Breaking News

Sports Columns

Outgoing seniors for Lions to bloom in Rose

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Some pre-game Rose Bowl notes before heading west: Penn State tight end Brenton Strange became the latest Nittany Lion to announce that he’ll be entering April’s NFL Draft. Strange made 32 catches this season and 70 for his career and will be a significant loss. For the first half of the season, he was the Lions’ best offensive player, and he should be an intriguing NFL prospect since he’s also a capable blocker who can also run after the catch. Strange marks the second PSU player in the past week to express similar intentions, ...

Bucs, Packers still have shot for NFC spots

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers led comeback wins and the Los Angeles Rams dominated Russell Wilson and the Broncos. It was a triumphant Christmas for the Buccaneers, Packers and Rams as many figured it would be when the schedule was released in May. The NFC’s top three preseason Super Bowl favorites were expected to be jockeying for playoff positioning Sunday. Instead, the Rams (5-10) are trying to avoid the most losses by a defending Super Bowl champion. The Packers (7-8) need help just to make the playoffs. The Buccaneers (7-8) lead the dreadful NFC South with a first-place showdown ...

World Cup final will long be remembered

Those who were able to tune into the 2022 Men’s World Cup final were treated to undoubtedly the greatest championship game in the Cup’s 92-year history. The incredible performance by both France and Argentina will stand as a game for the ages. Lionel Messi, playing in his final World Cup game at age 35, played brilliantly and never quit on his quest to win a World Cup in his incredible career, one many feel put him on top as the greatest player of all time. He was looking to give Argentina its third World Cup title, while Kylian Mbappe was impressive for France, scoring a hat ...

It’s tough for wildlife in winter

Area hunters are complaining bitterly about the deer season just past. Even after fresh snow fell in some areas, hunters reported seeing few tracks. The conclusion: the same old one, that there are no deer left anymore. While most of us will spend the next few days surrounded by warmth, food, friends and parties, wildlife is engaged in a hard struggle for survival. The snow and ice storm late this week made life much more difficult for wildlife than for us. The “pretty” deer we admired last summer, that were standing in the middle of a far off field grazing on clover are now holed ...

Rudel: Franco had immaculate legacy, on field and off

Franco Harris’ sudden passing — terribly shocking because he was set to have his number 32 retired Saturday as part of Pittsburgh’s 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception — was a body blow to so many of us. Though the Steelers have had other Hall of Fame players of Harris’ stature in terms of what they meant to the team’s success, it was Franco, more than anyone, who galvanized a region and helped turn Pittsburgh into the City of Champions. His remarkable effort, situational awareness and hustle to snag the last-gasp deflected pass at his shoetops against the ...

Clifford leaving legacy of perseverance at Penn State

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — Sean Clifford will exit Penn State with many of its passing records, and yet because the Nittany Lions lost their last six games against Ohio State and Michigan, he won’t be remembered among their all-time great quarterbacks. Clifford has a career record of 30-14 as a four-year starter and team captain, and his accuracy off the field is even higher than on it. As his final days as a Nittany Lion wound down, Clifford admitted he understands the fans’ impatience with him. “I love everything about Penn State, and ...