Honestly, not much to say here…the man is pretty straightforward with his opinions, and we certainly hope that he’ll prove he’s the best this season. Thoughts?
Federal Judge Orders Redskins Trademarks Cancelled
Spotted on The Washington Post:
The Washington Redskins lost their biggest legal and public relations battle yet in the war over their name after a federal judge in Northern Virginia on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of the NFL team’s federal trademark registrations, which have been opposed for decades by many Native Americans who feel the moniker disparages their race.
The cancellation doesn’t go into effect until the Redskins have exhausted the appeals process in the federal court system. But even if the Redskins ultimately take the case to the Supreme Court and lose, the team can still use “Redskins” and seek trademark protections under state law. The team has argued, however, that a cancellation of its trademarks could taint its brand and remove legal benefits that would protect against copycat entrepreneurs.
U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee’s decision affirmed an earlier ruling by the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Last year, the appeal board declared in a 2-to-1 vote that the team’s moniker is offensive to Native Americans and therefore ineligible under the Lanham Act for status in the federal trademark registry. The appeal board had been petitioned by five Native American activists, including Amanda Blackhorse, a Navajo Nation member from Arizona who is well known for leading protests against the team outside stadiums wherever it plays.
Read more on the story here.
Albert Haynesworth Has Plenty To Say About The Redskins In New Open Letter
Image source: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Long story short: former Redskins Albert Haynesworth recently posted an open letter to himself over at The Players Tribune; within it, many reflective topics are discussed, and we’ve added the best excerpts (to us) here:
Oh, when you get on that first phone call with Dan Snyder and the organization in Washington, it’ll be all good. “We want you to play just like you did in Tennessee, Albert. We’re going to let you loose and destroy the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles. That’s your job.”
People are going to be all over you for your contract, and you’re going to feel really frustrated. You’re going to do some dumb things. But what people aren’t going to see is Mike Shanahan calling you into his office and saying, “Albert, we just want you to eat up space. All we want you to do is grab the center and let the linebackers run free.”
And he’s going to say, with a straight face, “Albert, if you have more than one sack this season, I’m going to be pissed.”
The last thing you’ll say before walking out of the office is, “Can’t you just pay someone $300,000 a year to do that?”
You will lose your passion for football in Washington, and it will be impossible to get back. In retirement, you will discover that your financial advisor has squandered most of the money you made with the Redskins, and he will be under investigation for financial fraud.
Lebron James’ Barber Explains Trying To Cut His Hair; Denies Using Dye
From The Bleacher Report:
Barber Nick Castemanos has grown tired of getting asked over and over again about the hairline of his most famous client, LeBron James.
“There is no dye. No additives. No preservatives,” Castemanos told Yahoo Sports in a phone interview Thursday. “Everyone thinks he’s dying his hair using [temporary hair colorings] Bigen or Black Ice. It’s all his hair. They still don’t believe me. I get Bigen comments all the time.
“I’ve become numb to it. It used to bother me. It’s not easy to hear that.”
Of all his customers, Castemanos says James is the most challenging and meticulous with his hair and beard. A typical haircut for the NBA’s most heralded player takes nearly an hour.
“LeBron is very tedious about how his hair is cut,” said Castemanos, who has been a professional barber for 11 years. “The beard is the No. 1 thing. He leaves the top up to me. I leave him less bald. He’s my guy.
“He’s my hardest haircut. He has good hair. You have to cut it right. He just has a few fat patches around the chin that you have to take your time with. You have to have patience. It usually takes about 50 minutes.”
You can read more on Castemanos’ work here.
John Wall Was Reportedly Kicked Off Of A Plane In Las Vegas (Thanks To His Crew)
I believe there’s a saying that relates to situations like this for celebrities. From TMZ:
NBA superstar John Wall was kicked off an American Airlines flight in Las Vegas this week … after someone in his crew allegedly threatened another passenger … TMZ Sports has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us … the Washington Wizards star had boarded a flight headed to D.C. on May 26th — but before the plane took off, his crew got into a verbal argument with someone else on the plane and a threat was allegedly made from someone in Wall’s group.
We’re told someone from the flight crew called the Las Vegas Metro Police Department for help — and cops boarded the plane to deal with the situation.
The alleged victim told cops he did not want to press charges — but the pilot of the plane decided he did NOT want Wall and his crew to remain on the flight … so they were escorted off.
We’re told Wall and his party left without further incident.
Calls to Wall’s rep have not been returned.
John had posted a photo of his crew on the way to Vegas on May 22nd … though it’s unclear if the same guys were involved in the incident on the flight home.
