Orlando

Orlando Pride Midfielder Becky Edwards Announces Retirement

Published

10 years ago

September 22, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) By Orlando Pride – Orlando Pride midfielder Becky Edwards has announced her retirement from professional soccer. Edwards, a veteran of the women’s game, will suit up her final match on Saturday, Sept. 24 when the Pride host FC Kansas City at Camping World Stadium.

A veteran midfielder of both the NWSL and Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), Edwards turned professional after standout careers on U.S. Youth National Teams and at Florida State University.

“It’s been seven years playing professionally and, in my heart, it feels right. I’ve had a good career and I think I’ve given it my all in every environment I’ve been in. For me, personally, it feels like it’s time for something else. I feel satisfied,” Edwards said. “I’ve played with some of the best players in the world; I’ve won championships. It just feels like it’s time. Being here in Orlando has been incredible; the organization has been awesome. Now, I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life.”

“Becky has been a distinguished player in women’s soccer; she had an exceptional college career at FSU, one of the most prestigious programs in the US, and an outstanding professional career in the US and overseas. She is a consummate professional and one of the most respected players in the game by players and coaches alike,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni said. “She’s been an outstanding leader here in Orlando and made a significant contribution to our team both on and off the field in our inaugural year. I wish her every success moving forward. She will always remain a part of the Pride family.”

Edwards, 28, was acquired by the Pride in December from the Western New York Flash after previously playing for Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash. In 2013, Edwards was signed as a free agent by the Thorns. She played 10 matches for Portland, and was slated to be called into U.S. WNT camp by Sermanni, but suffered an ACL tear that cut her first NWSL season short.

The next season, Edwards was acquired by the Dash in the 2014 Expansion Draft where she played in every minute of Houston’s first 23 matches. In 2015, Edwards was traded to the Flash where she would go on to be named team captain and played every minute of the season scoring two goals and adding three assists.

After four years at FSU, Edwards joined FC Gold Pride of WPS in 2010. There, the midfielder helped lead a star-studded roster to the league’s championship, her first of three club titles. The next year Edwards became a back-to-back WPS Champion, leading the Flash to the 2011 title. Two years later, in 2013, the Thorns would go on to win the first-ever NWSL Championship in Edwards’ injury-shortened season.

On the international stage, the Downingtown, Penn. native captained the 2008 U.S. U20 Women’s National Team. Alongside current Pride teammate Alex Morgan, Edwards and the USA became 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Champions after a 2-1 win over North Korea.

A four-year letterwinner with the Seminoles, Edwards left Tallahassee fifth all-time at FSU in career starts (89) and tied for third in all-time appearances (95). Team captain during her senior season, she was also named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy given to college soccer’s most valuable player.

Edwards and the Pride play their final match of the Club’s inaugural 2016 season on Saturday night, hosting FC Kansas City at 5 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium. Tickets for the match are available at orlando-pride.com or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.

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Golf

Russell Henley Wins Red Cardigan at 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Russell Henley wins the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Russell Henley wins his first red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. This is Henley’s fifth win on the PGA Tour.

Russell Henley is greeted by his family on the 18th green after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Henley finished at 11 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 70 today. Collin Morikawa finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, finished today at 4 under par, tied for 11th place.

Scottie Scheffler tees off at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

NFL

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Published

2 years ago

October 30, 2024

Mike Brodsky

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Former UCF football players Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant have partnered with GMTM to launch their Search for Greatness Combine at UCF on Saturday, November 9th. They’re giving local athletes a chance to showcase their talents and explore new sports opportunities. Griffin will be inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 2nd, during halftime of the Arizona vs. UCF football game. He is remembered for his tenacity, setting an NFL Combine record with the fastest 40-yard dash by a linebacker, and playing four seasons in the NFL, overcoming the challenge of only having one hand. He is now training to make the USA Paralympic Track and Field Team and hopes to compete in the 2028 Olympics. Joey Grant, the co-founder and CEO of GMTM, is a former UCF team captain, playing mostly Center for the Knights from 2011-2015.

Participation at the upcoming combine is free and invite-only, targeting athletes over the age of 18. To be considered, athletes must submit a highlight video via GMTM’s platform, showcasing their athleticism. GMTM will evaluate submissions and invite the most promising athletes to participate in the combine. The goal for this year’s event is to get 1,000 athletes to submit videos and be part of the combine process. Athletes chosen will receive personalized invites with further instructions, including event time slots and details. The athletes will be evaluated for their key athletic traits, to identify opportunities for them across multiple Olympic sports or professional sports programs. To learn more, or to apply for the combine, visit: https://gmtm.com/articles/the-search-for-greatness-at-ucf-with-shaquem-griffin-what-you-need-to-know.

Florida National News spoke with Shaquem and Joey about the combine, college football in the era of NIL and the transfer portal, and Griffin’s hall of fame induction. You can watch the full interview here:

Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant interview

Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com and www.FloridaSportsChannel.com for more.

Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.