Sports briefs
Ex-Steelers assistant Widenhofer dies
Woody Widenhofer, a longtime coach who won four Super Bowls as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff, has died at the age of 77.
Ryan Widenhofer, who lives in Nashville, said that his father suffered a minor stroke earlier this month. While still in the hospital and preparing to begin rehabilitation, the elder Widenhofer suffered a second more severe stroke Saturday night and died Sunday.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Woody Widenhofer,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “Woody played an important role coaching our famed Steel Curtain defense when he helped us win four Super Bowls in the 1970s. He coached some of the best linebackers in NFL history during his time in Pittsburgh and was later elevated to defensive coordinator, where he guided the defense in our Super Bowl XIV victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
“A local native of Butler, Woody will be missed by those who knew him and played under him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Widenhofer family.”
A linebacker at Missouri from 1961-64, Widenhofer spent four years in the college ranks before joining the Steelers’ coaching staff as the team’s linebackers coach in 1973. With Widenhofer’s assistance, the Steelers boasted the league’s best linebacker corps that included seven-time Pro Bowler Andy Russell and Hall of Famers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert. The trio helped lead the Steelers to back-to-back championships in 1974 and 1975 and a third Super Bowl title in 1978.
In 1979, Widenhofer replaced Bud Carson as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator.
With their younger defenders complementing the ability of Lambert, Ham, defensive linemen Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, and defensive backs Mel Blount, Donnie Shell and Mike Wagner, Widenhofer’s defense boasted the league’s fifth-best scoring defense while helping the Steelers win another Super Bowl.
Widenhofer, who remained with the Steelers through the 1983 season, was the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 1989-92, helping Detroit advance to the NFC title game in 1991. He served two seasons on Bill Belichick’s staff in Cleveland before returning to the college ranks in 1995. He retired from coaching in 2007.
Newton released
The Cam Newton era is over in Carolina, as the Panthers released the 30-year-old quarterback after nine seasons.
The move became a mere formality after the Panthers made it clear last week they were moving on from Newton by giving him permission to seek a trade and then agreeing to a three-year, $63 million contract with free agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater about 90 minutes later.
NHL extending isolation periodThe NHL is extending its recommendation for players and staff to self-isolate and stay away from team facilities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Multiple people with knowledge of the recommendation told the Associated Press on Tuesday the NHL has asked that players and staff extend their self-quarantine 10 days beyond the original March 27 timeline to April 6 – further pushing back the earliest team facilities can reopen. The people spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the the NHL hadn’t announced the change in protocol.
The league has held conference calls with its Board of Governors and general managers. There is still no clarity on when the NHL might resume its season.