US Sports News

Monte Harrison, 28-Year-Old Former MLB Player, Commits to Play Football at Arkansas

Monte Harrison is taking an unconventional path to gridiron glory. The 28-year-old former MLB player has committed to play wide receiver at Arkansas. He will enroll as a freshman walk-on.

Harrison was a two-sport start at Lee's Summit West High School and committed to play football at Nebraska in the summer of 2013, but was also a top prospect entering the 2014 MLB draft. The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the second round as an outfielder, and he signed on June 14.

In January of 2018, he was traded to the Miami Marlins as part of the blockbuster Christian Yelich deal, and was immediately ranked as one of the Marlins' top prospects. He made his big league debut on August 4, 2020 and in 32 games slashed .170/.235/.255 with one home run and three RBIs. Over the next two seasons, he only got into 18 games with the Marlins (in 2021) and the Los Angeles Angels (in 2022). In 50 career games, Harrison hit .176 with an on-base percentage of .253, while slugging .295. He hit two home runs, drive in six runs and posted an OPS of .547 and a -0.1 WAR.

He caught back on with the Brewers in 2023, and played in 88 Triple-A games but was released in September. He decided football was his best option.

As a high school senior, 247 Sports ranked Harrison as a four-star receiver and the 376th-best player in the nation. In his final prep season, he caught 60 passes for 1,007 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He also added 12 touchdowns on 198 rushing yards and threw a touchdown pass.

This is a fascinating story. Harrison is one part Bo Jackson, one part Van Wilder.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders Makes Musical Debut With New Song, ‘Perfect Timing’

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is looking to finish out his college career with another strong season in 2024, ahead of his projected leap to the NFL. That hasn't kept him from pursuing some of his aspirations outside of football during the offseason.

Sanders recently made his musical debut by releasing a hip hop song titled, "Perfect Timing," on which he both sings and raps. Among the topics he touches on include flashy cars, specifically a Maybach, watches and jewelry, as well as making money.

On3 shared a snippet of the song on social media Tuesday. The full song runs for just under two minutes.

Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders has released his first song "Perfect Timing"🎶https://t.co/LdTeu8PKOV pic.twitter.com/n8VN1F8w8v
— On3 (@On3sports) May 7, 2024

Sanders officially released the song on Spotify in late April, with the song's digital artwork being a photo of himself doing his signature watch flex celebration. It's the only song under his discography.

Last year for Colorado, Sanders completed 69.3% of his pass attempts for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Disney+ to Stream Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Debut As First Live Sporting Event

If you think Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark's rise over the last four years—from Des Moines-area high school basketball star to one of the most transcendent college athletes ever—has been the stuff of Disney movies, you are not alone.

Disney+ will debut in the live sports space next Tuesday by airing Clark's WNBA regular season debut, ESPN told The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday.

The Fever are slated to open their season against the Connecticut Sun, one of four games scheduled for the league's first day. A second matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces will also air on Disney+.

These two games will be the first traditional live sporting events to air on Disney+, barring a pair of themed animated telecasts of NFL and NHL games.

Clark was selected with the No. 1 pick by Indiana in the WNBA draft out of Iowa on April 15, part of a heralded rookie class that includes Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

J.J. Watt Calls Out Austin Rivers After NBA-NFL Player Swap Comments

J.J. Watt does not have time for Austin Rivers's foolishness. On Tuesday, the ESPN analyst told Pat McAfee that plenty of NBA players could make it in the NFL, but the reverse wasn't true. Watt offered Rivers a tryout to prove it.

While trying to argue the best athletes in the world reside in the NBA, Rivers told McAfee, "I can take 30 players right now in the NBA and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NFL."

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year tweeted, "You don't got a job in either right now, go head and try it."

You don’t got a job in either right now, go head and try it… https://t.co/9C5Y4oZyXZ
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 7, 2024

Watt then followed that up by saying, "For the record, I could absolutely not play in the NBA. 6 hard fouls is about all I could give you and call it a day."

Rivers is probably correct that a number of super-athletic NBA players could make it at receiver or running back in the NFL, and there are a few big guys who could play offensive line. On the flip side, given the fine-tuned skills it takes to succeed in basketball, NFL players may not translate to the NBA. It's not that he's wrong, it's the dismissive nature of his statement.

McAfee and Watt both pushed back hard. I'd imagine a number of NFL guys would agree with their assessment that Rivers was being disrespectful of the level of athleticism in the league.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

REPORT: Miami (OH) RB Kevin Davis Will Return After Transfer Consideration

Per On3's Pete Nakos, running back Kevin Davis has withdrawn from the transfer portal. Davis had entered the portal this offseason after 25 carries for 96 yards in 2023.

Miami (OH) running back Kevin Davis has withdrawn from the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.
He's rushed for 796 career yards and six touchdowns. Has also added 62 catches for 575 yards and three scores. https://t.co/VNvB2Ek6qR pic.twitter.com/obzeR2X3xI
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) May 7, 2024

Over his previous four seasons with Miami, Davis carried 163 times for 796 yards and six touchdowns. He has three receiving touchdowns as well. Davis will likely see an increased role with the departure of several key offensive contributors, including leading rusher Rashad Amos. Amos committed to Colorado olut of the transfer portal on April 26.

Coming out of Trinity Christian High School in Jackson, TN in the class of 2020, Davis was a two-star prospect per 247Sports.

The Miami RedHawks are coming off of a season where they won the Mid-American Conference title, compiling a record of 11-3. They will open the 2024 football season on August 31 at Northwestern.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Army Football Show Off New Championship Rings After CIC Trophy Presentation

This week, the Army Black Knights football team were officially presented the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy by President Biden. The trophy is given annually to the service academy football program that wins the three-team series between Army, Navy, and Air Force.

As part of the celebration, West Point also revealed the design for the rings that Army players will receive to commemorate the win.

💍 2023 CIC 🏆 CHAMPS 💍 pic.twitter.com/23nEi3ErlA
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) May 7, 2024

The rings will feature a plethora of details with nods to the accomplishments of Army's senior class, as well as other classes who claimed the CIC trophy for West Point. This includes the ten seasons that Army has won the CIC trophy outright along the outer sides of the ring. The six stars on one side also symbolize the wins of the Army senior class over Navy and Air Force over the last few years.

Army's 2023 win was the first time that the Black Knights won the trophy outright since 2020.

Army football will open up the 2024 season on August 30 when they host FCS foe Lehigh. The Black Knights will face Air Force on November 2 and Navy on December 14.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Aaron Boone Says He Awarded Aaron Judge the Game Ball After First Ejection

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge was ejected for the first time in his career during Saturday's clash with the Detroit Tigers after voicing his displeasure with a called third strike to home plate umpire Ryan Blakney.

During an appearance on the Talkin' Yanks podcast on Tuesday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who is no stranger to being ejected from ballgames, weighed in on the incident and revealed what he said to Judge after the game.

"It was surprising. I don't think he should've got ejected," Boone said. "He's walking away, he's not in an aggressive stance or anything, like, come on, man."

Boone said that he rewarded Judge with the game ball after New York's 5–3 win over the Tigers, and joked that he gave him a, "Welcome to the club."

After Judge's ejection, Boone gave him the game ball and a "welcome to the club" pic.twitter.com/nYFmJ6d4hp
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 7, 2024

Boone was ejected seven times last season, which was tied with Cincinnati Reds skipper David Bell for the most in MLB. Already with two ejections under his belt in 2024, Boone paces the American League, a feat he's stunningly achieved in each season since 2021, a span during which he's been tossed 24 times.

Judge, who had gone 869 games without getting ejected in his career, was the first Yankees captain since Don Mattingly in 1994 to get thrown out of a game.

Judge didn't elaborate when asked what was said between him and Blakney, telling reporters that he preferred to leave it out on the field.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

NHL Playoff Schedule: Full Rundown for Conference Semifinals

There is nothing better than playoff hockey, as the saying goes, and the first round of the 2024 NHL playoffs proved it true once more. An electric grouping of matchups gave the fans a thrilling start to the postseason and things are only bound to get better as the second round pits heavyweight against heavyweight in both conferences.

Here is the full schedule for the second round of the 2024 NHL playoffs, organized by series. The time and major broadcast are noted where applicable.

Eastern Conference Playoff Schedule

(1A) Florida Panthers v. (2A) Boston Bruins

Game 2: Bruins at Panthers, Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 3: Panthers at Bruins, Friday, May 10, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Panthers at Bruins, Sunday, May 12, 6:30 p.m. ET (TBS)
Game 5 (if necessary): Bruins at Panthers -- Tuesday, May 14, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): Panthers at Bruins -- Friday, May 17, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): Bruins at Panthers -- Sunday, May 19, TBD

(1M) New York Rangers v. (2M) Carolina Panthers

Game 2: Hurricanes at Rangers, Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 3: Rangers at Hurricanes, Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Rangers at Hurricanes, Saturday, May 11, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Hurricanes at Rangers, Monday, May 13, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): Rangers at Hurricanes, Thursday, May 16, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): Hurricanes at Rangers, Saturday, May 18, TBD

Western Conference Playoff Schedule

(1C) Dallas Stars v. (3C) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche at Stars, Tuesday, May 7, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Avalanche at Stars, Thursday, May 9, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Stars at Avalanche, Saturday, May 11, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 4: Stars at Avalanche, Monday, May 13, TBD (ESPN)
Game 5 (if necessary): Avalanche at Stars, Wednesday, May 15, TBD (TBD)
Game 6 (if necessary): Stars at Avalanche, Friday, May 17, TBD (TBD)
Game 7 (if necessary): Avalanche at Stars, Sunday, May 19, TBD (TBD)

(1P) Vancouver Canucks v. (2P) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Oilers at Canucks, Wednesday, May 8, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Oilers at Canucks, Friday, May 10, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Canucks at Oilers, Sunday, May 12, 9:30 p.m. ET (TBS)
Game 4: Canucks at Oilers, Tuesday, May 14, TBD (ESPN)
Game 5 (if necessary): Oilers at Canucks, Thursday, May 16, TBD (TBD)
Game 6 (if necessary): Canucks at Oilers, Saturday, May 18, TBD (TBD)
Game 7 (if necessary): Oilers at Canucks, Monday, May 20, TBD (TBD)

Key Dates for the 2024 NHL Playoffs

The above dates are all of varying levels of importance but there are still several to come on the hockey calendar. However, unlike the NBA, the NHL does not have listed start dates for the Conference Finals or the NHL Finals. The schedule for the Conference Finals will be determined once the matchups are set, and the same goes for the Finals itself.

For reference, last year's Conference Finals round kicked off on May 18 and 19. The NHL Finals began on June 3. Given the pace of the 2024 playoffs it seems reasonable to expect a similar starting date for the final two rounds.

First Round Results

Here you'll find the results from the first round of this year's NHL postseason play.

Eastern Conference

(D1) Florida Panthers def. (WC1) Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-1
(D2) Boston Bruins def. (D3) Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-3

(D1) New York Rangers def. (WC2) Washington Capitals, 4-0
(D2) Carolina Hurricanes def. (D3) New York Islanders

Western Conference

(D1) Dallas Stars def. (WC2) Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3
(D3) Colorado Avalanche def. (D2) Winnipeg Jets, 4-1

(D1) Vancouver Canucks def. (WC1) Nashville Predators, 4-2
(D2) Edmonton Oilers def. (D3) Los Angeles Kings, 4-1

And there's everything you need to be ready for the second round of the NHL playoffs. Enjoy!

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

All WNBA Teams Will Fly Charter for First Time This Season, per Commissioner

One of the WNBA's thorniest logistical issues appears on the verge of being put to bed.

The league will provide charter air travel to all its teams for the first time, commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Tuesday—a week before the beginning of the regular season.

“We intend to fund a full-time charter for this season,” Engelbert told reporters.

Per the commissioner, the flights will cost $25 million over two seasons and will begin "as soon as we can get planes in places."

The poor state of WNBA travel has long been a hot topic in basketball circles, with the New York Liberty facing severe discipline for splurging on a team trip to Napa in 2021 on the grounds that it exceeded compensation allowable under the league's CBA.

This season is the most anticipated in WNBA history, as the league welcomes rookie Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese to an already intriguing crop of stars. The New York Liberty and Washington Mystics will tip off the regular season on Tuesday, May 14 in Washington D.C.

7 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Rangers’ Marcus Semien Crushes a Home Run Off First Pitch vs. A’s

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien started off Tuesday's game against the Oakland Athletics with a bang.

The first pitch thrown to Semien by A's pitcher Ross Stripling was a 91-mph fastball. Semien crushed the ball 401 feet to start the game, a home run off of the first pitch. It's always exciting in baseball when this somewhat rare feat happens.

There were audible cheers from the audience as Semien rounded the bases even though the game was being played in Oakland. It must've been exciting for both sides of fans.

1 pitch. 1 run. Marcus Semien has the @Rangers off to a hot start! pic.twitter.com/tdVXMnqSkq
— MLB (@MLB) May 7, 2024

This wasn't even the biggest highlight for Semien in the early part of Tuesday's game. The top of the second inning brought 10 more runs from Rangers players, including Semien hitting a single to record another RBI. Semien later scored off a walk as the bases were loaded. Then he hit a double to bring home two more runners later in the inning.

All he needs left in the game is a triple to hit a cycle, and that was just through the second inning.

Marcus Semien is a triple shy of the cycle.
It's the 2nd inning 👀 pic.twitter.com/906rccQBzE
— MLB (@MLB) May 7, 2024

Quite the start for Semien and his team.