Dustin Pedroia leaves game after taking elbow to head (VIDEO)

In the second inning of Saturday night's Red Sox-Rays game, Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia took a Logan Forsythe elbow to the head on a tag play.

Pedroia had to leave the game as a precaution.

At first, considering the Rays-Sox recent skirmishes, it looks like Forsythe was swinging his arm intentionally towards Pedroia's head:

But calmer heads prevailed and, as you can see from another angle, Forsythe was only moving his arm to avoid the tag:

Forsythe claimed the contact was not intentional.

''The only move that I made was to try to swim-move the tag to get out of the way,'' he said.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Pedroia was dizzy after the play but improved later.

Russian IndyCar rookie injured in horrifying crash (VIDEO)

Rookie IndyCar driver Mikhail Aleshin was rushed to a hospital in serious condition after a horrifying crash in the final practice session for the series season finale at Fontana Friday night.

Aleshin, the first Russian driver in IndyCar history, was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. The Russian driver suffered broken ribs and a broken right collarbone along with a concussion and chest injuries, an IndyCar spokesperson said.

On Saturday evening, Aleshin’s condition was upgraded to stable after he underwent medical treatment.

At least three drivers played a role in the crash in Turn 4, which left a gaping hole in the catch fence and a wheel wrapped in the twisted wire after Aleshin’s car collided with Charlie Kimball before violently flying up against the wall in a shower of sparks.

Kimball improbably escaped serious injury, walking away from his wrecked car while Aleshin was removed on a stretcher.

Rams tweet about pop star Harry Styles wearing Michael Sam jersey (VIDEO)

Pop singer Harry Styles was photographed performing while wearing a St. Louis Rams jersey at Edward Jones Dome Wednesday night.

No big deal except this jersey displayed player Michael Sam's name and No. 96.

The choice of fashion was observed as Styles and his One Direction bandmates performed for thousands of swooning, teen-aged female fans — who probably know way more about "Sam and Cat" than Sam the defensive end.

But the British singer's attire didn't go unnoticed by the player or the team.

The team tweeted: Check out @onedirection's @Harry_Styles rocking a @MichaelSamNFL #Rams jersey at the Edward Jones Dome last night.

Check out @onedirection's @Harry_Styles rocking a @MichaelSamNFL #Rams jersey at the Edward Jones Dome last night. pic.twitter.com/jgqK75MzNC
— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) August 28, 2014

Sam — who became the first openly gay man drafted in the NFL — tweeted Wednesday '@Harry_Styles thank you for your support!!! #RamNation.'

It's been quite a week for Sam. First, his sack of Johnny Manziel. Then, making the cut down to 75 players. And now, being introduced to a whole new audience. Quite a week.

Bon Jovi tossed out of group bidding for Bills: Report

It sounds as if Jon Bon Jovi got a little taste of the Richie Sambora treatment himself this week after the wealthy rocker was tossed out a group bidding for the Buffalo Bills.

The deep-pocketed Toronto-based sports team owners — who put up an offer for the Buffalo Bills — and the New Jersey singer have parted ways,  reported The N.Y. Post.

The remaining entities in the group — Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which controls the NHL’s Maple Leafs and NBA’s Raptors, and Edward Rogers, chairman of Rogers Communications — believe they are in a stronger position to win the Bills auction without Bon Jovi, sources close to the situation said Friday.

Bon Jovi, a former Arena Football League team owner, had led the group, a source close to the situation said. As the lead bidder, he would have been the principal owner and therefore, under NFL rules, would have to put up 30 percent of the purchase price.

With Bon Jovi’s net worth at roughly $300 million, according to sources, the group’s highest bid would have been capped at about $1.1 billion.

With rival bidder Terry Pegula, a fracking billionaire, said to be willing to push an offer toward $1.2 billion or higher, the Toronto group, with Bon Jovi, feared it was bound to be outbid, sources said.

“Rogers is very serious” about buying the team, another source close to the process said.

There have been recent media reports about the Toronto bid falling apart — but in reality it is reforming, claim sources.

Real Estate mogul Donald Trump is reportedly still in the bidding mix, as well. Final bids are due next week.

Maybe old Jonnie could could start a new band — Ban Jovi.

Morgan Stanley, the investment bank selling the Bills, has been trying to help Bon Jovi find new backers, sources said. Bon Jovi and Tanenbaum spokespeople did not return calls.

Syracuse QB Terrel Hunt ejected for throwing punch at linebacker (VIDEO)

Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt's 2014 season probably didn't start off the way he wanted it to.

With 'Cuse use leading Villanova 10-7 in the first quarter, Hunt was tackled and felt that linebacker Dillon Lucas dived in with a late hit after he was already down. Hunt retaliated with a left hook to the 'Nova defender's face mask.

Hunt was ejected from the game and redshirt freshman Austin Wilson came in to relieve the starter.

As Section 6.1 of the NCAA rule book states: "When a player is disqualified from the game due to a flagrant personal foul, that team's conference shall automatically initiate a video review for possible additional sanctions before the next scheduled game."

It'll be interesting to see if Syracuse coach Scott Shafer hands out any further punishment while Hunt works on his temper.

Texas A&M's upset win costs store $1 million in furniture: Report

Texas A&M fans were winners in more ways than one Thursday night. Besides beating South Carolina, now a Texas furniture store reportedly plans to make good on more than $1 million in free furniture following the Aggies' stunning 52-28 victory over the Gamecocks.

Throw in Kenny Hill's outstanding play as the new "Johnny Football" and you might say they hit the trifecta.

Ashley Furniture in College Station offered refunds on the purchase price of all furniture bought between Aug. 16-27 if Texas A&M beat their opponents by more than 10 points. The store's owner told ESPN.com's Darren Rovell Thursday night that the store plans to follow through on its promise.

"We've wanted to do this for three or four years now," Mark Wilks said. "This was really good for us."

No. 9 South Carolina had an 18-game win streak at home heading into Thursday night, and the Gamecocks were 10 1/2 point favorites over No. 21 Texas A&M, which was playing without last year's sensation, Johnny Manziel, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in May.

According to the report, the store took out insurance on his refund guarantee. Wilks is responsible for about 15 percent of the total that will be reimbursed to customers, he said, with the insurance company paying the rest.

Darrelle Revis' best memory of Jets at MetLife Stadium ... none: Report

Former Jets star Darrelle Revis was back in a familiar place to face the Giants in a preseason game Thursday night. Only this time in a Patriots uniform.

When the All-Pro cornerback walked into MetLife Stadium — the place where Revis spent his first six NFL seasons with the Jets developing into a superstar — he drew a blank when asked if there was a single memory that stood out during that time.

"Not really. I only played here for two years in this new stadium," Revis recalled, forgetting he actually played from 2010-12.

"Every time I come here it feels like a new feeling. It's a brand new stadium. It is a nice stadium, but it really doesn't [have any memories that stick out].

"I've moved on from that situation."

Besides an injury-shortened season and the dreadful Jets teams of the past few years,  maybe the color scheme had something to do with Revis' MetLife void.

"It's blue and red in here [for the Giants] right now," he said. "It's not green and white [for the Jets]."

Revis didn't play at all in the Giants 16-13 preseason win, but wants everyone to know that when he returns to the Meadowlands with the Patriots to play the Jets on Dec. 21, it will be like any other game.

"I played the Jets last year when I was in Tampa," he said. "It's football. It doesn't matter who's on the schedule and who we play and what team I was on before. All of that stuff is out the door. I'm not going to put no added pressure on me. This is football."

Lorenzo Cain's amazing catch elicits tip of cap from batter Oswaldo Arcia (VIDEO)

A tip of the cap is one of the highest accolades a player can give or receive on the baseball field. But when it comes from an opponent you just robbed of an extra base hit, it's really special.

In the top of the seventh inning of Thursday's Twins-Royals game, Oswaldo Arcia hit a deep drive to centerfield that would surely have resulted in extra bases. Only problem was that Lorenzo Cain was prowling the Kauffman Stadium turf and made a spectacular wall-crashing catch. So instead of standing on second or third base, Arcia could only tip his helmet out of respect as he walked back to the dugout.

You might want to call the whole sequence of events cap-tivating.

Derek Jeter's tiny nephew tips cap to Detroit crowd (VIDEO)

On Wednesday night, Derek Jeter was back in his home state of Michigan and honored by the Tigers in a pregame ceremony at Comerica Park. The Jeter family attended, and when his little nephew Jalen heard his name, he took off his cap and tipped it like a pro:

It looks like the little guy — dressed in a tiny No. 2 Yankees uniform — has been watching the master of all cap tippers — his uncle from Kalamazoo:

Everyone together. Awwwwww.

