Sports

Here are some of the primary reasons that there shouldn’t be any work stoppage in the NFL this or any other year. Can we talk about the domino crash and burn effect on suppliers of the game and the fans? How many hot dogs does the NFL purchase yearly? How many sales of hot dog buns, hamburgers, beer, pretzels, etc. will fall by the wayside if this work interruption continues? A report entitled; ‘Fourth and Long’ by Preston Traverse and Joseph R. Duffy points out serious repercussions of a NFL work stoppage. The report says that, “President Barack Obama famously referred to a potential NFL lockout as being a fight between billionaires and millionaires; however the impending impact could reach far beyond the players and owners. One could equate the NFL situation to the near dissolution of General Motors; which would have not only affected GM employees, but countless organizations spread across its vast supply chain. The major difference is that many firmly believed that GM could disappear, while no one actually expects professional football will not remain an integral part of American culture. Moreover, there is simply too much revenue at stake for this issue to remain unresolved for a lengthy period of time.”

by Stephen Wilson WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Venus and Serena Williams were eliminated in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Monday, the first time in five years that neither sister will play in the quarterfinals at the All England Club. Defending champion and four-time winner Serena was the first to go, beaten 6-3, 7-6 (6) by Marion Bartoli of France, cutting short the American’s return to Grand Slam tennis after nearly a year out with serious health problems. DEFENDING CHAMP ELIMINATED—Serena Williams returns a shot to France’s Marion Bartoli during their match at at Wimbledon, June 27. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus) Older sister and five-time champion Venus was ousted 6-2, 6-3 by Tsvetana Pironkova—the exact same score of the Bulgarian’s win in last year’s quarterfinals. “Definitely not our best day,” Venus said. “I think we both envisioned seeing this day going a little bit different.”

:10 Dallas in six (6) as predicted!! Now all you so called B-Ball experts shut-up…Get in line and pay attention. :09 Summer youth employment opportunities cut by 83 percent…What? I wonder if that number can be reduced if, I don’t know, maybe if we weren’t spending 500 million to build a tunnel under the river to go from one side to the other! And by the way don’t we have more bridges than any other city in America…I am just asking??? BILL NEAL :08 Every athlete reading this article right now (and I mean real athletes, not Langley Grads) knows what I am about to say is true. Every college football and basketball player and maybe a few other sports, everyone that is worth something to their school, gets paid. Stop acting like Terrelle Pryor invented getting paid on the side. C’mon man!!!

DOTHAN, Ala. (AP)—The NFL is investigating the reported investment by at least 25 NFL players in an Alabama casino that has been shut down, a business venture that might have run afoul of league rules. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed the investigation Friday, a day after Yahoo! Sports reported that wide receivers Terrell Owens, Santonio Holmes, Santana Moss and other players had invested some $20 million in Country Crossing casino. The report also named defensive tackle Gerard Warren and linebacker Adalius Thomas, a free agent who played for the New England Patriots until his release before last season. SANTONIO HOLMES NFL rules bar employees from involvement with any gaming operation. Players violating that rule could be subject to fines or suspensions and have to give up their investment. Country Crossing owner Ronnie Gilley and two of his lobbyists have pleaded guilty to offering legislators millions in bribes.

BETHESDA, Md. (AP)—The lead was 10 following yet another birdie as Rory McIlroy walked off the fourth green and handed his Titleist to a tousle-haired teen watching from just beyond the ropes at Congressional. A nice souvenir for the kid, who may one day dream of having a future in golf. And appropriate that it was given to him by the kid who may be the future of golf. GOLF’S NEWEST PHENOM—Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds up the trophy after winning the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament in Bethesda, Md., June 19. His romp in the park at the U.S. Open didn't just make McIlroy a major champion for the first time at a younger age than the great Jack Nicklaus. It also announced the arrival of a player so talented and magnetic that golf may stop caring so much about Tiger Woods. The 37,000 people who lined the fairways and surrounded the greens on a steamy Sunday seemed to sense that. They cheered every shot, even though the little drama that remained evaporated when McIlroy birdied the first hole to let everyone know this was not the Masters and there would be no meltdown.

High school students who are interested in exploring a career in sports medicine, or who would like to enhance their high school athletic training-room skills, are invited to attend the 14th annual Student Athletic Training Aide Workshop. Hosted by UPMC Sports Medicine, the workshop will take place Aug. 2 to 4 at The Ellis School, 6425 Fifth Ave., Shadyside. This three-day workshop is designed for high school students to learn about the basic skills and knowledge necessary for careers in sports medicine. The workshop will expose students to key areas of sports medicine through lectures and hands-on practice with athletic training techniques and procedures. CONCUSSION RESEARCH—Dr. Jamie Pardini administers a baseline ImPACT test to a student athlete (UPMC Photo/Ron Fontana) An extensive amount of lab time will focus on skills that students can use in their high school athletic training environments. Students will learn how to prepare for an athletic training program in college. The workshop will include information and training on sports concussions. They also will have the option to receive instruction in American Heart Association adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

VERNON, Conn. (AP)—Former Connecticut forward Jamal Coombs-McDaniel was admitted Wednesday into a state drug education program that could leave him without a criminal record. Rockville Superior Court Judge Laura F. Baldini accepted Coombs-McDaniel's application for the program for first-time offenders and ordered him to take 10 drug education classes and perform 75 hours of community service. Misdemeanor drug charges will be dismissed if he complies with the requirements in the next year. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel Coombs-McDaniel was arrested in April on campus and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say Coombs-McDaniel and two friends were found with 5.6 grams of marijuana, a marijuana grinder and a package of cigars used to smoke marijuana. Outside of court, he told The Associated Press that he wanted to apologize to UConn fans and especially his former teammates.

I received yet another phone message from an individual that produces programming for PCTV 21 informing me of his upcoming tapings regarding the merging of the city of Pittsburgh athletics with the WPIAL. This guy must be semi-comatose or something close to the equivalent. If my life depended on remembering his name, well let’s just say I would be on my way to be introduced to the great I AM. This “person” is anonymous as far as I am concerned. Every time I hear his voice, I delete the message. What is my point you ask? The core of the madness is that some people just do not give up, even if they are doing something that may harm you and the generations of your lineage to come, they will continue to come at you in every shape, form or fashion until their agenda is achieved.

by Stephen WilsonAssociated Press Writer WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—Five-time champion Venus Williams, back on her favorite grass surface, swept into the second round of Wimbledon June 20 with a straight-set win over 97th-ranked Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan. Williams, who returned to action at Eastbourne last week after an injury layoff of nearly five months, looked right at home at the All England Club as she beat Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-1 on the opening day of the 125th edition of the championships. MAKING A STATEMENT—Venus Williams of the US looks on during her match against Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, June 20. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

(NNPA)—Recently retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has denied rumors that he was involved in the 2008 beating of a man, who also alleged that he had copies of a sex tape involving the likely future Hall of Fame player. During a trial for the seven gang members accused of beating him, Robert Ross testified in a Los Angeles courtroom June 13 that he threatened O’Neal with the release of the sex tape. Two weeks later, Ross was the victim of a vicious mugging. SHAQUILLE O’NEAL