WNBA player Sophie Cunningham is once again saying what other athletes won’t. This time, she’s addressing the female outrage toward actress Sydney Sweeney’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sydney-sweeney-hits-back-at-nude-sports-ad-outrage-without-saying-a-word">risqué sports gambling ad</a> for the company Novig.
&#8220;Why are girls mad?&#8221; Cunningham asked on her podcast &#8220;No Hesitation&#8221; on Thursday.
Multiple female athletes, from amateurs to Olympians, denounced Sweeney’s naked performance in the sports betting advertisement, arguing that the 42-second commercial is setting women’s sports back. The furious group rushed to social media to share videos of themselves competing or training, saying that they represent what women&#8217;s sports look like, not Sweeney&#8217;s ad.
The only problem is Sweeney wasn’t trying to be an athlete. She was promoting an app that is only for sports gambling.
Thankfully, Cunningham — who often has the common-sense opinion — saw through the performative outrage.
&#8220;That is literally what she does. Why is anyone mad? It is a gambling ad: men, sports, pretty much naked women. Of course, that’s going to draw attention,&#8221; she said.
Cunningham made it clear that she isn’t encouraging girls to strip down, adding that there are actual issues setting women’s sports back, and Sweeney&#8217;s ad isn’t one of them.
&#8220;Do I agree with it? Morally, I think it’s kind of weird, but each to their own. Go do your thing, sis,&#8221; Cunningham said.
Sweeney did her thing, and apparently no one was forcing her to.
Novig CEO Jacob Fortinsky said Tuesday while speaking on a Front Office Sports panel that the actress was the one who pushed for the ad to be as spicy as it was. He said it was Sweeney &#8220;driving a lot of the visuals and the messaging.&#8221;
He then reiterated what some athletes couldn’t comprehend: that the ad had nothing to do with women’s sports.
&#8220;We&#8217;re hugely supportive of women&#8217;s sports. I think it&#8217;s a huge component of our platform,&#8221; Fortinsky said. &#8220;We never intended to portray female sports.&#8221;
Women’s sports have been all the talk for the last couple of months thanks to Cunningham sticking up for female athletes, unlike her WNBA counterparts.
In July, she told <a href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49306657/sophie-cunningham-finger-point-indiana-fever-wnba">ESPN</a> that she believes women’s sports are for biological women.
&#8220;I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn&#8217;t have to go against biological men,&#8221; Cunningham told ESPN.
That simple truth set the WNBA world on fire as multiple WNBA players and coaches had a meltdown over a statement in defense of women&#8217;s sports. Cunningham’s lifelong friend and former podcast host, West Wilson, even spoke out against the Indiana Fever star.
The former Summer House cast member said trans athletes are a &#8220;borderline non-existent issue.&#8221; Wilson is no longer podcasting with Cunningham.
But like with the other haters in her life, Cunningham ignores the noise and continues to speak out about what she believes is right.
&#8220;I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.&#8221;

Sydney Sweeney/Sophie Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham Picks A Side On Sydney Sweeney Nude Ad Controversy

gambling

lifestyle

sophie cunningham

sydney sweeney

wnba

women's sports

The only way Aaron Rodgers is taking shots is at other people via media appearances. His latest came this week on his teammate Cam Heyward’s podcast &#8220;Not Just Football.&#8221;
The Steelers quarterback has been outspoken about Dr. Anthony Fauci and vaccines, but lately he’s opened up about his disdain for the way some media handles topics, specifically ESPN, calling the worldwide leader in sports a &#8220;gutless&#8221; organization.
&#8220;They spend so much time on certain issues, but you won’t talk one second on the Dianna Russini situation,&#8221; Rodgers <a href="https://x.com/TMZ/status/2098109502885146818?s=20">claimed</a>.
Rodgers contrasted ESPN&#8217;s treatment of the controversy involving former NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel with its prominent coverage of San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York.
&#8220;The owner of the [49ers] solicited a prostitute for $140 in Ohio. That literally was the number one topic when you click on ESPN dot com,&#8221; Rodgers said. &#8220;That was the featured story. So you bring in how many millions of eyes to that situation. Why do you want to throw Jed York under the bus? I don’t know.&#8221;
York pleaded no contest in August to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools after authorities said he responded to an online ad and agreed to pay $140 for sex in a sting operation. An initial charge of engaging in prostitution was reduced under a plea agreement.
Rodgers questioned whether the Russini controversy presented a more serious conflict because of her role as an NFL reporter and awards voter.
&#8220;Does that have the same effect as a reporter who you know has intimate relations with a coach, who has a vote for MVP, has a vote for coach of the year? I don&#8217;t know if she&#8217;s on the Hall of Fame [committee] or not, but there&#8217;s voting stuff,&#8221; Rodgers said. &#8220;How many more inside stuff was shared?&#8221;
Photos published in April showed Russini and Vrabel hugging, holding hands, and spending time together at an Arizona resort. Both are married to other people, but each denied rumors of an affair.
Russini resigned from The Athletic as the New York Times-owned outlet investigated whether the relationship presented ethical issues related to her journalism.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/married-nfl-reporter-resigns-after-poolside-photos-with-coach-spark-scrutiny">Married NFL Reporter Resigns After Poolside Photos With Coach Spark Scrutiny</a>
Despite Rodgers&#8217; criticism, ESPN has covered the controversy. The network <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48486392/dianna-russini-resigns-athletic-following-mike-vrabel-photos">reported</a> on Russini&#8217;s resignation, The Athletic&#8217;s investigation that found she <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49812214/athletic-investigation-dianna-russini-mike-vrabel-violate-standards">violated</a> newsroom standards, and published a <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49833532/mike-vrabel-dianna-russini-new-england-patriots-offseason-nfl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lengthy report</a> on the scandal&#8217;s fallout earlier this week.
Rodgers&#8217; attack on ESPN is particularly notable because he is a regular on &#8220;The Pat McAfee Show,&#8221; which is independently produced but distributed across ESPN&#8217;s platforms. He revisited his August appearance on the show, when he criticized ESPN while appearing on the network&#8217;s own airwaves.
&#8220;ESPN is really scared&#8230; because I can speak up and speak my mind,&#8221; Rodgers said. &#8220;And that McAfee thing rattled their feathers, because I didn&#8217;t just say that on McAfee&#8217;s show, who is, honestly, I love Pat, and he&#8217;s done more for that network than any other horrible show they have on there.&#8221;
Entering his final NFL season, Rodgers hasn’t held back on his buddy’s daily show. Back in August, Rodgers took a dig at Dr. Anthony Fauci, calling him a &#8220;coward&#8221; after the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director chose to plead the Fifth to every question during a congressional hearing about how he handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
It looks like the signal caller is poised for some polarizing interviews during his farewell campaign.
Rodgers and the Steelers open their season Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers Calls ESPN ‘Gutless’ Over Scandal That Rocked NFL Media

