SPORTS HEADLINES

Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, baseball’s stolen base king, has died at 65

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Baseball Hall of Famer and stolen base king Rickey Henderson has died. He was 65. Known as baseball’s “Man of Steal,” Henderson had a lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments over his nomadic 25-year career. He was an MVP, 10-time All-Star selection, two-time World Series champion and Gold Glove winner. But it was stealing bases where Henderson made his name. He broke Lou Brock’s single-season record of 118 by stealing 130 bases in 1982 and led the league in steals for seven straight seasons and 12 overall. He broke Brock’s career record when he stole his 939th base on May 1, 1991. Henderson finished his career with 1,406 steals.

Texas beats Clemson 38-24, advances to face to Arizona State in College Football Playoff quarters

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jaydon Blue ran 146 yards and two touchdowns, the last a 77-yard burst in the fourth quarter, and Texas beat Clemson 38-24 on Saturday in the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff. Blue’s fourth-quarter touchdown came after Clemson rallied from down 31-10 to 31-24 on Cade Klubnik’s third touchdown pass. Texas (12-2) advanced to the Jan. 1 Peach bowl to play Big 12 champion Arizona State. Blue also scored on 38-yard cut-and-dash burst in the second quarter. On his second, he dove into the line, shook a tackler, and then outraced three more to the end zone with just 11 minutes left. Klubnik, who grew up in Austin, passed for 336 yards for the Tigers (10-4).

Former walk-on DeLuca provides early spark, Penn State drills SMU 38-10 in CFP; Boise State up next

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas returned interceptions for touchdowns and Penn State toyed with mistake-prone SMU in a 38-10 victory in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (12-2) advanced to face third-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve with the win. Penn State hounded SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings into three first-half turnovers, including a pair of ill-advised throws in the first half that DeLuca and Rojas converted into Pick-6s to give the Nittany Lions a lead they never came close to squandering. Penn State will have some history on its side when it faces Boise State. The Nittany Lions are 7-0 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl.

Texans WR Tank Dell hospitalized after severe knee injury on TD catch vs. Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center and will remain overnight after sustaining a severe left knee injury while making in a 30-yard touchdown catch in a 27-19 loss to the Chiefs. Dell was coming across the back of the end zone and made a spectacular catch on a pass from C.J. Stroud before colliding with Houston teammate Jared Wayne on the way to the ground. Dell was eventually placed on a stretcher and driven in a covered medical cart off the field, and then he was taken to the hospital.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens draw even atop the AFC North, beating the 1st-place Steelers 34-17

BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes and Marlon Humphrey scored on a fourth-quarter interception return to help the Baltimore Ravens pull even with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North with a 34-17 victory over the Steelers. Pittsburgh would have clinched the division with a victory, but now the teams are deadlocked after the Ravens won for just the second time in the last 10 games in this series. Baltimore clinched a playoff berth. The Steelers had already done so. Russell Wilson threw two touchdown passes for the Steelers but Humphrey’s pick-6 gave the Ravens a big cushion in a series that’s been razor-thin of late.

Mahomes throws for TD and runs for score as Chiefs beat Texans 27-19 to close in on No. 1 seed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 260 yards and a touchdown while running for a score on his ailing ankle, and the Kansas City Chiefs took a big step toward securing the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a 27-19 victory over the Houston Texans. Kansas City improved to 14-1 with its fourth straight win over the Texans, who fell to 9-6. C.J. Stroud had 244 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Texans. One of those TDs went to Tank Dell, who sustained a severe knee injury on the reception and had to be carted from the field.

Bronny James discusses the challenge of dealing with his mental health following cardiac scare

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The final buzzer sounded, the South Bay Lakers had won a game and Bronny James seemed completely at ease. Big smile. Handshakes with everyone. Even did a little dance step as he got to the bench. LeBron James’ oldest son made his peace long ago with the realization that he’s going to be judged differently because of who his father is. Bronny James insists that doesn’t bother him, saying Saturday at the G League Winter Showcase that he looks at the game differently — and still with some challenges — after suffering cardiac arrest in July 2023 while practicing at the University of Southern California.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the Yankees agree to a $12.5 million, 1-year deal, AP source says

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees agreed to a $12.5 million, one-year contract. Goldschmidt would become the Yankees’ fourth significant addition since Juan Soto’s departure for the New York Mets after left-hander Max Fried, closer Devin Williams and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger. Goldschmidt’s addition likely means Bellinger will be primarily an outfielder. Goldschmidt became a free agent after completing a $130 million, five-year contract with St. Louis.

Tiger Woods and son Charlie share the lead at PNC Championship

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods and his 15-year-old son Charlie are tied for the lead in the PNC Championship. They made five straight birdies on the back nine for a 59 in the scramble format. Also tied for the lead are the last two champions, Bernhard Langer and son Jason and Vijay Singh and son Qass. The tournament concludes Sunday with another scramble at the Ritz-Carlton Club. Woods is playing for the first time since September surgery on his lower back. He says he was rusty and downplayed his game because of the scramble format. This is his fifth straight appearance.

Senate passes RFK Stadium land bill, giving the Washington Commanders a major off-the-field win

The Washington Commanders’ path to returning to nation’s capital is clear after an on-again, off-again saga in Congress ended with a late reprieve. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution early Saturday to transfer the land including old RFK Stadium from the federal government to the District of Columbia. A provision to do so was included in Congress’ initial short-term spending bill before it was torpedoed by President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The House’s slimmed-down bill didn’t include the measure. The land transfer paves the way for the NFL team to potentially build a stadium on the site of the franchise’s former home. The Commanders are also considering other places in the district, Maryland and Virginia to build a stadium in the coming years.