NFL PLAYER, PIONEER BLACK ANALYST CROSS DIES AT 81
Irv Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday. He was 81.
The Philadelphia Eagles, the team Cross spent his six of his nine NFL seasons with, said Cross’ son, Matthew, confirmed his father died near his home in Roseville, Minn. The cause of death was not provided.
“All of us at CBS Sports are saddened by the news of Irv Cross’ passing,” CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. “Irv was a pioneer who made significant contributions to the storied history and tradition of CBS Sports and, along with Phyllis George and Brent Musburger, set the standard for NFL pregame shows with ‘The NFL Today.’ He was a true gentleman and a trail blazer in the sports television industry and will be remembered for his accomplishments and the paths he paved for those who followed.”
From Hammond, Ind., Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. He was drafted in the seventh round by Philadelphia in 1961, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1966 and returned to the Eagles in 1969 as a player coach for his final season.
Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor.
Death
Louis Nix, a former NFL player and star at Notre Dame, was found dead Saturday at age 29. Nix’s family confirmed his death to news outlets in Jacksonville, Fla., where he lived and grew up.
Local colleges
Despite 23 points from Sophia Ramos, the San Diego State women’s basketball team (7-16, 5-12 Mountain West) lost at Boise State (13-8, 10-8) 85-44.
The USD softball team (3-8) dropped a doubleheader to fifthranked Washington by scores of 5-0 and 12-0 at home.
The USD baseball team (3-3) dropped a 5-1 decision to visiting Cal State Fullerton (3-3) in the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament. USD’s Shane McGuire hit a firstinning solo home run.
In baseball, San Diego State scored twice in the top of the 11th inning to pull out a 7-5 victory over host UC San Diego in the first game of a doubleheader.
In the second game, the Aztecs (5-2) broke open a close game with five runs in the sixth inning en route to a 13-6 win over the Tritons (1-3).
Horse racing
Two-time champion Monomoy Girl ($2.40), making her 6-year-old debut, picked up where she left off 2020 with an impressive victory in the Grade III Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. Monomoy Girl is expected to defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff this November at Del Mar.
Jockey Mario Gutierrez was injured when his mount, Squeaky Cheeky, broke down after running in the fifth race at Santa Anita. Gutierrez was transported to Huntington Methodist Hospital. Matt Nakatani, Gutierrez’s agent, said via direct message that all of the jockey’s scans came back clean. It was the fifth racing or training death at Santa Anita since the meeting opened Dec. 26.
Soccer
Gareth Bale turned back time for Tottenham, while Chelsea and Manchester United seemed happy just to play out time in the EPL. Bale looked like the star player who left Tottenham for Real Madrid in 2013 as he scored twice in the club’s 4-0 win over Burnley.
Harvey Barnes had his good run cut short by a knee injury in Leicester’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal. He is likely to need an operation and miss six weeks.
Chelsea kept its unbeaten record under manager Thomas Tuchel in a 0-0 draw with Man United as both teams appeared reluctant to risk losing one point in the hope of getting three.