“He’s got heart issues. He’s delayed a heart surgery. He’s 82 years of age, you saw him if you were in the courtroom,” Sandusky’s attorney, Jerry Russo, told reporters outside a Pennsylvania courthouse after the former coach’s hearing on Tuesday, September 8. “He’s feeble and frail.”

Sandusky appeared via Zoom for the evidentiary hearing concerning the testimony of one of his accusers in the 2012 trial that resulted in him being convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse. The accuser, referred to as Victim 10, now claims prosecutors tried to steer his testimony at the time, according to a sworn affidavit obtained by ABC News in August.

Sandusky was an assistant coach for the Nittany Lions under head coach Joe Paterno from 1969 to 1999, and he continued to host his summer camps and was around the program well after his retirement. He was ultimately sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison after being accused of sexually abusing 10 boys from 1994 to 2009, though more than 30 alleged victims have come forward.

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Asked about Sandusky’s demeanor during his hearing, Russo told reporters he was, “Prayerful.”

Sandusky wore a brown button-down shirt and often slouched during the hearing, according to The Athletic. He sounded “shaky and diffident” and appeared “visibly gaunt” with less hair than he had in his last public appearance, which came in 2019.

Victim 10 swore in the affidavit that he did not have a clear memory of being molested but that prosecutors “repeatedly encouraged me to believe that Mr. Sandusky had molested me — despite my lack of clear or certain memory of any such conduct.”

Sandusky, who has been serving his sentence at Laurel Highlands State Correctional Institute in Somerset, Pennsylvania, has maintained his innocence.

“If you believe Jerry Sandusky was fairly treated by the court, then you’re not going to hear what I have to say,” Russo? said.

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Russo also told ESPN, “Read the record and you will understand why I believe he’s innocent. That’s why I took this case.”

Sandusky did not speak publicly about the case on Tuesday, but told the Daily Mail in 2024 that he has “never ever in my life ever thought about molesting anybody.”

“I was accused of heinous crimes, which I’ve never committed,” he said. “My wife was my only partner in sex, and that was after marriage.”

Sandusky also said he believes he was “wrongfully convicted by inconsistent, perjured testimony,” and that his alleged victims were “incentivized by money” and “coached and led” to lie.

The X account belonging to Powers, 49, which is listed on his official Arizona State bio page, has seemingly been deleted. 

Us has reached out to Powers for comment. 

Mayich, 21, collapsed during an outdoor, military-style workout on August 20, prompting the Arizona State Police Department to launch a formal investigation. Mayich has “zero chance of recovery,” according to his family’s attorney, Robert Carey. 

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In an exclusive interview with Us, Carey called on Powers and the other coaches present at the workout to be placed on leave while the investigation plays out. 

“As the investigator, you have to separate the witnesses from the people being investigated,” Carey said on Thursday, September 3. “When you have people in a hierarchical system like this, you need to put people on leave and do the investigation so that people have a safe space in which they can be honest. That’s all we ask. We just want them to be transparent and tell everybody what’s going on.”

The lawyer added, “I already know what’s going on. I’ve talked to enough people where I know what happened on the field that day. When I get my facts out, it’s going to be … it’s horrific. They didn’t plan it right, they didn’t execute it right and they weren’t prepared for the likely scenario of heat stroke. They were utterly unprepared for it.”

Carey told Us he’s “confident” Mayich didn’t receive any water throughout the nearly hour-long workout and alleged the student’s body was left on the outdoor track for minutes before being treated. 

The attorney said the rest of the players on the Arizona State hockey team are “scared” as the investigation into Mayich’s collapse continues. 

“They think they might lose their scholarships,” Carey claimed. “They think the program might crumble. They might not get playing time if they cross the coach.”

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Powers was observed walking into Mountain America Community Iceplex, where the Sun Devils practice, on Thursday by Cronkite News. 

Arizona State is scheduled to open their season on October 2 at Lindenwood University. 

In a statement to Us on Thursday, a spokesperson for Arizona State said, “The morning outdoor workout was a team event at which coaches and training staff were present along with a third party who had previously worked with the ASU Hockey team.”

“Sun Devil Athletics also has heat-illness guidelines in place; these guidelines are informed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association,” the statement continued. “SDA student-athletes regularly practice and train outside, under coach and trainer supervision.”

“It’s clickbait for people, and it’s something that people have no idea what they’re really glomming onto,” Brady, 49, told Sports Business Journal in a story published Monday, September 7.

Brody claims that a portion of the criticism is the result of a perceived conflict of interest. (Brady is an NFL broadcaster who also owns stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.)

Others alleged the future Hall of Famer has spread himself too thin, negatively impacting his on-air performance. In addition to calling games on Fox and being involved in the day-to-day operations of the Raiders, he is also part owner of the Las Vegas Aces and Birmingham FC, an advisor to Delta Airlines, endorser of numerous products and founder of the collectibles company CardVault.

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“They just put it out there in the world and see what sticks,” Brady said of his critics. “So to me, I just focus on what I need to do to be prepared. That’s what I did as a player, and I go out there every week as a broadcaster and try to do the same thing.”

Brady, who is entering his third season with Fox, added that he is still striving to live up to the lofty expectations attached to his 10-year, $375 million contract.

“I have a lot to prove to myself, to my teammates,” he said. “I have a lot to prove to the executives. I want to go earn it, and I don’t want anything given to me. I hope they’ll have me through the end of this contract. I love getting to enjoy the game. I love watching good football. There’s such great camaraderie and chemistry we all have together. We have seminars. We have off-site retreats. We have text threads with all of us. It feels like a big family in so many ways, and I was not really expecting that when I decided to take the job.”

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After his first season behind the mic, Brady spoke with Us about the challenges of transitioning from the field to the booth.

“Just understanding what’s being asked of me and how I want to convey my message to the audience, and then obviously having great teammates at Fox. Kevin Burkhardt, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi, and all the people who produce the games, I just love being a part of it,” he said in October 2025.

Brady added at the time, “It’s live television. Everything you say is out there. Whether you hiccup or make a mistake with a name or a number, or you had something else in your brain and the wiring got crossed, it happens. So you just go with the flow.”

“I was doing an appearance down in Orlando maybe two or three weeks ago and he used to do this appearance for 25 years,” Herbstreit, 57, exclusively told Us on Tuesday, September 8, via College GameDay’s partnership with CELSIUS. “It’s down right in his neck of the woods. He found out I was going to be down there and he asked if we could connect.”

Corso, 91, retired from ESPN’s College GameDay in August 2025, appearing on all 38 seasons of the show before his exit. Herbstreit joined the broadcast in 1996. 

Herbstreit described the pair’s recent reunion as “a very typical Lee Corso story.” Instead of meeting at the event, Corso insisted he drive to meet Herbstreit at the airport. 

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“I said, ‘How far is the airport?,’ He said ‘I don’t know, 30 minutes or so,’” Herbstreit explained. “I said, ‘You’re not driving.’ He said, ‘I am driving.’ You’re not going to win that battle. He drives over in the middle of a thunderstorm, because in Orlando those pop up at any moment. He’s 91 years old.”

He continued, “By the time I landed, there he is. We hugged, embraced. He was emotional because we haven’t seen each other in a while. When he cried, it made me cry. Because he’s my guy. We were able to hang out for probably 20 or 30 minutes and just kind of get caught up.”

Herbstreit noted that Corso has “a lot of physical ailments that he’s been dealing with, but his mind is incredible.”

“We’d all be lucky to have such cognitive thinking at 91,” Herbstreit marveled. “His eyes are sharp. He’s dialed in. He’s just going through some stuff that makes it tough on him.”

He added, “But he knows about teams. He knows about players. He’s got opinions. I just sat there and listened and loved hearing him talk about that. He’s great. I told him that everybody loves him, everybody misses him. He feels that love, so it’s always good to see him.”

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This season, College GameDay has partnered with energy drink CELSIUS on a season-long sponsorship, which includes the CELSIUS Energy Stage, CELSIUS Fan Cam and traveling CELSIUS Combine. 

“I’ve never been a big coffee drinker and really never an energy drinker until maybe about two or three years ago,” Herbstreit said. “With all the travel I do, I don’t like the taste of coffee. But I do love the taste of CELSIUS. My favorite is the grape.”

He continued “They’re traveling every week with us, so I think the whole thing is really cool. Hopefully they’re just scratching the surface of where this partnership can go.”

College GameDay airs Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN.

Metcalf, 28, is not only a two-time Pro Bowl receiver, but like his veteran teammate, he loves a conspiracy theory.

“Yeah, I’m a big conspiracy theorist,” Metcalf admitted to The Athletic in a story published Tuesday, September 8. “Shout out to my quarterback.”

Among Metcalf’s more out-there theories: that Antarctica is home to “another world.”

“I think there is another civilization inside of Earth,” he said.

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The idea of a secret civilization based in Antarctica is, actually, a relatively common theory. As The Athletic explained, most relate to the “thoroughly debunked” hollow Earth theory, which “posits there are advanced civilizations that operate deep below the surface of our planet.”

For Metcalf, his theory seems to be further fueled by the lack of Antarctic tourism.

“You can go to Alaska. You could go to the North Pole,” Metcalf said. “But why not Antarctica? Why can’t you just book a trip to Antarctica?”

One can, in fact, book a trip to Antarctica. Though there is no commercial airport on the continent, most tourists come between November and March via ships coming from South America.

“Why is there a secret meeting — well, it’s not secret, but why is there a meeting between every world leader of every country in Antarctica, specifically?” Metcalf asked.

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There is also no known meeting of world leaders that takes place in Antarctica, let alone one that involves a secret civilization. But as The Athletic notes, if there was, it likely wouldn’t be documented.

Metcalf added that his out-there theories are not simply a product of being exposed to Rodgers, 42, over the last two seasons.

“Nah, I’ve been on it,” he said. “But it just so happened that we can bond over it.”

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Rodgers, for his part, has espoused conspiracy theories covering the Sandy Hook shooting, COVID-19, the Kennedy assassination and even the Egyptian sphinx.

“‘Conspiracy’ is a term which gets slighted,” Rodgers said in a 2024 appearance on the “Look Into It with Eddie Bravo” podcast. “Conspiracy theories have been right about a lot of things in the last couple of years.”

Rodgers also said that he wouldn’t stop voicing his beliefs.

“You stand courageously for what you believe in, or the opposite side of that is either saying nothing or being a coward,” he told Joe Rogan on his popular podcast in 2024. “I’m going to continue talking about this stuff, because it’s important to me.”

“As far as our roster goes, very good chance that Patrick will go ahead and start, unless something were to come up here in the next couple days,” Reid, 68, told reporters on Tuesday, September 8. “But most likely he’ll be the guy that’s out there.”

Mahomes, 30, suffered season-ending torn ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee against the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2025. Since undergoing surgery to repair the tears, the two-time NFL MVP has been working to be under center  during the Chiefs’ Monday, September 14, season opener at home against the Denver Broncos.

“He’s shown everything,” Reid said of Mahomes’ rehab. “He hasn’t missed a day as you know. You guys have seen him out there so you know what it looks like, him running around and doing his stuff. Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He’s running around the same way he’s always done and throwing the ball like he’s always done. I think we’ll be fine there.”

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Mahomes described his recovery as “a long process” before the Chiefs kicked off training camp this offseason. 

“I think that’s what I’ve learned throughout this entire thing,” the quarterback said in July on Yahoo! Sports Daily. “All I can do is be as great as I can be every single day. You just have to maximize that day and then slowly get better and better as the year goes on.”

He continued, “We’ve had a great recovery program going these last few months and we’re in a good spot. Now it’s just about trying to continue to do that so that I’m ready to go whenever the season comes around.”

Mahomes confirmed it was his “goal” to take the field against the Broncos, but acknowledged it ultimately isn’t “his decision.”

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“But at the same time, I’m going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity they can to let me be out there Week 1,” he said “I don’t want to miss that game.”

Mahomes and the Chiefs will get a stiff test to start the season, facing a team that came up just short against the New England Patriots in last year’s AFC Championship Game. 

“We know we’re playing a real good opponent with the Denver Broncos,” Reid said on Tuesday. “Look forward to that challenge of playing them. They’re well-coached and they’ve obviously got a good roster.”

The Chiefs and Broncos face off Monday, September 14, with kick-off scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. 

“The head coach had wanted to issue a stronger statement that defended Russini’s reporting ethics but settled on downplaying the photos,” ESPN reported in a feature published Monday, September 7.

Page Six published photos on April 7 showing Vrabel, 51, and Russini, 43, appearing to spend time together at a resort in Arizona.

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said in a statement at the time. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

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Russini also claimed the photos were innocent, but soon more photos emerged — along with video of the two appearing to kiss at a bar in New York City in 2020.

When Page Six first published the photos, The Athletic launched an internal investigation into Russini’s alleged conduct. The NFL insider resigned from her position days later. Vrabel, for his part, announced that he would seek counseling related to the scandal and even missed the final day of the NFL Draft later that month as part of his treatment.

ESPN also spoke with Patriots players about the immediate aftermath of the controversy to get a better idea of how Vrabel approached his team.

“It’s difficult to explain to people outside the building how he approached it and how players took it,” one player said. “Of course players care about [what happened]. Vrabel is a great leader. Sometimes you have to mess up to become an even better leader.”

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Another source added, “Ultimately football players care about respect, they care about accountability, and they care if you can make them better. And if you can do those things, you can be the weirdest person or you can be a stone-cold killer and they won’t care.”

Vrabel hasn’t said much publicly about the scandal since his initial statements. A reporter asked him for a reaction to The Athletic‘s investigation during a press conference on Thursday, September 3, but he declined to comment.

The Athletic’s report, released that day, concluded the two had “a relationship that puts The Athletic’s credibility in jeopardy and gives the appearance of a conflict of interest.”

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“No, I don’t have any reaction,” Vrabel responded. “We’re moved on and focused on Seattle and focused on the Patriots and focused on getting better this week.”

When pushed, Vrabel added, “I just tried to say that I’ve moved on and [am] excited about this new opportunity here as we start this season.”

The Athletic did not find evidence that Russini used her platform to inappropriately promote Vrabel or his teams, but that she “told a story to explain the photos that did not align with facts, raising issues of trust.”

“Over the weekend, Cedric Gray was involved in a UTV accident in Tennessee and sustained a concussion and minor injuries,” the Titans said in a statement on Monday, September 7. “We look forward to Cedric returning to the field soon and in full health when he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol.”

There was no alcohol or reckless driving involved in the accident, a team source told ESPN.

Gray, 23, is entering his third season in the NFL after playing his college ball at the University of North Carolina. The Titans drafted the second-team All-American in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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In 2025, his first full season, Gray emerged as a starter, leading the team with 164 tackles, which ranked fourth in the NFL.

