Update on the latest sports
APTIGER WOODS-CRASH
Detectives look at SUV’s ‘black box’ from Tiger Woods crash
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Detectives are looking at data from the so-called “black box” of Tiger Woods’ SUV to get a clearer picture of what occurred during the Southern California rollover crash last week that seriously injured the golf star.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says traffic investigators executed a search warrant Monday to retrieve the data from the device from the Genesis SUV that Woods was driving. There is no word on what was found in the black box.
The 2021 GV80, made by the Hyundai luxury brand, is likely to have a newer version of event data recorders nicknamed “black boxes” after more sophisticated recorders in airplanes. They store a treasure trove of data for authorities to review.
Woods suffered a serious leg injury when the SUV he was driving went off a Los Angeles County road and rolled over on a downhill stretch known for crashes. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Woods was not drunk and was driving alone in good weather when the SUV hit a raised median, went across oncoming lanes and rolled several times. The crash injured his right leg, requiring surgery.
USA TODAY first reported the search warrant.
MLB-NEWS
Nationals lefty Jon Lester to have thyroid gland removed
UNDATED (AP) — Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez says left-hander Jon Lester will have surgery to have a thyroid gland removed.
Lester will leave spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida, and fly to New York for the procedure. Martinez says the 37-year-old starting pitcher is expected to be back at camp in about five to seven days. The starting pitcher originally was scheduled to make his first appearance for Washington in a Grapefruit League game Thursday.
In 2006, Lester’s rookie season with the Boston Red Sox ended early because he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. He had chemotherapy and returned the next season.
Lester is entering his 16th year in the majors and first with Washington. He was a free agent and joined the Nationals on a $5 million, one-year contract after playing the past six seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
In other MLB news:
— Veteran left-hander Gio González has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins and will take part in their major league camp. Gonzalez is a South Florida native. He pitched in 12 games last year for Chicago White Sox with four starts and had an ERA of 4.83. He has a career record of 131-101 with a 3.70 ERA in 13 seasons for four teams. At 35, Gonzalez provides experienced depth for the Marlins’ talented young rotation. He is a two-time All-Star.
NBA-ALL-STAR GAME-CHARITY
NBA says $3 million going to HBCUs through All-Star Game
ATLANTA (AP) — The last shot of Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game will be worth $300,000 for either the Thurgood Marshall College Fund or United Negro College Fund.
The NBA on Wednesday revealed how an estimated $3 million in charitable donations from the contest will be distributed. Those two organizations that support historically Black colleges or institutions will be the primary benefactors, each guaranteed $500,000 in scholarship funding before the game even starts and with an additional $750,000 at stake during the game.
The teams captained by LeBron James and Kevin Durant will each represent one of those groups, and the winning team in each of the first, second and third quarters will collect $150,000 for their respective organization. The first team to hit the target score and win the All-Star Game will get the final $300,000 in scholarship funds.
Black institutions will see at least another $1.25 million guaranteed from the skills competitions and All-Star Game, the NBA said. Each assist in the game will generate $1,900 in scholarship funds; last year’s game had 77 assists, which if matched this year would mean $146,300.
VANESSA BRYANT-INTERVIEW
Vanessa Bryant discusses her life after deaths of Kobe and Gigi
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vanessa Bryant says she is focused on “finding the light in darkness” after her husband and daughter died in a helicopter crash early last year.
In an interview with People magazine, Bryant talks about trying to navigate heartache over the loss of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi while working to rebuild a life for herself and three daughters. She says her devotion to her daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri have been a saving grace, helping her to “smile through the pain.”
Kobe Bryant was killed when the helicopter carrying him, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas, California, while flying to a girls basketball tournament at his Mamba Sports Academy on Jan. 26, 2020.
Vanessa Bryant says she wants to honor her husband and daughter’s legacy by creating opportunities for young female athletes. She has taken charge of creative projects left unfinished at Granity Studios, the late NBA star’s multimedia company she now helms. She recently relaunched Kobe’s charitable non-profit as Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation — a nod to the father-daughter duo — to help empower young girls and provide equal opportunities to underserved athletes.
