Sports

Germie BernardPittsburgh Steelers WR Germie Bernard runs with the ball during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard opened up on what it’s like playing with four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers during an appearance on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast.

Bernard revealed what Rodgers told the offense before the Steelers rallied from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime on Sunday.

“Aaron was like, ‘Listen guys, I’m gonna take a little bit of control. I’m gonna start calling some of the plays that we need, and we just need to execute.’ Being out there with him, he’s so poised and resilient, it makes you not rush, or it makes you just play the game how you’re supposed to,” Bernard said. “It makes you have fun with it. There’s no stress when you’re out there with him because he doesn’t have any stress.”

Bernard had 11 receptions in Sunday’s win over the Bucs. That is the most receptions for a Steelers rookie wide receiver in a single game in franchise history, surpassing JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s nine receptions against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 of 2017.

Bernard finished with 11 receptions for 87 yards (7.9 average) and one touchdown. 68 of Bernard’s receiving yards came after the catch.

Bernard’s first career touchdown was the game-winner for the Steelers in overtime. Rodgers connected to Bernard in the flat for a 6-yard touchdown.

Bernard becomes the first rookie in franchise history to log 80+ yards, 10+ receptions and a receiving TD in a single game.

Bernard also holds the record for most receptions from Rodgers in a game, according to the CBS broadcast.

Rodgers gave Bernard a ringing endorsement after the win.

“There comes a time when the confidence starts to match the potential, and I think we’re reaching that time with Germie. Very proud of him,” the four-time NFL MVP said.

Bernard came up clutch when it mattered the most.

“Yeah, it meant a lot. For Aaron to trust me and rely on me in a crucial moment like that, it means everything. I was really just focused on doing my job. When the opportunity presented itself, I was able to make the most of it,” Bernard said. “That’s what you’re always preparing for, and I’m grateful I could come through when my team needed me.”

Germie Bernard's FIRST career touchdown gives Pittsburgh the lead in overtime 👏 pic.twitter.com/o9aIhjS7ma

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2026

Related Headlines

Read more at Steelers Now

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan came out firmly in support of its fans protesting against excessive away ticket prices, threatening to retaliate against clubs it believes are unfairly charging Rossoneri supporters.

Milan fans are boycotting Sunday night’s match at Udinese because the home club is charging 65 euros ($73), more than double the 30 euros ($34) traveling supporters pay on average at the Bluenergy Stadium.

In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Milan says it “understands (the fans’) frustration and fully supports their position” — especially as away trips come with many additional costs — and that fans should be treated the same regardless of which club they follow.

“The global appeal of Italian football depends heavily on the loyalty and passion of supporters of clubs like AC Milan,” the club said. “Charging those same fans excessive prices for away games is not only unfair but undermines the unity of the league at a time when Italian football needs to come together to compete against the Premier League and other European leagues.

“Practices like these only deepen divisions between clubs and creates an unhealthy antagonism between big and small teams in Serie A.”

Milan said that it would push for a league-wide cap on excessive away ticket prices but, in the meantime, could hit back at clubs it feels are overcharging its fans.

“We are also prepared to introduce a policy of reciprocity: clubs charging our supporters above average ticket pricing should expect their own fans to face higher prices when visiting San Siro, subject to applicable regulations,” Milan said.

“Any additional proceeds generated would be donated to Fondazione Milan to support charitable initiatives benefiting local communities.”

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

 PSG manager Luis Enrique shows affection for Barcelona stars after Champions League winWatch: PSG manager Luis Enrique shows affection for Barcelona stars after Champions League win

Luis Enrique made his enduring connection with Barcelona clear once again after Paris Saint-Germain’s 4-2 Champions League victory over the Catalan club, with the Spanish coach putting the intensity of the contest aside to share warm moments with Hansi Flick’s players at the final whistle.

The PSG manager remained on the pitch after the match to greet Barcelona’s squad, offering a reminder that his history with the club continues to influence his relationship with its players, even when he is on the opposite side of a major European fixture.

