McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman declares USA gymnastics team: 'Olympic champions'

The United States women’s gymnastics team definitely didn’t want to spoil the television coverage of NBC when they are shown the champions of the world, but it appears the team couldn't keep quiet any longer Tuesday afternoon. Winning a gold medal in the artistic gymnastics women's team final, the athlete shared two words with her fans that put the win in perspective.

“OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS,” tweeted McKayla Maroney from her official Twitter account. Within second Aly Rasiman tweeted the same message as the entire team let their fans know they had won the gold. Almost immediately the posts went viral as those folks who were at work had a chance to hear the news that Team USArepresented very well during the artistic gymnastics final.

View slideshow: Team USA’s Olympic gold win for artistic gymnastics

A team effort, the chance to show the world the best gymnastics, this is the first time the United States has won since 1996. A fan favorite event, there is no doubt several Wheaties cereal boxes will be reserved for the five member team.

McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber all took the podium at the award ceremony to claim the gold medal and it won’t be surprising if we see these five talented ladies show up in America to show off the medal on television too.

Source: examiner.com

Nadia Comaneci, 'Perfect 10' Queen, Hopes Gymnastics Brings Back 'Perfect 10' Scoring System [VIDEO]

Romanian Olympic gold medal gymnast Comaneci holds the "Legendary Champions" trophy in Bucharest (Photo: Reuters)

Nadia Comaneci, the original queen of the Olympic gymnastics 'Perfect 10,' is hoping that officials will turn back to the old school scoring style so that modern Olympian gymnasts can score the 'perfect 10' as well.

The famous Romanian gymnast Nadia Elena Comăneci made Olympic history books for being the first female gymnast to achieve the perfect score of 10. She was only 14 when she achieved the perfect score at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal for her performance on the uneven bars. Not only that, but she took home three gold medals during those games. She earned two more golds during her career which are among her nine medals.

At the time, the Olympic scoreboards couldn't even display a 10 because it was thought that no one would be able to earn an absolutely perfect score. The board showed a 1.00, which left Comaneci confused as she thought she had done much better.

"I didn't understand what that meant," Comaneci, 50, told The Associated Press. "That's all they could show. I was a little frustrated at the beginning because I thought I did better than one."

Comaneci did do better than a one. Her performance, by the judge's standards, was perfect.

Today, gymnasts don't even have a chance to score the perfect 10. It isn't because they're not good enough to try. It's because the scoring system changed six years ago, 30 years after Comaneci got the score.

The International Gymnastics Federation established the new scoring system in 2006,  before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A high score is considered to range in the 15's and 16's. So scoring a 10 today would be pretty bad.

Although the 2012 Olympic Games are underway in London, Comaneci still hopes they bring back the old perfect 10 scoring system.

"I think gymnastics was associated with a 10. I thought that belonged to the sport and somehow we gave it away," she said. "I think we lost a lot of fans.

"It's a little bit confusing for fans. I think probably they're going to find a way to bring back the 10."

In addition to her five gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze, Comaneci won two world titles during her 10-year international career.

At the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Comaneci took home two golds and two silvers, which some didn't find impressive compared to her three gold medals won at the Montreal Games.

"Nobody talks too much about Moscow," Comaneci added. "It's funny because I get this all the time. 'You went to Moscow but didn't do too well.' And I say 'Two gold medals and two silvers I don't think is that bad."

Watch Comaneci's perfect performances on travellerstoday.com
Source: TravellersToday.Com

Bronx teen John Orozco helps USA men's gymnastics team to the top of the qualification round

Individually, Orazco advances to finals along with teammate Danell Leyva while team USA qualifies ahead of Russia and Great Britain

John Orozco, the teenager from the Bronx, helped lead the U.S. gymnastics team to the top of the rankings in a qualification round.

It was an impressive afternoon for the men, as Orozco and Danell Leyva also became two of four Americans to advance to the individual event finals. The U.S. posted a team total of 274.342, putting it ahead of Russia (272.595) and Great Britain (272.420), respectively.


Scores from the qualifying round do not carry forward to the finals, but are a strong indication of what may happen next.

