The sports world was rocked by the death of legendary Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on Wednesday. 

The news struck especially hard for many of Irsay's former Colts players, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.

Manning, who played his first 13 seasons for the Colts and helped them win the Super Bowl in the 2006 season, shared his respect for Irsay in an Instagram post Wednesday night. 

"I am heartbroken to hear about Jim Irsay’s passing. He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL. His love for the Colts and the city of Indy was unmatched. His impact on the players who played for him will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone in the Colts community. He will be missed. Jim, rest in peace my friend," Manning wrote.

Many of Manning's old Indianapolis teammates expressed their condolences too. 

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Former Colts punter and current ESPN host Pat McAfee shared a long story in an X post on Wednesday, detailing his experience with Irsay throughout the punter's career. 

"The 1st time he and I really had an extended convo was at training camp after the lockout in 2011.. players and front office weren’t allowed to communicate with each other during the lockout but, Jim followed me on Twitter throughout the CBA negotiations, his first day at training camp, immediately after the lockout ended, he drove his golf cart over to where I was and started firing off questions about Twitter.. He enjoyed the thought of being able to connect with Colts fans all over the world," McAfee wrote. 

McAfee even credited Irsay for helping the punter succeed in his post-NFL career. 

"When I decided to retire.. he and I had a 2.5 hour conversation in his office. He was sitting at his desk.. hitting the s--- out of his vape .. and we talked about everything I was hoping to go do. He tried to stop me for a few minutes.. even offered to renegotiate my contract.. and then once he realized my decision was made.. the convo turned into him trying to give me as much game as possible about running a business and maintaining authenticity," McAfee added. 

"Jim has done everything he can to help me succeed.. He’d join our show anytime I asked, no matter where he was in the world.. He’d send me motivational messages when he heard I was going thru something.. he’d forward articles that he’d come across that he thought I should read." 

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Legendary NFL kicker Adam Viniatieri expressed his condolences to Irsay in an X post. Viniatieri cemented his legacy by helping the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls from 2001-2005, often beating the Colts on the way there. However, when Irsay's team signed the kicker in 2006, it immidietly helped change the fortunes of both teams, as Viniatieri kicked the game-winning field goal against the Patriots in that year's AFC championship game to send the Colts to the Super Bowl. 

"I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Jim Irsay. He was more than just an owner, he as a man of the people and his generosity was unmatched. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to have played under his leadership, and his impact on my life. Rest in peace, Jim," Viniatieri wrote. 

Former Colts star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who played for Irsay's team from 2012-2021, making four Pro Bowls, shared his love for Irsay in a post on X on Wednesday night. 

"Please don’t ask me if I’m ok. Cuz I’m not. Thank You Sooo Much Mr.Irsay. I will forever hold our talks close to my heart. Love You! RIP Mr.Irsay," Hilton wrote. 

Several other current and former pro athletes paid respect to the owner on social media as well, including Robert Griffin III and the son of former legendary Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Marvin Harrison Jr.

Irsay's father purchased the team in 1972, when they still played in Baltimore, for $12 million and moved the team in 1984. Irsay was the general manager of the team from 1982 to 1996 and became the NFL's youngest owner at age 37, shortly after his dad's death in 1997.

Irsay had several health issues over the years and battled drug and alcohol addiction, once admitting he had been to rehab "at least 15 times."

The Colts announced in January 2024 that Irsay was being treated for a "severe respiratory illness." That February, he posted on X that he was "on the mend."

"It's a long road, and you have to be patient. The great news is everything is going well," a hospitalized Irsay said that March after he underwent a procedure on his right leg.

Irsay said by that point he had undergone "26 surgeries over the last seven years."

Over his tenure running the day-to-day operations of the organization, Irsay won 258 games, the fourth-most in the NFL in that span. He also won 10 division titles, went 1-1 in Super Bowls and made the playoffs 18 times.

He is survived by three daughters and 10 grandchildren. He and his ex-wife divorced in 2013.

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American tennis player Danielle Collins had some choice words for the cameraman during her Internationaux de Strasbourg match against Emma Raducanu on Wednesday afternoon.

Collins was in the middle of a changeover when she felt the cameraman’s hovering was a bit too close for comfort in the middle of the third and defining set. She got off the bench and made the point clear.

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"I need to get water. We’re on a changeover. You don’t need to be that close to me, and you don’t need to be on top of Emma. It’s wildly inappropriate," Collins said. "It’s not that difficult to give space."

The camera was kept on Collins as she filled up her water bottle with Raducanu in the shot to the right.

Collins ended up winning the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, and is set to take on Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

8-TIME GRAND SLAM WINNER ANDRE AGASSI DISCUSSES WHAT AMERICAN PLAYERS NEED TO WIN MAJOR TOURNAMENTS

Raducanu weighed in on what she heard from Collins during her outburst.

"I was standing up because I did not want to sit down in the third set because of my back," Raducanu said, via The Tennis Gazette. "I was staying standing because it was a bit more comfortable, and then she came to fill her bottle up and was just saying how the cameraman was really close and felt a bit inappropriate, but that is all she was saying."

The two are preparing for the French Open later this month.

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Former ESPN NFL reporter Ed Werder ripped CNN broadcaster Jake Tapper as he promoted his new book, "Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," and acknowledged "humility" in past coverage of former President Joe Biden.

Tapper, and co-author Alex Thompson, have received criticism about the cover-up of the former president’s decline while he was in office. Tapper has been on multiple shows admitting to failures in how the reporting on Biden’s health was done.

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Werder, the longtime ESPN journalist, offered his two cents in a post on Wednesday.

