A zero-star prospect out of high school just became the No. 1 pick of 2025 NFL Draft. What a message Cam Ward has sent to young athletes (and the rest of us for that matter): you can still become so much bigger and better and more accomplished than where you may be today.

Well worth the wait to take the Grey Cup trophy to The Hospital for Sick Children this holiday weekend with Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. What an eye-opening experience. Some future champs in that place promised not to turn down my interview requests when they lift that sucker on their own!

Thrilled, humbled and ready to host the 2025 National Diversity in Sport Conference for a third straight year. It'll be a gathering of so many sport leaders from across Canada and abroad to have meaningful discussions to make us all better! Join us in May! - inclusionincanadiansports.ca/2025DISC/

It really is one of the great days on the sports calendar. The Boswell line of, "time begins on opening day" is real in our little sports universe. So wherever, and however, you may opening day, happy opening day everyone.

The eleventh 40-point show this season from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes on national TV in OKC's total beatdown of Denver, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The final brushstroke to an MVP regular season for a Canadian who somehow still kinda remains in the shadows domestically.

Listen to Giannis on this one. Because otherwise... -- www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/wh...

This is the year Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will separate himself from the rest as the best player in the NBA. The MVP awaits him; OKC has the league's best record; SGA is launching a new shoe at this All-Star weekend. Here, the Canadian megastar reflects on it - www.sportsnet.ca/nba/video/it...

Congrats to Bishop's University alum, Tony Biancosino for hosting the most exclusive post-Super Bowl bash in all of New Orleans. If you are ever in The Big Easy, St. Pizza is a must. Just ask Saquon, OBJ, DiCaprio and the rest -- people.com/inside-saquo...

Best player on the football field in the first half: Josh Sweat. Having just an exceptional game.

Any player who took a knee today during the anthem would be a hero for all time. Just sayin’.

This Super Bowl Sunday, here's a reminder of what real courage looks like.

Is there anything more on-brand than 5-12 quarterback Aaron Rodgers making Super Bowl Sunday about himself?

How can Super Bowl LIX be won for the Eagles? If the KC defense deploys the way I expect them to, the middle of the field should have room to maneuver. Which is why this could be the path to victory for Philadelphia -- www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/video/wh...

The absolute best.

Practice week is a wrap. Next up, kickoff on Sunday of Super Bowl LIX. The latest to get you ready for it -- toronto.citynews.ca/video/2025/0...

Cam Jordan, a Saints DL fixture since 2011, faced KC & Philly this year. Early in his career had Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator. We connected at the terrific St. Pizza Tavern in New Orleans to talk ball & breakdown this Super Bowl matchup. Feature drops this week on @Sportsnet -

You are looking live inside the Superdome, about an hour away from Super Bowl Opening Night here in New Orleans --

This won't happen, with the ongoing litigation - to say nothing of cheap ownership - but what Buffalo needs to do is call Jon Gruden and offer him the job. Get him with Josh Allen, and go. This was the Bills' best chance to dethrone KC and still the same result. It's time to rip the bandaid off.

Here we go --

When we landed in KC late last night, all you heard on a quiet plane was one voice that uttered, "hey, hey, hey hey..." The next thing you knew, on a flight that included a few dozen Bills fans, people fully broke out singing 'SHOUT!' What a scene Arrowhead will be today.

Heading to KC to cover the AFC title game, and if Pearson Airport is any indication, there should be no shortage of Bills fans there. So many throwback Buffalo jackets, Apex and Starter logos. Strangers having nervous football convos together. So fun. What a scene it'll be at Arrowhead tomorrow.

As reported a while back, Harris joining the Saskatchewan coaching staff has been in the works for well over a year now. Now, it will happen for the 2025 season.

Gotta do it. Gotta be there tonight. SKOL --

Sam Darnold is wonderful.

Can't imagine what could be better on Boxing Day night than watching pro football, with a college game as the side dish to flip between. Happy holidays, indeed, everyone.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is becoming every bit the player you'd have expected him to be in the league when he was coming out of Ohio State. Legit at the craft.

Randy Moss, on an IG Live, walking to a chair with the help of a cane just announced, "your boy is a cancer survivor." Moss says he spent the last six days in a Charlotte hospital, had surgery, and got out earlier today. "We made it through," Moss said.

Summer McIntosh's Olympic dominance left no doubt she's Canada’s athlete of the year. On a 2024 run for the books by our country's latest sports phenom -- www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/art...

As expected, Summer McIntosh is the winner of the 2024 Northern Star Award as Canada’s athlete of the year. Three golds and a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. World records broken in multiple events. Just an incredible year for this 17-year-old phenom.

The five finalists for The Northern Star Award, as Canada's athlete of the year, are: * Summer McIntosh * Connor McDavid * Shai Gilgeous-Alexander * Ethan Katzberg * Natalie Spooner Announcement of the 2024 winner to come later this afternoon.

There may not be a deeper pool of accomplished Canadian athletes than this year's cast. But as we get set to vote on The Northern Star Award for 2024 later today, there's one name that will stand above the rest. Here's why -- www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/art...

Working on a Summer McIntosh story, and her decorated 2024 season. Just re-watched all four of her Olympic finals. Had almost forgotten what great theatre it all was. From utter dominance in the 400 IM, to the chase down for gold in the 200. All at age 17. Piece coming tomorrow to @Sportsnet

On Jordan Romano, as his chapter in Toronto closes --

Tough day for precious little Kirk. Fourth straight loss. Another multi-interception day. One career playoff win. What a hero.

Thread:

They got it right. They actually did it. Chose the proper thing to do over a business decision.

SMU belongs in the playoff with its resume. Alabama does not.

The game is over. Their season is over. It's time for Kyle Shanahan to do the deed and enter into the snow... THE PASSTRONAUT.

In a classic Friday afternoon news dump, Toronto FC announces John Herdman has "resigned" as head coach.

America's turkey today: Matt Eberflus. Not sure how he's allowed to fly back with the team today.

It was a week ago tonight, joining 'The All New Sportscage' on CKRM in Regina, that I called the Vernon Adams trade to Calgary (happened today), and what'll be ahead with the coaching hire in Edmonton. If only I had the Lotto Max numbers...

Something tells me the Kikuchi's will be quite happy with the school they find for Leo in Orange County...

The Laval Rouge et Or, national champions in football for the 12th time since 1999. Win the 2024 Vanier Cup game without even scoring a touchdown. Carleton basketball and Laval football. Just unmatched greatness anywhere in sport over the last quarter-century.

Appreciate the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame for a ballot to vote for the Tip O’Neill award, Canada's top baseball player in 2024. My votes: i) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.; ii) Josh Naylor; iii) Tyler O’Neill The Committee is made up of media, past winners, scouts, former players and baseball execs

My opening post here is a piece of content from four years ago that I'm incredibly proud of. This is: "A Turning Point?" Featured Howard Bryant, John Carlos and myself. *Produced by Reeshma Sud. Edited by Bryan Johnson and Jesse Rubinoff. Here's the program - www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNbA...