Sports

Panthers release ‘Blind Side’ tackle Michael Oher after he fails physical

The team announced the release of Oher on Thursday afternoon, after he failed his physical. Oher had been in the NFL’s concussion protocol since September and finished the 2016 season on injured reserve.

ThatsRacin

Social media helps fill in gaps on NASCAR’s Alex Bowman - Dale Earnhardt Jr. news

NASCAR: The news that Alex Bowman will replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet next season fills social media Thursday.

Carolina Panthers

Panthers interim GM Marty Hurney wastes no time handing out a contract extension

Carolina Panthers right guard Trai Turner tweeted news of a contract extension Thursday, one day after Marty Hurney was hired as GM.

Charlotte Hornets

Hall-of-Famer Alonzo Mourning: I never wanted to leave Hornets; ex-owner recalls otherwise

Former Hornets center Alonzo Mourning says he would have taken less salary to remain in Charlotte. That’s not what former owner George Shinn recalls.

Carolina Panthers

McCaffrey-Stewart-Samuel running back trio a nightmare for opposing defenses

Carolina Panthers running backs have two responsibilities in 2017: Provide a jolt and take pressure off QB Cam Newton as a runner.

National

'Juice' will be loose: OJ Simpson granted parole in robbery

Nine years after trying to snatch sports memorabilia in a Las Vegas hotel-room heist, O.J. Simpson will walk free as soon as Oct. 1.

Sports

WNBA star Sue Bird comes out as gay and says that she’s dating soccer star Megan Rapinoe

In a lengthy profile published Thursday by ESPN, Bird came out and said that she was in a relationship with soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

Sports

Coaching swaps sparked by scandal have led to sorry seasons

Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze resigned instead of being fired Thursday for what Ole Miss called a pattern of personal misconduct.

Sports

The Latest: Rory McIlroy is starting to roar at British Open

Rory McIlroy got into contention in the British Open with three birdies on the front nine and then saved par three straight times to stay there.

Sports

Madrid to play Barcelona right after Club World Cup

Real Madrid will host Barcelona in a "clasico" match in late December, just after Madrid returns from playing at the Club World Cup.

Sports

Spanish government wants to suspend Villar after arrest

Spain's sports authority says it will seek the temporary removal of the president of the Spanish Football Federation after his arrest and imprisonment in an anti-corruption investigation.

Sports

UEFA closes Hajduk Split stadium for fans' racist chants

UEFA has ordered Hajduk Split to play its next Europa League home game in an empty stadium as punishment for racist chants by fans.

Sports

Froome into final stretch on Stage 19 of Tour de France

The 19th Stage of the Tour de France is underway with Chris Froome in the overall lead.

National

Veterans nearly miss Pirates game after bus gets stuck

Some veterans out to see the Pittsburgh Pirates made it to the game, although their bus didn't.

Sports

Sparta Prague signs France midfielder Rio Mavuba

Sparta Prague says it has signed France midfielder Rio Mavuba to a three-year contract.

Sports

2-year doping ban upheld for Finland, CSKA Moscow player

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld a two-year ban for CSKA Moscow midfielder Roman Eremenko for a positive test for cocaine.

Sports

Port Authority to replace aging PATH substations

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved spending $134.5 million to replace two aging substations that help power PATH trains.

Sports

Purdue student is running her own upscale clothes boutique

Purdue student is running her own upscale clothes boutique.

Sports

Aleksandar Kolarov close to leaving Manchester City for Roma

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says left back Aleksandar Kolarov is close to joining Roma.

Charlotte Knights

Better mechanics help Phillies' Aaron Nola add juice to his fastball

When Aaron Nola went to the Phillies' complex in Florida last fall, he was not searching for a method to add power to his fastball. He just wanted to feel good again. He had generated uneasiness last summer with a 9.82 ERA in eight starts. He missed the final two months of the season because his elbow hurt.

Blogs & Columns

ThatsRacin

Videos

Greg Olsen dispenses rumors that he had anything to do with Gettleman firing

Jul 20, 2017

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen dismissed rumors about his role in pushing for the firing of former Panthers general manager Dave Gentleman during an interview on Thursday.

Alex Kormann The Charlotte Observer