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Vikings’ Harrison Smith, CJ Ham get emotional in speech to teammate as retirement decisions loom

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Vikings’ Harrison Smith, CJ Ham get emotional in speech to teammate as retirement decisions loom


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The Minnesota Vikings didn’t want their 2025 season to end on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, but that’s the tale of the tape after 18 regular-season games resulted in no playoff berth this year. 

As a result, two team legends may have played their final game with the organization they’ve helped grow for over a decade. 

Safety Harrison Smith and fullback C.J. Ham have both indicated that the 2025 season could be their final one in the NFL, and they were quite emotional in the locker room after head coach Kevin O’Connell gave each of them a game ball, signifying how much they meant to everyone in the locker room, the fan base and the organization as a whole. 

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C.J. Ham of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after defeating the Green Bay Packers 16-3 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)

O’Connell listed some accomplishments for each player, starting with Ham. 

“Ten seasons, 141 games played, which is the second-most by a running back or fullback in Minnesota Vikings history,” O’Connell said about Ham in a video posted by the Vikings’ social media team after the 16-3 victory over the Green Bay Packers. “Two-time Pro Bowler, two-time [Walter Payton] Man of the Year, four-time team captain and somebody who has changed my life, made me better in every aspect of my life just being around him on a daily basis. I know many of us feel the same way. When these type of players come into an organization, man, we’re lucky. We are lucky to be around you every day.”

Ham made a speech in front of his teammates, where it sounded like he was definitely ready to hang his cleats up for good to focus on time with family. 

FORMER VIKINGS CAPTAIN JACK BREWER OPENS UP ABOUT WITNESSING MINNESOTA’S ‘SOMALI ELITE’ AMID FRAUD REVELATIONS

“This game has meant so much to me my entire life,” Ham said, while his son was attached to his leg. “Being able to be with y’all, be with this organization, be with K.O., you guys, it means the absolute world to me. I know it’s going to be hard to step away, but I know it’s time to be with my family. It’s time for me to watch them grow up. Be soccer dad. But these years are times that I’m never going to forget. I truly love each and every one of you.”

Ham also shared a strong message as not just a teammate, but as a friend and leader. 

“Man, my phone is always on. Whatever you need at any time, I’m here for you. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love y’all,” he added. 

Then, it was time for Smith. 

“All right, I got 14 seasons, 207 games played, which is the fifth-most in team history. He’s a six-time Pro Bowler, six-time team captain,” O’Connell stated. “He’s got the fourth-most in team history as far as takeaways goes. You guys know what he’s all about. For many, many years in this organization, Harrison, you came into this organization and changed it little by little. Didn’t say a whole lot, but your leadership these last four years and your impact on this organization for your career is one of one, in my opinion. I believe you’re a Hall of Famer. I know for a fact you’re a Hall of Famer in this organization. I love you, man.”

C.J. Ham embraces with family

C.J. Ham of the Minnesota Vikings meets his family after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)

Smith has always been a leader by example for the Vikings, but he was trying hard not to tear up during his speech. 

“I’m going to keep it short like always, but it’s been a pleasure,” he began. “I know the year didn’t go how we envisioned, but there’s a lot to build off like coach says. It’s been a hell of a ride. I really wish we could keep it going, I feel like we’re hitting our stride right now. Just keep that going into the offseason. I mean, as long as you got air in your lungs and heart beat in your chest…never say die.”

Smith has been a mainstay on the Vikings’ defense since he was a first-round pick by the organization in 2012 out of Notre Dame. Over 207 games, Smith has tallied 21.5 sacks, 1,180 combined tackles, 13 forced fumbles and 106 passes defended.

The 36-year-old hasn’t officially made his retirement announcement, but the emotion in his speech after the season shows it could be weighing on him now.

As for Ham, he was an undrafted free agent who was a rookie minicamp invite in 2016. He eventually signed with the Vikings as just the fifth player in Augustana University history to join an NFL team.

Harrison Smith looks on field

Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (David Berding/Getty Images)

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While he was only a practice squad member in 2016, he eventually made his regular-season debut in 2017 after going from running back to fullback, and he never wavered from his role.

From 2017-2025, Ham totaled 681 receiving yards and 119 rushing yards with eight total touchdowns, including one from the goal line on Sunday in the win. Ham made the Pro Bowl in the NFC in 2019 and 2023.

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Michigan’s Richard repeats as NCAA men’s all-around champion

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Michigan’s Richard repeats as NCAA men’s all-around champion


CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Michigan’s Fred Richard won his second straight all-around individual crown Saturday night, and Cooper Kim and Jun Iwai each won individual titles to lead Stanford to its sixth NCAA men’s gymnastics championship since 2019.

Richard took home silver in the floor and parallel bars as he ran away with his third all-around individual national championship with a score of 83.598. Nebraska’s Max Odden (78.698) was second, 0.432 ahead of third-place Kristian Grahovski of Ohio State.

Stanford had 329.825 points, second-place Oklahoma finished with 328.495 and Michigan — the defending national champion — was third with 324.857. Asher Hong (14.300) took silver and Nick Kuebler (14.166) bronze on the rings in the final rotation to seal it for the Cardinal. Asher Cohen finished with a 14.500 to become the first Nebraska gymnast to win the rings since Jim Hartung in 1982.

Stanford claimed the program’s 11th national gymnastics championship; the Cardinal have won at least one NCAA team title for 50 straight seasons, since the men’s water polo team beat UCLA 13-12 for the national championship on Nov. 28, 1976. The next longest active streak is North Carolina’s seven straight years with at least one team title.

Iwai had a 14.433 on the vault, tied with Nebraska’s Tyler Flores for first. Landen Blixt of Michigan was third (14.366).

Flores, Nathan Roman (14.800 on the parallel bars) and Kelton Christiansen (14.400, high bar) each won individual titles for the second-place Sooners.

Kim scored a 14.466 to win gold on the floor to beat Richard (14.400). Kuebler and Tate Costa of Illinois finished third with 14.166.

Brandon Dang (Illinois) won the pommel horse with a score of 14.700, Michigan’s Aaronson Mansberger was second (14.566) and Colby Aranda of Oklahoma finished third with 14.133 points.



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Mets in free fall after losing 10th straight game

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Mets in free fall after losing 10th straight game


CHICAGO — The New York Mets will have to defy the odds if they plan on making the postseason this year after dropping their 10th consecutive game on Saturday, a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Only three teams in the divisional era (since 1969) have made the postseason after a double-digit losing streak — including last year’s Cleveland Guardians.

“No one is going to feel sorry for us,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after the latest defeat. “We have to keep going. We haven’t been playing good baseball. We have 5½ months ahead. We have the opportunity to write our own story.”

The Mets say they can’t point to any single thing which has led them to their longest April losing streak in franchise history. They certainly aren’t hitting enough, scoring just 18 runs during the streak, the fewest for them over 10 games since June 3-5, 2018.

They’re also making bad pitches, like the one reliever Brooks Raley made to pinch hitter Carson Kelly in the sixth inning Saturday. Kelly deposited Raley’s first pitch cutter into the left-field bleachers for a three-run home run, breaking a 1-1 tie. The Cubs cruised to victory from there.

“We haven’t been able to put together a complete game,” Mendoza said. “It’s either the offense or starting pitching, like not making [that] pitch, not making a play, not getting a big hit. Just having a hard time playing a complete game right now.”

Mendoza’s job is seemingly safe after president of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday he thought his third-year manager was doing a good job and is putting players in a position to succeed. Of course, things can change if the losses continue to pile up for the Mets, who missed the postseason last year after a disastrous second half.

The team is trying not to focus on the negative this early in the season.

“It’s a big boy league,” infielder Marcus Semien said. “There is no time to dwell on tonight. Tomorrow is a new day … It’s as simple as showing up tomorrow with a good attitude. Hopefully other guys see a smile on my face when I show up.”

Semien and Mendoza offered up few solutions to the team’s plight, though getting All-Star Juan Soto back from a calf injury should help. But that won’t happen for a few more days. With DH Jorge Polanco (wrist) on the shelf as well, the Mets will need others to step up.

A late winter overhaul by Stearns led to a positive feeling about the team entering this season. But those additions, like Saturday’s starter Freddy Peralta, haven’t produced enough. Third baseman Mark Vientos did hit a long home run in the loss but New York’s offense was mostly quiet the rest of the day.

Mendoza was asked how he thought Mets fans were feeling right now.

“They have the right to be pissed and frustrated,” he said. “They care. Just like we do. … I understand how they’re feeling. I’d be pissed too, if I was a fan. I’m pissed. They’re pissed.”

The 10-game losing streak is the longest in April since the 2023 White Sox. The loss has the Mets 6½ games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, an unusually large deficit for this time of year.

“It’s frustrating to lose baseball games and when you lose this many in a row, it compounds,” Semien said. “The game does not own you any wins. You have to go out and get it.”

The Mets rank in the bottom half of the league in most offensive and pitching categories, including home runs. They’ve hit just 15 this season, only ahead of the San Francisco Giants for fewest in the National League. Their starting pitching isn’t much better, ranking 21st in ERA.

The team is hoping Sunday will bring them different results.

“We have to do something to get in the W column,” Semien said. “No one is showing up thinking about how it’s going to happen again. We’re thinking about how we’re going to win.”

Mendoza added: “Were putting ourselves in a hole right now. There is only one way to [get out of] it. Come back tomorrow, ready to go.”

ESPN Research contributed to this report.



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Bron Breakker crushes Seth Rollins with two spears in epic return at WrestleMania 42

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Bron Breakker crushes Seth Rollins with two spears in epic return at WrestleMania 42


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Seth Rollins was supposed to be going up against Gunther at WrestleMania 42 on Saturday night but he wasn’t expecting a freight train to run through him.

Rollins appeared to be in the driver’s seat toward the end of the match. He hit Gunther with a pedigree on the announce table and followed up with a storm. All he had to do was get Gunther back in the ring and finish the job. As the referee tended to Gunther, a wild Bron Breakker appeared.

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Bron Breakker performs during WrestleMania 42 Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (WWE)

Breakker ran down the side of the entrance ramp at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas at full speed and tore through Rollins with a gnarly spear. He rolled Rollins back in the ring, spat on him and waited for Gunther to finish the job.

Gunther put Rollins in a sleeper hold, forcing “The Revolutionary” to tap out.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

Wrestler Gunther with arm raised by referee at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Gunther has his arm raised by the referee after defeating Seth Rollins during their match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Gunther walked to the back as the winner. Breakker was hung around to pick apart the scraps.

Breakker sprinted back down the ramp and hit Rollins with another crushing spear, stunning the crowd.

Breakker has been out of action for a few weeks with an injury, likely costing him a match of some kind at WrestleMania 42. Nevertheless, he still had bad blood with Rollins as their rivalry turned up a notch.

Seth Rollins entering arena at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Seth Rollins enters the arena before his match against Gunther on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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This will not be the last of Breakker and Rollins. On the flip side, Paul Heyman will now owe Gunther a favor. It’ll will be interesting to see how the favor gets cashed in.



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