Ex-Jets coach Michaels dies; led Super Bowl defense
Walt Michaels, the former New York Jets coach who retired following the 1982 season after leading the team to the AFC title game, has died. He was 89.
The former Cleveland Browns linebacker was the defensive coordinator of the Jets’ Super Bowl-winning team in the 1968 season. He was head coach from 1977-82, going 3947-1 and making the playoffs in the 1981-82 seasons. The Jets reached the AFC title game after the 1982 season before losing to the Dolphins in a rain-soaked Orange Bowl.
He later coached the New Jersey Generals of the USFL for two years.
“We are very sad to hear about the passing of Walt Michaels. Walt was a great leader who inspired players to take their games to another level,” Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement.
“A defensive mastermind, he had one of his finest moments when he coordinated our unit in the Super Bowl III victory over the Colts. Later as a head coach, Walt led us to backto-back playoff berths in 1981-82.”
Elsewhere: Jets second-year
● tight end Chris Herndon, who played for the University of Miami from 2015-17, has been suspended without pay by the NFL for the first four regular-season games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Herndon, who played for the University of Miami from 2015-17, pleaded guilty in January to driving while intoxicated in New Jersey in June 2018. The incident occurred about a month after he was selected by the Jets in the fourth round of the NFL draft out. … Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito, has been suspended without pay by the NFL for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Incognito pleaded guilty in April to disorderly conduct in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being accused of threatening employees at a funeral home where his father’s body was being held. Incognito was a key figure in the Dolphins Bullygate scandal in 2013.
ETC.
Tour de France: Dylan ● Groenewegen won the longest stage of the Tour de France in a sprint as Giulio Ciccone kept the yellow jersey. It was an uplifting achievement for Groenewegen, who less than a week ago in Brussels sat dejected in the middle of a road, his body language oozing disappointment following a crash. One of the fastest sprinters in the world, the Dutch sprinter was expected to win the opening stage and seize the yellow jersey. On Friday, Groenewegen edged Australian rival Caleb Ewan and former world champion Peter Sagan of Slovakia to claim his fourth career stage win of the Tour.
Track and field: Sifan ●
Hassan broke the longstanding women’s mile record in 4 minutes, 12.33 seconds at the Herculis Diamond League meet in Monaco. The Dutchwoman fractionally beat the
4:12.56 set in 1996 by Svetlana Masterkova ,a two-time Olympic champion. In the men’s 100 meters, American Justin Gatlin won in 9.91 seconds, edging Noah Lyles (9.92).
Soccer: Barcelona has ● added a third star talent to its already world-class attack, with French forward Antoine Griezmann agreeing to join the Spanish champions, who paid the buyout clause to free him from rival Atletico Madrid. Griezmann will strengthen an attack led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez after agreeing to sign a five-year contract. … The Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld Skenderbeu’s 10-year ban from UEFA competitions for widespread fixing of domestic and European matches. … Former England striker Peter Crouch has retired at age 38, ending a 19-year career of one of the country’s most recognizable and charismatic players.
Auto racing: Daniel
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Suarez led a front row sweep for Stewart-Haas Racing in provisional qualifying at Kentucky Speedway, pending inspection Saturday. Suarez turned a lap at 184.590 mph in his SHR Ford to nab his second pole in 91 career starts. … Nearly a year after his devastating injury in an IndyCar race, Robert Wickens will drive the parade lap Sunday before the Toronto IndyCar race in an Acura NSX equipped with hand controls. … Mercedes dominated the second practice for the British Grand Prix with Valtteri Bottas outpacing Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton.