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Basketball

BYU’s Richie Saunders claims tater tot king status as he leads to the Sweet 16

BYU and Wisconsin in the 2nd half

Some players thrive under pressure. BYU’s Richie Saunders prefers something a bit different: the deep fryer.

The tough forward who helped BYU make it to the Sweet 16 is a descendant of the man who invented tater tots. Saunders landed an endorsement deal, which has him in ads and gives out free tater tots whenever BYU wins in the NCAA Tournament.

BYU is hungry for more.

“When all you eat is tater tots,” Saunders said, “it definitely makes it easier.”

The famous side dish has become a regular on the BYU lunch tray.

BYU coach Kevin Young was surprised it took so long for tater tots to make it to the menu. Saunders has teamed up with the frozen food company Ore-Ida — or should we say Ore-Richie during BYU’s tournament run — becoming the most well-known potato spokesperson since Napoleon Dynamite. The team enjoys the crispy snack, from those who’ve eaten them with hamburgers and hot dogs to players who are trying them for the first time.

“It was good. It’s potato, I guess,” said Russian player and five-star recruit Egor Demin. “I found out that it’s potato. I always thought it’s something sweet.”

BYU has become the talk of the tournament during March Madness, reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since Jimmer Fredette led them there in 2011. They haven’t made it to a regional final since 1981 and could do so with a win against second-seeded Alabama on Thursday at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

Saunders, with his tater tot connection — his great-grandfather, F. “Nephi” Griggs, founded Ore-Ida — has become one of the unexpected stories of the tournament, which hasn’t seen many surprising upsets. Saunders is quick to point out that while tater tots are big business for the Big 12’s Most Improved Player, BYU’s success isn’t just about eating carbs.

BYU plays fast, focusing on 3-point shots, where they rank 23rd in the nation in attempts, and easy baskets in the paint, which has helped them rank 10th in the KenPom offensive efficiency rankings.

“I think the reason we’re here is to play basketball,” Saunders said. “You win (at) basketball, good things happen off the court.”

BYU and Wisconsin in the 2nd half

The good luck has been a big deal for Saunders

Ore-Ida not only changed its name in honor of Saunders, but the company is giving away free tots across the country from tipoff to the final buzzer of BYU’s Sweet 16 game. If BYU wins their first national championship — they’re 80-1 longshots, according to BetMGM Sportsbook — Ore-Ida will release a new limited-edition product: “Richie’s Tater Shots,” inspired by his shot.

“It’s been a super-fun partnership,” Saunders said. “It’s been so random, but so awesome. They’ve been super good.”

Saunders’ connection to the tater tot became big news during the Big 12 Tournament, and the story followed him last weekend to Denver, where BYU beat VCU and third-seeded Wisconsin. Saunders — who’s averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the tournament — not only studied the game plan but took on a potato pitch.

“I think Ore-Ida has done a really good job because they jumped on the ship real quick,” he said. “They flew a team to Denver when we were there. I think a lot of it is up to them if they want to try to cash in just like I feel like they have. Tater tots have been sold out in Utah County this whole week.”

While some coaches might worry about the tots being a distraction, Young told his players to embrace all the new chances in the NIL world.

“Balancing all that has been interesting, especially during a time like this where your focus needs to be so high,” Saunders said. “Usually, I like to just kind of segment myself. I’m going to worry about NIL and all that stuff after the season. (Young) has kind of helped me, for example, being a professional basketball player, you have to have these kinds of conversations during the season.”

BYU and Wisconsin in the 2nd half

This is just the beginning for BYU: Win or lose against the Crimson Tide, the Cougars will have top recruit AJ Dybantsa next season, who made headlines this year after signing an NIL deal with BYU reportedly worth between $5 million and $7 million.

Not everyone is a fan of the tater tot: Three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt — who played college football at Wisconsin — posted on social media that he was “boycotting tater tots for the next 48 hours” after BYU beat the Badgers last weekend.

That’s good news in Utah and for all the BYU fans. More tots for everyone else!

“It’s kind of funny to have tater tots be like the whole thing with the whole team now,” BYU guard Trevin Knell said. “Every time we go to team meals, we’re always joking about, where’s the tater tots. But shout-out to Richie and his great-grandpa, honestly.”

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Basketball

T-shirts are everywhere during March Madness. Why? “It’s all about that dripper vibe.”

Tru Washington in the 1st half

Mouhamed Dioubate would like to tell you he had a solid, practical reason for wearing a compression shirt under his Alabama jersey.

Maybe it keeps his arms warm. Maybe he enjoys how it feels. Maybe it’s a nod to the past, to players like Patrick Ewing and Chris Mullin, who wore T-shirts while playing basketball decades ago.

But that’s not the case. “It’s drippy,” Dioubate said with a laugh.

In case you’re unfamiliar, “drippy” is Gen Z slang for “stylish,” if you remember when Mullin and Ewing were young stars in the Big East, not Hall-of-Fame legends.

And it’s catching on. During March Madness, whether in the men’s or women’s tournament, players can be seen wearing short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts. (For example, Maryland’s Allie Kubek played 49 minutes in a double-overtime game against Alabama on Monday with long sleeves under her white No. 14 jersey).

Every generation of basketball has its own look. From the afros and short shorts in the 1970s, to the baggy styles of the Fab Five in the 1990s, to Allen Iverson and his one-sleeve style in the 2000s.

Now, it seems like layers are becoming the trend. For years, between players like Ewing, Mullin, Cooper Flagg, and JuJu Watkins, T-shirts were mostly worn by a certain type of player. The kind of player you didn’t want to leave open for a 3-pointer.

“You know he’d be feeling good in that T-shirt,” said Robert Morris guard Kam Woods. “If you left him open, it’s over with.”

Tru Washington of New Mexico tried wearing an arm sleeve early in his career. He even tried pairing it with a tank top, but it felt odd. He then switched to a T-shirt but worried it might affect his jump shot. So, he played without one, but that didn’t feel right either.

Eventually, he returned to the T-shirt and — whether by chance or not — his 3-point shooting improved.

Flagg, who will lead top-seeded Duke against fourth-seeded Arizona in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, isn’t sure when he first started wearing a T-shirt. He’s pretty certain it wasn’t for fashion.

“For me, it’s just about being comfortable with what I’m wearing,” he said.

The same is true for Lipscomb’s Gyasi Powell, who had a specific reason for wearing a compression shirt when he joined the team. Without it, his jersey would stick to his chest because of sweat. “I sweat a lot,” Powell said. “After the game, I struggle to take it off. It helps with the struggle.”

Lauren Betts reacts in the 2nd half

LSU’s Mikaylah Williams had a similar need for something to stop the sweat from running down her arms and onto her hands during games

Powell and Williams are part of the majority who choose moisture-wicking shirts. Lipscomb teammate Jack Ingold said the improvements in fabric are one reason these shirts have become so popular. They’re not like the heavy cotton shirts that turned Patrick Ewing’s gray undershirt nearly black by halftime.

“All the technology stuff that’s going into it now is making it more useful and accessible to athletes,” Ingold said.

Not everyone is a fan. Ole Miss guard Jaylen Murray prefers a looser shirt, saying the compression one feels “too tight.” It’s hard to argue with him, as the Rebels are in the Sweet 16 against Michigan State on Friday.

When Murray looks across the court, he might spot Spartans forward Frankie Fidler, who wears white sleeves and a white headband to hold back his shaggy black hair. Fidler started wearing this combination in late November after moving from the starting lineup to the bench.

“I thought I’d just switch everything up,” said Fidler, who scored 10 points in 17 minutes during a second-round win over New Mexico. “I think the headband came a little after that.”

When asked if he ever thought about wearing long sleeves, the 6-foot-7, 217-pound senior jokingly replied, “No, I like having my guns showing.”

Robert Morris guard Kam Woods made a change when his shot started to struggle later in the season. He didn’t have that issue when he wore a T-shirt in practice.

“I’m superstitious,” Woods said. “So anything that I feel like works, I’m going with.”

Walter Clayton Jr. celebrates after scoring in the 2nd half

In some teams, the T-shirt is everywhere. Most players on the Tennessee women’s team headed to the Sweet 16 wear one. But at Vanderbilt, Tyler Nickel was the only one who added a T-shirt under his jersey, even if it covered some of his tattoos on his left arm, a small price to pay for shooting 40% from 3.

The look also has a style to it. When Dioubate sees someone wearing a T-shirt, it means “they’re a hooper.” Not a baller. Not a player. A hooper. What’s the difference?

“Hoopers are more fluid,” he said. “If you’re wearing (a shirt), that means you’re a hooper.”

When Washington heard this, he nodded.

“You look good, you play good,” Washington said. “It’s all a part of that dripper vibe.”

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NFL (American Football)

Vikings Yet to Name J.J. McCarthy as Starting QB, Keeping Competition Open

J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy (NFL)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy made headlines with his recent statement that he has not been officially informed he will be the team’s starting quarterback heading into training camp.

Despite the departures of both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in free agency earlier in March, the Vikings have yet to formally anoint McCarthy as their QB1. The 2024 first-round pick missed his entire rookie season due to a full meniscus repair, leaving questions about his readiness and status within the team.

Vikings Prioritize Competition, Making McCarthy Earn Starting Job After Losing Veterans

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Minnesota had attempted to retain both Darnold and Jones, making “substantial offers” before ultimately letting them walk. Breer suggested that the team wants McCarthy to earn the starting job rather than handing it to him by default, given the crucial development time he lost due to injury.

J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy (NFL)

While Breer still believes McCarthy will eventually be the starter, he emphasized that a competitive environment in training camp would be beneficial for the young quarterback and the team. The Vikings’ decision not to match substantial contracts for Darnold and Jones highlights their commitment to a fresh start.

Darnold secured a lucrative three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks, while Jones signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, where he will compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job. By allowing both quarterbacks to leave, Minnesota appears focused on evaluating McCarthy, though they may still explore veteran options.

Vikings Weigh Veteran Options Amid McCarthy’s Uncertain Starting Quarterback Status

Reports from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert suggest that Minnesota is keeping its options open, including a potential pursuit of Aaron Rodgers if the veteran remains unsigned after mandatory minicamp. If Rodgers were to join the team, McCarthy’s opportunity to “earn” the starting job would likely vanish, as acquiring the future Hall of Famer would signal a win-now approach.

Additionally, Russell Wilson remains an option if he does not land with the New York Giants or Cleveland Browns, though he would not be guaranteed the starting role like Rodgers likely would be.

