The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Former NFL coach Knox dead at 86
Chuck Knox, the former NFL coach who took the Los Angeles Rams to three straight NFC championship games and also led the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills, has died. He was 86.
The Rams and Seahawks said Sunday that Knox died Saturday night.
“He established a winning culture and a legacy that will never be forgotten, being the only coach to lead the Rams to five consecutive double-digitwin seasons,” the Rams said in a statement.
“The memories and accomplishments that Coach Knox left behind will continue to inspire us and Rams fans. We hold his family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Called “Ground Chuck,” for his run-first offenses, Knox was the NFL coach of the year in 1973, 1980 and 1984, winning the award with all three teams he coached.
He went 186-147-1 during 22 seasons as an NFL head coach, including two stints with the Rams. He won five straight NFC West titles from 1973-77, and he returned in 1992 for the franchise’s final three seasons in Los Angeles before its move to St. Louis.
Hall of Fame defensive end Jack Youngblood posted a picture on Twitter thanking Knox for his trust and “allowing us to make our way to Canton.”
“Chuck Knox was one of the most influential men in the early days of my career,” Youngblood wrote. “Great coach and an even better man.”
Baseball
RANGERS’ BELTRE HURT » Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre left Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Houston in the seventh inning after aggravating a left hamstring injury.
Beltre fielded a Max Stassi slow chopper and was trying to tag Yuli Gurriel at third on the play before he came out.
Beltre was activated off the disabled list on May 8 after missing 12 games with a left hamstring strain. He said the injury felt similar to the earlier strain but in a different spot.
Rangers manager Jeff Banister said there is no timetable for a layoff as of yet, but said the team will know more when it gets to Seattle for a three-game series starting Tuesday. CANO BREAKS HAND » Robinson Cano left Seattle’s game at Detroit in the third inning Sunday with a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch.
Cano was struck by a pitch from left-hander Blaine Hardy, then went to the dugout while being replaced by a pinch runner.
The 35-year-old Cano is hitting .287 with four home runs and 23 RBI this season. He hit a three-run homer in Seattle’s win Saturday night.
Hockey
U.S. WINS AT WORLDS » Captain Patrick Kane scored two goals for the second straight game and added an assist to lead the United States to a 9-3 victory over Norway for its sixth straight win at the ice hockey world championship.
Defending champion Sweden also recorded its sixth win, 5-3 at the expense of Switzerland.