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Nadal’s tenacity netted respect

By Ira Kaufman For the Mirror Rafael Nadal, one of the three greatest tennis players of all time, retired last week. I feel so fortunate that I was able to see Nadal play live dozens of times in New York and Miami and watch hundreds of his matches on television. Nadal was simply a joy to watch. He approached every single shot like his life was on the line. Unlike many athletes, he played his best when the pressure was the most intense. In the biggest points in a match, he would hit out-of-this-world shots. Time and time again his opponent would hit an apparent winner, and ...

Bears coach shows that NFL owners have no time for losing

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press Matt Eberflus ran out of time in Chicago after botching a timeout while a national audience watched on Thanksgiving. The clock is ticking on Brian Daboll in New York. Mike McDaniel isn’t on the hot seat but Miami won’t go anywhere if the Dolphins can’t win in the cold. Eberflus’ mistake was so egregious Thursday it wasn’t a surprise the Bears made a coaching change on Friday. Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to interim coach after Eberflus was fired. The third-year coach’s massive blunder overshadowed an impressive ...

Taking time to be thankful for sports

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror Sports in America represent a cornucopia of entertainment and inspiration. From lacrosse, which is America’s oldest team sport, to pickleball, one of our latest phenomena, recreational, amateur and professional athletics have provided outlets for physical development, emotional connectivity and community bonding. As the United States prepares to celebrate its 404th Thanksgiving, our collective sports riches are indeed plentiful. In the spirit of our upcoming national holiday, we offer thanks for another year of sports experiences that may not ...

Don’t worry … someone will want Rodgers in 2025

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press Joe Douglas is gone. Robert Saleh already was fired. Aaron Rodgers could be next to leave the New York Jets. Douglas lost his job as the general manager on Tuesday, six weeks after the head coach was replaced following a 2-3 start. The Jets have gone 1-5 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich so owner Woody Johnson sent Douglas packing. Rodgers has played more like a 40-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles tendon injury than a four-time NFL MVP. He’s expressed a desire to play another season. The big question is whether the Jets will want him ...

Quick turnarounds possible with the right kind of coach

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press Teams considering a coaching change should be encouraged by some of the quick turnarounds around the NFL. Three teams with new coaches entered Week 11 holding a playoff position. Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders (7-4) led that group in victories despite a 26-18 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night. Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) are first in the NFC South. Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) currently have the second wild-card spot in the AFC. Quinn, Morris and Harbaugh have another thing in common. They ...

Braving mental health conversations

In professional sports, athletes are celebrated for their physical strength, grit and determination. But as the world of sports evolves, so does our understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels. Athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Kevin Love have bravely stepped forward to remind us that mental health is as important as physical fitness. Their openness has sparked a much-needed conversation by challenging beliefs about mental toughness and resilience in sports. The question isn’t whether mental health matters but how the sports world will respond ...