MON SIX

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

NASCAR: Denny Hamlin re-injured shoulder in offseason, will have surgery after 2026 season

Frank Jenkins February 04, 2026

Denny Hamlin is going to race injured in 2026.

Hamlin, 45, told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium that he re-injured his right shoulder but will put off surgery until after the season because of the lengthy recovery timeline. Hamlin had surgery on his right rotator cuff after the 2023 season and dealt with the injury in the latter weeks of that season.

He said that he found out the muscle in his shoulder was re-torn after he fell going through debris at his parents' house. Hamlin's father Dennis died from injuries sustained in the fire on Dec. 28 in Stanley, North Carolina, and his mother, Mary Lou, was seriously injured. Hamlin said Wednesday that his mother's condition was improving.

Dennis Hamlin had been in declining health before the fire. Denny Hamlin had said during the 2025 playoffs that he believed that it was his dad's last opportunity to see him win a championship.

Hamlin did not get that title despite dominating the final race of the season at Phoenix. He led 208 of the race's 319 laps, but a late caution for William Byron's tire failure set up a green-white-checkered finish and Hamlin's team's four-tire pit stop strategy backfired as Kyle Larson finished ahead of Hamlin for the title.

It was a tumultuous end to 2025 — to put it mildly — for Hamlin. His 23XI Racing team also settled its lawsuit with NASCAR in December over the sanctioning body's charter system. The settlement was a win for 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, the plaintiffs in the suit, as NASCAR relented on its previous stance and granted teams permanent charters.

Hamlin, who is arguably the best NASCAR driver to not win a title, finished fifth in 2023 as he dealt with his shoulder injury. A crash at Homestead effectively ended his hopes for a championship in the 34th race of that season.

This season, the title format will be much different. NASCAR has re-implemented the cumulative 10-race Chase after using a multi-round elimination format since 2014. The winner-take-all title race is gone, as the driver who has the most points at the end of the playoffs will win the title.

Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar granted temporary restraining order as he attempts to play for Vols in 2026

Frank Jenkins February 04, 2026

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has received a temporary restraining order to potentially allow him to play for the Volunteers in 2026.

Aguilar filed a lawsuit against the NCAAin Knox County (Tennessee) Chancery Court on Monday to try to play next season even though he's officially out of eligibility. On Wednesday,Aguilar got a TRO in his favorahead of an injunction hearing Friday.

If Aguilar gets the injunction, he's likely to be on Tennessee's roster in 2026. If he doesn't, his chances of getting that extra season of eligibility are a lot lower.

"This outcome — after the plaintiff withdrew from a federal lawsuit and separately filed a lawsuit in state court with the exact same facts — illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court," the NCAA said in a statement after the TRO was granted. "We will continue to defend the NCAA's eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob high school students of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create. The NCA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes."

[Get more Vols football news: Tennessee team feed]

The former Appalachian State quarterback officially began his college football career in 2019. He redshirted at a community college in 2019 before his school's 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He then played two seasons at a different junior college before he transferred to App State ahead of the 2023 season.

After two seasons with the Mountaineers, he transferred to UCLA for the 2025 season. However, he left the Bruins after just a couple months when former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA. Aguilar ended up at Tennessee in what was essentially the first trade in modern college football history.

Aguilar has cited Diego Pavia as an example in his lawsuit. The former Vanderbilt QB played his final season of college football in 2025 after he successfully argued that his junior college time shouldn't count against his NCAA eligibility. However, Pavia's college career began in 2020, a year after Aguilar's did.

Like Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, Aguilar filed his lawsuit against the NCAA in state court — ostensibly in an attempt to get a more favorable permanent ruling. Chambliss, who transferred to Ole Miss from Division II Ferris State, is seeking a sixth season of eligibility to play for the Rebels in 2026 after leading Ole Miss to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff in 2025.

Neither Tennessee nor Ole Miss has a solid backup plan at quarterback if the legal maneuvering falls short, either. The chances of each team contending in the SEC hinge largely on their starting quarterbacks returning for the 2026 season given that neither the Vols nor Rebels added an experienced quarterback in the transfer portal.

Texas softball's championship rings honor pitcher's late grandmother

Frank Jenkins February 04, 2026

The championship rings for the Texas softball team have a heartwarming detail.

Ahead of the2026 college softball season, theLonghornsunveiled their Women's College World Series title rings. Texasbeat Texas Tech in three gamesto secure the first title in program history.

Hidden on the underbelly of the ring are the words "20 years in the making" and the final score of Game 3 (10-4). There's also a single black diamond. The diamond is in honor ofpitcher Teagan Kavan's grandmother, Anna Lukehart, who died on May 31, 2025, during the team's WCWS run. Lukehart was 97 years old.

Kavan's grandmother was an inspiration to her and the reason the pitcher wears number 17.

"She was born on November 17, and so I wear that number in honor of her. She was my biggest fan in everything,"Kavan said. "She knew everybody's name. She knew everyone's nickname. She would ask me all about them, and they all loved her, too. It was super special for them to also get to know her and love on her. It made it even more special during the [Women's College] World Series [that] they were able to rally around me during a tough time when we lost her."

Texas begins its 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 6, against Nebraska in San Antonio at the UTSA Invitational.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Texas college softball championship ring honors pitcher's grandmother

Your Guide to the Milan 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Frank Jenkins February 04, 2026

An aerial view of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro on Jan. 9, 2026. Credit - Francesco Scaccianoce—Getty Images

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will officially begin with an opening ceremony that features the likes of Mariah Carey and Sabrina Impacciatore.

The ceremony has been designed around the idea ofarmonia, or harmony, which organizers say represents both movement in sports and a sense of inclusion as athletes and spectators from around the world gather for the Games.

Marco Balich, who is producing the opening ceremony, described the inspiration for the theme as a type of convergence: between the two host cities, "Milan and Cortina, city and mountain, the harmony between man and nature, between cultures, people and different ways of thinking." The Dolomite ski resort of Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956.

"In this moment, where forces and bullies are predominant, I think it's very important for all of us to embrace the values that the Olympics represents, which is to compete respectfully and peacefully between all the countries and nations, summarized in the title 'Harmony,''' Balich told theAssociated Press.

Here's everything you need to know about the Milan 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

When will the opening ceremony be held?

The ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. E.T.) on Feb. 6, 2026, in Milan and is set to last around two to three hours. The ceremony coincides with the arrival of the Olympic torch relay and the formal gathering of athletes from around the world.

A few competitions will already have taken place. The Winter Games begin on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 with preliminary matches and qualifying races in curling, women's ice hockey, and men's snowboarding. The first day offigure skatingalso takes place on Feb. 6 before the opening ceremony.

Read More:'We're Rolling the Dice.' What Climate Change Means for the Winter Olympics

Where will the opening ceremony take place?

The ceremony will be held at San Siro Stadium in Milan. But other ceremonies will be taking place in other cities at the same time, with the lighting and extinguishing of two Olympic cauldrons for the first time. One will be in Milan at the Arco della Pace and the other at the Piazza Dibona in the historic mountainous town of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

"For the first time, the name of our Games includes two cities, which means we have to hold the most significant moments twice: the flag-raising ceremony and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron will take place in two locations, and we have to manage this visibility," said Andrea Varnier, the CEO of the organizing committee.

There will also be simultaneous celebrations and athlete parades in other places across Italy that are hosting Olympic events, including Livigno in Valtellina, which hosts snowboarding and freestyle events, and Predazzo in Val di Fiemme, which is home to skiing competitions.

Read More:'I Don't Believe in Limits.' How Eileen Gu Became Freestyle Skiing's Biggest Star

Who will produce, participate in, and perform at the opening ceremony?

Careyis slated to perform at the opening ceremony in San Siro Stadium. The organizing committee said in a statement that the artist known for hits such as "We Belong Together" "fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games. Music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities, and intertwines with the opening ceremony's theme of harmony."

She will be joined by Impacciatore, who is known for her roles in HBO'sThe White Lotus(2022) and NBC Peacock'sThe Paper(2025). Other performers include crossover tenor Andrea Bocelli, actor Pierfrancesco Favino, singer Laura Pausini, actress Matilda De Angelis, and violinist Giovanni Zanon.

The ceremony will also include a special tribute to late fashion designerGiorgio Armani.

American rapperSnoop Doggwill again be a part of NBC's Olympics broadcast coverage after hebecame a viral sensationas a roving correspondent during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. He was alsonamedan honorary coach for Team USA.

The ceremony is being produced by Balich Wonder Studio. Balich has been involved in producing a record 16 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies, from Turin in 2006 to Rio in 2016, as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening in Qatar.

How can you watch the opening ceremony?

Tickets for the ceremony are available on theofficial website.

Broadcasters around the world will also air or stream the event. In the U.S., NBC will air the opening ceremony at 2 p.m. E.T. and 8 p.m. E.T., with on-demand streaming available on Peacock.

Contact usatletters@time.com.

MAGA’s Bizarre Super Bowl Halftime Show Lineup Gets Brutally Roasted Online

Frank Jenkins February 04, 2026

The lineup for the "All-American Halftime Show" has been unveiled for the2026 Super Bowl,and the internet can't decide if it's sad, funny, or somehow both at the same time.

This weekend, millions will be tuning in to watch the Super Bowl, but a full-blown controversy has already unfolded, and it has nothing to do with football.

"This is somehow sadder than I thought it would be," one commented online.

The halftime show for the 2026 Super Bowl is already steeped in controversy

Image credits:Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Turning Point USA, theorganization founded by the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, has unveiled its lineup for the "All-American Halftime Show," which will be an alternate performance to the official Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, headlined by Latin music superstar Bad Bunny.

The rival show will be running in parallel with the Latin superstar's 2026 Super Bowl performance on February 8.

Image credits:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The All-American Halftime Show was organized to be a "family-friendly, values-driven" event.

Four artists were chosen to perform and offer "uplifting, patriotic entertainment" to viewers.

Kid Rock is set to be the main act, joined by country musicians Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.

Turning Point USA unveiled the lineup for the MAGA-friendly "All-American Halftime Show"

Image credits:Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Meanwhile, Bad Bunny, who is fresh off hisvictorious Grammy night, is going straight to the Super Bowl stage as the official headliner of the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.

Green Day—whose anti-Trump frontman Billie Joe Armstrong said "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda. I'm not a part of the MAGA agenda" during a concert last month—will warm up the Super Bowl with their opening ceremony performance.

Image credits:Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Kid Rock didn't mince words when he spoke about "competing" with theGrammy-winning reggaeton rapperfrom Puerto Rico.

"We're approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible…or is it?" Kid Rock said in a press release.

TheAll Summer Longsinger seemingly took a dig at Bad Bunny in his statement.

"He's said he's having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool," Kid Rock continued. "We plan to play great songs for folks who love America."

"We're approaching this show like David and Goliath," said Kid Rock, the main performer for the rival show

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Turning Point USA branded the All-American Halftime Show as a "unique, patriotic event proudly celebrating American culture, freedom, and faith."

The performance will be streaming on theMAGA-friendly organization's social media channels, including YouTube, X, and Rumble.

"Never heard of three of them, but, enjoy," a social media user quipped

Image credits:Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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Andrew Kolvet, the spokesperson for Turning Point USA, said the show will be an opportunity for "all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom."

"We set out to provide an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game," he added.

The patriotic branding of the "competing" show received a lot of side-eye online

Image credits:TheDemocrats

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Thepatriotic branding and the line up of the All-American Halftime Showreceived a lot of side-eye online.

"I've seen random street festivals with better lineups," one commented online, while another said, "Y'all couldn't even get like a b-list celebrity?"

Another asked, "MAGA's obsession with Kid Rock? Like? I don't get it????"

"Ain't nobody watching that sh**," one said.

On the other hand, MAGA heavyweights likeUS Vice President JD VanceandDonald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., praised the lineup for the All-American Halftime Show.

The former called it a "fantastic lineup," while the latter said, "I'll take this over Woke Bunny any day of week [sic]."

MAGA heavyweights cheered what they called a "fantastic lineup" for the All-American Halftime Show

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AfterBad Bunny was announcedas the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl performance, MAGA supporters were vocal about their disdain for theDtMFartist.

Bad Bunny spoke against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at the Grammy Awards last Sunday, and said, "ICE out" duringhis acceptance speechfor BestMúsicaUrbana Album.

"ICE out," Latin superstar Bad Bunny said during his acceptance speech at the Grammys

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"We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens – we're humans," he declared on music's biggest stage.

Rock band Green Day has also been openly critical of the Trump administration and the MAGA agenda.

Image credits:Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Donald Trumpberated both Bad Bunny and Green Daylast month and showed his displeasure in seeing them perform at the upcoming Super Bowl.

"I'm anti-them. I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible," the US president told theNew York Post.

Donald Trump berated the choice of Bad Bunny and Green Day as performers for the upcoming Super Bowl

Image credits:Gage Skidmore/Flickr

He however insisted that he wasn't skipping the game because of the artists.

"It's just too far away. I would. I've [gotten]great hands [at] the Super Bowl. They like me," he added. "I would go if, you know, it was a little bit shorter."