Morning sports update: NFL sees no problem with Patriots’ process in adding Martellus Bennett
The Celtics pushed their streak of consecutive wins to 13 on Tuesday night, handling the Nets, 109-102. Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup while continuing to deal with his facial fracture, though he didn’t appear to be in love with wearing a protective mask.
Here’s a look at a few other stories from around the world of sports:
NFL finds no fault in Patriots’ actions acquiring Bennett: The Patriots’ recent re-acquisition of Martellus Bennett (who left in free agency after the 2016 season) was seen as controversial after the circumstances of his departure from Green Bay.
However, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart noted on Tuesday that the league sees no issue with the Patriots’ methodology. According to the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, “[Lockhart] does not believe the Patriots did any tampering.” (Boston Globe)
Buckley: Bobby Doerr leave a classy baseball legacy: The passing of 99-year-old Red Sox legend Bobby Doerr earlier this week marks the end of one of Boston’s (and America’s) great baseball chapters.
Doerr was the last living player to have competed in the 1930s, as well as the last to have played in a game with Lou Gehrig. Beyond his connection to baseball history, Doerr was simply known as a class act and trusted source of baseball knowledge. Even Celtics president Danny Ainge (who once played with the Blue Jays) recalled Doerr’s help and counsel. (Boston Herald)
Chris Sale could be ever better in 2018: Due to his late-season struggles, there’s a decent chance Chris Sale won’t be awarded the 2017 American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday night.
And for Sale, that could help make the difference in convincing him to pitch in a more economical way in 2018. Instead of pursuing strikeout after strikeout, new Red Sox manager Alex Cora might advise an altered, less taxing, approach for the Boston ace. (ESPN)
Fox Sports was allegedly involved in bribery case: In a newly opened trial against several former South American soccer officials accused of taking bribes, it was revealed that several media companies – including Fox Sports – were allegedly involved in the paying of bribes in exchange for helping to secure the broadcasting rights of soccer tournaments.
Fox Sports denied the charges, but evidence produced by prosecutors shows $3.7 million in payments made to holding company allegedly used as “a conduit for the bribes.” And, as prosecutors described, it was signed by a Fox Sports executive. (The New York Times)
Daily highlight: After creating a turnover, the Celtics (directed by Kyrie Irving) sprinted in transition. Irving found Jaylen Brown, who served up an alley-oop for Jayson Tatum:
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/930628802492882944
