The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowl titles, but, in recent years, the Patriots have experienced more losses than wins.

New England has finished four of the past five seasons with a losing record. Mike Vrabel, who played linebacker for the Patriots for eight seasons and won three Super Bowls with the team, is now tasked with turning the once proud franchise around.

During his playing days, Vrabel learned what it took to reach great heights in the NFL. This week, the first-year Patriots coach laid out some of the expectations he has for players.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, the Patriots are kicking off their offseason program. Some key points from Vrabel's first formal address to the team earlier this week have since circulated on social media. 

Players will be required to leave cellphones in their personal bags.

2025 NFL DRAFT WR AND TE RANKINGS: TYLER WARREN THE NEXT GRONK?

"We've all got cellphones," Vrabel said. "Most of you have more than one, as a matter of fact. Just leave the cellphone in your bag. Just put the phone away."

He also wants players to be on time. If a player is running late, Vrabel instructed them to communicate. But he also doesn't want it to become a habit.

Vrabel then asked players to resist pulling sweatshirt hoodies over their heads during meetings.

"We're building our own identity," Vrabel said. "We're building our own team. We're building our own program. There are going to be things within that that are different ... and it's all about how we make you guys as good as you can possibly be as an individual, as a player and as a team. That's our whole goal, and you have to start understanding that — why we're doing what we're doing."

Vrabel also stressed that employees who work at the team's headquarters are there to "help" players be successful, but they are not the athletes' "housekeepers."

"They are here to help you do your job," Vrabel said. "They aren't here to be your valet, to be your housekeeper, to be your butler. You get where I'm going? We're going to treat those people with the utmost respect."

The Patriots and Bill Belichick agreed to part ways in January 2024 after the Patriots only appeared in one playoff game in the four seasons after Tom Brady's exit.

Shortly after Belichick's departure, Jerrod Mayo was named the Patriots' head coach. Mayo was dismissed after the 2024 season finale, and Vrabel took over. Vrabel was the Tennessee Titans' head coach from 2018-23 and spent the 2024 season as a consultant with the Cleveland Browns.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Pat McAfee initially praised Travis Kelce for making a $3.3 million donation for the homeless, but the tight end admitted that the report was not true.

The Daily Mail recently issued that report, which led to McAfee telling his audience on his show last week that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was "making the world a better place."

But on his own podcast, Kelce said the report was not true.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I got to make a little statement in the ‘don’t believe everything you read, kids’ category realm that you see online," Kelce began. "Some false claims were thrown out there that I was doing something in the community that I was not. I’m not even going to talk about it specifically. I don’t want to bring any more attention to that whole nonsense and article and all that stuff."

"But if you ever want to know exactly what I’m doing in the community, just go to 87&running.org. We’re always trying to get out there, get in the Kansas City communities, in the Cleveland community, but this time, I wasn’t doing what was falsely claimed by the social channels or outlets posting all this AI stuff."

Kelce then gave a shout-out to McAfee himself for "always trying to look out for the guys and women in the sports world."

The charity, Foster Love, has since deleted a post that highlighted Kelce's supposed donation. It initially claimed that Kelce pitched in for a "6,500-foot property" that featured "six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, and plenty of outdoor space, including a garden, patio, and fire pit — all designed to offer a safe and supportive environment."

"Travis is offering housing, mentorship, and educational resources, giving these youth the tools they need to move toward independence and break the cycle of homelessness," the charity said. "It’s inspiring to see @killatrav use his platform to make a real difference for vulnerable youth."

It's widely speculated that Kelce broke the news of his return to the NFL to McAfee as the ESPN host said he got a text from somebody that he did not name that "I'm coming back for sure."

"Got a real bad taste in my mouth with how I played in that last game and how I got the guys ready for battle!!!!" McAfee read from his phone, insinuating the text was from Kelce.

McAfee then added in his own words, "I think you can say Travis Kelce is coming back to play football yet again."

Kelce did not further explain his McAfee comment on the podcast.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Luka Dončić returned to Dallas Wednesday for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and it hit him hard.

Dončić was shockingly traded in February, and Anthony Davis was one of the players the Mavericks acquired.

Ever since then, Mavs general manager Nico Harrison has been public enemy No. 1 in Dallas. Fans have not forgiven him for trading a global superstar in the prime of his career.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

That continued Wednesday with numerous "Fire Nico" signs as Dončić and the Lakers arrived in Dallas.

The arena was filled with white shirts that said "Thank you for everything" in his native Slovenian.

Just before the game, the franchise honored him with a video tribute, and Dončić became emotional.

Harrison said he made the trade to improve the team's defense fresh off an NBA Finals appearance. In Davis' Mavericks debut, he was injured (he has since returned), and Kyrie Irving later tore an ACL.

Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has put up his usual numbers, averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists, and the Lakers are a serious contender.

GRIZZLIES' JA MORANT DEBUTS GRENADE TOSS CELEBRATION AFTER HE WAS FINED FOR GUN GESTURE CELEBRATION

Aside from the defense though, Dončić would have been in a contract battle with the Mavs. His $207 million extension expires this year, and he was due for a supermax DEAL worth over $340 million. Plus, he could have opted out of any other deals with Dallas. So, Harrison wanted security.

"We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract," Harrison said shortly after the deal was done. "And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available."

Entering Wednesday, the Lakers were 48-31, third in the Western Conference. It would be their best finish since winning the NBA title in 2020.

There are, however, four teams just one game behind them in the standings, which could drop them down to seventh and put them in the play-in tournament.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Keegan Bradley traveled to Augusta National Golf Club as the reigning America's Ryder Cup captain. 

On Wednesday, the 38-year-old participated in one of the historic course's annual traditions — the Masters Par 3 Contest. The contest, which dates back to 1960, offers golf pros the opportunity to participate in a lighthearted session shortly before the real competition tees off.

Past Masters champions are also invited to play on a nine-hole course. Participants often include their caddies, relatives, and children to play alongside them on the shortened course.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Bradley had his two young sons with him this year. The trio enjoyed a special father-son moment when he made a hole-in-one. A few near misses early on couldn't keep Bradley off track, as he made the contest's first ace on Hole 6 on Wednesday.

Bradley's mustache also returned just in time for the first major tournament of the season.

Bradley jokingly suggested the facial hairstyle could bring him good luck. 

"I shaved it off and I played two weeks and did not play well at all, so I had to bring it back," he said in jest during the broadcast of the contest.

TIGER WOODS' REASON FOR ABSENCE FROM MASTERS CHAMPIONS DINNER REVEALED: 'STILL CAN'T PUT WEIGHT ON HIS FOOT'

Bradley's best finish at Augusta National happened last year and in 2015 when he tied for 22nd.

The Par 3 Contest has produced 112 holes-in-one over the past 65 years. Last year, five participants made an ace. Sam Snead won the inaugural Par 3 contest in 1960.

Fan support for Bradley has seemed to be steadily rising recently. Although he is the current Ryder Cup captain, he was snubbed in 2023. His reaction to being rebuffed was chronicled on the Netflix docuseries "Full Swing." Bradley's handling of the situation helped make him one of the most beloved golfers on the PGA Tour.

The first round of the 89th edition of the Masters begins on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Another star edge rusher in the NFC North may be disgruntled.

Pittsburgh Steelers four-time All-pro defensive end T.J. Watt had a cryptic post on his Instagram account that had the NFL world in a social media frenzy. 

Watt posted a picture of him flashing a peace sign as he ran off the field. While it may just be Watt posting a nice picture in the offseason, Steelers fans are reading into it. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Watt has just one year left on his deal with the Steelers, and given his status as one of the best players in the league on either side of the ball, he's looking for his next big payday. Fans believe this post points to that. 

And some of them are predicting frustration from No. 90. 

"Doesn't look good," one X user said.

A big payday came for one of Watt's divisional rivals, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, who publicly asked for a trade after he and the team weren't seeing eye to eye on the contract front. 

MYLES GARRETT, BROWNS REACH AGREEMENT ON CONTRACT EXTENSION AFTER TRADE REQUEST: REPORT

The Browns eventually compensated Garrett as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league with a four-year, $160 million extension with $123.5 million guaranteed. 

Garrett and Watt have nearly identical production. Watt, 30, has the most sacks in the NFL since the 2019 season with 88. Garrett, 29, is second with 82. 

Watt has led the NFL in that category for three seasons, including his Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2023 when he notched 19 in 17 games. 

Watt has been nothing but a menace for the Steelers’ strong defense since entering the league in 2017, racking up 108 sacks in 121 career games. He also has a knack for the strip-sack and forcing fumbles, doing so a league-leading six times in 2024 and 33 for his career. 

For now, the post is cryptic, but it seems inevitable Watt will get his payday. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Justice Department’s investigation into Matt Weiss, the former Baltimore Ravens and Michigan assistant football coach accused of hacking into the personal accounts of more than 2,000 college athletes, uncovered that the ex-coach stole thousands of "candid and intimate" photos and videos. 

The revelation came during a court filing in a lawsuit against Weiss and the university after lawyers representing the victims in this case shared an email from the Justice Department's Mega Victim Case Assistance Program. 

"Thousands of candid, intimate photographs and videos have been seized from the defendant’s electronic devices and from his cloud storage accounts," the email read, via The Associated Press. "Many show victims naked. Some show victims engaged in explicit sexual acts." 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The filing came weeks after Weiss pleaded not guilty to a 24-count federal indictment. The charges were announced last month — more than two years after Weiss, 42, was fired from his coaching position under Harbaugh after an investigation into the alleged crimes. 

According to the indictment, Weiss "gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities that were maintained by a third-party vendor." He then allegedly downloaded personal information and data of more than 150,000 athletes and, from there, was able to access the information of more than 2,000 athletes, including access to their social media, email and cloud storage. 

Weiss predominantly targeted women, prosecutors said.

CHARGERS' JIM HARBAUGH 'DISTURBED' BY HACKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FORMER MICHIGAN ASSISTANT COACH

Weiss spent more than a decade coaching in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens in various roles before he left following the 2020 season to coach under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. He was fired in 2023 during an investigation into the alleged crimes. 

Weiss is accused of committing the alleged crimes from 2015 to January 2023. 

Weiss is facing 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. He is facing a maximum of five years imprisonment for each of the unauthorized access charges and up to two years for each count of identity theft.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to be taken early in the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft, but one NFL executive appears to believe he isn't worth a selection of that caliber.

ESPN did a round-up of what he's hearing ahead of the Draft, which will kick off in Green Bay in two weeks. And one "NFC personnel man" hasn't been impressed with Sanders, the son of NFL great Deion Sanders. 

While he admits "good decisions" are made by the young signal caller, he doesn't feel Sanders will lift a franchise to the next level, which is the expectation for a high first-rounder.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"Fringe starter who makes good decisions and does some good things, but won't get you over the top," the personnel man told ESPN. 

Throughout the draft process, Sanders has garnered mixed reviews from experts. While Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward appears to be the consensus top prosect at his position in this year's crop of prospects, Sanders' draft stock has fluctuated. It's the first round, but where exactly is a mystery. 

SHEDEUR SANDERS TOUTS HIMSELF AS ‘BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE DRAFT’

The ESPN report also discusses Sanders' personality, a heavily-discussed subject as he has interests outside the game. Of course, in today's world of college athletes allowed to profit off their own brand, it's expected. 

"I'm fine with Shedeur's personality – he's tough and works really hard," an AFC executive tells ESPN. "He needs to be in a timing offense – three-step drop, timing, throw."

Now, while his decision-making process appears to get checked boxes from most, Sanders' upside is something another AFC executive is wary of. 

"If it was me, I couldn't do that," the executive told ESPN when asked if they would choose Sanders top-10. "Not [a] great athlete, not big, not strong, undisciplined game, comes with scrutiny. Is he going to be good enough?"

Teams and experts will say what they want, but Sanders won't be taking it to heart. Following his Colorado Pro Day, Sanders' confidence, which has been on display from day one, shined when he said he believed himself to be the best quarterback in the draft. 

"All I need is an opportunity," he said, via ESPN "Simple. Whatever franchise wants to change their franchise, then there's no doubt who to go with. I've done it over and over and over. So you would be a fool not to pick me.

"What's the most important trait about a quarterback?… Consistency? Look at the last four years. That's how I know I'm the best quarterback in the draft.... What checks all boxes? It leads to one guy."

In Fox News Digital’s first mock draft, Sanders was slated to go No. 3 to the New York Giants. But the Colorado standout could be selected by any team in the top 10.

In his final year playing for his father and the Buffaloes, Sanders notched 4,134 passing yards with 37 touchdowns. 

A transgender fencer, who competed in a USA Fencing-sponsored tournament and was at the center of controversy after an opponent protested against the organization’s gender-participation policies, is no longer on the Wagner College women’s fencing team.

Wagner College confirmed to Fox News Digital that Redmond Sullivan was off the team more than a week following the controversy at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Sullivan is shown to have competed for the Wagner women’s team in the foil competition in several meets during the first half of the 2024-25 season. Sullivan participated on the men’s team during the 2023-24 season, scoresheets from meets during the season showed.

The NCAA changed its transgender-inclusion policy after President Donald Trump signed the "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order.

"A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team," the policy read.

Sullivan was at the Cherry Blossom Open and was set to face off against Stephanie Turner.

Turner decided to take a knee in protest of Sullivan’s inclusion in the meet and of USA Fencing’s transgender-participation policies. Turner spoke to Fox News Digital about her decision to protest and ultimately get expelled from the event.

USA FENCING FACES TEXAS PROBE AFTER FEMALE FENCER PROTESTS AGAINST COMPETING WITH TRANS ATHLETE

"This is a serious issue that is happening within all sports, and it needs to be addressed. There is a difference between men and women," Turner said. "It is a civil rights movement for women and girls, and I prioritize the safety and rights and protection of women and girls over trans-identified males."

USA Fencing has since defended its transgender participation policies.

Sullivan’s club team, Iconic Fencing Club, backed the fencer after the event with Turner.

"Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE and USA Fencing, the statement said. "She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.

"Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honor, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behavior expressed by Red’s opponent has no place. Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

SENDING A MESSAGE – A letter signed by 14 Maine state senators was sent to the White House on Tuesday as Gov. Janet Mills maintains her position regarding transgender athletes' inclusion in girls' and women's sports. Continue reading … 

FILING SUIT – Maine officials filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Monday following the agency’s decision to freeze funding to the state for its refusal to reverse its transgender athlete participation policy in schools. Continue reading …

TAKING A KNEE – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into USA Fencing on Tuesday after fencer Stephanie Turner's knelt in protest of competing with a transgender athlete. Continue reading …

FROM OUTKICK – Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is spearheading an investigation into USA Fencing over the organization's policy on biological males' inclusion in the female division. In a letter obtained by OutKick, Cruz demanded the governing body make policy changes. Continue reading …

'THIS IS UNFAIR' – A video showed disc golfer Abigail Wilson walking up to the tee box, winding up, and flinging her arm forward. But Wilson did not let go of the disc, later saying her refusal to participate centered around competing against a transgender athlete. Continue reading …

CHIMING IN – Dallas Mavericks minority owner and reality television star Mark Cuban weighed in on the debate surrounding transgender athletes' participation in girls' and women's sports. Continue reading

FROM OUTKICK – An individual associated with the UC Davis Athletic Department made contact with a San Jose State University athletics official to inquire about best practices for onboarding a biological male onto a women's team, according to documents obtained by OutKick. Continue reading …

CATASTROPHIC ROOF COLLAPSE – Octavio Dotel, a World Series champion pitcher, and former major leaguer Tony Blanco were among the more than 110 people who died following the collapse of a roof at a Dominican Republic nightclub, officials said Tuesday. Continue reading … 

FAMILY CONCERNS – MLB legend Pedro Martinez revealed Tuesday night that some of his family members remained buried in the rubble after a roof collapsed at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. Continue reading …

HEROIC MOMENT – Tony Blanco, a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Washington Nationals, was credited with saving a teammate before he died in a Dominican Republic roof collapse. Continue reading …

MOCK DRAFT – The NFL Draft is just over two weeks away, and the Tennessee Titans will be the first team on the clock. Here's a look at the latest mock draft from the Fox News Digital Sports team. Continue reading …

FROM FOX SPORTS – Nebraska defeated UCF in the inaugural College Basketball Crown championship game in Las Vegas. The Cornhuskers were also rewarded with a $300,000 NIL package. Continue reading …

FROM OUTKICK – The Raiders have experienced uneven quarterback play over the past few seasons, but the recently signed Geno Smith is confident he is "one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL." Continue reading …

WATCH NOW – FOX Sports' "Breakfast Ball" host Craig Carton reacts to the Denver Nuggets' decision to fire coach Michael Malone. Watch here …

FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Fox News First

Fox News Opinion

Fox News Lifestyle

Fox News Autos

Fox News Health

Fox Business

Fox Weather

Fox Sports

Tubi

Fox News Go

OutKick

Sign up for OutKick's daily newsletter

Fox Nation

Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill was involved in a domestic dispute with wife Keeta Hill at his condo in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Monday.

Fox News Digital obtained the police report from the incident after the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department responded to an "assault in progress" at Hill's house. Hill and his wife were present when authorities arrived, as was his wife's mother, Alesia Vaccaro. 

Local 10 WPLG was first to report the incident after obtaining the police report.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The case is considered closed after officers determined no crime was committed.

"On Monday, we were informed that the police were called to Tyreek Hill’s home, and after conversations with Tyreek and members of his family, the police departed the residence without further incident, and the case was closed," a Dolphins spokesperson told NFL Network. "We have since been in communication with Tyreek and the NFL and will have no further comment on the matter."

The Dolphins and Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately answer a request for comment. 

TYREEK HILL ALLEGES POLICE OFFICER PINCHED HIS NECK DURING ARREST, ‘TRYING TO GET ME TO DO SOMETHING TO HIM’

According to the police report, Vaccaro told authorities she had been living with her daughter and Hill since the birth of her granddaughter last November. 

She called police after Hill allegedly threw a laptop on the floor, grabbed his daughter and started walking to the balcony in the high-rise condo after Hill and his wife had an argument.

The report adds that Vaccaro called Hill "very aggressive and impulsive," saying she feared for her daughter's safety. 

Keeta Hill also spoke with police, saying she and her husband had been arguing more often recently. She alleged he "becomes angry and throws objects." Couple's therapy between the two is "not working out" either. 

The argument Vaccaro called police about revolved around Keeta telling the star receiver he wasn't involved enough with his child. Keeta said Tyreek, "without malice," grabbed their daughter and began walking around the condo with her. 

Tyreek told officers he had just gotten back from his offseason training when an argument broke out about the couple's therapy. He admitted grabbing their baby as well. 

"I have the same rights as a father as her as a mother, and I can take my baby whenever I want," Tyreek said, according to the report. 

Tyreek and Keeta said the argument never got physical, though the report notes a bruise on Keeta's upper chest area. She said it may have unintentionally occurred when Tyreek took their daughter from her.

Keeta added that she is "in the process of filing for divorce."

Tyreek is no stranger to off-the-field incidents, which includes one with Miami-Dade Police before the team's season opener at Hard Rock Stadium in September, when he was detained for hours before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was seen in videos on social media in handcuffs with several officers surrounding him. His teammates, Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, both tried to intervene, but were unsuccessful in defusing the situation.

