Player News Today — August 18, 2026
Ravens icon Brigance dies after 19-year ALS fight and more — today's player signal.
The sports world is coming together to mourn the loss of a legendary figure, as former NFL player and Ravens icon, Fred Brigance, has passed away after a 19-year battle with ALS. The news brings a somber tone to the start of the week, but there's still plenty of excitement to look forward to as the NFL preseason kicks into high gear. Several teams took to the field for Week 1 of preseason action, providing a glimpse into what we can expect from our favorite teams this season.
On the court and diamond, it's been a busy day as well. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods are now a married couple, tying the knot in a beautiful Malibu wedding. In golf, Rory McIlroy is looking to bounce back after a disappointing finish at a recent tournament, while in baseball, teams are turning up the volume - literally - at ballparks across the league. The Saints are also gearing up for their next challenge, with tough matchups against the Cowboys and Rams on the horizon. We'll dive into all these stories and more in today's edition of PlayerNews.
Today's signal:
• Ravens icon Brigance dies after 19-year ALS fight (espn.com)
• 🏈 NFL preseason Week 1 takeaways (espn.com)
• Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods tie the knot in Malibu wedding (espn.com)
• 'Lost' McIlroy feels 'far away' after finishing 66th (espn.com)
• Why teams -- and players -- keep turning up the volume at MLB ballparks (espn.com)
• Saints' offense passes one test, with Cowboys, Rams up next (espn.com)