Indians to drop name in 2022
The Cleveland Indians are changing their name – they just don't know to what or when.
Expressing that “it's time,” owner Paul Dolan said that after months of internal discussions and meetings with groups, including Native Americans who have sought to have the team stop using a moniker many deem racist, the American League franchise is dropping the name it has been known by since 1915.
In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Dolan said: “The name is no longer acceptable in our world.”
Dolan said the team will continue to be called Indians until a new name is chosen.
That “multi-stage” process is in its early stages and the team will play – and be branded – as the Indians at least through next season.
“We'll be the Indians in 2021 and then after that, it's a difficult and complex process to identify a new name and do all the things you do around activating that name,” Dolan said. “We are going to work at as quick a pace as we can while doing it right.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Florida men's basketball player Keyontae Johnson remained in critical but stable Monday afternoon after collapsing during a game over the weekend, the school said in a statement.
The Gators announced that Johnson had been transported to a hospital in Gainesville, Florida, after receiving his initial treatment in Tallahassee. As of Monday afternoon, he was “following simple commands and undergoing further tests,” according to the school.
Johnson's grandfather Larry DeJarnett told USA TODAY Sports that his grandson was in a medically induced coma and that doctors hoped to bring him out of the coma later in the day.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Vanderbilt has hired Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea as its head football coach, the school announced Monday night.
Lea, 38, a Nashville native who finished his college career as a fullback at Vanderbilt, will be introduced next week. He will continue working with No. 2 Notre Dame, which faces No. 3 Clemson on Saturday in the ACC championship game. Lea has served as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator the past three seasons.
Lea replaces Derek Mason, fired last month after going 27-55 in six seasons.
Washington out of Pac-12 final: Washington has pulled out of the Pac-12 football championship game due to COVID-19 issues in the Huskies program, and Oregon will now play No. 13 USC for the conference title on Friday instead.
Washington (3-1) announced Monday it is withdrawing from the championship game after determining the Huskies did not have at least 53 scholarship players available and did not meet the minimum number of scholarship athletes at specific positions.
Washington had to cancel its game last weekend against Oregon (3-2) that would have determined the Pac-12 North champion due to COVID-19 cases in the program.
NBA
James Harden practiced with the Houston Rockets on Monday for the first time this season after missing the early part of camp while talk swirls that he wants out.
Harden reported to camp late amid reports he is looking to be traded. He was absent for Houston's first two preseason games as he went through the NBA's COVID-19 testing protocols.
Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke with the superstar Monday, but they talked strictly basketball.