Be careful with first love, my father once told me. It only comes once. That has to be true but I’m here to tell you: I got it right my third time around.
My first serious relationship was with a set of Wilson Staff irons, stamped Dynapower on their backs, with red dots on their soles, along with the words FluidFeel. Wilson Staff was the crown prince of elite irons in the mid-1970s, and I saved up for months to buy this secondhand set for $100.
Later, I replaced them with a set of made-in-Japan PRGRs, blade irons with a dull matte finish, as handsome as a club could be, though part of the attraction was their space-age shafts, black graphite and chosen to match the player’s swing speed. These PRGRs cost a fortune but I was a bachelor and what else would I spend my disposable income on?
And then I fell for Ping. It wasn’t love at first sight. The courtship unfolded over time, during an extended honeymoon of a kind. (It had no ending date.) Christine and I were married in the fall of 1990, and in February 1991 we flew to France, where I had a one-week caddie tryout with an American journeyman on the European Tour, Peter Teravainen, a Yale grad with an economics degree and a mind that ran to numbers and logic.
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It was a period of heightened awareness for me: Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” was playing in the cab we took to JFK; our Pan Am flight to Paris was choking in cigarette smoke. On our first morning in Saint-Raphaël, Christine gave me a ride from our sagging hotel to the course on the back of moped and through a misting rain. Breakfast was a chocolate croissant, out of a bag and still warm. Etc.
One of the flatsticks that glitters most in Ping’s Gold Putter Vault.
Courtesy Ping
I met Peter. He had tiny teeth, a wide forehead and his pants were shiny with wear. His bag was filled with Ping irons, along with a Ping putter. His bag itself was a white staff bag with a single strap, stamped with his name on one side and Ping on the other. By my second week carrying it (got through the tryout with some adventure) the bag had a little dent on its side where my left hip nestled into it.
I caddied for Peter straight through summer, when the tour reached Scotland and Christine and I got off the bus. In those days, the European Tour still wintered on the Continent, in the southern parts of France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Somewhere in those weeks I started leaving my toothbrush in the House of Ping. Part of the appeal was seeing Peter use his Ping clubs so effectively. (He was making cuts.) I’ve been playing Ping Eye2s, the model Peter played, pretty much since then.
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The design of Ping’s irons and putters (the Ping Anser, the Ping Pal) were once considered radical. For decades, the clubs themselves were a testimony to the vision of Karsten Solheim, the company founder, who prized function over everything else. His irons had a wide sole, a high toe, a stubby hosel and a wild amount of offset. The company’s putters, its first product, were considered freakishly different when they made their debut. But Tom Watson made his Ping Pal putter look beautiful, simply by winning with it again and again. Tiger Woods did the same with his Anser 2, going back to his amateur days. In terms of shape and utility, the early Scotty Cameron putter line is a direct descendant of the early Ping putter line. You know what they say about imitation.
I met Karsten Solheim only once, on a tour of the Ping (Karsten Manufacturing) factory in Phoenix 30 years ago. Karsten was 84 and had recently handed the company keys to the youngest of his three sons, John A. Solheim. A small group of us entered Karsten’s office, with John as our tour guide. Karsten was bent over a drafting table like a doctor looking at an X-ray. I mentioned to Karsten my affection for the Eye2 and he said, “We never made a better iron.” The others were less than thrilled but that’s what he said. Karsten, per Forbes magazine, was one of the 400 richest Americans then but his motivation in business was not primarily money. It was the pursuit of better tools for golf. His super wealth flowed from that. He lived like the GE engineer he once was.
Some months ago, I shared Karsten’s long-ago comment about the Eye2 with Robin McCool, a retired Ping sales rep and an accomplished amateur golfer. Robin, while readily acknowledging Karsten’s devotion to the Eye2, offered this addendum: “But he also said this: ‘We’ve just started to scratch the surface.’”
Enter John A., scratching. He was 50 the day of that Ping factory tour, when the company was trying to promote an iron with John’s fingerprints all over it, the ISI. That club was never a top-40 superhit, but a year or two later John’s TiSI driver was. Now he’s 80 and Ping’s chairman.
