The Rock Chalkboard

Three KU football coaches helped former WR Marcus Henry take off
After his final high school game in 2004, Marcus Henry didn’t have any offers from the "big" schools. The 6-foot-4 wideout from Eisenhower high school in Lawton, Okla., had the intentions of pursuing his football career at the junior college level. But following an impressive showing in the Oklahoma All-State game, Henry received a call from a coach in the Big 12.

Phil Steele names Pooka Williams 4th-team preseason All-American
Williams, the KU football Twitter account shared, has been named a fourth-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele. Steele awarded two Big 12 rushers All-American honors. Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard landed on the first team, while Williams landed on the fourth.

KU football picked 10th in preseason Big 12 media poll
On Friday, the Big 12 announced the preseason rankings for the 10 Big 12 squads, as voted on by 90 media representatives. The Jayhawks, entering Year 2 of the Les Miles-era, were picked to finish last in the conference.

KU football still seeking full non-conference schedule, AD says
“Earlier today New Hampshire Director of Athletics Marty Scarano informed us that they will not be playing football this fall," said KU athletic director Jeff Long through a release. "KU, along with the Big 12, are continuing our efforts to play a full non-conference and conference football schedule this fall. We have begun exploring all opportunities to fill the opening on our schedule that was created by New Hampshire and will provide an update when available.”

Bits o Chalk

Electronic Arts to remove Washington nickname, logo from Madden NFL 21
Game developer Electronic Arts will alter the upcoming release of Madden NFL 21 to remove logos and the team name of the Washington Redskins after the team this week announced forthcoming changes, an EA representative confirmed to ESPN.

Blazers' Carmelo Anthony slims down ahead of switch to small forward
"Every summer, it's a different name for me," Anthony said Friday. "This summer is Skinny Melo. There's Hoodie Melo, USA Melo, there's so many different Melos out there. But at the end of the day, I'm me."

Source: Yasiel Puig still a free agent after positive COVID-19 test
Sources told ESPN earlier this week that Puig, a free agent, had agreed to a deal with the Braves. However, the deal was contingent on Puig testing negative, so that agreement is now off, and he remains a free agent, a source told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.

Mavericks' Mark Cuban to Washington owner Dan Snyder: Accept your mistakes
As another high-profile owner of a professional sports team, the Dallas Mavericks' Mark Cuban has this advice for Washington's Dan Snyder: Accept your mistakes.

How Dianne Durham, Bela Karolyi's first national champion, paved the way for Black gymnasts
DIANNE DURHAM STOOD at the start of the vaulting runway at the 1984 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials and stared toward her future. One of the best vaulters in the country, she knew only a layout full Tsukahara and a solid uneven bars routine stood between her and an opportunity to compete for Olympic gold.

Eraser Dust

Civil rights legend John Lewis dead at 80 - CNNPolitics
John Robert Lewis, the son of sharecroppers who survived a brutal beating by police during a landmark 1965 march in Selma, Alabama, to become a towering figure of the civil rights movement and a longtime US congressman, has died after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 80.

Heated Kalispell exchange over masks caught on camera | KECI
The two men started telling the employee he was breaking the law. The employee asked them to leave or he will call the police. The men told him it’s against the law to force someone to wear a mask. One of them yelled, “It’s the mark of the beast!”

Liam Gallagher gives his stance on wearing face masks amid the Covid-19 pandemic - Radio X
Asked by a fan if he minds wearing a mask, the former Oasis frontman replied: "Don’t like but it’s gotta be done think it’s a crime to hide this face".

Liam Gallagher aims new foul-mouthed dig at Liverpool but fans have last laugh again - Liverpool Echo
Liverpool's record-breaking Premier League title triumph is still causing a bit of bother with famed Manchester City supporter Liam Gallagher.

Noel Gallagher shares sweary story of how he was rude to Adele when she tried to meet him - Mirror Online
He revealed the Don't Look Back In Anger star turned down the chance to meet late Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher while on a night out in London

Noel Gallagher disses himself as he blasts own lacklustre Oasis performances - Mirror Online
He told the Mail on Sunday: “When I played guitar in Oasis I used to think I looked like Jimi Hendrix some nights.

“Then you see the footage and I was just shuffling around.”