Beckham to be awarded knighthood

David Beckham, the former England soccer captain who has been an ambassador for the U.N. children’s fund for two decades, is to receive a knighthood in next week’s honors list from King Charles III, according to U.K. media reports Friday. Without citing sources, the BBC said Beckham is set to receive further recognition both for his soccer career, and his contributions to British society. The knighthood will make Beckham “Sir David” while his wife since 1999, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, will become “Lady Beckham.” In 2003, Beckham was awarded the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, for services to soccer. Victoria Beckham got the same honor for services to the fashion industry in a later New Year Honours list. Honors are awarded twice a year, once at New Year’s, and then in June to mark the king’s birthday. They are mostly made on the recommendation of the government, though the monarch has input too. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office would not confirm the press reports, as is custom. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

Rodgers ends months-long dance

Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are taking their long-simmering bromance to the next level. The four-time NFL MVP ended months of “Will he? Or won’t he?” speculation by agreeing to a one-year deal with the Steelers, pending the 41-year-old passing a physical. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. The Steelers and Rodgers had been circling each other for months. Rodgers even visited the team’s facility in late March, driving in undercover in a nondescript sedan wearing a hat and sunglasses. While there were plenty of nice words from both sides in the aftermath, Rodgers didn’t rush to put pen to paper, telling “The Pat McAfee Show” in April that his attention was focused on helping people in his inner circle who were “battling some difficult stuff” and that he didn’t want to decide until he knew he could fully commit. With mandatory minicamp coming next week, Rodgers apparently finds himself in a place where he can give the Steelers his full attention. Rodgers joins a team that has been stuck in a transitional period at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

Tottenham fires coach Postecoglou

Tottenham fired manager Ange Postecoglou on Friday, two weeks after he won the Europa League and the club’s first trophy in 17 years. Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, fulfilling his promise that he “always” delivers silverware in his second season. Spurs also reached the League Cup semifinals but finished a dismal 17th in the Premier League. “Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties,” Tottenham said in a statement. Postecoglou also released a statement through his agency CAA Base, saying the trophy win “will live with me for a lifetime.” “The opportunity to lead one of England’s historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime,” he said. “Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.” —Associated Press