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For 30 years — from 1996 to 2026, from age 50 to age 80 — John has been a steward of what his father began and then some. The business is still family-owned. The company has steadily kept its number of employees at about 1,000 with low turnover. Intensely personal customer service is still a hallmark of the company.
But there has been notable change too. In the Karsten years, there were players who left Ping after winning majors, John Daly, Mark Calcavecchia and Bob Tway among them. They wanted the guaranteed payday that comes from being a star golfer, and Karsten, a stubborn Norwegian and a child of the Depression, despised the notion of pay-to-play. His system was a bonus pool, based on what you earned on the course. John changed that policy and thereby has kept Louis Oosthuizen, Bubba Watson and others in the Ping fold. John A.’s son, John K., now the company’s president and CEO, ran with a stunning realization: Visual and tactile elements of club design — the feel of it, its finish — does in fact influence performance. Somewhere, Karsten is stroking his little Col. Sanders beard in contemplative confusion, but this third-generation Solheim is surely correct. You do have to feel good about your club in every regard. To like a club, you have to like its look and feel.
Clockwise from top right: John A. in 2022; Tom Watson and his trusty Ping Pal; an original Scottsdale Anser, circa 1966; and a pumped Tiger, Anser 2 in hand, in 1998.
Getty Images (2); Mark Peterman; Courtesy Ping
I’m drawn to Eye2s because they work, because I know what I can do with them — and because I like their look and feel. The throwback Thursday statement they make appeals to me. I like the memories they stir: discovering Europe off the tourist trail; marriage in its early stages; Peter’s tendencies under tourney pressure. These things came later: the decent shots I have played with my Eye2s; the response of playing partners to these shots; the courses on which they were played.
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I have a backup set, and a backup to the backup. There actually might be one more set somewhere. Steel and beryllium copper models, with black dots, for my fellow Ping-heads. (The black dot represents standard lie on the Ping fitting system with its color-coded chart.) Don’t tell me I’d shoot lower scores with other irons, because I don’t believe it and I don’t care.
Ping’s footprint is gigantic. You can see it in women’s professional golf. (The Solheim Cup, for starters.) Collegiate golf. (The Karsten course at Oklahoma State.) Left-handed golf. (Ping has always catered to lefties.) Senior golf. (Perimeter-weighted clubs make it easier to launch the ball.) Etc.
But my goal here is to offer a more personal tribute to Ping, and to John Solheim at 80. His family business (you’re tempted to say) is not a business at all, not in the conventional sense. Its ROI is commingled with our joy. As the company has gone from its Karsten era to John A. and now John K., it has held that notion close.
I have seen John A. Solheim, representing the second generation, dozens of times over the past 30 years, at Ryder Cups, British Opens, LPGA events, merchandise shows, in restaurants and hotel lobbies and at World Golf Hall of Fame inductions. (Karsten is a member.) He’s more fit at 80 than he was at 50. He’s out on the course at these events, strolling, watching carefully, typically with a friend or a family member or an employee. He’s always soft-spoken, unrushed, warm in his own austere way. On one occasion, I asked John if he was optimistic about the future of golf and he offered an unqualified yes.
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“Golf is such a wonderful game,” he said. “It teaches you so much about life. There’s no game like it. To be able to play with friends, in beautiful conditions — this game has to grow.”
Barcelona are weighing up whether to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal as the season approaches its conclusion in May
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that the club are assessing the best course of action regarding Marcus Rashford‘s transfer. The 28‑year‑old’s loan from Manchester United expires at the end of the season, though the La Liga side has an option to make the move permanent for £26 million.
Reports have suggested that Barca intend to trigger the clause, despite earlier claims they might try to negotiate a lower fee with United. However, there are now indications that the club may be reconsidering their stance.
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Laporta has hinted they could instead look to extend the loan, while stressing that the final decision will rest with sporting director Deco. “We could extend the loan further; it depends on what Deco wants,” the 63‑year‑old told Jijantes.
