Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Giants owner John Mara: 'I wanted to fire everybody': Report

When it comes down to loyalty, there is no organization more honorable than the New York Giants in the NFL but, at times, even that true blue devotion comes to a breaking point.

It happened when team president and CEO, John Mara, sat on the team bus after an embarrassing 25-24 loss to the Jaguars on Nov. 30 as he tried to repress what was an overwhelming urge to start from square one.

"When I'm sitting on that bus after the Jacksonville game, I wanted to fire everybody," he said Tuesday, "from the people in the equipment room to the people upstairs [in the front office]."



It was, he said, a "low point" and an "embarrassment." The Giants blew a 21-0 lead against one of the worst teams in the league, and maybe if the season had ended after that game, Mara would have followed through on his tortured instincts. 

Instead, after three straight playoff-less seasons, Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese are getting one more chance with the Giants — a make-it-or-break-it season.

“I don’t think that’s an unfair statement,” he said point blank.

Mara said he still has faith in his head coach and general manager and both will return for 2015. And, although he said he is "sick" about a seven-game losing streak and finishing 6-10 this past season, Mara added that there is "reason for optimism" based on how the team finished up the season.

"We need to have another [strong draft]," Mara said. "With that and with another year under this new offense, I think we have a chance to be a good team next year. Obviously, that's a tough sell right now when you go 7-9 and then 6-10, but I still have a very strong belief in this staff and this organization. I think we're going to be a good team next year."

Fair warning everyone.

Matthew Stafford's wife goes off on NFL for protecting Aaron Rodgers: Report

Ndamukong Suh had a one-game suspension for stepping on Aaron Rodgers leg rescinded, making him eligible for Sunday's NFC wildcard game against the Dallas Cowboys. But that didn't stop the wife of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford from stomping on the NFL.



Kelly Hall took to Instagram on Tuesday, after the NFL reduced Suh's penalty to a $70,000 fine, and referred to an article from The Detroit News that pointed out her husband too had been stepped on during the game too — and there was no punishment.

"Thank you. Pretty sure Matthew's leg looks a lot damn worse right now from when he got stepped on/cleated in the same game. But it wasn't Suh.. And he's not Aaron Rodgers, so no one would think twice about it," she wrote.


A photo posted by Kelly Hall (@kbhall82) on



Suh, who has a long record of player-safety violations, was suspended by the league for one game Monday for breaking rules of "unnecessary roughness." On Tuesday he was reinstated.

The video (below) shows Rodgers in a defenseless position.  Suh backs up and steps on the quarterback's leg with his right foot before repeating the move with his left foot in a display of "unnecessary roughness" the NFL said in a statement on Monday.



Wonder if Olivia Munn has anything to say about this?


Rick Pitino benched Chris Jones for flop against Kentucky: Report


University of Louisville junior Chris Jones was on the bench when the starting lineups were introduced before Tuesday's game against Long Beach State for the first time all season — and the reason was interesting.



The senior guard played only nine minutes in the 68-43 win, after Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino told reporters that he kept Jones out of the starting lineup due to Saturday’s well-documented acting job (video below) against Kentucky.


“I didn't start Chris, not because of his shooting percentages, I didn't start him because of the flop issue,” Pitino said of the embarrassing dive.

“I was very upset at that,” Pitino stressed “We don’t do that type of thing, and then to fake with the jaw like you got hit, you can’t fake like you got hit. You can’t fake it. …That’s something Louisville guys don’t do.”



After the game, Jones admitted he developed his fall-down theatrics at Northwest Florida College, where he was the National Junior College Division I player of the year in 2013.

“I used to be able to time the elbows in junior college,” Jones said. “I knew what guys were going to do.”

Sorry Chris. You're not on Off-Off Broadway anymore.

Baylor's Spencer Drango gets 'Kissbombed' by teammate Shawn Oakman (VIDEO)

Media interviews are occasionally interrupted by a kiss on the cheek — at least from your mom, girlfriend or wife — and are not so uncommon. But how does a player react when that peck on your face comes from a teammate?

We found out when Baylor's Spencer Drango was left a little stunned after the Bears' Shawn Oakman kissbombed his pre-Cotton Bowl media session with a fleeting show of affection.

Oakman's buss on the cheek was totally unexpected, but Drango handled it pretty well. 



Hate to tell you Spence, that wasn't a head-butt.


