DeVonta Smith of Alabama is the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 seasons. Smith broke the monopoly quarterbacks have had on college football’s most prestigious award by beating out three of them. The Crimson Tide senior is the fourth receiver to win the Heisman, joining Michigan’s Desmond Howard in 1991, Notre Dame’s Tim Brown in 1987 and Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers in 1972. Quarterbacks had won 17 of the previous 20 Heisman trophies, including the previous four. Smith is the third Alabama player to win the Heisman, all since 2009.
The College Football national championship game is on as scheduled. The CFP executive director Bill Hancock says the game remains on pace for Monday despite reports of it possibly being postponed. This comes after Ohio State contacted CFP officials about possible player availability problems related to COVID-19 that could force the game to be delayed. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says the Buckeyes continue to follow the same protocols they have all season and plan to play Monday in Miami.
In college basketball
The NIU Huskies lost on the road to the Ohio Bobcats 76-73. The Huskies are now 1-8 on the season.
Notre Dame’s game to host Georgia Tech tonight has been postponed due to a positive Covid-19 tests within the Yellow Jackets program. The Fighting Irish are scheduled to get back on the court this Sunday when they travel to Virginia Tech.
Over in the NBA, Coby White scored 21 points as the Bulls held on to beat the Blazers 111-108 in Portland. Otto Porter Jr. added 19 points in the win for Chicago, which improves to 4-and-4. The Bulls visit the Kings in Sacramento tonight.
Quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive back Charles Woodson highlight 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Up to five of them will be selected for enshrinement later this month. The Class of 2021 is scheduled to be inducted in Canton Ohio in early August.
The United States upset heavily favored and undefeated Canada 2-0 in Edmonton Alberta on Tuesday to win the gold medal in the first world junior ice hockey championship played in a bubble. On the defensive side of the ice, Boston College goaltender and Florida Panthers prospect Spencer Knight stopped all 34 shots he faced to secure Team USA’s first gold since 2017.
The NHL is creating new ways to generate revenue as the shortened 56-game season approaches. The league has sold naming rights to each of its four new divisions, which have been realigned due to COVID-19 and travel concerns. The divisions will be known as the Scotia NHL North, Honda NHL West, Discover NHL Central, and the MassMutual NHL East Division. It will be a one-year deal according to the league. The NHL also previously announced it would allow advertisements on player helmets in another effort to create revenue for teams.