By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Johnnie “DJ” Jones, a freshman offensive lineman at Missouri, is hospitalized in Florida awaiting a heart transplant.

Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced the news on Tuesday while fighting back his emotions.

Drinkwitz said the school’s medical staff detected an issue with Jones’ heart during an exam this summer. They later sent him to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., for further testing.

“Last week, we found out that Johnnie is now on a heart transplant list,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s in Mayo, and it’s tough right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they go through this.”

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle from Bradenton, Fla., was a consensus a four- star recruit in the Class of 2026 out of Venice High School. He chose Missouri over Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State and others.

Drinkwitz shouted out Jones following the Tigers’ 45-17 upset of then-No. 8 Florida on Saturday.

“DJ, we love you, man. We’re praying for you. We’ll see you,” Drinkwitz said.

“I know Johnnie was watching our game,” Drinkwitz said Tuesday. “It’s just hard. (He’s) an 18-year-old with everything in front of him, and you’re just not prepared for that kind of news. Our team wasn’t prepared for that kind of news. We’re praying for him, and I know a lot of Mizzou fans will hopefully join in that prayer because he does need help in a hurry.”

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson retired Tuesday after 14 seasons and two Super Bowl championships.

Johnson, 36, who missed Sunday’s loss against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons, said he wants to focus on his mental health.

“I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season. But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities have changed. Right now it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” he posted on social media.

“I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football.”

The six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro started all 186 games he played with the Eagles, including playoffs, since Philadelphia drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 2013.

“Lane Johnson is an all-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in NFL history,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Lane was a major contributor to our team success for 14 seasons, helping to bring two Super Bowl championships and many other memorable moments to the organization and the City of Philadelphia.

“Lane excelled under multiple coaching staffs, maintaining an elite level of play throughout his entire career. His combination of talent, strength, athleticism and intelligence made him a truly unique player in this league. And there is no doubt in my mind that one day he will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Lane has done a tremendous amount to give back to the community through his numerous charitable endeavors. The courage he has shown using his own personal experiences to advocate for mental health awareness has undoubtedly saved lives.

“We appreciate everything Lane has contributed to our organization, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

Johnson helped the Eagles win Super Bowls LII and LIX.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Monday night’s preseason opener.

The team announced that he will undergo surgery on Tuesday and further updates would be provided as appropriate.

The injury occurred during the first quarter of the Sixers’ 120-97 win against the visiting New York Knicks.

Hukporti started the game against his former team and finished with one assist and one missed shot in five minutes.

The 24-year-old native of Germany signed a one-year, $3.4 million contract with Philadelphia in July after winning an NBA championship with the Knicks last season.

Hukporti averaged 2.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 9.1 minutes in 79 games (six starts) with the Knicks over the past two seasons.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – The Atlanta Dream will begin playing all of their home games at State Farm Arena starting next season.

The WNBA team announced a multi-year agreement on Tuesday with the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

Since 2021, the Dream have been based at 3,500-capacity Gateway Center Arena in suburban College Park, Ga. They have sold out every game there over the past three seasons.

By comparison, State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta can hold more than 17,000 for basketball games. The Dream have had eight sellouts at the larger arena.

“This is an exciting next chapter for the Atlanta Dream, and a direct reflection of the exciting style of play that is Dream basketball, the passion of our fans and the incredible growth of this franchise,” Dream president and COO Morgan Shaw Parker said in a statement. “Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA. State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta. We look forward to bringing the energy, traditions and spirit of Gateway with us to the heart of our city.”

Over the past five years, the Dream have seen more than a 400% growth in season ticket members, per the team.

Atlanta is currently competing in the WNBA playoff semifinals, holding a 1-0 lead over the New York Liberty in a best-of-five series. The Dream won Game 1 on Sunday at State Farm Arena before a crowd of 9,745.

