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'Let's not panic': Canada picks up the pieces after ugly Latvia loss at world juniorsDENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Pat Graham, The Associated Press
NoneDr. Phillips alum Trinity Turner brings her ‘poise, charisma’ to Georgia basketball
OTTAWA - Peter Anholt tried to keep things light as he emerged from one of the elevators at Canada's hotel. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! OTTAWA - Peter Anholt tried to keep things light as he emerged from one of the elevators at Canada's hotel. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – Peter Anholt tried to keep things light as he emerged from one of the elevators at Canada’s hotel. The temperature had been turned way up on the veteran hockey executive and the country’s under-20 program after a stunning upset some 12 hours earlier. “You only want to talk to me when things are bad, eh?” Anholt joked to reporters Saturday morning. Canada head coach Dave Cameron speaks to his players during third period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship preliminary round action against Latvia in Ottawa on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick “Is that how this works?” That is indeed what happens when a powerhouse with a record 20 gold medals expected to roll over an opponent suffers one of its worst all-time defeats at the tournament. Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia — a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings — in a shocking shootout Friday. Coming off a disastrous fifth-place finish last year in Sweden and having talked a lot about upping their compete level and preparation, the Canadians looked disjointed for long stretches against the plucky, hard-working Latvians. The power play finally clicked late in the third period, but stands at 1-for-7 through two games, while the top line of Easton Cowan, Calum Ritchie and Bradly Nadeau has yet to translate its pre-tournament chemistry into success in the spotlight. “We’re certainly trying to problem solve, but not throw the baby out with the bath water,” said Anholt, who heads the world junior setup. “We’ve got to be really careful.” Canada, which picked up a solid 4-0 victory over Finland to open its tournament Thursday, had plenty of offensive zone time and directed 57 shots at Latvian goaltender Linards Feldbergs. Included in that total, however, were far too many one-and-done efforts from the perimeter with little traffic in front. There were, of course, desperate spurts — especially late in regulation and in 3-on-3 overtime — but not nearly enough for a roster peppered with first-round NHL draft picks and top prospects. “We played really, really hard,” Anholt said in defending his players. “We controlled the puck lots. We created some chances. Their goalie was really good and they defended really good ... 99 times out of 100 we win that game.” Hoping for a big response Sunday against Germany before meeting the United States on New Year’s Eve to tie a bow on round-robin action in Group A, Canada will have to push ahead minus one of its best players. Star defenceman Matthew Schaefer was injured Friday and is done for the tournament after he slammed into Latvia’s net and skated off favouring his left shoulder area. “Tough blow for the kid,” Anholt said. “The way he plays the game, he plays it at such a high speed.” Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round selection, said Canada remains confident despite Friday’s ugly result in the nation’s capital. “We’re good,” said the 19-year-old from Mount Brydges, Ont. “Everyone’s lost a hockey game before.” But not like that — or to that opponent on that stage. “Bit of a (crappy) feeling,” said Nadeau, a Carolina Hurricanes prospect from St-Francois-de-Madawaska, N.B. “We all know what this group is capable of. Losing that game is not our standard. “We’ll bounce back.” Some corners of social media exploded following the Latvian debacle, with heavy criticism directed at head coach Dave Cameron and the team’s overall roster construction. “We’re not really worried about it,” defenceman and Ottawa native Oliver Book, who like Cowan is back from last year’s team, said of the outside noise. “We know we didn’t play well.” Canada appears poised to mix things up against the Germans. Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio of Kamloops, B.C., is set draw in for Schaefer, while Anholt indicated there’s a good chance forward Carson Rehkopf will get his first crack at the 2025 tournament as a returnee. The 19-year-old Seattle Kraken second-round pick from Vaughan, Ont., has scored a combined 78 goals over his last 97 regular-season and playoff games in the Ontario Hockey League. “Great player,” Cowan said. “He finds ways.” Anholt said taking a big-picture approach is key in challenging moments. “Let’s not panic,” he said. “The world hasn’t fallen in. It’s hard, but we’ll learn from it.” It’s something Canada will have to do under intense scrutiny. “People are gonna love you and people are gonna hate you,” said Cowan, who has a goal an assist through two games. “Gotta keep doing you.” Anholt, who was also at the helm 12 months ago when Canada never got in gear, isn’t getting 2024 vibes from this year’s group. “Not even in any way, shape or form,” he said. “We’ve just got to take care of business.” They get a first shot at redemption Sunday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has been appointed to lead a subcommittee dedicated to working with President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency. Known as a Republican firebrand and close ally of Trump, Greene has already set her sights on rooting out “every penny of waste and abuse.” “We’ll be looking at everything from government-funded media programs like NPR that spread nothing but Democrat propaganda, we’ll be going into grant programs that fund things like sex apps in Malaysia, toilets in Africa,” she said on a media appearance Sunday morning. The subcommittee will be under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, which is chaired by U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky. “We want to make the government more efficient,” Comer said on a media appearance . “We want to work for the taxpayers, not the bureaucrats. We hate the deep state, we’ve dealt with the deep state, we’ve fought the deep state.” He added that Republicans are excited to implement the recommendations of DOGE, which, as an advisory committee, will have to work with Trump and Congress to change policies. “What Trump has ... are willing partners to make government more efficient,” Comer said of Congress. Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla Motors, and Vivek Ramaswamy are currently heading up DOGE. “Looking forward to working together with Congress,” Ramaswamy said on social media of Greene’s appointment . “Proper oversight of agencies and public transparency are critical.” DOGE has made it a key part of its plan to address the national debt of $36 trillion. That is $273,000 owed per taxpayer. “This trend must be reversed, and we must balance the budget,” DOGE posted . For her part, Greene has promised to “drain the swamp,” stating that “nothing is off the table” when it comes to holding government agencies like the Pentagon accountable. “Our government should steward every single cent of your hard-earned money,” Greene said. “The DOGE subcommittee will expose the waste and bring truth and transparency to the American people.” Bureaucrats and independent contractors will also be on the chopping block, in what Greene called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make real transformational change to government to benefit the American people.” “In the private sector, if you’re not doing a good job, you get fired,” she said on social media . “But for some reason, in government, bad employees – whether they’re failing to do the job they were hired to do or working in roles that are no longer needed – never get fired. This is incredibly unfair to the hard-working taxpayers of our country, and it’s about to change.” Recently, an audit of the IRS found that its employees and contractors owe millions in taxes, all while the agency warned thousands of taxpayers that they could face jail time. “The same unelected IRS government employees and contractors, who owe $50 million in unpaid taxes, would throw Americans in jail for not paying their taxes,” Greene said of the audit . “Time to hold them all accountable.” Greene also addressed Democrats' accusations that the subcommittee will go after programs like Social Security. “No, Senator Warren, we are not going to take away a senior’s Social Security. That’s a lie,” Greene responded on social media . “We are going to investigate all areas of the federal government like CFPB, an ‘independent’ agency inside the federal government. Beholden to no one. Ran by unelected bureaucrats.”When these 40 popular celebrities aren't busy creating blockbuster hits or winning NBA championships, you could probably catch them gaming. Check them out below. LeBron James In addition to being the best basketball player in the world, LeBron James is also a passionate gamer. The NBA star filmed a promotional spot for PlayStation in 2023, saying he's always "ready to get on the sticks." He also appeared in Netflix's Starting 5 , where he spoke about enjoying a relaxing night with a glass of wine and Madden . Patrick Mahomes Patrick Mahomes is too good of a quarterback to give up football; however, the Super Bowl champ has revealed that if he didn't play in the NFL, he'd be an Esports player. When asked what his favorite game was during a chat with CharlieIntel , he went with a classic: Call of Duty . Tyreek Hill It might be hard to believe, but Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill actually uses Madden to prepare the night before a big NFL game. "I feel like Madden has a good tell of how good players are," he said in a TikTok in 2023 . "So, I just play [the game] the night before." Noah Lyles Noah Lyles enjoys many things, including fitness, anime, and League of Legends . In fact, the Olympic champion has a massive desk with multiple monitors, custom keyboards, and wired mice for accuracy. Naomi Osaka We know Naomi Osaka is a powerhouse tennis player, but did you also know she's a big gamer? In an interview with Vanity Fair , the Olympian said gaming allows her to free her mind. "... it is a great escapism for