Feb 2, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; (New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) speaks to the media during Opening Night for Super Bowl LX at San Jose Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
If you think the Minnesota Vikings bungled a chance to obtain Drake Maye via trade in 2024, you’ve been fed false information. Former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had a deal in place for Maye, but New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft backed out at the last second. And with the Super Bowl a few days away, and Maye front and center, SI.com‘s Albert Breer reconfirmed the situation this week.
Some folks’ revisionist timeline keeps resurfacing, but the Vikings’ 2024 draft position and New England’s leverage made Maye a nonstarter.
Vikings fans will continue to think “What could have been?” on Maye, but he just wasn’t for sale.
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The Maye Narrative Keeps Getting Rewritten
The end-all of the Maye-to-Minnesota fodder.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye addresses reporters while holding the AFC Championship trophy at Empower Field, reflecting on a milestone win on Jan 25, 2026, after New England defeated Denver. The moment captures Maye’s poise under pressure as the Patriots celebrated a road victory and secured a Super Bowl berth in front of national media. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Breer on Maye to MIN
Breer published an article this week about Sam Darnold’s rise to power in Seattle, outlining the takeaways from that voyage.
Tucked in the article, he scribed this tidbit, “There’s the one caveat to all of this, which is that the Vikings tried with all their might to trade up for Drake Maye in 2024. O’Connell loved him. Maye was coached in high school by Vikings assistant Josh McCown and was a teammate of McCown’s son.”
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“Minnesota offered both of its first-round picks in 2024 (Nos. 11 and 23) and its 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots, with later-round pick swaps favoring Minnesota to move up to the third pick.”
Since the 2024 NFL Draft, some Vikings fans have lived in fantasyland, believing Minnesota simply backed out of the Maye trade — a false assertion.
Breer added, “O’Connell pushed them to go further. It wouldn’t matter, because the Patriots weren’t moving, sitting there as convicted in Maye as Minnesota was in the former North Carolina quarterback.”
“But if the Vikings had somehow gotten the Patriots off their spot with Maye, all of this might look different, and the aforementioned rumblings probably would have stopped.”
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Of course, there is a seismic difference between “the Vikings got cold feet when trading for Maye” and “the Patriots declined to trade the pick.” For some reason, many prefer the revisionist history of the former, which makes the Vikings’ front office look wickedly dumb.
Surprise, Surprise: The Patriots Got It Right
The Patriots have won six Super Bowls. Here’s a newsflash: that didn’t happen by accident, and it wasn’t only because the franchise showcased Tom Brady and Bill Belichick for two decades. It’s because the masterclass starts from the top, with Kraft calling the shots.
And facing a decision to trade the third overall pick — basically Maye — to Minnesota or another suitor, Kraft could’ve easily pulled the lever to receive a king’s ransom deal. He had that option; the Vikings floated it, in fact. Kraft could’ve outfitted his roster with oodles of notable draft assets.
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Yet, he recognized that Maye had the special sauce. For an organization that became mostly irrelevant after Brady left in 2020, Kraft needed a premier quarterback to end the doldrums. He stuck to his guns, declined Minnesota’s offer, and picked Maye.
He got it right not to sell; that’s what football icons do.
Maye in the Super Bowl; Vikings Pondering the 2026 QB1
Meanwhile, Maye is headed toward Super Bowl immortality — against Sam Darnold, “the other guy” the Vikings let walk. So, if you’re keeping score at home — you are — that’s two quarterbacks somewhat linked to Minnesota who will play in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
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What do the Vikings have lined up for QB1 in 2026? Nobody knows. They could roll with J.J. McCarthy, who struggled in 2025 and has missed 70% of all games in his career. They could trade for Kyler Murray. They could sign Malik Willis from free agency. They could sign a journeyman backup like Jimmy Garoppolo and call it good. Kirk Cousins might even be available next month.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye breaks into open space on a designed run at Empower Field during the first half on Jan 25, 2026, as Denver defenders close in. The play highlights Maye’s athletic element, adding stress to coverage and extending drives in a high-stakes conference title game with tempo, confidence, and control. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The moral of the story? Adofo-Mensah was fired due to poor drafts and possibly a side dish of the Darnold gaffe — not because Robert Kraft declined a trade request.
Accumulating Blame on Adofo-Mensah after His Termination
Moreover, with Adofo-Mensah out of the way, there’s been a rush to assign everything bad that’s happened in the last four years to his name, with the temptation to pump O’Connell up as the maestro of the good.
That’s rather convenient and is probably unfair to Adofo-Mensah, who preached a collaborative approach with O’Connell from the day the two were announced as the new leaders in 2022.
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Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks at the TCO Performance Center during a media session on Apr 2024, outlining draft priorities and roster philosophy. The appearance underscores Minnesota’s long-term focus at quarterback, cornerback, and the interior offensive line ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft as executives fielded questions from reporters on site today. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
O’Connell shares ownership of the McCarthy selection, and just because he wanted Maye — so did Adofo-Mensah — doesn’t mean that the Vikings are fools for not landing him two years ago. He wasn’t gettable. Breer’s reporting level-set history all over again.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stands on the sideline during road action at Hard Rock Stadium, framed while overseeing game operations on Oct 16, 2022, in Miami Gardens. The scene captures O’Connell managing tempo and communication as Minnesota navigated an early-season matchup under bright conditions against an AFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have all but announced they’ll add another quarterback this offseason, so when NFL.com identified that exact recommendation for the club, it came as no surprise. Kevin Patra labeled one move for each NFL team this week, and for Minnesota, that’s adding a veteran passer.
Minnesota’s QB room needs experience and insulation, and a credible veteran option would tighten Kevin O’Connell’s offensive plan in 2026.
Free agency is 4.5 weeks away. Between that process or a trade, get ready for another signal-caller to enter the mix.
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A Veteran QB Becomes the Vikings’ Priority
You better believe Kevin O’Connell will add some competition to the QB room.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stands near the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field, scanning the field before kickoff on Sep 21, 2025, as Los Angeles prepared to face Philadelphia. The image captures pregame focus and routine, highlighting Garoppolo’s return to a starting role amid a road environment and heightened early-season expectations for the Rams offense. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
NFL.com to Vikings: Add a Veteran QB
Patra assigned marching orders for each NFL team. For the Vikings, he scribed, “Despite Kevin O’Connell’s persistent support for J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings can’t head into 2026 without a legit veteran to challenge the third-year pro for the job.”
“The former first-round pick has struggled mightily through two seasons, missing 24 games due to multiple injuries. Even when he was healthy, McCarthy was scattershot, completing just 57.6 percent of his passes, sometimes missing by yards, not inches.”
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Acquiring a different quarterback for optionality behind McCarthy is the worst-kept secret in the Twin Cities.
Patra added, “Unable to keep Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones from leaving last year, Minnesota must bring in a veteran who can, at the very least, push McCarthy for the job — if not outright take it. Potentially bringing back Kirk Cousins, who could be released from Atlanta before free agency, makes a lot of sense for both sides.”
“Cousins played well enough down the stretch and his fit in KOC’s system is obvious.”
A “Duh” Recommendation
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A few days after the regular season ended, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell spoke to reporters and were immediately asked about McCarthy — whether the youngster would take the QB1 title into the offseason and into September.
O’Connell replied, “Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it’s about having just the deepest, most talented room you possibly can, every single year. What that looks like at a pretty impactful position on your salary cap, when you’re able to possibly plan for your depth chart looking in a way where you can be competitive no matter what.”
“I think there has to be competition at quarterback. I think that’s what’s gonna make everybody better in that room. It’s gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
O’Connell already admitted that his team would find another quarterback or two, making Patra’s recommendation Captain Obvious stuff. The plan is already in motion.
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The Options from Free Agency & Trades
How will Minnesota bring Patra’s urging to life? Well, there are plenty of options.
