Chiefs assistant Eric Bieniemy remains with family after wife's shooting as full team begins camp
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have started their full-squad training camp without offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He remained away from the team Wednesday after his wife, Mia Bieniemy, was shot at their Virginia home. Chiefs coach Andy Reid says Mia Bieniemy has been released from intensive care and was improving. The couples' son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, was arrested for the shooting and faces multiple charges. The Chiefs are uniquely positioned to deal with Eric Bieniemy's absence thanks to continuity on the staff and some veteran leadership on offense. Pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck are handling most duties.
With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined with a minor injury, Falcons add Cooper Rush for training camp reps
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski says quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a minor injury and should return soon. The Falcons then added Cooper Rush to training camp with Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from an ACL tear and veteran Trevor Siemian released. Jack Strand is Atlanta's only other healthy signal-caller. Stefanski described Tagovailoa's injury as a "flare-up" and doesn't expect a long absence. Tagovailoa will attend practice but won't participate in 11-on-11 drills. Stefanski emphasized that Tagovailoa will be ready as camp continues.
Tarik Skubal gets standing ovations in possible Tigers farewell, then team blows 7-0 lead
DETROIT (AP) — Trade deadline target Tarik Skubal and Detroit fans gave each other a warm farewell Wednesday, just in case this was the two-time Cy Young Award winner’s final appearance in a Tigers jersey. Skubal was cheered at every opportunity by a crowd of 34,406 while taking a shutout into the seventh inning against Baltimore. His first standing ovation came when he struck out leadoff hitter Taylor Ward on a 3-2 changeup to record his 1,000th career strikeout. He reached the mark in 857 innings, breaking Max Scherzer’s franchise-best mark of 944 2/3 innings.
Opposition to FIFA's World Cup private equity plan grows as Asia warns of risks and Europeans meet
GENEVA (AP) — Global opposition to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan for selling a stake in World Cup revenue to private investors has grown. Asia’s soccer leader has warned member federations about threats from the FIFA plan to their own competitions. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has written to members “FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football.” European soccer body UEFA is hosting 55 members in a meeting on Thursday to shape strategy against Infantino's project. He proposes creating a $20 billion commercial subsidiary with 20% of private equity backed by Joshua Kushner's investment firm.
Former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64, family announces
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former San Diego Chargers linebacker and college football hall of famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died. He was 64. Smith’s family said in a statement Smith died following a bout with CTE-caused dementia. Smith played 10 seasons with the Chargers after being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick of the 1983 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He was named to the Chargers’ 50th anniversary team after racking up 15 career interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles. Smith was a two-time All-American at Arkansas and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Seattle Storm apologize for an exchange between a co-owner and 2 fans
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Storm apologized Wednesday for an exchange that took place between one of its co-owners and two fans during the team’s 105-95 loss to the Indiana Fever. The Storm didn’t elaborate on the nature of the incident and didn’t say which Storm co-owner was involved. The incident occurred Tuesday night during an evening that began with a demonstration outside Climate Pledge Arena. The team didn’t say if the exchange was related to the protest.
Senators still working with SEC, Big Ten on thorny issues involved in college sports bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate negotiators are working to resolve thorny differences with leaders of the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences over revisions to a bill designed to regulate college sports that sponsors want a vote on before the chamber goes on summer break next week. Bill sponsor Ted Cruz of Texas says the conversations are ongoing. Cruz and co-sponsor Maria Cantwell of Washington are pushing to bring the Protect College Sports Act to a vote before Aug. 7, the last day the Senate meets before going on break. Senators return for the second half of September, before breaking for all of October -- leaving little time remaining before the November midterms.
Shohei Ohtani expected to pitch again this season, but Dodgers in no rush
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch again this season, but they're not rushing him back. Concerns about his left knee healing are the priority. Andrew Friedman, the team's president of baseball operations, is downplaying Ohtani's right biceps soreness. He says Ohtani is keeping his arm active with plyometric throws. The team wants the two-way superstar's knee to heal before he starts a throwing program. Ohtani continues as the designated hitter, as his knee doesn't bother him while hitting. Friedman says there's no acute need to add pitching before next week's trade deadline, despite Ohtani's current unavailability on the mound.
FIFA hits Argentina with World Cup charges for scuffle and 'Malvinas' banner
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — FIFA has lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final. It also charged Argentina's soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain’s 1-0 win on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one. Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behavior, with the same charge leveled against Spain player Gavi. Argentina’s players carried a banner with the slogan “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Malvinas are Argentine” — after beating England.
Taysom Hill announces the end of his time with the Saints, but not his retirement from the NFL
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Taysom Hill, a former BYU quarterback who evolved into a productive multi-position player for the New Orleans Saints, has announced that he won’t be returning to the team with which he spent his first nine NFL seasons. Hill is the only player in the NFL’s Super Bowl era to amass 1,000 or more yards passing, rushing and receiving. Whether he continues to play professional football remains to be seen. He did not announce his retirement. Hill says he doesn't “have a clear answer about what the future holds.” Hill is a free agent and his former coach, Sean Payton, is now with the Denver Broncos.