"He sold his credibility as a journalist for access to power - and now expects to profit from the very audience to whom he lied," Werder wrote on X.

Werder was far from the only journalist or pundit who has called out the coverage.

Jon Stewart, Charlamagne Tha God, and "The View" hosts Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg all made their feelings known about the book and the coverage around it. Some were specifically scolding CNN for promoting it, while some "View" pundits wondered whether Tapper would write a book about President Donald Trump’s decline.

BIDEN INSIDER WAS REPORTEDLY 'AMAZED' AT THE MEDIA COVERAGE THEY WERE ABLE TO SPIN

MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski, a noted Biden supporter, pushed back on the authors over the notion of a "cover-up" while speaking to Tapper and Thompson on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." She questioned the notion of a "cover-up."

Naomi Biden also defended her grandfather in a post on X upon the book’s release.

"Just read a copy of this silly book, and if anyone is curious for a review from someone who lived it first-hand: this book is political fairy smut for the permanent, professional chattering class. The ones who rarely enter the arena, but profit from the spectacle of those that do. Put simply, it amounts to a bunch of unoriginal, uninspired lies written by irresponsible self promoting journalists out to make a quick buck," she wrote.

Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

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Caitlin Clark was among those who tuned in to watch Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton absolutely crush the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Haliburton’s long jumper sent the game into overtime, and Indiana fended off New York in overtime to win the game 138-135. Clark made one big declaration following the Pacers’ victory.

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"PACERS ARE THE GREATEST COMEBACK TEAM IVE EVER SEEN," she wrote on X.

The Indiana Fever star has been a huge supporter of the Pacers and Haliburton and vice versa. Haliburton was at the Fever’s first game of the season against the Chicago Sky over the weekend. Clark has routinely been spotted at Pacers games supporting the big guard.

The Knicks led by 14 points with under three minutes to play in regulation. However, Aaron Nesmith got Indiana jump-started with some 3-pointers. It was Haliburton’s jumper that silenced the crowd.

THUNDER'S SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER WINS FIRST CAREER NBA MVP AWARD

Haliburton dribbled the ball up the floor and into the paint. He nearly lost control of it before he stepped back and shot the ball. The ball bounced off the back of the rim and went in. He thought he had won the game with a 3-pointer and was mobbed by his teammates. He threw up his hands around his neck, like Reggie Miller, to signal that the Knicks had choked the game away.

It was later ruled a long 2-pointer, but Indiana sealed the win in overtime.

"It’s always special. It’s always fun," Nesmith said. "This is what we live for."

Haliburton had 31 points and 11 assists. Nesmith had 30 points.

Game 2 is set for Friday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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As Illinois faces a growing political divide over the issue of trans athletes in girls' sports, the state's lawmakers addressed the topic in a heated back-and-forth on the floor of the state capital on Wednesday. 

The state's General Assembly members broke out into aggressive arguments over the issue during the session. One Democrat member even made the unsubstantiated argument that laws to keep trans athletes out of girls' sports would result in genital inspections of children. That argument was initially used by U.S. House Democrats who voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in January. 

The Illinois lawmaker to repeat the unsubstantiated claim was Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago, who accused GOP colleagues of being "obsessed with children's genitalia." 

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"My colleagues on the other side of the aisle feel the need to share their obsession with children's genitalia once again," Cassidy said. "We are grown adults, and we are picking on kids because you are obsessed with children's genitalia." 

Cassidy's statement was then pushed back upon by Republican Rep. Blaine Wilhour of Southern Illinois. Wilhour called out the state's Democrats as a whole for supporting gender transitions for minors and pointed out a recent track meet in Naperville, Illinois, that sparked national outrage after a biological male won a girls' race. 

"These folks up here accuse people of being obsessed with kids' genitalia because they have the audacity to believe that boys should not be competing in girls' sports. But I just want to point out here that there is only one party, the Democrat Party, that is supporting and encouraging minor children to use life-altering and often unreversable hormone blockers," Wilhour said. 

"What we've seen in Naperville, that's not fair competition. Not only that, it's abusive to these young girls and it's a clear violation of Title IX." 

The recent Naperville incident has put the community and state under a national microscope in recent days. The controversy even prompted a series of heated debates, which went viral on social media, at the Naperville 203 Community School District Board meeting on Monday. 

Democrat state Rep. Anna Stava-Murray, who represents Naperville, defended the trans student who won the race. 

"I find it disgusting when adults try to bully children, and that's what's happening right now," Stava-Murray said. 

"We have adults, including adults on the House floor, who want to take a moment that that child trained for and use it as a political talking point, that's disgusting, you should be ashamed of yourselves. That child did not ask to be in national media. That child's parents didn't consent to that." 

ILLINOIS TRANS ATHLETE CONFLICT GROWS AFTER TENSE TRACK MEET AS STATE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR TRUMP'S HELP

Republican state Rep. Adam Niemerg then chimed in to condemn the Democrats for allowing the issue to continue in Illinois, warning of potential cuts to federal funding by President Donald Trump's administration for defying an executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls' sports. 

"To think parents and kids still have to be dealing with this astounds me, after all, there is an executive order banning this kind of thing from happening. Folks, this nonsense has to stop. This insanity is leaving a trail of tears heartache and oppression of girls and women everywhere," Niemberg said. 

"You want federal dollars? Then stop embracing policies that 90 or 95% of the people oppose! Stop letting boys compete in girls' sports! What is so hard about that to understand? I will not stay silent on this issue and neither will parents." 

Niemerg also called out the mainstream media over coverage of the issue. 

"The media needs to do their job and stop acting like this is not happening. Ask the governor directly, press him on this issue, do your jobs, and stop lying about what is going on here in Illinois," he said. 

