Eben Etzebeth, a South African rugby player, received a 12-week ban for eye-gouging a Welsh player during a recent match. This was his first red card in 141 international games, and as a result, he will miss several club matches.
Key Facts
Eben Etzebeth plays for South Africa and has won two World Cups.
He was banned for 12 weeks due to an eye-gouging incident against a Welsh player named Alex Mann.
The incident happened in a match between South Africa and Wales, which South Africa won 73-0.
Etzebeth received a red card in the 79th minute of the game.
This ban means he will miss club matches for Sharks in both the United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup until March 2026.
It was his first red card in 141 games for South Africa.
An independent panel set an initial penalty of 18 weeks but reduced it to 12 weeks due to his previous good record.
Rugby bans for intentional eye contact can range from 12 weeks to four years.
Max Verstappen is close to becoming a five-time world champion in Formula 1. He has made a strong comeback this season, moving from 104 points behind to just 12 points shy of the leader. Verstappen credits his success to his determination and Red Bull's improvements.
Key Facts
Max Verstappen is competing in a close three-way race for the Formula 1 championship.
Eight races ago, Verstappen was 104 points behind the championship leader.
As of now, he is 12 points behind the current leader, Lando Norris.
Verstappen attributes his competitiveness to his determination and Red Bull's progress.
McLaren's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, have made errors, helping Verstappen close the gap.
Verstappen won five of the last eight races, finishing second in one and third in two.
He stated he remains focused and isn't affected by competitors' perceptions of him.
The article discusses England rugby player Henry Pollock, highlighting his unique personality and significant achievements. His England teammate, Jamie George, praises Pollock's energy and confidence, which have made him a standout player in the rugby world.
Key Facts
Henry Pollock is a 20-year-old rugby player for England.
Pollock had a successful season, scoring two tries on his England debut and playing in the Champions Cup final.
He was shortlisted for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Pollock is known for his energetic play and viral moments, such as participating in a celebratory dance.
Jamie George describes Pollock as a fascinating character and praises his confidence and energy.
George believes the current England team environment allows players like Pollock to express themselves freely.
The article compares England's team environment to the club Saracens, known for fostering supportive settings for players.
Joe Root scored his first century in Australia during an Ashes Test match, which helps England stay competitive in the series. This century ended Root's previous struggle to achieve this milestone in Australia over numerous innings.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored his first Test century in Australia after 12 years and 30 attempts.
The century occurred during the first day of the second Test match in Brisbane.
Root's performance helped England stay in contention in the Ashes series.
This match in Brisbane could give England their first win at that venue since 1986.
Root has been part of 16 winless Tests in Australia since his first tour in 2013-14.
The century improves Root's standing as one of cricket's noteworthy players, gaining him recognition from Australians.
Lando Norris, a McLaren Formula 1 driver, says he won't ask his teammate Oscar Piastri to let him pass in the final race of the season to win the championship. Norris, Max Verstappen, and Piastri are all in the running for the title, with the final race taking place in Abu Dhabi. Norris needs to finish on the podium to win the championship, but his standing could change based on the race outcome.
Key Facts
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are McLaren teammates.
Norris leads Max Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri by 16 points in the championship.
The final race of the season is in Abu Dhabi, with 25 points awarded for a win and 18 for second place.
McLaren may consider asking Piastri to let Norris overtake if it helps secure the championship.
Norris stated he would not ask Piastri to let him pass and emphasized fairness.
Norris has come from behind in the championship with strong performances, including back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil.
Max Verstappen can potentially win the championship by finishing first in Abu Dhabi and Norris finishing fourth or lower.
Joe Root scored his first Ashes century in Australia, helping England reach 325 runs on the first day of the second Test match in Brisbane. Despite an early setback, Root and Zak Crawley led a comeback, but Mitchell Starc's six wickets challenged England. Australia’s Mitchell Starc also made history by surpassing Wasim Akram's record for left-arm seam bowlers.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored 135 not out, marking his first Ashes century in Australia.
England ended the first day with a score of 325 for nine wickets.
Mitchell Starc took six wickets for Australia, reaching a total of 415 Test dismissals.
Starc surpassed Wasim Akram's record for most dismissals by a left-arm pace bowler.
Zak Crawley contributed 76 runs in a partnership with Root, helping recover from a poor start.
Australia made team changes, dropping Nathan Lyon and playing Michael Neser.
Travis Head will open for Australia due to Usman Khawaja's injury.
The series consists of five Tests, with Australia leading 1-0 after winning in Perth.
Former Steelers cornerback Darius Slay was claimed by the Buffalo Bills but is thinking about retiring instead of joining the team. Slay, a Super Bowl champion, has a few days to decide if he will continue playing in the NFL. The Bills keep rights to Slay should he choose to return.
