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Man Accuses Star NFL Tight End of Shooting Him in the Face While Police Investigate Body Found Near His Home

Liz Klimas — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:19:11 +0000

NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. (TheBlaze/AP) — State police returned to the home of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez on Wednesday, two days after a body was found about a mile away. What’s more, in a separate case a man is now alleging that Hernandez shot him in the face a few months ago.

Two troopers knocked on the door of Hernandez’s sprawling house in an upscale subdivision Wednesday morning, but no one answered. The night before, police spent hours there as another group of officers searched an industrial park where the body was found Monday. No more details about the body have been released.

Two members of the Massachusetts State Police walk toward the front door of the home of New England Patriot’s NFL football player Aaron Hernandez in North Attleborough, Mass., Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Their knock on the door went unanswered. State and local police spent hours at the home Tuesday as another group of officers searched an industrial park about a mile away where a body was discovered the day before. (Photo: AP/Erika Niedowski)

Sports Illustrated, citing an unidentified source, reported that Hernandez was not believed to be a suspect in what was being treated as a possible homicide. The magazine said police had spoken with Hernandez.

State police referred questions to Bristol District Attorney Sam Sutter’s office, which declined to comment.

Sports Illustrated reported that the link between Hernandez and the case was a rented Chevrolet Suburban with Rhode Island plates that police had been searching for. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the report.

Later Wednesday, at least seven state troopers searched both sides of a road just off the street where Hernandez lives. The officers used thin poles to pull back plants and search through undergrowth along the road.

Watch the Boston Globe’s report on the investigation, which identifies the body as possibly a local semi-professional football player:

Hernandez is represented by the Athletes First agency, which said it has no comment “on the Aaron Hernandez situation.” His mother said by phone from Connecticut on Tuesday she had no knowledge of a case involving him.

Massachusetts State Police search along a road near the home of New England Patriot’s NFL football player Aaron Hernandez in North Attleborough, Mass., Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Police spent a second day at Hernandez’ home on Wednesday, two days after a body was found about a mile away. (Photo: AP/Erika Niedowski)

“I am aware of the reports, but I do not anticipate that we will be commenting publicly during an ongoing police investigation,” Patriots spokesman Stacey James said.

Hernandez returned home during the early afternoon Wednesday, wearing a Patriots sweatshirt, red hat and carrying what looked like a sports drink. He did not speak to a crowd of media staked out about 100 feet away.

The Patriots drafted Hernandez out of Florida in 2010. Since then, he has combined with Rob Gronkowski to form one of the top tight end duos in the NFL.

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) stretches during practice at the NFL football team’s facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013. The Patriots will play the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row at Foxborough this Sunday. (Photo: AP/Stephan Savoia)

Last Thursday, a Connecticut man, who was traveling in Florida in February of this year, filed a complaint in South Florida alleging that after an argument with Hernandez at a strip club, the football player shot him in the face.

USA Today reported the attorney for Alexander Bradley saying the complaint was withdrawn Monday for unknown reasons but that his client plans to refile it.

The complaint suing Hernandez for $100,000 states that Hernandez was holding a gun that was discharged and caused injury to Bradley who lost his right eye and had to have multiple surgeries as a result. It says Bradley’s arm and hand were injured and required screws and plates as well.

“We don’t know whether it was accidental or deliberate,” attorney David Jaroslawicz said of the gun being shot. “If we get to take Mr. Hernandez’s testimony, perhaps he will tell us he accidentally pulled the trigger or maybe he did it on purpose.”

In 38 games, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Hernandez has 175 receptions for 1,956 yards and 18 touchdowns. He missed 10 games last season with an ankle injury and had shoulder surgery in April, but is expected to be ready for training camp. The Patriots have not said which shoulder was operated on.

Last summer, the Patriots gave Hernandez a five-year contract. It was worth $40 million, according to reports, and came just months after the team locked up Gronkowski, through 2019.

“Aaron’s improved a lot,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said at the time. “He’s worked hard, he’s improved a lot in all phases of the game – the passing game, the running game, protection and his overall versatility. He’s doing a good job for us.”

Associated Press Writer Bridget Murphy contributed to this report.

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Heat Beat Spurs in Dramatic Fashion to Force Game 7 in NBA Finals – Here Are the Top 5 Plays

Jason Howerton — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:19:06 +0000

MIAMI (TheBlaze/AP) — LeBron James shrugged off a poor start to get 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds to play to force overtime and the Miami Heat staved off elimination with a 103-100 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.

MIAMI, FL – JUNE 18: Ray Allen #34 of the Miami Heat makes a game-tying three-pointer over Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter during Game Six of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Credit: Getty Images

MIAMI, FL – JUNE 18: Mario Chalmers #15 of the Miami Heat reacts in overtime against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Six of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Credit: Getty Images

MIAMI, FL – JUNE 18: Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6 and Ray Allen #34 of the Miami Heat celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs during Game Six of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. Credit: Getty Images

James missed nine of his first 12 shots, but scored 16 points in the fourth to rally the Heat from a 10-point deficit. The Heat trailed 94-89 with 28 seconds to play, but James hit a 3 with 20 seconds to go and Allen drilled another to tie it.

James’ layup with 1:43 to play in overtime gave the Heat a 101-100 lead, and Allen added two free throws to force Game 7, which is on Thursday night in Miami.

Here are the top 5 plays from game 6:

1. Ray Allen’s game-tying 3-pointer that sent game into overtime

2. Heat’s Chris Bosh blocks potential game-tying shot on very last play

3. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard throws down monster jam over Mike Miller

4. Lebron James’ nasty block against Tim Duncan

5. Miami Heat execute pick and roll to perfection

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Vladimir Putin: I Did Not Steal Super Bowl Ring

Madeleine Morgenstern — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:23:53 +0000

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he did not steal the New England Patriots’ owner’s Super Bowl ring.

The denial comes after Patriots owner Robert Kraft was quoted telling an audience that he showed Putin the huge, diamond-encrusted ring during a 2005 visit visit to Russia — and that Putin pocketed it and walked away.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied the accusation that he stole New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s Super Bowl ring in 2005. (AP)

Kraft said he was upset about the ring’s loss, but that the White House urged him to say it was a gift so as not to disrupt U.S.-Russia relations.

But a Putin spokesman on Sunday called Kraft’s accusation “weird,” and insisted the 4.94-carat ring really was given as a gift.

“What Mr. Kraft is saying now is weird,” Dmitry Peskov told CNN. “I was standing 20 centimeters away from him and Mr. Putin and saw and heard how Mr. Kraft gave this ring as a gift.”

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Scary Moment: Rays Pitcher Takes a Line Drive Directly to the Head

Madeleine Morgenstern — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:07:02 +0000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals wouldn’t typically feel relief after losing a game and a franchise-record pitching streak.

But once they learned that Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Cobb sustained only a mild concussion after taking a line drive to the head, Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Rays was an afterthought.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb grabs his head and lies on the pitcher’s mound after being hit by a line drive by Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 15, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher. (AP)

Cobb seemed to be OK after being taken off the field on a stretcher in the fifth inning. He was hit directly on the right ear by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer.

“I obviously didn’t even want to run to first,” Hosmer said. “I just wanted to see how he was doing. You hate to see that, especially Alex having a great year. It’s just scary stuff, man. I’m glad he’s alright. I know … he’s been talking and having conversations.”

Cobb put a hand on his head after being struck. Trainers from both teams and other medical staff immediately ran onto the field. Cobb could be seen kicking his legs while being examined on the mound.

“You can’t hit a ball harder than Hos hit that ball,” said Royals manager Ned Yost. “He hit it so hard (Cobb) couldn’t even react, and it makes everybody in the stadium sick to their stomach when something like that happens.”

ST. PETERSBURG – JUNE 15: Medical staff attend to pitcher Alex Cobb #53 of the Tampa Bay Rays after he was hit by a line drive against the Kansas City Royals during the game at Tropicana Field on June 15, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Getty Images)

ST PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 15: : Pitcher Alex Cobb #53 of the Tampa Bay Rays is taken off the field by medical personel after he was hit in the head by a line drive from the Kansas City Royals during the game at Tropicana Field on June 15, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Getty Images)

The Rays announced that Cobb remained conscious and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg for further examination.

Players on both teams had hands on their heads as a stunned silence overtook Tropicana Field.

“I think it kind of deflated the entire stadium, to be honest. It deflated the benches. There wasn’t a lot of talk going around because, what is there to say?” said Royals second baseman Elliot Johnson, a close friend and former teammate of Cobb. “Things get real really quick, if that makes any sense. The game isn’t as important as his life, his livelihood and his future.”

ST. PETERSBURG – JUNE 15: Players of the Tampa Bay Rays watch as pitcher Alex Cobb is attended to after he was hit by a line drive against the Kansas City Royals during the game at Tropicana Field on June 15, 2013 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Getty Images)

The incident came 39 days after Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ was also struck, on the same mound, by a liner against the Rays and suffered a skull fracture. Happ was discharged from an area hospital the following day.

The sound of the ball striking Cobb – which sounded like a bat hitting a ball – could be heard in the press box. Rays players, manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey gathered at the mound during the 11-minute delay. Shortstop Yunel Escobar was in a squatting position looking down at the ground.

It has been a tough week for Cobb, who left the team after starting Monday night’s game against Boston due to the death of his grandmother. He was informed of the death after the game in which the 25-year old gave up a season-high six runs over four innings in a 10-8, 14-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said all tests were normal and that Cobb suffered a mild concussion.

Tampa Bay pitcher David Price visited Cobb in the hospital and tweeted: “Cobber is way more tough than me!! Laughing at jokes and the name they gave him!! Please keep him and his family in your prayers.”

Luke Scott, Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria homered for the Rays, who had lost five of six. Alex Torres (2-0) replaced Cobb and struck out four over 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 19 opportunities.

Joyce hit a solo homer off Jeremy Guthrie (7-4) in the fifth that put the Rays up 4-2 and ended the Royals’ 13-game stretch of limiting opponents to three runs or fewer.

“We’ll see if we can’t start another one tomorrow,” Yost said of the streak.

Guthrie gave up five runs and eight hits over seven innings.

The Royals took a 2-1 lead in the second when Alex Gordon walked on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded and Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly. Salvador Perez cut the deficit to 5-3 on a solo homer in the eighth.

Perez extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the first.

It was only the Royals’ second loss in 11 games, but it certainly didn’t register as much as the relief they felt knowing that Cobb had not been seriously injured.

“He seemed fine,” said Royals pitcher James Shields, another former teammate who went over to see Cobb as he was being wheeled off the field. “He was talking, very comprehensible … Everything’s looking positive and from everything I’ve heard he has a laceration on his ear and a concussion. Hopefully it’s just that.”

NOTES: Royals RHP Wade Davis (3-5) will pitch against his former team for the first time Sunday. “I’m not going to smile. There’s no smiling,” Davis said. “We’re trying to win games over here. We’re trying to get in a good position over here.” Roberto Hernandez (4-6) will start for the Rays. . . . Tampa Bay LHP David Price (left triceps strain) had a 25-pitch bullpen session and could start a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday. The AL Cy Young Award winner may rejoin the Rays in late June or early July.

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Patriots Owner: Vladimir Putin STOLE My Super Bowl Ring — And the White House Wanted it Hushed Up

Madeleine Morgenstern — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:41:32 +0000

UPDATE: A spokesman for Vladimir Putin has denied he stole the ring, calling the accusation “weird.”

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The owner of the New England Patriots is coming forward with a wild tale: he says Russian President Vladimir Putin actually stole his Super Bowl ring in 2005 — and that the White House urged him to drop the matter in the interest of international relations.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, says Russian President Vladimir Putin actually stole his Super Bowl ring in 2005. (AP)

Robert Kraft was visiting St. Petersburg with other American business executives when he took the 4.94-carat ring out simply to show Putin. Putin put it on — and then dropped it in his pocket and walked away with it.

“I took out the ring and showed it to [Putin], and he put it on and he goes, ‘I can kill someone with this ring,’ ” Kraft told an audience Thursday, according to The New York Post.“I put my hand out and he put it in his pocket, and three KGB guys got around him and walked out.”

Kraft wanted it back — but revealed that he received a call from the George W. Bush White House that said, “It would really be in the best interest of U.S.-Soviet relations if you meant to give the ring as a present.” The Soviet Union, of course, had already collapsed.

