Ty Simpson listens to himself in the evening before he falls asleep. And also when he gets up in the morning and heads to work at the Rams’ practice facility.

The rookie quarterback hears his own voice on audio recordings as he recites the team’s play calls.

“I want to make sure it’s the last thing I think about when I go to bed,” he said recently, “and the first thing that I wake up to.”

The Rams ended their offseason program last week. But Simpson, a Tennessee native, said he would remain in Southern California and continue to study in preparation for training camp at Loyola Marymount in late July.

Simpson began the practice of recording himself at Alabama, where he was the starter in the last of his four seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Now he is the heir apparent to Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL most valuable player.

The Rams surprised many when they used the 13th pick in the draft to select Simpson, who started only 15 games. But Simpson is doing everything he can to fit into a position group that includes Stafford, 38, fourth-year signal-caller Stetson Bennett and undrafted free agent Matthew Caldwell.

“Feel like I’m a freshman again — drinking from a fire hydrant,” he said, adding that he knows and is comfortable with high expectations. “The quarterback runs the show here, just how I like it.”

Stafford, entering his 18th season, has said that Simpson has not been shy about asking questions.

“I hope I’m not annoying him,” Simpson said, “but I really appreciate the big brother kind of role he’s playing in my development.”

Stafford is “the MVP for a reason,” Simpson said. “Everything he does, he’s so just aware of everything, aware of how everything works. … I really appreciate him and Stetson taking me in and answering all the questions I have.”

Bennett got limited reps during the offseason program. But his opportunities are expected to increase during training camp as the Rams manage Stafford’s workload.

When asked about Bennett, coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase seemingly have gone out of their way to speak generally about rookies.

“They’re way behind in terms of just the overall teaching progression but they’re learning,” McVay said. “Ty, like the rest of the rookies, are doing a really nice job.”

Scheelhaase, who went through several head coach interviews during the offseason, is in his first season as the Rams’ coordinator.

“I’ve been encouraged with all of our rookies, including Ty,” Scheelhaase said. “First things first, you want to see, do they come in? Are they coachable? Are they willing to work? And you’ve seen that from Ty from Day 1.”

Simpson said that, so far, the jump from college to the NFL has not been daunting. Quarterback coach Dave Ragone and teammates have helped ease the transition.

“The biggest thing is just how detail-oriented everybody is,” Simpson said, adding, “It’s really, really cool because, coming from Alabama in the SEC, that’s how pro-ready I felt.”

With Stafford under contract through the 2027 season, Simpson might not play for a few years. But if Stafford were to suffer an injury, his time could come sooner.

Simpson is expected to play extensively during preseason games later this summer.

To make sure he’s prepared, Simpson recites and listens to his play calls.

“So when I get in the game and hear a play call, I can just imagine it and see it,” he said. “That’s a big thing, just knowing the terminology and being detail-oriented just like Matthew and Stetson.”

Jameis Winston traded the gridiron for the world’s game this summer, living it up with a different kind of football (and football fans) as a FOX Sports World Cup correspondent for the 2026 tournament. 

Winston — the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and current quarterback for the New York Giants — will take the hype around the largest World Cup yet, as a 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Here’s a look at some of the best moments from Winston’s World Cup journey:

Not only is Winston making a massive impact on fans at the World Cup, but he’s also carving out a brand-new reputation. Thanks to his larger-than-life personality, he is quickly becoming the ultimate “man of the people.”

He’s been connecting with fans at every turn, even handing over his No. 4 United States jersey to a local fan in the crowd.

“He just gifted me his jersey,” one fan said. “This is unbelievable. My grandma will hate me for that. I’m speechless. This is amazing. Whoever said the U.S. can’t do soccer? Go USA. Go America.”

If there’s one thing Winston has accomplished throughout this World Cup, it’s proving that he truly is a man of the people.

Winston’s World Cup journey continues as he sets out to assemble the loudest possible “USA” chants. The momentum started earlier in the week at a Seattle Mariners game, where he successfully rallied an entire section into full-voice chants.

He took that to the pre-game show, along with a countdown to the USA vs. Australia matchup. His goal was simple and that was to bring both fanbases together while highlighting what makes American and Australian soccer cultures special.

“My mission today is to allow Aussies to hear the USA chants from sea to shining sea,” Winston said.

