Anthony Gharib

ESPN.com • 3rd November 2025

'Hide your quarterback': Panthers target Jordan Love, Packers with petty post

Panthers kick a game-winning field goal to beat the Packers and move to 5-4 on the season. (1:18)The trolls were out once again in Week 9 of the NFL season, which brought stunning victories.One of those surprising wins was the Carolina Panthers' 16-13 road victory over the Green Bay Packers.Carolina entered the game as 13.5-point underdogs, according to ESPN Bet, marking the largest upset this season. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle galloped for 130 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the third...

ESPN.com • 2nd November 2025

Packers' 1923 throwbacks, Commanders' 'Super Bowl era' threads top Week 9 uniforms

In Week 9, the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders are the latest teams to debut throwback threads.The Packers will wear their 1923 classic uniforms against the Carolina Panthers. For the first time in NFL history, the threads include a brown, hand-painted helmet meant to emulate the vintage leather look of the league's earliest helmets. The navy blue jerseys are designed with dark gold numbers and stripes on the shoulder, with tan pants completing the look.The Commanders will rock their...

ESPN.com • 31st October 2025

HalloWemby: Victor Wembanyama doesn't continue his Halloween costume trend

Victor Wembanyama improvises on his way to the basket to score for the Spurs. (0:18)During his young NBA career, Victor Wembanyama has made a name for himself on and off the court -- including with his viral Halloween fits.In 2023, the San Antonio Spurs star arrived for his first Halloween game in a costume reminiscent of the fictional supernatural creature Slenderman. He wound up dropping 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 115-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns.Last year, he took it to anot...

ESPN.com • 31st October 2025

Happy Spooky Halloween: LeBron James authors latest children's book

Shams Charania talks to Pat McAfee about expectations for when LeBron James might return to the Lakers. (1:48)With the announcement of his latest children's book, "Happy Spooky Halloween," on Thursday, LeBron James has put on his author hat once again.The 32-page picture book with illustrations by Ariel Landy is about "teamwork and Halloween thrills." It is set to release on July 21 by publisher HarperCollins.Halloween is the Los Angeles Lakers star's favorite holiday, and he has often dressed u...

ESPN.com • 28th October 2025

United Center's mozzarella pucks lead latest NHL, NBA arena food

The 2025-26 NBA and NHL seasons are underway, which means fans are filing into arenas again and concession stands will be getting creative to serve the masses.Among those creations are the crispy mozzarella pucks that will be sold only at Chicago Blackhawks' games at the United Center. The parmesan herb-breaded mozzarella sticks -- or in this case pucks -- are sold with homemade marinara sauce.Here are some other innovations that can be found at NBA and NHL arenas across the campaigns.

The 2025...

ESPN.com • 28th October 2025

'Thank you Freddie': Donovan Mitchell, Embiid top reactions to instant classic World Series Game 3

It lasted over six hours, but the eventual ending to Game 3 of the World Series was worth the wait.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in an 18-inning classic that finished early Tuesday morning Eastern time. L.A. took a 2-1 Series lead in the process.

The game's 18 innings are tied for the most in a World Series contest all time; the Dodgers also won an 18-inning Game 3 World Series matchup against the Boston Red Sox in 2018.

The back-and-forth meeting was scoreless from...

ESPN.com • 27th October 2025

Eagles get revenge on Giants with petty post, topping NFL Week 8 trolls

Week 8 of the NFL season brought its fair share of blowouts and close matchups, but the trolls remained constant.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants 38-20 at home behind a strong Jalen Hurts performance.

The Eagles signal-caller had 179 passing yards and four touchdowns, tying his career high. Saquon Barkley ran for 150 yards and a score, while catching four passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 193 yards and a touchdown.

New York defe...

ESPN.com • 26th October 2025

Steelers' 1933 striped throwbacks, Chargers' navy look top NFL Week 8 uniforms

It's throwbacks galore in Week 8 of the NFL season, led by the return of an almost 100-year-old design.The Pittsburgh Steelers will wear their 1933 throwback uniforms against the Green Bay Packers on "Sunday Night Football." The gold threads include black stripes and large white block numbers on the front, while the numbers are black on the back. The City of Pittsburgh crest is on the front left shoulder. The uniform's gold helmet features a black center stripe. Beige pants complete the design,...

ESPN.com • 20th October 2025

NBA award winners to don honorary jersey patches in 2025-26 season debut

The uniforms of award winners from the 2024-25 NBA season will look a little different for opening week.Players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP), Evan Mobley (Defensive Player of the Year) and Stephon Castle (Rookie of the Year) will have their respective trophy icons sewn above the Nike swoosh on the front of their uniforms.Members of the All-NBA, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams will also don a specific patch. However, individual awards have precedence over that one. For example, Gilgeo...

ESPN.com • 20th October 2025

From LeBron golfing to Jokic's horse, relive the 2025 NBA offseason through social media

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off Tuesday, marking the beginning of on-court storylines. However, that doesn't mean players didn't stay busy off the court during the offseason.

From LeBron James picking up golf as a new hobby to Nikola Jokic celebrating with his horse, the NBA's biggest names made the most of their offseason. Unlike 2024, which had the Paris Olympics, this summer had an open schedule, meaning limited NBA action and more time to hit the road.

Here's a look at the top offseason mo...

ESPN.com • 20th October 2025

Blowouts breed pettiness: Colts zing Chargers, and the rest of NFL Week 7's best petty posts

Former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel returns to Tennessee this week, where he faces his former team but also reunites with a local beat reporter. (3:32)Blowout victories in Week 7 of the NFL season meant extra time for social media admins to think up petty posts.That includes the Indianapolis Colts, who took down the Los Angeles Chargers 38-24. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 94 yards and three touchdowns to lead the way, while Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 420 yards a...

ESPN.com • 18th October 2025

Chargers' new 'Charger Power' alternate, Lions' all-black lead NFL Week 7 uniforms

Week 7 of the NFL season will feature the anticipated debut of an alternate uniform.The Los Angeles Chargers will be wearing their all-gold "Charger Power" alternates against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. It's the first time in franchise history the Chargers will wear a gold jersey. The look -- revealed in July -- is meant to channel the energy and "progressive nature" of the Air Coryell days, according to the team. With Hall of Fame coach Don Coryell, the Chargers ranked first in offensive...

ESPN.com • 16th October 2025

Haliburton magic, KD and Harden on Rockets trade: Takeaways from Season 2 of Netflix's 'Starting 5'

Tyrese Haliburton tells Pat McAfee how he was inspired by Kobe Bryant walking off after his Achilles injury. (0:53)The latest season of Netflix's "Starting 5" was released Thursday, offering new perspectives on memorable moments from the 2024-25 campaign.The series followed Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, then-Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, LA Clippers guard James Harden and Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.Each star had his own...

ESPN.com • 15th October 2025

Joe Mazzulla, Celtics coaching staff dominate Celtics media in pickup game

Celtics star Jayson Tatum explains why there is no pressure to return quicker from his Achilles injury. (0:39)Media covering the Boston Celtics were supposed to play a pickup game among themselves at Boston's practice facility on Tuesday. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had other plans.The Celtics told reporters that they could use the Auerbach Center courts for a media game after practice. When asked about the game, Mazzulla shared news of a change."Don't want to break it to you, but you're not play...

ESPN.com • 13th October 2025

Mariners' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: 'huckle-nut cannolis'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.One of those creations is the Seattle Mariners' "Huckle-Nut Cannoli," which features a ricotta cannoli shell filled with huckleberry sweet cream, toasted hazelnuts and drizzled in smoked huckleberry caramel.Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:The Marlins have an actual tower of hot dogs at home games this year 🤤I...

ESPN.com • 13th October 2025

Julio Rodriguez's three-run HR gives Mariners early ALCS Game 2 lead

The Seattle Mariners got off to a strong start in Game 2 of the American Champions League Series on Monday courtesy of Julio Rodriguez.The center fielder smashed an 84 mph splitter off Trey Yesavage for a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander had never allowed an extra-base hit on the splitter before, according to ESPN Research.It marked Rodriguez's second home run of the postseason as Seattle looks to take a 2-0 lead in the series.The blast was Yesav...

ESPN.com • 13th October 2025

Taylor Swift and Caitlin Clark share suite together at Lions-Chiefs

Taylor Swift describes her excitement when the Chiefs drafted Xavier Worthy in 2024 and her transition to becoming a big football fan. (0:27)Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium for "Sunday Night Football," and she hung out with a fellow star in Caitlin Clark.The broadcast showed Swift and the Indiana Fever guard talking to each other in a suite during the first half of the Kansas City Chiefs' prime-time matchup with the Detroit Lions. The two also sat together during Kansas City's divisio...

ESPN.com • 12th October 2025

'So long, partner': Panthers virtual jab at Cowboys leads NFL Week 6 trolls

Close victories were the theme across the NFL in Week 7, resulting in plenty of petty posts.

The Carolina Panthers beat the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 after a last-second 33-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.

The three points capped off a 15-play, 71-yard drive from Carolina, which is 3-3 through its first six games for the first time since 2021, according to ESPN Research. Panthers running back Rico Dowdle accounted for 239 yards and one touchdown, while quarterback Bryce Young threw for...

ESPN.com • 12th October 2025

Falcons and Bills throwbacks, Commanders' all-black top NFL Week 6 threads

Week 6 of the NFL season brings the return of two throwback threads.On "Monday Night Football," the Atlanta Falcons are rocking their throwback uniforms against the Buffalo Bills. Atlanta's look includes the iconic red helmet -- which was reintroduced in 2022 -- with the old school Falcons logo. The Falcons went 3-0 in the throwbacks last season. Buffalo is wearing a classic combination of its own as it brings back its "Standing Buffalo" throwbacks, an all-white look with a red buffalo silhouett...

ESPN.com • 10th October 2025

75 stadiums, 45 states, one vision: Why the Savannah Bananas' next step is their biggest yet

Jesse Cole vividly remembers the early days of owning the Savannah Bananas.They sold only a handful of tickets in the inaugural season in 2016 as a member of the Coastal Plain League playing as a collegiate summer team. He and his wife sold their house, emptied their savings accounts and slept on an air bed to start the team. When they left traditional baseball in 2022 and started "Banana Ball," Cole expressed that they had a "big vision to create something special."The doubters expressed an opp...

ESPN.com • 9th October 2025

'Hit that Sinatra': Blue Jays poke fun at Yankees multiple times after clinching ALDS

The Toronto Blue Jays made sure to troll the New York Yankees on their way to the American League Championship Series.

Toronto defeated New York 5-2 on Wednesday, winning the American League Division Series 3-1. It will be the Blue Jays' first ALCS appearance since 2016 and first playoff series victory since that same year.

The win came with multiple petty trolls aimed at the Yankees.

First, the Blue Jays' caption read: "Hit that Sinatra," a reference to Yankee Stadium playing Frank Sinatra's...

ESPN.com • 8th October 2025

Natalia Bryant credited as creative director for Lakers' preseason hype video

Stephen A. Smith explains why he takes issue with LeBron James' "Second Decision" video. (2:00)The Los Angeles Lakers turned to a familiar face to be the creative director of their preseason hype video: Natalia Bryant.Bryant had a star-studded cast for the "Forever Iconic: Purple and Gold Always" video with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Lakers legend Magic Johnson and actor and noted Lakers fan Brenda Song all having a role. Celebrity jacket designer Jeff Hamilton also made an appearan...

ESPN.com • 8th October 2025

'Dump here': Big Dumper's first postseason HR finds the right fan

Cal Raleigh chose the right time and -- most importantly -- the right recipient for his first postseason home run of 2025.

On Tuesday, the Seattle Mariners star smashed a 391-foot shot in the top of the ninth inning during Game 3 of the American League Division Series at the Detroit Tigers.

The ball bounced inside the Mariners' dugout and into the glove of a fan in the stands who was prepared for the moment. The fan was wearing a shirt that read "Dump 61 Here," the number referring to Raleigh'...

ESPN.com • 6th October 2025

Breaking down the top goalie masks across the NHL for the upcoming season

It's time for a new NHL season, which means unique goalie masks return across the league.Goaltenders use their masks to express creativity or pay homage to the people closest to them. The designs are eye-catching, and this season is no different.In a nod to Long Island's stormy waters, New York Islanders goalie David Rittich features sailors in the water. Los Angeles Kings goalie Anton Forsberg highlights his dog on his lid. Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson's look includes a reference t...