Wright Thompson
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Articles by Wright Thompson
Durkee’s Is Dead
Listen1.0x 0:007:36 When I was a boy, my small-town-attorney father had a client who paid his legal bills not in money but in deliveries of homegrown tomatoes. I still think about those tomatoes, almost vulgarly red, the size of softballs, juicy, earthy. My dad liked to put salt on them “to make them bleed,” he said. This was the mid-1980s, and life in the Mississippi Delta still moved in fading agricultural rhythms. My parents had grown up around a few old people who remembered the Civil War.
Thompson: LSU-Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin and an old fight made new
DURING THE WEEKS leading up to Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford, I thought a lot about a button my dad wore to Ole Miss games that said GEAUX TO HELL LSU. My dad alternated between this button about LSU's place in the fiery afterlife and another one that said ARCHIE'S ARMY, a tribute to the great scrambling quarterback Archie Manning. Both sides of a fan's emotional currency, love and hate. Dad seemed to choose the LSU button more often than not.
Ole Miss vs. LSU rivalry: 160 years of love, hate and the river’s edge
The LSU-Ole Miss rivalry is long, with two fanbases deeply intertwined. The line between love and hate is thin, and Lane Kiffin’s return brings those memories to the surface.
Thompson: LSU-Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin and an old fight made new
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Thompson: LSU-Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin and an old fight made new
DURING THE WEEKS leading up to Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford, I thought a lot about a button my dad wore to Ole Miss games that said GEAUX TO HELL LSU. My dad alternated between this button about LSU's place in the fiery afterlife and another one that said ARCHIE'S ARMY, a tribute to the great scrambling quarterback Archie Manning. Both sides of a fan's emotional currency, love and hate. Dad seemed to choose the LSU button more often than not.
This Southern College’s Football Tailgate Is Unlike Any Other—Here’s What Makes It So Special Original
The Ole Miss Grove officially spreads across 10 acres at the heart of campus, but informally, it stretches out toward the grassy flats around the University Avenue bridge and all the way through The Circle—another green space in front of the Lyceum, the school’s main administration building. Home to at least 250 trees from 40 different species, it’s where Ole Miss fans have tailgated since the football program found national attention in the 1950s and where tents replaced cars in 1991.
The Ritual of The Grove
The Ole Miss Grove officially spreads across 10 acres at the heart of campus, but informally, it stretches out toward the grassy flats around the University Avenue bridge and all the way through The Circle—another green space in front of the Lyceum, the school’s main administration building. Home to at least 250 trees from 40 different species, it’s where Ole Miss fans have tailgated since the football program found national attention in the 1950s and where tents replaced cars in 1991.
Be on That Hill: Stories from the Summits of Sport
Epic stories from one of the great sportswriters of his generation. ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham, the New York Times bestselling author of American Kings and It’s Better to Be Feared, shares more than two decades of his sports journalism in 26 essays.
Spurs, Thunder deliver most-watched WCF Game 1 in NBA history
The first year of the NBA's media rights deal continues to deliver large amounts of viewers. San Antonio's 122-115 double-overtime victory over Oklahoma City on Monday night was the most-watched Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in league history, averaging 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics. The audience peaked at 12 million for the second overtime and game's conclusion.
Spurs' De'Aaron Fox (ankle) out again for Game 2 vs. Thunder
San Antonio Spurs starting guard De'Aaron Fox will miss his second consecutive game Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a right high ankle sprain. Fox suffered the injury in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves when Minnesota guard Ayo Dosunmu landed on Fox's ankle while diving for a loose ball.
Trail Blazers lay off large number of business-side employees
The Portland Trail Blazers have laid off a significant number of business-side employees as part of a reorganization under new owner Tom Dundon. "As part of our plans to position the organization for the future, we made the difficult decision to restructure several areas of the business," Blazers president Dewayne Hankins told The Oregonian in a statement. "These changes impacted talented people who have helped shape the Trail Blazers over many years.
The South’s Best Music Towns: Where to Find Your Groove
Music From the Appalachian peaks and valleys where country found its wings, to the Deep South’s holy land of blues, these destinations for live tunes don’t just attract fans, they draw in legends In Lafayette, Louisiana, Wild Child wine shop owners Denny and Katie Culbert and their daughter, Kiki, listen as Renée Reed, Luke Huval, and Drake LeBlanc jam.
