Raiders longtime executive Trask resigns

Longtime Oakland Raiders chief executive office Amy Trask resigned her position on Saturday, ending the tenure of one of the highest-ranking women in American professional sports.

Trask spent 25 seasons with the Raiders starting during their time in Los Angeles and continuing after the move to Oakland in 1995. She became CEO in 1997 and was one of late owner Al Davis' most trusted advisers before his death in October 2011.

"Earlier today, I informed Mark Davis of my decision to leave the Raiders," she said in an email statement. "Having honored a commitment that I made to effectuate a smooth transition and transfer of control, I no longer wish to remain with the organization. For over a quarter of a century, it was my honor and my privilege to work for the Raiders. I will forever appreciate the opportunity afforded me by Al Davis."

Mark Davis took over the Raiders following his father's death. He hired general Reggie McKenzie to run the football operations in January 2012 and has been looking for a potential team president this offseason.

The organization has been almost completely overhauled since Al Davis' death with most of the coaches, scouts and many front office executives no longer part of the Raiders.

Trask's main focus of late was on improving Oakland's stadium situation. The Raiders are in the final year of their lease at the outdated Coliseum in Oakland and would like to reach a deal with the city to build a new stadium near the current site.

Steelers Hall of Famer Jack Butler dies at 85

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame defensive back Jack Butler died Saturday morning following a lengthy battle with a staph infection. He was 85.

Butler's son John said his father's heart stopped suddenly. Butler had been hospitalized for several months while dealing with a staph infection that had plagued him off and on since he retired in 1959.

A Pittsburgh native, Butler made the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of St. Bonaventure in 1951. He developed into one of the top defensive backs of his era. He played nine seasons with the Steelers, collecting 52 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl four times and was named to the All-NFL first team three times.

Butler was elected to the Hall of Fame by the senior committee in 2012.

Former Jets WR George Sauer dies at 69

George Sauer, a wide receiver on the New York Jets' only Super Bowl championship team, has died. He was 69.

The Moreland Funeral Home in Westerville, Ohio, said he died Tuesday after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Sauer played a key role in the Jets' 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1969 Super Bowl. He caught eight passes from Joe Namath that day in one of the greatest upsets in pro football history.

He played for the Jets in the AFL and then the NFL from 1965-70. He was chosen to four all-star teams and was a two-time All-Pro. In 84 games, he caught 309 passes for 4,965 yards and 28 touchdowns.