NBA Owner Skipper Beck Killed In Rock Hill Plane Crash

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Prominent Charlotte businessman Skipper Beck was killed in a Rock Hill plane crash early Friday.

William “Skipper” Beck Jr., 49, was piloting the Cirrus SR-22 that crashed just after takeoff from the Rock Hill/York County Airport at about 7:15 a.m. Witnesses said the plane took off and the pilot must have had trouble because he was turning back toward the airport when the plane suddenly went down.

Officials said the plane caught fire after the crash. Pieces of the wreckage are small and widespread “At first when I looked, I thought maybe it was a brush fire. But then I saw the big, long black line on the hill and then I started to see little pieces of debris. But the biggest piece of debris was maybe the size of my steering wheel, “ said witness Juliet Baucom. “I was completely amazed at how there was absolutely nothing left.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

Officials said Beck was flying on a visual flight rules and did not file a flight plan, but a family spokeswoman said Beck was flying himself to Teterboro, N.J., and that no other passengers were on board.

The spokeswoman said the family is asking that its privacy be respected during this very difficult time. Beck’s pastor and friends have declined to talk about their loss on Friday.

The Cirrus SR-22, a small single-engine plane that seats four people, is owned by Beck Management Group in Charlotte.

Beck was part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. He played in the 2007 Wachovia Championship pro-am with fellow owner Michael Jordan and golf legend Tiger Woods.

The Bobcats released a statement from majority owner Robert Johnson on Friday. It said, "The entire Bobcats Sports & Entertainment family mourns the loss of our partner and great friend, Skipper Beck. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. Not only has BSE lost an energetic business champion, but so has the Charlotte business community. Skipper loved basketball and was instrumental in bringing the Bobcats to Charlotte, and as an owner, he was without question the Bobcats greatest fan. We will miss him at courtside."

Beck’s company, Beck Management Group, includes Beck Automotive Group, Beck Aviation Group and Beck Motorsports. Beck Automotive Group owns car dealerships around the country. Beck Imports of Charlotte was recently sold to the Hendrick Automotive Group.

On the Beck Aviation Group Web site, Beck wrote, “(Flying) has always been a passion of mine.” The aviation group brokered the buying and selling of aircrafts.

Beck Motorsports operates in the Arena Racing League of Charlotte.

3 Points

Feature Film|1:01:00|
When Tracy McGrady (T-Mac) of the NBA heard about the massive challenges children from Darfur were facing in the refugee camps in Chad, he decided to travel there.

Shaq Vs

Shaq Vs
Season 1 : Ep. 2|43:28||
Shaq challenges Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh to a beach volleyball match; Also Shaq visits and trains with Serena Williams

Fan Makes Incredible Catch, Does Not Drop Toddler

Seinfeld - Wrath of Khan

Freddie Roach on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel

Laugh out Loud Funny Sports Bloopers

KOBE BRYANT IN THE PHILIPPINES ONCE AGAIN 2009 - SPORTS UPDATE

Sports Bloopers

Wimbledon Finals Preview

Gunnin' For That #1 Spot

Feature Film|1:36:00
Oscilloscope Laboratories presents director Adam Yauch's document of eight of the country's premiere high school basketball players on the fast track to the NBA.

Brazil vs USA 3 2 Final FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009!

Red Sox fan storms field during Atlanta Braves Game

Sasha Vujacic on Sport Science

Votto Opens Up About Anxiety Issue

TORONTO (June 23) -- Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto grew so "totally overwhelmed'' with grief and anxiety about the death of his father that he needed time off from baseball to recover.

The slugging first baseman made the revelation Tuesday, hours after he was activated off the disabled list and put in the starting lineup for a game against the Blue Jays in his hometown of Toronto.
Votto went on the DL May 30 with stress-related issues after missing games earlier this season with an inner-ear problem.

What fans, media and even teammates did not know was that Votto had been battling anxiety attacks brought on by lingering grief over his father's death last August. Joseph Votto was 52. "He was the first one to teach me how to play baseball,'' Joey Votto said. "I played catch with him on a daily basis when I was real young. He was a big fan, he was just in love with what I did and me. He was a great father to me.''
Votto did not disclose details of his father's death.
A pivotal player for the Reds, Votto is batting .357 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs this season. Since he went on the disabled list, the Reds have gone 8-13 and seen their scoring fall by more than one run per game.
"We've missed him big time,'' said Reds manager Dusty Baker, who hadn't expected Votto to return before a series at Cleveland that begins Thursday.

Donald Trump

Red Bull Uncharted trailer - Wingsuit BASE project in NZ

WWE The Bash - Match Rundown

Matchups

Feature Film|1:34:38|
Wonder Boy’s dreams of a national championship and pro career are shattered when an accident causes him to lose sight in his one good eye and leaves him totally blind. Faced with shattered dreams, Wonder Boy tries to find purpose in his life.

Blast from the Past- Ali & Cosell

Rafael Nadal

WIMBLEDON, England (June 17) -- Rafael Nadal's French Open stumble failed to strip him of the world No. 1 ranking, and it won't cost him the top seed at Wimbledon either.

Nadal, the tournament's defending champion, was seeded No. 1 for Wimbledon on Wednesday. Top-ranked Dinara Safina, who lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the French Open final, earned the women's No. 1 seed.

There were no big surprises when the All England Club announced the seedings for the grass-court Grand Slam tournament, which opens June 22. The draw will be released Friday.

Brazil vs Egypt (4 - 3) FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 SKY SPORTS

Fantasy Sports Girl - Bas

LAKERS WIN 2009 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP

Billy Doran YOUTUBE SLAM DUNK CONTEST Final Round (5'11")

Wrecked

Season 2 : Ep. 5|21:22|
On this episode of Wrecked, a container truck full of cardboard tips over on the highway; Tony and Jay break Tryk’s truck and a semi gets stuck in a loading dock. Only on SPEED.

The Matty Blake Show

Web Exclusive (s.1 : ep.35)|04:29|
Matty's Look Back On the Week in Sports Through Video.

Monica Seles at Five Seasons Sports Club-June 6, 2009

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Movie Part 1

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Movie Part 2

Former NFL Player Dies at Age 39

Pio Sagapolutele, a former player for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, passed away after a massive stroke and heart attack Sunday. The Samoan-born defensive lineman was only 39 years old.

Sagapolutele was born in American Samoa, grew up in Hawaii, and attended San Diego State University before being selected by the Browns in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played 92 games in seven seasons, amassing seven career sacks and 89 solo tackles. He started at right defensive tackle in Super Bowl XXXI for Bill Parcells' Patriots. A bevy of injuries forced Sagapolutele to retire in 1999.

Off the field, Sagapolutele did some great work for underprivileged youth in both California and Hawaii -- running football camps for some children whose parents may not have been able to afford various summer football camps.

"I was able to attend a camp when I was young and it helped send me in the right direction," he says.

"I always remember the lessons I learned from my parents; treat people how you want to be treated," he says. "People deserve the right to feel special and I always try to find a way to make them feel like that."

Sagapolutele is survived by his wife and three children -- ages 13, 9 and 7.

Top 5 Sport Plays Of the Month :: INTRO

French Open Final 2009 - Roger Federer's Post Match Press Conferen

Federer breaks Paris hoodoo

Paris - Roger Federer joined the legion of sporting legends on Sunday, his name sitting comfortably alongside Ali, Woods, Senna, Pele, Bradman, where just one name is enough to confer instant respect.

His victory over Robin Soderling took the universally-popular Swiss level with his great friend Pete Sampras as the winner of 14 majors.

But Federer also achieved something that eluded even Sampras as well as John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg - a career Grand Slam, only the sixth man in history to achieve the feat.

The 27-year-old, with close to 50 million dollars earned from his superlative career, has not only taken the game to a new level, but also his approach to his trade, both on and off the court.

Gracious in both victory and defeat, respectful to the game's history and immensely media-friendly with his press conferences patiently carried out in English, French and Swiss-German, all delivered pitch-perfect.

When people are lost for words, occasionally they've been forced to adopt other means of recognising the great man - after his breakthrough 2003 Wimbledon triumph, the people of Gstaad honoured him by presenting him with a cow.

But when the young Federer, who announced himself as the Wimbledon junior champion in 1998 and the winner of the prestigious Orange Bowl, started out on his road to fame, he wasn't winning popularity contests.

"I used to bitch a lot at line calls. I used to carry on like an idiot," said Federer.

Slowly, steadily he matured under the guidance of respected coaches Peter Lundgren and Australian Peter Carter, whose eventual death in a car crash hit Federer hard, altering his perspective on life and career.

In 2001, in Milan, he won the first of his 59 titles before beating seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras at the All England Club in a stunning last 16 triumph.

But one year later, the vulnerable, undeveloped side of Federer was still there for all to see when, tipped as the tournament favourite, he suffered a humiliating first round loss on Centre Court to Mario Ancic.

He set to work on improving all aspects of his game, with defence and consistency just as important as flamboyant attack.

"People used to tell me how easy I made it look, so I kind of felt I had to live up to this and play miracle shots, the crowd-pleasing stuff," he said.

"But I decided what I wanted was to win the match, not hit the best shot of the tournament. That was a big step for me mentally."

One year later, Federer beat Mark Philippoussis in the Wimbledon final for his first Grand Slam title, and he was on his way.

Four more Wimbledon trophies have followed, as have five US Opens and three Australian Open titles.

Until this year the French Open had always eluded him.

In three successive finals between 2006 and 2008, he came up short against Rafael Nadal.

Frustratingly, Nadal even took his beloved Wimbledon crown in a classic five-set 2008 final, hailed instantly as the greatest Grand Slam final of all time.

But Soderling's defeat of the great Spaniard turned Roland Garros 2009 upside down and Federer seized his chance.

"Roger deserves the Grand Slam more than I did," said Andre Agassi, the last man to complete the sweep here in 1999.

"He is extraordinarily talented, and the grace and the way he plays is very special to see. If it wasn't for a freak of nature from Majorca, he could have won this many times."

Federer Confronted During French Open Final

A crowd member has confronted Roger Federer on court during the final of the French Open. The man invaded the Roland Garros court in Paris during the fourth game of the second set and attempted to wrap a red flag around the Swiss star's head.

Federer pushed the intruder away as security guards rushed to apprehend him.

The man briefly evaded their chase by jumping over the net, before being wrestled to the ground and dragged off the clay court.

Federer confirmed he was ready to continue almost immediately and play resumed with the world number two appearing only mildly shaken.

The 27-year-old was leading Sweden's Robin Soderling by two games to one during the second set when the incident happened.

He had won the first set 6-1 as he attempts to win a world record-equalling fourteenth grand slam.

Victory will also see Federer become only the sixth player in the game's history to win all four men's slams.

Beckham vs Obama: Football face-off for World Cup 2018

Jimmy Rollins

Jimmy Rollins came through last night, and the Phillies won, and the same cause-and-effect relationship that had existed for the previous four wins lifted the team to another one, this time 4-3 over the Reds.

Federer knocks off Nadal

MADRID (AP) — Roger Federer beat top-ranked Rafael Nadal in a final for the first time in two years Sunday to claim the Madrid Open title 6-4, 6-4.

Second-ranked Federer broke a sluggish Nadal once in both sets before firing his sixth ace of the match to claim his 15th Masters Series title on the second match point. Federer also won here in 2006 when the event was played on indoor hard court.

It was only Federer's second victory over his top rival on clay with the other coming at the Hamburg final two years ago. The victory also ended Federer's five-match losing run to Nadal, a streak in which he lost at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia.

"He was simply better than me," Nadal said.

Ibanez hits 3 homers as Phillies take 2 from Nats

WASHINGTON (AP)—Playing two after a 12-inning game the night before, the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals both needed some solid starting pitching.

The Phillies got it in both games, with an assist from a thunderstorm that shortened the second one. The Nationals didn’t come close either time and got swept.

Raul Ibanez(notes) hit three long home runs, and the Phillies again battered the National League’s worst pitching staff Saturday in 8-5 and 7-5 victories in a day-night doubleheader. Brett Myers(notes) cranked out seven innings in the afternoon, and emergency callup Andrew Carpenter(notes) pitched into the fifth in his first major league start in a nightcap called in the sixth due to rain.
“That second game, that’s what you call a good break,” said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, citing the thin bullpen from the 10-6 extra-inning win on Friday night. “We’ll take it. That’s part of the game. It definitely helped us.”

Philadelphia also got a scoreless-inning save in Game 1 from closer Brad Lidge(notes), who had allowed at least one run in each of his six previous outings. Meanwhile, things got worse for the Nationals: Game 1 starter Scott Olsen(notes) is headed to the disabled list with a shoulder injury, and Game 2 starter Daniel Cabrera(notes) dropped to 0-5 with another miserable performance.

Federer vs Nadal Battle of surfaces Highlights

Clemens critical of new book

Ferrari vs. Dodge Hemi Challenger

Three Phillies think pink on Mother's Day Rollins, Victorino, Feliz wield special bats for breast cancer

PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Rollins broke out more than just the pink bats Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

He broke out the pink shoes.

Major League Baseball celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday, with the Phillies using pink bats in the series-finale 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Pedro Feliz used his pink bat to score Ryan Howard from second base with a one-out single to left-center field in the second inning to tie the game at 1.Pink bats have become annual Mother's Day symbols as part of an overall "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative by Major League Baseball that raises awareness about breast cancer and directs proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Fans play the next role in this process, because attention will move now to the MLB.com Auction and the gradual arrival of game-used pink bats, home plates and logo bases and lineup cards. Fans also can purchase their own personalized "Mother's Day 2009" pink bats right now for $79.99 at the MLB.com Shop, with $10 from the sale of each one going to Komen.

Greener Grass

A look at baseball as both a bridge and a political barrier between Cuba...

Thrillbillies

When in Doubt, Gas It!
Season 1 : Ep. 6|22:05|
Episode 6 features fun with Crum’s broken truck, BMXer Fuzzy hall, snowmobiles on a lake, and the last Chicken-cross track race.

Farther Than the Eye Can See

Feature Film|50:31|
An intimate look at blind climber Erik Weihenmayer's historic ascent and four other remarkable 'firsts' on Mount Everest.

Postgame: Ron Artest and Yao Ming

2009 Kentucky Derby Replay

Preview of 135th Kentucky Derby

2009 Playoffs Bulls vs Celtics Brad Miller Loses It For Bulls

Bulls vs Celtics Game 6 3OT AMAZING!!! 2009 NBA Playoffs - Jalen Rose on ESPN

Amateur Golfer Dies in Car Crash

LONDON (May 1) - Walker Cup squad member Ben Enoch has been killed in a car crash, the chief executive of the Golf Union of Wales said. The amateur golfer was 19.
Deaths in Sports
Ben Enoch, April 30: The promising golfer dies after his car hit a trailer on the way to a tournament. Click through to see recent deaths in the world of sports.

