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Former LPGA Star Kathy Whitworth Dies at 83; All-Time Wins Leader on Single Pro Tour

Dec 25, 2022
IRVING, TX - APRIL 30:  Golf legend Kathy Whitworth waits on the first tee during the third round of the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout at Las Colinas Country Club on April 30, 2016 in Irving, Texas.  (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
IRVING, TX - APRIL 30: Golf legend Kathy Whitworth waits on the first tee during the third round of the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout at Las Colinas Country Club on April 30, 2016 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

LPGA Hall of Famer Kathy Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour, died on Saturday at the age of 83.

Per ESPN, Whitworth's longtime partner Bettye Odle said she died suddenly on Saturday night while celebrating the holidays with family and friends. A cause of death has not been provided.

"Kathy left this worth the way she lived her life—loving, laugh and creating memories," Odle said in a statement.

Whitworth's illustrious career spanned over two decades, as she won the first of her 88 titles in July 1962 in the Kelly Girl Open and she recorded her final victory in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic. She won six majors during her career, and she became the first woman to earn $1 million on the LPGA Tour.

When she won the Lady Michelob in 1982, she surpassed Mickey Wright's record of 82 LPGA wins. That number still stands as the PGA Tour record, shared by Tiger Woods and Sam Snead.

The one major that escaped Whitworth during her career was the U.S. Women's Open.

"I would have swapped being the first to make a million for winning the Open, but it was a consolation which took some of the sting out of not winning," she said in 1981.

Whitworth earned LPGA player of the year seven times from 1966 to 1973. She was named AP Female Athlete of the Year twice in 1965 and 1967, and in 1982, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Upon her retirement, Whitworth continued on in the sport by conducting junior clinics. Despite her enormous amount of success, she remained humble through it all.

"I don't think about the legacy of 88 tournaments," she said. "I did it because I wanted to win, not to set a record or a goal that no one else could surpass. I'm not some great oddity. I was just fortunate to be so successful. What I did in being a better player does not make me a better person. When I'm asked how I would like to be remembered, I feel that if people remember me at all, it will be good enough."

LeBron James' Lack of Help Called out by Lakers Fans in Loss to Luka Dončić, Mavs

Dec 25, 2022
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket as Reggie Bullock #25 of the Dallas Mavericks defends in the first half at American Airlines Center on December 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket as Reggie Bullock #25 of the Dallas Mavericks defends in the first half at American Airlines Center on December 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

It might take a Christmas miracle to save the 2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles' losing streak extended to four Sunday thanks to its 124-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in a Christmas Day showdown at American Airlines Center. The Purple and Gold were once again without Anthony Davis because of a foot injury and fell to an ugly 13-20 on the season.

At this point, the playoffs seem like a long shot at best.

LeBron James carried his team with 38 points, six rebounds and five assists, but his supporting cast had nowhere near enough pieces to keep up with Luka Dončić and Co. on the road.

Social media certainly noticed:

https://twitter.com/raphiellej/status/1607123559570378755

It seemed like the Lakers were going to earn a much-needed win against a Western Conference playoff contender when they built an 11-point halftime lead. James was in full control, Russell Westbrook was providing a spark off the bench and the supporting cast was doing enough on the defensive side to keep the home team at bay.

And then the third quarter happened.

The Mavericks poured in 51 points in an overwhelming third quarter that saw Los Angeles counter with just 21. It was a beautiful or ugly display of basketball depending on which side one focused on, and it left the visitors fighting an uphill battle with any comeback hopes heading into the final stretch.

James did what he could by shifting into takeover mode in the fourth quarter, but Dallas had an answer every time thanks in large part to its outside shooting (18 three-pointers).

Attention now turns to a road game against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday as the Lakers attempt to snap out of this sluggish stretch.

James Harden, Joel Embiid Light Up Twitter on Christmas as 76ers Roll Past Knicks

Dec 25, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks to the bench during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks to the bench during the first quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The NBA's hottest team resides in Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid had 35 points and James Harden added a 29-point, 13-assist double-double as the 76ers came from behind to earn a 119-112 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden.

The Sixers have reeled off eight straight wins, tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the longest streak in the NBA.

Sunday's Christmas matinee did not start the way Philly hoped, as the Knicks got off to a red-hot start and led by as many as 14 points in the first half. Embiid sleepwalked through a quiet first quarter before finally turning it on late in the second, scoring seven points in the final two minutes, nine seconds to help the Sixers pull within three at the break.

The margin closed to one by the end of the third quarter, with Harden taking on a starring role thanks to a series of jaw-dropping threes. His 29 points were his most in more than two months, while his five threes tied a season high.

https://twitter.com/_Talkin_NBA/status/1607098399362351104
https://twitter.com/dan_olinger/status/1607092330405986304

Dreadful over the first three quarters, the Philadelphia defense finally locked in during the fourth, limiting the Knicks to just 16 points.

New York has dropped three straight since its own eight-game winning streak. The Knicks are now just 0.5 games from dropping back into the play-in picture.

The Sixers (20-12) would be the East's No. 5 seed if the season ended today.

Bengals' Eli Apple Calls out Patriots' Mac Jones for 'Dirty' Low Block

Dec 25, 2022
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 24: Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) reacts during a game between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 24: Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple (20) reacts during a game between the New England Patriots and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 24, 2022, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mac Jones may be developing a reputation as a dirty player.

Bengals cornerback Eli Apple criticized Jones after the Patriots quarterback was called for a low block in Cincinnati's 22-18 win over New England on Saturday.

"Of course I did [notice it]. He tripped me," Apple said, per Sean T. McGuire of NESN. "I thought it was a dirty play. He's done that before, I've seen it."

It's hard to not agree with Apple's assessment of the play in question. The two were not particularly close to the play when Jones drove into Apple's knees during a Bengals fumble return that was later ruled an incomplete pass.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL will review the play to determine if Jones should face any discipline. The league has increasingly cracked down on plays below the knees, hoping to avoid serious leg injuries.

Jones dove at Apple's knees and risked injuring him in what appeared to be an outburst of frustration. Patriots fans loudly booed their second-year quarterback and chanted for fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe as Jones struggled early in the loss.

This is not Jones' first time being accused of dirty play, either. Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns called Jones out for twisting his ankle in a pile last season. Jones said he believed Burns had the ball and was ultimately not punished by the league.

Derek Carr Criticized by Raiders Fans After Davante Adams Struggles in Steelers Loss

Dec 25, 2022
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls signals during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls signals during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

When six-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams forced the Green Bay Packers to trade him to the Las Vegas Raiders over the offseason, there was an expectation that reforming his connection with his college teammate Derek Carr would lead to offensive fireworks.

While the Fresno State alums showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, Adams didn't produce with the same consistency we've grown accustomed to, and he was nearly nonexistent once again as he registered just two catches for 15 yards in the Raiders' 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.

Carr had an abysmal showing, throwing for 174 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions on 16-of-30 passing. All three of his picks came in the second half, and his last one came after Pittsburgh took its first lead of the game with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter.

NFL Twitter was not happy with Carr for how he failed to get Adams involved in the offense during the disappointing loss:

https://twitter.com/PoonPiratee/status/1606838628306636800
https://twitter.com/ToKeNasty/status/1606867258084675584

Saturday's outing marks Adams' third straight game without a touchdown and with less than 100 yards, 10 targets or five catches. A player of his caliber should never be such a non-factor for a team that is now on the brink of elimination from playoff contention.

The Raiders (6-9) will need Carr to utilize Adams more if they hope to be successful when they return to action on New Year's Day against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4), who boast one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Raiders' Chandler Jones Out vs. Steelers After Being Carted off with Elbow Injury

Dec 25, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14:  Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares to take the field before a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Defensive end Chandler Jones #55 of the Las Vegas Raiders prepares to take the field before a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being carted to the locker room with a left elbow injury.

The 32-year-old signed with the Raiders this offseason after spending the last six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Through 14 games with Las Vegas this year, Jones has 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He had three tackles against Pittsburgh before exiting.

Jones missed two games last season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list following a positive test for the coronavirus.

Jones started last season with one of the best single-game defensive performances of the year. He set a Cardinals franchise record with five sacks and added two forced fumbles in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans.

However, his production has tapered off a bit after that. Jones finished the year with 41 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

After being drafted 21st overall in 2012 by the New England Patriots, Jones has solidified himself as one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro. He was a part of New England's Super Bowl XLIX victory in 2014.

The Syracuse product led the NFL with 17 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in 2017. In 2019, he recorded a career-high 19 sacks. He was limited to five games in 2020 due to a torn bicep.

Jones' injury leaves Las Vegas fairly thin at defensive end. While star edge rusher Maxx Crosby can still be counted on for solid production, it will be interesting to see who lines up on the opposite side of him. Former first-round pick Clelin Ferrell could be inserted into the starting lineup. Malcolm Koonce could also be rotated in during pass-rush situations.

Michigan State's Khary Crump Takes Plea Deal on Charges from Michigan Tunnel Fight

Dec 25, 2022
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on the sidelines during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on the sidelines during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Michigan State redshirt sophomore defensive back Khary Crump has accepted a plea deal stemming from an altercation earlier this season in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium.

Per Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press, the 21-year-old "agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor counts of assault/battery and disorderly conduct person-jostling."

Crump had originally faced a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon after he was seen on video swinging his helmet at Michigan defensive back Gemon Green after the Spartans' 29-7 loss to the Wolverines on Oct. 29 as both teams walked to the locker room.

Green was consulted on the plea deal, and Crump was required to write a letter of apology to him as part of the agreement, per Solari.

"This is a step," Crump said in a statement to Solari. "Writing the apology to Gemon was a step. I am taking this step by step. I am working on KJ the man, KJ the student and KJ the athlete. All I can say is stay tuned."

Crump's attorney Mike Nichols told Solari that his client will formally accept the plea deal during a virtual hearing on Jan. 5 and all charges will be dismissed and wiped from his record "once he completes his probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act." Nichols added that Crump, who had transferred to Michigan State from Arizona in 2021, doesn't intend to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

"The apology that he wrote to Gemon was heartfelt. … Slowly but surely, he is pulling himself out of a horribly dark place," Nichols said. "I predict that in the end, this kid is going to be one hell of a comeback story."

In addition to Crump, six other Spartans players were charged in two incidents involving Green and fellow Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. All seven of them were suspended by Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker for the final four games of the season.

However, Crump is the only one not to be reinstated, as he still faces an eight-game suspension levied by the Big Ten to start the 2023 season.

Jerry Jones Says Odell Beckham Jr. Joining Cowboys This Season 'Not Realistic'

Dec 25, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl LVI football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

It seems like Dallas Cowboys fans hoping for Odell Beckham Jr. to join their team this holiday season are going to be disappointed.

Speaking to reporters after Saturday's 40-34 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it's "not realistic to think about having [Beckham] in a meaningful way for the playoffs."

Jones added he was "not dismissing" the possibility of signing Beckham in the future.

It's become impossible to keep track of all the twists and turns in the courtship between the Cowboys and Beckham.

Jones told USA Today's Jarrett Bell just eight days ago Beckham was "going to join us," and a deal could become official after the Cowboys played the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 18.

No team seemed to be going after Beckham harder than Dallas. He had an official visit with the club on Dec. 5 and attended a Dallas Mavericks game with Cowboys stars Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons the same day.

The Cowboys did add help at wide receiver when they signed T.Y. Hilton on Dec. 12. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports noted Hilton's addition didn't necessarily take them out of the Beckham sweepstakes.

Anderson also noted she spoke to an NFL source who said the Cowboys wanted Hilton because he was available to play "right now." The 33-year-old made his season debut against the Eagles. He only had one catch, but it was a 52-yarder on 3rd-and-30 midway through the fourth quarter to help set up a game-tying touchdown.

Beckham's availability for the stretch run this season has been called into question recently. He is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl 56 while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on Dec. 6 that Dallas had concerns about Beckham's knee after he took a physical that made it unclear if he would be able to play before mid-January.

The Cowboys have already clinched a playoff berth. Their victory over the Eagles kept their hopes of winning the NFC East and clinching a first-round bye alive, but they need to win out and have Philadelphia lose its final two games to have a shot.

Cowboys' Dak Prescott 'Very Confident' on Chance of Facing Eagles in NFL Playoffs

Dec 25, 2022
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys speaks to a reporter after a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 24: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys speaks to a reporter after a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

After Saturday's 40-34 win over the Philadelphia Eagles to split the regular-season series, there's a chance that the Dallas Cowboys meet their NFC East rivals once again in the playoffs.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged the possibility of a rubber match and told reporters he would relish the opportunity to face the Eagles in a postseason game:

Prescott threw for 347 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the Christmas Eve thriller. Dallas faced a 27-17 deficit in the second half before mounting a comeback. The Cowboys defense forced four turnovers in the win.

Dallas (11-4) will quickly turn the page to its Thursday Night Football matchup against the Tennessee Titans (7-8).