Sports
Bill Polian responds to reports on Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame vote, denies pushing one-year wait
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The reports that former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would not be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August sparked strong reactions across the sports world.
Belichick, who won two Super Bowl rings as an assistant before coaching the Patriots to six titles, fell short of the Hall of Fame’s 50-vote threshold. Long presumed a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Belichick’s omission raised questions about how the votes fell.
Bill Polian, a former Indianapolis Colts general manager and Hall of Fame inductee, found himself at the center of much of the debate.
Bill Polian issued a statement confirming his Hall of Fame vote for Bill Belichick, denying a report that he told fellow voters the former NFL coach should wait. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Polian initially said he cast a vote in favor of the North Carolina football coach, before saying he could not say with 100% certainty whether he did. In his latest attempt to clear the air, Polian said he did check the box next to Belichick’s name.
“I voted for coach Belichick in the Hall of Fame selection meeting,” Polian said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday as he read a prepared statement.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame has confirmed that fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I’ll state that I never said that I believe that Coach Belichick should quote, wait a year, close quote, for enshrinement. This has been confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, numerous selectors who were in the room, and my vote for coach Belichick.”
Polian said he has always aimed to be objective in his voting.
FILE – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 4, 2018. (Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports)
“As a Hall of Fame member and selector, I realize the import of what we do. I’ve always tried as a selector to make these difficult choices with the utmost of objectivity. I’ve said on SiriusXM Radio and numerous other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, my vote confirms that.”
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ISSUES WARNING TO VOTERS AMID BILL BELICHICK SNUB OUTRAGE
Polian referenced an ESPN report, citing sources who told the outlet the Super Bowl-winning general manager was one of the voters who told others Belichick should “wait a year” before induction. In addition to Wednesday’s statement, Polian also told Sports Illustrated that the accusations were “totally and categorically untrue.”
Bill Polian clarified he voted in favor of Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame induction, denying a report that he told voters the former Patriots coach should endure a waiting period. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
“I was shocked to learn Bill didn’t get in. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” Polian told ESPN.
ESPN reported that Belichick was “puzzled” and “disappointed” when he learned he was not accepted this year and wondered what more he had to do as a head coach to get in immediately.
This year — and for the first time — Longtime Patriots owner Robert Kraft was also a hall of fame finalist. It is unclear whether Kraft or any other finalist were elected into the 2026 class.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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Sports
Wizards select AJ Dybantsa first overall in 2026 NBA Draft
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As expected, the Washington Wizards have begun the 2026 NBA Draft by selecting BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick.
In a draft class loaded with “cant-miss prospects,” Dybantsa stood out above the rest, as the 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward put on a show with the Cougars in his one and only collegiate season.
Dybantsa averaged 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 51% from the field for BYU. He became the fifth Division-1 player in the last 40 seasons to average at least 25 points while shooting 50% from the field in a single season.
This is a breaking news story. More to come…
Sports
Dodgers game to start 30 minutes late; give updates on Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing
MINNEAPOLIS — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is planning for right fielder Kyle Tucker to be out for the rest of the series against the Minnesota Twins, after he left Monday’s game with low back spasms.
Roberts hopes to write Tucker into the lineup Friday, when the Dodgers open a three-game series in San Diego, after three days off, plus most of the game Monday.
“Hopefully he [can take] advantage of this, obviously to get right, but also kind of a mental reset,” Roberts said. “Hopefully the four days will suffice.”
Tucker, who said he felt a little better Tuesday but still sore, especially when rotating, is “pretty confident” that he’ll be able to avoid the injured list. And if he can take swings on Wednesday, he’ll probably be on track for that Friday return.
“But if he doesn’t, then we’ll have probably a tougher decision on Friday,” Roberts said.
Tucker, who has a .707 on-base-plus-slugging-percentage this season, has had a slow offensive start to his Dodgers’ tenure. He wasn’t ready to make any declarations about the potential benefits of time off to reset.
“Maybe,” he said. “We’ll see after I get back. We’ll see how that goes.”
The news on catcher Dalton Rushing, who exited Monday’s game to rule out a concussion, was more straightforward.
Rushing hadn’t yet gone through the second round of concussion testing needed to clear him to play when Roberts addressed the media Tuesday afternoon. But Rushing had told Roberts he was ready to play.
“That doesn’t carry too much weight until I hear from the medical staff,” Roberts said. “But it is good to know that he said he’s good to go. My hope is that he’ll be available off the bench in some capacity.”
As a downpour hammered the tarped field early Tuesday evening, it was unclear when exactly the Dodgers would be playing. But despite plenty of rain in the forecast Tuesday evening, the teams and Major League Baseball identified a window for the game.
The Twins announced an estimated 5:05 p.m. PDT first pitch, representing a 25-minute rain delay.
Sports
Wyndham Clark pens emotional message after winning second US Open in hostile territory
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Wyndham Clark reflected on winning what was his second U.S. Open with an emotional message filled with appreciation.
Clark went wire-to-wire at Shinnecock Hills to become the 24th player to win at least two U.S. Opens in their career after beating fellow American Sam Burns by one shot. The 32-year-old’s first U.S. Open title came in 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club, another one-shot victory, where he got the best of runner-up Rory McIlroy.
“I’m not sure I’ve found the words yet. If I’m being honest, last year wasn’t filled with many highs. There were a lot more questions than answers, a lot more frustration than celebration, and plenty of moments that tested my belief in myself,” Clark’s note on X began.
Wyndham Clark of the United States looks on after winning the 126th U.S. OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 21, 2026, in Southampton, New York. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
WYNDHAM CLARK DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LOVED, BUT HE DOES HAVE TO BE RESPECTED AFTER US OPEN TRIUMPH AT SHINNECOCK
“This game can be incredibly humbling. It doesn’t owe you anything, and sometimes the only thing you can do is keep showing up and trust that the work will eventually pay off. That’s why this week means so much. To the fans, thank you for making this championship what it is. New York crowds are passionate, honest, and demanding. Whether you were pulling for me or not, you created an atmosphere I’ll never forget and pushed all of us to compete at our best.
“Thank you to the USGA, the members of Shinnecock Hills, the volunteers, and every person behind the scenes who made this week so special. This place is everything a U.S. Open should be, and I’m incredibly honored to have my name connected to it forever.
“To my team, family, friends, and sponsors, thank you for staying in my corner through the difficult stretches. Thank you for believing in me on the days when believing wasn’t easy. This trophy means more because of the road it took to get here. The setbacks, the doubts, and the hard days all make this moment that much sweeter. I’ll never forget this week, this place, and what it feels like to stand here as a two-time U.S. Open Champion. Forever grateful.”
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NEW YORK GOLF FANS DESERVE TO BE CALLED OUT, SAM BURNS HAS A GOOD CRY, WYNDHAM CLARK’S BEST SHOT AT SHINNECOCK
Wyndham Clark celebrates with his caddie, David Pelekoudas, on the 18th green during the final round of the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 21, 2026, in Southampton, New York. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
Clark was far from the fan favorite during Sunday’s final round at Shinnecock. The majority of fans on the Long Island, New York property appeared to be pulling against the Colorado native with countless shouts for his golf ball to find bunkers and minor roars after each of his five bogeys during the final round.
Wyndham Clark celebrates with his girlfriend Emily Tanner after winning the 126th U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour)
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Clark made a pair of public mistakes during the 2025 PGA Tour season. During the final round of the 2025 PGA Championship, he threw his driver through an advertisement sign behind a tee box. A month later, after missing the cut at Oakmont in the 2025 U.S. Open, he ripped apart two lockers inside the clubhouse and was barred by the historic club in the following days.
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