Domestic Violence Charges Against Ray Rice Dismissed
From NBC News:
A domestic-violence charge was dismissed Thursday against Ray Rice, the former Baltimore Ravens running back who was captured on video knocking out his fiancée in an elevator last year.
Judge Michael A. Donio in Atlantic City, New Jersey, signed an order dismissing the charge after Rice completed a pretrial intervention program.
The program required Rice to submit to anger-management counseling and check in with a probation officer for a year. It allowed him to avoid formal prosecution on a charge of third-degree aggravated assault.
Rice was reinstated to the NFL after an arbitrator ruled that Commissioner Roger Goodell’s indefinite suspension of Rice was “arbitrary.” Rice has yet to sign with a team.
The commissioner first suspended Rice for two games after video emerged of Rice dragging Janay Palmer, his fiancée and now his wife, out of the elevator. He suspended Rice indefinitely after a second video emerged of the knockout punch.
The running back told The Baltimore Sun in February that the end of the intervention program would allow him “a refreshing start.”
“This year has gone by really fast. It’s been a year since the incident,” he said at the time. “Once May comes, I’ll be moving into my new house and I’ll sort of feel like a free man by then. You’re back to a fresh slate.”
Robert Mueller, the former head of the FBI, was hired by the NFL to review its handling of the case and concluded in January that the league should have conducted a more thorough investigation.
PICS: Redskins Cheerleaders Do A Swimsuit Calendar In Mexico
The Redskins cheerleaders recently travelled to Cozumel, Mexico for their annual calendar shoot…you can check out plenty of pics below (source):
Mike Tyson Blasts Floyd Mayweather For Comparing Himself To Muhammad Ali
From TMZ:
Mike Tyson just WENT OFF on Floyd Mayweather — saying he’s “delusional” for comparing himself to Muhammad Ali … and called him a “little scared man.”
Tyson was doing an interview with the Undisputed Champion Network — when he was asked about Floyd’s claim that he’s truly the “greatest” of all time.
Clearly, that set Tyson off … who proceeded to explain why greatness isn’t solely defined in the ring.
Long story short, Tyson says Floyd’s just a “small scared man” … who’s so afraid for his own safety in public that he can’t take his kids to school without a security team.
“Greatness is not guarding yourself from the people, greatness is being accepted by the people.”
Paul Pierce Carried The S*** Out Of Drake During Wizards-Raptors Game
During a recent Toronto Raptors-Washington Wizards game, Drake decided to try his hands at joking with Paul Pierce at the line, grabbing his arm. Drake laughed (hard), but I don’t think Pierce found anything funny.
Wale Plans To Design The New Wizards Uniforms — With Kanye West
In a recent interview with ESPN (the Magazine), Wale revealed that he was in talks with rapper/fashion icon Kanye West to design the new uniforms for the Washington Wizards:
My job is to provide a spark, at all costs. I’m not going to do anything corny, but I’m talking to Kanye about designing new uniforms.
Dope, right? You can also check out the D.C. artist speaking on his role as creative liaison for the team as well…the full feature can be found here.
Also, Wale released the latest episode of his Simply Nothing tour series…you can check that out below.
Dusty Hernandez-Harrison To Headline Roc Nation’s First Boxing Event
On January 9th, 2015, Southeast DC Boxing Champion Dusty Hernandez-Harrison will fight Tommy Rainone of Plainview, New York in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship. This event, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, will be Roc Nation Sports’ first boxing event, televised on Fox Sports 1. The event is a part of Roc Nation’s first television deal for sports and will also include performances from the company’s artists. For more info, go here.
Source: Fight Hype
John Wall Dedicates Wizards Win to Cancer Victim
Following a crazy double-overtime win over the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards guard John Wall had a brief, emotional post-game interview with Comcast. Wall dedicated the game to Miyah Telemaque-Nelson, a six-year old who passed away recently from Burkitt’s Lymphoma. According to Complex; “Wall and Miyah had become friends earlier this year, and Wall fulfilled her dream by helping her meet Nicki Minaj. According to the below Wizards Instagram post, the two kept in touch and Facetimed on occasion. Wall also wrote Miyah’s name on his shoes tonight and said he’d give his jersey and shorts to the family.”
This is a touching story and great example of what a role model looks like.
Roc Nation Sports Signs Dez Bryant
While this isn’t a Cowboys zone (although some of you may live in Maryland, and thus might not understand what it means to be a D.C. team supporter), the above post is still newsworthy: it looks like JAY Z’s Roc Nation Sports has signed Dez Bryant to their roster. Congrats.
Kevin Durant To Miss 6-8 Weeks After Fracturing Foot; Lil B Trolls
Spotted on ESPN:
Kevin Durant has a fracture in his right foot and will likely miss at least the first month of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced Sunday.
