8:00 PM CSN Baltimore has video of Marcus Smith, a U.S. soldier who dressed as a minor league umpire to surprise his children at a Bowie Baysox game with a home visit from Afghanistan.
7:45 PM A Japanese Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was swept out to sea during last year's tsunami washed up on a shore in British Columbia last month. The bike's owner asked that the motorcycle be displayed at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee as a memorial to the tsunami victims.
7:30 PM Buffalo Bills receiver David Clowneytweeted the results of his HIV test which came back negative. And to the critics of his decision to share his results, Clowney added: "Some people are Ridiculously stupid ... And can't see the bigger picture about things that are important in this world."
The ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports that defensive end Adrian Awasom was stopped early Friday morning by state police. He was cited for suspicion of driving under the influence and extreme DUI, but was eventually released.
A Giants spokesman said Awasom has already been sent home. But it’s likely not such a big loss for the G-Men, as the backup DE has been on the injured reserve list since September.
The Super Bowl’s not the only big event in town this week, as the FBR Open is currently underway in Scottsdale.
The golf tournament is known as being one of the rowdiest on the PGA Tour. And the ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports such a reputation has forced officials to adopt a new alcohol policy this year. Spectators wanting to purchase some suds will have to wear a wristband, and each consumer is limited to a two-drink maximum at the concession stands.
However, it doesn’t seem to be working that well so far.
The alleged instigator of 2004’s Pistons-Pacers basketbrawl is heading behind bars.
The TRAVERSE CITY RECORD-EAGLE reports that John Green has been sentenced to 45 days in jail after his December arrest for drunk driving. The 42-year-old is better known for supposedly throwing a beer that landed on Ron Artest’s chest - which kicked off the Malice at the Palace.
Well this really sucks, but Jim Leyritz is being held in a Ft. Lauderdale jail today after he was involved in a two-car automobile accident late last night that killed someone.
In the collision, Leyritz’s vehicle “impact caused the other car to roll over and the female driver of that vehicle was ejected and she died after being taken to Broward General Medical Center, police said.”
In the aftermath of the crash, the former Yankees 1996 World Series hero was “arrested on suspicion of DUI because he refused a Breathalyzer test, police said.”
Let’s hope his ‘96 World Series homer remains the hit he’ll always be known for.
UPDATE: THE SMOKING GUN has more details (”Leyritz failed several roadside sobriety tests and smelled of booze, had red, watery eyes, and a flushed face. He declined to take a Breathalyzer test or provide a blood sample, though blood was later drawn from him despite his refusal (investigators are waiting to learn what his blood alcohol content was at the time of the accident.”)
VIDEO OF LA RUSSA LABORING W/ALPHABET DURING DUI: ESPN has police video of St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa stumbling around during his DUI arrest in Florida last March:
Tony had a little trouble keeping his balance - and keeping track of the alphabet, getting stuck after the letter ‘V’. (V as in ‘victory’, something Tony’s team didn’t see enough of last season.)
La Russa plead guilty Wednesday to the DUI charge. He was served with a $250 fine, a year of probation, and 50 hours of community service.
Canzano recently columnized about the Bellotti’s son, Luke, who received two DUIS. In the height of irony, Mrs. Bellotti (accompanied by her children and nanny) responded to the piece by initiating a violent, alcohol-infused, “hissing” attack against Canzano in the Oregon press box during the Ducks-USC game last Saturday.Canzano reports, “I also told her I believe two DUIIs by an athlete, and coach’s son, are newsworthy to all media outlets, especially considering how her son’s double-secret suspension was treated by the same program that publicly suspended other athletes for alcohol-related offenses. I was disappointed in her approach. Particularly that there were 4-5 children present with her, including the youngest Bellotti son.
“She leaned in, grabbed by my suit lapel, and lit into me with a string of expletives. I told it was poor form that she would approach me in the press box, with a strong smell of alcohol on her breath, hissing and spitting mad, talking to me about alcohol abuse.”
Though there’s no excuse for two DUIs, and his dad’s mishandling of the situation, right now we feel really, really sorry for Luke Bellotti. We think being the son of a booze hound is far worse than being on fake scholarship.
TIGER DRAG - PRINCETON FB PLAYER CRASHES GOLF CART: A Princeton football player was arrested last weekend for drunk driving - in a golf cart:
The TRENTON (NJ) TIMES reports that Martin Jancik and a friend were carting around the New Jersey school early Sunday, when they crashed - right in front of a police car.The 21-year-old Jancik was immediately cuffed, while his passenger fled the scene. The cowardly co-pilot, Ariel Rogers, was found and arrested later that day. Neither joyrider was seriously hurt.
Because of the incident, Jancik might lose some playing time - if he wasn’t on the bench already. He’s been off the active football roster since suffering an off-season injury, spending most of his time assisting with team filming and video duties.
Should be quite a blooper reel he puts together this year.