Image source: The Boston Globe

“I really didn’t [want to],” Kraft recalled, according to the newspaper. “I had an emotional tie to the ring, it has my name on it. I don’t want to see it on eBay. There was a pause on the other end of the line, and the voice repeated, ‘It would really be in the best interest if you meant to give the ring as a present.’”

So, Kraft released a statement saying he decided to gift Putin the ring out of “respect and admiration.”

”Upon seeing the ring, President Putin, a great and knowledgeable sports fan, was clearly taken with its uniqueness,” Kraft said at the time. ”At that point, I decided to give him the ring.”

Kraft said the ring is now kept in the Kremlin library.

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The Odds of This Happening During a Golf Tournament Are Incredibly Small

Jason Howerton — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:03:04 +0000

Something extremely rare happened to pro golfer Carl Pettersson during the U.S. Open on Friday. In fact, Yahoo! Sports’ Shane Bacon writes it was “something I’ve never seen on the PGA Tour.”

While on the 5th fairway, an errant tee shot came in hot out of nowhere and smashed right into his golf ball mid-backswing.

Petterson did not look pleased in the video:

Yahoo! Sports blog “Devil Ball” explains this wasn’t the first strange thing to happen to Pettersson on the golf course:

This is definitely not the first time something strange has happened to Pettersson at a major championship. A year ago at the PGA Championship, Pettersson hit a leaf on his backswing, later landing a two-shot penalty for doing so in a hazard.

No penalty was assessed to either golfer and Pettersson actually went on to shake off the disturbance and make par on the hole.

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11-Year-Old Son of Navy Man Stands Up to Racial Slurs Received After Singing the National Anthem

Liz Klimas — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:50:09 +0000

An 11-year-old from Texas nicknamed ”El Charro de Oro,” which means The Golden Mariachi, kicked off game three of the NBA finals with the national anthem earlier this week. But it’s not his voice that’s getting him noticed, it’s tweets regarding his race — some of them strong racial slurs — and the boy’s response to them that’s getting attention.

Sebastien de la Cruz sings the U.S. National Anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in San Antonio. (Photo: AP/David J. Phillip)

Sebastien De La Cruz, who made it to the finals on season seven of the show America’s Got Talent, was born in San Antonio, but after his performance Tuesday night, some said his singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” was “un-American” because “he’s probably illegal.”

Here’s De La Cruz’s performance if you missed it:

The “public shaming” section on the site Tumblr has recorded some of the tweets against the boy that followed:

(Image via Tumblr)

Since these tweets and others were posted, De La Cruz has received an even more intense but opposite reaction — a show of support for his performance — on Twitter.

The next day, the De La Cruz appeared on local television and radio shows to give his reaction to the criticism he had received.

Joe ‘Pags’ Pagliarulo, a radio host for The 950- Houston, WOAI- San Antonio, KOA/Denver and nationwide for Glenn Beck and “The Weekend,” brought on De La Cruz. The interview delves into De La Cruz’s young career and his personality, but right as Pags is about to wrap up, the boy asks “may I please say one more thing?”

“I just am just saying for the people who did write the bad things about me, I would just like to tell them that I respect what they said, because I think in the United States people should have freedom of speech and that’s their opinion. But the thing that I don’t really like about it is that they don’t know that I am Mexican American,” De La Cruz said. “And that my father was in the Navy for many years and that I’m a proud American living the American dream.”

Listen to the interview on Pags’ show:

De La Cruz also sat down with KABB where he said “people don’t know, they just assume that I’m just Mexican. But I’m not from Mexico. I’m from San Antonio born and raised, a true San Antonio Spurs fan.”

Watch this clip of the interview:

Check out De La Cruz on this segment of America’s Got Talent:

(H/T: Gawker)

This story has been updated to include more information.

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Did Patriots Owner Violate Employment Law When He Said This About Tim Tebow’s Christian Faith?

Billy Hallowell — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:18:00 +0000

It didn’t take long for noted Christian and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow’s signing with the New England Patriots to spark headlines — and potential controversy. Only, it isn’t anything that Tebow did or said, rather it’s owner Robert Kraft who, during a Q&A with ESPN, spoke out in admiration of the famed footballer’s faith.

While Kraft spoke both professionally and personally about Tebow’s signing, it was his latter comments that have raised an interesting employment question worth considering.