The team said Durant has a “Jones fracture,” a broken bone at the base of the small toe.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said no specific incident caused the injury; it happened over time. Durant has not been given an official timetable, but will likely miss six to eight weeks, based on the typical recovery time for an injury of this nature.
“From what I’ve been told, a Jones fracture is the most common surgical procedure performed on NBA players as of late,” Presti said. “It has happened enough so that there is enough of a body of work to look at an average recovery time.”
Durant will undergo further evaluation and consultation over the next few days and determine if surgery is necessary. It appears likely.
“We’re heading in that direction,” Presti said.
Following practice Saturday, Durant informed the Thunder medical staff he was experiencing an “aching” in his right foot. Durant had participated in both the Thunder’s preseason games thus far and played a total of 30 minutes.
“We’re really fortunate that we’re catching it when we’re catching it,” Presti said. “We are very fortunate that Kevin notified us yesterday and that we’re kind of catching it on the front end, before this became more of an acute issue.”
You can read more at ESPN. As far as Lil B’s response (who “cursed” Durant in the past):
I THOUGHT THE CURSE WAS OVER BASEDGOD! PLEASE I NEED TO TALK TO " THE BASEDGOD " I THOUGHT THE CURSE WAS OVER ! (SCREAMING) – Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) October 12, 2014
Kevin Durant Is Tired Of The Lil B Curse
I honestly don’t remember this, but years ago, Kevin Durant apparently said some not-so-nice things about The Based God; naturally, the Bay Area rapper and his legion of social media fans have made sure that KD hasn’t forgotten about it to this very day.
In a recent interview at the NBA2K15 launch party in NYC, Durant attempts to make peace, because simply put: it’s gotten to be pretty ri-gotdam-diculous.
Bun B Throws The First Pitch At Houston Astros Game (Video)
Bun B (alongside Rap peer Fat Joe) recently had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch during a Houston Astros. In related news, Kid CuDi was able to do the same thing for his hometown squad, the Cleveland Indians, last week.
Ray Rice’s Wife Defends Husband; Blasts Media
Yesterday, we posted new video footage showing Ray Rice slugging his now-wife unconscious in a casino hotel, footage that was only partially revealed with the hitting incident occurred earlier in the month. We’ve also revealed the aftermath of that new video clip; from Ray Rice being terminated from the Baltimore Ravens and suspended by the NFL to everyone — famous or otherwise — giving strong, polarizing opinions on the matter and setting off quite the voracious debate on domestic violence.
The wife in question — Janay Rice — has now spoken out about the incident, and is continuing to stand by her husband side (it was only a month after than brutal punch that she joined Ray Rice at a press conference and married him). The below message is taken from Janay Rice’s Instagram:
I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend. But to have to accept the fact that it’s reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the media and unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass of for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific. THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don’t you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you’ve succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!
As far as the NFL’s growing controversy over whether or not they knew about this piece of footage, the league continues to deny actually seeing the video. They stated that what they did receive was a statement from Ray Rice himself, which they apparently thought was enough to make their judgement. Nonetheless, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is under heavy criticism over mishandling of the matter (TMZ spoke on this here).
SPORTS NEWS: Ray Rice Dropped Over Hitting Fiancee, Atlanta Hawks Owner Steps Down After Racist Email
Back in February, news sources leaked a video of what appeared to be Ray Rice dragging his fiancee out of an elevator at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City. After a subsequent arrest and press conference (and a two-game suspension for Rice), both parties seems to have move past the incident together, leaving those who saw the footage wondering what could have happened in the elevator…
Fast forward to today: TMZ has released that missing footage (above), which shows Rice flooring his now-wife after a vicious punch. You then she her on the ground out cold, before Rice dragged her halfway out of the elevator.
Much has since happened after the revelation of this video…mainly, Rice was dropped from the Baltimore Ravens and suspended by the NFL indefinitely. As far as why the NFL have waited until the public have seen the video to make such a move: they claim that they haven’t seen the clip until now, either.
Another big headline (spotted on the Guardian):
In an echo of a scandal involving the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team, the owner of the Atlanta Hawks announced on Sunday that he is selling his controlling interest in the National Basketball Association franchise because of remarks he made that he says were racially insensitive.
Fans have a right to be angry about an internal email the Hawks owner, Bruce Levenson, wrote two years ago about the need to boost attendance and how black and white fans differed in what they preferred to see at Hawks games, Levenson said.
