20 years after death, Pat Tillman still inspires those who knew him well — and many he never met

Leland High led 35-0 at halftime and coach Terry Hardtke figured enough was enough. Pat Tillman had scored four touchdowns on offense and was dominating defensively in a Central Coast Section playoff game against Andrew Hill. Hardtke told Tillman he was done for the day. “I said, ‘No offense, no defense,’” Hardtke recalled. “He gave me this sorrowful look.” When the second half began, to Hardtke’s surprise, Tillman was on the field to receive the kickoff. Tillman ran it back for his fifth touchdown of the game on the seventh time he touched the ball. While teammates celebrated, Tillman made a beeline for Hardtke. “He said, ‘Coach, you said nothing about special teams,’” Hardtke said. Hardtke confiscated Tillman’s helmet and shoulder pads. Tillman followed orders and sat out the rest of a 66-14 win en route to an eventual CCS title. To Hardtke it was quintessential Tillman, doing everything that was asked of him and then doing even more. “I don’t look at that as defying what I said,” Hardtke said. “I look at it as his approach to the way he lived his life

Championship-minded 49ers return to NFL Draft’s first-round festivities

SANTA CLARA – Here comes the 49ers’ most dramatic first-round action in an NFL Draft since 2021. Disclaimer: They haven’t had a first-round pick in either of the past two drafts, by virtue of their ill-fated climb in 2021 to select quarterback Trey Lance at the No. 3 overall slot. “It’ll be more fun,” coach Kyle Shanahan said last month about Thursday’s opening night of the NFL Draft. “It’s pretty miserable not having a first-round pick, just watching and having nothing to do that first day.” “It’s nice to be back there,” general manager John Lynch added at last month’s league meeting. “It’s boring sitting there every year, watching everybody pick.” The 49ers are not slated to pick until No. 31 overall, their consolation prize for finishing as last season’s Super Bowl runner-up to the Kansas City Chiefs, who select No. 32 to cap the first round’s festivities. It might be unlikely the 49ers stay at No. 31, however. Their talent-stacked roster is viewed as the Super Bowl favorite by Vegas’ oddsmakers, so if the 49ers feel they are merely a top-notch player away from

Despite throwing just 65 innings last year, Jordan Hicks wants to stay in SF Giants’ rotation for good

SAN FRANCISCO — As the Friday night sun started to set at Oracle Park, Jordan Hicks looked into the outfield and thought about the two ERA leaders in the National League. In first place was Reynaldo Lopez, a 30-year-old right-hander with the Atlanta Braves who began the season with a 0.50 ERA through his first three starts, though he spent the last two seasons as a one-inning relief pitcher. “Another reliever turned into a starter,” Hicks said with a smirk. In second place was Hicks (1.57 ERA), a 27-year-old right-hander on the Giants who was one of the game’s best relievers last year while handling the late innings for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. “My goal isn’t to see my name on any list,” he said. “I want to do what I know I’m capable of.” In the American League, the list looks similar. As of Friday, the top three qualified pitchers in the A.L. ERA race were the Boston Red Sox’ Kutter Crawford, the Houston Astros’ Ronel Blanco and the Kansas City Royals’ Seth Lugo. They all have this in common:

Nature: Icebergs

We leave you this Sunday amid icebergs in the Southern Ocean off the Antarctic peninsula – icebergs rapidly melting as ocean temperatures rise. Videographer: Lee McEachern.

Horoscopes April 21, 2024: Rob Riggle, trust your judgment

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Tony Romo, 44; Rob Riggle, 54; Andie MacDowell, 66; Iggy Pop, 77. Happy Birthday: Don’t fold under pressure this year. Go with the flow, adapt to the changes happening around you and make life work like a charm; you’ll gain respect, favors and a path forward that will help you utilize your skills, attributes and experience to reach your objective and the happiness you desire. Trust your judgment, do what you do best and don’t look back. Your numbers are 5, 12, 18, 24, 36, 45, 48. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Energize, contribute, participate and make a difference. Your input can improve your community if you throw your energy behind a cause that concerns you. Stay active; idle time will set you back. Pitch in, do your part and you’ll feel satisfied and relieved. 3 stars TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Jump in, take charge, accomplish what you set out to do, and make your world rock. Take the initiative, rely on your instincts and drive, and you won’t be disappointed. Put your skills to the test, and you’ll impress yourself

3 dead, 4 hospitalized after crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers, CHP says

Sunday, April 21, 2024 5:34AM Southbound lanes of Highway 41 near Caruthers have been shut down after a car crash on Friday night. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Three people have died, and four others, including a child, were injured after a crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers on Friday night. The crash happened around 7 pm at the intersection of 41 Southbound and East Nebraska Avenue. The California Highway Patrol says a Silverado pickup truck was crossing the intersection with the highway but did not stop. They say it crashed into a Dodge pickup truck that was hauling a fifth-wheel travel trailer. The man driving the Silverado who did not stop has been identified as 57-year-old Mark Bruce of Fresno. He was killed in the crash. Two of the three female passengers in his truck were also killed. They have been identified as 18-year-old Blanca Villegas Martinez of Selma and 17-year-old Dezirae Perez of Fresno. Three people have died and four others, including a child, were injured after a crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers on Friday night. The CHP says they were not

