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*Cardi B was allegedly in talks with the NFL to join Maroon 5 during their Super Bowl halftime show performance in February, as she features on the band’s recent No. 1 hit “Girls Like You”.

But according to multiple reports, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper “is holding out.”

“She doesn’t want to do it unless they roll out the red carpet for her,” a source close to the negotiations said. Cardi reportedly demanded a fee of up to $1 million, plus a solo spot in the halftime show.

*The parents of the 16-year-old biracial varsity wrestler who was forced to cut his dreads before a match have spoken out for the first time since the incident.

The attorney for Charles and Rosa Johnson, Dominic A. Speziali, said in a statement that the conduct of the referee who forced their son, Andrew, to cut his hair “appears more egregious as additional information comes to light,” kdvr.com reports.

They allege the referee told Andrew his hair and headgear were not in compliance with league regulations, Speziali said in the statement.

When Andrew suggested he could push his hair back, Speziali said the referee refused because the teen’s hair “wasn’t in its natural state.”

So the high schooler was given an ultimatum: Cut the locks or forfeit the match. He chose to have his hair cut.

*We don’t know what young and upcoming University of Miami quarterback N’Kosi Perry was thinking when he made a super stupid move that showed his immaturity.

Yep, he may be ready on the field, but it’s what he did off the field that has come back to haunt him and cost him his starting position on the team.

Here the deal. Perry, the U-M starting quarterback, posted a video to his Snapchat account in mid-September that showed two unidentified individuals engaging in sexual intercourse.  Somehow – and it’s not too hard to figure out – the x-rated vid  resurfaced among the Miami student body late last month.  Oops! That’s obviously not a good look for the team and the school. Something had to give. In a statement late last week, the football program said it was aware of the video and “the posting has been addressed with the student-athlete.”

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Well, the “posting has been addressed with the student-athlete” statement kinda, sorta tells you what up, it doesn’t come right out say what will be N’Kosi Perry’s fate as far as who will start under center for today’s game. Now we know. Head coach Mark Richt confirmed on Wednesday that Malik Rosier (pictured immediately above), not Perry, will get the start at quarterback for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl game against Wisconsin.

Richt, who reprimanded Perry earlier this season for acting juvenile by flashing money in an Instagram video, said Wednesday that Perry has not exactly been suspended for the bowl game [5:15pm Eastern, ESPN/ESPN App].

“He’s not suspended,” Richt told reporters, according to the Miami Herald. “He is available to play as of right now, but we feel like Malik was the guy that’s going to give us the best shot.”

Like the redshirt freshman Perry, Rosier, a fifth-year senior, has started six games this season.  Perry had started the last three contests of the regular season after wresting the job away from Rosier.

If you’re not familiar, this season, Rosier has completed 53.5 percent of his 144 passes for 1,007 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.  He’s also rushed for another 210 yards and six more touchdowns.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/12/miami-qb-nkosi-perry-sacked-by-team-wont-play-because-of-porn-posted-to-snapchat/

*Deion Sanders was at the prime of his life in the mid-late 90’s. He had won two Super Bowls and appeared in a World Series. He was rich, had become a father and even released an album.

But as reported by The Undefeated in 1997, he drove his car off a cliff in an suicide attempt.

“I was going through the trials and tribulations of life. I was pretty much running on fumes,” he said. “I was empty, no peace, no joy. Losing hope with the progression of everything.”

Sanders recounted the suicide attempt in his autobiography “Power, Money & Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life.” He survived a 30- to 40-foot drop without any serious injuries. He then decided his life was worth living.

“I finally just got on my knees and gave it all to the Lord,” he said.

“Slowly, but surely, I had to deal with my faith, deal with my strength,” Sanders said. “I had to get a lot of Word in so that I could fight off the enemy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith. People argue about what faith is, and who Jesus is, but it works for me. I’m not going to sit here and argue about who is what, and what is what, I’m just going to say it works for me.”

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He began reading the Bible and seeking guidance from mentors such as Bishop T.D. Jakes.

“No one had told me that life would be tough going from one team to another one,” Sanders said. “Going from the enemy’s team, being one of his soldiers, to God’s team. That’s a tremendous turnaround.”

Sanders said he became committed to living a faith-first lifestyle.

“I don’t believe you can be at your optimum without your faith,” Sanders said. “Sports is sports, it’s a game. My faith is everything. It’s the gas that propels the courage, the truth, keeps me going. It’s the wind, it’s the wings, it’s the air that pumps into my lungs, that provokes me to live. Faith is everything.”

The former NFLer says he’s a member of Vision Regeneration Church in Dallas, led by Bishop Omar Jahwar.

“Finding someone that’s like-minded at this age and stage of my life is a delight to me,” Sanders said of Stand Together. “They give with no expectation, give from the heart. The want to fight domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, disenfranchised families. There’s so many things that they’re up against.”

The father of five children also works as a commentator with the NFL Network and he ministers to others.

