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There was a little bit of Browns legend Lou Groza in Adam Vinatieri

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With room for just four, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of NFL kickers?

A case can be made for Browns legend Lou Groza. He is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1974, largely as the left tackle in Paul Brown’s Cleveland dynasty years, but also as “The Toe,” a kicker who led the NFL in career scoring when he retired.

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The other three are easy. They are the only NFL kicking specialists elected to the Hall — Jan Stenerud (Class of 1991), Morten Andersen (Class of 2017) and Adam Vinatieri (Class of 2026).

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There’s some Groza grit in Vinatieri, to whom Bill Parcells declared, “You’re a football player, not just a kicker,” after he chased down former Heisman winner Herschel Walker and planted him during a return. The 6-foot, 200-pound Vinatieri was a high school linebacker.

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Adam Vinatieri, Patriots & Colts game-winning kick maker, Hall of Famer

Adam Vinatieri gets in as just the fifth kicker – and arguably the most clutch kicker of all time. In a 24-year career, he became the leading scorer for two franchises, helping the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls before winning another ring with the Indianapolis Colts.

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(JIM HUDELSON, USA TODAY)

The other two on this Rushmore were only ever kickers in all of their football days.

Stenerud played youth soccer in Norway and came to the USA on a skiing scholarship. Andersen grew up in Denmark and was a 17-year-old exchange student when Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis talked him onto the football team.

New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri celebrates winning Super Bowl XXXVI with owner Robert Kraft at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.

New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri celebrates winning Super Bowl XXXVI with owner Robert Kraft at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.

Vinatieri hails from South Dakota, where his high school in Rapid City was a short drive from the real Mount Rushmore. He was a football quarterback and linebacker in addition to kicking. He wrestled, played basketball and ran track.

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His all-around scholar-athlete résumé earned an appointment to the United State Military Academy. He went to West Point but soon returned home, where for three years he was the punter and placekicker for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

The NFL wasn’t interested in a talented but inconsistent prospect from NCAA Division II. Vinatieri spent 1995 without a team and in heavy training.

He kicked and punted well in NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals in the spring of 1996, earning a tryout with the New England Patriots. Parcells picked him over 39-year-old Matt Bahr, a former Browns kicker.

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Vinatieri was an entrenched Patriot by 1998, when Phil Dawson spent the season on the practice squad, prior to joining the Browns in 1999 and eventually breaking Groza’s Cleveland scoring record.

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The Patriots replaced head coach Pete Carroll with Bill Belichick in 2000.

In the Super Bowl capping Belichick’s 2001 season, Vinatieri broke a 17-17 tie with the Rams with a 48-yard field goal as time expired.

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Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams as time expires in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots won 20-17.

Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams as time expires in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots won 20-17.

In a Super Bowl against Carolina two years later, he connected from 41 yards with four seconds left to break a 29-all tie.

After he helped beat the Eagles in a third Super Bowl the next year, the Patriots made him their franchise player for 2005, costing them $2.5 million.

Adam Vinatieri, K - 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 - 2025-26 )

Adam Vinatieri, K – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2025-26 )

In 2006, Belichick deemed the new franchise-tag price, $3 million, too high for a kicker and let Vinatieri walk after 10 seasons, at age 33.

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He went to the Colts as a free agent and instantly popped up in another Super Bowl, making three field goals in a 29-17 win over the Bears.

Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal for the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLI, Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami.

Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal for the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLI, Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami.

Letting Vinatieri go worked out for Belichick as a business decision.

Rookie fourth-round draft pick Stephen Gostkowski replaced Vinatieri in 2006 and spent 14 seasons with the team, kicking in three Super Bowl wins.

Vinatieri stabilized the Colts placekicking position for a long, long time. At one point, he made an NFL-record 44 field goals in a row.

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Vinatieri announced his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show on May 26, 2021.

“It all started on a snowy day in Foxborough,” Vinatieri says now, as if he has told his story before.

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A blizzard blew through the hills south of Boston on Jan. 19, 2002.

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“I’m sure it looked pretty,” Vinatieri says. “It was pretty hard to play in.”

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Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints record-setting quarterback, Hall of Famer

Four of the five newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (from left) Luke Kuechly, Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Larry Fitzgerald pose for a photo after unveiling their personal items for display at the Hall of Fame, Friday, April 17, 2026.

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(Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent)

Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium, Jan. 19, 2002. Vinatieri later kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime of a 16-13 win.

Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium, Jan. 19, 2002. Vinatieri later kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime of a 16-13 win.

Jon Gruden’s Raiders seemed to clinch a 13-10 playoff win when Tom Brady fumbled with 1:47 left. The call was overturned amid loud protests that led to “the tuck rule.” Still, Vinatieri had to make a 45-yard field goal in impossible conditions.

“We could barely run, let alone kick a field goal of that length,” Vinatieri’s Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel said.

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“When you watch it now, it’s amazing that he made it,” said Dawson.

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The amazing make sent the game to overtime, when Vinatieri put through a shorter one for the win.

New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates atop his teammates shoulders after his game-winning field goal in overtime defeated the Oakland Raiders in their AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 19, 2002, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates atop his teammates shoulders after his game-winning field goal in overtime defeated the Oakland Raiders in their AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 19, 2002, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

His Super Bowls were indoors or in warm weather, in New Orleans, Houston, Jacksonville and Miami. He missed the Colts’ loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV because of injury, replaced by Matt Stover. It was the last career game for Stover, then 42.

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Stover’s story is similar to Vinatieri’s. He was a high school receiver who kicked for the Browns for five years and then for the Ravens for 13 years after the move to Baltimore.

The current top 10 in NFL career scoring is:

1, Vinatieri, 2,673 points; 2, Morten Andersen, 2,544; 3, Gary Anderson, 2,434; 4, Jason Hanson, 2,150; 5, John Carney, 2,062; 6, Stover, 2,004; 7, George Blanda, 2,002; 8, Jason Elam, 1,983; 9, John Kasay, 1,970; 10, Robbie Gould, 1,961

ORG XMIT: 01/10/04 -- AFC PLAYOFFS -- New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium --Patriot's kicker, Adam Vinatieri kicks the game winning field goal in the final minutes of the Titans Patriot playoff game.   Photo by Glenn Osmundson

ORG XMIT: 01/10/04 — AFC PLAYOFFS — New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium –Patriot’s kicker, Adam Vinatieri kicks the game winning field goal in the final minutes of the Titans Patriot playoff game. Photo by Glenn Osmundson

Blanda was a quarterback and kicker. The others were kickers exclusively.

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Browns fans saw Vinatieri kick against Cleveland 10 times.

One was in Belichick’s memorable return to Cleveland, before anyone suspected he would build a Patriots dynasty. Dawson kicked four field goals to Vinatieri’s one in a 19-11 Browns win. Vinatieri wound up 8-2 against the Browns.

He didn’t take himself too seriously, as reflected by one of his pet sayings: “I never get to bake the cake. I get to put the icing on once in a while.”

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Vinatieri, 53, treasures his time in New England and is still a Patriots fan, in addition to holding allegiance to the team that kept him longer, the Colts.

Adam Vinatieri Kicker

Adam Vinatieri Kicker

He and his wife, Valerie, have three children. The oldest, A.J., is entering his senior year as a punter at Lindenwood University in Missouri. The family lives in Zionsville, Indiana, about 15 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.

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The three oldest players in NFL history were Blanda, 48; Morten Anderson, 47; and Vinatieri, 47.

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“As I aged, I went from being the rookie to the vet, then the big brother, then the dad, and by the end probably the grandpa in the locker room,” Vinatieri said.

He was taken quite seriously by his peers, who entrusted him to a prominent role in the NFL Players Association.   

One of the most respected members of the expansion-era Browns was Dawson, who spent 14 seasons in Cleveland before kicking elsewhere. He was 44 when he ceremonially “retired as a Brown” in 2019.

Dawson’s role model was Adam Vinatieri.

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Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: There was a little bit of Browns legend Lou Groza in Adam Vinatieri

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Indian court acquits ex-wrestling chief of harassment

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An Indian court on Monday acquitted the former head of the country’s wrestling federation of sexual harassment and stalking charges brought by female athletes.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former lawmaker from Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had denied allegations that he groped wrestlers and demanded sexual favors.

What was the reaction to Singh’s acquittal?

Singh’s lawyer Rajiv Mohan said the New Delhi court found “inconsistencies” in witness statements and “contradictions on major issues.”

“I had complete faith that justice would be done,” Singh told reporters after the verdict. “I never considered myself a criminal at all.”

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Supporters celebrated outside the court by setting off firecrackers, showering Singh with flower petals and offering him sweets.

Leading female wrestler Vinesh Phogat said the women would challenge the ruling in a higher court and continue their legal fight.

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“It took a great deal of courage for us to take to the streets and get a complaint registered against a powerful leader of the ruling party,” she wrote on X.

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What is the significance of the case?

The allegations triggered months of protests in New Delhi in 2023, led by prominent athletes including Phogat, Olympic bronze medalist Sakshi Malik and Olympic medalist Bajrang Punia.

