Cubs player had one of the worst ABS challenges of the year
Chicago Cubs utility man Matt Shaw may get his challenge license revoked after his ill-advised head tap Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Shaw came up to the plate in a big spot with his team looking to break a 1-1 tie in the top of the 9th inning at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. The 24-year-old faced Brewers reliever Trevor Megill with runners on first and second and nobody out.
Megill quickly got ahead 0-2. After Shaw fouled off a high fastball to keep the at-bat going, Megill got him with another heater right down the middle. Shaw foolishly challenged the call.
"That was right down the middle."
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 9, 2026
"That's just selfish." pic.twitter.com/Pvp0iyf5AR
The pitch was in the zone by a margin the size of a second baseball. The Brewers broadcast called it downright “selfish” that Shaw challenged such a clear strike on an 0-2 count.
Several fans agreed with the Brewers’ color announcer. Many called it one of the worst challenges they’ve ever seen.
thats the worst ABS challenge ive ever seen pic.twitter.com/MrWXJvMrk7
— BrodyMK64 (@BrodyMK64) September 9, 2026
Matt Shaw with no joke the worst challenge by anyone in the entire MLB
— Tucker Kraft Dynasty Owner🍺🧀🐐 (@GOATRodgersSZN) September 9, 2026
That’s got to be in the conversation for worst challenge of the year there from Matt Shaw
— HOWARD SZN (@HOWARD_SZNN) September 9, 2026
Worst AB I’ve ever witnessed actually. Wasting the challenge is what did it for me
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) September 9, 2026
Shaw certainly gave Marcus Semien a run for worst ABS challenge of the season.
In all fairness to Shaw, Brewers catcher William Contreras deked him by stabbing at the pitch as if it were below the zone. Contreras even tapped at his own helmet, even though Milwaukee had no challenges left, to make Shaw think it was worth an ABS review.
Pinch-hitter Carson Kelly picked Shaw up later in the inning with a two-run double off the wall in right-center field. But the Brewers battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th inning and won 4-3 in extras.
Elly De La Cruz had the craziest throw to prevent a Dodgers’ inside-the-park HR
Elly De La Cruz came to play against the defending champions.
The Cincinnati Reds star shortstop De La Cruz had an incredible showing on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the third inning at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a rocket to Reds center fielder Dane Myers.
Myers attempted to dive for the ball but failed to make the catch, allowing the ball to bounce all the way to the wall. It was then retrieved by left fielder JJ Bleday, who hit the relay man, De La Cruz.
Despite being deep in the outfield grass, De La Cruz fired an absolute missile to catcher Jose Trevino at the plate. The throw was on the money and ended up getting Hernandez, who was attempting an inside-the-park home run, by about 10 feet.
Here is the video of the unbelievable moment.
Teoscar Hernandez goes for the inside-the-park home run and Elly De La Cruz throws him out at the plate! pic.twitter.com/JgFlanuI6P
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 9, 2026
Statcast listed De La Cruz’s relay throw at a staggering 105.3 mph. That might not have been De La Cruz’s most impressive feat of the night either as he also destroyed a Tarik Skubal offering during the half-inning prior for a two-run homer.
Elly De La Cruz DEMOLISHES a home run 444 feet off of Tarik Skubal! pic.twitter.com/vP65PgniFI
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 9, 2026
Despite playing on a forgotten Reds team, the two-time MLB All-Star De La Cruz continues to be one of the best nightly shows in baseball. This is nothing new though as you may recall that De La Cruz was already going viral for his torpedo relay throws back when he was still a rookie.
Sean McVay speaks out amid decision to sit Aaron Donald for Melbourne game
Sean McVay has addressed the Aaron Donald-sized hole missing from the Los Angeles Rams’ lineup heading into their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Rams head coach announced Tuesday that Donald would not be available for the Week 1 contest in Melbourne. McVay revealed the All-Pro pass rusher would not even make the trip to Australia to watch the contest from the sidelines.
Despite Donald’s absence, McVay told reporters that fans can expect the veteran defensive tackle to don a horned helmet again “sooner rather than later.”
“He’s doing a great job,” McVay said, via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “I think he’ll be ready to go sooner rather than later, but we’re making a decision that we think is best for him and for our team. … He’s attacked this the right way, but it would have been a really quick turnaround.”
While Donald was linked to an NFL return for months, his comeback was only confirmed on August 30. Donald has remained in incredible shape, but the team understandably wants to take a cautious approach with the 35-year-old franchise icon. The team thought better of having Donald spend at least 30 hours on a plane over the span of a few days.
McVay added that he didn’t want to “put any sort of expectations” on Donald’s looming return by giving a firm date. He also indicated that Donald would have a sizable role when ready to take the field again.
Donald won’t be gracing any fields down under for the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia. But he’ll be putting pressure on opposing offensive lines stateside soon enough.
Domantas Sabonis is being linked to 1 team in trade rumors
Domantas Sabonis might be in line for a return to the Eastern Conference.
The Charlote Hornets could be in the mix to trade for the Sacramento Kings big man Sabonis, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday. Fischer notes though that the Kings would like to get “positive trade value” back for Sabonis, which may complicate the prospects of any such deal.
Sabonis, 30, has been with Sacramento since 2022. He has had a productive run for the Kings, making two All-NBA teams, earning one All-Star nod, and leading the league in rebounding three times.
But Sabonis now reportedly wants out of Sacramento after a nightmare 2025-26 season in which the team went 22-60. Sabonis recently even made a notable hire to potentially orchestrate his exit from the Kings.
The Hornets, meanwhile, are somewhat weak in the frontcourt after trading Miles Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in July. While Charlotte did get Naz Reid back as part of their blockbuster trade of LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they need some more size and rebounding to help balance out their roster.
Of course, Sabonis is still owed a hefty $94.1 million over the next two seasons, meaning that Sacramento’s desire to get positive value back for him may be a non-starter. But Sabonis has been a trade candidate for a significant period of time now, so the rebuilding Kings may end up being forced to move him at some point.
Rockies’ Hunter Goodman has the stupidest blunder of the season
Hunter Goodman was somewhere on Jupiter during Tuesday’s game.
The Colorado Rockies catcher Goodman committed the absolute stupidest blunder of the year against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. In the first inning at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y., Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. had a two-out base hit to left-center.
Regrettably, Rockies left fielder Jake McCarthy ended up misplaying the ball and kicking it away from himself, allowing lead runner Cody Bellinger to take third base. McCarthy then lobbed a soft throw back into the infield … only for Goodman to be completely spaced out at the plate.
Goodman did nothing but stand and watch as the ball rolled by him. The throw was already halfway to the backstop by the time that Goodman reacted, allowing Bellinger to score and Garcia to end up all the way at third base.
Here is the ridiculous video.
#Rockies gift #Yankees a run in first inning. Jake McCarthy inadvertently kicks ball for error. Then lobs ball home and Hunter Goodman doesn’t see it. A second error. An embarrassing sequence in a series of outfield gaffes over the last two weeks pic.twitter.com/6DkGRsgALL
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 8, 2026
McCarthy did get that entire slapstick sequence started with the misplay, but at least the ball just took a bad hop on him. Goodman seemed to be at the plate twiddling his thumbs and thinking about the “Seinfeld” reruns that he was going to watch when he got home.
The two-time All-Star Goodman did somewhat redeem himself later in the game with a two-run homer during the ninth inning. But the Rockies still lost to the Yankees by a final score of 5-3, thanks in no small part to Goodman doing his best impression of Tyler Stephenson at the plate.
Joe Burrow makes strong statement about his future with Bengals
Joe Burrow’s latest comments have Cincinnati Bengals fans breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Burrow raised eyebrows last month with his comments that this year is a “now or never” season for the Bengals. Some interpreted his words as an ultimatum for the organization to provide him with a Super Bowl-ready roster or else risk losing Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback.
In a recent interview with Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson, Burrow assured fans he was not going anywhere and that he was sticking by his team “for the long haul.”
“I’m efficient with my words, and when I’m efficient with my words, that leaves some room for interpretation,” Burrow told Hobson.
“But I mean what I say. I’m here for the long haul. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just trying to bring a now-or-never mentality to the day-by-day process. If you’re not, what are you doing? Attack the day with a championship mindset. The rest will take care of itself.”
The Bengals have not made the playoffs since making the Super Bowl and AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. Burrow on-field frustrations about that are real, but that does not mean he wants out of Ohio.
1 frontrunner has emerged to replace Clippers’ Lawrence Frank during suspension
The LA Clippers appear to have decided on their temporary fill-in for the suspended Lawrence Frank.
