Sports

NFLPA Boss: ‘We prepare for war’ over new labor agreement

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — DeMaurice Smith dismissed with one word a question about his union's labor deal with the NFL being extended.

Then he attacked.

The executive director of the NFL Players Association quickly said "no" Thursday when asked about the current 10-year collective bargaining agreement getting extended beyond the 2020 season.

Eagles’ QB Nick Foles plans to become a pastor after football

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Nick Foles has a calling far greater than throwing touchdown passes.

If Foles leads the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, he'll become a folk hero in a city that has desperately waited for a championship since 1960.

But that won't define Foles in the big picture. He has more important plans for his future.

Pats’ Gronkowski cleared to play in Super Bowl

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been cleared from the concussion protocol and will play in Sunday's Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gronkowski participated fully in practice on Thursday. Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise also practiced after being cleared from the concussion protocol. Malcolm Butler (illness) and Brandon King (knee) also participated in the workout.

Super Bowl winners mostly lack star running backs

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Tom Brady-Bill Belichick dynasty actually lacks something: a 100-yard rusher in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots.

Perhaps that's the best way to explain why it's been a decade since a title game winner reached a mark often reserved for Super Bowl MVPs. It also illustrates how the game has changed since Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis were carrying the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos to championships.

Divisional wrestling tourney tops busy sports schedule

February signals tournament time for Custer County District High School wrestlers.

The Eastern A Divisional is Saturday at Belgrade, where CCDHS coach Mike Etchemendy will take 15 wrestlers with hopes of qualifying for next week’s two-day state tournament in Billings.

Super Bowl ad will ask fans to stand during anthem

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In her bid for governor of Tennessee, Republican Rep. Diane Black will run an ad during the Super Bowl pregame show saying "it's too bad that the league doesn't respect the patriotism of our national anthem."

Black's campaign spokesman, Chris Hartline said Thursday that the ad urging fans to stand will run on one network in several Tennessee markets at a cost of more than $50,000. Some will see it right before kickoff, he said.

Super Fan: 81-year-old has attended every Super Bowl

PORTLAND, Maine — Donald Crisman has more than a half-century of Super Bowl memories behind him, from taking a 24-hour train ride to Super Bowl II to seeing his beloved New England Patriots win in overtime last year.

But he says the 52nd Super Bowl featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and the Patriots on Sunday just might be his final big game.

McCollum scores 50 in 3 quarters, Blazers beat Bulls 124-108

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — CJ McCollum scored a franchise-record 28 points in the first quarter and finished with a career-high 50 through three periods before heading to the bench, and the Portland Trail Blazers took advantage of the short-handed Chicago Bulls for a 124-108 victory Wednesday night.

Von Miller wants Broncos to go after quarterback Kirk Cousins

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Now that the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to trade Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins, Denver star linebacker Von Miller is lobbying for the Broncos to reel in quarterback Kirk Cousins.

2 Patriots delivered 2 of biggest Super Bowl defensive plays

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — James Harrison and Malcolm Butler can probably trade notes when it comes to Super Bowl-changing defensive plays.

The two New England Patriots teammates are the authors of perhaps the two most memorable from the first 51 Super Bowls. One a game-sealing interception and the other a 100-yard return that provided a 14-point swing.