An under-19 football coach at German Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli publicly came out as gay this week and used the opportunity to criticize attitudes towards homosexuality in the game.
Christian Dobrick, 29, told German broadcaster RTL and news magazine Stern on Tuesday that gay men are “still treated like extraterrestrials” in professional men’s football.
He said he suspected that, while he’s certain he’s not the only one, there are probably fewer gay men in the professional game than in the general population.
“The pressure to lead a hetero-normative life is so big that fewer gay footballers make it to the top because they have to use up their energy on problems which have nothing to do with sport,” he said.
The situation is very different in women’s football, where sexual orientation has never been such a taboo topic.
Bundesliga: Homophobia in men’s football
Dobrick joined St. Pauli, a club based in Hamburg, in summer 2025 after coaching youth teams at TSG Hoffenheim and Holstein Kiel. According to him, the vocabulary used in and around men’s football has contributed to a general, subconscious homophobia in the game.
“If a player complains about too much physicality, he’s quickly labeled a puff,” he said. “It’s hard to get rid of these insults and the warped image of gay men that they construe.”
Therefore, Dobrick kept his sexual orientation a secret for fear of damaging his chances of one day coaching at the first-team level — perhaps even in the Bundesliga.
Advertisement
“For a long time, I was uncertain whether I would be harming my career prospects by coming out,” he said — and he still is. “But this game of hide-and-seek was costing me too much strength.”
Dobrick’s announcement was made independently of his employer, FC St. Pauli, which is well-known for its tolerant stance and political activism in football. Rainbow flags are a common sight in the stands at the Millerntor stadium in Hamburg, and the captain wears a rainbow-colored armband on the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, club president Oke Göttlich said the club stands fully behind its under-19 coach. “It’s simple and it applies to everyone: love whoever you want!” he said.
“As a coach, you can be whoever you want, but you have to stand for something, you have to be yourself,” Klopp reportedly said at an event with young coaches in Salzburg — where the 58-year-old currently works as Global Head of Soccer for the energy drink brand Red Bull.
For Dobrick, the message became a work-life motto, and he urged other gay players to “take the plunge into the cold water and swim!”
While no active male player has yet come out in German football, there are openly gay officials in the game, such as VfB Stuttgart chief executive Alexander Wehrle. His predecessor, former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger, became the first and most prominent German ex-player to come out in January 2014.
Advertisement
Following his coming-out, Dobrick took to Instagram to thank colleagues and followers. “The same coach as I was yesterday,” he said. “Now, full focus on the weekend against Dresden!”
Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown still has a strong case for NBA MVP, especially if you ask Pardon The Interruption’s legendary co-hosts Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser. Both Wilbon and Kornheiser subtly endorsed Brown for 2025-26 MVP on Wednesday, with Wilbon’s words on JB going viral.
Advertisement
“I have a vote in this,” Wilbon said. “And I will tell you it’s tightened up. My vote, and I’m not even sure the order. I think it’s Jaylen Brown one, I think it’s SGA two, and I think it’s Victor three. And then don’t talk to me about a guy who plays half the court, Luka Dončić.”
Advertisement
Brown has produced a career year this season for the Celts. Through 64 games, the All-Star starter is averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists while logging 34.2 minutes per night. He ranks fifth in the NBA in scoring and is shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from three and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.
With Jayson Tatum missing extended time to recover from an Achilles injury over the first 60-plus games, Brown stepped forward as Boston’s clear leader. He delivered multiple 40-point performances and has consistently driven the offense during key stretches. The Celtics sit at 47-24, holding the second spot in the Eastern Conference and first in the Atlantic Division.
Advertisement
Recent efforts for Brown include 32 points in a March 18 victory over Golden State and 30 points in a March 20 win at Memphis. As the regular season enters its final stretch, Brown continues to anchor both ends of the floor for a contending Boston squad.
Skinner’s side were edged out 3-2 in the first leg of their last-eight tie on Wednesday.
Momoko Tanikawa’s 84th-minute strike proved the difference after United replied to two Pernille Harder goals with a Maya Le Tissier penalty and Hanna Lundkvist header.
Skinner said: “I’m frustrated with all the three goals – I don’t think they had to particularly earn them. I felt that we left the spaces for Pernille Harder to run through twice.
“But what I know about this team is that they’ll be open and honest with that and obviously we’ve got another leg to try and turn it around and fix it.
Advertisement
“I honestly don’t think it was naivety – it was maybe a little bit of playing a high-level opponent.
“Bayern changed their game. They’re usually a possession-based team but were more direct tonight.
“We’ve felt that now and we must turn it around. We’re still in this tie for sure. Now we need to go to the Allianz and win.”
United have little time to rest before next week’s second leg as they face rivals Manchester City, the Women’s Super League leaders, on Saturday.
Advertisement
Skinner said: “It will challenge us, it will take us to the depths, but the carrot is there for us in both games. We expect it to be difficult.”
Opposite number Jose Barcala insisted Bayern would not be getting carried away with their victory.
He said: “We need to stay with our feet on the earth, humble and keep looking forward for the next game.
“It’s important we learn things from this game and adjust for the second leg.”
The IPL 2026 starts in three days. Despite most of the league being played in the peak Indian summer, there is no dearth of excitement among fans, with most stadiums seeing packed stands. ‘Marquee matches’ involving the big teams like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Kolkata Knight Riders often see more fans gather at the stadiums. However, getting tickets for these ‘big matches’ seems to be a problem for some fans this time. This report is to be viewed.
The tickets for the IPL 2026 can be booked via official sites. However, even when the tickets are sold out on the official websites, they are available on some third-party sites. According to a report in Mid-Day, RCB and MI announced the sale of their home match tickets. Both teams’ tickets were reportedly sold out within minutes. However, tickets for these teams were available on third-party sites for extremely high amounts.
“The tickets for the MI vs KKR match can be found starting from Rs 6,500 on these websites and going as high as over Rs 50,000. For the MI vs RCB match, the tickets are a bit more expensive given the high demand. The tickets for the MI-RCB match start at Rs 15,000 and go as high as Rs 1 lakh for a ticket,” the report said.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans have introduced a digital ticketing model for all home matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. According to a press release from the franchise, the ticket sales are now live exclusively on BookMyShow, the franchise’s official ticketing partner, and on the Titans FAM app.
The move, which reflects operational foresight and evolving fan behaviour, will reduce the need for physical tickets by introducing secure QR-based m-tickets delivered directly to fans’ smartphones. At the world’s largest cricket stadium, where crowds often cross six figures, the shift is expected to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for spectators
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik hailed Virat Kohli after the batter scored a 19-ball 45 in the team’s second intra-squad practice game ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Speaking after RCB’s second practice game on Wednesday, Dinesh Karthik praised Virat Kohli for his strong performance in the warm-up match, highlighting his consistency, evolving game plan, and relentless drive to improve. He also emphasised Kohli’s energy and influence both on the field and within the team environment.
“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is every year he comes up with a certain plan, a certain intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try and get even better. That tells a lot about the person that he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd, to the meetings – those are all big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality as well,” Karthik said in a video posted by RCB on social media.
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 25, 2026
RCB held their first intra-squad warm-up match on Monday. In that match, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a blazing 25-ball 74, while Kohli played a quick 12-ball 29-run cameo.
Batting first, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls) and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominating the scorecard. In their 20 overs, the other team, led by Krunal, fired 247 runs, with Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls) and Krunal (58 in 33 balls) delivering standout performances.
Advertisement
RCB will kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru on March 28.
Manchester United fan Pernille Harder scored twice against her childhood club at Old Trafford as Bayern Munich gained a precious first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Joe Flacco may be 41 years old, but he still thinks he has plenty left in the tank.
The Super Bowl XLVII champion signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to be Joe Burrow’s backup, but he wants much more than that.
“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit,” Flacco said.
Advertisement
Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
He then added a parting shot at just about every team in the league.
“And believe me, I wish I was the guy somewhere, and I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy,” he said.
Flacco started last season for the Cleveland Browns and was their Week 1 quarterback, but with two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the wings, the writing was on the wall.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 7, 2025.(Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
Cleveland traded him to Cincinnati after Burrow suffered a serious turf-toe injury, and he found some success. Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals’ offense averaged more than 27 points per game.
Advertisement
But with his success, despite his wishes to be a starter, it’s a good consolation prize.
“I feel like I have unfinished business. That’s part of why I’m here and still playing and doing all those things…” he said. “I had a lot of fun with Joe, and Joe’s the guy.”
Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2 2025.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3,530 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Liverpool fans are bracing themselves for the end of an era as Mohamed Salah prepares to leave Anfield after nine sensational years. The Egyptian forward, who has lit up the Premier League with his pace, skill, and finishing ability, leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable moments.
From crucial goals to historic performances, here are five of Salah’s most memorable contributions in a Liverpool shirt.
1. Champions League Redemption: Penalty vs Tottenham, Madrid, June 1, 2019
Advertisement
After the heartbreak of the 2018 Kiev final, where Salah was injured following a clash with Sergio Ramos, the 2019 Champions League final offered a chance for redemption. Salah approached his penalty with steely determination, recalling the previous year’s setback to fuel his resolve. His composed finish past Hugo Lloris not only gave Liverpool an early advantage but also served as poetic justice after the prior year’s disappointment. It was a defining moment of resilience and maturity for the superstar.
2. Historic Hat-Trick: Manchester United, Premier League, October 24, 2021
Advertisement
Salah silenced doubters and made history at Old Trafford with a stunning hat-trick. He first assisted Naby Keita’s opener before scoring twice before halftime and completing his treble in the second half with a Jordan Henderson setup. This performance marked the first hat-trick by an opposition player at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, cementing Salah’s reputation as a big-game performer and a nightmare for Liverpool’s fiercest rivals.
3. Masterclass vs Manchester City: Premier League, Anfield, October 3, 2021
During one of the most thrilling Liverpool-City encounters under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, Salah’s goal stood out for its brilliance. Evading three defenders with exquisite close control and finishing with a right-footed strike past Ederson, Salah displayed skill reminiscent of Lionel Messi. This goal exemplified his peak form and ability to deliver in high-stakes Premier League clashes.
Advertisement
4. Champions League Quarter-Final Brilliance: Manchester City, April 10, 2018
In the 2018 quarter-final, Liverpool had won the first leg 3-0, but the second leg posed a significant challenge as City pushed hard for a comeback. Salah’s calm, precise finish over Ederson showcased his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Celebrating with arms outstretched, he embodied confidence and dominance, giving Liverpool fans one of the season’s iconic European moments.
Advertisement
5. First Premier League Goal at Anfield: Arsenal, August 27, 2017
Salah’s first league goal at Anfield was a glimpse of his extraordinary talent. Collecting the ball from his own half, he surged past multiple Arsenal defenders with breathtaking speed and control before finishing clinically. This goal not only announced Salah as a player of special quality but also signaled the start of a decade of thrilling performances for Liverpool supporters.
Advertisement
Mohamed Salah at Liverpool: By the Numbers
4 Golden Boots: Salah secured the Premier League’s top scorer award four times during his Liverpool career (2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22, 2024-25), equalling Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s record.
8 Major Trophies: The Egyptian superstar helped Liverpool lift two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Advertisement
$50 Million Transfer: Liverpool paid $50 million to sign Salah from Roma in 2017.
255 Goals: Salah scored 255 goals for Liverpool, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285).
435 Appearances: Across all competitions, Salah made 435 appearances, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history.
The Kansas City Chiefs had an underwhelming 2025 season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Their season got worse after quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ACL injury.
Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Week 15 clash against the nfl/los-angeles-chargers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-is-sponsored=”false”>Los Angeles Chargers. The Pro Bowl quarterback, who is eyeing a Week 1 return for the 2026 season, shared a clip of himself throwing the ball in rehab on his Instagram story.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“Day by day! Felt great being able to throw the ball around today,” Mahomes wrote.
•
Advertisement
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
NFL fans reacted to Mahomes starting to throw after just 100 days of recovery.
Advertisement
“Going to be a great backup to Fields.”
Going to be a great backup to Fields
“Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.”
Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.
“Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.”
Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.
“Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.”
Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.
Advertisement
“He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂”
@MySportsUpdate He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂
While Mahomes continues on his road to recovery, the Chiefs traded for ex-New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields last week. The five-year veteran is the Chiefs’ insurance if Mahomes fails to recover in time for the 2026 season.
Texas Tech dominated the Big 12 last year and didn’t lose a game when Behron Morton started in conference play.
Can the Red Raiders play at that level again in 2026?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I discuss a recent Executive Order to try to assure the long-term stability of the Army-Navy Football Game.
Is the solution simpler than we think?
Advertisement
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster last year and has brought in former JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney to move the program forward.
His 2026 schedule might allow for just that.
05:25 Red Raiders’ Tough Road Games 08:26 Texas Tech Challenge Expectations 14:34 Army-Navy Game Timing Debate 18:48 Rivalry Weekend Debate 26:44 Chesney’s Challenging Start 27:28 UCLA’s Season Outlook Analyzed
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) speaks during a postgame interview on the field, addressing the media following a matchup against Detroit on Dec. 25, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis after another late-season NFC North contest. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Harrison Smith is technically a free agent, and according to a Chicago Bears-themed website, he might be interested in Ben Johnson’s team for his final season.
Chicago can dream, but Smith’s real choice still looks much narrower.
There’s no earthly reason for Smith to sign with the Bears, but Ernesto Cova at Da Windy City claims the idea is on the table.
Advertisement
Smith to CHI Just Isn’t Realistic
This theory could’ve been left in Drafts.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) walks onto the field before kickoff, taking in the moment ahead of a road matchup against New York on Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford as the veteran prepared for another late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans/USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.
DaWindyCity.com: Why Not Harrison Smith to CHI?
As the saying goes, “There’s a take for everything,” and that was in play Tuesday when Cova suggested Smith to Chicago.
He explained, “The Bears should make a run at Harrison Smith. Smith is still a free agent, and the Bears could certainly use some help at strong safety. Given Smith’s age, he’s obviously not going to be a long-term solution at the position. That said, the Bears’ Super Bowl window is wide open right now, and he’s the type of proven veteran who can help this young team push through in the second year of the Ben Johnson era.”
Advertisement
“The Chicago Bears already lured a former divisional rival to the Windy City. And even though the addition of WR Kalif Raymond may not be as impactful, bolstering the team while hurting an NFC North rival is a double win. Now, GM Ryan Poles might repeat that approach, this time to bolster the defense with a Minnesota Vikings star.”
The sixth-time Pro Bowler has never even remotely hinted that he’d place elsewhere, making the Bears’ theory all the more ludicrous.
Smith’s Choice Is Binary: Return to Vikings or Retirement from NFL
The issue at hand for Smith is not to re-sign with the Vikings or to explore another team. If he wanted that outcome, he could’ve explored that scenario five or six years ago.
Advertisement
In the 2026 offseason, Smith’s self-admitted decision is between retiring and coming back for Year No. 15 in Minnesota. Hell, just in case, the Vikings and the team’s fans held a faux retirement ceremony for him at U.S. Bank Stadium in January when Minnesota chipped off the Detroit Lions to end the season.
Since then, longtime Vikings like Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham have called it quits. He has not. Smith will choose between Year No. 15 and retirement in the very near future.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) goes through pregame warmups, getting loose ahead of the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sep. 10, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as Minnesota prepared to begin its regular-season schedule. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad noted on Smith this week, “Getting Harrison Smith back to the Vikings defense would be a boost in an offseason that has been about improving the team without the splashy, ill-fated signings that headlined free agency a year ago. Still, even if Smith returns, he won’t be the ultimate solution for a safety room that needs help.”
The Bears’ Defensive Overhaul
Why would the Bears want Smith? Well, they’ve been busy overhauling their defense. In free agency, Chicago has lost these players:
Advertisement
Andrew Billings (DL) CHI → ARI
Jaquan Brisker (S) CHI → PIT
Kevin Byard (S) CHI → NE
Tremaine Edmunds (LB) CHI → NYG
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S) CHI → BUF
Jonathan Owens (S) CHI → IND
Dominique Robinson (ED) CHI → HOU
Nahshon Wright (CB) CHI → NYJ
And the newcomers + re-signings:
Coby Bryant (S) SEA → CHI
Neville Gallimore (DL) IND → CHI
Elijah Hicks (CB) CHI → CHI
Jaylon Jones (S) CHI → CHI
James Lynch (DL) TEN → CHI
Cam Lewis (CB) BUF → CHI
Jack Sanborn (LB) DAL → CHI
Kentavius Street (DL) ATL → CHI
Smith would evidently play situational between Bryant and Jones — or so goes the theory.
All Signs Point to a Return to MIN for Smith
Smith’s indecision likely speaks volumes if you think about it for a moment. Players nearing retirement usually sound ready to hang up their cleats, and back in January, Smith sounded like he was on the verge of retiring, saying he was “leaning one way” without elaborating. Vikings fans even treated Week 18 as a potential farewell.
Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after making an interception, celebrating the defensive play during second-half action against Washington on Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the Vikings built momentum late in the game. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Now in March, he hasn’t closed the door on returning. A source told VikingsTerritory in February that Smith is “50/50” on returning, adding that he “has a hard time walking away.”
That tracks with Smith’s strong finish to the 2025 season. After battling an early-season ailment, he rebounded and recorded a couple of interceptions. Timing may also be a factor. The Vikings are suddenly looking like contenders again. With Kyler Murray now in the building, Super Bowl aspirations are resurfacing. For a player like Smith, retiring right before Minnesota makes a serious title run would be painstaking.
The prospect of the Vikings winning a championship the season after he retires would be criminal. One thing’s for sure: Smith won’t be joining the Bears. A delusional take.
UCLA fired DeShaun Foster last year and has brought in former JMU Head Coach Bob Chesney to move the program forward. 
You must be logged in to post a comment Login