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Today — 24 February 2025Latest Sports News Today on Fox News

Maine's trans athlete policy 'so extreme,' could cost state millions, GOP lawmaker says

24 February 2025 at 09:58

A state lawmaker from Maine called the state’s policy on transgender participation in girls' and women’s sports "extreme" and warned that it could cost schools millions in federal funding.

State Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, appeared on OutKick’s "The Ricky Cobb Show" and reacted to last week's spat between President Donald Trump and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. The two butted heads over the state’s transgender participation policy in girls' and women’s sports after the president signed an executive order to prohibit those types of rules.

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The Maine Principals’ Association’s rules stated that a prospective student athlete must "declare their gender identity to their member school if their gender identity differs from the student’s sex assigned at birth." The rules stated that the school has "sole authority to determine gender identity assignment for the purposes of athletic registration and participation in MPA sponsored events."

Furthermore, "no medical records or official documents shall be requested for required to establish a student’s gender identity."

"That is the policy that Governor Mills is defending against President Trump," Libby said. "It is so extreme. It is an outlier even among other states that have similar policies. And it’s an extreme position that Mainers don’t support. 

"Not only is she supporting this extreme policy, her stance could cost the state $250 million for Maine’s schools and that is money that we need to provide education for Maine kids. It’s a two-for as far as how this hits our state. And it seems like she’s pretty dug in, and President Trump is gonna have to take this all the way through the courts."

MAINE GOVERNOR 'SHOULD WANT TO PROTECT WOMEN AND WOMEN'S SPORTS,' SEN MARSHA BLACKBURN SAYS

Libby called the policy "incredibly broad" and pointed to an issue the state has seen recently over a transgender athlete winning a state title in girls' pole vaulting.

The "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order was signed earlier this month. Trump vowed to withhold federal funding from Maine schools if they violate his federal order.

The Department of Education launched a Title IX investigation into Maine.

Mills said in a statement on Friday that she was standing up for the "rule of law."

"No President — Republican or Democrat — can withhold Federal funding authorized and appropriated by Congress and paid for by Maine taxpayers in an attempt to coerce someone into compliance with his will. It is a violation of our Constitution and of our laws, which I took an oath to uphold," she said.

"Maine may be one of the first states to undergo an investigation by his Administration, but we won’t be the last. Today, the President of the United States has targeted one particular group on one particular issue which Maine law has addressed. But you must ask yourself: who and what will he target next, and what will he do? Will it be you? Will it be because of your race or your religion? Will it be because you look different or think differently? Where does it end? In America, the President is neither a King nor a dictator, as much as this one tries to act like it — and it is the rule of law that prevents him from being so."

Mills added that she imagined the outcome of the investigation was "predetermined" and that it was not about what is happening on the playing field, but "whether a President can force compliance with his will, without regard for the rule of law that governs our nation. I believe he cannot."

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Cowboys eye quarterback in upcoming draft, team exec says

24 February 2025 at 09:18

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones suggested on Monday the team would use the upcoming NFL Draft to prioritize depth at the quarterback position.

Dak Prescott suffered two devastating injuries over the last five seasons, and it left the Cowboys in the lurch as far as backup quarterbacks have gone. Cooper Rush, Trey Lance and Andy Dalton were not the answers to replace him. When Prescott was healthy, the Cowboys operated as one of the best teams in the NFL. They had at least 12 wins from 2021 to 2023.

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Jones, who is in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, told reporters that developing a young quarterback behind Prescott is something the organization will look to address.

"You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft," Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. "I don’t know where that’s going to be.

"That’s why we gave a (fourth-round pick) for Trey. It seems like all the quarterbacks, even guys we have in the fourth round, go in the first. They always go so much higher than what you think."

TOP 5 POTENTIAL TRADE FITS FOR RAMS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD 

The Cowboys acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers before the 2023 season, but he played sparingly, if at all. Rush signed with the Cowboys in 2017 and has regularly been used as the QB2 option for most of his career in Dallas. He was briefly with the New York Giants in 2020.

The draft will feature a bunch of quarterbacks most college football fans will know.

Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are expected to be taken within the first six picks of the draft. Jalen Milore, Kyle McCord, Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers and Riley Leonard are some of the players that could fall to the Cowboys.

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Padres' Cole Paplham hit in head by 102-mph line drive vs Dodgers

24 February 2025 at 08:51

San Diego Padres pitcher Cole Paplham was on the receiving end of a 102-mph line drive to the head on Sunday in a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning. Paplham threw a pitch to Dodgers infielder Aaron Bracho on a 2-0 count. Bracho returned the pitch directly to Paplham. He went down for several minutes before he walked to a golf cart and took off the field.

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Padres manager Mike Shildt said Paplham "seemed alert" as he tried to shake off the scary incident.

"Our prayers are with him," Shildt said, via MLB.com. "He was conscious, seemed alert, knew where he was. But clearly a scary thing. … He was clearly in some pain, and obviously when something like that happens, a little bit rattled."

Paplham has been in the Padres’ minor league system since 2023. He played collegiate ball at the University of New Orleans and then participated in the MLB Draft League for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

YANKEES SCRAPPING ANOTHER LONG-STANDING TRADITION AFTER BEARD POLICY REVISION

He has moved around from Single-A to Double-A levels of minor league baseball. He had a 3.82 ERA and 11 strikeouts in eight appearances in 2024.

Paplham’s incident came days after Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller was struck in the face by a line drive.

Miller is still in concussion protocol as he recovers from the incident.

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Ex-Cincinnati men's basketball player Steve Toyloy dead at 37

24 February 2025 at 07:08

Steve Toyloy, a former center for the Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball, has died, the school said in a social media post on Sunday. He was 37.

The school announced his death on X.

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"Cincinnati basketball mourns the loss of Steve Toyloy, a Bearcat from 2008 to 2010," the men’s basketball team’s post on X read. "Our thoughts are with Steve's family, teammates, and all who knew him."

No cause of death was announced.

Toyloy played with the Bearcats in his junior and senior seasons. He played in 67 games and averaged about 15.8 minutes per game over the course of his career. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in those appearances.

OKLAHOMA'S DUKE MILES CHIPS TEETH IN PAINFUL ATTEMPT TO DIVE FOR LOOSE BALL

He played under then-head coach Mick Cronin for those two years. The Bearcats were 18-14 in 2008-09 and 19-16 in 2009-10. The team made it as far as the NIT in 2010. They missed the postseason altogether in 2009.

Toyloy never made it to the NBA but was able to continue his professional career internationally.

He played in Turkey, Brazil and Malaysia. He was named the MVP of the Malaysia Pro League in 2019. He was playing basketball as recently as 2023, according to sports writer Jordan Yap.

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WrestleMania 42 will take place in New Orleans for 3rd time

24 February 2025 at 06:05

New Orleans played host to the Super Bowl for the 11th time in the city’s history, and on Friday, it was announced as the host of one of the biggest pro wrestling events in the world.

WrestleMania 42 will be held at the Caesars Superdome next year. It is the third time the city will host the "Granddaddy of Them All." The two-night event will take place on April 11 and 12, 2026. It is the first time the city will hold the event since WrestleMania 34.

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"Finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans," Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a 10-time WWE champion and TKO board member, said in a news release on Monday. "Next year, 2026, WrestleMania 42, live from the Superdome in one of the greatest cities on earth, New Orleans, Louisiana."

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also touted WWE’s decision to return to the "Big Easy."

"We are ecstatic to host WrestleMania 42 in New Orleans next year. Hosting this iconic event three times in the last 12 years is an honor we do not take lightly," Landry said. "I want to congratulate the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation for their successful efforts on this project. We look forward to showing WWE fans from around the world all our great state has to offer."

LOGAN PAUL 'NEVER DOING' AT LEAST 1 HIGH-RISK MOVE IN WWE AGAIN

WWE also said "Monday Night Raw," "Friday Night SmackDown" and NXT Stand & Deliver will also take place around WrestleMania 42 in addition to WWE World and the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

The Rock was the one who made the initial announcement on the latest episode of "Friday Night SmackDown." The show took place at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and saw a confrontation between The Rock and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. 

