Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark earlier this week said she doesn’t pay attention to her name being used in “culture wars.”

The No. 1 overall pick from Iowa says she’s focused on basketball, which got pushback from members of the media as well as Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington.

Clark then said it was “unacceptable” for anyone to use her name to “push those agendas.”

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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Monday. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

But reasons for her popularity continue to be discussed, and nothing changed on Friday, when ESPN sports analyst Stephen A. Smith went on a nearly five-minute monologue about Clark, noting that race plays a role in many of the discussions about her.

“There’s a broader issue here that can’t be escaped, and that is this: She is a White young lady. And she’s been a magnet in a way that has benefitted the league in ways that others have not, even though their efforts have been worthy and deserving of being as celebrated, if not even more celebrated,” Smith said on Friday’s “First Take.”

“And it’s a reminder that no matter how far we believe that we have advanced as a society, there’s still such a long way to go. Because in the end, if you’re White, you’re bright, you’re right, and as a result, the shine comes your way in the eyes of a lot of people in America.”

Smith then, not by name, mentioned former President Trump’s “claim to fame.”

Stephen A. Smith appears at the Disney 2024 upfront presentation held at North Javits Center in New York City on May 14. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)

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“‘Make America Great Again.’ What have people interpreted that to mean? ‘Make America White Again…’ What has that led to? A divide,” Smith continued. “It is not a divide that is created. It is a divide that’s illuminated because it’s highlighting and showing that it’s been in existence all along. It hasn’t gone anywhere.”

Smith said he understood where Carrington was coming from, but also doesn’t hold Clark “accountable for that.”

“But what Caitlin Clark has to understand is it’s not really you personally. It’s you the figure, it’s you, the prop, per se, that is being utilized to address a bigger point,” Smith said.

“The fact that she is a young White lady, and the world has gravitated to her the way that they have in a way they have done for no one else in the 28-year history of the WNBA… it’s just further evidence of the times that we’re living in, but most importantly, the times that we’ve been living in and the progress that reportedly has been made, although it has existed in some degree, doesn’t negate the fact that we can’t gloss over the reality of what we’re exposed to every single day… There’s still a lot of work to be done, because things haven’t changed as much as we’d like to believe, period.”

Stephen A. Smith and former President Trump. (Getty Images)

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Clark said she was “unbothered” by such conversations.

“It’s not something I can control. I don’t put too much thought and time into thinking about things like that. To be honest, I don’t see a lot of it,” Clark said Thursday. 

“Like I’ve said, basketball’s my job. Everything on the outside, I can’t control that, so I’m not going to spend time thinking about that. People can talk about what they want to talk about, create conversations about whatever it is, but I think for myself, I’m just here to play basketball. I’m here to have fun. I’m here to help my team win. We’ve won three games, feel like we’ve been in a position to win a few more than that. My focus is on helping us do that. I don’t pay much mind to all of that, to be honest.”

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Michigan State has dipped down into Texas to grab a lengthy offensive target.

2025 Red Oak (Texas) three-star wide receiver Charles Taplin pledged to the Spartans just one week after spending time in East Lansing for an official visit.

Taplin, 6-foot-2, 160-pounds, chose the Spartans over offers from Arizona, Washington State, Tulsa, UTEP, and more.

The process from offer to commitment was a pretty quick one for Taplin, who was offered by Michigan State on May 8. One month later, he visited, and now, he’s a member of the class.

Coming into this past weekend, he did not know he was going to make such a quick decision.

“It was really something on the visit,” he said. “I just made the decision.”

As far as why they stood out from the jump, Taplin says it was all about relationships.

“Just being treated like family right when I got there, it was like I was one of their own.

As far as the football side of things, it made too much sense for Taplin to pass up.

“Really they just want me to become a deep threat receiver in their offense and I trust that Coach Hawkins will develop me as a wide receiver. “Also, their pro-style offense will prepare me well for gettin to the league.”

Taplin is a potentially high upside developmental piece in this 2025 Michigan State class. Because of the loaded roster at Red Oak and the array of weapons, Taplin has not been the primary target. As a junior, he reeled in 20 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. But with his height, vertical speed, and ball tracking, he could prove to be much more valuable than his stats would suggest.

Terrence Shannon Jr., a potential lottery pick in this month’s NBA Draft, was found not guilty of rape Thursday night.

The former Illinois star was accused of pulling a woman toward him, putting his hands under her skirt and touching her sexually.

The incident happened while he was visiting Kansas for an Illinois-Kansas football game.

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LeBron James showed support for Terrence Shannon Jr. after Shannon was found not guilty of rape. (Getty Images)

A jury in Douglas County spent less than two hours deliberating, and, on Friday morning, Shannon got support from LeBron James.

“To my Young [king] Terrance Shannon Jr! Love and Salute you! Proud of you!! God is Good!” James wrote on X, formerly Twitter, with raised hands emojis. “The apologies should be 30X louder than the hate he got but we know how it goes. Anyways back to the regular scheduled program.”

Shannon was charged with rape or an alternative count of sexual battery, which resulted in a six-game suspension before a federal judge later reinstated him, ruling that his civil rights had been violated.

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. reacts after hitting a basket and being fouled against Duquesne in the first half of a second-round NCAA Tournament game March 23, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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Shannon testified that he joined two roommates and a few Kansas players at a bar Sept. 8, but he only had a few drinks and remembered everything that happened that night. Shannon said he didn’t learn of the rape allegation until several weeks later and that he had never seen the 18-year-old woman who had accused him until the case had begun.

The accuser said the bar was so crowded she couldn’t “do anything,” an affidavit said.

The 6-foot-6 Shannon, who plays point guard and shooting guard, averaged 23 points last season for a team that reached the Elite Eight before losing to eventual national champion UConn.

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. brings the ball up court during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers Dec. 9, 2023, at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn. (Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Shannon transferred to Illinois from Texas Tech prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. He was voted first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Germany set another record in Euro 2024, as it thrashed Scotland 5-1 in the opening match of the tournament, at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday.

It was the biggest-ever win for the host in the European Championships and also the biggest margin of victory for any side in the opening match of the tournament. Florian Wirtz opened the scoring in the 10th minute while Jamal Musiala doubled the lead nine minutes later.

Scotland’s night went from bad to worse when defender Ryan Porteous was sent off for a rash challenge on Ilkay Gundogan inside the box, which saw Kai Havertz convert the penalty to make it 3-0 before the break.

Julian Nagelsmann, who became the youngest coach in the Euros, brought in Niclas Fullkrug and Emre Can in the second half, both of whom found the net to complete a five-star performance for the Germans.

The Euros, starting 1960, has had one goalless opening match while eight of them have had a deficit of just one goal. Here are the top three margins of victory in the opening games in Euros:

• 2024 : Germany 5-1 Scotland
• 2020: Turkey 0-3 Italy
• 1976: Czechoslovakia 3-1 Netherlands, aet; Yugoslavia 2-4 West Germany aet

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For as long as they have been in combat sports, purists have said that the Paul brothers have made a mockery of fighting. However, they have a big fan in a former president.

Donald Trump appeared on Logan’s “Impaulsive” podcast earlier this week, where the two discussed some politics, aliens and sports.

Trump has been spotted at plenty UFC events in recent years, but it sure seems like he will make some time for the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson bout in November.

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Jake Paul (R) talks to his brother Logan Paul after his official weigh in at Desert Diamond Arena on October 28, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona.  (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Trump was asked what his prediction was for the bout, and while he didn’t give an answer, he did give some analysis.

“Look, Mike was fantastic, but, you know, Mike’s a little older now, and you guys can fight,” Trump said. “You guys can really fight, legitimately fight.”

The duo spoke more about the fight later on, and Trump again quipped, “You are both good.”

Logan Paul looks on during the Misfits Heavyweight fight between Logan Paul and Dillon Danis at AO Arena on October 14, 2023, in Manchester, England.  (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

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The older brother, Logan, has made WWE his focus. He is the current United States Champion and had a match with Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Cody Rhodes last month.

