Sports

American Journalist Grant Wahl Dies Suddenly During World Cup Match

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American sports journalist Grant Wahl died suddenly after collapsing during a World Cup match on Friday in Qatar. He was 48.

Keir Radnedge, a columnist at World Soccer Magazine, witnessed the incident. He says that Wahl was treated “for about 20-25 minutes” at the stadium before being transported to a local hospital.

DOHA, QATAR – MARCH 31: In this photo illustration an official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ball sits on display in front of the skyline of Doha ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw on March 31, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“This was towards the end of extra time in the match. Suddenly, colleagues up to my left started shouting for medical assistance. Obviously, someone had collapsed. Because the chairs are freestanding, people were able to move the chairs, so it’s possible to create a little bit of space around him,” Radnedge said. according to CNN.

A cause of death remains unclear; however, Wahl had mentioned not feeling well and having visited a medical clinic while in Qatar.

“My body finally broke down on me,” he shared on his website. “Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you. What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”

His brother, Eric, wrote on Twitter that he suspects foul play. Wahl previously wore a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community while at the event. He also reported on the migrant workers who have died in Qatar.

“I am gay. I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric Wahl said. “My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I’m just begging for any help.”

Eric has since made his Instagram page private.

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Brittney Griner Ditched Her Locs To Endure Winter Weather In Russia

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WNBA star Britney Griner is finally free after being arrested this past February and sent to a Russian labor camp. Now back in the states, many were shocked to find that the famed athlete no longer had locs and was instead sporting a low cut.

According to her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, the decision to cut her hair was due to the cold weather in Russia. 

Per ESPN, the attorney shared that the Phoenix Mercury player shaved her hair weeks ago, saying, “It’s very cold in there and every time she washed her hair she got cold and would get a chill.”

“She should have waited until New Year’s Day,” Blagovolina added, also revealing that Griner was sick with the flu recently.

READ MORE: Trump Calls Brittney Griner Release “Unpatriotic” & “Stupid”

Griner was released this past Thursday (Dec. 8) after spending 10 months in custody overseas. The Houston native was sentenced to nine years behind bars after cannabis vape cartridges were found in her luggage while at an airport in Moscow. 

TOPSHOT – US Women National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, leaves the courtroom before the court’s final decision in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022. – Russian prosecutors requested that US basketball star Brittney Griner be sentenced to nine and a half years in prison on drug smuggling charges. Her hearing comes with tensions soaring between Moscow and Washington over Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine that has sparked international condemnation and a litany of Western sanctions. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Biden Administration successfully performed a prison swap, trading Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Often referred to as the “Merchant of Death,” Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison back in 2012.

Cherelle Griner, the basketball star’s wife, had been working to bring her back home for months. On Thursday morning, she was invited over to the White House where she met with Biden. The U.S. president then delivered the good news that her spouse was soon on her way back.

He also took to Twitter to announce the deal.

While on her flight back home, Griner appeared to be in good spirits, simply commenting, “I’m happy.”

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Trump Calls Brittney Griner Release “Unpatriotic” & “Stupid”

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As people celebrate Brittney Griner returning home, Donald Trump isn’t a happy camper. The former president previously made his lack of support for Griner’s case clear, but now that she’s been released from a Russian prison, he is issuing new statements. Griner was arrested earlier this year after being found with a small amount of cannabis oil while traveling through a Russian airport. The case gained international attention as Griner went to trial. When she was sentenced to nine years in prison, her supporters championed causes centering on her release.

“What kind of a deal is it to swap Brittney Griner, a basketball player who openly hates our Country, for the man known as ‘The Merchant of Death,’ who is one of the biggest arms dealers anywhere in the World, and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and horrific injuries,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Read More: Donald Trump Says The U.S. Shouldn’t Have To Bail Brittney Griner Out

He also stated: “Why wasn’t former Marine Paul Whelan included in this totally one-sided transaction? He would have been let out for the asking. What a ‘stupid’ and unpatriotic embarrassment for the USA!!!”

The former president’s MAGA supporters have also co-signed his take on social media. Meanwhile, his opposers have brought up his controversial moments in politics pertaining to the release of prisoners under his tenure.

Read More: Brittney Griner Release Footage Surfaces Online

Additionally, Griner’s wife, Cherelle, spoke out when news of the WNBA star’s release was shared.

“Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life,” said Cherelle. “And so today I am just standing here overwhelmed with emotions, but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration. He just mentioned this work is not easy and it has not been.”

Take a look at the footage of Griner being transferred from Russia back to the United States below.

Stephen A. Smith Rips Dan Snyder As An “Embarrassment”

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Stephen A. has never been shy to give his unfiltered opinion on what is going on throughout the sports world. While some of his opinions are roasted by the public, there are certainly moments in which he has something truly poignant to say. Overall, Smith was born for the sports commentary world.

Recently, another big story involving the Washington Commanders has been made public. Following a congressional investigation, it was revealed that Commanders owner Dan Snyder engaged in a toxic work culture. Additionally, he reportedly even leaked e-mails that led to the firing of Jon Gruden. Moreover, there was even information pertaining to alleged sexual harassment.

Stephen A. Smith attends Peacock’s “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” Premiere Event at Hollywood Athletic Club on December 07, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/WireImage)

Stephen A. Has Words For Snyder

During a segment on First Take today, Smith spoke about the situation with the Commanders. As you can imagine, Smith spoke strongly about the matter. Overall, he thinks this is horrible for the Commanders, and that ownership needs to change, immediately.

“As it pertains to Daniel Snyder, I don’t know him very well,” Smith said. “I’ve met him on several occasions, I’ve always been fond of talking with him. This is really bad and there is no question he should no longer be an owner of a National Football League team. He has to go.

“The Washington Football Team has won three playoff games in 30 years. The last time they won a playoff game was in 2005. They’ve only been to the playoffs three times since 2005. It has been an embarrassment.”

The Commanders situation is currently ongoing, so stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news and updates. Additionally, let us know what you think should happen to Snyder, in the comments below.

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Brittney Griner Gives Update Following Prison Release: “I’m Happy”

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Brittney Griner is finally a free woman. After serving 294 days in a Russian prison, she’s on her way back home to the United States.

Previously, the WNBA star made headlines due to her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession in the foreign country. She was arrested on February 17 for attempting to bring cannabis with her on a trip.

Phoenix Mercury fan Carley Givens takes a photo of a “Black Lives Matter” mural depicting Brittney Griner outside the Footprint Center on December 08, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. ((Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The sentence was not far off from the maximum that she was facing. Prosecutors had asked for a 9.5 year sentence in the trial. 

Four months later, the 32-year-old is on her way back home after a prison swap got official approval.

President Joe Biden consequently made the announcement yesterday (December 8) via Twitter. In the photos, POTUS and Vice President Kamala Harris are seen talking with the athlete’s wife, Cherelle Griner, in the White House. 

In a video of newly-released Griner en route back home on the plane, the Phoenix Mercury star looks undoubtedly thrilled. When asked about her mood, she simply responds “I’m happy” with a smile.

Rumours surrounding a possible prison swap in order to get Griner home previously began going around for a few months now.

The exchange between the U.S. and Russia was a one-for-one swap. Surprisingly, international arms dealer Viktor Bout was freed by the U.S. in order to bring Griner home.

In Russian footage, the world was witness to the trade taking place on the tarmac of a United Arab Emirates airport.

The Russian arms dealer has a gruesome nickname – “Merchant of Death.” Of course, this has sparked some debate about the fairness of the exchange.

Others have chimed in, suggesting that another detained American should have been freed instead of the WNBA player. Paul Whelan is a former U.S. marine, who was detained by Russian authorities in 2018.

Two years, later he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his alleged involvement in an intelligence operation. However, he is still presently serving this time.

Nonetheless, the U.S. is standing by the swap. Officials are indicating that the country didn’t have a choice of which American to bring home.

Let us know your thoughts on the trade down below. Additionally, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates on Griner’s return home.

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Steph Curry Uses His “Sports Illustrated” Speech To Shout Out Brittney Griner

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Steph Curry had a massive year. Just a few months ago, he won his fourth NBA title, this time, against the Boston Celtics. Additionally, he broke the record for most career three-point shots. It was a phenomenal record to break, and it goes to show just how good Curry is.

Consequently, Curry has been awarded Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated. The awards ceremony for this honor took place last night, and Curry got to make a big speech. During this speech, Curry made sure to shout out Brittney Griner, who was recently freed from a Russian prison.

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Jabari Smith Jr. #1 of the Houston Rocket at Chase Center on December 03, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Steph Curry Speaks

As you can see in the clip below, provided by TMZ, Curry was excited about Griner’s release. Additionally, he noted that this couldn’t have happened without the activists who advocated for the WNBA star.

“We are glad she’s home, we’re glad she’s reunited with her family,” Curry said. “It’s a constant reminder for everybody continuing to use their platforms to speak on issues that are meaningful and can move the needle.”

Furthermore, Curry thanked President Joe Biden. He also made sure to acknowledge others who have been incarcerated abroad. Needless to say, it was a very poignant and topical speech.

“Thank you to President Biden’s administration for being a part of that fight,” Curry said. “But, it’s also a reminder that we all need to stay engaged in the fight to protect American citizens at home and abroad who are wrongfully detained, and we can continue to be engaged in that fight.”

Let us know what you thought of Curry’s speech, in the comments down below. As always, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from the sports world.

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LeBron James Gets In On AI Portrait Trend

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LeBron James continues to be the most famous player in the NBA. Even in his 20th season, LeBron has managed to impress fans with his play. While the Lakers have certainly struggled at times, there is no doubt that he can play at a high level. Additionally, he still has plenty of records to break.

When LeBron decides to retire from the game, it is going to be to the detriment of the league. Subsequently, the NBA will have to find a new face. It is not going to be easy to do, however, the league has a few years to prepare itself for that upcoming reality.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Caris LeVert #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 115-100. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

LeBron James Hop On New Trend

If you have been on social media as of late, you know that Artificial Intelligence seems to be all the rage. AI art is sweeping the world, and a lot of artists are upset about it, with good reason. However, a lot of people are into the new trend, including LeBron James it seems.

