Sports
Knocked Down by Covid in Beijing, Vincent Zhou Is Getting Back Up
After a lifetime of coaching for the Olympics and making it there as a determine skater twice, Vincent Zhou now has moments when it’s too painful for him to consider the Winter Video games, or to even go close to his skates.
Zhou expects to compete on the earth championships in France subsequent week. However after what occurred to him ultimately month’s Beijing Olympics, he’s enduring what he calls “some of the difficult occasions of my complete life.”
He’s grieving his 2022 Olympic second that by no means was.
The morning after serving to america win a silver medal within the determine skating staff occasion, Zhou examined constructive for the coronavirus and needed to withdraw from the lads’s particular person occasion scheduled to start the subsequent day.
Caught in a small lodge room for every week whereas he recovered from cold-like signs, he adopted the occasion on the web, too crushed to observe on TV. Afterward, he stated he was certain he might have gained a minimum of the bronze medal.
Zhou, 21, was launched from isolation in time to carry out within the determine skating gala, an occasion purely held as fan leisure. However that night time, when Zhou tried to board a bus to the closing ceremony together with his teammates, safety officers stopped him, insisting that he had not cleared Covid protocols.
In a name with reporters on Tuesday, Zhou stated he stood at that safety checkpoint for what felt like an hour arguing his case. In any case, he was now not contagious, had examined adverse 14 occasions in a row and had possibly a day or two left in his official post-isolation interval of avoiding crowds and what was referred to as “nonessential actions,” he stated. Might the guards see his aspect and have some mercy? Might they not permit him this final potential second of pleasure at a devastating Olympics that had gone so mistaken for him?
His pleading went nowhere.
“He couldn’t even have that tiny token of closure,” Drew Meekins, one in all his coaches, stated.
Now Zhou is again coaching in Colorado Springs, the place a post-Olympic fog has kicked in. Many Olympians say this era after the Video games is especially tough as a result of they go from an adrenaline excessive to an excessive low, the place they’re devoid of bodily and emotional power. This sense even has a reputation: the Olympic hangover.
In Zhou’s case, the hangover has been so severe that at occasions he has referred to as his coaches from his mattress, crying, Meekins stated, as a result of he couldn’t bear to go to the rink. He questions whether or not his life’s work was price it and asks, “Why me?”
It’s a good query. He double masked. He wore a face protect on flights. In China, he ate alone within the Olympic cafeteria, fastidiously knocking down his masks between bites. He usually stored such a distance from others throughout the pandemic that he grew to become excruciatingly lonely, he stated final month.
And but, he examined constructive.
“I’m having a tough time holding myself collectively proper now speaking about it,” Zhou, who’s from Palo Alto, Calif., stated to reporters on Tuesday. “I’m nonetheless presently in the course of issues. I’m undoubtedly not out of it but.”
To win again management of his profession after Covid had rendered him helpless over it, Zhou dove proper again into coaching after getting back from China. The transition, although, from the trauma of the Video games to coaching for the world championships has been rocky. As Meekins has identified, grief is available in waves.
Generally, Meekins stated, he can see the load of unhappiness Zhou is carrying with him when Zhou walks into the rink. His head is down. His shoulders droop.
“You may simply inform that his thoughts is so busy,” Meekins stated. “I might inform it’s occupied nonetheless attempting to course of what occurred.”
Meekins and Tom Zakrajsek, Zhou’s different fundamental coach, maintain an in depth eye on Zhou to ensure he feels supported. They’ve performed a variety of listening. They’ve given him a number of area.
Additionally, a sports activities psychologist from america Olympic coaching middle usually comes to observe Zhou’s practices. The 2 have spoken quite a bit previously a number of weeks as Zhou works by way of these waves of robust feelings.
It’s necessary for him to go to worlds, his coaches stated. Zhou might lastly discover that closure. It additionally would possibly remind him of what skating was like earlier than Beijing. It had by no means been higher. In some ways, he had by no means beloved it extra.
Within the fall, he beat the three-time world champion Nathan Chen, handing him his first loss in additional than three years. He additionally certified for his first Grand Prix last, the place the highest of the highest skaters go face to face each season.
“My feeling is that Vincent competing on the world championships, regardless of how he finishes, goes to be a present of how brave he’s and the way he’s a shining instance of somebody who got here again from excessive adversity,” Zakrajsek stated.
Zhou has had the identical feeling. He has generally thought it could be straightforward to only skip worlds and stroll away from the ache and unhealthy recollections. His research at Brown College await him. After which he thinks, “I ought to possibly simply attempt to overlook about every part, simply get on the ice, simply go for it. Take the shot. Who is aware of? Possibly it can end up properly.”
