Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days

Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Deion Sanders declined to address his health at Big 12 football media days Wednesday, which came during his extended absence from Colorado. "I'm not here to talk about my health," said Sanders, who is going into his third season as the Buffaloes coach. "I'm here to talk about my team." Since overseeing Colorado's spring game April 19, Sanders hadn't attended football camps in Boulder. The school had said last month, amid reports that the coach was ill, that it could not say why he was absent.Sanders did not specifically answerany questions about his health. "I'm looking good. I'm living lovely. God has truly blessed me," he said. "Not a care in the world. Not a want or desire in the world." Sanders was the last of the league's 16 coaches to appear on the main stage over two days at the headquarters of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, which is about 75 miles from the sprawling ranch that the Pro Football Hall of Fame player has in Canton, Texas. During his question-and-answer session that lasted nearly 17 minutes, Sanders addressed topics such as his coaching staff, quarterbacks and even Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire. Sanders then returned to the stage for a roundtable discussion with the other seven coaches in attendance Wednesday, but he didn't take part in his media breakout session scheduled for each coach at the end of the day. It was unclear if the latest health issues are new. Sanders, a month shy of his 58th birthday, has struggled with his left foot since having two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clot issues while at Jackson State. Hemissed Pac-12 media day in 2023, his first year at Colorado, after a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. Colorado athletic director Rick George, who wouldn't elaborate on Sanders' health, said they stay in constant contact. The AD said Sanders will probably be back on campus in a week or two. "We always talk. We text, we talk," George said. "We have a great relationship. We trust each other." While commending the work of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark in his opening remarks, Sanders said that Yormark called him daily to check to make sure he was getting better. There have also been a lot of calls from his fellow league coaches. "I love them, they've been calling and checking on me, making sure I'm straight," Sanders said. This will be Sanders first season at Colorado without having one of his sons on the team. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was afifth-round pick by the Cleveland Brownsin the NFL draft, and safety Shilo Sanders signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Also gone isHeisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the two-way standout who was also like a son to Sanders. Hunter played for him at Jackson State and Colorado, and now will try to play both ways in the NFL after Jacksonville drafted him second overall. "Now I only have to be a coach. I don't have the coach and a dad," Sanders said during a segment with ESPN. "You've got to understand, when you're the coach and the dad ... make sure you watch the defense, make sure you watch the offense, but you want to watch your kids as well. I don't have to have that dilemma. Now I can just pour into everything I got into all of these young men." Sanders is 13-12 in his two seasons with the revived Buffaloes, who in their return to the Big 12 last season missed making the league championship game on a tiebreaker after being one of four teams to finish 7-2 in conference play. He is under contract with the Buffaloes through the 2029 season after agreeing to a new $54 million, five-year deal this spring that made him the Big 12's highest-paid coach. That replaced the final three years of the $29.5 million, five-year deal he got when he arrived from Jackson State, where he was 27-6 in three seasons. Asked about the Sanders' time at Colorado, George responded, "Fun and exciting." ___ AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days

Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Deion Sanders declined to address h...

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Caitlin Clark returns from injury: Fever star struggles with shot in blowout loss to the Valkyries

Caitlin Clark returns from injury: Fever star struggles with shot in blowout loss to the Valkyries