Logan has just two professional boxing matches under his belt (and an exhibition with Floyd Mayweather). He lost his first back in 2019 to fellow YouTuber KSI, who is now his business partner with their PRIME energy drink. Paul then beat former MMA fighter Dillon Danis by disqualification last October.

Jake, on the other hand, seems to have taken boxing much more seriously. He is 9-1 in his young career, with six of those victories coming via knockout. His lone loss was to Tommy Fury, the brother of Tyson, early last year.

Mike Tyson, Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul pose onstage during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing match Arlington press conference at Texas Live! on May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for Netflix)

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Logan actually said on the podcast that he was willing to replace Tyson for the Netflix special on July 20, but the decision was ultimately made to go with Tyson on November 15.

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Germany beat Scotland 5-1 in the opening game of Euro 2024 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

This was the biggest margin of a victory in an opening game by any team in the history of the tournament. Italy is second since it won the 2020 edition’s opener by a three-goal margin against Turkey.

From 1960 to 2024, here are the opening games results of the Euros of all time:

• 2024 : Germany 5-1 Scotland
• 2020: Turkey 0-3 Italy
• 2016: France 2-1 Romania
• 2012: Poland 1-1 Greece
• 2008: Switzerland 0-1 Czechia
• 2004: Portugal 1-2 Greece
• 2000: Belgium 2-1 Sweden
• 1996: England 1-1 Switzerland
• 1992: Sweden 1-1 France
• 1988: West Germany 1-1 Italy
• 1984: France 1-0 Denmark
• 1980: Czechoslovakia 0-1 West Germany
• 1976: Czechoslovakia 3-1 Netherlands, aet; Yugoslavia 2-4 West Germany aet
• 1972: Belgium 1-2 West Germany
• 1968: Italy 0-0 Soviet Union (Italy won on a coin toss)
• 1964: Spain 2-1 Hungary, aet
• 1960: France 4-5 Yugoslavia

After the New England Patriots and all the great names that made that franchise a dynasty had welled with pride and tears and shown bravado and humility in front of about 60,000 fans at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, the limelight fixed where it ultimately always went for two decades.

On Tom Brady.

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, greets former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, on stage during Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Brady at Gillette Stadium, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.  (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

And the greatest quarterback of all time, in the house to accept a red blazer as the newest member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, did what he so often did during his career.

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He delivered.

Tom Brady Nails It As Usual

Brady spoke for 20 minutes as he humbly accepted owner Robert Kraft’s announcement that No. 12 would be retired, and a statue would be commissioned and erected outside the stadium. 

In becoming the 35th player to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, Brady spoke of his teammates, coaches, and family. He spoke of his friends and competitors. He thanked them all.

He also thanked and hugged Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick before praising the kitchen staff and people who cleaned the players’ locker stalls. He covered all the bases.

And in typical Brady fashion, it was an outstanding performance.

“To be successful at anything,” Brady said, “the truth is you don’t have to be special. You have to be what most people aren’t: consistent, determined, and willing to work for it. No shortcuts.

“If you look at all my teammates here tonight, it would be impossible to find better examples of men who embody that work ethic, integrity, purpose, determination and discipline that it takes to be a champion in life.”

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady waves to the crowd at the conclusion of the Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Brady at Gillette Stadium, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Brady Tells Belichick It Was Us

I’ve obviously not heard all the great sports speeches ever delivered. Not even close. But I’ve heard great speeches delivered at Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions and other ceremonies. Delivered before and after NFL games. Delivered in retirement. And delivered amid laughter and tears.

Brady’s speech was the best.

The best.

This speech did it all. It addressed Brady’s curious relationship with Belichick and the ongoing narrative that it was Brady who was responsible for the Patriots’ success rather than Belichick’s coaching. 

“It wasn’t me,” Brady said. “It wasn’t you. It was us. Our hard work, our love of the game and the way we worked for one another, that’s what it was all about.

“Let me make this crystal clear, there is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”

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It is obvious Brady has wondered about and even asked himself some poignant, hard and even deep philosophical questions.

He has also arrived at some answers.

“Twenty years,” he said. “Seventeen division titles, six Super Bowls, how did we do it? What can we learn? And how can we apply those things going forward?

“The foundation of a successful team, a family or business is asking what you can do to support the mission. The Patriots embodied that. Everyone was committed to winning. Everyone was selfless. Everyone was always asking, ‘What can I do to help the team win?’”

Play The Game, Brady Says

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, speaks with Patriots owner Robert Kraft as they arrive for the Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Brady at Gillette Stadium, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Brady made hundreds of millions of dollars playing football and the question now that he’s retired is whether sons Jack and Benjamin will follow in his footsteps.

“My response,” Brady said, “is that I’ll support them in any of their dreams. Whatever makes them happy, makes me happy.”

But …

“I would encourage everyone to play football for the simple reason that it is hard,” he added. “It’s hard when you’re young to wake up in the offseason at 6 a.m. to go train and work out, knowing all your friends are sleeping in and eating pancakes. 

“It’s hard when you’re on your way to practice weighed down with all your gear and it’s 90 degrees out, while all the other kids are at the pool or at the beach. And your body is already completely exhausted from workouts and two-a-days.

“It’s hard to throw, catch, block and tackle and hit kids when they’re way bigger and way more developed than you. Only to go home that night bruised and battered and strained, but knowing you have to show up again the next day for just the chance to try again.

“But understand this: Life is hard … My advice is to prepare yourself. Because football lessons teach us that success and achievement come from overcoming adversity and that team accomplishment far exceeds anyone’s individual goals.”

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Tom Brady: ‘I Am A Patriot’

Brady addressed Patriots fans, thousands of whom began arriving for the 7 p.m. ceremony three hours ahead of time – as if it were an actual game day.

“Am I proud of our championships? Yes,” Brady said. “Am I proud of our winning records over the years? Yes. But what I am proudest of is the people’s lives who we impacted here and across the country. They might have cheered for us or against us. Some may not have liked us, but they certainly ended up respecting us.

“Sometimes when I ask myself why me? The answer is that I’m the messenger here to tell the world how amazing Patriots fans really are.”

And, of course, Brady deflected attention off himself and onto his teammates. He did this multiple times.

“Every stitch and every single thread of this beautiful red jacket is woven together by the experiences and adversities we endured,” he said addressing the 100 or so former teammates in attendance. 

“Every single one of you made my life better. If you thought you learned a lot from me, the reality was I learned way more from you. We fought together, we bled together, we cried together, we celebrated and won together. And I would go to battle with any one of you guys because I know what you’re all about.”

Brady ended this emotional night with a message. His blue eyes filled with tears, his voice cracking, he told the crowd:

“You humble me. You make me proud. And I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot.” 

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Scotland was reduced to 10 men when Ryan Porteous was given a red card at the brink of half-time, against Germany, in their EURO 2024 opener, at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday.

In the 45th minute, Ilkay Gundogan was fouled by Porteous as the German midfielder screamed in pain, appealing for a penalty. Though the referee, Clement Turpin, did not point to the spot initially, following a look on the monitor and consulting the video-assistant-referee (VAR), he gave Germany a penalty and marching orders to the Scot defender.

Why was Ryan Porteous shown a red card?

Porteous was shown a direct red card because he violated Law 12 of the Laws of the Game in football. According to the rules in football, a straight red can be given for the following instances:

• Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity with a handball
• Denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity with a foul
• Serious foul play
• Violent conduct
• Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s)
• Receiving a second yellow card (caution) in the same match

In the case of Porteous, the second reason holds perfectly well as his challenge was a reckless one (read foul), which denied a clear goalscoring opportunity to the Barcelona midfielder.

Both his boots were on the up, against the right leg of Gundogan, which only made the referee’s case stronger to show him a straight red instead of a yellow card.