Isiah Robertson, ex-Ram, dies
Isiah “Butch” Robertson, a free-spirited and hard-hitting All-Pro linebacker who helped the Rams win six straight NFC West titles from 1973 to ’78, died in a three-car crash southeast of Dallas on Thursday night, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman confirmed. He was 69.
Robertson played in 111 games for the Rams, recording 25 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries, and 57 games for the Buffalo Bills from 1979 to ’82. He was a six-time Pro-Bowl selection and firstteam All-Pro in 1973 and 1976.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Robertson, who attended Southern University from 1967 to ’70 and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2017, was selected 10th overall by the Rams in the 1971 draft.
“He was a tremendous player,” former Rams safety Nolan Cromwell said. “He was as fast and as quick as a lot of defensive backs. He was that gifted of an athlete.” — Mike DiGiovanna
Football star-turned-actor Tim Rossovich ,a consensus All-American defensive end and NFL draft first rounder on USC’s 1967 national championship team, died Thursday in Sacramento after a long illness. He was 72.
Cleveland re-acquired popular, scrappy guard Matthew Dellavedova in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards. The Cavaliers also are getting forward John Henson and two draft picks in 2021 from the Bucks in exchange for George Hill. Also as part of the deal, the Cavaliers traded a 2021 second-round pick to the Wizards, who sent forward Jason Smith and cash considerations to the Bucks and a 2022 second-round draft pick to Cleveland. The Cavaliers are receiving Milwaukee’s 2021 first- and secondround picks.
Golden State Warriors center Damian Jones underwent surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle. The Warriors said that Jones had the procedure Wednesday in Chicago. Jones is expected to begin the rehab process in six weeks with a timetable to be determined based on his progress.
Georgia Tech hired Temple coach Geoff Collins, choosing a Georgia native with a background in defense to replace Paul Johnson as the Yellow Jackets coach. Collins, 47, is a former Florida and Mississippi State defensive coordinator and Georgia Tech assistant who was 15-10 in two seasons at Temple .... Duke says injured defensive tackle Edgar Cerenord has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. The school said the redshirt senior will be eligible to play in 2019.
Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano was suspended for two games by the NHL for kneeing, and Flames forward Ryan Lomberg was suspended for a game and head coach Bill Peters fined $10,000.