“We are thrilled that the Atlanta Dream has chosen to make State Farm Arena its new home. The team’s brand and fan base have grown tremendously throughout the city as the Dream has become one of the WNBA’s elite franchises both on and off the court,” said Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer of the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “The WNBA is experiencing a meteoric rise with rapid growth in attendance and viewership, and this is a great opportunity to elevate the visibility of women’s basketball and bring that excitement to our world-class venue.”

The Dream will play 25 regular-season games at State Farm Arena in 2027 under the league’s expanded 50-game schedule.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Having a Lamborghini in the garage might make sense only to an owner tasked with keeping such a prized investment safe.

In similar context, the Vikings are thinking carefully about whether to put All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson on the field for Week 5, with a bye week — and nearly two weeks of rehab and rest for his injured ankle — on deck.

“He’s doing great. He kind of got a lot of the initial soreness and things out last week,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday. “We’ll see what he’s kind of able to handle from a practice standpoint leading into Sunday, but (we) don’t know exactly where he’s going to be at. We have the bye next week.”

The Vikings (4-0) face the New Orleans Saints (1-3) on Sunday. With no game during the Week 6 slate, resting Jefferson on Sunday against the Saints could mean his next game isn’t until Oct. 25, 28 days from the date he was injured.

Jefferson was ruled out last week against the Miami Dolphins. He rested his ankle after being injured on a 10-yard reception in the first quarter of Minnesota’s 23-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

While Jefferson did not practice last week, he has been studying with a well- known pass catcher.

“Randy Moss has been spending some time around the facility and it’s been awesome,” O’Connell said. “But when Randy and Justin are watching tape together, they come up with some pretty damn good ideas, I’ve got to say.”

Jefferson played in all 17 regular-season games for Minnesota in both 2024 and 2025. The seven-year veteran missed seven games in 2023 with a torn right hamstring.

Jefferson, 27, has collected 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns in three games this season.

Named Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, Jefferson has 592 catches for 8,659 yards and 44 touchdowns in 97 career games (94 starts) since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Formula 1 is set to return to Africa with a race in Rwanda in 2030, RacingNews365 reported on Tuesday.

An agreement has been reached and an official announcement could come later this year, per the report.

Despite attempts from local organizers, F1 hasn’t raced on the continent since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame announced his country’s intention to bid for an F1 race back in 2024.

The F1 community was initially skeptical since Rwanda doesn’t currently have a racing circuit capable of hosting a major motorsports event. However, there are plans to build a permanent facility just outside the capital city of Kigali, per the report.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Baltimore Ravens tight end Durham Smythe will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a torn Achilles, NFL Network reported on Tuesday.

An MRI confirmed the severity of the injury, which occurred during Sunday’s 24-18 victory against the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Smythe, 31, is primarily deployed as a blocker and has one catch for 4 yards while playing in four games (all starts) this season with Baltimore.

He has 137 receptions for 1,257 yards and three touchdowns in 133 career games (80 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2018-24), Chicago Bears (2025) and Ravens. He was selected by the Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – The Seattle Seahawks decided against signing veteran running back Joe Mixon to their practice squad, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Mixon worked out for the Seahawks on Monday and underwent a physical. There is no word on what issue led to Seattle reversing course on Mixon, who will remain a free agent.

The Seahawks’ only healthy running backs are Emanuel Wilson, George Holani and Velus Jones. Seattle (3-1) placed rookie running back Jadarian Price, the 32nd overall pick in April’s draft, on injured reserve Saturday with a chest injury.

Zach Charbonnet will work in team drills during practice this week but won’t play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers (4-0), head coach Mike Macdonald said.

Mixon, 30, is a two-time Pro Bowler who last played for the Houston Texans in 2024 following seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

He racked up 1,016 yards, 11 touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod in his 14 games for the Texans. But Mixon missed the 2025 campaign due to a foot injury and was released last March.

Mixon has gained 7,428 yards and scored 60 touchdowns on the ground in 111 career games (102 starts) since entering the league in 2017. He has added another 2,448 yards and 14 touchdowns on 319 receptions.