Leyva and Orozco stood one-two in the standings.

SAUDIS THREATEN EXIT
IOC president Jacques Rogge faced his first major crisis, as Saudi Arabia threatened to withdraw its athletes from the Olympics after a Saudi female judoka was banned by the International Judo Federation from competing with a head scarf.

Negotiations continued as Rogge tried to avoid what would be a big blow to his presidency. He has been very public about his diplomatic triumph in getting the first Saudi woman into the Olympics.

The Saudis will not allow the woman, Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, to compete without the Muslim headwear, or hijab, or without a male chaperone.

The Judo Federation, however, has thus far banned the head scarf on safety grounds.

WEIGHTLIFTER BANNED
The IOC on Saturday expelled Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku, 20, from the Olympics after he tested positive for the synthetic anabolic steroid stanozolol. Pulaku tested positive on July 23, and his file will be sent to the International Weightlifting Federation for further review and potential punishment.

The drug, which mimics testosterone and builds muscle, is quickly becoming the scourge of these Games. Greek high jumper Dimitris Chondrokoukis was also banished for the same offense.
SERENA, ISNER WIN
Americans Serena Williams and hard-serving John Isner advanced to the second round of the Olympic tennis tournament. Williams had an easy time against former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, 6-3, 6-1, knocking eight aces on Centre Court and beating the Serb in 61 minutes. Isner topped Olivier Rochus of Belgium, 7-6 (1), 6-4.
LET US IN!
Early preliminaries in a variety of non-ticketed “minor” sports have created a controversy at sites where spectators showed up and thought they’d be allowed in for free.

Thousands of spectators were turned away from the Lord’s cricket ground on Friday for the archery ranking round, in which legally blind Im Dong-hyun of South Korea set a world record for 72 arrows with a score of 699.







Source: nydailynews.com

Andrew Bynum-Dwight Howard deal still up in air

Rumors fly, but Bynum's agent says his client hasn't said whether he would sign an extension with another team.

Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, tries to fend off Orlando's Dwight Howard during Game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dwight Howard isn't the only All-Star center dealing with commitment issues these days.

Andrew Bynum might soon face a decision on his future as well.

Bynum's agent, David Lee, said Thursday that his client has not told him whether he would sign a contract extension with another team besides the Lakers, a move that is widely considered a precursor to any trade involving Howard.

"We've never had that conversation," Lee said. "If we had a conversation every time there was talk about a trade, we'd be talking about other teams more than we would the Lakers."

There were conflicting reports about whether Howard would be open to signing a long-term extension with the Lakers should Orlando trade the disgruntled center.

While RealGM.com reported that Howard would be amenable to staying with the Lakers for years to come, ESPN quoted Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, as saying that his client intended to explore free agency in the summer of 2013 no matter which team traded for him.

A trade involving Howard could also hinge in part on Bynum's desires.

A Yahoo Sports report stated that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be willing to participate in a three-team trade involving Howard only if they had assurances that Bynum would commit to them long-term. The Cavaliers would be granted permission to contact Bynum's representatives, according to the report, only after the three teams involved in the trade had agreed to the framework for the deal.

Lee said no teams — including the Lakers — had called to discuss any potential trades involving Bynum or preferred destinations for his client, who will become a free agent after next season.

"I think at a point in time someone would like to know where he stands," Lee said, "but that's just my feelings."

Reports that surfaced last week alleging which teams Bynum would be willing to play for long-term bewildered Lee because the agent was on a fishing trip in Alaska with Bynum at the time.

"Neither of us were accessible," Lee said. "Where that list came from, I have no clue."

Discussions between the Lakers and Lee about a contract extension have not commenced, the agent said. Bynum has one more year left on his contract for $16.1 million.

"I would anticipate" the contract discussions would start soon, Lee said, "but I leave that up to [Lakers executives] Jimmy [Buss] and Mitch [Kupchak]. I'll let that take its natural course."

Bynum returned to the continental United States earlier this week after catching some halibut and salmon on his trip.

It might not be long before he learns which team is most eager to reel him in.

SOURCE: LATIMES.COM

Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum: Who is the Better Acquisition? Fan Question

With all of the talk that has surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers and their supposedly imminent deal to acquire Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic there has also been talk surrounding the other major piece of the trade, Andrew Bynum. As things stand right now -- with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the picture -- the Cavaliers would acquire Bynum, Anderson Varejao would end up in Orlando and of course the Lakers would acquire Howard. However, to some Laker fans, it appears as if getting rid of Bynum and taking on Howard is a big mistake.

Those comments and suggestions really got me thinking about who the better acquisition actually is and why. So without much hesitation, let's jump right in and decide who the better acquisition is:

Pros and cons of acquiring Dwight Howard

On the positive side, the Lakers would be acquiring the best big man in the game - something I have no doubts about. Howard joining the Lakers would automatically push Los Angeles to be counted as the favorite to win the Western Conference, if not the 2012-2013 NBA championship. To put it simply, Howard's physique and skill are unparalleled. On the negative side, you have his issues with his back. That always seems to be everyone's concern when discussing Howard but he hasn't really missed much time with an injury of any sort in his career. In his eight years of experience, he has played in 621 of a possible 640 games.

Pros and cons of acquiring Andrew Bynum

When looking at Bynum, he certainly has the size to play center in the NBA. His body type reflects that of Shaquille O'Neal rather than the muscular and slim-waisted physique of Dwight Howard - perhaps making him less durable depending on how you break it down. However his physical body affects his career is far less relevant to his general attitude. Being big is one thing, but if he can't play smart and play the game as a professional it could take a toll on Bynum's career. Bynum has the talent and potential, but it is his negative outlook that I think holds him back from truly unleashing that potential. Maybe a change of scenery will do that or perhaps it could send him into a deeper state of apathy.

And the verdict reads…

Dwight Howard. 9.9 times out of 10 I'm taking the Magic's big man to be the center on my team. He may have his moments of indecisiveness and selfishness when it comes to his contract and where he wants to play, but his on the court attitude is of the no-quit variety. Besides, Howard bests Bynum in nearly every category statistically. Which means just one thing; Dwight Howard had better be on his way to Los Angeles if the Lakers want to become a contender for years to come - even after Mr. Kobe Bryant hangs up his sneakers.

Food for thought: Bynum or Howard? Which player do you take as your starting center? Is it even a close call or does one player absolutely blow the other out of the water?

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Olympian Hope Solo Warned After Positive Drug Test

U.S. soccer star Hope Solo says she had no idea a prescription drug she took for "pre-menstrual purposes" contained a diuretic on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.

"Once informed of this fact, I immediately cooperated with USADA and shared with them everything they needed to properly conclude that I made an honest mistake, and that the medication did not enhance my performance in any way," Solo, the 30-year-old goalkeeper from Seattle, Wash., said in a statement.

A sample of Solo's urine collected June 15 tested positive for canrenone, a prohibited diuretic, according to the USADA. But when her doctor-prescribed medication was found to contain canrenone in therapeutic doses, she was given a public warning instead of a suspension.

"As someone who believes in clean sport, I am glad to have worked with USADA to resolve this matter and I look forward to representing my country at the 2012 Olympic Games in London," she said.

Because banned substances can be found in prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as dietary supplements, the USADA urges athletes to do their research before taking them. The agency runs educational sessions, distributes easy-reference wallet cards and manages a hotline to answer athletes' questions. And if an athlete needs to take a medication that contains a substance on the prohibited list, they can apply for permission.

"As in all cases, we thoroughly investigate the circumstances and always do what is fair and right for clean athletes and the integrity of sport," USADA chief executive officer Travis Tygart said in a statement.

Solo is one of 14 American athletes to receive a sanction under United States Olympic Committee's anti-doping policies this year, according to the USADA. She is one of three athletes to avoid suspension.

Source: abcnews.go.com

Fielder wows in final, wins Home Run Derby

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There must be something about Prince Fielder and competing in the Home Run Derby in Missouri. 

 Fielder launched 28 home runs Monday night at Kauffman Stadium to win his second Home Run Derby in the past four years. The first came in 2009 across the state in St. Louis.

 The Detroit slugger became the second player in Derby history to win multiple times, joining three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr. But he's the first player to win a title in both leagues, having won his first as a Milwaukee Brewer.

 "It means a lot because being mentioned with Ken is real special," Fielder said. "As a kid, like my kids, he was the first person with the NBA Jam arcade in his house, so my dad would let me go over there and play video games all day and he always took care of me when I was a kid. To be mentioned with him was real special."

Fielder, the first Detroit Tiger to win the event, beat Toronto's Jose Bautista by a 12-7 margin in the final round. After sneaking into the second round with the fourth-best score of just five in round one, the left-handed-hitting slugger hit 23 home runs the next two rounds. 

It was the second win in four Home Run Derby appearances for Fielder.

"It's fun," Fielder said. "Especially because my kids are out there and they are having a blast. Anytime you see your kids having a good time, you enjoy it as well. I'm just happy that I am healthy and able to be here. 

"If I'm invited, I'll keep doing it. They are a lot of fun."

Bautista, who failed to get past the first round last year, advanced to the final by defeating Angels slugger Mark Trumbo in a swing-off after both finished the first two rounds tied for second with a total of 13 home runs. The Blue Jays masher, who is tied for the major league lead with 27 home runs at the break, led the group with 11 home runs after the first round. But despite being in prime position to advance, he hit just two in the second round and was forced into the swing-off. 

Despite finishing third, Trumbo hit some of the longest home runs of the night, hitting one off the Royals Hall of Fame building in left field that was estimated at 475 feet. The Angels star hit four home runs of at least 450 feet in the first round.

Cardinals outfielder and former Royal Carlos Beltran advanced to the second round by tying for second with seven home runs in the first round. He hit five more in the second round, including 454- and 459-foot blasts to right.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates both hit four home runs and were eliminated in the first round. National League captain Matt Kemp, currently on the disabled list, finished with just one.

Yankees second baseman and American League captain Robinson Cano was the lone participant not to hit any home runs, drawing the loudest cheers of the night from the Kansas City crowd as each out was recorded. 

Cano, last year's Derby champion in Arizona, originally pledged to pick a hometown Royal for the Derby when he was announced as the American League captain. But he eventually decided against it, a move that didn't sit well with the Kansas City fans. 

The crowd chanted, "Bil-ly But-ler!" in reference to the Kansas City All-Star and alternated loud boos with cheers as each out fell short of the wall.   

Earlier in the evening, a plane made several passes around the airspace above Kauffman Stadium pulling a sign that read, "CONGRATS BILLY! YOU BLEW IT CANO – 810 WHB." A local Kansas City sports talk radio station apparently footed the bill.

Source: foxsportskansascity.com

Prince Fielder Wins Home Run Derby for 2nd Time

Prince Fielder made a splash at the All-Star Home Run Derby. Eight of them.The Detroit slugger joined Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to win multiple titles, thrilling the crowd at Kauffman Stadium with several shots into the right-field fountain and beating Toronto's Jose Bautista 12-7 in the final Monday night."Just being mentioned with him is real special," said Fielder, who spent time at Griffey's house when he was a kid. "My dad would let me go over and play video games all day. He always took care of me when I was a kid."On a night when the Yankees' Robinson Cano was repeatedly booed and went homerless, Fielder put on the most powerful display among baseball's big boppers. Winner at St. Louis' Busch Stadium three years ago, Fielder had a total of 28 home runs over three rounds to cap the main event on the eve of the All-Star game. He hit the four longest drives of the night, including a pair at 476 feet.

"They were far," he said. "That's not easy to hit it out there."While the ball stayed out of McCovey Cove during the 2007 Derby at San Francisco's AT&T Park and the right-field swimming pool last year at Chase Field in Phoenix, there was plenty of aquatic activity in Kansas City, second only to Rome for most fountains in cities around the world.After three splash shots among his five homers in the first round, Fielder started off the second round as the setting sun lit up clouds in a pretty pink behind the left-field wall. His mop of dreadlocks visible as he hit without a helmet, Fielder deposited four more balls into the 322-foot-wide water spectacular, which by then was illuminated in the twilight.

He added another water drive in the final round, then leaned against one of his sons while he watched Bautista swing.

"I'm a little disappointed," Bautista said. "I'm capable of doing more. I had a lot of fun doing it."

When he won three years ago in St. Louis, Fielder's 23 homers included a 503-foot drive that disappeared between two sections of bleachers in right-center. Griffey won titles in 1994 at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium, 1998 at Denver's Coors Field and 1999 at Boston's Fenway Park.

Cano set a final-round record of 12 en route to last year's title in Phoenix, where he hit 32 overall. This year he was the object of loud booing throughout by fans upset he didn't select the Royals' Billy Butler after promising to take a hometown player for his derby team.

Fans chanted "Bil-ly Butler!" in between their boos. When it was over, Cano got hugs from Boston's David Ortiz and Yankees teammates Curtis Granderson and CC Sabathia.

"I was criticized before I got here. If you play for the Yankees you get booed everywhere you go," Cano said.

It was the 17th time a player went homerless in the Derby, the first since Detroit's Brandon Inge in 2009.

"that was the most interesting reaction to a home rum derby i've ever seen, but the fans were excited which is all that counts," Granderson tweeted.

Carlos Gonzalez and Andrew McCutchen (four each) and Matt Kemp (one) also were dropped after the first round.

Carlos Beltran (12) was dropped after the second round, when Mark Trumbo and Bautista were tied with 13 apiece, leading to a swingoff won by Bautista 2-1.

Trumbo and Bautista each managed to put a drive into the small fountain beyond the left-field wall. Trumbo also hit a pair of shots over the Royals Hall of Fame in left, toward Interstate 70.

Source: abcnews.go.com

Serena Williams hails fifth Wimbledon title as 'beginning of something great'

WIMBLEDON — Not every comeback story has a happy ending.

On Saturday, Serena Williams made sure hers did.

Shaking off the nerves and she neared the finish line and fending off a determined charge from under-the-weather opponent Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, the 30-year-old American prevailed 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 in a surprisingly competitive Wimbledon ladies' singles final.

It was only the third major women's final out of the last 24 not to be decided in straight sets.

A year ago, Williams was just returning to action here after a nightmare year during which she had two foot surgeries, a blood clot, a pulmonary embolism and other issues that, for someone less determined at the same late stage of her career, might have signaled the end.

Instead, she returned in the best shape of her life and, though the last nine months, played extremely well — in spurts.

After a first-round loss at the French Open to Virginie Razzano in May that both shocked her and devastated her and a rather nervy, sluggish start here, the Serena Express picked up enough steam to claim the Venus Rosewater dish for the fifth time.

She tied her sister Venus, who was in the stands with tears in her eyes, with five. Williams now has 14 major titles; there's no reason she can't add to that total.

"Are you kidding? The U.S. Open, the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon 2013, The Championships," she said. "It's the beginning of a great phase. You know, I feel amazing out there. This whole tournament I felt really great physically. So I think it's definitely the beginning of something great. I hope it is."

The roof was open, but there were no issues with the weather beyond a brief rain interruption after the first set.

Seemingly on her way to a straight-set loss, Radwanska wasn't quite ready to hand it over. "She started playing excellent grass court tennis, getting a lot of balls back, and I panicked a little bit and I shouldn't have," Williams said of her opponent. "I usually don't."

The emotions were palpable on the court when it was over. It isn't often Williams falls, overcome with emotion, to the court after a big victory. More often than not, she just jumps up and down with joy.

She did that as well. But her journey back, remembering the nights she spent in the hospital with a tube draining fluid out of her stomach as sister Isha, physiotherapist Ester Lee and public-relations aide and friend Val Vogt sleeping over in rather cramped quarters, brought out some rare public tears.

After that French Open loss, Williams stayed on Paris, where she has a residence. She began training with coach and academy owner Patrick Mouratoglou, who has worked with many top players. In some way, it both healed her and re-energized her.

And this was the result.

Afterwards, Williams nimbly leaped into the stands. First father Richard, and then mother Oracene and sister Isha got long hugs.

