US Troop Drawdown in Afghanistan Coming

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Volume 78, No. 174 ©SS 2019 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2019 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas Senator: US troop drawdown in Afghanistan coming

BY TAMEEM AKHGAR “The Afghan security forces are get- Graham said America’s withdrawal The Taliban have said any peace agree- Associated Press ting more capable,” said Graham. “As they from Afghanistan must be “condition- ment must include getting all American achieve capability, the number of U.S. forc- based” and that the Taliban must keep the troops out of the country. KABUL, Afghanistan — U.S. Sen. Lind- es necessary can go down.” promises they’ve made during talks. Recently resumed peace negotiations sey Graham said Monday that President Despite his past reluctance to embrace “It’s our goal to withdraw our forces, but between the U.S. and the Taliban were Donald Trump will announce an Ameri- a troop withdrawal, Graham said he sup- it is our ultimate goal to do it in a sustain- “paused” again after an attack Wednesday can troop drawdown from Afghanistan ports Trump’s expected drawdown. That’s able fashion so we don’t have to come back outside Bagram Air Field, north of Kabul. this week that will likely begin next year. because Graham said 8,600 U.S. troops and we don’t undercut our prestige and our The attack killed two Afghans and wounded Seaking from the Afghan capital of would be sufficient to guarantee “Afghani- standing all over the world,” he said. 70 others. Five international coalition troops Kabul, Graham, R-S.C., said the president stan never becomes a launching pad for It wasn’t clear from Graham’s comments could reduce troop numbers to 8,600, down another attack against the United States’ when or if the U.S. would withdraw all of from the U.S. and the country of Georgia from the current estimated 12,000. homeland.” its forces completely. SEE GRAHAM ON PAGE 5 Curfew permanently lifted for US service members in S. Korea

BY KIM GAMEL AND MATTHEW KEELER Stars and Stripes CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — Gen. Robert Abrams permanently ended the hugely unpopular 1-to-5 a.m. curfew for U.S. service members in South Korea on Tuesday after a six-month suspension proved successful. The commander of U.S. Forces Korea made the decision after assessing the number and the types of incidents involving troops since the curfew was lifted temporar- ily on June 17, according to a news release. Abrams also consulted with other military leaders and unit commanders, who were asked to recommend whether to reim- pose the curfew, to continue the suspension or to end it. “All recommended its termination,” he said in the statement released Tuesday, stressing the need to maintain order and discipline in line with USFK regulations. “Leaders are responsible for our service- members’ on-and-off-post conduct; we are ambassadors of USFK, the United States and the U.S.-[South Korea] alliance to the Korean people,” he added. “We have a sol- emn responsibility to keep readiness at its highest levels with a ‘fight tonight’ posture, approach and mentality.” Abrams first announced a three-month curfew suspension on June 17 as a test for some 28,500 American troops stationed on SEE CURFEW ON PAGE 4

Airmen from the 51st Fighter Wing enjoy drinks at a bar just outside Osan Air Base, South Korea, on Saturday.

MATTHEW KEELER/Stars and Stripes PAGE 2 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 BUSINESS/WEATHER EXCHANGE RATES Military rates Switzerland (Franc)...... 0.9824 Louisiana sues California over alligator ban Euro costs (Dec. 17) ...... $1.1438 Thailand (Baht) ...... 30.21 Dollar buys (Dec. 17) ...... €0.8743 Turkey (Lira) ...... 5.8475 British pound (Dec. 17) ...... $1.37 (Military exchange rates are those Associated Press and is an important factor in the alligator industry provides Japanese yen (Dec. 17) ...... 107.00 available to customers at military banking South Korean won (Dec. 17) ...... 1,144.00 facilities in the country of issuance protecting wetlands and other economic incentives for land- Commercial rates for Japan, South Korea, Germany, the NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana species besides alligators that de- owners to take steps to protect Bahrain (Dinar) ...... 0.3771 Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For is suing the state of California British pound ...... $1.3344 nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pend on the wetlands. marshlands. Canada (Dollar) ...... 1.3143 purchasing British pounds in Germany), over its decision to ban the import “California has nevertheless The state argues that if Califor- China (Yuan) ...... 6.9821 check with your local military banking Denmark (Krone) ...... 6.7022 facility. Commercial rates are interbank and sale of alligator products, attempted to destroy the market nia’s ban goes into effect, “land- rates provided for reference when buying saying the ban will hurt an im- Egypt (Pound) ...... 16.0304 currency. All figures are foreign currencies for American alligator products owners will be forced to greatly Euro ...... $1.1150/0.8968 to one dollar, except for the British pound, portant Louisiana industry and notwithstanding the fact that no reduce or cease their erosion Hong Kong (Dollar) ...... 7.7901 which is represented in dollars-to-pound, ultimately could hurt the state’s Hungary (Forint) ...... 294.59 and the euro, which is dollars-to-euro.) such alligators live in California,” control efforts because they will Israel (Shekel) ...... 3.4949 wetlands. the lawsuit says. be unable to economically sustain Japan (Yen) ...... 109.46 In a lawsuit filed Thursday, Louisiana said in its lawsuit those efforts, resulting in irrepa- Kuwait (Dinar) ...... 0.3035 INTEREST RATES Norway (Krone) ...... 8.9889 Louisiana said the economy sur- that because most of the state’s rable harm to their property as Philippines (Peso)...... 50.65 Prime rate ...... 4.75 rounding alligators has played coastal habitat is privately owned, well as harm to Louisiana’s sov- Poland (Zloty) ...... 3.82 Discount rate ...... 2.25 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) ...... 3.7387 Federal funds market rate ...... 1.55 a key role in bringing back the the state does not have direct con- ereign environmental interests in Singapore (Dollar) ...... 1.3543 3-month bill ...... 1.52 American alligator population trol over how it is managed. But wetland preservation.” South Korea (Won) ...... 1,169.36 30-year bond ...... 2.25 WEATHER OUTLOOK TUESDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST TUESDAY IN EUROPE WEDNESDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 43/39 Kabul 50/24 Seoul 34/30 Baghdad 64/49 Kandahar 60/35 Osan Tokyo Mildenhall/ Drawsko 34/26 44/40 Lakenheath Pomorskie Busan 44/40 44/39 46/38 Iwakuni 58/54 Kuwait Bahrain Zagan Sasebo City 71/67 Brussels 46/35 Guam 63/55 54/47 Ramstein 56/52 84/80 Lajes, 49/41 Riyadh Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 63/53 72/68 67/63 49/38 56/51 Aviano/ Vicenza 49/43

Naples 61/51 Okinawa Morón 74/70 56/49 Sigonella Rota 58/46 The weather is provided by the Djibouti Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/75 56/46 64/59 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

T O D A Y IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 10 Classified ...... 13 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 11 Opinion ...... 14-15 Sports ...... 17-24 Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 3 EUROPE Battle of the Bulge vets, war dead honored

BY JOHN VANDIVER Stars and Stripes Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Eu- ropean leaders gathered Monday at the Luxembourg American Cemetery to honor those killed in the Battle of the Bulge and to thank veterans on hand to mark the 75th anniversary of the pivotal battle. Before approaching the vets to shake hands, Esper addressed the crowd and the men. “For a moment in history, the fate of the free world rested on their shoulders — rested on your shoulders,” Esper said. The winter battle was the largest and costliest of the war for the United States, fought over six weeks in the forests and towns of Belgium and Luxembourg, where allies were outnumbered in a surprise offensive by German forces. The American soldiers held the line, buying time for reinforcements. More than 19,000 U.S. troops died in the fighting, and more than 5,000 of the war dead are buried at the cemetery in Luxembourg. Lt. Gen. George S. Patton Jr., who commanded the 3rd Army during the Bulge campaign, is also buried there. “Your stories are remarkable and we will forever be grateful for the sacrifices you made,” Esper said. The U.S. soldiers took a “gallant stand against tyranny” as they fought Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front, he said. The soldiers fought through setbacks PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ABRAMS/Stars and Stripes and the bitter cold, despite being low on Helen Patton, granddaughter of Lt. Gen. George S. Patton Jr., talks to Battle of the Bulge veterans before the commemorations at supplies and poorly equipped for freezing the Luxembourg American Cemetery marking the 75th anniversary of the battle Monday . The general is buried at the cemetery. conditions. The men knew hardship, having lived through the Great Depression, and brought that grit to the battlefield, Esper said. “The real story of the Battle of the Bulge are the soldiers who banded together,” Esper said. Included in the U.S. delegation attending the ceremony in Luxembourg were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Events in Luxembourg capped four days of international commemorations of the battle. U.S. F-16s flew over the cemetery grounds in honor of the air power that helped turn the tide in the battle and paved the way for victory. Henri, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, said the soldiers’ “exceptional bravery” ensured the “freedom of our countries, de- mocracy and the rule of law.” “We are indebted and eternally grateful to them,” he said. Battle of the Bulge veteran Robert Izumi, [email protected] a Japanese-American, stayed in Germany U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper talks to veterans after laying a wreath at the Twitter: @john_vandiver after the war and served in Patton’s unit. commemorations marking the anniversary . Turkish leader says he could close Incirlik over sanctions

BY JOHN VANDIVER The U.S. has about 50 nuclear Erdogan’s warnings come a and Turkey have been fraught gress have been critical of Erdo- Stars and Stripes bombs stored at Incirlik, which week after a U.S. Senate commit- in recent years. Turkey has al- gan and are calling for sanctions watchdog groups have raised se- tee backed legislation calling for ready been removed from the against the country, Trump has Turkey is prepared to kick curity concerns about. President economic sanctions after Turkey Pentagon’s F-35 program amid given no indication that he intends the U.S. military out of Incirlik Donald Trump said earlier this acquired Russia’s S-400 missile concerns that its operation of to move forward with penalties. Air Base if Washington imposes year he is confident the weapons defense system and over Ankara’s Russian air defenses could com- Earlier this month, Trump sanctions on the country, Presi- are safe at the base. incursion into northern Syria. promise the fifth-generation air- praised Erdogan and said Turkey dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Erdogan also said a U.S. Army Turkish Foreign Minister Mev- craft’s stealth technology. Turkey was doing a good job in its mili- raising the stakes after a similar site in the small Turkish village lut Cavusoglu last week also blast- had planned to buy more than 100 tary operation in northern Syria, warning was made last week by of Kurecik, which houses a radar ed the action by U.S. lawmakers F-35s. putting the U.S. president at Turkey’s foreign minister. for NATO missile defense efforts and warned Ankara would con- Incirlik, a strategic base that odds with Pentagon leaders who “We will close down Incirlik in Europe, could also be closed sider cutting off access to Incirlik dates to the early days of the Cold have been critical of the Turkish if necessary,” Erdogan said Sun- down. “If they are threatening us and Kurecik if economic penal- War, has played a role in U.S. op- incursion. day on Turkey’s A Haber news with these sanctions, of course we ties were imposed. erations against Islamic State . [email protected] program. will be retaliating,” he said. Tensions between the U.S. While U.S. lawmakers in Con- Twitter: @john_vandiver PAGE 4 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 PACIFIC US envoy rejects nuclear deadline set by N. Korea

Associated Press how to achieve North Korean denuclearization. Senior North Ko- SEOUL, South Korea — A se- rean officials have recently said nior U.S. diplomat said Monday denuclearization is already off the that Washington won’t accept a negotiating table and have threat- year-end deadline set by North ened to lift a self-imposed mora- Korea to make concessions in torium on nuclear and long-range stalled nuclear talks and urged missile tests. In past months, Pyongyang to return to negotia- North Korea has also conducted tions immediately. a slew of short-range missile and “On this point, let me be abso- other weapons tests. lutely clear: The United States Worries about a major North does not have a deadline,” Ste- MATTHEW KEELER/Stars and Stripes Korean provocation grew after phen Biegun, the U.S. special the country said Saturday that it U.S. service members and locals walk through an entertainment district just outside Osan Air Base, representative for North Korea, had successfully performed an South Korea, on Saturday. A 1-5 a.m. curfew GIs said was a morale killer has been permanently lifted. told reporters. “We are fully unspecified “crucial test” that aware of the strong potential for will strengthen its nuclear deter- North Korea to conduct a major rent. Experts say the North could Curfew: Restriction first imposed after 9/11 provocation in the days ahead. launch a satellite-carrying rocket To say the least, such an action or an intercontinental ballistic will be most unhelpful in achiev- missile if the U.S. fails to meet the FROM FRONT PAGE it’s fair that those people who do was extended indefinitely in its ing lasting peace on the Korean year-end deadline. the divided peninsula. He ex- what they’re supposed to should recent form in January 2012. Peninsula.” Friday’s test was the second in tended the suspension for three be affected by people that don’t. It applied to all service mem- Biegun, who was in Seoul for a week at a rocket facility where more months on Sept. 17, saying “I feel like nothing good hap- bers in South Korea except for talks with South Korean officials, North Korea has conducted mis- he need more time before making pens after 1 a.m. anyway,” she those attached to the U.S. Em- called on North Korea to sit down sile engine tests and launched it permanent. said. “But we’re adults. We signed bassy or the Joint U.S. Military for talks. satellites in what the United Na- Initially imposed after the 9/11 up (for the Army), and I feel like Affairs Group-Korea. “Let me speak directly to our tions called cover for testing its attacks, the curfew, which re- we should be able to make those Many soldiers said the lifting counterparts in North Korea: It is long-range missile technology. quires that troops be on base, in decisions.” of the curfew would allow more time for us to do our jobs. Let’s get North Korea’s military chief, their residences or in hotel rooms Officials said reported prob- freedom to do activities such this done. We are here. And you Pak Jong Chon, asserted Satur- during the specified hours, has lems during the curfew suspen- as shopping at night markets in know how to reach us,” he said. day that the North has built up long been an unpopular feature sion period mainly involved Seoul and traveling. Biegun later held separate “tremendous power” and that fistfights between soldiers and meetings with South Korean of military life for all branches in “I think soldiers should have the findings from the recent tests some issues with taxis. President Moon Jae-in and Uni- South Korea. more time to explore Korea would be used to develop new “We continue to be disappoint- fication Minister Kim Yeon-chul, Troops said it was a morale at nighttime,” said Pvt. Tayde weapons to allow the country to ed with the actions of a few indi- Seoul’s point man on North Korea. “definitely and reliably” counter killer. Creeks, 19, of Dallas, who joined “We are already forced to be viduals, mainly soldiers going out Moon’s office said that during U.S. nuclear threats. the Army in January and arrived away from our families. Why re- and getting into fights at night,” his visit to the presidential Blue The test flight of an ICBM in South Korea in June for her as- strict us to just our rooms?” Cpl. provost marshal Col. John Fivian House, Biegun said the Trump would likely derail diplomatic ef- Andrew Sudler, 22, of Dover, told Stars and Stripes on Monday signment with the 602nd Aviation administration wouldn’t give up forts as President Donald Trump Del., said Saturday while out with at USFK headquarters on Camp Support Battalion. on seeking diplomatic progress has viewed the North Korean friends at a bar near Osan Air Humphreys. Pfc. Elliot Vizcarrondo, 29, with North Korea, but it did not weapons test moratorium as a Base. “That kind of goes along He said problems were more a 2nd Infantry Division soldier elaborate . major foreign policy achievement. with the depression problem. noticeable in South Korea be- from the Dominican Repub- It’s unclear if North Korea will Biegun called the latest North Ko- They’ve had problems with sui- cause troops who get into trouble lic, said the curfew sometimes reach out to the U.S. to resolve rean statements “so hostile and cides here. Why co op us up in our are usually turned over to their caused problems because people their widening differences on negative and so unnecessary.” rooms if we are already forced command; in the U.S. they would felt a need to drink a lot in a short to be away from our family and be dealt with by local authorities. amount of time. alone by ourselves?” Former USFK commander “It’s having the freedom to be Pvt. Lydia Wombacher, 19, of Gen. Walter Sharp briefly re- able to make the decisions that we Warrenton, Mo., said she doesn’t scinded the curfew in July 2010, want,” he said Saturday. “Either think that all soldiers should suf- saying, “I believe that we can here, or in the States, a bad deci- fer because of the actions of a few trust our service members to do sion is a bad decision regardless bad apples. the right thing.” of how late you are out.” “There have been some prob- It was reinstated after several lems, but it’s a very small minor- months amid outrage over two [email protected] Twitter: @kimgamel ity of people,” she said Monday at high-profile rape cases involving [email protected] Camp Humphreys. “I don’t think American soldiers. The curfew Twitter: @MattKeeler1231

Pentagon’s top Asia policy official resigning

Associated Press him that he is leaving the job. Pentagon’s representative in Hoffman did not offer a specif- U.S. nuclear diplomacy with WASHINGTON — The Pen- ic reason for Schriver’s decision North Korea in 2018. His posi- tagon says its top Asia policy of- to resign but suggested that the ficial is resigning after two years tion as head of Asia policy for requirement for frequent travel the Pentagon has taken on added in the job. to and from Asia had become a importance as the Trump admin- LEE JIN-WOOK, YONHAP/AP The top Pentagon spokesman, personal burden for Schriver. Jonathan Hoffman, told reporters Hoffman said Schriver brought istration tries to shift its strategic South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, shakes hands with U.S. Thursday that Randall Schriver, “unmatched ” expertise on Asia focus from the insurgent wars of Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun during assistant secretary of defense policy. the past two decades to compet- a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. Moon’s office said for Indo-Pacific security affairs Schriver, a former Navy in- ing more directly with a rising Biegun said the Trump administration wouldn’t give up on seeking since January 2018, confirmed to telligence officer, had been the China. diplomatic progress with North Korea. Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 5 WAR/MILITARY 2 airmen receive medals for actions in Afghanistan

