AP Sports SummaryBrief at 8:16 p.m. EST

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.

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.

As he turns 38, LeBron is clear: He still wants title shots

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James turns 38 on Friday. And he averaged more points as a 37-year-old than anyone ever has in NBA history. He actually averaged more points at that age than he has at any age since he was 21. But the 20-year NBA veteran made clear after a loss in Miami that points and records aren’t what he’s seeking. The Los Angeles Lakers are 14-21 this season. They’re a long way from being a title contender. And more championship shots is what James wants most.

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.

Michigan graduate assistant a trailblazer for female coaches

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Mimi Bolden-Morris of Michigan is believed to be the first female graduate assistant football coach at a Power Five school since the late 1980s. Bolden-Morris will be on the sideline Saturday when the second-ranked Wolverines play No. 3 TCU at the Fiesta Bowl in a College Football semfinal. The 23-year-old Bolden-Morris played basketball at Boston College and Georgetown. She reached out to college football programs across the country to inquire about potential opportunities. She works with the tight ends at Michigan.

Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham has NFL ‘dream come true’

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham called getting the opportunity to start his first NFL game “a dream come true.” He replaces Derek Carr, whose nine-year stint with the Raiders likely ended Wednesday when he was benched for the final two games by coach Josh McDaniels. Stidham has appeared in 11 career games between the Raiders and New England Patriots. His first game will be Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco is first in total, scoring and rushing defense.

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.”