Sports
Ice bucket challenge gaining steam after Chris Johnson ALS diagnosis
Former Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson was diagnosed with ALS. Former NFL running back Chris Johnson announced Monday on “Good Morning America” that he is battling ALS. Two days after that interview with former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, Johnson followed up by requesting that supporters revive a viral trend that has been on ice since 2014.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge swept the nation in summer 2014, raising $115 million for the ALS Association, according to the organization’s website.
“Years ago, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge united millions of people around one cause and helped change the fight against this disease,” Johnson wrote in his post. “Today, I’m asking you to help me do it again.”
Three men with ALS, Anthony Senerchia, Pete Frates and Pat Quinn, launched the 2014 campaign that inspired 17 million people to dump ice water on their heads and donate to an ALS charity. In addition to the monetary achievement, the campaign raised awareness of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Funds were invested in research and care for people living with the disease.
In the post, Johnson thanked fans for their support and explained that his idea to revive the Ice Bucket Challenge was inspired by Hunter Mecum, a former Utah basketball player. Mecum posted a video of himself doing the challenge in honor of Johnson, then nominated the “2,000 active NFL players” to follow his lead and take on the challenge, a reference to Johnson’s 2,000-yard rushing season.
Johnson has nominated former NFL players LenDale White, Marshawn Lynch and Adam “Pacman” Jones to take part in the challenge. White was Johnson’s backfield mate in Tennessee.
Johnson also posted a video of himself completing the challenge and requesting that donations be made to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS. As of Thursday, more than $33,000 has been raised by Johnson’s campaign.
Lynch and White have each responded by posting videos of themselves completing the challenge. White subsequently nominated Deion Sanders, Vince Young and Mike Sims-Walker.
Johnson’s daughter has also joined in the cause and nominated her brothers and LeBron James to take part.
Johnson was the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. In his second season in 2009, he became the sixth running back in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season, rushing for 2,006 yards on 358 carries. The achievement earned him the nickname CJ2K.
He had 2,163 carries for 9,651 yards and 55 touchdowns during his 10-year NFL career for the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals.
The ALS Association website explains that the disease causes “a person’s brain (to lose) connection with the muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually breathe. Although there is still no cure or treatment that halts progression, new treatments are helping to slow and ease symptoms.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Iga Swiatek coasts past Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon
Jul 2, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek (POL) reacts after winning a point against Karolina Pliskova (CZE) (not pictured) on day four of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Defending champion Iga Swiatek made short work of fellow former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova during their second-round match at Wimbledon on Thursday.
The third-seeded Swiatek converted six of eight break points en route to a 6-1, 6-3 victory, dispatching the Czech native in 70 minutes. Swiatek, of Poland, improved to 4-0 against Pliskova.
Swiatek enjoyed a much easier time of it versus Pliskova after outlasting Taylor Townsend in three sets during the opening round.
“It was quite a lot,” Swiatek said of her 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 win over Townsend. “It seemed like the opening match, like everybody wanted to see it, as well. It was already a show, even though it was a first round only. It’s quite unusual.
“Today I felt like it was a normal day at the office. For sure it helped with the preparation and focus and everything.”
Swiatek advanced to face 29th-seeded Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, who rallied to a 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 win over Australian Maya Joint on Thursday.
“I think it’s going to be tough for me,” Eala said of facing Swiatek on Saturday for the third time in her career. “I’m going to try to make it tough for her, as well. It’s a different surface than we’ve played at before, so I think definitely there should be some different aspects to the last time.
“She’s won a Slam on grass. She’s won a Slam on clay. She’s won a slam on hard so I’m expecting a great challenge.”
Also on Thursday, sixth-seeded Amanda Anisimova and 12th-seeded Marta Kostyuk of the Ukraine needed three sets to thwart the respective upset bids of Sofia Kenin and Russia’s Anna Blinkova. Anisimova recorded a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (3) win over Kenin, while Kostyuk rallied to a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 victory over Blinkova.
Fifteenth-seeded Diana Shnaider wasn’t as fortunate in her match against fellow Russian Liudmila Samsonova. The latter posted a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over Shnaider.
Other seeded winners included No. 21 Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, No. 23 Emma Navarro and No. 26 Madison Keys.
–Field Level Media
Sports
LeRoy Irvin, Rams All-Pro in 1980s, dies at 68
Jun 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams former cornerback LeRoy Irvin (47) at NFL All-Access at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images LeRoy Irvin, who spent the 1980s at cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 68.
The team announced his passing on Thursday with a short statement.
“We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time,” the team said.
No details, such as the date, location or cause of Irvin’s death, were shared.
Irvin, who played his college football at Kansas, joined the Rams after they selected him in the third round (70th overall) of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played the entire decade in Los Angeles before concluding his career with the 1990 Detroit Lions.
With the Rams, Irvin played in 143 games (104 starts). He intercepted 34 passes for 654 yards and scored five touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning one for a touchdown.
In Detroit, Irvin started all 16 games, making one interception and forcing a fumble.
Irvin was named a first-team All-Pro in 1981 and 1986. The two-time Pro Bowl selection played in 11 postseason games and nabbed four interceptions for 149 yards.
Pro Football Hall of Fame member Eric Dickerson played four full seasons with Irvin and posted this to social media on Thursday:
“Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin,” Dickerson wrote. “Leroy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Esmerlyn Valdez (3 RBIs), Pirates split series with Phillies
Jul 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez (55) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez drove in three runs and Nick Gonzales and Endy Rodriguez each homered, fueling the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.
Valdez forged a 1-1 tie with an RBI single to center field in the fifth inning. Two innings later, he recorded his first career triple after the ball sailed under the glove of Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford, allowing Brandon Lowe to score from second base and give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead.
Valdez didn’t stay on third base for long, coming home on Gonzales’ bloop single to shallow left field off Jose Alvarado (3-3).
Rodriguez went deep to lead off the eighth with his fifth homer of the season.
Valdez added a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Gonzales joined Jake Mangum with a three-hit performance after homering to lead off the ninth. The homer was the fourth of the season for Gonzales.
The Pirates banged out 14 hits to salvage a split of the four-game series.
Carmen Mlodzinski (5-3) relieved starter Jared Jones and scattered two hits over three scoreless innings.
Bryce Harper ripped an RBI double in the third for the Phillies, who mustered just four hits on the day.
Alvarado permitted two runs on three hits in one inning.
Alan Rangel, who was making his first career major league start, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third after inducing Valdez to ground into a 5-3 double play.
The Phillies opened the scoring in their half of the third, as Rafael Marchan reached on a four-pitch walk by Jones and came around to score on Harper’s double to left field.
After Valdez leveled the contest in the fifth, Tim Mayza induced Ryan O’Hearn to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Philadelphia’s Jonathan Bowlan recorded a pair of strikeouts to strand a pair of runners on base in the sixth.
–Field Level Media
Iga Swiatek coasts past Karolina Pliskova at Wimbledon
LeRoy Irvin, Rams All-Pro in 1980s, dies at 68
