Denver Broncos star safety Justin Simmons gave a spirited defense of fellow safety Kareem Jackson after the veteran's four-game suspension for an illegal hit on a Green Bay tight end was reduced to two games

Virginia visits Boston College on Saturday in a matchup of struggling ACC teams

A West Ham fan received a heroes welcome at the club’s most recent game after helping to fend off rival team AZ Alkmaar ultras days prior. 58-year-old Chris Knoll, known affectionately as Knollsy, was involved in helping to fend off hooligans on Thursday (18 May) during West Ham’s away match against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League. Along with another fan, Knollsy defended the area where the family and friends of West Ham players and staff sat as a mob of ultras tried to reach them. Despite Knollsy saying in an interview that he is “no hero”, it would appear fellow West Ham fans disagree as he was given a standing ovation at the team’s home game against Leeds United on Sunday (21 May). Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter A clip of fans chanting, “We love you Knollsy, we do” was shared on TikTok, while other fans reported he was given a standing ovation as he took his seat in the stadium. @eraybeyi Last week he held back AZ Alkmaar ultras who tried to break into the area where the West Ham Players families were sitting. What a legend! #WestHam #Knollsy #COYI Someone tweeted: “Standing ovation on arrival for Knollsy.” Another fan wrote: “Knollsy has just received a standing ovation on his way to his seat to the right of the press box.” Knollsy’s efforts were also recognised outside the stadium, as fans chanted, “Knollsy is massive everywhere we go”. “Knollsy outside the London stadium getting hero status,” one tweet read. Since the violence that was witnessed at the Dutch side’s stadium, AZ Alkmaar apologised in a statement. It read: “While everyone hoped for a historic European match, it turned into a pitch-black evening due to the events occurring at the referee’s final whistle. It turned into a night to reflect on with shame. “Not because of the football game played, but because of the behaviour of some attending. Unfortunately, we cannot use the word ‘supporters’ for these people. “What happened is beyond all bounds. The club again sincerely apologises to West Ham and the thousands of well-minded AZ supporters who have also been inconvenienced by the misconduct. “In the coming period AZ will – together with the police, Public Prosecution Service, and Alkmaar’s municipality – evaluate exactly what happened, how it could have happened and what needs to be improved from now on. It is clear that things need to be improved. “Part of the evaluation is a thorough review of all available footage so that appropriate consequences may follow for those responsible for this outrageous behaviour. “AZ is a civilised club where sportsmanship and norms and values are paramount. The club will do everything possible, together with the authorities involved, to identify these persons and to take appropriate measures.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Shohei Ohtani was voted the majors’ best designated hitter and joined David Ortiz as the only players to win the award three years in a row

Arsenal secured their place in the last-16 of the Champions League with a scintillating 6-0 thrashing of Lens on a night where Manchester United’s participation in the competition hangs by a thread. United were left to rue their inability to close out a match in Europe once again after they let slip a two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3 at Galatasaray. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes scored inside 18 minutes before Andre Onana made the first of two errors to allow Hakim Ziyech to reduce the deficit. Before Ziyech’s second, Scott McTominay found the net in the 55th minute to put Erik ten Hag’s team on course for a vital victory. Yet Onana fumbled Ziyech’s set-piece over the line with 28 minutes left in Instanbul before Kerem Akturkoglu levelled with 71 minutes on the clock. It finished all square to ensure Galatasaray still have their knock-out hopes in their own hands going into the final Group A fixture away to Copenhagen on December 12, while United must beat Bayern Munich and hope the clash in Denmark finishes as a draw. Meanwhile, Copenhagen held Bayern to a thoroughly deserved goalless draw in Munich, which ended on a controversial note. Minutes after Manuel Neuer had made an outstanding double save to deny ex-Celtic attacker Mohamed Elyounoussi, referee Stephanie Frappart awarded the hosts a penalty. Frappart pointed to the spot after a pass by Bayern substitute Frans Kratzig hit Peter Ankersen’s arm from close proximity, but VAR told the French official to review the incident using the pitchside monitor and she overturned her 92nd-minute decision to ensure it stayed 0-0. There was drama aplenty in Group B too but not at the Emirates where Arsenal produced a five-star first-half display to thrash Lens. Mikel Arteta’s side were 5-0 up at half-time after goals by Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. Jorginho added a sixth from the penalty spot late on for Arsenal, who guaranteed top spot and progression into the knockout phase. PSV have joined them after Ricardo Pepi scored a stoppage-time winner to down nine-man Sevilla. A 3-2 victory for PSV earlier in the day, coupled with Arsenal’s result, meant the Dutch outfit are guaranteed second spot. Jude Bellingham scored again to help Real Madrid edge a six-goal thriller with Napoli in Group C. Bellingham headed home in the first-half, but Carlo Ancelotti had to rely on late goals by Nico Paz and Joselu to beat Napoli 4-2. Braga and Union Berlin played out a 1-1 draw in Portugal. Inter Milan fought back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Benfica in Group D. Joao Mario struck a first-half hat-trick for Benfica against his old club, but last season’s runners-up staged an excellent fightback with Marko Arnautovic, Davide Frattesi and Alexis Sanchez on target. Real Sociedad remain top of Group D despite being held to a goalless draw by RB Salzburg. Read More Erik ten Hag says Manchester United ‘have to learn’ from Galatasaray draw Man Utd set to face Galatasaray in Champions League despite bad weather Judd Trump marches into UK Championship quarter-finals Luke Donald humbled by players’ support for his return as Ryder Cup captain Exeter’s Rob Baxter urges football law-makers to be careful over sin-bins trial Defender Manuel Akanji admits Man City made ‘a lot of mistakes’ against Leipzig

Former World Series MVP and four-time All-Star Cole Hamels has retired after his attempt at a comeback with his hometown San Diego Padres fell short

Warren Gatland has confirmed he’s committed to coach Wales for the next four years after inspiring a once-broken national team to the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup in France

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The Georgia Bulldogs say they've moved on from their second straight national title

Lautaro Martinez continued his red-hot scoring form in Inter Milan's 3-0 cruise at Torino on Saturday which moved his team top of Serie A while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's brace at Verona...

Amine Bassi, Nelson Quiñónes and Corey Baird scored goals in the first 14 minutes and the Houston Dynamo cruised to a 5-0 victory over the Portland Timbers as league play resumed after a five-week hiatus for Leagues Cup play

Adidas AG generated about €400 million ($437 million) in sales from Yeezy shoes in the second quarter, roughly