Old school: Steelers focus on seniors in draft
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers went old school during the 2020 NFL draft. The team used five of its six selections on seniors, a rare move for a club that likes to draft underclassmen. General manager Kevin Colbert said the decision to focus on more experienced players was just coincidental and had nothing to do with the uncertain offseason brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool figures to make the most immediate impact while the rest of the incoming class will see time on special teams or provide depth along the offensive and defensive lines.

Hank Steinbrenner, Yankees co-owner, dies at 63
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner died Tuesday at age 63. He is the oldest son of George Steinbrenner and one of the four siblings who own the team’s controlling shares. The team said he died at home in Clearwater, Florida, due to a long-standing health issue. A chain smoker and miniature drag racer, Hank hoped to succeed as father as the team’s controlling owner. Between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, he became the public voice of the Yankees’ ownership. He did not appear to have much involvement in the team’s operations in recent years and devoted more time to racing interests.

ESPN and NFL Network will combine for NFL draft telecast
NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN and NFL Network will join forces for this year’s NFL draft. They will produce a broadcast that will air on both networks over all three days. The April 23-25 draft was originally scheduled to be in Las Vegas but has been moved due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will now originate from ESPN’s headquarters from Bristol, Connecticut. Draft hosts and a limited number of commentators will be in-studio but will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Commissioner Roger Goodell will introduce first-round picks from his home in Bronxville, New York. ABC will air a separate draft broadcast on Thursday and Friday before simulcasting the ESPN/NFL Network feed on Saturday.

Ex-NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, 36, dies in car crash
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has died in a one-car crash near his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says the 36-year-old Jackson was killed Sunday night when the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro he was driving went off the road, struck a tree and overturned. Jackson was pronounced dead at a hospital. The crash remains under investigation. Jackson was hired as quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State last season after a 10-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. He was part of Seattle’s Super Bowl championship team in 2014 as Russell Wilson’s backup. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll posted a Twitter message calling Jackson “a beloved teammate, competitor, and Seahawk.”

NASCAR’s Larson suspended for racial slur in virtual race
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur on a live stream during a virtual race and has been suspended by NASCAR and without pay by his team. Larson was competing in an iRacing event when he appeared to lose communication on his headset with his spotter. He said during a check of his microphone “you can’t hear me?” That was followed by the N-word. The star driver apologized, saying there was “no excuse” for his comment. Larson is half Japanese and his grandparents spent time in an interment camp in California. He is the second driver in a week to draw scrutiny while using the online racing platform.