12:08 PM ET Veteran safety Antoine Bethea announced his retirement Thursday after 14 NFL seasons. Bethea, 36, made the announcement on social media, thanking each of the organizations he played for — the Indianapolis Colts (eight seasons), San Francisco 49ers (three seasons), Arizona Cardinals (two seasons) and New York Giants (one season). He ended his
Month: January 2021
1:09 PM ET The Buffalo Bills administered more than 5,000 COVID-19 tests in their stadium parking lot on Wednesday alone as they prepare to host about 6,700 fans for Saturday’s playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. Bills owner and team president Kim Pegula told ESPN in a phone interview Wednesday that the New York State
12:02 PM ET PITTSBURGH — Other than friends and family, the Pittsburgh Steelers will not permit fans at Heinz Field for the playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night. There had been hope within the organization that the state would grant approval for a limited crowd — similar to the 5,500 capacity permitted
12:11 PM ET The world’s biggest mixed-martial-arts promotion is adding to its contribution toward a long-running brain study. The UFC is donating an extra $1 million to the Cleveland Clinic to help fund brain health research for the next five years, the promotion announced Thursday. The Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in
11:57 AM ET Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond is bypassing his extra year of eligibility and entering the NFL draft. Mond, a senior who started all four years for A&M, made the announcement Thursday morning on Twitter. Thank You Aggieland! 👍🏽 pic.twitter.com/p3U0ak20Lt — K M o n d (@TheKellenMond) January 7, 2021 This season, Mond
11:32 AM ET The status of Alabama receiver and return specialist Jaylen Waddle remains “up in the air” for Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship against Ohio State, coach Nick Saban said Thursday. Saban said Waddle has practiced this week but will probably be a game-day decision. “I don’t have any crystal ball to know,”
11:12 AM ET Adam Rittenberg Close ESPN Senior Writer College football reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University. Mark Schlabach Close ESPN Senior Writer Senior college football writer Author of seven books on college football Graduate of the University of Georgia South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and offensive line coach Will Friend
11:47 AM GMT Former Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has joined Andy Farrell’s coaching team as forwards coach, Irish Rugby said in a statement on Thursday. O’Connell, who was capped 108 times and captained Ireland to their 2014 Six Nations triumph, will take up the new role immediately, with Simon Easterby switching his focus to defence.
10:08 AM ET PHILADELPHIA — Eagles senior offensive assistant Rich Scangarello and senior offensive consultant Marty Mornhinweg are on expiring contracts and will not return to Philadelphia, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. These departures follow the news that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will not return in 2021 and are part of a larger coaching staff
10:13 AM ET Tennessee-Chattanooga on Thursday fired assistant coach Chris Malone after a racially charged tweet in which he mocked Georgia politician and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams. Head coach Rusty Wright and athletic director Mark Wharton both issued statements admonishing Malone, who has deleted the tweet. Malone, Tennessee-Chattanooga’s offensive line coach, tweeted Tuesday night