Sports category, Page 1717
This Date in Sports History: Jan. 22
1920 — The New York Yankees announce they will be the first team to wear uniform numbers, according to the player’s position in batting order. 1960 — Paul Pender beats Sugar Ray Robinson in a 15-round split decision to capture the world middleweight boxing title. 1962 — Bob Feller and...
First Call: 3rd Steelers offensive coordinator candidate emerges, Chase Claypool’s welcome for Dwayne Haskins
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at a third Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator candidate. Chase Claypool is happy about the team’s latest quarterback addition. Bill O’Brien’s new gig is official. And a few college sports teams in Pittsburgh are getting creative to deal with covid-19 scheduling hassles. Next up On...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ signing of Dwayne Haskins shows what could come in the post-Roethlisberger era
There is a lot of speculation over what the signing of former Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins “really” means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Is it an indicator that Ben Roethlisberger is going to retire? Is Haskins being brought on board to goose Roethlisberger in that direction? Does it mean that Mason...
Debating Tristan Jarry or Casey DeSmith in goal for the Penguins Friday night
Even in a 56-game NHL season, it’s still early for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are 2-2 after their first four games. So, it’s far too soon to start a goalie controversy. Nor should a decision to leave Casey DeSmith in the net for Game 5 of the season against the...
Former Pitt soccer player Edward Kizza chosen in first round of MLS Draft
Former Pitt soccer player Edward Kizza, who set school goal-scoring records over his 53-game, three-year career, was drafted Thursday by the New England Revolution with the 24th selection in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. The New England Revolution have selected former Panther Edward Kizza with the 24th pick...
Myreon Jones helps Penn State to 1st Big Ten win
UNIVERSITY PARK — Izaiah Brockington and Myreon Jones scored 17 points apiece, Jones making three clinching free throws in the waning seconds, and Penn State held off a resurgent Rutgers, 75-67, on Thursday night for its first Big Ten win this season. Seth Lundy chipped in 16 points with 10...
Robert Saleh’s Jets path shaped by 9/11: ‘I’m supposed to be here’
NEW YORK — Robert Saleh was trudging along in his professional life nearly 20 years ago, trying to find satisfaction and direction. His brother’s harrowing experience during the 9/11 attacks changed all that. Now, Saleh is the coach of the New York Jets, coming to the city that shaped his...
Japanese government: Tokyo Olympics on thin ice because of covidVideo
Japan’s government has privately agreed that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, The (London) Times reported on Friday, citing an unnamed senior member of the ruling coalition. The government’s focus is now securing the Games for Tokyo in the next available spot, 2032,...
Pitt endured ‘terrible’ practice after beating Duke
When Pitt reported to practice Thursday afternoon after a day off and the big victory against Duke, the session didn’t go especially well. “Practice, it was terrible. I ain’t going to lie to you,” said junior guard Xavier Johnson, one of the team’s most experienced players. “It was kind of...
Lions coach Dan Campbell: ‘We’re going to bite a kneecap off’
Dan Campbell is empathetic about the hard times people have had in Detroit, in their lives and as fans of the Detroit Lions. The new coach of the long-suffering franchise is fired up for an opportunity to help the NFL team and people in the Motor City. “We need to...
Chiefs’ Reid, Bills’ McDermott to match wits for AFC titleVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ten years after firing Sean McDermott as his defensive coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid will stare across the field inside Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday and see his protege trying to spoil his hopes of a Super Bowl repeat. Funny thing: Even after firing him,...
Norwin basketball standout Ty Bilinsky back on court after recovering from stroke
Ty Bilinsky took a brief nap Dec. 27 at the home of his mother, Michelle. It was a comfy Sunday. He wore a blue Duke T-shirt and black gym shorts as he crashed on the couch in the living room. Then he woke up to watch some football. Steelers-Colts. “I...
