Sports
Tom Brady to Return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Unfinished Business”
Published
5 years agoon
TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – April Fools Day is right around the corner, but this isn’t a joke, folks. Tom Brady is returning for his 23rd season in the NFL and his third in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform. Brady broke the news on Sunday evening.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” he said via his social media accounts. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG.”
Brady announced 39 days ago that he was hanging up his cleats for the final time after finishing the 2021-2022 season with a career high 5,316 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. The Buccaneers fell short 30-27 to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.
So what does this mean for Tampa Bay? Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the hunt for the successor to arguably the greatest player of all-time will be postponed for at least one more year.
If Brady proved one thing last season, it’s that despite being 44 years old, he can definitely still sling the rock. In fact, if it was up to Tommy Terrific he would probably play until he’s at least 50!
And he’ll have one of the best wide receiver duos at his disposable to do so with perennial Pro-Bowler Mike Evans and standout Chris Godwin. While a long term deal with Godwin has yet to be reached, the Buccaneers did place the franchise tag on him, meaning he will be a Buccaneer through the 2022 season. Godwin has a career high 98 receptions and over 1,000 yards receiving.
Will the Gronky and Tommy show return for another season? Gronkowski has said his decision to return to Tampa or the NFL at all returns on his best friend’s decision, and now that decision has been made.
The 2022-2023 season is definitely shaping up to be exciting with the return of Brady, plus one contest slated against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Rams, and AFC Champion Bengals, as well as the likes of Kansas City and Baltimore.
In the famous words of Brady himself, “Lets Go!”
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Todd Grasley is a sports reporter for Florida National News. | sports@floridanationalnews.com
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Sports
LIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent
Published
13 hours agoon
November 7, 2026By
FNN SPORTSNEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
Basketball
USF Women’s Basketball Opens Season With 80–54 Victory Over Furman
Published
2 days agoon
November 5, 2026By
NISEY LOU S.TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
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A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
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The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
USF Defeats UAB 30–10, Secures Fourth Consecutive Bowl-Eligible Season
Published
4 days agoon
November 3, 2026By
NISEY LOU S.Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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