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

Twitter/X: @ZacWassink
Muck Rack: zac-wassink
July 22, 2021  |  Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins ends retirement talk over COVID vaccine

Don't worry, Cardinals fans. DeAndre Hopkins would like you to know he isn't going anywhere. 

July 22, 2021  |  New York Jets

Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp dies after tragic bicycle accident

Jeff Sperbeck, Knapp's agent, has confirmed the coach has died from his injuries after being struck by an automobile while riding his bicycle near his home.

July 22, 2021  |  Cleveland Guardians

Report: Cleveland baseball has new name, but not ready to reveal it

Cleveland has chosen a new name for the club but is not yet ready to reveal it.

July 22, 2021  |  NFL

NFLPA backs NFL plan of withholding pay over forfeits linked with COVID-19?

The league can make teams forfeit and can also withhold pay if clubs cannot play any game, as scheduled, because of a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated personnel. 

July 22, 2021  |  Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins would rather retire than get COVID-19 vaccine?

DeAndre Hopkins apparently had second thoughts and deleted an initial tweet suggesting he could consider retiring to avoid receiving a COVID-19 vaccine shot.

July 22, 2021  |  New York Giants

Giants rookie WR Kadarius Toney placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Giants didn't specify if Toney tested positive for the coronavirus or has been deemed a "high-risk close contact."

July 22, 2021  |  College Football

Terry Bowden: Bobby Bowden has pancreatic cancer

The college football and sports communities were saddened to learn Wednesday that legendary former Florida State Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden is dealing with a terminal medical condition. 

July 22, 2021  |  Florida State Seminoles

Florida State football 'getting closer' to 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold

Coach Mike Norvell explained that former FSU and NFL player Myron Rolle, who currently works as a neurosurgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, spoke with players and answered questions they have about the available vaccines. 

July 22, 2021  |  College Football

Big Ten undecided on potential football forfeits related to COVID-19

Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren explained during Thursday's Media Day session that league presidents and chancellors agreed last month individual schools will first determine their own policies regarding COVID-19.

July 22, 2021  |  Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys star DE DeMarcus Lawrence, WR Amari Cooper on PUP list

Lawrence underwent offseason back surgery and did not participate in offseason team activities or mandatory minicamp, while Cooper is recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

July 22, 2021  |  Los Angeles Angels

Shohei Ohtani's All-Star jersey breaks auction record

A 2021 American League All-Star jersey autographed by Ohtani closed at $130,210 on Wednesday in an auction run by MLB Auctions.

July 22, 2021  |  NFL

NFL threatens forfeits, loss of pay for COVID-19 outbreaks, cancellations

The NFL has gone several steps further to encourage all players to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible. 

July 22, 2021  |  Cincinnati Reds

Reds All-Star Nick Castellanos out 'a couple weeks' with wrist microfracture?

Castellanos has mostly been a spectator since he was hit on the right wrist by a pitch during Friday's loss versus the

July 22, 2021  |  NFL

14 NFL teams hit 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold as rates slow

Teams that don't reach the 85% vaccination mark will largely have to follow guidelines similar to those used during the 2020 season before shots were available to all NFL employees. 

July 21, 2021  |  Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers LB Vince Williams retires ahead of training camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers already lost a player one day before officially opening training camp.

July 21, 2021

Washington State coach Nick Rolovich unvaccinated, doing media day remotely

Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich announced Wednesday he will participate in Pac-12 media day next Tuesday remotely because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.

July 21, 2021  |  Auburn Tigers

Knicks interested in drafting Auburn's Sharife Cooper?

The New York Knicks inevitably will be linked with big names in trade rumors now that the NBA Finals have ended, but those running the organization must first concern themselves with the draft that takes place July 29.

July 21, 2021  |  Philadelphia Phillies

Bryce Harper wants Phillies to buy big before trade deadline

The Phillies trail the first-place Mets by only three games, and Bryce Harper seemed to implore the club's front office to make more than just one big move before the deadline.

July 21, 2021  |  Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys' Dak Prescott to be 'full participant' in training camp

The Dallas Cowboys were understandably cautious with their handling of quarterback Dak Prescott throughout offseason activities as he works to fully recover from the gruesome compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle he suffered last October. 

July 21, 2021  |  New York Mets

Mets trade OF Billy McKinney to Dodgers ahead of potential 'big splash'

The Mets have traded outfielder Billy McKinney to the Dodgers for minor league outfielder Carlos Rincon. The Mets also received cash in the trade.

July 21, 2021  |  Cleveland Browns

Browns' Baker Mayfield indicates he's vaccinated against COVID-19

While speaking with reporters at his youth football camp Wednesday, Baker Mayfield indicated his vaccination situation has since changed. 

July 21, 2021  |  Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones 'very satisfied' with Cowboys' COVID-19 vaccination rate

Cowboys living legend Michael Irvin recently slammed his former team for not reaching the 85% COVID-19 vaccination, but owner Jerry Jones was more optimistic about the situation in comments on Wednesday.

July 21, 2021  |  Philadelphia Eagles

Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz to stay with Eagles?

Zach Ertz is expected to report for the start of training camp Tuesday after skipping the entire offseason program amid reports he wished to be traded or released.

July 21, 2021  |  Tennis

Roger Federer, Naomi Osaka to play in US Open

Federer crashed out of Wimbledon in the quarterfinal round, while Osaka has been out of action since she withdrew from the French Open after she declared she wouldn't participate in press obligations. 

July 21, 2021  |  Florida State Seminoles

Legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden diagnosed with terminal medical condition

In total, Bowden won two national championships (1993, 1999) and 12 Atlantic Coast Conference titles throughout his Florida State tenure that lasted from 1976 through 2009.