Sports

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) traditionally breaks team huddles with the mantra to “Be the best.” (John Locher / Associated Press) Derwin James Jr. breaks every Chargers huddle with a simple direction. “Be the best,” the star safety’s teammates respond in unison. On Sunday, the Chargers lived up to their daily proclamation, cementing themselves … Read more

The jersey display at Riverside Poly High honoring legendary siblings Reggie and Cheryl Miller. (Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times) One of the most enjoyable parts of living in Southern California is the opportunity to walk into a high school gymnasium and find out what former hoop star has a framed jersey on the wall … Read more

Rams coach Sean McVay made the choice to sit usual starters (from left) Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp against the Seahawks. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) The Rams took the field needing arguably their most impactful win of the season. The Rams took the field with scrubs. Say what? A competitive fireball … Read more

Column: These aren’t your daddy’s Chargers. Jim Harbaugh has team primed for playoff run Watching Justin Herbert scramble for 41 yards in the Chargers’ regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, how could you not think it? Watching Quentin Johnston catch everything Herbert threw in his vicinity, how could you not feel it? This will be … Read more

James Franklin and Marcus Freeman recognize the historic nature of their CFP semifinal James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame already have broken ground as the first Black head coaches to lead teams to the College Football Playoff. Both are 2-0 in the 12-team tournament and face each other in a … Read more

The strange, sad story of an offensive lineman with a bad knee led to the NCAA’s decision to hand the Southern Methodist University football program one of the stiffest penalties in NCAA history. It was Sean Stopperich, a former high school star in the Pittsburgh area, and his family who told the NCAA of receiving … Read more

Another new face stepped onto the Barclays Center court during a night that saw several changes to the Nets rotation.  Due to multiple injury blows the Nets had absorbed prior to tipoff Saturday against the 76ers, Tosan Evbuomwan made his Nets debut in the 123-94 loss.  The Newcastle, England, native has had a whirlwind start … Read more

Heroes, zeros from the Jets’ 32-20 win over the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday: Hero Aaron Rodgers threw for a season-high four touchdown passes to surpass 500 (503) for his career in what could have been his final game with the Jets, a 32-20 win over Miami.  Zero Leading receiver Tyreek Hill was held … Read more

Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was “shocked” over the Patriots’ decision to fire head coach Jerod Mayo on Sunday shortly after the regular season came to an end. Gronkowski couldn’t hide his feelings during the Fox halftime show as he made somewhat critical comments about the decision by Patriots owner Robert Kraft.  “I was … Read more

BOSTON — Oliver Wahlstrom admitted that it was “really healthy” for him to get a fresh start with the Bruins after things appeared to be headed nowhere with the Islanders. That was by no means Wahlstrom speaking negatively on the Islanders — a team that includes a number of friends, which drafted him and which … Read more