England to Decide on Rice's Fitness Hours Before Semi-Final

Greg Hawthorne, a former NFL running back who won Super Bowl XIV as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers and later helped the New England Patriots reach the Super Bowl, has died at age 69. No cause of death was immediately reported. Hawthorne was a third-round draft pick by the Steelers in 1979 out of Texas Christian University. He played in 14 games as a rookie, contributing mostly on special teams and as a backup. The Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in Super Bowl XIV. After two seasons in Pittsburgh, Hawthorne was traded to the New England Patriots in 1981. He played four seasons with the Patriots, primarily as a running back and kick returner. His most memorable moment came during the 1985 AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins. With the Patriots leading 31-14 in the fourth quarter, Hawthorne recovered a fumble by Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, sealing the victory and sending New England to Super Bowl XX. The Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears in that Super Bowl. Hawthorne retired after the 1985 season. He finished his career with 1,458 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns, and 757 receiving yards. He is survived by family members. His contributions to both the Steelers and Patriots are remembered by fans and teammates.

Before each match at the World Cup, a giant flag representing the competing nations is unfurled across the field. This impressive display is not a simple task. It requires careful coordination by teams of stagehands who work together to bring the flag onto the pitch and spread it out smoothly. The process begins days in advance, with preparation and planning to ensure that everything runs perfectly on match day. The flag is often huge, covering a large portion of the field, and many hands are needed to hold it up and move it into position. The stagehands communicate constantly to time their movements, so the flag unfurls without wrinkles or tangles. This behind-the-scenes effort is essential to create a memorable moment for fans in the stadium and watching at home. The coordination highlights the teamwork and precision required to pull off such a large-scale event. While the players get the glory, these unseen workers play a crucial role in setting the stage for the tournament's opening ceremonies and pre-match rituals.

Hong Kong is strengthening its sports sector with a new initiative focused on governance and integrity. The Sports Governance and Integrity Alliance (SGIA) has been launched as a partnership with the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong. The program aims to improve how sports organizations are run, from local community sports to international events. It will provide training and guidelines to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in sports management. The initiative comes as Hong Kong seeks to boost its sports industry, including grassroots participation and elite competition. Effective governance is seen as key to handling day-to-day operations, implementing policies, and organizing major events. The SGIA will offer courses and resources to sports officials, coaches, and administrators. This move is part of a broader effort to raise standards in sports and build trust with the public. By promoting integrity, the alliance hopes to prevent issues like corruption and mismanagement in sports. The program is open to various sports bodies and aims to create a lasting impact on Hong Kong's sports culture.

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad has advised patience with head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has faced criticism after recent losses. Prasad pointed out that key players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were absent during those defeats, making it unfair to judge Gambhir's early tenure. He emphasized that Gambhir should be assessed only when the team is at full strength in future matches. Prasad also took issue with the decision to drop batsman Sanju Samson after a few low scores. 'Why is the axe always on Sanju?' Prasad asked, suggesting that the management should show more consistency and faith in talented players. He expressed concern over the slow introduction of young pacer Vaibhav Suryavanshi, hinting that the team might be mishandling promising talent. Prasad's comments come as Gambhir's leadership faces scrutiny after the team's performance. The former selector's remarks highlight the need for patience and a balanced approach in team selection and coaching evaluation.

A NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway ended in the early hours of Monday morning, drawing criticism from fans and drivers alike. Ryan Blaney won the event with a dramatic last-lap pass on Bubba Wallace, but the race's timing overshadowed the finish. Originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the race was delayed by rain for several hours. NASCAR decided to restart the race at midnight local time, leading to a finish around 3 a.m. Many fans who stayed home or left the track expressed frustration on social media. Bubba Wallace, who finished second, also voiced his displeasure, saying the late-night schedule was unfair to fans and teams. The decision to run the race so late was unusual, as NASCAR typically reschedules rain-delayed events to the following day. Critics argued that the move prioritized television ratings over fan experience. Despite the controversy, Blaney's victory was praised as one of the most thrilling of the season. The win moved him up in the playoff standings. NASCAR has not commented on the backlash.

India’s women’s cricket team achieved a historic 270-run victory against England at Lord’s, a win that captain Harmanpreet Kaur described as 'a script that only God could write.' Reflecting on the match, Kaur praised the team’s resilience and the collective effort of the support staff. The victory was built on a strong foundation by openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who set the tone early. Yastika Bhatia’s century and sharp fielding further highlighted the team’s all-round performance. This memorable triumph came shortly after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, making the turnaround even more remarkable. Kaur emphasized that the team’s hard work and belief in each other paid off, calling it one of India’s finest moments in Test cricket. The win not only showcased India’s depth but also restored confidence after recent setbacks. With this performance, the team has set a new benchmark for future matches.