Sports
Bulked-up Joshua Kelley in the running for Chargers’ heavily contested backup role

Since he was drafted, the Chargers modified their teaching employees and invested picks in two extra operating backs.
His three best video games stay the primary three of his NFL profession, in 2020.
Now coming into his third season and going through as a lot competitors and uncertainty as he ever has, Joshua Kelley arrived at coaching camp in Costa Mesa a modified man.
“My complete purpose this offseason was to develop into one of the best soccer participant I may presumably be,” he stated Thursday. “It wasn’t to calm down, to wind down, to do all types of enterprise actions, trip. It was to develop into one of the best participant I could possibly be for this 12 months.”
Popping out of UCLA, Kelley’s future gave the impression to be on fast show below the earlier teaching regime of Anthony Lynn.
He carried 43 instances for 167 yards by the primary three weeks of the 2020 season, serving as a much-needed counterpunch to starter Austin Ekeler.
However Kelley misplaced fumbles in back-to-back video games — each losses, in opposition to Carolina and Tampa Bay — and has been attempting to get better since.
He stated he devoted himself this spring to enhancing bodily, enlisting the assistance of Additional time Athletes, a coaching outfit in Florida really useful by former Chargers teammate Rayshawn Jenkins.
“I evaluated myself,” Kelley stated. “I checked out my strengths and weaknesses, and I felt like I may placed on some extra muscle, add some extra explosiveness. I took this system I had critically and simply attacked it.”
Brandon Staley, who took over after Lynn was fired following the 2020 season, stated Kelley is “a lot stronger, rather more compact” on this coaching camp. He praised Kelley for being “a extra full again.”
Within the Chargers’ preseason opener Saturday at SoFi Stadium in opposition to the Rams, Kelley could have a chance to showcase his new self as he battles for the No. 2 operating again spot.
He’ll be competing in opposition to Isaiah Spiller, a fourth-round choose this 12 months, and Larry Rountree III, a sixth-round choose in 2021.
Rookie Isaiah Spiller (28) is the most recent operating again drafted who’s attempting to win the No. 2 job.
(Alex Gallardo / Related Press)
“These backs … I actually just like the progress of all of them,” Staley stated. “I feel the competitors is bringing out one of the best in them as a result of it’s a actual competitors.”
Together with energy coaching, Kelley stated his offseason program emphasised diet. He’s nonetheless listed at 5 toes 11 , 212 kilos — similar as final 12 months — however Kelley seems to be extra stout.
“Diet was large,” he stated. “You don’t get this measurement and this sturdy with out being on prime of your diet and your restoration. So, yeah, it was a number of work.”
Kelley defined that he now looks like a unique participant on the sector. He has damaged a number of spectacular runs in staff drills, although the Chargers don’t deal with to the bottom in coaching camp.
“I’m similar to — growth! — extra explosive, quicker, stronger,” Kelley stated. “It’s an enormous distinction. There’s a correlation between the load room [to] diet to the sector. It feels good. They received me proper.”
Staley additionally famous that Kelley has gained the belief of his teammates in cross safety, a significant part to an offense that includes a Professional Bowl quarterback in Justin Herbert.
For younger operating backs, cross safety typically is among the most troublesome steps in transitioning to the NFL. Kelley stated that early on he needed to deal with whom to dam.
He defined that, now with a better understanding of the offense and his assignments in it, he has graduated to attempting to develop into a weapon in cross safety.
“I placed on some energy,” Kelley stated. “I’m not attempting to soak up contact. Once I’m watching tape, I see a number of guys simply go up there and take up. I’m attempting to ship a blow. I feel that’s helped me.”
One other space that might vastly influence the backup operating again resolution is particular groups. Kelley performed extra particular groups as a rookie than he did final season.
One of many lowlights of his 2020 season was a blown task that led to a blocked punt and landing for Jacksonville.
Kelley stated Ryan Ficken, the Chargers’ new particular groups coordinator, met with him early within the offseason and advised him he was too good of a participant to not be contributing in that space.
“I agreed with him,” Kelley stated. “I felt like I wanted to take this part far more critically, assault it and simply go more durable. … It largely comes right down to effort and want-to.”
Kelley figures to be featured on offense and within the kicking recreation Saturday, when the Chargers take their first main step in figuring their season-opening roster.
And so on.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins missed apply Thursday due to a dying in his household. He was again on the sector later within the day after rejoining the staff. … Staley stated quarterbacks Chase Daniel and Easton Stick will play in opposition to the Rams. He additionally stated Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III, battling for the beginning proper deal with job, will play.

