Here’s the latest on what’s happening in the world of Sports….
National Football League
- NFL ‘Lightens Up’ on TD Celebrations-NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday that the NFL will now allow various types of touchdown celebrations ranging from using the football as a prop, celebrating on the ground, and group demonstrations. The only type of celebrations that will be penalized are the ones that mock the opposing team. “we are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays.” Said Goodell.
- HOF Cortez Kennedy passes away-Pro Football Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy, a star defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks for 11 seasons, died at his home in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 48. Kennedy, the third overall pick of the Seahawks in the 1990 NFL Draft, racked up six Pro Bowl nods and was a first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons, from 1992-94, in his stellar 11-year career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
- Super Bowl 55 moved to a Stadium Delay-As a result of the stadium delay in Los Angeles, Super Bowl 55 in 2021 will now be held in Tampa, Florida, at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Buccaneers. Los Angeles will still get its Super Bowl, but it will have to wait until 2022 for Super Bowl LVI (56).
- Patriots, Gronk restructure contract the Patriots restructured Gronkowski’s contract so that he has the opportunity to be the highest-paid tight end in the league. If he remains healthy, the All-Pro Tight End could earn $10.75 million.
- Big Ben says he’s 110% committed for 2017-Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he’s “110 percent committed like I said I was” to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. Big Ben created uneasiness among Steelers fans after telling 93.7 The Fan in late January that he would evaluate his future. He stated that he’s on a year-to-year plan. he hasn’t publicly committed to playing in 2018.
- Steelers sign 4th Round Pick Hobbs-The Steelers have signed their fourth-round selection, quarterback Joshua Dobbs, from the 2017 NFL Draft. Financial terms of the four-year deal were not disclosed.
National Basketball League
- Warriors sweep Spurs, earn a trip to NBA Finals-The defending Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors earned their 3rd consecutive trip to the NBA Finals after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs. Stephen Curry scored 36 points and the Golden State Warriors closed out the Western Conference Final against the injury-ravaged San Antonio Spurs with a 129-115 victory Monday night, becoming the first team in league history to start the playoffs 12-0. The Warriors will await the winner of the Cleveland/Boston Eastern Conference Final.
- Bosh, Heat agree to part ways- Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat have reached an agreement that will allow the two sides to part ways in the coming weeks. Bosh did not play last season because of health concerns and missed the second half of the previous two seasons because of multiple blood clot-related issues. Bosh was owed $52 million of his remaining contract.
- Spurs Ginobili unsure if he will retire-When San Antonio Spurs G Manu Ginobili was asked about his retirement, he said he feels like he can still play, but he was going to think on it. The 39-year old veteran completed his 18th season with the Spurs. Major League Baseball
- Braves Acquire 1B Adams from Cardinals–The Atlanta Braves took a step toward filling the void losing Freddie Freeman by acquiring first baseman Matt Adams and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for minor-league infielder Juan Yepez. The Braves are expected to platoon Adams at first base like the Cardinals did.
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Sources: www.nfl.com, www.cbssport.com, www.espn.com