Sports & Celebrity Newswire

Archive for February, 2010

VANCOUVER, BC – Apolo Ohno won the bronze medal Saturday in the 1,000-meter short-track speed skating event winning his seventh Winter Olympics medal setting a new American record beating Bonnie Blair who held the record with 6 medals. Ohno now has two gold, two silver and three bronze medals in his three Olympic appearances.

Apolo Anton Ohno wins 7th Olympic medal in Vancouver breaking Bonnie Blairs record.

Ohno, who is already a successful motivational speaker, may very well walk away from Vancouver with millions of dollars worth of new endorsement deals. He already endorses luxury Omega watches, and since his record breaking win in Vancouver Saturday night, other sponsors are sure to follow soon. Alaska Airlines, which is Ohno’s biggest sponsor, painted his image on a Boeing 737. ... Read More

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – The long anticipated public apology finally came this morning when Tiger Woods apologized to his family, friends, fans and business affiliates in a speech from the PGA tour’s TPC Sawgrass headquarters in Florida. Woods expressed regret for “irresponsible and selfish behavior.”

Woods said he let down his fans and friends, calling his behavior a “personal disappointment.” He also accepted full responsibility for his actions, saying “I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated.” ... Read More

WHISTLER, British Columbia — American skier, Lindsey Vonn, won the Olympic downhill on Wednesday, and her American teammate Julia Mancuso won the silver medal in a surprise second place.

Lindsey Vonn wins gold medal for United States in downhill in Vancouver Olympics

Vonn, who has been plagued with a bruised right shin, seemed to have no problem racing down Franz’s Downhill in 1 minute, 44.19 seconds taking her to a gold medal victory for the United States. ... Read More

Photo by Chris Helgren / Reuters

Freestyle skier, Hannah Kearney, wins the gold for the United States in Sunday’s competition at the Vancouver Olympics. She claims the honor of being the first American to win the gold. Kearney, who hails from Vermont. won a dramatic victory over Canada’s Jenn Heil.

“I heard the crowd. I heard Jenn’s score, and I knew I’d have to have the run of my life,” she said. “I’m glad she scored a good run because it means more to me to come out on top.”

“I couldn’t even imagine the pressure on Jenn. You could almost feel it. I know Canada hasn’t won a gold medal on their home turf, but I have a feeling they’ll do it these Games,” Kearney said. “But I’m pleased that I could stop that for now.”

... Read More

With the Winter Olympics beginning, it will be interesting to see which American athletes become the darlings of these games. After each Olympics, it seems that a couple of athletes come away with a new-found celebrity that stays with them forever.

When I think of the Winter Olympics, I think of Dorothy Hamill and  Peggy Fleming’s gold medal figure skating performances, speed skater Dan Janzen deciding to race despite his sister’s losing battle with leukemia earlier that day, and the U.S. men’s hockey team led by Mike Eruzione defeating the mighty Russians in 1980 in what is still considered the greatest upset in Olympic history.

So who will become immortalized in American Olympics history? Here are a few Olympians to keep an eye on…

Lindsey Vonn – Vonn, the most successful American woman skier in World Cup history, will be favored in three events – Downhill, Super-G and Combined. She is the first American woman to win back-to-back overall World Cup championships and a Super G Title, and she has also won back-to-back downhill championships.

Lindsey Vonn is this years Olympic medal hopeful for downhill skiing and Super G

Apolo Anton Ohno -  Ohno has a chance to become the most celebrated American speed skater in Olympics history. He’s already won five medals (two gold, one silver, two bronze) and should add to that in Vancouver. He’s currently tied with Olympic legend Eric Heiden for most career medals by an American male. He has been the reigning United States champion since 2001 and has won the men’s national title a total of 12 times.

Already a 5 time Olympic medal winner in speed racing, Ohno is an odds on favorite to win.

Lindsey Jacobellis – Who can forget Jacobellis at the 2006 Winter Games? With a big lead and gold medal in-site, Jacobellis inexplicably fell as she neared the finish line and settled with the sliver. She’s dominated the women’s snowboard cross scene and should get redemption in Vancouver. She was the winner of the 2009 Snowboard Cross World Cup as well as the 2009 Winter X Games.

