AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS EVENTS COVERAGE

Text coverage of these events/matches is planned:

BOBSLED: Coverage of 4-man, 2-woman bobsled on merit.

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CURLING: Coverage of the men’s curling semifinal.

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FIGURE SKATING: OLY--FIG-Free Skate — The final medal in figure skating is handed out at the Milan Cortina Olympics when the women perform their free skates. Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto of Japan lead but American star Alysa Liu is right behind them. By Dave Skretta. Text, photos. Event starts 7 p.m. local/1 p.m. EST.

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FREESTYLE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING: Coverage of freeski halfpipe qualifying and men’s aerials.

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ICE HOCKEY: OLY--HKW-Gold Medal Final Captain Hilary Knight and the U.S. women’s hockey team is favored to win gold on Thursday in preparing to face rival Canada in the Milan Cortina Games tournament final. The Americans have dominated in winning all six games, and in position to secure their third gold medal. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 800 words, photos.

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NORDIC COMBINED: OLY-NOR-Nordic-Combined-Large-Hill — TESERO, Italy — Fourteen nations compete in the final event in Nordic combined, the team sprint, that could be final time the sport is contested in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee is considering scrapping the sport because it’s dominated by a few countries and draws a small audience. Ski jump at 10 a.m. local; 4 a.m. EST; Cross-country team sprint at 2 p.m. local/8 a.m. EST.

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SKI MOUNTAINEERING: OLY--SMO--Sprint Events — Ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut Thursday when the women and then the men compete in the sprint event. By Pat Graham. Text, photos. Heats begin at 9:50 a.m. CET. The finals take place for the women at 1:55 p.m. CET and for the men at 2:15 p.m. CET.

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SPEEDSKATING: OLY--SPD-Speedskating-Men’s 1500 — American Jordan Stolz tries to make it 3 for 3 at the Milan Cortina Olympics, racing for his third speedskating gold medal in three events when the men’s 1,500 meters is held Thursday. By Howard Fendrich. Starts at 4:30 p.m. local time/10:30 a.m. EST.

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OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS FEATURES COVERAGE

AP text features planned today:

OLY--HKW-Edwards-Kelce-Fundraiser — Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to compete for the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team, has family in Milan during the Games after a GoFundMe effort — boosted by support from Travis and Jason Kelce — helped cover travel costs. Edwards’ close family and friends are here, and the AP interviews her mom. -- Text, photos, video.

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OLY--Verona Closing Ceremony Rehearsal — A sneak peek at rehearsals for the Milan Cortina Olympic closing ceremony, to take place Feb. 22 in Verona’s ancient Roman Arena featuring headliner Roberto Bolle. --Text and photos.

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OLY--HKW-Winn-Brothers — U.S. hockey defender Haley Winn’s three older brothers are her biggest, loudest, most colorful fans. To say they’re covered in stars and stripes at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is an understatement. Casey, Ryan and Tommy Winn remain loud and proud of their sister ahead of Team USA’s gold medal game Thursday in Milan. The U.S. and Canada will face off in an Olympic final for a seventh time since women’s hockey debuted at the 1998 Nagano Games. Winn, 22, is part of a generation of female athletes who are changing the game, be it professional women’s hockey, soccer, basketball or another sport. --text and photos.

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OLY--HKO--Semifinal Lookahead — The U.S. and Canada reached the men’s hockey semifinals to keep alive the possibility of the North American rivals meeting in the gold-medal game at the Olympics. Finland also survived a scare and underdog Slovakia has crashed the dance filled otherwise with the sport’s best countries. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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OLY--HKO-Canada-Crosby To McDavid — Sidney Crosby was willing to let Connor McDavid be Canada’s captain at the Olympics in Milan, acknowledging his counterpart who is 10 years younger has supplanted him as the best hockey player in the world. And while Crosby went into the tournament wearing the “C,” McDavid has been the team’s best player in a passing-the-torch moment. Crosby’s injury in the quarterfinals may actually thrust McDavid to the forefront and give him the opportunity for a kind of legacy-defining moment Crosby got with his golden goal in Vancouver in 2010. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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OLY--HKO-US-Hughes Family Business — Jack Hughes has been the best U.S. forward at the Olympics. Brother Quinn has been the team’s best defenseman. It’s a total reversal from the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago when Jack appeared to struggle and Quinn was absent because of injury. Now the Hughes brothers are huge reasons why the Americans are one win from the gold-medal game in Milan. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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OLY--HKO-Slovakia’s Underdog Run —-Slovakia is back in the men’s hockey semifinals at the Olympics in Milan four years after the small central European country won its first medal of any color in the sport with bronze in Beijing. That was without the NHL participating. This time, players from the best league in the world are taking part and Slovakia will again be playing for a medal. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

