Alex Rodriguez admits drug use

Already the highest-paid player, Alex Rodriguez wanted to prove himself one of the greatest. Instead, he wound up atop another list: the highest-profile player to confess to cheating in baseball’s steroids era.

The All-Star third baseman, responding to a weekend Sports Illustrated report that he flunked a drug test, told ESPN on Monday he used banned substances while playing with the Texas Rangers from 2001-03 to justify his 10-year, $252 million contract.

“Back then, it was a different culture,” Rodriguez said. “It was very loose. I was young. I was stupid. I was naive, and I wanted to prove to everyone that, you know, I was worth, you know — and being one of the greatest players of all time.”

He said he didn’t do it before that and quit during spring training in 2003, before the first of three American League MVP seasons, because “I’ve proved to myself and to everyone that I don’t need any of that.” He was traded to the New York Yankees before the 2004 season and said he hasn’t used banned substances since.

The admission came two days after Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site that Rodriguez was among 104 names on a list of players who tested positive for steroids in 2003, when testing was intended to determine the extent of steroid use in baseball. The results weren’t subject to discipline and were supposed to remain anonymous.

“When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me and I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day,” Rodriguez said.

“And I did take a banned substance and, you know, for that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful. And although it was the culture back then and Major League Baseball overall was very — I just feel that — You know, I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to fans. I’m sorry for my fans in Texas. It wasn’t until then that I ever thought about substance of any kind.”

Rodriguez said part of the reason he started using drugs was the heat in Texas.

“Can I have an edge just to get out there and play every day?” he said to himself. “You basically end up trusting the wrong people. You end up, you know, not being very careful about what you’re ingesting.”

Though Rodriguez said he experimented with a number of substances, he never provided details.

“It was such a loosey-goosey era. I’m guilty for a lot of things. I’m guilty for being negligent, naive, not asking all the right questions,” Rodriguez said. “And to be quite honest, I don’t know exactly what substance I was guilty of using.”

Owner feels ‘betrayed’

SI reported Rodriguez tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone.

He said he stopped using during spring training 2003, when he sustained a neck injury. It was just as baseball started its drug-testing survey.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks said the admission caught him by surprise.

“I feel personally betrayed. I feel deceived by Alex,” Hicks said in a conference call. “He assured me that he had far too much respect for his own body to ever do that to himself. … I certainly don’t believe that if he’s now admitting that he started using when he came to the Texas Rangers, why should I believe that it didn’t start before he came to the Texas Rangers?”

During those three seasons, Rodriguez averaged 161.7 games, 52 homers, 131.7 RBIs and a .615 slugging percentage. In the other 10 full seasons of his career, he averaged 149.2 games, 39.2 homers, 119 RBIs, and a .574 slugging percentage, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

“This is three years I’m not proud of,” Rodriguez said.

The 33-year-old Rodriguez ranks 12th on the career list with 553 homers, including 52, 57 and 47 in his three seasons with the Rangers. He is 209 behind Barry Bonds’ record 762.

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat who sits on the House committee that brought Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and other baseball players to Capitol Hill in recent years, favored a congressional hearing with Rodriguez.

“It would be good perhaps for us to sit down and talk to him,” Cummings said in a telephone interview. “I would think that he would want to cooperate with us so that the Congress would have the information it may need.”

Rodriguez’s admission was in stark contrast to the denials of Bonds and of Clemens, Rodriguez’s former Yankees teammate.

Bonds, a seven-time MVP, is scheduled for trial next month on charges that he lied when he told a federal grand jury in 2003 that he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs. Another federal grand jury is considering whether to indict seven-time AL Cy Young Award winner Clemens on charges he lied when he told a congressional committee last year that he never used steroids or human growth hormone.

Questions remain

Rather than hold a news conference, as Giambi and Pettitte did for their confessionals, Rodriguez chose the controlled setting of an interview with ESPN, one of Major League Baseball’s television partners.

The interview left open many questions:

• From whom did Rodriguez obtain drugs?
• How did he pay for them?
• Did anyone help him obtain them?

“You have nutritionists, you have doctors, you have trainers. That’s the right question today: Where did you get it? We’re in the era of BALCO,” Rodriguez said. “There’s many things that you can take that are banned substances. I mean, there’s things that have been removed from GNC today that would trigger a positive test.”

Monday’s ESPN interview directly contradicted a December 2007 interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” when Rodriguez said “No” when asked if he had ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance.

“I wasn’t even being truthful with myself,” he said Monday. “Today, I’m here to tell the truth.”

In his 2008 book, “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball,” Jose Canseco claimed he introduced Rodriguez to a steroids dealer. Canseco, who has admitted using steroids, subsequently said he had no knowledge of any drug use by Rodriguez.

“They are looking in the wrong places,” Canseco said in a text message to The Associated Press. “This is a 25-year cover-up. The true criminals are Gene Orza, (union head) Donald Fehr and (commissioner) Bud (Selig). Investigate them, and you will have all the answers.”

SI said that Orza, the union’s chief operating officer, tipped off three players in September 2004 that they would be tested. Orza repeatedly has denied that he tipped off players, saying he merely reminded them late in the season that if they had not yet been tested, baseball’s drug agreement required them to be tested by the end of the regular season.

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Source: Ledger Enquirer

Rafa Nadal wins again!!

Perhaps no individuals have met more often with more on the line than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Sunday's Australian Open final was the 19th match they've played. All but four have been in tournament finals, seven of them Grand Slams. Nadal has won the last three Slam finals, five overall. Perhaps most impressive is Nadal has won on three surfaces—the clay of Roland Garros, Wimbledon's grass and now the Australian hard courts.

Nadal's 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 victory denied Federer's bid to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 Grand Slam singles titles.

"In the first moment you're disappointed, you're shocked, you're sad, and then all of a sudden it overwhelms you," a sobbing Federer said in Melbourne.

"It's the worst feeling. ... It's rough. God, it's killing me."

But Federer returned to congratulate Nadal within minutes, saying: "You deserved it. You played a fantastic final."

After collecting the trophy from Australian great Rod Laver, who won all four Slams in 1969, Nadal put his arm around Federer.

