North American professional sports leagues are in talks with health officials and teams about the growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed its first reported death in the U.S.

Officials from the NBA, NHL and MLB say they are all consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the progress of COVID-19.

Countries around the world, including Italy, have postponed sporting events, but such measures have not been taken in the United States yet.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

“The health and safety of our employees, teams, players and fans is paramount,” the NBA said. “We are coordinating with our teams and consulting with the CDC and infectious disease specialists on the coronavirus and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The NHL is in contact with the CDC and Public Health Canada given the fact it has seven teams based in Canada. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL has not considered any cancellations.

“We are in regular communication with our clubs on the issue and have passed along best practices being recommended by CDC and Public Health Canada medical experts,” Daly said. “Most of these steps are common sense precautions, but it definitely involves consciousness raising.”

The MLB is actively monitoring the outbreak and is providing guidance to clubs, staff members and players that are similar to recommendations by the CDC.

Clemson signee Tanner Tessmann has signed a three-year contract with FC Dallas, choosing a professional soccer career over playing college football.

“I’m excited to get started,” Tessmann said. “Signing a professional contract has been a goal of mine since I moved to Texas to join the Academy at 14 years old. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get this opportunity, so it meant a lot to have my family here with me today.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Tessmann had signed with Clemson soccer and would also have kicked for the football team. Tessman, who had never played football, was given the chance with Dabo Swinney due to his father’s close relationship with the elite football coach.

Swinney has said he was the only person on the planet who knew of Tessmann’s football ability because of his ability to kick 45 to 50 yards in the eighth grade.

“He’s one of the best athletes,” Swinney said. “He could go play D-I basketball. He could probably start at receiver at Clemson. He could probably play safety at Clemson. He’s a 6-foot-2 phenom. He can fly. He’s as good athlete as I’ve ever seen.”

Former Texas men’s tennis coach Michael Center has been sentenced to six months in prison for taking a $100,000 bribe as part of the college admissions scandal.

As the judge read the verdict, Center collapsed in his chair and sobbed into his hands.

“I believe you are a good man, but this is one of those things that just can’t be overlooked,” said U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns.

Center pleaded for the judge to not send him to prison as he cried and apologized to his family and friends.

“I just want you to know how sorry and ashamed I am that I have been a part of this,” he said.

Center was one of 50 people arrested last year in the Varsity Blues scandal, where wealthy parents were accused of paying bribes to get their children into selective schools by cheating on entrance exams or admitting them as fake athletic recruits.

Authorities say Rick Singer, the admissions consultant at the center of the scam, paid Center to admit a student as a tennis recruit despite the student having never played competitively. It is said Singer gave Center $40,000 for the school’s tennis program and then later gave Center $60,000 in cash for himself.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Celebrities and high-profile figures have been fighting charges in the case. This week, actress Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli will be in court in Boston.

Seven weeks after being fired from the Nashville Predators, Peter Laviolette will return to the bench to coach the United States men’s national team. The world hockey championships will be held in Switzerland in May.

The 55-year old coach has extensive experience representing the U.S. as a coach and player on the international stage.

Laviolette was a two-time Olympian for the United States in 1988 and 1994, serving as a team captain.

He enters his fourth stint as a coach for the U.S. at the world championships, his first since 2014. He also coached in 2004, where the team won a bronze medal, and also in 2005.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

“Peter is a terrific coach and someone who has had success wherever he’s been,” said John Vanbiesbrouck of USA Hockey. “We’re thrilled to have him back as head coach of our men’s national team.”

Laviolette sits at 16th all time in NHL wins with 637 over 18 years with four different teams. He has been behind the bench for the Predators, as well as the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Flyers.

“It’s great to have Peter as our head coach,” Chris Drury, general manager of the 2020 U.S. Men’s National Team, said. “He brings significant international experience, both as a player and a coach, and his passion and desire to win align with our goal of bringing home the gold medal.”

With fears growing more and more around the Coronavirus, Serie A have called off five games this weekend. A number of sporting events in the north of Italy have been cancelled over the past couple of weeks due to the virus.

The games cancelled were Juventus vs. Inter Milan, Udinese vs. Fiorentina, Milan vs. Genoa, Parma vs. SPAL and Sassuolo vs. Brescia.

Serie A said in a statement that the decision came after “considering the succession of numerous urgent regulatory interventions by the Government to respond to this extraordinary emergency to protect public health and safety.”

Four matches were cancelled last weekend and players and club officials from a few teams have tested positive for the virus.

“The emergency due to the cases of coronavirus in Italy has forced the government and other authorities to make unpopular but necessary decisions,” Italy’s sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said. “Decisions that have to be formed around and updated by the developments of the data and by advice from the scientific community, making citizens’ health the priority and trying as much as possible, to limit the consequences for all citizens.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Other European countries have been forced to cancel games, as Switzerland was forced to postpone after a federal order was put in place banning events involving more than 1,000 people until mid-March.

The Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights game next week will have an all-female broadcast team. The Canadian national sports network, Sportsnet, will have play-by-play announcer Leah Hextall, game analyst Cassie Campbell–Pascall and reporter Christine Simpson work the game on March 8 in Calgary.

The game finishes up the network’s week of programming recognizing International Women’s Day.

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to inspire young women and put a spotlight on what is possible, while encouraging continued conversation and action to overcome gender-based barriers for women in the workplace,” said Alison Redmond, executive producer for Rogers Hometown Hockey. “I’m proud to work with highly talented women, whose skill, experience and perspective allow us to deliver sports programming at its best.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

The campaign on Sportsnet will see features of female sports trailblazers, including tennis legend Billie Jean King, Toronto Raptors vice president of basketball operations Teresa Resch and former WTA head Stacey Allaster.

On the 50th anniversary of Curt Flood sending a letter to MLB commissioner Bowie Kuhn with the hopes of declaring free agency, a push for his Hall of Fame enshrinement has begun. Members of Congress have joined the case by sending a letter to the Baseball Hall of Fame petitioning for his approval into the Cooperstown shrine.

Flood spent 12 years of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Flood brought on some controversy when he entered into a legal battle due to his lack of desire to begin a new chapter in Philadelphia. He lost the legal battle and was traded to the Washington Senators. This is one of the main reasons that free agency exists in the form it does today.

Flood’s widow, Judy Pace Flood, addressed her thoughts on the hold up for his enshrinement.

“I think the holdup is that he got on a lot of people’s nerves,” she said.

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Flood’s career before the lawsuit was spectacular. He was a seven-time Gold Glove winner, three-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. He abruptly retired in April 1971.

“What a great ballplayer,” Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) said. “When the great Stan Musial was finishing up his career in right field, Curt Flood would play all of center and about half of right so that Stan the Man could still be on the team.”

Over 100 different members of Congress signed the petition for Flood’s induction.

Tony Romo has signed a $17 million per year deal with CBS that is said to be significantly longer than five years. This makes him the highest-paid analyst in television history.

Romo has made a name for himself in the broadcasting world. After retiring from a 14-season run with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, he joined CBS and quickly gained popularity with his analysis, ability to predict offensive plays pre-snap and his on-air partnership with lead CBS commentator Jim Nantz.

Romo made $127.4 million in his NFL career and in only three seasons did he make more than $17 million.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

In a 2017 interview, Romo expressed his excitement in making the move from on-field play to off-field commentating.

“To have something that you’re, A) passionate about, B) that kind of keeps you competitive – not everyone gets a chance to do that,” he said. “And then to get a chance to work with the great Jim Nantz, it’s kind of like a home run.”

With Romo taken, ESPN may lean towards Peyton Manning as a Monday Night Football analyst to join Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland.

The NFL combine saw some serious action with an impressive class ready to take the NFL by storm.

