PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has won The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying with Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods for most among male honorees. Ohtani received 29 of 47 votes in balloting among sports journalists from the AP and its members. The AP award has been given out since 1931. The Japanese baseball superstar's two-way dominance culminated in a repeat World Series title for his Los Angeles Dodgers. Among Ohtani's goals for 2026 are staying healthy so he can play in every game and to keep working on his English-speaking skills so he bridge the gap with his U.S. fans.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Cameron Dicker kicked a decisive 54-yard field goal, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 22-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers overcame a penalty that gave the Eagles a chance on 4th and 4. Tony Jefferson intercepted Jalen Hurts at the 1-yard line to seal the victory. Hurts threw four interceptions, and the Eagles committed five turnovers. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles have now lost three in a row and are 8-5. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 138 yards and a touchdown and Dicker had five field goals. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made four field goals, but it wasn't enough. The Chargers improved to 9-4.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Unable to wrap your hands around the season’s hottest gift? The Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles feel your pain. Three turnovers on a single play Monday night unfolded like a white elephant gift exchange. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts finished the night with four interceptions and a fumble, including a pick that ended the Chargers’ 22-19 victory in overtime. Hurts’ second-quarter pass to A.J. Brown was intercepted by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand at the Los Angeles 17-yard line. Hand fumbled at the 24-yard line when he was hit by the Eagles’ Will Shipley. Hurts had the ball return to his hands at the 33 but he fumbled it when he was hit by the Chargers’ Jamaree Caldwell. The Chargers’ Troy Dye secured the ball tightly at the 43-yard line.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts may be turning back the clock with their top two quarterbacks hurt. They're bringing in 44-year-old Philip Rivers for a workout Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the details confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday night. The person requested anonymity because no official announcement had been made. Rivers last played in the NFL in 2020 and has been coaching an Alabama prep team since 2021. The move comes hours after Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed quarterback Daniel Jones has a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon and that and backup Riley Leonard hurt his right knee in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville. Indy has lost three straight and four of five as its once-promising playoff hopes have faded quickly.
Kevin Stefanski has chosen Shedeur Sanders as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback for the season's final stretch. On Sunday, Sanders led the Browns with four touchdown drives and 364 passing yards. However, he was on the sideline during a crucial 2-point conversion attempt that against Tennessee. The Browns lost the chance to tie when a Wildcat formation play failed. Stefanski took responsibility for the decision. Sanders expressed a desire to have the ball in his hands during critical moments. Meanwhile, Kansas City's Andy Reid faced criticism for a risky fourth-down call that contributed to the Chiefs' loss to Houston.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan's attorneys are under pressure to wrap up their case in the federal antitrust trial against NASCAR. The trial, which began last week, has seen slow progress, prompting the judge to urge both sides to speed up. On Monday, an economist testified that NASCAR owes $364.7 million to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in a revenue-sharing dispute. The economist claims NASCAR used anticompetitive practices, shorting teams over a billion dollars from 2021 to 2024. NASCAR disputes these findings and plans to present its own expert witnesses. The trial highlights ongoing tensions over NASCAR's charter agreement.
Rick Carlisle is on the brink of a major milestone in NBA coaching history. He is set to achieve his 1,000th career win, becoming the 11th coach to do so. Carlisle, who currently coaches Indiana, has a career record of 999-878. He joins a prestigious group that includes Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson. On Monday, Indiana defeated Sacramento 116-105. Carlisle's coaching style has evolved, but his commitment to playing the right way remains. His teams have made more three-pointers than any other coach's teams. Miami's Erik Spoelstra could be the next to reach this milestone.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't sure about restrictions for Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani had elbow surgery in September 2023 and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Roberts says discussions about their participation are ongoing. Ohtani, a four-time MVP, might focus on hitting rather than pitching for Japan in the WBC. Roberts emphasized the importance of representing their country but acknowledged potential costs. The Dodgers plan to have Ohtani in the starting rotation next season, with a flexible schedule to keep him rested.
After leaving Mohamed Salah at home, Liverpool needs to show it can win without the Egyptian forward as Arne Slot’s team takes on Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. On a night when Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Tottenham are all in action, the focus is on Liverpool after Salah said Saturday it “seems like the club has thrown me under the bus.” Liverpool’s response was to leave him out of the squad for its trip to Italy.
NEW YORK (AP) — Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy given to the top player in college football. The Heisman Trophy Trust announced this year's four finalists Monday night. They are invited to New York for the award presentation Saturday night. Mendoza and Sayin lead teams ranked 1-2 in the College Football Playoff bracket.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Toronto 2 Tampa Bay 0
Final Los Angeles 4 Utah 2
Final Calgary 7 Buffalo 4
Final Detroit 4 Vancouver 0
Final Minnesota 4 Seattle 1
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final OT L.A. Chargers 22 Philadelphia 19