Former San Jose State University (SJSU) volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose alleges a school official told her transgender player Blaire Fleming could not compete at one point during the 2023 season because Fleming’s testosterone level exceeded the eligibility limit.

In a new interview with OutKick, Batie-Smoose, who is now the head volleyball coach at Cisco College, claimed SJSU associate athletics director Laura Alexander informed her of Fleming's failed test before the women’s volleyball team left for its first conference match.

"So it was told to me by our associate AD, confirming to me that Fleming was not showing up for the test, the blood test," Batie-Smoose said.

INSIDE THE FALLOUT OF THE SJSU VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: ‘THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM’

"And that Fleming had one day left before we were going to leave for our first conference match, and that he needed to come in and test. And then, then she proceeded to tell me the next day that after the test, that the testosterone levels were too high, and Fleming is ineligible to play and will not be going on the trip that day."

The coach added that the alleged failed test was kept "a secret" from the rest of the team.

The allegation also appears in Batie-Smoose’s Oct. 13 federal lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) trustees and 11 SJSU employees.

Fleming then missed a long stretch of the 2023 season. SJSU’s athletics website claimed the player had not competed since Sept. 16 of that year "due to injuries," in a November 2023 game recap.

Batie-Smoose said, "The injury happened the day that Fleming went to go get tested, and it was very questionable."

Batie-Smoose believes the injury explanation helped keep the alleged eligibility issue secret. Her lawsuit also describes that conclusion as her belief.

EX-SJSU VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SPEAKS OUT ON ALLEGED SCHOLARSHIP DECEPTION BY COACH DURING TRANS SCANDAL

"Around the same time the testosterone results were revealed, Fleming thereafter missed conference matches because of a reported hand injury, which Plaintiff believes was an excuse to hide his ineligibility to play because of his hormone level," the lawsuit states.

SJSU's own game records confirm that Fleming missed matches, but they do not establish whether a testosterone test result played a role in the absence.

In 2023, NCAA rules allowed transgender women to play on women’s teams, but they had to meet requirements for hormone treatment and testosterone levels. The NCAA kept that policy, known as Phase Two, in place through the 2023–24 school year.

Under that framework, transgender women had to complete at least one year of testosterone suppression treatment before competing on a women’s team. They also had to provide blood-test results that met the NCAA’s limit for their sport. For women’s volleyball, the Phase Two limit was below 10 nanomoles per liter of total testosterone in the blood.

The requirements applied before an athlete’s first competition in each season segment, including nonconference games. Schools had to submit eligibility documents for an NCAA medical panel to review before the athlete competed. The requirement did not begin only when conference play started.

Schools also had to certify athletes’ eligibility before allowing them to compete. If an athlete became ineligible, NCAA rules required the school to immediately keep that athlete out of competition.

SJSU WAS TOLD OF DECADES-OLD ALLEGATIONS AGAINST VOLLEYBALL COACH DURING CONTROVERSIAL 2024 SEASON

Batie-Smoose’s account does not establish that Fleming played while ineligible. Fleming did return in November of that season, missing 17 matches.

SJSU has declined to respond to a request for clarification.

"Due to pending litigation, San Jose State is unable to respond to your inquiry," a university spokesperson told OutKick.

OutKick also reached out to Fleming, the NCAA, the Mountain West and the CSU for comment, but did not receive a response.

Batie-Smoose’s allegations extend beyond Fleming’s eligibility. She also says her relationship with head coach Todd Kress unraveled as their political views grew apart — and accuses him of using her support for Trump to turn players against her.

She described Kress as a longtime friend who once shared her conservative beliefs.

"Todd was a conservative Republican, and we shared the same views on a lot of things. And that’s why we were friends for so long," she said. "And then somewhere in the craziness, he went left and really extreme left."

Asked when she noticed that change, Batie-Smoose said it happened "before the first Trump election."

The two continued discussing politics, she said. But she alleges Kress began raising their differences in front of athletes, crossing a boundary she wanted to keep between their personal disagreements and their coaching jobs.

"Oh, yeah. We talked about politics all the time," she said. "You know, once he turned, it was more, um, he would bring it up in settings that I felt like it was very inappropriate."

"We can talk and debate on those subjects when we’re in a room together, but not in front of student athletes. I feel like that is not the time and the place to speak on that."

Batie-Smoose said the treatment intensified after they arrived at SJSU in 2023. She believes Kress brought up her political and religious views to mock her and weaken her relationships with the team.

"Especially once we arrived at San Jose State, and I’ve referred to this before, this man was unrecognizable," she said.

She alleged that Kress knew which players would object to her views and raised the subject in front of them to create division.

Asked whether Kress told those players that he had once held similar conservative beliefs, Batie-Smoose replied: "Oh, no way. No way. He would never state that."

She said she did not share his past political views with the athletes herself.

"I do not talk about those things in front of athletes ever," she said.

Her lawsuit alleges that Kress called her a "Trump lover." It also says she repeatedly expressed her religious belief that "God made man and woman," and that she believes his treatment reflected hostility toward her faith.

She further alleges that he cornered and berated her during an office confrontation in about August 2023, after a canceled recruiting visit. The complaint says he threatened that he could get her fired.

Batie-Smoose says she reported the encounter to administrators and human resources. She alleges they told her Kress was her boss and she needed to listen to him.

Her attorney, Vernadette Broyles, described what she sees as a broader effort to silence her client.

"There was a watchdog that was assigned to be at every practice and to travel with Melissa to watch what she said, to watch what she did," Broyles said.

The lawsuit identifies a university administrator in connection with that allegation. The complaint presents the claimed purpose as Batie-Smoose’s belief.

CSU has defended its handling of Batie-Smoose in its March lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education.

The employment dispute grew as the volleyball controversy spread.

During the 2024 season, former SJSU co-captain Slusser publicly challenged Fleming’s participation, and several opponents refused to play against SJSU. Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint Oct. 29 alleging unequal treatment and failures to address concerns inside the program.

SJSU placed Batie-Smoose on paid leave days later. Its suspension letter cited several grounds, including alleged disclosure of private student information, differential treatment of athletes and unprofessional conduct. Batie-Smoose disputes those grounds.

On Jan. 31, 2025, the university told her it would not renew her temporary appointment. Batie-Smoose then filed an employment lawsuit against SJSU last September.

Then, this year, on Sept. 4, Judge Noël Wise dismissed her second amended complaint in an earlier employment case. Wise found that her allegations did not adequately show that SJSU punished her because of her sex or for raising complaints protected by law. The judge emphasized the complaint’s account that SJSU acted after she shared student information with the media despite instructions to keep it confidential.

Wise allowed her to amend. The ruling addressed whether that complaint stated a valid legal claim. It did not decide the dispute after a trial.

The October filing accuses officials of violating her rights to speak, practice her faith and hold political beliefs. It also alleges unequal treatment under the law. Batie-Smoose seeks reinstatement or a comparable job, compensation and correction of adverse personnel records.

Federal investigators have separately challenged SJSU’s handling of the volleyball program.

In January, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that the school violated Title IX over athletic participation, facilities and its response to complaints. The agency also raised concerns about unequal treatment in employment, while acknowledging that incomplete records limited its conclusions.

CSU disputes the federal findings. The system sued the Education Department in March, arguing that SJSU followed the law and NCAA rules that governed the seasons under review.

Batie-Smoose says legal advice shaped how much she shared publicly as the dispute unfolded.

