Quick hits
Gore enters second game with Dolphins on brink of NFL rushing history
DAVIE, Fla. — Every time Frank Gore touched the football in his Miami Dolphins debut, he was serenaded by a long, deep “U” chant from the Hard Rock Stadium crowd.
It added to the joy of returning to South Florida for Gore, the former Coral Gables High standout and University of Miami legend who nearly made NFL history last Sunday.
Now, Gore could fittingly accomplish a career feat in the Dolphins’ Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
After gaining 61 yards in his debut, Gore is 15 yards shy of passing former Jets standout Curtis Martin for fourth place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.
“That’s big, but I’m still playing so I really don’t think about it,” Gore said.
Gore, in his 14th season, started his 109th consecutive game on Sunday, most among active NFL running backs. It was also his 113th game in a row, the most among active NFL offensive skill players.
And Gore excited the Dolphins fan base early with a 21-yard run that set up quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s 10yard pass to receiver Kenny Stills for the team’s first touchdown of the season early in the second quarter.
Gore entered the season 75 yards shy of tying Martin, who had 14,101 yards from 1995-2005.
If Gore accomplishes the feat this Sunday, he’ll be looking up at only Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726) and Barry Sanders (15,269) on the all-time rushing list. — Safid Deen, Sun Sentinel
Parents of late Maryland football player file notice of possible lawsuit
Attorneys representing the family of late University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair have sent a notice to state officials signaling that they might sue.
The largely procedural step — required by law — doesn’t guarantee a lawsuit will be filed, but it keeps the family’s options open as lawyers with the Baltimore-based law firm Murphy, Falcon & Murphy continue to work through the case.
McNair collapsed during a May 29 preseason practice in College Park, and died of heatstroke about two weeks later. He was 19 years old.
Athletic training staff did not take McNair’s temperature and did not use a cold-water immersion treatment, a technique that researchers say has a 100 percent success rate for those suffering heatstroke when done correctly. University president Wallace Loh has said the school takes “legal and moral responsibility for mistakes the training staff made” on the day McNair was hospitalized.
In an Aug. 24 letter to the State Treasurer’s office, attorney Nikoletta Mendrinos provided notice that McNair’s parents could file a formal lawsuit arguing negligence, wrongful death and violations of civil rights, among other claims.
“University of Maryland officials and employees caused Jordan McNair’s heatstroke, failed to recognize Jordan McNair’s symptoms of heatstroke, and failed to provide Jordan McNair with medical treatment, further exacerbating the severity of his heatstroke,” the letter reads.
The notice states that both of McNair’s parents could seek damages in excess of $10 million, as could the estate of Jordan McNair.
The letter names three university employees as being involved, including football head coach DJ Durkin, who has been placed on administrative leave. Also named are Rick Court, who was the strength and conditioning coach at the time of McNair’s death but has since resigned, and Wes Robinson, an athletic trainer who is also on leave.
Durkin’s lawyer declined to comment. A university spokeswoman said the state flagship does not discuss specific legal claims “as a matter of practice.” — Talia Richman, The Baltimore Sun
Cubs closer Morrow says he’ll be back this season
CHICAGO — After throwing a 35pitch bullpen session Wednesday, closer Brandon Morrow sounded more convinced he will pitch for the Chicago Cubs this season — even if in a limited role.
Morrow said he plans to pitch in a simulated game in the next two to four days while admitted it will be tough to gauge some of his progress without a rehab assignment since the minorleague season ended.
Morrow is recovering from a bone bruise in his right pitching forearm and hasn’t pitched since July 13. The delicacy of his arm, combined with the bullpen’s resilience in his absence, has lessened his urge to return to his fulltime closer duties. — Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune