Latest from USA Today
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- Business
- USA Today
NFLPA leaders deny asking for Lloyd Howell's resignation, express support
The NFL Players Association executive committee expressed its support for executive director Lloyd Howell in a letter sent to the full player membership on Sunday, July 13. In a memo obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the NFLPA's Executive Committee denied asking Howell to step down and called out attempts to divide the association's members. "As members of the NFLPA Executive Committee, we categorically reject false reports insinuating doubts within this committee or suggestions that we have asked our Executive Director to step down," the executive committee said. "We further reject attempts to mischaracterize the committee's views or divide our membership. "We have established a deliberate process to carefully assess the issues that have been raised and will not engage in a rush to judgment. We believe in and remain committed to working with our Executive Director and other members of NFLPA staff and player leadership who have a shared mission to advance the best interests of players. As we approach the 2025 season, we look forward to continuing our important work together and ensuring the strength and unity of our association." The NFLPA's Executive Committee includes: The memo comes just days after the Washington Post reported on July 11 − citing an unnamed source − that Howell has no intention of stepping away from his role after news surfaced of a potential conflict of interest. Howell, who was elected to the leadership role in June 2023, has been a paid, part-time consultant for private-equity firm The Carlyle Group since March 2023, as reported by ESPN. They are a group that could seek to invest in NFL franchises after being approved by the league. Much of this has come to light after it was revealed the NFLPA agreed to keep the arbitration decision from earlier this year about potential collusion by the league confidential – despite evidence that "commissioner Roger Goodell and former general counsel Jeff Pash instructed teams at the March 2022 league meeting to limit guaranteed money in players' contracts." The NFLPA is now appealing the decision. At some point, they may be looking for new leadership. Based on July 13's memo, however, it appears Howell's position is secure for the immediate future.
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
$104 million DT reveals reason for once disliking Patriots
New England Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams admitted he hasn't always been a fan of the team due to them winning too many football games. An 18-year window of the Patriots winning six Super Bowls and nine AFC Championships might have been a blast for fans of the team, but for others, like Williams, it was likely viewed as a reign of terror. The Patriots were one of the most dominant sports franchises of all time. That often left other fan bases out in the cold when it came to competing for championships. Williams claimed there was a time when he had Patriots fatigue. "Didn't always love them. You know when a team wins too much? It's like, man, let somebody else win," Williams said on the Who Cares?! podcast. Williams has obviously changed his mind since signing on with the team in free agency. He finally got a taste of what winning a Super Bowl feels like last year with the Philadelphia Eagles, and now, he's looking to bring that feeling back to New England. The Patriots' willingness to make him the highest-paid player in franchise history in the offseason is proof that they believe in his talent. He signed a four-year, $104 million contract to serve as one of the cornerstone pieces on New England's defense. It's a unit that could spearhead a dramatic turnaround for a Patriots team desperately looking to return to playoff contention. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Gotterup upstages Rory McIlroy, other stars to win 2025 Genesis Scottish Open
The underdog became the top dog at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open. Not so much a turn up for the books, more a Gotterup for them? Hopelessly contrived article introductions aside, this was a wonderful win for Chris Gotterup as the 25-year-old American, who was ranked 158th in the world at the start of the week, claimed the biggest title of his career. Having stood firm to stave off a chasing pack that included the Masters champion and world No 2, Rory McIlroy, Gotterup could allow himself a wobble at the end. 'I'm not going to be able to keep it together,' he said with a tear in his eye as the magnitude of the moment began to sink in. As well as the coveted title — and a check for some $1.5 million — Gotterup also earned a spot in this week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. It was a decent day's work. His canny, composed 4-under 66 gave him a 15-under total and a two-shot victory over McIlroy and the spirited Englishman, Marco Penge. 'I definitely was the villain out there today,' Gotterup added with a smile. 'There were a lot of cries of 'Rory' and not many of 'Chris'.' In the heat of the battle, Gotterup also had to contend with a warning from an official for slow play. '[Our group] got warned on 13 for pace, which was a little odd because we were waiting all day,' he said. 'Then on 15, I got individually timed, which was shocking. That got my blood going a little bit more than it was already going trying to win a golf tournament.' Nobody said winning was easy. At one stage of the afternoon, there were five players tied at the top. In addition to McIlroy, the emergence on the leaderboard of the likes of Matthew Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland and World No 1, Scottie Scheffler, should've been accompanied by the kind of ominous rumbling you'd hear when heavy artillery gets maneuvered into a strategic position. Gotterup was up for the fight, though. Well, after an initial misfire. 'I hit it in the bunker on the first hole and was like, 'oh, s**t, here we go,' said Gotterup who was sharing the lead with McIlroy heading into the final round. That early diversion into the sand didn't alter his course and his tenacious efforts kept him right in the thick of it. McIlroy seemed to be taking charge as he moved to the front with a trio of birdies on the front nine but after a 20-footer on the eighth, those birdies dried up. The 2023 Scottish Open champion didn't make another over his last 10 holes. By the 12th, Gotterup was two clear of the pack. He missed a good chance to extend that on 13 then stumbled to a bogey on the next. The door was still ajar. Gotterup, though, remained as sturdy as the rock of Fidra Island and a birdie on 16 pushed him towards a mighty triumph. The Maryland man had been planning to fly to the west coast of America for a PGA Tour event this week. Instead, he's nipping over to Northern Ireland for an Open debut. 'I'm happy I'm not flying from here to California,' he said as he cancelled those transatlantic flights. Gotterup, who will now vault into the world's top-50, made his breakthrough on the PGA Tour at Myrtle Beach last season. This win, though, is on a different level. 'A lot of people say that the second one is harder just because you have expectations and whatnot,' he said. 'It's definitely more a validation this week. Myrtle Beach was amazing, but this one is the next step. 'I knew today was going to be a battle and Rory is one of the best to ever do it. I'm happy I edged him out.' Despite the disappointment of defeat, McIlroy will head to the Open in his homeland with a spring in his step. 'I'm really happy with where my game is,' he said. 'I gave myself plenty of chances coming down the stretch. But Chris played a great round of golf and I just couldn't claw it back.' Penge, the winner of the Scottish Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship a decade ago, deserved great credit for a dogged 66 while Fitzpatrick's return to form continued with a round that included an eagle from 35-feet on the 10th in a 67 as the former U.S. Open champion shared fourth with the fast-finishing Nicolai Hojgaard. Nobody finished faster, meanwhile, than Justin Rose, as the Ryder Cup stalwart came barging up the standings with a delightfully assembled 7-under 63 which left him in a share of sixth at 11 under. 'I felt a round like that has been out there for me this week,' said Rose. The ultimate prize, and the plaudits, belonged to Gotterup.
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
4 Panthers players who are under the most pressure in 2025
The Carolina Panthers may not be in "win-now mode" just yet, but the burden to break their losing ways remains heavy. Not since 2017 has the team clinched a playoff berth. That seven-year drought, now the longest such streak in franchise history, has yielded zero winning seasons and a combined record of 36-80. And even despite finishing the first campaign under their new regime on an encouraging note, the Panthers should be feeling some pressure over the coming months. Here are the four players who may be feeling it most here in 2025 . . . QB Bryce Young Young put his nightmarish start to 2024 behind him with a strong resurgence down the stretch. The 23-year-old totaled 2,327 yards, 20 touchdowns and six picks over the season's final 10 outings, helping lead the Panthers to a relatively respectable 4-6 mark. But Young will need more than just a 10-game sample to really scrub his underwhelming rookie campaign and last year's benching away. Luckily, he's in a pretty good spot to do so in Year No. 3—where he should benefit from the continuity under head coach Dave Canales as well as the capabilities of a solid offensive line and wideout room. If the former No. 1 overall pick cannot prove he's the franchise quarterback the organization drafted him to be, then Carolina might have to pivot at the position for 2026. WR Xavier Legette That aforementioned wideout room includes Legette—who, unlike Young, didn't inspire much hope to close out last season. The 2024 first-rounder amassed just 497 receiving yards while leading the team with eight drops—one of which cost the Panthers a huge upset win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Legette failed to stake his claim as the No. 1 target, a role that'll likely be seized by 2025 first-round selection Tetairoa McMillan. He might also lose ground to fellow second-year receiver Jalen Coker, who was more consistent as a rookie. 2025, however, will offer up a fresh slate for Legette. He should be healthier than he was in 2024 and should have a more defined role, perhaps as a Deebo Samuel-type weapon, in Carolina's growing offense. OT Taylor Moton The Panthers don't seem to be committed to Moton beyond the upcoming campaign. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, some within the organization have questioned the ninth-year veteran's ability to maintain his health moving forward. Moton, who turns 31 in August, missed the first three games of his NFL career in 2024 because of triceps and knee injuries. As he enters the final year of his contract, Moton might have to prove to Carolina—and maybe the rest of next offseason's tackle-needy teams—that he can still handle the wear and tear of the trenches. OLB D.J. Wonnum All things considered, Wonnum gave a decent account of himself in the first season of his two-year deal in Carolina. Even after missing a bit more time than expected due to complications from multiple quadriceps surgeries, he still managed to post 4.0 sacks and 22 pressures over eight contests. He'll likely head into the regular season as one of two starters off the edge for the Panthers. But Wonnum could eventually see his duties overtaken by Nic Scourton or Princely Umanmielen, the team's promising picks from Day 2 of the 2025 draft. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tarik Skubal detailed Max Fried's classy gesture ahead of All-Star Game
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is putting together yet another elite season for the Tigers, which is why he will be taking the mound to start in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game at Atlanta's Truist Park. Initially, though, Skubal was prepared to let Max Fried start for the American League. But Fried was the one who was willing to defer the honor to Skubal. Fried spent the first eight years of his big-league career with the Braves before signing with the Yankees this offseason. Like Skubal, Fried is also having a great season. And given the emotional return to Atlanta, it would have made sense for Fried to start. That was when Fried personally reached out to Skubal. Fried was insistent that Skubal take the start, which he agreed to do. And then next day, Aaron Boone formally called to name Skubal the starter. Fried did end up withdrawing from the All-Star Game due to a blister, so Skubal would have gotten the start regardless. But still, it was a cool gesture from Fried to make that phone call. Skubal clearly appreciated it.
