MILAN —Sibling rivalries typically exist amongst families, but Haley Winn’s brothers collectively agree she’s the most athletic person in their family. She is representing the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics, after all.

‘I think it’s pretty obvious,’ Tommy Winn, one of her three older brothers, told USA TODAY Sports on Monday ahead of the U.S. women’s national hockey team’s 5-0 semifinal shutout of Sweden. ‘She’s competing … on the biggest stage in the world, so it’s got to be Haley.’

Becoming an Olympian has been a lifelong goal of Winn’s ever since she was a little girl. Tommy Winn shared a photo of his sister’s grade school yearbook photo, where it reads, ‘Haley Winn, Hockey Olympian.’

Watch Winter Olympics on Peacock

‘As long as I can remember, it’s been my dream to be here,’ said Winn, who has recorded four points in her first Games with one goal and three assists, including one against Sweden. ‘But seeing that photo was pretty cool.’

The dream is not Winn’s alone. She’s sharing the moment and experience with her entire family, who traveled to Milan to cheer her on in person. Her three brothers —Casey, Ryan and Tommy Winn —have taken it a step further with viral coordinating outfits and wholesome antics that have captivated audiences across the nation.

The trio donned matching American flag tracksuits and bucket hats to USA’s 5-0 preliminary win over Switzerland, where Winn scored her first Olympic goal. The brothers went with a dapper look and channeled paperboys in USA’s 5-0 shutout of Canada, where Winn assisted the game-winning goal. They sported mullet wigs and Americana-inspired look for USA’s 6-0 quarterfinal rout of Italy, during which Winn picked up another assist.

Tommy Winn told USA TODAY Sports that most of their patriotic outfits come from Amazon.

‘So it started in 2024. We actually wore this outfit that I’m wearing now to the World Championships,’ Tommy Winn said, pointing to their semifinal ensemble —a red, white and blue onesie that featured stars, stripes and a bald eagle across the chest. They completed the look with a bald eagle mask that retails for $9.99 on Amazon.

The Winn brothers were shown in their latex bald eagle masks on the Jumbotron at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Monday during USA’s 5-0 semifinal shutout over Sweden, drawing applause each time.

‘We figured biggest stage of the world, we got to go bigger and better,’ added Tommy Winn, who played collegiate hockey, like all the Winn siblings. ‘So we pulled out a new outfit for each game that we went to and we kind of just bounced ideas off each other, saw what we liked, what we didn’t like … It was a collaborative effort.’

One person not involved in the planning is Haley. Like the rest of the world, the star defender doesn’t know her brothers’ outfits ahead of time and she prefers it that way.

‘We told her that we were going to be bringing some crazy outfits, so she was kind of aware. But she wanted all the outfits to be a surprise, so she didn’t know exactly what was coming,’ said Tommy Winn, who added that his more introverted younger sister may be ‘a little embarrassed’ by their larger-than-life personalities and outfits.

Haley said that couldn’t be further from the truth.

‘I’m so grateful, obviously, that they’re so passionate and supportive,’ Haley told USA TODAY Sports. ‘I’m definitely glad that they’re taking more of the social media heat. That’s awesome. But no, I mean no embarrassment that they’re supporting us.’

Winn said it’s ‘so surreal’ to have her family and friends in Milan as her Olympic dream becomes reality. And now a gold medal is in reach. Winn and the U.S. women’s hockey team will face off against rival Canada on Thursday in pursuit of the team’s first Olympic gold since 2018. Winn will walk away with her first Olympic medal.

She said she ‘wouldn’t be here’ on the biggest stage in the world without her family: ‘You’re kind of at a loss of words, obviously. I’m so blessed that they’re here … it’s so special to have those kind of people in your corner.’

Tommy Winn said watching his younger sister reach her goals ‘means the world to us and to Haley.’

‘It’s been her dream for as long as I can remember and it honestly turned into my dream just for her to make it here,’ he added. ‘And it’s a privilege for her to be able to play for the United States, for us to be here and watching. It’s been a great experience.’

When asked what the Winn brothers’ plan to wear for the gold medal match, Tommy Winn surprisingly said they have a ‘calmer’ look picked out so all the attention is rightfully on the women playing their hearts out on the ice.

‘Obviously we just love supporting Haley and the entire US women’s hockey team, but we want just more eyes reaching them and reaching just women’s sports in general,’ Tommy Winn said. ‘That gold medal game, we want all eyes on them. So we’re going to keep it calm and most likely just break out some jerseys.’

Spoken like a true big brother.

Follow USA Today’s National Women’s Sports reporter, Cydney Henderson, on Twitter at @CydHenderson

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MILAN – Vera Wang is best known as an iconic fashion designer. But she’s at the 2026 Winter Olympics because of her love of something else.

Almost 60 years ago, Wang was at the height of her figure skating career, competing at the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in junior pairs with partner James Stuart, according to U.S. Figure Skating.

Wang’s fashion career began after she let go of her dream of competing in the Olympics, although she has not let go of figure skating.

‘That probably is the love of my life, even more than fashion,’ Wang, who is in her mid-70s, told Brian Boitano of figure skating on the Milan Magic podcast. ‘I don’t get to say that often, but that’s the truth.‘

As a designer, Wang has worked with Olympic gold medalists such as Michelle Kwan, Madison Chock, Nathan Chen and Evan Lysacek.  She speaks with passion not only about the outfits she designed, but also her days as a competitive skater.

Not all of those days were as elegant as her fashion designs, according to Wang.

She shared a recollection of an incident she said took place at the Philadelphia Spectrum when she was practicing for a pairs competition and her partner dropped her onto the rink ice.

“We were going for a kick, cartwheel lift,’ Wang said. ‘I was in the air…at about 25 mph, and he tripped going forward. I fell, flew across the ice and landed on my left side, kicked my blade into my rear.’

Wang said she was bleeding and blacked out before seeing coaches come on to the ice to get her.

Heart beating as judges watched

Wang also shared memories of her experience with compulsory figures — the figure eights and circles skaters must trace over during competitions.

Under the scrunitizing eyes of judges.

“On the ice, right around you, and watch you tracing figures on a blade this thin. And you had to create these beautiful shapes on the ice.’

Circles. Loops. Counters.

“And you have to go and tiptoe to the center to where you would start your figures,’ Wang said.

She recalled her heart beating and feeling like she was in a court of law as she was scrutinized by the judges.

She recalled holding up under the glare. For her compulsories, Wang said, she’d won gold medals.

‘Wisp of an ice ballerina’

Wang suggested no one alive knows about her skating career because her coaches have passed away. But some of her feats have been documented.

On March 3, 1962, the New York Times published a story that opened as follows:

“Vera Wang, a 12-year-old wisp of an ice ballerina, won the junior ladies singles title in the Middle Atlantic figure skating championships last night. The tiny youngster, whose daily routine includes an hour and fifteen minutes of skating practice before school, triumphed over eleven rivals at the Iceland rink atop Madison Square Garden.’

The story also noted Wang was born in New York, the daughter of parents who immigrated from China after World War II. And that she wore a big smile after assuming the lead at those Middle Atlantic figure skating championships in the compulsory school figures.

She and Stuart competed twice at the U.S. Championships, for the final time in Philadelphia in 1968.

“I’m not an Olympian, by I tried to be,’ Wang said as her interview on the Milan Magic podcast came to a close. “My closing sentence is that I never made it, but my clothes did.’

MILAN — Sweden and Switzerland both suffered semifinal losses during the women’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but medals are still up for grabs.

The teams will face off in the bronze medal match on Thursday, Feb. 19 at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, offering both Sweden and Switzerland a chance to end their Olympic campaigns on a high note with a win. Sweden was shut out 5-0 by the Americans, while Switzerland was edged by Canada 2-1.

Team USA and Canada will play for the Olympic women’s hockey gold medal later Thursday.

The Swedes are vying for their third overall Olympic medal after picking up silver at the 2006 Turin Games and bronze in Salt Lake City in 2002. Meanwhile, the Swiss women are in pursuit of their second overall medal after winning bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games.

USA TODAY Sports is in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics and will provide live coverage of the bronze medal match. Here’s what you need to know:

Stream the 2026 Winter Olympics on Peacock

We’re underway

The bronze medal game is officially underway. Sweden has been the more aggressive team to start and has a slight edge with four shots on goal, compared to three for Switzerland.

Goalkeeper matchup

Sweden will have Ebba Svensson Traff in the net for Thursday’s bronze medal match, while Switzerland is turning to Andrea Braendli.

What time is the Olympic women’s hockey bronze medal game?

