Super Bowl champion, Buccaneers great Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons: ‘God is amazing’


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Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Lavonte David announced his retirement on Tuesday at a press conference.

David, 36, spent 14 seasons with the Buccaneers and was the team’s longest-tenured player, including being a key member of their Super Bowl-winning team. He spent 12 seasons as a captain.

 “I just want to start off by saying, man, ‘God is amazing.’ 14 years of football, to come to this moment, I never thought I’d be in this situation. I never thought I’d be here,” David said.

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Super Bowl champion, Buccaneers great Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons: ‘God is amazing’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)

Since David entered the NFL in 2012, he leads the league in solo tackles (1,171) while having the second-most tackles for loss (177) in that span. He is one of three players to record 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways in his career. Pro Football Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher are the other two.

David said he played football for the “fun of it, for the love of it.” He called his career a journey.

“Every time I stepped on the field I wanted to prove myself right, and all my doubters wrong.”

David got emotional talking about his late parents and the sacrifices they made for him.

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FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) with his family before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Oct. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall, File)

FILE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) with his family before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Oct. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall, File)

“Growing up where I grew up, it ain’t easy. It ain’t easy but they found a way for me and you don’t understand that until you get older and until you have kids of your own, the sacrifices they made for you. The things they did for you,” a tearful David said.

“It’s just, thinking about my dad, the sacrifices he made. He was never the breadwinner in our family, but for some reason he and my mom made it work and their relationship lasted for so long. And when you saw how they was compatible with each other and how they made our lives easier. We had one car, my mom took the car to work and my dad used to take me to practice on his handlebars on a bike. We used to walk sometimes, and as a kid you’d be like, ‘Dang man, that walk was a far walk.’ You realize it’s a sacrifice that you gotta make to help your sons, kids dreams come true. And they did it.”

When David’s mom passed away in 2016, he said he didn’t care about football anymore because he wanted to help her make her dreams come true after she made his dreams come true.

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Lavonte David holds Vince Lombardi Trophy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a celebration of the team’s Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

David’s father passed away shortly after the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2021.

David tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks’ franchise tackle record of 1,714 in his final regular-season game. He has played the third-most games in Buccaneers history behind Brooks (224) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Rondé Barber (241).

The Buccaneers selected David with their second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Nebraska. He made the Pro Bowl once in his career, was named a first-team All-Pro once and a second-team All-Pro twice.

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Trump admin says SJSU now faces ‘impending enforcement’ for transgender volleyball scandal conflict


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FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump’s Department of Education said it has notified San Jose State University (SJSU) that it faces “impending enforcement action” for its “refusal to comply with Title IX.” 

SJSU and the California State University (CSU) system filed a lawsuit earlier in March to challenge an Education Department investigation that determined the university violated Title IX in its handling of a biological male transgender volleyball player on a women’s team from 2022-24. 

Now, the administration is cracking down against that resistance. 

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“We have provided SJSU with multiple opportunities to resolve its Title IX violations with common sense actions: separating male and female athletes based on their biological sex, keeping men out of women’s locker rooms and bathrooms, restoring rightfully-earned titles and accolades to female athletes, and apologizing to the women forced to forfeit competitions to protect themselves,” Kimberly Richey, the department’s assistant secretary for civil rights, said in an announcement. 

“Yet, SJSU remains obstinate, choosing a radical ideology over safety, dignity, and fairness for its own students. With today’s action, the Department is putting the university on notice: comply with the law or risk losing its federal funding.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to SJSU and CSU for a response.

Trump admin says SJSU now faces ‘impending enforcement’ for transgender volleyball scandal conflict

Brooke Slusser and Blaire Fleming of the San Jose State Spartans call a play against the Air Force Falcons on Oct. 19, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

The conflict between Trump’s administration and the school stems back to the 2024 season, when a national controversy involving transgender player Blaire Fleming triggered an election-cycle media firestorm, all during Trump’s third White House campaign. 

The Education Department’s investigation has claimed, “SJSU actively recruited and allowed a male to compete on the women’s indoor and beach volleyball teams and reportedly instructed members of the coaching staff not to tell the female players that the athlete was a male.” 

The investigation added that “on multiple occasions, the male athlete spiked the ball so forcefully that it knocked females on the opposing team to the ground.” 

One of the standout details of the investigation’s findings was that a female SJSU player “discovered that the male student had conspired to have a member of the opposing team spike her in the face during an upcoming match. SJSU did not investigate the conspiracy, but later subjected this female athlete to a Title IX complaint for reportedly ‘misgendering’ the male athlete when discussing this incident in online videos and interviews.” 

Former SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser has included those allegations in her ongoing lawsuit against representatives of SJSU and CSU. 

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After SJSU and CSU announced they were suing the Trump administration to challenge the findings, Slusser, and other former NCAA players, came forward about their alleged experience during the scandal, and how it affected them, in recent interviews with Fox News Digital. 

Slusser, who shared an apartment with Fleming at SJSU without knowing the athlete’s birth sex, became the subject of viral debate after her interview reflecting on the experience sharing spaces with Fleming. 

“You find out you’re just chilling in a bed with a man that you have no idea about… I [was] unknowingly sharing a bed at that time with a man,” Slusser said, also alleging SJSU volleyball coach Todd Kress encouraged her to live in the same apartment as the trans teammate when another group of players was also looking for a final tenant. 

Former Utah State volleyball star Kaylie Ray told Fox News Digital that during matches against SJSU and Fleming in 2022 and ’23, before Fleming’s birth sex was known, she had teammates suffer finger injuries from the trans athlete’s spikes. 

“I had teammates who had seriously jammed their fingers, luckily not broken, but a handful of girls who had sustained minor injuries from the male player,” Ray said, adding, “We knew that if the male athlete had a phenomenal game, there was nothing we could do to stop that person.” 

Ray’s Utah State team became one of five teams to forfeit at least one game to SJSU in 2024, seemingly in protest of Fleming. She says the forfeit impacted her team’s hopes of winning their fourth straight Mountain West championship. 

Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming forfeited two matches to SJSU in 2024. Former Cowgirls player Macey Boggs told Fox News Digital that the decisions to forfeit the games “permanently ruined” friendships among her teammates. 

“There were some of the girls who I really enjoyed, and we got along great, and then this situation came up, some conflict came up, and ultimately we went in separate directions because of that… as soon as we played in our last game, we all went in separate directions… it was hard to maintain those relationships,” Boggs said. 

SJSU was plagued by a separate Title IX violation in sports that it had to resolve with the Biden administration in 2021. The university ultimately came to a $1.6 million resolution with the Department of Justice in 2021. 

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The DOJ found that SJSU failed for more than a decade to respond adequately to reports of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, of female student-athletes by an athletic trainer then working at SJSU, beginning in 2009 when female student-athletes reported that the trainer subjected them to repeated, unwelcome sexual touching.

The department and SJSU entered into a comprehensive agreement to address the findings of the investigation, which began in June 2020 during Trump’s first term. 

Now, Trump’s current administration is giving the school 10 more days to comply with a series of resolution agreements to resolve the volleyball situation, or face enforcement action, including referral to the DOJ and termination of SJSU’s federal funding.

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Scottie Scheffler mysteriously withdraws from PGA event just 2 weeks before Masters


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Scottie Scheffler has proven he’s human over the last couple of weeks, but perhaps there may be a reason for it.

With a couple of tune-ups in Scheffler’s home state of Texas before heading to Augusta National in April, one of those is no longer on his schedule.

The PGA Tour announced Wednesday that Scheffler withdrew from the Texas Children’s Houston Open and was replaced by Matt Kuchar.

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Scottie Scheffler mysteriously withdraws from PGA event just 2 weeks before Masters

Scottie Scheffler reacts to his tee shot off the 16th hole during The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)

The reason was not given, but reading between the lines, Scheffler may be dealing with something — or perhaps he may just need a break before going for his third green jacket.

Scheffler finished T-22 at The Players earlier this month after finishing T-24 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He began the 2026 season with a victory at The American Express and followed up with typical results of T-3 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and T-4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He then finished T-12 at the Genesis Invitational.

