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Rams, Chargers practice outside despite fires
LOS ANGELES -- Amid wildfires raging through Southern California, both Los Angeles football teams held outdoor practices Thursday as they prepare for the first round of the playoffs this weekend.
Smoke was visible from the field at the Rams team facility in Woodland Hills, California, and many Chargers players wore masks.
The Rams are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium at 8 p.m. Monday in Inglewood, California. On Wednesday, the NFL said it's continuing to prepare for the game at SoFi Stadium, but if there's a need to move it because of the fires, it will be played Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
"I am expecting the game to be in SoFi," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "We're operating with the full expectation that that's where we're going to play."
McVay said while players, coaches and staff have been affected by the fires, "fortunately to my knowledge, nobody has been injured. And for that we're grateful."
"It's one of those deals that almost doesn't feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected," McVay said. "Praying that as many people are OK. And you just see the amount of people that are affected and it's one of those deals that it gives you perspective, and so hopefully you get this stuff under control."
A fire broke out Thursday in the Calabasas/Hidden Hills area, neighborhoods that are home to several Rams players and coaches. The team canceled its player media availability so everybody could go home quickly.
McVay said the Rams are monitoring air quality at their practice facility. If needed, the team has explored the possibility of moving practice to SoFi Stadium, but McVay said he doesn't expect to get to that point.
Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, the Vikings' player representative to the NFLPA, said the league should be conscious of the optics of playing the game in Los Angeles, juxtaposing it with the NBA postponing the Lakers' game against the Hornets scheduled for Thursday night in downtown Los Angeles. Phillips noted that the Lakers play in an indoor facility, and SoFi is an open-air stadium.
"When a hurricane hits a certain location, or if a tornado came through and devastated a community, you want to be very cautious of the optics.," he said. "And again, I strictly say this from a human standpoint, not as a Minnesota Viking who wants a better competitive advantage. That's not where it's coming from."
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who is from the San Diego area, said he reached out to McVay to show support.
"There's really no words you can say other than you're thinking about them, praying for them, and just hoping that things start to turn here," O'Connell said.
The Chargers will play the Texans in Houston on Saturday at 4:30 ET and held their final practice Thursday ahead of the game. The scene was dystopian at the Chargers facility in El Segundo: The skies were burnt orange, ashes flew around the field and many players, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack, tackle Joe Alt and quarterback Taylor Heinicke, wore masks.
The Chargers do not have an indoor practice facility. Coach Jim Harbaugh said he followed the suggestions of "experts" in altering practice, so players were outside for roughly 45 minutes, which is half the typical time they practice outside. Harbaugh said they didn't consider flying to Houston early and practicing there.
"Our guys did a great job with improvising and adjusting," he said. "And really, we were able to get as close as we possibly could to what a normal practice would look like."
Harbaugh also said that his daughter Grace evacuated from her home in the Hollywood area Wednesday night and is staying with him.
Outside linebacker Joey Bosa said he lives close to an evacuation zone and his fiancée and dog went to Houston early. Bosa said he slept with his phone notifications on loud Wednesday night in case he would have to evacuate.
"Hoping when I get back to LA, I have a house to go to," Bosa said.
Information from ESPN's Kevin Seifert was used in this report.
Williams follows team-mates Cam Winnett, Ben Thomas, Liam Belcher and Alun Lawrence in signing new deals at the Arms Park, as well as Regan Grace until the end of the season.
Cardiff-born fly-half Ioan Lloyd, 23, also looks set to join Cardiff from Scarlets in the summer.
Sherratt added: "We have been very clear with our ambition of ensuring our homegrown players are committed to the club and I am delighted that we have secured the services of Teddy."
Williams' late father Owain played for Cardiff, while younger brother Gabe has also broken into the region's under-18s squad.
"The club means a lot to me and it just feels like this is the right place for me to progress," said Williams.
"The club is moving in the right direction and I feel I'm playing some of my best rugby right now. Hopefully that can see me play more for Wales."
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions star George North is set for his club rugby debut in France.
The 32-year-old joined French second-tier side Provence for the start of 2024-25.
But after committing to the move from Ospreys, North suffered a ruptured Achilles in his final Wales Test, a 2024 Six Nations defeat by Italy in Cardiff.
He has been named on the bench for Provence in the Pro D2 at Agen on Friday, 10 January.
North posted on social media: "Looking forward to getting out there! Been a long time."
Rebels issue demand for RFU chief Sweeney sacking
Former chairman Tom Ilube, part of the RFU's renumeration committee who approved Sweeney's recent bonus, stepped down in December.
His departure and the launch of an independent review of the scheme that boosted the pay of Sweeney and five further executives has not quelled discontent though.
If Sweeney's critics can provide the paperwork to show the necessary support, a special general meeting would be called in the midst of the men's Six Nations.
Several club officials explained their decision to support the no-confidence motion.
"The recent decision of the RFU to award bonuses to senior staff is beyond belief," said David Morton, secretary of sixth-tier Carlisle.
"The RFU keep trumpeting community rugby as the lifeblood of the game, while at the same time seemingly treating them like paupers."
"Every club I know wants to see change at the top, new leadership and a new approach to taking English rugby forward at all levels," added Paddy McAlpine, chairman of Chichester, who are also in tier six.
However, the nine professional referees employed by the RFU distanced themselves from the motion, saying they had not been consulted by the referees' union behind it and added they "have not endorsed any statements or meetings".
Balcaen Gets Daytona Ride With Nitro Motorsports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Having named Thad Moffitt as its full-time driver earlier this week, Nitro Motorsports has confirmed that Amber Balcaen will run select ARCA Menards Series events for the team this season.
Set to compete at the Daytona Intl Speedway next month, Balcaen will also see action in select events throughout the season as she continues to put together her program.
I am really excited to join Nitro Motorsports and cant thank Nick and the team enough for the opportunity, explained Balcaen. I am looking forward to testing this weekend and hopefully find my way to the top of the charts as we work toward next months event in Daytona, and several other races in 2025.
With experience in the NASCAR ladder programs, Balcaen enters 2025 with experience and motivation as she aims to impress in the new Nitro Motorsports program.
Amber will be on track this weekend as she prepares for our debut event next month, added Nitro Motorsports Nick Tucker. She brings years worth of experience and a great one two program for our series debut. We are looking forward to seeing what Amber and Thad can do in the Sunshine State.
Balcaen continued, I have some experience working with the Nitro Motorsports guys in the past as they were able to assist me in Kansas, the site of my best finish. I am looking forward to building upon that and seeing what we can do when it really matters next month.
Stay tuned for more announcements and updates by following Nitro Motorsports on social media as the team prepares for their exciting debut season.
Chastain & Van Gisbergen Get Xfinity Drives With JRM
CONCORD, N.C. Trackhouse Racing drivers Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will make a combined nine NASCAR Xfinity Series starts aboard the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
The two full-time Cup Series drivers will pair with Trackhouse development driver Connor Zilisch, who is competing as a rookie for the full season in JRM s No. 88 Chevrolet, for the nine events.
Chastain will race five times, beginning March 1 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, followed by April 5 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, May 31 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, July 19 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway and Aug. 2 at Iowa Speedway.
Van Gisbergen will race four times beginning June 14 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, July 5 at the Chicago Street Race, July 12 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Aug. 9 at Watkins Glen (N.Y) International.
I think there is a lot of benefit to getting seat time on Saturdays in the Xfinity Series, said Chastain who raced in four NXS events in 2024. Getting an opportunity to do it with JR Motorsports is too good an opportunity to pass up. I know every time I climb in their Chevrolets, we will have a chance to win.
Chastain is a five-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series and finished second in points in 2022. Hes additionally won two NXS races.
Van Gisbergen ran a full NXS season for Kaulig Racing in 2024 winning the Portland, Chicago and Sonoma races. Hell compete full-time in the Cup Series in 2025 driving Trackhouse Racings No. 88 Chevrolet. He won the 2023 Chicago Street Race in his Cup Series debut.
Im trying to get as much experience as I can, said the three-time Supercars champion who moved to America and began full-time racing in NASCAR last year. JR Motorsports is one of the top teams and won the championship with Justin Allgaier. I cant wait to get started.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. RAFA Racing is making a full season IMSA debut in 2025, beginning with six drivers taking center stage at Daytona Inl Speedway in three cars and two different championships in January.
Three entries in IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and a single car in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge is just the first wave of entries for RAFA Racings 2025 season.
Ian Porter and Kiko Porto will each pilot a Toyota GR Supra EVO2 in the sprint-racing format of VP Racing Challenge while Rafael Martinez and Jim Jonsin, joined at Daytona by Kevin Conway, will co-drive a Toyota GR Supra in the endurance-format Michelin Pilot Challenge as a Bronze entry. Matt Dicken will join Porter and Porto in the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with an LMP3 class entry.
Porter, Porto and Dicken will line-up first when the VP SportsCar Challenge season opens during the Roar Before The 24, January 17 19. Full season co-drivers Martinez and Jonsin will be joined by Conway for the four-hour season opener at Daytona one week later, January 23-24.
Porter joined RAFA Racing a year ago for his professional racing debut, capturing the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America title in the Cayman class with 10 wins in 14 races and added a pair of Porsche Endurance Challenge wins to his tally along the way. The motorsports success comes on the heels of the esports legends previous career, featuring three Call of Duty World Championships and an X Games medal for esports.
Porto turned his attention to sports car racing in 2024, finishing third in the Pro Class of Lamborghini Super Trofeo after beginning on the open-wheel path. The Brazilian driver was the USF2000 champion in 2021, where he also finished second in 2023. Porto was the runner-up in the U.S. Formula 4 Championship in 2019 after competing for most of the season as a 15-year-old. Like his teammate Porter, the 21-year-old Porto will be competing in open manufacturer competition for the first time.
Dicken returns to the IMSA paddock for the 2025 season, where he has competed across multiple platforms as a bronze-rated driver. Dickens past history includes Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Prototype Challenge, and the precursor to Michelin Pilot Challenge, among others.
Martinez and Jonsin team for the full season in Michelin Pilot Challenge, with both driving a Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 for the first time. Martinez was one of the busiest bronze-rated drivers in motorsports a season ago, competing domestically in Porsche Sprint Challenge and internationally in SRO GT4 European Series presented by RAFA Racing Club.
Jonsin and Martinez competed against each other on the track in Porsche Sprint Challenge. Off track, Jonsin has topped music charts as a producer for Lil Wayne, T.I., Usher, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and more, winning a Grammy for his work on Lil Waynes 2008 single Lollipop while continuously finding time for sports car racing.
The line-up for Toyota GR Supra EVO2 machines, along with Dickens Ligier JS P320, is just the opening salvo for the 2025 RAFA Racing line-up. RAFA Racing will be announcing Lamborghini Super Trofeo and additional GT4 championship efforts, along with a partnership with drivers in the Mazda MX-5 Cup championship, in the coming weeks.
CONCORD, N.C. When the dirt late model world has been asked who will be next to score their first win at the national level, one name that has consistently come to mind is Tyler Bruening.
In 2025, the Decorah, Iowa, driver will be back for his third full season with the World of Outlaws Late Models and said he believes this could be the year he finally rolls into victory lane to end the doubt once and for all.
Im really optimistic about the season and running the tour, Bruening said. I feel like were really prepared, I feel like the team is as strong as its ever been. And with the few little addition pieces sponsorship-wise, help-wise, I feel confident that were in contention to win races and to compete for a championship. Thats why were going to do it.
It would be one thing to prepare in the same way you always have and expect better results, but that is far from the case with Bruening. This offseason, hes placed a renewed focus on bringing the best-possible version of himself to Volusia Speedway Park to start the season, which has translated into his confidence level rising to an all-time high.
I feel like me personally, Im more prepared, Bruening said. I feel like Im the most prepared Ive ever been for a season physically and mentally. Really concentrating this offseason about my physical health, eating right, working out. Mental health, getting prepared for the grind and the season, the tour, being able to know what to expect and kind of feel more confident and comfortable going in and tackling the series.
Bruening has reasons to be optimistic, as he has done nearly everything except win a race in his two previous seasons. His rookie campaign in 2021 included 12 top-five finishes highlighted by a career-best second at Lavonia Speedway good enough for third in the standings and the Rookie of the Year Award.
Upon returning to the Outlaws in 2024, Bruening picked up where he left off with a fifth-place run in the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals finale, his first of six top fives last year.
It also marked Bruenings first season with 2018 World of Outlaws champion Mike Marlar as a teammate in the Skyline Motorsports camp. Bruening said having someone of Marlars caliber to lean on has not only been an invaluable asset as he continues to develop as a driver, but also in helping Skyline become one of the top teams in the sport.
Anytime you can have a veteran driver like Mikey is, it just accelerates the whole program, Bruening said. It expands your notebook three-fold, it allows me as a driver to concentrate a little bit more on driving and preparing myself. And then knowing and having confidence that any questions, concerns, setup tips or anything that I can think of, I can just turn to him and get that good, confident, solid answer.
With the 2025 season set to commence in less than two weeks at DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals (Jan. 22-25), Bruening feels good about his chances of starting the season on a high note. He proved his ability to contend at Volusia a year ago, as two of his three top fives at the track came last season.
But the season-opening trip to Florida is special for many reasons aside from his on-track performance, as it marks the continuation of a family tradition that started long before Bruening ever ripped a Late Model around the Worlds Fastest Half Mile.
Growing up as a kid, me and my dad would come down to Florida and go to the 500 and do the NASCAR deal, Bruening said. Floridas more of a special place to me than normal people, I guess. Growing up, the history with me and my dad going down, Ive just always held a special place in my heart for Florida.
And I do really like Volusia, I do like racing at bigger tracks. I feel like it takes a different set of tools in your toolbox to race well at a big track. Volusias been a little bit of a curveball the past few years with some new dirt, and its been a little bit uncharacteristic from what I remember years ago. But in the same sense, I think theyve made a lot of really positive changes over the offseason, and Im really excited about racing there.
The International Hot Rod Assn has parted ways with its president, Kenny Nowling.
The move was confirmed with a statement on Facebook on Thursday afternoon.
The International Hot Rod Association and former president Kenny Knowling have parted ways effective immediately. This decision underscores the IHRAs commitment to prioritizing safety, competition and integrity in its operations, the statement read.
As this transition period begins to take shape internally, the IHRA is focused on maintaining transparency and communication. Weekly updates will be provided, leading to a live Q&A session in February with the new leadership of the IHRA, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged.
Nowling was appointed president of IHRA on Oct. 21 and less than a month later began touting the renowned sanctioning bodys return to glory.
In December, Nowling announced the signing of a multi-million-dollar sponsorship from Darana Hybrid, which is owned by Darryl Cuttell, and the return of the IHRA Nitro Jam Series among other announcements.
Less than a week later, Nowling announced that Cuttell was purchasing the organization, which was founded by Larry Carrier in 1970.
It is unknown at this time if Cuttell has taken control or if ownership has reverted to previous owner Larry Jeffers.
MLS sorry after falsely confirming Atlanta transfer
Major League Soccer apologized on Thursday for posting an erroneous story on its website with the wrong name of a player that was purportedly being transferred to one of its clubs.
The article in question stated that Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi had been acquired by Atlanta United FC. This proved to be untrue, and on Thursday, MLS attempted to repair the damage.
"Major League Soccer's website mistakenly posted an article that named the wrong player as having signed with an MLS club," the league said in a statement to ESPN. "The article was immediately removed and corrected. MLS extends its sincere apologies to the impacted parties."
Part of the confusion lay in that Atlanta had previously teased the arrival of a new player on X in Japanese, writing: "Stay tuned."
As it turned out, the player in question was former Sagan Tosu forward Cayman Togashi and not Furuhashi.
The Daily Mail reported last month that Atlanta had submitted a $12 million bid for Furuhashi. The Five Stripes recently hired former Celtic boss Ronny Deila to be their manager, though Deila's spell in Glasgow ended in 2016, five years before the arrival of Furuhashi at Celtic.
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