The soccer world, for the most part, has been united in its reject of FIFA president Gianni Infantino's controversial proposed plan

SportsLine's Mike McClure, a daily Fantasy pro with more than $2 million in winnings, gives optimal MLB DFS lineup advice for Friday, July 31

Woodland's Ean Pringle (21) celebrates his touchdown with teammate and brother Justin Pringle (17) during a CIAC high school football game against Seymour at Woodland High School in Beacon Falls, Conn., on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media) Here's a list of Naugatuck Valley League football champions dating back to 1965.Naugatuck Valley League football champions1965 - Torrington1966 - Kennedy1967 - Naugatuck1968 - Naugatuck1969 - Crosby1970 - Naugatuck1971 - Naugatuck1972 - Naugatuck1973 - Naugatuck1974 - Torrington1975 - Holy Cross, Naugatuck1976 - Ansonia1977 - Ansonia1978 - Ansonia1979 - Ansonia1980 - Ansonia1981 - Naugatuck1982 - Ansonia, Naugatuck1983 - Ansonia1984 - Ansonia1985 - Ansonia, Holy Cross, Naugatuck1986 - Watertown1987 - Torrington1988 - Naugatuck1989 - Ansonia1990 - Ansonia1991 - Holy Cross1992 - Ansonia1993 - Naugatuck1994 - Ansonia1995 - Ansonia1996 - Holy Cross1997 - Ansonia1998 - Seymour1999 - Ansonia2000 - Seymour2001 - Naugatuck2002 - Ansonia2003 - Ansonia2004 - Woodland2005 - Woodland2006 - Ansonia2007 - Ansonia2008 - Ansonia2009 - Holy Cross2010 - Naugatuck2011 - Ansonia2012 - Ansonia2013 - Ansonia2014 - Ansonia2015 - Ansonia2016 - Ansonia2017 - Ansonia2018 - Ansonia2019 - Ansonia2020 - No season (COVID-19)2021 - Naugatuck2022 - Ansonia2023 - Naugatuck2024 - Ansonia2025 - WoodlandSign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day from our network of journalists around the state.This article originally published at Naugatuck Valley League football championship history: 1965-2025.

If there was a weakness in the Houston Texans' defense last season, one could point to the "other safety" opposite of Calen Bullock. It's not as if the Texans ignored finding a replacement for Eric Murray in the offseason. They traded for Philadelphia Eagles starter C.J. Garnder-Johnson with the intent of making him a stable option in an already elite unit. Gardner-Johnson has his own plans and playstyle, factoring into the Texans' 0-3 start and eventual release following a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. M.J. Stewart and rookie Jayden Reed filled in for spurts, but both suffered long-standing injuires, most notably Stewart on the season-ending injured reserve. For the second straight offseason, the Texans went after an Eagle to serve as a running mate to Bullock on the back end. This time? Reed Blankenship, who signed a three-year deal this offseason after earning a captain title during his time with Philadelphia. Veteran nickel defender Jalen Pitre has seen Blankenship work from afar and only believes his addition will be welcomed to the bunch.Azeez Al-Shaair highlighted Reed Blakenships communication & how its stood out from day one yesterday on @957thefan w/ @regadetula & @LopezOnSportspic.twitter.com/oxSRtWLxIN Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 30, 2026Hes obviously won a Super Bowl, so he knows what it takes to get there, Pitre said. Thats really going to help us.An undrafted defensive back out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022, Blankenship worked his way up from a practice-squad player to a special-teams standout and, by the end of his second season, an eventual full-time starter. He remained a starter until leaving for the Texans this offseason, totaling nine interceptions and 23 pass breakups while helping Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl twice. Consistency has been key for Blankenship's growth out of a small Conference USA background. He's had 78 tackles in each of the past three seasons, along with six pass breakups. He has also been known for playing the strong safety position, thus allowing his rangy counterpart to survey the field and be more attentive in coverage. Hes a versatile safety that can play in the back or at the line of scrimmage," Pitre said. "Hes going to make tackles for loss, a hard hitter. He can really do it all, whatever the coaches ask of him. Our coaches are going to give him a set thing that he's going to do and he's going to own it like a pro, like he has in these last four years." The Texans return to training camp practice on Saturday morning. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans newcomer Reed Blankenship fitting in well with DB culture

Would it be a bad sign for the Dallas Cowboys if things were already breaking down on Day 1 of training camp?Actually, that didn't happen with Dallas' sideline headphones at the Wednesday, July 29, practice, but coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker let linebacker DeMarvino Overshown think that's what was happening.Call it a test, and the Texas alum passed. Safety PJ Locke also did well on tests of a more serious nature, as his knee injury doesn't seem to be that bad. And Texas alum Jaydon Blue is off to a quick start in the battle for RB2.Here is what Dallas is up to. DeMarvion Overshown passes key test for CowboysDallas' first choice to wear the "green dot," typically a middle linebacker equipped with a headset so he can hear the coaches, is Texas alum Overshown and Schottenheimer said he passed his first test.Schottenheimer revealed during a Thursday, July 30, news conference that he and Parker pretended the headsets were malfunctioning to see how Overshown would do. He did just fine."D-Mo got to the exact call that he was supposed to, which is what you expect," Scottenheimer said. "D-Mo was outstanding getting us lined up into the call that we wanted to be in."More: Could one of the Dallas Cowboys best players be changing position?Dallas Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue off to a hot startOne of the storylines for the Dallas Cowboys offense in training camp is the battle for backup running back behind Pro Bowl incumbent Javonte Williams, and by all accounts, Blue, a second-year back out of the University of Texas, got a hot start in the battle on Wednesday, July 29, during the first day of training camp.A play after his main competition for the RB2 job, Phil Mafah, was stripped for a fumble by new addition Rashan Gary, Blue busted a 45-yard touchdown run as he showed off his speed.Brian Schottenheimer said PJ Locke suffered hyperextended knee in practice and will sit today. Schottenheimer doesnt believe it is anything significant. Todd Archer (@toddarcher) July 30, 2026Dallas Cowboys safety PJ Locke injured at training campDallas' first training camp casualty certainly could have been worse, as safety PJ Locke's hyperextended knee, suffered Wednesday in a non-contact situation, is not expected to be serious.Per coach Brian Schottenheimer, as reported by ESPN's Todd Archer, Locke was held out of Thursday's practice but was expected back soon. Locke, signed as a free agent from Denver in the offseason, is expected to be Dallas' top backup in their three-safety system.Schottenheimer said that the "tests looked great" on Locke's knee.More: Madden 27 rookie rankings are out. Is anyone better than Caleb Downs?Dallas Cowboys need DaRon Bland to stay healthyThe Cowboys' secondary was awful in 2025, and a big key to fixing that is for cornerback DaRon Bland to stay healthy and on the field. He has dealt with foot injuries each of the past two seasons and had surgery in January that limited him in minicamp.He now says he's 100% and is hoping to show that in training camp."I feel pretty good, real good actually," Bland told DallasCowboys.com. "I feel, right now, way better than I was the first time I had the surgery. So it feels really good right now to be back."We're full go. Full go. It's limited reps, but full go."More: Dallas Cowboys trade rumors: Which Cowboy could be on the block?Bland also noticed something when camp started. After all the offseason moves, Bland is now the veteran of the room as he enters his fifth NFL season, all with the Cowboys."It definitely came quick," Bland said. "I'm only in year five, but it feels good to be known as a guy that some of the guys can come to because of all my experience."How to get Dallas Cowboys tickets for 2026 NFL seasonSeat Geek is the official partnerof the Dallas Cowboys, so this is where to get official tickets. The Cowboys are also offering packages for theWeek 3 game in Rio de Janeiroagainst the Ravens, ranging from $1,200 to $5,750. That doesn't include airfare and the cheap rate doesn't include a hotel.Other places to buy tickets, which will be more expensive but with a much larger selection than the official tickets, includeStubHub,TicketMaster andVivid Seats. Those sites also offer tickets for away games.Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Pop quiz! Dallas Cowboys LB passes surprise test at training camp

Former New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey was one of the most talented players to ever wear Giants Blue. There's no denying that. He's also one of the most disappointing. The 14th overall selection out of Miami in the 2002 NFL draft, Shockey was coveted by Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, who called him a "weapon."And he was. Shockey could do it all. He was an All-Pro as a rookie and made the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons with the Giants. But he was brash and vocal, and his off-field demeanor sometimes had the Giants on their heels and shaking their heads. In 2007, the Giants were headed towards a storybook ending, one which would see them knock off the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Shockey, one of the Giants' key contributors on offense, fractured his fibula in Week 15 and was lost for the season. As per the wishes of head coach Tom Coughlin, he watched the game from the owner's box as the team he carried on his back for six seasons pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history. It did not sit well with him, and he decided to bypass all of the celebrations afterwards. Many said it was sour grapes and jealousy on his part. Little did anyone know, his Giants career was over. Shockey never recovered. He missed the parade and the ring ceremony and was aloof when the team reconvened the next season for minicamp. He refused to leave the locker room. After a heated exchange with general manager Jerry Reese, the team decided to trade him. They dealt him to the New Orleans Saints for draft picks in July 2008. He spent three seasons with the Saints, playing a key role in their Super Bowl XLIV win over the Indianapolis Colts. Shockey finally got his chance at glory in that game, catching the go-ahead touchdown pass from Drew Brees.Shockey ended his career with the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and has largely been out of the public eye since. His side of the story has never fully been told. That is why, when he recently appeared on Shannon Sharpe's podcast Club Shay Shay, almost everything he said was quotable.He said jealousy did not play a role in his actions during and after the Giants' Super Bowl win. Thats (expletive), thats all (expletive), trust me, Shockey said, via the New York Post. Ive worked my whole life to be at this level, to play at this game. To not be able to play in it, of course, it hurt. But I wasnt jealous. I, as a competitor, I just wanted to be able to play in it.Shockey reveals a whole myriad of gems in this interview, mostly surrounding his time in New Orleans, where he was accused of being the "snitch" in the team's infamous "Bountygate" affair by Warren Sapp, which he wasn't.Shockey also revealed some interesting tidbits regarding a pregame ritual that included Viagra and intravenous treatments to enhance performance and prevent dehydration.Some further Giants angles were the revelation that he got a vasectomy at age 21 to ward off any unwanted marriages.Jeremy Shockey says he got a vasectomy at 21 the year he got drafted so a girlfriend couldn't derail his NFL career "Like 20 years, 21 years old when I got drafted. I got a vasectomy. I had no kids. I didn't want kids""I signed a contract with this team, but I don't know they pic.twitter.com/li9T0uHJBT Arslan (@0xarslan) July 30, 2026He also discussed his infamous fight with linebacker Brandon Short, crediting Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan for helping to smooth things over.Jeremy Shockey opens up about the fight he had with Brandon Short during rookie camp, saying tensions boiled over after feeling targeted while already dealing with personal issues. He says they eventually moved past it, but credits Michael Strahan for helping him understand the pic.twitter.com/MxMcFlknMg (@wyd_loner) July 29, 2026This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Jeremy Shockey speaks out about messy Giants divorce after two decades

Celtic FC Quiz: Celtic v DundeeThe Official Celtic FC pre-match quiz is back for the another season.Ahead of Flag Night at Paradise as the Celts begin our 2026/27 league campaign against Dundee this Monday, August 3 (KO 19:30), we kick-off our weekly quizzes with 10 teasers covering players who have featured for both teams.The questions are waiting for you, the clock is set to 90 seconds, how many can you get right?Take the quiz nowCheck out all ourquizzes here.How to Follow: Celtic v DundeeOn the App: Download the Official Celtic FC App for an enhanced matchday experience.On the Web: Visit the Official Match Centre on celticfc.com for live game updates.On Social: Stay up to date across all our official social channels.Stream on CelticPlayer: Watch live coverage on CelticPlayer, the new home for Celtic video.FixturesCeltic Vs. Dundee - Mon, Aug 3rd 2026, 19:30

