The Bowling Green Falcons appear to be turning to an NFL legend as the football program looks to fill its head coaching vacancy. According to ESPN, the school has extended an offer to Eddie George.
The former Tennessee Titans running back still spends Saturdays in the fall at Nissan Stadium — the same building where he routinely scored touchdowns during his standout NFL career. George is currently the Tennessee State Tigers head football coach and the school shares the stadium with the Titans.
George was interviewed by Bowling Green earlier this week and appears to have a genuine interest in the opportunity, per the report.
George rose to football stardom during his stellar stint at Ohio State, which culminated with him winning the 1995 Heisman Trophy. He rushed for 3,768 yards during his time with the Buckeyes.
Tennessee State has experienced success under George. The Tigers punched their ticket to the FCS playoffs this past season, which marked the program's first playoff berth since 2013.
Scot Loeffler created the head coaching opening at Bowling Green when he departed to take the quarterbacks coach job with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The reigning Super Bowl champions needed to fill their quarterbacks coach vacancy after Doug Nussmeier followed Kellen Moore to the New Orleans Saints. Nussmeier will serve as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans during the 2025 season, while Moore will handle the head coaching duties.
George spent the majority of his professional football career with the Titans organization, before closing out his time in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He has 10,441 career rushing yards and remains the Titans' all-time rushing leader.
George's tenure at TSU is in line with a trend of NFL greats taking on head coaching jobs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Deion Sanders was named the head coach at Jackson State in 2020. He currently coaches at Colorado. Michael Vick was recently named the next head coach at Norfolk State and DeSean Jackson will coach the Delaware State football team this upcoming season.
Just over two months ago, MLB star Juan Soto signed a historic contract. A couple of weeks ago, he joined the New York Mets in Florida for spring training.
The 15-year, $765 million deal he signed was the most lucrative contract in professional sports history.
In mid-February, Soto still seemed to be processing the life-changing contact.
"I'm still thinking about it and everything. It's unbelievable," he said at the time. "I'm really happy for that. I'm really happy to know where I'm going to be for the next 15 years."
"The Mets didn’t offer the most money," Soto said, speaking in Spanish. "Some teams offered more."
Soto later said the Mets' culture was one of the reasons he decided to leave the Bronx in favor of Queens.
SNY reported "multiple teams, including Boston, had a willingness to exceed the high offer if they knew Soto would agree."
Soto will wear his coveted No. 22 jersey with the Mets. Third baseman Brett Baty wore that number the past three seasons. But Soto gave him a brand new SUV during spring training to convince the infielder to switch to No. 7.
"No, you didn’t," Baty said as he smiled and walked outside the team’s spring training complex to see Soto near a Chevrolet Tahoe that had "Thanks for #22" scrawled on the back window.
Baty, the 12th overall pick by the Mets in the 2019 draft, was still driving the same 2016 Toyota 4Runner he had in high school.
"I really appreciate the number," Soto told him. "It’s the first one I ever wore."
Former President Joe Biden posted on X Saturday to celebrate International Women's Day, and many Americans called out his administration's record of enabling transgender athletes to compete in women's sports.
During Biden's presidency, he signed an executive order that allowed trans athletes to compete in women's and girls sports, attempted to re-write Title IX to allow it and even tried to punish states for taking their own steps to combat the issue.
Since Biden left office, Democrats in congress and state governments have done plenty to combat Republican attempts to address the issue.
For Biden, this manifested in a wave of criticism against his celebratory post on Saturday.
Critics included Rep. Brandon Gill, R-TX, who posted a screenshot of the House of Representatives vote on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which 203 Democrats voted against. The bill was then filibustered in the Senate when 45 Democrats voted against it.
XX-XY Athletics, the sportswear brand dedicated to promoting the activism of protecting female athletes from trans inclusion, lambasted Biden for "eroding" women's rights.
Other Americans shared their own thoughts.
"They don't succeed when men take over their spaces," one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Is that why you humiliated our women by putting men in women’s sports? Asking for my Sisters and Daughters ? Or do you even know you did it?
"Hey Joe. What is a woman? Is your way to celebrate it by letting men into women’s sports? Taking away the identity of actual women?" wrote another user.
Biden's record of allowing trans athletes to compete in women's and girls' sports became one of the biggest vulnerabilities of the Democratic Party in the 2024 election.
On the first day of his presidency in January 2021, Biden signed an executive order on "Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation."
This order included a section that read, "Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports."
In March 2023, Democrats advocated for a transgender bill of rights, proposing a resolution "recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights." The resolution specifically called for federal law to ensure that biological men can "participate in sports on teams and in programs that best align with their gender identity; [and] use school facilities that best align with their gender identity."
Then in April 2023, Biden's Department of Education proposed a rule change that would have punished schools for preventing trans athletes from competing in women's sports.
The proposition was titled "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance: Sex-Related Eligibility Criteria for Male and Female Athletic Teams"
The rule would have officially outlawed individual states from banning participation in single-sex sports by gender identity rather than just sex. There are 23 states in the U.S. that have legislation in place to restrict trans athletes from competing as females in public school sports.
In April 2024, Biden issued a sweeping Title IX rewrite that issued a ban on "sex" discrimination in schools covers discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and "pregnancy or related conditions." The rule took effect Aug. 1, and, for the first time, the law stated that discrimination based on sex includes conduct related to a person’s gender identity.
It led to more than two dozen attorneys general suing over the rule, arguing it would conflict with some of their state laws that block transgender students from participating in women’s sports.
The Supreme Court struck down an emergency request by Biden to enforce the re-write in states that defied the re-write in August.
Then, when the election came around in Novemeber, Biden's record on the issue may have backfired on his party, as they lost the White House, Senate and House of Representatives.
A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of "Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls' and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls' and women’s bathrooms" as important to them.
Additionally, 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."
After President Donald Trump returned to office, he signed an executive order banning trans athletes in women's and girls' sports on Feb. 5. However, many Democrat-run states have refused to comply with the order so far, despite most Democrats being opposed to it.
A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found that the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said that biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports.
Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said that transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.
WNBA player Angel Reese ignited a social media firestorm after claiming players are prepared to sit out games to demand higher salaries during her podcast Friday.
Reese and fellow WNBA player DiJonai Carrington addressed the next WNBA collective bargaining agreement.
"I've got to get in the meetings because I'm hearing like, 'If y'all don't give us what we want, we sitting out,'" Reese said.
Reese has griped about her financial situation in the past.
"The WNBA don't pay my bills at all. I don't even think it pays one of my bills. Literally," Reese said.
Reese's comments incited heated debate on social media about a WNBA player strike resulting in higher salaries. The WNBA has never turned a profit in its existence and has been subsidized by the NBA.
Reese got in on the discussion when she called out conservative influencer AKA on X for a post that Reese said falsely claimed she demanded to be paid as much as NBA players.
"I never said anything about the NBA. We are prepared to stay at the negotiating table for as long as it takes," Reese said.
Reese signed a four-year, $324,383 rookie contract ahead of her first WNBA season in 2024. She made under $75,000 in her first year and will make less than that in 2025.
In October, Reese admitted she couldn't afford to pay her bills based on that salary in an Instagram live video.
"I’m living beyond my means. Hating pays them bills, baby. I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all," she said. "I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at. Let me do the math real quick. I don’t even know my (WNBA) salary, $74,000?"
Reese said she is paying $8,000 for rent.
"Babe, if y’all thought… That WNBA check don’t pay a thing," she added. "Did that even pay my car note? … I wouldn’t even be able to eat a sandwich with that. I wouldn’t even be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live."
The WNBA players union opted out of its current collective bargaining agreement in October, two years before its expiration.
The current CBA will still cover the 2025 season, so the two sides have a year to negotiate a new agreement.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will not be charged after his arrest Friday, the Williamson County District Attorney told the Austin American-Statesman Saturday.
Worthy was arrested in Texas Friday for an alleged assault, according to online jail records.
Records indicated an assault on a family or household member in which the alleged victim's breathing was restricted. Under Texas law, the charge is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
However, District Attorney Shawn Dick said after speaking with multiple witnesses, Williamson County authorities will not press charges.
"After further investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and further discussion with a third-party witness, Mr. Worthy and his attorneys, this case is being declined at this time pending completion of the investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office," Dick said in an email, according to the outlet.
"Mr. Worthy and his lawyers are fully cooperating with this investigation.
"We will continue to evaluate the case. As is our practice with all declines, should you develop additional information indicative of probable cause in this case, our office will consider that information and may present the case at that time to a Williamson County Grand Jury."
Shortly after news of the arrest surfaced, attorneys Chip Lewis and Sam Bassett issued a statement on Worthy’s behalf in which they claimed his innocence.
"We are aware of the allegation that led to Mr. Worthy’s arrest," the statement, obtained by The Associated Press, said. "We are working with law enforcement in Williamson County to ensure they have the benefit of the totality of circumstances that led to this allegation."
The lawyers argued the "complainant" refused to leave Worthy's home despite numerous requests. Worthy's representatives also claimed the alleged victim attempted to extort the NFL star and described the allegation made against their client as "baseless."
"The complainant was asked multiple times over the last two weeks to vacate Mr. Worthy’s residence upon discovery of her infidelity, which a private investigator has video evidence of. She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy."
According to the statement, Worthy's property was damaged, and he was subjected to bodily harm. The Chiefs receiver also informed authorities he was not in favor of pressing charges, according to the statement.
The outlet reported that Worthy was still in a Williamson County jail as of 6:50 p.m. ET, and it could take a few hours before he is released.
Worthy finished his rookie NFL season with 638 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He also scored three rushing touchdowns. The 21-year-old scored two touchdowns during the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in last month's Super Bowl.
Ahead of getting drafted in the first round last year, he set the NFL Scouting Combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash.
Fox News' Paulina Dedaj and Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
Geno Smith will reportedly switch from a Seahawks uniform to the Raiders silver and black next season.
On Friday, multiple reports surfaced saying Seattle agreed to trade the 34-year-old quarterback to Las Vegas.
The Raiders sent a third-round pick in next month's NFL Draft to the Seahawks in exchange for Smith, ESPN reported.
The transaction would end Smith's six-year run with the Seahawks. He was the primary starter for three of those seasons and earned Pro Bowl honors twice.
Smith took to social media shortly after he discovered his name was linked to the blockbuster trade reports.
"God is the GREATEST!! Excited to get to work and WIN. The time is NOW," Smith wrote on X.
Smith threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns with 15 interceptions last season and will be the clear favorite to be the starter when Las Vegas opens its season, even if the club selects a quarterback in next month’s draft.
Because the Raiders hold the sixth pick, it is unlikely the team will be in a position to select Miami standout Cam Ward or former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders.
The Raiders also could decide to take a quarterback later in the draft, such as Jalen Milroe. Or they could pass on a quarterback altogether and go with a quarterback room that includes Smith and Aidan O’Connell.
The Raiders finished 4-13 last season, which led to the departures of coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco. Pete Carroll, who coached Smith in Seattle, was named the Raiders' new head coach in January.
Trading for Smith is the latest in a series of notable moves the Raiders have made this offseason. Earlier this week, defensive end Maxx Crosby landed the richest contract for a non-quarterback in league history.
He received a three-year extension worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed, to keep him in Las Vegas through the 2029 season.
WNBA players Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington vented about criticism directed at them by the league's newer fans during an episode of Reese's podcast, "Unapologetically Angel," Friday.
Both players have been the subject of harsh comments by fans after controversial interactions with phenom Caitlin Clark.
Reese has faced criticism for her interactions with Clark dating back to the 2023 NCAA women's basketball championship game, when Reese pointed to her finger mockingly after leading LSU to the title over Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes.
In 2024, Reese and some of her Chicago Sky teammates committed a series of controversial fouls on Clark in four WNBA meetings.
"It's hard, especially as two black women are unapologetic, we're going to pop our s--- and say what we have to say. And I stand on what we said. I feel like it's really hard," Reese said on Friday's show about the criticism she receives.
Carrington faced intense backlash after giving Clark a black eye with her fingernail in a playoff meeting between Clark's Indiana Fever and Carrington's previous team, the Connecticut Sun, in September. Carrington also previously spoke out against Clark and her fan base.
"They be real loose at the mouth," Carrington said of her critics. "I know they think it's trolls, but it's not just trolls. It be people that we see in real life."
But for Reese and Carrington, some of the comments that bother them most are those regarding their appearance.
"I hate when people say that, 'Oh she’s too worried about her makeup and her hair and her lashes and her nails and her outfits,'" Reese said.
Carrington said she isn't as bothered when people say she pays too much attention to her appearance, but she did say she "hates" when people question why she has blonde hair.
"I hate when people talk about that, like, 'Why do you have blonde hair?’" Carrington said. "I got black eyebrows. I got black arm hair, black leg hair … and I don't care. I'm still a natural blonde."
Reese then claimed that while players like her and Carrington are criticized for putting too much effort into looking feminine, some WNBA players are also criticized for looking too masculine.
"They complain and say that WNBA players are too manly, not feminine enough. We don't dress cute enough. They don't want to watch a bunch of little boys running around the court. Now, we're too much," Reese said.
"'I'm not watching that WNBA. Masculine, long shorts, they're wearing braids. They all like each other. They all date each other.' That's not true," Reese said, laughing at the fact Carrington is dating fellow WNBA player NaLyssa Smith.
"I don't be getting it, like d--- I can't put a little lip gloss on?" Reese added.
Despite these complaints, Reese may have indirectly implied her feelings about Clark's appearance. At one point during the interview, Reese listed the WNBA's "baddies," which is urban slang for a person who is confident, stylish and attractive.
"They knew who the baddies were, you [Carrington], me, Cameron [Brink], Kia [Nurse]," Reese said.
Reese left Clark off that list.
However, at no point in the episode did either Carrington or Reese address Clark in any way.
The NCAA tournament is right around the corner, but madness in March has already begun.
No. 7 Alabama defeated top-ranked Auburn, 93-91, on the road with an overtime buzzer-beater Saturday in a regular-season finale.
Mark Sears drove toward the paint and hit a floater as the clock expired to give the Crimson Tide a huge victory. Sears had just nine points, but he scored the most important two.
Dick Vitale was on the call and delivered his patented "Are you serious?" Vitale returned to the broadcast booth this season after battling cancer.
It was sweet revenge for Bama, who lost to the Tigers, 94-85, on their home court last month.
The contest was a nail-biter the whole way, with no lead exceeding double digits. The largest lead of the afternoon was an eight-point advantage the Crimson Tide held with roughly 10 minutes to go, but it was quickly erased.
Johni Broome hit a three for Auburn with 15 seconds left in overtime to tie the game at 91, but Sears made the best of getting the ball last. Broome finished with a game-high 34 points.
After losing just two of their first 29 games, the Tigers have lost two straight. They dropped a game on the road to Texas A&M earlier this week.
The two teams could see each other deep in next week's SEC Tournament.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are approaching a year and a half of dating, and HBO's Bill Maher is shocked at how long it's lasted.
During Friday's episode of "Real Time With Bill Maher," the comedian took a dig at the couple's relationship and its duration, citing Swift's history of brief flings.
"This world is so upside down now. It took [President] Trump three weeks to break up with Ukraine and Mexico and Canada," the comedian said, while dissing the commander in chief’s diplomatic policies.
Prior to her relationship with Kelce, Swift dated fellow singer Matty Healy for just a month, from May to June 2023. In 2016, Swift dated actor Tom Hiddleston for about five months, from May until September.
Swift dated music star Harry Styles from November 2012 to January 2013. She had just gotten out of a relationship with Conor Kennedy, grandson of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, that lasted from July 2012 to October of that year.
In 2010, Swift dated famed actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is nine years older than her, for just over two months, from October until December.
Earlier that year, she broke off a relationship with musician John Mayer, which lasted from December 2009 until February 2010. The same month Swift began her relationship with Mayer, she ended her relationship with actor Taylor Lautner, which began just two months earlier.
Swift's first publicized relationship with fellow pop star Joe Jonas lasted from July 2008 to October of that year.
However, Swift has had one long-term relationship, with British actor Joe Alwyn, which lasted nearly six years, from May 2017 until April 2023. She also had another relationship that lasted over a year with singer Calvin Harris, from March 2015 to May 2016.
Swift's relationship with Kelce is the second longest of her highly-publicized love life. Their relationship is believed to have started in July 2023.
The relationship between Swift and Kelce became the biggest story in sports in the fall of 2023 when she first started showing up at Kansas City Chiefs games, often demanding the attention of broadcasts and fan discussion on social media.
It attracted new viewers — particularly young women — to the Chiefs and NFL.
However, the constant Swift publicity has also annoyed some longtime NFL fans.
At the Super Bowl in New Orleans last month, Swift was booed by fans when she was shown on the jumbotron.
Despite the booing and Kelce being 35 years old, the tight end says Swift has been encouraging him to continue his playing career with the Chiefs.
"She’s fully encouraging me to enjoy playing this game," the 10-time Pro Bowler told "The Stephen A. Smith Show," adding Swift loves going to Arrowhead Stadium for games.
"I got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams."
Dunne has not competed since Jan. 24 against Arkansas, but she could return for NCAAs next month. A typical recovery time for the kneecap injury is at least three months, but it could also take up to half a year.
The Cleveland Clinic defines an avulsion fracture as an injury when "a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone."
Friday marked No. 2-ranked LSU's final home meet of the season, a 198.575-197.175 victory over No. 10 Georgia.
A soccer game in Spain involving the popular team Barcelona FC was postponed after a member of the team's medical staff died, the club announced.
Just around 15 minutes before a Saturday home game against Osasuna at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium was set to begin, fans were informed it would be postponed due to the death of doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia.
Barcelona said it was "deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia this evening," in a statement. The club also extended "heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Karl-Anthony Towns missed a game this week, and it was initially revealed he missed the game for "personal reasons."
After rumors circulated, it turned out a close friend of Towns' girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, died of breast cancer.
Towns returned to the team two days later after funeral services, but Draymond Green apparently had heard a different story about why Towns was absent.
The Knicks were hosting the Golden State Warriors, who include Jimmy Butler, Towns' former teammate.
Green said he had heard Towns did not want to go up against Butler.
"Some would say he didn’t play because Jimmy was in the building. I don’t known," Green said on his podcast. "They say KAT didn’t play because Jimmy came into town. You know him and Jimmy had the infamous practice in Minnesota."
Towns played against Butler earlier this year, when Butler was with the Miami Heat, and dropped 44 points.
Towns said it was "one of those moments where I had to be there for my family." Green was not aware of that until after the Warriors’ 121-119 victory over Brooklyn Thursday.
"That’s unfortunate, I’m sorry to hear that. That sucks," Green said. "But my comments that I made were what I heard was this. That’s what I heard. So I do send my well wishes to him and his family."
"But," he added, "the ‘Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis’ must go on."
Towns struggled in his return to the lineup, going 3-for-13 from the floor in Los Angeles with just 12 points. He's averaging double that this season.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was arrested in Texas on Friday for an alleged assault, online jail records showed. Worthy was a first-round pick in last year's NFL Draft.
He was booked by the Williamson County Sheriff’s office on an assault charge. Williamson County includes parts of Austin, where Worthy rose to football stardom during his time with the Texas Longhorns.
The charge read as an assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded. Under Texas law, impeding breathing means "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person’s throat or neck or by blocking the person’s nose or mouth."
Also, in accordance with the laws of the state, the charge is a third-degree felony which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Jail records showed Worthy had not yet posted bond by Saturday morning. The records did not have any details of the arrest.
Shortly after news of the arrest surfaced, attorneys Chip Lewis and Sam Bassett issued a statement on Worthy’s behalf.
"We are aware of the allegation that led to Mr. Worthy’s arrest," the statement, obtained by The Associated Press, read. "We are working with law enforcement in Williamson County to ensure they have the benefit of the totality of circumstances that led to this allegation."
The lawyers argued that the "complainant" refused to leave Worthy's home despite numerous requests. Furthermore, Worthy's representatives claimed she attempted to extort the NFL star and described the allegation made against their client as "baseless."
"The complainant was asked multiple times over the last two weeks to vacate Mr. Worthy’s residence upon discovery of her infidelity, which a private investigator has video evidence of. She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy."
According to the statement, Worthy's property was damaged and he suffered bodily harm. The Chiefs' reciever also informed authorities that he was not in favor of pressing charges, per the statement.
"The complainant further destroyed a room in the residence, scratched Mr. Worthy’s face and ripped out parts of his hair, which there is photographic evidence of. Mr. Worthy told law enforcement at the time of the incident that he did not want to press charges against the complainant.
"We will continue to cooperate with Williamson County authorities as we have full faith their thorough investigation will support Mr. Worthy’s innocence."
The Chiefs also sent a statement to Fox New Digital saying, "We are aware and gathering information."
Worthy finished his rookie NFL season with 638 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He also scored three rushing touchdowns. The 21-year-old scored two touchdowns during the Chiefs' 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in last month's Super Bowl.
Fox News' Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
After losing re-election in 2024, Former Montana Senator Jon Tester has spoken out against trans athletes in women's sports.
During an interview on HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday, Tester said he agreed with California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent comments that allowing trans athletes in women's and girls' sports is "deeply unfair."
"In that statement, Gavin Newsom is 100% correct," Tester said. "We're talking about a very, very, very small amount of people who, by the way, men shouldn't be playing in women's sports. It's a bunch of crap."
However, Tester also argued, like many other Democrats, that it is an overblown issue.
"The truth is is that it has been blown way out of proportion," Tester said. "We're talking about that and Congress is acting on that, instead of acting on the issues that impact Americans."
A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found that the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said that biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports.
Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, 67% said that transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.
Meanwhile, a national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of "Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls' and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls' and women’s bathrooms" as important to them.
Additionally, 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."
Tester lost his seat to former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy back in November, after serving three terms in Montana – a state that has consistently voted for the Republican presidential candidate for decades.
Despite the fact that many Democrat lawmakers and the majority of voters have expressed opposition to trans athletes in women's sports over the last several months, figures like Tester and Newsom have still come up with other reasons not to support GOP-led legislation to address the issue.
While Tester suggested that the issue does not "impact Americans," Newsom argued that legislation to address the issue doesn't account for the fact that the transgender population is "vulnerable."
"So, that's easy to call out the unfairness of that," Newsom said on his podcast this week after claiming that trans inclusion is unfair. "There's also a humility and a grace . . . these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well."
"So, both things I can hold in my hand," the governor continued. "How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think, you know, is inherent in you, but not always expressed on the issue?"
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban trans athletes in women's and girls' sports back in February, but many states, including California, have refused to comply with it.
On Monday, Senate Democrats voted nearly unanimously to block the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
The law would have helped to set a stricter precedent to keep trans athletes out of women's and girls' sports across the country, as many states have so far refused to comply with Trump's executive order to address the issue. But not a single Democratic senator voted to help pass the bill, and filibustered it from reaching Trump's desk.
Earlier this week, ESPN announced its "Around The Horn," will go off the air in May after over two decades.
Jay Mariotti, who was a regular on the show until his domestic violence arrest in 2010, said in a recent interview that the show is being canceled because it went "woke."
"I think what John Skipper wanted from some of the shows was he started to install people on the shows who became anti-Trump," Mariotti told Front Office Sports.
Mariotti then mentioned Jemele Hill and Michael Smith by name, adding the show "lost some audience."
In a recent post on his own Substack, headlined "Around the Horn ended a long time ago - when I left the show," Mariotti reiterated that some of the panelists went "woke" while others were "on dope."
Hill caught wind of the comments and took exception.
"I don’t really appreciate Jay bringing my name into this or my friend Michael Smith. For one, I don’t even know Jay like that. And secondly, I started doing ATH in 2007 or 2008. Donald Trump obviously wasn’t in office then, so to suggest that ESPN started putting anti-Trump folks on the show on purpose is just a dumb statement," Hill said in an X post.
"The beauty of ATH is that it was a mechanism to get a variety of voices on air. It has launched and furthered so many careers, including mine. Having a run of over 20 years in sports television is a testament to what an institution this show became."
Hill and Smith later co-hosted their own SportsCenter. Hill left ESPN ahead of the turn of the decade and joined The Atlantic.
Brown had nine catches for 91 yards in those regular-season games and then added five catches for 50 yards in the Chiefs’ three playoff games.
Last season was Brown’s first with the Chiefs. Brown spent the prior two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals after being traded by the Baltimore Ravens.
Across six seasons, Brown has 322 receptions for 3,735 yards and 28 touchdowns in 74 career games.
With Brown back in the fold, Patrick Mahomes has one of his deep threats back.
One of Mahomes’ other top targets, Xavier Worthy, was arrested on Saturday morning after an alleged domestic dispute. Worthy emerged throughout the season as Mahomes’ top target, as he capped off his rookie season with an eight-catch, 157 yards, and two-touchdown performance in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss.
The Chiefs' wide receiving corps lacked a true No. 1 option after wide receiver Rashee Rice tore his ACL early in the season. Rice, too, could potentially face suspension in the 2025 season after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident last offseason.
Travis Kelce, who had been Mahomes top target throughout his career, while productive, took a step back last season with career lows in touchdowns and yards across a full season.
Despite re-signing Brown, and Kelce returning after mulling retirement, the Chiefs are expected to add more weapons for Mahomes once free agency begins next week.
President Donald Trump has thrust international trade relations and markets into a state of uncertainty with recent tariff declarations, but he also believes they will enhance the excitement the 2026 World Cup.
At a Friday press conference in the Oval Office with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump was asked how the current trade tensions, especially with Canada and Mexico, which are the other host countries with the U.S. in 2026, may affect the World Cup.
"I think it's going to make it more exciting," Trump said. "Tension is a good thing, it makes it much more exciting."
This week, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico but then announced Thursday a one-month reprieve for both countries on goods compliant under a North American trade pact.
The exemptions for the two largest U.S. trading partners expire on April 2. Trump has also threatened to impose a global regime of reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners.
When Trump first announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada in early February, he ended up delaying them by a month after working out agreements with both countries to help secure the northern and southern border.
However, the tension from the incident still spilled into sports during the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off exhibition tournament from Feb. 12 to 20. Fans in Canada booed the U.S. national anthem while fans in the U.S. booed the Canadian national anthem ahead of multiple games.
It started Feb. 13, when Canadian fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem after President Donald Trump's recent threats to impose tariffs on Canada while also suggesting the country should become America's 51st state.
The booing prompted a flurry of brawls between Canadian and U.S. players in the first meeting of the tournament between the two teams on Feb. 15. The U.S. won that game 3-1.
The Canadian national anthem was then booed at TD Garden in Boston before a 4 Nations game between Canada and Finland.
The U.S. and Canada then met in the final on Feb. 20, and American fans in Boston once again booed the Canadian national anthem, albeit with a lighter tone. Canada won the game in overtime, 3-2.
Since then, hostile rhetoric between the two countries, including in sports, has only escalated. NHL games involving teams based in Canada and the U.S. have often featured booing during pre-game national anthems of the visiting team.
Fans at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" ahead of the event last Saturday night. Star sports commentator Pat McAfee loudly lambasted the Canadian fans for booing, and the country as a whole, in response during the Peacock broadcast.
"It kind of sucks that it's in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing," McAfee shouted at the broadcast table.
McAfee has since said he has received death threats against his infant daughter for the comments.
Canadian men’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch blasted Trump for his "51st state" remarks, calling them "insulting" Wednesday. During CONCACAF Nations League media day, Marsch said he was "ashamed" of how Canada had been insulted by the president.
"If I have one message to our president, it’s lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state," Marsch said. "As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies. But one thing’s for sure: When I look forward a month from now, this will fuel our team. The mentality we have, the will we have to play for our country."
NHL legend Wayne Gretzky has also been criticized by fellow Canadians for his apparent support of Trump. Trump recently said he had asked Gretzky to become the next "governor of Canada" after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be resigning.
But after Gretzky expressed support for "Canada remaining a separate country, rather than becoming a cherished and beautiful 51st State," Trump declared Gretzky a "free agent."
Los Angeles Lakers fan Mike Bell nailed the shot of a lifetime on Thursday night.
Bell hit a $100,000 half-court shot during a break in action, and plans to spend it wisely.
"We actually just got married in November and spent a good chunk of our savings on the wedding and honeymoon and such, so most of this money is going to replenish that and filling our bank accounts back up a little bit," Bell said via TMZ.
"But I’m going to treat myself to something nice, maybe a special pair of Kobe’s or something like that, something definitely to commemorate it."
Bell said, "I spent pretty much the whole third-quarter in the tunnel just kind of like getting ready for it, and so it was kind of down in the area where all the celebrities are walking through and stuff," Bell said.
"I’m sitting there trying to focus on like a potentially life-changing shot, and I’ve got celebrity after celebrity walking by me. It was kind of a wild experience. I was trying not to get in my own head about it."
After Bell drilled the shot, he said he "blacked out" in celebration.
"I blacked out man, I blacked out. It’s funny, my wife has been giving me a hard time about how the PA announcer woman, she like asked me how I was feeling, and my response is ‘Go Lakers.’ Honestly, I didn’t hear her question at all, I had no idea what she asked me, and ‘Go Lakers’ just felt like a safe response to give to whatever it might be."
In celebration, Bell said he high-fived Floyd Mayweather, Spike Lee and Los Angeles Rams’ star wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Bell said his wife hasn’t asked for anything specifically, but he will get something for her with the newfound money.
"She hasn't cited anything specifically," he said. "She puts up with me staying up late watching the games and having the TV on in bed. If she asks for something, it's the least I could do."
Legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick got an unlikely assist in his pursuit of the head coaching job at North Carolina.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was called on by the former New England Patriots coach to advocate to then-fellow Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina for the job at Chapel Hill, according to an ESPN report.
"Rubio follows the sports world pretty closely, and he called me and said, 'There's a chance Belichick would come to Chapel Hill,'" Tillis told ESPN.
"He said, '[Belichick] wants a school with a great academic reputation, and he wants to try to build a program to bring them a national championship. I said, 'Well, let me go [make some calls].'"
According to the report, Tillis then called North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, who was initially in disbelief until Tillis reassured him.
One source told ESPN that "the push to land Belichick all started with the politicians."
An eight-time Super Bowl champion, Belichick left the NFL for a year before returning in December for uncharted waters.
He entered the college football world on a lucrative five-year, $50 million deal to coach the Tar Heels. The deal also included a buyout if any NFL team were to come calling.
The 72-year-old coach returned to the practice field this week, where he revealed to reporters on Wednesday that he’s having a blast.
"That's the great thing about being a head coach — I can coach anybody I want," he said. "I can coach the line, I can yell at the tight ends, I can yell at the DBs, I can yell at the kickers.
"I can go to any group I want and coach them. And honestly, that's the fun part."
Belichick will make his college football debut at home against TCU on Sept. 1.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
The New York Yankees received some alarming news on Friday night.
Star pitcher Gerrit Cole is scheduled to undergo diagnostic tests on his pitching elbow over the next couple of days, according to MLB Network.
The news comes after Cole struggled in his spring training starts against the Minnesota Twins, where the 34-year-old gave up six runs over 2.2 innings of work.
Cole said his arm felt good during the start but worsened.
"As I got home, it continued to get more and more sore," Cole said, via the NY Post on Saturday. "Something wasn’t right."
Cole also had an injury scare last season during spring training, and was shut down due to what was later diagnosed as nerve irritation in his elbow.
The six-time All-Star didn’t make his first start until June 19 last season, due to an injury. Last season in his injury-shortened campaign, Cole was 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 regular-season starts.
In the Yankees' run to the World Series, Cole was sensational in the playoffs. The Yankees’ ace was 1-0 and had a 2.17 ERA across five starts in the postseason.
Cole said he changed his offseason routine to help mitigate the risk of another injury.
"We came up with a plan to mitigate the risks, and I executed it," Cole said.
"I felt the best I had in some time leading up (to the last start)."
Cole said he has an "initial idea" of what the injury is but is "concerned," calling the soreness he experienced "alarming" and that it was tough to sleep.
The 2023 AL Cy Young winner is not the only Yankees pitcher to be sidelined by injury, as Luis Gil suffered a high-grade lat strain.
Gil is expected to be shut down for six weeks as he recovers from his injury.
Without Cole and Gil, the Yankees’ starting rotation is now comprised of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman, with prospect Will Warren among those competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.
