted on Tuesday.
This bill generally aims to prohibit school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls.
Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls.
Under the bill,sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
The bill is only one page long, and clarifies that it will not be a violation for "males to train or practice with an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls so long as no female is deprived of a roster spot on a team or sport, opportunity to participate in a practice or competition, scholarship, admission to an educational institution, or any other benefit that accompanies participating in the athletic program or activity."
Currently, 25 states already have their own similar statewide laws to prevent trans athletes from competing against girls and women.
Jeffries is not the only prominent Democrat to brand the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act as the Child Predator Empowerment Act.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., spoke out against the bill during a press conference on Tuesday. Aguilar suggested that the fact that the bill doesn't establish an age limit for girls' sports could "lead to inspections and individuals raising concerns."
"What is most offensive about the legislation is that it doesn't distinguish girls' sports at what age. It doesn't distinguish whether you want an Olympic athlete, an NCAA player, high school sports player regulated by your state, or whether you're just playing soccer as a 4-year-old or 5-year-old down the street," Aguilar said.
"It potentially could lead to inspections and individuals raising concerns. And how you proceed with that is something that is concerning to the House Democratic Caucus. And so that's why, you know, we felt that this is the GOP child predator empowerment act."
Jeffries and Aguilar have each previously co-sponsored a piece of legislation that would allow trans athletes to compete in women's and girls' sports – The Equality Act.
That bill would "amend Federal education laws to ensure that they protect students from discrimination based on sex, including gender identity and sex characteristics, and guarantee students’ right to participate in sports on teams and in programs that best align with their gender identity."
However, the Democrats' push to enable trans inclusion in women's sports became a party-wide vulnerability in the recent election cycle.
A national exit poll conducted by the CWA legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of "Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls' and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls' and women’s bathrooms" as important to them.
And 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."
In June, a survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago asked respondents to weigh in on whether transgender athletes of both sexes should be permitted to participate in sports leagues that correspond to their preferred gender identity instead of their biological sex.
Sixty-five percent answered that it should either be never or rarely allowed. When those polled were asked specifically about adult transgender female athletes competing on women’s sports teams, 69% opposed it.
Multiple Democrats have publicly pulled back on their support for trans inclusion, including Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, and Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y.
Biden's Education Department was even forced to withdraw a proposed rule that would outlaw states from banning trans inclusion in December.
Tim Tebow and his wife Demi-Leigh Tebow announced on Tuesday they are expecting their first child.
The Tebows shared a video on social media announcing their child. Demi-Leigh dressed in white as Tim showed off the ultrasound photos of their impending child. The couple was extremely happy in the clip and appeared ready to start the next chapter of their lives.
"We are just so excited and so over the moon to be having a baby together," Demi-Leigh told People magazine in an interview published Tuesday.
"I'm so grateful because I just couldn't imagine a better life partner to do life with first and foremost," she added. "To be able to raise a little tiny human being together. I'm so grateful that Tim is my husband... that we get to do parenting together."
She told People she is 16 weeks pregnant.
The two added that it was "surreal" to think about becoming parents. They each spoke glowingly of one another when talking about why their partner would become great parents.
"She will be extremely loyal and loving. Demi is someone that is extremely determined," he said. "When she sets her mind to something, she goes all the way in — and I know that she will do that as a mom, too."
Demi-Leigh called her husband "extremely gracious" and "one of the most thoughtful people."
"I just think that he's one of the wisest people I have met — and I know that's a bold statement to make, but I truly believe it. Just in the way that he approaches every single day," she said.
The former NFL star married the former Miss Universe in 2020 after being engaged for three years.
Bettman said in addition to players competing in the 2026 Olympics, they will play in a World Cup in 2028, go back to the Olympics in 2030, and then two years after that, have another World Cup to set the cycle of international play.
Bettman called the 4 Nations Face-Off an "appetizer" for what looks to be a packed international slate for the sport of hockey in the coming years.
The tournament will be the first time since 2016 that NHL players were in a best-on-best international tournament. It was the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, and there were eight teams in that tournament.
