chicagotribune--2020-03-23--Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson say they feel better after being treated for coronavirus

`` Hey , folks .
Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better , '' Hanks tweeted Sunday @ @ @ @ @ place works like this : You do n't give it to anyone -You do n't @ @ @ @ @ Common sense , no ?
Going to take awhile , but if we take care @ @ @ @ @ where we can , and give up some comforts ... this , too , shall @ @ @ @ @ this out .
Hanx . ''

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are feeling better after being treated for COVID19. The couple, who announced two week ago they had coronavirus, also recommended those hoping to halt its spread should stay home.
"Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better," Hanks tweeted Sunday night. "Sheltering in place works like this: You don't give it to anyone -You don't get it from anyone. Common sense, no? Going to take awhile, but if we take care of each other, help where we can, and give up some comforts...this, too, shall pass. We can figure this out. Hanx."
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Meanwhile, Wilson has been sharpening her rap skills while in isolation. She posted a four-minute long video, captioned “Quarantine Stir Crazy. See it to believe it,” Sunday on Instagram where she flawlessly spouts the lyrics to Naughty by Nature’s 1992 hit “Hop Hop Hooray.”
Hanks and Wilson were self-quarantined in Australia, where Hanks was filming a movie about Elvis Presley. He is playing Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager, in the film directed by Baz Luhrmann. Production is currently suspended.
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"We are taking it one-day-at-a-time," Hanks wrote last week. "There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no? Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx."
Actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson arrive for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
The duo were the first celebrities to go public with their diagnosis of coronavirus. Since isolating themselves on March 11, they provided multiple updates on the status of their health.
“Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed,” Hanks wrote at the time on social media. “We Hanks’ will be tested observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?”


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Suburban teacher who sued after she was denied paid maternity leave loses case in Illinois Supreme C

Suburban teacher who sued after she was denied paid maternity leave loses case in Illinois Supreme Court

“ We are disappointed in the Supreme Court ’ s decision , and wish that the Court gave more serious @ @ @ @ @ position , ” Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the last stop for our members and their families .
… IEA will @ @ @ @ @ what we believe was always in the school code : an affirmative right to take @ @ @ @ @ of a child regardless of when the child is born .
”

Margaret Dynak, a teacher in Wood Dale, gave birth to one of her kids in the spring and wanted to save her paid time off for fall. Her district denied her request, and the Supreme Court has sided with the district. (Family photo)
A four-year legal battle that pitted a suburban teacher against her employer ended Thursday when the Illinois Supreme Court sided with the school district, ruling the teacher was not entitled to all of her paid sick leave because she gave birth just before summer break and had ample time to recover before her job resumed.
The ruling, which sets a precedent for most of the state’s public school teachers, held that Wood Dale District 7 doesn’t have to let teachers carry over benefits to the new school year for births that occurred during or right before summer break. Nothing precludes teachers, however, from taking unpaid time off through the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.
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In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Anne Burke wrote that a measure in the Illinois School Code granting 30 days of paid sick leave to male and female teachers for “birth, adoption, or placement for adoption” must be used immediately.
The Supreme Court decision upheld lower rulings in DuPage County and appeals courts.
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“We find the most reasonable and consistent reading of the statute is that it allows an employee who experiences a qualifying event to use accumulated paid sick leave at the time of that event, not later at the employee’s discretion,” Burke wrote.
But the union representing elementary school teacher Margaret Dynak, the plaintiff who filed the lawsuit, said it is prepared to bring the issue before lawmakers and petition for a change the courts did not supply.
“We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision, and wish that the Court gave more serious consideration to Margaret’s position,” Illinois Education Association President Kathi Griffin said in a statement. “That said, this isn’t the last stop for our members and their families. … IEA will advocate for language that confirms what we believe was always in the school code: an affirmative right to take paid leave for the birth of a child regardless of when the child is born.”
When the IEA argued the case before the justices in January, attorneys said the School Code did not explicitly prohibit a teacher from taking sick leave connected to childbirth, even if the period was interrupted by a school break. The union also contended the law addressed more than solely the medical need to recover from childbirth since it mentions adoption and seems to consider time that a parent needs to bond with a child.
Unconvinced, Burke pointed to a key provision in the School Code she said undermined the union’s analysis: a requirement that teachers obtain written authorization from a doctor if they need to take sick leave for longer than 30 days following birth.
“If, as plaintiff, contends, an employee can take 30 days of paid sick leave ‘for birth’ months or even years after the birth, it would be illogical to require a medical certificate in order to extend that 30-day period,” Burke wrote. She continued, saying “there is no evidence in the text that the legislature intended to create a vested right in an employee to take paid sick leave on any days the employee chooses.”
In an emailed statement, the school district said it was “pleased” with the ruling, which now makes clear how administrators should interpret the sick leave provision. In January, Superintendent John Corbett told the Tribune that while the "legislature is free to change the law, and the union is free to bargain for such a benefit, the present law does not support Ms. Dynak’s claim to paid parental leave, as the lower courts have held.”
The ruling represents the conclusion to a case that began in June 2016 when Dynak gave birth to a daughter, her second child. At the time, Dynak notified the school district that she was scheduled to have a C-section a day before school let out for the summer, according to her lawsuit.
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Though Dynak had accumulated enough sick time to cover the 30-day maximum allowed, she was only permitted to use 1½ days to cover the time she was excused for the procedure, the lawsuit said. She was told she could not take the remaining paid time off when school resumed in the fall, according to her lawsuit. As a result, she took 12 weeks of unpaid leave instead, under FMLA, at the start of the year.
Many teachers use the paid sick time and FMLA leave simultaneously, allowing them to collect a paycheck for the first month of being home. Since Dynak could not do that, her attorneys estimate she lost about $8,000 in wages.
The lawsuit sought to recoup those wages and asked justices to grant Dynak money to cover attorney’s fees. Since the ruling was not in her favor, she will not receive any monetary relief.
Though the case did not turn out her way, Dynak hopes changes can be achieved another way so new parents don’t have to go through the saga that she did.
“After the district denied my request, I chose to take unpaid leave to spend time with my new daughter, even though it was an extremely difficult time to go without a paycheck,” she said in a statement. "I felt very strongly that I needed to spend that time with my daughter. It’s irreplaceable.”
echerney@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Cops: Second suspect in custody for Red Line attack that left former Marine dead

Balde struggled to free himself as he was dragged along the platform and into a tunnel , where his head @ @ @ @ @ a metal partition , according to authorities .
Following his arrest last Friday , Munn @ @ @ @ @ Balde out of loyalty to his friend , but said he was only trying to @ @ @ @ @ ground .

A Humboldt Park man was held without bail Friday on charges he attacked a former Marine who was shoved between Red Line train cars and dragged to his death earlier this month.
Fajour Hodges, 19, of the 1200 block of North Artesian Avenue, was arrested on a murder warrant Thursday and charged with first-degree murder for the April 6 death of Mamadou Balde, according to Chicago police.
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Fajour Hodges, 19, was charged with first-degree murder for the April 6 death of Mamadou Balde, 29. - Original Credit: Chicago police (HANDOUT)
Prosecutors have already charged Ryan Munn in Balde’s death, a crime that shocked the city trying to cope with the COVID-19 outbreak and stay-at-home order. The attack was captured on CTA surveillance cameras, and three witnesses identified Munn and Hodges as the assailants, prosecutors have said.
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Prosecutors said Near North District police officers recognized Munn and Hodges from prior contact they’d had with both. Police had been seeking Hodges since shortly after the attack, but the arrest warrant was issued this week after he missed a hearing at the Skokie courthouse on an unrelated retail theft case, according to records.
In court Friday, prosecutors said Hodges was standing on the platform with Munn when Balde, who was intoxicated, struck up a conversation with him. During the brief exchange, Balde appeared to be smiling and joking with Hodges, despite momentarily raising his fists to his chin “as if he was jokingly putting up his dukes,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said.
As Balde was smiling, Hodges allegedly punched Balde in the face, knocking him backward toward a stopped train. Prosecutors said Munn joined in, throwing punches and shoving Balde until he fell between the cars of the slow-moving train.
Fatoumata Balde, sister of Mamadou Balde, holds a cellphone showing an image of her brother as a Marine. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)
Balde struggled to free himself as he was dragged along the platform and into a tunnel, where his head and upper body violently struck a metal partition, according to authorities. Following his arrest last Friday, Munn admitted taking a swing at Balde out of loyalty to his friend, but said he was only trying to push the victim to the ground.
Hodges’ attorney William Wolf said in court Friday that first-degree murder was an inappropriate charge, since there was no indication of “an intention or even a knowledge that they were taking an action that was going to kill him.”
Hodges has asthma, Wolf said, indicating that he had “medical concerns” about keeping him at the jail during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Judge Arthur Wesley Willis ordered Hodges held without bail, saying it seemed Hodges initiated the contact when he started punching the victim. Munn was also held without bail over the weekend.


