National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - LSU's Sha'Carri Richardson, center, celebrates as she wins the women's 100 meters during the NCAA outdoor track and field championships in Austin, Texas, June 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

75% of US Olympians played in college. Future of Games hinges on fallout from NCAA athlete payouts

Three-quarters of the nearly 600 American athletes lining up for action at the Paris Olympics got their training in college sports in the United States. It’s an eye-opening figure that places the … more

By DOUG FEINBERG and EDDIE PELLS | 7/27/24

The Olympic Flame rises on a balloon after being lit in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Olympic cauldron to rise into Paris skies each night

The Olympic cauldron that made a stunning first flight at the Paris Games opening ceremony will rise again every evening. Paris Olympics organizers say starting Saturday the balloon-borne cauldron … more

7/27/24

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love throws during an NFL football practice session Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. Love won’t be practicing with the Green Bay Packers as long as the quarterback’s negotiations on a contract extension remain unresolved, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Packers QB Love agrees to terms on 4-year contract extension worth $220 million, AP source says

A person familiar with the situation says Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension worth $220 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 7/26/24

Lauren Coughlin, of the United States, hits a tee shot on the seventh hole during the second round at the LPGA Canadian Women's Open golf tournament in Calgary, Alberta, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Coughlin holds into CPKC Women’s Open lead; Canadian star Henderson derailed by closing bogeys

Lauren Coughlin held onto the lead Friday in the CPKC Women’s Open, while Canadian star Brooke Henderson was derailed by closing bogeys at windy and smokey Earl Grey Golf Club. Coughlin followed … more

7/26/24

Taylor Pendrith putts on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Canadian Taylor Pendrith leads the 3M Open in pursuit of his 2nd victory of the year

Taylor Pendrith shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Matt NeSmith into the weekend in the 3M Open. Playing in windier afternoon conditions, Pendrith made a 30-foot birdie putt … more

By MIKE COOK | 7/26/24

New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, left works on a drill during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Irvine, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Saints reserve QB Jake Haener diagnosed with skin cancer, but remains at camp

New Orleans Saints reserve quarterback Jake Haener is balancing a recent skin cancer diagnosis with his effort to secure a job backing up starter Derek Carr. Haener shared his diagnosis on Friday … more

By BRETT MARTEL | 7/26/24

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) does drills during NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Dolphins sign QB Tua Tagovailoa to a 4-year, $212M contract extension, according to report

The Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a four-year contract extension valued at a franchise-record $212.4 million. Athletes First, the agency that represents Tagovailoa, … more

7/26/24

Germany's Alina Hartmann, right, tries to get the ball against, from right, Blessing Ejiofor, Lauren Ebo and Elizabeth Balogun from Nigeria during the Women International Basketball match between Germany and Nigeria at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Friday July 19, 2024. (Andreas Gora/dpa via AP)

Nigeria women's basketball team denied entry to opening ceremony boat by federation, AP source says

The Nigeria women’s basketball team wasn’t allowed to board the delegation’s boat for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/26/24

Coco Gauff of the U.S. attends a practice session ahead of the tennis competition, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

What to watch for the 2024 Paris Olympics: Rugby gold at stake, Gauff makes debut Saturday, July 27

Once the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics is over, competition begins in earnest all across France. There are plenty of gold medals at stake on Saturday. There’s swimming and tennis all … more

By The Associated Press | 7/26/24

FILE - Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett is the No. 1 defensive lineman in AP's top 5 rankings

AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was voted the top defensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five defensive … more

By ROB MAADDI | 7/26/24

FILE - Detroit Lions place kicker Michael Badgley (17), with Jack Fox holding, kicks a field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Detroit. Badgley was injured before practice Thursday, July 26, 2204, and will require surgery. Coach Dan Campbell didn’t disclose the nature of the injury. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Lions lose K Michael Badgley to a season-ending injury, giving UFL star Jake Bates chance to win job

Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley will miss the season with a significant injury, leaving United Football League sensation Jake Bates as the front-runner for the job. Badgley was injured before … more

7/26/24

LeBron James, jokes with Jayson Tatum, as the United State's men's team practiced before the start of the basketball competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Who are the flag bearers for the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony?

Most countries will have two athletes hoisting a large flag in the boats along the Seine River for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. It’s considered an honor to be chosen for that duty at the … more

7/26/24

Tourists photograph near the Champ-de-Mars Arena, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

First positive doping test at Paris Olympics is Iraqi judoka for anabolic steroids

A male judoka from Iraq tested positive for two anabolic steroids at the Paris Olympics. The International Testing Agency says Sajjad Sehen tested positive for metandienone and boldenone in a sample … more

7/26/24

Simone Biles of the United States practices the uneven bars during a gymnastics training session at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Simone Biles submits an original skill on uneven bars ahead of Paris Olympics

Simone Biles is looking to add to the list of skills named after her in gymnastics’ Code of Points. The American superstar has submitted an original skill on uneven bars to the International … more

7/26/24

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands arrives in the paddock ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium, Thursday, July 25, 2024. The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Verstappen in defensive mode against hard-charging McLaren at Belgian GP

Max Verstappen dominated the Formula One season last year and it was no different at the Belgian Grand Prix where he collected an eighth straight victory. But one year later he is in what's looking … more

7/26/24

FILE - Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Naomi Osaka is in a better place as she returns to the Olympics and Roland Garros at Paris Games

Naomi Osaka is back on the tennis tour, back at a Summer Olympics and back at Roland Garros. The sport's Paris Games competition begins Saturday on the same clay courts that host the French Open. … more

By HOWARD FENDRICH | 7/26/24

A mule deer doe and her two fawns graze as golfers pass by during the first round at the LPGA Canadian Women's Open golf tournament in in Calgary, Alberta, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Lauren Coughlin leads LPGA Tour's CPKC Women’s Open in chilly Calgary

Lauren Coughlin shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday in chilly and windy conditions to take the first-round lead in the CPKC Women’s Open. Coughlin opened the round that began on No. 11 with eight … more

7/25/24

Jacob Bridgeman walks on the 18th green after making a birdie putt during the first round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Jacob Bridgeman shoots an 8-under 63 at the TPC Twin Cities to take the 3M Open lead

Jacob Bridgeman birdied five of his last seven holes for an 8-under 63 and a one-stroke lead over Mackenzie Hughes on Thursday after the first round of the 3M Open. Patrick Rodgers, Martin Trainer … more

By MIKE COOK | 7/25/24

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, left, celebrates with pitcher Mason Miller after the Athletics defeated the Houston Astros in a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland All-Star closer Mason Miller breaks left pinky finger pounding training table in frustration

Oakland Athletics All-Star closer Mason Miller broke the pinky finger on his non-pitching hand when he pounded a table in frustration after he was reminded he had to do postgame lifting following … more

By JOE REEDY | 7/25/24

FILE - Then-Green Bay Packers' Jonathan Owens (34) and Simone Biles pose for a photo before an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. Chicago Bears safety Owens has arranged to take leave from training camp and is heading to Paris, Monday, July 29, 2024, to watch his wife Biles compete for the U.S. gymnastics team. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)

Bears safety Jonathan Owens taking break from camp to support wife Simone Biles at the Olympics

Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens has arranged to take leave from training camp and is heading to Paris Monday night to watch his wife Simone Biles compete for the U.S. gymnastics team. Owens, who … more

By GENE CHAMBERLAIN | 7/25/24