Ty Simpson, an Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, turned down $6.5 million offers from Miami and Ole Miss to enter the NFL Draft. He chose to focus on beginning his professional career despite attractive college offers.
Key Facts
Ty Simpson is the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
He decided to enter the NFL Draft in April 2024.
Simpson declined $6.5 million offers from Miami and Ole Miss to stay in college football.
Alabama wanted Simpson to return, but he chose to move forward with his NFL career.
Simpson was once seen as a potential No. 1 overall pick, though his ranking dropped.
He felt staying true to his commitment to Alabama was important for his legacy.
Miami and Ole Miss made significant efforts to recruit him through the transfer portal.
Nikola Jokić, a basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, has been out of games since December 29 due to a knee injury. If he does not return soon, his chances of winning the MVP award this season could be affected because of the NBA's rules about the minimum number of games a player must play to be eligible for major awards.
Key Facts
Nikola Jokić injured his left knee on December 29 during a game against the Miami Heat.
The injury is a hyperextension, which means the knee bent too far but does not involve structural damage.
Jokić has to play at least 65 games in the season to be eligible for the MVP award.
His coach, David Adelman, said Jokić's recovery is being assessed day by day.
If Jokić returns in early February, he might miss more than the 17 games allowed for MVP consideration.
Before his injury, Jokić was having a strong season, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game.
The Denver Nuggets have maintained a balanced record of three wins and three losses without Jokić.
The team is focusing on Jokić's long-term health rather than rushing his return.
The Philadelphia Eagles have removed Kevin Patullo from his role as offensive coordinator after the team struggled offensively and lost in the playoffs. Head coach Nick Sirianni is now looking for a new offensive coordinator and is considering former NFL head coaches Kliff Kingsbury and Kevin Stefanski for the position.
Key Facts
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni removed Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator.
The Eagles lost 23-19 to the San Francisco 49ers in a playoff game.
Sirianni stated that the decision to remove Patullo was difficult and he respects Patullo.
Kliff Kingsbury and Kevin Stefanski are potential candidates for the Eagles' offensive coordinator job.
The Eagles have talented players like quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
The team is seeking its fifth offensive coordinator in six seasons.
The role of offensive coordinator has seen high turnover, with none lasting more than one season recently.
Kyle Tucker, a major baseball free agent, is receiving offers from teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. Each team is offering different contract terms, with some focusing on short-term high-value deals and others on long-term contracts.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker is a free agent in baseball and is 29 years old.
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered Tucker a long-term contract.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a short-term, high-value offer.
The New York Mets offered Tucker $50 million per season for around two to three years.
Tucker wants a 10-year deal to secure his long-term financial stability.
A potential salary cap in the future could limit the earnings of top players.
Tucker is considering both short-term and long-term deals from major baseball teams.
All involved teams are competitive and looking to secure talented players.
Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla criticized the referees after his team lost 98-96 to the Indiana Pacers. He repeatedly used the phrase "illegal screen" when discussing a key play in the game. The Celtics remain competitive in the Eastern Conference despite recent losses and player injuries.
Key Facts
The Boston Celtics lost to the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 98-96.
Coach Joe Mazzulla repeatedly mentioned "illegal screen" in his postgame comments.
The phrase refers to a play where Pascal Siakam reportedly created space for a teammate.
Celtics player Derrick White missed a potential game-winning shot at the end.
Celtics player Jaylen Brown was fined $35,000 for criticizing officials in an earlier game.
The Celtics rank third in the Eastern Conference and aim for the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum, a key Celtics player, is out with an Achilles injury but may return this season.
TJ Finley, a college football quarterback, has signed with his seventh college football program. He will play for Incarnate Word in the 2026 season. Over his career, he has frequently transferred between schools using the transfer portal.
Key Facts
TJ Finley is a college football quarterback who has changed schools seven times.
He started his college career with LSU in 2019.
Finley transferred to Auburn, where he was both a backup and a starter.
In 2022, an injury ended his time at Auburn, leading him to transfer again.
He played for Texas State in 2023, setting a school record with 24 touchdown passes.
Finley's stint at Western Kentucky in 2024 was cut short by injury.
He was removed from Tulane's team due to legal issues involving a stolen car.
Finley will now play for the Incarnate Word Cardinals in the 2026 season.
Ohio State wide receiver Mylan Graham has decided to transfer to Notre Dame. He will join another former Ohio State player, Quincy Porter, who also transferred to Notre Dame. Jeremiah Smith, the leading wide receiver for Ohio State, shared the news on social media.
Key Facts
Jeremiah Smith is Ohio State's leading wide receiver and was the top recruit in 2024.
Smith has 163 catches for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in his college career so far.
Mylan Graham, a five-star recruit, has transferred from Ohio State to Notre Dame.
