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The Denver Broncos dealt with the unthinkable when starting quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle in an AFC Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.Now, they’re going to ask backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to do the unthinkable — lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl despite not throwing a pass in an actual game for over 2 years.An even crazier twist? Stidham will face the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots, in the AFC Championship Game. It’s also the team that tried to get him to come back and be the backup for NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye this season.Instead, Stidham signed a 2-year, $12 million contract extension with the Broncos.“Before the Broncos re-signed Jarrett Stidham this past offseason to back up Bo Nix, he had interest and an offer on the table from another team: The New England Patriots,” The Athletic’s Diana Russini wrote on X on Monday. “Sunday, he faces the team that drafted him in the AFC title game, the biggest start of his career … Stidham has acquitted himself well in four career starts, averaging over 250 yards per game and throwing six TDs. But in 7 seasons, he hasn’t had much opportunity. Those starts have come after Derek Carr and Russell Wilson were benched for the final weeks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”Noise on Stidham vs. Pats Will Get LouderExpect the storylines about Stidham facing his old team to get more pronounced as kickoff approaches.The Patriots ultimately ended up with Joshua Dobbs and Tommy DeVito as their backups to Maye.“The Patriots ‘did a lot of work’ on potentially signing Jarrett Stidham this past offseason, per Mike Vrabel,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on X. “The Broncos re-signed Stidham a day before free agency opened. Now Stidham will go against his former team with a chance to get to the Super Bowl this week.”Pats Selected Stidham in Fourth Round in 2019Stidham hasn’t played in a regular season game since he started the final 2 games of the 2023 regular season for the Broncos after Payton benched Russell Wilson.In 7 NFL seasons with the Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos, Stidham is 1-3 in 4 starts. The Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round (No. 133 overall) of the 2019 NFL draft out of Auburn.Stidham’s last extended action was in the Broncos‘ 30-9 preseason opener win over the San Francisco 49ers on August 9 — 14-of-15 passing for 136 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 3 carries for 36 yards in just 2 quarters.Stidham’s ability to scramble and run the ball had fans and media buzzing almost as much or more than his brilliant performance throwing the ball, and he walked away with a 144.0 passer rating.“It’s good for us to just get out there and play together and put up some points,” Stidham told 9 News Denver. “(When I’m running) it’s more like just trying get down and not make a mistake.”“I’ll be telling my kids about the Jarrett Stidham legacy 2nd quarter,” NFL reporter Bryce DeGroat wrote on his official X account. “Unreal.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post QB Jarrett Stidham Chose Broncos Over Patriots in Free Agency appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Former Chicago White Sox knuckleballer Wilbur Wood, who played from 1961-78, passed away Saturday at the age of 84, the White Sox announced.Wood embodied the definition of durability throughout his career. While it was a different game for pitchers, he became one of the most consistent pitchers of the early 1970s with Chicago.The left-hander started his career with the Boston Red Sox at the age of 19. In 1964, he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was used sparingly as a reliever until he was traded to Chicago in 1966.Wood’s Chicago White Sox CareerIn 1967, Wood made his White Sox debut. From 1967-70, he pitched in 292 games, including an astounding 88 in 1968. This was just the start of what would be an elite stretch with the White Sox.In 1971, Wood became a full-time starter and made his mark in the league. That year, he started 42 games, pitching to a 1.91 ERA. Even more unbelievable than his ERA that year was his 11.7 bWAR and 334 innings pitched.Wood finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting that year and ninth in MVP voting, and was selected to his first All-Star Game.The following year, he would start a whopping 49 games, pitching to a 2.51 ERA in 376.2 innings, the most innings thrown by a pitcher in the Live Ball Era (since 1920). He would be the runner-up in Cy Young voting that year to Gaylord Perry, and would get his second All-Star appearance.Then, in 1973, Wood had a 3.46 ERA in 359.1 innings, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting. In 1974, he had a 3.60 ERA in 320.1 innings. He would earn his third, and final, All-Star appearance. Since 1920, Wood is one of 10 pitchers who have thrown 300 innings in four seasons or more, per MLB Network.He would finish his White Sox career with 51.7 bWAR in 578 games (286 starts), with a 3.18 ERA. While putting up those legendary stats, his durability was not to be understated. At his peak from 1971-75 with Chicago, Wood threw 1,681.2 innings.That number was nearly 100 more than the next closest pitcher at that time, averaging 336.2 per season.Wood’s LegacyBeyond his elite play during his peak, Wood accomplished feats that will never be touched again.Roy Halladay, in 2003, pitched 266 innings. That number is the most by a pitcher since 2000, and still 70 less than what Wood averaged during his peak.In 2025, Logan Webb pitched 207 innings, the most in the majors, and a far cry from what pitchers used to do. While it is a different game today, Wood’s unbelievable run is not to be overlooked.We will never see another pitcher have more than 40 starts in a season, more than 300 innings, all while maintaining an elite level of play.There are several factors to consider. Pitchers throw much harder than they did in Wood’s day, and the knuckleball is all but extinct. Because of this, the incidence of arm injuries and injuries as a whole is much higher than it was in Wood’s day.Because of this, Wood’s innings record, as well as his overall durability, will never be seen again in baseball. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post White Sox Legendary Workhorse Passes Away at 84 appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Indiana Hoosiers have proven to be the team to beat time and time again this season in the NCAA, due in large part to Heisman Trophy winner and projected top NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza.Monday night’s National Championship game between Indiana and the University of Miami is a revenge game of sorts for Mendoza. Not because he used to play for Miami, or because he’s had squabbles with any of their players, but rather because of his connection to the city and the fact that the Hurricanes had no interest in him when he was being recruited.Mendoza grew up within a couple miles of the University of Miami’s campus, and had every intention to play for the Hurricanes when he was looking for a landing spot for his collegiate career.According to reports from the Miami Herald-Times though, Miami didn’t strongly pursue Mendoza when he was initially getting recruited a few years ago. They were hesitant to offer him a walk-on position, much less an actual roster spot.“It lit a fire under me,” Mendoza said on his high school recruiting at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff, according to the Miami Herald-Times. “I was sad, and then I came to a realization: I’m not going to be a Miami football player, but it wasn’t God’s path for me.” Mendoza Passed Over For Carson BeckFast forward to last offseason, when Mendoza entered the transfer portal after three seasons with Cal Berkeley. Miami showed interest in him, but once again, the paths didn’t align for Mendoza to come back to his hometown to play. He ended up with Indiana, of course, while the Hurricanes grabbed Carson Beck out of the portal from Georgia.Ironically, this year’s National Championship game is being held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the Hurricanes home stadium. Hard Rock is located within a mile of Mendoza’s childhood home.Following Indiana’s resounding 56-22 win over Oregon in the CFP Semifinals, Mendoza spoke about what playing in his hometown meant to him.“I’ve actually not played in Hard Rock before, but I’ve been to a lot of games there. And it’s a very full-circle moment for myself,” Mendoza said. “If you open Google Maps and put my address, the University of Miami campus, it’s under a mile away. And I walked there, biked there, played basketball [recreational] games in the offseason there.” Mendoza, Indiana, Still Proving People WrongThe narrative surrounding the Indiana football team this season has been that they would fail to live up to their high standards eventually. So far, that take has not come to fruition, as Indiana has passed every challenge with flying colors.Not only is Indiana undefeated at 15-0 with a Big 10 Championship and two CFP wins under their belts, they’ve been doing it in dominant fashion. Only three of their 15 wins this season have even been within one possession, two of which were in the regular season against Iowa and Penn State, and the third in the Big 10 Championship against Ohio State.They demolished two powerhouse programs in Alabama and Oregon in their first two CFP games, and yet, they still have more to prove on Monday night against Miami.Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Fernando Mendoza’s Miami High School Connection: Did Hurricanes Ever Recruit Him? appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Indiana Hoosiers are the latest big storyline in a state that has had plenty to talk about on the sport scene in recent years. From the Indiana Pacers‘ run to the NBA Finals, to Caitlin Clark, to the Indianapolis Colts’ collapse, the city has had a lot of sports action recently.On Monday night, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will face off against the Miami Hurricanes as they look to win their first ever national championship.Just two short years ago, none of this success would have been dreamed about. Indiana’s football program was a complete non-factor. Cignetti has changed that in just two seasons.Last year, the Hoosiers went from an afterthought to the College Football Playoff. This season, they were the best team in the country through the regular season and have continued dominating in the playoff.Ahead of tonight’s showdown against Miami, Indiana has received a message from Clark.“Best of luck to @IndianaFootball we are all pulling for you !! Get it done,” Clark wrote on X. Best of luck to @IndianaFootball we are all pulling for you !! Get it done 🙌🏻 — Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) January 19, 2026 Fans immediately flooded to the comments section of Clark’s post, flooding the replies with hope about the Hoosiers winning it all.One fan commented, “if they are able to win this it’ll be one of the best Cinderella stories in all of sports.”“Let’s Go Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!!,” another fired up fan wrote.A third comment read, “What a wild ride. It’d be nice to win but I’m so overwhelmed by the journey.”The Indiana Hoosiers Can Help Fans Get Over the Recent PastOver the past year, the sports scene in Indiana has been very busy. However, it has also been filled with a lot of heartbreak.Last season, the Pacers made a run to the NBA Finals. They took the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games before seeing star point guard Tyrese Haliburton go down with a torn Achilles in Game 7. That ended their hopes of their first championship ever.Clark and the Indiana Fever appeared to be headed towards championship contention last season as well. Unfortunately, the injury bug hit and Clark was only able to play in 13 games in her second WNBA season.Then come the Colts, who were the best team in the NFL by record for most of the early portion of the 2025 season. Again, injuries hit and starting quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles. Indianapolis went on to miss the playoffs.Fans in Indiana have been desperate to see a championship. The Hoosiers have a chance to bring just that to a state that deserves some good fortune.With Curt Cignetti Leading the Way, Anything Is PossibleHeading into tonight’s game, Cignetti has led the Indiana football program to a 26-2 record. He has simply won football games, which is exactly what he promised to do when he took the job.As long as he’s the head coach of the Hoosiers, they will have a chance to win at a high level.Regardless of what happens tonight against Miami, Indiana is in a great place. Even with Fernando Mendoza likely leaving the Hoosiers for the 2026 NFL Draft, Cignetti has found tons of success in the transfer portal to bring in offensive players like quarterback Josh Hoover, wide receiver Nick Marsh, and running back Turbo Richard.Indiana is far from a flash in the plan. Cignetti has the Hoosiers looking like a clear-cut contender for years to come.Hopefully, Cignetti and company are able to finish off a perfect season against the Hurricanes. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Caitlin Clark’s Message to Indiana Before Title Game Has Fans Talking appeared first on Heavy Sports.