- Publish date:
For the Record
Reported
Missing in the Gulf of Mexico after their boat failed to return from a fishing trip, four men, including free-agent defensive end Corey Smith (above) and Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper (inset, with Steelers in 2007). The group, which also included former University of South Florida players Will Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, left Clearwater, Fla., in Cooper's 21-foot boat early last Saturday. They were supposed to return that evening, but when they hadn't arrived by 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Coast Guard was alerted. Searchers encountered winds of 45 mph and waves as high as 15 feet. On Monday, Schuyler was rescued; he was found clinging to the boat, which he said had overturned in rough seas on Saturday evening. There was no sign of the other members of the group.
Approved
For release to home confinement, Michael Vick. The Falcons quarterback, who has served nearly 16 months of a 23-month sentence for his role in the operation of a dogfighting ring, was expected to be released to a halfway house in Virginia. But according to the Associated Press, there are no beds available, so Vick will instead be outfitted with an electronic monitor and sent home on or after May 21. He will be allowed to leave only for activities approved by his probation officer. Vick was suspended indefinitely from the NFL in August 2007.
Banned
By the NBA, the designer bandages worn by Dwyane Wade (right). The Heat guard has been wearing the protective strips under his left eye since receiving stitches on Feb. 8. They have included Wade's surname, his nickname (Flash) and an American flag. NBA officials last week informed Wade that he was violating the league's uniform policy. Wade went bandageless for Miami's game against the Knicks last Saturday.
Tied
The knot, Tom Brady and Gisele B√ºndchen. The Patriots' QB and the Brazilian supermodel wed last Thursday in a small ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif. They have been dating for over two years, and this is the first marriage for each. The bride wore Dolce & Gabbana—as did her three dogs, who were decked out in matching floral lace collars.
Returned
By Southern Mississippi basketball coach Larry Eustachy, a $25,000 bonus he was due to receive from the school, partly because he is disappointed with his team's performance. As of Monday the Golden Eagles were 14--14 this season, Eustachy's fifth at Southern Miss. The coach said he was donating the money, part of a ticket-sales incentive clause in his contract, to aid the university during the economic downturn, and that he would not seek a contract extension until his team played better. Said athletic director Richard Giannini, "He knew the economic times we were having, and we need to use every dime we can find."
Disqualified
From the jumping portion of the Nordic combined team competition at the world championships in Liberec, Czech Republic, last Thursday, Bill Demong of the U.S. The winner of bronze and gold individual medals (page 67), Demong couldn't find his bib and wasn't allowed to jump. "I checked it on the chair lift on the way up to be sure I had the right number," he said. "It slipped down inside my suit on the walk down from the lift." Demong later found it in his boot. Despite the wardrobe malfunction, the U.S. enjoyed a record haul, taking six medals. "It's my fault," Demong said. "I'm an idiot."
Purchased
By the family of Mickey Mantle, a baseball autographed by the Hall of Famer with the inscription f--- yogi. Mantle and Yogi Berra were Yankees teammates and got along well, and the collector who sold the ball had no idea why Mantle wrote the obscenity. The family paid $2,750 to an auction house that was going to sell the ball to the highest bidder, presumably to keep it away from collectors.
They Said It
BRIAN ORAKPO
Texas defensive end, explaining at the NFL combine why he'd be a good fit in any NFL defensive scheme: "A versatile guy is a guy who can be very versatile."
SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
The Browns' Shaun Rogers reportedly wants to be traded, in part because new coach Eric Mangini didn't say hello to him at the team's practice facility in January.
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BILL MCGUIRE/CAL SPORT MEDIA (SMITH)
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SCOTT BOEHM/GETTY IMAGES (COOPER)
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SCOTT BOEHM/GETTY IMAGES (ORAKPO)
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JEFFREY M. BOAN/AP (WADE)
