Inside: Utah freshman running back Ty Jordan has died, school says, News+Notes,
DALLAS >> Ty Jordan, a star freshman running back for the University of Utah who grew up in the Dallas area, has died, school officials announced Saturday.
Authorities in Texas and Utah have not released details about the circumstances of the Jordan’s death. A day earlier, the 19-year-old was named Pac-12’s newcomer of the year.
“Words cannot express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement.
Jordan, a speedy 5-foot-7, 200-pound player, emerged from a crowded Utah backfield to become the focal point of the team’s offense. He finished the season with 597 yards rushing, 11 catches for 126 yards and six touchdowns.
Jordan came up as a tailback playing in Mesquite, a Dallas suburb, and was a highly touted recruit. He made a seamless transition to the college game, including three straight 100-yard rushing performances to close out the season.
Utah was one of nearly two dozen major college football teams to decline an opportunity to play a postseason bowl game, instead allowing players who had been in strict COVID-19 protocols for months begin their off-seasons.
KING SAYS HE’S RETURNING TO MIAMI >> Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King — who came to Miami with the intention of spending just one year at the school — announced he is returning for another senior season, taking advantage of the NCAA rule that essentially gave all college ath
letes another year of eligibility in response to the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
King has completed 201 of 316 passes this season for 2,573 yards, 22 touchdowns and only thrown five interceptions.
Golf
NORMAN IN HOSPITAL WITH VIRUS >> Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman shared photos on social media Friday suggesting he has been hospitalized with COVID-19.
The 65-year- old Australian posted a video on Instagram on Thursday night saying he was experiencing coronavirus symptoms, then posted photos Friday showing himself in a hospital bed.
Norman’s son, Greg Norman Jr., also said on social media that he and his wife, Michelle, have tested positive. The Normans played in the father- son PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida, last weekend.
The elder Norman said Thursday that he had flulike symptoms, including a mild fever, a cough, aches and pains, and a mild headache. He said he took a virus test Tuesday that came back negative, but he was in self- quarantine anyway.
Pro football
BROWNS’ GOODSON OUT FOR JETS GAME AFTER POSITIVE COVID TEST >> The Cleveland Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without starting linebacker B. J. Goodson, who will miss Sunday’s game against the New York Jets after testing positive for COVID-19.
Cleveland can potentially lock up its first postseason berth since 2002 with a win, but Goodson is on the COVID-19 list and his playing status for the season finale on Jan. 3 against Pittsburgh is also in question.
Per current NFL rules, any player testing positive has to stay out at least 10 days before being eligible to return. Of course, that also depends on the player’s health.
BRADY-LED BUCS TOP LIONS >> Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes in the only half he needed to play and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on to rout the Detroit Lions 47-7, sealing a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
The Bucs (10- 5) set a franchise record with 588 yards and snapped the NFL’s second-longest postseason drought behind Cleveland’s 18- year run that can end Sunday.