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Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
French Open: Tennis players wonder if nasal strips aren't just for snoring anymore
PARIS (AP) — If more tennis players find themselves breathing easier, it might just be thanks to Carlos Alcaraz. The four-time Grand Slam champion, whose bid for a second consecutive French Open title was scheduled to continue with a third-round match Friday night, has often worn a nasal strip in matches since last season — although not during his first two contests at Roland-Garros this week — and the sport's other athletes took note. After all, if Alcaraz finds something useful on the court, their thinking goes, maybe it makes sense to give the adhesive bands a shot. 'I saw Carlos playing in it,' said 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva, a semifinalist in Paris last year and the No. 6 women's seed this time. 'I'd be pretty interested to try and see if there is really a difference. If he plays matches in it, then probably there is.' At the 2024 season-ending ATP Finals last November, Alcaraz said: 'It is something that I'm going to wear more often. I could recover better between points.' Once associated with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, the bands, which essentially look like a Band-Aid worn across the bridge of the nose, are popping up on tennis courts — sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of curiosity. They are designed to open the nostrils slightly, making it easier to breathe through the nose. Originally marketed to reduce snoring, they're being embraced to enhance air intake during physical exertion. The idea is simple: Better breathing could mean better oxygen intake. In practice, the science is less convincing. In 2021, Brazilian academic Ricardo Dinardi reviewed more than 600 studies on nasal strips and found they didn't make a real difference in how much air athletes took in, their heart rate or how strenuous exercise felt. 'The effect on athletic performance is mostly placebo,' Dinardi said. 'But in elite sports, even perceived benefits can count.' Three-time major finalist Casper Ruud, who wore the strips in matches earlier this year, knows the evidence is shaky. But he still liked using them — both on the court and while sleeping. Like Alcaraz, Ruud did not wear one in Paris before his second-round exit. But he has been testing a prototype of a different version. 'I tried out a device that's very early in development. It will be a bit more comfortable to wear, because it's inside the nose and it looks like I have this bullring under,' said Ruud, who was the runner-up at Roland-Garros to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Novak Djokovic in 2023. 'It will return, don't worry.' For other players, like Nicolás Jarry, the strips are more than a trend — they're a necessity. After nasal surgery in 2020, the Chilean still needed help to draw air into his nose, so he puts them on for every practice and every match he plays. 'Without it, I cannot breathe. My nostrils shut when I try,' he said, inhaling to demonstrate for a reporter. 'Others don't have that issue and still use them.' Jarry definitely has noticed a recent spike in interest among players. He said that even though he's worn the strips for years, including at this French Open, other competitors on tour never asked about them — until Alcaraz started wearing one last year, sometimes in black, sometimes in pink. 'Others have asked me, and many are trying it,' said Jarry, who sported a beige-colored strip in Paris. 'But before him? Nothing.' There are those, like 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula, who are tempted to try. 'I have a horrible deviated septum. I can't really breathe out of one side of my nose,' said Pegula, who will play 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third round Saturday. 'Maybe I should start wearing one.' She admits, though, that the aesthetic aspect might be a deal-breaker. 'I don't know,' Pegula said with a smile, 'if I have the confidence to rock one.' ___ AP Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich contributed. ___ AP tennis:
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Star
Shedeur Sanders' astonishing earnings, $400K Rolls Royce, retirement decision
Shedeur Sanders was once the highest-earning college football player , and he is now stepping into the NFL Draft as a highly-promising quarterback prospect. The 23-year-old has had a stellar career with the Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes, recording 14,327 passing yards and 134 touchdowns from the backfield. Notably, Sanders's rushing performance was also impressive, especially in his final year, where he scored 17 touchdowns from just 29 rushing yards throughout his career. With a trophy cabinet boasting the Jerry Rice award, the Deacon Jones Trophy, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, Sanders is poised for a bright future in the NFL . There's been much speculation about whether the projected top-five QB would follow in the footsteps of his father, former NFL star Deion Sanders. Deion, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has played for teams including the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens. Interestingly, Deion also served as Shedeur's head coach at the Buffaloes and trained Shedeur and his safety-playing brother Shilo at collegiate level. Given the family's deep roots in the NFL, it's no surprise that the young quarterback has earned accolades and financial rewards from his time in the sport. Here's a look at some of the major stories surrounding Shedeur Sanders, including his jaw-dropping college football earnings, controversy over his retirement choice, and how the quarterback spends his money when he's off the field. Shedeur Sanders' impressive college earnings Shedeur Sanders has made millions from his college football career (Image: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Clocking up four college football seasons has netted Sanders a hefty sum through NIL deals and brand endorsements. TalkSPORT reported that he was the first to ink a NIL deal with Nike, allowing him to earn money whenever the brand uses his name, image, and likeness. Sanders didn't just stop with Nike; he's also secured deals with luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, sporting goods giants Under Armour, tech behemoth Google, music moguls Beats by Dre, and hydration heavyweight Gatorade, amassing an fortune of $6.1million. During his college career, Sanders outearned peers, including teammate Travis Hunter and NFL hopeful Cam Ward. However, Texas Longhorns' Arch Manning, nephew to NFL legends Peyton and Eli, now claims the title of wealthiest student-athlete at $6.5m. But Sanders is poised to pocket even more when he joins the pro league in 2025. However, with such financial success comes certain drawbacks. Sanders likes to show off his earnings (Image: @shedeursanders/Instagram) Sanders revealed the downsides of affluence on former NFL star Robert Griffin III's podcast, Outta Pocket, as he said: "I definitely love NIL, but there's pros and cons to it though. You got to don't feel like you made it already. "When you able to get whatever you want any time in life, then there's like a lot of things don't really interest you no more. "So you got to really get down to the core, what makes you happy? Which is the making the music, the chilling, the having luxury things and doing that type of stuff what makes you happy and of course being with the family." He added: "Tax is not good." Shedeur's $400,000 Rolls-Royce and $100K gift to brother Sanders has spent some serious money on a few flashy supercars, including dropping $400,000 on a Rolls-Royce, which caused him some drama back in college. In a report from Marca in September last year, a video showed Sanders' Rolls-Royce clamped with a parking boot while at college, a likely sign that he parked it where campus authorities weren't happy with. That wasn't the only show of his deep pockets, though. The quarterback also snapped up a Tesla Cyberbeast truck that he gave to his brother Shilo. This prized possession, worth around $100,000, was displayed on Shilo's Instagram in a custom black-and-gold wrap, clearly a nod to their Colorado roots. It's not just his sibling who benefits from Shedeur's taste for the finer things; his social media pages are littered with pricey vehicles, including Lamborghinis, the renowned Rolls-Royce, and his very own blacked-out Tesla truck. Despite critics sending hate at Sanders beneath his posts for his luxurious lifestyle, the quarterback obviously feels happy showing off his iced-out chains and Mercedes-Benz as he gears up for the NFL. Colorado Buffaloes' jersey retirement decision sparks backlash The news of Sanders' jersey number retirement has sparked heated debate, with many questioning the decision to honor him and teammate Travis Hunter so soon after they departed from the team. Typically, such an honor is reserved for legendary athletes who have significantly contributed to their sport over a prolonged period. However, Shedeur's father and former head coach, Deion Sanders defended the decision, arguing that exceptional college football players shouldn't have to wait years for recognition. The Buffaloes duo were honored with a retirement ceremony (Image:for ONIT) Sanders Sr., also known as Coach Prime, made a poignant reference to the late Colorado coach Bill McCartney, who was diagnosed with late-onset dementia and passed away in January. The team waited 10 years before announcing plans to build a statue in McCartney's honor, and Deion made a point of how important timely recognition was. He said: "Why we wait? I give you your flowers now, I'm not going to wait 20 years down the street, then bring you back when you're limping, you can barely walk or some tragedy happens, to recognize your greatness and what you contributed to this program." Sanders Sr. 's comments highlight the debate surrounding the timing of honoring athletes' achievements and the importance of recognizing their contributions while they are still active. The coach continued: "I'm trying not to get in trouble with what I'm about to say, but why we wait, man? Why we wait? Wouldn't we have wanted [McCartney] to see, to be involved in it? To feel it? To feel the love, the respect the appreciation. Why we wait? ... He can't enjoy that right now. Sanders and Hunter's jersey numbers have now been retired (Image:for ONIT) "The same thing with Rashaan Salaam, right? How long did we wait? ... How many years after his death? So we gotta die to get recognized?" He added: "We're a now generation. You guys are now people, this is a now time, and those guys deserve what they deserve right now, so I'm proud of them."
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Meet the NFL Draft hopeful, horseback rider, who wants to be next great HBCU WR
As Joaquin Davis prepares for the NFL Draft, football and the potential achievements that come with the game are on his mind. By the end of this week, the standout wide receiver from North Carolina Central hopes to be the first HBCU player drafted since 2023 and the first HBCU receiver drafted since 2017. Advertisement If Davis finds a home with an NFL team, only then will he relax the best way he knows how. When he's not honing his craft on the football field, Davis might be found on a farm riding a horse. 'For the last couple of months, I haven't been able to (ride a horse), because I've been training so hard and just dedicated to what I'm doing now,' Davis said. 'But during the season, that was something that we just did: go out and have fun.' Horseback riding is the pastime for the player considered to be a potential late-round draft pick. Born and raised in Durham, N.C., Davis believes getting inner-city youth out to the country for outdoor activities can be a positive alternative to the lives they may be accustomed to in the city. As of late, however, Davis has been focused more on impressing NFL scouts than a calming trail ride. He caught the attention of many at the NFL's HBCU Draft Combine in February after running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and showing off a 40 1/2-inch vertical as a 6-foot-4, 194-pound athlete. A post shared by NCCU Athletics (@nccuathletics) No HBCU players were drafted last year, but Davis is hopeful to hear his name called this weekend. Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden was a seventh-round selection of the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL Draft. The last HBCU receiver to get drafted was Chad Williams, a Grambling State prospect selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2017 draft. Davis considers that added motivation, as he is well aware of the legacy of HBCU wide receivers who have had memorable careers in the NFL. Among the names are Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Charlie Joiner (Grambling State), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M), Harold Carmichael (Southern) and John Stallworth (Alabama A&M). But Rice, the youngest of the aforementioned at 62, was drafted No. 1 in the 1985 draft — and 40 years is a long time. Advertisement 'There hasn't been a receiver to come out of an HBCU in a while and really stick in the league,' Davis said. 'That's always something that's in the back of my mind, too. I want to be known as one of the greatest. Jerry Rice came from an HBCU, and he's one of the greatest receivers ever. Seeing him being able to do it, I know I can too.' Davis' combine results, his ability to play special teams and his size as a wide receiver all stand out to scouts. North Carolina Central's offense didn't force-feed Davis — he had a team-high 31 catches for 489 yards and four touchdowns on a 2024 squad that featured 15 players with receptions — but he'd already been on the radar of NFL teams. An All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) selection last season, Davis finished his career with 92 catches for 1,211 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also was a member the North Carolina Central team that won the 2022 Celebration Bowl and beat a Jackson State — team then coached by Deion Sanders — that featured projected 2025 first-round draft picks in two-way standout Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. 'I thought he was a professional two years ago,' North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver said of Davis, who had 25 catches for 291 yards and two scores during his sophomore year in 2022. 'He practices hard and plays special teams, and he is physical. He doesn't shy away from contact.' There's a fearless mindset in Davis, Oliver said, that makes him an intriguing prospect in this week's draft. Some might say riding horses cosigns that fearlessness. Oliver laughed when asked about the wide receiver's hobby, one that other players on the team share as well. 'As long as they're careful with it,' Oliver said. 'A bunch of our players go out to the farm and ride horses.' Davis' arrival on the North Carolina Central campus helped introduce him to life on the farm and his love for horses was enhanced, ironically, by a player on the Eagles roster who ended up being more than just another teammate. Defensive lineman Jaden Taylor was an all-MEAC defensive lineman and a co-captain for the Eagles along with Davis last season. Davis learned by accident that he and Taylor were related. Advertisement 'We got paired up in the summer in the same house,' Davis said. 'I went to his house, and he was like, 'Hold on, I think I know your mom.' That's when we found out we were cousins. 'I started hanging with him a lot, and he already had horses. So, it just kind of happened.' Davis has ridden several breeds of horses. He said he doesn't have a favorite, but the idea of purchasing his own horse — and his own farm — with an NFL paycheck is something he thinks about. Hearing his name called in one of the draft rounds this week obviously would be a dream come true for Davis. He once hoped it would be as a quarterback — the position at Charles E. Jordan High School, located roughly 15 minutes away from the North Carolina Central campus. Davis switched to receiver under Oliver's tutelage. Playing college football close to home was special for him, as North Carolina Central was the only school to offer him a Division I scholarship. Oliver, who recruited Davis, said he was always 'mature,' which made the position switch an easy one. Davis was someone who treated practice reps the same as game reps. Those high-speed practices made for great live auditions as he caught NFL scouts attention even before last season. Scouts originally came to practices to watch quarterback Davius Richard, a two-time MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, but also noticed Davis' size, speed and catching ability. — Joaquin Davis (@Boominxj1) May 9, 2024 Oliver believes Davis has a chance to be a late-round draft pick or, at least, someone who could land with a team for training camp as an undrafted free agent. Oliver added there was work in the offseason to make sure Davis was ready to impress NFL scouts, including drills he'd have to perform at the combine and preparation for February's HBCU Legacy Bowl, the all-star game in New Orleans that showcased the best draft-eligible HBCU football players. Advertisement 'My whole mindset was I have to be the one that everybody is talking about when I leave,' Davis said. 'It started with the combine. I knew how I was going to perform. A lot of people didn't know my name, but after that, I wanted to make sure that they knew who I was. Going into the (Legacy Bowl) game and practices, I wanted to show consistency and that I wasn't just numbers and that I can really play football at a high level.' Davis has stayed in Durham to prepare for the draft, working out at the Duke Sports Science Institute. He saw how much pre-draft preparation helped his former college teammate, cornerback/return specialist Brandon Codrington, who is now with the Buffalo Bills. Codrington went undrafted last year but was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent. He eventually was traded to Buffalo and appeared in 17 games. Davis obviously has been focused on the NFL much longer than just the last couple of months, but some are getting to know him as a potential draft pick as of late. In addition to training in Durham, he's been spending a lot of time visiting middle schools and high schools in the area hoping to serve as a role model. Squeezing in a ride on a horse is an added bonus. 'I love nature, so being able to ride and just enjoy scenery can really ease your mind,' he said. Davis is motivated to show the world that a player from a smaller school can make an impact in the NFL. And no matter what happens during the draft, his goal is to have an extended pro career. 'I love ball,' he said. 'That's the only thing that I'm actually consistent with. I don't party and all that. I'm just all about my work. I want to be one of the best ever.' (Top photo courtesy of North Carolina Central University athletics)
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
NBA All-Star Celebrity game announcers: Who's calling the 2025 game on ESPN?
The annual NBA All-Star Celebrity game has given us a few fun moments over the years, and this year's rosters and coaches could do the same. It's two Bay Area legends facing each other with some celebrity help — the squad helmed by Barry Bonds and 2 Chainz will face a team fielded by Jerry Rice and Khaby Lame. THE FULL CELEBRITY GAME ROSTERS: A look at who's on both teams And if you're here, you might be wondering: who are the voices you're hearing on ESPN during the broadcast on Friday? Fear not! We have answers. Mark Jones will be on play-by-play. Richard Jefferson and Stephanie White will be the analysts. Cassidy Hubbarth will be reporting and hosting. There you have it! Enjoy the game. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2025 rosters: Here's who's playing in San Francisco this year
Two days before the biggest NBA names will take the court in San Francisco for the 2025 All-Star Game, we've got stars of a different kind playing each other. That's right, it's the annual All-Star Celebrity Game. And this year, we've got a fantastic mix of singers, actors, influencers fellow athletes and former hoops stars playing — and they've got some notable coaches. One one side is Team Bonds and 2 Chainz, coached by Barry Bonds and 2 Chainz. On the other is Team Rice, with Jerry Rice and Khaby Lame at the helm. Now that you know the coaches, here are the rosters: Team Rice and Lame Matt Barnes Shaboozey Druski Terrell Owens Chris Brickley Walker Hayes Oliver Stark Kayla Thornton Shelby McEwen Bayley AP Dhillon Team Bonds and 2 Chainz Baron Davis Noah Kahan Kai Cenat Pablo Schreiber Masai Russell Dylan Wang Rome Flynn Danny Ramirez Mickey Guyton Allisha Gray Tucker Halpern We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
