MERCEDES: The story of of a team that refused to stay down
Most people think of Mercedes-Benz as just a brand for luxury cars and Maybachs you see on the road. But its story in motorsport is very different, and much deeper. It goes all the way back to the 1950s. The journey of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team doesn’t really start in today’s Formula 1 paddock; it starts like a legend, where speed, innovation, and ambition first came together to build what we now know as the Silver Arrows.Now, before we head into how Mercedes created an empire of its own, let’s look at why Mercedes have the upper hand this season.The 2026 season introduced another major regulatory overhaul in Formula 1, offering teams a fresh opportunity to reset. This time, Mercedes approached the changes with a very different mindset, avoiding the pitfalls that hit them in 2022.Mercedes developed an entirely new aerodynamic philosophy, focusing on creating a car that performed consistently across different circuits and conditions. This broader operating window allowed them to extract performance more reliably, something that had been missing in previous years.
Mercedes F1 2026 (Image Credit: F1)
In the 2026 Formula 1 season, Andrea Kimi Antonelli currently leads the World Drivers’ Championship with 72 points. Driving for Mercedes alongside teammate George Russell, the 19-year-old Italian has had a record-breaking start to the year, securing back-to-back victories in China and Japan. By winning in Japan, he became the youngest driver in F1 history to lead the standings. His win in Shanghai was the first for an Italian driver in 20 years, since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.On 1 February 2024, Mercedes confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will depart after 12 years with the team, having activated an exit clause to sign a multi-year deal with Scuderia Ferrari starting from the 2025 season. Later that year, on 31 August 2024, Mercedes announced junior driver Kimi Antonelli as his replacement. On 19 December 2024, Valtteri Bottas was confirmed to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver. However, his second stint with the team was short-lived, as he departed ahead of the 2026 season to join the newly established Cadillac F1 Team. But the 19-year-old has proven his worth in the first three rounds of the Grand Prix.Mercedes secured back-to-back three podiums in F1 after almost 4 years, which Hamilton used to do in almost every race for Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes Era (2014–2021): A Period of Unmatched Dominance
After making a comeback in Formula 1, Mercedes had an era of dominance, largely because of the hero of the team, Lewis Hamilton. The period between 2014 and 2021 represents the peak of Hamilton’s dominance in Formula 1 with Mercedes. Across these eight seasons, Hamilton secured six World Drivers’ Championships (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), establishing himself as the defining driver of the hybrid era. The only seasons where he fell short came in 2016, when teammate Nico Rosberg edged him to the title, and in 2021, when he lost out to Max Verstappen in a dramatic and controversial finale.
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Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes (Mercedes/F1 Photo)
By 2019 and 2020, Hamilton’s dominance reached another level. In 2019, he amassed a record-breaking points tally for a single season, showcasing complete control over the championship. The 2020 season further cemented his legacy, as he equalled Schumacher’s record of seven world titles and became the most successful driver in terms of race victories, surpassing 91 wins at the Portuguese Grand Prix.The 2021 season, however, brought one of the most dramatic title fights in Formula 1 history. Hamilton achieved his milestone 100th race win but ultimately lost the championship to Max Verstappen in a controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the end of his uninterrupted reign at the top.But it was not only Hamilton’s era; it was the era of Mercedes, when Formula 1 shifted from raw pace to a balance of energy management. This is where Mercedes gained a decisive edge. Their power unit was not only the most powerful on the grid but also the most efficient in how it used and deployed energy. Unlike traditional engines, hybrid units rely heavily on energy recovery systems. Mercedes perfected this balance early. Their engine could generate strong straight-line speed while consuming less fuel, which allowed drivers to push harder for longer without compromising race strategy. Efficiency also meant better thermal management and reliability, two factors that often decide championships over a long season.This particular factor of the engine was fully understood by Hamilton, which he adapted to very quickly season after season. That period was known as the Mercedes-Hamilton era, when other teams were competing for second place because Mercedes always had the upper hand, until 2021, when the actual downfall of Mercedes and Hamilton began.
2022 – The Miscalculation That Changed Everything
When Formula 1 introduced ground-effect aerodynamics in 2022, it fundamentally changed how cars generated performance. Instead of relying mainly on wings, cars now produced most of their downforce from airflow under the floor. This meant teams had to rethink everything, from car shape to suspension to airflow management.Before teams could fully adapt, Mercedes faced a psychological setback after losing to Red Bull in 2021, where Max Verstappen won his first championship in the finale. The Mercedes era was shattered, and then the aerodynamic changes hit the team.Mercedes chose not to follow the conventional design path. Instead, they introduced one of the most radical concepts in modern F1, the “zero sidepod” design, where the bulky side structures were almost entirely removed.From an engineering perspective, the idea was genuinely innovative. Traditional sidepods guide airflow around the car, but they also create drag and can disturb clean airflow toward the rear. In theory, this concept could have unlocked a completely new design philosophy, giving Mercedes an advantage similar to what they had in 2014.Normally, if a concept doesn’t work, teams can gradually shift direction. Mercedes couldn’t, because their design was so extreme and different. Technically, Mercedes lost performance. But psychologically, they lost something even bigger, control. They bet on a revolutionary idea, but in Formula 1, revolution only works if it’s controllable.This four-year period was not their only downfall. Before winning back-to-back championships, when they returned in 2010, they were not even close to competing for titles. But where were they over the long term?
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The Origins: 1950s Dominance and Withdrawal
Mercedes’ dominance actually dates back to the 1950s. They entered Formula 1 in 1954, and Juan Manuel Fangio won the championship that year and again in 1955. However, the team withdrew from motorsport after the tragic 1955 Le Mans disaster. Mercedes returned as a works team in 2010, they signed 7 time champion Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. Although results between 2010 and 2013 appeared modest, this period was a carefully planned rebuild.
Mercedes Formula 1 car from 1950s (Photo: f1)
Behind the scenes, Mercedes was constructing a long-term system rather than chasing short-term success. This groundwork laid the foundation for their dominance in the hybrid era. The results were in the favor of the team winning 7 record championships, until they hit with Psychological setback in 2021.After the domination era, Mercedes was way back in the race for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2025, and then something happened that completely shocked the world of Formula 1.
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The Hamilton Exit: Why It Changed Everything at Mercedes
When Lewis Hamilton left the Mercedes, it wasn’t just a routine driver move, it was the breaking point of an era that had defined modern Formula 1. Hamilton and Mercedes weren’t just successful, they were interdependent. Over nearly a decade, they built one of the most dominant partnerships the sport has ever seen. But beyond statistics, Hamilton was central to how Mercedes functioned. He wasn’t just driving the car, he was shaping its development. His feedback influenced design philosophy, race strategy, and even team confidence.
Lewis Hamilton championship (Image: F1)
Now, in 2026, Mercedes’ aerodynamic and engine package is fully under their control. Drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have been actively involved in the engineering process, and the results are there for the world to see, with both drivers leading Grands Prix.Mercedes in F1 is truly a story of the rebirth of an empire. First, they dominated in an era of raw pace, then withdrew after a tragic accident. When they returned, they learned and built a seven-year period of dominance, after that a psychological setback. Now, they are experiencing yet another rebirth, with a completely different structure within the team.
Clutch doesn’t even begin to describe Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett’s season-saving shot.
The Raptors, down 3-2 in the series, were trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers 110-109 with 10.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter at the Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.
Barrett inbounded the ball to Scottie Barnes, with the Raptors needing a basket to save their season. Barnes dribbled to the free-throw line and then kicked the ball back to Barrett, who was waiting at the top of the key.
Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett celebrates with fans after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first-round NBA playoffs in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on May 1, 2026.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Barrett launched a 3-pointer, a shot that needed to find the back of the net if the Raptors were to force a Game 7 and extend their season. Instead, Barrett found the back of the rim and the ball bounced nearly seven feet off it.
The ball then came down and fell through the net, giving the Raptors a 112-110 lead with 1.2 seconds left. Evan Mobley had a chance to win it for the Cavaliers, but his 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim as time expired.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said he felt like Barrett’s shot was in the air for an eternity.
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“It was only half a second, but it felt like an eternity,” Rajakovic said. “I was happy for him, for this team, for this city, that the shot went down.”
Barrett said he knew it had a chance to fall because of where the ball landed on the rim.
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett scored the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during overtime in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on May 1, 2026.(Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
“I thought it was still good because it went straight up,” Barrett said. “When it goes straight up, you have a chance.”
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Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had a more succinct reaction to Barrett’s season-saving shot.
“Sometimes the basketball gods aren’t with you,” Atkinson said.
The Cavaliers are now looking to turn the page and win Game 7 at home.
“This is why you fight so hard to get home-court advantage,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We knew this wasn’t going to be easy. This is the playoffs, this is what it’s about. We’ve got to recover and get ready for Sunday’s game.”
Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett reacts after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, on May 1, 2026.(Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)
“Protect home court,” Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said. “It doesn’t matter if we lost by 30 or two, protect home court. That’s all you can do.”
For Raptors fans, the friendly bounce was reminiscent of an even bigger playoff basket north of the border: Kawhi Leonard’s four-bounce, buzzer-beating winner against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Raptors fans hope they can get another special memory when the team plays the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. ET.
MIAMI — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead over rival Orlando City, looking poised to finally get what would be a historic first win inside the team’s new stadium.
History was indeed made — by Orlando City, that is.
Martin Ojeda scored three goals, Tyrese Spicer had the go-ahead goal in the third minute of stoppage time and Orlando City stunned Inter Miami 4-3 on Saturday night — becoming just the third team in MLS history to rally from a 3-0 deficit and get a victory.
“Greatest comeback in MLS HISTORY?” read a headline on MLS’ website after the match.
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Orlando would surely say so.
Messi had a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance for the club, and somehow that wasn’t enough against a team that came into the night near the bottom of the MLS standings. Inter Miami fell to 0-1-3 at its new stadium, and the defending champions are one of only three teams in MLS winless at home so far this season.
Ian Fray and Telasco Segovia also scored for Inter Miami, which was unbeaten (5-0-6) in its last 11 matches across all competitions and its last nine matches (5-0-4) in MLS play. And afterward, Fray said that Messi had words in the locker room — calling the outcome “unacceptable.”
“We all agree with him,” Fray said. “It is unacceptable.”
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According to MLS, the other two matches where a team rallied from 3-0 down to win — excluding a shootout win by the MetroStars in 1996 — were Seattle beating D.C. United 4-3 in 2017 and LA Galaxy beating LAFC 4-3 in 2018.
Orlando City (3-7-1) had won only two of its last 15 MLS matches — including playoffs — dating to last season. Orlando City also was 0-4-1 on the road in MLS play this season.
None of that mattered. Ojeda scored in the 39th minute to send Orlando into the half down 3-1. He scored again in the 68th minute to make matters interesting.
Too interesting from the Inter Miami perspective.
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Ojeda had a great chance to tie it in the 73rd minute, alone on the right side of the box. But Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair came well off his line and made a point-blank save to keep the score 3-2.
Ojeda wouldn’t be denied, connecting on a penalty kick in the 78th minute to tie things up at 3-3. He had another chance in the 80th minute, with St. Clair stopping that one with his face — yes, his face — to keep the match tied.
Spicer eventually got the go-ahead goal for the visitors, Messi and the Herons kept arguing over what they felt were missed calls, and time ran out.
Inter Miami has four matches left before MLS’ seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those looming opponents — Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia — was over the .500 mark entering Saturday.
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) goes through warmups before kickoff, Sep. 20, 2025, at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, as he prepares to face the Missouri Tigers in a key SEC matchup early in the college football season. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images.
On Saturday, we chronicled the Minnesota Vikings’ general manager search, Garrett Bradbury’s plight in Chicago, and new WR Dillon Bell. It’s time for the second batch of purple rumors for the week.
Minnesota’s rumor mill is already drifting toward 2027, familiar depth help, and one rookie cornerback.
Training camp gets cooking for the Vikings in less than three months; here’s where the rumors stand ahead of time.
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Three Names Are Already Floating around the Vikings’ Summer Radar
The Purple Rumor Mill for May 3rd, 2026.
South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) throws passes during pregame warmups, Nov. 1, 2025, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, as the Gamecocks prepared to face the Ole Miss Rebels with Sellers getting loose ahead of kickoff in an SEC road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.
Rumor: LaNorris Sellers, a quarterback from South Carolina, has already been linked to the Vikings in next year’s draft.
Brendan Donahue of Sharp Football Analysis kickstarted the 2027 mock draft process this week, with the Vikings holding the 14th pick — so an 8-9 record or so in 2026.
He nominated Sellers to Minnesota and wrote, “The 2026 season feels like a make-or-break year for both the quarterbacks currently on the Vikings roster. I don’t think head coach Kevin O’Connell will hesitate to move on from either or both if they miss the playoffs again in 2026 and replace them with someone who seems to be more of his prototype at the position.”
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“Many scouts believe Sellers has as much upside as any quarterback at the college level if he can just put it all together.”
Norris looks the part the moment he steps on the field. At 6’3″ and 240 pounds, and running in the 4.5s, his physical gifts are immediately apparent, translating directly to his on-field performance. He boasts legitimate arm strength, allowing him to launch the deep ball, and can break the pocket to create plays much like the nation’s top scramblers. Clearly, there’s significant talent to develop.
However, his concerns are equally evident. He tends to hold the ball too long, leading to sacks, and struggles with ball security. Furthermore, his accuracy noticeably declined in 2025.
Ultimately, Norris is a quarterback with rare physical tools, but he also exhibits significant areas for improvement and inconsistency.
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Of course, if Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy are the real deal, the Vikings won’t need a quarterback in 2027. Simple as that.
Rumor: If the Vikings want Cam Akers back, he’s available.
Akers’s short stint with the Seattle Seahawks is kaput. Seattle Times’s Bob Conodotta wrote Monday, “The Seahawks released veteran running back Cam Akers on Monday in the wake of selecting Jadarian Price in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday. Akers, a seven-year NFL veteran, signed to the Seahawks’ practice squad last November after an injury to George Holani.”
“He played in three regular-season games and in the NFC title game win over the Rams without getting a carry. He had two kickoff returns for 54 yards in a late-season win at Carolina. The release of Akers leaves the Seahawks with six running backs on the roster — Price, Zach Charbonnet, Holani, Kenny McIntosh, Jacardia Wright and free agent signee Emanuel Wilson.”
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Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter, Dec. 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings faced the Green Bay Packers in a late-season divisional game with Akers finishing a key scoring drive. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Akers will now hit the open market, with Minnesota obviously being a suitor for his services because they just love the man so much.
Is Akers required on the Vikings’ roster right now? Nope. But in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Akers didn’t really feel needed either at this time on the calendar, and he found his way back to the Vikings each time. Here’s the current RB setup in Minnesota after the draft:
RB1: Aaron Jones RB2: Jordan Mason RB3: Demond Claibonre RB4: Zavier Scott RB5: Kejon Owens
You can never rule out Akers for the O’Connell-led Vikings. He has O’Connell’s gridiron crush.
Rumor: CB Charles Demmings could be an undercover stud.
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Analyzing each team’s draft class, Brugler wrote Monday about Demmings, “Day 3 pick who could surprise: Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin. Aside from Demmings always being a great quote, he leaves everything he has on the field. With his cover athleticism and mental toughness, Demmings was a worthy bet in the fifth round, and he landed with a team that needed cornerback depth.”
Demmings joins the team as the fourth cornerback, behind Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and James Pierre. His initial depth chart position, however, doesn’t preclude him from early playing time. Given Minnesota’s history of rotating corners and Demmings’ promising traits, he has a clear path to snaps by September if circumstances align favorably.
Stephen F. Austin defensive back Chuck Demmings (DB07) speaks with reporters during media availability, Feb. 26, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of the NFL Combine with prospects meeting teams and answering questions ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.
Physically, Demmings stands 6’1″ and weighs 195 pounds, boasting a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. His impressive length and vertical speed are evident, complemented by the excellent ball-tracking skills he demonstrated in college, where he recorded nine interceptions. Furthermore, his tackling significantly improved at Stephen F. Austin, making him a more complete player than he was earlier in his career.
Minnesota has struggled to develop drafted cornerbacks into long-term solutions since Xavier Rhodes. That challenging track record casts a shadow over every new addition to the position in the draft. Demmings now enters this historical context, equipped with the tools to compete. His performance will ultimately determine whether the pattern of past struggles continues or finally shifts.
Napoli and Como drew 0-0 in Serie A on Saturday in a result that did little to further either of their ambitions for this season. The draw will likely disappoint hosts Como the more as they now trail Juventus in the final Champions League spot by two points and the Old Lady can grow that advantage when they host Verona on Sunday. Second-placed Napoli know their Serie A title defence is over with leaders Inter Milan, now nine points clear, needing just a draw from their remaining four fixtures to win the league.
Inter can claim the Scudetto on Sunday with three games to spare when they play mid-table Parma at the San Siro.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte admitted Como had given them quite a challenge.
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“It was certainly a good performance, as without that you don’t emerge unscathed from a game where both Napoli and Como had a lot at stake,” Conte told DAZN.
“Como probably had more at stake with Champions League qualification.”
But after the stalemate, third-placed AC Milan can draw level with Napoli on 70 points should they win at Sassuolo on Sunday.
The first big chance came to Como inside the opening 10 minutes as Anastasios Douvikas managed to round Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, only for two defenders to scramble back and block his effort on the goal-line.
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At the other end Scott McTominay responded for Napoli with a towering leap at a corner on 18 minutes but his header went over with the Como ‘keeper Jean Butez lost in a melee.
Como’s Martin Baturina bent wide four mins later and then Milinkovic-Savic came out well to deny Assane Diao on a swift counter and the match went into half-time goalless.
Napoli appealed vainly for a penalty early in the second period, however, the referee adjudged Rasmus Hojlund had manufactured the contact close to the byline and chose not to point to the spot.
A deflected effort from just inside the box from Baturina then required a desperate claw away from the goal by a wrong-footed Milinkovic-Savic.
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McTominay passed up the best chance of the second period on 80 minutes after galloping onto a lofted through-ball but his steered finish nestled in the side netting.
Matteo Politano nearly won the match five minutes later with a spectacular curling effort from distance, which came back off the post with Butez well-beaten.
Elsewhere, Udinese climbed to 10th following a 2-0 win at home to Torino and seventh-placed Atalanta played out a goalless draw at home to Genoa.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has admitted that the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most high-profile rivalry is not between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Mumbai Indians (MI) anymore. The two heavyweights produced a not-so-engaging encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, on Saturday, May 2, after a comfortable eight-wicket win for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side in the end.
The legendary sides, who have ten titles between them, and have faced each other in the finals four times, are nowhere near the top of the table. Referred to as the IPL’s El Clásico, drawing inspiration from the iconic rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, it has not been the same over the last few years.
Since 2023, MI have only managed to record one win over their rivals in seven matches. The majority of the contests have been one-sided, including both fixtures in IPL 2026, with CSK securing massive wins by 103 runs and eight wickets, away and home, respectively.
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Manoj Tiwary opined that the clashes between CSK and MI should no longer be referred to as the El Clásico, given the quality of the recent matches between the two sides, and their current state in general.
“Surya is not performing on a daily basis, Tilak Varma scored in one match, and now his runs are also not coming. If there is this level of inconsistency from the players, then how will you get results? We always talk about this match as the El Clásico, this is no more El Clásico; you can remove the Clásico word now. This has now become so one-sided. So, I think it would be wrong to say that this is an El Clásico rivalry now,” Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
Overall, these two sides have faced each other 43 times, where MI have a slender advantage after recording 22 wins.
“There is now a belief that they can win matches without MS Dhoni” – Manoj Tiwary on CSK’s growing confidence after rough start to IPL 2026
CSK had endured a horror start to the campaign, losing each of their first three matches. After their last-placed finish in IPL 2025, there was a fear that the ongoing campaign could prove to be an extension, despite a massive mid-season revamp.
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However, the team has picked up some momentum in recent games, and have lost only two of their last six matches.
“The confidence is back now, especially when MS Dhoni is not there in the playing XI. There is now a belief that they can win matches without MS Dhoni. That was difficult at one time, but the confidence has now been built up. If they maintain this momentum, and play with this blueprint, play with this process, they have a good chance,” Manoj Tiwary said.
CSK, placed sixth and involved in the mid-table muddle, will next face the Delhi Capitals (DC), at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, on Tuesday, May 5.
Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Butte High School in Butte, MT.
The list includes only those players who have played in a regular-season NFL game. Consequently, players taken in the recent 2026 draft will not be included until they have seen the field.
The League does not officially recognize players who appeared only in preseason exhibition games.
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Butte is ranked as the No. 1 pro football player-producing high school in the state.
Montana has produced a total of 78 NFL players from 39 schools, with 6 pros currently active.
See where all the other schools in Big Sky Country rank here, with links to their respective players.
When Shaun Murphy trudged off the Crucible floor for the last interval of his World Snooker Championship semi-final, trailing 15-13, his dreams of a second world title were on the brink of collapse. Just two frames away from defeat, against the grittiest of opponents in 50-year-old, four-time world champion John Higgins, Murphy required something special.
And that’s exactly what he delivered. A sublime break of 105, his third century of the session, narrowed the gap to one before an equally clinical break of 78 levelled the match once more. From 13-11 down overnight, he had already fought back to 13-13 with back-to-back tons in the blink of an eye and now he had eradicated a 15-13 deficit to turn a four-session match into a best-of-three shootout for a place in the world final.
Both men had chances in frame 31 but it was Murphy who took the last of them to move within one of victory before a nervy final frame saw Higgins miss a black off the spot when poised to force a decider and, although it took the younger man two attempts, he got over the line 17-15. In the biggest moment, he stood up tall.
Shaun Murphy and John Higgins showed respect for each other after an epic semi-final (Reuters)
“The way Shaun hit the ball in that last session – you cannot hit it better than that,” said a gracious, but shell-shocked, Higgins afterwards. “It was incredible, it really was. He just hits it like God.”
When the comparison to a deity was put to Murphy in his post-match press conference, the 43-year-old was understandably chuffed. “I’ll take that,” he chuckled. “I don’t like to give myself too much praise, but I’m gonna have that one.”
Now Murphy turns his attention to an even greater hurdle – finally lifting a second world title. When he won his first, as a fresh-faced 22-year-old way back in 2005, he freely admits he expected plenty more to follow. Twenty-one years later, the closest he has come is three defeats in finals – to Higgins in 2009, to Stuart Bingham in 2015 and to Mark Selby in 2021.
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There are ghosts to be laid to rest. Has he forgotten how to win snooker’s biggest match? We’ll find out over the next two days as he faces Wu Yize, who came through an incredible semi-final with Mark Allen to reach his first world final at just 22 – the same age Murphy was when he won the title in 2005.
Wu looked out of the running as Allen left 16-14, just one frame away from victory but he closed the gap to 16-15 and then watched as his Northern Irish opponent incredibly missed a simple final black off the spot to win, allowing the Chinese cueman a simple tap in to force a decider.
Allen got in first but when he broke down on 47, Wu capitalised and a brilliant final break of 73 sent him into the final where he will aim to match last year’s winner Zhao Xintong by becoming just the second Chinese world champion. But Murphy is desperate to join an elite club his own, hunting a second world crown.
Murphy’s lone world title came at the age of 22 back in 2005 (Getty)
“There is a totally different reverence given to multi-world champions throughout the tour, amongst the players,” he explained. “They’re seen in a totally different light.
“I saw on a stat recently that there’s actually not as many of them as I thought there were [only six men have won multiple titles at the Crucible], so it’s quite a small club within a club.
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“There is a slightly different nod given to the guys that have won it twice or more. So, it would be great to join the club.”
With defeat in the semi-finals, Higgins was denied history. A ninth world final appearance would have matched Scottish icon Stephen Hendry for the most in Crucible history and, at barely more than a fortnight short of his 51st birthday, he would have become the oldest man to play in snooker’s showpiece.
Higgins was left to rue a heartbreaking defeat (Getty)
Going a step further, a fifth world title would have moved him one clear of Mark Selby for lone fourth place in the all-time list, and just one behind king of the 1980s Steve Davis. It would have been fitting reward for a consensus all-time top five and probable all-time top three snooker player. You can’t help but wonder how many more chances there will be.
“John Higgins… What a player and what a man,” effused Murphy. “The harder it gets on the table, the tougher he gets and the better he plays.
“He’s such a competitor. If I’m half the player he is when I’m in my 50s, I’ll be very proud.”
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Higgins may have been the more popular choice to reach the final but sport is rarely decided on emotion. Murphy outscored his opponent – making five centuries to Higgins’ one – and will now have a shot at his own slice of history instead.
Murphy was delighted to battle into a fifth world final (Reuters)
“There’s no point me pretending that being in the final isn’t going to mean absolutely everything,” added Murphy. “When I walk out there tomorrow, there’s no point pretending that I’m not going to be very nervous over the next two days.
“It’s going to be very very difficult to get that second win and it would mean so much more now, than it meant 21 years ago. I was so clueless as a 22-year-old. I think that was in my favour, I didn’t really understand it but now I do understand it, it would mean even more.”
The ghosts of final defeats past might finally be exorcised.
Manchester United host rivals Liverpool as both teams look to secure a top-four Premier League finish and rubber-stamp their place in next season’s Champions League.
After beating Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season under Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick’s United have the chance to complete a Premier League double over the Reds for the first time in 10 years.
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Carrick would do his chances of becoming United’s head coach on a permanent basis no harm at all by beating Liverpool at Old Trafford, a result that would also wrap up third place.
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Liverpool have won three of their last five visits to Old Trafford and Arne Slot could also boost his chances of being in charge next season with three points, which would see the Reds move above United.
Here’s everything you need to know
Is Manchester United v Liverpool on TV?
It will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Sky customers can stream the match on Now TV or Sky Go. Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 3:30pm.
Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah due to injury, which means the Egyptian will miss out on a final trip to Old Trafford as a Liverpool player. A late call will be made on goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with Freddie Woodman set to continue if the Brazilian remains unavailable due to injury.
Michael Carrick: “It’s certainly one of my favourite games, without doubt. It’s a standout game. I think there’s obviously big games and big rivalries that we have with other teams but certainly this one is right up there. The history, the ups and downs that past has produced in these type of game, and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game.”
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Arne Slot: “Every game you play has influence on your league position. So that’s not only when you play Man United, it’s every week in every game. But we are aware of the fact that it’s a very big game, not only because we play Man United, but definitely also to qualify for the Champions League and to get the highest possible position in the league table, which of course is something we want. We wanted to, of course, win the league. That’s not possible. And then you have to try to end up as high as possible, and that’s what we are trying week in, week out, and that’s what we’re going to try Sunday again as well.”
CARSON, Calif. — Mathias Laborda scored in the 82nd minute for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night in a 1-1 tie with the LA Galaxy.
The Whitecaps (8-1-1), who were only the second MLS team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win eight of their first nine games to begin a season, had their club regular-season record four-game win streak snapped.
Sebastian Berhalter played a free kick from the left side to the back post and Laborda headed home the finish from point-blank range to cap the scoring.
The Whitecaps had 58% possession and outshot LA 19-7, 5-2 on target.
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Joseph Paintsil opened the scoring in the 46th minute. Lucas Sanabria, in the opening seconds of the second half, stole a misplayed ball from Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka and fed Paintsil for a finish from the right side of the area.
JT Marcinkowski had four saves for the Galaxy (3-4-4).
May 2, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11), St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) and St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrate after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images
Jordan Walker slugged a two-run homer among his two hits and Michael McGreevy tossed six scoreless innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday for their sixth straight victory.
McGreevy (2-2) allowed three hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Right-hander Ryne Stanek and lefty JoJo Romero each pitched a scoreless inning before the Dodgers scored two runs on four straight hits against righty Riley O’Brien in the ninth.
O’Brien recorded two quick outs before giving up back-to-back infield singles to Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez. Max Muncy and Andy Pages followed with RBI singles before O’Brien struck out pinch hitter Dalton Rushing for his ninth save.
Los Angeles lost its fourth straight game and has scored three or fewer runs in seven of its last 11 games. Starter Rori Sasaki (1-3) gave up three runs on five hits with two walks over six innings. He retired the final 10 batters he faced and threw a career-high 104 pitches.
Pirates 17, Reds 7
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Pittsburgh became the third team in major league history to draw seven straight walks and scored five runs in the second inning without a hit to rout visiting Cincinnati for the second day in a row.
Konnor Griffin doubled, tripled and went 4-for-5 while Ryan O’Hearn drove in three runs for the Pirates, who racked up 19 hits. They also drew 11 walks, including seven in a row in the second to become the first team since the 1994 New York Yankees to score five runs in an inning without a hit.
Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2) benefited from the onslaught as he struck out a career-high 10 batters during his 5 2/3-inning stint. Will Benson and JJ Bleday hit home runs and Nathaniel Lowe drove in three runs for the Reds. Starter Rhett Lowder (3-2) lasted just 1 1/3 innings as he surrendered eight runs, five hits and four walks.
Braves 9, Rockies 1
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Chris Sale tossed seven stellar innings and Drake Baldwin homered and drove in four runs to help visiting Atlanta run away with a win over Colorado.
Sale (6-1) allowed one run on three hits, striking out a season-high 11 for the Braves, who remain the only MLB team to have not lost a series and have a league-best 24-10 record. Austin Riley and Matt Olson also homered for Atlanta.
Jordan Beck’s third-inning double knocked home the only run for the Rockies. Brennan Bernardino (2-1) served as the opener for the Rockies, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. Chase Dollander then allowed six runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Yankees 9, Orioles 4
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Cody Bellinger went 4-for-4, cracked two solo homers, drove in four runs and stole a base to pace New York past visiting Baltimore.
Trent Grisham added two hits, including a two-run homer, as the AL East-leading Yankees posted 11 hits on the way to their 12th win in 14 games. Starter Ryan Weathers (2-2) allowed three runs (one earned) in five-plus innings.
Pete Alonso delivered his third homer in five games to lead the Orioles, who lost for the 11th time in 17 games. Kyle Bradish (1-4) surrendered five runs and six hits over four innings.
White Sox 5, Padres 0
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Sean Burke tossed six scoreless innings and visiting Chicago stretched its winning streak to five with a blanking of San Diego.
Burke (2-2) allowed only four hits and a walk while fanning eight, including Xander Bogaerts three times. Seranthony Dominguez got the last two outs for his eighth save in 10 chances, as Chicago wrapped up its first series win over San Diego since 2022.
Michael King (3-2) yielded seven hits and four runs over six-plus innings. King walked three and struck out five as the Padres dropped their fourth straight game.
Blue Jays 11, Twins 4
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Brandon Valenzuela’s three-run homer capped an eight-run eighth inning and visiting Toronto defeated Minnesota.
The first eight batters scored in the eighth as Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the four-game series. Lenyn Sosa, Myles Straw and Kazuma Okamoto hit solo homers to account for Toronto’s scoring before the eighth.
Byron Buxton homered to right on a fastball to lead off the Minnesota first against Dylan Cease (2-1). It was Buxton’s 10th homer of the season — all in the past 17 games — and the first Cease has allowed.
Cubs 2, Diamondbacks 0
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Ian Happ recorded three out of his team’s five hits, including a 399-foot homer, as Chicago beat Arizona for its 10th straight home victory.
Shoto Imanaga (3-2) pitched seven scoreless frames, giving up only four hits and one walk. He is now 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs and nine hits with 19 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Ildemaro Vargas went 0-for-4, breaking his league-leading 27-game hitting streak.
Guardians 14, Athletics 6
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Austin Hedges smacked two doubles and a homer as Cleveland produced 14 hits to win for the second day in a row in West Sacramento, Calif.
David Fry and Kyle Manzardo also homered for the Guardians while Angel Martinez posted three hits. Jose Ramirez poked a two-run double and registered his 300th career stolen base. Starter Slade Cecconi (1-4) gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Shea Langeliers stroked his ninth and 10th homers of the year for the Athletics. Nick Kurtz went 2-for-5, but did not walk to snap his 20-game streak that tied Barry Bonds (2002-03) for the second-longest stretch in major league history. Starter Jacob Lopez (2-2) allowed six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
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Brewers 4, Nationals 1
Kyle Harrison pitched six solid innings and Milwaukee beat host Washington.
Brandon Lockridge had two hits including a two-run single. Harrison (3-1) gave up a run on seven hits. He struck out five and walked one while lowering his ERA to 2.12. Abner Uribe pitched the ninth for his third save.
James Wood had two hits and Curtis Mead doubled and scored for the Nationals, who fell to 3-12 at home. Foster Griffin (3-1) pitched six innings, allowing three unearned runs on three hits.
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Rays 4, Giants 1
Jonathan Aranda went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as Tampa Bay clinched its first 2026 series win against a National League club, prevailing over San Francisco in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Rays had lost a single three-game series against all five NL Central teams in March and April before claiming the first two games against the Giants. Jesse Scholtens (3-1) followed the opener and allowed one run on four hits in three innings.
San Francisco’s Luis Arraez went 3-for-4 with a double and a run, accounting for nearly half of the team’s seven hits. Landen Roupp (5-2) surrendered four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Giants’ fifth straight loss.
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Astros 6, Red Sox 3
Brice Matthews and Christian Walker homered in back-to-back innings and combined for five RBIs to lead visiting Houston to a win over Boston.
Matthews’ three-run shot in the fourth helped the Astros build a 5-0 lead they would not relinquish. Spencer Arrighetti (4-0) nabbed the victory, striking out four while working around five walks across five innings of one-run ball.
Wilyer Abreu went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Red Sox, who left 10 on base.
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Marlins 4, Phillies 0
Max Meyer only allowed one hit in seven shutout innings and Xavier Edwards homered in host Miami’s win over Philadelphia.
Meyer (2-0) faced one over the minimum number of batters with a walk and seven strikeouts in the longest start of his career. Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi each retired the side in order in the combined one-hitter. Otto Lopez and Edwards each had two hits with a run and an RBI.
Garrett Stubbs got the lone hit for the Phillies, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Philadelphia right-hander Andrew Painter (1-3) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings with three walks and seven strikeouts.
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Tigers 5, Rangers 1
Dillon Dingler had a three-run home run to spark Detroit to a home win against Texas.
Keider Montero (2-2) gave up one run on five hits and Gleyber Torres had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers before leaving with left side tightness. Riley Greene went 2-for-4 with a run and Wenceel Perez was 2-for-3 with a run and a walk.
Jake Burger homered for the Rangers’ lone run. Texas right-hander Kumar Rocker (1-3) gave up five runs on six hits in two innings.
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Royals 3, Mariners 2 (10 innings)
Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as Kansas City rallied to defeat host Seattle.
Automatic runner Michael Massey stole third base in the top of the 10th and scored an out later as Garcia flew out to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1). Matt Strahm (1-0) got the victory and Lucas Erceg retired the side in order in the 10th to earn his ninth save of the season. Garcia also hit an RBI double.
Seattle starter Emerson Hancock didn’t get a decision despite striking out a career-high 14 on the night the Mariners retired former ace Randy Johnson’s jersey No. 51. Hancock went seven innings and allowed one run on six hits. Josh Naylor hit an RBI single for the game’s first run.
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Angels 4, Mets 3 (10 innings)
Oswald Peraza hit an RBI single with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning as Los Angeles ended a seven-game losing streak with a win over New York in Anaheim, Calif.
Pereza, who finished with three hits, lined an 0-2 curveball from Mets reliever Austin Warren (0-1) into the gap in left-center to easily drive in automatic runner Adam Frazier from third base. Jo Adell went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI and Vaughn Grissom drove in two for the Angels, who won for just the second time in 13 games. Ryan Zeferjahn (2-1) threw two innings of hitless relief.
Austin Slater doubled among his two hits and scored and Mark Vientos doubled and scored for New York, which lost for the 18th time in its last 22 games. Rookie starter Nolan McLean left after four innings after allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six on 78 pitches.
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