PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Russell Wilson cook. Coach Mike Tomlin has selected the nine-time Pro Bowler as the starting quarterback heading into Week 1. The move ended a largely perfunctory quarterback competition with Justin Fields in which the 35-year-old Wilson held the “pole position” as Tomlin put it for months and did little to cede ground. Wilson is the fourth different quarterback to start Week 1 for the Steelers in the past four years.
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova knocked out in the second round of the US Open
NEW YORK (AP) — Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has been knocked out of the U.S. Open in the second round. She was defeated Wednesday by Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 7-5. The No. 8-seeded Krejcikova won her second Grand Slam singles title this summer but then didn’t play any matches after the Paris Olympics. She acknowledged last week not knowing where her level of play was. Ruse, who played her way into the main draw through the qualifying tournament, fought back from a 5-3 deficit in the second set to win the final four games. She advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time and will play No. 26 seed Paula Badosa, who eliminated American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5.
US Open: Iga Swiatek and other tennis players say their mental and physical health are ignored
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s nothing new for tennis players to worry aloud about their sport’s overcrowded calendar, too-tough season and too-short offseason. No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek added an additional complaint this week at the U.S. Open: Athletes are not being heard when they express concerns about potential harm to mental and physical health caused by having more tournaments that run longer and new rules that require participation in more events. Swiatek also said players are not being consulted enough by the professional tours.
Paris to inaugurate Paralympic Games with ‘never seen before’ opening ceremony in city’s heart
PARIS (AP) — Just weeks after hosting the Olympics, the summer of sports in Paris begins its final chapter with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. More than 4,000 athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments will compete in 22 sports over the next 11 days. Organizers are promising a spectacular show to open the Games. Once again it’s being held outside the confines of a stadium, but unlike the Olympic opening ceremony, which featured a boat parade on the Seine River, the Paralympic ceremony is happening exclusively on land. Athletes will parade down the famous Champs-Elysées to the ceremony at the Place de la Concorde. Competition begins Thursday with the first medals handed out in taekwondo, table tennis and track cycling.
Cowboys and running back Dalvin Cook agree on contract, AP source says
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Cowboys and running back Dalvin Cook have agreed on a contract. The addition of Cook gives the Cowboys another option at a position in flux even with the return of two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott. The person tells The Associated Press the Cowboys plan to put Cook on the practice squad for now. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there hasn’t been an announcement. Cook was waived by the New York Jets with one game remaining last season. He spent his first six seasons in Minnesota.
NFL teams can now sell shares to private equity funds after letting other pro leagues lead. Why now?
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The NFL has finally relaxed a few of its strict rules around team ownership and formally approved certain private equity funds as potential buyers. Owners voted at a special meeting in Minnesota to allow up to 10% stakes in individual clubs by investment groups. The league let other pro sports take the lead on this emerging trend while it carefully took notes and considered how to integrate this practice into its booming business for the good of all 32 teams. One of the key provisions in the rule is each stake must be held for a minimum of six years.
Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo dies in hospital days after collapsing during game in Brazil
SAO PAULO (AP) — Uruguayan soccer player Juan Izquierdo has died at a hospital in Brazil five days after collapsing during a game in Sao Paulo. He was 27. Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo issued a statement Tuesday saying Izquierdo died following “cardiorespiratory arrest associated with his cardiac arrhythmia.” Izquierdo collapsed last Thursday while playing for Uruguayan club Nacional in a Copa Libertadores match at Sao Paulo. Uruguay’s air force said one of its planes will transport his coffin to Montevideo later on Wednesday.
The Taurasi-Griner combo is working for one more deep WNBA playoff run with Phoenix Mercury
PHOENIX (AP) — The combo of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner has become the face of the Phoenix Mercury over a dozen seasons. They won the WNBA championship in 2014 and also won three Olympic gold medals together. They’ve also endured the heartbreak of tough losses, injuries and off-the-court issues. Now might be their last, best chance to make one more basketball memory. The Mercury have a 16-14 record, they’re relateively healthy and they’re focused on building momentum as they prepare for the WNBA playoffs that begin in late September.
College football picks: Angsty matchups No. 19 Miami-Florida, No. 13 LSU-No. 23 USC highlight Week 1
After a brisk Week 0 warmup, Week 1 arrives with dozens of games from Thursday through Monday, including a few tasty matchups: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson; No. 7 Notre Dame at No.20 Texas A&M; No. 19 Miami at Florida; No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 Southern California. There is also a lot of filler on this slate. A total of 59 games will be FBS-FCS matchups. Add in the two played last week and 61 FBS-FCS games to open the college football season is by far the most since 2010, according to Sportradar.
College football Week 1: Race for the 12 playoff spots is on with Clemson-Georgia topping schedule
College football season begins in earnest this week with a full slate of games highlighted by three Top 25 matchups. The race for the playoff already has begun. It’s not even Labor Day and No. 10 Florida State’s playoff hopes are teetering following its loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland. The rest of the top teams pick up the chase this week. The top games Saturday pit No. 14 Clemson against No. 1 Georgia in Atlanta and No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M. No. 23 Southern California is matched against No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas Sunday.
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