“There are options: exercising part of the purchase option with United, and we’ll see about the rest. We’re studying the deal.”
Manchester United will be hoping they can offload Rashford on a permanent deal rather than another loan, with the England international cast out under former Reds’ boss Ruben Amorim.
However, Rashford’s future in Catalonia may also hinge on whether Laporta is re‑elected as president. The race for the presidency will be decided on Sunday (March 15), with Laporta going up against Victor Font.
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Laporta staying in charge would likely mean Deco continues as sporting director, so the club’s transfer plans would broadly remain unchanged heading into the summer window.
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However, Mundo Deportivo claim the England international needs to earn his place in the squad for the final stretch of the season, and adds that he is expected to perform better during the run‑in.
The report also notes that Barcelona admire Chelsea forward Pedro Neto, who can play on either wing or operate as a false nine.
The next few weeks will be significant for the England international, who has made 38 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions and starting 14 times in La Liga.
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In total, Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists.
62 mins: Sam Underhill earns his 50th cap, joining Marcus Smith in reaching the milestone.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:43
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France 38-39 England
60 mins: From inside their own half, Smith finds his club teammate Freeman with plenty of space on the left wing, sending a precise pass.
England advance into the French 22 but are stopped for holding on.
A scuffle breaks out afterward, prompting the referee to issue warnings to both captains.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:42
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France 38-39 England
59 mins: England fumble the kick-off, but just moments later France give away a penalty for coming in at the side of the ruck.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:36
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TRY! France 38-39 (Smith) England
57 mins: Marcus Smith has barely been on the field, yet he’s already surged in to score a try and followed it up by slotting the conversion to put his team ahead!
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:36
France 38-32 France
55 mins: The momentum keeps swinging in this game and it’s now tilting toward England. They earn a penalty on halfway for an off-the-ball tackle.
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Coles’ night appears to be done with Pollock coming on as his replacement.
Marcus Smith is on for his 50th cap in place of Daly.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:32
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France 38-32 England
53 mins: England are back to full strength with Genge returning from his time in the sin-bin.
They’ve also made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Cowan-Dickie and van Poortvliet.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:30
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TRY! France 38-32 (Chessum)
51 mins: Ollie Chessum produces a stunning solo try reading a pass inside his own half, intercepting and racing away to the line.
Smith misses the conversion adding to his tally of six missed kicks from the tee.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:28
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TRY! France (Attissogbe) 38-27 England
48 mins: England are feeling the pressure as France start to find their rhythm.
The home side win a penalty near the posts and take it quickly.
Dupont spots Attissogbe with plenty of space on the right wing and delivers a perfect pass, allowing the winger an easy finish.
The conversion is added and England suddenly have a huge challenge ahead.
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Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:27
France 31-27 England
47 mins: France make a couple of front-row substitutions, bringing Mauvaka and Bamba onto the field.
Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:24
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France 31-27 England
45 mins: England haven’t helped themselves with moments of poor discipline, but they’ve also been on the wrong end of some harsh calls.
France are inside the England 22 and putting the visitors under pressure, but Itoje steps up with a crucial penalty at the breakdown to relieve the pressure.
Steve Tandy called Wales’ first Six Nations victory for over three years “massively emotional” as their 15-game losing streak in the competition came to an end.
Wales overcame Italy 31-17 in Cardiff for a first Six Nations win since March 11, 2023 – 1,099 days ago.
Aaron Wainwright’s first-half double, plus tries from Dewi Lake and Dan Edwards, saw Wales surge into a scarcely believable 31-0 lead after 47 minutes.
Italy fought back with three tries to produce some late anxiety for Wales fans, but it was not enough to spoil the Principality Stadium party.
“It was a massively emotional day, a win in the Six Nations has been a long time coming,” Tandy said after claiming his second success from nine matches as Wales head coach.
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“I am overwhelmed with pride by what this group delivered. I’ve always said it’s never been a question of desire, physicality or work ethic in this group.
“I just think it’s getting them to understand how far they can go with the work ethic and physically they’ve got.
“I’m not going to lie, it did feel like a long last 10 minutes and that did seem to drag out a little bit.”
Wales were blown away by England and France in their opening two games.
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But there were definite green shoots during narrow defeats to Scotland and Ireland, and Tandy had called on his players to finish the campaign with a flourish.
He said: “England was a massive lesson for us, we didn’t impose anything of what we wanted to do and panicked with our discipline.
“Since then I believe the boys have grown every week, have got a bit of confidence, and had a bit of cohesion as a team.
“It’s a good day to enjoy – it’s been a while – but we have to keep growing.”
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Wales captain Lake said: “We hope that we have restored some faith in the jersey and into what this group can do.
“That performance sums up how we have grown in the last two to three weeks.
“The scoreline was similar to half-time against Scotland and to come out and score first, to never give up on the moment, to stay switched on and stay in every play shows how we have learnt.”
Italy were within touching distance of creating a first for themselves after upsetting Scotland and England earlier in the tournament.
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They had never won three games in the same Six Nations campaign, but history was to elude them.
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada said: “We saw a big improvement from Wales against Ireland and we knew they had the opportunity to put everything out there to get victory.
“It was a big game from Wales and they never gave up.
“The win was maybe bigger for them. Their heart and physicality was bigger than us in the first half.
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“We did better in the second half, but that first half defined the game.”
The Minnesota Vikings cut defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this week after a mediocre season in 2025, prompting the Green Bay Packers to sign him. And that’s a problem for Minnesota, says CBS Sports, which called the Packers a “winner” in free agency for the Hargrave signing.
Green Bay’s Hargrave signing drew praise, while Minnesota’s defensive line plan invited fresh questions.
Most Vikings fans didn’t give a damn when the team dropped Hargrave, so news of the Packers reaping the benefits felt a little strange.
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Javon Hargrave’s Exit Is Being Framed as a Win for Green Bay
Hargave’s fifth career chapter is underway in Wisconsin.
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) reacts following the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. Hargrave walked off the field as the Chiefs celebrated their championship, ending a tightly contested title game between two of the NFL’s best teams. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
CBS Sports: Packers a Free Agency Winner for Adding Hargrave
CBS Sports‘ Jordan Dajani named winners and losers out of the gate for NFL free agency, and because of Hargrave, Green Bay got a nod as a winner.
Dajani explained, “All things considered, the Green Bay Packers have not had a great free agency. But Brian Gutekunst made fans happy Wednesday by agreeing to terms with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a reported two-year, $23 million deal.”
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“At 33-years-old, Hargrave is no longer a double-digit sack Pro Bowler, but he can still make an impact in the middle of the defensive line — which is exactly what Green Bay needed. In addition to filling a need, this move reunites Hargrave with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.”
Vikings fans learned of Hargrave’s release earlier in the week and largely didn’t care. It was expected.
Dajani concluded, “The two worked together during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. Over that 33-game stretch, Hargrave recorded 123 tackles and 18.5 sacks. That includes an 11-sack season in 2022, when the Eagles made it to Super Bowl LVII.”
The 2025 Performance
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Hargrave’s Pro Football Focus grades indicate he’s slightly above average as an interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense mark, resulting in an overall grade of 68.0 —ranking him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush shows promise, his run defense lacks consistency.
His statistics support this assessment. In 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53%), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures, placing him 34th among defensive tackles in pressure generation.
Green Bay is acquiring a dependable veteran with pass-rushing capabilities. Despite two Pro Bowl appearances earlier in his career, recent film and statistics suggest Hargrave is now a mid-tier defensive tackle.
Vikings Evidently Preferring Youth
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Minnesota’s defensive tackle group appears strong even without Hargrave. Jalen Redmond emerged as one of the defense’s top performers last season and appears poised to be a long-term starter.
Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during second-half action against the Washington Commanders, Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hargrave battled along the interior defensive line throughout the afternoon, showing emotion after a key sequence as Minnesota fought to control the trenches late in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Levi Drake Rodriguez is developing into a solid run defender and could compete for starting snaps next season. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins saw a smidgen playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason.
Similar to Green Bay, Minnesota may still look to draft a rookie DT in April. Early in the event, these names will turn heads for DT-needy clubs:
Peter Woods (Clemson)
Caleb Banks (Florida)
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
Christen Miller (Georgia)
The Gannon Connection in GB
So, why did Hargrave choose Green Bay of all places? Well, he may have felt some revenge-oriented feelings, sticking it to the Vikings after they cut him. That happens. But the more likely explanation is that of Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Hargrave spent the three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, overlapping with Gannon in two of them and reaching the Pro Bowl in 2021. The Arizona Cardinals fired Gannon earlier this offseason — the springboard event that led Kyler Murray to Minnesota — and Green Bay waltzed in with a defensive coordinator offer.
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Seeking to replace Kenny Clark, who joined the Dallas Cowboys during the Micah Parsons trade, Gannon and the Packers’ brass settled on Hargrave.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reacts from the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers, Oct. 19, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Gannon monitored the action closely as Arizona battled Green Bay in an NFC matchup during the middle stretch of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
PackersWire‘s Mark Oldacres on the Hargrave addition: “Despite being well into the back nine of his career, Hargrave still has plenty of juice as a pass rusher, as shown by the numbers from 2025. Disrupting the quarterback has been his calling card throughout his career.”
“The 31 pressures Hargrave racked up on the interior last year were more than any Packers defensive tackle, and he had as many sacks per PFF (four) as Devonte Wyatt.”
Most Vikings fans decided Hargrave wasn’t overly productive after his performance in 2025, but CBS Sports disagrees, and Hargrave will see the Vikings twice per season, with a chance to prove the naysayers wrong.
In Thea Side Story 2 Shai of Sheparden in Monster Hunter Stories 3, you are tasked to race against another Gale Force Porkers and bring them home by defeating them. This time around, Thea had found someone from the village to help her, but they themselves got lost. You and Thea leave to find them and then catch the zooming Poogie.
If you are looking for guides on completing the partner quests in Monster Hunter Stories 3, check these guides:
Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story walkthrough in Monster Hunter Stories 3
You can start Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story 2 in Monster Hunter Stories 3 by interacting with Thea after completing the first main story mission at Sheparden.
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Find Shai
Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Go down the log bridge and take the bridge on the left. Follow it to the end and continue to find Shai’s mother. Now, you will have to go find Shai. Fast travel to Cataracts Camp and make your way towards the exclamation point. Once the cutscene ends, go straight ahead till you reach the exclamation point.
Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
The racing mechanic remains the same – hit the red mushrooms to boost your speed and avoid the purple mushrooms, which slow you down. While the track is relatively straightforward, avoid running on top of the bridge and instead choose left or right to get an extra red mushroom.
Once you defeat the Poogie, Thea will reappear and a cutscene will start. This will conclude the Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3.
All rewards from Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3
Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
The rewards from Shai of Sheparden Side Story 2 in MHS3 are:
Thea New Weapon: Hunting Horn – “Thea is now able to use Hunting Horns”
Thea Kagachi Developed – “Thea’s Kagachi learned “Stealthy.” Increases Crit Rate when not targeted by any Battle Lines.”
Check out other Monster Hunter Stories 3 guides:
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) races toward the end zone after a catch during third-quarter action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sep. 14, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Addison broke free down the sideline to finish the scoring play in Minnesota’s primetime road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison isn’t afraid of some controversy from time to time, and he used social media this week to ignite a little beef with New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The Vikings wideout brought old draft-class tension back into the spotlight with a quick online jab.
The two evidently remember each other from last year’s summer joint practices, though they have differing opinions of how events went down.
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A 2023 Draft Rivalry Just Picked Up Steam
It’s some Instagram back-and-forth.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) goes through pregame warmups ahead of a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sep. 10, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Gonzalez prepared with the Patriots’ secondary as the team opened its season against Philadelphia in a highly anticipated early-season AFC–NFC showdown. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports.
Addison, Gonzalez Spar on the Internet
Follow along for a moment.
A Patriots fan said on Instagram to Addison: “Keep that energy when gonzo locking you and yo sorry ahh team.”
