More from Chris Francis
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NFL’s Wild Card Weekend set after final Sunday of regular season
The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend matchups are set. They follow a handful of important games on Sunday, Jan. 5 –– the last Sunday of the regular season. The playoffs start with a pair of AFC games. The first features the Los Angeles Chargers, who clinched three straight games down the stretch, visiting the winners of… -
NFL’s ‘Black Monday’ brings coaching changes and some surprises
This “Black Monday” in the NFL may be known more for those who weren’t fired than those who were. For instance, the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, teams with a combined seven wins this season, will stay the course. In New Jersey on Monday, Jan. 6, Giants Team President John Mara justified his… -
17-year-old Englishman is youngest World Dart Championship winner
Luke Littler, a 17-year-old from England, won the World Dart Championships on Friday, Jan. 3, 7 sets to 3 over Michael Van Gerwen from the Netherlands. In the process, Littler became the youngest to win the title, surpassing Van Gerwen’s mark set in 2014 at the age of 24. Littler screamed and was soon in… -
Coaches brace for change as NFL’s ‘Black Monday’ approaches
The day after the NFL’s regular season ends is known as “Black Monday,” when struggling teams inform coaches their services are no longer needed. This year, it falls on Monday, Jan. 6, and there is plenty of speculation surrounding what could be more than half a dozen moves. Three job searches are already underway, as… -
Miami Heat suspend 6-time NBA all-star Jimmy Butler after trade request
Jimmy Butler, a 6-time all-star and one of the biggest stars in the NBA, has been suspended seven games by the Miami Heat for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.” In a statement Friday night, the Heat announced the suspension. “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to… -
Rudy Giuliani fights to keep Yankees World Series rings
Rudy Giuliani, the man once known as “America’s Mayor,” is fighting to keep some of his prized possessions in the wake of a $148 million defamation judgment against him. Those possessions include four World Series rings given to the former mayor of New York by the Yankees after the team won championships in 1996, 1998,… -
Notre Dame wins Sugar Bowl, New Orleans’ pro teams reflect on terror attack
The Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans went off without a hitch Thursday, Jan. 2, less than 24 hours after it was delayed due to a terror attack on Bourbon Street. Notre Dame met Georgia as part of the college football playoff, with the Fighting Irish punching their ticket to the semi-finals, 23-10. The tragedy… -
After 20 seasons, Aaron Rodgers concedes last game could be Jan. 5
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played 20 seasons in the NFL. He doesn’t yet know if he’ll play a 21st. Wednesday, Jan. 1, during his weekly media session, the four-time league most valuable player acknowledged the matchup on Sunday, Jan. 5, with the Miami Dolphins could be his final game. “This game has given… -
NBA suspends two players after fight between Heat and Rockets
The NBA has handed down fines and suspensions to several players after a fight on Sunday, Dec. 29, between the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat. Houston’s Amen Thompson and Miami’s Terry Rozier were both suspended for their role in the dust-up. The suspension will cost Rozier about $143,242 in salary, while Thompson will lose about… -
Preview: College Football Playoff Quarterfinals set to kick off
The inaugural 12-team college football playoff has not lived up to the hype thus far. All four games in the first round were blowouts, which raised numerous questions about the selection process and which teams made the cut. The hope is the quarterfinals, which begin New Year’s Eve, will be more evenly matched. Those games… -
NBA fines Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards $100,000 for obscene language
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is in the news again after using some colorful language during a post-game interview on Sunday, Dec. 29. It’s his fifth fine of 2024, bringing his total to $275,000 just before year’s end. Edwards had just hit a game-winning shot to beat the Houston Rockets, which capped a 16-point comeback… -
FBI issues warning to professional athletes about targeted burglaries
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies say it’s a growing problem and have issued warnings to professional sports leagues. The homes of rich, high-profile professional athletes are being targeted and burglarized when thieves know they are away. NBA star Luka Doncic is the latest victim. Dallas police say Doncic’s home was broken into Friday,… -
Record-setting performances, big DC surprise highlight NFL’s week 17
Week 17 in the National Football League (NFL) produced several record-setting performances. To cap off a jam-packed weekend, there was also one massive surprise in Washington, D.C. Barkley breaks 2,000-yard barrier The excitement began with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. He rushed for 165 yards in a blowout win against the Cowboys as the…