Flores responds to Tua’s criticism

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores acknowledged Tuesday he was stung by the sharp criticism of his coaching style from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s recent public assessment of their time together in Miami. Responding to remarks Tagovailoa made in an interview, Flores wished his former player well and expressed his pleasure in the success the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft has had. Flores, above, said he has reflected on his time as head coach of the Dolphins from 2019-21 and believes he has learned ways to be better as a leader. But he also said he is confident he’s had many players and colleagues who trust and appreciate him. Tagovailoa said on “ The Dan LeBatard Show ” that he has much preferred playing for current Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel because of how Flores treated him and how the experience eroded his self-esteem. “I don’t care who you are. ... You have a terrible person that’s telling you things that you don’t want to hear or that you probably shouldn’t ever hear, you’re going to start to believe that about yourself,” Tagovailoa said.

Gauff will be on Wheaties box cover

A year after becoming a Grand Slam champion, Coco Gauff is teaming up with the “Breakfast of Champions.” As she gets set to defend her U.S. Open title, Gauff is going to be on the cover of a limited-edition box of Wheaties, the cereal maker announced Tuesday. The U.S. Open begins Monday. Gauff won the tournament in 2023 at age 19. That made her the youngest American champion at the event since Serena Williams in 1999. Gauff’s Wheaties box comes a few months after tennis great and an equal rights pioneer Billie Jean King was honored by the brand. “I’ve had so many role models in this sport help guide my professional and personal journey, and I hope to keep empowering the next generation to also work hard and dream big,” said Gauff, who enters the U.S. Open No. 3 in the WTA rankings. All eyes will be on Gauff as she attempts to become the first woman to win back-to-back U.S. Open singles titles since Williams, who won three in a row from 2012-14. “I don’t really try to look in the past. I want to continue to move forward,” Gauff said earlier this month.

French star Williams rejoins Storm

Gabby Williams is back with the Storm. Williams, who helped France win a silver medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this month, signed a rest-of-season contract with the Storm on Tuesday. She will start play next week when the Storm return from their current road trip. It’s her third season with the team after being acquired in a trade with the Sparks prior to the start of the 2022 season. “We’re thrilled to have Gabby back with the Storm,” coach Noelle Quinn said. “... (Her) Olympic performance showcased her world-class talent.” Williams averaged 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals for France at the Games. She had 19 points in the gold medal game, including five in the final few seconds, to almost pull off the upset of the U.S. Williams was stellar in 2022 starting all 36 games while averaging 7.5 points, 5.0 boards, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals. She re-signed with the team midway through the 2023 season after missing the first part of the year due to an injury. She averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 10 games that season. —News services