In an era where player honesty and accessibility is at an all-time high, there are few things left secret nowadays. If a player is upset or ready for a trade, we’ll know. If Lawrence has no love lost for the Dallas Cowboys, he’ll certainly share that.

And that is exactly what Lawrence did on Thursday.

The former Cowboys star arrived in Seattle to sign his contract with the Seahawks on Thursday, beginning a new chapter in his career. A second-round pick in 2014, Lawrence has only ever worn the star on his helmet in the NFL. After 11 years, Lawrence can be considered somewhat of a Cowboys expert — and that expertise told him they aren’t winning big anytime soon.

‘Change of scenery is always good, but Dallas is my home,’ Lawrence said in an interview with Hawks Blogger. ‘Made my home there, my family lives there. I’m forever gonna be there, but I know for sure I’m not going to win a Super Bowl there. So yeah, we here.’

As expected, those comments weren’t received well in Dallas.

‘This what rejection and envy look like!’ Micah Parsons wrote on X. ‘This some clown (expletive)!

Lawrence didn’t waste time firing back at his former teammate, taking a shot at Parsons in the process.

‘Calling me a clown won’t change the fact that I told the truth,’ Lawrence replied. ‘Maybe if you spent less time tweeting and more time winning, I wouldn’t have left.’

The 32-year-old Lawrence is hoping to return to form in 2025 after playing just four games last season thanks to a foot injury. He’s made the Pro Bowl four times in 11 seasons, appearing in 141 games and recording 61.5 sacks.

Lawrence said he discussed the idea of retirement after an injury-riddled season, but ultimately decided he would return.

‘Yeah, it was definitely one of those moments,’ Lawrence said. ‘Had to sit down with the wife and talk about it, but just understanding who you are as a person, it goes a long way. Understanding me, I still have a lot left in the tank. I definitely didn’t want to kick the bucket too soon and now all my energy is burned on the couch. And I didn’t want to live that life.’

He added that the decision to continue was made a couple days ago when opportunities started presenting themselves.

‘Just seeing these opportunities coming around, people still believing in my type of ball, people still want to see me out there on the field,’ Lawrence said. ‘If that’s what they want, give it to them.’

Now in the Pacific Northwest, Lawrence will look to give the people exactly what they want while trying to compete for a Super Bowl – something the Cowboys haven’t done since the 1995 season.

After a day where some teams strengthened or hurt their NCAA Tournament cases, Thursday presents another opportunity for those fighting to secure a spot in March Madness.

The NCAA Tournament picture could drastically shift by the end of the night as three of the last teams in and all teams in the first four out in the recent USA TODAY Sports Bracketology will be in action. Moves are already happening since Ohio State − once a projected First Four participant − suffered a dreadful loss to Iowa Wednesday, essentially opening a spot for a team on the outside.

Teams on the bubble of the USA TODAY Sports Bracketology are either trying to build upon their case after winning on Wednesday or starting their conference tournament journeys in hopes of keeping pace. Bid stealers could be happening soon, meaning every additional win is essential to ensure teams don’t get left out of the field. Here’s a tracker of bubble teams playing today and how those games will chance the NCAA Tournament outlook.

BRACKETOLOGY: Race for No. 1 seeds, bubble spots heats up

TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS: SEC | Big Ten | ACC | Big 12 | Big East

Indiana falls apart against Oregon

The late season surge by the Hoosiers may have gone to waste after a one-and-done appearance in the Big Ten tournament, losing to Oregon for the second time in 10 days. It was almost deja vu in how Indiana lost: The game was close until the Ducks went on a run it couldn’t match. Indiana made it a two-point game with seven minutes left but went cold after that, missing six consecutive shots and going on a five minute scoring drought while Oregon went on a 9-0 run that put the game out of reach.

Thanks to an impressive recent run, Indiana played itself into one of the last teams in the field, but the spot was far from secured, given the resume wasn’t great. It never suffered anything outside a Quad 1 loss, but a 4-12 mark in the category isn’t the look of a tournament team, and the No. 52 NET ranking was the worse among at-large teams. Even with a string of wins, Indiana needed more in Indianapolis. Instead Mike Woodson’s tenure likely will end without a March Madness bid.

Xavier misses out on second Quad 1 victory

Based on the first half, it looked like Xavier was going to continue its hot streak toward an NCAA Tournament spot. However, Marquette had a dazzling second half performance and overcame a double-digit deficit for a thrilling 89-87 win that really hurt Xavier’s tournament chances. The Musketeers were on fire and up by 14 points early in the second half, but Marquette woke up and was constantly hitting 3-pointers for multiple runs to make it a game. It was tied with three minutes to go but the Golden Eagles offense was relentless to pull off the comeback; it shot 61.3% in the final 20 minutes and the 38 points from Xavier’s Ryan Conwell weren’t enough.

Xavier entered the day with seven consecutive wins, but the reason why it didn’t make it out of the First Four area was because none of the victories helped the Quad 1 record. At 1-8 in the category, it desperately needed another one to help the resume. While it was a valiant effort against Marquette that proved the Musketeers are playing like a tournament team, the lack of notable wins is what’s killing its tournament chances. It’s a grim outlook for Xavier right now as it could be another team moving out of the field.

North Carolina survives, sets up pivotal rematch with Duke

It was far from pretty and often concerning, but North Carolina kept its tournament hopes alive in a necessary win over Wake Forest to advance to the ACC tournament semifinal. The Tar Heels fell in an early hole they eventually climbed out of, and the Demon Deacons never quit, even leading with six minutes left. However Wake Forest went cold and North Carolina capitalized by ending the game on a 14-3 run for the nine-point victory.

North Carolina doesn’t have any impressive wins this week, but thanks to some last four teams in losing, the Tar Heels are reaping the benefits and finding themselves in the field. Still, it’s hard to ignore the 1-11 Quad 1 record and a signature victory is needed to end the doubt. Luckily one awaits the Tar Heels on Friday with the third matchup of the season against Duke, which they nearly beat on Saturday. What makes it even more compelling is Cooper Flagg likely won’t play after suffering an injury on Thursday. If North Carolina can capitalize and pull off the upset, it may be enough to make the tournament.

Texas nears NCAA Tournament spot with gritty win

A new team could be in the NCAA Tournament field after Texas won a double-overtime classic over rival Texas A&M in a contest the Longhorns needed to win. It was a slugfest that had several momentum swings in the last half hour of play, the difference being some clutch 3-point shooting from Texas in the second overtime to get its second win in two days. The Aggies shot a tough 3-for-16 from the field after regulation.

The Longhorns needed to make some noise in the SEC tournament in order to get out of the ‘first four out’ area, and they have done so with consecutive Quad 1 wins to improve their record in the category to 7-9. It’s still too early to determine, but Texas is on the right side of the bubble three days ahead of Selection Sunday. Next, it will face a national title contender in Tennessee on Friday. While the Longhorns have done well in Nashville, beating the Volunteers may just seal a bid.

Boise State beats San Diego State in bubble showdown

In the game with the biggest bubble implications on Thursday, Boise State beat San Diego State 62-52. The Broncos are headed to the Mountain West semifinals and the Aztecs are headed home with an uneasy feeling.

San Diego State was the one in front in the first half, but a dismal end to the game doomed it. The Aztecs didn’t make a field goal in the final nine minutes, missing their final nine shots as Boise State ended the game on a 13-3 run to win despite having a worse overall shooting day.

Neither team had a secure spot in the NCAA Tournament, but Boise State needed to win more since it was the first team out. A loss and the Broncos could’ve kissed their tournament hopes goodbye. The Broncos wouldn’t be denied, though, and are now in a very intriguing spot thanks to a third Quad 1 victory. While their chances are still alive, they’re still not in a secure spot. Boise State will face conference regular-season champion New Mexico on Friday in a game that could be the ultimate decider of its fate.