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is scheduled to speak with local reporters on Wednesday, potentially providing insight into McCarthy’s role heading into the offseason program.

Until then, the team’s quarterback situation remains fluid, with McCarthy’s performance in spring and summer workouts likely determining whether he will be named the official starter. The Vikings appear committed to fostering competition, ensuring that their next starting quarterback is fully prepared to lead the team.

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MLB (Baseball)

22-year-old Cam Smith earns spot on Astros’ Opening Day roster

Cam Smith (MLB)

Cam Smith, the 22-year-old rising star who was part of the trade involving Kyle Tucker and the Chicago Cubs this offseason, has earned a spot on the Houston Astros’ Opening Day roster.

Smith was informed about the decision before the Astros’ exhibition game against their Triple-A team on Tuesday night.

In a video shared by the team, Astros manager Joe Espada spoke to the players in the clubhouse and then brought out Smith’s mother, who told him the news.

“I always thought it was possible,” Smith said, getting emotional after hearing the news. “I had a great group of guys to help me out to get here today. I always thought it was a possibility for it to happen. And we’re here today talking about it now. So I’m very blessed.”

“At one point, it was just me and her (his mother) in the house. She struggled to take me to baseball games and practice. I’m just happy to do it for her.”

Smith’s rise to the major leagues has been rapid. After being drafted 14th overall by the Cubs in July, he played only 32 games in the minors last season. According to MLB.com, that’s the third-fewest games played by a position player before reaching the big leagues since 1965.

Only Pete Incaviglia of the 1986 Texas Rangers (zero games) and John Olerud of the 1990 Toronto Blue Jays (six) made it to the majors faster.

Smith had an outstanding spring, hitting .342 with four home runs, which helped him make the team.

After an impressive minor league debut last summer, where he hit six home runs in six straight Single-A games, the Cubs traded him to Houston for All-Star right fielder Tucker in a major deal.

Now, there’s a good chance Smith will take Tucker’s spot in the outfield on Opening Day, which is Thursday, against the New York Mets. He had previously played third base at Florida State.

Houston Astros players celebrates after a home run

“I’ve been here for eight years and we haven’t had the conversations we are having about a lot of our players because we’ve had a team that’s pretty much been built,” said Espada.

“Now we’re trying to move some players around and be creative. As a manager, it’s super exciting to see young players showcasing themselves and putting us in a tough spot to make tough decisions.”

Smith’s shift to the outfield in mid-March hinted at the Astros’ plan to keep him on the roster. In the same trade, the team also got third baseman Isaac Paredes, which helped open up a spot for Smith in right field.

“I’m not setting expectations,” Smith said about his potential move to the outfield. “I’m just playing ball. I’m playing free.”

Smith was drafted after two seasons with the Florida State Seminoles, where he made significant progress between his freshman and sophomore years after playing in the Cape Cod League in 2023. He hit .387 with 16 home runs for Florida State before being drafted.

If Smith starts Thursday against the Mets, he will be the second-youngest Astros position player to make his MLB debut on Opening Day. The youngest was Rusty Staub (19) in 1963, according to ESPN Research.

When asked about handling his early success in the pros, Smith replied, “Slow heartbeat.”

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MLB (Baseball)

Dodgers accept White House invitation, call it a “huge honor.”

Los Angeles Dodgers players celebrates in the 8th inning

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they have accepted an invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their World Series victory.

The team will make the trip on April 7, a Monday, before playing the first game of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. On April 8, members of the Dodgers will also visit Capitol Hill, the team confirmed.

“It wasn’t a formal conversation that we had as a ballclub,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House. It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor, so it’s a great honor for all of us.”

The Dodgers’ White House visit is particularly significant because of a controversy surrounding a story about Jackie Robinson’s military service. The story was temporarily removed from the Department of Defense’s website last week as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion through a “digital content refresh.”

Robinson served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II and then broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A statue honoring him stands in Dodger Stadium’s center-field plaza.

Even though the story about Robinson’s service does not mention DEI, it was among many others removed from government websites recently.

Roberts, who has often spoken about the importance of diversity in major league coaching and front office positions, said he was unaware of what happened with the Robinson story. After being informed by a reporter, he responded, “I think I’m happy that the page went back up. I have my strong opinions on DEI and all that stuff, but that’s another scrum.”

In 2019, near the end of Trump’s first presidency, Roberts mentioned in a Los Angeles Times profile that he would not visit the White House if the Dodgers won the World Series that year. When reminded of this on Tuesday, Roberts smiled and said, “Did I?”

“I’m going,” he added. “I respect the position. It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so, looking forward to it.”

Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after the win

The Dodgers visited the White House under Joe Biden’s presidency after winning the championship in the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19. Four years later, on October 30, 2024, they secured their first full-season title since 1988 by beating the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series.

Trump was elected president about a week later. A couple of months after that, he clashed with local politicians and California Governor Gavin Newsom following wildfires that impacted parts of L.A. At one point, he threatened to withhold federal aid over disagreements about the region’s water management.

The Trump administration later passed an executive order to address water shortages and regulatory obstacles affecting disaster response in Southern California.

Dodgers chairman Mark Walter and part-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson were chosen by Newsom to lead a project focused on supporting wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts in L.A., pledging up to $100 million to help with the initiative.

Johnson has spoken out against Trump in recent years, but the Dodgers, through their X account, said on Tuesday they “look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title.”

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NBA (Basketball)

LeBron James talks about his bond with idol Michael Jordan

LeBron James
LeBron James (NBA)

Michael Jordan went from being LeBron James’ childhood hero to now, in the later years of his Hall of Fame career, the basketball figure James’ achievements are most often compared to.

James talked about his current relationship with Jordan during a long interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” which aired on Wednesday.

While James said their relationship is in “a good spot,” he admitted that they aren’t in regular contact.

“We don’t talk,” James shared during the 75-minute interview, which was filmed at McAfee’s studio near Indianapolis on Tuesday. “Because I’m still playing. I’m still playing, I’m still focused on my craft right now.”

James replied, “I would hope so,” when asked if he thought a connection could grow between him and Jordan after James retires, similar to how his relationship with Kobe Bryant became closer after Bryant ended his career.

“The funny thing is, me and Kobe — the late, great Kobe, obviously — me and Kobe never had a real relationship either,” James explained. “We were on the [USA] Olympic team, we had a great relationship there.

The Olympic team in ’08, the Olympic team in ’12, but it was always competitive between us. We were always like, I was on the East Coast, he was on the West Coast, and it was like even though … in ’09 and we didn’t beat Orlando and didn’t get an opportunity to play him in the Finals [there was a competitive tension].”

James said that their relationship started to change in 2016 when Bryant retired, and it grew stronger after James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 as a free agent.

Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins talks before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race

Their Relationship was Good

“That’s when our relationship became really, really good,” James said. “He welcomed me. He called me, like, ‘Bro, anything you need in L.A., I got you. You’re a Laker now. You’re family.’ And we would have multiple conversations. Obviously, you guys saw him coming to a lot of games.

And when I passed him for the scoring record in Philly, he had a tweet out there like, ‘Keep on going.’ Like, ‘Keep transcending the game. Keep going.’ And that meant so much to me.”

James and Jordan did share a meaningful moment during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, where they embraced at halftime when the league celebrated its 75th Anniversary Team.

“That was dope,” James said. “That’s straight respect, admiration and me, for sure, I wear 23 because of MJ. And the inspiration that he gave me as a kid in Akron, Ohio, who doesn’t have much inspiration in your hometown.”

However, as long as James, 40, is still playing and continuing to build his legacy to be compared to Jordan — a six-time champion, five-time MVP, and 10-time scoring champion — he doesn’t expect his relationship with the 62-year-old Jordan to change.

“I think it’s because I’m still playing,” James said. “And MJ, we all know MJ. Even if you don’t know him personally, he is one of the most ruthless competitors there is and until I’m done and he doesn’t have to look at me running up and down wearing the No. 23 and every time my name is mentioned, it’s mentioned with his, [a relationship will have to wait].”

James also spoke with McAfee about how his son, Bronny James, has progressed during his rookie season with the Lakers.

“For me as a dad, it doesn’t matter if he never scores, ever. For me as a dad, I’m just super proud of him, period, as a young man. For me as a mentor and as a teammate of his who wants to see him thrive because I have seen the work he’s put into the game, I am super proud of his development to where he is now,” James said. “From the moment that he was drafted … to now … his development has skyrocketed.”

LeBron James and Bronny James in the 1st half

Selection of Bronny James

Bronny, who was selected by the Lakers with the No. 55 pick in the second round after his freshman season at USC, scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting for the Lakers last week. He followed that up by scoring 39 points on 14-for-21 shooting Monday for the South Bay Lakers, L.A.’s G League team.

“Super proud of Bronny,” James said. “Super proud of his game and where he is today, starting off the G League season with just trying to figure it out and now, 39 [points] and even when I talked to him, he was more upset about the technical free throw he missed than anything.

He was like, ‘I could have had a 40 ball, and I missed that damn technical free throw.’ So, the kid, he’s awesome.”

This is a big change from where Bronny was in October when he made his debut for the Lakers on opening night in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That debut came less than a year and a half after he suffered a cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect, which needed corrective surgery.

“Us going out on the floor and having that moment, physically I wasn’t even there,” James said. “I wasn’t even there. I’m floating. I could only imagine where Bronny was. We haven’t even talked about it yet. At some point we will. But I wasn’t even there.

I was so [overjoyed], I might have been in the rafters. I might have been at home — my body might have been at home watching the game and watching the moment. I completely was not there.

“But, damn, that was an unbelievable moment, man, for me to be able to have that dream, be able to speak it into existence, for it to come to fruition. For my mom and my wife and my daughter and my youngest son to be there, I started thinking about everything from what the hell he went through less than a year before with his cardiac arrest.”

James’ younger son, 17-year-old Bryce, recently won a state championship during his senior season with Sierra Canyon and is committed to play basketball for the University of Arizona in the fall. James, who is in his 22nd season, was asked if he could see himself staying in the NBA long enough to play alongside both of his sons.

“Don’t do that to me,” James said with a smile.

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NFL (American Football)

West Virginia Set to Hire North Texas’ Ross Hodge as New Head Basketball Coach

Ross Hodge
Ross Hodge (NCAA)

West Virginia University has quickly moved to fill its head men’s basketball coaching vacancy after Darian DeVries’ unexpected departure. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, WVU is set to hire North Texas’ Ross Hodge on a five-year contract. This decision comes just over a week after DeVries left the program following only one season, prompting the Mountaineers to find a new leader for their team.

