Category: Sports

VisitPITTSBURGH, Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Films, and U.S. Steel Present the Movie, The Football Town

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) NFL Films, in partnership with VisitPITTSBURGH, the Pittsburgh Steelers and U. S. Steel will present The Football Town, a film which explores the storied football tradition of the region as part of the celebration of Western Pennsylvania’s rich football history leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. It premieres on Saturday, February 28th at Kamin Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema, right next door to Acrisure Stadium, and it will run exclusively for two months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh taking place on April 23rd-25th, 2026. The first-ever immersive format documentary produced by NFL Films, The Football Town, is an approximately 50-minute film that focuses on the unique history of football in Western Pennsylvania, which is a region defined by grit, steel, hard work, three rivers, the Appalachian hills and its community. Pittsburgh area native Pat McAfee will narrate the film and it will feature appearances by Steelers legends Jerome Bettis, Bill Cowher, James Harrison, Joey Porter Sr. and others. Tickets will go on sale beginning on Friday, February 13th and will be available on the Kamin Science Center website by clicking here. The Football Town is presented by U. S. Steel to celebrate its 125th anniversary and its deep roots in Pittsburgh.

Top NHL prospect and Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna charged with felony assault

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Canada forward Gavin McKenna (9) controls the puck during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship bronze medal game against Finland, Jan. 5, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna, a freshman center and the presumptive top pick in this summer’s NHL draft, has been charged with felony assault following an incident on Jan. 31.

McKenna, 18, struck a 21-year-old male in the face during the altercation, according to the incident report. The male sustained multiple facial fractures that required surgery. McKenna was also charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to court documents. His representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Associated Press.

McKenna was arraigned and released on $20,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.

The incident happened in the hours after Penn State lost to No. 2 Michigan State in an outdoor game at Beaver Stadium, home of the Nittany Lions football team.

McKenna, who is from Whitehorse, Yukon, has 11 goals and 21 assists in 24 games this season for the Nittany Lions. He decided to play for Penn State after the NCAA lifted its ban on Canadian Hockey League players competing at the Division I level.

A name, image and likeness deal with the Nittany Lions helped sway McKenna to join a program that has been at the Division I level for less than 15 years.

McKenna recently had four goals and six assists at the World Junior Championships while helping Canada to a bronze medal.

Right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger agrees to minor league contract with Pittsburgh Pirates

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Chicago White Sox’s Mike Clevinger pitches in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Cleveland, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Right-hander Mike Clevinger agreed Wednesday to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will attend big league spring training camp.

The 35-year-old is 60-44 with a 3.55 ERA across nine seasons with Cleveland, San Diego and the Chicago White Sox.

Clevinger has dealt with injuries in recent seasons and struggled with the White Sox last spring after being moved to the bullpen. He bounced back after returning to the rotation with Triple-A Charlotte. Clevinger went 7-3 with a 4.20 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 22 starts in the minors last summer.

The Pirates have a young rotation led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, veteran Mitch Keller and rookie Bubba Chandler, who went 4-1 during a stint in the majors at the end of last season.

Clevinger’s best days came with Cleveland from 2017-19 when he was 38-18 with a 2.91 ERA.

Steelers hire Brian Angelichio as their offensive coordinator

(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press, Caption for Photo: Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator/tight ends coach Brian Angelichio walks the sideline wearing a “Salute to Service” shirt before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Steelers announced yesterday that Brian Angelichio was hired as their new offensive coordinator. Angelichio was the former passing game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings. The move will reunite Angelichio with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who worked with him for the Green Bay Packers from 2016 to 2018, when Angelichio was serving as the tight ends coach. Angelichio will replace former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was hired by Ohio State University on Saturday to work in the same position.  

Injured Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones suspended 20 games by the NHL for violating PED policy

(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Pittsburgh Penguins’ Caleb Jones skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Pittsburgh, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL suspended injured Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones for 20 games on Wednesday for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Jones, 28, is in his first season with the Penguins. The club placed him on injured reserve in late October with a foot injury, then assigned him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He played one game for Wilkes-Barre in January before sustaining an upper-body injury.

Jones said through a statement released by the NHL Players Association that he believes he was exposed to a contaminated substance while undergoing exosome therapy from an outside provider.

“While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program,” Jones said. “I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”

Jones, the younger brother of Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, had one point in seven games with the Penguins in October after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last summer.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said the club “appreciates” Jones’ transparency and that Jones will follow all NHL and NHLPA protocols during the suspension. Dubas added that Jones has the “full support” of the organization.

Lions fan who Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf shoved in Detroit during Steelers-Lions game this season files $100 million lawsuit against him

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of CBS Sports and the NFL)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Wayne County, MI) A Detroit Lions fan who was involved in an altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf filed a $100 million lawsuit yesterday, claiming that he was not only physically harmed but was also falsely accused of making racial remarks. The incident occurred during the game in Detroit between the Steelers and the Lions on December 21st, 2025. The video of the altercation at Ford Field appeared to show Metcalf walking over to the fan named Ryan Kennedy and grabbing his shirt before shoving him away and Metcalf was suspended by the NFL for the last two games of the regular season for the Steelers for this incident. An attorney on behalf of Kennedy filed the lawsuit in the Wayne County Circuit Court, naming Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ford Field Management LLC, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Shay Shay Media LLC and All Time Sports LLC.  

Bo Horvat’s 2nd goal of the game lifts the Islanders over the Penguins 5-4 in overtime

 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: New York Islanders center Bo Horvat (14) scores past Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brett Kulak (77) during the overtime period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Horvat scored his second goal of the game 52 seconds into overtime and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Tuesday night.

Mathew Barzal had a goal and two assists, Ilya Sorokin made 31 saves and New York snapped its two-game skid. Matthew Schaefer added a goal and an assist, and Ryan Pulock also scored for the Islanders.

Justin Brazeau had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who dropped their second consecutive game. Anthony Mantha, Egor Chinakhov and Bryan Rust also scored. Stuart Skinner stopped 18 shots.

Horvat, who also had an assist, buried a breakaway in overtime to give the Islanders a critical victory in their second-to-last game before the Olympic break.

Barzal tied it at 3 midway through the third period, but Brazeau redirected a shot from Brett Kulak to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-3 with 9:20 remaining.

Pulock responded for the Islanders with less than six minutes left in the third to tie it again and force overtime.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby corralled a loose puck behind the net and slid it to Rust, who fired a sharp-angled shot from behind the goal line that caught Sorokin off guard with under six minutes to play in the second.

Brazeau set up Mantha in the slot for the opening goal of the game at 12:09 of the first.

Horvat tied it with less than two minutes left in the period when he buried a rebound.

Schaefer, an 18-year-old rookie defenseman, fired a slap shot from the point in the closing seconds of the first to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead. He has 16 goals and 23 assists.

Chinakhov evened the score at 2 early in the second off a feed from Tommy Novak.

Up next

Penguins: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Islanders: Visit the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

 

 

First official renderings released for the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

(Credit for Photo: Courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The National Football League, in partnership with VisitPITTSBURGH and the Pittsburgh Steelers, have released the first official renderings of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, which will be from April 23rd-25th, 2026. According to VisitPITTSBURGH, the new renderings show a two-site Draft campus designed to showcase Pittsburgh’s landmarks, waterways and skyline. VisitPITTSBURGH confirmed 500,000 to 700,000 fans are expected to attend the 2026 NFL Draft. The Draft Theater and Main Stage will be located outside of Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. A release states that The Draft Theater will be a viewing area that will create a dramatic setting for pick selections and televised coverage. Point State Park will host a part of the NFL Draft Experience, which is the league’s interactive fan festival. It will feature immersive NFL exhibits designed for fans of all ages, interactive activities,food and beverage offerings and youth programming. The Roberto Clemente Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic and used as a pedestrian-only corridor to connect the Draft Theater and the NFL Draft Experience and the Gateway Clipper Fleet will provide river transportation between the two sites in Downtown and the North Shore.

Giroux’s goal with just over five minutes remaining lifts Senators past Penguins 3-2

 

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Ottawa Senators’ Tyler Kleven (43) and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Connor Dewar (19) collide with Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Claude Giroux scored with just over five minutes remaining in the third period and the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Monday night.

Giroux skated in on goal, was tripped by Erik Karlsson and went hard into the post. The net lifted off its moorings, but officials determined the puck crossed the line first at 14:52.

Giroux, a longtime Philadelphia Flyer, tied Alex Ovechkin for the most points against Pittsburgh by an active player. He has 23 goals and 78 points in 72 games against the Penguins.

Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle scored in his third straight game and Michael Amadio scored his first goal since Dec. 11 at Columbus. Stutzle has four goals in his last five games.

Linus Ullmark made 14 saves for the Senators, who won their fourth straight game. Ottawa has points in nine of its last 11 games overall. Ullmark joined Tony Esposito and Bob Froese as the only goalies in NHL history to win each of their first eight games against Pittsburgh.

Tommy Novak scored for Pittsburgh, and Egor Chinakhov added a goal and an assist. Chinakhov has seven goals in 16 games with Pittsburgh since he was traded from Columbus. Evgeni Malkin continued a six-game point streak with an assist.

Arturs Silovs stopped 28 shots for the Penguins, who had their six-game win streak halted. The Penguins also had a nine-game point streak snapped. Pittsburgh has points in 16 of its last 20 games overall.

Ottawa outshot Pittsburgh 31-16, including a 9-3 margin in the second period, the second-fewest in a period this season for the Penguins.

Amadio and Stutzle scored Ottawa’s first two goals off Pittsburgh turnovers.

Up next

Senators: Continue a three-game trip Tuesday at Carolina.

Penguins: Visit the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

 

New WalletHub ranking puts Pittsburgh as the #1 city in the United States for football fans

(File Photo: Source for Photo: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) greets fans after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 26-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A new 2026 ranking from WalletHub confirms that Pittsburgh is the best city in the United States of America for fans of football. According to WalletHub, “When it comes to the NFL specifically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have some of the most engaged football fans in the country in terms of social media likes and followers per capita.” WalletHub made comparisons of over 250 U.S. cities with at least one professional or college football team and they were measured across 21 key metrics, which ranged from the number of football teams to stadium capacity to fan engagement. WalletHub gave Pittsburgh a total score of 63.52 with the #1 Pro football rank and the #11 college football rank because of the Steelers and the Pitt Panthers.