Red Raiders lose district battle with Columbia

The Seattle Seahawks announced coming to terms with their first-round draft pick, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, following his first minicamp practice Friday. "I feel like there's some things I need to work on, but I feel like I'm learning, still getting in the groove of things," Murphy said. "Growing up, Seattle has been my favorite team, so just to be a part of this team and this organization, it really means a lot. I'm going to give everything I've got each and every day, 110 percent." Seattle chose Murphy, a native of Texas, No. 16 overall with their first selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Seattle Times reported the contract as being a four-year, fully-guaranteed, $16.083 million deal with an $8.516 million signing bonus. Murphy, 21, was a second-team Associated Press All-American playing along the defensive front for the Texas Longhorns in 2023 after two years of mostly backup duty. He was tabbed the Big 12 Conference defensive lineman of the year after recording 8.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks, in helping Texas win the Big 12 and earn a College Football Playoff bid. --Field Level Media

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The lucky home run sausage safely returned to Minnesota with the Twins — and their winning streak.

LONDON (AP) — German tennis legend Boris Becker was discharged from bankruptcy court in London after a judge found Wednesday he had done “all that he reasonably could do” to repay creditors tens of millions of pounds.

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will be ready when the New York Jets begin their offseason training activities on May 20. Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that the 40-year-old quarterback will have "no restrictions" eight months after Achilles surgery. After a celebrated tenure with Green Bay, Rodgers' 2023 Jets debut ended after just four snaps with a torn left Achilles. Saleh confirmed that Rodgers is on track to participate in "phase three" of OTAs, a four-week period when teams can hold 10 practices with non-contact, 11-on-11 work. "Once phase three hits, we're not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can't do with him," Saleh told reporters Friday at the start of a two-day rookie minicamp. Rodgers participated in practices on a limited basis during the final month of last season. "The guy can still sling it," Saleh said, per ESPN. "Obviously, he's still working through his rehab, but there are no issues on the trajectory on which he's going." Rodgers passed for 59,055 yards, 475 touchdowns and 105 interceptions in 230 games (223 starts) for the Packers from 2005-22, compiling a record of 147-75-1. He made 10 Pro Bowls and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets' quarterback room also includes veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Jordan Travis, drafted in the fifth round last month out of Florida State. --Field Level Media

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: 'No restrictions' at OTAs

Former New York Giants tight end Aaron Thomas died on April 26 at his home in Corvallis, Ore., after a long illness, the team announced. He was 86. Thomas recorded 247 catches for 4,253 yards with 35 touchdowns in 117 career games with the Giants (1962-70). His touchdown reception total ranks tied for sixth in franchise history. "He's almost like the early version of (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce," his son, Robb Thomas, told the team's website. "He was a tight end and flanker, but he really ran good routes and had a good feel about getting into open space." Thomas was selected by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 1961 draft before the 49ers traded him to the Giants two games into the 1962 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl during the 1964 season after reeling in 43 catches for 624 yards and six touchdowns. He retired after the 1970 season. "He was very proud of and loved his years with the Giants," Robb Thomas said. "He really liked the Mara family. They were good to him. He was always a Giants fan." Aaron Thomas is survived by his wife, Joan, and children Robb, Troy, Lance and Leslie. --Field Level Media

The NFL Network is parting ways with Michael Irvin after 15 years, multiple outlets reported Friday. The league-owned channel will not renew the Hall of Fame member's contract amid a series of cost-cutting moves that also reportedly includes the cancellation of the show "NFL Total Access." Irvin, 58, had been an analyst at NFL Network since 2009 and was a key member of the crew for Sunday's pregame show "NFL GameDay Morning." The NFL Network suspended Irvin in February 2023 after a hotel employee in Arizona accused him of inappropriate conduct during Super Bowl week. He was reinstated in September after settling a $100 million defamation lawsuit with Marriott. Irvin won three Super Bowl championships with the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990s. Known as "The Playmaker," the wide receiver was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. His departure comes on the heels of last month's personnel cuts at NFL Network that included Andrew Siciliano, Melissa Stark and James Palmer. --Field Level Media

Former Nebraska and Oregon State head coach Mike Riley joined the College Football Playoff selection committee on Friday. Riley, who was appointed to a three-year term, replaces Washington athletic director Pat Chun on the 13-member committee. "We are pleased to have Mike join the committee," CFP executive director Bill Hancock said in a statement Friday. "He has significant experience as a player and coach, and he loves college football. He will bring a unique perspective to the committee. Plus, he is a delightful human being." Riley, 70, compiled a record of 112-99 with Oregon State (1997-98, 2003-14) and Nebraska (2015-17). He guided the Beavers to eight bowl games (6-2 record) and the Cornhuskers to two (1-1). Riley went 14-34 as head coach of the NFL's San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001 and has also served as a head coach in the Canadian Football League, World League of American Football, Alliance of American Football and USFL. --Field Level Media