Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86
CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Ditka, who personified the toughness and grit of Chicago in a Hall of Fame career as a player and coach of the Bears and the leader of arguably the most dominant team in NFL history, has died. He was 86. Nicknamed “Iron Mike” as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight end position. He was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago’s coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game’s most dominant defenses ever. After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur and TV personality.
Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL
Mike Ditka, known as "Iron Mike," has died at 86. Ditka revolutionized the tight end position and became the iconic coach of the Chicago Bears, leading them to a Super Bowl victory. Tributes have poured in from across the sports world. The Bears praised his immeasurable impact on the organization. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell highlighted Ditka's intensity and authenticity. The New Orleans Saints remembered his time as their head coach. ESPN colleagues recalled his larger-than-life presence. Ditka's legacy as a player, coach and ambassador for football will be cherished for generations.
Valkyries secure WNBA Finals spot with OT win over the Aces, face the Dream next
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kayla Thornton scored 18 points and the second-year Golden State Valkyries became the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime Friday night in Game 3. The second-seeded Valkyries will have home-court advantage and will host No. 4 Atlanta beginning Oct. 17. The Dream swept New York earlier in the night, and now teams are 22-0 in playoff history when leading a series 2-0. Las Vegas, which was seeded third, had won three of the past four championships. A’ja Wilson, honored before night’s game for winning an unprecedented fifth MVP, scored 21 points, but on 6-for-19 shooting for the Aces.
Reese, Howard help the Dream sweep Liberty and advance to WNBA Finals for first time since 2013
NEW YORK (AP) — Angel Reese scored 22 points, Rhyne Howard added 21 and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 on Friday night to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The fourth-seeded Dream completed the three-game sweep of the Liberty and haven’t lost in the postseason this season. They will face Golden State, which swept Las Vegas, in the WNBA Finals beginning Saturday, Oct. 17. The Dream hadn’t reached the semifinals since 2018 before this season. Now they’ll try to win the franchise’s first championship with four more wins.
Georgia-Alabama showdown is on schedule despite arrival of Hurricane Isaias; Trump will skip game
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference college football game between Georgia and Alabama remains scheduled for Saturday night despite Hurricane Isaias' arrival on the U.S. Gulf Coast. President Trump announced Friday that he will not attend the game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to allow first responders to focus on the storm. Forecasters have warned of significant storm surge, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes. ESPN's “College GameDay” show has moved indoors, and Alabama officials have shortened tailgating hours. Georgia's travel plans remain unchanged. The game is one of the biggest of the season, with both teams highly ranked.
Guardians ace Gavin Williams to start vs Sean Burke and White Sox in winner-take-all ALDS Game 5
CLEVELAND (AP) — Gavin Williams will start for the Cleveland Guardians against the Chicago White Sox in the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series on Saturday night. Williams entered in the ninth inning Thursday night and got the final three outs, helping Cleveland to a 9-5 win that evened the best-of-five playoff at two games apiece. He threw 18 pitches, allowing one hit and striking out one. Williams, who led the AL with 248 strikeouts this season, is ready for the challenge. He struck out 11 in his Game 2 start. Sean Burke will start for Chicago, having performed well against Cleveland this year. The winner advances to the American League Championship Series. Home field hasn't mattered much, as the road team has won all four games.
Aaron Donald thinks he'll play for Rams vs Bills after a short injury setback in his comeback
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Donald’s back is feeling much better after a week of rest and treatment, and he plans to play for the Rams against the Buffalo Bills after he missed Los Angeles’ previous game. His dream pairing with Myles Garrett still does not appear to be in the Rams’ immediate future, however. Donald’s first injury setback during his comeback from a 2 1/2-year retirement does not appear to be serious, the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle said Friday after he went through a full practice at the Rams’ training complex with no setbacks. But the Rams haven't indicated when Garrett could be ready to return from knee surgery.
Jerry Jones says Cowboys are back to square one with a moribund defense after woeful home loss
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Owner and general manager Jerry Jones says the Dallas Cowboys are right back where they started with a moribund defense after a woeful home loss to previously winless Tampa Bay. The 24-16 victory by the Buccaneers left the Cowboys as just the second team in NFL history to allow each of the first opponents at least a 70% completion rate without an interception. Dallas overhauled the defensive roster and hired 34-year-old Christian Parker to bring some renewed energy. All the same problems are there with the Cowboys headed into a mini-break before a trip to Green Bay.
Dodgers turn to Tarik Skubal for NLCS Game 1 opener vs Brewers; Yoshinobu Yamamoto set for Game 2
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has chosen his starting pitchers for the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 on Sunday. Skubal also started Game 1 of the NL Division Series, pitching six dominant innings in a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. He allowed one run and two hits, striking out seven. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, last year's World Series MVP, will start Game 2 on Monday. Yamamoto started Game 3 of the NLDS, striking out 10 over seven innings while allowing one run and four hits.
Shohei Ohtani’s bat has gone quiet, but the Dodgers keep winning for now
Shohei Ohtani is struggling at the plate, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are feeling it in the postseason. He went 2 for 13 with a .154 average in the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Dave Roberts has stuck by the two-way superstar, believing Ohtani's bat will break out eventually. Some of his slump is due to injuries that limited Ohtani to 139 games in the regular season. He admits he's not 100% healthy and plans to dig into his biceps and knee issues in the offseason. The Dodgers open the NL Championship Series on Sunday at Milwaukee. Last year, Ohtani was MVP of the NLCS, when the Dodgers swept the Brewers in four games on their way to a second straight World Series title.
