The opening day of on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis presented defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Some prospects uplifted their stock with standout efforts while others caused teams to go back and look at their college film with a fine tooth comb.
Here are some of the intriguing things from Thursday’s on-field drills for the linebacker position, beginning with the measurements and testing numbers of the top prospects in CBS Sports’ top 50 rankings, courtesy of NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner:
Ohio State first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Sonny Styles entered the combine as a projected top-10 pick, and after displaying jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism with a 43.5-inch vertical, he may be making a case to go in the top five in April, positional value be damned. NFL Media reported fellow linebackers were rooting him on and jumping in unison during his attempt. He blew away his positional peers.
His 11-foot-2 broad jump put an exclamation point on his elite athleticism. Styles recorded the highest vertical jump by a player 6-foot-4 or taller since at least 2003, when NFL Network began collecting combine data.
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His combine performance was so explosive that he tested similarly to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, the artist formerly known as Megatron.
That helped him generate a nearly perfect Relative Athletic Score, ranking as the No. 4 linebacker in the metric since 1987.
Anthony Hill Jr. is similar to Arvell Reese as a linebacker with edge-rush experience, though he is not quite on the same level as Reese or Styles. Still, he acquitted himself well Thursday. A 4.51-second 40-yard dash at Hill’s size is a strong result, and his 9.93 Relative Athletic Score reflects an excellent day in Indianapolis.
He remains a tier below Styles, who delivered a historic performance, but Hill’s showing was strong enough to earn a B+.
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Grade: B
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Jake Golday measured and jumped well at the combine. He did not get out of the blocks quickly in the 40-yard dash, as reflected in his early split times, but he showcased strong closing speed to finish with a 4.62. Overall, Golday helped himself Thursday.
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Grade: N/A — Josiah Trotter opted out of doing on-field drills on Thursday.
Texas Tech‘s Jacob Rodriguez was the most decorated linebacker in college football in 2025. He earned the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), the Dick Butkus Award (top linebacker), the Vince Lombardi Award (top lineman), unanimous All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
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His tape is outstanding, and he moved smoothly during Thursday’s workouts in Indianapolis, posting a 38.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. Rodriguez’s measurables were decent, but the way he moves — combined with his production at Texas Tech — earns him a B grade.
Eric Gentry is a certified freak. He is both the tallest linebacker and owns the largest wingspan recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine since NFL Media began tracking data in 2003. A creative defensive coordinator could have plenty of fun deploying him at the next level.
Edelschnee is a local specialty item in Wuthering Waves. It is generally used as a character ascension material and can be found in the Roya Frostlands – Frostlands Surface. Rovers planning to get Luuk Herrsen will require this material to level him up, and luckily, one can get more than enough drops for his max ascension. Besides the farming spot, Edelschnee can also be purchased from one of the in-game shops.
This article will cover all the locations where you can find Edelschnee, along with an additional way of obtaining them in Wuthering Waves.
Wuthering Waves: All Edelschnee locations and farming guide
Edelschnee location #1
First Edelschnee farming spot (Image via Kuro Games)
Teleport to the Resonance Nexus in the Ginnungamere Void Storm Monitoring Zone and head southwest to find the first Edelschnee farming location near the Treasure Chest Spot. You can find up to 12 Edelschnee in this area.
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Edelschnee location #2
Second Edelschnee farming spot (Image via Kuro Games)
Return to the Resonance Nexus in the Ginnungamere Void Storm Monitoring Zone and go northwest to find the second Edelschnee farming location. You can find up to 20 Edelschnee in this area, making it the best spot to collect this material.
Last Edelschnee farming location (Image via Kuro Games)
Use the Resonance Beacon at the Roya Icebreak Port and go northeast to find an Outcast camp. Approaching them will trigger a hidden quest, but you can ignore that for now and just collect the three Edelscnee inside the tents.
Buy Edelschnee from N.A.N.A
Purchase Edelschnee from the Resonator Nursing Unit (Image via Kuro Games)
Teleport to the Resonator Nursing Unit in the Startorch Academy and speak with N.A.N.A to open the store. You can purchase 15 Edelschnee from her for 15000 Shell Credit. The story resets weekly, so you can come back here for more later.
You can get up to 68 Edelschnee by collecting all of them from the sources mentioned above. Meanwhile, Luuk Herrsen only needs 60 for max ascension, so you can obtain enough materials in one go.
By Spencer McLaughlin of Locked on CFB for SuperWest Sports
February 26, 2026
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A report from On3 stated that $40 million rosters are here already in college football in the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
There should absolutely be a salary cap.
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Cincinnati’s lawsuit against Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby.
It’s the latest in a long line of legal challenges in the sport lately.
USC has announced its replacement of Notre Dame on the schedule, playing San Jose State in 2026.
The move isn’t good for the sport, but it is the right move for the Trojans.
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00:00 Money Alone Can’t Guarantee Wins 04:55 College Football Salary Cap Debate 07:21 NIL Era: Money Always Increases 13:19 College Football Lawsuit Drama 16:54 NCAA Transfer Regulation Challenges 18:37 Transfer Portal Challenges and Concerns 24:39 USC’s Big Ten Transition Challenges 27:29 USC Season Hinges on Road
Feb 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Matt Savoie (22) advances the puck down ice against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist for his sixth straight 100-point season and Leon Draisaitl notched his eighth straight 30-goal campaign, and the Edmonton Oilers ended a season-high four-game skid with an 8-1 romp of the host Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.
McDavid has reached triple digits nine times overall in his career, third most in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (15) and Mario Lemieux (10).
Draisaitl had a goal and three assists, Zach Hyman a goal and two assists, Jake Walman scored twice, Andrew Mangiapane produced a goal and an assist and Connor Ingram made 21 saves for the Oilers, who were coming off a 6-5 loss at the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday in the opener of the three-game California trip.
Warren Foegele scored for the Kings, who have dropped five in a row (0-4-1) to remain three points out of a playoff spot.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 11 of 15 shots before he was replaced by Anton Forsberg, who finished with 18 saves for Los Angeles, which lost 6-4 to the short-handed Vegas Golden Knights at home on Wednesday night.
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The Oilers took a 2-0 lead in the first period for the second consecutive night, but this time they didn’t squander the two-goal advantage.
Matt Savoie, who had a goal and two assists against the Ducks and two assists against the Kings, led a 3-on-2 rush through the neutral zone before passing to Jack Roslovic on his left. He pulled up and made a cross-ice pass to Ty Emberson entering the right circle and he scored with a snap shot for a 1-0 lead at 7:25.
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Vasily Podkolzin then scored from the left circle when his shot off the rush went under the left armpit of Kuemper and bounced across the goal line for a 2-0 lead at 8:19.
Foegele cut it to 2-1 at 12:15 of the first period when he deflected a point shot from Joel Edmundson into the net.
Los Angeles failed to capitalize on a four-minute high-sticking penalty on Darnell Nurse with 4:32 left in the first period and Edmonton continued to add to its lead.
Mangiapane kept the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and scored from the inside edge of the left circle to make it 3-1 at 2:59 of the second.
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McDavid coerced Kuemper well out of his crease before taking the puck behind the net and scoring from the other side for a 4-1 lead at 4:58, ending Kuemper’s night.
Hyman scored for the second straight night, sweeping in the puck after a shot by Draisaitl had gone off the end boards while on a power play to stretch the lead to 5-1 at 8:44.
Draisaitl scored another power-play goal 31 seconds into the third for a 6-1 lead, and Walman made it 7-1 at 5:24.
Walman scored again from close to expand the lead to 8-1 at 7:36.
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Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (lower body) and forward Joel Armia (upper body) were injured during the game and did not return.
Team Akwa Ibom recorded their best performance in the history of the Niger Delta Games after finishing fourth at the second edition held in Benin City. The state amassed a total of 55 medals, including 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze, securing its highest-ever placement in the regional competition. Host state Edo emerged overall champions, Delta finished second, while Bayelsa placed third in a closely contested Games.
The fourth-place finish marks a significant improvement from the maiden edition, where Akwa Ibom ended sixth with 37 medals. The latest outing reflects the steady growth of sports in the state and the increasing competitiveness of its athletes across multiple disciplines.
Athletics was one of the major contributors to the medal haul, producing fourteen medals, including four gold, five silver and five bronze. David Udoh stood out with three gold medals in the men’s 400 metres, the 4×400 metres relay and the 4×400 metres mixed relay, playing a key role in the team’s success on the track.
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Weightlifting also delivered twelve medals, comprising seven gold, two silver and three bronze. Samuel Cosmos Sampson emerged as one of the most decorated athletes of the Games, winning three gold medals in his category.
Taekwondo produced nine medals in total, including one gold, three silver and five bronze, highlighting the team’s depth across both sparring and poomsae events. Boxing accounted for four medals, including two gold and two bronze, reflecting solid performances in both male and female categories.
Tennis was also a major success for the state, delivering four medals, three of which were gold and one silver, making it one of the state’s most successful sports at the Games. Para-powerlifting contributed three medals, two silver and one bronze, while traditional wrestling produced two medals, one gold and one bronze. Wrestling added one bronze medal.
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Table tennis added two silver medals, and Scrabble contributed three medals, one silver and two bronze. Swimming recorded one bronze medal, marking a historic breakthrough for the state in the sport.
Athletes who spoke after the Games attributed the improved performance to the strong support of Governor Umo Eno. They explained that the purchase of new equipment greatly enhanced their final weeks of preparation and contributed positively to their performances.
In separate remarks, the athletes also praised the well-coordinated State Liaison Committee headed by the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey. They noted that the committee ensured a seamless flow of activities from preparation to participation at the Games, with no hitches recorded.
The active presence at competition venues by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, and the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, during the event, was also widely commended. Both officials toured venues consistently, cheering and motivating athletes, a gesture described as encouraging and morale-boosting.
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With this historic fourth-place finish and record medal tally, Team Akwa Ibom has firmly established itself as a rising force in regional sports and will look ahead with confidence to future editions of the Niger Delta Games.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching, with racing fans and punters alike counting down the days until top-class jumps action returns to Prestbury Park.
The festival, spread out over four action-packed days, is one of the biggest betting events of the year and betting sites often save their best betting offers for Cheltenham.
The Independent’s team of gambling experts have put together a guide to the best Cheltenham free bets at online bookmakers, and taken a look at the different types of Cheltenham offers available and how to use them efficiently.
Rank
Bookmaker
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Cheltenham Free Bets
1
Tote
Get up to £10 in Cheltenham free bets as a member of Tote’s Stayers Club. Opt in and wager either £2, £5 or £10 six times on Cheltenham, either as singles, multiples or other types of horse racing bets. Tote will match your wager in free bets, up to a maximum of £10.
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2
BetGoodwin
Money back in free bets up to £100 if your horse loses by a nose, is beaten by a 50/1 shout or half-a-length in a chase, or if your horse falls at the last while leading at Cheltenham.
3
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Unibet
Money back specials up to £20 if your horse finishes 2nd/3rd in selected Cheltenham races. Minimum bet £1.
4
10bet
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Get a £10 free bet when you wager £75 or more on horse racing, including Cheltenham. Opt in and wager a minimum of £75 at odds of evens (2.0) or greater to unlock a £10 free bet. 4 x £10 free bets can be claimed each month.
5
Virgin Bet
Money back on selected ITV races, including Cheltenham. Place a wager on selected races (seven or more horses must start) and if your horse fails to win, Virgin Bet will credit users with a refund in free bets, up to a maximum of £10.
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6
LiveScore Bet
Between the 10th and 13th of March, LiveScore Bet are giving customers a free Cheltenham bet each day when they bet on the first race of the day. The free bet can only be used on that day’s racing.
Cheltenham Festival offers take various forms, with horse racing betting sites running a variety of promotions during the meeting. Free bets are just one type of Cheltenham betting offer, and we’ve looked into the different types of promos bettors can expect during the festival.
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Free Bets: Cheltenham free bet offers may come as part of a welcome bonus, or are available to existing customers via bet and get schemes, which involve a punter wagering a certain amount on a selected event to unlock a free bet.
Enhanced Odds/Price Boosts: Enhanced odds and price boosts are simply Cheltenham odds that have been improved (or enhanced) ahead of races. Bookmakers may choose to boost the price of a single horse or improve the odds on a multiple.
Non-Runner No Bet: Non-Runner No Bet is a feature that some bookies provide that stipulates that your bet will be voided – and your stake returned – if the horse you wagered on doesn’t run for whatever reason. These are particularly popular for those looking to have an ante-post bet on Cheltenham.
Best Odds Guaranteed: Best Odds Guaranteed is available from the majority of online bookmakers during Cheltenham. It guarantees that if you take an early price on a horse and the starting price (SP) is higher, the bookmaker will pay out at the better odds if your horse wins.
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Money-Back Specials: Cheltenham offers various forms of money-back specials. They can involve a bookmaker refunding all losing bets on a certain race, or may require a punter’s selection to finish in a certain position to qualify for reimbursement. The most common type of money-back offer is the 2nd to the SP favourite promotion, which is available during Cheltenham and throughout the year in the UK and Ireland.
Bookmaker
Cheltenham Sign-Up Offer
Betfred
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Bet £10 and get £50 in free bets (3 x £10 sports free bets & 2 x £10 acca free bets) which can be wagered entirely on Cheltenham.
talkSPORT BET
Wager £10 on any horse racing market and receive £40 in horse racing free bets, split into 4 x £10 free bet tokens.
Bet365
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Get up to £30 in free bets to wager on Cheltenham by betting £10 on any sports market with bet365.
Coral
Bet £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on any sport and receive £50 in free bets to use on selected sports markets.
Betway
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Wager between £5 and £30 on a racing multiple (three or more selections) with Betway and get a 100 per cent matched free bet, up to £30 and a £30 Uber Eats voucher.
Bettors should always read the terms and conditions of any Cheltenham free bet offer before opting in.
Here are some of the T&Cs to keep an eye out for:
Minimum deposits: These may range anywhere from as low as £5 up to £50, depending on the betting site and your chosen promotion.
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Odds Requirements: Free bets for Cheltenham may have a minimum odds requirement, or a minimum number of selections if you’re required to place a multiple.
Wagering requirements: Some bookmakers have introduced wagering requirements for free bet offers. This means punters may have to wager any winnings from free bets a certain number of times before it becomes cash and can be withdrawn.
Free bet types: Check which bet types you receive from a free bet offer. Some bookmakers will limit a free bet to a certain sport or bet type, such as a bet builder.
Bettors are spoilt for choice during Cheltenham when it comes to betting offers, but some are definitely better than others.
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Here’s our guide to finding the right Cheltenham Festival offers:
Individual preferences: Different bettors will be seeking different types of offers. Perhaps you are interested in a bookmaker that runs regular free bet promotions, or one that provides a steady stream of enhanced odds and winnings offers. Make sure to select the bookmaker that fits your needs.
Welcome offers: For bettors seeking a Cheltenham welcome offer, make sure it includes free bets that can be used to wager on Cheltenham or bet types you are comfortable with. Some betting sites place restrictions on their welcome bonus, such as only offering football free bets to new customers.
Terms and conditions: Regarding terms, make sure they are as unrestrictive as possible. Favourable terms include no maximum win cap, a longer timeframe to use any rewards, a range of available payment methods or the amount needed to make the qualifying wager.
Wagering requirements: The best offers carry no wagering requirements, meaning you can withdraw winnings (or re-use them to your preference) without being forced to re-stake them. This is more common on casino sites, but some new betting sites impose them on sportsbook offers.
Offer validity: Ensure the offer is valid for a reasonable period – for Cheltenham, this may be until the final races of the festival or until the end of the day.
It can take time and practice to learn how to bet on horses. Bettors are reminded to wager only what they are willing to lose and to keep betting on Cheltenham fun.
For those wanting to bet on Cheltenham, here are five key considerations:
Horse: Take a look at the horse’s recent form and how it has performed in the past at Cheltenham or over the distance they’ll be running.
Trainer: Research the particular trainer’s record at Cheltenham and in certain races. Some trainers, such as Willie Mullins, have excellent track records for training Cheltenham winners.
Jockey: It pays to have a look at the jockey’s record and relationship with the horse, as well as their past experience at Cheltenham with other horses and trainers.
Weather and course: The weather can play a big part in how a horse performs. Some horses will go better on firm ground, while others prefer a bit of give underfoot. Check the going at Cheltenham before having a look at a horse’s record in those conditions.
Type of bet: Research which sort of bets you are comfortable making. Inexperienced bettors may want to stick to single or each-way bets for Cheltenham, while others will be happy to go for multiples or system bets, such as placepots. These bets offer bigger potential returns, but can be confusing and carry greater risk.
The New Lion has since become the 2/1 Champion Hurdle favourite, with Constitution Hill now odds-on to land Group/Grade Flat prize in 2026 instead.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Jumps fans were on cloud nine last Friday night when Constitution Hill romped home at Southwell, full of hope that the former Champion Hurdler would take his chance at redemption in two weeks’ time.
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“However, with Nicky Henderson ruling him out of the Festival, the story has taken yet another turn.”
While it’s a great shame for the sport that he won’t line up to try and regain his Champion Hurdle crown, it is good news for our ante-post book, as he was one of our biggest losers of the entire week. His absence has shaken up the betting, with The New Lion the new favourite, followed by Brighterdaysahead at 11/4.
Lee Phelps, William Hill
Meanwhile, Hills have revealed which Cheltenham Festival handicappers are making them sweat in the lead-up to this year’s event.
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McLaurey, Backmersackme, Koktail Divin and The Yellow Clay have all shortened in the handicap betting this week.
“With the weights for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps just revealed, there are some well-handicapped horses that we think have been let in lightly,” added spokesperson Lee Phelps.
“As a result, we’ve seen some interest already, and enough to see some notable market moves. McLaurey has the option of the Plate and the Jack Richards, and we are very wary of the JP McManus-owned chaser.
“He looks to have a nice mark and has shortened from 6/1 from 8/1 for both options as a result. Koktail Divin is another shortener in the Jack Richards – he’s into 8/1 from 10/1.”
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Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a sure-fire way to make money.
When taking advantage of Cheltenham Festival betting offers, assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford. Betting can also be addictive, so please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget.
Make sure you use the safer gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. The same applies if you’re gambling on casino apps, poker sites, bingo sites or any other type of betting site.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
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We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Dr. Marc Siegel called for compassion and empathy toward John Davidson following the controversy surrounding Davidson’s gaffe at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards. He did this during his latest appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored podcast (a clip of which was shared to X on February 27).
In the clip, Siegel addressed the backlash that followed Davidson’s on-stage incident, urging the public to better understand the mental health risks associated with Tourette syndrome.
“We need to have compassion and empathy for this man. Because you know what? (It is) Four times more likely for people to commit suicide with Tourette’s. You should be ashamed on the panel for not knowing that 50% of Tourette’s adults are thinking of suicide,” he said.
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For context, John Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at 25, has long lived with tics that include involuntary vocal outbursts. His experiences inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear.
At the 79th BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, February 22, Davidson involuntarily shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award of the evening.
The moment led Davidson to face backlash as it was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast, which aired on a two-hour delay, and it remained available on BBC iPlayer until the ceremony was later removed.
Addressing the criticism Davidson faced for his involuntary outburst, Siegel stressed that the public reaction lacked empathy.
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He also pointed to what he described as a historical irony in Davidson’s career. Siegel noted that John Davidson’s first BBC film in 1989 was titled John’s Not Mad, underscoring that while Davidson’s vocal tics sounded shocking or uncontrolled, they were not a reflection of his mental state.
“Isn’t it ironic that his (John Davidson’s) very first film in 1989 with BBC was called John’s Not Mad? That’s the point…He’s sounding mad, but he’s not really mad,” he said.
Further explaining how Tourette syndrome worked neurologically, Siegel said that John Davidson’s involuntary outbursts were not deliberate choices.
“We all have those words in our vocabulary. His brain is choosing one that he doesn’t intend to say or is not even thinking,” Siegel added
Expanding his remarks to include others living with Tourette syndrome, Siegel argued that people with the condition deserved “compassion,” “empathy,” and “understanding,” rather than what he characterized as “spewing pseudoscience.”
Piers Morgan defends John Davidson amid the latter’s BAFTA controversy
John Davidson and Robert Aramayo at the 2026 BAFTA Nominees’ Party – Source: Getty
In the aforementioned video clip, broadcaster Piers Morgan weighed in on the controversy surrounding John Davidson’s outburst at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards, which Davidson later attributed to his Tourette’s syndrome.
The incident sparked significant backlash, with some critics questioning the nature of his remarks and whether they reflected deeper prejudice.
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Morgan addressed the reaction head-on, arguing that some figures in Hollywood had unfairly rushed to label Davidson. He suggested that actor Jamie Foxx and some others had implied Davidson “must be a closet racist” because of what he said during the ceremony.
“People like Jamie Foxx seem to have got it into their heads that he must be a closet racist, otherwise he would never say these things,” Morgan added.
Morgan went on to criticize what he described as a broader misunderstanding of Tourette syndrome. He argued that many commentators had failed to grasp how the neurological condition could cause involuntary verbal outbursts, including inappropriate or offensive language.
“It’s such a stupid failure to understand what the condition is. And it comes from people in Hollywood who never stop preaching about the need to, you know, they constantly preach identity politics,” Morgan said.
He further accused members of the entertainment industry of hypocrisy. According to Morgan, Hollywood figures frequently called for empathy and compassion, and “virtue signal about everything left, right and center,” yet failed to extend that same understanding to Davidson during what he described as an intensely difficult period.
Morgan also referenced the newly released film, inspired by Davidson’s life with Tourette’s, and how it centered specifically on the neurological disease. According to Morgan, the film made “crystal clear” the realities of the condition and “what the issues” were.
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“And yet none of them appear to have watched it. None of them appear to care. And they’re quite happy to go public and spray gun this guy in a really dark moment for him, where he knows he knows how big a deal this was,” Morgan added
He further noted that John Davidson had been “really suffering” in the aftermath of the incident, based on his public statements.
However, rather than attempting to calm the situation or demonstrate empathy, Morgan concluded that several people in Hollywood had effectively “lined up to kick him” while he was already under immense scrutiny.
As per a Variety report dated February 24, John Davidson sought to make amends following the fallout.
His team confirmed that he had reached out to the studio behind “Sinners” to personally apologize to Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and production designer Hannah Beachler, signaling an effort to address the situation directly and take responsibility for his actions.
Arsenal have landed a dream Champions League draw and will not need to face a traditional heavyweight before the semi-finals, while the other five English sides in the draw all face potentially daunting ties from the last-16 onwards.
Premier League leaders Arsenal, meanwhile, now have an excellent opportunity to go on a run in this season’s competition and will play Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 before either Sporting or Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, who will attempt to continue their fairytale run after knocking out last year’s finalists Inter.
With six English teams taking their place in the last-16 draw, there could be a record number of Premier League sides in the quarter-finals after Chelsea and Newcastle, who could have faced each other, were handed ties against PSG and Barcelona respectively.
Chelsea’s meeting with holders PSG will invoke memories of last summer’s Club World Cup final, as the Blues produced a stunning performance to defeat the newly crowded Champions League winners in New Jersey.
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The winner of that tie will face either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals. Arne Slot’s side will return to Istanbul for the second time this season, following a 1-0 defeat early in the league phase, before hosting the Turkish side at Anfield in the second leg.
Cole Palmer starred in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup final (Getty Images)
In the same half of the draw, Manchester City will play Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth consecutive season. Pep Guardiola’s side have lost their previous two, but won 2-1 in the Bernabeu in December when they met in the league phase. The winners of that tie would face either Bayern Munich or Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
On the other half of the draw, Newcastle can look forward to a romantic trip to Barcelona for the first time since the 2002-03 season, having lost to the La Liga leaders on the opening night of this season’s league phase. Marcus Rashford scored twice as Barcelona won 2-1 at St James’ Park in September.
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Marcus Rashford stole the show on Barcelona’s last trip to Newcastle (AFP via Getty Images)
Tottenham, who are facing up to the very real threat of relegation from the Premier League, will seek salvation in the form of just a second-ever meeting with Atletico Madrid and their first since the 1963 Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup final, as Spurs became the first English side to win a European title. Should Tottenham advance, they would face either Newcastle or Barcelona.
Arsenal, who boasted the best record in the league phase to qualify as top seeds, were handed perhaps the most favourable draw of the six English sides. The Gunners would not need to face any of PSG, Real Madrid, Manchester City or Liverpool before the final they are to reach a first Champions League showpiece since 2006.
The last-16 first legs will be played across Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March, with the return legs held the following week. With the exception of Newcastle, who qualified for the last-16 via the play-offs, every other English team will be at home for the second leg.
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Full Champions League bracket
Top half
Paris Saint-Germain / Chelsea vs Galatasaray / Liverpool
Real Madrid / Manchester City vs Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
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Bottom half
Newcastle / Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid / Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt / Sporting CP vs Bayer Leverkusen / Arsenal
SAN JOSE — Somewhere off the coast of Mazatlán, the Pacific cruise Dustin Wolf took his fiancée on during the Olympic break included a lovely interaction with a Calgary Flames fan from New Zealand who recognized the young netminder. A reminder, even thousands of kilometres from home, that his name is spreading fast.
The kid from San Jose has indeed done well to make a name for himself in short order, just like he did again Thursday night with 34 saves in a 4–1 win over the hometown Sharks team he grew up watching from the stands. On this night, with close to a dozen family members looking on in their red hoodies, he turned aside one of the world’s hottest players, Macklin Celebrini, who had nine shot attempts in the game.
This was supposed to be Celebrini’s night, as a rare sold‑out crowd showed up to salute the Olympic star, whose stock exploded in Milan where he led all scorers with five goals. Instead, the player of the game was Wolf, who famously kicked relentlessly in his mother’s belly whenever they attended a Sharks game during her pregnancy. The building that once stirred him before birth now fuels him as a professional, and on Thursday he owned it.
“It’s awesome,” said Wolf of his latest homecoming triumph. “Anytime you get to come close to home is awesome. And anytime in the second period, I always find myself looking up to where I used to sit as a season ticket holder for a number of years, and it’s pretty cool to be on the other side of it now.”
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He paused, smiling at the thought of the familiar faces in the crowd. “I had my aunt and uncle and my grandma, who loves to come to the games when we’re in town. So glad to have them around. I couldn’t tell you the seats we used to sit in, I just know the general area of it was in their zone up to my right.”
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
If the moment felt big for Wolf, it was because the Flames needed him early. They were outshot 17–6 in the first period, sluggish after a long break and a long week. The Sharks, energized by the Celebrini tribute and a rare full house, came out flying. Wolf simply absorbed it all.
“I mean, it took us a little bit to get going, which is understandable,” Wolf said. “We’ve had a long week, long couple weeks off. But I think we showed our resilience there. In the second period, we found a way to get the tying goal off a great play, and we just showed up in the third and played an outstanding period, and they didn’t get anything. And you know, that’s how we have to play to win tight hockey games.”
The tight hockey game part was made possible by Wolf’s calm, almost surgical presence. Celebrini, fresh off his Olympic explosion, tested him repeatedly. The crowd buzzed every time the 20‑year‑old phenom touched the puck. Wolf silenced them each time.
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“He’s a heck of a player, man,” Wolf said. “It’s frightening seeing him come down. He’s only been in the league for two years, but it’s gonna be exciting to watch him going forward.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska didn’t mince words about his goaltender’s impact.
“I’ll go back to the first period,” Huska said. “It could have been a much different game if he wasn’t on his game tonight. He made a lot of great saves. And it’s not just the first period, it was right through the game. That was one of the nights where, when you watched him in there, how calm and cool he looked in the net, you knew that they weren’t going to get many by him tonight.”
As for Celebrini, Huska acknowledged the challenge. “He’s one of the most dynamic players in the league right now, and he’s a dangerous guy every time he’s on the ice.”
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But the Flames had their own difference‑makers. Nazem Kadri’s line, with Connor Zary and Joel Farabee, tilted the ice when Calgary needed it most.
“I liked Connor,” Huska said. “That line tonight was our line that had the most juice, I thought. I thought Naz was good tonight, Farabee played well for us. They had a little bit more urgency than some of our other lines tonight. It just seemed like they were going to impact the game the right way. And they did.”
Zary, who scored the tying goal, made sure to credit the guy behind him.
“There was no doubt we were outplayed early on,” Zary said. “They had 17 shots in the first, and he held strong and played like Wolf always plays. It’s always nice having him back there when we don’t have our best and allows us to find our game.”
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Kadri echoed it: “Wolfie held us down for the first 20 minutes, and we were able to score a few goals for him. He was definitely ready to play. Hometown game for him, and I think it gives you a little cool extra juice. So it’s nice for him to enjoy that.”
Wolf enjoyed it, all right. Another night in San Jose, another memory, another step in a career that keeps expanding — whether in Calgary, Mazatlán, or anywhere in between.
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) celebrates the game winning shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Royce O’Neale made a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining as the host Phoenix Suns overcame a 13-point second-half deficit for a 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
O’Neale gave the Suns a 110-108 lead on their previous possession before LeBron James’ tip-in tied it with 22.7 seconds remaining. The Suns played for one shot, and Grayson Allen drove the lane and kicked it to Collin Gillespie, who found O’Neale wide open on the left wing.
Allen scored 28 points and made six 3-pointers, while Gillespie scored 21 points and also hit six 3-pointers as the Suns overcame a 41-point game from Luka Doncic to win the season series with only one game remaining. Doncic made six 3-pointers and had eight assists and eight rebounds, as well.
LeBron James had 10 of his 15 points in the second half and Marcus Smart had 14 points for the Lakers, who have lost five of seven and are one game ahead of the Suns for the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Hornets 133, Pacers 109
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Kon Knueppel set the NBA single-season rookie record for 3-pointers and Brandon Miller matched a season high with 33 points, fueling Charlotte Hornets to a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis.
Knueppel highlighted his 28-point performance by matching his own franchise rookie record with eight 3-pointers, boosting his season total to 209. LaMelo Ball collected 20 points and eight assists and Moussa Diabate contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who extended their franchise-best road winning streak to nine.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard contributed 20 points and seven assists and Micah Potter added 19 points off the bench. Jarace Walker added 16 points for the free-falling Pacers, who have dropped five in a row and nine of their last 11 games.
