Sports category, Page 2137
Steelers’ newest running back, Kerrith Whyte, eager to make NFL debutVideo
It was his first day in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room earlier this week, his NFL debut days away. Even with that dream on the horizon, Kerrith Whyte wasn’t going to overthink it. “I try to keep football real simple,” the Steelers newest running back said. “I have been playing...
James Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster sit out practice again for Steelers
It is increasingly likely the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the winless Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday without two of their starting skill position players. Running back James Conner (shoulder) and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion/knee) did not practice Thursday for the second day in a row. The 5-5 Steelers have just...
Ex-Penguins forward Derick Brassard is producing with Islanders
NEW YORK — Derick Brassard’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins was a massive disappointment. Few would dispute that. Brassard sure didn’t offer a counterargument when he visited PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday as a member of the New York Islanders. He didn’t agree with it, either. In fact, he had...
NFL upholds Myles Garrett’s suspension, cuts Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey’s to 2 gamesVideo
One week after the helmet slam heard ‘round the world, the NFL finalized its discipline for the primary Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns involved. Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett had his suspension for the remainder of this season upheld by appeals officer James Thrash, the league announced Thursday. Garrett, who...
Steelers teammates defend Mason Rudolph against Myles Garrett’s allegation of racial slurVideo
Mason Rudolph’s teammates again rushed to his defense Thursday, a week after Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett clubbed him with his own helmet. This time, the Pittsburgh Steelers defended their quarterback after Garrett reportedly accused Rudolph of using a racial slur when a brawl broke out between the two...
Ineligible Avonworth football player drops lawsuit against WPIAL, PIAA
Attorneys for ineligible Avonworth football player Kyros Thorpe withdrew his lawsuit against the WPIAL and PIAA on Thursday, ending his legal battle to play in the WPIAL football championship. Thorpe and his mother Anna Hollis had asked the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court to issue a preliminary injunction that would’ve...
Penguins recall defenseman Zach Trotman
NEW YORK — The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled defenseman Zach Trotman on Thursday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Trotman, 29, has appeared in eight AHL games this season and has five points (two goals, three assists). He opened the season on long-term injured reserve because of a sports hernia....
Tim Benz: Should Steelers bring back wildcat vs. Bengals again?Video
It felt a little dirty, didn’t it? Digging that deep into your bag of tricks. To beat that team. At home. That was my reaction after the 0-3 Steelers frequently busted out the “wildcat” look en route to beating the 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football back on Sept....
Cleveland company selling ‘Pittsburgh started it’ shirts after Steelers-Browns melee
They don’t necessarily like what Myles Garrett did, but one Cleveland-based company is pinning the blame for Garrett’s actions elsewhere. GV Art + Design is selling “Pittsburgh started it” shirts on its website a week after the Browns defensive end ripped the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and struck...
First Call: OBJ explains mocking Steelers’ Mike Tomlin; Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick in PittsburghVideo
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hue Jackson wants Colin Kaepernick to wind up in Pittsburgh. Odell Beckham Jr. explains his yawn gesture toward Mike Tomlin. And an NHL ref with Pittsburgh ties has a bad night. Not so boring If Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was bored by the addition of...
Another Penguins-Islanders battle: More scoring, lots of stress
Penguins fans, sick of the New York Islanders yet? I already was after the playoffs last spring. And I sure as heck am now! On Thursday night, we will witness the third game in 14 days between these two clubs. The Penguins won Game 1 of the season series 4-3...
U mad, bro? Readers accuse Mason Rudolph of starting Steelers-Browns brawl, Tim Benz of racism
This may have been the easiest week yet to compile angry responses for “U mad, bro?” Or maybe it was the hardest. In terms of volume, I may have had more feedback on the Myles Garrett helmet attack on Mason Rudolph than I have received on any other single topic....
WPIAL alums dot All-PSAC West football teams
The WPIAL is generously represented on the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football teams, which came out Wednesday. The PSAC West Division offensive first team features Slippery Rock senior offensive guard Ryan Podgorski (South Park) and senior kicker Jake Chapla (Plum); IUP redshirt sophomore receiver Duane Brown (Apollo-Ridge); Mercyhurst tight end...