The United States defeated Australia 2-0 on Friday night, and Winston matched the crowd’s energy throughout. As tensions rose following several hard challenges on the pitch, he kept the atmosphere lively by engaging in plenty of friendly trash talk with opposing fans.

“The Australian team…they just don’t know what to do with us,” Winston said. “They’re turning to violence. That’s what little cousins do when they can’t fight.”

Despite the result not going Australia’s way, Winston embraced the opportunity to connect with the Australian fans throughout the week. While Americans have their own traditions, few experiences topped Winston’s firsthand look at Australia’s famous shoey celebration.

Winston witnessed one of Australia’s most famous traditions firsthand as fans drank beer from a shoe.

“They showed us an amazing tradition in Australian culture,” Winston said. “I’m talking about drinking a brew from a shoe. You gotta love traditions.”

Emerald City is ready! Seattle has a legit claim at being one of the most soccer-crazed cities in the country. Winston joined the American Outlaws – the official supporters’ group of the U.S. teams – before Friday’s huge match. 

Seattle is awash in red, white, and blue and this city knows how to get behind a winner, having just recently celebrated the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks. 

Winston has now found himself at a Seattle Mariners game, where he was honored with the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Next, he’ll turn his attention to soccer as the United States men’s national team prepares to face Australia at Seattle Stadium on Friday night.

During his appearance at T-Mobile Park, Winston rallied the crowd into a loud chorus of “USA” chants. His mission was to create the biggest chant possible in Seattle, and by all accounts, he succeeded.

As Winston’s World Cup journey continues across the country, he is bringing fans together through a shared love of the game. The roaring “USA” chant at the Mariners game was another example of his ability to connect with sports fans wherever he goes.

Now, it doesn’t seem likely that these England supporters actually have the royal authority to knight Jameis Winston, but listen: it’s the World Cup, everyone is having a good time, so, Sir Jameis Winston it is, even if just for a day.

Even if being knighted is an ephemeral act, that kit is not: Winston now has himself an England jersey with his name on it. A knight’s cuirass? Brigandine? Hauberk? His chain mail? Whichever it’s standing in for, it’s custom just for Jameis.

Lionel Messi has completely taken over Argentina’s opening FIFA World Cup match against Algeria, scoring not one, not two but three goals, completing the hat trick. He would have even had a fourth if he hadn’t been ruled offside earlier in the first half.

Jameis Winston had the best angle on Messi’s golazo and was seen celebrating with fans in Argentina’s section. He was also wearing a customized “Winston Argentina” jersey.

Tuesday ahead of Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria in Kansas City, Winston was getting pumped for the match. But he wasn’t alone. 

Winston had a pal with him, a literal real-life goat named Wesley, who was perfectly dressed for the occasion in a Lionel Messi jersey. This World Cup is expected to be Messi’s last, and because of that, it’s worth celebrating and savoring every moment the GOAT is on the pitch.

It’s not often to see a goat, much less one adorned in the trademark colors of a living legend, being at the center of attention ahead of one of the most anticipated games at the tournament. But Wesley-dressed-as-Messi deserves all the love he was shown in KC.

Winston continues to be a national treasure when it comes to his involvement in the World Cup this year. He was spotted helping Japanese fans clean up the stands (a tradition that was spotlighted after the team’s first World Cup in 1998) following Japan’s thrilling 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon. 

The FOX Sports broadcast team, featuring Rob Stone, couldn’t contain their excitement for Winston as the feed shifted over to him in the crowd.

“Jameis Winston is working with the Japanese national team to clean up Dallas Stadium,” Stone said. “He’s a man of the people. Show me a number one draft pick in NFL history who takes out his own garbage bag and cleans up inside the stadium.

One of the Japanese fans later described how he was surprised to see an NFL quarterback joining the clean-up effort, but was appreciative on Winston joining the cherished tradition. 

Jameis got up close and personal with one of the best fan bases in the world in Dallas, where the Netherlands and the always raucous “Oranje Army” know how to make an entrance.

Winston rode along with the Dutch fans in their “Oranje Army Bus” and admitted that “there’s nothing bigger than the Dutch Army.”

USA! USA! 

Jameis took in the sights and sounds at Los Angeles Stadium for the United States’ opening match Friday, which included meeting up with influencer IShowSpeed. Not a bad way to see one of the USA’s biggest wins ever at a World Cup.

Nneka Ogwumike called game.

The 10-time WNBA All-Star and Sparks forward hit a 25-foot, buzzer-beating three-point shot from the left wing to give the Sparks an electric 98-97 come-from-behind win over the New York Liberty on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.

In a rematch of the WNBA’s first-ever game from June 21, 1997, the Sparks overcame a 17-point Liberty lead, all while celebrating the inaugural matchup — and iconic alumni — that changed women’s sports forever.

“It feels really good,” Ogwumike said in a postgame interview through tears. “I’ve been with the Sparks for so long. … It’s emotional seeing all of these legends in the building — people who didn’t get paid their values — coming in here and supporting us. I’m so grateful.”

Ogwumike led the Sparks with a game-high 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting while the rest of the starting lineup — Dearica Hamby, Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Plum and Ariel Atkins — all finished in double figures.

Guard Rae Burrell, celebrating her 26th birthday, scored 19 off the bench.

“I’m just happy that I was able to contribute in any way to get this W, especially the birthday dub,” Burrell said.

New York led for most of the game despite a lackluster performance from Sabrina Ionescu, who finished with two points. The rest of the Liberty’s starting five — Breanna Stewart, Satou Sabally, Leonie Fiebich and Jonquel Jones — delivered with a combined 63 points.

It was a total team effort for the Sparks, who were extra grateful to have Plum back after she missed Wednesday’s game with a leg injury. The Sparks improved to 7-0 in games when the four-time All-Star has six-plus assists (Plum had seven), and the team posted a season-high 28 assists.

“I wish we were fully healthy,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said before the game, referencing the ankle sprain Cameron Brink sustained Monday against Golden State. “But we got KP. And obviously, as you guys know, she’s the head of the snake. So that gives us, the whole group, a little more confidence … a little swagger, maybe that’s the right word.”

The Sparks rode that confidence and swagger to the finish line.

Beyond Plum’s return, though, the majority of the Sparks’ energy came from the announced crowd of 18,043 and the fact that Sparks legends such as Lisa Leslie, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Tamecka Dixon, among others, were on hand for the WNBA’s 30th anniversary game.

After a halftime break honoring Sparks and Liberty legends, the Sparks seemed rejuvenated for the final 20 minutes. And after rapper Warren G performed following the third quarter, the Sparks had all the momentum, feeding off the crowd.

“It was just a level of energy in this building that it was no way we were going to lose,” Wheeler said. “I think we owed it to the organization, too.”

It was fitting that Ogwumike, the president of the WNBA’s Player Assn., scored the winning shot in front of iconic players who fought to improve the league for the current generation of players.

“I think everyone in our locker room wouldn’t have picked another person to hit that shot,” Roberts said. “Like, what she’s done for this league … she’s one of one.

“On a night like tonight, where we’re honoring the legacy, not only of the Sparks, but of the league and what [Ogwumike] has done for this league, especially recently, with getting that new [collective bargaining agreement] done — it’s powerful when you think about it.”

With Ogwumike at the forefront of the negotiations, the WNBA and its players’ union agreed to a new CBA in March that, among other things, increased the league’s salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million and pays $14 million to retired players with five-plus years of service.

Leslie, Milton-Jones and Dixon discussed the WNBA’s 30-season landmark before the game, paying tribute to Ogwumike and reflecting on what the WNBPA has achieved.

“We were super grateful for the fact that we were thought of, because it’s easy to be forgotten, and you can really think about yourself in the moment that you’re in, but they went beyond that,” Milton-Jones said of the WNBPA.

“And that just shows who [Ogwumike] is as a person. She is an ambassador. She is someone that thinks beyond herself. … And I think that she’s done a great job of representing all players, from all walks of life, in every generation.“

Leslie talked about the importance of young women seeing what is possible as professional athletes, illuminating how a career in basketball — or any sport — can lead to high academic achievement, professional development and lives devoid of derailments.

“I think when we look at the next 30 years, it’s continuing to grow,” Leslie said. “It’s just like, we can’t be satisfied, you know? We have to continuously think about the little girls who want to be professional athletes here in our country. The benefits of being a professional athlete for a young girl are outstanding.”

Leslie added that “every moment” she and her teammates spent working tirelessly in the WNBA was to convince people that women’s basketball belonged.

“That 30 years for us; it’s amazing to be alive to see it,” Leslie said. “I’m just going to be honest, to see these women be paid, what they’re going to be paid, and to continue to grow this game — it’s outstanding.”