Tom Schad

Sad news here.

Beyond being an outstanding player, Lionel Taylor was also the first Black coach in NFL history to become an offensive coordinator.

The Gruden and Flores lawsuits are obviously different in a lot of ways. But the NFL's goal, in both cases, has been to try to get them out of the public eye and into arbitration.

That's historically been a go-to legal strategy for the league. Why? From 2021: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

ICYMI yesterday, the NV Supreme Court ruled that the NFL cannot force Jon Gruden's lawsuit into private arbitration: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Today, Brian Flores' lawyer referenced that Gruden decision in a new filing in their own case. The message was basically "hey judge, look at this!"

Jordan Chiles medal saga: Olympic gymnastics bronze still in limbo a year later Here's where things stand with Jordan Chiles' bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and her ongoing legal fight, one year later.

It’s now been a year since the International Olympic Committee stripped Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal following the seriously screwed up decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
@tomschad.bsky.social and I break down where things stand.

‘They control everything’: How the Dallas Stars monopolized Texas youth hockey Ice is power in the lucrative world of youth hockey. In North Texas, the Dallas Stars hold almost all of it.

"In the business of amateur hockey, ice is power. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the Stars amassed almost all of it."

Strong, thorough reporting here from @kennyjacoby.bsky.social: www.usatoday.com/story/news/i...

Sally's entire farewell note is brilliant, but this is the line that really stuck with me.

A pitch-perfect, one-sentence summary of what it's actually like to work in journalism.

Attempted murder charge. Bankruptcy. Music. The bizarre post-NFL life of Antonio Brown Antonio Brown's post-NFL life has included an attempted murder charge, bankruptcy and a music career. USA TODAY Sports examines his off-field evolution.

Since leaving the NFL, Antonio Brown has recorded rap songs and (briefly) owned an arena football team.

He's also filed for bankruptcy, been charged with attempted murder and indicated that he is now living "full-time" in the United Arab Emirates. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

If you're reading about this news today, I'd encourage you to also read this 2021 story from @rachelaxon.bsky.social and @schrotenboer.bsky.social -- which, for my money, is one of the most thorough investigations that have been done on this issue to date.

www.usatoday.com/in-depth/new...

Not to pick on Axios here, but the gambling provision is a weird inclusion on a list about what "could impact your life."

The example they use is someone who both wins and loses $100k in bets over a year. Does that sound like you, or anyone you know?

Add Olympics to list of places transgender people not welcome | Opinion New IOC president Kirsty Coventry announces working group to examine how to "protect the female category"

For two decades, the Olympics had protocols for transgender participation that generated little, if any, fuss. But now comes the braying mob, and the IOC is caving.

Julius Thomas left the NFL when he was 30. His new calling is a much less bruising field. Former Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas left the NFL when he was just 30. This month he graduated with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Caught up with Julius Thomas, the retired NFL tight end who has found a second calling in an unexpected field: Clinical psychology. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

To be clear: There is (and should be!) lots of space for NFL content creators. Great resource for fans. Let's just be real about what it is, and what it isn't.

Me: "Hmm, I probably shouldn't wear this tie to the game because it has one team's colors in it. I don't want people to mistakenly think it's a sign of favoritism."

Jordan Schultz: *Sends $700 coffee machine to sources*

"I was like, 'No obligation, but let me know what you think.'"

FIFA can blame its own arrogance for near-empty Club World Cup stadiums

FIFA can blame its own arrogance for near-empty Club World Cup stadiums bit.ly/4kRf3tg

ICE, Border Patrol at FIFA Club World Cup games? Why normal practice is raising concerns ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisting with security at major sporting events is nothing new but could have a chilling effect on fans

ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisting with security at major sporting events is nothing new but could have a chilling effect on fans

Memphis' press box food is (or at least was, as of 2017) absolutely elite: Full spread from Rendezvous BBQ.

NCAA, college sports cleared for revenue sharing with athletes after settlement approved NCAA member schools can compensate players across all sports beginning July 1, according to approval issued by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken grants final approval of House-NCAA settlement: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Not the most important part of the story, of course, but if this is enforced, Harvard’s athletic department is toast.

Kind of wild how many PR shops just fundamentally misunderstand journalism. Spreading "spoiler-free enthusiasm" is your job, Mr. Marketing Guy, not ours.

White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working. Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”

An absolutely devastating read: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...

Hilary Knight will end Olympic hockey career in Milan Hilary Knight is an Olympic champion and three-time silver medalist. She shares record for most Olympic appearances by U.S. women's hockey player

Hilary Knight remains one of the best hockey players in the world. But she’s already decided that Milan will be her final Olympics.
“It’s time,” she told me. “I’m at peace.”

As Winter Olympics near, Shaun White instead focuses on snowboarding's future The retired three-time Olympic gold medalist says he isn't contemplating a comeback like the one Lindsey Vonn made a few months ago.

Caught up with Shaun White this week about retirement, his evolving relationship with snowboarding and whether he's considered a Lindsey Vonn-style comeback: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

MLB bowing on Pete Rose is a historic self-own for baseball | Opinion MLB needlessly bowed on Pete Rose, nullifying decades of some moral high ground.

"Who knew that you could speed run to Cooperstown merely by kicking the bucket, no matter how felonious, how detrimental to the game you were when you were upright and breathing?"

Scathing Pete Rose column here from Gabe: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

A question for the good people of #NFL Bluesky: How much do you *actually* care about the schedule release?

Genuinely curious about the percentage of fans, diehard or not, that are eagerly awaiting all of this.

The second wildest thing was the apparent lack of understanding (and/or interest?) in USA Fencing's role in all of this.

As an NGB, it can't just unilaterally change the sport's eligibility rules. And, by law, it also can't exclude athletes that would be eligible to compete under its IF's rules.

The wildest thing about this afternoon's Congressional hearing on trans athletes in fencing? It's one of the sports where men and women actually compete against one another regularly!

USA Fencing's Damian Lehfeldt testified that about 34% of the organization's events are mixed gender.

I know it's only May 6, but between Rory's final round at the Masters and this UCL semifinal, I think we might have already seen two of the most exciting sporting events of 2025

Maia and Alex Shibutani announce figure skating comeback ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, the U.S. ice dancers who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, are returning ahead of the 2026 Games.

News: The Shib Sibs are making a comeback. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Philadelphia Eagles visit Donald Trump at White House minus quarterback Jalen Hurts The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated their 2025 Super Bowl win at Donald Trump's White House, though Jalen Hurts was among those who skipped the trip.

The Eagles visited with Donald Trump at the White House, though at least two dozen players -- including Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown -- were not in attendance. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Exclusive: DOJ memo offers blueprint to Tren de Aragua deportation plan Trump administration officials directed police to circumvent courts and pursue gang members into their homes without a warrant, a new document shows.

#SCOOP

We got the AG memo that’s the blueprint for law enforcement around the country to scoop up suspected Tren de Aragua members and deport them.

Without due process.
With no appeals.

It’s pretty wild:

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...