Saints safety Roman Harper and offensive guard Jahri Evans were selected in the same draft class, now they are heading into the Saints Hall of Fame together. The induction ceremonies will take place later this year. New Orleans selected Harper in the second round out of Alabama in 2006. He played in 124 games with the Saints, with 108 starts. Harper recorded 775 tackles, seven sacks, 53 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Harper says the Saints have meant so much to his life…
cut 19 (17) “…to em”
Evans was drafted in the fourth round out of a small school in Pennsylvania called Bloomsburg University and he’s the only player in Saints history to be named first-team All-Pro four times.

The FBI says there will be no charges after a noose was found hanging in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway. The U-S Attorney’s office says based on their investigation the noose was hanging in garage number four since November and nobody could have known Wallace would be assigned to garage number four last week. NASCAR says the noose turned out to be a rope to pull down the garage door.

Major League Baseball will be back with a 60-game regular season that will start either July 23rd or 24th. M-L-B and its players association signed off on safety and health protocols yesterday. The designated hitter will be universal in both leagues this year and extra innings will start with a runner at second base.

The LHSAA executive committee meets today. They’ll discuss plans for fall sports and how they may handle any COVID-related dealys or cancellations. Executive director Eddie Bonine says he remains optimistic that they can get the seasons started on time.

The Saints announced today that two members from their Super Bowl team will be inducted in the team’s hall of fame later this year. Jahri Evans and Roman Harper were both drafted in 2006 and played big roles in helping the Black and Gold win the Super Bowl a few years later. The two combined to play in eight pro bowls. Also, longtime Saints Spanish radio broadcaster Marco Garcia will receive the Joe Gemelli “Fleur de Lis” award for his contributions to the organization.

The Athletic is reporting the NFL will not dictate attendance capacity limits for this season, instead the league has told teams that they should follow their local health COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing rules. A stadium reopening task force is expected to offer recommendations either next week or early July. If the entire season and postseason is played without fans, it will reportedly cost the NFL three billion dollars.

Nicholls State has named former Colonel football player and coach Jonathan Terrell as its new athletics director. Terrell is the first Black A-D in school history. He played quarterback and wide receiver for the Colonels in the mid-1990s and returned to Nicholls to serve as quarterbacks coach in 2004. Terrell has been a sales professional in private business and he’s also been president of the First Down Club.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. For the month of May, the state is reporting a 35-percent increase. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the rise in licenses sales began shortly after Governor Edwards issued a stay at home order. McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.
Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”
McClinton hopes the sales continue to increase as the revenue generated from the sale of these licenses is vital to the life of the department.

Ryan Blaney won the weather-delayed race at Talladega yesterday, but the story was the powerful moment that took place before the race. Drivers and the NASCAR industry showed their support for Bubba Wallace, by pushing his car to the front in a moving scene. This is in reaction to NASCAR’s admission that a noose was found in Wallace’s garage. Wallace is the only black driver on the circuit. Authorities have yet to determine who is responsible for the hanging of the noose.

Nicholls has hired former Colonels football player and coach Jonathan Terrell. He becomes the school’s first Black athletics director. Terrell played quarterback and wide receiver for Nicholls in the mid-1990s. Terrell was the school’s quarterbacks coach in 2004.

Ole Miss plans to retire Eli Manning’s number ten jersey. The New Orleans native won the Maxwell Award in 2003 and set or tied 47 single, season, and career Rebels records.

Major League Baseball and its players’ association could never come to an agreement on a return to play proposal, but we’ll still have baseball this season. Commissioner Rob Manfred has the power to implement a season and that’s what he’ll do. A 60-game regular season will begin in late July and players will report for a second spring training around July 1st.

Coronavirus concerns have forced longtime Eunice head football coach Paul Trosclair to resign. Trosclair has been battling multiple myeloma cancer since 2014 and is still taking chemo treatments. His doctor recommended that the risk of contracting the virus was too high if he continued to coach. The 64-year-old has won 247 games and led the Bobcats to a state championship in 2018. Offensive coordinator Andre Vige will take over as interim head coach.

In NFL news, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has officially signed his 31-million dollar franchise tag tender. Dallas and Prescott have until July 15th to reach a long-term deal. If not he’ll make 31-million dollars this season if they play 16 games.

Several LSU football players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and at least 30 of them have been asked to isolate themselves. Three Ragin Cajuns athletes have also tested positive, plus a ULM student-athlete. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says this will not stop schools from trying to start the football season in September…
Cut 30 (06) “…I don’t know” (2x)
LSU says the players who have tested positive are showing minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Southern University has canceled its first two football games of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So the Jaguars’ first regular-season game is September 19th at Alabama A-and-M. Southern is still scheduled to wrap up the regular season versus Grambling in the Bayou Classic, but the venue is to be determined as the Superdome might not host the game this year.

