Sports

NFL Despite persistent rumors that they might trade down, the Detroit Lions held on to the third pick in the NFL draft last night. They used it to select Ohio State University cornerback Jeff Okudah. With the departure of Darius Slay via trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Okudah is expected …

NFL The National Football League amateur draft begins with the first round tonight. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, general managers will take part via computer links from their homes, as will league commissioner Roger Goodell. The Detroit Lions say they will have an IT specialist camped out in GM Bob Quinn’s …

NFL In advance of the NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers have added some defensive depth. Defensive tackle Gerald Willis and defensive end Jamal Davis were claimed off waivers yesterday, after they were cut by the Miami Dolphins. Each played just a handful of downs for Miami last season. The …

MLB Major League Baseball teams have been given the go-ahead to lay off or cut pay to major and minor league players, along with managers, coaches, training staff and scouts. Commissioner Rob Manfred says the lack of revenue from ticket sales, concessions and broadcast fees justifies the move, which takes …

The Jeffers High School athletic program has been moved up to Class C by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Assignments for next season are based on this season’s enrollment. Jeffers slid in just above the 181-student limit that would have kept them in Class D. Last year, Jeffers’ MHSAA …

Running Organizers of the Thatcher Markham Memorial Run are still hoping to hold the event sometime this summer. The Markham Run was added to the Bridgefest celebration last summer, to honor the young man who died in the Father’s Day Flood in 2018. Bridgefest, of course, has been canceled because …

Finlandia The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has added a new player. Dylan Ayala earned three letters at McMinn County High School in Tennessee. NFL The Las Vegas Raiders have claimed former Detroit Lions tight end Paul Butler off waivers. Butler had spent two seasons on the Raiders’ practice squad …

NFL The Detroit Lions have released three players, in advance of next week’s draft. They include linebacker Steve Longa, who played in 28 games over the past four seasons. Tight end Paul Butler and wide receiver Jonathan Duhart had signed futures contracts with the team. The NFL draft is scheduled …

MTU Former Michigan Tech hockey goalie Tony Esposito is again on the ballot for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Esposito led the Huskies to the 1964–65 NCAA Championship. After a brief stint with the Montreal Canadiens, he went on to play 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He won …

High School Former Lake Linden-Hubbell athlete Brett Gervais has been named the school’s new head football coach. Gervais graduated in 2011, and went on to play four years as a defensive back at Michigan Tech. While with the Huskies, he was named to the All-GLIAC team, and received Division II …