Latest news with #JimDedmon-Imagn
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Panthers Join Savannah Bananas for Historic Weekend in Charlotte
Panthers Join Savannah Bananas for Historic Weekend in Charlotte originally appeared on Athlon Sports. What happens when you mix the Carolina Panthers' brightest stars with baseball's most viral circus act? You break records, create memories, and remind Charlotte why it loves sports. Advertisement The Savannah Bananas brought their sold-out Banana Ball World Tour to Bank of America Stadium this past weekend, and the show was nothing short of legendary. With 148,000 fans in attendance over two nights, setting a new franchise record, but what really made the event unforgettable was the energy injected by Panthers royalty both past and present. All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly, tight end Greg Olsen, and running back Jonathan Stewart, key figures from the Panthers' unforgettable 2015 Super Bowl run were front and center Friday night. Kuechly, known for his meticulous preparation on the football field, threw out the first pitch after a self-imposed bullpen session that spanned hours. Stewart dashed home in classic J-Stew style, crashing through the dugout like he was breaking tackles at the goal line. Meanwhile, Olsen suited up in full Bananas gear and took the field with TikTok star Jackson Olsen. This was a meeting of gridiron and social media icons that had fans snapping photos and screaming double takes. The Savannah Bananas celebrate a home run hit by Jackson Olsen.© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images On Saturday, current Panthers players joined the fray. Quarterback Andy Dalton traded the pocket for 'undodgeball,' pelting foam footballs in an interactive segment that had fans in stitches. Wide receiver Adam Thielen, who led the team in receiving yards last season, stepped up to home plate and broke into his signature Griddy dance, much to the delight of the crowd. Advertisement 'This city's got passion,' Dalton said. 'To have 74,000 show up back-to-back nights, it's a reminder that Charlotte is a sports town. Hopefully, that translates to our season too.' It wasn't just about fun, it was also personal. Charlotte native and Bananas player Eric Jones Jr. called it a career highlight, "Loved the Panthers my whole life, cried when they lost the Super Bowl in '04 and then in '15 I was in college having the time of my life watching all those playoff games with my buddies and it was just special. I hope that we get to play in Charlotte every year. I think it's the perfect spot. The fans are really hungry for it here…one, we need a major league team, but two, we need a Banana ball team right here." Savannah Bananas first baseman Eric Jones Jr.© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Between choreographed dances, glowing light shows, and fireworks, the Bananas' brand of baseball stole the spotlight, but it was the Panthers' cameos that added soul to the spectacle. From record-setting attendance to nostalgic reunions, this weekend proved one thing loud and clear: Charlotte doesn't just watch sports, it lives them. Advertisement Don't blink, Panthers fans. This city's just warming up. Related: Everything to Know Inside the Panthers' NFL Draft Dilemma Related: Can Nic Scourton Become What Brian Burns Was for the Panthers? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Golf-PGA Championship under way as Quail Hollow awaits McIlroy and Scheffler
FILE PHOTO: May 13, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy watches his approach to five green during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images/File Photo CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) -Sunny skies and soggy conditions greeted the early starters as the PGA Championship got underway on Thursday at Quail Hollow Club where the high-profile group of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele were about to begin. Big hitters could have an early edge as intense rain earlier in the week has left fairways wet and, as a result, the par-71 layout that measures 7,626 yards is playing much longer, though conditions are expected to firm as the week goes on. World number two McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam at last month's Masters, will be the first from his high-profile group to tee off when he hits his opening shot from the par-five 10th hole at 8:22 a.m. ET (1222 GMT). Scheffler has hit his stride right in time for the year's second major having matched the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record in his last start, while Schauffele is bidding to become the event's first repeat winner since Brooks Koepka in 2019. Justin Thomas, who won the first of his two PGA Championship titles when it was last held at Quail Hollow in 2017, and Jordan Spieth, making his ninth attempt at securing a career Grand Slam, are among the late starters. Among the other notable players with late tee times are U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, 2025 Masters runner-up Justin Rose and world number four Collin Morikawa. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald had the honour of hitting the first shot of the tournament when he set off from the first tee in the company of Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Germany's Martin Kaymer. (Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
TCU, North Carolina to kick off 2026 in Ireland
Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to those attending his hiring announcement at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images/ File Photo REUTERS TCU, North Carolina to kick off 2026 in Ireland TCU and North Carolina will kick off the 2026 college football season in Dublin, Ireland. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be held at Aviva Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026. This will be the first overseas game for both schools. "It's a tremendous opportunity for our program and we're excited to represent the university and our fans on an international stage," first-year Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick said. The Horned Frogs will be the designated home team, as the game originally was scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. "This is more than just a football game. It's an opportunity to advance TCU's brand globally while having our student-athletes experience a unique educational opportunity and memory of a lifetime," TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said. Georgia Tech edged Florida State 24-21 in the 2024 Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin, where the announced attendance was 47,998. This season's matchup in the Irish capital will see Iowa State take on Kansas State on Aug. 23. --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Justin Thomas wins RBC Heritage in playoff to end drought
Apr 20, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas pitches up to the green on the second hole during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images REUTERS Apr 20, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas acknowledges the gallery during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images REUTERS Apr 20, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas reacts to his winning putt during the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images REUTERS Apr 20, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas holds his trophy and wears the plaid jacket after winning the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images REUTERS Apr 20, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas holds his trophy and wears the plaid jacket after winning the final round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images REUTERS Justin Thomas made a birdie putt from 21 feet out on the first playoff hole to win the RBC Heritage on Sunday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C., winning a tournament for the first time in nearly three years. Thomas and Andrew Novak, who was seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour, were at 17-under 267 through 72 holes. Novak was in the last pairing for the third time this season but couldn't find a way to win. Thomas, a two-time major champion, hadn't won since capturing the 2022 PGA Championship. Thomas shot 3-under 68, ending his bogey-free round with three consecutive pars. Novak was off the mark on a would-be winning 8-foot birdie putt on the last hole of regulation and also had 68 for the round. Thomas led after the first and second rounds. He went ahead on the 15th hole Sunday with a 24 1/2-foot birdie putt, but Novak countered with a birdie from about 17 feet away on the 16th. Daniel Berger (65 on Sunday), Brian Harman (69), Maverick McNealy (70) and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes (67) tied for third place at 14 under. England's Tommy Fleetwood (70) was seventh at 13 under. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had climbed the leaderboard with three birdies in a five-hole stretch until a double-bogey 7 on the 15th hole and a bogey on No. 17 doomed his round. He shot 70, tying for eighth place with Russell Henley (70) and third-round leader Si Woo Kim of South Korea (74) at 12 under. Kim was 2 over through 12 holes and his troubles continued with a double-bogey 5 on No. 14. Bud Cauley's 64 marked the best score of the final round. That put him at 7 under and tied for 32nd place. --Field Level Media REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📈 MLS Power Rankings: Cincinnati fall, Miami rise, and more!
