SPORTS HEADLINES

Chiefs and Eagles handle the Super Bowl opening night spectacle like they’ve been here, done that

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes treated Super Bowl opening night like a two-minute drill, providing rapid-fire answers to one question after another. Travis Kelce passed on an inquiry about popping the question to Taylor Swift. Been here, done that. That’s how the Kansas City Chiefs handled the annual extravaganza that kicks off Super Bowl week. The Philadelphia Eagles were here two years ago so they weren’t fazed by the silliness either, though their most dynamic player is new to the wild experience that could overwhelm teams that aren’t used to the circus atmosphere. Saquon Barkley got his first taste of this made-for-television spectacle. Nick Sirianni received letters, and a kiss from Chad Johnson. Jalen Hurts even cracked a smile or two.

Role players often have major impacts on Super Bowl winners

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Super Bowl matchup between Philadelphia and Kansas City isn’t lacking for star power. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are among the most recognized players in the NFL thanks to their stellar play, numerous commercials and Kelce’s pop star girlfriend. The Eagles also have been mainstays near the top of the NFL these past few seasons, with big-name players like Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown generating plenty of headlines. But if history is any indication, some lesser-known players could have a big impact on the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Cooper Kupp says the Rams intend to trade him. He’s disappointed to end his 8 years with the team

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Cooper Kupp says the Los Angeles Rams are attempting to trade him after eight seasons with the club, and he doesn’t like the decision. The Super Bowl 56 MVP and 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year essentially bade farewell to the city where he has spent his entire career. Kupp is under contract for the next two seasons as part of the three-year, $80.1 million contract extension he got after having one of the greatest seasons by a receiver in NFL history in 2021-22. He would have taken up nearly $30 million in cap space next season.

Voter who passed on Ichiro for Hall of Fame still a mystery after 321 of 394 ballots released

NEW YORK (AP) — The Hall of Fame voter who declined to select Ichiro Suzuki remains a mystery. All 321 voters who allowed their ballots to be made public Tuesday by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America selected the Japanese star. Suzuki appeared on 393 of 394 ballots when voting was announced on Jan. 21. The Hall’s rules allow each voter the choice whether to make a ballot public. The BBWAA voted 80-19 at its December 2016 meeting to propose making all ballots public, but the Hall of Fame’s board of directors decided to leave the decision up to each voter.

‘Strive for greatness’ was LeBron’s message to Doncic in 2018. And as teammates, that won’t change

Luka Doncic came to the NBA in 2018 calling LeBron James his idol. The first time they went head-to-head, Doncic asked James during the game if he could have his jersey. And after that game, Doncic headed to the Los Angeles Lakers locker room to pick up the souvenir. James wrote a message on the purple jersey. “Strive for greatness,” James scrawled, those words being his longtime mantra. Here they are, almost seven years later, set to strive for more greatness — together.

Luka Doncic joins the Lakers after his trade from the Mavericks

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Luka Doncic has officially joined the Lakers after the Dallas Mavericks sent the superstar scorer to Los Angeles in a seismic trade. Doncic and general manager Rob Pelinka met with the media Tuesday morning at the Lakers’ training complex. The Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a three-team deal to acquire Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer last season before leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals. Stars of Doncic’s age and accomplishments are rarely traded, but Dallas made the deal to give up on its 25-year-old centerpiece — and the Lakers eagerly accepted.

Rory McIlroy wins at Pebble Beach and whets appetite for the major season

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — For Rory McIlroy, it’s all about location. He won at Pebble Beach and that was important to him. He already was looking ahead to major championship venues like Quail Hollow and Royal Portrush. The Masters is always on his mind. More than winning at Pebble Beach was the way he won. McIlroy showed more discipline than usual. He says that’s one of the traits he saw in Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy says he’s trying to be more of a thinker and less an impulsive player. He thinks that’s how Scheffler has separated himself from the rest of golf.

A’ja Wilson’s release of Nike shoe, apparel collection shows growth and interest in women’s sports

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A’ja Wilson has come to realize what is delayed is not always denied. The two-time WNBA champion and three-time league MVP proudly released her long-awaited Nike signature shoe and collection in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, where she helped lead the South Carolina Gamecocks to their first national championship and had her jersey retired on Sunday. The release of the predominantly pink shoe and athletic gear collection — which she said reflects her “girly, girly side” — has been 10 months in the making since she signed the lucrative contract with Nike. Wilson says it all signals the continued growth and interest in women’s sports.

Snowboarding, skiing and now windsurfing? Ester Ledecka might have a 3rd Olympic sport

SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) — Snowboarding. Skiing. And now windsurfing, too? Ester Ledecka already pulled off a stunning feat at the 2018 Winter Olympics when she claimed golds in two different sports in Pyeongchang with victories in Alpine skiing and snowboarding. The Summer Olympics could be up next for the multi-talented Czech athlete. Ledecka has already competed in the Defi Wind competition in France and she might be tempted to take a crack at qualifying in windsurfing for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. She’s been windsurfing since she was 5. Ledecka says “right now it’s more of a hobby.” Then she added “but yeah, why not?”

NASCAR’s Tyler Reddick focuses on Daytona and hopes team’s legal battle lands in rear-view mirror

Tyler Reddick would welcome a quiet offseason. The 29-year-old NASCAR driver feels like it’s been years since he’s been able to truly relax during the sport’s three-month hiatus. His most recent “break” was his most chaotic. Reddick was thrust into headlines as part of the ongoing legal battle between his 23XI Racing team, the one co-owned by NASCAR star Denny Hamlin and NBA great Michael Jordan, and the sanctioning body. A judge ruled in favor of the team and will allow it to compete with charter recognition in 2025. But the fight isn’t over as Reddick turns his attention to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 16.