Joey Browner, a former NFL star defensive back who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, has died, the team announced on Sunday. He was 65.

The Vikings selected Browner in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of USC. He worked his way up the depth chart to become a starter in his second season. By his third year with the Vikings, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.

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Former Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner smiles as he was honored before the game with the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome on Oct. 27, 2013. (Bruce Kluckhohn/USA Today Sports)

Browner was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time First Team All-Pro selection. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1980s Team.

“We’ve lost a great friend and one of the best Vikings teammates,” former Vikings star Steve Jordan said, via the Vikings’ website. “God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed.”

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Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner on the field against the Phoenix Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium on Oct. 27, 1991. (USA Today Sports)

Browner played nine years with the Vikings. He had 37 interceptions and 9.5 sacks in 138 games with the Vikings. Minnesota honored Browner by putting him into their Ring of Honor in 2013.

One of his best seasons came in 1990. He played all 16 games for the Vikings that year and had a career-high seven interceptions.

He appeared in six playoff games for the Vikings, but was never able to make it to the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas leaps over Minnesota Vikings defensive end William Gay (78) and Joey Browner (47) at Rich Stadium in the Sept. 4, 1988, season opener. (Tony Tomsic/USA Today Network)

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He played seven games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 before he retired from football.

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Tottenham Hotspur‘s hierarchy have finally addressed the mistake they made with the outlandish appointment of Igor Tudor as interim head coach – but the stakes are now so high they cannot afford another.

Tudor’s departure after only 44 days concludes a bizarre and potentially hugely expensive episode that leaves fingers pointing firmly in the direction of chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.

If Venkatesham and Lange get the next big decision wrong it could conceivably end with Spurs in the Championship, leaving a scar on their record that would be impossible to recover from.

If there is merit in the argument that it is better to correct a mistake as quickly as possible, the counter argument is that appointing Tudor was a mistake that should never have been made in the first place.

Time will tell, but Tudor’s spell in charge may yet end up as the 44 days that sealed Spurs’ Premier League fate.

Tottenham fans, who carefully note Venkatesham’s links to Arsenal from his previous job, will be waiting to see what he can pull off now. The ominous spectre of relegation is even more of a possibility after Tudor’s seven games in charge, which brought one pyrrhic victory, while exiting the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, and none in the Premier League.

Venkatesham and Lange will know the stakes as Spurs stand one point and one place above the relegation spots, the end coming for Tudor after the humiliating 3-0 home defeat by fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

They were behind the decision to bring in Tudor, the combustible Croatian with a chequered coaching career and no Premier League experience, to succeed the sacked Thomas Frank.

Having delayed dismissing Frank, seemingly hoping for a revival that was never coming and a change in the toxic mood among fans that was too far gone to be rescued, turning to Tudor was left-field at best.

Reigning champions Bath showed their class to beat Sale 31-26 with a bonus-point victory in an entertaining Gallagher Premiership encounter at the CorpAcq Stadium.

Alex Sanderson’s hosts scored four tries through Tom O’Flaherty, Rob du Preez, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Roebuck, with George Ford claiming three conversions.

But an under-strength Bath side ran in five tries from Dan Frost, Louie Hennessey, Ethan Staddon, Bernard van der Linde and Alfie Barbeary to edge the win, with Santi Carreras converting three of them.

Sale were missing twins Tom and Ben Curry through injury but Bevan Rodd, Ford, Roebuck and Cowan-Dickie returned after playing their part in England’s Six Nations campaign.

They were all named in the Sharks’ starting line-up while Nathan Jibulu was deployed in the unfamiliar openside flanker position and du Preez played outside centre after filling in at fly-half in Ford’s absence.

Bath produced a stunning performance in last Friday’s 62-15 win over Saracens at The Rec but rested Finn Russell and some of their other big names for the trip north.

That decision by Johann van Graan was taken with next Saturday’s reunion with Sarries in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup in mind. However, the visitors were still able to name 11 internationals in their matchday 23, with their bench particularly strong.

Bath enjoyed the early territory on a rain-soaked pitch and led when Frost dived over from close range for a try which Carreras converted.

Visiting winger Joe Cokanasiga was sin-binned in the 26th minute for deliberately knocking on Joe Carpenter’s pass and Sale soon scored when Du Preez’s long pass sent O’Flaherty over in the corner.

Ford converted to level the scores at 7-7 and in the 32nd minute Sale had a second when Du Preez dived over from close range.

Ford’s second successful conversion edged Sanderson’s men 14-7 ahead and Bath lost Frost to a yellow card for his team being persistently offside.

Sale punished them again, with Cowan-Dickie forcing his way over for his 44th Premiership career try and, although Ford failed to convert, the hosts went in at half-time with a 19-7 advantage.

Five minutes after the interval, and with Frost still in the sin-bin, Bath scored their second when Hennessey went over from a line-out and Carreras converted.

In the 50th minute, Staddon had Bath’s third try when he went over from close range after good work from Hennessey in the right corner.

Carreras missed the conversion to leave the scores finely poised at 19-19 but as the hour mark approached, Roebuck crossed in the right corner and Ford converted.

Bath scored again in the 62nd minute when replacement hooker Kepu Tuipulotu hacked downfield for to race clear to score for a try which Carreras converted to make it 26-26.

With nine minutes remaining, Barbeary scored to edge Bath back in front and they held on for the win which lifted them to within a point of leaders Northampton.

The trainer Ciaron Maher highlighted the outstanding runs from his two competitors who produced a breathtaking battle to decide the Australian Cup at Flemington.

Maher orchestrated the first and second placings in that Group 1 2000m showdown, Light Infantry Man scraping home by a nose over beloved Pride Of Jenni last Saturday.

Pride Of Jenni grabbed the lead in her typical manner and appeared under threat as the $2.50 favourite joined her with 400m to travel.

Hardly had the shouts for the favourite subsided when Pride Of Jenni hit back to dominate proceedings before Light Infantry Man loomed large.

The closing 100m proved electric as $21 shot Light Infantry Man ridden by Harry Coffey thrust his nose first past Pride Of Jenni ($11), with Apulia ($13) a length back in third.

Birdman lost ground approaching the finish to run fifth, three lengths shy.

Light Infantry Man, according to trainer Ciaron Maher, is an individual who must be handled just so.

Maher revealed that suspended regular Ethan Brown comprehends the gelding thoroughly and imparted tips to Coffey.

“This horse, he’s a unique horse, in the way he has to be ridden,” Maher said.

“Browny understands him well and I asked him to pass on some of that information last start and Harry didn’t really get it until he had finished the race.

He rode him perfect today. The start is very important for him. He blasted him straight out of the gates.

I don’t know who I’m more proud of, the winner or the second horse.”

Maher mulled over entering Sydney’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Randwick on the weekend, but saw the Australian Cup with Pride Of Jenni ensuring a proper gallop.

Last year’s Australian Cup saw Pride Of Jenni set a lively pace suiting Light Infantry Man perfectly, the same outcome Saturday.

“Two of his best wins are when he’s raced her,” Maher said.

“It’s such a shame for Jenni to run second again.

I know for (owner) Tony (Ottobre), it’s a race he holds very dear to his heart. He strapped back in the day a horse for (Colin) Hayes.

It’s still a race that’s eluded her, but she’s racing in great heart, and you never know, we may be back here with her next year. She was phenomenal.

I thought it was going to be a spectacular race and to be fighting it out with two of your own, it’s pretty cool.”

From his fourth-placed ride on Light Infantry Man in Caulfield’s Peter Young Stakes (1800m), where insights were gathered, Harry Coffey benefited from Brown’s morning text.

“This is his horse and he’s been so open and transparent in how to ride him,” Coffey said.

“He sent me a text this morning saying ‘I see it is going to be pretty wet, make sure you give him a nice warm up to the gates to let him know how open that track is. He’s a smart horse, and he’ll come to the conditions, but you have to let him know’.

“So, thank you Browny.”

Partner Declan Bates praised Pride Of Jenni as a true warrior.

“I don’t think I have ever asked of a horse what I asked of her today,” Bates said.

“I really asked her to extend quite early and she responded so gallantly.

“Frustrating not to win, obviously, but I am delighted for Harry, and I’m really happy with my horse.”

Visit leading racing betting markets to wager on stars like Light Infantry Man and Pride Of Jenni in their next Australian Cup assignments.

As the free agency period continues with the 2026 NFL draft approaching, former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker opened up on what led to his surprising March 9 release from the franchise after Decker indicated his intention to return to the Motor City for the 2026 season just days before.

In an exclusive interview with Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network, the former 2016 No. 16 overall pick shared his perspective on how and why things fell apart so quickly with the Lions.

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After Decker publicly detailed how injuries and time away from his family had started to wear on him, both Decker and the Lions knew that retirement was an option for the veteran left tackle following last season. But, according to Decker in his conversation with Detroit Football Network, two things were clear in his exit interviews with Detroit: the Lions wanted him back and Decker was not interested in taking a pay cut.

However, when both sides reconvened after Decker announced his intentions to return for an 11th NFL season, Decker said he was shocked when the team told his agent that the Lions only wanted Decker back if he agreed to a pay cut.

From there, negotiations broke down and Decker requested his release.

Decker said that he talked to Lions head coach Dan Campbell about his decision to return the day before he announced it. According to Decker, he tried to reach out to Lions general manager Brad Holmes about his decision to return, but he did not get a responding call or text.

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Holmes said last week that the only thing that could have been considered surprising was the timing of Decker’s public announcement that he was returning.

“I think a lot of those situations that happen, it all starts with communication and what you communicate with the player, what you communicate with the player’s agent, and so it starts there,” Holmes said. “There was really no surprises. Again, you don’t know when a player is going to put something out. So if you want to say there was a surprise, maybe it was that a surprise, but in terms of the decisions that he made, I wouldn’t say that that’d be a surprise.”

It’s clear that there’s some lingering frustration from Decker toward the Lions with the way things ended in Detroit. Decker is unhappy that none of Holmes, Campbell or Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley reached out after Decker requested his release.

From Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers:

But here’s what’s driving Decker crazy. This does feel a little personal. Since talking to Campbell on Feb. 23, he hasn’t heard from team leadership. There wasn’t a follow-up from his coach, Holmes never reached out, and Decker had to make first contact with position coach Hank Fraley, a man he publicly went to bat for when Campbell was hired.

After giving everything he had to the franchise for a decade, Decker expected more. He wanted to hear from his coach, from the general manager. He just wanted a simple “thank you” on his way out the door. And, just as badly, he wanted to say “thank you” for everything the organization has meant to and given to him. – Detroit Football Network

According to Decker, former Lions offensive coordinator-turned-Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has touched base. Johnson apparently reached out to check in on Decker after hearing about his request to be released by Detroit.

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While Rogers said Decker is still undecided about playing at all next season, a few teams have expressed interest. Given the nature of the divorce between Decker and the Lions, it can be assumed that his career in Detroit is done.

Despite the bad blood, Decker is still interested in potentially signing a one-day contract so he can ceremonially retire as a Detroit Lion.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Taylor Decker opens up on Detroit Lions divorce

Gervonta Davis has been one of the dominant forces at lightweight in recent years and now Shawn Porter has predicted how the hard-hitting ‘Tank’ would have fared against a prime Manny Pacquiao.

Davis knocked out Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019 to get his hands on the WBA (Regular) lightweight title, which he defended on four occasions before being elevated to full world champion at the beginning of 2024.

Since then, the three-division world champion has defended the belt twice, halting Frank Martin and then controversially drawing with Lamont Roach Jnr, before being stripped of his title and being named as champion-in-recess earlier this year.

Still, Davis remains undefeated and is perceived to be the man to beat in the lightweight division, but two-time welterweight ruler Shawn Porter told The PorterWay Podcast that he would have proved no match for Pacquiao, due to a lack of experience, energy and maturity.

“When you talk about a fight with ‘Tank’ Davis, respectfully to him, and Manny Pacquiao – you really don’t have a conversation at 135lbs. This is Manny, in his peak, this is the Manny that had so much energy and so much to offer, so much to give.

“Someone like Tank Davis, the number one thing that you have to understand is that, right now, Tank is still not mature enough to be in the ring with Manny Pacquiao on a fight night.

“Tank, right now, fighting a Manny Pacquiao at 135, is not mature enough, not seasoned enough, not experienced enough to get in the ring and go toe-to-toe with Manny for the course of a 12-round fight.

“He just don’t have the experience for that, that kid’s engine ain’t ran in enough different directions for him to be in the ring with Manny Pacquiao.”

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Pacquiao was last in action in July when he fought to a draw in a WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios, and the Filipino icon is set to return in September when he faces former rival Floyd Mayweather at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

As for Davis, his next move remains unknown, though it was recently reported he was in advanced talks to face one man in particular.

Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with Igor Tudor after just 44 days in charge with the club periliously close to being relegated from the Premier League.

Tudor was brought in as a short-term option to replace former manager Thomas Frank who was sacked in January but his appointment has been a disaster.

Taking charge for just seven games, Tudor has overseen four Premier League defeats in five games as well as Spurs’ exit from the Champions League after they were beaten 7-5 on aggregate by Atletico Madrid.

Tottenham now sit 17th in the table and are just one point above West Ham United with seven matches of the season remaining.

Announcing Tudor’s departure the club released a statement which reads: “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect.

“Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach.

“We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their efforts during the past six weeks, in which they worked tirelessly. We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time.

“An update on a new Head Coach will be provided in due course.”

The appointment of Tottenham’s next head coach will be crucial for the long-term stability of the club and there are plenty of candidates to take over from Tudor.

It remains to be seen whether the Spurs hierarchy will appoint another manager on a short-term basis or if they will choose a long-term option whose first goal will be to avoid dropping out of the English top-flight.

Rumoured names to take over include former boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently in charge of the US men’s national team, Harry Redknapp and Sean Dyche.

Senegal on Saturday paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy they have been ordered to return before beating Peru 2-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France in Paris.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on March 17 reversed Senegal’s 1-0 final victory over Morocco in Rabat on January 18 and awarded a 3-0 victory to the hosts.

On Saturday, Senegal captain Kalidou Coulibaly and his teammates came onto the pitch with the AFCON trophy for a lap of honour after a pre-match concert by Senegalese superstar Youssou Ndour.

Coulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy went up to the stadium’s presidential box to place the trophy there in front of Abdoulaye Fall, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, among others.

The AFCON final descended into chaos when Senegal players walked off in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time.

The players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane. After Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, Pape Gueye scored in extra time to gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.

Read moreSenegal stripped of AFCON title: CAF ruling sets a ‘very dangerous’ precedent

CAF ruled that Senegal’s players had broken the rules by leaving the field without the referee’s permission.

The Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal against the CAF decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday and has not given up on keeping the title.

‘Welcome to Saint-Denis’

A crowd of 70,000 was expected for the match at 1600 GMT on Saturday. Thousands of Senegalese supporters, sprinkled with Peruvian fans, were already in the Stade de France by the time the players showed off their trophy.

Earlier, nearly 200 Senegal supporters gathered in front of the nearby Basilica of Saint-Denis before making their way to the Stade de France to the sound of traditional drums and percussion.

Bally Bagayoko, the new-elected mayor of Saint-Denis, briefly joined the procession.

“Welcome to Saint-Denis,” said the mayor. “I wanted to thank everyone who organised this wonderful initiative.”

“You are the pride of the residents of working-class neighbourhoods. We have often been discriminated against and often looked down upon.”

“You are showing that you are capable, at such an important moment, of coming together. Today, Africa is united. Everyone behind Senegal.”

The friendly against Peru was due to be the Lions of Teranga’s first match since the Africa Cup of Nations final.

They are preparing for the World Cup where they have been pitted in a group with France, Norway and either Bolivia or Iraq.

Their squad on Saturday was almost identical to the one that competed in the Africa Cup of Nations. 

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)