Happy New Year 2025

Category: Sports

Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens experience close encounter with lion on honeymoon

Simone Biles and her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, experienced quite the scare on their honeymoon.

Biles and Owens officially tied the knot in April 2023, but a busy schedule — which included the 2024 NFL season and the Summer Olympics — seemingly delayed their honeymoon until this year.

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles poses for a photograph with her husband Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist shared photos and videos from their trip to South Africa on social media this week, where they had a close encounter with a lion on one of their safari excursions.

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“Not gonna lie I almost s— myself,” Biles wrote in a video posted to Instagram which showed a lion walking right by their guided tour.”

The trip comes after a busy year for the couple.

Biles became the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast (11) with the addition of four medals she won in Paris this summer. (simonebiles/ Instagram)

Biles won four medals, including three gold, in Paris to bring her total Olympic medal count to 11 — the most by any American gymnast.

SIMONE BILES SPORTS CUSTOM JONATHAN OWENS OUTFIT TO BEARS’ FINAL HOME GAME

Her amazing performance in Paris followed her well-chronicled troubles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She wrapped up the season as the runner-up for AP Female Athlete of the Year honors, just behind WNBA star Caitlin Clark.

Owens signed a two-year contract with the Bears in March after spending one season with the Packers. He was excused from the start of training camp this summer to support his wife as she went on to make history at the Olympics, and would go on to score the Bears first touchdown of the season in the team’s season opener.

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Owens and Biles first met in 2020 and were engaged just two years later. The NFL player found himself at the center of online backlash in 2023 when he admitted that he initially didn’t know who she was when they first matched on a celebrity dating app.

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February 18, 2025
Kai Trump, Charlie Woods to golf together at major junior event

President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, is set to compete alongside Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods, at the Junior Invitational golf tournament at Sage Valley, South Carolina in March.

Kai Trump and Charlie Woods are among the 60 expected competitors, according to a report from Golf Channel, for the invitation-only tournament that features the nation’s top junior golfers.

The announcement comes the same week that Tiger Woods himself was seen walking alongside Kai Trump at Genesis Invitational on Sunday.

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Kai Trump recently committed to play women’s golf at the University of Miami. She is also a golf influencer and runs a YouTube channel that has more than 1 million subscribers. It was announced over the weekend that she even signed an endorsement deal with TaylorMade, which is a partner of the Junior Invitational and also counts Tiger Woods as an ambassador.

Tiger Woods and President Trump recently played a round of golf together at Trump International Golf Club in Mar-a-Lago, Florida on Feb. 9, just hours before Trump became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl.

GENESIS INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO TIGER WOODS’ LATE MOTHER, KULTIDA WOODS

Tiger Woods, left, and his son Charlie Woods fist bump after making their putt on the 13th green during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Meanwhile, Charlie Woods has most notably played alongside his father in the PNC Championship on several occasions, with two second-place finishes as his best result, including the 2024 event.

Charlie is set to play in the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship in Myrtle Beach, Florida, from Feb. 28 to March 2, and then the Junior Invitational is scheduled to start just weeks after that, on March 19.

After Tiger Woods announced the death of his mother Kultida Woods in early February, Trump expressed his condolences in a statement.

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President Donald Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods during an event at the White House in the Rose Garden. (Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports)

“I was just informed that Tiger Woods’ wonderful Mother, Kultida, passed away – She has gone onto greener fairways!” Trump wrote in a post. “Kultida Woods was an amazing influence on Tiger, and gave him much of his strength and brilliance. Melania and I send our love and prayers to Tiger and his incredible family!”

Kultida Woods was with her son in 2019 when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.

February 18, 2025
Cam Ward issues blunt warning to NFL teams that pass over him draft

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward has a message for any NFL teams that pass over him in this year’s draft: “I’ll remember that.”

Ward, who has been the subject of harsh criticism for his decision not to play in the second half of Miami’s loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in December, offered a blunt message to NFL teams that might question his dedication as a result of that decision.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward looks up at the scoreboard during the Iowa State Cyclones game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28, 2024. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)

“OK, you’re either going to draft me or you’re not,” Ward said Monday, via The Associated Press.

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“If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.”

Ward defended his decision not to play in the second half of the 42-41 loss, adding that it was predetermined.

“I just think we all got what we needed out of it. They seen things that they think they need to work on… for this season coming up. And they also knew, you know, what I had on the line,” he said.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward drops back to pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Hyundai Field in Atlanta on Nov. 9, 2024. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

MIAMI COACH PUSHES BACK ON ‘BULLS—‘ NARRATIVE CAM WARD QUIT ON HIS TEAM AFTER SETTING TOUCHDOWN RECORD

“We feel like we’re doing what’s best for the program and myself. I mean, it was a hard decision, especially when, you know, some guys on our team didn’t play who I thought should have played. It was also, you know, those guys thought about their future the same way I thought about mine.”

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal called the narrative that Ward quit “false.”

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward on from the field after the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Ward is one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. The winner of the Manning Award and the Davey O’Brien Award, Ward moves on to the NFL after finishing his college career with 18,189 passing yards and 158 touchdowns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 18, 2025
Netflix will bid for NFL Sunday games on platform

Netflix wants to have NFL games back on its streaming platform, and we’re not just talking about Christmas Day.

In an interview with Puck News, Bela Bejaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said the streaming platform will bid for Sunday afternoon games.

One of the main reasons Netflix may want to bid for NFL games revolves around the league’s desire to continue growing international markets. Of course, having a global streamer to do so would make sense for the NFL — if that is the plan.

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Netflix Christmas GameDay cake seen after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Netflix held two Christmas Day games — Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — and they were both the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history.

Both games averaged around 24 million viewers, according to Nielsen. With over 218 countries having the ability to watch the games, more than 65 million viewers were seen on the platform.

NETFLIX’S NFL CHRISTMAS DAY COVERAGE EXPERIENCES MISCUES

Currently, the NFL’s Sunday afternoon games belong to Fox and CBS, with Fox owning the NFC package since 1994, and CBS getting the AFC package from NBC in 1998.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (middle) and tight end Travis Kelce (right) open their Netflix Christmas GameDay cake after the Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Their deals run through 2033, per ProFootballTalk. However, the NFL does own the right to pull out of the deal four years early, and there’s been indication of that being the plan.

So, while it appears unlikely to happen for the 2025 season, a streaming platform like Netflix could be jumping into the fold to get more NFL exposure on its platform.

As a result, one of the major broadcast partners for the NFL will likely be out, which will be interesting to see, to say the least.

General view of a Netflix microphone held by sideline reporter Steve Wyche before the game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

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The NFL has been broadcast on various channels and streamers in recent seasons, with Prime Video owning the rights to “Thursday Night Football,” ABC/ESPN programming “Monday Night Football,” and Peacock being an exclusive home for playoff games as well.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Dodgers’ Dustin May talks about undergoing emergency surgery on esophaguc

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May was on his way back from injury, hoping to join the team to help them win a World Series in July 2024.

May, 27, was rehabbing from a flexor tendon and Tommy John revision surgery, with a chance to return late in the season.

On the night of July 10, everything changed.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May throws during a spring training workout at Camelback Ranch. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)

While May was still rehabbing at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch facility, he ordered a salad for dinner.

May took one bite, and felt lettuce stuck in his throat. He attempted to wash it down with some water, but knew something was wrong.

For 15 minutes it was “mega-painful,” May said via the LA Times, talking about the incident publicly for the first time last week. The pain was in his throat and stomach.

It turns out May had unknowingly suffered a serious tear in his esophagus. He later learned that the lettuce lodged in his throat perforated his esophagus, something that is very uncommon.

Once the pain wore off, May thought he would be fine.

“I’m not a big panicker,” he said. “It kind of chilled out. So I was like, ‘I’m fine. I don’t need to do anything.’”

BLUE JAYS, VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR FAIL TO REACH LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION AHEAD OF SPRING TRAINING

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May warms up during spring training. (Rick Scuteri-USA Today Sports)

Millie, May’s wife, wasn’t of the same thinking as Dustin.

“No,” May recalled her saying. “We’re going to the ER to get it checked out.”

After a CT scan revealed the significance of the tear in May’s esophagus, doctors immediately rushed him into surgery.

“It was extremely frustrating. You can’t plan for it. You can’t try to prevent it. It just happened,” May said.

“It wasn’t on my bingo card for 2024.”

The surgery, which May described as “basically a full abdominal surgery,” left the pitcher with a long scar from his lower chest to his stomach.

YANKEES’ AARON JUDGE DISAGREES WITH JUAN SOTO’S BELIEF THAT METS GIVE HIM BEST CHANCE TO WIN TITLE

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May throws during spring training at Camelback Ranch. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)

May went from being a piece of the Dodgers pitching staff down the stretch, to realizing just how fragile life is.

“It just kind of gives me a different viewpoint on a lot of things in life. Just seeing how something so non-baseball-related can just be like – it can be gone in a second. And the stuff it put my wife through, it definitely gave me (a feeling) of, ‘Wow, stuff can change like that.’ It was definitely very scary,” May said.

“It was definitely a life-altering event. It was definitely very serious. It’s not a very common surgery. It was definitely an emergency.”

May’s Tommy John procedure was the second time he had undergone the repair of his elbow, as he underwent the surgery in 2021.

May has pitched 191.2 innings across five seasons in the big leagues. He has been effective when healthy, as he has a 3.10 ERA with 174 strikeouts when on the mound for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers’ rotation is littered with aces, making it no guarantee that May is in the starting rotation despite being healthy again.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers, from left, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Joe Kelly in the bullpen during spring training at Camelback Ranch. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports)

Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are among those penciled into the starting rotation.

Regardless, May is excited about finally being healthy and able to compete again.

“I’m definitely excited and definitely have a deeper appreciation for the game.”

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Former NCAA trans athlete ‘willing to’ sit with Trump amid calls for title to be stripped

CeCe Telfer won an NCAA title as a transgender woman in 2019, and recently said on CNN that the “anti-trans rhetoric has become louder, more in my face” ever since President Donald Trump was sworn in last month.

Earlier this month, the president signed an executive order that would prohibit transgender girls and women from competing against biological females in athletics. The Department of Education has also called for prior titles won by trans women to be stripped.

“Prior to this set-in-stone administration, I woke up every day and I faced adversaries when I leave my house. Now, I wake up every day and I have to make sure that I make it home alive,” Telfer said, adding that “each of my identities” as a Black trans woman is a “target.”

“It’s really sad to see people go out of their way to make it known you don’t belong here. But every day, I wake up, I decide to go out and live my life, (it) proves that I do belong here. And just existing is resilience.

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CeCe Telfer of Franklin Pierce wins the 400 meter hurdles during the Division II Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Javelina Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Kingsville, Texas. (Rudy Gonzalez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

“It’s sad to see that one of the most powerful countries in the world would ostracize and de-humanize a group of people, a small group of athletes, too, but also as transgender women overall. I’ve done nothing wrong but try to be a good, contributing member of society,” Telfer added. “I pay my taxes. I go to school. I try to leave the world better than when I came into it. And if the president doesn’t see us, then we’ll make ourselves be seen and known with goodness and love, because that’s all we have to offer.”

As the Trump administration continues to fight to keep biological males out of women’s sports, Telfer is “willing to sit down” with “Trump himself” about his order and transgenderism in sports.

“I’m willing to sit down with the IOC, the USATF, the NCAA, with any of my international federations, even the Trump administration, Trump himself, if he wants to sit down with me and talk and have a human conversation and see me. I feel as though social media is very loud, and just to have a human sit across from you and have a conversation with them, it’s very different. So I’m willing to have a conversation if they’re willing to give me that chance,” Telfer said.

Cece Telfer attends Corey O’Brien’s “Everyone Loves Corey” at The Comedy Chateau on November 02, 2023 in North Hollywood, California. (Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images for Corey O’Brien)

MASSACHUSETTS REP BLASTS REPUBLICANS FOR ‘WEAPONIZING’ TRANSGENDER ATHLETES: ‘POLITICS AT ITS WORST’

“I need some explanation as to why you want to completely eradicate us from society when we’ve done nothing wrong. Think about the humanity and think about the younger kids like me who have doctors confirming their gender, have people behind them. Even if he wants to have a team go around with me and see my day-to-day life and what I go through as a transgender female athlete, all for it.”

Telfer added that despite the perceived increase in anti-trans rhetoric, and calls for titles won by trans athletes to be revoked, the title Telfer won is even more vindicated, “because it makes me feel like not only was history made then, but it’ll stay in the books and be reminded that policies and orders are not forever, but our resilience is.”

