FOOTBALL
Hamlin given award
Damar Hamlin on Wednesday made a brief appearance in Phoenix, Arizona, during Super Bowl week to receive the NFL Players’ Association Alan Page Community Award. The Buffalo Bills safety received the award at the Phoenix Convention Center a little over a month after he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati, Ohio. “One of my favorite quotes: It’s a blessing to be a blessing,” Hamlin said, reading from a brief statement with his parents on stage with him. “With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted and always have an urgent approach to making a difference in the community where I come from and also communities across the world.” Hamlin was one of five finalists for the Alan Page Award, which annually recognizes one player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in his team city and/or hometown. His foundation received US$100,000 with the award.
BASKETBALL
WNBA probes allegations
The WNBA is investigating former Las Vegas player Dearica Hamby’s allegations that the Aces bullied and manipulated her for being pregnant, the league said in a statement on Wednesday. It was the first time the league acknowledged publicly that it was looking into the situation. The players’ union had pushed for an inquiry into whether Hamby’s rights under the league’s 2020 labor agreement were contravened, as well as state and federal laws. The Aces released a statement that read, in part: “As an organization whose mission is to support and celebrate the tremendously talented women in our league, we take seriously our responsibility to hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. We have been in contact with league investigators to assist with all information requested, and will continue to do so throughout the investigation.” The investigation also includes looking into allegations that the Aces circumvented the salary cap by making under-the-table payments to players, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said. Hamby made her allegations after being traded on Jan. 21 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Aces were trying to clear up salary-cap room to sign Candace Parker, who agreed to a deal on Jan. 28. Hamby agreed to a two-year contract extension with Las Vegas in June. After she was traded, she posted on Instagram: “Being traded is a part of the business. Being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not.”
TENNIS
Bublik smashes rackets
A raging Alexander Bublik on Wednesday laid waste to three rackets in a row at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier as the defending champion exited the ATP 250 event in the first round. Bublik, who was born in Russia, but represents Kazakhstan, lost 4-6, 7-6 (14/12), 6-7 (7/3) to local hope Gregoire Barrere. World No. 50 Bublik saved three match points in a second-set tie-breaker to level the contest and the 25-year-old was leading 4-2 in the third. However, he lost the lead and then his cool as he trailed 6-0 in a third-set tiebreak. The sixth seed drew jeers from the crowd as he slammed his racket onto the court before grabbing two more and destroying those, too. Barrere wrapped up the match on his sixth match point, while Bublik finished with 14 double faults.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
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