J.J. McCarthy comes on strong down stretch in debut as Vikings beat Bears 27-24 in opener
CHICAGO (AP) — J.J. McCarthy threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and ran for another in his long-awaited NFL debut, and the Minnesota Vikings rallied for a season-opening 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears. Chicago’s Caleb Williams had his first career rushing touchdown and threw for a score in Ben Johnson’s first game as the Bears’ coach. McCarthy delivered down the stretch after struggling through the first three quarters. The Vikings and coach Kevin O’Connell are counting on the former Michigan star after he missed his rookie season due to a knee injury, and he delivered when it mattered.
Everyone seems to agree: Spitting on somebody else is just wrong. But it keeps happening
Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez further damaged his reputation. Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles cost himself the chance to play in a season-opening game. Florida’s Brendan Bett gave South Florida a 15-yard gift on its drive that decided its win over the Gators. Their transgression: spitting. In the span of seven days from last Sunday through this past Saturday, there were three high-profile spitting incidents — all immediately and universally reviled, actions the likes of which teammates of the guilty parties couldn’t even justify.
NBA player's sister fatally shot at New Jersey apartment complex, her boyfriend charged with murder
JACKSON, N.J. (AP) — The sister of Minnesota Timberwolves player Naz Reid was fatally shot at a New Jersey apartment complex by her boyfriend. Twenty-nine-year-old Shaquille Green has been charged with murder. Ocean County prosecutors say Jackson police went to the Paragon apartment complex around 11 a.m. Saturday, after receiving reports of shots fired. They soon found 28-year-old Toraya Reid unresponsive. Officers also saw Green running down a nearby road, and he was soon taken into custody without incident. Prosecutors say Toraya Reid and Green had been in “a dating relationship” but did not provide further details. They didn't know whether Green had retained an attorney.
No no-no: Slade Cecconi flirts with ending Guards' long no-hitter drought in 10-2 romp over Royals
CLEVELAND (AP) — Slade Cecconi didn’t need anyone to tell him he was throwing a no-hitter. He found out on his own. Stealing a glance at Progressive Field’s giant scoreboard, Cecconi noticed something unusual — zeros. Cecconi took a no-hitter into the eighth before Kansas City’s Micheal Massey hit a single to spoil the right-hander’s bid to throw the majors’ first no-hitter this season and end Cleveland’s 44-year drought without a no-hitter. That hardly mattered as the Guardians rolled to their fourth straight win, 10-2 and jumped the Royals in the standings. Cleveland's last no-hitter was Len Barker's perfect game in 1981.
Phillies SS Trea Turner sidelined with a hamstring strain, could return in time for postseason
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies star shortstop Trea Turner is out with a strained right hamstring. This injury could keep him sidelined until the postseason. Manager Rob Thomson said Monday the MRI results were “better than expected.” Turner left Sunday’s game against the Miami Marlins in the seventh inning because of the injury. Turner leads the National League in batting average and hits this season. Without him, Bryce Harper was batting first against the New York Mets. The Phillies also expect Alec Bohm to miss 10 days with a left shoulder injury. The team recalled two players from Triple-A to fill their spots.
Ravens' late-game collapse against Bills raises more questions about their ability to finish
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have built a reputation for excellence that they sabotage just enough to result in defeat. That was the story of Sunday night's 41-40 loss at Buffalo. The Ravens moved the ball at will at times on offense but couldn't hold onto the ball in the fourth quarter, giving the Bills a chance to rally. Coach John Harbaugh says “in hindsight,” the play-calling was an issue. The Ravens' reputation for folding in big moments will likely hang over them all season — and nothing short of a Super Bowl run may be enough to change it.
Florida's Brendan Bett says spitting at opponent was 'a terrible mistake' that 'won’t happen again'
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett publicly apologized for spitting at South Florida offensive lineman Cole Skinner and says “there is no excuse for my actions.” Bett also apologized to his teammates earlier in the day. Coach Billy Napier says the now-unranked Gators have yet to decide whether Bett will be suspended for Saturday night’s game at No. 3 LSU. Bett was ejected during the final drive against USF on Saturday, a 15-yard penalty that helped propel the Bulls to a stunning victory. It was one of two penalties assessed against the Gators during an 87-yard drive that set up Nico Gramatica’s 20-yard field goal on the final play.
Unrivaled women's basketball league now valued at $340M million after landing more celebrity funding
Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart's 3-on-3 women's basketball league, Unrivaled, has gained significant investment from big names in sports. On Monday, the league announced a valuation of $340 million after closing its Series B investment round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. Investors include Serena Williams’ venture capital firm, Trae Young, and others. Unrivaled, founded in 2023, offers top players a U.S. offseason option while boosting their WNBA incomes. The league's first season ended in March with high viewership and sold-out games. Unrivaled plans to start its second season in January 2026.
Israel soccer coach 'standing behind my country' amid calls for squad to be suspended
DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — The coach of Israel’s national soccer team says he is “standing behind my country” amid calls for the squad to be suspended from international competition because of the war in Gaza. He adds that “we are in a very complicated situation.” Israel “hosts” Italy in neutral Hungary in a World Cup qualifier Monday and the Italian Soccer Coaches’ Association said last month that it had written a formal letter calling for Israel to be suspended. Israel routed Moldova 4-0 on Friday and sits second in Group I behind Norway. Group winners qualify automatically while the second-place finishers will enter the playoffs. The only World Cup Israel has qualified for was the 1970 tournament.
MLS suspends Luis Suarez for 3 matches, including Inter Miami-Seattle rematch
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Major League Soccer has suspended Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez for three league matches. This means he will miss his team's rematch against the Seattle Sounders next week. The suspension follows Suárez's actions after Inter Miami lost the Leagues Cup final to the Sounders on August 31. He was seen spitting at someone and grabbing a player by the neck. The Leagues Cup has also suspended him for six future matches. Additionally, Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart had his credentials pulled for his role in the altercation. Suárez apologized last week for his behavior.
