Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s exclusion from the NFL Hall of Fame 2026 class has become a topic of discussion among former players and coaches.
Former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss weighed in on Belichick and Kraft not making the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Moss said the voting process should only involve people from football.
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“If you didn’t play it, if you didn’t coach it, you shouldn’t have a vote,” Moss said.
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Former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton discussed the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s comments on his “4th&1 With Cam Newton” podcast.
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“That ain’t right,” Newton said (Timestamp 1:05:00 onwards). “Because flip side, when we suffer a defeat, we have to talk to you… Bring all selection committees. Don’t matter if it’s the college football, committee. Doesn’t matter if the Hall of Fame committee, doesn’t matter if the All-American committee bring them all to the forefront.
“We live in a world of content. Somebody buy that right to showcase how they do it with juries… It was an ultimate sign of disgrace to not have those specific guys. I don’t care what Deflategate was. I don’t care if you think they cheated.”
Cam Newton’s former Panthers teammate makes Hall of Fame case for ex-MVP
Cam Newton is one of the first-time eligibles on next year’s Hall of Fame ballot. Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, made a case for Newton.
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“That’s what everybody needs to really think about (with) the Hall of Fame, Kuechly said. “And the dominance (with) which he played the game is what I think needs to be talked about the most. He was just so much better than everybody else on the field. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do.”
Elite rider James McDonald succeeded in reducing his whip breach penalty through an appeal process, making him available for the Silver Slipper program at Rosehill.
Racing NSW authorities imposed a 10-day suspension and $20,000 fine on McDonald due to whip overuse riding the Chris Waller runner Fireball in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) from Randwick on Saturday.
Rulings showed nine whip uses prior to the 100m, four over the Australian Rules of Racing cap, amounting to 20 in all.
The jockey conveyed his dismay at the sanction during the stewards’ hearing that day, deeming it “harsh”, and then pursued an appeal before the Racing NSW Appeals Panel on Wednesday.
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The proceeding took under two hours, as stewards highlighted the fault with an unseasoned, young horse.
Upon weighing the evidence, the Panel lowered the ban from 10 to six days while doubling the fine to $40,000.
The season’s premier Sydney jockey gets to ride in the vital Silver Slipper and Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on February 21, with no Saturday metropolitan meetings lost.
Michael Carrick has thrived with Manchester United since stepping up as head coach on an interim basis in January, but the Reds could find it tricky to land him permanently come the end of the season
To date, Carrick is unbeaten at the helm of the United first-team, thanks to convincing wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Spurs, as well as a 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday evening. As a result of his flying form, there is speculation that United could opt to offer the head coach a permanent role this summer.
However, they could face competition from Spurs for Carrick’s signature, if recent reports are anything to go by. Thomas Frank was handed his walking papers from the club on Wednesday morning after a disastrous eight-month stint in north London.
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After going eight Premier League matches without a win, leaving Tottenham languishing in 16th in the standings and facing a growing chance of relegation, the Spurs board decided on a change of direction.
While there was speculation that the club would appoint a permanent manager to take up tenure ahead of next weekend’s North London Derby, it now appears that the once dominant force are following in the footsteps of United.
Reports suggest that former Juventus boss, Igor Tudor, will arrive in the capital to steer the ship until season’s end on an interim basis, when Spurs will also consider their options going forward.
The Athletic also claim that the 47-year-old may not have the option to take up a permanent role this summer.
Instead, TEAMtalk report that Spurs could eye up the prospect of securing Carrick’s services this summer, with further suggestions that the club considered taking a gamble with the former Middlesbrough manager ahead of their appointment of Frank.
It comes as a number of experienced names have been linked with taking up a role at United this summer, from Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate to the likes of Luis Enrique and Andoni Iraola.
Carrick, meanwhile, has also emerged as a candidate to extend his own stay at Old Trafford, dependent on how he fares over the next 12 matches. However, the Reds have been dealt a couple of hammer blows in terms of managers ruling themselves out of the running as of late.
