Rookie Bush making Steelers’ heavy investment in him pay off
Devin Bush is well aware the Pittsburgh Steelers took the unusual for them step of trading up 10 spots in the draft to take him in April. But the inside linebacker from Michigan has developed into the closest thing to Ryan Shazier they have had since Shazier last played before suffering a spinal injury in December 2017. The early returns have been solid. Through 15 games Bush already has the most tackles (97) by a Steelers rookie. He’s played 82% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps and ranks second on the team in tackles.

Misery in Ohio: Browns, Bengals end woeful seasons together
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
Yet another dismal season of professional football in Ohio wraps up within the state’s borders — a most appropriate finish for two franchise with more big questions down the road. The Browns and Bengals get together at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday in what will likely be a final “Battle of Ohio” for some of the main participants. The Browns regressed in Freddie Kitchens’ first season as head coach, leading to questions about whether he’ll return. It will be Andy Dalton’s last start as the Bengals’ franchise quarterback. The one-win Bengals are expected to take a quarterback in the draft.

Simone Soars: Biles named 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Gymnast Simone Biles is the 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year. The reigning world and Olympic champion edged U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe for the honor in a vote among AP member sports editors and AP beat writers. The 22-year-old is the first gymnast to win the award twice and the first to do it in a non-Olympic year. She was named the Athlete of the Year in 2016 after winning four gold medals at the Rio Olympics. Biles is preparing for the 2020 Games in Tokyo and says she’s eager to finish her career with a flourish.

Steelers seek playoff berth vs Ravens, who own No. 1 seed
By The Associated Press undefined
The Baltimore Ravens have already wrapped up the top seed in the AFC playoffs. So they’ll be resting several key players Sunday in a game the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need to win to keep their postseason hopes alive. Though the Steelers can still qualify with a loss their best shot at making the playoffs is if they beat Baltimore and Tennessee loses to Houston. Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for the Ravens in place of Lamar Jackson, the catalyst of the highest-scoring team in the NFL.

Junior Johnson, “The Last American Hero,” dies at 88
JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson has died at 88. His death was announced Friday by NASCAR. Johnson honed his driving skills as a moonshine runner in North Carolina before he began competing in NASCAR. He won 50 races as a driver and 132 as a car owner. He was also immortalized as “The Last American Hero” by author Tom Wolfe in a 1965 article for Esquire. Johnson was an inaugural member of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.