Thursday's Report: Russell Henley, Middle Georgia State, Mercer; Braves, UGA, Dream, United, Falcons; MLB/ASG, ESPYs, WNBA, SEC Media Days/CFB, NCAA moves, British Open, NFL, soccer, colleges, NBA
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Around/About Central Georgia
Middle Georgia State revives Knights Athletic Association
Mercer’s Frye signs free-agent contract with Padres
Alumni Update/Honor Roll
Tattnall grad Smith makes preseason FCS All-America team
Central Georgia teams earn sportsmanship award
The annual GHSA sportsmanship honors are out, with a school from each region of the state being cited.
The award is sponsored by the Georgia Electric Membership Corporations, and reinforces the GHSA philosophy, as per the GHSA’s website:
“Students, athletes, coaches, spectators and all others associated with high school activities programs should adhere to the fundamental values of respect, fairness, honesty and responsibility.”
GHSA region secretaries pick the winners.
Central Georgia’s schools: Northside, Region 2-5A; Washington County, Region 2-A/Division I; Hawkinsville, Region 4-A/Division II;, GMC Prep, Region 5-A/Division II.
Around/About Georgia
Harris, Albies players to watch as Braves try to find 2nd-half spark
Sugiura: A hunt for Home Run Derby ball turns up different sort of prize
‘He’s got it all’: WR Wiley ready to make his mark at Georgia
How Georgia legend Bowers is working toward NFL Hall of Fame status
Atlanta starters combine for 58 points in win over the Sky
Reilly scores first career goal as Atlanta United rallies in stoppage time to tie Fire
Falcons announce throwback uniform games for 2025
Georgia Tech introduces new athletics director
Baseball/MLB
All-Star Game has slight drop in viewers despite having its first swing-off
Souhan: Shut up and let 'em play
Raleigh successful as 4 of 5 challenges reverse calls in first All-Star use of robot umpire
MLB takes page out of Savannah Bananas' playbook with home run swing-off finish
Royals reacquire Adam Frazier in an All-Star break trade with the Pirates
Serafini, former MLB pitcher, convicted of murdering father-in-law
A lockout is looming over MLB in December 2026, with a salary cap fight possibly at the center
Around the nation/world
Lee Corso delivers heartfelt speech at ESPYS
ESPYs pay emotional tribute to Lee Corso with USC band, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard
Biles, SGA, Eagles capture top honors at ESPYS
WNBA/Women’s Basketball
Stewart leads Liberty to 98-77 win over the Fever as Clark missed game with groin injury
Clark sidelined again, heading into All-Star weekend
Ogwumike moves into 6th place on WNBA’s all-time scoring list as Storm beat Valkyries
College Football/SEC Media Days
Tennessee embraces QB battle as Florida, Mississippi State seek new heights
Mateer earns high praise as Oklahoma enters new era, hoping to return to high Sooners standards
DeBoer is looking to escape Nick Saban’s shadow and lead Tide back to playoffs in 2nd season
Sky's the limit for Gators' Lagway, says Napier
Shapen healthy, poised to lead Miss. State offense
Alabama on Florida State QB’s ‘Disrespect’
Lebby calls Mississippi State running backs 'the deepest room on our roster'
Casagrande: Alabama’s no longer the star of SEC Media Days, and that’s fine
Lagway looks at the pressure to win as a “privilege.”
Big questions and expectations for DeBoer
Napier: 'We have enough talent'
Oklahoma transfer QB Mateer draws Mayfield comparison
One Alabama star just revealed his unusual off-field obsession
Leftovers
Stockton has heard the criticism. Here's what fuels the Georgia football quarterback
What Freeze said about Kiffin jabs even though Auburn coach isn't on social media
Georgia-Texas isn’t yet a rivalry, but Tuesday showed a real disdain is growing between the programs
Faulk on possibly losing rivalry with Georgia: 'We have to keep Georgia on our schedule'
The wait is over for Texas and Arch Manning, though quarterback admits it wasn’t easy being backup
Tennessee players say they won't hate watch Iamaleava games at UCLA
Smart pressed to analyze DeBoer's first season at Alabama
Freeze addresses relationship with Kiffin, stance on social media jabs
Ole Miss hopes Georgia win is springboard to success in 2025
Kiffin: Why Smart, Sarkisian the 2 ‘premier coaches in college football’
College Sports, the changing landscape
LSU's Kelly pushes back at House settlement complaints
Pac-12, Mountain West headed back to court after mediation fails over millions in ‘poaching’ fees
British Open
Scheffler is chasing the claret jug at the British Open and searching for what it all means
From driving irons to mini drivers, Royal Portrush baffles players ahead of British Open
The British Open, golf’s oldest major, is always a new experience
6 ways to Sunday: The most diabolical holes at Royal Portrush
5 key storylines plus predictions
Golf
Clark banned from Oakmont Country Club after damaging locker during 2025 U.S. Open
Auto Racing
Fights over charters loom over NASCAR as teams, series await key court rulings
Tennis
Sabalenka withdraws from Montreal tournament, opts for extra rest before US Open preparation
Bouchard will retire from tennis after a final appearance in Montreal
Soccer
How climate change could force FIFA to rethink the World Cup calendar
Sweden happy to be ‘flying under the radar’ ahead of Euro 2025 quarterfinal against England
Miami 'outclassed' as historic Messi streak ends
In a summer full of women’s soccer, the Africa Cup of Nations has intrigue
College Football/South
Swinney hilariously mixes up LSU coach Brian Kelly for country singer on vacation
Auburn wide receiver arrested on domestic assault charge
Manziel believes the NFL would have been a pay cut for him if he had NIL at Texas A&M
Former Florida football QB Danny Wuerffel gives his take on Billy Napier heading into 2025 seaosn
College Football
Sankey again backs 9-game conference schedule
Boise State tops Mountain West preseason poll
NFL/USFL/UFL/Football
Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II voted NFL’s top cornerback by AP
Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson tie for the top wide receiver in a vote by AP writers
Buccaneers add extra flavor of 'Creamsicle,' bring back original road jerseys
McLaurin casts doubt on attending Commanders training camp given lack of progress on a new contract
College Sports
Mountain West Conference pauses expansion as it negotiates media deals
NBA/Basketball
Silver once called NBA expansion manifest destiny but timeline is murky
Beal, 3-time All-Star, agrees to buyout with the Suns
NHL/Hockey
Hockey’s beloved emergency backup goalies face an uncertain future with new NHL rule
Blackhawks agree to 3-year, entry-level deal with No. 3 overall pick Anton Frondell
Scoreboards