Argonauts running back Cory Boyd Photograph by: Canadian Press , Postmedia News
CFL: Toronto Argos fans were stunned at the news that Cory Boyd had been released. Boyd, the CFL’s leading rusher was released August 12 and quickly signed by Edmonton. Coach Scott Milanovich says the move was to bolster the team at tailback position but former Argo Rob Murphy (now retired) says Boyd maintained a good relationship with the media but was not a good teammate. Some players, including Andre Durie dispute that saying Boyd helped him a lot when he arrived to play for the Argos. Boyd also helped Durie run football clinics for youth. Coach Milanovich says protection of Quarterback Ricky Ray needs to step up and he says Boyd’s yardage could not be considered exclusively – pass blocking was a big issue. Chad Kackert who filled in for Boyd when he was injured will replace him and is set to be the starter. He says he’s prepared for the responsibility the role demands. With big celebrations being planned for this year’s 100th Grey Cup, Toronto is hoping to be one of the teams in the game.
Golf: Charles Barkley (NBA), Bo Jackson (NFL/MLB), Fred McGriff (Blue Jays), Cito Gaston (Blue Jays Manager), Vince Coleman (MLB), Julius Erving (NBA’s Dr. J), and Jamaal Magloire (NBA Raptors) joined a host of other sports stars and celebrities to compete in the 3rd Annual Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament. The star-studded event sold out in 48 hours and in the end donated $500,000 to the Children’s Aid Foundation to help the charity’s work with at-risk youth across Canada. Scholarships and program funding will help provide better opportunities and futures for the kids they support says Carter. The former Blue Jay lives in Kansas City where he and his wife run a real estate development company. Baseball fans in Toronto have a soft spot in their hearts for Carter who in 1993 hit a 3-run homer which sealed Toronto’s World Series win for the 2nd straight year. Carter says he loves visiting Toronto and considers it his second home. He says he always receives an “amazing” reception from fans and still gets asked for autographs everywhere he goes.
Track & Field: No Medal but Lots of Promise. 22-year-old Damian Warner finished 5th in the Decathlon at the London Olympics. The London, Ontario native, who only took up the multi-sport event three years ago, finished with 8442 points, the second best score by a Canadian in history behind Michael Smith who holds the national record with 8626 points. Warner set six personal bests in the competition and believes he will only improve. Most agree that Canada has a star in the making.
Basketball: In 2000 Rowan Barrett was a player on Canada’s national basketball team when they qualified for the Sydney Olympics for the first time in 24 years. They beat Puerto Rico for the berth and the NBA’s Steve Nash was his teammate. Fast-forward to 2012 – Steve Nash is now GM for the Senior Men’s team and Barrett is now Assistant GM and Executive Vice-President. Canada is currently ranked 24th in the world but both Nash and Barrett hope to see Canada represented in the Olympics again. Barrett, who brings years of experience with the national team also has a business background, having earned his MBA.
The Toronto Raptors hold training camp October 1-6 in Halifax at the Canada Games Centre. An intra-squad game is planned for October 6th. The team will also play an exhibition game in Montreal against the New York Knicks on October 19. The Indiana Pacers will play Toronto at the ACC October 31 to open the 2012 -13 season. Their schedule has the team playing 19 or their first 23 games on the road beginning with a visit to the Brooklyn Nets on November 3rd.
Fabrice Muamba
Soccer: Midfielder Fabrice Muamba, 24, has retired from soccer five months after suffering cvardiac arrest during an FA quarter final against Tottenham. He recently sought medical advice in Belgium after consultations in Britain and Europe and was advised to retire from playing at the professional level. Muamba says the news is devastating but that he’s glad toi be alive. He says he mas much to be thankful for. His heart stopped beating on its own for 78 minutes but the medical team “never gave up on me” he said.
Little League Baseball: Uganda’s team, after qualifying last year but unable to participate in the Little League Baseball tournament due to visa issues, this year sent their team of youngsters to join the 15 other teams in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania as the tournament in its 66th year began. The Vancouver-Hastings team that beat Lethbridge-Southwest 11-1 in the Canadian Finals is representing Canada.
Update: Both Uganda and Canada have been eliminated from the tournament after making valiant efforts.