Tarik Skubal may not be the only Detroit Tigers pitcher who has to get a suitcase packed. The Tigers scratched right-hander Casey Mize from his Friday night start against the Athletics, according to the Detroit News. Mize is being taken off-schedule as a "precaution" to a potential trade, with the Tigers set to roll with a bullpen day on Friday. Should Mize not be moved before Monday's MLB trade deadline, he's in line to start for the Tigers in their Tuesday night road matchup against the Seattle Mariners. Mize has recorded a 2.70 ERA, an 0.99 WHIP, 85 strikeouts, a 159 ERA+ and 2.9 wins above replacement over 86 innings pitched this season, helping the right-hander earn his first career All-Star nod. The 29-year-old, who was selected by the Tigers with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has been limited to 16 starts this season due to a groin injury that forced Mize to miss roughly six weeks over two stints on the injured list. Mize, like Skubal, is set to hit free agency after this season. Meanwhile, the pressing matter for Detroit is Skubal's future, as the defending, back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner made his last scheduled start for the team before the trade deadline on Wednesday afternoon, and the consensus is the southpaw will be moved. Skubal, who missed roughly six weeks earlier this season due to an elbow injury that required surgery, sports a 2.79 ERA, an 0.91 WHIP, 116 strikeouts, a 154 ERA+ and three wins above replacement over 96 2/3 innings pitched. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reported favorites to acquire Skubal, who's also a free agent after the season. The Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have also been linked to a potential Skubal trade. In Skubal's previous start, on Wednesday against the Orioles, he recorded his 1,000th career strikeout while allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings. Other potential trade candidates for Detroit include second baseman Gleyber Torres (.270/.383/.392 slash line) and relievers Kenley Jansen (3.77 ERA) and Kyle Finnegan (2.93 ERA and a 147 ERA+), among others. The Tigers, who made the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025, are 51-58, which puts them 4.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third AL wild-card spot entering play on Friday. Detroit is 6.5 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

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Tony Romo has been placed on leave from his role as the lead analyst on CBS NFL coverage following his arrest last week on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.CBS Sports announced Friday that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was on leave until further notice. JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports lead NFL team during Romos absence.Romo, 46, was arrested July 23 after he was stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office report, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting taken into custody, booked and released.He has a court date set for Sept. 21.CBS Sports announcement comes after citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office indicated an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in the passengers side of Romos black Jeep during an inventory before it was towed.According to the citations, police stopped Romo after he was seen passing cars in a gore area, which separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp. Police said Romo questioned what a gore area was during the stop.Body camera footage released earlier this week showed Romo telling deputies he had been coming from a golf course and was on his way to visit grandma and grandpa when he was stopped. A deputy told Romo he suspected him of being impaired because he had red glassy eyes and an odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage.Romo went to high school about 35 miles from Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin.He has been the lead game analyst for CBS NFL coverage since 2017 after making four Pro Bowl appearances during an NFL career that ran from 2004-16 and was spent entirely with Dallas.Romo remains the Cowboys franchise leader in career touchdown passes with 248. He held the franchise record for career passing yards (34,183) until Dak Prescott overtook him last season.Watt joined CBS in 2023. He was an analyst on The NFL Today for two seasons before teaming with Ian Eagle on the networks No. 2 crew beginning last season.Romo wasnt expected to have his first game until the opening Sunday of the regular season on Sept. 13. CBS will air a preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 28.CBS likely will reveal its game assignments and announcer pairings for the first three weeks of the regular season in the next couple of weeks.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl