IN BRIEF
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER KENNEDY FOUND DEAD
Hall of Fame defensive tackle
Cortez Kennedy was found dead Tuesday in Orlando, according to police. Orlando Police spokeswoman Wanda Miglio told USA TODAY Sports there was “nothing suspicious” about Kennedy’s death but the department was conducting an investigation. Miglio said Kennedy was “unattended” when he died. Kennedy, who played college football at Miami (Fla.), was 48. He spent his 11-year career with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him with the No. 3 pick in 1990. He made eight Pro Bowls, was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1990s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
SPORTS LEAGUES TIGHTEN SECURITY AFTER MANCHESTER
In light of Monday night’s terror attack that killed 22 people and injured dozens more at Manchester Arena — known for its memorable sporting events — sports leagues are reacting accordingly when it comes to security and safety procedures at stadiums. The NBA, which has the Finals starting June 1, acknowledged being on higher alert as a result of the stadium suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals was Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. “We are in communication with the appropriate authorities and taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our fans, teams and staff,” NBA spokesman
Mike Bass said. The NFL, in its offseason and without any major stadium events on the horizon, will guide its 2017 stadium protocol planning with Monday’s tragedy in mind. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the first responders,” the league said in a statement. “We have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place at our stadiums and in parking lots. We will continue to improve and modify as necessary our plans in conjunction with local, state and federal law enforcement officials.” UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, said it had already made thorough safety arrangements, with detailed checks being made at stadium entrances — resulting in potential delays entering the stadiums. Ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday in Stockholm, UEFA said in a statement that it had been “closely working with local authorities and the Swedish FA for many months and the terrorist attack risk had been taken into account since the very beginning of the project. Furthermore, a number of additional security measures were implemented following the attacks in Stockholm last April.”
BRYANT REJOINS STEELERS AFTER SUSPENSION
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Martavis Bryant will be subject to multiple drug tests weekly as conditions of his reinstatement following last year’s suspension, he told reporters Tuesday upon the start of organized team activities. “I know it’s my last chance,” Bryant said. That chance is dependent upon Bryant maintaining his sobriety after failed drug tests nearly derailed his promising career. Bryant went through rehab for substance abuse near Las Vegas while serving his suspension and described the last year as a “rough time” in his life. He said he continues to attend weekly counseling sessions since returning to Pittsburgh, all part of what Bryant said has been a complete life change over the past year. “I developed better habits. I changed who I hang around,” Bryant said. “It’s really me developing my life and getting back on track.” He previously was suspended for four games in 2015 for failed drug tests. If Bryant can meet the conditions of his reinstatement, he should immediately bolster Pittsburgh’s offense. He has 15 career touchdowns (14 receiving and one rushing) in 21 regular-season games.
HAMMOND LEAVING BUCKS TO BECOME GM OF MAGIC
Veteran NBA front office executive John Hammond will leave his post as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and take the same job with the Orlando Magic, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the hire was announced officially. Hammond will work under new Magic president of basketball operations Jeff
Weltman, who recently left his job as general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Hammond, who had one year left on his deal with the Bucks, is responsible for Milwaukee’s impressive rebuild.
BRIGGS FIGHT CALLED OFF AFTER POSITIVE TEST
The WBA heavyweight title fight between Shannon Briggs and
Fres Oquendo is off after former champion Briggs tested positive for high levels of testosterone. The fight was set for June 3. Briggs, 45, can request the testing of his “B” sample, but the bout has been canceled. Briggs previously held the WBO heavyweight belt and had won his last nine bouts since losing a unanimous decision to Vitali Klitschko in 2010 for the WBC title. He has a 60-6-1 record.