Rod Martin, a key contributor to Super Bowl-winning teams, died at 72, the Las Vegas Raiders announced.

Martin is perhaps best known for his record-setting performance in Super Bowl XV, when he picked off three passes from Ron Jaworski en route to a 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Martin set the tone by picking off the Eagles quarterback on his first pass of the game, and Jim Plunkett turned it into six points just a few plays later on the ensuing drive.

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Former Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin attends the game against the San Diego Chargers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, on Oct. 10, 2010. (Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports)

As the Eagles trailed 21-3, they attempted to mount a comeback and were marching, but Martin picked off Jaworski again. Martin’s third pick all but sealed the victory late in the fourth quarter for the Raiders during their first stint in Oakland.

Three years later, when the then-Los Angeles Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII over the Washington Redskins, he had a sack and a fumble recovery.

“The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Martin, a standout linebacker and key player on two Super Bowl championship teams…” the team said in a release.

Linebacker Rod Martin of the Los Angeles Raiders stands on the sideline against the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, on Oct. 19, 1986. (USA TODAY Sports)

STEPHEN A. SMITH SAYS HE BELIEVES DIANNA RUSSINI AND MIKE VRABEL ARE INNOCENT — FOR NOW

“A beloved member of the Raiders Family and a favorite of Raiders fans everywhere, the deepest condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Rod’s family at this time.”

Amazingly enough, Martin’s career-high in interceptions in a regular season is four from his 1983 campaign, the same year as his second Super Bowl victory. Two of those went for pick-sixes, which led the league.

The following season, he was named a first-team All-Pro for the only time in his career.

Super Bowl XV was the only time he recorded at least one interception in a playoff game, and it was the only time in his career he had more than one in any game, regular season or postseason.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Rod Martin carries the ball after an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 25, 1981. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 27-10. (Manny Rubio/USA TODAY Sports)

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Martin was a 12th-round pick out of USC but became a mainstay on the Raiders’ defense, starting 147 of his 165 career games across his 12-year career, all of which were with the Raiders.

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When it comes to the future of the PGA Tour, and specifically the 2027 PGA Tour season, a lot is up in the air. But on Monday we gained some official insight into the new schedule, and it’s not good news for Hawaii golf fans.

The PGA Tour’s Hawaii swing is no more. Both the traditional season-opening event at Kapalua and the Sony Open in Hawaii will not be contested next year, at least not as PGA Tour events.

The Tour confirmed the news following early reports from the Associated Press and Sports Business Journal.

Here’s what you need to know.

PGA Tour confirms Hawaii will not be on 2027 schedule

The Sentry, formerly known as the Sentry Tournament of Champions, ran from 1999-2025 at Kapalua’s Plantation Course. For many years, it acted as the official PGA Tour season opener.

But beginning next year, the tournament will not serve that purpose.

The PGA Tour confirmed the development in a statement released Monday night.

“We are grateful to The Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua Resort, Maui County and the state of Hawaii for their longtime support of our season-opening PGA Tour event,” the statement read, “as well as the fans, partners and volunteers across Maui who have supported the event throughout the years.”

The news of the tournament’s end comes after the 2026 event was controversially cancelled due to course conditions related to water issues in Maui.

Sentry’s tournament sponsorship with the PGA Tour runs through 2035. Sports Business Journal reports that the company could potentially take over the sponsorship for the late-January event at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

As for the Sony Open, the Tour revealed that they are in discussions to turn it into a PGA Tour Champions event.

The news comes as the Tour plans to overhaul the 2027 schedule. CEO Brian Rolapp has stated the hope is to decrease the total number of tournaments, while bringing some events to big markets.

Chennai Super Kings have so far played six matches in the IPL 2026, losing four of them. Former skipper MS Dhoni has been conspicuous by his absence in these matches. A calf strain ruled him out of the first two weeks of action. Though he recently travelled with the team to Hyderabad, Dhoni was nowhere to be seen in the stadium. However, on Tuesday, CSK uploaded a video showing Dhoni wicketkeeping. CSK’s next match is against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, and the video has given rise to speculation over whether Dhoni is ready for that match.

Rule No. 1: Don’t step out when Thala’s behind the stumps

Rule No. 2: Read Rule No. 1 again 😂💪#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/mPYUIb3yuW

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— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 21, 2026

On Sunday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey expressed optimism about MS Dhoni’s comeback during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The former Indian cricketer is yet to feature in IPL 2026 as he has been recovering from a calf strain. While the right-hand batter has been taking part in net sessions, it is unclear when he will return to CSK’s playing XI.

After CSK suffered a 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, Hussey, speaking at the post-match press conference, said Dhoni is progressing well with his rehabilitation and expressed satisfaction with his batting.

“He’s progressing nicely with his rehab. And look, I’m a batting coach, and I’m happy with how he’s batting,” Hussey said.

Hussey added that Dhoni is batting well and that he is satisfied with his form. He explained that Dhoni’s main focus during recovery has been improving his running fitness and speed, particularly for quick runs between the wickets during the latter stages of an innings. Hussey said he is unsure about the exact return date but hopes Dhoni will be back soon.

“As you saw yesterday at training, he’s batting well. He was very happy with where his batting is at. He’s just about progressing with his running, because if he’s going to bat towards the back end of the innings, he’s going to have to scurry back for those twos and things like that. He just needs to get confidence in his running and build that speed up. I don’t know when he’ll play, but I’m hoping it’s sooner rather than later, like all the fans are,” the CSK batting coach said.

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SRH batting-first XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (capt), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora (wk), Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivang Kumar, Harsh Dubey, Sakib Hussain, Eshan Malinga

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The NCAA cabinet is considering a rule that would create a blanket 5-year eligibility window with very few exceptions.

An even more exciting idea is flying around to start College Football sooner.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I’m joined by ‘Locked On Utes’ host JT Wistrcill to discuss the top questions for first-time HC Morgan Scalley.

Does his roster look like one that will compete in the Big 12 for a Playoff spot?

Tennessee’s QB battle is one of the most interesting, with 5-star freshman Faizon Brandon competing against former blue-chip prospect George MacIntyre.

What are the Vols’ biggest questions outside of that position room?

00:00 Proposed college football calendar change
03:40 Adjusting the transfer portal timing
06:21 Revising college football schedule
12:26 Utah’s offensive line transition
13:07 Offensive line depth analysis
17:25 Discussing Devon Dampier’s potential
22:50 Evaluating Tennessee’s defensive improvements
24:59 Tennessee football player updates
30:33 Analyzing Tennessee’s quarterback options

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Carlos Alcaraz has been named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, following a standout 2025 season.

The 22-year-old won eight titles during the year, including Grand Slams at Roland Garros and the US Open. He also finished the season as world No. 1 after a close battle with Jannik Sinner.

Speaking after receiving the award, Alcaraz reflected on what it means to be recognised alongside some of the sport’s biggest names.

“Three years ago, I received the Laureus Breakthrough Award in Paris and met one of my heroes, Lionel Messi, who won the Laureus Sportsman Award. At the time, I dreamt that maybe one day I would join the great Messi on the Sportsman list, and today, I have.

“Messi, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Usain Bolt, and of course the great Rafael Nadal. I am following in the footsteps of giants. That makes this moment so special.”

He also acknowledged the role of his rivalry with Sinner.

“I truly understand why these Awards mean so much to the best athletes in the world… I especially would like to thank Jannik Sinner. If we hadn’t been across the net from each other, pushing the other one so hard, I don’t think either of us would have found the levels we did.”

Alcaraz becomes just the fourth ATP player to win the award, joining Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

Freddie Woodman found his enjoyment of the Merseyside derby abruptly interrupted by an unexpected Premier League debut for Liverpool, capping a remarkable 24 hours for his family.

The 29-year-old’s appearance in Sunday’s last-gasp 2-1 victory against Everton, followed a day of celebration for his family, as his father Andy’s team, Bromley, clinched promotion to League One on Saturday.

Woodman’s return to Premier League action, his first since four appearances for Newcastle in 2021, came under unforeseen circumstances.

His season with Preston had been prematurely ended by injury a year earlier, and he admitted to initial reservations about joining Liverpool, anticipating limited opportunities behind established keepers Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

However, with Alisson still recovering from a hamstring issue and Mamardashvili stretchered off after conceding the equaliser, Woodman was thrust into the spotlight.

“I was actually enjoying this Merseyside derby at the new (Hill Dickinson) stadium and then I was chucked into it at the deep end, so it was a good weekend for the family,” Woodman remarked, reflecting on his only previous Liverpool appearance in October’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.

He confessed to the surprise of the moment: “Did I ever think I was going to be playing for Liverpool in the Premier League? Probably not but, you know, when I’m called upon I just wanted to do my best.”

Woodman acknowledged the pressure, adding, “it’s a little nerve-racking but I think the nerves sort of fuel you, to want to do well and not to let people down. You come on and you think about the eight months that have gone past where you’ve worked every day really for this one moment.”

After a career that included numerous loan spells at clubs such as Crawley, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Swansea, and Bournemouth, Woodman had found a long-term home at Deepdale, making nearly 140 appearances.

Despite finishing last season injured with his contract expiring, he harboured doubts about signing for Liverpool.

“It’s tough. I am new to this role. When the opportunity came along I was a bit unsure whether to do it and as a third choice I am still learning on the job,” he explained.

“I quickly realised my game time is going to be limited and I would probably be called upon for 10, 20 minutes, and when that time comes, I just wanted to be prepared.”

Woodman has embraced the often-overlooked importance of a third-choice goalkeeper.

“Being third choice is, from what I’ve seen, more important than what I thought coming in. You are trying to have a relationship with the lads, so like if Dom (Szoboszlai) wants to do extra free-kicks, I want to be there to help him.

“If Mo (Mohamed Salah) wants to do extra shooting, I want to be there to help him. So it’s just trying to find a different role within the team and realising how important it is.”

Given the nature of his role, Woodman could find himself back on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace, the club he joined as a 14-year-old, should Mamardashvili recover from his gashed knee.

“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool. I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ball boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup,” he said.

Despite the personal opportunity, Woodman maintains a professional outlook: “I want Giorgi to be fine and then Ali, the best goalkeeper in the world, I want him to come back fit. I will just go about my stuff this week and prepare as if I am playing.”