TEXANS OWNER McNAIR DIES AT 81
HOUSTON» Robert “Bob” McNair, the man who brought football back to Houston after the Oilers left for Tennessee by founding the Texans, has died. He was 81.
One of the NFL’s most influential owners, McNair had battled both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma in recent years before dying in Houston on Friday.
The team said he died peacefully with wife Janice and his family by his side.
“He was a very caring, thoughtful and passionate individual,” coach Bill O’Brien said in a statement. “As much as he cared about winning, I think the thing I will remember most about Mr. McNair is the way he cared about the players.”
When Houston lost the Oilers to Tennessee after the 1996 season, McNair made it his mission to return the NFL to the city. He formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998, and on Oct. 6, 1999, he was awarded the 32nd NFL franchise. The Texans began play in 2002.
His son, Cal McNair, who has been serving as the team’s chairman and chief operating officer, will lead the team in the wake of his father’s death.
Pioneers top Friars 3-1.
The No. 7 Denver Pioneers defeated the No. 9 Providence Friars 3-1 on Friday at Magness Arena.
The Pioneers scored twice in the third period, and Devin Cooley made 39 saves in Denver’s first victory against Providence since Dec. 30, 2000.
“Five on five I really liked our game,” DU coach David Carle said. “I thought we continued to skate and attack the game in the third period, which was nice to see.”
Denver faces Providence again at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Magness Arena.
Curry OK after car hit twice.
The Golden State Warriors said star Stephen Curry wasn’t injured after two drivers hit his car on a rain-slicked freeway on Friday.
Curry was driving a black Porsche on State Route 24 in Oakland when the driver of a Lexus lost control and struck his car, the California Highway Patrol said. Curry stopped in the center median, and as he waited for officers to arrive, another sedan lost control and rear-ended his Porsche, CHP Officer Herman Baza said.
Colorado Springs runner second.
CONN.» Edward Cheserek MANCHESTER, and Celliphine Chespol of Kenya have won the 82nd running of the Manchester Road Race in frigid conditions. Cheserek covered the 4.748mile distance Thursday in a course record of 21 minutes, 16 seconds, besting the old mark of 21:19 set in 2012 by Aaron Braun.
Paul Chelimo, of Colorado Springs, was a distant second in 21:44.
CFL honors Mitchell.
» Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell won his second CFL’s outstanding player award Thursday night. The former Eastern Washington and SMU star from Katy, Texas, also won in 2015. He will lead Calgary into the Grey Cup game Sunday against the Ottawa Redblacks.
All Blacks support former Welsh captain after anti-gay attack.
The All Blacks are the latest rugby team to say they will wear rainbow laces in their boots this weekend in a show of support for Gareth Thomas after the former Wales captain was the victim of an anti-gay attack last week.
Police in Cardiff have said a 16year-old boy has admitted to carrying out the assault.
Tennis player Tsonga hurt.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is doubtful for the remainder of the Davis Cup final after apparently injuring his groin during his loss to Marin Cilic on Friday.
Croatia leads 2-0 after the opening singles and could win its second Davis Cup crown on Saturday in the doubles.