Charbonnet, 25, has yet to make his season debut after tearing his ACL on Jan. 17 in the NFC Divisional Round defeat of the 49ers on Seattle’s path to a Super Bowl championship.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 06 (Field Level Media) – Fred Claire, who went from a local sportswriter to the architect of a World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers team, died Monday.

It was his 91st birthday.

The club announced the passing of the former general manager on Tuesday with a social media post. No cause of death was revealed, though Claire had been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma that began on his lip in 2015, and he announced a recurrence and its spread two years later, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing at age 91 of Fred Claire, whose three decades with the franchise reached their pinnacle as the general manager of the 1988 World Series Champions,” the team posted on social media. “We send our deepest condolences to his wife Sheryl and children Jeff, Jennifer and Kim.”

Born in Ohio in 1935, Claire’s family moved to Southern California in 1950. After college, he went to work as a sports writer and editor at a local daily newspaper in Los Angeles County.

By the end of the 1960s, Claire was covering the Dodgers for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and, in 1969, he applied for an open assistant position in the team’s public relations office, the Times reported. He got the job and was promoted to vice president of public relations in 1975.

Never a baseball insider as a player or coach, Claire surprisingly was promoted to GM by ownership to replace Al Campanis, who made comments perceived as racist on national TV and subsequently was fired in 1987. Despite his lack of GM experience, Claire put together the team that defeated the then-Oakland Athletics in the 1988 World Series.

The enduring sounds and images of that series were from Game 1, when an injured Kirk Gibson came out of the dugout to pinch hit and parked a home run for a walkoff victory, followed by jubilant manager Tommy Lasorda pouring out of the dugout. Legendary announcer Jack Buck said on the call, “I don’t believe what I just saw” as Gibson rounded the bases.

Claire served 11 years as GM, until June 21, 1998, when he and field manager Bill Russell were dismissed by a new ownership group. The previous month, the owners traded future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mike Piazza to the then- Florida Marlins without the GM being involved.

In the trade, Piazza and Todd Zeile were traded for Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich, Charles Johnson and Gary Sheffield. Piazza was flipped days later in another trade with the New York Mets.

(–Field Level Media)

Jerusalem Unveils Teddy Stadium Mural Honoring Israeli Hostages Ori Danino, Hersh Goldberg-Polin  

By The Media Line Staff  

The Jerusalem Municipality dedicated a mural at Teddy Stadium on October 5, honoring Jerusalem residents Ori Danino and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose friendship during 328 days in Hamas captivity became a symbol of unity despite their support for rival football clubs.  

Jerusalem-born artist Tomer Peretz, a lifelong Beitar Jerusalem supporter, created the mural, which depicts Danino and Goldberg-Polin together at a packed Teddy Stadium. Danino supported Beitar Jerusalem, while Goldberg-Polin was a Hapoel Jerusalem fan.  

The two came from different parts of the city and different communities. Danino grew up in a Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) family in Ramot, while Goldberg-Polin was raised in an Anglo, religious family in Talpiot. Both had regularly attended matches at Teddy Stadium with relatives and friends since childhood.  

Danino and Goldberg-Polin were abducted separately on October 7, 2023, and were eventually held together in Gaza. Returned hostages have said the two developed a close friendship and cared for one another throughout their captivity.  

Goldberg-Polin lost his left dominant arm after it was blown off on October 7. According to the municipality, Danino argued with their captors during the first days of captivity, resulting in Goldberg-Polin receiving treatment that saved his life at the time.  

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s mother, said their relationship transcended the divisions represented by their rival teams.  

“They became symbols of love for the fans of each team, and they ended up bound together— protecting, defending, advocating and breathing for each other. Loving each other. Helping each other survive. At the end of the day, all there is, is love. Two hearts. One city. Jerusalem. Together.”  

The mural was dedicated under the leadership of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and is intended to remain at Teddy Stadium as a symbol of brotherhood and shared identity.  

Peretz portrayed Danino and Goldberg-Polin alive and laughing together in the stadium, surrounded by the football teams and city they loved.  

Caption: Mural in Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium depicting Israeli hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin (lft) and Ori Danino (rt), October 2026. (Courtesy)