Bills ink deal with B.C. native Claypool
The Buffalo Bills announced the signings of Canadian wide receiver Chase Claypool, defensive end Dawuane Smoot and linebacker Deion Jones to one-year contracts Friday.
In a continuing need to upgrade their receiving corps after trading star Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis in free agency, Claypool has a chance to make an impact in a revamped group. The Bills have added Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Quintez Cephus and used their top pick (33rd) on Florida State WR Keon Coleman.
Claypool, a 6-foot-4, 238-pound native of Abbotsford, B.C., has more than 2,000 receiving yards and 13 TDS since entering the league. Claypool was a second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft and he set the franchise record in Week 5 with his four-touchdown performance.
Elsewhere, the Miami Dolphins agreed to sign wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year contract, according to NFL Network. Beckham, 31, will join his fifth team after previously playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore, Cleveland, and the New York Giants. Beckham had 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns with Baltimore last season.
A sombre crowd gathered in a St. John's church Friday to honour Bob Cole, the legendary sportscaster from Newfoundland and Labrador who brought some of hockey's most important games to living rooms across the country.
Hockey Night in Canada host Ron Maclean and former NHL goalie Glen Healy were among the mourners assembled in St. Thomas' Anglican Church to remember Cole, who died April 24 at the age of 90.
Cole's broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years, but he was best known for his play-by-play commentary on Hockey Night. With his signature wit, passion and “Oh baby!” exclamations, Cole was a giant in Canadian broadcasting.
Montreal's Felix Augeraliassime advanced to his first ATP Masters final Friday and hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Auger-aliassime moved into the final of the Madrid Open tournament after semifinal opponent Jiri Lehecka retired due to injury with their match tied 3-3 in the first set.
The 23-year-old Canadian didn't even take the court in the quarterfinals when his opponent, top-seeded Jannik Sinner, withdrew with a hip injury.
Auger-aliassime also advanced by walkover in the third round when Jakub Mensik retired with the Canadian leading 6-1, 1-0.
When Auger-aliassime has played in Madrid, he has looked good. He posted a convincing 6-4, 7-5 win over fifth seed Casper Ruud and easily handled 19th-seed Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-4.
Auger-aliassime will face seventh-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev in Sunday's final.