Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures after converting a first down against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Nov. 17, 2024. Burrow reacted during second-half action as Cincinnati pushed the tempo and looked to sustain momentum in the road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
About three months ago, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters that he was not happy with football or his life, in general, which sparked a litany of trade rumors — because wouldn’t the guy want a change if everything was so bad? The Minnesota Vikings were predictably named as a trade destination, and while that probably isn’t realistic in 2026, next offseason could be Minnesota’s meal ticket in the would-be Burrow Sweepstakes.
Burrow’s price would be massive, but cap math and roster erosion can change “never” into “maybe” fast.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora delivered the Burrow takes this week, redefining the timeline of a possible trade.
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The Clock Matters More Than the Fantasy with Burrow
It’s an all-or-nothing year in Cincinnati for Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during pregame warmups before facing the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on October 29, 2023. Burrow goes through his routine as Cincinnati prepares for a late-October road matchup against an NFC contender. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.
LaCanfora on Burrow
Sizing up Burrow’s future, La Canfora wrote this week, “Is this it? All of that begs major questions about Burrow finishing his career with the Bengals and if this upcoming season goes anything like the past two, few would be shocked in league circles if Burrow requested a trade.”
“The Bengals have never won a Lombardi Trophy, have had contentious negotiations with several top talents recently (top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson chief among them) and Burrow has talked openly over the years about the toll all of his injuries have had on him.”
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La Canfora also quoted an anonymous executive, “This is it. Dude, they aren’t going out and trading for Maxx Crosby or something like that. The defense sucks. This is the final year that Chase and Higgins are both there. It’s going to come to a head, trust me.”
That’s quite the bombshell for a Top 5 quarterback in the league. The upcoming season could be Burrow’s swan song if the Bengals don’t reach the postseason or make noise in the playoff tournament.
Last December, as Burrow sought to return to the field following an injury, he told reporters. “It feels like everybody’s trying to do everything in their power to make me not play football, and I feel like I’m fighting it. I’m fighting everybody else. I just want to play ball. That’s all I want to do.”
Those comments raised eyebrows because, in addition to his general unhappiness, he couldn’t quite understand why his bosses didn’t want to let him play.
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Vikings as Suitors?
Foremost, if the Bengals did trade Burrow, they probably wouldn’t want him in the AFC, on tap to endure that possible grudge match in the postseason every year. That, in theory, clears 16 teams from the trade field.
Then, the Vikings — also in theory — would need a quarterback, whether now or in 2027, which narrows the field to a handful of NFC teams. Not every NFC teams need a quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) heads toward the locker room after a Week 6 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 15, 2023. The Bengals secured a 17-13 home win to move to 3-3 on the season following the tightly contested matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Thereafter, Burrow and Justin Jefferson played ball together in college at LSU. Hell, they won the National Championship in 2019, the springboard to both men’s 1st-Round draft stock in 2020. They remain friends. Jefferson could act as a recruiter.
Most teams don’t have that criteria going for them, especially the clubs that would enter the Burrow sweepstakes.
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What the Bengals Might Want … the Vikings Have
Cincinnati has created a long and strange relationship with EDGE rusher Trey Hendrickson, who will almost certainly join a new team next week. The knock on recent Bengals teams is defense. If the Burrow trade discussions ever come to life with the Vikings, Cincinnati could inquire about one of Minnesota’s outside linebackers, as the club has three prominent ones: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Theoretically, when the time comes, the Vikings could ship multiple 1st-Rounders to the Bengals, along with Greenard, for example, to Cincinnati for Burrow.
Minnesota has enough defensive trade pieces to sweeten the deal, particularly if Cincinnati wanted Greenard. The Vikings drafted Dallas Turner two years ago for this moment — when Turner can step into a full-time starter’s role.
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A Reasonable Dead Cap Hit for CIN if It Trades Burrow … Next Year
Here’s the real reason Cincinnati won’t trade Burrow this offseason: it would be on the hook for an extremely wicked, shockingly evil, and vile $56.5 million dead cap hit. Yes, the Burrow trade theory rests on the premise that the Bengals would willingly get rid of a Top 5 NFL quarterback — and also shoot themselves in the foot to the tune of $56.5 million. Not going to happen.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) watches from the sideline after exiting a Week 17 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 28, 2025. The Bengals closed out the home contest with a 37-14 victory despite Burrow’s fourth-quarter departure. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Next offseason, though, the dead cap hit in a Burrow trade reduces to $35.7 million, which is still bad but is more reasonable if a divorce is imminent. The Bengals could spread that figure out over a few years and let it ride.
Cincinnati basically owes it to itself to see if Year No. 7 for Burrow will be any different. If not, it can fire Zac Taylor, perhaps entertain a Burrow trade (especially if he requests one), and start all over for a manageable financial penalty.
A Burrow trade isn’t realistic in 2026; the path straightens at this time next year.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Juraj Slafkovsky received the puck on his off wing and instead of using his feet and big frame to protect it and jam it up the wall, he spun and fired a blind backhand pass across his own blue line to Macklin Celebrini.
It didn’t cost Slafkovsky’s Montreal Canadiens a goal, but it did set the tone for a game they had in hand and seemingly gave away before 40 minutes had expired.
They forced passes — and pinches — and fed the San Jose Sharks a 4-2 lead late in the second period after taking a 2-1 lead of their own earlier in the frame. They went down 5-2 early in the third but scored three quick goals to make it 5-5. And then they inexcusably took a too-many-men penalty to give the Sharks a power play with 4:57 to play, got scored on, and lost 7-5, with Adam Gaudette’s empty-netter sealing their fate with four seconds to go.
“We played some good minutes, but not enough of them,” said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. “We shot ourselves in the foot too often and it cost us.”
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It cost the Canadiens their first regulation loss in seven games, so that’s not terrible.
What was terrible was that they could’ve won had they played the right way, but instead cost themselves ground in the race towards the top of the Atlantic Division on a night where Boston and Buffalo both won.
That they didn’t play the right way is what should concern them ahead of games in Anaheim and Los Angeles to close the week. Because games at this stage of the season are about attention to detail and consistency, and the Canadiens were severely lacking in both departments against the Sharks — starting with that pass Slafkovsky put on Celebrini’s tape late in the first period.
We spoke with him for less than two minutes, and over that time, he repeatedly used that terminology to describe his team’s play, the play of the penalty kill (which allowed two goals), and his own play, which fell woefully short of his personal standard against the most threatening Shark on the ice.
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Sure, Celebrini didn’t score on that gift from Slafkovsky, but the Canadiens gave the young phenom his 30th goal of the season, plus assists 55, 56 and 57.
And a mix-up between Guhle and Hutson led to that too-many-men penalty that undid their commendable comeback effort.
“It’s not the only mistake we did tonight,” said Phillip Danault, who gave the Canadiens their 2-1 lead before watching as teammate Jayden Struble bobbled the puck at the offensive blue line and then lost a battle in front of his own net on the goal Michael Misa scored to make it 2-2.
The Canadiens compounded mistakes on the goals Celebrini and Alex Wenneberg scored 25 seconds apart to put the Sharks up 5-2 in the 19th minute of the second period.
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They responded with a power-play goal from Ivan Demidov and two goals from Alex Newhook, and, despite their best efforts, couldn’t chase down the lead Keifer Sherwood gave the Sharks with 3:26 to go in regulation.
“We gave up too much quality stuff,” said Newhook. “When you let in six goals, it’s hard to win a game, especially when you get down three late in a game. I thought we showed some character to come back there and gave ourselves a shot, but it was a game that we knew the details needed to be there (against) a young team, the run-and-gun team that they are, and unfortunately, I don’t think (we played) up to our standards, and the results reflected that.”
You’d expect major corrections come Friday in Anaheim, with emphasis on puck management and neutral-zone coverage — areas where the Canadiens were loosest, according to Guhle.
“I don’t think we had many d-zone shifts where we got really hemmed in,” he said. “A lot of their stuff was off the rush or just loose in the neutral zone, so it’s something we’ve got to clean up for sure.”
