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UCF fined $100,000 for 'discriminatory chants' directed at BYU

Posted today at 12:24pm

The BYU Cougars take the field before the game against the UCF Knights at Acrisure Bounce House, Oct. 24, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

The Big 12 Conference issued the University of Central Florida a six-figure fine following "discriminatory chants" at a recent football game between UCF and Brigham Young University on Saturday, the conference announced on Wednesday.

After finishing its review of the "discriminatory chants directed at BYU," the conference said it would fine UCF $100,000, to be "directed toward student education initiatives."

In issuing the fine, the conference recognized "the pregame protocols followed by UCF" at the game hosted in Orlando, Florida, as well as action taken "including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct," but added "discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12."

At least one video shared on social media appeared to depict an explicit anti-Mormon chant directed toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints followers.

A statement from UCF Athletics to ABC News said, "After becoming aware of the conference's decision, we will be reviewing our options."

Along with the fine, the Big 12 conference said it was updating its conference-wide policy on discriminatory conduct at athletic events.

Under the guidelines, a first incident will bring an "automatic minimum $100,000 fine," followed by a "formal warning" and an opportunity to address the issue, the conference said.

The second incident at the same game, "will result in an in-game competitive penalty, e.g., a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or an unsportsmanlike two-shot technical foul in basketball and may result in an additional $500,000 fine," according to the Big 12.

The new policy says if an individual is "ejected for discriminatory conduct," they are "prohibited from attending all athletic events for the remainder of the academic year."

ABC News has reached out to BYU Athletics for further comment.

On the field Saturday, unranked UCF defeated then-ranked No. 2 BYU in a double-overtime thriller, handing previously undefeated BYU its first loss of the season, and improving its record to 4-3.

The incident involving UCF is not the first instance of conduct aimed at BYU recently.

The Big 12, according to ESPN, fined Oklahoma State $50,000 in February following inappropriate chants during a men's basketball game against BYU. The Big 12 also fined Colorado $50,000 last year for similar chants at a football game.

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/28/26

Posted today at 5:58am

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Brewers 4, Rays 1 (World Series - Game 5, MIL wins series)

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Flyers 2, Capitals 5
Flames 0, Oilers 4
Devils 2, Avalanche 5
Maple Leafs 4, Kraken 5

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Heat 129, Hawks 117
Wizards 111, Cavaliers 121
Hornets 89, Pistons 97
76ers 114, Pacers 109
Magic 99, Raptors 129
Knicks 133, Bulls 127
Rockets 132, Bucks 100
Warriors 119, Timberwolves 114
Nuggets 104, Pelicans 91
Spurs 117, Jazz 111
Thunder 96, Mavericks 120
Lakers 103, Clippers 87

New study estimates about 3 in 4 former NFL players had CTE

Posted yesterday at 10:42am

The National Football League West Coast Office. (Getty Images stock photo/Joe Hendrickson)

Nearly 3 in 4 former NFL players had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of their death, according to a new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study also estimated that about 1 in 4 former NFL players had dementia during their lifetime.

"More than 20 million men alive today in the US have played football, so understanding how many of them have CTE is an important public health question" Yorghos Tripodis, a professor of biostatistics at Boston University and an author of the paper, told ABC News.

The findings build on a study published in August that found at least 1 in 4 former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 may have had CTE. Many of the same researchers worked on both studies, but the new research attempts to narrow a broad range of possible CTE rates to a more precise estimate.

"Our group’s earlier study could only say the figure was somewhere between 25% and 98%, and we wanted a more precise answer," Tripodis said.

In a statement, the NFL said it "continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts."

The statement, which referenced an earlier and similar study from August, went on, "The NFL remains committed to ensuring that the NFL community has access to a robust -- and expanding -- set of resources to enhance their physical and mental well-being."

The NFL Players Association, the union that represents football players in matters including working conditions, told ABC News that the August study was "a sobering reminder that football carries real risks, and those risks can have lasting consequences for players and their families. It also reinforces one of the NFLPA's core priorities: improving player safety and supporting players throughout their lives, both during and after their careers."

CTE is a brain disease associated with repeated hits to the head, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It involves a buildup of abnormal proteins that damage brain tissue and can cause brain cells to die.

The disease can only be diagnosed after death, meaning families must donate a loved one's brain for examination. Researchers note that families who observe cognitive symptoms in a loved one during life may be more likely to donate their brain, potentially making CTE appear more common than it is.

To account for this potential bias, researchers estimated that families who noticed cognitive symptoms were about five times more likely to donate a brain and adjusted their analysis accordingly.

The study examined 2,362 deceased former NFL players. Of those, 396 had donated their brains; 1,966 had not.

Among the brain donors, 93.5% had CTE. After accounting for differences in brain donation practices, researchers estimated that 74.5% of the former players had the disease. Regarding bias adjustment, "No study like this can remove every possible bias. But even under very conservative assumptions, the estimate does not go below 60%," Tripodis said.

Among the brain donors, 93.5% had CTE. After accounting for differences in brain donation practices, researchers estimated that 74.5% of the former players had the disease.

The researchers also estimated that 27.2% of the former players had dementia during their lifetime, a figure they said likely underestimates its prevalence.

The researchers cautioned that their findings apply specifically to deceased former NFL players and may not be representative of living NFL players.

In September of 2016, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced a new initiative called "Play Safe, Play Smart." The organization also pledged $100 million to player safety.

Goodell said the initiative is "to drive progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head injuries, enhance medical protocols and further improve the way the game is taught and played by all who love it."

Betsy-Ann Assoumou, MD, MBA, is a family medicine resident at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Health in Keene, New Hampshire, and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/27/26

Posted yesterday at 5:56am

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Brewers 3, Rays 4 (World Series - Game 4, MIL leads series 3-1)

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Blue Jackets 4, Flyers 3
Bruins 1, Hurricanes 2
Kings 1, Blackhawks 2
Canadiens 2, Blues 0
Islanders 4, Predators 3
Devils 5, Stars 1
Panthers 5, Jets 1
Wild 3, Mammoth 1
Senators 1, Golden Knights 4
Canucks 6, Ducks 5
Sabres 2, Sharks 0

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Nets 124, Celtics 125
Pistons 97, Knicks 111
Kings 103, Spurs 130
Trail Blazers 136, Lakers 129

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/26/26

Posted Tuesday morning

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Brewers 10, Rays 1 (World Series - Game 3, MIL leads series 3-0)

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Cowboys 38, Eagles 21

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Kings 6, Rangers 3
Maple Leafs 2, Flames 5
Red Wings 4, Oilers 3

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Wizards 103, Hornets 110
Timberwolves 125, Cavaliers 127
Bulls 99, Celtics 134
Mavericks 113, Heat 109
Pacers 102, Bucks 110
Suns 114, Thunder 125
Hawks 110, Rockets 120
Grizzlies 110, Jazz 105
Warriors 134, Nuggets 114

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/25/26

Posted Monday morning

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Sunday’s sports events:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Steelers 16, Saints 10
49ers 20, Falcons 29
Browns 27, Titans 24
Colts 10, Vikings 16
Dolphins 28, Jets 25
Buccaneers 43, Panthers 13
Bengals 35, Ravens 13
Giants 27, Texans 21
Broncos 30, Cardinals 16
Packers 17, Lions 20
Rams 35, Raiders 21
Chieds 3, Seahawks 20

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Lakers 132, Jazz 123
Pacers 136, Nets 109
Magic 111, Knicks 102
Raptors 94, Timberwolves 117
Clippers 101, Thunder 108
Pistons 106, 76ers 93
Grizzlies 123, Kings 112

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Panthers 3, Blackhawks 2
Islanders 3, Stars 6
Canadiens 2, Jets 1 (Heritage Classic)
Avalanche 2, Predators 6
Wild 4, Canucks 2

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/22/26

Posted about a week ago

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Thursday’s sports events:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Patriots 24, Bears 30

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Predators 0, Bruins 6
Rangers 4, Maple Leafs 5
Sharks 6, Senators 2
Ducks 1, Devils 4
Panthers 0, Penguins 4
Kings 3, Islanders 2
Golden Knights 2, Blues 6
Jets 2, Stars 3
Wild 1, Flames 2
Hurricanes 5, Oilers 6
Mammoth 3, Kraken 5
Red Wings 5, Canucks 2

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cavaliers 106, 76ers 114
Nuggets 84, Thunder 96

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/21/26

Posted about a week ago

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Flyers 3, Sabres 1
Panthers 1, Senators 5

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Hawks 132, Magic 125
Bucks 116, Wizards 128
Timberwolves 131, Heat 106
Hornets 110, Nets 103
Bulls 92, Raptors 135
Jazz 103, Grizzles 123
Pacers 123, Pelicans 120
Mavericks 110, Rockets 128
Warriors 105, Lakers 127
Suns 83, Trail Blazers 124
Kings 96, Clippers 121

NFL Players Association calls for full investigation into Jalen Hurts’ medical care

Posted about a week ago

Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The NFL Players Association is calling for full investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood clots after the NFL defended the way the situation was managed.

The NFL Players Association said it is not aware of any league investigation into the medical care provided Hurts, adding that the NFL previously told the union it did not plan to review the care he received.

“Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred,” the NFLPA said. “Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

Dr. Allan Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon "the notion that there's external factors that any of our physicians would put a player in harm's way -- that's nonsense."

"If you're not sitting in that room with that patient, and you don't have all the data, if you are speculating as a physician what should have been done, you are unprofessional and unethical in doing that,” Sills continued.

Sills says the league tracks blood clots every season, and has for at least the past ten years, and they share the data with the players' association, adding that there are a handful of clotting cases every year.

"It's not a novel situation," said Sills.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni defended the team's handling of Jalen Hurts' medical condition at a press conference on Monday, where he faced questions about the team's decision to play him on Oct. 11 despite knowing he had reportedly gotten little sleep after spending much of the night in the hospital.

Hurts, 28, will not be able to participate in football activities while he is on blood thinner medications to treat blood clots in both his lungs, the team said in a joint statement with Hurts' agent Monday.

The statement did not provide a timeline for the Super Bowl-winning quarterback's return to the field.

"The health of our players is always at the forefront of our mind," Sirianni said.

Sources told ESPN that Hurts was hospitalized in London until 4 a.m. on Sunday, before the Eagles played the Jacksonville Jaguars in the international game on Oct. 11.

Hurts eventually played against Jacksonville later that day, three days after reporting the injury to medical staff following practice. Specialists in London initially diagnosed him with a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is when a blood clot develops in the deep veins, usually in the legs. A pulmonary embolism, or PE, may occur when a part of the DVT clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, which can be life-threatening, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Flying with a blood clot is not always prohibited, but prolonged sitting during air travel can increase the risk of blood clots. The CDC recommends travelers at risk move around frequently and exercise their legs during long flights. Whether someone with an existing clot can safely fly depends on their individual medical circumstances.

Sirianni said the decision to play Hurts was left up to the team's medical experts.

"I'm a football coach. I lean on our medical experts in every situation. I have full trust and full faith in them. It's not just me that has major care for our players; it's them as well," Sirianni added.

Sirianni repeatedly expressed confidence in the team's medical staff, saying "the same doctors and trainers that helped 21 of our 22 starters be available in the Super Bowl are the same guys today that deeply care about our guys to help them."

The Eagles head coach also faced questions about the decision to fly Hurts home despite knowing about a blood clot.

"We get medical information from our guys, and we always put the players' health first and foremost in every situation," he said.

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/20/26

Posted about a week ago

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Sharks 4, Canadiens 3
Avalanche 3, Devils 4
Ducks 2, Islanders 3
Kings 5, Capitals 2
Maple Leafs 6, Blue Jackets 2
Jets 1, Blues 2
Red Wings 3, Kraken 4
Bruins 2, Stars 3
Wild 3, Oilers 4
Hurricanes 6, Canucks 3
Lightning 6, Golden Knights 2

Scoreboard roundup -- 10/19/26

Posted about a week ago

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Commanders 17, 49ers 23

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Guardians 3, Rays 7

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ducks 2, Rangers 5
Avalanche 2, Flyers 3
Sharks 1, Maple Leafs 3
Penguins 4, Mammoth 5

Eagles coach defends handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots diagnosis

Posted about a week ago

Jalen Hurts looks to throw the ball during the 2026 NFL London Games match between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, 2026 in London, England. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni defended the team's handling of Jalen Hurts' medical condition at a press conference on Monday, where he faced questions about the team's decision to play him on Oct. 11 despite knowing he had a blood clot and was on limited rest.