NFL players are publicly pleading with the league to address several health and safety concerns on the eve of training camp. The league informed teams on Saturday that training camps will open on time even though discussions with the players’ union regarding testing for the coronavirus and other health and safety protocols are ongoing. Rookies for Houston and Kansas City are set to report Monday and rookies for other teams are due on Tuesday. Players for all teams are scheduled to report by July 28.
For the first time in his career, senior wide receiver Elijah Cooks has been placed on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top receiver. Cooks is one of 55 to earn the distinction from around the country and is one of five from the Mountain West. He also earned preseason honors from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele Magazine, being named to their preseason All-Mountain West teams. Cooks posted a breakout season in 2019, leading Nevada with 76 receptions, 926 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, all of which were career highs.
Nevada junior running back Toa Taua earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top running back.
Winnemucca Regional Raceway hosted the Wild West Modified Tour last weekend that brought in modified racers from around the west for two days. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Northern Sports Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Min-Mods, Pure Stocks and GenX raced over the two days. Over 90 cars raced over both days.
Going in, they knew they’d face some hurdles, but they wanted to play the game. As the Lovelock Softball Association approaches the end of its third season, Jared Jensen reflects on his second year as president of the coed league.
Even though it was a little later in the year than normal, the annual Bombs for Moms baseball tournament, hosted by the Winnemucca Badgers travel baseball team took place this past weekend.
The Lovelock Speedway regretfully announces a change in plans. Due to circumstances beyond their control they must cancel the 2020 season, their 12th. “We don’t lay the blame on anyone,” said Barbara Macedo. “We will not be racing this summer. We’ll be back next year.” The Macedo name has been synonymous with the Speedway ever since its first race. Barb and Ed Macedo, their son Jeff, Galen Reese and Brandy Carmichael started the club after the track on the rodeo grounds closed.
Sparkle and Nellie have a story to tell. Elizabeth Uhart’s horses descend from animals raised by her grandfather. “My family had horses before I was born,” she says. Nellie is Sparkle’s mother. Uhart, an Unionville resident and working farmer, wants to share her knowledge with the Pershing County 4-H youth. The Nevada 4-H Horse Levels Program supplements the 4-H Horse Project. Participants progress through the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Accomplished levels.
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez wanted to hug, high-five and fist bump his players. After all, the defending World Series champions spent nearly four months apart before resuming workouts last week. Then, he remembered: Those are out. And just like crying, now there’s no spitting in baseball, either.
As college football preseason watch lists begin to roll out, Nevada has its first honoree with junior defensive end Dom Peterson being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player.
The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans. A new name must still be selected for one of the oldest and most storied teams in the National Football League, and it was unclear how soon that will happen. But for now, arguably the most polarizing name in North American professional sports is gone at a time of reckoning over racial injustice, iconography and racism in the U.S.
Instead of MLB All-Stars gathering this week for the Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium, players who haven’t opted out of the season are at their home ballparks. They are going through summer camp before they finally get to open the pandemic-delayed season July 23-24. There also will be no final ride in Paris. While NBA and NHL players are also getting back to practice to resume their seasons, The Associated Press looks at some of the sporting events that had been scheduled the week of July 13-19:
Cleveland manager Terry Francona won’t sidestep the hot-button topic any longer. He believes the Indians need to change their contentious nickname. “I think it’s time to move forward,” Francona said Sunday. Francona’s comments came two days after the Indians, amid a nationwide movement to erase racially insensitive symbols, released a statement saying the organization is “committed to engaging our community and appropriate stakeholders to determine the best path forward with regard to our team name.”
Racers know exactly what to do when they see a green flag. They slam on the gas pedal and take off. The first flags of the 2020 season will drop at the Lovelock Speedway on July 31 and Aug. 1. The races begin at 7 p.m.
“Come in your suit and bring your own towel,” says Pat Rowe. The community pool reopened on Saturday, July 4. Sandwiched between the Kiddie Parade and the LVFD fireworks, the reopening drew a loyal crowd. Rowe hopes they remain in a cooperative mood through the closing day in mid-August. “There are many new rules we must follow to stay open,” she said. “We can allow no more than 50 people at a time. We have to follow the six-foot distance rule, including in the water.” Social distancing would not be possible in the baby pool, so it will remain closed. What does social distancing look like? It may help to look at some real-life examples.