BRONCOS WIN AWARD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS
Englewood—The Denver Broncos’ public relations staff has won the Pete Rozelle Award winners from the Professional Football Writers of America for consistently striving for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The Super Bowl champion Broncos earned the award for the third time and the second time in three seasons. This year, Denver beat out the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. The Rozelle Award is named for the NFL commissioner from 1960-89, who started his distinguished career in sports as a publicist. Denver’s publicity department is led by vice president Patrick Smyth and also includes Erich Schubert (senior manager of media relations), Seth Medvin (media relations coordinator) and Rebecca Villaneuva (corporate communications manager). The department was also assisted by interns Brock Anderson and Anne Noland for the 2015 season.
ROCKIES LOSE TO D’BACKS
Denver—(AP)Nick Ahmed had a two-out, RBI single in the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks recovered after blowing a late lead to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Thursday night. Down 6-3, the Rockies rallied to tie it on D.J. LeMahieu’s RBI bunt single in the eighth. Daniel Hudson was charged with three runs, but Brad Ziegler (2-2) allowed LeMahieu’s single, ending his streak of 43 consecutive successful save attempts dating back to May 29, 2015, a club record and the seventh longest ever. Arizona starter Zack Greinke was in line for his eighth win in eight starts but took a no decision. Arizona regained the lead in the top of the ninth off reliever Carlos Estevez (1-4).
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS….
NEW YORK (AP) – Green Bay’s Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers, along with Pittsburgh’s James Harrison, will be interviewed next month by NFL officials about a report that linked them to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The three were mentioned along with others in an Al-Jazeera’s report in December.
BETHESDA, Md. (AP) – Vijay Singh ran off a string of eight birdies in 13 holes on the way to a 6-under 66 and the clubhouse lead in the second round of the Quicken Loans National. The 53-year-old hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since 2008. He has a two-shot lead over Rickie Fowler, who carded a 68.
UNDATED (AP) – South Africa’s Branden Grace is the latest to turn down a chance to take part in the return to golf at the Rio Olympics due to Zika virus concerns. Brazil has been the hardest hit of the approximately 60 countries that have reported an outbreak of Zika, the mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. Grace is ranked 11th in the world.
LONDON (AP) – World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been forced to postpone his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko (VLAD’-uh-meer KLICH’-koh) after hurting his left ankle while training for the fight. Fury took the title from Klitschko in November. The rematch was scheduled for July 9 in Manchester.
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Kicker Shaun Suisham (SWEE’-zehm) has been released by the Pittsburgh Steelers after he failed a physical, and it could mark the end of the 34-year-old’s career. Suisham is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered during the Hall of Fame Game last August.
