AP Sports SummaryBrief at 8:44 a.m. EST

Curry, Henry, Kupp, Judge among most bet-on athletes of 2022

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Saint Peter’s was among the most profitable teams for sports bettors in 2022. The New Jersey men’s basketball team made a long-shot run to the Elite Eight of the March Madness tournament this year. The New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers and Alabama Crimson Tide were among those who lost money for bettors. Several of the nation’s major sportsbooks provided year-end data on their customers’ biggest winners and losers. Golden State Warriors basketball player Steph Curry, the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp and the New York Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge were among the most bet-on athletes of the year.

Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of ‘beautiful game,’ has died

SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé, Brazil’s mighty king of soccer, has died. He was 82. Since 2021, he had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer discovered during a routine medical exam. Pelé was one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil and was the standard-bearer of “the beautiful game” with the national team and his club Santos. His exuberance and mesmerizing moves transfixed generations of fans around the globe. His flair personified his country’s samba-style elegance. Late in his career, he helped popularize soccer in North America by joining the New York Cosmos.

As ‘The King,’ Pelé enchanted fans and dazzled opponents

SAO PAULO (AP) — Pelé won a record three World Cups and was widely regarded as one of his sport’s greatest players. He was among the most recognizable figures in the world at the time of his death on Thursday. Pelé was among the game’s most prolific scorers and spent nearly two decades enchanting fans and dazzling opponents. His grace, athleticism and moves were mesmerizing. He orchestrated a fast, fluid style of play that revolutionized soccer. He carried Brazil to soccer’s heights and became a global ambassador for his sport. His journey began on the streets of Sao Paulo state, where he would kick a sock stuffed with newspapers or rags.

Prescott has 2 TD passes, Cowboys top banged-up Titans 27-13

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dak Prescott threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns to Dalton Schultz as the Dallas Cowboys beat the banged-up and resting Tennessee Titans 27-13 for their sixth win in seven games. The Cowboys posted their first back-to-back 12-win seasons since 1994 and 1995, when Dallas won its last of the franchise’s five Super Bowl titles. Fans were chanting “Let’s go Cowboys!” throughout the game. The Titans lost their sixth straight hours after placing quarterback Ryan Tannehill on injured reserve. They gave Joshua Dobbs his first NFL start after signing him Dec. 21 off Detroit’s practice squad.

Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world

NEW YORK (AP) — Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion. He won titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him. Ronaldo led Brazil to a fifth title in 2002. He descibed Pelé as “Unique. Genius. Skilled. Creative. Perfect. Unmatched.” Tributes also came from other Brazilian players such as Neymar and Romario, from past heads of state and from rivals and administrators.

Jogo bonito: Pelé ’s 10 most memorable goals

Pelé made scoring look easy, dribbling past defenders, firing powerful shots, striking well-placed free-kicks or using firm headers. Nearly 1,090 of his goals came with the Brazilian club Santos, and 95 were scored with Brazil’s national team. Although not all of Pelé ’s goals were caught on tape, there is still plenty of footage of his countless outstanding scores. Pelé also had some spectacular near goals throughout his career, including a shot from behind the midfield line that just missed wide in the 1970 World Cup.

Pele’s funeral and burial to take place in hometown Santos

SAO PAULO (AP) — The stadium where Brazilian soccer great Pelé played some of the best matches of his career will also hold his funeral on Monday and Tuesday. The club outside Sao Paulo where Pelé played in Brazil says the public will be able to pay their final respects at Vila Belmiro Stadium. Pelé died on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. He was 82. Brazilian soccer club Santos says Pelé’s coffin will be placed in the center circle of the field. Visitation will start Monday at 10 a.m. and finish the next day at the same time.

Ohio State, Georgia reloaded after losing stars to NFL draft

ATLANTA (AP) — Only months after Georgia defensive linemen and Ohio State wide receivers combined to fill five first-round slots in the NFL draft, those positions again boast top talent for the teams preparing to meet in the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal. Despite important losses in this year’s draft, Saturday night’s Peach Bowl will showcase evidence that No. 4 Ohio State and No. 1 Georgia reloaded with more star players. Wide receiver again is a strength for the Buckeyes with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Jalen Carter leads another strong defensive front for the Bulldogs.

Skier Shiffrin enters new dimension with 50th slalom win

SEMMERING, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin led Paula Moltzan for an American 1-2 finish in a night slalom to become the first ski racer with 50 World Cup wins in a single discipline. No other skier has won an event more than 46 times in the 56-year World Cup history. The result also marked Shiffrin’s 80th World Cup win overall which is two short of Lindsey Vonn’s women’s record. It was the first time since 1971 that the U.S. ski team went 1-2 in a women’s World Cup slalom. Shiffrin says “Paula had a ripping run. It’s so special to share a podium with her. I don’t have much to say about 80.”

NBA suspends 11 players from Magic-Pistons scuffle

NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit guard Killian Hayes and Orlando’s Moritz Wagner were each given multi-game suspensions for their roles in a scuffle, while the NBA suspended eight Magic players one game apiece for leaving the bench area during an altercation. Hayes, who struck Wagner in the back of the head, was given a three-game suspension without pay. Wagner was banned two games and the Pistons’ Hamidou Diallo was suspended one game by NBA executive vice president Joe Dumars — the former Pistons star player and executive. The fallout from the game in Detroit on Wednesday night was so large that the suspensions of the Magic players will be staggered so they have enough available players to play their next game.