Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence considered opting out
Clemson quarterback
Trevor Lawrence said he considered opting out of this season when he was unsure what college football would look like going forward amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
But Lawrence said Friday once he understood he’d play an 11-game season with a chance for an Atlantic Coast Conference and national championships, he decided to play his junior season.
Lawrence is considered a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and a likely No. 1 overall pick in the next NFL draft should he leave college early.
Lawrence said he’s completely committed to this season. Lawrence was 25-0 as a starter until he and Clemson fell to LSU in the national title game last January. Lawrence, the 6-foot-6 junior, had perhaps his poorest performance in college in the 42-25 loss to LSU. He joked how after his freshman year when he led Clemson to a championship he heard how amazing he was and since the LSU defeat, he heard how much work he has to do improve.
Lawrence said he’s confident in Clemson’s ability to keep himself and his teammates safe this season.
Indians hitting coach Van Burkleo opts out due to COVID-19
CHICAGO — Cleveland Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo has opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns about contracting the Coronavirus.
Team President Chris Antonetti said Friday that Van Burkelo had been contemplating his departure for some time because of a personal high-risk condition and for his family. The Van Burkleos have a special needs child.
Antonetti said the challenges of traveling and the lack of room in road ballparks may have been the tipping point for the 57-year-old Van Burkleo, who is in his eighth season with the club. He had been facing criticism over Cleveland’s early offensive struggles.
No set guidelines for calling off US Open if COVID outbreak
A player testing positive for COVID-19 will be dropped from the U.S. Open, but the U.S. Tennis Association has not established how many infected participants would force the Grand Slam tournament to be called off.
According to a 10½-page “Player Q&A Update” sent out this week by the USTA, “There are no guidelines available to determine what number (of positive tests) will compel” the cancellation of the U.S. Open or the tournament that will precede it at Flushing Meadows this month amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Western & Southern Open, usually held in Cincinnati, is slated for the hard courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from Aug. 20-28, followed by the U.S. Open from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13. No spectators will be allowed at either tournament.
Dutch cyclist in Poland crash conscious, in good condition
WARSAW, Poland — Dutch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen is in good condition after he was brought out of an induced coma following a controversial crash near the finish line at the Tour of Poland.
Doctors at the hospital in southern Poland where Jakobsen is being treated said on Friday he was responsive, breathing on his own and could move his limbs.
“We have good news, the patient is in really good condition with no neurological symptoms,” said Dr Pawel Gruenpeter, deputy director of St.Barbara’s Specialized Hospital in Sosnowiec.
The bruising that Jakobsen sustained to his chest still needs doctors’ attention and he will need physical therapy after the crash, but could possibly leave hospital in about two weeks, Gruenpeter said.
On Friday, French cyclist Mickael Delage racing for Groupama FDJ was injured in a fall while going downhill. The team said he was conscious when he was transported to the hospital in Bielsko-Biala for x-rays.
Basketball player dies during training in Serbia
BELGRADE, Serbia — Former Florida State University center Michael Ojo died on Friday after collapsing during training in Serbia, his former team Red Star Belgrade said. He was 27.
The Nigerian-born basketball player was taken to a hospital in the Serbian capital, but doctors failed to resuscitate him, Belgrade media reported.
“The sudden and shocking death has deeply shaken everyone in the club,” Red Star said in a statement.
Ojo was reported to have tested positive for the Coronavirus, but also that he had recovered. Local media reported that he died of a heart attack.
Alabama high school football team, band under quarantine
ONEONTA, Ala. — The entire football team and marching band at a small-town Alabama high school are under quarantine following exposure to the new Coronavirus.
Oneonta High School coach Phil Phillips told WBMA-TV that a fifth player has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.