Quick hits
Raiders’ Flores, Branch up for HOF Class of 2020
ALAMEDA — Former Oakland Raiders coach Tom Flores and wide receiver Cliff Branch were named as Centennial Slate finalists Thursday for an expanded Class of 2020 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Flores coached the Raiders to Super Bowl wins following the 1981 and 1983 seasons. He had an 83-53 record as head coach of the Raiders from 1979-87 and also coached the Seattle Seahawks from 1992-94, going 14-34. He was a senior finalist for the Class of 2019 and was not elected.
Branch was the quintessential Al Davis deep threat, catching 501 passes for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns from 1972-85. He also had 73 catches for 1,289 yards and five touchdowns in 22 postseason games. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Branch died on Aug. 3 at age 71.
In all, 10 senior players, three coaches and two contributors will join the annual inductees in this year’s class.
Hall of Fame president David Baker said the additional inductees will provide an opportunity for overlooked, players, coaches and contributors to be inducted.
The Centennial slate must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent from 48 selectors to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as must each modern-era finalist.
The entire list of nominees is as follows: Also nominated among the senior players is Roger Craig, the former San Francisco 49ers running back who played the 1991 and 1992 seasons with the Raiders. — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News
Investigation into horse deaths at Santa Anita finds no unlawful conduct
The California horse racing industry at Santa Anita Park, reeling from a series of equine deaths and threats from state and national officials, was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing on Thursday by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
After a nine-month investigation, a special task force that looked into 30 deaths at Santa Anita during this year’s winter/spring meeting, issued 17-page report that “did not find evidence of criminal animal cruelty or unlawful conduct.”
The report did offer 27 recommendations, most of which have already been acted upon or were also recommended by the California Horse Racing Board.
The CHRB is also planning to issue a report, likely in January, that will include the results of necropsies on the horses.
“Greater precautions are needed to enhance safety and protect both horses and their riders,” said Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey. — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times
James Wiseman is leaving Memphis after battling NCAA, will turn pro
Memphis center James Wiseman announced on Instagram Thursday that he’s leaving Memphis to get ready for the NBA draft. Wiseman had tussled with the NCAA over eligibility and ultimately played only three games.
“Today I formally withdrew from the University of Memphis and I will be preparing for the next chapter of my life,” Wiseman wrote. “Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been a dream of mine to play in the NBA . ... This was not how I expected my freshman season to be, but I’m thankful for everyone who has supported my family and me throughout this process.”
Wiseman was serving a 12-game suspension over what the NCAA determined was an illegal gift from now-Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. In 2017, Hardaway was Wiseman’s AAU coach, and he gave Wiseman’s mother $11,500 to move from Nashville to Memphis. Wiseman played at a Memphis high school under Hardaway and committed to play for Memphis after Hardaway became the head coach there.
Wiseman would have been eligible to return Jan. 12, and he’s considered a strong contender to go No. 1 overall in next summer’s NBA draft. — Dennis Young, New York Daily News