U.S./World Sports category, Page 349
Mark Madden: Throwback wrestler Harley Race’s death both sad, symbolic
Hulk Hogan’s real name is Terry Bollea. Steve Austin is Steve Williams. Richard Fliehr stylized his name to Ric Flair. But Harley Race was born to be a wrestler. Harley Race was his real name. Harley, like the motorcycle. Race, as in “who’s fastest?” It’s a dangerous, exciting name. You...
Ex-Olympian Ashley Wagner says she was sexually assaulted
Former Olympian Ashley Wagner says she was sexually assaulted by another figure skater in 2008 when she 17. The three-time national champion wrote in USA Today on Thursday that John Coughlin climbed into her bed after a party at a skating camp and began kissing and groping her. Coughlin was...
Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster to step down after season
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster says the upcoming football season will be his final as an assistant coach. Foster has been the Hokies’ defensive coordinator since 1995. His 33 years on staff makes him the longest tenured assistant coach in the country at the same school. His teams...
Jill Ellis stepping down as U.S. women’s national soccer team coach
National team coach Jill Ellis is stepping down after leading the United States to back-to-back Women’s World Cup titles. Ellis has been coach of the team since 2014 and has led it to eight overall tournament titles, including victories at the World Cup in 2015 in Canada and earlier this...
Zion Williamson embraces his new normal
The past few weeks have been a blur to Zion Williamson. Picked No. 1 in the NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. Signed his first pro contract that could be worth as much as $45 million over the next four years. Went to summer league and got hurt after...
Brazilian police dismiss rape claim against soccer star Neymar
SAO PAULO — Brazilian police said Tuesday they’ve decided there are no grounds to bring rape charges against soccer star Neymar. And they’re investigating whether his accuser filed a false report. “We checked all the possibilities. I did not see enough elements to indict,” Sao Paulo police investigator Juliana Lopes...
First Call: Le’Veon Bell’s apology; weird trick pitch; odd NFL rule enforcement
You’ll like the fact that Le’Veon Bell apologized — until you find out who he is referencing. Also, a weird hidden ball trick. And an under-the-radar rules enforcement in the NFL. All that and more in “First Call” for Tuesday. An apology … to whom? Le’Veon Bell has finally apologized....
More Tour frustration for France but future looking bright
PARIS — “Now or Never.” That was the headline running across the front page of France’s biggest-selling sports newspaper L’Equipe three weeks ago, amid nationwide hopes a homegrown rider finally could win the Tour de France. In the absence of many big names, including four-time champion Chris Froome, France’s top...
With 8 medals at worlds, swimmer Caeleb Dressel establishes own standard
GWANGJU, South Korea — Exhaustion and relief flooded Caeleb Dressel. Maybe now the comparisons with Michael Phelps can fade away. Dressel earned eight medals, including six golds, at the world swimming championships, the biggest meet outside the Olympics. Two years ago in Hungary, he tied Phelps’ record of seven golds...
JGR driver Erik Jones overcomes slow start to inch into playoff contention
LONG POND — Erik Jones started the season on the hot seat for Joe Gibbs Racing. Now, 21 races into the season, he is on a hot streak for the best team in NASCAR and making an easy case for a new contract. With five races left before NASCAR sets...
Plum native Pat McAfee to serve as ESPN college football analyst
Pat McAfee, the former All-Pro punter with the Indianapolis Colts who has been involved several years in such media ventures as a podcaster, in-studio guest for the NFL Network and an on-air personality for WWE, now will serve as a color analyst for ESPN’s Thursday night college football. Both McAfee...
‘Huddle Up with Gus’: KDKA’s Larry Richert on broadcasting career, relationship with Bruno Sammartino
Among Larry Richert’s fondest memories in his long broadcasting career involve another Pittsburgh icon. Richert went with Bruno Sammartino to his hometown in Italy in 2010 to learn more about the WWE superstar’s life. When they got there, Richert quickly realized how much Sammartino meant to his hometown. Locals expressed...
Koepka rolls to first World Golf Championships title at St. Jude
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brooks Koepka knows everyone wanted to see a tight final-round duel with Rory McIlroy. “That would have been incredible for the fans, for everybody that showed up, and I’m sure that’s what everybody wanted,” Koepka said. Too bad Koepka drained all the drama Sunday on the way...
Denny Hamlin pulls away after restart to win NASCAR race at Pocono
LONG POND — Denny Hamlin had enough speed In his Toyota, enough confidence in his crew chief and just enough fuel to reach the finish line. Hamlin got the win Sunday at Pocono Raceway — his fifth at the tri-oval track nestled in the mountains — but so much more...
John Steigerwald: Equality Act could create major problems for women’s sports
Do you have a daughter, granddaughter or niece who plays a sport in high school or college? If so, you might want to think about contacting your congressperson and ask about the Equality Act. Especially if that congressperson is a Democrat. That party voted unanimously to pass the Equality Act...
Colombian Egan Bernal wins historic Tour de France
PARIS — On the Champs-Elysees fittingly bathed in the yellow of a golden dusk, a Tour de France for the ages crowned a champion of an unusually young age Sunday: 22-year-old Egan Bernal, South America’s first winner of cycling’s greatest race. “I cannot believe it. It’s just incredible. I am...
Egan Bernal wins Tour de France
PARIS — Egan Bernal has become the first Colombian to win the Tour de France as the three-week race ended with the 21st and final stage on the Champs-Elysees. At 22, Bernal is the youngest Tour winner in the post-World War II era. Bernal succeeded Ineos teammate Geraint Thomas as...
NASCAR’s Kyle Busch seeks rare 3-peat at Pocono
LONG POND — Kyle Busch has swept race weekends across all NASCAR series, so perhaps the idea of driving four times in next year’s packed Pocono slate would hold some appeal for the sport’s winningest driver. “Hell no,” Busch said to laughter. “Not unless they put up a 50-grand bounty...
Southwind Ozzi cruises to 7-length victory in $400K Adios
Five weeks after undergoing emergency hernia surgery, Southwind Ozzi won the $400,000 Delvin Miller Adios by seven lengths on Saturday at The Meadows. Driven by Brian Sears, the 3-year-old pacer finished in 1 minute, 48 seconds, the second-fastest mile in the 53-year history of the race. It was the third...
Ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright pleads guilty
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright agreed to a deal Thursday in which she pleads guilty to facilitation to first-degree murder and receives a 30-year prison sentence. Sherra Wright entered the plea during a hearing in Shelby County Criminal Court. Lorenzen Wright’s body was...
Book by soccer star Megan Rapinoe to be published next year
NEW YORK — Soccer star Megan Rapinoe has scored again, this time with a book deal. Penguin Press announced Thursday that Rapinoe’s book, currently untitled, will be published in Fall 2020. Penguin is calling the book a “perfect vehicle” for an “honest, thoughtful, unapologetic” take on everything from soccer to...
Ryan Blaney hoping to right inconsistent season at Pocono
It has been a season of inconsistency for Ryan Blaney. On one hand, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford has run well enough to win. Through 20 races, he has led 362 laps and posted six top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Ranked 11th in the standings, he...
Dustin Johnson, Thomas both with titles to defend at WGC event in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dustin Johnson made it clear. Even though he won the last time the PGA Tour visited TPC Southwind, he is not the defending champion. That would be Justin Thomas, who is looking to become the first repeat winner at this World Golf Championships event since Tiger Woods...
Julian Alaphilippe, Geraint Thomas bracing for Tour de France showdown
GAP, France — Picture the final showdown in “High Noon.” But at more than a mile above sea level. With an Alpine trilogy of stages including six climbs in rarefied air, forecasts of stormy weather and only 39 seconds separating five riders determined to topple yellow jersey holder Julian Alaphilippe,...
Tribute planned at nationals for late runner Gabe Grunewald
DES MOINES, Iowa — Justin Grunewald carries a lock of her hair with him as a remembrance. He has countless photos of her on his phone, along with rich stories from so many. He feels closest to his late wife, Gabriele — “Gabe” to everyone — at random moments: on...