Pitt sophomore Justin Champagnie’s high school coach declares, `He wants to be great’
At home Tuesday night in Manhattan, Ed Gonzalez clicked on his TV to watch Pitt play Duke. Flashing across Gonzalez’s TV screen was former Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School basketball star Justin Champagnie, warming up inside Petersen Events Center. The game mattered to Gonzalez because he’s been the coach at...
Penguins rookie Pierre-Olivier Joseph ready for NHL debut
Pierre-Olivier Joseph tried to talk in theoreticals about making his NHL debut, but the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman couldn’t suppress the smile that served as a dead giveaway that it’s coming soon. With the Penguins defense corps decimated by injury, necessity could dictate that the 21-year-old Joseph is in the lineup...
AP sources: Eagles plan to hire Colts OC Nick Sirianni
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons. He worked under coach Frank Reich, who was offensive coordinator in...
Steelers reportedly interview former Browns coach Hue Jackson for offensive coordinator
The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to announce their next offensive coordinator. A familiar name with AFC North ties reportedly is among the candidates. Former Cleveland Browns coach and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson interviewed this week with the Steelers, according to an ESPN report. Jackson compiled a 3-36-1 record...
Penguins defensemen Marcus Pettersson, Juuso Riikola sidelined several weeks
Penguins defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola will each be sidelined several weeks with undisclosed injuries according to coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan labeled Pettersson’s ailment as “week to week” while Riikola is “longer term.” Each player was injured during Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime win at home against the Washington Capitals. Defenseman...
Steelers sign former Washington QB Dwayne Haskins
In an intriguing twist to their offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers added a quarterback with pedigree. The team Thursday announced the signing 2019 No. 15 overall draft pick Dwayne Haskins. Haskins, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist for Ohio State in 2018, met with some of the organization’s coaches Thursday. #HereWeGo...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates trading not to save on salaries but stockpile their system
Ben Cherington made headlines with his assertion that, despite trading Josh Bell and Joe Musgrove, the Pittsburgh Pirates “haven’t made a single move this offseason for any financial consideration.” For the Pirates general manager, the deals weren’t so much about saving $10.75 million — both players avoided arbitration, with Musgrove...
Former Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove pens goodbye note to Pittsburgh
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove posted a “To Pittsburgh, with Love” message to fans on Twitter. The pitcher shared a photo of a handwritten farewell note on Wednesday night. “To my Pittsburgh famalee,” the note starts. “I feel so honored to have been part of such a historic organization....
This Date in Sports History: Jan. 21
1921 — Kenesaw Mountain Landis takes office as baseball’s commissioner. 1947 — Carl Hubbell, Frank Frisch, Mickey Cochrane and Lefty Grove are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1953 — Dizzy Dean and Al Simmons are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The baseball writers pass over Joe...
U mad, bro?: Rage. Denial. Acceptance. Defiance. Steelers fans cope with playoff grief.
This edition of “U mad, bro?” serves a specific purpose for Steelers fans. It’s a coping mechanism. In the wake of the Steelers playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns, many Pittsburgh sports fans are surfing their way through various emotions and responses. Pain. Grief. Sadness. Rage. Denial. Deflection. Acceptance. We...
Duquesne grad James played his NBA career always feeling like he had to prove himselfVideo
Mike James didn’t have a Plan B. While growing up in Amityville, N.Y. — yes, that Amityville, site of the “Horror” — James said he learned mostly by trial and error. And the one place he made few errors was on the basketball court near his home. So as far...
Duquesne grad Mike James looks back on role in Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game
Jan. 22, 2006, should have been one of the best nights of Mike James’ basketball life. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Duquesne product led the Toronto Raptors with 26 points — on 10-of-15 shooting — 10 assists and two steals. But that game 15 years ago is remembered for...
Packers realize how much Aaron Rodgers has at stake
Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers teammates understand what this NFC championship game means to the All-Pro quarterback’s legacy. Rodgers has delivered the kind of season that puts him in contention for a third MVP honor, which would match the total won by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. The Super...
