NFL
Kaepernick joins workout
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick attended workouts with the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday, a source with the NFL Players Association said. Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since 2016, when he began protesting against racial injustice by kneeling during the US national anthem before games while he was with the San Francisco 49ers, prompting national debate. He went unsigned as a free agent in 2017 and filed a collusion grievance against NFL owners, saying that he was being retaliated against for his activism. In 2019, the two sides settled. Wednesday’s workouts were the first the 34-year-old had joined with an individual team since he last took the field.
WNBA
Griner’s wife breaks silence
The wife of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner has urged US President Joe Biden to help get the two-time Olympic gold medalist out of Russia. Griner was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges and she faces up to 10 years in prison. Cherelle Griner, speaking out publicly about her wife’s detention for the first time, called on Biden to do all he can to bring Brittney Griner home. “I just keep hearing that he has the power. She’s a political pawn,” Cherelle Griner said in an interview that aired on the ABC News Good Morning America program on Wednesday. “So if they’re holding her because they want you to do something, then I want you to do it.”
NHL
Blues beat Avalanche 5-4
Tyler Bozak and the St Louis Blues on Wednesday experienced just about every emotion imaginable over the course of a win-or-season-ends game in which they fell behind by three goals. Ultimately, they landed on this improbable emotion — elation. Bozak scored 3 minuets, 38 seconds into overtime and the Blues fended off elimination in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals, overcoming a pair of deficits in a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Bozak, a fourth-line center, unleashed a shot from near the blueline that got past Darcy Kuemper, capping a remarkable comeback for St Louis. “It was an amazing hockey game,” Bozak said. “I’m sure everyone that was watching thought the same thing.”
WORLD CUP
Scotland forbid sentiment
Andrew Robertson on Wednesday urged Scotland to put sentiment aside when they face Ukraine in next week’s FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final. Scotland host war-torn Ukraine in a semi-final rescheduled from March after Russia’s invasion began in February. Ukraine are certain to earn the support of fans around the world in their first competitive match since the war started. However, Scotland captain Robertson knows his team cannot allow sympathy on a human level to extend into the match itself in Glasgow. “For us as players and the manager, it’s bizarre with the situation around it,” Robertson told BBC Sport. “Probably everyone in the world wants Ukraine to win. If it was any other country, I would probably want them to win, but unfortunately they’re playing against my country and we have to stand in their way.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely