France prop Uini Atonio has received a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Ireland hooker Rob Herring in Saturday's Six Nations showdown in Dublin.
Atonio was issued only a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes during the first half of France's 32-19 defeat to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
The 32-year-old's high challenge forced Herring off the field for a head injury assessment and he did not rejoin the game.
A Six Nations statement on Wednesday confirmed Atonio has been suspended for France's remaining games against Scotland, England and Wales.
He may return to face Wales, though, as an independent judicial committee granted an application by La Rochelle player Atonio to take part in a coaching intervention programme.
"The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card," a Six Nations statement read.
"Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee accepted the player's admission that the tackle on Ireland number two was foul play.
"His shoulder made contact with Ireland number two's neck/face as described in the citing commissioner's report, and therefore reached the red-card threshold."
Ireland's victory over last year's Grand Slam winners France leaves them level with Scotland on 10 points at the top of the table.
Andy Farrell's side return to action a week on Saturday with a trip to Italy, before concluding their campaign against Scotland and England.
Lewis Hamilton could be Formula One's equivalent of Tom Brady by racing into his 40s, according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, endured a disappointing 2022 campaign in which he failed to win a race during a season for the first time in his career.
At 38-years-old, Hamilton's contract is due to expire at the end of the 2023 season, but Wolff feels Hamilton could view the longevity of NFL star Brady as inspiration to continue racing beyond that deal.
Brady retired at the age of 45 this month, bringing an end to a stunning career that saw him win seven Super Bowl championships, with three of those coming after he turned 39.
Wolff believes Hamilton can follow Brady's example, telling reporters: "His age, 38, plays no role for this next contract.
"If you look at how well top athletes have pushed the boundaries - I'm thinking about Tom Brady, still throwing the ball at age 44, 45 - the age plays no role."
Wolff is confident Hamilton will pen a new deal soon, explaining: "In terms of the contractual situation, we have always found good solutions and for the other side, Mercedes are the place he wants to be.
"These things have never been contentious. Nothing is dragging on. The alignment is there. This will be a journey that will continue."
Hamilton echoed his principal's confidence on a fresh deal, and added his decision would not hinge on whether Mercedes can provide a car capable of competing against the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari in the new season.
"I am planning to stay a little bit longer," Hamilton said. "I don't feel like I need [the team] to prove [anything] to me. We have proved time and time again over the years that we have strength in depth. You don't lose that ability.
"We are continuing to try and improve our processes, there is the best harmony in the team I have seen these years.
"We have a real fresh group of engineers in the team. It is an exciting time and I don't plan on being anywhere else."
Hamilton also vowed to continue to be vocal on key issues in the face of the FIA's update to its International Sporting Code, in which Formula One drivers will be required to obtain prior written permission to make "political statements".
Hamilton has previously competed in a rainbow pride helmet in races in the Middle East, while he also wore a T-shirt at the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix protesting against the death of American Breonna Taylor.
He says he will continue to make a stand on political issues despite the FIA's rule change, stating: "Nothing will stop me from speaking on the things I am passionate about.
"The sport has a responsibility to speak out and create awareness on important topics, particularly as we are travelling to different places. So nothing changes.
"It would be silly to say I would want to get penalty points for speaking out on things but I am still going to be speaking my mind."
Carlos Alcaraz has described Novak Djokovic as "like a god", but fully intends to take his world number one spot back from the Serbian.
Alcaraz has been out of action for four months through injury, but will return at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires on Wednesday when he faces another Serbian, Laslo Djere.
The 19-year-old had been top of the men's world rankings when he suffered a leg muscle injury, causing him to miss the Australian Open.
Djokovic leapfrogged Alcaraz into top spot after he won in Melbourne, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in last month's final.
"It has been a long time [I spent] at No. 1," Alcaraz said. "Now it's a goal for me to recover No. 1 and try to do my best in these tournaments to be back on that number. I'm looking for that."
The young star acknowledged that he has a big job on his hands though, recognising that Djokovic is one of the greatest of all time.
"He has no weaknesses. Every shot, it's amazing," he said. "His physical condition is amazing, his mental condition is amazing.
"He's like a god and I admire him over the years staying at the same level, staying at the top. It's really, really difficult and I admire that."
Despite his ultimate lofty goals, Alcaraz does not want to push himself too fast after his injury, and suggested his main aim at the Argentina Open is just to regain fitness and confidence.
"It's tough to play my first tournament after a long time for me, after four months," he said. "So it's going to be really, really tough to win the tournament or be close to winning.
"My hope is to feel that I am okay with the injury, with my body and try to play well."
Draymond Green has questioned the Golden State Warriors' "will to defend" after they slipped to 29-29 for the season in their last game before the All-Star break.
The reigning NBA champions were beaten 134-124 by the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, conceding 44 points in the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena.
The Warriors have conceded on average 118.5 points per game this season, with only the Charlotte Hornets (119.1), Detroit Pistons (119.7) and San Antonio Spurs (122.7) faring worse.
That is a significant rise on their average of 105.5 points against per game in the regular season last year, which was the third-best in the league.
"It has to come from within," Green said. "Defense is all about will, a want to defend.
"Defense isn't fun. You've just got to do it if you want to win, and we haven't.
"It's the will to defend, stop and guard your man, and sink, and drop the box and rotate. Defense is just one or two steps extra... that's all will, and we don't have that as a team."
Kawhi Leonard top-scored for the Clippers with 33 points, while Norman Powell recorded 24, getting away 17 field-goal attempts despite only being on court for just over 25 minutes.
"Every guy has to decide to take on that challenge himself," Green added. "That challenge isn't just guarding the ball. The challenge is I'm supposed to be there to help, and that guy has to be able to trust that I'm going to get there.
"If he doesn't trust that I'm going to get there, then what do you do? You foul. We all know that's been a problem for us.
"I can be better. I'm as much of a culprit as anyone else. I'm not going to point the finger at anyone or point blame. If you're a leader at something and you are failing at it, it's your fault."
Green also acknowledged Golden State's need to improve quickly or risk missing out on the playoffs, as they sit ninth in the Western Conference.
"It's now or never," Green said. "We are .500 at the break. Middle-of-the-pack team with those middle-of-the-pack stats.
"You've got to come out of the break and win and do it at a high level, or you go home at the beginning of April. I wouldn't be happy with that. But that will be the result if we don't get there."
Nicholas Benjamin and Aliana McMaster out-shot more than 150 competitors on Sunday (February 12) to be crowned Highest Overall Champion and Ladies Champion, respectively, at the first Jackson Bay Hunting & Fishing Club Sporting Clay tournament in Clarendon in 25 years.
Benjamin was the only shooter to score in the 90s after shooting 90 and picking off all six targets on eight of the 17 stations on the course.
McMaster shot 78 to win the Ladies section ahead of Wendy McMaster 77 but had to engage Kashka Jones in a shoot-off to determine the Junior champion after Jones also shot 78.
Benjamin said afterwards that the challenging conditions made the victory sweeter.
"I am very humbled, very happy about the win today. It wasn't easy,” he said.
“The course itself was fair. It was not an overly difficult course but that combined with the conditions - it was very hot, it was very windy, wasn't any shade. The wind plays a big part in the course itself and all of those things put together made for not an overly difficult but a not very easy day.
“It's the first time I have shot by the sea as well. I think, more impactful than the ocean was the sea breeze. I think that made it harder than just the sea as the background."
Three shooters were engaged in a shoot-off to determine the runner-up and A Class champion after they all shot 89 in regulation time.
Shaun Barnes shot a perfect eight from eight to take the runner-up spot while last year's national shotgun champion Chad Ziadie scored seven form eight for the A Class first and Bruce DeQuesnay bagged six for A Class runner up.
Ray McMaster was third by way of 'long run' ahead of Ian Banks and Christian Sasso after they each shot 88.
McMaster and Jones had to shoot three rounds before a victor would emerge.
Both shot seven and six, respectively, in the first and second rounds but McMaster shot a perfect eight from eight in the third round to Jones' six.
“I enjoyed shooting the course and going through the different stations and observing the different presentations,” said McMaster afterwards, “however, I experienced a lot of challenges today; outside variables like traps breaking down or the walking with the sun or whatever it was, it was basically all coming at me at once so it was quite a difficult time but I pushed through."
She said experience helped her during the shoot-off.
"Going into a shoot-off, I have an idea from experience of what to do and what not to do,” she said.
“You just try to keep to yourself, you ignore every possible thing except the task at hand. It was a really good experience because no matter how experienced you are, you are still going get the nerves so it’s really nice I can experience that again. To come out the winner, honestly, it feels really great."
