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WNBA remains silent on national anthem controversy

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:17
National AnthemOct 17, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Recording artist Goapele performs the national anthem before game one of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries both left the court before the national anthem ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday. And two days later, neither the teams nor the league has explained why.

The WNBA’s rulebook calls for players and coaches to stand and line up during the anthem, and one outlet is now pressing the league on whether it plans to do anything about it. But with Game 2 set for Monday night, the WNBA still hasn’t answered questions about the absences.

Teams Leave the Floor

Both teams were warming up at Chase Center on Saturday before they left the court shortly before the anthem. They jogged back onto the floor just seconds after it ended.

“Both the Dream and the Valkyries left the court prior to the playing of the National Anthem before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals,” wrote Dan Zaksheske of OutKick.

It’s still not clear whether the moment was intentional. Leaving the floor at a set time before tipoff isn’t uncommon in basketball, and LSU head coach Kim Mulkey gave a similar explanation in 2024 when her team, which included current Dream star Angel Reese, was off the court for the anthem before an Elite Eight game against Iowa.

‘The League Has Not Answered’

OutKick is now pointing to the WNBA’s 2026 rulebook, which includes a provision calling for players, coaches, and trainers to form a standing line along a sideline or foul line during the anthem.

“Both of its Finals teams left the court for Saturday’s performance, and the league has not answered OutKick’s questions about their absences,” Zaksheske wrote in a follow-up article.

Zaksheske said he contacted the WNBA, the Dream, and the Valkyries on Saturday and again on Sunday, asking why the players were off the court, whether they’d be there for Game 2, and whether the league had given any instructions. None of them had responded.

“If Saturday’s absences were simply part of the teams’ pregame routines, both have had an opportunity to explain that,” Zaksheske added.

It’s also worth noting that while the league’s policy does state that members of the team must line up “in a dignified posture” if they are on the court while the National Anthem is played, that only applies if the players are actually on the court. The rules seemingly don’t actually require the players to be on the court during the National Anthem.

Mixed Reactions

The moment drew plenty of outrage from conservative corners of the internet, with some treating it as a protest even though neither team has said that it was.

“Walking out during the national anthem is disgraceful. If you hate this country so much, you’re free to leave,” wrote sports media personality Emily Austin.

“This is anti-American, disgraceful behavior… No wonder so many sports fans can’t stand this left-wing political activist league. Honor our country & those that sacrificed their lives by standing for the national anthem on the court for 1 min. Shame on these women,” wrote Jon Root of OutKick.

But not everyone saw it as a big deal. Former NBA guard Ron Harper had a blunt response for Austin.

“Shut [up] and it’s the team choice not yours…,” Harper replied.

Game 2 tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Chase Center. Clearly, plenty of people will be watching to see where both teams are when the anthem starts.

The post WNBA remains silent on national anthem controversy appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

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Eagles announce Jalen Hurts diagnosed with blood clots in lungs, reportedly out for 2026 season

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16

After the Philadelphia Eagles officially placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve over the weekend, the team and his agent released a joint statement on his condition Monday, saying the quarterback is dealing with deep vein thrombosis as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli.

While the team knew about and announced the blood clot in Hurts’ leg, the bilateral pulmonary emboli is a new development for the quarterback. A bilateral pulmonary emboli involves multiple blood clots in the lungs.

As a result of that diagnosis, Hurts will be placed on blood thinners, and is unable to play football until he is fully recovered. Hurts’ prognosis is “very good” and he is expected to make a “full recovery,” per the joint statement.

“Over the past few days, Jalen Hurts has received comprehensive medical evaluations by physician experts. In the interest of transparency, we are providing additional information on the diagnosis and treatment plan related to his condition.

“Jalen was initially diagnosed by specialists in London with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis. After further testing and monitoring, the current diagnosis is deep vein thrombosis, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli. He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations. His treatment should only involve anticoagulation [i.e. “blood thinners”]. During this time, he will not be allowed to participate in any contact activities, including football.

“Jalen’s progress is very good, and we expect a full recovery. We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners. In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition. More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects.

“We are thinking of Jalen and looking forward to a strong recovery.”

While the statement did not offer a timetable for Hurts’ recovery, multiple reports suggests he’ll miss at least three months, essentially the entire 2026 NFL season.

This breaking news story will be updated.

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Jalen Hurts expected to miss remainder of 2026 season due to blood clot

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16

Jalen Hurts is facing an extended absence after additional testing revealed deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs, the Eagles and his agent, Nicole Lynn, announced in a joint statement Monday. Philadelphia said its quarterback is clinically stable, has no significant functional limitations and is expected to make a full recovery.

Hurts is expected to be sidelined for multiple months and is unlikely to play again this season, according to the reporting accompanying the announcement. The team and Lynn did not announce a specific return date or formally rule him out for the remainder of the season.

The statement provided a fuller account of a condition initially diagnosed while the Eagles were in London. Specialists first diagnosed Hurts with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis. Further testing and monitoring established the current diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots in both lungs.

The Eagles and Lynn said Hurts has undergone comprehensive evaluations by physician experts over the last few days. His treatment is expected to involve anticoagulation, commonly known as blood thinners, and he will not be permitted to participate in contact activities, including football, during that treatment.

The restriction makes his medical treatment the determining factor in any eventual return. Philadelphia said it anticipates Hurts will have an opportunity to resume contact football activities once he is off blood thinners, but it provided no timetable for when that might occur.

The outlook for his recovery was the most encouraging part of the announcement. The Eagles and Lynn described his prognosis as very good, said they expect a full recovery and anticipate no long-term effects. Hurts is expected to remain involved with the team and continue conditioning during his absence, according to the statement.

The update comes as Philadelphia attempts to recover from a fourth consecutive loss. Tanner McKee started Sunday's 25-14 defeat against Carolina, completing 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The Eagles finished with 222 total yards, including 35 rushing yards, and fell to 2-4.

Philadelphia also has recently added Joe Milton as it adjusts its quarterback depth. McKee played every offensive snap against the Panthers, but the offense struggled to generate explosive gains despite productive returns from DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert.

Those football decisions now unfold alongside a more consequential priority: allowing Hurts to complete his treatment and recovery. The Eagles offered an encouraging long-term outlook Monday, even as the updated diagnosis leaves the team preparing for a potentially lengthy stretch without its starting quarterback.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jalen Hurts expected to miss remainder of 2026 season due to blood clot

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ESPN's Bold Celtics Prediction Has Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta Producing Like an All-Star

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16
Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta

ESPN's Bold Celtics Prediction Has Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta Producing Like an All-Star originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Celtics will be thrilled if this comes true.

Ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season, ESPN released new Power Rankings for all 30 teams. Included in the publication's rankings is a bold prediction for each team.

For the Celtics, ESPN has high expectations for Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta.

"Bold prediction: Robinson and Queta combine to produce the value of a top-five center," ESPN's Zach Kram wrote.

"Advanced stats adore both Robinson and Queta, who score efficiently, play stalwart defense and do all the little things — such as grab offensive rebounds and set sturdy screens — that make them stand out in player value metrics.

"Neither player is an All-Star on his own, but their partnership could produce All-Star-caliber value in Mazzulla's system."

MORE: Paul George Hints at How Long He Wants to Stay With Celtics

Robinson joins the Celtics after spending the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the New York Knicks. He averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game last season, establishing himself as one of the NBA's premier offensive rebounders.

Robinson also played a key role off the bench in New York's championship run last season.

Queta is coming off a breakout season with the Celtics. He averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while starting 75 of his 76 regular-season appearances.

Based on what Celtics legend Isaiah Thomas recently said, we should expect Queta to make another leap this season.

Neither Robinson nor Queta is expected to become an All-Star individually, but ESPN believes their partnership could deliver All-Star-caliber value.

More Celtics
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Pat McAfee comments on Indianapolis Colts firing general manager Chris Ballard

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16

Former Indianapolis Colts punter and ubiquitous ESPN personality Pat McAfee, "a very, very, very, very high-paying season-ticket holder," responded to the firing of general manager Chris Ballard with a video on social media Monday, Oct. 19.

"Chris Ballard is a good man ... but he never won with the Colts," McAfee said, with a few NSFW words thrown in. "And I don't think he was a doing it in a manner in which you could win.

"I think he liked hits guys," McAfee said, invoking a Ballard accent. "But I think his guys really didn't have it.

"The culture seemed to be so soft with no accountability for a long time," with players reportedly missing meetings and treatment with no repercussions.

McAfee noted that Ballard got a bad break when Andrew Luck retired just before the 2019 season, but the Colts have been chasing a solution since: Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones have tried.

The Colts hired Ballard for the 2017 season, and they went 72-82-1 with him making the personnel calls, reaching the playoffs twice, but not since 2020.

Before this season, Ballard said he had not considered signing a contract extension, noting that the team had not been good enough in recent seasons and that he needed to build a winner to stay on.

(Note: The video below contains language not suitable for work [NSFW].)

BREAKING: CHRIS BALLARD, IN HIS 10th SEASON IN INDY, HAS BEEN FIRED AS @Colts GM pic.twitter.com/nURjGcXSFZ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 19, 2026Reaction to Colts firing Chris Ballard as general manager

We have relieved Chris Ballard of his duties as General Manager. pic.twitter.com/BleD6bfTsG

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 19, 2026

Chris Ballard was in the final season of his contract. He openly had discussed not being worried about not getting an extension. And now he is out in October. https://t.co/9X8ZeqVldzpic.twitter.com/N2u6B2ZGMr

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2026

From @GMFB: The #Colts have finally moved on from GM Chris Ballard, a rare midseason GM firing. pic.twitter.com/a3iz0j7hb5

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2026

The Colts kept Ballard despite an epic crash in 2022 and after 2024 washed out and Richardson busted.

He was given more rope than he deserved, yet still couldn’t meet even the bare minimum expectation (simply making the playoffs) and leaves the team worse than when he arrived.

— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) October 19, 2026

Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s gameday notes: pic.twitter.com/OAAkU2sN2N

— Matt Glenesk (@MattGlenesk) October 18, 2026

The Colts are primed to be the most Tobias Funke anyone has ever been. https://t.co/Ldf5r7bBn6pic.twitter.com/OulB5LFXJw

— Jim Ayello (@jimayello) October 19, 2026

Chris Ballard is one of the genuinely good people in football. But as strange as it may sound, I think his loyalty, belief in people and kindness sometimes worked against him.

The #Colts went all-in last year after starting 8-2 by trading two 1st-round picks for Sauce Gardner,… https://t.co/chDYTFAKOepic.twitter.com/15mSVyyikj

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 19, 2026

Five straight seasons without a playoff appearance for the #Colts (and some work to do at 2-4 to avoid a sixth) results in ownership moving on from Chris Ballard as GM. https://t.co/0ILHLO90qt

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 19, 2026

Carlie Irsay-Gordon did not wait long after a very disappointing start, especially yesterday's ugly loss to the previously-winless Titans, to make moves for her team. https://t.co/TbKWbMDgc9

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 19, 2026

Losing to the #Titans was the final straw for #Colts ownership. GM Chris Ballard fired.

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) October 19, 2026

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pat McAfee comments on Indianapolis Colts firing general manager Chris Ballard

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Pat McAfee comments on Indianapolis Colts firing general manager Chris Ballard

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16

Former Indianapolis Colts punter and ubiquitous ESPN personality Pat McAfee, "a very, very, very, very high-paying season-ticket holder," responded to the firing of general manager Chris Ballard with a video on social media Monday, Oct. 19.

"Chris Ballard is a good man ... but he never won with the Colts," McAfee said, with a few NSFW words thrown in. "And I don't think he was a doing it in a manner in which you could win.

"I think he liked hits guys," McAfee said, invoking a Ballard accent. "But I think his guys really didn't have it.

"The culture seemed to be so soft with no accountability for a long time," with players reportedly missing meetings and treatment with no repercussions.

McAfee noted that Ballard got a bad break when Andrew Luck retired just before the 2019 season, but the Colts have been chasing a solution since: Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones have tried.

The Colts hired Ballard for the 2017 season, and they went 72-82-1 with him making the personnel calls, reaching the playoffs twice, but not since 2020.

Before this season, Ballard said he had not considered signing a contract extension, noting that the team had not been good enough in recent seasons and that he needed to build a winner to stay on.

(Note: The video below contains language not suitable for work [NSFW].)

BREAKING: CHRIS BALLARD, IN HIS 10th SEASON IN INDY, HAS BEEN FIRED AS @Colts GM pic.twitter.com/nURjGcXSFZ

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 19, 2026Reaction to Colts firing Chris Ballard as general manager

We have relieved Chris Ballard of his duties as General Manager. pic.twitter.com/BleD6bfTsG

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 19, 2026

Chris Ballard was in the final season of his contract. He openly had discussed not being worried about not getting an extension. And now he is out in October. https://t.co/9X8ZeqVldzpic.twitter.com/N2u6B2ZGMr

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2026

From @GMFB: The #Colts have finally moved on from GM Chris Ballard, a rare midseason GM firing. pic.twitter.com/a3iz0j7hb5

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2026

The Colts kept Ballard despite an epic crash in 2022 and after 2024 washed out and Richardson busted.

He was given more rope than he deserved, yet still couldn’t meet even the bare minimum expectation (simply making the playoffs) and leaves the team worse than when he arrived.

— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) October 19, 2026

Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s gameday notes: pic.twitter.com/OAAkU2sN2N

— Matt Glenesk (@MattGlenesk) October 18, 2026

The Colts are primed to be the most Tobias Funke anyone has ever been. https://t.co/Ldf5r7bBn6pic.twitter.com/OulB5LFXJw

— Jim Ayello (@jimayello) October 19, 2026

Chris Ballard is one of the genuinely good people in football. But as strange as it may sound, I think his loyalty, belief in people and kindness sometimes worked against him.

The #Colts went all-in last year after starting 8-2 by trading two 1st-round picks for Sauce Gardner,… https://t.co/chDYTFAKOepic.twitter.com/15mSVyyikj

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 19, 2026

Five straight seasons without a playoff appearance for the #Colts (and some work to do at 2-4 to avoid a sixth) results in ownership moving on from Chris Ballard as GM. https://t.co/0ILHLO90qt

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 19, 2026

Carlie Irsay-Gordon did not wait long after a very disappointing start, especially yesterday's ugly loss to the previously-winless Titans, to make moves for her team. https://t.co/TbKWbMDgc9

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 19, 2026

Losing to the #Titans was the final straw for #Colts ownership. GM Chris Ballard fired.

— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) October 19, 2026

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pat McAfee comments on Indianapolis Colts firing general manager Chris Ballard

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Atlanta City hires Gotham scouting director Richard Gunney as chief soccer officer

Yahoo Sports - Mon, 10/19/2026 - 17:16

Atlanta City hires Gotham scouting director Richard Gunney as chief soccer officerAtlanta City have hired Gotham scouting director Richard Gunney as chief soccer officer ahead of their inaugural 2028 season.

Less than a month after revealing its name, crest and branding, the National Women’s Soccer League’s 17th team, owned by Arthur Blank, can now count a two-time NWSL championship-winning staff member among its ranks. Gunney, a native of Cardiff, will start work in Atlanta on Nov. 1.

“With a decade of experience in the NWSL across coaching, scouting, player recruitment, and development, Richard is uniquely qualified to take on this role and develop a championship-caliber club for Atlanta,” the club’s president of soccer, Mauricio Culebro, said in a press release. “We are thrilled to have Richard join Atlanta City FC.”

In his new role, Gunney will lead Atlanta’s establishment and implementation of a soccer philosophy that will shape the team’s short- and long-term ambitions. He brings a wealth of experience to one of the NWSL’s newest teams that spans three different clubs.

Gunney joined Gotham in 2022 as the director of scouting and roster development, where he worked alongside then-general manager and head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West (now president of soccer operations) to carefully piece together a roster that could consistently win trophies.

At Gotham, Gunney developed a system to identify and evaluate players and oversaw the club’s scouting networks. He helped recruit world-class domestic and international talent, including a quartet of USWNT stars in Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, and Crystal Dunn; World Cup champion and Spanish international Ester Gonzalez; eventual Rookie of the Year fullback Lilly Reale; Florida State forward Jordynn Dudley; and most recently Norwegian wingback Guro Reiten and Australian striker Sam Kerr from Chelsea.

Gunney collected four titles during his tenure: two NWSL championships in 2023 and 2025, a Concacaf W Champions Cup in 2025 and the NWSL Challenge Cup this year.

“I am extremely excited to be joining Atlanta City FC as chief soccer officer,” Gunney said in the club’s release. “As an expansion club, we have a unique chance to establish a lasting identity, high-performance culture, and clear soccer philosophy from day one. Our goal will be to create a team that reflects Atlanta’s pride, passion, and ambition on and off the field.”

Before Gotham, Gunney was the assistant head coach for the San Diego Wave during their inaugural season in 2022, which concluded in a playoff berth that went as far as the NWSL semifinals. Gunney was the Portland Thorns assistant head coach before that from 2017 to 2021. In each of the ten seasons he’s worked in the league, Gunney has reached the postseason.

Atlanta City will enter the league alongside another team in Columbus. The NWSL granted Atlanta a franchise, backed by Blank, last November for a $165 million fee. That figure set a new record for expansion fees until it was broken in April when the league awarded Columbus a franchise for a $205 million fee.

Gotham and Portland have both provided fertile ground for recruiting leaders on the sporting front. Last week, Columbus named Lucy Rushton as its general manager. Rushton had recently worked with both clubs in consultant and advisory roles, focusing on long-term planning and recruitment.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Gotham FC, NWSL, Women's Soccer

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