Radwanska, as well, had tears when she spoke to on-court interviewer Sue Barker.

As Williams was rejoicing in the stands, Radwanska pulled tissue after tissue out of her bag and blew her nose repeatedly, as she had throughout the match.

A respiratory illness weakened her over the last week. And while there was no doubt she would try to play, it clearly took everything to take it the distance.

"I'm still shaking so much. I think I had the best two weeks of my life," Radwanska said. "I think Serena was just playing too good today but I'm just happy to be in the final."

A Grand Slam title in her first career final wasn't the only thing at stake for Radwanska. Had she won, she would have become the new No. 1 player in the world.

As it is, she'll climb to a career-best No. 2. Williams will move from No. 6 to No. 4.

It is Williams's first major title since her win at Wimbledon in 2010. She is the first woman over 30 to win Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova, who was 33 when she won in 1990.

Seven hours after Serena hoisted the singles trophy, the sisters closed out the doubles title with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over the Czech pair of Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.

The sisters easily could have been out in the second round, a rain-delayed match against No. 4 seeds Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko of Russia. And Williams easily could have pulled out of the event once she reached the singles final.

Instead, the sisters spent the off-day between the semis and final playing, and winning, two matches together.

Saturday, they started around 9:30 p.m. under the roof and finished with 10 minutes to spare before the neighbourhood-mandated 11 p.m. curfew.

It was, as it happens, their fifth Wimbledon doubles crown together, after five matches in the last four days.

In between the two triumphs, another great Wimbledon story played out on Centre Court.

The last-minute wild-card men's doubles team of Jonathan Marray and Frederik Nielsen, the Brit and the Dane, pulled off a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3 win over Johan Brunstrom of Sweden and Horia Tecau of Romania, who have now lost three consecutive Wimbledon doubles finals.

Marray, from Sheffield, is the first British man to win the men's doubles title in 76 years.

That's right, the last time it happened was 1936. That's the same year the last British man, Fred Perry, won the Wimbledon singles title.

As omens go, that's a pretty good one.

When countryman Andy Murray takes on Roger Federer Sunday, we'll see if it has any significance

Source: vancouversun.com

Adrian Peterson arrested on charge of resisting arrest

HOUSTON (AP) – Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest after an early morning incident in which police say it took three officers to subdue him.Peterson, who is from Palestine, Texas, was released from jail Saturday on a $1,000 bond. The charge is a misdemeanor.Team spokesman Bob Hagan said the Vikings "are aware of the situation and are gathering more information."Houston Police Department spokesperson Kese Smith said Peterson was at a downtown nightclub early Saturday morning when an off-duty Houston police officer working security asked Peterson and a group of people he was with to leave because the club had closed. The man, who Kese said identified himself as a police officer, left to tell other patrons to leave the club before returning to Peterson's group to again tell them to leave.Kese said Peterson turned around and told the officer that he heard him the first time and pushed him in the shoulder, causing him to stumble. The officer told Peterson he was under arrest and to put his hands behind his back. Peterson began yelling, pulled away and "assumed an aggressive stance" so another off-duty officer came to help. Peterson struggled with them both, police said.The 27-year-old player finally was handcuffed with the help of a third off-duty officer. Peterson complained of shortness of breath after he was taken to a Houston jail and was examined by Houston Fire Department personnel, who said he was OK.Peterson ran for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns last season before tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee Dec. 24. The injury-shortened season broke a streak of four straight seasons with at least 1,200 yards rushing for the former Oklahoma standout.

Source: usatoday.com

Anderson Silva set to silence Sonnen at UFC 148

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Photograph by: Josh Hedges , UFC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS -- Anderson Silva has always been the coolest guy in the room.

In the cage, it looks like nothing bothers the Ultimate Fighting Championship legend. Just ask former titleholder Forrest Griffin, who in 2009 threw everything he could at Silva, only to see Silva effortlessly bob and weave his head a la Muhammad Ali before a punch out of nowhere ended Griffin's night.

Away from the action, Silva has a sly grin and playful eyes. He's rocks a casual-chic style. He strolls while everyone else is in a hurry. Yup, cooler than the other side of the pillow.

That's why the words that came out of his mouth in the weeks leading up to his middleweight title defence against No. 1 contender Chael Sonnen on Saturday night at UFC 148 were so stunning.

"He doesn't deserve to be inside the octagon, and when the time comes and the time is right, I'm going to break his face and break every one of his teeth in his mouth," said Silva (29-4).

"What I'm going to do inside the octagon is something that's going to change the image of the sport," the champ said later. "I'm going to make sure that every one of his teeth are broken, his arms are broken, his legs are broken. He's going to not be able to walk out of the octagon by himself. I can guarantee that . . . No more (expletive) talking. It's on now."

UFC president Dana White was stunned with Silva's verbiage.

"I've promoted every Anderson Silva fight since he's been in the UFC and I've never heard him talk even remotely closely like this. He usually doesn't say anything negative, disrespectful," said White.

Had Silva finally lost his cool? Did Sonnen's two-year verbal assault finally get to Silva? Would he be too emotional heading into the octagon on Saturday night?

"Nope," Silva said this week with a wry smile.

He insists that while what Sonnen said was personal, Silva isn't taking it personally. It's all about doing his job and retaining his title at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"I'm just going to make him pay and make him eat everything that he said, not only about myself but about our country, about everything."

The first time they met, in August 2010, Sonnen pushed Silva like no UFC fighter had. Silva, 14-0 since his UFC debut in 2006, had clearly lost the first four rounds, victimized by Sonnen's superior wrestling and -- Silva later revealed -- struggling with a rib injury that occurred leading up to the fight. But in perhaps the most dramatic finish in UFC history, Silva locked in a triangle choke with just one minute 50 seconds left in the fifth and final round to submit Sonnen and retain his title.

Despite the loss, Sonnen upped his war of words even more as he campaigned for a rematch.

"All that happened was that Anderson found himself in a fight for the first time," said Sonnen (28-11). "I treated him like an amateur the first time, and he's going to look like an amateur this time."

Sonnen disparaged Silva's home country of Brazil.

"When I was a little kid, I remember going outside, I'd sit around with my friends. We'd talk about the latest technology, medicine, gaming and American ingenuity. And I look outside and Anderson and the Brazilian kids are sitting outside, playing in the mud," said Sonnen.

He pretended to snore while Silva was addressing the media at a news conference. At one point, he offered to retire should he get the match and lose to Silva.

He brought Silva's wife into the discussion. "You tell Anderson Silva I'm coming over and I'm kicking down his backdoor and patting his little lady on the ass and telling her to make me a steak, medium-rare, just how I like it," said Sonnen.

He has taken a page from pro wrestling when it comes to promoting a fight. But trash-talk aside, winning the UFC title would fulfil a dream for Sonnen.

"I've been training for combat since I was nine years old, and I've wanted to be the UFC champion since 1993. I couldn't think of a day in my life where this wasn't serious to me," said Sonnen, a former alternate with the United States Olympic wrestling team.

"It's about sacrifice and getting to the top . . . When I win this match, I will never be a closet champion."

With two years of build, White expects the event to surpass one million buys on PPV and approach the company record of 1.6 million set with UFC 100.

Those watching are going to see a main event worth remembering, says Silva.

"There's going to be no difference in the end. The first time we fought, he stepped out the loser and he's going to step out losing again this time," said Silva.

"Play time is over."

In other pay-per-view matches at UFC 148:

* In his retirement bout, UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz (17-10-1) takes on former champion Forrest Griffin (18-7) in a light heavyweight match;

* Quebec native Patrick Cote (18-7) meets Cung Le (7-2) in a middleweight contest;

* Demian Maia (15-4) squares off against Dong Hyun Kim (15-1-1, 1 NC) in a welterweight match;

* Chad Mendes (11-1) faces Cody McKenzie (13-2) in a featherweight bout;

* Montreal's Ivan Menjivar (24-8) takes on Mike Easton (12-1) in a bantamweight contest.

Source: edmontonjournal.com

Ray Allen to sign with Miami Heat

Ray Allen will take less money for a chance at another NBA championship.

