Eric Reid Signs with Panthers Following NFL Grievance

Pro Bowl free-agent safety Eric Reid signed with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday (September 27) after he was not re-signed with the 49ers after filing a grievance with the NFL. Reid also made waves as the first player to join Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality.

Both Reid and Kaepernick filed grievances with the NFL, alleging that owners and the league prevented their employment because of the protests. Kaepernick, who is still unsigned, reacted to the news of Reid joining the Panthers, tweeting, “Congrats 2 my brother @e_reid35, all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract. He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family. and communities in need.”

Reid’s deal is a one-year contract worth up to $2 million with play-time and Pro Bowl incentives

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Nike has donated three times as much money to Republicans as Democrats this year

There seems to be a bit of a disconnect between Nike’s branding and the sporting good giant’s political leanings.

While Nike has caught heat from right-leaning supporters for its decision to feature Colin Kaepernick in the company’s latest ad campaign, a new report from the Center for Responsive Politics — a non-profit, non-partisan research group focusing on money in politics — shows that Nike employees and its political action committee have donated more than three times as much money to republican candidates as democratic challengers for the 2018 election season.

In all, Nike has given $424,000 to the GOP compared to $122,000 to Democrats. The findings follow a recent trend showing Nike has donated more to Republicans than Democrats in every election cycle since 2010 with the exception of 2016.

According to the report, nearly half of all donated funds from Nike employees has come from co-founder Phil Knight and his family.

The Knight family has also given $1.5 million to republican Knute Buehler in his race for Oregon governor against incumbent democrat Kate Brown. The contribution is the largest individual donation to an Oregon candidate since the state started electronically tracking such dealings in 2006.

Nike World Headquarters are located Beaverton, Oregon.

Among Buehler’s platforms are lower corporate taxes and repealing Oregon’s sanctuary state laws for undocumented immigrants.

Compared to its rival companies, Nike has donated far more to politicians than it’s competitors. Both Nike and New Balance have each given more than $1.2 million to Republican candidates since 2010, however Nike has also donated more than $900,000 to Democrats over that same time span. By comparison, Adidas and Under Armour have donated less than $600,000 combined to both parties since 2010.

Whatever blowback Nike received following the unveiling on the ad campaign with Kaepernick, it hasn’t done nearly anything to slow down the company’s growth. Nike’s stock recently hit an all-time high and has gone up nearly five percent since the Kaepernick ads launched in early September. That translates to an additional $6 billion in market value, per CBS News.

On the year, Nike is up 36 percent and is performing better than any other company listed on Dow’s index of 30 blue-chip stocks.

Kaepernick is currently signed on a long-term deal with Nike that pays him millions each year and is on par with contracts for other star NFL players.

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NFL Denied from Getting Kaepernick Collusion Case Dismissed

News broke Thursday concerning the ongoing collusion case against the NFL, filed by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Arbitrator Stephen Burbank made the announcement that the case would move onto trial, effectively denying the league’s attempt at dismissing the case. Burbank’s statement read:

“On August 28, 2018, the System Arbitrator denied the NFL’s request that he dismiss Colin Kaepernick’s complaint alleging that his inability to secure a player contract since becoming a free agent in March 2017 has been due to an agreement among team owners and the NFL that violates Article 17, Section 1 of the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.”

At the moment, Kaepernick’s former teammate Eric Reid is still waiting on a decision regarding his grievance filed against the NFL alleging collusion on the same grounds as Kap.

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“The Mountain” from ‘Game of Thrones’ Sets World Record with 1,041 lb Deadlift

Some people are very different from the characters they play on television. Secret agents, scientists, murders, and politicians are easy to play, but the actors that play them separate from the role after leaving the set. Hafþór Björnsson is the same massive monster in real life that he is on television though.

Being the strongest man in the world is definitely an honor. Hafþór Björnsson, who plays “The Mountain” on Game of Thrones, has stepped up to take that honor in several categories. Much like his monstrous character on HBO’s most successful show, Björnsson is a beast to behold. He stands at a moderate six foot and 9 inches but weighs a gargantuan 397 pounds.

Björnsson competed in the 2018 Arnold Strongman Classic, and he set a world record for the raw deadlift with a 1,041-pound lift. That’s roughly half the weight of a sedan. The weightlifting classic event is named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. Björnsson will prepare for Europe’s Strongest Man competition next, and then the world championships in May.

Bjornsson also broke the weight over bar world record. Game of Thrones will return for its final season next year, and hopefully, he can translate some of his real-world success into surviving the winter.

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Aly Raisman Suing U.S. Olympic Committee

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman filed suit against the U.S. Olympic Committee for failing to take action to prevent former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University team doctor Larry Nassar from molesting hundreds of young athletes, according to news reports.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in California but announced Friday, accuses the committee of bungling its response to sexual abuse allegations against Nassar, who is now serving a long prison term for sex crimes.

“After all this time, they remain unwilling to conduct a full investigation, and without a solid understanding of how this happened, it is delusional to think sufficient changes can be implemented,” Raisman said in a statement, according to NBC. “I refuse to wait any longer for these organizations to do the right thing. It is my hope that the legal process will hold them accountable and enable the change that is so desperately needed.”

A USA Gymnastics trainer was sometimes present during treatment sessions where Nassar abused young athletes at the Karolyi Ranch, Raisman alleges in the suit, according to NBC News.

Raisman, in recent interviews, has accused the USOC of ignoring allegations against Nassar and threatening her not to tell how he molested her under the guise of treatment.

“I was told [by USA Gymnastics] to be quiet,” Raisman told ESPN in January. “And I think that when somebody in high power is telling you to be quiet, right when they realized you are abused, I think that that is a threat. USA Gymnastics just said, ‘We’re handling this. We got this. Like, stop asking us questions.’”

Raisman, a gold medalist who competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, was among more than 100 women who alleged Nassar sexually abused them. He pleaded guilty to child pornography and sexual assault charges and was sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

The USOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The group’s CEO, Scott Blackmun, resigned on Wednesday after a cancer diagnosis.

“Under his leadership, USOC has focused nearly all its efforts on money and medals while the safety of our athletes has taken a back seat,” attorney John Manly, who represents many of Nassar’s victims, including Raisman, said in a statement.

 

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Jordan Greenway is U.S. hockey team’s first African-American Olympian

GANGNEUNG, South Korea — Jordan Greenway doesn’t know when this historic moment will hit him.

He predicts it won’t happen while he’s helping Team USA try to win a gold medal in Pyeongchang. But sometime down the road it will have more of an impact.

Greenway, a junior winger for Boston University, is the first African-American to compete for the U.S. men’s hockey team in the Olympics.

“I think it’s great, it’s unbelievable,” Greenway said following a practice at Gangneung Ice Arena. “I don’t think it’s hit me how I think it will later on in my life to be honest with you. I grew up around a predominantly white population and a lot of white people playing (hockey), so I’ve always looked at it as just another kid. I think it’s an honor. I’m very excited about it. I hope I’m the first of many.”

Greenway, 20, has played hockey all his life. He put on his first pair of skates when he was 3. It’s what kids are accustomed to growing up in Canton, N.Y., which is 20 miles from the Canadian border. Plus his brother J.D., who is a sophomore defenseman at Wisconsin, and all of his cousins played. He was just next in the family line. Greenway tried out other sports — football, lacrosse, baseball — but didn’t develop the same passion.

“I was OK at them,” he said, laughing. “I kind of mixed it up, but I don’t know. I always had the most fun playing hockey. I enjoyed waking up really early in the morning and playing hockey. I didn’t have the same enjoyment going to (play other sports). I didn’t want to do that for football or other sports. Just thought this was the right fit for me.”

Greenway was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2015, but chose to stay in school. Because the NHL prohibited its players from Olympic competition, he’s able to live out his dream as an amateur.

Physically, he’s a big body on the ice at 6-5, 230 flat-footed. Greenway estimates he’s 6-8 or 6-9 on skates, but such an imposing figure could fudge his numbers and say he’s 7-feet and no one would blink.

His height certainly provides an advantage when getting to the net, protecting the puck and creating space, but it’s not always better to be bigger, he said.

“You get some of these smaller guys who are quick and they put you on edge,” he said, smiling. “But it definitely has a lot of benefits.”

Greenway tallied 25 points in 28 games for Boston U. this season and was second with eight points on the U.S. team that won gold in the 2017 junior world championships. He also played for the 2017 world championship team that finished fifth.

By making history, Greenway hopes to use these Olympics to inspire other African-American kids to play hockey.

“That’s definitely the goal,” he said. “Trying to get more, not just African American, but more cultures playing. I don’t think it’s any secret that more white people play than black people. So hopefully I can try to be another role model to try to put it in these kids’ minds to hopefully try and do something different and hopefully we’ll get more black people and different cultures playing the game.”

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Larry Nassar sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for decades of sexual abuse

Former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced 40 to 175 years in prison. Over the past two decades, more than 150 women and girls reported that Nassar sexually abused them. CNN reports that he pleaded guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct.

“There are no words that can describe the depth and breadth of how sorry I am for what has occurred. An acceptable apology to all of you is impossible to write and convey. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days”, said Nassar.

Previously, he was sentenced to 60 years for a separate case — having child pornography on his computer.

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Jerry Richardson To Sell Panthers Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made it known he is putting the team for sale, which fell on the same day the NFL said they were beginning their investigation into him.

According to reports, the Panthers began an investigation of their own into Ricardson after reports of alleged sexual harassment in the workplace surfaced. Along with harassment, there was alleged use of a racial slur.

In an official statement on the sale, Richardson said “I believe that it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership. Therefore, I will put the team up for sale at the conclusion of this NFL season.”

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Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward fractured ankle in season opener

CLEVELAND —  Boston star forward Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome injury, dislocating his left ankle and fracturing his left tibia just five minutes into his debut with the Celtics.

Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract this summer, went up for an alley-oop pass and collided with LeBron James midway through the first quarter. He got his leg twisted underneath him as he came back to the floor. Hayward collapsed under the basket and looked in horror as his left foot was pointing outward.

He put his hands to his face and dropped back to the floor as a hush fell over the sellout crowd inside Quicken Loans Arena.

According to The Vertical’s Chris Mannix, the Celtics are cautiously optimistic about Hayward’s injury:

With minutes to play and his team still trying to claw its way back, Hayward was loaded back onto a stretcher and carted out a side door. He will return to Boston for further tests, but team officials are cautiously optimistic. It appeared to be a clean break, sources told Yahoo Sports, and while more tests will be needed to determine the extent of the damage, Hayward may have avoided something catastrophic.

After the injury, Hayward’s new teammates huddled in prayer at their bench as a distressed James covered his mouth and several Cleveland players nearby looked away. Hayward had his leg placed in an air cast, and James came over and consoled him before the 27-year-old was pushed from the floor on a stretcher.

Cleveland’s crowd gave Hayward a roaring ovation as he left.

“You hurt for him,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said of Hayward, his former star at Butler. “It’s a tough, tough deal, but I guess that’s part of the risk of injury. I really feel for him.”

The team later confirmed that Hawyard’s ankle was broken and that he’d fly back to Boston Tuesday night. It’s a devastating blow for the Celtics, who had hoped to close the gap on the Cavs in the Eastern Conference.

Now, they could be without Hayward for an extended period.

Hayward spent the past six seasons with the Utah Jazz before signing with Boston.

The injury overshadowed Kyrie Irving’s return to Cleveland after the All-Star point guard was traded to Boston this summer.

LeBron James said seeing Hayward get hurt reminded him of grisly injuries to Paul George, Shaun Livingston and Louisville’s Kevin Ware.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Gordon’s family. Hope for a speedy recovery, a healthy recovery,” James said. “Those are the injuries that you never see coming, you never want to happen, no matter who it is, no matter what the stature, no matter how much competitive nature that you have. It’s just very unfortunate.”

SOURCE: NBA

Aaron Rodgers Out For The Season with Broken Collarbone

Short of learning that his career might be over, news on the injury that Aaron Rodgers suffered in the first quarter of the Week 6 Packers vs Vikings game was as bad as it could get for fans in Green Bay. It is reported that the two-time MVP will soon undergo an evaluation to see the extent of a broken collarbone on the side of his throwing arm. Officials gauge that he will be out a minimum of 8 weeks, likely tarnishing hopes that he will be back to complete the remainder of the 16-game regular season.

The match-up was barely underway against their division rivals, when four passes in, Rodgers was chased from the pocket and taken down by Minnesota linebacker Anthony Barr. At first glance, the tackle didn’t appear to be very serious. There was clearly some impact to his landing, but Rodgers’ arm didn’t appear to twist in any kind of awkward manner. But he did curl his elbow into his body and momentarily squirm on the ground. Rodgers would eventually get to his feet without assistance and power walk off to the sidelines, where medical personnel checked him out before calling on a cart to transport him to the locker room.

Rodgers’ third-year backup, Brett Hundley entered the game with the score at 0-0. He’d lead a scoring drive to put the team on the board in the second quarter. However, he wasn’t able to do much of anything else from that point forward, as Green Bay dropped the game, and submitted their first place spot to Minnesota with a final score of 23-10. The question now looms as to whether Hundley, who obviously lacks the pocket presence, arm, timing and big game ability of the great Rodgers, can do just enough to pull Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Montgomery, Bennett and the boys through enough victories to hand the team back to their ace in the postseason.

SOURCE: VLADTV