Clippers general manager Trent Redden is expected to step in for Frank as the franchise’s new lead decision-maker, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday. Redden will likely be filling in on an interim basis for the duration of Frank’s league-imposed suspension.
Frank, a former NBA head coach as well as the Clippers’ current president of basketball operations, was handed a six-month suspension by the NBA this month for his role in the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention scandal. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Clippers president of business operations Gillian Zucker were also given even harsher suspensions of one year each.
As a result of the suspension, Frank (who was the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2020) cannot attend any team events and cannot have any contact with team officials. Consequently, Redden would likely have full autonomy on basketball decisions for the Clippers over the next six months.
Redden, 42, was previously the assistant general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers and won an NBA championship while serving in that role for the team in 2016. He then joined the Clippers’ front office as their assistant GM in 2017 and was promoted to GM under Frank in 2023.
Frank, who was also recently accused of pulling two-faced moves, would presumably be eligible to return to his position around March. However, it looks like Redden will be the one calling the shots for the Clippers during the February trade deadline and other key dates as well.
Dylan Harper responds to rumors of beef with De’Aaron Fox
Dylan Harper wants to make it clear that he has no problems with his vet.
The San Antonio Spurs guard Harper spoke this week in an interview to NBA reporter Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. During the interview, Harper addressed the rumors of a supposed beef between him and his Spurs teammate De’Aaron Fox.
“What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained,” Harper said. “Fox basically took me under his wing my whole first year and helped me and allowed me to grow in this space.
“Me and him never had a problem,” continued Harper of Fox. “I’ve never seen a problem playing with two to three ball-handlers on the floor [at once]. Everyone last year said that it was not going to work… but I think we exceeded expectations a lot … We’re all super close. That’s kind of my uncle. He teaches me things that I don’t think anyone else in his position could teach me.”
Harper, 20, was a rookie last season for the Spurs and was playing off the bench behind both Fox, 28, and Stephon Castle, 21. But San Antonio ended up making it all the way to the Finals, thanks in part to the big contribution that Harper made as a sixth man (averaging 14.1 points per game during the playoffs overall and 18.0 points per game during the Finals).
Conversely, Fox had an extremely shoddy postseason showing (including one all-time blunder). At one point during the playoffs, Harper caused a stir by reposting content about how poorly Fox had been playing.
Harper was also later revealed to be frustrated with San Antonio over his role and was even reported to be angling for a starting spot next year. While the two-time All-Star Fox is Harper’s direct competitor for minutes right now, Harper is insisting that there are no issues between the two.
Notable update emerges on Jimmy Butler’s return date
The first half of next season might end up being a total wash for Jimmy Butler.
A return date of January or February would be considered “optimistic” for the injured Golden State Warriors star Butler, Anthony Slater of ESPN reported on Tuesday. Slater notes that Butler has “extensive” rehab work ahead and that Rick Celebrini (the Warriors’ lead medical decision-maker) is known for cautious approaches.
The six-time All-Star Butler suffered a torn right ACL during a game in mid-January of last season (see the video here). He is now almost eight months removed from that injury but still appears to have a fairly long way to go in his recovery.
Butler also turns 37 years old later this month. While Butler has moved away from explosive athleticism as he has aged, it is still an open question as to what exactly the former All-NBA selection will look like upon his return.
That said, Butler does at least have some incentive to push himself in his rehab. Butler is entering the final year of his contract next season at $56.8 million, so he needs to build back some sort of value before hitting unrestricted free agency in summer 2027.
But the reality remains that the talent-starved Warriors will likely be without Butler until at least the second half of next season. There have also been some rumors that Golden State could potentially try to find a way out of their partnership with Butler.
Report reveals when the Buccaneers reopened Baker Mayfield contract talks
When Baker Mayfield showed up to Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp without a new deal, it seemed like hopes of a new extension were lost.
However, on Tuesday, Mayfield and Tampa Bay agreed to the terms of a massive three-year, $165 million deal in a surprising turn of events.
That puts him at $55 million per season, which is the same as other QBs such as Josh Allen, Jordan Love and Joe Burrow. While it came as a surprise, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed how the discussions picked back up.
“The Bucs reached back out to Baker Mayfield’s camp late last week—knowing the sides weren’t far off when talks broke off. Mayfield agreed to try again, and the team added a year to its offer,” Breer wrote on X.