MAINE TEENS BATTLING STATE DEMOCRATS ON GIRLS' SPORTS BILL AFTER ENDURING TRANS ATHLETE CHAOS IN HIGH SCHOOL

Tension over the issue in Illinois has mounted in recent months before coming to a head in the aftermath of the Naperville incident over the last week. 

There is already one federal Title IX probe in Illinois regarding transgenders impeding on female spaces, but it is only against one school, that was launched back in March. 

Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after middle school girls were allegedly forced by school administrators to change in front of a trans student in the girls' locker room. 

Back in April, the the Illinois High School Association announced in a public letter that Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. So it is continuing to allow biological males to compete with girls, as it has since 2006. 

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., has addressed two letters to the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice asking for federal intervention into the issue. Miller previously sent a letter in April and is now doubling-down on her pleas for the Trump administration to step in.

Miller's latest letter asks U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Education Secretary Linda McMahon to specifically look into the Naperville incident and consider pulling federal funding from the state, as seen in a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.

Even Chicago Bears legend Brian Urlacher has spoken out on the issue while his home state is ravaged by controversy.

"It's just different because we are men, there are certain things we do better than women, and it's just, number one, it's not fair, and if I had a daughter who had to be forced to play against a man, I would not be okay with it and I would raise hell about it," Urlacher said during an interview on the "Global View" podcast on May 9. "I just don't get it, it's a common sense thing, I just don't see how you can push this and make someone thing they're a different sex."

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The iconic Borg-Warner Trophy is a constant in the legendary Indianapolis 500 race every year. 

Each winner gets their name, average speed, the year they won, and their face engraved on the trophy that weighs roughly 110 pounds and stands just over five feet, four inches tall. 

The first time the trophy was unveiled was in 1936, when it was given to Louis Meyer and declared an annual prize for Indy 500 winners.

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While the trophy was created in 1935, it honored the winners from 1911 onwards as they had their name, year, average speed and faces engraved on the trophy. 

In its original form, the trophy was 52 inches tall and 80 pounds of sterling silver. It was made to commemorate 70 race winners. Two bases were added to the trophy in 1987 and 2004, and those additions to the trophy can commemorate the winners of the Indy 500 through 2033.

There is one non-race winner who is engraved on the trophy, and that is Anton Hulman. Hulman owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death in 1977. His face is the lone one on the trophy that is gold. 

The trophy is permanently housed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. 

The Indy 500 will be broadcast May 25 on FOX with coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET. It will also be available to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app. 

INDY 500 IS OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT FOR FIRST TIME IN ALMOST A DECADE; 350,000 FANS EXPECTED

Below is a list of every winner of the Indy 500:

1911 – Ray Harroun

1912 – Joe Dawson

1913 – Jules Goux

1914 – Rene Thomas

1915 – Ralph DePalma

1916 – Dario Resta

1917 – Not held due to World War I

1918 – Not held due to World War I 

1919 – Howdy Wilcox

1920 – Gaston Chevrolet

1921 – Tommy Milton

1922 – Jimmy Murphy

1923 – Tommy Milton

1924 – Lora L. Corum, Joe Boyer (Co-drivers)

1925 – Pete DePaolo

1926 – Frank Lockhart

1927 – George Souders

1928 – Louis Meyer

1929 – Ray Keech

1930 – Billy Arnold

1931 – Louis Schneider

1932 – Fred Frame

1933 – Louis Meyer

1934 – Bill Cummings

1935 – Kelly Petillo

1936 – Louis Meyer

1937 – Wilbur Shaw

1938 – Floyd Roberts

1939 – Wilbur Shaw

1940 – Wilbur Shaw

1941 – Floyd Davis, Mauri Rose (Co-drivers)

1942 – Not held due to World War II

1943 – Not held due to World War II

1944 – Not held due to World War II

1945 – Not held due to World War II

1946 – George Robson

1947 – Mauri Rose

1948 – Mauri Rose

1949 – Bill Holland

1950 – Johnnie Parsons

INDY 500 POLESITTER ROBERT SHWARTZMAN FLOWS ON AND OFF THE TRACK

1951 – Lee Wallard

1952 – Troy Ruttman

1953 – Bill Vukovich

1954 – Bill Vukovich

1955 – Bob Sweikert 

1956 – Pat Flaherty

1957 – Sam Hanks

1958 – Jimmy Bryan

1959 – Rodger Ward

1960 – Jim Rathmann

1961 – AJ Foyt

1962 – Rodger Ward

1963 – Parnelli Jones

1964 – AJ Foyt

1965 – Jim Clark 

1966 – Graham Hill

1967 – AJ Foyt

1968 – Bobby Unser

1969 – Mario Andretti

1970 – Al Unser

1971 – Al Unser

1972 – Mark Donohue

1973 – Gordon Johncock

1974 – Johnny Rutherford 

1975 – Bobby Unser

1976 – Johnny Rutherford

1977 – AJ Foyt

1978 – Al Unser

1979 – Rick Mears

1980 – Johnny Rutherford

1981 – Bobby Unser

1982 – Gordon Johncock

1983 – Tom Sneva 

1984 – Rick Mears

1985 – Danny Sullivan

1986 – Bobby Rahal

1987 – Al Unser

1988 – Rick Mears

1989 – Emerson Fittipaldi

1990 – Arie Luyendyk

1991 – Rick Mears

1992 – Al Unser Jr. 

1993 – Emerson Fittipaldi

1994 – Al Unser Jr. 

1995 – Jacques Villeneuve

1996 – Buddy Lazier

1997 – Arie Luyendyk

1998 – Eddie Cheever

1999 – Kenny Brack

2000 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2001 – Helio Castroneves

2002 – Helio Castroneves

2003 – Gil de Ferran

2004 – Buddy Rice

2005 – Dan Wheldon

2006 – Sam Hornish Jr. 

2007 – Dario Franchitti

2008 – Scott Dixon

2009 – Helio Castroneves

2010 – Dario Franchitti

2011 – Dan Wheldon

2012 – Dario Franchitti

2013 – Tony Kanaan

2014 – Ryan Hunter-Reay

2015 – Juan Pablo Montoya

2016 – Alexander Rossi 

2017 – Takuma Sato 

2018 – Will Power

2019 – Simon Pagenaud

2020 – Takuma Sato

2021 – Helio Castroneves

2022 – Marcus Ericsson 

2023 – Josef Newgarden

2024 – Josef Newgarden

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The winner of the upcoming 109th Indianapolis 500 will be given an ice-cold bottle of milk in the victory circle on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

But why milk? When did the tradition begin?

The origin of the tradition was in 1936, when Louis Meyer, after having won his third Indy 500, sat perched on his car and had a bottle of buttermilk in his left hand. 

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But the tradition began with an accident. Meyer drinking the milk post-victory was unplanned. 

"It was a hot day. I came into the garage area … and all I could think of was some nice, cold buttermilk," Meyer said, per the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website. 

Meyer grew up in Yonkers, New York, and his mother told him that buttermilk would refresh him on a warm day. So, after a grueling race, Meyer wanted the drink he had growing up: buttermilk. 

The milk stuck because the moment of Meyer with the milk was caught by a cameraman. An executive in the dairy industry saw the footage of Meyer and requested that milk be given to every winner of the Indianapolis 500.

INDY 500 IS OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT FOR FIRST TIME IN ALMOST A DECADE; 350,000 FANS EXPECTED

Each winner from 1938 through 1941, and then after the race returned from a hiatus due to World War II in 1946, drank milk in the victory circle. 

However, there was a time when milk was not the drink handed to winners. Wilbur Shaw, who won the Indy 500 in 1937, 1939 and 1940, became president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and implemented some changes.

From 1947 through 1954, the winners of the iconic race were handed cold water in a silver chalice. However, the tradition did not last as Shaw died in a plane crash in 1954, and in 1956 the milk returned.

But the milk returned as an accessory prize as winners were offered $400 for drinking the milk. 

Since then, 69 consecutive winners of the race and 76 overall winners have enjoyed milk in the victory circle.

The Indy 500 will be broadcast May 25 on FOX with coverage starting at 10 a.m. ET. It will also be available to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports app.

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With Reggie Miller on the call, the Indiana Pacers paid homage to their franchise legend on Wednesday night.

Well, it wasn't a direct homage -- but the New York Knicks, in their first Eastern Conference Finals game of the 21st century, blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead to drop Game 1 against Indiana, 138-135.

New York led by as many as 17 with just over six minutes to go, and even by 14 with less than three, but it was no match for the Pacers.

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Aaron Nesmith did his best Miller impression by drilling six consecutive three-pointers to help Indiana cut their deficit to just two points with 22.1 seconds to go. After the Knicks, on two occasions, went 1-for-2 from the line, Tyrese Haliburton hit a buzzer-beater that he thought was a three and did Miller's infamous choke signal while pointing at him. But, Haliburton's toe was on the line, and the game headed to overtime.

New York got out to a four-point lead to start overtime, but a 5-0 Pacers run gave them their first lead since it was 45-44 in the second quarter. Neither team got out to more than a one-point lead for the next two-plus minutes, until former Knicks forward Obi Toppin slammed one home with 15.3 seconds left to go up three. The Knicks missed two game-tying threes, and the Pacers stole the victory.

Teams leading a playoff game by nine-plus points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime of a playoff game had been 1,414-0 since 1998 entering Wednesday.

Also, since 1997, teams are now 4-1,640 when trailing by seven-plus points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime of a playoff game – the Pacers have won three of those games this season alone.

THUNDER'S SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER WINS FIRST CAREER NBA MVP AWARD

Unfortunately for the Knicks, it was a taste of their own medicine – they had completed comebacks of 20, 20, and 14 points against the Boston Celtics to win their second-round series.

Haliburton and Nesmith had 31 and 30 points, respectively – 20 of Nesmith's came in that epic fourth quarter.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 43 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 plus 12 rebounds – but neither hit their game-tying three-pointers in the final seconds.

This series is a rematch of the second round last year, which Indiana won in seven games against an injury-riddled Knicks squad, but it's also who the Knicks faced in both the 1999 and 2000 Eastern Conference Finals – the teams split both of those series.

In fact, the Knicks and Pacers faced each other four times in the playoffs during the 1990s, with both teams winning a pair. Both of New York's wins sent them to the NBA Finals.

Now, the rivalry is hotter than ever. Game 2 is Friday night in Madison Square Garden.

And if there's any saving grace for the Knicks, they would wind up winning the series where Miller hit them with his choke signal.

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A lawsuit filed by a Utah woman accused BYU football player Jake Retzlaff of a sexual assault at his home in Novemeber 2023, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

The woman, listed in the filing as Jane Doe A.G., says she reported her allegations to police. 

The accuser said she and Retzlaff initially made contact via social media.

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Retzlaff is being sued for alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to the lawsuit, the woman is seeking punitive damages from the BYU quarterback.

NFL HALL OF FAMER SHANNON SHARPE ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, BATTERY IN $50 MILLION LAWSUIT

As of Wednesday, Retzlaff does not face any criminal charges. Mark Baute, Retzlaff's attorney, issued a statement saying the BYU quarterback is "factually innocent."