NASCAR is working with law enforcement to try and figure out who hung a noose in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace at the Talladega Speedway in Alabama. Wallace, who is NASCAR’s lone full-time driver, reportedly never saw the noose. NASCAR said in a statement that they are angry and outraged over the heinous act. Wallace says this will not break him and before today’s race, the entire NASCAR garage pushed Wallace’s number 43 car to the front of the grid in a show solidarity with the Alabama native.

Webb Simpson was the winner at the R-B-C Heritage golf tournament in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Simpson shot a seven-under 64 to defeat Abraham Ancer by one shot. It’s the second victory on the tour this year and Simpson now ranks fifth in the world.

In NFL news, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has officially signed his 31-million dollar franchise tag tender. Dallas and Prescott have until July 15th to reach a long-term deal. If not he’ll make 31-million dollars this season if they play 16 games.

A Sports Illustrated report says at least 30 LSU football players have been isolated after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive. Some of the quarantined players admitted they visited nightclubs near LSU’s campus, which has been the source for over 100 new cases. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says players have to stay away from large crowds…
Cut 4 (06)_ “….inexcusable really”
The state health department says over 100 patrons and staff from multiple Tigerland bars have tested positive for COVID-19, some of those are apparently LSU football players.

NASCAR says its working with law enforcement after a noose was found in the garage of Bubba Wallace, the lone black driver on the Cup circuit. Wallace says it’s a despicable act of racism, but this will not break him. He will race in today’s rain-delayed Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway.

Multiple reports say Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will sign a 31-million dollar exclusive franchise tag offer today. Prescott and Dallas will still have until July 15th to work out a long-term deal. ESPN’s Ed Werder says signing the franchise tag is not an indication that the two sides are close on a long-term agreement.

Still no deal between Major League Baseball and its players’ association on an agreement to play in 2020. M-L-B’s latest offer called for a 60-game season, while the players pushed for a 70-game season. Commissioner Rob Manfred says based on their timeline they only have 66 days to play 60 games if the season started in late July.

U-L Lafayette says three of its student-athletes have tested positive for COVID-19, while seven others are in quarantine. The university has not identified who tested positive or if they are asymptomatic.

Southern University has announced its first two football games have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jaguars season opener will be September 19th at Alabama A-and-M.

A suspended LSU football player files a federal lawsuit accusing the university he was unjustly suspended on an accusation he had non-consensual sex with a female student. Attorney Susan Stone says their client was not given access to evidence until after his guilt was already determined by the school.
Cut 30 (11) “…that includes cross-examination.”
The player is remaining anonymous and LSU is not commenting.

The NCAA announced today that it’s banning championship events in states where the Confederate flag has a prominent presence. That means the state of Mississippi. The SEC has also told the Magnolia State that it will not have any league championship events unless Mississippi changes its state flag.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved new contracts for two members of the men’s basketball staff. Bill Armstrong, who has served as an assistant coach for the last three years has been promoted to associate head coach to replace Greg Heiar who left the program. Kevin Nickelberry has been promoted from support staff to an on-floor coaching assistant.

SWAC Commissioner Charles McClelland told ESPN the league plans to start the football season on Labor Day weekend and also has a contingency plan to begin as late as October 17th or cancel fall sports entirely if they can’t start the season before the third week of October.

The Philadelphia Phillies have shutdown their training facility in Clearwater, Florida after players and three staffers tested positive for the coronavirus. The Blue Jays training facility is nearby and they’ve made the decision to shut down as well. A pitcher for Toronto is reportedly feeling coronavirus symptoms.

A football player suspended for one year lawyers up against LSU. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Southeastern Conference has told Mississippi leaders that the Magnolia State should change its Confederate-based flag or the state will not have the opportunity to host any league championship events.

President Trump says Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will regret apologizing for his national anthem protest comments.

LSU men’s basketball associate head coach Greg Heiar has announced on Twitter he’s left the program. Heiar has been at LSU the last three seasons. He is credited with helping to develop Tremont Waters and Skylar Mays and he’s also known as a good recruiter. The Advocate reports that Bill Armstrong has been promoted to associate head coach and Kevin Nickelberry will be promoted from the support staff to the coaching staff.

McNeese men’s basketball coach Heath Schroyer will also serve as the interim athletics director. McNeese President Doctor Daryl Burckel says this will maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the department staff.

Former LSU star Jamal Adams wants out of New York as the All-pro safety has told the Jets he wants to be traded. The 24-year-old, who has been looking for a contract extension, said he’d like to go to Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Seattle. The Jets are in no rush to address Adams’ contract demands.

The NCAA has approved a six-week preseason plan for college football that allows for additional hours of supervised weight training and conditioning, plus walk-thru practices that will start on July 24th. Preseason camp would start on August 7th.

Doctor Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says there’s a chance that football might not happen at all this season. Fauci told C-N-N that football players need to be isolated from others and tested regularly. He says for it to work they need to play in a bubble environment like the N-B-A is setting up.

The University of Texas says 13 of its football players have tested positive for the coronavirus or are presumed positive. These 13 players are self-isolating and 10 more players identified through contact tracing are also in self-quarantine. LSU will host the Longhorns on September 12th.

LSU men’s basketball associate head coach Greg Heiar has announced on Twitter that he’s left the program. Heiar has been at LSU the last three seasons. He is credited with helping to develop Tremont Waters and Skylar Mays and he’s also known as a good recruiter. The Advocate reports that Bill Armstrong has been promoted to associate head coach and Kevin Nickelberry will be promoted from the support staff to the coaching.

Former LSU Tiger Tremont Waters has been named the NBA G League Player of the year. Waters averaged 18 points in 36 games for the Maine Red Claws, a develoopment team for the Boston Celtics.

McNeese men’s basketball coach Heath Schroyer will also serve as the interim athletics director. McNeese President Doctor Daryl Burckel says a change is needed to address the current needs of the department and the uncertainty of the upcoming academic year and to maixmize the effectiveness and efficiency of the department staff.

The NCAA Division One council approves a plan that gives college football teams an extended preseason. Starting on July 13th, schools can require players to spend up to eight hours per week on weight training and conditioning, and then on July 24th teams can hold walk-through practices. Then the traditional preseason camp will begin August seventh.

Doctor Anthony Fauci, who is on the White House’s coronavirus task force, says it’s hard for him to see how football can be played this fall unless they are in a bubble environment like the one the NBA is setting up in Orlando. Fauci says football players need to be insulated from the community.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says four parishes have reported having one school each with football players who have tested positive for COVID-19. Bonine says HIPAA rules prohibit him from identifying the schools. He expects more cases, but says to have cases in just four of 60 parishes is encouraging.

Pelicans star Zion Williamson has received a favorable ruling in the lawsuit that he’s facing from an ex-agent. A Florida appeals court has ruled that Williamson will not have answer questions about whether he received improper benefits to play for Duke. Prime Sports Marketing says Williamson breached a contract and they seek 100-million dollars in damages. Williamson’s attorneys argued that the questions would be nothing more than a fishing expedition.

24-7 sports is reporting that LSU men’s basketball associate head coach Greg Heiar is leaving the program after three seasons. Heiar is credited with helping to develop Tremont Waters and Skylar Mays and he’s also known as a good recruiter. Coach Will Wade is also reportedly promoting Kevin Nickelberry to assistant coach.

Former LSU baseball player C-J Willis from Ruston has transferred to U-L Lafayette. And Former Haynesville football star CamRon Jackson has committed to Memphis.

The NCAA Division One council approves a plan that gives college football teams an extended preseason. Starting on July 13th, schools can require players to spend up to eight hours per week on weight training and conditioning, and then on July 24th teams can hold walk-through practices. Then the traditional preseason camp will begin August seventh.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says four parishes have reported having one school each with football players who have tested positive for COVID-19. Bonine says HIPAA rules prohibit him from identifying the schools. He expects more cases, but says to have cases in just four of 60 parishes is encouraging.

There are encouraging signs we will have a Major League Baseball Season. M-L-B has proposed a 60-game regular season with expanded playoffs. Players are still hoping to play more games.

Pelicans star Zion Williamson has received a favorable ruling in the lawsuit that he’s facing from an ex-agent. A Florida appeals court has ruled that Williamson will not have answer questions about whether he received improper benefits to play for Duke. Prime Sports Marketing says Williamson breached a contract and they seek 100-million dollars in damages. Williamson’s attorneys argued that the questions would be nothing more than a fishing expedition.

Joe Burrow is the first LSU football player to be named the SEC Male Athlete of the Year. While Burrow is the first Tiger football player to win the award, previous winners from LSU include Shaquille O’ Neal, who won it twice and former track stars Walter Davis and Xavier Carter.

In recruiting news…Former LSU baseball player C-J Willis from Ruston has transferred to U-L Lafayette. Former Haynesville football star CamRon Jackson has changed his commitment from LSU to Memphis. Jackson’s decision gives LSU the opportunity to add another player to the 2020 recruiting class.