OXFORD, Miss. -- They came in droves, speeding into the parking lot of the tiny University-Oxford one-terminal airport, to say a final goodbye to Lane Kiffin.
They offered hundreds of one-finger salutes, almost in unison, and shouted expletives at Kiffin, who announced Sunday he was officially leaving Ole Miss for LSU.
From offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. to Lane's ex-wife Layla, anyone who dared step foot on the two private planes sent from Baton Rouge received nothing but vitriol from spurned Ole Miss fans who so desperately wanted to believe Kiffin when he said he had changed and found happiness in their small Mississippi college town. It was mostly college-aged young men decked out in New Balances, but there were also multiple children, including one infant wrapped in a blanket and sucking on a pacifier. It's never too early, after all, to teach your children it just means more.
Never has there been anything like it, fans letting loose all their anger and disappointment at a man who had won 11 of his 12 regular-season games this year and had the Rebels all but guaranteed to make the College Football Playoff. Of course, never had a coach left a team with a real chance to win a national championship, still, either.
How could Kiffin leave now? How could he destroy so much hard-earned goodwill, from the rock bottom of being fired at the tarmac in 2013 to a man the Ole Miss fanbase and Oxford community loved and embraced as their hero?
To understand how we got to Sunday's wild scene in Oxford, CBS Sports spoke with numerous sources with knowledge of the behind-the-scenes decision-making process that ultimately led to Kiffin becoming the next LSU football coach.
The drama, coincidentally enough, cranked up into overdrive on a previous Oxford airport experience.
That was when a private plane carrying multiple members of the Kiffin family, including Layla Kiffin, was spotted arriving in Baton Rouge on Nov. 17th. It became a major national storyline, left Ole Miss administrators deeply uncomfortable about their head coach's future intentions, and exposed what had been in the works for weeks.
Kiffin and his representation had privately been engaging with three potential suitors for weeks at this point. By the weekend of Ole Miss-Florida (Nov. 15), Kiffin knew he could stay at Ole Miss or leave for either Florida or LSU. Both the rival SEC suitors had made clear by that point that Kiffin was their No. 1 target and they were willing to make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
It was then that Lane told his family members, including his son Knox, that it was time to take trips to Gainesville and Baton Rouge. In the lead-up to those visits, various factions and voices pulled Lane in different directions. There were some in his ear, including CAA super agent Jimmy Sexton, telling him that LSU offered the best professional opportunities. Others believed Florida gave him the best mix of professional and personal happiness.
There was, frankly, a lot to like about Florida for Kiffin. He was a huge Steve Spurrier fan and wore a visor in honor of the Head Ball Coach. His ex-wife Layla's father, John Reaves, was a legendary former Florida quarterback. If the Kiffins all moved to Gainesville, Knox, a rising star quarterback at Oxford High School, could even play high school football at the same high school, Buchholz, his mother attended.
Kiffin had long been interested in the Florida job, even trying and failing to get in the mix back in 2021 when Florida instead hired Louisiana coach Billy Napier. After Florida fired Napier on Oct. 19 after a 22-23 record, it finally set up a potential marriage between Kiffin and the Gators.
There was only one problem: the first conversation between Kiffin and Florida AD Scott Stricklin did not go well, according to multiple sources with knowledge of how Kiffin perceived the call. At the time, Florida was the biggest job available and had the leverage to dictate some of its terms. That included wanting a general manager with an NFL background who wouldn't report directly to Kiffin. This was a non-starter for Kiffin, who strongly believes in the abilities of Ole Miss general manager Billy Glasscock, and had concerns about that setup. It got the weeks-long pursuit off to an awkward start from Kiffin's perspective, though Florida continued to aggressively pursue the Ole Miss coach.
(Florida announced Sunday it had hired former Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell in conjunction with its hiring of Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.)
There was something just beneath the surface, too. Multiple sources had long cast doubt on Stricklin's desire to ever hire Kiffin, a brilliant offensive mind with a penchant for stirring up drama. There was a reason, after all, that his mother used to call him "Helicopter" growing up.
"He thrives on fucking with people," one long-time friend said. "You cannot begin to understand how much he enjoys that part of it."
Stricklin, a more buttoned-up personality, had preferred Napier's no-nonsense approach over Kiffin's antics the last time around.
With the Florida booster base rallying around pursuing Kiffin, Stricklin did his due diligence and started vetting the Ole Miss coach before firing Napier. The biggest question he posed to those who knew Kiffin well was whether Lane had really changed and grown up. The answers Stricklin got made him comfortable enough to heavily pursue him as the next Florida head coach.
Still, Kiffin was well aware that he wasn't Stricklin's cup of tea, and the feeling was mutual. It was the kind of thing that could have possibly been overcome if there were no other options, but Ole Miss all but allowed him to do whatever he wanted in Oxford and kept giving him more and more resources to push the program forward. "He was never told no," one source said. Kiffin was concerned about Stricklin meddling and how they would mesh, later telling confidants he had a "weird vibe" about the situation.
And then came LSU.
Kiffin delighted in beating Brian Kelly and LSU earlier this season, but even he may not have known what it would lead to.
When LSU fired Kelly on Oct. 26th and later AD Scott Woodward, it became the story of college football. With Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's involvement in both Kelly's and Woodward's dismissals, it signaled to some that LSU lacked much-needed alignment and could be subject to the governor's future whims, potentially hurting its ability to attract a top candidate.
Kiffin wasn't one of those people, however. In fact, he knew that if Woodward had remained the athletic director, he was very unlikely to get the LSU job, according to multiple sources. Woodward had told different people he wasn't the biggest Kiffin fan.
New athletic director Verge Ausberry, long a Woodward deputy, didn't share those feelings. The initial conversation with LSU, especially in contrast to the one he had with Stricklin and Florida, couldn't have gone better for Kiffin.
As one source familiar with the conversation described, LSU's pitch was: "Coach, we love you, we love what you've done. Whatever it is you do, however it is you do it, we just want you to pick that up, bring it here, we'll fund it and let's go."
"Music to his ears," is how Kiffin received the pitch.
Some in Kiffin's camp believe that had Florida made that same pitch right out of the gate, he could have ended up in Gainesville instead. And had Stricklin moved on from Napier a year earlier, as he considered before bringing him back for the 2025 season, multiple people believe Lane would have jumped at it following a 10-3 season that just missed the playoff cut.
Adding to LSU's momentum came a pitch directly from Louisiana Governor Landry, according to multiple sources. It was a productive early November call for both sides. It made Landry an enthusiastic supporter of LSU's all-in pursuit of Kiffin, which included a seven-year deal with an average salary of more than $13 million and an escalator, should Kiffin win a national title, that would make him the highest-paid coach in the country. Landry had previously complained about Kelly's $54 million buyout and initially vowed that LSU wouldn't issue a contract like that again.
After the Kiffin family visit to Baton Rouge went well, there was considerable optimism on LSU's side that they would swipe Lane out of Oxford. One plugged-in source even told CBS Sports that week, while nothing was officially done, that the most significant questions were about public relations and an exit strategy out of Ole Miss, not whether he'd be LSU's next coach. It was "very delicate with the Ole Miss side," the source said, and Kiffin was "trying to thread the needle" to be able to take the LSU job and still coach Ole Miss in the playoff.
Kiffin never explicitly told Ole Miss he was leaving, though. In fact, multiple conversations between Ole Miss's football coach and athletic director Keith Carter led the athletics director to believe he'd stay.
It was what made trying to predict what Kiffin would do so difficult for even those who knew him best. He could tell one person one thing and another the complete opposite. In recent weeks, there were days his staff was all but sure he would leave for LSU and then the next day Lane would talk about how good they had it in Oxford. Even those confident Kiffin would leave Ole Miss would frequently offer the caveat of him all but accepting the Auburn job in 2022, only to back out at the last minute.
The Ole Miss administration, including chancellor Glenn Boyce, did everything in its power to keep Lane in Oxford. They were willing to match salary offers that he got elsewhere. They were committed to maintaining a competitive salary pool to attract and retain the best assistants. They believed a national championship was possible at Ole Miss and just wanted Lane to believe it, too.
He ultimately could never get there, unable to resist the siren call of a "blue blood." Kiffin didn't believe he'd get a premier job again, according to those who know him well, not after he crashed and burned at USC. He had tried and failed over the years to get numerous big jobs that opened up, including Florida, Miami, Texas A&M and Alabama, but could never get traction. He seemingly had too much baggage for elite jobs, which preferred safer hires over the unpredictable Lane.
When he suddenly had two of the best jobs in the country, Florida and LSU, fighting over him, he couldn't resist. It seemed to color the way he viewed his current job, too, even though he publicly said he loved Ole Miss. He'd privately complain about the fanbase and whether the program's recent success was sustainable, especially compared to more historically successful programs like Florida and LSU. He locked in on what he thought were disappointing home crowds, telling some around him that didn't happen in Baton Rouge and Gainesville.
He convinced himself that Ole Miss offered no more security than any other SEC job, including the two pursuing him, which had just fired their coaches after less than four seasons. He brought up the corollary to Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, who was beloved there for exceeding expectations at a typically extremely challenging job. Stoops had done so well at Kentucky that he even came close to getting the Texas A&M job in 2023 -- the same one Lane tried and failed to get in the mix for -- but trustees reportedly killed the deal.
Two years after almost getting the A&M job, Kentucky fired Stoops on Monday after a couple of disappointing seasons.
Kiffin believed the same could happen to him at Ole Miss if he went 7-5 or 6-6 in consecutive seasons. If he stayed and passed up the LSU job now, he said he'd risk becoming Mark Stoops and missing his chance at a big job.
Ole Miss did its best to dissuade Kiffin from this notion. For one, as they told him, he had never won fewer than eight games in a season when you excluded the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He averaged 10 wins a season, Ole Miss administrators explained to Kiffin, so why would he ever be worried about losing his job? The fanbase loved him, and he was the face of pins, t-shirts, and plenty of other memorabilia. Even his dog, Juice Kiffin, had become an unofficial mascot of the football program. He had more job security than any coach in the country, they reasoned with him.
But it never clicked for Kiffin the way Ole Miss hoped. All the talk about having a statue at Ole Miss one day never moved him. He was getting restless, even telling one confidant before the season he felt he was "ready for change." One Ole Miss booster, who liked Kiffin and got to know him well during his time in Oxford, said of Lane: "He needs something to chase. Once you have conquered all and there is nothing left to chase, it's time to go."
That time had come for Kiffin. He was ready to move on to greener pastures in Louisiana. He desperately wanted to win a national championship like his mentors Nick Saban and Pete Carroll, and believed LSU offered him a better chance to do so than Ole Miss. He had been enamored with LSU for years, believing it was an incredible job with a fertile recruiting base and a state that only had to support one Power Four team, unlike Mississippi or Florida.
There was only one issue: Kiffin still wanted to coach Ole Miss in the playoff.
Weeks before Kiffin officially left for LSU, sources told CBS Sports that if Ole Miss was convinced that its coach was leaving, the school wouldn't let him in the playoff. It wasn't a card it wanted to play, but with the early signing period starting Dec. 3 and the transfer portal window opening Jan. 2, the school could not afford to start a coaching search in January if Kiffin was leaving.
It created an increasingly tenuous situation between a man who wanted to have his cake and eat it, too, and a school that had no interest in letting him do so. For weeks, it bubbled beneath the surface with both parties hoping it wouldn't come to a head. If he had left a year earlier it wouldn't have been an issue, but wildly overachieving with Division-II quarterback transfer Trinidad Chambliss and a team picked to finish 7th in the SEC made an exit that much harder.
"His own success has made his own position so untenable," one source said leading into the Egg Bowl.
It finally happened on Saturday, during a meeting between Kiffin, Carter and Boyce at the chancellor's house. It was then that Ole Miss finally, definitively knew Kiffin was leaving, after weeks of wishy-washy statements and noncommittal answers about committing to the school long-term. With Kiffin's mind made up, Ole Miss was ready to move on.
The Ole Miss coach wasn't going to leave for Baton Rouge without a fight, though. In a conversation described as tense, Kiffin didn't want to back down from his desire to coach the team through the postseason. When Ole Miss showed no interest in allowing him to do so, Kiffin, according to sources, threatened to take the offensive staff with him immediately if Carter and Boyce didn't relent. They held firm; Kiffin would not be coaching the team in the playoff.
As word of Kiffin's tactics spread, multiple Ole Miss football players confronted him in his office Sunday about it. Kiffin refused to directly answer whether he had told his on-field offensive staffers that if they didn't get on the plane with him to Baton Rouge the next day, they wouldn't have a spot on his LSU staff.
"I'm not making them go," Kiffin told the players. "They can do whatever they want."
Even after the Saturday night meeting that made clear Kiffin was leaving for LSU and wouldn't be coaching the team moving forward, he was still pushing hard on Sunday to Carter and others to allow him to do so. He believed down to the very end he would eventually win out and get what he wanted. It wasn't until Ole Miss informed Kiffin that it was moving forward with defensive coordinator Pete Golding as its coach that he finally relented and accepted his fate.
He did not attend a team meeting, at the school's request, instead packing up his office as Carter introduced Golding as the program's next head coach. There were cheers and excitement for Golding, a well-regarded defensive mind and the best recruiter on Kiffin's staff.
As Golding feverishly worked to hold on to as many Ole Miss staffers as possible, Kiffin made his way to the airport. He was still upset he wouldn't coach the team, even calling out Carter in a prepared statement. While he claimed the team asked Carter to allow him to keep coaching -- and he did have supporters on the team in that regard -- Ole Miss sources strongly pushed back on the notion it was a widespread feeling. Multiple players had become frustrated with Kiffin's indecision overshadowing the team's accomplishments, according to sources, and were ready to move on. Some even told the Ole Miss administration they cared more about whether their position coaches were staying than Kiffin at that point.
Kiffin took many of those coaches with him on the plane including his brother Chris, Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox and receivers coach George McDonald. Days ahead of the early signing period, Kiffin took general manager Billy Glasscock and senior director of player personnel Mike Williams to LSU, too. Kiffin on Monday sent out one of his famously cryptic tweets that included an easter egg: The flag of Trinidad, which of course could be interpreted to mean something regarding Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, who has filed a waiver for eligibility in 2026.
Quarterback portal dominoes aside, Kiffin alone was a massive coup for LSU, which beat out two rivals for him. The Tigers' brass believed they had a coach worthy of following in the footsteps of Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron in bringing more national championships to Baton Rouge. With multiple police motorcycles guiding him through the city, Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge like a conquering hero to a throng of celebrating fans.
But after weeks of drama enveloped the Ole Miss program over Kiffin's antics, overshadowing the best season in program history, even one LSU source expressed a tinge of concern. Kiffin had already infamously been the first coach fired in between a semifinal and national championship as Nick Saban did back in 2017, and now he became the first head coach to be pushed out before coaching his team in the playoff.
"I don't know that his drama is going to go well here at LSU," the source said. "They want it now, but I don't think they'll like the drama."
More than 300 miles away in Oxford, a wild scene showcased what happens when the drama that felt so fun for so long finally turned ugly. A man once held up as a demigod was now a fanbase's biggest villain.
DENVER — Riverside County Sheriff's Office issued a press release Monday afternoon that confirmed what 9NEWS reported Friday -- that the investigation into the fatal golf cart crash that claimed the life of John Elway's longtime friend Jeff Sperbeck had concluded with the finding no criminal charges would be filed.
"Following a thorough investigation into the death of Jeff Sperbeck, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has determined that the incident was a tragic accident with no evidence of criminal activity or intent,'' Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco stated Monday in a press release. "Consequently, no criminal charges will be filed at this time, and the case will be documented as an accidental death."
Sperbeck's family and Elway can move forward with some closure as the law enforcement agency has closed its investigation into the fatal golf cart incident that occurred in late April in a gated Southern California community.
“It’s over,’’ Bianco told 9NEWS on Friday. “We’ve talked to everyone involved and we found nothing new. There was nothing criminal, it was what we’ve been saying all along that this was a tragic accident.”
The incident occurred April 26 as Elway, the Hall of Fame quarterback and three-time Super Bowl-champion as a Broncos player (1997-98) and general manager (2015), was driving a golf cart out of the Madison Club toward his home a quarter-mile away. Sperbeck fell off the back of the golf cart and suffered a fatal head injury.
"This has been a very difficult situation for everyone,'' Elway's attorney Harvey Steinberg told 9NEWS on Monday. "We always knew John had done nothing wrong, but that doesn't lessen the sadness associated with this situation.
The Riverside coroner’s bureau found Sperbeck’s cause of death to be “blunt force trauma,’’ the manner of the death was “an accident” and the cause of the accident was the “passenger fell from the golf cart.”
“I’ve looked at video 100 times and there’s no explanation as to why he fell off, he just fell off,’’ Bianco said.
Bianco initially was going to wrap up the investigation in late-May but decided to wait until it contacted 18 additional residents with video in the private golf course neighborhood before concluding that matter. That part of the investigation was concluded with nothing new revealed.
Sperbeck had been an NFL agent to more than 100 players, coaches and executives. He was the type of agent and marketing rep who stayed in touched with his clients long after the NFL careers ended.
When one of Sperbeck's clients, former Broncos and Peyton Manning quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, was killed four years ago while riding his bicycle by a driver distracted by his cellphone, Sperbeck helped Knapp's wife Charlotte not only with service arrangements, but in helping to found the Coach Knapp Memorial Fund that promotes distracted driver awareness and reform. The cause includes an annual stadium stair climb by NFL coaches as running the stadium stairs was part of Knapp's pregame routines.
Elway and Sperbeck were partners in several businesses, most notably 7 Cellars wine. Sperbeck had been Elway’s marketing representative since the latter’s prime as the Broncos’ superstar quarterback in the early 1990s, a relationship that grew into a close friendship.
When Elway was the Broncos’ general manager from 2011-2020, and the team was playing a road game out West, Sperbeck, who had a home in Southern California, would almost always accompany him.
They were together over the final weekend in April. According to sources who spoke to 9NEWS, Elway, his girlfriend, his son Jack and his wife, the Sperbecks and their friends left a private function sponsored by Vuori clothing line at the Madison Club in La Quinta on Saturday, April 26. They did not attend the outdoor Stagecoach country music festival in nearby Indio, as had been reported initially.
They did go to Stagecoach the night before, but it was windy and uncomfortably cold. They decided at the function on April 26 not to go again because of the inclement weather. Instead, a caravan of three or four golf carts with a total of 10 to 15 people set out to make the quarter-mile trip to Elway’s house at the private golf resort’s community.
Elway’s son Jack and his group were in a cart ahead; Elway was driving his cart at the rear of the caravan. His girlfriend was seated next to him with Sperbeck’s wife, Cori, was seated on the outside. Sperbeck and Johnny Devenanzio, who is also known by his stage name Johnny Bananas, stood in the back of the cart. Elway was following the carts ahead when Sperbeck fell off, sources said.
There was no swerving or horseplay, according to sources. No one was drunk, according to multiple sources. The cart didn’t hit anything. It had been a smooth ride.
Indications were that Sperbeck fell straight back and hit his head immediately. He had no other injuries, according to a source.
After Sperbeck fell off the cart, Devenanzio yelled up to the front. Elway stopped the cart as Cori Sperbeck rushed to her husband. Sperbeck was breathing, but it was immediately apparent he had suffered a significant injury, a source said.
Elway called 9-1-1, according to a source, and paramedics arrived quickly, but little could be done. Sheriff Bianco said he could tell by the 9-1-1 call that Elway was in no way impaired.
“I listened to the entire 9-1-1 call,’’ Bianco said told 9NEWS in May. “He was very articulate. He was very responsive. He was not slurring his words. He was not hesitating in his response with the dispatcher. It was a normal urgent conversation.”
Sperbeck was rushed to a local hospital with a brain injury. He died four days later. His organs were donated.
Elway released a statement upon his friend’s death: “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”
Sperbeck’s Celebration of Life was held June 7 at the gymnasium of his high school alma mater, Jesuit High School in Sacramento. Elway was among the hundreds who attended.
WASHINGTON – Maybe Alex Ovechkin’s wait for his 900th goal took a little longer than expected.
That only enhanced the magnitude of what Ovechkin accomplished, though, when he finally became the first player in NHL history to reach the milestone during the Washington Capitals’ 6-1 win against the St. Louis Blues at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.
Ovechkin still wasn’t sure how to put that number in perspective postgame.
“Not really,” he said. “I’m still playing, but when I’m going to be done playing, of course, I’m going to think about it. And lots of guys on the bench said, ‘900. That’s pretty special.’
“But I’m still playing, still have lots of games left.”
Ovechkin scored his 900th goal 2:39 into the second period to increase Washington’s lead to 2-0, sparking a four-goal outburst in the period that broke the game open. It also turned out to be the 40-year-old left wing’s 138th game-winning goal of his career, adding to his NHL-record total and helping the Capitals (7-5-1) snap a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Ovechkin, who is in his 21st NHL season, became the eighth player in League history to play 1,500 games with one franchise against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 25. That milestone had great meaning for Ovechkin as well, but he never tires of celebrating goals, no matter how many he scores.
“Every milestone, it’s a special moment,” he said. “But tonight, obviously, it’s a special one to be the first player ever to do it.”
It was somewhat surprising Ovechkin needed until his 13th game this season to get to 900. He scored his 895th to surpass Wayne Gretzky (894) for most in NHL history on April 6 against the New York Islanders and finished last season with 897.
But after tying for third in the NHL with 44 goals in 65 games last season, Ovechkin scored only twice in his first 12 games this season and entered Wednesday on his second four-game goal drought of the season. He never went more than three games without a goal last season.
“If he doesn’t score for one game, he’s like, mad,” Capitals defenseman John Carlson said. “No one deals with that. None of us can relate to a quote ‘slump’ for him.”
Ovechkin insisted he wasn’t feeling an extra pressure to reach 900, though. He knew he’d get it eventually.
“Of course, you’re going to score one goal,” he said. “Maybe an empty-netter or whatever.”
Still, Ovechkin couldn’t block it out of his mind completely.
“I think a couple of days ago somebody asked me about, ‘Do you think about it?’” Ovechkin said. “Of course. It’s a huge number. No one ever did it in NHL history and to be the first player ever to do it, it’s a special moment. So, yeah, it’s nice it’s over, and it’s nice to get it at home, so the fans and family can be here.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
How Ovechkin scored his 900th also was a bit unexpected. It didn’t come on one of his trademark one-timers from the left circle or his lethal wrist shot. It was a spin-around backhand from the bottom of the right circle.
“But I’ll take it, and it is what it is,” Ovechkin said. “Sometimes you have a great opportunity to score, and the goalie make a save or you miss the puck or you miss the net and whatever.”
Ovechkin started the play that led to his 900th after Blues goalie Jordan Binnington tried to pass the puck from behind his net into the right corner. Ovechkin batted the puck down out of mid-air, curled out of the corner and slid a backhand pass to defenseman Jakob Chychrun in the high slot.
Chychrun unleashed a wrist shot that went wide right of the net, but the puck caromed off the glass directly to Ovechkin at the bottom of the right circle. Ovechkin quickly spun and backhanded the puck toward the net. It sailed past Blues forward Nathan Walker and inside the right post before Binnington could slide over to stop it.
“It finds a way in, in true 'O' fashion,” Capitals coach Spencer Carberry said. “I think that's among many qualities that he's demonstrated over his career as a goal scorer, the different ways that he's scored. That's just another example of finding ways to score goals. Pucks hit things and get thrown to the net.
“Next thing you know, it's in the back of the net and he's got 900 goals in the NHL, which you just can't wrap your head around that.”
Ovechkin banged the glass behind him with his left glove and stick before turning back toward his Capitals teammates, who piled off the bench to celebrate with him.
“I know it seems like, after the rodeo we’ve been on the last year or two, you get numb to it, but then it’s just — I don’t know,” said Carlson, who has been teammates with Ovechkin for 17 seasons. “You think about it, it’s just incredible what he’s done. Being alongside him for so long, you’ve seen just so many milestones, it’s insane the history that maybe will never be touched again.”
Ovechkin will try to start toward his next 100 goals when the Capitals visit Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN). It will be the 99th time, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, that Ovechkin, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, and Crosby, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, will play against each other.
When asked about Ovechkin closing in on 900 goals earlier Wednesday in Pittsburgh, Crosby marveled at his longtime rival’s consistency and how he’s done it for more than two decades.
“I said it when he got the record that I think a lot of people, myself, probably him included, thought it would be pretty difficult to get that many goals, but he’s continued to find ways year after year,” Crosby said. “To be that consistent and that productive is pretty hard to even fathom.”
How much higher Ovechkin can set the goal record is difficult to predict. He’s in the final season of his contract and hasn’t decided yet if he’ll continue to play in the NHL next season.
Ovechkin has at least the remainder of this season to add to his total, though, and with 900 behind him, perhaps, he’s about to go on one of his hot streaks.
“Well,” he said, “we’ll see tomorrow.”
Belgium's Olympic team forfeited from Monday's mixed competition triathlon after one of its triathletes, Claire Michel, became sick after swimming in the Seine last Wednesday — a river that's faced frequent water quality and safety concerns.
"The Belgian Hammers will not start in the Mixed Relay competition at the Paris Games," the Belgian team said in a release. "Michel, one of the athletes in the mixed relay team, unfortunately has to withdraw from the competition due to illness."
While the Olympic team did not describe Michel's illness nor blame the Seine, Belgium newspaper De Standaard reported that the triathlete was hospitalized and treated for an E. coli infection Sunday. The bacteria can cause serious intestinal and medical issues.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Olympic organizers canceled a planned practice swim for triathletes after poor water quality test results. In a release obtained by NPR, organizers said "heavy rains" on Wednesday and Thursday led to the practice-swim cancellation. Heavy rains can overwhelm the city’s antiquated sewer system, leaking untreated sewage into the Seine river — increasing rates of E. coli bacteria.
In the years leading up to the Paris Olympic games, France spent more than $1 billion to clean the Seine river, which had been illegal to swim in for more than a century. It has long been considered too contaminated for human use. On July 17, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo jumped into its murky waters and declared, "we did it!"
Olympic triathletes — including Michel — last competed in the Seine on Wednesday. As it stands, Olympians are set to swim in the Seine on Monday for the mixed competition triathlon, without the Belgian team. Daily river testing will continue ahead of the Monday triathlon and the marathon swimming races scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
"Belgian Triathlon hope that lessons will be learned for future triathlon competitions," the Belgian team release said. "We are thinking of training days that can be guaranteed, competition days and formats that are clear in advance and circumstances that do not cause uncertainty among athletes, entourage and fans."
In the days after his victory at Queen’s Club a week ago, a win that had maintained perfectly the momentum he had built with his French Open triumph, Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed his well-deserved two days of rest to the fullest. He spent his time away from the court wisely, playing golf with Andy Murray, strolling through central London and seeking out good food and good vibes. Then, on Wednesday, he returned to work with his sights on a singular goal.
A year that had started off for Alcaraz with such turbulent, challenging results now seemingly positions him at the height of his powers. After struggling initially with the elevated pressure and scrutiny during Jannik Sinner’s doping ban, along with the weight that comes with his immense achievements, Alcaraz will begin his title defence at Wimbledon against Fabio Fognini on Monday playing great tennis, enjoying himself and content with life on and off the court.
Should he convert his ascendant form into another triumph at Wimbledon, Alcaraz would elevate his status to even greater heights. At just 22, he is seeking to become only the fifth man in the open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles, which would mark the start of a true era at the All England Club. He would also become the fourth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back‑to-back on multiple occasions in the open era, after Rod Laver, Björn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
With a career win-loss record of 29-3, another seven wins would also underline that this is his era at Wimbledon. It is of utmost importance for Alcaraz not to think about any of this. “I’m coming here thinking that, yeah, I really want to win the title,” he said. “I really want to lift the trophy. Not thinking about how many players have done it, winning three Wimbledons in a row.”
Right at the top of the draw, Sinner begins his tournament in a completely different position. Despite holding three consecutive match points to achieve this feat at Roland Garros three weeks ago, the 23-year-old world No 1 continues to seek out his first grand-slam title away from hard courts. Sinner remains far superior to all challengers bar Alcaraz right now, but he will have to offer a supreme demonstration of his resilience as he tries to bounce back from his French Open final defeat by Alcaraz and compete for his first title at SW19.
For Jack Draper, handling the pressure of his first Wimbledon as a top player, and particularly the innumerable questions the British No 1 has fielded and will continue to field about said pressure, is challenging enough, but he was also handed an extremely difficult draw on Friday.
If he reaches round three, Draper could face the in-form 28th seed, Alexander Bublik, the recent Halle Open champion on grass and his vanquisher at Roland Garros. If the fourth seed manages to produce his best tennis and reach the quarter-finals, Novak Djokovic, who continues to perform at an extremely high level at the grand slam tournaments, could await. At 38, Djokovic is attempting to become the oldest winner of a slam title.
Still, Draper is an extremely ambitious player who is determined to rise even higher than his ranking and those ambitions have been backed up by his recent success. This is an opportunity for the 23-year-old to demonstrate his ability in this challenging situation. Between his destructive, well-rounded game, the grass-court conditions that suit him, and the immense support he will receive on every point he plays, there are plenty of factors in his favour over the next two weeks.
The 23 home players across the men’s and women’s singles draw are the most Britain has had since 1984. A year after taking his first steps into the world of regular professional tennis after college during the grass-court season last year, the British No 2, Jacob Fearnley, returns to Wimbledon having enjoyed an astounding rise, breaking the top 50 with his first ATP quarter-final at Queen’s Club. However, Fearnley wants more and he has a daunting challenge ahead as he tries to take a further step forward at Wimbledon: he will face the 18-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca, the most highly touted teenager in the game, in the opening round on Monday.
A few weeks on from his resurgent run to the fourth round at Roland Garros, Cameron Norrie will also try to maintain his momentum. Alongside numerous British wildcards, the rise of the 21-year‑old British qualifier Oliver Tarvet is notable. At No 719, he is the lowest-ranked player in the draw as he spends most of his time playing tennis in college for the University of San Diego. He will take his place in the Wimbledon main draw alongside legends and future superstars in a tournament with history on the line.
Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA star LeBron James, has been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft. This marks the culmination of years of speculation and anticipation surrounding his entry into professional basketball. Bronny, one of the most closely watched amateur players, joins his father’s team, potentially setting the stage for an unprecedented father-son duo in the NBA.
Bronny’s journey to the NBA has been marked by scrutiny and challenges. After one year at the University of Southern California, where he averaged 4.8 points and 19.3 minutes in 25 games, questions about his professional prospects emerged, especially following a cardiac arrest last year due to a congenital heart defect. Despite this, Bronny expressed his long-held dream of making a name for himself in the NBA and creating his own legacy.
The Lakers, coming off a 47-35 season and a first-round playoff exit, are a fitting backdrop for Bronny's debut. His father, LeBron, had previously stated his desire to play alongside his son, a sentiment that has fueled much of the speculation about Bronny’s draft position. LeBron, entering his 22nd season, has until Saturday to decide whether to extend his contract with the Lakers or explore free agency.
Bronny's selection follows a notable pre-draft process where he worked out for only two teams, the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that Bronny would not sign a two-way contract, emphasizing his readiness to compete at the NBA level based on his own merits.
Despite his challenges and an underwhelming college season, Bronny has shown flashes of potential. His health scare last July, when he collapsed during a USC practice, was a significant hurdle. However, his recovery and return to the court renewed discussions about his NBA prospects.
Experts have debated Bronny’s draft stock, considering both his performances and the influence of his father’s legacy. Some believed teams might draft Bronny to attract LeBron, but Bronny has maintained that his selection would be based on his own abilities and character.
Bronny's entry into the NBA is also a testament to the broader trend of second-generation players excelling beyond expectations. Historically, sons of NBA players have often outperformed their draft positions, and Bronny’s journey will be closely watched to see if he follows this trend.
LeBron's dream of playing with his son has been a significant narrative in Bronny’s career. While LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, has downplayed the certainty of this happening, the possibility remains an intriguing prospect for the basketball world.
Bronny finished his high school career at Sierra Canyon as a four-star recruit and a McDonald’s All-American, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 steals in his senior year. His draft selection by the Lakers not only fulfills a personal dream but also sets the stage for a unique chapter in NBA history.
As Bronny steps onto the professional stage, he carries the weight of his father’s legacy while carving out his own path. The coming seasons will reveal how this young athlete, bearing one of the most famous names in sports, will shape his career and potentially share the court with his legendary father.
This milestone in Bronny’s career is more than just a draft pick; it’s the beginning of a new narrative in the James family legacy and the NBA. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Bronny embarks on his professional journey with the Lakers, aiming to prove his worth and live up to the expectations set by his father's illustrious career.
Scottie Scheffler won the Memorial Tournament for his fifth victory of 2024, joining Tiger Woods in history. The win did not come easily and was decided on the 72nd hole. Scheffler secured the victory by one stroke over Collin Morikawa, despite shooting a 2-over 74 on a challenging day at Muirfield Village. Only 11 players finished under-par for the week, with Sunday’s final round averaging a score of 74.93.
The drama unfolded on the 18th hole, where Scheffler’s 8-iron shot from the fairway went over the green due to firm conditions that made it difficult for players to reach the putting surfaces. Morikawa, trailing by one, also missed the green from a fairway bunker, turning the competition into a chipping contest. Morikawa’s third shot nearly went in for a birdie. Scheffler, focused on his own play, noted, “I was just trying to stay in my own little world and focus on getting my ball up and down.”
Morikawa admitted his misread, saying, “I thought it was breaking right, but it broke left. It’s a tough chip shot.” Scheffler then left his chip about five feet short, setting up a winning putt. He holed it to secure his fifth win of the season.
Scheffler’s first victory of the year came at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, followed by wins at The Players, Augusta National, and Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage. The Memorial win marks his first career PGA Tour win after April, coming just a week before the U.S. Open.
Reflecting on his victories, Scheffler said, “It’s hard to rate the difficulty of wins, but this one is up there. Being at Mr. [Jack] Nicklaus’s golf course and winning here is very satisfying.” He recalled a conversation with Nicklaus, who once told him, “One day, you’ll make the putt on 18, and you’ll be walking off to shake my hand.” That moment came true for Scheffler this year.
In the final round, Scheffler didn’t always look like the top player in the world. He had bogeys at the 4th and 8th holes but made a birdie at the 6th. His only par-breaker of the day, he managed several crucial pars, including a significant 25-foot par save on the 16th, maintaining his two-shot lead.
Despite missed birdie opportunities on the 12th and 13th holes, Scheffler’s steady play on the 17th and 18th holes secured his win. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus noted, “Scottie didn’t have his A-game today, but he put enough together to win the tournament, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Scheffler’s victory at the Memorial also carries historical significance. Only one other golfer, Tiger Woods in 2001, has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players, the Masters, and the Memorial in the same year. Woods’ victory at Muirfield Village that year marked his fourth win of the season.
Scheffler’s final round saw him struggle at times, but his composure under pressure ensured his victory. His win was also his first as a father, with his wife Meredith and son Bennett there to witness it. Scheffler expressed pride in his wife, saying, “Watching her be a mom the last month or so has been really special. I couldn’t do what I do without her support.”
This win adds to Scheffler’s impressive 2024 season and sets the stage for his next challenge at the U.S. Open.
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Renowned aerodynamics specialist and Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing, Adrian Newey, has reportedly resigned from the team, marking a significant turning point in the history of the Milton Keynes-based squad. Newey's departure comes amid internal conflicts and speculation about his future projects.
Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 and has been instrumental in the team's numerous championship victories, establishing a legacy of success in modern Formula 1. His technical expertise and innovative approach have made him a highly respected figure in the F1 community.
The reasons behind Newey's departure are complex, with sources citing growing tensions within the team's hierarchy, particularly concerning the team's future direction. Newey has expressed interest in other projects, including Red Bull's RB17 hypercar, which reportedly contributed to the discord with team leadership, including team principal Christian Horner.
Newey's current contract was set to run until 2025, but an early termination agreement has been reached, including a non-compete clause that prevents him from joining rival F1 teams without a garden leave period. This clause could shape the future landscape of F1, as Newey's expertise would be a top asset for any team.
The F1 community is watching closely, as the repercussions of Newey's departure could be far-reaching. Former F1 driver and commentator Ralf Schumacher has expressed concern for Red Bull's future stability, stating that the team is "falling apart" and that Christian Horner "underestimates the individual figures."
Speculation about Newey's next move is rife, with rumors of huge-money offers from Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Mercedes. However, it's also possible that Newey is charting a completely different course, trading F1's relentless pressure for a life beyond the high-octane world of Formula 1.
In a recent project, Newey commissioned a bespoke 27-meter yacht from British luxury brand Oyster Yachts, specifically designed for "sailing around the world." This move hints at a deep desire for a life beyond F1, with Newey highlighting the "purity of sailing" and a connection with nature as key factors in his decision.
As the F1 community continues to speculate about Newey's future, one thing is clear: his departure from Red Bull Racing marks the end of an era, and his next move will be closely watched by fans and teams alike.
Former No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin has officially announced his retirement from professional basketball after a stellar 14-year career in the NBA. The announcement came via a heartfelt post on Instagram where Griffin expressed his gratitude for the game and all the people who supported him throughout his journey.
Griffin, who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, burst onto the scene in the 2010/11 season, averaging 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He quickly established himself as one of the league's most exciting and dynamic players, earning an All-Star berth, a Rookie of the Year award, and a Slam Dunk Contest title in his debut season.
Throughout his career, Griffin was known for his high-flying dunks and his ability to dominate in the paint. He earned six All-Star selections and was named to the All-NBA Second Team three times and the Third Team twice. Griffin's time with the Clippers, where he was part of the "Lob City" era, was marked by several playoff appearances but no deep playoff runs.
In 2017, Griffin signed a five-year contract with the Clippers but was traded to the Detroit Pistons just six months later. He spent the next three seasons with the Pistons, earning his sixth All-Star nod in 2019. Griffin's tenure in Detroit was marred by injuries that limited his effectiveness on the court.
After being bought out by the Pistons in 2021, Griffin joined the Brooklyn Nets for a season-and-a-half before finishing his career with the Boston Celtics in the 2022/23 season. Despite being courted by the Celtics for another season, Griffin decided to retire to spend more time with his family.
Griffin's impact extended beyond the basketball court. He made appearances in television shows and movies, showcasing his comedic talents. He also engaged in philanthropic efforts, including fundraisers to fight childhood obesity and donations to support arena staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As he closes this chapter of his life, Griffin leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the most electrifying players of his generation. His contributions to the game and his impact on and off the court will be remembered by basketball fans worldwide. We wish Blake Griffin all the best in his future endeavors.
The Oakland Athletics' decision to relocate to Sacramento has sparked skepticism and concern among players and fans alike. The team's announcement that it will play its home games at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the next three seasons has raised questions about the ballpark's readiness to host Major League Baseball (MLB) games.
Former Sacramento River Cats player Trevor Hildenberger, who retired last year, pointed out the lack of amenities at Sutter Health Park based on his experience playing there. Players like Logan Webb, who grew up nearby, have also expressed doubts about the park's suitability for MLB games, citing concerns about the ball flying more due to the park's characteristics.
The A's decision to move comes at a time of discontent among fans towards owner John Fisher. The move to Las Vegas, which was approved by MLB owners, follows a series of unpopular decisions by Fisher, including the dismantling of the team's roster and a perceived lack of investment in the Oakland community.
Fans have organized protests and boycotts against Fisher's ownership, with the latest being an Opening Day boycott. The event, intended as a statement against Fisher, saw fans gathering in the parking lot rather than attending the game. Despite efforts to accommodate the boycott, including opening parking lot gates earlier than planned, the game saw a significantly low turnout.
The boycott reflects fans' frustration with the uncertainty surrounding the team's future. While many fans still support the team, there is a strong sentiment against Fisher and the potential move to Las Vegas. The boycott and protests are a testament to the passion and dedication of Oakland A's fans, who continue to show their support for the team amidst challenging circumstances.
The A's move to Sacramento has raised questions about the future of baseball in Oakland. The team's departure would leave a void in the city's sports landscape and could have economic and cultural implications for the community. However, some fans see the move as an opportunity for Sacramento to establish itself as a major league city.
Despite the uncertainty, fans remain hopeful that the A's will eventually return to Oakland. The team's history and legacy in the city are deeply rooted, and many believe that Oakland is the rightful home for the Athletics. In the meantime, fans are determined to make their voices heard and show their unwavering support for the team, no matter where they play.
The situation has also drawn attention from MLB players, both current and former. Some have criticized the move, questioning the decision to play at Sutter Health Park and expressing skepticism about the team's future in Sacramento. These players argue that the park may not meet the standards required for MLB games and that the move could have negative consequences for the team and its fans.
Despite the criticism, the A's are moving forward with their plans to play in Sacramento. The team has expressed confidence in Sutter Health Park and its ability to host MLB games. The move is part of the A's efforts to secure a long-term home for the team, following years of uncertainty and speculation about their future in Oakland.
As the A's prepare for their new chapter in Sacramento, fans and players alike are watching closely. The team's success in its new home will depend on a variety of factors, including the support of the community, the quality of the ballpark, and the team's performance on the field. Only time will tell what the future holds for the Oakland Athletics, but one thing is certain: the passion and dedication of the team's fans will remain unwavering, no matter where they play.