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NFL

Lions couldn't pass up chance to grab 'game-changer' WR Jameson Williams

6:00 AM ET

  • Eric WoodyardESPN

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Once Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and the front office identified their top prospects ahead of last weekend’s NFL draft, they began gauging the possibility of trading up to acquire a second high pick on Day 1.

But not just for anyone, it had to be for a “game-changer,” Holmes said.

With the No. 2 overall selection Thursday, the Lions drafted Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Then Holmes got aggressive and traded up 20 spots, from No. 32, to take Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams with the 12th pick.

Game-changer secured.

“This guy’s gritty. He’s a dog. He loves football. He just fit what we’re about,” said Holmes, who acquired the pick from the Minnesota Vikings. “Once the conviction and the buy-in kept rising, then I started saying, ‘OK, alright, maybe being that he’s one of those guys that we had graded similarly, very evenly up at the top, let’s go get him.’”

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The Lions moved up 20 spots to take game-breaking wde receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12. 

The move was a surprise to many fans and draft experts, but the Lions are trying to put a group of explosive offensive weapons around quarterback

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Soccer

Watch: Red-hot Benzema cracks 40-goal mark with incredible volley

Karim Benzema can’t be stopped.

The French forward delivered another huge goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League, scoring a beautiful left-footed volley out of nowhere in Tuesday’s semifinal to cut Manchester City’s early two-goal advantage in half.

It was Benzema’s 40th goal of the season.

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Benzema scored his second goal of the match – and 41st of the campaign – in the second half, converting a cheeky Panenka penalty late on. Despite the Frenchman’s latest scoring outburst, Manchester City held off Real Madrid for a 4-3 win.

Soccer

Football agent Mino Raiola dies at 54

Italian football agent Mino Raiola has died at the age of 54, his family announced Saturday.

A statement on Twitter read: “In infinite sorrow, we share the passing of the most caring and amazing football agent that ever was.

“Mino fought until the end with the same strength he put on negotiation tables to defend our players. As usual, Mino made us proud and never realized it.

“Mino touched so many lives through his work and wrote a new chapter in the history of modern football. His presence will forever be missed.

“Mino’s mission of making football a better place for players will continue with the same passion.”

Raiola was one of the most recognizable agents in football, representing some of the sport’s most famous players in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Matthijs de Ligt, and Erling Haaland.

He oversaw a handful of lucrative transfers, including Pogba’s then world-record £93.2m transfer to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016.

This summer, Raiola was expected to be involved in the anticipated transfers of Pogba and Haaland.

Soccer

Watch: Floodgates open for Liverpool against helpless Villarreal

It was only a matter of time before Liverpool took a deserved lead in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash against Villarreal on Wednesday.

Wave after wave of attacking pressure failed to yield a goal for the hosts, but the floodgates finally opened just before the hour mark. Jordan Henderson’s cross deflected off Pervis Estupinan and sailed into the Villarreal net in the 53rd minute.

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Then, Sadio Mane made it 2-0 shortly after, poking the ball past a helpless Geronimo Rulli from close range.

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The Reds will take their two-goal advantage to Spain for the second leg next week.

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