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Dabo Swinney recruited Trevor Lawrence after Clemson's 2017 national championship victory over Alabama, leading to another championship win against Alabama under Lawrence's quarterback leadership. Lawrence emphasized Swinney's authenticity, noting Swinney remains unfazed by media criticism and doesn't adopt a false persona. Lawrence credited Swinney with teaching him to ignore external noise, a crucial skill as he faces early NFL criticism. He silenced doubters in 2018 by becoming one of only two true freshmen ever to win a national championship, leading the nation with 30 touchdown passes and topping passer ratings as a freshman and sophomore under Swinney's guidance. According to Lawrence, Swinney excels as a motivator rather than a tactical coach, instilling unwavering confidence in players. Lawrence recalled Swinney's ability to make the team believe they could defeat any opponent, regardless of perceived superiority, through lengthy but captivating team meetings. This confidence-building is vital for Lawrence, who entered the NFL with limited experience under center or using cadences. His current collaboration with Jaguars offensive coordinator Liam Coen aims to replicate Clemson's underdog success against top teams like Kansas City, Buffalo, and Baltimore. Lawrence highlighted Swinney's role in elevating Clemson beyond its "Clemsoning" reputation—historically good but not elite—and breaking Nick Saban's college football dominance. He described Swinney as balancing motivation with leadership, contrasting cerebral coaches who overlook that aspect. The Jaguars are not seeking a new starting quarterback despite criticism. Meanwhile, Swinney is developing his next first-round prospect, Cade Klubnik—viewed as a top 2026 draft candidate—with Clemson opening its season against LSU on August 30.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars' offense struggled significantly last season, with most players regressing except for rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. New head coach Liam Coen, coming from a successful stint as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, is expected to elevate the unit in 2025. CBS Sports ranked the Jaguars' offensive trio of Brian Thomas Jr., running back Travis Etienne, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the 19th best in the NFL, a drop from 16th the previous year. Despite Thomas Jr.'s historically great rookie season, the ranking fell due to concerns about Lawrence and Etienne. Lawrence played only 10 games and performed poorly, raising doubts about him meeting his initial high expectations. Etienne faces potential reduction in his role after the team added other running backs. Within the AFC South, the Houston Texans' trio ranked highest at 11th, followed by the Jaguars at 19th. The Tennessee Titans ranked 28th, and the Indianapolis Colts ranked 30th. CBS Sports attributed the Colts' low ranking to uncertainty at quarterback, where veteran Gardner Minshew is likely to start due to Anthony Richardson's injuries. Minshew's limitations mean running back Jonathan Taylor (still not back to his 2021 peak) and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (possibly challenged by Josh Downs) carry a heavy burden, leading to voter skepticism.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings reportedly wants a contract extension. If he doesn't receive one, he may seek a trade. The Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams being connected to Jennings as a potential trade destination. This connection aligns with the Raiders' ongoing interest in veteran wide receivers throughout the offseason. Any team trading for Jennings would likely need to give him a new contract, as he is scheduled to be a free agent next year. The 49ers would probably seek a second-day draft pick in return for the solid veteran player. Jennings, 28, is coming off his best season in his four-year career with the 49ers, recording 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. While the Raiders have shown interest in veteran receivers, they drafted Jack Bech and Dont’a Thornton and hope they will contribute soon. Their current top receiver, Jakobi Meyers, is also a free agent in 2026 and has expressed a desire to stay in Las Vegas. This raises questions about whether the Raiders would want to invest in two veterans while developing Bech and Thornton, plus surrender draft compensation for Jennings. Despite these complications, it is unsurprising that Jennings is being linked to the Raiders, as many wide receivers have been connected to them this offseason.
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The San Francisco 49ers made controversial offseason decisions, releasing nine starting players despite having over $45 million in salary cap space. They attempted to replace most of these starters with rookies and cheaper free agents, making the team appear worse on paper. However, the team prioritized improving its run defense during the NFL Draft, which Pro Football Focus (PFF) identified as their best offseason move. PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman noted the 49ers' run defense was their biggest flaw in 2024, ranking 28th in PFF grade – their worst since 2016. To address this, the 49ers reunited with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and drafted multiple players focused on stopping the run. Key draft additions for the run defense include edge defender Mykel Williams (who earned an 86.6 PFF run-defense grade at Georgia), defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West (both ranked in the top 20 FBS in PFF run-defense grade in 2024). These three, alongside Nick Bosa, will form the foundation of the new run defense. The team also used third-round picks on linebacker Nick Martin and nickelback Upton Stout to further bolster run defense. While the 49ers deserve credit for committing to fix a significant problem, the solution relies heavily on starting five rookies. These rookies are expected to struggle initially, meaning the run defense might not show significant improvement until midway through the season, and it may not fully come together this year.
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Djeidi Gassama, Rangers' new signing, credits his development to training with Paris St-Germain superstars despite minimal senior playtime. The 21-year-old winger made just one first-team appearance for PSG but emphasized the profound impact of sharing training sessions with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar. Gassama described the experience as "crazy," highlighting lessons learned about gym routines, on-field dedication, and off-pitch professionalism. He noted their 100% intensity transformed training into game-like scenarios, shaping his approach to football. After progressing through PSG's youth system and a loan spell in Belgium, Gassama joined Sheffield Wednesday. He attributes his two years there to crucial development in English football, stating the move provided "good progression" that led to his Rangers opportunity. Expressing confidence in his continued growth at Ibrox, Gassama concluded: "I took my chance and now I'm here, and I think I can continue to improve here."
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Caleb Williams entered the NFL as the highly-touted 2024 first overall draft pick for the Chicago Bears, following an impressive college career. While his rookie season didn't reach the predicted "generational" heights, partly due to the Bears' organizational issues, he still performed well and has a promising future, especially under head coach Ben Johnson. Recently retired NFL legend Ndamukong Suh offered Williams public advice via social media (X/Twitter). Suh specifically urged the Bears organization to allow Williams the freedom to pursue non-football business ventures during his free time. He argued that focusing solely on football can lead to player burnout, stating, "Stepping away can make you better." Suh emphasized that building an identity and life outside the game helps players stay sharp and avoid burnout, a strategy he personally employed throughout his career. Suh's perspective contrasts with criticism Williams has faced from some sports analysts and fans who view his off-field business activities as a lack of dedication. The article suggests Suh's advice is valuable and timely, highlighting his own successful career balance, which enabled him to retire as a potential Hall of Famer while also setting up a fulfilling post-football life. The article notes that Suh's advice aligns with what Williams is already striving towards. Despite his youth, Williams understands the finite nature of an NFL career and is actively working to build generational wealth for himself and his future family beyond football. Ultimately, while pursuing long-term financial success like Suh, Williams and Bears fans hope he first achieves significant football accomplishments similar to Suh's own legacy, which includes being a Super Bowl champion, a 5-time Pro Bowler, and a 5-time All-Pro.
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Steven Pressley acknowledged the difficulty of his new role as Dundee manager following a 1-0 home defeat to second-tier Airdrieonians in his first competitive match in charge. Appointed last month after Tony Docherty's sacking in May, Pressley stated he was "under no illusions this was going to be a difficult job." Despite the loss in their opening Premier Sports Cup group match, Pressley expressed belief in the process and what the team is trying to achieve, though he admitted they are "absolutely not, not even close" to resembling his desired team. He recognized the defeat as their first real "stress test" and suggested setbacks could be a catalyst for progress, while also accepting there will be "bumps" along the way. Pressley emphasized his enjoyment of the challenge and working with the players, stressing that internal belief is key. With no midweek game, Dundee now prepares for a challenging trip to League 1 Alloa Athletic, who have won both their opening matches. Pressley, nearing 350 games as a manager but returning to management after about six years, confirmed the job's difficulty matched his expectations, reiterating the team is "nowhere near where we want to be."