The Titans open the regular season on Sunday, September 13, at home against the New York Jets. Gray’s status is listed as questionable for the game, but he must satisfy several criteria before returning to play, per the league’s concussion protocol. One of those criteria will be for an independent consultant to clear him to return to practice and games.

While return timetables can vary wildly among those who suffer concussions, Titans analyst Drew Beatty called his possible absence in the season-opener “pretty catastrophic for the defense.”

“Thankful it’s only short-term,” he told Heavy.com via text message. “He’s grown into (in my opinion) a top-5 ILB in football and one of the core pillars of the defensive unit. Looking at an aging Cody Barton (who’s definitively on the decline) and Anthony Hill being thrust into the starting lineup in his first game as a rookie now. Not great!”

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The Titans’ season-opener will take on additional intrigue for head coach Robert Saleh in his first game at the helm. The Tennessee coach led the Jets from 2021 to 2024, when he was fired five games into the season.

Saleh, 47, tried to downplay the added meaning in his first game, keeping the focus on his current team.

“Our desire to win Week 1, beat the Jets, is because it’s Week 1 and nothing more,” Saleh told reporters on Monday. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunity they gave.”

Lineman Solomon Thomas played for the Jets from 2022 to 2024, and added that the adversity those teams faced has helped build the culture in Tennessee.

“We went through a lot of adversity at the Jets, and we’re bringing all the things we learned from that adversity here and spreading it in the culture of this locker room, spreading in the culture of the coaches,” he said. “And I think it’s a lot of knowledge that we’re passing on from then.”

“At this point, we don’t actually know the technical component of his passing, so that’s something we have great interest in because he was such a fit kid,” Robert Peterson told CBS San Francisco in a story published on Monday, September 7. “He was amongst the fittest on a very fit team.”

Robert said his son spent “all summer running every hill in our neighborhood” before moving into his dorm on the campus in Moraga, California, on August 30. 

The school revealed via Facebook that Dominic died after suffering a “medical emergency” during a two-mile run on Friday, September 5. He was 19. An official cause of death has not been released. 

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Though the Peterson family has questions about Dominic’s death, they are working with Saint Mary’s to “make sure he leaves behind a legacy” with the creation of the Dominic Peterson Memorial Fund, which will support the men’s rugby team. 

“We want to pay it forward,” Robert said. “He was genuinely a great kid. He didn’t have a bad bone in him.”

Dominic’s father added, “He’d go to war with you, but no malice. No anger. He was a pure dude.”

Saint Mary’s rugby captain Matthew Abbes said he spoke to Dominic shortly before the two-mile run began. 

“I was ahead of him, which was strange because usually he’s in front of me,” Abbes told KTVU Fox 2. “I thought it was a little weird, but I crossed the finish line at the end of the path, and then one of my teammates came up to me and said Dom’s passed out back around the pull-up bar, and so I immediately took off [running back] down the path.”

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Mario Storti, a former Saint Mary’s rugby captain who was helping with practice, was riding a bike behind the team when he saw Dominic fall.

“He just wanted to keep on going, so [he] asked for help up, and that’s why I helped him and tried to help him out, and then he started losing a bit, and that’s why I was carrying him, and he collapsed the second time,” Storti told KTVU. 

Saint Mary’s College president Roger J. Thompson called Dominic’s death “a heartbreaking loss for our entire community.”

“Our deepest sympathies are with his family and loved ones, and with the teammates, coaches, classmates, faculty, and staff whose lives he touched,” Thompson said in a statement. “We hold all of them close in our hearts and prayers as they confront this unimaginable loss.”

Scott was driving along State Road 62, about 20 miles from Evansville’s Indiana campus, at 12:42 a.m. on Sunday when she struck a utility pole, the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office told WRTV. A witness told police they saw Scott’s car veer off the road on a sharp curve before crashing into the pole and turning onto its side.

Scott, who was the only person in the car, had just dropped her friend off at home before the accident. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A sophomore and member of the Purple Aces women’s basketball program, Jordan was a beloved member of the University of Evansville community,” the university wrote in a tribute via Facebook on Monday, September 7. “Her loss is deeply felt by her teammates, coaches, classmates, friends, faculty, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

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The post continued, “We ask our entire community to keep the Scott family and all those who loved Jordan in your thoughts. We know news like this affects each person differently. Support and counseling resources are being made available to students, and we encourage anyone who is struggling with this loss to reach out for support.”

Scott was entering her first season with the Purple Aces after transferring from Wabash Valley College in Illinois. A 5’6” point guard, she started all but one game as a freshman for Wabash Valley and averaged 12.5 points per game.

She then transferred to Division I Evansville where her sister, Jayden, is a freshman on the Purple Aces basketball team.

“There is no simple way to put it. Our team and coaches are really struggling,” head coach Ben Wierzba told Evansville’s Courier & Press. “While this is a new team and we have only been together for a short time, these young women have spent countless hours together this summer and fall building something special. They have quickly become a family. Jordan was a meaningful part of the family. Her presence, personality, and spirit made an impact on all of us. Our hearts are broken for her family. Especially for Jayden. Jordan will always be a part of the Evansville women’s basketball program.”

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Jayden broke her silence with a post via Instagram on Monday, sharing a carousel of photos of the sisters through their childhood.

“I never thought I would be posting this,” she wrote in the caption. “I never thought I’d have to learn how to live life without you. You were my sister, but also my best friend, my safe place, my biggest supporter, and a huge part of my life. I wish I could go back and hold onto all the memories, laughs, and conversations a little longer.”

Jayden’s post continued,“I’m so grateful for the time we had together! You had so much life ahead of you jordan, and I am forever proud of you 🫶🏽 my heart will always wish we had more time. I’m so beyond thankful that I got to call you my sister 🤗 I love you forever and always and more than words can ever explain! I miss you so so much jordan 💔 Until we meet again sis 🕊️.”

“Let’s go through my favorite DMs over the last 24 hours,” Smith began in a video shared via TikTok on Monday, September 7.

She then showed the first message, which read, “God fearing. 6’1. 260. Business owner. 500K take home annual.”

“Thank you for the credentials,” Smith responded.

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The second DM read: “Going to Whole Foods, want me to pick up anything?”

“Another good one. I’ve never gotten this before,” Smith said. “But I love Whole Foods though.”

Other DMs included a user saying “bankrupt me,” another writing, “Let’s make a 👶” and one who said, “I can save you! Don’t be so sad beautiful.”

“I don’t think you can save me from what this football season is about to look like,” she replied.

Smith’s viral moment came after a third quarter Louisville touchdown, bringing the Cardinals to within two points of her Rebels. ESPN cameras caught her looking concerned, with her arms raised over her head (“Your armpits are so overrated,” read one of the DMs she shared, a take with which she agreed.)

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X account Campus Cuties later identified her as Smith, sending a torrent of messages to her Instagram account, which has been set to private. Her bio says she is an Ole Miss alum.

While some of her suitors offered to buy her expensive bags (Smith prefers Louis Vuitton) or told her she looks like “nacreous clouds” (Google it), one bold fan was decidedly more long-winded.

“I’ve seen and admired countless, absolutely stunning and pretty women,” they wrote. “I’ve been completely taken aback by their beauty and charm, wondering how could someone be so freaking beautiful.”

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The DM continued, “But today I came across your picture at that game on Twitter. It took me a few seconds and checking a few comments to realize that you weren’t AI generated. You are an actual, living, breathing human being.”

Smith did not share the entire message, but it went on to call her an “absolute goddess” and “without a shadow of a doubt” the “most beautiful person.”

To Smith’s relief, Ole Miss closed out the 41-38 Week 1 win thanks to a Lucas Carneiro field goal as time expired. It was the first regular season game under head coach Pete Golding after Lane Kiffin’s shocking exit before the College Football Playoff last season.

“Spencer was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” the GoFundMe says. “He was the sun around which so many of our lives orbited, and his loss is being felt deeply by everyone who knew and loved him.”

Spencer — who competed for Team USA Triathlon at the 2012 World Championships in New Zealand — and his wife, Carly, shared two daughters: Sadie, 4, and Coco, 23 months. 

“So many of you have asked how you can be there for Sadie, 4, and Colette, 1,” the fundraiser continues. “In that spirit, we’ve set up a fund for their future education, as one way to keep Spencer’s community close to them as they grow. We hope it can serve as a reminder, when they’re old enough to understand it, of how loved their father was and how many people are in their corner. Whether through a contribution, a message, or simply keeping Spencer in your thoughts, every expression of love means so much to the Korwin family.”

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Supporters are also encouraged to sign up for a multi-year pledge to support the girls. 

The GoFundMe had raised over $379,000 at the time of this story’s publication, with a goal of $500,000.

Spencer’s body was found on Wednesday, September 2, after he had gone missing on New York’s Shelter Island while vacationing with his family. He was 38.

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He went for a swim off the dock at The Pridwin Hotel on Wednesday morning, according to the Shelter Island Police Department. When he never returned, Carly called the authorities.

The Shelter Island Police Department said his death is believed to be accidental, but the investigation remains open. 

During her emotional eulogy at Spencer’s funeral in New York CIty on Sunday, September 6, Carly called her late husband’s death “a nightmare.”

“This is the worst day of my life,” she said, according to the New York Post. “I can’t accept that this is real and that Spencer is not going to come home. Spencer was more than I could ever have dreamed of when it came to a husband, a father and a friend. He was the best human I have ever met, and he was the love of my life. We had the most beautiful and special once-in-a-lifetime type of love, and we knew it.”

“Praying for your family man,” Mahomes, 30, wrote via direct message to reporter Tucker Franklin, who shared the interaction via X on Sunday, September 6. “Chiefs and chiefskingdom is with you! 🙏🏽”

In response to the DM, Franklin, 28, told his followers, “I think it’s easy to wonder if the quarterback of your favorite team is actually a good guy.” 

“We don’t have to wonder about that in KC ❤️,” he added. 

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Tucker, who covers the Chiefs for KC Sports Network, announced the death of his father, Doug, on August 31. He was 55. 

“My dad, Doug Franklin, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away,” Tucker shared via X. “He was a great father, phenomenal husband, and an amazing man. The only thing he loved more than the Kansas City Royals was his family. He will be greatly missed.”

The journalist added, “It’s easy in times like these to be upset by all the things you didn’t get to experience. I’m crushed and devastated. Life is not fair but in these unfair moments, I’m choosing to be thankful for the 28 years I had with a man I was honored to call my father. Though, it should’ve been more. Thank you, Dad.”

Tucker was responsible for authoring his late father’s obituary, which he called “the hardest writing assignment of my life.”

“He was an advocate for teachers, having served on the Trenton R-IX School Board for six years, including the last three as president,” Tucker wrote about his dad. “On top of that, Doug worked as an adjunct professor for North Central Missouri College, teaching world religion and fire science.”

The obituary added, “He loved doing life together. He believed the church was the people. He gathered to camp, sit down at a table, and celebrate regardless of any inconvenience to himself. He showed up for people. He was not perfect and wasn’t afraid of it. His selfless nature was evident to everyone he came across.”

Tucker said he was “blown away by all the responses” after revealing his father’s death.

Ohio High School Football Coach Joe Pierro Dead After Lightning Strike

“I can never thank each and every one of you for reaching out, no matter our relationship,” he shared via X on September 1. “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you ❤️.”

Tucker returned to work on Monday, September 7, cohosting KC Sports Network’s “That Football Show,” which opened with a message about his late dad. 

“In these times, it’s good to be together,” he said. “It’s great to see all the support … that I have had, that my family has had, from people that I’ve never met.”

Tucker continued, “That’s been really touching, really moving. I just want to say thank you.”

Korwin’s body was found on Wednesday, September 2, after he had gone missing on New York’s Shelter Island. The athlete went for a swim off the dock at The Pridwin Hotel on Wednesday morning, according to the Shelter Island Police Department. 

Shelter Island P.D.’s Jack Thilberg said Korwin’s death is believed to be accidental, but the investigation is ongoing. 

Spencer, his wife, Carly, and their two young daughters — Sadie, 4, and Coco, 23 months — were vacationing on the Island at the time of the triathlete’s death.

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John Kirincic of the Southold Town Police Department, who was involved in the search for Korwin, said “there wasn’t anything unusual” about the conditions on the day of the drowning. 

“There was no fog or anything bad,” Kirincic told the Shelter Island Reporter. 

Spencer competed for Team USA Triathlon at the 2012 World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.

At a memorial service in New York City on Sunday, September 6, Carly emotionally remembered her late husband.

“This is a nightmare,” she said during her eulogy, according to the New York Post. “This is the worst day of my life. I can’t accept that this is real and that Spencer is not going to come home. Spencer was more than I could ever have dreamed of when it came to a husband, a father, and a friend. He was the best human I have ever met, and he was the love of my life. We had the most beautiful and special once-in-a-lifetime type of love, and we knew it.”

Carly continued, “We always said forever isn’t long enough. And I will never be able to make sense as to why this incredible life we built together, filled with happiness and so much love, was ripped away from us in an instant.”

Ohio High School Football Coach Joe Pierro Dead After Lightning Strike

The widow added that the couple’s two daughters “will never stop missing him, and he will forever be their hero.”

Shelter Island Police Chief James Read urged that Spencer’s death should be a tragic warning sign for other swimmers in the area. 

“Enjoy the water, but respect it,” he told The Suffolk Times. “Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible, don’t swim alone, be aware of tides and currents, and use additional caution around docks and areas with boat traffic. Parents should closely supervise children around the water, and boaters should also be particularly attentive with the increased holiday weekend activity.”

The chief continued, “Even strong and experienced swimmers should never underestimate open water or changing conditions.”

Pierro was killed while mowing the lawn at his home in Steubenville, Ohio on Friday, September 4, according to local reports. 

The incident happened just three weeks after Pierro retired following 30-plus years as a coach and teacher at Steubenville High School.

“The Big Red family suffered a terrible loss with the sudden passing of longtime teacher, coach, colleague and friend, Joe Pierro,” the school said in a statement via Facebook. “Joe dedicated much of his life to helping young people learn, grow, compete, and believe in themselves. His impact reached far beyond the classroom and playing field — through the countless lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the relationships he built.”

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The statement continued, “We extend our deepest condolences to Joe’s family, friends, colleagues, former students and players during this incredibly difficult time. The legacy of Coach Joe P. will live on in the many lives he helped shape. Rest in peace, Joe. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered. The legacy of Coach Joe P. will live on in the many lives he helped shape. Rest in peace, Joe. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered. 💔🖤🙏🏼”

Joe is survived by his mother, Shirley, his son, Michael, and his daughter, Mia. 

Steubenville High head football coach Reno Saccoccia remembered Joe as a “genuine person.”

“He was fun to be around,” Saccoccia told WTRF. “Always had a few laughs. But when it was time to work, he worked, and he worked hard. He took a lot of pride in what he did. So that’s probably what I’ll miss about him the most, is his hard work and dedication and his time for fun and laughter.”

Steubenville dedicated Friday night’s football game to Joe, just hours after he died. 

Arizona State Hockey Releases Statement After Matthew Mayich's Hospitalization

“I thought our players did a fine job of representing him and what he stood for,” Saccoccia said. 

Joe’s obituary remembered the late coach and mentor as being “kind and gentle.”

“Joe always had a smile on his face and had a way of making those around him feel comfortable,” the remembrance reads. “He will always be remembered for his easy going nature, his generosity, and the many lifelong friendships that he has made. Joe lived a selfless life and was most proud of his two children Michael and Mia.”

The obituary adds, “Joe loved family gatherings and spending time with his close friends. He especially enjoyed being outdoors and working in the yard. Whether coaching, spending time with those he loved, or simply helping someone in need, JoJo found happiness in the people around him.”

“Milly, I don’t even know what to say,” Roest, 22, wrote via Instagram on Friday, September 4. “I am so sorry this is happening to you. No one deserves to go through this. That being said, I have no doubt in my mind you will beat cancer. You are the strongest person I know and I know you will overcome everything that comes your way over the next year. I love you so much and I will be right there with you through all of this ❤️.”

The hockey player shared two pictures from Okabe’s hospital bed, while urging his followers to donate to a GoFundMe set up “to help support Milly and her family during this difficult time.”

Roest was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He split last season between the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators. 

Arizona State Hockey Releases Statement After Matthew Mayich's Hospitalization

According to the GoFundMe, Okabe, 22, was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line the organs. 

Okabe revealed her diagnosis on Friday in a social media post of her own. 

“There’s a lot of fear of the unknown, but what I do know is that I am extremely lucky in this life to have friends that are family, and a family that loves me this hard,” she shared via Instagram.

Okabe added, “Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way. I’m so extremely grateful.”

Roest and Okabe have been dating for over three years, per the athlete’s Instagram. “1 year with the best ❤️,” he gushed in June 2024. 

Okabe, a former figure skater, is described as “a kind, strong and selfless person who means so much to everyone around her,” in the fundraiser arranged in her honor.

Arizona State Hockey Players 'Scared' to Talk After Matthew Mayich Incident

“Skating has always been a huge part of Milara’s life,” the GoFundMe reads. “After spending years as a high-level skater herself, she now loves being able to share that passion by teaching kids how to skate. Outside of the rink, she is constantly with the people she loves the most — her friends and family, as well as simply having the most fun in everything she does.”

The page continues, “As Milara goes through treatment, her family is doing everything possible to remain by her side. Along with the emotional weight of her diagnosis, she is now facing time away from work, travel and accommodation costs, medications, fertility preservation, and many other unexpected expenses. Our hope is to surround Milara and her family with the same love and support they have always shown the people around them. By easing some of the financial pressure, we hope they can focus their energy on what matters most right now Milara’s care, well-being, and spending time together as a family.”

Okabe’s GoFundMe had raised over $50,000 at the time of this story’s publication. 

“Thinking of you 27 💛,” the statement read, which was issued by the team via social media on Saturday, September 5. “Matthew — your ASU teammates and the entire Sun Devil community are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mayich, 21, suffered heat stroke and remains hospitalized after collapsing during a team workout on August 20. His family’s lawyer, Robert Carey, said Mayich has “zero chance of recovery.”

The Sun Devil hockey team was participating in a nearly hour-long, military-style workout led by a former Green Beret. Carey exclusively told Us he’s “confident” Mayich was not given any water throughout the entire process. 

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Mayich was allegedly left on the ground for several minutes after collapsing, according to Carey. The attorney further alleged that Mayich was not immediately rushed to a cooling station or placed in an ice bath once he attended to.

A formal police investigation into the incident was opened last week, with multiple players on the team being questioned. 

“These kids are scared,” Carey told Us on Thursday, September 3. “The ones that are still there, they’re scared. They think they might lose their scholarships. They think the program might crumble. They might not get playing time if they cross the coach.”

Carey added, “As the investigator, you have to separate the witnesses from the people being investigated. When you have people in a hierarchical system like this, you need to put people on leave and do the investigation so that people have a safe space in which they can be honest. That’s all we ask. We just want them to be transparent and tell everybody what’s going on.”

The lawyer suggested that the coaches who were present for the workout should be placed on leave as the investigation unfolds. 

“The family wants a full and complete investigation,” Carey said. “To me, as a lawyer and former prosecutor, that requires you separate witnesses from their supervisors.”

While he waits for the investigation to play out, Carey told Us he “already knows what’s going on.”

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“I’ve talked to enough people where I know what happened on the field that day,” he said. “When I get my facts out, it’s going to be…it’s horrific. They didn’t plan it right, they didn’t execute it right and they weren’t prepared for the likely scenario of heat stroke. They were utterly unprepared for it.”

In a statement to Us on Thursday, a spokesperson for Arizona State said, “The morning outdoor workout was a team event at which coaches and training staff were present along with a third party who had previously worked with the ASU Hockey team.”

“Sun Devil Athletics also has heat-illness guidelines in place; these guidelines are informed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association,” the statement added. “SDA student-athletes regularly practice and train outside, under coach and trainer supervision.”

Mayich had recently arrived on the Arizona State campus after transferring from Clarkson University, where he played his freshman year. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. 

Ahead of their July 2016 nuptials, the couple spoke candidly about their decision to remain celibate until marriage.

“We’re hanging in there. I’m not gonna lie. I’m human, so it is not easy,” Ciara, who was already the mother of son Future Jr. from her previous relationship with ex-fiancé Future, told Cosmopolitan in February 2016. “Especially when I look at him and I think he is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen — that I’ve ever laid my eyes on, to be honest. I’m like, ‘Look the other way! Look the other way!’”

After tying the knot, Ciara and Wilson went on to welcome daughter Sienna in 2017 and son Win in 2020. Their third baby, and Ciara’s fourth child, daughter Amora was born in December 2023.

Scroll down to relive Wilson and Ciara’s sweetest relationship moments:

“This is a positive development,” Nick Sanchez Jr., Mark’s brother and legal advisor, said in a statement shared with CBS News on Thursday, September 3. “We are finalizing an agreement with the prosecutor’s office that provides a path toward resolving the state’s case. We’re also encouraged by the constructive conversations taking place regarding the related civil matter. There is real momentum toward bringing this entire chapter to a close.”

Mark, 39, was arrested after an altercation with delivery driver Perry Tole in Indianapolis that resulted in the former New York Jets quarterback being stabbed multiple times.

Both Mark and the driver were taken to the hospital and Mark was hit with misdemeanor charges of battery resulting in injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry of a motor vehicle. Prosecutors later added a felony 5 charge that carries a potential penalty of one to five years in prison.

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It is not clear which charges Mark will plead guilty to. Court documents obtained by CBS show that a motion for a guilty plea and sentencing hearing was filed on Thursday in Marion County, Indiana, Superior Court. A judge still needs to accept the plea.

“We are pleased with the constructive and professional conversations we’ve had with Mr. Sanchez’s team,” Tole’s attorney, Matt Golitko, added in a statement to CBS News. “Our discussions have been productive and we’re on a positive path toward an agreement that will allow the parties to move forward. Mr. Tole appreciates the progress we have achieved and looks forward to an amicable resolution.”

Mark was in Indianapolis at the time to broadcast a game between the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox Sports. Days after his arrest, a Fox representative confirmed to Us that he had been fired.

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“We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network,” the spokesperson said. “There will be no further comment at this time.”

Nick also shared a statement with Us at the time, turning the focus back to his brother’s recovery.

“It’s been a long month for Mark as he continues to recover from serious injuries while also grieving the loss of a close friend,” he said. “While the recent news — and its timing — is understandably disappointing, our priority remains his continued healing and recovery. Mark deeply values his time at Fox and the exceptional colleagues he’s had the privilege to work with. Those relationships are meaningful and will endure.”

Mayich, 21, was allegedly left on the ground for several minutes after collapsing on August 20, attorney Robert Carey claimed to Us on Friday, September 4. The litigator further alleged that Mayich was not immediately rushed to a cooling station or placed in an ice bath once he was removed from the track. 

The workout was led by a former Green Beret, lasted for nearly an hour and featured sprints, planks, push-ups and bear crawls. 

Carey is “confident” Mayich did not receive any water throughout the entire session, he exclusively told Us on Thursday, September 3.

Arizona State Hockey Players 'Scared' to Talk After Matthew Mayich Incident

Arizona State Police received a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. on August 20, alerting them to Mayich’s collapse. The athlete remains hospitalized with “zero chance of recovery,” Carey has said. 

“You have to have common sense,” Carey told Us. “You have to have reasonable care and protect these student-athletes. That’s their number one charge, to make sure the student-athletes are safe. It’s obvious when you go out into the outdoor temperatures, even if it’s at 8 a.m., it’s going to be hot. When you’re crawling around on the ground, it just makes you hotter. It just raises your body temperature.”

The attorney continued, “This was a distinct, identifiable risk. We’ll have to see what they were doing about it. Did they have an action plan if somebody got heat stroke? Did they have permission to be out there? Did they have a plan on how the workout would go to protect for hydration and rest? I don’t know.”

In a statement to Us on Thursday, a spokesperson for Arizona State called the workout “a team event at which coaches and training staff were present along with a third party who had previously worked with the ASU Hockey team.”

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“ASU has institutional guidelines and requirements relating to the engagement of outside entities who interact with ASU student-athletes and sport programs,” the statement continued. “Sun Devil Athletics also has heat-illness guidelines in place; these guidelines are informed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. SDA student-athletes regularly practice and train outside, under coach and trainer supervision.”

The Arizona State police department launched a formal investigation into the facts related to Mayich’s collapse this week. 

“I’m glad it’s happening,” Carey said of the case. “I hope they follow police protocols relating to tracking down all the evidence, using subpoenas or warrants, if necessary, that they get unfettered access to the university systems for digital information.”

Mayich had recently transferred to Arizona State after playing his freshman season at Clarkson University. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.