Darter James Wade and his wife Samantha were guests at a garden party at Buckingham Palace this week at the invitation of Britain's King Charles. The invitation was extended in recognition of Wade's civic engagement in addition to his impressive career on the darts stage.
Wade has been an ambassador for Bipolar UK, an organization dedicated to helping people with bipolar disorder, since 2016. An expert by experience, Wade uses his fame to break the taboo around mental illness and inspire others to talk openly about their mental health.
Wade described being in attendance as 'a day to remember' and 'an honour and a privilege'.
Wade is one of the most seasoned darters in the history of the sport. His wins include the World Matchplay, the World Grand Prix twice and no fewer than three UK Open titles in three different decades. He also once crowned himself Premier League Darts champion.
His commitment outside of sports does not go unnoticed. On Friday, August 22, Wade is hosting a major charity event for Bipolar UK entitled "Let's Talk Bipolar." The event will take place at the Old Thorns Resort & Hotel in Hampshire and will consist of an inspiring afternoon with well-known guests, followed by a gala evening.
Wow
— James Wade (@JamesWade180) May 7, 2025
Today I laid down the darts and Sammi and I had the honour and privilege of joining His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palce for a Garden Party.
Apart from Samantha, Arthur and Alfred this has got to be up there with the most special and memorable moment of my… pic.twitter.com/yUaiN3ZGff
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The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East ahead of Friday night's bout with the San Francisco Giants, but they are still one of the most vulnerable teams in baseball. New York has a laundry list of pitchers on the IL, including Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), and Max Kranick (flexor). However, it did acquire southpaw hurler Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The veteran is 0-2 with a 3.96 ERA over 45 appearances this season, including 18 holds and one save. While the Mets could stand to add more healthy arms, they probably won't get a certain prominent hurler on the Miami Marlins, via The New York Post's Mike Puma. "The Mets are among the teams that have checked in on Sandy Alcantara," he reported on Friday. "The asking price is steep. The Mets haven’t ruled out adding a starting pitcher, but view it as a tough add given the market." Alcantara is 5-9 with a 6.66 ERA over 20 starts this season. The 29-year-old won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 after going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA in 32 starts. His current contract extension has a $21 million club option for 2027, and he's scheduled to make $17.3 million in both 2025 and 2026. Right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will start for New York against San Francisco right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
Zach Tom‘s four-year, $88M extension affirmed the right tackle’s status as a cornerstone Packer, but a question about the team’s direction at left tackle remains. A position battle is ongoing. Rasheed Walker will need to hold off 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan for the job, Brian Gutekunst said. The eighth-year Green Bay GM called this, via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, an open competition but pointed to Walker’s 32 starts as a reason he is the front-runner for the gig. On the surface, a former seventh-round pick competing with a priority add (via the 2024 first round) is odd. But Walker has proved to be a late-round find for Green Bay. Pro Football Focus graded the former No. 249 overall pick just outside the top 40 in each of the past two years, after he played in just one game as a 2022 rookie. Walker’s rookie deal expires after the season, and with two big-ticket O-line payments (to Tom and Aaron Banks) made this year, a free agency path appears clear. Morgan also could be in line to take over at LT in 2026, provided he cannot unseat Walker in training camp. This would set up Walker, with a good contract year, to be one of the 2026 market’s top prizes. He started 15 regular-season games in 2023 and all 17 last season. A decorated left tackle at Arizona, Morgan split time between left and right guard as a rookie. His injury-shortened season included 120 RG snaps and 65 on the left side, but the former No. 25 overall pick did not see too much action last season. Sean Rhyan operated as the Packers’ primary right guard; the former third-round pick is now in a contract year. Morgan working as a swingman in Year 2 would suggest something is off here, but it also could be possible he loses this competition but unseats Rhyan at RG. The Morgan-at-right guard plan is technically on the Packers’ back burner, but Elgton Jenkins‘ back injury slid Rhyan to center and allowed Morgan reps at RG, per Channel3000.com’s Jason Wilde. Rhyan said (via Wilde) he believed he has solidified himself as a starting guard. In 543 snaps last season, PFF ranked him 46th among guard regulars. It would surprise if Morgan did not have another chance to crack the starting lineup, but Rhyan would stand in his way if the high-level investment cannot beat out Walker at LT. Shifted from left guard to center this offseason, Jenkins does not appear in danger of missing regular-season time. Gutekunst hopes the Pro Bowler returns soon, though the team is dealing with a frustrated new snapper thanks to a contract issue. Jenkins, who has played all over Green Bay’s line, expressed frustration with his deal now that Banks supplanted him as the Packers’ highest-paid blocker. Tom eclipsed both last week. Jenkins is on the Pack’s active/NFI list, meaning he sustained the injury away from the team facility. No guarantees remain on Jenkins’ four-year, $68M extension — one that runs through the 2026 season. Additionally, the Packers confirmed (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood) they are playing it safe with Christian Watson‘s ACL rehab. Not expected back until around midseason, the contract-year wide receiver will not go through a full practice during training camp. This makes him a clear candidate for the reserve/PUP list, which would bring at least a four-game absence. Gutekunst added (via Wood) Watson’s rehab has gone “great.”
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
The Los Angeles Chargers got busy in free agency before practice to end the week, signing wideout JaQuae Jackson. Jackson was one of three wide receivers the Chargers hosted on a workout Friday. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the Chargers also hosted Cade Johnson and Ja'seem Reed. In a corresponding move, the Chargers waived offensive lineman Elijah Elliss. Jackson, an undrafted free agent in 2024, spent last season on injured reserve with the New England Patriots. Before that, he had a big touchdown reception in an early preseason game with the Patriots, showing some promise. A 6’1” weapon with good speed, Jackson gets a chance to work with a good quarterback room in an offense that could use some help at his position. The Chargers have had names like Jalen Reagor miss practice this week and hyped undrafted name Luke Grimm has had a minor nagging injury, too. All that, of course, before going up the depth chart and mentioning the retirement of Mike Williams. Given Jim Harbaugh’s well-known willingness to give the best players roster spots regardless of draft status, they clearly remain a top destination and will continue to have options open to them.
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