Gerry Philbin, DE who helped Namath’s New York Jets win Super Bowl, dies at 83

NEW YORK >> Gerry Philbin, a defensive end who helped the New York Jets shock the Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl after the 1968 season, has died, the team announced Friday. He was 83.

The cause of death was dementia, Philbin’s family told ESPN.

Philbin spent nine seasons with the Jets and was a two-time All-AFL selection.

In the third Super Bowl on Jan. 12, 1969, the Jets and quarterback Joe Namath brought legitimacy to the AFL and turned the game into a must-watch event when they beat the NFL champion Baltimore Colts 16-7. Philbin led a defense that forced five turnovers and held the Colts to their lowest point total of the season. The NFL and AFL merged in 1970.

A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Philbin was a three-year starter at the University of Buffalo and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1964 NFL draft. He chose to play for the AFL’s Jets instead and played 110 games over nine seasons for New York from 1964-72.

Masai Ujiri fired as Raptors president and vice chairman after 13 years with franchise

TORONTO >> Toronto Raptors president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri was fired Friday after 13 years with the franchise.

Ujiri joined the Raptors in 2013 as executive vice president and general manager. He was promoted to president in 2016 and surrendered his responsibilities as GM in 2017, when Bobby Webster took over.

The 54-year-old Ujiri, who was heading into the final year of his contract, led the Raptors to their only NBA title in 2019.

“During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it,” Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement. “He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best.”

The move was announced one day after the conclusion of the NBA draft. The Raptors said a search for Ujiri’s successor will begin immediately.

Webster was given a contract extension, the Raptors said. Terms of that deal were not disclosed.

Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. >> Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers’ latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request.

“Eight more years! Eight more years!” they chanted, over and over.

They got their wish.

Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year’s playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason — is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season.

“Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”

— The Associated Press