Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall (helmet) hands the football off during first-quarter action against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 26, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hall saw preseason snaps while competing for positioning on Minnesota’s depth chart as the rookie quarterback adjusted to Kevin O’Connell’s offense before the start of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
He didn’t stick around the NFL for long, and this week, former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Jaren Hall announced his retirement on Instagram.
Minnesota once needed Hall in a hurry, and his unusual football path has now reached its end.
The BYU alumnus embarked on a tiny professional career and now heads toward his next chapter.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall (16) rolls to his right looking for a passing lane against the Arizona Cardinals during first-quarter preseason action at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Aug. 26, 2023. Hall showcased his mobility and composure while competing for positioning on Minnesota’s quarterback depth chart entering the regular season under Kevin O’Connell. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Hall Retires
The 28-year-old didn’t leave much to the imagination, scribing on social media Wednesday, “There’s a lot I could say, but mostly I just feel grateful. Sports have been woven into nearly every part of my life- they’ve challenged me, humbled me, shaped my faith, introduced me to lifelong friendships, and given me experiences I never could have imagined.”
“From growing up in this community to representing my hometown, to having the opportunity to play in the NFL, it has all been a blessing. What I’ll carry most isn’t the milestones, but the people– teammates, coaches, family, and a community that supported me every step of the way.”
Hall closed the message, “My heart is full as I close this chapter and finish my football career. I’m thankful to everyone who’s been part of the journey. The game has given me more than I could ever give back.”
Career with Vikings
Before J.J. McCarthy arrived in Eagan with significant franchise quarterback hype, the Vikings had already invested in another young quarterback: Hall.
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Hall joined the team in 2023, fitting former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s “lottery ticket” strategy: a 5th-Round quarterback with experience, composure, mobility, and enough talent to catch Kevin O’Connell’s staff’s attention. While he never generated the buzz of a top prospect, Hall quietly became the team’s emergency backup during Kirk Cousins’ final season in Minnesota.
For a brief period, this plan seemed viable.
Hall performed well in training camp and preseason. Teammates praised his calm demeanor, and the Vikings appeared to trust him more than they typically would a late-round quarterback. He demonstrated quick decision-making, ball security, and effective offense management, continuing the experiment.
Minnesota urgently needed a quarterback solution, and Hall was thrust into a playoff hunt before the team truly understood his capabilities. His first start in Atlanta began with promising moments. He looked poised in the pocket, delivered accurate throws, and for a fleeting moment, Vikings fans wondered if the front office had unearthed another hidden gem. The optimism then vanished almost instantly.
Hall suffered a concussion in that game, sidelining him for weeks as the season devolved into the Joshua Dobbs roller coaster. By the time Hall returned late in the year, the offense was struggling, the pressure immense, and there was no margin for error.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall (16) hands the football to running back Abram Smith (41) during second-quarter preseason action against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Aug. 26, 2023. Hall operated Minnesota’s offense throughout the exhibition matchup while continuing his rookie development during training camp and preseason competition for the Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
His final significant appearance against Green Bay was unsuccessful. The game’s speed overwhelmed him, the offense stalled repeatedly, and all the developmental prospect buzz surrounding him evaporated. From that point, the outcome felt inevitable.
Minnesota drafted McCarthy months later, signed Sam Darnold, and completely overhauled their quarterback room for 2024. Hall had no realistic path to making the roster. The Vikings released him during final cuts, Seattle claimed him, and his brief tenure in Minnesota faded almost as quickly as it began.
Yet, for one unusual stretch in 2023, Jaren Hall was the Vikings’ entire Plan B.
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The Scene Thereafter
Then, everything turned ever more rotten for Hall. It was as if the “what if” of his upside in Minnesota served as his peak.
He did nothing in Seattle, and in fact, never took another regular season snap. The Seahawks released him in April 2025, right after the draft, when the club onboarded Jalen Milroe from Alabama and already had Drew Lock in line for the QB2 job behind Darnold.
Fast forward to the 2026 offseason, and Hall signed with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. Two weeks later, he was dropped by the Stallions, which would turn out to be his final hurrah as a professional or semi-pro football player.
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What Could Have Been
Believe it or not, Hall arrived at the absolutely perfect time in Vikings history. The team’s QB1, Cousins, was on his way out as the franchise quarterback and even suffered the gruesome, aforementioned injury. Hall was right there to snatch the job by the throat.
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall (3) reacts after throwing an interception against the Idaho State Bengals during first-quarter action at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, on Nov. 6, 2021. Hall showed visible frustration after the turnover during BYU’s home matchup as the Cougars attempted to regain momentum early in the contest against Idaho State. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports.
But he got hurt when he was given his big chance, and when he healed, he didn’t quite have the chops during a pivotal regular season game of 2023. As it turned out, he just wasn’t cut out for the NFL, evidenced by his retirement this week.
The stars aligned, though. Minnesota was desperate for a young, unsung passer to step up in 2023 — a guy who could’ve stuck around for the long haul.
That was not Hall.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
European champions Spain head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with high expectations as they look to recapture the dominance that once defined their golden generation. Since lifting their maiden World Cup title in 2010 with a possession-heavy masterclass, Spain’s subsequent campaigns have brought mixed fortunes, one major disappointment and a couple of underwhelming performances.
However, La Roja appear to have rediscovered their identity. After the departure of Luis Enrique in 2022, Spain underwent a smooth transition and re-emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting sides at Euro 2024. Their triumph in Germany stood out for its balance of traditional tiki-taka principles blended with a more direct, dynamic attacking approach, especially through wide areas.
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Now, questions are being asked about whether this evolving generation can emulate Spain’s legendary 2008-2012 era, when they dominated world football with back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup triumph.
Spain arrive at the World Cup with a near-perfect qualifying record, finishing with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 0 defeats. They scored 21 goals and conceded just 2, underlining their control at both ends of the pitch.
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Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal led the scoring charts with six goals each, while Oyarzabal also topped the assist rankings with four.
A defining moment came early in the campaign when Spain dismantled Türkiye 6-0 away from home, setting the tone for their dominance. By the time qualification was sealed, Spain had gone unbeaten without conceding a single goal. A 2–2 draw against Türkiye in the return fixture was the only slight setback, a result that did little to disrupt their momentum.
Span’s Group H in FIFA World Cup 2026
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Spain
Uruguay
Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde
Lamine Yamal the X factor for Spain
Lamine Yamal is regarded as a generational talent who commands attention whenever he is on the pitch. However, Spain will be eager for him to recover quickly from the hamstring injury that ended his 2025–26 club season prematurely.
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If fully fit, he has the ability to deliver a World Cup performance comparable to iconic campaigns like Diego Maradona in 1986, Kylian Mbappé in 2018, or Lionel Messi in 2022. Meanwhile, Fermín López is emerging as a key breakout star. Despite over 100 appearances for Barcelona, he is still establishing himself internationally. He offers creativity, dribbling, passing, finishing, and exceptional energy.
Spain schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
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FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain schedule
Fixture
Date
Venue
Spain vs. Cabo Verde
Monday, June 15
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
Sunday, June 21
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Uruguay vs. Spain
Friday, June 26
Estadio Akron
Spain Strengths
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Spain’s preferred system is a 4-2-3-1 formation, built around a hybrid style of play that blends control with direct attacking threat. One of their biggest strengths is their exceptionally high technical quality, allowing them to dominate possession and dictate tempo against any opposition.
They are also a highly effective pressing team, capable of winning the ball high up the pitch and immediately transitioning into attack. Spain’s play is particularly dangerous in wide areas, where they generate explosive attacking movements and pace, making them unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
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Another key strength is their cohesion across all phases of play. This is not just a team that passes for control, it operates as a unified unit, capable of both patient build-up and quick, vertical attacks. Their system is further elevated by moments of individual brilliance from some of the world’s top stars, with Lamine Yamal often drawing attention, though he is far from the only game-changer in the squad.
Spain Weaknesses
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Despite their dominance, Spain are not without vulnerabilities. One of their main concerns is impulsive defending, which can occasionally disrupt their otherwise structured approach.
Their intense pressing style, while effective, can also become a liability in physically demanding or stifling conditions, where maintaining high energy levels over 90 minutes may be challenging.
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Another notable weakness is their record in penalty shootouts, an area that has historically caused problems and could prove decisive in knockout-stage matches at major tournaments.
Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2026: Yet to be announced Preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, David Raya, Juan Garcia, Alex Remiro.
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Defenders: Pedro Porro, Marcos Llorente, Dani Carvajal, Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, Alejandro Balde, Pep Chavarria, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Mario Gila, Cesar Tarrega.
Midfielders: Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Mikel Merino, Pablo Barrios, Oihan Sancet, Alex Garcia, Javi Guerra, Alberto Moleiro.
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Forwards: Yeremy Pino, Mikel Jauregizar, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Ferran Torres, Bryan Zaragoza, Jesus Rodriguez
Former Team India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes the Mumbai Indians (MI) must move on from Hardik Pandya as captain after the ongoing IPL 2026 season. The cricketer-turned commentator further suggested that the franchise should consider Jasprit Bumrah as their next captain.
Hardik returned to MI ahead of the 2024 season, having led the Gujarat Titans (GT) for 2 years. However, in his three years leading MI from 2024 to 2026, the side missed the playoffs in two seasons, 2024 and 2026.
Meanwhile, with him sidelined in the last three games, MI have won two of them, with Bumrah leading them in their latest outing against the Punjab Kings (PBKS).
“I’d like to see Jasprit Bumrah captain more because I don’t think anyone reads the game as well as he does. What he does with the ball is not just about his action or his skills. It’s also about anticipation, reading batters, understanding situations, and assessing pitches.”
He added:
“I think they might have to look beyond Hardik Pandya. I’d really like to see Bumrah being given a short-term opportunity because that’s not as much of a burden on him as being India’s Test captain, where he has to stay fit and ready for every Test match. I just hope the Mumbai Indians consider Bumrah as captain for the foreseeable future.”
MI are currently placed second from bottom on the points table with only four wins from 12 matches this season.
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“Even if he was only bowling at 135 kph, he still could have captained” – Sanjay Manjrekar on Jasprit Bumrah as India’s Test captain
Sanjay Manjrekar believes Jasprit Bumrah should have captained India in Tests after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, despite the pacer’s absences for workload management. The champion pacer was overlooked as Test captain in favor of Shubman Gill to maintain continuity, something Manjrekar believes is overrated.
“Even in England, I believed that even if he was only bowling at 135 kph, he still could have captained. I don’t believe captaincy changes things that dramatically because we’ve seen so many examples in Indian cricket. For instance, when Virat Kohli stepped away [during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy] for a paternity break, and Ajinkya Rahane took over, India still won. A change in captaincy doesn’t suddenly transform the team,” said Manjrekar (via the aforementioned source).
He concluded:
“So I think this idea that the captain has to play all five or six Test matches is a little overrated. If your team is full of players performing well, you should try to have the best possible captain leading whenever he is available. It also has to be someone deserving. Bumrah has the qualities and the body of work behind him.”
Bumrah has captained India in only three Tests and two T20Is in his decade-long international career.
May 14, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton (6) drives to the basket during the first half against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Breanna Stewart scored a game-high 22 points Thursday night and the visiting New York Liberty blew open a tight game in the second half to earn a 100-82 victory over the Portland Fire for a split of their two-game series.
Pauline Astier added 20 as New York improved to 3-1. Rebekah Gardner and Alex Fowler came off the bench for 14 and 12 points, respectively, while Marine Johannes dished out 11 assists while committing only one turnover.
The Liberty shrugged off a slow start to sink 34 of 67 shots from the field, including 15 of 38 from the 3-point line, and finished with a whopping 32 assists. They also got 41 points off the bench after getting outscored 32-11 off the pine Tuesday night.
Megan Gustafson scored 14 points in a reserve role for Portland (1-2). Nyadiew Puoch added 13, while Emily Engstler and Bridget Carleton tallied 11 each. But the Fire hit only 30 of 68 from the field, including a measly 9 of 31 on 3-pointers.
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New York used a 31-16 third-quarter burst to expand a two-point halftime lead to 70-53. Stewart scored 10 points in the period, canning two free throws to cap a 10-0 burst that put the lead in double figures for good.
After scoring a 98-96 decision Tuesday night for its first win in its second iteration, Portland controlled most of the first half behind accurate shooting and solid defense.
The Fire established a 20-12 lead late in the first quarter when Engstler canned a free throw to cap a 9-0 run. They held the Liberty scoreless for a 4:24 stretch during that spurt, then upped the margin to 27-18 when Sug Sutton fed Gustafson for a layup.
At that juncture, New York finally found traction on both ends of the floor. It rattled off 11 straight points as Stewart made a 3-pointer and converted a layup to key the run. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sank a driving layup with 2.4 seconds left before halftime for a 39-37 edge at the break.
May 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (22) up to bat after coming off the injured list against the San Diego Padres in the firs tinning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers hope resting Christian Yelich the past two days will be enough to loosen up his tight back, but they won’t know for certain until Friday.
Yelich missed 24 games due to a left groin strain before returning to action on Tuesday and going 0-for-4 as Milwaukee beat the visiting San Diego Padres 6-4.
In the wake of that game, he experienced back tightness, which prompted the Brewers to sit him out for their Wednesday loss and Thursday victory to cap the San Diego series.
The issue is believed to be related to the back surgery Yelich underwent in August 2024.
“He felt much better today,” manager Pat Murphy said after Milwaukee topped San Diego 7-1 on Thursday. “We’ll find out a lot more (Friday). I think (Friday) will be kind of a telling tale whether he needs a longer break.”
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The Brewers will open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday in Minneapolis.
“He had the same thing last year,” Murphy said. “If you talked to his doctor, they would tell you the same thing, that this is going to happen from time to time. Do you know anybody with back surgery that absolutely has no problems with their back? That’s just not how it is.”
Yelich, 34, is batting .291 with a .350 on-base percentage, a .418 slugging percentage, one homer and 10 RBIs in 16 games this year.
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A three-time All-Star who was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2018, Yelich has a career .285/.374/.464 batting line with 234 homers, 861 RBIs and 224 stolen bases in 1,632 games.
Yelich played for the Miami Marlins from 2013-17 before he was traded to the Brewers in January 2018.
May 14, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) celebrates after scoring a goal against Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the first period in game six of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Mitch Marner and Shea Theodore both scored once and added an assist during a three-goal opening period to spark visiting Vegas to a 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday in Game 6, advancing the Golden Knights to the Western Conference finals.
Vegas will face the Colorado Avalanche for the conference title, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday in Denver.
Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice while Brett Howden added a single tally for the Golden Knights, who beat the Ducks in the last two games of the best-of-seven series.
Vegas goaltender Carter Hart made 31 saves.
The Golden Knights are headed to the third round for the fifth time in nine seasons since joining the NHL as an expansion team in 2017-18. Vegas beat Colorado in the teams’ lone playoff meeting, in the 2021 second round.
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Mikael Granlund scored for Anaheim, and goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 16 shots.
Marner opened the scoring 62 seconds into the clash with a highlight-reel-worthy goal. William Karlsson sprung him on a partial breakaway, and while holding off a defender, Marner tucked the puck through his own legs and tapped it into the net.
Howden doubled the lead with a short-handed tally at the 8:30 mark. Marner pulled up while on a rush to give Howden time to become open at the far side of the net, and sent a perfect pass for a redirect chance that Howden converted for his third career postseason short-handed goal.
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Marner collected 11 points in the series (five goals, six assists).
Theodore’s power-play goal made it a 3-0 game at 17:19 of the one-sided opening frame. After a faceoff win, Theodore fired a long wrist shot through a screen.
Granlund’s power-play goal at 12:46 of the second period gave the Ducks a jolt of life, but Dorofeyev’s pair of third-period goals quashed any comeback hopes.
Dorofeyev restored Anaheim’s three-goal edge at 2:52 of the third period when he unloaded a quick shot from the slot. He added another 11 minutes later from a sharp angle to round out the scoring, his ninth of the playoffs, which leads the league. Dorofeyev has five goals in the past three games.
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With defenseman Brayden McNabb serving a one-game suspension, Kaedan Korczak drew into the Vegas lineup.
Jansen Harkins laced up for the Ducks with forward Ryan Poehling out due to the injury sustained when he was hit by McNabb.
Team Nigeria continued its strong outing at the African Athletics Championship after winning gold in the 4x400m mixed relay event with a season-best time of 3:16.44.
The Nigerian team made up of Ezekiel Asuquo, Toheebat Jimoh, Victor Sampson and Patience Okon-George delivered an impressive performance to finish ahead of the other countries in Thursday’s final.
Botswana settled for the silver medal, while Kenya claimed bronze after a closely contested race.
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The victory added another gold medal to Nigeria’s growing success at the championship and once again showed the country’s strength in relay events across Africa.
Nigeria’s mixed relay team has become one of the best on the continent in recent years, regularly producing strong performances through teamwork, smart tactics and individual quality.
Team Nigeria will hope to continue their fine form as the championship progresses.
United Spirits Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of global liquor major Diageo, has revised the composition of the investor consortium involved in acquiring a stake in the company that owns the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise in IPL. Importantly, while the structure of the buying group has changed, the financial terms and overall economics of the high-value transaction remain unchanged.
Amended agreement without change in deal value
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In a filing to the stock exchanges on Monday, the company confirmed that it has executed an “amended and restated share purchase agreement” related to the sale of shares in Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd. (RCSPL), the entity that owns the IPL franchise.
The update reflects modifications in the legal entities participating on the buyer side, but the core consortium, valuation, and commercial structure of the deal remain intact. The transaction, originally announced in March, is valued at ₹16,660 crore (approximately $2 billion), making it one of the largest franchise-related deals in Indian sports history.
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United Spirits also confirmed that the agreement continues to involve the sale of 14,690 equity shares in RCSPL.
Changes in investor group composition
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As part of the revised structure, several new entities have been added to the consortium, including Big Banyan Holdings Pte. Ltd., Times Cricket LLP, and ICONIQ Opportunities RC Holdco Ltd.
At the same time, two participants, Aelius Investments Pte. Ltd. and Metropolitan Media Company Ltd. have exited the group.
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The company clarified that these changes represent a restructuring of legal entities involved in executing the transaction, rather than any shift in intent or overall deal strategy.
RCB’s rising value in global sports market
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru continues to be one of the most commercially prominent franchises in the Indian Premier League. Its growing valuation reflects the broader surge in media rights, sponsorship interest, and investor appetite for cricket-related assets.
The IPL, in particular, has seen increasing participation from institutional investors, technology firms, and private equity groups seeking exposure to India’s rapidly expanding sports economy.
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United Spirits emphasized that all key commercial terms of the agreement remain unchanged from the original announcement made in March. The company also clarified that the transaction does not fall under the category of a related-party deal under Indian regulatory norms.
John Cena’s final run of his in-ring career with WWE started with a dramatic heel turn, a 17th championship and ended with a loss to Gunther in December.
Cena not going out on top against “The Ring General” was a decision that pro wrestling fans have debated intensely over the last five months. The loss marked the end of Cena’s career, but also catapulted Gunther into a “career killer,” who later ended A.J. Styles’ time in WWE too.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk present John Cena with the Undisputed WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2025.(Rich Freeda/WWE)
Videographer Adam Glyn caught up with Cena on Thursday and asked him about the fans’ reaction to his final match. Cena suggested that it was the best ending for him.
“I think we all just live in the moment, right? I think, this is just my perspective, and if people were upset, that’s their right, of course, you can feel how you want to feel. I had a career that was polarizing. That’s the world Michael Cole uses a lot,” Cena said. “That was a polite word for people (who) would chant at the top of their lungs that ‘I suck.’
“So, I think with the last match, the audience was polarized. There were people who understood and were entertained in a positive way. There were people who were so in the moment and reacted with such passion, it was like a microcosm of my career. The audience was split. I can’t think of a better way to close the chapter than that. It defines what I did.”
John Cena hosts WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 19, 2026.(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Cena is set to be a WWE Hall of Famer when the time comes, and while his in-ring career may be over, he’s still a part of the WWE Universe.
He announced at Backlash that he will host the John Cena Classic in hopes of showcasing WWE talent from NXT to give fans a glimpse into what the future will hold for the company. Similarly, he hand-picked NXT competitors to share his final card with him at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Cena told Glyn he was “super excited” about the event. He said there were still some things that had to be worked out.
John Cena makes his entrance during Monday Night RAW at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Nov. 10, 2025.(Michael Marques/WWE)
“I am fully invested in this,” he said. “So, I can’t wait to see what it is. I can’t wait until we announce the date and location. I think that’s obviously step one and we’ll go from there.”
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
The Manchester United captain has admitted he would have loved to see Declan Rice join the club, describing him as the ideal fit for the team
08:21, 15 May 2026Updated 09:07, 15 May 2026
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Bruno Fernandes admitted feeling gutted when Declan Rice joined Arsenal, claiming he sees him as the perfect fit for Manchester United. The former West Ham captain was heavily linked with Old Trafford when the club were in the market for a midfielder amid the possibility of Paul Pogba leaving in 2021.
Rice had been on United’s wishlist for some time and The Manchester Evening News reported the midfielder had asked United players about the club. Jesse Lingard was a part of the England squad and it is understood that Rice spoke with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw about United.
Then‑manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer later admitted there had been discussions about signing Rice, a player he ‘really liked.’ In the end, a deal never materialised and United moved for Raphael Varane instead.
Two years later, Rice completed his switch to Arsenal for an initial £100m, rising by a further £5m in add‑ons, making him the most expensive English player of 2023.
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And Fernandes admitted he wished the England midfielder had chosen Old Trafford instead. During an interview with The Football Writers’ Association, he said: “I’ve always said, Rice was a player to play for Man United, I was really sad when he chose to go Arsenal.
“I always thought he would be a perfect fit for our club.”
Meanwhile, Solskjaer had also expressed strong admiration for the England international during United’s search for a midfielder. During an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, the Norwegian said: Yeah, [there was interest] I really, really like him as a player.
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“We discussed him a few times and I think we would have done well with him in midfield. I think his legs, covering the pitch. I think he improved a lot on his playmaking as well.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Although they don’t share a dressing room, both players have a strong mutual respect and trained together three years ago during a summer camp in Portugal.
Footage from the session showed Rice hugging Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder clipped the post with a first‑time volley during shooting practice. Fernandes later reposted a picture of the pair from the session, adding a handshake emoji and writing: “Was a pleasure to work with you.”
This season, Fernandes collected the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award ahead of Rice. However, the Portuguese will now go head‑to‑head with Rice for the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Season award.
Arsenal have three names on the list in Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya. City pair Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland also feature, with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs‑White and Brentford hitman Igor Thiago completing the line-up.
Fernandes has claimed 21 assists (in all competitions) and eight goals in 32 Premier League games this season, and is just one short of equalling the record held jointly by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry of 20 assists in a single Premier League season.
It has been another outstanding campaign for the United captain, whose form has surged since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. He has also been central to United’s return to the Champions League.
Harper Creek’s Kobe Cordova takes a swing during the 2026 All-City Baseball Tournament at Bailey Park on Saturday, May 9.
Fans got behind Cordova to help him edge finalists DJ Wood, Layla Huffman and Kaylee Kirkpatrick. Cordova received 45 percent of the vote by the 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline. Thanks to his fans, he is being featured in this Enquirer Athlete of the Week Sunday spotlight.
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Harper Creek held off Pennfield in the championship game with a 3-2 victory to win the 2026 All-City Baseball Tournament. Kobe Cordova went 2-for-2 to lead Harper Creek with a run scored and an RBI in the win over Pennfield. Cordova also had the go-ahead RBI in the ninth inning in the 4-3 win over Lakeview in the semifinals.
Kobe Cordova
“Kobe had a real good month of May offensively. He has also had some really key ABs for us in big spots, including hitting a walk-off double in a doubleheader against Marshall,” Harper Creek coach Jason Miller.
The Battle Creek Enquirer Athlete of the Week is presented by Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. To submit a nominee for Athlete of the Week, email bcesports@battlecreekenquirer.com.
Batle Creek Enquirer Athlete of the Week 2025
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
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