"When this all began, I did not have legal representation," she said.

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"I mean, we have a lawsuit here and we want to win, and we also want to make change."

She has since returned to coaching. Cisco College in Texas announced her hiring as head volleyball coach in April.

"This is what God intended me to do," she said.

She described the new job as a chance to lead young women again while her case moves forward.

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"God put me here. I have a purpose, and I’m so blessed that I get to lead these young women again, and I’m having a lot of fun at it."

ATLANTA – Angel Reese helped the Atlanta Dream win a WNBA Finals game for the first time Monday. Two nights later, she helped them take their first lead in a Finals series.

ATLANTA DREAM, GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WNBA FINALS GAME

Reese finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds as Atlanta beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena, taking a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Reese has totaled 51 points and 28 rebounds in Atlanta’s two victories.

Reese became the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games, joining A’ja Wilson as the only players to accomplish the feat.

And to give the Dream and their fans credit, I previously questioned whether Atlanta could fill State Farm Arena for the Finals. They answered that with a resounding yes on Wednesday night. Game 3 was a sellout, and the building was loud.

Before tip-off, both teams again left the court for the national anthem, marking their third straight absence in the series. They returned moments after the performance ended. The WNBA’s rulebook calls for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up during the anthem, and the league has not answered OutKick’s questions about the absences.

Once the game started, Reese picked up where she left off in San Francisco. She scored Atlanta’s first basket and finished the opening quarter with eight points, including a three-pointer that pushed the Dream’s lead to 22–12.

Golden State missed its first eight shots and didn’t make a field goal until 4:38 remained in the first quarter. Atlanta led 23–15 after one.

WNBA ANTHEM CONTROVERSY SPARKS CALLS TO BAR PLAYERS WHO DON'T STAND FROM TEAM USA OLYMPIC ROSTER

Reese added another three in the second quarter and went into halftime with 15 points, matching her first-half total from Game 2. Naz Hillmon made three first-half threes of her own, helping Atlanta take a 46–40 lead into the break.

The Valkyries made a push to start the third. Cecilia Zandalasini hit two threes in the opening 68 seconds, and Golden State tied the game at 48, then again at 49.

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Reese helped Atlanta answer. After Rhyne Howard put the Dream back in front, Reese made two free throws, assisted on an Isobel Borlase layup and scored on a running layup herself. That completed an 8–0 run and gave Atlanta a 57–49 lead.

Golden State cut the deficit to four, but the Dream kept scoring after Reese went to the bench with 3:31 left in the quarter. DeWanna Bonner hit a three to start a 12–2 finish to the period, scoring five points during that stretch.

ANGEL REESE DOMINATES GAME 2 AS ATLANTA DREAM EVEN WNBA FINALS WITH GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES

Atlanta led 71–57 entering the fourth and Golden State never really threatened in the final period.

Hillmon finished with 15 points, while Jordin Canada added 8 assists. Rhyne Howard had her best offensive performance of the series, scoring 16 points.

Atlanta again held down Golden State’s Gabby Williams, who finished with 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting.

Atlanta entered these Finals without a win in its three previous appearances, then lost Saturday’s opener. Now Reese and the Dream are two victories from a championship.

Game 4 is Saturday at State Farm Arena.

The LeBron James era in Los Angeles is officially in the rearview mirror, and Luka Doncic wasted no time introducing himself as the new face of the city.

Ahead of Wednesday night's season opener against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers' superstar made an instant impression on everyday fans before even stepping onto the court.

Doncic bought out an entire parking lot outside Crypto.com Arena to give fans free parking and teamed up with Metro Bike Share to hand out free rides across Los Angeles all day long.

LEBRON JAMES THANKS LAKERS AHEAD OF FREE AGENCY DEPARTURE FOR 24TH NBA SEASON: 'HOPE I MADE A FEW PROUD'

If you have ever tried driving into downtown Los Angeles on a game night, you know parking alone can feel like a shakedown.

Dropping 50 bucks just to leave your car on cracked asphalt for three hours is enough to ruin an evening before it even starts.

Anyone hoping Luka's generosity would carry over to the concession stands inside would be sorely disappointed. Free beer is definitely not on the menu, and you are still going to pay 20 dollars for a draft and 10 bucks for a soda once you clear security.

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Taking a family of four to a ballgame is still a heavy hit on the bank account. Still, the gesture sends a clear message that this is Luka's team now.

For years, Lakers basketball was the LeBron show, complete with all the celebrity drama, roster turnover, and constant circus that came with it. With James gone, the keys to the most famous franchise in basketball belong entirely to Doncic.

Coming off a frustrating hamstring injury that cut his 2025-26 season short, he enters this fresh campaign with an enormous chip on his shoulder and the weight of 17 championship banners on his back.

Free parking and pedal bikes build quick goodwill, but hanging banner 18 is the only thing that truly matters. Wednesday night against Golden State is just the opening chapter of the Luka era.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs apologized to his teammates, while also speaking with reporters for the first time since returning to the team after being removed from the commissioner’s exempt list last week.

Jacobs missed the first six weeks of the 2026 season following an offseason domestic abuse arrest in May, which landed him on the commissioner’s exempt list on Aug. 30.

The league continues to investigate Jacobs’ situation despite pleading no contest to both misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Jacobs being removed from the list doesn’t hinder the investigation, the NFL has noted, but he is allowed back with the Packers.

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Ahead of his potential season debut — the Packers haven’t said whether Jacobs will be playing against the Detroit Lions on Sunday — Jacobs spoke with reporters, expressing remorse for his actions.

"Excited to be back with the team, with the guys," he said during his media availability. "I want to say thank you to the organization really for supporting me throughout this whole process and how everything played out.

"With that being said, I can’t really get into a lot of things, like specifics of things, but obviously I’m remorseful, and sorry for putting this time in this situation.

JOSH JACOBS' EX-GIRLFRIEND FILES MOTION TO PERMANENTLY SEAL EVIDENCE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE

"Sometimes, when you go through life, situations occur, and a four-second, three-second decision can alter your life honestly. With that being said, still a human being, man, still trying to learn, still trying to grow from the whole process. Actually learned a lot throughout this whole process, legally and just personally."

As part of Jacobs’ plea deal, he was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, attend counseling, pay restitution for property he destroyed and have no further contact with the victim. As long as he meets those conditions for one year, the property damage charge will be dismissed.

Jacobs was arrested in Wisconsin following an incident that occurred three days prior, where he allegedly grabbed his ex-girlfriend trying to leave his garage and threw her to the ground.

Jacobs also filed a civil suit last week calling for an injunction and protective order surrounding evidence, specifically surveillance footage of the incident, which would restrict access to records of the case. Basically, Jacobs doesn’t want the footage released to the public, as it was reported the video footage of the alleged battery would corroborate the victim’s claims.

Jacobs is trying to put the situation behind him, saying that he is "just trying to be better" moving forward.

"I know for some people this might be a stain on me and my character," he added. "I feel like I don’t have to really speak on my character. A lotta people that know me in this locker room, or that’s been around me, I’ll let them do that.

"For me, man, I’m just trying to come back in here, play ball, learn from this mistake and move forward."

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Head coach Matt LaFleur also addressed Jacobs returning to his squad during his news conference on Wednesday.

"I think a lot of times you get in a situation where you might not make the right decision," he said of Jacobs’ situation. "I think people learn from their mistakes. I think he’s extremely remorseful, and I do believe he is a good person. I’ve been around him quite a bit. I believe in second chances."

