NFL – John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85

The NFL says Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster John Madden has died at age 85. Madden's exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades. The league says he died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning and did not provide a cause. Coaching the renegade Oakland Raiders, Madden compiled a stellar 103-32-7 regular-season record and led his team to victory in the Super Bowl after the 1976 season. He became an even more impactful figure after he stopped coaching at age 42, entertaining millions who tuned in to NFL football. He also was the name behind the hugely popular sports video game, “Madden NFL Football.”

NFL – NFL cuts isolation time to five days for players who test positive

The NFL is reducing isolation time for players who test positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic, including unvaccinated players, to five days from 10. The league and the NFL Players Association revised the protocols after the CDC changed its guidelines for those who are asymptomatic, recommending a five-day isolation period and masking over the second five days.

NCAAFB – College Football - Bowls

Yesterday

(20) Houston 17, Auburn 3                            Ticketsmarter Birmingham Bowl – Birmingham, AL

Air Force 31, Louisville 28                            ServPro First Responder Bowl – Dallas, TX

Texas Tech 34, Mississippi State 7                 AutoZone Liberty Bowl – Memphis, TN

(18) NC State vs. UCLA, Cancelled                San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl – San Diego, CA

Minnesota 18, West Virginia 6                       Guaranteed Rate Bowl – Phoenix, AZ

NCAAFB – Holiday Bowl scrapped as virus issues hit UCLA just before kickoff

The Holiday Bowl has become the fifth postseason college football game to be canceled. UCLA was forced to pull out just hours before kickoff because of COVID-19 issues with the team. The Bruins were scheduled to face No. 18 North Carolina State at Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres.  The Hawaii, Military, Fenway and Arizona bowls have already been canceled with virus issues leaving teams without enough available players. The Sun and Gator bowls have had to scramble to find replacement teams.

Today

Maryland vs. Virginia Tech, 2:15 p.m.             New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY

(19) Clemson vs. Iowa State, 5:45 p.m.           Cheez-It Bowl – Camping Word Stadium – Orlando, FL

(14) Oregon vs. (16) Oklahoma, 9:15 p.m.      Valero Alamo Bowl – Alamodome – San Antonio, TX

SMU vs. Virginia, Cancelled                          Wasabi Fenway Bowl – Fenway Park – Boston, MA

NCAAFB – CFP – Being Harbaugh: Quirky, competitive, ingenious, disruptive

Jim Harbaugh has been the most scrutinized coach in college football for seven seasons, defined by his failures despite a resume loaded with success. Now he has delivered on the promise he brought to his alma mater, leading the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff and a semifinal showdown against Georgia. In 17 seasons as a head coach in college and the NFL, Harbaugh is 156-65. The traits that make Harbaugh seem a little weird his supporters will tell you are ingenious.

NBA – National Basketball Association

Tonight

New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons, 7:00 p.m.

Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.

Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

NBA – Parole canceled for man convicted of killing Jordan's father

North Carolina's parole commission has canceled the scheduled 2024 parole for one of two men convicted in the 1993 murder of Michael Jordan’s father. The state Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission didn't give a reason Tuesday why a...