Lingerie football teams brawl at end of LFL playoff game (VIDEO)

Fans of the Lingerie Football League (okay, Legends Football League) who actually watch the game for their skills and integrity were sure to be upset at seeing this outburst of gratuitous violence and foul language when things got a little out of hand at the end the Atlanta Steam's 20-12 victory over the Jacksonville Breeze.

There were a lot of fists and fingers flying as the Eastern Conference Championship broke out into an all out brawl after the final whistle had blown.

And, of course,  that's not what fans pay to see.

The cattiness started on the field when a Jacksonville player called a member of the Steam a “p---- a-- b----,” causing the benches to clear and the punches to fly.

Once it came time for the traditional end-of-game handshakes, things turned into a free-for all, as players threw down their bodies and insults with equal ferocity. 

One player appeared to use her helmet to attack an opponent in the minute-long video clip.

Thankfully, they already had wedgies.

Even the coaches were dragged into the fracas — most notably Dane Robinson, who was punched in the face by Jacksonville linebacker Adrian Purnell.

Atlanta is headed to the Sept. 6 championship game against the Chicago Bliss.

Yankees reel off nine straight hits against David Price (VIDEO)

With a ragtag mix of high-priced and misplaced players, the Yankees put on a display of hitting acumen Wednesday night — a sight which has been sorely lacking in the Bronx Bombers' games this season.

The anemic lineup finally came alive in the third inning against the Tigers by thrashing old Yankee nemesis and former Cy Young winner David Price for nine consecutive hits — one short of tying an American League record and two shy of baseball’s all-time mark — and eight runs in that decisive inning.

The eruption sparked an 8-4 win, and kept the Yankees to the American League wild-card race.

And it was hard not to think of this old Saturday morning favorite during the outburst:

Boris Becker brings nasty-looking 'tennis' elbow to US Open (PHOTOS)

Boris Becker showed up at a U.S. Open practice court with what appeared to be an extraordinarily nasty case of tennis elbow.

The former number-one ranked tennis player, who won the Grand Slam event in 1989 and is at the tournament as Novak Djokovic's coach, was seen sporting the golf ball-sized bump on his left arm.

But the former German star's injury might not be tennis related at all since he is a right-handed player.

The 46-year-old Becker's massive elbow was observed as he watched his Serbian protege breeze past Argentine player Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain and inflammation around the outside of the elbow. It is caused by the overuse of the muscles of the forearm and lasts between six months and two years. 

Here's hoping the former tennis great is okay.

Seahawks fan gets team logo on prosthetic eyeball (PHOTO)

It's hard to look Bill Vandenbush in the eye and not know which NFL team he roots for. That's because the die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan has the team's navy and neon logo printed on his prosthetic right eyeball.

“I had mentioned it to my wife. She wasn’t a big Seahawks fan,” Vandenbush said, as reported by KIRO-TV. “I said it’d be cool to have the Seahawks logo right there in my eye.”

So, when their 10th wedding anniversary rolled around on July 23, his wife surprised him with a new artificial eye featuring the Seahawks logo as the pupil.

Vandenbush — who has been a Seahawks fan since the team's inception in 1976 — ended up with the prosthetic eye as a result of his military tour in Vietnam, where he was "blown up and shot five times."

The vet ended up without a right eye and has to be fitted for a new eye every six years.

Vanderbush has a normal eye but he uses and plans to use the eye-catching Seahawks orb for "special occasions."

“Every game I'll have it in, or any gathering with Seahawks' fans present," he said.

And things have been looking pretty good for the Super Bowl champs.

Jonny Gomes lays out for diving catch and saves two runs (VIDEO)

Jonny Gomes took a dive out in left field to make an amazing catch, stealing two runs from the Astros at Minute Maid Park Tuesday night.

The A's left fielder's third-inning stretch wasn't enough though. Houston ended up winning 4-2.

Tennessee recruits Shy Tuttle with Beyonce on photo-shopped 'Rolling Stone' cover (PHOTO)

College coaches will do just about anything within NCAA boundaries (snicker) to recruit high school football players but, if you can get the hottest female celebrity in the world to help out — why not?

The University of Tennessee is using pop star Beyonce to recruit one of their top targets, defensive tackle Shy Tuttle of Lexington, N.C., with an ingenious photo-shopped cover of Rolling Stone magazine with him and the pop star walking together.