Graham had limited playing time at Ohio State and caught six passes for 93 yards last season.
Another Ohio State player, Quincy Porter, also left for Notre Dame.
Ohio State has a new incoming talent, Chris Henry Jr., who is a highly-ranked recruit.
Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 years. This follows the team's playoff loss to the Houston Texans, and marks the end of his successful tenure, including a Super Bowl win.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin was the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach for 19 years.
He led the team to their sixth Super Bowl victory in 2008.
The Steelers made the playoffs 13 times under his leadership.
President Art Rooney confirmed Tomlin's decision to step down after a playoff loss.
The defeat to the Houston Texans was the seventh consecutive playoff loss for the team.
Fans showed dissatisfaction during the season by chanting 'Fire Tomlin.'
The Steelers will now begin the search for a new head coach.
This is the ninth coaching change in the NFL since the regular season ended.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a star pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is hosting a talk show in Japan with Nike on January 24. Fans can enter a lottery to attend the event, which will also be streamed online. The talk show will focus on Yamamoto's career and mindset that led to his success in baseball.
Key Facts
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He is working with Nike to host a talk show in Japan.
The event will take place on January 24 in Harajuku, Japan.
Fans can apply online from January 12 to January 19 to be part of the live audience.
The audience will be chosen through a lottery, and winners can bring a guest.
The talk show, called "Winner’s Mind," will also be streamed on Instagram.
Yamamoto will discuss his career and mindset as a successful pitcher.
He recently had an impressive performance in the World Series, earning MVP honors.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, two well-known soccer players and former Liverpool teammates, face off again in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. Salah leads Egypt, seeking a long-awaited victory in the tournament, while Mane plays for Senegal, already victorious in previous encounters. Both players are key figures for their national teams and have a history of competitive matches against each other.
Key Facts
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were both star players for Liverpool, achieving significant team successes.
The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is a major soccer tournament in Africa, and Egypt has won it seven times, last winning in 2010.
Salah, at 33 years old, has been a finalist in Afcon but has not yet won the tournament.
Sadio Mane helped Senegal win their first Afcon title in 2021, defeating Egypt in the final.
The 2025 Afcon match between Egypt and Senegal renews the sports rivalry between Salah and Mane.
Salah has scored four goals in the current 2025 tournament, showing strong performance despite recent challenges.
Mane scored the decisive penalty in Senegal's win against Egypt in both Afcon 2021 and the 2022 World Cup qualifying play-off.
Marcus Freeman will stay as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team until at least the 2026 season. Despite interest from NFL teams, Freeman opted to remain at Notre Dame, which did not qualify for the College Football Playoff this year. Freeman has been with Notre Dame since 2021, starting as a defensive coordinator before becoming head coach.
Key Facts
Marcus Freeman will continue as Notre Dame's head coach through at least the 2026 season.
Freeman was linked to potential head coaching roles in the NFL, including with the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Notre Dame did not make it to the College Football Playoff, missing out to teams like Alabama and Miami.
Running back Jeremiyah Love was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this season.
Freeman first joined Notre Dame as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2021.
Notre Dame declined to play in a college bowl game this season.
Freeman is scheduled to address the media in a press conference on Wednesday.
The New York Yankees traded four minor-league players to the Miami Marlins to acquire pitcher Ryan Weathers. Weathers, a 26-year-old with a limited history of major league play, joined the Yankees for their upcoming season. The trade aims to strengthen the Yankees' pitching rotation while two other key pitchers recover from injuries.
Key Facts
The Yankees traded for Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers.
In return, the Yankees gave up four minor-leaguers: Dillon Lewis, Brendan Jones, Dylan Jasso, and Juan Matheus.
Ryan Weathers is 26 years old and was a former top-10 draft pick in 2018.
Weathers has not yet pitched 100 innings in a single major league season.
He has faced injuries, which limited his playtime last season.
The Yankees hope Weathers will support the team while key pitchers are injured.
Dillon Lewis, one of the traded minor-leaguers, showed promise last year with 22 home runs and 26 stolen bases.
LSU is trying to recruit Jordan Seaton, a standout player who has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Seaton, originally committed to Colorado under Deion Sanders, is being pursued by several major college football programs. Offers for Seaton could potentially be in the range of several million dollars due to his strong performance and anticipated NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.
Key Facts
Jordan Seaton, a high-ranked football player, has entered the transfer portal.
Seaton initially committed to play for Deion Sanders at Colorado.
LSU is one of the schools showing strong interest in recruiting him.
Seaton is valued for his performance as an offensive lineman.
He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team in 2025.
Possible offers from schools like LSU and Texas could reach millions, but details are speculative.
Seaton must decide which program to join by mid-January.
Players on national championship teams get an extra five days to make their decision.
Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti discussed the contract situation of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson's contract, which impacts the team's salary budget, needs adjustments to strengthen the roster before the 2026 season. Bisciotti also mentioned the need to resolve this before the NFL Draft and free agency period.
Key Facts
Lamar Jackson is the main player for the Baltimore Ravens.
The team's former coach, John Harbaugh, has been dismissed.
Jackson's contract will account for a $74.5 million impact on the team's spending limit for 2026.
Steve Bisciotti, the Ravens owner, emphasizes the urgency of adjusting Jackson's contract.
Adjusting the contract is necessary to allow the team to recruit new players.
Bisciotti stated he has spoken with Jackson and is willing to modify the contract.
The decision regarding the new head coach ultimately belongs to Bisciotti, despite player input.
The San Antonio Spurs will play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on January 13, 2026. The game is available to watch on FanDuel Sports Network for local viewers and NBC for national viewers, with live streaming options on Fubo and Peacock.
Key Facts
The game takes place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
San Antonio Spurs have won 27 games and lost 12 this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder has won 33 games and lost 7 this season.
The Spurs recently lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a close score of 104-103.
Victor Wembanyama was a standout player for the Spurs with 29 points in the last game.
The Thunder has won their last three games, including a recent victory over the Miami Heat.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 29 points in the Thunder's recent win.
The game can be streamed locally on Fubo and nationally on Peacock.
Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons, a day after the team's playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Former Steelers player Le'Veon Bell reacted on social media, defending Tomlin against some fans who had criticized the coach. Bell had a significant career with the Steelers before leaving for contract reasons.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin resigned as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons.
His resignation followed a playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
Tomlin led the Steelers to 13 playoff appearances and won a Super Bowl in 2009.
Le’Veon Bell, a former Steelers player, defended Tomlin on social media.
Bell and Tomlin had a professional relationship during Bell's six seasons with the team.
Bell held out against a franchise tag in his last season, leading to his departure to the New York Jets.
Some fans had previously called for Tomlin’s firing during the season.
Tomlin might be considered for other NFL coaching positions.
The Phoenix Suns will play against the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET. Fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network Sun or stream it live on Fubo. The Suns come in strong, having won nine of their last eleven games, while the Heat have lost four of their last five matches.
Key Facts
The game is on January 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET.
You can watch it on FanDuel Sports Network Sun or stream via Fubo.
The Phoenix Suns have a record of 24 wins and 15 losses.
The Miami Heat have a record of 20 wins and 19 losses.
The Suns have recently won nine out of their last eleven games.
The Heat have lost four out of their last five games.
Miami is unsure if Norman Powell will play due to a back injury.
Fubo offers a free trial for new users to watch games live.
The New York Golf Club is set to compete against the Jupiter Links Golf Club in a TGL indoor golf match on January 13, 2026. The event will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on Fubo, with veteran players like Rickie Fowler and Max Homa participating. Tiger Woods, a co-owner of Jupiter Links, will not be playing but will provide commentary.
Key Facts
New York Golf Club plays against Jupiter Links on January 13, 2026.
The match starts at 7:00 PM ET and will be shown on ESPN.
New York Golf Club includes players Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Young.
Jupiter Links has Max Homa, Kevin Kisner, and Akshay Bhatia in their lineup.
Tiger Woods co-owns Jupiter Links and will provide commentary but not play.
Fubo offers a live stream of the match to watch online.
The match format is a 15-hole TGL indoor golf style.
New York is slightly favored to win according to betting odds.
Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens, discussed his decision to fire head coach John Harbaugh and expressed his views on team ownership. He mentioned his desire not to follow in the footsteps of his friend Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who continues to manage the team despite not reaching major successes recently.
Key Facts
Steve Bisciotti is the owner of the Baltimore Ravens.
Bisciotti held a press conference to talk about firing head coach John Harbaugh.
He criticized team ownership being passed down to family successors.
Bisciotti mentioned his friend Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, in his comments.
Bisciotti said he wants to win more Super Bowls and retire, rather than holding onto the team indefinitely.
Jerry Jones' team, the Dallas Cowboys, has not reached the NFC Championship since 1996.
Bisciotti plans to find a new head coach for the Ravens, marking the fourth in franchise history.
Mike Tomlin announced he is stepping down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. He leaves the team following a playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Tomlin was a successful coach, with no losing seasons during his time with the Steelers.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin has been the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 19 seasons.
He announced his decision to step down after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans.
During his time as head coach, Tomlin never had a losing season.
He won one Super Bowl with the Steelers.
The Steelers have never fired a head coach in their history.
Tomlin expressed gratitude to the Steelers organization and fans in a public statement.
It is unclear what Tomlin plans to do next, although he may work as a TV analyst or return to coaching later.
