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.

Joe Burrow is the first LSU football player to be named the SEC Male Athlete of the Year. That honor was announced earlier today by the Southeastern Conference. 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.

It appears Major League Baseball is finally getting its act together. Commissioner Rob Manfred has confirmed he met face to face with the head of the players union Tony Clark and they jointly developed a framework that could result in an agreement that would result in a shortened 2020 season. According to the Athletic, Major League Baseball’s proposal calls for a 60-game season starting July 19th or the 20th and players would get a full prorated salary. There will also be expanded playoffs for this year and next and the players would agree to waive any potential labor grievance.

LSU Heisman Trophy Winning Quarterback Joe Burrow has been named the Roy F Kramer SEC Male Athlete of the Year. Burrow led the Tigers to a perfect 15-0 season and set numerous records along the way.

Could LSU pitcher Nick Storz be the Tigers’ next two-sport star? Storz, who is listed at six-foot-six, 262 pounds, is participating in the football team’s voluntary workouts. He was a standout tight end at a private high school in Brooklyn and baseball coach Paul Mainieri says Storz has already impressed Coach Ed Orgeron after watching his high school highlight tape provided to him by head athletic trainer Jack Marucci…
cut 28 (24) “…for it”

Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael likes what he’s seen so far from Jameis Winston during the zoom meetings. Carmichael calls Winston sharp and smart and asking the right questions. He says they think Winston still has a bright future in the NFL after some up and down years in Tampa…
cut 30 (23) “…ability”
ESPN’s Mike Triplett reports the Saints and Pelicans will recognize Juneteenth on Friday as a company holiday. Many NFL and NBA teams are doing the dame in observance of the date when slavery ended in the United States.

Superdome officials say 32 individuals who are performing renovation work on the iconic stadium have tested positive for the coronavirus. They have been isolated away from the job site.

Taysom Hill is expected to continue his swiss army knife role with the Saints this season, lining up at wide receiver, running back, tight end, and play special teams. Saints Coach Sean Payton envisions Hill as Drew Brees’ replacement once Drew decides to retire. Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael on how Hill has improved at quarterback since he arrived in New Orleans in 2017…
cut 28 (28) “…on the run”
And if Hill makes the Pro Bowl because of his versatility, the NFL announced the game will be played in Las Vegas on January 31st at the new Allegiant Stadium.

LSU pitcher Nick Storz has joined the LSU football team for voluntary workouts. Storz is six-foot-six, 250 pounds and apparently was an excellent tight end in high school. Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri told Tiger Rag Radio last night how this came to be…
cut 30 (38) “…as a tight end”
Mainieri says he’ll excuse Storz from fall practice to give Nick an opportunity to play for the Tigers football team this year.