| JENWELTER | Veteran women's football player who recently became the NFL's first female coach: 2 wds. |
| LAMARJACKSON | Ravens quarterback who became the NFL's second unanimous MVP after Tom Brady in 2020: 2 wds. |
| ASHWIN | Indian Premier League player who recently became the third-highest wicket-taker with 185 wickets, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar.(Last Name) (6) |
| JESSICACAMPBELL | As per #41-Across... Canadian who is the first female coach in NHL history: 2 wds. |
| CAITLIN | With 1-Down, Iowa Hawkeyes player who recently became the NCAA's all-time scoring leader |
| TUPA | Tom scored the NFL's first two- point conversion (Browns against Bengals in '94) |
| CARR | Joe was the NFL's first commissioner 1921-39 |
| ESPN | Recipient of the NFL's first cable contract |
| MARIAHCAREY | Fantasy singer who recently became the first person to top the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades: 2 wds. |
| VINCECARTER | Atlanta Hawks forward who recently became the first to play in the NBA in four different decades: 2 wds. |
| RACHELREEVES | Who recently became the first woman to hold the position of UK chancellor of the exchequer? (6,6) |
| ZHAO | Who recently became the first Chinese player to win the world snooker championship? (4) |
| MANNYPACQUIAO | Filipino boxer who recently became the first person to hold a world title in four different decades: 2 wds. |
| NITISH | Who recently became the first Indian player to score 70+ runs and take two wickets in the same T20 international match? (6) |
| CASEY | South Korea's ... Phair, who recently became the youngest ever World Cup football player. (5) |
| ANDYREID | Kansas City Chiefs coach who's fourth in all-time wins, the most of any active coach: 2 wds. |
| SMRITI | Who recently became the first Indian in women's cricket to score an international hundred in all three formats of the game? (6) |
| EMMA | Raducanu who recently became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles final |
| XINTONG | Who recently became the first Asian to become World Snooker Champion? (4,7) |
| MINNESOTAWILD | NHL team for which Dean Evason (born in Flin Flon, Manitoba) is currently the Head Coach: 2 wds. |
