SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Maybe the game itself will live up to the hype, because Super Bowl Opening Night was calmer than usual. Drake Maye and the New England Patriots take on Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The media frenzy that kicks off the week’s festivities on Monday night was smaller, quieter and far less outrageous than it has been in recent years. The crowd inside the San Jose Convention Center didn’t compare to the thousands of fans who've attended when it’s been held in larger arenas.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The NFL released a statement Monday on New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, whose name showed up more than 400 times in files released by the U.S. Justice Department regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The statement said the NFL is aware of the reports and will look into the matter "to understand the facts.” The statement came before Commissioner Roger Goodell was scheduled to hold his annual state of the league address to kick off Super Bowl week.
NEW YORK (AP) — Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca have been chosen as the U.S. flagbearers for the Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.Jackson is the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Del Duca, a sergeant in the Army, is the first bobsledder in 70 years to carry the flag.The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced the names on Tuesday.Del Duca, with deep Italian roots, finds the opportunity especially meaningful as the games are in Italy. The opening ceremony will be unique, with events spread across several Italian cities.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said there have been no discussions with the union about adding an 18th game to the season and said lengthening the season again was not inevitable. The NFL added a 17th game in 2021 and Goodell has expressed interest in the past about adding an 18th game in place of one of the three exhibition games each team plays every season. Goodell said a number of issues would have to be discussed with the union before an 18th game was added, including whether a second bye week was needed and the size of rosters.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Super Bowl often highlights star players, but lesser-known athletes can make a big impact. Milton Williams helped the Eagles win last year, leading to a contract with New England. Kansas City relied on unsung heroes in previous victories. This Sunday, New England's Mack Hollins and Seattle's Drake Thomas could shine. Hollins has been a reliable receiver, while Thomas is a key defensive player. New England's Craig Woodson and Seattle's Michael Dickson also have potential to influence the game. New England's Khyiris Tonga and Seattle's George Holani might play crucial roles as well.
Her first career podium. The women’s World Cup wins mark. A course-record 12 victories. The family reunions. Lindsey Vonn is attempting to recover from a left knee injury in time to try and win an Olympic medal next weekend at age 41. She wants to return to the resort hosting women’s races at the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Vonn is the queen of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the resort known as “the Queen of the Dolomites.” She says “I don’t think I would have tried this comeback if the Olympics weren’t in Cortina.”
The NBA season is heating up with the trade deadline on Thursday and the All-Star Game on February 15. No playoff spots are locked, but teams like Oklahoma City, Detroit, San Antonio, Denver, New York, and Boston seem secure. Meanwhile, Utah, Brooklyn, and others face challenges. Historically, teams with certain characteristics at the 50-game mark often win championships. They must be over .500, have over 30 wins, outscore opponents by five points per game, and have a strong rebound differential. And all respect to OKC, those rules narrow the contenders to Detroit, New York, Houston, and San Antonio. History suggests these teams have a realistic shot.
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Kansas standout freshman Darryn Peterson finally finished a game for the No. 11 Jayhawks. And he finished off No. 13 Texas Tech with two 3-pointers in the final 1:20 of a 64-61 road win Monday night. Peterson scored 19 points while playing a season-high 35 minutes, with his only field goals in the second half those late 3s. Two days earlier, Peterson scored 18 points in the first half but didn’t play the final 16:46 of a win over then-No. 13 BYU because of cramping. The 6-foot-5 guard has dealt with ankle, hamstring and calf injuries while missing 10 games for 17-5 Kansas.
ATLANTA (AP) — Tuskegee men's basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed after intervening in an incident involving his team and members of Morehouse's basketball and football teams over the weekend. A statement from his attorney says Taylor was concerned about Morehouse football players acting aggressively toward Tuskegee players and their parents during postgame handshakes Saturday. The statement says the football players' presence during the postgame handshake is prohibited by conference-mandated security protocols. After Taylor asked a second officer to enforce those protocols, the officer handcuffed him and escorted him from the court. On Monday, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference fined Morehouse for failing to meet mandated conference safety standards.
Arizona remains the unanimous No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll. Michigan jumped to second place after wins over Nebraska and Michigan State. The Wildcats, off to a school-record 22-0 start, earned all 59 votes to stay atop the poll for the eighth week. UConn, Duke and Illinois round out the top five. Kansas climbs three spots to No. 11 after a win over BYU and ahead of a big showdown with Texas Tech. Tennessee returns to the poll at No. 25, replacing Alabama, which had a 42-week poll streak snapped. The Big 12 leads with six teams in the Top 25. Arizona and No. 23 Miami (Ohio) are the only unbeaten teams left in Division I.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Ottawa 3 Pittsburgh 2
Final Washington 4 N-Y Islanders 1
Final Buffalo 5 Florida 3
Final OT Minnesota 4 Montreal 3
Final Nashville 6 St. Louis 5
Final OT Dallas 4 Winnipeg 3
Final Chicago 6 San Jose 3
Final Detroit 2 Colorado 0
Final Utah 6 Vancouver 2
Final Toronto 4 Calgary 2
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (11)Kansas 64 (13)Texas Tech 61
Final (14)North Carolina 87 Syracuse 77