After a five-game absence, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark returned to court to take on the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. Clark showed plenty of rust in her return, scoring just 10 points on a poor shooting night. It was a tough game for Clark — and the entire Fever offense. The Fever's second-year star went 4 of 12 from the field. She added 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal, but also turned the ball over four times inthe 80-61 loss. Clark wasn't the only member of the Fever who had a tough game. The Valkyries stymied the entire Fever offense. Kelsey Mitchell was the only other starter on the Fever who scored double-digit points in the loss, and she shot just 3 of 13 from the field. It was a disappointing result considering how pumped fans were to see Clark get back on the court. Fans packed the house to see Clark's return, selling out Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. They greeted their second-year star with raucous cheers when she was announced as part of the starting lineup. Big cheers for Caitlin Clark's return. She's missed the last five gamespic.twitter.com/8KCzhdOwXw — Scott Agness (@ScottAgness)July 9, 2025 While Clark did not have a minutes restriction during the game, Fever head coach Stephanie White said Clark would be limited to roughly four or five minutes at a time to see how she responded to her injury. Clark was subbed out as promised, but still managed to play 25 minutes during the contest. She was involved immediately during her first five minutes on the court, forcing an offensive foul, turning the ball over and grabbing two rebounds on the first four possessions of the game. After missing her first shot, Clark hit a step-back jumper and a three to pick up five points early in the contest before being subbed out. Caitlin Clark buries her first three in her return to action 😈pic.twitter.com/l1ZwJjAGd4 — Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever)July 9, 2025 Clark subbed back into the contest with 2:38 to go in the first quarter. She missed her next shot and was charged with another turnover before the quarter ended. After the Fever jumped out to a hot start, the Valkyries closed the gap, giving the Fever a narrow 23-21 lead after the first quarter. The Valkyries dominated the second quarter, clamping down on the Fever defensively. Clark was far less involved in the quarter, missing two shots and picking up an assist. She entered halftime with five points and two assists in 12 minutes of play. The Fever trailed 41-32 heading into halftime. The start of the third quarter proved to be more of the same. The Valkyries suffocating defense prevented Clark and the Fever from doing anything to open the half. Fever can't stop the bleeding. They have one FG since 8:08 in 2Q.Valkyries open the half with 6-0 run, extending it to 24-2 going back to the second quarter.White takes timeout — Scott Agness (@ScottAgness)July 9, 2025 Clark was effected by Golden State's excellent defense, picking up two more turnovers in the first two minutes of the quarter. With eight minutes to go in the third, the Valkyries found themselves up 49-35. With the Fever in catch-up mode, the team seemed to step up its game. Clark drained a three and forced two turnovers as the Fever attempted to inch their way back into the contest. Following an 10-1 run, Indiana cut the deficit to just five points. Indiana's success wouldn't last. Yet another run by Golden State pushed the team's lead back to double-digits by the end of the quarter. The Valkyries led 64-51 with one quarter to go. That essentially put the game out of reach for the Fever, who couldn't seem to knock down a bucket during the fourth quarter. Indiana missed its first seven shots of the quarter. The team shot just 30.9 percent in the game, its worst showing all season. With 4:35 left, Clark was subbed out. She did not return with the game out of reach. The loss drops the Fever to 9-10 on the year. Clark — and the rest of the roster — will look to get back on track Friday, when the Fever take on the Atlanta Dream.

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Caitlin Clark returns from injury: Fever star struggles with shot in blowout loss to the Valkyries

Caitlin Clark returns from injury: Fever star struggles with shot in blowout loss to the Valkyries After a five-game absence, Indiana Fever ...

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Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House Republican probe

Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House Republican probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's former White House physician refused on Wednesday to answer questions as part of the House Republican investigation into Biden's health in office. Dr. Kevin O'Connor invoked his rights under the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee, his attorney and lawmakers said. Republicans on the Oversight Committeesubpoenaed O'Connorlast month as part of a their sweeping investigation into Biden's health and his mental fitness as president. They claim some policies carried out during Biden's term through the use ofthe White House autopenmay be illegitimate if it's proven the Democrat was mentally incapacitated for some of his term. Biden has strongly denied that he was not in a right state of mind at any point while in office, calling the claims"ridiculous and false." David Schertler, one of O'Connor's lawyers, said the doctor had "no choice" but to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights in testimony before the committee. Schertler cited both O'Connor's responsibilities to protect patient privacy as a doctor and the Justice Department's ongoing investigation into Biden's use ofthe autopen. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the Oversight chair, said O'Connor's refusal to testify made it "clear there was a conspiracy." "The American people demand transparency, but Dr. O'Connor would rather conceal the truth," Comer said in a statement. Witnesses routinely invoke their Fifth Amendment rights in testimony to Congress. Allies ofPresident Donald Trump, for example,invoked their rightswhen refusing to testify to the committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol bya mob of his supporters. Comer has has sought testimony from nearly a dozen former Biden aides as he conducts his investigation, including former White House chiefs of staff Ron Klain and Jeff Zients; former senior advisers Mike Donilon and Anita Dunn; former deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed, former counselor to the president Steve Ricchetti, former deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini and a former assistant to the president, Ashley Williams. He has also issued a subpoena for Anthony Bernal, the former chief of staff to former first lady Jill Biden. Trump's White House has waived executive privilege, a right that protects many communications between the president and staff from Congress and the courts, for almost all of those senior staffers. That clears the way for those staffers to discuss their conversations with Biden while he was president. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, dismissed the Republican investigation as a waste of time. "Oversight Republicans could be working to lower costs for American families and conducting oversight of President Trump's corruption, but instead are obsessed with the past," he said. Comer has said his committee will release a report of all its findings after the probe is complete.