“What people call ‘in the ministry,’ I call it ‘in my will.’ I’m in God’s will,” he said. “I don’t really get down with a lot of titles, this and that. I believe I’m just in God’s will. If he called me to minister to a group, or setting, or whatever, that’s what it is. That’s what I’m gonna do. I don’t really desire a title to go and do what I’ve been called to do. I think it’s only right to go.”

A new ESPN 30 For 30 documentary about Sanders’ suicide attempt will air January 31. The trouble began during his separation from first wife Carolyn Chambers, the mother of his two children Deion Jr and Deiondra. The end of his marriage propelled him into spiral downward with wanting to take his own life

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/12/deion-sanders-recalls-suicide-attempt-that-led-him-to-the-lord/

*Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave his mom a new home for Christmas and he shared his gift giving spitit in an emotional post on Instagram.

Johnson, 46, posted about the surprise on Sunday, writing, “This one felt good. Surprise! Bought my mom a new home for Christmas. All our lives growing up we lived in little apartments all across the country. Lived like gypsies on the road from one state to another.”

He continued, revealing that “The first home my parents ever lived in was the one I bought for them in 1999. They divorced about 5yrs later and as with life, stuff happens and things got a little complicated. Since then I always made sure my mom and dad have everything they’ll ever need – houses, cars etc. But the house this time is a special one and the timing is very meaningful. I told her to treat this card like it’s “Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket” because she gets to choose any home she wants – anywhere she wants.”

Read his full post below.

*Earlier we told you about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian announcing that they are expecting baby number 4 (scroll down for MORE info). Now, we can tell you about Kobe and Vanessa Bryant‘s plans for their #4, too.

It happened yesterday, New Year’s Day, that the couple announced they’re expecting.

“New Year, New Baby! Baby Mamba On The Way 2019,” Kobe posted on Instagram.

He followed up with:

*A few weeks ago the NFL announcement plans to strengthen its commitment to consider minority candidates when hiring coaches and executives in their front offices.

“Our focus was simply: How do we make the Rooney Rule better?” Robert Gulliver, the league’s chief human resources officer, said, referring to the rule adopted in 2003 and named for Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time who pushed for the regulations, reports the NY Times.

Now, the Rooney Rule will be put to the test.

There were seven Black coaches at the beginning of the 2018 season. On Monday, only two remain: Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Anthony Lynn with the LA Chargers. Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera, who is Latino, is the only other minority head coach.

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Four black coaches were fired this week, including the Jets’ Todd Bowles, Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos Coach Vance Joseph, and Cardinals’ coach Steve Wilks. Cleveland’s Hue Jackson had previously been canned back in October.

via the New York Times:

But the next several weeks will unquestionably heighten the scrutiny on the N.F.L.’s hiring practices and how reliably, or willingly, the Rooney Rule will be employed.

Under the new regulations enacted a few weeks ago, when teams are looking to fill positions, they must interview at least one minority candidate from a list kept by the league’s Career Development Advisory Panel, or a minority candidate not currently working with a team. Teams also must keep detailed records of who they interview, which is perhaps a response to criticism from minority candidates who say they are routinely called, but not formally interviewed, by teams trying to do the least possible to fulfill their obligations.

After it was first established, the Rooney Rule appeared to be having an impact. By 2011, eight N.F.L. teams had coaches of color, the most to that point, or since.

Yet, at the same time, hiring minority front office executives did not keep pace.

With this latest shake-up of Black coaches, and the N.F.L. under pressure to increase the presence of minority coaches and executives, many sports fans wonder if the Rooney Rule is even effective, and if so, why does the future for minority coaches still look so bleak?

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/nfl-fires-several-black-coaches-after-vow-to-strengthen-the-rooney-rule/

*Dwyane Wade’s baby mama, Aja Metoyer, decided to be messy on social media over the weekend by seemingly shading the NBA star’s wife, Gabrielle Union.

The former “Basketball Wives” star, who shares a son with Wade named Xavier Wade, posted a picture of her C-section scar along with a message praising mothers who experienced a Caesarean birth. She added “LOL” at the end of her note… and that’s when things went left.

Fans are now slamming Aja because many believe she was mocking Union, who recently welcomed a baby girl with Dwyane via surrogate after many miscarriages.

One person commented: “So why did she remove the “LOL” from the end? The “lol” is what made it shade. Why put it? That was the purpose? Shade! She was throwing shade at Gabby. It wasn’t innocent. You still big mad he didn’t choose you, sis. Let’s just be honest with ourselves,” Celebrity Insider reported.

Another follower noted that influencers such as Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman also had babies via surrogate.

“Umm… Interesting? So, please “Add” a Shout-out to mothers who did not physically birth their kids or just hit “Delete” be authentic! Being petty looks small on your part, whether it was intentional or not. The timing is absolutely questionable! I am just saying, “Beautiful Single Mother” level up! Whether a woman birth a child does not make her connected or disconnected. It is simply in the soul, spirit, and heart of the woman! Salute to all mothers! Surrogate, Adopted, etc. Why did she remove the original caption? If you’re gonna stand in your truth stand ALL the way in it. You didn’t think the blogs was watching your ass because this doesn’t even match the previous explanation she gave when someone asked her about the LoL.”