For San Diego State, it’s now susceptible to being jumped by teams picking up wins this week, and there is an actual possibility it misses out on the tournament. It finishes with an 8-8 Quad 1 and 2 record and a No. 49 NET ranking. A No. 11 seed not projected to be in the First Four gives it some cushion to fall a bit, but add in possible bid-stealers and there’s a chance the drop becomes catastrophic for the Aztecs. The verdict right now seems split on whether San Diego State will make it, and it will have to hold its breath waiting until Sunday.

Colorado State continues late surge

The newest addition to the bracket mix is trending in the right direction; Colorado State won its eighth straight game with a Mountain West tournament quarterfinal victory over Nevada. It was never a blowout − a one-point game at halftime − but the Rams didn’t have any trouble in a wire-to-wire win.

It wasn’t until earlier this week that Colorado State was placed in the ‘first four out,’ and it’s given the Rams hope the NCAA Tournament is possible. A Quad 2 victory isn’t going to move the Rams up much, but it was necessary. An at-large bid is technically still possible, but the conference crown may truly be the only thing that will get them in the tournament. Friday’s semifinal game will be a must-win, and likely the Mountain West championship game on Saturday will be, too … depending on other results from bubble teams.

Oklahoma loses heartbreaker, but shouldn’t worry

SEC … after dark?

It got wild past midnight in Nashville as Oklahoma’s late run to take an improbable lead in the final seconds was wiped away by Kentucky guard Otega Oweh’s game-winner with half a second left, stunning the Sooners and advancing the Wildcats to the SEC tournament quarterfinals. Oklahoma pulled off a 7-0 run in 28 seconds to jump ahead with six seconds to go before the last-second shot.

Porter Moser won’t be happy his team is headed home, but he should be feeling good about his team’s postseason chances. Luckily, the Sooners really benefitted from some bubble teams like Ohio State, Xavier and Indiana losing over the past two days. Recent wins − including Wednesday’s win over Georgia − separated Oklahoma from the rest of the pack and put it in a more comfortable position heading into Selection Sunday. Will Oklahoma be a No. 10 seed? Likely, but it’s surely in a much better place than having to play next Tuesday or Wednesday.

PHOENIX —  Diana Taurasi has spent the past two weeks processing her retirement following a legendary 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury. Her two young children, Leo and Isla, are also wondering what that means.

‘We got on a plane to New York (last week) and Leo says, ‘Is retirement sad?” Taurasi recalled during her retirement press conference on Thursday. ‘That was the longest four-hour plane ride to New York ever, just thinking.’

‘It is sad,’ Taurasi admitted. ‘I don’t show it. I don’t like to outwardly show my sadness, but I am sad. It’s the game that I’ve played since I was seven. It’s all the things in life that I always loved to do.’

BY THE NUMBERS: Where Diana Taurasi ranks among all-time greats

Taurasi, 42, opted out of a drawn-out farewell tour during her final season. Her retirement press conference was fittingly held on the Diana Taurasi Courts at the Mercury’s practice facility.

Friends and family, including Taurasi’s wife, Penny Taylor, and their two children, gathered for her final farewell in matching orange shirts adorned with Taurasi’s iconic logo. The gravity of her retirement started to sink in.

‘I made the announcement last week, but I don’t think it’s felt real until just now,’ Taurasi said. ‘All the great memories that I’ve had here for 20 years have been overwhelming.’

Diana Taurasi: ‘I knew I didn’t have it in me’

Taurasi played her final game for the Mercury on Sept. 25 — Phoenix lost to the Minnesota Lynx 101-88 in the first round of the playoffs. She didn’t comment on whether she would return at the time and left many fans wondering “if this is it,’ the exact verbiage the Mercury used to advertise the team’s final regular-season home games.

Taurasi said she didn’t know what the future held, but her decision became clear as the new year approached.