Baute also described his client as a "nice young man."

Retzlaff made the move from California to Utah in 2023 when he transferred to BYU. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 record last season. 

He is BYU's first known Jewish starting quarterback. The university is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, sparked controversy after he got his hands on Sheduer Sanders' phone number from his father's computer before the start of the NFL Draft.

Jax dialed the number to prank call Sanders during the draft. 

The NFL subsequently fined the Falcons assistant coach $100,000. The league also issued the Falcons a $250,000 fine.

The situation sparked some debate about whether Ulbrich, in his second stint with Atlanta, would be dismissed from his job. But Ulbrich said he was never concerned his job was at risk.

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"In all honesty, I never went there, but I felt nothing but support from the organization in every single way, from the people that worked the line in the cafeteria to [owner] Mr. [Arthur] Blank himself, all of them," Ulbrich told ESPN Wednesday.

NFL ISSUES MASSIVE FINES TO FALCONS, JEFF ULBRICH OVER SHEDEUR SANDERS NFL DRAFT PRANK CALL

Ulbrich handled various assistant coaching roles from 2015-2020 during his first stint with the Falcons. Head coach Raheem Morris, also in his second stint with the team, brought Ulbrich back to Atlanta in January to fill the defensive coordinator opening. 

The Falcons fired former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake shortly after the regular season ended.

"I felt great support from him. It was one of the biggest reasons, in all honesty, that I came back here because of the organization and what I think of this building," Ulbrich added.

Ulbrich said he still hasn't decided on discipline for his son.

"We're still working through that, but it was a challenge for our family," Ulbrich said. "But it's a challenge that everyone in our family's up for. And like I said, it's going to make my son better because of it."

During a news conference last month, Ulbrich said Jax's actions were "absolutely inexcusable." He also said he was unaware his son was responsible for the prank call until after the draft, but he was "shocked" when he did learn of the development.

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A pair of high-profile South African golfers were thrown into a tense exchange at the White House Wednesday. 

Ernie Els and Retief Goosen joined Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, for a meeting in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump.

While the meeting between the two leaders got off to a cordial start, the tenor of the meeting took a noticeable turn when Trump confronted Ramaphosa with a video that allegedly showed grave treatment of white farmers. Trump also presented Ramaphosa with documents he claimed were accounts of killings of "thousands" of Afrikaners.

Ramaphosa offered multiple denials to the claims and made it clear the statements made in the videos were not representative of his government's policies. Els and Goosen were then brought into the discussion.

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Trump welcomed the golfers as he introduced the South African president.

"I really appreciate that you guys came along. It really helps us in our thought process," Trump said. "You two guys are fantastic," Trump added. "What a group of golfers South Africa has had."

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Els previously held the world's No. 1 golf ranking. He presented his passport and said he was a "proud South African" before referencing "the apartheid era" and calling for unity.

"I know there was a lot of anger through the transition. There was a lot of stuff happening in the apartheid days," he said. "We grew in the apartheid era, but I don’t think two wrongs make a right."

Els added he was eager to attend the meeting and hoped it would prove beneficial for his country.

"We really wanted to meet you, meet the administration and see our way forward because we still want to see our country flourish," Els added.

Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open winner, was asked about the farms in South Africa. 

"My dad was a property developer as well as a part-time farmer, and, yeah, some of his buddy farmers got killed. The farm is still going. My brothers run it, but it's a constant battle with farms. … They’re trying to burn the farms down, to chase you away. So it is, it is a concern to try make a living as a farmer. … Without our farmers, there’s no food on the plate."

Goosen said his family members who lived on farms had electric fences and lived in fear of crime. 

"They left behind electric fences, you know, try to be, at night, safe. But it is constant whenever you leave that something could happen. … Both of them have been attacked in their houses. My mom's been attacked in our house when she was 80. It is difficult. But the guys live a great life despite everything going on."

Els and Goosen are well acquainted with the sitting U.S. president. Prior to Trump's first term in office, he posted a photo on social media of himself and Els. 

"Ernie Els and myself at Trump National Doral," he captioned the 2013 Facebook post.

Trump is an avid golfer. His real estate portfolio also includes golf courses.

Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump was surrounded by multiple "winners" on Tuesday.

Trump hosted the University of Florida's men's basketball team to commemorate their national championship won early last month — and near the front of the stage was UF legend Tim Tebow.

Trump spotted the former quarterback and took a moment to praise him — all while taking a parting shot at one of his former teams.

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"And a very special thanks to the NFL legend and University of Florida. I mean, one of the greatest players I've ever seen," Trump said of Tebow. "I'll tell you what, as a college player, maybe the best ever. And you did damn well. And you did damn well in the pros, too. He was great. Despite being on the Jets, you did damn well."

Tebow was drafted 25th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2010, and in his sophomore season, he found the late Demaryius Thomas on an 88-yard touchdown in overtime of the NFL playoffs.

Denver, though, signed Peyton Manning in the offseason, leading the team to trade him to Gang Green. His role with the Jets was heavily debated, with coaches saying he'd be used both on special teams and in a wildcat formation. He lasted just one season, during which he had just eight pass attempts and never touched an NFL field again.

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

But, Tebow's college success is unparalleled.

He won two national championships and lost in a third. He also won the Heisman Trophy.

"He's a terrific guy. He is a terrific guy. He's a winner. Boy, he was a winner. You won two, right? And you almost won a third. Nobody did that. I think he goes down really as one of the best, maybe the best college football player. If you think about it, we can only base it on results, right Tim?" Trump continued.

After playing football, Tim Tebow joined the New York Mets' minor league system in 2016. He played in the minors until 2019 and played in spring training in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the minor league season. He hung up the metal spikes in 2021 before signing with the Jaguars as a tight end, rejoining Urban Meyer, but he didn't make the team.

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The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win the NBA title, and their superstar player is a reason why.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first NBA MVP Award Wednesday.

The Canadian star and league's leading scorer posted career highs with 32.7 points and 6.4 assists per game, carrying the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the West with an NBA-best 68-14 record.

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Gilgeous-Alexander finished in second place last year to Nikola Jokić. The Thunder defeated Jokić's Denver Nuggets in seven games in the second round.

Gilgeous-Alexander was the 11th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 2018 but was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He only spent one year there, though, and was part of a package that sent Paul George to Los Angeles.

Since the trade, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a diamond in the rough, and he will soon be named first-team All-NBA a third straight year. He's also led the NBA in free throws made per game the last two seasons.

Oklahoma City kicked off the Western Conference finals with a 114-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who fell in the same round to the Dallas Mavericks last year. OKC trailed by four points at the half but outscored Minnesota 70-40 in the second half.

This is the furthest OKC has gotten in the playoffs since 2016, when the Thunder blew a 3-1 lead to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the conference finals. The Warriors then did the same to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Gilgeous-Alexander beat out Jokić, who was seeking a fourth MVP in five years. No one has won four MVPs in a five-year span since James did it from 2009 to 2013. 

Jokić averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, the first time he averaged a triple-double in a season. And he became the third player to do so, joining Oscar Robertson and teammate Russell Westbrook, who has done it four times.

Oklahoma City, formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics, are still looking for their first NBA title since moving (Seattle won the NBA title in 1979). The Thunder last made the NBA Finals in 2012, when they lost to James and the Miami Heat.

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The New York Knicks are taking over the streets of New York City, literally. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday that some city streets will be co-named as Knicks players in a press release. 

The renaming of the streets came ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Knicks and Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

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The Knicks stunned the Boston Celtics and defeated the reigning champions in six games and advanced to their first conference final in 25 years. 

"The Knicks embody the spirit of New York – resilient, passionate, and unstoppable," Adams said in a statement. 

"On the path to a championship, we recognize the hard work and determination that has gotten this team to the Eastern Conference Finals and we're celebrating this team by temporarily co-naming our city streets so all New Yorkers can celebrate their Knicks pride. Nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers, and millions more, are behind the New York Knicks as they continue this incredible journey."

The streets will be co-named for as long as the Knicks are still in the playoff hunt. Each sign is blue and orange and features the player's name and jersey number.

Last season, the Pacers eliminated a Knicks team that was decimated by injuries in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

All 15 players on the Knicks roster received a street name:

KNICKS, PACERS TO REKINDLE EPIC RIVALRY THAT FEATURED SOME OF NBA'S MOST ICONIC MOMENTS

Precious Achiuwa Place – 6th Avenue and West Washington Place

OG Anunoby Alley – 6th Avenue and West 8th Street

Mikal Bridges Block – 7th Avenue and West 25th Street

Jalen Bruson Boulevard – 7th Avenue and West 11th Street

Pacome Dadiet Drive – 6th Avenue and West 4th Street

Josh Hart Street – 6th Avenue and West 3rd Street

Ariel Hukporti Street – 7th Avenue and West 55th Street

Tyler Kolek Lane – 7th Avenue and West 13th Street

Miles "Deuce" McBride – 6th Avenue and Minetta Lane

Cam Payne Place – 6th Avenue and Bleecker Street

Mitchell Robinson Road – 7th Avenue and West 23rd Street

Landry Shamet Circle – 7th Avenue and West 44th Street

Karl-Anthony Towns Square – 7th Avenue and West 32nd Street

PJ Tucker Terrace – 7th Avenue and West 17th Street

Delon Wright Circle – 6th Avenue and Houston Street

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NFL star Aaron Rodgers became one of the highest-profile athletes to speak out against allowing biologically male transgender athletes to compete in women's sports Wednesday. 

During an interview with Joe Rogan, Rodgers made his stance on the issue clear, calling the transgender movement "anti-woman."

"The trans woman movement is actually anti-woman," Rodgers told "The Joe Rogan Experience." 

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Rodgers then clarified the belief applies mainly in sports. 

"That's what I mean — sports. You're not seeing trans men dominating anything. It's because there's a biological difference."

Rodgers is an unsigned free agent after departing the New York Jets after two seasons. The 41-year-old former MVP has been a lightning rod of controversy in the media for expressing conservative opinions during podcast appearances the last four years.

The quarterback was invited to become the running mate of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during Kennedy's independent presidential campaign in 2024. 

Now, Rodgers joins fellow former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre and wide receiver Donald Driver in taking a vocal stance against allowing trans athletes to compete in women's sports. Favre has been outspoken about the topic since 2021. 

TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS-ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND

Rodgers spoke out at a critical time in the ongoing debate over the issue. President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that institutions across the country allow only biological females to compete in women's and girls athletics. 

However, many Democrat-run states have openly defied Trump's order, prompting both internal and federal backlash. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating multiple states' high school sports leagues for potential Title IX violations, and the Department of Justice is engaged in legal battles with Maine and Minnesota over the issue. 

A January New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. 

"Thinking about transgender female athletes — meaning athletes who were male at birth but who currently identify as female — do you think they should or should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports?" the survey asked. 

Of the 2,128 respondents who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. 

Of the 1,025 respondents who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. 

Among 1,022 Republicans, that number was 94%. 

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Longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died at the age of 65, the team announced on Wednesday.

Irsay's father purchased the team in 1972 when they still played in Baltimore for $12 million and moved the team in 1984.

Irsay was the general manager of the team from 1982 to 1996, and became the NFL's youngest owner, at age 37, shortly after his dad's death in 1997.

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Irsay had several health issues over the years, and battled drug and alcohol addiction, once admitting he had been to rehab "at least 15 times."

The Colts announced in January of last year that Irsay was being treated for a "severe respiratory illness" – that February, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was "on the mend."

"It's a long road and you have to be patient. The great news is everything is going well," a hospitalized Irsay said that March after he underwent a procedure on his right leg.

Irsay said at that point, he had undergone "26 surgeries over the last seven years."

In December 2023, police were called to Jim home around 4:30 a.m. ET and found him in bed unresponsive and cold during what authorities called a "suspected overdose."

But, "It wasn’t an overdose," Irsay said to Fox 59 in Indianapolis. 

"I don’t know why when you have your name in the paper in the past, people throw that out there quickly. I don’t pay attention to it all that much, but I don’t think it’s fair."

Irsay was arrested in 2014 and pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated (OWI), which led to a six-game suspension and a $500,000 fine from the NFL - he said his arrest was partly due to being a White billionaire.

Irsay took ownership of the Colts in 1995 after a legal battle following the death of his father. Since then, the Colts saw massive success with Peyton Manning as their quarterback, but have been in flux since he left the team and Andrew Luck abruptly retired.

Over his tenure running the day-to-day operations for the organization, he won 258 games, the fourth-most in the NFL over that time frame. He also won 10 division titles, went 1-1 in Super Bowls, and made the playoffs 18 times.

He is survived by three daughters and 10 grandchildren - he and his ex-wife divorced in 2013.

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The Bill Belichick-Jordon Hudson saga has added a reality show-like episode.

According to multiple reports, Belichick's ex-girlfriend, Linda Holliday, confronted his current girlfriend, Hudson, at a function in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in December.

Holliday and Hudson both attended the Dreamland Stroll Party Dec. 6. Holliday's daughters, Ashley and Kat Hess, were DJing the party.

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Holliday, according to People, got "aggressive" with Hudson, and the two reportedly shared an intense moment.

"Ms. Hudson was a paying guest. No concerns had been raised regarding her behavior nor had any issues been reported up until that point in the evening (the event began at 7pm)," a staffer wrote in an incident report obtained by TMZ. 

"Ms. Holliday felt her presence was inappropriate, since the event was widely advertised as a party headlined by her daughters. She asked that I remove Ms. Hudson from the premises, to which I responded that I would speak with Ms. Hudson after contacting Dreamland executive director Alicia Carney to discuss the matter."

"It was very uncomfortable. There was a lot being exchanged between them. It was very aggressive behavior," a source familiar with the situation told People.

"Jordon never approached anyone, but she was approached the entire night, with people asking, ‘Oh, why are you here?'"

Security footage then showed Holliday confronting Hudson in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by roughly 200 people.

"I asked Ms. Hudson if she thought it was a good idea to be there considering the clear animosity the above individuals felt towards her," the staffer wrote. "She defended herself by saying she'd done nothing wrong, and it was her first time attending Christmas Stroll and wanted to attend the 'big party' going on that night, which happened to be the one featuring the Hess Twins.

"She said she was not looking to cause any problems, but just wanted to go out and have fun with her friend."

Holliday was apparently irked because it "involve[d] my girls," and her "momma bear" emerged.

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Holliday also reportedly told 2024 Miss Massachusetts USA winner Melissa Sapini to "think twice about who her friends are" if she "valued her current title." Sapini then reportedly cried, and Holliday claimed she "had many powerful friends in the pageant organization."

Neither Holliday, Hudson nor the Nantucket Dreamland organization immediately responded to requests for comment.

Hudson and Sapini were eventually escorted out by that staffer shortly before the lights came on at the party, TMZ reported.

Holliday dated Belichick from 2007 to 2022. Hudson and Belichick, who have a 49-year age gap, made their relationship public last year.

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A high school track meet in Southern California became the latest flashpoint in the state's ongoing conflict with President Donald Trump's administration over trans athletes in girls' sports. There, multiple girls' competitors fell shy of first place to a biologically male trans athlete. 

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Final on Saturday saw the trans athlete take first place in the triple jump and long jump. The second-place finisher in the long jump was Katie McGuinness of La Canada High School. 

McGuinness recounted the experience of losing to the trans athlete in an interview on Fox News' "America Reports." 

"I remember thinking to myself, ‘OK, I need to get a big jump,’" McGuinness said. 

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"I ran down the runway and I landed and I watched them measure my mark, and it was 18.9," she said. "And I just remember thinking that there was nothing else that I could do. That was it. And I was honestly very discouraged, and I'm a high school senior and winning CIF has always been a goal of mine, and I wasn't able to compete with someone who was genetically different than me."

McGuinness made her overall stance on the issue clear.

"There are just certain genetic advantages that biological males have that biological girls don't," she said. "Frankly, I just can't stand for that."

The second-place finisher to the trans athlete in triple jump, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, made it a point to stand on the first-place podium spot for a quick and symbolic photo op. Footage of Hogan taking the top podium spot after the trans athlete stepped off went viral on social media over the weekend.

Hogan had just competed against the trans athlete in the prelims a week earlier. At that event, Hogan also came in behind the trans athlete in the triple jump, finishing third, and would have placed one spot higher were it not for the trans athlete. But Hogan did finish ahead of the trans athlete in the high jump.