“If somebody’s truly a part of the Department of Education, they would be smart and educated enough to know that something like that, that’s not how history works, and that’s not how the direction of progressiveness works. You can’t take back history,” Telfer said, adding the NCAA was “pressured” to change their rules and follow suit with Trump’s order.

“They were on the right side of history — I don’t know what happened,” Telfer added.

US President Donald Trump signs the No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2025. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

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Telfer was ruled ineligible to compete at the U.S. Olympic trials in 2021, two years after taking home the 2019 Division II Women’s 400m hurdles title.

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February 18, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off title game: Charlie McAvoy to sit out of high stakes match between US and Canada

Team USA will go head-to-head with Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final this week, creating a rematch of the recent intense game between the two North American nations.

During the last matchup, multiple fights broke out in a span of seconds.

The round-robin part of the tournament resulted in some injury setbacks for the Americans, with Brady Tkachuk exiting in the second period following a collision with Sweden’s Samuel Ersson in the crease.

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Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy skates after the puck against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Dec. 10, 2024, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, Auston Matthews and Charlie McAvoy were lineup scratches. McAvoy was taken to a hospital with what was described as an “upper-body injury,” the Boston Bruins, the defenseman’s NHL club, announced Tuesday.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR US-CANADA 4 NATIONS FINAL AFTER RAUCOUS 1ST GAME

McAvoy is dealing with a possible infection that could have been caused by the injury, per a report from the Daily Faceoff. He is under the supervision of one of the Bruins’ doctors, the team said.

Connor Hellebuyck, left, of Team United States celebrates with Charlie McAvoy after their 3-1 win in the 4 Nations Face-Off game against Canada at Bell Centre on Feb. 15, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

He was not on the ice on Monday. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan noted at the time that the defenseman was battling an “upper-body injury.”

Team United States members during pre-game ceremonies before the 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland at Bell Centre on Feb. 13, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

McAvoy had been an active part of the Americans’ game plan leading up to the injury. He was on the ice for just under 20 minutes during Team USA’s victory over Finland on Feb. 13. He also registered 19:27 of playing time during the matchup with Canada this past weekend.

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An “upper-body injury” appeared to prevent McAvoy from taking the ice in some games leading up to the tournament. He did, however, play in a Bruin’s game on Jan. 30. The 27-year-old underwent shoulder arthroscopic stabilization surgery in 2022, NBC reported.

Team USA is set to take on Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final on Feb. 20.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Novak Djokovic speaks out on Jannik Sinner three-month ban

The fallout from Jannik Sinner’s controversial three-month ban following two positive tests for a banned substance last year has some of the tennis world’s biggest stars calling for more accountability.

Novak Djokovic was asked about the situation ahead of the Qatar Open this week, a tournament Sinner was due to compete in before the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced its final ruling.

Jannik Sinner of Italy gestures as he carries the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

“Right now there is a lack of trust generally from the tennis players, both male and female, toward WADA and ITIA and the whole process,” he said.

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“It’s not a good image for our sport, that’s for sure,” he continued. “There’s a consensus, or I would say majority of the players that I’ve talked to in the locker room that are not happy with the way this whole process has been handled.”

WADA announced over the weekend that it agreed with the conclusion of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which found that Sinner had not intentionally used a banned substance for competitive gain.

Sinner, 23, tested positive for low levels of metabolite of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use, in March 2024. Eight days after the Indian Wells tournament, Sinner tested positive again in an out-of-competition sample.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

TOP-RANKED TENNIS PRO JANNIK SINNER ACCEPTS THREE-MONTH DOPING BAN WEEKS AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN VICTORY

According to the ITIA’s initial findings, Sinner explained that he had tested positive after receiving a massage from a trainer who had used an over-the-counter spray that contained clostebol to treat a small wound after cutting his own finger.

“WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage,” their statement read.

WADA initially was seeking a lengthy ban of at least a year, but agreed to a three-month ban explaining that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.”

Jannik Sinner of Italy in action during his match against Ben Shelton of United States of America in the semifinals of the men’s singles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 24, 2025. (Mike Frey-Imagn Images)

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Sinner won two Grand Slams after testing positive — the 2024 U.S. Open and the Australian Open last month. His suspension will lift May 4, meaning that he will not miss any of the remaining Grand Slam tournaments this season.

Djokovic called on both agencies to overhaul their process inlight of Sinner’s ban, saying the current structure “obviously doesn’t work” and appears to lend itself to “favoritism.”

“A majority of the players don’t feel that it’s fair. A majority of the players feel like there is favoritism happening. It appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers and whatnot.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 18, 2025
PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy has message about possible LIV merger

Rory McIlroy has a blunt message for people who are upset with a potential PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger: “Get over it.”

McIlroy, 35, said those who turned down exorbitant offers from LIV to remain loyal to the PGA Tour should welcome a reunified sport.

“I think everyone has just got to get over it, and we all have to say, ‘OK, this is the starting point and we move forward.’ We don’t look behind us, we don’t look to the past,” McIlroy said last week. “Whatever has happened has happened, and it’s been unfortunate. But reunification, how we all come back together and move forward, that’s the best thing for everyone.

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Rory McIlroy during the final round of the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines. (Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

“If people are butt-hurt, or have their feelings hurt because guys went or whatever, like who cares? Let’s move forward together and let’s just try to get this thing going again and do what’s best for the game.”

McIlroy was once one of the most, if not the most, outspoken critics of LIV among PGA Tour players.

McIlroy said LIV has ultimately benefited everyone, as the purses for winning PGA events have increased. McIlroy cited the Genesis Invitational as an example, as the purse Ludvig Aberg took home was $4 million, and the overall purse was $20 million.

“That would have never happened if LIV hadn’t have come around,” McIlroy said.

TRUMP ‘NOT A FAN’ OF LIV FORMAT, ON PGA TOUR’S ‘SIDE’ OF DISCUSSIONS, RORY MCILROY SAYS

Rory McIlroy hits his tee shot during the final round of the Genesis Invitational. (Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Adam Scott, a member of the PGA Tour board, understands if people would be upset about reunification.

“I wouldn’t be surprised – or I wouldn’t judge anyone, the members – if reunification happened and they weren’t happy with how it happened,” Scott said.

“I wouldn’t hold it against anybody if there were negative emotions attached to it, the thought of players coming back.”

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Adam Scott lines up his putt on the 11th hole during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Scott was part of a group that met with President Donald Trump about a potential reunification, as PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan asked for Trump to get involved.

“It’s not been an easy thing to solve, otherwise we’d have solved it, I believe,” Monahan said.

For whenever it gets solved, McIlroy’s message will ring loud and clear to those upset.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Georgia high school wrestler breaks neck at state championship

A Georgia high school wrestler is facing a long recovery after he suffered a broken neck in a “freak accident” during a state championship tournament earlier this week.

Dominic Haines, a Jefferson High School senior, suffered a broken neck in the final seconds of his quarterfinal match of the GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championships in Macon, Georgia, on Thursday.

Dominic’s coach told FOX 5 that it was a “freak accident.” (Mary Williford)

Assistant wrestling coach Matthew Seaman called it a “freak accident,” telling FOX 5 Atlanta that it happened after his opponent performed a legal takedown.

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“It’s a heartbreaking situation all in all for both sides, obviously for us, but definitely for this opponent who did absolutely nothing wrong,” he told the station.

“This has been years in the works for him,” Seaman added. “Dom’s come up through the youth program at Jefferson, the middle school program, and the high school program; this is a true family. This was his year, everything was coming together.”

Dominic’s father, Zach Haines, said his son is slowly regaining feeling in his lower half. (Mary Williford)

Dominic’s father, Zach Haines, provided updates about his son’s condition in a series of Facebook posts.

WASHINGTON MAN FACES ASSAULT CHARGES AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING TEEN REFEREES DURING SON’S HOCKEY GAME

He said after the accident, Dominic had “no feeling from the shoulders down.”

Dominic underwent surgery on Thursday, which his father said went “according to plan.”

In his latest update on social media, Haines said his son has shown positive signs of recovery with some feeling in his lower half. Dominic will undergo another surgery later this week “to fuse the vertebrae from the back since the muscles and ligaments were all completely torn,” his father said in a recent update.

Dominic was competing in a quarterfinal match of the GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championships last week. (Mary Williford)

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Haines said if his son continues to progress, he could be transferred to a rehabilitation center in a week.

A GoFundMe campaign for Dominic has raised over $62,000 as of Tuesday.

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February 18, 2025