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu’s dad says his son is ’98% or 99%' committed to remaining in the NBA draft

“ From grade school to high school to college , he ’ s a winner , ” Quam Dosunmu said @ @ @ @ @ his work ethic .
It ’ s off the charts .
He ’ s worked @ @ @ @ @ that comes from repetitions .
If you can improve your body in two years , @ @ @ @ @ winning , that 3-point shot will come .
That ’ s not a concern .
@ @ @ @ @ had nine game-winning shots .
So that ’ s not the case .
He can @ @ @ @ @

Ayo Dosunmu did not only have to factor in his readiness to take the leap of declaring for the NBA draft. The Illinois sophomore also considered how the coronavirus pandemic could affect his athletic career.
“You never know,” Dosunmu’s dad, Quam, told the Tribune in a phone interview Thursday, a day after Dosunmu announced his decision to forgo his college eligibility. “You have to at least be prepared (when) the opportunity comes. We weren’t taking that away.”
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Dosunmu thinks he’s ready.
His dad said he is "98% or 99%” committed to remaining in the draft. That sliver of a chance of returning to Illinois would be left open, he said, if the family hears Dosunmu would go undrafted or if an unforeseen development forces the NBA to cancel everything through next season.
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“Worst-case scenarios,” Quam said.
Dosunmu, who graduated from Morgan Park, enters the draft during a time of uncertainty. He can receive feedback from NBA teams and return to Illinois if he withdraws before the NCAA’s June 3 deadline for maintaining eligibility.
But when will those feedback periods take place? Will there even be one before the draft?
The NBA suspended its season March 11 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The combine (May 21-24) and draft (June 25) are in question as many states have enacted shelter-in-place orders.
Currently teams are prohibited from conducting in-person workouts, interviews or medical examinations with prospective draftees. They’re limited to four hours of virtual interview time with each player.
NBA teams have encouraged the league to postpone the 2020 draft until at earliest Aug. 1, according to ESPN. Would the NCAA push back its date for players to return and retain their eligibility in that scenario?
Dosunmu’s stock varies in mock drafts, from a first-round pick (NBC Sports) to undrafted.
Most questions about his game surround his jump shot.
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His shooting percentage as a sophomore rose from 43.5% to 48.4%, but his 3-point shooting dropped from 35.2% to 29.6%. He led the Illini with 16.6 points and 3.3 assists this season, hitting multiple winning shots and leading Illinois to its best record (21-10 overall, 13-7 Big Ten) in a decade.
Coach Brad Underwood released a statement Thursday, praising Dosunmu for his achievements.
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“Ayo is part of the foundation of this program,” the statement read. “We’ll forever be grateful to him for sharing in our vision as a high school recruit and the contributions he’s made over the last two years to lead Illinois basketball back to national prominence. Ayo epitomizes our culture with his work ethic and the way he handles himself on and off the court. ... Ayo Dosunmu is forever a proud Fighting Illini.”
Dosunmu has said his decision to leave Illinois early was based on accomplishing team goals. Illinois was set to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 before the postseason was canceled.
“From grade school to high school to college, he’s a winner,” Quam Dosunmu said. “You look at his work ethic. It’s off the charts. He’s worked on body. Shooting, that comes from repetitions. If you can improve your body in two years, if he can improve on winning, that 3-point shot will come. That’s not a concern. Can he shoot? He had nine game-winning shots. So that’s not the case. He can get it done.”
Dosunmu won’t hire an agent until the families know more certainly about a draft date, Quam Dosunmu said.
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Dosunmu is working out at home, using the family hoop to get in shots. Quam Dosunmu jokes about his 20-year-old son eating so much food.
Ayo is prepared to move on — and might just surprise some people, he said.
“When the combine (takes place), people are going to be like, ‘Wow,’” Quam said. “He’s going to take things to another level.”


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Chicago State women’s basketball coach Misty Opat resigns after 2 seasons

Opat had coached only two seasons for the Cougars , who finished 1-27 this season after a 2-28 record in @ @ @ @ @ s program has long been struggling .

Chicago State women’s basketball coach Misty Opat has resigned, according to a school spokeswoman.
Opat had coached only two seasons for the Cougars, who finished 1-27 this season after a 2-28 record in 2018-19. Chicago State’s program has long been struggling.
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Opat said via text message Thursday that she left on her own accord.
She was hired in August 2018 by then-athletic director Chris Zorich, who was released in August 2019. Chicago State hired Elliott Charles as athletic director in November.
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Opat arrived at Chicago State from Rock Valley College in Rockford, where she spent 10 seasons as head coach and athletic director. She led Rock Valley to four National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championships.
She left coaching for seven seasons to raise her three nieces and later adopted a young son.


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--‘It may not be the same way that it was:’ Local libraries plan scenarios for eventual reopening

“ There ’ s a great of deal of thinking about what will work , how to keep people safe @ @ @ @ @ to have appropriate physical distancing , what kinds of in-person programs we would be able @ @ @ @ @ computers we can have and how far apart they need to be , ” said @ @ @ @ @ for the Skokie Public Library .

Caution tape blocks an outside return box at the Niles-Maine District Library on April 16. Area library directors are developing plans for when buildings will be allowed to reopen. (Jennifer Johnson / Pioneer Press)
When public libraries finally reopen their doors after the COVID-19 shutdown ends, they won’t be quite the same places they were before, local directors say.
With expectations that social distancing will be necessary for an extended period of time and lingering concerns about the spread of COVID-19, directors of several area libraries say that reopening the buildings will likely happen in stages. They will also likely take extra precautions based on guidance from health agencies.
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Directors of the Park Ridge, Niles-Maine, Morton Grove, Skokie and Lincolnwood Libraries said the plans they are developing include such measures as:
Outside pick-ups and drop-offs of requested materials
Limits on the number of patrons allowed inside libraries at any one time
Fewer pieces of furniture
New screening between patrons and staff
Cancellation of on-site programs
“It may not be the same way that it was for a long time, if ever,” said Heidi Smith, director of the Park Ridge Public Library.
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How far apart should people, computers be?
Libraries closed their doors to the public in mid-March following Gov. J.B Pritzker’s statewide stay at home order. That order currently lasts through April 30, but library officials are waiting to see if it will be extended further.
All agree that the many uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and what health officials will next recommend has hampered their abilities to form specific reopening plans.
“There’s a great of deal of thinking about what will work, how to keep people safe, what needs to change to have appropriate physical distancing, what kinds of in-person programs we would be able to have, how many computers we can have and how far apart they need to be,” said Christine Robinson, communications strategist for the Skokie Public Library.
Susan Dove Lempke, director of the Niles-Maine District Library, said fully reopening the building will take time.
“It’s really tricky to give people access to the collections and the building and not have it be a place where germs are spread,” she noted. “We are trying to bear public and staff safety in mind.”
At the Park Ridge Library, which completed an interior renovation project last year, Smith envisions a reopening will begin with unlocking the exterior book and media returns and allowing patrons to return the thousands of items they checked out prior to March 13.
After that, the picture is less clear, including when members of the public will be allowed back inside the building, Smith indicated.
“Once we have more information I think we’ll be better able to decide that,” Smith said. “If (the Centers for Disease Control) says limit groups to 10, we won’t be able to go back to having 1,000 people in the building per day.”
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How to limit germs in children’s department and elsewhere?
What to do about the typically busy children’s department is also unclear.
“Before we closed, we put all the toys away — anything that would tempt a kid to interact,” Smith said.
“I’ve heard some libraries talking about specific hours for protected groups,” she continued. “Maybe we need to have special hours for kids. But anything we do, we’ve got to think of the potential risk to the staff as well.”
Currently, the library is without protective gear for its employees, Smith said. While a staff member is working to sew masks, the library donated any gloves and medical masks it had to the Park Ridge Fire Department, she said.
Book drops are closed outside the Park Ridge Public Library on April 16. Area library directors are developing plans for how to reopen their buildings when allowed to do so. (Jennifer Johnson / Pioneer Press)
Offering curbside service before opening the library to any members of the public is an option each library is exploring, representatives said.
“Curbside pick-up is definitely one of the things we are talking about and we’re developing a plan for that,” said Pam Leffler, executive director of the Morton Grove Public Library.
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Once buildings do reopen, they may not look exactly the same as before the closures.
Josephine Tucci, director of the Lincolnwood Public Library, said furniture will likely be relocated and used as barriers to prevent congregating and encourage social distancing.
“We’re a small library so we don’t want to pack people in,” she said.
Lempke said she expects some of the building’s furniture to be removed completely in order to reduce the amount of surfaces on which the COVID-19 virus can live. Study rooms will be locked and closing off certain part of the building is also a possibility, she said.
Patrons may avoid programs and story times
In-building programming — from children’s story times to guest speakers and live entertainment — will also be impacted, directors say.
Currently, libraries are offering a number of programs virtually through social media and video conferencing apps. That will continue for the near future, even if buildings reopen, in Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood and Skokie, the library representatives said.
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In Park Ridge, all in-person programs have been cancelled through Aug. 31, and in Morton Grove, Leffler also expects all planned summer programs will cancelled. Lempke said she expects it will be “a long time” before programs return, while Skokie and Lincolnwood Libraries have so far cancelled programming through the end of June.
All summer reading clubs have been changed to virtual ones at the five libraries.
Whether people will want to attend in-person events once the libraries reopen is also uncertain, some library officials said.
“In terms of having things in our auditorium, like movies or concerts, it’s very hard to say when people are going to feel comfortable being in a big room with a lot of people,” Robinson said. “We’re kind of in a wait and see. Looking back four, five weeks, did any of us see this coming? What business do we have thinking ahead to July?”
An additional hurdle for the Skokie Library is the renovation project that is currently underway.
“The (work) schedule is uncertain now because of supply chain issues,” Robinson said. Some of the work may also be slowed down due to social distancing practices, she added.
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Tucci said libraries will have to adjust to a “new normal,” but she and Smith agree that adapting to change is what libraries have always done.
“Libraries are great at changing with the needs of their communities,” Tucci said. “We’re just going to keep our minds open on how we can do that.”
“It’s times like these that libraries are most important to their communities,” Smith said. “We’re really going to value the input we get from our community.”
jjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Willow Creek church names new senior pastor

“ Dave has a heart for reaching the lost , growing people as followers of Jesus , and extending compassion @ @ @ @ @ ” the church ’ s elder board said in a series of statements about the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s website .
“ Each of those values is central to us as a @ @ @ @ @ continue to help Willow pursue those values .
”

David Dummitt has been named the new senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. (KAIROS Company)
Willow Creek Community Church, the influential evangelical megachurch based in South Barrington, has named a new senior pastor.
David Dummitt, the founding and lead pastor at a community church network in southeast Michigan, will take over the top role at the church beginning in June, the elder board announced this week.
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Dummitt, the elder board said in announcing the decision, “is an innovative, entrepreneurial pastor and leader with a strong passion to help people take first and next steps with God.”
Willow Creek, in addition to its main campus in South Barrington, also has other church locations in Chicago and the suburbs.
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Dummitt, who attended Wheaton College and Asbury Theological Seminary, grew the 2|42 Community Church from a small group that met in his living room to a church with a membership of 10,000 people attending services at seven campuses, including in Ann Arbor, Lansing and the Detroit suburbs.
Dummitt previously held the role of North American director of NewThing, a global church-planting organization. He also was on the board of the Solomon Foundation for four years and was involved in creating a technology platform for churches and nonprofits.
Dummitt, a married father of four, will participate in this weekend’s services before preaching for the first time during the June 6 and 7 services, according to the church.
Dummitt was selected from more than 230 candidates and six finalists.
“Dave has a heart for reaching the lost, growing people as followers of Jesus, and extending compassion to those in need,” the church’s elder board said in a series of statements about the new hire on the church’s website. “Each of those values is central to us as a church, and Dave will continue to help Willow pursue those values.”
Willow Creek was founded in 1975 by Bill Hybels. Hybels stepped down in 2018 in the wake of a Tribune investigation that revealed allegations of misconduct with women — including church employees — that spanned decades. Hybels denied the allegations.
The alleged behavior reported on by the Tribune included suggestive comments, extended hugs, an unwanted kiss and invitations to hotel rooms. It also included an allegation of a prolonged consensual affair with a married woman who later recanted that claim to church leaders.
The Tribune found that internal church reviews of Hybels and the allegations repeatedly cleared him of wrongdoing, and Willow Creek leaders initially stood by those prior inquiries.
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A 2019 report from a council calling itself the Independent Advisory Group concluded that claims of “sexually inappropriate words and actions” against the well-known pastor were credible, and that Hybels should have faced discipline if he had not resigned. The report also concluded Hybels “verbally and emotionally intimidated both female and male employees.”
At the peak of its reach, Willow Creek welcomed some 25,000 congregants to its main campus and seven satellite churches. It also had spread its brand of Christian worship to 11,000 churches in 130 countries.


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Watch live: President Trump and members of the coronavirus task force hold a press briefing

Watch live as members of the coronavirus task force provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak in a news briefing @ @ @ @ @ .
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chicagotribune--2020-04-16--A look inside Wrigley Field, now a satellite site for the Lakeview Pantry during the pandemic

About 50 vehicles are at the scene of a crash on the Kennedy Expressway near North Avenue early Wednesday and @ @ @ @ @ to hospitals , according to the Chicago Fire Department .
In addition to the 14 @ @ @ @ @ hospitals , 32 others were evaluated at the scene but will not be transported , @ @ @ @ @ traction on the expressway caused multiple collisions , according to fire officials .
Illinois State @ @ @ @ @ that roads are covered in sheets of ice , which have caused multiple vehicle crashes @ @ @ @


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--A new logo is being rolled out to unite the Hispanic community. But will it catch on?

We Are All Human created a logo of a star with a tilde on top and is rolling out the @ @ @ @ @ way to highlight the contributions made by the community in the U.S .
The symbol @ @ @ @ @ works long before the coronavirus pandemic , is free to use by businesses and organizations @ @ @ @ @ part of the campaign .

After working for 25 years as a marketer with global institutions like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, Claudia Romo Edelman wanted to create something to unite the Hispanic community.
Romo Edelman was born in Mexico, and before arriving in the U.S. she never heard the term Hispanic used to describe individuals from Spanish-speaking countries.
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“Five years ago I moved to the U.S., where I discovered I was a Hispanic. ... I’m from Mexico, and it’s always been I’m Mexican,” Romo Edelman said.
The new logo for We Are All Human, a New York-based nonprofit that advocates for diversity and inclusion, debuted in April 2020. CEO Claudia Romo Edelman wanted to create something to unite the Hispanic community together under one symbol. (We Are All Human)
Now the founder and CEO of We Are All Human, a New York-based nonprofit that advocates for diversity and inclusion, Romo Edelman wants to bring the Hispanic community together under one symbol.
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We Are All Human created a logo of a star with a tilde on top and is rolling out the so-called Hispanic Star as a way to highlight the contributions made by the community in the U.S. The symbol, which was in the works long before the coronavirus pandemic, is free to use by businesses and organizations that want to be a part of the campaign.
The nonprofit also is relying on ambassadors to use the star on their social media accounts and find creative ways to showcase the symbol. Chicago public relations firm Edelman, which is headed by her husband Richard Edelman, is helping with media relations.
Romo Edelman said she hopes the symbol works much like the well-recognized pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness and the rainbow flag for the LGBTQ community. During the 1970s, Gilber Baker, a gay rights activist and artist, designed the rainbow flag as part of an effort to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. The flag later became synonymous with the Gay Rights Movement. Today, rainbow-themed merchandise is used by companies and other groups to show support for the LGBTQ community.
“It’s a very effective symbol,” said Pradeep Chintagunta, professor of marketing at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Claudia Romo Edelman is founder and CEO of We Are All Human, a New York-based nonprofit that advocates for diversity and inclusion. (Chia Messina/We Are All Human)
According to the Pew Research Center, there are nearly 60 million Hispanics in the country, including more than 1.3 million in Cook County. But those individuals come from different cultures and countries united by the same language.
Broad campaigns like the one We Are All Human is launching tend to have a hard time because lots of different subgroups fall under the Hispanic umbrella, Chintagunta said.
“One of the biggest challenges for this community is that you are trying to appeal to a diverse group, made up of different generations, the older and younger, and people with different backgrounds,” Chintagunta said.
Chintagunta said a clear message is key in getting people to purchase a product or use a service. Nike, for example, has effectively branded its products with the swoosh logo, which has become universally associated with physical activity and sports, Chintagunta said. Organizations also have found that a clear message works best when raising funds for charities, Chintagunta said.
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“You need to have a clear objective or mission. Why do you want to do this? What is it you are trying to accomplish? It needs to be specified. It shouldn’t come across to the community like it’s another logo,” Chintagunta said.
In 2016, Major League Baseball sponsored a campaign titled “Ponle Acento," or put the accent on it in English. The campaign, which added accent marks to the names on Latino players’ jerseys, was an effort to recognize MLB players from Spanish-speaking countries and get more Hispanic fans into stadiums.
“Latinos were not identifying with baseball. The strategy was to add the accent marks, sometimes by stitching them on players’ jerseys. ... They were trying to find something all Hispanics have in common,” said Juan Mundel, a professor of advertising at DePaul University’s College of Communication.
The strategy worked, according to Mundel, who said a diverse group of fans began filling stadiums to see teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“There are so many things that go into a marketing campaign, but what it needs is to speak with Hispanics,” Mundel said.
But in order to reach the diverse Spanish-speaking community, We Are All Human needs to include immigrants as well, said Jaime di Paulo president and CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
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“We just don’t fit in one box. ... We are more like a smorgasbord,” di Paulo said.
In Illinois, the Hispanic chamber represents more than 100,000 Hispanic-owned businesses, including 5,000 that are paid members, di Paulo said. “We all have a different story and we need to consider that,” he said.
Romo Edelman said her group is enlisting the help of national organizations like the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and other nonprofits that cater to the Hispanic community to support the campaign.
“One of the main issues is that we are fragmented as a community,” she said.
By tapping local leaders and getting nonprofits that serve Hispanics to adopt the logo, Romo Edelman said she hopes the symbol will grow and allies will begin to use it to show their support.
We Are All Human planned to launch its Hispanic Star campaign at the opening day for the White Sox game in March, Romo Edelman said. The launch of the campaign was going to feature a pre-recorded Spanish language version of The Star-Spangled Banner, which was first commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, in addition to the English version before the game, Romo Edelman said.
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When the new coronavirus pandemic struck, postponing baseball season, she shifted the focus of the campaign to create a clearinghouse of information and resources for Hispanic small businesses and independent contractors financially affected by the health crisis.
“This campaign was a way to help Hispanics shine. Right now what we need is a plan to recover so then we can shine,” she said.
On Tuesday, the nonprofit unveiled the recording of the national anthem in Spanish to honor the millions of Hispanics working the front lines to fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The group, which launched in 2017, already has another initiative called the Hispanic Promise, which is an effort to get companies to hire, promote and retain Hispanic workers. More than 150 employers signed We Are All Human’s pledge, Romo Edelman said.
Romo Edelman said the most critical issue her group is dealing with is recovery for the small businesses owned by Hispanics.
“We need to have a voice, especially for Hispanics risking their lives to keep the country running,” Romo Edelman said.
abjimenez@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @abdel1019


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Tracking the Bears’ moves in free agency: Sherrick McManis becomes the 3rd member of the secondary t

Tracking the Bears’ moves in free agency: Sherrick McManis becomes the 3rd member of the secondary to re-sign on a 1-year deal

What it means : The Bears get an upgrade at edge rusher with the swap .
Quinn , who will @ @ @ @ @ joins the Bears and All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack for his 10th NFL season .
@ @ @ @ @ with the Cowboys in 2019 , the second-most in his career behind the 19 he @ @ @ @ @ All-Pro .
He also had 22 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for a loss , @ @ @ @ @ passes defended .
Quinn was a Rams first-round pick in 2011 , and he spent @ @ @ @ @ the team before spending a year each with the Dolphins and Cowboys .
He has @ @ @ @ @ career .
The deal , for $ 70 million with $ 30 million guaranteed , @ @ @ @ @ , with Mack and Akiem Hicks , even more formidable .

