AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:15 p.m. EST

Aaron Judge is AP male athlete of year after setting HR mark

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has been voted The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He hit 62 home runs to break an American League record that lasted six decades. The outfielder edged Los Angeles Angels pitching and hitting star Shohei Ohtani in balloting. Ohtani won the award last year. Judge joins an esteemed list that includes Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan. Among the former Yankees to win was Roger Maris, who set the previous AL mark of 61 homers in 1961.

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.

Pelé invigorated US soccer, paved way for ’94 World Cup, MLS

NEW YORK (AP) — Clive Toye started his pursuit of Pelé with a trip to Jamaica and a cold call in 1971. Pelé signed with the New York Cosmos four years later. It put U.S. soccer on a path to hosting the World Cup in 1994 and launching Major League Soccer two years later. The Cosmos averaged 3,578 fans in 1974. Pelé joined in June 1975 and that season’s average nearly tripled to 10,450. Pelé was 34 when he joined the Cosmos and scored 37 goals in 64 matches. He agreed to countless interviews and promotional appearances as part of a mission to make soccer mainstream.

Loyal to Santos, Pelé toured and scored in Europe

MADRID (AP) — Arguments over who was the greatest player in the history of men’s soccer can often see cheap hits aimed at Pelé. The claim is that he wasn’t tested on the European stage against some of the best clubs in the world unlike other top players. But Pelé did get to face some of the finest European opposition despite playing most of his career at Brazilian club Santos. Santos globe-trotted in the 1950s, 60s and 70s to showcase its biggest star and Pelé got to measure up against teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma and Benfica. Pelé also won three World Cups against European opposition.

Analysis: With 1 more game, more teams in NFL playoff race

With two weeks remaining in the NFL season, only eight teams have been eliminated from the playoff race. That’s why the league added a 17th game and a third wild-card team last year. Plus the added revenue gained by another game. More teams are still playing to get in the tournament or trying to secure a higher seed with one more game to help them earn it.  Eleven teams have already clinched a playoff berth, including four division titles, leaving five spots open. Both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs with four NFC teams and three AFC teams vying for a bye a home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

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.

The CFP semifinalists and the NIL collectives that back them

It has been 18 months since the NCAA lifted a ban on name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes. Since then, donor-funded, third-party groups that operate outside an athletic department have become all the rage. They are called collectives and most Power Five schools have at least one. A look at the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff and the collectives that support them tell a tale of uncertainty and entrepreneurship amid a lack of uniform regulations.

Enmanuel, college player with 1 arm, becomes an inspiration

Hansel Enmanuel became an internet sensation with videos showing the one-armed basketball star dunking with ease in high school. It helped him earn a spot on the Northwestern State team. Basketball wasn’t always this effortless for Enmanuel. Just months after the accident where he lost his left arm inches below the shoulder at age 6, he started the sport. He struggled and fell a lot because he lacked balance. Years later, he’s settling into his first year of college and has endorsement deals with adidas and Gatorade.

Teen prodigy Wembanyama MVP in French league’s All-Star game

PARIS (AP) — French teen prodigy Victor Wembanyama embellished his fast-growing reputation when he became the youngest MVP in the French league’s All-Star game. The 18-year-old Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and four assists on Thursday night as the All Star France team won 136-128 against the All Star World team in an annual contest between French and non-French players in the French league’s LNB. The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama is considered the likely top pick in the 2023 NBA draft next June.

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.