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Chelsea are the all-time highest spenders in the Premier League, with their expenditure exceeding £4 billion according to Transfermarkt, placing them far ahead of rivals by approximately £1 billion. This includes £1.3 billion spent in the three years since Todd Boehly took over, driven by recent signings like Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens. Manchester City rank second with £3.1 billion in spending, largely accumulated since Sheikh Mansour's ownership began in 2008, and they edge out Manchester United by £300 million, as United have spent £2.8 billion. The rest of the "Big Six" clubs complete the top spots, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham all surpassing £2 billion; Liverpool moved above Arsenal after acquiring players such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. Rounding out the top ten spenders, Tottenham hold sixth place at £2 billion, followed by Everton, Newcastle, West Ham, and Aston Villa, each with expenditures around £1.3 billion. These ten clubs form an exclusive group as the only Premier League teams to have breached the £1 billion spending mark. Outside the top ten, Southampton are the next highest spenders at £840 million since 1992. Brighton and Bournemouth also feature on the list despite joining the Premier League relatively recently—Brighton in 2017 and Bournemouth in 2015. Nottingham Forest, with significant spending since their 2022 return to the top flight, rank 20th overall.
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Kilmarnock secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Livingston at Rugby Park, strengthening their position at the top of Premier Sports Cup Group H. The win gives them maximum points from two matches, while Livingston now have three points from their two games. Livingston missed a golden early opportunity when Stevie May broke through on goal, only to be denied by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Max Stryjek. The decisive moment came in the 31st minute when Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior's misjudged punch rebounded off his own teammate, Mo Sylla, resulting in an own goal that gave Kilmarnock the lead. Despite falling behind, Livingston dominated possession and created the majority of chances throughout the match but repeatedly failed to beat Stryjek. Kilmarnock had late opportunities to extend their advantage, but Marley Watkins' shot was saved by Prior and Bruce Anderson headed wide, leaving the final score at 1-0. Kilmarnock's next match is against Kelty Hearts on Tuesday, while Livingston face Brora Rangers on Saturday in their upcoming group fixtures.
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The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with fans eager for details on public ticket sales timing and pricing. While FIFA has not fully launched sales for all matches, key information including start dates, estimated prices, and hospitality packages has been revealed. The general ticket sale for the public will commence on September 10, 2025. Tickets will be available exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. FIFA emphasizes it is the sole authorized seller of World Cup tickets and strongly advises against using unofficial platforms to avoid scams. An official FIFA resale platform will also be available to ensure secure transactions and prevent inflated prices. Ticket prices will vary based on the host city and seat location. Estimated price ranges in U.S. dollars (USD) are available for different tournament phases, though specific figures were not provided in the given text. For an exclusive experience, FIFA has already introduced several hospitality packages, details of which were not elaborated in the provided text.
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Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field will host six World Cup matches in June and July 2026, bringing top international soccer players to the city. FIFA has announced that securing tickets will require participation in a multi-phase lottery system. The first ticket sales phase begins on September 10, 2025. Interested fans must register online with FIFA to receive updates and create a FIFA ID if they don't already have one. This ID will be essential for applying to purchase tickets when sales open. FIFA emphasizes there will be multiple ticket phases running from September 10, 2025, through the tournament's conclusion on July 19, 2026, providing repeated opportunities for fans to obtain tickets. The Final Draw determining team match schedules and venues will occur in December 2025. Premium hospitality packages including match tickets are already available for purchase. The 2026 World Cup will kick off in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
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Gracie Hunt, the 26-year-old heiress to the Kansas City Chiefs and daughter of owner Clark Hunt, is dating Derek Green, the son of former Chiefs quarterback Trent Green. This connection is notable as Trent Green became the team's starting quarterback in 2001 when Gracie was just two years old, linking both families to the Chiefs' football legacy. The Hunt family's wealth is estimated at $24.8 billion. Hunt first hinted at the relationship in April 2024 without revealing her partner's identity, sharing photos that omitted tags or captions identifying Derek. She publicly confirmed their romance by posting a photo of them together at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, prompting positive reactions from followers. The New York Post later identified her partner as Derek Green, Trent's youngest son. Further details emerged when Hunt shared an Instagram story referencing their meeting 7.5 years prior at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs' home stadium, captioning it with a lyric about an "invisible string" connecting them. She later "hard launched" the relationship with vacation photos, expressing gratitude for post-football season downtime and captioned "My heart is full."
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence acknowledges the significant pressure he faces entering his fifth NFL season, heightened by his status as the 2021 first overall draft pick and the most important player on the offense. He recognizes that while he tries to treat every season the same, his career and the Jaguars' performance have been inconsistent so far, marked by significant organizational change including having his third different head coach. Despite this turnover, Lawrence expresses strong confidence in the current situation under new head coach Liam Coen and his staff. He specifically praises the offensive system Coen brings, which is rooted in the schemes popularized by Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. Lawrence believes this "tried and true" system, also run successfully by teams like the Minnesota Vikings, is excellent for quarterbacks and that the Jaguars have made great offensive changes this offseason. Lawrence emphasizes that entering his fifth year represents a critical "now or never" moment in his career. He states it's time to start winning consistently and transform the Jaguars into a team seriously competing for the playoffs and Super Bowls, rather than being overlooked. He feels he is entering his prime years and needs to elevate his performance, viewing the team's offseason moves as a strong foundation for this push.
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The FIFA Club World Cup held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, served as a stark preview of heat challenges facing soccer, with players like Al Ain’s Park Yong-woo, Palmeiras’ Vitor Roque, Auckland City’s Gerard Garriga, and Al-Hilal’s Renan Lodi visibly struggling against extreme temperatures. Scientists warn that rising global temperatures make hosting tournaments like the upcoming 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—increasingly hazardous for players and spectators. Experts emphasize that FIFA may need to fundamentally adjust soccer’s calendar to mitigate heat risks. Professor Piers Forster of the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures urged governing bodies to consider "more dramatic measures," such as shifting matches to winter months or cooler latitudes, cautioning that current trends heighten the threat of heat-related tragedies. This concern is amplified by data showing global June-August temperatures have risen 1.05°C (1.89°F) since 1930, with European summers warming 1.81°C—accelerating since the 1990s. Climatologist Friederike Otto stressed that high-intensity outdoor sports must adapt scheduling to safer hours, stating matches should occur "in the early morning and late evening" to avoid life-threatening heat exhaustion. The recent Club World Cup’s disruption by extreme heat and thunderstorms underscores the urgency, as FIFA begins implementing adaptive measures ahead of future tournaments.
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Applications for tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will open on September 10, 2026, as announced by FIFA. The tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026, at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. FIFA stated that due to anticipated high demand, tickets will be released in phases. However, the organization did not confirm whether it would implement dynamic pricing, a method used during the Club World Cup that resulted in significant ticket price fluctuations. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm, stating they look forward to "welcoming the world back to North America" for what he described as "the biggest and greatest sporting event ever." He encouraged fans globally to prepare to secure their tickets, calling them "the most coveted seats in world sport."
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Dani Ceballos, a midfielder for Real Madrid, has strongly hinted at his potential next club while confirming he is open to leaving his current team. Real Betis is highlighted as a serious contender for his transfer, positioning them prominently in the pursuit.