From free agency, the market will look like this:
— Jake Browning — Teddy Bridgewater — Joe Flacco — Jimmy Garoppolo — Case Keenum — Marcus Mariota — Gardner Minshew — Kenny Pickett — Aaron Rodgers — Mitchell Trubisky — Tyrod Taylor — Carson Wentz — Mike White — Malik Willis — Russell Wilson
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back from the pocket at MetLife Stadium during first-half action on Dec 21, 2025, as Minnesota met the Giants. The frame shows footwork, timing, and composure, reflecting McCarthy’s command within the offense while testing coverage downfield in a hostile road setting with pressure building and receivers working routes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Would-be trades become a bit juicier, even if players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson probably won’t be available:
— Drew Lock — Davis Mills — Jalen Milroe — Mac Jones — Will Levis — Kyler Murray — Spencer Rattler — Anthony Richardson — Zach Wilson
But Cousins?
Patra specifically mentioned Cousins, which might be intriguing for the Vikings because, for the first time ever, he could be signed cheaply. All signs point to Atlanta releasing Cousins in a few weeks as a cap casualty, and almost assuredly, some team will sign him as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.
If O’Connell still has the utmost faith in McCarthy, Cousins could be just what the doctor ordered, given his familiarity with the offense and his newfound affordability.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins releases a pass at U.S. Bank Stadium during second-quarter play on Oct 8, 2023, against Kansas City. The moment highlights rhythm passing and pocket control, capturing Cousins operating within structure as Minnesota pushed tempo and attacked coverage in a high-profile matchup with national attention and playoff implications looming late. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on a Cousins reunion last week, “Since the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota has talked about adding competition to the quarterback room for J.J. McCarthy this offseason, and someone like Cousins, who has experience running Kevin O’Connell’s offense, already has an on-field chemistry with Justin Jefferson, and will be much more affordable at this stage in his career, would be one of the better signal-caller options for the Vikings to consider.”
“Bringing back Cousins wouldn’t put an end to the McCarthy era in Minnesota. But if McCarthy can’t beat out Cousins in a preseason quarterback competition, then it would make the Vikings’ decisions about the young passer’s future with the team a lot easier to figure out.”
It’s worth noting, though, that about half the Vikings’ fan base would groan about a Cousins reunion. Many hoped the franchise had turned the page.
Nigerian teenage midfielder David Oguejiofor has taken a big step in his career after completing a move from Simoiben Football Academy to Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr.
The transfer places the highly rated youngster in one of football’s most star-studded teams. At Al Nassr, Oguejiofor will share the dressing room with global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.
Mane, who recently won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, was among the first players to welcome the Nigerian midfielder to Riyadh.
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Al Nassr completed the signing as part of their plan to combine world-class stars with young and emerging talents. Meanwhile, Simoiben Football Academy celebrated another success story, as one of their graduates moves to the top level of the game.
The Kaduna-based academy is owned by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon and his wife, Ibukun. It has continued to build a strong reputation for developing young players, having earlier helped Benjamin Frederick secure a move to Brentford in 2024.
Simoiben Academy announced Oguejiofor’s transfer with pride, describing it as a major opportunity for the midfielder to show his talent on the global stage.
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Oguejiofor joins an Al Nassr side currently involved in a close Saudi Pro League title race. The club sits second on the table with 46 points from 19 matches, just one point behind leaders Al Hilal.
With ten league titles to their name, but none since the 2018–19 season, Al Nassr are eager to end their title drought. The Nigerian youngster is expected to be gradually integrated into the first-team squad.
The move also sees Oguejiofor make history at the club. He becomes only the third Nigerian player to represent Al Nassr, following former Super Eagles forwards Henry Makinwa and Ahmed Musa. Musa was part of the team that won the club’s most recent league title.
The winners of the Women’s Premier League 2026 final walked away with a prize cheque of Rs 6 crore, underlining the league’s growing financial stability and consistency at the top level of women’s franchise cricket. The amount mirrors the prize money awarded to Mumbai Indians after their title triumph in the 2025 final, reinforcing the BCCI’s commitment to maintaining strong incentives for excellence in the women’s game.Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a high-scoring final on Thursday, pocketed the Rs 6 crore prize after clinching their second WPL title. The runners-up, Delhi Capitals, once again fell short on the biggest stage despite reaching their fourth final, but still earned a significant financial reward for their campaign.
WPL Auction 2026: Full Breakdown of Every Major Number
RCB’s title win was built around a dominant batting display in a pressure chase. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a sublime 87 off 41 balls, while Georgia Voll produced a match-defining 79 off 54 deliveries. Their 165-run partnership for the second wicket laid the foundation for a record chase, as RCB overhauled Delhi’s imposing 203 for four with two balls to spare.Delhi Capitals had earlier posted a formidable total after Jemimah Rodrigues struck a fluent 57 off 37 balls and Chinelle Henry added late impetus with a rapid 35 off just 15 deliveries. Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee also chipped in with valuable contributions, but the total ultimately proved insufficient against RCB’s relentless response.With this victory, RCB joined Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in the history of the Women’s Premier League, both having won multiple titles. The unchanged prize money from 2025 to 2026 reflects the league’s steady commercial footing rather than short-term inflation, a sign of structured growth rather than volatility.The Rs 6 crore purse not only rewards the champions but also highlights the WPL’s stature as one of the most lucrative domestic tournaments in women’s cricket. As the league continues to mature, the consistency in prize money and the quality of high-pressure finals point towards a sustainable model that continues to elevate the profile, competitiveness and earning potential of women cricketers in India and beyond.Also Visit: England Under-19 vs India Under-19 Final: Match Details, Teams, Date and Venue
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made MLB history Thursday, reportedly winning an arbitration case that will pay him $32 million this season after his team proposed a $19 million salary.
Skubal, who won his second straight American League Cy Young Award in 2025, had a three-person salary arbitration panel rule in his favor, ESPN reported.
Skubal’s victory marks a new salary record awarded to a player in the arbitration system by $1 million. The New York Yankees avoided arbitration with Juan Soto in January 2024, awarding him a $31 million deal for that year.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after giving up a hit against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis Aug. 14, 2025.(Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)
Skubal had a unique position heading into arbitration with five-plus years of service time, while also being able to use the “special accomplishment” clause, which factors in winning Cy Young Awards. It allowed Skubal to compare his proposed salary not just to those who have faced arbitration, but the entire league.
As a result, Skubal could point to pitchers like Zack Wheeler ($42 million), Jacob deGrom ($38 million) and Gerrit Cole ($36 million) heading into 2026.
The Tigers’ previous arbitration high was $19.75 million paid out to David Price, another talented left-handed starter for the organization, to avoid a hearing in 2015.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal high-fives teammates in the dugout after a pitching change during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit May 14, 2025.(Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
As for his future, Skubal will become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, though lots can happen until then. This arbitration victory doesn’t necessarily guarantee he will spend the entire season in Detroit, especially considering the trade rumors that have swirled around the organization.
The Tigers did, however, bolster their chances at repeating as AL Central champions, acquiring veteran left-handed starter Framer Valdez via free agency. They inked a three-year, $115 million deal with Valdez Wednesday, hours before the panel’s decision on Skubal.
Now, Detroit heads into the season with one of the best one-two punches in a starting rotation in all of MLB.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit Sept. 6, 2025.(Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)
After a fantastic 2024 campaign that ended with some much-deserved hardware, Skubal followed it up with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA over 195⅓ innings in 31 starts. He also struck out 241 batters, 13 more than his league-leading mark the previous year.
Feb 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon (23) controls the ball against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia 76ers traded veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday for a 2032 second-round draft pick swap in 2032, multiple outlets reported.
The Sixers also land the rights to Justinian Jessup, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Jessup, who is playing for Bayern Munich in Germany, was a second-round draft pick by the Golden State Warriors in 2020, with his rights traded to the Grizzlies in July 2025.
Gordon, 37, was scoring 5.5 points in six games off the bench for the Sixers this season. In 18 career NBA seasons, including seven with the Houston Rockets, Gordon has averaged 15.2 points with 2.7 assists in 931 games (665 starts).
