Shiffrin gets first slalom win in a year
FLACHAU, AUSTRIA » Not known for exuberant victory celebrations, Mikaela Shiffrin let out a loud scream this time after crossing the finish line.
Shiffrin’s victory in a night slalom Tuesday was unlike most of her previous 67 World Cup wins.
In the last slalom before next month’s world championships, Shiffrin ended a year-long drought in her strongest discipline and earned her 100th World Cup podium.
Seattle fires Schottenheimer
RENTON, WASH. » The Seattle Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer following a season in which the team set several offensive records but coach Pete Carroll had clear issues with how the offense operated.
Seattle announced the move, citing “philosophical differences.” The Seahawks had the highestscoring team in franchise history, but the Seahawks regressed offensively in the second half of the season, and quarterback Russell Wilson and Carroll both made comments following Seattle’s 30-20 playoff loss to the Rams that indicated concerns with the lack of adjustments by the offense.
Schottenheimer, 47, completed his third season with the Seahawks after previously serving as the offensive coordinator of the Jets and St. Louis Rams.
Bruins retiring O’Ree jersey
BOSTON » More than 60 years after he broke the NHL’s color barrier, Willie O’Ree will soon add another milestone to his career.
The Boston Bruins announced that O’Ree will have his No. 22 jersey retired prior to the team’s Feb. 18 game against New Jerseys. It will make O’Ree the 12th player in team history to have a sweater hung in TD Garden.
O’Ree, 85, became the league’s first Black player when he suited up for Boston on Jan. 18, 1958, against the Montreal Canadiens. O’Ree, who was legally blind in one eye, played two seasons for the Bruins, retiring from professional hockey in 1979.
Browns wait for two
CLEVELAND » As the Browns anxiously wait for Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and top cornerback Denzel Ward to return from COVID-19 and join their playoff run, the team lost their replacements to injuries.
Cleveland placed guard Michael Dunn and cornerback Robert Jackson on injured reserve, losing two players who started Sunday’s playoff win at Pittsburgh while Bitonio and Ward remain sidelined with the virus.
It’s not yet known if or when Bitonio or Ward will be back.
Masters plans for a limited number of spectators
Some volume is returning to the Masters, just maybe not the headturning roars. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said the club intends to allow a limited number of spectators for the Masters on April 8-11, provided it can be done safely, given the coronavirus pandemic.
In other areas, the Masters will be a lot like the last one in November. Ridley said it will be conducted with similar health and safety standards. Those standards last fall included mandatory COVID-19 testing and masks being worn.
Pack sign Veldheer, who played with Colts last week
Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer is back with the Packers, giving him an opportunity to compete in playoff games for different teams on back-to-back weekends.
Veldheer was with the Packers for Tuesday’s practice. The Packers (13-3) are hosting the Rams (11-6) in an NFC divisional playoff game.
The 33-year-old Veldheer was the Indianapolis Colts’ starting left tackle for their final two games, including a 27-24 AFC firstround playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend.