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Delaware Dad’s Dollars Drives Son David
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN)
Sporting Life with Jeremy Schaap (Friday, 10 p.m., ESPN Radio)
David Sills IV is the biggest contributor to the Red Lion Christian Academy booster club in Bear, Del. As president of a successful commercial contracting company, he largely funded the school’s football stadium, donating the turf and lights. Two years ago, Sills started and helped finance the Red Lions’ middle school football program, paying for trips to games in Tennessee and California last season. David Sills V was quarterback of RLCA’s middle school team two years ago. In February then-13-year old David became the youngest player to verbally commit to a BCS school after USC coach Lane Kiffin offered him a scholarship. The following month the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association launched an investigation into Red Lion after receiving complaints about the football program. Kelly Naqi reports.
“Maybe 100 grand.” – David Sills IV, on how much he’s spent on his son’s lessons with Steve Clarkson, who has tutored Ben Roethlisberger, Jimmy Clauson, and Matt Leinart, among others
“Things that I donate to Red Lion, I do so (because) it benefits all the kids, so that it brings glory to God. And I love doing it.” – Sills IV, on his remarkable philanthropy
One-on-One with Dan Snyder
E:60 (Tuesday, 7 p.m., ESPN)
In 11 years since buying the Washington Redskins, Dan Snyder has been a controversial figure, and arguably one of the most hated owners in the NFL. In an E:60 exclusive interview with Rachel Nichols, Snyder opens up about his embarrassment over the mistakes he’s made, why he’s been a media target, and how owning the Redskins is a very personal undertaking and the dream-come-true for a boy whose father made him the team’s biggest fan.
Ron Washington Considered Himself a Survivor Before Cocaine Admission
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m., ESPN)
The Sporting Life with Jeremy Schaap (Friday, 10 p.m. ESPN Radio)
ESPN.com (piece to be posted Sunday)
Ron Washington played 10 seasons in the minor leagues, plus 10 in the majors for five teams. He then served as coach with the Mets and A’s before being named Texas Rangers manager at age 55. Then, prior to the 2009 All-Star break and days before a mandatory MLB drug test, Washington says he used cocaine for the first time. He reported himself to MLB and Rangers management, which allowed him to remain manager. On March 17, 2010 when the story broke, he tearfully apologized before the entire Rangers organization – 60 players, plus staff. The players rallied behind him, standing behind him at the podium for his ensuing press conference, and the team has been atop the A.L. West since June 8. Tom Friend reports.
“We’re human. Every now and then, a weak side shows up, and for me that’s what happened. I could’ve waited for things (results) to come back, and had a scandal happen, but the only thing I knew what to do was call somebody.” – Ron Washington, on reporting his cocaine use before test results were returned
“He said, ‘I made a mistake, and I understand the severity of it, and if you’d like me to resign, I am willing to resign.’” — Nolan Ryan, Rangers part-owner, on meeting with Washington
“In a way, I was shocked, because they could have easily come in there and said, ‘Clean your stuff out and get out of here.’ But they didn’t. They were the class act that I always thought they were. And it helped me to move forward.” — Washington
Donovan McNabb Emotional/Non-Emotional Return
NFL Countdown (Sunday, 11 a.m., ESPN)
Donovan McNabb took the Eagles to five NFC title games in his 11 seasons in Philadelphia, and while he never showed it, he never felt fully appreciated. Leading up to this week’s return to the City of Brotherly Love, McNabb – as always – said all the right things. But, what does he really think? NFL Countdown asked some of his former teammates – Brian Dawkins, John Runyan and Hugh Douglas – what’s really going through his mind. Greg Garber reports.
Tiger on Ryder Cup Team: Help or Hindrance?
Ryder Cup coverage
Tiger Woods’ personal life unraveled in the past 10 months and he failed to win a tournament during the season for the first time in 15 years. Despite personal distractions and on-course disappointments, the world’s top-ranked golfer was awarded the opportunity to play for his country on the Ryder Cup team. Whether Woods will help or be a distraction to his team depends on whom you ask.
The Art of the Tackle
NFL Countdown (Sunday, 11 a.m., ESPN)
The basic fundamentals of getting your man to the ground are the very foundation of the game of football. As the culture of physical play has evolved in the NFL, so too has the art of tackling. Tom Jackson (pictured) examines one of game’s most basic principles with some of the NFL’s greatest defenders.
Bedard Survives Snakes and Gators and Bears
E:60 (Tuesday, 7 p.m., ESPN)
By all accounts, 42-year-old Paul Bedard should be dead. He’s been bitten 12 times by alligators, nearly lost a finger to a rattlesnake and been clawed by a bear. The Massachusetts native is also an endurance athlete, torturing his body through endless hours of racing. It’s clear that Bedard feels pain differently than most people.
Michigan’s Brock and Elliott Mealer
E:60 (Tuesday, 7 p.m., ESPN)
In a follow up to a story that aired a year ago, E:60’s Lisa Salters reports on brothers Brock and Elliott Mealer of the University of Michigan and their struggles since a deadly car crash three years ago. Elliott came back from injuries to play football, but Brock was told he’d never walk again. Yet with the help of two canes, Brock led the Wolverines out of the tunnel for this year’s Michigan home opener and touched the banner to start the 2010 season. In that moment, his family was finally healed.
