March 17, 2021 • No Comments • Sports News

Scott Clarke / ESPN ImagesBy ABC News

(NEW YORK) — Golf legend Tiger Woods shared a positive update on his recovery progress after sustaining serious injuries in a rollover crash last month.

Woods, who suffered “significant orthopaedic injuries” from the wreck, took to his Twitter late Tuesday night to alert his followers that he has been discharged from the hospital.

“Happy to report that I am back home and continuing my recovery,” he said in a statement. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that I have received over the past few weeks.”

The 45-year-old professional golfer continued, “Thank you to the incredible surgeons, doctors, nurses and staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You have all taken such great care of me and I cannot thank you enough.”

“I will be recovering at home and working on getting stronger every day,” concluded Woods.  

pic.twitter.com/JU6D0MKpsK

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 16, 2021

The golfer sustained serious leg injuries in a rollover crash on Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Southern California. The car he was driving, a Hyundai Genesis SUV, lost control when driving downhill on a segment of Hawthorne Boulevard that is known to be dangerous.  

Authorities later stated that Woods will not face charges, adding investigators found no “evidence of impairment” when treating him at the scene.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters, “We don’t contemplate any charges whatsoever in this crash” and that the wreck was “purely an accident.”

“Accidents are not a crime,” stated Villanueva.

As for how Woods survived such a serious accident, the sheriff explained, “Thankfully, the interior was more or less intact, which kind of gave him the cushion to survive what otherwise would have been a fatal crash.”

Woods was wearing a seatbelt, which authorities believe also saved his life.

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March 17, 2021 • No Comments • Sports News

iStockBy ABC News

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Utah 117, Boston 109
Atlanta 119, Houston 107
Chicago 123, Oklahoma City 102
Miami 113, Cleveland 98
Philadelphia 99, New York 96
Portland 125, New Orleans 124
LA Lakers 137, Minnesota 121

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Washington 3, NY Islanders 1
New Jersey 3, Buffalo 2
Boston 2, Pittsburgh 1
Detroit 4, Carolina 2
Minnesota 3, Arizona 0
Tampa Bay 4, Dallas 3 (SO)
Colorado 8, Anaheim 4

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 16, 2021 • No Comments • Sports News

JoelPapallini/iStockBy IVAN PEREIRA, ABC News

(TOKYO) — After a yearlong wait, thousands of runners will begin passing the Olympic torch across Japan starting next week in the lead-up to the summer games.

But the traditional revelry of the torch relay will be subdued this year, as organizers revealed strict rules for fans to ensure they don’t spread the coronavirus.

The organizers announced Tuesday that that ceremonial torch relay will start on March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture and travel across the country for the next four months, according to The Associated Press. While crowds will still be allowed to gather and watch the journey, they will have to commit to social distancing and mask wearing and are asked to cheer quietly, according to organizers.

“The objective of the Olympic torch relay is to enhance the enthusiasm,” said Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee who has also been put in charge of the relay, according to the AP. “We need to balance things out between bringing enthusiasm and preventing COVID-19 infection.”

Fans will not be allowed at the “Grand Start” ceremony at J-Village next week and organizers warned that they could change their plans based on the country’s situation. This includes stopping or rerouting the torch or removing runners.

Roughly 10,000 runners are participating in the torch relay that links all 47 Japanese prefectures. The relay will end on July 23, the tentative start date for the games.

The International Olympic Committee and Japanese officials have been working to ensure that the delayed games run smoothly without any surges in COVID-19 cases. As of March 16, the country has recorded over 449,113 cases and 8,682 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus resource center.

Participating athletes will operate in a bubble and there will be rigorous testing. The committee hasn’t decided if it will allow international fans to attend the games.

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March 16, 2021 • No Comments • Sports News

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesBy HALEY YAMADA and ERIC NOLL, ABC News

(CHICAGO) — The Loyola University Chicago Ramblers’ lucky charm is on her way to March Madness.

The school confirmed Tuesday that Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is vaccinated and cleared to attend the Ramblers’ first game in the NCAA tournament against Georgia Tech on Friday in Indianapolis.

Three years ago, Schmidt made headlines for being the secret weapon of the basketball team during their successful March Madness run.

“I say a prayer. But sometimes there’s a little more than talking to God in the prayer. But I do begin with good and gracious God,” Schmidt told “World News Tonight” in 2018. “I pray for the other team, perhaps not as hard.”

MORE: On 100th birthday, Loyola University Chicago treasure Sister Jean shares ‘good recipe’ for life
Due to the pandemic, Schmidt has been in isolation and not been able to see her players in person.

On Tuesday, she told “World News Tonight” that she’s back in action as the team’s chaplain and chief cheerleader.

“I have had my vaccine injections, and I’m doing well,” she said. “I can hardly wait to go to Indy for March Madness to watch the 68 teams play basketball.”

She also encouraged others to get the vaccine so that they can get back to cheering courtside, too.

“I encourage you, if you are able, to please get your vaccinations,” she said. “It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but like spring, a new one is coming.”

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March 16, 2021 • No Comments • Sports News

33ft/iStockBy JEANETTE TORRES-PEREZ, ABC News

(NEW YORK) — Ryan Fitzpatrick is reportedly heading up the East Coast to play for the nation’s capital.

Citing a source, ESPN reports the 38-year-old quarterback and the Washington Football Team have agreed on a one-year deal worth $10 million. The deal could increase up to $12 million with incentives.

The source tells ESPN Fitzpatrick is expected to head to Washington’s camp as the team’s starting quarterback.

Fitzpatrick, who is beginning his 17th season in the NFL, last played for the Miami Dolphins in 2020. During that year, he had a 68.5% completion percentage, 13 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

So far in his career, the veteran quarterback has amassed 34,977 passing yards, 223 touchdown passes and 169 interceptions.

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