With Jacobs sidelined, LaFleur has seen an abysmal run game from his depth chart, which includes MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr. and Kaleb Johnson, who Green Bay traded for with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers are averaging just 59.8 yards on the ground per game, though they are top five in passing yards (269.3) with quarterback Jordan Love finding his rhythm amid a recent three-game win streak for his 4-2 squad.

LaFleur said he felt Jacobs was in a "pretty good spot" earlier this week in terms of playing against the Lions.

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"He’s been training, but he’s missed the exposure to football. [His availability] is going to be determined throughout the course of the week, see where he’s at, see how he’s feeling, and then we’ll make a decision."

Last season, Jacobs rushed for 929 yards in 15 games, finishing fourth in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 13.

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The NBA slapped new Boston Celtics forward Paul George with a meager $2,000 fine for flopping during Tuesday’s 121-113 season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, the league announced Wednesday.

The penalty stemmed from a fourth-quarter sequence with roughly three minutes remaining in regulation. Pushing the ball in transition, George made contact with Detroit guard Duncan Robinson before dramatically collapsing to the floor in an Oscar-worthy attempt to bait a whistle.

On-court officials swallowed their whistles in real time, but the league office retroactively assessed the violation upon postgame video review.

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Under NBA regulations, postgame flopping penalties begin at $2,000 on an escalating scale. For a superstar commanding nearly $50 million this season, the fine amounts to little more than loose couch cushion change.

Tuesday's physical opener frequently devolved into a four-quarter flop-fest with players repeatedly hitting the deck on contested shots, yet George was somehow the only player singled out to receive an invoice from league officials.

The slap on the wrist capped an otherwise strong Celtics debut for the nine-time All-Star, who was putting on an absolute clinic.

George poured in 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the floor, including 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. He added five rebounds, five steals, and three assists in 31 minutes, breaking the franchise record for points in a Boston debut previously held by Kristaps Porzingis.

George's individual performance was ultimately spoiled by Boston's collapse. The Celtics squandered a 22-point advantage, largely undone by a sickening 23-0 Detroit run in the fourth quarter led by Robinson and Cade Cunningham.

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With Jayson Tatum struggling through a dismal 6-of-23 shooting performance, George carried the offense until Boston’s execution fell apart in the closing minutes.

Because the flopping infraction carries no suspension, George remains fully cleared to suit up Friday when Boston hosts his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

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After losing five consecutive games, the Maryland athletic department announced Wednesday that it was moving on from head football coach Mike Locksley. The school described the decision as a " mutual" agreement between both parties.

When the Terrapins called a team meeting for Wednesday morning, the news had already been broken by multiple outlets that included OutKick, players were seen arriving to the football facility for an explanation from those in charge of moving the program forward.

Unfortunately, news like this rarely stays quiet until a team can gather privately. Reporters typically wait outside football facilities to speak with players and gauge their reactions after a head coach is fired.

Defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

WHICH COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES IMPROVED OR TANKED THEIR HOT SEAT STATUS FOUR GAMES INTO THE SEASON?

Yes, reporters will stand outside the football facility for player interaction

That was the case Wednesday, when two University of Maryland student reporters stood outside the athletic complex hoping to speak with players leaving the facility after learning about Locksley’s dismissal.

According to one of the student reporters, SB Nation’s Testudo Times journalist Nolan Rogalski, he and Jude Wilkenfeld believed they were permitted to stand outside the football complex because Maryland is a public university.

However, a Maryland staff member reportedly called police on the two student journalists for "suspicious activity." Two officers then arrived at the scene and questioned the reporters about what they were doing outside the facility.

"For @testudotimes , @JudeWilkenfeld and I were outside Jones-Hill House trying to get players to comment," Rogalski mentioned on social media. "An athletics staffer took pictures of us, and a police dispatch was called for suspicious activity; a cop and 2 cop cars pulled up, and officers ID’d us and asked us to leave."

TCU FOOTBALL PULLS CREDENTIALS FROM LOCAL NEWSPAPER FOR REPORTING ON LOCKER ROOM ASSAULT STORY

The students appeared to be doing nothing out of line. They were simply covering a major story unfolding on their campus and attempting to speak with players affected by the coaching change.

This time last season, there had already been seven head coaches fired in college football, and every single one of them led to reporters in some capacity trying to gather quotes from athletes who were affected by the news.

Somewhere, there was a breakdown in communication on Wednesday following the firing of Locksley.

Terrapins release statement on police questioning students

Whether the school acted out of spite or genuinely did not know what the two students were doing outside the football complex is up for debate.

The University of Maryland Police Department recorded the names of Rogalski and Wilkenfeld but said no report was filed regarding the incident. The school and UMPD released a joint statement Wednesday evening emphasizing that they respect the First Amendment rights of journalists.

TCU DOES AN ABOUT-FACE AFTER STRIPPING LOCAL NEWSPAPER'S CREDENTIALS DAYS BEFORE FOOTBALL SEASON

The statement also cited heightened security concerns surrounding the football program in recent weeks as the reason police were contacted.

"UMPD was contacted today, Oct. 21, 2026, about two individuals who were standing outside of Jones Hill House," the statement noted. "Due to heightened concerns for staff and player safety around the football program in recent weeks, there has been increased security around athletics facilities. A UMPD officer approached the two individuals, learned they were with a campus media organization, recorded student IDs, and no report was taken."

"UMPD and Maryland Athletics respect the First Amendment rights of all journalists reporting in public spaces."

COLORADO FOOTBALL OPENS PRACTICE TO FANS AND REPORTERS, BUT TREATS IT LIKE A CLASSIFIED PENTAGON BRIEFING

The Maryland athletic department has recently been criticized over decisions made regarding press conferences involving the now former head coach Mike Locksley.

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Now they are searching for a new head coach, while also still making the news for actions involving reporters.

ATLANTA – A change of cities did not bring a change in the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries’ national anthem routine.

Both teams were off the court during the anthem before Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena, marking their third straight absence despite a provision in the league’s own rulebook calling for players to stand and line up during the performance.

Just like in Games 1 and 2, players jogged off the court just seconds before the start of the anthem and returned mere moments after it concluded.

DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENT

The WNBA, both teams and the NBA still have not answered OutKick’s questions about the absences.

WNBA rulebook calls for players to stand and line up

The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook says players, coaches and trainers are to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.

OutKick asked the WNBA whether any discipline was planned or under consideration following the anthem absences, whether either team had received an exemption and whether the league would instruct the teams to be on the court for Game 3.

Both teams were asked to explain their absences and whether the league had communicated any instructions or expectations about the anthem.

OutKick first contacted the WNBA, Dream and Valkyries after Saturday’s opener, followed up Sunday and contacted all three again Tuesday.

NBA also received questions before Game 3

The questions extended to the NBA league office before the series moved to Atlanta.

OutKick contacted NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass on Tuesday, asking whether the NBA has any role in overseeing or enforcing the WNBA’s anthem provision.

NBA STAYS SILENT ON WNBA FINALS TEAMS SKIPPING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN GAMES 1 AND 2

The inquiry also asked whether NBA Commissioner Adam Silver or anyone at the NBA league office had discussed the absences with WNBA leadership, whether any guidance had been provided and whether the teams would be instructed to be present for Wednesday’s anthem.

The NBA did not respond.

OutKick also sought to ask about the anthem during the Finals press conferences. I raised my hand at all five of Saturday’s pregame and postgame sessions, all four coaches’ sessions Monday and both coaches’ pregame sessions Wednesday, but was not called on in any of the 11.

VANCE CONDEMNS 'DISGRACEFUL' WNBA NATIONAL ANTHEM WALKOUTS, SAYS PLAYERS SHOULD SHOW MORE GRATITUDE

The teams weren’t the only ones who didn’t stand for Wednesday’s anthem.

Two people seated in an area designated for WNBA public relations staff remained in their seats during the performance. Afterward, I asked both why they hadn’t stood. Neither provided an explanation.

OutKick could not immediately confirm their identities and is working to determine their names and roles.

The venue changed, but the anthem absences continued.

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Three games into the Finals, the WNBA’s own rulebook calls for a lineup, its teams remain off the floor and the league still has not explained the apparent violation.

During his playing days, Ryan Fitzpatrick was known as a gunslinger, unafraid to push the ball downfield and take shots. As an analyst, he appears to have that same mentality.

Sometimes Fitzpatrick made throws he wished he could take back, throwing 169 interceptions during his NFL career. As an analyst, there are some takes he wishes he could take back, too.

Fitzpatrick eviscerated Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix after the team's 17-14 win last Thursday over the Seattle Seahawks on Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football" but said he regretted one remark from his rant.

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"The line about being disrespectful to the quarterback position, it boiled over, and that’s the one phrase I wish I could have taken back, because I think my criticism was fair," Fitzpatrick said during a recent episode of "Fitz and Whit."

"I don’t think the effort and the competitiveness that he’s shown in the past, I don’t think he was showing that at the end of the game. That is somewhere I usually don’t go, but that’s what I felt."

The 17-year NFL veteran stood by his scathing criticism, saying Nix was not playing competitive football and that something appears to be wrong with the Broncos quarterback.

RYAN FITZPATRICK UNLOADS ON BO NIX AFTER HORRIFIC PERFORMANCE IN ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL RANTS YOU'LL EVER HEAR

"Something’s going on with him. I don’t know what it is," Fitzpatrick said. "You watched C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence in that game at Wembley, going toe to toe, one after another. Even Aaron Rodgers and Jalon Daniels in the fourth quarter. You had Josh Allen and Kirk Cousins, and you had Jacoby Brissett, and you had Matthew Stafford just going at it. That’s the type of competitiveness that the quarterback position deserves."

Despite the Broncos defeating the Seahawks and Sam Darnold throwing two interceptions, Fitzpatrick chose to focus on Nix in his postgame analysis.

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"I don’t want to talk about Sam Darnold’s two interceptions because, look, playing quarterback is hard, and there are a lot of things that you can’t control," Fitzpatrick said. "But there are things you can control, and when you decide to turn it down, maybe that’s what really bothered me."

Former Broncos star Aqib Talib defended Nix and questioned Fitzpatrick's playing credentials to discredit his criticism. Fitzpatrick playfully responded to Talib in a video Sunday but did not fully address his criticism of Nix until appearing on his podcast.

The Los Angeles Angels’ new ownership era will bring another familiar change: a new manager in the dugout.

Only the Colorado Rockies finished the 2026 regular season with more losses than the Angels. Los Angeles’ 100 defeats ultimately ended Kurt Suzuki’s one-season tenure, with the team declining its 2027 option on his contract.

Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak announced the decision in a statement Wednesday. "Kurt has earned tremendous respect in our clubhouse, and I’ve seen firsthand how much he cares about our players," Mozeliak said. "I do not believe our record this year was a true reflection of his true abilities as a manager."

STAN KROENKE'S RECORD-SETTING LA ANGELS PURCHASE SHOULD MAKE LONGTERM MLB LOCKOUT LESS LIKELY

Suzuki’s time with the Angels may not be over, as the team has offered him an opportunity to remain with the organization as a special assistant.

Mozeliak said he made the decision in coordination with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which agreed Sept. 1 to purchase a controlling interest in the Angels from Arte Moreno.

The sale is not expected to close until next year, but the group led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke is already making significant changes to the beleaguered franchise.

The Angels ended the season at 62-100 under Suzuki, which marked the first 100-loss season in franchise history. Suzuki ended his 16-year major league playing career as a catcher for the Halos in 2021-22. Suzuki had never been a manager at any level before he was hired exactly one year ago by general manager Perry Minasian.

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Suzuki had previously worked as Minasian's special assistant for the previous three seasons.

Minasian was fired by Moreno last June, and longtime St. Louis Cardinals general manager Mozeliak stepped in on a temporary basis to run the front office while leading the search for a permanent GM to replace him. However, that transition plan has been thrown into flux by Moreno’s decision to sell

Mozeliak’s current contract ends in December, with the possibility of an MLB work stoppage looming.

Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux and two staffers were let go in August after Mozeliak determined the team was not fully leveraging the technology and analytics available to its pitchers.

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Suzuki’s replacement will be the seventh manager to lead the Angels in nine seasons since it parted with Mike Scioscia after the 2018 season. The Angels have had 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons, both the longest active skids in the major leagues.

Two other MLB teams, the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros, are also searching for new managers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis is away from the team indefinitely and reportedly weighing whether he has a future in basketball.

Porzingis is reportedly dealing with recurring symptoms tied to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which can cause dizziness and fatigue.

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Porzingis addressed speculation about his health in an Oct. 14 post on X.

"I'm working with doctors and experts to figure out how to be fully back to good health asap," he wrote, adding that he was "getting better and better." He also said it had been "frustrating dealing with some health stuff that you can't exactly pinpoint," alongside injuries throughout his career, and jokingly swatted online rumors on his health, posting, "I don’t have HIV or AIDS."

WARRIORS STAR KRISTAPS PORZINGIS ADDRESSES 'INTERNET DOCTORS' AMID HEALTH ABSENCE: 'I DON'T HAVE HIV OR AIDS'

As Porzingis considers his future, Golden State is reportedly exploring trade options. The Warriors signed him to a two-year, $40 million extension over the summer. He is owed $20 million this season, but only $3 million of his $20 million salary for next season is guaranteed.

The Warriors declined to comment on trade speculation or reports about Porzingis’ health. The team said conversations with Porzingis and his representatives would remain private and that it did not expect him to be around the team in the immediate future.

The New York Knicks selected Porzingis fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. He later played for the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks before joining Golden State.

His best season came with Boston in 2023-24, when he averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds and helped the Celtics win the NBA title. He is also a 2018 All-Star.

Boston traded him to Atlanta in 2025 after he played 99 regular-season games over two seasons with the Celtics. The deal helped the team reduce payroll and avoid second-apron restrictions.

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Porzingis’ contract could appeal to a team looking to shed longer-term salary: It could acquire him in a trade, then waive him next summer before the rest of his salary becomes guaranteed, leaving it responsible for the $3 million guarantee.

His basketball future remains uncertain as he focuses on his health and the Warriors consider their options.

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Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was seen leaving State Farm Arena on Wednesday after a heated and lengthy confrontation with police at the security entrance over his seating arrangement for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. 

Prior to the game, Freedom was directed to watch Wednesday night’s WNBA Finals game from a private luxury suite with additional security after contacting authorities and basketball officials about concerns for his safety. Freedom was seen saying "I guess they'll have to drag me," in a video of a phone conversation with arena security, defying the directive.

