NFL players, communities rally for Bills safety Damar Hamlin
The NFL and its fans are rallying in support of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who remains in critical condition at a Cincinnati hospital after going into cardiac arrest on the field. Players and coaches from around the league were overcome with emotion while watching Hamlin be resuscitated back to life Monday night during Buffalo’s game at Cincinnati. Hamlin's uncle, Dorrian Glenn, told CNN that his nephew had to have his heart re-started twice — once on the field, and once at the hospital. Glenn says there were some encouraging signs Tuesday, including doctors reducing the amount of oxygen Hamlin was receiving.
NFL balances emotions, tight schedule after Hamlin shock
The NFL has informed the Bills and Bengals their suspended game will not be resumed this week while the Week 18 schedule remains unchanged. The NFL has made no decision regarding the possible resumption of the pivotal Bills-Bengals game at a later date. The game was suspended Monday night in the first quarter when Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest. The 24-year-old Hamlin remained in critical condition a day after the Bills said his heart stopped after making a tackle in the opening quarter of a game against the Bengals. Medical staff restored his heartbeat during frantic moments on the field before he was loaded into an ambulance. Players from both teams were crying and praying during an emotional scene on the field.
Fans give millions to Damar Hamlin's toy drive for kids
Damar Hamlin’s goal was simple: He wanted to raise $2,500 online to buy toys for needy kids. It took about two years. Then came Monday, when the Buffalo Bills safety was critically injured and needed his heart restarted on the field in a chilling scene during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He instantly became one of the biggest stories in sports, and thousands of people found his GoFundMe page. The result was roughly $5.5 million donated in the first 24 hours after his injury. And the number is climbing.
Pelé buried at cemetery in Brazilian city he made famous
SANTOS, Brazil (AP) — Brazil said a final farewell to Pelé on Tuesday, burying the legend who unified the bitterly divided country. Pelé was placed in his final resting place as millions of fans around the world mourned. Newly inaugurated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid his respects at the Vila Belmiro stadium where Pelé played much of his career. Pelé was buried in Santos, the city where he became famous. Mass was held at the Vila Belmiro stadium before the casket was ushered through the streets. Pele died Thursday at age 82.
Antetokounmpo has career-high 55 points; Bucks beat Wizards
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 55 points in a return from a one-game absence and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Washington 123-113 on Tuesday night, snapping the Wizards’ five-game winning streak. Antetokounmpo has scored at least 40 points in three straight games for the first time in his career. The two-time MVP sat out a 118-95 loss to the Wizards on Sunday because of a sore left knee. The only other Bucks to score at least 40 points in three straight appearances are Flynn Robinson in February 1969 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February 1972. Antetokounmpo also had 10 rebounds and seven assists, giving him at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in his last three games. Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points for Washington.
NBA says Mitchell's desperation score shouldn't have counted
Donovan Mitchell sent the best game of his career to overtime with an incredible play. A little too incredible, the NBA said. Mitchell’s desperation basket that forced overtime — off an intentionally missed free throw — and extended what became his 71-point effort for the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 145-134 win over the Chicago Bulls shouldn’t have counted, the NBA said Tuesday. The reason: Mitchell stepped “over the plane of the free throw line before the ball touches the basket ring,” the league said. That's a violation and Chicago should have been awarded possession with a two-point lead.
AP source: Panthers owner, Jim Harbaugh discuss coaching job
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — According to a person familiar with the situation, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has talked to University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh about the team’s head coaching position. The person characterized the talks as a conversation, not a job interview. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the team does not normally release details of its coaching search. The Panthers were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday after a 30-24 loss to Tampa Bay. Steve Wilks is currently serving Panthers interim head coach. Under Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers reached the NFC championship game three straight years from 2011 to 2013 and lost Super Bowl 47 to Baltimore.
US men's coach Berhalter admits kicking future wife in 1991
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. Soccer Federation is investigating men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter for a 1991 confrontation in which he kicked the woman who later became his wife. The federation says it learned of the allegation on Dec. 11 and hired the law firm Alston & Bird to investigate. The USSF says Berhalter and his wife Rosalind had “spoken openly” about the matter. Berhalter admits to the kick in a statement Tuesday. The USSF says it will announce “in the coming days” who will coach the team for exhibitions against Serbia on Jan. 25 and Colombia three days later.
Column: New year on the PGA Tour more mysterious than ever
KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) — Every new year brings a mixture of mystery and optimism on the PGA Tour, and that's never more true than now, says AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Among six topics to contemplate for 2023 is whether the Saudi-funded LIV Golf can sustain any momentum by signing top players and finding a broadcast partner. For Tiger Woods, the question is not so much when he will play but how much he can play. At the Masters, anticipation is sure to build on how the lengthened par-5 13th hole will play and whether Rory McIlroy can finally win a green jacket with the career Grand Slam at stake.
NCAA recommendations call for bigger championship events
The NCAA Division I transformation committee has released its final report. It is recommending more sport-by-sport governance in college sports, enhanced expectations for D-1 schools to create a more uniform experience for athletes across all schools and allowing 25% of teams in the most-sponsored sports to compete in championship events. That could mean a March Madness tournament with 90 teams instead of the current 68. The report will be presented to the Division I Board of Directors for consideration ahead of next week’s NCAA convention in San Antonio.