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

Former Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay thankful Broncos let him hit free agency

Lindsay signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the Houston Texans and is set to compete for touches with new backfield mates Mark Ingram and David Johnson.

NFL to relax COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, personnel?

Teams have been instructed to provide a list of players, coaches and other personnel fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in advance of potential relaxed restrictions.

Andy Murray could pursue soccer, golf gigs after tennis retirement

The three-time Grand Slam champion told Jonathan Wells of Gentleman's Journal he could remain in the sports world after he walks away from competitive tennis. 

Cleveland bans headdresses, painted faces at Progressive Field

Fans can still wear merchandise, including caps and shirts, that feature Chief Wahoo. Face paint that is deemed inoffensive, such as a depiction of the mascot Slider, is still permitted. 

Report: Bears chairman voted against 17-game NFL season

It's widely believed it's only a matter of time before the NFL expands the regular season to 18 games, and that reality makes George McCaskey's dissenting vote all the more curious. 

Francis Ngannou wants to fight Jon Jones, but Jones wants more money

Jones, widely viewed as the greatest all-around competitor in UFC history, suggested last June that he could "sit out for two years, three years" if White didn't meet his asking price for a return to the Octagon.

Official passes out during USC-Gonzaga Elite Eight game

The opening minutes of Tuesday's Elite Eight showdown between the USC Trojans and Gonzaga Bulldogs were overshadowed by a scary incident involving a referee.

Falcons owner: 'We should be working to make voting easier, not harder'

Shortly after Georgia approved an overhaul of election laws in the state via restrictions that opponents say target minority voters, Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank spoke out against the legislation.

Andre Drummond to start in Lakers debut vs. Bucks

Drummond averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 games, all starts, with Cleveland this season before he was relegated to the bench.

Mets' Pete Alonso on Francisco Lindor: 'I hope they pay him $400 million'

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and shortstop Francisco Lindor have only been teammates for about two-and-a-half months since Lindor joined the Mets from the Cleveland Indians via a blockbuster January trade, but Alonso is in full solidarity with his new compatriot.

Charter flight carrying Jazz makes emergency landing after striking flock of birds

The Jazz were prepared to take a charter flight for Wednesday's game at the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday afternoon when things nearly went horribly wrong.

Canucks forward Adam Gaudette tests positive for COVID-19

Wednesday's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames is now in doubt.

Rays' Ji-Man Choi out 3-5 weeks after knee surgery

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi was bothered by soreness in his right knee throughout spring training and will now miss approximately the first month of the regular season.

Texans GM: Lawsuits against Deshaun Watson are 'certainly troubling'

The Texans finally weighed in on Watson's mounting legal issues.

Roger Goodell expects full NFL stadiums for 2021 season

NFL revenue dropped from $16 billion in 2019 to $12 billion in 2020 largely because teams couldn't fill stadiums throughout the pandemic-altered campaign, so it's logical Goodell and league owners would plan for sellouts until they're told otherwise.

Blue Jays move third homestand to Florida spring training ballpark

The Blue Jays hope to fill TD Ballpark to 15% capacity for home games that begin April 8. Typically, the venue seats approximately 8,500 fans. 

Malcolm Butler: 'I’ll ball harder this year' with Cardinals

Butler recorded 100 total tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups during the 2020 campaign and vowed to post even better numbers with the Cardinals. 

Bruins get Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo back Tuesday vs. Devils

The Boston Bruins will get a pair of key figures back as they close March out with Tuesday's game versus the New Jersey Devils.

Bruce Arians doesn't rule out Buccaneers drafting QB in first round

The Buccaneers are committed to having seven-time champion quarterback Tom Brady lead them into the defense of their Super Bowl LV crown, but they know Brady won't play forever.

Future Super Bowl games to fall on Presidents Day Sundays?

Barring a surprising development, NFL owners will soon vote to approve expanding the regular season to 17 games, which will delay the completion of playoff tournaments and set Super Bowl dates back by one week.

Mets owner on Francisco Lindor contract talks: 'It does take two to tango'

Cohen had dinner with Lindor on Saturday night, and many assumed the two were close on announcing a long-term contract before Thursday's deadline for talks repeatedly set by Lindor in previous interviews.

Veteran safety Shawn Williams joins Cardinals on one-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals are leaving little doubt they're looking to do more than compete for just a playoff berth later this year. Per the NFL's official website, the Cardinals have agreed to a one-year deal with safety Shawn Williams.

Some St. Louis Cardinals players refusing COVID-19 vaccines?

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said on Monday his club may not hit the 85% mark of Tier 1 personnel being vaccinated due to players opting against getting their shot.