The Chicago Bears have been quite active as they build their 2020 roster.
On March 18, general manager Ryan Pace made his biggest move of the offseason, trading a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars to acquire veteran quarterback and former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
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The Tribune’s team is tracking all of the Bears’ moves — with players arriving and exiting — and providing insight into what each move means.
[ Bears draft tracker: 7-player class is complete, from a local tight end to a pair of cornerbacks and a speedy receiver ]
May 13
Former Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara is signing with the Raiders, according to NFL Network .
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What it means: Amukamara will begin his 10th NFL season in Las Vegas after the Bears released him earlier this offseason. The deal reportedly is for one year. Amukamara was a Giants first-round pick in 2011 and played five seasons with the Giants, one with the Jaguars and three with the Bears. He had three interceptions, including a pick-six, and 29 passes defended in his Bears career. The Bears cut Amukamara to clear $9 million in salary-cap space and drafted his expected replacement last month when they took Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson with the 50th pick.
May 5
Edge rusher Aaron Lynch signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars, the team announced .
What it means: Lynch played two seasons in a reserve role for the Bears, totaling five sacks, 22 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss and 17 quarterback hits. A 49ers fifth-round pick in 2014, Lynch will join the Jaguars for his seventh NFL season. He has 20 career sacks. The Bears already had secured reserve outside linebackers to play behind starters Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. They signed former Browns first-round pick Barkevious Mingo to a one-year deal and traded a future draft pick to grab Tulsa’s Trevis Gipson in the fifth round of the draft last month.
April 30
The Bears are adding veteran safety Tashaun Gipson on a one-year deal, according to Pro Football Talk.
What it means: The Bears appear to have a starting safety to play alongside Eddie Jackson. Gipson has started 104 games over eight NFL seasons, including 62 over the last four years with the Jaguars and Texans. He has 23 career interceptions, three of which came in 2019 in his lone season in Houston, and 47 career passes defended, including eight last year. He also had a pick-six in 2019.
Gipson, who will be 30 in August, signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming in 2012. He made the Pro Bowl in 2014, when he returned six interceptions for 158 yards and one touchdown.
The Texans signed Gipson to a three-year, $22.5 million contract last year, but he finished the season on injured reserve with a back injury. They cut him this week.
The Bears are signing veteran receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to a one-year deal, an NFL source confirmed.
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What it means: Ginn, who turned 35 this month, will join the Bears for his 14th NFL season after three with the Saints. He had 30 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games last season. The 2007 Dolphins first-round pick also spent time with the 49ers, Cardinals and Panthers.
Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara knocks a ball down in the end zone as Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn is unable to make a catch in the second quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 20, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
He had three straight seasons of at least 700 receiving yards from 2015-2017, including a career-high 10 touchdown catches in 2015 with the Panthers. He has played in 15 playoff games in his career. And he also was a punt and kick returner earlier in his career, with seven career return touchdowns.
Ginn provides the Bears with a speedy, experienced competitor to join a fairly young receivers room beyond veteran Allen Robinson.
April 29
The Bears signed wide receiver and returner Trevor Davis to a one-year deal, the team announced .
What it means: A fifth-round draft pick by the Packers in 2016, Davis joins the Bears for his fifth NFL season. Davis, 26, played in 31 games with the Packers, totaling nine catches for 122 yards. He bounced between the Packers, Dolphins and Raiders in 2019 and had seven catches for 83 yards in nine games (four starts) with the Raiders.
He also is an experienced return man. He had a career-high 24 punt returns for 289 yards (12.0 average) and 31 kickoff returns for 707 yards (22.8) in 2017. And among his three teams in 2019, he had 22 punt returns for 145 yards (6.6) and 23 kickoff returns for 506 yards (22.0).
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April 28
The Bears signed defensive tackle John Jenkins to a one-year deal, the team announced .
What it means: The Bears are bringing back the seven-year NFL veteran to serve as depth on the defensive line after Nick Williams left for a two-year contract with the Lions. Jenkins has played for five teams since he was drafted in the third round in 2013, including eight games for the Bears in 2017. He played in all 16 games for the Dolphins last year, making five starts, with 34 tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack.
April 22
Tight end Trey Burton signed a one-year contract with the Colts, the team announced .
What it means: It took Burton five days after the Bears cut him to latch on with a new team. He reunites with coach Frank Reich, who was the offensive coordinator with the Eagles for two seasons when Burton was there. Burton’s contract is for the veteran minimum, NFL Network reported, which will deduct from the $4 million the Bears owe him for this season.
The Bears cut Burton after an injury-plagued 2019 season in which he caught just 14 passes for 84 yards over eight games.
We have signed TE Trey Burton. — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 23, 2020
April 17
The Bears are releasing tight end Trey Burton, the team announced.
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What it means: Burton’s tenure in Chicago comes to an end two years before his four-year, $32 million contract is up.
The Bears are cutting him after he totaled 14 catches for 84 yards and no touchdowns during an injury-plagued 2019 season. It’s the latest development for Burton in a dramatic 16-month span that started when he was a late scratch for the 2018 playoff loss to the Eagles because of a groin injury. He had sports hernia surgery last offseason, battled a groin injury over eight games in 2019 and then had hip surgery in December.
The Bears signed veteran tight end Jimmy Graham this offseason, and Burton’s departure could mean they’re eyeing another in next week’s draft.
The Bears are signing former Packers offensive lineman Jason Spriggs to a one-year deal, ESPN reported.
Packers' Jason Spriggs runs a drill at training camp on July 25, 2019. (Morry Gash/AP)
What it means: The 6-foot-6, 301-pound Spriggs adds depth to the Bears at tackle after free agent tackle Cornelius Lucas left for the Redskins. Spriggs, a 2016 second-round pick, has started just nine games for the Packers in his career. He’s dealt with back and elbow injuries leading up to the 2019 season and spent the year on injured reserve. An Elkhart, Ind., native, Spriggs, who will turn 26 next month, was an All-American at Indiana in his senior season in 2015.
The Bears signed free-agent kicker Ramiz Ahmed and exclusive-rights free agents J.P. Holtz and Rashaad Coward, the team announced.
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What it means: Ahmed joins the Bears on a one-year deal as apparent competition for kicker Eddy Pineiro. He last kicked in 2018 at Nevada, where he made 15 of 20 field-goal attempts and 40 of 44 extra-point attempts. He made Nevada’s team in 2017 in a walk-on tryout and did kickoffs that season. The Bears settled on Pineiro after a wild kicking competition last year, and he was 23-for-28 on field goals and 27-for-29 on extra points in his rookie year.
Holtz and Coward return as expected. Coward is expected to compete for the starting spot at right guard with newcomer Germain Ifedi after Coward started 10 games in 2019. Holtz, one of nine tight ends on the roster, played in 14 games for the Bears in 2019 and had seven catches for 91 yards.
April 16
Defensive back Sherrick McManis is expected to re-sign with a one-year contract.
What it means: Veteran defensive back Sherrick McManis is expected to re-sign with the Bears on a one-year contract. The longtime special teams standout will be entering his ninth season with the organization after arriving via a trade during the 2012 preseason. McManis missed the final four games last season with a groin injury that didn’t require surgery. He had 11 tackles in defense last season and a forced fumble in the Week 5 loss to the Raiders in London.
McManis, a Peoria native and Northwestern product, had eight stops on special teams last season. The 32-year-old has 88 special teams tackles in the last eight seasons. He’s the third free agent in the secondary to re-sign with the Bears following safeties Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson. All three are on one-year contracts.
April 15
Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris signed his restricted free-agent tender.
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What it means: The move ensures Robertson-Harris will be back in the fold in 2020. The Bears tendered the former undrafted free agent at the second-round level, meaning he will earn $3.259 million this season. That higher tender ensured no other teams would attempt to lure him away with an offer sheet.
Had the Bears tendered Robertson-Harris at the original-round level, they would have had only right of first refusal on an offer sheet because he was undrafted coming out of UTEP. The 26-year-old had 30 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and 2½ sacks in 15 games last season. Provided he remains healthy, he figures to do well for himself in free agency next March.
By signing the tender, Robertson-Harris will be eligible to participate in the team’s virtual voluntary offseason workout program.
March 25
The Bears are bringing back third-string quarterback Tyler Bray, ESPN reported.
What it means: Bray returns for a third season as the Bears’ third-string quarterback. He spent the last two years on the practice squad behind Mitch Trubisky and Chase Daniel. Bray, 28, has a long history with coach Matt Nagy, dating back to their mutual arrival in Kansas City in 2013. Bray also spent the 2016 Chiefs season with new Bears quarterback Nick Foles.
He has one career pass attempt in one career regular-season appearance, in 2017 with the Chiefs. Even with the signing, the Bears could still draft a quarterback to add to their mix.
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The Bears agreed to a one-year deal with former Seahawks offensive lineman Germain Ifedi, NFL Network reported.
What it means: The Bears are in need of competition at right guard with Rashaad Coward and depth at tackle behind Charles Leno and Bobbie Massie. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Ifedi played both guard and tackle during his four seasons with the Seahawks.
Seahawks offensive guard Germain Ifedi tries to stop Bears linebacker Khalil Mack during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
Ifedi, who will turn 26 in June, was a 2016 first-round draft pick and started 60 games in Seattle, including 100% of their offensive snaps in 2019. He has been called for 12 holding and 29 false start penalties in his career, according to Pro Football Reference.
March 23
The Bears are re-signing safety DeAndre Houston-Carson to a one-year contract, a source told the Tribune.
What it means: Houston-Carson, a sixth-round pick in 2016, is back in the mix as a core special teams player. Houston-Carson has been one of the team’s most dependable players in that area for the last two seasons. With the addition of fellow safety Jordan Lucas, the Bears have been making sure they add depth for special teams coordinator Chris Tabor.
The Bears are bringing back veteran defensive lineman Brent Urban, news that his wife, Kate, announced on Twitter.
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What it means: Urban, 28, appeared in nine games in a reserve role last season after injuries forced some depth moves on the line beginning in October. Urban made 16 tackles and added two pass breakups. A one-year deal for Urban isn’t surprising as the Bears are going to need to add depth to the line, especially after Nick Williams departed for the NFC North rival Lions on a two-year contract. Urban will be in position to compete for a roster spot.
@AdamSchefter DE Brent Urban is re-signing with the Chicago Bears on one year deal. Per source. I’m the source. — Kate Salerno Urban (@Kate_KanSkate) March 23, 2020
The Bears agreed to terms on a one-year deal with outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, NFL Network reported .
What it means: Mingo, 29, looks like a replacement for Aaron Lynch. He’s a veteran that can play a backup role on defense and a core special teams player.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano had Mingo in Indianapolis and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor was in Cleveland when the Browns used the No. 6 pick in 2013 on him. While he has never panned out as a pass rusher — five of his 10 career sacks came during his rookie season — he’s a reliable player that has missed only two games and he has developed as a versatile guy on special teams. The contract is worth $1.187 million. The Bears become Mingo’s sixth team in the last six years.
March 22
The Bears signed safety Jordan Lucas to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported .
What it means: Lucas, 26, joins the Bears after playing two seasons each with the Dolphins and Chiefs. He has played in 49 career games but started just four, in 2018 in Kansas City, when he totaled 32 tackles, a sack, his lone career interception and two passes defended.
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Chiefs safety Jordan Lucas gestures during the first half of a game against the Chargers on Dec. 29, 2019. (Ed Zurga/AP)
Lucas, a former Dolphins sixth-round pick, was a key special teams player for the Chiefs last season, playing 63% of those plays. He provides more depth for a group of safeties that includes Deon Bush, who re-signed with the Bears on Friday and might compete for the starting spot alongside Eddie Jackson. Lucas’ contract is for $1 million.
March 21
Cornerback Artie Burns is joining the Bears on a one-year contract.
What it means: Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed Saturday’s move, a one-year “prove it” deal that puts Burns in position to compete for a starting cornerback job opposite Kyle Fuller.
Steelers cornerback Artie Burns tackles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams during a game on Oct. 13, 2019. (Kyusung Gong/AP)
Burns was a first-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2016, selected No. 25 overall by the Steelers. But he never became the impact playmaker the Steelers hoped. The organization did not pick up his fifth-year option last year and Burns fell deeper into a reserve role. Over four seasons in Pittsburgh, Burns started 32 of the 58 games he played in. He recorded three interceptions as a rookie but only one more over the following three seasons.
Burns has intriguing length and speed and offers a skillset that could allow him to replace Prince Amukamara as a reliable man-to-man cover corner. But he will certainly have to earn that role whenever the Bears are cleared to get back on the practice field. Kevin Tolliver is also in the mix for that job. And the Bears signed CFL star Tre Roberson earlier this winter to compete as well.
March 20
The Bears are signing safety Deon Bush to a one-year contract, ESPN reported.