The Rock said he wanted Rhodes to become "his champion" and, instead of aiming for the WWE title belt, he was searching for Rhodes’ soul. Rhodes has until Saturday at Elimination Chamber.

It is unclear how that will affect the road to WrestleMania 41, which will take place on April 19 and 20 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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Bill Demory, former Jets quarterback, dead at 74

24 February 2025 at 05:36

Bill Demory, a former quarterback for the New York Jets in the 1970s, died earlier this month, according to an obituary posted online. He was 74.

Demory battled prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease, according to AZ Central. The obituary said he died "peacefully" on Feb. 14.

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He was born in Iowa but moved to Arizona with his family when he was young and attended high school in Phoenix. He attended the University of Arizona and was a quarterback for the Wildcats for three seasons before he turned pro.

In 27 collegiate games, Demory had 3,268 passing yards and 28 touchdown passes. Arizona did not have a winning record when he was there.

KEANU NEAL, ONE-TIME PRO BOWLER, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 8 NFL SEASONS

He joined the Jets in 1973 and started in three of the six games he played in. He had 159 passing yards, two touchdown passes and eight interceptions that season. He was in a quarterback room that included Al Woodall and Joe Namath. New York finished 4-10 that season.

In 1974, the Jets were 7-7 with Namath leading the charge. Demory never saw the field.

Arizona Central noted that before Nick Foles started a game in the NFL, Demory was one of three quarterbacks who played at Arizona and started an NFL game. Eddie Wilson and Fred Enke were the other two.

Demory was later an economics professor at Arizona Western and Central Arizona College from 1999 to 2016 and an adjunct teacher at Mesa Community College from 1998 to 2024.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, 14 grandchildren, two step-children and his brother.

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Auburn's Bruce Pearl has warning for 'bad guys' as Trump says Dan Bongino will be FBI deputy director

24 February 2025 at 05:14

Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl had a warning for the "bad guys" as President Donald Trump announced the latest appointment in his administration.

Trump announced on Sunday that Dan Bongino will be the next deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Bongino is a former Secret Service agent and will serve under Kash Patel.

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"Great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Dan Bongino, a man of incredible love and passion for our Country, has just been named the next DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE FBI, by the man who will be the best ever Director, Kash Patel."

Pearl reacted to Bongino’s appointment on X.

"Congratulations to my friend and great patriot Dan Bongino," he wrote in a post. "The bad guys best keep their head on a swivel!"

MAINE GOVERNOR 'SHOULD WANT TO PROTECT WOMEN AND WOMEN'S SPORTS,' SEN MARSHA BLACKBURN SAYS

Bongino, who is also a former Fox News host, thanked Trump and Patel in a post on X.

Trump touted Bongino’s resume, including his master’s degree in psychology from City University in New York and an MBA from Penn State.

"He was a member of the New York Police Department (New York’s Finest!), a highly respected Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, and is now one of the most successful Podcasters in the Country, something he is willing and prepared to give up in order to serve," Trump added. "Working with our great new United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and Director Patel, Fairness, Justice, Law and Order will be brought back to America, and quickly. Congratulations Dan!

"Another aspect of the life of Dan Bongino that I think is very important. He has a great wife, Paula, and two wonderful daughters who truly love their dad," Trump later wrote. "What an incredible job Dan will do!!!"

Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

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Logan Paul 'never doing' at least 1 high-risk move in WWE again

24 February 2025 at 04:59

Logan Paul has left an indelible impression on WWE fans with his wrestling prowess since he entered the squared circle for the company in 2021.

"The Maverick" has been seen in multiple premium live events, went viral for his wild moves off the ropes and was even the United States champion for a time last year. Even with someone who has had as much success as the podcaster and social media star, he made clear there was one move he never wanted to perform again.

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Paul posted a video of himself performing the moonsault and battery on Rey Mysterio during a recent match on "Monday Night Raw." The maneuver involved Paul picking up Mysterio from the middle turnbuckle and flipping backward with him in his arms. Only a handful of pro wrestlers across the industry perform the move as it is.

However, for Paul, his days doing that seemed to be over.

"Never doing that again," he wrote on Instagram, tagging WWE in the process.

WWE NXT STAR ROXANNE PEREZ DISHES ON CM PUNK'S MENTORSHIP SINCE HIS RETURN

Paul used the move to help beat Mysterio in a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber.

The men’s Elimination Chamber match is on Saturday. The event will see Paul, John Cena, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre vie for an opportunity to go to WrestleMania 41 and compete for the Undisputed WWE Championship, which is held by Cody Rhodes.

Jey Uso won the Royal Rumble and will take on Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 41.

Paul competed in the Elimination Chamber match last year, but it was McIntyre who was victorious.

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NASCAR driver Carson Hocevar draws ire from fellow racers amid 2nd-place finish at Atlanta

24 February 2025 at 04:15

Carson Hocevar drew the ire of multiple drivers on Sunday night during the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series 2025 season.

Hocevar finished in second place as a caution flag came out in the middle of the final lap. It meant the driver who was in the lead at the time of the caution was declared the winner. This time, it was Christopher Bell who won the race, with Hocevar and Kyle Larson behind him.

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However, after the race, multiple drivers were seen speaking with Hocevar. The 22-year-old’s aggressive driving did not appear to go over well with some of his colleagues.

"We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play on the playground together," Hocevar said, via NASCAR.com. "So obviously, there’s learning lessons. You don’t want to p--- anybody off or frustrate anybody, and there’s things I would clean up for sure. But it’s just going to come with learning.

"Again, I’m normally 40th, waiting for them to crash and hoping they crash, and I finish in the teens. So, to be up front and get stage points in both stages and have a shot to win is something to hold my (head) high. … And I’ve always said I’m a really bad superspeedway racer, so this at least gives me a little bit more confidence."

CHASE BRISCOE ISSUED HEFTY PENALTY FOR DAYTONA 500 SPOILER INFRACTION

Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch were among those who reacted to Hocevar’s racing.

As Blaney was driving for first place, he received a bump from Hocevar on Lap 234. Blaney was sent spinning, and a caution flag came out. Blaney was able to save his car and made it back toward the front to finish in fourth place.

"I wasn’t slowing," Blaney said. "He was drafting to me, and he didn’t lift and just gave me a shot when I’m turning into [Turn] 1, and it spun me out. I was just happy I didn’t hook a right back into everybody and was able to stay on the apron."

Chastain had one of the fastest cars of the day. He declined to get into the specifics of their conversation.

Busch noted that Hocevar had a lot of "close calls" in the race.

"I mean, he wasn’t even clear on me, I had to lift, and he put me in the fence off of two in the first stage," he told NBC Sports. "So, he’s just trying to plug holes and doing it last second and last minute, and creating log jams on back. It’s just, do it at the end, you know, do it in the last 30 laps, not in the first 230."

It was Hocevar’s 45th NASCAR Cup Series race of his career and his seventh top 10 finish. It was the best finish he has had on the circuit.

He previously finished in third place at Watkins Glen last year.

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Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite arrested on assault to a peace officer charge, records show

24 February 2025 at 03:52

Denver Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested in Denver on a charge of second-degree assault on a peace officer on Sunday, jail records showed.

Wilhoite, 38, was booked into the Downtown Detention Center in Denver and was set for a court appearance on Monday morning in Denver County Court.

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"We are aware of a situation involving Michael Wilhoite that occurred Sunday and are in the process of gathering more information," the Broncos said in a statement, via 9 News in Denver.

Details about the incident were not immediately known.

Wilhoite was an undrafted free agent out of Washburn when he got his first taste of NFL action in 2012 with the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the 49ers through the 2016 season.

He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and only played one year for them.

KEANU NEAL, ONE-TIME PRO BOWLER, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 8 NFL SEASONS

Wilhoite set his sights on the NFL coaching ranks in 2019 when he signed as a special teams assistant with the New Orleans Saints on Sean Payton’s staff. He was then on the Los Angeles Chargers’ staff in 2021as their linebackers coach. He was let go after the 2022 season.

In 2023, he rejoined Payton but with the Broncos.

The Broncos went from a team at the bottom of the league in points and yards allowed in 2023 to one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2024 – ranked third in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed.

Denver made the playoffs but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round.

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Oklahoma's Duke Miles chips teeth in painful attempt to dive for loose ball

24 February 2025 at 03:33

Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball guard Duke Miles suffered a horrific injury while diving for a loose ball during the team’s win over Mississippi State on Saturday.

Miles tried to get the loose ball, but he face-planted on the hardwood floor of the Lloyd Noble Center. Images showed the senior transfer from High Point spitting out pieces of his teeth as he appeared to be in tremendous pain as he lay on the court.

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Oklahoma held a 73-64 lead with 6:57 left in the game at that point. The Sooners beat the Bulldogs 93-87.

The school’s trainer, Seth Tisdale, told the school’s radio broadcast team that Miles chipped two teeth.

"Our team dentist was in [the locker room] when I went to do radio," Sooners head coach Porter Moser said, via CBS Sports. "His teeth aren't that pretty right now. He was doing fine when I left. He was just hustling, diving for a ball."

Miles did return to the floor after the incident. He had three points in 16 minutes for Oklahoma.

ALEX RODRIGUEZ HELPS BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT WIN $10,000 THANKS TO CLUTCH SHOT

He started his collegiate career at Troy and played through his junior season. He transferred to High Point before the 2023-24 season and averaged 17.5 points per game with a 52.8% shooting percentage.

He has started in each of the 27 games he’s appeared in for the Sooners this season. He is averaging 10.1 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Oklahoma is 17-10 on the season and 4-10 against SEC opponents. The Sooners are hoping to clinch a spot in the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament.

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Yankees scrapping another long-standing tradition after beard policy revision

24 February 2025 at 03:11

When Game 5 of the World Series ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating at Yankee Stadium, every fan of the pinstripes had to hear Frank Sinatra’s timeless "New York, New York" ring out as they exited their seats. 

If losing the World Series was not enough, hearing that song, which is played win or loss at Yankee Stadium throughout the season, poured salt on the wound for some. 

Well, it seems that Yankees tradition will be no more, as a team spokesman confirmed to the New York Post on Sunday that "Theme From New York, New York" will not play after losses in the Bronx. 

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Instead, a rotation of songs will be played after the Yankees lose at home. An example was Sinatra’s iconic tune, "That’s Life," which played after Sunday’s spring training loss to the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. 

The Yankees have been a team with long-standing tradition, and it remains that way. However, some tweaks to those traditions are being made, and the song blaring over the Yankee Stadium speakers is just the latest.

The biggest change, which has been called for by many on and off the field, is a new facial hair policy. 

YANKEES' AARON JUDGE REVEALS STANCE ON BEARD POLICY, WHETHER HE'LL GROW ONE

The move was considered stunning because, since 1976, facial hair other than a mustache was not allowed by any Yankees player, coach or staff member. Now, general managing partner Hal Steinbrenner announced on Friday that a "well-groomed" beard can be seen on a player, coach or staff member’s face. 

"In recent weeks, I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback," Steinbrenner said in the statement.

"These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately, the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

The Yankees’ team manual used to read, "All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches [except for religious reasons], and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned."

Now, what exactly deems a well-groomed beard remains to be seen, but this is a big deal for the Yankees and its fan base – "seismic," as longtime play-by-play commentator Michael Kay put it. 

Yankees captain Aaron Judge, who said he would not be growing a beard despite the rule change, noted what Steinbrenner hinted at regarding players potentially not wanting to join the Yankees in free agency because of the no-beard rule. 

"I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal until it got brought up the past couple weeks. I think the rule will be good. I think it’ll help a lot of guys. If it gets us a couple more players that’ll help us win games, everybody will be on board for that," Judge said.

With the no-beard rule scrapped (to an extent), and no more upbeat Sinatra being played after a loss, the Yankees are heading into the 2025 season looking to get back to the World Series with a new look and feel.

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Yesterday — 23 February 2025Latest Sports News Today on Fox News

Fresno State men's basketball players allegedly placed sports bets on games they played in: report

23 February 2025 at 17:31

Fresno State men’s basketball is mired in a sports gambling scandal, and ABC 30 Action News learned two of the three athletes involved allegedly bet on games they played in. 