For instance, there is a new program that will take a photo of you and then turn you into a piece of art. James recently did this and posted the results on his Instagram page. Consequently, the results are actually quite unique. Below, you can find a series of images that depict LeBron in various outfits.

The topic of AI art is a huge discourse in art circles right now. Many believe this type of art is lifeless, and ultimately takes away from those who actually have the talent to make art on their own. Overall, it is yet another case of technology replacing human beings.

Give us your take on the AI art trend, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

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Odell Beckham Jr. Offers Update On Playing Status

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Odell Beckham Jr. is fresh off of a free agency tour. During this tour, he got to meet with the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys. Throughout this tour, it became quite clear that numerous teams want him. However, there is a concern that OBJ isn’t in shape to play this season.

He has torn his ACL twice over the last three seasons, which doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence in his health. Consequently, there has been a reluctance to put him on a roster. Of course, that will likely change soon as Odell has yet to truly reveal where he wants to go.

Odell Beckham Jr attends “In America: An Anthology of Fashion,” the 2022 Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Odell Beckham Jr. Gives A New Update

Recently, Odell was a guest on The Shop. Last night, The Shop did a live Thursday Night Football special, and fans were excited about it. Of course, the crew made sure to ask Odell the tough questions. However, Beckham Jr. was quite diplomatic with his answers.

At one point, Maverick Carter asked OBJ if he knew which team he wanted to go to. As you can imagine, Odell skirted the question, although he did offer some interesting insight. The wide receiver said that he doesn’t want to play in the regular season. Instead, he would rather wait until the playoffs and give it his all while the lights are the brightest.

For now, it seems like Odell’s best options are the Cowboys and the Bills. These are the two teams with the best chance of winning a Super Bowl. However, there is still no guarantee he even gets picked up this season.

That said, be sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from around the NFL. Additionally, let us know where you think Odell should go, in the comments below.

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LeBron James Reacts To Brittney Griner’s Release

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LeBron James is one of the most vocal players in the NBA when it comes to social issues. He has always made sure to be politically conscious. Subsequently, this has led to numerous statements on Brittney Griner. During her incarceration, LeBron was one of the loudest voices demanding that we bring her home.

On Thursday, Griner was officially released via prisoner swap. Last night, Griner was able to land in the United States, and she appeared to be in good spirits. Overall, it is a positive story for the basketball world as Griner will now get to be with her family again.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs down court during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

LeBron James Speaks

Last night, LeBron got to speak on the Griner release during a special Thursday Night Football edition of The Shop. As you can imagine, LeBron James was very excited about Griner’s release. Moreover, he noted that the U.S. needs to work on bringing even more people home.

“I think it’s a great day for us as Americans having BG back,”  LeBron explained. “In the sports world, just having her presence back. Her wife misses her. Her family misses her. Club misses her here in Phoenix. To have her a part of the basketball brother and sisterhood once again, it’s a big day for us and what we do. Kudos to the President. Kudos (to) Kamala Harris and everyone who had something to do with it.

“Like Mav said, there’s a lot of people that’s wrongfully detained right now. We hope we can get them all back.”

At this point, many are trying to get Paul Whelan home as well. The former marine is currently being held on espionage chargers, and the Russian government won’t let him go. Needless to say, many are up in arms over this situation.

Stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news on this developing story.

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Baker Mayfield Stuns NFL Fans With Last-Minute Drive

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Baker Mayfield continues to be one of the weirdest quarterbacks in the entire NFL. Some days, he looks like he could be a future MVP candidate. However, most weekends, he looks pedestrian. It is a weird mix that has ultimately led Mayfield to the Los Angeles Rams.

Last night, Mayfield got to play his very first game with the team. It was a game that was going to be difficult for Baker as he only had two days to learn the offense. Although this was a challenge, Mayfield shocked the world with a last-minute touchdown drive to knock off the Las Vegas Raiders.

Baker Mayfield Does The Impossible

Yup, that’s correct, your eyes are not deceiving you. Mayfield drove the Ball 98 yards in just eight plays to win the game. Subsequently, all sorts of praise made its way to social media. People could not believe Baker’s heroics, and it made for a special evening in Ram-land.

Consequently, there were plenty of fans out there who were ready to dish out their hot takes. After all, Mayfield is a very polarizing figure, and very few people expected him to have success with the Rams, let alone after two days with the team. There is no telling if he will keep up this success, however, Rams fans are just happy to get a win.

Earlier this week, Mayfield had been released by the Carolina Panthers. He never really settled into his role with the team, and the team ultimately decided to take action. Furthermore, there was this narrative around Mayfield that he was a bad teammate who simply didn’t care too much about football. However, Mayfield proved that to be false on Thursday night.

Moving forward, it will be very interesting to see whether or not Mayfield can keep this success going. Stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the NFL world.

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