Patriots fan dies after game fight
Police are investigating the death of a New Hampshire man at a New England Patriots home game, after a witness said he saw a Miami Dolphins fan punching the man in the head.
Gillette Stadium officials said they were “heartbroken” to learn about the death of Dale Mooney, 53, whom they described as a lifelong Patriots fan and 30year season-ticket holder.
In an interview with local media outlets, Joey Kilmartin said he saw Mooney confront a Dolphins fan who he had been arguing with during the game.
“He went over to Section 311 and he basically engaged in mutual combat with another fan,” Kilmartin told the Boston Globe. “A lot of people started trying to pull them apart . ... It looked like somebody was in the middle of them, and then a man in the Dolphins jersey reached over and he connected with two punches to the victim’s head. It wasn’t something crazy or out of the ordinary until, 30 seconds later, the guy wasn’t getting up.”
Suspended Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker condemned the decision to fire him for what the school called unprofessional and unethical behavior during a phone call with activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy. USA Today reported that Tucker acknowledged to investigators last spring that he masturbated during a call with Tracy but insisted it was consensual “phone sex” and outside the scope of both Title IX and school policy. He’s in the third year of a $95-million, 10-year contract. If he is fired for cause, the school would not have to pay him what remains on the deal . ... South Carolina will be without one of its top playmakers this week in receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. because of a left foot injury.
Tennessee extended men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes’ contract through the 2027-28 season.
The New York Liberty beat the Washington Mystics 90-85 in overtime to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs for the first time in eight years.
The New York Mets confirmed that injured closer
Edwin Díaz will not rejoin the club this season . ... Kansas City is shutting down pitcher Brady Singer (back) for the rest of the season . ... Detroit outfielder Riley Greene will have surgery on his right elbow . ... Miami claimed left-handed reliever
Matt Moore, who began the season with the Angels, off waivers . ... Tampa Bay put the finishing touches on plans for a new 30,000-seat ballpark in St. Petersburg.
Her team lost the Junior Solheim Cup, but Cerritos High senior golfer Jasmine Koo was the United States’ top performer in Spain. The USC commit earned 2 ½ of a possible three points for the United States during the two-day event.
The NWSL announced that Boston was awarded the league’s 15th team, to begin play next year . ... Former U.S. star Tab Ramos was hired as an assistant coach by the New England Revolution . ... Spain’s women’s national team players started reporting to training camp despite not wanting to be called up while fighting for changes in the soccer federation. After players expressed fear over possible sanctions, Spain’s Secretary for Sports vowed to step in to mediate directly with them.