National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy speaks to reporters after the NFL football team's practice Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Santa Clara, Calif. Brock Purdy has been cleared to take part in training camp after undergoing surgery on his throwing elbow in the offseason. General manager John Lynch said Tuesday, July 25, 2023, that Purdy has been given the green light from doctors to practice after making good progress in his rehabilitation. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

49ers QB Brock Purdy cleared for start of training camp following offseason elbow surgery

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been cleared to take part in training camp after undergoing surgery on his throwing elbow in the offseason. General manager John Lynch says Purdy has … more

By JOSH DUBOW | 7/25/23

FILE - Notre Dame quarterback Johnny Lujack, left, recceives the Heisman Memorial Trophy from Wilbur Jurden, president of the Downtown Athletic Club in New York, Dec. 10, 1947. Lujack, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Notre Dame to three national championships in the 1940s, died in Florida on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, following a brief illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Jacob Harris, File)

Johnny Lujack, 1947 Heisman winner who led Notre Dame to 3 national titles, dies at the age of 98

Johnny Lujack, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Notre Dame to three national championships in the 1940s, died in Florida following a brief illness. He was 98. Lujack’s death was confirmed by his … more

By ERIC OLSON | 7/25/23

From left to right, Seattle Storm forward Joyner Holmes, guard Kia Nurse (0), guard Jewell Loyd (24) and center Ezi Magbegor (13) stand together during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Seattle looking to end franchise-worst nine-game losing streak

Seattle is in the midst of the longest losing streak in franchise history dropping nine straight games. This was always going to be a transition year for the Storm with the retirement of Sue Bird and … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 7/25/23

FILE - Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of Game 3 of basketball's NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in Boston. Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has agreed to terms on a five-year supermax contract extension that will pay him up to $304 million, his agent said on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Jaylen Brown, Celtics agree to 5-year supermax deal worth up to $304 million, biggest in NBA history

Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has agreed to terms on a five-year supermax contract that will pay him up to $304 million. It's the richest deal in NBA history. It surpasses the $264 million deal … more

7/25/23

FILE - Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron raises his stick to the fans after losing to the Florida Panthers in overtime during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 30, 2023, in Boston. Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has retired. The five-time Selke Trophy winner announced Tuesday, July 25, 2023, that he will not return for a 20th season with the only team he has ever played for. The Bruins captain said he is leaving with no regrets.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins forward and captain, announces retirement after 19 seasons

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has retired. The six-time Selke Trophy winner announced he won't return for a 20th season. The Bruins captain says he is leaving with no regrets. Bergeron led … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 7/25/23

United States' Brian Harman poses for the media as he holds the Claret Jug trophy for winning the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Column: Golf's majors delivered inspiring comebacks minus the drama

For edge-of-the-seat drama in golf's four majors, pick another year. The only drama was Wyndham Clark having to two-putt from 60 feet to win the U.S. Open. Brian Harman won the British Open by six … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/25/23

Katie Ledecky of United States reacts after the women's 1500m freestyle finals at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Ledecky wins gold at the swimming worlds to tie mark set by Phelps

Katie Ledecky has won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle in dominating fashion at the swimming world championships on a day that saw fellow American Ryan Murphy triumph in the … more

7/25/23

FILE - Stanford goalkeeper Katie Meyer (19) acknowledges the crowd after the team's 4-1 win over UCLA in a semifinal of the NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament in San Jose, Calif., on Dec. 6, 2019. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group via AP, File)

Former Stanford goalkeeper in US players' hearts at the Women's World World Cup

Sophia Smith flashed the zipping her lips gesture as she celebrated her second goal against Vietnam during the opening United States' opening match at the Women’s World Cup in tribute to former … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 7/25/23

United States' Lynn Williams, left, and Emily Sonnett take part in drills during a FIFA Women's World Cup team practice at Bay City Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Rematch time: USA and Netherlands to meet at the Women's World Cup

The United States meets Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington at the Women's World Cup. The game is a rematch of the World Cup final four years ago in France, which the Americans won 2-0 for the … more

By ANNE M. PETERSON | 7/24/23

FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson participates in a drill during NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts will start this season with another new quarterback behind center. The big question is who will it be? After parting ways with veterans Matt Ryan and Nick Foles after one season, the Colts signed former NFL starter Gardner Minshew and drafted Richardson with the fourth overall pick. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Rookie QBs C.J. Stroud of Colts, Anthony Richardson of Texans agree to guaranteed 4-year contracts

Rookie quarterbacks C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans and Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts have both agreed to fully guaranteed four-year contracts. A person familiar with Stroud’s $36 … more

By KRISTIE RIEKEN | 7/24/23

FILE - New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is introduced before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. Barkley and the Giants failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension by the Monday, July 17, 2023, deadline for franchised players, leaving the star running back with the option of playing for the tag-mandated $10.1 million salary or maybe taking the season off. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Contract disputes steal the spotlight from start of NFL training camp

NFL camps open this week with most of the focus on players who aren’t showing up. All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones skipped Sunday’s first workout with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas … more

By ROB MAADDI | 7/24/23

FILE - Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy introduces head coach Matt LaFleur at a news conference, Jan. 9, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Green Bay Packers’ profits fell 11.7% over the last fiscal year after a season in which they missed the playoffs and had a regular-season home game moved overseas. The Packers on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, reported a $68.6 million profit from team operations, down from $77.7 million last year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Is Jordan Love the future? Packers CEO says it may take 'at least half a season' to find out

Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy says it will probably take “at least half a season” for the team to know what it has in new starting quarterback Jordan Love. Murphy noted the parallels to 2008. … more

By STEVE MEGARGEE | 7/24/23

Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson stretches before an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Monday, July 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson avoids structural damage to knee, AP source says

Detroit Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson does not have structural damage to his right knee after going down with a noncontact injury, according to a person familiar with his test results. … more

By LARRY LAGE | 7/24/23

FILE - Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes part in a drill during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Cincinnati. Burrow has reported to training camp amid negotiations for a long-term contract with the team that's expected to make him one of the NFL's highest paid players.(AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

Bengals owner Mike Brown stays mum on the state of contract negotiations with star QB Joe Burrow

Owner Mike Brown and other Cincinnati Bengals executives are staying quiet in the state of contract negotiations with Joe Burrow. Signing the franchise quarterback to an extension was a goal of the … more

By MITCH STACY | 7/24/23

Tampa Bay Rays' Luke Raley walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 23, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Following a historic start, the slumping Rays are suddenly playing catch-up in the AL East

Baseball’s best team for much of this season has seen a historic start give way to a July swoon that’s loosened its stranglehold on the top record in the American League. The slumping Tampa Bay … more

By FRED GOODALL | 7/24/23

FILE - Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Pierce Johnson throws in the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Denver. The NL-leading Atlanta Braves traded for a pair of relievers Monday, July 24, acquiring right-hander Pierce Johnson from Colorado and lefty Taylor Hearn from Texas. The moves could help Atlanta (64-34) fortify its bullpen for the final two months of the season.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Braves land relievers Pierce Johnson and Taylor Hearn in trades with Rockies and Rangers

The NL-leading Atlanta Braves traded for a pair of relievers, acquiring right-hander Pierce Johnson from Colorado and lefty Taylor Hearn from Texas. The moves could help Atlanta fortify its bullpen … more

7/24/23

Denny Hamlin, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Denny Hamlin courts controversy, counts victories at Pocono after milestone 50th win in Cup

Denny Hamlin became just the 15 driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win 50 races. He also set the track record for wins at Pocono Raceway with seven. Hamlin has three Daytona 500 victories, crown … more

By DAN GELSTON | 7/24/23

FILE - Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines (20) returns a kick off for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Hines sustained a knee injury in a jet skiing accident and will miss the season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Monday, July 24, 2023.(AP Photo/Joshua Bessex, File)

Bills RB Nyheim Hines will miss the season after being hit by a jet ski, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the situation says Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines will miss the season after he sustained a serious knee injury when he was hit by a jet ski. Hines was expected to … more

7/24/23

Zhang Yufei, of China, competes in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Monday, July 24, 2023. Zhang won gold. (AP Photo/Nick Didlick)

China wins two gold medals at the swimming worlds. Americans finish 1-2 in women’s 200-meter medley

China dominated the second day of the swimming world championships by winning back-to-back gold medals in the first 10 minutes of the session. Zhang Yufei won the women’s 100-meter butterfly and … more

7/24/23

United States' Brian Harman gestures as he speaks at a press conference next to the iconic Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, Sunday, July 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Harman the hunter bags the biggest trophy of his career at British Open

All anyone wanted to know about Brian Harman was his passion for hunting. He got the biggest prize of his career from the links of Royal Liverpool. Harman is the British Open champion who now has … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 7/24/23