NFL
Washington appeals decision on team name trademark
ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Redskins on Thursday formally appealed a ruling that stripped the team of trademark protection, the latest legal maneuver in the franchise’s attempt to defend its name against those who consider it a racial slur.
The office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board voted 2-1 on June 18 to cancel six uses of “Redskins” trademarked from 1967 to 1990, saying the name is “disparaging of Native Americans.”
Bills’ fans find documents linking team to Canada
BUFFALO, N.Y. – A Buffalo Bills’ fan group uncovered documents that suggest a Toronto-based prospective ownership group has plans to relocate the franchise north of the border.
The alliance, made up of business leaders, fans and former Bills players said the references made in the documents “would seem to cast further doubt on the credibility” of the Toronto group’s assurances to keep the Bills in Buffalo.
College Football
Sun Devils lineman is first openly gay D-1 player
TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State offensive lineman Edward Sarafin told a local magazine he is gay, making him the first active Division I football player to come out.
A fifth-year senior, Sarafin told Phoenix-based Compete, a magazine for gay sports, that he began telling teammates about his sexual orientation last spring.
The walk-on lineman, who goes by the nickname Chip, follows the precedent set by St. Louis Rams linebacker Michael Sam, who told teammates he was gay during his playing days but did not come out publicly until after finishing his career at Missouri.
Massachusetts sophomore Derrick Gordon became the first active openly gay Division I basketball player when he came out in April.
Brooklyn Nets forward Jason Collins became the first active openly gay player in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues when he came out to Sports Illustrated in April 2013. He became the first openly gay player to play in an NBA game after signing with the Nets last season.
Cycling
After broken shin, Contador recovers for the Vuelta
MADRID – Alberto Contador said he will compete in the Spanish Vuelta after recovering from a fall that forced him to withdraw from the Tour de France.
The Spanish five-time grand tour winner fractured his right shin in a crash during the 10th stage of the Tour on July 15.
He originally said it would be very difficult for him to recover in time for the three-week Vuelta, which will start Aug. 23.
Soccer
Costa Rica jumps the USA in FIFA rankings to No. 15
ZURICH – World Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica eclipsed the United States to be CONCACAF’s highest-ranked team in the latest FIFA rankings.
Costa Rica climbd one place to No. 15, and Mexico is at No. 17 after also rising one place this month.
The U.S. – which, like Mexico, exited the World Cup in the second round – fell three places to No. 18.
World Cup winner Germany remained No. 1 ahead of Argentina and the Netherlands.
Former champion Spain is tied with Brazil for seventh place.
With the help of the Pope, San Lorenzo wins 1st title
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – San Lorenzo of Argentina, Pope Francis’ favorite team, beat Paraguay’s Nacional 1-0 on Wednesday night to win the Copa Libertadores title for the first time.
Nestor Ortigoza converted a penalty in the 36th minute to give the club its first major international title in its 106-year history. It won 2-1 on aggregate after the teams tied 1-1 last week in Paraguay.
San Lorenzo had been the only top Argentine club yet to win Latin America’s most important club competition.
Associated Press
