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
NBA to test 'one free throw' rule in summer leagues
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) makes a free throw during the fourth quarter during game five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images The NBA will test the “one free throw” rule during the upcoming summer leagues, the league announced Thursday.
Any foul that would typically result in one, two or three free throws under standard NBA rules will instead result in a single free-throw attempt worth one, two or three points.
Standard NBA rules regarding free throws will still apply in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and throughout overtime.
The NBA G League has been using this format since the 2019-20 season in order “to improve game flow,” the league said in Thursday’s social media post.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Top WR Jett Harrison, son of Hall of Famer, commits to Ohio State
St. Joseph’s Prep wide receiver Jett Harrison catches a pass in the end zone to score an 19-yard touchdown reception in the first half of the PIAA Class 6A football championship game against Central Catholic at Cumberland Valley High School, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Silver Spring Township, Pa. Ohio State football is off to a strong start in recruiting the Class of 2028, adding the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver.
That’s Jett Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. Jett’s older brother, also named Marvin, starred at Ohio State and was a first-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2024.
Jett is a rising junior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia. The 247Sports composite lists him as the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 4 player overall in the 2028 class.
Harrison announced his choice of Ohio State on Wednesday over numerous other suitors, including his father’s alma mater, Syracuse. Jett’s finalists were Miami, Oregon and Southern California, in addition to the Buckeyes.
Head coach Ryan Day and his staff also have secured commitments from a pair of four stars — edge Jameer Whyce of Dayton, Ohio, No. 4 at his position, and running back Elijah Newman-Hall from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
With just those three players, the Buckeyes’ 2028 class is No. 1 in the nation at this very early state of recruiting.
Jett Harrison, listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, will have big footsteps to follow.
His brother played three seasons in Columbus — 2021-23 — and carved out an All-America career. Marvin Jr. made 155 catches for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns and was a Heisman Trophy finalist in his final season.
Their father also was an All-American. After college, he played 13 NFL seasons, all with the Indianapolis Colts, and won the Super Bowl to cap the 2006 season. He was selected a first-team All-Pro for the third time that season after recording 95 catches for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers' NBA title odds soar, Celtics' plummet with Jaylen Brown trade
76ers center Joel Embiid and Celtics guard Jaylen Brown following a playoff game on May 2, 2026. The Boston Celtics’ trade of star Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers is the latest offseason blockbuster to send sportsbooks scrambling to adjust their NBA futures.
The Celtics were in the mix to land Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks late last month, but when the Greek Freak landed in Miami instead, the Heat’s odds of winning the 2026-27 NBA title shortened from +3000 to +1800. With the Celtics deciding to hold onto Brown at the time, their odds held steady at +650 at BetMGM.
That all changed after news broke Wednesday that Boston reversed course and traded Brown to division rival Philadelphia in exchange for aging veteran Paul George and a package of draft picks. The Celtics’ title odds immediately plummeted to +1400 while their odds of winning the Eastern Conference went from +260 to +450.
Conversely, the 76ers went from +6600 long shots to win the title next season to +2000 after acquiring Brown. BetMGM reported that 35% of all bets and 40% of all money wagered on next year’s champion has backed Philadelphia since the trade.
The 76ers also went from +2000 to +700 to win the Eastern Conference, with 54% of the bets and 68% of the money backing them. The reigning champion New York Knicks are the Eastern Conference favorites at +325, followed by the Celtics at +450 and then the 76ers ahead of the Detroit Pistons at +750.
The Los Angeles Lakers also made a flurry of moves Tuesday, led by the acquisition of center Walker Kessler from Utah. Los Angeles went from +4000 to +3000 to win the NBA title and from +2200 to +1600 to win the Western Conference, where they remain behind Oklahoma City and San Antonio at +150, Minnesota at +1200 and Denver at +1300.
Another significant shift saw the Toronto Raptors’ title odds shorten all the way to +2200 by agreeing to a deal earlier this week that will bring Kawhi Leonard back to the franchise.
2026-27 NBA TITLE ODDS*
Team | Opening Odds | Last Week | Wednesday | Current
Oklahoma City Thunder (+260), (+260), (+260), (+260)
San Antonio Spurs (+270), (+260), (+260), (+260)
New York Knicks (+700), (+750), (+800), (+900)
Boston Celtics (+700), (+650), (+700), (+1400)
Philadelphia 76ers (+6000), (+6000), (+6600), (+2000)
Toronto Raptors (+15000), (+12500), (+2200), (+2200)
Miami Heat (+3500), (+1800), (+2200), (+2500)
Detroit Pistons (+3300), (+2500), (+2500), (+2500)
Denver Nuggets (+2000), (+2500), (+2500), (+2500)
Minnesota Timberwolves (+2500), (+3000), (+2200), (+2500)
Golden State Warriors (+6600), (+6000), (+3000), (+3000)
Cleveland Cavaliers (+3300), (+4000), (+3000), (+3000)
Los Angeles Lakers (+2500), (+2500), (+4000), (+3000)
Indiana Pacers (+3000), (+4000), (+4000), (+4000)
Houston Rockets (+6600), (+6000), (+6000), (+6000)
Atlanta Hawks (+10000), (+8000), (+8000), (+8000)
Portland Trail Blazers (+8000), (+10000), (+8000), (+8000)
Orlando Magic, (+5000), (+8000), (+8000), (+8000)
Charlotte Hornets (+10000), (+8000), (+12500), (+12500)
Dallas Mavericks (+8000), (+15000), (+20000), (+20000)
Utah Jazz (+15000), (+25000), (+15000), (+20000)
Washington Wizards (+15000), (+20000), (+20000), (+20000)
Milwaukee Bucks (+25000), (+30000), (+50000), (+50000)
Chicago Bulls (+75000), (+75000), (+75000), (+75000)
Brooklyn Nets (+100000), (+50000), (+75000), (+75000)
Phoenix Suns (+8000), (+15000), (+12500), (+12500)
Los Angeles Clippers (+6600), (+10000), (+20000), (+50000)
New Orleans Pelicans (+25000), (+50000), (+50000), (+50000)
Memphis Grizzlies (+50000), (+50000), (+75000), (+75000)
Sacramento Kings (+75000), (+75000), (+100000), (+100000)
The next big seismic move in the NBA futures is likely to come with LeBron James’ decision on where he will play next season.
The Warriors have been backed by the most title bets (15.7%) and money (12.5%) following reports that James might be considering linking up with Stephen Curry in Golden State. However, several teams are reportedly in the running for James, with the other two most popular title futures backing the 76ers at 8.8% and 9.4%, respectively, and the Cleveland Cavaliers with 6.8% and 8.9% of the action.
While the book reported the Warriors being backed by the highest percentage of total title bets, the Thunder remain supported by the most total money at 32.0%.
–Field Level Media
NBA to test 'one free throw' rule in summer leagues
Top WR Jett Harrison, son of Hall of Famer, commits to Ohio State
