Sports

Hulk Hogan, icon in professional wrestling, dies at age 71

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at age 71. Police in Clearwater, Florida, say authorities responded to a call about a cardiac arrest. No foul play is suspected. Hogan’s real name was Terry Bollea, and he was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon. Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in movies and TV shows, including a reality show on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”

Judge acquits 5 former Canadian junior hockey players in sexual assault case that rattled the nation

LONDON, Ontario (AP) — An Ontario judge has acquitted five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team in their sexual assault case, saying the complainant’s allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia said Thursday that prosecutors could not meet the onus of proof for the charges against Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote. All five players had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in the encounter that took place in a London, Ontario, hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.

Jets quarterback Justin Fields dislocates toe, team evaluating injury day-to-day

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jets quarterback Justin Fields has a dislocated toe on his right foot and will be evaluated daily by the team. The announcement came after Fields limped off the practice field Thursday morning and was carted into the facility. This eased initial concerns about him missing significant practice time. Fields, in his first season with the Jets, signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March. Coach Aaron Glenn urged fans to remain calm, emphasizing the team’s depth with veteran Tyrod Taylor as backup. The Jets also have Adrian Martinez and rookie Brady Cook on the roster.

Detroit Lions offensive line is a work in progress a year after being among NFL’s best

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions had one of the NFL’s best offensive lines last season. This year is more of a work in progress. Center Frank Ragnow’s retirement and the loss of right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency have opened up competition for at least two new starters. Graham Glasgow, who started at left guard last season and has experience at center, along with rookie Tate Ratledge are getting reps at center through four days of training camp. And then there’s the banged-up veteran Taylor Decker at left tackle.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham fined $500 for a TikTok post criticizing referees

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham says she has been fined $500 for a TikTok post criticizing the league’s referees. The original TikTok was posted on July 18 and shows Cunningham lip-synching to lyrics implying referees are “stupid” or “useless.” The video has garnered 1.3 million views. Cunningham tweeted laughing face emojis on Wednesday and said “idk why this is funny to me… like ok you got it bud! Cause there’s not more important things to be worried about with our league right now.” Officiating has been a contentious issue in the league this season with players and coaches being vocal about inconsistent calls.

There are 5 first-time NFL head coaches this season and they each face distinct challenges

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn is stepping into his first head coaching role with the New York Jets after years of preparation. Previously the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator, Glenn credits his former boss, Dan Campbell, for giving him opportunities to act as a head coach. Glenn faces the challenge of ending the Jets’ 14-season playoff drought. He is one of five first-time NFL head coaches this year, alongside Liam Coen, Ben Johnson, Kellen Moore and Brian Schottenheimer. Each coach brings a unique background and faces distinct challenges, from developing young quarterbacks to reshaping team cultures.

Arizona’s Burke, Arizona State’s Miller enter rivalry with mutual respect

As new coaches at opposite ends of a rivalry, Arizona State’s Molly Miller and Arizona’s Becky Burke could easily hold animosity toward the other. Far from it. Both coaches admire the way the other has worked through the coaching ranks, winning at every stop, and how their infectious enthusiasm seeps onto the floor through their players. Burke spent the past three years at Buffalo. She takes over an Arizona program that went to the NCAA Tournament four of the past five years. Miller arrives at Arizona State after leading Grand Canyon to the NCAA Tournament.

New Jersey Little Leaguer suspended for bat flip, a celebration governing body promotes

A 12-year-old Little Leaguer is “distraught” at the prospect of missing his team’s first state tournament game because he was suspended for flipping his bat after hitting a game-winning home run. But his father says Little League Baseball promotes bat-flipping celebrations on its social media accounts that don’t result in punishment. Now, Marco Rocco’s family has gone to court to seek an emergency temporary restraining order that will allow him to play in the New Jersey state tournament that starts on Thursday. The Haddonfield, New Jersey player was suspended after flipping his bat after hitting as winning home run in a game on July 16.

Déjà vu: England and Spain meet again in a final, this time at the Women’s European Championship

ZURICH (AP) — England and Spain are set to face off in the Women’s European Championship final, echoing their World Cup clash two years ago. Spain won that match 1-0. England’s Keira Walsh reflects on the past disappointment but emphasizes a focus on Sunday’s game. Both teams endured tough semifinals, with England defeating Italy and Spain overcoming Germany. World Cup and Nations League champion Spain enters its first Euros final. The team’s World Cup victory was overshadowed by controversy involving former Spanish soccer federation head Luis Rubiales. Walsh hopes Spain can enjoy the final without turmoil this time around.

A test of the mind and body: The story behind AP’s stage to stage coverage of the Tour De France

The Tour de France – one of the world’s biggest sports races – is a test of the mind and body. The 112th edition features over 180 riders covering 2,000 miles, ranging from flat surfaces to mountainous climbs, with significant elevation changes. On this episode of The Story Behind the AP Story, correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh explains how the race works, as well as some iconic moments. On the ground, AP photographers, Thibault Camus and Mosa’ab El Shamy capture the vibrant atmosphere and festive mood as the race passes through cities and towns. For more on AP’s coverage, visit apnews.com.