The Warrior still remains
Steve Kerr had nothing left to prove. But at a crossroads in his career, facing down the pains of his past convinced him he had everything left to play for.
Steve Kerr Decided To Retire As Warriors Coach Before Changing His Mind After Play-In Win
Steve Kerr had made up his mind he was going to retire as Golden State's head coach after 12 seasons regardless of the outcome of their play-in game against the Los Angeles Clippers in April. Kerr put the odds at 95%, but then the Warriors won, and everything changed. "I'm not leaving," Kerr told his staff in the locker room after the Clippers victory. Kerr's wife, Margot Kerr, sent him a text that said the same thing. The reversal came after months of genuine internal conflict.
The Warrior still remains
Steve Kerr had nothing left to prove. But at a crossroads in his career, facing down the pains of his past convinced him he had everything left to play for.
The Warrior still remains
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The Warrior still remains
STEVE KERR WALKED into the lobby of the Beverly Wilshire with a secret. Win or lose, he'd decided to retire as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. It was a Tuesday morning in mid-April, the day before the team's first postseason play-in game in Los Angeles. When this season ended, his 12-year run with the Golden State Warriors would end, too.
The Warrior still remains
Stephen Curry Gives Retirement Date to Warriors as Front Office Plots to Go All-In for LeBron James, Giannis or Kawhi Leonard He has won four championships, two MVP awards, and redefined what a point guard can be for an entire generation of basketball players. For the first …
Be on That Hill
Epic stories from one of the great sportswriters of his generation. ESPN senior writer Seth Wickersham, the New York Times bestselling author of American Kings and It’s Better to Be Feared, shares more than two decades of his sports journalism in 26 essays.
‘What if we are the people who win these games?’ A new feeling at Ole Miss
After a chaotic month, Ole Miss won the kind of game it always loses, leaving its fans wondering how far it can go.
'What if we are the people who win these games?' A new feeling at Ole Miss
Stay on Jeff’s Sideline Subscribe to the official Jeff Fox YouTube channel to join Jeff Fox on the sidelines of all Florida’s most popular sporting events.
Thompson: 'What if we are the people who win these games?' A new feeling at Ole Miss
NEW ORLEANS -- We got into town the day before the Sugar Bowl, dropped our bags and went straight down into the French Quarter with all the other Ole Miss fans for the national quarterfinal game against Georgia. Galatoire's was, of course, booked, so we got in line at Felix's oyster bar. My father and his brothers loved Felix's and took me there as a child, telling stories of past trips down to see the Rebels in the Sugar Bowl.
‘What if we are the people who win these games?’ A new feeling at Ole Miss
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Thompson: 'What if we are the people who win these games?' A new feeling at Ole Miss
3 hours ago In his six seasons at Mississippi football,Lane Kiffin immersed himself in the Mississippi culture and Oxford community. Just look at his hot yoga sessions. Kiffin's adoption of the Ole Miss culture even carried over into how he announced to the Rebels' fanbase on X (formerly Twitter) when the …
Is That a Whiskey Bottle in Derek Trucks’s Pocket?
Is That a Whiskey Bottle in Derek Trucks’s Pocket? The single coolest moment of writing a book on Pappy Van Winkle happened while sitting backstage at a Dead & Company concert on a beach in Mexico. (Yeah, yeah, I know it’s humble brag obnoxious, but now I can write off that trip, and the story actually is relevant to the topic at hand, I swear.) …
Seeing Emmett Till’s Murder Weapon Original
Last week, a woman named Nan Prince met me in the lobby of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, in Jackson, and walked me to an elevator. We rode down to the basement and she used her keypad access to open a final door as we stepped into a dark room. She went to find the light switch while I stared at the shadowy silhouette of a .45 pistol sitting on a rolling cart. This was J. W. Milam’s gun; he wore it the night he and his brothers killed Emmett Till. The FBI believes it fired the fatal shot.
Aaron Judge Says Yankees Legends 'Live And Breathe' In Stadium
Aaron Judge spoke emotionally about feeling the presence of New York Yankees legends during games, describing the franchise's retired greats as "real people" who continue to influence current players at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees captain made his comments Saturday afternoon in the clubhouse, surrounded by retired numbers and photographs of Hall of Famers including Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter. Judge's reverent tone reflected his deep connection to the franchise's storied history.
Aaron Judge, 1-for-12, blames self as Yanks swept by Red Sox
BOSTON -- Aaron Judge blamed himself for swinging at pitches outside the strike zone as the New York Yankees were swept in a three-game series at the Boston Red Sox. "You got to swing at strikes," Judge said after going 1-for-12 in the series, which Boston completed with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. Judge struck out three or more times in three straight games for only the third time in his major league career. "That usually helps any hitter when you swing at strikes," Judge added.
Aaron Judge, 1-for-12, blames self as Yanks swept by Red Sox
BOSTON -- Aaron Judge blamed himself for swinging at pitches outside the strike zone as the New York Yankees were swept in a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. "You got to swing at strikes," Judge said after going 1-for-12 in the series, which Boston completed with a 2-0 victory on Sunday. Judge struck out three or more times in three straight games for only the third time in his major league career. "That usually helps any hitter when you swing at strikes," Judge added.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani homers twice to halt 10-game drought
LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani has hit two homers against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night, emphatically ending the three-time MVP's longest homer drought since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani led off the game with his 24th homer, hammering Landen Roupp's fourth pitch 419 feet deep into the right-field bleachers with an exit velocity of 110.3 mph.
Dobbins beats Yankees again for Red Sox to cap 'fun' week
BOSTON -- Hunter Dobbins had quite the week. First, he said last weekend that he'd rather retire than pitch for the Yankees because his father was drafted by New York twice before being traded. Then, he went out and beat the Yankees.
Contreras brothers hit rare HRs in same inning
MILWAUKEE -- Catchers Willson and William Contreras became the second pair of brothers to homer in the same inning as opponents in baseball's modern era on Saturday. Both went deep in the ninth inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 8-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers that snapped the Cards' six-game skid. Willson Contreras' ninth homer of the season, a solo shot to right-center, gave St. Louis an 8-4 lead in the top of the ninth.
Rockies now have fewest wins through 70 games since 1899 Spiders
ATLANTA -- Kyle Farmer just shrugged when asked about being part of a Colorado Rockies team that has the fewest wins through 70 games since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. "We don't care," Farmer said after Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves left Colorado with a 13-57 record. The Rockies have the fourth fewest wins by any team through their first 70 decisions in a season in MLB history, and the fewest since the 1899 Spiders won 12 of their first 70 decisions.
Twins put Royce Lewis (hamstring) on IL, Byron Buxton exits
HOUSTON -- The Minnesota Twins placed third baseman Royce Lewis on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain. Also on Saturday, center fielder Byron Buxton left the game against the Astros in the seventh inning with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch an inning earlier. Lewis was injured running to first base on a single in the ninth inning of Friday night's 10-3 loss to Houston and had an MRI on Saturday.
Dave Martinez backs coaches as Nationals' skid hits 7 games
WASHINGTON -- Nationals manager Dave Martinez bristled Saturday when asked how much of his team's recent offensive struggles should be apportioned among players and his coaches after the 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins. "It's never on coaching," Martinez said. "Never on coaching. Coaches work their [butts] off every single day. We're not going to fingerpoint here and say it's coaches. It's never on the coaches. They work hard. The message is clear. All the work is done prior.
Aaron Civale joins White Sox, says no issues with Brewers
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Aaron Civale joined the White Sox on Saturday, giving the right-hander a day to get to know his new Chicago teammates before starting for them after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers. That's more time than he had last July when he got traded from Tampa Bay to Milwaukee. His first day in the Brewers clubhouse was the same day that he made his first start for them. "Yeah, there's that experience.
Pirates C Endy Rodríguez to get injection for ailing elbow
CHICAGO -- Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodríguez is going to get a platelet-rich plasma injection for his ailing right elbow. Rodríguez got a second opinion from Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. "[The] recommendation was for a PRP injection that he'll get next week and then four weeks of complete rest before he starts to ramp back up," Pirates manager Don Kelly said before Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.
Reds acquire Brian Van Belle from Red Sox for cash considerations
The Cincinnati Reds acquired right-hander Brian Van Belle from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations. The Reds optioned Van Belle to Triple-A Louisville. The Red Sox had designated him for assignment on Wednesday. Van Belle, 28, has yet to make his major league debut. He was 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) this season at Triple-A Worcester.
Astros put OF Jacob Melton on injured list with ankle sprain
The Houston Astros placed outfielder Jacob Melton on the 10-day injured list in one of five roster moves on Saturday. Melton, 24, sustained a sprained right ankle during Houston's 10-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Including a triple and three RBIs on Friday, Melton is hitting .241 with six RBIs and three steals in 11 games. A second-round draft pick out of Oregon State in 2022, Melton made his major league debut on June 1.
Aaron Judge solves Garrett Crochet; Red Sox get last laugh
BOSTON -- The Red Sox have had a chance in games whenever Garrett Crochet has been on the mound this season. And with the exception of one pitch in Friday night's 2-1, extra-inning win over the Yankees, he again proved to be the antidote to slugger Aaron Judge.
Source -- Angels call up prospect Christian Moore from Triple-A
The Los Angeles Angels are calling up infielder Christian Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in last year's draft, and he could make his big league debut on Friday night in Baltimore, a source confirmed to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez amid multiple reports. The 22-year-old Moore was promoted to Triple-A in mid-May and did well enough to earn the call to try to boost an Angels offense that is 13th in runs scored in the American League.
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski allows no hits, hurts ankle in debut
MILWAUKEE -- Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski left his major league debut when he slipped on the front part of the mound after holding the St. Louis Cardinals hitless through five innings Thursday night. Misiorowski had just thrown a third straight ball to Victor Scott to open the sixth when his foot landed awkwardly. After Brewers medical staff went out to check on him, Misiorowski exited the game and Nick Mears came out of the bullpen. Milwaukee led 6-0 at the time.
Rockies snap five-game skid, avoid worst start in modern era
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies got a win on Thursday and avoided reaching a new low and setting the record for the worst start in the modern era. Orlando Arcia's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Rockies an 8-7 win over the San Francisco Giants. It moved Colorado's record to 13-55 -- tied with the 1932 Boston Red Sox for the worst. That Red Sox team also won its 68th game. The Rockies are aware of the record, but it is not something they dwell on.
Reds' Wade Miley accused of being late Skaggs' drug supplier
LOS ANGELES -- Cincinnati Reds left-hander Wade Miley is accused in court documents of providing drugs to the late Tyler Skaggs, a Los Angeles Angels pitcher who died of an accidental overdose in 2019. Skaggs' former agent, Ryan Hamill, said in a deposition that Skaggs told him he was using pain pills containing oxycodone, which were provided by Miley. The deposition is part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs' family against the Angels in California.
Pride of the Yankees: Three days with Aaron Judge on the road to immortality
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Pride of the Yankees: Three days with Aaron Judge on the road to immortality
Stay on Jeff’s Sideline Subscribe to the official Jeff Fox YouTube channel to join Jeff Fox on the sidelines of all Florida’s most popular sporting events.
Pride of the Yankees: Three days with Aaron Judge on the road to immortality
AARON JUDGE LAUGHED when I asked him about nap time. He's got a four-month-old daughter, Nora, his first child. She has bedtime down like a champ but isn't so much into the naps. Aaron and his wife, Samantha, don't have a nanny or a night nurse, which is both admirable and insane. "It's just us doing it," he said. It's been a year of dramatic change for their family, some public, some private. He'd arrived a little late at the clubhouse this afternoon and was rushing.
Jayson Tatum out of hospital, meets with Celtics ahead of Game 6
NEW YORK -- Celtics star Jayson Tatum won't be far from Madison Square Garden when Boston faces a must-win situation against the New York Knicks on Friday night as the defending champions attempt to force a deciding Game 7. Tatum, 27, has been released from a New York hospital following season-ending surgery to repair the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered late in Boston's 121-113 loss to the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.
The Boston Celtics and the price of history
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The Boston Celtics and the price of history
Stay on Jeff’s Sideline Subscribe to the official Jeff Fox YouTube channel to join Jeff Fox on the sidelines of all Florida’s most popular sporting events.
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