me as I have always been into gaming and fantasy-type storytelling," she said. Stephen Nedoroscik In addition to enjoying mental games like Rubik's Cube, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik is a huge fan of video games, specifically Rocket League . In August 2024, the athlete shared a video of himself playing the video game online. After the clip made its rounds, fans saw Steve was not just good. He's great. In the game, Nedoroscik is a Grand Champion and in the top 1.7% of players. Anthony Davis When Anthony Davis is not scoring buckets and snagging rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers , the NBA champion enjoys playing several different video games , including Call of Duty , Halo , Grand Theft Auto , and, of course, NBA2K . But don't get it confused. When he plays the latter, he doesn't play as himself because he finds it "weird." Cam Newton Although it's been a few years since Cam Newtown has set foot on a football field, the NFL player still loves to play Madden in his free time. "I got two TVs, so I can have both a PlayStation and an Xbox going at once. When I’m finishing up one game, I can connect the other game up," he told Sports Illustrated . "People don’t really know that, but I’m really a nerd when it comes to getting good at a game. Madden brings out the nerd in me." Paul George Believe it or not, Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been "very good at video games" since he was a child. The Olympic gold medalist revealed more about his love for virtual gaming during an interview with the popular YouTube channel Built by Gamers . Damian Lillard The NBA isn't the only thing keeping Damian Lillard busy. When he's not putting the Milwaukee Bucks on his back or recording new music for his rap career, the 34-year-old told Sports Illustrated he's usually playing video games. Ariana Grande Some readers might be shocked to see that chart-topping singer Ariana Grande is a huge fan of video games. She has spoken about her love of virtual gaming in songs and interviews. In 2021, she said she loved Mario Kart and Sackboy . And her passion doesn't stop there. She's also teamed up with popular gaming studios to create custom packs for the online phenomenon Fortnite . Megan Fox When Megan Fox isn't busy starring in blockbuster films and award-winning television shows, the actress prefers to relax with a nice video game. In 2021, she spoke about playing Mortal Kombat with her then-boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, and revealed she "crushed" him. "Like, destroyed him every time we fought. We did, like, 40-something matches, and I absolutely destroyed him every time." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Since Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in a 2017 movie about a video game, it's not surprising to hear that he's a fan of them IRL. During a previous interview , the former WWE star said he loves Mortal Kombat and Madden . Tom Holland I know what you're thinking. Spider-Man's favorite video game has to be ... Spider-Man . However, that's not the case for Tom Holland. In the past, he told fans that the game he enjoys most is the action-adventure series Unchartered. (He starred in the Uncharted film adaptation.) Beyoncé We knew Beyoncé was a massive gamer thanks to the token she left her fans in an early 2024 Verizon commercial. But we can't forget that she's revealed her love for video games before. In 2019, she told Entertainment Weekly that in addition to "Wii games," the singer is a fan of Guitar Hero , Tetris , and BrickBreaker on the BlackBerry. Vin Diesel If you're a fan of Vin Diesel, you likely already know the Fast and Furious actor is a big fan of playing video games during his free time , especially Dungeons & Dragons . He joked about his love and extensive knowledge of the game during a 2022 interview. "They thought I played D&D back in the '70s when it's just the basic D&D set. They thought I continued to play D&D when it became Advanced Dungeons and Dragons ," he said. Samuel L. Jackson Samuel L. Jackson might not be a massive lover of video games; however, he did voice the role of Office Tenpenny, the main antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas . That has to count for something, right? Jack Black Another Jumanji star who enjoys gaming is Jack Black. In fact, his deep love for the hobby drove him to create a YouTube channel, JablinskiGames , where the iconic actor posts several videos, including a few of him playing popular titles like Lego Star Wars . Zac Efron This former Disney star might not be much of a gamer these days, but in 2007, that's all Zac Efron could think about. His favorite game at the time was the military science title Halo . He was actually spotted in 2007 at a midnight launch of the game's third edition. Drake When Drake isn't creating chart-topping hits, the "Find Your Love" singer is playing Fortnite in the studio with his boys and on Twitch with popular streamers like Ninja. Gordon Hayward Gordon Hayward used to be a popular NBA player, but he has also made a name for himself in the gaming world. His love for games like Fortnite , League of Legends , and Halo led to his collaboration with HyperX , a gaming brand that offers headsets, keyboards, and microphones. They teamed up to release a limited-edition bundle featuring headsets and sneakers with the basketball player's logo. Devin Booker If Devin Booker's spot in the Call of Duty commercial didn't prove gaming is one of the NBA player's favorite pastimes, I'm not sure what else could. Karl-Anthony Towns This Minnesota Timberwolves center is also another NBA player with a deep passion for Call of Duty . In his free time, Karl-Anthony Towns enjoys streaming his wins on Twitch and YouTube. Chad Johnson If you've kept up with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson over the years, then you already know the former NFL wide receiver plays games ... at least that's what his previous girlfriends have said . However, he loves virtual video games, too. According to him, he's "the best FIFA player in the [United] States." JuJu Smith-Schuster NFL fans discovered JuJu Smith-Schuster was a big gamer when he showed off his impressive Fortnite skills during his record-breaking Twitch stream with Ninja, Drake, and Travis Scott . Xavier Woods Yes, we know Xavier Woods is an entertaining force inside the WWE ring. But we can't forget that he's an even more epic gamer. Like his peers on this list, the 38-year-old streams some of his best gaming moments on his YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown . (Is that a cheat code?) Jeremy Lin NBA star Jeremy Lin is a huge DOTA player . Years ago, he admitted he plays the game several times a week—even during the busy season. Ben Simmons Like some of his buddies on other teams, NBA star Ben Simmons loves a good game of Call of Duty . He even streams some of his sessions on Twitch when he can! Kyler Murray Kyler Murray loves Call of Duty almost as much as he loves playing in the NFL. His passion has driven him to stream some of his gaming sessions and defend himself against some of his biggest critics . Michael Phelps Can you tell Call of Duty is the go-to video game for several professional athletes? In addition to that classic title, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps enjoys playing PGA Tour and FIFA . Next, they need to make a decent swimming game so the retired athlete can snatch a new crown. Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg loves a fun extracurricular activity ... if you know what I mean. When he's not busy sparking up or hanging with his bestie, Martha Stewart , the beloved rapper is streaming video gamers online. His passion actually runs so deep that he once called EA Sports, Microsoft, and Bill Gates out by name in a video posted to his social media. What can I say? You can't interrupt the man's stream. Henry Cavill Henry Cavill isn't just a regular gamer. The Netflix star takes his virtual gameplay so seriously that he once built his own PC to take his online gaming to the next level. Daniel Craig Daniel Craig doesn't talk much, so his favorite video games to play in 2024 are unknown. However, this throwback photo of the Knives Out actor playing a PSP back in the day proves he takes his interactive entertainment seriously. Matthew Perry Matthew Perry from Friends loved playing video games on his Xbox 360. The late actor once shared that he played Fallout 3 so often that he experienced tendonitis, leading him "to go get injections in my hand." Mila Kunis Mila Kunis has never been shy about her love of video games. She once told Jimmy Kimmel that she loves World of Warcraft so much that she spends hours playing against others. In fact, she revealed during a YouTube interview that her agent logs onto the game to contact her. Serena Williams Serena Williams may not be a huge gamer these days; however, she has admitted in the past that she's a fan of old-school games like Punch-Out! and Duck Hunt . Jamie Lee Curtis Thanks to her son , Halloween actor Jamie Lee Curtis has become a huge fan of games like Street Fighter and League of Legends . Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian is more than just a millionaire socialite. She's also a gamer, and in 2012, she posted on X/Twitter about her excitement for the Call of Duty: Black Ops game. "The graphics look crazy!" Imagine how they look in 2024, Kim! Jessica Alba It could be easy to think Jessica Alba is only a fan of the Nintendo Switch because they pay her to promote the console. However, the actress has spoken publicly about her love of the company and their classics, including the Wii. Rosario Dawson Not only has Rosario Dawson been open about her love for video games, but she's also advocated for female gamers worldwide. Thanks to her, users were able to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 with a female lead character. Jacquez Printup has been writing about all things entertainment, including reality TV, pop culture, and celebrity news, since his time as a student at Ohio University. Since graduating, he's continued binging seasons of "Vanderpump Rules" and “Big Brother” and talking about them online. His writing has been featured in publications like ScreenRant, Yahoo, RealityTea, Yardbarker, and in the popular television series "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
Georgia's Dasha Vidmanova, Columbia's Michael Zheng win NCAA singles titles