But one defender had this to say: “Intentional shade or not, it’s her page and her journey (the caesarian) so she can post what she wants. I stated this earlier. And remember, ppl are feeling sorry for a person who admitted that they were a mean girl, who wished bad and was gleeful when other women of color had hardships. So….I’m not sure how people got all the negative foolishness out your post. I saw the post & not one time did I think of the other young lady. People just being messy.”

Another user added: “I don’t agree with the womb post if!! It was sent out of Anger!!, but kiddos for not signing over full custody… Raise your child, but please heal.. yeah it’s hard, but many mothers experience different hurt, regroup and start fresh. Forgiveness is Priceless.”

Aja has responded to her critics, claiming she wasn’t being shady at all and she slammed folks for being so negative. Check out her response below (via The YBF):

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/aja-metoyer-responds-to-critics-who-slammed-her-for-shading-gabrielle-unions-surrogate-baby/

*21-year-old Lamar Jackson will make NFL history when he steps onto the field for the Ravens in a playoff game against the Chargers on Sunday.

As reported by The Baltimore Sun, Jackson will start at quarterback for the Ravens AFC wild-card-round game, making him the youngest-ever QB to start a playoff game.

“I’m trying to taste that victory for my birthday Monday,” Jackson said, per the team’s official website. “I can taste it!”

Per NFL.com:

“Coincidentally, Jackson is attempting to break the record of another scampering quarterback, Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old when he ran over the Green Bay Packers in 2003 at Lambeau Field, becoming the youngest signal-caller to win a playoff game. Vick was in his second season.”

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*Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has vowed to donate his NFL playoff game check to the family of the 7-year-old girl who was killed over the weekend when a white male in a pickup truck pulled up alongside the vehicle she was a passenger in and opened fire.

“When I see Jazmine Barnes‘ face, I see my own daughter,” Hopkins, 26, tweeted Thursday. “On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine.”

Hopkins wants to help the family cover the funeral costs and to add to the reward being offered by authorities for information leading to an arrest of the gunman.

“It’s been a moving number, but it’s safe to say that the number is in the six figures,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jason Spencer told The Post.

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On Thursday afternoon, a sketch of a possible suspect was released… see below.

“Our investigators have been sifting through a consistent stream of tips coming in locally and nationally,” Spencer said. “And the ones that have the most specificity and the most promise are being prioritized. Obviously, no arrests have been made or arrest warrants issued, but we are getting promising leads that are being pursued.”

As previously reported, Jasmine’s father is asking the public for help finding the shooter, who has been described as a white man in his 40’s.

“I just want anybody, whoever out there that knows anything about the murder of my daughter, to just please step up as if it was your own,” Jazmine’s father, Christopher Cevilla, said at a news conference Monday, according to People.

“Just put yourself in my shoes — in my family’s shoes,” he said.

Jazmine and her three siblings were with their mother, LaPorsha Washington, 30, at the time of the shooting. Two teens and a 6-year-old were also in the car. The teens were not seriously injured during the incident.  Washington was shot in the arm while Jazmine’s 6-year-old sister was hurt by shattered glass after the gunman fired into the family’s car “totally unprovoked,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

“The family should be celebrating and spending time together anticipating the new year and instead they’re making plans to bury this innocent, precious child,” he told reporters Monday.

As reported by The New York Post, the community organized a rally in Jazmine’s honor scheduled for Saturday in the Walmart parking lot near where she was killed. A funeral and a ceremonial balloon release is set for Monday at Houston’s Green House International Church.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/deandre-hopkins-to-donate-nfl-check-to-find-houston-girls-killer/

*Standing at an impressive 6-foot-9, weighing 220 pounds, the San Jose native Aaron Gordon is a force on the basketball court, now in his fifth season playing for the Orlando Magic.  He epitomizes values that are emulated by those who are successful like his outstanding work ethic, determination, and his devotion to performing at an optimal level in each of the games he plays.

Yet, Gordon’s gifts extend beyond the basketball court.  While he was given a chance growing up to develop his athleticism, education was heavily promoted and revered during his formative years by his mother and father.  The lessons that Gordon was taught by his family about developing and building a robust, healthy mind is the same insight he wants to pass along to the youth of Central Florida.

To achieve this goal, Gordon created CodeOrlando, a STEM education program that is in partnership with CodeFWD by Facebook, Sphero, and Orange County Public Schools’ (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).

Gordon kicked off his initiative in December and provided local Orlando students from disadvantaged communities the chance to learn computer science, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence through creative technology projects.  The program will provide a platform for students to participate in valuable speaking and teamwork skills, and give them the opportunity to hear from distinguished technologists along with visiting various businesses and colleges.

Through the Gordon Family Giving Fund, Gordon will financially support the coding program, which will officially kick off this year and ACE will teach and oversee the curriculum. On behalf of his charitable foundation, Gordon donated $6,000 to ACE  which will allow the school to provide the necessary instruction for the coding program during the school year, purchase the equipment that is needed to expand the classes, and conduct intensive summer courses that will include 30 students from the eighth grade to the 12th.   ACE students will learn to operate Sphero robotic balls through simple block-level commands by utilizing smartphones and tablet apps to create instructions that will cause the balls to perform in a particular manner, thereby, giving students a more in-depth understanding on how the process of programming works.

Gordon has a deep respect for technology and wants to impart to students how learning about this particular field can fun and rewarding.  The idea for his newly minted program CodeOrlando was cultivated from his youth where he was exposed to the benefits of the technological occupation based on his mother’s chosen career in Silicon Valley.

“Growing up this was something that was very much a part of our family with my mom working in the semiconductor industry,” said Gordon. “I understand the importance of all students being given the opportunity to learn and experience new things especially in the field of STEM.  I’m thrilled to be able to partner with giants like Facebook and Spheros on this labor of love and bring something to the underserved students in Central Florida.”

Gordon’s mother, Shelly Davis Gordon, had a career in high tech as a semiconductor for 35 years, working for such employers like Xilinx and Alera, a firm that was bought by the microchip giant Intel while she was still employed there.  She also worked on projects like Siemens’ first MRI machine and helmet cams developed for fighter pilots. Shelly Davis Gordon understood the importance of sharing her knowledge and started an after-school program that allowed local students to take old computers and dismantle them to know how they operated.“We’d bring over 10 systems, and after three hours they would all be bits of dust,” she said. “That was their ‘aha moment,” states Shelly Davis Gordon. So it is only natural that her son would follow in her altruistic and educational footsteps by creating a STEM education program for the Central Florida community.

*According to a poll conducted by The Athletic, 95 percent of NFL defensive players believe quarterback Colin Kaepernick should be on a team.

The former San Francisco 49er was the first player to kneel during the national anthem as a means of protesting police brutality and racial inequality. Kap has gone unsigned for the past two seasons. He last played in the NFL  in 2016 due to being blacklisted — as such, he filed a collusion grievance against NFL owners in Oct. 2017.

Eighty-five defensive players anonymously participated in the survey and only two reportedly said Colin should not be on an NFL roster, and two had “No comment.”

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*Jermaine Dupri  is a Grammy-winning producer, member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and star of the hit Lifetime show, “The Rap Game.”

As a super producer, Dupri gave the Hip-Hop world acts like Kriss-Kross and Bow Wow. Now he is creating a new crop of young stars. Season 5 of “The Rap Game” promises to be the most intense ever. The stakes are high for the young rappers – this season features a battle every episode – to try to stay on the HIT list and in the house.

Yours truly, EURweb correspondent Jill Munroe, sat down with Jermaine to discuss season 5 – including current and former contestants – the controversy behind his curated concert series for the NFL’s Super Bowl LIII and R. Kelly.

Dupri was selected by the Atlanta Super Bowl Host committee to produce a series of free concerts during the week leading up to the big game.

*Serena Williams took to Instagram over the weekend to share an adorable photo of her 8-week-old daughter Alexis Olympia, documenting her baby’s most recent bath on Instagram.

In the picture, Williams’ fiancé, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is seen holding their child — who appears to be wrapped up in a green frog towel.

“We love bath time,” Williams captioned the photo. 

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Williams and Ohanian dressed up their newborn as Batman to celebrate her first Halloween, sharing a photo of the precious moment on the baby’s Instagram page “When you realize you’re the hero Gotham needs,” the proud parents captioned the snap. See pic below.

As noted by E! News, Williams described finding out that she was expecting her first child during a home pregnancy test, telling Vanity Fair, “[I thought] I’ll take it just because (a) to prove you wrong and (b) because it’s fun, whatever. It’s like a joke, why not? An hour and a half later, I went back to the bathroom and I totally forgot about it because it was impossible for me…So I went back to get dressed and I went back in the bathroom and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that test.'”

She explained her initial reaction upon seeing the test results by revealing “My heart dropped. Like it literally dropped.”

Earlier this summer, Alexis Ohanian opened up about how he knew motherhood would come easily to Serena.

“She’s very good at a lot of things and well on her way to being an awesome mom too,” he told CNBC’s Squawk Box before noting that he will be going on paternity leave from the company.

“I’ll be taking off for six weeks myself and trying to do the best job possible as a new dad, a first-time dad.”

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/serena-williams-loves-bath-time-with-daughter-alexis-olympia/

*Today, Serena Williams lost her most recent bid to win her record-setting 24th Grand Slam at the US Open. It was clear she was up against a formidable opponent in Japan’s Naomi Osaka, but who knew the match would end in the controversial fashion that it did.

