The US Open women's final features two-time major champion Aryna Sabalenka versus first-time finalist Jessica Pegula. Our experts make predictions. ... Read full Story
Ja'Marr Chase says he would be willing to play this season even if he and the Bengals cannot agree to an extension. But whether Chase is on the field Week 1 against the Patriots will be up to him. ... Read full Story
The Big 12 has determined its tiebreaker policies for this season if needed to determine which teams will play in its conference championship game, the league announced Friday. ... Read full Story
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured tight end Pat Freiermuth with a four-year, $48.4 million deal, his agency, Athletes First, confirmed to ESPN. ... Read full Story
Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley was flagged three times for illegal formation against the Chiefs and said he felt like the referees were "trying to make an example" of him given the rule's point of emphasis this season. ... Read full Story
Jalen Ramsey has agreed to a new three-year extension with the Dolphins that will pay him $24.1 million per year, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. ... Read full Story
Five-star defensive end Jahkeem Stewart, ESPN's No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2026, is no longer enrolled in New Orleans' St. Augustine High School, ESPN confirmed Friday. ... Read full Story
Paris plans to name a sports facility in honor of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after she was set on fire by her boyfriend this week. ... Read full Story
Ryan Gravenberch has said the clarity Arne Slot gives to his role in the Liverpool team and the confidence he gets from the manager has helped him make a brilliant start to the new season. ... Read full Story
Manchester City midfielder and Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne said money talks louder to FIFA and UEFA as he raised concerns over the impact of a crammed calendar on players' health and performance. ... Read full Story
Steven Bergwijn has hit back at Ronald Koeman and said he has no desire to play for the Netherlands coach after he criticised the winger's move to Saudi Arabia. ... Read full Story
Waiting 20 years to win is a long time for any team, even the worst in the world. But it made San Marino's victory over Liechtenstein even more special. ... Read full Story
The 2024 NASCAR playoffs field has absolutely everything: legends, legacy, champions, Michael Jordan and one man looking to ride off into the sunset. ... Read full Story
The players and teams who will most impact the final two weeks of the 2024 WNBA regular season. Plus, a semifinals preview and other key weekend games. ... Read full Story
After thinking his college career might over, Grayson McCall has returned home -- without his signature look -- for one more chance. ... Read full Story
Here's everything you need to know for Week 1 NFL games. Which teams will win? Who are the X factors, and which storylines matter most? ... Read full Story
“The eagerness to vilify ‘the other side’—usually on social media—complicates the less reactionary work that defines our mission.” — Jerry Brewer, The Washington Post, 11 June 2024
Did you know?
It seems reasonable to assume that the words vilify and villain come from the same source; after all, to vilify someone is—in some ways—to make them out to be a villain. Such is not the case, however. Although the origin stories of both vilify and villain involve Latin, their roots are quite different. Vilify came to English (via Middle English and Late Latin) from the Latin adjective vilis, meaning “cheap” or “vile.” Someone who has been vilified, accordingly, has had their reputation tarnished or cheapened in such a way that they’re viewed as morally reprehensible. Villain on the other hand, comes from the Medieval Latin word villanus, meaning “villager,” and ultimately from the Latin noun villa, meaning “house.” The Middle English descendent of villanus developed the meaning of “a person of uncouth mind and manners” due to the vilifying influence of the aristocracy of the time, and the connotations worsened from there until villain came to refer to (among other things), a deliberate scoundrel.