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ROBERT GRIFFIN III BLASTS JAYDEN DANIELS OVER LSU CONTROVERSY

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made waves Thursday when ESPN reported that his attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU demanding that the university stop using his name, image and likeness.

Daniels’ team was clearly upset after LSU gave sophomore DJ Pickett his No. 5 jersey ahead of the college football season. Daniels became the school’s third and most recent Heisman Trophy winner during his time with the Tigers.

The other Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow, remains the last player to wear LSU’s No. 9 jersey, which he wore in 2019 when he also led the Tigers to a national championship.

Daniels’ Family Statement

A spokesperson for Daniels and his family released a statement regarding the decision.

“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” the statement from Daniels’ spokesperson said. “Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university.

“Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected,” the statement continued. “His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU.”

Robert Griffin III Rips Daniels Over Decision

Former college football and NFL star Robert Griffin III also reacted to Daniels’ decision, making it clear that he believes the Commanders quarterback made a “colossal mistake.”

“Every Heisman Trophy Winner should have their number retired. But this cease and desist letter is a COLOSSAL MISTAKE by Jayden Daniels’ team for 3 reasons,” Griffin III said.

“1. Jersey retirements are an honor. -Not something to be demanded -Not something to strong arm a school to do

“2. It creates a rift between Jayden Daniels and LSU fans, who are one of the most passionate fan bases in all of Sports. Saying you feel profoundly disrespected and are being treated differently than Joe Burrow, forces LSU fans to chose between 10-3 Jayden Daniels and 15-0 National Champion Joe Burrow smoking a cigar. LSU fans will pick Joe Burreaux EVERY SINGLE TIME.

“3. It’s creates a MASSIVE DISTRACTION for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders 3 weeks before the most important season of his career.

“Timing is everything. And this was the worst move for Jayden Daniels and his image to the masses possible.”

- Cole Sullivan

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AUBURN RB BRIAN BATTIE CRITICAL AFTER SHOOTING, BROTHER KILLED

USA TODAY Sports 

 Auburn kick returner and running back Brian Battie remains in critical condition after a shooting early Saturday morning in Florida that claimed the life of his brother, Tommie Battie IV.

Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze said Monday that Brian Battie had a "setback" Sunday night and that he remains on a ventilator.

The shooting occurred in Sarasota. Police said there were multiple shooting victims when they arrived at a plaza. Tommie Battie IV was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were transported to area hospitals.

Brian Battie averaged 23.0 yards on 28 kickoff returns in 2023, his first season at Auburn. He was also fourth on the team in rushing yards (227), scoring a touchdown. He played his first three seasons at South Florida, rushing for 1,185 yards during the 2022 season.

- Reuters 

CAITLIN CLARK DEFEATS LSU IN ELITE EIGHT | ANGEL.REESE EMOTIONAL AFTER LOSS

12.3 MILLION: IOWA'S VICTORY OVER LSU IS THE MOST-WATCHED WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME ON RECORD

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 Caitlin Clark can claim another record — the most-watched women's college basketball game in history.

Iowa's 94-87 victory over LSU in the Elite Eight of the women's NCAA Tournament on Monday night averaged 12.3 million viewers on ESPN, according to Nielsen. That makes it one of the most-viewed games in any sport other than NFL football over the past year.

Iowa-LSU outdrew all but one of the five games in last year's NBA Finals, along with the clinching game of last year's World Series (11.48 million).

Clark scored 41 points as the Hawkeyes avenged last year’s loss to the Tigers in the national championship game.

The viewership surpassed the 11.84 million who watched the 1983 NCAA championship game between Southern California and Louisiana Tech. LSU coach Kim Mulkey played for Louisiana Tech and was matched up against USC great Cheryl Miller in that game, which the Trojans won 64-58.

It was also the most-watched men’s or women’s college basketball game ever on ESPN, more than doubling the prior largest audience.

According to ESPN, the 2002 women’s national championship game between UConn and Oklahoma had the old mark at 5.68 million. ESPN’s most-watched men’s game was the 2008 regular-season matchup between Duke and North Carolina, which drew 5.61 million.

Only one men's NCAA Tournament game this year had bigger viewership: North Carolina State's win over Duke on Sunday in the men's Elite Eight on CBS averaged 15.1 million.

According to Sports Media Watch, it was the most-viewed basketball game on ESPN since Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals, when the Cleveland Cavaliers' victory over the Boston Celtics averaged 13.6 million.

UConn’s 80-73 win over Southern California, which was on after the Iowa game, was the second-most watched college game in ESPN history at 6.7 million. ABC had both regional finals on Sunday, with South Carolina averaging 3.1 million in its win over Oregon State and North Carolina State drawing 2.5 million against Texas.

Clark's four March Madness games on ESPN and ABC have averaged 6.83 million. Iowa will face UConn in Friday's second national semifinal on ESPN. The winner will face either South Carolina or North Carolina State on ABC on Sunday.

The Hawkeyes’ 89-68 win over Colorado in Saturday's regional semifinal averaged 6.9 million viewers on ABC.

Iowa's last five televised games have surpassed 3 million viewers, including the last three that have drawn at least 4.9 million.

The 60 women's tournament games are averaging 1.5 million, a 127% increase over last year.

LSU’s victory over UCLA on Saturday, which preceded the Iowa game, averaged 3.8 million, the second most-watched Sweet 16 game on record.

- JOE REEDY

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SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP: ASTROS BEAT NETS IN 10-8 SLUGFEST

USA TODAY Sports 

 Shay Whitcomb hit two RBI doubles and Jacob Melton smashed the eventual game-winning home run as the Houston Astros put together 10 consecutive runs and held off the host Washington Nationals 10-8 in a spring training game Friday in Palm Beach, Fla.

Melton's two-run homer in the seventh inning put the Astros ahead 9-4, and Joey Loperfido added a run-scoring double in the eighth before Washington pushed back. Alex Call hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame and two runs scored on his fielder's choice in the ninth -- one on a throwing error -- before Houston put the game away.

Hunter Brown (1-0) got the win with two innings of relief for Houston, in which he allowed one run, two hits and one walk. Grae Kessinger went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs for the Astros.

Nats reliever Jake Irvin (0-1) was shelled for seven runs (six earned) on five hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. CJ Abrams opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first and an RBI single in the second to steer Washington to a 4-0 lead. The teams combined for 22 hits.

Pirates 12, Rays 8

Gilberto Celestino hit a grand slam and totaled five RBIs, Jared Triolo hit a three-run homer and host Pittsburgh outlasted Tampa Bay in Bradenton, Fla.

Bryan Reynolds hit his second homer of spring training in the bottom of the first after the Rays had opened a 3-0 lead. Mitch Keller (1-0) got the win despite allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in two innings. He struck out two.

Jose Siri had three RBIs on a sacrifice fly, a fielder's choice and a single for the Rays. Reliever Erasmo Ramirez (0-1) gave up Triolo's home run.

UPSET AT THE BUZZER!! 🔥 KENTUCKY WILDCATS VS. LSU TIGERS

 

TIGERS PITCHER, 1984 CY YOUNG WINNER & MVP, WILLY HERNANDEZ HAS PASSED AWAY

HULL CITY: WILL KEAN OUT 12 MONTHS

Hull City striker Will Kean will be out for 12 months due to a terrible knee ligament injury...Bad news for Hull City as they fight for a good spot on the league table...Kean