"Roger, sorry for today," Nadal said. "Remember, you're a great champion, you're one of the best in history. You're going to improve on the 14 of Sampras."

So Nadal and Federer join the list of all-time great sports rivalries.

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Source: Chicago Tribune

Eddy Curry

Eddy Curry Jr. (born December 5, 1982) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA currently with the New York Knicks. He was born in Harvey, Illinois. He is 6'11" (2.11 m) and 285 lb (130 kg), and has a wingspan of 7'6½" (2.30 m).^[1]

High school

Prior to becoming considered one of the best high school basketball players in the nation as a senior at Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois, Curry aspired to be a gymnast and did not pick up basketball until the seventh grade when he reluctantly went out for the school team. In 2001, Curry led his team to second place in the IHSA State Playoffs. He was named to the 1998, 1999 and 2000 State Farm Holiday Classic all-tournament teams.

Curry is one of three current professional athletes who call Thornwood their alma mater, the others being St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cliff Floyd.

NBA Draft

Curry had signed a letter of intent to play at DePaul University but declared himself eligible for the 2001 NBA Draft in which the Chicago Bulls made him the fourth overall pick. The decision to draft Curry and pair him alongside fellow rookie Tyson Chandler was a major surprise to many basketball fans^[who?] given that both players were high school seniors. In trying to rebuild from the Michael Jordan era, both Curry and Chandler wore uniform numbers that when put together read 23; Curry wore number 2, and Chandler number 3.

Professional career

Curry's contribution was limited during his rookie year due to limited minutes. Curry improved in his second year, leading the NBA in field goal percentage (58.5%) and becoming the first Bull to lead the league in a major statistical category since Michael Jordan in 1998. His 2002-03 season was widely considered a disappointment as he failed to live up to expectations after a strong finish to the previous year. In the 2004-05 season the Bulls improved by 28 wins and made the playoffs as the 22-year-old Curry led the team in scoring before being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat. This caused him to miss the last 13 games of the regular season and the entire playoffs. On June 24, 2005, heart specialists cleared Curry to resume practice. On October 3, 2005, after refusing on privacy grounds to submit to a DNA test, as requested by Bulls management, to assess whether he has a congenital heart condition, Curry was traded to the New York Knicks. The trade included the Bulls' Antonio Davis, as well as the Knicks' Mike Sweetney, Tim Thomas, and Jermaine Jackson.^[2] First-round draft picks were also exchanged in the trade - which later came back to haunt the Knicks as they had a poor 2005-06 season in which Curry averaged 13.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game (numbers that were significantly down from the previous season). Curry's inability to defend and rebound was a source of frustration for former coaches Scott Skiles and Larry Brown. When asked by a reporter in 2003 what Curry needed to do to become a better rebounder, Skiles simply replied: "Jump."^[3] The 2006-07 season saw a resurgence in Curry's performance under new coach Isiah Thomas, with Curry anointed the team's primary offensive option, averaging career highs in points (19.6), rebounds (7.1), and minutes (34.9) per game. On April 7, 2007 Curry scored a career-best 43 points in an overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks; his first three-pointer of the season forcing the game into the extra period.^[4] Curry is 2 for 2 (100%) from three-point range in his NBA career.^[4] In the 2007–2008 season, Curry was expected to form a great frontcourt with Zach Randolph, however both of them saw a regression in their games. Curry showed up to training camp in October 2008 out of shape for the second year in a row, incensing new head coach Mike D'Antoni. Curry not only lost his job, but was not even in D'Antoni's rotation at the beginning of the 2008–2009 season. Curry played his first game of the season on January 8, 2009 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Cardiac problems

Several prominent cardiologists cleared Curry to play, but Barry Maron, a world-renowned specialist in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggested the DNA test.^[5] During the team's media day, Bulls General Manager John Paxson said he understood the privacy issues involved but insisted the Bulls did not have an ulterior motive; they simply do not want a situation similar to those of former Boston Celtics guard Reggie Lewis or Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers—players with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who collapsed and died.

Awards and accomplishments

NBA

• Led league in field goal percentage, 2002-03

High School

• USA Today First Team All-American
• PARADE High School Player of the Year
• Earned Illinois Mr. Basketball honors
• MVP of the McDonald's All-American game after scoring 28 points with 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots in leading the West to a 131-125 victory
• Led Thornwood High School to the Illinois State Championship game, averaging 22.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocked shots, shooting .640 from the floor, including 25.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in the state tournament. Averaged 24.6 points and 11.2 rebounds, along with 4.8 blocks, as a junior.
• Was selected to the State Farm Holiday Classic all-tournament team in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

• Notes

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Source: Wikipedia

Jim Rice, Rickey Henderson voted into Hall of Fame

Rickey Henderson dashed into the Hall of Fame on his first try. Jim Rice made it with a final swing.

Henderson, who played 25 seasons, received 94.8% of the vote from the Baseball Writers' Assn. of America in balloting announced Monday, well above the 75% needed.

Rice got 76.4% in his 15th and final year on the ballot.

"The only thing I can say is I'm glad it's over with," Rice said. "I'm in there and they can't take it away."

Henderson, baseball's career leader in runs and stolen bases, became the 44th player elected in his first year of eligibility. Rice was only the third elected by the BBWAA in his final year, joining Red Ruffing in 1967 and Ralph Kiner in 1975.

Henderson and Rice will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies July 26 in Cooperstown, N.Y. They'll be joined by former New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians second baseman Joe Gordon, elected posthumously last month by the Veterans Committee.

"It's really just an honor to me. I'm really just spaced out," Henderson said. "I haven't really thought about what I'm going to say."

Henderson was picked on 511 of 539 ballots, Rice on 412, just above the 405 needed.

Some believed Rice's prickly personality and curt relationship with reporters during his playing career helped keep him out of the Hall all those years.

"I don't think I was difficult to deal with for writers. I think the writers were difficult to me," he said. "I wasn't going to bad-mouth my teammates. When you start talking about my teammates or what goes on outside baseball, I couldn't do that."

Andre Dawson fell 44 votes short with 67% and Mark McGwire, rumored to have used performance-enhancing drugs, received 118 votes (21.9%) in his third year of eligibility, down from the 128 votes he got in each of his first two tries.

Henderson, the 1990 American League most valuable player, was a 10-time All-Star who stole 1,406 bases. He batted .279 with 297 home runs, 1,115 runs batted in, 2,190 walks and 2,295 runs. He owns the modern-day season record with 130 steals in 1982, and the career mark with 81 leadoff homers. He played for Oakland, the New York Yankees, Toronto, San Diego, the Angels, the New York Mets, Seattle, Boston and the Dodgers.

Rice, the 1978 AL MVP, was an eight-time All-Star who hit 382 homers in 16 seasons with Boston from 1974 to 1989. He had a .298 career batting average and 1,451 RBIs, and from 1977 to 1979 averaged .320 with 41 homers and 128 RBIs.

He is the fourth Hall of Fame member to have spent his entire career with the Red Sox, joining Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Bobby Doerr.

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Source: LA Times

Cotton Bowl: Mississippi (8-4) vs. Texas Tech (11-1)

Played six days before the SEC and Big 12 meet in the national championship, the Cotton Bowl may give fans a glimpse of what lies in store for Florida and Oklahoma. On one side, we have Ole Miss — the only team to beat Florida during the regular season. On the other, high-flying Texas Tech’s offensive philosophy provides a similar picture to Oklahoma, though more skewed towards the passing game. The same questions exist here as do in the B.C.S. national championship game: Can Texas Tech control the Ole Miss front seven? Can the Ole Miss secondary contain Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree? And like the national title game, the Cotton Bowl is expected to be a good one.

The Cotton Bowl: Friday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. in Dallas

Mississippi

What a difference a year makes for the Rebels, who ended last season on the lowest of low notes (blowing a 14-0 lead in the Egg Bowl). What a difference a new coach makes as well. Houston Nutt has reversed the losing trend developed under Ed Orgeron, who led the Rebels to only 10 wins over three seasons. Few bowl teams finished the regular season hotter than Ole Miss, which won its final five games to finish 8-4, its best record since the Eli Manning-led 2003 team went 10-3. The Rebels’ quarterback is the Texas transfer Jevan Snead, who was terrific in his first year as the starter. He threw 15 touchdowns against only 2 interceptions during Mississippi’s five-game win streak. End Greg Hardy and tackle Peria Jerry combine to give Ole Miss one of the most formidable defensive lines in the country.

Texas Tech

Because of the hullabaloo about who was left out of the title game, you tend to forget about the teams who were left out of the B.C.S. entirely. Texas Tech, along with Boise State, is a team with a genuine B.C.S. resume (a 39-33 win over then-No. 1 Texas, for starters) which found itself on the outside looking in. The Red Raiders are the only one-loss team from a B.C.S. conference left out. Of course, the reason Tech is in the Cotton Bowl and not, say, the Fiesta or Sugar Bowl, was the 65-21 trouncing dropped on it by Oklahoma, which did irreparable damage to its national standing. Word of the wise to the Red Raiders: Sleep on this game, don’t come to play, and Ole Miss will be only too happy to take full advantage. Thinking outside the box, keep an eye on (if you can find him) the diminutive receiver Eric Morris, who finished second on the team with eight receiving touchdowns. Morris makes Wes Welker, another undersized Tech receiver, look like Randy Moss.

Mississippi Bowl History

Record: 19-12

Last appearance: 2004 Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma State (W, 31-28)

Texas Tech Bowl History

Record: 10-20-1

Last appearance: 2008 Gator Bowl vs. Virginia (W, 31-28)

Cotton Bowl History

First played in 1937

Last year: Missouri 38, Arkansas 7

Bowl Pick ‘Em

Pete: Mississippi. Will this game offer any clues to how Florida will do against Oklahoma?
Thayer: Texas Tech. New question that Rebels Coach Houston Nutt can ask his team next season: “How many have won a bowl game before?”
Paul: Texas Tech. But the Ole Miss front four is going to give Tech fits.
Fred: Texas Tech. Love the Red Raiders and love Mike Leach. This is one of the more intriguing non-B.C.S. bowl games. I just think Texas Tech has too much offense.
Connor: Texas Tech. Ole Miss is headed on the right track with Houston Nutt, but Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree make the Red Raiders too explosive.

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Source: The Quad

Cardinals and Vikings Try to Avoid Blackout

Many N.F.L. fans are consulting on-line auction sites, casual acquaintances and possibly their bank managers in the pursuit of playoff tickets, but the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings are still struggling to fill their stadiums for this weekend’s wild-card games. If they fall short, the games will not be shown on local television.

The Vikings said Thursday night that they were 8,000 tickets short of a sellout, and the Cardinals need to sell 3,700. Normally, a team must register a sellout 72 hours before kickoff to have its game broadcast locally. But because of factors like the New Year’s holiday and the distressed economy, the league has granted extensions to both teams.

The Vikings, who play the Eagles on Sunday, have until Friday afternoon, and the Cardinals, who play the Falcons on Saturday, required a second 24-hour extension Thursday.

Greg Aiello, an N.F.L. spokesman, said wild-card weekend games are always “the most challenging” sales of the playoffs, primarily because of the late scheduling. Traditionally, Aiello said, if they are close enough to a sellout, the teams work with their sponsors to buy the remaining tickets.

The Cardinals and the Vikings seemed confident that they would meet the requirements.

“There’s no reason to have a Plan B,” Ron Minegar, the Cardinals’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, said in a telephone interview. “In spite of all those challenges, we’ve been really happy with how the public has responded.”

Steve LaCroix, the Vikings’ vice president for sales and marketing, said the economic downturn had become a consideration this season. But, he added, it was not a major concern this weekend with tickets starting at $30 and with the league’s decision to reduce the price of playoff tickets by 10 percent.

The Cardinals have sold out each of their 30 games since moving to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The Vikings, who play at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, have a streak of 114 consecutive sellouts since 1998, which includes their last home playoff game eight years ago.

“The Metrodome can get very loud and really give us a home-field advantage,” LaCroix said, “so it’s critical that we keep it packed with purple versus Eagles fans in green.”

He has good reason to be worried. The Eagles have started an equally aggressive online campaign with the front of their Web page telling fans that tickets are still available and instructing them, “Let’s turn Minnesota green.”

The last playoff blackout came in the 2002 wild-card round, when games between the Ravens and the Dolphins and the Jets and the Raiders were not broadcast in the Miami and Oakland areas.

Perhaps the highest-profile victim of that rule was the wild-card game between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Oilers in 1993.

Because it was blacked out in Buffalo, Bills fans missed their team’s 32-point comeback, which remains the largest in N.F.L. history.

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Source: NY Times

Peyton's place is holding USA TODAY's NFL MVP award

In a year when no NFL player ran away from the pack, Peyton Manning, in his dependably overachieving fashion, emerged from the competition with yet another dominating performance that has earned him USA TODAY's NFL MVP award.

Manning recovered from a preseason knee surgery that hampered his slow start to lead the Colts to a 12-4 record with nine consecutive victories to close the season.

NFL MVP: Manning claims record-tying third honor

His stats may not have been as eye-popping as some of his past seasons (though Manning extended his NFL record of seasons with 4,000 passing yards to 10), but Manning was consistently the best player on the field for the Colts.

Manning put the Colts on his back after they fell to 3-4 and faced a showdown with their nemesis, the New England Patriots, in Week 9. A loss in that game could have permanently derailed Indianapolis' playoff hopes.

Manning led an 18-15 win against New England that started the Colts' streak, during which Manning threw 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. (And consider that victory was the difference between a wild-card berth for the 12-4 Colts and no playoff spot for the 11-5 Patriots.)

"I've seen stretches where he's been hotter, but the way he's done it this year, they've all been must-win games," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "For winning under pressure, this has been a great stretch."

Manning stumbled out of the gate when the Colts lost two of their first three games and he had thrown more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three). But he was playing through a rehab of knee surgery to repair an infected bursa sac that Manning revealed this week to SI.com was so swollen it looked "like a brain."

Manning said the follow-up surgery he underwent in July needed 80 sutures to close.

He missed the preseason, but started Week 1 against the Bears, as he has in every game since the Colts drafted him No. 1 overall in 1998. In the opener he wasn't close to 100%, which showed on the field. His knee lacked strength and range of motion. He said he couldn't finish the throws he's accustomed to.

But by early November when the Patriots arrived in Indianapolis, Manning was rounding into form. "I truly believe it is no coincidence we have gone on the winning streak since then," Manning said to Sports Illustrated.

Manning, who won the NFL MVP award in 2003 and 2004, has been nearly unstoppable in the last nine weeks, when he's had a passer rating of 109.6.

Does he think he's earned MVP honors?

"(The MVP) is an individual award but it's truly a team award because we've been through some things as a team," Manning said. "Then not being as comfortable as I wanted to be early, losing (center Jeff Saturday to injury), that was a pretty good one-two punch.

"Just the fact we've kind of persevered, it's been the most rewarding regular season I've been a part of in my 11 years."

Contributing: Bob Kravitz

VOTING TOTALS FOR USA TODAY'S NFL MVP

First-place votes in parentheses

1. Peyton Manning, Colts QB, 38, (12)

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings RB, 15.5

3. Michael Turner, Falcons RB, 11, (1)

4. Chad Pennington, Dolphins QB, 5.5

5. Philip Rivers, Chargers QB, 4

6. Ed Reed, Ravens S, 3, (1)

7. Drew Brees, Saints QB, 2

7. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers RB, 2

9. Matt Cassel, Patriots QB, 1

9. James Harrison, Steelers DE, 1

9. Albert Haynesworth, Titans DT, 1

Points represent votes by 14 reporters and editors of USA TODAY's NFL staff. Three points were assigned for a first-place vote, two for a second-place vote and one for a third-place vote.

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Source: USA Today

UFC 92 Video: Rashad Evans vs Forrest Griffin & Frank Mir vs Antonio Nogueira

Rashad Evans stopped Forrest Griffin to win the light heavyweight championship Saturday night in UFC 92. It would only take a mere two rounds before Evans dropped Griffin to the mat in the 3rd round.

Evans would land numerous shots and Griffin became unable to defend himself. The fight was stopped at 2:46 of the third round.

In the co-main event, former champ Frank Mir destroyed Antonio Nogueira in 1:54 of the second round. Frank Mir has now earned a title shot against Brock Lesnar.

On the undercard: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson KO'd Wanderlei Silva in the first round.

In the preliminary bouts: Yushin Okami defeated Dean Lister, Antoni Hardonk stopped Mike Wessel,

Matt Hamill knocked out Reese Andy, Brad Blackbur won a decision over Ryo Chonan and Pat Berry defeated Dan Evensen by TKO in the first round.

Videos from the fights can be found here.

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Source: Post Chronicle

Marcus Dixon

Marcus Dwayne Dixon (born September 16, 1984 in Rome, Georgia) is an American football defensive end who is a practice squad player for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Hampton.

Dixon is also known for being prosecuted in a high-profile court case when, as a high school student, he was convicted in May 2003 for the rape of Kristie Brown, an underage girl. These charges were later overturned and dropped to statutory rape.[1][2]

Early years

Dixon was a grade A student at Pepperell High School and excelled on the football field to the point where he had been offered a full scholarship at Vanderbilt University, but due to his court case and conviction he was unable to take on this opportunity.

College career

Upon his release from prison Dixon enrolled at Hampton University in Virginia with a football scholarship.[3]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

On April 27, 2008, Marcus signed a three-year, $1.1 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.

Personal

Dixon v. Brown case

Kristie Brown alleged that on February 10, 2003 Dixon forced her to have sex, taking her virginity. She has stated that contrary to Dixon's supporters' belief she was never Dixon's girlfriend and although they shared classes, they barely knew each other. The jury acquitted Dixon of rape, battery, assault and false imprisonment but because Brown was only 15 3/4 at the time of the incident found him guilty of statutory rape and aggravated child molestation. Because of this Dixon was convicted at the mandatory amount under Georgia law, 10 years imprisonment.[4] Ironically if he would have been found guilty he would have faced a much less severe punishment.[5]

Many saw the case as racially motivated, especially when it was alleged by Dixon's partisans that Brown had claimed her father "would kill them both" if he found out because he was a racist. The President of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman called it a "Legal Lynching". Also, the location of the incident, Georgia, spurred on the thoughts of racist bigotry.[5]

Other alleged events

During the court case the prosecution brought up Dixon's past record, stating that he had been suspended twice from his school for 'sexual activity'. Although neither of these events were reported to the authorities the jury were told that the events were Dixon exposing himself in a classroom and inappropriately touching a 14 year old girl.[6]
Overturned conviction and release

Georgia Supreme Court overturned Dixon's conviction and he was released May 3, 2004. They let his conviction of misdemeanor statutory rape stand.[7] After Dixon's release both he and Brown appeared on Oprah in an attempt to clarify their stories.[4]

• References

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Source: Wikipedia

Van Wert alum still a part of Mount Union football legacy

When the Mount Union Purple Raiders take the field at 10 a.m. Saturday in Salem, Virginia the football program will be attempting to secure its record 10th national championship. And on the sideline, as he has been for years, will be Ken Wable.

Wable, a 1945 Van Wert High School graduate, is one of the founding fathers of America's most prolific Division III college football program. The head football coach at Mount Union from 1962 until 1985, Wable is the second winningest mentor in Raider football history. In his 24 years at the head of Mount Union, Wable led the Purple Raiders to a 123-95-2 record. He was also the first coach to ever lead the Raiders to an Ohio Athletic Conference championship and a Division III playoff berth.

In Wable's last season at Mount Union the Raiders recorded an 11-1 record (8-0 in the OAC) and made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Augustana (IL) 21-14. Though it was his final season at the small liberal arts college in Alliance, OH that season set into motion much of the success the school has experienced over the last two decades.

"We have a very good program here," Wable said from his home in Alliance, Monday. "The head coach (Larry Kehres) was one of my quarterbacks and then was my backfield coach until I retired. He's smarter than I am right now. He's a great coach, and a couple other coaches on the staff are the same way."

Kehres, a Wable disciple, took over the program in 1986 and has led the Purple Raiders to 19 OAC titles, nine national titles and has been named the American Football Coaches Association Division III Coach of the Year seven times. He is just one of numerous coaches that have sprung from the Wable tree.

When Wable started coaching football at Mount Union back in 1962 national championships and OAC titles were but distant dreams. In his first year at the school his squad went 3-6. The following year they were 1-8. In year four his program recorded a 7-2 record (5-2 in the OAC), and the local paper declared it the pinnacle of Mount Union success. After all, the '65 season was Mount Union's best since 1916's 8-2 (6-1) mark.

"When I came to Mount Union College they were in dire need of upgrading their program and it took me quite a few years to upgrade it and get it up to par," Wable said. " ... It was very tough from a recruiting viewpoint to recruit guys to come to a school that has not been noted for its winning."

But slowly, over time, Wable was able to build that program. By 1970 the team was 8-1 and 4-1 in the OAC. Over the next 15 years the program began to amass more and more one- and two-loss seasons. That winning helped fuel belief in the program and the school. And Wable notes that the hard work he put into the program and the dedication that he gave the Mount Union was in direct correlation to his days at Van Wert High School.

"Playing for Gil Smith at Van Wert, why, we were used to having a lot of wins in a season," Wable said. "We didn't have very many bad season back in my day. ... Coach Smith was my high school mentor and then coach Ed Sherman was my Muskingum College head coach and they were both teachers and they were both coaches. My goal was to be a teacher/coach. That's the direction that I wanted to go in."

And that's what Wable did.

Wable stayed close to his former Van Wert coach. While in college he often came home during the summer to help with the Van Wert football team. Through teachings from men like Smith, Wable garnered a lot of respect for the teacher/coach.

Still, to this day, Wable enjoys talking about the academic aspects of Mt. Union. Since showing up on campus in the early '60s he's watched the school's enrollment more than double and the campus, as well as student life, become richer. He's seen the school take on more and divers majors and has seen the college's physical education program become highly regarded.

Wable is still very close to the football program. Coaches come to his house to watch replays of the most recent Raider game on SportsTimeOhio. He still attends practices and games and travels around the country with the team. And he'll be in Salem come Saturday watching the Raiders take on Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Stagg Bowl (game is on ESPN2).

There's no way he'd miss it.

"That's the epitome of what you can do in Division III," Wable said.

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Source: Times Bulletin

Paul Rhoads Named New Iowa State Football Coach

Yes, I was like you. I got a text message at about 8:30 this morning saying that Paul Rhoads was our new head football coach. I went back to sleep, sort of imagining that I dreamed it. See, I went to bed last night considering the possibility that Gary Patterson might be our next head coach.

Rhoads was defensive coordinator at Auburn under Tommy Tuberville (sound familiar?) this past season, and, before that, he held the same position at Pitt. Despite not being an ISU alum, he is an Ankeny native, and is coming home.

This hiring is unique in that it's not exactly exciting, and it's not exactly disappointing. Hell, I had 20 coaching candidates listed (or thereabouts) and he wasn't one of them. I'm sort of doubting he was the first choice, I'm sort of doubting he was the last choice, and I really doubt anyone expected him

His resumé is better than McCarney's when we hired him. He knows Iowa. He's not likely gonna jump for a better job. And I really hope these last two statements aren't the reason we hired him.

Rhoads presser is at 5 PM. He'll be introduced at halftime of the Jacksonville State game. I'll try and learn a bit more about him today.

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Source: Clone Chronicles

Buckingham gets hot in cool venue

Buckingham Charter Magnet High School's boys basketball team found a way to stay hot Monday, even without heat.

James Alexander scored 17 points as the Knights downed North Hills Christian of Vallejo 47-32 at the cavernous and chilly Mare Island Sports Complex.

"It must have been 50 degrees in there. My assistant and I never got our jackets off," said Dan Curry, Buckingham's head coach. "I didn't see too many of the kids sweating. I just told them you have to learn how to play with adversity, and this was just another kind of adversity. I was really proud of them."

Marcus Rojas added 10 points and 10 rebounds, his fourth straight double-double, as the Knights improved to 4-6 overall.

Buckingham led throughout, but North Hills cut the lead to eight points in the third quarter before Matt Poirier hit a 3-pointer. Poirier finished with nine points and five assists.

The two teams play again Saturday at noon at Vaca Pena Middle School.

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Source: The Reporter

Cristiano Ronaldo Hot Photos

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH (IPA: [kɾɨʃˈtiɐnu ʁuˈnaɫdu]; born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger for English Premier League club Manchester United and the Portuguese national team.

Ronaldo began his career as a youth player at C.D. Nacional and his successes with the team led to a move to Sporting two seasons afterwards. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and he signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003. He earned his first cap for the Portuguese national team around the same time. He won his first club honour, the FA Cup, the following season and reached the final of the UEFA Euro 2004 with Portugal, scoring his first international goal in the process.

The next three years saw Ronaldo rising to global prominence, scoring frequently at both club and international level and receiving various awards for his accomplishments. The 2006–07 season brought him his first Premier League title. The following season at Manchester United, 2007–08, was his best yet as he retained the Premier League and won his first UEFA Champions League, the highest European club honour. Additionally, he was the Premier League's top scorer, won the European Golden Shoe, and was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year 2008. On 2 December, Ronaldo was awarded the 2008 Ballon d'Or.

Johan Cruijff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United."(Wikipedia)

Ferguson Says Real Madrid Has ‘No Chance’ to Move for Ronaldo

Real Madrid has “no chance” of signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said, a day after El Mundo reported the reigning Ballon d’Or winner will join the Spanish champion next year.

The Spanish newspaper cited a private conversation Real Madrid director Pedro Trapote had with a business associate in which he said the move couldn’t be announced yet because of confidentiality clauses in a contract. The report didn’t give further details about the agreement.

“They’ve got no chance,” Ferguson told reporters in Yokohama, Japan, after United beat Gamba Osaka 5-3 to reach the Club World Cup final. “There’s no agreement between the two sides. That’s a no.”

It’s the latest friction between United and Madrid over Ronaldo, whose 42 goals last season helped him win the Ballon d’Or award for soccer’s best player. Ronaldo was linked in media reports to a move to Madrid before the current season.

A call to David Jimenez, a Madrid spokesman, seeking comment today wasn’t immediately returned.

United complained to world ruling body FIFA in June, saying Madrid “continued to involve itself in the future” of the Portuguese forward. Madrid denied wrongdoing at the time, saying it hadn’t held talks with Ronaldo.

FIFA took no action and instead asked the Spanish soccer federation to remind the team about the “potential legal consequences” of inducing Ronaldo to break his United contract.

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Source: Bloomber UK

Mark Bavaro

Mark Bavaro (born April 28, 1963 in Winthrop, Massachusetts) is a former American football tight end who played for the New York Giants (1985–1990), Cleveland Browns (1992), and Philadelphia Eagles (1993–1994) in the National Football League (NFL). Bavaro was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performances in the 1986 and 1987 seasons and was a member of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV.

After a standout All-American career at the University of Notre Dame, Bavaro was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round (#100 overall) in the 1985 NFL Draft. He quickly emerged as a starter in his rookie season and became renowned during his Giants career for his blocking, toughness, and receiving skills. After a degenerative knee condition forced him to sit out the 1991 season, he returned to play three seasons for the Browns and Eagles before retiring in 1995. Since retiring

Early life and college

Bavaro played football at Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, where he was an high school All-American.^[1] He was a well-rounded athlete who also excelled in track and field at Danvers.^[2] After being intensively recruited by several colleges,^[2] he chose to play collegiately for the University of Notre Dame. He was recruited by head coach Dan Devine but played his four years under coach Gerry Faust.^[3] He played behind star tight end Tony Hunter as a freshman, then missed all but three minutes of his sophomore season due to a hand injury.^[3] He established himself as a starter as a junior, but grew home-sick and briefly contemplated quitting the team to move back home following the season.^[4] After Faust talked him into staying,^[4] he won All-America honors his senior season, when he totalled 32 receptions for 395 yards.^[5] Bavaro developed a reputation for playing through injuries while at Notre Dame.^[3] "He plays with pain better than any player I've seen in my 37 years of coaching" Faust later stated.^[3] He left Notre Dame after graduating in 1985 despite having one season of eligibility remaining (due to the redshirt status of his sophomore season^[3]) and was selected in the fourth round (#100 overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

Bavaro has done work as an anti-abortion activist. His brother David also played in the NFL for four seasons.

NFL career

Coming out of college, Bavaro was known mostly for his blocking ability and was expected to play the role of a run blocking tight end as a professional.^[6] He earned the nickname "Rambo" early in his rookie season due to his intense playing style, quiet personality, and physical resemblance to Sylvester Stallone.^[3] After starting tight end Zeke Mowatt suffered a season ending injury before the start of the 1985 season, coach Bill Parcells, who had called Bavaro the most impressive rookie during training camp, installed Bavaro as the starter.^[7] Bavaro finished his rookie season with 37 receptions, 511 yards, and 4 touchdowns.^[8] He also set a team record with 12 receptions in one game during quarterback Phil Simms' 513 yard passing effort against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 13, 1985.^[9] After the game, which the Giants lost 35–30, Bavaro responded in the low-key manner that would typify his career, "[i]t was nothing special, the plays were the same stuff. I don't know what they did. I just caught a lot of balls. I'd rather win, that's all."^[9] Bavaro was named to the NFL All-Rookie team for his performance during the season.^[10]

