All-Time Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team

ALL-TIME WARRIORS: THE OFFENSE
By Lance Tominaga

There are some major questions about the upcoming University of Hawaii football season: Will the Rainbow Warriors play a full 13-game schedule? Will fans be allowed at Aloha Stadium? Will there even be a season at all? (The answer to the last question has to be “yes,” right? RIGHT?) But one thing that isn’t a question is this: The UH football program has had its share of outstanding players in its proud history. From college football record setters to All-Americans and even a Heisman Trophy finalist, Hawaii fans have been able to witness the talents and grit of many gridiron greats.

But which players are the best of the best? Who would comprise the All-Time Rainbow Warrior football team?

Selecting such a team is nearly an impossible task because there are so many deserving players to choose from. For example: Colt, Timmy or Michael Carter? Lelie, Bess or Murray? Woodcock, Noga or Sopoaga? Even attempting to put together a list like this can be considered c-r-a-z-y.

But being sheltered in place for two months makes you do crazy things.

So here’s my All-Time UH Offense. We’ll focus on the Defense later this week.

A brief explanatory note: In selecting my team, I went with a traditional football lineups. (Sorry, no run-and-shoot or spread offense here.) Also, my memories of UH football only date back to the tail end of the Dave Holmes years, so unfortunately you won’t find a Larry Sherrer or Tommy Kaulukukui on this team.

Here we go:

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: COLT BRENNAN. In his junior season in 2006, he shattered numerous UH records, including single-season passing yards (5,549) and total yards (5,915). He also set the NCAA single-season record with 58 TDs. The next season, Brennan led the program to a perfect 12-0 regular season and it’s first-ever Sugar Bowl berth. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy race.

Running Back: GARY ALLEN. Hawaii’s career rushing leader, with 3,451 net yards. More importantly, he was an electrifying centerpiece of the Rainbow Warrior teams that brought “Saturday Night Fever” to the Islands in the late 1970s-early 1980s. A UH Sports Circle of Honor inductee.

Running Back: JOEY IOSEFA. Iosefa would line up at fullback on this team. A punishing runner with nimble feet, he finished his career No. 5 on the school’s all-time rushing list (2,218) before having a brief stint with NFL’s New England Patriots.

Center: SAMSON SATELE. A four-time All-WAC selection (2x First Team), Satele anchored the UH O-line that protected both Brennan and Timmy Chang.

Guard: JESSE SAPOLU. He would go on to be win four Super Bowl rings as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but Sapolu was a standout lineman at UH. He was an All-WAC guard for the team before being asked to switch to Center after an injury to Ed Riewerts. “I had never played center before. Taking a step back and snapping your hand back we’re totally new to me,” he once recalled. (Sapolu would become a 2x Pro Bowl selection at that position.)

Guard: VINCE MANUWAI. A standout on June Jones’ earliest UH teams, the Farrington alum didn’t allow a sack in his final 35 games. He was a 3x All-WAC selection, and College Football News named him a First-Team All-American after his senior campaign. He also enjoyed a lengthy NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tackle: LEO GOEAS. Came to UH hoping to be a tight end, but wound up becoming an outstanding tackle for the Warriors in the mid- to late-1980s. He was later a third-round selection of the San Diego Chargers and had an eight-year NFL career.

Tackle: DAN AUDICK. At 6-2, 250 lbs., Audick was a bit undersized for his position, but his smarts and technique made him a key component on the offensive one during the Larry Price era. He was later drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers.

Tight End: JERRY SCANLAN. No, he didn’t have big numbers. He played in the 1970s for Larry Price and Dick Tomey, who emphasized the running game. But the Iolani product was a key member of the offensive line. He played briefly for the Washington Redskins before a neck injury ended his career.

Wide Receiver: ASHLEY LELIE. He’s the only UH receiver to log three 200-yard games, and all three came during his senior year in 2001. Had a combined 547 receiving yards in consecutive games that season (285 versus Air Force, 262 against BYU. Became the highest NFL Draft pick in school history (No.19 overall in 2002).

Wide Receiver: DAVONE BESS. Greg Salas had more yardage, but I’m giving Bess a slight edge because of his ability to score (Bess is the UH career leader with 41 receiving TDs; Salas had 26). He was perhaps Colt Brennan’s most reliable weapon.

*** [5/27/20] ***

Earlier this week, I presented my (very) subjective picks for the University of Hawaii’s All-Time Offensive Team. This time around, I’ll focus on the defense. As you might imagine, it was a thankless and nearly impossible task. Historically, defense has always been the heart and soul of the Rainbow Warrior football program, characterized by bone-crunching hits and goal line stands. It was tough to leave so many great defenders off this roster. But here we go.

Defensive Tackle: LEVI STANLEY. A Second-Team Little All-American selection in 1973. Led UH in total tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. Finished his career as Hawaii’s all-time leader in total tackles (366, since surpassed by Solomon Elimimian and Jahlani Tavai.

Nose Guard: FALANIKO NOGA. Longtime UH fans still remember Noga’s epic battle with Nebraska’s Outland Trophy winner, Dave Rimington. (Rimington remembers it, too.) Noga was an All-WAC honoree for all four seasons he played at UH. Honorable Mention All-American in 1981. The “original 54.”

Defensive End: AL NOGA. “The Samoan Sack Man.” Probably the greatest defensive player in program history. Hawaii’s only First-Team All-American (1986). He was also the school’s first promoted Heisman Trophy candidate. Set single-season UH records for sacks (17), tackles for loss (31) and forced fumbles (6).

Defensive End: TRAVIS LABOY. Used his uncanny speed to become a standout edge rusher. In 2003, he recorded 13 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. The Tennessee Titans drafted him in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Linebacker: MARK ODOM. The program’s all-time leader in sacks (36) and second only to Al Noga in tackles for loss (68). Played his best when the games mattered most. To wit: In Hawaii’s exhilarating 56-14 blowout of BYU in 1989, Odom sacked Cougar QB Ty Detmer four times.

Linebacker: PISA TINOISAMOA. Led the team in sacks his junior and senior campaigns. Finished his career with 15.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss. Became a second-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams and had an eight-year NFL career.

Linebacker: SOLOMON ELIMIMIAN. Meet the school’s all-time leader in career tackles (434). Led Hawaii in tackles both in 2007 and 2008. Was voted the Canadian Football League’s “Most Outstanding Player” in 2014. Earlier this year, he was elected president of the CFL’s Players Association.

[no Jeff Ulbrich?]

Cornerback: DANA McLEMORE. A First-Team All-WAC selection and Honorable Mention AP All-American In 1981. Snared 7 career interceptions at UH. Later won a Super Bowl ring with the San Francisco 49ers.

Cornerback: JERIS WHITE. Named First-Team All-American by The Sporting News and Time Magazine in 1973. Set the single-season record for interceptions (6, since broken by several players). Was drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins and won a Super Bowl ring with the Washington Redskins.

Safety: BLAINE GAISON. No, he didn’t set any school records. But there wasn’t a better leader or tougher competitor than Gaison. That’s why he’s in the UH Sports Circle of Honor. Started his career as a quarterback before transitioning to safety. Was a First-Team All-WAC selection in 1979. Later played for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

Safety: RICH MIANO. The ultimate rags-to-riches story. Began his UH career as a walk-on and ended up as a First-Team All-WAC selection in 1984. Also an Honorable Mention All-American. Led his team in tackles in back-to-back seasons. Played 11 seasons in the NFL.

*** [6/3/20] ***

In football, a lot of emphasis is placed on the offense and defense, but knowledgeable fans know that special teams play often makes the difference between winning and losing a game. Special teams affect field position and can change the momentum of a contest with a blocked punt, long kick return or costly turnover. University of Hawaii football fans have been fortunate enough to witness some the game’s best special team performers display their talents while wearing a Rainbow Warrior uniform. Here are our picks for the best special teams players in UH history:

Placekicker: JASON ELAM. Can there be any doubt? Finished his collegiate career with 395 points, the most in UH and WAC history, and third in NCAA history. Successfully converted 79 of 100 FG attempts. Set the school record for longest FG (56 yards) against BYU In 1992. Later won two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos.

Punter: RIGOBERTO SANCHEZ. We went with Sanchez over Matt McBriar, but you could make a case for either. Sanchez tops the list of punters with a career average of 44.84 yards a punt. Was 10th in the nation in punting average during his senior season.

Kickoff Returner: CHAD OWENS. Tops all UH returners with a 29.4-yard average in his collegiate career. Took it to the house twice. Honorable mention goes to Mike Edwards, who had returns of 90-plus yards three times in 2012.

Punt Returner: CHAD OWENS. As good as he was as a kick returner, “Mighty Mouse” was even more electrifying when returning punts. Earned Second-Team All-American honors in 2004, when he set an NCAA record with five punt returns for TDs.

Long-snapper: JAKE INGRAM. Originally a walk-on defensive lineman, Ingram made the switch to long-snapper the fourth game into his freshman season. The Mililani product started every game since then and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Played all 16 games that season for the Patriots.

*** 6/10/20 ***

Ranking the U.H. coaches

Since joining the ranks of NCAA Division I, the University of Hawaii football program has seen its share of highs and lows – including a Sugar Bowl appearance (Yay!) and a winless season (@&#%!). During this span of time – 46 years – the program has had nine different head coaches, including current head coach Todd Graham. We thought it would be fun to rank the coaches from best to worst. Take a look and see whether you agree with our ranking. (Note: Graham, for obvious reasons, is not included on this list.)

1. JUNE JONES. (1999-2007). Hawaii’s all-time winningest coach in the Division I era, with a 76-41 record over nine seasons. His run-and-shoot offense put up gaudy numbers and made Hawaii relevant again in college football. His signature achievement, of course, was the 2007 season, when UH went a perfect 12-0 in the regular season, captured its first outright WAC championship and appeared in its first-ever major bowl game – the 2008 Sugar Bowl. That “sugary” season ended on a sour note, with the Rainbow Warriors getting pummeled by Georgia and Jones leaving for SMU. But no head coach has taken the program to greater heights. That’s why he’s our No. 1.

2. BOB WAGNER. (1987-1995) “Wags” did something even Jones could not do: win a bowl game on the mainland. The Rainbow Warriors’ 27-17 victory over Illinois in the 1992 Holiday Bowl remains one of the milestone moments in Hawaii football history. Wagner, who was 58-49-3 as UH head coach over nine seasons, also was the man who broke the “BYU Curse.” In fact, his teams beat the rival Cougars three times. Upon replacing Dick Tomey in 1987, Wagner brought in Paul Johnson to install the triple-option spread offense, which was as effective as JJ’s run-and-shoot system.

3. DICK TOMEY. (1977-1986) One of the most beloved coaches in UH history. Tomey arrived on campus during a tumultuous time in the football program. Hired during the summer of 1877, he didn’t have the benefit of spring practice, but was able to cobble together a unified team that went 5-6 on the season. Although known as a conservative coach, he delighted the Aloha Stadium crowds with the occasional “muddle huddle” plays, no-huddle drives and platoon substitutions. Attendance soared under his tenure, as Hawaii took on national powers the likes of USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Tomey was 63-46-3 in Hawaii over ten seasons. In 1981, he also led the program to its first-ever national ranking. He never won a conference title, and that’s because BYU always stood in his way.

4. NICK ROLOVICH. (2016-2019) Like his mentor and former coach, June Jones, Rolovich inherited a program that was in shambles. He led the Rainbow Warriors to an admirable 7-7 season in his first year, including a convincing win over Middle Tennessee in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl. In his four seasons in Hawaii, “Rolo” went 28-27 and made three Hawaii Bowl appearances. His 2019 team captured the Mountain West Conference’s West Division.

5. GREG McMACKIN. (2008-2011) Coach Mack had the unenviable task of following June Jones and Hawaii’s Sugar Bowl season. He also had the misfortune to make his head coaching debut against the No. 5 team in the country, against Tim Tebow and Florida in Gainesville. He was 29-25 in his four seasons at the helm, leading UH to a pair of Hawaii Bowl appearance (both lopsided losses). His best season was 2010, when the Rainbow Warriors won nine of their final 10 regular-season contests and captured a share of the WAC title.

6. LARRY PRICE. (1974-1976) Price’s tenure as UH head coach ushered in the school’s entry into the NCAA Division I level. Noted for his “Hula-T” offense – a veer option attack that featured a running QB – Price also employed an attacking defense that the local fans appreciated. The installation of the Hula-T serendipitously led a young QB named June Jones to transfer to Portland State, where he became an eager disciple of Mouse Davis’ run-and-shoot offense. Price went 15-18 in his three years as head coach.

7. NORM CHOW. (2012-2015) His UH tenure began with “Chow Time” and ended with “Ciao Time.” His four seasons leading the UH program – his record was 10-36 – lent credence to the adage that great assistant coaches don’t always make great head coaches. Twice went winless in the Mountain West. The low point was the 2013 season, when the Rainbow Warriors lost their first 11 games of the season before posting a win over Army in the season finale. (Note: Chris Naeole was named interim head coach after Chow was fired during the 2015 season and went 1-3.)

8. FRED VON APPEN. (1996-1998) As bad as Hawaii’s 2013 campaign was, it was still better than Von Appen’s 1998 season, when UH went 0-12. The former San Francisco 49ers assistant spent three miserable years in Hawaii, posting an overall record of 5-31. His best moment in Hawaii was the 1997 season opener, when UH defeated Minnesota, 17-3. Wrote Honolulu Advertiser columnist Ferd Lewis after the game: “Now that the Rainbows have 1996 behind them, there is, indeed, a lot to look forward to.” The best thing about the No. 8 coach on this list was his firing led to the hiring of our No. 1 on this list.

