WNBA coach collapses during game in scary scene
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase collapsed to the floor Friday during a critical moment in Friday’s Game 3 clash against the Dallas Wings.
Nakase was complaining to an official after the Wings took a timeout with under two minutes left in the first-round rubber match at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif. All of a sudden, the second-year head coach fell to the floor and was visibly grabbing her head.
Nakase’s assistant coaches helped her get back on her feet moments later. She was somehow able to shrug off the moment and get back into the Valkyries’ huddle.
Wth happened to Natalie ? pic.twitter.com/0GiNx1i0Sf
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) October 3, 2026
The Valkyries later told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews that Nakase was exhausted and felt lightheaded, leading to the vulnerable moment. But she was reportedly “up, talking, and laughing” after the game.
Nakase did not let her midgame incident, which occurred with her team trailing 72-71, stop her from coaching her team to victory. The Valkyries limited the Wings to just one point the rest of the way, en route to a 77-73 win.
Nakase is expected to be present and available for Sunday’s semifinal Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces.
Wizards player makes stunning admission about his team tanking for AJ Dybantsa
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington was not hiding his team’s tanking tactics from last season.
Carrington, a former lottery pick himself, implied in a recent interview that the Wizards were playing for the ping-pong balls last season. The No. 14 overall selection in 2024 sat down with WUSA9’s Marshall Kramsky and discussed the team’s outlook for next season.
The Pitt alum admitted the Wizards intentionally “held back” the team to increase their chances of landing the first overall pick in this year’s draft. The plan ultimately worked out, with Washington picking AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick in June.
“We just haven’t been told yet to go be the best version of yourself,” Carrington told Kramsky, who asked the third-year guard to explain further.
“We’ve all, in a way, been held back just because, like you said, we were trying to get AJ Dybantsa. That’s no secret. That’s no secret. But now, no one has handcuffs. Everyone’s shackles-free. So that alone is already a conversation starter. But then you put that on top of the coaching, on top of the vets that we have. That’s a playoff team, and that’s gonna happen.”
Most fans felt the Wizards were obviously tanking last season, particularly when they made two midseason trades for injured stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Young played in only five games, while Davis never took the court for Washington after arriving in a deadline deal.
What is surprising is hearing a young player like Carrington openly admit to his own team “handcuffing” players in an effort to make them play worse for the sake of draft lottery odds.
The NBA imposed massive fines on the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers for alleged tanking practices last season. But according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, the NBA “is not expected” to penalize Carrington or the Wizards over the point guard’s comments.
Grizzlies cut ties with former lottery pick
The Memphis Grizzlies are parting ways with a former lottery pick shortly after acquiring him.
The Grizzlies have reportedly waived shooting guard Jordan Hawkins less than a month after the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to Memphis. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the two sides “mutually agreed” to the decision.
The Memphis Grizzlies and guard Jordan Hawkins have mutually agreed to part ways, allowing the 2023 lottery pick to find a new home in free agency once he clears waivers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2N2osIWF0n
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 3, 2026
Hawkins seemed to be the centerpiece of the trade package the Grizzlies received in exchange for Taj Gibson and former first-round pick AJ Johnson. Memphis also got 2025 second-round pick Micah Peavy and a future second in the deal.
One would have expected the rebuilding Grizzlies to test out a scoring talent like Hawkins as they head into their first year of the Cam Boozer era. The No. 14 overall pick in 2023 was entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, which would have paid him $7.02 million.
Hawkins, a UConn alum, has shown flashes of offensive potential in his three seasons in the NBA. But his efficiency and non-scoring attributes have not improved since he entered the league.
The 24-year-old averaged 8.0 points and 2.3 rebounds on 37.4 percent shooting over three years with the Pelicans. Grizzlies fans will not get to see whether Boozer’s passing prowess could have helped Hawkins develop into a deadeye shooter.
Mike Tomlin had message about building ‘Trump Tower’ in his Minecraft city
Mike Tomlin made sure to include a disclaimer when he revealed the favorite building in his Minecraft city: Trump Tower.
Tomlin shared in an interview last month that he’s been working on the same Minecraft city for over 12 years. What was meant to be a way to connect with his children became a wholesome obsession with building a bustling metropolis in the beloved sandbox video game.
Earlier this week, Tomlin unveiled his decade-old Minecraft city to the public in a 19-minute YouTube video. He gave viewers a tour of the entire municipality from both a bird’s-eye view and a closer inspection of his build’s finer details.
