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sports Diasabra 23 Januari 2021

Steelers tight end Vance McDonald retiring after 8 seasons

(AP) — Vance McDonald can find respite, refreshment
could sense last spring the and renewal."
end of his NFL career was
in the offing. McDonald spent time on the
COVID-19 reserve list this
The Pittsburgh Steelers tight season after testing positive
end's urge to branch out be- for the novel coronavirus
yond the football field — shortly after a win over Dal-
one that bubbled for years las on Nov. 8. He missed two
— came to a head during the games while in the protocol
early days of the COVID-19 and his playing time fluctu-
pandemic. ated wildly upon his return.

“It just came down to feel- McDonald said his bout with
ing that call to just step away the virus only reinforced his
from football,” McDonald decision that it was time.
said.
“It created even a bigger fire
And so he did, retiring on underneath me, it stirred
Friday after eight seasons more passion in me to get
to focus on both his char- (Hidden Meadow) up and
ity foundation and the work running," McDonald said.
that lays ahead on the west-
ern Pennsylvania farm he McDonald offered no insight
plans to turn into a retreat for into whether Roethlisberger
Christian leaders. ly chased down Chicago's on just 44% of Pittsburgh's 2020 nominee for the Wal- — who he sat next to in the
Marcus Cooper to prevent offensive snaps this season, ter Payton Man of the Year locker room for the final
McDonald kept the decision a touchdown following a down from 69% in 2019 and Award, given annually to a three seasons of his career —
to himself until Pittsburgh's blocked field goal early in his 51% in 2018. player who makes a signifi- will return for an 18th season
loss to Cleveland in the first first year in Pittsburgh and cant positive impact in their in 2021, though he believes
round of the playoffs earlier planted Tampa Bay's Chris The Steelers held a 2021 club community. McDonald and Roethlisberger “can still play
this month. He approached Canty into the turf on Mon- option worth $5.2 million Roethlisberger started the at a high level.”
close friend Ben Roethlis- day Night Football in 2018 for McDonald, who caught Trucks of Hope campaign
berger in the aftermath and with a devastating stiff arm just 15 passes for 99 yards in during the spring, a drive Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
the two embraced while on his way to a 75-yard score. his final season. McDonald's that brought trucks full of praised McDonald's influ-
fighting back tears. “I will honestly miss holding retirement likely kept Pitts- nonperishable food, PPE ence not only in the locker
the football and running into burgh's front office from let- and cleaning supplies to over room but the city.
“It wasn’t really about foot- a human being as hard as I ting him walk this spring and 1,000 families in Western
ball,” McDonald said. “We possibly can, because that is McDonald had no interest in Pennsylvania. “He was a class act on and
just looked at each other and something I appreciate,” Mc- starting over elsewhere. off the field, leading many of
how thankful we are for the Donald said with a laugh. The program only deepened our efforts in the community
friendship.” “I know there’s going to be a McDonald's resolve to move while also being a voice for
McDonald finishes his career lot of changes with the Steel- on to the next phase of his our social justice efforts and
McDonald spent the first with 181 receptions for 2,036 ers moving forward,” Mc- life. He and his wife Kendi the community work during
four years of his career in San yards and 15 touchdowns. Donald said, later adding, established Hidden Meadows the pandemic,” Tomlin said
Francisco before arriving in His playing time decreased "I’m very, very happy to retire Retreat in Ligonier, Pennsyl- in a statement. "I wish he and
Pittsburgh on the eve of the in 2020 as Pittsburgh went a Steeler. I’m very happy to vania — about an hour east of his family nothing but the
2017 season. He became a fan to a more pass-heavy offense. do it on my own terms.” Pittsburgh — to create a place best in his retirement and his
favorite for his physical play The former second-round where “faith-based leaders, continued work to be a pillar
and intensity. He famous- pick in the 2013 draft played McDonald is Pittsburgh's non-profit teams, and others in the community.”

Goggia wins another World Cup downhill, Johnson takes 3rd

(AP) — Olympic champi- far. star who was also runner-up week, laughed and held up to be patient about the sec-
on Sofia Goggia won the Goggia raced through swirl- in the season-opening down- three fingers after seeing she ond place and the first place.”
World Cup downhill race ing winds at Crans-Montana hill. “There was so much was in third place yet again, Overall leader Petra Vlhova
and emerging American to seal her third straight wind I did not know what to 0.57 behind the winner. posted an impressive fourth
star Breezy Johnson was downhill win 0.20 seconds expect.” “It’s definitely getting funny," place to extend her lead over
third — yet again — on ahead of Ester Ledecka, who American rival Johnson ex- said the Wyoming native, Michelle Gisin, who was out
Friday. is an Olympic champion tended her streak of placing who rose to second in the of the points in 33rd place.
in Alpine skiing and snow- third in each downhill after downhill standings behind
The two downhill stand- boarding. entering the season without Goggia. “I’ve been patient Vlhova, a slalom specialist,
outs of this season have now a podium finish in her World about not having a podium finished 0.89 behind Goggia
shared a podium in all four of “I didn’t expect to win to- Cup career. for like four years on the in her 17th consecutive start
the marquee speed races so day," said Goggia, the Italian Johnson, who turned 25 this World Cup. Now I just need in all races this season.