The following are the the top three shooters in each class: A Class: Chad Ziadie 89 (S/O), Bruce DuQuesnay 89(S/O), Ray McMaster 88 (L/R)
B Class: Michael Banbury 83, Najeeb Haber 78 (L/R), Brandon King 78 (L/R)
C Class: Ramon Pitter 83, Ricky DuQuesnay 81, Wendy McMaster 77
D Class: Matthew Sale 76, Marlon King 75, Noah Vaughn 74
E Class: Kashka Jones 78, Matthew Morin 69, Carlton Davis 68
Hunters or Beginners: Daren Gordon 79, Tariq Nembhard 77 and Andrew Clarke 72
Ladies: Aliana McMaster 78, Wendy McMaster 77, Lori Ann Harris 75
Juniors: Aliana McMaster 78 (S/O), Kashka Jones 78 (S/O), Lori Anne Harris 75
Sub Juniors: Che Rowe 61, Craig Powel Jr. 56 and Adam Clacken 51
Hunters or Beginners: Seymour Essor 75 (S/O), Lori Anne Harris 75 (S/O), Max Williams 71.
Part-timer Matija Pecotic had to put a request in for another day off work to play in the second round of the Delray Beach Open after pulling off a shock win over Jack Sock.
The Croatian came through qualifying to make his ATP Tour main-draw debut in Florida and the 33-year-old is through to the last 16 after a 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory against former world number eight Sock on Tuesday.
World number 784 Pecotic has a full-time job in finance and he will be in the money after setting up a meeting with Marcos Giron in the last 16 of the ATP 250 event.
The Princeton and Harvard graduate's boss was in his box to watch him see off Sock and Pecotic hopes he will get a chance to book a quarter-final spot on Wednesday rather than return to balancing the books.
He quipped: "I had to leave work early today. I had to send an email to the whole team. [My boss] let me off. I'm going to have to ask for another day off tomorrow."
Pecotic, who served 10 aces and struck 30 winners, added: "I certainly didn't expect to win, but certainly didn't come into the match thinking that I'm definitely going to lose.
"You've got to be realistic. This is a former top 10 guy with an incredible amount of tennis experience, with a huge serve.
"He came out serving 134 [mph] on the first serve. It would be arrogant to think that I'm going to come out and expect to win.
"But I certainly figured if I could sink my teeth into the match and work on the two or three patterns that I prepared before, that I'm going to have a chance. And then let's see... if I was going to fall under pressure or not be able to serve it out at some point. But I didn't and I got the win."
Mercedes have revealed the new W14 car tasked with getting them back to the top of Formula One in the 2023 season, with Lewis Hamilton insisting it shows they "mean business".
The design is a return to a predominantly black car, with Mercedes using minimal paint in an effort to reduce weight.
Mercedes surprisingly finished third in the constructors' championship last season, 244 points behind winners Red Bull.
"We've redesigned, optimised, and innovated so many parts of the car and that is impressive," Hamilton said. "And I love the new livery. It says: 'we mean business'."
Hamilton finished the season sixth in the drivers' championship, behind team-mate George Russell (fourth), but the seven-time world champion sounded confident about the new car giving him a chance of challenging again this year.
"I love being part of a team that is working towards a common goal," he said. "I always believe I can get better. I always love that challenge, the physical and mental element, having to deep dive and extract more performance from yourself and the people around you.
"The car is always changing, there's always new tools, and I love that. I'm planning to stay here a little bit longer."
Team boss Toto Wolff is also confident Mercedes can challenge Red Bull and Ferrari again, though admitted they are "playing catch-up."
"Our hopes and expectations are always to be capable of fighting for a world championship," Wolff said. "However, our competitors were very strong last year, and we are playing catch-up.
"Racing at the front requires resilience, teamwork, and determination. We face up to every challenge, we put the team first, and we will leave no stone unturned in the chase for every millisecond.
"This year, we are going all in to get back in front."
Wolff also admitted faults with last season's car, which led to focus on how the weight could be reduced to maximise performance.
"We were overweight last year," Wolff added. "This year we have tried to figure out where we can squeeze out every single gram. So now, history repeats itself."
The new season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is looking more like a two-time NBA Finals MVP every day and his shooting renaissance continued in Tuesday's 134-124 home victory against the Golden State Warriors.
Leonard, who missed the entire 2021-22 season after tearing his ACL in the 2021 playoffs, tied his career-high with seven threes as he led the Clippers with 33 points on 12-of-27 shooting (seven-of-nine from deep).