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For clarity: Gonzo = Christian Gonzalez.
Addison replied, “Training camp he was on the sideline ask em.”
Another commenter chimed in: “Nobody shadows number 2 WRs,” implying that Addison doesn’t have the oomph of an WR1 in the NFL.
Finally, Gonzalez — Gonzo — replied, “Ask em hum?”
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Here’s the full exchange for visual learners:
Gonzalez’s Rapid Rise to Stardom
Gonzalez is the real deal, so if Addison plans to step to him, he must be ready to back it up somewhere down the line. The Patriots youngster isn’t an up-and-comer; he’s already arrived.
Gonzalez earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2024, along with a Pro Bowl the following season. Addison is going at one of the league’s best on social media.
Addison Hoping for Huge Season with New QB
Addison, on the other hand, will hope for a rebound season in 2026. His 2025 campaign was marred by two items: a) a three-game suspension out of the gate because of a wet reckless charge in California from the summer of 2024, which he pleaded to a misdemeanor, and b) the Vikings’ fifth-worst quarterback performance per EPA+CPOE.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) secures a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns, Oct. 5, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. The score came during an NFL International Series game as Minnesota’s passing attack found success on the global stage against Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The 24-year-old never hit a groove on offense, with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer distributing the rock. Now, heading into 2026, Kyler Murray has arrived in town for the Vikings, and he figures to win the QB1 job outright this summer.
The working theory is that all of Minnesota’s weapons will cook with Murray, including Addison.
Facing Each Other at Foxboro in 2026
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This beef will get a quick test as soon as the 2026 regular season. The Vikings will travel to New England for a road game, the first time they’ve done so since the 2018 season. While fans will long forget the fracas between Gonzalez and Addison on Instagram, each man is likely to remember it when the ball kicks off.
Athletes always find strange things for motivation, petty ones even, and this junior feud feels no different.
Gonzalez made quite a name for himself on the grandest stage of them all during the Super Bowl, firing up a couple of wickedly impressive pass break-ups during his team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s also worth noting that both men are from the same 2023 draft class and due for extensions before too long.
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Other Addison Instagram Waves
Addison was all over the place on Instagram last week. He even posted a photo of himself in a vintage Matt Forte Chicago Bears jersey.
NFL writer Garrett Klaus noted on the photo, “On the surface, it doesn’t really mean much. But given the recent circumstances around Addison and Minnesota this offseason, the timing is what made it interesting. Cause on the field, Addison has averaged roughly 885 receiving yards per season and has scored 22 touchdowns in his first 46 career games. However, his time in Minnesota hasn’t been without controversy.”
“The 24 year old is entering the final year of his contract and was recently suspended for three games in 2025 following a DUI related incident and has had several other off field situations that have occasionally frustrated the organization. Earlier this year, he was briefly arrested for trespassing at a Florida casino before the charge was later dropped. Those issues have complicated Minnesota’s long term decision making about the former first round pick.”
Most Vikings fans interpreted the Forte jersey as a nothingburger; NFLers frequently wear legends’ jerseys. Randy Moss is a common pick.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates with teammate Justin Jefferson (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The moment highlighted Minnesota’s explosive passing duo as Addison and Jefferson combined for another scoring play during the NFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Addison turned 24 in January. The Vikings have until May 1st to lock in his fifth-year rookie contract option, a maneuver most expect Minnesota to green-light.
Team India opener Sanju Samson joked that his batting partner Abhishek Sharma should get married soon so that the other players in the side can also enjoy their share of limelight. The keeper-batter also quipped that the left-handed batter’s popularity made other players in the team jealous of him.
Samson was the Player of the Tournament as India won the T20 World Cup 2026 at home last week. He scored 321 runs in five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.38. Samson ended the ICC tournament with three consecutive fifties, registering scores of 97*, 89 and 89. While Abhishek struggled for the most part, he hammered 52 off 21 in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Samson shared his views on Abhishek‘s massive popularity. In a lighthearted tone, he commented:
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“Earlier the boys used to get jealous because of the cheers for Abhishek. It was Abhishek, Abhishek everywhere. We were like, do people only see him or what?”
The 31-year-old then engaged in some fun leg-pulling of the southpaw and urged the youngster to get married soon. Samson added:
“But yes, he is the superstar of the team now. Get married soon, bhai.”
Abhishek began the T20 World Cup 2026 with three consecutive ducks. He scored a crucial 55 off 30 in the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai before registering a whirlwind half-century in the final.
“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire” – Sanju Samson on partnership with Abhishek
Speaking at the conclave, Samson also shared his thoughts on his opening partnership with Abhishek. Describing their combination as fire and fire, the Kerala cricketer stated that they try to keep things pretty simple out in the middle. The 31-year-old elaborated:
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“We are not ice and fire, we are fire and fire. Sometimes he fires, sometimes I do. We have that kind of combination going. We have done this since 2024, we have a Kerala-Punjabi friendship in the middle. Everything comes pretty naturally to us, so we do not complicate it. He asks me, ‘How is the ball coming?’ I tell him that the ball is coming normally, hit it for a six. It is really simple with him.
“Abhishek is very brave and collected, I love his character. I really love the partnership with him on and off the field,” the keeper-batter concluded.
Abhishek and Samson got India off to a terrific start in the T20 World Cup 2026 final, adding 98 in 7.1 overs. The partnership was broken when Abhishek was caught behind off Rachin Ravindra. The stunning opening stand paved the way for Team India’s historic triumph.
Jazza Dickens makes the first defence of his WBA super-featherweight world title tonight against Anthony Cacace at the 3Arena in Dublin, topping a Queensberry Promotions card broadcast live on DAZN.
Liverpool’s Dickens is enjoying the best run of his career, having upset Zelfa Barrett and stopped Olympic gold medallist Albert Batyrgaziev to become interim champion before being elevated to full WBA titleholder. His first test as top dog is a tough one – Belfast’s Cacace, a former IBF champion, steps through the ropes off the back of impressive wins over Joe Cordina, Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood.
The main card also features Pierce O’Leary against former world title challenger Maxi Hughes for the vacant IBO super-lightweight title, while Jono Carroll meets unbeaten Colm Murphy for the vacant IBO super-featherweight belt. Rising British prospect Ryan Garner is also in action against Cristian Bielma, and highly-touted heavyweight Adam Olaniyan takes on Jan Bezouska in his pro debut.
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Stay with Boxing News for live results and updates as the action unfolds.
Undercard results
Jono Carroll vs Colm Murphy – Vacant IBO super-featherweight title
Result: –
Ryan Garner vs Cristian Bielma – Super-featherweight
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Result: –
Adam Olaniyan vs Jan Bezouska – Heavyweight
Result: –
Pierce O’Leary vs Maxi Hughes – Vacant IBO super-lightweight title
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Result: –
Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace live scorecard and result
This is a Boxing News live scorecard and not the official score from the judges.
The top two teams in the Big 12 clash when the second-seeded Houston Cougars meet the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats in Saturday’s 2026 Big 12 Tournament championship game. Houston advanced to the title game with a 69-47 win over third-seeded Kansas in Friday’s semifinals, while Arizona advanced with an 82-80 win over fifth-seeded Iowa State. The Cougars (28-5), who have won five in a row, are looking to win their second consecutive Big 12 Conference Tournament title. The Wildcats (31-2), who have won eight straight, finished runner-up last season after losing 72-64 to Houston in the 2025 title game.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered conference tournament week on a sizzling 14-2 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on a 28-21 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.
SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (138.5 points). The Over has hit in two of the last three Arizona games. Houston is 2-8 against the spread in its last 10 games. Arizona, meanwhile, is 4-6 ATS in its last 10.
The model projects the Cougars to have three players score 12.4 points or more, including Emanuel Sharp, who is projected to score 17 points. The Wildcats are projected to have four players score 10.5 points or more, led by Brayden Burries, who is projected to score 13.2 points. The model is projecting 148 combined points.
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