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What it means: The $1.4 million deal means Bush will return for a fifth season in Chicago. The Bears are in need of a new starter at safety alongside Eddie Jackson after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix signed with the Cowboys. It remains to be seen whether Bush will get a chance to compete for the starting spot or if the Bears have someone else in mind to fill that role, either through free agency or the draft. Bush, a 2016 fourth-round pick, has started eight games over four seasons. He played in 15 games in 2019, playing 5% of the Bears’ snaps on defense and 63% on special teams. He had eight tackles and two passes defended.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is headed to Dallas to play for Cowboys.
What it means: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that Clinton-Dix’s one-year deal in Dallas is worth $4 million with $2.5 million guaranteed, a similar “prove it” deal to what he signed with the Bears last March. It’s no surprise the Bears allowed Clinton-Dix’s contract to expire or that the 27-year-old safety is moving on, now joining his fourth team since 2018.
Dix was signed to play free safety, per source. That would mean that Xavier Woods would move to strong safety https://t.co/2zyAabm4Oh — Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 20, 2020
He will reunite in Dallas with his former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Clinton-Dix had two interceptions last season for the Bears, including a 59-yard touchdown return against the Redskins in Week 3. He was solid on the back end of the defense. But the Bears also awarded Eddie Jackson a record-setting extension in January, dishing out $33 million guaranteed and keeping Jackson under contract through the end of the 2024 season. There was little chance the Bears were going to spend big to fill that second safety spot.
While the Bears were happy with Clinton-Dix’s play last season, they would ideally like to find a second starting safety who has a more complementary skill set to Jackson, a defensive back who will allow the Bears to use Jackson’s biggest strengths as a free-ranging ball-hawk more easily. General manager Ryan Pace has had success identifying safeties in the draft. He chose Jackson with a fourth-round pick in 2017 and scooped up Adrian Amos in Round 5 two years earlier. The Bears may still browse the bargain bins of free agency for help and depth at the position. But keep a close eye on next month’s draft as well.
March 19
The Bears are bringing back long snapper Patrick Scales on a one-year deal.
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What it means: Scales, 32, will return for his sixth year in Chicago. One of those years, 2017, was spent on injured reserve, but he played in all 16 games each of the last two seasons. He’ll be back with a special teams unit that also includes returning punter Pat O’Donnell and kicker Eddy Pineiro.
The Redskins are signing former Bears offensive lineman Cornelius Lucas to a two-year deal .
What it means: The Bears will be in search of a new swing tackle after Lucas leaves for the $5.3 million deal. Lucas started a game in September and then the final five of the year filling in for injured Bobby Massie. The Redskins will be his fifth team in seven NFL seasons.
March 18
The Bears have acquired Nick Foles from the Jaguars in exchange for a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft.
What it means: No one is more invested in learning what this move means than Mitch Trubisky, the incumbent starting quarterback who has received multiple votes of public confidence from general manager Ryan Pace since last season ended.
Trubisky’s inconsistency and the unraveling of the Bears offense in 2019 was well-documented and created a new sense of urgency behind closed doors at Halas Hall. So while Pace has publicly said he expects Trubisky to be the starter when next season begins, the Bears’ desire to create real competition opens the door for Foles to slide into the starting role fairly easily and soon.
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Per @NFLNetwork reports, we have traded for QB @NickFoles.
(NFL policy currently prohibits teams from making any official announcements.)@SNICKERS | #DaBears — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 18, 2020
Foles’ chemistry with the offensive coaching staff — he spent time in previous stops with coach Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo — is a major plus. And his understanding of Nagy’s offensive system gives him a chance to hit the ground running when the the Bears get the all-clear to begin practicing this spring or summer. In giving up a fourth-round pick for Foles, the Bears have only two selections in the top 150. Foles’ contract with the Jaguars, which the Bears will inherit, runs through 2022 and has a base salary of more than $15 million for this season. Before long, Pace and Nagy will have to communicate their vision for their quarterback situation. It will be interesting to see when the team schedules those first public comments.
Leonard Floyd has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rams worth $10 million.
What it means: A day after the Bears released him, Floyd found a new home in Los Angeles, reuniting with first-year Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who was Floyd’s position coach with the Bears in 2017 and 2018. The Bears exercised the fifth-year option on Floyd’s rookie deal last year but wiggled out of it Tuesday, freeing themselves from a $13.2 million commitment. Now Floyd gets a one-season “prove-it deal” in Hollywood. The Bears, for what it’s worth, are scheduled to play the Rams in Los Angeles next season.
March 17
The Redskins are signing inside linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported.
What it means: Pierre-Louis leaves the Bears after one season. He did a nice job filling in for most of four games after Roquan Smith was injured. He had 37 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, three passes defended and an interception and also played on special teams. His play earned him a deal worth up to $3.45 million as he joins his fifth team for his seventh year in the league.
The Bears are signing edge rusher Robert Quinn to a five-year deal and releasing Leonard Floyd, NFL Network reported .
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What it means: The Bears get an upgrade at edge rusher with the swap. Quinn, who will turn 30 in May, joins the Bears and All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack for his 10th NFL season. He had 11 ½ sacks with the Cowboys in 2019, the second-most in his career behind the 19 he had in 2013 as an All-Pro. He also had 22 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Quinn was a Rams first-round pick in 2011, and he spent his first seven seasons with the team before spending a year each with the Dolphins and Cowboys. He has 80 ½ sacks in his career. The deal, for $70 million with $30 million guaranteed, makes the Bears defensive front, with Mack and Akiem Hicks, even more formidable.
Floyd’s departure isn’t entirely surprising given he was owed $13.2 million in 2020. Floyd had a career-low three sacks in 2019. The Bears’ No. 9 overall draft pick in 2016 never quite lived up to the expectations for him. Bears general manager Ryan Pace has said multiple times he likes what Floyd provided in coverage and on run defense, but the Bears also noted his pass rushing production was not where they would like it to be. Floyd becomes Pace’s second first-round pick to leave, behind Kevin White.
Chase Daniel is headed to the Lions on a three-year deal, ESPN reported .
What it means: It was known the Bears likely weren’t going to bring Chase Daniel back for a third season as Mitch Trubisky’s backup, so he moves on to be the backup to Matthew Stafford.
Bears quarterback Chase Daniel sits on the bench before the first half against the Lions at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2019. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
The Lions will be his fifth team in 11 seasons, a remarkable career for someone who has made only five starts. For the Bears, Daniel was a veteran presence to help guide Trubisky through coach Matt Nagy’s offense, and he also served as a team leader and the Bears’ representative to the NFLPA. He also started three games, throwing six touchdown passes and four interceptions. His presence is valued enough that the Lions gave him a $13.05 million deal, which contains a voidable clause.
The Lions agreed to terms with defensive lineman Nick Williams on a two-year deal.
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Bears defensive tackle Nick Williams celebrates after sacking Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins at Soldier Field on Sept. 29, 2019. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
What it means: Nick Williams, 30, received his first significant pay day in the NFL after totaling six sacks last season when his playing time expanded because of injuries on the defensive line. Williams appeared in all 16 games with five starts and totaled 42 tackles. He’d made just 19 tackles with no sacks in 28 previous career games.
The Bears will hope to replace a chunk of Williams’ playing time (he was on the field for 49 percent of the snaps) with greater health. Akiem Hicks’ injury led to a lot of his playing time.
Can say thank you enough to the McCaskey family and the @ChicagoBears organization for giving me the opportunity. Thanks to my teammates and to the fans! Big Bear 97 Out ✌🏾 #OnePride 🦁 What’s good 😤 pic.twitter.com/9kVcmREelU — Nicholas Williams (@NickWilliams_98) March 17, 2020
The Lions are re-tooling their defensive front with coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn under pressure to break out of losing ways in Detroit and Williams is expected to be just one new piece along the defensive line, a familiar face the Bears will see twice a year. He reportedly will earn $10 million over the next two seasons. That’s not a bad deal for a guy that was on a minimum-salary benefit contract last year.
March 16
The Bears agreed to terms with veteran tight end Jimmy Graham on a two-year deal.
What it means: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears will guarantee Jimmy Graham $9 million on a two-year deal that could be worth up to $16 million.
It’s a hefty price to pay for a 33-year-old veteran in the twilight of his career. But it also speaks to the Bears’ desperate need for production at tight end. Last season, six Bears tight ends combined for 46 catches, 416 yards and two touchdowns, woeful production for an offense that relies heavily on the tight end. Graham, in a 2019 season that could be characterized as ordinary at best, provided the Packers with 38 catches, 447 yards and three touchdowns.
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Bears GM Ryan Pace, of course, has familiarity with Graham from their days together with the Saints. From 2010 to 2014, Graham averaged 77 catches, 950 yards and 10 touchdowns and was selected to three Pro Bowls. That was a long time ago. And while it’s difficult to forecast how much Graham has left in his tank, he will be given every opportunity to be a major difference-maker in the Bears offense. His arrival also raises legitimate questions as to whether the Bears are ready to pull the plug on Trey Burton for 2020, even with $4 million of guaranteed money still owed.
The Raiders agreed to terms with former Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski on a three-year deal.
What it means: The Bears say goodbye to their 2016 fourth-round pick, a player who served them well when they needed him during the 2019 season.
Kwiatkoski earned himself a solid new deal when he filled in for eight starts last year while veteran Danny Trevathan was injured, totaling 76 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three sacks, four passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception. The Bears had to decide between trying to keep Kwiatkoski or Trevathan, and they went with the latter. Kwiatkoski’s deal is for $21 million with $13.5 million in guarantees, NFL Network reported.
March 13
The Bears tendered restricted free agent defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris .
Roy Robertson-Harris (95) goes after Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins for a sack in the second quarter t Soldier Field on Sept. 29, 2019. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
What it means: The tender is believed to be at the second-round level, making it unlikely another team will try to sign him. The Bears have the right of first refusal and would receive a second-round draft pick if they didn’t match another team’s contract offer. Robertson-Harris, who joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2016, had 30 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and 2 ½ sacks in his third season on the field.
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March 12
The Bears signed inside linebacker Danny Trevathan to a three-year contract extension, NFL Network reported.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles the ball as Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan flips over in the third quarter at Soldier Field on Sept. 5, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
What it means: The Bears bring back a key piece of their defense on and off the field. The eight-year NFL veteran, who turns 30 later this month, had 70 tackles, two for a loss, four quarterback hits, a sack and a forced fumble over nine games in his fourth season with the Bears. He sat out the remainder of the year with an elbow injury. He will team up with Roquan Smith for a third season. His return, on a deal that could be worth $24 million, could signal the departure of inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski to another team in free agency.
Feb. 21
The Bears released cornerback Prince Amukamara and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.
Bears wide receiver Taylor Gabriel signs autographs on Nov. 24, 2019 at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
What it means: The Bears cleared $13.5 million in salary cap space when they cut the veterans. But they now must find a starting cornerback to pair with Kyle Fuller and a speedy, deep-threat wide receiver to replace Taylor Gabriel.
Prince Amukamara, 30, started 44 games over three seasons with the Bears. He had three interceptions and a touchdown, all in 2018, along with 29 passes defended over three years. Gabriel, 29, had 96 catches for 1,041 yards over two seasons with the Bears. He was limited to nine games in 2019 as he dealt with two concussions. The Bears very likely will add to both rooms in the offseason. But cornerbacks Kevin Toliver and Tre Roberson and wide receivers Javon Wims and Riley Ridley are among the current players who could compete for playing time after the roster moves.
Feb. 20
The Bears signed veteran tight end Demetrius Harris to a one-year contract.
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Browns tight end Demetrius Harris tries for a catch in front of Steelers strong safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during the second half on Dec. 1, 2019. (Don Wright/AP)
What it means: Demetrius Harris, 28, joins the Bears to potentially fill a role as their “Y” blocking tight end. He spent his first five NFL seasons with the Chiefs in Kansas City when Bears coach Matt Nagy was a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator there. He had 57 catches for 605 yards and six touchdowns with the Chiefs. The Browns released him in February after one season in which he had 15 catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns. The addition of Harris is likely the first of several moves to rebuild the Bears tight ends room this offseason.
Jan. 29
The Bears signed CFL cornerback Tre Roberson to a two-year contract.
Calgary's Tre Roberson celebrates an interception against Ottawa during the second half of the Grey Cup at Commonwealth Stadium on Nov. 25, 2018. (Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)
What it means: Tre Roberson, 27, picked the Bears from nine NFL contract offers after he had an All-Star season with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2019. The former Indiana and Illinois State quarterback, who spent time with the Vikings on their practice squad in 2016 and in training camp in 2017, had seven interceptions and two touchdowns in his second season in the CFL. The 6-foot, 190-pound Roberson provides needed depth at cornerback in a room that includes Kyle Fuller, Buster Skrine and Kevin Toliver.