Bavaro continued his emergence in the 1986 season. He remained the starter after Mowatt's recovery from injury and emerged as a favorite target of Simms.^[11] He finished the season with 66 receptions, 1,001 yards, and 4 touchdowns^[8] and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. His 66 receptions broke the Giants record for receptions by a tight end previously held by Bob Tucker (59).^[12] Perhaps the most well-known play of Bavaro's career occurred in a Monday Night Football game in 1986. Here is a description of the play taken from a Monday Night Football broadcast in 2005: "On Dec. 1 1986, New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro cements his reputation as one of the toughest men in the NFL. With the Giants trailing, Bavaro catches an innocent pass from Phil Simms over the middle. It takes nearly seven 49ers defenders to finally drag him down, some of which are carried for almost 20 yards, including future Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Bavaro’s inspiring play jump starts the Giants, who win the game and eventually the Super Bowl."^[13] This reputation as a tough player was further cemented later in the season when he played for six weeks with a broken jaw that forced him to sip food through a straw.^[14] He continued to establish his reputation as an excellent blocker during the season,^[10] and was described as "the premier tight end" in the league by 49ers' coach Bill Walsh before the team's playoff matchup.^[15] The Giants finished the regular season 14–2 and defeated the Denver Broncos 39–20 in Super Bowl XXI. After the season Bavaro was chosen to appear on the cover or Sports Illustrated's NFL preview issue for the 1987 season. Bavaro was pictured on the cover in a cutoff shirt holding his shoulder pads over his shoulder, the caption reads "The Living End: Mark Bavaro of the New York Giants".^[16] The cover also featured Bavaro celebrating a touchdown in the trademark manner of his career. Bavaro, a Roman Catholic, would genuflect in the end zone and motion the sign of the cross after each touchdown.

Bavaro performed well the during the 1987 season and was again selected to the Pro Bowl. He finished the season with 55 receptions, 867 yards, and 8 touchdowns.^[8] He followed that with 53 receptions, 672 yards, and 4 touchdowns in 1988.^[8] After failing to miss a game due to injury in his first four seasons, Bavaro struggled with knee injuries in 1989 and was limited to seven games.^[8] He came back to play in 15 games in 1990.^[8] The Giants started the season 10–0 and finished 13–3. They advanced to Super Bowl XXV where they played the Buffalo Bills. During the game Bavaro made two key third down receptions to keep scoring drives alive as the Giants won 20–19.

Bavaro struggled with a degenerative knee condition throughout the 1990 season and was rarely able to practice.^[17] The Giants cut him in July 1991 because of the injury.^[18] After some initial dispute, the Giants signed him to a one year US$310,000 contract and placed him on the physically unable to perform list.^[18] He spent the season as a tight end coach at Saint Dominic Savio High School in East Boston, Massachusetts. He took the position after the team's coach took a chance and wrote Bavaro a letter to ask him if he would consider coaching.^[19]

Despite being advised to retire several times by the doctor who worked on his knee,^[18] Bavaro managed to secure a contract in 1992 with the Cleveland Browns, who were coached by former Giants assistant coach Bill Belichick.^[17] He played one season for the Browns and managed to appear in all 16 games.^[8] After the season he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in all 16 games again and had 43 receptions, 481 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 1993.^[8] After playing one more season for the Eagles he retired in 1995 at the age of 31. Bavaro finished his nine NFL seasons with 351 receptions for 4,733 yards and 39 touchdowns.^[8]

Personal life

Bavaro married Susan Downes in 1987. They have three children; Grace, Dominic, and Lucas.^[1] His wife attended Harvard Law School, where she achieved a degree in Law,^[18] and is currently a teacher of World History and Law at St. John's Preparatory School. After his retirement they lived in Naples, Florida for three years.^[2] They currently reside in Boxford, Massachusetts, near Bavaro's hometown of Danvers.^[1] After his playing career, Bavaro worked as a sales trader for an equity block-trading firm, where he traded large blocks of stocks for institutions and hedge funds.^[1] He pursued a career in this field at the suggestion of his former Giants teammate Phil McConkey, who worked for the same company as Bavaro.^[1] In 2007, Bavaro was appointed Vice President of DesignCentrix, a premiere Chicago exhibit house.^[20] Bavaro is also an avid golfer who considers the sport his favorite pastime.^[2]

Throughout his life Bavaro has displayed a humble, low-key, blue collar personality. During the 1986 season, when he emerged as a Pro Bowler, The New York Times columnist Frank Litsky described him by saying, "[h]e is a man of few words, even with teammates. Although he earned $90,000 plus an $85,000 signing bonus last year and will make $125,000 plus incentives this year, he lives a Spartan life. He drives a Chevrolet. His everyday wardrobe features jeans and sneakers. He is humble to a fault."^[7] Bavaro is also a pro-life activist and was one of 503 people arrested during a pro-life rally in 1988.^[21] During his NFL career and since his retirement Bavaro has done work as a member of the LifeAthletes organization which promotes abstinence;^[22] Bavaro was vice chairman of the group during his playing career.^[21] He has also recently befriended and followed the career of Denver Broncos tight end Daniel Graham who idolized Bavaro as a child.^[23] Mark's younger brother David also played football professionally as a linebacker for four NFL teams over the course of four seasons.^[24]

• Notes
  

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Source: Wikipedia

Mississippi's Andy Kennedy arrested in Cincinnati

Mississippi men's basketball coach Andy Kennedy has been arrested in Cincinnati after a cab driver complained that the coach punched him and shouted racial slurs.

A pretrial hearing has been set for Jan. 16.

Kennedy's lawyer entered a written plea of not guilty in Hamilton County Municipal Court on Thursday. He said Kennedy emphatically denies the allegations.

The complaint filed in Municipal Court alleges that Kennedy assaulted Mohammed Ould Jiddou and "punched victim with a closed fist while shouting racial slurs."

The coach was arrested early Thursday.

Kennedy is in Cincinnati for his school's game in the SEC/Big East invitational Thursday night against No. 9 Louisville.

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Source: The Associated Press

NBA Wizards' Nick Young Visits Falls Church Fans

Rising Washington Wizards star Nick Young made a special appearance in the City of Falls Church last week, signing autographs and chatting with fans at the PNC Bank in the new Read Building on West Broad.

Young was retained for the event by the PNC Bank promotions department to help build the visibility of its new Falls Church branch. Branch Manager Alex Mereish said he was thrilled by Young's friendly, smiling and laid back style of greeting his fans.

Young is in only his second year with the Wizards, having been drafted in 2007 after three years of stellar performance at the University of Southern California, located near to where he grew up.

His smooth moves and deadly shot became evident when he first participated for the Wizards in the NBA Summer League for rookies and first year players in Las Vegas in July 2007, where this writer first encountered and met him.

