LDN - Sports

National Football League roundup

[June 14, 2016] June 13 (The Sports Xchange) - Defensive lineman Bryan Robinson, who had a 14-year NFL career, has died at age 41.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Robinson was found in a Milwaukee, Wis., motel room and pronounced dead late Saturday night.

Milwaukee Police said they are investigating the situation as a sudden death. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner told the newspaper that results of an autopsy and a toxicology report are pending.

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Curley Johnson, who punted for the New York Jets in the 1960s as a member of their Super Bowl III-winning team, has died. He was 80.

John "Curley" Johnson died at his home in Granbury, Texas, on Sunday.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith is easing back into activity but his recovery from a torn Achilles is likely to limit the 37-year-old into the early part of the regular season.

"I don't know when I'm coming back," he said. "I just know I have to be able to do something in training camp to be able to play for the season. That's just the way I operate. I can't go from doing absolutely nothing (and) sitting on my butt for all of training camp and then go out there and play."

Smith initially planned to retire after last season but when he ended up on injured reserve, the competitive veteran said he'd be back.

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Guard Ben Grubbs, released by the Kansas City Chiefs on March 9 after he failed his physical because of a neck injury, apparently will retire it was reported on Monday by ESPN.

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Another wide receiver joined the Detroit Lions on Monday with veteran slot target Andre Roberts agreeing to a one-year deal.

The Lions have signed three receivers since Calvin Johnson retired, and spent Monday visiting with 35-year-old free agent wideout Anquan Boldin. Boldin played for the Ravens in 2012 when Jim Caldwell was offensive coordinator.

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The Detroit Lions announced Monday that cheerleaders will be added for the 2016 season.

There are now six NFL teams without an affiliated cheerleading squad -- the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on Monday with defensive tackle Fletcher Cox on a six-year contract extension.

Cox, who was selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft (12th overall), has appeared in 64 games (58 starts) and made 308 tackles (232 solo), including 31.5 tackles for losses and 22 sacks in his four-year career.

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Wade Phillips waited nearly 40 years to see his name adorn a Super Bowl ring. The veteran defensive coordinator still is waiting, however, even after the members of the Denver Broncos received their jewelry on Sunday.

It's not that 68-year-old Phillips didn't get a diamond-encrusted ring ... it's just that it had the wrong name.

Phillips received his championship ring with the name "Peters" on the side.

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Former NBA player Nate Robinson is attempting to tackle another sport.

Robinson had a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, the Washington Post initially reported. The Seattle Times noted that the 32-year-old was trying out as a defensive back.

(Editing by Andrew Both)

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