Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 12-15-15 Edition

Sports
Floyd Mayweather Jr., Is Warming Up To Retirement With $440k Shopping Spree
Source: Kyrie Irving 'Ready To Play,' Yet Team Staying Cautious With His Return
KYRIE IRVING
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A source familiar with Kyrie Irving's rehabilitation told ESPN.com the fifth-year guard is “ready to play” both mentally and physi- cally and has been that way for about the last week. Yet, Cleve- land Cavaliers coach David Blatt said after practice Sunday that “we won’t see” Irving on the court Tuesday against the Boston Celtics.
What gives?
Blatt even went on to say Irv-
ing “practiced well” and “he is looking good and he is feeling good.” So, again, what is the holdup?
Basically, it comes down to the Cavs exercising extreme caution when it comes to their three- time All-Star point guard. And it comes down to approaching the season with a championship-or- bust mentality, rendering the urge to play Irving in any De- cember game, no matter the flash the matchup may provide -- a playoffs rematch in Boston; a top-flight point-guard battle against Oklahoma City’s Rus- sell Westbrook; etc. -- in- significant in the grand scheme of things.
John Madden Released From Hospital After Open-Heart Surgery
JOHN MADDEN
NEW YORK -- Hall of Fame coach John Madden has been released from the hospital after undergoing open-heart surgery.
The NFL said Thursday that Madden left a San Francisco hospital on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recov-
ery. The 79-year-old Madden coached the Oakland Raiders from 1969-78, leading his team to a Super Bowl victory after the 1976 season. He became a household name after retiring and becoming a broadcaster.
the important work he does for our game."
Madden serves as co-chair of the NFL player safety advi- sory panel. He also is chair of the coaches subcommittee to the competition committee.
BEAUTY UNLIMITED
SHAMYRA
This week’s Beauty Unlimited feature is Shamyra, and she is as daring and challenging as she appears on her photo. Shamyra wants to push the boundaries of tolerance and demand her place among the elite in the fashion industry. She also aspires to get into act- ing and other forms of entertainment as she career begins to launch itself into the stratosphere. Congrat- ulations to Shamyra as this week’s Beauty Unlimited feature.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is basically living it up in Eu- rope, settling into life as a re- tiree.
We found out Mayweather picked up this little number in Milan on Friday during a 400,000 euros shopping spree, because he obviously thinks it looks good ... but mostly because he can. We're told the coat ran him about 10,000 euro.
Floyd's easing into retire-
ment like a college grad -- fly- ing around the Continent en- joying himself .
Before Italy ... he hit up Rus- sia, Turkey, and France. Thursday he was strolling around Monaco like a sharp- dressed man without a care in the world ... and several hun- dred million in the bank. Mayweather spent 19 years in the fight game. Enjoy your- self, Floyd!
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
Cam Newton Keeps Panthers Undefeated
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Few would have called the Carolina Panthers an offensive jugger- naut in August, particularly after wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season- ending knee injury in training camp.
But they are.
Sunday’s 38-0 victory over
Atlanta was Carolina’s fourth consecutive 30-plus point ef- fort, only the second time in a season that has happened in team history.
It was the sixth time this sea- son the Panthers (13-0) have topped 30 points, already two more than all of last season.
Put that with a juggernaut defense that recorded its first shutout since Sept. 22, 2013 – a 38-0 victory over the New York Giants -- and this team has to be the favorite to repre- sent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
This one was over almost be- fore it began. The Panthers jumped to a 21-0 first-quarter lead with 260 yards of offense, the most by any NFL team in any quarter this season.
That alone is juggernaut- worthy.
Quarterback Cam Newton continued to rack up ammuni- tion for the NFL Most Valu- able Player Award with three
CAM NEWTON
touchdown passes and a nearly perfect rating of 153.3.
Newton has 13 touchdown passes in his last four games, and that includes a no-touch- down performance on Thanks- giving against Dallas.
Give offensive coordinator Mike Shula much of the credit for his creativity with a group of players who for the most part aren’t considered stars. Give the offensive line credit as well.
The Panthers have rushed for more than 100 yards in 24 consecutive games, and the line is a big reason why. The last team to accomplish that was the 1976-78 Chicago Bears.
Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls Out For Season With Broken Ankle
THOMAS RAWLS
BALTIMORE -- Seattle Sea- hawks running back Thomas Rawls will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken ankle and torn ligaments in Sunday's victory over the Bal- timore Ravens.
"I think the torn ligaments are really the problem," Sea- hawks coach Pete Carroll said. "I don't think he's going to have to have an operation, from what I understand."
With 5 minutes, 36 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Rawls lost 3 yards on an in- side run and was tackled by defensive lineman Chris Canty. The medical staff
tended to Rawls on the field, and he eventually walked to the sideline under his own power.
Rawls had a big impact as a rookie, rushing 147 times for 830 yards. Now the Seahawks have to figure out their options going forward.
One possibility could be the return of Marshawn Lynch, who has missed the past four games as he recovers from sur- gery associated with a sports hernia injury.
"We'll see how Marshawn does," Carroll said. "He was back in rehabbing with us. We'll see where he is. He's got a chance to get back.
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