Hodge brings a strong coaching background despite having just two years of Division I head coaching experience. Before making the jump to the Division I level, he spent five years as the head coach at Paris Junior College and Midland College from 2006 to 2011. During that time, he compiled an impressive 146-24 combined record, proving his ability to develop winning teams.

Ross Hodge
Ross Hodge (NCAA)

Hodge’s Rise to Success as a Head Coach at North Texas

Following his junior college success, Hodge transitioned to Division I in 2011, serving as an assistant coach at Southern Miss under Larry Eustachy before moving with him to Colorado State. In 2016, he joined Grant McCasland’s staff at Arkansas State and then followed him to North Texas as the associate head coach. Over six years at North Texas, Hodge helped the program achieve a 135-65 record and reach the NCAA Tournament twice.

Hodge was promoted to head coach last season after McCasland left for Texas Tech. In his two seasons in charge, he has led North Texas to a 46-23 record and has guided his team to the semifinals of the NIT. His recent success made him an attractive candidate for WVU, where he will now take on the challenge of rebuilding and strengthening the Mountaineers program.

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NFL (American Football)

Heyward: Having Rodgers as the Steelers’ QB would be amazing

Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers (NFL)

A week after expressing less excitement about the idea of quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining Pittsburgh, Steelers defensive leader Cameron Heyward clarified his thoughts on the four-time MVP.

“It was misunderstood,” Heyward said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Wednesday morning. “I was asked if I would go as far as joining a darkness retreat to recruit Aaron Rodgers. I said, ‘I’m not doing that. The pitch is, if you want to be a Steeler, be a Steeler.’ That’s all I said. It wasn’t that I don’t like Aaron Rodgers or that I’m against it.

“When I look at our team now, it would be really great to have a player like Aaron Rodgers. But I can’t be the one who convinces him. He has to make that decision on his own. I’m excited to see what happens.”

On his podcast, “Not Just Football,” Heyward had reacted negatively to a question from co-host Hayden Walsh about joining Rodgers on a darkness retreat to try to recruit him.

“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat,” Heyward said on March 18. “I don’t need any of that. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, or you don’t. It’s that simple. That’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s my pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to be part of it, then great. If you don’t, it’s no problem.”

The tone seemed different from Heyward’s strong efforts to land Russell Wilson before the 2024 season when the defensive lineman spent over an hour on FaceTime with Wilson to try to get him to join Pittsburgh.

Though Heyward said on Wednesday that it would be “cool” to have Rodgers on the team, he admitted that he hasn’t spoken with the 41-year-old quarterback.

Cameron Heyward
Cameron Heyward (NFL)

The two also didn’t talk when Rodgers visited the Steelers’ facility on Friday

“I haven’t talked to him,” Heyward said. “I was with some strength coaches the day he was in the building. I think they were trying to clear the building to talk to him.”

“What I would say to him is, ‘If you come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the goal is to win. We haven’t had the success we want, but our goal is still to win the Lombardi and bring the seventh one to Pittsburgh.

We don’t care about the fame and lights of New York, but we focus on tough, hard football, competing every day, challenging each other,'” he continued. “We just need to go from there.”

The Steelers have been waiting for Rodgers to make a decision for over two weeks, but it seems the quarterback is in no rush to decide, even as his potential teams become fewer.

Wilson, who played with the Steelers last season, agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants on Tuesday night. Rodgers had an offer from the Giants, but Wilson’s deal made that option unavailable.

Still, Rodgers is following his own schedule. Heyward didn’t give a specific deadline for when he’d like to know Rodgers’ decision but said Wednesday that he “hopes” it will be done “sooner, rather than later.”

“I feel like I’m not [coach] Mike T [Tomlin] or [general manager] Omar Khan,” Heyward said. “That’s a decision they need to make. When you look at that decision, you’d want it done by the draft. But if not, hopefully before the season, that’s all I care about.

We have many things in play. You want to get to know your team, the wide receivers, bringing over DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Connor Heyward, Jaylen Warren, all these different guys. You bring them together, and any quarterback is going to want to build a relationship and a bond with them.”

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NFL (American Football)

Vikings are eyeing McCarthy as QB1 but haven’t dismissed further Rodgers discussions

Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers (NFL)

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday that naming J.J. McCarthy as the team’s starting quarterback is “the outcome we want” and “the outcome we’re headed towards.”

This was the first statement from someone in the organization since the team made major moves in the offseason, including spending $300 million and having talks with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

However, Adofo-Mensah did not rule out the chance of revisiting talks with Rodgers later if he is still available. Rodgers recently visited the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it seems the New York Giants have moved on.

“For me to sit here and say that anything’s 100 percent forever, that’s just not the job,” Adofo-Mensah said. “We’re responding to scenarios and different information as it comes. So obviously things can change, but right now we’re really happy with our [quarterback] room and we’re going to look to upgrade it in different ways.”

McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is one of two quarterbacks currently under contract with the Vikings, along with veteran Brett Rypien. The Vikings had offers out to veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, but both chose to sign with other teams, partly because they expected McCarthy would soon become the starter.

