AI-assisted summary
• Robles was ejected from the game after the incident, which occurred after he was hit by a pitch for the fourth time in five rehab games.
• The outfielder issued an apology on social media, citing the recent passing of his mother and the challenges of his rehab stint.
• Robles is appealing the suspension, which includes a fine and will take effect upon his return to the Mariners’ active roster.

Robles, who hasn’t played in the majors since suffering a dislocated shoulder on April 6, was on the cusp of returning to the Mariners when he was hit by a pitch from Las Vegas Aviators right-hander Joey Estes on Sunday, Aug. 17.

After already being hit by pitches three times in five rehab games for Class AAA Tacoma, Robles later said he let ‘frustration get the best of me’ when he picked up his bat and hurled it toward Estes.

Robles was immediately ejected from the game.

Afterward on social media, he apologized for his actions.

‘Coming off a long rehab and being away from the game for most of the season has been physically and mentally challenging,’ Robles said in an Instagram story. ‘Adding to that, the recent passing of my mother has been incredibly hard, and I’ve been doing my best to hold it together. That’s not an excuse, but some context I feel you deserve to understand where I’m coming from.’

On Tuesday, MLB announced Robles would be fined and suspended for 10 games once he returns to the Mariners’ active roster. However, he has appealed the suspension so no immediate action will be taken.

Robles, a nine-year MLB veteran, is in his second season with the Mariners after being acquired from the Washington Nationals last year.

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason is in the books.

Another exhibition matchup’s allowed for more tape and information for players across the league but especially rookies. This is the first time they’re getting NFL action beyond training camp practices and lining up against players they’ll see on Sundays this season.

Preseason performance isn’t a direct indication of how a rookie will perform in the regular season; look no further than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who recorded four drops in the 2021 NFL preseason yet went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in the regular season.

Even with exceptions like that, it’s still important to take stock of how the 2025 rookie class is performing in their first weeks of NFL action. This was widely viewed as a rookie class with depth at certain positions and early-round picks who could contribute early on for their teams.

Here are five rookies whose stock is up after Week 2 and five whose stock is down after another exhibition game.

Stock up

New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart

Dart made his NFL debut with a solid showing against the Buffalo Bills. The Ole Miss product completed 12 of 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown but had an even better showing a week later at home against the Jets. Dart looked like the best rookie passer of the week.

He shook off an incompletion and sack on his first two dropbacks to finish the day 14 of 16 passing for 137 yards and two touchdowns, one passing and one rushing. The Giants punted on his first drive of the game but scored on the ensuing three drives with two touchdowns and a field goal. Dart was a surprise first-round pick in April but he’s showing well so far.

New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson entered the preseason with plenty of hype and delivered on his first touch in an NFL game. He took the opening kickoff of the Patriots’ preseason opener against Washington 100 yards for a touchdown.

Henderson has just five carries on offense in the preseason but he’s averaging 7.6 yards per carry. That’s exactly the kind of explosiveness the Patriots offense needs and a good reason why Henderson is shooting up fantasy football draft boards.

Detroit Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit traded up for TeSlaa in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft in a surprising move. The Arkansas product had plenty of traits but little production in the SEC with 897 yards and five touchdowns over two years with the Razorbacks.

TeSlaa’s size (6-4 and 217 pounds) gives him the frame to be a solid blocker and that’s shown up in training camp already. He’s been just as impressive as a receiver with an outstanding catch against the Miami Dolphins for a touchdown in the red zone.

There’s little doubt he’ll be a key piece in the Lions wide receiver group behind All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Baltimore Ravens LB Jay Higgins IV

Higgins had a standout college career at Iowa. He led the FBS in tackles in 2023, earned two first-team All-Big Ten honors and was the conference linebacker of the year in 2024. He went undrafted in April, though, likely due to his poor testing numbers and size (6-foot, 224 pounds) at the NFL combine.

