Walker runs all over Denver, Mahomes looks healthy as Chiefs beat up Broncos 31-10
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut, and Kansas City exacted some revenge on the Denver Broncos for stealing their AFC West crown with a 31-10 victory. Walker stole some of the spotlight from Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired left knee. Mahomes didn’t appear to be affected by the knee, or the brace he wore on it. He threw for 184 yards and two scores while running for another to help the Chiefs snap a three-game skid against the rival that ended their nine-year run as division champs.
Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto is official as Raptors and Clippers complete long-awaited deal
Kawhi Leonard is heading back to the Toronto Raptors after all. The Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to complete the trade that was initially agreed to earlier this summer. The deal includes Leonard returning to Toronto, while the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap. The trade was delayed due to an NBA investigation into the Clippers’ salary cap practices. The NBA recently penalized the Clippers and Leonard, but his contract remains intact.
Judge hits first homer since May 24 as Yankees clinch record 61st postseason berth, 9th in 10 years
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his first home run since May 24 as the New York Yankees clinched their record 61st postseason berth and ninth in 10 years. Spencer Jones was batting with two outs in the eighth inning of an 8-3 win against Minnesota when Toronto lost to Detroit, assuring the Yankees of at least an AL wild card berth Judge, who returned last week after missing more than three months because of a fractured rib, hit a three-run homer off A.J. Minter earlier in the six-run eighth to give the Yankees a 7-2 lead. The Yankees captain had been 3 for 20 with 11 strikeouts since returning.
A quiet toast as the Dodgers clinch record-tying 14th straight playoff spot
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers marked their record-tying 14th consecutive trip to MLB’s postseason with a toast of bubbly after a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The two-time defending World Series champions — who joined Milwaukee and Tampa Bay as teams who have secured playoff spots — cut their magic number to three for a fifth straight NL West title and 13th in 14 seasons. Los Angeles tied the Atlanta Braves’ postseason run from 1991 through 2005. The Braves made five World Series trips during that span, but only won once in 1995.
Sean McVay says Rams’ season opener made it clear Myles Garrett needed knee surgery
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After spending time during training camp trying to manage Myles Garrett’s knee injury, it was the Los Angeles Rams’ dismal season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers that made it evident to everyone that the star defensive end needed surgery. Garrett did not record a tackle or sack while playing 61.5% of the defensive snaps in the Rams’ 27-7 defeat in Melbourne, Australia. Coach Sean McVay said Monday that conversations with Garrett immediately after the game last Thursday made it clear a different approach would be needed. McVay did not have an updated timeline for Garrett’s recovery beyond the four-game minimum that comes with being placed on injured reserve, pending the results of the procedure.
Patrick Mahomes shines on his surgically repaired knee in Chiefs’ season-opening rout of Broncos
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes seemingly had no issues with his surgically repaired left knee in the Kansas City Chiefs’ season-opening win over the Denver Broncos. Mahomes ran for a 15-yard touchdown, matching his longest TD run in the regular season. He also threw for 184 yards and two TDs while leading an efficient Chiefs offense in Kansas City’s 31-10 victory. It was nine months ago to the day that Mahomes tore two ligaments in the knee in a loss to the Chargers. He had surgery the next day and immediately began the rehab effort, staying in Kansas City over the summer.
Taylor Swift skips the Emmys for Arrowhead, cheering on hubby Travis Kelce alongside Tom Cruise
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. She sat alongside Tom Cruise while watching new husband Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs open the NFL season against the Denver Broncos. It’s the first time Swift has seen Kelce play since they were married over the summer. The 14-time Grammy Award-winner decided to skip the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Instead, Swift was at the venue where her romance with Kelce began. Kelce tried and failed to deliver her a friendship bracelet as a fan when she performed at Arrowhead Stadium.
Protect College Sports Act gets renewed push and fresh opposition as college football returns
Proponents of the Protect College Sports Act are pushing to pass the legislation through the Senate before the chamber breaks in the coming weeks. The bill aims to regulate escalating spending in college sports as schools can now pay players. Major conferences, Senate leadership and President Donald Trump support the bipartisan bill, but it faces opposition that could derail it. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy opposes the bill, arguing it protects industry profits over athlete compensation. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, a co-sponsor, has been actively promoting it.
Vikings aren’t sure yet if Kyler Murray can play this week with QB recovering from a concussion
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray began the week in the NFL concussion protocol in continuing his recovery from an illegal hit to the head that forced him out of his first game with the team in the first quarter. Murray arrived on Monday at Vikings headquarters “feeling pretty good,” according to coach Kevin O’Connell. It was too soon for the team to assess his chance of playing the next game at Chicago. Murray’s debut lasted 11 plays. He was hit on the right side of his helmet by Green Bay safety Javon Bullard’s lowered shoulder.
Female athletes accuse Sydney Sweeney ad of sexualizing women in sports
An ad campaign featuring actor Sydney Sweeney has sparked backlash from female athletes who say it sexualizes women in sports. In the ad for sports prediction platform Novig, Sweeney appears with little or no clothing, using footballs and sports apparel to cover herself. Several athletes criticized the ad on social media, calling it disrespectful. Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus expressed her anger on Instagram. British sprinter Amy Hunt addressed Sweeney in a post-race interview, emphasizing the hard work of female athletes. Former gymnast Gracie Kramer and rugby player Sofie Fella also voiced their disapproval. Novig and Sweeney’s representatives have not commented.