**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Fans**
*Connections: Sports Edition* offers a new twist on the beloved [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), tailored specifically for those who love sports.
Similar to the original *Connections*, the objective is to discover the shared connection among groups of words. Much like *Wordle*, the game resets at midnight, with each new puzzle presenting increased difficulty. If you’re finding it tough, we have hints and strategies to assist you.
If you’re merely looking for today’s answer, scroll to the bottom of this article. However, if you wish to tackle the puzzle on your own, continue reading for helpful clues and tactics.
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### What is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
The latest daily word game from the *NYT* is developed in collaboration with *The Athletic*, the sports-oriented segment of *The New York Times*. *Connections: Sports Edition* can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices, inviting players to categorize four words that share a common link.
Each puzzle contains 16 words, organized into four categories. These categories can draw from anything ranging from literary titles to sports jargon. Although multiple words might appear to fit together, only one correct grouping exists.
When you correctly match a set of four words, they are eliminated from the board. Nevertheless, incorrect answers are counted as mistakes, with players allowed up to four errors before the game concludes.
To simplify things, players can shuffle the board to more easily identify connections. Each category is color-coded:
– **Yellow** – Easiest
– **Green** – Moderate
– **Blue** – Challenging
– **Purple** – Most difficult
Like *Wordle*, players can share their outcomes with friends via social media.
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### Hint for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Need some assistance? Here are a few hints for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Protecting the catcher
– **Green:** Not a first-string player
– **Blue:** Competitions for NFL draft hopefuls
– **Purple:** Consequences of a flag or penalty
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
If you’re seeking additional help, here are the specific categories for today’s puzzle:
– **Yellow:** Equipment for a catcher
– **Green:** Reserves
– **Blue:** Evaluations and tests for the NFL Draft
– **Purple:** Outcomes of a penalty
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Answers
Still feeling puzzled? Here are the solutions for today’s game:
– **A Catcher’s Equipment** – *Mask, Chest Protector, Shin Guards, Glove*
– **Backups** – *Reserves, Bench, Depth, Substitutes*
– **NFL Draft Tests and Evaluations** – *Vertical Jump, Interview, 40-Yard Dash, Three-Cone Drill*
– **Results of a Penalty** – *Loss of Yards, Yellow Card, Power Play, Free-Throw*
If you didn’t solve it this time, don’t be discouraged! A new *Connections* puzzle will be available tomorrow, and we’ll have more hints and solutions ready for you.
In search of additional word games? Visit our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and many more!
Want to tackle yesterday’s challenge? [Here’s the answer to the previous *Connections* puzzle](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-26-2025).