Buccaneers to debut original 1976 uniforms in 2025 home opener vs Jets

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will throw it back to their roots when they open their 50th NFL season. The team announced Tuesday that they will wear their original 1976 uniforms in the 2025 home opener against the New York Jets on Sunday, September 21. Tampa Bay has worn Creamsicle throwbacks in select games since 2009, but this marks the first time since 1976 that the Bucs will wear the exact design from their inaugural season. “The ’76 Jersey represents a piece of Buccaneers history and serves as a tribute to the generations of fans and players who shaped this franchise,” said COO Brian Ford. “As we launch into our 50th season, we’re proud to reintroduce The ’76 Jersey and the tradition it embodies.” The uniforms feature white jerseys with orange numbers and red outlines, paired with white pants, white helmets, and striped socks. The look also includes a special touch: “Hey! Hey! Tampa Bay!” stitched inside the collar — a nod to the team’s original fight song from 1979, the year Tampa earned its first winning season and playoff berth. The return of the original look is part of a broader celebration of the Bucs’ golden anniversary and the journey that began in 1976.

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Alcaraz

Alcaraz Impressed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Fluent Spanish

Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has praised Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Spanish-speaking skills following the defender’s official unveiling at Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold delivered his entire welcome speech in Spanish at Real Madrid City, earning admiration from fans and teammates alike. Alcaraz, speaking to the BBC, said: “If I meet him one day I’m going to speak with him in Spanish. His Spanish is pretty, pretty good.” The Wimbledon champion added he was surprised by the Liverpool-born player’s fluency: “It’s not easy when you’re standing in front of a new club, new president, new teammates, new everyone. Speaking another language, and being able to do it like this, respect to him. But he’s so serious!” The comments sparked excitement among fans, teasing a possible future meeting or collaboration between two of Spain’s newest sporting icons.

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Birk Risa

New York City FC transfer Birk Risa back to Molde

New York City FC have transferred Birk Risa to Molde FK in Norway’s top division, the club confirmed on Monday. The 27-year-old defender returns to Molde, where he previously made 95 appearances, scored 3 goals, added 6 assists, and won two titles before moving to NYCFC in July 2023. During his time in New York, Risa played 62 matches across all competitions, contributing 1 assist. “We would like to thank Birk for all his contributions to the club,” said sporting director David Lee. “His leadership on and off the field has been truly infectious. We respect his desire to return home and support his decision to prioritize his family.” Lee added that the move gives NYCFC “additional roster flexibility” to strengthen the squad for the rest of the season. In their first season under head coach Pascal Jansen, NYCFC sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and are on pace to qualify for the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.

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Messi

Lionel Messi named Player of the Matchday

Lionel Messi  has been named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra after continuing his incredible form for Inter Miami CF . The Argentine superstar scored braces in back-to-back wins against New England Revolution and Nashville SC, both 2-1 victories. That makes it five consecutive league matches with two goals for Messi — a record in MLS history. He has now scored 11 goals in his last six games, tying Josef Martínez  for the most goals over a six-match stretch in league history. Lionel Messi also sits joint-top of the Golden Boot race with 16 goals, level with Sam Surridge of Nashville. With 36 goals and 23 assists in his last 35 MLS appearances, Messi continues to average over 1 goal per game and 1.68 goal contributions per game. He is also on track to become the first player in league history to win back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP awards.

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Marcel Hartel

Marcel Hartel leads St. Louis to “best game” since coaching change

St. Louis CITY SC  delivered a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over the Portland Timbers on Matchday 24, with Marcel Hartel playing the hero at Energizer Park. The German midfielder scored both goals for St. Louis after David Da Costa had put Portland ahead in the first half. Hartel’s performance electrified the home crowd and helped snap a tough stretch for the club. “It’s so important for us as a team, as a club – especially for these amazing fans – that we win again,” Marcel Hartel  told Michele Giannone on MLS Season Pass after the match.“For me, it was our best game so far under the coaching change. I’m very happy for the team and especially for these three points.” The win reflects St. Louis’ ability to bounce back and feed off their home support, with Hartel’s influence growing under the new leadership.

