Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 sparked a cultural conversation. He aimed to highlight social issues like racial injustice and police brutality. However, the focus shifted to the nature of his protest, with critics labeling it disrespectful. This controversy, fueled by political figures and public backlash, overshadowed his football career, leading to his departure from the NFL. Despite this, Kaepernick remains committed to activism, inspiring others and creating initiatives to promote social justice. Supporters say his legacy endures as a symbol of standing up for one's beliefs, even at great personal cost.
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Open was a week old by the time Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz opened their title defenses. What once was a two-week quest for a Grand Slam championship now extends into a third week, and when U.S. Tennis Association CEO Craig Tiley was asked how he hoped to continue that growth, he smiled and said "four weeks.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic grinded through physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find what it took to beat a feisty, younger opponent who was not intimidated under the lights against tennis’ most decorated player. The 39-year-old is out of the U.S. Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career and became his earliest exit in one in two decades, dating to the 2006 Australian Open.
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams had her 26th U.S. Open appearance delayed until after midnight. Then the 46-year-old lost in straight sets in what could be her final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. Williams was beaten 6-2, 7-6 (6) by fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin early Monday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium. At 12:13 a.m., it was the latest start to a match in U.S. Open history. It was also the latest first-round finish, men's or women's.
A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum will miss the FIBA Women’s World Cup for health reasons and will be replaced by Washington teammates Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, USA Basketball announced Monday. Wilson, the four-time WNBA MVP, has shouldered quite a workload in the first part of the season for the Las Vegas Aces and just needed a break to rest and get ready for the playoffs. She was voted the most outstanding player of the 2024 Paris Olympics and will be sorely missed by the U.S. Plum has been dealing with a calf injury for most of the WNBA season and it still hasn’t 100% healed. She was a catalyst in the Paris Games gold-medal contest against France and sparked the Americans to the one-point victory.
Chris Sale struck out 11 in a five-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Atlanta left-hander lowered his ERA to 2.06. Only Jacob Misiorowski’s is better, and Sale may be the only one capable of pushing the Milwaukee ace in the Cy Young race. At the very least, Sale has a good chance to post his eighth top-five finish in a Cy Young vote. He won in 2024, his first season with the Braves. The 37-year-old Sale doesn’t have as much Cy Young hardware as Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer. But if he can pitch into his 40s like they have, his Hall of Fame case could look pretty solid.
The number of walk-ons in college football are declining as teams draw closer to the 105-man roster limit. Carson Kolb spent the first two years of his career as a walk-on at Oregon State and walked on again at Oklahoma State before the Cowboys put him on scholarship this summer. He said he wouldn't be playing football anymore if not given the opportunity as a walk-on. Some programs at the bottom of the FBS and in lower divisions probably will continue to take walk-ons because they won’t be able to give even a partial scholarship to every player.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Donald has returned to the Los Angeles Rams, ending his retirement after 2 1/2 years. The Rams announced the 35-year-old Donald’s decision following several weeks of discussion, preparation and contemplation for the star defensive lineman. Donald became one of the greatest defensive players of his era during his first 10 seasons spent entirely with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He won three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards while earning 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring before he retired somewhat abruptly in March 2024.
ATLANTA (AP) — Scottie Scheffler is the FedEx Cup champion for the second time. His victory Sunday in the Tour Championship also moves him past Tiger Woods atop the PGA Tour career earnings list. Scheffler began the final round three shots behind Viktor Hovland. He caught Hovland in four holes, took the lead for the first time on the 13th and the Norwegian couldn't catch the No. 1 player in the world. Scheffler won for the third time this season and ended any debate about who had the best year on tour. Scheffler also won the FedEx Cup in 2024.
ATLANTA (AP) — Scottie Scheffler not only is the FedEx Cup champion for a second time. He now leads the PGA Tour in career earnings at just over $130 million. Tiger Woods had held the mark for nearly 26 years. Scheffler has said it's not a fair comparison because of the big money in golf today. And he says Woods is the reason prize money started going up in the first place. The PGA Tour had 15 tournaments on the schedule worth at least $20 million in prize money this year. Woods never played for a $10 million purse in his peak years.
Finals
INTERLEAGUE
Final L.A. Dodgers 6 Detroit 1
Final Tampa Bay 5 San Diego 4
Final Texas 7 Milwaukee 4
Final Houston 6 N.Y. Mets 3
Final Philadelphia 5 L.A. Angels 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Cleveland 11 Kansas City 1
Final Toronto 7 Seattle 0
Final N.Y. Yankees 16 Boston 1
Final Minnesota 5 Chicago White Sox 1
Final Baltimore 8 Athletics 5
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Miami 6 Washington 2
Final Atlanta 3 Colorado 2
Final Pittsburgh 5 St. Louis 4
Final Cincinnati 7 Chicago Cubs 5