When asked about the team’s plans for filling out the quarterback depth chart for OTAs and mini-camps this spring, Adofo-Mensah suggested the team might wait until after the April 29 deadline, when free agents can no longer count toward teams’ compensatory draft picks.

J.J. McCarthy in the first half of the game

McCarthy has been cleared to take part in offseason activities after recovering from a torn meniscus

He is also working to regain the weight he lost during his recovery, which was more than 20 pounds.

McCarthy told this week that the Vikings hadn’t officially told him he would be the starter, but at the very least, he is expected to take the first-team reps when on-field activities begin later this spring.

“At every checkpoint,” Adofo-Mensah said, “whether it been the draft process or practice until the injury and really the offseason now, he’s met the bar. He’s exceeded our expectations at every point. So I don’t have the ability to tell you what the future is, but I can tell you what I expect to be the outcome this offseason from the competition.

But it’s also our job to set up a quarterback room that’s going to have to … provide insurance in case somebody needs to come in for a couple of games. And that’s our job as a personnel department to look at all the options out there and make sure we’re setting ourselves up for the best case we can.”

This is why Adofo-Mensah mentioned that Rodgers and coach Kevin O’Connell “had a lot of conversations.” O’Connell was not available to comment on Wednesday, but Adofo-Mensah said that O’Connell “looped us in” on their talks, which led to discussions within the organization.

“It’s a new thing to talk about a player at that caliber,” Adofo-Mensah said. “And I’m always somebody who wants to learn and grow myself and so just being involved in those dialogues was really special.”

The discussions and the Vikings’ busy activity in free agency took place during an unusual situation for Adofo-Mensah. Two months after the team extended coach O’Connell’s contract for five years, Adofo-Mensah is still working under the original contract he signed when the Vikings hired him in January 2022. His contract is set to expire after the 2025 season.

Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday that there has been “positive dialogue” between owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and his agent, Jimmy Sexton. He added, “It’s probably on me that it’s not going quicker because I wake up every morning focused on the things that I need to focus on to get this team to where they want to go.”

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in the training session

NFL teams avoid pressuring general managers into prioritizing short-term success over long-term plans

“I think when you sit down in a conversation with me and interview me and you get to know me as the person I am integrity-wise,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I don’t think you’d ever question whether I’d do the right thing by the organization for the future.

I think they continue to trust that. If you spend time with me every day, I’m not perfect. I have my faults, but willingness to do the right thing by the organization is not one of them.”

When asked if he saw any reason behind the organization’s push to finalize a deal with O’Connell but not with him, Adofo-Mensah said he didn’t. He pointed to a quote on the wall in his office that says, “Happiness is good health and a poor memory.”

“I just feel like you just don’t really find happiness in life looking at what other people have and compare it to yourself,” he said. “Every situation’s different. I know the Wilfs value me, the things I bring to this organization. I know I love it here.

We’ve been able to accomplish a lot of different things. I started my family here, Minnesota will be part of my story forever. So I don’t really think about those things, I’ll be honest on a day-to-day basis.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

NHL recap: Jets beat Capitals to secure playoff berth

Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals (NHL)

Nikolaj Ehlers scored in overtime, giving the Winnipeg Jets a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. In the game, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored his 889th career goal. This goal brought him within six of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record.

For Winnipeg (49-19-4, 102 points), Josh Morrissey and Mason Appleton also scored, helping the team secure a playoff spot with 10 games left in the season. Mark Scheifele, Dylan DeMelo, Nino Niederreiter, Cole Perfetti, Dylan Samberg, and Adam Lowry provided assists for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves.

For Washington (47-15-9, 103 points), Andrew Mangiapane also scored. Washington was the first team to secure a playoff spot. Jakob Chychrun, Aliaksei Protas, and Trevor van Riemsdyk got assists, while Logan Thompson stopped 22 shots for the Capitals.

Golden Knights 5, Wild 1

Jack Eichel scored a hat trick to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a win over the Minnesota Wild in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Brett Howden and Tanner Pearson each scored one goal for Vegas, who won their fourth straight game. Adin Hill saved 23 of 24 shots to earn the win.

Marcus Johansson scored the only goal for Minnesota, which lost its second game in two nights. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed four goals on 37 shots.

Kings 3, Rangers 1

Kevin Fiala and Phillip Daneault scored power-play goals 6:54 apart in the second period, helping the Los Angeles Kings extend their home winning streak to seven games and their record home points streak to 15. Los Angeles is 12-0-3 since their last regulation loss at home on Jan. 20 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fiala added a third-period goal as the Kings won their fourth straight and their ninth in 10 games (9-1-0). Darcy Kuemper made 22 saves.

J.T. Miller scored for the Rangers, who lost their fifth game in six. Igor Shesterkin stopped 30 shots.

Avalanche 5, Red Wings 2

Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and added an assist to help Colorado defeat Detroit. MacKinnon now has 107 points (29 goals, 78 assists) in the race for the Art Ross Trophy. Devon Toews also had a goal and two assists for Colorado, who is 11-1-1 since February 23. Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin, and Logan O’Connor also scored, and Martin Necas and Jonathan Drouin each had two assists.

For Detroit, J.T. Compher scored a goal and added an assist, while Austin Watson also scored. Alex Lyon made 23 saves. The Red Wings played without goaltender Petr Mrazek, who was injured during a game on Monday.

Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

Sabres 3, Senators 2

Tage Thompson scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and James Reimer made 30 saves to help Buffalo beat Ottawa. Jack Quinn and Jacob Bernard-Docker also scored for Buffalo, who are last in the Eastern Conference but have won all three of their meetings against Ottawa, who lead the wild-card race.

Brady Tkachuk and David Perron each scored for Ottawa, which is close to securing its first playoff appearance since 2017 but has lost three of their last four games after a six-game winning streak.

Flames 4, Kraken 3 (OT)

Nazem Kadri scored his second goal of the game in overtime, giving Calgary a 4-3 win over Seattle. Adam Klapka and Rasmus Andersson also scored for the Flames, who have won four straight games, all of which came from comeback victories. Matt Coronato had two assists, and Dustin Wolf made 26 saves in goal.

Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist, while Tye Kartye and Jordan Eberle each scored for Seattle, who have lost three games in a row. Joey Daccord stopped 33 shots for the Kraken, who lost a game they were leading after two periods for the first time this season (16-0-1).

Maple Leafs 7, Flyers 2

William Nylander and John Tavares each scored two goals and added two assists, leading Toronto to a 7-2 win over Philadelphia. Bobby McMann had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won four out of their last five games. David Kampf and Max Domi also scored, while Matthew Knies had two assists. Anthony Stolarz made 17 saves for the Flyers.

Ryan Poehling and Sean Couturier scored for Philadelphia, who have lost six games in a row, completing an 0-4-1 road trip. Samuel Ersson stopped 23 shots.

Lightning 6, Penguins 1

Anthony Cirelli scored two goals in his 500th NHL game, and Nikita Kucherov recorded three points as Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 6-1. Kucherov had a power-play goal and two assists, reaching 101 points, tying Leon Draisaitl of Edmonton for second place in league scoring.

Tampa Bay dominated the first period with a four-goal burst, finishing a season sweep of Pittsburgh in their three-game series. The Lightning improved to 25-8-2 at home and 13-2-5 against Metropolitan Division teams.

Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)

Blues 6, Canadiens 1

Philip Broberg and Robert Thomas each scored one goal and had three assists as St. Louis beat Montreal 6-1, extending their winning streak to seven games. Dylan Holloway contributed a goal and an assist for the Blues, who have surged with a 14-2-2 record and are now in the playoff race in the Western Conference. Jordan Kyrou and Zack Bolduc also scored, and Jordan Binnington made 24 saves.

Nick Suzuki scored for Montreal, who lost just their second game in regulation in their last 14. They are 8-2-4 in that span.

Predators 3, Hurricanes 1

Luke Evangelista scored two goals, and Juuse Saros made 34 saves to earn his 200th career win in Nashville’s 3-1 victory over Carolina. Michael Bunting added a power-play goal for Nashville, while Marc Del Gaizo had two assists. Brady Skjei, a former Hurricane, assisted on one of the Predators’ goals. Nashville has won two of their last three games after a four-game losing streak.

Carolina’s Taylor Hall scored one goal in the second period, following up his sixth career hat trick from the previous game. Seth Jarvis recorded an assist for his 200th career point. Pyotr Kochetkov made 13 saves, and Carolina lost for the second time in three games after an eight-game win streak.

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NBA (Basketball)

NBA recap: Josh Hart shines in record performance, Knicks beat Mavs

New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns made history by becoming the first teammates in New York Knicks history to record triple-doubles in the same game on Tuesday night. They helped the Knicks secure a 128-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Hart finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists in his team-record ninth triple-double of the season. Towns scored 26 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and made 11 assists in his third career triple-double. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 35 points.

Hart and Towns are only the 17th pair of teammates to record a triple-double in the same game in NBA history and the second duo to do so this year. Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook each recorded triple-doubles for the Denver Nuggets on December 30 and January 10.

Naji Marshall scored 38 points, including just 10 in the second half, for the Mavericks, who had their two-game winning streak stopped.

Rockets 121, Hawks 114

Jalen Green scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Fred VanVleet added 21 points to help Houston hold off a fourth-quarter rally from Atlanta. Green played a big role in stopping the Hawks’ 20-4 run to start the final period.

Alperen Sengun contributed 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists for the Rockets, who have won 10 of their last 11 games. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 17 points, and Tari Eason added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Trae Young finished with 19 points and 12 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu had 14 points and 15 rebounds for Atlanta. Dyson Daniels had a double-double with 19 points, 10 assists, and four steals. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher added 18 points, and Terance Mann scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter off the bench.

Cavaliers 122, Trail Blazers 111

Darius Garland scored 27 points and had eight assists, and Ty Jerome came off the bench to add 25 points, helping Cleveland defeat Portland. Evan Mobley had a solid performance with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocked shots, as Cleveland won its second consecutive game after a four-game losing streak. Jarrett Allen contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Sam Merrill had 14 points and De’Andre Hunter posted 11 points off the bench.

Portland was led by Donovan Clingan, who scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe also had 18 points. Scoot Henderson contributed 18 points, six assists, and six rebounds.

The Blazers lost their second straight game after winning four in a row. Deni Avdija added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, and Matisse Thybulle came off the bench to score 15 points, including five 3-pointers.

