AP Sports SummaryBrief at 9:27 p.m. EST

Damar Hamlin asked who won Bills-Bengals when he woke up

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Damar Hamlin’s doctors say the Buffalo Bills safety has begun to communicate in writing with his family and others who have been at his bedside since going into cardiac arrest Monday — and his first question was “did we win?” Doctors at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center said in a conference call with reporters that Hamlin remains critically ill and in the hospital’s intensive care unit. But they say it appears his neurological function is intact, meaning he can follow commands and move. The developments come as the Bills return to practice for the first time since Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Bengals.

NFL announces Bills-Bengals game won’t be resumed

The NFL won’t resume the Bills-Bengals game that was suspended Monday night after Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the field. The league announced its decision on Thursday. The NFL said its decision creates “potential competitive inequities in certain playoff scenarios.” The league said clubs on Friday, in a special league meeting, would consider a resolution recommended by the commissioner and approved today by the Competition Committee. The Bills-Bengals game had major playoff implications. Buffalo entered Monday night needing a win to maintain the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Kansas City Chiefs currently hold that spot. The Bengals had a chance to earn that top seed with two more wins and a loss by the Chiefs.

Texas fires Chris Beard amid felony domestic violence charge

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has fired basketball coach Chris Beard, who faces a felony domestic family violence charge after his fiancée told police he strangled and bit her. The school sent Beard’s attorney a letter that said the coach was “unfit” for the position. Beard had been suspended without pay since Dec. 12. He had five years left on a seven-year guaranteed contract. Police responded to an emergency call to Beard’s house. The woman initially told officers that Beard choked her from behind, bit her and hit her during an argument. Beard’s attorney has said Beard is innocent and that his fiancée later denied she was choked.

Bills uplifted by Hamlin’s progress, hope to show resilience

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have received a much-needed jolt of good news. Coach Sean McDermott and his team found out Thursday that safety Damar Hamlin has made remarkable progress in his recovery since his heart stopped during Monday night’s game. In three days since the Bills were left emotionally devastated as they watched their teammate collapse on the field in Cincinnati, the team’s motto has gone from “Pray for Damar” to “Play for Damar.” The test for the Bills now is focusing their attention on returning to the field. They host the New England Patriots in their season finale on Sunday.

Bengals’ Higgins says ‘I’m in a good place right now’

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins said he’s “in a good place right now” after hearing from Damar Hamlin’s mother about his improvement on Thursday. Higgins was involved in the hit that came right before the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the field during the game Monday night. Doctors say Hamlin has made “remarkable improvement” in the last 24 hours. In his first public comments since Hamlin collapsed and the game was suspended, Higgins says he feels good “just knowing that he’s OK, he’s doing better, and it makes me feel better inside.”

James, Durant lead early in NBA All-Star starter voting

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets may be headed toward yet another NBA All-Star Game rematch. James is the overall leader in All-Star balloting so far. Durant leads all Eastern Conference players in early voting returns. That puts them on track to be All-Star captains for the third consecutive year. James has been a captain five times and his teams have gone 5-0 under that All-Star format. The game is Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City.

Crosby, Ovechkin among 1st round of NHL All-Star selections

NEW YORK (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin were among the first round of All-Star selections revealed by the NHL. Crosby was selected for his ninth All-Star Game and Ovechkin his 13th, a Washington Capitals record. The league’s hockey operations department picked the first 32 All-Stars, one from each team. Fans will choose the final 12 players who make it. Reigning Norris Trophy winner and playoff MVP Cale Makar from the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche was also among those chosen. All-Star Weekend is set for Feb. 3-4 in South Florida.

Get Smart: Kirby’s carves his own path to dynasty at Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart was paid $8,000 in his first coaching job at Division II Valdosta State. Now, he’s one of college football’s most dominant forces. He is the $10 million-a-year architect of a potential dynasty at Georgia. The top-ranked Bulldogs have a shot at becoming the first team in a decade to win back-to-back national titles. When you consider what Smart has done since taking over in 2016, the journey takes on a far more impressive luster. The Bulldogs were a very good program under Mark Richt. Smart made them great.

At Fisk University, gymnastics makes a giant leap for HBCUs

Fisk University will make history this week when the school’s women’s gymnastics team becomes the first historically Black college or university to compete at the NCAA level. The Bulldogs are competing in the Super 16 in Las Vegas. Their debut for the Nashville-based school comes barely a year after the program launched. Participation in gymnastics by women of color has risen dramatically thanks in part to the success of Black Olympic champions like Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles. Fisk coach Corrinne Tarver says the long-term goal is to prove that HBCU programs can compete at the highest level in the NCAA.

NHL evolves its plan, prep for terrifying cardiac events

The horror that swept across the NFL when Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a game this week was all too familiar to members of the hockey community. At least five players experienced a heart-related issue in the NHL over the past 25 years. All of them collapsed during games. All of them survived. The NHL has updated its policies and required more robust medical support at games. Experts say that’s key and adjustments should continue to make sure medical staffs and teams are always prepared.