LEADING OFF

Staged Event

• Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford was the first player to step into the spotlights at Radio City Music Hall when the 2009 NFL draft got under way in New York City (page 46). The Lions had worked out a deal with Stafford the night before, so they wasted no time in giving commissioner Roger Goodell (handing Stafford a Detroit jersey) the go-ahead to introduce the No. 1 choice.

Down And Done

• Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo signaled that he needed assistance following a collision with the Trail Blazers' Greg Oden during their first-round playoff game on April 21 in Portland. After an examination revealed a ruptured tendon in his left knee, Mutombo, 42, said he would retire (page 18). The Blazers won 107--103, but through Monday they trailed in the series 3--1.

Saved By the Fence

• Tragedy was averted at Talladega on Sunday when Carl Edwards's airborne car crashed into the catch fence at the end of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race (page 34). Seven spectators suffered minor injuries from flying debris, and Edwards was unhurt. In a close finish Brad Keselowski (not pictured) bumped Edwards into the path of Ryan Newman (39), who clipped Edwards and sent the 99 car flying. Keselowski got the checkered flag for his first Cup victory.

Foot Loose

• Natasha Hastings (far right) lost her left shoe during the women's 4 √ó 400-meter relay but still finished her leg and handed the baton to Allyson Felix (7) of the USA Red team at the 115th Penn Relays last Saturday in Philadelphia. The shoe came off at the beginning of Hastings's relay leg, which she then ran with one bare foot. USA Red won the race in 3:23.08.

PHOTO

Photograph by David Bergman

PHOTO

Photograph by Bruce Ely/The Oregonian

PHOTO

Photograph by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

PHOTO

Photograph by Heinz Kluetmeier