[KCEN]

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

DeMarcus Cousins dunks all over Mason Plumlee (VIDEO)

Think DeMarcus Cousins still holds a grudge against Mason Plumlee for almost nudging him from a spot on Team USA last summer — even though both players made the team?

Maybe the Kings center's authoritative dunk on his Nets counterpart will convince you.


It looks like Boogie is still in the holiday spirit and brought a little Plumlee pudding to Brooklyn.



Cousins won that battle but the Nets won the war, 107-99.

Sabres' Patrick Kaleta punches own face during fight (VIDEO)


Buffalo Sabres right winger Patrick Kaleta got into a punching match with Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen. In the heat of the Monday night tussle, it looks like Kaleta gave himself a left cross to his own face before landing one on Cowen.

Sometimes you just gotta hit something.




Monday, December 29, 2014

Cowboys Cole Beasley survives vicious facemask by E.J. Biggers (VIDEO)


Cowboys receiver Cole Beasley caught a pass from Tony Romo and was pulled down by the facemask by Redskins cornerback E.J. Biggers during the second quarter of Sunday's game.



But this nasty yank was so vicious, every referee and their mother caught the infraction.




Biggers was flagged for 15 yards and Dallas went on to score a touchdown two plays later. More importantly, Beasley wasn't injured on the foul play.

Vikings player's fiancee catches his first TD ball after random toss into stands (PHOTO)

After Vikings rookie wide receiver Adam Thielen caught the first NFL touchdown pass of his career, he randomly tossed the ball into the stands. A typical celebration but, little did he expect it to be caught by someone he knew. Adding to Thielen's surprise, the showcase souvenir was caught by his fiancee Caitlin Graboski.

You might call this football's version of catching a wedding bouquet.



Thielen caught a 44-yard touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bears and excitedly threw the ball into the stands to celebrate.

By chance, Graboski ended up on the receiving end. She later posted a photo holding the ball with the caption: "You know I did!! Caught my boys TD ball."


"She was up there a little ways. I don't know if I got it all the way up there," said Thielen, according to ESPN. "She might have been fighting some people in the stands for it."

But Thielen did have a clue to where his fiancee would be.



The pair got engaged in December 2013 and are due to get married in May. Thielen might even want to consider taking his sure-handed, future wife's name — Graboski. Now that's a football receiver's name.

Caroline Wozniacki can sure whack a golf ball (VIDEO)

Caroline Wozniacki has apparently moved on from that breakup with golfer Rory McIlroy. And, if she got anything out of the heartache, it might be a new passion for the links.

The tennis star recently hit a driving range and posted this video of her swing to her Instagram account.



That 200 yards might be more like 200 feet, but it's still a pretty decent drive.

Video, jonka Caroline Wozniacki (@carowozniacki) julkaisi



Just wondering if she pictured a certain someone's face on the ball.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

High school basketball team banned from tournament for wearing 'I Can't Breathe' T-shirts: Report

A California high school basketball tournament has become the latest center of controversy in the ongoing protests over police killings of unarmed black men after a team was banned from playing because of concerns its players would wear T-shirts printed with the words 'I Can't Breathe' during warmups.

According to 5KPIX, the athletic director for Mendocino High School was informed by his counterpart at Fort Bragg High School this week that neither the boys nor girls teams would be allowed to participate in the three-day tournament hosted by Fort Bragg High starting Monday, Mendocino Unified School District Superintendent Jason Morse said.



The boys were reinstated after all but one player agreed not to wear the shirts inspired by the last words of Eric Garner, the New York man who died after an officer put him in a chokehold, while on the Fort Bragg campus during the Vern Piver Holiday Classic tournament, said Morse. 

Too few girl players accepted the condition for the team to field a tournament squad, he said.



Principal Rebecca Walker issued a written statement Friday saying school administrators respected the Mendocino teams "for paying attention to what is going on in the world around them" and that the T-shirts were being prohibited as a security precaution.

"To protect the safety and well-being of all tournament participants it is necessary to ensure that all political statements and or protests are kept away from this tournament," wrote Walker, who said she was speaking on behalf of the athletic director and the Fort Bragg school superintendent. 

Mendocino varsity teams first wore the "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts before a game with Fort Bragg on December 16, according to the girls coach, Caedyn Feehan. 