BY J.P. LAWRENCE by rocket-propelled grenades and Stars and Stripes machine-gun fire during a Tal- iban ambush, an Air Force state- Two pararescuemen credited ment said. with saving dozens of lives during Even after being wounded by intense combat in Afghanistan grenade shrapnel, Fisher contin- have received Silver Star Medals, ued firing back at his attackers the Air Force said. and gave medical treatment to Tech. Sgt. Gavin Fisher and critically injured soldiers dur- Staff Sgt. Daniel Swensen, who ing two ambushes, the Air Force were lauded for their actions in said. separate clashes, received the The Air Force credits Fisher third-highest military award for with saving the lives of 10 criti- bravery in a ceremony Friday at cally injured soldiers, evacuating BRYAN GUTHRIE/U.S. Air Force Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. 20 more and eliminating 118 Tal- “Getting this medal is impor- iban fighters. From left, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Lt. Col. Douglas Holliday stand with pararescuemen Tech. Sgt. tant because it lets people know Swensen received his medal for Gavin Fisher and Staff Sgt. Daniel Swensen during a Silver Star Medal ceremony at Nellis Air Force the war is still going on, and val- fighting in western Farah prov- Base, Nev., on Friday. iant efforts by men and women ince in September, the statement are still going forth,” Fisher said said. ing them from their supporting Swensen carried one of the ensen directed his comrades to in a statement. “People are still He was part of an Army Spe- fire team and pinning them down wounded as he and the others cover, then continued treating out there dying and fighting for cial Forces helicopter assault to before a grenade blast wounded moved to an extraction point the wounded until they could be each other, and it needs to be reclaim a police headquarters Swensen and five others. Despite about half a mile away. As they evacuated. He then stayed behind recognized.” taken by the Taliban. Militants his wounds, the pararescueman waited for a medical evacuation to lead the remaining troops back Fisher, who also received a sprang an ambush on a ground ran through enemy fire to treat helicopter to arrive, the Taliban through the enemy-occupied Purple Heart, fought in a fierce assault team Swensen was lead- an injured soldier before moving launched a second attack. town to rescue four more injured battle in the strategically impor- ing through a compound, separat- him to safety, the Air Force said. Braving enemy fire, Sw- soldiers. In all, he saved nine tant southeastern city of Ghazni lives, the statement said. in August of 2018. “It’s weird to receive so much An assault by more than 1,000 attention for something that I feel Taliban fighters occupied much ‘ anyone else would’ve done on the of the city — home to 280,000 It’s weird to receive so much attention for something that I battlefield that night,” Swensen people — prompting American feel anyone else would’ve done on the battlefield that night. I’m said in the statement. “I’m hon- forces to send support and launch ored my peers think I deserve airstrikes against the insurgents. honored my peers think I deserve this medal. ’ this medal.” Fisher served as the rear gun- Staff Sgt. Daniel Swensen [email protected] ner in a convoy that was struck Silver Star recipient Twitter: @jplawrence3 Graham: US Amazon, DOJ spar over redactions in lawsuit still seeks deal The Washington Post actions could put the entire gov- team were redacted, while Mi- ernment procurement system at crosoft’s corresponding scores The Justice Department is risk. were made public. pushing back on Amazon’s deci- “The stakes are high,” they “AWS has designated informa- with Taliban sion to withhold certain informa- wrote. “The question is whether tion regarding the Government’s tion from the public in its lawsuit the President of the United States evaluation of its own proposal FROM FRONT PAGE over President Donald Trump’s alleged meddling in procurement should be allowed to use the bud- as protected, while declining to were lightly wounded, accord- matters. get of DoD to his own personal protect the Government’s assessing to U.S. military spokesman Amazon Web Services, the and political ends.” ments of Microsoft’s proposal,” Sonny Leggett. He did not spec- cloud computing division of But they also withheld key bits the Justice Department wrote. ify how many of the injured were Amazon, is suing to overturn a of information from the compa- The Justice Department noted Americans. Defense Department decision to ny’s initial legal complaint, lead- that it would not be in a position Washington’s peace envoy, Zal- give its competitor Microsoft a ing the Justice Department to call to place “substantive” injunc- may Khalilzad, has been trying to massive, taxpayer-funded cloud its initial redactions “overbroad” tions on the JEDI project until hammer out a peace agreement computing contract. The Joint in a brief filed Wednesday. early February. Even so, Ama- with the Taliban for more than Enterprise Defense Infrastruc- In one section of the complaint, zon reserved the right to seek a year. The U.S. wants any deal ture, known as JEDI, is a project Amazon’s scores on seven evalu- an injunction. Amazon has until to include a promise from the in- to centralize the military’s cloud ation criteria assigned to it by the Jan. 17 to request discovery in surgent group that Afghanistan government’s source-selection the case. RAHMAT GUL/AP computing systems in the hands would not be used as a base by of a commercial cloud provider. terrorist groups. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham It is worth up to $10 billion over Graham, however, said the Tal- speaks at the Resolute a 10-year period. iban could not be trusted to be a Support headquarters in Kabul, In its initial complaint, Ama- reliable counter terrorism force. Afghanistan, on Monday. Graham zon accused Trump of employing “It would be insane for Ameri- said President Donald Trump will “repeated public and behind-the- ca to allow the Taliban to ensure announce a U.S. troop drawdown. scenes attacks” against it, saying that al-Qaida and ISIS-K doesn’t he acted on a grudge against Am- come back in a way to represent rasan Province. azon founder and chief executive a threat to our allies and to the Khalilzad tweeted earlier this Jeff Bezos, who separately owns American homeland.” said Gra- month that ISIS in eastern Af- The Washington Post. ham, using an alternative abbre- ghanistan has been weakened by Amazon’s attorneys cast viation for Islamic State’s branch operations carried out not just by Trump’s intervention as more in Afghanistan. The Afghan af- the U.S. and Afghan forces, but than just a slight against the com- filiate refers to itself as the Kho- by the Taliban as well. pany. They said the president’s PAGE 6 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 MILITARY Navy building ship named for gay sailor who was forced out BY MARISA IATI eral iterations of his will in case The Washington Post he were to be assassinated. “If a bullet should enter my brain, let By the time Harvey Milk’s that bullet destroy every closet supervisors in the U.S. Navy of- door,” he said in one version. ficially questioned him about his Milk’s prediction became real- sexuality, he had graduated from ity on Nov. 27, 1978, when former officer school and served as a div- Supervisor Dan White entered ing officer on a submarine rescue city hall through a basement ship during the Korean War. window, killed Mayor George Then his superiors caught him Moscone and shot Milk, then 48, in a park that was popular with gay several times. Moscone had de- men, his nephew said. The sight- cided days earlier not to reappoint ing raised questions about Milk’s White to the legislative body. sexual orientation in an era when White pleaded “diminished the military banned gay, lesbian capacity” at trial because he and bisexual service members. had fallen into a depression and, Milk was forced to resign. among other things, eaten a lot In a move that signaled an of sugar-heavy food before the about-face on the issue of gay killings. rights, the Navy on Friday began Based on that so-called to construct the USNS Harvey “Twinkie defense,” a jury found DODEA Pacific Facebook page Milk, a fleet oiler that will provide White guilty of voluntary man- Two teachers in costume engage in a round of sumo at Lester Middle School at Camp Lester, Okinawa . fuel to ships and aircraft. slaughter instead of murder. Riots The Navy announced in 2016 and candlelight vigils took place that Milk’s name would appear on to express outrage at the verdict. a ship, along with those of other White served five years in prison civil rights leaders, including abo- and later killed himself. Sumo heavyweights introduce litionist Sojourner Truth and suf- It wasn’t until more than a de- fragist Lucy Stone. cade after Milk’s death that the Life after the Navy took Milk Navy would have been barred Okinawa students to the sport to New York, where he worked from forcing Milk out for being as a teacher, a stock analyst and gay. President Bill Clinton in 1993 BY MATTHEW M. BURKE a production associate for Broad- signed a policy of “don’t ask, don’t Stars and Stripes way musicals. He moved to San tell,” which banned harassment of Francisco in 1972 and opened a “closeted” service members but CAMP LESTER, Okinawa — camera shop in the Castro Dis- still banned openly LGBTQ peo- Students at Lester Middle School trict, which was known for its gay ple from the armed forces. received some larger than life community. President Barack Obama re- guests Friday as two sumo wres- Milk quickly became a power- pealed the policy in 2011, open- tlers from the renowned Sado- ful local activist. He founded the ing the door for LGBTQ military gatake stable in Kyushu stopped Castro Village Association for members to reveal their sexual by to impart a little Japanese LGBTQ-led businesses, sat on orientations. culture. San Francisco’s Board of Permit The San Francisco Board of Kotoeko — a maegashira Appeals and in 1978 was sworn in Supervisors in 2012 urged the ranked seventh in Japan’s top as a city-county supervisor. secretary of the Navy to name a Makuuchi division — and his People regularly lobbed death ship after Milk, one of the nation’s protege, Kotooodutsu, were on threats at Milk, who created sev- first openly gay elected officials. Okinawa for Saturday and Sun- day’s Oozumou Okinawa Basho, or Grand Sumo Exhibition. Mae- gashira is the lowest of the five ranks in sumo’s top division. CARLOS VAZQUEZ/Stars and Stripes Okinawa-based Marine They answered students’ questions, gave pointers on proper Japanese sumo wrestlers Kotoeko, left, and Kotooodutsu answer wrestling technique, refereed questions at Lester Middle School on Friday . charged with trespassing several matches between the school’s teachers and chowed Watch the wrestlers give students BY MATTHEW M. BURKE No injuries were reported, Iha down on some Popeyes fried ‘ It’s pretty cool to see pointers about sumo at: AND AYA ICHIHASHI said. chicken in what overall turned TARS AND TRIPES stripes.com/go/okisumo that. In the States, you S S Sowers was arrested at the out to be a raucous affair. CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa scene on charges of trespassing “Today, we got together with wouldn’t be able to see — An Okinawa-based Marine and destruction of property, Iha the children and taught them non-Japanese yokozuna, sumo that. ’ was arrested by Japanese police said. His blood alcohol content about sumo,” Kotoeko said follow- wrestling’s highest rank. over the weekend after he was ac- after his arrest measured 0.15%, ing the assembly in the school’s “I love sumo and I just really Brigham Beck cused of smashing the glass back five times Japan’s legal limit for gymnasium. wanted to show the kids what a seventh grader door of an off-base home while driving of 0.03%. “Sumo always starts and ends great sport it is,” Kalina said. intoxicated. “He admitted the charges,” Iha with a bow. Regardless of wheth- “And they liked it.” Pfc. Anthony Sowers, 20, as- said. er you win or lose, the feeling that Austin Martinez, a Lester eighth “It was really fun to interact signed to Camp Hansen, was Sowers was in custody Monday you have towards your opponent grader, said it was exciting to have with real sumo wrestlers,” said taken into custody in the Kitamae morning, Iha said. Police planned is important,” he said. professional sumo wrestlers giv- Mackenzi Horton, a seventh neighborhood of Chatan shortly to refer the charges to the Naha “We hope the children can ing them pointers and telling them grader. Horton added that the after police were called by the District Public Prosecutors Of- learn the same, that regardless about their careers. Seeing his pride associated with hosting the home’s 66-year-old occupant at fice that afternoon. who your opponent is, that you re- teachers battle one another in the sumo wrestlers wouldn’t wear off 4:41 a.m. Sunday, said Okinawa Marine officials did not imme- spect them.” ring was a special highlight. anytime soon. Police Station Deputy Chief Hi- diately respond to requests seek- The wrestlers were brought to During the teacher-on-teacher “It’s prett y cool to see that,” said rotoshi Iha. ing comment Monday. the school, part of the Depart- matches, the student body stood fellow seventh grader Brigham Sowers broke off a metal win- ment of Defense Education Activ- and cheered to a fever pitch and Beck. “In the States, you wouldn’t [email protected] be able to see that.” dow bar and used it to smash the Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 ity, by teacher Kathleen Kalina, pounded the bleachers rhythmi- door, the Okinawa Times newspa- [email protected] whose brother-in-law, Akebono, cally to Queen’s “We Will Rock [email protected] per reported Monday. Twitter: @AyaIchihashi a native of Hawaii, was the first You.” Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 7 NATION Man whose info found Court: Supermax on shooter faces court prison addressed

Associated Press KEYPORT, N.J. — A New censorship issues Jersey man whose number was found in the back pocket of one of the perpetrators of last week’s Associated Press magazine issues between 2010 fatal shootings at a Jewish market and 2014. The reason, prison of- was due in court Monday to face a DENVER — A federal appeals ficials said, was that those 11 weapons charge unrelated to the court in Denver has ruled that magazines named individual in- attack. officials at a supermax prison in Colorado sufficiently changed mates and employees in the Ad- Ahmed A-Hady, of Keyport, /AP was charged with being a felon in ED MURRAY, NJ ADVANCE MEDIA their policies and corrected their ministrative Maximum Facility possession of a weapon. He had The FBI searched the Buy N Sell pawnshop in Keyport, N.J., over mistakes after refusing to dis- in Florence, Colo. been convicted of a drug charge the weekend while investigating last week’s killing of a police officer tribute a magazine that provides The facility is the highest-se- in 2012. He was scheduled to ap- and fatal attack on a Jewish market in Jersey City. legal information to inmates. curity prison in the U.S., hous- pear in U.S. District Court in The three-judge panel of the ing inmates such as Unabomber Newark in the afternoon. trunk in nearby Bayonne the pre- armed with multiple weapons in- 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- Theodore Kaczyinski, Sept. 11 A-Hady’s number was found in vious weekend, authorities have cluding an AR-15-style rifle and peals on Friday rejected an argu- conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui the pants pocket of David Ander- said. a shotgun, and a pipe bomb was ment by the magazine’s publisher, and, more recently, drug kingpin son, one of two attackers killed by A-Hady hasn’t been charged also found in the stolen U-Haul Prison Legal News, that a court Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. police after an hourslong standoff with providing any of the weap- van they drove to the market. Two order was warranted to prevent Paul Wright, editor of Prison at the JC Kosher Supermarket in ons used in Tuesday’s shootings. of the weapons used by Anderson future censorship. Legal News, expressed disap- Jersey City. Anderson and Fran- “The Warden has declared The FBI said searches of his resi- and Graham were bought by Gra- pointment in the appeals court cine Graham killed Jersey City dence and a pawnshop in Keyport that PLN’s future publications ham in Ohio last year, police have ruling, noting that this was the Police Detective Joseph Seals where he works — about 15 miles substantially similar to the pre- before storming the store, killing south of where the shootings oc- said. It’s not known where they viously rejected publications will second time the Bureau of Prisons three people inside. The attack is curred — yielded weapons in- got the three other guns. not be rejected,” said the opinion had censored the magazine and being investigated as domestic cluding three AR-15-style assault CBS2NY reported that A- written by Judge Scott Matheson the “second time they claimed terrorism. rifles, three handguns and one Hady’s brother said the family Jr. the suit was moot by capitulating Anderson and Graham are also shotgun, as well as more than 400 had never heard of the suspects The dispute centers on the U.S. at the last minute and delivering prime suspects in the slaying of a rounds of ammunition. and the pawnshop didn’t sell Bureau of Prison’s decision to not the censored publications years livery driver found dead in a car Anderson and Graham were firearms. distribute 11 Prison Legal News after they were published.” PAGE 8 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 NATION House report says Trump betrayed nation

BY LISA MASCARO Mitch McConnell to spur negotia- AND JONATHAN LEMIRE tions with the GOP. Associated Press “This trial must be one that is fair, that considers all of the rel- WASHINGTON — The House evant facts,” Schumer wrote. Judiciary Committee released Trump has expressed interest a sweeping report Monday bol- in a robust trial that would not stering the case for impeaching only clear him of the charges in President Donald Trump, laying the Senate but also vindicate him, out the rationale and charges that but his desire for a lengthy pro- accuse him of betraying the na- ceeding is something Senate Re- tion for his own political gain. publicans are hoping to avoid. Trump faces two articles of McConnell and Schumer are impeachment by House Demo- expected to meet to discuss how crats: abuse of power and ob- to conduct the trial. struction of Congress. They point The witness list will be key to to Trump pressuring Ukraine to the proceedings. investigate 2020 political rival In his letter, Schumer proposes Joe Biden while withholding as a detailed structure and timeline leverage military aid the country for a trial to begin Jan. 7, with the relies on to counter Russia as well as his efforts to block the House swearing-in of Chief Justice John investigation. Roberts to oversee the proceed- The House will vote Wednes- ings and stretch for several weeks day on the impeachment articles as Democrats subpoena witness- approved last week by the House es and testimony, specifically Judiciary panel. The vote is all around Trump’s decision to with- but certain to result in Trump’s hold military aid from Ukraine. A impeachment, though he’s ex- J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP day of what Schumer calls “pre- pected to be acquitted in a Senate trial housekeeping measures” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., convenes the markup of articles of would take place Jan. 6. trial. impeachment against President Donald Trump on Thursday. The committee issued its report Monday. Detailing its case against the Democrats want to hear from Bolton, who labeled the alterna- nation’s 45th president, the Judi- onstrated he will remain a threat dents,” said Rep. Doug Collins, of ate trial, where the Republicans tive foreign policy being run by ciary panel released a 650-page to national security and the Con- Georgia, the panel’s top Repub- are expected to acquit Trump in Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and report just after midnight. The stitution if allowed to remain in lican. “The quicker the majority January. others as a “drug deal” he want- document, which formally lays office.” report and the majority’s actions “There ought to be a fair trial the groundwork for the vote, said Trump, by refusing to cooper- are forgotten, the better.” where the whole truth comes out,” ed no part of. He left the White Trump “betrayed the nation by ate with the House impeachment The White House press sec- Senate Minority Leader Chuck House in September. abusing his high office to enlist a inquiry, violated the Constitu- retary tweeted Monday that the Schumer told reporters Sunday in They also want testimony from foreign power in corrupting dem- tion’s system of checks and bal- release of the impeachment re- New York. “And I’m going to work Mulvaney, who has acknowledged ocratic elections.” ances, the report said. port “in the middle of the night” to get that done.” the military aid to Ukraine was The report was submitted to the In dissent, Republicans on the underscored that impeachment The top Senate Democrat called being held up, as well as two other House Rules Committee, which panel denounced the materials effort was a “partisan sham.” for new evidence and testimony White House officials: Robert will meet Tuesday to set param- submitted by Democrats. Trump, only the fourth U.S. from former national security ad- Blair, a top Mulvaney aide, and eters for Wednesday’s debate. “The paltry record on which president to be charged in im- viser John Bolton, acting White Michael Duffey, a budget official The panel summarized the evi- the majority relies is an affront to peachment proceedings, has House chief of staff Mick Mul- who was tasked with handling the dence for impeachment compiled the constitutional process of im- insisted he has done nothing vaney and two others as part of Ukraine issue. Those officials de- by the House intelligence com- peachment and will have grave wrong. a detailed proposal outlined in a fied House Democrats’ subpoenas mittee and said Trump “has dem- consequences for future presi- Attention is turning to the Sen- letter Sunday to Majority Leader to appear before the inquiry. Comey: ‘Real sloppiness’ in Russia probe but no misconduct

BY ERIC TUCKER sneeze at” but also not evidence was real sloppiness, 17 things Associated Press of intentional misconduct, Comey that either should’ve been in the said. applications or at least discussed WASHINGTON — Former In a tweet Sunday, Trump called and characterized differently. It FBI Director James Comey ac- for an apology from Comey, now was not acceptable and so he’s knowledged Sunday that a Justice that he “got caught red handed.” right. I was wrong.” Department inspector general re- The report by Inspector Gen- port identified “real sloppiness” eral Michael Horowitz concluded Current FBI Director Chris- in the surveillance of a former that the FBI opened the Rus- topher Wray told The Associated Trump campaign aide and said sia investigation for a legitimate Press last week that the report he was wrong to have been “over- reason and was not motivated by identified problems that are “un- confident” about how the Russia partisan bias when it did so. acceptable and unrepresentative investigation was handled. But Horowitz also found major of who we are as an institution.” But Comey also insisted he errors and omissions in applica- The FBI is taking more than 40 was right to feel some measure tions the FBI submitted to eaves- steps to fix those problems, he of vindication because the report drop on former Trump campaign said. did not find evidence for the most aide Carter Page. Those prob- sensational of President Donald lems include the omission of key Comey also criticized Attorney Trump’s claims, including that information about the reliability General William Barr for say- he had been wiretapped and il- of a source whose information ing in a separate interview last legally spied on and that the FBI had been relied on for the war- week that the many errors by the had committed treason in inves- rant and the altering of an email FBI left open the possibility that tigating ties between Russia and by an FBI lawyer. agents may have acted in bad his 2016 campaign. Comey said in retrospect that faith. The inspector general, Comey he was wrong when he said last “The facts just aren’t there, full said in an interview on “Fox year that the applications to the stop,” Comey said when asked News Sunday,” “did not find mis- secretive Foreign Intelligence conduct by FBI personnel, did not Surveillance Court were handled whether Barr has a valid point. find political bias, did not find il- in a “thoughtful, responsible “That doesn’t make it any less KEVIN WOLF/AP legal conduct.” The significant way.” consequential, any less impor- Former FBI Director James Comey talks with “Fox News Sunday” mistakes the inspector general “ ... He’s right,” Comey added, tant, but that’s an irresponsible anchor Chris Wallace on Sunday morning in Washington. identified are “not something to referring to Horowitz. “There statement.” Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 9 NATION Thousands of Ohio voters’ absentee applications denied

BY JULIE CARR SMYTH absent from all the official data Associated Press collected by the state, making it all but impossible to compare COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thou- the issue across years or multiple sands of Ohio voters were held up states. or stymied in their efforts to get Signatures and other verifica- absentee ballots for last year’s tion requirements are there to general election because of miss- safeguard Ohio’s elections, said ing or mismatched signatures on state Rep. John Becker, a south- their ballot applications, an Asso- western Ohio Republican. He ciated Press review has found. said if a voter fails to sign the ap- The signature requirement plication form, “that’s on them.” CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/AP on such applications is a largely But Jen Miller, executive direc- overlooked and spottily tracked tor of the League of Women Vot- Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., hits a baseball after a meeting with minor step in Ohio’s voting process, ers of Ohio, said the AP analysis league baseball players and officials at FunCity Turf on Sunday in Burlington, Iowa. Sanders is opposed which has shifted increasingly highlights a largely unexamined to Major League Baseball’s plan to cut 42 minor league teams. to mail-in ballots since early, no- step in a process her organization fault absentee voting was insti- already views as inefficient and tuted in 2005. subject to uneven enforcement. To supporters, the requirement “So a person can register to Sanders makes pitch for saving is a useful form of protection vote online, but if you go online to against voter fraud and provides request an absentee ballot, a form an extra layer of security neces- is mailed to you that you have to minor league baseball teams sary for absentee balloting. mail back,” Miller said. Her or- To detractors, it’s a recipe for ganization supports allowing BY WILL WEISSERT ina for a 78-year-old who recently had a heart attack disenfranchisement — a cumber- people to request absentee ballots Associated Press while also letting Sanders press a larger political some addition to an already strin- online. point about rich owners putting profits ahead of the gent voter identification system. About 1.4 million of Ohio’s BURLINGTON, Iowa — Take Bernie out to the national pastime. Figures provided to the AP roughly 8 million registered vot- ball game? MLB is negotiating a new agreement with the Na- through public information re- ers cast absentee ballots last Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and Demo- tional Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, quests to Ohio’s 88 county boards year. cratic presidential candidate, is aggressively oppos- the governing body of the minors. The initial con- of elections show 21 counties Republican Secretary of State ing a Major League Baseball plan to cut 42 minor traction proposal primarily would affect lower-level rejected more than 6,500 absen- Frank LaRose advocated as a league teams across the country after 2020. Among teams in short-season leagues. Sanders met last tee ballot applications because a state lawmaker for Ohio to allow the targeted are the Vermont Lake Monsters, the month with Commissioner Rob Manfred to decry signature was either missing or voters to apply for absentee bal- Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics in his the plan and the senator sent him a letter Saturday, didn’t match what was on file. lots online. A version of legisla- hometown, Burlington. arguing that baseball “has to be considered more That requirement is not for the tion he first proposed in 2013 is Defending low-profile ball clubs in far-flung than just the bottom line.” ballot itself, which faces a dif- now before Ohio’s Legislature. places more fervently than anyone in the crowded After the initial Sanders-Manfred meeting, MLB ferent battery of requirements, According to the National Con- Democratic presidential field allows Sanders to po- issued a statement saying it “understands that we but merely for an application reference of State Legislatures, tentially win over a largely untapped 2020 constitu- have an obligation to local communities to ensure questing one. three states — Oregon, Wash- ency: baseball fans. that public money spent on minor league stadiums is Another five counties reported ington and Colorado — conduct Sanders briefly took batting practice Sunday on done so prudently and for the benefit of all citizens.” rejecting about 850 applications all-mail elections, eliminating an indoor turf field as representatives from three But it added: “MLB also must ensure that minor combined, for various reasons the ballot application process by small-town Iowa teams looked on: the Quad City league players have safe playing facilities suitable that the boards didn’t specify. automatically mailing a ballot River Bandits, the Clinton LumberKings and the for the development of professional baseball players, The few counties that tracked to every registered voter before Burlington Bees, the local club in this town on the are not subjected to unreasonable travel demands, what happened to applications Election Day. Mississippi River. In August, Sanders played softball are provided with compensation and working condi- after they were rejected said is- Miller said Ohio has not shown with reporters on the state’s corn field-ringed “Field tions appropriate for elite athletes, and have a realis- sues were largely addressed be- the political will to move in that of Dreams,” the set of the Hollywood hit of the same tic opportunity of making it to the major leagues.” fore or on Election Day. direction, but her organization is name. And he has tapped a former Harvard second Some minor league players have filed a federal Twelve responding counties pushing establishment of a per- baseman, Faiz Shakir, to run his campaign. class-action suit charging that many players earn recorded encountering no sig- manent absentee list for those Sanders shed his signature suit jacket to take less than $7,500 per year, violating minimum wage nature issues with the absentee voters who meet certain criteria swings in a sweater over a dress shirt. With a staff laws. applications. The remaining re- that require help, such as illness, member slow-pitching, the senator dribbled a few More than 100 members of Congress from both sponding counties said they didn’t permanent disability or illitera- grounders to his left, then lifted a ball in the air in parties have signed a separate letter to Manfred op- track how many applications they cy. Seven states and the District the same direction . posing shutting down minor league teams. So far, rejected. of Columbia have just such a Taking the diamond demonstrated physical stam- though, Sanders is alone among the Democratic It’s a statistic conspicuously system. Houston’s mayor holds on to win second term in runoff

Associated Press morning show Turner capturing legislator before taking the reins Saturday’s runoff ended what of his own fortune into the race. just over 56% of the vote. More of Houston, the nation’s fourth- had been a mostly bitter mayoral Buzbee portrayed Turner as a ca- HOUSTON — Houston’s incum- bent mayor won a second term on than 200,000 votes were cast. largest city and one of the most race. reer politician who is beholden to Saturday night, holding off a mil- In seeking a second term, racially and ethnically diverse in While city elections are non- special interest groups. lionaire trial lawyer whose previ- Turner touted guiding Houston the country. partisan, Buzbee drew most of his Hip-hop fans may have rec- ous support of President Donald through the devastating floods In 2015, Turner narrowly beat support from Republicans while ognized one candidate in a run- Trump had become one of the of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 his runoff opponent by about 2 Turner’s backing came mostly off for a City Council seat, but main campaign issues. and reducing the city’s huge percentage points. from Democrats. being a part of a pioneering rap Mayor Sylvester Turner de- pension debt as some of his Turner and Buzbee ended up Buzbee, a former Marine who group wasn’t enough to get Brad feated Tony Buzbee during Sat- accomplishments. in the runoff as neither candidate made his fortune taking down big Jordan elected. Jordan, better urday’s runoff election. Unofficial It was the second mayoral got more than 50% of the vote corporations in court, ran on a known as Scarface of The Geto results released by the Harris runoff won by Turner, who was during the Nov. 5 election, which campaign of rooting out cronyism Boys, lost in the runoff to Carolyn County Clerk’s Office on Sunday a longtime Texas Democratic featured 12 mayoral candidates. at City Hall and poured millions Evans-Shabazz. PAGE 10 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 AMERICAN ROUNDUP Man convicted in $3M romance fraud scheme

KANSAS CITY MO — A Virginia man was convicted Friday in federal court in Missouri for his role in a scheme that defrauded lonely women across the country out of nearly $3 million. Henry N. Asomani, 34, a natu- ralized U.S. citizen from Ghana who lived in Dumfries, V a., was found guilty of six counts involving fraud and conspiracy. Prosecutors said Asomani’s co-conspirators contacted people who had posted ads on online dating sites such as ChristianMingle. com or through their Facebook pages and then used various phony stories to persuade victims to send them money. Besides victims in Missouri, other victims live in New Jer- sey, Alaska, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Kansas and Iowa. Package thief taunts with thank-you note

ST. PAUL — A pack- MN age thief who made off with a woman’s delivery in St. Paul last week decided to leave something behind for the victim — a handwritten thank-you note taunting her for the package. Homeowner Hilary Smith said she found the note on her porch after she got home from work, LIZ COPAN, (FRISCO, COLO.) SUMMIT DAILY NEWS/AP hours after she received a text saying that her package had been delivered. Head-spinning stunt The note said: “So just a quick little thank you for leaving me Chase Josey gets some air over the crowd during his second run of the men’s snowboarding halfpipe finals of the Land Rover U.S. Grand the opportunity of stealing your Prix at Copper Mountain, Colo., on Saturday. package. Very nice of you. Thank You.” It was signed: “The new ported Wednesday. THE CENSUS an attorney with her when she owner of your package.” Subsequent excavations by turned herself in Wednesday and Smith said she appreciates state archaeologist Nicholas Bel- The amount anonymously donated to pay off refused to give a statement to de- hand-crafted thank-you notes, lantoni yielded two more skele- layaway purchases tectives, the Antioch Police De- but not in this case. at two Alabama Walmart s. tons. The bone size indicates they Someone paid off $45,000 in purchases at a store partment said. were probably men, he said. $70K in the east Alabama city of Anniston on Monday, Police said Delgadillo rammed Man found eaten by One of the other reasons Bel- according to Casey Staheli, a spokesman at com- into Brian Martin, 63, with her gator died of overdose lantoni and his team believe the pany headquarters in Arkansas. Someone paid off another $25,000 in layaway car, smashing him into a glass bones belong to Revolutionary purchases two days later at a Walmart in nearby Oxford. WBMA-TV reported that storefront and breaking his leg, FORT MEADE — Flor- War soldiers is that they found customers at the Walmart in Anniston who arrived to pick up layaway items got a because she was upset with her FL ida officials said a man five buttons. note that said: “God loves you. Jesus paid the price.” son’s haircut. who was found partially eaten by “She was trying to kill me,“ an alligator in June died of a meth Stolen pit bull to make said Martin, owner of the Delta Barber Shop in Antioch, 45 miles overdose. of biting off part of the nose of ness so he could return to prison long trip back home east of San Francisco. According to an autopsy report a friend has been charged with could be locked up for the rest of Martin told reporters Delgadil- from a central Florida medical CHARLESTON — A felony assault. his life. examiner, Michael Glenn Ford lo had been his customer for over WV pit bull that was stolen Zachary Atchley, 27, of Fair- Mark Wilson, 59, of Portage a year and was usually pleasant II, 45, had methamphetamine in from its owner in Montana and banks, was arrested Dec. 10, the was sentenced Dec. 9 to at least but she became upset over a small his system when he died, and that taken across the country to West Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 25 years in prison because of past nick on her son’s neck. was the cause of his death. Virginia is on its way back home, reported. convictions. He won’t be eligible Ford’s body was found in a thanks to a microchip and a group The injured man told Alaska for parole until he’s in his 80s. Bear spray explosion canal on private property in June of volunteers who love animals. State Troopers that he went to see “Somewhere along the road, in Polk County, halfway between Cassandra Rasmussen, of Atchley and another man about 3 your honor, I just seemed to have forces evacuation Tampa and Orlando. His hand Butte, Mont., said a person she a.m. Tuesday at Atchley’s camp- lost the ability to function nor- and foot were found inside the considered a friend stole her er west of Fairbanks and began mally with society,” Wilson told a BOZEMAN — Au- gator’s stomach. purse and took her 9-year-old dog drinking hard liquor. Delta County judge. MT thorities said a home Zeus on Oct. 30. The man said Atchley ap- The Daily Press reported that in southern Montana was evacu- The suspected thief was arrest- Bones found may be proached and bit him , then pre- Wilson gave a note to a Hardee’s ated after a can of bear spray ex- ed in the Charleston area in No- Revolutionary soldiers vented him from leaving for employee in Escanaba indicating ploded in a warming oven. vember and the dog was taken to a Graver Johnson, battalion chief shelter. Workers at the Kanawha- medical help for about an hour, a that he was robbing the restau- RIDGEFIELD — with the Bozeman Fire Depart- Charleston Humane Association criminal complaint said. Atchley rant, he then stayed in the rest- Human skeletal re- ment, said three fire engines CT scanned him for a microchip also punched him in the head and room until officers arrived. mains possibly belonging to were sent to the home Dec. 10 be- and identified Rasmussen as the neck , the man said. Revolutionary War soldiers have cause it was thought the structure owner. Part of the man’s left nostril and Mom who crashed car been discovered under an 18th- was on fire. Volunteers are driving Zeus the the tip of his nose was missing. century house being renovated in into barber surrenders The explosion was contained nearly 2,000 miles back to Butte, in the oven, and firefighters used Connecticut, according to a pub- according to a Facebook page. Man commits crime lished report. ANTIOCH — A San fans to air out the building. The The Connecticut Office of State to return to prison CA Francisco Bay Area Bozeman Daily Chronicle report- Archaeology was notified by the Man charged with biting mother suspected of ramming ed it’s unclear why the bear spray medical examiner’s office of off part of friend’s nose ESCANABA — A Kal- her car into her son’s barber fol- was in the oven, and three men bones found under the basement MI amazoo-area man who lowing a haircut surrendered to who live at the home declined to of the Ridgefield home on Dec. 2, FAIRBANKS — An told his lawyer that he wanted authorities, police said. comment. The News-Times of Danbury re- AK Alaska man suspected to rob an Upper Peninsula busi- Ruby Delgadillo, 28, brought From wire reports Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 11 FACES

BY CHRISTI CARRAS bit of extra Jersey.” Los Angeles Times “Kevin can capture a little bit of me,” Glover said, smiling. “But “Danny, you look younger I think sometimes my manner- every day!” Danny DeVito shout- isms are often so out there in the ed — not at himself but at Danny public space, you know what I’m Glover, who was busy posing for a saying? Even my grandson makes photo shoot to promote their new fun of me.” film “Jumanji: The Next Level.” DeVito also got an extra imper- DeVito had already taken his sonation from fellow franchise solo shots, so he set to amusing newcomer Awkwafina, who plays himself by backseat directing DeVito, Glover finally share a stealthy cat-burglar avatar Glover’s session from across the named Ming Fleetfoot. DeVito room. “Don’t do that, Dan,” he a scene in ‘Jumanji’ sequel refused to reveal who he thought heckled as Glover crossed his was his better mirror. arms for the camera. “Give them “Oh, Awkwafina, definitely,” he all the stuff we’ve never seen be- quipped, before quickly adding, fore, Dan!” “No, I’m not saying that. (John- The character actor was al- son) did a great job.” ready on a comedic streak after Much like Eddie and Milo, De- goofing off with his hair and Vito and Glover go way back — so makeup artist while waiting for far, in fact, that they couldn’t pin- his costar to show. Now that his point exactly when they first met. friend and fellow Hollywood But they know their first movie veteran was here, DeVito was in together was Francis Ford Cop- full-on ham mode. The pair recently spent an extensive amount pola’s “The Rainmaker” in 1997. of time together while making For Glover, meeting DeVito and touring for the “Jumanji” se- didn’t feel like much of an intro- quel, which is now playing nation- duction. He imagined he already wide, yet greeted each other like knew his contemporary “as an childhood buddies who hadn’t extension” of his performances, talked since the last high school and he’s always been a fan. But reunion. they’ve since taken their friend- “DD and DG, baby!” Glover ship, appropriately, to the next exclaimed, pulling DeVito in for level. a bear hug. “There’s a deeper bond when you find out that the people that Their familiar dynamic was BRIAN VAN DER BRUG/Los Angeles Times fitting, considering they play old you like believe in the same things pals onscreen, though their char- Old friends Danny DeVito, left, and Danny Glover join the cast of “Jumanji: The Next Level.” that you believe in,” Glover said. acters aren’t quite as comfortable “You’re drawn to them.” with each other in the movie. “Ju- The two actors have only a in their complex backstory. Johnson) and zoologist Franklin Despite boasting more than manji: The Next Level” picks up handful of minutes in the film’s “Never met a man who cracks “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), 300 acting credits between them, with its main bunch of misfit kids, brief exposition to convey de- an egg so slow,” he fake-scolded respectively. DeVito, 75, and Glover, 73, had who have now graduated from cades of history between their Glover, presumably hard at work Yes, that means part of “Ju- never shared a scene — not even high school and gone their sepa- characters, from the opening of in their imaginary kitchen. “For manji: The Next Level” involves in 1997’s “Rainmaker” — until rate ways, only to be pulled back their restaurant to Milo’s friend- crying out loud, don’t examine Johnson and Hart doing their best “Jumanji: The Next Level.” into the game for another round ship-shattering decision to retire the ... thing. It’s an egg!” impressions of DeVito and Glover “When I heard Danny DeVito featuring new crafty characters from cooking. These were the kind of sce- — a comedic exercise the two was in it, man, I started laugh- and deadly landscapes. “We were able to establish that narios DeVito and Glover con- blockbuster stars took very seri- ing,” Glover said, cackling over DeVito plays Eddie, the grand- right off the bat, right off the top jured to explore their characters’ ously, according to their muses. DeVito, who just kept repeating father of Spencer (Alex Wolff), — their relationship,” Glover fraught relationship, which sets “It was great to have him how “excited” he was. “I said, whom audiences met as a high said. “And you can imagine ... the up much of the movie’s emotional looking at you all the time, con- ‘That’s going to be funny, man.’ ” schooler in 2017’s “Jumanji: Wel- course of actions within that re- themes before they inevitably stantly,” DeVito said of Johnson’s “It’s good to be in the same come to the Jungle.” Glover por- lationship — the bickering ... the get sucked into Jumanji’s virtual “Method” approach. “When scene together,” DeVito, who trays Eddie’s estranged business one-upmanship.” world. There, they must pass you know that that’s happening refers to Glover as his “baby partner, Milo, who shows up un- As if on cue, DeVito then slipped the baton to their video game — that he’s watching your every brother,” added. “Finally, after announced on his frenemy’s door- into restaurant roleplay, filling in avatars: archaeologist strongman move — I turned the burners up a all these years, we’re in the same step just in time for the holidays. some of the gaps “Jumanji” leaves Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne little for him. Let him have a little scene together.” Hallmark reverses course, reinstates same-sex marriage ads

Associated Press ‘Jumanji’ ends ‘Frozen 2’ ing in $5 million. The film took aim at the them to relive the tragedy. media and federal investigators for what Waldman said they hadn’t sold their idea The Hallmark Channel, reversing what hot streak to claim top spot director Eastwood sees as a rush to judg- to a network. The fire tore through an art- it called a “wrong decision,” said Sunday it ment after the 1996 Olympics bombing in ist warehouse in Oakland during an elec- will reinstate commercials featuring same- “Jumanji: The Next Level” put “Frozen Atlanta. tronic music party, killing 36 people. sex couples that it had pulled following a 2” on ice, while Clint Eastwood’s “Richard The 1974 slasher remake “Black Christ- complaint from a conservative group. Jewell” opened with one of the worst box mas” opened at No. 5 with $4.42 million. Other news The earlier decision by Crown Media, office debuts for the director. Hallmark’s parent company, to pull several The “Jumanji” sequel, starring Dwayne The Rian Johnson-directed “Knives Christina Hen- Out” continues to lean on strong social “Mad Men” actress ads for the wedding planning site Zola fea- Johnson and Kevin Hart, brought in $60.1 dricks filed for divorce Dec. 13 from her media buzz to land at No. 3, bringing in turing two brides kissing at the altar had million in the U.S. and Canada to break a husband of 10 years, actor Geoffrey Arend. $9.2 million. The whodunit film starring launched a storm of protest. Celebrities three-day record for a comedy in Decem- The marriage dissolution documents cited Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris like Ellen DeGeneres and William Shat- ber for the production company. The sequel irreconcilable differences. Hendricks, 44, Evans has now grossed $78 million. ner criticized the move, and the hashtag is a follow-up to 2017’s “Jumanji: Welcome and Arend, 41, have no children. They an- #BoycottHallmarkChannel was trending to the Jungle,” which grossed $962 million nounced their separation in October. on Twitter at one point. worldwide. Authors scuttle planned Oscar-winning British actor Colin “The Crown Media team has been ago- A week before it opened in North Amer- TV show about deadly fire Firth has split from his Italian film pro- nizing over this decision as we’ve seen the ica, “Jumanji: The Next Level” debuted in ducer wife Livia Giuggioli after 22 years of hurt it has unintentionally caused,” said a 18 international countries, where it made Anger over plans for a television series marriage. The pair have two sons. statement issued Sunday evening by Hall- $52.5 million. about a deadly warehouse fire in the San British-based Cineworld says it will mark Cards CEO Mike Perry. “Said simply, “Frozen 2” dropped to second place with Francisco Bay Area has led a husband- buy Canada’s Cineplex for about $1.7 bil- they believe this was the wrong decision. ... $19.2 million domestically after claiming and-wife writing team to scuttle the proj- lion to create North America’s largest We are truly sorry for the hurt and disap- the top box office spot for three straight ect for now. chain of movie theaters and better compete pointment this has caused.” weeks, earning $367 million since its Nov. The Berkeley, Calif.-based authors Mi- with AMC Entertainment, which owns or Zola, the wedding planning site that 22 release. The animated film crossed the chael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman said operates about 1,000 theaters around the made the ads, said it was relieved that the $1 billion mark globally to become Disney Dec. 14 that since word got out that they world. decision to pull them had been reversed. Animation’s third billion-dollar project were in the early stages of developing a Anna Karina, the French New Wave In an email to The Associated Press, the along with “Frozen” and “Zootopia.” It also show about the 2016 fire at the Ghost Ship actress who became an icon of the cinema company said it would be in touch with became Walt Disney Studio’s sixth billion- warehouse, many friends and families of in the 1960s and was the muse of Jean-Luc Hallmark “regarding a potential return to dollar release in 2019. the victims have urged them to reconsid- Godard, died Dec. 14 of cancer. She was advertising.” “Richard Jewell” landed at No. 4, bring- er the project because it was too soon for 79. PAGE 12 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 WORLD Kosovan man charged with supporting ISIS BERLIN — A man from Koso- PM Johnson prepares to vo has been charged in Germany with supporting a terrorist organization on allegations he fun- neled money to Islamic State in Syria and spread propaganda for the extremist group, federal pros- ‘get Brexit done’ in time ecutors said Monday. The suspect, identified only as BY GREGORY KATZ ment will hold its first major vote on the bill Hasan B. was charged Dec. 4 in AND DANICA KIRKA that same day or will wait until January after Hamburg, prosecutors said. the Christmas recess. B. is accused of facilitating the Associated Press The Brexit divorce bill is expected to re- transfer of funds to an ISIS fight- LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris ceive strong support in Parliament, where er in Syria 11 times between 2016 INDSEY ARNABY OOL/AP Johnson is ready to give a pep talk Monday to Johnson’s Conservatives hold a strong major- L P , P and 2017 and contributing some a new group of Conservative Party lawmak- ity. The party won 365 of the 650 seats in the of his own money as well. Brit ish Prime Minister Boris Johnson says ers as he begins his push to secure parliamen- House of Commons in Thursday’s landslide he’s ready to begin work on ensuring a tary approval for his Brexit deal. election. Brexit agreement is passed by Jan. 31. Lebanon delays new PM Johnson will welcome 109 newly elected If the bill passes and Britain leaves the EU talk after brutal clashes colleagues, many of them coming from parts on time, the country will enter a transition west England, Christian Wakeford, tweeted: of the country that were once strongholds of period when EU rules and regulations would “Reality with a bump, 5:33 train down to BEIRUT — Lebanon’s presi- the opposition Labour Party. still apply in the country and people and goods #Westminster not a morning person at all but dent on Monday postponed talks Buoyed by the Conservatives’ decisive win would still be able to pass freely between the couldn’t be happier to be on this train. ” on naming a new prime minister in last week’s election, Johnson will move fast U.K. and the remaining EU members. Newcastle-under-Lyme lawmaker Aaron after security forces repeatedly to deliver on his campaign mantra to “get Negotiators for the British government and Bell shared an image of himself smiling in used tear gas, rubber bullets and Brexit done.” That means ensuring a Brexit the EU would start trade talks with an eye to- front of the Palace of Westminster and wrote: water cannons against hundreds withdrawal agreement bill is passed in time ward reaching a comprehensive post-Brexit “Good morning Newcastle. A new dawn has of protesters over the weekend. for the U.K. to complete its historic depar- agreement. The clashes were the most vio- broken, has it not?” ture from the European Union by the current lent since daily anti-government Queen Elizabeth II will formally open Par- There was no such giddiness on the Labour deadline of Jan. 31. demonstrations erupted in Leba- liament on Thursday with a speech outlining side, which saw its worst result since 1935 in non in mid-October. Johnson spokesman James Slack said the the government’s legislative program. the vote Thursday, winning only 203 seats. President Michel Aoun was government will introduce the EU withdraw- New lawmakers took to Twitter to chronicle The party is gearing up for a bruising lead- to meet with the heads of Leba- al bill on Friday. It will be up to the speaker of their first day at work. ership contest, which is expected to formally nese parliamentary blocs on the House of Commons to determine if Parlia- The new representative for Bury in north- begin in early January. Monday to discuss the naming of the new prime minister amid divisions on the shape of the next government. Japan, South Korea hold export talks after dispute The presidential palace said the consultations would instead take place on Thursday, following BY MARI YAMAGUCHI to abandon a key military intelli- Geun-wha, both attending the something that we decide by ne- a special request from outgoing Associated Press gence-sharing pact with Tokyo. Asia-Europe Meeting in Madrid, gotiating with a trade partner.” Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The pact was saved just hours Spain, talked briefly and wel- “Our policy has been consis- TOKYO — Senior officials from before its expiration in November, comed their trade officials’ meet- tent and there is no change to our Philippines searches for Japan and South Korea were following Washington’s repeated ing in Tokyo, Japanese officials position, ” Suga said, referring to holding talks Monday on high- pressure and with Tokyo agree- said. Japan’s position on the wartime 7 in building collapse tech exports for the first time ing to resume export control talks The two sides also agreed to compensation issue. “We urge PADADA, Philippines — Res- since Tokyo tightened controls requested by Seoul. cooperate closely on threats from South Korea to act wisely.” cuers pulled out two bodies Mon- on South Korean semiconductor Monday’s talks come a week North Korea and to achieve next South Korean national assem- day from a three-story building parts earlier this year. ahead of a planned summit be- week’s summit. bly speaker Moon Hee-san is that collapsed in a strong earth- The director-general level tween the two countries and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshi- seeking to set up a compensation quake in the southern Philippines meeting was taking place in Tokyo China. hide Suga said that Japan’s export fund for the Korean wartime la- and scrambled to find at least between Yoichi Iida, of Japan’s Japanese Foreign Minister control measures are part of the borers with an option that allows seven more people who were Trade Control Department, and Toshimitsu Motegi and South country’s international respon- Japanese companies to chip in trapped inside. his South Korean counterpart, Korean Foreign Minister Kan sibility and that “they are not donations as a compromise. Army troops, police, firefight- Lee Ho-hyeon. The two officials ers and volunteers, armed with shook hands at the beginning of sound and motion detectors, lo- the talks, though they made no cated a third body in the rubble opening remarks to the media. of the building but could not im- A meeting of this level has not mediately extricate the remains been held in more than three pinned in slabs of cement, Padada years. Mayor Pedro Caminero said. Japan in July tightened trade At least five people died in Sun- controls on South Korea materi- day’s magnitude 6.9 quake that als used in smartphones, televi- struck Padada . sion screens and other high-tech products, citing national security 50 bodies confirmed at concerns. Japan also downgrad- ed South Korea a month later farm near Guadalajara from a list of preferential trade MEXICO CITY — Human re- partners. mains discovered last month at South Korea has demanded a farm outside the city of Gua- Japan reverse the measures, say- dalajara have been confirmed as ing Tokyo has weaponized export belonging to at least 50 people, controls in retaliation for South authorities in Mexico’s west-cen- Korean court rulings demanding tral state of Jalisco reported. Japanese companies pay compen- Prosecutors said they had iden- sation to former Korean laborers tified 13 people so far — 12 male over their treatment during Ja- and one female, all of whom were pan’s 1910-45 colonial rule of the previously listed as missing. Korean Peninsula. The investigation continues, Tokyo has pressed Seoul to with the goal of identifying more stick with a 1965 agreement in victims as well as “those respon- resolving their dispute over war- sible for this crime which gravely time Korean laborers, criticizing harms society,” the statement the court decisions as a violation said. of international law. The state is home to Jalisco Japan’s trade curbs against New Generation, one of Mexico’s South Korea have led to subse- bloodiest and most ruthless drug quent retaliatory measures that cartels. spilled into the area of national From The Associated Press security, with Seoul threatening Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 13 WORLD Rebels kill scores in weekend Congo attacks

BY AL-HADJI KUDRA MALIRO cratic Forces in some cases went demonstrators to protest late last Beni region. “The movement of the presence of so many armed AND SALEH MWANAMILONGO door-to-door shooting their vic- month by setting fire to the town the population becomes difficult groups in eastern Congo. Associated Press tims dead, according to a Congo- hall. to control.” Health teams have at times lese human rights group known by The deadly weekend violence Other armed groups in the area been unable to safely get to areas BENI, Congo — Rebels with its French acronym, CEPADHO. targeted an area in eastern Congo such as the Mai Mai militias also to carry out vaccinations of those apparent links to Islamic State killed at least 43 people in east- The rebels have been trying to that is at the heart of the Ebola may take advantage of the inse- at highest risk of contracting the ern Congo over the weekend in pit the civilian population against epidemic. curity to carry out attacks of their deadly virus. Without the ability a series of attacks carried out in the army so that people demand “These attacks will certainly own, he said. to react quickly, Ebola has contin- response to a new military offen- the military action be stopped, paralyze the Ebola response The medical effort to control ued to spread. sive in the area, a rights group said Omar Kavotha, president of teams,” said Dr. Pierre Celestin the second-deadliest Ebola out- Community mistrust of the said Monday. the rights organization. Insecu- Adikey, who coordinates the ef- break in history has been severe- health workers has only further Rebels from the Allied Demo- rity in the area already prompted fort to control the disease in the ly hampered since the start by deepened the problem. Egypt: Militias hold Libyan government ‘hostage’

BY SAMY MAGDY strained since 2013. That’s when el-Sissi, the border into Egypt. He said it had been Associated Press as defense minister, led the military over- a priority for Egypt to directly interfere in throw of elected but divisive Islamist Libya “but did not take this step to main- CAIRO — Libya’s U.N.-supported gov- President Muhammad Morsi amid mass ernment is held hostage by “armed and tain the relationship and brotherhood with protests against his brief rule. Morsi was a terrorist militias” in the capital, Tripoli, the Libyan people.” member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt’s leader said Sunday. There was no immediate comment from The Tripoli-based government is sup- President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in the Tripoli authorities. ported by a Libyan affiliate of the Muslim televised comments that the Government Last week, the Egyptian president said Brotherhood group, which Cairo designat- of National Accord “is not able to have a a comprehensive political solution for the free and real will because they have been ed as a terrorist organization in 2013. Tur- RICHARD DREW/AP Libyan conflict would be achieved in the taken hostage by armed and terrorist mili- key and Qatar are also staunch backers of Egypt ian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi tias there.” the Brotherhood. coming months that would put an end to a says Libya’s U.N.-backed government has The GNA is backed by Egypt’s regional El-Sissi said the Libyan conflict has “terrorist hotbed that pushes militants and been “taken hostage” by what he called rivals Turkey and Qatar, and Egypt’s re- posed a threat to Egypt’s national security weapons to (Libya’s) neighboring countries “terrorist militias.” lations with the two countries have been because militants and weapons spill over including Egypt.” PAGE 14 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 OPINION Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Sean Klimek, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations EDITORIAL Terry Leonard, Editor [email protected] Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor [email protected] Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content [email protected] Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital [email protected]

BUREAU STAFF Europe/Mideast Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 Pacific Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief [email protected] +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380

Washington RAHMAT GUL/AP Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief [email protected] Security personnel arrive near the site of a suicide bombing near Bagram Airfield in Kabul, Afghanistan, on (+1)(202)886-0033 Wednesday that targeted an under-construction medical facility, the U.S. military said. Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News [email protected] CIRCULATION ‘Afghanistan Papers’ should surprise no one Mideast Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager [email protected] BY SAM LONG bat advisers. I had enjoyed working with the blame for waste and negligence fell on [email protected] Special to Stars and Stripes foreign soldiers and felt it important that I American higher-ups who looked the other DSN (314)583-9111 spend my last year in the Marines helping way. he saddest thing about the train other Marine advisers, most of whom I spoke about pleading with the Afghan Europe “Afghanistan Papers ” published Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager would be working directly with the Afghan police to patrol with us. We were eager to [email protected] by The Washington Post is not army and police. prevent the Taliban from regaining con- [email protected] Twhat they contain — it is how One day in 2014, I received an email trol of northern Helmand, an area that Ma- +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 many people in Washington are claiming from a colonel in my chain of command, rine battalions had wrested from them at to be surprised by their content. The docu- Pacific advising me that the Office of the Special tremendous cost. The Afghan commander ments confirm what most Afghanistan vet- Inspector General for Afghanistan Recon- agreed to patrol if we would provide him Mari Mori, [email protected] erans already know — that a disinterested +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 struction, the organization from which the with some wood and other building sup- American public has been deceived for recently released Afghanistan Papers are plies. We obliged, handing over plywood, CONTACT US years about the war. sourced, was visiting Camp Pendleton, two-by-fours and other materials flown My experience in Afghanistan left me Calif. We needed to assemble a “roundta- from the U.S. and then driven on Helmand’s Washington skeptical that we were ever serious about ble” of former adviser team commanders IED-laden roads to our position. Within tel: (+1)202.886.0003 the mission in the first place, and my who could describe U.S. efforts to build a week, the wood was gone — not stolen 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 chance encounter five years ago with the the Afghan military. The SIGAR team, led — but burned by Afghan soldiers trying author of the Afghanistan Papers gave me by John Sopko, wanted to hear about our to stay warm in freezing temperatures. I Reader letters the distinct impression that not only were experiences. [email protected] could only shake my head and laugh. we not winning, but also that our failures We organized the discussion in the dingy The briefing became a dark comedy. For Additional contacts were widespread, well documented and conference room in one of the temporary Marines, humor is a universal salve, ap- stripes.com/contactus widely known in Washington. buildings that housed our training unit. plied to mask both physical and emotional That is why the feigned horror by elect- Those trailers perfectly symbolized the pain. Some of us openly laughed at the lit- OMBUDSMAN ed officials and the defense establishment Pentagon’s attitude toward combat advis- erally criminal tales recounted for Sopko Ernie Gates is difficult to take seriously. According ing. After more than a decade pursuing and his team as it became clear that the to Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, the Af- counterinsurgency efforts in two countries, officials from SIGAR had heard hundreds ghanistan Papers are “truly shocking.” we had poured hundreds of billions of dol- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of similar anecdotes. I remember calling of news and information, reporting any attempts by the His Democratic counterpart, Richard Blu- lars into building “institutions” in faraway a friend from my adviser team that after- military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s menthal — whose son served in Afghani- countries that did not really want them, noon, after Sopko had departed. “They told independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns stan as a Marine officer — tweeted that the but had not yet erected a proper building and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for fair- him everything. It was unreal. And here’s ness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman documents are “appalling.” If these sena- to house adviser training. the thing — he didn’t even bat an eye.” welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted tors are actually surprised to learn that When SIGAR arrived, the officers and It was clear that nobody cared — except by email at [email protected], or by phone at civilian and military authorities were not senior enlisted Marines in attendance un- 202.886.0003. for maybe Sopko and his staff, who have exactly forthcoming about a directionless loaded their frustrations with remarkable done us a tremendous service by painstak- and flailing war effort, then American for- candor. Marines are usually wary of speak- ingly and thanklessly recording the Afghan Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- eign policy has entered into a new chapter ing freely to unfamiliar bureaucrats, but disaster for posterity. I knew in 2013 that days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday of absurdity. these officers wanted Sopko to know how if we were sending Georgians to Helmand through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and In 2013 I deployed to Helmand province, badly the war was going and how poorly Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals province, it meant that nobody in Washing- postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send where I led a U.S. Marine adviser team that the Afghan military was faring against the ton was serious about winning in Afghani- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, mentored and fought alongside a rifle com- Taliban. stan — whatever that even meant. It would APO AP 96301-5002. pany of soldiers from the Republic of Geor- Many of these men had patrolled daily This newspaper is authorized by the Department of not become apparent until much later, how- Defense for members of the military services overseas. gia. Not revealed in the Afghanistan Papers alongside the Afghan army squads and ever, that everyone in Washington — po- However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, is the extent to which we outsourced the war policemen that Gens. David Petraeus and litical leaders, the military brass and the and are not to be considered as the official views of, or to NATO-aspiring states like Georgia, a tiny Stanley McChrystal had told us were key endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspaper, entrenched foreign policy establishment Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official chan- nation in the Caucasus Mountains. Even if to winning the war, and many had lost Ma- — was deadly serious about not leaving. nels and use appropriated funds for distribution to remote the Georgians had been capable of doing rines doing so. Others had assisted Afghan America will have to forgive its veterans locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. more than holding the insurgents at bay, generals and their staffs, organizing Af- The appearance of advertising in this publication does for being cynical about the Afghanistan not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense they were never going to win any hearts ghan fighters of various loyalties into army Papers. Neither their contents nor their or Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. and minds given how often Afghan villag- corps, brigades, battalions and so on. Some implications are news to us. On the bright Products or services advertised shall be made available for ers confused them with the dreaded Rus- Afghan generals fought hard. Others stole purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, side, their release makes it impossible for religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical sian soldiers they had fought against three their soldiers’ salaries, sold their equip- our elected leaders to claim ignorance handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor decades earlier. To the Taliban, the Geor- ment and abused the civilians they were about the war’s failures any longer. of the purchaser, user or patron. gians’ presence signaled that America’s pa- supposed to protect. tience in Afghanistan was wearing thin. Story after story was told of corruption, Sam Long served as an infantry officer in the © Stars and Stripes 2019 U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2015, deploying to After returning to the States, I spent a waste and negligence. The corruption gen- Afghanistan, the Republic of Georgia, South Korea stripes.com year running a training facility for com- erally occurred on the Afghan side, but and Okinawa, Japan. Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 15 Looking at the news A weekly sampling of U.S. editorial cartoons

JACK OHMAN/Washington Post Writers Group

WALT HANDELSMAN/Tribune Content Agency

JIM MORIN/MorinToons Syndicate LISA BENSON/Washington Post Writers Group

WALT HANDELSMAN/Tribune Content Agency PAGE 16 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 17 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Sports College basketball Hawaii 94, Samford 73 Top 25 Fared Pacific 79, CS Northridge 73 on AFN 1. Louisville (10-1) lost to Texas Tech Southern Cal 87, Long Beach St. 76 70-57; beat Eastern Kentucky 99-67. Southwestern (Texas) 90, JW, Col. 66 2. Kansas (9-1) beat Milwaukee 95-68; Washington St. 70, UC Riverside 56 beat UMKC 98-57. Go to the American Forces 3. Ohio State (9-1) lost to Minnesota 84-71. Tuesday’s men’s games Network website for the most 4. Maryland (10-1) lost to Penn State EAST up-to-date TV schedules. 76-69. Princeton vs. Iona at Brooklyn, N.Y. 5. Michigan (8-3) lost to Illinois 71-62; UMBC at Georgetown myafn.net lost to No. 10 Oregon 71-70, OT. Franciscan University of Steubenville 6. Gonzaga (11-1) beat No. 15 Arizona at St. Francis (Pa.) 84-80. Cent. Michigan at Robert Morris 7. Duke (9-1) did not play. American U. at Mount St. Mary’s 8. Kentucky (8-1) beat Georgia Tech Florida vs. Providence at Brooklyn, College football 67-53. N.Y. 9. Virginia (8-1) did not play. SOUTH 10. Oregon (8-2) beat No. 5 Michigan SIU-Edwardsville at Winthrop FCS playoffs 71-70, OT. Stetson at UNC-Asheville 11. Baylor (8-1) beat No. 18 Butler 53- Md.-Eastern Shore at East Carolina Quarterfinals 52. Elon at Campbell Friday, Dec. 13 12. Auburn (9-0) beat Saint Louis 67- NC Central at Louisiana Tech James Madison 17, Northern Iowa 0 61. Tennessee Tech at Lipscomb Montana State 24, Austin Peay 10 13. Memphis (9-1) beat No. 19 Tennes- North Alabama at UAB Weber State 17, Montana 10 see 51-47. McKendree at Austin Peay Saturday, Dec. 14 14. Dayton (8-1) beat Drake 78-47. Alabama A&M at South Alabama North Dakota State 9, Illinois State 3 15. Arizona (10-2) beat Omaha 99-49; North Florida at Florida St. Semifinals lost to No. 6 Gonzaga 84-80. Temple vs. Miami at Brooklyn, N.Y. Saturday, Dec. 21 16. Michigan State (7-3) beat Oakland MIDWEST 72-49. North Texas at Dayton North Dakota State (14-0) vs. Montana /AP State (11-3) 17. North Carolina (6-4) lost to Wofford SE Missouri at Ohio St. ANDY CLAYTON-KING 68-64. MVSU at Wright St. James Madison (13-1) vs. Weber State 18. Butler (10-1) lost to No. 11 Baylor (11-3) Northeastern at E. Michigan 53-52; beat Southern 66-41. Mount Marty at Drake Minnesota guard Marcus Carr, left, looks to pass as Ohio State Championship 19. Tennessee (7-2) lost to No. 13 Mem- Oral Roberts at Chicago St. guard Luther Muhammad, center, and forward Kaleb Wesson defend Saturday, Jan. 11 phis 51-47. Northland College at North Dakota At Frisco, Texas 20. Villanova (8-2) beat Delaware 78- Grambling St. at Marquette in the second half on Sunday in Minneapolis. Carr scored 35 points Semifinal winners 70. Maryville (MO) at Saint Louis as the Gophers handed the Buckeyes their first loss of the season. 21. Florida State (8-2) did not play. Toledo at UMKC 22. Seton Hall (6-4) lost to Rutgers 68- Oklahoma at Creighton NCAA Division II playoffs 48. Purdue at Ohio Quarterfinals 23. Xavier (9-2) lost to Wake Forest 80- FAR WEST Saturday, Dec. 7 78. San Francisco at Stanford Top 25 roundup Ferris St. 25, NW Missouri State 3 24. Colorado (8-2) lost to Northern Johnson & Wales (CO) at Air Force Minnesota State 42, Texas A&M-Com- Iowa 79-76; beat Colorado State 56-48. Grand Canyon at New Mexico merce 21 25. San Diego State (10-0) did not play. Denver at N. Colorado Slippery Rock 65, Notre Dame (Ohio) 59 Omaha at E. Washington West Florida 43, Lenoir-Rhyne 38 Sunday’s men’s scores Bethesda at Weber St. Semifinals Portland St. at Pepperdine EAST Seattle at Washington No. 3 Buckeyes, Saturday, Dec. 14 Boston College 74, CCSU 55 Minnesota State 58, Slippery Rock 15 Brockport 83, St. Joseph’s (Maine) 73 West Florida 28, Ferris State 14 Drew 76, Wilkes 65 Sunday’s women’s scores Championship Glenville St. 125, Fairmont St. 111 EAST Saturday, Dec. 21 Indiana (Pa.) 108, Bethany (WV) 41 Boston College 88, Boston U. 57 At McKinney, Texas John Jay 62, SUNY-Canton 58 Duquesne 72, St. Francis (Pa.) 69 Minnesota State (14-0) vs. West Flor- McDaniel 65, Elmira 54 Marist 72, Green Bay 60 ida (12-2) Mercy 82, Roberts Wesleyan 74 Rhode Island 71, Robert Morris 59 Tar Heels upset New Haven 78, Holy Family 64 Rutgers 66, Marshall 41 Quinnipiac 81, Maine 61 St. Bonaventure 80, Oakland 66 NCAA Division III playoffs Shepherd 101, Wilson 50 Stony Brook 66, Wagner 45 Quarterfinals St. Anselm 71, Jefferson 70 Texas State 61, Dartmouth 51 Associated Press Saturday, Dec. 7 St. Michael’s 78, Post (Conn.) 75 UMBC 65, Morgan St. 63 gression by him and fellow guards Muhlenberg 24, Salisbury 8 St. Thomas Aquinas 87, Daemen 80 UMass 61, Siena 55 Gabe Kalscheur and Payton Wil- North Central (Ill.) 31, Delaware Val- Tennessee St. 66, Fordham 61 West Virginia 72, Norfolk St. 55 MINNEAPOLIS — With an ley 14 Thomas (Maine) 81, Southern Poly St. SOUTH lis after a 20-point loss at Iowa 76 eight-day break between games, Saint John’s (Minn.) 34, Wheaton (Ill.) Alabama 83, North Carolina 77 when the three of them combined UMBC 86, Coppin St. 77 American U. 59, Radford 55 Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann 33 Wooster 81, St. John Fisher 80 Auburn 74, Bethune-Cookman 56 for 10 points on 3-for-29 shooting. Wisconsin-Whitewater 26, Mary Har- Yeshiva 83, E. Connecticut 75 Clemson 65, Mercer 61 was wary of this trip to Minne- Wofford 68, No. 17 North din-Baylor 7 SOUTH FAU 72, CCSU 54 sota despite the roll his team had Semifinals Bellarmine 95, Mount St. Joseph 52 Florida St. 74, St. John’s 70 Carolina 64: Wofford traveled to Saturday, Dec. 14 Berry 83, McMurry 76 Gardner-Webb 67, Delaware 65 been on. North Central (Ill.) 45, Muhlenberg 14 Bridgewater (Va.) 66, Apprentice 56 Georgia 77, Furman 48 Chapel Hill and shocked a ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater 35, Saint John’s Catholic 71, Ferrum 69, OT Georgia Tech 87, ETSU 48 The third-ranked Buckeyes North Carolina team again, (Minn.) 32 Chattanooga 84, Troy 80, OT Jacksonville 77, FIU 52 had the kind of flat performance Championship ETSU 97, Milligan 41 Longwood 78, Delaware St. 62 getting 19 points from Trevor Friday, Dec. 20 Georgia College 67, UNC Pembroke 64 Louisville 67, Kentucky 66 Holtmann was worried about, and Stumpe and riding a 16-0 run in At Shenandoah, Texas Lee 75, West Florida 63 NC State 62, Elon 49 — Poof! — their perfect record North Central (Ill.) (13-1) vs. Wiscon- Lincoln Memorial 122, Tenn. Wesleyan South Carolina 85, Purdue 49 the second half to beat the Tar sin-Whitewater (13-1) 62 South Florida 67, Idaho 64 was gone, thanks to an all-around Longwood 76, Stetson 72 Southern Miss. 62, South Alabama 55 Heels. N. Kentucky 79, Illinois St. 64 Stetson 66, Tulsa 60 effort by the Gophers. Storm Murphy added 15 points NAIA playoffs NC State 80, UNC Greensboro 77 Tennessee St. 91, Fisk 50 Marcus Carr scored a career- SC-Aiken 81, North Georgia 76 Troy 90, Chattanooga 51 and Messiah Jones had 13 points Semifinals South Carolina 67, Clemson 54 UAB 86, Alcorn St. 65 high 35 points and Daniel Oturu for the Terriers (7-4), who went Saturday, Dec. 7 South Florida 81, Drexel 61 VCU 62, Old Dominion 49 had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Morningside 21, Grand View 16 UCF 76, Sacred Heart 65 Vanderbilt 75, E. Kentucky 69 on the road to beat North Caro- Marian (Ind.) 34, Lindsey Wilson 24 Va. Wesleyan 74, Christopher Newport W. Kentucky 88, Samford 84 and Minnesota toppled undefeat- lina for the second time in three Championship 62 Wofford 75, UNC-Asheville 38 ed and third-ranked Ohio State Saturday, Dec. 21 Valdosta St. 84, Ala.-Huntsville 62 MIDWEST years. At Eddie G. Robinson Stadium Virginia Tech 73, Gardner-Webb 46 Butler 74, High Point 52 84-71 on Sunday for coach Rich- “We know what comes with the Grambling, La. William & Mary 90, Goucher 30 Cleveland St. 79, Omaha 66 ard Pitino’s first win against a Morningside (13-0) vs. Marian (Ind.) Wofford 68, North Carolina 64 Illinois 59, Evansville 44 intensity of this type of game,” (12-0) MIDWEST Indiana 93, Youngstown St. 56 top-five team. Adrian 94, Hiram 87 Iowa St. 79, Wright St. 71 Murphy said. “We 100 percent Akron 100, Concord 50 Kansas 86, Saint Mary’s (Cal) 81 “I thought we had some incon- believed we could do it and we Bowling Green 72, Cleveland St. 58 Michigan St. 93, Morehead St. 48 sistencies to our practice week,” College hockey Bradley 81, Georgia Southern 51 Minnesota 76, UC Davis 67 were going to win. It was a blast. Illinois Wesleyan 74, Augustana (Ill.) 67 Missouri St. 79, Missouri 72 Holtmann said. “You’re not al- It was absolutely a thrill.” Loras 72, Trine 70 N. Dakota St. 97, Mayville State 59 Loyola of Chicago 64, Norfolk St. 45 N. Iowa 51, IUPUI 50 ways sure if that’s due to finals Wofford, a 12-point underdog, Sunday’s scores Marian (Wis.) 69, Martin Luther 64 S. Illinois 76, Murray St. 66 or whatever. Obviously, it was made four three-pointers dur- Marian, Ind. 95, Rocky Mountain 76 South Dakota 96, Montana 64 EAST McKendree 88, Hannibal-LaGrange 51 a significant layoff, but I don’t Army West Point 1, Robert Morris 1 Valparaiso 63, UIC 37 ing its decisive spurt, a 6-minute Miami (Ohio) 79, MVSU 67 SOUTHWEST look at that as the reason that we MIDWEST Minnesota 84, Ohio St. 71 stretch in which the Tar Heels Michigan St. 1, Arizona St. 0, OT Arkansas 99, Northwestern St. 39 Missouri 64, S. Illinois 48 Cent. Arkansas 66, Central Baptist lost. They were the better team missed 10 consecutive shots. N. Michigan 64, Michigan Tech 61 College 43 tonight.” Nebraska 70, Purdue 56 Oklahoma 95, Sam Houston St. 71 Garrison Brooks had 17 points Northwestern 72, SIU-Edwardsville 54 Rice 77, Prairie View 55 Oturu outworked Kaleb Wes- and 12 rebounds for North Caroli- Deals Oakland City 108, Ohio-Chillicothe 76 Stephen F. Austin 75, LSU-Shreveport Omaha 92, Texas Rio Grande Valley 82 32 son in the paint to win the battle na (6-4) in its first regular-season Quincy 90, Lincoln (Mo.) 84 TCU 79, Ohio 72 of two of the Big Ten’s best big game at Carmichael Arena since Sunday’s transactions Wittenberg 80, E. Mennonite 59 Texas A&M 72, Houston 43 Youngstown St. 65, SE Missouri 50 Texas Tech 59, Houston Baptist 51 men with his sixth double-double Jan. 4, 1986. BASEBALL SOUTHWEST FAR WEST of the season for the Gophers (5-5, American League Oklahoma St. 61, Houston 55 Boise St. 63, E. Washington 61 The Terriers had just five turn- CLEVELAND INDIANS — Traded RHP Sam Houston St. 91, Wiley 58 Hawaii 86, Hope International 49 1-1). Prior to this game, the high- overs and made 14 of 40 three- Corey Kluber to Texas for OF Delino Texas A&M 63, Texas A&M-CC 60 N. Colorado 46, Wyoming 44 est-ranked opponent they’d beat- DeShields and RHP Emmanuel Clase. Texas St. 117, Bethany (Kan.) 65 Portland St. 77, Portland 71 point attempts, outscoring North National League UTSA 98, Texas-Permian Basin 55 Stanford 71, Ohio St. 52 en in seven years under Pitino Carolina by 24 points from three- LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Signed RHP FAR WEST UCLA 68, Pacific 57 was No. 6 Maryland on Feb. 18, Blake Treinen to a one-year contract. Academy of Art 75, Chaminade 68 Washington 65, San Diego 47 point range. FOOTBALL CS Stanislaus 79, San Francisco St. 62 Washington St. 87, UC Irvine 59 2016. Minnesota beat the Buck- “A lot of times, we handled National Football League eyes’ average scoring allowance some punches that North Caro- CAROLINA PANTHERS — Placed OT Greg Little on IR. Activated WR Chris Ho- AP sportlight by 30 points. That was fifth in the lina threw at us with some good, gan from IR. nation entering the game. tough counterpunches,” McAuley CINCINNATI BENGALS — Placed DT “I don’t know if there was a Renell Wren on IR. Signed DE Freedom Dec. 17 of 44 passes for 402 yards and two touch- said. “We fought our tails off. We Akinmoladun from the practice squad. 1944 — The Green Bay Packers win the downs for the 49ers. Tom Fears held the weakness in what we did,” Pitino weren’t the biggest, we weren’t DALLAS COWBOYS — Released OL Ca- NFL championship with a 14-7 win over record since 1950 with 18 receptions. leb Benenoch. Signed LB Chris Covington the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. 2006 — LaDainian Tomlinson breaks said. “I just thought start to fin- the strongest, but we were really, from the practice squad. Ted Fritsch of the Packers scores on a 2- Paul Hornung’s 46-year-old NFL single- ish that was about as complete a really physical.” HOCKEY yard plunge and on a 26-yard pass from season scoring record on a 15-yard run National Hockey League Irv Comp for a 14-0 halftime lead. in the first quarter of San Diego’s game game as we’ve played here.” Brandon Robinson added a CAROLINA HURRICANES — Reassigned 2000 — Terrell Owens catches an NFL- against Kansas City. The touchdown Carr stole the show with 28 career-high 16 points for the F Julien Gauthier to Charlotte (AHL). record 20 passes for 283 yards and a run gives him 180 points, breaking Hor- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Reassigned touchdown in San Francisco’s 17-0 victo- nung’s record of 176 set with the Green points in the second half, but it Tar Heels, who lost their third F Mitchell Stephens to Syracuse (AHL). ry over Chicago. Jeff Garcia completes 36 Bay Packers in 1960. took a collective increase in ag- straight game. PAGE 18 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 MLB/NHL D-Backs land Bumgarner Longtime Giants ace signs $85M, 5-yr deal

BY JANIE MCCAULEY Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — Longtime Giants ace Madison Bumgarner has reached agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks on an $85 PAUL BEATY/AP million, five-year contract that ends his run of success in San The Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane, left, celebrates with teammate Francisco, a person with direct Brent Seabrook (7) on the bench after scoring one of his three goals knowledge of the deal told The against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday in Chicago. Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition NHL roundup of anonymity because Bumgar- ner still needed to pass a physical to complete the deal. Bumgarner pitched 11 seasons for the Giants but knew his time Kane’s 1st hat trick of likely had ended. He bid fare- well along with retiring manager /AP Bruce Bochy on the final day of BEN MARGOT season lifts Chicago the season. 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner has reportedly signed Associated Press The 2014 World Series MVP an $85 million, five-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks Scoreboard will see a lot of his former team that will ends his successful 11-season run in San Francisco. CHICAGO — Patrick Kane next season, too. Arizona plays scored three goals for his first the Giants in seven of its first 13 titles in 2010, ‘12 and ’14. year deal. hat trick of the season, and the Eastern Conference games, including a series that be- The seven-time defending NL Arizona went 85-77 last season Chicago Blackhawks stopped a Atlantic Division gins in San Francisco on April 6. West champion Dodgers also and traded Greinke to Houston four-game slide by topping the GP W L OT Pts GF GA “I’m very excited to be playing were among the clubs interested in late July. The Diamondbacks Boston 34 21 7 6 48 115 86 Minnesota Wild 5-3 on Sunday. Buffalo 34 16 11 7 39 107 103 with Madison again! He is the ul- in signing the free agent. haven’t had a lot of success in Oc- Brandon Saad and David Kampf Montreal 33 15 12 6 36 105 107 timate competitor and I know he Bumgarner went 9-9 with a tober lately, not winning a game Toronto 34 16 14 4 36 110 109 also scored for Chicago, which Tampa Bay 31 16 12 3 35 110 100 will help us immensely,“ said new career-high 3.90 ERA last sea- in the NL Championship Series was coming off a heartbreaking Florida 32 15 12 5 35 109 108 Arizona catcher Stephen Vogt, a son. The lefty has been especially round since taking their only Ottawa 33 14 17 2 30 90 103 loss at St. Louis. The last-place Detroit 35 9 23 3 21 76 136 2019 teammate with Bumgarner valuable in postseason play — he World Series title in 2001. Blackhawks had dropped seven Metropolitan Division in San Francisco. “This team is is 4-0 with a memorable Game 7 Bumgarner will join a rotation Washington 34 24 5 5 53 125 97 of nine overall. Robin Lehner N.Y. Islanders 31 22 7 2 46 92 72 already in a good position and save and an 0.25 ERA in World that includes left-handers Robbie stopped 23 shots. Carolina 33 20 11 2 42 107 86 adding someone like Bum will Series play, and has pitched two Ray and Alex Young and right- Pittsburgh 33 19 10 4 42 110 89 Kevin Fiala scored twice for Philadelphia 33 17 11 5 39 101 99 only add to that!” shutouts in NL wild-card games. handers Merrill Kelly and Mike Minnesota in the opener of a N.Y. Rangers 32 16 12 4 36 103 101 The Giants said during the This marks the second time in Leake. Ray is entering the final Columbus 32 12 14 6 30 79 98 three-game trip. Eric Staal also New Jersey 32 10 17 5 25 77 115 winter meetings this past week in four years the typically frugal year of his contract. scored, and Ryan Suter had three San Diego they had remained in Diamondbacks have signed a top- Bumgarner matched his career assists. Kaapo Kahkonen finished Western Conference contact with representatives for tier free-agent pitcher. In 2015, high with the 34 starts this year, with 22 saves. Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA the 30-year-old Bumgarner, who Arizona added right-hander Zack moving past two frustrating, in- Kings 4, Red Wings 2: Anze St. Louis 34 20 8 6 46 102 93 helped them win World Series Greinke on a $206.5 million, six- jury-shortened seasons. Kopitar scored two goals and Los Colorado 32 21 8 3 45 117 86 Winnipeg 33 20 11 2 42 101 91 Angeles beat host Detroit for its Dallas 34 19 11 4 42 90 80 third win in four games. Minnesota 34 16 13 5 37 105 112 Nashville 31 14 12 5 33 102 101 Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli Chicago 34 13 15 6 32 94 110 Indians trade Kluber to Rangers also scored for the Kings. Alex Pacific Division Arizona 35 19 12 4 42 97 84 Iafallo had two assists and Jack Vegas 36 18 13 5 41 109 103 Associated Press Campbell, who is from Port Calgary 35 18 13 4 40 95 104 conscious Indians grew more un- Edmonton 35 18 13 4 40 106 109 certain last season when the club Huron, Mich., stopped 22 shots. Vancouver 34 16 14 4 36 110 105 CLEVELAND — Corey Kluber managed to stay in the playoff Defenseman Madison Bowey San Jose 35 16 17 2 34 96 122 led by example and excellence in Anaheim 33 14 15 4 32 87 97 chase until late September despite had a goal and an assist, and Filip Los Angeles 35 14 18 3 31 90 111 Cleveland. The Texas Rangers not having him after May 1. Zadina also scored for Detroit. Note: Two points for a win, one point are hoping he can do the same for for overtime loss. Top three teams in Kluber broke his right forearm Golden Knights 6, Canucks each division and two wild cards per them. 3: Max Pacioretty had two goals conference advance to playoffs. The Indians traded the two- when he was struck by a line drive Saturday’s games during a start at Miami and never and two assists to help Vegas beat N.Y. Islanders 3, Buffalo 2, OT time Cy Young Award winner visiting Vancouver. Ottawa 4, Columbus 3, OT — and their unquestioned ace made it back. He came close to re- Anaheim 4, N.Y. Rangers 3, SO turning to the Indians’ rotation but Nick Holden, Valentin Zykov, Carolina 4, Calgary 0 — over the past six seasons to the Jonathan Marchessault and Mark Dallas 4, Nashville 1 Rangers on Sunday, a blockbust- suffered an oblique injury during Toronto 4, Edmonton 1 a minor league rehab appearance Stone also scored for the Golden Minnesota 4, Philadelphia 1 er deal that could dramatically Knights. It was the fifth time this Pittsburgh 5, Los Angeles 4, SO that ended his comeback. change both teams. season Vegas had five different Detroit 2, Montreal 1 Rangers general manager Jon Washington 5, Tampa Bay 2 In exchange for the 33-year- goal scorers in a game. Marc- Boston 4, Florida 2 Daniels said the injuries that Klu- old Kluber, Cleveland received Andre Fleury stopped 26 shots St. Louis 4, Chicago 3 ber dealt with last season “don’t New Jersey 2, Arizona 1 outfielder Delino DeShields and to improve to 12-2-1 in his career San Jose 4, Vancouver 2 pitching prospect Emmanuel necessarily give us pause,” and against the Canucks. Sunday’s games believes the time off could be Winnipeg 7, Philadelphia 3 Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year- Jets 7, Flyers 3: Blake Wheel- Chicago 5, Minnesota 3 old reliever with “electric stuff.” a positive after all his innings Los Angeles 4, Detroit 2 er and Mark Scheifele each had Vegas 6, Vancouver 3 Indians president Chris An- pitched in previous seasons. a power-play goal and added two Monday’s games Ottawa at Florida tonetti said he received calls from ROSS D. FRANKLIN/AP “The start of last season wasn’t assists in host Winnipeg’s win Nashville at N.Y. Rangers numerous teams, but the offer going to the way he’s accustomed The Cleveland Indians traded over Philadelphia. Washington at Columbus from Texas made the most sense of pitching, and I think the time Colorado at St. Louis two-time Cy Young Award winner Nikolaj Ehlers, Luca Sbisa, Edmonton at Dallas for Cleveland because it included off may give him a little time to Corey Kluber to the Texas Logan Shaw, Patrik Laine and Tuesday’s games players who can have an immedi- reset and get his body fresh,” Kyle Connor also scored and Con- Ottawa at Tampa Bay Rangers on Sunday for OF Buffalo at Toronto ate impact and “help us be a bet- Daniels said. “He feels like he’s in Los Angeles at Boston Delino DeShields and pitching nor Hellebuyck made 29 saves to ter team in 2020.” a really good spot.” help the Jets improve to 20-11-2. Nashville at N.Y. Islanders prospect Emmanuel Clase. Anaheim at Philadelphia But dealing the stoic and steady Daniels described Kluber, who Matt Niskanen, James van Columbus at Detroit is on vacation on the West Coast, Carolina at Winnipeg Kluber wasn’t easy. Riemsdyk and Shayne Gostisbe- Pittsburgh at Calgary Since the Indians acquired him in 2014, when he went 18-9 and as “genuinely excited” about the here scored for the Flyers. Brian Montreal at Vancouver deal. A three-time All-Star, Klu- Minnesota at Vegas in a 2010 trade with San Diego, he added No. 2 in 2017 after going Elliott allowed six goals on 17 Arizona at San Jose has blossomed into one of base- 18-4 and leading the AL with a ber went 98-58 with a 3.16 ERA shots in the first two periods, and Wednesday’s games Anaheim at New Jersey ball’s most dominant pitchers. 2.25 ERA. over his nine seasons with the Carter Hart made six stops in re- Colorado at Chicago Kluber won his first Cy Young But his future with the money- Indians. lief in the third. Edmonton at St. Louis Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 19 NBA Scoreboard Roundup

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Philadelphia 20 8 .714 — Lakers beat Hawks for 7th straight win Boston 17 7 .708 1 Toronto 17 8 .680 1A Brooklyn 14 12 .538 5 Associated Press New York 6 21 .222 13A Southeast Division Miami 19 7 .731 — ATLANTA — Not looking the Orlando 12 14 .462 7 least bit tired after a whirlwind Charlotte 12 17 .414 8A Washington 7 17 .292 11 weekend, LeBron James scored Atlanta 6 21 .222 13A 32 points and the Los Angeles Central Division Milwaukee 24 3 .889 — Lakers extended their winning Indiana 18 9 .667 6 streak to seven with a 101-96 Detroit 11 15 .423 12A Chicago 10 18 .357 14A victory over the pesky Atlanta Cleveland 6 20 .231 17A Hawks on Sunday night. Western Conference The Lakers pulled even with Milwaukee for the NBA’s best re- Southwest Division W L Pct GB cord at 24-3. Dallas 17 8 .680 — “Highlights: sometimes they Houston 17 9 .654 A San Antonio 10 15 .400 7 happen, sometimes they don’t,” Memphis 9 17 .346 8A James said. “I try to play the New Orleans 6 21 .222 12 Northwest Division game with a lot of joy.” Denver 17 8 .680 — The Hawks kept it close all the Utah 15 11 .577 2A Oklahoma City 11 14 .440 6 way. Rookie Cam Reddish got a Minnesota 10 15 .400 7 look at a tying three-pointer from Portland 10 16 .385 7A Pacific Division the corner, but the shot clanked L.A. Lakers 24 3 .889 — off the rim. Danny Green went to L.A. Clippers 20 8 .714 4A Sacramento 12 14 .462 11A the other end and knocked down Phoenix 11 14 .440 12 a pair of free throws to send the Golden State 5 23 .179 19A Saturday’s games Hawks to their fourth straight San Antonio 121, Phoenix 119, OT loss. Toronto 110, Brooklyn 102 Chicago 109, L.A. Clippers 106 After scoring 28 points in a win Memphis 128, Washington 111 at Miami on Friday night, James Miami 122, Dallas 118, OT Milwaukee 125, Cleveland 108 flew to Columbus, Ohio, to watch Denver 110, Oklahoma City 102 son Bronny play a high school Detroit 115, Houston 107 Sunday’s games game Saturday night. Then, Orlando 130, New Orleans 119 James traveled on to Atlanta to Indiana 107, Charlotte 85 Brooklyn 109, Philadelphia 89 face the Hawks. L.A. Lakers 101, Atlanta 96 James also had 13 rebounds Denver 111, New York 105 Sacramento 100, Golden State 79 and seven assists, the best a no- Monday’s games look, between-the-legs pass that Washington at Detroit Cleveland at Toronto caught Dwight Howard breaking Chicago at Oklahoma City down the lane for a massive dunk. Dallas at Milwaukee Miami at Memphis Anthony Davis added 27 points San Antonio at Houston and 13 rebounds. CURTIS COMPTON, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/AP Portland at Phoenix Tuesday’s games Trae Young led the Hawks with L.A. Lakers at Indiana 30 points. Lakers forward LeBron James, right, pushes Hawks guard Trae Young out of the way as he prepares to Sacramento at Charlotte grab a jump ball during the second half of Sunday’s game in Atlanta. James finished with 32 points as Atlanta at New York Magic 130, Pelicans 119: Brooklyn at New Orleans Jonathan Isaac had 21 points and Los Angeles beat the Hawks 101-96. Orlando at Utah Phoenix at L.A. Clippers 10 rebounds and visiting Orlando Wednesday’s games handed New Orleans its fran- for the Nets. with 22 points. The Knicks were games between the teams dating Charlotte at Cleveland With Joel Embiid out with an coming off back-to-back road wins to the 2013-14 season. Chicago at Washington chise-record 12th straight loss. Miami at Philadelphia Magic center Nikola Vucevic upper respiratory illness, Ben under interim coach Mike Miller. Willie Cauley-Stein, facing his Toronto at Detroit Simmons scored 20 points and They played Denver 11 days ago former team, led the Warriors Memphis at Oklahoma City returned from a sprained ankle New Orleans at Minnesota to score 20 points. He played 29 Tobias Harris chipped in 17 for in New York and lost by 37 points, with 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Orlando at Denver the 76ers. They had won five in a a setback that preceded the firing Golden State has lost eight of nine Boston at Dallas minutes in his first game since Golden State at Portland Nov. 20. Orlando snapped a three- row. of David Fizdale as coach. to fall to 5-23. Leaders game losing streak while making Nuggets 111, Knicks 105: Kings 100, Warriors 79: At Pacers 107, Hornets 85: a season-high 17 threes, shooting Nikola Jokic made a late go-ahead San Francisco, Bogdan Bogda- Reserve guard Aaron Holiday Scoring three-pointer and finished with novich scored 25 points, Buddy scored 12 of his 23 points in the G FG FT PTS AVG 50% from long range. Harden, HOU 26 291 308 1021 39.3 Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans 25 points to help Denver hold off Hield added 19 and Sacramento fourth quarter in Indiana’s vic- Antetokounmpo, MIL 26 299 166 807 31.0 Doncic, DAL 25 236 184 732 29.3 with 29 points and eight assists. New York. routed Golden State. tory over visiting Charlotte. Rebounds Nets 109, 76ers 89: Spen- Will Barton had 16 points, Gary The Kings won for the fourth Holiday was a point shy of his G OFF DEF TOT AVG Drummond, DET 25 115 301 416 16.6 cer Dinwiddie scored 24 points, Harris added 15 and Jamal Mur- time in five games and shook off a career high set a month ago at Capela, HOU 22 94 230 324 14.7 Joe Harris had 16 points and host ray had 14, including a key three- disappointing home loss Friday to Brooklyn. Cody Zeller, an Indiana Gobert, UTA 24 84 245 329 13.7 Assists Brooklyn beat Philadelphia. pointer in the late going. The the lowly New York Knicks. They native who typically plays well in G AST AVG DeAndre Jordan had 13 points Nuggets beat the Knicks for the shot a season-best 60% from the front of family and friends, had James, LAL 27 288 10.7 Rubio, PHX 20 187 9.4 and 11 rebounds and Garrett 12th straight time in Denver. field and beat the Warriors for 19 points and 12 rebounds for Doncic, DAL 25 222 8.9 Temple finished with 13 points Marcus Morris led New York just the fourth time in the past 25 Charlotte. PAGE 20 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 NFL Seahawks top Panthers Manning helps Giants Pats beat Bengals, to reach playoffs again end 9-game slump clinch playoff spot CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Russell EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. CINCINNATI — Tom Brady Wilson had done just about every- — If this was Eli Manning’s final threw a pair of touchdown passes thing right for 3½ quarters when start at home in a career that saw to move within one of the NFL Seattle asked its star quarterback New York win two Super Bowls, it career record, Stephon Gilmore to make one more big play. was one that sent chills down the returned one of his two intercep- And, as he’s done so many times spine. tions 64 yards for a score, and New in the past, Wilson responded. And a choked-back tear for the England clinched a playoff berth On a third-and-11, Wilson rolled face of the franchise for the past with a victory over Cincinnati. out and completed a 14-yard 16 years. The Patriots have made the strike to Tyler Lockett for a first The two-time Super Bowl MVP playoffs 11 consecutive seasons, down with two minutes remain- threw two touchdowns and the Gi- extending their NFL record. ing. That helped the Seahawks ants snapped a franchise record- Brady had touchdown passes of nullify two offensive holding tying nine-game losing streak 23 and 7 yards that left him with calls on the drive and run out the with a victory over the Miami 538 for his career, one shy of Pey- clock to beat Carolina and clinch Dolphins. ton Manning’s record. a playoff spot for the seventh time This game was all about the 38- New England (11-3) hasn’t been in eight seasons. year-old, who is in the final year Seattle (11-3) also moved into a as overwhelming in this playoff of his contract. He got a standing push, getting just enough out of first place tie with the 49ers, who ovation before the opening of- the 42-year-old Brady and more lost to the Falcons on Sunday. The fensive series and another when than enough out of the league’s Seahawks own the tiebreaker and coach Pat Shurmur pulled him top-ranked defense. finish the season at home against with less than two minutes to go. Brady was 15-for-29 for 128 San Francisco. Saquon Barkley ran for 112 yards and a pair of sacks. “Russell is a guy who creates yards and scored two walk-in magic,” said Seattle running back touchdowns and New York’s The Bengals (1-13) got a touch- Chris Carson.” much-maligned defense added a down pass from Andy Dalton /AP ED ZURGA Wilson completed 20 of 26 pass- safety as the Giants (3-11) handed that ended a streak of 20 straight games without reaching the end Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill had five catches for 67 es for 286 yards and two touch- the Dolphins (3-11) their second zone on their opening drive. All yards and two touchdown catches in his team’s 23-3 defeat of the downs, Carson ran for 133 yards loss in as many weeks at MetLife they managed the rest of the way Denver Broncos on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. and two scores, and Lockett had Stadium. eight catches for 120 yards. was a pair of field goals. “That’s what the league talks Giants 36, Dolphins 20 Patriots 34, Bengals 13 Scoreboard Chiefs romp past about with Russell — the way Miami 0 10 3 7—20 he extends plays,” said Panthers N.Y. Giants 0 7 16 13—36 New England 7 6 14 7—34 Broncos in the snow Second Quarter Cincinnati 10 0 0 3—13 safety Tre Boston. “It’s the play Mia—D.Parker 20 pass from Fitzpat- First Quarter KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The after the play with him. And he rick (Sanders kick), 9:03. NE—White 23 pass from Brady (Folk American Conference NYG—Tate 51 pass from Manning (Ro- kick), 11:44. Chiefs turned Arrowhead Stadi- hurt us.” sas kick), 8:01. Cin—Carter 8 pass from Dalton (Bull- East Mia—FG Sanders 24, :44. W L T Pct PF PA um into their own winter wonder- It was the 100th regular-sea- ock kick), 6:13. x-New England 11 3 0 .786 372 181 land, mushing through the snow Third Quarter Cin—FG Bullock 34, :14. x-Buffalo 10 4 0 .714 291 222 son win for Seahawks coach Pete NYG—Slayton 5 pass from Manning Second Quarter N.Y. Jets 5 9 0 .357 247 343 to an easy victory over the Bron- Carroll. (Rosas kick), 11:53. NE—FG Folk 40, 3:51. Miami 3 11 0 .214 241 435 Mia—FG Sanders 47, 8:44. NE—FG Folk 46, :05. cos as the AFC West champions “You can see how Russ ma- NYG—safety, 6:20. South Third Quarter Houston 9 5 0 .643 341 330 march toward another postsea- neuvers and makes stuff happen NYG—Barkley 1 run (Rosas kick), 5:17. NE—Harry 7 pass from Brady (Folk Tennessee 8 6 0 .571 339 279 son filled with possibilities. Fourth Quarter kick), 11:17. Indianapolis 6 7 0 .462 296 295 because he and Tyler were just NYG—Barkley 10 run (Rosas kick), NE—Gilmore 64 interception return Jacksonville 5 9 0 .357 250 353 Patrick Mahomes threw for 14:54. (Folk kick), 7:21. phenomenal together,“ Carroll NYG—Allen 1 run (kick failed), 4:41. North 340 yards and two touchdowns, Fourth Quarter y-Baltimore 12 2 0 .857 472 257 said. “And it’s really been a while. Mia—D.Parker 29 pass from Fitzpat- Cin—FG Bullock 48, 6:33. Pittsburgh 8 6 0 .571 269 259 and Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce Tyler’s been working his way rick (Sanders kick), 1:54. NE—Burkhead 33 run (Folk kick), 5:31. Cleveland 6 8 0 .429 297 329 were on the receiving end of A—72,894. A—57,066. Cincinnati 1 13 0 .071 211 359 back and you could see it. ... He Mia NYG NE Cin First downs 22 24 West many of his biggest throws . came through in great fashion, First downs 19 19 y-Kansas City 10 4 0 .714 394 284 Total Net Yards 384 412 Total Net Yards 291 315 Hill caught five passes for 67 Rushes-yards 25-122 33-138 Oakland 6 8 0 .429 274 386 so it’s great to have him back be- Rushes-yards 32-175 32-164 Passing 262 274 Denver 5 9 0 .357 239 284 yards and both scores, and Kelce cause we are going to need him to Passing 116 151 L.A. Chargers 5 9 0 .357 299 290 Punt Returns 0-0 1-9 hauled in 11 catches for 142 yards finish up.” Kickoff Returns 2-55 3-83 Punt Returns 1-1 2-9 NATIONAL CONFERENCE to become the first tight end in Interceptions Ret. 3-64 0-0 Kickoff Returns 2-42 2-36 East Seattle scored on its first three Comp-Att-Int 23-41-0 21-29-3 Interceptions Ret. 4-77 0-0 W L T Pct PF PA NFL history with four consecutive possessions as Wilson completed Sacked-Yards Lost 3-17 1-10 Comp-Att-Int 15-29-0 17-31-4 Dallas 7 7 0 .500 378 288 Punts 3-42.0 5-41.8 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-12 0-0 Philadelphia 7 7 0 .500 334 328 1,000-yard receiving seasons . 8 of 10 passes for 175 yards, with Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0 Punts 5-48.2 3-41.7 N.Y. Giants 3 11 0 .214 283 382 The Chiefs outscored their Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1 Washington 3 11 0 .214 215 347 19-yard touchdown passes to DK Penalties-Yards 7-42 4-32 longtime division rival 53-9 this Time of Possession 28:53 31:07 Penalties-Yards 4-30 5-25 South Metcalf and Lockett . INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Time of Possession 27:12 32:48 y-New Orleans 10 3 0 .769 344 296 season. RUSHING—Miami, Laird 12-46, Gaskin INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Tampa Bay 7 7 0 .500 416 398 9-43, Fitzpatrick 4-33. , Barkley RUSHING—New England, Michel 19-89, Atlanta 5 9 0 .357 329 365 The Broncos were so inept of- Seahawks 30, Panthers 24 N.Y. Giants 24-112, Allen 8-28, Penny 1-(minus 2). Burkhead 6-53, Harry 2-22, White 3-13, Carolina 5 9 0 .357 324 390 Seattle 13 7 3 7—30 fensively that Kelce had more PASSING—Miami, Fitzpatrick 23-41- Brady 2-(minus 2). Cincinnati, Mixon 25- Carolina 0 7 3 14—24 North yards receiving at the start of the 0-279. N.Y. Giants, Manning 20-28-3-283, 136, Bernard 5-27, Dalton 2-1. x-Green Bay 11 3 0 .786 330 283 First Quarter PASSING—New England, Brady 15-29- Sea—Carson 16 run (kick failed), Tanney 1-1-0-1. Minnesota 10 4 0 .714 378 259 fourth quarter than they had total — , Wilson 5-59, 0-128. Cincinnati, Dalton 17-31-4-151. Chicago 7 7 0 .500 256 253 10:26. RECEIVING Miami offense (139 yards). D.Parker 4-72, Gesicki 4-47, Ford 3-21, RECEIVING—New England, White 3- Detroit 3 10 1 .250 304 373 Sea—Metcalf 19 pass from Ru.Wilson 49, LaCosse 3-22, Harry 2-15, Sanu 2-13, (Myers kick), 5:22. Walford 2-34, Gaskin 2-29, Laird 2-8, West Hurns 1-9. N.Y. Giants, Shepard 9-111, Edelman 2-9, Burkhead 2-6, Michel 1-14. x-San Francisco 11 3 0 .786 419 258 Chiefs 23, Broncos 3 Second Quarter Car—McCaffrey 1 run (Slye kick), Barkley 4-31, K.Smith 3-38, Slayton 2-31, Cincinnati, Eifert 3-44, Boyd 3-26, Mixon x-Seattle 11 3 0 .786 371 345 Tate 1-51, Latimer 1-21, Simonson 1-1. 3-20, Ross 2-24, Carter 2-13, Bernard 2-10, L.A. Rams 8 6 0 .571 332 306 Denver 0 3 0 0— 3 13:43. — , Sand- Uzomah 1-8, Erickson 1-6. Arizona 4 9 1 .321 310 398 Kansas City 6 9 8 0—23 Sea—Lockett 19 pass from Ru.Wilson MISSED FIELD GOALS Miami x-clinched playoff spot First Quarter (Myers kick), 10:09. ers 49. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. y-clinched division KC—Hill 41 pass from Mahomes (pass Third Quarter Thursday’s game failed), 9:42. Car—FG Slye 52, 11:35. Baltimore 42, N.Y. Jets 21 Second Quarter Sea—FG Myers 30, :28. Sunday’s games KC—FG Butker 23, 12:57. Fourth Quarter Kansas City 23, Denver 3 KC—FG Butker 24, 6:24. Sea—Carson 6 run (Myers kick), 7:18. Tampa Bay 38, Detroit 17 Den—FG McManus 32, 1:56. Car—McCaffrey 15 run (Slye kick), Houston 24, Tennessee 21 KC—FG Butker 44, :00. 4:53. N.Y. Giants 36, Miami 20 Third Quarter Car—Samuel 5 pass from Allen (Slye Seattle 30, Carolina 24 KC—Hill 5 pass from Mahomes (Wat- kick), 3:14. Green Bay 21, Chicago 13 kins pass from Mahomes), 9:45. A—72,544. New England 34, Cincinnati 13 A—73,257. Sea Car Philadelphia 37, Washington 27 Den KC First downs 21 28 Arizona 38, Cleveland 24 First downs 15 27 Total Net Yards 428 414 Jacksonville 20, Oakland 16 Total Net Yards 251 419 Rushes-yards 34-154 29-145 Minnesota 39, L.A. Chargers 10 Rushes-yards 15-52 25-92 Passing 274 269 Atlanta 29, San Francisco 22 Passing 199 327 Punt Returns 0-0 0-0 Dallas 44, L.A. Rams 21 Punt Returns 1-8 2--2 Kickoff Returns 1-14 0-0 Buffalo 17, Pittsburgh 10 Kickoff Returns 2-50 1-20 Interceptions Ret. 3-16 1-0 Monday’s game Interceptions Ret. 1-0 1-0 Comp-Att-Int 20-27-1 25-42-3 Indianapolis at New Orleans Comp-Att-Int 18-40-1 27-34-1 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-12 1-8 Saturday, Dec. 21 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-9 3-13 Punts 4-41.3 4-45.8 Houston at Tampa Bay Punts 4-42.8 2-39.5 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-0 Buffalo at New England Fumbles-Lost 2-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 5-40 2-15 L.A. Rams at San Francisco Penalties-Yards 7-72 5-45 Time of Possession 31:18 28:42 Sunday, Dec. 22 Time of Possession 26:27 33:33 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS N.Y. Giants at Washington INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Seattle, Carson 24-133, Pro- Cincinnati at Miami RUSHING—Denver, Lindsay 7-32, Free- sise 5-15, Homer 2-7, Wilson 3-(minus New Orleans at Tennessee man 5-12, Booker 1-5, Lock 2-3. Kansas 1). Carolina, McCaffrey 19-87, Allen 5-25, Pittsburgh at N.Y. Jets City, Thompson 8-38, Ware 7-26, McCoy Samuel 4-23, Moore 1-10. Baltimore at Cleveland 6-16, Mahomes 3-11, Hill 1-1. PASSING—Seattle, Wilson 20-26-0-286, Carolina at Indianapolis PASSING—Denver, Lock 18-40-1-208. Gordon 0-1-1-0. Carolina, Allen 25-41-3- Jacksonville at Atlanta Kansas City, Mahomes 27-34-1-340. 277, McCaffrey 0-1-0-0. Oakland at L.A. Chargers RECEIVING—Denver, Sutton 4-79, Free- RECEIVING—Seattle, Lockett 8-120, SETH WENIG/AP Detroit at Denver man 4-14, Patrick 3-26, Fant 2-56, Beck 2- Turner 3-26, Hollister 3-23, Metcalf 2-36, Arizona at Seattle 13, Hamilton 2-13, Fumagalli 1-7. Kansas Gordon 1-58, Prosise 1-10, J.Brown 1-9, Dallas at Philadelphia City, Kelce 11-142, Hill 5-67, Watkins 3-49, Carson 1-4. Carolina, Moore 8-113, Mc- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning runs off the field during Kansas City at Chicago Bell 2-41, Robinson 2-21, Ware 2-9, Hard- Caffrey 8-88, Samuel 5-31, Thomas 2-23, his team’s 36-20 win Sunday over the Miami Dolphins in East Monday, Dec. 23 man 1-10, Thompson 1-1. Hogan 1-13, Wright 1-9. Green Bay at Minnesota MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. Rutherford, N.J. Manning threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 21 NFL Drake’s 4 TDs lifts Winston’s 4 TDs lifts Cards past Browns Bucs over Lions GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kenyan DETROIT — Jameis Winston Drake was almost embarrassed is making quite a case to stay in by his four-touchdown day for Tampa Bay. Winston became Arizona, saying that two of the the first player in NFL history to scores came when he essentially throw for 450 yards in consecu- fell forward on 1-yard runs. The tive games, leading the Bucca- other two were so easy, he strolled neers to a win over Detroit. into the end zone untouched. He threw three touchdowns The Cardinals (4-9-1) snapped in the first half — four overall their losing streak at six games — and a career-high 458 yards — and Drake snapped his per- passing one week after throwing sonal skid at 14 — by beating for 456 yards. Cleveland. The Browns fell to 6-8 Though both Tampa Bay and to further damage their already the Lions won’t reach their goals slim playoff hopes. this season, Winston made the “Sometimes it just kind of falls most of his opportunity to show in your favor,” Drake said. “I’m the Buccaneers they should give blessed to have the opportunity to him a new contract when his deal go out here and play the game I expires following the season. love.” “I hope I helped myself be- Drake ran for a season-high cause I definitely want to be here 137 yards six weeks after being in Tampa,“ he said. acquired by the Cardinals in a Winston, playing with a small midseason trade with the Miami fracture in his right thumb, com- Dolphins. The running back lost pleted 28 of 42 passes and set career highs with 221 yards passing D. ROSS CAMERON/AP nine straight games with the Dol- phins before the trade and then in the first quarter and 308 yards Oakland Raiders fans in “The Black Hole” watch their team walk off the field. The Jaguars beat the lost five more with the Cardinals. by halftime. Raiders 20-16 Sunday in the Raiders’ final home game before moving to Las Vegas next season. Cardinals 38, Browns 24 Buccaneers 38, Lions 17 Cleveland 0 10 7 7—24 Tampa Bay 14 7 3 14—38 Eagles overcome Jaguars spoil Raiders’ Arizona 7 14 7 10—38 Detroit 0 3 7 7—17 Vikings take advantage First Quarter First Quarter Ari—Drake 5 run (Gonzalez kick), TB—Perriman 34 pass from Winston fumbles, Redskins final game at Oakland of Chargers’ turnovers 10:09. (Gay kick), 7:25. Second Quarter TB—Miller 33 pass from Winston (Gay LANDOVER, Md. — Carson OAKLAND, Calif. — Jackson- CARSON, Calif, — Mike Zim- Ari—Drake 1 run (Gonzalez kick), kick), 3:42. 12:02. Second Quarter Wentz fumbled the ball away, but ville quarterback Gardner Min- mer has accomplished many Cle—Chubb 33 run (Seibert kick), 7:50. TB—Perriman 25 pass from Winston Cle—FG Seibert 44, 4:33. (Gay kick), 8:13. recovered in time to keep alive shew threw two TD passes to things as a defensive coordinator Det—FG Prater 44, 3:17. Ari—Arnold 6 pass from K.Murray Philadelphia’s hopes of winning Chris Conley in the final 5:15 of and head coach. He added one Third Quarter (Gonzalez kick), :25. TB—FG Gay 46, 11:32. the NFC East. the game and the Jaguars spoiled more in Minnesota’s rout. Third Quarter Det—Hills 1 run (Prater kick), 6:45. Wentz bounced back from a the final scheduled game at the Cle—Seals-Jones 2 pass from Mayfield Fourth Quarter The Vikings forced seven Char- (Seibert kick), 8:54. Det—Hills 1 run (Prater kick), 14:57. potentially costly mistake by Oakland Coliseum. gers’ turnovers and converted Ari—Drake 1 run (Gonzalez kick), 1:40. TB—Murphy-Bunting 70 interception leading a 75-yard, go-ahead scor- “It was definitely an awesome Fourth Quarter return (Gay kick), 5:12. them into 20 points. It is the most Ari—Drake 17 run (Gonzalez kick), TB—Perriman 25 pass from Winston ing drive and throwing his third experience to be here and play takeaways for a Zimmer-led unit. 7:25. (Gay kick), 2:59. touchdown pass of the day. in the last game,” Minshew said. Ari—FG Gonzalez 21, 5:18. A—56,515. “We knew that they had minus Cle—Seals-Jones 1 pass from Mayfield TB Det “I didn’t lose faith or confi- “Probably saw more middle fin- in turnover margin, so it was im- (Seibert kick), 1:21. First downs 23 16 dence at all,” Wentz said. “I just gers today than I have in my A—63,345. Total Net Yards 495 295 portant that we try to get some Cle Ari Rushes-yards 29-49 18-45 First downs 25 26 wanted one more chance. I want- whole life They have a good time. today,” Zimmer said. Passing 446 250 ed another chance to go down and It was fun to ruin that for them.” Total Net Yards 393 445 Punt Returns 1-0 0-0 Minnesota has a two-game lead Rushes-yards 23-152 35-226 Kickoff Returns 2-43 0-0 Passing 241 219 the defense gave that to us, and The Raiders (6-8) broke out to a for the final NFC playoff spot and Interceptions Ret. 2-91 1-2 we got it done.” 16-3 lead and appeared comfort- Punt Returns 1-9 1--2 Comp-Att-Int 28-42-1 24-43-2 has won four of its last five . Kickoff Returns 4-67 4-81 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-12 2-10 Philadelphia and Dallas both ably ahead before falling apart . Interceptions Ret. 1-21 1-0 Punts 3-36.3 5-51.6 “It’s still all up for grabs,“ said Comp-Att-Int 30-43-1 19-25-1 are 7-7 and face off in Philadel- The Jaguars drove 79 yards to Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1 Kirk Cousins, who threw for 207 Sacked-Yards Lost 1-6 0-0 Penalties-Yards 9-70 2-10 phia next week. draw within 16-13 on Minshew’s Punts 2-41.5 2-39.5 Time of Possession 33:19 26:41 yards with a touchdown and in- Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0 Wentz threw TD passes to 6-yard TD pass to Conley. The INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS terception. “ We’ve put ourselves Penalties-Yards 6-55 5-34 RUSHING—Tampa Bay, Jones 11-23, Miles Sanders, Zach Ertz and two connected again from the 4- Time of Possession 30:49 29:11 Barber 10-17, Winston 2-4, Perriman 1-3, INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Greg Ward and was 30-for-43 for yard line with 31 seconds left. in a position to have a lot to play Ogunbowale 1-3, Griffin 4-(minus 1). De- for these last two games.” RUSHING—Cleveland, Chubb 17- troit, Hills 10-21, Blough 5-19, Johnson 2- 266 yards. Some frustrated fans threw de- 127, Hunt 4-14, Mayfield 2-11. Arizona, 3, McKissic 1-2. Drake 22-137, K.Murray 8-56, Kirk 1-28, PASSING—Tampa Bay, Winston 28-42- bris on the field but most just sat Vikings 39, Chargers 10 D.Johnson 3-6, Isabella 1-(minus 1). 1-458. Detroit, Blough 24-43-2-260. Eagles 37, Redskins 27 quietly in the stands. PASSING—Cleveland, Mayfield 30-43- RECEIVING—Tampa Bay, Godwin 5- Minnesota 6 13 6 14—39 1-247. Arizona, K.Murray 19-25-1-219. Philadelphia 3 7 7 20—37 121, Perriman 5-113, Howard 4-46, Miller L.A. Chargers 3 7 0 0—10 RECEIVING—Cleveland, Beckham 8-66, 3-49, Brate 3-33, Barber 2-23, Watson 2- Washington 7 7 0 13—27 First Quarter Hunt 8-62, Landry 5-23, Seals-Jones 3-29, First Quarter Jaguars 20, Raiders 16 17, Jones 1-26, Hudson 1-14, Ogunbowale Min—I.Smith 1 pass from Cousins Chubb 3-21, Ratley 2-33, Harris 1-13. Ari- 1-13, Hyman 1-3. Detroit, Amendola 8- Phi—FG Elliott 25, 1:23. Jacksonville 3 0 3 14—20 (kick failed), 9:10. Oakland 10 6 0 0—16 zona, Byrd 6-86, Kirk 4-33, Fitzgerald 3-42, 102, Johnson 4-17, Golladay 3-44, James Was—McLaurin 75 pass from Haskins LAC—FG Badgley 41, 4:35. (Hopkins kick), 1:11. First Quarter Clay 1-18, Cooper 1-17, Drake 1-9, Arnold 3-31, McKissic 2-7, Hills 2-1, Lacy 1-48, Second Quarter Oak—Williams 40 pass from Carr Second Quarter 1-6, Isabella 1-4, Williams 1-4. Nauta 1-10. Phi—Sanders 1 run (Elliott kick), 9:53. (Carlson kick), 11:29. Min—FG Bailey 26, 14:57. MISSED FIELD GOALS—Cleveland, MISSED FIELD GOALS—Tampa Bay, Was—S.Sims 5 pass from Haskins Jac—FG Lambo 28, 8:09. LAC—M.Williams 2 pass from Rivers Seibert 45. Gay 54. (Hopkins kick), 6:58. Oak—FG Carlson 33, 4:53. (Badgley kick), 8:42. Third Quarter Second Quarter Min—FG Bailey 44, 4:17. Phi—Sanders 15 pass from Wentz (El- Oak—FG Carlson 34, 2:21. Min—Odenigbo 56 fumble return (Bai- liott kick), 5:53. Oak—FG Carlson 27, :00. ley kick), :07. Fourth Quarter Third Quarter Third Quarter Was—Peterson 10 run (Hopkins kick), Jac—FG Lambo 43, :28. Min—FG Bailey 38, 12:37. 14:53. Fourth Quarter Min—FG Bailey 27, 7:06. Phi—Ertz 2 pass from Wentz (Elliott Jac—Conley 6 pass from Minshew Fourth Quarter kick), 9:59. (Lambo kick), 5:15. Min—Boone 8 run (Bailey kick), 10:25. Was—FG Hopkins 53, 8:02. Jac—Conley 4 pass from Minshew Min—Boone 2 run (Bailey kick), 8:45. Was—FG Hopkins 43, 4:52. (Lambo kick), :31. A—25,446. Phi—Ward 4 pass from Wentz (Elliott A—52,788. Min LAC kick), :26. Jac Oak First downs 18 17 Phi—Bradham 47 fumble return :00. First downs 17 27 Total Net Yards 344 345 A—63,246. Total Net Yards 262 364 Rushes-yards 37-137 19-62 Phi Was Rushes-yards 22-77 32-128 Passing 207 283 First downs 27 19 Passing 185 236 Punt Returns 0-0 0-0 Total Net Yards 415 362 Punt Returns 1-8 1-2 Kickoff Returns 1-25 3-48 Rushes-yards 28-157 23-101 Kickoff Returns 1-35 2-37 Interceptions Ret. 3-7 1-9 Passing 258 261 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 Comp-Att-Int 19-25-1 28-39-3 Punt Returns 0-0 2-8 Comp-Att-Int 17-29-0 22-36-0 Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 3-24 Kickoff Returns 1-29 3-89 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-16 4-31 Punts 2-51.5 1-26.0 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 Punts 5-49.6 4-41.8 Fumbles-Lost 2-0 5-4 Comp-Att-Int 30-43-0 19-28-0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0 Penalties-Yards 5-41 5-48 Sacked-Yards Lost 2-8 0-0 Penalties-Yards 8-87 6-51 Time of Possession 32:19 27:41 Punts 3-46.7 4-49.0 Time of Possession 25:48 34:12 Fumbles-Lost 4-1 1-1 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Penalties-Yards 7-54 5-60 RUSHING—Jacksonville, Fournette 15- RUSHING—Minnesota, Boone 13-56, Time of Possession 36:57 23:03 42, Minshew 5-27, Westbrook 1-7, Arm- Cook 9-27, Abdullah 5-25, Cousins 3-14, INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS stead 1-1. Oakland, Jacobs 24-89, Wash- O.Johnson 1-6, Ham 1-5, Diggs 1-4, Thielen RUSHING—Philadelphia, Sanders 19- ington 6-16, Carr 1-12, Richard 1-11. 1-3, Mannion 3-(minus 3). L.A. Chargers, 122, Scott 6-26, Wentz 3-9. Washington, Pe- PASSING—Jacksonville, Minshew 17- Gordon 7-28, Ekeler 7-19, Jackson 5-15. terson 16-66, Haskins 4-26, Ferguson 3-9. 29-0-201. Oakland, Carr 22-36-0-267. PASSING—Minnesota, Cousins 19-25- PASSING—Philadelphia, Wentz 30-43- RECEIVING—Jacksonville, Fournette 1-207. L.A. Chargers, Rivers 28-39-3-307. 5-31, Conley 4-49, Cole 3-76, DeValve 2- RECEIVING—Minnesota, Diggs 4-76, 0-266. Washington, Haskins 19-28-0-261. RICK SCUTER/AP RECEIVING—Philadelphia, Ward 7-61, 23, Westbrook 2-14, Board 1-8. Oakland, Rudolph 3-48, Thielen 3-27, Cook 3-16, Scott 7-39, Sanders 6-50, Ertz 5-61, Go- Waller 8-122, Ingold 3-22, Williams 2-45, Ham 3-13, I.Smith 2-8, O.Johnson 1-19. edert 5-55. Washington, McLaurin 5-130, Richard 2-25, Jacobs 2-20, Washington 2- L.A. Chargers, Allen 9-99, Ekeler 5-62, Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake tries to elude Cleveland’s S.Sims 5-45, Peterson 3-25, Thompson 2- 6, Doss 1-17, Carrier 1-5, Jones 1-5. Gordon 5-36, M.Williams 4-71, Henry 2-29, Damarious Randall, left, and Joe Schobert. Drake ran for 137 yards 26, Harmon 2-22, Sprinkle 2-13. MISSED FIELD GOALS—Oakland, Carl- Jackson 2-2, Patton 1-8. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. son 50, Carlson 45. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. and four touchdowns in Arizona’s win Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. PAGE 22 F3HIJKLM •STARS AND STRIPES• Tuesday, December 17, 2019 NFL Coin toss mix-up moot as Cowboys blow out Rams

Associated Press Cowboys 44, Rams 21 L.A. Rams 0 7 0 14—21 ARLINGTON, Texas — Dak Dallas 7 21 3 13—44 Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys First Quarter turned “much ado about nothing” Dal—Witten 19 pass from Prescott (Forbath kick), 1:47. over the coin toss into “win and Second Quarter they’re in” next weekend. LAR—Gurley 2 pass from Goff (Zuer- lein kick), 12:58. Prescott threw two touch- Dal—Austin 59 pass from Prescott down passes after his confus- (Forbath kick), 11:37. Dal—Elliott 1 run (Forbath kick), 1:57. ing exchange with referee Walt Dal—Elliott 3 run (Forbath kick), :16. Anderson made many think the Third Quarter Cowboys forced themselves to Dal—FG Forbath 50, 11:09. JOSIE LEPE/AP Fourth Quarter kick off to start both halves, and Dal—FG Forbath 42, 14:56. Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley, right, reaches to sack Ezekiel Elliott ran for two scores Dal—FG Forbath 42, 6:40. LAR—Gurley 7 run (Gurley run), 3:17. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the first in a 44-21 victory over the Los Dal—Pollard 44 run (Forbath kick), half on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif. The Falcons won 29-22. Angeles Rams on Sunday. 3:00. LAR—Kupp 7 pass from Goff (pass The Cowboys (7-7) ended their failed), :40. second three-game losing streak A—90,436. LAR Dal of the season, and the defending First downs 23 25 NFC East champions stayed even Total Net Yards 289 475 with Philadelphia atop the divi- Rushes-yards 14-22 45-263 Falcons rally Passing 267 212 sion with a showdown looming Punt Returns 1-0 2-20 ROGER STEINMAN/AP next Sunday. Kickoff Returns 1-23 0-0 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 1-25 After their first victory over a Dallas Cowboys running back Comp-Att-Int 34-52-1 15-23-0 team with a winning record this Ezekiel Elliott scores during the Sacked-Yards Lost 2-22 0-0 Punts 5-55.8 2-47.5 season, the Cowboys can clinch the first half of Sunday’s 44-21 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0 their fourth division title in six win over the Los Angeles Rams Penalties-Yards 5-29 4-16 to stun Niners Time of Possession 23:54 36:06 seasons with a win at the Eagles. in Arlington, Texas. INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS The defending NFC champion RUSHING—L.A. Rams, Gurley 11-20, McVay said. “That’s a big part Goff 3-2. Dallas, Pollard 12-131, Elliott 24- Rams (8-6), who already needed 117, Prescott 7-12, Austin 2-3. help to get into the playoffs, didn’t of my responsibility is to figure PASSING—L.A. Rams, Goff 33-51-1-284, help themselves with another out solutions and help us be more Hekker 1-1-0-5. Dallas, Prescott 15-23-0- 212. in final seconds poor showing a week after their consistent.” RECEIVING—L.A. Rams, Higbee 12- most impressive game of the sea- The Cowboys’ No. 1-ranked 111, Kupp 6-41, Cooks 4-46, Woods 4-17, Gurley 3-18, Reynolds 2-36, Mundt 2-15, son in a win over Seattle. offense kept rolling with a sea- Thomas 1-5. Dallas, Witten 4-36, Elliott 3- Falcons 29, 49ers 22 “We haven’t been consistent as son high in points to go with 475 43, Jarwin 2-40, Pollard 2-12, Austin 1-59, Replay reversal on Atlanta 0 10 0 19—29 a football team really through- yards, including scoring drives of Cooper 1-19, Gallup 1-6, Cobb 1-(minus San Francisco 0 10 3 9—22 3). Second Quarter out this season,” coach Sean 90 and 97 yards. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. SF—Mostert 2 run (Gould kick), 12:55. Jones’ touchdown Atl—J.Jones 5 pass from Ryan (Koo kick), 7:01. Atl—FG Koo 43, 2:36. catch lifts Atlanta SF—FG Gould 22, :24. Least: Third Quarter Apart from East, NFC race a SF—FG Gould 46, 5:14. Associated Press Fourth Quarter SF—Juszczyk 2 pass from Garoppolo SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Matt (kick failed), 10:07. Ryan outshined his former offen- Atl—Ollison 1 run (Koo kick), 5:15. SF—FG Gould 43, 1:48. scramble amongst formidable teams sive coordinator in an MVP-type Atl—J.Jones 5 pass from Ryan (run fashion Kyle Shanahan knows oh failed), :02. Atl—Zaccheaus 0 fumble return, :00. FROM BACK PAGE Packers, 49ers and Vikings could wind up the top so well. A—70,910. Yet even this rally might have Atl SF well. We’ll be ready and we’ll be excited.” seed. Which means any of them could be the sixth First downs 20 20 seed and facing a trip to the Big Easy or Bay Area or been more improbable than ei- Total Net Yards 290 313 The Cowboys won the first meeting and would ther could have imagined — two Rushes-yards 20-89 27-120 clinch the division by marching into Philly and Lambeau Field or the Pacific Northwest or the Twin Passing 201 193 Cities in the wild-card round. Falcons touchdowns in the final Punt Returns 4-19 0-0 winning. 5 seconds. A pair of replay rever- Kickoff Returns 3-70 2-15 Heading to January after Sunday’s results are That, compared to facing the underachieving Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0 Cowboys or undermanned Eagles, is not a very en- sals in the last 8 ticks of the clock, Comp-Att-Int 25-39-0 22-34-0 New England (really?) and Buffalo (REALLY?); Se- including Austin Hooper’s appar- Sacked-Yards Lost 2-9 1-7 attle, Green Bay and San Francisco; and previous ticing a prospect. Punts 5-50.4 4-46.0 Green Bay and Minnesota figure to, well, figure ent TD reception being ruled no Fumbles-Lost 1-1 4-2 entrants Baltimore, New Orleans and Kansas City. good. Penalties-Yards 11-98 7-67 Yes, the Patriots head to the playoffs for the 11th out the NFC North on Monday night, Dec. 23 in Time of Possession 29:12 30:48 Minneapolis. ESPN couldn’t have asked for a more Ryan connected with Julio INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS straight season, a league record. They still need to Jones on a 5-yard pass that did RUSHING—Atlanta, Freeman 12-39, secure their 11th consecutive AFC East crown, and juicy closer to its season. The Packers, who hold a Ryan 5-27, Hill 1-16, Gage 1-6, Ollison 1- the Bills have made that anything but a slam dunk. one-game lead on the Vikings, finish with awful De- get ruled a touchdown after a re- 1. San Francisco, Mostert 14-54, Coleman play reversal went Atlanta’s way 4-40, Breida 4-11, Samuel 1-8, Garoppolo Buffalo, coming off a gutsy, knockdown, drag-out troit, while Minnesota gets a tougher task against 2-6, Juszczyk 2-1. victory at Pittsburgh, don’t look like the same Bills visiting Chicago. with 2 seconds left, sending the PASSING—Atlanta, Ryan 25-39-0-210. Falcons past the playoff-bound San Francisco, Garoppolo 22-34-0-200. who get intimidated — and then blown out — in Fox- “It’s still all up for grabs,” said Vikings QB Kirk RECEIVING—Atlanta, J.Jones 13-134, borough. They meet next Sunday. Cousins, who was 19 of 25 for 207 yards with a San Francisco 49ers 29-22 on Gage 5-27, Hooper 3-20, Freeman 2-16, Sunday. Stocker 1-9, Barner 1-4. San Francisco, Houston’s victory at Tennessee, a week after a touchdown and interception in a lopsided win at the “That was awesome. At the Kittle 13-134, Sanders 2-9, Breida 2-6, monumental flop against Denver, lifted the Texans Chargers. “Ten wins is a good place to be. We’ve put Juszczyk 2-6, Samuel 1-29, Bourne 1-11, end, game on the line, those are Mostert 1-5. into the AFC South lead. The Texans host the Titans ourselves in a position to have a lot to play for these the moments as a coach that you MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. in the season finale, but could have already won the last two games.” totally live for,” Atlanta’s Dan division if they win at sizzling but non-playoff quali- Indeed, the Vikings aren’t even certain to be part Quinn said. “It makes you feel didn’t go our way. At that point, fier Tampa Bay while the Titans fall against New of the playoff field; the Rams could catch them by most alive.“ you have to have the mindset of Orleans next weekend. winning their last two with Minnesota falling twice. This Falcons upset forces the just getting right back to it and One other AFC berth remains, and the Steelers’ Judging by Sunday’s results and performances — 49ers to win out if they want to finding a way to get the job done loss Sunday night kept Tennessee and Indianapolis LA was a no-show in Dallas — forget that. hold onto the NFC’s No. 1 seed. the following play.” in contention. Considering Pittsburgh still has a trip Finally, how about this: Seattle and San Fran- Jones initially was called short When things couldn’t get cra- to Baltimore in the finale, and the Ravens clearly cisco both are 11-3, the Seahawks holding on to win of the goal line with the Falcons zier, they did: On the final kickoff, are the NFL’s best team right now, the Steelers’ at Carolina, the Niners blowing a lead to mediocre trailing 22-17. But a replay showed Atlanta scored another touch- prospects could be dicey. Atlanta and losing at home. The Niners host the the ball breaking the plane as the down when Olamide Zaccheaus Regardless, it’s also become evident that the Ra- Rams next weekend, while the Seahawks are home Atlanta receiver leaped in the air came up with the ball as the vens will be the biggest roadblock for any AFC op- for also-ran Arizona. In the finale, the 49ers are at while being tackled by Jimmie 49ers were tossing it around in ponent, and they’ll secure home-field advantage Seattle, which won the first meeting. Ward. desperation. throughout the conference playoffs with one more Not only could that matchup be for the NFC “When you’re down that tight The 49ers still clinched their victory. West title, but it could be for top seeding in the in the red zone, there are going to first playoff berth since a 2013 run The NFC is more of a scramble among some very conference. be tight window throws. It was a to the NFC championship game formidable squads, minus Dallas and Philadelphia, Expect a flex of that game to prime time — a fit- great effort,“ Ryan said. The call with the Rams’ loss at Dallas. that is. Any team among the Saints, Seahawks, ting way to end the NFL’s 100th season. Tuesday, December 17, 2019 •STARS AND STRIPES• F3HIJKLM PAGE 23 NFL Texans’ late push takes out Titans Houston holds edge for AFC South crown

BY TERESA M. WALKER playoff berth in three seasons. Associated Press “We’ve just got to be better, man,“ Titans safety Kevin Byard NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The said. “We’ll see them guys again Houston Texans took charge in the fourth quarter, and now they in two weeks, but disappointed.” have control of the AFC South When the Titans tied it at 14 with two games remaining. early in the fourth quarter, the The defending division champs Texans scored 10 straight points. are looking for Houston’s fourth Hyde ran for a 10-yard TD, then AFC South title in six years under Fairbairn’s field goal finished coach Bill O’Brien. The Titans Houston’s scoring. “We had to have an answer DON WRIGHT/AP haven’t won this division since 2008, and Mike Vrabel is Tennes- there,” O’Brien said. Buffalo Bills tight end Tyler Kroft (81) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass in his Tennessee outgained Houston team’s 17-10 defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh. see’s third coach since. Carlos Hyde ran for 104 yards 432-374. Ryan Tannehill threw and scored a TD with 10:34 left for 279 yards, ran for a 1-yard TD, and Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 29-yard but also was intercepted at the field goal with 3:26 remaining goal line. Derrick Henry snapped Allen, Bills earn playoff spot provided the winning margin a four-game stretch of 100-yard as the Texans scored 10 straight rushing games, finishing with 86 points in the fourth quarter to yards on 21 carries . BY DAN SCIFO Allen rallied the Bills for a come- Bills 17, Steelers 10 beat the Tennessee Titans 24-21 Associated Press back win for the fifth time this Texans 24, Titans 21 Buffalo 0 7 0 10—17 on Sunday. season. Consecutive intercep- Pittsburgh 0 3 7 0—10 Houston 0 14 0 10—24 Second Quarter “We had to lock in,” Texans Tennessee 0 0 7 14—21 PITTSBURGH — The Buffalo tions by Jordan Poyer and Levi Buf—Allen 1 run (Hauschka kick), quarterback Deshaun Watson Second Quarter Bills didn’t have many playoff Wallace on Pittsburgh’s last two 14:22. Hou—Stills 12 pass from Watson (Fair- experiences during a recent two- Pit—FG Boswell 49, 11:26. said. “That’s what we did. It came bairn kick), 9:59. possessions sealed the victory. Third Quarter down to that fourth quarter of Hou—Stills 16 pass from Watson (Fair- decade stretch. The surging Steelers (8-6) had Pit—Conner 11 pass from Hodges (Bo- bairn kick), 3:14. Bills coach Sean McDermott swell kick), 11:18. standing up, getting up and get- Third Quarter an opportunity to leapfrog the Fourth Quarter Ten—Tannehill 1 run (Succop kick), and his quarterback Josh Allen Buf—FG Hauschka 36, 12:23. ting a drive in and getting points 5:34. Bills for the top AFC wild-card Buf—Kroft 14 pass from Allen (Haus- are helping to change the culture on the board and defense making Fourth Quarter spot, but Buffalo snapped Pitts- chka kick), 7:55. Ten—A.Brown 5 pass from Tannehill in Buffalo. A—64,694. a stop. Yeah, it was just something (Succop kick), 13:35. burgh’s three-game win streak. Buf Pit Allen threw a 14-yard touch- that we definitely didn’t want to Hou—Hyde 10 run (Fairbairn kick), The Steelers remain the No. 6 First downs 17 15 10:34. down pass to Tyler Kroft with Total Net Yards 261 229 let it slip out of our hand.” Hou—FG Fairbairn 29, 3:26. seed in the AFC, but have no Rushes-yards 38-130 15-51 Ten—Lewis 11 pass from Tannehill 7:55 to play and the Bills clinched Passing 131 178 Now the Texans (9-5) must room for error. (Succop kick), 2:04. a playoff spot, beating the Pitts- Punt Returns 1-12 2-20 travel home with a short week be- A—65,265. “We will learn from this and Kickoff Returns 2-45 3-63 fore going to Tampa Bay on Sat- Hou Ten burgh Steelers 17-10 on Sunday Interceptions Ret. 4-49 1-33 First downs 23 24 night. move forward to our next op- Comp-Att-Int 13-25-1 23-38-4 urday before hosting the Titans Total Net Yards 374 432 portunity,” said Steelers coach Sacked-Yards Lost 1-8 4-24 (8-6) again in the regular season Rushes-yards 35-140 28-163 “(McDermott) preaches play- Punts 6-41.5 5-43.0 Passing 234 269 Mike Tomlin, a college team- Fumbles-Lost 2-1 4-1 finale. Punt Returns 0-0 2-19 off caliber and that’s the standard Penalties-Yards 8-70 6-30 mate of McDermott’s at William Time of Possession 32:20 27:40 “I don’t think we should even Kickoff Returns 2-54 3-55 we hold ourselves to,” Allen said. Interceptions Ret. 1-86 2-2 & Mary. “There is scarcity in this INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS think one second about any- “The goal is to get yourself into RUSHING—Buffalo, Singletary 21-87, Comp-Att-Int 19-27-2 22-37-1 business. You only get so many Allen 7-28, Gore 10-15. Pittsburgh, Con- thing other than Tampa Bay, and Sacked-Yards Lost 1-9 2-10 the playoffs to have a shot at the Punts 4-46.3 3-48.3 ner 8-42, Whyte 2-5, Hodges 1-4, Snell 2-1, that should be the whole goal,” Super Bowl.” opportunities to state a case for Samuels 2-(minus 1). Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0 PASSING—Buffalo, Allen 13-25-1-139. O’Brien said of the Texans’ im- Penalties-Yards 5-27 4-30 Buffalo (10-4) has done that. yourself.” Time of Possession 31:20 28:40 Pittsburgh, Hodges 23-38-4-202. proved chances of winning the The Bills secured their second Buffalo won for the fourth time RECEIVING—Buffalo, Brown 7-99, Sin- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS playoff berth in three seasons in five games and recorded its gletary 2-2, Kroft 1-14, Knox 1-11, Roberts division. RUSHING—Houston, Hyde 26-104, 1-7, Beasley 1-6. Pittsburgh, Washington Watson 7-32, D.Johnson 2-4. Tennessee, under McDermott. Buffalo trailed first 10-win season since 1999. 5-83, Johnson 5-62, Vannett 5-40, Con- The Texans nearly blew a 14- Henry 21-86, J.Smith 1-57, Lewis 3-10, The Bills also beat the Steelers for ner 4-9, Holton 2-(minus 1), Samuels 1-5, 0 halftime lead with Tennessee Tannehill 3-10. 10-7, but scored on two posses- Gentry 1-4. PASSING—Houston, Watson 19-27-2- sions in the fourth quarter, as the second time in Pittsburgh. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. intercepting Watson twice inside 243. Tennessee, Tannehill 22-36-1-279, the Titans 1. Kern 0-1-0-0. RECEIVING—Houston, Hopkins 6-119, Packers 21, Bears 13 The Titans snapped a four- Fuller 5-61, Stills 3-35, D.Johnson 2-19, Akins 2-7, Fells 1-2. Tennessee, A.Brown Chicago 0 3 0 10—13 game win streak with only their 8-114, J.Smith 5-60, C.Davis 3-57, Sharpe Packers slip past Bears Green Bay 7 0 14 0—21 second loss in seven games. Now 2-28, Lewis 1-11, Firkser 1-7, Raymond 1- First Quarter 2, Blasingame 1-0. GB—D.Adams 29 pass from Rodgers they will need help in the final MISSED FIELD GOALS—Tennessee, (Crosby kick), 4:47. two games to earn their second Succop 45. in rivals’ 200th meeting Second Quarter Chi—FG Pineiro 30, 1:45. Third Quarter GB—Jones 21 run (Crosby kick), 12:44. Associated Press so many laterals. I couldn’t tell. I GB—Jones 2 run (Crosby kick), 7:48. Fourth Quarter GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron was just hoping that someone was Chi—FG Pineiro 27, 14:56. going to make the tackle.” Chi—Miller 2 pass from Trubisky (Pin- Rodgers and the Green Bay Pack- eiro kick), 8:09. ers’ wait to see if a long-time foe With the win, Green Bay (11-3) A—78,266. swept the Bears for the 15th time Chi GB would help them clinch a playoff First downs 20 12 spot was a whole lot easier than in the last 26 seasons and the Total Net Yards 429 292 Rushes-yards 27-96 24-100 the lateral-filled final play they seventh time in 11 seasons. The Passing 333 192 Packers defeated Chicago 10-3 Punt Returns 2-19 1-12 had to survive to beat the Chicago Kickoff Returns 2-44 2-71 Bears in the rivals’ 200th game. in the season opener. Green Bay Interceptions Ret. 0-0 2-14 Comp-Att-Int 29-53-2 16-33-0 Leading by eight points with now leads the series 99-95-6. Sacked-Yards Lost 3-15 1-11 just 1 second remaining, Tra- The Packers improved to 19-5 Punts 4-38.8 7-35.7 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 0-0 mon Williams fell on Jesper Hor- against the Bears with Rodgers Penalties-Yards 4-35 4-30 Time of Possession 34:22 25:38 stead’s fumble at the 2-yard line as the starting quarterback. Rod- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS to end Green Bay’s 21-13 victory gers completed just 16 of 33 pass- RUSHING—Chicago, Montgomery 14- 39, Trubisky 4-29, Cohen 8-28, Patterson over the Bears on Sunday. es for a pedestrian 203 yards . 1-0. Green Bay, Jones 13-51, J.Williams 8- A few hours later, the Packers “I love being 11-3,” Rodgers 26, Rodgers 3-23. PASSING—Chicago, Trubisky 29-53-2- were playoff bound, when the said. “ …We just gotta be a little 348. Green Bay, Rodgers 16-33-0-203. RECEIVING—Chicago, Miller 9-118, Dallas Cowboys beat the Los An- more opportunistic when we have Robinson 7-125, Cohen 7-57, Ridley 2-10, geles Rams. opportunities.” Horsted 1-18, Montgomery 1-10, Patter- son 1-6, Holtz 1-(minus 1). Green Bay, JAMES KENNEY/AP “I think I blacked out there Mitchell Trubisky completed D.Adams 7-103, Allison 2-19, Lazard 2-14, for a second,” Green Bay coach his first five pass attempts for the Kumerow 1-49, J.Williams 1-7, Lewis 1-6, Texans running back Carlos Hyde ran for 104 yards and a touchdown Tonyan 1-5, Graham 1-0. Matt LaFleur said. “There was Bears (7-7) but for only 18 yards. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. in Houston’s 24-21 win over the Titans on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. S TARS AND STRIPES Tuesday, December 17, 2019 F3HIJKLM Upset specials No. 3 Ohio State, No. 17 UNC SPORTS knocked off » College hoops, Page 17

NFL ‘Elite’ 8-8 ? Cowboys, Eagles victories ensure NFC East champion will have at least .500 record

BY BARRY WILNER Associated Press

he folks at NFL headquarters can relax: The NFC East winner will have at least a T .500 record. That’s barring a tie next week when Dallas visits Philadelphia, of course. And in this season of unpredictability — isn’t Decem- ber supposed to be dominated by the better teams? — anything from 55-55 to 3-3 in a blizzard could occur at Lincoln Financial Field. It’s been a year of supreme separation in the NFL. Forget competitive balance, there are a bunch of haves and just as many have-nots in 2019. Which makes it understandable that the league offices would have been under siege had a 7-9 NFC East champion hosted a 12-4 wild card, particularly when teams with winning records don’t get into the postseason parade. quarterback Carson Wentz says. With Dallas’ stunning turn- “The last couple weeks it’s been around romp past the Rams and backs against the wall and that Philly’s improbable ability to pull doesn’t change. We got Dallas out two victories over weak rivals coming in and we know what that despite being as injury ravaged means to this city each week, re- as any team in football, the 7- gardless of the circumstances. 9 prospect died. Although 7-8-1 But we also know the circum- with that equally unlikely tie hap- stances and what’s riding on it as pening is in the mix. “Yeah, it’s exciting,” Eagles SEE LEAST ON PAGE 22

‘ Yeah, it’s exciting. The last couple weeks it’s been backs against the PHOTOS BY ROGER STEINMAN, ABOVE, AND ALEX BRANDON, LEFT/AP Above: Dallas receiver Tavon Austin, top, celebrates his touchdown during the Cowboys’ 44-21 win wall, and that doesn’t change. over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Left: Eagles receiver Greg Ward catches a touchdown pass over Carson Wentz ’ Redskins cornerback Josh Norman in Philadelphia’s 37-27 win . The Eagles will host the Cowboys next Philadelphia Eagles quarterback week in an NFC East showdown.

D-backs ink longtime Giants ace Bumgarner » Page 18