Free Republic

Democrat socialist Abdul El-Sayed has made a lot of braindead comments regarding football over the years, and throughout his campaign for state senator in Michigan. El-Sayed once connected American football to toxic masculinity and the transatlantic slave trade, but he's also pandered by embracing the NFL and Detroit Lions in his campaign messaging. In a 2021 essay in response to then Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden, El-Sayed wrote, "The toxic masculinity at the heart of America's most popular sport — and men's sports culture more generally — is way deeper than a few emails." In separate remarks, he...

Mike Ditka, the legendary former Chicago Bears coach and first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 86, his family announced Friday. Ditka rose to national prominence leading the 1985 Bears, a team that boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history, to the franchise's only Super Bowl title. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," his family said in a statement. "While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and...

Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died at 86

LeBron James impressed as he made his preseason debut for the Philadelphia 76ers following his blockbuster signing this summer. The 41-year-old joined the 76ers this summer for his NBA-record 24th season but his debut was forced to wait until Thursday night after he missed the Sixers' first preseason game against the New York Knicks through 'chronic arthritis' in his left foot. He finally made his first appearance with his new team Thursday night against the Brooklyn Nets, getting started on the expected final stop in his career.

Retired NFL icon Jason Kelce found himself in an embarrassing situation in the broadcast booth during Sunday's matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Indianapolis Colts, prompting an on-air apology to viewers at home. Kelce joined Dave Pasch and Kurt Warner in the booth for the international fixture, with the Commanders and Colts squaring off in London. It proved to be a rough day for Washington, who lost wide receiver Jaylin Lane and quarterback Marcus Mariota to injury. Matters deteriorated further when Kelce inadvertently referred to the team as the Redskins, a moniker the organization has been actively distancing itself...

When a federal appeals court known for its rock-bottom track record in Supreme Court reviews reinstated California's so-called gender secrecy policies in schools, parents and teachers ran to SCOTUS for an emergency injunction. The gambit worked, prompting a broadside by six justices against lower courts for ignoring a century of precedents. Now a mother and daughter in Washington state are seeking the same shortcut around the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which rejected their plea to force a school district and state athletic association to warn them before the girl unwittingly competes against another male in girls' wrestling, as...

PepsiCo just made a huge recall of its popular sports drink Gatorade. The FDA announced PepsiCo recalled nearly 122,000 cases of Gatorade over “undeclared dyes.” The FDA further noted that the exposure to the recalled drinks could result in “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” CBS News reported more on the recall and revealed what states have been impacted: PepsiCo has recalled roughly 122,000 cases of Gatorade sold across the U.S. because the product contains undeclared dyes, the Food and Drug Administration said in a notice. The recall affects cases with 28-ounce bottles of Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon...

Fool's Ball, Week Five, Pigskin Pickem ThreadYour home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

So, admit it, you'd get a kick out of listening to "Little Duece Coup". Here it is.1978, Wheatland CA, rice-fields country--driving on Hwy 99, you have to close your windows because of pesticides in the rice paddies-- north of Sacramento, south of Marysville-Yuba City; Hancock Gas Station. (Hwy 99, Tule fog, "Death Alley", UC Davis Med Center Sacramento had the #1 trauma E.R. in the world in the late 1970s, until it was defunded, E.R. Surgeons as skilled as "battlefield" trauma surgeons in Beirut, Lebanon or Northern Ireland.)I can't find a photo, but the station had a standard, baked-enamel gas...

Max Verstappen has tasted victory for the first time in 2026, beating Kimi Antonelli to win a dramatic Gulf Air Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. In a race that started nearly two hours later than scheduled, Verstappen overcame rain, software issues, two Safety Car periods and a chaotic opening to beat the championship leader by 2.3s, claiming his first grand prix victory since Abu Dhabi last year and delivering RBPT Ford its maiden win as a power unit supplier. Antonelli drove a strong race to take the runner-up spot, leading early after the race finally got underway...

Rams fans are still stewing over the controversial pass interference call that cornerback Josh Wallace received on Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant on Sunday, which led to the Rams’ 30-26 loss. Fans are especially upset after Bryant admitted that he sold the contact to draw the penalty flag. SNIP Kelly Stafford posted a clip of Jason and Travis Kelce talking about the call on their most recent “New Heights” podcast episode. “To me, that’s obvious that’s not [defensive pass interference],” Jason Kelce said about the call on Bryant. “Whenever I see a guy’s arm go limp in the air, I...

In spring of 1975, Washington coach George Allen hatched a plan to keep his NFL team in the headlines in the dead of the offseason.A llen spread word that he was interested in signing professional wrestling behemoth Andre the Giant and developing him into a specialist at swatting field goals and extra points out of the air. Washington quarterback Joe Theismann recalls being asked to pose for publicity photos beside Andre at a press luncheon organized by the team that July. The most famous photo features the 7-foot, more-than-400-pound wrestling icon effortlessly cradling Theisman like a toddler. Said Theismann with...

Enes Kanter Freedom and Dennis Rodman attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rally at Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Oklahoma on Thursday. Trump took the time to give Kanter and Rodman a shoutout as he ranted about the transgender athlete debate. “Have men playing in women’s sports?” Trump said with the crowd booing. “Where the hell is Freedom? Stand up please. I mean, in all fairness, this guy is a monster. He dreams of playing against women. Like he’s willing to say that he’s a woman in order to play against women. And I don’t think he really believes that, but...

Tony Romo is out at CBS Sports after his wild DUI arrest in Wisconsin. “CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” a CBS spokesperson said. BREAKING: CBS Sports and Tony Romo are parting ways after nine years together, following his July OWI arrest in Milwaukee. “CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” a CBS spokesperson said, thanking the former Cowboys quarterback for his contributions and… pic.twitter.com/ofTSFijB71 — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 2, 2026 As TGP reported, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested for driving under the influence in Wisconsin in...

Fool's Ball, Week Four, Pigskin Pickem ThreadYour home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Desperate Gen Zers and millennials are turning to online gambling and AI to claw their way out of crushing debt — in part because of the “approachability” and “judgement-free advice” from computers, according to a new survey. Sports betting, prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, fantasy sports, day trading and even old fashioned casino gambling aren’t just hobbies — or addictions — anymore; they’re financial survival strategies for cash-strapped adults, according to a new poll from National Debt Relief and Wakefield Research. A whopping 65% of Gen Z and 49% of millennials who regularly gamble say they have done so...

Starting a thread for the MLB Playoffs. Game 1 Wildcard Results White Sox 6 Astros 3 - F Yankees 9 Red Sox 0 - F Braves 5 Phillies 3 - F Padres 4 Cubs 0 (Bottom 5th). Cubs with no hits through 5.

Gordon Johncock, whose stirring drive late in the 1982 Indianapolis 500 earned him a second victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” died of natural causes Sept. 28 at his home in South Branch, Michigan. He was 90. Born Aug. 5, 1936, in Hastings, Michigan, the longtime resident of the state was the INDYCAR SERIES national champion in 1976 and won 25 races in the series. Yet, Johncock was known for winning both memorable and forgettable “500s,” each time driving for Patrick Racing. Johncock’s duel with Rick Mears in the closing laps of the 1982 race was the most thrilling...

Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed took aim at football culture, questioning whether America’s most popular sport is “ethical,” according to a resurfaced audio clip posted online Monday by the Republican Party. In a 2023 podcast episode, the Michigan Democrat questioned whether American football could be considered “ethical” or “safe” due to the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) for players and perceived ties to toxic masculinity and violence. “What is it about this brutal sport that keeps us coming back?” El-Sayed is heard saying. “Is there a version of football that’s actually ethical and safe? What would need to...

The star pass rusher threw a punch at an Alabama player, argued with coaches on the sideline and drew Shane Beamer's ire for loafing as the Gamecocks fell to 0-2 in SEC play South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart has been suspended indefinitely, coach Shane Beamer announced on Sunday. Stewart, a potential All-American and first round pick, had multiple off-field antics during a 49-18 loss to No. 8 Alabama. Stewart threw a punch at the helmet of Alabama tight end Josh Ford after the Crimson Tide scored a fourth quarter touchdown to push the lead to 42-18. The officials did...