Rookie Easton Stick slowly getting up to speed with Chargers’ offense
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Easton Stick has drawn comparisons to Carson Wentz and Taysom Hill since being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round two weeks ago. There’s nothing wrong with comparisons, but the first task for the fifth-round pick is learning the playbook. He’s also taking...
Patriots’ Julian Edelman surprises mother by finally getting college degree
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman surprised his mother by bringing her to Ohio to see him finally get his college degree. He shared a photo on social media of him with his parents at his commencement ceremony at Kent State University on Saturday. He posted, “Kent State class...
Ex-West Virginia QB Will Grier’s education begins with Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rookie quarterback Will Grier got in his first work with the Carolina Panthers this weekend, and Cam Newton continued to be limited — even on the kickball field. Grier, the team’s rookie third-round draft pick out of West Virginia, threw for the first time with his new...
Cowboys make easing Ezekiel Elliott’s workload priority with 2 rookie RBs
FRISCO, Texas — Tony Pollard returned kicks and caught passes while growing up admiring Reggie Bush, making it easy to believe the former Memphis running back would be a change-of-pace option behind two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott for the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie fourth-round pick is also 6-foot, 210...
Kyler Murray impresses in 1st Cardinals practice despite wrong cleats
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals’ rookies took the practice field for the first time Friday, and all eyes were on quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray, the top overall pick last month in the NFL Draft, sported a white tie-on headband as he threw over the outstretched arms of coach Kliff...
Buccaneers’ 1st-round pick Devin White changes numbers, hits practice field
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One of Devin White’s first orders of business as the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft was selecting a new jersey number with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 2018 Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top college linebacker wore No. 40 at LSU and was...
Vikings release former Pitt lineman Adam Bisnowaty
At 6-foot-6, 305 pounds and with youth on his side, chances are good that Adam Bisnowaty will find himself in some NFL training camp this summer. But the former Pitt offensive tackle was released Wednesday by the Minnesota Vikings, his fourth NFL team. The Vikings were overstocked on the line...
Joe Namath says infamous Suzy Kolber interview was ‘blessing in disguise’
Former New York Jets quarterback and Super Bowl III hero Joe Namath hit rock bottom on national TV in 2003 when he infamously hit on ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber. “I want to kiss you. I couldn’t care less about the team struggling … I want to kiss you,” Namath...
Cincinnati Bengals claim former Pitt RB Darrin Hall off waivers
Darrin Hall is taking a tour of the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals claimed the former Pitt running back off waivers Tuesday, a day after he was released by the Cleveland Browns. NEWS: #Bengals acquire HB Darrin Hall on Waivers?: pic.twitter.com/f82tn4Bj8f— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 7, 2019 Hall, a...
After paying out almost $500M for concussions, NFL wants restrictions
PHILADELPHIA — The NFL concussion fund has paid out nearly $500 million in its first two years, but some players’ lawyers say there aren’t enough doctors in the approved network to evaluate dementia claims. They went to court Tuesday to oppose a rule to require retired players to be tested...
Photos: Tom Brady, Saquon Barkley among sports stars glammed up for Met gala event
The Met Gala in New York City drew dozens of glamorous celebs, but sports stars also crashed the event. Here are some of the sports stars that glammed it up at the annual event as when. (See the slideshow above for photos of their outfits.) New England Patriots quarterback Tom...
Browns waive ex-Pitt RB Darrin Hall
The Cleveland Browns waived former Pitt running back Darrin Hall on Monday, one week after he signed as an undrafted rookie free agent. Hall, a Youngstown, Ohio, native, rushed for 1,144 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for the Panthers. He ranked seventh in the ACC with 7.48 yards per...
XFL reaches multiyear agreement with ESPN and Fox
The XFL reached multiyear agreements with ESPN and Fox Sports on Monday to broadcast its games beginning in 2020. The league also announced its season will start Feb. 8, the weekend after the NFL season ends with the Super Bowl. This is the second time Vince McMahon has launched a...