Enrique shares warm moments with Barcelona players

Rather than heading straight down the tunnel after PSG’s victory, Enrique took time to acknowledge Barcelona’s players individually. 

His affectionate exchanges included a warm greeting with Lamine Yamal and an embrace with Gavi, while several other members of the squad received cordial gestures from the former Spain manager.

The scenes carried particular significance given Enrique’s previous connections with Barcelona, both as a player and as a coach. 

His time in charge at Camp Nou remains an important part of his career, and his interactions with the current squad showed that the competitive demands of managing PSG have not erased those personal bonds.

PSG victory does not change Enrique’s feelings for Barça

Enrique’s relationship with Barcelona has often been a talking point whenever he faces the club in European competition. 

His latest gesture offered another example of how he separates the demands of professional football from his personal affection for the Catalan side.

That was particularly evident after a match in which PSG emerged victorious. Despite the result, however, Enrique made no attempt to distance himself from his Barcelona roots when discussing his feelings after the game.

“I’m a Barça fan, but I’m a professional, and I enjoy the team’s victories,”he said after the match.

Barcelona connection remains intact

Luis Enrique is one of the most influential figures in Barcelona’s history, both as a player and as a manager.

Keeping in mind that he joined from Real Madrid, the fact that he won back-to-back La Liga titles with Barcelona is a major achievement. 

As a manager, he completed the historic treble in the 2014/15 season.

In his three-year stint with the Blaugrana club, he won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles and one UEFA Champions League, which is why, for Barcelona fans, the post-match exchange gave a lot to talk about.

Former Purdue basketball star Zach Edey begins his third NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The two-time National Player of the Year, who led the Boilermakers to an NCAA runner-up finish in 2024, is the only former Boiler on an NBA opening-day roster.

Edey was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

On Tuesday, the Grizzlies announced they're exercising Edey's rookie scale contract option for 2027-28, meaning he'll remain under contract with Memphis through at least next season.

As Edey and the Grizzlies begin the regular season, here's where all former Purdue basketball players stand in career NBA/ABA points going into 2026-27.

 Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

PlayerFinal Purdue seasonNBA/ABA yearsCareer pointsGlenn Robinson1993-941994-0514,234Joe Barry Carroll1979-801980-9112,455Brad Miller1997-981998-20129,724Terry Dischinger1961-621962-739,012Billy Keller1968-691969-766.588Herm Gilliam1968-691969-776.252Carl Landry2006-072007-165,541Kyle Macy1975-761980-875,259E'Twaun Moore2010-112011-214,743Jerry Sichting1978-791980-904,141Rick Mount1969-701970-753,330Paul Hoffman1946-471947-553,234Jaden Ivey2021-222022-263,233Brian Cardinal1999-002000-122,108Ed "Bulbs" Ehlers1946-471947-49800Zach Edey2023-242024-current760Bill Franklin1971-721972-76657Keith Edmonson1981-821982-84522Robbie Hummel2011-122013-15379Jimmy Oliver1990-911991-99331Steve Scheffler1989-901990-97331Carsen Edwards2018-192019-22267Dave Schellhase1965-661966-68208Jake Weber1940-411946-47173Caleb Swanigan2016-172017-20169Doug Lee1986-871991-95168Russell Cross1982-831983-84166Todd Mitchell1987-881988-89123JaJuan Johnson2010-112011-12114Frank Kendrick1973-741974-7580Everette Stephens1986-871988-9171Walter Jordan1977-781980-8168Jim Rowinski1983-841988-9057Dakota Mathias2017-182020-2254Tom Scheffler1976-771984-8552AJ Hammons2015-162016-1748Melvin McCants1988-891989-9022Bob Ford1971-72197214Cuonzo Martin1994-951996-979Vince Edwards2017-182018-193Carl McNulty1951-5219552

*Statistics courtesy of basketball-reference.com

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Which Purdue basketball player has scored the most points in NBA history?

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 10: Jose Aldo of Brazil reacts after a decision loss against Aiemann Zahabi of Canada in a featherweight bout during the UFC 315 event at Bell Centre on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Jose Aldo is down with the UFC cutting boring fighters that do nothing but wrestle.

That’s directly from the mouth of the former featherweight champion, who made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of UFC 333 headliner Movsar Evloev. Evloev will try to take the 145 pound belt off Alexander Volkanovski this weekend (Sat. Oct. 24th) in Abu Dhabi. If Aldo was in charge, Evloev would not have gotten the chance.

“The UFC isn’t just an organization that just has to follow a rankings system,” Aldo told MMA Fighting. “It’s a business. It’s entertainment. It’s not a matter of, ‘I’m number one so I have to fight for the title.’ No.”

Jose Aldo explains why he would cut Movsar Evloev if he were #UFC boss:

"I’d wait for him to lose for the first time and then cut him because he’s a guy who doesn’t sell, a guy who puts on boring fights, a guy who doesn’t draw attention."

(🎥 @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/0DZINRJE90

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 20, 2026

“Evloev is ranked No.1 in the division, if I’m not mistaken,” he continued. “And if I were the president, I’d never put him in there. He could beat everybody. I’d wait for him to lose for the first time and then cut him because he’s a guy that doesn’t sell, a guy who puts on boring fights, a guy who doesn’t draw attention, he just stays inactive.”

There’s a big debate going on right now surrounding the UFC’s decision not to re-sign certain fighters who ‘put on boring fights.’ There’s Muhammad Mokaev, Michael “Venom” Page, and most recently Farid Basharat. We’re not surprised that some fans think the UFC is right to bounce dull lay-n-prayers, but legendary fighters like Jose Aldo think that way too?

Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising. Aldo left the featherweight division after getting trounced by a boring decision machine named Alexander Volkanovski, then he suffered a bantamweight title eliminator loss to another boring decision “Machine” named Merab Dvalishvili. If anyone knows how these wrestlers can ‘beat everyone,’ it’s Aldo.

Oklahoma is sticking with quarterback John Mateer as the offense has continued to struggle in 2026. And offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is shouldering some of the responsibility for the turnovers that have plagued the unit.

A week after taking down No. 1 Texas, the Sooners lost 21-13 at home to No. 15 Kentucky. Mateer was 24-of-40 passing for 270 yards, but he threw just one touchdown and had three interceptions. His final pick of the evening came with just 1:17 to go, when Jordan Castell intercepted him and returned it 41 yards for a game-clinching pick-6.

As Oklahoma trailed 14-13 before the turnover, a field goal could have given the Sooners the win.

“Throughout everything that he’s done, the player that he is, the preparation that he has, we believe that John Mateer gives us the best chance to win,” Arbuckle said Tuesday. “Like I’ve said multiple times, we have to eliminate backbreaking errors, catastrophic errors. For all of the good that he does, we have to eliminate those. And he’s not alone in that. I take full responsibility for those plays whenever they happen.

“Ultimately I’m the one who calls the play out there, ultimately I’m the one who designs it and if something bad happens, I believe it falls back on me. John’s the one out there playing, making the decision in the real moment when it happens, but at the end of the day I have to be better and I take accountability for whenever one of those backbreaking mistakes happen.”

Mateer has not been able to recapture the form that made him the early-season Heisman favorite in 2025 before he suffered a thumb injury against Auburn. Mateer struggled after returning in just three weeks after the thumb injury last season, and is still searching for his form in 2026 despite being fully healthy.

The Washington State transfer threw for 14 TDs and 11 interceptions across the 2025 season. This season, he’s already thrown nine touchdown passes, but he’s also tossed seven interceptions.

His effectiveness as a rusher has also decreased. And Oklahoma’s issues and injuries up front have certainly not helped. After rushing for 431 yards and eight scores across 12 games in 2025, he’s rushed for just 79 yards and hasn’t found the end zone through six games this season.

Oklahoma’s offensive issues are also the primary reason the Sooners are 3-3 ahead of a trip to Mississippi State on Saturday. While the defense is allowing just 18 points per game, the 21.3 points per game the Sooners are scoring ranks 113th out of 138 teams.

Michael 'Venon' Page at a Misfits Boxing show in London in October 2026Michael 'Venom' Page joined KSI's Misfits Boxing promotion earlier this month [Getty Images]

Michael 'Venom' Page says MMA fighters need to form a union and "move as one" if they want to secure better pay in the sport.

The 39-year-old signed a deal with Misfits Boxing earlier this month after leaving the UFC.

Page, better known as MVP, won five of his six bouts in the UFC after debuting in 2024 but was critical of the money its fighters earn, compared with top-level athletes in other sports.

After joining Misfits, where Page says he will earn "a lot more" than he did in the UFC, the Briton wants to use his platform to empower fellow fighters.

Page points to the Muhammad Ali Act - a 2000 US law designed to protect boxers' rights and combat potential monopolies - as something which he'd like to replicate in MMA.

"It's less about speaking out now, it's more about forming a union and coming together. We have to move as one," Page told BBC Sport.

"If all fighters said 'we're not gonna do it', then UFC doesn't exist. That's the important thing for fighters to remember. It's not just the machine of UFC, you guys are the nuts and bolts that help the machine move.

"A fighters union is what's important - the Muhammad Ali Act is what has allowed boxers to be paid well and the same thing needs to happen in MMA."

Fighter pay has been questioned by athletes and the media this year after boxer Conor Benn signed a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Zuffa Boxing is owned by UFC president Dana White, so critics have asked why the 57-year-old isn't paying similar amounts to his MMA fighters under contract.

White has repeatedly defended fighter pay in the UFC, referencing the promotion's £5.7bn broadcast deal with Paramount.

Last week, after criticism from UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, White pointed to the American signing a new contract in May.

Page says criticism like that of Strickland is "common" in the UFC, but most fighters don't speak out in case of repercussions.

"You speak to other athletes and it's a very common thing. Most people are not willing to say anything because it will affect them," said Page.

"I feel if I don't say anything, silence is going along with it and you're part of the problem. But I also understand you have your own bills to pay, so I'm not against anyone that doesn't either.

"If more people spoke out then they'd have to do something but it's difficult if we're not doing it as a unit, you can get ousted and other things can happen."

Page says he is "excited" to box in Misfits, and discussions have taken place about incorporating MMA into the promotion, but his main goal is to create a healthier financial space for the younger generation.

"The aim is to get them well paid, well looked after and well treated in the MMA space and bring competition against other shows," said Page.

"Which is good for fighters, it means they have alternative spaces to go to and they can negotiate better because of it.

"I see people in the UFC still struggling and I don't think there's another sport you can get to the top of your field and be struggling financially. I definitely want better for fighters."

I loved UFC for the most part - Page

Despite his criticisms of fighter pay, Page says he "for the most part loved" his time in the UFC.

He praised the promotion's staff, its Performance Institute - regarded as the gold standard among MMA training facilities - and its fans.

However, Page, who won all of his fights in the promotion by decision, faced criticism from fans over his lack of knockouts and admits he might have approached things differently in hindsight.

"I wish I could have done more with my performances, but overall I loved it," he said.

"I think the game has slightly shifted. It's not about who's the most skilled anymore, it's about guys who are willing to put themselves through hell and shave years off their life every single time they fight.

"If I was a bit more aware of that I would have shifted a little bit to try and compensate for that."

Page says he's aiming to make his debut in Misfits "in the first part of next year" but it has not been decided if it will be under boxing or MMA rules.

He mentioned former UFC stars Nate Diaz and Darren Till as interesting match-ups, but reiterated that no discussions about potential opponents have taken place yet.

More MMA from the BBC

The Washington Commanders have now lost two receivers for the remainder of 2026.

Veteran Terry McLaurin went down Monday night against the 49ers and was carted off the field. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed McLaurin suffered a torn patellar tendon, will need surgery, and will miss the rest of 2026. A couple of weeks ago, receiver/returner Jaylin Lane broke and dislocated an ankle and is also lost for the season.