The student bodies at the picturesque Northern California schools are 1 percent black and 50 percent white and 41 percent Hispanic at Fort Bragg, 75 percent white and 9 percent Hispanic at Mendocino, respectively.

Penn State player who used Derek Jeter's locker for Pinstripe Bowl wins game (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter was nowhere near Yankee Stadium on Saturday but, his aura seemed to play a big part in Penn State's one-point victory over Boston College in an exciting Pinstripe Bowl finish.

Penn State kicker Sam Ficken gave the Nittany Lions the overtime win, hitting an extra point to give the Lions the come-from-behind win, 31-30.


So what might seem like more than just coincidence, out of all the lockers at Yankee Stadium, Ficken used the retired Yankee icon's old space for the game.

And apparently, beside Jeter's cologne residue, some of his mystical powers rubbed off on the senior kicker too.


You might remember plenty of the Captain's magical moments in the Bronx including Jeter's final hit during his last game at Yankee Stadium (above) against the Orioles. And now, the player who uses his locker, kicks the winning extra point for the final kick of his PSU career?

Hmm.



"It's kind of a funny thing," Ficken said after the game-winner.

Funny .... or destined?

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Young Flyers fan disgusted about getting Sidney Crosby jersey as Christmas gift (VIDEO)

A little Flyers fan looked pretty excited when someone in his family handed him a nicely wrapped Christmas gift on the big day. But, as the kid, wearing a Flyers jersey, slowly unwraps his present, that smiling face turns to disgust when he notices it was a Pittsburgh Penguins' jersey with No. 87.

"Eeeeew," the boy yells as he disgustedly pushes the No. 87 black and gold Sidney Crosby retro jersey across the table before walking over to his father to sulk.



"That's my boy," the father said. "We'll use that for toilet paper."



Guess we know where the kid stands in this NHL rivalry.

Rory McIlroy laughs off PA system playing ‘Sweet Caroline’ during interview (VIDEO)


Rory McIlroy was doing an interview with BBC during halftime of a rugby match when the PA system suddenly began playing Neil Diamond’s 'Sweet Caroline.' Not a big deal until you realize it was a not-so-subtle reference to McIlroy's ex-fiancee, Caroline Wozniacki — whom he unceremoniously dumped in May.


During halftime of the Ulster-Connacht match, the golfer was talking about his Christmas when he realized the crowd was facetiously singing along to the song, prompting him to laugh, lower his head and say, “oh, dear.”



Now he's ready for those Red Sox games at Fenway.


Wisconsin and Auburn players chow down on 2,400 pounds of meat at Outback Bowl dinner: Report

When you watch a Wisconsin football game, it's hard to ignore those corn-fed behemoths lining up to protect their quarterback. But ears of yellow aren't the only thing they graze on and, when they got together with their equally big opponents from Auburn for a special Outback Bowl dinner, the wait staff knew enough to keep their hands clear of the plates.



The Badgers and Tigers players (who will face off in the New Year's Day game in Tampa) had plenty to eat for the special dinner Friday before the game. And since the matchup is sponsored by a steakhouse restaurant chain, you can guess what was featured on the menu — over a ton of it. 

The Auburn Gold Mine Twitter account tweeted out details of the carnivore's delight:


One Wisconsin offensive lineman, 320-pound Walker Williams, tweeted about his share of damage:


You were expecting cheddar and tofu?


Thursday, December 25, 2014

David Wright's awesome offer to sons of slain NYPD officer

David Wright knows all too well the anxiety that comes with being a police officer's son. The New York Mets third baseman is the son of a former Virginia policeman, and the tragic killing of two NYPD officers in Brooklyn last Saturday hit closer to home than most. 



Officer Rafael Ramos left behind sons Justin, 19, and Jaden, 13, when he was killed along with Officer Wenjian Liu while they sat in their marked police car in Brooklyn.



On Wednesday, Wright got in touch with both young men to offer support and invite them to hang out with the Mets next year. Via the Daily News:

The Mets star's compassion extended beyond the 15-minute call - he also offered Ramos' sons an opportunity to suit up with the Mets during spring training next spring.

The boys will even get the chance to join Wright and the other Mets players in the dugout for Grapefruit League games in Florida.

“He spoke to them for about 15-20 minutes, and I was told they were really excited to hear from him,” a source said of Wright's private phone call. “He said it was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do, but he hoped it put a smile on their faces for a few minutes.”

Wright is frequently involved in charity events with both the NYPD and FDNY.

“With his background, he wanted to make sure it wasn’t seen as a trivial gesture,” the source said. “But they are Mets fans and really appreciated it.”

Ramos' sons, both of whom are still in school, will have their educations paid for by a foundation started by late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Cullen Jenkins calls out NFL on sack fine via Twitter: Report

Cullen Jenkins thinks that the NFL considers a clean sack more violent than brawling and isn't too happy about it.



The Giants defensive lineman was fined $16,537 by the NFL for Sunday's questionable roughing-the-passer penalty on Rams quarterback Shaun Hill. The 11-year veteran voiced his displeasure, first on Twitter Wednesday morning and later with reporters, over being penalized more than the players involved in an ugly brawl that led to two Giants and one Ram being ejected.

On Wednesday morning, he tweeted:




“The fact of the matter is I was fined more than people who got into a fight,” he said later after practice. “It was puzzling to me. I don’t know what their system is and [if] they’re grading on a curve or something. I don’t know, but it’s interesting.

“It always reminds you the type of league you’re in. … I’ve rarely been fined. It’s not like they can sit up here and say I’m a dirty player.”

Wide receiver Preston Parker, who threw two punches during the brawl with the Rams, was fined $15,000, as was defensive end Damontre Moore. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $10,000 and kicker Josh Brown and long snapper Zack DeOssie were docked $8,200 apiece, according to nj.com.

Jenkins read off part of the letter he received from the league to reporters, which said: “Specifically on a pass play you unnecessarily landed on the opposing quarterback with your body weight.”

“That’s called a tackle,” he said, incredulously. “How else do you tackle? Come down without anything on them? They’re not even down by contact then. I did gain a little weight when I had the calf injury.”

Jenkins is unsure he wants to appeal the fine. He could simply pay it, which would go to charity.

“Maybe I don’t and just let the money go to charity, so it looks like they care about these things they talk about,” he said. “Who knows? I don’t.”

Here's the brawl:


Nationals' Doug Fister buys ev-er-y-one a cup of coffee for Christmas

Washington Nationals pitcher Doug Fister really got into the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve and wanted all of his Twitter followers to enjoy a nice warm beverage — on him.




Fister posted a barcode on his Twitter page and told followers to have a Starbucks barista scan it for a free cup of coffee. He also warned potential Grinches to only use the freebie deal once.


Of course every good thing has to come to an end and Fister later apologized for the limited time offer after it ran out.

Although it wasn't the Beats headphones you asked Santa for, it really is the thought. Right?

[SI.com]

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Yankees players will welcome A-Rod back says ex-teammate: Report

Love him or hate him, Alex Rodriquez will be back with the New York Yankees next season and, if you believe ex-teammate David Phelps, the team will be more than happy to see old A-Rod.

According to Phelps, in a report from the New York Daily News’ Mark Feinsand, the disgraced slugger's transition back into pinstripes may go smoother than first imagined.

At least in the locker room:




“One thing that starts all at the top with (manager Joe Girardi) and goes all the way to the bottom is that the team is a family,” Phelps said. “The issue isn’t going to be player-to-player or coach-to-player. The circus is going to be what’s portrayed in the media, but that’s New York.

“It’s something you have to get used to playing there. I don’t think there’s going to be an issue between the players. He’s going to want to come back and help them win a championship.”

The Yankees dealt Phelps, Martin Prado and cash considerations to the Marlins on Friday, receiving Nathan Eovaldi, Garrett Jones and Domingo German from Miami. Phelps, who went 15-14 with a 4.21 ERA during the past three seasons, serving as a swingman between the rotation and bullpen.

Phelps credited A-Rod with helping him make the transition to the big leagues back in 2012, going so far as to say:

“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today," he said. "He’s an incredible teammate who went out of his way early in my career to help me out. My first couple outings, I’d be in the dugout or in the clubhouse and he would come over and pick my brain; things like, ‘Why did you throw this pitch in this situation?’” he said.  “Even when we were rehabbing in Trenton a couple years ago, he pulled me over and we talked about the business side of the game, protecting players’ rights, that kind of stuff. He’s incredibly intelligent on the field and with the business side of baseball. He has a lot to offer younger players.”



