College Football
WACO, Texas – Baylor released five incoming freshmen players from their national letters of intent and allowing them to attend other schools without losing eligibility.
The five players were not identified in Baylor’s news release, but all requested release prior to May 31. The requests came after Baylor fired coach Art Briles following the release of parts of a report commissioned by the school that found he and other university leaders inappropriately handled or ignored sexual assault allegations by female students.
Golf
BETHESDA, Md. – Jon Rahm had a professional debut to remember, shooting a 7-under 64 on Thursday at Congressional to take the early first-round lead in the Quicken Loans National.
The 21-year-old Spaniard was in the clubhouse with sole possession of the lead at Tiger Woods’ annual tournament, the start of which was delayed two-plus hours by rain. The soft course allowed players to attack fairways and play aggressively, and Rahm took advantage of that with seven birdies and a bogey-free round.
The former Arizona State star was the only amateur to make the cut last week in the U.S. Open, tying for 23rd at Oakmont.
He had a one-stroke lead over Jhonattan Vegas and a two-stroke advantage over a pack that included veteran Ernie Els, the 1997 U.S. Open winner at Congressional.
NFL
John Elway has won the Horrigan Award from the Professional Football Writers of America as the league or club official who best helps the writers do their job.
Denver’s vice president of football operations and general manager has used a candid and open media policy while building a Super Bowl champion.
Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback, is the third member of the Broncos to receive the honor from the PFWA, joining Floyd Little (1976) and Bob Peck (1978).
The award is named for Jack Horrigan, a sportswriter for UPI and the Buffalo Evening News, public relations director for the American Football League (1963-66), and vice president of public relations for the Buffalo Bills (1966-73).
Other 2016 nominees for the Horrigan Award were Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones; NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock; NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy; and Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.
NHL
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche added another forward by picking up Rocco Grimaldi from the Florida Panthers for goaltender Reto Berra.
The 23-year-old Grimaldi scored three goals and had two assists in 20 games for the Panthers last season. He spent a majority of the season with Portland of the American Hockey League. Grimaldi was a second-round pick by Florida in 2011.
Berra had a 2.41 goals-against average in 14 games last season with the Avalanche, before an ankle injury in December sidelined him. Berra was sent to San Antonio of the AHL for a conditioning assignment on Feb. 18 and remained there for the rest of the season.
Tennis
LONDON – Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka withdrew from Wimbledon because of a right knee injury.
It was the same knee she hurt at the French Open, forcing her to retire during her first-round match. She hasn’t played since.
Associated Press