What do these two season-ending injuries mean for the Commanders and their receiver positional group? Their leading receiver is Stefon Diggs with 24 receptions, though he missed the home game against the New York Giants. Diggs has been a go-to receiver in the red zone, catching a team-leading four touchdown receptions.

Washington’s second leading receiver is Clemson’s Antonio Williams. So far, Williams has 18 receptions for 205 receiving yards, averaging 11.4 yards per reception. Williams has shown an ability to get open. In fact, Williams was wide open on that fourth-and-2 against the 49ers on Monday, when Daniels apparently didn't see him, gave up on the play, and simply threw away the pass to avoid possibly throwing an interception.

The Commanders need more from Dyami Brown and Treylon Burks. Both have nine receptions through Washington’s six games. Burks averages 16.4 yards per reception, and Brown averages 10.4 yards per reception. Burks has recorded two touchdown receptions, and Brown has yet to record one. That is actually unfair to Brown, as he controlled a pass against the Cowboys and got one knee down in bounds in the end zone. The replay official said he was confident it would be ruled a touchdown, but, mysteriously and frustratingly, the officials' incomplete call was upheld.

Look for the Commanders to move McLaurin to injured reserve, then move veteran Van Jefferson to the active roster. Luke McCaffrey will also see more snaps. McCaffrey was open for a 20-yard gain Monday night, but Daniels’ pass was uncharacteristically off-target and uncatchable.

McLaurin was drafted in 2019 by Washington in the third round, and instantly became a starter and Washington’s most reliable receiver. He caught 15 passes for 230 receiving yards (15.3 YPR), one touchdown, and 12 receiving first downs.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders have now lost two wide receivers for remainder of 2026 season

 The Best Training Photos from WednesdayOne Last Look at Baku: The Best Training Photos from Wednesday

BVB used Qarabag Agdam’s club facilities for its training session. The Azerbaijani runner-up made its home stadium, the Azersun Arena, available. The substitutes held a game-simulation training session there, while the starting lineup completed a recovery session. Afterward, the BVB delegation headed straight to the airport.

Highlights from Wednesday’s training session:

What the BVB first team thinks about the record-breaking travel weekWhat the BVB first team thinks about the record-breaking travel week

“It’s very exhausting, but it’s part of the job. In the end, it’s all about making the best of it, recovering quickly, and performing well,” said Gregor Kobel after the 2-1 win at Sabah FC. The rigors of travel “should never be used as an excuse,” the goalkeeper added, “but it would also be a lie to say, ‘It’s all easy.’ You spend a lot of time on planes, in different time zones...”

Joey Veerman, whose family lives in the Netherlands, described the tour from Dortmund to Bodø, back to Dortmund, then to Berlin, back to Dortmund, and finally to Baku: “I have a family with two children at home. So I went home for twelve hours, then we flew to Berlin. I came back, and after twelve hours we flew back to Baku again. So it wasn’t exactly the best week, but wrapping it up with a win is really nice.”

Head coach Niko Kovac’s assessment of the match following the important away win in Baku was also decidedly positive: “We played really good soccer. We created a lot of chances. We should have scored even more goals. That’s the only minor drawback,” said Kovac about the successful third match in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. He added: “I’m very satisfied with the way we played in our third away game in a week.”

His goalkeeper, too, was only frustrated by the team’s failure to capitalize on chances. “In the end, it was perhaps a bit harder than it needed to be,” Kobel said: “We had the chances to score a goal or two earlier on and then have a more relaxed game.”

After one final training session on site, the team heads back to Dortmund with a “clear directive” from BVB sporting director Ole Book: “Recover as best as possible, eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and sleep well.”Boris Rupert

Pages

News

Error message

  • Deprecated function: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in _menu_load_objects() (line 569 of /home3/swcredit/public_html/swbusinesssolutions/includes/menu.inc).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in drupal_get_feeds() (line 394 of /home3/swcredit/public_html/swbusinesssolutions/includes/common.inc).