Female referee takes soccer ball to face

A female linesman assistant referee got in the way of a touchline clearance — during Sunday night's Brazilian Campeonato Série B match between Atlético Goianiense and Paraná — and got a free facial.

The powerful strike from the Paraná defender hit the pony-tailed ref smack in the face, and was enough to knock her off her feet. Thankfully, after some treatment on the sidelines with an ice pack, the lady in yellow was on the pitch after a few minutes.

Paraná ended up 2-0 winners.

New York Post's front page tells A-Rod to 'Just Go'

It's not a headline as iconic as "Headless Body in Topless Bar," but the New York Post expressed what they consider Yankee fans' feelings loud and clear with Monday's front page featuring a photo of Alex Rodriguez and 160-point, block letters spelling out "JUST GO."

According to the New York tabloid:

Yankees fans have had enough of Alex Rodriguez — and would like to see the PED-linked prima donna take a long walk out of The Bronx for good.

While the defiant Yankees third baseman awaits his fate from MLB Commissioner Bud Selig Monday morning, fans, reportedly fed up with the drawn-out Biogenesis scandal, believe that A-Rod cheated and should accept the ban and leave.

Rather than mourn the loss of the high-paid superstar, many Yankees fans said they believe the team would be better off if A-Rod would take his $29 million salary and just go away.

The suspension ruling that is expected today comes just as A-Rod is ready to get off a long stint on the disabled list, where he was recovering from a hip injury. He has the right to stay on the team as he appeals any suspension, so he may be in the lineup tonight even if Selig bans him through 2014.

The prospect of an embattled and humiliated Rodriguez taking the field had people flocking to Twitter yesterday to mock him.

“Hey @AROD, you should juice up as much as you can while you appeal your suspension. You won’t win, [might] as well go out with a bang,” said a user who took the name “Not Aroid.”

Another user named Quanell said: “Hey @arod ! Great example you are setting for kids. Why don’t you quit and admit cheaters don’t win? Take your dirty money and go away.”

Fans even took shots at A-Rod's former Hollywood romances.

“Biggest lesson learned from this whole @AROD scandal is that you should NEVER let Cameron Diaz feed you popcorn,” he said.

Expect to see more than a few of these front pages at Yankee Stadium when the team returns on Friday — if A-Rod is still around. Maybe with the headline: "Clueless Slugger in Endless Ban."

Little Pirates fan throws ball back to ball girl

What's wrong with kids these days. It seems like every time a little one nabs a foul ball they throw it back.  This young fan at PNC Park got a free ball from the ballgirl — who made a nice grab — and then tosses it back at her before she returns it again.

Maybe he just wanted to play catch.

Jeter likely to land on disabled list again in 'nightmare' season

In a twist of fate nobody could have foreseen a couple of days ago, it looks like Alex Rodriguez has a better chance of being in Monday night's lineup in Chicago than Derek Jeter does.

While Rodriguez defiantly claimed he would be suiting up against the White Sox — despite his impending suspension — Jeter looked totally dejected on Sunday evening after the Yankees 6-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. With the prospect of yet another trip to the disabled list with a strained right calf muscle more than likely, the Yankees' Captain sounded more than just frustrated.

“It’s been terrible,” Jeter said. “It’s been a nightmare. The whole season’s been a nightmare.”

After tweaking his calf last Sunday, Jeter underwent an MRI on Saturday night. The examination revealed a Grade-1 strain. Manager Joe Girardi indicated the team would make a decision on Monday in Chicago. Alex Rodriguez could replace Jeter on the roster. Jeter said he was not sure what tests, if any, he would undergo before the matter was decided.

Jeter compared the pain to a “deep bruise.” He spent Sunday receiving treatment. He indicated he was not available to pinch hit. He rested these past two days, but offered no assurances that his condition had improved.

“The odd thing is there was no play where it happened,” Jeter said. "Usually, you feel it on a particular play. I didn't feel it on any particular play. We got out to Los Angeles and I began to feel it [Sunday] night and [Monday] on the off day."

Jeter already missed the first half of the season with a twice-broken left ankle. He injured his right quad in his first game back, on July 11, and landed back on the disabled list. He could not recall how he injured himself on this time. There was no particular play that caused it, he said.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in my career not to have to deal with too many things,” the 39-year-old Jeter said. “Now it seems like I’m dealing with them a lot at one time. So I have no choice to move on. Hopefully it heals quickly, and I can get back out there.”

It would have been interesting to compare the response from the Chicago crowd each time A-Rod or Jeets went to the plate.

Cooper tells Eagles he's been threatened since racial slur video was released

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper has been sent threatening messages after a video of him making a racial slur became public.

The team said Sunday that Riley informed the club of the threats and did not know who made them. The team has notified the league's security department.

Cooper was fined by the Eagles after his slur became known Wednesday. He left the team Friday to seek counseling.

"Riley Cooper made us aware of the tweets when the video became public," the team said in a statement. "He told us that he did not know about the video. He informed us he blocked the tweets because he did not know the person nor understand the context of what that person was threatening.

"We promptly alerted NFL security. This information potentially speaks to a legal issue that is a matter between Riley and the authorities. Our focus has been on Riley's words and actions."

The video of Cooper was taken at a Kenny Chesney concert in June. Cooper apologized profusely both Wednesday and Thursday.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly has said Cooper's roster spot is not in jeopardy. Cooper has just 46 catches and five touchdowns in three years with the Eagles, but had been practicing with the starters after Jeremy Maclin's season-ending knee injury.

Asked when Cooper will return to the Eagles, Kelly said there's no time frame.

"When we do, we'll make sure we announce it so it's not going to be a surprise to anybody," Kelly said.

Cromartie: Fans booing Sanchez is 'bullcrap'

It's sort of ironic that Antonio Cromartie — the player who picked off Mark Sanchez's boo-inciting pass Saturday— is the same guy who came to the quarterback's defense when the venomous chorus from the stands wouldn't let up on the maligned QB.

Though he made the pick, Cromartie was not too happy with the crowd’s reaction.

“I think that’s bullcrap,” Cromartie said. “My thing is, if you’re going to be a fan, be a fan. You don’t come out here and boo anybody.”

Sanchez seemed to take it in stride, perhaps having gotten used to being the target of such disdain over the past couple of seasons.

“Oh, shoot, I don’t care,” he said. “That’s the way it goes.”

The boos started before Sanchez tossed the pick. Earlier in the game, the fifth-year incumbent, trying to fight off a challenge from rookie Geno Smith for the starting job, tripped over his own feet and fell smack on his butt for the easiest sack of Dawan Landry’s career. You might want to label it the Buttsack — little brother of the infamous Buttfumble of last season.

For Sanchez’s sake, at least it was his own rear end that took the brunt of the impact (rather than Brandon Moore’s) and he was able to hang on to the football.

Though Smith reportedly looked like the better quarterback throughout the majority of the scrimmage Saturday, Sanchez finished with a big play —a 57-yard touchdown to Stephen Hill — which wiped out any remnants of the aforementioned Buttsack.

Sanchez completed six of 11 attempts for 93 yards, with a touchdown, interception and two sacks.

Smith, who took the majority of the reps with the first team because it was his turn in the rotation, was 9-for-16 for 77 yards and a sack.

Look for Friday night’s preseason opener against the Lions as an opportunity for either Sanchez or Smith to solidify their chances for the starting job.

“Again, guys, it’s just one opportunity to come out and compete,” said head coach Rex Ryan. “Certainly, this is really the beginning stages of the competition, and I think it will be interesting when we go to Detroit and start playing some live preseason games.”

Good thing Cromartie is there as the Jets' peacekeeper.

5 year-old cancer survivor scores touchdown with Browns on Family Night

The Cleveland Browns held their "Family Night" during practice at FirstEnergy Stadium Saturday and capped off the evening with Ryan Encinas, a 5-year-old cancer survivor, taking a hand-off from quarterback Brandon Weeden and running 50-yards for a touchdown with Trent Richardson leading the way.

With a few tons of blockers ahead and the weight of cancer treatment behind him, the tough five-year-old — wearing an over-sized Browns helmet and a No.1 with the name "Encinas" on the back of his jersey —clutched the football and ran for the goal line in front of a crowd of 24,134 fans cheering every emotional step.

From his parents view:

The youngster got caught up in the the excitement of the moment, and lost in the canyons of 300-pound linemen,  and prematurely spiked the ball around the 30-yard line before head coach Rob Chudzinski picked up the loose ball and handed it back to his little running back.

As Ryan crossed the goal line, he was lifted onto the shoulders of linebacker Craig Robertson and congratulated by the entire team in the end zone.

“That was cool,” Weeden said. “When Chud told us we were going to do that in team meetings, I was pumped about it. That was a cool deal. The kid is 5-years-old and he's been through a lot. I do a lot of stuff back home with Children's Hospital, so every time something like that happens, it brings a lump to your throat.”

Good play call, guys.

[Browns.com]