Novak Djokovic withdraws from U.S. Open, Dennis Rodman not going to Russia to help Brittney Griner, Terrell Owens runs 40 in 4.38 seconds at age 48, Rams-Bengals brawl, Kurt Busch out, Vanessa Bryant to donate $16M.
Novak Djokovic withdraws from U.S. Open
Novak Djokovic, the former world No. 1 in tennis and a 21-time major champion, announced he is withdrawing from the US Open due to travel restrictions that bar him from entering the United States as a result of being unvaccinated.
"Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open," Djokovic tweeted on Thursday. "Good luck to my fellow players! I'll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. See you soon tennis world!"
Dennis Rodman now not going to Russia to help Brittney Griner
Legendary NFL basketball player Dennis Rodman now says he will not be traveling to Russia to assist in releasing WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was recently sentenced to 9.5 years in prison on drug charges, CBSSports reported. A US State Department spokesperson said Rodman's intervention "is likely to complicate and hinder ... release efforts." The US has issued a travel advisory due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Terrell Owens runs 40 in 4.38 seconds at age 48
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens recently boasted that at 48 years old, he could still run a 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds. A video has gone viral showing Owens doing just that, racing Fan Controlled League wide receivers James Harden (no relation to the NBA star) and Andrew Jamiel at a park in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Owens clocked in at 4.38 seconds, CBS Sports reported. Watch the video on Twitter here.
Rams-Bengals brawl: Media calling for suspension of Aaron Donald
The Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals held a joint practice session on Wednesday, and it didn't end well. The conflict started with a small dust-up between the Rams' first-team defense and the Bengals' first-team offense. The spat was broken up fairly quickly, CBSSports reported.
Then another altercation led to an all-out brawl between the two teams. In the aftermath, members of the NFL media are calling for a suspension of three-time NFL defensive player of the year Aaron Donald, who was seen swinging a helmet toward Bengals players, Sports Illustrated reported.
Kurt Busch to miss start of NASCAR cup playoffs
Kurt Busch has withdrawn a waiver NASCAR provided to allow him to remain eligible for the playoffs despite missing the last five races because of concussion-like symptoms resulting from a July 23 crash. Busch will miss the start of the playoffs, and no timetable has been given for his return, NBC Sports reported.
"As much as I wanted and hoped to be able to get back in the No. 45 car to make a playoff run with our team, it’s still not the right time for me," Busch said in a statement. "In addition to not being cleared to return to racing, I know that I am not ready to be back in the car."
Vanessa Bryant to donate $16 million settlement
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, was awarded a $16 million judgment in a lawsuit against Los Angeles County on Wednesday. She sought damages over the release of graphic photos showing the aftermath of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Vanessa Bryant announced she will donate the money to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit named in her husband's and daughter's memory, according to her attorney, ABC reported.