Newton reportedly agrees to one-year deal to join Patriots
The New England Patriots have reached an agreement with freeagent quarterback Cam Newton, bringing in the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player to help the team move on from three-time MVP Tom Brady, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
The one-year deal is worth up to $7.5 million with incentives, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. A Patriots spokesman said the team had nothing to announce Sunday night. The signing was first reported by ESPN.
The Patriots had been heading to training camp with 2019 fourth-round draft choice Jarrett Stidham as the heir apparent to Brady, who led the team to six Super Bowl championships since 2001 but signed with Tampa Bay this offseason. Stidham appeared in three games last season, completing two passes for 14 yards with one interception.
The only other experienced quarterback on the Patriots’ roster was 34-year-old Brian Hoyer, who has started 38 games in an 11year career with seven NFL teams, including the Patriots twice.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection who was the league’s top player in 2015, Newton remains the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns rushing by a quarterback. The Panthers saved $19.1 million under the salary cap by releasing him on March 24.
PATRIOTS FINED $1.1M, LOSE PICK >> The Patriots have been fined $1.1 million by the NFL for inappropriately filming the Bengals’ sideline during a game last season.
On Sunday, the league also took away a third-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Also, the team’s production crew will not be allowed to shoot any games in the 2020 season.
An NFL spokesman confirmed the discipline to the AP. EX-49ER PERSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT >> Mike Person, who started at right guard for the 49ers in their loss in Super Bowl LIV in February, announced his retirement in an interview with a Montana sports website this weekend.
Person, 32, cited the physical toll of football, as well as a desire to spend more time with his wife and three children as the reasons tohangitup.
“I just feel like now is the right time,” Person told 406mtsports. com. “Obviously I wish it would have ended differently, especially this past season. You take a beating, and anybody who’s played knows that. At some point you just have to tell yourself now is the right time.
“My kids are getting older and most likely I’d spend the entire season away from them if I were to sign with someone. I’ve missed too much already.”
Person spent the past two seasons with the 49ers, starting all 30 of his regular-season games played. He was released on April 1, at which time general manager John Lynch said:
“Over the last two years, Mike proved to be a selfless player whose passion for the game was respected by everyone in our organization. His character and professionalism was a great influence in our locker room, while his
Free-agent quarterback Cam Newton reportedly agreed to a contract with the Patriots.
fire and grit on the field added to the physical nature of our team. “
The 49ers saved $2.5 million in salary cap room by releasing Person, who was under contract through the 2021 season.
MLB
YANKEES SET TO OPEN WITH NATIONALS >> Gerrit Cole could make his New York Yankees debut in an intriguing opening day treat for fans, facing Juan Soto and World Series champion Washington at Nationals Park.
The Yankees and Nationals are set meet when the virus-delayed season begins next month.
MLB will start a 60-game seasononJuly23or24.Theschedule is still being worked out — there could be a game or two on the first day of play, or a full slate.
Cole started the previous game played at Nationals Park. He pitched the Houston Astros past the Nationals 7-1 last October for a 3-2 edge in the World Series. PIRATES RELIEVER SUSPENDED >> Pittsburgh reliever Edgar Santana will miss all of the abbreviated 2020 season after being suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Santana tested positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance. Santana, 28, is in the process of a comeback after missing all of the 2019 season following reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in 2018.
NBA
CLIPPERS SIGN NOAH >> The Los Angeles Clippers signed free agent Joakim Noah to a new contract for the rest of the season, three months after he first signed a 10day deal with the team.
The two-time All-Star averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 42 games for Memphis last season. Noah originally signed with the Clippers on March 9, two days before the NBA put its season on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 35-year-old center was the 2014 defensive player of the year. Noah provides the Clippers with playoff experience and additional depth at the position.
College football
KANSAS STATE PLAYERS THREATEN BOYCOTT >> Kansas State football players said they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.”
The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that caused outrage on campus.
“We are demanding that Kansas State University put a policy in place that allows a student to be dismissed for displaying openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions toward a student or groups of students,” the players said in the letter they posted. “We have resolved that we cannot play, practice or meet until these demands are heard and actions taken. We love Kansas State, but we must stand together and protect all students moving forward.”
Mixed martial arts
POIRIER TOPS HOOKER BY UNANIMOUS DECISION >> Dustin Poirier won a thrilling unanimous decision over Dan Hooker late Saturday night, surviving a brutal second round and persevering to finish a well-rounded performance in the main event at the UFC’s corporate gym in Las Vegas.
Mike Perry ended his two-fight skid with a one-sided unanimous decision over Mickey Gall in the penultimate fight of the UFC’s fifth consecutive fan-free event in its hometown.
Soccer
MAN CITY REACHES FA CUP SEMIFINALS >> Holder Manchester City reached the FA Cup semifinals after goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling secured a 2-0 win at Newcastle.
City conceded the Premier League title to runaway champion Liverpool this week, and must beat 13-time FA Cup winner Arsenal to reach another cup final. In Sunday’s draw, Chelsea will face 12-time winner Manchester United in the other semifinal. Games will be held July 18-19 at Wembley with no fans present.