Robert Duvall, Star Of ‘The Godfather’, Passes Away At 95

Robert Duvall,a Hollywood veteran known for movies likeThe Godfather,Apocalypse Now,To Kill a Mockingbird,and more, haspassed awayat the age of 95. His demise was announced by his wife, Luciana, on Monday, February 16, on Facebook.

"Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time," she said, before adding, "Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort."

The actor was an Oscar winner, having received the golden statuette for his 1983 movieTender Mercies.

Luciana, in her tribute to her husband, added that Duvall "gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented."

Robert Duvall's life and career revisited amid his demise

Image credits:Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Duvall was born in San Diego, California, in 1931. His father was a rear admiral in the US Navy, leading Duvall and his two brothers to be raised in Annapolis, Maryland, near the Naval Academy.

Duvall's father expected him to follow in his footsteps, but he chose to carve his own path.

Image credits:Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

"I was terrible at everything but acting. I could barely get through school," the actor toldPeoplemagazine in 1977.

Duvall joined the Army after high school and served in Korea, but when he returned home, his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion.

Image credits:CBS/Getty Images

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Duvall studied drama at Principia College in Illinois before moving to New York to study under Sanford Meisner at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse. His classmates included Gene Hackman, James Caan, and Dustin Hoffman.

Image credits:Warner Bros. Pictures

Duvall's Oscar forTender Mercieswas for his role as Mac Sledge, a washed-up country musician seeking redemption.

Image credits:American Zoetrope

InThe Godfather, Duvall portrayed Tom Hagen, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, though he did not win — like the five other times he was nominated for movies includingApocalypse Now,The Great Santini,The Apostle,A Civil Action, andThe Judge.

Duvall shared a message with his fans just months before his passing

Image credits:Bill Nation/Sygma/Getty Images

"To all my fans, have a happy Thanksgiving and a great year coming up," the actor said in a Facebook clip in November 2025. "God bless."

Duvall's final social media post, meanwhile, was a Facebook message on February 3 about his 2003 filmSecondhand Lions, starring Haley Joel Osment and Michael Caine.

Image credits:GP Images/Getty Images

"One day while filmingSecondhand Lions, the lion got out," Duvall joked just days before his passing. "Had he turned in my direction, I wouldn't be here today!"

Image credits:Library of Congress

Duvall had celebrated his milestone birthday on January 5 with a video clip that included pictures from his childhood as well as more recent footage. His wife put the video together.

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February 16, 2026

Robert Duvall, Star Of ‘The Godfather’, Passes Away At 95

Robert Duvall,a Hollywood veteran known for movies likeThe Godfather,Apocalypse Now,To Kill a Mockingbird,and more, hasp...

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IOC Defends Selling Controversial T-Shirt from Nazi-Era Olympic Games, Explaining Need to 'Safeguard' Intellectual Property

Olympic Shop

NEED TO KNOW

• A shirt commemorating the 1936 Berlin Olympics has sparked controversy online after selling out on the International Olympic Committee's website

• The 1936 Games took place when Germany was under the control of Adolf Hitler, who used them as an opportunity to promote Nazi ideology

• Although Hitler referred to Black athletes as "non-humans," track icon Jesse Owens emerged as the undeniable star of the Games that year after winning four gold medals

The International Olympic Committee explained its decision to sell a T-shirt commemorating the 1936 Berlin Games after it came under fire for doing so. The games, which were hosted by Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, were used by the politician as an opportunity to promote Nazi ideology.

The shirt, which was sold on the IOC's website, was a part of the committee's "Heritage Collection," which "celebrates the art and design of the Olympic Games," according to a description on thesite. "Each edition of the Games reflects a unique time and place in history when the world came together to celebrate humanity," it reads.

It appears that the shirt has since been removed from the website. However, it was previously available and listed as "out of stock" after selling out, according toCNN. An IOC spokesperson confirmed toThe Athleticthat the shirt had sold out.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the IOC explained the decision to sell the shirt, saying, "The IOC has a responsibility to safeguard Olympic Intellectual Property (IP) and ensure it is managed respectfully over time."

"This stewardship relies amongst other things, on IP rights, including trademarks, which are held for all editions of the Olympic Games and their respective key assets, including for Berlin 1936," they said. "The validity of these trademarks depends on their actual use. If they are not used by their owner, other parties could use them for their purposes."

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They continued, "As part of this responsibility, the IOC maintains an Olympic Heritage Collection that reflects more than 130 years of Olympic art and design. This collection presents assets such as emblems, pictograms, posters and mascots from every edition of the Games as historical artifacts."

"Maintaining a use of these historical elements also helps ensure they are not abused," the spokesperson said. "In recent years, this stewardship has enabled the IOC to reduce widespread unauthorized third-party use of 1936 Games related assets."

