NFL=
According to a memo sent by Commissioner Roger Goodell to all 32
clubs, team practice facilities will be allowed to open on Tuesday,
provided the state and local governments will allow for it. Goodell
stressed that clubs must be “in compliance with any additional
public health requirements in their jurisdiction, and have
implemented the protocols that were developed by (league medical
officer) Dr. (Allen) Sills and distributed to all clubs on May 6.”
Facilities have been closed since late March due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
One day after insinuating that he was paid by Mike Tomlin to injure
an opponent, former Steelers linebacker James Harrison said his
former coach never had any kind of bounty system in place. Harrison
said on a podcast hosted by former teammate Willie Colon on
Thursday that Tomlin handed him an envelope after a 2010 game
against the Browns in which he injured wide receiver Mohamed
Massaquoi with a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was fined $50,000 by the
NFL for the play. Harrison was a frequent critic of Commissioner
Roger Goodell and the NFL’s player safety policy during his 15-year
career that ended in 2017, and wrote in his Instagram post that he
believed he was fined due to pressure on the league brought on by a
number of concussion lawsuits.
The Colts have two of their top rookies under contract after
agreeing to deals with running back Jonathan Taylor and quarterback
Jacob Eason. Taylor, a former Wisconsin star taken in the second
round of this year’s draft, is the only player in FBS history to
rush for over 6,000 yards in his first three seasons and could open
the season as Indy’s No. 1 back. Eason, a fourth-round choice out
of Washington, is considered the Colts’ possible quarterback of the
future with Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett slated to be free
agents at season’s end.
Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seahawks cornerback Quinton
Dunbar are being accused of armed robbery and are being sought by
police in South Florida. The two were attending a cookout at a home
in Miramar when a fight broke out, and Baker pulled out a handgun.
Baker, Dunbar, and two other men then robbed other people at the
party of thousands of dollars worth of cash, watches, and
valuables, according to witnesses. Dunbar’s attorney says he has
five signed affidavits from witnesses that exonerate his client.
NBA=
The pilot flying Kobe Bryant and seven others to a youth basketball
tournament did not have alcohol or drugs in his system, and all
nine sustained immediately fatal injuries when their helicopter
slammed into a hillside outside Los Angeles in January, according
to autopsies. The reports by the Los Angeles County coroner’s
office provide a clinical but unvarnished look at just how brutal
the crash was, describing broken bones, dismembered body parts and
a stench of fuel on what remained of clothing that burned.
Lakers center Dwight Howard revealed that the mother of his
6-year-old son died nearly six weeks ago due to an epileptic
seizure. Howard said that although he has spent the NBA’s hiatus
dealing with the difficult task of explaining Melissa Rios’ death
to his son, he is also grateful for the chance to heal from the
loss without the daily grind of the NBA schedule. Howard spoke
about Rios’ death on a video call from his offseason home in
Georgia, where he is staying with his children during the
coronavirus pandemic.
Pistons guard Bruce Brown had surgery last month to place a
ligament back onto his thumb bone, but would be ready to play if
the NBA season resumes, He played through the injury this season,
and has scored 8.9 points per game for Detroit.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL=
Taulia Tagovailoa, a backup quarterback at Alabama behind star
brother Tua Tagovailoa, is transferring to Maryland. Tagovailoa
will need a waiver to be eligible to play this season. He played
five games last season as a freshman, completing 9 of 12 passes for
100 yards and a touchdown. Maryland’s Mike Locksley coached Tua,
selected fifth overall in the NFL draft by Miami, as Alabama’s
offensive coordinator.
GOLF=
Rory McIlroy said his well-publicized round of golf with Donald
Trump in 2017 will be the last time he ever plays with the
president. Speaking to the McKellar Journal golf publication, the
current World No. 1 heavily criticized Trump for his handling of
the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. and said he wouldn’t want to
again endure the scrutiny he came under for playing with the
president. McIlroy did say his round with Trump in February 2017
was an enjoyable experience and called the president a gracious
host.
TENNIS=
The ATP and WTA announced that they have extended suspending their
seasons until at least August as tennis’ top two governing bodies
continue to wait out the coronavirus pandemic. Among the events
called off for July is the Hall of Fame Open in Rhode Island, which
prompted the International Tennis Hall of Fame to cancel its 2020
induction ceremonies. This year’s new honorees, Goran Ivanisevic
and Conchita Martinez, will instead be recognized along with the
2021 class. The U.S. Tennis Association has yet to make a decision
on this year’s U.S. Open, which is scheduled to begin in late
August.
SOCCER=
An unidentified player from German club Werner Bremen has been
forced into quarantine due to a close family member testing
positive for the coronavirus. The club said in a statement that the
player has himself tested negative and team members and staff are
not under any risk. The Bundesliga is set to resume play Saturday
after a two-month hiatus, and Bremen is scheduled to host Bayer
Leverkusen on Monday in its first game since the stoppage.
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