Two Valley natives hold local youth football camps ahead of NFL Draft

Sunday, April 21, 2024 3:56AM Valley natives Xavier Worthy and Kendall Milton held local youth football camps Saturday ahead of the NFL Draft. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Valley natives Xavier Worthy and Kendall Milton held local youth football camps Saturday ahead of the NFL Draft. In their first-ever camps, the fastest man at the NFL Combine and the Georgia star showed some love to their alma maters. For Worthy, the ability to give back to Valley was something he’s always dreamed of. “I just want to inspire people, that’s all I want to do,” Worthy said. “The whole staff here does a good job of helping players out and developing them for the next level.” Worthy is projected as a first-round pick in some mock drafts, but he wants to be known more for than just his speed. During his time at Texas, Worthy caught 26 touchdown passes which earned him the third spot in program history. He plans on hosting his draft party back in Austin this Thursday. Just a few hours later, the Buchanan grad Kendall Milton brought out an all-star lineup to

3 dead, 4 hospitalized after car crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers, CHP says

Sunday, April 21, 2024 3:25AM Southbound lanes of Highway 41 near Caruthers have been shut down after a car crash on Friday night. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Three people have died and four others, including a child, were injured after a crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers on Friday night. The crash happened around 7 pm at the intersection of 41 Southbound and East Nebraska Avenue. The California Highway Patrol says a Silverado pickup truck was crossing the intersection with the highway but did not stop. They say it crashed into a Dodge pickup truck that was hauling a fifth-wheel trailer, or camper. The man driving the Silverado that did not stop was in his late 50s. He did not survive. There were also three female passengers. Three people have died and four others, including a child, were injured after a crash on Highway 41 near Caruthers on Friday night. The CHP says they were not wearing seatbelts and all three of them were ejected. Two of those female passengers died at the scene and another was flown by helicopter to CRMC with major

George Lopez postpones Eagle Mountain Casino show due to medical emergency

Sunday, April 21, 2024 3:25AM George Lopez’s show at Eagle Mountain Casino has been postponed after the star had a medical emergency Saturday. TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — George Lopez’s Saturday show at Eagle Mountain Casino has been postponed. Eagle Mountain Casino says George Lopez’s show will now take place on June 7 due to a medical emergency. Those who were attending the show will have their tickets validated for the next show. It’s unclear what medical emergency Lopez suffered. For any further questions about Saturday’s cancelation, you are asked to reach out to the casino via email at marketing@eaglemtncasino.com Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

2 kids killed, 15 injured after vehicle crashes into birthday party, Michigan sheriff says

Monday, April 22, 2024 8:47AM Two kids were killed and 15 were injured Saturday in Michigan after a vehicle crashed into birthday party at Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township. BERLIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A young brother and sister died and several people were injured, some of them seriously, when a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver crashed into a young child’s birthday party Saturday at a boat club, a Michigan sheriff said. An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene in the crash, when a 66-year-old woman crashed 25 feet into the building about 3 p.m. at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, about 30 miles south of Detroit, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said. “The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said. Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances, some with life-threatening injuries, he said. Others injured were given first aid at the scene, and some of

On The Red Carpet celebrates Earth Month

By Joe Maxfield Monday, April 22, 2024 7:24PM On The Red Carpet is celebrating Earth Month with a preview of some exciting new films from National Geographic and Disneynature. On The Red Carpet is celebrating Earth Month with a preview of some exciting new films from National Geographic and Disneynature, along with a look at what Hollywood is doing to protect the planet. Just in time for Earth Day, Nat Geo dives below the surface for “Secrets of the Octopus” on Disney+. The new docu-series, produced by Oscar-winner James Cameron and narrated by “Ant-Man” star Paul Rudd, aims to bring viewers closer than ever to the elusive and surprisingly intelligent creatures able to use tools, mimic other animals and even communicate with other species. Also new on Disney+, Disneynature will debut the documentary, “Tiger,” narrated by Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Earth Day, April 22. “Tiger” follows a mama tiger and her adorable cubs as they play, grow and learn the difficult and dangerous lessons of life in the jungle of India. For the filmmakers, capturing intimate footage of a tiger family was no easy task.

‘Bluey’ is back with a surprise new episode on Disney+

Sunday, April 21, 2024 1:20AM The third season of the hit children’s series “Bluey” is wrapping up with a supersized finale. LOS ANGELES — “Bluey,” the hit children’s series that has captivated audiences, is back with a surprise episode that will premiere on Sunday. The episode, suitably titled “Surprise,” is set to stream on Disney+ at 12 a.m. PT Sunday. It will also air on Disney Junior at 7 a.m. PT and on the Disney Channel at 7:30 a.m. PT, with multiple re-airings throughout the day. The series follows Bluey, a lovable Blue Heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo. Just last week, the normally seven-minute show premiered a 28-minute special, “The Sign,” which dealt with the family possibly moving out of their home. “Bluey” is written and created by Joe Brumm and is starting this year as the most-streamed series across all audiences. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney Junior, Disney Channel, Disney Plus and this ABC station. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.