The Thread We Talk About Professional Athletes That Do Good Things.

[DanGarion]

We always point out the bad things on this board that players do, but with the holidays here and everyone in the giving mood I thought it would be good to start a thread here where we can point out the good things that professional athletes do for the community and beyond. I'll start with this article I found about Braylon Edwards.

Braylon Edwards gives $10,000 each to 79 college students - latimes.com (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/12/braylon-edwards-gives-10000-to-79-college-students.html)

Braylon Edwards gives $10,000 each to 79 college students
December 23, 2011 | 8:45 am


Now this is a story worthy of the holidays. As a Cleveland Browns rookie in 2005, Braylon Edwards announced he'd give $10,000 in scholarships to 100 area eighth-graders if they could graduate high school with at least a 2.5 grade-point average and 15 hours' community service.

Six years later, 79 met the criteria and have begun their first year of college in campuses all across the country, including Harvard.

"Without this scholarship, I probably wouldn't be here," Bowling Green freshman David Gholston told ESPN's Rick Reilly.

Now, most people would think writing $790,000 in checks would be enough, but Edwards went one step further. In addition to the $10,000, he provided each of the students with a laptop computer.

"I'm supposed to give people a chance like I was given a chance," Edwards said.

But that's not the only amazing part of the season. Edwards is now a member of the San Francisco 49ers. His salary for this season? $1 million. In other words, he has donated almost his entire salary this season to help those 79 kids.

It's easy to focus on all the negative stories that come out of the sports world, so it's nice to report on something as wonderful as this.

[DaddyTorgo]

Dude - seriously? Kudos to Braylon Edwards.

[stevew]

It certainly makes up for stealing 30ish million from the Browns.

[rowech]

I love the idea of this thread. Hopefully, everyone can keep it positive.

[miami_fan]

Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh brings Christmas cheer to neglected and abused youths - Israel Gutierrez - MiamiHerald.com (http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/24/2560033/miami-heats-chris-bosh-brings.html)

Chris Bosh making Christmas special for some of Miami's abused and neglected kids.

[Butter]

And Braylon Edwards just got cut from the 49ers.

[Suburban Rhythm]

This is the 4th year of the Penguins Learn to play program.

Sidney Crosby buys head to toe equipment for kids. Year 1 was 500, Year 2 was 700 and last year 1,000 kids.

My son participated last year as a 4 year old and loved it.

Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey Program - Pittsburgh Penguins - Community (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=56385)

[rjolley]

Great idea for a thread. With all of the negative press that college and professional athletes get, it'll be good to see some of the positive things they do.

[BYU 14]

Meant to post this earlier about the two La Tech players, Adrien Cole and Quinton Patton who donated their bowl gifts to Make-A-Wish. College kids love these bowl gifts and this gesture is extremely impressive to me since the odds are so small that either of these players will ever make money in professional sports. Very classy move by these young men!

‘Tis the season: Two Louisiana Tech players donate bowl gifts to charity - Dr. Saturday - NCAAF*Blog - Yahoo! Sports (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/-Tis-the-season-Two-Louisiana-Tech-players-dona?urn=ncaaf-wp11771)

[Matthean]

NASCAR - Trevor Bayne not afraid to show religious side - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7375365/nascar-trevor-bayne-not-afraid-show-religious-side)

Trevor Bayne works with Back-2-Back ministries helping orphans in Mexico. This is the same organization which my church teams up with and we'll be sending 200 people down there in 2012. The article does quickly shift talking about his faith and comparing him to Tebow. It does point out other drivers who are giving back as well.

[DanGarion]

Pretty cool way to support the arts.

Donnie baseball does ballet.

Don Mattingly Hits Homerun With Evansville Ballet Performance | NBC Los Angeles (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/Don-Mattingly-Evansville-Ballet-Nutcracker-Mother-Ginger-Dodgers-135937108.html)

Don Mattingly traded his Dodger blue for a powder-white wig and an oversized hoop skirt during the weekend to perform in his hometown ballet's production of "Nutcracker."

In the name of helping children express themselves artistically, the Dodgers manager -- no stranger to a big stage, but usually one covered in turf and dirt -- returned to Evansville, Ind. to play the role of "Mother Ginger." An Evansville news station captured video of Mattingly as the larger-than-life character, who opens her skirt to unveil dancing children, one of whom is wearing a Dodgers uniform in the Evansville production.

http://i.imgur.com/rGsEHl.jpg

[Atocep]

JT Thomas is an amazing person.

Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas gives the life-changing gift of a Super Bowl - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120206/chicago-bears-linebacker-jt-thomas-gives-life-changing-gift-super-bowl)

<cite class="source">By Jemele Hill
ESPN.com

</cite> He was a sixth-round pick who hadn't played a down all season, so it didn't surprise Chicago Bears (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears) linebacker J.T. Thomas that most of the kids who attended the team's annual holiday party for children weren't that interested in his autograph.
But one was: 14-year-old Anthony Grandberry from the South Side of Chicago.

(http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120206/chicago-bears-linebacker-jt-thomas-gives-life-changing-gift-super-bowl#)Grandberry swore he knew who Thomas was. And even though the rookie from West Virginia was skeptical, he gladly gave Anthony an autograph.
"Honestly, he made me feel like a Pro Bowler," Thomas says, smiling.

A small gesture can make a lasting impression. Thomas was feeling sorry for himself when he met Anthony in December. His first season in the NFL hadn't been at all what he'd hoped. He was put on Chicago's injured reserve list before the season because of lingering hamstring and back issues. It was tough for him to accept that he was a nonfactor for the Bears.

So it mattered that Anthony, who has had severe epilepsy since he was 7 years old, made Thomas feel special that Dec. 13 afternoon at the party at Soldier Field. The player made a vow that he would someday return the favor.

A returned favor might be some free Bears swag for the kid, and Thomas did that on Christmas.

As it turned out, though, Thomas was thinking on a much bigger scale.

On Saturday, the night before Super Bowl XLVI, Thomas walked into Anthony's church on the South Side with two tickets in his hand.
"Hey Anthony, you want to go to the Super Bowl with me?" Thomas asked.
The kid, who just moments before had been singing so loud that his voice cracked each time the choir reached the chorus, suddenly fell silent.

This isn't the first time Thomas has done something extraordinary for a child.

He garnered national attention in May when he took Joslyn Levell, an eighth-grader with spina bifida, to her junior prom (http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4670527/bears-thomas-making-fans-dream-come-true) because none of the boys at her school had asked her.
Thomas was instantly hailed a hero. But his generosity didn't just change one life.

It changed two.

Thomas always has been a giver. His younger brother, Jared, is autistic. Thomas used to give him baths and do all the things with him that a great big brother does.

He learned from Jared that children with special needs value being treated like they're normal above all else. He saw how much it meant to Jared when the two spent time together. His heart expanded when he saw the beaming smile on Joslyn's face as she introduced Thomas to the boys who'd found other dates for the dance.

The experience with Joslyn made Thomas think about how he could use his platform as an NFL player to do something meaningful. Could a Bears rookie who had yet to play in a pro game change the lives of kids on a regular basis?

Thomas was inspired enough to try. He recently started the J.T. Thomas Foundation, whose primary mission is to raise awareness for children suffering from disabilities.

And he made the first order of business doing something special for Anthony.

Last week, Thomas set his ambitious plan in action. He drove 1,300 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Chicago with a group of volunteers who call themselves the "Ready Ready" crew. Along the way, they visited epilepsy centers in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando to raise awareness about a condition (http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy) that affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15.

As Thomas has learned, having epilepsy can be a lonely existence for the children coping with it. For parents of epileptic children, finding normalcy and support is draining.

Anthony's mother, Tonya Harris, can't keep a regular job because Anthony requires full-time care. Two brain surgeries were supposed to decrease his seizures substantially, but he still suffers through two or three a week.

"It's stressful not being able to provide like I want to," Harris says.

Dressed in a shirt and tie, Thomas arrived at Revealing Missionary Baptist Church, where Anthony has been a member for a year, early Saturday afternoon. When Anthony saw him, he didn't look at Thomas like he hung the moon. He looked at him like he invented it.

When I asked Anthony, who also received a $1,000 scholarship to attend a summer camp from Thomas, what he planned to do at the Super Bowl, he looked at me as teenagers do when they want you to know how tragically dense you are.

"Have fun!" he shouted.

Duh.

On Sunday, as Thomas picked Anthony up for the game, the kid was wearing a Bears skull cap. It was the only way he could begin an adventure like this.

As Thomas discovered over the next three hours on the drive to Indianapolis, Anthony's singing abilities extend far beyond gospel.

"Any song that comes on the radio, he sings it," Thomas says, laughing. "He doesn't want anyone singing but him. He was pretty much the captain of the radio. It was fun to see him open up."

When Anthony saw Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of the Super Bowl, his mouth fell open just as it did a day earlier, when Thomas handed him the tickets.

Anthony is still learning about football, so Thomas had to explain some of the action. Anthony took lots of pictures, and, naturally, sang all the way back to Chicago.

If the first football game you ever attend is the Super Bowl, wouldn't you sing too?

Thomas' grand plan is to do something like this every year, but in a bigger way. He put up the money to fund this trip, but the hope is that as his foundation grows, so will the outside support.

For now, Thomas is satisfied. He met his goal. And at this point, what he's done for Anthony and Joslyn should get him into the Good Guy Hall Of Fame.

"Me and his relationship has grown for this trip," Thomas says. "My main thing was to make him feel the way I felt, and I believe I accomplished that."

[DaddyTorgo]

JT Thomas is an amazing person.

Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas gives the life-changing gift of a Super Bowl - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120206/chicago-bears-linebacker-jt-thomas-gives-life-changing-gift-super-bowl)

This guy is amazing. Wow. Bless him.

[Lathum]

Great story, gave me chills.

[DaddyTorgo]

Great story, gave me chills.


I teared up.

[Draft Dodger]

me too.

[Mustang]

Damn it.. there is a Bear player I have to like now? *sigh* :)

[DougW]

Tim Tebow.

[Eaglesfan27]

I teared up.

Me too. Great story.

[DanGarion]

JT Thomas is an amazing person.

Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas gives the life-changing gift of a Super Bowl - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120206/chicago-bears-linebacker-jt-thomas-gives-life-changing-gift-super-bowl)

Thank you so much for sharing this story. This is what I created this thread for!

[Matthean]

Jason Hanson visits children's hospital.

Incompatible Browser | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150596570823605.402912.95004133604&type=3)

[MacroGuru]

Kiesel and his Shear the Beard fundraiser...last year raised 40K, this year figures to top that.

Big props to former BYU Cougar for this...

Steelers' Brett Keisel Shaves Off NFL's Best Beard | ThePostGame (http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/style-points/201202/steelers-star-shaves-nfls-greatest-beard)

[Suburban Rhythm]

JT Thomas is an amazing person.

Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas gives the life-changing gift of a Super Bowl - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/page/hill-120206/chicago-bears-linebacker-jt-thomas-gives-life-changing-gift-super-bowl)

Don't want to derail this thread, especially this guy, because I thought this was a great story, but

Bears LB JT Thomas faces drug charge in W.Va. - NFL - SI.com (http://cnnsi.com/2012/football/nfl/02/13/jt-thomas-bears.ap/index.html?sct=nfl_t2_a10)

[Crapshoot]

Don't want to derail this thread, especially this guy, because I thought this was a great story, but

Bears LB JT Thomas faces drug charge in W.Va. - NFL - SI.com (http://cnnsi.com/2012/football/nfl/02/13/jt-thomas-bears.ap/index.html?sct=nfl_t2_a10)

Eh, smoking weed is hardly a character flaw. If so, you'd half to arrest most of the Bay Area (where I live), where weed is far far more acceptable than smoking cigarettes.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Kiesel and his Shear the Beard fundraiser...last year raised 40K, this year figures to top that.

Big props to former BYU Cougar for this...

Steelers' Brett Keisel Shaves Off NFL's Best Beard | ThePostGame (http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/style-points/201202/steelers-star-shaves-nfls-greatest-beard)

The pictures here are great - all 260+

Shear the Beard 2012 - 102.5 WDVE (http://www.dve.com/cc-common/gallery/photos.html?album_id=308666#/0/18680263)

Dan Rooney, Mike Tomlin, John Mitchell (DL coach), Heath Miller, Doug Legursky, Chris Hoke, and James Harrison all help. Not sure I'd want Harrison near my throat with scissors, but to each their own.

Also, Keisel's dad has his bear sheared as well.

[MacroGuru]

The pictures here are great - all 260+

Shear the Beard 2012 - 102.5 WDVE (http://www.dve.com/cc-common/gallery/photos.html?album_id=308666#/0/18680263)

Dan Rooney, Mike Tomlin, John Mitchell (DL coach), Heath Miller, Doug Legursky, Chris Hoke, and James Harrison all help. Not sure I'd want Harrison near my throat with scissors, but to each their own.

Also, Keisel's dad has his bear sheared as well.

Awesome! Yeah, Kiesel has become one of my favorite former BYU Cougars, probably second, Steve Young is #1

[BYU 14]

A symbolic gesture but still very cool of Tampa Bay and Sciano. Eric LeGrand has been such an inspiration to so many and it is great to see this

Buccaneers sign paralyzed Rutgers player Eric LeGrand – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs (http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/02/buccaneers-sign-paralyzed-rutgers-player-eric-legrand/?hpt=hp_c1)

Buccaneers sign paralyzed Rutgers player Eric LeGrand


[Updated at 1:14 p.m. ET] Eric LeGrand's football coach at Rutgers helped him emotionally in the months after his on-field paralysis. Now the coach is symbolically helping him realize his dream of making it to the NFL.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, now coached by ex-Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, announced Wednesday they've signed the former defensive tackle who was partially paralyzed in a 2010 game to their 90-man off-season roster.

Schiano, who joined the Buccaneers this year after more than a decade with Rutgers, offered the symbolic deal to his former player by phone on Tuesday, LeGrand told reporters in a conference call.

"I said, 'Are you serious? You want to use this on me?'" LeGrand said. "(Schiano) said, 'It's the least we can do.'"

"Honestly, it's amazing. It really is," he said.

LeGrand collided with an Army kick returner while making a tackle on October 16, 2010, injuring his spinal cord and leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. At the hospital, medical personnel told him he he'd be a quadriplegic and would need a respirator for the rest of his life.

But LeGrand progressed, breathing on his own after five weeks. He operates a wheelchair, and he's been able to stand upright with the help of a metal frame. With medical bills paid with donations to two foundations, including Rutgers' Eric LeGrand Believe Fund, he says his ultimate goal is to walk again. He told Sports Illustrated in November that he wanted to return to the spot on the field where he was injured, lie down, and get up and walk away.

He returned to the Rutgers field in his wheelchair twice: on October 29, leading his team onto the gridiron; and on November 19 for Senior Day festivities before the Scarlet Knights' win against Cincinnati.

LeGrand, who intends to graduate from Rutgers in the fall and hopes to pursue a career in football broadcasting, said Wednesday the signing is only honorary and no money is involved. The team is sending him a jersey with his No. 52 – expected to arrive at his New Jersey apartment this week – and he already has posted to Facebook a picture of him with a Buccaneers helmet.

Schiano said that heading into last week's NFL draft, he "couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class."

"This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit, and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men," Schiano said in a Buccaneers news release Wednesday.

LeGrand had hopes of making it to the NFL as a player. He had 60 tackles – 11 for a loss – 2.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in 31 games before his injury as a junior.

He's not sure whether the Buccaneers will have any non-playing role in mind for him. He says he appreciates the gesture from Schiano, who he says has been "like a father to me." The coach had talked to him almost weekly, and also keeps in touch with his family, LeGrand said.

"(Schiano had taught me that) when you're faced with adversity, to not back down. ... He helped me and my whole situation," LeGrand said.

And now, symbolically at least, he's following his coach to the pros.

[BYU 14]

And one more, kudos to Justin Verlander

Dream Come True: Local Girl Catches Verlander's Attention as Biggest Fan - Bloomfield-Bloomfield Hills, MI Patch (http://bloomfield-mi.patch.com/articles/dream-come-true-local-girl-catches-verlanders-attention-as-biggest-fan)

Dream Come True: Local Girl Catches Verlander's Attention as Biggest Fan

During a battle with cystic fibrosis and after losing her mom last year, 11-year-old Shayna Hersh and her class wrote letters to her hero and ended up on a surprise journey she couldn't imagine.

Eleven-year-old Shayna Hersh might give Justin Verlander a run for his money.

The Burton Elementary School fifth-grader from Berkley is the self-proclaimed biggest Detroit Tigers fan ever, goes by “Verlander” at school and is the only girl who plays baseball in the Berkley Dad’s Club baseball league.

In fact, Shayna got a black eye and bloody nose during her first practice this year and it didn’t slow her down at all, she said.

But this little baseball fan isn’t competing with the Detroit Tigers pitcher (though she dreams of being the first female pitcher in Major League Baseball) — she looks up to him.

That’s why when he gave her the surprise of a lifetime last weekend, she was stunned. This week, Shayna and her Burton classmates – her partners in getting Verlander's attention _ were still reveling in Shayna's dream-come-true.

"When he tapped me on the shoulder I thought it was my dad so I ignored him," Shayna said Tuesday, laughing, about meeting Verlander in the MLB Fan Cave in New York City on Saturday.

"I was really excited. All of the sudden I thought I was going to vomit. I got butterflies in my stomach!"

The making of a special fan

When Verlander was allowed to select one fan for a meeting at the Fan Cave for the Yankees game, he selected Shayna, according to her father, Joel Hersh.

Verlander, of Bloomfield Township, flew Shayna and her dad to Manhattan, put them in the Hilton for the weekend (where the Tigers stayed), invited them to the game at Yankee Stadium on Friday evening, spent an afternoon with Shayna at the Fan Cave and sent her away with a goody bag full of baseball memorabilia.

“Justin picked up all expenses,” Hersh explained. “The only request they had of me was to keep the trip secret — the most painful part!” (More later about the top-secret mission to get Shayna unknowingly to Yankee Stadium).

Hersh said he can testify to his daughter truly being the biggest Verlander fan around.

“Shayna’s bedroom is a shrine to Justin Verlander. She has news clipping of Justin on the wall, a stuffed Justin doll (which the Tigers weren’t aware existed), baseballs with autographs from various players, and the plethora of books she’s read on baseball,” he said.

And, she’s one remarkable, no-frills kind of girl.

“She’s a sweet girl, great student and a tough kid who’s been through a lot of tough life experiences,” her dad said.

With her smiling face and giggles talking about how much she loves baseball, you might not know how much adversity Shayna has faced – and overcome. Not only does she suffer from cystic fibrosis, but she just lost her 37-year-old mother in August.

It’s oftentimes that baseball is her relief now.

“Her mother went into the hospital the day after school let out for the summer and subsequently died a week before school started again in September,” Hersh explained. “Shayna and her siblings Mimi (one year younger) and Ari (two years younger than Shayna) spent the entire summer at Beaumont Hospital by their mother’s side while and watching Tiger baseball as a distraction from their reality.”

Verlander said on Monday that it was the first time he had the opportunity to reach out to a fan in that way, and it was an experience he’ll never be able to forget either.

"Here I am in a position where some people look up to me and to be able to kind of use that status and help lighten somebody's life, be an inspiration or whatever it may be, I don't try to think of those things. I just try to lead by example, be a good person and hopefully people feed off that,” he said.

“But to be able to go and see a girl like her and physically meet her and see the reaction it has on her, it means a lot. And that's really the first time I've done something like that. It was really, really cool."

After flying to New York and being able to watch Verlander pitch in person, Shayna didn’t think the experience could get any better. “I was really excited, that was the first time I saw him pitch in real life. I only saw it on TV before that,” she said.

That was until Verlander sneaked up behind her while she was doing an interview about her tour of the MLB Fan Cave, tapped her on the shoulder and invited her in for a big hug when she finally realized it was really him.

She was speechless and Verlander said her reaction was one of the most rewarding parts. "Her reaction, I didn't know what I was going to get. It was kind of like she was in shock. It was great,” he explained.

“I had a blast doing it because of her, really. The Fan Cave is neat and all but that wasn't why I was going. Spend some time with her. It was fun."

Shayna and Verlander hung out and even played some Skeeball on Saturday. In fact, that went down as one of Shayna’s best memories, because who wouldn’t love bragging rights from beating Justin Verlander in Skeeball, right?

“That was my favorite part, beating him,” Shayna recalled, giggling.

Catching a hero's attention

When it comes to Shayna’s homerun of a lifetime, it all started with good old-fashioned letter writing – lots and lots of letters to Verlander, his agent and anyone Shayna and her friends at school could think of.

“She'd been sending letters for awhile, but all of her classmates sent a letter, (too),” Verlander explained on Monday.

“Just kind of grabs your attention. You get 20-some letters from a class full of fifth-graders, it's pretty special. So I decided to surprise her and it worked out well.”

The campaign grew out of an assignment for Shayna and her classmates to write a letter to their hero. Shayna wrote hers to Verlander, of course, and when her peers found out, they decided to help her out.

Shayna's teacher, Helen Klassen, said her students are so caring about Shayna and what she’s gone through that they all came together to get Verlander’s attention so he’d consider meeting his biggest fan.

“They are young, but already have that community spirit,” Klassen said, adding that they never used her sickness or loss of her mother as a reason in the letters. “It was purely (her) passion as a fan.”

Since it was, after all, Shayna’s fifth-grade class that bolstered the letter-writing campaign to Verlander, it’s a story her classmates love to tell.

“It started because Shayna really wanted to meet Justin Verlander,” explained Jake Primak, who is in Shayna’s class.

“She’s really good at baseball, so Jason started calling her ‘Verlander,’” Gabe Berke chimed in.

“We even called Justin Verlander’s manager on my cell phone!” he added with a laugh. “She really deserves it.”

Jason Bormann, the one who began calling Shayna “Verlander,” explained that Shayna isn’t just the biggest fan he knows, but one amazing baseball player, too. Bormann explained that she knows his stats, about his family, what his houses are like and all kinds of things about him.

"I always tell her, when – not if – you become a professional pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, I'll be your bodyguard," he said with a big smile.

Klassen said the students’ excitement for Shayna – even though they can only watch her experience on TV and hear her share memories – shows how close-knit they are, especially because most of them have been in school together since kindergarten.

“It’s like a big family,” she said. “They really wanted to help her dreams come true. That was important to them.”

That’s why Klassen decided to use their experience as a class lesson, which students were eager to talk about once the weekend was over and they had seen Shayna all over the news.

(Shayna says her story went as far as Ghana on an international news station).

As part of a social studies lesson, Klassen’s fifth-grade class learned through the real-life civic duties presentation they had just helped to create. They were able to learn how their voices made a difference and what kind of impact they could have for someone else, Klassen explained.

An added bonus of the lesson was the one of friendship and support from her peers.

“She was certainly our star this weekend,” she said.

One tough secret

Certainly one of the most crucial and tricky parts of the entire experience was keeping it a secret from Shayna every step of the way, her dad explained.

Hersh said it began by having their au pair “accidently” wake Shayna up for school and the “mishaps” layered on from here.

“Shayna typically wakes up at 5:45 a.m. for school to give (her) time for breathing treatments and chest therapy,” he explained. Not only was he trying to keep the secret for Shayna, but he also feared word would get out if her siblings knew.

“I told them I couldn’t explain what was happening, but I was leaving with Shayna and we weren’t returning until Sunday evening. My son wanted to go discuss the issue with Shayna, but I turned him and Mimi around and told them they had to go to school now and they couldn’t re-enter the house.”

And that was only the beginning of trying to keep things mysterious.

By 9 a.m. Friday, Shayna realized she wasn’t going to school and thought she had it all figured out.

“I told her it was a surprise. She said, ‘I know, we’re going to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH,’ ” Hersh said.

He told her that he could “neither deny nor confirm her suspicions” — a phrase she’d hear a lot that day.

Though he couldn’t keep the airport a secret, Hersh made sure Shayna turned away at the ticket kiosk and he even pretended to sit at the gate for San Francisco until boarding time.

Because Shayna naturally had Tigers on the brain, she asked her dad multiple times if they could see the Tigers play in New York once they arrived, he explained. He simply told her that the Tigers had the night off and that their trip was about visiting family.

“I told her we were going to meet cousins she’s never met at their synagogue for a Sabbath dinner. I told her the name of the synagogue was ‘Bait shel Ruth,’ ” he explained.

Hersh ended up dodging all kinds of giveaways that could have cost Shayna the entire surprise, like when staying in the same hotel as the entire team.

“As we got out of the airport car, Delmon Young walked past us to a waiting car. Luckily, Shayna didn’t recognize him,” he said.

After evening breathing treatments, it was time to go for Shabbat dinner, during which Hersh had to distract her every time the subway passed a Yankee Stadium sign. Soon enough, the wait to surprise her was over.

“As we arrived at the gate (of Yankee Stadium), I asked her if she knew what ‘bait shell Ruth’ translated into. She said ‘House of Ruth’ and then gave me a goofy smile and said ‘Babe Ruth!’” Hersh said. “I told her there were no cousins, the Sabbath service was inside and Justin Verlander was ‘leading the services from the mound.’ She was extremely excited.”

Of course, the day only got better with seats next to Verlander’s management team and Tigers’ families (all of who still had to keep the secret that she’d be meeting him the next morning).

Saturday after her treatments, Shayna and her dad headed for a Fan Cave tour that resulted in the infamous moment of shock recorded on camera when Verlander tapped her on the shoulder and she froze. It’s one of her favorite parts, she explained, and certainly the funniest moment for her classmates to watch.

“Shayna nearly fainted when she saw it was Justin tapping her on her back,” Hersh said. “She was totally caught off guard.”

It’s an experience that Hersh says they’ll never forget. He said Shayna even made sure to bring back autographed memorabilia for her brother and sister — a moment that made him proud as a father and added to the whole unforgettable experience.

“I am very excited for Shayna and in Justin Verlander’s debt,” he said. “He made a little girl’s dreams come true.”

[jeff061]

Cystic Fibrosis is a bitch of a disease. I'm always surprised it doesn't get more press. A kid in my class died of it in eighth grade.

Though doing a quick search, it looks like lifespan has almost doubled since then. Which is both awesome and amazing.

[TLK]

Matthew Stafford comes up with a generous gift, times two

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 21, 2012, 8:51 AM EDT

AP
When Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was approached about donating an item to a fundraising auction for University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, he came through with a package of tickets and travel to the Lions’ Monday Night Football game in Chicago in October. Then Stafford went to the auction, bought the item himself for $15,000, and gave it to a young patient at the hospital named Faith Falzone.

The Detroit News reached out to Stafford afterward, and he said he has gotten to know the Falzone family and wanted to see them enjoy the experience.

“They have been through so much in the past couple years, and to see how much they all supported each other and faith through their tough times was really inspiring,” Stafford said in a text message. “I wanted to give them something they could really be excited about and something I know they deserved.”

Others who deserve credit for their generosity include ESPN’s Monday Night Football play-by-play man Mike Tirico, who threw in two additional tickets to the package Stafford donated, and former Michigan players Brian Griese, Steve Hutchinson and Charles Woodson, who were the organizers of the fundraiser. Woodson has given $2 million of his own money to the hospital, and the fundraising efforts of Griese, Hutchinson and Woodson have totaled nearly $6 million over the last six years.

We're pretty lucky to have Stafford and Verlander in Detroit right now. Both seem like class guys....

[DaddyTorgo]

Seriously. Geez.

[Logan]

He's not a big name but this hits close to home with me for a couple reasons:

Brian Leonard: Embrace Kids (5/18/12) (http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/Brian-Leonard-Embrace-Kids-51812/57654658-3f7e-41a3-822d-aa3846743ace)

[Grover]

San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Jacobs refills Joseph Armento's piggy bank - ESPN New York (http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8080528/san-francisco-49ers-brandon-jacobs-refills-joseph-armento-piggy-bank)

[DaddyTorgo]

Damnit - beat me to it Grover.

[Grover]

Chad Ochocinco or Johnson Makes Widow's Day | SportsGrid (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/chad-ochocinco-does-sweetest-thing-ever-makes-it-tough-for-you-to-hate-him/)

[DanGarion]

Chad Ochocinco or Johnson Makes Widow's Day | SportsGrid (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/chad-ochocinco-does-sweetest-thing-ever-makes-it-tough-for-you-to-hate-him/)

He really is just an all around great guy.

[BYU 14]

Just to tie togther the Eric LeGrand / Tampa Bay story. He officially retired today to relinquish his roster spot since the team is entering camp. I just can't say it enough, but I have so much respect and admiration for him and the way he has handled this tragedy and lives his life. And big kudos to Tampa Bay and Greg Schiano for making his dream come true. It may have been a symbolic gesture, but it was heartfelt and touching and shows that some people still can keep perspective when there is so much pressure to win in the NFL.

Paralyzed former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand retires as a Buccaneer | Yardbarker.com (http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/msn/paralyzed_former_rutgers_player_eric_legrand_retires_as_a_tampa_bay_buccaneer/11303122)

[JediKooter]

Just to tie togther the Eric LeGrand / Tampa Bay story. He officially retired today to relinquish his roster spot since the team is entering camp. I just can't say it enough, but I have so much respect and admiration for him and the way he has handled this tragedy and lives his life. And big kudos to Tampa Bay and Greg Schiano for making his dream come true. It may have been a symbolic gesture, but it was heartfelt and touching and shows that some people still can keep perspective when there is so much pressure to win in the NFL.

Paralyzed former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand retires as a Buccaneer | Yardbarker.com (http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/msn/paralyzed_former_rutgers_player_eric_legrand_retires_as_a_tampa_bay_buccaneer/11303122)

I love his statement about retiring. Awesome!

Hats off to him and the Tampa Bay organization.

[Logan]

Panthers’ Steve Smith pledges $100,000 to shooting victims | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/26/panthers-steve-smith-pledges-100000-to-shooting-victims/)

[Scoobz0202]

Panthers’ Steve Smith pledges $100,000 to shooting victims | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/26/panthers-steve-smith-pledges-100000-to-shooting-victims/)

:thumbsup: Nice job, Mr. Smith.

[BYU 14]

Panthers’ Steve Smith pledges $100,000 to shooting victims | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/26/panthers-steve-smith-pledges-100000-to-shooting-victims/)

Awesome, big props to Steve!!!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pittsburgh Steelers' LaMarr Woodley's $60K donation covers schools' athletic fees - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8276648/pittsburgh-steelers-lamarr-woodley-60k-donation-covers-schools-athletic-fees)

[DanGarion]

He really is just an all around great guy.

FUCK, did I say that?

[mauchow]

FUCK, did I say that?

I actually believe him when he says his psycho of a wife (with a history of abuse) head butted him.

[DanGarion]

FUCK, did I say that?

I actually believe him when he says his psycho of a wife (with a history of abuse) head butted him.
I want to as well.

[3ric]

Jon Kitna's greatest play: NFL QB to high-school math teacher | Seahawks | The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2018240060_kitna20.html)

I love this story.

[B & B]

good read.


Not shocking from Kitna tho.

[Atocep]

Jon Kitna's greatest play: NFL QB to high-school math teacher | Seahawks | The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2018240060_kitna20.html)

I love this story.

He also speaks at various youth sports camps in the area. Both he and Jamie Moyer do a hell of a lot for the communities here.

[finketr]

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins sees potential in Ugandan Little Leaguers - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7471544/philadelphia-phillies-shortstop-jimmy-rollins-sees-potential-ugandan-little-leaguers)

[DaddyTorgo]

I heard something at the gym about those Ugandan little leaguers - I thought it was just about the coolest story I'd heard in a while that they were over here playing in the LLWS.

Nice to see MLB players showing an interest too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

LPGA's Mozo fulfills special student's prom wish (http://www.foxsportssouth.com/story/LPGAs-Mozo-fulfills-special-students-pro?blockID=901887&feedID=4354)

[DanGarion]

LPGA's Mozo fulfills special student's prom wish (http://www.foxsportssouth.com/story/LPGAs-Mozo-fulfills-special-students-pro?blockID=901887&feedID=4354)

That's cool.

[DanGarion]

Dodgers pitcher Ryu playing catch with a kid in the stands before a game.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151443682395894&set=vb.180017765369008&type=2&theater

<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10151443682395894" width="568" height="320" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[MacroGuru]

Matt Kemp found out about this Dodgers fan suffering from Cancer and gave him the shirt off his back and more..

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WZUXTUrj4WM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DanGarion]

Matt Kemp found out about this Dodgers fan suffering from Cancer and gave him the shirt off his back and more..

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WZUXTUrj4WM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's awesome! I think I have something in my eyes.

[Matthean]

We've become friends with one of the players from the local minor league team and all my Mom got for Mother's Day was a signed ball from the team. :D

[BYU 14]

Matt Kemp found out about this Dodgers fan suffering from Cancer and gave him the shirt off his back and more..

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WZUXTUrj4WM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

Matt Kemp has a new fan here. What an awesome gesture!

[finketr]

Matt Kemp found out about this Dodgers fan suffering from Cancer and gave him the shirt off his back and more..

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WZUXTUrj4WM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I may have to give up my life long hate (tm, sportsguy) of all things Dodgers...

full disclosure: grew up a Reds fan.

[cthomer5000]

This was a few weeks back, and i'm sure Major League Soccer is off most people's radars:

Timbers Play Make-A-Wish Game, Kid With Cancer Scores Winning Goal (http://deadspin.com/timbers-play-make-a-wish-game-kid-with-cancer-scores-w-486460940)

The part that really makes it for me is 3,000 fans coming down in the middle of a day, and booing their own team while cheering on the kid's team.

Green Machine Tifo - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/embed/9T88VGFee84)

[BYU 14]

I never get tired of seeing things like this, props to the Rays

Military family reunited at Rays game (http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/fox-sports-networks/story/Military-family-reunited-at-Rays-game?blockID=903099&feedID=3720)

[MrBug708]

Durant donating 1 million to Oklahoma Tornado victims

[PilotMan]

Anyone else have the response to Matt Kemp's offer to donate $1,000 for every homerun he hits between now and the break a little on the small side? I mean, he has 2 now, so he should have at least 4 by the break. Especially since it's his hometown. What does he make? 7 mill per year?

[britrock88]

Anyone else have the response to Matt Kemp's offer to donate $1,000 for every homerun he hits between now and the break a little on the small side? I mean, he has 2 now, so he should have at least 4 by the break. Especially since it's his hometown. What does he make? 7 mill per year?

He was the league leader in HRs in '11, no? Maybe he's trying to motivate himself to find his power again.

[Logan]

Apparently he's now pledged another $250K on top of the HR donations.

Not that I'd normally be critical of how someone spends with charity, but even if I weren't, I'd cut him some slack on it anyway. He may not have thought it all the way through, just thinking saying "I'll give money per HR" is a good thing to do and also builds publicity for donations from others.

[MacroGuru]

to keep up with the Matt Kemp theme, he flew in the fan he gave all the gear to in the video for a game in LA.

Matt Kemp flies terminally ill fan Joshua Jones to L.A., introduces him to his famous pals | Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/matt-kemp-flies-terminally-ill-fan-joshua-jones-172606621.html)

[Butter]

Joey Votto Brought a Fan With Terminal Cancer to the Homer Bailey No Hitter Game Two Days Before He Passed Away | The Big Lead (http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2013/07/09/joey-votto-brought-a-fan-with-terminal-cancer-to-the-homer-bailey-no-hitter-game-two-days-before-he-passed-away/)

[Honolulu_Blue]

QB's piano talent a memorable gift for 11-year-old cancer patient - CBSSports (http://www.cbssports.com/general/blog/gregg-doyel/22886326/modest-qbs-piano-talent-a-memorable-gift-for-11-year-old-cancer-patient)

[Thomkal]

wow that should be required reading and watching for every freshman athlete coming to school this fall

[Kodos]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yeah, I found that story pretty incredible on two levels really. First, it's particularly moving when a celebrity/athlete humbly does something special for a community entirely out of the goodness of his or her heart - and not for PR value. Second, the Target House in Memphis was very special to our family two years ago when my nephew was going through treatments. Knowing the place, what it does for people and what the people, the kids in paricular, are going through there really hits home.

[BYU 14]

wow that should be required reading and watching for every freshman athlete coming to school this fall

My players will be watching this in our first meeting on August 5th.

[frnk55]

I keep on hearing good things about Matt Kemp. That's really cool even though I can't stand the Dodgers. :p
I also love that he said Braun should give back the MVP trophy which he deserves! Kemp deserves that is.

[Thomkal]

My players will be watching this in our first meeting on August 5th.

good man

[HomerSimpson98]

Excellent article and thanks for sharing. I have a new college QB to root for

[PilotMan]

I just saw this from yesterday. RIP.

Teenager befriended by LA Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp loses battle with brain cancer | MLB.com: News (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=56345344&partnerId=as_lad_20130808_10618884&ymd=20130808)

Joshua Jones, the terminally ill Dodgers fan befriended by Matt Kemp earlier this season, has passed away. He was 19.

Laelah Quintor, Jones' aunt, told Yahoo! that Jones' health had worsened over the past few weeks, but she said the moments he spent with Kemp and his Dodgers teammates "definitely made a difference for Joshua." Jones had been battling brain cancer.

Kemp presented Jones with an autographed baseball along with his jersey, hat and spikes on May 5 after a game in San Francisco. The interaction was recorded and went viral online, although Kemp said at the time he didn't even know he was being filmed.

Third-base coach Tim Wallach first told Kemp about Jones, hoping it would be a way for Jones to at least take home a baseball, and Kemp decided to go meet Jones that day at AT&T Park.

Kemp later flew Jones from Oakland to a Dodgers game in Los Angeles, where Jones got to meet some of the All-Star outfielder's teammates, including Clayton Kershaw, who gave Jones a signed bat. Jones also met with Angels outfielder Mike Trout, shaking his hand and taking pictures on the field.

Kemp said his initial gesture was "something I felt that I needed to do, and I'm glad I got to do that. Hopefully, that made the kid's day."

[Logan]

This is pretty cool.

http://www.doorcountydailynews.com/sports/details.cfm?id=92690#.UjGyjT-DmCi

Luxemburg-Casco 7th and 8th graders felt more pressure maybe than ever before yesterday during their middle school football game. Two very special fans were in the crowd watching the game against Howard Suamico.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and kicker Mason Crosby were enjoying their off day by taking in the middle school game. Reports from L-C community members indicated that Rodgers’ neighbor plays on the 8th grade Howard Suamico team and he was there to support him.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Nothing on a grand scale, but pretty cool anyways.

My son is playing his first year of mite level hockey. Two weeks ago, Friday night practice, kids get on the ice at 6:00. Coaches come out a couple minutes later, with Craig Adams right behind them. Craig Adams is, but professional athlete standards, unknown. 4th liner, bounced around the league with a few teams. But still pretty awesome he showed up at a practice to help out.

Last week, he's back, with Chris Kunitz with him.

The funniest part is, even when the kids realize who they are...they don't care. They just want to play. Meanwhile the dad's are all trying to get pictures of their kid on the ice with these guys.

The real telling part to me, neither week was there anyone taking pics or video, or even a PR person following them around. While I am sure the Penguins are aware, this is a totally organic thing, these guys just like getting on the ice and helping out.

[Wolfpack]

Nothing on a grand scale, but pretty cool anyways.

My son is playing his first year of mite level hockey. Two weeks ago, Friday night practice, kids get on the ice at 6:00. Coaches come out a couple minutes later, with Craig Adams right behind them. Craig Adams is, but professional athlete standards, unknown. 4th liner, bounced around the league with a few teams. But still pretty awesome he showed up at a practice to help out.

Last week, he's back, with Chris Kunitz with him.

The funniest part is, even when the kids realize who they are...they don't care. They just want to play. Meanwhile the dad's are all trying to get pictures of their kid on the ice with these guys.

The real telling part to me, neither week was there anyone taking pics or video, or even a PR person following them around. While I am sure the Penguins are aware, this is a totally organic thing, these guys just like getting on the ice and helping out.

Craig's not unknown to me. Part of the "Adams Family" 4th line with Kevyn Adams back in 2006 when the Canes won the Cup. :D

[miami_fan]

Big ups to the Sixers!

Kevin Grow signs two-day deal with Philadelphia 76ers - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10473641/kevin-grow-signs-two-day-deal-philadelphia-76ers)

Kevin Grow, a high school senior with Down syndrome who lives in the Philadelphia area, has been signed by the Philadelphia 76ers to a ceremonial two-day contract.

Grow scored 14 points including three 3-pointers and a buzzer beater over the final two games of the varsity season after Bensalem High School coaches put him, the team's four-year manager, in the lineup.

As a two-day member of the Sixers, Grow will get a custom jersey and participate in pregame activities prior to the team's home game Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Grow will stand with the team during the national anthem and his Bensalem teammates will join him in a special presentation prior to the 7 p.m. ET tip-off.

[DaddyTorgo]

Well done Sixers.

[DaddyTorgo]

Kevin Durant & a camera-man's accident

Good Guy Kevin Durant: Sees you slip and fall. Stops what he's doing & takes you for X-Rays (true story) : nba (http://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1z3d1t/good_guy_kevin_durant_sees_you_slip_and_fall/)

[BYU 14]

A high school athlete, but this is well worthy of mention

HS wrestler loses state title match, embraces opponent's sick father | FOX Sports on MSN (http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/hs-wrestler-loses-state-title-match-embraces-opponent-s-sick-father-031014)

[DaddyTorgo]

Cristiano Ronaldo Offers to Pay for the Surgery of a Child With Cortical Dysplasia | beIN Sports - News | beIN SPORTS US (http://www.beinsports.tv/news/article/2xzakwtb5xyj13sccaekpby6l/title/cristiano-ronaldo-offered-to-pay-for-child-surgery)

[Logan]

Awesome.

[DaddyTorgo]

I like the note in the article too about how he's done plenty of other things over the years that just haven't been publicized.

Refreshing to see.

[Grover]

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson gives Steve Gleason $5M for ALS help - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10851862/new-orleans-saints-owner-tom-benson-gives-steve-gleason-5m-als-help)

This story is filled with so much awesome.

[Young Drachma]

The Milwaukee Bucks&#x27; Ekpe Udoh wanted to make his book club cry - SBNation.com (http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/6/8/5790624/ekpe-udoh-book-club-fault-in-our-stars)

Bucks player has his own book club. Sponsored a screening of a movie they'd all the read the book for beforehand. Pretty cool.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Golfer DQs himself from Open to clear conscience | www.ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/north-carolina/golfer-dqs-himself-from-open-to-clear-conscience/ngJsC/)

[DaddyTorgo]

cross-posted to Soccer Thread.

Good on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Soccer team for mild mental retardation qualified for the World Cup in Brazil but could not finance the trip. Then the team got unexpected help.

Assistant coach Stefan Jonsson got in touch with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, asked for a shirt to auction off - and received 350 000 SEK.

- He said, "What the hell are you going with a sweater? What does it cost to go? "When we said that we need to SEK 350 000. He asked for the account number and deposited it says Stefan Jonsson helahalsingland.se.

http://www.dn.se/sport/fotboll/ibrahimovic-betalade-landslagsresa/

[Landshark44]

Clint Dempsey Trades Jersey To Child For Popcorn - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=webNnrDrXzk)

[Danny]

Wow I read that as something else initially

[Logan]

How about an organization?

Cincinnati Bengals Re-Sign Devon Still to Help Pay for Daughter's Cancer Treatment - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/cincinnati-bengals-sign-devon-pay-daughters-cancer-treatment/story?id=25244680)

[DaddyTorgo]

How about an organization?

Cincinnati Bengals Re-Sign Devon Still to Help Pay for Daughter's Cancer Treatment - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/cincinnati-bengals-sign-devon-pay-daughters-cancer-treatment/story?id=25244680)

WTF? The Bungles do something good for one of their players?

KUDOS!!

[MacroGuru]

Aaron Rogers helping a sister of a brother who passed from cancer. Pediatric Cancer awareness.

Aaron Rodgers goes door-to-door to spread the word for a good cause - SportsNation - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/id/11570684/aaron-rodgers-goes-door-door-spread-word-good-cause)

[Thomkal]

Classy move by the Padres:

Padres sign wheelchair-using pitcher for 20th straight season - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25142002/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher-for-20th-straight-season?FTAG=YHF7e3228e)

[Dutch]

Nothing Earth shattering monetarily, but I think in this case, it's the thought that counts and makes this worthy.

Bucs' Gholston repays a favor, with interest | Tampa Bay Times (http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/bucs-gholston-repays-a-favor-with-interest/2225333)

[Atocep]

Great story about Randy Moss keeping a promise.

Ex-Vikings star Randy Moss shows up at Pelican Rapids graduation | INFORUM (http://www.inforum.com/sports/3751229-ex-vikings-star-randy-moss-shows-pelican-rapids-graduation)

[BillJasper]

Classy move by the Padres:

Padres sign wheelchair-using pitcher for 20th straight season - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25142002/padres-sign-wheelchair-bound-pitcher-for-20th-straight-season?FTAG=YHF7e3228e)

Somehow I missed this. But it is awesome. Hats off to the Padres.

[Eaglesfan27]

Great story about Randy Moss keeping a promise.

Ex-Vikings star Randy Moss shows up at Pelican Rapids graduation | INFORUM (http://www.inforum.com/sports/3751229-ex-vikings-star-randy-moss-shows-pelican-rapids-graduation)

Awesome. Brought a tear to my eye.

[miami_fan]

Great story about Randy Moss keeping a promise.

Ex-Vikings star Randy Moss shows up at Pelican Rapids graduation | INFORUM (http://www.inforum.com/sports/3751229-ex-vikings-star-randy-moss-shows-pelican-rapids-graduation)

Outstanding story! Really wish I had heard more about this relationship during his playing career.

[Kodos]

Classy move by Moss.

[BYU 14]

Kudos to Chris Long and William Hayes and the difference it ended up making for two people, who took advantage of break and are working to help themselves.

And a general fuck you to some of the asshats in the comments under the story who just can't wait to find a way to turn anything positive into a negative!

Rams DEs Go Undercover as Homeless (http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/rams-des-go-undercover-as-homeless/ar-BBksA1S)

[miami_fan]

LeBron James and U of Akron to give 4-year scholarships to qualifying students | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/lebron-james-and-u-of-akron-to-give-4-year-scholarships-to-qualifying-students-015916347.html)

Just heard this on Mike and Mike.

[Butter]

This sounds like a potential Scott's Tots situation. I'm intrigued.

[AlexB]

In an Australian Rugby exhibition game, a young lad got lost, and probably ended up having the best night of his life!

Four year rugby star (http://youtu.be/8ssgg4JL53E)

[Dutch]

I like it. :)

[Kodos]

Peyton Manning flies fan dying of cancer to game after getting her letter - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25304418/peyton-manning-answers-dying-cancer-patients-letter-by-flying-her-to-game)

[Dutch]

I like it. :)

[dacman]

How Drew Brees helped me and a friend get through war and heartache - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/09/10/how-drew-brees-helped-a-marine-and-his-friend-get-through-war-and-heartache/)

[Dr. Sak]

Subban donating $10M to Montreal Hospital - Article - TSN (http://www.tsn.ca/subban-donating-10m-to-montreal-hospital-1.361204)

[Dutch]

No thread for amateur athletes...but this deserves a shout-out.

Mississippi softball team to forfeit state tournament to attend classmate’s funeral | USA Today High School Sports | USA Today High School Sports (http://usatodayhss.com/2015/copiah-academy-softball-states-funeral-jay-holloway)

[Groundhog]

Josh Childress has been playing basketball for my hometown team the last 2 seasons and has done a lot of great things, especially with the Sudanese refugee community here, but I really enjoyed this story about him flying out his brother's high school basketball team over to Australia to show them there's a life outside of the rough neighborhood they are from in LA. He brought them to the game tonight:

No Cookies | Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/josh-childresss-incredible-journey-from-compton-to-the-sydney-kings/story-fni2u9cl-1227564026165?sv=5b00fe513d40dd5dc4e8d1650a4d6f82)

[timmae]

Josh Childress has been playing basketball for my hometown team the last 2 seasons and has done a lot of great things, especially with the Sudanese refugee community here, but I really enjoyed this story about him flying out his brother's high school basketball team over to Australia to show them there's a life outside of the rough neighborhood they are from in LA. He brought them to the game tonight:

No Cookies | Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/josh-childresss-incredible-journey-from-compton-to-the-sydney-kings/story-fni2u9cl-1227564026165?sv=5b00fe513d40dd5dc4e8d1650a4d6f82)

Awesome story, thanks for posting!

[Ben E Lou]

Big Shaq is at it again.

Shaq visits Gainesville to play ball with kids (http://www.news4jax.com/positively-jax/shaq-visits-gainesville-to-play-ball-with-kids)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Pulled hard for this kid to recover,I'll just keep on pulling for him in his new venue

Former South Carolina Gamecocks RB Marcus Lattimore finds new life, happiness after knee injuries (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/15528475/former-south-carolina-gamecocks-rb-marcus-lattimore-finds-new-life-happiness-knee-injuries)

[bhlloy]

Kudos to Charles Johnson, and just a cool and heartwarming story all around: A 10-year-old gets the birthday of a lifetime after no one says they're coming. (http://www.upworthy.com/a-10-year-old-gets-the-birthday-of-a-lifetime-after-no-one-says-theyre-coming?c=ufb1)

[muns]

If this is true, that's a hell of a thing.

[nol]

If this is true, that's a hell of a thing.

He did that a long time ago.

[Suicane75]

Yeah Muns, you dummy.

[Julio Riddols]

LeBron James is bizarro Michael Scott?

[muns]

Yeah Muns, you dummy.

lol, I know, my bad, tried to share something good....

[Dutch]

If it makes you feel better, I didn't know that. :)

[miami_fan]

Not a professional, but this young man deserves some shine.

University of Florida linebacker Cristian Garcia helps stop sexual assault behind Gainesville bar (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/17126912/university-florida-linebacker-cristian-garcia-helps-stop-sexual-assault-gainesville-bar)

[Atocep]

Florida State Seminoles WR Travis Rudolph makes 'fans for life' by eating lunch with autistic child (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17432361/florida-state-seminoles-wr-travis-rudolph-makes-fans-life-eating-lunch-autistic-child)

[booradley]

Florida State Seminoles WR Travis Rudolph makes 'fans for life' by eating lunch with autistic child (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17432361/florida-state-seminoles-wr-travis-rudolph-makes-fans-life-eating-lunch-autistic-child)

Good job Travis. I wish the school could find a way for the kid to never have to eat alone.

[Ben E Lou]

Prayers for Lauren Holiday. Kudos to Jrue Holiday and to the Pelicans organization.

So many money quotes in the article that it feels wrong to single out just one or two. Read it. You won't regret it.

Jrue Holiday to miss start of season as pregnant wife Lauren Holiday faces brain surgery | NOLA.com (http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/09/jrue_holiday_asks_for_prayers.html)

[CU Tiger]

For several years my wife and I headed up the local relay for life chapter. Every year we were tasked with various ways to bring people out. One that we found that consistently worked was getting a couple players from the University of South Carolina and from Clemson to come out. Sign autographs. Meet kids. One year we staged a tug-o-war between the two schools. Etc.

Both schools were accommodating every time I asked. Either sending players or coaches or the Mascot etc. We frequently got scrubs or freshmen who hadn't played yet. And they frequently acted like they were too good to be there despite us doing everything we could within NCAA guidelines to make it worthwhile for them.

One year in particular stands out. The players were supposed to be there by 10AM and usually made it by noon. At 8:30 that morning I got a call from a 770 area code. A young very sheepish man told me he and his teammate were there and wanted to know where they could help.

It was chaos. We were running around setting everything up and were behind like usual directing volunteers to set up chairs, or hang banners etc. And now I had to deal with 2 prima donna athletes who were early and probably wondering where the A/C was. GRRR.

Hang tight a few minutes please and I'll come up and meet y'all. Sorry I wasn't expecting you quite yet.

The soft spoken voice said "My mom used to help with Relay for Life back home and I know its a lot of set up. Me and Tra left early this morning so we could help. Just let me know where and how."

Ok this was refreshing. I went up and met the 2 Clemson freshmen. One was a short pudgy OL Tra Thomas and he and I connected pretty easily. You dont find many 6'0" OL and we both fit the bill. We got them directed setting up some 100 chairs for locals to watch the high school chorus team perform and they not only did it. They laughed and smiled and made a game out of who could set a row up the quickest. My kids 6 and 9 at the time were rambling around and the players both showed them attention with the other player, whom I had originally spoken to on the phone, taking right up with my 6 year old daughter. Riding her piggy back while he stacked chairs. Playing football with my son and letting him tackle him to the ground. He and my kids belted out a badly out of tune rendition of "Big Green Tractor" a country/pop hit of the day. Quite the site seeing a 6'3" black dude with corn rows seeing a country song and knowing every word! I remember being disappointed that this huge TE who even as a freshman looked chiseled and ripped had the hand shake of 86 year old grandma. But his personality was electric and everyone there loved him.

Set up complete the day went off without a hitch and the these two young dudes were great representatives of their school and their team. They posed for pictures in their jerseys. They held up housewives in their arms for photos. And they did it all with a smile. 5pm came and it was time for the players to be relieved of their appearance. Tra walked up the hill from our High School ball field to the car. The Young TE approached me and asked if it would be ok if they stayed for another hour. We had hired a Gospel Band out of Atlanta to play that night and this young man from Addairsville, GA remembered when they played at his church. He said they had an amazing lead vocalist and he wanted to hear them again. He'd be glad to pay admission if needed(the $10 gate fee to get into the event got you access to the entire activity concert included) but he had donated the full $50 they were given for a meal stipend to the Relay fund raiser raffle and given all the tickets to some of the little kids there.

Of course he was welcome to stay and he didn't need to pay admission. He thanked me and seemed genuinely grateful for such trivial token gesture. He stayed throughout the concert, helped the band carry their PA equipment to their van. then hung out and helped us clean everything up until after 1am. Refusing to leave despite the 2 hour drive home and the late hour. He said "Tra been up there sleeping he can drive us back"

That night I remember well telling my wife. That dude will never make it playing football. He is too soft and that limp fish handshake is embarrassing for a dude his size. But whatever he sets his mind to, he will be a success. That personality is infectious.

Well I had buried that story way back in my mind until i read this article earlier and that limp fish handshake and that love of country music suddenly brought me back and made me smile.

By the way that Fr TE changed positions that summer and moved to DE. While the limp fish handshake, apparently, remains I'd say the football thing worked out better than I ever expected. Good job, Vic.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/so-much-darkness-so-much-light/?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

[nol]

lol, I know, my bad, tried to share something good....

LeBron James is bizarro Michael Scott?

If it makes you feel better, I didn't know that. :)

Yeah Muns, you dummy.

I mean, it was literally posted on the same page 10 posts prior (even with the same Michael Scott reference), but it was interesting insight that so many people were able to overlook it until James had won a championship in Cleveland.

[digamma]

Non-traditional entry here, but this "letter" from Charles Tillman to Calvin Johnson is pretty classy, and speaks well of both.

