Category: Sports

Kyle Larson fired after sponsors drop NASCAR driver over slur

Larson fired after sponsors drop NASCAR driver over slur
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson has been fired by Chip Ganassi Racing two days after the NASCAR driver used a racial slur on a live stream of a virtual race. Larson used the N-word during a Sunday night iRacing event and the clip went viral. He was first suspended without pay by Ganassi and then suspended by NASCAR, which ordered the half-Japanese driver to complete sensitivity training. Sponsors started dropping Larson and Ganassi was left with no choice but to fire the driver.

ESPN and NFL Network will combine for NFL draft telecast

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

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

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.

XFL files for bankruptcy, cites COVID-19 crisis

XFL files for bankruptcy, cites COVID-19 crisis
By The Associated Press undefined
The XFL has filed for bankruptcy, likely spelling the end of the second iteration of the league. The WWE-backed XFL canceled the rest of its return season last month because of the coronavirus pandemic. It suspended operations and laid off its employees Friday. The league says in a news release that it wasn’t insulated “from the harsh economic impacts and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 crisis.”

MLB, union discuss playing all games in Arizona

AP sources: MLB, union discuss playing all games in Arizona
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — People familiar with the discussion tell The Associated Press that putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area this season and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed by Major League Baseball and the players’ association. The sides held a phone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Ideas are still in the early stage. Arizona’s advantage is 10 spring training ballparks plus the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field all within about 50 miles. Scott Boras, baseball’s most prominent agent, said it might be the quickest method to start play.

Spring surprise: Pennsylvania opens trout season early

Spring surprise: Pennsylvania opens trout season early
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Trout season in Pennsylvania opened Monday in an abrupt announcement by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission that was designed to preempt big gatherings of anglers and travel that typically occurs on the traditional April opening day. Monday was two weeks ahead of the previously scheduled opening day. The Fish and Boat Commission says anglers and boaters must abide by social distancing guidelines provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Gov. Tom Wolf. Not all waters have been stocked, and the Fish and Boat Commission said it won’t provide a stocking schedule or a list of stocked waters to further discourage group gatherings.

Beloved Tigers star, Hall of Famer Al Kaline dies at 85

Beloved Tigers star, Hall of Famer Al Kaline dies at 85
By JIM IRWIN and NOAH TRISTER Associated Press Writers
DETROIT (AP) — Al Kaline, the Hall of Fame outfielder who played his entire 22-season career for Detroit, has died. “Mr. Tiger” — as he was affectionately known — was 85. Kaline was the youngest player to win the American League batting title, in 1955 at age 20 with a .340 average. He was an All-Star in 15 seasons, won 10 Gold Gloves and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1980 in his first year of eligibility. Kaline also sat behind a microphone as a Tigers broadcaster and was a special assistant to the general manager.

Falcons announce 1-year deal with RB Todd Gurley

Falcons announce 1-year deal with RB Todd Gurley
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have announced their one-year agreement with running back Todd Gurley. The framework of the $6 million deal was completed on March 20, less than 24 hours after Gurley was released by the Los Angeles Rams.  As is the case with other free agents who have reached agreements, Gurley still awaits a physical. The NFL isn’t allowing players to report to new teams immediately for those physicals during the coronavirus pandemic. Gurley’s physical will be especially important. He has been hampered by a left knee injury.

Ex-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73

Ex-NFL kicker, Saints hero Tom Dempsey dies at 73
By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former NFL kicker Tom Dempsey has died at 73 from what his family described as complications from the new coronavirus. Dempsey was known for being the first to hit a field goal from 63 yards and for succeeding in pro sports despite being born without toes on the right foot with which he kicked. The 63-yard field goal stood as the longest in NFL history for 43 years until 2013. Dempsey kicked 11 seasons in the NFL with New Orleans, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo. He had been diagnosed with dementia and was living in a New Orleans nursing home that was hard hit by the virus.