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Liverpool is reportedly considering an unexpected move for a Premier League forward who has also been linked with Barcelona, indicating potential transfer competition. Concurrently, Barcelona's captain has missed group training for three consecutive days, raising questions about his status. Contract developments include Barcelona securing a new deal with an academy prodigy, while a former La Masia talent openly expressed emotional pain about leaving after securing a transfer to Serie A. Chelsea is preparing a bid exceeding €50 million for a 22-year-old Barcelona star, highlighting external interest in the squad. Barcelona's youth system remains in focus, with three La Masia youngsters poised for first-team opportunities following a midfielder's imminent exit. Eight additional La Masia talents will join Hansi Flick's pre-season call-ups, with three specifically highlighted as players to watch during the tour. Analysis pieces compare Marcus Rashford and Luis Díaz as potential targets and detail Nico Williams' rejection of Barcelona, including the club's awareness timeline. Match coverage includes Barcelona's 3-0 victory over Athletic Club, with player ratings highlighting Pedri (8.5) and Lewandowski (9). Pre-match discussions proposed a 4-2-3-1 lineup featuring Christensen and Casado, while post-match analyses examined three talking points from both this win and Barcelona's prior 2-3 loss to Villarreal. Finally, Joan García's prospective signing is analyzed through five key reasons he could be an ideal fit for Barcelona.
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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua expressed enthusiasm about improving alongside new teammate Davante Adams, following the team's offseason receiver changes. The Rams signed Adams in March three days before releasing Cooper Kupp, who joined the rival Seattle Seahawks, reshaping their passing unit to boost an offense that ranked 20th in scoring last season. Nacua, 24, described learning from Adams as feeling "like a kid in a candy store," noting his fortune in having mentors including Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, and Kupp. He highlighted Adams' immediate positive impact since arriving at the facility and expressed excitement about playing alongside him alongside returning speedster Tutu Atwell and young receivers. Adams joins after a 2024 season split between the Jets and Raiders where he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive year (with 85 catches and 8 touchdowns). Despite Nacua nearly matching Adams' production during his own breakout rookie season (105 catches, 1,486 yards), he emphasized wanting to study Adams' elite route-running techniques—specifically his pace variation, leverage wins, and suddenness at the line of scrimmage. The Rams envision Adams and Nacua as co-leaders ("1A and 1B") in their receiving corps, supported by Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Britain Covey, and rookie Konata Mumpfield. Their synergy will be crucial as Los Angeles aims to build on last season's NFC Divisional Round appearance. Nacua particularly anticipates seeing Stafford throw at training camp, which begins July 22, stating: "As soon as that first practice comes out... things will be well in the world."
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Kylian Mbappé joined Real Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2023-24 season, inheriting the No. 9 shirt. In his debut campaign, he scored 44 goals across all competitions, setting a new club record for the most goals in a debut season, surpassing the previous record of 37 goals held by Iván Zamorano since the 1992-93 season. Mbappé officially broke the record with a hat-trick against Barcelona and extended his tally to 44 with a goal at the Club World Cup. Mbappé also broke Real Madrid's long-standing record for the most goals in a debut La Liga season. His 31 league goals surpassed the previous record of 27 goals set by Alfredo Di Stéfano 71 years earlier in the 1953-54 campaign, an achievement not matched even by Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema. These goals secured him the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Boot. Furthermore, Mbappé became the first Real Madrid player ever to score in seven different competitions within a single season. He found the net in the UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, the Champions League, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Club World Cup. This broke the previous club record of scoring in six different competitions, held by Benzema from the 2022-23 season. Additionally, while representing Real Madrid, Mbappé achieved the milestone of 500 career goal contributions (goals and assists combined) at the age of 26 years and 61 days, making him the youngest player in football history to reach this mark. His total stands at 358 goals and 142 assists for club and country.
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The 2025 Club World Cup concluded with Chelsea winning the trophy after a surprising 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The win, highlighted by a standout performance from Cole Palmer, saw Chelsea lift the trophy alongside Donald Trump, creating a surreal scene that defied expectations, as few pundits had predicted the Blues' success in the revamped tournament. Chelsea's dominant performance was deemed fully deserved, causing a significant reaction from PSG and underscoring the high level of commitment both teams showed throughout the competition. Despite the tournament facing several significant issues, the dedication of the participants remained unquestionable. The event raised key questions about its broader impact, specifically identifying which clubs, players, and coaches benefited most from the expanded format and which were left regretting their involvement, with further analysis promised on the winners and losers.
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French midfielder Jeff Reine-Adélaïde is set to join Dutch Eredivisie side Heracles from Serie B club Salernitana. The 27-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal with Heracles, marking his third country of employment within three seasons. He spent the previous 2023/2024 campaign playing for RWDM in the Belgian Pro League, where he made 27 appearances and scored three goals. Reine-Adélaïde began his career in France, coming through the ranks at Lens before moving to Arsenal in 2015. His time at Arsenal yielded only eight first-team appearances before he transferred to Angers in 2018. After an impressive 2018/2019 season with Angers in Ligue 1, he secured a move to Lyon. However, his Lyon spell was largely unsuccessful, resulting in just 48 appearances between 2019 and 2023, which included loan spells at Nice and Troyes. His final season with Salernitana saw limited action, featuring in only 13 matches and scoring one goal.
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Darwin Núñez is reportedly still hoping to move from Liverpool to Napoli this summer, but negotiations for the transfer are proving difficult to finalize. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano states that Napoli remains Núñez's preferred destination, but the Serie A champions are stalling on making a decision. Romano emphasizes that while Núñez continues to wait for Napoli, he has significant offers from Saudi Arabia and cannot wait indefinitely. Despite the expectation that Núñez will leave Liverpool before September, his departure has not yet been secured. Uncertainty persists regarding Ibrahima Konaté's future at Liverpool, with reports from Spain suggesting interest from Real Madrid. Harvey Elliott is attracting transfer interest, with West Ham United reportedly optimistic about signing him, and a move away from Liverpool appears likely. Despite competition for places at left-back, Kostas Tsimikas has indicated his intention to remain at Liverpool for the upcoming season. Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined the race to sign Liverpool winger Ben Doak, with Liverpool valuing the player at a minimum of £25 million.
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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed key issues in college sports during his opening remarks at SEC Football Media Days in Atlanta. He reiterated his support for exploring expansion of the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments, stating "nothing else in college basketball is static." Sankey commented on the bipartisan SCORE Act legislation in Congress, which aims to assist college sports with antitrust protection. He also advised patience regarding the new revenue-sharing model and efforts to crack down on fake Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Regarding football scheduling, Sankey noted that all SEC teams play at least nine games against Power Four opponents and suggested no Big Ten, ACC, or Big 12 team would want to exchange schedules with an SEC lineup. Sankey made four significant comments about the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP) starting in 2026. First, he clarified that control over the CFP format has been frequently discussed with little clarity recently. This follows Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark's suggestion last week that governance is shared by the Big 12, ACC, Big Ten, and SEC.
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President Donald Trump revealed that FIFA officials presented him with the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy, which is currently displayed in the Oval Office. Trump explained that during FIFA President Gianni Infantino's visit to the White House in March, officials asked him to hold the trophy temporarily. However, they later informed him they would not retrieve it and were making a new trophy instead, allowing the original to remain in the Oval Office "forever". This situation meant that Chelsea FC, despite winning the inaugural competition's final against Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, received only a replica trophy for their victory. During an interview with broadcaster DAZN before the final, Trump also joked about the possibility of issuing an executive order to change the name of "soccer" to "football" in the US, stating "I think I could do that." Trump's appearance at the final generated significant attention. He and First Lady Melania Trump were jeered by fans when shown on the stadium screens and again when he walked onto the pitch alongside Infantino to present medals to the players. Infantino had recently confirmed FIFA opened a new office in New York City's Trump Tower. Further confusion occurred online when Trump remained on stage celebrating with the Chelsea players after presenting the replica trophy to captain Reece James.
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US President Donald Trump claims the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy displayed in the Oval Office will remain there permanently, asserting that FIFA created a copy awarded to Chelsea after they won the newly expanded tournament's final on Sunday. Trump stated FIFA told him, "You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We're making a new one," and confirmed a new trophy was indeed made. Trump attended Sunday's final alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and members of his cabinet. Both presidents jointly presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, with Trump positioning himself prominently at the center during the ceremony, reportedly causing apparent confusion among players and despite Infantino's pleading. This incident continues Trump's involvement with FIFA, which intensified after his second term began. Infantino first unveiled the trophy at an Oval Office event in March, and it has remained displayed there for all subsequent events in the room since that time. FIFA has not clarified if any differences exist between the two trophies. During an interview with broadcaster Dazn, Trump also suggested issuing an executive order to rename soccer as "football" in the US and claimed other world leaders call the US "the hottest country" economically and politically. He framed FIFA bringing the Club World Cup and men's World Cup to the US as promoting unity and international love through soccer. However, planning for next year's World Cup in the US faces challenges from Trump administration policies, including travel bans affecting fans from certain countries (with exceptions for athletes/staff), threats of ICE raids at games, and lengthy visa processing times.
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Former NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith agreed to organize a youth football camp in New Orleans this summer to honor the wishes of Emily London-Jones, the mother of his late friend and former Baltimore Ravens teammate, Jacoby Jones. Smith restarted the camp after a 10-year absence, fulfilling London-Jones's desire to continue the Jacoby Jones Foundation's tradition, which ran from 2009 to 2015 to support Jones's hometown community. Jacoby Jones, a New Orleans native who won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens and set an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return, died of a heart attack one year prior at age 40. On a Saturday in late May, Smith coached 317 children aged 8-14 at Pontchartrain Park, where Jones himself played youth football and which is near the Caesars Superdome where he achieved NFL success. Following afternoon drills, Smith gathered the children, putting his arm around London-Jones, who had spent the day caring for attendees by overseeing meals and distributing free shoes and camp T-shirts. Smith emotionally reminded the group that the camp existed because London-Jones "birthed a legend," highlighting her efforts. The session concluded with the energetic kids breaking the huddle chanting "1-2-3, Jacoby!" The event served as a memorial for Jones, with loved ones recalling his vibrant, energetic personality as if he were present. Friends and family traveled to participate, including former Ravens teammates Ray Rice and Bryan Hall who helped coach, alongside Smith. Greg Fassitt, Jones's high school friend and fellow Super Bowl winner, attended for the first time, describing the experience as "bittersweet" but meaningful for carrying on Jones's legacy and inspiring local children. Attendees paid tribute through attire, with Jones's cousin Cantrelle Larkins Jr. wearing a replica of Jones's Marion Abramson High School jersey. Many wore Ravens gear, and camp organizers distributed No. 12 bandanas to the children, referencing Jones's signature playing days look.
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The NFL is experiencing a shift in contract norms, with second-round draft picks now seeking fully guaranteed deals—previously reserved for first-round selections. Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins have already secured such contracts, setting a new precedent for their draft class. As training camp approaches, the remaining 30 unsigned second-round rookies face contract uncertainties. Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris initiated a holdout for guaranteed money, potentially triggering similar actions across the league. Baltimore Ravens edge defender Mike Green (59th overall pick) is among those likely to follow, despite complicating factors in his negotiations. Green, a first-round talent who recorded 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his final college season at Marshall, fell to the second round due to two pending sexual assault charges that led to his dismissal from Virginia's football program in 2022. While the Ravens conducted thorough investigations and express confidence in his character, these allegations create additional hurdles in contract discussions. Baltimore rookies report to camp by July 15, creating urgency for a resolution. Green's potential absence would impact the Ravens' defense significantly, as he addresses their 2024 shortcomings in pass-rush consistency and explosiveness. His leverage stems from projected stardom, yet the organization must weigh the risks of offering guarantees amid unresolved legal concerns.
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