Charles Tillman writes to Calvin Johnson (http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/videos/Charles-Tillman-writes-to-Calvin-Johnson/482bc6e7-1aaa-46b6-9039-7935301275d9)

[BYU 14]

Non-traditional entry here, but this "letter" from Charles Tillman to Calvin Johnson is pretty classy, and speaks well of both.

Charles Tillman writes to Calvin Johnson (http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/videos/Charles-Tillman-writes-to-Calvin-Johnson/482bc6e7-1aaa-46b6-9039-7935301275d9)

Good stuff

[JonInMiddleGA]

Also not a professional story, but I don't see a thread for the amateur athletes & good things.

You don't see a lot of 150 pound linebackers anywhere these days, but this young man from my son's alma mater is a whole lot bigger than just his size & a whole lot more than just a high school linebacker.

Athens Academy player stands out in devotion for disabled sister and others with special needs | Online Athens (http://onlineathens.com/prep/2016-11-01/athens-academy-player-stands-out-devotion-disabled-sister-and-others-special-needs)

[Chief Rum]

For several years my wife and I headed up the local relay for life chapter. Every year we were tasked with various ways to bring people out. One that we found that consistently worked was getting a couple players from the University of South Carolina and from Clemson to come out. Sign autographs. Meet kids. One year we staged a tug-o-war between the two schools. Etc.

Both schools were accommodating every time I asked. Either sending players or coaches or the Mascot etc. We frequently got scrubs or freshmen who hadn't played yet. And they frequently acted like they were too good to be there despite us doing everything we could within NCAA guidelines to make it worthwhile for them.

One year in particular stands out. The players were supposed to be there by 10AM and usually made it by noon. At 8:30 that morning I got a call from a 770 area code. A young very sheepish man told me he and his teammate were there and wanted to know where they could help.

It was chaos. We were running around setting everything up and were behind like usual directing volunteers to set up chairs, or hang banners etc. And now I had to deal with 2 prima donna athletes who were early and probably wondering where the A/C was. GRRR.

Hang tight a few minutes please and I'll come up and meet y'all. Sorry I wasn't expecting you quite yet.

The soft spoken voice said "My mom used to help with Relay for Life back home and I know its a lot of set up. Me and Tra left early this morning so we could help. Just let me know where and how."

Ok this was refreshing. I went up and met the 2 Clemson freshmen. One was a short pudgy OL Tra Thomas and he and I connected pretty easily. You dont find many 6'0" OL and we both fit the bill. We got them directed setting up some 100 chairs for locals to watch the high school chorus team perform and they not only did it. They laughed and smiled and made a game out of who could set a row up the quickest. My kids 6 and 9 at the time were rambling around and the players both showed them attention with the other player, whom I had originally spoken to on the phone, taking right up with my 6 year old daughter. Riding her piggy back while he stacked chairs. Playing football with my son and letting him tackle him to the ground. He and my kids belted out a badly out of tune rendition of "Big Green Tractor" a country/pop hit of the day. Quite the site seeing a 6'3" black dude with corn rows seeing a country song and knowing every word! I remember being disappointed that this huge TE who even as a freshman looked chiseled and ripped had the hand shake of 86 year old grandma. But his personality was electric and everyone there loved him.

Set up complete the day went off without a hitch and the these two young dudes were great representatives of their school and their team. They posed for pictures in their jerseys. They held up housewives in their arms for photos. And they did it all with a smile. 5pm came and it was time for the players to be relieved of their appearance. Tra walked up the hill from our High School ball field to the car. The Young TE approached me and asked if it would be ok if they stayed for another hour. We had hired a Gospel Band out of Atlanta to play that night and this young man from Addairsville, GA remembered when they played at his church. He said they had an amazing lead vocalist and he wanted to hear them again. He'd be glad to pay admission if needed(the $10 gate fee to get into the event got you access to the entire activity concert included) but he had donated the full $50 they were given for a meal stipend to the Relay fund raiser raffle and given all the tickets to some of the little kids there.

Of course he was welcome to stay and he didn't need to pay admission. He thanked me and seemed genuinely grateful for such trivial token gesture. He stayed throughout the concert, helped the band carry their PA equipment to their van. then hung out and helped us clean everything up until after 1am. Refusing to leave despite the 2 hour drive home and the late hour. He said "Tra been up there sleeping he can drive us back"

That night I remember well telling my wife. That dude will never make it playing football. He is too soft and that limp fish handshake is embarrassing for a dude his size. But whatever he sets his mind to, he will be a success. That personality is infectious.

Well I had buried that story way back in my mind until i read this article earlier and that limp fish handshake and that love of country music suddenly brought me back and made me smile.

By the way that Fr TE changed positions that summer and moved to DE. While the limp fish handshake, apparently, remains I'd say the football thing worked out better than I ever expected. Good job, Vic.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/so-much-darkness-so-much-light/?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Way long time coming (I have never read this thread before), but this is a great story. Thanks for sharing, CU.

[BYU 14]

For several years my wife and I headed up the local relay for life chapter. Every year we were tasked with various ways to bring people out. One that we found that consistently worked was getting a couple players from the University of South Carolina and from Clemson to come out. Sign autographs. Meet kids. One year we staged a tug-o-war between the two schools. Etc.

Both schools were accommodating every time I asked. Either sending players or coaches or the Mascot etc. We frequently got scrubs or freshmen who hadn't played yet. And they frequently acted like they were too good to be there despite us doing everything we could within NCAA guidelines to make it worthwhile for them.

One year in particular stands out. The players were supposed to be there by 10AM and usually made it by noon. At 8:30 that morning I got a call from a 770 area code. A young very sheepish man told me he and his teammate were there and wanted to know where they could help.

It was chaos. We were running around setting everything up and were behind like usual directing volunteers to set up chairs, or hang banners etc. And now I had to deal with 2 prima donna athletes who were early and probably wondering where the A/C was. GRRR.

Hang tight a few minutes please and I'll come up and meet y'all. Sorry I wasn't expecting you quite yet.

The soft spoken voice said "My mom used to help with Relay for Life back home and I know its a lot of set up. Me and Tra left early this morning so we could help. Just let me know where and how."

Ok this was refreshing. I went up and met the 2 Clemson freshmen. One was a short pudgy OL Tra Thomas and he and I connected pretty easily. You dont find many 6'0" OL and we both fit the bill. We got them directed setting up some 100 chairs for locals to watch the high school chorus team perform and they not only did it. They laughed and smiled and made a game out of who could set a row up the quickest. My kids 6 and 9 at the time were rambling around and the players both showed them attention with the other player, whom I had originally spoken to on the phone, taking right up with my 6 year old daughter. Riding her piggy back while he stacked chairs. Playing football with my son and letting him tackle him to the ground. He and my kids belted out a badly out of tune rendition of "Big Green Tractor" a country/pop hit of the day. Quite the site seeing a 6'3" black dude with corn rows seeing a country song and knowing every word! I remember being disappointed that this huge TE who even as a freshman looked chiseled and ripped had the hand shake of 86 year old grandma. But his personality was electric and everyone there loved him.

Set up complete the day went off without a hitch and the these two young dudes were great representatives of their school and their team. They posed for pictures in their jerseys. They held up housewives in their arms for photos. And they did it all with a smile. 5pm came and it was time for the players to be relieved of their appearance. Tra walked up the hill from our High School ball field to the car. The Young TE approached me and asked if it would be ok if they stayed for another hour. We had hired a Gospel Band out of Atlanta to play that night and this young man from Addairsville, GA remembered when they played at his church. He said they had an amazing lead vocalist and he wanted to hear them again. He'd be glad to pay admission if needed(the $10 gate fee to get into the event got you access to the entire activity concert included) but he had donated the full $50 they were given for a meal stipend to the Relay fund raiser raffle and given all the tickets to some of the little kids there.

Of course he was welcome to stay and he didn't need to pay admission. He thanked me and seemed genuinely grateful for such trivial token gesture. He stayed throughout the concert, helped the band carry their PA equipment to their van. then hung out and helped us clean everything up until after 1am. Refusing to leave despite the 2 hour drive home and the late hour. He said "Tra been up there sleeping he can drive us back"

That night I remember well telling my wife. That dude will never make it playing football. He is too soft and that limp fish handshake is embarrassing for a dude his size. But whatever he sets his mind to, he will be a success. That personality is infectious.

Well I had buried that story way back in my mind until i read this article earlier and that limp fish handshake and that love of country music suddenly brought me back and made me smile.

By the way that Fr TE changed positions that summer and moved to DE. While the limp fish handshake, apparently, remains I'd say the football thing worked out better than I ever expected. Good job, Vic.

http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/so-much-darkness-so-much-light/?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

Don't know how I missed this the first time, but wow, what a great story! Thanks for sharing!!

[CU Tiger]

Not a pro (yet)...but wasnt sure where better to post this.

I hope everyone will read it about a special young man.

The moment that changed Clemson Tigers defensive end Christian Wilkins' life (http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18164609/the-moment-changed-clemson-tigers-defensive-end-christian-wilkins-life)

[CarterNMA]

Von Miller gives the entire AFC West a bottle of wine

Von Miller gives the entire AFC West a bottle of wine | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/12/02/von-miller-gives-the-entire-afc-west-a-bottle-of-wine/)

[PilotMan]

Not Professional Athletes per se, but....an owner???

Very cool and the ultimate give back to the city.

Jazz Owner Creates Legacy Trust In Effort To Secure Team's Future In Utah (http://deadspin.com/jazz-owner-creates-legacy-trust-in-effort-to-secure-tea-1791544866)

[Critch]

Bradley Lowery falls asleep cuddling Jermain Defoe after terminally ill Sunderland fan gets visit from heroes (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-4208906/Bradley-Lowery-falls-asleep-cuddling-Jermain-Defoe.html)

English soccer player this time. The first picture is a bit of a tearjerker.

[MizzouRah]

Bradley Lowery falls asleep cuddling Jermain Defoe after terminally ill Sunderland fan gets visit from heroes (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-4208906/Bradley-Lowery-falls-asleep-cuddling-Jermain-Defoe.html)

English soccer player this time. The first picture is a bit of a tearjerker.

Tearjerker indeed.. :(

[miami_fan]

NBA Stars and Celebs Raise $500K for Sager Strong Foundation at All-Star Game | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2693778-star-shooters-and-celebs-raise-500k-for-sager-strong-foundation?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial)

[Umbrella]

Great story about Vladimir Tarasenko of the Blues.

Tarasenko surprises 11-year-old on her birthday | NHL.com (https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/tarasenko-surprises-11-year-old-on-her-birthday/c-286968770)

[CrescentMoonie]

Hockey Players Aren't Tough (https://www.theplayerstribune.com/anders-lee-hockey-players-arent-tough/)

[AlexB]

Sunderland footballer Duncan Watmore in boat rescue - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-39443586)

[DanGarion]

Well that was pretty.

[Ben E Lou]

Bad post removed

[stevew]

Anyways I was trying to link to a story about Telvn Smith of the Jags blasting fellow NFL players for running day camps at a charge when all the resources are out there to do it for free for the kids.


He had a pretty refreshing take on the matter .

Jags LB Telvin Smith: Players who charge for youth camps are forgetting roots (http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19152820/players-charge-youth-camps-forgetting-roots)

"I keep saying robbing these kids because I feel that's what we're doing," Smith told ESPN. "We're in the NFL. We're in a multibillion corporation. You can write that off on your taxes, but you're charging these kids? There's no part of it that's right.

"Your heart's not in the right direction when you're doing that."

Smith wanted to be clear that he wasn't calling out any player in particular and that he wanted to make sure people understood he isn't talking about the multiday or overnight intense instructional camps. Camps such as those, which require the campers to be housed and fed, can cost close to nearly $1,000 per camper. Specialty companies run many of those types of camps, which bear the names of the sponsoring players.

Smith said he's talking about the camps that usually last three to four hours, where it's more about the experience of meeting an NFL player than learning football skills. Those camps should be free, Smith said, and there are ways to defray the cost. NFL players can apply for $1,000-$4,000 grants from the National Football League Foundation to help fund their camps. In addition, players are able to secure sponsors to help cover costs, such as local restaurants to provide lunches and drinks.

Smith said he did that last year for his first camp in his hometown of Valdosta, Georgia, in which he said he had more than 500 kids show up. He's finalizing details for this year's camp to be held in mid-June.

"Guys can reach out to the community and they'll donate food, they'll donate money, they'll donate water," Smith said. "We had so many things donated we had so much left over.

"... That's how I know it can be done. I had to buy extra shirts. But I'm willing to do that because we're buying these designer clothes and cars and jewelry and then you can't give $600 or $2,000 extra out of your pocket to make sure a couple extra kids come to your camp? I'm going to make sure I've got that."

[JonInMiddleGA]

I don't quite know where else to put this so I'll go with thread where I mentioned it originally.

We've just learned in the past couple of hours that the young man from this article I shared last year is fighting for his life tonight, and the prognosis is very bad. Details are still sketchy but apparently some sort of accident while longboarding earlier today.

For those who are so inclined, prayers for him and his family would be most appreciated.


Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - The Thread We Talk About Professional Athletes That Do Good Things. (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=3126803&postcount=131)

[JonInMiddleGA]

The family's official statement issued a couple of hours ago :(

Dear Friends,
Our beloved Drew passed away today, June 5, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. Although we all prayed for a miracle, we remembered that having Drew in our lives was the miracle. We will always be grateful for your thoughts, prayers, and support and are especially blessed to know Drew will be an organ donor and provide a miracle for others.
Arrangements have not been finalized but services will be in Athens. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to Drew's wonderful home of 16 years: Athens Academy. Thank you.

[AlexB]

Althoug this particluar story isn't exactly in line with the thread, it explains why Harry Arter of AFC Bournemouth does a lot of charity work.

A very moving and eventually uplifting story
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/harry-arter-for-my-daughters/

[hoopsguy]

Two stories from the past week that have received a good amount of coverage, but fit the bill for this thread:

Anthony Rizzo, who overcame Hodgkins-Lymphoma, just donated $3.5 million to a children's hospital - SBNation.com (https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/8/30/16225660/anthony-rizzo-childrens-hospital-donation-cubs-mlb-video) - Rizzo has been involved with this organization for at least a couple of years, and there are many accounts of him being great with the kids, staff, etc. This donation is the culmination of a long-term relationship.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2017/08/31/j-j-watt-raises-millions-for-flood-relief-making-charitable-crowdfunding-history/#7b8c1c975cbb - little outdated, as I believe Watt's fund is now past 17M. But also some good info here about how the funds are being allocated without incurring substantial overhead.

[miami_fan]

Great job by the Dolphin players!

Dolphins players displaced by Irma rescue high school football team Irma stranded out west | Miami Herald (http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article173250001.html)

[CU Tiger]

Twitter (https://mobile.twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/913167546123091968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclemson.forums.rivals.com%2Fthreads%2Fdeshaun-watson-gives-away-game-check.144523%2F)

[DanGarion]

Vikings Fans donate $84k and counting in recognition of sportsmanship of injured player who stayed on field for final play after losing the game (https://www.reddit.com/r/bestof/comments/7r5l3b/vikings_fans_donate_84k_and_counting_in/)

Thomas Morstead (the injured player mentioned)'s charity, What you give will grow (https://www.wygwg.org/), has committed to passing on all donations collected from this campaign to The Minnesota Children's Hospital.

Since the account has reached over 100K Morstead will be flying to Minnesota to personally deliver the check.

relevant article (http://kstp.com/news/new-orleans-saints-punter-thomas-morstead-donate-money-raised-fan-campaign-childrens-minnesota/4747368/)
direct link to donate to Minnesota Children's through WYGWG (https://www.wygwg.org/donate/)

Thomas Morstead (#6) is the punter for the New Orleans Saints (the team the Vikings won against last Sunday - where he suffered a painful injury to the ribs).
This makes everyone's efforts that much more special. Vikings fans are donating to a rivals team's punter's charity (which they didn't have to) and then he turns around and gives the money right back to a local Minnesota Children's Hospital (which he didn't have to do).
Class acts all around!

[Edward64]

Nice story, kudos to the Japanese players.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/03/football/japan-belgium-russia-thank-you-locker-room-trnd/index.html
Even after they were booted out of the World Cup, the Japanese national football team gave us a lesson in grace.

Following their heartbreaking loss to Belgium on Monday, the players left behind a note that said "спасибо" (Russian for "thank you") in their locker room.

Oh, and they cleaned it up.

The good sportsmanship is another example of how Japan -- players and fans -- have earned the admiration of everyone at the games in Russia.

Where fans of other teams hit the news for doing things like giving Nazi salutes, Japan's revelers made headlines in late June for sticking around after a victory to clean up the stadium.

[Edward64]

Cool thing LeBron is doing.

The additional thing that comes to mind is maybe also offer an early dinner along with breakfast and lunch.

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/07/31/lebron-james-opens-i-promise-school-risk-children
LeBron James didn't just open an elementary school for at-risk children on Monday. He's setting these kids up for life and saving lives. The kids who complete the I Promise School program get free tuition at the University of Akron. He's also set up a program for the parents of the students to complete their high school education. There's plenty more according to CNN's Don Lemon:

- Tuition is free

- Uniforms are free

- Transportation is free for every student who lives more than two miles away

- Every student gets breakfast, lunch and snacks

- Food pantry for families

- Every student gets a free bicycle and helmet

[RainMaker]

This was an interesting listen if you are interested in donations to education. Talks about how so much money is donated to big, wealthy schools like Harvard but how little is donated to poor schools that would do so much more with it. Story is about a guy who donated $100 million to a small university in New Jersey which basically made them a good engineering school.

http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/06-my-little-hundred-million

[BYU 14]

A very kind gesture that wouldn't even have been publicized if not for the young mans family. Donovan Mitchell is a good dude! And this will make him more of a fan favorite than he already was in Utah.

How Donovan Mitchell generously aided a Jazz fan in need (https://www.yahoo.com/sports/story-behind-donovan-mitchells-compassionate-gesture-fan-need-211632324.html)

[miami_fan]

World Series: Red Sox's Mookie Betts fed homeless after Game 2 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/redsox/2018/10/26/world-series-boston-red-sox-mookie-betts-fed-homeless/1776370002/)

Mookie Betts, I salute you sir!

[NobodyHere]

Texans star DeAndre Hopkins dedicated game check to Jazmine Barnes | abc13.com (https://abc13.com/texans-star-hopkins-dedicated-game-check-to-jazmine-barnes/5020390/)

Glad he helped but it is still a tragic story.

[JonInMiddleGA]

College not pro but I think it fits.

Nearly 4 years ago Southern University player Devon Gales suffered a catastrophic spinal injury in a special teams collision with the UGA kicker. An outpouring of support came from across the Georgia fanbase, both emotionally and financially, throughout his extensive treatment at Atlanta's Sheppard Spinal Center.

Last year the family broke ground on a house designed with his needs in mind in a rural suburb of Athens. And today he was introduced as the newest member of the coaching staff at another suburban HS (a top end program at that).

Just very cool.

VIDEO: Devon Gales to assist Jefferson football team - Sports - Athens Banner-Herald - Athens, GA (https://www.onlineathens.com/sports/20190318/video-devon-gales-to-assist-jefferson-football-team)

[digamma]

Here’s to Dwyane Wade.

Sports Illustrated on Twitter: "It is REAL dusty in here

https://t.co/lsPnru8304" (https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1115609737482186752?s=20)

[rjolley]

Kudos to Michael Jordan: Emotional Michael Jordan unveils first of two medical clinics in Charlotte (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27866256/emotional-michael-jordan-unveils-first-two-medical-clinics-charlotte)

[miami_fan]

Athletes are doing good things during the pandemic

Well done Joel

Joel Embiid working with 76ers ownership to get antibody tests for health care workers (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28990034/joel-embiid-working-76ers-ownership-get-antibody-tests-health-care-workers)

[miami_fan]

Inmate backed by WNBA star Maya Moore released from Missouri prison (https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29396542/inmate-backed-wnba-star-maya-moore-released-missouri-prison)

I don't know if anyone has kept up with this case. Talk about sacrifice.

[miami_fan]

I meant to post about this earlier this week. 22 years old and taking on child hunger. Full props to him.

Marcus Rashford announces alliance with food industry to tackle child food poverty | UK News | Sky News (https://news.sky.com/story/manchester-united-star-marcus-rashford-announces-alliance-with-food-industry-to-tackle-child-food-poverty-12060681)

[Edward64]

I like to think I would do the same thing. Kudos to him.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2020/09/21/diego-mentrida-sportsmanship-spanish-triathlete-santander-triathlon-spt-intl-lon-orig.cnn
Spanish triathlete Diego Mentrida showed the ultimate sportsmanship over the weekend when he gave up a podium finish to his competitor, who went the wrong way on the course mistakenly.

[AlexB]

I like to think I would do the same thing. Kudos to him.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2020/09/21/diego-mentrida-sportsmanship-spanish-triathlete-santander-triathlon-spt-intl-lon-orig.cnn

I disagree. Part of the race is following the course. If he missed a corner that no-one else missed, that’s on him.

F1 & Indy car drivers don’t wait on rivals if they miss a corner - same thing to me.

[miami_fan]

I meant to post about this earlier this week. 22 years old and taking on child hunger. Full props to him.

Marcus Rashford announces alliance with food industry to tackle child food poverty | UK News | Sky News (https://news.sky.com/story/manchester-united-star-marcus-rashford-announces-alliance-with-food-industry-to-tackle-child-food-poverty-12060681)

One more time for Marcus Rashford MBE.