Trio of guards sign with Robert Morris
Robert Morris men’s basketball coach Andy Toole on Thursday announced the signing of three guards to national letters of intent. The trio — Enoch Cheeks, Kam Farris and Trayden Williams — will be part of the 2020-21 recruiting class. “We’re excited to sign three student-athletes the caliber of Enoch, Kam...
Pirates affiliate 1 of 42 minor league teams in danger of being dropped
WASHINGTON — Nearly one-quarter of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives asked MLB to reconsider its proposal for a restructuring of the minor leagues after the 2020 season that would lead to 42 teams — including those in Erie, Williamsport, State College as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates’...
Underperforming Maple Leafs fire coach Mike Babcock
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs fired coach Mike Babcock and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe. Babcock had a record of 9-10-4 in 2019-20 for the struggling Leafs, who are 0-5-1 in their last six games, including five straight losses in regulation. Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan flew to Arizona...
Pirates add top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes to 40-man roster
Top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes was one of five players added to the 40-man roster Wednesday by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 22-year-old third baseman was joined by right-handers Blake Cederlind and Cody Ponce, first baseman Will Craig and shortstop ONeil Cruz. That prevents them from being selected in the Rule 5...
Penguins acquire forward Graham Knott in minor league trade with Chicago
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Graham Knott in exchange for forward Joseph Cramarossa in a minor-league trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Knott, 22, was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. A second-round pick in the 2015 draft, he hasn’t panned out in three pro seasons. This year, he’s been with the...
Pitt’s Damar Hamlin describes ‘stressful’ night after ejectionVideo
When his Heinz Field nightmare was over and Pitt’s overtime victory against North Carolina was assured, Damar Hamlin saw athletic director Heather Lyke before any of his teammates. Hamlin, Pitt’s senior safety, had been ejected for targeting in the second quarter last Thursday and spent the rest of the night...
Kevin Gorman: Steelers need B.J. Finney to have Maurkice Pouncey’s back for next 3 gamesVideo
Losing Maurkice Pouncey to a three-game suspension is the last thing the Pittsburgh Steelers needed, especially with their injury-plagued offense in shambles. The Steelers are down to backups at quarterback, running back and receiver, so subtracting a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time All-Pro center from the lineup is disheartening, to...
West Virginia’s Gabe Osabuohien cleared to play by NCAA
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The NCAA cleared forward Gabe Osabuohien to play at West Virginia this season. The Mountaineers said in a release the NCAA approved the junior’s waiver request for immediately eligibility Wednesday. Osabuohien transferred to West Virginia from Arkansas in August, when he was dismissed by Razorbacks coach Eric...
NCAA gives Memphis freshman James Wiseman 11-game ban
The NCAA cleared heralded freshman James Wiseman to return to the basketball court Jan. 12. Wiseman will sit out a total of 12 games under a decision announced by the NCAA. The sports governing body also announced Wednesday that Wiseman must donate $11,500 to charity of his choice to regain...
Penguins notes: Justin Schultz leaves practice for unspecified reason
Justin Schultz began practice with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, but the veteran defenseman did not end the session at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. It is not known why Schultz left about midway through the hourlong practice. After practice ended, coach Mike Sullivan was asked if there was...
Duquesne to be tested in Bahamian tournament; Robert Morris road trip continues
Maybe Duquesne’s players are starting to get it. Coach Keith Dambrot wonders, but still he’s hopeful the Dukes won’t lose their defensive edge heading into the Junkanoo Jam men’s basketball tournament in The Bahamas. Duquesne (3-0), which has limited its first three opponents to an average of 53 points per...
Longtime Penguins penalty-killer Bryan Rust gets time on power playVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust already was known and respected for his ability to play with virtually any linemate on almost any spot on the forward depth chart. Recently, he has added power-play time to his resume, too. Rust’s power-play goal early during Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders...
