New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks to the media after the game. The Patriots lost to the New York Jets, 17-3. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — Coach Bill Belichick is expected to part ways with the New England Patriots on Thursday after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles, according to ESPN.
Belichick’s departure from the franchise brings to a close one of the most storied chapters in NFL history.
With the Patriots’ 2018 Super Bowl win, Belichick joined George Halas and Curly Lambeau as the only NFL coaches to have netted six championships, according to his official profile.
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Sacramento 123, Charlotte 98
San Antonio 130, Detroit 108
Indiana 112, Washington 104
Oklahoma City 128, Miami 120
Atlanta 139, Philadelphia 132 (OT)
Chicago 124 Houston 119 (OT)
Utah 124, Denver 111
LA Clippers 126, Toronto 120
Boston 127, Minnesota 120 (OT)
New Orleans 141, Golden State 105
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Philadelphia 3 Montreal 2 (SO)
Dallas 7, Minnesota 2
Colorado 3, Vegas 0
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
UCF 65, Kansas 60
UConn 80, Xavier 75
Mississippi St. 77, Tennessee 72
North Carolina 67, NC State 54
TCU 80, Oklahoma 71
Butler 69, Marquette 62
Memphis 107, UTSA 101
Wisconsin 71, Ohio St. 60
Virginia Tech 87, Clemson 72
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
LA Lakers 130, Toronto 125 (In progress)
Minnesota 113, Orlando 92
Sacramento 131, Detroit 110
New York 112, Portland 84
Memphis 120, Dallas 103
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Seattle 5, Buffalo 2
Toronto 7, San Jose 1
Tampa Bay 3 Los Angeles 2 (OT)
Vancouver 5, NY Islanders 2
Winnipeg 5, Columbus 0
Florida 5, St. Louis 1
Anaheim 5, Nashville 3
Edmonton 2, Chicago 1
Calgary 6, Ottawa 3
Arizona 4, Boston 3 (OT)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
San Diego St. 81, San Jose St. 78
Nebraska 88, Purdue 72
Iowa St. 57, Houston 53
Kentucky 90, Missouri 77
Duke 75, Pittsburgh 53
Baylor 81, BYU 72
Auburn 66, Texas A&M 55
Boise St. 65, Colorado St. 58
Utah St. 83, Wyoming 59
Creighton 84, DePaul 58
Texas 74, Cincinnati 73
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines and his team react as he lifts the national championship trophy after defeating the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on Jan. 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(HOUSTON) — The Michigan Wolverines remain undefeated. The team, coached by Jim Harbaugh, won the College Football Playoff on Monday night, beating the Washington Huskies to become national champions.
Both teams went into the game with 14-0 records, but the Wolverines quickly began dominating on the field, scoring on their first possession.
The Wolverines had a fast start, with two touchdowns and a field goal, and — for a while — held the Washington Huskies to just a field goal. The Huskies quickly made a comeback before the half, though, scoring 10 to the Wolverines’ 17.
After the half, the teams seemed more evenly matched, with the Huskies scoring another field goal. Michigan then quickly took over, bringing the score to what would be the final tally of 34-13.
After their win, coach Harbaugh told ESPN’s Holly Rowe what it felt like to be national champions.
“It’s just such a glorious feeling. I really don’t have any more words than that,” Harbaugh said.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy also called it “glorious.”
“I just love my teammates so much. I love my coaches,” McCarthy told Rowe. “It’s bittersweet because it’s going to be the last time that we get to play together. I love those guys so much; it’s just such a special group and [there’s] no better way to end it.”
Michigan running back Blake Corum also remarked on the moment.
“I’m just so blessed,” he said on ESPN. “I’m kind of speechless. I’m just trying to take it in.”
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Oklahoma City 136, Washington 128
Chicago 119, Charlotte 112 (OT)
Indiana 133, Boston 131
Miami 120, Houston 113
Utah 132, Milwaukee 116
LA Clippers 138, Phoenix 111
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Vancouver 6, NY Rangers 3
Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 1
Dallas 4, Minnesota 0
Colorado 4, Boston 3 (SO)
TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Michigan 34, Washington 13
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cleveland 117, San Antonio 115
Portland 134, Brooklyn 127
New Orleans 133, Sacramento 100
Orlando 117, Atlanta 110
Dallas 115, Minnesota 108
Denver 131, Detroit 114
Memphis 121, Phoenix 115
Toronto 133, Golden State 118
LA Lakers 106, LA Clippers 103
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Washington 4, Los Angeles 3
Chicago 4, Calgary 3
Winnipeg 6, Arizona 2
Detroit 3, Anaheim 2
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Cincinnati 31, Cleveland 14
Detroit 30, Minnesota 20
NY Jets 17, New England 3
New Orleans 48, Atlanta 17
Tampa Bay 9, Carolina 0
Tennessee 28, Jacksonville 20
Dallas 38, Washington 10
Green Bay 17, Chicago 9
Kansas City 13, LA Chargers 12
LA Rams 21, San Francisco 20
Las Vegas 27, Denver 14
NY Giants 27, Philadelphia 10
Seattle 21, Arizona 20
Buffalo 21, Miami 14
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Milwaukee 125, San Antonio 121
Denver 130, Golden State 127
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Florida 4, Vegas 1
Detroit 4, Los Angeles 3 (SO)
Winnipeg 2 San Jose 1
NY Rangers 4, Chicago 1
Buffalo 6, Montreal 1
Pittsburgh 6, Boston 5
Columbus 3, Philadelphia 2 (SO)
St. Louis 2, Vancouver 1
Tampa Bay 4, Minnesota 1
Calgary 6, Nashville 3
Colorado 5 Dallas 4 (OT)
NY Islanders 5, Arizona 1
Seattle 4, Ottawa 1
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Arizona 97, Colorado 50
Memphis 78, Tulsa 75
James Madison 68, Louisiana-Lafayette 61
Gonzaga 86, Pepperdine 60
(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Sacramento 138, Orlando 135 (OT)
Cleveland 140, Washington 101
Indiana 142, Milwaukee 130
Atlanta 141, Oklahoma City 138
New Orleans 117, Minnesota 106
Toronto 116, Memphis 111
Houston 112, Brooklyn 101
New York 116, Chicago 100
Dallas 126, Portland 97
LA Clippers 131, Phoenix 122
Utah 154, Detroit 148 (OT)
Miami 110, LA Lakers 96
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
New Jersey 6, Washington 3
Toronto 2, Anaheim 1 (OT)
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Miami 95, Clemson 82
Seton Hall 61, Providence 57
Former Houston Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey (left) with the 2022 Coyotes senior captain Justyn Rendon in Uvalde, Texas. (Houston Texans)
(UVALDE, Texas) — Roland Ramirez was shocked when he saw the headlines coming out of his hometown, Uvalde, Texas. As director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer for the NFL’s Houston Texans, Ramirez was living across the state when he learned that 19 children and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School.
Ramirez told ABC News that he knew some of the victims’ families, and that a former classmate’s daughter was injured in the shooting and underwent difficult surgeries. He wanted to help, and, almost immediately, Ramirez would feel the full support of his NFL affiliation.
“When tragedy struck his hometown in May 2022, our players immediately started gathering money to support the grieving community in honor of Roland. They raised $200,000 and, in support of their generosity, we matched their gift,” said Hannah McNair, vice president of the Houston Texans Foundation. “That was really what started the special relationship we have with the team and the entire Uvalde community.”
In a season where the players faced extreme adversity, Ramirez was able to be the connective tissue introducing the Houston Texans into the small, rural community of Uvalde. The Texans met student-athletes and gave back to the youth athletic programs, but he would soon learn the impact extended beyond the high school players.
Former Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey told ABC News, “They look at us as superheroes, but I looked at them. Sometimes during football, we get so caught up in wins and losses, who didn’t score this many points or who didn’t, you know, make these tackles, and you look at life, and life still goes on, and people still have things going on in life.”
Kirksey said he was inspired by the Coyotes, Uvalde High School’s football team, when he visited Uvalde — three months after the shooting — with the Texans’ owners, some coaches and players. He stayed in touch with Coyotes senior captain Justyn Rendon, offering support throughout the season. Rendon was selected among his peers to represent the jersey No. 21, honoring the 21 victims of the tragedy.
In continued support, Kirksey also gifted the team new custom Nikes in their school colors: maroon and gray.
“As a high school kid, you know, taking me back to when I was in high school, you always want to have a fresh pair of kicks,” said Kirksey.
As the 2022 season unfolded, a plethora of surprises were planned for the Coyotes program, including the Texans outfitting the team with new uniforms and cleats, inviting the student-athletes to the Texans season opener and, during that game, wearing “Uvalde Strong” decals on their helmets in solidarity, among others.
The Texans also nominated Coyotes coach Wade Miller for one of the highest high school coaching awards.
“Coach Miller exemplifies the best in high school coaching,” said McNair. “We nominated him for the NFL’s High School Coach of the Year Award in 2022 because he led and continues to lead the team with the highest character and integrity.”
The Texans gave Coach Miller and Justyn Rendon tickets to the Super Bowl in February. It was a trip of a lifetime for both of them.
Football, in Texas, became a rallying point amid a community immersed in grief.