A new 40-yard dash record was almost set as Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III ran it in 4.27. In 2017, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross ran the record in 4.22. Ruggs is expected to go within the first 25 picks.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

An unlikely hero came in the form of a punter from Arizona State. Michael Turk put up 25 reps, with only three other offensive players putting up better numbers. Needless to say, this punter gained some fans with his impressive showing.

Other notable young men made their appearances known as well. Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam put up a 4.49 40-yard dash, clocking in at 6-foot five-inches at 258 pounds. NFL NextGen Stats graded his workout a 99/100, one of the five highest in recent memory.

The wide receiving class proved to live up to the hype, proving their athletic ability. Chase Claypool of Notre Dame proved to be fast and explosive putting up a 4.42 40-yard dash, 19 bench reps and 40.5 inches in the vertical.

LSU’s Justin Jefferson proved that he is not a limited athlete and kept himself in the Top 5 of the receiver position. He had an impressive day with a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 37.5 inch vertical, showing his worth as a good, savvy receiver.

With Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa not working out, the quarterback spot saw great action from other rising talents. Oregon’s Justin Herbert had a 4.68 40-yard dash and a 35.5 inch vertical, throwing pretty clean throws as well. With his size and athleticism, he has locked himself in as a QB3, or potentially QB2 depending on Tagovailoa’s future.

Jordon Love of Utah State showed his athleticism and arm strength in the position drills. He ran a 4.74 and had a 35.5 vertical, giving himself an overall great showing.

The Philadelphia Phillies and the creators of the Phillie Phanatic mascot are at odds over the redesign of the beloved Philly icon. The creators have accused the Phillies of “an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere”.

As the Phillies unveiled the new mascot before Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, the changes were noticeable. It features flightless feathers as opposed to the fur-colored arms, stars outlining the eyes, a larger backside with a powder blue tail, blue socks with red shoes and a set of scales under the arms.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

The New York based company, Harrison/Erickson, is no stranger to lawsuits with the Phillies. Last August, Philadelphia sued the New York company after the team alleged that Harrison/Erickson threatened to terminate the Phillies’ rights to the mascot unless the team renegotiated its 1984 agreement to acquire the rights to it.

Wayde Harrison and Bonnie Erickson said in a statement on Tuesday that the Phillies were acting with a “lack of good faith in negotiating for an extension of the copyright assignment”, saying, “The ‘business decision’ by the Phillies to roll out this ‘new’ Phanatic is a transparent attempt to deny us our rights under the Copyright Act. We would love to have the real Phanatic continue with the Phillies.”

A Phillies spokeswoman said the team was not commenting on the statement because of the open lawsuit. With everything going on, it doesn’t look like this will be going away anytime soon.

Seattle’s new NHL franchise is trying to make it easier for fans to get to games given the difficulty of a traffic-heavy city. NHL Seattle announced that it will fully subsidize public transit costs for fans with both season tickets and single-game tickets.

The team is also partnering with the Seattle Center Monorail to upgrade the current system that connects downtown Seattle with the Seattle Center. The team has pledged $7 million for upgrades for the monorail system. It was originally built in 1962 for the World’s Fair.

“We respect the history of the Monorail and want to remind people of its original intent. I couldn’t be prouder to align with a company that shares our values and ambitions,” team CEO and president Tod Leiweke said. “By offering embedded public transit we are making the right decision for our fans and for our city.”

Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods have changed immensely and is now a booming tech hub for Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and a host of others.

“We expect around 25 percent of fans to use public transit in our first year,” said Rob Johnson, VP of Transportation for NHL Seattle. “The use of public transit can become a unique part of the fan experience and will likely be the quickest and most reliable way to get to and from our games. Our data shows that from Westlake Center fans can transfer from the light rail to Monorail and be at the arena in as little as six minutes.”

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

Seattle’s team has yet to be named but is expected to take the ice in 2021. The arena development project has cost $930 million and is set to be completed next summer.

The NFL Players Association has voted to send the CBA brought forth by NFL owners to a full vote by the players. With around 2,000 NFL players, a simple majority is needed to pass this deal.

The deal is set to make some big changes in the league. The proposal includes a provision that would expand the regular season to 17 games. With this players would receive 48% of the revenue, which eventually is set to climb to 48.5%.

In addition, the deal would expand the playoff setup to 14 teams, with only the top seed in each conference getting a first-round bye. Rosters would expand by two players from 53 to 55, also allowing 48 players to dress as opposed to the current 46.

Rookies’ salaries are set to increase by $100,000 and the league is looking to relax its stance on penalties regarding marijuana and put disciplines for off-field incidents into a neutral arbitrators’ hands.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

If the deal is passed, it could take effect March 18, the start of the new league year. Some teams’ plans would be altered if the new league deal takes away their ability to use both the franchise and transition tags this year.

Players have taken to social media to express their disappointment in the deal. With a majority needed, it seems as though some of the league’s most popular players may have a say in how the outcome of this plays out.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Madison Bumgarner‘s hobby has recently come to light and it isn’t what you would expect. The 2014 World Series MVP has been competing in rodeo events under the alias Mason Saunders.

Bumgarner has been roping since he was 15 or 16 years old and that at this point “it’s just a part of who you are,” he said.

Bumgarner won $26,560 in a team-roping competition in December, just two weeks before signing an $85 million contract with Arizona.

Photos emerged of Bumgarner roping on Facebook and although he does get recognized at events, he has been able to maintain a low profile. The alias of Mason Saunders came from him shortening his first name and using his wife’s maiden name.

“Something for my wife to call me when we were out in public to keep people from recognizing me,” Bumgarner said. “But you’re going to ruin that for me.”

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

It is unknown as to the details of his contract in regards to his competing at rodeo competitions. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen was not ready to discuss details of the contract.

Bumgarner is no stranger to risky hobbies. In 2017, he was injured in a dirt bike crash and missed three months of the season while playing for the Giants. Although this was likely a violation of his contract, it is believed the Giants did not press him on the incident.

A senior at the U.S. Naval Academy and offensive guard for the Midshipmen, David Forney, has died at the age of 22. He was found unresponsive in his room on Thursday and a CPR-certified midshipman attempted to revive him before he was transported to the nearby Anne Arundel County Medical Center.

“Words cannot express our pain and sorrow,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “First and foremost, our deepest condolences to the Forney family. The Navy Football Brotherhood is not a team, we are a family. We are devastated to have lost one of our brothers. We all love – and will always love – David. We pray for strength during this most difficult time.”

Forney was a member of the 9^th Company and was set to be a naval officer in May.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

One of Forney’s close friends and fellow teammate Ford Higgins said they developed a special bond the field.

“There are uncountable instances where I felt like Dave and I worked together as one mind,” Higgins said. “He was such a great guy and even better friend. He was universally loved on and off the field by teammates and classmates.”

Forney stood out early on, becoming an integral part of the offensive line. Despite injury he persevered and dedicated his workouts to the goal of overpowering opponents.

He is survived by his parents, Rick and Erika Forney, as well as his two brothers, Chris and Erik, and sister, Rebekah.

An unlikely hero emerged for the Carolina Hurricanes in their 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. When both of their goaltenders left with injuries, 42-year old Dave Ayres came in as the emergency goaltender.

Ayres is a Zamboni driver and arena maintenance worker for Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He has been the regular practice goaltender for the Marlies and has also made appearances at the Maple Leafs practices and skills sessions. He was available to either team if needed.

The first two shots Ayres faced went in, but after gathering himself, he stopped the final eight shots in succession.

“Obviously, that second period was a little shaky, but I told the boys in the dressing room, ‘Once we come out for the third, I’ll be settled down and ready to win this one,'” Ayres said.

Ayres was paid $500 for the game, as per NHL rules. He was allowed to keep his game-worn jersey and was greeted by his team-for-the-night in the locker room postgame.

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Ayres is now heading to Raleigh on Tuesday night to sound the warning siren before the Hurricanes take on the Dallas Stars.

