NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons defended shoving the Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward at the end of practice Monday and accused outsiders of blowing up tempers flaring at a hot training camp practice.
The No. 1 overall draft pick, wearing a red non-contact jersey, was celebrating a touchdown throw in a red-zone drill when he put a hand on Simmons, who reacted by shoving Ward. Simmons was escorted off the practice field, not talking to reporters until the end of Tuesday's practice.
“At the end of the day, you know can’t touch a quarterback," Simmons said. "We at a joint practice and somebody touch our quarterback, trust me I’m going to be the first one in. So I respect the (expletive) out of the offense for having ... our quarterback back.”
Simmons said it was all left on the field and that he would take only football questions. Ward is scheduled to talk after Wednesday's practice.
Titans coach Brian Callahan said assistant coaches are asked to take a player off the field if tempers get hot and cool them down. Practice ended two plays later, and Callahan said his conversations with Simmons and Ward were between them.
“It was a training camp push and shove and a little bit of loud barking, and that was pretty much it for me,” Callahan said. "It’s late August, and we’re ready to go play some real football.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward talks to his teammates on the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.
“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”
A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.
“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”
Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.
When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.
“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”
Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.
The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.
Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.
“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”
AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