aaron rodgers

dianna russini

espn

jed york

mike vrabel

sports

There’s one night a year when you’ll find University of Alabama coaches surrounded not in red, but in blue. In a sea of navy tables and cerulean lights, the coaches sport blue sneakers for a cause. Former Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive was a uniter, but I think he would even be shocked at the amount of Bama fans in blue. It’s all for the late sports exec&#8217;s foundation and the Blue Shoe Ball that raises money for prostate cancer research.
Slive was a numbers guy. (You kind of have to be to run arguably the greatest conference in college athletics.) But a stat you won’t find in any box score is that prostate cancer affects one out of eight men. In black men, it’s one out of six.
The longtime SEC leader started the SEC Network, which nearly doubles the next conference TV channel in viewership, but I think the number he may be most proud of now, if he were still here, would be the more than $5 million raised through his foundation thanks to his vision being carried out by his daughter, Anna, and a whole lot of sports legends who loved Mike.
It’s my fifth year in a row attending the Blue Shoe Ball in Birmingham, Alabama, and my second year hosting this marquee event for cancer research. We have fun, we dress up, we take pictures, and we talk to the coaches and athletes who make our Southern sports world go &#8217;round.
This year I hosted alongside ESPN’s Jay Harris, a prostate cancer survivor, and Greg McElroy, whom I’m sure you heard this past weekend call the Ole Miss-Louisville game if you’re a football fan.
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<div id="attachment_1174355" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1174355" class="size-large wp-image-1174355" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-98-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-98-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-98-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-98-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-98.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: RDMoore Photography</div>
Standing alongside two household names in sports, who are taking time out of the busiest sports season of the year to raise awareness for a type of cancer men don’t love to talk about, showed me how sports do so much more than entertain. They change lives.
&#8220;While we raise money for prostate cancer research and pray for a cure, men, let us do the one thing that costs us absolutely nothing… Let&#8217;s talk,&#8221; Harris said to a ballroom full of men and women all in blue shoes, representing the color associated with prostate cancer.
Harris, through his own story, taught the crowd at Regions Field how to have a conversation about prostate cancer. It’s not as exciting as prop bets, but it’s way more important.
&#8220;Prostate cancer is nothing to be ashamed of … even the side effects from the surgery or radiation is nothing to be ashamed of; erectile dysfunction is nothing to be ashamed of,&#8221; Harris said.
His story with prostate cancer is truly a family affair. His dad had it, but that’s about all Harris knew about the cancer at the time — until he got his positive test back. Then he put on his reporter boots and went to work to learn everything about this disease that he came to know killed two of his uncles and some of his cousins.
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<div id="attachment_1174339" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1174339" class="size-large wp-image-1174339" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-2026-09-08T145340.466-864x576.png" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-2026-09-08T145340.466-864x576.png 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-2026-09-08T145340.466-300x200.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-2026-09-08T145340.466-768x512.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-2026-09-08T145340.466.png 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: RDMoore Photography</div>
Harris said he knows that outcome shouldn’t have happened.
&#8220;I shared my story with my younger brother. I said, &#8216;Please make sure your doctor checks your [prostate-specific antigen levels] the next time you go for your annual physical.&#8217; And he did,&#8221; Harris said. “They drew the blood and they tested it and guess what? Prostate cancer. His is not aggressive, and I hope it stays that way.&#8221;
That conversation could have saved his younger brother’s life because of early detection.
My friend’s dad also had early detection thanks to former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl and the Mike Slive Foundation setting up testing centers at an Auburn basketball game. One conversation between Mr. Jerry and his wife about getting tested before tip-off changed his life. That early detection helped him fight off the disease.
&#8220;Who knew you could effectively fight cancer with a conversation?&#8221; Harris asked.
Several men in attendance at the Blue Shoe Ball credited their wives with getting them to the doctor&#8217;s office. I get it, we women love to talk! Whether it&#8217;s about our kids, spouse, or that high school classmate that we keep tabs on through Facebook, we aren&#8217;t afraid to discuss the good and the bad, and that goes for health issues too.
Sure, sometimes we ladies can go over the top talking about our bodily issues, but Harris recognized this as a strength. We do our yearly appointments, as invasive as they are, and tell our friends, and go about our days. Harris said men could learn something from women and mammograms.
&#8220;That&#8217;s what y&#8217;all do every year, and you just go and you talk about it and you just go,&#8221; Harris added. &#8220;Men, it&#8217;s a blood test.&#8221;
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<div id="attachment_1174363" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1174363" class="size-large wp-image-1174363" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-99-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-99-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-99-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-99-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/09/Untitled-design-99.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: RDMoore Photography</div>
I was in awe of Harris’ candor last Thursday. He knows his face is on national television, but he wanted to make his testimony personal.
&#8220;Men, anything we have to do below the belt, they might mess with our sexual prowess, and we don&#8217;t like it. You know what else messes with your sexual prowess? You being dead. I ain&#8217;t never seen a dead person have sex,&#8221; Harris said with a laugh.
That’s banter you won’t see on SportsCenter, but the veteran broadcaster made his point clear that men don’t have to die from the most common cancer.
&#8220;I&#8217;m a prostate cancer survivor, and I want other people to be the same way.&#8221;
Jay Harris isn’t scared to have a conversation. Mike Slive wasn’t scared to have a conversation; anyone who got to talk to him at the legendary Salem’s Diner in Homewood knows that much.
What a good reminder during the time of year when most men will spend more time talking in group texts thanks to fantasy football and DraftKings, that talking about prostate cancer may be the one conversation that keeps them in the game.
&#8220;Let&#8217;s keep talking and keep living,&#8221; Harris said.