All good and well for Phelps but it remains to be seen where the soon to be 40-year-old A-Rod will fit in with the Yankees on next season's roster. Mixed signals sent from manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman — combined with some off-season moves — have Rodriguez anywhere from platooning at first and third all the way to warming the bench as a DH.

Spring training starts in a couple of months. It'll be fun to see where the $61 million pariah ends up.

Giants' Steve Weatherford visits NYPD precinct to say thanks (PHOTO)

New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford says he was sick to his stomach to hear of the ambush killing of two NYPD officers this past weekend.

So on Tuesday, back from the team’s trip to St. Louis, Weatherford dropped in on the 18th Precinct in Midtown Manhattan to show his appreciation to the men and women who serve New York City.


Before heading to the Meadowlands for practice a "nervous" Weatherford, with his seven-year-old son Ace in tow, spent more than an hour with New York’s Finest.

“What they do for us on a daily basis, I know it doesn’t get enough credit,” Weatherford told the New York Daily News. “People don’t say ‘Thank you’ enough for the times that they don’t need the police because everything is under control and everybody is safe. It’s a very thankless job, and I just wanted to go there and really just tell them ‘Thank you for doing what you do for us, for putting your life in danger on a daily basis to afford us the safety and security so we can sleep peacefully at night,’ and ‘I appreciate everything that you do.’”


Weatherford hoped his simple but significant gesture — along with head coach Tom Coughlin's subtle tribute during the game — helped show the NYPD that the two officers — Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu – won't be forgotten in Big Blue Nation.

And it sure looks like he did a Giant deed.

Jeff Fisher: Giants to blame for sideline melee: Report

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said his team did not instigate what turned into a wild second-quarter brawl (video at bottom) in the Giants' 37-27 win at St. Louis. Fisher pinned the blame squarely on the way the Giants responded after receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was thrown down out of bounds by Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree.

"To buy into all of our friskiness or all this stuff that they're referring to, I think it would be good if they look themselves in the mirror," Fisher told the St. Louis Post Dispatch . "They beat us physically in a number of instances, but I don't think we had a lot to do with those things on the sideline other than the attempt to break things up."



Fisher went as far as saying he would be surprised if any of his players got fined or disciplined for their actions leading up to or in the brawl. One of his players, defensive end William Hayes, was ejected along with two Giants, Preston Parker and Damontre Moore.

The Rams coach accused Beckham of pulling Ogletree down by grabbing his facemask. Replays seem to indicate it was Ogletree who, with a pile-driver move, knocked Beckham down well out of bounds — sparking the wold brawl.

“When you look at it really close, Odell has [Ogletree’s] facemask and he’s pulling him out of bounds, so it’s hard for [Ogletree] to let up.’’ Fisher said.

Giants safety Antrel Rolle said it was “very unfortunate that it had to come down to that’’ but had no problem with the response from the Giants.

Rival players 'kiss and make up' on soccer pitch (VIDEO)

When is a kiss not really a kiss? On the soccer pitch it seems.

Bristol Rovers midfielder Lee Mansell claimed he decided to give JJ O'Donnell a kiss to "avoid doing something silly" during his team's win against Gateshead last weekend.

And did it cause a stir.



Mansell and O'Donnell were involved in a brief confrontation during Friday's Football Conference match and, in order to diffuse the situation, Mansell decided to plant a kiss on his opponent's cheek.



The 32-year-old Mansell received a yellow card for his part in the incident and later heard it from his wife and his team-mates.

He clarified things via Twitter:



"We either clash heads and he goes down or I end up doing something silly," Mansell told the BBC.

"I did it to defuse the situation," he said. "It's the first time I've been booked for kissing someone."


American KOs opponent with sucker punch in Argentinean basketball league (VIDEO)

Marcellus Sommerville played three seasons at Bradley University, but went undrafted in 2006 after graduating. The one-time college star (16 ppg average) plays for the Argentina basketball club Regatas Corrientes.


During a game against San Martin, he got into an altercation with an opponent and decided to take out his frustration on an opponent's face — taking cheap shots to an all time low:




[Via Live Leak]


Clippers' Glen Davis takes out kid in stands (VIDEO)

Los Angeles Clippers big man Glen Davis is 6'9'' and 289 pounds, so he's probably the last person you would want to fall on you while watching a game — especially when you stand about 5-foot and 100 pounds soaking wet yourself.


