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Deadspin | Peyton Stearns earns chance to face 3-time Madrid champ  Jul 30, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Peyton Stearns (USA) returns the ball to Emma Raducanu (GBR) in second round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Peyton Stearns defeated France’s Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-3 in 65 minutes as first-round action got underway Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open.  Stearns’ reward is a matchup with defending champ and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a three-time winner of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital.  Stearns never trailed in her opener, saving both break points she faced and converting four of her six break chances against Boisson.  Fellow American Venus Williams was not as fortunate against 20-year-old Spaniard Kaitlin Quevedo, who prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. It was the 10th straight singles loss for Williams, 45, an invited player who was competing on clay for the first time since Roland Garros in 2021.  Williams, whose sister Serena won this event in 2012 and 2013, won her first WTA title in 1998 — eight years before her opponent was born.   Of the 10 singles matches played Tuesday, only one went to three sets. Austria’s Julia Grabher outlasted Spain’s Paula Badosa 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0 in two hours and 32 minutes.  Camila Osorio of Columbia needed only 65 minutes to complete a 6-0, 6-3 win against Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Robin Montgomery 6-4, 6-3. Hungary’s Anna Bonder posted a 6-2, 6-3 win against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.   Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was a swift 6-1, 6-1 winner against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Laura Siegemund of Germany eliminated Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-0. Petra Marcinko of Croatia earned a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, and Czech Laura Samson won 6-4, 6-2 against Germany’s Tatjana Maria.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Peyton #Stearns #earns #chance #face #3time #Madrid #champ

Deadspin | Peyton Stearns earns chance to face 3-time Madrid champ
Deadspin | Peyton Stearns earns chance to face 3-time Madrid champ  Jul 30, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Peyton Stearns (USA) returns the ball to Emma Raducanu (GBR) in second round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images   Peyton Stearns defeated France’s Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-3 in 65 minutes as first-round action got underway Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open.  Stearns’ reward is a matchup with defending champ and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a three-time winner of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital.  Stearns never trailed in her opener, saving both break points she faced and converting four of her six break chances against Boisson.  Fellow American Venus Williams was not as fortunate against 20-year-old Spaniard Kaitlin Quevedo, who prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. It was the 10th straight singles loss for Williams, 45, an invited player who was competing on clay for the first time since Roland Garros in 2021.  Williams, whose sister Serena won this event in 2012 and 2013, won her first WTA title in 1998 — eight years before her opponent was born.   Of the 10 singles matches played Tuesday, only one went to three sets. Austria’s Julia Grabher outlasted Spain’s Paula Badosa 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0 in two hours and 32 minutes.  Camila Osorio of Columbia needed only 65 minutes to complete a 6-0, 6-3 win against Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Robin Montgomery 6-4, 6-3. Hungary’s Anna Bonder posted a 6-2, 6-3 win against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.   Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was a swift 6-1, 6-1 winner against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Laura Siegemund of Germany eliminated Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-0. Petra Marcinko of Croatia earned a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, and Czech Laura Samson won 6-4, 6-2 against Germany’s Tatjana Maria.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Peyton #Stearns #earns #chance #face #3time #Madrid #champJul 30, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Peyton Stearns (USA) returns the ball to Emma Raducanu (GBR) in second round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Peyton Stearns defeated France’s Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-3 in 65 minutes as first-round action got underway Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Stearns’ reward is a matchup with defending champ and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a three-time winner of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital.

Stearns never trailed in her opener, saving both break points she faced and converting four of her six break chances against Boisson.

Fellow American Venus Williams was not as fortunate against 20-year-old Spaniard Kaitlin Quevedo, who prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. It was the 10th straight singles loss for Williams, 45, an invited player who was competing on clay for the first time since Roland Garros in 2021.


Williams, whose sister Serena won this event in 2012 and 2013, won her first WTA title in 1998 — eight years before her opponent was born.

Of the 10 singles matches played Tuesday, only one went to three sets. Austria’s Julia Grabher outlasted Spain’s Paula Badosa 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0 in two hours and 32 minutes.

Camila Osorio of Columbia needed only 65 minutes to complete a 6-0, 6-3 win against Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Robin Montgomery 6-4, 6-3. Hungary’s Anna Bonder posted a 6-2, 6-3 win against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.

Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was a swift 6-1, 6-1 winner against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Laura Siegemund of Germany eliminated Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-0. Petra Marcinko of Croatia earned a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, and Czech Laura Samson won 6-4, 6-2 against Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Peyton #Stearns #earns #chance #face #3time #Madrid #champ

Jul 30, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Peyton Stearns (USA) returns the ball to Emma Raducanu (GBR) in second round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Peyton Stearns defeated France’s Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-3 in 65 minutes as first-round action got underway Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open.

Stearns’ reward is a matchup with defending champ and No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a three-time winner of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital.

Stearns never trailed in her opener, saving both break points she faced and converting four of her six break chances against Boisson.

Fellow American Venus Williams was not as fortunate against 20-year-old Spaniard Kaitlin Quevedo, who prevailed 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 43 minutes. It was the 10th straight singles loss for Williams, 45, an invited player who was competing on clay for the first time since Roland Garros in 2021.

Williams, whose sister Serena won this event in 2012 and 2013, won her first WTA title in 1998 — eight years before her opponent was born.

Of the 10 singles matches played Tuesday, only one went to three sets. Austria’s Julia Grabher outlasted Spain’s Paula Badosa 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0 in two hours and 32 minutes.

Camila Osorio of Columbia needed only 65 minutes to complete a 6-0, 6-3 win against Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. Poland’s Magda Linette defeated Robin Montgomery 6-4, 6-3. Hungary’s Anna Bonder posted a 6-2, 6-3 win against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.

Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro was a swift 6-1, 6-1 winner against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. Laura Siegemund of Germany eliminated Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu 6-4, 6-0. Petra Marcinko of Croatia earned a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, and Czech Laura Samson won 6-4, 6-2 against Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Peyton #Stearns #earns #chance #face #3time #Madrid #champ

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Sooryavanshi ready for international cricket but must work on technique to become all-format batter: Sanjay Manjrekar <div id="content-body-70888345" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become a poster boy for Indian cricket after notable performances in the domestic circuit, the under-19s and in the IPL where he scored a record-breaking century in his debut season (2025) for the Rajasthan Royals.</p><p>He has taken it one notch higher this term, already accumulating 246 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 236.54 including two fifties. With growing shouts over his inclusion in the Indian team, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes he is ready to don the national team colours.</p><p>“Looking at IPL as a platform, to stake a claim for the Indian T20 team and keeping an eye on his performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali as well, where he’s got a 100 [vs Maharashtra], I think he’s done enough. If somebody’s lighting up this stage with this performance, then he’s ready,” Manjrekar said on <i>Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast</i>.</p><p>However, he explained that his inclusion will not be straightforward due to the long list of openers waiting in the wings for India in the shortest format, including his RR teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal and Test skipper Shubman Gill.</p><p>“He might be ready, but are the others ready to make way for it? Because there is a huge crowd to bat at number one and two for India currently,” he reasoned.</p><div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><p>[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JRdBRAbIk[/embed]</p></div><p>The former Mumbai batter pointed out that the Bihar prodigy belongs to the new-age T20 batters, who have the knack of making space to hit the ball. However, he explained that a lot of work had to be done with his technique if he wishes to become an all-format cricketer.</p><p>“Take all the consistent T20 batters in the last few years, Sooryavanshi will stay leg side and hit a ball on middle stump through point because he’s staying leg side of the ball. In Test cricket, the advice is to get close to the ball. You will not get 20 runs in England or Australia, South Africa by staying away from the ball,” he opined.</p><p>He further added, “If you want your kid to be famous and rich, T20 batting is for you. If you want him to get the respect of people like us, the critics, then get him to get close to the line of the ball.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 21, 2026</p></div> #Sooryavanshi #ready #international #cricket #work #technique #allformat #batter #Sanjay #Manjrekar

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Deadspin | Field Level Media’s Top 100 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28369561.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28369561.jpg" alt="NFL: Combine" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza — QB11 at the NFL Scouting Combine — greets Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (QB17) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Field Level Media Top 100 rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft:</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>1. QB Fernando Mendoza Indiana (6-5, 225)</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>2. RB Jeremiyah Love Notre Dame (6-0, 210)</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>3. TE Kenyon Sadiq Oregon (6-3, 245)</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>4. WR Carnell Tate Ohio State (6-3, 195)</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>5. OT Spencer Fano Utah (6-4, 300)</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>6. LB Arvell Reese Ohio State (6-4, 243)</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>7. EDGE David Bailey Texas Tech (6-3, 247)</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>8. LB Sonny Styles Ohio State (6-5, 243)</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>9. EDGE Keldric Faulk Auburn (6-5, 285)</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>10. OT Kadyn Proctor Alabama (6-7, 365)</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>11. S Caleb Downs Ohio State (6-1, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>12. WR Makai Lemon USC (5-11, 195)</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>13. OT Francis Mauigoa Miami (6-6, 300)</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>14. CB Mansoor Delane LSU (6-0, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>15. DT Peter Woods Clemson (6-3, 315)</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>16. EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. Miami (6-2, 270)</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>17. CB Avieon Terrell Clemson (5-11, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>18. WR Jordyn Tyson Arizona State (6-2, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>19. DT Kayden McDonald Ohio State (6-2, 326)</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>20. CB Jermod McCoy Tennessee (5-10, 193)</p> </section><section id="section-22"> <p>21. OLB Cashius Howell Texas A&M (6-2, 249)</p> </section><section id="section-23"> <p>22. CB Colton Hood Tennessee (6-0, 195)</p> </section><section id="section-24"> <p>23. CB Brandon Cisse South Carolina (6-0, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-25"> <p>24. WR KC Concepcion Texas A&M (5-11, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-26"> <p>25. QB Ty Simpson Alabama (6-2, 208)</p> </section><section id="section-27"> <p>26. OT Monroe Freeling Georgia (6-7, 315)</p> </section><section id="section-28"> <p>27. OT Caleb Lomu Utah (6-6, 300)</p> </section><section id="section-29"> <p>28. FS Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Toledo (6-3, 209)</p> </section><section id="section-30"> <p>29. LB Anthony Hill Jr. Texas (6-2, 238)</p> </section><section id="section-31"> <p>30. OG Vega Ioane Penn State (6-4, 323)</p> </section><section id="section-32"> <p>31. RB Jadarian Price Notre Dame (5-10, 210)</p> </section><section id="section-33"> <p>32. C Connor Lew Auburn (6-3, 300)</p> </section><section id="section-34"> <p>33. LB Jake Golday Cincinnati (6-4, 240)</p> </section><section id="section-35"> <p>34. DT Lee Hunter Texas Tech (6-3, 333)</p> </section><section id="section-36"> <p>35. DT Caleb Banks Florida (6-6, 334)</p> </section><section id="section-37"> <p>36. CB Chris Johnson San Diego State (6-0, 185)</p> </section><section id="section-38"> <p>37. WR Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana (6-0, 204)</p> </section><section id="section-39"> <p>38. TE Max Klare Ohio State (6-3, 240)</p> </section><section id="section-40"> <p>39. LB CJ Allen Georgia (6-1, 236)</p> </section><section id="section-41"> <p>40. EDGE Akheem Mesidor Miami (6-3, 265)</p> </section><section id="section-42"> <p>41. CB Will Lee III Texas A&M (6-1, 191)</p> </section><section id="section-43"> <p>42. EDGE Joshua Josephs Tennessee (6-3, 240)</p> </section><section id="section-44"> <p>43. EDGE Malachi Lawrence UCF (6-4, 247)</p> </section><section id="section-45"> <p>44. CB Keith Abney II Arizona State (6-0, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-46"> <p>45. QB Taylen Green Arkansas (6-6, 225)</p> </section><section id="section-47"> <p>46. OLB R Mason Thomas Oklahoma (6-1, 249)</p> </section><section id="section-48"> <p>47. EDGE TJ Parker Clemson (6-3, 255)</p> </section><section id="section-49"> <p>48. OG Emmanuel Pregnon Oregon (6-4, 323)</p> </section><section id="section-50"> <p>49. OT Max Iheanachor Arizona State (6-5, 325)</p> </section><br/><section id="section-51"> <p>50. WR Germie Bernard Alabama (6-1, 209)</p> </section> <section id="section-52"> <p>51. EDGE Derrick Moore Michigan (6-3, 265)</p> </section><section id="section-53"> <p>52. WR Chris Bell Louisville (6-2, 220)</p> </section><section id="section-54"> <p>53. OT Dametrious Crownover Texas A&M (6-6, 335)</p> </section><section id="section-55"> <p>54. WR Bryce Lance North Dakota State (6-3, 210)</p> </section><section id="section-56"> <p>55. EDGE LT Overton Alabama (6-2, 274)</p> </section><section id="section-57"> <p>56. OG Chase Bisontis Texas A&M (6-6, 320)</p> </section><section id="section-58"> <p>57. EDGE Zion Young Missouri (6-5, 255)</p> </section><section id="section-59"> <p>58. OT Blake Miller Clemson (6-6, 314)</p> </section><section id="section-60"> <p>59. DT Domonique Orange Iowa State (6-2, 325)</p> </section><section id="section-61"> <p>60. OT Caleb Tiernan Northwestern (6-7, 325)</p> </section><section id="section-62"> <p>61. TE Eli Stowers Vanderbilt (6-3, 240)</p> </section><section id="section-63"> <p>62. SS Jakobe Thomas Miami (6-2, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-64"> <p>63. SS DQ Smith South Carolina (6-1, 209)</p> </section><section id="section-65"> <p>64. RB Jonah Coleman Washington (5-9, 225)</p> </section><section id="section-66"> <p>65. OT Markel Bell Miami (6-9, 340)</p> </section><section id="section-67"> <p>66. WR Ted Hurst Georgia State (6-3, 193)</p> </section><section id="section-68"> <p>67. CB Keionte Scott Miami (6-0, 195)</p> </section><section id="section-69"> <p>68. C Logan Jones Iowa (6-3, 302)</p> </section><section id="section-70"> <p>69. C Brian Parker II Duke (6-5, 300)</p> </section><section id="section-71"> <p>70. FS Bud Clark TCU (6-0, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-72"> <p>71. LB Harold Perkins Jr. LSU (6-1, 222)</p> </section><section id="section-73"> <p>72. SS Jalon Kilgore South Carolina (6-1, 197)</p> </section><section id="section-74"> <p>73. CB Charles Demmings Stephen F. Austin (6-0, 185)</p> </section><section id="section-75"> <p>74. RB Nick Singleton Penn State (6-0, 226)</p> </section><section id="section-76"> <p>75. QB Carson Beck Miami (6-4, 225)</p> </section><section id="section-77"> <p>76. CB Treydan Stukes Arizona (6-2, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-78"> <p>77. CB Hezekiah Masses California (6-1, 185)</p> </section><section id="section-79"> <p>78. QB Cade Klubnik Clemson (6-1, 210)</p> </section><section id="section-80"> <p>79. FS Genesis Smith Arizona (6-2, 204)</p> </section><section id="section-81"> <p>80. FS Dillon Thieneman Oregon (6-0, 205)</p> </section><section id="section-82"> <p>81. WR Zachariah Branch Georgia (5-10, 175)</p> </section><section id="section-83"> <p>82. WR Chris Brazzell II Tennessee (6-4, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-84"> <p>83. SS A.J. Haulcy LSU (5-11, 222)</p> </section><section id="section-85"> <p>84. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton Penn State (6-5, 265)</p> </section><section id="section-86"> <p>85. WR Antonio Williams Clemson (5-11, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-87"> <p>86. OG Gennings Dunker Iowa (6-5, 315)</p> </section><section id="section-88"> <p>87. FS Kamari Ramsey USC (6-0, 205)</p> </section><section id="section-89"> <p>88. RB Kaytron Allen Penn State (5-11, 220)</p> </section><section id="section-90"> <p>89. SS Zakee Wheatley Penn State (6-2, 192)</p> </section><section id="section-91"> <p>90. WR Deion Burks Oklahoma (5-9, 190)</p> </section><section id="section-92"> <p>91. OT Drew Shelton Penn State (6-5, 305)</p> </section><section id="section-93"> <p>92. CB Daylen Everette Georgia (6-0, 193)</p> </section><section id="section-94"> <p>93. OG Anez Cooper Miami (6-6, 350)</p> </section><section id="section-95"> <p>94. DT Tim Keenan III Alabama (6-2, 320)</p> </section><section id="section-96"> <p>95. EDGE Patrick Payton LSU (6-6, 255)</p> </section><section id="section-97"> <p>96. FS Isaiah Nwokobia SMU (6-1, 205)</p> </section><section id="section-98"> <p>97. CB Julian Neal Arkansas (6-2, 208)</p> </section><section id="section-99"> <p>98. CB Tacario Davis Washington (6-4, 200)</p> </section><section id="section-100"> <p>99. DT Darrell Jackson Jr. Florida State (6-5, 337)</p> </section><section id="section-101"> <p>100. EDGE Max Llewellyn Iowa (6-5, 263)</p> </section><br/><section id="section-102"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Field #Level #Medias #Top

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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