Credit: RDMoore Photography

How Sports Legends Are Tackling A Taboo Health Crisis Head-On

bruce pearl

cancer research

health

mike slive

prostate cancer

southeastern conference

A Georgia police officer has been placed on administrative leave after fatally shooting a family&#8217;s baby donkey while searching for a missing child early Sunday.
The baby donkey, named HeeHaw, was shot after officers entered a pasture at Elsberry Riding and Farm in Polk County around 12:45 a.m., <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1V2UWvu4Vy/">according</a> to local authorities and the animal&#8217;s owner.
Officers from the Cedartown Police Department were assisting Polk County police in the search for a missing child when they entered the pasture, authorities said. The child was later found safe at a church near the pasture.
Farm owner Hannah Israel said officers entered her property without permission or warning before encountering HeeHaw, a bottle-raised donkey that regularly interacted with people at local petting zoos.
&#8220;He never knew a stranger,&#8221; Israel wrote on Facebook. &#8220;And [he] was shot and killed in his OWN pasture for doing what donkeys do. &#8230; Alerting to a stranger.&#8221;
&#8220;He was my son,&#8221; she added.
Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome confirmed that an officer shot the donkey during the search and said the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.
Authorities have not identified the officer or publicly explained what happened immediately before the shooting.
The Polk County Sheriff&#8217;s Office stressed that its deputies were not involved in the incident, saying officers from the Polk County Police Department and Cedartown Police Department were conducting the search.
&#8220;We extend our sincere condolences to the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident,&#8221; the sheriff&#8217;s office said. &#8220;We understand the concern and sadness surrounding what occurred.&#8221;
Israel started a GoFundMe to help with legal fees. So far, nearly $100,000 has been raised. A user named &#8220;Justice For HeeHaw Solana&#8221; donated $10,000 to the cause.
&#8220;He was a loved member of our family and did many petting zoos and made many people smile,&#8221; the message read on the GoFundMe page.