Sports
Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr arrested by ICE days after fighting Jake Paul

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Famed Mexican boxer and criminal illegal immigrant Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, just four days after fighting Jake Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest on Thursday, noting Chavez was being processed for “expedited removal from the United States.”
Chavez was arrested in Los Angeles in January 2024 and later convicted of possession of an assault weapon, and manufacturing or importing a short-barreled rifle, according to the statement. He had a prior U.S. criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2012.
He also has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his alleged involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel—trafficking firearms, ammunition and explosives, according to DHS officials.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. enters the right before fighting Jake Paul at Honda Center on June 28, 2025. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
JAKE PAUL NOW ELIGIBLE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT AS HE OFFICIALLY ENTERS WBA CRUISERWEIGHT RANKINGS
While Chavez entered the U.S. legally in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa, it expired in February 2024.
In April 2024, he filed an application for Lawful Permanent Resident status.
However, his application was based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, who is connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a prior relationship with the now-deceased son of the infamous cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, according to the statement.
In December 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made a referral to ICE that Chavez was considered “an egregious public safety threat.”
“However, an entry in a DHS law enforcement system under the Biden administration indicated Chavez was not an immigration enforcement priority,” DHS wrote.
DHS said Chavez reentered the country in January through the San Ysidro port of entry. But, after “multiple fraudulent statements on his application to become a Lawful Permanent Resident,” he was deemed to be in the country illegally and removable on June 27.

Boxer Jake Paul fights against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at Honda Center on June 28, 2025. ( Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
“It is shocking the previous administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in a statement. “Under President Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes.”
“Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences,” McLaughlin added. “The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fights against Jake Paul at Honda Center. (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Chavez’s fight against Paul ended in defeat, with judges giving the Youtuber-turned-boxer a unanimous victory after 10 rounds.
Chavez was a former WBC middleweight champion and the son of the boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, who held five different world titles in four different weight classes. Paul’s win on Saturday resulted in him getting ranked for the first time, coming in at No. 14 in the WBA cruiserweight rankings.
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Sports
Diogo Jota, soccer forward for Liverpool and Portugal, dies in car crash with his brother

Liverpool FC and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother, fellow soccer player André Silva, died in a car crash early Thursday morning, Spanish authorities said Thursday. Jota was 28, and Silva was 25.
The brothers were found dead near Zamora, Spain, the country’s Civil Guard confirmed to the Associated Press. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, which occurred just after midnight when the Lamborghini the brothers were riding in veered off the road and burst into flames.
No other vehicles were involved and the brothers were alone in the car, police said. It’s unclear which brother was driving.
“We have lost two champions,” Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença said in a statement. “The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honor their legacy every day.”
Football fans stand next to tributes left Thursday at Anfield Stadium in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota.
(Ian Hodgson / Associated Press)
Jota, whose full name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, was known as a clinical finisher. Early in his professional career, Jota played for such teams as Paços de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid and the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He signed with Liverpool in 2020 and went on to score 65 goals in 182 games for the Reds. The organization said in a statement that it is “devastated” by Jota’s death.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss,” the team wrote.
Lakers star LeBron James, a minority Liverpool owner, referenced the team’s unofficial anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as he paid tribute to Jota on X.
“My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time!” James wrote. “May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!”
Jota played nearly 50 games for Portugal as well. He made the 2022 World Cup squad, but was unable to play because of injury. Jota’s final match was Portugal’s 5-3 win in a penalty shoot-out over Spain in the Nations League final June 8. About two weeks later, Jota married Rute Cardoso, who was his childhood sweetheart and mother of their three young children.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote in Portuguese on X. “Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates with Portugal teammate Diogo Jota during a Euro 2020 qualifying match in Luxembourg in November 2019.
(Francisco Seco / Associated Press)
Silva was a midfielder for the Liga Portugal 2 squad Penafiel.
A moment of silence for the brothers will be observed at all UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, including the Spain-Portugal game Thursday at noon PDT.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sports
Martina Navratilova slams Pedro Pascal after actor critical of JK Rowling's stance on trans issues

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Tennis legend Martina Navratilova came to the defense of “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling on Saturday as the writer received criticism from actor Pedro Pascal in a recent interview.
Rowling and Pascal have clashed in the past on transgender issues, including after Rowling celebrated the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Actor Pedro Pascal, who is starring in a movie titled “Eddington” that played at Cannes Film Festival, deflected concerns about the United States becoming closed off to migrants in a press conference on Friday. (Getty Images)
“Bullies make me f—— sick,” Pascal told Vanity Fair. “It’s a situation that deserves the utmost elegance so that something can actually happen.”
Rowling dismissed Pascal in a social media post on Friday and Navratilova added to it.
“Another Johnny come lately telling women to STFU,” Navratilova wrote.
Navratilova is a lifelong Democrat but has never wavered on her push to keep biological males from competing against girls and women in sports.

Martina Navratilova during the trophy presentations at the French Open on June 8, 2024, in Paris. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW TITLE IX INVESTIGATION OPENED IN MINNESOTA AFTER TRANS PITCHER WINS GIRLS’ SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
She has made clear in the past she is no supporter of President Donald Trump, and a quick scan of her social media posts would underscore that. However, she has lamented Democrats’ inaction over the issue of transgender athletes participating in women’s and girls’ sports.
When Trump signed an executive order to prohibit biological males from women’s and girls’ sports, she fired off a fierce message toward the Democratic Party.
“I hate that the Democrats totally failed women and girls on this very clear issue of women’s sports being for females only,” she wrote in a post on X.
She also expressed her frustration in January when the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Only two Democrats voted with Republicans on the bill.

Martina Navratilova at a press conference during the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico, Nov. 2, 2023. (Susan Mullane-USA Today Sports)
“More Dems need to step up here. I know many who agree but are scared to speak up because of re-election. I say do the right thing. Grow a spine,” she wrote on X.
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