Ex-NFL star Doug Martin dies aged 36 after reported struggle with police

Former NFL All-Pro running back and Boise State star Doug Martin is dead at the age of 36, his family said in a statement on Sunday.TMZ and FOX were among the media organizations to confirm the news with people close to Martin. A statement from his family provided to FOX read: “It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time

‘For sure, the chance is there’: Max Verstappen hopeful he can retain F1 title

Max Verstappen is convinced that he is now very much in the fight for the world championship after his victory at the US Grand Prix. Following a dominant win in Austin the Red Bull driver was adamant he could still yet take his fifth title and was enthused at the chance to do so.Verstappen won with a flawless drive from pole to flag at the Circuit of the Americas, and in so doing narrowed the gap to the championship leader Oscar Piastri to 40 points. In what is now a three-way title battle Lando Norris, who took second place, is just 14 points off Piastri.Until this weekend Verstappen has been very circumspect in assessing his chances of competing for the title, despite winning two of the previous three races

Formula One: United States Grand Prix – as it happened

So while the anthems play (side note: quite a few Mexican flags in the stands), we’ll sign off. Thanks for following along with us today through a race in which first place was never in doubt but the intrigue up and down the standings was palpable.Next week: A little ways farther south – Mexico.To be clear – if Piastri can get back into form and average third or maybe even fourth place the rest of the way, he’ll likely hang on to the lead over Verstappen. Norris has less margin for error

Verstappen cruises to victory in F1 US Grand Prix to pile pressure on McLaren

Dominant, untouchable and bearing a broad, beaming grin in the Texas sunshine, the transformation in Max Verstappen after he took victory at the US Grand Prix could not have been starker.The disillusioned and dissatisfied driver who felt his title defence was long over has, against all the odds and indeed his own expectations, restaked his claim as a genuine contender in a deliciously tight Formula One world championship battle. Little wonder there were smiles, Verstappen knows he is back in the fight.Verstappen beat title rival Lando Norris into second and with Norris’s McLaren teammate, and championship leader, Oscar Piastri managing only fifth from sixth on the grid, the meeting in Austin has set up an enormously tense run-in as the season enters its final five meetings. Norris has now closed to within just 14 points of his teammate

NFL week seven: Eagles beat Vikings, Chiefs crush Raiders and Rams rout Jaguars – as it happened

That is it from me then. Matthew Stafford’s five touchdown passes for the Rams has to be the outstanding performance of the day. To do it without his star receiver in Puka Nacua makes it even more impressive. The QB ended up finding 10 different pass catchers in Nacua’s absence. True offensive wizardry from Sean McVay, these Rams will be eyeing the postseason

England invite Noah Caluori to training after sparkling five-try Prem debut

Noah Caluori, the 19-year-old ­Saracens wing, has been invited to train with England by the head coach, Steve Borthwick, after an incredible five-try barrage against Sale in his first start in the Prem on Saturday.A 36-man training squad has been named to prepare for the upcoming autumn internationals, with Tom Willis the most notable omission by Borthwick after the No 8’s decision to return to play in France.The supremely talented Caluori, however, was the 37th name on Borthwick’s list as his players gathered at Pennyhill Park on Sunday night to prepare for Australia’s visit to Twickenham on 1 November. “As part of a development agreement with Saracens Noah Caluori will join the squad for training,” the RFU said.Forwards Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Theo Dan (Saracens), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Emeka Ilione (Leicester), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Guy Pepper (Bath), Henry Pollock (Northampton), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath)