Joseph Burton Jr. was recently inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame for his prowess on the basketball court. A member of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Burton was raised on the reservation and continues to live there during his sport’s off season.

The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame honors and recognizes the indigenous sport cultures of 27 countries of North America by recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in individual and team athletics. By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of the annually inducted individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics and life.

Burton currently plays in the French FFBB league for Orchies NM1 Basketball. Averaging 21.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists, he is ultimately highly ranked with 30+ efficiency. He is in France for 10 months out of the year with preseason, regular season and playoffs.

He is grateful that his family is able to join him in France often. Wife DaiseJanay Burton, six-year-old son Joseph Charles Lee Burton and three-year-old daughter Loovi No$uun Burton usually stay for a half or full season.

“They’re with me right now,” he said. “But then the kids start to miss being back home and also the family misses the kids, so they return to Soboba; nothing beats the rez life.”

Burton started playing sports at the age of four, being coached and mentored by his mother Dondi Silvas, his grandfather Charles “B-Bop” Silvas, aunts and uncles. He played basketball at West Valley High School in Hemet where he was four-time MVP, four-time All Sun Belt league champion, and CIF Champion 2008. He continued on to Oregon State University with a full ride basketball scholarship, known as the first Native American in OSU history to receive a basketball scholarship.

At OSU, he was acknowledged as the first non-guard to record 1000+ points, 700+ rebounds and 300+ assists. While at OSU he visited the White House and met President Barack Obama on several occasions. He also worked closely with Coach Robinson to introduce the N7 games to OSU basketball in honor of indigenous culture, moreover, becoming an ambassador for Nike N7.

“It was a great honor that Sam McCracken, another inducted Hall of Famer, started N7 and came to me while I was at OSU and wanted to have a game there,” Burton said. “Knowing I was Native, he thought it would be a great opportunity and I’m always there to spread awareness and honor my culture. It was great to have a game in honor of Natives.”

Upon graduating from OSU in 2013, Joseph continued his professional basketball career overseas starting in Denmark playing for Aalborg Vikings. In the past nine years Joseph has played professional basketball in the Netherlands, Japan, Finland and France. While playing in the French LNB league he has competed at Pro A and Pro B level, being awarded MVP in 2016 and runner-up in 2017.

Burton said there is no language barrier playing in other countries because they have a superb education system where students learn English in elementary school.

When he is able to return to Soboba, Burton stays busy with his Hunwut Clothing line, which he launched in 2019. Hunwut means Bear in Luiseño, his native language. He also gets involved with youth sports. Most recently, he assisted with a basketball camp at the Soboba Sports Complex.

“I would like to hold an annual basketball camp in honor of my grandpa, Charles “B-Bop” Silvas, who was a legend in the valley,” Burton said. Silvas started coaching frosh/soph football at San Jacinto High School, his alma mater, in 1978 and also coached boys and girls basketball and softball teams there. Silvas was one of the first inductees into the high school’s Edward Hyatt Athletic Hall of Fame. He also coached women’s basketball at Mt. San Jacinto College for two years and helped coach West Valley High School boys basketball from 2006 to 2009.

When Burton took a year off from playing, he volunteered to assist West Valley High School Head Coach Kristopher Brooks with the boys basketball team. “Kris was my classmate and one of my teammates in high school,” Burton recalled. “We won the CIF title in 2008 together. He told me I could volunteer as an assistant coach because I bring a lot to the game and the coaching staff.”

Burton said that opportunity helped him see the game from the coaching standpoint which was very helpful since coaching is something he wants to do when he is done playing the game. He said some of the players he helped coach still write to him and he said it’s tough being so far away. “I still give them tips and drills. You have a bond once you have been with these kids for the basketball season. It’s great to see them growing in their skills, but when I get back, it’s the summer and that’s where the work happens.”

When working with young players, Burton said the best thing they can bring to the game is to be “coachable” and stick to the basics. “They need to keep the same mindset of ‘I’m going to get better today.’ Also it’s a different type of ball now, but I still tell them they all start with basic skills,” he said.

When he was young, Burton played baseball, soccer, flag football, basketball and volleyball in high school. Although really good in baseball and basketball, it was difficult to balance travel ball for both sports so he chose to focus on basketball.

“Also, when I got hit in the side with a baseball I said ‘okay, chuck the bat and pass me a basketball,’” he laughingly said. “But really, my family was a sports family, and the main sport was basketball, so I loved it from the very first time I saw a game.”

For more information, www.naiahf.org and www.hunwutclothing.com.

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INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Their defense laying siege to the Bengals, the Rams needed something — anything — from their slumbering offense.

How about a precise 79-yard drive to the Lombardi Trophy?

It wasn’t a classic march, aided by three successive Bengals penalties and mired by some bad throws. No matter: When Cooper Kupp caught a 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford with 1:25 remaining, LA’s offense indeed had awakened just in time for a 23-20 Super Bowl victory Sunday.

“That’s hard work, that’s hours together,” Stafford said. “I just thank coach (Sean McVay) for putting it … ‘Hey, Matthew, you and Coop go get this thing done.’ He kept calling plays for him, kept finding ways to get him the ball. He made unbelievable plays; that’s what he does.”

What Los Angeles did on that drive finally measured up to what its defense was doing most of the night: overwhelming Cincinnati’s blockers, sacking Joe Burrow a Super Bowl record-tying seven times. The pressure, led by Aaron Donald and Von Miller, was nonstop.

“You got to be relentless,” said Donald, who added a crowning achievement to his certain Hall of Fame career. “You want something bad enough you’ve got to go get it. You know it was right in front of us … all offseason you work, you train, you got camp, you got a long season just for this one game. You know we the last team standing.”

Standing in a venue built for champions, with the Rams (16-5) earning their first NFL title since the 1999 season — and their first representing Los Angeles since 1951.

They did so in their home, the $5 billion SoFi Stadium, making the Rams the second consecutive host to win the championship after Tampa Bay became the first a year ago.

“As far as building this stadium,” said Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the man who moved them back from St. Louis in 2016, “I think it turned out all right.”

The winning series, during which game MVP Kupp’s 4-yard touchdown reception was negated by offsetting penalties, ended soon after with the NFL Offensive Player of the Year easily beating Eli Apple in the right corner of the end zone for the winning score.

Kupp had four receptions for 39 yards, and a 7-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Rams 30 on the championship drive.

Cincinnati (13-8) was penalized the second-fewest times (72) for the fewest yards (620) in the regular season but flags hurt badly — including pass interference on Kupp in the end zone.

“I’ve said it all year, whatever is asked of me whatever my job is gonna be, I just want to execute to the best of my abilities,” said Kupp, who won the triple crown of receiving in 2021, leading in catches, yards and touchdowns. “I trust as the game goes on I’ll have opportunities as well, and I just want to stay ready for those things stay locked in.”

As locked in as that pass rush.

Fittingly, Burrow was under pressure on fourth-and-1 and threw incomplete, setting off a football fiesta this city has not seen since the LA Raiders won the 1983 championship.

A tearful Donald said after the game, “I wanted it so bad. I dreamed this.”

Added McVay, at 36 the youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach: “For the offense to be able to find a way, and then Aaron to be able to finish it off, it’s poetic, man.”

Ten points because of two plays in a span of 22 seconds at the outset of the third quarter put Cincinnati ahead for the first time.

Tee Higgins’ 75-yard score made it 17-13 and was followed one play later by Chidobe Awuzie’s pick. Evan McPherson tied Adam Vinatieri’s postseason record with his 14th field goal, a 38-yarder. The rookie didn’t miss in the postseason.

Higgins beat All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the first play of the second half — the receiver clearly tugged Ramsey’s face mask on the play. After Stafford was intercepted on the next play, the Bengals got McPherson’s field goal.

They tried to hold on as all of southwest Ohio held its breath.

“I was disappointed in my performance overall,” said Burrow, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year who was 22 of 33 for 263 yards and a touchdown. That’s going to propel us into next year … we’re not satisfied with what we did this year.”

Not after the 15-play march in which Kupp also converted a fourth down with his run.

“We wanted to be in attack mode and pressure them as much as possible,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”

Kupp even earned the MVP honor despite often being double-teamed after fellow wideout Odell Beckham Jr. — who had a touchdown catch on Los Angeles’ second drive for the game’s first score — went out with a knee injury in the second period. Kupp finished with eight receptions for 92 yards.

One fear for Rams followers was ill-advised throws by Stafford, and he had two. His deep pass moving left was picked in the end zone late in the first half by Jessie Bates III. On his second interception, rookie Ben Skowronek could only deflect it —directly to Awuzie.

Other than Matt Gay’s 41-yard field goal later in the third quarter, it was all defense until the Rams’ decisive drive.

“World champs, baby!” McVay proclaimed.

Energized from the outset, the crowd of 70,048 at the stadium that opened in 2020 roared to introductions of each team by The Rock. Then the Bengals fans, far louder than their Rams counterparts early on, got to rocking when Trey Hendrickson sacked Stafford, leading to a punt.

LA’s defense responded by holding on third and fourth downs with a yard to go at midfield. Ernest Jones knocked down a pass for Ja’Marr Chase to turn over the ball, and the excellent field position set up the first touchdown.

Beckham, who joined the Rams in Week 10 after being exiled from Cleveland, easily beat Mike Hilton on a corner pattern for the 17-yard score. Then Beckham showed off his moonwalk in the end zone.

Kupp’s first touch was a short throw from Stafford he turned into a 20-yard gain when Bates III fanned on a tackle. That would not be the last whiff by the Bengals, and it cost them mightily at the end.

The most intriguing matchup, Offensive Rookie of the Year receiver Chase against All-Pro Ramsey, got real juicy late in the opening quarter. Chase brilliantly tracked Burrow’s throw and made a one-handed grab over Ramsey for a 46-yard gain to the LA 11. The drive went no further and McPherson made a 29-yarder.

Beckham took advantage of two defenders colliding to pick up 35 yards on the next drive, Darrell Henderson got 25 while covered by Hendrickson dropping back — huh? — and Kupp was wide open in the right corner of the end zone for his 11-yard score.

“It just comes down to this team and the way we prepared, they way we loved on each other, trusted each other,” Kupp said.

As has been their wont when behind in the playoffs, though, the Bengals responded with a 75-yard drive capped by the trickery of Joe Mixon. He was so efficient running that the secondary was sucked in when Burrow handed off, and Mixon lobbed a 6-yard TD pass to Higgins.

It remained 13-10 until halftime, with Beckham’s left knee injury most notable; he had to be helped off the field and didn’t return.

Thanks greatly to Kupp, though, the Rams finished it off.

“We always talk about there’s something special about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” McVay said. “These guys play for one another.”

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Moderate- and high-contact sports, including soccer, football, baseball, cheer and water polo, may now resume in Riverside County as the county’s adjusted case rate is 11.3. The case rate is updated every Tuesday and posted online at www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus. The state issued new sports guidance recently allowing certain moderate- and high-contact sports to begin in counties with an adjusted case rate of 14 cases or fewer per 100,000 residents.

The new guidance also applies to adult recreational sports teams, in addition to youth sports. “As our numbers improve and kids are getting back in school, we can now start expanding their athletic opportunities as well,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

“We know our coaches are just as committed to safety as we are, and we can make this work.” Athletic programs must obtain informed consent by the parents or caregivers on the risks of transmission by participating in the sport. In addition, weekly COVID-19 testing for all players and coaches is required for specific groups. Tests and results must be available within 24 hours of competitions.

Competitions between different teams will be allowed if both teams are within Riverside County, or a neighboring county that also has an adjusted case rate of 14 or less where that sport is also permitted. Teams are only allowed to play one game per day. Youth sports may include observers who are immediate household members during practice and competition. Physical distancing and face coverings must be maintained.

Spectators are not permitted for adult sports at this time. “This news is extremely welcomed considering the closure of sports has been very difficult for our students, especially for high school athletes in their senior year,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor. “As the county’s case rate and positivity rate decline, remember that getting tested will help us contain this virus and meet the state-metrics to continue reopening and moving forward.”

For more detailed information on the new sports guidance, which sports may resume and the testing requirements, visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID- 19/outdoor-indoor-recreational-sports.aspx.

Rivco.org • Contributed

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Soboba is scheduled to host a competition on Feb. 20. The only eligibility requirements to participate on the co-ed team are to be an enrolled member of Soboba or a community member between the ages of 5 and 18.

Head Coach Ricardo Macias, who is the Lead Recreation Aide for Soboba Parks & Recreation, said the sport had a team last year and about 10 to 15 members of this year’s team are returning cross country runners.

“I love that this sport brings kids out of the house and participating in something, especially given the pandemic we’re in,” Macias said. “We are focusing on their endurance and stamina, making sure they’re running and trying to progress distance-wise each and every practice.”

Practices are scheduled twice a week at the Sports Complex at 4 p.m. so as not to interfere with school class time, which is currently online for all students in the area. Macias said learning good form is the goal of watching them closely during practice sessions with the help of assistant coaches.

“We like to make sure the kids are running with a good posture and making sure their heads or shoulders aren’t bobbling around,” he said. “For the little ones, it comes so natural for them because they’re still in tune with their primitive instincts.”

During a recent practice, the group was guided through some warmup, stretching moves and then divided by age group with the younger runners from ages 5 to 7 running around the perimeter of the softball field several times. The older athletes had to run around the entire complex about five times, with each full lap measuring about a half mile.

Suwoswush Resvaloso, 6, Tónla Hurtado Laurenzana, and Kali Red Fox were among the younger runners whose energy and enthusiasm kept them going strong even after a few laps around the field.

“My mom wants me to start running with her and wants me to get stronger,” Kali, 7, said.

Tónla’s mom, Sasha Hurtado, said this is the first organized sport that came up that her five-year-old could join. She showed her daughter videos of last year’s team so she’d know what to expect.

“She’s finally old enough to participate,” Kelli Hurtado said about her granddaughter.

Staying together as a group were Nowaniiki Resvaloso, 10, Akwaalimay Resvaloso, 11, Nephreteri Salinas, 15 and Nashashuk Resvaloso, 16, three of whom participated last year. They all welcomed the idea of having a positive activity that gets them out of the house and keeps them moving.

Established in 2002, the Inter Tribal Sports mission is to unify tribal youth and communities through structured athletic programs while providing necessary resources and developing a strong foundation in culture, leadership and wellness.

The Temecula-based organization features year-round youth sports and enrichment programs designed specifically for southern California Native American communities. ITS provides athletic opportunities and values education in conjunction with cultural, physical, mental, and spiritual development.

ITS furnishes youth and communities with occasions to build self-esteem, respect, acceptance and sportsmanship through fun and positive activities, while developing athletic skill and forming friendships, guided by appropriate role models in a sound, structured program that is non-profit, volunteer-oriented and open to all tribal youth.

More information on Inter Tribal Sports can be found at www.intertribalsports.org or by calling 951-719-3444.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians • Contributed

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Q. Tell me about your latest excursion into the South?

A. I’m really close to my PFA coach. We’ve been discussing this trip for a while, but my dad, who always gives me sound advice, wasn’t sure I should go, considering the COVID-19 virus scare and all. However, after lots of discussions, he finally gave me the go-ahead and that’s how it came about.

Q. I am told that you were voted most valuable pitcher in the series.

A. I won the two games I pitched in. It was a six-game series.

Q. How did you get there?

A. The team flew into Dallas/Fort Worth where we were picked up by a big van and motored to Monroe, which gave us a chance to see the landscape which was cool.

Q. What kind of arena did you play in?

A. The field was nice with deer sands all around. The outfield made you feel at home. Also, we have furnished a big house for the team – almost like a frat house without the booze, of course. We brought along a ping pong set up and held ping pong tournaments in the house.

Q. Where did your team come from – anyone else from Hemet besides you?

A. Mostly California. I was the only one from Hemet. Others came from Los Angeles, Pasadena, Palm Desert, Calabasas and one guy from Colorado from a younger team.

Q. Were there a lot of major league scouts there?

A. You never can be sure. There usually are. They don’t like to be identified, but you know they are there – always looking up the road for prospects.

Q. What was the tournament called?

A. The Perfect Game. The games are limited, either 2 hours or 7 innings – whichever comes first.

Q. I guess you did okay then.

A. I played 6 innings in the first game, and with a day off, I closed a game with 20 pitches. It went pretty smooth. The Perfect Game is a big organization and gets pretty good ratings nationally.

Q. Did the thought of major league scouts in the stands intimidate you?

A. Not really. You know they’re there. Just go out and play your best game. If they see you, it’s okay. If not, maybe next time. You never really know.

Q. You are on a railroad to the majors, aren’t you?

A. That’s the Goal.

Q. Cal State Fullerton, where you have an athletic scholarship, is sending you to a Collegiate League for four months. Do you know where that takes place?

A. I believe it is in San Jose, but not sure. It is designed to kind of whip me into shape. I have a lot of work today. I love baseball, but it is hard work if you have ambitions to become a major league player – and I sure do.

It just so happens that his mother Karlee Meyer is Hemet’s new Mayor. Both his parents Roger and Karlee have always encouraged their kids to follow their dreams. Baseball, for sure is not something acquired through influence. Baseball players come by their jackpots by hard work, ambition and opportunity. This kid has something special.

Keep it up Gavin – your hometown is rooting for you. Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Strait • Senior Reporter

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“It’s always the hope and desire of the Athletic Department here at SJHS to not only see our students further their education after graduation, but to also further their athletic careers as well,” said Amanda Galliano, SJHS’s Athletic Director. “It is with a tremendous amount of pride that we get to do just that for these athletes in our football and softball programs,” she noted.

Kajiya Hollawayne signed his intent letter for UCLA, located in Los Angeles, California for football. Lea Iribe made her commitment to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Prescott, Arizona for softball.

Principal Courtney Hall shared her pride in the athletes, noting they are all role models on campus. “Thank you to our coaches for their time and guidance, and a special thank you to parents for supporting these students who have spent so much time in the sport their child loves,” said Hall.

When Athletic Director Galliano asked the students to share their future plans and who’d they like to thank, both seniors were all smiles and quick to answer. “I’m going to major in Kinesiology,” said Kajiya Hollawayne “I like to thank my mom, dad, brothers, sisters as well as my coaches, and I’m happy that football gave me an opportunity for college,” he continued.

“I plan to study Forensic Biology,” explained Lea Iribe. “I like to thank my parents, travel ball team and coaches, and I’m truly grateful that softball has given me an opportunity to attend such an amazing college,” she continued.

-Dawn Lawrence • SJUDS Coordinator

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As I do not wish to hazard the automobile traffic between my garage in San Jacinto and the route up to Simpson Park, I load my bike in the Tundra and take Columbia St. almost until it ends at Stetson Ave. I take out the bike, cross Stetson and continue until I hit Crest, one of the lovelier streets in Hemet. It includes one of the largest live oaks in the valley in someone’s front yard. Woodpeckers jostle above with scrub jays and hawks.

Upon turning right at the sign (Simpson Park and arrow pointing), I speed down briefly. Then, housing tracts disappear, individual architecture is noticeable, roads are actually well paved. This first rise requires standing and pedaling above and past some beautiful houses for about seven minutes. There is now a three-minute happy time of level road, and I pedal in eighth gear. Just before Vista del Valle turns to the left, a cross stands, marking Brian’s passing. Brian lived forty-five years (from 1-22-75 to May 25, 2020, says the marker) and a little bicycle is set there to commemorate his life, also a sign “We Love You; We Miss You”, and now a large photograph. I don’t know the story otherwise. Offhand, I’d say that he died there on his bicycle.

If you are in any kind of shape to appreciate the lovely surroundings, despite the torture that you endured to get there, notice flocks of California quail; notice the foliage: cape blue plumbago, lantana, and bougainvillea. After this it is time to stand and pedal for about five minutes, before a brief, fairly level ride. Now the worst part: stand and pedal for about five minutes after I am already tired. Did I mention not to do this when the temperature is above eighty degrees? Although I have done this ride for about twenty-six years, even I had to get off once and walk the bike the last few feet (I think it was when I was out of shape and weighed perhaps twenty-five pounds more than I do now). I count twenty-two minutes from the beginning of the ascent to the top.

At the top about eight to ten cars usually are parked. From what I have seen their owners are either walking or mountain biking above the gate. The gate to Simpson Park is locked, perhaps rightly so, due to fire hazard. Beyond each house on my left and right is nothing but dry sage brush and weeds, which would go up quite quickly should anyone behave carelessly. I have pedaled beyond the gate in the past and it is a worthy challenge, including a hill that required my ‘tacking’ (for lack of a better term, I employ the nautical skill of moving left and right, rather than straight forward in order to make progress). In total, as I recall, it is another fifteen minutes from the gate to Simpson Park and the end of the road. Total from bottom to top is around thirty-five minutes of mostly climbing.

More enjoyable, of course, is sailing down! Sailing down from the gate takes about four minutes—depending, of course, on your daring-do! Today a car ahead of me on the 10-mph section was so slow that I began tailgating. Eventually, a man’s arm emerged from the driver’s window and waved me forward. I passed up the car and kept ahead until the last downhill part, when he showed me what a black Porsche SUV can do, should it choose to. I didn’t even know that Porsche’s came in SUV models! A large hawk alights on a telephone pole, as I cruise back to my truck. Probably NOT a red tail.

-Peter Putnam

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The Bruins football and men’s and women’s basketball teams will be outfitted under the Jordan Brand. UCLA will be the first Pac-12 school to wear the “Jumpman” logo on its uniforms and will join Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma and North Carolina as programs under the Jordan Brand for football and both basketball teams.

The new deal with Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike starts next July 1. Until then, UCLA’s 25 programs will continue to be outfitted by Under Armour even though the university is suing the apparel company for breach of contract.

“Going into this process, our top priority was to secure the best quality and most innovative products to help our student-athletes and coaches compete for championships,” athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement regarding the new agreement. “As we build upon our rich history and strive for greater heights, this transformative collaboration is a signal of the future.”

Under Armour announced in June that it was ending its contract with UCLA, citing unforeseeable circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic as one of the reasons. The two sides were four years into a 15-year deal worth $280 million, which was the highest in college athletics.

UCLA filed a lawsuit against Under Amour in August in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for breach of contract, seeking damages in excess of $200 million.

Terms of UCLA’s contract with Nike have not been available since it is pending formal approval.

“The popularity of the brand, especially the Jumpman brand, within our sport of basketball is undeniable,” men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin said via Zoom.

UCLA guard David Singleton said he owns over 80 pairs of Jordan shoes and has two more “coming in the mail.”

“I watched him as a young kid and he became my favorite player. I loved his demeanor and his will to win,” Singleton said on a Zoom call. “Jordan is a line of Nike, so I feel like having Nike will increase our recruiting chances already.”

The men’s basketball team has been wearing various brands in its games so far this season.

“It’ll be a big upgrade for UCLA and recruiting,” basketball forward Cody Riley said. “I was always in Nikes or Jordans growing up playing. Also, it’s just Michael Jordan, one of the greatest players of all time.”

Under Armour paid $10 million per year in rights and marketing fees as well as contributing $2 million total to aid in facility improvements. Under terms of the contract, the company is supposed to supply $6.85 million in athletic apparel, footwear and uniforms.

UCLA was outfitted by Adidas prior to its deal with Under Armour.

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The San Francisco 49ers will relocate to Arizona for the next three weeks after new coronavirus regulations put in place by officials in Northern California forced the team to find a temporary new home. The 49ers (5-6) announced they will host the Buffalo Bills next Monday night and Washington on Dec. 13 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, because they won’t be able to practice or play games at home in Santa Clara County for three weeks.

A person familiar with the team’s plans also said a decision has been made to start practicing later this week in Arizona and remain based there until at least Dec. 21. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there hadn’t been an announcement. The team was forced to move because the rules imposed by Santa Clara County prohibit any practice or games for contact sports and will require the players to quarantine for 14 days any time they travel more than 150 miles.

Niners CEO Jed York said the team had offers from San Diego and Arizona, but playing at the Cardinals’ home proved to be the best option. He thanked Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell and officials in Arizona for their help in “these unprecedented times.” “The Cardinals organization, State Farm Stadium and League officials have been supportive and accommodating as we work through the many logistical issues involved in relocating NFL games,” the 49ers said in a statement.

