Morning sports update: Newly signed Patriots lineman owns 30 Dunkin’ Donuts
As the Patriots prepare for a trip to Denver, Bill Belichick found himself in the news as ESPN announced the upcoming “30 for 30” documentary about his successful – and tumultuous – partnership with Bill Parcells. Also of note from Tuesday was the Patriots’ decision to place Dont’a Hightower on injured reserve, formally ending his season.
Here’s a look at a few other stories from around the sports world:
New Patriots player owns a chain of Dunkin’ Donuts: The Patriots announced the signing of defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois, whose football resume includes an MVP performance in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game for LSU. The 30-year-old also owns 30 Dunkin’ Donuts.
“Each and every time you hear a store open, and you know it belongs to you, it feels like a sack,” Francois said. (NESN)
ESPN writer responds to Bill Belichick’s “fake news” label: Seth Wickersham, one of the two writers of an ESPN story about Tom Brady and the TB12 Method, responded to the recent charge from Belichick that his reporting was “fake news.”
Charging that WEEI radio host Michael Holley (who was interviewing Belichick) conflated a separate report with his own, Wickersham added, “What I did write I absolutely stand by.” (Boston.com)
Revolution will reportedly name Brad Friedel to be next head coach: After firing Jay Heaps in September toward the end of a lackluster season, the Revs may have found a recognizable name to become the new head coach.
Brad Friedel, who set an English Premier League record with 310 consecutive appearances and was capped more than 80 times for the United States men’s national team, will reportedly become the eighth head coach in Revs history. (Boston Globe)
Linebacker Shea McClellin out for the year: After being on injured reserve for the entirety of the 2017 season, McClellin reportedly suffered a setback in his bid to return for the second half of the year. Now, a potential source of reinforcement to a Patriots linebacking corps that is missing Hightower will have to make do without McClellin.
The Patriots are not required to reveal the specifics of a player on IR, and the details regarding McClellin’s injury are unknown. (Boston Globe)
Mookie Betts wins another Gold Glove: For the second year in a row, Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts has won a Gold Glove award. Given for being the best in the league defensively at a particular position, Betts’ right field performance in 2017 was once again strong.
Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins beat out Jackie Bradley Jr. for the center field Gold Glove. (ESPN)
Daily highlight: Cody Zeller of the Charlotte Hornets was blocked four times in a row on Tuesday night. Three of the blocks (in a row) came from Kristaps Porzingis:
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