Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has retired, ending a coaching career after four-plus decades. He announced his decision on Tuesday. Heacock was known for a 3-3-5 scheme with the Cyclones. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award that recognizes college football’s top assistant coach in 2017 and was nominated for it from 2022-25. He was a top assistant on Matt Campbell’s staff at Iowa State for 10 seasons and at Toledo for two seasons. Campbell left Iowa State earlier this month to lead Penn State’s program. Heacock was 60-44 as coach at Youngstown State from 2001 to 2009.

Philip Rivers nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to victory at age 44. Rivers ended a nearly five-year retirement to start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks and played efficient football for the desperate Colts, who turned to the future Hall of Famer after Daniel Jones was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. He threw a touchdown pass in the first half, played mostly mistake-free and moved the Colts into position for Blake Grupe’s 60-yard field goal with 47 seconds left. But Jason Myers responded with a 56-yarder that gave the Seahawks an 18-16 victory.

Although the WNBA is bringing in more money than ever, many players still find themselves financially unsteady when the final whistle blows. Former WNBA star Sue Wicks found her next calling in oyster farming on New York’s East Moriches Bay. Wicks has worked as a commentator, college basketball coach and at a fitness start-up since retiring from the WNBA in 2002. She says she feels lucky to again find a career “that works for my soul.” But the reality is that even a successful run as one of the world’s best basketball players didn’t earn her enough to fully retire.

The Seahawks have a defense that is firing on all cylinders, having yielded only nine points over its last two games, both lopsided wins for Seattle. The Colts, meanwhile, are struggling and desperately in need of a win. Indianapolis might turn to an unexpected savior in 44-year-old grandfather and Hall of Fame semifinalist Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement. The Seahawks are studying film of Rivers from his days with the Chargers, the franchise he spent the first 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with before retiring after a swan song year with the Colts in 2020.

Philip Rivers wanted one more shot at winning that elusive Super Bowl ring. So the 44-year-old grandfather and Hall of Fame semifinalist is coming out of retirement and rejoining the Indianapolis Colts. Just hours after team officials announced they’d signed Rivers to the practice squad, the eight-time Pro Bowler told reporters he’s eager to take his first NFL snaps since 2020 and hopes to start Sunday’s crucial game at Seattle. Coach Shane Steichen says it's possible Rivers could earn the job. Rivers says “I know there’s risk involved, what may or may not happen, but the only way to find out is going for it.”

The Indianapolis Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the practice, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not yet made an official announcement. Rivers took his last NFL snap with the Colts in a playoff loss following the 2020 season. He announced his retirement in January 2021. The move comes less than 24 hours after Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Indy’s starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, would miss the rest of this season with a torn right Achilles tendon and that backup Riley Leonard injured his right knee.

Quarterback Philip Rivers, 44, comes out of retirement to join depleted Indianapolis Colts on practice squad.