Because of the 4 Nations Face-Off, there will not be an All-Star Game this season.
Here is what you need to know about the upcoming tournament.
The tournament is a round-robin tournament, and each team will play three games.
For each regulation win, the winning team will receive three points. For each overtime or shootout win, the team will receive two points.
For each overtime or shootout loss, the team will receive one point. For a regulation loss, the team will not be awarded a point.
Overtime is a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death period. If the overtime is scoreless, the game will be decided by a three-round shootout.
The top two teams will play in a winner-take-all final.
If overtime is needed in the championship game, it will be traditional 5-on-5 hockey with consecutive 20-minute periods, like how overtime works in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The tournament will be held in North America, with games being held at the Bell Centre in Montreal and the TD Garden in Boston.
There are two practice days, on February 10 and 11, and then the games begin.
There are four games being played at the Bell Centre, and three at the TD Garden.
Here are the games being played at the Bell Centre:
Saturday, Feb. 15, is a doubleheader at the Bell Centre. Finland plays Sweden at 1 p.m. ET, while Sweden will play the United States at 8 p.m. ET
The TD Garden will also host a doubleheader. On Monday, Feb. 17, Canada will play Finland at 1 p.m. ET, while Sweden will play the United States at 8 p.m. ET.
The championship game is on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. ET.
Each roster will consist of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies.
Forwards (listed alphabetically by last name):
Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
Defensemen:
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche
Goalies:
Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils Chris Kreider, New York Rangers Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks Brock Nelson, New York Islanders Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
Defensemen:
Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild Adam Fox, New York Rangers Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Goalies:
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Forwards:
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes Joel Armia, Montreal Canadiens Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers Mikael Granlund, San Jose Sharks Erik Haula, New Jersey Devils Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars Kaapo Kakko, Seattle Kraken Patrik Laine, Montreal Canadiens Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks
Defensemen: Jani Hakanpaa, Toronto Maple Leafs Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars Esa Lindell, Dallas Stars Olli Maatta, Utah Hockey Club Niko Mikkola, Florida Panthers Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers Juuso Valimaki, Utah Hockey Club
Goalies: Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Forwards: Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings Elias Lindholm, Boston Bruins William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs Gustav Nyquist, Nashville Predators Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
Defensemen: Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres Mattias Ekholm, Edmonton Oilers Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Goalies: Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators
There was only really one way for Miami Heat veteran Kevin Love to describe the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Miami led Los Angeles 48-43 at the half and then allowed 66 points in the second half to eventually lose 109-98. The loss snapped Miami’s three-game winning streak. The team had a three-game losing streak before that.
Love played 15 minutes and scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds. He used OnlyFans model Bonnie Blue to describe the team’s performance. He posted a photo of her holding a sign with the number 1,000 on it.
For Blue, it signified how many men she slept with. For Love, it described the Heat’s defense.
"When someone asks me how f---ed our 2nd half was last night…" he captioned the photo.
Love has been using his Instagram to joke about some of the Heat’s issues over the last few weeks. Most notably, the team has been dealing with Jimmy Butler’s trade request and team president Pat Riley’s unwillingness to deal the star forward.
Miami has been able to stay above water in tumultuous times. The Heat dropped to 20-18 with the loss.
The Heat sit in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference – only a half-game behind the Milwaukee Bucks to avoid the play-in tournament.
A Texas man who was arrested for allegedly stalking and sending sexually violent messages to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had a disruptive hearing on Wednesday as he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Michael Lewis entered Marion County Superior Court, leaned back in his chair and told Judge Angela Davis he was "guilty as charged," according to ESPN.
Davis suggested to Lewis that he exercised his right to remain silent and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf as she wasn’t going to accept anything else in an initial hearing, according to the report.
Lewis was ordered held on $50,000 bail and to stay away from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Hinkle Fieldhouse – where the Fever and the Butler Bulldogs play, respectively. Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffrey, is an assistant on Butler’s men’s basketball team.
Lewis, 55, was charged with stalking threatening sexual battery or death, FOX 59 reported, citing court documents. The charge is considered to be a Level 5 felony. He could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
Lewis allegedly sent Clark sexually violent messages through his X account. One message said he had been driving around her house multiple times and encouraged her "not to call the law just yet." He also allegedly spoke of going to a Fever game and sitting behind the bench.
Authorities talked to Lewis about the messages on Jan. 8, according to the station. He reportedly told authorities he was going to Indianapolis for vacation and downplayed the number of messages he sent to the WNBA sharpshooter.
Lewis told authorities the messages weren’t threatening and called it a "fantasy-type thing" and a "joke."
Clark reportedly alerted authorities to the messages and said she had become fearful over the words sent to her.
"t takes a lot of courage for women to come forward in these cases, which is why many don’t," Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said, via FOX 59. "In doing so, the victim is setting an example for all women who deserve to live and work in Indy without the threat of sexual violence."
The arrest of Lewis came nearly a month after an Oregon man pleaded guilty to stalking UConn Huskies women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, was arrested in August and was found with an engagement ring and lingerie while walking near Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. He said he intended to marry Bueckers.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford acknowledged how important Monday night’s playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was in the midst of a natural disaster back home.
The Rams-Vikings matchup was moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, because of wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area. The Rams practiced once at their facility before heading to Arizona to prepare for the game.
Rams fans still showed up to the stadium and supported their team as they won the game, 27-9.
"There was definitely every excuse in the book to come out here and be lethargic and woe is me and all that, but we knew we weren’t playing just for us," he told reporters, via Pro Football Talk. "Playing for people back home that needed something to watch and enjoy and I’m glad we could give that to them."
Stafford was among the players and coaches who supported the Los Angeles Fire Department before and during the game, wearing shirts that said "LAFD."
"What the people in Los Angeles are going through, the devastation, the loss, the heartache all of us feel for them, we knew the game couldn’t be played there by Thursday," he said on ESPN. "The public safety and compromising any of that was not something we do. And we wanted to make sure the focus for the first responders was taking care of the people that are struggling out there so much.
"When we made that decision, the league comes together. We have preparations or what we call contingency plans that includes two stadiums every week, and this was a perfect fit as far as the location for the Los Angeles Rams’ fans, and I’m proud to say 45,000 of them made the trip over here, which is just extraordinary. Everybody came together and Michael Bidwell and the Cardinals are at the top of that list."
Before the game, the Rams were among the 12 Los Angeles and Anaheim area teams that announced a combined $8 million donation to those affected by the wildfires.
The money will go to support victims and those fighting the fires. The American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon and several other local animal rescue organizations were named as the beneficiaries of the donations.
Former Team USA swimmer Gary Hall Jr., who earned 10 Olympic medals during his career, will be provided with replicas of those medals after he lost them in the deadly California wildfires, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday.
The IOC released a statement over the weekend in response to the multiple wildfires burning in Southern California which have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
"We are in full solidarity with the citizens of Los Angeles and full of admiration for the tireless work of the firefighters and the security forces," the statement read. "Currently the full focus must be on the fight against the fires and the protection of the people and property."
The IOC also confirmed that Hall, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, would receive replicas of his medals, which he lost in the Pacific Palisades Fire.
"We have also learned that a great Olympian, Gary Hall Jr., has lost his medals in the fire. The IOC will provide him with replicas."
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald last week, Hall recalled first seeing the fires in his neighborhood.
"I saw the flames erupt and houses start popping. There were explosions. I didn’t have a lot of time," he said. "Sunset Boulevard was a complete logjam. People abandoned cars and were running for their lives. Police were telling them to do that. My girlfriend was trapped in her car around smoke."
Hall said he only had enough time to grab the essentials, leaving his medals behind.
"I did think about the medals. I did not have time to get them," he told the outlet. "Everyone wants to know did the medals burn? Yeah, everything burnt. It’s something I can live without. I guess everything is just stuff. It’ll take some hard work to start over. What can you do?"
Hall, 50, won four medals, including two gold, in his first Summer Games in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Four years later, he brought home four more medals and in his final Games, the 2004 Athens Olympics, two more.
In 2012, Hall was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame.
