Scoreboard B-2 Baseball B-3 Golf B-3 Prep roundup B-3 Business B-5 Time Out B-6 Classifieds
B-7 Comics B-12
SPORTS
LeBron James
“It seems like a lot
of people try to tell
you what to do with
your life and most
of the time they
don’t even have
their own life in
order.”
LeBron
speaks out
on eve of
Heat camp
Ready to bypass critics,
focus on championship
By Tim Reynolds
The Associated Press
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — In one
breath, LeBron James insisted that
he’s moved past the venom directed
his way after he chose to join the
Miami Heat. In the next, the NBA’s
two-time reigning MVP said all those
naysayers out there are his fuel.
Which rings true? Apparently, both.
“I don’t want to keep harping about
what people have said about me,” he
said. “But personally, I’m motivated by
what has gone on this summer.”
Donning his new Heat home uni-
form and spending the afternoon
flanked by fellow star teammates
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James
began a new chapter Monday, hours
before his team was to fly north for
training camp in Florida’s Panhandle.
Since “The Decision,” as it’s known,
James has been called a quitter by
Cleveland owner and former boss Dan
Gilbert, had his competitiveness ques-
tioned by the Orlando Magic, heard
Dallas owner Mark Cuban say he
made a bad business deal, and found
himself taking note of what was writ-
ten and said by countless pundits.
It’s all made James feel like he has
something to prove again.
“It’s funny how things happen in
life and how people react,” James
said. “It seems like a lot of people try
to tell you what to do with your life
and most of the time they don’t even
have their own life in order. That was
just funny to me.”
James signed a $109.8 million, six-
year deal with Miami on July 9.
He shrugged off the notion this
season was “championship-or-bust.”
“Not bust,” James said. “But it is
championship.”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Rematch
on between
Gators, Tide
For rivals, Saturday
brings high expectations
By John Zenor
The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — This Flor-
ida-Alabama game is not all or noth-
ing, title shot or title shutout.
None of the possibilities or dreams
really go away if the top-ranked Crim-
son Tide or seventh-ranked Gators
lose Saturday in the rematch from
the last two Southeastern Conference
championship games. Just a midsea-
son setback, especially since they
don’t even play in the same division.
Ah, who are we kidding? This is a
rivalry game not because of long his-
tory but because of the recent variety.
It matches the SEC’s two dominant
teams over the last few years, so does
it really matter if the calendar is just
creeping into October?
“It’s definitely one of the most
anticipated games in the country. I’m
real excited to get into it,” said Florida
defensive end Justin Trattou on Mon-
day. Still, the loser won’t be left in
tears this time, unlike the December
meetings. Florida won the SEC in
2008 and Alabama won it last season.
Both went on to win the national
championship.
This time there could very well
be Florida-Alabama II in a couple of
months at the Georgia Dome.
Both teams are 4-0. Florida has
played two league games and Alabama
one, last weekend at No. 15 Arkansas.
Sports information: James Barron, 986-3045, jbarron@sfnewmexican.com Design and headlines: Elizabeth Herrera Lauer, ehlauer@sfnewmexican.com
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 THE NEW MEXICAN
Denied, for now: Blue Jays
delay Yankees from clinching
playoff berth. Page B-3 B
Raiders Hall of Famer Blanda dies at 83
QB led Oilers to first 49th birthday before
the 1976 season, play-
old, Blanda led the Raiders to four
wins and one tie with late touch-
game,” NFL Commissioner Roger
Goodell said in a statement, “includ-
of two AFL titles ing longer than any- down passes or field goals. ing his amazing career longevity of
one else in pro foot- Later that season, he became the 26 seasons in four different decades.”
The Associated Press ball history. He spent oldest quarterback to play in a cham- Blanda began his memorable run
10 seasons with the pionship game, throwing two touch- in 1970 by throwing three touchdown
ALAMEDA, Calif. — George Chicago Bears, part down passes and kicking a field goal passes in place of an injured Daryle
Blanda, the seemingly ageless Hall of of one with the Bal- in Oakland’s 27-17 loss to Baltimore in Lamonica in a 31-14 win over Pitts-
Fame quarterback and kicker whose George
timore Colts, seven the AFC title game. His performance burgh on Oct. 25. The following week
26-year career was best remembered Blanda with the Houston that season earned him The Associ- he kicked a 48-yard field goal in the
for a remarkable run of late-game Oilers and nine with ated Press Male Athlete of the Year. final seconds to give the Raiders a
theatrics with the Oakland Raiders, the Raiders. Blanda joined the Oilers of the new 17-17 tie against Kansas City.
has died. He was 83.
The Raiders confirmed the death
Monday and issued a statement say-
He scored 2,002 points in his
career, a pro football record at the
time of his retirement, kicking 335
American Football League in 1960
and played 16 seasons before hanging
it up for good following the 1975 cam-
Oilers owner Bud Adams said
Blanda’s flair was a reason the AFL
attracted so much attention.
ing “we are deeply saddened by the
passing of the great George Blanda.
George was a brave Raider and a close
field goals and 943 extra points, run-
ning for nine touchdowns and throw-
ing for 236 more.
paign. He led the Oilers to the first
two AFL titles, beating the Chargers
for the championship following the
“He was the perfect fit for the start
of the AFL, joining our league from
the NFL and displaying the ability to
personal friend of Raiders owner Al But it was a five-game stretch for 1960 and ’61 seasons. lead a high flying offense,” Adams said
Davis.”
Blanda retired a month shy of his
Oakland in 1970 that is the lasting
imprint from his career. As a 43-year-
“George Blanda will always be
remembered as a legend of our
in a statement. “His play garnered our
league a lot of attention and fans.”
NFL
Chicago Bears’ Lance Briggs intercepts a pass tipped by Brian Urlacher (54) to end the first half against the Green Bay Packers on Monday. The
Packers were plagued by penalties throughout the night, something the Bears took advantage of. BRIAN CASSELLA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Good news, Bears
Fumbling Packers help a hit by Urlacher in the final minutes. 25-yard field goal by Gould when when he ran back a punt 62 yards in
Then Morgan Burnett was called for Urlacher jarred the ball out of Jones’ the fourth quarter, giving the Bears a
Chicago redeem itself pass interference on Earl Bennett, hands after the receiver caught a pass short-lived 14-10 lead.
setting up the winning kick. from Aaron Rodgers near midfield. Rodgers threw for 316 yards and a
By Andrew Seligman Chicago is 3-0 and alone atop the Tim Jennings recovered, giving Chi- touchdown and also scored on a 3-
The Associated Press NFC North. The Packers fell to 2-1. cago the ball on the Packers 46 with
2:18 remaining.
yard run that gave the Packers a 17-14
“It’s fun, that is all you can ask for,” lead in the fourth period.
CHICAGO — Still doubting the
Bears? Cutler said. “The defense did a great Soon after, another penalty cost Jermichael Finley had nine catches
Jay Cutler threw for 221 yards, job, we struggled the whole game, the Packers in a big way. for 115 yards, but the sloppiness sim-
felt like we kind of were killing our- On second down at the 33, Cutler ply caught up with the Packers in the
Brian Urlacher
Bears 20 selves.” tried to hit Bennett deep along the end.
forced a key fum-
ble and Chicago The Bears kept insisting they were right sideline and Burnett basically Cutler completed 16 of 27 passes
Packers 17
took advantage contenders through a sloppy pre- hammered him, wiping out an inter- with a touchdown and interception.
season and less-than-inspiring open- ception by Nick Collins and putting Johnny Knox had four catches for 94
of a team-record-
ing win over Detroit. Since then, they the ball at the 9. yards.
tying 17 penalties by the Packers to
beat Green Bay 20-17 on Monday turned heads with a win at Dallas Three plays later, Chicago walked Chicago held its longtime rival to
night. last week, and stamped themselves away with a wild win and the only 63 yards rushing, but the Bears had
Robbie Gould won it with a 19-yard as contenders by beating Green Bay undefeated record in the NFC. only 77 themselves. That turned it
field goal with 4 seconds left. The — with lots of help from the Packers. Devin Hester delivered his first into an air game for much of the
Packers’ James Jones lost a fumble on The Bears had tied it at 17 on a touchdown return in three years night.
Halladay helps Phillies beat Nationals
Philadelphia clinches Rookie mistake, putting those gog-
gles up there, instead of over his eyes:
highs in the majors this season —
and Werth drove in four runs, leading
remember — although it’s still uncer-
tain which team they’ll face next
NL East for fourth year Halladay scrunched his face and the Phillies to a 8-0 victory over the week in the division series.
braced against the sting as teammate Washington Nationals on Monday Halladay (21-10) will be on the big
By Howard Fendrich Jayson Werth poured a full bottle of night, wrapping up the division with stage of the playoffs for the first time
The Associated Press
bubbly over him. five games left. in his 13th major league season.
Yes, the Philadelphia Phillies are “That’s the reason you want to Halladay played his entire career
WASHINGTON — Roy Halla-
day stood in the middle of the sort the NL East champions for the fourth come to a team like this. They know with the Toronto Blue Jays before
of wild clubhouse celebration he’d consecutive year — and Halladay is how to do it,” Halladay said, a bottle being traded to Philadelphia last
longed to be a part heading to the playoffs for the first clutched in his hands. winter.
Phillies 8 of for so many time. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve been a His years without a postseason
Nationals 0 years, a pair of Fittingly, the right-hander helped part of. It’s just the start, I think.” trip were tied for fourth-most among
goggles perched seal the deal. The Phillies have the league’s best active players; the highest total on
on the brim of his dark cap with Halladay allowed only two hits to record and are assured of home-field that list belongs to Sweeney, whose
“Playoffs” written in white above a earn his 21st win with his fourth shut- advantage throughout the postseason drought ends in his 16th season,
red Phillies “P.” out and ninth complete game — all — the NL won the All-Star game, STATS LLC said.
BREAKING NEWS AT WWW.SANTAFENEWMEXICAN.COM