Here what went down inside Arthur Ashe Stadium:

Osaka, to be fair, came out asserting herself in the match. She wasn’t at all bothered by the occasion or who she was playing – her idol, the great Serena Williams – and earned the first and only break point in the match. She took it 6-2.

Serena came out in the second and held serve to start, but as Naomi was was on serve to level it, in a rare twist for the former champion, she was called for coaching violation. The chair umpire arguably observed her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, give her a coaching signal from her player’s box, which Serena immediately refuted.

Serena, furious about the call, then stopped play to let the umpire, Carlos Ramos, know that “she has never cheated in her whole career and she would rather lose than cheat,” she said. “I’m a mother and I am all about integrity.” She has her hand on her hip akin to 2009’s foot fault/death threat controversy, so it wasn’t likely things would end there.

Play went on, but the scar tissue remained. Naomi held to level it, 1-all.

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Serena was no doubt fuming inside and, being a 23-time Grand Slam champion, managed to find a earn a rare break point (Naomi was playing lights out tennis). She took advantage and went up 2-1 and the crowd – who were firmly in her corner – went wild.

The veteran got the break, but that was the beginning of the manifestation of what was brewing inside the tempestuous 36-year-old.

Naomi was composed during the entire match and didn’t at all let up. She immediately got the break back with her powerful returns, which caused Serena to slam her racket into the court. That’s nothing new in the game of tennis.

But things went even more left from there.

The smashing of the racket led to yet another violation and, since she had already received the coaching warning, led to a lost point in the next game. With a little head-start (not to say she needed it), Naomi leveled the set 3-all.

The storm brewing inside Serena then came then to a head. She expressed her feelings about the ordeal to Ramos:

“You owe me an apology. I have never cheated,” she said. “You are a thief for stealing a point from me …”

Those comments led to a third code of conduct violation – which the umpire had discretion over – and he chose to dock her a whole game, allowing Naomi to go up 5-3. The tournament director was called, pleas were made, but the Call stood. The eight ball she was already behind grew exponentially.

Serena, in tears, was able to hold the next game for 4-5, but the emotions were too high for her to even think about focusing on breaking Naomi in the next game, though it was do or die. The first-time-finalist was playing too well, had the trophy in her crosshairs and refused to bow to the controversy.

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Naomi Osaka closed it out, 6-2, 6-4, in conflicted tears for her very first Grand Slam title. She hesitantly went to her box – still in tears – for comfort, as the crowd booed the series of events that led to the win.

Serena described the moment as such: “I’m crying and she’s crying. You know, she just won. I’m not sure if they were happy tears or sad tears because of the moment. That’s not how I felt when I won my first Grand Slam … listen, we have to pull ourselves together.”

Serena then employed her newfound motherly instinct and made an appeal to the crowd: “No more booing. This is her moment and I’m disappointed, but we will get through this.”

It was gracious on her part to not dwell on her grievances and take away from such an exciting moment for Naomi and her camp.

But she let her true feelings be made known in the press room:

“You can’t go back in time. I can’t sit here and say I wouldn’t say he’s a thief, because I thought he took a game from me.

But I’ve seen other men call umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say ‘thief,’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He’s never taken a game from a man because they’ve said ‘thief.’

It blows my mind. But I’m going to continue [tears up] to fight for women and to fight for us to have equal [rights] … this is outrageous.

She then dropped the mic … press conference over.

The US Open’s women’s final ended not with hired fireworks, but with controversial one. Naomi Osaka was left standing as the victor and Serena Williams was left, arguably, the vicTIM.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/soul-of-the-us-open-naomi-osaka-claims-her-first-us-open-title-amid-controversy/

*SACRAMENTO –  Following umpire Carlos Ramos’ interference in the 2018 U.S. Open final between Serena Williams and Naomi Ōsaka, The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC) is calling for the International Tennis Association to investigate gender and racial bias within its ranks and is rallying tennis fans across the globe to #StandWithSerena.

Comprised of Black Women’s March leaders across the national network, WM-BLAC launched the website, www.istandwithserena.com, featuring a WM-BLAC statement of solidarity for Williams, a demand for an investigation of the ITA and partial expungement of the monetary penalty levied against her, as well as tools to empower the public to sign on to the statement and graphics to share with hashtags #StandWithSerena and #WMBLAC.

“This was an opportunity to celebrate two black women at the top of professional tennis. Instead the electric, consequential and career defining game was wrested by a man on the sidelines. The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC) strongly denounces the actions of umpire Carlos Ramos at September 8th’s U.S. Open match between Serena Williams and Naomi Ōsaka as sexist and racist. We recognize that Black women are too often prejudiced against by the twin biases of race and gender, with little to no advocacy in seeking justice after a traumatizing incident.” said Agunda Okeyo, NYC Women’s March Chapter Co-Chair and WM-BLAC co-founder.

Umpire Carlos Ramos is widely known as a “stickler for the rules,” but when rules are applied with implicit bias, they serve not to uphold a sport, but double down on rules that perpetuate inequality.  Ramos imposed a series of warnings and penalties on Williams that very well may have cost her the game. It also eclipsed a masterful victory from ultimate winnerŌsaka, attaining her first Open championship. Ōsaka, in fact, made history as the first Haitian and Japanese player to win the renowned competition.

