Trump tweets against LeBron, Terrell skips Canton induction

Trump, the stable genius, slams ‘Lebron’ for lacking intelligence

While campaigning for congressional special-election candidate Troy Balderson, President Trump tweeted against the state’s most popular sports hero, LeBron James. The basketball master was featured on CNN as he opened a public school for underprivileged children in his home town of Akron. James promised to pay for 1,000 students to attend the University of Akron. America applauded his generosity. Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, said, “LeBron should be praised. He’s got $41 million set aside to help kids go to college.” First Lady Melania Trump released a statement: “It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of the next generation.” But husband Donald tweeted about the philanthropic athlete being stupid. Reacting to the CNN portrayal of James, he cited Don Lemon as “the dumbest man on television. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do.” As irony would have it, the self-described “stable genius” misspelled LeBron’s name. Trump did not appreciate a comment James made to Lemon as they toured the new “I Promise” school: “I believe our president is trying to divide us.” That sentiment was echoed by Republican speechwriter Peter Wehner, who tweeted: “Trump’s made the same criticism of black athletes, black journalists & black Members of Congress. He attacks their intelligence. His racist appeals are not even disguised anymore.” Kasich said Trump “is a divider” whose involvement in the congressional campaign was not welcomed. Kasich feared it could swing the election against the Trump-endorsed candidate, Balderson. The Democratic challenger, Danny O’Connor, closed ground in polls taken after Trump’s slur against James. However, late returns showed Balderson gaining a narrow edge.

Dear Mr. President: Your response to James proves his point, that with your constant stream of ill-considered tweets you turn Americans against each other.

Terrell Owens holds his own Hall of Fame induction – in Chattanooga

Terrell Owens refused to attend his own Hall of Fame induction in Canton. He felt he should not have had to wait two years longer than first-ballot inductee Randy Moss who had 96 fewer receptions and 642 fewer yards and just 3 more touchdowns. At his self-staged induction speech in Chattanooga, Owens wore his Hall of Fame gold jacket and said, “It’s about the mere fact that the sportswriters are not in alignment with the mission and core values of the Hall of Fame.” The Hall lists five values that determine qualification: commitment, courage, integrity, respect and excellence. Moss at his best was more of a field-stretcher, but Owens showed more commitment and courage. Moss disappeared for weeks at a time in Oakland; Owens caught 9 passes for 122 yards in the 2005 Super Bowl when he was limping on a leg fractured seven weeks earlier.   It’s one of the iconic acts of heroism in American sports – football’s answer to Curt Schilling winning a pennant with blood dripping through his sock. Still, Owens, who at 44 is auditioning for the Canadian Football League, was criticized by Skip Bayless and other pundits as selfish.   “The media made it look like I was grandstanding,” Owens said. “Anyone else would have been a warrior.” Hoping to discourage Owens imitators, some Hall of Fame executives want to require each prospective inductee to promise in writing to attend his ceremony in Canton.

Dear Terrell: Voters said you were disliked by teammates for “character issues,” but other Cantonized receivers who were less dominant, Marvin Harrison and Michael Irvin, had more character questions than you. You ‘d have had much more impact by speaking in Canton.

Kelvin Benjamin says he would have preferred ‘any other quarterback’ than Cam Newton

Kelvin Benjamin, who was once the No. 1 receiver of the Carolina Panthers, feels he’s better off playing in Buffalo, where he is now. “I should have been drafted by somebody else,” he told The Athletic. “I just think Carolina was bad for me. It was a bad fit from the get-go. If you would have put me with any other quarterback, let’s be real, you know what I’m saying? . . . (Aaron) Rodgers or Eli Manning or Big Ben – quarterbacks with knowledge that know how to place a ball and give you a better chance to catch the ball. It just felt like I wasn’t in that position.” Bills coach Sean McDermott was not happy with Benjamin’s outburst. “I’ve spoken with Kelvin, and that’s not how we want to handle things like that.”

Dear Kelvin: Your current quarterbacks, A.J. McCarron and Josh Allen, can’t feel too secure after these comments. Perhaps you should make a Pro Bowl team before you disparage an MVP.

Gruden says Martavis Bryant ‘has to get out there and play better’

The Oakland Raiders’ new coach, Jon Gruden, unloaded on the team’s new receiver, ex-Pittsburgh Steeler Martavis Bryant. “He’s got to get out here and play better. He’s in a competitive situation. A lot of the other receivers have had a nice camp. He’s had injuries. He needs to get out there. He’s got to master the offense and become more versatile. That’s the key to making this team better.”

Between the Lines: Bryant was traded from Pittsburgh because of his lack of enthusiasm and commitment. Gruden is sounding a warning that his patience is quickly running out.

Streaker risks deportation at Mariners game

An Irish citizen who lives in Vancouver, Canada won an $80 bet by streaking while completely naked at Friday’s Seattle Mariners game against Toronto. The fan was tackled by security officers and ushered off the field and into jail. Worse news could be that he may be deported to Ireland, depending on how his legal issues are resolved. His friends who bet him were visiting from Ireland. They’re raising money in his behalf.

CLICK HERE for video

Meyer says he ‘misspoke‘ when he denied knowing of assistant’s domestic violence

Ohio State University expects to take no more than 14 days to complete an investigation of head football coach Urban Meyer, who is suspended with pay for being slow in firing his recruiting coordinator, Zach Smith, for alleged domestic violence. For a woman’s perspective, Sarah Spain on ESPN’s Around the Horn: “If he knew about the incidents in ’09 and 2015, why did he flat-out lie and say he didn’t know about it? Even while his wife was texting Courtney Smith and saying, ‘I’m afraid of Zach Smith; you should get a restraining order; I’m so sad you’re going through this.’ . . . In the end these are all statements for contracts. It’s about the buyout.” Meyer said he “misspoke” when he told reporters he was unaware of Courtney Smith’s allegations. Zach Smith told ESPN that Meyer pulled him out of practice to question him about the 2015 incident. A rally in Columbus to show support for Meyer drew a crowd of only 100.

Between the Lines: Although some reporters agree with Spain that Meyer will be fired, the consensus is that OSU will find a way to keep the coach who rivals Nick Saban as the best in college football.