Sports category, Page 2108
Local ballplayers trying to stay sharp during coronavirus’ spring shutdown
Max McDowell was set to begin his sixth season in the minor leagues. A catcher for the Biloxi Shuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, McDowell couldn’t wait to start another year of dream-chasing on the diamond. But the Norwin graduate ended up disappointed. As slack-jawed as any athlete...
Pitt product Kevan Smith trying to catch on with Tampa Bay Rays
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Kevan Smith took some blindside hits during his days as a quarterback at Seneca Valley and Pitt. However, no blitzing linebacker or safety ever hit Smith in quite the way Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler did during a phone conversation in November. Eppler informed...
Recent moves put Steelers in good spot to address needs in draft
Entering the NFL’s legal tampering period last Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers knew some difficult decisions needed to be made. They had to restructure contracts to fit Bud Dupree’s franchise-tag tender under the salary cap. They prepared to say goodbye to the second-longest tenured player on the roster. They faced cutting...
Pirates, food bank volunteers help to feed those in need
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank did their part to help local families dealing with effects of the coronavirus Saturday by hosting a drive-up food distribution event in the PNC Park parking lots on the North Shore. Volunteers from both organizations supplied those in need with boxes...
Former Steelers 1st-rounder Artie Burns signs with Bears; Nick Vannett to Broncos
The final member of the 2016 draft class departed the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday when cornerback Artie Burns agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Burns, the team’s first-round pick that year, was the fourth member of that draft class to leave in free agency this...
Sewickley swimmers find consolation after state meet called off
Members of the Sewickley Valley YMCA swimming team like to go for treats at the Penn State Berkey Creamery after competing in the Pennsylvania YMCA championship. When this year’s meet was called off because of concerns over the possible spread of the coronavirus, Sea Dragon coach Paula Kwalick planned a...
Ben Roethlisberger on ‘lockdown,’ urges others to stay homeVideo
Ben Roethlisberger gave the world a glimpse of what his life has been like the past week while he and his family are voluntarily quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was seen in a tweet shared Friday afternoon by the official team account that showed an intimate...
USA Swimming urges USOPC to ask for delay of Tokyo GamesVideo
DENVER — The head of USA Swimming urged the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to push for a 12-month postponement of the Tokyo Games, signaling the first fissure between powerful American factions attempting to maneuver the U.S. team through the coronavirus crisis. CEO Tim Hinchey sent a letter Friday to...
Pittsburgh native Matthew Driscoll gets extension as North Florida men’s basketball coachVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — North Florida and men’s basketball coach Matthew Driscoll agreed to a three-year contract extension. Athletic director Lee Moon made the announcement Friday, saying Driscoll, a Pittsburgh native and Northgate graduate, “has established a standard for developing a championship-level culture both on and off the court.” “He has...
Pirates option 7 players, including Tucker and Hayes, to Triple-A Indianapolis
The Pirates optioned seven players to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, including former first-round draft choices Cole Tucker and Ke’Bryan Hayes. Tucker, who was drafted from high school in 2014, spent part of last season with the Pirates, but he hit only .211 in 56 games and was mainly the backup...
Penguins had a common appeal to Drew O’Connor, Cam LeeVideo
Drew O’Connor was a long shot to get here. Even he thought so. At a modest 5-foot-9 — by his estimates — after graduation from high school, O’Connor’s prospects for playing Division I hockey were, like him, small. He thought he might have to settle for playing for a Division...
Horse racing ‘living on borrowed time’ as it grapples with risks running during pandemicVideo
Horse racing is quickly learning it is not totally immune to the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on other sports, and now it’s grappling with the risks of continuing operations. The Louisiana Derby for now is still set for Saturday, the world’s richest day of races is scheduled to...
XFL cancels comeback season because of coronavirus pandemicVideo
NEW YORK — The XFL has canceled the remainder of its return season because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league played five games of a 10-game regular season in eight cities. It was a revival of the XFL that played one season in 2001. Commissioner Oliver Luck released a statement...
Patrick Chambers ’emotional’ about Penn State’s lost NCAA opportunity
Patrick Chambers passes his days without basketball like most working Americans. He has been on several conference calls with his Penn State coaching staff, university colleagues and administrators. In his free time, he reads and plays cards and board games with his children. An especially favored activity, he said, is...
Marbles, obscure sports rule in coronavirus pandemicVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Welcome to the Marble Universe, where the rushing of glass balls down race tracks, around sandy beach corners or getting thumped by fidget spinners has suddenly become as captivating as any dunk contest. Losing your marbles looking for sports to watch during the coronavirus pandemic? Get in on...
Franklin Regional alum Spencer Lee finalist for Hodge Trophy
Spencer Lee won’t get to go for a three-peat at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships, but he ended the season with a perfect record and that carries plenty of weight for candidates who are up for a national award. Lee, a junior 125-pounder at Iowa and a Franklin Regional...
Browns sign veteran safety Andrew SendejoVideo
The Cleveland Browns have added another veteran safety to their secondary, agreeing to terms with Andrew Sendejo on a one-year, $2.25 million contract. The 32-year-old Sendejo played for Minnesota and Philadelphia last season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Sendejo is the second safety locked up by the Browns in free agency this...
Steelers sign TE Eric Ebron, trade for Ravens defensive lineman Chris Wormley
At a midseason news conference last year, Mike Tomlin was asked to explain the reason for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ declining production in the red zone. “What do you think?” Tomlin retorted. The inference was clear: Without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, the team’s red-zone efficiency, which finished the worst in the...
Mark Madden: Penguins legend Mario Lemieux was snubbed 31 years ago, and it’s still hard to believe
Thirty-one years later, it still stings. The man himself might not feel it. His fans do. I do. Accolades came thick and fast during Mario Lemieux’s storied career. But to this day, the one that got away still angers. In 1988-89, Lemieux had 85 goals and 199 points. He won...
Penguins partner with Giant Eagle, Primanti Bros. to aid arena, restaurant staffers
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced a partnership with Giant Eagle and Primanti Bros. to offer temporary employment opportunities to staffers at PPG Paints Arena and area restaurants impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This partnership will allow those individuals to pursue employment with area Giant Eagle locations. “Supermarkets, pharmacies and fuel...
Juneau, Coghill help George Washington women’s swimming to A-10 title
North Allegheny grad Ann Juneau and Oakland Catholic alum Courtney Coghill were instrumental in George Washington women’s swimming and diving earning its first Atlantic 10 title. Juneau, a sophomore, posted personal-best times in the 200-yard breaststroke (2 minutes, 21.64 seconds), 200 individual medley (2:04.76) and 400 individual medley (4:31.36) in...
Amid coronavirus crisis, Pirates donate $50,000 to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
The MLB spring training and season have been halted by the coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped the Pittsburgh Pirates from giving back to those in need. The Pirates and Pirates Charities announced on Friday a $50,000 donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that distributes...
‘New football journey’: Tom Brady signs with Buccaneers
TAMPA, Fla. — Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saying he is embarking on a “new football journey.” The 42-year-old quarterback who spent the first 20 years of his career with the New England Patriots announced his decision Friday in...
AP source: Falcons agree to 1-year deal with Todd Gurley
ATLANTA — A person familiar with the deal says the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal with three-time Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley, The person told The Associated Press about the agreement on Friday on condition of anonymity because the deal will not be official until Gurley...
Steelers bring back Jordan Dangerfield on 1-year contract
Jordan Dangerfield wasn’t tendered a contract as a restricted free agent, but it turns out his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t quite over. The team announced Friday they signed Dangerfield, a valuable special teams player and backup safety, to a one-year contract. Dangerfield was one of four restricted free...
