FOOTBALL
Life for ex-ASU player
Blaise Taylor, a defensive back and return specialist for Arkansas State from 2014-17, was handed consecutive life sentences Wednesday after he was convicted of poisoning his pregnant girlfriend in 2023. Taylor pleaded not guilty in June. He was convicted by a jury in Nashville, Tenn., on one count of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree felony murder. Prosecutors argued that on Feb. 25, 2023, Taylor poisoned the drink of his girlfriend, Jade Benning, with a fatal dose of cocaine while she was five months pregnant. The unborn fetus died two days later, and Benning died on March 6, 2023. At the sentencing, Nashville Assistant District Attorney Jan Norman said Taylor received 87 character witness letters, but none of them mentioned Benning or anything concerning what Taylor had done. Taylor earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors as a return specialist in 2014 and 2016, and he holds the program's record for punt return yards with 1,089. He worked as a scout for the Tennessee Titans until 2023, joining Utah State as a senior defensive analyst for one season. He took a job as a defensive analyst for Texas A&M, but was arrested less than a week after his hiring was reported.
Bowers out 1-2 weeks
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had knee surgery to repair his meniscus, a person with knowledge of the procedure told the Associated Press on Wednesday. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Bowers' injury hasn't been announced, said he's expected to return in a week or two. Las Vegas hosts Miami in Sunday's season opener. The Raiders have run a lot of two-tight end sets with Bowers and Michael Mayer. Now Mayer will have the opportunity to step into the No. 1 tight end role. Ian Thomas is the other tight end. Bowers was dogged by a knee injury in last season's opener at New England that drastically cut into his production. He was limited to 64 receptions for 680 yards, though he scored seven touchdowns. In 2024, Bowers put together the most productive rookie season for a tight end in league history after he was drafted 13th overall out of Georgia. His 1,194 receiving yards broke Hall of Famer Mike Ditka's 63-year-old record for a rookie tight end, and Bowers' 112 receptions set the standard for any first-year receiver. He was second to Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
HOCKEY
Melrose dead at 70
Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, has died. He was 70. ESPN announced Melrose's death Wednesday after his wife, Cindy, informed the network. Melrose stepped away from his analyst role in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Wayne Gretzky at the time said Melrose was "bigger than any team." Melrose had a relatable everyman's broadcasting style, bringing a sense of humor to his insights, and was easily recognized by his goatee and slicked-backed hair. From rural Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose broke into pro hockey with the Cincinnati Stingers of the now-defunct World Hockey Association in 1976. He played three seasons in Cincinnati -- the last teaming with a young Mark Messier -- and, following the WHA's demise, made the transition to the NHL with Winnipeg in 1979. Melrose went on to play for Toronto and Detroit, where he closed his career following the 1985-86 season. He finished with 10 goals, 33 points and 728 penalty minutes in 300 career NHL regular-season games, and he skated in seven more in the playoffs. His WHA totals were 5 goals, 32 points and 343 penalty minutes in 178 games with Cincinnati. He posted a 79-101-29 record in parts of four seasons as an NHL coach. He was hired by ESPN in 1996 and left broadcasting for what became a brief stint coaching the Tampa Bay Lightning in Steven Stamkos' rookie season in 2008-09. Melrose was fired 16 games into the season following a 5-7-4 start and returned to broadcasting.
BASEBALL
Ohtani remains out
Shohei Ohtani was out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for sixth time in seven games on Wednesday night after the two-way superstar felt something in his right arm during a swing two days earlier. Ohtani has been managing lingering soreness in his right biceps and left knee for weeks now, but he waited until after Tuesday night's game to tell the training staff about his arm after playing Monday. The Dodgers are off Thursday and open a seven-game trip in Miami on Friday. Ohtani took swings in the batting cage on Tuesday night, when he was available to pinch-hit. Manager Dave Roberts said the team has stressed to Ohtani the need for him to speak up immediately about any physical issues he may have. Roberts said "anything should be on the table as far as kind of what gets him to be the best version of himself in September." That would include a potential stint on the injured list. Roberts expressed some regret about not putting Ohtani on the IL last week. Ohtani, a four-time MVP, is a key component of the Dodgers' bid for a third consecutive World Series championship.
Chisolm hits IL
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right thumb, Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. Chisholm, who had been in the midst of his best stretch this season, will be shut down for 7 to 10 days and is expected to go on the IL Thursday. New York has 18 games left. Chisholm is hitting .232 with 19 homers and 55 RBI plus 40 stolen bases in 134 games.