Even if the implied Vols fan cares more about Blue Ivy than blue chippers.

Tuttle is shown in a black Tennessee t-shirt with the caption, “Beyonce on why she thinks Tuttle belongs at Tennessee.”

Fair or foul, at least Tuttle seemed to like it enough to tweet it out:

😂😂😂😂😂 they snapped with this pic.twitter.com/dSCeiTInho
— Shy Tuttle (@KingTut_90) August 26, 2014

Well played Tennessee.

Christine Stanley delivers devastating spinning kick for MMA knockout (VIDEO)

MMA fighter Christine Stanley delivers a spectacular spinning kick knockout that leaves her opponent flat on her back in the ring.

And it just may be one of the best the KOs of the year.

Although it was apparently recorded as a five-second knockout, amazingly, Stanley connected on the kick just 2.3 seconds after the bell. Her opponent, Katie Anita Runyan, hit the mat after 3.5 seconds, and the referee waved it off just under the 5-second mark.

Go ahead, say it ... you kick like a girl. 

Adam Jones robs homer, nails runner for double play (VIDEO)

The Orioles got back on track Monday night with a 9-1 rout of the Rays — aided by five O's homers, including back-to-back-to-back shots in the fifth inning.

But it was an outstanding play by All-Star center fielder Adam Jones in the sixth inning that added a little defense to the night's power-packed highlight reel.

Jones scaled the wall in center to rob Evan Longoria of a home run and was still able to double off Matt Joyce who was tagged at second base.

That's some serious hops and an arm out there.

Eric LeGrand compares moment he was paralyzed to Beyonce's MTV VMAs performance: Report

Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand continues to show how mentally tough it is to handle the paralysis he suffered in a game back in 2010 — but that doesn't mean a little sense of humor can't help.

During the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, LeGrand watched a Beyonce performance that left social media buzzing. And the former defensive star joined the fun:

Beyoncé got everyone like this when she performs Drunk in Love pic.twitter.com/9Zbck535Jd
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) August 25, 2014

That photo accompanying the tweet was the hit which paralyzed LeGrand on a kickoff against Army in October of 2010. Some Twitter users were actually shocked and even offended by the tweet, while others took it in stride.

How about this @emesola chick getting all offended over @EricLeGrand52's joke about himself? @BarstoolBigCat pic.twitter.com/VihQsxZNm1
— Brian Elliott (@_BrianElliott) August 25, 2014

Nearly an hour later, LeGrand clarified himself by tweeting this:

With my last tweet you guys can see that I have a sense of humor with my injury gotta enjoy life and laugh I know that cracked me up lol
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) August 25, 2014

Keep 'em laughing Eric.

[NJ.com]

Mountain biker Annefleur Kalvenhaar dies following World Cup crash: Report

Dutch mountain biker Annefleur Kalvenhaar died following a crash in the qualifying rounds of the cross-country Eliminator at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup stop in Méribel, France this weekend.

The 20-year-old Focus XC Team rider, the 2013 under-23 European cyclocross champion, was taken via helicopter to the intensive care unit at a Grenoble hospital, but died Saturday morning.

Kalvenhaar crashed off a wooden bridge in qualifying, landing heavily on her head.

The bridge in question, which is part of the course only when the XC races are on, has been used by riders and spectators safely all weekend and the crash appears to have been a freak accident.

“I’m devastated to hear that the cycling family has lost one of its members at such a young age. Our deepest thoughts are with her family and friends,” said UCI president Brian Cookson.

Here's a POV of one the grueling Méribel MTB downhill courses the riders must tackle:

Michael Sam helps rescue NFL fan from 'free drinks for world' Twitter promise: Report

Michael Sam's sack of Johnny Manziel proved to be costly for one emboldened Twitter user — but not as expensive as it might have been.

Thanks to Sam himself.

A fan named Fisher King, @SquareKnight, took to Twitter before the St. Louis Rams-Cleveland Browns game claiming if the Rams defensive end recorded a sack on the Browns quarterback , he'd buy free drinks for the world.

Rams vs Browns tonight. If Michael Sam sacks Johnny Football & gives the money sign, drinks are on me. For everyone in the world. Forever.
— FISHER KING (@SquareKnight) August 23, 2014

Well, guess what happened?

OMG! So glorious that Sam did it! Take that Johnny Football. You go, Mike!
— FISHER KING (@SquareKnight) August 24, 2014

Then the consequences of being the most popular guy in every bar he enters set in.

Today I messed up by promising mankind free booze for all eternity.
— FISHER KING (@SquareKnight) August 24, 2014

The ol' Fish ups the ante.

Since my frivolous bets influence human events ... if the Jets win the Super Bowl, free puppies and ice cream for every kid in America.
— FISHER KING (@SquareKnight) August 24, 2014

And before welching became a word he would get very familiar with, Fisher King, with the help of Sam, reportedly donated $500 to a St. Louis Boys & Girls Club to save face.

Anyone know Sam's fave charity? So pumped he sacked JFF. If I can't perpetually intoxicate society, I can contribute to its betterment.
— FISHER KING (@SquareKnight) August 24, 2014

Black cat invades the pitch at Barcelona's season opener (VIDEO)

Lately invaders on the the soccer pitch have become an annoying part of the game. And, after a succession of hairy, naked idiots interrupting play, fans were bound to see another furry little critter taking his turn at 15 minutes of fame. 

But this little uninvited interloper was a black cat. 

During Barcelona's opening La Liga match versus Elche this adventurous black feline — a creature that many associate as being a bad omen — held up the game for over a minute.

And social media, as always, quickly reacted to the incident.

'4 | Er is beeld van de indringer. Vooralsnog heeft hij dit seizoen meer laten zien dan Messi. #barelc https://t.co/uSFG8knYMH
— 433LIVE (@433LIVE) August 24, 2014

There was no such bad luck for top cat Lionel Messi and Barcelona. His team won, 3-0.

Hunter Mahan breaks Barclays trophy after win, blames friend (PHOTO)

Hunter Mahan pulled away with three straight birdies late in the final round Sunday to win The Barclays golf tournament, ending more than two years without a title on the PGA Tour.

After his sixth career PGA win, Mahan posed for several surprise photos with his wife and daughter. But before leaving the 18th green for the post-tournament press conference, he posed for one last photo with New Jersey native David Finn.

As he knelt next to the 21-year-old Finn, who has muscular dystrophy, Mahan set the trophy down hard on the ground and broke it in two pieces. As Finn cracked up, Mahan smirked, "David did it!"

A few minutes earlier, Mahan's one-year-old daughter Zoe nearly pushed over the trophy after it was presented to her father.

In the media tent, when he was asked what happened to the trophy, Mahan joked.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said.

Maybe they should switch to plastic.

Colts' Coby Fleener fakes dunk over crossbar after TD (VIDEO)

Since dunking over the crossbar is banned in the NFL now, Colts tight end Coby Fleener put a new twist on the move Saturday: He fake dunked over the crossbar.

After catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck, Fleener walked up to the crossbar like he was going to dunk it. The referee then stared Fleener down, as if he was daring Fleener to slam it down.

That's when Blue the Colts mascot trotted over to rein in Fleener and save him a hefty fine.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was fined $30,000 last week for his two rogue  touchdown celebrations — and that ain't horse feed.

But Fleener went to Stanford, so he knows better.

Jake Lamb gets silent treatment after first home run, high fives imaginary teammates (VIDEO)

We've seen it plenty of times before. A hot-shot rookie gets called up, teammates wait for things to happen and bingo — nothing.

Jake Lamb had worked his way through the minors before being called up to the Diamondbacks on Aug 7. and, after a slow start in the majors, the 23-year-old third baseman finally launched his first home run over the center field fence Saturday night

After rounding the bases, Lamb received the customary silent treatment in the dugout after his first big league dinger. So, instead of being ignored by the D-backs players, Lamb high-fived his own imaginary teammates before the real ones came around and gave him a hearty congratulations.

Just don't eavesdrop on Lamb's conversations with his new invisible friends.

Wolfburg's Junior Malanda may have worst open net miss ever (VIDEO)

Wolfsburg's Junior Malanda produced one of the biggest open net misses you are ever likely to see on a soccer pitch.

Facing defending champions Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga opener Friday night, the 19-year-old defensive midfielder found space in front of the goalkeeper to shoot but Manuel Neuer managed to deflect the shot onto the crossbar.

After the rebound, Malanda was alone on the goal line with an empty net, yet astonishingly managed to miss the target completely.

Shooting as the ball crashed back down off the bar, the Belgian — with a second chance to score and tie the match — seemed to shin the ball before watching in horror as it sailed out of play for a goal kick.

