Sports

Manager Terry Francona expressed enthusiasm after the Reds signed All-Star infielder Eugenio Suárez and called owner Bob Castellini to share his appreciation. Francona also confirmed TJ Friedl is slated to hit leadoff, Elly De La Cruz will hit third, pitchers and catchers report today, and the first full squad workout is scheduled for February 16.

Sam Darnold completed 19 of 38 passes and helped the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 in the Super Bowl while playing through a left oblique strain.

Born at 23 weeks and given a 1 percent chance to survive, Derick Hall had two sacks and forced a key turnover as the Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl 2026.

The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LX, a game marked by a dominant Seahawks defense that recorded six sacks and three turnovers.

Kenneth Walker III described winning the Super Bowl MVP as 'surreal' after rushing for a game-high 135 yards in Seattle's victory over New England; he overcame a high school diagnosis of blood clots in his lungs and will test free agency after this season.

Vanderbilt lost to Oklahoma while Frankie Collins and Duke Miles were absent; Collins suffered a meniscus injury seven weeks ago, was reportedly medically cleared about a week ago, but remains in rehab with no clear timetable.

Jayson Tatum has begun 5-on-5 work with Celtics coaches while rehabbing a torn right Achilles, and Celtics GM Brad Stevens said Tatum has met many rehabilitation thresholds but still has more progress before a return.

Chauncey Wiggins scored 22 points as Florida State beat Notre Dame 82-79, and the Seminoles held off a late Notre Dame rally after leading 41-32 at halftime.

Deion Sanders told ESPN that Fred Taylor should be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and criticized the Hall's voting process; Taylor was a finalist last year but not this season.

Scoot Henderson returned after a four-month hamstring absence and posted 11 points and nine assists in Portland's 135-115 win; he has attended pregame chapel sessions frequently and says his faith helped him find calm.

At Super Bowl weekend in San Francisco, reports say Maxx Crosby is interested in a change of scenery and the Cleveland Browns' recent hire of Todd Monken led defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to resign.

Coach Doc Rivers said Friday the Bucks do not plan to shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the season, but the two-time MVP's return from a right calf strain remains uncertain.

Alabama coach Nate Oats said forward Bol Bowen practiced and is expected to play Saturday; guard LaBaron Philon has a thigh bruise and missed practice, and several other players remain sidelined with medical issues.

Mack Hollins, a 32-year-old Patriots receiver, has played for five teams in five years and says he chose where he went; teammates and coaches praise his leadership, versatility and unselfish play.

Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney was named the inaugural Protector of the Year at the 2026 NFL Honors. The article reports he played 17 games in 2025 without allowing a sack and helped reduce Caleb Williams' sacks from 68 to 24.

A three-person arbitration panel awarded Tarik Skubal a record $32 million, and the Tigers added left-hander Framber Valdez on a three-year deal; the team and Skubal appear to have resolved a tense offseason as they head into spring training.

Craig Patrick, 79, suffered a severe stroke in late December and has been in a Pittsburgh hospital; the Penguins say he is expected to return home next week to begin therapy and rehabilitation.

Nick Emmanwori suffered a low ankle sprain during Wednesday practice, and head coach Mike Macdonald said he is expected to play Sunday in Super Bowl 2026.

Minnesota upset No. 10 Michigan State to snap a seven-game losing streak, and coach Niko Medved credited his players' character and the program's process. The win is the third victory over a ranked Big Ten team this season under Medved.

Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin spent part of the offseason in Mississippi and gifted sunglasses to his former high school teammates; he heads into his second professional season after a standout minor league year.

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is a finalist for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame after an eight-season, 125-game career, and he described election as "the last checkmark" of his playing days.

Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp hosted private throwing sessions in Los Angeles last summer that teammates say improved timing and built trust.

Seattle's defense, led schematically by coordinator Mike Macdonald, allowed a league-low 17.2 points per game in 2025 and helped the team reach Super Bowl LX; key contributors include Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Donovan Mitchell and new teammate James Harden spoke about roles and a shared goal of winning a championship; Cleveland coaches and players praised Harden’s passing while noting the backcourt will need time to adjust.

Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury at Seahawks practice Wednesday and walked off under his own power; coach Mike Macdonald said the team examined the ankle and will decide how to proceed.

Zak Kuhr, who previously coached running backs at Rutgers and had limited coordinator experience on offense, took over calling defensive plays for the Patriots after defensive coordinator Terrell Williams stepped away to recover from prostate cancer.

Drake Maye returned as a full participant at Patriots practice Wednesday after a throwing-shoulder injury, while linebacker Robert Spillane did not practice because of an ankle issue.

At his first formal press conference since December, Pat Fitzgerald said spring practice will begin March 17 and highlighted the signing of four-star wide receiver Samson Gash.

Brayden DeVito signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the United States Air Force Academy, and more than 100 people attended a signing ceremony at Shelby High School.

Denny Hamlin said he reinjured his surgically repaired right shoulder and plans to race this season before having surgery in the offseason; his father died after a December house fire and his mother is recovering.