Paige Bueckers gets roasted over her rumored new Nike logo
Many think that Paige Bueckers needs to go back to the drawing board with her rumored new logo.
Nike recently filed a trademark application for a logo that features the letters “PB” woven together in the style of a bucket. The trademark filing is for footwear, headwear, shirts, sweatshirts, and more.
NEW Nike Trademark application filed earlier this month of "a bucket design incorporating the stylized letters PB within the design."
— Sneaker & Streetwear Legal Services® (@SneakerLegal) December 24, 2025
Who knows wh this logo is for? pic.twitter.com/97KzXDNluB
Social media users quickly made the easy connection with the Dallas Wings star Bueckers. The 24-year-old Bueckers is a Nike athlete whose nickname is “Paige Buckets.”
Unfortunately though, the design of the new logo was not exactly a hit with the fans. Many took to X to roast Bueckers over the look of her rumored logo (with some even saying that it looked more like a literal trash can).
paige you my dawg. this is the worst logo in the history of sports. https://t.co/Rqs9tGgN97
— kimberly. (@problemsthots) December 25, 2025
Why does this look like a grade school doodle https://t.co/KMpNEHLgum
— Feral Swoopes is ready for 2026 (@FeralSwoopes) December 25, 2025
Man that feels forced…
— Suns Uniform Tracker (@SunsUniTracker) December 24, 2025
this logo looks like trash, specifically a trash bin
— Ron (Creative Bit Hiatus) (@CzechForRain) December 26, 2025
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, first signed with Nike on an NIL deal back in 2023 when she was still at UConn and has been with the apparel giant ever since. As a rookie for the Wings last season, she averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. That was good enough for Bueckers to secure WNBA Rookie of the Year honors as well as both All-Star and All-WNBA selections.
The former Naismith College Player of the Year Bueckers clearly has a very bright future ahead of her in the WNBA. But as for her rumored new logo, it has gone the way of Nike’s logo for Caitlin Clark, which was also mercilessly trashed by social media users.
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith gave awesome interview after his bowl win
The Penn State Nittany Lions ended a difficult season with a bowl win on Saturday, and it produced one of the best interviews of bowl season from interim coach Terry Smith.
Penn State beat Clemson 22-10 in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York, N.Y. on Saturday, salvaging a 7-6 season. Smith managed a 4-3 finish after taking over for James Franklin, and clearly won over his players in the process.
After the game, Smith gave a postgame interview that was equal parts motivational and emotional.
“I can’t be more proud of these guys,” Smith said. “What a resilient group. They could have laid down and quit. They didn’t have to come show up here at the Pinstripe Bowl, but they did. And they played really, really hard.
Smith, who had been an associate head coach before his midseason promotion, got emotional talking about what it meant to him to get to coach his alma mater, even temporarily.
“This is the greatest moment of my life. It’s just a great moment for me, my family,” Smith added. “I love Penn State. I love football. And the game and Penn State have done amazing things for me and my family. I’m just thankful and grateful.”
Look at what Penn State and a bowl game win means for interim head coach Terry Smith 🥹 pic.twitter.com/35zdhXucNY
— ESPN (@espn) December 27, 2025
Many of Smith’s players hugged him and celebrated around him during the interview.
A Pennsylvania native, Smith played four seasons for the Nittany Lions before going on to a career largely in the CFL. He returned to Penn State as a cornerbacks coach in 2014 and has been a member of the staff since.
Smith did such a good job as interim coach that he was considered for the permanent job. That instead went to Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, who has already announced that Smith will remain part of the coaching staff going forward.
Raiders issue statement on Maxx Crosby situation
The Las Vegas Raiders appear to be trying to do some damage control regarding edge rusher Maxx Crosby’s situation.
The Raiders issued a public statement one day after Crosby allegedly stormed out of the team’s facility after being told he would sit out the final two games of the season. In a full statement, the team announced that Crosby was being placed on injured reserve “after deliberate and thorough consultation with multiple top medical professionals.
“Maxx is the ultimate warrior, and he has fought extremely hard to compete each week with his teammates since injuring his knee mid-season,” the statement added.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 27, 2025
The biggest reason the Raiders have to try and clarify the situation is to fight off the tanking allegations. The team will get the No. 1 pick if they lose their final two games, and many felt it was no coincidence that the Raiders chose now to end Crosby’s season.