On Tuesday night, while trying to save a loose ball against the Atlanta Hawks, Davis lost his balance (after getting a hip check from Kyle Korver) and stumbled into the stands. Unfortunately, two kids were seated directly in the path of the sprawling Big Baby.



Davis managed to avoid stomping on the boy seated on the court near the basket but, the next kid in his path wasn’t so lucky.



Eyeglasses were tossed, but nobody was flattened.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Darryl Strawberry contract up for auction by IRS: Report

If you're looking for that holiday gift for the Mets fan who has everything, look no further than the IRS.

That's right, America's most unlikely shopping outlet, the Internal Revenue Service will soon sell the deferred salary — amounting to nearly $1.28 million — the Mets still owe Darryl Strawberry. 

The IRS reportedly has the right to sell off Strawberry's 1985-90 contract with the Mets to satisfy taxes owed by the former All-Star outfielder, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell. Court documents show Strawberry failed to pay $542,572 in taxes from 1987-90 plus another $80,000 from 2003-04 for a total of $622,572 in back taxes.




The IRS said in a statement Monday that the agreement is worth about $1,279,000. The minimum bid is $550,000 in the auction, which is scheduled for Jan. 20 at the IRS office in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Mail-in bids must be received by Jan. 16.

Chief U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rogers in Pensacola, Florida, issued an order Sept. 5 that the agreement be auctioned to satisfy tax liens for Strawberry's federal tax debts for 1989, 1990, 2003 and 2004.

Here's the IRS auction page explaining how a fan can buy the $1.28 million contract spread across the next 18 years and seven months in exchange for the up front minimum bid of at least $550,000 to settle a $622,572 debt.

A payment of 20 percent of the minimum must accompany the bid, and the remainder is due within 60 days of the bid's acceptance.

It's almost as complicated as Strawberry's life itself.

Nuggets' Timofey Mozgov gets bloodied up on court (VIDEO)

Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov took an errant elbow to the face under the basket in the first quarter of Monday night's game with the Charlotte Hornets and the big Russian looked more like he was subbing for J.J. Watt than playing in the NBA.

After Bismack Biyombo opened the nasty cut above his eye, Mosgov quickly leaned down and covered his face before removing his hand to reveal a gushing stream of blood.



Mozgov wiped it away, but the bleeding increased as he left for the locker room, presumably to be stitched up. The big man eventually reentered the game, but has just a pair of points and three rebounds through three quarters of play.

SDSU's Dwayne Polee collapses on court during game (VIDEO)

San Diego State forward Dwayne Polee II suddenly collapsed on the court during a game against UC Riverside on Monday night and was tended to by a paramedic for several minutes before being stretchered off the court.


The crowd at Viejas Arena gave Polee a standing ovation as he was lifted onto the gurney after being hooked up to an electrocardiogram machine. Polee was conscious as he was wheeled off the court. While his teammates came over and gave him fist-bumps, the former St. John's player pumped his fists toward the crowd.



"I said, 'Dwayne, you're going to be fine,'" coach Steve Fisher said after the game. "He said, `I'm OK coach. Tell them to win the game.'"




SDSU officials didn't immediately know what happened. Fisher said after the Aztecs' 61-33 victory that a doctor told SDSU head athletic trainer Tom Abdenour that Polee was "alert and responsive" after being admitted to a hospital.

Polee had missed a layup and teammate J.J. O'Brien scored on a tip-in for a 14-8 lead with more than 11 minutes left in the half. Polee turned and ran down the floor and collapsed face-first near the key opposite SDSU's bench.

Right after he fell, someone in the crowd hollered, "Call 911!" and teammates Matt Shrigley and Dakarai Allen quickly called for a timeout.

Polee's father and mother came out of the stands to be near their son. His father, Dwayne Sr., is director of player development at the University of San Francisco.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Yankees to pay for the education of murdered cop Rafael Ramos' children: Report

A New York Yankees charity will pay for the education of the sons of murdered NYPD cop Rafael Ramos, after their father was ambushed and gunned down in his patrol car in Brooklyn on Saturday.

The Yankee Silver Shield Foundation, which provides for the children of officers who died in the line of duty, will take on any education expenses for 13-year-old Jaden and Ramos' other son who is in college.