Scottie Scheffler swing

Scottie Scheffler tees off on the sixth hole during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. (Aaron Doster-Imagn Images)

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For context, before this recent slump, Scheffler finished inside the top 10 in each of his previous 19 tournaments, and the last time he finished outside the top 20 in back-to-back events was in July and August 2023.

At the very least, there is cause for concern for Scheffler to miss a tournament he’s had plenty of success with — he’s finished T-2 in three of the last four Children’s Opens.

Scheffler won the Masters for the first time in 2022, officially putting himself on the map. Two years later, he took the green jacket back from Jon Rahm, proving himself as the game’s best after being named the PGA Tour Player of the Year in each of the two years prior.

Scheffler’s last chance for a Masters warm-up will be next week at the Valero Texas Open.

Scottie on green

Scottie Scheffler reacts after a putt during the second round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. (John David Mercer-USA Today Sports)

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Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy had to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational but returned for The Players the following week.

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Boxer Isis Sio out of medically induced coma 2 days after match knockout – National | Globalnews.ca


Boxer Isis Sio is awake and breathing on her own after initially being placed in a medically induced coma following a knockout loss over the weekend, according to the promoter and family of the 19-year-old boxer.

Boxer Isis Sio out of medically induced coma 2 days after match knockout – National | Globalnews.ca

Sio is still in intensive care, but she is no longer on a ventilator, ProBox TV announced in a news release on Monday.

“Isis remains in ICU, but she is off the ventilator and we are hopeful for her progression,” Sio’s camp added in a statement to The Associated Press.

“We are awaiting further updates from her medical team. She is currently under the care of three specialized medical divisions who are closely monitoring her condition.”


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Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson in 8-round boxing match: ‘Such an honour’


Sio suffered injuries following her loss against Jocelyn Camarillo, 21, just 78 seconds into the first round of their fight at San Bernardino, Calif.’s National Orange Show Event Center on Saturday.

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The 19-year-old boxer, who was born in North Dakota, has lost three of her four professional bouts since her debut last September.

ProBox TV issued a statement on Sunday, saying that Sio was in a medically induced coma.

“On behalf of CEO Garry Jones and the entire ProBox family we are praying for a speedy recovery for Isis Sio. Ms. Sio is currently in a medically induced coma. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this very difficult time,” ProBox TV wrote. “Please join us in wishing for a full recovery.”

Following the match and news of Sio’s injury, Camarillo, who fights for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), posted a statement to Instagram, writing, “Came prepared, gave it my all. Grateful for the moment but my heart is with Isis and keeping her in my prayers and wishing her a full recovery.”

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Most Valuable Promotions also took to X on Monday to wish Sio “strength, healing, and a full recovery.”


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Camarillo went on to share a lengthy statement on Instagram Monday, writing that Sio “has been on my mind.”

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“I’m truly relieved that she’s okay. I would never want anything bad to happen to anyone I share the ring with. This sport is dangerous, and we all step in there knowing what’s at risk,” Camarillo wrote.

Camarillo, who marked her first knockout win in her fight against Sio, said she was “overwhelmed with emotion” following the win.

“I was proud, excited, and honestly just reacting. It was never from a place of disrespect or lack of sportsmanship. As soon as it registered what was happening, my energy shifted. I took a knee and my concern was with her. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a malicious person,” she added.

“I’m still learning and growing, not just as a fighter but as a person navigating moments like this in the public eye. Much respect to Isis Sio.”


A screenshot of Jocelyn Camarillo’s Instagram stories.

@J.Camarillo7 / Instagram

Sio was also stopped by Perla Bazaldua on Jan. 26 in Long Beach, Calif., leading to widespread online speculation about why Sio was allowed to fight again so quickly.

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Sio’s camp responded to that speculation Monday by clarifying that Bazaldua stopped Sio with a body shot, rather than a head shot. Sio had already served the 45-day medical suspension necessitated by that type of stoppage loss and was medically cleared to return to competition, Sio’s camp claimed.

“Her decision to compete on Saturday, March 21, against Jocelyn Camarillo was not made lightly, but rather thoughtfully reviewed and analyzed prior to acceptance,” promoters said.

— with files from The Associated Press

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.




Charles Barkley delivers stern message to parents who don’t ‘whoop’ their kids: ‘Believe in discipline’


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Charles Barkley still believes in an old-school parenting style, and he does not care what anyone thinks.

The basketball Hall of Famer, who is in his annual role as a March Madness analyst, hopped on “The Dan Patrick Show,” where the two discussed the tournament and even Barkley’s co-worker Kenny Smith potentially being interested in the UNC job.

However, that conversation got Barkley a bit fired up about the state of athletes as a whole and how he believes they’re uncoachable.

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Charles Barkley delivers stern message to parents who don’t ‘whoop’ their kids: ‘Believe in discipline’

Phoenix Suns former player Charles Barkley in attendance against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

“You can’t even yell at them anymore,” Barkley said of today’s players.

But it quickly pivoted to a parenting discussion.

“People talking about you can’t yell at your kids. Yes, hell you can yell at your kids,” Barkley said. “You’ll whoop their a– too… That’s why these kids are crazy.”

Of course, Barkley, who said he “believe(s) in discipline,” obviously supports limitations on said whooping.

NBA All Star Charles Barkley

Basketball player Charles Barkley speaks on stage as Fall Out Boy takes the stage at the American Express All-Star Live at Hammerstein Ballroom, broadcast live on TNT to tip-off NBA All-Star 2015 on Feb. 12, 2015, in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for American Express)

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“I’m not going around telling people to beat their kids, but I think if you don’t spank your kids and discipline them, they turn into some of these brats that we got today,” Barkley said. “I’m not here for child abuse, but how are kids gonna know they’re doing something wrong? First of all, you can’t rationalize with kids, they’re dumber than rocks. They don’t know they’re doing stuff wrong, but when you spank them, that gets the message across because they don’t want that.”

He then left a stern message for those who disagree with him.

“You can blast me on social media. You guys know I don’t do social media. I don’t ever read any comments. I don’t care what you think. Y’all can kiss my big Black a–,” he said.

Charles Barkley looks on

College basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four championship game. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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“I’m gonna say what I gotta say. Some of y’all gonna like it and some of y’all not. And y’all will get over it.”

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Olympians condemn IOC for statement on Iran’s execution of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi


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Seven Olympians from multiple countries, including three gold medalists, have condemned the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its response to the execution of Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi. 

After Mohammadi was reportedly hanged in public last week, the IOC released a statement that said, “It is very difficult to comment on situations of individuals during a conflict or unrest in a country without the IOC being able to verify the often contradicting information…

“The IOC, as a civil, non-governmental organization, has neither the remit nor the ability to change the laws or political system of a sovereign country.”

Now, the seven Olympians are sharing their objections to the IOC not condemning Iran for the execution. 

The IOC told Fox News Digital it stood by its original statement.  

Nancy Hogshead, three-time US Olympic gold medal swimmer

Olympians condemn IOC for statement on Iran’s execution of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi

Nancy Hogshead attends an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title IX on June 21, 2012, in Washington, D.C. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for WICT)

“I’m flabbergasted that the IOC could not denounce the murder of a teenage wrestler in Iran. The governing organizations of the Olympics are non-political, but denouncing the murder of an athlete for political purposes is not political… it is just doing the right thing,” Hogshead told Fox News Digital. 

“Olympians deserve better. The IOC can and should stand against the execution of athletes by violent regimes for political purposes.”

Tyler Clary, US gold medal swimmer at London 2012

Tyler Clary

Tyler Clary celebrates winning gold in the men’s 200m backstroke final at the Olympic Games on Aug. 2, 2012, in London. (Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images)

“The IOC’s statement reads like corporate damage control, not moral leadership,” Clary told Fox News Digital. 