Andrew Redington, Getty Images

Jack "Lucky" Lohrke, April 29: The former Giants and Phillies infielder dies two days after having a stroke.

Diamond Images / Getty Images

Glen Gondrezick, April 27: The former UNLV star died from complications from a heart transplant last year.

AP

Frank Gansz, April 27: The former Chiefs coach died of complications from a knee replacement surgery.

George Gojkovich, Getty Images

Greg Page, April 27: The former heavyweight champion was found in his bed at home.

David R. Lutman, Getty Images

Ryne Wilhite and Teirson Hollis, April 21: The Faulkner University football players died instantly when their car hit an 18-wheeler on an Alabama highway.

Faulkner University / AP

Felix "Doc" Blanchard: The 1945 Heisman Trophy winner teamed with the 1946 winner, Glenn Davis, in one college football's most famous backfields at Army in the mid-40s.

Lindsay / AP

Mark Fidrych, April 13: The colorful former All-Star, who was known as "The Bird" during his playing career, was found dead beneath a dump truck.

Carlos Osorio, AP

Harry Kalas, April 13: The longtime Phillies announcer dies at age 73.

George Widman, AP

Bruce Snyder, April 13: The former Sun Devils coach dies at his home after a 10-month fight against cancer.

Tom Hauck, Getty Images

Enoch, whose elder brother Rhys is in the Great Britain and Ireland squad to face the United States in September, was driving to a tournament Thursday in England when his car crashed into a trailer.
Enoch was due to go to the United States later in the year to take up a golf scholarship at East Tennessee university, where Rhys is already a student.
Last summer, the Welsh golfer was part of the Great Britain and Ireland boys team that beat the Continent of Europe.
"Our thoughts are with the family at this terribly sad time," said Richard Dixon, the chief executive of the Golf Union of Wales. "Ben was one of the most promising golfers in Wales, a bright and vibrant personality in our teams. He had a chance of getting into the Walker Cup team this season, such was his talent, and would surely have represented Great Britain and Ireland at some stage before enjoying a career in professional golf."
The 2009 Walker Cup is being played at the Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania on Sept. 12-13.

Carl Froch vs Jermain Taylor fight KO

NASCAR Talladega 2009 amazing finish

Bobby Lashley TNA Debut

The 2009 NBA Playoffs Have Arrived

Farewll to Harry Kalas

Great Calls of Harry Kalas Tribute

Uppercut Fail

Harry Kalas Tribute by Comcast

Romanian rugby players in massive fight

Shaq dances with Jabbawockeez at All Star

Harry Kalas

Harry Kalas looks up at the Hall of Fame plaque of his former broadcast partner Richie Asburn shortly before his own induction into the Hall in 2002. Kalas died Monday at the age of 73. (Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)

Harry Kalas dies

Harry Kalas, the Phillies' Hall of Fame announcer, died at 1:20 p.m. today, the Phillies announced. Mr. Kalas collapsed in the press box at Nationals Stadium in Washington at about 12:30 p.m. and was rushed to George Washington University Medial Center. The cause of the death was not announced.

Mason Aguirre Interview

Dew Underground|Sports
Web Exclusive|02:06|
Mason sit down in the DU Studio with Keir to talk plan for the year & gives his take on properly attending an event.

Kicking It/ Sports

Kicking It|Sports
Feature Film|1:38:58|
Thousands of players around the globe train hard and compete to be part of the Homeless World Cup.

Friday Night SmackDown|Sports

Shawn Michaels addresses Undertaker Excerpt|02:55|
HBK tries to get under the skin of Undertaker.

Angels Starting Pitcher Killed After Ball Game

TMZ has learned Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, California early this morning -- hours after he pitched in a game last night.

Cops say someone driving a minivan blew through a red light, causing the Mitsubishi that Adenhart was riding in to hit a light pole. Three people were killed in the crash, including Nick.

Cops say the person driving the van fled the scene -- but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run. The suspect is currently being treated for injuries in a local hospital.

We're told one of the other men killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization.

Nick was 22-years-old.

Surfing in Santa Cruz

FiNS|Sports
Season 1 : Ep. 2|22:06|
Get an insider look at the distinct California surf town of Santa Cruz. Featuring Jason “Ratboy” Collins, Peter Garaway, and more.

Lakers Beat Kings

At the outset of the Lakers' trip to Sacramento, the Kings started off hot, and L.A. was down 29-17 in the first quarter, but woke up in time to post 40 in the second, while cruising to a halftime lead of 71-55.

With the win, the Lakers trail the Cleveland Cavaliers for the league's best record -- and home court advantage throughout the playoffs -- by just a half a game in the standings. Three of L.A.'s four remaining games are against Denver, Portland, and Utah, while the Cavs will face Boston and Philadelphia (twice) in three of their last five.

2010 Aptera 2e Road Test

Edmunds' Inside Line|Sports
Web Exclusive|03:24|
Imagine an airplane stripped of its flight surfaces and you'll get the idea of the Aptera.

For Love of the Game|Sports

Feature Film|2:17:52||
An aging pitcher learns that he will soon lose his girlfriend and his spot with the Detroit Tigers.

Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman

Stone Cold Steve Austin 2009 WWE Hall of Fame INDUCTION

Homecoming rude for Phillies

The Atlanta Braves ruined the Phillies' homecoming, defeating the World Series champs, 4-1, in front of a packed house. Several hours before Brett Myers delivered the first pitch of the new season, Charlie Manuel talked about the righthander's evolution as a pitcher.

"I think he's learning to use all of his pitches and have command of them," Manuel said.

The Phillies' manager went on to say that in the past, Myers could get into trouble when he fell into patterns with his pitches. Depending on the game, he would fall in love with a certain pitch, and that's never a good thing when one of the basics of good pitching is to keep 'em guessing.

"I think the hitters are very intelligent, and if they're smart at all, they'll sit on some of those and they can hit it when they look for it,'' Manuel said.

Much to the Phillies' chagrin, that remark proved rather prescient last night.

This was the third straight time that Myers had been called upon to open the season for the Phils. In past seasons, he'd been given the honor outright. This year, he inherited it when Cole Hamels needed some extra time after coming down with a sore elbow in spring training.

The Phillies lost each of the last two openers that Myers started and went on to make the postseason, so don't panic. This was just one game and one loss.

But that was little consolation to Myers last night. He threw 97 pitches and would like to have a few back.

President Obama loyal to hometown team

Barack Obama may have moved out of the Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago to the White House of Washington, D.C., but to the Chicago White Sox, he will always be one of them.

"I not only have to answer to (chairman) Jerry Reinsdorf and our fans," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams says, "but answer to the president of the United States. If we don't win, I know I'm going to have him on (me), too."


POSTPONED: Monday's Royals at White Sox opener
BASEBALL: Team-by-team previews

President Obama is no casual White Sox fan. He wears his black-and-white cap with "Sox" across the top until it is tattered and stained with perspiration, prompting Reinsdorf to have new caps delivered to him. He watches their games, tells the White Sox he pores over their box scores, calls former slugger Harold Baines his all-time favorite player and takes jabs at the rival Cubs like a good South Sider should.

WWE Extras|Sports Diva Shorts: Michelle McCool

Excerpt|01:05|
Sexy Diva Michelle McCool discusses her fashion sense when entering the ring.

Graded Stakes Races

TVG|Sports
Excerpt|02:11|
Horseracing handicapper Simon Bray discusses graded stakes races, the highest level of competition offered at the race track.

Keep Your Eyes Open| Sports

Feature Film|1:17:32|
The craziest thrill-seekers and adreline junkies demonstrate their repertoire of mind-blowing stunts in the fields of skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, BMX and motorcycle.

Hoop Dreams|Sports

Feature Film|2:51:27||
A film following the lives of two African American boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

Ruben Alcantara

Firsthand|Sports
Season 9 : Ep. 11|21:52|
Pro BMX rider Ruben Alcantara road trips northern California, sessions a secret trail, and tours his hometown spots.

Pardon Sought for Pioneering Athlete Jack Johson

WASHINGTON (April 1) -- Sen. John McCain wants a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, who became the nation's first black heavyweight boxing champion 100 years before Barack Obama became its first black president.
McCain feels Johnson was wronged by a 1913 conviction of violating the Mann Act by having a consensual relationship with a white woman — a conviction widely seen as racially motivated. I've been a very big fight fan, I was a mediocre boxer myself," McCain, R-Ariz., said in a telephone interview. "I had admired Jack Johnson's prowess in the ring. And the more I found out about him, the more I thought a grave injustice was done."
On Wednesday, McCain will join Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., filmmaker Ken Burns and Johnson's great niece, Linda Haywood, at a Capitol Hill news conference to unveil a resolution urging a presidential pardon for Johnson. Similar legislation offered in 2004 and last year failed to pass both chambers of Congress.

Johnson won the world heavyweight title on Dec. 26, 1908, after police in Australia stopped his 14-round match against the severely battered Canadian world champion, Tommy Burns. That led to a search for a "Great White Hope" who could beat Johnson. Two years later, the American world titleholder Johnson had tried for years to fight, Jim Jeffries, came out of retirement but lost in a match called "The Battle of the Century," resulting in deadly riots.
Johnson lost the heavyweight title to Jess Willard in 1915.

NHL|Sports Tue, Mar 31, 2009

NHL|Sports
Highlights|05:39|
Watch all the best Goals, Saves, and hits from the past week- March 31st, 2009.

Blue Juice|Sports

Blue Juice|Sports
Feature Film|1:38:52|
A British surfer in his late twenties is forced to face adulthood when his beautiful girlfriend gives him an ultimatum.

A.K.A. Cassius Clay PG

Heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali speaks, visits comic Stepin Fetchit and appears in fight footage.

Don't start an avalanche!

Shane McConkey- Skiing Goodbye Hero

Yuna Kim ISU WFS Championship 2009

Ryan Moats Police Video

Lebron James Casually Hits Incredible Shot During Interview With 60 Minutes

'Dancing with the Stars'' Shawn Johnson Granted Restraining Order

ET has obtained the restraining order filed on Shawn Johnson's behalf against a man who allegedly tried to crash the set of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday to meet the 17-year-old contestant.

According to the temporary order, Robert O'Ryan, 34, must not harass Johnson in any way, contact her directly or indirectly, or try to determine her present whereabouts. Johnson's mother and father are also protected from O'Ryan under the order.

Johnson's publicist tells ET: "The matter has been turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. It is currently an ongoing investigation and we are confident that it will be handled appropriately by all involved."

According to the request for the restraining order, filed by Johnson's mother, O'Ryan was arrested while trespassing on CBS Studios (where "DWTS" is taped) in an attempt to contact the Olympic gymnast. At that time, O'Ryan stated he had permanently left Florida to drive cross country to L.A. because he believes Johnson is "speaking to him personally through the television and via ESP and that he will be with her no matter what."

The request for the order states that O'Ryan's vehicle contained two loaded guns and "other incriminating items" such as duct tape. Police also discovered love letters to Johnson.

O'Ryan is being held on $35,000 bail, according to his booking sheet. His court hearing is scheduled for April 14.

The Sexy Stars of Figure Skating at the World Championships

Lance Armstrong

According to his Twitter, the Tour de France superstar is undergoing surgery this morning, Wednesday, for his broken collarbone following a bicycle accident in Spain.

Report: Stallworth Drunk During Accident

MIAMI (March 19) - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth was driving drunk when he struck and killed a pedestrian, according to published and broadcast reports Thursday. WSVN-TV reported Thursday that unnamed sources with knowledge of the investigation said Stallworth's blood-alcohol level was between .08 and .16. The legal limit is .08. The Miami Herald also cited an unnamed source as saying that Stallworth's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit.
The Miami Beach Police Department refused to confirm the reports. Ed Griffith, spokesman for Miami-Dade County prosecutor Katherine Fernandez Rundle, would say only that the investigation is focusing on whether alcohol was a factor in the death of 59-year-old Mario Reyes.

Reyes was struck and killed by a Bentley driven by Stallworth about 7 a.m. Saturday morning. Reyes, a crane operator, had just gotten off work and was trying to catch a bus when he was hit.
No charges have been filed against Stallworth, 28. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, nor his attorney, Robert Switke, returned calls from The Associated Press seeking comment. Stallworth issued a statement Wednesday saying he was "grief stricken" over Reyes' death.

Norm Nixon Busted

Former NBA legend Norm Nixon was arrested last night on suspicion of DUI.

Nixon was pulled over by California Highway Patrol just before midnight for having no front license plate on his black Ferrari. We're told officers smelled alcohol, so they gave him a series of field sobriety tests -- which he performed "poorly."

Nixon -- best known for his stint with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 70s and 80s -- was booked and posted $5,000 bail.

Fun fact -- Norm Nixon is married to Debbie Allen of "Fame" fame.

Alonzo Mourning & Sean Elliott: Kidney Disease Survivors

Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning shared the basketball court on occasion during their overlapping NBA careers, but they have more than just a sport in common. After battling kidney disease for years, both men had to step away from their beloved sport to undergo kidney transplants. Now healthy, thriving and dedicated to promoting awareness of the disease, Elliott and Mourning shared their stories with Black Voices in honor of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day.

When Mourning was playing for the Miami Heat in 2000, he went to the doctor for a required physical after feeling lethargic. He had chalked it up to not eating right or being tired after participating in the Summer Olympics. In actuality, it was his kidney disease making its presence known. Just three years later, he found out that he needed to go on dialysis and undergo a kidney transplant.

"It was very, very tough to digest," he said, "I was totally in denial, and I felt that, like all the other injuries I had in my life, I could beat it."Mourning said he mistakenly put his focus on getting back on the basketball court instead of getting better.

"Like so many athletes," he said, "I thought about our sport before I thought about my health, not realizing that your health is the driving force behind all the things you want to do in life. If you don't have your health, you don't have anything."

Elliott played -- mostly for the San Antonio Spurs -- for six years after being diagnosed with his disease in 1993. By 1999, he had become so sick that he needed to leave basketball to get a transplant. He said he knows now that it was abnormal to play while he was so sick, but he didn't realize that while he was in the game.

Elliott, who works with the National Kidney Foundation to promote kidney disease awareness, stressed that paying special attention to high blood pressure, which disproportionately affects African Americans and is linked to kidney disease and heart disease, is important.

"If you have high blood pressure, especially if you're a minority, you better get your kidneys checked," Elliott said. "You can't blow it off."

Mourning is using his charity, Zo's Fund For Life, and his new memoir, 'Resilience,' to educate people about kidney disease and tell his personal story.

"Through this whole process, I've been able to educate myself in so many different ways," Mourning said. "In turn, I feel like I've inspired other people to help

Update: NFL Players Missing at Sea

CLEARWATER, Florida (CNN) -- Rescuers are using computer models to try to find three missing boaters, including two NFL players, off the Florida coast Tuesday, the Coast Guard said.One of the missing men was rescued Monday, but the search for others passed the 48-hour mark earlier Tuesday.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, NFL free agent Corey Smith and former University of South Florida football player William Bleakley went missing Saturday after leaving on a fishing trip.

"It's just gut wrenching, and it's just left me zapped of any energy," Marquis Cooper's father, Bruce Cooper, said Tuesday.

"I know this, he's a fighter," he said, adding that his son was an undersized linebacker both at the University of Washington and in the NFL. "He doesn't back down. He's just an extreme fighter. What I'm holding on to is that he's out in the water right now, just fighting."

Man Found Clinging to Missing Boat

CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 2) - The Coast Guard says a missing boater has been found clinging to an overturned boat that belongs to Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper.The Coast Guard says former University of South Florida player Nick Schuyler was rescued Monday off the coast of Florida.

The Coast Guard says Cooper, Detroit Lions free agent Corey Smith and another former USF player, William Bleakley, remain missing.

TV footage shows Schuyler being helped from a Coast Guard helicopter at Tampa General Hospital. He appeared conscious and talking.

The Coast Guard had been searching for the four men since they were reported missing early Sunday morning, one day after they left on a fishing trip.

LeBron James underhanded half court shot

Bar Refaeli-Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2009

Tiger Woods: I Was Lucky to Miss Golf and Be with Family

(people) Tiger Woods is eager to return to the golf course after being sidelined for eight months with a knee injury. He's ready to feel what he calls "that rush of playing and competing."

But the PGA superstar, who plays Wednesday at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Ariz., says he found unexpected joys in being home with wife Elin, daughter Sam, 2, and newborn son Charlie Axel Woods.
"It was a blessing in disguise to have an opportunity just to see Sam grow that fast and that much," he said at a news conference Tuesday. "As players, you travel so much that I would have missed a lot of that, so I was very lucky there."

He adds: "I didn't realize how much I loved being home and being around Sam and E and now Charlie. I mean, I'll tell you what, that's something that is just so important to me."

Tyler Perry as Madea- Go See This Weekend Support, Support

Reunited, Bryant and O’Neal Are Dynamic

PHOENIX — For one evening, Shaquille O’Neal, the N.B.A.’s reigning clown prince, provided a vivid reminder of his unique place in the basketball universe.O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, former teammates and rivals with the Los Angeles Lakers, were briefly reunited Sunday evening, leading the West to a 146-119 victory over the East in the N.B.A. All-Star Game.

They laughed and passed, danced and dunked, and emerged as the co-most valuable players. Bryant provided the most points (27), while O’Neal provided the most mirth. Afterward, they embraced and then playfully tugged at the M.V.P. trophy, as if they were old childhood friends and not onetime sparring partners.

Kenseth rallies in the rain, soaks in first Daytona 500 win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — After an offseason marred by news of crewmembers being laid off, sponsorships shrinking and teams folding, NASCAR tried kicking off its 2009 story line with a splash of celebrity mega-wattage. Tom Cruise. Gene Hackman. Keith Urban.

In a Daytona 500 preceded by movie star cameos and containing a few Hollywood-style plot twists, NASCAR's most unassuming champion stole the show on the sport's grandest stage Sunday.

Kenseth, a soft-spoken and stoic native of tiny Cambridge, Wis., who often shuns rather than seeks the spotlight, scored the biggest victory of his Sprint Cup career, passing Elliott Sadler shortly before the skies opened at Daytona International Speedway.

Alex Rodriguez jokes about his steroid situation???

Alex Rodriguez's campaign for forgiveness could have begun Friday night. He stood before the most forgiving audience he could get in CORAL GABLES, Fla. - one that greeted him with a standing ovation - but he made no apology to his fans for cheating them and the game by taking steroids.

For the most part, really, he just made jokes. He began his first public appearance since the mea culpa by pointing out the huge media horde and saying, "I want to welcome my friends in the back. We travel together. Just like a family - a dysfunctional family."

Then he began his remarks by saying, "As you all know it's been a very quiet week for me, so it's really nice to get out on a Friday night."

As could be expected, many who attended saw only the best in A-Rod, who grew up in Miami but did not attend the university, opting to sign with the Mariners out of high school.

"After all the stress he's been under, I thought he was nothing but a class act," said Gerry Gonzalez, who has a son on the UM team.

"I thought he wouldn't touch the topic, but it was nice that he made light of it after a week like this," said John Routh, who was the team mascot for 11 years. "I think he might have said more to a group like us if there weren't so many media here."

Serena Williams pulls out injured

57 minutes ago(Feb.14,2009)
PARIS — World number one Serena Williams has pulled out injured of the Paris Open before her semi-final against Russian Elena Dementieva on Saturday.

The match was due to start at 8:30 a.m. EST.

"I did not feel well during the warm-up this morning, my knee hurt," the Australian Open champion said in a court side interview.

"I am extremely disappointed. I love playing in Paris and I hope I will come back."

$15 million lawsuit has been filed against former MLB second baseman Roberto Alomar

A $15 million lawsuit has been filed against former MLB second baseman Roberto Alomar. The lawsuit alleges Alomar had unprotected sex with a former girlfriend while he was positive for AIDS.

Ilya Dall tested negative for the disease, but she is claiming punitive damages for emotional distress.

Alomar, 41 began dating Dall in 2002, and while she does not claim Alomar knew he was infected with the AIDS virus, she says he had good reason to think he was infected and just didn’t get tested.

Alomar retired from baseball in 2005. He is widely considered to be one of the best second basemen in MLB history.

Update:
the former All-Star second baseman's current girlfriend called it a "vile lie," the New York Daily News reports.

David Beckham Must Return!!!!

David Beckham is set to return to Los Angeles Galaxy next month after head coach Bruce Arena revealed AC Milan failed to produce an 'acceptable offer' for the England international before yesterday's deadline.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber had warned the Italian club, where
Beckham is on a short-term loan, they had to agree a deal by yesterday (Friday) if they wanted to sign the England midfielder permanently.

But Arena, coach and general manager of the Galaxy, issued a statement saying
no transfer materialised and Beckham, 33, will return when the loan expires.

'Today's deadline imposed by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber regarding a resolution of David Beckham's potential transfer to AC Milan has passed and we did not receive an acceptable offer for the player.

'As a result, David remains an LA Galaxy player and we look forward to having
him back with the club starting March 9.'

A-Rod Confession Brings Scum to Head

Shocking as it is to locate a shred of truth in baseball, from the commissioner's office on down to the scummiest steroids dealer, at least Alex Rodriguez found some religion Monday. By confessing to juice use instead of perpetuating a lie, he gave himself a chance -- a chance, I said -- that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire never gave themselves on Denial Row. He still has nine years to stay clean, talk to kids and demonstrate his immense natural ability.

Still, A-Rod's colossal admission, to whatever extent of the truth he is telling, does nothing to make America feel better about his legacy or the enormity of baseball's disease the last 20 years.

By using steroids for three seasons in Texas, starting in 2001, Rodriguez cast a permanent cloud over what could have been the greatest of all careers, turning a first-ballot Hall of Fame resume into the latest and biggest scandal of his tragicomic tabloid life.

Congratulations-Tiger Woods

Congratulations to Tiger Woods and his wife Elin, who welcomed a baby boy into the world.

Little Charlie now joins sister Sam, who was born in 2007.

A statement released on Woods' website says that everyone is healthy and happy, and that the family will "introduce Charlie…at the appropriate time."

Woods himself is preparing a return to the greens after recovering from an injury.

Hockey News- Stars place left winger Avery on waivers

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars placed Sean Avery on waivers Saturday, moving the controversial left wing one step closer toward a possible return to the NHL.

A league person with firsthand knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Avery has completed a counseling program under the NHL/NHLPA behavioral health program and was placed on Dallas' active roster. The Stars then placed Avery on waivers.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced.

Avery must clear waivers by Monday. Any team could claim him before then, but would have to pay him the remainder of the four-year, $15.5 million contract he signed this summer.

A-Rod reportedly tested positive for steroids

NEW YORK — As Barry Bonds prepares to defend his name, the slugger who may eventually surpass him as the all-time home run leader has become ensnared by the Steroids Era: Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids during his MVP season with Texas in 2003, Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site Saturday.

The New York Yankees star has long denied using performance-enhancing drugs. He declined to discuss the tests when approached by SI on Thursday at a gym in Miami.

"You'll have to talk to the union," he said.

Major League Baseball and the players' union issued statements Saturday, refusing to confirm or deny the report, citing player confidentiality.

An e-mail from The Associated Press to Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, was not immediately returned. The Yankees and Rangers declined comment.

The SI revelations come at a time when baseball's focus on drugs has concerned Bonds and the legal maneuvering leading to the start of his trial March 2. The government is trying to prove Bonds lied when he told a grand jury he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.

A three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez has hit 553 career homers. At age 33, the All-Star third baseman is the highest-paid player in baseball and regarded by many as the most likely to break Bonds' record of 762.

Balić vs. Karabatić

Kobe Bryant Does it Again - Lakers 126, Knicks 117

NEW YORK (AP) — Kobe Bryant broke the current Madison Square Garden record with 61 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers looked plenty potent without Andrew Bynum in a 126-117 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night.

Bryant teased and pleased a sold-out crowd that took turns booing him and saluting him with ``MVP!'' chants during an electrifying performance. He passed Michael Jordan's opponent record of 55 points at the present building, known as ``Garden IV,'' when he hit three free throws with 3:56 remaining, then bettered Bernard King's mark of 60, set on Christmas Day 1984, with two more foul shots with 2:33 to play.

Bryant, who also finished with the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, left to a loud ovation after the 24th 50-point game of his career. It was also his fifth 40-point game here.