Falcons agree to trade veteran safety Jessie Bates III to Jaguars for 2 draft picks, AP source says
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to trade safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for two draft picks, a person familiar with the deal has told The Associated Press. The Falcons will receive a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the person said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the trade. The 29-year-old Bates had been included in reports as a player who could be moved before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Bates had a season-high 14 tackles in the Falcons’ 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Madrid.
In a wide-open NFL, trade deadline is an opportunity for a few teams to get a big boost
The NFL is wide open at the season’s midpoint. There were few surprises around the league on Sunday. The Packers were the only betting underdog to win but that wasn’t entirely unexpected. The way they did it, however, was eye-opening. Green Bay dominated the Patriots 45-27 in New England. The trade deadline will give teams an opportunity to separate themselves from the pack, especially in a season when several teams are in the mix for a Super Bowl run. Running back Jonathan Taylor is a potential difference-maker for any team that acquires him from the Indianapolis Colts. Breece Hall and Tony Pollard also are potential trade targets.
Hold the beef. Order lamb chops. Tatum and Brown serve up drama on the menu when Celtics visit 76ers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, once key players for the Celtics, have not spoken since Brown’s trade to the 76ers in July. Brown was traded for Paul George and draft picks. Both players are focused on winning and have no plans to reconnect when their teams face off Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The trade has been successful for both teams, with the 76ers tied for the best record in the NBA. Brown and Tatum’s relationship was often scrutinized, but both players have expressed respect for each other.
Georgia’s momentum and its return to No. 1 in AP Top 25 are making loss to Auburn a fading memory
After losing to Auburn three weeks ago, Georgia has bounced back to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll. This return was helped by Notre Dame’s win over Miami and Georgia’s dominant performances against Mississippi and Florida. Georgia is now favored to win the national championship. In the SEC, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee also posted impressive victories. Ohio State has been a major disappointment, dropping to No. 21 after losses to Southern California and Oregon. Meanwhile, Wake Forest is on the rise, aiming for a top-10 ranking.
In Senegal, Black surfers want to reclaim the waves despite lack of resources
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The origins of surfing can be traced back to the native populations of Peru, Polynesia and Hawaii, and European travelers documented children surfing along the coast of what is now Ghana as early as the 17th century. But today’s surfing, especially professional surfing, is a predominantly white sport. In West Africa, it is a sport for the fortunate few who can afford expensive equipment and training. The dream of surfer Ibra Samb of Senegal is to change that, he says. Together with other local surfers he holds free weekly classes for kids from his native Ngor village, hoping that one day one of them qualifies for the professional circuit.
Judo star Teddy Riner announces a run for French president, pledging to bring people together
Judo star Teddy Riner is bidding to be the next French president. The 37-year-old multiple Olympic champion announced his campaign on social media and said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper published Monday that he is positioning himself as “neither right-wing nor left-wing” and hopes to become a “president who brings people together.” Asked whether his bid should be taken seriously, Riner says “what would be irresponsible would be to remain silent and stand by as a spectator to what is happening in our country.” The French presidential election is being held next year.
Germany midfielder Nmecha under scrutiny in Dortmund for celebrations linked to evangelical group
DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha is finding that sport and religion don’t mix when it comes to his club Borussia Dortmund’s professed values of tolerance and respect. Nmecha, a devout Christian, has been criticized by the club’s official supporters’ group for goal celebrations associated with an evangelical network that has been accused of labeling homosexuality as a sin. Dortmund tells the Bild tabloid that it understands the fans’ concerns and will speak to the player. The club says, “We expect all employees and players to ensure that their behavior and conduct align with the legal requirements and core values of Borussia Dortmund. These values include respect, diversity, equality, and a clear rejection of any form of discrimination.”
McIlroy vs Chacarra vs Reed: Race to Dubai title up for grabs in European tour finale
The 2026 golf season on the European tour reaches its climax this week with a traditional trip to the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai for the World Tour Championship. Up for grabs is a $3 million check for winning the year-end tournament, the season-long Race to Dubai title, and a career-changing ticket to the PGA Tour for 10 players. Most excitement surrounds the fight to be crowned the year’s No. 1 player on the European tour and it looks to be between Rory McIlroy, Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed. McIlroy is bidding to win the season-long prize for a record-tying eighth time.
Sam Abbott switches from pro baseball to college water polo with Long Beach State
Sam Abbott was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and played professional baseball in Canada, Nicaragua, Australia, the Dominican Republic and United Arab Emirates before he started playing college water polo. It was a long and winding road to The Beach. Abbott is a 27-year-old center defender on the men’s water polo team at Long Beach State, reuniting with his former coach in the U.S. development program, Gavin Arroyo. Even Abbott isn’t quite sure what to make of the experience of being a freshman in college at his age. Abbott says he thinks his experience in professional baseball is valuable to his new Long Beach State teammates.