Lindsey Jacobellis dominates the women’s snowboard cross scene and is favored to win gold.

Steven Holcomb – The U.S. hasn’t won a gold medal in the four-man bobsled since 1948, but that might change this year. Holcomb’s “Night Train” bobsled team comes into Vancouver as the favorites. His team leads the current World Cup standings and are the reigning World Champions.

Steven Holcomb and his “Night Train” bobsled team comes into Vancouver as the favorites.

Rachael Flatt – Flatt won the gold medal at the recently completed U.S. Figure Skating Championships and appears to be peaking at the right time. She had previously won the silver medal at both the 2008 & 2009 Championships and was the 2008 World Junior Champion.

Rachel Flatt is America's favorite to win a medal in figure skating at Vancouver in 2010

If you would like to find out how to hire Olympic athletes for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event,  request Olympic medal winners such as Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming, Apolo Anton Ohno, Lindsey Vonn booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top booking agent for Olympic athletes,  sports stars and celebrities. For more information call 800.966.1380

The NFL announced the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees last weekend and, as always, a couple of names drew the most attention. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, two of the greatest players of all-time, headline the list of inductees along with Floyd Little, Dick LeBeau, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson and John Randle.

Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame 2010.

I’m especially happy for Floyd Little, who was up until this weekend the most deserving running back not in the Hall of Fame. Little was the first running back to win a NFL rushing title on a last-place team. He earned five Pro Bowl berths and was a versatile all-purpose player with more than 12,000 yards.

Floyd Little is Inducted into NFL Hall of Fame along with Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith

I actually have a personal connection to Little. He was the first professional athlete I ever met. He lived next door to my uncle, and one year when my family came out to Denver to go skiing, my uncle took me next door to meet him. This was during the peak of his career and he was larger-than-life to a 10 year old. I remember holding his trophies and getting his autograph. He’s an extremely nice man…. ... Read More

I should have bet on the Super Bowl. After all, I did predict the New Orleans Saints would win, 24-20. I also wrote the Saints had a chance if they could protect Drew Brees. That’s pretty much what happened.

Brees has replaced Archie Manning as the city’s most popular sports figure. “Who Dat?” has just taken on a whole new meaning.

The Saints overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to defeat the favored Indianapolis Colts, 31 – 17. In so doing, the Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time in the team’s 43 year history and unleashed a celebration in New Orleans that’s going to last long beyond Mardi Gras… ... Read More

After getting off to a slow start, Drew Brees went on to lead the New Orleans Saints to their first NFL World championship over the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. The Saints were down by 10 points but came back at the start of the third quarter with a gutsy onside kick that their coach Sean Payton called.

Drew Brees leads New Orleans Saints to frst NFL title over Indianapolis Colts

Tracy Porter went on to put the nail in the Colts coffin when he went in for a touchdown after catching a bad throw from Peyton Manning.  Porter’s interception and return cinched the game for New Orleans. After that it, was pretty much the end for the Colts.

You can’t help but feel great for New Orleans and their fans. After Hurricane Katrina, the whole country seemed to be behind the team and the city. They were the “Team of Destiny”.

Congratulations New Orleans! You deserve it!

NFL star quarterbacks Drew Brees and Peyton Manning will face off this weekend on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7, 2010,  in Miami Florida for the ultimate showdown.  The big question everyone’s asking this week is “Who’s going to win the Super Bowl?”

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints meets Peyton Manning of the Indiana Colts in the ultimate showdown on Super Bowl XLIV Sunday, February 7, 2010, in Miami Florida.

It’s hard not to pick the Indianapolis Colts with Peyton Manning leading the charge. Manning is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history with a record-setting four MVP awards and one Super Bowl title. Should he lead the Colts to victory this weekend, he may very well solidify himself as the greatest quarterback ever, past John Elway, Joe Montana and Dan Marino. Manning gives the Colts experience, leadership and poise that’s impossible to discount… ... Read More

Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and led the University of Florida to two BCS championships, will attend the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, his agent reports.

Tim Tebow is known for writing biblical passages in his eye paint before games.

Politico reports that when asked if he would be speaking at the breakfast, Tim Tebow’s agent, Susan Vanderlinde, said, “Yes, I believe he is.”… ... Read More