Credit: Elsberry Riding and Farm

‘He Was My Son’: Police Kill Beloved Baby Donkey In His Own Pasture

animal welfare

cedartown police department

georgia

police shooting

polk county

Northerners are paying upwards of $12,000 for &#8220;rush coaches&#8221; to get their daughters into a Southern sorority. It may sound crazy, but that&#8217;s just the price of admission to college&#8217;s most prestigious social clubs.
Now before you call me &#8220;dumb&#8221; or &#8220;out of touch,&#8221; I did not pay for any type of sorority coach, but I didn’t need to. I was from the South, went to school in the South, and had connections out the wazoo with girls already in sororities at Auburn University. But to be clear, I still got dropped by some sororities I liked (I’m looking at you Chi O).
It’s already hard enough to get into a sorority at the University of Alabama, Auburn University, or Ole Miss if you are from the South. You need spotless social media, recommendations from friends, an over-filled resume, and frankly some luck to get in. Coming from the North? Who are you? That’s what these sorority girls will be asking. So yes, these “rush coaches” give the skills needed to have a chance at joining one as an out-of-state girl eager to live that SEC sorority girl life.
Here is some inside ball. Sororities know exactly who is coming through those doors during recruitment week — if you are from Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; or Mobile, Alabama. Before rush even starts, the girls on the other side of the sorority house have been locked up for a week, without sunlight, learning everything about the top girls who will walk through that door once rush week starts.
But not every PNM (that stands for potential new members — sorority slang) gets spotlighted. Only the girls who are known to members already in the sorority or come highly recommended by an alumna are in this slideshow where the current members can get to know your face and some fun facts about you.
It always cracked me up that if you were from a small town you were grouped with other small town girls and affectionately called &#8220;small town trash.&#8221; Was that just my school? Probably not. Look, not everyone can hold it down in Birmingham or Atlanta; someone has to hold it down in Alex City.
Now if you are coming from far out-of-state, especially out-of-the-South, you are starting this sorority journey already down by a touchdown. (We love a good football metaphor down here.) And only if you make a splash during rush are you then known as a &#8220;discovery,&#8221; and boom you have someone on the other side fighting for you, which is huge. But that is not the rule; it’s the exception.
Girls up North have known this for a while thanks to the absolute TikTok mania that surrounds rush every year, and now the parents are catching on. Lindsay Lookingbill is a teacher from Maryland who at first thought her daughter was silly for asking for a professional rush coach, but the mother later told Bloomberg it was necessary.
&#8220;You’re not going into another world. You’re not going to Mars,&#8221; she told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-10/what-is-sorority-rush-and-why-are-parents-paying-6-500-for-coaches">Bloomberg</a>. &#8220;But you are going into a different culture.&#8221;
Growing up in Alabama, girls know how big of a deal it is to get into sorority. In Birmingham even high schools have them!
We had mock &#8220;ice water tea&#8221; parties (what the first rounds of sorority recruitment used to be called) after church on Sundays, résumé classes, a handbook telling you everything you need to know about the sororities and how to get alumni to write you recommendations — it was intense.
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Trisha Addicks, the author of &#8220;The Rush Bible,&#8221; understands the amount of prep that goes into sorority recruitment. It’s why she started her business, It’s All Greek To Me, back in 2017 long before &#8220;RushTok&#8221; (sorority videos on TikTok) was even a thought. This company charges $6,500 for a one-year coaching program. Starting this fall, she’s launching the two-year Legacy Mentorship package for $12,000, and people are buying.
&#8220;The response has been overwhelmingly positive,&#8221; Addicks told The Daily Wire. &#8220;Clients tell us again and again how relieved they are to have found &#8216;The Rush Bible&#8217; and/or our team at It&#8217;s All Greek to Me, especially our clients from the North.&#8221;
There has always been a need to prep for sorority recruitment for us ladies below the Mason-Dixon line, but with the influx of Northerners sending their kids down South after the pandemic (hello 30% increase in five years <a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/sorry-harvard-everyone-wants-to-go-to-college-in-the-south-now-235d7934">per</a> the Wall Street Journal), businesses like Addicks&#8217; have exploded.
&#8220;RushTok and social media completely changed the landscape of sorority recruitment,&#8221; Addicks said. &#8220;Girls are seeing the hype online and they want in, and our business has grown exponentially because Northern families know what they don&#8217;t know.&#8221;
&#8220;Rush is hard everywhere, especially in the South. Most Northern families haven&#8217;t navigated it before, and even families who think they know rush from their own experience find the Southern process is a different world.&#8221;
A rush coach like Addicks is going to clean up your social media, wardrobe, accent, manners, and résumé. Yes, Southern sororities do care about what you wear, how you talk, and what is on that résumé. No one knows who you are, so you have to nail the first impression.
&#8220;Rush is a high-stakes goal like any other, and you cannot show up and wing it,&#8221; Addicks said. &#8220;You prepare for it the way you would for any major interview or competition.&#8221;
Now before you say this is stupid, let me make one thing clear: Sororities provide structure, accountability, community, and connections during formative years. You have to have good grades and cannot be caught making out with everyone at the bar or posting alcohol on social media when you’re under 21. Put that drink in a red cup!
&#8220;At the end of the day, I didn’t pay Mindy to help my daughter through rush,&#8221; Lookingbill said. &#8220;I paid Mindy for life skills development that will help [my daughter] throughout life.&#8221;
Once you know how cutthroat the process is, it’s no surprise that parents are paying so their daughter isn’t the one during recruitment talking to a member that gives the “come rescue me signal.” Yep, that’s how calculated rush is. Members have a distress signal that basically means, &#8220;I can’t talk to this person anymore, come relieve me.&#8221;
My friend put it simply: &#8220;I would pay $5,000 just so my daughter doesn&#8217;t have to be the girl no one wants to talk to.&#8221;
Here is my rush advice: When a girl asks about your summer during the first rounds, you better sound busy. Volunteer work, summer job, playing sports, competing in pageants — sound like you were filled to the brim with commitments. No one wants a couch potato anti-social weirdo.
Use manners. Look the girls in the eye, ask questions back to them about what they like to do, say thank you, and just be polite. Nothing says “cut” like talking to a PNM with an attitude.
Dress respectfully. This is not a nightclub; it’s a sisterhood with standards. Cover up and look nice and modest.
And here is some advice from Addicks herself.
&#8220;For rush, highlight that you are a girls&#8217; girl, a genuine friend, and someone who wants to be involved and active in your sorority,&#8221; Addicks said.
&#8220;Do this through intentional, thoughtful social media posts. Show yourself with friends and family and participating in activities you love. Avoid too many photos alone or with a significant other, and archive the solo bathing suit photos.&#8221;
Boom. And all that was for free.
***
This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.

Sorority Rush At Auburn

I Survived Southern Sorority Rush. Here’s Why Parents Are Paying $12,000 For Help.

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Kurt Busch is opening up about his brother and fellow NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, in the final moments of his life, while also explaining how illness is handled in the competitive racing world.
Kurt, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XQVtkDQROI">appeared</a> on the Today show Friday, where he opened up about his brother&#8217;s final moments before his sudden passing in May.
Kurt was in the hospital as Kyle took his final breaths. Friday marks three months since Kyle’s passing. Through tears Kurt was able to share those final words with his brother.
He told Today&#8217;s Craig Melvin, &#8220;I said, &#8216;I got you, man. Come on. I got you. Come on. Be strong.&#8221;
Kurt chose to be at Kyle&#8217;s side at the end. Their father, Tom Busch, chose not to.
&#8220;I was there at the hospital,&#8221; Kurt said. &#8220;I was there all day, hoping, praying, hoping for a turnaround. My dad wanted to remember him in the way that he wanted to remember him. That&#8217;s how people could choose if they wanted to or not.&#8221;
Kyle died May 21 after an undiagnosed bacterial infection in his lungs turned septic and moved through his body with brutal speed, killing within hours, his family said.
&#8220;Just wasn&#8217;t fair,&#8221; Kurt added.
During the emotional interview, Kurt opened up about Kyle’s pneumonia on a larger scale and explained how racecar drivers often push through certain illnesses because they feel like they have to in order to not lose their driver’s seat.
&#8220;To be bluntly honest, yeah…I mean, we&#8217;re independent contractors. We don&#8217;t have a union. So there&#8217;s a concern that if you don&#8217;t get in there, someone else fills in for you,&#8221; Kurt said.
The NASCAR community has paid tribute to Kyle in a big way throughout the season, but that’s not where Kurt feels closest to his brother, instead it’s a small local track where Kyle’s son, Brexton, races.
&#8220;He&#8217;s a prodigy. He was on the gas even before all of this,&#8221; Kurt said. &#8220;He can be a big star in the world of motorsports. He&#8217;s 11, but he&#8217;s already racing like an 18-year-old. So it&#8217;s time to be around a bit more.&#8221;
Bonding with the 11-year-old is a way of keeping his brother alive. But outside of the racing bubble, Kurt talked about how the grief hasn’t gotten easier.
Kurt and Kyle were brothers, and drivers, and they grew up on the track together as competitors, but always family.
&#8220;Him and I were carbon copies of each other. I just miss the on-track camaraderie. We could speak on track without saying a word,” Kurt said. “Like, &#8216;you pass me here, I&#8217;ll draft with you here.&#8217; You know, short track, like, &#8216;hey man, did you change that shock?&#8217; Yeah, I miss the words that we never spoke to each other and the vibe that we had on track. There&#8217;s usually going to be a discussion when I see someone, but it&#8217;s all right. We&#8217;ll get through it. Time heals.&#8221;

Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Kurt Busch Breaks Down Recalling His NASCAR Legend Brother Kyle’s Final Moments

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When Shane Gillis hosted the ESPYs in 2025, he put the spotlight on a woman in the crowd who he said was a four-time WNBA all-star. Everyone clapped, until he told them that it wasn’t a WNBA player at all. It was just his friend’s wife. Nobody knew, because nobody cares.
&#8220;I knew none of you knew WNBA players,&#8221; Gillis said. &#8220;That&#8217;s crazy.&#8221;
Well, Mr. Gillis, the WNBA might get the last laugh because that’s all about to change. The WNBA could soon get a shot of pure testosterone, dressed up as an athlete with feminine feelings.
Based on current eligibility rules and draft announcements, the next draft is slated to be the most stacked ever in WNBA history. The three players expected at the top of the draft will change the DNA of their new franchises forever, bringing a level of play that has never been seen in the league before.
It’s obviously still the current season, so the actual draft order is just a guess. We’re obviously not tracking the standings of the season — as Gillis proved, nobody is — so it’s barely an educated guess, but I have covered women’s basketball for much longer than any of you, so trust my analysis.
With all the buzz surrounding the WNBA and the marquee talent joining next season, it’s a great time to look at the future of women&#8217;s basketball with a Way Too Early WNBA 2027 Mock Draft.
<h3>1. Enes Kanter Freedom — Connecticut Sun</h3>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1156043 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-81-1-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-81-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-81-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-81-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-81-1.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></div>
Enes Kanter Freedom is a WNBA coach’s dream.
She stands 6’10 and weighs around 250 pounds, which would make her the most physically dominant player in the league.  Enes will team up with Brittney Griner, yep Brittney hasn’t made it in the NBA…yet. It&#8217;s been four years since Kanter played pro ball, but check out this video: she is jacked.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Let “The Transition” to the <a href="https://x.com/WNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNBA</a> begin.
Rules Are Rules!<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/LetFreedomPlay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetFreedomPlay</a> <a href="https://t.co/EWWjrl7DaL">pic.twitter.com/EWWjrl7DaL</a>
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) <a href="https://x.com/EnesFreedom/status/2087185917047971948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
She is also a former WWE title holder. Kanter took down R-Truth back in 2019 in front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden — far larger than any WNBA crowd — to claim the WWE 24/7 Championship. Her run in sports entertainment will help Kanter with the theatrics that happen night in and night out in the WNBA. Kanter will make a splash in season one.
<h3>2. Royce White — Washington Mystics.</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156015" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156015" class="size-large wp-image-1156015" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-78-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-78-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-78-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-78-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-78.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Royce White X Account</div>
Get you a <a href="https://x.com/Highway_30/status/2086316310309347564?s=20">girl</a> who can do both! White is working on her game and a political aspirations. Playing in D.C. gives her the perfect opportunity to fulfill both duties to the country and WNBA. A standout at Iowa State, he led the Cyclones in scoring, posted one of the best seasons in Iowa State history, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks. The Mystics will raise its stock significantly with this addition.
<h3>3. Julie Tetart — Toronto Tempo</h3>
<div id="attachment_1151143" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1151143" class="wp-image-1151143 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/male-baller--1024x542.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="542" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/male-baller--1024x542.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/male-baller--300x159.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/male-baller--768x407.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/male-baller-.jpg 1058w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Instagram: Julie Tétart</div>
Pronounced like Mater from the PIXAR film “Cars,” this French woman bailed on being a man at 29 years old and has since dominated the women’s French basketball league. She’s the reigning Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Domestic Player of the Year in the league with her eyes set on the next prize which is that WNBA paycheck. Check out her highlights from last season:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Julie Tetart&#8217;s best games last season in the Monaco Basket Association 👀
32 PTS, 25 REB (14/16 FG) 
29 PTS, 22 REB (9/10 FG) 
25 PTS, 25 REB (12 ORB) 
24 PTS, 28 REB (12 ORB) 
24 PTS, 23 REB (11/11 FG) 
21 PTS, 30 REB, 5 STL 
30 PTS, 21 REB (11/15 FG)<a href="https://t.co/pdzZWIfG05">pic.twitter.com/pdzZWIfG05</a>
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://x.com/Ballislife/status/2085004697023205845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
It’s a top-heavy draft, and this is where the weight may run out. These are the only three players you need to know next season. They will own every category in the league.
They&#8217;re the only three that have declared intent, but now that the seal is broken, we foresee more league-changing talent right around the corner. I went ahead and rounded out the top 10 prospects in the 2027 WNBA Draft.
<h3>4. Kyle Guy</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156537" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156537" class="size-large wp-image-1156537" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-82-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-82-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-82-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-82-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-82.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</div>
What a year to be the first Guy in the WNBA. He won a national championship for Virginia in 2019, had a few years in the NBA, and has now transitioned into a whole new era of basketball: 3 v 3, internationally. Sounds to me like the road back home runs through the WNBA.
Another transition could be intriguing for Guy.
<h3>5. Jimmy Butler</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156543" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156543" class="size-large wp-image-1156543" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-83-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-83-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-83-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-83-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-83.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Sam Navarro/Getty Images</div>
One of my favorite players. Always down for a rebrand. Remember Emo Jimmy with the painted black nails?
He could be an absolute trendsetter in the WNBA.
<h3>6. Tristan Thompson</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156547" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156547" class="size-large wp-image-1156547" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-84-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-84-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-84-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-84-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-84.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Rich Storry/Getty Images</div>
He has children with a Kardashian. He knows business and continuing his basketball career in the WNBA would be a great business opportunity, plus Caitlyn Jenner can help him with his feminine side.
<h3>7. Grayson Allen</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156555" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156555" class="size-large wp-image-1156555" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-85-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-85-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-85-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-85-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-85.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images</div>
Big Ted Cruz guy. Allen has a Reddit account dedicated to his favorite books&#8230; You know women love a book club.
<h3>8. Dwight Howard</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156557" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156557" class="size-large wp-image-1156557" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-86-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-86-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-86-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-86-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-86.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images for Fanatics</div>
We’ve all heard the rumors…
<h3>9. Dwayne Wade</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156561" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156561" class="size-large wp-image-1156561" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-87-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-87-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-87-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-87-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-87.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</div>
Since he endorsed his adolescent son&#8217;s transition. It&#8217;s safe to assume he&#8217;s a major ally for men in women’s sports.
<h3>10. Zaya Wade</h3>
<div id="attachment_1156571" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1156571" class="size-large wp-image-1156571" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-88-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-88-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-88-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-88-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/08/Untitled-design-88.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images</div>
Dwayne Wade&#8217;s son has been identifying as a girl since she was 12. Seven years later, he could be a PR star for the league. It&#8217;s in his DNA.
The 2027 WNBA Draft is set for April of next year. Tune in for our next round of updates.

Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images/ Royce White

Our Way Too Early WNBA Mock Draft: Testosterone-Fueled Talent Shakes Up Board

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More than 50 bodies were found decomposing in a Chicago funeral home Thursday night.
The grim discovery came after neighbors reported a horrible smell coming from the South Chicago Chapel funeral home for months. Officials found 56 bodies that were stored unrefrigerated at or above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/post/more-50-cremated-remains-found-south-chicago-chapel-funeral-home-east-95th-street-where-56-decomposing-bodies/19649160/">ABC7 Chicago</a>.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office told the <a href="https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/more-than-50-bodies-found-improperly-stored-and-decomposing-at-chicago-funeral-home/">Associated Press</a> the agency was notified by state and local officials that the bodies were being stored improperly, prompting investigators and forensic pathologists to head to the scene. The remains were in various states of decomposition.
In addition to the 56 bodies, more than 50 containers of cremated remains were also found at the funeral home, officials confirmed Saturday, per ABC7.
State disciplinary records allege Johanna Morgan allowed multiple bodies to be &#8220;kept in an unrefrigerated area with deplorable conditions including rodent infestation, causing decomposition and maggot infestation of the bodies,&#8221; according to the outlet.
Now officials are working to identify the remains and notify families.
“Staff is assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the decedents as well as death certificates. This process could take several days to ensure proper disposition,” the medical examiner’s office said in a statement.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation told ABC7 the department temporarily suspended the license of funeral director Johanna Morgan on Wednesday — the day before the bodies were discovered. The agency also revoked the license of her husband, Clark Morgan, in 2024.
Last year, the state comptroller shut down a Chicago Heights crematory owned by Clark Morgan after more than 100 bodies were improperly stored at that location.
&#8220;They should have criminal charges pressed against them for how they mishandle these bodies,&#8221; Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza said. &#8220;These people should be in jail. That&#8217;s where they should be.&#8221;
At this point no arrests have been announced, but the circumstances are still under investigation.

Illustration by Daily Wire staff

More Than 50 Bodies Found Decomposing With Rats, Maggots In Chicago Funeral Home

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The debate over transgender-identifying athletes in women&#8217;s sports continued Sunday as Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase defended men competing in women’s sports.
The reigning WNBA Coach of the Year said sports are about &#8220;inclusivity.&#8221;
&#8220;For me, sports is about belonging. It’s about inclusivity. It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self,&#8221; Nakase said when asked about the recent Sophie Cunningham comments on the subject. &#8220;I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women.&#8221;
Cunningham, a guard with the Indiana Fever, recently spoke out against men competing in women’s sports. Since then, she’s had support, but also multiple WNBA coaches rejecting her position that women&#8217;s sports should be reserved for biological females.
Nakase joins the list of coaches who have recently been asked their stance on the controversy. Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve, and Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama have all opined in the last few days.
White previously said she did not feel &#8220;educated enough from a scientific point&#8221; to weigh in on the issue.
&#8220;I don’t know that I would say that I’m educated enough from a scientific standpoint,&#8221; White said Friday. &#8220;I don’t ever believe that exclusion is an answer. I just don’t.&#8221;
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sophie-cunninghams-coach-asked-where-she-stands-on-men-in-womens-sports">Sophie Cunningham’s Coach Asked Where She Stands On Men In Women’s Sports</a>
Whereas White fell back on her education, or lack thereof, Nakase cited criticism she has faced over her height and ethnicity as shaping her views.
&#8220;I’m big on that because I have been criticized for my height, for my ethnicity. I’ve been in those ‘you shouldn’t belong here’ many times, and for me I don’t want that space, especially Golden State, to ever feel like that,&#8221; Nakase said.
The coaches are being pressed as the place for the latest rallies on the issue has shifted to outside WNBA arenas.
Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Indiana Fever drew the largest gathering of Cunningham supporters, including Riley Gaines, Michele Tafoya, and <a href="https://x.com/xx_xyathletics/status/2084263764011241693?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jennifer Sey</a>, as well as a crowd of pro-trans protesters.
Security had to step in outside of the Target Center in Minneapolis when a pro-trans activist repeatedly grabbed and forcefully tried to take an &#8220;XX-XY&#8221; branded t-shirt from a Cunningham fan.
Dustin Gage posted the video of the altercation on <a href="https://x.com/GrageDustin/status/2083946263314043288?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X</a> during the pre-game fan rally XX-XY’s, Sey’s athletic clothing company, hosted.
Cunningham has stood her ground, taking pictures with Gaines and Sey at Sunday’s game.
Sey told The Daily Wire she expects to see more Cunningham supporters as the WNBA season nears the end. Sey said there&#8217;s another rally in the works for the Fever&#8217;s game in Chicago on August 8.

WNBA Coach Of The Year Picks A Side In Trans Athlete Debate

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Marco Rubio, one could argue, could do anything in the world if he was given a week off — but the Secretary of State has a much more relatable vision of a theoretical week-long vacation with no interruptions: watch college football.
&#8220;My wife is going to hate this answer, but I would love to sit down and watch every college football game starting at noon eastern until when the west coast games end at 2 a.m. our time,&#8221; Rubio said during an interview on Fox News&#8217; My View with Lara Trump.
That&#8217;s right: when asked how he would spend a week off, Rubio said what a majority of men in America would say. Maybe it was because college football returns this month, so Rubio could already feel the anticipation of the season starting. But while the Secretary of State appears to have college football circled on his calendar like most sports fans, he probably also knows he has no time for it.
&#8220;I doubt I’ll be able to do that anytime soon,&#8221; Rubio added.
Unfortunately for Jeanette Rubio, her honey-do-list may take a backseat if her hubby gets a weekend off this fall.
But can you blame him? Rubio played college football at an NAIA school, Tarkio College, in Missouri before transferring to the University of Florida to earn his undergrad degree. His son, Anthony, followed in his father’s footsteps.
He’s a redshirt junior running back entering his fourth season at the University of Florida, where he scored his first collegiate touchdown in 2024 in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Rubio also has made it known he’s a die-hard University of Miami fan. He cheered on the school where he earned his Juris Doctor throughout the College Football Playoff last season, even attending the National Championship where Miami lost to Indiana. It’s clear football is in the Rubio family’s blood.
Admitting to having the same desires as most of America on fall Saturdays adds on to Rubio’s relatability, something he already gained quite by accident when he became a top meme of 2026.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-and-rubio-get-ready-to-bro-out-at-college-football-national-championship-game">Trump And Rubio Get Ready To ‘Bro Out’ At College Football National Championship Game</a>
Another common thread between the college football fan and Rubio is both share some of the same frustrations with the current playoff system. Back in December he criticized the College Football Playoff committee, noting how it would have been unfair to leave Miami out of the 12-team post-season bracket, which was a highly debated topic at the time.
&#8220;I&#8217;m a Florida Gator, but if the University of Miami gets screwed out of the College Football Playoffs, after going 10-2 and beating Notre Dame, the whole thing should be scrapped,&#8221; Rubio said.
He then suggested Trump would have to take over for the 2026 CFP if Miami got left out.
Ultimately Miami made it into the playoff over Notre Dame who had a matching 10-2 record to the Canes.
As he admitted, Rubio’s current role doesn’t allow him to watch a football game — much less attend as many as he would like to support his son — but he made it clear that when it’s all said and done, you’ll find him escaping the real world by watching the same game that, to many Americans, makes the world go round.

Credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images

Marco Rubio Reveals How He Would Unwind If He Had A Whole Week Off

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Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie on Friday released the full text of two previously undisclosed <a href="https://x.com/PimaSheriff/status/2083266827707363582?s=20">ransom notes</a>, hoping the public can identify the author by analyzing the writing style nearly six months after the 84-year-old grandmother vanished.
The Pima County Sheriff&#8217;s Office said the newly released notes contain &#8220;distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology&#8221; that could help identify the person responsible for Guthrie&#8217;s kidnapping.
The first note, sent to KOLD on February 2 and addressed to NBC &#8220;Today&#8221; host Savannah Guthrie, described details inside Nancy Guthrie&#8217;s home, including a damaged flood light and a white Apple Watch near her bed. It demanded $4 million, then $6 million, for the 84-year-old&#8217;s safe return by a February 9 deadline.
&#8220;She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed,&#8221; the note addressed to the Today Show host read. &#8220;If payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5 p.m., she will be killed.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Nancy Guthrie Investigation Update: Video &amp; Ransom Note Details 1/3 <a href="https://t.co/O0HDb8asMX">pic.twitter.com/O0HDb8asMX</a>
— Pima County Sheriff&#8217;s Department (@PimaSheriff) <a href="https://x.com/PimaSheriff/status/2083266827707363582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2026</a></blockquote>
The full note also included additional threats that investigators had not previously made public.
&#8220;Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out, there will be no negotiation. Do not play games, law enforcement will not be able to help you.&#8221;
A second note, sent on February 6 and addressed to the &#8220;Guthrie Family,&#8221; claimed Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after being abducted.
&#8220;We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related,&#8221; the note said.
&#8220;She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.&#8221;
Savannah Guthrie said during a March <a href="https://www.today.com/news/watch-full-savannah-guthrie-interview-rcna265446" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with Hoda Kotb that she believed the two ransom notes were authentic. While several other letters have surfaced during the investigation, the family has publicly acknowledged only the two released Friday by the sheriff&#8217;s office.
Investigators said they are releasing the full notes because they believe someone who has interacted with the author may recognize the writing style.
&#8220;These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer&#8217;s unique linguistic style,&#8221; the sheriff&#8217;s office said in a press release.
As the six-month anniversary of Nancy Guthrie&#8217;s disappearance approaches, investigators are also asking the public to revisit the FBI images showing a masked man outside her home before she vanished. Authorities believe the individual may have surveilled the property on more than one day before abducting Guthrie during the early morning hours of February 1.
Investigators urged anyone who noticed unusual changes in someone&#8217;s behavior around that time, including sudden travel, unexplained injuries, vehicle cleaning or repairs, or an unusual interest in the investigation, to contact law enforcement.
Earlier this week, Savannah Guthrie shared an emotional Instagram video describing the family&#8217;s ordeal as &#8220;a nightmare that will not end&#8221; and begged for her mom’s abductor to &#8220;do the right thing now.&#8221;
&#8220;Help us bring this situation to an end. For all of us, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, I believe there is always a way home,&#8221; Savannah said. &#8220;Please make the right choice.&#8221;
The FBI continues to offer a reward of more than $1 million for information leading to Nancy Guthrie&#8217;s recovery. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images

A Chilling Piece Of The Nancy Guthrie Mystery Has Just Been Made Public

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CBS Sports lead analyst Tony Romo is on leave “until further notice,” CBS announced on Friday following Romo&#8217;s arrest on suspicion of operating while intoxicated last week.
&#8220;Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice,&#8221; the network said in a statement.
It remains unclear whether Romo was placed on leave by the network or if he chose to take a leave of absence.
The former NFL quarterback has been the lead NFL analyst for CBS Sports since 2017 following his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Former Texans defensive end and current analyst J.J. Watt will replace Romo and work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson, per ESPN&#8217;s NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Romo, 46, was hit with three citations from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office after the July 23 traffic stop. He was taken into custody after he struggled to understand instructions for a field-sobriety test, body cam footage <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-tony-romo-told-police-moments-before-he-was-handcuffed">shows</a>.
Romo told deputies during the stop that was coming from a golf course and was on his way &#8220;to visit grandma and grandpa,&#8221; according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49489175/police-tony-romo-had-open-bottle-alcohol-car-arrested">ESPN</a>.
Police found an &#8220;open bottle of an alcoholic beverage&#8221; in the passenger side of Romo&#8217;s Jeep during the search before the vehicle was towed per the outlet.
He was booked and released after the arrest.
His next court appearance is September 21, which will be at the end of week two of the NFL season.
The first game CBS will air this season featuring the new announcer lineup without Romo is the pre-season matchup between  the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles August 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
This is a developing story; refresh the page for updates.

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Lynden Blake