Raleigh mayor Mary–Ann Baldwin also announced that Tuesday would be declared “David Ayres Day.”

The Hurricanes will start selling shirts with Ayres’ name and the number 90 on it. He will receive royalties and a portion of the proceeds will also go to a kidney foundation in his honor.

Ayres’ hockey career was derailed in 2004 when he underwent a kidney transplant. His mother, Mary, was his donor.

The Hurricanes lost goaltenders James Reimer and Petr Mrazek in Toronto due to injuries and have called on Anton Forsberg and Alex Nedeljkovic from the AHL to play in their place.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been more than dominant this season, producing a stellar record thus far of 48-8. With the regular season winding down, they still have an outside shot at winning 70 games.

Late Sunday night, the Bucks became the fastest team in NBA history to clinch a playoff spot ever. This coming after the Chicago Bulls beat the Washington Wizards 126-117. The Wizards’ loss gave the Bucks the incredibly fast playoff berth.

Although the bottom of the Eastern Conference is relatively weak, this still shows the dominance of the Bucks this season as they sit 6.5 games ahead of second-place Toronto and 27.5 games ahead of the ninth-place Wizards.

Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo is on track to receive the MVP Award and the team not only has the best record, but also the best defense and best net rating.

Antetokounmpo has averaged 30 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals so far this season. All of this has come with an average of 30.9 minutes per game. He holds a 32.49 player efficiency rating, the highest in history.

With the rest of the season shaping up to be exciting for the Bucks, fans around the league will wait to see what else they’ll do for the history books.

“Enjoy this Sunday bucks fans,” Bucks Senior Vice President Alex Lasry posted. “Earliest playoff clinch in NBA history. It’s not even March yet!!”

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

USA Gymnastics has laid out a tiered system that will be used to pay settlements to survivors of sexual assault by former national team doctor Larry Nassar. The amounts are set to range from $82,550 to $1.25 million.

With a proposed $215 million settlement that USA Gymnastics’ insurance carriers are willing to pay, attorneys of Nassar survivors have said that the amount is insufficient. By agreeing to these settlements, the survivors will release a number of groups of people from further claims, including the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, former USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny and former national team directors Bela and Martha Karolyi.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

In a disclosure statement obtained by ESPN, 517 survivors of abuse by Nassar or other coaches and trainers would be paid in the following amounts:

• Women who were sexually abused by Nassar at the Olympics, world championships, national team training camps or other national team events will receive $1,250,757.
• Non-elite gymnasts sexually abused at USA Gymnastics-sanctioned events are subject to $508,670.
• Gymnasts abused at non-USA Gymnastics locations will receive $174,401.
• Individuals with “derivative claims” are subject to $82,550.

Attorney John Manly, who represents more than 180 clients with active claims against USAG, made his disappointment clear on the proposed settlement.

“Let’s be clear for parents considering putting your child in a gym sanctioned by USA Gymnastics. What USA Gymnastics is saying: If we place a known pedophile in that gym and that individual rapes your child, then your child is worth $82,000,” Manly said. “My client Rachael Denhollander asked what is a little girl worth. Apparently if you’re raped by the national team doctor, you’re worth $82,000 to USA Gymnastics.”

“This is the most disgusting, reprehensible, vile view of children I can imagine,” he added.

Nassar is serving a 60-year federal prison sentence for child pornography charges, as well as multiple sentences of over 100 years in Michigan for his sexual assaults.

In the wake of the devastating helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other people, records have emerged that the pilot of the craft, Ara Zobayan, violated federal flight rules in 2015 when he flew into a busy airspace near Los Angeles International Airport. Despite orders from traffic control to stay clear, the records state that Zobayan did not.

He was denied clearance to the airspace because weather conditions had reduced visibility below the visual flight rules. The FAA said he took responsibility for the violation and underwent counseling. The report did fault him for lack of preparation.

“Had Mr. Zobayan properly planned and reviewed current weather at LAX, he would have been able to anticipate the required action to transit … resulting in proper coordination,” the report said.

Zobayan is being investigated for his actions in the fatal crash last month that took his life along with everyone on board the helicopter.

Some pilots have jumped to his defense. Shawn Coyle is a longtime helicopter pilot who said the violation is pretty minor.

“I don’t know a single pilot out there who hasn’t violated a rule,” he said. “If that’s the only violation he’s ever had then I would say he’s pretty safe.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

Island Express Helicopters told federal investigators that they conducted additional training with Zobayan in the wake of the situation. They could not be reached for comment.

Although less-than-ideal weather is not uncommon for experienced pilots, flying with limited visibility still poses extreme danger.

In what was expected to be a highly anticipated and well-watched fight, heavyweights Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder squared up for the rematch on Saturday night. The last fight between these two ended in a controversial split decision draw back in December 2018. Most people thought Fury was the clear winner, while others strongly argued that Wilder should have taken the prize.

The rematch produced a clear-cut winner this time in Fury, who finally forced Wilder to defeat in the seventh round.

With the past in the past, these two aimed for an epic clash. Britain’s own Fury entered at 29-0-1 with 20 KOs as he looked to take the WBC heavyweight belt from the American Wilder, who came in at 42-0-1 with 41 KOs.

Days leading up to the fight, it was evident by the antics at the news conference that these two had not let what happened in 2018 go. The two began to shove each other on the stage after the news conference prompting the Nevada State Athletic Commission to not allow the fighters to partake in the customary weigh-in procedures.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

“The Commission wants to ensure the fight goes off without a hitch,” said Top Rank media relations director Evan Korn.

With this rematch, a new buzz around heavyweight boxing has begun.

“We talk about the golden age of the heavyweight division,” said Lance Pugmire of The Athletic. “Well, this is a golden opportunity to get back there, or close to it. The division felt like it fell asleep for a long time. Now, you have this perfect mix: two larger-than-life figures, great fighters, who matchup in a way that guarantees a great battle.”

And a great battle it was. Fury gave Wilder a shocking beatdown sending the American to the floor in the third and fifth rounds, before ultimately ending it in the seventh.

As part of the contract, each fighter gets half of the purse and a cut of the pay-per-view receipts. It also included a rematch clause which now gives Wilder’s team 30 days to decide on a potential third fight.

If that happens, the purse would be divided 60-40 in Fury’s favor. And Fury was fairly confident a third fight would come.

“The spoils of war have just happened,” Fury said. “I need to enjoy this victory and Deontay will need time to recover from the fight, but I’m almost sure that he will take a rematch because he’s a dynamite puncher. At any time he can take somebody out. With that danger, then you’re always in a fight. I’m pretty sure we’ll run it back again if he wants to…”

If Wilder declines, the alternative is Anthony Joshua, who holds three major title belts in the heavyweight division. That British battle would be a monumental meeting where the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 would be crowned.

For now, Fury will celebrate and Wilder will recover as the world waits to see if Fury-Wilder III will come to fruition.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach and star linebacker for Penn State, Dan Radakovich, has died at the age of 84. His death was announced Thursday and there is no immediate cause available.

Radakovich was a star linebacker and center for Penn State in the 1950’s and upon graduation, stayed with the Nittany Lions and helped them earn their reputation as “Linebacker U.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

He spent time at many organizations, both in the NFL and collegiately, throughout his coaching career. His NFL stints include time with San Francisco, Denver, Minnesota, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets. Collegiately, he was involved with Cincinnati, North Carolina State, Westminster and the University of Colorado.

Radakovich won two Super Bowls as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dan Radakovich,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “It was during his second stint on Chuck [Noll]’s staff that Dan introduced some offensive line techniques that were innovative for the era and still are used today.”

Radakovich’s autobiography, Football Nomad, details his career full of rich stories about his time at Penn State and in the NFL. Former Steelers linebacker and player under Radakovich, Jack Ham, wrote the foreword for the book.