Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: Coaches must let players 'be their authentic selves'

It appears Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held little back during his recent appearance on "The Pivot Podcast" which has generated a plethora of headlines.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom may make season debut 'a few weeks' before August trade deadline

The two-time Cy Young Award winner hasn't taken the bump for a meaningful game since July 7, 2021, and he missed the second half of last season because of lingering elbow issues. 

Steelers' Kenny Pickett can't win starting job over Mitchell Trubisky without injury?

For now it seems Pickett is destined to be standing on the sidelines this fall as long as Trubisky is healthy enough to take the field and line up under center. 

Discipline settlement talks between NFL, NFLPA, Deshaun Watson camp reportedly 'fell apart'

It appears Watson will face a lengthy suspension, so there is no word on when any punishment will be handed down by the league.

D.C. United to host 2023 MLS All-Star Game

This will be the third time the league's All-Star Game will take place in D.C.

U.S. artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez saved from drowning by coach

It was determined Alvarez fainted as she did at last summer's Olympic qualifiers in Barcelona.

Spanish La Liga games to happen in U.S. before 2026 FIFA World Cup?

It's unclear when La Liga could potentially host games in North America or what teams would be involved. 

Steelers agree to terms with first-round pick Kenny Pickett on rookie deal

Pickett officially has his first pro football contract.

Texans TE Pharaoh Brown wants to be All-Pro in 2022

Pharaoh Brown said he feels that Pep Hamilton earning a promotion to offensive coordinator will help him enjoy a career year this fall. 

Patriots' Mac Jones reminding some of Tom Brady?

There's a new reason for New England fans to be optimistic in the early days of summer.

Patients, families to pick future 'Hawkeye Wave' songs at Iowa football games

Arguably the best tradition of every college football season involves fans at Iowa Hawkeyes home games turning and waving toward those at the University

Analyst suggests Mitchell Trubisky will win Steelers job over Kenny Pickett?

The starting job is probably Trubisky's to lose, but that doesn't necessarily mean Pickett can't win it by the end of August. 

Former Colts, Ravens DT Tony Siragusa dies at age 55

Former Colts and Ravens nose tackle Tony Siragusa died Wednesday at the age of 55. The cause of his death was not immediately announced.

Mets' Carlos Carrasco exits vs. Astros with lower-back tightness

Mets starting right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco exited Wednesday's outing at the Houston Astros after just 53 pitches and 2.1 innings of work.

Steelers' Kenny Pickett last unsigned first-round pick from 2022 NFL draft

Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reported that Kenny Pickett will eventually "sign a four-year deal worth $14 million fully guaranteed" that includes a standard fifth-year option. 

49ers' Arik Armstead: Warriors winning NBA title 'definitely inspiring'

While the Golden State Warriors have become somewhat of an NBA dynasty since the spring of 2015, the San Francisco 49ers have fallen just short.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson named as player 'who could disappoint in 2022'

Will bringing in more targets affect Johnson's production?

Mets' Jeff McNeil expected to return Friday or Saturday at Marlins

The Mets get some good news on the injury front. 

Tottenham's Harry Kane sponsors Leyton Orient shirts for third straight season

Long before the 28-year-old became a three-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, he played his first professional game with Leyton Orient in 2011.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin 'excited about being uncomfortable' with QB situation

Tomlin hasn't yet named a starter and seems to be preparing for a legitimate competition between his three QBs during training camp.

Mets' Dominic Smith vows: 'I’ll help this team win ballgames'

One of the reasons the New York Mets felt so comfortable with designating well-liked veteran Robinson Cano for assignment in early May was that doing so provided additional opportunities and at-bats for first baseman and outfielder Dominic Smith.

Retired QB Ryan Fitzpatrick 'not sure' if he could still play in NFL

Popular veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick was supposed to serve as the starting quarterback for the then-named Washington Football Team during the 2021 NFL season

Steelers' Diontae Johnson the next WR to earn a 'big-money' deal?

If nothing else, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool elicited plenty of reactions when he said during a recent appearance on the "I Am Athlete" podcast that he considers himself "a top-five receiver" and even "a top-three receiver" in the entire NFL.  Respectfully, the numbers indicate otherwise.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: RB Najee Harris is 'a born leader'

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin generated plenty of headlines during a recent edition of "The Pivot Podcast" when he made it known that star

Mets' Jeff McNeil day-to-day with hamstring tightness

Jeff McNeil was left out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at the Houston Astros, but manager Buck Showalter didn't seem too concerned about the issue.