He’s been one of the best linebackers in the NFL during the preseason, both by the eye test and Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades. In the opener against the Indianapolis Colts, Higgins showed out in pass rush, run defense and coverage assignments. His high motor kept him involved in all scenarios.

Higgins got his first career sack against the Cowboys a week later and forced a fumble on Dallas quarterback Will Grier by timing his punch perfectly. Even on one of the better defenses in the league, Higgins should earn a spot for the 53-man roster.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Jacob Parrish

Two rookie defensive backs have tallied three pass break ups in the preseason, per PFF: Parrish and Los Angeles Chargers safety R.J. Mickens. Parrish reached that with 29 coverage snaps while Mickens did so in 96.

The Kansas State product is expected to start at nickel cornerback for Tampa Bay and is already showing plenty for Buccaneers fans to be excited about. It’s not just coverage snaps, either; Parrish had a stop in run defense against the Steelers to force a tackle for loss.

Stock down

Cleveland Browns QB Dillon Gabriel

Cleveland’s gone to their rookies for their first two games in the preseason. Gabriel hasn’t fared as well, going 13 for 18 passing with 143 yards and two turnovers against the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s a tougher opponent than fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders faced in the opener against Carolina but still not a good showing. Cleveland’s opting to start the season with 40-year-old Joe Flacco at quarterback. It’s not a good sign for Gabriel, who had the leg up in training camp on Sanders.

Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan has high expectations as a top-10 draft pick at wide receiver. He’s dealt with plenty of physicality in training camp as the Panthers coaching staff want him to adjust to the contact he’ll face in the NFL. In limited game settings, it hasn’t been great from the Arizona product.

McMillan’s played 30 total snaps through two preseason games, per PFF. On six targets in the passing game, he has as many drops (two) as receptions and just 43 yards. One of those drops came in the end zone against the Browns. McMillan will likely be a focal point of the Panthers’ offense in 2025 but may still take some time to get up to speed.

New York Jets OT Armand Membou

Membou was one of the top tackles in the draft class alongside Will Campbell thanks to his size and impressive athleticism. That made him a plus run blocker and he’s shown that well in training camp so far with New York.

Pass protection may take more time as he had trouble with speed-to-power rushers at time in college and the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux took advantage of that in the Jets-Giants preseason game.

Membou rebounded with better reps later on but still ranks as the fifth-worst rookie lineman this preseason in blocking, per PFF grading.

Miami Dolphins G Jonah Savaiinaea

Miami’s offensive line looks much different in 2025 than last season with just one returning starter in center Aaron Brewer. Savaiinaea’s played more than the other projected starters in the preseason with mixed results so far.

He’s allowed four pressures and one sack on 36 pass blocking plays, per PFF. His pass blocking grade (9.5) is the fourth-worst among all rookie offensive linemen this preseason. He’s learning a new position at guard after playing tackle at Arizona but that’s not promising considering the Dolphins gave up two Day 2 draft picks to move up and select him No. 37 overall.

Las Vegas Raiders CB Darien Porter

Las Vegas has arguably one of the shakiest cornerback rooms in the league after trading Jakorian Bennett to Philadelphia earlier in training camp. Porter is the team’s lone draft pick in the secondary and has struggled in both coverage and run defense.

Per PFF, he’s logged two missed tackles in 25 run defense snaps and allowed a 100.7 passer rating when targeted on 24 coverage snaps. That’s not a promising start for a projected starter in the Raiders’ secondary this season who only spent one college season as a full-time starter.

Matthew McConaughey – regularly spotted on the sidelines of University of Texas football games – makes it no secret he loves sports.

The Texas alum, who is also the Longhorns ‘Minister of Culture,’ is now pitching Pantalones Organic Tequila, the brand he and his wife Camila Alves McConaughey co-founded, to sports teams. Earlier this year, Pantalones became the official tequila of Major League Soccer’s Austin FC (McConaughey is also a part owner of the soccer team).