Santa Clara County announced rules Saturday that include a three-week ban on practices and games for contact sports starting Monday. The Niners were on a plane getting ready to travel to Los Angeles, where they beat the Rams 23-20 on Sunday, when the players and coaches heard about the new rules. Now they will likely head on an even longer road trip while trying to make a late-season playoff run. San Francisco is currently one game out of a playoff spot. “The biggest thing for me is us all leaving our families,” coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. “We’re all human just like everyone else. It’s a big deal to leave your family for the whole month of December.

A huge deal, as everyone knows. This virus is a huge deal.” Shanahan said it was “extremely disappointing” the players and coaches learned about the new rules on social media as they were on the plane. The county said the dramatic rise in cases required “quick action” and the priority was making sure there is enough hospital space to deal with the coronavirus and any other health issues. “The 49ers are one of the thousands of organizations impacted by our most recent actions,” the county said in a statement. “The County of Santa Clara has been in regular communication with the 49ers both before and after the announcement of the revised mandatory directive affecting all contact sports.

We continue to do everything we can to support the 49ers, as well as all local businesses, affected communities, and families impacted by the pandemic.” The Niners have road games scheduled at Dallas on Dec. 20 and then again on Dec. 26 at their temporary home in Arizona against the Cardinals. They finish the season with a home game against Seattle on Jan. 3, which could be played at Levi’s Stadium if the ban is lifted as scheduled Dec. 21. “We just got to have that open mind and positive attitude and make sure that first and foremost that everybody’s safe,” said running back Raheem Mostert, whose wife gave birth to the couple’s second child during the season back home in the Cleveland area. “That’s the main goal.” The AFC East-leading Bills (8-3) will return to Arizona for the second time in a little over three weeks, following a heartbreaking 32-30 loss to the Cardinals.

The game was decided by DeAndre Hopkins’ leaping catch of Kyler Murray’s 43-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left. The catch was immediately dubbed the “Hail Murray,” and came 32 seconds after Buffalo pulled ahead on Stefon Diggs’ 21-yard touchdown reception. Buffalo squandered a 23-9 lead before heading into its bye week. The Bills are coming off a 27-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. “It doesn’t matter,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “I mean, wherever they tell us to play, that’s where we’ll go to play.

We can’t control that and so it’s a home game for San Fran any way we look at it, and we’re the road team. That’s how we roll.” The rules also will impact the San Jose Sharks of the NHL and college teams at Stanford and San Jose State. There is no start date yet for NHL training camp but some Sharks players have been taking part in voluntary rehabilitation and training in a socially distanced setting at the team’s facility in San Jose.

The team said those will have to be modified to comply with the health order. “We are reviewing what options may be available locally to allow these players to receive rehabilitation treatment and continue their training for the upcoming season,” the team said in a statement.

-JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer

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UC Riverside led by as many as 13 points in the second haft, but Washington cut it to 44-38 with 9:03 remaining. That would be Washington’s final basket as the Huskies missed their final 12 shots down the stretch.

Magpayo missed UC Riverside’s opening loss to Pacific last Wednesday after flying back to southern California to be with his wife for the birth of their child. Magpayo, who is the first Division I men’s coach of Asian descent, was named the head coach in July after David Patrick accepted a coaching position at Arkansas.

Washington, which last led at 3-2, finished 16 of 52 (29.6%) from the field and was outrebounded 49-33 by the Highlanders of the Big West Conference.

Zion Pullin added nine rebounds and nine assists for UC Riverside (1-1). Perry was 9 of 15 from the field and Chidom 4 for 13.

Perry had 14 points in the first half on 7-of-10 shooting and Pullin had four points, six rebounds and seven assists as UC Riverside led 29-22 after forcing nine turnovers and not allowing an offensive rebound.

Quade Green scored 18 points for Washington (0-2), which returned just 35% of its scoring from last season and was picked by the media to finish ninth in the Pac-12. Hameir Wright had seven points, six rebounds and four steals, but he was just 1 of 10 from 3-point range.

It was a last-minute addition to the schedule for both teams. Washington lost to No. 2 Baylor on Sunday, and opted to stay in Las Vegas before its scheduled Pac-12 opener on Thursday at Utah. UC Riverside’s scheduled game against Fresno State on Monday was canceled do to a positive COVID-19 test within the Bulldogs program.

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