The bronze medal game between Switzerland and Sweden begins at 8:40 a.m. ET (2:40 p.m. in Milan.

What TV channel is the Olympic women’s hockey bronze medal game on?

USA Network will have tape-delayed coverage of the game between Switzerland and Sweden beginning at 12 p.m. ET.

Is there a live stream of the Olympic women’s bronze medal game?

You can live stream the game between Switzerland and Sweden on Peacock, which will have live coverage at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

MILAN — Alysa Liu is Team USA’s best hope to break the women’s figure skating Winter Olympics medal drought. Can she do it?

Ahead of Liu are the Japan duo of Ami Nakai and Kaori Sakamoto, and right behind her is another Japanese skater in Mone Chiba. Plus, Russia native Adeliia Petrosian is lurking.

So, what are the chances Liu ends up on the podium, or wins gold? A look at recent results shows what’s possible.

Alysa Liu free skate record

The 2025-26 season has been great for Liu in the free skate, with her continuously improving her score in each outing. In her first event, she got 128.22, and in the U.S. championships before the Olympics, earned a 147.80.

That does come with an asterisk. At nationals, Liu brought out her Lady Gaga medley, and is going back to the “MacArthur Park Suite.” The last time she used it, she got 146.70 at the Grand Prix Finals, which she won.

Ami Nakai free skate record

The surprising leader, Nakai put up a season-best short program to be in first. She may need another to hold onto gold.

Nakai’s personal best this season is 149.08, but she’s only gone over 140 in three of eight outings. Most recently, in January, she put up a 141.95 at the Four Continents event.

Kaori Sakamoto free skate record

Sakamoto is the gold medal favorite for a reason, consistently putting up stellar performances. This season, she has scored at least 148 points in all but one event. In the team event earlier in the Olympics, she scored 148.62, which won Japan the full 10 points.

Mone Chiba, Adeliia Petrosian free skate record

The people on the outside looking in do have a chance to shake up the standings. Chiba has been hit-and-miss in the free skate, scoring as high as 144.94 but as low as 131.84. In her last competition in January, she scored 134.16.

Petrosian is a bit of a mystery because she doesn’t have much international experience since Russian athletes have mostly been banned by the International Skating Union. She scored 151.22 in a Russian event, but 140.91 in the Olympic qualifiers. The lowest scores of the season have come in the Olympic qualifier and the Games, with her short program score the lowest she has received.

Can Alysa Liu medal at Winter Olympics?

Based on the season and current standings, Liu does have a big opportunity to pass by Nakai on the leaderboard. However, Sakamoto presents the most difficult challenge.

In the team event, Sakamoto had a total of 227.50 points, and is in the realm of achieving that again. If that is the case, Liu needs to score at least 150 points, something she has yet to do this season. This gives Sakamoto the best odds to win gold.

As for Chiba and Petrosian, the Japanese skater does have the potential to pass Liu on the leaderboard, giving the possibility of a full sweep of the podium for Japan. But given the up-and-down nature of her skates, she is the biggest wild card. Petrosian may not have enough since her scores in the few international competitions she’s been in have not been as high as when competing in her home country.

Anything can happen on the ice that completely shakes up the standings, giving some names not even mentioned a chance to end their Olympics in triumph. But if things go somewhat as they are expected to, Liu is in great position to win a medal, but gold is a difficult path.

MILAN — Jordan Stolz is ‘the greatest speed skater of all time.’

So declared Laurent Dubreuil, a Canadian speed skater, this week at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Well, not so fast, Mr. Dubreuil and others making such proclamations.

Stolz, the 21-year-old from Wisconsin, has won two Olympic gold medals, leaving him halfway home to his quest for four golds at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. He goes for his third on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Watch Winter Olympics on Peacock

When does Jordan Stolz skate next?

Stolz will compete in the men’s 1,500 meters today at 10:30 a.m. ET.

He enters the 1,500 as the clear favorite, having won the race in each of his five World Cup appearances during the 2025-26 season. He won gold in the 1,500 at the World Single Distances Championships in 2023 and 2024, and took silver in 2025.

Stolz is in the last pairing of the lineup, skating 15th and paired with Norway’s Peder Kongshaug.

Where to watch Jordan Stolz today

Peacock will provide coverage of what could be another Olympic record for Stolz to go along with the two he set in his other races – the 500 meters and the 1,000 meters.

Jordan Stolz thoughts on 1,500m

This week Stolz said, “I think if I have a good 1,500 — it should turn out well — I’m hoping for gold in that.’’

His final race will be the mass start on Feb. 21, when Stolz potentially could become only the third person to win four gold medals in a single Winter Olympics.

Eric Heiden, the legendary speed skater, became the only person to win five golds in a single Winter Olympics in 1980. But Stolz’s performance here so far has been dominant and before it ends could rival Heiden’s feats.

And maybe even prove Dubreuil right.

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The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as head coach last offseason. The 2025 outcome was an impressive offense paired with a historically poor defense, highlighting significant areas for improvement as they approach the 2026 offseason. Notably, ‘America’s Team’ has 20 pending free agents to consider.

Dallas’ list of pending free agents includes two of its offensive stars: starting running back Javonte Williams and breakout wide receiver George Pickens.

The Cowboys finished 7-9-1 in 2025 and missed the playoffs. They will need to address their beleaguered defense, which ranked No. 30 in the league, allowing 377 total yards per game, and No. 32 in points against, yielding a league-high 60 touchdowns. Ultimately, the team fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus at the end of the season.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones sought to enhance the roster at the trade deadline by acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. This move aimed to rebuild the defensive line after Dallas traded star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August.

The Cowboys own two first-round picks (picks No. 12 and No. 20) in the 2026 draft, thanks to the Parsons trade, and could use both to address positions of need on defense.

Here’s what to know about Dallas’ free agents and several players they could target this offseason:

Cowboys free agents in 2026

According to OverTheCap.com, Dallas has 22 players set to become free agents at the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11. Fifteen players are unrestricted free agents, meaning they are free to sign with any team. The remaining seven are either exclusive rights free agents (ERFA) or restricted free agents (RFA), whom the Cowboys can choose to sign before any other team.

Here’s the full list of the Cowboys’ pending free agents, all of whom are unrestricted unless otherwise noted:

WR George Pickens
RB Javonte Williams
RB Miles Sanders
WR Jalen Tolbert
EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.
EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
LB Kenneth Murray
S Donovan Wilson
RG Robert Jones
LT Hakeem Adeniji
EDGE Payton Turner
EDGE Sam Williams
LB Jack Sanborn
CB C.J. Goodwin
CB Corey Ballentine
K Brandon Aubrey (RFA)
RB Malik Davis (RFA)
RG Brock Hoffman (RFA)
RG T.J. Bass (RFA)
S Juanyeh Thomas (RFA)
CB Josh Butler (ERFA)
CB Reddy Steward (ERFA)

Cowboys 2026 free agent targets

The Cowboys rank 31st in cap space according to data from OverTheCap, as of Feb. 18. 

It’s expected the Cowboys can restructure several current contracts, including Prescott’s and CeeDee Lamb’s, to free up space ahead of free agency. Dallas isn’t usually an aggressive team in free agency, but here are some players it can realistically target in 2026:

RB Javonte Williams

The 25-year-old former second-round pick enjoyed a career year with 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns while providing a boost in the passing game with 35 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Williams’ ability to block and be a bell cow is something Dallas has missed since Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys should attempt to retain Williams, who won’t break the bank. (Market value: $7.8M annually)

CB Kader Kohou

Trevon Diggs is no longer in Dallas. DaRon Bland suffered another foot injury that landed him on Injured Reserve (IR) for the second consecutive season and rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel struggled when he finally played. Corner feels like a position Dallas could address in both the draft and free agency. Bringing in a veteran who can play the nickel will allow Bland to move back to the perimeter, where he excelled in 2023. Kohou missed all of last season with an ACL injury but offers a high floor at a discounted price compared to the other veteran corners in free agency. He notably played for Vic Fangio in 2023 and should be familiar with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s system; Parker worked under Fangio in Philadelphia. (Market value: $2M annually)

S Reed Blankenship

The Parker-Fangio connection makes Blankenship an obvious target. Dallas’ secondary needs consistency and the 26-year-old would provide an instant player who is familiar with Parker’s scheme. Malik Hooker is a cut candidate, which means the Cowboys could have two new starting safeties in 2026. (Market value: $7.2M annually)

LB Nakobe Dean

If it’s not Blankenship following Parker to his new home, it could be the veteran linebacker Dean. Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn are free agents and Logan Wilson is a cut candidate. This leaves linebacker as a position of need that a veteran in free agency can fill. (Market value: $7.9M annually)

LB Matt Milano

The former All-Pro is one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL. He’s been hampered by injuries over the last two seasons, which is why his market value is just $4.5 million. If Parker implements a 3-4 scheme, Dallas will require more out of the position. Sonny Styles is an ideal target in the draft, but an additional linebacker in free agency would provide a boost, especially one who has proven to be a great communicator. (Market value: $4.5M annually)

When does NFL free agency start?

Date: March 11
Time: 4 p.m. ET

NFL free agency officially starts at the beginning of the new league year. In 2026, the NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.

However, there is a two-day window beforehand called the ‘legal tampering period.’ This negotiation period begins at noon ET on Monday, March 9. Players can begin contract negotiations with teams during this period, and all agreed deals will become official at the start of the new league year on the 11th.

Most North Americans from coast to coast will share the same opinion: they want to see Canada and the USA meet in the men’s hockey final of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. 

Waiting to see if that desire comes to fruition gives us time to reflect.

The Americans and Canadians survived scares from lower seeds in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, so that potential gold medal matchup on Sunday remains a possibility.

Despite a couple of heartbreaking moments going against Team USA, the Red, White and Blue have acquitted themselves admirably throughout the years against Canada. Here’s a look at the United States’ top five best-on-best outings against its most bitter hockey rival.

Top 5 Team USA men’s hockey performances against Canada

5. Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 final (3-2 overtime loss)

After beating Canada in the preliminary round, expectations were sky high entering the gold medal game against Canada.

Team USA went toe-to-toe with its biggest hockey rivals, taking the game to overtime thanks to a Zach Parise equalizer with just under 25 seconds remaining in the third period.  

While it will always be remembered for Sidney Crosby’s Golden Goal, Team USA, aside from one moment etched permanently in time, was every bit Canada’s equal. 

4. 4 Nations Face-Off final (3-2 overtime loss)

While it goes down as another heartbreaking loss, Team USA was the better side in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. 

Stymied by a clutch Canadian goalie, Jordan Binnington, Team USA had a 2-1 lead and outshot Canada 33-27. The United States also had more hits (28-25) and dominated territorially for large portions of the game. 

Unfortunately, another generational talent inflicted the final blow, with Connor McDavid scoring the winning goal in overtime. 

3. Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 preliminary round (5-3 win)

Ryan Miller backstopped Team USA to a 5-3 win in the preliminary round of the 2010 Winter Olympics, making 42 saves in the demonstrative performance. 

With the United States wearing throwback jerseys they had on at the 1960 Games – the previous time they beat Canada at the Olympics – Brian Rafalski led the offensive charge, scoring two goals.

Ryan Kesler, Chris Drury and Jamie Langenbrunner rounded out the scoring in the historic victory.

2. 4 Nations Face-Off round-robin (3-1 win)

Not only was it the irrefutable best start to an international hockey game, but Team USA secured the impressive 3-1 round-robin victory. 

Three fights in nine seconds headlined the physically charged affair, reinforcing what everyone already knew: there is no love lost between these great hockey nations. 

After the dust settled on the donnybrooks, Team USA played one of its best defensive games, holding Canada to a single goal on a moment of brilliance from McDavid. Jake Guentzel scored twice, and Dylan Larkin netted the other. 

1. 1996 World Cup of Hockey final, Game 3 (5-2 win)

Nothing holds a candle to Team USA’s first best-on-best series win over Canada. In an epic best-of-three final at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, Team USA won the decider 5-2. 

Down 2-1 with 3:18 remaining, Brett Hull scored the equalizer, turning the tide for the Americans. Tony Amonte scored the game-winning goal less than a minute later, with Derian Hatcher firing into an empty net to put the series to bed.

PHOENIX — Bruce Meyer, the tenacious veteran litigator who has been the Major League Baseball Player Association’s lead negotiator, was voted unanimously Wednesday by the players to be their interim executive director, replacing Tony Clark.

Meyer, who was promoted to be the union’s deputy executive director in 2022, has been MLB’s public enemy since he joined the union in 2018. He frequently has clashed on even small agenda items with MLB, which has accused him of being bad for baseball.

Meyer, 64, is considered the union’s most fierce litigator since the days of Don Fehr and Gene Orza, and once again Wednesday expressed his deep resentment towards MLB’s hopes for a salary cap, believing that a lockout Dec. 1 is inevitable when the collective bargaining agreement expires.

