John Gordy, a former offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions and University of Tennessee who helped form the NFL Players’ Association, died Friday. He was 73. The university said in a statement Saturday that Gordy died Friday in Orange, Calif., after a long battle with cancer. He was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Lions before a knee injury led to his retirement in 1967.
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Kurt Warner’s legacy was a hot topic of debate during Super Bowl week, specifically whether the two-time NFL MVP has to win Sunday to ensure himself a spot in the Hall of Fame. As far as Arizona defensive end Bertrand Berry is concerned, he should be a surefire pick — win or lose. “I told him after the NFC championship game that I just want a ticket to Canton, Ohio when he gets in.
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The Arizona Cardinals went through a relaxed walk-through in front of about 300 family members and friends Saturday in the team’s final on-field preparation for Sunday’s Super Bowl. “I think we had a good week of work,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. The onlookers mingled with players on the field after the practice at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ facility, some posing for pictures with Whisenhunt and…
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Career sacks leader Bruce Smith, versatile defensive back Rod Woodson and four others made the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, while former commissioner Paul Tagliabue was denied entry for the third straight year. Joining Smith, who led Buffalo to four straight Super Bowl appearances, and Woodson are longtime Bills owner Ralph Wilson; the late Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas; former…
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The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo will play in the 2009 Hall of Fame game, a day after Bills owner Ralph Wilson and former star Bruce Smith are inducted. The exhibition in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 9 will begin the NFL’s celebration marking the 50th year of its AFL teams. The Bills and Titans, who started out as the Houston Oilers, will wear their original uniforms.
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NBC said on the eve of Sunday’s Super Bowl that it has sold the last two of the 67 advertising spots for the game, pushing total ad revenue for the event to a record $206 million. The network said its total of $261 million in ad revenue for all of Super Bowl day also is a record, calling it an especially impressive feat in the middle of the economy’s steep downturn.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers finished their Super Bowl preparations on Saturday with something that’s usually missing from game-week practices: a crowd. With an estimated 250 friends and family members watching, plus the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Steelers held a 38-minute walk-through at the University of South Florida.
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Dynasty vs. doormat. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signified success in the Super Bowl era with their stable ownership, brilliant coaching and throwback style. A victory Sunday will give them a record sixth Super Bowl title, and they are 6 1/2 -point favorites to get it against the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, those Cardinals — a franchise that has defined dysfunction since the 1950s.
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Derek Jeter’s picking the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it has nothing to do with how good he thinks the AFC champions are. “I’m not a football expert, but I’ll just take Pittsburgh,” said the New York Yankees captain, who lives in Tampa during the offseason and hosted a celebrity golf tournament during Super Bowl week.
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Troy Vincent remains a candidate to become the next executive director of the NFL Players Association despite a Virginia congressman’s revelation that Vincent was behind a congressional letter that raised questions about the union’s search process. Vincent has been invited to take part in the next round of interviews involving the five remaining candidates, The Associated Press learned Friday…
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