The 40-year-old Ramos was murdered in the planned attack alongside his partner Wenjian Liu when Ismaaiyl Abdullah Brinsley crept up behind their patrol car and shot them both in the head — before turning the gun on himself.



The 32-year-old Liu was recently married but did not have any children.



Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner set up the Silver Shield Foundation in 1982 and since then it has paid for the education of thousands of children of fallen NYPD, FDNY, state police and Port Authority workers in the New York area.

It has also taken on the costs for the education of some 700 children who lost a parent in the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001.

New York Yankees. Classy as usual.

Part of Texas A&M's Kyle Field imploded for $485 million renovation (VIDEO)

Johnny Manziel wasn't the only Texas A&M product that crashed to the ground this weekend, after big chunk of the university's football stadium was demolished to make way for a $485 million renovation.



Three elevator shafts vanished in a cloud of dust Sunday morning as crews imploded one side of Kyle Field with several thousands pounds of explosives, according to KBTX-TV.



The field — known as the biggest stadium in Texas — dates back to 1905, but permanent seating was not installed until the late 1920s. The demolished section of stadium — which included an old press box, alumni seating and suites — will be replaced with new seating for more than 102,000 fans in time for the 2015 season.

Texas A&M will play Ball State on Sept. 12.

Tom Coughlin tells Odell Beckham Jr. to tone down celebrations (VIDEO)

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may have introduced a more relaxed atmosphere around his team this season, but that doesn't mean he'll tolerate any nonsense.

And it starts with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. toning down his touchdown celebrations.



In between Beckham's elaborate touchdown dance in the first quarter and his way more subdued third-quarter touchdown celebration against the Rams, Coughlin laid down the Footloose law to his rookie sensation.

"He will tone it down," Coughlin said after the 37-27 victory where Beckham finished with eight catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. "He will. He did."

That was after Beckham spun the football and did his trademark 'Whip' dance after his 9-yard touchdown reception when he was flagged 15 yards for taunting.



When Beckham scored his second touchdown of the contest on an 80-yard bomb from quarterback Eli Manning, he tried to show restraint. He tossed the ball aside, shook his head 'no' at the crowd and started to put his finger to his lip to hush the Rams fans.

But Beckham thought better of it, collected the football and handed it to the official. It was the first of his 11 touchdowns this season that didn't include a dance.

"I just picked the ball up and handed it to the ref," Beckham said. "I didn't want to hear anything else. It feels good when all those big guys are running down 80 yards."

And it was a thing of beauty.




Immediately after the taunting penalty, the dance-tested Coughlin called his young star over on the sideline. He wasn't happy about the end result of the celebration.

"I said something to him when it happened," Coughlin said. "When he was called for it I said something to him."

If Coughlin is back with the Giants next year, and Victor Cruz returns with his salsa shake, it looks like the old coach will do more scrutinizing than that Dancing With The Stars panel.

Giants' Josh Brown mule-kicks Rams' Cody Davis in the face (VIDEO)

A kicker's greatest weapon is his foot and St. Louis Rams' Cody Davis found that out the hard way when he he ventured too close to New York Giants kicker Josh Brown while in a pile-up on Sunday.


The result: Brown's mule-kick caught the special team's player right in the face.




Brown was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play.

Kenny Albert wears snowman with carrot penis sweater during NFL broadcast (PHOTO)

Frankly, this whole Ugly Christmas Sweater thing has gotten a little tired in recent years and it seems like decades since it was only your weirdo aunt who wore the loud attire. But then something like Kenny Albert's freaky knit shows up on television and makes the whole thing funny again.

Anyone who watched Albert and Darryl Johnston during the Vikings-Dolphins game Sunday got an extra holiday treat when noticed the NFL analyst's festive sweater featuring a snowman sporting an orange penis.


I wonder if the guys in the truck caught Albert's — and Frosty's — boner.



Merry XXXmas.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Tom Coughlin wears subtle tributes to the slain NYPD officers (PHOTO)

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin honored the memory of the two New York Police Department officers slain on Saturday by wearing a black stripe on the left shoulder of his sweatshirt and a peace sign medallion pinned below the “NY’’ logo over his heart during Sunday's game against the Rams.



It was Coughlin's subtle tribute to officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos — who were killed in a murderous ambush yesterday afternoon.