Matchday 2 in MLS is now in the rearview mirror, and there were plenty of movers and shakers in our weekly top-10 power rankings. Let's get straight into it. 📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Atlanta United started quite high in our early season power rankings after spending big in the offseason and kicking the campaign off with a win. However, after falling 2-0 away from home against burgeoning rivals Charlotte over the weekend, the Five Stripes showed that their spiffy new team will likely experience more teething problems than previously expected. 📸 Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images After a victory against reigning champions LA Galaxy to start life in MLS last week, San Diego made their official home debut against St. Louis City in front of 34,000 people on Saturday. Snapdragon Stadium hosted its very first @SanDiegoFC match in MLS 🏟️#PICSoftheWeekend 📸 — Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) March 3, 2025 And while they struggled to find the breakthrough goal, Mikey Varas' side held their visitors to just 28% possession and .09 xG — St. Louis were essentially not involved in the game. 📸 Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Dean Smith's side crack our rankings for the first time this season after the aforementioned victory over Atlanta on Saturday. Wilfried Zaha only needed one MLS game to get his first taste of Charlotte FC's post-match tradition 🥶👑The North Carolina based side's slogan is 'For the Crown' and subsequently, their Player of the Match from each home game is sat down on a throne and gifted the club's… — OneFootball (@OneFootball) March 4, 2025 Despite being arguably the most exciting surprise package in 2024, it was clear that Charlotte lacked a sprinkling of stardust — up stepped Wilfried Zaha to seemingly take the side to a new level. 📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Images Cincinnati have certainly looked like world-beaters through the opening few weeks of their MLS and Concacaf Champions Cup campaign, but after getting thumped by Philadelphia over the weekend they came crashing back down to earth. Playing every 72 hours as they continue in the Champions Cup is enough to hamstring any MLS side. Expect them to climb back up these rankings as the season goes on. 📸 Caean Couto-Imagn Images As just mentioned, Philadelphia have looked like a shock contender so far through two games. After putting four past Orlando City last week, they did the same against Cincinnati this time around. Five things to watch for across @MLS this week:⚽️The @PhilaUnion are off to a sensational start in 2025, with Tai Baribo accounting for a league-high five goals - more than 23 of 30 teams through Matchday 2. He'll look to keep his record pace against the Revolution on Saturday. — MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) March 4, 2025 Front-man Tai Baribo has been on fire to start the season, scoring five goals in the opening two games, and the Union look just about unplayable when he is on top of his game. 📸 Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images The Whitecaps are another welcome surprise in the early days of the season. Under new boss Jesper Sørense, the Canadian club have started with two wins from two, including a deserved win over the Galaxy on Sunday. This fantastic start is all in the context of the off-field turmoil for the club, who were put up for sale by ownership during the offseason. 📸 Ivan David Smith-Imagn Images Bruce Arena's side are the biggest shakers from last season after major winter moves, totally refreshing the club on and off the pitch. After a narrow win over Sporting KC over the weekend, the Quakes have started the season with two wins from two and look like early contenders in the Western Conference. 📸 Tim Warner - 2025 Getty Images Miami may have stumbled on opening day against NYCFC, but after traveling to Houston in Sunday's primetime game without Lionel Messi and comfortably dispatching the Dynamo, the Herons have returned to conversation. One of the best strikers ever! 💥Luis Suarez cuts up the defense for his first goal of the season. — Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 3, 2025 Luis Suarez had a hand in all four goals for Javier Mascherano's side in Texas, but it's the supporting cast of Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende, and others that are covering the hard yards in the early weeks of the season. 📸 Eric Canha-Imagn Images With Wilfried Nancy at the helm the Crew were always going to be in the upper echelon of the standings this season, even with losing some big stars during the last few weeks of the offseason. Diego Rossi completed 150 games with the Columbus Crew shirt in MLS regular season, after his game tonight against the NE Revolution.#Crew96 #MLS — Pitchside US (@pitchside_us) March 2, 2025 With a semi-rotated lineup against New England ahead of a mouthwatering Champions Cup showdown with LAFC during the week, the Crew proved they can win high and low-scoring games. They will be major contenders once again. 📸 Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images Finally, LAFC take the top spot this week after finding a way past NYCFC on Saturday. It hasn't been pretty in either of their two victories to start the season, but a star-studded team that can win even when they aren't playing their best is a danger to everybody in the league. Featured image: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
