Former Dillard, Dolphins DB Jackson dies at age 49
Former Miami Dolphins defensive back Calvin Jackson, who was a South Florida native, died at age 49 due to an undisclosed illness, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Jackson played at Fort Lauderdale Dillard High and Auburn University before signing with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.
In six seasons with the Dolphins from 1994-99, Jackson had four interceptions, one touchdown and four sacks in 75 games played.
Jackson’s son, Calvin Jackson Jr., who was a wide receiver with Washington State in 2020, tweeted “I was just talking to you yesterday bro,” and “Can’t be real,” late Sunday.
— JASON DILL
ETC.
NFL: The Jets are bolstering their previously depleted receiving corps with former Titan Corey Davis, according to multiple reports. Davis is coming off a career year where he had 65 catches for 985 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll join Denzel Mims, coming off a promising rookie year, as a promising pair of receivers for whoever the Jets end up having at quarterback. The 26-year-old
Davis signed a three year deal with $27 million guaranteed, according to ESPN . ... Washington bid farewell to starting cornerback Ronald Darby. The six-year veteran agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos . ... The Patriots have agreed to sign free agent tight end Jonnu Smith in their biggest move to date to fill the void created by the departure of Rob Gronkowski. Smith, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 draft, agreed to a fouryear, $50 million deal.
NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his third consecutive triple-double to lead the Milwaukee Bucks past the Washington Wizards 133-122 for their fourth consecutive victory. ... Terry Rozier scored 26 points, Gordon Hayward added 25 and the host Charlotte Hornets overcame a 15-point deficit in the second half to beat the Sacramento Kings 122-116 for their fourth straight win.
Soccer: Lionel Messi scored twice as he tied
Xavi Hernandez’s record of most appearances for Barcelona, putting them within four points of the Spanish league lead after beating last-placed Huesca 4-1. For his 767th match, Messi was honored by Barcelona with a large image behind one of the goals showing him embracing Xavi as the players looked forward and pointed upward. The banner included the words “767 matches“and “touching the sky.” ... Diogo Jota scored the winner against his former club as Liverpool beat Wolverhampton 1-0 in an English Premier League match that ended with Wolves goalkeeper
Rui Patricio being carried off with a head injury. Patricio was struck on the head in the 87th minute by the knee of teammate
Conor Coady.
MLB: In the matchup of baseball’s most prominent two-way players,
Shohei Ohtani had it all his way against Michael
Lorenzen. Ohtani hit two home runs off Lorenzen, earning plenty of praise from the Cincinnati Reds pitcher/outfielder. “If I have to pick a favorite player, it’s him,” Lorenzen said . ... Washington ace Max Scherzer struck out seven over four scoreless innings, allowing two hits without a walk. Ryan Zimmerman, who sat out the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns, hit his third home run this spring in a 4-2 loss to the Cardinals . ... Domingo German struck out six and scattered three hits over four scoreless innings against the Phillies in his bid for a spot in the New York Yankees’ rotation.
Andy Murray, the former world No. 1, was granted a wild card into the 2021 Miami Open, which starts March 22 and runs through April 4 at Hard Rock Stadium.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is on the comeback trail from hip surgery two years ago. He skipped the tournament in Dubai this week because his wife gave birth to their fourth child last week.
“It’s a city I love, and I’ve spent a lot of time here over the last 15 years, I feel comfortable,” Murray
told People magazine about his return to Miami. “But over the next few months, I want to play matches — especially against the top players — work on my game and climb the rankings. I want to get back to playing a sport I love.”
Murray, who had a Brickell condo and spent many winters in Miami, last competed in the Miami Open in 2016. He won the tournament in 2009 and 2013 and reached the final in 2012 and 2015.
“It is exciting to see Andy back in Miami,” said James Blake, Miami Open tournament director. “As someone who has had to battle back from injury during his career, I understand and respect all the hard work Andy has put in to get back on tour.”
The Scot’s three Grand Slam titles were the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. He also won Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. He rose to No. 1 in the world on Nov. 7, 2016, and stayed there for 36 weeks.
Joining Murray on the main draw wild card list are: Carlos Alcaraz (ESP), Michael Mmoh (USA), Hugo Gaston (FRA) and Jack Draper (GBR). On the women’s side, Anna Kalinskaya (RUS), Ana Konjuh (CRO), Storm Sanders (AUS), Katrina Scott (USA), Mayar Sherif (EGY), Xiyu Wang (CHN) and Xinyu Wang (CHN) were granted main draw wild cards.
The Miami Open also gave wild cards into men’s qualifying rounds to: Ulises Blanch (USA), Christopher Eubanks (USA), Toby Kodat (USA), Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) and Emilio Nava (USA). Women’s qualifying wild cards are Hailey Baptiste (USA), Olga Danilovic (SRB), Alexandra Eala (PHI), Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE), Robin Montgomery (USA) and Whitney Osuigwe (USA).
The main draw includes 74 of the top 77 ranked men and 72 of the top 77 ranked women, including reigning Australian Open champions Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka.
A limited number of full tournament packages are on sale at miamiopen.com.
All matches will be broadcast live on the Tennis Channel. The women’s main draw begins March 23, followed by the first round of the men’s main draw March 24.