Dec 27, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has been arrested twice this offseason, and he is now out of a job.
Buggs was informed by the Chiefs on Monday that he has been released, according to multiple reports.
Buggs was arrested last week in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and charged with second-degree domestic violence and second-degree burglary. The 27-year-old was accused of breaking into the home of the mother of his child and then dragging the woman down a flight of stairs. You can read more troubling details from the incident here.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Buggs had his bond revoked following his most recent arrest and remains in jail.
Buggs previously turned himself in on May 30 in Tuscaloosa after two misdemeanor arrest warrants were issued stemming from animal cruelty allegations. Police reportedly found two dogs — a pit bull, and a Rottweiler mix — on the back porch of a house without access to food or water. The home was being rented out by Buggs.
Buggs was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 306-pound tackle played three seasons with the Steelers before spending his last two campaigns with the Detroit Lions.
Buggs signed with the Chiefs as a practice player in January before landing a futures contract with the team the following month.
Jan 30, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Cleveland Cavaliers logo on the shorts of Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Cavaliers 104-97. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hired a former NBA champion as their new head coach.
Kenny Atkinson has agreed to a deal to become the head coach of the Cavs, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
James Borrego and Micah Nori had also received consideration for the job, but Atkinson emerged as the favorite last week.
Atkinson, 57, has served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for the last three seasons. He won a championship with the team in 2022. Atkinson is best known for his tenure as the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach from 2016-2020. He was let go as the Nets’ coach in March 2020 after leading the team to one postseason appearance amid a huge rebuilding project.
Atkinson also spent time as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. He has been a coach in the NBA for two decades, and the Cavs are hoping that experience will prove valuable with their young roster.
Former professional wrestler Charles Scaggs, who went by the ring name ‘2 Cold Scorpio,’ was arrested last month after he stabbed a man in what he claims was self-defense.
According to court documents that were obtained by TMZ, Scaggs was arrested on June 15 following a violent incident at a Love’s Travel Stop in Kansas City, Mo. Scaggs told police he was working as a security guard at the store when a man lit a cigarette inside at around 3:40 a.m. Scaggs said he told the man there was no smoking allowed inside, to which the customer replied, “F you the f— you gonna do?”
The alleged victim told TMZ Sports that he did not light a cigarette inside the store and put it out before he walked in, though he said he did not know if the cigarette was fully extinguished.
Scaggs claimed the man threatened him and the two eventually exited the store to fight. During the fight, Scaggs said he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed the other man in self-defense. Police found the victim lying on the ground with several stab wounds when they arrived on the scene.
The victim was in and out of consciousness as he was transported to a local hospital. Police say they were able to speak with him later that day, and he told officers that Scaggs was the aggressor in the altercation. Scaggs was later arrested and charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of armed criminal action, which are both felonies.
Scaggs, 58, posted bond and has pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court in August.
Scaggs began his wrestling career as 2 Cold Scorpio in 1985. He wrestled in several independent promotions before signing a deal with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1992. He also spent time with WWF (which later became WWE) and ECW. Scaggs held several championship belts throughout his career and most recently wrestled on an independent circuit in 2021.
Nov 20, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Dallas Mavericks logo during the game between the Mavericks and the Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly in talks to try to land another difference-maker next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
The Mavericks recently “checked in on” the availability of Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
Grant is entering the second year of a $160 million contract he signed with the Blazers in 2023. But given the team’s rebuilding status, Grant has become one of the most sought-after trade pieces around the league.
The 30-year-old is a versatile offensive weapon who can space the floor and even create his own shot at times.
Grant averaged 20.7 points on 46.3% shooting from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc in his first two seasons in Portland. He also scored at least 19 points per game in each of his last four seasons.
Grant’s 7’2″ wingspan allows him to defend multiple positions, similar to the defensive role Derrick Jones Jr. played for the Mavericks this season. Dallas could very well lose Jones in free agency since they can only offer him the $5.2 million taxpayer’s midlevel exception given their cap situation.
Grant would be a clear upgrade over Jones but would probably cost the Mavericks a few assets in any potential deal. With the Blazers in rebuild mode, a pick or two would more than likely be involved.
The Mavericks have been quite active in trade talks since falling short against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals. Dallas has reportedly placed one veteran player on the trade block in an attempt to shake up their roster.
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler didn’t seem very amused to be sitting next to Ryan Garcia on Saturday during a celebrity poker event.
Garcia was extremely boisterous while participating in the “Legends Of The Felt” poker tournament held at Hustler Casino Live in Los Angeles, Calif.
Garcia was chugging drinks, eating pasta, flexing, and making a fool of himself throughout the poker game. Butler seemingly ignored Garcia’s antics while at a table that also featured Brazilian soccer star Neymar, video game streamer Ninja, and professional poker player Dan Bilzerian.
At one point, Garcia awkwardly tried to chat up Butler. The boxer told Butler that he was a big fan of the 6-time All-Star when he played for the Chicago Bulls. Garcia had to ask which team Butler currently plays for.
“Who do you play for now?” Garcia asked.
“Miami,” Butler replied.
“Oh yeah, I don’t even know why I asked. I’m sorry Jimmy about the Finals last year,” Garcia added.
Erratic behavior from Garcia isn’t out of the ordinary. But Garcia could have also been employing some mind games to try to unnerve his opponents.
But if Garcia was indeed trying to distract Butler, it didn’t work. The Heat forward took home $123,000 in tournament winnings — the second-largest amount just behind Neymar’s $306,000.
Despite Butler being in trade rumors of late, the 34-year-old appears to still be having some fun when he can.
Apr 30, 2022; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series owner Joe Gibbs walks on pit road prior to the A-Game 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell accidentally broke some news early this weekend. The team’s eponymous owner couldn’t have cared less about it.
Bell slipped up during a press conference on Friday and revealed that Chase Briscoe was set to replace Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing next season. The gaffe didn’t stop Bell from winning Sunday’s Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) in Loudon, N.H.
After the race, Gibbs was asked if Bell’s win “made up” for Bell spilling the Briscoe news.
“Somebody asked me that in the winner’s circle,” shared Gibbs. “And I said, ‘Christopher Bell can do anything he wants.'”
Bell’s Cup Series victory Sunday was his third of the year. His total ties him with Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron for the most wins in the Cup Series this season.
Bell outlasted the field on what was a weather-beaten track at NHMS. Drivers had to make some wild adjustments to avoid mishaps given the slippery setting.
But not everyone was able to avoid escape Sunday’s race unscathed. Blaney and Michael McDowell got tangled up while battling for a top-three position with just nine laps to go. Blaney had some choice words for McDowell over the incident.
New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz was ejected Sunday before even throwing out a single pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill.
Diaz was slated to take the mound for the bottom of the 9th inning with the Mets looking to protect a 5-2 over the Cubs.
Umpires noticed Diaz’s hand looking rather slick and shiny. After inspecting the 30-year-old Puerto Rican’s hand, 3rd base umpire Vic Carapazza tossed Diaz from the ballgame.
Mets reliever Drew Smith took Diaz’s place and preserved his team’s 5-2 lead to complete the save.
MLB has implemented more stringent inspection rules for sticky substances over the last few years.
Diaz could potentially be suspended for 10 games if the ruling on the substance on his hand is upheld.
Diaz claimed that he used “the same thing always,” which he described as a combination of rosin, sweat, and a little dirt.
Diaz’s brief appearance Sunday was just his sixth since returning from the injured list on May 24. Diaz has allowed just one earned run over 5.0 innings of work over that span.
Dec 12, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Paul has been linked to both of Los Angeles’ NBA franchises recently, but one of the two teams may be more interested than the other.
Paul has one year left on his contract with the Golden State Warriors. The entirety of his $30 million salary for the 2024-25 season is not guaranteed. The Warriors have until June 28 to decide whether or not to keep the 12-time All-Star.
Should Paul hit the free agency market, both the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers have reportedly shown interest in signing him.
However, a report published Sunday by NBA reporter Marc Stein stated that the Lakers’ interest in Paul isn’t “unanimous” despite Paul’s friendship with LeBron James.
Paul has long been linked to James ever since the two were seen sitting together on a banana boat in 2015. But James may not be pushing to team up with his friends the same way he did when he was younger.
The Warriors could also reportedly opt to keep Paul with the intention of trading him down the line.
Paul is entering his age-39 season and is coming off the least productive season of his career. But Paul still offered some value off the Warriors’ bench. He averaged 9.2 points on 44.1% from the field to go along with 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals.
Mar 16, 2024; Bristol, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) before practice for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Michael McDowell did not get in Ryan Blaney’s good graces Sunday during the NASCAR Cup Series Race at New Hampshire.
Front Row Motorsports driver McDowell was jockeying for second with the Team Penske star with just nine laps to go at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.
McDowell’s No. 34 Ford Mustang lost its grip at Turn 1 and ended up spinning Blaney’s No. 12 Ford Mustang. McDowell finished 15th, while Blaney dropped down to 25th.
“What the f–k did he think was going to happen there?” said Blaney after the contact with McDowell. “F–king idiot. I know exactly what happened. He bombed it in there like a moron.”
After the race, McDowell apologized to Blaney and his team. McDowell also acknowledged that it was a “low-percentage move” but added that he “had to try” given his place in the standings (20th entering Sunday’s race) this late into the season.
The track was also extra slippery on Sunday due to weather issues. Drivers had to employ some unusual tactics beyond just debuting their wet-weather tires.
Christopher Bell emerged victorious for his second Cup Series win this season. Bell swept the weekend after also finishing first in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race. Bell beat out second-place finisher Chase Briscoe, marking the second time this weekend that Bell stole Briscoe’s thunder.
Oct 18, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts at the end of the fifth inning in game five of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Judge wowed the baseball world by winning the Home Run Derby as a rookie back in 2017. He has not taken part since, however, and that appears unlikely to change anytime soon.
The New York Yankees slugger ruled out participating in this year’s derby in Texas, though he confirmed he had been asked. Judge said he felt there was “no need” to do it this year, and his stance appears unlikely to change with one exception.
“I’m not done with it. Once it’s back in New York, I’ll be there,” Judge said, via Dan Martin of the New York Post.
MLB has announced the All-Star Game venues for 2025 and 2026, which will take place in Atlanta and Philadelphia, respectively. While venues for 2027 and 2028 have yet to be announced, commissioner Rob Manfred previously suggested that Chicago and Toronto are leading contenders. In other words, Judge might be waiting a while.
It’s worth noting the new Yankee Stadium has yet to play host to All-Star week. The original Yankee Stadium hosted the event in its final season of 2008. Citi Field hosted the 2013 festivities.
Judge has held this stance for years, and he does not appear likely to change his mind now. He turned 32 in April, and at some point, it will become fair to ask if he will ever get another chance without backing down on his condition.