Spurs 126, Nets 110
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Julian Champagnie scored 26 points in a successful homecoming and San Antonio extended its longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season to 11 with a victory over Brooklyn in New York.
Champagnie’s big night helped offset a second straight quiet showing from Victor Wembanyama, who was held to 12 points and had eight rebounds. Stephon Castle added 13 of his 18 in the opening quarter, Devin Vassell scored 14 and De’Aaron Fox contributed 10 of his 14 in the third.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 of his 25 in the third when the Nets made a comeback attempt before taking their sixth straight loss. Day’Ron Sharpe contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and rookie Danny Wolf also scored 14.
Rockets 113, Magic 108
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Kevin Durant scored 40 points and Houston went on a 21-0 run in the third quarter to overcome a 19-point deficit and drop host Orlando.
Reed Sheppard added 20 points and made five 3-pointers for Houston, while Alperen Sengun had 16 points and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 13 for the Rockets, who won their third straight game.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 30 points, while Paolo Banchero totaled 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. With the Magic leading 76-57 with 5:04 left in the third, Houston scored 21 straight points over a span of 3:31 to grab the lead. A Sengun layup with 3:07 left in the game gave the Rockets the lead for good.
76ers 124, Heat 117
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Tyrese Maxey registered 28 points, 11 assists and five steals to guide host Philadelphia to a victory over Miami.
Joel Embiid produced 26 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who finished the game on an 8-0 run to capture their third straight win. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21 points and eight boards.
Bam Adebayo paced Miami with 29 points and 14 rebounds and Tyler Herro pitched in with 25 points and seven assists off the bench, but the Heat lost their second game in a row.
Timberwolves 94, Clippers 88
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Anthony Edwards scored 31 points and Donte DiVincenzo added 18 as Minnesota shook off short-handed Los Angeles to earn a victory in Inglewood, Calif.
Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 12 points and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds as the Timberwolves improved to 5-1 since Feb. 9 and 2-0 to start a three-game road trip that ends Sunday at Denver.
Derrick Jones Jr. put up 18 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 14 for the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard (ankle) and John Collins (head/neck). Kris Dunn scored 11 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped three consecutive games for the first time since a five-game skid from Dec. 5-18.
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Hawks 126, Wizards 96
Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum took it to their old team, combining for 58 points to help Atlanta roll to a win over visiting Washington.
The duo, obtained in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards last month, sparked Atlanta to its second wire-to-wire victory over Washington in the past three days,Kispert had career highs with 33 points and 11 field goals, including six 3-pointers. McCollum scored 25 points, shooting 9-for-19. They each scored 22 points in the first half.
Washington was led by Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Justin Hardy and Justin Champagnie with 14 points each. The Wizards were without leading scorer Alex Sarr, who missed his sixth game with a right hamstring strain, and second-leading scorer Kyshawn George, out because of a left knee contusion.
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Trail Blazers 121, Bulls 112
Jerami Grant scored 27 points and Toumani Camara added 16 to help visiting Portland post a victory over struggling Chicago.
Robert Williams III recorded 14 points, a season-best 14 rebounds and four blocked shots and fellow reserve Vit Krejci also scored 14 points as the Trail Blazers won for the sixth time in their past nine games.
Matas Buzelis had 20 points and seven rebounds and Tre Jones scored 19 points off the bench as the Bulls dropped their 11th straight game, matching the third-longest losing streak in franchise history.
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Kings 130, Mavericks 121
Precious Achiuwa posted a career-high 29 points to lead Sacramento to a win over host Dallas.
Achiuwa shot 13 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 3 from 3-point range, and had 12 rebounds. Maxime Raynaud scored 22 points and Daeqwon Plowden added 19 off the bench.
Naji Marshall racked up a season-best 36 points to go with 10 boards for Dallas, which fell short of a third successive victory. Khris Middleton contributed 17 points and Brandon Williams had 16.
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Pelicans 129, Jazz 118
Saddiq Bey had a season-high 42 points along with seven assists and five rebounds to lead New Orleans past Utah in Salt Lake City.
Zion Williamson added 20 points and four steals to help the Pelicans pick up their third straight win. Dejounte Murray tallied 17 points, nine assists and four steals in his second game back from an Achilles tendon injury.
Ace Bailey led Utah with 23 points. Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points off the bench for the Jazz, who shot 50% from the field but still lost their fourth consecutive game.
USC has announced its replacement of Notre Dame on the schedule, playing San Jose State in 2026. 