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The Canadiens usually tidy up well after a loss.
This stat from NHL statistician Chris Meaney reflects that.
“Everybody’s got to do their job,” said St. Louis. “It’s to stack up shifts, stack up minutes way more. I think as of late we’ve played a lot of good minutes in games. I felt tonight was probably the lowest that we’ve played good moments comparing to the other games, and it cost us.”
In two months’ time, Fabio Wardley will defend his WBO world title against Daniel Dubois in one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights of the year.
The two knockout artists are set to meet at Manchester’s Co-op Live, with Wardley looking to legitimise himself as champion after being promoted from holding the interim belt last year. Dubois, coming off a loss to Oleksandr Usyk, has the chance to hold a heavyweight title for the second time at 28-years-old.
Speaking on TalkSport Boxing, 35-fight heavyweight Allen, who has sparred Dubois in the past, said the belts will change hands on the night.
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“I think Dubois wins. I always pick against Wardley though, because common sense dictates that Fabio Wardley shouldn’t be beating the men that he’s beating. But he is.
“The difference between Dubois and Wardley’s opponents – Huni, Parker, Gorman, all brilliant boxers – they’re not punchers like Dubois is. And I think Fabio gets hit too much. I think against Dubois he can’t afford to take even one. I think Dubois will do him.”
In this latest interview, however, the fan-favourite heavyweight from Doncaster says he is aware that his prediction will likely fuel Wardley to prove his doubter wrong yet again.
“Fabio will probably be happy to hear that, because I’ve said it like eight times now and I’ve been wrong every time.”
Eileen Gu released a statement on social media Monday, reflecting on her controversial decision to compete for Team China despite being born and raised in the U.S.
Gu’s statement tied the decision back to her passion for promoting women’s sports, and encouraging young girls to pursue sports.
“I gave my first speech on women in sports and title IX when I was 11 years old. I talked about being the only girl on my ski team, and, despite attending an all-girls’ school from Monday through Friday, becoming best friends with my teammates on the weekends through the common language of sport,” Gu wrote on Instagram.
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China poses for photos after the awarding ceremony of the freestyle skiing women’s freeski big air event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026. (Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)(Wang Peng/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“At the same time, I was made painfully aware of the lack of representation – at age 9, I felt that I was somehow representing all women every time I stepped in the terrain park. Landing tricks was about more than progression … it was about disproving the derisive implication of what it meant to ‘ski like a girl.’”
Gu went on to express gratitude for the one season in which she did compete for the U.S.
“When I was 15, I announced my decision to compete for China. At the time, I had spent one season on the US team, and had been lucky enough to meet my heroes in person. I am forever grateful for that season, and continue to maintain a close relationship with the team. I had spent every summer in China since I was 8 setting up summer camps on trampoline and dry slope for kids and adults, ranging from 7 to 47 years old, so I knew the industry was tiny. I felt like I knew everyone,” she added.
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“Skiing for Team China meant the opportunity to uplift others through the universal culture of sport, and to introduce freeskiing to hundreds of millions of people who had never heard of it, especially with the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics around the corner.”
Gu’s statement concluded by acknowledging that certain people “don’t understand” her decision to compete for China over the U.S., while insisting the choice maximized the impact she would have.
“I can look back now, at 22, and tell 12 year old Eileen that there are now terrain parks full of little girls, who will never doubt their place in the sport. I can tell 15 year old me that there are now millions of girls who have started skiing since then, in China and worldwide,” Gu wrote.
“A lot of people won’t understand or believe that I made a decision to create the greatest amount of positive impact on the world stage that I could, at this age, given my interests and passions. Three golds and six medals later, I can confidently say was once a dream is now a reality.”
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Gu has become a target for global criticism this Olympics for her decision to represent China while remaining silent on the country’s alleged human rights abuses.
In an interview with Time magazine, Gu was asked her thoughts on China’s alleged persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.
“I haven’t done the research. I don’t think it’s my business. I’m not going to make big claims on my social media,” Gu answered.
“I’m just more of a skeptic when it comes to data in general. … So, it’s not like I can read an article and be like, ‘Oh, well, this must be the truth.’ I need to have a ton of evidence. I need to maybe go to the place, maybe talk to 10 primary source people who are in a location and have experienced life there.
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“Then I need to go see images. I need to listen to recordings. I need to think about how history affects it. Then I need to read books on how politics affects it. This is a lifelong search. It’s irresponsible to ask me to be the mouthpiece for any agenda.”
More controversy surrounding Gu erupted after The Wall Street Journal reported that Gu and another American-born athlete who now competes for China, were paid a combined $6.6 million by the Beijing Municipal Sports Bureau in 2025.
Gu is the highest-paid Winter Olympics athlete in the world, making an estimated $23 million in 2025 alone due to partnerships with Chinese companies, including the Bank of China and western companies.
“I certainly think that someone who grew up in the United States of America who benefited from our education system, from the freedoms and liberties that makes this country a great place, I would hope they want to compete with the United States of America,” Vance said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”
Later, when Gu was asked if she feels “like a bit of a punching bag for a certain strand of American politics at the moment,” she said she does.
“I do,” she said. “So many athletes compete for a different country. … People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China. So, it’s not really about what they think it’s about.
“And, also, because I win. Like, if I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much, and that’s OK for me. People are entitled to their opinions.”
Silver medalist Eileen Gu of China attends the awarding ceremony of the freestyle skiing women’s freeski big air event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 16, 2026. (Hongxiang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Manchester United travel to Newcastle’s St James’ Park hoping to continue Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run
Manchester United travel to Newcastle tonight with plenty to ponder. Michael Carrick’s return has been an overwhelming success with a draw at West Ham the only blemish so far. Despite the comeback win over Crystal Palace, the Reds’ interim head coach has a headache when it comes to his team selection.
In his pre-match press conference, Carrick confirmed both Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw struggled with illness during the win vs Palace and are doubts to feature against Newcastle. Shaw lasted just 24 minutes on Sunday and Noussair Mazraoui did well when he came off the bench and would deserve his first start under Carrick.
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As for Maguire, he impressed despite his illness and lasted longer than Shaw, suggesting he could be in a better position to start. If the centre-back is anything short of one hundred per cent, he must sit out.
Ayden Heaven would be the logical replacement to play alongside Leny Yoro. Earlier this season, the former Arsenal academy star was one of the standout defenders in this United team. A return to the starting XI would be a huge chance for him to prove his worth again.
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The midfield continues to pick itself with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo the standout options. Amad lost his place in the starting line-up on Sunday and despite forcing a great stop from Dean Henderson, he is unlikely to win it back.
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Benjamin Sesko’s long overdue start did not disappoint, with his winner showing plenty of class. He is now the first name on the teamsheet alongside captain Bruno Fernandes.
Matheus Cunha is the only option on the left as Patrick Dorgu remains absent. Bryan Mbeumo was quiet in the victory over Palace but his form this season should see him retain his spot on the right.
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United predicted line-up vs Newcastle: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Look — if you’re not in on TGL, if you prefer your golf outdoors and un-screened, if you’re wholly uninterested in learning more about “the hammer” or who might play for “Bay G.C.,” I’m not here to convince you.
But that was a hell of a moment.
Tom Kim stepped onto the tee on the second-to-last hole of the season. His side was down one point, but they’d just thrown the hammer, doubling the value of the hole. If he lost the hole, Jupiter Links’ season was over. As TGL goes, this is as big as it gets. How’d he respond? By flying his wedge shot directly over the flag and watching as it rolled back into the middle of the bottom of the cup.
Here’s the moment — followed by five instant reactions on why this was a dream ending for TGL.
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my goodness Tom Kim, hammer thrown, down 1, playoffs on the line, makes an ace, what a moment, this entire thing is a fever dream pic.twitter.com/VPH3KA0ovk
Week in, week out there just aren’t many golfers losing their minds after doing something cool. But put Tom Kim in a team setting — whether it’s the Presidents Cup or TGL — and you can just about guarantee that at some point he will go berserk. So when something mind-bending like this hole-in-one happened, it could have been a more perfect guy in a more perfect moment. (We need Kim to find his game on the PGA Tour; he’s too fun not to have in the mix.)
2. Tiger Woods fist-pumping is a TGL dream.
Look, when Woods and Rory McIlroy and their various business partners were dreaming up TGL, they were probably picturing Woods fist-pumping his own hole-outs rather than those of his teammates — but anytime he’s dropping to his knees like he’s just holed that chip shot at Augusta National, it’s a win for whatever moment he’s celebrating.
3. It’s a miracle nobody got hurt.
Again, golfers aren’t used to celebrating and they definitely aren’t used to celebrating as a team.
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“I’ve never been tackled before,” Kim said post-win.
It’s a miracle he didn’t take out Homa, he hit the deck, too, and given Woods’ health status it’s not comfy watching Kim jump into his arms, either. Let’s just be glad everybody’s walking away from this one…
4. This also meant redemption for Kevin Kisner.
Kim’s moment could have ultimately been for naught had Kevin Kisner gone on to lose the final hole. Given he was playing a lengthy par-5 against big-swinging Wyndham Clark — and given Kisner hasn’t exactly been the star of TGL up to this point — the odds didn’t seem to be in his favor.
“I texted Max Homa when I saw the yardage book at 7:15 this morning and said if it comes down to 15 we’re probably screwed, because Wyndham can get there in two and I can’t,” Kisner said.
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But Kiz dissected the hole with two layups and a flagged short iron, Clark hit a mediocre greenside chip shot and the rest is history. Vindication for Kisner.
(Also worth noting Max Homa’s birdie putt at No. 13 made the entire thing possible.)
5. This playoff showdown is set
It’s not quite Rory vs. Tiger, because Tiger’s unlikely to play. (“Well, I’ll be here either way,” he said, leaving the door open.) Regardless, it is Rory McIlroy’s team vs. Tiger Woods’ team; the sides are set for a showdown in the semifinals in two weeks’ time.
Four of TGL’s six teams make the playoffs, so this isn’t exactly Cinderella-story stuff. But last year was a nightmare for the league when McIlroy’s Boston Common and Woods’ Jupiter Links were the two teams to miss the postseason.
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This time around they’re set for a showdown.
Where’d this moment rank for Woods? He gave the perfect response.
“Best indoor experience ever.”
In the meantime, back to real golf. Not bad for a Tuesday night diversion, though…
Shakur Stevenson has rejected the proposed terms for one particular fight, potentially distancing himself from several of his most lucrative options.
The 28-year-old is coming off arguably a career-best performance against Teofimo Lopez, claiming his WBO super-lightweight title with a dominant points victory in January.
In doing so, Stevenson not only became a four-division world champion but also cemented himself as a top five pound-for-pound operator, alongside the likes of Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue.
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Because of this, though, many have questioned whether the slick southpaw will ever be beaten, suggesting that a move up to 147lbs could be his only hope at finding a worthy challenge. Stevenson has said recently that he would do it so long as any opponent would sign a 10lbs rehydration clause.
If he decides to do just that, then most would regard WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney as his toughest test, though Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn have also been mentioned as possible options.
For both potential fights, Stevenson has demanded a 144lb catchweight limit, to which Garcia verbally agreed ahead of his showdown with Barrios.
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Since then, though, the 27-year-old’s father and trainer, Henry Garcia, has insisted that Stevenson must come up to 147lbs, but the super-lightweight champion has told ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT that this is strictly out of the question.
“I think [Garcia is] serious. I think he [does] want the fight. I just think that everything gotta work well in the business, everything gotta make sense.
“Before the [Barrios] fight, I heard them saying they’ll fight me at 144[lbs]. Then, after the fight, I’m hearing 147[lbs].
“I’m not going up to 147 no time soon. I think that will be my last weight class that I’m in. I don’t think that, at 28 years old right now, I’m just going [to go] up to 147.”
Benn has not commented on a possible 144lb catchweight but, given that he is facing Regis Prograis at 150lbs on April 11, it would seem that, for him, such a request is hardly worth considering.
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If Stevenson is dead set against a full move to welterweight, it will also likely rule out a fight with Devin Haney, who has said he felt ‘a shell of himself’ at weights lower.
Rapper Doechii doubled down on her anti-cat comments on social media, stirring the ire of cat lovers by claiming that the felines are not friendly animals and don’t want to be domesticated. The Grammy-winning rapper’s comments came via her Threads account on March 2, where she shared her thoughts about people owning cats as pets.
She further suggested that it was very rare for cats to be “immediately lovely without years of pain and work put in,” adding:
“People act like it’s a crime to dislike cats when they genuinely aren’t friendly animals. They don’t wanna be domestic just leave em alone! Like it’s not organic I’m sorrryyy be fr it’s rare that cats are immediately lovey without years of pain and work put in. Yall be scratched and beat tf up by your own animals I can’t lmaooo.”
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Doechii‘s comments garnered immense backlash, prompting her to stand her ground as she responded to various comments under her initial post. She posted a video of Tiffany Pollard saying, “You hating a** b***h, all fraudulent,” to the audience on Flavor of Love in 2006, captioning it, “Me vs Cat owners.”
According to Complex, the rapper hit back at various criticisms under her post. When one commentator indicated that maybe cats didn’t like her, she responded, “It’s mutual.” Meanwhile, another person claimed the rapper had responded to all comments trying to educate her about cats with “passive aggressive bulls**t,” suggesting she had “pure disdain” for the creatures.
The rapper replied that the user was getting “TOO worked up” over the issue, adding, “The world will be fine if Doechii thinks cats are mean.” Another user accused her of spreading common misconceptions surrounding cats to justify her dislike for the felines, resulting in the Denial Is A River rapper replying with:
“I did! And they aren’t misconceptions these are most definitely true and happen errday you CANNOT trick me. If i tell a cat owner to lift they arm sleeve rn they’ll be tore up.”
Doechii recently won her second Grammy
Doechii picked up her second Grammy after her hit song Anxietywon Best Music Video at the prestigious music awards ceremony on February 1, 2026. This is her second Grammy win. In 2025, the rapper made history by becoming one of three women to win Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, following Laryn Hill and Cardi B.
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“I don’t want to make this long. But this category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won. Lauryn Hill—three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii. I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape. I bared my life. I went through so much. I dedicated myself to sobriety, and God told me that I would be rewarded and that he would show me just how good it can get. I have to thank God,” Doechii said in her acceptance speech.
She further encouraged Black girls and Black women watching her that anything was possible, telling them not to bow down to stereotypes such as “you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic, or you’re too loud.”
Doechii’s Anxiety was nominated in four other categories at the 2026 Grammys, including Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Record of the Year. Song of the Year went to Billie Eilish’s Wildflower, while Record of the Year was won by Kendrick Lamar‘s Luther, featuring SZA. Lamar also won Best Rap Song for TV Off from his 2024 album GNX.
Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff said they drew inspiration from American figure skater Alysa Liu’s dramatic return from burnout to Olympic gold, a comeback all the more remarkable considering how abruptly her career had seemed to end.
Liu stunned the world by retiring aged 16 after the Beijing Games in 2022 citing burnout, but returned and put on a dazzling display at the Milano Cortina Games last month to snap a 20-year Olympic medal drought for Americans in the women’s event.
“I think overall what happened in figure skating was super interesting, from a psychological point of view,” Swiatek told reporters ahead of the Indian Wells tournament on Tuesday.
“I saw Liu winning when actually she had some troubles, like before she was burned out and she had to stop, and now she seems like everything she does, she does to have fun and to really show her amazing skills in a way that makes her happy.
“I haven’t spoken to her … but it’s really inspiring. I’ll remember it for a long time.”
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Alysa Liu won gold in figure skating at the Winter Olympics after suffering burnout as a teenager (Getty Images)
Liu returned to the ice in 2024 with more creative control, taking charge of her music choices, programmes and costumes, and went on to win the world title in Boston last year.
Gauff added that although she had never experienced burnout, she could understand the pressure Liu was under having burst onto the scene herself as a 15-year-old qualifier at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.
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Coco Gauff said she can relate to Alysa Liu’s feelings having also burst onto the scene as a teenage sports star (AP)
“I think her whole story was super inspiring and I could highly relate as someone who was very young put into a sport,” Gauff said.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve faced burnout, but there are times you’re mentally just tired of it and you feel like you’re doing stuff and you don’t know why.
“So I definitely could relate to her whole story. I was happy to see her be that voice saying the unsaid things that athletes think but are maybe scared to say.”
The Minnesota Vikings canned Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason largely because of his inability to come through in the NFL Draft. He was able to identify some key contributors in free agency and uncover some undrafted gems, but picks often went to waste.
Caleb Banks Could Tempt the Vikings at Pick No. 18
Arguably, the best talent Adofo-Mensah unearthed during the April process was late-round kicker Will Reichard. With Kevin O’Connell, Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores now speaking most significantly into the roster, they have to get things right.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) shakes hands with fans during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]
With the 18th overall pick, the MN Vikings need to land a day-one starter, and Caleb Banks could be that. He may also wind up being someone who can’t stay on the field, and therefore a massive reach. Banks is considered “boom or bust.”
ESPN Insider Jordan Rein put together a two-round mock after the NFL Combine. A pair of popular prospects are now gone before reaching pick 18, but Banks is there. The talented Florida Gator is a menacing presence, but there are serious warts.
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Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.
Minnesota is already done with Hargrave after just one season. They could also cut Jonathan Allen, as Reid mentions, but the cupboard would be incredibly bare.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is shown on Jan. 13, 2025, during the NFC wild card matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, taking in the atmosphere as his defense prepared for another postseason test. The moment captured Flores’ steady demeanor and leadership presence, traits that have defined his work with Minnesota’s rebuilt defense throughout the 2025 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Either way, the Vikings need to get younger on the interior defensive line. Banks is an intriguing talent because he’d be an immediate difference maker. The only question is whether he can stay on the field.
After suffering a foot injury during camp and then later breaking it, he played in just three games last season for the Gators. In 2024, however, seven of his 21 total tackles were for losses. He also had a whopping 4.5 sacks.
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That sort of production is the stuff that Flores would certainly drool over. He plays in both the run and pass game, and Banks can be a stud up the middle. Minnesota needs to make sure it is getting the guy who started 24 games in 2023 and 2024, rather than the one who missed considerable time throughout his collegiate career.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
Talent was never in question, but Six Nations appearances eluded Nick Timoney until this year and while the 30-year-old is yet to start for Ireland in the competition, the back row insists he is “not worrying too much about what number I’ve got on my back”.
The Ulster back row made his debut against the USA in 2021 but by the start of 2025, had made just four further appearances with two of those against the Maori All Blacks.
However, perseverance has started to pay off as after featuring against Georgia, Japan and Australia last year, Timoney has been introduced as a replacement in each of the three games in the 2026 Six Nations, crossing for a try in the opening defeat by France.
While the Dublin native would prefer to start when Ireland host Wales on Friday [20:10 GMT], he is happy to play his part and if that is best served off the bench, then so be it.
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“Obviously I haven’t played in the Six Nations before this season and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of so obviously from that point of view just feeling very grateful to be given the opportunities,” he told reporters this week.
“Everyone wants to start and I’d love to start as well, a lot of people say to me, friends and family, have said to me, ‘you’ve been going well of the bench, when are you going to start’, obviously I’d love to start but I still feel like I’m playing a game.
“If you come on for 30 minutes at Twickenham, you could argue the game wasn’t necessarily in the balance at that stage but it’s a pretty important part of things.
“I’ve always tried to not worry too much about selection, but the fact that the coaches are backing me to be in the squad and come on, and I’m getting to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing, I’m not worrying too much about what number I’ve got on my back.”
