NORMAN — A little more than 130 years ago, John Harts stood in Bud Risinger’s Norman barbershop and declared, “Let’s get up a football team.” Harts’ words — which marked the genesis of what became OU’s football program — have long been known, thanks to the research of legendary Sooners Sports Information Director Harold Keith. But the location of Risinger’s shop had been …

Nike acquired the NFL’s uniform and apparel rights in 2012. The current deal runs through 2027. It might not be renewed. Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reports that Tuesday’s ownership meeting in Atlanta included a presentation regarding the contract held by Nike. Bidding on the next deal is already “open and active,” with “several” companies in the mix. Nike …

Ravell Call, Deseret News Editor’s note: Eighth in a series exploring BYU’s 1984 national football championship. No way Robbie Bosco could let an injury keep him from finishing the biggest game of his life. The setting was the 1984 Holiday Bowl, BYU vs. Michigan. Nobody else — not Washington, not Oklahoma — would take on the challenge of playing undefeated …

Offensive tackle Jake Long was the No. 1 overall selection by the Miami Dolphins in the 2008 NFL Draft. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) Jake Long retired from the NFL after the 2016 season. Eight years later, he’s nearly unrecognizable from his playing days due to a surprising amount of weight loss. Long was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall …

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football landed its fifth class of 2026 commit on Thursday, as four-star South Pointe safety J’Zavien Currence announced he will play for the Gamecocks. Currence is the No. 1 recruit in South Carolina and the ninth-best safety in his class according to the 247Sports Composite. He posted the news on social media with the caption “10000000% …

Everybody wants to have a cool friend. No matter what it costs. For the NFL’s owners, the cost entailed allowing Tom Brady to buy a piece of the Raiders at a ridiculously low $3.5 billion valuation, according to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal. The raw numbers suggest an even lower value. Per Fischer, Brady and his co-investor, Knighthead Capital …

In Matt Holtry’s 16 years of coaching high school football in Homedale, Idaho, he needed to pack two jerseys – one for offense and the other for defense – for just one player. So when it came time to retire Scott Matlock’s number this summer, Homedale had to decide which jersey number would go in the rafters: 44 or 99? …

Javonte Williams scored his second touchdown of the night, a 5-yard run with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter to give the Broncos a 26-3 lead on the Saints. The Broncos have scored on six consecutive possessions since punting on the opening drive. They led 16-3 at halftime. Williams has rushed for 81 yards on 12 carries and caught three …

A roundup of Southwest Florida high school football games played Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 18. THURSDAY Cypress Lake 34, Island Coast 22 Things couldn’t have started much worse for the host Panthers in Thursday’s District 3A-13 showdown against the Gators. Cypress Lake lost a fumble on its first offensive play, gift-wrapping a touchdown for Island Coast less than …

Yahoo Sports fantasy contributor Sal Vetri shares his bold prediction for the Carolina Panthers running back this week. Video Transcript Yeah, my bold prediction is that the running back one on the week for week seven is going to be Panthers back, Chuba Hubbard. Now, this guy since week two is second in fantasy points behind only Derek Henry and …

Texas will host a loaded visitor list this weekend to no ones surprise as the No. 1 Longhorns host the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs. Here are five of the most important visitors expected to be in Austin this weekend. Two five-star defensive lineman This embedded content is not available in your region. This embedded content is not available in your …

Sean Payton returned to New Orleans, where he coached from 2006-21, and left with a blowout win. By the fourth quarter, the Caesars Superdome was empty, and those Saints fans who stayed were booing the home team. With rookies all over the field, it had the feel of a preseason game. Payton and the Broncos weren’t messing around, though, smelling …

WASHINGTON — Here are three takeaways from Class 2A-I top-ranked Washington’s 35-28 overtime victory against No. 5 Marlow on Thursday night at Reed Field. More: How Tennessee football commit Antoni Ogumoro finds inspiration in autistic little brother Washington 35, Marlow 28 (OT) Player of the game: Creed Barrett. The Washington freshman quarterback finished 20-of-28 passing for 226 yards and three …

The injuries are piling up on the Saints defense after the Saints offense began the game short-handed. The Saints have lost both starting cornerbacks during Thursday Night Football. Paulson Adebo was carted off the field with a vacuum splint on his right leg, and the Saints quickly ruled him out with what they call a knee injury. Kaylee Hartung, the …

Starting quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) and tight end Taysom Hill (rib) were doubtful for Thursday Night Football, so there was no real chance they were going to play. The Saints made it official, listing the two star players on their inactive list. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start his second consecutive game in place of Carr. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, …