First Call: Duquesne lineman gets a kick out of Seahawks minicamp, RMU & PSU in lacrosse tourney
In Monday’s “First Call,” a Duquesne Duke has a memorable moment at Seahawks camp. Also: the NCAA Lacrosse tournament will have a local flavor, a NHL game seven, and rumors about the NFL taking the combine on the road. The more you can do When you’re a rookie free agent...
In letter to NFL, lawyer for Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill disputes abuse
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The attorney for Tyreek Hill sent a letter to the NFL on Thursday disputing child-abuse claims made by the wide receiver’s fiancee, offering a point-by-point response to a secret recording of the couple that was made public last week. In the four-page letter, a copy of...
Pat McAfee calls out ‘yuppies’ after not getting ‘Monday Night Football’ job
Pat McAfee really wanted a job in the announcing booth with ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” Alas, he didn’t get it. “MNF” went in another direction, as they say. McAfee responded to the decision on Wednesday calling out “yuppies” in a statement on Twitter, “My entire life, the yuppies of the...
Fantasy Sports podcast: Melky Cabrera’s hot start, NFL Draft impact
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week, we look at which draft choices could impact the fantasy football world. Kyler Murray leads the way. Josh Jacobs should help the Oakland Raiders. Those tight ends from Iowa could be worth a pick. And the New...
Booger McFarland to be lone ‘Monday Night Football’ color analyst
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” will return to a two-man booth when it kicks off its 50th season later this year. The network announced Wednesday that Joe Tessitore will be back doing play-by-play, and Booger McFarland will move up to the booth after being a field-level analyst. ESPN also announced Lisa...
Hall of Fame defensive lineman Gino Marchetti dies
BALTIMORE — Gino Marchetti, a Hall of Fame defensive end who helped the Baltimore Colts win consecutive NFL championships in the late 1950s, died. The Pro Football Hall of Fame said Marchetti was 93. He died Monday at Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Pa., hospital spokeswoman Mary Kate Coghlan said. Marchetti...
Clay Matthews reacts to Packers giving his old number to a rookie
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Rams linebacker Clay Matthews seemed a little miffed about his old team giving his jersey number to a rookie. Matthews made a name for himself for 10 season playing defense for the Green Bay Packer. On Monday, his number, 52, was given to Michigan linebacker Rashan Gary,...
Atlanta Falcons release Seneca Valley, Slippery Rock graduate Fusco
The Atlanta Falcons on Monday released offensive lineman Brandon Fusco, a Seneca Valley and Slippery Rock graduate, after an injury-marred 2018 season. Fusco started the Falcons’ first seven games at right guard before suffering a season-ending injury in October. The team released him with the designation of a failed physical....
NFL, Twitter agree to multiyear extension, new features
NEW YORK — The NFL and Twitter announced a multiyear extension, including six new live shows for the league’s 100th season. The deal will feature live programming built around some of the NFL’s biggest events and more game highlights each week. The six shows will be focused on some of...
Dolphins’ Josh Rosen says he can be franchise QB
DAVIE, Fla. — As he embraced a fresh start Monday, Josh Rosen said all the right things, smiled a lot and even cracked a couple of jokes, such as when he noted the phalanx of photographers nearly drowning out his first news conference with the Miami Dolphins . “These clicks,”...
Police: Bad luck, not altercation, got football players shot
TOPEKA, Kan. — Two Washburn University football players who were shot outside of an off-campus house party hours after one of them was drafted by the New York Giants were “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” authorities said Monday. The shooting early Sunday killed defensive back Dwane Simmons...
Ex-Raiders, Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski retiring
Former Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski is set to retire after an 18-year career. Janikowski spent 17 seasons with Oakland before kicking last season with Seattle after signing a one-year deal. Janikowski’s agent, Paul Healy, confirmed to the Associated Press on Monday his client intends to retire....
