Yardbarker

Jeff Mezydlo

A Chicago native, Jeff Mezydlo has professionally written about sports, entertainment and pop culture for parts of four decades. He was an integral member of award-winning sports sections at The Times of Northwest Indiana (Munster, Ind.) and Champaign (Ill.) News-Gazette, where he covered the NFL, PGA, LPGA, NCAA basketball, football and golf, Olympics and high school athletics. Jeff most recently spent 12 years in the editorial department at STATSPerform, where he also oversaw coverage of the English Premier League. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Jeff's work has also appeared on such sites at Yahoo!, ESPN, Fox Sports, Sports Illustrated and NBA.com. However, if Jeff could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High School and Grand Lakes University

EXPERTISE:

NCAA football, NCAA basketball, PGA/LPGA, international soccer, sports history, rock music, film history

Odds for the 2018 PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is the final major of the season and gives golf's best one more shot at major glory. Bellerive Country Club in suburban St. Louis is the host, and all the big names will be there.

Storylines to follow for the 2018 PGA Championship

The final major of the year always brings plenty to talk about. The 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club is no exception, especially since it's the 100th installment of the tournament.

Brian Urlacher: From simple man to Hall of Famer

When Brian Urlacher arrived at Chicago Bears headquarters hours after being selected ninth overall in the 2000 draft, he seemed a bit surprised by his surroundings.

Legendary players in weird uniforms

There are athletes who just don't look right in another uniform than the one that made them famous. Will San Antonio Spurs — or NBA — fans get used to seeing Tony Parker in a Charlotte Hornets jersey this season?

The 20 top Open Championship moments at Carnoustie

For the eighth time in the history of the grand event, Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland will play host to the Open Championship. Considered by many a golfer to be the toughest course among courses in the Open rotation, Carnoustie's daunting track can humble even the best in the world.

The top 25 moments from the 2018 World Cup

From stunning upsets to potential water shortages, improbable runs and unthinkable early exits, the 2018 World Cup had it all.  One of the more entertaining installments of soccer's grandest celebration, the World Cup in Russia did not disappoint.

Top players from the 2018 World Cup

Whether they are goal scorers, shot stoppers, midfield managers or defensive specialists, the world's best again have shined in Russia at this year's World Cup.

Ranking the Open Championship winners from the U.S.

With Scotland's Carnoustie Golf Links playing host to the 147th Open Championship this month, Jordan Spieth looks to become the first American to win back-to-back British titles since 2005-06.

How Croatia arrived at the 2018 World Cup final

In the midst of its own "Golden Generation" of soccer, Croatia is headed to its first World Cup final, where France awaits Sunday in Moscow. The young but talented French are favored, but that shouldn't matter to the Vatreni, who were labeled as underdogs from the start and continue to prove wrong any doubters that may be left.

How France arrived at the 2018 World Cup final

It's only fitting that France has another chance to win the World Cup 20 years after the country won its only such title — on home soil. Should France do it, again, this one will come in Russia on Sunday.

First women in each Hall of Fame

From a baseball activist to a world champion wrestler, the legacy of those prominent female athletes who blazed a path for all to follow will never be forgotten.

Review: 'Red Card: How the U.S. Blew the Whistle on the World’s Biggest Sports Scandal' shows FIFA's biggest drama is off the field

With the collective eyes of the soccer universe fixed on Russia and the 2018 World Cup, it’s another chance to celebrate the sport's players, history and passion.

25 heroes of the College World Series through the years

As fans flock to Omaha for another installment of the College World Series, it's a good time to look back at some of the tournament's top performers. Whether they were delivering an improbable walk-off homer or an unthinkable pitching performance, the CWS has produced plenty of stellar individual efforts over the years.

Golfers with a real chance to win their first major at the U.S. Open

Last year, Sergio Garcia removed himself from a list most golfers don't want to be on: "The best to never win a major." It took Phil Mickelson more than a decade before he won his first, and poor Lee Westwood may have seen that ship sail.  When the U.S.

Top 20 moments from U.S. Opens held in New York

No state has hosted the Men's U.S. Open more than New York, with this year's stop at famed Shinnecock Hills on Long Island marking No. 19 for N.Y. There have been plenty of memorable moments featuring legends like Bobby Jones, Billy Casper, Tiger Woods and Lee Trevino.

Least memorable U.S. Open winners

The greats have won the U.S. Open — Hogan, Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino, Tiger, heck, most remember that Andy North even won it twice. While Phil Mickelson still eyes a victory at America's national championship to complete his personal grand slam, there are plenty of lesser-known golfers who have plodded their way to U.S.

What sports legends did in their first games, events

Legends have to start somewhere. For some athletes, the legend begins before even competing in their first high-profile contests, while others come from humble beginnings to become all-time greats.

Champions League Final: How Real Madrid, Liverpool reached Kiev

For Real Madrid, a spot in the Champions League final has become something of an annual event. For Liverpool, it's been a long time coming. Though both

Why you should watch the 2018 Men's World Cup

Did you hear? The United States did not qualify for the World Cup. Of course you know that, but it's OK, really. There are plenty of other ways to get your soccer fix.

Ranking the most thrilling Men's World Cups

Whether it be gut-wrenching shootouts, memorable finals or remarkable individual performances, each World Cup has provided many exciting and captivating moments that fans still talk about today.

Most notorious moments in men's World Cup history

Whether it's the Hand(s) of God, a bite to the shoulder or the most famous head-butt in all of sports, the World Cup has seen its share of wild, unpredictable and downright mesmerizing moments that caused fans to scratch their heads in disbelief.  Here's a look at some of the more memorable ones throughout the years. 

Best Men's World Cup performances of all time

Each World Cup, the Golden Ball is awarded to the tournament's most outstanding player, while the winning team takes home the most coveted trophy in soccer.

X-factors for each 2018 Men's World Cup team

Is Messi enough to lead Argentina to its first World Cup title in 32 years? Does Germany have what it takes to become the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1968?