“Hiding behind neutrality and bureaucracy isn’t leadership, it’s avoidance. The IOC says it doesn’t have the authority to influence sovereign nations, but it has never hesitated to take strong positions when it suits its interests. To suddenly claim impartiality when an athlete is killed shows a lack of backbone and a failure to stand up for the very people who make the Olympic movement possible.”

Maciej Czyzowicz, Poland Olympic gold medal pentathlete at Barcelona 1992

Maciej Czyzowicz

Poland Pentathalon gold medalist Maciej Czyzowicz (Courtesy of Maciej Czyzowicz)

“The International Olympic Committee’s lack of action and resolve is outrageous. Iran should be banned from the Olympic Games for its behavior, unless the regime is overthrown and a new leadership comes to power,” Czyzowicz told Fox News Digital. 

“If the IOC is unable to stand up for the life of an innocent teenage athlete, it has completely lost all moral credibility. With this statement they showed that they don’t care if any of Olympic movement countries break human and civil rights.”

Keith Sanderson, US Olympic shooter, four-time Olympian

Keith Sanderson

Keith Sanderson during the Olympic Games at The Royal Artillery Barracks on Aug. 3, 2012, in London. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

“This is sort of par for the course with the IOC. They enrich themselves at the expense of athletes and cannot even stand up and say that any regime, including Iran, murdering a teenage athlete is categorically wrong,” Sanderson told Fox News Digital. 

“The IOC has been known to be corrupt for years, but this is beyond the pale. If the IOC wants to show any shred of morality or credibility, they should denounce this murder and impose sanctions on Iran until their leadership changes or they apologize for this brutal execution.”

Ruben Gonzalez, Argentina Olympic luge athlete, four-time Olympian

Ruben Gonzalez

Ruben Gonzalez of Argentina finishes the final run of the men’s luge singles at the Winter Olympics on Feb. 14, 2010, in Whistler, Canada. (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

“The IOC’s refusal to speak out against Iran for killing the teenage wrestler is shameful. But that’s how they’ve always been. All they care is about themselves,” Gonzalez told Fox News Digital. “As far as the IOC’s concerned, the athletes are simply pawns that allow them to profit. Time and again, it has put its own interests ahead of the athletes it claims to represent. If the IOC has any integrity left, it should publicly condemn the act and take decisive action against Iran.”

Katie Uhlaender, US skeleton athlete, five-time Olympian

Katie Uhlaender poses for a photo in September 2017

Katie Uhlaender poses for a photo during the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team media summit on Sept. 25, 2017. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports)

“The IOC’s claim that they are just a ‘civil organization’ is a convenient excuse for inaction. They used it to dodge accountability for the Russian state-sponsored doping crisis, and they are using it now regarding the safety of Iranian athletes. Whether it’s doping in China, competition manipulation in Canada, or the stolen moments of U.S. skaters in 2022, the pattern is the same: the IOC cannot or will not protect the people who make the Games possible,” Uhlaender told Fox News Digital. 

“If the IOC insists that athlete protection is a state responsibility, then the United States has an opportunity to lead by example as it heads into LA 2028. It’s time to stop waiting and start setting the standard for athlete safety and integrity ourselves.”

Eli Bremer, US modern pentathlete at Beijing 2008

Eli Bremer

Eli Bremer celebrates at the Olympic Games on Aug. 21, 2008, in Beijing, China. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)

“I’ve believed IOC has been morally bankrupt for years and thus not had particularly high expectations for them. That said, I assumed the murder of a teenage athlete by his own country would be something even the IOC could figure out and denounce,” Bremer told Fox News Digital. 

“The fact that they cannot come out and say that Iran’s murder of this teenager who had become a national icon is wrong simply confirms how completely out of touch this organization is. I believe sports organizations generally should stay out of politics. But they can and should stand on basic humanity and say that murdering athletes is wrong. The fact that the IOC cannot do this speaks volumes about them.”

Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston, Iranian-born Team USA Olympic women’s wrestling coach at Rio 2016

“As an Iranian-born world-class athlete, coach, and trailblazer for women in wrestling, I am profoundly disappointed by the International Olympic Committee’s recent statement regarding the execution of 19-year-old young wrestler, Saleh Mohammadi,” Johnston told Fox News Digital.

“By framing its role as a ‘non-governmental organization’ without the remit to influence national affairs, the IOC is stepping away from the very principles of the Olympic charter. The charter aims to promote a ‘peaceful society, concerned with the preservation of human dignity,’ yet when a young champion is barbarically and publicly hanged by a state-sanctioned execution, ‘quiet diplomacy’ feels painfully inadequate. 

“Political neutrality should not result in passivity when athletes face terrorist state-sanctioned brutality. Such a ‘safe’ response sends a troubling message to athletes in Iran and elsewhere; that the life and safety of the athlete is secondary to organizational protocol.

“We don’t need the IOC to change a country‘s laws, we need them to stand up and use their immense platform to support and help protect athletes.”

What happened to Saleh Mohammadi?

Mohammadi was killed in a public hanging Thursday, according to Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents. 

Iran International reported that Iran’s regime hanged Mohammadi and two additional Iranian men, Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi, “after being accused of killing two police officers during nationwide protests earlier this year,” the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency reported.

Mohammadi previously told Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting that his dream was to be an Olympic champion. 

Mohammadi won a bronze medal in September 2024 for Iran’s national freestyle wrestling at the Saytiyev International Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Fox News Digital’s Benjamin Weinthal contributed to this report. 

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Broadcast industry CEO says consolidation is ‘essential’ to compete for NFL soaring media rights prices


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The evolution of live sports programming has become a battleground between traditional broadcast companies and streaming platforms, vying for the right to air the best games possible year after year. 

The NFL is the cream of the crop, generating roughly $10 billion per year on its current media rights deal. And the league is likely to renegotiate that deal by the end of this year, with reports indicating that they want it done before kickoff in Week 1 of the 2026 season in September. 

With additional media partners potentially entering the fold in this new deal, where do the incumbents like FOX, CBS and NBC lie in the pie chart that is the NFL schedule?

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Broadcast industry CEO says consolidation is ‘essential’ to compete for NFL soaring media rights prices

The Fox broadcast team, from left to right, Tom Brady, Tom Rinaldi, Kevin Burkhardt, Erin Andrews, and Dean Blandino pose for photo prior to an NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys at Solider Field on Sept. 21, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Curtis LeGeyt, the CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, which lobbies federal agencies and lawmakers alike on behalf of the broadcast industry, spoke with John Ourand on “The Varsity” podcast, where he suggested the broadcast industry must consolidate if it wants to continue competing with streaming platforms for live sports rights. 

EX-NFL STAR SHAWNE MERRIMAN ADVOCATING FOR PLAYERS TO GET PAID MORE WHEN TV RIGHTS DEALS EXPLODE

“I think, for better or worse, (consolidation) is an essential thing right now,” he explained. “And I’m looking at this purely through the lens of broadcast. If we’re going to compete for those NFL sports rights, if we’re going to compete locally to ensure that teams feel like they have a local distribution option that is freely available through local broadcasts as opposed to the cable regional sports networks or even streaming, broadcasters need some scale in order to complete for that. The only way to gain that scale is through some level of consolidation.”

We’re already seeing key mergers across broadcast television, including Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is awaiting approval that will likely go through. Also, the NFL and ESPN reached a landmark deal where the sports giant acquired NFL Network, NFL RedZone and NFL Fantasy. In exchange, the league received a 10% equity stake in ESPN, which was valued at around $3 billion. 

FOX Sports cameraman

A close-up view of a person operating a broadcast camera with a cover with the FOX Sports logo during the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 16, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)

Merging these broadcasters together can help compete against the likes of Amazon, Netflix, and perhaps others will join the fray if and when negotiations ensue for a new media rights deal. With JC Tretter elected as the NFL Players’ Association’s new executive director, those negotiations could be coming sooner than later. 

Now, where does the NFL fan come into play here? The price of simply watching the NFL schedule is quite expensive, with fans having to pay at least $575 to watch every game if they wished in 2025. The need for ESPN, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and NFL+ subscriptions, among others, only points upward as media rights prices for the league continues to grow. 

Fans would like it if they could access their favorite sports if its free-to-air broadcasts doing so. 

Amazon Prime Video NFL team

A general view of the Amazon “Thursday Night Football” broadcast set with Charissa Thompson, Tony Gonzalez, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman during the TNF on Prime halftime show during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 2, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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The FCC said last month it would seek public comment about the ongoing shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services, which includes the other major sports leagues in the country like the NBA, MLB and more.

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Rangers pitcher learns he made opening day roster during game


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Usually, if a manager is coming out to visit a pitcher in the middle of his outing, it’s to deliver some kind of bad news.

Fortunately, for Carter Baumler on Monday night, Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker had something worth talking about.

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Rangers pitcher learns he made opening day roster during game

Pitcher Carter Baumler #68 of the Texas Rangers throws during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Brazil at Surprise Stadium on March 4, 2026, in Surprise, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Baumler came into the Rangers’ exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals in relief of MacKenzie Gore in the fifth inning. He didn’t allow a run and struck out one batter. But Schumaker made his appearance on the mound even after Baumler didn’t meet the three-batter requirement before he would be allowed to be removed from the game.

Schumaker gathered the infield around him and told him he had made the major league roster to start the season. Baumler was beaming as the huddle broke.

“Somebody said, ‘I wish I got a picture of you when you turned around and saw him,’” he said after the game, via MLB.com. “Most of the time you see the manager come out, (it’s) like, ‘OK, you’re out of the game.’

WORLD SERIES CHAMP RECALLS TERRIFYING NEAR-DROWNING INCIDENT IN MINNESOTA

Skip Schumaker in spring training

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) checks his lineup card during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium on Feb. 20, 2026. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)

“I turned around, I saw him, I was just caught off guard and didn’t know what was going to happen. And then he told me that, and it was just a really cool moment. I’m definitely not going to forget that.”

Baumler said he thought he was going to be taken out of the game. He had no idea Schumaker was going to tell him he made the team.

The Pittsburgh Pirates initially picked Baumler in the Rule 5 Draft before the Rangers traded for him in the offseason. Because he was a Rule 5 selection, it meant the Rangers would have had to keep him on the roster for the entire season if they chose to put him on the opening day roster.

Once the decision was finalized, Schumaker was able to deliver the good news.

Carter Baumler portrait

Texas Rangers pitcher Carter Baumler during media day at Surprise Sports Complex on Feb. 17, 2026. (Arianna Grainey/Imagn Images)

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Baumler has yet to make his major league debut. The Baltimore Orioles originally drafted him in the fifth round in 2020. He spent time in Baltimore’s farm system before he moved around teams following the 2025 season.

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John Daly calls himself a ‘jacka–‘ after falling down desert hill during tournament


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Golf great John Daly shared a hilarious moment that may have been more serious after watching a video he posted on social media, calling himself a “jacka–” in the process. 

Daly was in desert terrain at the La Paloma Country Club for the Cologuard Classic, when he was trying to hit a shot onto a green when he lost his footing.

As he tried to gain traction in the sand, Daly’s feet fell from under him, and he slid down a long desert hill. Multiple people got involved, voluntarily jumping down the hill to see if Daly was all right. 

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John Daly calls himself a ‘jacka–‘ after falling down desert hill during tournament

John Daly of the United States plays a tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Cologuard Classic 2026 at La Paloma Country Club on March 21, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Daly left unscathed, but he did enjoy putting the theme music to the “Jackass” franchise over the video to share to the masses. 

“Bellyfloppin’ in the desert,” Daly captioned the video, while shouting out his caddie, Joel Cooley, who sprang to action to see if his partner was doing fine at the bottom of the hill. 

“On today’s episode of ‘jacka**’” was also seen on top of the video. 

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While he doesn’t usually show off his bellyflopping, Daly remains a key figure in golf.

John Daly hits golf shot

John Daly of the United States plays his second shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Cologuard Classic 2026 at La Paloma Country Club on March 20, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

He spends most of his time on the course for the Champions Tour, which is former PGA Tour players 50 years and older. His most recent round came on Sunday, where he finished tied for 29th with a 6-under tournament in the Cologuard Classic. 

