YES, YES, YES
It’s been far too long since Camilo’s prowess has been documented. Our Columbian kitten, Camilo Villegas, rests in fourth place at the FBR Open after finishing the first round at 5-under par. Obviously I’d love to see Villegas win one, but admittedly, as long as he continues to cut an ultra-fine figure in his Lindeberg gear, and get down on all threes once in a while, then I’m really not gonna complain.
DONYELL FORGETS HIS JERSEY
Ya gotta love a hottie who enters a game without their jersey. Cav’s beast Donyell Marshall checked into Cavs/Sonics game for the first time since November due to a wrist injury, and dude was so excited he tore off his warm-up along with his jersey. He was left in an undershirt and actually had to be told by an official that he wasn’t wearing his jersey. Teammate LeLame James was in stitches. Even after the game he was still laughing. “They are going to be showing that on the bloopers for years,” LeBron said. “My kids are going to be laughing at that.”
BUT CAN THEY SPELL?
Seems like every time I turn around, the Portland Trail Blazers are up to something good. Yesterday, Blazer James Jones, along with teammates and Mayor Potter, took part in the Schoolhouse Supplies Celebrity Spelling Bee at the Portland Art Museum. Schoolhouse Supplies is an award winning nonprofit that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies. All proceeds from the event will be used to operate the organization’s free store, which is stocked with supplies donated by the community. To date, School House Supplies has donated $8,825,000 worth of freebies to the kids.
LOST BOYS NEED HELP
The Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan is asking for help. While they have already raised $30k to send students to school, several of the Boys are in need of educational funds. “Our immediate goal is to raise $15,000 as soon as possible to pay for tuition and books for the current Spring term, and the coming summer term. The situation is critical since these students are considered “working poor” and do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid,” writes John J. Trifiletti, Director of Grants and Scholarships, Alliance for the Lost Boys of Sudan. “They are in the difficult situation of working full time, going to school part time or full time, and trying to support themselves and other family members. We believe that these young men and women are the future of their country. In supplying them with an education, we believe that will help them to change the face of their nation. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated.” Please visit their website for more info, because this really is a worthy cause.
RONNIE LOTT HELPING KIDS
Yesterday, the Sports Business Daily ran an interview with Football HOFer Ronnie Lott. In summary, Lott has blown me away with his caring attitude and has proven to be an example we can all look up to.
The interview, in part…Q: What is All Stars Helping Kids. Lott: All Stars Helping Kids is a platform that we have been involved with since 1989. It allows young people to be engaged with opportunities that allow their education, their health initiatives, ways of getting them a chance to succeed or a chance to stand on someone’s shoulders to have success. Q: About the program you have said, “We can achieve more collectively than we can individually.” Lott: That is true, and that’s why we are calling on more athletes to be engaged with the philanthropic efforts of our society. We believe that there should be a calling for more athletes to get involved. I had an interesting phone call from Jim Brown a year ago. He shared with me his thoughts on what he started doing in the early ‘60s: creating a social change, a social opportunity for others. Q: What did that phone call mean to you? Lott: For him to say that we are a part of that network, and that we continue to carry that baton and really try to inspire others to be a part of it, is a huge statement and a huge responsibility for all of the people who are associated with All Stars Helping Kids—Emmit Smith, Marcus Allen. All of us have to carry the torch of guys like Bobby Mitchell and Bill Russell and Jim Brown, who tried—and continue—to create social change. If you have any faith in your life, you realize that you’re here to serve, to empower and to give. If you can apply those three characteristics, you can definitely allow a young person to achieve some things greater than they have today. Q: What’s the mission of Play It Smart? Lott: Play It Smart is a phenomenal program centered around elevating young people who might not have the resources and it provides for them the opportunity to see that they can enhance their needs. So, when they do move beyond the playing field and beyond their careers in sports, they have a chance to have the right resources to compete…and with this, Mr. Lott earns a mighty-mighty-good-man nod.
DAVID BECKHAM BLOWS OFF CHARITY EVENT
In efforts to raise money for cystic fibrosis, guests in London paid close to $2,500 each to attend a fundraiser hosted by David Beckham. Problem is, after Beckham wasn’t selected to play in the England/Switzerland game, he opted to pull out of the charity event, claiming he had to get back to the Galaxy. Beckham withdrew from the event, which expected to raise more than $1.9M, less than two hours before it began. Simon Olivera, Beckhams agent, said: “David asked whether he could delay and come back on Monday, but they (Galaxy) said no, you have to come back as soon as possible. He needs to be back for fitness tests this afternoon, he also needs to see the kids and his wife. He is very disappointed not being able to front this. His commitment to charity is something he is incredibly proud of and when he can’t do something it’s a big disappointment. But when the club says you need to get back you have to get back.” Arsenal babe Emmanuel Adebatoy was quick to respond, “We have a chance to do something good to help these people. I’m sad that Beckham is not here.” Beckham agreed to host the event after Thierry Henry, the Barcelona and ex-Arsenal player, dropped out. Fixture changes had left Henry stranded in Spain, and Beckham stranded in his own ego. (Timesonline)
