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Detroit Lions Trade QB Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles Rams for QB Jared Goff

The Detroit Lions traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round draft picks and a third-round pick. The deal has not been completed and will not become official until the start of the new league year March 17. ESPN first reported the news.

Stafford asked to be traded shortly after the current season ended with the Lions’ third straight campaign with at least 10 losses. During his 12-year career spent entirely in Detroit, he has never won a playoff game. Meanwhile, Los Angeles earned its third playoff berth and posted its fourth straight winning record during Goff’s four years under coach Sean McVay. Goff also led the Rams to the Super Bowl after the 2018 season.

Stafford, who turns 33 in February, has two years left on a $135 million, five-year contract. Goff is about to start a four-year, $134 million contract with $110 million guaranteed, and is leaving the Rams before his huge contract extension even begins.

Report: Matthew Stafford will finish out current $43M contract with Rams

Via www.msn.com
 

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger willing to restructure his contract to remain on team for 2021 season

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said that he’s “pretty sure” he wants to return to the team for the 2021 season and is willing to restructure his contract. Due to a drop in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roethlisberger’s $41.2 million cap hit for next season presents a problem for the Steelers. Roethlisberger said on Thursday, “I want to do everything I can and made that very clear to them from the very beginning that it was my idea to basically help the team however I can this year… I am pretty sure I want to go one more year [because] I think I can do it and give us a real chance [at] winning.”

Earlier Thursday, Steelers’ CEO Art Rooney II told reporters the team have left the door open for Roethlisberger to return, but it will depend on whether adjustments are made to his contract. “I think we’ve been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn’t have him back under the current contract,” Rooney said. “I think he understands we have some work to do there. We’ll have more conversations internally, and we’ll have more conversations with Ben. We’ll have to know what the cap number is to finalize some of those decisions. With Ben, we owe it to him to have a conversation about how he wants to end his career, and we intend to do that… I think we’d like to see Ben back for another year if that can work. But as we said, there’s a lot of work to be done if that can happen. There may need to be decisions on both ends for that to happen.”

Big Ben vows to help Steelers with $41M cap hit

Via www.espn.com
 

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Houston Texans Deshaun Watson officially requests trade from team

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has officially requested a trade from the Houston Texans after months of speculation. On Thursday, Watson informed the team that he wanted to be traded.

Reports of Watson’s trade request emerged less than 24 hours after news broke that the Texans plan to hire David Culley as their next coach. However, sources said that Watson made the request before Culley’s hire. Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract, which means he can decide where he plays next based on offers the Texans receive.

The 25-year-old quarterback completed a career-high 70.2% of his throws for 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an NFL-high 4,823 yards in 16 starts this season. He has made the Pro Bowl for each of the last three seasons. He signed a four-year, $160 million contract extension in September. 

Sources: Watson has asked Texans to trade him

Via www.espn.com
 

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Atlanta Braves to honor Hank Aaron with $2 million diversity fund

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday the formation of the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, pledging $1 million to increase diversity across baseball.  In a statement from the Braves, MLB and the MLBPA have donated an additional $500,000 as the sport looks to increase “access and opportunities in the areas of sports, business, education and social and racial equality,”  The Henry Louis Aaron Fund was announced during the memorial service for Braves legend Hank Aaron, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 86.

Aaron stood as baseball’s home run king for over 30 years, and served as a fierce advocate for equality and inclusion throughout baseball. Aaron faced intense racism throughout his playing career, including during his chase to break Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974. Aaron retired in 1976 with one of the greatest resumes in baseball history. He tallied 25 All-Star Game appearances and is the all-time record holder for RBI and total bases.  Aaron’s 755 career home runs sit second all-time behind former Giants slugger Barry Bonds.

Braves announce formation of $2 million Hank Aaron fund to grow diversity in baseball

Via www.msn.com
 

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Philadelphia Phillies Sign J.T. Realmuto to Five-Year, $115.5 Million Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract with catcher J.T. Realmuto on Tuesday.  The 29-year-old Realmuto is a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger honoree. He was traded to Philadelphia in February 2019 after five seasons with the Marlins. Realmuto posted a .840 OPS in 2020, earning 36 home runs and 115 RBI in just over 700 at-bats with the Phillies.

Realmuto will now earn more than any catcher in baseball in 2021, passing Buster Posey’s $21.4 million salary with the Giants. Realmuto’s contract marks the highest average annual value for any catcher in MLB history, surpassing the $23 million mark previously earned by former Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto signing 5-year deal with Phillies

Via www.upi.com
 

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For first time since 1960 no players are elected to Baseball Hall of Fame f

For the first time since 1960, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will not have a new group elected in 2021. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Tuesday night that none of the players on the 2021 ballot reached the 75% threshold needed for the honor, making it the first time since 2013 that the BBWAA didn’t elect anyone. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic postponing the Era Committee elections until next winter, there will be no Class of 2021.

The leading vote-getter was pitcher Curt Schilling, who was named on 71.1% of the ballots, only 16 votes shy of the minimum required for selection. He was followed by home run king Barry Bonds (61.8%) and pitcher Roger Clemens (61.6%). All three were in their ninth year of eligibility, leaving them one more opportunity next winter. Players have 10 chances at enshrinement through the BBWAA voting process before moving on to consideration by one of the Hall of Fame’s era-based veteran committees.

Last year’s selectees will be honored in July after the pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 ceremony. That group includes players Derek Jeter, Larry Walker and Ted Simmons, along with labor leader Marvin Miller.

No new members to HOF; Schilling asks off ballot

Via www.espn.com
 

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Boston Red Sox acquire relief pitcher Adam Ottavino in trade with NY Yankees

The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino from the New York Yankees. The Red Sox also will receive pitcher Frank German, a Yankees fourth-round pick from 2018, while taking on the majority of Ottavino’s remaining salary. In exchange, the Red Sox will send a player to be named later or cash to New York. Ottavino will make $8 million in 2021. He’s also due a $3 million signing bonus in 2022. 

The 35-year-old Ottavino had a down season in 2020, compiling a 5.89 ERA and 1.582 WHIP in 24 appearances. However, in the years prior, Ottavino established himself as one of the best late-inning relievers in baseball. He posted a 1.90 ERA in 2019, his first season in New York, and he logged a 2.43 ERA and 0.991 WHIP with the Colorado Rockies the previous season.

Yanks send Ottavino to Red Sox in rare deal for rivals

Via www.espn.com
 

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Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Paul George ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols

Los Angeles Clippers players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will miss Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks because of the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. Leonard and George didn’t travel with the Clippers to Atlanta on Monday.

The Clippers will be without their two best players and starting point guard Patrick Beverley for the start of a six-game road trip. Beverley also will miss Tuesday’s game against the Hawks due to right knee soreness. Leonard or George could possibly return to the team on the road trip if they clear the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

Leonard, George and Beverley all played in Sunday’s 108-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. George was held out of the last five minutes due to hamstring tightness and Beverley didn’t play in the second half because of the knee injury.

Kawhi Leonard, Paul George ruled out for COVID-19 protocol as Clippers embark on 6-game road trip

Via www.msn.com
 

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Tampa Bay defeat Green Bay; Chiefs win against Bills to advance to Super Bowl LV

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Lambeau Field with a score 31-26. The 43-year-old Brady advances to the Super Bowl for a record 10th time in his NFL career. Brady will be the oldest player at any position to play in the NFL’s championship game.

Patrick Mahomes and defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs also will advance to the Super Bowl, after defeating the Buffalo Bills 38-24 in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs will face Tampa Bay in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The Bucs will be the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Defeat Josh Allen, Bills to Advance to Super Bowl LV

Via bleacherreport.com
 

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Dustin Poirier earns upset victory against Conor McGregor with 2nd-Round TKO at UFC 257

Dustin Poirier pulled off an upset in the UFC 257 main event with a second-round TKO win over Conor McGregor at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. McGregor had the edge in Round 1 before Poirier came back strong in the second round and stunned him with the knockout win.

McGregor, fighting for just the second time in almost three years, put his defeat down to his lack of consistent time inside the Octagon, and Poirier’s assault on his legs. “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time,” McGregor said. “The leg kicks were good. That leg was dead. Dustin’s some fighter. I have to dust it off and come back. That’s it and that’s what I will do. I need activity. You don’t get away with being inactive in this business. Well done Dustin. It’s a tough one to swallow.”

Dustin Poirier defeats Conor McGregor with a knockout in the 2nd round of UFC 257

Via www.msn.com
 

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