“A lockout is all but guaranteed at the end of the agreement,’’ Meyer said Wednesday afternoon after meeting with the Chicago Cubs, and spending the morning with the Kansas City Royals. “The league has pretty much said that. Their strategy in bargaining has always been to put as much pressure on players as they can to try and create divisions and cracks among our membership.

“It never worked. I don’t think it will ever work.’’

Meyer, who said he will continue to be the lead negotiator, said that he and his staff have a duty to the players to listen to whatever MLB offers, but showed his disdain towards even entertaining a salary cap.

“Our position and the historic position of this union for decades on the salary cap is well known,’’ Meyer said. “It’s the ultimate restriction. It is something that owners in all the sports have wanted more than anything, and in baseball in particular. There’s a reason for that, because it’s good for them and not the players.’’

Meyer, even with the sudden resignation of Clark over an inappropriate relationship with a union employee, insisted Wednesday morning there is no disarray among the union ranks, and its resolve remains strong.

“I think anybody who’s going to assume that and act on that,’’ Meyer said, “is really making a mistake. I’m not going to say (the timing of Clark’s resignation) is a great thing. This is unforeseen. There have been some issues hanging over (him), and in some respects, it’s good to get them out of the way sooner rather than later.’’

Who is Bruce Meyer?

Meyer, while respected for his fierceness, does have his detractors. There was an attempt to remove him from the office two years ago, an effort led by attorney Harry Marino, who organized the efforts to have minor leaguers unionized. It failed when Clark came to Meyer’s defense.

The eight-person executive subcommittee pushed for Meyer to be voted as the executive director in their meeting Tuesday, but after pushback by at least three players on the call, no vote was taken. The larger group of 72 players, including player representatives from all 30 teams, decided to reconvene at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday after polling their own teammates. If Meyer didn’t receive enough support, they likely would have turned to Matt Nussbaum, the union’s general counsel who was promoted to interim deputy executive director, Meyer’s previous title.

Now, Meyer, who previously worked as a senior adviser at the NHL players union and was a partner at the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, will be running the whole show, much to MLB’s fear.

When the 99-day lockout ended in 2022, and the rank-and-file voted to accept MLB’s last proposal, Meyer sympathized with the executive council who wanted to continue negotiations, even if it meant losing games.

“Some players emerged from bargaining disappointed that we did not accomplish more,’’ Meyer said in a letter to players two years ago, “and in particular that we did not miss games to see if more gains could be made. To be clear, I sympathized and still do with these players and this position.’’

Meyer, who becomes the seventh executive director of the union, expects negotiations with MLB to begin in April on the next CBA, and just like the last round, tranquility will not be on anyone’s bingo card.

“I’d say I’m known as a tough litigator who also knows how to make deals when necessary,’’ Meyer said in a Q&A with the MLBPA newsletter. “In the sports area I’ve been involved in just about every type of issue, including labor, antitrust, licensing, collective bargaining and others. But the common thread is I have a passion for player advocacy and defending player rights.’’

Let the negotiations, with plenty of rancor, begin.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

The former Steelers safety was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of all four Super Bowl-winning teams during the 1970s. He was a key member of the notorious Steel Curtain defense and a staple of one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.

Wagner was drafted in the 11th round of the 1971 NFL Draft from Western Illinois. As a rookie, he started in 12 games and recorded two interceptions. Unfortunately, an injury to his neck in 1977 limited him to just three games that season. However, he returned in 1978, starting 14 games and recording two interceptions during the regular season, helping the Steelers win their third Super Bowl.

In 1979, he played in eight games and, although he didn’t play in the Super Bowl due to injuries, earned his fourth ring of the decade with the franchise.

In a statement, Steelers president Art Rooney II emphasized Wagner’s career accomplishments and honors with the Steelers.

‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and an integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,’ Rooney II said.

‘Mike played a key role on our championship teams of the 1970s. As a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams, his toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him.

‘On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mike’s family. He will always be remembered as a champion, a great teammate, and a proud member of the Steelers family.’

Wagner finished his career with 36 interceptions, including an NFL-high eight in 1973.

During his 10-year career from 1971 to 1980, Wagner played in 119 games with 116 starts. He recorded 12 fumble recoveries and his 36 interceptions rank sixth all-time in franchise history.