There were fears the former Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors would be robbed of the remainder of his prime by the injury, averaging just 17.5 points on 47/27/79 shooting splits in his first 15 games this campaign.
But since the new year Leonard has gone up a gear, averaging 27.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 17 games since January 2, while shooting 52.4 per cent from the field, 48.2 per cent from deep and 91.9 per cent at the free throw line.
When asked by the media after the game about how he has managed to get back on track, Leonard said he is never worried about his percentages.
"[My jump shot] felt good," he said. "Like I've said before, it didn't matter what percentage I was at, I was going to keep shooting the basketball.
"That's what I did, kept shooting with confidence. Percentages can't save you, just because I'm shooting 40 (per cent) doesn't mean I'm going to shoot 40 the next game.
"You've just got to keep playing the game and shoot the shots that you practice."
Against the Warriors specifically, Leonard said he just rode a hot start.
"I just made shots early," he said. "Team-mates found me, I got in a rhythm, and just kept going from there.
"I like that [our new additions] stayed aggressive tonight, they didn't defer, and they just played their game.
"The West records are so close together, so every win matters, but we just have to keep getting better ourselves."
The win improves the Clippers' record to 32-28, placing them fifth in the Western Conference, although they are just 1.5 games out of the three seed, and three games ahead of the 12th seed.
Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery hailed his side's ability to overcome adversity after rallying for a 3-2 overtime win against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
The NHL-leading Bruins improved to a 40-8-5 record with the victory where Pavel Zacha tied the game at 2-2 at 10:12 of the third period, before David Pastrnak fired a one-time finish home from Charlie McEvoy's cross-ice pass with 1:16 remaining in overtime.
Pastrnak's goal came after the Bruins had killed off a Dallas OT power play, thanks to five Linus Ullmark saves, to get the better of the Stars, who lead the Western Conference.
Dallas had fought back from an early deficit from Taylor Hall's strike to lead 2-1 after goals from Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, before the Bruins rallied. The Stars also failed to capitalise on a five-on-three power play in the second period.
"It was nice to win a game where we had to overcome so many struggles within the game," Montgomery told reporters.
"The penalty kills, then playing really well and not having the lead, trailing. Keep pushing, keep believing.
"There's a lot of belief in that locker room if we play the right way. We have a lot of depth that can overcome a lot of adversity."
The win was Montgomery's 100th in the NHL, including 60 in charge of the Stars before being fired in December 2019. This game marked his first in Dallas as a head coach since that dismissal.
Zacha, who finished the game with a goal and an assist, praised his side's identity.
"That's what our team is about, our identity," he said. "With having the leaders like we do I don't think we get frustrated. We just get to working hard, sticking to the process.
"I think that's one of the game's best third-period teams, so we know our strength."
The resurgent Phoenix Suns made it 11 wins from their past 14 games with a 120-109 home victory against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Phoenix, who earlier this season endured a 2-12 run across a 14-game stretch, are now right back in the mix in the Western Conference, buoyed by the impending debut of trade deadline acquisition Kevin Durant.
Against the Kings, the Suns' main three players all performed at an exceptionally high level.
Point guard Chris Paul dished a season-high 19 assists – the second most by any player this season, trailing only James Harden's 21 against the Los Angeles Clippers in December – to go with 17 points on seven-of-15 shooting.
Offensive focal point Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting, and center Deandre Ayton dominated with 29 points (13-of-17 shooting), 11 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Both Kings All-Stars delivered, as De'Aaron Fox led the visitors in scoring with a game-high 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting, while Domantas Sabonis had 24 points (seven-of-12), 15 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
With the win, the Suns improved their record to 32-27 and moved up to the fourth seed in the Western Conference, one game behind the third-placed Kings (32-25).
Bucks extend winning streak to 11 against undermanned Celtics
The Milwaukee Bucks were pushed all the way by a Boston Celtics team missing four starters, ultimately coming away with a 131-125 overtime win at home.
With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford all out, Derrick White had 27 points (10-of-24), 12 assists and three steals, while Malcolm Brogdon added 26 points (eight-of-17) off the bench in a valiant effort.
But the heroics from the Bucks' All-Star duo pulled them across the line, with 40 points (13-of-21), seven assists and three steals for Jrue Holiday, while Giannis Antetokounmpo racked up 36 points (12-of-26), 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The Bucks (40-17) are now just a half-game behind the Celtics (41-17) in the race for the league's best record.
