Off the wire

FOOTBALL

Former NFL referee dies Former NFL referee Red Cashion, known for his vociferous calls of “FIRST DOWN,” has died. He was 87. Cashion died Sunday, according to Calloway-Jones Life & Legacy Funeral Home of Bryan, Texas. Cashion retired from the NFL in 1997 after officiating for 25 years, 21 one of them as a referee. He worked two Super Bowls. NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green called Cashion “the kind of man everyone wanted to emulate both on and off the field, and he gave so much of his time to all of us.” Born Mason L. “Red” Cashion was born Nov. 10, 1931 in College Station, Texas. He ran track and played football, basketball and baseball at A&M Consolidated High School, then attended Texas A&M on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1953. He was then commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He began his officiating career while finishing his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M.

Loewen signs with Lions The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Steve Longa and defensive end Mitchell Loewen (Arkansas Razorbacks). Detroit made the moves Monday before Coach Matt Patricia and team executives answered questions from season-ticket holders at Ford Field. Longa had a season-ending knee injury last year during the preseason after being a key player on special teams for the Lions in 2017. Longa played in one game in Detroit in 2016 after being signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers. The Lions claimed Loewen off waivers from New Orleans in December. He played in three games for the Saints over the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Nebraska RB faces charges

California authorities have filed criminal charges against Nebraska running back Maurice Washington, who is suspected of possessing a video of his underage high school girlfriend being sexually assaulted by two other people and sending that video to the girl less than a year ago. The university athletic department said Monday it was aware of the situation, and Washington’s attorney said his client would cooperate with authorities. Clarissa Hamilton, supervisor of the sexual assault unit in the Santa Clara County Attorney’s Office in San Jose, Calif., said Washington faces two charges: a felony count of possessing

a video or photograph of a person under 18 who is engaging in or simulating sexual conduct and a misdemeanor count of posting a video or photograph of a person engaging in or simulating sexual conduct without consent, leading to the person suffering emotional distress. Hamilton said Washington was not involved in the 2016 assault.

Panthers re-sign Reid The Carolina Panthers have re-signed safety Eric Reid to a three-year contract that runs through the 2021 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced Monday. Reid joined the Panthers in Week 4 of last season after spending five seasons with the 49ers.

He started all 13 games played and had 73 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception and a sack. The Panthers made news when they signed Reid to a one-year deal last October.

He was an unrestricted free agent and didn’t attend training camp last summer — something Reid believes was a direct response by NFL owners to his decision to kneel for the national anthem alongside former teammate Colin Kaepernick in protest of social and racial injustice. Reid has an ongoing lawsuit against the NFL owners for colluding to keep him out of the league.

Falcons hire Sutton Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton has joined the Atlanta Falcons as a senior assistant. Sutton was fired by the Chiefs two days after a crushing 37-31 loss in the AFC Championship Game, when

Kansas City failed to stop Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession of overtime. Sutton joins an Atlanta team that revamped its coaching staff after a disappointing 7-9 season, firing all three coordinators. Head Coach Dan Quinn is taking over as defensive coordinator, and Sutton will assist with areas such as game management, timeout usage and replay review.

TENNIS

Osaka changing coaches Top-ranked Naomi Osaka said she has split with coach Sascha Bajin a little more than two weeks after winning the Australian Open for her second consecutive Grand Slam title. Osaka posted a tweet on Monday that said she “will no longer be working together with Sascha.” She also thanked Bajin and wished him “all the best in the future.” Osaka’s agent confirmed to The Associated Press that Osaka would no longer be coached by Bajin but said there would be no further comment. The 21-year-old Osaka beat Petra Kvitova in the Australian Open final on Jan. 26, adding to her championship at the U.S. Open last September.

BASKETBALL

Mountaineers dismiss two West Virginia starters Esa Ahmad and Wes Harris have been dismissed from the team for undisclosed violations of athletic department policies. The Mountaineers announced the dismissals Monday night without elaboration. Ahmad was the team’s third-leading scorer this season at 12 points per game and the third-leading rebounder at 5.8. Harris averaged 7.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.

BASEBALL

Reds, Duke agree

Zach Duke has signed a $2 million, one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, who wanted a left-hander for the bullpen. Duke agreed to the deal last week. It was completed Monday after he passed a physical. Cincinnati overhauled its rotation and starting lineup in the offseason through a series of trades, hoping to become a contender. The bullpen already was solid with the additions of Jared Hughes and David Hernandez last season to set up closer Raisel Iglesias. Duke turns 36 in April. He pitched in 14 games for the Reds in 2013. Last season, he went 5-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 72 games with Minnesota and Seattle. Duke also has played for the Pirates, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Brewers, White Sox and Cardinals.

Sutton

Reid