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House Republican probe

Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House Republican probe WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's former White Hou...

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Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing 'witch hunt' trial against Bolsonaro

Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing 'witch hunt' trial against Bolsonaro

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trumpsingled out Brazil forimport taxesof 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader's use of tariffs. Donald Trumpavoided his standard form letter with Brazil, specifically tying his tariffs to the trial of Bolsonaro, who is charged with trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. Trump has described Bolsonaro as a friend and hosted the former Brazilian president at his Mar-a-Lago resort when both were in power in 2020. "This Trial should not be taking place," Trump wrote in the letter posted on Truth Social. "It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!" There is a sense of kinship as Trump was indicted in 2023 for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The U.S. president addressed his tariff letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who bested Bolsonaro in 2022. Bolsonaro testified before the country's Supreme Court in June over the alleged plot to remain in power after his 2022 election loss. Judges will hear from 26 other defendants in coming months. A decision could come as early as September, legal analysts say. Bolsonaro has already been ruled ineligible until 2030 by the country's electoral authorities. Brazil's vice president, Geraldo Alckmin, said he sees "no reason" for the U.S. to hike tariffs on the South American nation. "I think he has been misinformed," he said. "President Lula was jailed for almost two years. No one questioned the judiciary. No one questioned what the country had done. This is a matter for our judiciary branch." For Trump, the tariffs are personal Trump also objected to Brazil's Supreme Court fining of social media companies, saying the temporary blocking last year amounted to "SECRET and UNLAWFUL Censorship Orders." Trump said he is launching an investigation as a result under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which applies to companies with trade practices that are deemed unfair to U.S. companies. Among the companies the Supreme Court fined was X, which was not mentioned specifically in Trump's letter. X is owned byElon Musk, Trump's multibillionaire backer in the 2024 election whose time leading Trump's Department of Government Efficiency recently ended and led to a public feud over the U.S. president's deficit-increasing budget plan. Trump also owns a social media company, Truth Social. The Brazil letter was a reminder that politics and personal relations with Trump matter just as much as any economic fundamentals. And while Trump has said the high tariff rates he's setting are based on trade imbalances, it was unclear by his Wednesday actions how the countries being targeted would help to reindustrialize America. The tariffs starting Aug. 1 would be a dramatic increase from the 10% rate that Trump levied on Brazil as part of his April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement. In addition to oil, Brazil sells orange juice, coffee, iron and steel to the U.S., among other products. The U.S. ran a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year, according to the Census Bureau. Trump initially announced his broad tariffs by declaring an economic emergency, arguing under a 1977 law that the U.S. was at risk because of persistent trade imbalances. But that rationale becomes problematic in this particular case, as Trump is linking his tariffs to the Bolsonaro trial and the U.S. exports more to Brazil than it imports. Trump also targeted smaller trade partners Trump also sent letters Wednesday to the leaders of seven other nations. None of them — the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Iraq and Sri Lanka — is a major industrial rival to the United States. Most economic analyses say the tariffs will worsen inflationary pressures and subtract from economic growth, but Trump has used the taxes as a way to assert the diplomatic and financial power of the U.S. on both rivals and allies. His administration is promising that the taxes on imports will lower trade imbalances, offset some of the cost of the tax cuts he signed into law on Friday andcause factory jobs to return to the United States. Trump, during a White House meeting with African leaders, talked up trade as a diplomatic tool. Trade, he said, "seems to be a foundation" for him to settle disputes between India and Pakistan, as well as Kosovo and Serbia. "You guys are going to fight, we're not going to trade," Trump said. "And we seem to be quite successful in doing that." On Monday, Trump placed a 35% tariff on Serbia, one of the countries he was using as an example of how fostering trade can lead to peace. Trump said the tariff rates in his letters were based on "common sense" and trade imbalances, even though the Brazil letter indicated otherwise. Trump suggested he had not thought of penalizing the countries whose leaders were meeting with him in the Oval Office — Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau — as "these are friends of mine now." Countries are not complaining about the rates outlined in his letters, he said, even though those tariffs have been generally close to the onesannounced April 2that rattled financial markets. The S&P 500 stock index rose Wednesday. "We really haven't had too many complaints because I'm keeping them at a very low number, very conservative as you would say," Trump said. Tariff uncertainty returns with Trump's letters Officials for the European Union, a major trade partner and source of Trump's ire on trade, said Tuesday that they are not expecting to receive a letter from Trump listing tariff rates. The Republican president started the process ofannouncing tariff rates on Mondayby hitting two major U.S. trading partners, Japan and South Korea, with import taxes of 25%. According to Trump's Wednesday letters, imports from Libya, Iraq, Algeria and Sri Lanka would be taxed at 30%, those from Moldova and Brunei at 25% and those from the Philippines at 20%. The tariffs would start Aug. 1. The Census Bureau reported that last year that the U.S. ran a trade imbalance on goods of $1.4 billion with Algeria, $5.9 billion with Iraq, $900 million with Libya, $4.9 billion with the Philippines, $2.6 billion with Sri Lanka, $111 million with Brunei and $85 million with Moldova. The imbalance represents the difference between what the U.S. exported to those countries and what it imported. Taken together, the trade imbalances with those seven countries are essentially a rounding error in a U.S. economy with a gross domestic product of $30 trillion. The letters were posted on Truth Social after the expiration of a 90-day negotiating period with a baseline levy of 10%. Trump is giving countries more time to negotiate with his Aug. 1 deadline, but he has insisted there will be no extensions for the countries that receive letters. The tariff letters are worded aggressively in Trump's style of writing. He frames the tariffs as an invitation to "participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States," adding that the trade imbalances are a "major threat" to America's economy and national security. The president threatened additional tariffs on any country that attempts to retaliate. He said he chose to send the letters because it was too complicated for U.S. officials to negotiate with their counterparts in the countries with new tariffs. It can take years to broker trade accords. ___ Associated Press writers Mauricio Savarese in Rio de Janeiro, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing 'witch hunt' trial against Bolsonaro

Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing 'witch hunt' trial against Bolsonaro WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trumpsingled o...

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Interest, ticket costs explode for Cooper Flagg's Summer League debut

Interest, ticket costs explode for Cooper Flagg's Summer League debut

Catching Cooper Flagg in his first NBA game at the Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday night has become the hottest ticket on that circuit since Victor Wembanyama's debut with the San Antonio Spurs in 2023. Flagg was picked first overall in the 2025 draft and his arrival with the Dallas Mavericks soothed a fan base shocked by the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. The NCAA National Player of the Year in his only season at Duke, Flagg had the ball in his hands often for the Blue Devils, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games before his one-year college career ended at the Final Four. Now he'll wear No. 32 with the Mavericks -- he wore 2 for Duke -- and the 6-foot-9 teenager might bring back a memory or two of Magic Johnson as he works out at point guard for Dallas. His summer kicks off Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center against the Lakers (8 p.m. ET) and Bronny James, who was one of the biggest draws in Las Vegas last July. Flagg said Tuesday afternoon he's "looking forward" to the role of playmaker. "Coach (Jon) Scheyer trusted me a lot last year," Flagg said of the audition at the point guard spot, necessitated in part by Kyrie Irving's recovery from an ACL tear. "I think it's something I can do at a high level so I'm excited to just experiment and do some new things." For Wembanyama's first game with the Spurs in Las Vegas two years ago, the most expensive single ticket available from an online reseller was $569 before fees. Flagg officially signed his four-year, $62.7 million deal on July 2 and plans to play as much as the Mavericks will allow in the summer league. Fans aren't risking missing out on Flagg in Vegas. As of midday Wednesday, courtside seats hit an average of $800 apiece, while a pair of lower bowl general admission tickets goes for around $500 and single seats in the upper reaches of the arena are $100 on most resale sites. --Field Level Media

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Interest, ticket costs explode for Cooper Flagg's Summer League debut

Interest, ticket costs explode for Cooper Flagg's Summer League debut Catching Cooper Flagg in his first NBA game at the Las Vegas Summe...