sign-in</title><path d="M9.8 17.3a6.2 6.2 0 1 1 6.2 6.1 6.2 6.2 0 0 1-6.2-6.2M22.2 26l2.4 4.9A16 16 0 1 0 0 17.3a16.3 16.3 0 0 0 7.4 13.6L9.9 26z"></path></svg></span><style data-emotion-css="171s7bg-AccountText">.css-171s7bg-AccountText{position:absolute;overflow:hidden;margin:0;width:1px;height:1px;-webkit-clip-path:inset(100%);clip-path:inset(100%);-webkit-clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:63rem){.css-171s7bg-AccountText{position:static;overflow:visible;width:auto;height:auto;-webkit-clip-path:none;clip-path:none;-webkit-clip:auto;clip:auto;white-space:inherit;margin-left:0.5rem;}}</style><span class="css-171s7bg-AccountText eki2hvo13">BBC Account</span></a></li><style data-emotion-css="so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct">.css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;text-align:center;border-right:1px solid #BABABA;}</style><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="1ssvzom-NavigationLink">.css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#007BC7;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink:hover,.css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink:focus,.css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com" class="css-1ssvzom-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Home</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="1j2epfn-NavigationLink">.css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#BB1919;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink:hover,.css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink:focus,.css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news" class="css-1j2epfn-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">News</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="w14lwg-NavigationLink">.css-w14lwg-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#FFD230;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-w14lwg-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-w14lwg-NavigationLink:hover,.css-w14lwg-NavigationLink:focus,.css-w14lwg-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport" class="css-w14lwg-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Sport</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="1r2wryx-NavigationLink">.css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#0068FF;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink:hover,.css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink:focus,.css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/reel" class="css-1r2wryx-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Reel</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="po1m85-NavigationLink">.css-po1m85-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#0052A1;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-po1m85-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-po1m85-NavigationLink:hover,.css-po1m85-NavigationLink:focus,.css-po1m85-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife" class="css-po1m85-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Worklife</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="1f6xhw9-NavigationLink">.css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#589E50;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink:hover,.css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink:focus,.css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel" class="css-1f6xhw9-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Travel</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="1g66ayx-NavigationLink">.css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#002856;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink:hover,.css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink:focus,.css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/future" class="css-1g66ayx-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Future</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="98v66r-NavigationLink">.css-98v66r-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;border-bottom-color:#482878;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-98v66r-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-98v66r-NavigationLink:hover,.css-98v66r-NavigationLink:focus,.css-98v66r-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture" class="css-98v66r-NavigationLink eki2hvo6">Culture</a></li><li class="css-so3uhw-GlobalNavigationProduct eki2hvo3"><style data-emotion-css="10z8sfk-NavigationLink">.css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink{display:block;padding:0.25rem 0.875rem;border-bottom-width:0.25rem;line-height:1.4375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink{padding-right:1rem;padding-left:1rem;line-height:1.9375rem;}}.css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink:hover,.css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink:focus,.css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink[data-open='true']{padding-bottom:0;border-bottom-style:solid;}</style><a href="#footer-navigation" class="css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink eki2hvo6"><style data-emotion-css="16gbqah-MenuLabel">@media (min-width:25rem){.css-16gbqah-MenuLabel{display:none;}}</style><span class="css-16gbqah-MenuLabel eki2hvo14">Menu</span><style data-emotion-css="sa2skc-MenuLabel">.css-sa2skc-MenuLabel{display:none;}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-sa2skc-MenuLabel{display:inline;}}</style><span hidden="" class="css-sa2skc-MenuLabel eki2hvo14">More</span><style data-emotion-css="1jhq4ui-IconWrapper">.css-1jhq4ui-IconWrapper{display:inline-block;margin-left:0.5rem;width:1rem;height:1rem;vertical-align:-0.25em;}</style><span class="css-1jhq4ui-IconWrapper eki2hvo11"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>caret-down</title><path d="M16 21L24 12H8z"></path></svg></span></a></li></ul></div><style data-emotion-css="xx6wca-GlobalNavigationSide">.css-xx6wca-GlobalNavigationSide{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:none;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;margin-left:auto;border-left:1px solid #BABABA;}</style><div class="css-xx6wca-GlobalNavigationSide eki2hvo1"><div class="css-1m0vj5n-GlobalNavigationItem eki2hvo2"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/search" class="css-10z8sfk-NavigationLink eki2hvo6"><style data-emotion-css="1tmabzc-IconWrapper">.css-1tmabzc-IconWrapper{display:inline-block;width:1rem;height:1rem;vertical-align:-0.25em;}</style><span class="css-1tmabzc-IconWrapper eki2hvo11"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>search</title><path d="M32 28.5l-8.2-8.2a13 13 0 1 0-3.5 3.5l8.2 8.2zM6.6 19.4A9 9 0 1 1 13 22a8.9 8.9 0 0 1-6.4-2.6z"></path></svg></span><style data-emotion-css="mju45a-SearchText">.css-mju45a-SearchText{position:absolute;overflow:hidden;margin:0;width:1px;height:1px;-webkit-clip-path:inset(100%);clip-path:inset(100%);-webkit-clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);white-space:nowrap;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-mju45a-SearchText{position:static;overflow:visible;width:auto;height:auto;-webkit-clip-path:none;clip-path:none;-webkit-clip:auto;clip:auto;white-space:inherit;margin-left:0.5rem;}}</style><span class="css-mju45a-SearchText eki2hvo15">Search</span></a></div></div></div></div><style data-emotion-css="ukdf5s-Menu">.css-ukdf5s-Menu{border-top:1px solid #BABABA;}</style><div id="global-navigation-menu" hidden="" class="css-ukdf5s-Menu eh2ivtz0"><div class="css-6gq9s0-Wrap e42f8510"><style data-emotion-css="1mklhpx-MenuWrapper">.css-1mklhpx-MenuWrapper{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}</style><div class="css-1mklhpx-MenuWrapper eh2ivtz1"><style data-emotion-css="1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En">.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En{-webkit-flex:auto;-ms-flex:auto;flex:auto;padding:1rem 0;}.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En:focus{outline:none;}.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li{display:inline-block;min-width:10rem;}@supports (display:grid){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En{display:grid;grid-gap:0.5rem;gap:0.5rem;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(7.5rem,1fr));}.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li{min-width:initial;}}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(1){display:none;}}@media (min-width:31.25rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(2){display:none;}}@media (min-width:35rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(3){display:none;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(3){display:block;}}@media (min-width:41.25rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(3){display:none;}}@media (min-width:46.25rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(4){display:none;}}@media (min-width:51.25rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(5){display:none;}}@media (min-width:55.625rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(6){display:none;}}@media (min-width:80rem){.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(7),.css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En > li:nth-of-type(8){display:none;}}</style><ul tabindex="-1" role="list" class="css-1dmfhyk-MenuLinkList-En e1mk2b5i0"><li><style data-emotion-css="1siiay3-MenuLink">.css-1siiay3-MenuLink{display:block;padding:0.5rem;-webkit-text-decoration:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;color:inherit;white-space:nowrap;}.css-1siiay3-MenuLink:hover,.css-1siiay3-MenuLink:focus{background:#3F3F42;color:#FFFFFF;}</style><a href="https://www.bbc.com" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Home</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">News</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Sport</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/reel" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Reel</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Worklife</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Travel</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/future" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Future</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Culture</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/music" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Music</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">TV</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/weather" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Weather</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds" class="css-1siiay3-MenuLink eh2ivtz2">Sounds</a></li></ul><div><style data-emotion-css="104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton">.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.25rem;display:block;padding:calc(0.8125rem - 1px) calc(1rem - 1px);border:1px solid transparent;background:transparent;color:#3F3F42;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.375rem;}}.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:hover,.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:focus,.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:active{cursor:pointer;}.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:hover,.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:focus,.css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton:active{background:#3F3F42;color:#FFFFFF;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}</style><button width="content-length" type="button" class="css-104q49s-Button-TransparentBGButton etotop33"><style data-emotion-css="19fg0ak-IconWrapper">.css-19fg0ak-IconWrapper{display:inline-block;width:1em;height:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;}</style><span class="css-19fg0ak-IconWrapper etotop34"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>no</title><path d="M32 3.5L28.5 0 16 12.5 3.5 0 0 3.5 12.5 16 0 28.5 3.5 32 16 19.5 28.5 32l3.5-3.5L19.5 16 32 3.5z"></path></svg><span class="css-178wc68-VisuallyHidden e1y6uwnp0">Close menu</span></span></button></div></div></div></div></nav><style data-emotion-css="8rs6cy-ProductNavigationContainer">.css-8rs6cy-ProductNavigationContainer{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;position:relative;}</style><div class="css-8rs6cy-ProductNavigationContainer e19b3odl0"><style data-emotion-css="lqj6zf-Masthead">.css-lqj6zf-Masthead{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;font-family:ReithSerif,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:500;background:#B80000;color:#FFFFFF;}</style><div class="css-lqj6zf-Masthead e9p57e3"><div class="css-6gq9s0-Wrap e42f8510"><style data-emotion-css="1q8vepc-ContentWrapper">.css-1q8vepc-ContentWrapper{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}</style><div class="css-1q8vepc-ContentWrapper e9p57e5"><style data-emotion-css="alsbm-LogoLink">.css-alsbm-LogoLink{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;width:auto;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;}@media all and (-ms-high-contrast:none),(-ms-high-contrast:active){.css-alsbm-LogoLink{width:100%;}}</style><a href="/news" class="css-alsbm-LogoLink e9p57e1"><style data-emotion-css="87mzbu-Logo">.css-87mzbu-Logo{display:block;padding:0.75rem 0;height:1.5rem;fill:currentcolor;max-width:10rem;}@media (min-width:400px){.css-87mzbu-Logo{padding:0.875rem 0;height:1.75rem;max-width:15.5rem;}}@media (min-width:600px){.css-87mzbu-Logo{padding:1rem 0;height:2rem;max-width:initial;}}</style><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 61 15.33" class="css-87mzbu-Logo e9p57e0" role="presentation" preserveAspectRatio="xMinYMid meet" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.83 .19h2.03v14.97h-1.84l-10.01-11.53v11.53h-2.01V.19h1.74l10.09 11.62V.19M17.72 .19h8.49v1.91h-6.34v4.56h6.13v1.92h-6.13v4.65h6.54v1.9h-8.69V.19M49.07 .19h2.14l-6.05 15.03h-.47l-4.89-12.17l-4.95 12.17h-.46l-6.03,-15.03h2.16l4.12 10.32 4.16-10.32h2.02l4.17 10.32 4.08-10.32M57.02 8.89l-1.63-.99c-1.02-.62-1.75-1.24-2.18-1.84-.43-.6-.65-1.3-.65-2.08 0-1.18.41-2.14 1.23-2.87.82-.74 1.88-1.1 3.19-1.1 1.25 0 2.4.35 3.44 1.05v2.43c-1.08-1.04-2.24-1.56-3.48-1.56-.7 0-1.27.16-1.73.49-.45.32-.67.74-.67 1.24 0 .45.17.87.5 1.26.33.39.86.8 1.6 1.23l1.64.97c1.82 1.09 2.74 2.48 2.74 4.16 0 1.2-.4 2.17-1.21 2.92-.8.75-1.85 1.12-3.13 1.12-1.48 0-2.82-.45-4.04-1.36V11.24c1.16 1.47 2.5 2.2 4.02 2.2.67 0 1.23-.19 1.68-.56.45-.37.67-.84.67-1.4-.02-.91-.68-1.78-1.99-2.59"></path></svg><span class="css-178wc68-VisuallyHidden e1y6uwnp0">BBC News</span></a></div></div></div><style data-emotion-css="unpyev-Navigation">@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-unpyev-Navigation{border-top:0.0625rem solid;border-top-color:#DB7F7F;}}</style><nav aria-label="BBC News" class="css-unpyev-Navigation e19b3odl1"><style data-emotion-css="1rsjpl7-MainNavBarContainer">.css-1rsjpl7-MainNavBarContainer{color:#3F3F42;}html.no-js .css-1rsjpl7-MainNavBarContainer{border-bottom:0.25rem solid #B80000;}</style><div class="css-1rsjpl7-MainNavBarContainer e12m6nm70"><style data-emotion-css="2x13zw-PrimaryNavBarContainer">@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-2x13zw-PrimaryNavBarContainer{background-color:#B80000;}}</style><style data-emotion-css="19tc5x8-MenuContainer-PrimaryNavBarContainer">@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-19tc5x8-MenuContainer-PrimaryNavBarContainer{background-color:#B80000;}}</style><div class="e17d5osh0 css-19tc5x8-MenuContainer-PrimaryNavBarContainer ebbwlb0"><div class="css-6gq9s0-Wrap e42f8510"><style data-emotion-css="bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer">.css-bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer{margin:0 -0.5rem;}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer{margin:0 -1rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;background-color:#B80000;margin:0;}.css-bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer .e14xdrat1 .eis6szr0:not(:last-of-type) .eis6szr1 .eis6szr2{border-right-style:solid;border-right-width:0.0625rem;border-right-color:#DB7F7F;}}</style><div id="product-navigation-menu" class="css-bkk0w6-PrimaryListContainer e17d5osh1"><style data-emotion-css="xkmkbi-ToggleContainer">.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer{position:absolute;right:0.5rem;top:0.25rem;border:0.0625rem solid;border-color:#DB7F7F;border-bottom-color:#DB7F7F;background-color:#B80000;}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer{top:0.5rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer{display:none;}}.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:active,.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:focus{color:#3F3F42;background-color:#FFFFFF;}@media (hover:hover){.css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:hover{color:#3F3F42;background-color:#FFFFFF;}}</style><div class="css-xkmkbi-ToggleContainer etzr2fk0"><style data-emotion-css="b3nxbm-StyledToggle">.css-b3nxbm-StyledToggle{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;position:relative;padding:0.5rem;cursor:pointer;color:#FFFFFF;background-color:#B80000;border:none;}html.no-js .css-b3nxbm-StyledToggle{background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#3F3F42;}@media (min-width:37.5rem) and (pointer:coarse){.css-b3nxbm-StyledToggle{padding-top:0.6875rem;padding-bottom:0.6875rem;}}</style><a href="#product-navigation-menu" class="css-b3nxbm-StyledToggle ekfn8590"><style data-emotion-css="1m4972l-IconWrapper">.css-1m4972l-IconWrapper{display:inline-block;width:1rem;height:1rem;margin-right:0.5rem;}</style><span class="css-1m4972l-IconWrapper ekfn8591"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>list</title><path d="M0 0v8h32V0H0zM0 17v3h32v-8H0v5zM0 29v3h32v-8H0v5z"></path></svg></span>Menu</a></div><style data-emotion-css="ne73dz-MenuListContainer">.css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer{display:none;background-color:#FFFFFF;}html.no-js .css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer{display:block;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer{margin-left:-0.5rem;margin-right:-0.5rem;padding:0.5rem 0;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer{background-color:transparent;display:block;padding:0;margin:0;-webkit-flex-basis:100%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:100%;flex-basis:100%;}@media (pointer:coarse){.css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer{overflow-x:scroll;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;-ms-overflow-style:-ms-autohiding-scrollbar;-ms-overflow-style:none;-webkit-scrollbar-width:none;-moz-scrollbar-width:none;-ms-scrollbar-width:none;scrollbar-width:none;}.css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer::-webkit-scrollbar{display:none;}}}</style><div hidden="" class="css-ne73dz-MenuListContainer e14xdrat0"><style data-emotion-css="dduup9-StyledMenuList">.css-dduup9-StyledMenuList{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-dduup9-StyledMenuList{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;position:relative;left:-0.5rem;}@media (pointer:coarse){.css-dduup9-StyledMenuList{-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;}}}</style><ul role="list" class="css-dduup9-StyledMenuList e14xdrat1"><style data-emotion-css="fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem">.css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem{position:relative;-webkit-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid;margin:0;padding:0;border-bottom-width:0.0625rem;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:#BABABA;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem{border-bottom:none;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem{-webkit-flex:none;-ms-flex:none;flex:none;}}</style><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><style data-emotion-css="a9lu1i-StyledLink">.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink{color:#3F3F42;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;padding:0.5rem 0;padding-left:0.5rem;}.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:hover,.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:focus{background-color:#EEEEEE;}.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink::after{content:none;position:absolute;left:0;bottom:0;width:0.25rem;height:100%;background-color:#B80000;}.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:hover::after,.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:focus::after,.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:active::after{content:'';}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink{padding-left:1rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink{width:auto;padding-left:0.5rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:hover,.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:focus{background-color:transparent;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink:after{background-color:#FFFFFF;width:100%;height:0.25rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink{width:auto;color:#FFFFFF;padding:0.5rem 0;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem) and (pointer:coarse){.css-a9lu1i-StyledLink{padding:0.6875rem 0;}}</style><a href="/news" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><style data-emotion-css="1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer">.css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer{padding:0;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer{padding:0 0.45rem;}}</style><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Home</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/election/us2020" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">US Election</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/coronavirus" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Coronavirus</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/av/10462520" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Video</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/world" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">World</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/world/us_and_canada" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">US & Canada</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/uk" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">UK</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/business" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Business</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/technology" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Tech</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/science_and_environment" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Science</span></a></li><li class="css-fkhkiu-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/stories" class="css-a9lu1i-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-1fklxrj-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Stories</span></a></li></ul></div><style data-emotion-css="v5bu8d-ToggleContainer">.css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer{display:none;border-left:0.0625rem solid;border-left-color:#DB7F7F;background-color:#B80000;}html.no-js .css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer{background-color:#FFFFFF;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;}}.css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:hover:after,.css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:focus:after,.css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:active:after{position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;width:100%;content:'';height:0.25rem;background-color:#FFFFFF;}html.no-js .css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:hover:after,html.no-js .css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:focus:after,html.no-js .css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer .ekfn8590:active:after{background-color:#FFFFFF;}</style><div class="css-v5bu8d-ToggleContainer enbola60"><a href="#product-navigation-more-menu" class="css-b3nxbm-StyledToggle ekfn8590"><span class="css-1m4972l-IconWrapper ekfn8591"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>list</title><path d="M0 0v8h32V0H0zM0 17v3h32v-8H0v5zM0 29v3h32v-8H0v5z"></path></svg></span>More</a></div></div></div></div><style data-emotion-css="1etmo5h-MoreMenuWrapper">.css-1etmo5h-MoreMenuWrapper{background-color:#FFFFFF;}</style><style data-emotion-css="1p04lm8-MenuContainer-MoreMenuWrapper">.css-1p04lm8-MenuContainer-MoreMenuWrapper{background-color:#FFFFFF;}</style><div class="e1135wx60 css-1p04lm8-MenuContainer-MoreMenuWrapper ebbwlb0"><div class="css-6gq9s0-Wrap e42f8510"><style data-emotion-css="1ogw10-MoreMenuListContainer">.css-1ogw10-MoreMenuListContainer{margin:0 -0.5rem;}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-1ogw10-MoreMenuListContainer{margin:0 -1rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1ogw10-MoreMenuListContainer{margin:0;}}</style><div id="product-navigation-more-menu" class="css-1ogw10-MoreMenuListContainer e1135wx61"><style data-emotion-css="1o800wk-MenuListContainer">.css-1o800wk-MenuListContainer{display:none;background-color:#FFFFFF;}html.no-js .css-1o800wk-MenuListContainer{display:block;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1o800wk-MenuListContainer{margin-left:-0.5rem;margin-right:-0.5rem;padding:0.5rem 0;}}</style><div hidden="" class="css-1o800wk-MenuListContainer e14xdrat0"><style data-emotion-css="s35dxz-StyledMenuList">.css-s35dxz-StyledMenuList{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-s35dxz-StyledMenuList{-webkit-column-count:3;column-count:3;-webkit-column-gap:1rem;column-gap:1rem;-webkit-column-rule:0.0625rem solid #BABABA;column-rule:0.0625rem solid #BABABA;}}@media (min-width:56.25rem){.css-s35dxz-StyledMenuList{-webkit-column-count:4;column-count:4;}}@media (min-width:80rem){.css-s35dxz-StyledMenuList{-webkit-column-count:6;column-count:6;}}</style><ul role="list" class="css-s35dxz-StyledMenuList e14xdrat1"><style data-emotion-css="1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem">.css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem{position:relative;-webkit-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid;margin:0;padding:0;border-bottom-width:0.0625rem;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:#BABABA;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem{border-bottom:none;}}</style><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><style data-emotion-css="1y82skn-StyledLink">.css-1y82skn-StyledLink{color:#3F3F42;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;padding:0.5rem 0;padding-left:0.5rem;}.css-1y82skn-StyledLink:hover,.css-1y82skn-StyledLink:focus{background-color:#EEEEEE;}.css-1y82skn-StyledLink::after{content:none;position:absolute;left:0;bottom:0;width:0.25rem;height:100%;background-color:#B80000;}.css-1y82skn-StyledLink:hover::after,.css-1y82skn-StyledLink:focus::after,.css-1y82skn-StyledLink:active::after{content:'';}@media (min-width:25rem){.css-1y82skn-StyledLink{padding-left:1rem;}}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1y82skn-StyledLink{width:auto;padding-left:0.5rem;}}</style><a href="/news/entertainment_and_arts" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Entertainment & Arts</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/health" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Health</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/in_pictures" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">In Pictures</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/reality_check" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Reality Check</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/world_radio_and_tv" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">World News TV</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/newsbeat" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Newsbeat</span></a></li><li class="css-1c9kw5o-StyledMenuItem eis6szr0"><a href="/news/the_reporters" class="css-1y82skn-StyledLink eis6szr1"><span class="css-16e7mak-LinkTextContainer eis6szr2">Long Reads</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></nav></div></header><style data-emotion-css="f1h9ew-MainSection">.css-f1h9ew-MainSection{-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;}</style><main id="main-content" data-testid="main-content" class="css-f1h9ew-MainSection eustbbg2"><div class="css-6gq9s0-Wrap e42f8510"><style data-emotion-css="16rg7hm-ContainerWithSidebarWrapper">@media (min-width:56.25rem){.css-16rg7hm-ContainerWithSidebarWrapper{display:grid;grid-gap:1rem;grid-template-columns:1fr 19.75rem;}}</style><div width="316" class="css-16rg7hm-ContainerWithSidebarWrapper e1jl38b40"><style data-emotion-css="rgov1k-MainColumn">.css-rgov1k-MainColumn{max-width:50rem;}</style><div width="compact" class="css-rgov1k-MainColumn e1sbfw0p0"><style data-emotion-css="14im5m3-ArticleWrapper">.css-14im5m3-ArticleWrapper{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.375rem;color:#3F3F42;margin:1rem 0 1.5rem 0;padding-bottom:1.5rem;}</style><article class="css-14im5m3-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0"><style data-emotion-css="94m6rd-HeadingWrapper">.css-94m6rd-HeadingWrapper{border-bottom:solid 1px #BABABA;padding-bottom:1.5rem;}.css-94m6rd-HeadingWrapper > *:not([hidden]):not(style) ~ *:not([hidden]):not(style){margin-top:1rem;}</style><header class="css-94m6rd-HeadingWrapper e1nh2i2l1"><style data-emotion-css="1c1994u-StyledHeading">.css-1c1994u-StyledHeading{font-family:ReithSerif,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:500;font-size:2rem;line-height:2.25rem;color:#3F3F42;}@media (min-width:37.5rem){.css-1c1994u-StyledHeading{font-size:2.75rem;line-height:3rem;}}.css-1c1994u-StyledHeading:focus{outline-style:none;}.css-1c1994u-StyledHeading:focus-visible{outline-style:auto;}</style><h1 tabindex="-1" id="main-heading" class="css-1c1994u-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10">Marcus Rashford welcomes school holiday support climbdown</h1><style data-emotion-css="15hnagr-Contributor">.css-15hnagr-Contributor{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:0.8125rem;line-height:1rem;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#696969;}.css-15hnagr-Contributor strong{font-family:ReithSerif,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:500;color:#3F3F42;}</style><p class="css-15hnagr-Contributor e5xb54n0"><span><strong>By Hannah Richardson</strong><br/>Education and social affairs reporter</span></p><div><style data-emotion-css="11c8au8-MetadataStrip">.css-11c8au8-MetadataStrip{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-size:0.8125rem;line-height:1rem;margin-top:-0.25rem;color:#696969;}</style><dl class="css-11c8au8-MetadataStrip e1ojgjhb0"><style data-emotion-css="8d0yke-MetadataStripItem">.css-8d0yke-MetadataStripItem{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;margin-top:0.25rem;max-width:calc(100% - 1em);}.css-8d0yke-MetadataStripItem::after{content:'';display:inline-block;height:1.25em;border-left:#BABABA 1px solid;margin:0 0.5em;vertical-align:-0.25em;}.css-8d0yke-MetadataStripItem:last-child{max-width:100%;}.css-8d0yke-MetadataStripItem:last-child::after{content:none;}</style><div class="css-8d0yke-MetadataStripItem e1ojgjhb1"><dt class="css-178wc68-VisuallyHidden e1y6uwnp0">Published</dt><style data-emotion-css="1n98t8y-MetadataContent">.css-1n98t8y-MetadataContent{display:inline-block;max-width:100%;}</style><dd class="css-1n98t8y-MetadataContent e1ojgjhb2"><style data-emotion-css="1hizfh0-MetadataSnippet">.css-1hizfh0-MetadataSnippet{display:inline-block;max-width:100%;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:bottom;}</style><span class="css-1hizfh0-MetadataSnippet ecn1o5v0"><style data-emotion-css="1n712b9-IconContainer">.css-1n712b9-IconContainer{display:inline-block;width:1em;height:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;padding-right:0.25em;}</style><span class="css-1n712b9-IconContainer ecn1o5v2"><svg width="1em" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 32 32" class="css-47d2zd-StyledIcon e6m7o990" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true"><title>duration (https://www.bbc.com/news/education-54841316)

[AlexB]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KkU8TQw1HEI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

College not pro but I think it fits.

Nearly 4 years ago Southern University player Devon Gales suffered a catastrophic spinal injury in a special teams collision with the UGA kicker. An outpouring of support came from across the Georgia fanbase, both emotionally and financially, throughout his extensive treatment at Atlanta's Sheppard Spinal Center.

Last year the family broke ground on a house designed with his needs in mind in a rural suburb of Athens. And today he was introduced as the newest member of the coaching staff at another suburban HS (a top end program at that).

Just very cool.

VIDEO: Devon Gales to assist Jefferson football team - Sports - Athens Banner-Herald - Athens, GA (https://www.onlineathens.com/sports/20190318/video-devon-gales-to-assist-jefferson-football-team)


Congrats to Coach Devon Gales for being unanimously voted Region 8-AAAA Coach of the Year by his fellow region counterparts!!

https://twitter.com/JeffersonFootba/status/1339718364562788354?fbclid=IwAR1fyfbVbz7CFxgDnTkexnDoHTg7OcMxC10f2p5inBAvghTTJvA3aOt9baQ

For those unfamiliar with the region, it includes two of the state's top 5 ranked team in the classification (Jefferson is #2) and among those Gales has worked with closely is 4* ATH Malaki Starks, a 2022 prospect that has Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia as his current top three.

[Thomkal]

awesome

[miami_fan]

Former NFL defensive end Brandon Bair saves man after fiery train crash (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31412718/former-nfl-defensive-end-brandon-bair-saves-man-fiery-train-crash)

[miami_fan]

Well done Kyrie!

Nets news: Kyrie Irving helped build solar water center in Pakistan (https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-kyrie-irving-helped-build-solar-water-center-in-pakistan/)

[PilotMan]

Yesterday at the Reds/Dodgers game, Reds rookie TJ Friedl hit a homer, for his first career hit. Mookie Betts was playing RF for LA, got the fans attention and convinced the fan to toss the ball down to him so they could get it to Friedl. The next inning Betts brought out a signed bat and passed it up to the fan who caught the ball.

Mookie Betts retrieves Reds rookie TJ Friedl's first career homer (https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2021/09/19/mookie-betts-retrieve-reds-rookie-tj-friedl-first-career-homer/8413397002/)

[Lathum]

got very dusty reading this.


New England Patriots lineman Justin Herron's selfless act that stopped an attack (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32236930/pats-lineman-justin-herron-selfless-act-stopped-attack)

[miami_fan]

Bo knows how to be a good person.

Bo Jackson helped pay for funerals of 19 children and 2 teachers killed in school massacre at Uvalde, Texas (https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/34277267/bo-jackson-helped-pay-funerals-19-children-2-teachers-killed-school-massacre-uvalde-texas)

[Edward64]

What could've been if his career wasn't cut short.

[miami_fan]

Bucs QB Blaine Gabbert helps rescue helicopter crash victims (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35348114/bucs-qb-blaine-gabbert-helps-rescue-helicopter-crash-victims)

[Edward64]

I think this borderline qualifies ... nice story

Jolien Boumkwo: Belgian shot putter competes in 100-meter hurdles after injuries to teammates | CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/26/sport/jolien-boumkwo-100-meter-hurdles-athletics-spt-intl/index.html)
Sometimes it really is the taking part that counts.

Just ask Belgian shot put thrower Jolien Boumkwo, who competed in the 100-meter hurdles at the European Athletics Team Championships on Saturday after her teammates had to withdraw through injury.

After placing seventh in the shot put on Friday, Boumkwo turned her attention to the hurdles at the last minute and duly finished in a time of 32.81 seconds – 19 seconds behind the seventh-placed athlete.

Footage of Boumkwo carefully stepping over each hurdle while the other athletes race away ahead of her has since gone viral on social media. She smiled and laughed throughout before being congratulated by other competitors at the finish line.
And the good things part ...

Just having an athlete take part in the event earned Belgium two points and saved the team from disqualification, but Boumkwo’s efforts weren’t enough to save her country from being relegated to the second division at the meet in Poland, finishing 14th out of 16 countries with 250 points.

https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230626124724-03-jolien-boumkwo.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_720,w_720,c_fill/f_webp

[miami_fan]

Bears chairman George McCaskey's amazing side gig - ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40240645/nfl-draft-bears-chairman-george-mccaskey-umpire-referee)

Props to Bears chairman George McCaskey. I can't imagine going out there and getting abuse for a blown safe/out call and for Matt Eberflus not going for it on 4th down. Especially not if my family has a net worth of $2B

[BYU 14]

Technically with NIL, they are professionals LOL, but this is what great culture looks like and they have done this for years. As a retired coach, I love this program because they understand it is about more than the game. Worth 9 minutes of your life. Go Cougs!!!

x.com (https://x.com/BYUfootball/status/1854312214762778970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1854312214762778970%7Ctwgr%5Eefeaa44b1ce104e172b9dce2090d419aae7bd78a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cougarboard.com%2Fboard%2Fmessage.html%3Fid%3D34138380tab%3Dtop10)

[Edward64]

Roy Jones Jr. received boxing gold medal from '88 Olympic foe - ESPN (https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/46148093/roy-jones-jr-received-boxing-gold-medal-88-olympic-foe)
Roy Jones Jr. has the gold medal from the 1988 Olympics - thanks to a gift from the South Korean fighter who defeated him in the controversial boxing match.

Park Si-hun traveled to Jones' ranch in Pensacola, Florida, two years ago and gave the Hall of Famer the medal that Jones seemed to have earned in a bout most observers outside of the judges believed he dominated. The news was revealed Wednesday in a video posted on Jones' YouTube page.

Jones went to his gym on May 30, 2023, believing it was for an on-camera interview. Instead, he found Park in the ring and both fighters' families there.

"I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you. It belongs to you," Park said through his son, who translated.

Great that he's brought closure to this. I imagine every time he looked at it, he must have thought, I know who really won the fight.

Happy for Jones, one of the truly great boxers.

[RainMaker]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At Night to Shine, I’ve seen what just one moment of love can do.<br><br>It’s not about the red carpet or the crowns.<br>It’s about someone finally realizing, maybe for the first time, they’ve always had worth. <br><br>Why? Because they’re made in the image of God. <br><br>Will we come together and… <a href="https://t.co/abEXvzRsvG">pic.twitter.com/abEXvzRsvG</a></p>&mdash; Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimTebow/status/1959637460331217031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

[Lathum]

My daughter hand wrote letters to 13 different Mets, and drew a picture for her favorite player Alonso. I sent them with a photo and self addressed stamped envelope. I hope some of them send a signed picture back.

She is a softball crazed Mets fan and watches most games with me. It is fun watching with her because she really is a student of the game and will either ask questions or point things out I don't see.

One of the letters was to the #3 catcher. Can't imagine that dude gets much fan mail.

[RainMaker]

My daughter hand wrote letters to 13 different Mets, and drew a picture for her favorite player Alonso. I sent them with a photo and self addressed stamped envelope. I hope some of them send a signed picture back.

She is a softball crazed Mets fan and watches most games with me. It is fun watching with her because she really is a student of the game and will either ask questions or point things out I don't see.

One of the letters was to the #3 catcher. Can't imagine that dude gets much fan mail.

I don't know if players still do this, but I would send to teams all the time and got so many signed cards back in the mail. The teams where the players didn't sign would sometimes send back some stickers or something. This was way back in the 90's though so not sure if it's changed. But it was a really cool thing to do.

[Lathum]

We really had fun doing it and speculating who will send back.

She personalized each letter, IE "I was at game 5 last year when you hit that homerun in the first inning"

She would be over the moon if Pete sent something. She is also hoping for Alvarez or Lindor because she plays C and SS and bats lead off.

[miami_fan]

We did not have the thread back then so on the 50th anniversary, let's give credit to Rick Monday.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ke2m7pKAjK4?si=8iZTJcZ5PDki6kLN" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[miami_fan]

The cool thing was he did not feel the need to engage with the protestors.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hbr1hNp-nI4?si=LOi8maMg6DJLfQZJ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>