Allen told the Miami Heat on Friday night that he intends to accept their contract offer and leave Boston after five seasons, even though the Celtics could pay him about twice as much as the reigning NBA champions will be able to next season. Miami could only offer Allen the mini mid-level, worth about $3 million a year.

Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted the news just after 9:30 p.m., or about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Europe, where Arison has been for several days.

''I was just woken up with great news,'' Arison wrote. ''Welcome to the family.'' Arison ended the tweet by making mention of Allen's jersey No. 20, and didn't mention the NBA's leading 3-point shooter by name.

A person briefed on details of the decision told The Associated Press that Arison got the word from Heat President Pat Riley, who made Allen the team's top free-agent priority - especially in recent days. Allen, who will be 37 this month, arrived in Miami on Thursday for a visit, went to dinner with Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra, team executive Alonzo Mourning and others Thursday night, then left Friday to presumably decide his future.

Hours later, the choice was made. Allen's agent, James Tanner, confirmed the decision to the AP not long after Arison's tweet.

Allen, who made a career-best 45 percent of his 3-point attempts this past season cannot officially sign until Wednesday because of the league's moratorium.

Allen becomes the latest player to be sold by Riley on the notion of sacrifice since the blockbuster summer of 2010. The Heat convinced LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all to take less money than they could have made elsewhere in that offseason, so there would be enough room left to add players like Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller. Then last summer, Shane Battier accepted a deal that will pay him $3 million annually.,

The approach clearly worked. Next fall, the Heat will raise a championship banner, and Allen will be with them for the title defense.

''HeatNation continues to grow,'' Wade wrote on Twitter late Friday night. And James added, ''please welcome our newest teammate Ray Allen'' with the added hashtag of ''Wow.''

Wade and James both were involved on some level in the recruitment of Allen. James took to Twitter and Facebook in recent days to let his millions of followers know how much he wanted to see Allen in a Heat uniform, and Wade tweeted on Wednesday that the next day - the one where Allen was visiting - would be a big one for the franchise.

In the end, it appeared that the biggest push - again - came from Riley, who said before free agency started that Miami had identified ''five or six'' clear targets to add to the roster.

He never specifically said Allen, and given how James was letting the secret out on Twitter anyway, Riley didn't have to say anything else.

New Orleans Hornets guard Jarrett Jack asked his followers in a tweet about an hour after the Allen story broke if he was ''wrong for thinking ray allen is a traitor'' for signing with Miami. Even NFL stars were reacting Friday night. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick used the following hashtags on Twitter to describe his reaction to Allen's decision: ''loaded,'' ''finalpiece'' and ''notfair.''

There's probably more than a few people in Boston who would agree.

Miami is still hoping to add at least one more piece through free agency, and is expected to meet this weekend with Marcus Camby and Rashard Lewis.

Allen was mentioned in some trade possibilities this past season, and eventually lost his starting job to Avery Bradley. Allen needed surgery earlier this offseason to remove bone spurs from his right ankle, though said when the Celtics were ousted from the playoffs by the Heat for the second straight year that his playing days were not over.

''There's still a lot of basketball left in my legs,'' Allen said in Miami not long after the Celtics dropped Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Heat. ''I know that for sure. So it's hard to say what can happen, what may happen.''

Not even a month later, Allen - who helped the Celtics win the 2008 NBA title - decided to join Miami.

Earlier this week, the Celtics reportedly agreed on a $15 million, three-year deal with shooting guard Jason Terry. But Boston also wanted to keep Allen, with general manager Danny Ainge quoted in recent days saying ''we really want Ray to come back. Time will tell.''

Miami wanted Allen because of its ongoing quest to keep surrounding James, Wade and Bosh with shooters who extend defenses and therefore create room around the basket for the ''Big Three'' to attack. That approach worked perfectly for Miami in the playoffs - the Heat were 9-1 when making at least eight 3-pointers in playoff games (7-6 otherwise), and they hit 14 in the finals-clincher over Oklahoma City.

Allen has made an NBA-record 2,718 3-pointers.

source: msn.foxsports.com