Hundreds joined sit-in demonstrations accusing authorities of failing to act against Singh.

Malik later retired from wrestling in protest, while Punia returned one of India’s highest civilian honors.

Delhi police charged Singh in 2023 after sustained pressure from the protesting wrestlers.

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A court formally brought charges against him in 2024 over allegations involving five women.

Singh completed his parliamentary term that year and was not selected to run again. The BJP instead fielded his son from the same constituency, which he won.

Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah

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Moses Itauma ordered to face heavyweight champion after WBA clarify rankings error

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Moses Itauma‘s possible career path has become a lot clearer after he was officially named as the mandatory challenger for a reigning world heavyweight champion.

Itauma is viewed as being the future of the heavyweight division, with the 21-year-old having won all 14 of his professional fights to date, 12 of them coming by knockout.

He has claimed wins over the likes of Dillian Whyte, Mariusz Wach and Demsey McKean, and last time out became the first man to stop former Whyte and Anthony Joshua foe Jermaine Franklin when he earned a fifth round TKO victory.

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Itauma is set for his toughest test so far later this month when he takes on Filip Hrgovic at The O2 Arena on August 29, and with a win there, the youngster could now head straight into a world title shot.

That is after the WBA confirmed that Itauma is the mandatory for Murat Gassiev, correcting an earlier mistake where Jarrell Miller was wrongly listed as mandatory.

“The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee wishes to clarify an inadvertent error in the publication of the July heavyweight rankings, which incorrectly listed Jarrell Miller as the division’s official mandatory challenger.

“The heavyweight division has one official mandatory challenger: Moses Itauma, who currently holds the No. 1 spot in the rankings and has been awaiting his world title opportunity for several months.

“While Miller returned to the ring on April 24 and earned a unanimous decision victory over Lenier Peró in Las Vegas, it is important to clarify that the bout was not a final eliminator. As such, that victory did not make him the WBA’s official mandatory challenger.”

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Gassiev became WBA Regular champion in December with a knockout win over Kubrat Pulev, and after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his unified world heavyweight titles earlier this summer, Gassiev was subsequently elevated to full champion.

It means Itauma now has another avenue for a world title shot, having already been ordered to negotiate with Frank Sanchez for a fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

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Ex-Jackson State cornerback Levi Wyatt dead at 23

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Levi Wyatt, a former college football standout who played for the Jackson State Tigers and McNeese State Cowboys, has died. He was 23.

Jackson State mourned the loss of the former cornerback on Saturday. Wyatt was a 2024 Preseason All-Southland Conference Second Team selection before he joined the Tigers. He had 12 tackles and four pass breakups in 2025.

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Levi Wyatt #2 reacts during the 2025 SWAC Championship game between Jackson State and Prairie View A&M.

Levi Wyatt #2 of Jackson State reacts against Prairie View A&M during the 2025 SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 6, 2025. (Getty Images)

“The bond of this brotherhood does not end when the game clock expires,” Jackson State said in a statement. “Today, we mourn the loss of our brother, Levi Wyatt. His memory will forever live within the halls of Jackson State football and in the hearts of everyone who shared this journey with him.

“We ask the Tiger Nation to join us in lifting his family and loved ones in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. Rest easy, Tiger.”

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Jacob Bostick runs with the ball while defended by Levi Wyatt during a football game.

Jacob Bostick No. 11 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs after a reception while defended by Levi Wyatt No. 2 of the McNeese State Cowboys in the second half at Kyle Field on Sept. 7, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (Getty Images)

Wyatt was killed in a car crash in Mississippi early Saturday, according to state officials.

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The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said officers in Jackson responded to a report of a car crash just after midnight local time, according to WLBT-TV. Responding officers located two vehicles that sustained damage at the scene.

A Chevrolet Camaro reportedly struck a utility pole.

The Hinds County coroner identified Wyatt as one of the victims of the crash, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, WLBT-TV reported.

Levi Wyatt #2 reacts during Jackson State football game against Prairie View A&M.

Levi Wyatt #2 of the Jackson State Tigers reacts against the Prairie View A&M Panthers during the 2025 SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Dec. 6, 2025, in Jackson, Miss. (Getty Images)

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Mississippi Highway Patrol was reportedly investigating the incident.

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Wild-card contenders Diamondbacks, Padres clash in desert

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Jul 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) delivers a pitch agains the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning t at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesJul 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) delivers a pitch agains the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning t at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks were in danger of falling into a deeper hole when they faced the San Diego Padres before the All-Star break. How things have changed.

After salvaging a split in the finale of a four-game set in San Diego on July 9, the Diamondbacks have the best record in the National League since that date and are tied with Philadelphia for the final two NL wild-card spots as they open a four-game series against the Padres on Monday.

Arizona is 14-6 since July 9 and leads the major leagues with 118 runs.

“It’s my favorite month of baseball,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, whose team completed a 6-4 road trip as the calendar turned to August.

“I think the season starts to take shape. The contenders and pretenders start to separate. So I think the real teams, and the ones that are capable of carrying on for the next two months, start to separate themselves, and it’s the purest form of baseball.”

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The Padres have been nearly as good in that span, going 12-8 with 110 runs, the third-most in the majors. They are one game behind the Diamondbacks and Phillies after a 5-1 homestand.

“How we’re playing right now, I think, is the true identity of this club,” said Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth, whose walk-off single beat the Giants 6-5 on Saturday.

Arizona starter Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.00 ERA) will seek to continue his recent dominance in the opener against fellow right-hander Michael King (6-7, 3.38), who was pushed back from a scheduled Sunday start against San Francisco for this matchup.

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“We’re chasing them,” San Diego manager Craig Stammen said. “He’s our best pitcher. It would be nice to have our best pitcher pitching against them. He would miss them otherwise.”

King is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five career starts against Arizona.

Pfaadt is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA since his June 30 return from Triple-A Reno, where he was dispatched after early-season ineffectiveness. Injuries to right-handers Ryne Nelson and Michael Soroka provided a rotation opening.

After tweaking his mechanics, Pfaadt has taken advantage. He shortened his windup and moved to the first-base side of the rubber. He had been going back and forth with his starting point.

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“More simple and more consistent,” Pfaadt said. “I think when you move and change so many things over a long period of time, stuff becomes inconsistent. Just making that as consistent as possible.”

Pfaadt threw five scoreless innings in an 8-0 victory over the Padres in his second start back July 6, He gave up six hits in seven scoreless innings in his last appearance, an 8-7 no-decision at Pittsburgh last Tuesday.

“There’s just confidence with everything that he’s doing,” Lovullo said. “His timing’s great. His delivery looks great, and he’s executing.”

Pfaadt is 4-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against San Diego. Cronenworth is 11-for-24 with three RBIs against Pfaadt, Manny Machado is 7-for-21 with a homer and Ty France is 3-for-9 with a homer.

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King was 1-0 with 2.79 ERA in five July starts. He gave up a combined three runs in 12 innings in a win and a no-decision against Arizona this season. Against King, Gabriel Moreno is 4-for-8 and Corbin Carroll is 1-for-9.

–Field Level Media

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Celtic drawn against LASK as other Scottish sides discover opponents

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Celtic have been drawn against Austrian champions LASK in the Champions League play-off round.

Meanwhile, Rangers will face either Northern Irish champions Larne or Iberia Tbilisi of Georgia in the Europa League play-offs should they defeat Jagiellonia Bialystok of Poland.

And Heart of Midlothian, who dropped down to the Europa League after losing to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying, will take on either AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Sabah of Azerbaijan should they defeat Benfica.

Should they lose, the Edinburgh side will face Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia or Rapid Vienna of Austria in the Conference League play-off round.

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If Rangers lose, they will meet Jablonec of Czech Republic or RFS of Latvia.

Motherwell will take on Freiburg of Germany should they defeat Finland’s HJK Helsinki.

Meanwhile, Hibernian will take on IFK Gothenburg of Sweden or Gent of Belgium if they oust Shkendija of Macedonia.

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Russian teen Kristina Liutova wins WTA Memphis title

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Russian 16-year-old Kristina Liutova won the WTA Memphis title on Sunday, beating Darja Vidmanova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 to capture the crown in her first main-draw appearance. Liutova became the youngest player to win a WTA title since 15-year-old Coco Gauff triumphed in Linz in 2019. When she fired a stinging forehand to the corner to

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Infantino’s grip on FIFA weakened following investor plan controversy

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Aye Aye Captain back to winning ways at Rosehill in 2026

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Brown horse and jockey in pink and blue silks leap over a hurdle during a race, on a grassy track

Veteran trainer Les Bridge received a belated birthday gift at Rosehill as Aye Aye Captain returned to her best form. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy confessed he was indebted to the stable for a positive result after a questionable recommendation last start.

Aye Aye Captain had previously failed to impress when the favourite on a heavy surface, a decision McEvoy had urged Bridge to proceed with.

However, on firmer footing in Saturday’s Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1400m), the mare executed perfectly. Aye Aye Captain, sent to post at $3.30, fought tenaciously to win by a neck from Ticklebelly ($5), rewarding the patience of her connections.

McEvoy conceded he had some ground to make up after the mare’s previous outing.

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“I must admit, he wasn’t too happy with me the other day when I convinced him to run on the heavy track,” McEvoy said.

“I could tell when I rang him after the races he was a bit flat on me.

“Anyway, he’s waited for today, freshened her up, and her work during the week was good.

“She settled better for me today, and the better ground suited her.”

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The victory continues the extensive history between McEvoy and Bridge, a partnership stretching back almost a quarter of a century. Their first success together was with Miss Zoe in the 2002 Emancipation Stakes, followed by their career-defining win when Classique Legend captured The Everest in 2020.

“My first winner (for Bridge) was a good mare of his way back in the early 2000s, Miss Zoe. This was when I was just out of my apprenticeship,” McEvoy revealed. “Then when I moved to Sydney, I didn’t ride a lot for Les early on. Carmel (Size) linked me up when she knew she had a smart one in Classique Legend, and I’ve been doing a bit ever since with Les.”

The heavily supported favourite, Enviable ($2.50), performed poorly, fading to last after racing on pace. James McDonald informed stewards the mare travelled well but offered no response when asked for an effort in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination was expected to reveal any underlying issues behind the disappointing performance.

Check out the latest betting markets for the race.

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PBA: Ginebra’s Grigsby relishes first ‘Manila Clasico’ despite loss

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MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra import Riley Grigsby got his first taste of the “Manila Clasico” rivalry on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Araneta Coliseum. As expected, Grigsby felt the atmosphere of one of the biggest sports rivalries in the country. “I’ve heard about what this game means to fans. You feel the energy. I

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SummerSlam results: Roman Reigns retains the World Heavyweight Championship

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Hatred. Brotherhood. Envy. Glory.

It’s those words that have described the relationship of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. The two entered WWE as members of The Shield and came into SummerSlam on Sunday night as enemies. Reigns put the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Rollins for possibly the final time of their careers.

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Roman Reigns celebrates at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Roman Reigns celebrates during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns and Rollins went blow-for-blow to start the match before it turned into an all-out brawl in the stands. Reigns delivered the first major blow to Rollins. He caught Rollins trying to spear him through the barricade and powerbombed him through an announce table.

Rollins struck back quickly and delivered his own powerbomb on Reigns through the other announce table. As the two rushed back into the ring, Rollins hit a pedigree on Reigns and tried to pick up the win there, but Reigns kicked out of the pin.

Rollins went back to the well and avoided a spear to hit a stomp. Still, he could not get the pin on Reigns.

The crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis watched closely as the two mammoth wrestling stars played a chess match to gain the smallest advantage. Rollins hit a superplex but Reigns locked in a Kimura lock. Rollins, losing steam, stood back up and nearly hit a Falcon Arrow. Reigns slipped out and speared Rollins – one, two … so close.

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Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns fist bump during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns fist bump during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 2, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns resorted to smack talk, reminding Rollins that he’ll always be No. 2 to him. But as Reigns bounced off the ropes, Rollins hit Reigns with a spear. Still, he couldn’t get the win.

In shades of WrestleMania, both men were putting on an instant classic in front of thousands of WWE fans. The two men, who know each other like the back of their hands. Reigns took a page out of Rollins’ playbook, hitting him with a buckle bomb and a stomp. Rollins got his arm up at the last possible second.

As the two went punch-for-punch, the referee went down. Reigns, in a nod to Dean Ambrose (now Jon Moxley), hit a Paradigm Shift. He went to spear Rollins but Rollins pulled the referee in between them. It was anybody’s game now. Rollins looked at the title as he stepped over the carnage strewn across the outside ring area.

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Rollins took a steel chair, which he used to betray Reigns 12 years ago. Reigns hit Rollins with a quick punch before Rollins could use the chair. Reigns looked at the chair. Rollins waited for Reigns to use the chair, but he cast it aside.

In a sign of mutual respect, Reigns demanded the two finish it in the middle of the ring without the weapon.

More stomps and spears from the two men without a referee kept the match going. The two former brothers locked eyes one last time. Reigns then delivered one last spear.

Roman Reigns wrestles Seth Rollins during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Roman Reigns faces Seth Rollins during SummerSlam at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 2, 2026. (WWE via Getty Images)

Reigns pinned Rollins to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.

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For Reigns, it seems like the ghosts of his past have finally been dispelled. The two competitors looked at each other from the corner. Reigns put out his fist in a final Shield callback. Rollins obliged, leaving his Shield mask in the middle of the ring.

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