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Scottie Pippen says he was fired from his role as a Bulls ambassador — but brushes it off with a par

Scottie Pippen says he was fired from his role as a Bulls ambassador — but brushes it off with a parting shot: ‘I like to associate myself with winning’

“ I do feel like the talent level — maybe ( not ) Zach LaVine — but I feel like @ @ @ @ @ Bulls have right now is below what it needs to be in the NBA , @ @ @ @ @ I do feel like they have some young players that are up-and-coming , so I @ @ @ @ @ those players , but I think they ’ ve got to get more talent , @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to be able to try to compete — period — night in @ @ @ @ @

Scottie Pippen was dismissed as a public relations ambassador for the Bulls, but his parting words have been anything but diplomatic.
In a Thuzio “Live and Unfiltered” podcast interview recorded before the NBA All-Star break in February and released this week, the Bulls great revealed to moderator and Tribune writer Teddy Greenstein, “I got fired this year.”
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“I didn’t really want it to be out in the public but I’m no longer employed by the Bulls. Probably is a good thing, right?” Pippen said. “I like to associate myself with winning.”
Pippen and the Bulls reportedly could not come to an agreement on compensation with Pippen wishing to keep his role as an ambassador while still making regular appearances on ESPN’s “The Jump,” according to NBC Sports Chicago.
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 51 The Chicago Bulls celebrate their 6th NBA title during a rally in Grant Park on June 16, 1998. From left; Tony Kukoc, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Mayor Richard M. Daley, coach Phil Jackson and Gov. Jim Edgar. (Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune)
Pippen’s Bulls won six championships over an eight-year span in the 1990s, while the current team hasn’t cracked 30 wins in a season since 2016-17. This year’s 22-43 campaign was halted by the NBA shutdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bulls’ best player, Zach LaVine, was snubbed as a selection for the All-Star Game hosted on his own home court. Lauri Markkanen was poised for a breakout year but regressed. And the roster had been pockmarked by injuries all season. The team fired general manager Gar Forman in a front office shake-up.
Pippen accepted no excuses for the Bulls’ current state.
“I do feel like the talent level — maybe (not) Zach LaVine — but I feel like the talent level that the Bulls have right now is below what it needs to be in the NBA,” Pippen said. “I do feel like they have some young players that are up-and-coming, so I’m not really knocking those players, but I think they’ve got to get more talent, some free agents if they’re going to be able to try to compete — period — night in and night out.”
Theories about Markkanen’s struggles have ranged from health problems to coach Jim Boylen forcing him into a new system that doesn’t fit his talents, but Pippen took a different view.
“I heard somebody (in the podcast audience) say no coach, but I always point the finger at the player,” Pippen said. “He didn’t work hard enough in the offseason because we’re not seeing the fruit of his labor.”


