UMT Sports Update

May 9, 2017

1172

Here’s the latest in the world of sports…..

National Football League

Jerome Bettis out as ESPN Analyst-In a continued cost-cutting process, the Entertainment and Sports Network (ESPN) announced that they have relieved Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis of his analyst duties on Monday. He joins Trent Dilfer, Danny Kanell, and Ed Werder among the recognizable NFL media people who have lost their jobs at ESPN.
Steelers sign 5^th Round draft pick-The Steelers signed one of their 2017 draft picks, agreeing to terms with 5^th round pick CB Brian Allen. The Utah product stands 6-3 and is looked upon as a project for the Steelers as they continue to fix their secondary.
Patriots, the only team favored in 2017-In a week of slow NFL news, it is reported that the defending champion Patriots are favored in all of their games in the 2017 season. Which means that every one of their opponents is underdogs.
Colts will retire Manning jersey and unveil a statue in October-Now that he’s retired, future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning has begun reaping honors beginning with the Indianapolis Colts who plan to retire his #18 jersey and unveil a statue in October. Manning was a 3-time NFL MVP with the Colts (who drafted him in 1998) and won a Super Bowl with the Colts in 2006. He will also be put in the team’s Ring of Honor.

National Basketball League

Cavs, Warriors Advance to Conference Finals-To no surprise, the last 2 NBA Finals representatives as earned a spot in their conference’s respective finals as defending NBA Champ Cleveland swept past Toronto to head to the Eastern Final while Golden State swept past Utah to advance to the Western Final. Both teams have yet to lost a playoff game.
Other NBA Matchups-The Cavs and Warriors will have to wait for opponents because the other 2^nd round matchups aren’t settled yet, especially in the East where the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards are tied 2-2 with Game 5 on Wednesday in Boston. The West matchup between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs has yet to be decided as well.
2008 Celtics want to reunite with Ray Allen-He was part of the ‘Big 3’ with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and they led the Boston Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. Allen eventually left to play with the Miami Heat which caused some division and now the Celtics want to reunite with Allen, but say he has to make the first move. As part of “Area 21” segments during TNT’s playoff coverage, Garnett hosted Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Glen Davis on Monday night. They admitted they were hurt by how Allen left, but that time heals all wounds.

Major League Baseball

Pirates Struggles-They’re in last place, are without Gold Glove OF Starling Marte for 80 games (suspension), have been struggling on offense and pitching and now the Pirates will be without young pitcher Jameson Tallion as he had surgery for suspected testicular cancer on Monday. The recommended treatment plan for Taillon is pending further testing and is on the 10-day disabled list.
Braves release former slugger Ryan Howard-He’s the Philadelphia Phillies all-time HR leader and after losing his power, 1B Ryan Howard signed a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves with hopes of making it back to the Big Leagues. But those hopes came to an end when the Braves terminated Howard’s contract after hitting only .184 with an HR and 5 RBI with minor-league affiliate AAA Gwinnett.

College Basketball

Pitt Basketball loses another player-In a tumultuous offseason for Pitt basketball, the team has lost another player as redshirt junior Rozelle Nix announced that he’s leaving the team as a graduate transfer. He’s the 6^th Pitt player to depart and that now leaves the team with 4 scholarships available. Pitt Head Coach Kevin Stallings has until May 17 to fill those scholarships.

National Hockey League

Penguins fall hard to Capitals 5-2, will now play Game 7 in DC-They were up 3-1 and it looked like a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals was booked, but Pittsburgh Penguins then fell 4-2 in Game 5 and were defeated 5-2 in game 6, forcing a Game 7 in Washington Wednesday night. Both teams were in the same situation in 2009 with the Penguins winning and eventually hoisting the Stanley Cup a month later.

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