Thunder 121, Kings 105

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 32 points as the Thunder defeated Sacramento to reach their 60th win of the season. Chet Holmgren added 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder (60-12) won their seventh consecutive game and secured 60 wins for the fifth time in franchise history. Alex Caruso contributed 15 points, and Isaiah Joe added 14 points.

Keegan Murray scored 28 points, including 9 of 13 from 3-point range, for the Kings, who lost their fourth consecutive game and tied with the Phoenix Suns for ninth place in the Western Conference. Zach LaVine had 19 points and seven assists.

Oklahoma City Thunder- Shai Gilgeous-Alexande (NBA)

Magic 111, Hornets 104

Paolo Banchero scored 32 points and helped Orlando pull out a win in Charlotte despite some struggles in the second half. Franz Wagner added 26 points, and Anthony Black scored 20 points off the bench to support the Magic, who have won five of their last seven games.

Banchero has now scored 30 or more points in four straight games. Caleb Houston, coming off the bench, contributed 12 points and made four 3-pointers.

LaMelo Ball scored 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting for the Hornets, who were eliminated from playoff contention. They’ve lost five of their last six games. Josh Green and Nick Smith Jr. each scored 13 points, while Miles Bridges added 11 points. Charlotte finished the game shooting 42%.

Pistons 122, Spurs 96

Marcus Sasser scored a career-high 27 points to help Detroit defeat San Antonio, building an early lead. Tobias Harris added 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals for Detroit. Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson each scored 14 points. Duren also had seven assists as the Pistons recorded 33 assists as a team. Malik Beasley scored 13 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 12 points. Cade Cunningham missed his second straight game with a left calf injury.

Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 26 points and six rebounds. Stephon Castle added 19 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 11 points, and Keldon Johnson had 10 points.

Heat 126, Warriors 86

Miami defeated Golden State, and Jimmy Butler was held to 11 points in his first game back against the Heat after being traded. Bam Adebayo led Miami with 27 points and eight rebounds, while Tyler Herro added 20 points and seven assists. Alec Burks contributed 17 points for Miami, which has struggled since trading Butler on February 6. Golden State, on the other hand, has been successful with a 16-5 record since the trade.

Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 15 points, while Brandin Podziemski scored 14 points. Butler also grabbed six rebounds, made two assists, and shot 5 of 12 from the field.

Grizzlies 140, Jazz 103

Desmond Bane scored 21 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 19 points to help Memphis break a three-game losing streak with a victory over Utah. Scotty Pippen Jr. contributed 16 points and 10 assists. Memphis was down by one point at halftime but outscored Utah 41-17 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Jay Huff, Vince Williams Jr., and Zach Edey each added 15 points.

Isaiah Collier led Utah with 21 points, and Collin Sexton scored 15 points. Johnny Juzang and Kyle Filipowski each contributed 13 points, but Utah lost their 13th game in their last 14 attempts.

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NBA (Basketball)

Josh Hart Breaks Knicks’ 56-Year Triple-Double Record in Win Over Mavericks

Josh Hart
Josh Hart (NBA)

Josh Hart made history for the New York Knicks by breaking a franchise record that had stood for 56 years. In the Knicks’ 128-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Hart recorded his ninth triple-double of the season, surpassing the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s mark from 1969.

He finished the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, solidifying his status as a key contributor to the team’s success. Despite the achievement, Hart remained humble, stating that it was simply a reflection of playing “at least nine good games” this season.

Hart’s Selfless Gesture Highlights Team-First Mentality Amidst Record-Breaking Performance

Although Hart had a record-breaking night, he chose to give the game ball to his teammate, Kevin McCullar Jr. McCullar, who had just recovered from a knee injury, scored his first NBA points in the game.

For Hart, this moment was more meaningful than setting records, emphasizing that first career points are something that “no one can take away from you.” This act of selflessness was just another example of Hart’s team-first mentality, which has been a defining characteristic of his career.

Josh Hart
Josh Hart (NBA)

Hart’s ability to fill the stat sheet has been particularly impressive during his time with the Knicks. In his first six NBA seasons, playing for the Lakers, Pelicans, and Trail Blazers, he had not recorded a single triple-double.

However, in his two-plus seasons in New York, he has amassed 15 triple-doubles, placing him among elite company, alongside LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His relentless energy and effort have made him an indispensable part of the team, with his impact often extending beyond traditional statistics.

Karl-Anthony Towns Joins Hart in Historic Night, Knicks Secure Playoff-Boosting Victory

Josh Hart was not the only Knick to make history that night. Karl-Anthony Towns also recorded a triple-double, marking the first time in franchise history that two Knicks teammates accomplished the feat in the same game. Towns finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, achieving his first triple-double in three years.

His strong playmaking ability was evident from the start, as he recorded six assists in the first quarter and completed his triple-double by the third. Towns credited his teammates for trusting him and creating opportunities on the court.

Beyond individual achievements, the Knicks’ victory over the Mavericks was crucial in their push for playoff positioning. With the win, New York improved to a 45-26 record, securing their second consecutive victory. While breaking records was a special moment for Hart and Towns, both players emphasized that winning was the ultimate goal.

Towns summed up the night perfectly, stating that “New York appreciates the wins more than the triple-doubles.” For the Knicks and their fans, the historic performances were just a bonus to an important team victory.