Bayern held on to the 2-1 victory win.

Matt Simms does salsa dance and Victor Cruz is down with it (VIDEO)

Matt Simms’ rendition of the salsa may not have measured up with Victor Cruz's trademark celebration, but the Giants receiver won't take anything away from his rival Jet player's fun.

Even the ref had to drop his head and laugh at Simms' stiff moves after throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass Friday night at MetLife Stadium.

Cruz has a history of getting a little miffed when opposing players mock his salsa dance, but apparently Simms is free to hip shake whenever he wants. Maybe it's because the two Jersey guys occasionally work out together. 

"That's my guy," Cruz said. "Me and him, we train a little bit in the offseason together. He throws me a couple passes here and there when I need a quarterback over there with my trainer. He's good. He's a good dude."

Simms claims it was a spur-of-the-moment celebration and was not meant as an insult to his workout partner.

Or maybe it unintentionally was.

Red Sox fan takes out entire row of people going for foul ball (VIDEO)

A desperate Red Sox fan dived across the other fans in his row and was still unable to make the grab on Yoenis Cespedes' foul ball Friday night at Fenway.

While the enthusiastic man was willing to sacrifice staining his plaid shorts and taking out a few of the people around him for the sake of a prized souvenir, he might want to show a little consideration for his fellow fans the next time he's in a crowd.

And, as any Bugs Bunny fan knows, this is the proper etiquette:

Firefighters injured when marching band's extreme Ice Bucket Challenge goes wrong: Report

Four Kentucky firefighters were injured — two seriously — when a fire truck's ladder got too close to a power line after they helped a college marching band take part in an Ice Bucket Challenge, police said Thursday.

The firefighters were taking part in extreme version of the challenge that helps raise money for ALS research by dumping water on members of the Campbellsville University's marching band from the top of a bucket ladder.

Two firefighters were in the bucket and two were on the main part of the truck when it got too close to the high-voltage wires.

Campbellsville Police Chief Tim Hazlette said the power line was never touched Thursday morning, but it carried such a high voltage that it was able to energize the ladder truck, shocking the firefighters.

The two in the bucket were at a hospital burn unit. One was in critical condition and the other was stable, Campbellsville Police Chief Tim Hazlette said. The other firefighters were treated and released.

None of the band members who participated and students who had gathered to watch were hurt.

“A number of our students, of course, the entire marching band, witnessed the event and so we’re concerned about them and the tragedy of this accident,” university president Michael Carter told WHAS-TV.

Power was knocked out for about an hour to 4,500 customers, including the school, said Natasha Collins, a spokeswoman for Kentucky Utilities, which owns the line. The Public Service Commission will investigate whether the line had the correct clearance from the ground, trees and structures, said Andrew Melnykovich, a spokesman for the state Public Service Commission.

Campbellsville University, a private college, is a Christian institution that has about 3,600 students, according to its website. It is about 65 miles south of Louisville.

Twin UNM soccer players drop out after hazing ritual of drinking, 'stripping and urine spraying': Report

A set of female twin soccer players at the University of Mexico have dropped out of the school after one of the women was hospitalized from drinking alcohol and reportedly being abused during a hazing ritual.

The 18-year-old fraternal twin sisters, Danielle and Devin Scelsi, from Trabuco Canyon, California, pulled out of the school following Sunday night's bizarre incident, reported the Daily Mail.

UNM officials said heavy drinking was involved but they rejected local media reports that Sunday night's incident involved players being made to strip, or even being sprayed with urine.

The university has canceled the first match of the women's soccer team's season this week after the troubling hazing incident left another young woman in the hospital.

The OC Weekly reported that Danielle Scelsi called campus police to report her sister Devin was struggling to breathe and appeared to be vomiting after drinking. 

Officers found two other teens in the apartment with the teen sisters who also seemed drunk. Devin Scelsi was taken to a hospital and another 18-year-old was taken to a separate center. 

Two days after the incident, the sisters had left the school, the OC Weekly reported. 

Their mother Dawn Scelsi told KTLA her freshman daughters were brutally hazed by older members of the team. 

Two students have left UNM as a result of the initiations, the team's coach confirmed on Wednesday. 

"We failed the young women of our soccer program who did not understand the seriousness of hazing," UNM athletic director Paul Krebs told a news conference in Albuquerque.

"These are good women, but they damaged the reputation of the university, the women's soccer program, and themselves."