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GLF--LPGA THAILAND

DESCRIPTION: First-round play Thursday in the LPGA Thailand tournament at the Siam Country Club Old Course.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text

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US COLLEGE ATHELETES PAYMENTS

DESCRIPTION: One by one, South Carolina senators stood up at the Statehouse this week saying they didn’t want to wade into the rules about paying college athletes, but they couldn’t bear to see their Gamecocks or Tigers get left behind on the football field, basketball courts or softball diamonds. South Carolina is poised to join at least five other states to keep the amount of money given to athletic teams and then on to players secret after the Senate approved a bill exempting the deals from public records laws on a 30-13 Tuesday.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 2:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Alternate Headlines, Text

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FBN--CARDINALS-PRACTICE-FACILITY

DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals break ground on a new performance center and team headquarters that will be located in north Phoenix. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028. By David Brandt. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--MLS PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Major League Soccer opens its 31st season this weekend, kicking off one of the most consequential stretches in the league’s history. There’s the impact of World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, then in 2027 MLS will switch to a summer to spring schedule to align with its international counterparts. By Anne M. Peterson. 750 words. photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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BKN--MAVERICKS-FLAGG FOCUS

DESCRIPTION: The Mavericks return from the All-Star break mired in a long losing streak but with all eyes on a future led by Cooper Flagg, who is nursing a foot injury, and the question of when or if Kyrie Irving will play this season. By Schuyler Dixon. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: First leg of the Europa and Conference Leagues playoffs.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 5:15 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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SOC--WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

DESCRIPTION: Women’s Champions League knockout playoffs with Manchester United hosting Atletico and Juventus plays Wolfsburg.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 6:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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BBO--UNION-SHAKEUP

DESCRIPTION: Bruce Meyer meets with the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday on his first day as the MLB Players’ Association interim executive director. Meyer was picked by the union’s members to succeed Tony Clark, who resigned under pressure on Tuesday. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

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BOX--BARRIOS-GARCIA PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Mario Barrios defends his WBC welterweight championship against Ryan Garcia. By Mark Anderson. 500 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Text

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GLF--GENESIS INVITATIONAL

DESCRIPTION: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and another loaded field takes on Riviera for the first round of the Genesis Invitational, the final stop on the West Coast Swing for the PGA Tour. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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BBO--ATHLETICS STADIUM

DESCRIPTION: The Athletics update progress on stadium construction with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. By Mark Anderson. 500 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/19/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--KINGS-INJURIES

Kings’ Sabonis, LaVine out for rest of season after surgeries

SUMMARY: Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis and guard Zach LaVine will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgeries Wednesday. Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, averaged 15.8 points and a team-leading 11.4 rebounds in 19 games this season. He was used sparingly since suffering a meniscus tear in November, playing in seven of Sacramento’s final eight games in January and appearing in only one game in February. Sabonis, 29, had surgery in Los Angeles and will begin rehabilitation soon. The team said he will be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp. LaVine had surgery to repair a tendon on his right pinky finger. The 30-year-old guard He averaged 19.2 points in 39 games.

WORDS: 183 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 10:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af43e54991883429240561b7b1cf2840&mediaType=text

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BBO--UNION SHAKEUP

Bruce Meyer elevated to baseball players’ association interim executive director

SUMMARY: Bruce Meyer was promoted to interim executive director of the baseball players’ association, a day after Tony Clark’s forced resignation. It was a move for continuity ahead of the likely start in April of what figures to be contentious collective bargaining with team owners. Matt Nussbaum was promoted to interim deputy executive director from general counsel. The decisions were made by the Major League Baseball Players Association executive board during an online meeting. Both votes were unanimous. A 64-year-old veteran labor lawyer, Meyer joined the union staff in 2018 and led negotiations through a 99-day lockout that led to a five-year agreement in March 2022.

WORDS: 1092 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 9:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8554adf01290608713970003f81014d&mediaType=text

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US--BBO-SPORTS BETTING-ARRESTS

Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz fight pitch-rigging case as spring training starts

SUMMARY: Prospects for a spring fraud trial for two Cleveland Guardians stars accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets are fading after they appeared in Brooklyn federal court as their teammates start their new season. Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz entered not guilty pleas to a rewritten indictment as Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto said Wednesday that she’d likely adjourn a May 4 trial date until October. The pitchers were charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win over $400,000. Clase, the Guardians’ former closer, and Ortiz, a starter, have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July.

WORDS: 622 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 7:35 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d89e38a2329e0d77b78315b26c5fbd1d&mediaType=text

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FBN--SEAHAWKS SALE

Seahawks sale process begins less than 2 weeks after winning Super Bowl, Paul Allen’s estate says

SUMMARY: The Seattle Seahawks are going up for sale in accordance with the wishes of late team owner Paul Allen. Allen’s estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the team, which is coming off its second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The Seahawks have been in the Allen family since 1997, when Paul bought the team for $194 million from then-owner Ken Behring. Paul was critical in keeping the Seahawks in Seattle, which is where the team is expected to remain after the sale is finalized. The Seahawks have a lease at Lumen Field that runs through 2032 with three 10-year options.

WORDS: 597 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 7:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:de44677992a36b2bb4d8d354342a8f6b&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKO-MEN’S ROUNDUP

US defeats Sweden and Canada beats Czechia in OT to reach the semifinals at the Olympics

SUMMARY: The U.S. and Canada are moving on to the semifinals at the Olympics. Each needed extra hockey to get through the quarterfinals. Quinn Hughes scored in overtime to put the U.S. past Sweden 2-1 after giving up the tying goal to Mika Zibanejad with 91 seconds left in the third period. Dylan Larkin deflected Jack Hughes’ shot in for the only U.S. goal in regulation. Nick Suzuki tied it for Canada late in regulation against Czechia, and Mitch Marner won it 4-3 in overtime to avoid what would have been a stunning early exit.

WORDS: 1043 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 6:55 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:017842ea6f4f94d04c3f5fb6f3a1426c&mediaType=text

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BKN--HORNETS-BALL-AUTO ACCIDENT

Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball not injured after 2-car crash in downtown Charlotte, AP source says

SUMMARY: According to a person familiar with the situation, Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was not injured after being involved in a two-car crash in downtown Charlotte on Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details of the accident. A police report was not immediately made available. Ball appeared to be driving through an intersection when his camoflauge-colored, custom-made Hummer collided with another vehicle shortly before 5 p.m., according video obtained by WSOC-TV in Charlotte. The station later aired video of Ball, wearing an aqua-colored Hornets hoodie, getting out his truck and into another car before being driven away.

WORDS: 297 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 6:40 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8b63e3c730d0a1f9f14bd36878d2b01d&mediaType=text

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FBN--CHIEFS-RICE

Lawsuit alleges Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice physically assaulted former girlfriend

SUMMARY: The former girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice alleges in a lawsuit filed this week that he physically assaulted her multiple times over a year-and-a-half, causing injuries that included bleeding and bruising. The lawsuit filed Monday in Dallas County by Dacoda Jones comes after she made domestic violence allegations in a series of social media posts last month. She is seeking over $1 million in the lawsuit, which says the assaults happened at their homes in Dallas and suburban Kansas City. The lawsuit says Rice strangled Jones in December 2023 after an “escalation in violent behavior” and then continued to assault her over the course of their relationship, through July 2025.

WORDS: 385 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 6:25 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:358f4e7e0f2bbc3ff33a4ace7153959f&mediaType=text

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GLF--GENESIS INVITATIONAL

Riviera has a long history and a long par 3 for Genesis Invitational

SUMMARY: Riviera has a long history as it celebrates 100 years. It also has a very long par 3. The Genesis Invitational returns to the fabled course a year after moving because of the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades. New for this signature event is a tee box on the par-3 fourth hole that now measures 273 yards. That makes it the longest par 3 on the PGA Tour among regular stops. Rory McIlroy calls it a horrible change. McIlroy also is aware of the rich history at Riviera, which is why he would like to add that to courses he has won.