Key Facts
Darius Slay, a former Pittsburgh Steelers player, was recently released from the team.
After his release, the Buffalo Bills claimed him off waivers.
Slay is now considering retiring and has not yet joined the Bills.
The Bills hold rights to Slay if he decides to play again in a few days.
Rumors suggest that a return to his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, might be a factor.
Slay is well-regarded for his defensive skills and could help teams aiming for the playoffs.
The Bills need help in their secondary but must wait for Slay's decision.
The College Football Playoff selection committee is nearing a decision on the final bracket for postseason games. Former Florida head coach Billy Napier is a leading candidate for a coaching position at James Madison University. This comes after being fired by Florida and Napier's successful track record with Louisiana.
Key Facts
The College Football Playoff selection committee will release the final postseason bracket soon.
Six conference championship games are expected to influence the playoff selections.
Former Florida coach Billy Napier is a top candidate for the James Madison coaching job.
Napier was fired from Florida with a 3-4 record earlier in the season.
He has a successful past with Louisiana, achieving a 40-12 record and winning two Sun Belt championships.
Napier won two national championships as an assistant coach with Alabama.
James Madison University is a Group of 5 program that could make the College Football Playoff.
Shedeur Sanders is currently the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, but his future is uncertain due to potential trades and the possibility of the team drafting a new quarterback. Deshaun Watson's return and other quarterback options make Sanders' position in Cleveland less secure.
Key Facts
Shedeur Sanders is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
There are talks about the Browns possibly trading Sanders or another quarterback, Dillon Gabriel.
The team might draft a new quarterback, adding to the competition for Sanders.
Deshaun Watson, another quarterback, will likely be on the team next season.
Sanders moved up to the starting position after Joe Flacco was traded and Dillon Gabriel was injured.
Sanders has played in recent games, passing for 405 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions.
The Browns have a 3-9 record this season and will play against the Tennessee Titans next.
The Florida Gators hired Jon Sumrall as their football coach, while Lane Kiffin joined LSU. Florida managed to recruit a top player, Dylan Purter, previously committed to LSU, which is seen as an early success for Sumrall.
Key Facts
Jon Sumrall became the head coach for the Florida Gators.
Lane Kiffin is now leading the LSU Tigers' football program.
Both coaches are part of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a major college sports league.
Florida successfully recruited Dylan Purter, a highly-rated high school player, who was initially committed to LSU.
Dylan Purter is a four-star safety ranked 21st in his position for the 2026 class.
Recruiting a player like Purter is seen as a positive move for Florida's future.
Sumrall aims to restore the Florida program to national prominence.
Lane Kiffin seeks to win LSU's first national championship since 2019.
The Undertaker, a famous WWE wrestler, talked about the lasting injuries he has from his 30-year career. He shared that simple movements are now difficult, and he has had many surgeries to improve his life after wrestling. Despite these challenges, he remains active in the wrestling world through his podcast and guest appearances.
Key Facts
The Undertaker is one of the most well-known characters in WWE history.
He retired from wrestling in 2020 after a match at WrestleMania 36.
He has metal in his hips and walks with a limp due to injuries from his wrestling career.
His finishing move, the Tombstone Piledriver, involved heavy impacts on his knees.
He hosts a podcast called "Six Feet Under" where he shares stories from his wrestling days.
Despite his injuries, he stays involved in wrestling with his podcast and guest appearances.
Northampton fly-half Fin Smith talks about the challenges he faced after losing his place in the England rugby team for the autumn internationals. Despite performing well in the Six Nations and touring with the British and Irish Lions, Smith was not selected over competitors George Ford and Marcus Smith. He remains positive and engaged in regular discussions with England’s coaching staff about team selections.
Key Facts
Fin Smith, a 23-year-old fly-half, played for England in the 2024 Six Nations and has 13 national caps.
He started matches against France, Scotland, Italy, and Wales during the Six Nations tournament.
Smith toured with the British and Irish Lions but was not first-choice during Test matches.
In the autumn internationals, George Ford and Marcus Smith were chosen over him for the England team.
Smith regularly communicates with England coach Steve Borthwick to understand selection decisions.
The selection decisions were not due to poor performance but rather opportunities taken by other players, like Ford.
Smith values the experience and connections made during the Lions tour and continues to believe in his abilities.
The Gateway Dirt Nationals is an indoor dirt-track racing event happening from December 4 to December 6, 2025, at The Dome at America's Center. Racers will compete in Super Late Model and Open Wheel Modified categories for a chance to win significant prize money. The event can be watched live through FloRacing.
Key Facts
The Gateway Dirt Nationals run from December 4 to December 6, 2025.
The event is held indoors at The Dome at America's Center on a temporary 1/5-mile clay track.
Hundreds of drivers will participate in Super Late Model and Open Wheel Modified races.
The main event on Saturday offers prize money of $70,000 to the Super Late Model winner.
Racing preliminaries occur on Thursday and Friday, with the finals on Saturday.
Fans can watch the event live through a FloRacing live stream.
Top-tier drivers are expected to compete, making the event exciting for spectators.
The Chicago Cubs are likely to lose star player Kyle Tucker to free agency this winter. Tucker is expected to sign a $400 million contract, with possible destinations being the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, or Toronto Blue Jays.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker plays for the Chicago Cubs and is entering free agency.
Tucker's next contract is projected to be worth at least $400 million.
The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays are interested in signing Tucker.
Tucker's agent, Casey Close, is negotiating the contract and aims to maximize its value.
Tucker is considered the top offensive player among free agents this offseason.
The Dodgers may want Tucker to replace Michael Conforto in their outfield.
The Yankees could target Tucker if they lose another player, Cody Bellinger, to free agency.
The Toronto Blue Jays are also potential suitors, aiming for a strong roster to win the World Series.
Joe Root scored his first century in Australia during the first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, helping England reach 325-9. Root's performance included a partnership with Jofra Archer, who helped add crucial runs towards the end of the day.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored 135 not out, marking his first century in Australia after 30 attempts.
England ended the first day with a total score of 325-9.
Root had a key partnership of 117 runs with Zak Crawley, who scored 76.
Mitchell Starc from Australia took 6 wickets, with figures of 6-71.
Jofra Archer and Root added 61 runs for the last wicket to boost England's score.
England faced challenges early, losing wickets to be at 5-2, but Root's innings stabilized the team.
The match is part of a day-night Test, meaning they play into the evening under lights.
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins is going to attend John Cena's retirement match on December 13 in Washington, D.C. This match marks the end of Cena's wrestling career, with either GUNTHER or LA Knight as his opponent. The event is part of a larger farewell tour for Cena that started in January 2025.
Key Facts
Seth Rollins plans to be at John Cena’s retirement match.
The match is on December 13 in Washington, D.C. at "Saturday Night’s Main Event."
John Cena will face either GUNTHER or LA Knight in this match.
Cena's retirement is part of a tour called "Last Time Is Now."
The final opponent will be decided on this Friday's episode of "SmackDown."
Rollins mentioned his attendance on "The Rich Eisen Show" while discussing his travel plans.
The Chicago Bears will host the Cleveland Browns the day after Cena's match.
Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors shared that he might miss the birth of his child due to a road trip with his team. The Warriors are currently dealing with Stephen Curry's injury but are set to play the Philadelphia 76ers next. Green expressed disappointment but emphasized his commitment to his work and family.
Key Facts
Draymond Green is a player for the Golden State Warriors basketball team.
Green might miss the birth of his child because the Warriors are going on a road trip.
The Warriors' player Stephen Curry is recovering from an injury but is expected to return soon.
The team's record fell to 11 wins and 11 losses after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Warriors' upcoming games include matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls.
Green has children from past relationships and with his wife Hazel; this will be their fifth child together.
Green stated that while he loves his job, missing such personal events is difficult.
Baseball player Pete Alonso, who currently plays for the New York Mets, is projected to sign a large deal worth $182 million. There is speculation that he may move to the rival team, the Philadelphia Phillies, as a replacement if they do not re-sign Kyle Schwarber.
Key Facts
Pete Alonso plays for the New York Mets.
He is projected to sign a $182 million contract.
The Philadelphia Phillies might sign Alonso if they cannot keep Kyle Schwarber.
Alonso is known for his powerful hitting ability.
The Mets missed the playoffs this year and are looking to be more active in signing new players.
The Phillies want to improve after recent disappointing seasons.
The St. Louis Cardinals are considering major changes in their baseball team lineup. They recently traded pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox and might trade third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Los Angeles Angels. The Cardinals may be willing to cover part of Arenado's large contract to facilitate a trade.
Key Facts
The St. Louis Cardinals are planning to rebuild their team this offseason.
They traded Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox.
Nolan Arenado is a potential trade candidate for the Cardinals.
Arenado has a large contract and a no-trade clause, which could complicate a trade.
The Los Angeles Angels are interested in Arenado, as they need a third baseman.
The Angels might buy out Anthony Rendon's contract to make space for Arenado.
The Cardinals may pay a portion of Arenado's contract to complete the trade.