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Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs says he’s being split out ‘way more’

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs says he’s being split out ‘way more’ under new OC John Morton Jahmyr Gibbsis preparing for a bigger role in the Detroit Lions’ passing attack under new offensive coordinator John Morton. The third-year running back told WXYT Detroit that he’s being lined up out wide far more than in his first two NFL seasons. “I gotta learn the formations for being split out,” Gibbs said. “I’m being split out like way more than I was the past two years. That’s good. That’s going to be fun. I’ve been waiting on that.” Detroit has long viewed Gibbs as more than just a traditional runner. Since drafting him 12th overall in 2023, they’ve talked about maximizing his receiving skills. But under former OC Ben Johnson, Gibbs mainly operated from the backfield taking 568 of his 638 snaps there last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He lined up in the slot just 32 times and went out wide 38 times both down from his rookie year. Through two seasons, Gibbs has caught 104 passes for 833 yards and 5 touchdowns. With Morton now calling plays, Gibbs looks set for more action in the slot and out wide, creating potential mismatch problems . Even with more receiving work, the Lions won’t move away from David Montgomery, who complements Gibbs with a more physical rushing style. Instead, Detroit could run both backs together more often, using Gibbs as a receiver to keep defenses guessing.

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colston loveland

Bears TE Colston Loveland says shoulder recovery is ‘good’

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland is staying optimistic about his shoulder recovery, but he admits the real test will come once training camp begins. “It’s been good. There haven’t really been live bullets flying yet. We’ll really know in camp once I get out there, doing a lot more stuff,” Loveland told Aaron McMann of MLive. last week at a youth football camp in Ann Arbor. Loveland is recovering from offseason AC joint surgery on his shoulder. He didn’t participate fully during the Bears’ offseason workouts but used that time to focus on the mental side of Ben Johnson’s offense. He was even spotted throwing with his left hand, hinting at ongoing caution with the injured shoulder. In June, Johnson said it was too early to predict if Loveland would be ready for training camp. With rookies set to report Saturday, July 19, the team will soon find out if Loveland can participate fully or needs a slower ramp-up. Chicago selected Loveland for his ability to stretch defenses and create mismatches. Whether he’s ready to do that right away remains to be seen.

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Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence praises Travis Hunter as “one of the hardest-working guys” on Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is already impressed with rookie Travis Hunter, praising his work ethic and commitment just months into his NFL journey. “Travis has been great — just his work ethic, how he’s come in,” Lawrence said last week during the American Century Championship golf tournament, via WJXT’s Jamal St. Cyr.“He’s been one of the hardest-working guys we have. I think it’s commitment to learning the playbook and trying to learn the two systems. It’s a lot on a rookie, it’s challenging to learn everything and he’s done a nice job.” Hunter, known for his rare two-way talent as a cornerback and wide receiver, is trying to do what hasn’t been done in modern NFL history — play both sides of the ball consistently. Lawrence acknowledged the task is difficult but remains optimistic about Hunter’s potential. “We still have work to do and we’re going to get a lot done in training camp and get us ready to play come September. I’m really excited for him and how he can help our team.” Skeptics remain, including Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who recently pointed out how opponents will try to wear Hunter down. The demands of playing both offense and defense at the pro level, combined with the looming “rookie wall,” will test Hunter’s stamina and durability. Still, for now, the Jaguars appear all in on his versatility  and Lawrence is clearly a believer.

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Xavier Worthy expects more deep plays in Chiefs offense: “Get your hamstrings ready”

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy believes the Kansas City Chiefs are ready to bring back the deep shots that once defined their offense. During an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Up and Adams”, Xavier Worthy shared what head coach Andy Reid told the team early in OTAs:“Coach Reid told us during OTAs Phase 1, ‘When you come back, get your hamstrings ready,’” Worthy said.“So, we kind of knew that we were going to be going a little deep during practice. We kind of got our bodies and our minds ready for what we’re going to be doing in practice.” Kansas City has won consistently in recent years but faced criticism for a less explosive offense. Since their 2019 Super Bowl win, they’ve remained a top team, reaching the Super Bowl five times in six seasons, but without the same highlight-reel plays that once defined them. Worthy, a first-round pick who ran a record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine, could be the spark Reid and Patrick Mahomes need to stretch the field again.

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Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins arrested on domestic violence charge

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on Saturday in Broward County, Florida, on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, according to sheriff’s office records. The 21-year-old was charged with touch or strike battery/domestic violence and released on Sunday after posting bond. A Broward County judge found probable cause and ordered Judkins to avoid contact with the alleged victim and not access firearms. An NFL spokesperson said, “We are aware of the matter, but will decline further comment.” The Cleveland Brownshave also acknowledged the situation and are “gathering information,” per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. According to police, officers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department responded to a call in the 1500 block of West Cypress Creek Road regarding a delayed battery incident. Preliminary investigation confirmed a battery had occurred. Judkins was later taken into custody and booked into Broward County Main Jail. an arrest report obtained by Pelissero alleges that Judkins punched a woman(who identified herself as his girlfriend) in the chin/lip area and later hit her in the left arm and thigh while they were in a car leaving Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport on July 7. Judkins, who remains unsigned, was the 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a standout college career. He rushed for 1,060 yards in his lone season at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes win the national championship, following two productive years at Ole Miss.

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