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Brian Dennehy, a giant of Chicago and America’s stages, is dead at 81

And unlike most actors , Dennehy was never leery of critics and theater journalists .
Indeed , he had a @ @ @ @ @ in all their neuroses .
He often attributed this to his father working for the @ @ @ @ @ his son carried a certain sympathy for the state of newspapers and for “ ink-stained @ @ @ @ @ he liked .
Dennehy relished giving interviews , talking about his work and , improbably @ @ @ @ @ overnight reviews , probably because he knew he had dived as deep as any human @ @ @ @ @ himself

Brian Dennehy as Ephraim Cabot in "Desire Under the Elms" at the Goodman Theatre. "His face is as hard as if it were hewn out of a boulder," O'Neill wrote of Cabot. "Yet there is a weakness in it, a petty pride in its own narrow strength." (Liz Lauren photo)
Brian Dennehy, a veteran American actor of towering presence, a lover of Chicago theater, and the nation’s leading interpreter of the tragedies of Eugene O’Neill, died Wednesday following a hospital stay in New Haven, Conn.
His death, which was from cardiac arrest due to sepsis, was announced by his agent, Brian Mann. Dennehy was 81.
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Dennehy won two Tony Awards, six Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. His film career included “Cocoon,” “Tommy Boy,” “Presumed Innocent,” and, perhaps most notably, “The Belly of an Architect,” for which he won the best actor award at the Chicago International Film Festival in 1997. His television roles were legion and included a memorably intense ESPN movie in which he was shrewdly cast as the notorious, chair-throwing Indiana basketball coach, Bobby Knight.
But he often referred to those TV jobs, often smaller character roles, as necessities to pay his bills and keep working.
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Dennehy was an inveterate creature of the stage, a tireless tragedian of the old school. That was where his heart resided. The theater’s unique rituals were his lifeblood and he carried the greatest roles of the dramatic canon on his back like heavy weights he was honor-bound to lift.
His formidable stage career was highlighted by numerous epic O’Neill collaborations with Goodman Theatre artistic Robert Falls, including “Desire Under the Elms,” “The Iceman Cometh,” “Hughie,” and “A Touch of the Poet.” All began at the Goodman but went on to multiple productions across the nation, often including Broadway.
“Brian Dennehy was a great actor and a great friend to me for over 30 years," the actor Nathan Lane said. “Never more so than when we acted together in ‘The Iceman Cometh.’ He was my biggest supporter and a loving mentor through that whole experience and I will always love him and never forget him for that, as well as his fierce brilliance, wit, and that wild Irish twinkle in his eye.”
Falls and Dennehy also worked together on a stunning 1998 production of “Death of a Salesman,” which starred Dennehy as Willy Loman, caused audience members to sob in their seats and forever changed how Arthur Miller’s great drama of the underbelly of all-American capitalism was viewed.
“Brian has been my closest collaborator over 40 years,” an emotional Falls said Thursday. “I am so fortunate to have met him. Our lives have been joined at the hip since then. We had our biggest successes together. And both our lives were changed together."
Throughout Chicago theater, and the American theater at large, there was a sense of the passing of a huge figure, a link to a quickly vanishing era.
Dennehy was also a favorite, and a marquee name, at the Stratford Festival of Canada, where (alongside appearing in plays by Samuel Beckett), he regularly appeared in the works of William Shakespeare, especially in the Bard’s most colorful characters, such as Sir John Falstaff or Sir Toby Belch.
“Brian Dennehy was a mountain of a man and his talent, intelligence and love for the theatre dwarfed Everest,” said Antoni Cimolino, the artistic director at Stratford. “While he became famous on film his heart was on the stage. His mind loved to take apart a great text and make it his own. He was bashful about his big physicality but he was the friendliest giant you could ever meet.”
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“No other actor has so defined himself by the greatest roles of the 20th century,” Falls said. "Brian was a giant man and he wanted to take giant risks every time he came up to bat.”
An Irish-American to his core, Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1938. Yet he worked in Chicago so often, many theatergoers in the city thought he lived here, rather than in a farmhouse in Connecticut, not coincidentally the state that most informed the work of O’Neill. Although Dennehy slowed down over the years, he was known for his singular enjoyment of his work and the post-show rituals that followed: “great times, great times,” he would often say when describing his latest project.
“Chicago is a great town," he told the Tribune five years ago, with a wistful tone. "I don’t know if it’s a great town when you’re 76. But it’s a great town when you’re 56. Pretty damn good at 66; 46 is the best.”
Especially in the era of gossip columns, when Dennehy was becoming famous for his on-screen appearances, his movements around Chicago often attracted attention. He was a late-night regular at the Kingston Mines blues club, and he often made his way to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs. He rarely left any celebration early and was usually the last person still on his feet.
And unlike most actors, Dennehy was never leery of critics and theater journalists. Indeed, he had a particular understanding of them, in all their neuroses. He often attributed this to his father working for the Associated Press, meaning that his son carried a certain sympathy for the state of newspapers and for “ink-stained wretches,” a phrase he liked. Dennehy relished giving interviews, talking about his work and, improbably, even the tension of overnight reviews, probably because he knew he had dived as deep as any human could be expected to submerge himself
Dennehy reserved his rage for anyone not giving the canonical playwrights of the American theater their full due, especially Miller and O’Neill. He had no truck with criticism of even their minor works, arguing that their accomplishments were such that history would judge the naysayers to be the fools.
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“They produced ‘Iceman’ in 1946,” he said in a 2015 interview. “Nobody gave a s--- about O’Neill then, and it failed. But he was about to write the greatest plays of his life. He was on everyone’s lips — one year after he died. Ha! Ha!”
Survivors include his second wife Jennifer Arnott (his first wife Judith Lee Scheff Dennehy died in 2015) and five children, Elizabeth Dennehy, Cormack Dennehy, Kathleen Dennehy, Deirdre Dennehy, and Sarah Dennehy.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Matt Forte? Bobby Wagner? Michael Thomas? NFL draft history shows star power should be available to

Matt Forte? Bobby Wagner? Michael Thomas? NFL draft history shows star power should be available to the Bears with picks No. 43 and 50.

Let ’ s just say Night 2 of the 2012 NFL draft turned out alright for the Seahawks , who @ @ @ @ @ round and quarterback Russell Wilson in the third .
That certainly was a nice springboard @ @ @ @ @ made the playoffs seven times in the eight seasons since .
Wagner has been named @ @ @ @ @ and was one of six linebackers recently named to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s @ @ @ @ @ of Fame selection committee .
( He was joined by Chandler Jones , Khalil Mack @ @ @ @ @ Kuechly and Patrick Willis . )
Athletic and instinctive , Wagner has recorded 1,075 tackles @ @ @ @ @ sacks , 10 interceptions , 47 passes defensed , five forced fumbles , nine fumble @ @ @ @ @ Not a bad get in the middle of Round 2 .

The Bears enter next week’s NFL draft with seven selections — but for the second consecutive year, general manager Ryan Pace doesn’t own a first-round pick. And as a whole, the Bears have only two selections in the top 150.
That will add an element of pressure to the ongoing effort to upgrade the roster. The team’s margin for error is slim. Still, the Bears have expressed confidence they can make a splash with the two picks they have for Night 2 of the draft — a pair of second-round selections at Nos. 43 and 50.
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So how should Bears fans properly set their expectations for the kind of players the Bears might be able to land with those picks? To help establish a best-case scenario, here’s our list of the 10 best players selected in the 43-50 range in the 21st century. And for a fully realistic view, we offer a snapshot of the last 20 players selected specifically at No. 43 and No. 50.
1. Bobby Wagner, selected No. 47 overall by the Seahawks in 2012
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner reacts after a touchdown against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 15, 2019. (Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
Let’s just say Night 2 of the 2012 NFL draft turned out alright for the Seahawks, who landed Wagner in the second round and quarterback Russell Wilson in the third. That certainly was a nice springboard for an organization that has made the playoffs seven times in the eight seasons since. Wagner has been named a first-team All-Pro five times and was one of six linebackers recently named to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. (He was joined by Chandler Jones, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly and Patrick Willis.) Athletic and instinctive, Wagner has recorded 1,075 tackles in his career with 19½ sacks, 10 interceptions, 47 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and four touchdowns. Not a bad get in the middle of Round 2.
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2. Michael Thomas, selected No. 47 overall by the Saints in 2016
Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller, left, tries to bring down Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas in the first quarter at Soldier Field on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Thomas may be at the top of this list before everything is said and done, a consistent game-changer in the Saints’ prolific passing offense. Last season’s record-setting 149-catch, 1,725-yard, nine-touchdown explosion was impressive but hardly surprising. Since entering the NFL in 2016, Thomas has averaged eight catches and 87 yards per game and has topped 100 yards in 19 of his 63 games played.
3. Calais Campbell, selected No. 50 overall by the Cardinals in 2008
Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell stands during warmups before a game against the Eagles at Wembley Stadium in London on Oct. 28, 2018. (Tim Ireland / AP)
At 6 feet, 8 inches tall and 300 pounds, Campbell has been a monster on the defensive line for the Cardinals and Jaguars over his 12-season career. He has 88 career sacks, 14½ coming in 2017 when he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year while propelling the Jaguars to the AFC championship game. Campbell is a three-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was chosen to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. He is now joining the Ravens for this 13th season on a two-year contract with $20 million guaranteed.
4. Le’Veon Bell, selected No. 48 overall by the Steelers in 2013
Jets running back Le'Veon Bell (26) reaches for the end zone as he is forced out bounds by the Raiders' Erik Harris (25) during the second half Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Adam Hunger / AP)
Bell’s first season with the Jets in 2019 was somewhat forgettable and came after he sat out the entire 2018 season because of a contract dispute with the Steelers. Still, at his peak, the well-rounded running back was a constant headache for opposing defenses. His best season was an All-Pro campaign in 2014 during which he totaled 2,215 yards from scrimmage with 11 touchdowns. Bell has received Pro Bowl honors three times. And in his final four seasons in Pittsburgh he averaged 4.5 yards per carry and 137 total yards per game.
5. Matt Forte, selected No. 44 overall by the Bears in 2008
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 143 Matt Forte high-fives fans before walking off the field following his team's 24-20 loss to the Lions at Soldier Field. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)
The versatile running back was a true pro from the time he arrived at Halas Hall for rookie camp wearing a suit and tie. Forte was also a difference-maker from his first game with the team. (He rushed for 123 yards, including a 50-yard TD in his rookie debut against the Colts.) Over eight seasons with the Bears, Forte piled up 12,718 yards from scrimmage and 64 total touchdowns. In 2014, he set an NFL single-season record for receptions by a running back with 102. After playing his final two seasons with the Jets, Forte signed a one-day contract to retire with the Bears in the spring of 2018. “I’m standing here today full of emotion, but I’m not sad, disappointed or anything,” Forte said. "I’m just grateful.”
6. DeSean Jackson, selected No. 49 overall by the Eagles in 2008
The Eagles' DeSean Jackson, left, scores a touchdown against the Redskins' Montae Nicholson during the second half in Philadelphia on Sept. 8, 2019. (Matt Rourke / AP)
Jackson has piled up 598 catches, 10,420 yards and 55 receiving touchdowns during his first 12 seasons. He was also a dangerous punt returner in the early stages of his career. Jackson’s most productive year was an 82-catch, 1,332-yard, nine-TD season in 2013 with the Eagles. He has had five seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and needs just 297 yards next season to break into the top 40 on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list.
7. Bob Sanders, selected No. 44 overall by the Colts in 2004
Colts safety Bob Sanders kisses the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XLI against the Bears in Miami, Feb. 4, 2007. (Jim Prisching / Chicago Tribune)
Sanders was a first-team All-Pro in 2005 and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. And while he was sidelined for much of 2006 with a knee injury, his return for the postseason provided both stability and energy to the Colts defense. As Bears fans may remember, Sanders forced a fumble on Cedric Benson in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI, then helped seal the Colts’ 29-17 victory with a fourth-quarter interception of Rex Grossman.
8. Matt Light, selected No. 48 overall by the Patriots in 2001
Patriots offensive lineman Matt Light walks off the field after being ejected in the fourth quarter at Dolphin Stadium on Nov. 23, 2008 in Miami. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)
After starring at Purdue, Light spent the entirety of his 11-season career in New England, an anchor at left tackle for Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. He was named to three Pro Bowls and helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls.
9. Derrick Henry, selected No. 45 overall by the Titans in 2016
Titans running back Derrick Henry carries the ball against the Texans in Houston on Dec. 29, 2019. (Michael Wyke / AP)
There’s almost certainly some recency bias in giving Henry a top-10 nod. But what the bruising running back did last season is difficult to ignore. He ran for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns and was the engine of a ground-and-pound offense that helped propel the Titans to the AFC championship game. The Titans put the franchise tag on Henry this offseason, guaranteeing him at least $10.2 million for 2020 if a new contract agreement doesn’t materialize before the summer deadline.
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10. Max Unger, selected No. 49 overall by the Seahawks in 2009
Saints center Max Unger goes through drills during mini camp n Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 16, 2015. (Gerald Herbert / AP)
Unger played six seasons at center for the Seahawks and four more for the Saints, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2012, 2013 and 2018. He helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII and later became a durable and stable force in the middle of the Saints’ offensive line. “He’s the glue that holds a lot of what we do together,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said of Unger in 2018.
Honorable mentions: Chad Clifton (No.44 in 2000, Packers); Alshon Jeffery (No. 45 in 2012, Bears); Roman Harper (No. 43 in 2006, Saints); Linval Joseph (No. 46 in 2010, Giants); Kawann Short (No. 44 in 2013, Panthers); LeCharles Bentley (No. 44 in 2002, Saints); Eric Kendricks (No. 45 in 2015, Vikings); Kiko Alonso (No. 46 in 2013, Bills); Lamarr Woodley (No. 46 in 2007, Steelers); Kyle Rudolph (No. 43 in 2011, Vikings)
****
The last 20 players selected at No. 43:
2019 — Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii linebacker (Lions)
2018 — Kerryon Johnson, Auburn running back (Lions)
2017 — Sidney Jones, Washington cornerback (Eagles)
2016 — Austin Johnson, Penn State nose tackle (Titans)
2015 — Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State linebacker (Texans)
2014 — Weston Richburg, Colorado State center (Giants)
2013 — Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State cornerback (Buccaneers)
2012 — Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech receiver (Jets)
2011 — Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame tight end (Vikings)
2010 — Sergio Kindle, Texas linebacker (Ravens)
2009 — Everette Brown, Florida State defensive end (Panthers)
2008 — Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State safety (Vikings)
2007 — Drew Stanton, Michigan State quarterback (Lions)
2006 — Roman Harper, Alabama safety (Saints)
2005 — Corey Webster, LSU defensive back (Giants)
2004 — Julius Jones, Notre Dame running back (Cowboys)
2003 — Pisa Tinoisamoa, Hawaii linebacker (Rams)
2002 — Eddie Freeman, UAB defensive tackle (Chiefs)
2001 — Maurice Williams, Michigan tackle (Jaguars)
2000 — Rogers Beckett, Marshall safety (Chargers)
The last 20 players selected at No. 50:


chicagotribune--2020-04-16--Michael Jordan did a rare interview on ‘Good Morning America’ today. Here’s what he had to say about

Michael Jordan did a rare interview on ‘Good Morning America’ today. Here’s what he had to say about ‘The Last Dance.’

“ Krause told Phil Jackson that we could go 82-0 and he would never get a chance to come back @ @ @ @ @ “ Knowing that I had married myself to him , and if he wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ coach , then obviously I wasn ’ t going to play ( for the Bulls @ @ @ @ @ off the season saying this was the last dance — and we played it that @ @ @

Knowing the Chicago Bulls would scatter after the 1997-98 NBA season ended drove Michael Jordan and his teammates as they chased their sixth title to complete a second championship three-peat.
“Mentally it tugged at you that this had to come to an end, but it also centered our focus to making sure we ended it right,” Jordan said Thursday in a live “Good Morning America” interview from his Florida home. "As sad as it sounded at the beginning of the year, we tried to rejoice and enjoy the year and finish it off the right way.”
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Jordan, who hasn’t done many interviews of late, was promoting “The Last Dance,” a long-awaited 10-part documentary on him and the 1997-98 championship season that brought his era with the Bulls to a close.
The series is set to begin at 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN (and ESPN2, which will take out vulgarities), with two episodes each week through May 17.
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.@ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jordan talks #TheLastDance docuseries, which gives an inside look at his final NBA title with the Chicago Bulls, premiering Sunday on @ESPN. https://t.co/Z6WhFwgo4p pic.twitter.com/9hSBr9iYoj — Good Morning America (@GMA) April 16, 2020
Jordan and his Bulls teammates played in ’97-98 under the shadow of knowing their dynasty would end at the conclusion of the season. That is at the heart of director Jason Hehir’s docuseries, which spans the entire 1984-98 Jordan era.
“We all were all trying to enjoy that year knowing it was coming to an end,” Jordan told “GMA” co-host Robin Roberts. “Phil started off the year by saying, ‘this is the last dance,’ and we played it that way.”
The end date had been assured, Jordan said, when general manager Jerry Krause signed coach PhilJackson to a one-year contract renewal in July 1997. In a nod to their fraying relationship, Krause made clear it would be Jackson’s last with the team.
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“Krause told Phil Jackson that we could go 82-0 and he would never get a chance to come back," Jordan said. “Knowing that I had married myself to him, and if he wasn’t going to be the coach, then obviously I wasn’t going to play (for the Bulls). So Phil started off the season saying this was the last dance — and we played it that way.”
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 51 The Chicago Bulls celebrate their 6th NBA title during a rally in Grant Park on June 16, 1998. From left; Tony Kukoc, Ron Harper, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Mayor Richard M. Daley, coach Phil Jackson and Gov. Jim Edgar. (Chuck Berman / Chicago Tribune)
Jordan’s ability to exploit perceived — and sometimes invented — slights to motivate himself is a frequent touchstone of “The Last Dance." He told Roberts it was his parents who gave him the mindset that there is always something positive to be mined from a bad situation.
“They were hard-working people and they instilled that not just in me but my brothers and sisters,” Jordan said. “It just became a part of my nature, and I always look at a negative and turn it into a positive.
“Unfortunately, things like that happen in our life and, as I try to teach my kids, just take that negative, learn from it and try to make it a positive, and that all came from my parents.”
Jordan told “GMA” he derived his competitive drive from his family as well, trying to outplay an older brother growing up.
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“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my brother Larry,” Jordan said. “Larry pushed me and we used to fight after every game, but through that fight emerged someone like me.”
Jordan’s Jump 23 is among the series’ producers with Mandalay Sports Media, NBA Entertainment, ESPN and Netflix, which holds international distribution rights. ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 are all part of Walt Disney Co.