Tyreek was later released, and his traffic violations were dismissed after the charging officers failed to appear in court. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

While it was known Tiger Woods wouldn't be participating in this year's Masters tournament, the annual Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday night might have been in the cards for the five-time winner.

However, of the 35 chairs that were reserved for past champions of the illustrious major, Woods wasn't among them.

Golfweek learned from 1971 Masters victor Charles Coody that Woods, who suffered an Achilles tear, still isn't able to walk properly, hence his absence from the dinner. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"We were putting our jackets away, and the guys said that Tiger still can't put weight on his foot," Coody said. "They said his weight tolerance just isn't there to climb up those stairs."

Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in his left foot last month, rendering him obsolete for at least the 2025 campaign as he endures extensive rehab. 

Woods announced the injury last month, saying that he felt a "sharp pain in my left Achilles," while he was trying to train and practice at home to get back on the course. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter, saying he expects a full recovery. 

TIGER WOODS TEAMS UP WITH AUGUSTA NATIONAL TO BUILD PAR-3 COURSE AT THE PATCH

"I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support," he added. 

Woods had been playing in the TGL, a golf simulator league founded by himself and Rory McIlroy. Woods teamed up with Tom Kim, Max Homa and Kevin Kisner for that venture. 

While Woods hasn't been on the course recently, he has made news off it, specifically after confirming his relationship to Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr.

"Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts.," Woods wrote in his social media post with Vanessa.

Woods is also making some news this Masters week even if he's not there. 

It was announced that he will be designing a nine-hole, par-3 course at Augusta Municipal Golf Course, which is more commonly known as the Patch, named for the vegetable gardens that were once near the property of Augusta National Golf Club. 

The renovation of the course will be funded by Augusta National as well as Woods' foundation, which is building an educational center for local public students. The par-3 course will be known as The Loop, which honors Augusta National caddies who would gather there to play in their spare time. 

"It's a momentous day for all of us at the TGR Foundation to be able to have this moment, to be able to do this in conjunction with Augusta," Woods said in prerecorded remarks on Monday, "and to do something at a place that has meant so much to me in my lifetime."

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The mad scientist of golf is back at it again.

After his electrifying victory at the U.S. Open last year, Bryson DeChambeau is among the players to watch at Augusta National this week.

And, in true DeChambeau fashion, he's making sure everything is perfect.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

DeChambeau played the back nine at Augusta National Tuesday, but roughly 48 hours before his tee time, he said he felt like his game was not where it needed to be.

So, he went to the range and hit some balls. And then some more.

He mashed 393 balls to be exact.

"Just felt like I wasn't all the way there with my iron game and felt like I needed to be a bit more precise," DeChambeau said Wednesday. "Came out here and hit some golf balls, hit however many I hit — it was a lot — and got some stuff dialed in and figured out so that's what makes me comfortable. Once I get that certain feel, play that draw, it's what makes me comfortable."

MASTERS CONTENDERS DEFEND STANCES ON IGNORING MEDIA: 'IT'S NOT MY JOB'

The right-to-left is necessary for any golfer to win a green jacket, and perhaps the two-time U.S. Open champ's comments about the course being a par 67 still loom in his head.

DeChambeau was right in the mix last year, even sharing the lead through 36 holes. But he was unable to recover after a third-round 75 that saw him four shots behind the eventual champion, Scottie Scheffler. He wound up finishing tied for sixth at 2-under, nine strokes behind Scheffler. 

Overall, it was a nice bounce back for DeChambeau, who had missed his last two cuts at the Masters and had never finished inside the top 20.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

British professional snooker player Jimmy White made quite the admission during a recent interview, saying that he took his brother's dead body to a pub following his funeral as a final farewell before laying him to rest. 

White told TalkSport about the moment he decided to take the corpse of his brother Martin to a local pub in 1996. 

"We were all in shock and were in floods of tears for hours and hours," White explained to the outlet. "All of a sudden I said I was going to see him again. A couple of them tried to stop me. I went over and there was a big padlock on a chain. I kicked this chain and the padlock fell off."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

This all occurred inside the funeral home, and White said he was filled with emotions, laughing and crying at the same time over his brother. 

Then, he had the most wild idea. 

WOMEN'S POOL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURES 2 TRANSGENDER PLAYERS AFTER BEATING FEMALE COMPETITION

"'Let's take him out,'" White said to those with him. "I took him to a couple of places for a drink, then to my brother's house and took him back about 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. I put him back exactly how he was and tried to put the chain back."

White didn't get away with the act, as authorities showed up to handcuff him.

"About two days later, the police came to arrest me for breaking and entering, but when I explained the story to them they said nothing had been stolen and if you go and apologize then everything should be fine," White said. 

White didn't try to shrug off his actions, admitting during the interview that they were "insane." However, he also admitted his thought that it was the right thing to do at the time. 

White is among the top 100 snooker players in the world (No. 93 on the list), and is hoping to qualify in the World Snooker Championship.

He hasn't been to the world championships since 2006, and he kept his hopes of reaching that stage again alive in the early hours of Wednesday after coming back to beat Ukrainian Anton Kazakov, a 20-year-old snooker player. 

White tallied six straight frames after beating down 7-3 to defeat Kazakov. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jason Day made headlines last year at the Masters with his unconventional attire during the first round. This year, the powers that be at Augusta National Golf Club asked that he tone down his look. 

Day, a 13-time PGA Tour winner and the winner of the 2015 PGA Championship, revealed this week that he was asked to remove his controversial sweater vest at last year’s Masters, during a round in which he was partnered with Tiger Woods.

"We just put it on and then [it] kinda went crazy," Day recalled during an appearance on the "Dan on Golf" podcast. "It doesn’t take much to kind of stand out in golf because just everyone wears the same thing essentially." 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Day is an ambassador for Malbon Golf, a golf apparel company based out of Los Angeles, and the duo came up with the idea for him to wear a unique sweater vest that had the words "Malbon Golf Champion" in big red and black letters sprawled across the front. 

During the round, Day got word that someone from the tournament asked that he remove the piece of clothing, which he obliged. 

"My agent got a call from high above and said, ‘Hey, we need Jason to take that vest off.’"

ASU GOLF COACH REMOVED FROM AUGUSTA NATIONAL FOR VIOLATING LONG-STANDING DRESS CODE RULE

Day said the issue last year prompted the tournament to request an early look at what his plans for this year’s Masters were, and unsurprisingly, the initial plans got axed.

"It would’ve been a lot crazier than last year." 

The Australian golfer said he wouldn’t classify himself as a style icon, but he certainly does like to push the limits. 

"I kind of like teetering on the edge of traditional golf and taking it to the line and then bringing it back." 

"I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes because I know that when we play the Masters, it’s all about the Masters — it always has been about the tournaments," he said. "The whole experience of Augusta is phenomenal. I just want to make sure that I’m not trying to do anything that’s too crazy or outlandish to disrespect the tournament. I always try and be as respectful as possible." 

Fans will have to wait until 9:58 a.m. ET on Thursday to see what Day has planned. He’ll play his first round alongside three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant pivoted to a new celebration in the team’s 124-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday.

Morant, 25, flashed gun gestures during games last week and was fined $75,000 by the NBA for "twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court." He was warned by the NBA that the gesture "could be interpreted in a negative light."

After being fined for the gun gestures, Morant debuted a grenade toss celebration in its place in the team's win over the Hornets.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Morant first made the gesture in the second quarter. He passed to Santi Aldama, who drained a 3-point shot. As Morant watched the ball go through the hoop, he pretended to pull the pin out of a grenade and toss it. 

The two-time All-Star did the celebration again in the third quarter on his own made shot. With the Grizzlies up 92-70 with under two minutes left in the third quarter, Morant pulled up from the top of the key and made a 3-pointer. 

Morant then put the imaginary grenade to his mouth, pretended to pull the pin by biting it, and tossed it.

GRIZZLIES’ JAYLEN WELLS STRETCHERED OFF COURT AFTER FALLING ON HEAD DUE TO HARD FOUL BY HORNETS PLAYER

He then crouched and covered his ears, bracing for an imaginary explosion as he trotted back down the court.

Even after Morant checked out of the game with over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, he was doing the grenade toss celebration from the bench. 

The NBA did not immediately respond when asked to comment on Morant's new celebration by Fox News Digital. 

Morant has been suspended before for gun-related issues.  

He was suspended eight games in March 2023 after brandishing a handgun on social media at the strip club Shotgun Willie’s outside Denver. Then Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after he flashed a handgun again on a live social media video. 

The Grizzlies’ next game is against the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET, where the basketball world will see if Morant continues his celebration. 

Fox News' Ryan Morik contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A transgender fencer, who competed in a USA Fencing-sponsored tournament and was at the center of controversy after an opponent protested against the organization’s gender-participation policies, is no longer on the Wagner College women’s fencing team.

Wagner College confirmed to Fox News Digital that Redmond Sullivan was off the team more than a week following the controversy at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Sullivan is shown to have competed for the Wagner women’s team in the foil competition in several meets during the first half of the 2024-25 season. Sullivan participated on the men’s team during the 2023-24 season, scoresheets from meets during the season showed.

The NCAA changed its transgender-inclusion policy after President Donald Trump signed the "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order.

"A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team," the policy read.

Sullivan was at the Cherry Blossom Open and was set to face off against Stephanie Turner.

Turner decided to take a knee in protest of Sullivan’s inclusion in the meet and of USA Fencing’s transgender-participation policies. Turner spoke to Fox News Digital about her decision to protest and ultimately get expelled from the event.

USA FENCING FACES TEXAS PROBE AFTER FEMALE FENCER PROTESTS AGAINST COMPETING WITH TRANS ATHLETE

"This is a serious issue that is happening within all sports, and it needs to be addressed. There is a difference between men and women," Turner said. "It is a civil rights movement for women and girls, and I prioritize the safety and rights and protection of women and girls over trans-identified males."

USA Fencing has since defended its transgender participation policies.

Sullivan’s club team, Iconic Fencing Club, backed the fencer after the event with Turner.

"Red has followed every rule and guideline set forth by the FIE and USA Fencing, the statement said. "She has every right to compete in the events that she qualifies for, and has long since met the criteria to do so.

"Fencing is rooted in a deep tradition of honor, sportsmanship, inclusion, and respect, and in a sport that prides itself on these values, the type of behavior expressed by Red’s opponent has no place. Iconic Fencing Club supports Red in her fencing journey and will continue to do so in the future."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy haven't exactly made friends with the media this week ahead of The Masters.

After a tough loss at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Morikawa opted not to speak with the media. Days later, he said he did not "owe anyone anything."

"No offense to you guys, but for me, in the moment of that time, I didn’t want to be around anyone. Like, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t need any sorries. I didn’t need any ‘good playings.’ Like, you’re just p---ed," he said at the time.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The conversation returned at Augusta National Tuesday, and Morikawa defended his stance.

"I could’ve said it differently, but I stand by what I said. I was in the moment," Morikawa said Tuesday in Augusta. "We talk about giving people space to be who they are, and, at that time, it was for me to be who I was. And I didn’t want to be around anyone. I didn’t even want to be around my wife. Like, I said ‘Hi’ to her after, we hugged and I went straight to the locker room."

Morikawa then offered his take on the situation.

"In that aspect, there needs to be a balance and an ebb and flow between everything. I do want to be here for you guys," he said. "But here’s the thing: I’ve been in the top five in the world before, and people don’t come up to me and ask me questions. You guys, you can’t just ask me [questions] when I’m playing well. Like, you guys should be asking the top 10 players every single week, every single day, and just document it. 

"Then you get a sense of who we are, and you get a flow of how that comes to be. So, there’s a balance. If you guys don’t want to ask me, it’s not my job to go out and tell you my story. Sometimes it is, but you do that through social media. You do that through playing well, winning tournaments. But not everyone’s like that. So, that’s why I don’t get this whole, you know … I stand by what I said."

Rory McIlroy did the same as Morikawa after his collapse at the U.S. Open last year and noted Tuesday that golfers are not required to speak with the media.

"Well, he's right," McIlroy said. "Look, every other athlete, whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they’re obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We’re not. Whether that’s something that the PGA Tour looks to in terms of putting that into the rules and regulations. But, as long as that’s not the case, and we have that option to opt-out whenever we want, expect guys to do that from time to time."

The Masters, which McIlroy and Morikawa are both aiming to win for the first time, tees off Thursday.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Bones Mackay is back at Augusta National this week, a course where he caddied Phil Mickelson to three green jackets.

The 59-year-old caddie didn't make the trip last year, as he and Justin Thomas separated just a week before the tournament after roughly two-and-a-half years of working together.

But now, as an analyst for NBC again, he's on the call for the tradition unlike any other.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

And, like many of us, he has one specific rooting interest.

"I think Scottie Scheffler’s the favorite, but no question Rory McIlroy is the sentimental favorite," Mackay said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "You would hate to see a guy like Rory play his entire career and not win the Masters and reap the benefits of the champions dinner and having that green jacket. He’s too good a guy and has done too much to the game for that not to happen. As much as Scottie is the betting favorite, I secretly will be rooting for Rory to have a good week."

This year, McIlroy is able to use IBM Hole Insights to try to get that long-coveted jacket. IBM Hole Insights 2.0 leverages watsonx technologies, including the Granite LLM, to offer data-driven insights around every shot taken on every hole at Augusta National.

Golfers, and even fans, can see over 180,000 past shots and ball positions to give context for each hole as well as insights from past Masters Tournament caddies.

Bones said the technology is now fully in use for golfers and caddies alike.

"It’s a feature that’s incredibly helpful for players and caddies, because they can see what’s going on on the golf course prior to their rounds, check out and see how certain holes are playing," said Mackay. "It’s starting to take over now. You’ll have players that get out there and have this information from IBM and say ‘I absolutely cannot hit it in the left bunker on the fourth hole at Augusta National today based on where the flag is.’ It gives you a real idea of what you should and shouldn’t do, it enhances the fan experiences, and just gives you an idea of the nuances of this golf course that Augusta National is, because there’s no other course like it."

McIlroy is still absent a green jacket, and his major drought has reached over a decade after winning four before the age of 26. He nearly took home the U.S. Open last year, but he missed two putts worth 6.5 feet in two of the final three holes, all while Bryson DeChambeau had a legendary up-and-down on 18 at Pinehurst.

McIlroy has contended before, but even his final round 81 in 2012 still looms.

"At Augusta National, it can certainly get in your head a little bit. It’s so much easier to win the tournament a second and third time than it is the first time," Mackay said. "Scottie is always going to have that green jacket. He’s always going to come back to the Tuesday night dinner, and Rory desperately wants to be a part of that. He’s got a game perfectly suited to this golf course, but it’s more of a mental battle than it is a physical one."

McIlroy will tee off with Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia at 1:12 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Indianapolis Colts right tackle Braden Smith battled against more than just opposing edge-rushers last season. 

Smith, 29, was fighting a war within his head and missed the last five games of the Colts season. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list. 

Smith was eventually diagnosed with religious scrupulosity by a psychiatrist. Religious scrupolosity is a form of OCD that is characterized as obsessive thoughts and compulsions focused on religious themes, such as sin, God and the person’s religious practices.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"There’s the actual, real, true, living God," Smith told the Indy Star. "And then there’s my OCD god, and the OCD god is this condemning (deity). It’s like every wrong move you make, it’s like smacking the ruler against his hand. ‘Another bad move like that, and you’re out of here.’"

"I was physically present, but I was nowhere to be found, I did not care about playing football. I didn’t care about hanging out with my family, with my wife, with my newborn son.… I (felt like) was a month away from putting a bullet through my brain."

When Smith had a bad thought, he would immediately respond with a compulsive prayer or internal statement of devotion. 

SHEDEUR SANDERS TOUTS HIMSELF AS 'BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE DRAFT'

Smith was taking medication and participating in daily therapy sessions, but they only offered temporary relief. 

Right before Thanksgiving, Smith's wife, Courtney, gave him a choice. 

He could either continue with the medications and daily therapy sessions, or step away from football and check into an intensive mental health facility to tackle the issue. 

Smith knew it was time to step away. 

PACKERS CEO HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR TUSH PUSH BAN

Smith then checked into a facility in Colorado, planning to stay for four weeks.

Instead, he was there for 48 days, but not much progress was made. 

"It’s a very hopeless feeling," Smith said. "And that’s kind of where the Ibogaine comes in. This was like the last-ditch effort for me."

Ibogaine is a psychoactive indole alkaloid that is known for its psychedelic effects and is illegal in the United States.

PANTHERS SIGN COLIN GRANGER, EX-COLLEGE BASKETBALL CENTER, IN ATTEMPT TO MAKE HIM TIGHT END

"Ibogaine, it legitimately resets your brain," Smith told the paper. "Imagine your brain as a ski slope, and you create all these grooves, from all these trails that you're going on, and they keep getting deeper and deeper and deeper. Those are the habits that we create, and over time, like, it's not going to be possible to create a new trail, because that one is so deep. Ibogaine literally will clear off those, like, the receptors in your brain."

During his trip to Mexico to try Ibogaine, Smith took a different psychedelic that yielded positive results. He took the synthetic version of 5-MeO-DMT, which is a naturally occurring psychedelic produced in plants and seen in some toads’ venom.

After he took 5-MeO-DMT, Smith felt he was back in touch with the real God, and was intimately one with Him. It seemed the demons were being exorcised, and he no longer felt beholden to the OCD god. 

"I still have OCD, but it doesn’t have a hold over me," Smith said. "It doesn’t dictate my life."

The Colts look forward to getting Smith back in the fold on the playing field. 

"Getting Braden Smith back, and he’s in a great spot," Colts general manager Chris Ballard said, via the Indy Star. "I think people forget how good Braden is."

Smith has spent his entire seven-year career with the Colts after they took him with their second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Auburn.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Augusta National Golf Club has several rules for its golfers and patrons, both stated and unwritten. 

Arizona State University men’s golf coach Matt Thurmond learned about one of those rules the hard way this week ahead of the 2025 Masters tournament. 

Thurmond, who has been with the Sun Devils since 2016, was removed from the golf course during a practice session on Tuesday after he went to say hello to former ASU player Kevin Yu, who is making his Masters debut this year. 

The reason for his removal? Thurmond was wearing shorts on the course. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"I went out on the range without thinking, gave him a hug," Thurmond said, via Golfweek. "After about one shot and one quick hello, they came out and said 'I’m sorry, sir, you can’t be on the range with your shorts.'" 

Violating what many call the "golden rule" of Augusta National is one of the stricter rules of the storied club. While patrons are free to wear shorts, beyond the ropes where players and coaches can be, full-length pants are required. 

BRANDEL CHAMBLEE REVEALS INTERESTING GUIDANCE FOR MASTERS COVERAGE: 'THERE ARE THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T SAY'

"My bad, it was a mistake I made," Thurmond later said, via Golfweek. "I want to follow the rules here when I’m at Augusta and do everything right. Lucky to be here and appreciate everything here. I just made a mistake."

Thurmond is in Georgia this weekend to support ASU senior Josele Ballester, who earned his exemption to compete at the Masters after winning the U.S. Amateur in August. 

Wearing pants on the course is not the only rule at Augusta. 

No cell phones on the grounds and referring to fans as patrons are among the most known, but several golfers recently dished to Golfweek about some of the lesser known and unspoken rules. 

Wearing socks to dinner, not pairing the iconic green jacket with jeans, and not sitting on the range are just a few that were mentioned. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.