Sports
Brittney Griner detention: Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr using Russia connections to help WNBA star return to US
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WNBA star Brittney Griner has a fellow celebrity athlete in her nook as she fights to return residence to the US.
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. is providing up his connections in Russia to assist the American athlete after she was arrested at an airport close to Moscow in February on expenses of possession and transportation of hashish – and he or she’s been detained there ever since.
Jones, thought of by many to be one of many biggest boxers of all time with an illustrious profession spanning almost 30 years, grew to become conscious of Griner’s predicament and determined he would possibly be capable to assist.
“First, she’s an athlete. I’ve ties with Russia due to my athleticism and my athletic profession,” Jones instructed Fox Information Digital. “It’s nothing political. It’s all about sports activities.”
BRITTNEY GRINER’S AGENT IMPLORES WHITE HOUSE TO ‘GET A DEAL DONE’ AFTER WNBA STAR’S TRIAL DATE SET IN RUSSIA
Jones defined that again within the top of his boxing profession, there have been solely two or three TV channels in Russia – and a type of channels was boxing. He stated boxing grew to become a extremely popular sport within the nation in consequence, and he was requested to coach boxers to “assist them up their recreation.”
Jones, 53, is a twin U.S. and Russian citizen. He was working a fitness center in Moscow the place he educated younger boxers earlier than Russia’s battle with Ukraine pressured him to shutter his operation. He hopes to sometime return to proceed his work with the aspiring fighters.
“If my athlete affiliations may help rectify the scenario – why wouldn’t I strive?” he stated of Griner’s scenario.
BRITTNEY GRINER APPEARS IN RUSSIAN COURTROOM, CRIMINAL TRIAL DATE SET
“So, I thought of it for a short time and one evening I used to be sleeping and it hit me – what if it was my daughter caught out of the country?” Jones continued. “They don’t communicate no English and he or she don’t communicate the language that they communicate. It’s dangerous sufficient being incarcerated however what if you happen to incarcerated in a international land the place they don’t communicate your language? You know the way dangerous that’s? So, that thought alone terrified me.”
Jones stated he reached out to his lawyer to get involved with the White Home. He additionally linked with a good friend who is aware of folks well-connected in Russian politics.
Jones stated his contact was in a position to attain authorities in Russia who expressed willingness to conduct a prisoner swap with the U.S. Jones stated the method was gradual shifting and has since stalled. He’s hoping to proceed to assist facilitate future communication or negotiations as a lot as he’s ready.
Russian information media has repeatedly prompt that Griner might be swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, in any other case often known as “The Service provider of Dying.” Bout is serving a 25-year sentence on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. residents and offering support to a terrorist group.
However U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wouldn’t disclose U.S. plans to convey Griner residence when requested if a swap was being thought of.
BRITTNEY GRINER DETENTION: WNBA STAR’S WIFE WANTS BIDEN ADMIN TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON RHETORIC
Jones continues to be hopeful that Griner will be capable to return residence safely.
“I’m not a politician,” he stated. “I don’t do all that. But when I can get her residence, they usually say they’re prepared to do a prisoner swap and anyone right here is prepared to try this – then let’s make it occur.”
He continued, “I might really feel dangerous sitting there comfy at evening figuring out she’s in that nation in jail and I’ve citizenship in that nation and I’m not attempting to do nothing to assist. That may be dangerous on my half.”
Jones stated he has been unable to succeed in Griner or her household, however he’s open and prepared to speak ought to they attain out.
“That is what I do. God blessed me with boxing, so I’m attempting to cross my blessing all the way down to different folks as a result of that’s what God gave me,” Jones stated.
MIKE TYSON, ROY JONES JR. FIGHT TO A DRAW IN BOXING SPECTACLE
The Mercury heart’s arrest occurred lower than per week earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine. Griner, an Olympic gold medalist, had been taking part in abroad through the league’s offseason to earn cash. She’s been taking part in basketball in Russia for the previous seven years.
The U.S. State Division categorized Griner as wrongfully detained in Could. She appeared in courtroom Monday for a preliminary listening to. The courtroom ordered her detention to be prolonged for six months. She faces as much as 10 years in jail if she’s convicted. Her trial is ready to start on Friday.
When requested if he had a message to share with Griner, Jones merely stated: “Maintain God first in every part you do and issues will work out.”
Sports
Xander Schauffele walks it off with 18th-hole birdie to win PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele walked it off at Valhalla Golf Club on Sunday, birdying the 18th hole to finish 21-under for the PGA Championship victory.
Schauffele’s 263 strokes over his four rounds is the lowest scoring total in major championship history.
Schauffele was tied with Bryson DeChambeau, who shot a 64, at 20-under entering the final hole. Schauffele, after going up and down to save par on the 17th hole, walked into the 18th tee knowing a birdie would give him the Wanamaker Trophy.
He did just that and Schauffele can forever say he’s a major champion.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Sports
Raul Lara's spring debut at Mater Dei leads to passing tournament championship
Wearing a gray Mater Dei T-shirt and white hat, Raul Lara is reminded constantly how strange he looks in Monarchs football gear by his acquaintances from his Long Beach Poly coaching days.
He had a 13-year run, winning five Southern Section Division 1 championships. Saturday at Long Beach Millikan was his team’s first seven-on-seven passing competition since he took over for Frank McManus at Mater Dei on April 25.
“It’s like when I took over at Poly when Jerry Jason established something,” Lara said. “[Bruce] Rollinson did the same thing. It’s my job hopefully to keep up with that. If we can do a little bit better, then we do. I don’t feel pressure, but I feel obligated to keep this program at the top.”
The Monarchs went 7-0 today to win Long Beach Tournament of Champions! Thanks to Long Beach Millikan for a great tournament.
— Mater Dei Football (@MDFootball) May 19, 2024
Lara, who resigned as head coach at St. Anthony, has kept much of Mater Dei’s coaching staff, enabling a smooth transition since the dismissal of McManus, who was head coach for one season.
Lara made it clear one of his assignments is to make sure players grow on and off the field. He’s a retired probation officer and plans to use the word accountability quite often.
“My biggest thing in coaching is always the character of the kid,” he said. “I want the kid when he leaves our program to learn the tools to become a responsible and good adult in the community. The kids are starting to see I have their best interest. And there’s a lot of accountability going on.”
Mater Dei won the seven-on-seven tournament championship, defeating rival St. John Bosco in the final while going 7-0 on the day. Dash Beierly, a senior transfer from Chaparral, and sophomore to be Furian Infererra handled quarterback duties. Corona Centennial and JSerra also reached the semifinals.
The tournament was filled with top players, from Edison receivers Jacob Martin and Jake Minter to Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel. It launches a busy schedule of seven-on-seven weekend tournaments for the next month. St. John Bosco and Simi Valley will have tournaments on June 29 and the Edison tournament is July 13.
Crean Lutheran defeated San Juan Hills to win the Dana Hills tournament. Charter Oak won its own tournament championship, defeating Bishop Amat in the final.
Sports
Scottie Scheffler may see charges dropped after arrest during PGA Championship: report
Prosecutors in Kentucky were reportedly expected to drop the charges against Scottie Scheffler after his stunning arrest before the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
Jefferson County prosecutors were planning, “as of now,” to drop the charges, No Laying Up reported Sunday, citing a source “familiar with the office’s thinking.”
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony), criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
He allegedly drove past a police officer who was directing traffic and failed to stop when directed. The officer attached himself to Scheffler’s vehicle and was dragged. According to an arrest report, Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis suffered injuries in the incident.
Scheffler’s arraignment is set for Tuesday. The Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office didn’t immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday there was no body cam footage of the incident between Scheffler and Gillis.
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 2024: XANDER SCHAUFFELE, COLLIN MORIKAWA ATOP CROWDED LEADERBOARD HEADING INTO FINAL ROUND
“The officer did not have body cam footage turned on during the incident,” Greenberg said Saturday, via the Louisville Courier-Journal. “We will release footage that we have… to my knowledge, we have not yet discovered any video of the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Mr. Scheffler.”
Greenberg did say there was a “fixed camera” across the street from where the incident took place. He was unsure if Gillis was wearing a body camera. He didn’t say whether Scheffler’s charges would be reduced.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington was in the vicinity of the incident and caught video of Scheffler being put into the back of a police vehicle.
Scheffler called the incident a “big misunderstanding” on Friday.
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do,” he said. “I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.
“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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