What's good, sports fanatics? I'm Michael, and you're tuned into the spiciest sports tea on the airwaves—it's your daily Sports Hangover update for January 24, 2025.
President Trump Urged to Reconsider Boxing's Exclusion from 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The International Boxing Association (IBA), led by Russian Umar Kremlev, has reached out to President Trump following a gender scandal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The IBA emphasized their efforts to exclude boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, whom they claimed failed gender eligibility tests. Kremlev praised Trump's recent enforcement of strict binary gender categories in the USA and urged him to revisit the decision to exclude boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Despite being removed from the Olympic program due to controversial management, Kremlev aspires to restore boxing's inclusion for the 2028 Games.
Patrick Mahomes Refutes Claims of Referee Bias Favoring the Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has addressed allegations that referees favor his team. Ahead of the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, Mahomes emphasized that officials strive to call the game fairly and that the focus should be on playing passionately regardless of officiating. Tight end Travis Kelce, who had a standout performance with 117 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round, is expected to be a key player once again. Predictions favor the Chiefs to prevail over the Bills, continuing Mahomes' unbeaten streak against Josh Allen in the playoffs.
Russell Westbrook's Double-Double Rescinded After Stat Correction, Impacting Bettors
Bettors who wagered on Russell Westbrook to achieve a double-double against the 76ers at +390 odds were disappointed after a controversial stat correction. Westbrook's pass to Nikola Jokic, initially counted as an assist, was later rescinded, leaving him with only nine assists for the game. This correction led to significant losses for bettors, including a $10 parlay that could have netted $1,433.25. The NBA clarified that the assist was correctly removed as the pass was possibly tipped, emphasizing the detail-oriented nature of official statistics under league rules.
Mariano Rivera Accused of Covering Up Child Sex Abuse Allegations
MLB Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara are facing a lawsuit for allegedly covering up a child sex abuse scandal to protect their church. Filed in New York Supreme Court, the suit claims the couple intimidated the alleged victim to remain silent about the abuse. Rivera, who retired from the New York Yankees in 2013, has since been involved in philanthropy, religion, and politics, including supporting Donald Trump. Despite his accolades, including a unanimous Hall of Fame induction and a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Rivera's reputation is under scrutiny.
Dallas Cowboys Consider Running Back Options Amid Rico Dowdle's Free Agency
The Dallas Cowboys may need a new running back as Rico Dowdle is set to be a free agent. There has been a recent shift in the NFL towards recognizing the value of drafting running backs early, as most Pro Bowl running backs in recent years were picked in the first or second rounds. Maurice Jones-Drew predicts Dowdle will sign with the Cleveland Browns, who need a new lead back. The Cowboys are also in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Mike McCarthy, with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer being a strong internal candidate.
That’s all the juice I’ve got for today’s Sports Hangover. This is Michael, telling you to stay thirsty for more sports drama. Peace out!