When the New York Rangers signed Artemi Panarin as an unrestricted free agent in 2019, they were hoping he would be a superstar who would help deliver them a Stanley Cup. And while the team and player both had moments over the past seven years, it’s fair to say they didn’t reach the heights once hoped for.
Over six full seasons with Panarin, the Rangers reached two conference finals, but won just four playoff series. Last year, New York missed the playoffs altogether, which in hindsight, began the countdown to Panarin’s departure.
The player, however, absolutely delivered on his $81.5-million contract. Since signing on with the Rangers, Panarin has been the NHL’s sixth-highest scorer with 607 points in 482 games, trailing only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov and David Pastrnak. He was a Hart Trophy finalist in the shortened 2019-20 season.
The Rangers’ path began to change last season when they traded out core players Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider, but another bumpy journey through this year’s schedule forced the front office to act even more decisively. On Jan. 16, when New York was at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the team released a letter to its fans (version 2.0) announcing a change in direction.
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“With our position in the standings and injuries to key players this season, we must be honest and realistic about our situation,” GM Chris Drury wrote. “We are not going to stand pat — a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team.
“This will not be a rebuild. This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects.”
On Nick Kypreos’ latest trade board, he listed Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Braden Schneider as the top Rangers trade candidates who could go by March 6. As we got closer to the soft trade deadline before the Olympic break on Feb. 4, momentum was building toward an early Panarin trade.
His last game with the Rangers was on Jan. 26, a win over Boston in which he recorded an assist. But he was scratched for the next three games as the Rangers protected against injury and worked on finding a trade partner. On Wednesday, the deal finally came together after a wild 48 hours, as outlined by Elliotte Friedman.
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While the return at a glance might be underwhelming — prospect Liam Greentree plus conditional third- and fourth-round picks — it has to be remembered that Panarin had a full no-movement clause and desired an extension with a new team. That narrowed the market considerably. Still, although New York did not receive a first-round pick, Greentree was a first-round selection in 2024.
Shortly after the trade, Los Angeles signed Panarin to a two-year extension with an $11-million cap hit. He will turn 35 early next season, but the Kings craved an offensive difference-maker and locked one in. Still hoping to qualify for the playoffs and go on a run, Los Angeles is 28th in goals per game and 26th on the power play.
Panarin will not join the team for its last game before the break on Thursday night, but will be ready to go after the Olympics.
“He’s going to fly in here and be with us on the 18th (for practice), so there will be 10 days when coach can have some meetings and see who he’s got some chemistry with,” Kings GM Ken Holland told reporters.
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The Kings play with a tight defensive structure and while Holland said they won’t make a drastic change to that game plan so late in the season, Panarin will be given some freedom to do what he does best.
“We’re excited to have the talent. I think he’s going to help the power play. He plays like a centre in the O-zone,” Holland continued. “He moves the puck around and creates scoring chances for other people. So, obviously, we’re going to give him some freedom certainly in the O-zone.”
For more on the Panarin trade, scout Jason Bukala looks at what both New York and Los Angeles got out of it.
The rumours and chaos surrounding Panarin’s eventual landing spot apparently had many twists and turns before the Kings acquired him from the Rangers. I’m not surprised that Panarin wanted to go to Los Angeles. What surprises me is the fact he signed only a two-year extension with the Kings. He’s sort of betting on himself, considering he will be 36 years old when the deal expires with sights on playing beyond then.
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Here’s my breakdown of both sides of the trade:
To Los Angeles: Artemi Panarin
The Kings struggle to score goals and push offence. The addition of Panarin provides them with a top-tier offensive threat they desperately need to have a shot of moving up the Western Conference standings and advancing deep into the playoffs.
The Kings’ leading scorers are Adrian Kempe (20 goals, 26 assists), followed by Kevin Fiala (18 goals, 22 assists) and Quinton Byfield (11 goals, 19 assists), so Panarin immediately slots into their lineup as the top offensive weapon. He posted 19 goals and 38 assists with the Rangers before the trade while averaging nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game. He will provide a boost to the Kings’ 28th-ranked goals per game average (2.56) and 26th-ranked power play (16.5 per cent). Panarin’s two goals and 15 assists with the extra attacker equals Fiala’s output with the Kings. Panarin adds an extra dimension to the unit and makes the group more difficult to check.
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Panarin isn’t a burner in open ice. He’s in the bottom 50th percentile in speed with and without the puck on his stick, but he’s a volume shooter who knows how to find open ice in high-danger areas and cash in on his opportunities. Panarin still possesses one of the hardest, most accurate shots in the league. He’s in the 83rd percentile in terms of hardest shot (89.24 mph) and 97th percentile in terms of overall average velocity (63.81 mph).
As much as the Kings need Panarin to produce offence, they will hope he can more consistently lock down his game on the defensive side, too. He’s not going to kill penalties or run opponents over physically, but the team structure Los Angeles plays will demand Panarin adapts and improves on the minus-16 he had with the Rangers.
To New York Rangers: Liam Greentree, 2026 conditional third-rounder, conditional 2028 fourth-rounder
Greentree is the key piece heading to the Rangers. He’s a hulking winger who doesn’t shy away from using his six-foot-foot, 216-pound frame as an advantage. Greentree is a proven goal scorer in the OHL and a big part of the Windsor Spitifires offence. In his OHL career, Greentree has contributed 133 goals and 166 assists. He’s deployed in a variety of roles in Windsor and projects as a top-six power winger at the NHL level.
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Greentree’s skating is average-plus, and doesn’t concern me overall. He will keep pace at the pro level. The 26th-overall draft pick in 2024 by the Kings, Greentree will turn pro after this season but might require time in AHL Hartford to mold himself into the player the Rangers expect him to be when the team starts to climb back up the Eastern Conference standings.
Canadian-born pop star Tate McRae doubled down on her roots after fans were left outraged on social media by her support of Team USA in a recent ad promoting the Milan Cortina Olympics and Super Bowl LX.
McRae, who was born in Calgary, Alberta, appeared to intensify the sporting rivalry between Canada and the U.S. when she appeared in an ad for NBC. In the clip, shared on Instagram with her nine million followers, McRae expressed excitement about meeting U.S. athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn.
Lindsey Vonn competes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women’s downhill at the Prampero Slope on Monte Lussari. The event took place in Tarvisio, Italy, on Jan. 17, 2026.(Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“I’m trying to get to Milan for an amazing opening ceremony and meet Team USA,” she said in the ad. “Gonna spend the week with some of America’s best skating for gold and Lindsey Vonn’s epic comeback. And back to the states for the big game, Super Bowl LX,” she said in the commercial.
Amid rising political tensions between the two border nations – which made their way to the sporting world during the 4 Nations Face-Off, McRae’s support for Team USA did not appear to sit well with Canadians, who called her a “traitor” among other things.
But McRae took to social media to respond to the backlash, and perhaps reveal where her loyalties truly lie.
McRae posted a childhood picture of herself holding the Canadian flag with a caption that read, “… y’all know I’m Canada down.”
But not everyone on social media appeared to accept McRae’s response.
“Yeah, no. Her saying ‘Y’all’ says otherwise,” one person wrote on X.
Tate McRae performs onstage during the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena. The performance took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 19, 2025.(Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
“Well then why support the US team? Sometimes it is important to support your own country and not just go for the money and especially during times like this,” another added.
Backlash over McRae’s ad set the stage for escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Most recently in the skeleton competition, many Americans remain outraged over the absence of five-time Olympian Katie Uhlaender in Milan Cortina, after Team Canada was found to have manipulated an Olympic qualifier last month that prevented Uhlaender from being able to earn enough points to make this year’s Winter Games.
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Katie Uhlaender (U.S.) competes in the women’s skeleton event at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at the Olympic Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on Feb. 17, 2018.(James Lang/USA TODAY Sports)
Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
Taking to social media on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Nigerian international reflected on his time at the club and expressed deep gratitude to everyone connected with Chippa United.
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“It was more than a family❤️. To my lovely teammates, dear coaches, amazing fans and best chairman in the world. As I stand here to say farewell, but more than a goodbye, I want to say thank you,” Nwabali wrote.
The goalkeeper described his time at the club as unforgettable, highlighting the moments that shaped his journey.
“The memories we’ve shared, the hard fought victories, the setbacks we turned into lessons, the laughs and the tears are moments I will carry with me forever,” he said.
Nwabali added that leaving the club does not end his emotional connection with it.
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“I leave with a heart full of gratitude and a lifetime of cherished memories. This isn’t just a farewell, it’s an appreciation for every moment you’ve given me. The lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me forever, and even though I may not wear the shirt anymore, a part of me will always remain with this club.”
The 28-year-old reserved special praise for the club chairman, describing him as a major influence in his career.
“To the club chairman, thank you for being such a father figure to me ❤️. Thank you for the honor of letting me be part of this story. I wish you all success and happiness in the seasons ahead,” he wrote.
Nwabali ended his message with a heartfelt sign-off.
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“Thank you — and farewell. Until we meet again.”
Chippa United earlier announced the departure of the Nigerian goalkeeper following his impressive performances for the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nwabali joined the club in 2022 from Katsina United and went on to establish himself as Chippa United’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Lando Norris has shared his admiration for how Max Verstappen goes racing, as he admits he’s still not at the level he needs to be. The reigning F1 champion is heading into the 2026 season hoping to defend his crown with McLaren. It also coincides with a change in regulations that will see the start of a completely different era in the sport.
We’re going to see completely new power units that will have a 50-50 split in terms of power produced by fuel and electric. The first pre-season test/shakedown is already done, and it once again showed that the top four teams have emerged more or less as the frontrunners. For Lando Norris himself, this is an opportunity to not only defend his title but also show what progress he’s made after winning his first championship in 2025.
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Often, however, Lando Norris does get compared to Max Verstappen, who is the benchmark in F1. The Dutch driver fell short of what would have been a fifth consecutive title in 2025 by just two points. Even then, the driver was considered the cream of the crop for the season.
Talking to the media, including PlanetF1, Lando Norris was questioned about his approach compared to Max Verstappen, to which the Brit admitted that both drivers had a slightly different way of approaching racing. He did, however, reveal that there were things he admired about Verstappen’s driving and knew he’s yet to reach the level he needs to be at. He said,
“It’s quite clear that I have a different mentality and a different approach to, say, what Max has. Good or bad, you decide. There are a lot of things that I still admire about Max, and I wish I had a little bit more of that, here and there. I’m always trying to improve my things. I know there are still areas where I’m not at the level I need to be. It’s still a good level but, when you’re fighting these guys, you need to be close to perfection.”
He added,
“So there are still plenty of things I want to work on and I want to be better at, but the baseline level of where I’m at now is already pretty good, and my motivation to win is exactly the same.”
Lando Norris opens up on his approach after becoming a world champion
It is often stated by many drivers in the past that winning a championship takes the burden off the shoulders, and once that box is ticked, things become much easier. Lando Norris, however, felt that his approach and his thought process have continued to be the same as they were in the past. He said,
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“Honestly, no. As much as I say that, I don’t feel any different coming into this season. I still feel like I just want to go out and win. I feel like there’s just quite a baseline feeling, and there consistently is.”
He added,
“I think just more, at the end of the day, if I don’t achieve something again, I always have something that I’m very proud about and I know is a huge achievement, but it certainly hasn’t taken away any ambition or desire to want to do it again, or to come into this season and go and not care about it.”
Heading into the 2026 F1 season, Lando Norris will be hoping McLaren has produced a competent package as he tries to defend his maiden world championship.
Although Seattle Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered a low-ankle sprain during practice Wednesday, he told reporters Thursday that he’ll “be good to go” Sunday for Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots.
Emmanwori, whom the Seahawks selected out of South Carolina in the second round of last year’s draft, has started the past 10 games for Seattle, including the playoffs.
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The injury he’s dealing with now is different than the high-ankle sprain he sustained in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers that cost him the next three games.
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“Not sure how extensive, if at all, he’s going to practice,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Thursday, per The Athletic.
“But he’s confident. Got a great plan. Fully expect him to play. He’s doing great and moving around.”