"It's just kind of sad just watching. He's obviously a really talented athlete, we've all seen him jump and stuff, and I wish him the best of luck, but in a boys' division," Hogan previously told Fox News Digital about competing against the athlete. "It's pretty obvious the certain advantages that he has, and it's obviously just sad as a woman to watch that."

TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS-ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND

Hogan also spoke at a press conference to protest the trans athlete at the prelims and wore a shirt that read, "Protect Girls Sports." 

"It was nothing against the athlete itself, it was just an issue of fairness," Hogan previously said. "Nothing that we can do, no amount of training, no amount of hours that we put in, we could never achieve the same amount of advantages that a man can have." 

The CIF track and field postseason has been overshadowed by the controversy involving the trans athlete, garnering national scrutiny against the CIF and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson sent a warning to the state in the days leading up to the CIF Southern Section final, referencing previous reports that CIF officials made competitors remove their Protect Girls Sports shirts. 

"CIF’s and Jurupa Valley High School’s apparent flouting of federal civil rights law by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female California track and field [Southern Sectional Division 3 final] this Saturday, and the alleged retaliation against the girls who are protesting this, is indefensible," Julie Hartman, a Department of Education spokesperson, told Fox News Digital.

The CIF is already under a federal Title IX investigation over the state's trans-inclusion practices. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation against CIF in February after President Donald Trump signed the Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports executive order. The CIF was one of the first high school sports leagues in the country to announce it would defy the order. 

Newsom, in a February episode of his podcast, said he believes trans athletes competing in girls' sports is "deeply unfair" but has not taken any steps as governor to change the state's policies. The state has had a law in place that allows trans athletes to compete with females since 2014.

"California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who, in a startling moment of moral clarity, recently remarked that it was ‘deeply unfair’ for men to compete in women’s sports," Hartman continued. "Where is Gov. Newsom now? With or without the governor, the Trump administration’s Department of Education’s commitment is unwavering: We will not allow institutions to trample upon women’s civil rights. OCR’s (Office of Civil Rights) investigation into CIF continues with vigor."  

The trans athlete represents Jurupa Valley High School. The Jurupa Unified School District provided a statement to Fox News Digital in response to the Department of Education's statement.

"JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics. Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil's records. JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws," the statement reads.

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Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are both battling for the same exact thing: to be the Cleveland Browns' future.

The Browns took both quarterbacks in last month's NFL Draft. Perhaps the more shocking selection of the two was the fact that Gabriel was taken in the third round as Sanders' unprecedented slide continued.

With Sanders, once considered even a top-three overall pick, still available in the fifth round, Cleveland snagged him.

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It's a crowded quarterback room in Cleveland, which also features Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. And one may imagine that with two rookies, both of whom are somewhat highly touted, things could be awkward.

But that is not the case for Sanders and Gabriel.

"Everything’s been cool," Sanders told SportsCasting. "He’s a cool person. I like how he handles situations, especially just the negative media that’s coming his way. I’m just happy he’s positive. He’s able to handle everything. We’re truly cool."

Sanders added that they are "for sure" learning from one another in practice.

JALEN HURTS MAINTAINS HE 'WASN'T AVAILABLE' FOR EAGLES' WHITE HOUSE VISIT

Gabriel, Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe were all taken ahead of Sanders.

The ex-Oregon quarterback said during rookie minicamp that he "love[s]" having Sanders as a teammate.

"You know, I love it because of who it is. I think just for us both, you can learn from one another," he said. "But also, it’s not just us two in the room. At least for now [during rookie minicamp] it is, but, you know, going into the year, Kenny, Joe and even Deshaun, just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another."

He also dismissed a question about him getting the first snaps of camp (something head coach Kevin Stefanski said to not "look into").

"I think the more questions I get asked like that, it just divides the team," he said. "For me, we’re in a room full of not just us — Kenny, Joe and Deshaun. For us, we know how important a healthy QB room is. But also, a team that you want to be a part of. How do you create an environment every single day where everybody can be their best? That’s just pushing one another, which talent naturally does. Naturally, it’s healthy. For us, we all go do our thing, and everyone wins."

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler was ejected in the third inning of the team's 2-0 win over the New York Mets Tuesday.

After the game, Buehler went online and took a shot at Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. 

Buehler was thrown out of the game for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. The 30-year-old right-handed pitcher fired what appeared to be a strike.

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However, Lindor stole second base on the play, and Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez jumped out his stance to try and throw Lindor out. 

Home plate umpire Mike Estabrook called the pitch a ball, and Buehler was incensed.

"It’s right down the f---ing middle," Buehler was heard saying on the broadcast. "It’s right down the f---ing middle. … F--- you."

Buehler was promptly tossed, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora was also ejected. 

RED SOX PITCHER WALKER BUEHLER SHOUTS EXPLETIVES AT UMPIRE, GETS TOSSED FROM GAME

A user on X posted a clip of Lindor gesturing for the umpire to toss Buehler and celebrating when the Red Sox starter was ejected. 

"The corniest part of the Walker Buehler ejection wasn’t Francisco Lindor leaning into a pitch before like a loser but that he talked s---, screaming + rooting for the ejection. Big loser energy. Warrants a fastball to the back tomorrow if I’m the Red Sox," the user wrote. 

Buehler reposted that tweet and added some commentary of his own about Lindor’s actions. 

"I wouldn’t want me out there either. Sad thing is the BULLPEN is full of f------ animals. Tough choice," Buehler wrote on X. 

The Red Sox have won the first two games of the series and go for a sweep over the scuffling Mets Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. ET.

The Mets are 3-5 in their last eight and have only scored 14 runs in those eight games. 

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