“For me personally, having Tim Tebow on this team, he’s someone who believes in spirituality, he’s very competitive and works hard, and has a great attitude, and he’s a winner,” the team’s owner told the sports outlet. “So having him as part of our franchise is great, but he has to compete just like anyone else. We’re blessed to have a lot of people like that, but the fact that spirituality is very important to him is very appealing to me.”

New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow during a team football practice in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday June 12, 2013. Credit: AP

It wasn’t the first time that Kraft, who is Jewish, mentioned Tebow’s faith. But when he first praised the player for his “spirituality,” it was back in 2011 — well before the Christian player was hired to play on his team. Considering that Tebow is now employed by Kraft and examining the owner’s admiration for the player’s faith — some may wonder if there are any employment issues of favoritism at play.

The Washington Post’s Elizabeth Tenety posed a fascinating question. Noting that most employers are not legally permitted to reject or discriminate based upon religion (religious groups and churches are a different story), she wondered what happens when a boss favors or treats employees more positively because of admired faith views (Tenety didn’t charge that this is happening here, but merely posed the question).

Since the NFL, either way, isn’t a religious group, this is an interesting curiosity. However, it should be noted that Kraft made it clear in his statements that Tebow will have to work hard like everyone else on the team — something that shows little evidence of favoritism.

Charles C. Haynes of the First Amendment Center, though, as Tenety notes, believes that Kraft’s comments were permissible.

New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow looks upward as he prepares to throw during a NFL football practice in Foxborough, Mass., Tuesday June 11, 2013. Credit: AP

“There is a difference between hiring or retaining someone on the basis of religious affiliation, which could run afoul of civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion, and hiring or retaining someone because, among other things, he or she is spiritually-minded or has good values,” he wrote.

“I see nothing problematic for an employer to express admiration for employees who have faith commitments or good character etc. absent evidence that religious employees are treated more favorably than non-religious employees,” Haynes added, noting that this seems to be an example of someone merely admiring another person’s faith.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section.

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NASCAR Driver Jason Leffler Dies After Horrific Accident During Dirt Car Event

Jason Howerton — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:45:55 +0000

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. (TheBlaze/AP) — NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died after an accident Wednesday night in a heat race at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway.

The 37-year-old Leffler, a two-time winner on the NASCAR Nationwide Series, was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m., New Jersey State Police said.

“NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening,” NASCAR said in a statement. “For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed.”

Twitter user @ChristopheTaitt reportedly snapped this photo of the tragic accident:

(Twitter)

After losing his NASCAR ride, Leffler had been racing dirt car events most of this year, including the 410 Sprint Car race Wednesday that promised a $7,000 prize to the winner at the 0.625-mile, high-banked dirt oval. On Sunday, Leffler finished last at Pocono in his lone NASCAR Sprint Cup start of the year.

From Long Beach, Calif., Leffler made 423 starts in NASCAR’s three national series, but won just the two Nationwide races and one Truck Series event in a career that began in 1999. He also made three IndyCar Series starts, finishing 17th in the 2000 Indianapolis 500.

Leffler’s last full NASCAR season was 2011, when he ran the entire Nationwide schedule for Turner Motorsports. He finished sixth in the standings that season and hadn’t had a steady NASCAR ride since.

Although he never made it at the Sprint Cup Series level, Leffler ran almost the entire 2001 season for Chip Ganassi Racing and ran 19 races in 2005 for Joe Gibbs Racing in the car now driven by Denny Hamlin.

JOLIET, IL – JULY 21: Jason Leffler, driver of the #18 Dollar General/M&M’s Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 225 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 21, 2012 in Joliet, Illinois. Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

Leffler is survived by 5-year-old son Charlie Dean.

“Really sad for Jason Leffler and his family,” NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski said on Twitter. “Thinking about his little boy.”

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Watch: Out of Control Hockey Fight Ends With Referee on a Stretcher

Jason Howerton — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 01:52:50 +0000

(YouTube)

A seriously vicious fight broke out during the 2013 world ball hockey semifinals last weekend in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Well, it was really more of a one-sided attack.

Justin Pender, a player for the Canadian men’s team, went after an opposing player and began beating him mercilessly after the Czech Republic scored an empty-net goal to clinch a 5-1 victory.