When he arrived at the arena, he was told that if he were let in, he was told by a security officer he would have to go to the suite that was designated for him, to which Freedom aggressively protested, as seen in footage posted by Benny Johnson.

Freedom repeatedly demanded access to the seats he said he had purchased, rejecting the suite arrangement. "I purchased thousands of dollars of tickets, right? And I would like to sit on my seat. That’s all I want," he said.

An official cited both Freedom’s previously expressed safety concerns and his ejection from an earlier WNBA game as reasons for the arrangement. "For one, you expressed you were concerned about your security. You showed up here, right, with security," the official said. "So we’re saying we’re gonna make this a safe environment for you."

The exchange grew more contentious when an official referenced Freedom’s social media post about a player. Freedom defended the post as free speech. When told he was targeting people, he repeatedly demanded to know whom the official meant.

"Give me a name. Give me exactly a name," he said.

Freedom was also told he would receive a refund, but continued to reject the arrangement. 

"I don’t want a refund. I would like to sit on my seat and enjoy the game," he said. 

He accused those handling the encounter of bullying him and compared the proposed suite restriction to being placed in a cage.

Officers ultimately told Freedom he had to leave the property, explaining that he could go onto public streets. He eventually departed, saying, "Well, I guess you got to escort me," before walking away.

Afterward, Freedom accused the organizations involved of excluding him because of his advocacy. 

"They kicked me out of the game for supporting women," he said in a conversation with Johnson. "Shame on the NBA and shame on the WNBA." 

He also denied having security concerns, despite his earlier statements about threats and the explanation given during the encounter. 

Asked whether he felt discriminated against, Freedom responded, "Of course, this is discrimination."

The arrangement for Game 3 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena follows Freedom’s public claims that he received death threats over his planned attendance. He previously told OutKick he was in contact with the FBI and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's office about the threats.

State Farm Arena provided a statement to OutKick outlining the security arrangements. Freedom contacted federal, state and local authorities, along with the WNBA, the Dream and arena officials.

WNBA MOVES FINALS GAMES 3 AND 4 TO STATE FARM ARENA, GIVING ATLANTA DREAM THOUSANDS MORE SEATS

"Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight. The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority," the statement read."

"Following consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have directed Mr. Freedom to watch tonight’s game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his security concerns and help provide a safe and positive experience for him and other guests. The suite will have additional security and will be his designated viewing location for the game. State police have also assigned an officer to Mr. Freedom at his request."

Freedom posted a video on X of his conversation with a security representative about the arrangements.

"I don't want a suite, I would like to to sit on the seat that I bought and purchased. I do not want a suite, I'm going to come and sit on the seats that I just bought, that's it," Freedom said when the representative informed him that he would have to sit in a suite.

The representative responded, telling Freedom, "The only thing available to you tonight is the suite."

Freedom subsequently responded, declaring, "Do you know everyone, every media that is going to hear about this right?" later adding, "I guess they'll have to drag me."

ENES KANTER FREEDOM OPENS UP ON CONFRONTATION WITH NATASHA CLOUD THAT LED TO EJECTION, WNBA PURSUIT

Freedom previously told OutKick he had received "thousands of death threats" after announcing his plans to attend, including messages warning that he would be "the next Charlie Kirk." The number of threats he described has not been independently verified.

"My DMs are full of pictures and videos of the moment that Charlie Kirk got shot," Freedom said, adding that the messages warned he would suffer the same fate. He also posted a compilation Tuesday showing messages he presented as threats against him.

Freedom said he had contacted the FBI and arranged his own security. A spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp separately told OutKick that the governor’s office had connected Freedom’s team with the appropriate law enforcement resources.

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Despite the threats, Freedom said he intended to attend to support women’s basketball. Asked how he would respond if a player confronted him, he said he would avoid escalating the encounter and would remain off the court.

Freedom’s planned appearance comes after his removal from an August game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever following a heated interaction with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. He was subsequently banned from the Chicago arena.

The former NBA center has challenged the WNBA over eligibility for transgender athletes and announced an attempt to enter its draft.

WNBA TELLS CONGRESS THAT ENES KANTER FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE ARE ‘BOTH MEN’ IN ELIGIBILITY DISPUTE

Wednesday’s game tipped off at 8 p.m. Eastern. Atlanta and the Hawks arranged for the Dream to host Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena, moving the championship games from the smaller Gateway Center Arena.

The San Francisco 49ers are red-hot to start the 2026 season, owning a perfect 6-0 record after a "Monday Night Football" victory over the Washington Commanders.

But tensions can run high even when things are going well. Just ask head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy after the latter screamed toward his leader on the sideline in a now-viral exchange in Week 6.

Purdy was heard shouting, "Hey, Kyle!" with clear frustration, and the clip quickly found its way around social media. It appeared that Purdy wasn’t happy that Shanahan didn’t have the play-call in his ear in time.

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Ahead of the 49ers’ matchup with the Atlanta Falcons this week, Shanahan told a different story on the exchange.

"Yeah, it’s actually not to call a play faster," Shanahan replied when asked about it by a reporter. "It’s, ‘I need it again,’ and it gets cutoff at 15 [seconds]."

'WHAT THE F--K, CALL IT!': AARON RODGERS AND MIKE MCCARTHY CURSE AT EACH OTHER DURING HOT MIC MOMENT

Communications within a quarterback’s helmet can sometimes cause issues with getting play calls in on the sideline in time. That seemed to be the case here.

"Sometimes no one can hear it," Shanahan added. "… I always call a play and I just walk, and think. I don’t always watch the huddle. A lot of times. Mac [Jones] or someone will say, ‘We didn’t get it, it was chopped’ or somebody yells, ‘Brock’s yelling at you,’ which I can’t always hear. But I did hear him a couple times in this game, and I look up and try to do it again as long as it’s not past 15 seconds."

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Shanahan is known as one of the best offensive play-callers in the sport, but it’s not always smooth sailing on game day. The clock is always playing a major factor, but the chemistry between play-caller and quarterback is what matters most.

So, there’s no disconnect on that front, as Shanahan has seen Purdy be one of the top signal callers in the game thus far through this undefeated start.

For quarterbacks who have played through all six weeks, Purdy owns the league’s best quarterback rating (118.1) while throwing for 1,460 yards with a 69.6% completion rate, 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

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Shanahan, Purdy and the rest of the 49ers will aim to remain unbeaten in Week 7 down in Atlanta.

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Vice President JD Vance is a longtime Cincinnati Bengals fan to the extreme that he watched his team lose an AFC wild card game to the Pittsburgh Steelers – while he was serving in Iraq in January of 2006.

Well, on Wednesday, the Veep got a closer look of his favorite team when he visited at their training facility and watched parts of practice.

Vance toured the team's locker room, shook hands with several players, coach Zac Taylor and others, and came away with a football. It is unclear if Vance brought the ball to be autographed or the club gave it to him as a memento.

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The Trump administration is making a lot of campaign stops before the November 3 midterm elections and it seems athletes from all sports have been engaged and more than happy to tag along with the President and others.

• Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart introduced the President at a New York event in May.
• Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas participated in Wisconsin event in June.
• Roger Clemens introduced Trump at a San Antonio rally earlier this month.
• Todd Gurley flew on Air Force One and appeared on stage at a Georgia rally this month.
• Danica Patrick took her turn on Air Force One this week as did Richard Petty.
• Baltimore Ravens players joined the President at one rally in Pennsylvania and even rode in his motorcade with him.

And Super Bowl winning coach Jon Gruden attended a Trump rally in Ohio.

JON GRUDEN FIRES UP TRUMP RALLY CROWD IN OHIO AS IF DELIVERING A LOCKER ROOM SPEECH THEN DELIVERS ENDORSEMENT

Wednesday, meanwhile, wasn't the Bengals following Vance around. It was a Bengals fan following the team he's loved since he was a boy.

The strange thing about this visit, though, was that Vance didn't interact with quarterback Joe Burrow, who is undoubtedly the biggest star on the team.

The two didn't talk at all.

"We did not," Burrow told reporters. "We did not. He came with everybody and left with swiftness and efficiency before the end of practice, so I didn't get to."

Burrow turned a question about what happened while Vance was at practice into a statement about himself.

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"Yeah, a lot of people, a lot of people around, you know, that's what I love about what I do is, it brings a lot of people together, and people want to take time out of their day to come and watch what we do, watch what I do, and watch all the work that I've put in to come and watch greatness, and that's everybody in the locker room," Burrow said.

"That's why we do what we do, and whether it's on the TV, whether it's in person, whether it's on the practice field, and that's what we do."

Yes, we now understand who Burrow believes the stars are when the vice president of the country visits.

Vance arrived in a motorcade befitting a world leader – six black SUVs, some police vehicles, and some motorcycle cops.

His SUV (mini-tank?) rolled past a back gate at the Kettering Health practice fields adjacent to Paycor Stadium.

Vance is a Middletown, Ohio native. He has a home in Cincinnati’s East Walnut Hills neighborhood so he was obviously feeling quite at home when he arrived in town to deliver a speech at the FBI's Cincinnati Field Office and then hold a campaign rally at the Sharonville Convention Center.

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Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Huggins has a progressive cognitive condition, his family announced in a statement Wednesday.

Huggins, 73, is the winningest coach in Cincinnati Bearcats history and is set to be inducted into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday. The Huggins family said it chose to keep the matter private over the past several months but decided to speak out before Friday's induction.

"Bob is living with a progressive cognitive condition that has begun to affect his memory, and aspects of his daily life," the statement read.

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"While the family has chosen to keep this matter private over the past several months, they believe this is an appropriate time to share the news with the many people who have supported Bob throughout his remarkable career, particularly as he prepares to be honored with induction into the University of Cincinnati’s James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame."

The statement said Huggins will be surrounded by his family as they navigate this next chapter and that the family will not provide further comment on his health.

"Although Bob and his family recognize the challenges that lie ahead, they remain focused on the relationships, experiences, and moments that bring him joy. He continues to be surrounded by the unwavering love and support of his wife, June; his daughters, Jenna and Jacqueline; and his entire family," the statement read.

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"The Huggins family extends its sincere appreciation to the former players, colleagues, fans, and friends who have shown Bob such extraordinary love and support over the years. The family respectfully asks for privacy, compassion, and understanding as they navigate this next chapter together."

The University of Cincinnati said it is excited for Friday’s induction and extended its "heartfelt support" to Huggins and his family.

"Coach Huggins is undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. He restored Cincinnati basketball to national prominence, ignited a passion for the Bearcats throughout our city and left an indelible mark on generations of student-athletes," the university said in a statement.

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Over his 41-season coaching career, Huggins spent four seasons at Walsh, then an NAIA school; five at Akron; 16 at Cincinnati; one at Kansas State; and 16 at West Virginia. He coached in 26 NCAA tournaments and reached two Final Fours. He won 935 games in his career.

Huggins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.

The NFL is perfectly comfortable with Steve Tisch continuing his duties as chairman of the New York Giants' board after reviewing his past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"Everything we've looked at we understand," commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday. "I think we're comfortable with him participating as the Giants suggest."

Goodell last January said the NFL would "look at all the facts" to determine whether an deep investigation of Tisch's relationship with Epstein was warranted.

NFL SUSPENDS AND FINES 49ERS OWNER JED YORK FOR VIOLATION OF CONDUCT POLICY TIED TO PROSTITUTION ARREST

And since then Tisch has remained front and center in the Giants war room on NFL Draft day in April and at games. He was strolling the halls of the Manhattan hotel where owners and representatives from all 32 teams gathered for the fall league meeting this week.

Tisch and Giants president and chief executive officer John Mara represented the team in the meetings.

So the sordid and scandalous emails released by the Justice Department that showed Epstein connecting Tisch with numerous women passed NFL muster.

NFL RESTARTS SOCIAL JUSTICE MESSAGING WHILE BATTLING DOMESTIC ABUSE, DRUNK DRIVING AND PROSTITUTION ARRESTS

There is no telling if more emails naming Tisch exist or any other ties to the since-deceased Epstein will be uncovered. So Goodell said the league will keep its options open.

"I think always we'll look to see if there's any new information, we'll look at it and we'll evaluate that," Goodell said.

And this feels like the NFL is applying the Jedi mind trick on everyone regarding Tisch.

First, the league seemed concerned about Tisch's ties, which led to Goodell's search for information.

Then Tisch and his siblings (Laurie and Jonathan Tisch) requested to transfer their remaining 23.1% direct ownership stake in the Giants to their children's trusts in March, following prior partial trust transfers completed in 2023 and 2024.

The final transfer was completed by September.

MORE DETAILS ABOUT JED YORK'S ARREST IN A PROSTITUTION STING COME TO LIGHT AND BEGS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 49ERS

And that legal and financial maneuver was used by Goodell to make it seem as if Tisch was out.

"Steve, and John, and Laurie actually did some transactions as part of their estate planning and are no longer owners," Goodell said in March.

Except Tisch wasn't out. Isn't out.

He's very much in the owners' club, as proven by his attendance and participation in their meetings this week.

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And so Tisch's contrite statement in which he regretted his Epstein association seems not quite so meaningful anymore.

"We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments," Tisch said in that January statement.

"I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with."

All of this is, of course, a rough look for the NFL. It's bad optics.

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Retired NFL linebacker Brandon Spikes has had an interesting football journey.

The former five-star prospect from Shelby, North Carolina committed to Florida out of high school and was a part of the loaded 2006 recruiting class that featured himself as well as college football legends Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin.

After a decorated college career which included two All-American selections and two national championships, Spikes was drafted late in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he spent five of his seven seasons in the league.

CHASE DANIEL NEARLY MADE TIM TEBOW WALK OFF THE SET OF 'SEC NATION' WITH 'DEROGATORY' COMMENT ABOUT FLORIDA

The dream for every young man growing up playing football is to ultimately hear their name called by the commissioner of the NFL on draft day, but Spikes claims he had to make some personal (and financial) sacrifices before going pro.

As a guest on the popular "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, the former Patriots linebacker revealed he wasn't exactly hurting for money while in college.

WHICH TEAMS HAVE THE MOST VALUABLE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROSTERS HEADING INTO 2026 SEASON?

"To be honest, I took a f—ing pay cut when I left 'Gainesvegas,'" Spikes said when asked about how much money he made while playing for the Gators.

Mind you, this was pre-NIL, so anything Spikes earned was all under the table at the time.

NCAA SUSPENDS TENNESSEE LINEBACKER FOR $427 PLANE TICKET, AS COLLEGE SPORTS HANDS OUT MILLIONS IN NIL

While his response elicited a laugh from both Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, who were high-level college players in their own right, Spikes was mostly being tongue-in-cheek with his answer.

