Nov 28, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87 on the sideline in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Rob Gronkowski has maintained that he is retired once and for all after taking the entire 2022 season off from the NFL, but few seem to believe him. The latest report on his future suggests there is a good reason for that.
Gronkowski has left the door open for a 2023 return and told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that it was a possibility, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
The tight end has not ruled out playing again, but he said it would take a lot of money to convince him to come back. On the other hand, it has been reported that he at least talked to the Buccaneers about a comeback around Thanksgiving, so he may be more open to it than he has publicly suggested.
Gronkowski turns 34 in May and could conceivably play another season if he wanted to. It may bear watching, especially with Tom Brady facing free agency this offseason.
Feb 17, 2020; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) looks on during spring training at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays are in the midst of a multi-year, $300 million renovation to the Rogers Centre.
The overhaul began earlier this offseason with a demolition phase, which focused on the upper levels, outfield walls, and bullpen areas. Crews then moved onto the redesign and construction phase, which was aimed at creating a better fan experience.
Toronto wants to bring their fans closer to the action and “diversify” the types of experiences those in attendance can have.
As a result of these adjustments, outfield dimensions at the Rogers Centre were also forced to change. Some of them were more significant than others, and they also include changes to the wall height.
The most significant change came in right-center where the wall was moved in 16 feet and raised more than four feet. The right-center power alley also saw a notable change with the wall moved in 11 feet and raised nine inches.
“The new outfield not only creates a dynamic and unique ballpark character but most importantly, brings Blue Jays fans closer to the action,” Blue Jays executive vice president of business operations Marnie Starkman told MLB.com. “It was critical to understand how any modifications would impact play, so where the walls come in, heights go up to offset significant changes. Our team modelled these adjustments, and we anticipate they will create a similar neutral environment while providing a modernized experience for our fans.”
How, exactly, these changes will impact play remains to be seen. It will take at least one season to determine if this boosts offensive play in the stadium or if it somehow helps the pitchers.
However, one thing is for certain: balls in play will take different bounces off the wall and outfielders will need to re-learn the flow.
Feb 1, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Chris Beard looks up at the scoreboard in the second half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Longhorns fired basketball head coach Chris Beard earlier this month after an alleged incident of domestic violence in December.
Beard was arrested on Dec. 12 and charged with assault on a family member, impeding breath circulation, or strangulation, which is a third-degree felony. He was immediately and indefinitely suspended by the Longhorns before they made their final decision.
His fiance, Randi Trew, later released a statement in which she denied ever telling the police officers Beard choked her. She also stated that she did not intend for him to be arrested or prosecuted.
The court documents told a very different story. And details of the incident were quite alarming.
Now a month and a half removed from the incident and three weeks following his termination, Beard has listed his $5 million mansion for sale and appears to be leaving the area altogether.
Beard was in his second season as Texas head coach at the time of his firing. He compiled a 29-13 record with the Longhorns and a 171-73 record over the course of his entire career, which also saw stints at Little Rock and Texas Tech.
Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts after running with the football for a first down against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered several serious and lingering concussions in 2022.
Tagovailoa’s concussions and subsequent treatment became the subject of national attention. There was criticism regarding how some were handled but primarily, there was a concern for the 24-year-old’s well-being. There were also questions raised about his future.
Will Tagovailoa return in 2023? Should he return?
Those questions were even posed to his parents, who recently shared their thoughts on what lay ahead for their son.
“No, he comes back,” Tagovailoa’s father said. “That’s their guy. They love him, we love them and what they’re doing and how they are helping with his recovery and trying to get him back.”
There was no doubt expressed by Tagovailoa’s parents. But perhaps more importantly, they say Tua is doing well, feeling good, and is happy with both his life and career. He remains in concussion protocol but is trending in the right direction and the plan is for him to return under center in 2023 and beyond.
This past season, Tagovailoa led Miami to an 8-5 record over his 13 starts. He threw for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns with eight interceptions while completing just under 65% of his passes.
Aug 8, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio watches from the sidelines in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL coaching carousel is hitting a fever pitch as interviews wind down and hires are made official. But the head coaching shuffle is just stage one. After those decisions are made, staffs are filled out and one man — Vic Fangio — could quickly become the center of attention.
Fangio, who currently serves as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, is drawing interest from several NFL teams. They include the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins, but that list may soon expand.
Fangio has a long history in the NFL dating back to 1986. Over that span, he’s held several positions for multiple organizations, including defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Chicago Bears. He also served as Denver Broncos head coach from 2019 through 2021, compiling an underwhelming 19-30 record over those three seasons.
Although his head coaching career didn’t go the way he intended, Fangio has always been considered one of the best defensive minds in football. He was even named AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018 when his Bears sported the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL.
There’s no doubt that Fangio is considered a hot commodity and regardless of what fate awaits the Eagles in the coming weeks, he seems destined to return to the sidelines.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Kansas City on Saturday ahead of their AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. But rather than cramming some additional film work in during the flight, quarterback Joe Burrow says he has other plans.
In what’s become a typical road game routine, Burrow and his teammates will engage in a friendly Super Smash Bros. competition.
The Nintendo classic has become an in-air favorite for most NFL players and teams. The New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks are among the organizations that have had players openly discuss their love of the game in recent years.
But Burrow took it a step further and elaborated on his character of choice to a very confused pool of reporters.
“I’m a Ness main,” Burrow said, via Bengals.com. “Nobody knows what that means, that’s O.K. That’s some nerd stuff around here.”
Ness, of course, is the main character in another Nintendo classic, Earthbound.
Super Smash Bros. was originally released in 1999 when Burrow was just three years old. Earthbound made its console debut in 1994, long before Burrow was even born.
You have to respect the retro love from Burrow and the Bengals. And maybe someone should let them know GoldenEye 007 was just re-released on Xbox and Nintendo Switch Online.
Sep 8, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) sits in the dugout during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
A former World Series MVP is trying to make a comeback in 2023, and his attempt supposedly is off to a good start.
The agent for Cole Hamels said in December that the former pitcher wanted to try to pitch again in 2023. On Friday, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Hamels threw for interested teams and that things went well.
“Cole Hamels threw for teams today in Arlington, Texas, and was said to look ‘insanely good.’ Predicts he will receive interest off this session. 88-91 mph,” Heyman tweeted.
Hamels turned 39 in December and last pitched in 2020. He made one start for the Atlanta Braves that season and allowed three runs in 3.1 innings. In 2019, he went 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 141.2 innings with the Chicago Cubs.
Hamels signed with the Dodgers for the 2021 season but wasn’t able to make any MLB starts after experiencing arm pain in a simulated game.
The veteran southpaw has made four All-Star teams and finished in the top-8 in Cy Young Award voting four times. He domainted during the Phillies’ 2008 championship and was named both NLCS MVP and World Series MVP.
If anyone gives him a chance in 2023, it will be on a minor-league deal. The odds will be against Hamels making it back to the majors for another start.
Jun 25, 2022; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Clara Luper Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
The starters for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Thursday, and one funny development had to do with those who received player votes.
Chet Holmgren, who went No. 2 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA Draft, received four votes from his fellow players. Of course, that’s a little wacky considering Holmgren hasn’t played this season.
The former Gonzaga star had a funny reaction to the development.
“Love my supporters,” Holmgren wrote on Twitter in response to the news.
We know Chet is popular, but it sure seems some players were having fun with the system by giving votes to players who hardly have played, or haven’t played at all.
Holmgren may one day make an NBA All-Star Game, but it won’t be this year, when he’s out for the season with a foot injury.
May he be as popular with the fans in the future as he is with his fellow players.
May 2, 2022; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr stands on pit road prior to the DuraMAX Drydene 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Martin Truex Jr. announced some big personal news via Instagram on Friday.
The 42-year-old said on his Instagram Story that he and his longtime girlfriend Sherry Pollex have broken up.
“To my fans and partners… Sherry and I have made the decision to end our relationship. I will continue supporting Sherry moving forward. I would ask that you respect our privacy as there will be no further comment about this matter,” Truex said in his statement.
Truex and Pollex have been together since 2005. Pollex was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer in 2014. She has been battling cancer ever since.
“I had a less than 30% chance of surviving five years. As I continue to battle my own illness in my eighth year – I’m back in weekly chemotherapy now – it still motivates me everyday,” Pollex said to Forbes for a story in November 2022.
Together, the two have raised money to fight ovarian cancer and pediatric cancer.
In a July 2022 story by The Athletic, Pollex said that her cancer had spread to her right lung, diaphragm and parts of her lymph nodes.
Truex is entering his fifth season with Joe Gibbs Racing. He won the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Another incredible video of Victor Wembanyama has gone viral.
The 19-year-old French prospect has been generating hype for a few years, and the buzz surrounding him keeps growing. What’s it like for the 7-foot-3 player to maneuver around the basketball court? We got a glimpse from this point-of-view video.
In the video, Wembanyama is nearly eye-level with the basket at various points:
Take a look:
Can you imagine playing basketball like that? That’s like an average human playing on an 8-foot basket or so. It’s kind of incredible that Wembanyama can be such a good player despite the ball being so small in his hands, and other challenges.
Wembanyama is a lock to go No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. One team is going to be very lucky to land him.
