Rice added to Broncos’ ownership
DENVER — Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been added to the new Broncos ownership group.
Rob Walton announced the inclusion of Rice in a statement issued Monday on behalf of the Waltonpenner family ownership group. The group agreed to buy the franchise from the Pat Bowlen Trust last month for a reported $4.65 billion. It’s pending approval by the NFL.
“A highly respected public servant, accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better,” Walton said in a statement. “Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization.”
Rice has strong ties to the Denver community. She received her undergraduate degree and PH.D. from the University of Denver.
The former provost at Stanford University, Rice served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2005-09. She’s also been on the College Football Playoff selection committee and chaired a commission on college basketball.
Barber died of heat stroke
FRISCO, Texas — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III died of heat stroke, police said Monday.
In a statement, police in the Dallas suburb of Frisco said the Collin County medical examiner had ruled Barber’s death an accident. A police spokesman provided no further elaboration on the circumstances of the 38-year-old’s death, and the medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press.
Police making a welfare check on June 1 found Barber dead at a Frisco apartment that he was believed to have been leasing.
The former Minnesota Golden Gopher was a fourth-round draft pick by Dallas in 2005 and spent six seasons with the Cowboys. He had 24 combined touchdowns in 2006 and ’07 despite starting just one game those two seasons. Barber rushed for 654 yards and a career-high 14 TDS in 2006.
Barber had a career-high 975 yards rushing and 10 TDS in 2007, when he made his only Pro Bowl.
Michigan’s Moeller dies at 81
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Gary Moeller, who succeeded Bo Schembechler as Michigan’s coach and later led the Detroit Lions as interim coach, died Monday. He was 81.
The University of Michigan announced his death, and no cause was provided. Moeller was promoted from offensive coordinator to lead the Wolverines’ program in 1990 and was 44-13-3 over five seasons.
Iran soccer fires coach
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has fired head coach Dragan Skocic four months before the World Cup is set to begin.
IRNA, the national news agency, on Monday said the 53-year-old Croatian would not be taking the Iran team to Qatar.
Asia’s top-ranked team, at No. 23, Iran is in Group B with England, Wales and the United States at the World Cup, which kicks off Nov. 21.
Shultes wins scholastic award
Cameryn Shultes, a senior at Middleburgh High School, has been named as one of the 10 scholastic award recipients for 2022 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.
Shultes, who competes in bowling, soccer, and softball, will be recognized at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8 at GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady. Ticket information is to be announced.