Roberto De Zerbi has also found himself linked with Spurs after leaving his post with Marseille the same day Frank was sacked. There’s no doubt that Carrick will not be focused on the outside noise, however, instead dedicating his full attention to securing the best-possible finish for United.
Up next for United is a trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton come Monday, February 23. Currently fourth in the Premier League standings and looking at a real possibility of securing Champions League football for 2026/27, Manchester United will look to hold their position while amping up the pressure on a top three of Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has criticised the referee after his side beat Bologna on penalties in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
Sarri said Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson should have been sent off for a foul on Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the first half.
Dele-Bashiru, who started the match and played the full game, was pulled back as he ran towards goal, but no red card was given.
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“Much worse has happened to us,” Sarri said.
“This guy is at fault and he blows his whistle in other areas of the pitch, but not there. Because if he blows his whistle there, he should give a red card. But the foul is there.”
Bologna scored first through Santiago Castro, but Lazio equalised in the second half when Tijjani Noslin finished a cross from Dele-Bashiru.
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The match ended 1-1 and went to penalties, where Lazio won the shootout to reach the semi-finals.
The victory also extended Lazio’s unbeaten run away from home to six matches.
Fabio Wardley has booked his first heavyweight world title defence, a cracking match-up against Daniel Dubois.
The champion from Ipswich beat Joseph Parker last year to take the WBO interim belt and was upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk decided to vacate. The Ukrainian was coming off the back of a stoppage win over Dubois, who has been out of the ring since but will look to bounce back in the biggest way with this shot at Wardley.
The fight is fantastic news for fans, and Wardley should be commended for not opting for a lesser challenge. As well as being an all-British affair, the pair are two of the division’s most destructive punchers, with 40 knockouts between them. Following reports that both had signed, Queensberry Promotions has now made the news official and announced the fight for May 9 at the Co-op Live, Manchester.
Fans, analysts and fighters are split on who comes out on top, with many feeling Wardley’s momentum and grit can see him keep his undefeated record against ‘Dynamite’ Dubois, who has been stopped in all three of his defeats so far. The challenger, however, would be quick to remind us of an impressive run of wins against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua to become champion himself in 2024. He will be the the first truly elite puncher Wardley has faced.
This announcement only adds to what looks to be a standout year for boxing’s top division. It will follow Tyson Fury’s comeback – who may target the winner if he comes through – as well as a veteran’s affair between Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Throw in the continued rise of Moses Itauma and whatever Usyk decides to do, as well as Agit Kabayel’s title charge, and the heavyweight division is booming.
Former Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has said Ademola Lookman decided to play for Nigeria after he failed to get a call-up from England.
Lookman was born in London to Nigerian parents and was eligible to play for both countries. He represented England at youth level and won the 2017 U-20 World Cup, scoring three goals in the tournament.
However, he switched his international allegiance to Nigeria in 2020 and made his senior debut in 2022.
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Peseiro revealed that the winger was disappointed after England stopped calling him up.
“He was just a kid, but he always told me how sad he was because after winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017 and reaching the Under-21s, England stopped calling him up,” Peseiro said.
“He didn’t understand it; he thought he had a future there, but he had to accept it.
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So, since his parents were Nigerian, he accepted the call a few months before I arrived.”
The Portuguese coach added that Lookman struggled at first with Nigeria but improved after he became a regular starter.
“Although he had made his debut, he didn’t always play. I saw his potential, made him a consistent starter, and he exploded,” Peseiro said.
“He began to have fantastic seasons and was crucial in getting us to the Africa Cup of Nations final and in Atalanta winning the Europa League with his three goals.”
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Lookman has become one of Nigeria’s key players, scoring several goals and assists for the Super Eagles. He recently joined Atletico Madrid and is expected to play an important role for the Spanish club.
Nothing says happy new year quite like the arrival of Bernhard Langer in a media center at a senior event in Florida, and there Langer was the other day, 68 years old and still very much at it, taking questions about the state of his game in the preamble to the Chubb Classic presented by Servpro at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, a two-hour cross-state drive from Langer’s home in Boca Raton.
I am not there this year but I’ve been there in the past and if you like your golf tournaments mellow and under control — well, let me just say this: the Chubb Classic presented by Servpro at the Tiburón Golf Club in Naples will never be confused for the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Black course at the Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.
The last question posed to Langer was a doozy, a classic example of a category we like to call Only in Golf.
Tiger Woods turned 50 and he may be competing with you this year. Do you see yourself trying to beat him?
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Langer: ”I try to beat everybody. It doesn’t matter who comes out here. The goal is to win. If you want to win, you need to beat him. So yes, that would be the goal.
“But my goal is not to play against Tiger Woods. My goal is to play against the golf course and myself and shoot the lowest score and then see if anybody can match that. If Tiger Woods is better, so be it.
“I’m sure we’re going to have some good matches. I hope he comes out. I hope he’s healthy enough. Nobody knows. He won’t let us know until a few weeks before. Usually that’s how he works.
“But it would be a thrill to play against him again.
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“We had a great time about a year and a half ago when we played the PNC Championship together on Sunday, when he played with Charlie, his son, and I had Jason, my son, and we spent a Sunday together. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed each other’s company.”
Three quick notes.
I. Langer, born and raised in German, speaks perfect, precise English without a wasted word.
III. It is conceivable that Langer and Woods could play in the same senior event and Langer could finish ahead of Woods, despite the 18-year age gap. But not likely.
For totally unscientific comparison, I looked at the 11 major events in which Woods and Langer played in the same fields since Langer turned 50, in the summer of 2007.
For instance, in April 2008, Langer missed the cut at the Masters and Woods finished in a tie for second.
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In 2018, Langer — at age 60! — had a T38 finish at Augusta and a T24 finish at the British Open. But Woods, on another of his many comeback journeys that year, went T32 and T6, respectively, at those same events.
Langer is 1-for-11 in this odd comparison. In 2020, he had a T29 finish at the Masters and Woods, as the defending winner, had a T38 finish, when he famously made a 10 on the par-3 12th hole on Sunday.
Could it happen? Could Langer finish ahead of Woods in (for the sake of argument) a 72-hole, walking-only senior major, the senior events he would be most likely to play? Of course. Will it happen? It would be fun to see.
In the meantime, two quick images that tell you something about these two World Golf Hall of Famers.
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When Woods won the 2019 Masters, there was a congo line of players waiting to high-five, fist-bump and bro-hug the winner on his way to the scoring room. Langer was the last person Woods saw before ducking into the clubhouse, scorecard in hand. They shook hands in a manner Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer would have recognized.
When Langer made a putt to win the 2024 PNC to secure a father-son win Tiger and Charlie Woods, as best I can tell, said this to Langer: “Bernhard? You’re the best. You’re the best, dude. Awesome.”
Well, that was Tiger at a glorified exhibition. A U.S. Senior Open is a whole different thing.
Manchester United will look to appoint a permanent head coach this summer but their options are running out.
17:58, 13 Feb 2026
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is running out of friends fast. And he’s also running out of options when it comes to finding the next permanent manager of Manchester United.
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Ratcliffe has had the kind of week that cannot come to an end soon enough. His cretinous comments claiming immigrants have colonised the UK have ostracised the billionaire who lives in Monaco from his own club.
To such an extent that United put out a statement in response to Ratcliffe’s remarks – and didn’t even bother to mention him. But once he has picked himself up from the bus United threw him under, Ratcliffe will discover his problems are mounting.
And we’re not talking about his reputation being in tatters, or the fact that he is facing an FA investigation into suggestions he’s brought the game into disrepute. Should he still be one of United’s co-owners this summer, and there are now serious doubts this will be the case in light of recent events, he has to announce a long-term replacement for the sacked Ruben Amorim.
And some of the names on his shortlist can now have a red line struck through them. Thomas Tuchel was United’s preferred choice, but he has just signed a new contract to continue as England boss after the World Cup.
Should England fail in North America this summer, Tuchel could well be sacked and would be available again. But this is not expected to happen.
Carlo Ancelotti is another target of United’s, but is poised to sign a new deal to continue as Brazil manager. Gareth Southgate, who still has admirers in the United boardroom, is not interested in the job.
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Unai Emery has no intention of being persuaded to leave Aston Villa, while Oliver Glasner’s stock has fallen almost as fast in recent weeks as Ratcliffe’s has in this one. Luis Enrique has been spoken to, but is poised to extend his deal with Paris Saint-Germain instead.
Julian Nagelsmann, meanwhile, is under contract with Germany unit 2028. In short, all roads appear to be leading towards Michael Carrick.
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Through no fault of his own, the former United midfielder is now in pole position to get the job on a full-time basis. Not because he has gone five games unbeaten since becoming interim manager, but because his potential rivals for the job are all ruling themselves out, for different reasons. Carrick might just be the best choice anyway, considering the impact he has made in recent weeks.
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But at this rate, he might also become the only choice.
As Arsenal prepare to take on Brentford tonight, the stakes in the Premier League title race couldn’t be higher. Mikel Arteta’s side, currently sitting at the top of the table with a three-point lead over Manchester City, will know that any slip-up tonight could see their advantage reduced to just one point.
With City’s recent surge in form which brought a 3-0 win against Fulham last night, the pressure is firmly on Arteta and his players to deliver a result and maintain their position in the race for the title.
The Importance of Tonight’s Game
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With just a few months remaining in the season, every match is crucial, but tonight’s encounter against Brentford could be a defining moment for Arsenal. A win would put them six points clear of Manchester City, giving them some breathing room at the top and keeping them firmly in control of their destiny. However, a loss would hand City the momentum they need to close the gap, reducing Arsenal’s lead to a slim three points and raising questions about their ability to withstand the pressure in the home stretch of the season.
Manchester City’s recent performance has only added to the intensity of the title race. Pep Guardiola’s side produced a clinical 3-0 victory over Fulham, with goals from Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, and Nico O’Reilly putting them back in the hunt. City’s dominant display sliced Arsenal’s lead to just three points, making tonight’s game for the Gunners all the more important. If Arsenal can’t secure a win, they could be left in a precarious position, with City lurking just behind and the pressure mounting.
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City pile the pressure on Arteta’s men
Mikel Arteta knows the pressure is mounting. After an impressive start to the season, Arsenal’s title challenge has been questioned in recent weeks, particularly with their inability to pull away from the chasing pack. The Gunners have suffered from inconsistent performances, and their lead at the top has been trimmed by City’s recent form. Arteta will be keen to maintain the momentum from their solid start and prevent City from closing in any further.
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The pressure on Arteta has also been fueled by City’s recent resurgence. The Premier League champions are looking as dangerous as ever, with Haaland finding his form again and new signings making an immediate impact. Guardiola’s team is known for their ability to maintain high levels of performance in the final stages of the season, and Arsenal must keep their nerve if they are to fend off City’s challenge.
Arsenal’s road to victory
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To keep their six-point advantage, Arsenal must capitalize on their home advantage against Brentford. The Bees have proven to be a tough opponent this season, but Arteta will be hoping his team can produce a performance worthy of a title contender. Key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus will need to step up and lead by example. Arsenal’s defense, which has been solid for much of the season, will need to remain resolute against Brentford’s counter-attacking threat.
The Gunners’ attacking prowess will also be critical. While the pressure is on Arsenal to win, Arteta’s tactical approach has often been characterized by fluid attacking play and dominating possession. Against Brentford, the key will be to break down a disciplined defensive unit and make sure that any chances that come their way are converted.
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PL Title Race far from over
While Arsenal’s lead may be under threat, it’s important to remember that the title race is far from over. With just a few months remaining, City and Arsenal will continue to push each other to the limit. A win tonight would not only boost Arsenal’s title hopes but also send a message to Manchester City that they are not willing to relinquish their top spot without a fight. On the other hand, a slip-up could open the door for City to pounce and reduce Arsenal’s lead to a bare minimum, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the season.
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As Arsenal face Brentford tonight, the entire footballing world will be watching closely. With so much on the line, the Gunners have a chance to extend their lead, but they must deliver a performance that lives up to their title aspirations.
;)