‘After the (2024) season ended, I really wanted to take some time away and really think about what I wanted to do,’ Taurasi said. ‘I know the work that goes into preparing for a season. Once January 1st kind of came and went … I knew in my heart that I didn’t have it in me to put that four-month preparation that I usually do going into a season. I just didn’t have that anymore and I was fine with that.’

Taurasi was drafted by the Mercury with the first overall pick of the 2004 WNBA draft after leading the UConn Huskies to three NCAA championships (2002–2004). She spent her entire career in Phoenix, which Taurasi called her biggest accomplishment, even more than her six Olympic gold medals.

‘Out of all the things in my career — the check-list goes on and on — being in this city for 20 years to me is the one thing that is the most important thing in the world,’ she said. ‘Championships, points, all those things will be broken — hopefully not soon. The character and the loyalty you show every single day, that’s what people care about and remember. If I did that in a way that can transcend the way people look at, not only women’s basketball, but women’s sports, how we give up our life and sacrifice everything for the thing we love the most. For me, that was basketball forever.” 

What’s next for Diana Taurasi?

‘I really don’t know,’ she admitted.

Although she’s unsure of her next act, whether she gets into broadcasting or podcasting, like her good friend Sue Bird, Taurasi said she’s excited to fully immerse herself into her family after having tunnel vision for so long.

‘I’ve been so addicted to the game of basketball for the last 30 years. It’s all I thought about. It’s all I prepared for,’ she said. ‘The last couple weeks, I’ve really understood what it really means to be home and be present. You know, I was home before, but my mind was always thinking about the next game. … Now it’s Leo and Isla and being present for Penny and my family and friends that would always make sure I was OK. Now it’s my turn to repay all that to them.’

Don’t rule out a return just yet. When Taurasi first walked into the Mercury’s practice facility for the first time since the season ended, she told GM Nick U’Ren, ‘I want to play again.’

But not so fast.

‘I’m sure I’ll have those feelings a lot, but I am so happy where I’m at right now personally,’ Taurasi said. ‘Now, I get to really reflect on what 20 years felt like and the things that I was lucky enough to be a part of.” 

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Colorado football coach Deion Sanders introduced a special guest Thursday to provide advice and inspiration to his team in Boulder. But this was no ordinary minister.

This was Denzel Washington, who appeared live via video and addressed Colorado players for more than 30 minutes. The famed actor recently earned his license as a minister in New York. On Thursday, he preached to the Buffaloes about his own life, including how he used drugs as a youth in New York and even went home to drink when he didn’t win an Academy Award as an actor.

Washington, 70, also talked about how he had “flunked out of college” and was sitting in his mother’s beauty parlor on March 27, 1975, when a woman there told him he would “travel the world and preach to millions of people.”

“And now 50 years later, I get the opportunity with the University of Colorado football team to really … practice it with ya’ll,” Washington told the team, as documented by Thee Pregame Network, which chronicles Sanders and the CU football program. “I’m not preaching to you or at you. I’m sharing my experience with you.”

What else did Denzel Washington say?

He said his favorite movie is his “next movie” because it represents an opportunity to get better. But he said one movie seems to have especially resonated with people.

“More people talk about ‘The Equalizer’ now than any other movies I did put together,” Washington said. “I don’t know what it is. They just like seeing me killing people.”

That triggered laughter from the team, but Washington also talked about knowing killers in real life.

He said he “shot dope” when he was 13 years old and sold drugs, too, including cocaine. One time he said he almost got caught with a needle in his arm in the bathroom at his private school, but “God’s grace” sent him on a different path.

“I ain’t no killer, but I grew up with killers,” Washington said. “I’ve seen people killed. I was with a couple of them the night they got killed. That’s life.”

One of his themes was to show these college players that he once was where they were – trying to find his way. At one point, he even asked the team which players had C-average grades or worse.

When he saw one player stand up, Washington asked, “OK, are you the kicker?”

