Month: October 2023

Northwestern State’s FCS Demons announced in a press release on Thursday that they are canceling the rest of its football season in light of the death of safety Ronnie Caldwell. Caldwell, 21, was shot and killed in Natchitoches, La., on Oct. 12.

The team, who competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and is a member of the Southland Conference, also announced the resignation of coach Brad Laird. Laird said in the statement: “Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don’t feel I can give my all to these players or this program. Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”

In the aftermath of Caldwell’s death, Northwestern State immediately canceled its Oct. 14 game against Nicholls, later returning to action on Oct. 19 with a 37-20 loss to Southeastern Louisiana. Northwestern University president Marcus Jones said: “Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly. While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches, and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal, and to support Ronnie’s family.”

Editorial credit: Zach Chew / Shutterstock.com

The NHL announced Thursday they have suspended Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto for 41 games for violating its sports wagering rules. The NHL said an investigation found no evidence that Pinto bet on NHL games, sharing in a news release: “The NHL considers this matter closed, absent the emergence of new information, and will have no further comment.”

Pinto’s suspension marks the first time an NHL player has been suspended for gambling since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports gambling in 2018. Pinto said in a statement issued by the Senators: “I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”

A statement from the Ottawa Senators read: “We were made aware of the National Hockey League investigation into this matter and additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league’s investigation yesterday. Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League. We know he is remorseful for his mistakes. The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL’s rules on gambling. While saddened to learn of this issue, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work together to do what is necessary to help provide the support to allow him to address his issues and become a strong contributor to our community. When the time is right and with the league’s blessing, we will welcome him back to the organization and embrace him as one of our own.”

Pinto, 22, is currently a restricted free agent. He was a second-round pick by the Senators in the 2019 NHL Draft, making his NHL debut in 2021. Pinto appeared in just 17 games during his first two seasons, registering 20 goals and 15 assists in 82 games last season for the Senators.

Editorial credit: Kev Gregory / Shutterstock.com

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said P.J. Walker will start for quarterback Deshaun Watson on Sunday when the Browns (4-2) visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-2). Watson continues to deal with a strained right shoulder, the injury which has already cost him three games; he initially hurt it on on a running play against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 27. Stefanski made the announcement before Wednesday’s practice, and said Watson won’t practice this week to focus on his rehab.

Watson returned to practice last week for the first time; although he was listed as questionable, he started Sunday’s 39-38 win at Indianapolis, but left after taking a hit on his fifth pass attempt.He said Watson did not sustain any additional damage to his shoulder in the brief outing against the Colts. Stefanski said Watson has “residual swelling” in his shoulder; however, there has been no consideration for surgery. Watson underwent another MRI on Monday, and Stefanski said the results came back clean.

The 28-year-old Watson said last week he has “microtears” in his rotator cuff, an injury that normally takes up to six weeks to heal. He missed the Browns Oct. 1 loss to Baltimore, and then following Cleveland’s bye week, he sat out the Browns/San Francisco game.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday that starting quarterback Brock Purdy is in concussion protocol following the 49ers 22-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. Shanahan said that Purdy started having concussion-related symptoms on the flight home from Minnesota, leading to his placement in the protocol: “He started getting symptoms on the plane. So we found that out when we landed. We were all pretty asleep, but then he got all checked up … yesterday, and now he’s in the protocol.” He added that Purdy seemed to feel better Wednesday than he did on Tuesday.

Shanahan said he was not sure exactly when Purdy suffered the concussion, and he didn’t notice anything from reviewing game film that indicated Purdy was affected by the concussion.  Purdy was hit from Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks when attempting a quarterback sneak on third and short in the fourth quarter, and threw two interceptions to Vikings safety Camryn Bynum during the last 5:30 the fourth quarter; however there was nothing about his demeanor that suggested he was feeling any concussion effects.

Per Shanahan, if Purdy cannot play in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, veteran backup Sam Darnold will start in his place.

Editorial credit: 1022 Project / Shutterstock.com