AP Sports

Serena Williams says she had a benign cyst removed from her neck and ‘all is OK’

NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams says she had a benign branchial cyst “the size of a small grapefruit” removed from her neck and “all is OK.” The retired tennis star posted Wednesday on social media that she found a lump on her neck in May, had an MRI exam, and was told she didn’t need to get it removed if she didn’t want to. So she didn’t then, “but it kept growing,” Williams wrote. After more tests, including a biopsy that was negative for cancer, Williams said, her doctors said she should have a procedure. Williams turned 43 last month.

Thomas Tuchel hired as England head coach ahead of 2026 World Cup and targets ‘second star’

LONDON (AP) — Thomas Tuchel has been hired as England coach and will take on the challenge of ending the national team’s decades-long wait for a trophy. The German previously managed Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He will begin his tenure in January ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Tuchel won major trophies in Germany, France and England and is England’s third foreign coach after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. He succeeds one of England’s most successful coaches. Gareth Southgate led the country to back-to-back European Championship finals and a World Cup semifinals. Southgate stepped down in July after eight years following defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Ravens’ dynamic duo of Henry and Jackson help lead a rushing renaissance in the NFL

The NFL’s running game has had a bit of a renaissance early this season thanks in part to a dynamic duo in Baltimore off to a historic start. NFL teams are rushing at the highest rate through six weeks since 2008, with teams averaging a record-high 4.5 yards per carry and the most yards rushing per game at this point in a season in 40 years. The Ravens are playing a big part in that thanks to the predictable success of pairing perhaps the NFL’s best rushing quarterback, Lamar Jackson, with the most prolific running back of his generation, Derrick Henry.

How Jose Iglesias’ ‘OMG’ became the perfect anthem for the underdog Mets

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a pop hit like many others, with an ascending chorus, an addictive hook, a warm rhythm. But “OMG” has become the perfect anthem for Jose Iglesias’ New York Mets. The infielder performs the song under the musical moniker Candelita. The song is contemporary Latin pop, incorporating elements of reggaetón and tropical music. Music critic Gary Suarez says those are pop sounds heard all over Latin America and the U.S. He says it’s positive message and bilingual chorus allows it to connect with the Mets’ broad audience. It’s already racked up millions of streams as the Mets continue their unlikely playoff run.

Judge hits first home run of this postseason and Yankees beat Guardians 6-3 for 2-0 ALCS lead

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit a two-run drive into Monument Park for his first home run of this postseason, and the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 to take a 2-0 AL Championship Series lead. Judge, who entered with just one RBI in the playoffs, hit a sacrifice fly in a two-run second and hit his 14th career postseason home run, a seventh-inning drive off Hunter Gaddis. After a day off, Game 3 is Thursday in Cleveland. The Yankees lead the ALCS 2-0 for the first time since 2009 against the Los Angeles Angels.

College football picks: Huskers can end 7-year bowl drought if they knock off No. 16 Indiana on road

The second half of the college football season is upon us, when many teams’ thoughts turn to qualifying for a bowl if not the College Football Playoff. The usual suspects and some new ones are bidding for the 12 playoff spots. There are 70 more postseason openings for 35 non-playoff bowls. Nine teams already have achieved the six-win threshold for bowl eligibility and 21 five-win teams would join them with victories this week. Nebraska’s seven-year bowl drought is the longest among power-conference teams. The Cornhuskers can end it with a win at No. 16 Indiana.

Lions and DT Alim McNeill agree to $97 million, 4-year deal in franchise’s latest investment

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have decided to make defensive tackle Alim McNeill their latest investment, retaining a key player with a long-term deal. Detroit and defensive tackle Alim McNeill agreed to a $97 million, four-year contract extension, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the terms had not been announced. Detroit plays NFC North-leading Minnesota on the road Sunday in a potentially pivotal game in the division race and for playoff positioning. The Lions won the NFC North last season, their first division title in three decades.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league still reviewing latest claims against Deshaun Watson

ATLANTA (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is still reviewing the latest claims of sexual assault and battery against Deshaun Watson. The Cleveland Browns quarterback resolved the civil lawsuit filed against him by the woman but that doesn’t preclude him from being disciplined by the league. The league, per standard procedure, has sought to interview the plaintiff through her lawyer, Tony Buzbee. Watson was suspended for the first 11 games in 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions.

Mbappé’s representatives dismiss Swedish reports of a rape claim

STOCKHOLM (AP) — French soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s representatives have rejected as “false and irresponsible” reports in Swedish media saying he is the subject of a rape investigation in the Nordic country. Without citing sources, several Swedish media including tabloids Expressen and Aftonbladet and broadcasters SVT and TV4 reported that the Real Madrid striker was the subject of a rape claim following a visit to Stockholm last week. Swedish prosecutors issued a brief statement Tuesday confirming that a rape had been reported to police, but didn’t name any suspect. Asked for comment, Mbappé’s communications team accused Swedish media of spreading “slanderous” rumors. In a statement to AP, they said “these accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.”

For Johnny and Matthew: Blue Jackets play their home opener with Gaudreaus in mind

Johnny Gaudreau’s Columbus teammates were given a few options for how to handle their emotions during the Blue Jackets’ home opener. If you want to cry, cry. If you want to laugh, laugh. The only rules — play the game the way “Johnny Hockey” would and with him in mind. Emotions ran high in Columbus on Tuesday night, when the Blue Jackets paid tribute to their star and his late brother Matthew at their home opener against the Florida Panthers. Among the highlights: A banner was raised to the rafters in Gaudreau’s memory, as fans cheered, both teams stick-tapped the ice in the traditional hockey salute, and his family looked on, their arms intertwined.