CLEVELAND  — Cleveland defense end Myles Garrett ripped off Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph’s helmet and hit him with it in the head in the final seconds as the Browns’ 21-7 win over the Steelers on Thursday night ended with a wild brawl between the rivals.

Garrett faces a likely suspension for his actions, and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will likely be disciplined for kicking Garrett in the head.

STEPHEN A. SMITH: COLIN KAPERNICK ‘NEEDS TO SHUT UP’ AND PLAY IF HE WANTS TO GET BACK IN NFL

Players from both sidelines spilled on the field during the wild melee, which began after Garrett wrestled Rudolph to the ground after he threw the ball on a meaningless play. Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were ejected.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) with a helmet during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Cleveland. (Associated Press)

Before the ugly ending, Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1-yard plunge as Cleveland held on to defeat the banged-up Steelers for just the fourth time in 10 years and improved to 2-0 in the AFC North for the first time.

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The Browns (4-6) have won two in a row after dropping four straight, a skid that put first-year coach Freddie Kitchens’ job in jeopardy.

Colin Kaepernick’s open workout for all 32 teams in Atlanta on Saturday will be led by former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson, with former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin also participating, the NFL announced in a statement Thursday.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick prepares to take the field before an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, U.S. October 23, 2016. Picture taken October 23, 2016. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who began kneeling on the sideline during the national anthem to bring attention to social injustice, has not played since the 2016 season.

The NFL scheduled a workout for Kaepernick at the Atlanta Falcons’ practice facility. The league announced that 11 teams — Arizona, Atlanta, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New England, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tampa Bay and Washington — have confirmed they will attend in some capacity, with more expected to commit.

—The Cleveland Browns waived wide receiver Antonio Callaway, four days after he was benched, and shortly before NFL Network reported he is facing a 10-game suspension.

Callaway was a late scratch for the Browns’ 19-16 home victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday for what multiple outlets reported was a late arrival to the game. His replacement, Rashard Higgins, caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Not long after Callaway’s release Thursday, NFL Network reported the wideout is appealing a 10-game suspension for what would be his second violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

—Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher practiced in full for the first time since having sports hernia surgery following Week 2.

Fisher was initially given a four- to six-week timetable for a return. He returned for two limited practices leading up to Week 8 but then went back to missing practice until this week.

Fisher, 28, was a Pro Bowler in 2018 and had played in 87 consecutive games prior to leaving the Chiefs’ Week 2 win at Oakland after just four snaps.

—Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford did not practice for the second straight day, increasing doubt about his availability for the Lions’ Sunday game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stafford sat out last week with a back injury as Detroit fell to the Chicago Bears.

—Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery did not practice for the second straight day. Coach Doug Pederson told reporters on Wednesday that Jeffery was considered day-to-day with a calf injury ahead of the Eagles’ Sunday game against the New England Patriots.

—New England quarterback Tom Brady, 42, had initially said in recent years that he envisioned himself playing in the NFL until he’s 45. However, Brady’s personal trainer, Alex Guerrero, thinks the three-time NFL Most Valuable Player can go until he is 46 or 47.

—Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan is likely to land on injured reserve due to a foot injury, coach Vic Fangio said. After signing a three-year, $21 million with Denver in the offseason, Callahan has yet to appear in a game this season due to the foot issue.

—New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones is looking to trademark his “Danny Dimes” nickname, according to ESPN. Jones’ application reportedly covers everything from apparel and toys to video games, helmets, trading cards and bumper stickers.

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—Architectural renderings revealed show a number of proposed changes for the New Orleans Superdome as part of a $450 million renovation, including the addition of standing-room only viewing areas.

—The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first NFL team to establish a college scholarship program for female high school football players. A $250,000 commitment from the team’s foundation was announced and is open to all female seniors nationwide who participate in a formally sanctioned flag or tackle football program.

—Field Level Media

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Athletes attending U.S. military academies can now delay entry into the armed forces upon graduation to play professional sports if they make the cut.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper signed a memo last week that allows students attending service academies such as West Point and the Naval Academy to seek a waiver that would delay their entry into the armed forces so they could play professional sports.

WEST POINT HONORS ARMY CAPTAIN FOR ACTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

Tommy Funk #3, Tucker Blackwell #10 and Matt Wilson #14 of the Army Black Knights reacted against the Villanova Wildcats. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The waiver would have to be approved by the defense secretary, and the athletes must eventually fulfill their military obligation or repay the cost of their education.

President Trump asked Esper in May to come up with a policy to allow athletes to play professional sports upon graduation.

Other service academy graduates can elect to attend prestigious graduate school programs and also delay entry into the armed forces.

The decision reverses a policy by former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who argued that the academies exist to train military officers, period.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

LONDON (Reuters) – Roger Federer lit up the O2 Arena with a dazzling 6-4 6-3 defeat of Novak Djokovic to hand the Serb an early ATP Finals exit and wreck his bid to end the year ranked number one on Thursday.

Tennis – ATP Finals – The O2, London, Britain – November 14, 2019 Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after winning his group stage match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Toby Melville

In the 49th meeting between the two great rivals, Federer snapped a five-match losing run against Djokovic and gained some consolation for his heartbreaking Wimbledon final defeat.

After both men had been beaten by Dominic Thiem earlier in the group, their eagerly-anticipated duel was a straight shoot-out to join the Austrian in the semi-finals.

Cheered on by the majority of the 17,000 fans in the arena, Federer produced an astonishing display of power, grace and precision and Djokovic simply had no answer.

Djokovic’s first defeat by Federer for four years means Rafael Nadal will end the year as world number one for the fifth time even if the Spaniard fails to reach the semi-finals.

Federer, Djokovic and Nadal have all achieved the feat five times. Pete Sampras managed it a record six times.

Nadal takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the other group on Friday and should he win and Alexander Zverev lose to Daniil Medvedev, it would set up a Nadal versus Federer semi-final.

Federer had played down talk of seeking revenge when asked about his impending clash with Djokovic this week, but his victory celebration showed exactly what it meant.

“I felt from the get-go I had good rhythm off the baseline and on the serve and that I felt like he was living dangerously if he was not going to play great tennis,” Federer, who at 38 continues to mock the ageing process, told reporters.

“I got what I kind of expected, and it was a great feeling at the very end. The reaction showed.”

BAD MATCH

Djokovic, who had needed to win the title to stand any chance of overhauling Nadal, said it had been a “bad match” from his side but admitted Federer had done everything right.

“He was the better player in all aspects,” the 32-year-old said. “I have the utmost admiration for him. What he’s still showing on the court is phenomenal.”

England’s soccer team was playing across the city at Wembley on Thursday, but when Federer and Djokovic share a tennis court it is always the hottest ticket in town.

Djokovic had reached the final on his last six appearances at the ATP’s most exclusive event in London while six-time champion Federer had only once failed to reach the semi-finals in his 16 previous appearances.

Something had to give and from the moment second seed Djokovic double-faulted twice in the third game to invite an early break for Federer, he was never really in contention.

Federer was seeing the ball like a melon, timing his groundstrokes to perfection while his serve was unplayable.

He dropped only three points on serve in the opening set and Djokovic’s only chance was that Federer would cool off.

Djokovic dug deep to fend off break points in the opening game of the second set, then had his one and only break point in the fourth game but Federer whipped a huge forehand into the corner before pouncing on a volley.

Federer was relentless and surged 0-40 ahead in the next game. Djokovic saved one break point with a backhand pass but hit a forehand long on the next.

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With crowd roaring Federer on, the end came quickly.

Serving to stay in the match, Djokovic was broken to love as Federer sent a dipping backhand to his feet.

Earlier in the day Matteo Berrettini became the first Italian to win a match at the ATP’s year-ender, beating Thiem 7-6(3) 6-3. Despite the loss, Thiem won the group by virtue of his victory over Federer on Sunday.

Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Two former members of the 2017 Houston Astros World Series-winning team — both of whom are now captaining their own squads — are reportedly in hot water over the allegations that the organization used a system to steal signs that season.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and newly hired New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran played a “key role in devising the sign-stealing system the team used that season,” The Athletic reported Wednesday. Cora served as a bench coach and Beltran, in his final season, was used mostly as a designated hitter.

VIDEO SHOWS HOW HOUSTON ASTROS WERE ALLEGEDLY STEALING SIGNS DURING 2017 SEASON

Wednesday’s report comes on the heels of a bombshell article in which former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers and other sources revealed to The Athletic the team used a sophisticated system to steal signs given by an opposing team’s catcher to his pitcher. Houston allegedly had a camera set up in centerfield which was hooked up to a monitor in the clubhouse, and when a sign for an off-speed pitch was given, a team employee would relay the message to a hitter with loud banging in the dugout.

Two sources told The Athletic that the sign-stealing extended into the postseason in 2017, but another denied it went on that long. It’s unclear what role Cora and Beltran played in the alleged system, but they were reportedly not the only members of the team that participated.

YU DARVISH RECEIVES APOLOGIES AFTER HOUSTON ASTROS CHEATING ALLEGATIONS SURFACE

Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations will likely probe Cora, Beltran and Astros manager A.J. Hinch, among others, according to The Athletic. Cora and Hinch declined comment when contacted by the website, but Beltran opened up to the New York Post about the sign-stealing allegations.

“I’m not aware of that camera,” Beltran said. “We were studying the opposite team every day. We took a lot of pride studying pitchers [on] the computer. That is the only technology that I use and understand…It was fun seeing guys get to the ballpark to look for little details.”

He added: “[In] the game of baseball, guys for years have given location and if the catchers get lazy and the pitcher doesn’t cover the signs from second base, of course players are going to take advantage. I don’t call that cheating. I call that using the small details to take advantage. I think baseball is doing a great job adding new technology to make sure the game is even for both teams.”

The Astros said they were investigating the allegations and cooperating with MLB.

Tennis – ATP Finals – The O2, London, Britain – November 14, 2019 Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in action during his group stage match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem Action Images via Reuters/Tony O’Brien

LONDON (Reuters) – Matteo Berrettini became the first Italian to win a match in ATP Finals history as he signed off with a 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat of off-color Dominic Thiem at the O2 Arena on Thursday.

The afternoon tussle was a little flat as Thiem had already sealed a place in the semi-finals after group wins against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, while Berrettini could not progress.

But the powerful 23-year-old Berrettini, making his debut at the tournament, produced some eye-catching tennis to make sure he heads home with a morale-boosting win.

The 200 ranking points and $215,000 for the group stage win capped a stunning year for Berrettini who was outside the top 50 in January but will end the season ranked eighth.

The only other Italians to qualify for the elite season-ender were Corrado Barazzutti in 1978 and Adriano Panatta in 1975 and neither managed to win a match.

Berrettini served for the first set at 5-4 after breaking the Thiem serve to love in the previous game, but a netted volley handed back the break.

The Italian dominated the tiebreak and grew in confidence in the second set as Thiem, suffering with a cold, failed to repeat the dazzling form he displayed when beating Djokovic in a three-set thriller on Tuesday.

A running backhand pass gave him a break for 4-2 in the second set and he closed out the win in dominant fashion.

Despite losing on Thursday, Thiem has won the group and will be joined in the semi-finals by either Djokovic or Federer who clash for the 49th time in an evening blockbuster.

Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Baker Mayfield’s wife, Emily, riled up Cleveland Browns fans earlier this week with a message after the team defeated the Buffalo Bills to claim their first home victory of the season.

Emily Mayfield posted an Instagram story aimed at fair-weather fans.

BAKER MAYFIELD ASKS BROWNS FANS TO KEEP NOISE DOWN WHILE TEAM HAS BALL

“Fairweather [sic] fans are HILARIOUS TO ME. Get out of here,” she wrote.

The following day, Mayfield said she wanted to clarify her comment after receiving some backlash.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS’ JAMIE COLLINS NONCHALANTLY BACKFLIPS AT PRACTICE

“LOL didn’t expect to ruffle so many feathers with my ‘fair weather fans’ comment yesterday,” she wrote in a separate post. No, I was not directing that at the die-hard, loyal fans who have stuck around for YEARS. I’m talking about the idiots who say HORRIBLE things about my husband and the team when we lose, and are back to obsessing when we win. That is laughable to me

“…loyal fans, I see you!”

While the Browns are only 3-6 this season, the team could get further into the playoff hunt with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

The team may not be able to catch the 7-2 Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North division crown, but a wild card spot could be in the cards.

Nov 13, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) grabs a rebound during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela is expected to miss at least one game after being evaluated for a concussion, ESPN reported Thursday.

Capela bumped his head while attempting to draw a charge on the Los Angeles Clippers’ JaMychal Green during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 102-93 victory.

Veteran Tyson Chandler would likely get the start at center Friday against the visiting Indiana Pacers if Capela is not available.

Capela tallied 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and grabbed 20 rebounds against the Clippers, his seventh double-double in 11 starts this season.

Capela, 25, is averaging 13.4 points and 12.5 rebounds this season and owns career averages of 12.0 points and 9.3 boards in 306 games.

—Field Level Media

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Adam Gase will remain the head coach of the New York Jets for the 2020 season at the very least, team CEO Christopher Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson said that Gase’s positive work with second-year quarterback Sam Darnold and his collaboration with general manager Joe Douglas was enough to give him another season, despite sitting at 2-7 in what was supposed to be a promising year for the franchise.

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“I want to assure you, there will be no changes in coaches,” Johnson told reporters. “Adam has the trust of this team, he has the trust of Sam, he has Joe’s trust, he has my trust. He’s a good man, a good coach. I brought in Joe earlier this year — he hasn’t been here very long — to help build the team with Adam. There’s a lot of work to do. There’s a great deal of work to do. Everyone understands that. And we’re just getting started.”

According to the Associated Press, Johnson told the team of his decision last week and it was met with a positive response.

Gase was hand-picked by Johnson to lead the team. Mike Maccagnan, who was the general manager when the team hired Gase, was fired and replaced by Douglas in June.

FILE – In this June 11, 2019, file photo, New New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas, center, poses for a picture with head coach Adam Gase, left, and Jets chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson during a news conference at the team’s NFL football training facility in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NEW YORK JETS’ SAM DARNOLD HAS PLAYOFFS ON HIS MIND

The team has had a ton of ups and downs, leading to fans calling for Gase’s job in the middle of the season. Johnson acknowledged the team’s struggles.

“This team isn’t where we thought we’d be,” Johnson said. “It’s exceedingly frustrating. But I’m here watching this team grind away every day, the coaches grind away every day, getting better. The thing that’s so encouraging is that there has never been a moment of finger-pointing. There’s never been a moment that somebody casts blame on somebody else.”

He added: “I think that speaks very highly of the character of this team and the effort of the coaches.”

Darnold himself has had his own struggles even as he battled mono during the season. Johnson still believed that Gase was the right person to coach Darnold.

“Seeing him work with Sam, just as a small portion of this question, gives me a lot of confidence in that,” he said. “Seeing him work with Joe is a whole new dynamic in this building, it’s a really positive dynamic. They have the same vision for this team going forward. There are a number of reasons, but those are two really big ones that I feel confident in Adam as our coach going forward.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(Reuters) – Two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has been at the forefront of the U.S. national women’s team’s fight for gender pay equity but the fiery forward has told Reuters she also hopes for more investment in the domestic league and better pay for club players.

Soccer Player Megan Rapinoe attends the 2019 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 11, 2019. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

Earlier this month, the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced new compensation guidelines for 2020, including a nearly 20 percent increase in the overall salary cap as well as allocation money allowing teams to invest in some players above the maximum salary.

However, the funds cannot be used to pay players who are members of the U.S. and Canadian national teams, a move that Rapinoe, a standout for the NWSL’s Reign FC, criticized.

“We need to sit down and have more substantive conversations about what that looks like,” the Californian told Reuters when asked about the allocated fund provisions. “It’s going to be a necessary step before the NWSL gets going next year.”

The NWSL could not immediately respond to a request for comment.

With a trial date set for May for the U.S. women’s national team’s gender discrimination lawsuit against their governing body, the squad faces the possibility of a Summer Olympics training schedule clouded by legal issues.

Rapinoe has emerged as a larger-than-life figure in the sport after the United States’ World Cup victory in France this year.

In addition to her outspoken criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump, she also serves as the face of a Budweiser advertising campaign that debuted in the run-up to the NWSL championship last month.

While attendances in the league increased to an average of 7,337 per game in 2019, Rapinoe said she is frustrated by the progress made.

“More resources need to be put into the front office of the NWSL,” added Rapinoe, who has said she would like to compete in the 2023 World Cup before she hangs up her boots.

As for her plans after she retires, the 34-year-old is focused on creating a pathway toward a role in the business of the NWSL, and is an advocate for a rumored expansion team in Sacramento, or perhaps even Los Angeles.

She would also jump at the chance to be in charge of a team.

“I’d be a great owner. I want to own one of these teams,” said Rapinoe.

“If the only thing that’s said about us is how inspiring we are to little girls, then our marketing plan is a complete and utter failure,” said Rapinoe. “Make me want to go to the game.”

Editing by Peter Rutherford

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