The Bulldogs removed forward Mykell Robinson from the team while suspending guards Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins for alleged sports betting. 

ABC 30 Action News reports Robinson and Weaver placed bets that their team would go under their projected points and rebounds totals. This is a clear violation of NCAA rules, which prohibit student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff members from betting on games or providing information to anyone involved in or associated with any type of sports betting. 

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The rule includes sports betting involving intercollegiate, professional or amateur games or competition. 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEGEDLY FIXING GAMES: REPORT

ABC 30 Action News also reports that Fresno State men’s basketball head coach, Vance Walberg, was the one who discovered his players' alleged gambling and notified the university. After an initial internal investigation, the NCAA got involved with an investigation of its own. 

Fresno State told ESPN that Weaver and Collins were "being withheld from competition as the University reviews an eligibility matter."

These are two of the Bulldogs’ top scorers this season, with Weaver averaging 12.5 points per game, while Collins is close at 12.0 points per game and leads Fresno State with 4.7 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Robinson has not been on the team since Jan. 11. 

Fresno State Athletics also told ABC 30 Actions News it would no longer comment on the matter "at this time."

The Bulldogs have lost 10 straight games, owning a 5-23 record this season, which is a record for most losses in a single campaign.

With three players away from the team, the Bulldogs only dressed seven players in Saturday’s 72-69 overtime loss to Air Force.

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Keanu Neal, one-time Pro Bowler, announces retirement after 8 NFL seasons

23 February 2025 at 16:57

After eight seasons in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Keanu Neal is retiring. 

Neal, who also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, announced his retirement with an Instagram post. 

"God has blessed my family and I in so many ways," he began his caption. "20 years ago, I started this journey. Today, I am retiring from the NFL. Gods’ timing is always the right timing."

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Neal went on to thank everyone along that journey he started 20 years ago. 

"Wanna give a big thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting and giving me a chance to make an impact. To the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Bucs, and Pittsburgh Steelers.. Thank you for allowing me to continue my career with you. All top notch organizations. 

"I am incredibly grateful for the coaches and teammates I had the privilege of working with along the way. Sumter County, South Sumter High, Wolfpack, University of Florida, my family and friends..THANK YOU! All the lessons learned through the game has helped mold me into who I am today. #Enforcer."

NFL INVESTIGATING JUSTIN TUCKER'S SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS, INTERVIEWING ACCUSERS: REPORTS

Neal didn’t play the 2024 season after failing a physical with the Steelers, the team he played with in 2023. 

Neal was one of the top prospects heading into the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful college career at the University of Florida, leading to the Falcons taking him 17th overall that year. 

He made an immediate impact as a rookie, tallying 106 tackles, five forced fumbles and eight passes defended over 14 games. 

Neal would follow it up with his first and only Pro Bowl campaign, totaling a career-high 116 combined tackles with one interception, six passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Injury got in the way in 2018, when Neal tore his ACL in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then in 2019, Neal tore his Achilles in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. 

The Falcons would exercise the fifth-year option for Neal, so 2020 was a contract year that worked out in his favor. He had 100 tackles, nine for loss, with one interception.

But Neal ended up signing a prove-it contract the next season with the Cowboys, a one-year deal worth $5 million. He did so as a reunion with his old head coach, Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. 

Neal ended up switching to linebacker from safety with the Cowboys and played 14 games with 72 tackles. 

In 2022, Neal signed another one-year deal, this time with the Bucs on a $1.272 million deal to go back to strong safety. He had eight starts out of his 17 games, posting 63 tackles, one interception and four passes defended. 

Finally, Neal joined the Steelers in 2023 but was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 18, ending his season prematurely. 

For his career, Neal had 523 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 22 passes defended.

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NBA All-Star Devin Booker pleads for Hooters to stay afloat amid bankruptcy reports

23 February 2025 at 15:04

The looming bankruptcy for Hooters has one NBA All-Star worrying. 

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker posted on X one day after it came out that the restaurant chain could be heading to Chapter 11. 

"Plz don’t go @Hooters," Booker tweeted after the team’s win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. 

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Booker wasn’t the only one nervous about the restaurant’s future, with many posting to social media, including golf influencer Paige Spiranac

"Not on my watch," Spiranac tweeted after seeing the news. 