“They fought together, … and for them to be able to at least enjoy some Friday nights, enjoy some football games and do things like that that are out of the norm each and every day. I hope those players will always carry some pride with him knowing that they help that community and help each one of those families that were suffering,” said Ramirez.
“21: Loyal and True,” from ABC News and ESPN Films, follows the 2022 season of the Uvalde Coyotes High School football team in the aftermath of tragedy. It premieres Jan. 3 on ESPN+, then streams on ABC News Live starting on Jan. 5.
The Uvalde High School Coyotes played and won their first home game of the season in Uvalde, Texas, Sept. 2, 2022. (Kat Caulderwood/ABC News)
(UVALDE, Texas) — From the roar of the crowd to the hot summer air, this football stadium could be any Texas town on a Friday night.
But this is a Friday night in Uvalde.
Uvalde’s Honey Bowl Stadium is just 2.4 miles from Robb Elementary School, where 19 children and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting on May 24, 2022, that shook the nation.
After the tragedy, the Uvalde High School football program helped uplift its grief-stricken community.
The team had a 2-8 record in 2021. But when the 2022 season started three months after the shooting, the Uvalde Coyotes games gave the community a reason to smile.
Supporters packed the stands and erupted in cheers as the players ran out onto the field each weekend, bringing happiness to those desperately seeking solace from their grief, anxiety and anger.
Heading into the season, senior linebacker Justyn Rendon said he was excited to help “bring the joy back to this town.”
“It’s gonna mean a lot more. … It’s gonna be very emotional, very exciting,” he said. “And hopefully those little kids get to come out and watch us win. And that they don’t have to feel scared, or have to be sad, but they get to feel the joy of being around their friends, their families.”
Rendon said nearly everyone in Uvalde was impacted by the massacre, including those on the football team.
One player lost his sister.
Rendon’s neighbor, bubbly 10-year-old Tess Mata, was killed.
“She was our light. She was our joy,” said Tess’ mom, Veronica Mata.
Rendon’s youngest brother was at Robb that day.
In honor of the 21 lives lost at Robb, the football players decided to start a new tradition, bestowing the No. 21 jersey to one deserving senior whose character made him a role model.
Rendon was selected by his peers for the inaugural 2022 season.
“It was an honor,” Rendon said.
But he added, “I felt a lot of pressure. … Running out on that field every Friday night and representing that number, it’s a big deal. It’s a lot of emotion at one time, especially for someone my age.”
“At the beginning I was a little skeptical [of the jersey number], because I didn’t want to take away from the tragedy,” said Justyn’s dad, Eluterio Rendon. “But I also know that the community has to begin to heal.”
Veronica Mata supported it, saying Justyn Rendon “represented our kids to the fullest.”
Football was not only an outlet for the community, but also for the players.
Practice became “like a therapy,” Justyn Rendon said. “Everybody didn’t have to feel the sadness and the sorrow. They just were able to feel the comfort of the family that we have.”
“We didn’t want to put all this [pressure] on Justyn ’cause he’s [No.] 21,” added wide receiver Jarrett Hernandez.
So many of the team seniors came together to shoulder the weight.
Head coach Wade Miller commended the teens for the maturity and compassion they showed throughout the season’s uncharted waters.
“I don’t know how many kids would’ve handled it the way these guys have,” he said.
“Winning football games keeps me employed,” Miller said. “But to me, my job is to make sure that these guys [become] good husbands and fathers and citizens.”
After a losing 2021 season, the Coyotes racked up a mix of wins and losses in 2022.
Pushing through a maze of overwhelming emotions, the resilient Uvalde Coyotes finished their transformative year 5-5 and made it to the playoffs, where they lost in the first game.
“It’s nice to know that you’ve taken what is, quite possibly, one of the bottom 10 teams in the region, and you got ’em in the playoffs the next year,” Miller said. “As we get better and as this program grows — and I have no doubt it will grow and get better — you can look back at this football season and [these seniors] as leaders. They’re the building blocks.”
It was the way they led with grace and united the community that made it a winning season, their coaches said.
“They took the time to honor our kids and honor our two teachers every chance that they had when they were out on that field,” said Veronica Mata. “I’m proud of them. We really appreciate everything that they did for us.”
After the 2022 season concluded, the team, including seniors ready to move on to their next chapters, gathered one last time to clean out their lockers.
“To say that we’re proud of you would be an understatement,” Miller told the players in the locker room. “You guys have done things that’ve gone way beyond football.”
“21: Loyal and True,” from ABC News and ESPN Films, follows the 2022 season of the Uvalde Coyotes High School football team in the aftermath of tragedy. It premieres Jan. 3 on ESPN+, then streams on ABC News Live starting on Jan. 5.