Now into his second season on the official NBA circuit, Young appears markedly more mature and reserved, due partly to the struggles he and his Wizard teammates have experienced this season, getting off to a 3-15 start.

"Last year, I was pressing too hard, too eager to make a big splash," Young said. "This year, I am just happy to be playing in this league and making a contribution. I hope to be playing into my 30s."

He said that injuries to center Brendan Haywood and all-star Gilbert Arenas have hurt the performance of the team on the court. Whereas Arenas is expected to return next month, Haywood will be out until at least March, he said, and his experience in the pivot is sorely missed.

Two young big men, Andre Blatche and Javale McGhee, are showing all kinds of promise, have tremendous athleticism, but still lack experience to contribute as strongly, defensively, as it is hoped they will, including by staying out of foul trouble, Young said.

Young sees himself mostly adding to the team's offensive punch, to "get to the basket," and has been getting added minutes on the court in recent games.

He said the sudden firing of popular coach Eddie Jordan last month came as a "complete surprise" to the team. "We all showed up for practice that morning expecting it to be business as usual," he said. "We were stunned to hear the news when we got there."

He said that there were no goodbyes. "We have had no contact with him," he said, since his firing.

Young said that he felt bad for Jordan. He had a more relaxed style with the players than his interim replacement, Ed Tabscott, who's been in the league for many years, the last few as director of player development for the Wizards.

Tabscott has been seen chewing out players and pulling them off the court quickly after bad plays.

Young told the News-Press that he's had to adjust to the vastly-different lifestyle in the NBA, compared to his college experience.

"In college, every minute of your life is scheduled. You had classes, time for tutoring, time for practice and games. All very rigid and taking all your time," he noted. "In the NBA, you show up for practice and the games, and all the rest of the time is your own. Nobody cares or pays attention to how you spend it."

It adds up to a lot of "down time," he noted, which he and his fellow young players, Blatche and McGhee, spend playing video games, mostly, and watching movies.

Young said he and the two other youngest players hang out together because the older players are mostly tied up with their married lives. Still, he said, his closest friend and confidant on the team is Arenas.

How are the Wizards going to turn the season around? To Young, it's just a matter of working hard and gelling. Having Arenas, and later Haywood, back won't hurt, either.

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Source: FCNP

Auburn hires Iowa State's Gene Chizik

Auburn has reportedly hired Iowa State's Gene Chizik as its new football coach.

The Birmingham News, Mobile Press-Register and Rivals.com reported Saturday that the former Auburn defensive coordinator will succeed Tommy Tuberville, who resigned following 10 seasons.

An Auburn spokesman said no announcement was scheduled for Saturday and an Iowa State spokesman also said he couldn't confirm the reports.

Chizik is 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State after stints running the defenses at Auburn and Texas. He coached the nation's top scoring defense in his third and final season with the Tigers.

That 2004 defense allowed just 11 points a game and Auburn went undefeated.

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Source: Associated Press

Nastia Liukin "So Ready" for New Goals

Winding up a year that included an all-around victory at the Olympic Games, several television appearances and a cross-country tour, American Nastia Liukin told IG this week that she is looking forward to training for 2009 competitions as she reflects on 2008.

"I'm not even sure where to start!" the 19-year-old Liukin said of her most memorable moments of 2008. "I have had the most amazing experience of my life these past few months, but that can't even compare to the actual Olympic Games!"

Following her all-around victory at the Olympics in August in Beijing, Liukin appeared on talk shows "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The View," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and most recently acted on the hit drama "Gossip Girl." She traveled across the U.S. as a performer in the 37-city Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, after which she visited France and Russia.

"I went to Marseille, France, to do a gymnastics exhibition and then straight to Moscow for (2000 Olympic all-around champion) Alexei Nemov's annual Gala," said Liukin, a Moscow native who resides in Parker, Texas. "I got to stay in Moscow for a few days and visit friends and family as well. After Moscow, we decided to stop in Paris for a few days. I loved it! I have always wanted to go there, so I am so happy I finally got the opportunity."

This month, Liukin launched Nastia Gold, her own line of clothing with Vanilla Star Jeans. The five-time Olympic medalist is now traveling around the U.S. to promote her line. Earlier this week she was honored at a Dallas Mavericks basketball game, "which was a blast, as my dad and I are huge fans of the Mavs," she said.

Liukin's coach and father, Valeri Liukin, won the all-around silver medal, plus team and high bar gold medals, at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Her mother, Anna Kochneva Liukin, tied for the gold medal with clubs at the 1987 World Championships of rhythmic gymnastics.

This weekend, Liukin will attend the 13th annual Valeri Liukin Invitational that her club (WOGA in Plano) is hosting, followed by the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants football game. "So, life has definitely been crazy, but so much fun," Liukin said.

Liukin will perform in the fourth annual Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular, Dec. 23 in South Dakota before heading home to Parker. "I will be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," Liukin said. "Then for New Year's (Eve), it is a family tradition to spend it with our closest family and friends. I haven't missed a single New Year's with my family."

Although Liukin has not competed since Beijing, she plans to resume regular training in January and attend a U.S. team training camp at the end of January.

"As far as my competition plans go, I'm not quite sure," she said. "We are taking it one step at a time. I haven't been home too much, which is the one thing that I wish I could change. I never thought I would say it before, but I miss being in the gym seven hours a day. I am so ready to be back training and getting ready for next year. The Visa (U.S.) Championships are going to be in Dallas in 2009, so I am looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd!"

Liukin said her successes in 2008 will motivate her for the challenges she will face in 2009.

"2008 was an incredible year for me," she told IG. "I couldn't have done it without so many people, especially my parents. My dad was more than half of the reason I achieved my ultimate goal. My mom wasn't my coach, but she was my other side. She was the support side of 'Team Liukin.' Also, (U.S. team coordinator) Marta Karolyi — I have so much respect for her and what she does. Without her, I wouldn't have had a chance to try to accomplish my dreams. She always made me believe in myself, especially when times were tough. As 2009 is coming close, I am creating new goals and dreams, and getting really excited about it. Gymnastics is what a have big passion for, and I know I always will!"

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Source: INTL Gymnast