Washington St. QB found dead
Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The 21-year-old Hilinski was discovered in his apartment after he didn’t show up for practice yesterday. The Pullman Police Department says a rifle “was recovered next to Hilinski and a suicide note was found.”
Hilinski just completed his sophomore season and was the presumptive starting quarterback going into next season. Hilinski started Washington State’s Holiday Bowl loss to Michigan State after Luke Falk was unable to play because of a wrist injury.
Washington State president Kirk Schulz tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hilinski family.”
Stanford’s Love stays in school
Heisman Trophy runner-up and Doak Walker Award winner Bryce Love is returning to Stanford for his senior season.
Love released a statement through the school yesterday saying he will be back next year while continuing to work on his degree in human biology . . . .
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Stepherson, who was suspended for the Fighting Irish’s Citrus Bowl against LSU after being accused of shoplifting, and three other players have been dismissed from the team . . . .
Syracuse has hired Mike Cavanaugh as the team’s offensive line coach. Cavanaugh comes to the Orange from Nebraska, where he served in the same role for three seasons under Mike Riley before the staff there was fired in November.
Agent: Ronaldinho has retired
The brother and agent of 2005 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho announced that the former Brazil and Barcelona playmaker has retired.
Roberto Assis made the announcement to Brazilian media on behalf of the 37-year-old midfielder, who played his last professional match in 2015 for Brazil’s Fluminense . . . .
In a first for English soccer, a goal was awarded thanks to the intervention of a video assistant referee as Leicester advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s deft finish was ruled out by the assistant referee for offside against the Leicester striker in the 77th minute, only for the decision to be overturned and the goal given by the on-field referee about 70 seconds later on the advice of the VAR.
That second goal for Iheanacho clinched a 2-0 win for Leicester against third-tier Fleetwood at King Power Stadium, in one of five third-round replays.
Bruce back with Mets for $39M
Jay Bruce and the New York Mets have finalized a three-year, $39 million deal to bring his big bat back to Queens.
The 30-year-old Bruce had a career-high 36 home runs along with a .254 average and 101 RBI last season. He hit 29 of those homers with the Mets before an August trade sent him to Cleveland . . . .
Royals pitcher Danny Duffy has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in a Kansas City suburb and has been placed on a year’s probation . . . .
Authorities say 26-year-old featherweight boxer Luis Rosa Jr. was killed in a car crash in Connecticut.