Churchill medal despite starring in the grand final with

Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- RALEIGH, N.C. -- Could the NCAAs decision to pull championship events from North Carolina finally force state Republican leaders to rethink their support for a state law that discriminates against the LGBT community? Unlike the NBA and various artists canceling one-time events, the NCAAs decision could reverberate for years across the state, force the ACC to pull its championship games and give moderate and conservative voters a reason to question if the price the state is paying has finally become too high.- This has been the life of an Ethiopian marathon runner since he made an anti-government gesture at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics: Traveling from country to country for fear of a return home. Constant worry for his family who remained behind. Still, its a stand Feyisa Lilesa felt he had to make.- SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers opened the Chip Kelly era with a bang, beating the Los Angeles Rams 28-0.- PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers offense looked just as good as advertised in a 38-16 dusting of Washington. A sterner test awaits Sunday when AFC North rival Cincinnati visits Heinz Field in the first meeting since Pittsburghs testy and controversial playoff win nine months ago.- TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson could be back at third base for Toronto, a day after he was out of the lineup and both benches and bullpens cleared after the Blue Jays wrapped up a 3-2 win. Marcus Stroman (9-7) starts for Toronto against lefty Drew Smyly (6-11). Game starts 7:07 p.m.- WASHINGTON -- The NL East-leading Washington Nationals host the New York Mets, who are in tight race with St. Louis and San Francisco for two NL wild cards. The Mets send ace Noah Syndergaard (13-8) to the mound, while A.J. Cole (1-2) goes for the Nationals. Game starts 7:05 p.m.- NEW YORK -- In a matchup of left-handers, 20-year-old rookie Julio Urias (5-2) starts for the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers against veteran CC Sabathia (8-12) and the AL wild-card chasing New York Yankees. Game starts 7:05 p.m.- WASHINGTON -- The United States plays its final exhibition game before the World Cup of Hockey against Finland. Coach John Tortorella wants to use the game to iron out some problems, big and small, before the World Cup begins Saturday in Toronto. Game starts 7 p.m.- RIO DE JANEIRO -- Theres more money in the Paralympic Games, younger athletes and better training and equipment. Paralympic officials believe the sport is largely clean, but there are ways athletes try for an edge: gaming a complicated classification system, doping and something called boosting. Bill Russell Dodgers Jersey . Pedro scored from a pass by Lionel Messi in the 33rd minute and added two more goals in the 47th and 72nd after Valdes saved his second penalty in four days following his stop in Wednesdays 4-0 over Ajax in the Champions League. Tyler White Dodgers Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/2765h-tommy-lasorda-jersey-dodgers.html . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Keibert Ruiz Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that. Casey Sadler Dodgers Jersey . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Andrew Fifita was emotionally wrecked leading into the grand final with the threat of expulsion from the NRL hanging over the Cronulla prop.Revelations of Fifitas support of convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge, a childhood friend, sparked an on-going investigation by the NRL integrity unit in September.But, according to grand final heros representatives, his treatment by the league officials left him reeling in the weeks before into the Sharks historic premiership victory.They have thrown him under a bus, put it in reverse and then gone over him again, his management company I.Am.Global told Fairfax Media in a statement.Leading into the grand final, Andrew was not in a good head space.He was told his contract could be ripped up, was panicking and went into a bit of depression.It didnt show because he played so well, but he was emotionally wrecked up until the grand final.The Cronulla powerhouse was excluded from the Kangaroos Four Nations squad due to his off-field issues.He was also snubbed for the Clive Churchill medal despite starring in the grand final with a match-winning try.Had he won the prestigious award, he would have given it to his biggest inspiration, now-retired Sharks captain Michael Ennis, according to Fifitas management.ddddddddddddHis management also accused officials of failing to meet with Fifita when he reached out to the NRL, and he was disappointed Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant called for him to start behaving like an adult.But he wants closure over the saga.The 27-year-old prop forward reportedly considered offers to play in either the English Super League or French rugby next year, but that was a worst-case scenario.He has never wanted to leave rugby league or Cronulla, the statement said.It was only that it appeared his contract would be ripped up that he had to consider plan B.It had nothing to do with the Clive Churchill medal or his omission from the Kangaroos squad.We have had to consider other things but only in case he loses his registration. If that doesnt happen, he isnt going anywhere. ' ' '