Bearing the official poster for the 1936 Olympics designed by Franz Würbel, the shirt features an image of a man with laurels around his head and his arm raised out of the frame. The Olympic Rings appear behind him, and the Brandenburg Gate is superimposed in front of him.

While Jesse Owens emerged from the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a huge winner, taking home four gold medals in the track and field categories, the Games were marked by the blatant promotion of Nazi propaganda.

Hitler referred to Black competitors such as Owens as "non-humans," while photos from the events show the prominent display of swastikas and people making the Nazi salute.

Speaking to CNN, Christine Schmidt, co-director of the Wiener Holocaust Library in London, commented on the Games that year, saying, "The Nazis' fascist and antisemitic propaganda infiltrated their promotion of the games, and many international Jewish athletes chose not to compete."

Schmidt added, "The IOC would be minded to consider whether any aesthetic appreciation of these games can be comfortably separated from the horror that followed."

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In their statement shared with PEOPLE, the IOC said they recognize "the profound historical context surrounding the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games."

"The 1936 Games also brought together 4,483 athletes from 49 countries competing in 149 events and included remarkable sporting achievements - among them those of Jesse Owens - that remain an important part of Olympic history," they said. "The broader historical context of these Games is explored in detail at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne."

Read the original article onPeople

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February 16, 2026

IOC Defends Selling Controversial T-Shirt from Nazi-Era Olympic Games, Explaining Need to 'Safeguard' Intellectual Property

Olympic Shop NEED TO KNOW A shirt commemorating the 1936 Berlin Olympics has sparked controversy online after selling out on the Interna...

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Chase Elliott had 1st Daytona 500 title in sight before losing out in last-lap wreck to Reddick

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Chase Elliott climbed from his car and sat on the outside wall of the track in stunned disbelief that theDaytona 500victory that was his — his first one, only a few feet from the finish line — was wiped out in a wreck.

NASCAR's most popular driver,Elliottneeded a moment to collect his thoughts outside the No. 9 Chevrolet. Fireworks exploded behind Elliott for race winner Tyler Reddick. Elliott could only think of how close that celebration — and the victorious pool hall siren in Dawsonville, Georgia, being sounded— was to being for him.

"We were leading the Daytona 500 off (turn) four coming to the checkered flag," Elliott said, "and didn't win."

About the only Daytona 500 victory that could have beenmore popular than an Elliottwinning the race would have been a checkered flag for team owner Michael Jordan. Jordan co-owns 23XI Racing and certainly his team's victory infused NASCAR with splashy headlines and needed buzz coming out of the sport's version of the Super Bowl when Reddick emerged from the wreck Sunday to top Elliott.

"He had a great shot at it coming off four," Hendrick Motorsports teammateWilliam Byronsaid. "It's a bummer for sure."

The Daytona 500 feels like one big bummer for Elliott.

Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR champion, won a qualifying race for the third time in his career leading into the race. He has started from the pole twice in his career.

Again, early Daytona success meant nothing on race day: Elliott finished fourth and fell to 0 for 11 at the Daytona 500.

"I'm not the type of person that ever lets myself get there in the first place," Elliott said. "I knew it wasn't over. That's part of this style of racing."

Elliott joins a long list of hard-luck losers at Daytona, including Fireball Roberts (1961), Donnie Allison (1979) and Mark Martin (2007). In 1990, Dale Earnhardt cut a tire less than mile from the finish line, allowing Derrike Cope to steal one.

Elliott had control on the final lap after leader Carson Hocevar was spun off the track and it appeared he would finally win his first Daytona 500. Elliott instead was clipped by Riley Herbst, and the nose of the Chevy tagged the wall. Elliott, who finished as runner-up in 2021, crashed and Reddick sailed past to take Jordan to the Daytona International Speedway victory lane.

"I just felt like Tyler was coming so quick," Elliott said. "I kind of blocked one direction. He went the other way."

Jeff Gordon, the three-time Daytona 500 champion who now serves as an executive at Hendrick, stood atop the pit box and seemingly tried to push Elliott to victory lane. He rocked back in his seat and threw his hands on his headset once the crash erupted and marred Elliott's race.

Elliott, the 30-year-oldson of Hall of Fame driverand two-time Daytona 500 champion Bill Elliott, found little consolation in having a great shot at the end at winning.

"You can run it through your mind 1,000 times, do you do something different," Elliott said. "I feel like if I had thrown a double block on (Reddick), probably would have just crashed us at that point in time. I felt like you had to pick your battles. I thought maybe if somebody would pick me up on the top, you might have one more run to the line but unfortunately ended up getting turned around."

Elliott, who has 21 career Cup wins, has yet to win NASCAR's biggest prize. Even though Elliott doesn't have a win in the Daytona 500, he has shown promise. He has finished inside the top 20 seven of the last eight years, including a second place showing in 2021.

The losing streak goes on — even as confidence remains high he'll join his dad one day in the select group of Daytona 500 champions.

"I think you have to trust in that a little bit; keep your head down, stay working, and if there's a day and a time for us, then there is," Elliott said. "We'll enjoy that moment if it ever comes."

AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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February 16, 2026

Chase Elliott had 1st Daytona 500 title in sight before losing out in last-lap wreck to Reddick

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Chase Elliott climbed from his car and sat on the outside wall of the track in stunned disbel...

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Kansas State fires men's basketball coach Jerome Tang

Jerome Tang's time at Kansas State is over.

KSU fired Tang on Sunday following the Wildcats' latest loss. KSU fell to 1-11 in the Big 12 with a 78-64 loss to Houston. It was the sixth straight defeat for Kansas State and came a game afterTang said he was "embarrassed for the university"when criticizing his team following a 91-62 home loss to Cincinnati.

Kansas State went 71-57 in Tang's time with the school. His buyout for a firing without cause is over $18 million, but Kansas State is attempting to fire Tang for cause, according toThe Manhattan Mercuryand other reports.

The cause? Those comments after the loss to the Bearcats for allegedly disparaging the university. By firing Tang for cause, Kansas State can say it isn't obligated to pay him his buyout. Tang would have the ability to challenge Kansas State's basis in court if he so chooses.

And it appears he will do so. He told ESPN that he plans to contest Kansas State's reasoning.

"I am deeply disappointed with the university's decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,"Tang told ESPN. "I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach."

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Tang's best season at Kansas State came in his first year with the school. The Wildcats went 26-10 in 2022-23 and made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament before losing to Florida Atlantic. It was the only time KSU would make the tournament in Tang's tenure; KSU went 19-15 the next season and then fell to 16-17 in 2024-25.

This season, the Wildcats are just 10-15 despite signing PJ Haggerty from Memphis out of the transfer portal. Haggerty is averaging 23.3 points per game and shooting 48% from the field. But Kansas State's defense has been abysmal.

K-State is averaging 80.2 points per game but giving up 80.7 points per game. Just 28 teams are allowing more points per game than the Wildcats this season.

That Cincinnati game appeared to be the tipping point for many Kansas State fans as students wore paper bags over their heads during the game. In his postgame news conference, Tang said the game was "embarrassing" and that "these dudes did not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few in it next year."

Tang will also not be wearing Kansas State colors next season. He then went on to say the team had practice at 6 a.m. the next day and he had "no answers and no words."

Tang came to Kansas State from Baylor. He was the Bears' associate head coach under Scott Drew from 2017-22 and was on the staff when the Bears won the 2021 national title. Before he was the team's associate head coach, Tang was an assistant with the team since 2003 after coaching high school basketball in Texas.

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February 16, 2026

Kansas State fires men's basketball coach Jerome Tang

Jerome Tang's time at Kansas State is over. KSU fired Tang on Sunday following the Wildcats' latest ...

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Former Washington Commanders OL Tre’ Johnson dies suddenly at 54

Former Washington Commanders offensive lineman Tre' Johnson died on Sunday, the team announced.

We're heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre' Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.pic.twitter.com/6Iak2dhYwk

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders)February 16, 2026

Further specifics are not yet known, thoughJohnson's wife shared on social mediathat he had died "suddenly and unexpectedly" during a family trip after recent health issues.

"If you know Tre' you know what a devoted and loving father he was to his children," his wife, Irene, wrote in part. "Tre' lived for his kid's sports activities and supported them through every practice and game until he took his last breath. He shared his passion for Frenchie's and riding his motorcycle with me and his fellow biking buddies."

Johnson spent most of his NFL career in Washington after the franchise selected him with the No. 31 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Temple. He was a staple in the team's offensive line for years, and he earned his one and only Pro Bowl nod during the 1999 campaign. The team went 10-6 that season and made the playoffs.

Johnson spent one season away from the team in 2001, when he joined the Cleveland Browns, but he appeared in only three games after a right knee injury. He rejoined Washington for one final season in 2002. In total, Johnson appeared in 93 games throughout his nine-year NFL career.

Johnson spent time as a history teacher in the Washington, D.C., area in retirement. His wife, Irene, also worked as a photographer for multiple area news organizations. The couple had four children together.

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February 16, 2026

Former Washington Commanders OL Tre’ Johnson dies suddenly at 54

Former Washington Commanders offensive lineman Tre' Johnson died on Sunday, the team announced. We're heartbroken to learn of the...

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