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

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku inspired by Michael Jordan, 'The Last Dance'

Lukaku made headlines earlier in the tournament when he confirmed players from Belgium and Denmark would pause in the 10th minute of their Euro 2020 match to honor Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, Lukaku's teammate at Serie A club Inter Milan, who suffered cardiac arrest and nearly died in Denmark's tournament opener against Finland.

Bruins sign Trent Frederic to two-year deal

The 23-year-old was due to become a restricted free agent following the upcoming Stanley Cup Final. 

Paris Saint-Germain sign Ethan Mbappe, younger brother of star Kylian Mbappe

The 15-year-old Ethan signed a three-year youth contract that runs through 2024.

Kevin Durant rejects claim he wants to win three NBA titles with Nets

In a twist that will surprise just about nobody who follows the NBA, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant is once again displeased with somebody in the media. 

Saints won't request proof of vaccination to attend games, hope to not require masks

The New Orleans Saints explained why they haven't yet finalized plans for upcoming events and contests.

Vikings star CB Patrick Peterson encourages players to get COVID-19 vaccine shots

Peterson is fully vaccinated and said he felt "perfectly fine" after receiving the vaccine. 

65% of NFL players have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose

Unvaccinated players will have to follow protocols similar to those embraced for the 2020 season, such as wearing approved face coverings and not being permitted to leave team hotels while traveling for road games

23 MLB clubs now at 85% vaccination threshold for relaxed COVID-19 protocols

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association enjoyed a relatively quiet and positive week on the COVID-19 front. 

Premier League funding defibrillators to grassroots football following Christian Eriksen incident

Eriksen was resuscitated via CPR and a defibrillator during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener versus Finland earlier this month. 

Some NFL teams might not have new alternate helmets until 2023?

It might be too late for some teams to take advantage of the NFL's new rule about alternate helmets.

Former UFC champion Rashad Evans to unretire, wants marquee boxing match

Evans is coming out of retirement and eyeing a marquee boxing match that will generate headlines and, ideally, pay-per-view buys.

Broncos' Jerry Jeudy: QB competition improving both Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock

Earlier this month, Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio told reporters it was "too early" to make any real conclusions about the quarterback competition between veteran Teddy Bridgewater and 2019 draft pick Drew Lock.

Stars sign forward Rhett Gardner to two-year deal

The Dallas Stars locked down one of their own for at least a couple of years on Thursday. Dallas has confirmed the signing of forward Rhett Gardner to a new two-year contract.

NFL to allow teams to have alternate helmets beginning in 2022

The league previously allowed only one set of helmets per team because it was feared shifting between differing headgear could be unsafe.

Athletics' Mike Fiers out at least another four weeks, doesn't need surgery

Oakland manager Bob Melvin told reporters that Fiers likely won't throw for at least another four weeks after receiving an injection to help him recover from the sprained right elbow,

Mark Messier joins ESPN for NHL coverage

ESPN lost all-time hockey great Wayne Gretzky to Turner Sports as it prepares for the return of the NHL to its networks, but the Worldwide Leader has landed a living legend of its own.

Report: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah unlikely to play in Olympics

It appears the Egyptians will be without their star footballer when the Tokyo Olympics open next month. 

Browns' Kareem Hunt on Nick Chubb: 'Please pay that man'

Chubb is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Browns would certainly love to keep him in an ideal situation. The price tag could, however, be an issue.

Jason Kidd reportedly a 'prime candidate' for Mavericks' coaching job

Interestingly, Rick Carlisle, who left Dallas after 13 seasons and is returning to the Indiana Pacers to accept their coaching job, said his "hope is that Jason Kidd will be next coach of the Mavs."

Yankees legend Yogi Berra gets U.S. stamp

Berra earned 10 World Series rings as a player and three more as a coach, but many know him mostly for the "Yogi-isms" he said over the years, such as: "It ain't over 'til it's over."  

Over 85 percent of Steelers players fully vaccinated against COVID-19

The Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints have also reached the 85% vaccination threshold among players that allows for the loosening of certain health and safety protocols related to the coronavirus.

Report: Packers' Aaron Rodgers can't opt out unless he's developed a condition since October

Via a memo sent to clubs on Wednesday, NFL players learned they have until July 2 at 4 p.m. ET to inform their teams they are opting out of the 2021 season because of reasons linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dominic Thiem withdraws from Wimbledon due to wrist injury

The 27-year-old will have to wear a wrist splint for five weeks.