The man who saw everything: Lawrence Bennett’s long drive through Augusta’s history

Meet Lawrence Bennett, a former chauffeur at Augusta National, unofficial historian and protector of what's most sacred about the place.

The real story of Augusta isn't green jackets. It lives in the people time quietly leaves behind.

Gift link here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

UConn coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina counterpart Dawn Staley engaged in a heated argument in the women’s Final Four on Friday.

The confrontation wasn’t about a handshake, @jerrybrewer.bsky.social writes. It was about a shift in control.

Thank you, Jeff! 🙏🏾

Thank you!

🙏🏾🙏🏾

Let’s pause to remember Rondale Moore, another life gone too soon Strong bodies. Fragile lives. It has been a devastating year for the NFL and college football, with nearly a dozen high-profile deaths.

Pause a moment with me, in memoriam, with the great @jerrybrewer.bsky.social words as a guide: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

This Sunday, the NFL will make its strongest case yet that the future doesn’t require choosing between America and the world.

The NFL didn't choose Bad Bunny to make a political statement.

It did it to help its global ambitions.

✍️ @jerrybrewer.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Column: Sam Darnold didn't need redemption, just perspective

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Seattle Seahawks have transformed into the most complete team in the NFL, and they needed only one quarter Saturday to show that.

It wasn’t just about beating the 49ers. They’re on a mission to reach their peak.

✍️ @jerrybrewer.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Why Mike Tomlin belongs among the giants in NFL history Consider everything Tomlin represents, and his longevity-kissed Steelers tenure occupies a place among the NFL's most remarkable tales.

With nothing left to prove, Tomlin can lift his head, step away, and finally take in the impact he had.

@jerrybrewer.bsky.social on Tomlin's place in history ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Mike Tomlin, colorful and coy, once said: "I can't give you all the ingredients to the hot dog. You might not like it."

For 19 years, he was rigidly competitive, the master of finding a way. Now we can appreciate all his coaching ingredients.

My column:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Jerry Brewer: Why the sports column still matters — and why I'm still writing one

I'll file this date in my personal memory bank: Jan. 7, 2026.

After some time away to reflect and form a new gameplan, my @theathletic.com journey has officially begun.

My debut is on why the sports column matters -- and why I'm still writing one:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

After a classic World Series Game 7, the Dodgers remain on top Los Angeles tied the deciding game against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning and went on to win in the 11th, becoming baseball’s first repeat champion since 2000.

The Dodgers became baseball’s first repeat champions in 25 years. It took everything they had. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Sports leagues went all-in on gambling. Were they cashing in or out? Every betting scandal chips away at the most precious asset our games have: Integrity. And once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Column on today's NBA bombshell ...

Every betting scandal is a chip off sports' most valuable asset: Integrity

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Washington discovered a brave new football era. Sunday was a relapse. The Commanders have too much character to crater, but what happened at Dallas on Sunday sure looked like rock bottom.

The honeymoon period is over for this new #Commanders regime, writes @jerrybrewer.bsky.social.

"If the Commanders have been eating chocolate-covered strawberries and sipping champagne, well, now it’s time to banish someone to sleep on the couch." www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Big Dumper, Sir Mix-a-Lot and how Seattle got back With Seattle’s latest booty shaker powered by Big Dumper, the Mariners aren’t stuck in the past.

Really enjoyed writing this one. On Cal Raleigh, his bootylicious nickname and 90s Seattle nostalgia giving way to a new era. And it's through the prism of one man who can speak to all of this: Sir Mix-a-Lot.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | The Mariners were on their way to the World Series. Then they came home. There’s no home-field advantage so far in the ALCS as the Blue Jays win Game 4 in Seattle to even the series.

Seattle's vibes are gone as the Mariners (and Humpy) lose at home again.

Column from @jerrybrewer.bsky.social

Column | Shane Bieber reclaims the Blue Jays’ hopes — and himself In April 2024, the right-hander left the mound in Seattle knowing “something was wrong with my elbow.” He returned in Game 3 and tightened the ALCS.

To avoid a 3-0 ALCS deficit, Toronto went into survival mode last night, needing to show urgency yet remain composed. It was the perfect time for Shane Bieber to show he's still Shane Bieber.

On his reclamation and the thundering bats that complemented him: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | Sleepless in Seattle: Mariners win 15-inning epic the only way they know Far from flawless, the Mariners are still in the MLB playoffs because they just refuse to stop.

The Mariners advanced to the ALCS. Fittingly, it took 15 innings. Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social with the scene in Seattle:

Column | This isn’t 2024, but the 2025 Commanders are proving resilient, too After a somewhat ugly start — to both the game and the season — Washington shows it can still be a force by beating the Chargers on the road.

Finally, against a quality opponent on the road, these Commanders looked like a team with a playoff pedigree.

Column by @jerrybrewer.bsky.social:

Good piece from Tashan.

Column | Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh’s rivalry is all grown up, but the fight remains The coaches of the Raiders and Chargers haven’t clashed on the field since 2014, but their rivalry still burns. They face off Monday night in Las Vegas.

Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh will renew their rivalry Monday night. Our @jerrybrewer.bsky.social breaks down how it has changed since they last clashed: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Excited to be on the same team as you, Tashan. Thrilled to work with @tomschad.bsky.social, too. Our Commanders beat is whole again.

Column | The Hall of Fame will honor the power Sylvia Fowles didn’t shout about The towering talent didn’t need to talk a big game. She just brought one every time she stepped onto a basketball court.

Sylvia Fowles, the greatest center never to flaunt greatness, actually has a big personality; she just preferred to make room for others.

Column from @jerrybrewer.bsky.social

Column | The Hall of Fame will honor the power Sylvia Fowles didn’t shout about The towering talent didn’t need to talk a big game. She just brought one every time she stepped onto a basketball court.

I wrote about the greatness and grace of Sylvia Fowles as she enters the Hall of Fame. The entire HOF class is a good one, and the women's group is all-time special. But don't overlook Fowles, whose accomplishments grow even more impressive with time. www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

🤣🤣🤣 That next-century "Love Jones" look

Any other generational, homegrown (drafted) stars that teams repping Dallas want to trade? It's officially a trend. Who's next in that city to do something really dumb?

Column | The Big Ten and SEC are fighting over how to fix the sport they broke College football’s power brokers need to focus on better instead of more.

The Big Ten and SEC are fighting over how to fix the sport they broke

Read @jerrybrewer.bsky.social:

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...

Column | In fight against NFL, Jon Gruden becomes the unlikely antihero we need The former coach is not someone worth rooting for, but it’s worth finding out why the NFL is so desperate to keep his case out of court.

Jon Gruden will exhaust all legal tactics until he forces the NFL to confront some uneasy questions.

column by @jerrybrewer.bsky.social

Column | The shooting at NFL headquarters raises hard truths, but no easy answers Football didn’t turn Shane Tamura into a murderous gunman, but we need to take some time to wrestle with why he thought it did.

What drives a young man once chasing a football dream to take a rifle to the NFL's doorstep? The truths are hard. The answers aren't easy.

Please read and reflect on today's column:

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...