“No, sir,” the player replied.

“I had C grades or less, because I didn’t have direction,” Washington said. “I’ll say this to you also. You do not have to know, when you’re 17, 18, 19 years old, what you’re going to do the rest of your life. It’s OK.”

He shared that he didn’t know early during his college years at Fordham, either. He even tried biology and journalism before settling on drama.

Why was Denzel Washington talking to Colorado players?

He knows Sanders, who called him “the greatest actor ever.” Sanders’ team just opened spring practice on Tuesday and practiced for the second time on Thursday.

A buzz swept through the meeting room when Sanders put him on the big video screen.

Among other experiences he shared, Washington told the team about how he was nominated for an Academy Award as an actor nine times but let himself get down sometimes when he didn’t win.

“I had faith up until they called the other person’s name,” he told the team. “Then I went home and drank, and I hit the bottom. And I was bitter. We’re human. You all have potential. You all have purpose. Football is a platform for your real purpose. You all have potential. The cemeteries are filled with people who never lived up to their potential. You must get everything you can out of your body, your mind and your spirit.”

Sanders later told Thee Pregame Show that he heard from executives at Tubi, the streaming site, that they’re trying to remake the movie “Remember the Titans,” this time starring Washington and himself. It’s not clear if he was joking. Washington starred in that sports drama released in 2000.

Denzel Washington also took questions

One player asked him who his heroes were growing up. Washington said his sports heroes were running backs Gale Sayers and Jim Brown.

Assistant coach Andre Hart asked him how he keeps his focus on his next movie or project after getting so much praise for his previous work.

“When you pray for rain, you got to deal with the mud, too, but eventually good things grow out of that mud,” Washington said.

He said “power and privilege and fame and wealth” are not what they’re “made up to be.”

“Do not rely on this world for your happiness,” Washington said.

Denzel Washington talks about social media

Washington noted the current generation of players is growing up in the “look at me” culture of social media. He noted he is not on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.

“I don’t have any of that, but one thing we have in common, you and I, is potential,’ he said. “One thing we have in common is purpose. One thing we … all have in common is a platform. And one thing we all have in common is God-given ability. Use it. Share it. Appreciate it. Understand it. You don’t have to know now, but understand you are put on this planet for a purpose, each and every one of you.”

‘Where’s the QB?’

Early in the meeting, Washington asked, “Who’s the star of the team?”

“I’ve never seen you guys play actually,” he said. “I’ve seen the, you know, the highlights, SportsCenter. Where’s the QB? Raise your hand. I can’t see you.”

Washington apparently didn’t know that Sanders’ son, Shedeur, isn’t on the team anymore. Shedeur Sanders has moved on to get ready for the NFL draft next month.

So when another quarterback stood up in response, Washington said, “That’s your son?”

The players laughed.

“He graduated,” Deion Sanders said of his son.

“Like I’m saying, I don’t know,” Washington said.

It wasn’t a big deal, just another reminder that fame is fleeting. Not everybody is following everybody else’s lives, even if they’re famous.

Denzel Washington’s prediction for Colorado players

Washington also reminded them that critics will try to bring you down when you succeed.

“This world is not gonna love you,” he said. “They’re not gonna cheer for you. They hate your coach, He’s one of the greatest, but they hate him. Some do. There’s always gonna be haters. That doesn’t matter in your community, in your house, in your dorm, on the field. But you all have potential to be great men.”

Colorado concludes spring practice with its annual spring game April 19. After finishing with a 9-4 record last season, the Buffaloes open the season Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

Washington ended his talk with a prediction of sorts.

“If y’all don’t send me a ticket to the national championship when you get there, then don’t… ever go to none of my movies ever again,” Washington said. “Because I know you’re gonna be there. Remember that. Denzel Washington said it. You are going to the national championship. Now some of you might not go with this team, but you are going to the national championship in life anyway.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

(This story has been updated to add new information.)