At the end of July, drama picked up when Mayfield said it was “disappointing” and that he felt “disrespected” that he didn’t have a new deal.
That led to Adam Schefter reporting that the Buccaneers weren’t happy with the way Mayfield spoke about them publicly, although Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht said that Mayfield was in a “good place.”
Nonetheless, the Buccaneers felt it was needed to try again with Mayfield, and the two sides were able to iron things out just a few days before their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
NCAA issues verdict on controversial Michigan-Western Michigan finish
It doesn’t seem that the Michigan Wolverines’ win over the Western Michigan Broncos is going to change.
MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher issued an appeal to the NCAA, saying that the replay protocol was not followed. This came days after Michigan was given one more second, which led to a Hail Mary touchdown pass that gave the Wolverines the stunning 13-12 win in Ann Arbor.
However, the appeal isn’t going to work after the NCAA released a statement on Tuesday evening.
“NCAA football playing rules do not have a protocol for overturning the outcome of a game. Cites Rule 1-1-3-b Winning Team and Final Score. Also: The DI Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee also does not have the authority to overturn the outcome of a game.”
From the NCAA, which states there’s no protocol for reversing the outcome of a game. The oversight committee does not have that authority. pic.twitter.com/mxrrFnoRgE
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 8, 2026
Western Michigan appeared to have won the game as the clock hit zero, but replay operators said there was one second left, which led to the game-winning pass from Michigan QB Bryce Underwood.
However, fans weren’t buying the extra second that was added back to the clock, and the full sequence shows several videos where the clock was at zero.
Despite a frustrating loss, Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor took the high road in the postgame press conference, although the MAC felt the need to appeal after the way things went down.
So, all signs point to Michigan getting the win regardless of how much the MAC wants to appeal, although this is one of the more controversial moments in college football in a long time.
CFP takes a major step toward a 24-team field
The 12-team College Football Playoff field might be coming to an end very soon.
On Tuesday, CFP executives opened a 30-day negotiating window with ESPN to try and give an offer to the CFP, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.
ESPN now has 30 days to present an offer. CFP executives can either accept, or reject and move to the open market.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 8, 2026
The move must come with an increase in revenue – at least $250M – to compensate for the cancellation of the four conference championship games.
Here’s the official statement from the CFP.
“The CFP has decided to move forward in its evaluation of potential Playoff expansion to 24 teams by beginning a media rights discussion with ESPN. This does not represent a decision or commitment to expand, but rather an opportunity to engage with ESPN and gather additional information to help determine a path forward. The CFP will provide additional updates when appropriate.”
The 24-team field is something that has been discussed quite a bit lately, although it has drawn mixed reviews. Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal was strongly against it, saying it takes away the importance of regular-season games if so many teams get in.
This past year was just the second time with a 12-team field, but depending on ESPN’s offer, it could move to 24 teams very soon.
LIV Golf files for bankruptcy after Saudi exit
The uncertainty regarding LIV Golf has now added a new chapter.
On Tuesday, LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Here’s part of what the documents said.
“LIV Golf has entered a court-supervised restructuring process that provides us with the time and framework to address previous financial obligations and complete a transaction that will make the league’s next phase a reality.”
LIV Golf has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) September 8, 2026
Among the numerous things the league announced is plans for LIV 2.0, which include 75-player fields, cuts and Monday qualifiers for more pathways to the league
The CEO of the league, Scott O’Neil, released a lengthy statement on the move to file for bankruptcy.
LIV Golf's chapter 11 bankruptcy announcement, a letter to fans from CEO Scott O'Neil, and the league's biggest creditors still owed money ⬇️t pic.twitter.com/MhutMOP5Uf
— David Rumsey (@_DavidRumsey) September 8, 2026
At the beginning of August, it was reported that LIV Golf found a new investor in an effort to keep the league going. This came on the heels of the Saudi Public Investment Fund pulling its funding after four years.
This is expected to cause a massive domino effect, with big-name golfers including Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, and Bryson DeChambeau all part of the league. Brooks Koepka also used to be part of the league before announcing he was leaving at the end of December.
Baker Mayfield lands a $165 million contract right before Week 1
All signs pointed to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield beginning the 2026 season in the final year of his deal.
On Tuesday, however, the Buccaneers and Mayfield agreed to terms on a new three-year contract.
Surprise: The #Bucs and star QB Baker Mayfield are in agreement on a 3-year contract extension to lock him up right before the season, per me, @AdamSchefter and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2026
Under the cover of darkness, the two sides got to work and got it done. 👨🍳 💰 pic.twitter.com/V9jtmLXK1K
Rapoport then added that it is a three-year deal worth $165 million, putting Mayfield at $55 million per season. According to Spotrac, all of Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford and Josh Allen are at that $55 million per year number.
At the end of July, Mayfield reported to camp without a new deal, and he admitted it was “disappointing” and said he felt a “little disrespected” by the way things went down.
Mayfield previously signed a three-year deal worth $100 million, so he was set to hit free agency if Tampa Bay didn’t give him a new contract.
However, it’s quite a surprise, especially since contract discussions ended when training camp kicked off. Yet, here we are.
The Buccaneers and Mayfield will begin the season in Week 1 against Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Sunday at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Oh.
Report reveals why Kawhi Leonard’s trade is still on hold
The Los Angeles Clippers received word on their punishment in the Kawhi Leonard investigation nearly a week ago, but the trade sending Leonard to the Toronto Raptors still has not been made official. As it turns out, the Clippers may be more to blame for that than the Raptors are.
One key reason for the delay, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, is that the Clippers are still trying to decide who is running the front office. Owner Steve Ballmer and president Lawrence Frank were both suspended for their roles in the Leonard scandal, thus depriving the organization of their top two decision-makers.
Prime among reasons why Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto has yet to be finalized: Sources tell @TheSteinLine and me the Clippers are still working through their new front office structure after NBA suspensions for Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) September 8, 2026
More NBA: https://t.co/DA9iabgPaL pic.twitter.com/Sgv14NuUj4
Ballmer has been suspended for a full year, while Frank’s suspension will last six months. Obviously, that leaves both unavailable at the moment, but someone has to officially sign off on the deal sending Leonard to Toronto.
The Clippers and Raptors initially came to terms on the deal in late June. However, as a result of the NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Leonard additional money, the two sides held off on finalizing the deal due to the Raptors’ unwillingness to put themselves at risk of punishment.
By all accounts, the Leonard trade will still be completed as previously agreed. At this point, no one seems to know when.
Rams make decision on Aaron Donald’s status for Week 1
The Los Angeles Rams have made a decision on Aaron Donald’s status for Week 1.
Rams coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday that Donald will not play in the team’s Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported that Donald is not even making the trip to Australia with the team.
Sources: Rams standout DT Aaron Donald will not travel to Australia for Thursday night’s opener against the 49ers and will be inactive, per me and @rapsheet. The Rams want to give Donald more time to ramp up before making his much-anticipated return after two seasons of… pic.twitter.com/avAbPTtPUA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2026
This news does not come as a huge surprise. It was reported earlier in the week that Donald’s status for the game was up in the air, as the defensive tackle has had a very limited preseason and will need time to get back up to game speed.
Other reports have suggested that it might not be until Week 3 that Donald makes his return to action. The 49ers game that he is already certain to sit out is the biggest one on the team’s early-season schedule, so there is no advantage to rushing him back.
Even without Donald, the Rams have an embarrassment of riches on their defensive front. Myles Garrett will anchor the group along with Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young.
Dabo Swinney goes off on bizarre rant toward reporter
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney lost his cool at a reporter on Monday over a fairly innocent question about his team.
At Swinney’s Tuesday press conference, Chapel Fowler of The State asked the coach if Saturday’s blowout loss to LSU left him with any regrets about his offseason roster construction. Swinney’s response was to dismiss Fowler as a “gotcha guy” and treat the question as unfair.
“Chapel, you come with all these questions. You’re the gotcha guy. No, I don’t. I don’t, man. I regret being 0-1 right now,” Swinney said. “Can you ask me that at the end of the season? The season ain’t over. We got one game, we got 11 more. What if we go 11-1?
“I’m not answering questions like that, Chapel. I know that’s your role in this environment, to be the guy that wants to create all the controversy and ask the controversial questions. If that’s who you are, it’s fine. I get it. But I’ll answer that at the end of the season. … Did you play football? They give you 12 games, and at the end of the year, you count them up. That’s when those types of questions are fair to me. Not after one game to maybe the best team in the country.”
Full response from Dabo here: https://t.co/1Xpau77Yv3 pic.twitter.com/WaITowkb11
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 8, 2026
There was not anything terribly unfair about the question. Swinney’s team lost 51-10 to LSU and was never even in the game. The coach very easily could have said no and moved on, but he really was genuinely bothered to be asked this.
Swinney is known for being very defensive about his program. That was fine when they were succeeding, but he is coming off a pedestrian 7-6 season. In addition, he has been widely criticized for his refusal to adapt to the changing environment of college football.
One might interpret Swinney’s comments as evidence that he is feeling the pressure after such an ugly loss. Next week’s game against Georgia Southern should provide him with a respite, albeit a temporary one.
MAC appeals to NCAA over Western Michigan-Michigan ending
The Mid-American Conference is taking an aggressive attitude toward how Saturday’s game between Michigan and Western Michigan ended.
In a statement, MAC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said it was “evident” that replay protocol was not properly followed in the final moments of Michigan’s controversial 13-12 victory at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Saturday. Replay protocol states that the game clock used by the broadcast feed should be used on time decisions, while the Big Ten relied on the clock within its own replay system.
“The Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may well be within their authority,” the statement read.
Official Statement Regarding Western Michigan – Michigan Football Game
— MACtion (@MACSports) September 8, 2026
🗒️: https://t.co/eYw49T9ABR pic.twitter.com/LKXQ0qm5s9
The MAC’s request might not necessarily overturn the result of the game in the record books. However, this suggests that they would like the game to be treated like a Western Michigan win for purposes of rankings and College Football Playoff selection, however unlikely that outcome may be.
Notably, the MAC appears to be taking a different approach than Western Michigan itself. The school indicated that it would not appeal the outcome, though that was largely because they did not see any mechanism through which they could do so.
The Big Ten released the communications from its replay system that showed how the decision was ultimately made to put one second back on the clock in Saturday’s game, which allowed the Wolverines to score on a game-winning Hail Mary. That was not enough to silence the critics who feel that the Broncos were robbed of an upset victory by behind-the-scenes machinations.
Texans have big plans for newly-acquired wide receiver
The Houston Texans clearly believe they have pulled off something of a heist with their trade for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC reported Tuesday that the Texans have “big plans” for Boutte and intend to utilize him immediately in the team’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills. The wide receiver already has some familiarity with the team’s offense, as Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley is a former New England Patriots assistant whose scheme is not dissimilar to that of Josh McDaniels.
The expectation is that Boutte may serve as something of a big-play receiver and a significant downfield threat for Houston.
The #Texans have big plans for new wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 8, 2026
Immediate plans, not in the distant future.
That's why the Texans traded for the former New England #Patriots starter in exchange for hard-hitting safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft selection.
The… https://t.co/ptalU8Snop
The Texans made a fairly aggressive trade for Boutte in late August. The fourth-year receiver has demonstrated that he can certainly contribute at the NFL level, as he caught six touchdowns for the Patriots last season. He added one more in the playoffs that might have been the best catch of the entire postseason.
Boutte is coming off a strong training camp, but the Patriots felt he was expendable after they acquired AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs in the offseason. The Texans, whose wide receiver corps have been hit hard by injuries, clearly think he can be a major contributor.
2-time Eagles Super Bowl champion is officially retiring
Longtime Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Brandon Graham is retiring, and this time he says it will stay that way.
At Tuesday’s “Breakfast With The Birds” event, Graham said he was “officially done” with his playing career. He added that he will still be around the organization, but his playing career is finished.
“I’m still around giving wisdom and helping the guys. It’s an adjustment for me, but it’s a great adjustment because it’s all about my kids and my family, trying to make sure I’m there for that,” Graham said.
At today’s Breakfast with the Birds @brandongraham55 says he’s “officially done” pic.twitter.com/rnLv02yHFp
— rob kuestner (@rkuestnernbc10) September 8, 2026
Graham initially retired after the 2024 season in which the Eagles won a Super Bowl. However, he made a comeback midway through 2025, and collected three sacks in nine games for the team.
A former Pro Bowl selection, Graham was a part of two Eagles Super Bowl winners. Eagles fans will best remember him for his strip sack of Tom Brady during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LII, which played a major role in wrapping up the game for Philadelphia.
For his career, Graham collected 79.5 sacks over the course of 16 seasons. The Eagles will remain the only organization he ever played for.