Specifically, WM-BLAC is demanding  that the $17,000 penalty charges levied against Ms. Williams be expunged of the $10,000 charge for verbal abuse and the $4,000 charge for coaching.

Additionally, WM-BLACK insists that the umpire Carlos Ramos be investigated for gender and racial bias. Finally the group demands that an independent commission be formed to investigate gender and racial bias in the International Tennis Federation.

In the era of Time’s Up and #MeToo, women are no longer waiting to be believed. WM-BLAC seeks to compel consistent and strategic action on behalf of black women’s dignity throughout the calendar year, while offering leadership, empowerment and support for important issues that directly affect black women.

Women’s March Sacramento President and co-founder of WM-BLAC Jasper James shared their thoughts, saying, “Black women across the globe recognize that Williams was standing for a reputation that she has spent her entire lifetime building. As a life long tennis fan, I am all too familiar with the level of disrespect that has followed Serena from the very onset of her multi decade career to now. Ms. Williams has tirelessly stood for Black women everywhere, now it’s our chance to return the favor. The WM-BLAC demands justice for our sister Serena and the blatant double standard that she is facing.”

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) CEO Steve Simon a statement in support of Williams and Osaka while condemning any gendered double standard. It is time for the International Tennis Federation to do the same. The monumental game on Saturday was a clear illustration of sexist double standards in tennis. Men are often coached, break rackets and joust with umpires without consequence or perhaps admonitions. Further umpire Ramos betrayed typical sexist behavior by using his position of authority to exact a personal vendetta against Williams for a claim of “verbal abuse” when she rightfully called him “a thief.”

The IFT umpires have begun talks as to whether or not they will boycott future Williams matches. WM-BLAC finds this absolutely preposterous and asks that tennis fans across the globe #StandWithSerena by posting their moments of staring down sexism and double standards with a call to the ITF to investigate bias within its organization. Women in all workplaces experience abuse of power at an alarming scale, and this match was no different. From tennis courts to boardrooms across America, women have had enough. We insist on seeing real change to a double standard for all women, especially women of color.

About The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC)

Is a coalition of black woman leadership within Women’s March. We aspire towards consistent and strategic action on behalf of black women’s dignity throughout the calendar year, while offering leadership, empowerment and support for important issues that directly affect black women.

About Activism Articulated

Activism Articulated is an advocacy communications firm focused exclusively on progressive political advocacy. We believe we can help create a better world by arming activists and nonprofits with the tools and support they need to navigate a complex media environment. Activism Articulated provides high-level media consulting to build and execute communications strategies and advocacy campaigns designed to change the world.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/womens-march-black-leadership-action-coalition-asks-tennis-fans-to-standwithserena/

*Whoa! This has got to be mind-blowing for young Shareef O’Neal. The budding UCLA basketball star has revealed that he will have to miss playing ball this season because of a heart issue that will require major surgery … but vows to return.

Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road.

“A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court.

According to the report, Shareef didn’t specify the exact problem — but said the issue is severe enough that he’ll be having heart surgery in the near future.

“Thank God the UCLA medical staff caught it early,” O’Neal said.

Shareef says he’s been talking with his dad, Shaquile O’Neal and mom Shaunie O’Neal about how best to handle the situation — and will NOT withdraw from school while recovering.

“During rehab, I’ll be attending my classes and being a normal student.”

Shareef says he vows to return to the court in 2019 after redshirting this upcoming season — and describes the ordeal as “just a bump in the road.”

“I’ll be back in no time.”

RELATED NEWS: LEBRON JAMES JR. WILL PLAY FOR CROSSROADS IN L.A. – SHAREEF O’NEAL TO ENROLL AT UCLA

And he’s got the full support of UCLA.

College Basketball UCLA’s Shareef O’Neal, Shaq’s Son, To Miss NCAA Basketball Season With Heart Ailment by Marcus Kwesi O’Mard on Fri, Sep 28, 2018 at 12:41PM Share this: 12Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)12 Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Shareef O’Neal must overcome a false start to his college basketball career. The UCLA men’s basketball forward and son of Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal announced Friday morning on TMZ he’ll miss the 2018-19 season due to a heart condition. Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road. “A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court. UCLA fully supports O’Neal and his family. “Freshman Shareef O’Neal will be sidelined for the 2018-19 season (medical),” UCLA said in a statement, per CBS’ Kyle Boone. He will remain enrolled in class and on the men’s basketball team during this redshirt year. The UCLA men’s basketball program completely supports Shareef and his family as he gets this issue resolved.”

Take care of yourself and get well soon, Shareef!