In the past, Coughlin has worn hats with logos of the NYPD and FDNY to honor and acknowledge those who serve, but the Giants did not have any available to them on their road trip to St. Louis.

Fans struck by lightning outside Raymond James Stadium after Packers-Bucs game: Report

As many as seven people were struck by lightning at Raymond James Stadium just as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers game ended Sunday afternoon, according to Tampa (Fla.) Fire and Rescue.

At least seven people were being treated by paramedics, reported to BayNews9.



Firefighters responded to reports of a lightning strike on the north side of Raymond James Stadium. It is not known if any of the victims were hit directly or were injured by a nearby strike.


The stadium cleared out early as the Bucs lost 20-3 to the Packers. While there’s no word about the identity of those hit, the fact they were outside the controlled environment of the stadium as storms approached would have made it less likely to hear warnings to seek cover.



Jets hold moment of silence for two slain NYPD officers (PHOTO)

The New York Jets held a 10-second moment of silence before Sunday's game against the New England Patriots in honor of the two slain NYPD officers.

Jets center Nick Mangold wore a black NYPD cap and held it over his heart during the singing of the anthem at MetLife Stadium.




The officers were killed Saturday afternoon by a gunman who then killed himself. The gunman has posted online that he was specifically targeting police.

Later, Mangold seriously injured his ankle in the second quarter and was carted from the field.


At least he got a chance to pay tribute before the game.

Michigan fan has the most fantastic mullet (PHOTO)

Joe Dirt would be proud of this Michigan fan who sports an amazing mullet at Saturday's game against SMU.



Or maybe the dude lost a bet on that embarrassing upset by NJIT a few weeks back?

The Wolverines got shedunked by the Mustangs yesterday, so I 'spect the party in the back to keep on growing.

"I got the poo on me!"

Muhammad Ali hospitalized with case of pneumonia: Report

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was hospitalized on Saturday after coming down with pneumonia.

A spokesman for Ali says the former heavyweight boxing champion has been hospitalized with a mild case of the illness and is in stable condition.

Spokesman Bob Gunnell says Ali was admitted to an undisclosed hospital Saturday and that the 72-year-old boxing great is being treated by his team of doctors . He says Ali's prognosis is good because the pneumonia was caught early and that a short hospital stay is expected, reported CNN.




He says no other details are being released due to the Ali family's request for privacy.

In case you didn't know, the colorful Ali was born Cassius Clay and won an Olympic gold medal as a light-heavyweight at age 18.

In 1964, he became world heavyweight champion in an upset victory against then champion Sonny Liston. Shortly thereafter changed his name to Muhammad Ali to reflect his conversion to Islam.

The Greatest retired from boxing in 1981 and announced his diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease three years later.

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Sports world slowly sends condolences for two gunned down NYPD officers

Two NYPD cops were executed Saturday after a cowardly gang member from Baltimore trekked to Brooklyn to kill random police officers in a twisted bid to avenge the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown Saturday.

The vile shooter — identified as Ismaaiyl Brinsley— boasted about wanting to murder cops in the hours before he ambushed two officers outside a Bedford-Stuyvesant housing project.

Brinsley carried out his sinister mission by assassinating P.O. Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos while in the line of duty. Then the gutless murderer killed himself with a single bullet moments later.



"Officer Ramos and Officer Liu never had the opportunity to draw their weapons," said Police Commisioner William Bratton. "They may never have had the chance to see their murderer."

After their angry tweets and high-profile, pre-game T-shirts memorialized the deaths of Brown and Garner while protesting the grand jury verdicts, let's see what NBA and NFL players and their organizations — especially the New York teams — do this weekend to pay respect to these slain police officers.

Here's various members of the sports world who didn't wait to send their condolences:




Darko Milicic loses kickboxing debut due to bloody gash on shin (VIDEO)

Former NBA center Darko Milicic — a 7-foot Serb who spent 10 years in the league — lost his first kickboxing fight when he was disqualified after sustaining a nasty gash on his leg.

The pudgy 29-year-old's debut was cut short after one round of the exhibition match when he injured himself against fellow Serbian fighter Radovan Radojcic.



The World Kickboxing Association bout was halted in the second round on doctor's orders.



Milicic — probably most famous for being drafted No. 2 ahead of Carmelo Anthony — claims he'll be back in the ring.

"The next time, it will be better," he said. "I'm invincible."

See for yourself: