Sports

Matthew Stafford ends record-tying longest wait for first-team AP NFL All-Pro honor

Matthew Stafford has finally been named a first-team AP NFL All-Pro, ending the longest wait ever for a quarterback to receive this honor. Stafford, who just completed his 17th NFL season, surpasses Fran Tarkenton’s 15-year wait for the accolade. The All-Pro selection could boost Stafford’s Hall of Fame chances, as no modern quarterback has made it without such honors. The Denver Broncos lead with four first-team selections, while the New England Patriots, despite tying for the best record, had no first-team picks. Rookie Chimere Dike stands out as the only first-team All-Pro rookie this season.

Real Madrid gets rid of Xabi Alonso and promotes B team manager Álvaro Arbeloa

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid has replaced coach Xabi Alonso with B team manager Álvaro Arbeloa to no surprise. They were teammates at Madrid, Liverpool and Spain. Madrid says Alonso left by mutual agreement capping a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months. The midfield great arrived in May under high expectations as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement. The announcement comes a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Brooks Koepka returns to PGA Tour under stiff financial penalty just 5 weeks after leaving LIV

HONOLULU (AP) — Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour five weeks after leaving LIV Golf. The tour has informed players that Koepka will be allowed to return with a stiff financial penalty. He’s agreed to a $5 million charity donation. He also will have no access to the PGA Tour’s equity program for five years and cannot get FedEx Cup bonus money in 2026. The tour puts that value at upward of $50 million depending on Koepka’s performance. Koepka plans to return at Torrey Pines in two weeks. The program is only available to Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.

Matthew Stafford is healthy, but Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon is out for season after playoff injury

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play for the Los Angeles Rams this weekend after tests revealed only a sprain of the index finger on his throwing hand. Stafford injured his finger in the first half of the Rams’ 34-31 victory over the Panthers last Saturday when he banged his hand into the arm of a Carolina defender on a follow-through. The MVP candidate was able to play through the injury, and coach Sean McVay says Stafford will be “good to go” when Los Angeles faces Chicago in the divisional round on Sunday.

Arizona strengthens hold on No. 1 in AP Top 25; Vanderbilt cracks top 10

Arizona has tightened its hold on the top spot in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll after Michigan’s loss to Wisconsin. The Wildcats received 60 of 61 first-place votes. Iowa State moved up to No. 2, followed by UConn, Michigan and Purdue. Nebraska moved up two spots to No. 8 to match its highest-ever ranking set in February 1966. Vanderbilt hit No. 10 for its first top-10 ranking since the 2011-12 preseason poll. No. 19 Florida, No. 22 Clemson, No. 23 Utah State and No. 25 Seton Hall were the new additions to the poll. Kansas, SMU and UCF fell out.

UConn unanimous No. 1 as South Carolina climbs to No. 2 in AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll

South Carolina climbed to No. 2 in the latest AP women’s basketball Top 25. The reshuffle follows a week where four of the top 10 teams lost. UConn is No. 1. LSU and TCU jumped into the top 10, with LSU moving to No. 6 after beating Texas. Texas dropped to fourth, while No. 5 Vanderbilt has its highest ranking since 2002. Maryland and Oklahoma fall out of the top 10, and Alabama, Notre Dame, and Illinois entered the poll. The SEC leads with nine teams in the Top 25.

Dylan Raiola announces he’s transferring from Nebraska to Oregon

Quarterback Dylan Raiola has announced on social media he intends to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon. Raiola was the highest-ranked recruit to sign with Nebraska and started 22 games over two seasons. He broke his leg against Southern California on Nov. 1 and missed the Cornhuskers’ last four games. Oregon’s quarterback room for 2026 remains unsettled even with the addition of Raiola as Dante Moore decides whether he will enter the NFL draft. Moore said Friday after a 56-22 loss to No. 1 Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal that he was uncertain on his future.

Canadian ice master makes Olympic history with the Games’ 1st indoor temporary speedskating rink

RHO, Italy (AP) — Olympic officials have brought on ice master Mark Messer to prepare the speed skating rink for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games. This is the first time Olympic speed skaters will compete on a temporary indoor rink. Messer, a veteran of six previous Olympic tracks, has been working since late October at the new Speed Skating Stadium in Rho, Italy. The ice must be hard, cold, and smooth for optimal performance. The rink got its first big test during a Junior World Cup event in late November. Messer continues to fine-tune the conditions to ensure the best performance for all skaters before the start of Olympic training on Jan. 31.

How a slippery court led to a grueling stretch for the Bulls and Heat: 4 games in 5 days await

MIAMI (AP) — The NBA has rescheduled a game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat due to a slippery court issue. The game, originally set for last Thursday, will now be played on January 29. This change means both teams will play four games in five days later this month. The Bulls and Heat will face each other in three consecutive games. Chicago will play in Indiana on January 28, then host Miami the next day. Meanwhile, Miami will host Orlando on January 28 before starting the three-game series against the Bulls.