Blazers waste another explosive Lillard performance
Nobody is averaging more points than Damian Lillard over their past 10 games, and he had another 39 in a 126-101 home loss to the Washington Wizards.
Lillard, who came into the contest averaging 38.2 in his past 10, shot 14-of-30 from the field while adding 10 rebounds and six assists.
But the Wizards were too good, led by their leading scorer this season, Kristaps Porzingis, with 28 points (10-of-15), 12 rebounds and five assists, while Kyle Kuzma bombed away for 33 points (11-of-20) and nine rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sent an injury scare through the Milwaukee Bucks camp late in Tuesday's 131-125 overtime win over the Boston Celtics, but the initial report was positive according to head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Antetokounmpo went down awkwardly on landing following an unsuccessful drive to the basket in the fourth quarter and remained on the floor, before slowly getting to his feet and walking to the bench.
The Greek forward never left the game and played out the OT win, finishing with 36 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two blocks as the Bucks claimed their 11th straight victory.
"They gave me a quick update just saying that they think he just banged knees with somebody," Budenholzer said.
"We'll check him in the morning, but I'd say the initial kind of report was positive."
Antetokounmpo's return was his 24th 30/10 game of the season, which is the most in the NBA. He was well supported by Jrue Holiday with a joint career-high 40 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field with eight-of-12 from beyond the arc.
Holiday's eight three-pointers was also a new career high, coming after his selection in the upcoming All-Star Game for the first time since 2013, marking the longest gap between All-Star appearances in NBA history.
"I don't really care for how I'm playing as long as we're winning," Holiday said. "For me, as long as we get the win, I'm OK.
"The only stat I look at is turnovers. That's kind of how I determine if I had a good or bad game. Tonight, what did I have, five turnovers? To me, that hurts my soul."
The win was not only the Bucks' 11th straight, but also saw them down their main Eastern Conference rivals for the top seed. The Bucks improved to a 40-17 record, narrowing the gap to the Celtics (41-17).
However, Boston were missing several key players, including Jayson Tatum (rest) and Jaylen Brown (facial fracture).
Celtics forward Sam Hauser had sent the clash to overtime with a game-tying three-pointer with 3.0 seconds remaining when Khris Middleton opted not to foul.
"We do different things at the end of the game," Budenholzer said. "The catch-and-shoot coming out of that is probably what they're looking for. We defended everything well, defended all the screens prior.
"He gets it out at half-court and hits a 30-footer. There's different things that we'll do. Credit to Hauser for making the shot. Khris did exactly what we asked him to do. Just fortunate to find a way to win it in overtime."
Jakob Poeltl looks right at home back with the Toronto Raptors after producing stats in Tuesday's win not seen in a single game since Shaquille O'Neal.
In the Raptors' 123-113 home win against the Orlando Magic, Poeltl finished with 30 points on 15-of-17 shooting, nine rebounds and six blocks. It was the first time since O'Neal in 2004 that a player has had 30 points, six blocks and shot at least 85 per cent from the field.
Poeltl, who was drafted by the Raptors back in 2016, had spent the past four-and-a-half seasons with the San Antonio Spurs after being part of the trade package to acquire Kawhi Leonard, ultimately resulting in Toronto's only ever championship.
The big Austrian became one of the league's best rim protectors in San Antonio, and with a gaping hole at center, the Raptors made a move at the deadline to bring him back in return for a one first-round pick, two second-rounders and bench big Khem Birch.
Speaking after the game, Poeltl highlighted his familiarity with point guard Fred VanVleet, who racked up a season-high 15 assists thanks in large part to the duo's pick-and-roll partnership.
"It's been going well," he said. "I feel like I've made improvement from game-to-game, I'm getting more and more comfortable out there.
"Tonight Freddy found me about 10 times in the pick-and-roll, so my team-mates made it really easy on me.
"[The connection with VanVleet] has been going great, I feel like we're getting back to our chemistry, obviously we played together for two years already. Tonight we just kind of clicked, and I'm happy it worked out that way."
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse called that pick-and-roll combination "huge" and said "every time we hit [Poeltl], it seemed like something good happened".
Nurse went on to discuss the value of finally having an imposing presence on the interior that can dissuade opposing defenses from switching all screens.
"It's really valuable, it really is," he said.
"There's two ways you're going to beat teams that switch – the big guy is going to go bury somebody inside, or the big defender is going to have to guard someone on the perimeter that can get by him or shoot a three.
"Having both of those makes it – it means you're probably not going to switch as much – especially if we're getting those inside buckets. Nobody likes the feel of a switch, throw it inside, get overpowered for a lay-up.
"It looks easy – I don't think it's that easy – but he made it look easy tonight."
The Raptors were expected to be sellers at the deadline as rumours swirled about trade offers for VanVleet, All-Star Pascal Siakam and wing O.G. Anunoby, but they have now won five of their past six to claw their way to 28-31, sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference and trending in the right direction.
Playing in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Francisco Cerundolo avenged his younger brother's defeat at the Argentina Open by defeating Yannick Hanfmann 6-2 4-6 7-5 on Tuesday.
Francisco's younger brother Juan Martin had been eliminated by Hanfmann in the qualifying stage, but the fifth seed got one back on the German after leading the break point opportunities 17 to six.
Fifth-seed Cerundolo was the highest seed in action Tuesday, while sixth seed Sebastian Baez fell 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to Serbia's Dusan Lajovic.
In the only all-Argentine clash it was Facundo Diaz Acosta prevailing 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 against Federico Coria – who sits over 100 places higher in the rankings – while Roberto Carballes Baena collected a seeded scalp with a 7-5 6-4 win over Spanish compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Meanwhile, Australian Open quarter-finalist Ben Shelton was eliminated from his own hometown tournament as the Florida resident was bounced out of the Delray Beach Open 6-4 6-4 by Marcos Giron.
Shelton beat J.J. Wolf to reach that grand slam quarter-final, but Wolf will be moving on after he emerged with a 7-5 6-3 win against Ilya Ivashka.
Wolf will play France's Adrian Mannarino following his 4-6 6-3 6-4 triumph over Germany's Daniel Altmaier, and Mackenzie McDonald will get a shot at redemption against fifth seed Yoshihito Nishioka after a comfortable 6-2 6-2 success against Taro Daniel.
McDonald and Nishioka have played twice this year – once at the Adelaide Invitational and once at the Australian Open – and Nishioka has won all five sets.
It was also a day 33-year-old Matija Pecotic will never forget, with the world number 784 winning his first ever ATP Tour match by defeating Jack Sock 4-6 6-2 6-2.
Philadelphia Eagles players rushed to the online defense of team-mate James Bradberry on Tuesday after Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster posted a Valentine's Day card mocking his Super Bowl opponent.
A holding penalty committed by Bradberry against Smith-Schuster ended up sealing the Chiefs' game-winning drive on Sunday, with fans and pundits almost universally slamming the borderline decision in such a crucial spot.
To his credit, Bradberry was asked for his thoughts immediately after the loss and he said he believed it was the right decision, although he was hoping the referees would not call it.
The budding rivalry between the Chiefs and Eagles got a shot in the arm when Smith-Schuster posted a fake Valentine's Day card on Twitter, with Bradberry's picture being accompanied by the words "I'll hold you when it matters most".
In response, top Eagles receiver A.J. Brown posted a response calling Smith-Schuster "TikTok boy".
It read: "First off congratulations, y'all deserve it. This is lame. You was on your way out the league before Mahomes resurrected your career on your one-year deal TikTok boy.
"He admitted that he grabbed you but don't act like you're like that or ever was. But congratulations again."
Meanwhile, five-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay – Bradberry's starting cornerback partner – also showed support to his team-mate.
He retweeted Smith-Schuster's tweet and commented "Come on naw bra… doin too much!" before also replying "big facts" to former star Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill calling Smith-Schuster a "front-runner".
Bradberry stayed out of the drama, instead just posting "ALL-PRO" after being named Second Team All-Pro this season, which Slay shared and added further support.
Slay wrote: "Y'all boys stay keeping my dawg name in y'all mouth. Bra don't bother nobody on or off the field… y'all lame! All-Pro JB."
Tiger Woods says the past 12 months have been a "very turbulent" period for golf following the launch of the LIV Golf series that has threatened the game's status quo.
The 15-time major champion will make his comeback at the Genesis Invitational on Thursday where he will tee off with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas.
Woods, 47, will be making his first non-major PGA Tour appearance since the Zozo Championship in October 2020, having spent a lengthy time out after the car accident in February 2021 that left him with multiple significant leg injuries.
In the meantime, LIV Golf launched in June last year, with numerous high-profile players defecting from the PGA Tour, creating a divide and fractures within the sport.
"The past year since, if you go back to this week at Genesis last year to where it's at now, we all have to say it's been very turbulent," Woods said. "We never would have expected the game of golf to be in this situation, but it is, that's the reality.
"I was alluding to trying to create the best product. Obviously, they're a competitive organization trying to create their best product they possibly can, and we're trying to create the best product that we think for the future of golf, how it should be played.
"How do we do that? We're still working on it. We have so many top players that are aligned. We need to have our top players understand that we need to play around the world and create the best product possible.
"It's been an ebb and flow, it really has. And it's been difficult, there's no lie. You've seen our ambassador, Rory, go through it. It's been tough on him, but he's been exceptional.
"To be able to go through all that, I've been with him on all those conference calls and side meetings, and for him to go out there and play and win, it's been incredible."
The PGA Tour has been threatened by LIV Golf, which used eight 54-hole no-cut stroke play tournaments and a final Team Championship in its inaugural season to create a new and exciting product with a point of difference.
LIV Golf will evolve into a league format for the next season with a 14-event schedule and 48 contracted players.
Woods, whose foundation organizes the upcoming Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club in California, said the PGA Tour is working on ways to maintain its position as golf's leading series to rival LIV Golf's updated offerings.
"We are in the process of figuring all that out," Woods said. "It's been a variety of different models and opinions. Trying to figure out what's the best product and competitive environment. What we should do going forward.
"Limited fields, what's the number? Cuts, yes or no? What's the number? How many players are playing the event? What's the ability to get into the designated events? How is [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay [Monahan] able to sell our product to the different sponsors across the board?
"There's so much give and take. It's still ongoing. It's been difficult. A lot of the players have been very forthright, which is great. We're trying to help our commissioner create what he can sell so all of us can benefit."
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit out at prominent NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport on Tuesday after an incorrect claim about the timing of his upcoming "darkness retreat".
Rodgers had previously used his weekly media appearance on the Pat McAfee Show to explain how he was going on a darkness retreat now that the season has finished, with the hope that it will, among other things, provide more clarity about his playing future.
On Saturday, Rapoport and fellow NFL Network journalist Tom Pelissero released a story claiming Rodgers' retreat was set to begin on Monday – which was not the case.
Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show the day after it was reported he would "enter the darkness", Rodgers explained that the actual date has been locked in for four months, and that reporters claiming to have sources inside his camp "don't know s***".
"There's an inner circle and in my inner circle, nobody talks to Ian Rapoport [or] Adam Schefter or to any of those people," he said. "Just stop with the fake news. I speak for myself and I will continue to do that.
"I have no problem with Ian Rapoport, [Adam] Schefter, I think they’re really good at their jobs. When it comes to me, they don’t know s***.
"They really don’t. They don’t have people in my inner circle who are sources. I can promise you that. Anybody who would talk to them is not in my inner circle. It’s that simple.
"So I’ve had this plan on the books for four months, for the same time. When someone like that goes on and says something that’s not true it creates a story that's bull****, and it just keeps going, and going, and going."
He went on to add: "How many f****** narratives can come from one [appearance last week] where they didn’t even actually listen to what I said? Or the intent? Or the tone?
"Again, nothing against Rapoport, but he doesn't have anybody who knows legitimately what's going on in my life. So for him to say something, 'Monday through Thursday I was supposed to be in there' – that was never the plan. It hasn't been the plan for four months. So don’t make s*** up.
"I don’t have your number, you're not gonna have my number, you do a great job, but not when it comes to my life, so stop talking about it."
The NFL Network report claimed that if Rodgers decides he wants to keep playing, but does not want to remain with the Green Bay Packers, then the franchise will look to facilitate a trade.
LeBron James' achievement has been hailed as "absolutely incredible" by Tiger Woods, who also praised Tom Brady's legendary playing career.
James last week became the all-time points leader in NBA history, with the Los Angeles Lakers star overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record.
The 38-year-old is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA Finals MVP and four-time league MVP.
Ahead of his return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational, Woods was asked for his thoughts on James' feat, and suggested Sam Snead and himself would be golf's equivalent to the 19-time NBA All-Star.
"What he accomplished is absolutely incredible," Woods told reporters.
"Just the durability, the consistency and the longevity. I grew up watching Kareem, he was the Cap [Captain], that's all I remember – the showtime Lakers, watching Cap.
"That record, nobody ever thought it would be broken, but also the amount of minutes he's playing, nobody's ever done it at that age and the way he's done it, being able to play all five positions. That's never been done at this level for this long.
"As far as our equivalent to that... I don't know, maybe you look at me and Sam, at 82 [PGA Tour wins each, a joint-record]. It takes a career to get to those numbers, that's probably best how you look at it."
While James is set to play on, a star of another sport – Brady – has retired.
NFL great Brady, who had a short-lived retirement in 2022, called time on his playing days "for good" earlier in February, ending a 23-year career at the highest level.
The quarterback is one of the most successful players of all time, with seven Super Bowl rings to his name, and has the most career wins of any QB.
Aaron Rodgers might also be considering retirement, and Woods is astounded at the pair's longevity, especially when it comes to 45-year-old Brady.
"There was a touch and go whether I'd be back after my back fusion," said Woods when asked about the mindset of the duo when it comes to retirement.
"I didn't know if I was going to be able to walk again, I came back and had a nice little run. The same again with this leg. I didn't know if I was going to be able to play again and I played three majors last year.
"When you get a little bit older and a little more banged up, you’re not as invincible as you once were – that's just the reality of all of us ageing. Those are contact sports, I don't know how they've played [so long].
"Tom, playing as long as he did and the level he played at, it was phenomenal. We just have to look at him as an outlier, as how great that was.
"I remember as a kid growing up watching John Elway speak and just crying as he said 'I can do it but my body won't allow me to anymore'. He won the last two Super Bowls but he just could not physically do it anymore.
"I've got to that point a few times where you think of [retirement]. My sport, there's no contact, I don't have 300lb guys falling on me. It's just a matter of shooting a low score. We have the ability to pick and choose, play a little bit longer.
"We've seen my hero – Arnold Palmer – play in 50 straight Masters. Fifty straight. I'm not even 50 years old yet! You look at Gary Player, who played in 51 Masters. We're different sports."
Tiger Woods insists he is only returning to the PGA Tour this week because he believes in his ability to win again.
The 47-year-old has entered his first non-major event on the tour since playing the Zozo Championship in October 2020, and he continues to feel the effects of his February 2021 car crash.
He was left with a severely broken leg among a host of injuries, and the 15-time major winner accepts the end of his career is probably not far away.
It is ankle pain that gives Woods the most concern at present, as he prepares to compete in the Genesis Invitational tournament run by his foundation at the Riviera Country Club in California.
But he is optimistic about his ability to hit good golf shots and get around the course without needing a buggy.
"I would not have put myself out here if I didn't think I could beat these guys and win the event. That's my mentality. I'm very rusty but I've come off rusty situations before and done well," Woods said.
After needing a long recuperation from the severe injuries to his right leg, Woods said the limb is "better than it was last year".
In his efforts to put himself through strenuous exercise to build up resilience, Woods said he "may have overdone it a couple of times, but here I am".
"I'm there to get a W, OK?" he said in a pre-tournament press conference.
"I don't understand that making the cut is a great thing. If I entered the event, it's always to get a W.
"There will come a point in time when my body will not allow me to do that anymore, and it's probably sooner than later. But wrapping my head around that transition and being the ambassador role and just trying to be out here with the guys, no, that's not in my DNA."
Woods last played competitively at The Open at St Andrews last July, missing the cut.
He hopes to play the Masters in April, and this can reasonably be considered a test of his fitness with Augusta in mind.
The American great will be in familiar company when he tees off in the opening two rounds, having been included in a group of three with close friends Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy.
Woods shares the record for wins at PGA Tour level with the late Sam Snead, triumphing at the 2019 Zozo Championship to reach his current total of 82 career victories.
The Boston Celtics will head into Tuesday's road game against the Milwaukee Bucks without four starters after Jayson Tatum and Al Horford were ruled out in the hours before tip-off.
Tatum and Horford are the latest additions to a star-studded injury list for the Celtics, who were already without All-Star Jaylen Brown due to a facial fracture, while reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart is recovering from an ankle injury.
Horford is officially listed out due to right knee swelling, while Tatum has also been given the game off for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons as the Celtics give their leader in starts and minutes this season some extended rest leading into the All-Star Weekend.
The Bucks will be close to full strength after it was confirmed Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton – who were initially marked down as questionable – were cleared to play. They will only be missing sixth man Bobby Portis and new trade acquisition Jae Crowder.
With a win, the Bucks can trim Boston's lead as the best record in the Eastern Conference, and in the league, to a half-game.
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