Krebs said an ongoing probe has revealed that the majority of the team's players were consuming alcohol at more than one off-campus location, but that none of them were forced to drink.

A report by UNM campus police said officers responding to a 911 call took one 18-year-old player to hospital who was extremely intoxicated and had trouble breathing.

A second intoxicated 18-year-old, who was having trouble standing, was not transported, police said. 

Krebs said that while the investigation continues, Friday's season opener against Texas Tech in the Mountain West Conference has been canceled, resulting in a $5,000 fine for UNM.

Kid with popcorn bucket on head takes foul ball to face (VIDEO)

A young Bryce Harper fan took a nasty foul ball to the face from his favorite player while reaching for a prized souvenir at Nationals Park the other night.

It's easy to spot the kid sporting a popular Harper jersey (video below) because he's the only one wearing a popcorn bucket on his head!

It all went down in the bottom of the sixth when Harper rocketed a low foul ball over the right field line. Buckethead leaned over the wall to snag it and took the ricocheted ball flush in the puss while falling awkwardly over the railing to the field.

The kid was okay but hopefully didn't start something here — namely the Popcorn Bucket Challenge.

Rex Ryan rips rookie Andre Williams for calling Giants the 'real New York team' :Report

New York Giants Andre Williams hasn't been in New York long enough to remember when the Jets were actually the toast of New York but he found out that Gang Green head coach Rex Ryan still does and doesn't take kindly to anyone burning his team — even a rookie.

The newbie running back, who will face the Jets for the first time this week, recently delved right into the MetLife Stadium rivalry before ever running a regulation NFL down by proclaiming, “I think the Giants are the real New York team” earlier this week.

Never one to let a blustery retort pass him by, Ryan poked back with a two-winded response by mocking one of the rookie's college games and giving a shout out to his son Seth's college team, Clemson, all in the same breath.

“Last time I saw (Williams), he was getting smoked by Clemson,” Ryan said Wednesday while getting his Jets ready to play the Giants  in the annual preseason “Snoopy Bowl.”

Williams and Boston College lost to Clemson, 24-14, on Oct . 12 last year. 

“You know what? It’s great,” Ryan said of Williams. “I have a funny feeling he’s going to get some (helmets) put on him, or whatever. But we’ll see, it’ll be a competitive thing. I know he’s going to be pumped up, but trust me, our guys are going to be pumped up, too.”

However, Ryan did pay the Giants’ fourth-round pick a compliment. “I will say, that kid’s a good back though. Is anybody going to tackle him?” Ryan said.

Ryan wasn’t the only member of the Jets to respond to Williams’ comment. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison tweeted Wednesday, “See you Friday Mr. Williams...#JetLifeeeeee.”

Though Friday’s game is just an exhibition, Ryan said it carries more intensity than a normal preseason game.

“It is a bigger deal than preseason games when you play other people,” Ryan said. “You’ve got guys popping off, the running back from Boston College, he’s already saying the Giants are the best team in New York. You don’t get to play each other. And so this is the only time you really get to play each other, and I think it amps it up a little bit, I really do.”

And anyway. Both teams play in New Jersey.

A-Rod takes ALS ice bucket challenge (VIDEO)

The ALS ice bucket challenge has gotten so big it's even taken Alex Rodriguez away from rehabbing at the University of Miami and putting his tubs of ice to another good use.

The embattled Yankees third baseman hasn't been seen or heard from much since losing his appeal and serving his 162-game suspension for alleged performance-enhancing drug violations. But love him or loathe him, A-Rod returned Wednesday, joining the ice bucket challenge craze, which aims to bring awareness to ALS.

And considering A-Rod's icy relationship with some teammates, fans and MLB, suffice it to say, the man knows about being frozen out.

He also challenged U of Miami President Donna Shalala, MLB analyst Harold Reynolds, ex-teammate Robinson Cano and 24-Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov to take the challenge.

Yankee fans can only hope Rodriguez saved some of that cold stuff for his bum hip. The Yankees will be paying him through the 2017 season.

David Ortiz and Albert Pujols have adorable battle at first base (VIDEO)

When you think of David Ortiz and Albert Pujols, the first things that comes to mind are probably home runs and championships.

The last thing you would think of is the two future Hall of Famers fighting each other at first base.

And you would be right … sort of.

On Wednesday night, the two sluggers had a playful battle with each other while meeting up at the corner a couple of times.

After David Ortiz slid back into the first base bag, Pujols rapped him on the head with his glove. So Ortiz responded the only way possible: with a soothing back massage. 

The boys have another play date set up for Thursday afternoon, so expect more antics at Fenway.

Brett Gardner does his own incredible version of Derek Jeter's 'The Dive' (VIDEO)

Brett Gardner tracked down a ball in foul territory and made an incredible catch at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night, flipping over the left field wall and tumbling into the stands for the out.

Brett Gardner, superhuman: http://t.co/CyGShCdycg #Yankees http://t.co/i7qkvAj4CR
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 21, 2014

In a way, it's sort of reminiscent of Derek Jeter's legendary "The Dive." And although Gardner didn't make the head-first grab against the Red Sox or come up with a bloodied face — it's still a fantastic play.



And the Yankee leftfielder's catch gives us a chance to relive one of Jeter's most unforgettable career highlights (below) before he heads off to retirement.



Or maybe it will better remind you of Jeter's "The Catch" in the 2001 ALDS against the A's.

Either way — well played Brett.

NFL wants performers to pay to play Super Bowl halftime show: Report

Last year's Super Bowl halftime show had more viewers than the actual game and the freebie television extravaganza is so coveted by artists in the music industry, they schmooze the NFL long before a big name performer is secured for the gig.

But this year the National Football League is asking potential performers to pay to play the high-profile concert, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

While the NFL is notorious for demanding — and receiving — major concessions from its Super Bowl host cities. Now it wants halftime performers, who typically perform for free in exchange for monumental publicity, to add a little more jingle to the wealthy football league's coin pouch.

The NFL, in seeking to book the halftime show for Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015 outside Phoenix, has reportedly asked the potential headliners to "contribute a portion of their post-Super Bowl tour income to the league, or if they would make some other type of financial contribution, in exchange for the halftime gig, reported the WSJ.

The proposition has returned icy responses from the three final candidates: Katy Perry, Rihanna and Coldplay . The NFL does not usually pay the act that performs during the halftime ceremony, but has covered travel and production expenses, which can run into the multimillion-dollar range, The Journal reported.

Joanna Hunter, a spokeswoman for the NFL, said the league's goal is "to put on the best show possible." 

A valuable promotional opportunity for any performer, the halftime show drew a record 115.3 million viewers last February when the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bruno Mars took the stage. Some artists have used this platform to announce upcoming tour dates and boost ticket sales. Many also see a sharp increase in CD and download sales directly after the performance. 

But shaking down Katy Perry? Think of the singer's 15-year-old girls demographic the NFL will lose for the big game.

Kole Calhoun robs Brock Holt of home run with towering catch at wall (VIDEO)

Kole Calhoun — the Angels outfielder with a rodeo wrangler's name — corralled a long fly ball to rob Brock Holt of a three-run homer with a ridiculous catch Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

Calhoun timed his second-inning catch perfectly before leaping over the right field wall bailing out Jared Weaver — who looked ready to be stampeded by the Red Sox doggies.

.@KoleCalhoun ruined this guy's night. http://t.co/YnyrzH2sG1
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) August 20, 2014

Kole, Brock and Jared? Sounds like a few cowhands from Rawhide.

Rams offer free tickets to high schools near Ferguson riots: Report

There doesn't seem to be anything that anyone can do to ease the tension in Ferguson, Mo. right now, but one NFL team has made a small attempt at bringing normalcy back for some school kids in the nearby area.

The St. Louis Rams organization is offering free tickets to Saturday’s preseason game to area schools overwhelmed by the riots which followed the police shooting of an unarmed man and set off days of protests and mayhem in the streets.

Whether or not you consider it a generous offer to help bring sanity back to kids confused by the current state of affairs or a blatant PR attempt conveniently combining national news with something far less important like sports, three local high schools will each receive 75 free tickets to see the home team play the Cleveland Browns, reported SI.com.

Rams manager of fan development and alumni relations Kyle Eversgerd contacted coaches at McCluer High, McCluer North and McCluer South; offering the free tickets to each team if they wanted them.

“In light of everything going on it just kind of hit me,” Eversgerd said. “I can’t imagine with all that stuff going on, how tough it must be to practice. We were able to get them away from it all.”

It’s a nice gesture for a suburban town gripped by uncertainty and, hopefully, the payoff will be peace of mind for a couple of hundred teenagers — and that they can pay it forward.