LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Portuguese soccer federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the player for walking out on the team. The federation says ithe case has been referred to its disciplinary investigation committee and that its findings will remain confidential until its findings are determined. The 41-year-old Ronaldo left the Portugal team camp during the international window in a dispute with new coach Jorge Jesus over a lack of playing time. Ronaldo said he expected a suspension under federation rules but promised his fans “we will have one or more farewell matches.”
Week 6 of college football features a major SEC showdown between No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama. The game takes place Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, with a hurricane churning along the Gulf Coast. Both teams are undefeated, and the winner gains an edge for the SEC championship and College Football Playoff seeding. Georgia hasn't won in Tuscaloosa since 2007. Alabama boasts Heisman contender Keelon Russell. Other notable games include Wake Forest at N.C. State, Texas vs. Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, and UCLA visiting Oregon.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kayla Thornton scored 18 points and the second-year Golden State Valkyries became the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime Friday night in Game 3. The second-seeded Valkyries will have home-court advantage and will host No. 4 Atlanta beginning Oct. 17. The Dream swept New York earlier in the night, and now teams are 22-0 in playoff history when leading a series 2-0. Las Vegas, which was seeded third, had won three of the past four championships. A’ja Wilson, honored before night’s game for winning an unprecedented fifth MVP, scored 21 points, but on 6-for-19 shooting for the Aces.
NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Reese scored 22 points, Rhyne Howard added 21 and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 on Friday night to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The fourth-seeded Dream completed the three-game sweep of the Liberty and haven’t lost in the postseason this season. They will face Golden State, which swept Las Vegas, in the WNBA Finals beginning Saturday, Oct. 17. The Dream hadn’t reached the semifinals since 2018 before this season. Now they’ll try to win the franchise’s first championship with four more wins.
Mike Ditka, known as "Iron Mike," has died at 86. Ditka revolutionized the tight end position and became the iconic coach of the Chicago Bears, leading them to a Super Bowl victory. Tributes have poured in from across the sports world. The Bears praised his immeasurable impact on the organization. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell highlighted Ditka's intensity and authenticity. The New Orleans Saints remembered his time as their head coach. ESPN colleagues recalled his larger-than-life presence. Ditka's legacy as a player, coach and ambassador for football will be cherished for generations.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference college football game between Georgia and Alabama remains scheduled for Saturday night despite Hurricane Isaias' arrival on the U.S. Gulf Coast. President Trump announced Friday that he will not attend the game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to allow first responders to focus on the storm. Forecasters have warned of significant storm surge, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. ESPN's “College GameDay” show has moved indoors, and Alabama officials have shortened tailgating hours. Georgia's travel plans remain unchanged. The game is one of the biggest of the season, with both teams highly ranked.
CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Ditka, who personified the toughness and grit of Chicago in a Hall of Fame career as a player and coach of the Bears and the leader of arguably the most dominant team in NFL history, has died. He was 86. Nicknamed “Iron Mike” as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight end position. He was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago’s coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game’s most dominant defenses ever. After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur and TV personality.
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Bear Bachmeier threw for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 8 BYU to a 24-10 victory over Iowa State on Friday night. Bachmeier completed 22 of 30 passes en route to his fourth career 300-yard game. He also ran for a career-best 109 yards to help the Cougars (5-0, 3-0 Big 12) overcome the absence of running back LJ Martin. It was the second straight season Bachmeier threw for more than 300 yards against Iowa State (3-3, 1-2) and his first career 100-yard game on the ground. Jaylen Raynor threw for 98 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cyclones. Aiden Flora added 86 yards on the ground but had only 11 rushing yards before halftime.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Donald’s back is feeling much better after a week of rest and treatment, and he plans to play for the Rams against the Buffalo Bills after he missed Los Angeles’ previous game. His dream pairing with Myles Garrett still does not appear to be in the Rams’ immediate future, however. Donald’s first injury setback during his comeback from a 2 1/2-year retirement does not appear to be serious, the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle said Friday after he went through a full practice at the Rams’ training complex with no setbacks. But the Rams haven't indicated when Garrett could be ready to return from knee surgery.
LONDON (AP) — Eagles fans from both the U.K. and U.S. have a go-to sports bar in London ahead of Philadelphia's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. It's called Passyunk Avenue. It's a self-described dive bar named after a well-known South Philadelphia street. Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers paraphernalia cover the walls and ceilings. Cheesesteaks are on the menu. U.S. dollar bills with written messages are pinned to the walls. There’s an unopened DVD set of “Rocky” movies. The hole-in-the-wall spot in swanky Fitzrovia opened in 2018 and they’ve added several other London locations. Travis and Jason Kelce recorded an episode of their podcast at the Fitzrovia location in 2024
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Seattle 6 Detroit 3
Final Washington 3 N-Y Rangers 1
Final SO Columbus 3 Pittsburgh 2
Final Anaheim 5 Winnipeg 1
TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Final (20)Iowa 41 Washington 24