Now, Pantalones is heading to the big leagues of baseball, becoming the official organic tequila of the New York Mets, the brand announced Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Pantalones will be served at Citi Field, becoming the only organic tequila available at the stadium. Fans can sip the spirit in a new cocktail called the Citi Field Sunset, made with Pantalones Organic Tequila, orange juice, lime juice, cranberry juice, and topped with a cherry and orange garnish. You can also order the tequila in other cocktails at the stadium.

The McConaugheys have had fun with their tequila brand. ‘No. The world doesn’t need another celebrity Tequila,’ they said on the company’s website when they debuted Pantalones nearly two years ago (and the comment is still there). But goodness gracious the Tequila industry sure could use a shot of fun. And that’s exactly what Pantalones is: Really good, really clean fun.’

Back in November 2024, the couple released a new Pantalones ad spoofing the film ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,’ the 2003 film starring McConaughey and Kate Hudson. In the ad entitled, ‘How to Lose Your Pants in 10 Ways,’ Alves wears a dress similar to the one Hudson wore in the movie’s official poster. McConaughy is shown without pants with his lower body pixelated.

The couple have released several on-brand photos and social media posts regarding the lack of pants (‘pantalones’ is Spanish for ‘pants’) since launching Pantalones with a commercial in which they McConaughey calls the tequila, ‘Quite possibly the best thing Camila and I have made with our pants on.’

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at  mikegsnider  &  @mikegsnider.bsky.social  &  @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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Entering the 2025 NFL season, there are a handful of players widely expected to be the top scorers at the position. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey are among those experts predict will be reliable double-digit scorers week in and week out.

Look at the next tier of running backs in fantasy football and you’ll find productive players at the position with some question marks. Ashton Jeanty has plenty of hype but is a rookie in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. Bucky Irving had an impressive rookie season but enters Year 2 with a new offensive coordinator. Johnathan Taylor hasn’t played a full season since 2021 which negates his solid production when on the field.

This list isn’t about the first two or even three tiers of fantasy football running backs. This is about finding value beyond the top 15 players at the position entering 2025. That’s where mid-round flyers on players could make the difference between competing for a title and hoping to avoid last-place punishments.

USA TODAY Sports identified five value picks at running back who could outplay their current average draft position (ADP) in 2025:

Fantasy football RB value picks

ADP is from FantasyPros and in half-PPR league formats.

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

• ADP: RB17, OVR42

The fourth-year running back has never been down on talent. His issue throughout his career has been availability; he’s missed 10 games over his first three seasons in the NFL.

The Seahawks had the fifth-worst rushing offense in the NFL a year ago. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will offer schematic improvements that should play to Walker’s strengths, specifically in outside zone runs. He’s going this low likely because of injury concerns and worries about Seattle’s offensive line. The Seahawks spent their first round pick on guard Grey Zabel, showing how committed they are to improving up front. That’s enough reason to have optimism about Walker in 2025.

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

• ADP: RB25, OVR61

Pollard managed 1,317 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns last season in a Titans offense that was a bottom-eight unit in points and yards. Tennessee overhauled a lot on offense this offseason with a new quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, two new starters on the offensive line and a revamped wide receiver room.

All of this should see the Titans offense take a step forward on offense to at least get closer to the middle of the pack. That rising tide should elevate Pollard to a solid No. 2 running back. Tyjae Spears’ injury will keep him sidelined for the rest of the preseason, giving Pollard the majority of touches with the first-team offense.

Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

• ADP: RB28, OVR71

Rookie running backs can be hard to predict but Johnson may be in a good situation to outproduce his current draft position. Even with the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will still want to run the ball effectively. Johnson fits the bill well as an early-down back in that system.

A healthy offensive line in Pittsburgh could take a step this year with center Zach Frazier, right guard Mason McCormick and right tackle Troy Fautanu all entering their second year in the NFL. In his time as a play-caller on offense, Smith has ranked in the top-10 in rushing attempts five times in six NFL seasons. Last year the Steelers were fourth in the league in rushing attempts. The volume is there for Johnson to produce beyond his RB28 status.

Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings

• ADP: RB34, OVR92

Minnesota has traditionally had one primary running back during coach Kevin O’Connell’s tenure. That’s reportedly changed this offseason during training camp as it’s been closer to an even split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Mason.

The Vikings invested in the offensive line with new starters at center and both guard spots. They’re dropping in an unproven quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. This should lead Minnesota to rely more on the running game in 2025 than in years past.

The Vikings traded one of their few draft picks for Mason this offseason. Through the first seven games of 2024, only two running backs had more rushing yards: Henry and Barkley. He’s been productive when given the opportunity and could usurp the 30-year-old Jones as the Vikings’ primary back over the course of the season.

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

• ADP: RB36, OVR111

Regardless of their playoff chances in 2025, the Cowboys should be a more productive offense on the ground. They spent their top pick on guard Tyler Booker, a mauler in the run game, and brought in Klayton Adams from Arizona to be their offensive coordinator. Adams had a big role in the Cardinals’ running scheme which has been one of the most diverse in the league over recent seasons.

Williams is currently slated to start for the Cowboys. He played in all 17 games last season for Denver with 11 starts but managed just 859 yards from scrimmage. Williams should have the edge over other running backs in Dallas to start the season. He could easily benefit from the ground game’s improvement under Adams and outplay his status as a low-end RB3.

Think of the trade for Alex Caruso and what that did for the Thunder.

Caruso, a defensive stopper, assimilated instantly into Oklahoma City’s scheme and drew massive assignments — such as guarding Nuggets center Nikola Jokić — during the team’s NBA Finals run.

Think of the Bucks adding backup center Bobby Portis in free agency the offseason before they beat the Suns in six games to win their first NBA Finals in 50 seasons.

Often, it’s the overlooked moves that carry massive implications for a team’s playoff hopes, and this offseason was no different.

Here are five under-the-radar moves that may have gone unnoticed but may prove to be key to championship contention in 2025-26:

Bruce Brown rejoins Nuggets

In his lone season in Denver, 2022-23, Brown averaged career-bests in points (11.5), assists (3.4) and minutes (28.5). Brown is an asset because he can switch on pick-and-rolls and helps facilitate on offense. He understands the culture and what’s needed to win it all.

Dorian Finney-Smith signs with Rockets

This move was overshadowed by the trade to land Kevin Durant, but signing Dorian Finney-Smith feels like a move that was done in response to the rise of the Thunder. The Rockets, with Finney-Smith, suddenly have elite length and defensive athleticism at the wing, which should align with clamping Oklahoma City players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Finney-Smith can also hit 3s — he shot a career-best 41.1% from beyond the arc last season — so he also helps spread the floor for Houston.

Another move worthy of consideration here is re-signing center Steven Adams, who allows the Rockets to play a two-big lineup, matching up with the Thunder duo of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Jordan Clarkson signs with Knicks

They already had a set starting lineup with continuity and a pair of All-Stars who can ignite. What the Knicks didn’t have was a reliable scoring option off the bench (and a coach who isn’t afraid to call on reserves). Mike Brown, who isn’t shy about extending the rotation, fixes the latter issue, but signing proven scorer Jordan Clarkson to a veteran minimum deal shores up the offense off the bench.

Clarkson, 33, agreed to a buyout with the Jazz, making him available. The 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson has scored 8,045 points off the bench, which ranks 11th all-time and leads all active players.

Jaylin Williams re-signs with Thunder

They already won a championship with Jaylin Williams, or Jay Will — not to be confused with All-Star Jalen Williams (J-Dub). But in re-signing Jaylin Williams, OKC gets added flexibility with the 23-year-old backup forward.

Williams averaged 5.9 points and 5.6 boards per game, though he played just 16.7 minutes per contest. But he recorded three triple-doubles in nine starts last season, averaging 14.7 points, 10.7 assists and 13 rebounds across those three games. Put a different way: when the Thunder need him to step up, he is more than capable. He may go on to be a key piece if the Thunder become the first repeat champs since 2018, or if they’re hit by the injury bug.

Sam Merrill re-signs with Cavaliers

He re-signed on a four-year deal that basically went overlooked, but this move is all about replacing Ty Jerome, the Sixth Man of the Year finalist who signed with the Grizzlies.

Merrill appeared in 71 regular-season games — a career high — and started three playoff games. He averaged just 7.2 points per game, but his 137 made 3-pointers ranked 12th among NBA reserves. He also posted a plus-minus of +330 off the bench, third best in the league. With more minutes at his disposal, Merrill, a member of the 2021 Bucks team that won the NBA Finals, should see a big jump in production.

• Based on preseason rankings, there could be as many as seven games between ranked opponents on Nov. 1.
• Ohio State hosts Penn State in a potential No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup on Nov. 1.
• The famous Cocktail party between Florida and Georgia could have SEC title race implications.

Nov. 1 is a long way off, but that doesn’t mean college football fans shouldn’t get excited about it, even with the season not yet officially underway.

There are plenty of juicy tidbits on the Week 1 schedule to whet our appetites, but if we project ahead a bit to Week 10, that Saturday promises to be the biggest of the entire campaign. Based upon preseason rankings in the US LBM Coaches Poll, there could potentially be as many as seven games between ranked opponents on the first day of November.

Obviously, a lot can and will change between now and then in the rankings, so some of these blockbuster clashes might not pan out. But there should nevertheless be a healthy menu of matchups with playoff implications, and that’s even with Alabama and LSU having that week off prior to their head-to-head showdown on the following Saturday.

So since we’re still waiting to see actual football, here’s a quick look at what might be in store on Nov. 1.

No. 3 Penn State at No. 2 Ohio State

It’s not out of the question that this could become the second No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup of the season in Ohio Stadium. The likelihood increases if the Buckeyes upend preseason No. 1 Texas in Week 1 and the Nittany Lions handle Oregon in late September. But even if one or both of these teams takes an ‘L’ prior to this encounter, it will almost certainly have Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff implications.

No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 17 Florida

The Cocktail Party is always an anticipated affair, even though the pendulum has swung the Bulldogs’ way in recent years. The Gators have a treacherous gauntlet of four ranked opponents to deal with even before this date in Jacksonville, but they could still have a number before their name if they manage at least a split of those contests. Georgia could also face up to three ranked SEC foes before the annual showdown with Florida, but there will be no shortage of interest in this rivalry regardless of records.

No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at No. 16 SMU

Whether these preseason poll positions hold up, this contest should figure prominently in the ACC race. The Hurricanes have a difficult non-conference schedule to negotiate first with games against Notre Dame and Florida, while the Mustangs have the small matter of a mid-October visit to Clemson on their itinerary.

No. 13 South Carolina at No. 15 Mississippi

There’s a lot of optimism about the prospectus for both the Gamecocks and Rebels with them slotting ahead of several other SEC teams in poll. It’s safe to say that if both of these teams are still in the poll ahead of this matchup, they’ll have earned their places. Each will have dates with LSU and Oklahoma, and additionally the Rebels must visit Georgia and the Gamecocks play host to Alabama.

Oklahoma at No. 18 Tennessee

There’s considerable disparity between the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP rankings for these SEC hopefuls, and the degree of difficulty on their respective schedules makes it arguably the iffiest of the possible ranked matchups on this list. The Sooners were the team closest to making the Top 25 in the coaches poll and were No. 18 in the media rankings. Their road is difficult. Oklahoma in addition to the dates mentioned above, must also get through a non-conference tilt with Michigan as well as Red River rival Texas. The Volunteers have both Georgia and Alabama on their dance card before hosting the Sooners.

No. 11 Arizona State at No. 21 Iowa State

The Big 12 lacks the SEC’s depth of ranked candidates but is just as volatile. The Sun Devils are the most likely of the group to still be ranked come November due to their elevated starting position, but a road date with a possibly revitalized Utah squad is just one of the hurdles they must clear prior to this trip to Ames. The Cyclones for their part will have faced rivals Kansas State and Iowa well before the leaves change color, but they could work their way back into the poll even if they don’t escape the early portion of their schedule unscathed.

No. 24 Texas Tech at No. 20 Kansas State

This is another pairing of teams whose fortunes could have taken vastly different turns by the time they meet in the Little Apple. The Wildcats begin with that aforementioned clash with Iowa State in Ireland, and this contest with the Red Raiders will be immediately preceded by a short trip to Sunflower State rival Kansas. The Red Raiders’ early slate looks more manageable, but a mid-October trip to Arizona State could determine their poll spot.

• The Connecticut Sun is looking for a new home and neither Boston nor Hartford applied for expansion.
• The league maintains cities, including Houston, which did apply and were vetted, would get first dibs.
• WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, ‘There are a variety of cities that obviously bid – and one of those I wanted to shoutout … is Houston.’

The walls and ceiling within the Houston Comets’ locker room were shaking from the unbridled energy emanating from the capacity crowd, which was separated by a razor-thin barrier of drywall.

Moments before their WNBA Finals contest against the New York Liberty in 1999, Comets coach Van Chancellor relayed the game plan to his players – who would soon be sprinting out of the tunnel into the chaotic scene.

WNBA architects including president Val Ackerman and NBA commissioner David Stern had envisioned this type of raucous atmosphere, and it was already coming to fruition during the league’s earliest days.

Years before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were born, the Houston Comets won the WNBA’s first four championships. Now, after 17 years without a team, “Clutch City” may be in line for a franchise revival. The Connecticut Sun is looking for a new home and neither Boston nor Hartford applied for expansion, despite former Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca offering to buy the team for $325 million. The league maintains cities, including Houston, which did apply and were vetted, would get first dibs.

During a June 30 news conference announcing the addition of expansion teams in Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said, “There are a variety of cities that obviously bid – and one of those I wanted to shoutout, because they have such a strong history in this league and they are a great ownership group – is Houston.”

Engelbert also added, “I would say that’s the one obviously we have our eye on.”

Houston, 25 years removed from its glory days, fully embraced the Comets and their megastar lineup which included Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson. Cooper, a four-time WNBA Finals MVP whose on-court dominance was paired with an oversized personality, was a fan favorite.

“Someone recognized me on the freeway and then they just followed me … to get an autograph,” Cooper told USA TODAY Sports, recalling the fan fervor. “It was great recognition for what I, individually, and what we as a team, were doing out there on that court. The fans in Houston (were) just amazing; they supported us every step of the way.”

Diana Taurasi, who patterned her game after the Comets’ Big 3, recognizes Houston’s rich history in the league.

“When you talk about dynasties, you talk about the Bulls, the Lakers, the Celtics. Well, in the WNBA, it’s the Houston Comets,” said Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion and arguably the greatest player in league history. “They paved the way for all these legacies and dynasties in the WNBA, so Houston has got to be back on the map.”

The idea of placing a team in Houston is popular among current WNBA players.

During All-Star weekend in Indianapolis in July, the league’s elite were asked which city deserves a team. Houston was a popular choice, advocated for by Reese, Sydney Colson and Nneka Ogwumike.

Ogwumike, who grew up in Houston during the Comet’s reign of dominance, further accentuated her choice by “throwing up the H,” a popular hand gesture used by Houstonians.  

To fully understand Houston’s appeal in either expansion or relocation, you need only look at the passion the city had for the Comets. The team averaged more than 14,000 fans a game during the playoffs from 1997-2000.

“I had the pleasure of covering the Bulls in Chicago during their two three-peats,’ said Jeff Hagedorn, the Comets play-by-play announcer from 1999-2005. “That was the most attention I ever saw a team get from their fans. But the Comets? They were a close second.  The city embraced them as champions, and the fans were as passionate as any I’ve ever observed.”The team’s affable Hall of Fame coach Chancellor was a big reason. He celebrated the fans by handing out candy prior to each home game. Chancellor recently recalled an encounter he had with a season ticket holder looking for some sugar.

“Some lady (came) up to me and said, ‘Hey, I’m in row 16, seat 3, would you please throw me a piece of candy?’” Chancellor said. “In ’97, ’98 – those years, we had the best fanbase that’s ever been in the WNBA.”

Comets fans were all in.

“We would do an interview after each game, and fans wouldn’t leave,” said Jim Kozimor, the play-by-play broadcaster in 1997 and ’98. “They wouldn’t head to the exits (because) the show wasn’t over. The players would acknowledge them, (and) they felt like they were a big part of the success. There was a real love affair.’

Hagedorn, who replaced Kozimor when he joined the Sacramento Kings, also witnessed the postgame hysteria.

“I couldn’t leave my spot on press row; I was literally stuck. The fans were swarming!  I just sat there watching, smiling and shaking my head. They were the toast of the town,” said Hagedorn, whose signature live call described any Comets player who was in the zone as: “burning with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns.”

Chris Wragge, who alongside Mike Breen and Ann Meyers, was part of NBC’s national broadcast team, was also impressed with the fan support.

“What Caitlin Clark is to the WNBA now, that is what the Comets were to the league,” said Wragge, who also served as sports anchor at KPRC in Houston. “There was no better draw; there was never an empty seat in the house.”

The fans were devoted during the good times and bad, including Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals. The New York Liberty’s Teresa Weatherspoon hit the game-winner with a three-quarter court buzzer beater to stun the Comets, 68-67.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and that was the loudest arena I have ever heard,” said Tom Savage, who ran Comets PR for two seasons.

With confetti prematurely falling at the Compaq Center to celebrate a third title, the once-boisterous crowd grew silent.

“The quietness was deafening,” Savage said. “(It was) almost like your ears were ringing and then there was nothing.”

Cooper said: “That contrast was striking.” 

But while the fans displayed their affection with a quiet hush and a few tears, nothing compared to the way the community rallied around Kim Perrot, the scrappy point guard who made the team after impressing during an open tryout.

Perrot was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 1999. The cancer spread to her brain and Perrot died six months later, on Aug. 19, 1999, at age 32.

Among the initiatives Comets fans undertook on behalf of their beloved player was raising money for “Kim’s Place,” a lounge for teens and young adults battling cancer. Located at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the lounge has a jukebox, pool table, video games, and rooms for counseling and classes.“They let us know that they weren’t just there as fans; they were there as a part of the Houston Comets organization – struggling with the same thing we were struggling with as far as losing Kim Perrot,” Cooper, a close friend of Perrot’s, said. “The city of Houston rallied around us.”

The highs of lows that the franchise experienced, especially during the championship seasons, galvanized the community and their hometown heroes.

“The bond between the Comets and their fans was one rarely found in sports,” said Bob Schranz, the Comets media relations manager from 2001-2005. “The season ticket holders were more like a family than a fanbase. You had players and a host of fans literally on a first-name basis.”

With all its rich history and a once-fanatical following, could the WNBA resurrect the Comets? The Houston Rockets could be a part of the Comets return.

“We remain committed to exploring every avenue to bring a WNBA franchise back to the City of Houston,” Gretchen Sheirr, the Rockets president of business operations, said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

The Rockets, led by their owner – restaurant and casino mogul Tilman Fertitta, are on board, and as for Houstonians – Chancellor summed it up by saying, “This fanbase is ready to explode again.”

Cooper, for one, saw that support first hand, listening to the crowd’s roar from the locker room in 1999, running out of the tunnel to those cheers and delivering four titles. She has no doubt those same fans, paired with a new generation, would welcome a WNBA team. 

“The city of Houston misses the Comets and misses having a WNBA franchise to support, and I think this is a great time for it,” Cooper said. “I’m excited for the opportunity and the possibility, and I know that there are tons of fans here ready to support it.”

No, not high-top sneakers. Boxing gloves.

O’Neal, 53, has accepted a celebrity fight with Charles “Charlie Mack’’ Alston, a former bodyguard for actor Will Smith and a figure in the hip hop industry who has indicated he is in his 50s.

In an Instagram video challenging O’Neal to fight, Alston this week explained the two men have a beef dating back to an encounter years ago.

“We were in Dallas doing an autograph signing, and (O’Neal) came and tried to jump in front of the line,” Mack said. “I chopped him in his neck so he could get back.’’ During the interview, Alston sat next to Damon Feldman, CEO of Officially Celebrity Boxing

O’Neal accepted the fight in the comments section of Alston’s video then posted his own video on Instagram.

“Hey celebrity boxing and Charlie Mack, I accept,’’ O’Neal said. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody.’’

In the video, the 7-foot-1 Hall of Famer also referred to his beef with Alston.

‘You chopped me in my neck, Charlie Mack, that’s why I talk so funny. Payback time,’ O’Neal said. “You name the time and place, I’ll be there. Diesel don’t run from nobody. … You better check my police record, Charlie Mack.’

On Tuesday, Mack wrote on his Instagram page, “So I call Big Fella @shaq out yesterday & he accepted as I knew he would!!!! We’ve been talking about it way too long, now we MUST get it ON!!!!!!!!’’

The latest on Mack’s Instagram: the image of a fight-style poster featuring O’Neal and Mack.

O’Neal weighed about 325 pounds during his 19-year NBA career. Mack is about 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, according to a rap song recorded by Will Smith when he was rapping as “The Fresh Prince.’’

“Me and you, baby, super heavyweight,’’ Mack said on the video, adding that he was calling O’Neal “Sha-knocked out.’ That’s what you’re going to be.’’

Official Celebrity Boxing has promoted fights featuring retired sports figures such Jose Canseco, Lamar Odom and Tonya Harding.

Anthony Richardson’s time with the Indianapolis Colts has been one bumpy ride.

Head coach Shane Steichen officially named Daniel Jones the team’s starter for Week 1, which might end up closing the book on the former Florida star’s time in Indianapolis – or maybe not.

Richardson’s road to with the Colts took another twist on Aug. 19 evening when the passer’s agent, Deiric Jackson, spoke with ESPN and expressed his disappointment with the club.

‘We have a lot to discuss,’ Jackson told ESPN.

The agent questioned whether the decision to start Jones was a predetermined one, dating back to the quarterback’s signing to a one-year, $14 million deal in March. Jackson continued, suggesting the team has damaged their credibility with their handling of Richardson.

‘Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now,’ Jackson said. ‘Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.’

Richardson took the decision in stride, saying he has to keep growing.

‘[Steichen] made a decision,’ Richardson said. ‘That’s the decision we’ve got to live with, but no hard feelings, nothing personal. I’ve just got to keep growing. I just can’t let me not being a starter stop me from going and being the person, the player that I’m supposed to be.’

The quarterback hasn’t necessarily helped his case, whether by health or production. He has played in just 15 of a possible 34 games in two seasons, completing 50.6% of passes, throwing 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Richardson also famously pulled himself out of a game against the Houston Texans in 2024, which led to him being benched for two games before eventually returning to the starting lineup.

This offseason, the quarterback battled a shoulder injury. It kept him sidelined for mandatory minicamp, giving Jones a potential advantage in the competition.

It’s unclear whether Richardson will eventually request a trade, but he remains on the roster for the time being. Jackson believes that his client can still play in the league, citing his playmaking abillity.

‘When they needed a big play last year,’ Jackson said via ESPN, ‘whose hands did they put the ball in? Anthony’s.’

This winding road has also seen its fair share of peaks and valleys, but Tuesday’s news saw another detour sign pop up at an inopportune time. The next question is where that detour leads.

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