The attack “begins with a cross-check to a Czech forward that’s taunting him; it ended with a referee on a stretcher,” the Yahoo! Sport blog “Puck Daddy” notes.

The Telegram has more:

Canadian defenceman Justin Pender of St. John’s was given a double match penalty with one second left after an incident that resulted in a game official being taken off the floor on a stretcher. The official was reportedly injured as he tried to intervene when Pender tangled with a Czech player after the winners scored an empty-net goal. Czech goaltender Lukas Heczko was also involved.

Pender later apologized for his behavior on Twitter.

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Terrible: Dog-Throwing Soccer Player Gets Ejected as Fans Hurl Objects Onto Field

Becket Adams — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:32:08 +0000

A lot of over-dramatic and awful things have happened on the soccer field over the years, but this one takes the cake.

A stray dog learned the hard way during a soccer match in Argentina that you apparently don’t interrupt lower-league player Enzo Jose Jimenez.

And what, exactly, did the Bella Vista player do about the match interruption? He picked the dog up by its neck and hurled it off the field, right into a fence.

“Jimenez was confronted by players from the other team, and fans hurled objects onto the pitch,” Deadspin’s Barry Petchesky writes. “He received a red card and was ejected from the game, probably for his own safety.”

We take heart knowing Jimenez’s actions would have been met with similar condemnation in most parts of the world:

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Heh: At CNN, Tim Tebow trumps Barack Obama

Meredith Jessup — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:11:28 +0000

In the midst of airing Obama’s immigration policy reform speech live this morning, CNN broke in and preempted the president with a commercial break… and a New England Patriots press conference on Tim Tebow. Ouch.

For my own amusement, I like to imagine someone in the control room using this to strike a blow to an administration that admittedly snoops on journalist. Snoop on this.

Washington Examiner’s Charlie Spiering caught the moment on video:

Canada Kids Soccer Association Pays Big Price After Refusing to Overturn Ban on Turban-Wearing

Billy Hallowell — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:35:07 +0000

There’s a religious battle brewing in Canada following the Quebec Soccer Federation’s (QSF) ban on children who wear turbans. As a result of the sports authority’s decision not to allow these kids to play the sport, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) has suspended the group until the ban, which it deems wrong-headed, is overturned.

Photo Credit: AP

The policy, which impacts Sikhs, was publicly derided on Monday, the CBC reports. The CSA, citing apparent attempts to temper the situation prior to its suspension of the QSF, spoke out openly against the turban ban.

“The Quebec Soccer Federation’s inaction has forced us to take measures in order to ensure soccer remains accessible to the largest number of Canadians,” the sports group said in a statement. “The suspension will be lifted once the Canadian Soccer Association receives demonstration that the Quebec Soccer Federation has lifted the ban and applies satisfactorily the Canadian Soccer Association’s policy in the matter.”

Credit: AP

The CSA, according to the press release, attempted to rectify the situation on June 6, putting in a request for the QSF to drop the soccer regulation — but to no avail.

In the past, the QSF has cited safety concerns over the presence of turbans in children’s soccer games, however there seem to be some disagreements over the legitimacy of these worries. While CBC News notes that FIFA, the world soccer governing body, doesn’t ban turbans, it also doesn’t explicitly allow them.

For now, it seems the turban battle continues, as the ramifications of the ban could mean that children don’t get to compete in Quebec.

(H/T: Huffington Post)

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The Scary Moment a Killer Whale Snatches a Fish Right from an Angler’s Line

Jonathon M. Seidl — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:10:38 +0000

If you’ve ever gone fishing, you know that moment when you’re about to pull the creature out of the water is one of the most exciting — and even the most frustrating. A group of anglers in Alaska know that all too well now, after video of their halibut trip being interrupted by a killer whale has gone viral.

The video was posted on The Alaska Life Facebook page on Saturday. It shows a man talking with his friends as he halls in one of Alaska’s most popular fish. But as he’s reeling the specimen in, he seems to be talking with his friends about another finned animal swimming in the area. Sure enough, seconds later a killer whale surfaces and snatches the fish right off the hook.

Here’s the video [content warning for language at the beginning of the clip]:

GrindTV wonders if the fisherman were intentionally trying to entice the orca. Either way, the footage is incredible.

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The Scary Moment a Killer Whale Snatches a Fish Right from an Angler’s Line