“In trying to address those issues, I wrote an email two years ago that was inappropriate and offensive,” Levenson said in a statement released by the team. “If you’re angry about what I wrote, you should be. I’m angry at myself, too. It was inflammatory nonsense. We all may have subtle biases and preconceptions when it comes to race, but my role as a leader is to challenge them, not to validate or accommodate those who might hold them,” he added.
His email to the team general manager, Danny Ferry, which addressed ways to boost the number of season ticket holders, delved into racial makeup of fans at the Hawks arena and suggested that southern white men might not be comfortable in an arena with a high percentage of African American fans.
Levenson’s announcement came just over four months after the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, in an unprecedented move, banned then Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, from the league and fined him $2.5m (£1.5m) for making racist remarks.
Sterling had been heard, in taped private comments, imploring a female friend not to associate with black people.
The Clippers saga ended last month when Steve Ballmer, the former chief executive officer of Microsoft, took over as the new owner of the franchise after completing a $2bn purchase.
The NBA commissioner said in a statement that Levenson had notified the league in July of his August 2012 email, and that the NBA then launched an independent investigation into the circumstances of the remarks.
“Prior to the completion of the investigation, Mr Levenson notified me last evening that he had decided to sell his controlling interest in the Atlanta Hawks,” Silver said.
While he commended Levenson for reporting the email and for cooperating with the league in its investigation, Silver also criticised the remarks themselves as in “stark contrast to the core principles of the National Basketball Association”.
Levenson, in describing his own remarks, said his words went against his public views on racism, adding that by focusing on race he had sent an unintentional and harmful message that white fans were more valuable than black fans.
He said his email also trivialised fans by making cliched assumptions about their interests in music and having black versus white cheerleaders, and stereotyped their perceptions of one another in suggesting white fans might be afraid of black fans.
“I have said repeatedly that the NBA should have zero tolerance for racism, and I strongly believe that to be true,” Levenson said. “That is why I voluntarily reported my inappropriate email to the NBA.”
“After much long and difficult contemplation, I have decided that it is in the best interests of the team, the Atlanta community, and the NBA to sell my controlling interest in the Hawks franchise,” he added.
Steve Koonin, the Hawks’ CEO who will oversee team operations during the sale process, called Levenson’s email alarming and offensive, and said it did not reflect the Hawks’ values.
“In partnership with the NBA, we will work to ensure that a new ownership team will be put in place that is united and committed to the Atlanta community,” he said in a statement.
Rich Homie Quan Gets Into Brawl At Adrien Broner Fight (Video)
It looks like last night’s winner Broner isn’t the only one who exchanged blows in Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena, apparently, Rich Homie Quan — who walked Broner into the ring alongside Young Thug and Birdman — got into a fight as well (check out the below video clips). Certain rumors are also stating that Quan may have lost his chain as well. Story developing (?).
Rappers & Athletes Pay Homage To Derek Jeter In New Ad
Derek Jeter is retiring, so Jordan Brand decided to drop a new advert — titled RE2PECT — that salutes the veteran baseball player. Cameos include Michael Jordan (obviously), Action Bronson, JAY Z, Spike Lee and Carmelo Anthony (who recently announced that he will remain a New York Knick). Check it out above.
It’s Confirmed: Floyd Mayweather Vs. Marcos Maidana 2
Spotted on ESPN, where you can read even more on the story:
Mayweather-Maidana II — dubbed “Mayhem” — will go down Sept. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and headline a Showtime PPV card, the fourth bout of Mayweather’s six-fight deal with Showtime/CBS.
Although the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, has pressed hard to land a Mayweather fight, he is comfortable fighting in his hometown and will lace ’em up at the MGM Grand for the 10th consecutive time.
Mayweather is hoping to erase any doubt about what happened on May 3 when he faced Maidana for the first time and won a majority decision — 117-111, 116-112 and 114-114 — to unify 147-pound world titles in a very tough fight, one of the most competitive and entertaining of his career.
“Marcos Maidana is a tough customer and he gave me a fight that had me work for the victory,” Mayweather said in a news release. “His style is difficult at best, but with experience comes a way and will to win. I’m not one to give second chances in the ring, but I want to give the fans what they want to see. I will be as prepared as I always am when I step in the ring on Sept. 13. I only see the outcome one way and that’s another successful night for me and my team.”
Lebron James Is Returning To Cleveland
It was only so long ago that Lebron’s jersey was being burned in Cleveland like an American flag in the Middle East, but like someone with battered woman syndrome, they are welcoming back the basketball star with open arms, as he has announced his return to his home state to play for the Cavaliers once again.
You can check out his official announcement over at Sports Illustrated…definitely not as in your face as his infamous announcement to Miami.
Falcons serious about trading up in draft to pick Clowney
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Manning brothers watch a Yankees game from Jeter’s suite
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