Daly was just named the 2026 Ambassador of Golf Award honoree ahead of the Kaulig Companies Championship at the signature Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. The award recognizes those making an impact on the course as well as in their communities off the course. 

“I’ve always loved this game and what it’s given me,” he said in a press release for the award. “Golf has taken me places I never imagined and introduced me to incredible people along the way. To be recognized with the Ambassador of Golf Award is truly an honor, and I’m proud to support the meaningful work being done here in Northeast Ohio.”

John Daly swings

John Daly hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the PNC Championship 2025 at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Dec. 21, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Daly’s impact on the sport is quite iconic, whether it’s his monstrous drives from the tee box, winning the 1991 PGA Championship as the ninth alternate in the field, or taking home The Open Championship in 1995 at St. Andrews, forever marking himself as a multi-time major winner. 

His larger-than-life personality has always been on display, even today in silly moments like these on and off the course. 

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Former Yale hockey coach alleges ‘toxic environment’ under athletic director Victoria Chun, letter shows


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EXCLUSIVE: A letter signed by former longtime Yale ice hockey coach Keith Allain, addressed to Yale President Maurine McInnis, alleged that current Yale Athletic Director Victoria Chun has created a “toxic environment” for the university’s sports teams. 

In the letter, Allain claimed other Yale coaches urged him to speak out against Chun to McInnis after his retirement. 

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Former Yale hockey coach alleges ‘toxic environment’ under athletic director Victoria Chun, letter shows

Yale Coach Keith Allain on bench during game vs Cornell at Boardwalk Hall. Atlantic City, NJ 3/19/2011 (Lou Capozzola /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)

“My name is Keith Allain, I have just retired after 19 years as Mens Hockey Coach and I am writing to you at the urging of several head coaches in our Athletic Department. They told me that you were soliciting feedback from a few coaches regarding extending the contract of our athletic director, and are concerned, that with the culture of fear that permeates the athletic department, you will not receive candid feedback,” the letter began. 

Allain went on to call Chun the “worst leader” he has ever been around and alleges she has prioritized “silencing any dissent.”

“As a Yale alum and someone who has a great affection for our University and the role of athletics within the greater Yale community I felt compelled write you as my former colleagues asked. Vicky Chun is the absolute worst leader I have ever been around in my life. She is dishonest, self centered and inaccessible. Vicky’s singular talent is self promotion and has created a toxic environment within the department where she is insulated by a cadre of administrators whose main task seems to be silencing any dissent,” the letter continued. 

UNIVERSITY LEADER ADMITS SCHOOLS ARE ‘NOT A POLITICAL PARTY’ IN WARNING TO ELITE CAMPUSES

Keith Allain

Coach Keith Allain of the Yale Bulldogs stands behind the bench during a game against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA hockey at Agganis Arena on December 13, 2016, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Terriers won 5-2.  (Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

“I know this assessment seems harsh and I am willing to provide detail if you were interested in learning more about my experience and how Vicky’s lack of leadership affect my program. As a point of reference, our teams record before Vicky was 220 wins-144 losses-39 ties, with Vicky 62 wins-110 losses-15 ties. Responsibility for that record is mine, but we all know organizational leadership or lack of it has an impact.”

A source provided the letter to Fox News Digital. Allain later confirmed to Fox News Digital that he wrote the letter and sent it to McInnis in October, shortly after he retired after 19 years leading Yale hockey. Allain declined further comment. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Yale president’s office and athletic department for a response.

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Keith Allain

Head coach Keith Allain of USA during practice before the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship Group A game between USA and Finland on December 26, 2010 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.  (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Allain, who played ice hockey at Yale from 1976-80, took over as head coach in 2006, leading the program to the NCAA championship in 2013 and seven Ivy League championships during his tenure. He finished his tenure with a record of 282–254–54. 

Chun, a former volleyball player and later head coach for Colgate University, took over as Yale Athletic Director in 2018 after serving in the same position at Colgate from 2012-18.

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