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/shaquile-shaunie-oneals-son-shareef-to-undergo-heart-surgery-video/

*LOS ANGELES – Late last month, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Executive Director Nichol Whiteman, together with Dodger All-Stars Yasiel Puig and Clayton Kershaw, joined Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten, Dodger Manager Dave Roberts, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and other officials along with scores of young baseball and softball players to unveil the 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

The completion of this Dreamfield marked the final step in LADF’s commitment to create 50 fields in 15 years. Since 2003, over $10 million has been invested in these fields, which have impacted the lives of over 300,000 youth in and around Los Angeles.  The foundation revealed that it is extending its initial commitment of 50 fields with an additional $10 million to build 75 fields by the 75^th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles.

The construction of this $300,000 project is partially funded by generous donations from the City of Los Angeles, Yasiel Puig’s Wildhorse Foundation, the Tyler Development Corporation, Clayton & Ellen Kershaw, the LA84 Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, and the Bruce P. Rubenstein Family.

Additional special guests and speakers at the unveiling ceremony included State Senator Holly J. Mitchell, LA City Council President Herb Wesson, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Manny Mota, and Steve Yeager (Dodger Alumni), Alanna Rizzo (Los Angeles Dodgers Broadcaster), Aleta Williams (Daughter of Algin Sutton), Vicki Israel (Assistant General Manager, LA Department of Recreation and Parks), Tyler Udall (Tyler Development Corporation), Renata Simril (President and CEO, LA84 Foundation), Marsha Bonner (Director of Community Grantmaking, Annenberg Foundation), John Bendheim (Leon Lowenstein Foundation), Joe Baca, Jr. (Rialto City Councilmember), youth softball and baseball players representing the community of Algin Sutton, Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), the Natasha Watley Foundation, Girls Play LA, Yasiel Puig’s 66ers baseball team, Manchester Elementary School, Brotherhood Crusades, Alliance Judy I Burton Technology Academy High School, and the Boys & Girls Club.  Dodgers players and officials gathered for a ceremonial “lighting of the scoreboard,” which was followed by a public community festival that included fun-filled activations including a Farmer John Dodger Dog Truck, LADWP Water Truck, LA Teams Sports Zone, Dodger Alumni autographs, Dodger Guy Character, Dodger giveaways and tunes from DJ Severe, the Dodger DJ.

“We are proud of the meaningful impact Dodgers Dreamfields have had on local communities. As we unveil our 50^th, we are thrilled to extend and renew our promise to provide access and opportunity to youth throughout Los Angeles who need it most,” Mark Walter, Dodger Owner and Chairman, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

“It makes perfect sense that the 50^th Dreamfield would open right here at a recreation center named after the late Algin Sutton, who dedicated his career to connecting young people with opportunities to play,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.  “In Los Angeles, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to sports and recreation no matter what her zip code, and I’m so proud to call the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation our partner in increasing opportunities to play!”

“Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for completing their 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield”, said Mike Shull, General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks.  “We are proud of our partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers and their commitment to invest in our City’s park system, which has created lasting disparities in access to quality open space and recreation programs for youth and families of our communities.”

During the unveiling ceremony, the foundation debuted its Dodgers Dreamfields Impact Report, outlining the tremendous influence that these fields have had on youth in Los Angeles’ most underserved communities including Central Los Angeles, Inglewood, South Los Angeles, Harbor City, San Fernando Valley, East Los Angeles, and La Puente.  These fields provide kids with a positive and vibrant environment to participate in baseball and softball opportunities in their neighborhoods. In partnership with corporations, foundations, local municipalities, and individuals, Dodgers Dreamfields contribute to both community development and youth development by providing youth the opportunity and space to learn and play the game of baseball and softball, while building character and instilling important life lessons.  Program resources and elements include backstop upgrades, dugout upgrades, irrigation improvements, surface re-grading, new home plate, pitching rubbers, and bases, outfield fencing and windscreens, turf renovation, sod installation, and new signage and scoreboard.

“We are so proud to have reached our goal of building 50 Dreamfields, but know that there is still much more work to be done,” said Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Executive Director Nichol Whiteman.  “These fields have given our local youth a sense of pride and ownership every time they step onto the mound or slide across home base.  The value of these Dreamfields cannot be overstated, and we are excited to have the chance to share everything that baseball and softball have to offer with even more communities over the next several years!”

The LA84 Foundation is the longest-standing sponsor of Dodger Dreamfields, having provided funding for 43 of the 50 fields, beginning in 2003.  “Today is an historic day for the kids of the Los Angeles area – 50 Dreamfields is a remarkable achievement,” said Renata Simril, President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation. Simril added: “In a world where there is too much ‘photo-op philanthropy,’ the Dodgers Foundation produces real and sustaining positive community impact.”

“I am proud to partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for their 50th Dreamfield,” said Yasiel Puig.  “I hope this field will ignite the children’s love of baseball and I hope the sport will bring as much joy to their lives as it has to mine. Giving back to the Los Angeles community with a gift that will impact future generations is truly an honor.”

“Ellen and I are so honored to be a part of LADF’s 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield,” added Clayton Kershaw.  “We have been partnering with them since they built the Universally Accessible Field in Baldwin Hills and are proud to partner with the foundation as they continue to impact thousands of kids throughout LA.”

A high need for youth baseball/softball recreation space, racial and ethnic diversity, high “park need” metric, number of youth living in the surrounding community, and current baseball/softball interest are all factors that will help the foundation determine the locations of these next fields.  By maintaining current partners and establishing new ones, LADF will continue to positively impact communities throughout the Los Angeles area.

ABOUT LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOUNDATION

LADF is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Its primary focus is to support cornerstone programs in Sports + Recreation, Education + Literacy and Health + Wellness benefitting children and families in need throughout the greater Los Angeles region. By leveraging strategic partnerships, the mission is to harness the power of the Dodger brand and the passion Dodger fans have for Los Angeles into a vehicle for positive change in underserved communities.

Visit LADF online at www.dodgers.com/ladf, Twitter @DodgersFdn, Instagram @dodgersfoundation and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/10/yasiel-puig-clayton-kershaw-los-angeles-dodgers-foundation-unveil-50th-dodgers-dreamfield/

*Here’s a “that-didn’t-take-long” and an “eff-u Trump.” We’re talking about what happened today (10-07-18) on the footbal field when Eric Reid, the newly aquired safety for the Carolina Panthers stepped on the field today.

Yes, now that he’s back in the NFL, Eric Reid has resumed his Reid has  resumed his kneeling protest during the national anthem. Interestingly, none of the other players took that route.  What’s also interesting is that he is the first Panthers player ever to kneel during the national anthem.

If some were expecting Reid, who was the first player to join Colin Kaepernick ‘s kneeling protest, to abandon the stance because he had not said what he would do when the anthem played, got their answer: Reid dropped to his right knee as the national anthem began playing before the Panthers’ game against the New York Giants.

Here’s more via Deadline:

Reid has a collusion case against the NFL, claiming he was essentially blackballed because of his activism. That lawsuit is still pending, but the Panthers, shorthanded in the defensive backfield, added Reid to the roster this week. He had been out of football since leaving the 49ers as a free agent.

The Panthers reportedly did not ask Reid about any potential protest before signing him and have not set any rules. The league has no national anthem conduct requirements, having abandoned a plan to force players to stand respectfully or stay in the locker room.

READ THIS: AMBER ROSE RANTS ABOUT NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH CREDIT FOR BEING A SLUT; TAKES SHOTS AT KANYE

Going to the Panthers looks to have been a good move for Reid. The team not only brought him back to the NFL, but Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who is not a fan of the orange a-hole in the White House, has said that players who protest during the anthem are not unpatriotic.

“These are great young men,” Tepper said on CNBC. “So to say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry. It’s just wrong, it’s dead wrong.”

As we’ve reported, Reid, Kaepernick and other players have claimed to be protesting police brutality and issues of racial inequality.

Even with Reid protesting today, overall, protests by players have fallen since the 2018 season started. Three Miami Dolphins have protested and there have been scattered incidents, but nothing like the mass player protests of last season.

*Here’s a “that-didn’t-take-long” and an “eff-u Trump.” We’re talking about what happened today (10-07-18) on the footbal field when Eric Reid, the newly aquired safety for the Carolina Panthers stepped on the field today.

Yes, now that he’s back in the NFL, Eric Reid has resumed his Reid has  resumed his kneeling protest during the national anthem. Interestingly, none of the other players took that route.  What’s also interesting is that he is the first Panthers player ever to kneel during the national anthem.

If some were expecting Reid, who was the first player to join Colin Kaepernick ‘s kneeling protest, to abandon the stance because he had not said what he would do when the anthem played, got their answer: Reid dropped to his right knee as the national anthem began playing before the Panthers’ game against the New York Giants.

Here’s more via Deadline:

Reid has a collusion case against the NFL, claiming he was essentially blackballed because of his activism. That lawsuit is still pending, but the Panthers, shorthanded in the defensive backfield, added Reid to the roster this week. He had been out of football since leaving the 49ers as a free agent.

The Panthers reportedly did not ask Reid about any potential protest before signing him and have not set any rules. The league has no national anthem conduct requirements, having abandoned a plan to force players to stand respectfully or stay in the locker room.

READ THIS: AMBER ROSE RANTS ABOUT NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH CREDIT FOR BEING A SLUT; TAKES SHOTS AT KANYE

Going to the Panthers looks to have been a good move for Reid. The team not only brought him back to the NFL, but Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who is not a fan of the orange a-hole in the White House, has said that players who protest during the anthem are not unpatriotic.

“These are great young men,” Tepper said on CNBC. “So to say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry. It’s just wrong, it’s dead wrong.”

As we’ve reported, Reid, Kaepernick and other players have claimed to be protesting police brutality and issues of racial inequality.

Even with Reid protesting today, overall, protests by players have fallen since the 2018 season started. Three Miami Dolphins have protested and there have been scattered incidents, but nothing like the mass player protests of last season.