He did, however, reveal the numbers were a lot closer when factoring in Uncle Sam, referring to Massachusetts as "Taxachusetts" due to the high income taxes he incurred while playing for New England.

"You played in Foxborough," Spikes asked. "That check looks a little bit different when you walk up out of there."

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When asked by Compton whether he cleared seven-figures while wearing orange and blue, Spikes denied it, playing it coy before adding that the university found a way to move his mom down to Florida while he was playing for the Gators.

"Those same home-cooked meals I got my whole life, I got those right there in Gainesville," he joked.

If you are one of the few fans still believing kids weren't getting paid before the advent of NIL, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but players like Spikes were living large long before it was "legal" to do so.

Let's all give Spikes a hand for being so charitable to take a cut in pay to play for the Patriots.

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What a class act!

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court for the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals. Now Riley Gaines is arguing that those decisions should carry consequences when athletes seek to represent the United States internationally.

Gaines initially weighed in while sharing OutKick’s video of the Game 2 anthem absence.

"It’s my personal opinion that if you kneel for the flag and what it represents, you shouldn’t be able to represent the USA at the Olympics," Gaines wrote on X.

DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENT

In a statement to OutKick, Gaines expanded her argument to players who leave the court to avoid the anthem.

"The American flag and our national anthem do not represent whichever political party or administration happens to be in power. They represent the American people, our shared identity, the freedoms we enjoy, and the generations of men and women who fought, sacrificed and died to preserve those freedoms," Gaines said.

"Players who leave the court specifically to avoid the national anthem are making a deliberate statement. They are free to do so, of course. Free speech includes the freedom to withhold respect."

"But I’m of the mind that choice has consequences when the same athletes later seek the honor of representing the United States on the international stage."

Neither Finals team nor the WNBA has answered OutKick’s questions about the anthem absences. Nor has the NBA, whose commissioner, Adam Silver, is helping lead the search for the WNBA’s next commissioner.

NBA STAYS SILENT ON WNBA FINALS TEAMS SKIPPING NATIONAL ANTHEM IN GAMES 1 AND 2

Gaines said patriotism does not require blind allegiance to a political party or pretending America is without flaws. But she argued that athletes seeking to represent the country should be judged on how they treat its anthem.

"If an athlete treats standing for the anthem as optional or objectionable during the WNBA season, it is reasonable to question whether they are prepared to accept the full weight of representing the country when the spotlight is global," she said.

Former Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones called Tuesday for players from both teams to lose their eligibility to represent the United States in Olympic basketball.

Jones wrote that those players "should be ineligible to play on the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team."

Atlanta’s Team USA connection includes Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard

Reese and Howard were both named to Team USA’s 2026 Women’s World Cup roster. The Dream announced their selections in August, noting that they became the first two players in franchise history selected together for the United States at a five-on-five Women’s World Cup or Olympics.

Golden State had no players on that U.S. World Cup roster, but Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase served as a U.S. assistant coach. Golden State star Gabby Williams represents France.

Both Reese and Howard stood for the national anthem while representing the United States at September’s FIBA Women’s World Cup.

AMERICA'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL EPIC REACHES CLIMAX WITH NATIONAL UNITY ON THE LINE IN FIBA WORLD CUP FINAL

But representing the United States internationally comes with an extra responsibility to show respect for the country at home.

And that responsibility doesn't disappear when the USA jersey comes off and the WNBA jersey goes on. Staying off the court while the anthem plays during the WNBA Finals falls short of the standard we should expect from athletes entrusted with representing this country.

Sage Steele warns anthem absences could drive fans away

Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele also criticized the league in a social media video.

Steele accused the WNBA’s players, coaches and leadership of disrespecting the country by leaving the court for the anthem.

"So are they free to express themselves the way they want? Absolutely. But there’s a cost to it," Steele said.

"And I just hope they realize that this constant lack of respect is going to turn fans away forever. They’re not going to come back, and it’s going to be their own fault," Steele added.

Players are free to express themselves, but as Steele noted, that freedom can come with a price. We're not calling for the players to be jailed.

The First Amendment limits the government’s power to restrict speech, but it doesn’t require fans to support those choices or critics to stay quiet. We have the right to express our disapproval, too.

WNBA rulebook calls for an anthem lineup

Both Finals teams were off the floor during the anthem before Saturday’s opener and Monday’s Game 2 at Chase Center. In both games, the players returned within seconds of the performance ending.

The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook includes a provision calling for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or foul line during the national anthem.

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OutKick contacted the WNBA and both teams after Game 1, followed up Sunday and again Tuesday. The inquiries sought explanations for the absences, clarification of the league’s anthem requirements and the teams’ plans for Game 3 on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

Those questions remain unanswered.

For Gaines, the responsibility goes beyond a WNBA pregame routine.

"Wearing the USA jersey is not a private entitlement that comes with athletic success. It is a public responsibility," she said.

Four-time Pro Bowl running back Cordarrelle Patterson was arrested over the weekend on charges stemming from an alleged domestic dispute with his wife that left her bruised.

Patterson's wife told police that the former return specialist grabbed her hair and left arm, leaving her fearing for her children's and her own safety, TMZ reported, citing an arrest warrant.

Officers came to the house and found bruising on her arm, TMZ said.

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The couple got married in 2024 and share three children. They have been together since 2014.

Patterson was taken to the Sevier County jail in Tennessee and was released on a $1,000 bond. He was smiling in his mugshot.

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The 35-year-old was the 29th overall pick out of Tennessee in 2013 to the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent four seasons. He then spent time with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Patterson is the all-time leader in kick returns for touchdowns with nine. He's led the NFL three times in yards per return and has been a First-team All-Pro returner four times, most recently in 2020 with the Bears.

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He was released by the Steelers during training camp in 2025 and has not signed anywhere since.

'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news, and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday-Friday on OutKick.com.

Another October Hump Day is here, folks. This is No. 3 of the month, with just one left. Before you know it, we'll all be basting turkeys and hanging lights.

It goes fast. Soak it all in. Don't take a single day for granted, because we're in the final stages of the greatest month of the year.

World Series on deck. NBA is back. Midweek college football is hitting on all cylinders at the moment. Hockey in full swing. The NFL is currently sending teams to Paris for reasons I still can't figure out.

NFL MONITORS FRANCE STREET VIOLENCE BEFORE SAINTS-STEELERS GAME NEAR PARIS WITH A MAJOR DECISION LOOMING

Just an amazing time to be alive right now if you're a sports fan. It doesn't get much better than this.

Let's roll.

Welcome to a Hump Day Nightcaps — the one where the Neyland Stadium crowd last weekend had Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer seeing GHOSTS in the fourth quarter.

Goodness. Brutal look here for the head coach of the Crimson Tide. Saban would NEVER!

What else? I've got Danica Patrick back on the campaign trail, Tiffani Amber Thiessen gives her Halloween costume a test drive, and a hypothetical college football question worth your time today.

Sound good? Good!

OK, grab you your favorite Back to the Future movie to celebrate Back to the Future Day, and settle in for a Hump Day 'Cap!

It appears Neyland Stadium got to Kalen DeBoer

That's right. Today is the day any Back to the Future fan worth his or her salt knows like the back of their hand.

October 21 (2015). They thought we'd have flying cars back in the '80s when they made this movie, and, to be fair, we're getting closer.

Did y'all see what Elon cooked up over the weekend? The ROADSTER!

Yeah, we're not far off! About 11 years later than Doc McFly envisioned, but still, not bad.

As for the franchise itself ... I've said for years that Back to the Future is one of the greatest trilogies of all time. That's right — all time. It's also one of those rare ones where the middle movie is the best of the three. That's hard to do. It's rare. And BTTF pulled it off all those years ago.

Impressive. What a dynasty.

OK, let's get this class started with another dynasty that, sadly, feels a bit old in 2026: The Alabama Crimson Tide.

A hypothetical worth discussing

Amazing. Poor Kalen DeBoer. He looked just miserable last weekend in Knoxville, and that video — coupled with the apparent record the Vols broke — makes it even worse.

As for the decibel record itself ... Tennessee claims it now owns the highest on record at 130.3. Some folks on the internet aren't so sure. I've seen fans point to the LSU-'Bama game in 2022 at 133, and some random Nebraska game in 1992 at 133.6.

The Vols, however, maintain last Saturday's third-down sack tops 'em all. From the official release:

No crowd pops were louder than during a huge sequence in the third quarter with the Vols leading 19-10. Defensive end Tyree Weathersby recorded a sack on second down with 3:56 remaining in the stanza. The ensuing play, the Crimson Tide committed a delay of game penalty that made it third-and-16.

Neyland Stadium experienced 130.3 decibels (dBA peak) on field level for a noise event that lasted seven seconds during that sequence, which was the highest scientifically verified decibel crowd event in college football history. Alabama was called for a false start one play later. 

For what it's worth, the highest decibel level for any sporting event on record took place at a Monday Night Football game at Arrowhead Stadium back in 2014, according to the folks over at earpeace.com. True story.

Argue away!

And when you're done debating that, take a look at this little hypothetical question making the internet rounds today and tell me where you land:

Danica, Tiff Ann & Happy Anniversary to this legend!

So, for me, this one is insanely easy ...

It's Kirby Smart at Nebraska, right? Feel like Kirby would turn Nebraska into a powerhouse in Year 1. Two years tops. I don't even think Matt Rhule is a good coach, and he somehow has Nebraska at 5-2 right now (should be 6-1, maybe 7-0).

As for the others ...

Curt Cignetti at Missouri would be No. 2, followed by ... Marcus Freeman at Michigan? I don't know. The rest of that list looks like a disaster to me. Lincoln Riley at Texas would just be Sark 2.0. Ryan Day at Northwestern would be hilarious, and Deion Sanders at USC would be the most entertaining, but also the most combustible.

Anyway, let me know! Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.

OK, let's rapid-fire this Hump Day class into a big Hump Day night. First up? It's officially election SZN, which means Danica Patrick is back on the Trump Train.

Choo-choo!

"I wish you could all have just 5 minutes with @potus! He is so easy to talk to and SO fun to listen to! He’s a great story teller… funny and obviously interesting. He is also very curious what your opinion is pertaining to any topic. And of course he is really into sports, which I love!" Patrick said in her post, which included several pictures from the 2024 elections featuring Trump and the ex-NASCAR star.

Anyone else here beyond exhausted by all the election stuff? It's just brutal. I got 7 phone calls/texts this morning alone from candidates asking A) for money, or B) for me to "take a short survey" so they could see where things stand.

There are signs EVERYWHERE in my town right now. Everywhere. On every street corner. In front of every store. Below every stoplight.

And don't get me started on the commercials. Goodness gracious, the commercials. It's nonstop. If I have to see Byron Donalds shoot hoops with his kids one more time, I'm going to lose it.

You're gonna win Florida, Byron. I promise! Give us a break!!

Next? On the way out, I'd be remiss if I didn't take a minute and wish a happy 15-year anniversary to what I consider one of the pivotal moments in the history of college football ...

Pure cinema. Man, I miss the Pac-12 After Dark. What an amazing time that was. We had it all, and now it's basically reduced to nothing.

The fake ref in that video? He goes by Jacen Lankow — an Arizona alum who is now a household name in Tucson.

From Tucson.com, which chronicled the event in real time:

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With four seconds left before halftime and the Wildcats leading 42-7, Lankow — a UA senior — ran onto the field dressed as a game official, whistled a play dead, yelled "ball, ball, ball," attempted to grab the football from the umpire — and then bolted from midfield to the north end zone while simultaneously ripping his costume off to reveal a Speedo.

This was a Halloween prank from the then-senior. He bought a ref outfit from the costume store across the street. He counterfeited an all-access field pass using Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft Paint!

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The brawl, of course, had nothing to do with this prank. Nada. It was a completely separate event.

Those were the good old days.

OK, that's it for today. Good Hump Day, everyone. Let's keep going strong into the back-half of the week. Halloween ain't far off, you know?

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Speaking of ... let's end the day with Tiffani Amber giving us a little sneak peak of her costume.

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Well done.

We are just a couple of days away from the World Series starting. There are some great games ahead of us, and baseball has delivered some really enjoyable games this postseason. With the series beginning in a few days, it is worth taking a look at some of the futures markets and who we should wager on for MVP and the overall series.

Champion

It is really hard to bet against the Brewers. I'll be honest, I'm not a Brewers fan. Most of it is because I am a Cubs fan, and I have found the Brewers to be a bit insufferable without winning anything, so if they do win, it might just get worse. Personal issues aside, the Brewers are the best team in baseball, have been the best team in baseball, and have looked absolutely elite in the postseason. Can they be stopped?

RAYS PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE WORLD SERIES, TAKING DOWN GUARDIANS IN GAME 6 TO SET UP SERIES WITH BREWERS

The Tampa Bay Rays will look to do just that. It doesn't look good for them, though. They had the second-lowest OPS against 98 mph or faster pitches in baseball this season. They have struck out 66 times in the postseason, but that's actually five fewer in one less game than the Brewers. Still, the Rays will need to figure out a way to make contact against an elite pitching staff. Outside of Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers bullpen can fire pitches in there.

I think the Brewers probably do win the World Series. At -165, the price is a bit higher than worth it at the moment, and the value is on the Rays. Tampa does have a very good team. Brewers winning 4-2 is probably my favorite look at +360.

RAYS STAR FREDDY PERALTA ACHIEVES HISTORIC PITCHING FEAT ONLY ACCOMPLISHED TWICE SINCE 1913

MVP

The edge in the starting rotation probably does go to the Rays. Drew Rasmussen is a finesse pitcher, but he has been elite. Freddy Peralta used to pitch for Milwaukee, so I'm interested to see how he performs. Nick Martinez has been strong for them as well. They have a good bullpen, too. The Rays have a shot to win this game, but if they do, it will probably be because Rasmussen wins two games and likely is involved in a third at +2000.

For the Brewers, there are a number of guys who could've been selected for the NLCS MVP, but it went to Jake Bauers. It really wouldn't surprise me to see him get it in the World Series as well. William Contreras at +650 is my favorite look. He has had numerous big hits, and if he can call great games for the club, he could get a bit of an edge. Contreras had a good series the one time the teams played this season. The Brewers have so many good players it is hard to pick just one guy who will get the credit.

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Series Leader - Hits

I think betting on Contreras to get the most hits in the series at +850 is also a look. Most of it is the same logic as the MVP. I don't like anyone on the Rays to get this because the speed of the pitching might be hard for them to catch up to.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024