SPORTS DIGEST || YSU basketball to appear on BTN, FSN

YSU basketball to appear on BTN, FSN

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State’s mens basketball team will appear on national television three times this winter, head coach Jerrod Calhoun announced.

The Penguins will be on Fox Sports Network for their game against DePaul on Dec. 2 and against Butler on Dec. 9.

YSU’s game against Indian will be on the Big Ten Network on Dec. 29.

YSU basketball to host wine-tasing event

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State men’s basketball program will hold its fourth annual Wine Taste on Oct. 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at The Lake Club in Poland.

Individual reservations are available for $65 per person while a table of 10 costs $550 per table. The event include unlimited pours, multiple tables of different wines pair with appetizers, meat and cheese table and party favors.

The program will also include silent and live auctions to benefit the men’s basketball program.

Please RSVP by Oct. 6. For more information, please call Director of Player Personnel Kevin Bruinsma at (330) 941-3004.

Tom Brady not worried about concussions

FOXBOROUGH, MASS.

Tom Brady doesn’t worry about concussions and considers them part of playing football, the New England Patriots quarterback says in a television interview to be broadcast this weekend.

“I’m not oblivious to them,” Brady tells CBS Sunday Morning. “I mean, I understand the risks that, you know, come with the physical nature of our game.”

Brady’s wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, had said in a May interview that the quarterback has had unreported concussions and she worried about his long-term health. A joint NFL and players union investigation found this week there was no evidence that Brady or the team failed to follow the league’s policies or procedures on concussions.

Texans’ Cushing suspended 10 games

Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has been suspended for 10 games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancers policy.

It’s the second time Cushing has been suspended; he missed four games in 2010 under the same policy, testing positive for a fertility drug. Cushing had won 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year, an honor which was jeopardized by the suspension. He kept the award after a revote by The Associated Press’ awards panel.

Currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in Houston’s opening loss to Jacksonville, Cushing will be eligible to return on Nov. 28.

USWNT stars to donate one percent of salary

LONDON

World Cup winners Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe are donating one percent of their salaries to soccer charities.

The Americans are the first female players to join the Common Goal movement started by Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, who is encouraging players to pledge one percent of their pay to charities.

“As the global profile of women’s football continues to grow, players like myself and Megan will have an increasing number of opportunities to use our status for good,” Morgan, who plays for Orlando Pride, said in a statement on Thursday. “I’m thrilled to join Common Goal at this early stage and hope we can inspire many others to become part of the movement.”

The charity initiative is growing support, with Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels also giving his backing after recognizing how a gulf can be growing between highly paid players in the men’s game and supporters.

“In Europe, we’ve just experienced a record-breaking transfer window,” Hummels said. “Some fans are starting to feel alienated from the game in light of these kinds of developments. But as more players join Common Goal, we hope to show the world that football still has its heart in the right place.”

Staff/wire report