Dravecky to share story of endurance

Youngstown — On Oct. 15, the community is invited to hear the story of Dave Dravecky, former Major League Baseball pitcher, cancer survivor and Youngstown native, as he takes the stage at Ford Family Recital Hall at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

The event starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are no change but reservations are required.

Dravecky first gained national attention in the late 1980s as a standout left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. A graduate of Boardman High School and Youngstown State University, he began his Major League Baseball career with the San Diego Padres, helping lead the team to a strong 1984 season finish.

However, Dravecky’s baseball career was interrupted when he was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer in the deltoid muscle of his pitching arm. It eventually led to multiple surgeries, radiation treatments and amputation of his arm.

Dravecky and his wife Jan founded Endurance, a ministry offering hope and support to others navigating personal trials, in 1991.

Dravecky is a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, sharing his story of perseverance and faith through books such as Comeback, Worth of a Man and Called Up: Stories of Life & Faith. His works offering insight, inspiration and a deep sense of hope to those facing life’s most difficult moments.

For more information or to reserve and obtain tickets, visit the DeYor Performing Arts Website at deyorpac.org.

NFL suspends Addison for 3 games

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was suspended for three games by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for a drunken driving case last year.

Addison avoided a trial by pleading no contest to a lesser charge last month, after facing two misdemeanor DUIs for his arrest on July 12, 2024, when a California Highway Patrol officer found him asleep in his vehicle that was blocking a lane on an interstate exit near Los Angeles International Airport.

Addison will be permitted to practice and play in exhibition games before the suspension kicks in for games against Chicago, Atlanta and Cincinnati.

Addison, the 23rd pick of the 2023 draft, has 19 touchdowns and 1,786 receiving yards in his first two seasons to form a dominant duo with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. But he was arrested for excessive speeding the week before training camp of his rookie year, and the drunken driving arrest last offseason came after another dangerous off-the-field decision. Addison was contrite and remorseful upon reporting to training camp last year, praising the Vikings for their support after he said he was in a “dark place” after the arrest.

Without Addison for the first three games, new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy will need to lean on depth wide receivers such as Jalen Nailor, rookie Tai Felton and newcomer Rondale Moore if he’s ready to play following his ACL rehabilitation. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver and running back Aaron Jones also figure to be vital options during Addison’s absence to help keep defenses from keying more heavily on Jefferson than they already do.

Addison, who finished his college career at USC after starting at Pittsburgh, matched Odell Beckham Jr. for the fourth-most touchdown receptions in league history by players before their 23rd birthday. Randy Moss (28), Rob Gronkowski (27) and Ja’Marr Chase (22) were the only ones with more.

Seneca Nation purchases NLL team

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Seneca Nation has purchased the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks, replacing Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula.

The Seneca Nation, a sovereign Native American nation, has roots in western New York, where Rochester is located.

The Knighthawks made the announcement on Tuesday.

“Our ancestors were the first people to share the game of lacrosse with the world,” Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said. “It was gifted to them by the Creator as a spiritual game and a game of healing. The Seneca Nation is thrilled to celebrate our connection to the Creator’s Game and to this community by keeping the Knighthawks in Rochester, where we look forward to building a bright future rooted in the team’s winning tradition.”

Terry Pegula helped the team find new ownership. The Pegulas chose to sell the Knighthawks in June to focus on the other NLL team the family owns, the three-time defending champion Buffalo Bandits.

The Knighthawks are coming off a third straight trip to the National Lacrosse League Playoffs after winning a franchise record-tying 10 games. Forward Connor Fields became first player in team history to win the NLL’s Most Valuable Player Award.

Knighthawks general manager Dan Carey will continue to lead the organization and will add president to his title.