Preserving the frustration out of his thoughts, nonetheless, has been a wrestle, he stated: “I step onto the ice and I’m immediately reminded of every part that occurred.”
Nonetheless, he instructed reporters — and sure himself — that “in all probability 90, I don’t know, 95 p.c of different folks would have already given up.” And he’s not a kind of folks.
He stated simply having the ability to take that first step and go to worlds would make him actually proud. He’s attempting to will it to occur: Get on that aircraft. Placed on that costume. Step out on that ice. Deep down, he stated, the motivation to try this nonetheless drives him.
“Life actually desires to get me down proper now,” he stated. “However I’m not able to go down and not using a combat.”
The NFL is down to its final eight teams and historically this weekend’s games are viewership powerhouses. Last year, the NFL’s divisional round, led by a mega-matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, averaged a whopping 40.0 million viewers, the highest audience number on record, dating to 1988. Kansas City’s win at Buffalo led the way with 50.4 million viewers, the most-watched divisional round game on record.
There are plenty of stories at The Athletic projecting what might happen this weekend. On the media front, Tom Brady will once again find the spotlight as Fox’s lead NFL analyst, but this week presents something that hits at the crux of Brady’s juggling between his analyst duties and minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Last week NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been recruited by Brady to interview with the Raiders for the club’s head coach opening.
“Thanks in part to the involvement of Brady, who sources say personally vouched for Johnson and implored him to take the interview through his agent, Johnson spoke with them,” Rapoport wrote.
“Essentially, Brady recruited Johnson to interview.”
Rapoport also reported that “Brady was influential in the decision to fire (head coach Antonio) Pierce and (general manager Tom) Telesco, seeking alignment from him to the GM to the coach.”
(The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed have essential additional reporting on the Raiders’ coaching and GM searches, both being informed — and influenced — by Brady.)
Lions OC Ben Johnson says he spoke with Tom Brady on the field before the Packers game. First time he’s met him.
Brady will be calling the Commanders-Lions game this weekend for Fox, while helping the Raiders find a new head coach and GM.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) January 15, 2025
Fox is airing the Lions-Washington Commanders game Saturday (8 p.m. ET, also on Fox Deportes) with Kevin Burkhardt and Brady in the booth. There is no other NFL broadcast with this kind of working conflict, but we already knew that. The conflict has already been written about, including here several times, and as we have reported, Fox has no issues with it, given it is happy to be in the Tom Brady business.
But viewers deserve transparency at a minimum, and what Fox Sports should do out of respect for the audience is have Brady and Burkhardt discuss — on-air — that Brady has been part of the process involving Johnson.
I expect the broadcast to address it in some form (Fox Sports brass knows this is all out there, and its top NFL team has a lead producer and director who are immensely respected across the industry), but how deep they address it, we’ll see.
From my perspective, it should not simply be gloss over it with a 45-second discussion. If you are going to own the conflict, at least be transparent with the audience.
A substantive acknowledgment and discussion of what’s going on would help Brady with viewers who might naturally believe his recruitment of Johnson will have an impact on how he discusses the Lions.
Beyond Brady’s analysis of Johnson and the Lions, what will this year’s divisional round bring as far as viewer interest?
We bring back the Watchability Index for another week, which rates viewer anticipation as well as predicts expected viewership.
Josh Allen and the Bills were part of the most-watched NFL divisional round playoff game in 2024. His 2025 playoff matchup with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson could top that. (Elsa / Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
6:30 p.m. ET Sunday
CBS, Paramount+
Watchability: 10 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: The NFL has always marketed its sport through the quarterbacks — Manning vs. Brady! — and this game has the two leading contenders for the league MVP honors — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen. You can’t ask for more as far as entertainment if you are neutral.
The two teams ranked second (Bills) and third (Ravens) during the regular season. The Ravens are particularly lethal on the ground — they averaged 187.6 yards per game. Highmark Stadium is loud and cold, a perfect setting for football.
Everything about this game feels massive and it’s why the NFL placed it in its most optimum television window.
Odds: Ravens (-1)
Viewership prediction: 47 million viewers
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
3 p.m. ET Sunday
NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo
Watchability ranking: 8 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: Hard not to embrace the Rams given the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are a collective force, and when Matthew Stafford is on, he’s fun to watch. L.A. looked like a juggernaut against the Minnesota Vikings with a postseason-record nine sacks.
The Eagles have the top-ranked defense (we’ll see how the loss of Nakobe Dean affects that), an all-time asset in Saquon Barkley and “Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life” working for them.
Lincoln Financial Field is a nightmare for opposing teams given Eagles fans are boisterous and belligerent. A late afternoon game in a great sports city. How can you not watch?
Odds: Eagles (-6)
Viewership prediction: 39 million viewers
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
8 p.m. ET Saturday
Fox, Fox Deportes
Watchability ranking: 7.5 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: The Athletic’s projection model gives the Lions a 24 percent chance to advance to the Super Bowl, the best percentage among all the remaining teams. The model has them scoring the most points over the weekend, which makes sense given they led the league in points scored (33.2 points) and were second in total yards per game (424.9 yards).
Detroit is fun to watch, it has an uber-aggressive coach and has an America’s Team feel to it given how many people seem to list it as their second favorite team.
It’s great to see the Commanders fans get this playoff run after all the years of living under the Dan Snyder regime. Jayden Daniels is a lock for Rookie of the Year and plays like a seasoned vet. Plus, how can you not love a doink to win a wild-card game?
Favorite: Lions (-9)
Viewership prediction: 35 million viewers
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 p.m. ET Saturday
ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Watchability ranking: 5 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: Start with Patrick Mahomes, the standard-bearer for winning. The Chiefs have been the NFL’s viewership bell cow over the last couple of years (for good reason) given their excellence. (Taylor Swift probably helped juice the numbers, too.)
The weather is expected to be chilly and Arrowhead Stadium is chaotic when filled.
The Texans seem to live in the early Saturday afternoon slot, which tells you how the NFL broadcasting department sees them against other teams. Houston has the lowest expected points in our projection model, and the Chiefs’ starters have rested since Christmas Day.
Favorite: Chiefs -8
Viewership prediction: 34 million
(Top photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
Sports
Ohio State's Will Howard vows to continue to 'trust in the Lord' even in the midst of life's highs and lows
Ohio State has looked dominant throughout the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
After knocking Tennessee out in the first round, the Buckeyes blew out the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals. Ohio State then defeated the Texas Longhorns in the semifinal to advance to Monday’s championship game.
Quarterback Will Howard will be under center when Ohio State meets Notre Dame in the highly-anticipated title game.
Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State. However, he entered the transfer portal in 2023. In Jan. 2024, he revealed his intentions to make the move to Ohio State. Howard went on to have the best regular season of his college career in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, #18, leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The 23-year-old has thrown for a career-high 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions during his first year at Ohio State. Howard has also used his legs this season, rushing for seven scores.
EX-NOTRE DAME STAR FUELS NATIONAL TITLE GAME HYPE WITH HARSH CRITIQUE OF OHIO STATE’S WILL HOWARD
This year’s Buckeyes roster features multiple players, including Howard, who are outspoken about their personal faith. Howard’s on-field interview after Ohio State’s aforementioned commanding win over Oregon at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day was one of many moments in which the quarterback put his beliefs on full display.
“First and foremost, I gotta thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage in the Rose Bowl,” Howard said. “Younger me would be in awe right now.”
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, #18, passes against Texas during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Shortly after the Buckeyes were upset by their top rival Michigan in late November, Howard referenced his faith as he was asked to share his reaction to the defeat.
“I sat back and thought the opportunity that I have here and what I’ve gone through this year, the ups and the downs, everything has been for my own good,” he said via Columbus news station WCMH, before reaffirming his unwavering faith. “I know that God is putting those obstacles in front of us to grow us and there’s a reason for it. I’m going to just trust the plan.”
Will Howard, #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
He added that having an unshakable “trust in the Lord” has proven to be beneficial in his life.
“We got to trust in the Lord and lean on Him no matter what, through the ups and the downs,” he told NBC4. “I tried to just get into my Bible and pray a little bit. Just come back to the Lord and say, ‘I need You.’”
“When you come to Him in a humble way, it changes your perspective. I lay it down for Him and say, ‘God, I trust You. I don’t know why this happened but it happened for a reason. I’m going to trust it.’”
Howard and several of his Buckeyes teammates arrived at preseason workouts wearing “Jesus Won” T-shirts.
The College Football Playoff National Championship game kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
When Patrick Vargas was a 5-foot-4 starting quarterback for Garfield High in 2008, the Bulldogs stunned City Section power Birmingham 29-28 in their season opener.
Now, at age 32, Vargas is taking over as Garfield’s new football coach, replacing Lorenzo Hernandez, and he’s embracing all the lessons learned about overcoming obstacles and understanding the tradition of excellence at Garfield.
“It’s a dream come true for me, being a kid from East L.A.,” he said. “Garfield has always been the place I wanted to be, first as a football player, then as a coach. What coach Hernandez did was change the program for the better. What I want to do is continue with that leadership and do my best to take it to the next level.”
He’s also going to inherit a new turf football field under construction. …
For the third straight year, Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura has been named the Gatorade state player of the year in girls cross country.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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