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Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

WASHINGTON (AP) — Greg LeMond, who is one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three-timeTour de Francewinner, was honored Wednesday with the Congressional Gold Medal. LeMond, 64, received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he'd receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. "It is the highest honor that we can bestow in this institution," Republican U.S. House SpeakerMike Johnsonsaid. "It honors citizens whose contributions have shaped our country, enriched our history and lifted the spirits of the American people. And much like the American Dream itself, this honor is not reserved for any one person and profession, it can be earned and won by anyone who's deserving." LeMond, a two-time World Road Race champion, was shot on a hunting trip in 1987 at the peak of his career, shortly after becoming the first American man to win the Tour de France. He recovered to win two more Tours: by the race's narrowest margin (eight seconds) in 1989 and again in 1990. "The honor is more than I ever expected, and I accept it with deep gratitude and also with a profound sense of humility," LeMond said. "Today isn't just about reflecting on my own journey. It's about honoring the people, places and the moments that shaped it." Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia. LeMond reflected on his time in Europe, where he was proudly referred to as "The American." "I am honored beyond words to receive this Congressional Gold Medal," he said. "I stand here knowing this honor isn't mine alone. It belongs to every teammate, every supporter, every family member and to all of the extraordinary Americans whose courage and sacrifice made my life and career possible. I am proud to be an American, and I thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart." ___ AP sports:https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Cyclist Greg LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony WASHINGTON (AP) — Greg LeMond, who is one of the most decorated cy...

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Senate confirms new FAA administrator at a time of rising concern about air safety

Senate confirms new FAA administrator at a time of rising concern about air safety

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, putting him in charge of the federal agency at a precarious time for the airline industry after recentaccidents, including the January collision near Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people. Bedford was confirmed on a near party-line vote, 53-43. Republicans and industry leaders lauded PresidentDonald Trump'schoice of Bedford, citing his experience as CEO of regional airline Republic Airways since 1999. Sen.Ted Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, called Bedford a "steady leader with executive experience." But Democrats and flight safety advocates opposed his nomination, citing Bedford's lack of commitment to the 1,500-hour training requirement for pilots that was put in place by Congress after a 2009 plane crash in New York. Bedford declined during his confirmation hearing to commit to upholding a rule requiring 1,500 hours of training for pilots, saying only that he would not "have anything that will reduce safety." Sen.Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce panel, accused Bedford of wanting "to roll back safety reforms and unravel the regulatory framework that made the United States the gold standard" in aviation safety. Congress implemented the 1,500-hour rule for pilot training and other safety precautions after the2009 Colgan Air crashnear Buffalo, New York. In that flight, the pilot had not been trained on how to recover froma stall in the aircraft. His actions caused the plane carrying 49 people to fall from the sky and crash into a house, where another man was killed. Families of the victims of the Colgan crash pushed for the stricter training requirements and remain vocal advocates for airline safety. They joined Senate Democratic leaderChuck Schumerat a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to express concern about Bedford's nomination. Marilyn Kausner, the mother of a passenger on the 3407 flight, said she and other families requested a meeting with Transportation SecretarySean Duffyafter Bedford's confirmation hearing. Her husband, she said, was "discouraged" after hearing what Bedford had to say at his hearing. Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, made famous for safely landing a plane in the Hudson River, also opposedDonald Trump's pick, posting onsocial media that"with the nomination of Bryan Bedford to be FAA Administrator, my life's work could be undone." Republican Sen.Todd Young, who is also on the committee, called the 1,500-hour rule an "emotional topic" but maintained that Bedford's approach to safety is clearly "analytical," prioritizing what "we ascertain leads to the best safety for passengers." "All you have to do is look at his credentials and his testimony to be persuaded that he's the right person for the job," Young said. Bedford has support from much of the industry. The air traffic controllers union noted his commitment to modernize the outdated system. Airlines for America, a trade association for major airlines, called Bedford a "superb choice." And United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said, having worked with Bedford, he had "total confidence in his ability to lead the FAA."

byMario Satorik

in

July 09, 2025

Senate confirms new FAA administrator at a time of rising concern about air safety

Senate confirms new FAA administrator at a time of rising concern about air safety WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed ...

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