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Hooters of America is reportedly working with creditors to restructure its debt of $300 million through a Chapter 11 filing. 

The chain is working with the law firm Ropes & Gray to prepare for a filing, per Bloomberg, but the plans are not final. 

Hooters has closed several locations throughout the country as its business declined. Around 40 locations have shut their doors, but none where Booker is in Arizona

Bloomberg also reported the company sold around $300 million in asset-backed bonds in 2021. 

While Hooters battles to stay afloat, Booker is hoping to do the same with his Suns this season. 

Phoenix is 27-29 on the year despite a talented roster, and if the season ended today, it wouldn’t make the Play-In Tournament because it is 11th in the Western Conference.

The 28-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his 10th NBA season, all of which have been in Phoenix. 

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Paige Spiranac wants 'ban' of controversial putting method in pro golf

23 February 2025 at 13:40

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has declared a stance on a hot debate on the course. 

AimPoint, a method of finding a putting line on the green, has been criticized by those who don’t use it, saying that it affects the pace of play on the PGA Tour. 

Spiranac is in that camp after what she saw on the LPGA Tour – a player going through their AimPoint routine a foot from the hole. 

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"Ban Aim Point," Spiranac posted on X over a picture of the LPGA Tour player.

Slow play has been a controversial topic in golf recently, especially with rounds in tournaments like the Farmers Insurance Open taking almost six hours to complete. 

PGA Tour golfer Lucas Glover said on SiriusXm PGA Tour Radio that, while it isn’t proven AimPoint is causing these pace of play issues on the course, it can take too long to get the read and the results are not any better than other methods. 

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"AimPoint statistically hasn’t helped anybody make more putts since its inception on the PGA Tour, statistics have borne that out," Glover said. 

Glover also pointed out how the method requires players to walk near the hole and make their way back to the ball.

"It’s also kind of rude to be up near the hole and stomping around, figuring out where the break is in your feet. It needs to be banned. It takes forever," he said. 

There are others, however, who believe if AimPoint was adopted by more, the game would move quicker. 

"It would speed up play as it takes an average of 10 seconds to get a read," Europe’s senior instructor Jamie Donaldson told Golf Monthly

Collin Morikawa, who uses AimPoint, heard what Glover had to say and retorted with a proposed ban on "long putters," which the latter uses. 

As of now, the PGA will continue to allow AimPoint, but pace of play will continue to be a hot topic moving forward.  

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Brett Favre has 1-word response to Wisconsin gov's proposal that would replace word 'mother' in state law

23 February 2025 at 13:05

Former Green Bay Packers star Brett Favre offered a short response on social media to the proposal from Wisconsin’s Democratic governor to replace "mother" with "inseminated person."

But it was far from the only proposal in Tony Evers administration’s budget recommendation. Other so-called gendered terms were also called on to change, including "paternity" to "parentage," "wife" or "husband" to "spouse" and "father" to "parent." The word "mother" was also recommended to change to the phrase "parent who gave birth to the child."

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The term "inseminated person" would be used when talking about artificial insemination, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Favre used one word on X in response to the proposal.

"Nonsense," he wrote along with a disappointed emoji.

Evers faced more backlash over the proposed changes.

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"Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ latest left-wing push isn’t just out of touch, it’s offensive to mothers," Republican Governors Association executive director Sara Craig said in a statement. "Being a mother is the greatest privilege I will have in my lifetime, and every mother I know feels the same. If Tony Evers can reduce motherhood to an ‘inseminated person’ then our society is lost."

Evers said his plan would eliminate income tax on tips, prevent homeowners from seeing property tax increases and improve the state’s infrastructure, among other things, when he introduced the budget proposal. 

However, he made no mention of the language in the bill.

Fox News’ Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

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Maine governor 'should want to protect women and women's sports,' Sen Marsha Blackburn says

23 February 2025 at 12:45

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., reacted to Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ spat with President Donald Trump over the issue of transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

Trump signed the "No Men in Women’s Sports" executive order earlier this month to ensure that no transgender athletes compete against women or girls in sports. Some states, like Maine, have bucked the executive order.

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It all led to a public dustup between Mills and Trump on Friday. Trump threatened to withhold federal funding if the state continued to allow trans athletes in women’s sports. Mills retorted, "We’ll see you in court." 

Blackburn talked about Maine’s decision in an interview on "Fox News Live" with anchor Mike Emanuel.

"This is one of those defining issues between the left and the right," she said. "We fully believe that President Trump is right on this. It is the policy of the federal government that we will support Title IX, as there, for women and women's sports, and we will not support men, biological men in women sports. and as President Trump said that this is the federal position and therefore the governor should be enforcing that. 

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"She should want to protect women and women's sports. It is unbelievable that she would choose to not do that."

The executive director of the primary governing body for high school sports in the state of Maine said athletic teams will continue to determine eligibility based on a student's stated gender identity, despite the president's executive order seeking to keep "men out of women's sports."

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who serves as the chairman of the National Governors Association, talked about Mills and Trump’s spat.

"As governors, we have our prior initiative that we continue to work on is to disagree better," Polis said.

"We always hope that people can disagree in a way that elevates the discourse and tries to come to a common solution around... what the issue is. I don't think that that disagreement is necessarily a model of that," he continued, adding that some governors may not have known the origins of the fiery exchange at the time.

Fox News’ Charlie Creitz and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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Alex Rodriguez helps Bucknell University student win $10,000 thanks to clutch shot

23 February 2025 at 12:05

Bucknell University students may not have been fans of former MLB star Alex Rodriguez before Sunday, but the ex-New York Yankees third baseman definitely turned their perception.

Rodriguez attended the Bucknell-Army game with his business partners Marc Lore and Jordy Leiser. The baseball star was called upon to deliver a clutch shot at halftime.

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He stepped up to midcourt at the Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and banked the halfcourt shot into the basket. The Bison student section went wild. One student won $10,000 because of Rodriguez's make.

Lore and Leiser graduated from Bucknell – Lore in 1993 and Leiser in 2006. Lore, Leiser and Rodriguez helped start Jump, which is a technology company aimed at building relationships between fans and professional sports organizations. Lore and Rodriguez were also partners in the recent acquisition of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.

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The three men spoke at a Bucknell Forum event before tipoff.

Rodriguez went to high school in South Florida before he turned pro and was the No. 1 pick of the Seattle Mariners in the 1994 draft. Since his retirement from baseball, Rodriguez has turned into a prominent businessman.

Aside from his relationship with Lore and Leiser, he started A-Rod Corp and has made investments in several companies, including Snapchat, Vita Coco and Hims and Hers, among other major companies.

Bucknell won the game, 84-53.

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BYU players hear explicit chant from Arizona fans after controversial end to men's basketball game

23 February 2025 at 11:30

The BYU Cougars topped the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday night in a wild game that featured a controversial call, an incident between players and an explicit chant from the crowd in Tucson.

The Cougars won the game 96-95. 

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The Wildcats had the ball with under 12 seconds to play. Caleb Love was searching for some heroics and was fouled as he made a shot. But instead of receiving the possibility of completing a three-point play, Love was given only two free throws. He hit them both and put Arizona up 95-94 with a few seconds to play.

BYU moved the ball up the floor quickly. Cougars star Richie Saunders drove the lane and tried to float one toward the basket. He fell trying and a late whistle was heard. Arizona’s Trey Townsend was called for a foul. Saunders made both free throws and BYU won the game.

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Players had to be separated as they were in the handshake line after the game. Furthermore, fans of the No. 19-ranked Wildcats were heard changing "f--- the Mormons" as BYU left the floor.

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd disagreed with the last-second foul call.

"It’s a bad call. I mean like, whatever. What am I going to say? You hate for a game to be decided by that," Lloyd said, via Sports Illustrated. "(Townsend) played good defense. The guy’s pivoting, pivoting, pivoting, throws his shoulder into him, throws up a shot and falls down. It’s a foul with two seconds to go. I mean listen, it’s the Big 12. That’s what I’m told. And the guy who called it is one of the best refs. So we’ve got to live with it."

Arizona officials also issued an apology for the fans’ chant.

"Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred," athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois said in a statement.

"On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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