Boxing Legends Galore!

It was indeed a night of boxing legends as Joseph E. Roberts, Jr. celebrated his 20th year of helping area kids with his annual Fight For Children Fight Night gala at the Washington Hilton hotel.

Roberts launched Fight For Children in 1990 to give back to the community in which he and his employees lived and worked. Since that time, Fight For Children and its fundraising efforts, have raised $82 million for programs that serve low-income children.

Joining this year’s boxing legends Gerry Cooney, Buster Douglas, Joe Frazier, Jake Lamotta and Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini are home grown talent Sugar Ray Leonard, and eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr.


[Photo/DC UrbanSports: Leonard, Roy Jones, Jr., Smokin' Joe Fraser, Jake LaMotta, Ernie Shavers, and Ken Norton]

Ken Norton entered the Fight Night Hall of Fame, the third boxing legend to do so. Other inductees include 'Smokin' Joe Frazier (2008 inductee), and Jake LaMotta, inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame in 2007.

In last night’s main event featuring Palmer Park, Maryland’s Robert Reed found Reed knocking out Danville, Virginia’s Jason Johns in just 1:48 into the first round. Reed’s record improves 2-0, 1KO, over Johns, who made his pro debut on the night.

In other fight action, it was a draw, (3-way judges split) between Winston-Salem’s Fred McClinton (1-1-1, 1 KO) and DC’s Venroy July (2-0-1, 1 KO).

Dean ‘Pittbull’ White (15-10-2, 7 KOs) also had to settle with a draw in his bout with Verquan Kimbrough of Pittsburgh. Kimbrough, a protégé of Roy Jones Junior, is now 21-2-3, 7 KOs.

While the outcome was a draw, Dean White put a serious cut over the eye of Kimbrough that obviously affected him during the bout, as blood began streaming down his face.

This year's Fight Night raised over $150,000.

Boxing Legends Interviews

For our full synopsis and exclusive Fight Night interviews with Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roy Jones, Jr., click here.

Seen at the event: Kenneth ‘BabyFace’ Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri, Al Checchi, former DC boxing commissioner Jason Turner, NFL analyst Brian Mitchell, and others.

See event photos here.

[**Buy a link** on DC UrbanSports]

Thomas Earns Third ASC Goalie of the Week Honor

Howard University senior goalkeeper, Victor Thomas (Scarborough,Trinidad/Signal Hill) was named the Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) Goalie of the Week for the third time this season.

Thomas played 110 minutes and made 12 saves versus NJIT last week.

He posted his third shutout of the year in a win over Houston Baptist -- the first league loss for the Huskies – while helping the Bison to its first conference win. Thomas totaled 200 minutes, one GA, 15 saves and one shutout in two games last week.

Howard takes the field next Thursday, Nov. 12 when it battles NJIT in the first round of the ASC Tournament.

Out At Redskins Park

Tim Kaine Wants To Help The Washington Redskins

Former Virginia governor, Tim Kaine, in an interview after the Democrats lost the race for governor to Republican Bob McDonnell on November 4th, thinks Redskins owner Dan Snyder should give him a call.

Reflecting on his career in politics, and answering questions about what he may do in his life after Governor, Kaine said...

"I never thought I'd be in politics. I never thought I'd be Governor, or head of the DNC. Who knows? Maybe Dan Snyder will look at me and think I'm just the guy to help rescue the ailing fortunes of the Redskins."

See full interview here. TIP: Scroll to 27 min mark to hear Redskin comment.

The Redskins who have struggled tremendously this season, are 2-5, and last in the NFL East, facing the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.

[Photos/DC UrbanSports: Tim Kaine at final Democratic rally at Alexandria, Virginia's market square the night before Virginia's governor election.]
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Greg Blache Speaks Out About John Riggins' Comments. Defends Dan Snyder.

Skins defensive coordinator, Greg Blache spoke to the media today defending Redskins' owner Dan Snyder to "set the record straight".

Blache, who decided one month ago he didn't want to speak to the media (We told you it wouldn't last long) any further this season, offered this comment about remarks from former NFLer (and Redskin), John Riggins.

"As much as I hadn’t been talking to the media, I felt like this was something I needed to do. Somebody needed to stand up and set this record straight."

Riggins has come under fire for his comments about the Skins organization its owner. Riggins' latest comments was the final nail in the coffin for Blache.

"They don't know Dan Snyder, and that's the problem", said Blache.

"So, to hear such a vicious criticism of somebody I consider not just my employer, but a good friend, bothered me", said Blache, calling allegations against Snyder, "totally untrue".

"Snyder is one of the most generous people I've ever met", added Blache.

"We keep hearing these other sides, these other factions, and to be quite candid, the third side – the truth – is that this person, all he wants to do is win. That’s all he wants to do. He will spend his money, he will spend his time, he wants to win, he is here for the people, for the fans, for the Washington Redskins. Nobody pains more when we are unsuccessful than Dan Snyder. There is nobody that cares more about the fans than Dan Snyder. There is nobody that wants to win here, more than Dan Snyder. I just think that its time to put out there, for you guys to understand, that everything that is wrong with this organization is not Dan Snyder."

Blache, calling Riggins' comments, "Dark hearted", said "Enough's, enough's."

Related
Not The First Time 'Riggo' Has Had Words for Redskins, or its player. Click here for more.

[Photo/DC UrbanSports: Riggins at last year's NFL Players' Association awards.]
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Cooley Continues To Recuperate (Doin' Fine)

Redskins' tight end Chris Cooley, seen here on crutches, continues to be on the road to recovery after breaking his ankle during the Skins game against the Philly Eagles.

"I'm fine", said Cooley yesterday out at Redskins Park.

Cooley, currently on IR, had surgery last week and is expected to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. Fans can follow the recuperative efforts on his blog here.

In the mean time, TE Fred Davis will fill in for Cooley during this week's game against Atlanta.

Davis canceled plans during the bye week to fly home to see his former California State college football team to prepare for the opportunistic role.
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Time Out For Military Veterans.

In recognition of Veterans Day, the Washington Redskins and Redskins great Joe Theismann have joined forces with GlaxoSmithKline to call a 'Time Out for Veterans’ Health in Washington D.C., a free health screening event in the Redskins’ locker room this Saturday (November 7th) to raise awareness and help veterans learn more about chronic diseases.

The event is from 10 am -3 pm. Theismann will be available for interviews at the event from noon – 2 pm.

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Courage At The Park

Defensive end Phillip Daniels was named the winner of the team’s 2009 Ed Block Courage Award. The honor is given annually to a player from each National Football League team who displays extraordinary courage in the face of adversity.

Daniels suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament on the first day of training camp in 2008. Despite being placed on Injured Reserve, Daniels remained with the team throughout the year and attended every game with his teammates. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Daniels worked diligently to rehabilitate his knee and returned to the practice field this past offseason. The 36-year-old has started all seven games for the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense in 2009.

The Courage Award is named after Ed Block, the longtime head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts who was a pioneer in his profession and a respected humanitarian. The inaugural Ed Block Courage Award was presented in 1978 to Baltimore Colts’ defensive end, Joe Ehrmann. Following the Colts’ departure from Baltimore in 1984, the scope of the award expanded to include one player from every team in the NFL.

Past recipients of the honor have included Reed Doughty (2008), Marcus Washington (2007), Randy Thomas (2006), Khary Campbell (2005), Brandon Noble (2004), Fred Smoot (2003), Chris Samuels (2002), Cory Raymer (2001), James Thrash (2000), Tre’ Johnson (1999), Darrell Green (1998), James Jenkins (1997), Ed Simmons (1996), Keith Taylor (1995), Mark Schlereth (1994), Art Monk (1993), Anthony Johnson (1992), Donnie Warren (1991), Joe Jacoby (1990), Neil Olkewicz (1989), Doug Williams (1988), 1987 Mel Kaufman (1987), Darryl Grant (1986), Ken Huff (1985), Mark May (1984).

In New York! Concrete Jungle Where World Series Are Made Of!

New York Yankess Win World Series! New Stadium. New Title. New York!

How fitting that Jay-Z's 'Empire State of Mind' was sung before Game 2 of the World Series.

Despite all the naysayers, New York is back on top with their 27th World Series win, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2. A-Rod wins fifth World Series title. (Madonna should be proud).

Matsui wins MVP honor. Click here for Yankee reaction.

Yankees, feelin' brand new. A World Series will inspire you!

Best DC Song Contest!

We need a jam like Empire State of Mind for DC. Mambo Sauce did their thing a few years back, with 'Welcome to DC', but it's time for a new jam. A new hit. We're looking for the best artist (group or solo) from the DC area to come up with a hot song for DC that can inspire and show appreciation for the city! Contest starts today. It's gotta be even hotter than the Jay-Z Empire State of Mind hit.



Email video (3 minutes or less) to DC UrbanSports. (Void where prohibited. Deadline December 15, 2009).

Bison Tennis Teams Volunteer At Banneker Center

Members of the Howard University tennis team and the Bison coaching staff helped put the fun in the Banneker Recreation Center Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Head coach Larry Strickland, his staff and his teams have volunteered for the annual event for the past 25 years.

"One of the things that make Howard University a unique place is its dedication to community service," Strickland added. “We look forward to volunteering here every year.”

Howard donated candy and participated in the center's annual haunted house.

The Bison men face off with Maryland in its season opener on Jan. 31 while the women’s squad opens its campaign on Feb. 12 with a matchup against Navy.

In other HU Athletics News...

Bison women's first year soccer coach Brent Leiba named Great West Coach of the Year.

Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper Chanel Bell received the at-large award in the east, an honor for the next-highest vote getter. Great West Coach of the Year.

The Howard women’s soccer team was awarded major postseason honors by the Great West conference Thursday evening. Lady Bison freshman Retha Koefoed (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman H.S.) was selected as the Great West Offensive of the Year in the eastern division while first year coach Brent Leiba was named Great West Coach of the Year. Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper Chanel Bell (Goleta, Calif./Whittier H.S.) received the at-large award in the east, an honor for the next-highest vote getter.

Howard received honors at other positions as well. Freshman Brittany Peebles (Springfield, Va./Lake Braddock Secondary) was named all-conference on defense while classmate Cynthia Snyder (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown H.S.) received all-conference honors at forward.

Koefoed was an all-conference selection at midfield in addition to being named Offensive of the Year.

HU wrapped up league play with a 3-2-1 mark and received several accolades during the 2009 season. Koefoed was named Great West Offensive Player of the Week twice and Bell garnered Defensive Player of the Week honors three times.

The Bison opened up Great West tournament play today with a 2-0 win over South Dakota State and advance to the Great West semifinals tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 7).

Just Batty!

We told you about a couple of harrowing Halloween sporting events last week, but we never expected this.

During the Sacramento Kings vs Antonio Spurs Halloween game a bat made an appearance on center court. San Antonio Spurs guard, Manu Ginobili swatted at the bat, sending it to the floor where it was fetched and given to a security guard.

The Spurs won against the Kings, but Ginoili's 'heroics' have him not getting flu shots, but rabies shots instead.



While the bat couldn't be tested for rabies, as officials quickly released the bat into the open, Manu has to undergo a series of rabies vaccinations for about a month, just to be on the safe side.

"It wasn't so much fun," Ginobili said. "But the bat survived. I'm fine. I'm not going to have rabies."

We hope not.

Around the NBA
Wizards lose in Cleveland. Prepare for Miami's Heat. Tip off tonight at 7pm.

Redskins and Fields for Tomorrow

The Washington Redskins continue to do good things - off the field, and in the community.

Today at Surrattsville High School the Washington Redskins Players, owner Dan Synder, and team officials participated in a pep rally to celebrate the addition of eight high school football fields for the successful Fields for Tomorrow field maintenance program.

Through this partnership, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation has committed to adding the weekly maintenance of eight Prince Georges County Public Schools football fields to the Fields for Tomorrow program (Flowers, Crossland, Wise, Potomac, Parkdale, Suitland, Surrattsville, and Forestville Military Academy). In addition, the Foundation will install the Coaches in the Classroom program and an Academic Coach at Fairmont Heights High School.

Under the Fields for Tomorrow program the Redskins, in consultation with a professional grounds crew, renovate and maintain high school fields in the greater DC area. The team has dedicated nearly $1 million to the program since its inception.

Schools already in the program include: Central, Fairmont Heights, Frederick Douglass, and Largo High Schools.

Today's event also brought about a very rare interview with Skin's owner, Dan Snyder who talked about the Redskins season, the committment and loyalty of fans, and team's efforts to turn the season around.

"It really hurts," Snyder said. "We are really trying very, very hard, everyone at Redskins Park, the coaches, the players. The organization's quite frankly held together well, and I think we've got an opportunity the rest of the season to hopefully get it going. But to date we've let everyone down, including ourselves, and we know that and we're just apologetic. We've blown some games that obviously we think we should have won."

The 2-5 Skins are fresh off a bye week and face the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday at 1pm on Fox-TV.


[Photos: W. Barron for DC UrbanSports]