Seattle Seahawks DT Jesse Williams diagnosed with kidney cancer
NFL: Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams will undergo kidney surgery after being diagnosed with papillary type 2 cancer the team announced Monday.
The Seahawks said the young defensive linemen, who missed all of his first two seasons with the team because of a knee injury, has a disease that occurs in 10 to 15 percent of all kidney cancers.
Williams’ agent, Rick Smith, told the News Tribune of Tacoma doctors found the cancerous cells last week. It is not immediately known how far the cancer has progressed. Smith said Williams will have his surgery “soon.”
“Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this,” the 6-foot-3, 325-pound defensive tackle and native of Australia said in a release from the team. “I am going to focus on my health and fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal. Thank you for your thoughts and support. Go Hawks!”
• Seahawks cut former Eastern RB: The Seahawks waived injured running back Demitrius Bronson from Eastern Washington University and signed wide receiver Deshon Foxx to the 90-man offseason roster.
Foxx had 73 career receptions for Connecticut.
Bronson signed last June as a rookie free agent and spent most of 2014 on the Seahawks’ practice squad.
• Tannehill signs extension: Ryan Tannehill has signed a $77.7 million, four-year extension with the Miami Dolphins that keeps the quarterback under contract through 2020.
The eighth overall pick of the 2012 draft has started every game in his first three seasons and improved each year. Last season he threw for 4,045 yards with 27 touchdowns, and his passer rating was 92.8.
Cavs’ Irving gives OK for Game 1 status
NBA: Kyrie Irving finished an animated post-practice shooting game of “Around The World” with LeBron James and then quickly removed any doubt about his playing status for Game 1 against Atlanta.
“I’m going to go,” he said.
Cleveland’s All-Star guard may not be 100 percent – or anywhere close – but he’s much better and that’s welcome news to the Cavs, who will open the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday in Atlanta.
• Your All-Rookie team: Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins of Minnesota is the only unanimous selection for the NBA’s All-Rookie first team.
The rest of the first team is Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic, Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel, Orlando’s Eldrid Payton and Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson.
Lee wins Kingsmill Championship
MISCELLANY: Minjee Lee didn’t expect her rookie season on the LPGA Tour to include a victory. Now that she has proved herself wrong by winning the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia, she’s thinking she can do it again.
The 18-year-old Australian, who turned professional in September, shook off a three-putt bogey on her first hole and finished with two pars for a 6-under 65 and 15-under 269 total.
It was her first title as a professional. She became the seventh LPGA Tour player to win before her 19th birthday.
• Hinchcliffe injured at Indy: IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe was in stable condition in the intensive care unit of a local hospital following surgery on his left leg for injuries sustained in a crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Canadian driver spun hard into the wall Monday. As his car slid back down toward the apron, it briefly slid on its right side and almost flipped before coming to rest upright.
Hinchcliffe’s left thigh was pierced by the car’s right front rocker and the piece of equipment needed to be removed, according to two people familiar with the crash who spoke on condition of anonymity because IndyCar and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports were not releasing details of the injury.
• Senators’ owner needs liver transplant: Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is thanking the public for its support in what he calls the “biggest battle” of his life – his urgent appeal for a liver transplant.
The 55-year-old Melnyk was hospitalized three weeks ago because of liver-related complications. His condition is considered critical.
More than 500 people have offered to donate part of their liver to Melnyk.