Mike Tomlin shows off the incredibly detailed interiors of high-rise apartments in the Minecraft city he has spent the last 12 years building. pic.twitter.com/DbrAMBciNa
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 1, 2026
At the 12-minute mark, Tomlin showed off his “favorite rooftop penthouse,” with a sign conspicuously spelling out “Trump Tower” near the entrance. He included a small disclaimer in text that flashed at the bottom of the screen.
“Not an endorsement,” the caption read. “This build is C.2015… We didn’t think he would win. Twice.”
Coach Mike Tomlin reveals his favorite build in his Minecraft city, modeled after the Trump Tower
— yoxic (@yoxics) October 1, 2026
"This build is C.2015… We didn't think he would win" pic.twitter.com/fPHzygbCXN
Politics aside, the original Trump Tower has stood in Midtown Manhattan since 1983 and has become one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. Tomlin probably felt that spelling out “Empire State Building” in bricks would not have been as aesthetically pleasing.
The reception of Tomlin’s Minecraft city has been mostly positive, but it did provide the Cleveland Browns the perfect opportunity to troll the former Steelers coach.
New Seahawks owner raises eyebrows with response to relocation question
Seattle Seahawks fans probably won’t appreciate new team owner Vinod Khosla’s position on potentially relocating the team.
Khosla, who purchased the Seahawks from Paul Allen’s estate in July for a record-breaking $9.612 billion, recently spoke to Axios’ Dan Primack about his newfound ownership stake.
The 71-year-old billionaire was asked about “being a steward of the Seahawks and preserving what Paul Allen built” while still not officially ruling out the idea of relocating the team. Asked if he would make such a commitment, Khosla did not give a straight answer.
“I will never say never,” Khosla responded. “Will this team be in Seattle 500 years from now? But I have no current plans to change anything about the team, including the coach, president, operation or Lumen Field. It all functions well.”
Seahawks fans probably don’t feel all too comfortable hearing that their team’s new owner has “no current plans” to move the team. The word “current” qualifies that statement quite a bit.
It doesn’t help that Khosla admitted in August that he started as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and continues to watch all of their games. He later felt the need to defend himself, claiming the media made his Steelers admission a bigger deal than it actually was.
All Seahawks fans want is assurance that their great-great-great-great-grandchildren’s grandchildren can still watch the team play in Seattle in the year 2526.
Braiden Bell issues a statement after being fired by Blazers for his old posts
Braiden Bell is speaking out this week in the wake of his hiring and firing by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Bell took to X on Friday to issue an apology. The apology came in the wake of Bell’s firing by the Blazers over controversial posts that he had made as a 15-year-old back in 2012.
“I am deeply sorry for the language that I used on Twitter,” Bell said, in reference to the platform’s former name. “These tweets, while wrong, were written by me 14 years ago when I was only 15 years old and have no reflection of who I am today.
“I do not take lightly any harm it causes now,” added Bell. “I regret this being my first impression to many of you online, but I can take solace in knowing that the people who truly know me understand that this is not the kind of person I am. Again, I’d like to apologize to anyone who was hurt by my words and will continue to always treat people with kindness and respect.”
— Braiden Bell (@braidenbellpxp) October 2, 2026
Bell, now 29 years old, was announced on Thursday by the Blazers as their new television play-by-play broadcaster (after he previously served as a commentator for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and for the NBA G League’s Valley Suns). But he was fired by the Blazers just hours later after a KGW reporter dug up some of Bell’s old posts in which Bell had used racist and misogynist language.
This entire saga was triggered by new Blazers owner Tom Dundon’s widespread budget cuts to the organization, which included the departure of Kevin Calabro, the team’s former television play-by-play man. Calabro and some other notable figures who were laid off by the team have since claimed that they were treated disrespectfully.
Phillies have reportedly made their decision on Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly’s brief return as an MLB manager appears to be over.
Mattingly will likely be “gracefully dismissed” by the Philadelphia Phillies within the coming week, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported Friday. Nightengale adds that the decision will be announced as a mutual parting and that the Phillies will offer Mattingly a chance to stay in the organization, potentially as an advisor.
However, Nightengale goes on to say that the Phillies want “new blood, new energy, and a new voice” at the manager position. You can read his full report on the situation here.
Mattingly, 65, first joined the Phillies organization as a bench coach last offseason and then became the the team’s interim manager after Rob Thomson was fired in late April. He did well to right the ship and went 79-55 (.590) this season to help Philadelphia clinch a playoff berth.
But the Phillies limped into the postseason, going 10-14 in the month of September and falling to the third NL Wild Card spot. Mattingly was also criticized for his decision-making down the stretch of the season, and the team would ultimately lose in their Wild Card series against the Atlanta Braves.
Because Mattingly’s son Preston is the general manager of the Phillies, it appears that the team will be giving him some grace as they move on. But the Phillies may inevitably be looking towards this potential replacement whom they have been eyeing for several months now.
Notable update emerges on the Damian Lillard-Ja Morant pairing
Damian Lillard and Ja Morant may not need a tag-team nickname just yet.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori does not believe that starting Lillard and Morant together in the backcourt makes sense, Jason Quick of The Athletic reported on Friday. Quick adds that fellow Blazers guard Jrue Holiday is a better fit to start while one of Lillard or Morant comes off the bench.
However, Quick also notes that Nori will have to manage egos and that benching either of his multi-time All-Stars could prove to be a delicate task for a rookie head coach who is only on a one-year contract. You can read Quick’s full report on the situation here.
Indeed, Holiday, himself a two-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, is the more logical fit to start at the 2 spot given his superb defensive profile and his underrated ability to create his own shot. Conversely, Lillard and Morant are both poor defenders who also both require the ball in their hands in order to be effective.
On paper, it would appear that Lillard, though returning from an Achilles tear at 36 years old, would be a better starting PG option since he is a far superior floor spacer. But Morant, the 27-year-old acquired in a trade earlier this offseason with the Memphis Grizzlies, brings a dimension of youth, athleticism, and burst that Lillard does not.
For his part, the controversial guard Morant does seem to be extremely excited about teaming up with the Blazers icon Lillard in Portland. But a successful partnership will likely require a big sacrifice on at least one of their parts.
Indiana Fever’s Raven Johnson apologizes for her comments about A’ja Wilson
The drama between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces is continuing even after the end of their playoff series.
Fever guard Raven Johnson issued an apology over social media on Friday. Johnson said that she was sorry for her comments about Aces star A’ja Wilson in a video with Indiana teammate Myisha Hines-Allen earlier this week.
“I sincerely apologize for the comments I made during the video with MHA,” said Johnson. “What I said was wrong, and I take full responsibility for my words. I have nothing but love and respect for my big sister 4 life A’ja, and I truly wish her nothing but the best.”
I sincerely apologize for the comments I made during the video with MHA. What I said was wrong, and I take full responsibility for my words. I have nothing but love and respect for my big sister 4 life A’ja, and I truly wish her nothing but the best.
— R A V E N (@HollywoodRaven) October 2, 2026
For context, Johnson was interviewed alongside Hines-Allen earlier this week. The two joked and laughed about how Hines-Allen had “ragebaited” Wilson during their playoff series against the Aces (with Johnson saying, “You do it with such a smile on your face”).
Here is what raven apologising for incase yall are wondering. pic.twitter.com/VcLnuDAcxb
— Leah (@Davleahw) October 2, 2026
There obviously did not appear to be much in that interview for Johnson to apologize for. But Johnson may have felt compelled to given that she and Wilson are both alums of the University of South Carolina.
Las Vegas prevailed in Thursday’s winner-take-all Game 3 against Indiana to take their first-round playoff series. But the four-time WNBA MVP Wilson was involved in some fireworks for much of the series, including a heated confrontation with a Fever fan in Game 2 that eventually led to Indiana star Sophie Cunningham clowning Wilson over social media.
Video shows the apparent play where Aaron Donald injured his back
Aaron Donald will miss some time due to his back injury, and fans think that they know exactly when the injury occurred.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive star Donald has been ruled out for Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Friday that Donald will be sidelined due to a back injury that had kept him out of practice all week.
In response, social media users pinpointed what was seemingly the exact moment when Donald got injured. During the Rams’ Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, Denver guard Quinn Meinerz managed to lift Donald off his feet and drive him into the turf back-first.
Here is the video.
#RAMS DL AARON DONALD IS OUT THIS SUNDAY WITH A BACK INJURY.#BRONCOS OL QUINN MEINERZ IS THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS: pic.twitter.com/5aHcI7SFhM
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) October 2, 2026
Donald, who is now 35 years old, came out of retirement for the Rams this year after sitting out of the last two NFL seasons. He has yet to make much of an impact though, logging just four combined tackles, one QB hit, and zero sacks over his first two games.
Meanwhile, the Rams are off to a 1-2 start and will now face a difficult test on Sunday against the Eagles without the services of Donald. That only adds to the team’s injury woes in the early going, especially with fellow Rams defensive star Myles Garrett still set to miss more time as well.
Jed York gets a sizable punishment from the NFL after his prostitution arrest
The NFL has rendered their verdict on San Francisco 49ers owner and CEO Jed York.
York has been suspended for six regular season games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Friday. Additionally, York is being fined a sum of $500,000.
Schefter adds that York had stayed away from the 49ers’ first three games of the regular season as well as from league meetings while the NFL’s investigation was ongoing. As a result, those three games will reportedly count towards York’s suspension, and he will be eligible to return on Oct. 20.
“Today, the NFL concluded its review, and I accept its decision in full,” York said in a subsequent statement.
“To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry. This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family.
“While I fell short of the model I want to set for my sons, I now hope to show them the importance of owning up to one’s failures, and that even our worst moments teach us to be better,” continued York in the statement. “Leading the 49ers is a privilege, and one I don’t take lightly. Your trust will have to be earned back over time, and I look forward to that work ahead.”
York, 46, is the son of 49ers co-chairs John York and Denise Bartolo York and first became the team’s CEO back in 2008. In 2024, York then acquired a large enough stake in the 49ers to become their official principal owner as well.
But in August of this year, York was arrested after being caught in a prostitution sting in East Palestine, Ohio. York had allegedly accessed a known prostitution website and paid $140 for an expected sexual encounter. But he was arrested when he was on his way to the scene and ended up pleading no contest to a charge of disorderly conduct (read the full details here).
Several days later, an embarrassing police body cam video was released of York’s arrest. Now York is officially being punished by the NFL over the arrest and will not be able to return to the 3-0 49ers for another three weeks.
Nick Nurse reveals what he wants LeBron James’ role to be
LeBron James’ arrival in the City of Brotherly Love carries plenty of intrigue.
The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer not to be a mere bench ornament, but to be among those expected to lead the way for the Eastern Conference franchise.
With James now on a team that features other ball-dominant players like Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, it figures to be quite a challenge for head coach Nick Nurse to come up with schemes that best maximize everyone’s abilities, with or without the ball in their hands.
Nurse recently shared his vision for how the 76ers will use the future Basketball Hall of Famer James on the floor.
“I just think LeBron, I consider him a great offense creator,” Nurse told reporters on Thursday, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“I don’t necessarily mean scorer, I just think creator and a table setter and all that kind of stuff. … If it isn’t bringing it up and starting [the possession], it’s probably going to be first pass anyway to [him on] the wing and then we get into our actions, and he’s kind of seeing what’s there, and he’s creating offense for others.”
Nurse is a champion himself, having led the Toronto Raptors to the top in 2019, but James perhaps knows more about the subject.
The four-time NBA champion and 22-time All-Star has a wealth of experience in terms of being in the NBA Finals and winning titles.
It will be interesting to see how much of James’ knowledge of the game influences the way Nurse runs the 76ers, but it is likely to be significant.
Tony Romo’s CBS fate is revealed after OWI arrest
The Tony Romo era at CBS Sports is now a thing of the past.
In a statement released by CBS on Friday, the network announced that it has “mutually agreed to part ways” with the former Dallas Cowboys star quarterback.
“We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward,” the statement read.
NEWS: Tony Romo and CBS Sports have parted ways. pic.twitter.com/TZfpoLmIr9
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) October 2, 2026
The 46-year-old Romo found himself in trouble with the law on July 23, when he was arrested in Milwaukee County, Wisc., for driving while intoxicated. He was booked and later released by police.
In August, the four-time Pro Bowler pleaded no contest to an OWI charge.
CBS put Romo on leave following his arrest, with former Houston Texans superstar pass rusher JJ Watt filling in for him in the booth alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.
Watt will continue working with Nantz and Wolfson, according to CBS.
Romo also released a statement following his breakup with CBS.
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,” Romo said. “I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life — with a desire to win and be the best that I can be.”
While Romo’s future in the sports media industry is uncertain, he said that he plans to “take a break” to focus on his well-being and personal life.
Rumor: Lakers player identified as ‘odd man out’ ahead of roster cuts
The Los Angeles Lakers could soon be bidding goodbye to a former first-round pick.
According to the California Post’s Khobi Price, Dalton Knecht has emerged as a potential cut casualty in Los Angeles, as the 2026-27 NBA season nears.
Price reported that executives around the league believe Knecht is the “odd man out” and the likeliest player to be released by the Lakers as they look to trim their roster from 16 to 15 players on standard contracts.
The former Tennessee Volunteers star Knecht was taken by the Lakers in the first round (17th overall) of the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged close to 20 minutes per game in his rookie season, but his playing time dropped significantly in 2025-26, when he averaged just 10.2 minutes per outing.
The Lakers appeared to be done with Knecht when they included him in a trade package for the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for big man Mark Williams. That trade was later rescinded.
Los Angeles has a pretty crowded situation on the wings, with Quentin Grimes, Matisse Thybulle, Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero and rookie Cameron Carr in the mix.
Knecht’s fate with the Lakers isn’t in his hands, and it’s a dilemma left for team president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka to deal with.
The Lakers also have a club option on Knecht worth $6.45 million that they have to decide whether to exercise.
Bryce Harper had a cryptic message about the Phillies’ future
It was another lost season for Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies, who may be facing a pivotal offseason following an early exit from the 2026 MLB playoffs.
The Phillies are out of World Series contention after losing Game 3 of their National League Series Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., 6-2.
Like most other teams that have already been eliminated, the Phillies now face the question of what’s next.
“Each year’s so different than the year before. I don’t really put stock into years before or what happened or anything else,” Harper said when asked if he was worried about the closing window of the Phillies because of Father Time, via NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The two-time NL MVP then hinted at the potential big changes coming for the Phillies before the 2027 campaign.
“This was a brand new team. Obviously, we had the guys that are part of that core group that we are,” Harper continued.
“I’d imagine this team is going to look a lot different next year with the guys that are leaving this clubhouse. So, we’ll see.”
Harper is unlikely to go somewhere else, as he is still under contract with Philadelphia through 2031, but th same can’t be said about the likes of Alec Bohm, Jose Alvarado, Luis Arreaz and Emundo Sosa, who are all pending free agents.
In any case, it is going to be a long offseason for Philadelphia, which finished second in the NL East with an 88-74 record — the team’s worst since going 87-75 in 2022, when, interestingly enough, the Phillies made the World Series and lost to the Houston Astros.
Commanders make decision on Jayden Daniels’ Week 4 status
The Washington Commanders have ruled quarterback Jayden Daniels out for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts in London, meaning he will miss a second straight week with a dislocated left elbow.
Marcus Mariota will make his second consecutive start. He led Washington to a 33-31 win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Daniels was limited in practice all week and worked in a brace that holds his non-throwing elbow slightly bent. He joined individual drills, including footwork and throws that required him to turn his body.
On Thursday, he said ordinary quarterback actions involving his left arm — taking the snap and handing the ball off — had not been a problem, and that the brace is meant to keep the joint from dislocating again.
The injury happened on the final play of the first half in Washington’s Week 2 loss at Dallas. Daniels’ left foot was stepped on as he backed away from center; he stumbled and caught himself with his left arm. It was the second dislocation of that elbow in a year. He first suffered it in Week 9 last season, sat out four games, aggravated it after returning, and was shut down for the rest of the year.
General manager Adam Peters has said surgery is not currently being considered and that injured reserve (IR) has not been discussed.
Daniels, describing the recovery as day-by-day, said he would have chosen surgery if he were worried about another dislocation. The Commanders remain optimistic he could be available as soon as Week 5 against the New York Giants, though an offseason procedure is still viewed as likely.
Ja’Marr Chase trolls Travis Hunter with just 5 words
Ja’Marr Chase needed only a shrug and five words to answer a question about Travis Hunter.
During Thursday’s session with reporters, the Cincinnati Bengals receiver was asked what growth he has seen from Hunter between Year 1 and Year 2. Chase paused, shook his head and shrugged, then delivered the viral verdict.
Hunter was considerably warmer when the roles were reversed. Asked about Chase, the Jacksonville defender said the Bengals star “can do everything.”
One player declined to grade a direct opponent. The other offered a compliment before they meet Sunday at Paycor Stadium.
Both teams enter at 2-1. Jacksonville is coming off a 35-6 win over New England, while Cincinnati is looking to rebound from a 30-27 loss to Pittsburgh. Chase has 18 catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns, including 98 yards and a score against the Steelers after a 12-yard Week 1.
History sits with the former Triple Crown winner. In a 2025 Week 2 win at Jacksonville, he caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown in a 31-27 victory, even after Joe Burrow left with a toe injury. Hunter, the No. 2 pick that spring, played in the game before a knee injury limited his rookie year to seven appearances.
Used mostly at cornerback in 2026, Hunter recorded his first career interception in the Patriots win. Sunday will test whether that progress shows up against a receiver who has already declined to acknowledge it.
Dana White apologizes after UFC 332 presser runs out of translators
The UFC 332 pre-fight press conference in Salt Lake City was meant to frame a middleweight main-card opener. It became a language mix-up instead.
Cameroon’s Ateba Gautier, who trains with Manchester Top Team, meets Roman Kopylov on Saturday at the Delta Center. Gautier is 11-1, riding a 10-fight winning streak and tied for the longest active run in the UFC middleweight division.
A reporter opened by addressing him in French, the language of his hometown of Douala. Gautier answered in French. No one in the room translated the exchange.
A later question came in English, about whether Kopylov, a veteran with far more UFC experience, represented a sterner test. Gautier answered in English, and the reply was difficult to miss.
He asked whether Kopylov was human, noted the two legs and two hands, then corrected himself on the size of those legs, and said the two of them would find out in the cage. He added that he takes the Russian seriously and acknowledged the gap in professional experience.
Dana White still went looking for help. The UFC CEO told the room the promotion had been caught short.
“We got f—-d out of that one,” White said. “We don’t have a translator for him. Sorry.”
The clip spread quickly. Fans noted that Gautier had just spoken English, that he has done so in other recent interviews, and that Cameroon lists both English and French as official languages. Others asked how the largest promotion in the sport could fly a fighter in for a main-card bout and not have a French speaker on hand.
A few compared it to an earlier press conference, when White requested a translator after Mexico’s Diego Lopes answered in English with an accent that was mistaken for Spanish.
Gautier smiled through the exchange. The awkward part belonged to the people running the microphone.
Jack Hughes calls mid-game injury joke ‘weird’ and leaves interview
Jack Hughes had no interest in laughing about last season during New Jersey’s opener.
During the first intermission on Thursday at the Prudential Center, ESPN’s A.J. Mleczko stopped the Devils center on the ice with New Jersey trailing the Philadelphia Flyers, 1-0. Hughes had just talked about the 40 minutes still left. Mleczko, a two-time Olympian, then closed the interview with a line aimed at the cut that cost him a stretch of the 2025-26 season.
“Well, it’s great to see you healthy. Let’s wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year. That sound good?” she asked.
Hughes did not smile.
“I mean, I think that’s a weird joke, big game, but…” he said, and skated away.
Mleczko sent it back to the booth.
“No sense of humor here in a big game, but I appreciate his time and he had a good start here this season,” she said.
The plastic-cutlery line pointed to November 2025, when Hughes cut his finger on broken glass at a team dinner in Chicago and needed surgery. He was given an eight-week timeline, returned in a little more than five weeks, and still missed 18 games.
Before the accident, Hughes had 10 goals and 20 points in 17 games. The injury also arrived less than a year after shoulder surgery ended his 2024-25 season early. He later returned in time for the Olympics and scored the overtime goal that gave the United States its first men’s hockey gold since 1980.
Hughes answered on the ice. He scored 3:23 into overtime, finishing a pass from Jesper Bratt for a 3-2 win, then flipped his stick into the stands, where a fan in a Hughes Team USA jersey caught it.
The Devils’ account answered the moment later with a line of its own.
A reminder that the night belonged to the player who had just declined the joke.
Browns troll Mike Tomlin’s 12-year Minecraft build after TNF win
The Cleveland Browns needed only two words. Hours after a 27-24 Thursday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team took to social media with an epic troll of former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
The reference was only a day old.
On Wednesday, Tomlin, now an NBC analyst, unveiled a Minecraft city he has spent 12 years building so he could connect with his children. He has said they still ask him to pull the city up when they come home. The first public tour covered rooftops, penthouses and urban blocks.
Cleveland also had a line to answer. After the Browns lost their opener to Jacksonville, Tomlin borrowed a JuJu Smith-Schuster phrase and said, “The Browns is the Browns.” Coach Todd Monken said the comment reached his locker room after a Week 2 win over Tampa Bay, while noting his respect for Tomlin.
Thursday made the joke stick.
Deshaun Watson put Cleveland in range after Aaron Rodgers tied it late, and Andre Szmyt hit a career-long 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. The Browns moved to 3-1. The Steelers fell to 2-2.