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6/17/20 - When June Jones was the enemy

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7/17/20 - Ten best players from the Wagner era

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8/27/20 - Top ten UH quarterbacks

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11/27/20 - Top ten UH receivers

MLB 2021

2/18/21 - Fernando Tatis gets 14 year $340 million extension from Padres

2/18/21 - Tim Tebow retires from baseball

11/16/20 - Kim Ng becomes MLB's first female general manager

MLB 2020

11/13/20 - Freddie Freeman and Jose Abreu win MVP Awards

10/27/20 - Dodger win World Series

7/27/20 - Two games cancelled after Miami Marlins outbreak
7/22/20 - Mookie Betts signs 12 year, $365 million extension
1/13/20 - Astos fire GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch for sign stealing
1/11/20 - Cody Bellinger agrees to take $11.5 million for one year
1/11/20 - Mookie Betts agrees to $27 million for one year deal
12/17/19 - Rangers acquire Corey Kluber from Indians for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase
12/15/19 - Madison Bumgarner signs with Arizona for $85 million, 5 years
12/11/19 - California signs Anthony Rendon for $245 million, 7 years
12/10/19 - Gerrit Cole signs with Yankees for 9 years, $324 million
12/9/19 - Stephen Strasburg signs with Washington for 7 years, $245 million

2020-2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball

10/22/20 - Big West schedule features back-to-back games

5/28/20 - James Jean-Marie transferring from University of San Diego
5/13/20 - Casdon Jardine (Utah Valley State) and Noel Coleman (University of San Diego) complete 2020 recruiting class
4/5/20 - JoVon McClanahan accepts scholarship offer

NBA 2019-2020 / NBA draft

9/28/20 - Doc Rivers out as Clippers coach after seven seasons

9/24/20 - NBA owners and political contributions

9/19/20 - Giannis repeats as MVP

9/16/20 - Bradley Beal snubbed from All-NBA team

8/28/20 - Lakers and Clippers voted to end playoffs, then change position
8/27/20 - Kenny Smith walks off set in solidarity with player protests
8/26/20 - NBA postpones games after Milwaukee boycotts in protest of shooting
8/26/20 - Pacers fire Nate McMillan after being swept by Miami
8/24/20 - 76ers fire Brett Brown after being swept by Celtics
8/19/20 - Barkley says Blazers will sweep the Lakers in the first round
8/16/20 - New Orleans dismisses Alvin Gentry
8/15/20 - Vlade out as Kings GM
8/14/20 - Bulls fire Jim Boylen
8/10/20 - The NBA's virtual fans
7/31/20 - Day 2 re-open highlights: Popovich and Isaac stand, Dirk in the stands
7/27/20 - Knicks to hire Thibodeau as head coach
6/26/20 - 16 NBA players test positive for COVID-19
6/25/20 - Vince Carter retires after 22 seasons
3/9/20 - Clippers sign Joakim Noah
3/7/20 - Kenny Atkinson out as Brooklyn head coach
2/24/20 - Lakers sign Markieff Morris, waive DeMarcus Cousins
2/19/20 - Reggie Jackson to join Clipper after buyout with Pistons
2/19/20 - John Beilein leaving Cleveland as head coach
2/6/20 - NBA trade ticker
2/6/20 - Andre Drummond traded by Detroit to Atlanta
2/6/20 - Marcus Morris headed from New York to Clippers in multi-team deal
2/6/20 - D'Angelo Russell traded from Golden State to Minnesota for Andrew Wiggins
2/6/20 - Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson headed from Golden State to Philadelphia
2/5/20 - Miami lands Iguodala from Memphis
2/5/20 - Clint Capela headed to Atlanta, Robert Covington headed to Houston
10/19/19 - Siakam signs 4-year $130 million max extension
10/7/19 - Kyle Lowry signs $31 million one-year extension
9/13/19 - Shaun Livingston is retiring
8/29/19 - Jeremy Lin signs with Beijing
8/24/19 - Kuzma ankle injury decides Team USA roster for FIBA World Cup
8/24/19 - Dwight Howard planning to sign with Lakers
8/22/19 - NBA rookie survey
8/22/19 - Tyronn Lue to become Clipper's top assistant
8/3/19 - Draymond Green signs four-year, $100 million extension
8/1/19 - Lance Stephenson signs with Liaoning (China) for $4 million
7/31/19 - C.J. McCollum agrees to three-year $100 million extension
7/24/19 - Pau Gasol to sign with Portland
7/22/19 - Tim Duncan to rejoin Spurs as assistant coach
7/20/19 - Kyle Korver signs with Milwaukee
7/12/19 - Tyson Chandler agrees to one-year deal with Rockets
7/11/19 - Oklahoma City trades Russell Westbrook to Houston for Chris Paul, 2024 first round pick, 2026 first round pick, and pick swaps in 2021 and 2025
7/11/19 - Kelly Oubre to return to Phoenix for $30 million, two years
7/11/19 - Marcus Morris headed to New York instead of San Antonio for $15 million / Spurs signs Trey Lyles instead
7/8/19 - LeBron to move to point guard
7/8/19 - Jabari Parker signs with Atlanta for $13 million, two years
7/8/19 - Jerami Grant traded from Oklahoma City to Denver for 2020 first round pick
7/8/19 - Lakers have become nearly unbeatable with the signing of Avery Bradley for $9.7 million, two years
7/8/19 - JaMychal Green re-signs with Clippers for $10 million, two years
7/9/19 - Alec Burks leaves Oklahoma City for Golden State who is trading Damian Jones to Atlanta for Omari Spellman
7/6/19 - Marcus Morris headed from Boston to San Antonio for $20 million, two years
7/6/19 - After being rejected by Kawhi, Lakers sign DeMarcus Cousins ($3.5 million), Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Rajon Rondo ($2.6 million, two years)
7/6/19 - Clippers to acquire Paul George from Oklahoma City for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and at least four first-round picks (five)
7/6/19 - Kawhi Leonard decides on Clippers for $140.6 million, four years
7/5/19 - Wizards trade Dwight Howard to Memphis for C.J. Miles
7/4/19 - Boban headed to Dallas
7/3/19 - Jimmer leaves Golden State
7/3/19 - Phoenix trades Josh Jackson, De'Anthony Melton, 2020 second-round pick, 2021 conditional second-round pick to Memphis for Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter
7/3/19 - Markieff Morris to sign with Detroit for two years
7/3/19 - Jake Layman leaves Portland for Minnesota for $11.5 million, three years
7/3/19 - Memphis trades Chandler Parsons to Atlanta for Solomon Hill and Miles Plumlee
7/2/19 - Willie Cauley-Stein to join Warriors
7/2/19 - Noah Vonley to Minnesota for $2 million
7/2/19 - Jared Dudley to join Lakers for $2.6 million
7/2/19 - Luke Kornet from Knicks to Bulls
7/2/19 - Jeff Green to Utah for $2.5 million
7/2/19 - Glenn Robinson to Golden State on two-year deal

7/1/19 - July 1 roundup
7/1/19 - Knicks sign Elfrid Payton for $16 million, two years
7/1/19 - Isaiah Thomas joining Wizards on one year deal
7/1/19 - Boston adds Enes Kanter for $10 million, 2 years
7/1/19 - Seth Curry signs with Dallas for $32 million, four years
7/1/19 - Miami trades Hassan Whiteside to Portland for Mo Harkless and Meyers Leonard / Harkless on his way to Clippers / and now Goran Dragic to stay with Miami
7/1/19 - Kevon Looney returning to Golden State for $15 million, three years
7/1/19 - Jordan Bell agrees to join Timberwolves for one year, $1.6 million
7/1/19 - Troy Daniels signs with Lakers for one year, $2.1 million
7/1/19 - Corey Joseph signs with Sacramento for $37 million, three years
7/1/19 - Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham on the move to Minnesota
7/1/19 - Frank Kaminsky to sign with Suns for $10 million, two years
7/1/19 - Iguodala to sign with the Lakers?
7/1/19 - Barea to stay in Dallas for another year
7/1/19 - Wesley Matthew signing with Milwaukee for the minimum
7/1/19 - Austin Rivers to return to Houston with a 1+1 contract
7/1/19 - Patrick Beverly turns down Kings to return to Clippers for $40 million, three years

7/1/19 - Reggie Bullock signs with Knicks for $21 million, two years

6/30/19 - Winners and losers from day 1
6/30/19 - New Orleans trades assets to Utah for Derrick Favors
6/30/19 - Bobby Portis to sign with Knicks for $31 million, two years
6/30/19 - Jamal Murray agrees to $170 million, five year extension with Denver
6/30/19 - Golden State to acquire D'Angelo Russell from Brooklyn for $117 million, four years
6/30/19 - Golden State trading Andre Iguodala and draft picks to Memphis
6/30/19 - Patrick Beverly to remain with Clippers for $40 million, three years
6/30/19 - Al Horford headed to Philadelphia from Boston for $109 million, four years
6/30/19 - Jimmy Butler reportedly headed to Miami from Philadelphia, Josh Richardson headed to Philadelphia from Miami, Goran Dragic headed from Miami to Dallas
6/30/19 - J.J. Redick leaves Philadelphia for New Orleans for $25.6 million, two years
6/30/19 - DeMarre Carroll agrees to join Spurs for $12 million, 2 years
6/30/19 - Khris Middleton to remain with Bucks for five years, $178 million
6/30/19 - Terry Rozier headed from Boston to Charlotte for three years, $58 million
6/30/19 - Tobias Harris to re-sign with Philadelphia for $180 million, 5 years
6/30/19 - Rodney Hood agrees to return to Portland for 2 years, $16 million (or $11.7 million)
6/30/19 - Jeremy Lamb leaves Charlotte for Indiana for $31.5 million, three years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee re-signing George Hill for $29 million, three years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee signs Malcolm Brogdon for four years, $86 million then trades him to Indiana for a first round and two second round picks
6/30/19 - Bojan Bogdanovic headed from Indiana to Utah for $73 million, four years

6/30/19 - Ricky Rubio signs with Phoenix for $51 million, three years

Jeremy Lamb

6/30/19 - Terrence Ross re-signing with Orlando for $54 million, four years / Orlando also signs Al-Farouq Aminu away from Portland for $29 million, three years

6/30/19 - Rudy Gay returning to San Antonio for $32 million, two years
6/30/19 - Milwaukee signs Robin Lopez too

6/30/19 - Milwaukee re-signs Brook Lopez for four years, $52 million
6/30/19 - Damian Lillard to re-sign with Portland for five years, $196 million
6/30/19 - Thaddeus Young signs with Chicago for $41 million, 3 years
6/30/19 - Trevor Ariza to sign with Sacramento for $25 million, 2 years
6/30/19 - DeAndre Jordan to join Kyrie and Durant in Brooklyn for $40 million, four years
6/30/19 - Kevin Durant to depart Golden State for Brooklyn
6/30/19 - Kemba Walker to sign with Celtics for $141 million, four years
6/30/19 - Derrick Rose to sign with Detroit for $15 million, two years
6/30/19 - Dallas wraps up Kristaps Porzingas for $158 million, five years
6/30/19 - Knicks signs Julius Randle for $63 million, three years and Taj Gibson for $20 million, two years
6/30/19 - Harrison Barnes to stay with Sacramento for $85 million, four years
6/30/19 - Valanciunas to return to Memphis for $45 million, three years

2019 free agent tracker

6/29/19 - Denver picks up $30 million option to retain Paul Millsap
6/29/19 - Vucevic to remain with Orlando for $100 million, four years
6/29/19 - Klay Thompson to remain with Warriors for five years, $189.6 million
6/29/19 - Darren Collison surprisingly retires instead of joining the Bulls
6/28/19 - Lakers trade Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemarrio Jones, and 2022 second-rounder to Wizards to open up cap space
6/24/19 - Portland trades Evan Turner to Atlanta for Kent Bazemore

NBA draft winners and losers

undrafted - Taco Fall
44 - Miami (to Denver) Bol Bol, C, Oregon

30 - Milwaukee (to Detroit to Cleveland) - Kevin Porter Jr., SG, USC
29 - San Antonio - Keldon Johnson, SF, Kentucky
28 - Golden State - Jordan Poole, SG, Michigan
27 - Brooklyn (to Clippers) - Mifondu Kabengele, C, Florida State
26 - Cleveland - Dylan Windler, SF, Belmont
25 -  Portland - Nassir Little, SF, North Carolina
Boston to trade Jerome to Phoenix for future first rounder
24 - Philadelphia (to Boston) - Ty Jerome, PG, Virginia
23 - Utah (to Memphis to Oklahoma City) - Darius Bazley, SF, United States
22.  Boston - Grant Williams, PF, Tennessee
21.  Oklahoma City (to Memphis) - Brandon Clarke, PF, Gonzaga
Oklahoma City trades 21 to Memphis for 23 and a future pick
20.  Boston (to Philadelphia) - Matisse Thybulle, SF, Washington
Philadelphia trades 24th pick and 33rd pick for Boston's 20th pick
19.  San Antonio - Luka Samanic, PF, Croatia
18.  Indiana - Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia
17.  Brooklyn (to Atlanta to New Orleans) - Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Virginia Tech
16.  Orlando - Chuma Okeke, PF, Auburn
15.  Detroit - Sekou Doumbouya, PF, France
14.  Boston - Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana
13.  Miami - Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky
12.  Charlotte - P.J. Washington, PF, Kentucky
11.  Minnesota (to Phoenix) - Cameron Johnson, SF, North Carolina
10.  Atlanta - Cam Reddish, SF, Duke
9.  Washington - Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga
8.  Atlanta (to New Orleans) - Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas
7.  Chicago - Coby White, PG, North Carolina
6.  Phoenix (to Minnesota) - Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech
5.  Cleveland - Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
4.  Lakers (to New Orleans to Atlanta) - De'Andre Hunter, F, Virginia
3.  New York - R.J. Barrett, SG, Duke
2.  Memphis - Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
1.  New Orleans - Zion Williamson, PF, Duke

6/20/19 - Minnesota trades no. 11 pick and Dario Saric to Suns for no. 6 pick
6/20/19 - Suns trade T.J. Warren and no. 32 pick to Indiana for cash
6/20/19 - New Orleans to send no. 4 pick, Solomon Hill, no. 57 pick, future second-rounder to Atlanta for no. 8 pick, no. 17 pick, no. 35 pick.
6/19/19 - Mike Conley traded from Memphis to Utah for Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Grayson Allen, 23rd pick and future first rounder
6/18/19 - Houston reportedly shopped Chris Paul
6/15/19 - Anthony Davis traded from New Orleans to Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks (including no.4 this year) / oops
6/11/19 - Memphis to hire Bucks assistant Taylor Jenkins as head coach
6/7/19 - Nets to trade Allen Crabbe (and his $18.5 million salary), 2019 first round pick, 2020 first round pick (lottery-protected) to Atlanta for Taurean Prince and a 2021 second round pick
5/22/19 - Michigan hires Juwan Howard as head coach in five-year deal
5/13/19 - Michigan Wolverines' ​John Beilein has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers
5/11/19 - Frank Vogel agrees to become Lakers head coach / Jason Kidd to join Lakers as assistant
5/4/19 - Monty Williams agrees to become Suns head coach

Lou Brock

Hall of Famer Lou Brock, one of baseball's signature leadoff hitters and base stealers who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win three pennants and two World Series titles in the 1960s, has died. He was 81.

Dick Zitzmann, Brock's longtime agent and friend, confirmed Brock's death on Sunday, but he said he couldn't provide any details. The Cardinals and Cubs also observed a moment of silence in the outfielder's memory before their game at Wrigley Field.

Brock lost a leg from diabetes in recent years and was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

"Over my 25-plus years of being his agent, he was perhaps the happiest Hall of Famer I've ever encountered," Zitzmann said.

"I think he led a life that will never be duplicated," he said.

The man later nicknamed the Running Redbird and the Base Burglar arrived in St. Louis in June 1964, swapped from the Cubs for pitcher Ernie Broglio in what became one of baseball's most lopsided trades.

Brock stole 938 bases in his career, including 118 in 1974 — both of those were big league records until they were broken by Rickey Henderson.

Brock's death came after Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver died Monday. Brock and Seaver faced each other 157 times, the most prolific matchup for both of them in their careers.

Along with starter Bob Gibson and center fielder Curt Flood, Brock was an anchor for St. Louis as its combination of speed, defense and pitching made it a top team in the '60s and a symbol of the National League's more aggressive style at the time in comparison to the American League.

The Cards were World Series champions in 1964 and 1967 and lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games in 1968. Opposing teams were warned to keep Brock off base, especially in the low-scoring years of 1967-68 when a single run often could win a game. But the speedy left fielder with the popup slide was a consistent base-stealing champion and run producer.

A lifetime .293 hitter, he led the league in steals eight times, scored 100 or more runs seven times and amassed 3,023 hits.

Brock was even better in postseason play, batting .391 with four homers, 16 RBIs and 14 steals in 21 World Series games. He had a record-tying 13 hits in the 1968 World Series, and in Game 4 homered, tripled and doubled as the Cardinals trounced Detroit and 31-game winner Denny McLain 10-1.

Brock never played in another World Series after 1968, but remained a star for much of the last 11 years of his career.

He was so synonymous with base stealing that in 1978 he became the first major leaguer to have an award named for him while still active — the Lou Brock Award, for the National League's leader in steals. For Brock, base stealing was an art form and a kind of warfare. He was among the first players to study films of opposing pitchers and, once on base, relied on skill and psychology.

In his 1976 memoir, Lou Brock: Stealing is My Game, he explained his success. Take a "modest lead" and "stand perfectly still." The pitcher was obligated to move, if only "to deliver the pitch." "Furthermore, he has two things on his mind: the batter and me," Brock wrote. "I have only one thing in mind — to steal off him. The very business of disconcerting him is marvelously complex."

Brock closed out his career in 1979 by batting .304, making his sixth All-Star Game appearance and winning the Comeback Player of the Year award. The team retired his uniform number, 20, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985 in his first year of eligibility.

After his playing career was over, Brock worked as a florist and a commentator for ABC's "Monday Night Baseball" and was a regular for the Cards at spring training. He served as a part-time instructor while remaining an autograph favorite for fans, some of them wearing Brock-a-brellas, a hat with an umbrella top that he designed.

Tom Seaver

 NEW YORK >> Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who steered a stunning transformation from lovable losers to Miracle Mets in 1969, has died. He was 75.

The Hall said today that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga, California.

Seaver’s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life.

He continued working at Seaver Vineyards, founded by the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and his wife, Nancy, in 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in the Calistoga region of Northern California.

Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991, and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell’s Palsy and memory loss, the Daily News of New York reported in 2013.

“He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets, the standard which all Mets aspire to,” Mike Piazza, a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer, tweeted when Seaver’s dementia diagnosis was announced.

Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year. For his career, from 1967-86, he had a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts. He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence, calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player.

“He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time and among the best to ever play the game,” Mets owner Fred Wilpon and son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for a then-record 98.84%. His mark was surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr., again in 2019 when Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection by baseball writers, and in 2020 when Derek Jeter fell one vote short of a clean sweep.

His plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.” He changed not only their place in the standings but the team’s stature in people’s minds.

“Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our national pastime,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season.”

“After their improbable World Series championship, Tom became a household name to baseball fans — a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life,” he said.

Seaver pitched for the Mets from 1967 until 1977, when he was traded to Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver’s desire for a new contract. It was a clash that inflamed baseball fans in New York.

“My biggest disappointment? Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it,” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992. “But I look back at it in a positive way now. It gave me the opportunity to work in different areas of the country.”

He threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season. But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players, and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto.

While pitching for the White Sox, Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter in a 4-1 victory. He finished his career with the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series.

“Tom Seaver was one of the best and most inspirational pitchers to play the game,” Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said in a statement. “We are grateful that Tom’s Hall of Fame career included time with the Reds. We are proud to count his name among the greats in the Reds Hall of Fame. He will be missed.”

Supremely confident — and not necessarily modest about his extraordinary acumen on the mound — Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971. A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants, he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969, 1973 and 1975. The club retired his No. 41 in 1988, the first Mets player given the honor.

“From a team standpoint, winning the ‘69 world championship is something I’ll remember most,” Seaver said in 1992. “From an individual standpoint, my 300th win brought me the most joy.”

Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years. He did not attend the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in 2019, where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball’s most unexpected championships.

Five months later, as part of a celebration of that team, the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field, and the ballpark’s address was officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number.

John Thompson

John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78.

His death was announced in a family statement released by Georgetown on Monday. No details were disclosed.

“Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on but, most importantly, off the basketball court. He is revered as a historic shepherd of the sport, dedicated to the welfare of his community above all else,” the statement said. “However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. More than a coach, he was our foundation. More than a legend, he was the voice in our ear everyday.”

One of the most celebrated and polarizing figures in his sport, Thompson took over a moribund Georgetown program in the 1970s and molded it in his unique style into a perennial contender, culminating with a national championship team anchored by center Patrick Ewing in 1984.

Georgetown reached two other title games with Thompson in charge and Ewing patrolling the paint, losing to Michael Jordan’s North Carolina team in 1982 and to Villanova in 1985.

At 6-foot-10, with an ever-present white towel slung over his shoulder, Thompson literally and figuratively towered over the Hoyas for decades, becoming a patriarch of sorts after he quit coaching in 1999.

Along the way, Thompson said what he thought, shielded his players from the media and took positions that weren’t always popular. He never shied away from sensitive topics -- particularly the role of race in both sports and society -- and he once famously walked off the court before a game to protest an NCAA rule because he felt it hurt minority athletes.

“I’ll probably be remembered for all the things that kept me out of the Hall of Fame, ironically, more than for the things that got me into it,” Thompson said on the day he was elected to the Hall in 1999.

Thompson became coach of the Hoyas in 1972 and began remaking a team that was 3-23 the previous season. Over the next 27 years, he led Georgetown to 14 straight NCAA tournaments (1979-92), 24 consecutive postseason appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT), three Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985) and won six Big East tournament championships.

Employing a physical, defense-focused approach that frequently relied on a dominant center -- Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo were among his other pupils -- Thompson compiled a 596-239 record (.715 winning percentage). He had 26 players drafted by the NBA.

One of his honors -- his selection as coach of the U.S. team for the 1988 Olympics -- had a sour ending when the Americans had to settle for the bronze medal. It was a result so disappointing that Thompson put himself on a sort of self-imposed leave at Georgetown for a while, coaching practices and games but leaving many other duties to his assistants.

Off the court, Thompson was both a role model and a lightning rod. A stickler for academics, he kept a deflated basketball on his desk, a reminder to his players that a degree was a necessity because a career in basketball relied on a tenuous “nine pounds of air.”

Centers Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo turned Georgetown into “Big Man U” under Thompson, although his last superstar was guard Allen Iverson, who in 1996 also became the first player under Thompson to leave school early for the NBA draft.

“Thanks for Saving My Life Coach,” Iverson wrote at the start of an Instagram post Monday with photos of the pair. "I’m going to miss you, but I’m sure that you are looking down on us with a big smile. I would give anything just for one more phone call from you only to hear you say, 'Hey MF', then we would talk about everything except basketball.

"May you always Rest in Paradise, where there is no pain or suffering. I will always see your face in my mind, hoping that I made you proud. 'Your Prodigal Son'."

"Very sad news to wake up to on this cloudy morning," Mutombo shared on Instagram. "Our legendary Georgetown coach, John Thompson has passed away. He was my mentor, great teacher, hero and a father figure to so many us who got the chance to play for him. Under coach Thompson, I learned a lot about the game of basketball but most importantly, I learned how to be a man in society. We will really miss him. RIP coach."

"Georgetown University, the sport of basketball and the world has lost someone who I consider to be a father figure, confidant and role model," Ewing shared on Twitter. "We will all miss you, Coach Thompson - but we will never forget you."

The Hoyas teams in the 1990s never came close to matching the achievements of the 1980s, and Thompson’s era came to a surprising and sudden end when he resigned in the middle of the 1998-99 season, citing distractions from a pending divorce.

Thompson didn’t fade from the limelight. He became a sports radio talk show host and a TV and radio game analyst, joining the very profession he had frustrated so often as a coach. He loosened up, allowing the public to see his lighter side, but he remained pointed and combative when a topic mattered to him.

A torch was passed in 2004, when John Thompson III became Georgetown’s coach. The younger Thompson, with “Pops” often watching from the stands or sitting in the back of the room for news conferences, returned the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007.

the next Tiger Woods?

If you've been trying to find "the next Tiger Woods" on the golf circuit, perhaps consider Tiger's own son, Charlie. The apple may not fall far from the tree when it comes to ability on the links.

The 11-year-old won a US Kids Golf event at Hammock Creek golf course in Palm City, Florida, over the weekend and he put on quite a dominant show in the process. Woods won the nine-hole tournament by five strokes, shooting a 3-under 33 to clear finish atop the field. Charlie had a clean round, tallying three birdies and no bogeys.

Canadian Football League cancels season

The Canadian Football League announced the cancellation of its 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The nine-team league said on Monday that it will focus on resuming in 2021 after its hopes to play a shortened season in the hub city of Winnipeg this fall were dashed.

"Our league governors decided today it is in the best long-term interests of the CFL to concentrate on the future," commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.

"We are absolutely committed to 2021, to the future of our league and the pursuit of our vision of a bigger, stronger, more global CFL."

The decision marks the first time the Grey Cup won't be presented since 1919.

2020 High School Football

8/6/20 - HHSA postpones football to January
2/18/20 - Cal and Ron Lee switching roles at St. Louis

the new XFL

[8/3/20] The Rock is part of group to buy XFL

***

When the XFL debuts in February, it will take a "Star Trek" approach of going where no football league has gone before.

The eight-team league will have options for extra points worth one, two or three points. It will allow double forward passes behind the line of scrimmage.

Kickoffs will look way different, in the name of both safety and excitement. Overtime will look like the NHL's version of settling matters with a "shootout.'' No coin tosses here, with each team getting up to five shots to score from the 5-yard line — similar to World Cup soccer shootouts.

Is it a catch at the sideline? Well, the officiating calls might be easier because the XFL will use the college rule of receivers needing only one foot in bounds rather than the NFL's two-feet rule.

Speaking of officiating, there will be a dedicated ball spotter to ensure a faster tempo that comes with a 25-second play clock. A running clock, too, except in the final two minutes of each half. All replay reviews will be initiated by an officiating booth, with no coaches challenges.

To XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck, a former NFL quarterback and longtime football executive, a speedier game means a more entertaining one.

"From research we had done, fans think there's too much downtime and dead time. I suppose games have gotten longer," Luck says. "We wanted to take a step forward by going back to games under three hours based on all our fan research. More action and more plays speed it up.

"Our data analysts looked at hundreds of games. This makes sense from a flow perspective, TV perspective and fan perspective. And I am looking forward to as we launch, will our players be required to be in better shape? They'll be moving fast and playing with tempo. That is going to be neat; conditioning may play more of a role in our game."

The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8, the weekend after the Super Bowl, seeking more success than its predecessor in 2001 (one season) and last year's Alliance of American Football (less than a season). Its innovations could be a turn-on for fans who never tire of football. Or they could come off as gimmicks, though the XFL mantra is "no gimmicks — ever."

Luck and Fox analyst Dean Blandino, the former head of NFL officiating now overseeing XFL officiating, believe these and other changes are worth a try.

Such as the double forward pass.

"My thought as I watch the game develop, there are more quarterbacks out of the shotgun and already 6 yards back from the line," Luck explains. "You aren't wanting to throw a lateral to a receiver who would have to be 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage. I thought to myself that the traditional trick plays would be enhanced. ... We are excited to have that in the repertoire."

The one-foot-in-bounds completions should ease the strain on pass catchers — and officials.

"When you look at the college rule versus the NFL," Blandino says, "it definitely is still a skilled play, but an easier play. But I will say there will be less replay reviews; it's easier to officiate looking for that one body part. I see less controversy in terms of catch/no catch."

Adds Luck: "As we went through this process, we had to keep in mind that players in our league will have played in college, and a vast majority spent time in the NFL, some in the CFL. We had to be somewhat selective in terms of innovations to adopt. They need to be teachable to our players to play fast. We have had our coaches working with the players on all these innovations to make sure they don't black out and think they are in a different league or back in college."

Luck and Blandino also note that the one-foot catch is safer because the receiver is not dragging his second foot, so he can roll to the ground in a true football fall.

Where fans (and bettors and fantasy players — yes, the XFL is likely to have those, too) might be most intrigued is after touchdowns are scored. There will be no PAT kicks in the XFL. Rather, a scoring team can go for one point from the 2-yard line, two points from the 5 or three points from 10.

Yep, a nine-point lead can be a one-possession game.

"I think it brings strategy into a play that historically has been a simple decision," Luck says. "Even with the NFL moving the extra point kick further away, it's still a 93.6% success rate. A fait accompli.

"We think the tiered extra point brings an element of strategy that will be fascinating to watch. Potential points on the board are exciting plays and will add an exciting element to our game.

"One coach said he is thinking if his team scores on defense it is such a shift in momentum, and he would use those opportunities to go for three, even if in the first quarter."

Are all of the XFL’s changes going to be an enticement for fans? Luck, Blandino and company will begin finding out in a month.

*** [2/5/20] ***

It was a professional football league that lasted for one season 19 years ago, but memories of the XFL are surprisingly vivid for fans over 30: He Hate Me, Jesse Ventura, no fair catches, the Memphis Maniax.

So when the XFL returns this weekend with a new eight-team league, again owned by Vince McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment, can fans expect more of the same?

The answer, said Commissioner Oliver Luck, is no. “Aside from the name, there is nothing in common that we will have with the league in 2001,” he said.

Rather than razzle-dazzle or ratings-grabbing stunts, “we are focusing 100 percent on the quality of play,” he said.

The old XFL celebrated its edginess, even promising glimpses into the cheerleaders’ locker rooms.
“We are gimmick-free,” the new league president, Jeffrey Pollack, said. “And we don’t even have cheerleaders.”

The league has landed every one of its games on television, on ABC, ESPN, Fox and FS1 and 2, as well as on Spanish-language stations. And the newfound mellowness extends to its announcers. While broadcasts in 2001 featured the colorful likes of Ventura, Brian Bosworth and Jerry (the King) Lawler, the lead play-by-play man for XFL 2020 will be a reliable pro, Steve Levy.

Even the most memorable aspect of the old league has been scrapped. Players’ jerseys will have plain old last names, rather than nicknames like He Hate Me (Rod Smart) and Death Blow (Jamal Duff).

The team nicknames have similarly been tempered, with extreme names like, well, the Los Angeles Xtreme and the Maniax (which drew the ire of some mental health advocates) giving way to the more conventional Dallas Renegades and Los Angeles Wildcats.

Pollack acknowledged that despite the XFL abandoning many of its former distinctive features, the old league does buy some good will for the new. “We’re launching a 100-year brand that also has 20 years of equity built in.”

To the extent that the new league is pushing the football envelope, it comes in several unusual rules innovations.

For one, kickoffs will be dramatically different in the new XFL. The kicker will boot the ball from his own 25-yard line, but he will be a lonely figure. His 10 teammates will be lined up 40 yards away at the opposing team’s 35. The returning team will be at its 30. Only once the ball is caught by the returner will players on either side be allowed to move. “It’s effectively a play from scrimmage,” Luck said.

The league has been testing the new kickoff and expects to see more kickoff run backs, exciting plays that have been dying out in football, but without the injuries that are often caused by large men colliding after a 35- to 40-yard sprint.

(This concern for safety is another departure from the original XFL, which billed itself as manly football: It did not allow fair catches, for example. The new league emphasizes that it sought good football players who were also of good character.)

The league has also added a strategic decision that may prove intriguing. After a touchdown, teams cannot kick an extra point. They can go for a single point with a play from scrimmage at the 2-yard line, or go for 2 points from the 5-yard line. They can even go for 3 with a play from the 10. Effectively, the rule makes a 9-point game a one-score game.

Should a game go to overtime, it will end with a contest that operates much like a soccer or hockey shootout. Each team will get five tries to score from the 5-yard line. Whichever team scores more times wins the game. “Let’s have the position players decide overtime,” Luck said.

The league said it wanted to avoid one team getting the ball, scoring and immediately ending the game. But at the same time, it wanted an overtime that would wrap up in seven or eight minutes.

The league, which will play a 10-week season followed by a four-team playoff ending in late April, has opted for big stadiums for its games, including CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks; Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and MetLife Stadium, where the Giants and Jets play.

Despite the danger of having some empty seats, Pollack said: “We’re playing in eight cities that have a love of football. We want to be in big markets with world-class venues.”

Because of the N.F.L., of course, world-class names are in much shorter supply. Hard-core fans might recognize quarterbacks like Landry Jones (Dallas Renegades), Matt McGloin (New York Guardians) and Cardale Jones (D.C. Defenders). But other unemployed players who might have joined the league, fancifully or not, like Johnny Manziel, Colin Kaepernick, Chad Johnson and Tim Tebow, are absent.

Star power was not a major consideration, the league said. “Our goal was to get the best players who want to play in our league,” Luck said. “We think we’ve got the best 400 or so players that aren’t under contract elsewhere.”

Unlike the N.F.L., the new league will allow its broadcaster to talk about point spreads. “A lot of fans enjoy gaming, playing fantasy, placing legal bets,” Pollack said. “We want to support all of that activity. We see it as a way of increasing fan engagement.”

Though none of the teams have played a game, bookmakers already have opinions. In three of the four opening games, the home team is favored, as might be expected. The exception is the New York team, which is a 2½-point underdog at home to the Tampa Bay Vipers. Perhaps some mojo from the recent-vintage Jets and Giants is rubbing off.

Numerous other professional leagues have been started and have failed in recent years (all were men’s leagues; women do play football, but a high-profile investment in a women’s league is still awaited). Why does the new XFL think it will be different?

Pollack spoke of a “100-year brand,” but will the league even surpass the United Football League (four seasons), the Fall Experimental Football League (two seasons) or the Alliance of American Football (less than a season, just last year)?

Luck said it would, because “the caliber of play is better than any previous league.” Pollack cited two years of research and development, every game being on TV and “ownership that is dedicated to long-term brand building.”

But he admitted the league was taking nothing for granted: “It’s going to take time to build the XFL. Fandom is earned, not given.”

Washington Redskins retiring name and logo

[7/13/20] The Washington Redskins are retiring their name and logo after years of criticism that it is offensive to Native Americans. Last week, the team announced they were conducting a "thorough review" of the name after FedEx, which owns the naming rights to their stadium, asked them to change it.

"That review has begun in earnest," the team said in a statement on Monday (July 13). "As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward. Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review."

The team had been facing mounting pressure to change their name. In addition to the request from FedEx, 87 investors and shareholders wrote a letter to FedEx, PepsiCo, and Nike, asking them to cut ties with the organization. Nike responded by pulling the team's merchandise from their online store. Amazon, Target, Walmart, and other retailers followed suit.

The team did not announce what their new name or logo will be.

"[Owner] Dan Snyder and Coach [Ron] Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years."

According to ESPN, the team will keep the red and gold color scheme but will not use any Native American iconography when designing their new logo. Instead, they are looking at ways to incorporate the military into their new name.

***

[7/23/20] The franchise announced Thursday that it has decided to call itself the "Washington Football Team" throughout the upcoming season as it continues to finalize a replacement name and logo for "Redskins," which will be formally retired once the games begin.

The NBA Jam conspiracy

It turns out one of the great urban legends in video-game history is true.

Mark Turmell, designer and lead programmer for NBA Jam, said in an interview with Ars Technica's War Stories that the game was programmed for the Chicago Bulls to miss last-second shots against the Detroit Pistons:

Turmell said he was a big Pistons fan and that he tweaked the game code so it favored his beloved team against the Bulls.

"Making this game in Chicago during the height of the Michael Jordan era, there was a big rivalry: the Pistons and the Bulls. But the one way that I could get back at the Bulls once they got over the hump was to affect their skills against the Pistons in NBA Jam," he said. "And so I put in special code that if the Bulls were taking last-second shots against the Pistons, they would miss those shots."

Turmell said the NBA Jam arcade game was introduced at the NBA All-Star Game in February 1993, at which point the "Bad Boys" era of the Pistons was over. They missed the playoffs that season for the first time since 1982-83.

During the height of the Pistons-Bulls rivalry, they met in the playoffs four straight times from 1988 to 1991. Detroit won the first three meetings, two in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Bulls finally broke through with a sweep in the 1991 conference finals en route to their first NBA championship.

37 Clemson players have tested positive

Clemson announced Friday that 14 football players tested positive for the coronavirus over the past week, bringing the total number of cases on the team over the past month to 37 -- roughly one-third of the roster.

Including the football players, Clemson athletics reported 19 total cases this week. Since beginning testing on June 1, Clemson has conducted 430 tests, with a total of 47 positive results.

Twenty-eight people who previously tested positive, including 23 football players, have completed a 10-day isolation period. The school said about half of those people had symptoms, though none of the positive tests had led to hospitalizations as of Friday.

Those who tested positive have been notified and must isolate for at least 10 days. Known close contacts have also been asked to self-quarantine for at least 14 days and cannot participate in voluntary activity during that time.

The state of South Carolina has seen positive cases increase in recent weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Friday, the state reported 1,273 new cases, the second-highest number of confirmed cases reported in a single day in South Carolina.

Damien dismisses football and basketball coaches

Damien Memorial School has released its football and boys basketball coaches and reassigned its athletic director in a shakeup involving as many as 20 employees.

“Given all the guidance that is being provided by authorities on the reopening of schools, all of which indicates a probable change in the number of teams that will be fielded, the length of each season and presence or absence of spectators, it seemed in the best interest of all involved in our athletic program and of the school, to inform some coaches that at the present time a position is not available,” Brother Brian Walsh, the school’s president, said in a news release.

Football coach Eddie Klaneski and boys basketball coach Alvin Stephenson — the latter of whom led the Monarchs to the Division II state championship in 2019 — were terminated. The girls volleyball program also was impacted, although Don Faumuina retired after Damien won the Division II state title last year.

Rudy Alejo has been reassigned from athletic director, a position he held the past year, to full-time teacher. Alejo has been with Damien since 1973.

“In specific reference to the athletic director, if the duties of the office were to be reduced from full to part time, in deference to Mr. Alejo’s long years of service, it was felt wise to have him return to his full time teaching position,” Walsh said in the release.

Walsh cited school policy in not provided specifics about individuals terminated.

“Some coaches are employed as full time Damien Memorial staff members,” Walsh said. “School policy is that personnel decisions concerning full time staff members are never discussed.”

*** [7/1/20] ***

Damien re-hires Eddie Klaneski as head football coach and appoints him as athletic director

MLB baseball returning in July 2020

NEW YORK >> Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule tonight that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony.

Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and four games vs. each of the five clubs in the corresponding division in the other league, according to details obtained by the Associated Press.

A team is scheduled to make only one trip to each city it visits in MLB’s shortest season since 1878.

In a twist, the sides expanded the designated hitter to games involving National League teams and instituted the radical innovation of starting extra innings with a runner on second base.

The number of playoff teams will remain at 10, though that still could change.

The trade deadline will be Aug. 31 and the deadline for postseason eligibility is Sept. 15.

Active rosters will be 30 during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 after that. They will not expand to 28 on Sept. 1, as originally intended this year.

With no minor leagues, teams would be allowed to retain 60 players each, including a taxi squad. Up to three players from the taxi squad can travel with a team to a game, and one of the three must be a catcher.

MLB is keeping the innovation of the three-batter minimum for pitchers, but decided to keep the injured list minimum for pitchers at 10 days rather than revert to 15, as initially intended. But the new rule remains in place that a pitcher must face at least three batters or finish the half inning.

Greatest wrestling match ever?

WWE's decision to push the Edge vs. Randy Orton match at Backlash as the "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" has been a topic of ridicule in recent weeks. Both Orton and Edge thought the line was a rib when they first heard about it and Twitter is riddled with wrestling fans poking fun at it, but WWE has refused to back down from the claim. They've even gone so far as to call up legends like Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle to come on Raw, agree with WWE's claim and then make their pick for who wins. However, it looks like "The Nature Boy" is changing his tune.

Here's what Flair said on Raw on a couple of weeks back — "So the WWE reaches out to Naitch. And they say, 'Naitch, what in your opinion will be the outcome of what many consider to be the greatest wrestling match ever, Edge vs. Orton?' I said to myself, 'Ever since I quit limousine riding and jet flying, kiss stealing and wheelin' dealin,' and hung up my tights, the greatest in-ring performer today is Randy Orton. My main man, and the man who will beat Edge at Backlash."

And here's what he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday:

Edge And Randy Think They Are Going To Have The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever? Have They Not Seen My Match With Ricky Steamboat? Now That Was The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever. What Does The @WWE Universe Think? #GreatestWrestlingMatchEver

Flair's trilogy of matches with Ricky Steamboat in the late 80s is viewed by many as the greatest trilogy of matches ever, particularly their 2-out-of-3 Falls Match at Clash of Champions VI in 1989. WWE even slotted that match at No. 4 when they picked the "100 Best Matches to Watch Before You Die," trailing only Steamboat vs. Randy Savage at WrestleMania III, Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 and The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25. Flair pops up on that top 100 list 14 times, including all three of his matches with Steamboat. Meanwhile Edge appears onhe list five times, while Orton appears four times.

Edge admitted in an interview with ESPN this week that he wishes WWE hand't decided to set the bar so impossibly high with their marketing.

"If I were to look at it on paper and go right, first proper wrestling match back in nine and a half years and they want to bill it as the greatest wrestling match ever ... I mean, that's pretty pressure filled," Edge said. "But I can't look at it that way, I really can't. I just have to understand that it's promotion and it's hype. I always go out with a mindset to try and have the best match that I've ever had. So I don't look at it in terms of a contest — will it measure up to Steamboat vs. Savage or will it measure up to Shawn [Michaels] and [The Undertaker]. All I can do is measure up against myself, and especially at this juncture in my career, I'm just happy to be out there.

"This shouldn't even be happening. Let alone for the company, and let's call it straight, Vince, to think that he can bill this the 'Greatest Match Ever.' Would I have preferred they not billed it as that? Absolutely. But I also know there are times where heels get dug in the sand and there's no changing it," he added.

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Seven Great WWE Matches Edge vs. Randy Orton Needs to Be Better Than at WWE Backlash