Off the wire

Hernandez had CTE

Former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who killed himself in April while serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University’s CTE Center announced Thursday. Hernandez died at age 27 and is one of the youngest former NFL players known to have the devastating neurodegenerative disease. Led by Dr. Ann McKee, the center found that Hernandez had Stage 3 CTE. Stage 4 is the most serious. A post-mortem examination also found that he had “early brain atrophy” and “large perforations” on a central membrane in his brain. The disease is associated with “aggressiveness, impulsivity, depression, memory loss and other cognitive changes,” the center said. Hernandez was convicted in 2015 in the murder of Odin

Lloyd. In 2017, he was acquitted in a double-homicide case. Five days after that, he hung himself in his prison cell. A study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found 110 of 111 brains of former NFL players studied showed signs of CTE. Pro Football Hall of Famers Frank Gifford, Junior Seau and Mike Webster are among the former players to be diagnosed with the disease. CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death. Hernandez played 38 regular-season games over three seasons for the Patriots.

Elliott was ‘frustrated’

Ezekiel Elliott conceded his lack of effort on two plays in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Denver Broncos was born of frustration, calls it uncharacteristic of him and quickly adds there’s no excuse for it. The Cowboys running back took full responsibility for his lackadaisical response during two interceptions in the 25-point loss to the Broncos. Elliott acknowledged he has heard the criticism levied by Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson and others that he quit on those plays. “I definitely heard it,” said Elliott, who carried nine times for a career-low eight yards in the loss. “I guess you could say it looked like that. I would say I was just very frustrated, but that’s no excuse for the lack of effort I showed on tape. I just can’t do that. Being one of the leaders on the team and being a guy that people count on, I can’t put that type of stuff on film.”

Stanley up by 2

Kyle Stanley ran off four consecutive birdies on the front nine, one of them from 40 feet, and then added two more late in his round on a steamy Thursday afternoon in the Tour Championship at Atlanta for a 6-under 64. In his Tour Championship debut, he had a two-shot lead over a group that included U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka.

Jordan Spieth had a 67. Stanley was two shots ahead of Koepka — who played bogey-free — Webb Simpson, Paul Casey and Daniel Berger, who made eagle on the final hole. Spieth was among five players at 67 that included two other top seeds,

Justin Thomas (No. 2) and Jon Rahm (No. 5). Rahm made eagle on the par-5 sixth, and he nearly ended his round with another eagle.

Atkins shares lead

Nicholas Lindheim and Matt Atkins (Henderson State) each shot

6-under 64 to share the first-round lead at the DAP Championship at Beachwood, Ohio, the third of four events in the Web.com Tour Finals. Lindheim began his round by holing his second shot on the short par-4 10th hole at Canterbury Golf Club. He shot 6-under 29 on his first nine before coming home in even par. Andrew Putnam and Brent Stegmaier were one shot back. Nine-time PGA Tour winner Stuart Appleby and fellow Australian Matt Jones were another shot behind. Andrew Landry (Arkansas Razorbacks) had a 69, along with Austin Cook (Jonesboro, Razorbacks). Taylor Moore (Razorbacks), Tag Ridings (Razorbacks) and Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) each shot a 71. Ethan Tracy (Razorbacks) had a 79.

Pair on top in Portugal

Joost Luiten of the Netherlands and George Coetzee of South Africa each shot 7-under-par 64 to share the lead in the first round of the Portugal Masters on Thursday. Luiten had seven birdies in a bogey-free round in the morning at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, and Coetzee matched him in the afternoon after starting with six birdies in his first eight holes. They take a one-stroke lead over Nino Bertasio of Italy, Gregory Havret of France, Jason Scrivener of Australia, Callum Shinkwin of England and Ashun Wu of China. Defending champion Padraig Harrington shot 4-under 67 to finish in a tie for 16th. David Lingmerth (Arkansas Razorbacks) was among that group tied for 16th with a 67. Pep Angles (Central Arkansas) had a 2-over 73.

Goffin rallies, advances

Second-seeded David Goffin hit 13 aces to rally past Nicolas Almagro 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and reach the quarterfinals at the Moselle Open at Metz, France, on Thursday. Defending champion Lucas Pouille, who won his maiden title at the same tournament last year, lost to 86thranked Marius Copil of Romania 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6). Goffin, who led Belgium over Australia 3-2 in the Davis Cup semifinals last weekend and won the Moselle Open three years ago, put on a dominant display on his serve, dropping just two points on his first service in the final set. He will be up against local Benoit Paire in the next round at the indoor tournament after the Frenchman eased past Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-2. No. 4 Gilles Muller was beaten by Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. 6-4, 6-4. Fifth-seeded Mischa Zverev of Germany passed Henri Laaksonen 6-4, 6-4 and will take on lucky loser Kenny De Schepper in the quarterfinals.

Child hit in face OK

It might be the shot heard around the baseball world: the rocket-like foul ball that hit a young girl at a New York Yankees game. In the hours after the girl was struck in the face by the 105-mph ball Wednesday night, the game’s commissioner vowed to push harder for all parks to extend protective netting and the Cincinnati Reds committed to do just that by next season. About a third of the 30 major league teams have at the commissioner’s urging extended the netting to at least the end of the dugout. The Yankees are not among them. The toddler remained in a Bronx hospital Thursday night. Her father told reporters soon after, “She’s doing all right, just keep her in your thoughts.”