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A16 SPORTS
Saturday 9 January 2021
Donald, Kelce unanimous AP All-Pros; Rodgers, Henry chosen

By BARRY WILNER better at," Adams says. "I
AP Pro Football Writer feel like I'm a pretty com-
Dynamic defensive star plete receiver. ... It's just
Aaron Donald and unstop- fine-tuning the things I do
pable tight end Travis Kelce well and just figuring out a
were unanimous choices way to do them even bet-
Friday for The Associated ter."
Press NFL All-Pro Team. Diggs was traded by Min-
Green Bay quarterback nesota to Buffalo in the off-
Aaron Rodgers was select- season and made a huge
ed for the third time, finish- impact as the Bills won their
ing ahead of Kansas City's first AFC East title in 25 years.
Patrick Mahomes in voting "For me, it was just in what-
from a nationwide panel ever situation I was going to
of 50 media members who be put in or chosen in, I was
regularly cover the league. just going to embrace,"
Last season's Super Bowl said Diggs, who finished
MVP shared second-team the regular season with 127
honors with Josh Allen of catches for 1,535 yards and
Buffalo. eight touchdowns.
Tennessee running back The Packers and Colts led
Derrick Henry, who ran for all teams with four All-Pros
2,027 yards to win his sec- apiece. Green Bay left
ond consecutive rushing Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell tackle David Bakhtiari, who
Wilson during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle, in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, file
title, was named All-Pro for photo. is out for the playoffs after
the first time after leading Associated Press injuring a knee in practice
the AFC South champion during the final week of the
Titans to their first division "I think the best display of so special on the field," Ma- Pro along with Rodgers, regular season, made it for
title in 12 years. greatness is making people homes said. among the favorites to the second time. Center
"Very consistent, very du- around you better," Rams Joining Donald and Kelce win MVP after guiding the Corey Linsley was a first-
rable, very impressive," coach Sean McVay said of were 15 players returning Packers (13-3) to the top time selection.
coach Mike Vrabel said Donald. "And that's exactly to the squad, and 14 new- seed in the NFC. Indianapolis has interior
of the NFL's first winner of what he does, by the way comers. Seattle linebacker Joining Henry as first-time lineman DeForest Buck-
back-to-back rushing titles he influences them every Bobby Wagner also made choices among skill play- ner and linebacker Darius
since Hall of Famer LaDai- single week." his sixth squad. ers were Buffalo wideout Leonard on the defense,
nian Tomlinson in 2006-07. Mahomes lauded Kelce for "The marvelous durability Stefon Diggs, who led the left guard Quenton Nelson
Donald, who has helped the way he approaches his that he's demonstrated for NFL in catches and yards on offense, and George
the Los Angeles Rams to the job. middle linebacker after all receiving, and Rodgers' fa- Odum as the special team-
top-ranked defense in the "For a guy to have that these years is just off the vorite target, Davante Ad- er. Nelson is a three-time
NFL, earned his sixth All-Pro much talent, work that charts," Seahawks coach ams. All-Pro, Leonard a double
selection. It was the third for hard and be able to learn Pete Carroll said. "For me, honestly, I think it's selection, while Buckner
Kansas City's record-setting really every single day like Kansas City receiver Tyreek just been finding different and Odum made it for the
Kelce. that, that's what makes him Hill is now a three-time All- small things that I can get first time.q

Virus concerns hit Dallas, Columbus as NHL season looms

players off the ice "out of dance with NHL COVID-19 The Canadian division
abundance of caution" in protocols." cleared its final hurdle Fri-
another reminder that the The NHL successfully com- day when Manitoba an-
pandemic will likely play pleted its pandemic-inter- nounced it will allow the
havoc with the season rupted season in twin play- Winnipeg Jets to play home
opening next Wednesday. off bubbles last fall without games during the pan-
Dallas had been set to any positive tests but has demic. The province joined
open the season Jan. 14 warned that the upcoming Quebec, Ontario, Alberta
at Florida. The NHL said it season will be a challenge. and British Columbia in ap-
was "reviewing and revis- The NHL has shortened the proving the league's plan
ing" the Stars' schedule and regular season to 56 games for play in Canada.
the opener was not likely to for each of its 31 teams, There will be no fans at
be any earlier than Jan. 19, who will play only division Canadian arenas, at least
currently a rematch in Tam- foes and sometimes mul- to start the schedule. Play-
pa Bay against the Stanley tiple times in a matter of a ers and team staff will be
Columbus Blue Jackets players gather at center ice during NHL Cup champion Lightning. few days. restricted to the hotel and
hockey practice Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. The Dallas players and staff The divisions themselves rink when on the road,
Associated Press are self-isloating and the were also realigned based among other protocols.
team's training facilities on geography in an effort "The protocols here are
By The Associated Press back the opener for the were closed for the next to limit travel; the North very good," Toronto Maple
The NHL said Friday that six defending Western Confer- several days amid contact Division includes only the Leafs goalie Frederik An-
Dallas Stars players and two ence champions by nearly tracing. The Blue Jackets, seven Canadian teams to dersen said. "Of course,
staff members have tested a week. who open their season the avoid the complications of we're happy to do what we
positive for COVID-19 in a The Columbus Blue Jack- same night at Nashville, cross-border travel to and like to do. And I feel grate-
development that will push ets also held a number of said its move was "in accor- from the U.S. ful for that."q