Crosby’s supposed reaction only seemed to further the narrative that he is healthy enough to play, and that the Raiders are the ones holding him back. Coach Pete Carroll tried to downplay that after initial reports framed the situation as Crosby storming out on the team in frustration.
It does not help that Crosby belittled the prospect of tanking earlier this week, either.
Crosby’s knee injury is legitimate, but he has been playing through it for weeks. He is reportedly going to have surgery in the offseason to address it. Perhaps Crosby would still be playing if the Raiders were chasing a playoff spot, but it is logical for the team to handle it this way, even if it looks bad.
Despite battling through injuries, Crosby still collected 10 sacks through 15 games, marking the fourth time in his career that he has reached double-digit sacks.
Dwyane Wade had the perfect joke about LeBron James’ response to JJ Redick
Dwyane Wade does not think LeBron James is sweating too much after coach JJ Redick called out the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wade was part of Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage on Friday, and the panel discussed how the Lakers might react to the critical comments Redick made publicly following Thursday’s loss. When asked how James should feel about Redick’s comments, Wade basically shrugged them off.
“LeBron is on his golf simulator right now. He’s working on getting that under. He’s not worried about this,” Wade said.
John Wall and Dwyane Wade on how LeBron should feel about JJ Redick comments on the teams effort
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 27, 2025
Wall: Im in year 23 im giving you my best. Be realistic what more do you expect from me
Wade: LeBron on his golf simulator right now. He's not worried about this
(via @NBAonPrime) pic.twitter.com/Co1GoyG278
Wade’s comments are not out of nowhere. James recently enthused about his offseason golf plans.
Wade is probably poking some fun at his friend here, and he might have meant that nobody should be questioning James’ effort. On the other hand, it sounds almost like a slight, as if James might be tuning his coach out.
James has spent enough time in the NBA to demonstrate that he is not one to take it easy. He still contributed 18 points and five assists in that loss to Houston, but perhaps it’s true that Redick is taking that loss harder than he did.
Noteworthy update emerges about James Harden’s future
James Harden and the LA Clippers will apparently be riding out the storm together.
The Clippers continue to send out the message that they will not be trading away their former MVP guard Harden ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, veteran NBA writer Jake Fischer reported to Substack on Saturday. Fischer notes that this is despite rival teams continuing to whisper about Harden’s supposed availability.
At 9-21 on the season, the Clippers have had a nightmare year thus far, leading to questions over Harden’s status in Los Angeles. The bearded 11-time All-Star is also having a superb individual season (26.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game), which is only serving to increase his hypothetical trade value.
That said, the Clippers have actually now won three games in a row and thus sit just 2.5 games back of the play-in tournament zone. With the Thunder owning their first-round draft pick in 2026, the Clippers do not have any reason to bottom out this season either.
Trade enthusiasts will point to the fact that Harden is 36 now and is notorious for becoming discontented whenever the going gets tough with his current team. But on the other hand, Harden is an LA native and could foreseeably leave in the summer anyway if things get really bad (he holds a $42.3 million player option for 2026-27).
With Kawhi Leonard healthy again (for now), the Clippers could make some noise out West once they get fellow starters Derrick Jones Jr. (knee) and Ivica Zubac (ankle) back from injury as well. So while there have been some legitimate contenders recently mentioned in connection with Harden, it sounds like the Clippers still have every intention of standing pat with him.
Kawhi Leonard is on pace to set a notable single-season NBA record
Kawhi Leonard has officially progressed to side quests.
The LA Clippers won their third game in a row on Friday, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. by a final score of 119-103. Leonard was once again a standout for the Clippers, finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Most notably though, Leonard went 12/12 from the free throw line. That extended his streak of consecutive made free throws to a whopping 52 and counting.
Kawhi Leonard has made 52 STRAIGHT FREE THROWS pic.twitter.com/G7GxlOvN4Y
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) December 27, 2025
After Friday’s perfect performance from the line, Leonard is now up to a season-long free throw percentage of 98.2 (107/109). As a result, Leonard is quietly on pace to break the NBA’s all-time record for single-season free throw percentage (currently held by Jose Calderon, who shot 98.1 percent from the line for the Toronto Raptors back in 2008-09).
Leonard’s numbers are probably unlikely to hold since he is a volume shooter who gets to the charity stripe often. But that is still an absolutely remarkable improvement from the line for Leonard, who shot just 81.0 percent last season and is at 86.4 percent for his entire NBA career.
The two-time Finals MVP Leonard does still need to hit 45 more free throws in a row to match the NBA’s all-time record for consecutive made foul shots (97 set by Micheal Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1993). But considering all the negative press that Leonard and the 9-21 Clippers have gotten this season, this is certainly a nice little side story for them right now.
Anthony Davis linked to surprising new team
Anthony Davis’ name continues to surface in trade rumors, but a surprising new team has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks forward.
The Golden State Warriors are interested in trading for Davis, according to Chris Haynes on Amazon Prime. The Mavericks, however, are “not that fascinated with what Golden State has on its books,” meaning a third team might have to be involved for the Warriors to have any chance of making the deal.
Chris Haynes:
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 27, 2025
(The Warriors are) contemplating making a case to acquire Anthony Davis as well. Dallas was not that fascinated with what Golden State has on its books…they would likely have to acquire some more assets or involve another team" pic.twitter.com/mJaK7J2k85
The Warriors are always thinking big, and this is another example of that. Acquiring Davis seems like a longshot, but the organization is well aware that the clock is running on Steph Curry’s career and they may be in a situation where it is now or never.
Warriors forward Draymond Green is said to be somewhat frustrated with what is being asked of him defensively. Adding Davis to the front line could help solve that problem as well.
Davis remains an impact player when healthy. He is averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season, but injuries have limited him to just 16 games. Injuries, of course, are nothing new for Davis, and are the chief reason why acquiring him is such a risk.
The Warriors are 16-15 and have yet to look like a major Western Conference contender. Perhaps Davis would change that, though it would be a major risk on Golden State’s part.
Clemson ran the most embarrassing fake punt
The Clemson Tigers were very much not on the same page when they attempted a fake punt in the first quarter of Saturday’s Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State.
After getting stopped on their first drive, the Tigers opted to try a fake punt on 4th and 3 from their own 32-yard line. Unfortunately, the call seemingly did not get through to Josh Sapp, who was a gunner on the play.
Sapp seemingly did not realize he was meant to catch the pass, or that it even was a pass. After the ball hits the turf, he dives on it as if trying to down a punt.
Clemson with a fake punt on the opening drive of the #PinstripeBowl…. the only problem is #5 wasn't expecting it, he went diving for the ball on the ground thinking it was a punt 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/eLHRrrOPGA
— 🜲 🜲 🜲 (@fsh733) December 27, 2025
It felt a little early in the game for Clemson to pull out a desperate call like that. The fact that it failed in such embarrassing fashion only made it worse.
This has been a tough season for Clemson, who entered the year with championship aspirations but wound up going 7-5. Perhaps Dabo Swinney felt he had nothing to lose at this point, but that failed attempt looked a lot worse than a routine failed fake would have. Then again, considering how frustrated Swinney has been at times this season, maybe this is just darkly funny for him.
Joe Burrow likely to be a trade target for several teams
The Cincinnati Bengals can apparently expect their resolve to be tested this offseason when it comes to a Joe Burrow trade.
Multiple teams are expected to try to trade for Burrow in light of his recent comments, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. However, the Bengals have no interest in trading him, and are not expected to even consider any offers.
Essentially, teams took Burrow’s comments about having fun playing as a suggestion that the quarterback could be unhappy in Cincinnati. While there are reportedly some aspects of the organization Burrow wants improved, there are no indications he is dissatisfied to the point that he wants to be traded.
Burrow is an elite quarterback, and it’s very uncommon for them to even give a hint at being available. Quarterback-needy teams would certainly take note if there was even a chance that they could land Burrow.
Injuries have derailed Burrow’s season, as well as the Bengals’ year as a whole. In six games, Burrow has thrown for 1,268 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He is playing on a 5-year, $275 million extension, and also has a no-trade clause, so unless he really wants to leave, there is no prospect of him going anywhere else for 2026.
ECHL players strike forces postponement of 13 games
The ECHL, North America’s premier minor professional hockey league operating two tiers below the NHL, postponed 13 games on Friday after players initiated a strike amid stalled collective bargaining negotiations.
The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), representing the league’s players, announced the job action following months of talks that began in January. Players voted last week to authorize the negotiating committee to call a strike.
Key disputes include travel policies for back-to-back games, a holiday break, guaranteed contracts, offseason health benefits, and overall compensation. The union also accused the league of bypassing it by communicating directly with players.
“Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level,” executive director Brian Ramsay said, via ESPN.
“Despite the union’s repeated efforts to meet and engage in bargaining, the league has continued to communicate directly with players in a manner that bypasses the union’s role as the exclusive bargaining representative.”
The league countered that it presented a “last, best, and final offer” including a 20 percent salary increase in the first year, higher per diems, more off days, expanded equipment provisions, and a 19.8 percent salary cap rise.
“Unfortunately, union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best, and final offer,” the ECHL said in a statement. “We did everything possible to avoid this outcome and hope that the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer and make it possible for players to return to work.”
The league noted it had heard from some players that they would not report for scheduled games and warned that future offers may be reduced due to revenue losses from missed contests.
The work stoppage affects the 30-team league, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Ronald Acuna Jr. crushes HR in Venezuelan League game
Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., nicknamed “La Bestia,” delivered a spectacular moment in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP) on Friday night, launching a towering home run for his Tiburones de La Guaira against the Navegantes del Magallanes.
With two outs in the bottom of the first inning and a 1-1 count against pitcher Ricardo Sanchez, Acuna crushed a pitch deep to center field. The ball soared 406 feet with an exit velocity of 106.6 mph and a 30.9-degree launch angle, tying the score at 1-1.
The mammoth solo shot — his third of the 2025-26 winter season — sent the crowd into a frenzy as Acuna admired the drive, then trotted the bases with flair before celebrating with a lively dance in the dugout.
Though Tiburones ultimately fell, 17-6, in a lopsided affair, the blast highlighted Acuna’s explosive power as he builds form ahead of the 2026 MLB season.
Fresh off a strong comeback year in Atlanta — earning All-Star honors with a .935 OPS and 21 homers in 95 games — the 28-year-old recently promised Braves fans a long-term future with the club, posting “I PROMISE” in response to loyalty questions.
Jalen Smith puts Joel Embiid on a poster with thunderous dunk
In a thrilling showdown at the United Center on Friday night, Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith delivered one of the season’s most electrifying highlights by posterizing Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid with a ferocious baseline dunk.
With the game tightly contested in the final minutes — trailing by just three points under two minutes remaining — Josh Giddey found Smith cutting baseline. The 6-foot-8 big man exploded to the rim, rising over the reigning MVP for a thunderous two-handed slam that rattled the basket and ignited the crowd.
Commentators erupted, calling it a “major rack attack” as Smith powered through Embiid’s contest.
The play sparked a decisive 10-0 Bulls run to close out a 109-92 victory, flipping the script on a close affair.
The NBA’s official account quickly shared multi-angle replays, amassing tens of thousands of views as fans marveled at Smith’s athleticism.
Ironically, Smith has been on the receiving end before. In January 2023, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant unleashed a breathtaking poster dunk over him during a Grizzlies-Pacers matchup, widely regarded as one of Morant’s career best.
Nearly three years later, Smith flipped the narrative, turning the tables on an elite defender like Embiid in spectacular fashion.
Malik Nabers pokes fun at fantasy football, himself, in hilarious ad
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers isn’t letting a torn ACL sour his offseason. Instead, he’s serving up a stack of self-deprecating laughs in a new IHOP commercial that’s flipping hilarious.
Fresh off a monster 2024 rookie campaign — 109 catches, 1,204 yards, seven touchdowns — Nabers was a fantasy football darling heading into 2025. Then disaster struck in Week 4: ACL tear, season over after just 18 grabs, 271 yards, and two scores.
Countless fantasy managers watched their championship dreams go flat as a pancake left too long on the griddle.
In the ad, Nabers deadpans his way through the classic fantasy punishment — forcing the league’s last-place loser to spend 24 hours trapped at IHOP, drowning in endless pancakes.
A smirking waitress jabs, “Just like you helped everyone’s fantasy team this season?” A starstruck kid spots Nabers, only to fume, “I wasted my first-round pick on you!” before storming off.
Nabers, unfazed, grins and yells, “Can we get this kid some pancakes?!”
With humor drier than overcooked bacon, Nabers turns his fantasy bust into buttery comedy gold, pitching bottomless pancakes as the perfect consolation for crushed playoff hopes.
It’s a masterful roast — Nabers proves he’s still catching laughs, even from the sideline.
Chris Jones makes emotional plea to Travis Kelce
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones issued an emotional plea to teammate Travis Kelce amid swirling retirement rumors, following the team’s 20-13 Christmas Day loss to the Denver Broncos — potentially Kelce’s final home game.
The Chiefs currently stand at 6-10, having been eliminated from playoff contention after a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. They have one road game remaining against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.
Kelce, 36, has spent his entire 13-year career in Kansas City, winning three Super Bowls alongside Jones and becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
This season, however, Kelce posted career lows with 73 catches for 839 yards — his second-fewest since 2015.
After the Christmas Day game, Jones passionately urged his longtime teammate to return in 2026.
“Damn, man. We’ve been through so much together,” Jones said. “I hope he gives it one year, just one more year. Just one more, man. Just one more.”
Kelce remained non-committal, calling the home finale emotional but joking that retirement thoughts only surfaced when imagining winning the Powerball. He said he will make any decision with family, friends, and the organization when the time comes.
Many expect the future Hall of Famer to step away after a challenging year.
Unexpected player matches Steph Curry three-point record
Steph Curry may finally have competition for the title of best aging shooter in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez caught fire on Saturday during his team’s 119-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. Lopez wasted no time in taking advantage of starting in place of the injured Ivica Zubac.
The 37-year-old center scored the Clippers’ first eight points of the contest, including a pair of three-pointers. The hot start turned out to be a sign of things to come, as Lopez connected on nine three-pointers on the night for 31 points. 14 of his 16 shot attempts were from long range.
WHAT A NIGHT FOR BROOK LOPEZ!
— NBA (@NBA) December 27, 2025
🚢 31 PTS
🚢 9 3PM (career-high)@LAClippers win their 3rd straight! pic.twitter.com/evO0a0ajPz
Fans could feel the growing excitement in Clippers announcer Brian Sieman’s voice with every shot that dropped for Lopez.
The triple tally wasn’t just a career high for Lopez. It also made him just the third player aged 37 or older to hit at least nine three-pointers in a single game. He etched his name on the list right next to Curry and LeBron James.
Brook Lopez becomes the third player in NBA history with NINE 3-PT FG in a game after turning 37, joining Stephen Curry (four times) and LeBron James (twice). pic.twitter.com/7rMSYTu4fe
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) December 27, 2025
Lopez entered the game with just six threes in total across five December contests. But the best shooters at any level will tell you that the basket feels as wide as the ocean when you’re in the zone.
Lopez also recorded two blocks in the contest, which moved him up to 17th on the all-time blocks list with 2,083 for his career.
Myles Garrett wants to posterize Aaron Rodgers with record-breaking sack
Myles Garrett is already dreaming about putting Aaron Rodgers on a poster in his living room.
The Cleveland Browns linebacker isn’t talking about dunking on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on the basketball court. With 22 sacks this season, Garrett is half a sack away from tying the all-time record for most sacks in a single campaign.
A full sack would put Garrett ahead of current record-holders Michael Strahan and Steelers linebacker TJ Watt. Garrett has a chance to achieve the feat Sunday against Rodgers and the Steelers.
“[Aaron Rodgers is] legendary himself, and it’s a legendary record I’m here chasing,” Garrett told reporters Friday, via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. “That’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with.”
Garrett has only had the chance to match up against 4-time MVP twice in his career thus far, with the first time being when Rodgers was still slinging passes for the Green Bay Packers. Garrett came up sackless in their 2021 Christmas Day clash.
The second came in Week 6 of this season, coming off the heels of Garrett sending a warning that he wanted to put Rodgers “in the graveyard.” Again, Garrett failed to sack Rodgers.
Perhaps the third time’s the charm for the All-Pro pass rusher.
Watt will have to watch from the sidelines as Garrett attempts to break his record. The Steelers pass rusher is still recovering from a freak lung injury sustained earlier this month. Judging by Watt’s off-field activities, he probably wouldn’t pull a Mark Gastineau down the line if Garrett gets the record-breaking sack.
Ian Eagle drops an unfortunate line during 76ers-Bulls game
Ian Eagle appears to have had a “woosh” moment during Friday’s game.
The veteran play-by-play man Eagle was on the call for Amazon Prime during Friday’s matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls. In the fourth quarter at United Center in Chicago, Ill., Eagle was speaking over an in-game highlight package of 76ers backcourt partners Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
During the highlight package, Eagle dropped a rather unfortunate line. “They’ve been edgemaxxing throughout the night,” said Eagle.
Here is the video.
Please, no one tell Ian Eagle about the other meaning of edgemaxxing… pic.twitter.com/UAseiTInLw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 27, 2025
Eagle was obviously making a pun about the last names of the talented Philadelphia teammates. But the term “edgemaxxing” is also a slang phrase for a sexual act, which created a level of real awkwardness on the air there.
Maxey (27 points, four rebounds, and eight assists) and the rookie Edgecombe (10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists) each continued their strong individual play on Friday. But in the end, it was the Bulls who pulled away for the 109-102 victory over the 76ers.
The 56-year-old Eagle is known as one of the best in the business andhas had viewers singing his praises with his many classic lines in the past. But that “edgemaxxing” line from Friday’s game probably will not be going into Eagle’s greatest hits collection.
Bryce Harper takes a swipe at Dave Dombrowski in TikTok video
Bryce Harper is using anything that he can to motivate himself this offseason.
The Philadelphia Phillies star Harper turned some heads on Friday with his latest TikTok video. Harper posted a video of himself hitting in the batting cage while wearing a shirt with an interesting message.
“Not elite,” Harper’s shirt read. Take a look at a screenshot of the video.
Bryce Harper’s new shirt via his TikTok: “Not elite.” pic.twitter.com/51wbLrgdXF
— Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) December 27, 2025
That was a thinly-veiled reference to some comments that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made about Harper earlier in the offseason. During his exit interview for the 2025 campaign, Dombrowski cast doubt on whether the 33-year-old Harper could still be an “elite” player.
Phillies President Dave Dombrowski said he does not know if Bryce Harper can be an elite player again Bryce turned 33 today.
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 16, 2025
“He is still a quality player. He is still an All-Star caliber player. He did not have an elite season like he has in the past. I guess we will only… pic.twitter.com/lqwEApDxpp
Indeed, the former NL MVP Harper took a bit of a step back last season, hitting .261 with 27 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases through 132 games. Since Harper is now a full-time first baseman who is still making around $25 million per year through 2031, the Phillies are right to have some higher expectations of him at the plate.
It is unclear the exact nature of Harper’s relationship with Dombrowski, and it should be noted that Dombrowski has been extremely complimentary of Harper in the past. But regardless of whether or not Harper legitimately took offense to Dombrowski’s comments or if he was simply poking fun at the remarks with the shirt, Harper appears to have received the message loud and clear.
Pete Carroll had honest take on Maxx Crosby storming out of Raiders’ facility
Pete Carroll has addressed the ongoing drama between Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders head coach told reporters Friday that he had spoken with a frustrated Crosby as the latter left the Raiders’ facility. Crosby had just been informed that the team was shutting him down for the remainder of the season due to a lingering knee injury.
“We talked when he was getting out of here,” Carroll said, via Sean Zittel of Vegas Sports Today. “He’s been fighting it so hard for so long. He’s been fighting this thing for nine weeks, whenever Kansas City was. Each week, he has done everything you could possibly imagine a guy could do to play, and he’s been able to.
“He said, ‘I’d like to get out of here,’ so I said, ‘Yeah, get out of here,’ so he took off. “…It was exactly like you would think he would do, and he should do, and I agree with him a thousand percent on how he responded.”
Carroll explained that the team had a final evaluation of Crosby’s knee injury to start the week, which showed that the injury was too severe to play through.
With the Raiders sitting on a 2-13 record, there really isn’t much reason to risk Crosby aggravating the injury. If anything, Las Vegas would benefit from Crosby sitting out the team’s Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants, because whichever team loses gets a stranglehold on potentially getting the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Crosby made it clear earlier this week that he does not care at all about the Raiders’ draft slot. The man just wants to play.
Steelers’ TJ Watt had the most heartwarming gesture on Christmas
It does not get much classier than TJ Watt’s Christmas gesture this holiday season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker tried to bring some yuletide joy to sick children and their families, spending Christmas Day in the hospital. A photo taken from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital spread across social media on Friday.
The snapshot showed a festive invite to a Christmas dinner at the hospital’s cafeteria. The invite was open to all family members and guests to enjoy a complimentary Christmas meal, which they could choose from a selection of holiday menu items, courtesy of Watt and his wife, Dani.
T.J. Watt and his wife Dani provided Christmas dinner to all families and staff spending the night at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/ZF54bQ4Ap0
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 26, 2025
The invite, which appeared to be attached to a Christmas tree, indicated that folks should present the card to the cashier at checkout, which may mean that the Watts sent each patient a little tree with an invite to their respective rooms.
The Watts clearly have a soft spot for the patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Earlier this month, they spent time with some young Steelers fans admitted to the hospital.
A hospital room is one of the last places a young family would want to spend the holiday season. TJ Watt and his wife did what they could to make the dim experience just a little brighter.