WORDS: 879 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 6:02 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b026afe5c7f7ece743d1e317a430dbd2&mediaType=text

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BKN--76ERS-EMBIID INJURED

Embiid is hurt again for the 76ers and will miss game vs. Atlanta due to a sore right shin

SUMMARY: Joel Embiid reported soreness in his right shin over the All-Star break and will miss the 76ers’ game against Atlanta on Thursday night. The Sixers said Embiid experienced the soreness while participating in a right knee injury management program over the break. Embiid consulted with doctors and has received daily treatment, while progressing through on-court work and strength and conditioning. Embiid will be evaluated again ahead of the Sixers’ back-to-back road games, Saturday at New Orleans and Sunday at Minnesota.

WORDS: 310 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 5:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5a96a4db94d6504370c46ed947d31684&mediaType=text

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OLY--CORTINA-FUR-CATWALK

In Olympic host village Cortina, wearing fur never went out of style

SUMMARY: Fur coats are plentiful on the streets of Cortina, especially during these Winter Games. When asked to explain why furs remain so common here, while much of the world has moved to synthetic alternatives whether for environmental, ethical or affordability reasons, the answers are revealing. Italians say it’s a bubble, devoid of political activists and the working class. Coats of mink, lynx, wolf, sable and ocelot can be seen up and down the Corso Italia, the main street. They can range from a few thousand euros to 80,000 euros.

WORDS: 1006 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 5:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e21e833dba1f9159f1ecfe59686785f&mediaType=text

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BKO--FRUSTRATED COACHES

Frustrated college basketball coaches aren’t holding back on publicly criticizing their teams

SUMMARY: Frustrated coaches in men’s and women’s college basketball haven’t been holding back in publicly criticizing their teams in recent weeks. That notably includes Vic Schaefer of the fourth-ranked Texas women and now-fired Kansas State men’s coach Jerome Tang. Schaefer had said his team had “no heart” after a recent loss at No. 5 Vanderbilt. But he praised the team’s response in a win against Tennessee days later. It’s a delicate dance for coaches in finding the balance between tough-love motivation and a softer-touch inspiration. Florida State men’s coach Luke Loucks said coaches have to “find ways to squeeze the orange.”

WORDS: 1401 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 5:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91cd89e8ffb56c1a563ee0d5241aabbc&mediaType=text

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BKC--GREEN BAY-GOTTLIEB SUSPENDED

Green Bay’s Doug Gottlieb gets 1-game suspension from Horizon League after criticizing officiating

SUMMARY: Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb received a one-game suspension from the Horizon League for comments he made criticizing the officiating after a 75-72 loss to Milwaukee last Sunday. Gottlieb had slammed his hands on the table at one point in his postgame news conference while complaining about what he perceived as inconsistency in the officiating. Video of his news conference garnered attention on social media. The suspension will take effect for Friday when Green Bay visits Oakland. Gottlieb issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for his comments.

WORDS: 502 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 4:52 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c68f53bd51c67cf9b9f94b8ee54d7886&mediaType=text

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OLY--SKI-SHIFFRIN’S COURAGE

Mikaela Shiffrin came to the Olympics looking for peace in her skiing. She found gold along the way

SUMMARY: Mikaela Shiffrin’s fourth trip to the Olympics came with a golden ending. The skiing star won the slalom on the world’s biggest stage for the first time in 12 years with a triumphant performance in Cortina. The 30-year-old Shiffrin said she’s learned to block out the noise and pressure that comes with competing at the Games. She instead has tried focus on the joy of skiing that drew her to the sport in the first place. Shiffrin says she knows she would have invited more criticism if she had faltered, but added the challenge of finding her best was worth the risk.

WORDS: 1110 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 2:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:77108be331d6da4392b6f834d2c4a65a&mediaType=text

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US--JESSE JACKSON-THE ATHLETE

Sports helped shape Jesse Jackson’s career and inspired the ex-quarterback to fight for equal rights

SUMMARY: The Rev. Jesse Jackson was an athlete from a young age, and throughout his life he immersed himself in the world of sports. He accepted a football scholarship at Illinois, then transferred to historically Black North Carolina A&T after a year. Jackson was a quarterback for the Aggies in the early 1960s and was inducted into A&T’s athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. His sports experiences fueled a deep passion for ensuring athletes were given equal opportunities and treatment, regardless of race, gender, sport or native country. Jackson was a champion of the NFL’s Rooney Rule that attempted to address the lack of minority head coaches. He was a fixture at sporting events, especially the NBA.

WORDS: 931 - MOVED: 02/18/2026 2:33 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7d0fd59a20e7894150f507f03e00252b&mediaType=text